Chapter 14

Here We Go Again

First year left everyone with a ton of surprises. Some good, others bad. Good news: Seamus and Lavender were never really an item. Iris asked him for me and it turned out to be nothing more then an experiment, as he said, to see what kissing felt like. Apparently Lavender wanted him to kiss her…I still don't know exactly what I think of that but either way, Seamus and Lavender's so called 'romance' was short lived.

After that, I finally started to talk to Seamus again and it was normal. Like old times. We were friends, and I liked that. We'd talk and laugh and joke around. We always had something to say. I liked that about us.

The second task was in February. It included the four champions going on an underwater mission in the Black Lake to retrieve a friend or family member dear to them. I had no idea how they all survived the freezing temperatures and managed to stay under water for an entire hour. It was mental! But somehow they managed. Cedric Diggory took first. Harry Potter took second.

The task was about the extent of excitement that we had in February. Valentine's Day was nothing but tears for us. Seamus didn't make any of the moves I was hoping he would. I sent him chocolate anonymously. I don't know if he guessed it was from me. He never brought it up. But that was the least of our problems. Allegra had it much worse. Michael Corner rejected her practically in front of the whole Ravenclaw common room. All she had done was approach him with her box of chocolates for him and he flat out told her that he wasn't interesting. He wasn't mean about it, but in any case he broke her heart and we as her dorm mates, her sisters, consoled her and comforted her. Though many of us didn't all completely understand he pain we all tried to and we were there for me.

The rest of the year flew by. June marked the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. I didn't go as planned. 4 champions did not exit the maze alive. Harry Potter came out after the longest time, which felt like hours of worry, clutching Cedric Diggory's dead body. When I realized he was dead, I screamed out in shock and suddenly tears fell for the boy I never knew. I had talked to him briefly on a few occasions; Alicon was friends with him. He seemed like a genuinely good guy. He was kind. Caring. Smart. Loyal as any Hufflepuff should be. His life was one that I felt was cut way too short. Cedric Diggory did not deserve to die.

The real question for all was now, how did he really die? Harry's explanation was almost unbelievable; Cedric was killed by Peter Pettigrew, who up until now was presumed to be dead. The cup was a port key that transported them to a mysterious grave yard when they took the cup together. There, Cedric was killed upon arrival and Harry watched the resurrection of He Who Must Not Be Named. Just the idea that he was back...it was hard to absorb. He hadn't been seen in thirteen years. The entire wizarding world thought he was gone. But somehow, he managed to survive. I didn't believe it at first, but then I thought of the Quidditch Cup and the Death Eater attack and with a sinking feeling, it all made sense. It foreshadowed everything. I had no idea about what was going to happen.

Following Cedric's death, a lot of students were whisked away from the castle by parents. Among them was Orla. Apparently her parents both fought with Professor Flitwick, angered beyond belief that the school could let such a thing happedn They said that Orla would not be coming back and that she would be home schooled. Orla was furious. But no matter how much she begged and pleaded, it was no use. She left. Coming back to the dormitory, there was a new emptiness. Orla's quirky jokes and sense of humor were missing. Zetta was in pieces. Orla was her best friend. If Cheyenne was taken away like that...I would not be able to handle it.

The end of the year somehow brought a little draught of good news to some. Iris and Anthony celebrated their 6 month anniversary, which she could not stop bragging about. It was the same for Alicon and Antonio. After the ball, they had been almost inseparable, and she had met up with him when we went to Italy.

Italy was as beautiful as it was every summer. The watery streets of Venice. The Trevvi Fountain. The coliseum. Yes, all muggle attractions, but I still wondered at the beauty of it all. Especially Rome at night. Lights shone everywhere. It created a romantic atmosphere that one day I wanted to enjoy with someone I loved. It had been one of my dreams since I was younger. I hoped that someday, I would be as happy as one of the couples in the streets.

