Mariska nodded and smiled a little at her friend. " Happy is good. It's almost strange to be so...content for once." She smiled a little more and then she shrugged. " That's true. We have this term to worry ourselves sick about exams and then worry about what we'll end up doing after." She said with a slight glance and smile in Cayden's direction. They would have a lot of time on their hands after graduating that year but all she wanted to do was travel, exercise her newfound freedom once everything was done.


Mari smiled widely and gave delicate little snort of laughter at Elizabeth's words; She was sure there would be a variety of bruises on Seth's person if it was Asteira he was dealing with. Shoe-shaped, sandal-shaped, hand-shaped and probably any other shape one could imagine. Asteira had an arm on her, Mari thought with a little smirk. The girl was her best friend, Mari loved her like a sister, but Asteira was quite unpredictable at times.

So when Seth made a vague bruise comment, Mari fixed him with an 'Oh-Really-Now?' sort of look, one eyebrow raised as she stared at him for a few moments just to give him an idea of how . She said nothing to him, but she resolved to have a discussion with him later, just the two of them. Very cozy, she thought with a sigh as she moved her hand to Cayden's, loosely holding it in her own.

She gave another laugh, moving her gaze away from Seth's for a moment to look at Elizabeth as she explained how she defended her various tomes. " Virulently, that's a good one. One doesn't hear it enough in everyday conversation." She said with a little grin at Elizabeth.

"REEESEEE! Its soo good to see you!" she said, tackling her friend back. "Hiding something? Nope, I just couldn't make it to Diagon Alley this term. Got stuck in America." she said, rolling her eyes. "And I'm not soo little anymore for your information!! Although you may not be able to tell cos your giant!"

Marisa looked at Jake for a moment debating. Finally she gave a small smile, “Trust me it was nothing important. Maybe later I can fill you in.” She glanced toward the window as she asked, “So how long until we reach the school?”

Reese was happy now. Just being with Allie completed everything. She was like her best friend, not being mean to her other friends, but Allie came first in her best girlfriends list. Right below Lima. "America? With you grandma? Sounds like fuuuuun," she told her with a little grin.

Giant? Well, maybe to Allie. "Haha. I'm 5ft 7, thank you very much. Actually, 5ft 7 and a half. I'm NOT a giant," she stated, "Now, I might be a giant to you. I wouldn't argue that." She looked down at her friend and stuck her tongue out at her. She loved messing with Allie, it was so much fun.

"But...annnnnnyways," Reese said, now hoping to catch Allie up with some things. "There's a lot of stuff I need to tell you. Like, how I'm not a Northway anymore, but an Upstead- sound familiar? Yes, it's Jake's last name. His dad married my mom and- now we're related," she explained, hoping she didn't loose her friend. "Also-" she said, looking at Shana. She was not going to know what happened between her and Cam. Looking back at Allie, she said, " I kissed Cam Karsten. Ummm- then, he broke up with me and everything is all good." There. That summarized everything up.

"Any question?" She asked, smiling down at Allie.

Another year, another term with the same thoughts and longings as before. Travis sighed and shook his hair out of his eyes, stepping onto the back of the train. There was no more use in trying to look for her anymore. The more he looked, the more frustrated he got. He made his way down the aisle, absentmindedly fingering a pendant that rested on his chest, but he stopped suddenly, his eyes fixed on someone a few feet away.

It couldn't be...his heart hammered in his chest. I'm just seeing things again. I- Travis blinked and took a shaky step forwards. Irial? He was terrified of reaching out to his old friend. What if it wasn't him?

Irial's heart began to pound. Someone was near him. Someone of his kind. His head whirled around and he spotted a familiar face. His eyes widened and he smiled broadly.

Travis!

He hurried over to his old friend and stopped right in front of him. "You're here," he said, pulling the younger boy into a tight hug. "I thought I'd never see either of you again. Damn, Travis I missed you."

Pulling away, he looked over the boy. He looked good. Older, definitely. But how long had it been, really?

"Hey-" she said, before she realized the truth in Reese's words and shrugged. "I guess thats true."
She took a seat, and pulled out a chocolate frog.
"It wasn't terrible. We visited a bunch of muggle sight seeing places."
She listened to Reese tell her everything that had happened to her over the summer, each thing surprising her more. "An Upstead? Really? Thats awesome!" She knew how much she hated being a Northway and was happy for her. But when she heard about Cam her jaw literally dropped, and her chocolate frog fell out of her hand. She didn't even try to catch it. Which was like a sin in her books, thats how shocked she was. "Wha-the little adorakable...and what??"

Speechless and overjoyed, Travis embraced Irial tightly. Yeah, I'm here. He looked at Irial when he pulled away and he felt a smile on his lips. He hadn't done that in a long time.

Feeling emotional but not caring what other's would think, he threw himself at Irial again. "You're really back. You're really here..." He pulled away once more and swallowed. "I've missed you, too." So many questions were fighting to come out of his lips but he held them back. There would be time for them later. Or would there be? Fear ripped across his chest.

