"Only on occasion."

••••••***••••••

    THE MORNING SILENCE greeted me that September day, my blue eyes peeled open to see my school things all packed.

At the foot of my bed a familiar burnt orange Somali cat sat staring at me. Its head tilted as if to say 'it's about time you woke up'.

"Good morning to you too, Athena." I laughed, propping myself up by my forearms.

Just as the words exited my mouth, the door burst open to reveal one of my favorite gryffindors.

"Daphne, mother made breakfast and we have an hour before we have to leave for the station!"

"I'll be down in a second, Natty!" I grinned, practically rolling out of bed.

"You'd better hurry, or I won't leave any Shakshuka for you!"

"She made Shakshuka?" I asked, excitement peaked through my tone. My friend only smiled, before darting out of sight.

I quickly got ready and ran down the stairs, my trunk in my left hand and Athena in my right.

"Good morning, Daphne."

"Good morning, Auntie." I greeted, the woman who'd kindly taken me in after my disowning.

"And good morning to you, Athena." The Divination professor greeted the big eared cat, earning a simple meow in response.

"We're all packed and ready, mother." Natty said, passing me the pan of Shakshuka after serving herself.

"Do you both have your books? And your robes?"

"Yes, Auntie." I confirmed, scooping some of the poached egg and tomato sauce dish onto my plate. "We also have our quills."

"And our parchment."

"And our uniforms."

"And our winter clothes." Natty and I chorused in giggles.

"I just want you both to be prepared, especially after last year's chaos."

After Mudiwa's statement, I briefly tensed. The memories of last year's rebellion and the deaths that followed it, rushed through my mind.

"Auntie, did you see something?" I asked cautiously, sharing a nervous look with Natty.

"Nothing for either of you to worry about." The professor told us in a vague manner.

"Mother, that didn't ease my worries at all." Natty stated dryly, a hint of teasing peaking through.

"I just ask that you both stay out of trouble, my little gazelle."

"Knowing my luck, Auntie, I won't be making any promises." I joked, earning a mischievous grin from Natty.

"Stars above, the two of you will force me into early retirement!" The woman laughed, shaking her head as the three of us continued eating.

••••••***••••••

THE PLATFORM WAS BUSTLING with life. Hogwarts students and their families clambered to get everything together. Some familiar faces stuck out to me, but not a single one belonged to the person I was looking for.

"Looking for someone?" Natty teased, a knowing grin on her face.

"Shut up, Nat." I sent her a mocking glare, trying to ignore the blush that rose to my cheeks and nose.

"I'm sure, Ominis just hasn't arrived yet." She tried to reassure. "We are a whole thirty minutes early."

"I'm sure you're right, Nat." I sighed in agreement, seemingly trying to convince myself.

"Oi! Is that everyone's favorite daredevil?"

A wide grin grew on my face as I spun around to see, Garrett and Everett walking over to us, Poppy following not far behind.

"Two Gryffindor's, two Hufflepuff's and a Ravenclaw walk into a pub." I lamely joked, before giving each of them a hug.
"I've missed my favorite trouble makers."

"If they're trouble makers, then you're the bloody devil." Imelda said after slamming her hands on my shoulders and startling the daylights out of me.

"I will not confirm, nor deny that." I laughed, giving the slytherin girl a hug.

"Where's your boyfriend, Black? Isn't he usually glued to your side?"

"Ominis isn't my boyfriend, Reyes."

"She never said it was Ominis, Daph." Garrett teased, making Natty cackle.

"He's got you there, my friend!"

"I hate you all." I jokingly huffed, rolling my cerulean eyes.

"I hope that doesn't include me."

My breath caught in my throat and a relieved grin fell onto my lips. I turned to see my favorite slytherin with a teasing smirk on his face.

"Only on occasion, nissy." I joked, before stating. "I'm going to hug you now, Ominis."

"I expected as much, Honeydrop." Just as the words left his lips, I wrapped my arms around the blonde.

"I've missed you." I muttered simply, before releasing the blind boy from the hug. "How was your summer with your aunt and uncle?"

"Aunt Persephone and Uncle Aesop made sure that I stayed entertained." Ominis stated with a chuckle, and I realized how much more relaxed he was after moving in with his Aunt.

"I bet, I don't think there's been a single Muggle studies class that she didn't make interesting." I reminisced on the classes taught by the female Sharpe.

"Let's head in, the train's about to start boarding." Poppy chimed in loudly, breaking everyone from their conversations.

I looped my arm through Ominis', as we headed onto the train. Athena snuggled up against my shoulder, as we boarded.

Our last year of school was bound to be a memorable one.