The two were currently engaged in their own conversation. Once Sebastian saw I was making my way toward them, he gave Ominis a small nudge. "Would you look at that Ominis, Liliana decided to join us on the Hogwarts Express this year." A small smile formed on Ominis' face as Sebastian mentioned my name. "Decided against a flying thestral carriage this time?"
     A chuckle escapes my lips at Sebastian's horrible attempt of humor at 10:40 in the morning. "Yeah I heard from a few people that almost getting eaten by a dragon is only thrilling the first time it occurs." Ominis, Sebastian and I engage in conversation for a couple more minutes. Once we reached the conversation of our class schedules, Sebastian focused his gaze on someone standing nearby. 
     "Is something wrong?", I ask as I try to look in the direction Sebastian has his gaze.
     "Just a figure I don't recognize." I turn my gaze once again and notice an older student I do not recall seeing throughout the halls last year. This male figure appeared to be around 6ft in height. He had a brown, almost black, hair that was the same length as Sebastians, however, he did not seem to have any curls in his hair. The only way Sebastian and I were able to tell he was a student was due to his black robe that appeared to be missing a house tie. 
     "I would assume we have another older student joining us at Hogwarts this year". I suddenly noticed the older male that was standing beside him. The older male appeared to be in his late mid-thirties or early forties. The two had very similar features, and for that reason I assumed the older male was his father or father figure to the new student. His stand was directed toward the new student and appeared to speak to him in a very demeaning manner. Turning my attention back to my two friends, Sebastian was the first one to re-engage in conversation. 
     "I guess we will learn more at the sorting ceremony. We should make our way onto the train before all the compartments are taken." Sebastian spoke in a very dead tone. I tried to listen for any hint of annoyance or pain. Then it made sense that Sebastian wanted us to get a compartment, so we did not have to listen to everyone else engaging in conversations about their amazing summers.
     A large portion of the train ride was spent in silence. Sebastian decided to read a couple of chapters from his Divination textbook, which was a class I was not taking this year. Most of my classes aligned with both Sebastian and Ominis' schedule. All three of us were taking the same four core classes, which happened to be Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and Charms. At King's Cross station, Sebastian mentioned he would be taking Divination, Ancient Runes and Apparation, in addition to his core classes. Ominis, on the other hand, was taking History of Magic with me, Apparation, and Arithmancy. In addition to History of Magic, my course schedule also consisted of the Herbology and Care for Magical Creatures  classes. Since Fig had taught me how to apparate prior to my arrival at Hogwarts last year, I saw taking the course during the next term to be a better opportunity to have more time for studying. 
     The train coming to a halt awoke me from my sleep. My head had been resting on Sebastian's shoulder the whole time I slept. "Oh, I'm sorry." The embarrassment is clearly noticeable in my tone. 
     Sebastian did not say anything in return. A small smile appeared on his face as he looked up at me. Both Ominis and Sebastian began to return their belongings to their school bags as we prepared to get off the train. 
     Before I was able to make my way up across the Hogsmeade station bridge, my arm was cautiously pulled back. Ominis pulled me aside as many students made their way toward the stone stairs of the station. "That route is always crowded. Let's take the pathway to the right." Being thankful for Ominis' observation, the three of us walked down the hill pathway. The castle couldn't be seen when we made our way off of the train, but the stone castle peaked into view as we traveled down the pathway.
     Sebastian noticed my slowed pace when we walked under the Glenfinnan Viaduct. He slowed his own pace as well. "Better experience than last year?", he asked with a smile.  
     Turning my attention to him, I returned the smile. "Absolutely".
     "It's well deserved, Calloway", I heard from Ominis, who was already choosing a carriage for us to travel in. 
     Two rows of carriages were waiting in front of a wrought iron gate. Once my trunk was placed in the back of the carriage, my attention was immediately pulled to the crowd of students that were making their way down the Hogsmeade staircase with their personal trunks. A small chuckle escaped my lips as many of them seemed like they were getting shoved back and forth. 
     Sebastian, Ominis and I successfully managed to get a carriage to ourselves. When the three of us were settled in, we noticed a small group of adult witches and wizards watching us from the pathway to our right. "Look! It's Hogwarts' savior!", one of them cheered. My heart rate seemed to pick up when it was noticeable that they were talking about me.
     Turning back toward my friends, I give them a look with a raised eyebrow. "What is that about?"
     "You're the reason Hogwarts is still standing today. Everyone who's been within a 50-mile radius of the castle believes you to be a hero", Ominis said in a casual voice. 
     I suddenly felt paralyzed in the spot I was sitting in. Those people cheered for me because they heard about the battle in the repository. None of them were aware of the whole story, and everything that occurred down there. None of them were aware I was the reason for Fig's death, and that I still blame myself to this day. 
     Hoping none of my fellow Hogwarts students saw the awkward encounter, I see several of them situating their personal belongings in the other carriages. However, the new student that Sebastian and I noticed at King's Cross was looking directly at me from his spot on the pathway. 
     A normal experience at Hogwarts was not in the cards for me either.