The morning of returning to Hogwarts was a relaxed one in the Graves household. Demi woke up early to make a special breakfast for the men of her life, since it would be months until they could see each other again. They talked and laughed their way through freshly-baked cinnamon rolls with icing, scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey ham, hash browns and milk or orange juice. Having packed their belongings the following night and leaving them at the center of the living room, the family moved there to say goodbye to their father before apparating to King's Cross Station all the way in London; Demi having just earned her Apparating licence that summer. Kaden, like the gentleman his mother had raised, carried Demi's trunk and owl cage until they had reached the crowded platform. Luke gave his brother a big hug before mounting his and Demi's trunks onto the train. Demi followed suit, giving Kaden a peck on the cheek.

"I'll miss you so much, big brother!" she told him sweetly, breaking the hug and looking into a pair of eyes just like her own.

Kaden smiled, ruffled her brown hair a little and kissed her forehead. "I'll be counting the days until you guys are back, lil' sis. That's how much I'll miss you," he replied before turning to Luke, his face getting serious. "Make sure this Callum kid doesn't even think of messing around or crossing the line with her, okay? Otherwise I'll be forced to make a visit to Hogsmade in one of the weekends you two are allowed to go there to put him back in his place. Keep your eyes peeled.

Luke nodded, with an expression mirroring Kaden's. "You know it, Kae. I'll protect her with my life." The two bumped fists: deal.

Demi rolled her eyes, a playful smile on her full, dark red lips. "Guys! It's always the same thing with you two!" For as long as she could remember, Demi's older brothers had been highly protective of her, especially when it came to boys. Given that she was the youngest child, the only daughter and the surviving female of the family, it was only natural that the men acted that way. Her father and brothers had always showed her how a man was supposed to treat a woman, and so they expected that the guy that came into their little girl's life treat her the was she deserved. When she broke the news to them that she was dating, her brothers had thrown a small fit and demanded to know who the guy was. Thankfully, Demi's father had stepped in and asked for her privacy to be respected.

"No matter what happens, you two and dad are the main men in my life, so quit being so darn overprotective!" Giggling, she pulled her brothers into a group hug and said a last goodbye before Demi and Luke crossed the platform

The huge scarlet train always fascinated Demi, but she didn't pay much attention to it as she looked around the platform in hopes to find Callum. Luke was staring at her, waiting for her so they could share a compartment like they'd done during all of their time in Hogwarts.

"Are you coming or not?" Luke asked Demi with a raised eyebrow.

Demi shook her head and told him shyly, "I told Cal I'd wait for him here so we could sit together."

Luke gave her a mischevous smile. "Okay then, D.R. But never forget that I'm always watching." he told her, doing the 'I'm watching you' gesture. Demi rolled her eyes and waved at him as he left to board the train.

After what seemed like forever, Demi finally saw a familiar figure appear onto the platform. Her heart started racing, the butterflies in her stomach went into a frenzy and she was unable to contain her excitement as her boyfriend Callum Illmore made his way towards her, looking even more handsome than she remembered. She'd thrown her arms around him as soon as he was in close proximity, trying to let him know with that hug just how much she'd missed him. When they broke apart, he took her hand, she put her head on his shoulder and walked through the halls of the trains until they eventually found and empty compartment where they could sit and wouldn't be bothered. Cal set down with her at his side. She ventually put her arms around his neck, leaned into him and gave him a kiss. Cal kissed her back. He put her arm around her and she settled into him.

"It's good to finally be back with you." Cal gave her a warm smile and gently pulled her into him more. "How was your summer?"

Demi smiled back at him and nestled herself even closer to him. "It was good, but it would've been better with you in it."

The rest of the trip went on with Demi and Callum sharing their summer adventures, greeting Demi's housemate Wayne when he passed by and occasionally sneaking in a few kisses. She'd missed him incredibly this summer; a feeling intensified by the fact that they were unable to see each other and had nearly limited contact for those three months of their summer vacation because of Demi living in the USA and Cal residing in London. The young couple had been so immersed in a particularly passionate kiss that they failed to see the Old Hogwarts’ ruins, but had been thankfully just talking when one of the professors instructed them to put on their robes. Cal and Demi did as they were told, and before long and after what seemed like a short time, they had arrived at the platform.

