Chapter 13: Back to School
The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, steam curling into the icy air like breath from a sleeping dragon. I stood near the carriages, hands deep in my coat pockets, trying to appear nonchalant—but internally? A complete mess.
Daphne.
She had been gone for what? Two weeks? It felt like two years. I'd read her letters at least twenty times. Memorized her sarcasm. Her perfect handwriting. Her teasing.
And now, finally, she was back.
The platform swarmed with students, but I spotted her instantly.
Emeralds.
She was wearing the necklace I gave her—the chain resting just at her collarbone, the gem catching sunlight like a sly wink. Matching earrings dangled gently when she moved, elegant and deliberate.
My bracelet, the silver one she gave me engraved with the raven and snake, had never left my wrist. Not for a second.
She found me in the crowd and smiled.
"Miss me, or just the sound of my complaining?"
I grinned. "Both. Equally. Maybe the necklace helped."
She brushed a hand over it. "I thought you'd like the touch of green."
"I like anything on you."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're not allowed to flirt until after dinner."
"Too late. I've been building up material all holiday."
She laughed and looped her arm through mine. "Let's get inside before we freeze to death. I need cocoa and at least three hours of catching up."
"I brought sarcasm and decent conversation. That enough?"
"For now."
Together, we walked toward the castle, our footsteps falling in sync, the snow swirling quietly around us.
TIMESKIP,
The final day of Hogwarts was always said to be bittersweet. But for me, it felt like a quiet storm—something building just beneath the skin, waiting to break the surface.
I felt it soon something interesting going to happen.
The great feast had ended in a flurry of chatter, House points, floating candles, and golden confetti. Gryffindor had won, of course, thanks to the Golden Trio's dramatic underground heroics. I clapped when everyone else did, smiled when I was expected to, but my mind was elsewhere.
I was waiting for her.
The carriages rumbled outside as students began to pile into them, laughing and shouting and making wild plans for the summer. I leaned against a stone pillar near the entrance, my hands shoved into the pockets of my coat, trying to appear relaxed.
Daphne Greengrass emerged from the main staircase in slow motion, at least to me. Her emerald earrings danced with each step, catching the last of the sunlight bleeding through the tall windows. Around her neck hung the matching necklace I'd gifted her—a deep green gem that practically glowed against her pale skin.
And just like that, I could breathe again.
She walked up with her usual unbothered elegance. "You're early. I expected you to show up fashionably five minutes late, maybe with a lollipop in your mouth and a smirk on your face."
I smiled. "I was worried you'd leave me behind."
She rolled her eyes but gave me a brief once-over. "Still wearing the bracelet, I see."
I held up my wrist. The silver glinted faintly, the raven and snake engraving catching the light. "Haven't taken it off. It's my most dangerous possession. It makes me soft."
Her expression faltered for a second. Something deeper flashed in her eyes, but she masked it quickly.
"Careful, Jon. Keep that up and I might believe you actually care."
I leaned closer. "What if I do?"
"Then I'm doomed," she replied with a smile that didn't quite meet her eyes—but the blush in her cheeks betrayed her.
We shared a carriage to the train together. People noticed, of course. Whispers rippled around us like we were characters in someone else's story. Ravenclaw's mysterious Jon and Slytherin's ice princess, laughing over Bertie Bott's Beans and arguing about Quidditch tactics.
No one saw how comfortable it had become. How easily our silences filled themselves.
"You're not staying at Hogwarts this time?" Daphne asked quietly and sarcastically as the train left the station.
"Not this time. I figured it'd be depressing to mope around alone while the rest of you are out sunbathing and being adored by rich aunts."
She grinned. "Ah yes, my beloved Aunt Ophelia. She thinks I'm studying ballet and wants to marry me off to a French boy named Thibault."
I blinked. "Thibault?"
She leaned her head against the seat, fake-dreamy. "With a chin so sharp it could slice bread."
"Well," I said with exaggerated pain, "I suppose I'll have to duel him to the death now."
She chuckled. "Don't bother. I'll just insult his poetry and he'll cry himself into a napkin."
We stayed like that for a long while. Quiet. Safe. Warm in each other's presence.
"You'll write, right?" she asked eventually, softly.
"Of course. Weekly scrolls. Full of sarcasm and tea-spilling."
"No perfume?"
"I was thinking cinnamon oil."
"Too much. Stick with sarcasm."
I turned to her, more serious now. "I will write. Promise."
She nudged me. "And maybe next year… you'll finally tell me what your deal is."
"Maybe."
King's Cross.
The noise hit us like a tidal wave. Parents yelling. Trollies rattling. Owls hooting in their cages. Daphne spotted her family and gave me a tight smile.
"This is where I go back to pretending to be the perfect daughter of the Greengrass name."
"And I return to being a mysterious, reclusive weirdo with secrets darker than my morning tea."
She hesitated, then stepped close again. "Take care of yourself this summer, Jon. If you disappear, I'll find you. I'm terrifyingly good with maps."
"I believe it. But if I got busy and unable to write you, I will prepare a gift for you to apologize."
Then, she did it again.
She kissed me on the cheek.
"Bye, Raven," she whispered.
"Bye, Princess."
And just like that, she was gone.
Later that evening, after most students had cleared the platform, I met Snape in the shadows near the barrier. His black coat looked far too proper for summer.
"You're not wearing that all vacation, are you?" I asked.
He frowned. "Some of us have taste. And No I am not wearing this all vacation."
I held out the keyring to him.
"Happy late Christmas."
He blinked. "You didn't."
"I did."
"The Jaguar?"
"It's yours."
He shook his head. "Jon, that's absurd. You need that car."
"I need to know someone's scaring the London traffic for me. And you are going to need this for your future dates with Diana. And I have a Aston Martin."
Snape stared at the key, then at me. "...I hope it explodes."
"I made sure it doesn't."
He finally took the keys.
"I hate sentiment."
"I know."
We shared a look. A rare moment.
Then we parted ways without another word.
Yorkshire Dale.
My cottage sat in silence, just as I left it. I unpacked slowly, like if I moved too fast the magic would fade. I made tea. Poured it into my favorite chipped mug. Sat by the window as the sun disappeared.
And just when I thought the silence would finally swallow me—
A letter appeared in the air.
Not by owl. Not by magic I understood. Just manifested in front of me, humming with power.
Same sigil as before.
The same that appeared when I spined the wheel.
The same that gave me a second chance.
I reached for it.
The paper was warm.
Whatever this was—it was calling again.
And this time, I wasn't sure I'd be able to say no.
Important Notice-
So Get ready for a short adventure in a new world.
Well any suggestion.
Please comment. Here.
I will announce the world soon so please choose one.
The New world will be only consist 2 to 5 chapters or longer.
WANTED.
GAME OF THRONES.
TWILIGHT.
UNTIL DAWN.
STRANGER THINGS.
FROM.
THE FAMILY PLAN.
GOOSEBUMPS.
BHEDIYA. (INDIAN MOVIE)
Or We can change the vibe.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS.
HOUSE OF THE DRAGONS.
( IF ONE THESE GET MORE VOTES THE FMC WILL BE FROM HERE)
The main world will be harry potter MC will just go to another world for mission.