Chapter 32: The Saddening Eagerness to Grow Up

It was a strange turn of events when the day that Hermione foresaw as being nothing but miserable turned into a day of happiness and rekindled friendships. Admittedly, she never had taken much stock in Divination, but anyone would have placed bets against Hermione's happiness that day.

Shyla skipped light heartedly from her room and plopped on the couch next to her mum, "I'm hungry."

Hermione peered over her book and smiled, "You're always hungry."

"I'm a growing child." Shyla cried out, "Feed me!"

"What do you want for dinner? Make it good, seeing as you go back to Hogwarts tomorrow. What is something that you miss when it suddenly isn't there?"

Shyla narrowed her eyes in thought. "The diner."

Hermione understood exactly. Hogwarts didn't serve food that was often slightly burnt and overcooked. But the diner was an integral part of home. She set down her book and slipped her shoes on, "Works for me!"

She thought about Luca as they traversed the quiet street. Why couldn't she have fallen for him? Why did she have to keep a torch lit for Draco-freaking-Malfoy? He was stubborn and often rude. But the facts were that Hermione didn't love Luca. Despite her desperate attempts to find a place for him. Funny how the mind works. It pretends to be your heart, but somewhere in the back of your mind, it plays games and makes decisions without consulting you first.

Shyla tilted her head back and let the gentle snow fall on her face. Hermione smiled. Maybe it was because Shyla was a part of Draco that it kept her tied to the man. Someone so special and precious came from their love for each other. A love that all too often brought along heartache and tears, but all the same, a love. "Do something for me, Shyla?"

Shyla dried her face on her sleeve, "What is it?"

"When you get back to Hogwarts, build the biggest snowman you can. Involve the Weasleys, as well as your housemates. Strangers too. But build a snowman. Enjoy your youth and imagination while you can." Hermione reminisced about a time when Fred and George had enchanted a fleet of snowmen to throw snowballs at anyone who dared to approach. Harry thought it was brilliant, while Ron tried to convince first years that it was safe to go that way. Then she recalled the look on Draco's face when he happened upon it while going to Quidditch practice. She had laughed all afternoon. The sheer thought of the surprise and horror on his face would send her into fits of giggles. It was strange how far things had changed.

Hermione missed her dearest friends now more than ever.

Dinner consisted of Shyla stuffing her face with a grilled cheese sandwich whilst telling Luca everything she could about school. If they had ever grown to the point of having a relationship outside of friends, Hermione would have told him about their life. About how they were witches and went to a school for magic. But they hadn't. She smiled sadly at the sight of the man listening to Shyla with full attention. What if Draco never forgave her?

Shyla waved goodbye through the glass pane of the Hogwarts Express. She grinned childishly as her mum waved back with a small smile painted on her face.

Eva sat in the seat next to her, impatiently flipping through a magazine. "At least you get a break from your parent. Mine is always there."

Shyla stopped waving as the train pulled out of the station and collapsed onto the seat. "I would love to have your dad."

Eva rolled her eyes, "Please. Take him. He bailed on the last couple of days of holiday to go back to school. We could have gone on a trip, or something. But he would rather spend time at Hogwarts."

Keelee poked her head into the compartment, "I was invited to sit with the third year girls. So, I'll probably see you back at Hogwarts."

"Keelee!" Eva shouted, "You're really going to trade us in for an opportunity to sit with girls you have nothing in common with?"

Keelee stopped, her blonde hair flowing over her shoulders. "I would have you know, once you reach a certain age and maturity, you stop being interested in the childish games of 'who's my daddy?'"

"Keels!" Shyla was surprised in the sudden change of her friend's behavior. She turned to Eva and shook her head, "What got into her?"

"She turned twelve over holidays." Eva tossed the magazine aside. She gently removed Sebastian from his carrier and placed him on her lab. He gave a small 'mew' as he pawed at Eva's hair.

As Shyla began to formulate a response, Ali slid the compartment door. "Mind if I join? The others are being loud, and really, I just want quiet."

Shyla glanced at Eva, "Yeah, come on in."

Eva eyed Shyla suspiciously, but slid over on the seat, allowing space for the small red-head.

Ali squealed at the sight of Sebastian, "He's beautiful! What's his name?"

"Sebastian. He was a Christmas present." Eva stated, in her attempt at lacking emotion.

"Hi Sebastian!" Ali scratched under the kitten's chin, causing a loud purr to erupt from him. "How was your Christmas, Eva?"

Eva shrugged, "Okay."

"My baby brothers destroyed our Christmas tree." Ali explained without being asked.

Shyla snorted with a laugh, "I love Andrew and Lucas! They know exactly how to make things more interesting."

"What's it like?" Eva asked subtly, "Having siblings?"

Ali gently stroked Sebastian's fur, "I have to be willing to share everything. Because eventually, they are going to take it anyways. You have cousins, right?"

"No." Eva supplied casually, "I come from a long line of only children."