"Is it me, or does time fly by whenever I'm with you?" Demi asked Cal sweetly as they exited the compartment hand in hand. Demi carefully stepped off the train, being hit immediately with a warm breeze and the smell of pine trees. She looked around at all the hassle, and suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia when she remembered the days when Kaden joined her and Luke at Hogwarts. She dreaded to think that she would be on her own next year, but hopefully she'd still have Cal to make everything better.

Demi and Cal left their belongings with the person in charge of them and made their way to the Great Hall. Her blue eyes wandered to the Quidditch field, with its house flags waving high in the air, seemingly calling out to her. She bit her lower lip longingly, wanting nothing more than to take her broomstick and get the buzz and freedom that could only be reached by flying through the clouds. Of course, she'd had to wait until the next day.

When they reached the Great Hall, Demi and Cal exchanged sad looks: it was time for them to leave to their respective tables. Giving each other one last kiss and promising to find a way to talk a bit longer after dinner, they walked to their tables. Demi took a seat next to Wayne and her brother, who was giving her a knowing smirk.

"So that's the famous Callum I've been hearing about all throughout this summer," he teased, pulling on a strand of Demi's hair.

Demi glared at him, slapping his hand away and blushing. "Luuuuuuuuuke, stooooooop!" she whined. He chuckled, but was forced to stop teasing her when the headmaster called for quiet and began his speech.

Demi was starving, and the speech was over quickly. As soon as the feast appeared in front of them, she filled up her plate with some turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, a biscuit and a bit of mac n cheese.

"So, how was your summer, Wayne?" Demi asked him, watching with amusement as he sneaked food under the table to feed his cat.

Mina glanced at the boy next to her, scowling at that nickname he unrightfully gave her – ‘princess’, ugh! She crossed her arms over her chest, flicking a single lock behind her shoulders and turning to fully look at him, curling a plump lip and showing her pristinely white teeth.

“I’d rather take my chances with the dementors!” She huffed indignantly, swiveling on her heel and walking down the corridor. Good riddance!

Either way, she would’ve had to leave their presence soon in order to look for her cat, who had disappeared the moment she climbed onto the train. Mina figured that her cat had run off to steal something or another – and she wasn’t wrong. As if conjured by Mina’s thoughts, a unique looking feline trotted up to her with someone’s boxers in her mouth, looking quite pleased with herself. Mina never understood why her cat couldn’t bring dead mice or frogs to her like normal animals.

“Ramyeon!” Mina gasped, attempting to snatch the boxers from the Chimeric cat’s mouth. Ramyeon dodged her hand, growling lowly to stop her mistress from taking her reward. Mina frowned at being disobeyed and brandished a finger at the cat, “Bad girl!”

After her admonishing, the cat released the undergarment and threaded herself between Mina’s legs. Mina didn’t know what to do with the underwear and so she tossed it over her shoulder, picking up her pet in hopes to keep her out of trouble. Mina was able to find a compartment with a couple of first years in which she kicked the annoying brats out – though she did it politely – and she changed into the gross school robes that she wished she didn’t have to wear.

---

The Great Hall looked as magnificent as it always did, but rather than dwell on it, she sat at the table and placed her face in her fist, waiting impatiently for the feast to start. She barely listened to the headmaster, but instead let her eyes roam across the students at the Gryffindor table, looking for her good friend Demi. Her eyes landed on her and she smiled to herself until she saw her talking to that rude arse from the train. Mina sighed through her nose, crossing her arms around her chest and pouting to herself. Demi would hear about it later.

When the food appeared on the table, Mina felt a pang of homesickness as her eyes landed on the European food rather than the Korean food she was used to having at home. Reluctantly, she grabbed some chicken and steak as well as mashed potatoes from the table, topping her food with gravy and taking a sip of pumpkin juice from her goblet.

Cal suddenly felt a cold chill, but he didn't really pay it much attention, as he was already paying an extreme amount of it to Demi. They had a few close calls though, like when they were luckily only talking when a teacher told them to put their robes on. Cal felt different when he was with Demi. He forgot all about the drive to Kings Cross, and the yelling and complaining he had to endure when he was at home. When he was with Demi all those things were lost to him, and all he cared about was her.