We saw my grandparents again and had a family reunion. My cousin Alessandra got married to her long time fiancée Armando. The wedding was wonderful. That night was gorgeous. They said their vows at sunset, Alessandra looking beautiful as ever in a cream and gold strapless gown with enchanted butterflies. The reception was underneath a huge canopy and we danced among the stars all night long. It was an evening to remember, and I admired Alessandra and Armando's love. I hoped that one day, someone would look at me like that and that I would be their everything.

I had a good vacation. After Italy, I met up with Cheyenne, Zetta, Cheryl and Allegra. I also went to Edinburaugh to visit Mina for a few days. We had some pretty good times. It passed by in a blink of an eye. Before I knew it, summer was over and it was time for back to school.

"I'm so excited! I'm so excited!" Vanna was driving me up the wall with her craziness. It was well past midnight on September 1st, and neither one of us were sleeping. Believe me, I wanted to. I was exhausted from all the packing. I wanted to get a good nights rest since we had to leave early tomorrow morning. I almost was asleep! But then, Vanna came barging into my room, complaining that she couldn't sleep. So now I'm stuck, listening to the same thing we've all been hearing from her for the last week.

"I'm going to Hogwarts! I'm going to Hogwarts! I'm really, really going to Hogwarts!"

"Shh! Shut up! You'll wake everyone!"

"But-,"

"Seriously Vanna! You're making such a racket! You'll wake up Mum and Dad and then we'll both be in trouble!"

Despite my warnings, she didn't calm down one bit.

"Do you know how boring last year was, here all alone, while you guys were all gone? I can't believe I'm actually going!"

"I know," I said sarcastically, "we all knew you'd be going to Hogwarts since you were born,"

"Really?"

"The Magical Quill. Vanna did you even look at Hogwarts: A History?"

"Sure, I did,"

"Then what does the ceiling in the great hall look like?" Vanna's blank stare was all I needed to confirm that she hadn't even glanced at the book.

I groaned, "It's bewitched to look like the night sky."

"Oh. I knew that," Vanna lied.

"No you didn't,"

"Kat, it's summer," she whined, "we're not in school, so relax, will you?"

"Technically it is 1:30 in the morning on September 1st, so no; it's not summer vacation anymore,"

"Kat!"

"Well, I'm just being precise. If you want to be in Ravenclaw-,"

"I have to up my game. I know, I know," She rolled her eyes.

"I'm serious! It's one of the more exclusive houses, therefore making it harder to get into,"

"I'll be able to get in fine thanks," she scoffed, "I know what I want,"

"I know you do. But you have to make sure-,"

"That the hat knows," Vanna said, "Kat we've had this conversation a billion times,"

"I just want you to get into Ravenclaw with me," The thing with Vanna is as much as I love her, her maturity level is somewhat below mine. I know she's almost two years younger then me; it's to be expected, but still. I don't think I acted like her before I went to Hogwarts. I don't think I was hyperactive. I remember being scared. I was more worried, then immaturely excited. I don't like to have doubts. I really don't. But lately I've been worried that Ravenclaw is the one house that Vanna won't get into. I sometimes wonder whether or not she's cut out for Ravenclaw. I know that she wants to. But she's lazy. She's kind of like Iris in that way. You can't get her to do anything on her own time. It's like pulling teeth to get her to do something. She didn't even look at any of her books over the summer. She's not prepared. At least I tried a few spells. She never did. She hasn't started to take it seriously yet. And what if, I daresay, she really doesn't end up with me in Ravenclaw? I'm scared for her. I'm nervous. I don't want her to be alone. See, at least I had Cheyenne when I went to Hogwarts. Vanna's friends...are non-existent. She mostly tags along with Cheyenne and I all the time. Ultimately, I am her best friend. Otherwise, she doesn't really have any. Oh I know she'll make some, I am sure of it, but I don't want her to be alone. Had it not been for Cheyenne and her contrasting outgoing nature, I might not have as many friends as I do now. I wouldn't have had the courage to go up to people.

"And I will!" Vanna reassured me, "trust me! Stop being so serious!"

