I'm Back
I stopped in front of the Great Hall's doors. Taking a deep breath. And then. Grabbing the handles. And taking another deep breath. I opened the doors.
As I opened them. I realized. The Sorting. Hadn't even begun yet. It was about to. McGonagall was explaining how the Sorting worked. If I was quiet enough. And tried to not draw to much attention to myself. I could make it to the Gryffindor Table. Before anyone saw me.
I looked over at the Gryffindor Table. I immediately found Lily. She was the only red head in Gryffindor. Around her. I saw the remaining girls in my Dorm. And. Next to them. Was the boys. I smiled. They were sitting near each other. How cute. I never thought Lily would be sitting anywhere near James. But. Here I was. Looking at the scene.
I slowly turned around. And closed the doors. Making sure. That they didn't make a sound. I let out the breath. That I didn't know I was holding. And turned back around. To face the rest of the Great Hall. The Sorting was happening now. Some brown haired kid. Had just made Hufflepuff. That Table clapped. And cheered. I smiled. Before starting to make my way to the Gryffindor Table. I had barely gone three steps. When it happened.
"ASPEN!?" I heard someone call out. Next thing I see. Someone. Running towards me. They were a black blur. I didn't even get a chance to figure out who they were. Before they attacked me. In a hug. Lifting me off the ground. And twirling around. Laughing a bit. I called out in surprise.
I looked down at the person. And saw long. Black. Curly hair. Sirius.
"Sirius Orion Black! Put me down!" I shouted. Hitting his head. Lightly.
He laughed. And put me down. Before giving me another hug.
"Oh, my God! It is Aspen!" I heard another voice call.
I pulled away from Sirius. To see the girls. Running up to me. I laughed. And opened my arms. As they did too. Which. Turned into. A group hug. All of us. Squealing. And jumping up and down. Till. Another voice called out.
"MOVE ASIDE! IT'S MY TURN!" The girls. And I. Had barely let go. Before I was picked up again. This time. By James.
"JAMES POTTER!" I laughed out. As he twirled me around.
He laughed. And put me down. Smiling. I hit his shoulder.
I looked up at the Staff Table. "Sorry!" I called out.
"That is fine, Miss Wolf. But, will you and your friends, please go back to your seats. You can celebrate later." Dumbledore called back. Smiling. Slightly. I nodded.
I started my way to the Table. Shaking my head. The others. Following. I sat down. In between Lily. And Remus. Remus gave me a quick hug. Before turning back to the Sorting. I gave an apologetic look. At McGonagall. She gave me. A small smile. And continued the Sorting.
***
The last kid had been Sorted. Ravenclaw. After that. McGonagall moved the stool. And the Hat. Away. And Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome all! I hope you all had a wonderful Summer. And I all hope you have a wonderful Year! Now, I know some of you have a lot of catching up to do." He looked at me. And my friends. "So, I won't waste anymore of your time. Tuck in." And with that. He sat down. And the food appeared on the Tables. Everyone cheered.
I started grabbing everything in front of me. And piling it on my plate. I wasn't saying anything. Waiting for someone to crack.
"What are you doing here, Aspen?" James asked.
I looked up. Looked at my plate. And back up at him. "I was about to eat some food." I smirked.
He rolled his eyes. "I mean, what are you doing at Hogwarts? We thought you weren't coming back this Year."
I shrugged. "I managed to convince my parents to let me stay. So. Here I am." I paused. "And. That's not all." I smiled.
"What else is there?" Marlene asked.
"I'm staying for Seventh Year too." Everyone's eyes. Went wide.
"Really?" Lily asked.
"Really." I smiled.
"That's great!" James exclaimed.
"I know. I'm excited to stay." I smiled. Before staring to eat my food again. Though. I felt two pairs of eyes on me. I looked to the right of me. Seeing. Remus. And Sirius. Staring at me.
"Later." I mouthed at them." They both nodded. Before turning back to their food. As well.