"Is it me, or does time fly when I'm with you?"

"Eh, I think it's just you." Cal said playfully as he put his hand in hers, walking to the castle. The area had a different smell to it. The aroma of pine trees wafted through the air, replacing that of the nothingness which seemed to have surrounded the old Hogwarts.

Cal longed to be with Demi more, but he was forced to sit at the Ravenclaw table as she walked to e Gryffindor's. Cal hopped into an empty seat next to Sienna, a friend of his that was in seventh year. The first thing he noticed was her piercings, and the pairs of wide eyes that were staring at them. Cal glared at the first years, and they went back to minding their own businesses, but Cal snuck in a glare whenever he found them glancing over. Cal was relatively used to piercings, as most of his friends when he was younger were muggles.

Cal was about to talk to Sienna, when the Headmaster began his speech. Cal true to listen, but he couldn't help but let his eyes wander in the direction of Demi, snapping back into it when the clapping began, signaling that the speech was over. Cal began piling up his plate with turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy, and taking the whole tray of Yorkshire Piddings for himself, and if she wanted any, Sienna.

"So, how was your summer? I see you got a new piercing." Cal causally popped a Yorkshire Pudding into his mouth, glaring at the first years who were once again staring at Sienna's piercings, and trying to grabbed some of Cal's puddings. He sighed and reluctantly gave one to a first year who was literally begging him for one. When the rest of the first years saw he had given the girl one, they begged and pleaded too, and Cal was forced to give them the platter, though taking a couple more for himself.

Simon eyed Tessa as she spoke, his head nodding at every single word that she had spoke. He laughed at her about the way she had spent her Summer then eyed her when she continued speaking. "Plus, my compartment was full of idiots." Simon let out a soft snicker then nodded his head. "Yes, yes, we are here now." He gave her a thumbs up then went back to eating like she did.

A few more minutes went by and their head of the household, the third Scorpius, came and towered over them. "Look at you all. Yuck." Scorpius laughed a bit before walking away as Simon rolled his eyes at the display. "Wish we could take points away from the adults." He said then shouted. "Ten points taken away from Scorpius for being him!" Simon raised his goblet up in the process, taking a sip from it after shouting those words.

He had got a few laughs and a few jeers, though most people looked scared as if Scorpius was standing right behind him, in which, he was. "I heard that, boy. You're on my list to fail." Scorpius muttered before walking away again as Simon sunk down in his seat with an eye roll and scoff. "Someone could've told me he was right behind me." His eyes looked towards the double doors and saw that Scorpius did in fact leave this time.

@Potter

---

Simons' laugh towards her commentary regarding her summer caused a smile to cover Tessa's lips. She listeend and ate - hacing taken mostly mashed ptoatoes and softer foods. She hads ownr braces the previous summer, so her overbite was slowly fixing itself. Stil, she needed softer foods to eat while her teeth adjusted. Nearby, she heard Victoria greet her and smiled, turning to face her. Victoria was one of her best friend's, if one of the few. Tessa was selective when it came to her friend's. But Victoria was in her year and she had known her since first year. "Thanks, Victoria! You too!"

She giggled when Simed told her that his compartment had been filled with idiots. She wondered what his definition was of idiots, but couldn't question it sinScecorpious Malfoy III came over to the Slytherin table. TJ glanced over at him curiously and tried to disntguish his intentions. "Look at you all. Yuck. Tessa rolled her eyes. Yuck? What was he talking about? And how rude! Normally she would've responded - yet, it was trheir head of house. Why would he be their head of House if he thought they were disgusting? In the back of her mind, she wondered if she looked gross. The piercing thought drove her crazy inside, yet she tried to reassure herself she was fine.

Trying to push it out of her mind, she sighed and then looked over at Simon. His remark on taking points from the adults made her laugh. She began sipping her iced lemonade when he shouted ""Ten points taken away from Scorpius for being him!" She choked on her lemonadfe and spluttered, coughing. Her blue eyes were wide, but inside she was half amused and half horriifed. Though Simon stated he hadn't known Scorpious was beind him, it had been a bold move. Tesa wiped her mouth off with napkins that she deposited afterwards. Then, she looked at him and comfortingly rubbed his arm and pulled away. 'Sorry, I didn't know he was either since I'm beside you. My apologies." She glanced over to see him leave, then looked back at Simon. "What's his problem anyway? So weird,"

"So, how was your summer, Wayne?" Demi asked him, watching with amusement as he sneaked food under the table to feed his cat.

