When the train finally arrived, Frank was hesitant to rise from his seat. He almost didn't want to go back. It had been months since the incident, but being so close to where it happened made Frank's palms grow sweaty.

"Dude, let's go!" Brendon exclaimed as he pulled Spencer, who seemed a bit zoned out, up from his seat. He shot a grin towards Frank. "Back at it again."

Frank laughed nervously. "Yea, back at it."

Brendon extended his hand to Frank, finally forcing him to his feet. "Help me with Smith, will ya? That soothing candy was more like an edible." He laughed, obvious to Frank's nerves.

"Sure thing." Frank nodded. He walked over and wrapped an arm around Spencer's torso, just above Brendon's, and nodded towards the compartment's door. "Off we go."

Helping support Spencer actually made Frank feel a bit better. He had something to hold onto rather than nervously wring his hands together through the crowds. It was something to focus on and Frank found himself silently thanking that stupid jelly slug bet.

The carriages waited where they usually did. Many of the students laughed and pushed each other as they separated into them, completely blind to the creatures that would be pulling them. Black, skeletal horses with folded wings that could only be seen by those that had seen death. Frank had learned about them the hard way. He almost wondered if that event hadn't of happened, would last year have lifted the viel that shielded the creatures from most.

While Brendon helped Spencer into the carriage, Frank hung back. He smiled at the thestral beside him. He reached out his hand, allowing the creature to sniff it before nudging him. Frank laughed and pet its dark skin.

"You and air."

Frank froze at the voice. He had to blink back oncoming tears before turning to look at Gerard. The Hufflepuff wore a small smile as he looked back at Frank.

"Hey."

Frank smiled back, stepping away from the thestral. "Hey..."

Gerard looked a bit nervous. "Want to catch a carriage?"

Frank nodded. "Sounds good."

They both stood there for a moment, unsure of themselves. Frank hated how awkward he felt; things had always been so easy with Gerard. After last year though...

"I haven't seen anyone go in the last carriage." Gerard offered, "Let's take that one."

The two started towards it, quiet as they walked. Gerard climbed in first, setting into his seat as Frank climbed in and shut the door.

"I missed you." Gerard blurted out as soon as the door closed. A hint of color began to fill his cheeks. "I mean, we've been writing, but it's not the same as seeing you and talking to you..."

"It's nothing like this." Frank agreed. He took the seat next to Gerard, grabbing hold of his hand. "I've really missed you too. I really would have hung out with you on the train, but the trolly witch and these weird feelings..." Frank looked away from Gerard, unsure what else to say.

Gerard squeezed his hand. "Are you scared to be back?"

Frank shut his eyes, quickly shaking his head. "I'm not scared. Maybe nervous or uneasy, but I'm not scared."

The carriage rocked slightly, signifying the start of their travel. Frank opened his eyes with a sigh. There was no turning back now.

A hand came up to cup Frank's cheek. He turned slightly, catching a sad look in Gerard's eyes. "No one's getting hurt this year." He promised, "No manipulation. It's just school, okay? It'll be okay."

Frank bit back his initial response. Maybe nothing would happen this year, but everything had already happened last year. He already knew what it felt like. He was already suffering from constant nightmares. He still felt trapped by what happened, knowing the feelings weren't his own but felt by him for so long. Knowing the very real effect it had on his family. Knowing that if Jamia hadn't of taken that spell...

Frank forced a smile. He had kept the worst of it all from Gerard. He pretended it wasn't too bad; he felt he owed it Gerard to keep his worries down after what happened.

"Okay." Frank replied, weakly.

Gerard leaned towards him. Frank sucked in a short breath and closed the gap. It felt so good to kiss the Hufflepuff again. He released Gerard's hand and draped his arm over Gerard's shoulder, pulling him closer.

When they pulled apart, both boys sucked in quick breaths. They met each other's eyes, they burst out laughing.

"I missed this." Gerard giggled, hiding his mouth behind his hand.

"Kissing in carriages?" Frank asked, glad that the awkwardness of before had faded. "I don't think we've done that before."

Gerard pulled his hand away from his mouth. "Maybe we could do it more often."

"I second that." Frank grinned as he leaned towards Gerard. He felt slightly better about the school year ahead with Gerard, but the previous still nagged in the back of his mind.

---

Gerard watched Mitch the miniature badger ran back and forth between himself and Patrick, who sat across the table. The first years were being sorted into their houses at the front of the great hall while everyone else sat at their house tables. There weren't many new students this year, so the process was moving fairly quickly.

Gerard shifted where he sat in order to peak in the direction of the Slytherin table. Frank was leaning on his elbow while absentmindedly tracing patters on the wood surface. He didn't even cheer as a first year was sorted into his house.

"Did you find Frank?" Patrick whispered as he pet the small badger that was now nuzzling against his hand.

Gerard nodded. "We rode in the carriage together." He answered as the Gryffindor table errupted in applause.

Patrick smiled. However, he didn't have a chance to speak before the headmistress was calling for the student's attention. The room fell to a hush as all eyes landed on her.

"Good evening, students." She swept her eyes over all four house tables, "It is a pleasure to have you all back. This year, you may have noticed that some of your fellow classmates are absent. Many, simply, did not return for the reason of the student killed on Hogwarts grounds last year."

Whispers filled the air. Absolute dread filled the face of one of the Hufflepuff first years.