Ali's face scrunched in thought, "Oh. Well, it's like how at Hogwarts, you have your housemates, and some of them are super protective. I am the oldest, but I'm always protective of Andy and Lucas. When they get to Hogwarts, I will be a sixth year, and I know that if anyone messes with them, I will hex them."

Eva smirked at Shyla, "Kind of like how Tripp is all protective of Shyla, but in actuality, Shyla is completely in love with him."

Shyla glared at the blonde, "I am not!"

"Oh, please!" Eva rolled her eyes, "At Blaise's party, you two were inseparable. He could have been snogging with a girl, but he sat and talked Quidditch with you. You hang onto his every word."

"He's my friend, Eva!" Shyla spat, casually glancing outside compartment, to be sure they weren't gathering attention.

"Oh, Tripp! Tell me again how brilliant I am!" Eva mocked, "Pathetic."

"Eva!" Shyla scoffed, "Maybe he would have been off snogging some girl if we didn't have to take care of you!"

Ali glanced between the two girls quietly, unsure of where, or if she should even, interject.

"So I got a little sloshed. It wasn't that big of a deal!"

"Your dad certainly thought it was a big deal!"

"My dad is none of your business!"

"But you are! Eva, we're kids. Why can't we just be kids a little longer?"

"Who cares?"

"I do…" Shyla frowned at her lap, increasingly becoming aware of the plight of being a pre-teen girl.

Ali finally spoke up, directing herself towards Eva, "If it's any consolation, the girls in Hufflepuff are terrified of you."

Eva scoffed and rolled her eyes, "As they should be." She pursed her lips and folded her arms, indicating that she was finished with the conversation.

Ali leaned over to Shyla and whispered, "Do you really like Tripp Browning?"

Shyla groaned into her hands, "No. He's a fifth year."

"Listen up!" A prefect called from the hall of the train. "We will be arriving soon, best get in your robes. You are expected to be on your best behavior, as we will be having guests for the remainder of the school term."

"Guests!" Ali exclaimed, "I love having guests!"

"Guests?" Eva questioned, realizing that her father had not indicated any such events.

Shyla nodded, "Yeah, students from Durmstrang will be joining us, didn't you get the letter?"

Eva scowled, "No. I didn't. My father seems to have neglected, again, to inform me of such guests."

"Oh…" Shyla bit her lip, trying to not say the wrong thing. "I'm sure he just got busy."

"Right. Too busy for his daughter, how am I not surprised." Eva shrugged, "He seemed to have plenty of time to harass your mother over break."

"If you don't want me talking about your dad, don't talk about my mum!" Shyla scolded, "I am sure there were a lot of things that had to be done before we arrive back at school. Just because I had to tell your dad what you did, doesn't mean that you get to be mad at me. You made your choice that night."

"You should have covered for me."

Shyla's mouth hung open in surprise, "Did you see yourself? You were wrecked! There was no hiding it, so no, I didn't cover for you." She sighed and shook her head, "Besides, it's not my job to lie for you. I may be a Slytherin, but I don't lie."

Eva refused to acknowledge Shyla the remainder of the train ride, leaving Shyla and Ali to play a few rounds of cards before putting on their house robes.

Ali flattened Shyla's hair in a sisterly manner, "You make a good Slytherin. I'm glad you found where you can be yourself."

Shyla hugged the redhead before her, "I promise, no more causing trouble, and no more fighting."

Ali gave the best smirk that she could, which in reality, was merely a half smile, "Well, maybe a little trouble. Otherwise, you wouldn't be you."

The back to school feast was nothing short of wonderful. Shyla found herself feeling more and more at home in the castle walls. She was just finishing her second treacle tart when Headmistress McGonagall stood and clapped her hands.

"It appears that our guests have arrived!" She composed herself before continuing, "As I am sure you are aware, there was unfortunately a fire at the Durmstrang castle, which has displaced their students until it has been returned to its original glory. Their students were given a choice to either attend Beauxbatons or Hogwarts. These students will be your classmates. We intend for them to continue their year as best as they can. They will integrate their Quidditch teams into our program, and you will play against them as if they were another house. Their dormitories will be held on the fifth floor. If you had a class on this floor, check with your prefects to find where it has been moved. I expect you to be on your best behaviors, and welcome our friends and treat them with kindness and respect." She nodded to the doors to the Great Hall as they opened, allowing for several dozen Durmstrang students to file in.

The students sat at a long table positioned next to the Slytherins. Many of them looked tired and what could only be perceived as being homesick. Durmstrang was their home. Just like Hogwarts was her home. Shyla frowned as she thought of how sad it would make her be uprooted from her school, her friends, her castle.

A/N: Let's just not talk about how long it has been since I updated... I received my bachelor's degree, and while I'm studying for graduate school entrance exams, I solemnly swear to update regularly. PS: I have been reading Fangirl, and it's like the author is looking into my very being and understanding me. This world of fanfiction that we have made our own. Thank you for being part of my world, friends.
-PurplePygmypuff