I gave her a small smile. "On one condition: you go to bed,"

"Fine," Vanna sighed, "but I'm still anxious!"

"It'll be fine," I told her.

"Tomorrow will be a great day," she said with a grin.

"It will be," I nodded.

"Goodnight!" Vanna left the room and I turned out the light. I lay back on the pillows.

Yes, indeed tomorrow would be a good day.

"Excuse me!" Mum pushed her way through the crowd of people blocking our way to the barrier,. As we passed, strange looks followed us. We didn't look that different from them though. Mum and Dad were dressed smartly in grey coats. My sisters and I definitely passed for muggles. It was the owls that completely gave us away. Giovanna had chosen an owl for her pet. (She finally realized the uselessness of a rat). He was a barn owl, whom she named Tobias. Of all the names in the world, why she would pick that, I do not know. Call him Felix, I told her. That's what I would name an owl if I had one. But no. Tobias it is.

"For Merlin's beard, could this station be anymore crowded?" Mum grumbled. At the rate we were going, we were going to be late.

"Same as it is every year, packed to the brim with muggles! Can't they pick a less busier day?"

Much to our relief, we reached the barrier between platforms 9 and 10. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a girl of about Iris' age with curled ebony hair and piercing green eyes looking nervously from her mother to the platforms then looking around the station as if searching for something. I noticed that a cage with a great grey owl perched on her trolley. She was magical. So why was she just standing there? Perhaps she's a transfer, I thought. She didn't look like she had any idea of how to get onto the platform. I walked up to her.

"Looking for Platform 9 ¾?" I asked.

"Yes," She was English alright, so evidently was not some sort of exchange student. Perhaps she studied abroad, I thought.

"It's right there," I pointed at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10.

"Oh,"

"Just watch,"

"Alicon, you first dear," Mum called. Alicon went through the barrier. The girls' eyes went wide.

"How-?"

"You just run. Like this," I followed Iris and Vanna. In no time at all, I was greeted by the familiar sight of the Hogwarts Express.

"Wow," Vanna turned to me in awe.

"What?"

"The train!"

"What about the train? You've seen the Hogwarts Express, you know,"

"I know. But it's so beautiful! And I get to ride in it!"

I had to agree with her. The gleaming scarlet steam engine was rather impressive.

"It is pretty amazing," I agreed, "wait till you see Hogwarts!"

Vanna grinned excitedly and we pushed our trolleys to where Alicon and Iris were standing.

"I do not want to go back," Alicon moaned, "I'm so not ready for early mornings and classes and NEWTS…I just want to go home and crawl back into bed,"

"Yeah, this year will be boring. It'll be weird not having the Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs around," Iris commented.

"But the Quidditch season starts again!" I reminded them. I was so looking forward to it! Now, since I was a second year, if could try out for the house team. I was so ready. I practiced so much during the summer, it was ridiculous. A few times, Mum even pulled out her old Cleansweep and we did some beater drills and practiced aim. This was my year. My year to live my dream and follow in her footsteps. It was my time. The thought of being one of the Ravenclaw beaters contented me. I grinned.

"Well, guess who's not trying out," Iris sighed.

"What?!" Why?"

"It's the Gryffindor team! There's no way on earth I'll get in! Besides, are they really going to kick Harry Potter out of the seeker position? Especially after the tournament?"

I thought about the first task and Harry's brilliant performance against the dragon. Most professional seekers couldn't do something like that. You would have to be pretty confounded to kick such a talented player off the team.

"they could need a back up," I offered. Iris sighed.

"If any one's gonna play back u it's Ginny Weasley. Have you seen her on a broom? She's wicked!"

"But at least try out," I told her, "for the experience,"

Irish shrugged, "maybe."

I glanced around the platform. It was so packed. I didn't see anyone I recognized. I supposed that I would see my friends on the train. But deep down, I knew it wasn't Cheyenne I was looking for.

"Looking for Seamus?" Iris teased.

"Hey!" I exclaimed, "I am not!"

