quickly finding a compartment to sit in. In her hand was the letter she had been given, informing her that she would not be moving up to the second year due to an incident that had happened when she had arrived at Hogwarts. 'I know, I know. It's kinda my fault.' she thought to herself. If he hadn't been so curious, if she didn't love exploring, she'd have never been trapped in the Room of Requirements, and especially not for two days. By the time she was found, she had been unconscious for two days and therefore was taken to the Hospital Wing, where she remained until she woke, and was deemed well enough to return to her normal duties and classes.

the castle. She had been on the seventh floor, where the Room of Requirements was located, right across from a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. She had just been walking by, lost in thought on how she wanted some cool place to explore. And the door just suddenly appeared on that bare wall. Being curious as she is, she went inside.

stacked to the ceiling. Some of the stuff, she noticed, had a really thick layer of dust on them. She had found a really old book, sat down to read through it. The last thing she remembered is waking in the Hospital Wing.

injury to her head, causing unconsciousness. She had been unconscious for nearly two months, as the injury to her head had been a nasty one, which meant she had lost out on attending classes. When she had woken from the incident, one of her friends was by her side. She and the others had taken turns sitting with her. They explained that they noticed the next morning that Rikkali wasn't in her bed, nor in the Great Hall. They started to worry. When she wasn't in the classes they each shared with her they really began worrying. Worried enough to seek out their Head of House. By this time, it had been now two days since Rikkali had gone missing.

the seventh floor, to the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. The four gals were really worried and frustrated as to why they have not found their friend yet. Suddenly, the door revealed itself and the gals went inside. Sticking out from a pile of stuff, Rikkali's arm lay unmoving beneath the junk. The gals thought the worst. One gal had raced off to fetch a professor. Rikkali was rushed to the Hospital Wing.

telling her about their hand in saving her. Unfolding the letter, she scowled again. Because of all the classes she had missed, she wasn't allowed to Graduate with her friends, unless she studied hard on her summer break. 'Well, that is just what I'll do then.' she thought to herself, crumpling the letter in her hand. She tossed the letter into her bag; her foster parents could read it when she got there. They will most likely ask as to why its crumpled, of course she tell them the truth.

her, she knew. As she stepped from the train, her eyes scanning the platform until they rested on the very two that she had been searching for. Both smiling in her direction. Rikkali gave a bit of a half-smile and made her way over to them. "Something wrong dear?" Mrs. Fyre asked. "You don't seem very happy to be home." Mr. Fyre said. "Can we just go home?" Rikkali replied. "Certainly." her foster father said as he looked at his wife with a questioningly expression, as he took two of her bags, leaving her to lug the third.

followed her parents. She remained quiet. They will have to walk to the Leaky Cauldron, where they will use the Public Floo Hub to get to their home in Enniskerry, Ireland. The entered the establishment, and headed right for the small parlor, which was located down a narrow corridor, off the main room of the establishment. A large fireplace dominated the room, along with chairs on the opposite wall. To Rikkali, it was arranged almost like a train station or bus station, minus the counter where you would go to pay for and get your tickets.

in low tones. Not low enough for Rikkali, as she could hear them talking about her, wondering what was wrong with her and why she is not her normal cheery self. 'Well, they are just going to have to wonder a little longer, because I am not ready to tell them or show them the letter.' she thought. There is no reason to show them the letter or tell them while out in public as they were. They weren't the only ones using the Public Floo Hub, which is why Rikkali sat in one of the chairs to wait their turn. Her foster mother began speaking to another witch, the woman was older and was showing some wear with her wrinkles on her face and hands. The older woman had glanced at Rikkali a few times before finishing her chat with Mrs. Fyre and stepping into the fireplace.

father did the same. She took up the bag holding the letter in, while he took up the other bags. The three of them stepped into the fireplace together, used the floo powder, and then were whisked off, landing in their Livingroom. Mr. Fyre put down his daughter's bags and turned to her as she put her own down. "Are you going to tell us what has your ace looking like you bit into a really sour lemon?" he asked. Rikkali nodded and reached down, opening her bag. she pulled the letter out and handed it to her foster father. The man uncrumpled the letter, raising an eyebrow at his daughter for the letter being crumpled. He read the letter, then looked up at her. "What is this? Why are you being held back?" he asked as he handed the letter to his wife.

beginning when I first got to the school, due to that accident." she replied. "Wait, how are you being punished for something that was beyond your control?" he asked. "Well, it wasn't entirely beyond my control. Actually, had I not been so curious, and always wanting to explore places, I'd have never been trapped in the Room of Requirements. I still don't quite remember what had happened, I remember right up until I sat down to read that old book I found. The next thing I remember is waking up two months after in the Hospital Wing, and my friends explaining to me that they had found me under a pile of junk, that had apparently fallen on me. None of which I remember as I stated." Rikkali replied.

