Chapter 2
"Poor thing," Aoife heard a voice that belonged to a woman. "How long has she been out in the open?"
"Days, I assume," replied a man's voice.
"It's a good thing you found her when you did, Isaac, or else she'd be dead," another woman's voice followed. "It's a downpour out there."
Aoife felt like it's been eons since the last time she felt the warmth of fire and coziness of a bed. She wanted to open her eyes, but they gave up to the tiredness the very moment. Any energy that was left, now gone.
"She does look so young and probably comes from a well-off family," stated the first woman. "Wonder if she's still in school."
Aoife gave another attempt to flutter her eyes open to make out the people in the same room. All she sees is a blur and silhouettes. Can't even speak had she attempted to.
"Come along, you three," in came a new voice. "Let the girl rest. When she's all up and about, then you can ask your questions."
"Doesn't help that Magaly and Hazel have come up with their own conspiracies of her," the man, Isaac said in a disapproving tone.
Soon enough the room was empty. Leaving behind the third woman, who put a warm compress on her forehead.
Wake up, Aoife's own voice pleaded for her. "Please, wake up."
Hopefully, Merlin can answer her silent prayer. Yet, that one person whom she loved with all her heart remained in her conscience. And that person now is thriving his life with someone else who isn't her. The same old thoughts circling her mind many times over.
At least he's happy again. That's all it matters. His happiness is what truly matters. Even if it means her being no longer in the equation. Then so be it.
***
Students awaited the Hogwarts Express, welcoming them back to another new year at Hogwarts. As the train comes to a complete stop, kids left to right biding their family farewell before setting a foot inside.
"And you have your dress?" Aoife's mum asked.
"Packed away safe," she replied.
Still wondering if her little theory for this year may be true.
"You're going to have so much fun," Mum continued.
Aoife's dad rolled his eyes. "Yeah, Hogwarts never did anything fun when we attending. Kind of stupid considering everything that just happened."
"Hush, now Tristan," Mum reprimanded jokingly.
"Just saying what everyone else is thinking, Gracie," Dad countered back.
Aoife cleared her throat in the middle of her parents version of flirting. Reminding them she's still here. Mum and Dad snapped back to reality.
"Anyway, have fun this year, Fifi," Dad rubbed the back of his neck. "Just not with that boy."
Mum gave him a wary look, and Aoife shook her head.
The Hogwarts Express let out one last whistle, indicating students who are still outside to get in. Aoife hugged her parents another time before getting in.
It seemed like every compartment was taken. What are the chances of finding an empty space? Though, to her luck, there was one untouched. Aoife went in and closed the door. Leaving behind the rounds conversations on the event of the Quidditch World Cup and others on what is supposedly going on this year.
The train started moving, as the passing landscapes is now nothing, but a green blur. Almost putting her in trance.
When a knock on the glass woke her up from the state. Aoife turned to see two third year girls. Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw like her and Ginny Weasley from Gryffindor.
"Hi, Aoife," greeted Luna. "Is it all right if we join you? Nobody else would let us sit with them."
"Sure," Aoife opened the sliding door for them to come in.
"Thank you," said Ginny as they entered inside and took their seat.
"No problem," Aoife replied kindly.
Luna then pulled out her latest copy of the Quibbler and as usual read it upside-down.
"Hmm, I'm so tired," Ginny yawned whilst stretching out her arms.
Aoife frowned. "You haven't gotten enough sleep?"
"No," Ginny shook her head. "Living with brothers is the worst! Fred and George thought it'd be a good idea to stay up all night working on their latest inventions. And do try sharing a bathroom with boys. It's so rank in there each time."
A little sister's rant. Having siblings sounds rather foreign to Aoife. As she's an only child. Not that she minded of course.
"Maybe a little nap is a good idea," she suggested.
Ginny nodded and rested her head on Luna's shoulder.
"Hmm, too much red meat on their diet," commented Luna.
"Could be," Aoife stifled a laugh. Though what would she know as she's vegetarian. Just a small whiff of a piece cooked chicken sends her to a nauseous episode.
