The summer had put everything into perspective. Graham hadn’t heard a word from Jacob. He disappeared without a trace. Duncan was right all along, Jacob was a selfish, self-centered wizard. Graham had to accept that. Merula had broke off her tutoring arrangement with Rowan. The two had nothing more to gain anymore and with Rakepick gone; they were back to substitute teachers reviewing lessons and paper testing meaning Rowan had no reason to fear failing Defense Against the Dark Arts. The two lost contact over the summer, neither spoke to each other as they didn’t know what to say. Kisses in bookstores forgotten. Ben had reimagined himself into a fearless warrior. He was no longer the timid Gryffindor, he was a daring fighter who would take on any challenge. His new fearlessness bordered on recklessness. Graham thought about all the things that changed in his fifth year at Hogwarts as he approached Hogsmeade station to get Powder Moonstone and Pearl Dust needed to brew a love potion. As Graham walked up to the station he was perplexed that the train wasn’t here yet. He then saw Rowan standing beneath the clock looking anxious.
“Have you ever noticed this clock is always stuck at ten past ten?” Rowan commented. As he looked up at the sole clock on the wall.
“Yeah, I guess it has always been” Graham concurred. Their conversation was stiff, the familiarity and ease they had become accustomed to was gone. It felt like they were each addressing a stranger.
“So what have you been up to Graham?” Rowan asked.
“I’ve been trying to get an invisibility cloak to sneak into the Ministry of Magic. So me and Penny need to brew a love potion-” Graham explained until Rowan cut him off.
“Sneaking into the Ministry and love potions, what sort of dodgy business have you gotten yourself into, Graham?” inquired Rowan.
“It’s a long story. I need to get into the Ministry to get into the final cursed vault. But your concern is appreciated.” Graham explained.
“Hey, somebody got to be the concerned one. Especially with Ben’s new developments'' Rowan expounded. He wasn’t wrong, with Ben’s new reckless attitude, somebody had to take the reins of being the cautious one. It seemed like a long while since somebody had cared about him besides his mother. With Jacob’s departure to hunt Rakepick, he needed someone to care for his well being.
“What have you been up to Rowan?” asked Graham.
“Oh, you know. Studying and tutoring-”
“You and Merula right?” intercepted Graham.
“No, not anymore. I’ve been tutoring some third years over the summer”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. It seemed like you two were good for each other.” Graham apologized.
“It’s fine. I can’t blame Merula. Especially after all she has been through” Rowan justified. Graham nodded in agreement.
“Can I ask you something?” Rowan inquired.
“Sure”
“Can we go back to being friends Graham?” Rowan requested. “It just feels like everything has changed since last year.” He explained.
“I’d be lying if I said things hadn’t changed. For better or worse” explained Graham.
“Or maybe for better ‘and’ worse” critiqued Rowan.
“What do you mean?”
“I guess I mean that we’ve all been through a lot in the past six years and I think that’s affected us, sometimes for better, improving us, and sometimes for worse. But you gotta take the good with the bad I guess” Rowan explained. Graham smiled, he had missed this. Rowan’s explanations were reassuring, that his friend hadn’t changed too much from the wizard he met in his first year.
“I guess that’s true. And to answer your question we never stopped being friends Rowan. And we never will” Graham spelled out. Rowan smiled. The two had a brief laugh like old times. Wanting to extend their laughter, they cast Rictusempra on each and fell over, convulsing in laughter.
“I think I’m gonna pee” pleaded Graham, as he held his side chuckling and giggling to heart’s content. Graham thought about how much he had missed this as the two now hysterically giggled and sniggered. About how he missed when things were simple, things were easy. When magic was fun and not the foreboding responsibility it had become with having to battle Dementors, Dragons, and Dark Wizards.