It wasn't until Demi spoke that Wayne realized she was seated right next to him with her brother on her other side. A smile spread on his face as he turned to fully regard his housemate. There were so many things he could say - some of which would probably spark conversations he didn't want to have, while others were things he definitely should share yet - that it took a moment to filter through his possibilities. He disguised the bit of time spent thinking the answer over by taking another bite of his biscuit and chewing it.

"My summer was too bloody long and short all at the same time. Too much time with my father, not enough time practicing. I had half a mind to send you and Luke an owl when I was dragged along to a match in the States. I'm sure you would have made much better use of the special access pass than I did." Not that he didn't make use of it. His use just had nothing to do with the sport, or anything aside from free reign exploring behind the scenes. After all, if he had to spend his time at a Quidditch match, it certainly wasn't going to be spent in a way that acknowledged the game.

Another piece of chicken "accidentally" fell when he got a forkful of his macaroni and cheese. "How was your summer?" he asked before eating the pasta. He knew the open question - and his offered information - invited topics he hated, but engaging in conversation was the best way to keep most people ignorant of his feeding Argint. Sure he could be more subtle, but then again - he could also be more open about it.

---

The best German in school. It was funny being called that, but it was so utterly Morgan. Victoria was so glad to see him once again. Perhaps she had said said so before, but she couldn't help but reiterate that again. Morgan was not only her closest but one of her best friends as well. Tessa was another one of them, but she'll get to it later. This is Morgan's time. As she got seated, Vickie placed an arm around Morgan's shoulders as she began to answer his questions. "Well, Morgan, the best Scot in the school I might add, it is terribly wonderful to see you again. As for things, they are fine. Same-old, Same-old. Nothing new on my end. Just the same old boring stuff as always."

Squeezing his shoulders in consolation, she gave him a slight smile. "Oh that's no worry! I do hope things are better now though." As she finished, Victoria began tucking into the assorted amount of food on the table, ranging from the plate of roast chicken, before scooping herself a healthy portion of mashed potatoes. Yummy, she muttered as she licked her lips. Home, was, well, rather uneventful and boring. As if lessons in Hogwarts wasn't enough, she went home to even more lessons. Her parents were unrelenting and she was slowly beginning to see them as parents and more as her guardians. Victoria definitely envied those who had parents who actually liked they were parents and not instructors. It was not really something she liked to talk about.

Vickie almost choked on her food when she heard Simon talking about taking away ten points from Scorpius for simply being him. That was funny, something she agreed. What was with that Yuck anyway? What in the worlds was wrong with him? Unfortunately for Simon, Scorpius was still standing behind him. The girl couldn't help laugh as the whole debacle made itself known. She wasn't the only one though. Several others at the table had began laughing openly at Simon, and how he had just painted a giant 'Fail Me' arrow on his back, as far as Scorpius was concerned. Oops. Tessa seemed to be horrified though, if one could be horrified yet apologetic at the same time.

Victoria didn't see how it was Tessa's fault though. Curses be to Scorpius! She wasn't going to say that aloud though. She was fine without any punishments, thank you very much.

---

The first week back to Hogwarts went by within the blink of an eye it seemed like. Just yesterday, he was talking to Tessa, being the asshole that he normally was and getting the death glare from Scorpius himself. Oddly enough, classes didn't even start last week, just a bunch of meetings about the old Hogwarts and its ruins and how they were never ever allowed to go there. It was rather exhausting hearing the same things over and over and then over again.

With the start of a new week, people have been buzzing the halls with their potential dates to the back to school ball that is held almost every single year. Simon didn't have no date in mind, in all honesty but he wanted to ask Tessa though was too nervous. Yes, he is a son of a bitch but when it comes to asking people out, he honestly sucks at it.

It was morning time and people were wandering around the castle before class and such. He was sitting on the steps outside, watching the sun as it came up and over the horizon, smiling then smirking as some people walked by him. While waiting a few minutes, Simon stood up and ran up the few steps then walked in the halls, going to his first class. He has Charms first and their professor this year was a female by the name of Alyssa Sims.

