The Second First Night
The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station just as the last slivers of daylight faded beyond the mountains. Students bustled through the corridors, shoving on their cloaks and grabbing trunks from overhead racks as the train slowed to a stop. The whistle blew one last time before the doors slid open, and the familiar hum of excitement filled the air.
Vi slung her bag over her shoulder, stretching as she stood. “Finally,” she muttered, shaking out her arms. “Thought I was gonna lose my mind sitting still that long.”
Mylo grinned, shoving past her. “You and me both. Let’s go before all the good carriages are taken.”
“Vi,” Caitlyn said from beside her, voice tinged with amusement, “you spent half the ride stretched out across the seat.”
Vi smirked. “And yet, still too long.”
They stepped out into the cool night air, the station bustling with students as Prefects shouted instructions over the noise. The first years, looking small and wide-eyed, gathered in a bunch on the platform.
Vi barely had time to take in the sight before a loud, familiar voice rang out.
“Firs’-years! This way, now!”
Hagrid’s booming call sent a ripple of movement through the crowd, and Vi grinned as she spotted the enormous man waving down the new students. “Bet the first years are terrified,” she said, nudging Caitlyn.
“They’ll be fine,” Caitlyn replied, adjusting her cloak as she glanced toward the waiting carriages. “Shall we?”
The Thestral-drawn carriages were already lined up, their skeletal creatures invisible to most students. Vi, of course, couldn’t see them, but she had heard stories from older students.
They climbed into one of the carriages with Mylo and Claggor, the lanterns flickering warmly as the carriages jolted forward.
“So,” Mylo said, stretching his arms behind his head, “what’s the plan this year? We need a goal.”
Vi grinned. “Quidditch tryouts. Obviously.”
Caitlyn sighed, but there was fondness in it. “You’re really determined, aren’t you?”
“I don’t just want to make the team, Cait,” Vi said. “I’m going to.”
Claggor chuckled. “You sure? You're gonna have to go up against the third years.”
Vi shrugged. “Let ‘em try and stop me.”
"Well I don't think Quidditch is for us," Claggor responded nudging Mylo who nodded fervently.
The castle loomed closer, golden lights glowing against the dark sky, and Vi felt excitement bubbling up in her chest.
***
The Great Hall was just as magnificent as ever, the enchanted ceiling shimmering with soft starlight as the students filed in. Vi and Caitlyn slipped into their usual seats at the Gryffindor table, greeted by the familiar buzz of chatter and laughter. The first years stood nervously near the front, waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to begin.
Vi, always impatient, leaned toward Caitlyn. “How long does this thing take again?”
Caitlyn smirked. “Not long. Do try to stay awake.”
Vi huffed, slouching against the table, but as soon as the first Sorting Hat decision was called, her focus drifted. Instead of watching, she let her gaze wander—across the teachers’ table, where Heimerdinger sat looking particularly pleased, over to the Slytherin table, where Maddie Nolen was definitely pretending not to be looking in their direction, and finally back to Caitlyn, who sat perfectly straight, listening attentively.
Vi tapped her fingers against the table.
Caitlyn must have sensed her watching because she turned her head slightly. “What?”
Vi shrugged. “Nothing.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes but didn’t push.
Finally, the last first year was sorted, and the feast began. Plates filled instantly with piles of food, and Vi wasted no time digging in.
“Did you even chew that?” Caitlyn asked after Vi had devoured nearly half a turkey leg in record time.
Vi grinned. “No time for chewing. Only eating.”
Mylo and Claggor howled with laughter, and even Caitlyn shook her head with a quiet chuckle.
The warmth of the Great Hall, the easy familiarity of it all, made Vi’s chest feel lighter. This was where she belonged.
***
Later that night, after the feast had ended and the Prefects had herded everyone back to their dormitories, Vi found herself wide awake in the Gryffindor common room. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. She had tried to sleep, but found herself tossing and turning with excitement. She decided to go downstairs and try to get a feel for her wand again after having not been permitted to use magic over the summer.
She wasn’t surprised when Caitlyn appeared beside her, settling into the armchair across from her.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Caitlyn asked.
Vi stretched, leaning back against the couch. “Too excited.”
Caitlyn smirked. “For Quidditch tryouts?”
“For everything,” Vi admitted, waving her hand vaguely. “New year, new chaos, new ways to mess with Nolen—”
“Vi.”
Vi grinned. “Kidding.”
Caitlyn gave her a look but didn’t argue.
A comfortable silence settled between them, the firelight dancing in Caitlyn’s eyes as she stared into the flames. Vi watched her for a moment, a thought forming before she could stop it.
“You okay?” Vi asked, voice quieter than before.
Caitlyn hesitated. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Vi shrugged. “Dunno. Your parents were… a lot.”
Caitlyn didn’t say anything right away. Then, after a beat, she exhaled. “It’s fine. I’m here now.”
Vi wanted to ask more, to press, but something in Caitlyn’s expression told her to leave it alone.
Instead, she smirked. “Yeah. And now you’re stuck with me again.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips curled upward. “Unfortunately.”
Vi grinned. “You love it.”
Caitlyn didn’t answer—just shook her head with quiet amusement, leaning back in her chair as the fire crackled between them.
And for the first time that night, Vi finally felt at ease.