"The compartment is full!"

The news kept being the star of the school's gossip. Every time Jacob's sibling, Merula Synde or Ben Cooper walks Infront of them, they would give a sad look.

It was Rowan Khanna who died, killed by a previous professor of the Defence against the dark arts.

The night when the school gathered in the Great Hall was exactly how Ella pictured in her dream, could it be a deja vu? Students were shocked in horror and couldn't believe their eyes.

But Ella didn't bother to tell them, she thought it was just a coincidence.

Jacob's siblings, Merula Synde and Ben Cooper had witnessed the death of Rowan Khanna.

"What a great year to start your first year in Hogwarts! By a student who had died. Very safe for us." Jake said sarcastically with his arm raised.

Seraphina gawked but then frowned, "I feel so bad...that Professor is mean. What's her name again?"

"Professor Rakepick."

Sera scoff, "even her name is weird." Making a fake vomit face and turned around, ready to leave the Hogwarts ground.

"We should get back to our dormitory, we need to pack things up," Ella said. "Before tomorrow."

Considering tomorrow will be Christmas break, those students who celebrate Christmas at home packed their stuff for their leaving tomorrow.

"Finally! I've been homesick for almost every night!" Amanda did a praying posture. "Hurry up, pack." Genevieve snapped.

Seraphina suddenly sighs with her hands on her hips, "Has anyone seen Leo?" She questioned about her cat.

"Ah nevermind, found you."

___

Along with Cassiopeia in her cage. "Merry Christmas." She wished to the other students who would be staying at Hogwarts.

As she got into the train, she knew she had to find a compartment before every else is full. She looked up to Tonks, "You're capable of finding your own compartment or your friends?"

"More capable than you." Estella retorted but she cleared her throat with a grinning face as she faced Tonks, "Yes, I am."

She thought of the same compartment she stayed in on her way to Hogwarts. "Hey, you don't mind if I sit here?" She asked Talicia who happens to be in the compartment, sitting at the same spot as on 1st September.

"No." She flipped her book's page, being unbothered. Ella recognize the same book the time she asked her what book it was yesterday, the book was called 'Christina's Ghost'

"You seems to be into that book."

Talicia put the book down, "I found it interesting. Celebrating with your family?"

"Yea..my cousin and a friend of my father." She replied awkwardly. Talicia felt pity for her, she couldn't imagine how it felt like, forgetting how it felt like celebrating Christmas with her family. But she didn't show her emotion.

"Mudblood." The same boy opened the compartment door. "What do you want, Avery?" Talicia snapped. "Oh, Black is here as well?"

Ella gave him a sarcastic smile, "Did you enjoy me throwing rocks at you?"

His gaze darken, "Blood-traitor." he spat out and left the compartment.

"A git he is. I had to deal with him every time in the common room," she complained.

"At least he isn't afraid of you." Ella shrugged, getting a question look from the girl in Infront of her.

"Where is your friend, Scamander?" Talicia raised an eyebrow. "Dunno. Hopefully, she'll find a seat."

Suddenly the compartment door once again opened, two boys came in and sat without hesitation. "Who are you?" Talicia moved a bit to her left where the window is. "I'm sorry, is this place taken?"

Ella looked back at the boy, it was Jake and James."No, James."

"Where's Scamander?" Jake tilted his head, just in the time, Seraphina opened the compartment door.

"God, why so many people in here!" Talicia groaned, she was perfectly fine when it was just the two of her and Ella, she actually have some peace.

Seraphina pursed her lips, "Hello, Daniel. Fancy seeing you in here again." She forced a smile.

"I think you could sit here if you don't make too much noise," Ella warned and Seraphina took a seat next to Jake.

___

Half of the train ride, the compartment was nothing but a circus. They forgot what Ella warned about them not making any noise, Cedric too joined in the compartment.

Talicia being unbothered she is, sleeping like she never even heard the noise Jake, Seraphina, James, and Cedric were making.

Finally, they arrived at the train station with their goodbyes and wished each other Merry Christmas. As she hopped off the train with her suitcase and Cassiopeia, she turned to her left and right. It was hard to search for Andromeda or Ted due to the crowded people. So she decided to wait outside the train for her cousin.

Her eyes began to scan the whole place. To her surprise, there was another person waiting for her. She wasn't sure if he was looking out for her or waiting for her so she decided to approach him with a beam of a smile.

"Estella." He gave her a warm smile. "How's Hogwarts?" Remus Lupin asked. The man she hadn't met for so long. She's surprised that Lupin still remembers her face.

Ella sighed, it was a sign that she wouldn't tell him there. Her mind were questioning to herself what Remus was doing here but those were blocked of how much she missed him.

She used to remember how Remus always had chocolate in his pocket everywhere he goes, it made him calm. Made Ella calm too.

What made her happier than ever is that she's staying with Remus for Christmas this year after years haven't spent actual time with each other. Still, Andromeda would send letters to him for Ella.

"I miss it here!" She looked around the house, raising both of her arms up. "Oh, I forgot, Cassiopeia hadn't flown for hours, she must've been tired."

Remus chuckled, "Cassiopeia? Is that the owl's name?" Ella nodded while setting her owl free.

At night time, Ella couldn't really sleep alone since she always had Tonks as her roommate so she walks down to the kitchen where she found Remus there.

"Did you find any job?" She asked with her sleepy eyes.

Remus sighed, of course, it had been exhausted but Remus didn't want to make it a big deal so he smiled saying everything is fine. "How was Hogwarts?"

"Oh, you know... A student got murdered by a previous professor–" she stared at Remus who then choked on his water. "...and a few students were petrified." She shrugged.

Now Remus was coughing, "A student was murdered?"

Ella nodded. "Great way to start a first-year am I right, Uncle Remus?"

Pressing her lips together from yawning, Ella dropped her head on the table. "I'm going to bed, goodnight."