Brady, as well as the rest of the kids, breathed a sigh of relief when the Hogwarts Express started moving.

The goodbyes had been hectic, so many hugs and dramatic tears from George. "My daughter is graduating this year!" Harry stood proudly beside George, smirking slightly at Teddy.

No new kids had left for Hogwarts this year, so really no one else cried.

Elle could not believe that Brady was already in his fourth year, so she stood there, Fred's arm around her waist as she watched the Hogwarts Express move slowly away from the station. She felt numb. It was just yesterday that she held him for the first time, right? No, that was fourteen years ago!

Reese, along with Dominique, begged to go this year. Fred told them that they would go next year, as well as that they had a lot more training ahead of them if they were going to be the best pranksters Hogwarts had seen in decades.

Back at the cottage, Elle felt that the house was strangely empty without Brady's playful banter and Ben's footfalls as he followed Brady around.

Ben himself didn't seem to know what to do with himself.

Reese was busy with Chloe, so she didn't really notice the difference, much to Elle and Fred's amusement.

Fred and Elle were curled up on the couch, Ben and Pitter on the ground in front of them while Dylan and Josie played in their room and Reese in hers.
——
Meet in the ROR at nine.

Brady and Victoire grinned at each other when the note was slid under their compartment door. James could barely contain his excitement in his own compartment. His friend Blake had gone to get sweets when the note was slipped under his door.

Teddy and Callie nodded when both notes had been given to their proper recipients, going back to their compartment. Teddy smiled sadly, as he did every time, when he seen the Marauder's names scratched into the wood.

Teddy and Callie had made sure that they got this compartment since their first year. They felt it was a family heirloom. Teddy, especially.

The ride to Hogwarts was short, or at least it seemed like it was.

It was a comfort to all of the kids when the familiar castle came into view. The carriages all pulled themselves. They were all glad they couldn't see the thestrals yet.

Callie and Teddy were affected most by the sight of the glorious castle looming over them. It struck them at that moment that this was the last time they'd see Hogwarts like this; the back-to-school joy of seeing the stars surrounding the castle, the magical feeling that overwhelmed their senses. The scent of the Black Lake mixed with forest, the goosebumps that arose on their skin as the thestrals' hooves stamped down onto the brick roads. It was over once they reached the castle. In mere days it would be normal seeing the giant squid or the ghosts floating around. The sense of familiarity and comfort that they had now would be replaced with normalcy.

The young couple held each other close as they watched the castle loom closer from the window on their coach. Callie wanted to freeze this moment in time, to stay here forever. There was no Marvello, no grades, no babysitting; it was just them, watching a glorious sight.

It's quite peculiar, how one takes so much for granted; how one doesn't realize how much they'll miss something until it's gone.

Is this how you felt, Mum, Dad? Teddy thought sadly. His parents were supposed to be there at the station today, crying and seeing him off. They were supposed to tell him how proud they were of him and how he needs to write weekly. He was supposed to shake Tonks off as she tried in vain to fix his hair or tie. He was supposed to smile as Remus clapped him on the back. But no, Voldemort had to take that all away from him that fateful night on May the second, just like he had to take Betty away from Callie that night.

And now Marvello was trying to do the same thing. Marvello was trying to prevent any of them from having children of their own. Marvello had succeeded in stealing that future away from little Daisy.

Teddy shook those thoughts from his head as the coach pulled to a stop in front of Hogwarts. He got out first, holding out his hand for Callie to take.

He studied her as she looked down to watch her step. He studied the freckles that danced across her nose and cheeks, as well as her small pink lips. He was mesmerized by her strawberry blonde curls and sapphire eyes. Everything about this girl drove him crazy. Even after being friends for so long-seventeen years now- and dating for nearly two, she still gave him butterflies by just a single glance.

Callie felt his eyes on her, causing her to blush slightly and look to her feet as they hit the ground.
——
The Sorting was normal.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"SLYTHERIN!"

The same old words, yelled for all to hear as nervous first years made their ways to their tables.

Callie watched interestedly, wanting to see if she recognized any names.

Teddy held her hand and watched as well, with Brady across from them. Since it was the first feast, Victoire and Blake had to sit at the Ravenclaw table. James was right beside Brady, across from Teddy.
——
Callie was so exhausted that when she made it up to her dorm, she collapsed on the bed. She didn't even get a chance to talk to Leah. Of course, Leah was already asleep as well in her normal bed.

Callie loved the bed by the window, so she made sure she got that bed every year.

Teddy, James, and Brady went up to their respective dorms, each boy collapsing due to their full bellies.

It felt quite good to be back home.