Mrs. Fyre stated. Rikkali nodded. "Hence why I brought home every textbook for each class. It's frustrating, that's for sure." Rikkali stated. "Well, I'll get to making dinner, you can put your things away and get started on it. I'll call you when its ready." Mrs. Fyre said as she headed into the kitchen. "Yessum." Rikkali said as she grabbed her bags and made her way up the stairs to her room that had been left abandoned since she left for Hogwarts. She put away her belongings, then took up a seat at her desk. Opening her bag, the first textbook she put her hand onto and pulled out was Charms. She went right to work with studying.

before dinner was finished and she took a break to at her meal. She readied herself for bed. The next morning, she woke, ate breakfast. For lunch, she went with her foster parents to meet with some friends of theirs. When they returned home, Rikkali got right back on her studying. She managed studying Potions, History of Magic and Herbology. As for flying, she studies some books from Hogwarts Library that she was allowed to take home with her. All subjects were covered; she studied daily. She didn't mind so much, not really. She wanted to learn all that she could; to do that she'd need to study and work hard to get where she needed to be. She had a difficult time deciding which was her favorite, but her least favorite was definitely History of Magic. It was just boring to her, but she studied it, nonetheless.

jelly. But she'd be ready if she were required to take exams for each subject. Her foster parents had accompanied her to Diagon Alley to purchase anything new she might need in the coming year. Then next morning they had accompanied her to Platform 9 3/4. Where they had seen her off on the Hogwarts Express. Rikkali had found a compartment all to herself, but just as the train was about to leave, her friends had found her. They rode the train together back to Hogwarts.

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platform. She knew the train was about to leave by the extra steam that billowed out from the train. She could see her foster parents standing near the entrance from platforms 9 and 10. She had already waved to them when she took her seat in the compartment. Not the steam billowed so thickly, they were lost within.

She hadn't even wanted to give them the letter. But she knew deep down, if she hadn't, the school would have sent another while she was on her summer break. She worried they'd be angry over it, but she quickly found that she had no reason to worry, as the issue at hand had not been entirely her fault, t she still had to make up for it, in order to continue on with her friends. Being held back would be the absolute worst. She understood if she were being held back because she had missed so much in her classes, but arrangements could have been made. If that meant when she left the Hospital Wing, she'd take up extra class times, to make up for what she had missed out on, she'd have done it gladly. But it was never offered to her. Instead, she had no choice but spend her entire summer break, studying to make up for what she had missed. Not that it matters much anyway. She felt that she'll never have a normal childhood anyway, with all the events, parties and fun things to do that most would do. That her friends most likely had done this summer. All because, technically, she was still in hiding and being protected. Which at school, the protection continued. In fact, the protections that were placed on the school and grounds are much more advanced than what they have on their home.

compartment is occupied." Rikkali called without turning to look at who had come inside but then heard her friend's voice. She jerked her head around as the gal excited called out "Rikki!" Rikkali smiled. "Damaris!!!" she said back excitedly. "Sorry 'bout that. I thought it was someone else coming in." she said. She really didn't want to deal with someone new.

everyone. I don't get to do all the events, parties and fun things. Even if I hadn't been stuck all summer studying up to make up for all the classes I had missed." she added. She left it at that as she wasn't ready for that kind of explanation. She hated the way they lived, in hiding, or rather under some sort of protection. It meant she didn't get to do all the things others got to do. Which explains why she was always so reckless, finding for danger while exploring. Damaris had given her an affectionate hug.

the coming year was going to be as great as the last, minus her little mishap that had sent her to the Hospital Wing.

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Hex made her way along the carriage, the train had yet to leave the station and she was anxious to find a seat before it did. The memories of last year flooded back - especially the crazy end to the year, losing Rikki and not being able to find her for so long. She knew Hogwarts was big but she hadn’t expected anyone to get lost! As soon as she got home, she told her family all about the incident. Her brother assured her that it was a rare incident, but Hex vowed to keep an eye on her friend for the future. Passing one of the train carriages, she noticed the familiar combination of shocking red hair and curly black hair together - Damaris and Rikkali.
Knocking on the door, Hex glanced at them through the window before sliding the cabin open.