"Don't tell me that you're still obsessed with him," She suddenly turned serious.

"I am not obsessed!" I lied. Yes, it was a lie. This whole summer, as much as tried not to think about him, I couldn't help myself. I spent so many summer days lying out in the sun, just daydreaming away. His hazel eyes. His sandy hair. Cute freckled face. His shining smile and his voice…I would gladly listen to that accent all day. Yes, we lived in Lisburn, but we weren't exactly Irish. We hadn't lived in Ireland our whole lives. We lived in Birmingham and have only been in Lisburn for 5 years. Seamus was a true Irishman. A gentleman, Completely charming. Everything I could ever ask for. I couldn't get him out of my head.

"Sure," Vanna said, "you've only been saying his name in your sleep,"

"What?!"

Iris kicked in. "Seamus, I love you, please me with me forever!" she mocked, "Seamus, I was just wondering if you'd be interested in making some magic together. I see that your wand is at the ready," My sisters sniggered.

"Katerina, didn't know you had such thoughts," Iris said.

"Shut up,"

"Oh come on Kat. Just play along. It's fun for us,"

"Yeah, but not for me," If there was one thing about summer vacation that I wouldn't miss, it would be always being the subject of their taunts. At least at Hogwarts I would have my own privacy.

"Fine, be the downer," Iris huffed. I rolled my eyes. My gaze fell to the clock. Time was flying! We only had ten minutes until the train left!

"We need to get on board!" I told everyone.

Vanna and I pushed our trolleys to the train where one of the conductors helped us load our luggage on. We were just in time too. The train gave a jolt.

"Mum!" Vanna called. Mum ran from the other end of the platform where she was bidding Alicon and Iris farewell.

"There you girls are!" she exclaimed.

"We had to get our stuff on. The train leaves in two minutes,"

Mum was quiet for a moment.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just, where on earth has the time gone? The four of you have all grown up so fast. Look at you Giovanna, first year already!"

"Mum,"

"I'll miss you so much! It'll be too quiet at home! But you have a great year! Let us know if you need anything! Remember to send Tobias to us if you need anything, and to tell us what house you're in and if Katerina's not looking after you properly-,"

"Mum!" Vanna whined again, "I know!"

"Of course you do," Mum smiled as if she was blinking back tears.

"Don't worry Mum. We'll be fine. I'll look after her. I promise," I said.

She nodded and gave each of us a hug goodbye. The train jolted again.

"Have a great year girls," she said, "See you at Christmastime,"

"Bye!" we called. The train picked up speed and we were soon out of the station, full speed ahead to Hogwarts.

Vanna glanced at me excitedly.

"Oh my god! Kat, can you believe it? We're finally leaving! We're going to Hogwarts!" she bobbed up and down excitedly. It was worse then a child at Christmastime.

"Yes, I can believe it," I told her.

"But really! The day we've been waiting for, our dream of being here together, it's really come true!"

"Yeah," I grinned. It was exciting. We had only been waiting for this day since our whole lives.

"I wanna meet new people!" Vanna exclaimed. The jumpiness and excitement was driving her insane.

"Slow down!" I laughed, "we need to get a compartment first!" I looked down at the trunks at our feet.

"Fine," Vanna grumbled. She glanced around us. The compartments were all full.

"There's no room," she huffed impatiently.

"I'm sure there is," I told her, "just give me a second , I'll go find out if there's any down that way. You stay here with our things,"

"But Kat!"

"I'll be back in a minute," I reassured her as I set off down the aisle in search of an empty compartment.

I walked down the aisle in search of an empty one or a friendly face. Mainly there were a lot of older students that I didn't know. I sighed, flashing back to last year. Why is it on the first day of school, I can never find anyone I know? It irritated me. Everyone's probably at the other end of the train, I thought. Even if that's the case, I thought of how packed and crowded my compartment of friends usually was. There wouldn't be enough room for both mine and Vanna's things. If only we had been on time for the Hogwarts Express…

I finally came across a compartment with someone familiar in it. It was the girl from earlier, the one we had helped get onto platform 9 ¾. She was sitting there, chatting with a red headed boy who looked like one of the Weasley twins. Seeing that she was busy, I turned to go when suddenly the compartment door opened.