***
The rest of the Feast went by nicely. We all caught up with each other. Talking about our Summers. It was great. I had an amazing night. After the Feast. We all walked to the Common Room together. All of us joking. We all said good night. Went we got there. But. Before we went our separate ways.
I felt someone tug on my arm. And whisper in my ear, "Meet us when all the girls are asleep." Remus. I nodded. He let go. And went into his Dorm. I went into mine.
***
It took awhile. For the girls to fall asleep. But. When they did. I got out of bed. And quietly made my way out of the Dorm. I started my way down the stairs. Stopping on the last step. Putting my arms across my chest. One eyebrow raised.
"You really couldn't wait a little longer to start snogging?" I called out. Remus and Sirius. Jumping apart. Before looking at me.
Sirius glared. "Well, we've been here for thirty minutes. Had nothing to do."
"Really? I thought it would take longer for James and Peter to fall asleep than the girls. They only fell asleep about five minutes ago." I chuckled. Before making my way to two boys. Sitting on the table. In front of them.
"Really." Sirius smirked at me.
I rolled my eyes. Then I took a deep breath. Looking at the two boys. "Hey."
"Hey, yourself." Remus said. "What are you doing here?"
"Sitting on a table." I replied.
Remus gave me a look. "You know what I mean."
I smiled. "I know. Sorry." I paused. Looking down. At the ground.
"Why are you still here? I thought you were going back home?" Sirius asked.
I looked up. "I was. But. I thought about it. And. I don't know. I just wanted to stay. As much as I wanted to go back home. I love it here. I just felt. Like. I should be here. I know I'm leaving a lot behind. But. I don't know. I want to stay."
"But what about your brother? And your friends?" Remus whispered.
"I don't know. I feel bad. For leaving them. In my time. We're going through some shit. And. I told myself. That. I would help my twin through that shit. Same thing with my friends. But. I feel like I need to stay. I know here's not much better than back in my time. But." I paused. "I want to stay. I don't really know how to explain it." I tried to explain.
And I couldn't. I couldn't explain. Why I wanted to stay. But. I did. I didn't know why. But. I do. I really do.
"Are you sure about this, Aspen?" Remus asked.
I took a deep breath. And nodded. "I'm sure. Besides. Even if I do change my mind. Dumbledore said. That we can try it again. In ten years." I paused. Putting a smile on my face. "But hey. I'm here. And I'm... somewhat happy. I enjoy it here. I'm here. And. That's all that matters. I'm glad to be back." I looked at the two boys. "I missed you guys."
Sirius smiled. "And we missed you too. Come here." He held out his arms. I smiled. Got off the table. And walked over to boy. Opening my arms too. I wrapped my arms around the boy. Remus adding to the hug as well. I smiled. And hugged tighter. Moving my arms. So that I was hugging Remus too.
***
We were like that for awhile. Don't know how long we were there for. We just hugged. It was nice. I loved every second of it. I may have even cried a bit. What was happening to me? I was turning into a Hufflepuff. I've never been this soft before. I usually never showed my emotions. My true emotions. Never. I usually kept them in. I never showed them.
"Thanks guys. I need that." I pulled away. Wiping my eyes.
"We know." Sirius smiled. I smiled back.
"I'm scared." I admitted. "I have no idea what me staying will do. I have no idea how this will affect anything. How this will affect the future. My future. My brother's future. Nothing. I don't know how this will affect anything. I might not even be born. It might just be my brother. I don't know if I'll born. I know nothing. And it scares me. And I have no idea what I'm going to do. Once those things come into play." I turned away. Wiping my eyes again. Trying. And failing. To stop myself from crying.
"Hey." I heard the boys whisper. Pulling my hands away. And turning my chin. So that I was looking at them again.
"It's ok to be scared." Sirius whispered.
"And whatever happens, we'll get through it. Together." Remus added.
I smiled. "Thank you. That means a lot. It really does. I love you both."
"And we love you too." The both chorused. Smiling.
I smiled. And gave them another hug. Burring my head. Into one of their necks. Don't know which one. But. I didn't care. But. It helped. It helped a lot. More than they will ever know.