The Goodbyes
The next morning, the Great Hall was buzzing with energy as students prepared to leave. House tables were covered in remnants of breakfast, and voices overlapped in a chaotic symphony of excitement and bittersweet farewells. Trunks were packed, last-minute notes were scribbled in yearbooks or on scraps of parchment, and a few younger students clung to their older friends, already dreading the months apart.
Vi sat at the Gryffindor table, pushing the last of her toast around her plate, not particularly hungry. She glanced around at the place that, somehow, in just one year, had become home. It was strange to think how different she’d felt arriving—uncertain, out of place, half-wondering if she’d ever belong. Now, the idea of leaving for the summer left a strange hollowness in her chest.
The train ride back to London was a blur of laughter, card games, and Claggor’s failed attempts to smuggle extra snacks from the trolley without getting caught. At one point, Mylo nearly choked on a Chocolate Frog when Claggor made a particularly bad joke, and Caitlyn—despite her best efforts to act exasperated—ended up laughing along with them. It was comfortable. Familiar. The kind of easy camaraderie Vi hadn’t realized she’d come to depend on.
But when the train finally pulled into King’s Cross, reality hit like a weight dropping in her stomach.
“Well,” Mylo said, stretching as they grabbed their things, his usual smirk faltering just slightly. “Guess this is it for a couple months.”
“You guys should come visit!” Vi shot back quickly, and Mylo and Claggor agreed immediately. Caitlyn, however, looked down at her feet and shifted her weight from side to side. Eventually, she spoke.
“Try not to forget how to do basic spells over the summer,” Caitlyn teased, adjusting the strap of her bag.
“Try not to study the entire summer,” Vi shot back, grinning, though she could tell something was up.
Caitlyn smirked. “No promises.” Then, after a second, her expression softened into something more hesitant. “Can I write to you? I know you don’t have an owl, so I thought I could send Hex to you, and you could send him back with your response.”
Vi blinked at her, caught off guard. A joke was on the tip of her tongue, but for once, she let it die before speaking. “Aww, Cait,” she teased instead, nudging her playfully. “You are going to miss me!”
“Oh, shut up.” Caitlyn rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Vi’s grin softened. “I’d like that.” Her voice was uncharacteristically sincere, and the way Caitlyn’s lips twitched upward told Vi she’d noticed.
“I meant what I said. You could visit too, ya know,” Vi added, trying to keep her tone light. “Vander’s always taking in strays.”
Caitlyn hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around the strap of her bag. “I don’t know if my parents would go for that,” she admitted, her voice quieter. There was a sad sort of smile on her lips, like she’d already accepted it as fact. “But it sounds lovely.”
Vi didn’t like the way that sat in her chest. She didn’t like the way Caitlyn’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, or the fact that she had to phrase it like a far-off dream instead of a real possibility.
As they stepped onto the platform, Vi’s eyes flickered across the crowd, scanning the sea of parents and siblings waiting eagerly for their students. It didn’t take long to spot Vander. He stood near the edge of the platform, arms crossed, a wide grin stretched across his face. Beside him, Powder bounced excitedly on her heels, waving the moment she caught sight of Vi.
But Vi’s gaze didn’t stay on them for long. A little further to the right, she saw Caitlyn’s parents—her mother’s expression tight-lipped and unreadable, her father standing stiffly beside her. Caitlyn’s posture straightened instinctively, her entire demeanor shifting as if preparing for battle. Vi remembered her Christmas confession, the quiet ache in her voice when she admitted they hadn’t wanted her home for the holidays.
Before she even realized what she was doing, Vi reached out and grabbed Caitlyn’s arm, pulling her into a tight hug. Caitlyn stiffened at first, caught off guard, but then she exhaled and let herself lean into it, just for a second.
“Take care of yourself, Cait,” Vi murmured. She nudged Caitlyn lightly, trying to coax out a smile.
Caitlyn let out a quiet laugh, but there was something tired in it. “You too, Vi. Thanks.”
Vi hesitated a moment longer, watching as Caitlyn steeled herself and took a step toward her parents. Her mother barely reacted, only giving her a curt nod before turning to leave. Her father muttered something under his breath, something Vi couldn’t quite hear but could guess wasn’t particularly warm.
Vi’s stomach twisted. If they hadn’t wanted her home for Christmas, what was summer going to be like for her?
She gave Caitlyn a small wave, hoping she’d turn around. Hoping she’d at least offer one more glance, some reassurance that she’d be okay.
Caitlyn didn’t.
Vi watched for a second longer before exhaling sharply and turning back toward Vander and Powder. The moment she reached them, Powder practically launched herself at Vi, wrapping her in a fierce hug. Vander clapped a hand on her shoulder, grinning.
“Missed ya, kid.”
Vi smiled, ruffling Powder’s hair. But as she glanced back toward the crowd, Caitlyn already disappearing into the sea of people, she felt something missing.
Funny how that worked.
A year ago, she’d been terrified to come here. Now, she already wished she didn’t have to leave.