"Can I be of help?" the twin answered. I realized that I must have been standing outside longer then necessary.

"Oh. Um, I was just looking for an empty compartment, that's all. Everywhere else is full. But it's ok, I can find someplace else to sit!"

"Nah, it's alright. I've got to get going anyways," he cast a glance over at the girl, "Fred's probably looking for me,"

"Fred?" The girl questioned.

George nodded, "yeah, my twin. Farwell lovely maiden!" he gave the girl a wink and slipped past me. I missed the joke. I suddenly felt terrible. As if I had interrupted something.

"I'm sorry," I turned to the girl, "I didn't meant o interrupt,"

"No worries," she smiled good naturedly, "I'm Karina Rookworth,"

"Katerina Pettinato," I introduced myself, "so are you new to Hogwarts? Where did you transfer from?"

"I'm new, but I didn't transfer,"

"So you were home schooled?"

"No. I'm a first year,"

I gaped. She did not look as if she was as young as Vanna. In fact, she looked nothing close to Vanna's age. She looked more like Iris'.

"You're kidding me. You've got to be at least a fourth year,"

She giggled, "That's about the tenth time someone's said that today,"

"But you don't look it!"

"I know," she shrugged, "but it's true. Mind you, I am older than most of you,"

"But you're a first year?"

"I didn't know I was magic until recently," she explained, "I suppose I just ended up showing it late. I am 14,"

"That's the same age as Iris," I said.

"Who is that?"

"My older sister,"

"What year are you in?"

"I'm in second year," I said, "Ravenclaw,"

"Cool!" Karina exclaimed, "I've heard that it's for the brightest!"

"I guess," I shrugged.

"You must be really smart,"

"I try," I laughed, "but I suck when it comes to Potions I bet a mountain troll could do better then me,"

"Mountain troll?'

"Yes, wait; don't tell me that you've never heard of a mountain troll?"

"Um, only in myths,"

I looked at her quizzingly.

"My parents aren't magic,"

"Oh," the realization sunk in. She reminded me of my conversation with Mina last year. I laughed. The second thing to repeat itself today: bonding with muggle borns over mountain trolls.

"What?"

"Nothing. You just remind me of my friend Mina. That's all. But anyways, my sister is in her first year. She's waiting out in the corridor for me. Would you like to meet her?"

"Sure," Karina smiled.

"I'll be one second,"

I began racing down the corridor to Vanna. I felt happy. I had potentially found her a friend. Karina seemed genuinely nice. I had a feeling that they would get along well. I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't see one of the compartment doors open and someone step out into the corridor.

SMACK!

I tripped over their legs, crumbling to the ground in a heap.

"Hey! Watch yer-!" His voice turned soft, "Oh Trina. Bit clumsy are we today,"

Seamus Finnegan. Oh dear God. In the two months I hadn't seen him, he had changed. He was somehow taller, and looked even better then he did before, it that was at all possible. He grinned down at me and my heart beat pounded ata million miles per minute. Just that one look was enough to rekindle my feelings for him and I knew that my feeble attempts to get over him hadn't succeeded.

"You okay down there?" he asked. I snapped back to reality, blushing furiously as I realized that I had been sitting there for over a minute staring at him like a complete lunatic.

"Yeah, I'm alright," I offered a smile and in return he reached out his hand and pulled me up. I didn't want to let go.

"I am so sorry," I apologized, "I wasn't watching where I was going,"

"You were chargin' down that corridor at the speed o' light,"

I grimaced, "yeah. My sister's waiting for me. I finally found a compartment for us,"

"Iris?" he asked.

"No, Giovanna,"

"Right. She's startin' this year,"

"I though you were crazy for a second. There's no way I'd be able to stand sitting with her and Romilda. Or her and Anthony,"

Seamus laughed and nodded.

"Ahh, I see. We were just steppin' out to find the trolley,"

"More like Seamus' sweet tooth stepping out," his friend Dean emerged from the compartment, "she was just by ten minutes ago and already 2 licorice wands, 3 pumpkin pastries and 6 chocolate frogs are gone,"

"Hey!"

"Only statin' the facts man," Dean shrugged. I laughed and we started down the corridor.

"So how was your summer?" I asked.

"Ahh good," Seamus replied, "kinda sad it's over. What'd you do.

"Not much. Just went to Italy-,"

"You call Italy not much?" he exclaimed, "I'd kill to go there?"

"I go every year," I shrugged. "We have family down there,"

"I wish that I had family in Italy. I stayed in Belfast pretty much all summer,"

"Oh," So he lived in Belfast. That wasn't far from Lisburn. If I had known...dammit! I could have seen him this summer! But I never did!

"Not the whole summer," Dean reminded him, "you spent the whole month pretty much at my place," It suddenly looked as though he was about to burst out laughing. The boys exchanged looks.

"You wouldn't dare," Seamus glowered.

Dean grinned mischievously.

"What?" I looked from Dean to Seamus.

"You would not believe what this kid did this summer," Dean laughed.

"Dean," Seamus warned. Dean paid him no attention.

"We were playing Quidditch and Seamus, being the absolute genius that he is, decided "i'm so pro at this that I'm going to attempt to do a loop de loop,"

Immediately, I burst out laughing. There was about a million things that could go wrong in that situation.

"You can stop there," Seamus was turning pink, "I bet you can already guess the rest,"

"No, I want to hear this. Go on, Dean,"

"Well, he was so enthralled with the fact that he could do it that he did it over and over again. And well, one of the side effects of doing that is that it has the potential to make one extremely dizzy. So as a result, he didn't see the tree there, and well, let's just say it must've hurt,"

"Ooh," The momentary pity for the pain faded as imagined the scene. I could see it too well: Seamus spiraling out of control on his broomstick. I shook my head with a laugh,"

"Nice going," I laughed.

Seamus was still serious for a moment before letting a grin creep to his face.

"Hey, at least I was creative with it," he grimaced, "and I really nailed the loop,"

"After nailing yourself," We laughed. He grimaced.

"Hey, practice makes perfect,"

"There you are!" Giovanna exclaimed, "where the hell have you been? What took you so-," she broke off when she saw who I was with. I gave her a look to keep quiet.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I couldn't find an open compartment for a long time,"

"It's fine. Did you get one thought?"

"Yeah. Just down that way," I told her, "and I also found another first year for you to meet,"

"Really?" Giovanna brightened.

"Mhm," I smiled. I looked over my shoulder at Seamus.

"Oh, this is my sister Giovanna," I made the formal introduction, "Vanna, this is Seamus Finnegan and his friend Dean Thomas,"

"Nice to meet you," Seamus grinned. Vanna smiled, looking charmed.

"Nice to meet you too,"
Seamus turned to me, "And nice seein' you guys. I suppose yer gonna wanna get yer stuff to yer compartment,"

"Er, yeah,"

"I'll be seein' you later,"

"Yeah," I tried not to sound disappointed as he and Dean continued town the aisle without me.

"He's cuter then I remember," Vanna said suddenly.

"Hey-m"

"I'm just sayin' Katerina," Vanna said.

"And what do you know about boys?"

"Loads,"

"Like what, your unhealthy obsession with Ryan?"

"Geez, chill Kat. You're acting like he's your property,"

I shut up. God even my little sister has more sense and logic then I. I mean, it's not as if Seamus even likes me like that. He's not my boyfriend. He's not my property. Yet why do I feel so overly protective of him?

"I just like him so much," I sighed. But Vanna wasn't listening anymore. She had barged into the compartment already, enthusiastically throwing herself over Karina. This was going to be an interesting year.