Speaking of snacks, She did pack some grilled veggie sandwiches and a bottle of mango juice for the ride. Though another sweet item should do. The trolley lady is passing by. Hopefully some cauldron cakes or pumpkin pasties are available.
Aoife got up when the sound of the trolley made way.
"You want anything?" Aoife asked Luna.
"No thanks," Luna responded, eyes still glued on the Quibbler
Ginny now asleep, Aoife will get her a cauldron cake and Luna too. Good thing Dad snuck in a few galleons in the pocket of her satchel.
She went over to the trolley lady, who just halted toward a couple of people.
"Hello, dear," the trolley lady greeted. "Anything you'd like?"
"Umm," Aoife observed all things available in each section. "I'll have ... two cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties."
"Yeah, I'll take the jelly slugs and some of those pear drops," in came a new voice.
George, but alone. Fred and the others must've ordered him to get the rest of them some food.
"One at a time," the trolley lady told him. "She was here before you."
When he looked up to see who the person before him was, his face softened. "Oh, we meet again."
"Guess we do," Aoife replied back shyly as she took the snacks the trolley lady handed over.
Aoife paid the trolley lady and thanked her.
"Hmm, you do have a voice," George smirked.
Aoife's cheeks turned slightly pink. Even though she knew he meant it as a joke. Hopefully.
"Bye," she said simply before going back to her compartment.
"Hey, wait," George called out.
Aoife turned to see what he had to say. George looked as though he was thinking hard on what to say.
"I was just joking about the voice thing," the smirk now turned into a genuine smile. "I recognize you as one of Professor Flitwick's choir singers."
"No worries" Aoife assured him. "What's a little joke amongst friends?"
The last thing said to him before walking away again. Little did she know, it left him to wonder. Aoife took deep breaths. Trying to prevent her hands from shaking. This is the most she's spoking to him. If not, at all. And not counting the occasional "hi" and "hello".
At least this ... this is a start.
Ginny has awoken from her little slumber when Aoife returned back to the compartment.
"Here you go," she gave Ginny a cauldron cake and as well as Luna the other.
The two girls thanked Aoife. She got out her sandwiches, giving the girls the extras.
"I couldn't," Ginny shook her head.
"No, please," Aoife insisted.
Ginny timidly accepted the sandwich and took a huge bite. "Hey, this is delicious! Did you make these?"
"I did," Aoife confirmed. "Had to wake up a little earlier to do so."
"Mmm," Ginny nodded. "And between the three of us, this beats Mum's corned beef sandwiches. Grew tired of it eventually. So, I just snuck mine into Ron's pocket knowing how much he hates it."
She took another bite. Practically gobbling the whole thing in one go.
"So," Ginny takes another bite. "You don't eat meat at all? Because I've seen you a few times before picking at the foods during meal times at school."
"Yeah," Aoife sighed. "Never really liked the taste of meat. Not even fried chicken. One day at dinner, I asked my dad if I could trade some of his peas and carrots for my cutlets. And since it was a reoccurring thing, my mum decided to let me be a vegetarian instead."
The one part Aoife left out was that Mum and Dad afterwards once more commented on how much like Aunt Lavinia she was. Sometimes she wondered if the comparisons would still be made if her aunt were still alive.
"Wow," Ginny laughed. "My mum would've made us either cook our own meal or just let us starve."
Aoife laughed as well.
"Hopefully, your brother doesn't let the sandwiches rot in his pocket," said Luna.
Ginny snorted. "Hah, pretty sure he will. Mum loves to forget how much he hates corned beef sandwiches. Not sure if it's sad or funny how his face turns whenever he sees the sight of it all."
"Thanks again for the meal," said Luna. "My dad's busy with his magazine. Didn't have time to pack anything for me."
"At least now we can take another nap with a full stomach before the express arrives at Hogwarts," Ginny stretched out her arms once more before laying her head again on Luna's shoulder.
Both girls now asleep. Aoife thought it'd be good for her as well to get some shut eye. Before she could, the corner of her eye caught George happening to walk by. He saw her too and waved. Aoife waved back. No further interaction was done after that. As George went back to his way.
This is at least could count as one good step from a mere friendly greeting.