Rose balked at the idea of skipping Monday's classes. Albus told her that no one would hold it against her, and that Professor Evariste would probably even write her an excuse note, but Rose was adamantly against it. Returning to classes would help her feel normal again, which she desperately needed.

She was right- preparing for finals was what kept her mind off of Herbert as the school year began to draw to a close. She had successfully fielded her parents' questions following the incident. Professor Evariste had informed them about the basics, but let Rose decide which of the details to tell them about. She decided to leave things vague and tell them some of the less pleasant parts (like being put under the Imperius Curse for a few minutes) after returning home for the summer.

Out of the bustle of Hogwarts came many surprises for Rose's last month in school. The first took the shape of two familiar faces.

"Gemma! Genna!"

The twins looked up from the library table, both wearing matching grins. Rose immediately sent her sack of books down and rushed to the table.

"Rose!"

"What a surprise."

"Well, not really-"

"-if we're being honest-"

"-which, to you, of course we are."

"I missed the two of you," said Rose warmly. "I haven't seen you since-"

"We know."

"We've been-"

"-busy."

"Yes. Busy."

"Am I allowed to ask where you've been?" she asked. "I wasn't expecting to see you at King's Cross."

"Travelling," said Genna lightly.

"We're actually here to say goodbye for the summer," said Gemma.

"Always more travelling to do."

"Will you write more?" asked Rose. "I have some questions for you, you know."

Both witches grinned.

"We'll try," said Gemma noncomitally.

Rose hugged both of them tightly. They smelled distinctly familiar, but Rose couldn't place the scent.

The following week, the common room was roaring with celebration. The final game of the Quidditch season had come and gone, and Gryffindor had come in second place for the Quidditch Cup. Rose didn't understand why they were so vigorously celebrating the fact that they hadn't quite won, but supposed that any reason to destress this close to finals was good enough.

Opting out of the party, Rose decided to roam the castle for a bit. It was nice to be alone with her thoughts. When she got to the second floor, she hesitated, then turned down the corridor that would lead her to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

Inside, she saw a scene far different from only weeks prior. Every sign of Enchanting Enhancements had been erased, except for a few boxes which were still piled in one corner. She thought for a moment she was alone, and then Mindel stepped out of one of the stalls.

"Rose!" she said, smiling. "I'm sorry, we're all closed up for the summer. What did you need?"

"I just wanted to stop in and say hi," said Rose.

"Everything's been so hectic," said Mindel. "I was so glad to hear that you were alright, what with everything that happened with those dragons. Deasia told us everything."

"I'm fine," said Rose. "Are you going to be here next year?"

Mindel shrugged. "We're not sure," she said. "Riss and I are going to figure it out over the summer. We did pretty well for ourselves, but it took up a lot of our free time."

Rose hesitated, then asked, "Do you know if Herbert was getting his hegolith here? He was using it with the- I know Deasia explained."

Mindel smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course not," she said smoothly. "I imagine he nicked it from one of the greenhouses."

They made small talk for a few more minutes, but Rose couldn't help but notice how Mindel's demeanor had changed. She excused herself, saying that she should go back to the Gryffindor common room and prepare for finals.

Instead, Rose ventured out onto the grounds. There was a knot buried deep in her gut, and she fought to ignore it as she walked down the hill. She hadn't see the Riders since the incident with Herbert. Giovanni had written to her from St. Mungo's updating her on Maria's condition and explaining when they would be returning to say their goodbyes.

Part of her had considered not going down to see them. Every time she thought about her experience riding Contessa, she was hit with a wave of panic. She wanted to go back to feeling elated about the prospect of seeing the dragons, but something about her experience with Herbert had changed that for her.

She found herself tearing up at the sight of Marco, sitting alone before his fire. His hands were fully emerged in the flames, molding and reshaping the glass he held. Rose approached him slowly, tentatively, not wanting to disrupt his creative process. She knew that he would not even be aware of her presence until he had finished his piece.

Rose sat on the log beside him, easing herself down slowly as to not shake the log where they both now sat. Marco's eyes flickered from the fire briefly, touching for a moment on Rose's face, and to her surprise, he pulled his hands from the flames. There was a lumpy orb stretched between them, and a few moments after it touched the cooler air, it shattered.

"I'm sorry," mumbled Rose, her face turning red.

"It's not your fault," said Marco with a sigh, "I'm unable to concentrate." He glanced at the edge of the forest. "We are preparing to leave."

"Is Maria-"

"Still in St. Mungo's," replied Marco, "but improving quickly. She's always been a fighter. We have to leave without her, but she and your uncle will be joining us as soon as she is healed."

"What?" said Rose, startled. "Unlce Charlie?"

Marco smiled. "He hasn't left her bedside," he said. "They spend most of their time arguing, but that's just how Maria is. She challenged him to come with us for a time and see our difficulties for himself, and he readily accepted."

"And the dragons?"

"Perfectly fine as well. We tried asking your headmistress for permission to hold the exhibition with you, Tobias, and Deasia, but she was understandably reluctant."

Rose was surprised they had even asked. Even without the effects of the hegolith, with everything that had happened, she couldn't imagine a universe where Professor McGonagall would have allowed it.

"I'll miss this weather," said Marco wistfully. "We are booked in colder climates for our summer exhibition tour." He frowned and added, "I will need to find a thicker jacket."

"Where are you going first?" asked Rose.

"Another school, actually," said Marco. "First is Durmstrang Academy, and then east to-"

"You're going to Durmstrang?" interjected Rose.

"Yes, child, Durmstrang Academy. Why do you look at me so oddly?"

"I—a friend of mine, he goes there," explained Rose, her heart nearly beating out of her chest. "He was here last- and I've been trying to send him letters, but- could you maybe-"

"Bring your young friend a letter?" said Marco, a smile lighting his face. "Of course, Rose."

It took Rose a long time to figure out what she wanted to say to Dmitri. After a few drafts, she finally settled on a letter.

Dear Dmitri,

We've missed you so much over the course of this year. How have you been? I hope that everything at Durmstrang is going well for you. Hogwarts has been eventful, to say the least. It's weird—even though Alistair is gone, I still feel like he's waiting around every corner. Do you ever feel that way?

The man delivering this letter is a friend of mine, Marco. He spent the year at Hogwarts with the other Riders, whom I'm sure you'll get well acquainted with. I learned how to ride Contessa, the large red dragon. Can you imagine me on a dragon?

I'm worried because I haven't heard from you all year. I sent my owl to you right after my birthday, and she never returned. Maybe she never even reached you. I don't know, but I really hope that you're alright.

This letter is hard for me to write. I don't know how to tell you about everything that has happened to me—to us—this year. I continue to remain close to Albus and Scorpius, of course, but I feel like I'm growing closer to the others too. James is finally making some progress with Scorpius. They've been in the same room a few times without a fight breaking out, at least.

Scorpius spent Christmas Vacation with us at the Grange. You'll have to come over and see it sometime, it's just amazing. Some of my cousins accepted him, and we tried to ignore the ones who were more reluctant. Even my mum tried to get to know him.

It's the end of the year here, and things are finally settling down. Marco can fill you in on all of what happened, there's just too much to put in a letter! Besides, I'm sure your English needs a bit of work after a year away from us. Just remember, you're always welcome back.

I hope to hear from you soon!

Always your friend,

Rose