Chapter 22: The End of the Year Already.

"I can't believe it's the end of this school year already" Sirius whined throwing more clothes into his untidy trunk. I roll my eyes and watch the four boys (Naomi had left to go to the Slytherin dorm so she could go pick up the rest of her things that she hadn't brought across to Gryffindor Tower) packing up from my brother's four-poster. Unsurprisingly, Remus and Peter were the only two actually packing away their stuff neatly whereas nothing would end up fitting in James and Sirius' trunks because they had just thrown it in like it was nothing. "I know right, I don't think I can go six weeks without seeing all of you" James stated flopping onto his bed after attempting (and failing) to close his trunk. He had been trying everything for the last few minutes including lying on it, sitting on it and jumping on it. The idiot didn't even consider the idea rearranging the things inside so the lid would fit on, and I didn't plan to help him with it either... Unless he was going to be late that is.With a sigh, Remus shuts his trunk with no problem and everything was inside. "We can always write and besides, it's only six weeks. Sure it might be weird waking up at home with no one else there but we only have to wait until September until we are back in here" Remus reminded him sitting on the edge of his bed watching Sirius now struggle to shut his trunk. "You two are bloody idiots" I spoke up directed at the two loud and obnoxious boys. "Have you even considered rearranging the things in your trunks, I mean you can put some things inside your cauldrons for Merlin's sake". The two boys stopped what they were doing to look at me before diving back into their trunks and taking out things after considering my words. To bad Sirius still had to whine."Meadoooowwww... Can you help meeeeee?"."Noooooo" I dragged out 'o' just like he had done but he only keeps whining. "It's not that hard do it yourself even if you just leave one or two things here in one of the drawers so your not taking everything home"."But I want to take everything.""Well pack everything then.""But I don't want tooooo.""I'm not doing it for you.""Pwetty pwease.""Hmmm how about no." We argued back and forwards to the other boys' amusement but Sirius should of already known how stubborn I was so when I said no, I meant no. "But I'm your best friend" he continued whining. I let out a sigh through my nose but don't move from my spot leaving him to do it."You may be one of my best friends but that doesn't mean anything. I said no and meant it. I've already packed one trunk today, I don't want to do another". Sirius flopped onto his bed and groaned into his pillow just like James had done not long before and didn't even acknowledge Lynx coming in and hopping onto his bed, most likely looking for a place to sleep. She placed her front two paws on his back and hops up and curling into a ball. Sirius lifted his head from the pillow and glanced at the sleeping kneazle and too me."Will you at least come and get your cat" was all he said. With another roll of my eyes, I get up and pick up the kneazle placing her in my brother's lap which he didn't mind. However I was also tackled to the ground by the Black with him holding me down. "Really Sirius. What was that for?" I groaned trying to fight the boy off. Everyone laughs but no one makes a move to help me off the ground from underneath the ogre. I hear him say something about packing his stuff but I keep telling him no. Out of nowhere I start to get a bad headache and the edges of my vision was going white before I had completely left the dorm room.I was in a clearing in the Forbidden Forest by the looks of it. I presumed it was anyway from the vast amount of trees in every direction and the silence (mostly anyway). In the clearing were four creatures who weren't peculiar in anyway but the sight of them all together was. I didn't expect at any point in my life to come across a cat, a rat, a dog and a stag all in one clearing acting like best friends and not running away to escape the larger animals especially the rat anyway. Out of nowhere, the black dog goes and starts chasing the white cat around the clearing but in a playful way which brought much surprise to me. Luckily the cat hopped up upon tree stumps and branches until she was out of all their reach. As if the cat was laughing, the dog gets moody and turns away from the small white animal and it didn't expect something to hop on it's back seconds later and whack him round the head with a paw.For some reason, this scene made me feel... Happy, like I had a connection with it. I don't see how but I did, what was before me made me feel at home and it was like a part of me. But why was I seeing this? The scene quickly fades out before I can do anything to stop it and all I could see was white."Meadow, Meadow wake up" said a voice. As if I hadn't breathed in days, I begin to inhale as much air as possible and cough a lot. Someone told me to take it easy and take deep breaths which I did but it took me a while before I fully opened my eyes. Surrounding me were the four boys all looking scared whilst I just lied on my side. A hand begins to brush my sweaty hair out of my face and another lent me up against their shoulder whilst I just focused on evening out my breathing. "Wha- what happened?" I barely whisper looking up from the floor. James, Peter and Sirius all just looked worried and debated whether or not to tell me in their heads (I thought so anyway)."You- you went limp, I thought you'd died or I'd done something too you. I was doing everything to wake you up but you didn't until then. You were also muttering something about a dog and a cat" Sirius spoke up brushing more of my hair away from my face. I freeze against my brother and I look up at him. I could tell he already kind of guessed what happened but I really didn't want to talk about it with James, Sirius and Peter there."Oh, I- um. I must of just been tired, it's been a long year so I probably just fell asleep and began sleep talking. Don't worry about it" I lied to them getting up from the ground shakily. "I- I'm going to go, I'll see you in a bit." Rushing out of the room, I head down the stairs and leave the Common Room with someone on my tail the whole time. I continue to run not even looking back and only stopping when I would stumble a little. Before I knew it, I was taken to the Astronomy Tower which was luckily empty. I collapse against the wall and cried, only lightly but I cried. I didn't even know why I was, if it was because I left the place where I felt happy or because I worried the boys. Maybe a bit of both, but I just sat there and let the soft tears run down my cheeks. The sound of footsteps running up the stairs, startled me but it only seemed to be Remus panting when he appeared at the top of the stairs. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and I let myself break down once more. He must of realized that I could do with the company right now because he makes his way over and sits down gathering me with his arms whilst I cried into his shoulder. I was thankful that he was there and not any of the others because I didn't want to break down in front of them or worry them anymore than I had. After a minute or so, Remus begins to hum a very similar tune heard by a phoenix long ago. We were only young when we had heard the phoenix song but we could remember it like it was yesterday and it was as soothing as it was when we first heard it. It was the day of Remus' very first full moon so we were both nervous when we heard it. We referred to it as a lucky charm and every now and again we would catch eachother humming it, especially back home. I begin to hum the song with him, occasionally sniffling and looking out at the blue sky. A flash of scarlet and gold from Fawkes crosses across the window and it also sings the same tune we were. We both look at the bird that lands itself on the balcony railing staring at us with it's beady black eyes. Instead of restarting the song as we did at home, Remus used the opportunity to ask what happened."It was another vision. I saw a dog, a cat, a rat and a stag in the Forbidden Forest. The scene was happy and I felt happy seeing them, like I was connected or something. It felt like I belonged there. I didn't mean to worry the boys or you though, I just didn't want to say anything because they were there and I don't want to tell anyone" I whispered, the last few tears rolling down my face. "It's okay, the others noticed that you needed some time alone and they respected that. They would probably be here with me otherwise. I don't know what to say for the vision though. We've looked in the library every single weekend, and so far nothing has turned up like this" Remus sighed stroking my hair. "Unfortunately, you can't hide up here forever though, we go home tomorrow anyway." "I guess your right" I sniffled."Of course I am" he joked back lifting me up off of the floor. "Let's get you cleaned up and go to dinner."

"There you are, we've been waiting for you for ages" James exclaimed over the table as Remus and I sat opposite him and Sirius. "Is everything okay?""Everything's fine, it's nothing to worry about. Have we missed anything important?" Remus asked thankfully. The boys shook their heads and mentioned something about the housecup though which I had completely forgot about. Over the past year, I'd been wrapped up in so many things, that it had completely slipped my mind. "Another year gone" began the headmaster quieting the hall instantly. "It has come to my attention that the house cup needs awarding. In fourth place, Ravenclaw with 1370 points. In third place, Hufflepuff with 1403 points. In second place with 1548 points... is Slytherin. That leaves Gryffindor in first place with 1550 points." As each score was announced we clapped except for when the Slytherin's was announced because us lions were too busy celebrating out victory."I have to admit if Fab, Gid and I were caught blowing up the potions classroom we would probably be both expelled and last" I joked. The others laughed and I the certain pair of twins wrapped their arm around my shoulders."That we would've. I don't think Molly would be very happy though" they laughed referring to their older sister."Neither would mine and Rem's parents" I laughed. Naomi comes over really quickly and stole me away from Fabian and Gideon to hug me."Congrats on the win" she smiled. I thanked her the best I could over the crowd of roaring students, but because of all the noise we snuck out of the Great Hall and over to the entrance of the dungeons. "Is everything okay? The boys told me what happened before dinner so I just wanted to check in?"I freeze in place and avoid eye contact with the girl. What had the boys told her exactly? Did she know about everything? "I'm fine, it's nothing to worry about.""Okay if your sure. Remember though I'm here if you ever want to talk." With that Naomi begins to walk away but I grab her wrist and pull her back."I- Naomi, you know the castle better than anyone right? Well I was wondering if you knew where books on visions are in the library." I blurt out. Her brown eyes narrow but she nods. "I do, may I ask why?" "It's a long story, but I need some information on them that's all" I answer truthfully but not telling her everything."Well if you'd like I can have a look over the summer. I'm not going home after all so I'm going to have some time on my hands." Naomi smiles warmly and begins to lead us back into the Great Hall. But why wasn't she going home? Should I ask her? It wouldn't do any harm if I did ask right?"How come your not going home?" I ask. She freezes momentarily but answers my question none the less."It's a long story" she smirked using my own words against me. I just laugh and lightly hit her round the back of the head making her laugh. "It really is though, let's just say family issues".I nod thoughtfully and walk into the hall where no one had even realized we had left. What was the full back story about Naomi staying at Hogwarts over the summer though?