“Room for one more?” She smirked at them. She was so excited to be back with her friends after the holidays. Of course they had been writing and sending owls the whole time, but to actually see them in person made her feel so happy. She felt so different to that first year that she attended, finally she felt at home. Glancing at Rikkali, her smile grew wider, “nice to see you’re still here, Rikki” she laughed.

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hand. Rikkali smiled. "Thanks a lot. Yes... " she looked down at her bag filled to the rim with all the books she needed. "...I managed to study everything, though it took me the entire summer. That's all my summer was... studying and nothing else. Although I did go out for meals sometimes with my foster parents, which gave me a nice small break." she stated as she noticed Damaris' looking out the window and giving a small wave to someone. Turning she noticed a man, just as the train passed him by. Looking back, she noticed Damaris' expression looking to be a bit frustrated. "You, okay?" she asked just as a knock sounded in the compartment door. Looking up, she spotted Hex through the window. Sliding her hand from Damaris' where it had rested, as Damaris' was doing her best to reassure her. And she motioned with her hand for Hex to enter.

Rikkali said. "Apologies for not responding to every Owl you sent. I was sorta... " she looked down at her bag again that was filled with all those books. "... busy studying. My brain feels as if it has turned to mush. I swear it!" she stated, placing her hands to her ears as if the mushy brain would start leaking from her ears.

much. I wasn't lost in a sense. I knew where I was, but no one else knew where I was. I remember walking down that corridor, I was exploring. In my mind I guess I was thinking that I wanted some place that was exciting and cool to explore. Suddenly that plain wall turned into a huge door. And of course, my curiosity won out and I went inside. The place was amazing. So many old things; Books, trinkets, wardrobes. there was even some color changing wigs in there. Them things flashed like the lights on a festive Yule Tree." Rikkali said with a laugh.

"I remember finding this one particular book...and of course you know me and books. Well, I sat down on this old chair that was in there, to start reading it. I think I had been reading about an hour or so. The book was a diary. It was old I know that and was really interesting. That's when all goes blank and I don't remember anything. Still don't." Rikkali explained and she touched the side of her head as the Trolley Witch stopped at their compartment. "Anything off the trolley dears?" she asked them.

brought extra money with her to do just that, since she hadn't got much enjoyment during the entire summer, her parents tried to make sure she'd be able to enjoy something... even if that something was a ton of sweets from the trolley. The rest of her enjoyment would have to come by way of being with her friends and back at school.

"I'll take a bit of everything." Rikkali said as she pulled out the money to give to the Trolley Witch, who gave her Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bots Every Flavour Beans, Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties, and to wash it all down with Iced Pumpkin Juice. Her arms were laden down with everything, so she dropped it all on the seats, before going back to grab the Iced Pumpkin Juice. "Enjoy gals." she said smiling as she sat down to dig in.

Haeli’s stomach twisted into familiar, nervous knots, even though she had done this before. Yet beneath the anxiety was a deep sense of confidence. Last year had been incredible, and she just knew this year would be even better.

That's when she remembered the unforgettable. Rikkali. When the four girls found her in the Room of Requirement, underneath a heap of books and junk. Haeli wanted nothing more than to sit there with her, she definitely didn't want to leave her, but someone had to get a professor. Not to mention that she was probably the fastest in the group. She remembered running like never before, down the corridor. She could still feel that sensation coursing through her body. Her legs aching from being stretched and her side beginning to form a stitch. Haeli stayed by Rikkali's side until she got better. She could remember the whole experience like it was yesterday.

When the Hogwarts Express blew its final whistle, pulling her out of her deep memory, her heart leaped. Her summer had been good, but it was time to face the term ahead. She gave her grandmother a quick goodbye hug, kissed her cheek, and jumped aboard the train.

Almost instantly, a comforting intuition told her that her friends were close by. She had missed them terribly. Between managing the farm and grinding through her summer reading for History of Magic, her break had offered almost zero down time—just the way she liked it—leaving her very little time to send owls.

As the train lurched forward, Haeli staggered, nearly losing her footing before quickly regaining her balance. Balancing her backpack and steering her two heavy trunks, she began navigating the corridor, peering into every compartment.

