Chapter 8:
The next morning even though we had woken up at dawn everyone was running around crazy and hectic trying to remember everything from a spare pair of socks, to gadgets like fireworks for Fred and George. Me and Harry had finished packing way before everyone else simply because of our lack of items. I actually had packed all last night taking my time because there was no way I was going to be able to sleep. It's not that I wasn't tired it was just that I couldn't stand the thought of the nightmares waiting for me when I close my eyes. So I hadn't slept in two days, and I also hadn't eaten in two days, which was a lot more noticeable because Mrs. Weasly kept trying to feed me more and more food. The problem was I just wasn't hungry, in fact every time I thought about eating I just felt like throwing up.
Finally we had gotten in the car and started driving when I realized I forgot my locket. I was about to finally speak and ask them to turn around when Ginny looked up and screeched "I forgot my Diary." So we turned around. I kept fingering my bare neck and I saw Harry notice and his eyes widen in understanding. Luckily when we stopped Ginny hopped out of the car leaving my way out free so I raced after her. I looked back and saw Harry getting back in the car after Ron whispered something to him. I sighed in relief and raced up the steps to my room, grabbed the locket in the bed, and raced out. Right before I reached the door and went into view of the car, I opened it and saw the letter. I nodded and was closing it when I heard Ginny come up behind me and say "What was that?" I just shook my head, and walked away. Luckily Ginny didn't take it personally since she knew something was going on with me, although I probably deserved her anger at me.
When we finally reached the station we were pretty late so we had to rush in order to make it. Once we got to platform 9 3/4, Mrs. Weasly instantly said, "Arrington and Percy go ahead and go first. Hurry my dears." I went through with Percy right behind me at my heels, I instantly stepped to the side to wait, while Percy strode ahead to get in the train. Fred and George came through gave me hugs and walked towards Lee their friend, laughing at something. Mrs. Weasly came through then with Ginny, and then right behind them Mr. Weasly. We waited a second but nobody came through. "Well, Arrington, Ginny, go ahead and just get on the train its gonna leave in less then a minute hurry." I looked back at the barrier, then looked at Mrs. Weasly. I opened my mouth trying to say thank you but it was more like just a sigh. "No problem dearie." Mrs. Weasly said understanding, she gave me a smile.
Ginny took my hand and tugged it so I followed her even though I really wanted to wait for my brother and Ron. She let go of my hand when she felt me following her, she then disappeared with some of her friends I was assuming. I was just looking for an empty compartment when suddenly Hermione popped out and grabbed me and pulled me in one. "Where is Harry and Ron?" I shrugged, and moved to sit down across from Hermione. Ginny walked by our compartment, opened the door and asked "Can I sit in here?" I nodded before Hermione could speak. I knew Hermione wanted to try and talk but I was to tired and worn out for an interrogation right now.
Ginny then moved and sat down next to me. I put my head against the window and rested my eyes. I didn't bother trying to sleep since I knew it would be a fruitless effort, and even if I could fall asleep I really didn't need to wake up screaming or shaking, especially when Hermione was there. Harry not noticing was one thing, Hermione well she noticed everything. "So, how is Hogwarts?" Ginny asked. She sounded a little nervous, and I was shocked to hear her even talk. Then I remembered what I had noticed before and a small smile formed on my lips, without me even meaning too. Ginny was the cutest girl and Harry was only a year older than her so it was kind of perfect. Although... I wonder what Ron would think about that. "Arrington!" Hermione said waving her hand in front of my face. I looked up at her in surprise and then she asked. "Do you want any food?" I just shook my head.
"So where is Harry and Ron?" Hermione asked Ginny a little while later. Ginny shrugged eating some candy, she hadn't had any money so I quietly slipped some into her pocket without her noticing. I'm pretty sure Hermione saw but she was considerate enough not to say anything. "Well they didn't make it through in time I guess. They never came through the barrier and onto the platform." I worried then how they would get to Hogwarts, I couldn't see the Dursleys helping Harry by giving him money, and the Weasleys didn't have enough. Hermione seeing I was worried said, "I'm sure this isn't the first time something like this has happened, so they probably have back-up plans. I just hope they don't do something stupid." I laughed in my head because that's probably just what they would do. Harry was desperate to get to Hogwarts, and Ron, well Ron doesn't have the most brilliant and sane ideas.
The rest of the ride went by pretty fast and I noticed how Ginny and Hermione got along pretty well. Finally we had to change into our robes, and then the longest train ride I'd ever taken was finally over. When we got off the train I could hear Hagrid yelling "Firs' years over here!" I hugged Ginny goodbye after she hugged Hermione. While she was hugging she whispered, "Stay strong there are people here for you." For such a young girl she was pretty smart I noted while she was walking away. After a few seconds Hermione took my hand and pulled me towards the carriages which is how we got to the Hogwarts' castle. I noticed in amazement how the carriages pulled themselves. We got on and luckily since we were in one of the lasts carriages nobody else joined us. "Arrington, you shouldn't keep that letter. Whatever it says it's not worth keeping." Hermione said quietly and gently. I just shook my head because I knew there were spells for restoring items to their original state. She sighed knowing what I was thinking but didn't deny what she might've tried either.
Finally the feast came and I was sitting there not eating anything, and I could see that it was starting to attract attention. I sighed and started to eat a little bit of food. I could see Hermione looking at me with a pleased expression on her face so I threw a piece of food at her. She laughed, and I smiled a little bit, but the smile quickly went away when I remembered why I wasn't speaking. Hermione was right of course it felt as if know the locket, well no the letter inside the locket had a heartbeat of its own, but instead of a beat it was constantly saying remember, remember.
After the feast I started getting worried since Ron and Harry still weren't here yet. I could tell Hermione was getting worried to until I heard what people where saying. Hermione finally stopped a random fifth year in Gryffindor and asked, "Where's Harry and Ron?" "You haven't heard?" He asked. We shook our head and he then explained. "Well apparently they flew a car into school. They where seen by a couple muggles, and landed in the whomping willow." "What? Are they okay?" She asked in shock. "Yeah they're both fine but I heard they're getting expelled." I looked at Hermione with extremely worried eyes.
"I'm sure it's just an exaggerated rumor. Where would they even get a flying car anyway?" I shrugged but I knew exactly where they could get a flying car having in fact having flown in it myself. As we were walking back to the dormitory we saw Ron and Harry just standing at the portrait scratching their heads. We quickly ran to them. "We've been hearing the craziest rumors that you guys were expelled for flying a car and crashing it!" Hermione said quickly. "Well..." Ron answered, "we didn't get expelled. Now what is the password?"
"Wattlebird, but that's not the point-" Hermione said but she got cut off when the common room door opened. There was a huge crowd there waiting for Harry and Ron to congratulate them on their entrance to the school. I quietly moved through the crowd to my old dormitory, but instead of a sign saying first years, this year it was second years. I went in and found all of my stuff at my old bunk too. I sighed and sat down. Harry was probably looking for me, but I was still not ready to talk. Suddenly I was just so severely exhausted I didn't even bother changing. I just layed down and hoped to death for a dreamless sleep.