"Silence!" They obeyed. "Many unfortunate events took place last year, from poisons to the worst of it. I myself fell victim. However, there are extra precautions this year. We have two aurors on guard in Hogsmead, and we've added enchantments to the very walls of the castle."

She paused, looking over the room again. She had a sadness in her eyes as they landed on the Slytherin table. "I would also like to share that teachers are available at most hours of you need to express your grief or pain. Magic is a beautiful thing, but it cannot fix all of your problems... I wish you all a lovely year." She smiled, prying her eyes away from that particular house table, and spread her arms. "To new beginnings."

The food appeared on the table before them. Gerard barely scooped Mitch off the table in time to avoid being crushed by a plate of chicken legs.

"Oh, I've missed magic." Patrick sighed, looking at the food with a fond smile.

Gerard laughed, releasing Mitch back onto the table and dropping a bisket in front of him.

As he began to load up his plate, chatting happily with his friends, Frank stabbed at the small salad he had tossed onto his plate. His appetite just wasn't there. He sighed and placed his fork beside his plate.

"Not hungry?" Tyler asked before biting into a cookie.

Frank shook his head. "Not particularly."

"Aw, c'mon, Frank!" Hayley nudged him softly with her elbow, "First meal back is the best!"

"I'm still a pass." He shrugged.

Hayley frowned, but nodded. "If you insist. Can you pass me a spoonful of the cheesy stuff? I'm going to be leading first years down a lot of steps in a bit."

Frank chuckled. He scooped a spoonful of what Hayley requested and plopped it onto her waiting plate. "Still can't believe you got a prefect badge, Miss I set a classroom on fire in our second year."

Hayley punched Frank's arm. "Oi! Those two spells are very similar!" She laughed. She pointed at Tyler, "What about Ty? We should be pulling extra celebration for him!"

Tyler smiled, sheepishly. "It's not that big of a deal..."

"Dude," Hayley lowered her voice, "muggle borns usually don't get prefect positions in this house. It's always had more of a pureblood reputation. What you got was seriously well earned."

Tyler's cheeks were as red as a tomato. He mumbled something softly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Seriously, Tyler, cheers." Frank raised his glass towards his friend.

"Are we calling for a toast?" Brendon chimed in from the other side of Hayley.

Tyler attempted to protest, but Hayley wouldn't have it. "Raise a glass!" She declared, "To Tyler!"

"And Hayley!" Tyler laughed, grabbing his cup.

"To our friends!" Brendon practically sang, rising in his seat and holding his glass high. He attracted several strange looks, but he didn't care.

They cheered before drinking from their cups. The conversation quickly picked back up, making the meal move far too fast. In no time, they were filing out of the great hall. Frank stopped at the edge of the steps that lead down to the Slytherin common room. The flash of a memory crossed his mind; the memory of looking up at Jamia after his first dose of tainted liquorice wands.

"Frank?"

Frank jumped as someone gripped his hand. He turned, finding Gerard at his side. He relaxed, smiling.

"Can I walk you halfway to your dorm?" Gerard offered, squeezing Frank's hand.

"Allow me to lead the way." Frank winked, though he hesitated to step down. Down where it started. Down where he first ignored and hurt Gerard.

"I've got it." Gerard spoke softly, taking the first step down. He smiled, tugging Frank gently.

Frank inhaled a breath and took the step down.

Then another.

Followed by another.

Frank focused on Gerard's hand. How it felt in his, how tight his grip was, and the fact that Gerard still wanted to hold his hand after what happened.

When they reached the Hufflepuff's dorm level, Gerard pulled Frank to the side. "See you later?"

Frank nodded, pulling his hand away from Gerard's. "Definitely." He pressed a kiss to the Hufflepuff's cheeks and made his way back to the steps that lead to the Slytherin common room. "Goodnight, Gerard."

"Goodnight." Gerard smiled.

Frank continued down to his common room, entering just after the first years. He avoided introductions and hurried to his dorm.

Brendon was bouncing on his bed, saying something with a frown on his face that Frank didn't hear before he entered. Spencer was already in bed, yawning and nodding along to what Brendon was saying.

"You're going to end up in the hospital wing on the first day." Frank teased, swiping his arms under Brendon's legs as he jumped.

Brendon laughed, sticking his legs out and landing on his butt, bouncing a few times before stilling. "It'd be a personal best."

"Let me take a crack at it." Spencer yawned, "I'm set on the idea I'm going to be a healer."

"Planning ahead, what a responsible young man." Brendon said, resting his chin on his hand.

"At least someone is." Frank yawned himself as he knelt down to open his trunk. He wasn't quite sure what he wanted from the future at the moment.

"I wish I knew what to do about mine and Ryan's future." Brendon sighed, letting himself fall back against the mattress.

"I thought you two made up."

"Ryan's still hurt, it just isn't completely like it was." Brendon sighed, "I'm sixteen, too old for this shit!"

Tyler walked in just then and let out a laugh. "You sound like you're thirty." He said as he climbed into his bed. He quickly curled under his covers, barely peeking out to look at the others.

"Whatever, Mr. Prefect." Brendon stuck out his tongue towards Tyler before sighing. "Let's just see what Hogwarts has in store for us this year."

Everyone mumbled in agreement before mumbling goodnights. Frank crawled under his blankets and stared up at the ceiling. The silence in the room finally made the facts sink in.

1.) He was back at Hogwarts.

2.) He seemed to be in an okay place with Gerard.

3.) His stomach was churning like he was going to barf.

4.) He already wasn't sure if he could last the whole year...