Steven lingered at the top of the spiraling staircase, his hand resting on the cool marble banister. The Ravenclaw common room was already emptying out, trunks bumping down steps and voices echoing, everyone bustling to make the train on time. Although he didn’t believe the rumor going around that the train would leave students behind. Surely a rumor to scare the first years. Instead of worrying about that he took a last look around, the starlit ceiling, Rowena Ravenclaw’s robes glowing gently in their glass case, the blue-and-bronze silks fluttering at the windows. It felt like saying goodbye to a friend even though he knew he would return.

He ran a finger over the polished wood of his battered trunk with the stickers peeling and his initials faint and made sure his wand was in the right pocket. One last final check. Outside the common room, he paused at the eagle knocker.

“Off for the summer, are you?” it asked, melodic as ever.
“Yes, sir,” Steven replied, grinning. “I’ll miss your riddles.”
The eagle dipped its head. “Then return ready for sharper ones.”
Shouldering his bag, Steven joined the stream of students down the long, winding staircases. The castle felt different now-brighter, somehow, as though it were already missing its students.

Out on the grounds, a breeze coming off the lake made the blades of grass dance under the summer sun. If he was in the muggle world the scenery would make a perfect “post”, but without technology he just took it all in. Before he knew it, he was loading onto the carriages that trundled the students down to Hogsmeade Station, where the scarlet train waited, huffing clouds of steam. Not recognizing any of the faces on the carriage kept him silent although the question of what was guiding the carriages swirled inside him like tornado. “It’s gotta be a charm, but I wonder what kind?” He muttered quietly to himself as he hopped off and gave one last look back.

A few professors on duty urged any lingering groups on to the train clearly trying to keep schedule. “Here you go, see you next year.” Steven said as he handed a professor his trunk and boarded the train. The Hogwarts Express was as lively as the first dinner; voices overlapped each other as students excitedly talked about their upcoming plans and recapping the year.

Steven didn’t pass a single person he was on ‘friend’ level with as he made his way towards the back of the train which led him to sliding into the first empty compartment he found. Steven took his seat and pressed his nose to class. His side of train had a nice view of the castle just off ahead. He was excited to go home, but leaving this place was more bittersweet than he thought. He scanned the castle from a distance until he found the Ravenclaw Tower glistening in the sun. “Guess they were right on the first day. I have two homes now.”