"Will you be leaving soon?" he whispered.

Irial shook his head. "No, it's all over. The war's been fought and we won. I'm not leaving until I decide to." He could feel himself growing stronger by the moment. Glancing at the pendant he'd given Travis, he felt his heart clench.

"How long has it been, Travis?" he swallowed, not really wanting to know the answer. It'd been way too long. Yet. There was one more questiong he needed to ask.

"Where's Caitlin?"

Cayden raised an eye as seth talked about bruises."That's interesting. Try to keep it PG rated. " he asked seth as he could follow where he was going. Something he didnt want to have mental pictures of it. He watched Elizabeth and Seth going between whatever had upset them. He wasnt sure what the deal was and it was yet to be said yet. Then Mari jumping in just a little. He chuckled a little as he leaned back to relax as he watched the two.

He felt mari's hand in his as he turned to look at her. He snickered at her as it moved into a grin. He looked back at the two as they were the entertainment for the time being. He was focused on the the two as his owl flew into the compartment from the hallway. He took his hand from mari's as he saw he had some mail. which was rather confusing seeing as he never got any mail. Other then the annoying normal.

He grinned as he saw who it was that had sent him the mail. He was excited and confused all in the same moment. Why could she not tell him in person? maybe she had missed the train? That would of been plausible. He paused for a second as he took the time to listen to the voices on the train. he didnt hear her...and he didnt smell her at all. she wasnt on the train...Cayden started to worry more and more as he thought about it. he looked at the letter as he ripped the envelope to get to the letter. It was almost like opening up presents during some sort of celebration.

Cayden scanned the letter as he had to read it a few more times to get her words. he was sulking in his chair as he hadnt realized he was doing so. She wasnt going to be there. She was gone. As in she wasnt going to be here. He stared at the letter as he wasnt sure what to do. She wasnt suppose to be gone yet. He wasnt ready for her to leave. She was suppose to be around one more year to torture him still. He put the letter down against his lap as he stared out at the two. He was looking rather spacey as he was still trying to process it.

Satine looked around at Fallon as she came back in the compartment rather startled and really quickly. Something must be going on outside. Shortly, Aaron walked in with a pondering look on his face. Great time for a subject change she thought.

"Well, I met a seventh year Slytherin. He was sitting in compartment all by himself and since I have no shame, I walked in and talked to him for a little bit. He was extra nice and thought it was cool that I knew some students that wanted to be Slytherins. He said they got a bad name a while back and everyone always thinks they are mean and can't be trusted. I assured him he was wrong."

Reese sat back down in her place next to Shana and started playing around with the end of her hair. It was good she didn't lose Allie at the Northway to Upstead thing, but when it came to Cam, she knew she lost her by her expression. "Yeah, I'd rather not go through what exactly happened, since it's a really long story. But- I ended up kissing Cam, then somehow we ended up dating, then he broke up with me at Diagon Alley," she explained to Allie.

"Oh- also- I want to tell you about my new bodyguard," Reese said, trying so hard not to smile, "Cale assigned me and Anna and bodyguard to keep us from not getting in trouble. Mostly, Cale just doesn't want me to get a boyfriend. But- anywho- my bodyguard's name in Jack Fritzera. I should totally introduce you to him one of these days." Then, she remembered that Allie and Jack were in the same house. Oh, yeaaaaah. "You know, you actually might see him at the feast or in the common room. Since, he's in you house and everything," she added.

"That's cool. So far the only people I've met are you guys. But there's nothing wrong with that." Fallon smiled at her new friends. They were really nice. Snuggles climbed up into Fallon's lap as she retook her seat by the window. The little cat snuggled into her and went back to sleep. "Lazy bones," Fallon whispered to her.

She turned to Aaron knowing she was probably going to regreat this. "So what were you guys talking about?"

"I'm glad," Travis said, studying Irial closely. He caught Irial's gaze when he asked his question. It's been too long, Irial.

"Three years. It's been three years since you've left, Irial," he paused and let his eyes fall to the ground. "I don't know where she is. We were inseperable the first year that you left. But after that, after we left for the summer, it was much harder for us to be together. I looked for her, Irial, I swear I did. But..." he looked at Irial. "We caught sight of eachother occassionally but we always had other things to do." Besides, it was too painful to be around eachother because we didn't know what had happened to you, Irial. He bit his lip.

Oh goodie! Anna understood now that it was just a game, how little boys and little girls acted around eachother. Most of it was, anyway. For the most part. With her and Kay and the boys. And at her school..erm, old school. Katie would have to get use to calling Hogwarts her school, instead of the muggle one close to home. She would miss some of her friends there, but not only was it beyond worth it to come and learn about magic - she would be FREE of Mrs. Hornet, forever!

"I can owl you?" Katie asked, musing to consider what she had said. In her fourth year, Anna wanted her to send her a letter full of details about how her and Legend's friendship has grown. Kaitlynnh didn't believe anything would change by then, the boys would never mature much less Legend mature. And their friendship would stay the same, there was no way for it to change. Right? Right. Still, she nodded slowly, agreeing to owl the nice Head Girl four years from now. "I promise I will, but I don't think anything will be different." Katie promised, making a mental note to ask James later on if he would help her, four years from now, get the letter to the owlery and sent off.

KISS?! Did she just hear correctly? The boys that tormented her would be the ones she went all mushy, gushy about.. not a chance! Nooo. Katie would prove the odds wrong, because she did NOT like Legend or any other boys like that now and she never would. Doodling.. holding hands, kissing, all teenager stuff she had absolutely no interest in ever being involved with or around. "Your talking from experience, aren't you?" Katie asked, shifting in her seat to get more comfortable, the small girl scooped up the baby bunny at her side and set her back down in her lap, crossing one foot over the other. "Anna?" She mumbled, looking to the older girl once more. "Does that mean boys do mature at some point?"

"Ummmmmm ok...I think I'm following." she said. Wow she had missed a lot hadn't she? She took a deep breath and just tried to take that in. Yeah, it was weird, but its not like they were still dating, and yeah.
Awww she had forgotton Cale wan't going to be here this term. But Anna would be...she would have to find her later.
"OOooo fancy. A bodyguard, look like someones going all princessy on me. Jack Fritzera? I'll keep an eye out."

"How can you be so sure we can be trusted?" He gave her a smile and a wink.

"Oh, nothing," Aaron lied. The boy probably didn't want Aaron to tell anybody what he told him. Aaron had a feeling that it was one of Irial's biggest secret. "He just told me that when we get to school, we go in boats across the lake to get to the castle. Cool, right? Speaking of which, WHEN WILL WE GET THERE? Ah, the stress is killing me!"

Fallon could tell that Aaron couldn't tell them what they were really talking about. "We get to ride in boats to the castle! That is so cool!" She looked out the window for some sign of Hogsmeade station. "I don't know, but I really hope we will get there soon!" Fallon's excitedness had woke up Snuggles. The cat mewed in protest and went over to lay in Aaron's lap. So her cat also was liking her new friends.

Satine laughed and winked at Aaron, "Well that sounds like a threat? Is there something extra secretive you are keeping from this little wanna be Ravenclaw about yourself?" She giggled after picking on him.

"I can't believe we go on boats...I heard there were mermaids in the lake beside the castle. Do you think they'll come to surface to say welcome or hello?" In her head she could imagine the mermaids jumping beside the boats like dolphins did in the Muggle world.

Aaron chuckled a little when Snuggles laid on his lap. And in a childish voice Aaron said, "Who's a cute kitty? You are. Yes you are!" He laughed and stroked her back.

"I don't know. Maybe. That would be cool. My dad said that there was a giant squid in the lake. I thought he was kidding. But now that I think about it, maybe he wasn't." He picked his head up and looked around the room. "He told me like, 60 years ago some kid fell in the lake and the squid saved him." He laughed at the thought.

"I don't know. That would be kind of cool." Fallon looked over at Snuggles, who was happily purring in her sleep. Fallon giggled as Aaron started talking to Snuggles using a baby voice. "Aww...she likes you Aaron!"

Irial blinked in surprise. Three years? Was it really that long? His heart sank like a rock and he felt guilty as hell. When he began speaking about Caitlin, Irial stumbled back. Travis didn't know where she was. She was gone. Caitlin...

He shook his head. "This can't be...Travis...no..." His facade of unemotion broke and he began to shake uncontrollably. His head kept shaking, his hair falling out of his ponytail. "I'm so sorry..." he mumbled. "I wrote her letters when I could...I told her to keep you informed...and then I was kidnapped...Travis."

Irial looked at his friend. "Forgive me for what I've done to you. If there's any way I can reverse the process and give you your life back, I'll find one if that's what you wish."

Travis didn't know what to say. He stared open-mouthed at Irial and an array of emotions built up inside him. Regret because he hadn't tried hard enough to stay with Caitlin. Sadness. Anger. Fear.

You were kidnapped?

Fury. He grabbed Irial's arm and hissed. "There's no way I'd let you change me back. There's no way in hell that I'd want the life I had before. What you did was the best thing that anyone's ever done for me, Irial." Travis felt his eyes sting and he blinked, letting go of Irial.

"There's nothing for you to be sorry for," he said, regretting losing his temper. "I'm the one that has to apologize. I didn't keep my promise." Travis held the pendant in his hand.

"A squid...how cool is that! Who knows what else is in there! Do you think we'll land beside the white tomb of Professor Dumbledore?" She remembered hearing how beautiful the edge of the lake was there.

"Well I had heard that we would be there by now, but I'm starting to think that the train is just driving around in circles...."

Fallon chuckled at the thought of the train going in circles. "That would be an awful lot of track that they would have to lay just to keep doing that. Maybe we are just going slower then we realize." She sighed. She really wanted to be at Hogwarts. She had so many great things planned.