Simon sat in the back of the class, leaned back in his chair and propped his feet up on his desk, folding his arms over his chest. He didn't really feel like being there at the moment but hell, who did. Simon decided to just sit back and relax and hope that this class flies by with a breeze.

@AbysmalDemon @HushedWhispers

---

Sienna watched bemusedly as Callum chowed down on Yorkshire puddings and grudgingly offered the platter to the pleading first year kids. She shook her head when he held one out to her; she was fine with what she was working on eating.

"My summer was... fine," she said vaguely. "I moved out. For good. And yeah, I got a few new piercings." Sienna smiled at the young girls who didn't seem quite so scared of her anymore now that they had Yorkshire puddings on their plates. "Things look like they're going well with Demi," she observed. Sienna and Cal finished up the rest of their meal, chatting amicably all the while.

---

Sienna walked down the halls alone, passing gaggles of girls who were giggling about who would be taking them to the ball this year. Sienna personally hadn't given much thought to it- it wasn't exactly the first priority on her mind. She'd make herself go, though- with or without a date. It would be good for her.

She waved at Callum after passing him in the hall, and headed into her first class: Charms with Professor Sims. It was her first class of the day, and today Ravenclaw and Slytherin seventh years had this class together. Sienna took a seat diagonally in front of a Slytherin boy whose name was something like Sebastian or Simon. He was leaning against the back wall with his feet propped on the desk in front of him, looking like this was the last place on Earth he wanted to be. Sienna actually liked Charms class, though. She rummaged in her bag and got out her copy of The Standard Book of Spells Grade 7; flipping through it until she reached the charm they would be working on today.

---

---

A smile spread on Wayne's face as he turned towards Demi, and he took his time to answer her question by taking another bite of his biscuit and chewing it. "My summer was too bloody long and short all at the same time. Too much time with my father, not enough time practicing. I had half a mind to send you and Luke an owl when I was dragged along to a match in the States. I'm sure you would have made much better use of the special access pass than I did." he finally said.

Demi narrowed her eyes at him and playfully punched him in the shoulder. "You dummy! You should've definitely sent us an owl! We would've been delighted to have a visitor and to show you around!"

"Yeah, man. Demi and I could've been your tour guides in exchange for those tickets." Luke piped up from next to Demi, his mouth full of food.

Demi turned around to roll her eyes at Luke when she heard Wayne ask about her own summer. She turned back to him. "It was great! I spent two months working as a Camp Counselor, and the last few weeks hanging out with Dad and the boys."

---

The first week of school had gone by in a flash for Demi. Contrary to the past years, this term had started off with what seemed like endless lectures on the history of the old Hogwarts, the battle that had taken place there and the reasons why they should NEVER, BY ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, go to the ruins of the old school. Being the good girl and coward of the unknown she was, Demi wasn't even the slightest bit interested in even get near the place, much less enter it. She'd let the other curious troublemakers be the ones to explore.

Demi had been making her way to her first class (Transfiguration) when she came across a girl named Sienna waving to Callum. The gesture was completely innocent, but it sent a shot of jealousy through Demi's body. She knew her and Cal's relationship was still going strong and in their 'honeymoon' phase, but she'd noticed that past week that Sienna and Cal seemed to hang out too much for her personal liking. And it had all started when she saw them chattering and giggling away during the start of term feast. Demi had never been one to be jealous about anything or anyone, and now all of a sudden that ugly feeling caused her to overthink and go as far as to bring up insecurities she never even knew she had: Am I pretty enough? Do I treat him in the best way I can? Am I enough for him? She'd confided her thoughts on her friend Mina and on- surprisingly- Luke. Her brother had been quick to diminish those 'stupid' (as he called them) thoughts and to tell her just how special she was, and took the liberty of adding that if the case were that Cal was cheating, he'd let Kaden know so they could 'teach the kid a lesson'. Knowing that her brother thought so highly of her made her feel a lot better, but every time Sienna and Cal were together the thoughts immediately plagued Demi again.