Near the end of the carriage, she finally spotted them. She had to wait in the aisle for a moment, blocked by the Trolley Witch, who was busy selling sweets to a tired but visibly excited Rikkali. At the mere sight of her friend, Haeli's nerves dissolved into pure joy. Looking past the cart, she saw Hex looking perfectly content, while Damaris sat nearby looking confident as ever with her new nose piercing. Haeli couldn't wait to show the girls her new ear piercing along with her new nose piercing, that looked much like Damaris'.

Eager to join them, Haeli stopped the Trolley Witch to buy a few treats and a chilled Iced Pumpkin Juice. She gave the compartment door a polite tap and slid it open before anyone could answer.

"Mind if I sit here?" she asked, a bright, confident smile breaking across her face.

She already knew the answer. After stowing her trunks safely on the overhead rack, she pulled all three girls into a tight hug, realizing only then just how desperately she had needed to see them.

Hex threw her arms around Damaris and Rikkali, engulfing her two friends in a big hug. She was so excited to see them after so long. Releasing them, she fell back into the seat, careful not to sit on her bag.

“It’s been a good holiday, lots of swimming - not in dangerous lakes” she added as the girls cast her a wary stare. The truth was that she had been able to spend a lot of time outside, something that made her feel truly alive. It had, unfortunately, come at the detriment of her school reading, but she was sure she could catch up. “How were yours?”

As the girls chatted, Rikkali emptying a collection of all sorts of sweets from the trolley, Hex smiled. She enjoyed hearing the sounds of her friends. It wasn’t too long until a voice appeared at the door and before she knew it, she was whisked into a hug. “Haeli!” She laughed. The girl looked happy and upbeat, ready to start the year. “How was your holiday?” Hex began before a strange shuffling in her bag broke them off. “Oh! Before I forget, this is Lighthouse!” A grey fluffy tabby poked his head out the bag before reshuffling and going back to sleep.

The girls laughed and for the first time it really occurred to Hex how much she wanted to see them happy. Especially after the events of last year, it was nice to see them laugh and - most of all - to see them safe. She could still remember Haeli running to get a professor as Hex gripped Rikkali’s hand tight. It wasn’t the same girl that was in front of her now - this girl had experienced suffering and had come out the other side stronger. Hex was so happy to see.

As she and Damaris were released, Rikkali was able to see who it was, not that she needed to 'see', she knew that voice anywhere. Haeli stepped into the compartment, putting her trunks into the space provided for them, then pulling all three of them into tight hug, causing Rikkali to giggle. "Missed you too Haeli." she said then added "All of you." laughing again.

purple skirt, in a smoothing gesture. Not that it actually needed to be smoothed, but it was her favorite outfit. Her shirt was black with purple flames. Her foster mother had taken her shopping and allowed her to choose out some new outfits. Rikkali laughed when she realized her foster mother wasn't too impressed with the outfits, she had chosen. But Rikkali loved all of the outfits, this one being her favorite of them. The only way she could get her foster mother to cave on the outfits, was by allowing her to choose three of the ten outfits. It wasn't that her foster mother had bad taste in clothing, it's just that Rikkali preferred outfits that were dark in color, trendy, and Goth styles. But, Rikkali had to put her foot down at this pink, frilly outfit. She absolutely hated wearing pink. The frilly look, to her looked like it was created for a little girl of five or six, which she was not. She had picked up four of her tracksuits she enjoyed wearing as well as sleepwear and a bathrobe.

study, study all summer. A quite boring summer indeed. But now, she is back with her friends. She is filled with happiness. This is where she wanted to be, because despite all the studying, she knew her summer would have still been boring. Her foster mother would tell her that she was safe at home, but she is much safer at the school. Which meant while at home, Rikkali didn't get to do much, didn't go many places, all to keep her safe.

a different background, different upbringing, yet they managed to come together as close friends, even the best of friends. And to think, it all started off a year ago, and what brought them together had been their love of books. "Personally, I hope this year we will find much more exciting places to explore." she said with a mischievous grin. Hopefully, her curiosity and love of exploration don't wind her up in the Hospital Wing again.

own, then back. It looked as if her friends had gotten new clothes as well. "Love your outfits." she stated. "New? Mine is. I got like fourteen new outfits, plus pajamas as well. This one is my favorite though. My Foster mother wasn't too thrilled with it either. But I'm loving it. Unfortunately, it won't be long, and our amazing outfits will have to change into our robes." she added with a slight frown. She wondered why they were forced to wear drab robes and school uniforms, instead of these amazing and trendy clothing.

My Outfit: