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THE end-of-year exams were over. The school year was over. The only thing that wasn't over—and probably never would be by the looks of it—was Athena and Riddle's competitive rivalry over grades. That all was an afterthought after their exams were over and everyone packed up to go back home.

Home.

Athena did not know what home was.

She certainly was not excited to go back to Malfoy Manor, where her mother's scolding would be her only company. Where her father's neglect would be more obvious as the years went on.

She let out a sigh and looked out the window, her mind on how much she dreaded the Hogwarts Express stopping at the platform. Her eyes found Druella, who was sitting across from her.

Druella did not know what home was. She certainly did not count Rosier Manor as home, nor Cygnus's embrace. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment as she thought it over, then opened her blue eyes and shook her head at herself. There was no way for her to back out of the betrothal that was only a few weeks away.

She glanced at the compartment she was sitting in with her two friends, her gaze landing on a quiet Lucinda.

Lucinda did not know what home was. Going back to Avery Manor without her father present, she would never call that manor home again. It certainly did not feel like home without her father in it. It felt more like a prison of memories—where her mind replayed the many memories she had of her deceased father as soon as she stepped into the now-cold manor.

She looked up, her eyes clashing with Druella's. Then, she looked to her side, where Athena was already looking at her. She offered them a small smile, their concerned looks giving her comfort. She knew they had their own problems—problems they all shared with each other on the Astronomy Tower that one night. And yet, they always reminded each other they had one another.

The three girls did not know what home was.

But they found a home in each other.

"Do not get betrothed to him," said Lucinda in a small voice as soon as she looked back at Druella.

Her eyes held a sadness in them that Druella couldn't understand. She swallowed and offered her friend a reassuring smile, but Lucinda could see right through it. "He's the best choice, Lucinda."

Lucinda opened her mouth as if to disagree or argue, but closed it and laid her head on the compartment wall behind her, closing her eyes in anguish when Druella looked away.

Who was she to stop her? Druella was right; Cygnus was the best choice for her. But he wouldn't make her happy.

Not like she could.

Athena was quiet, not interfering as she looked back out the window again. The greenery and colorful flowers they passed by were the complete opposite of what she was feeling. As soon as she stepped off the train, she would go back to the life she had tried to forget during her year at Hogwarts.

She loved Hogwarts as much as she expected to, if not even more. The friends she made made her know, for once, what love and comfort meant. The rivalry she had with Riddle pushed her more than anything, making her get the top marks—tying with Riddle, who also got top marks, as usual.

But she didn't care about that at that moment. All she cared about was how she could stay on that train forever and not have to step off.

But that did not happen.

The train kept moving, on the way to the platform.

Athena looked away and glanced at Lucinda. She still had her eyes closed, but as if feeling someone's eyes on her, she opened them and made eye contact with Athena.

Her eyes flickered to Druella for a split second, who was reading a book about Purebloods. She took a deep breath and looked back at Athena.

The knowing look on her friend's face surprised her for a moment, but she realized that Athena was not only book-smart.

Of course, her friend could see right through her.

Wordlessly, Lucinda looked away and instead laid down, her head on Athena's lap. Athena, seemingly indifferent, let it happen and comfortingly played with Lucinda's brown hair.

"We will write to each other, won't we?" asked Lucinda, catching their attention.

Athena nodded immediately, her fingers still in the girl's hair. "Of course," she said as if it was obvious, tensing when she looked out the window.

They had arrived. They were at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and Athena's eyes immediately found the blond couple at the far end of the station, looking at the others in disdain and superiority.

"I don't want to go," she admitted as her friends stood up, taking their packed trunks from above them.

Lucinda tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She opened her mouth, knowing she should have comforted her friend, but no words came out when she noticed her mother outside alone—her side empty. The side her father should have been at, like always.

Druella comforted her instead. "You'll be fine," she tried, but it was clear it wasn't true.

She let out a sigh and sat back down, this time next to Athena. She took her hand and held it with both of hers, looking right into her friend's hazel eyes. The eyes that held fear in them. "We're only an owl away, Athie."

Athena shook her head, not agreeing with her.

Yes, her friends were only an owl away, but her parents were closer.

And that was enough to make her feel uneasy.

Her usual confident demeanor was gone, replaced by fear and dread.

Druella recognized that look. She could only think of what horror Athena faced in that manor—something she hadn't confessed. All she had confessed was her parents' neglect and uncaring nature toward her, but was that all?

Lucinda sat down across from them, her eyes finding Athena's and ignoring Druella's. She could not even look at Druella at that moment. It hurt her to do so.

"Whenever you feel unsafe," Lucinda started, her voice steady and stern, "remember that Avery Manor will welcome you with open arms."

That was likely. Athena knew that. But she also knew that Malfoy Manor would not welcome her with open arms if she ever ran away.

As if it did already, thought Athena bitterly, even though she had never ran away or done something to deserve its unwelcoming nature.

Lucinda realized that too. So, she continued, "Even if it is only for a little while. Even for one evening. Whenever you want a break, please do not hesitate."

Athena's lips turned up into a genuine smile. She stood up, her fear erased and replaced by fake confidence as she pulled out her trunk from above them. She turned to her friends with a smile still on her face. "Ready?"

Lucinda let out a small laugh—that was not out of happiness, but out of disbelief and reluctance as she shook her head. "No," she admitted and stood up, but her lips turned into a small smile as well.

Druella straightened up, her posture rigid and confidence returning to her. She clenched her jaw for a moment, then shook her head. "Not really," she also admitted, exchanging a look with her friends.

"It's alright," said Athena, looking around the compartment that had green and silver banners. One of the many Slytherin compartments, placed at the far end of the train. "Hogwarts will always be here to welcome us home."

Finally stepping out of the train, Athena made her way to her parents. Her trunk was snatched out of her hand by her brother, who had rushed to catch up with her to do so. His face was void of any emotion, ignoring her look.

When they stood in front of their parents, they became quiet, waiting for the adults to talk.

Celia Malfoy outstretched her hand, fixing her son's hair.

Athena watched, a pang in her chest, but looked away immediately.

"Let's go home," said Septimus Malfoy with a cold tone as he grabbed his wife's hand and his son's. Athena held onto her brother reluctantly when she was given a look by her parents to do so.

She looked back at the train, knowing one thing for sure.

She was not going home.

She had just left home.