Lost in these thoughts, she absentmindedly arrived at the classroom and took a seat in a desk at the corner of the room, where she could occasionally stare out into the school grounds through the window next to her. She organized her things and sat down, quietly brooding over why would Callum and Sierra be so close to each other while biting her lower lip.

---

Tessa spent the first week of classes pondering what was dangerous in the ruins of Hogwarts. Her thirst for adventure was creeping up, but she knew she couldn't explore. It was dangerous and she wasn't going to risk anyone's life so she could see what was there. She sighed and looked down. The Sorting Hat telling her she would do well in Gryffindor kept replaying in her mind, though she ignored it. TJ enjoyed being in Slytherin and wouldn't have had it another way. Still.... She sighed, shaking her head, and bit her lip. It was easy to imagine what it would be like if she were in Gryffindor instead. It would be different and perhaps she might have some more friends than she did in Slytherin. Though, she did have more friends in other houses, and appreciated them. She brightened and pushed the thoughts away. It wouldn't bode well to think of 'what-if's.

As she strode down the hallway, she could hear students chatting excitedly for the upcoming dance. Tessa wondered if anyone would ask her - and who would, if any. She was hoping Simon would ask her, though she could tell it wasn't easy for him to do so if he wanted to ask. Despite the personality he displayed, she knew he wasn't all bad. Tessa rather enjoyed his company and was sad to know he was in his seventh year. It would be lonely without him. TJ looked out the window and told herself if nobody asked, that she would, and if nothing else, she'd go alone. She wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to have fun, regardless if she had a date or not.

Tessa entered Transfiguration for sixth years and it was with Gryffindor's. She sat near the back and noticed that she sat a seat away from Demetria. She set her backpack down and took out her Transfiguration book. Then, once settled, Tessa faced Demetria and smiled. "Hey Demetria, how are you?" Being friendly towards others she wasn't' close with took a lot of her, but she told herself she needed to try harder in that aspect. "Are you excited for Quidditch? I absolutely love playing Gryffindor's team." Tessa smiled and then waited a response, angling her body to face Demetria's, though keeping her gaze fixated on the window. She wanted to be outdoors in the worst way and was trying not to go crazy in being cooped up in classes inside. At least, she told herself, it was one of her favorite classes.

Wayne chuckled, making no effort to dodge the punch. Yes, if Demi wanted to she could have made his arm go numb for an hour with the hit; he might not have had any love or interest for Quidditch, but it didn't mean he didn't hear about her power in controlling a bludger. When she mentioned her summer activity, he simply nodded with a smile. Camp counselor - must be a muggle thing. "Sounds like you had fun. Next time my father drags me to a match, I'll send you an owl and some tickets to make up for the summer. Next one will be a local league match, though."

---

Sitting through more lectures about the ruins of Hogwarts bored Wayne to no end. Every new lecture about the dangers steeled his resolve to go and explore it. No one ever dared, how terribly pathetic to think not a single person dared see what could be lurking there. There was magic laced into those very stones; who knew what kind of spells could have been lost to those ruins. He couldn't wait - but the first week was not the week for breaking rules and losing his house points. The better time would be closer to Halloween. Besides, it took time to subtly find others willing to tag along. He was curious, not stupid. There were dementors and who-knows-what lurking around that place; he wanted to explore, not die.

A week of lectures and the usual troubled sleep found Wayne out of bed sitting in the Common Room to read during the night, more often than not. Better sitting there than in his room possibly keeping any of his roommates up. It would get better once classes and clubs started up; he'd be burning energy, tiring himself out.

Despite taking his time in going to class, he still arrived shortly after only a few others did. No surprise one of them was Demi. Nice girl, but she seemed allergic to breaking rules and being tardy. The Slytherin girl - name began with a T, right - talking to her seemed out of place mostly because he couldn't remember a time he saw her interacting with anyone outside of Slytherin. Well, he supposed stranger things could yet happen than an asocial girl actually reaching out in conversation.

Considering the girl had brought up Quidditch, he decided to take a seat away from them. Argint wasted no time jumping up onto the desk; he would move once class started. Sliding into his own seat, Wayne put his feet up and pulled out his new book. Sure he had been reading it for the past week, but this read through was more for learning than seeing what was in it. Argint walked down his legs to curl up in Wayne's lap for absentminded petting while Wayne read.