Stella Nieves’s eyes flew open as she sat bolt upright. A cold sweat clung to her brow, and her breathing came too rapidly. It took a moment for her dark eyes to adjust to the bright light streaming through the window, and once recognition came, her heart rate began to steady though it took much longer for her body to stop trembling. “I’m in my room.” She breathed, confused. Where had she thought she’d been before? Try as she might, she could not conjure any memory of what she realized must have been a dream. Only the feeling of danger and terror still clung to her.

Oberon, her kneazle-cat, bumped his forehead against her hand, prompting Stella to wrap her arms around him. His soft fur and warm body were a great comfort to her, and it wasn’t long before her shivering stopped. He had been so patient with her these last few weeks as she awakened more and more in these cold sweats. She must have reeked of fear, but he never showed any distaste, only empathy and love. “You’re the best companion a witch could ever ask for.” She mumbled into his snowy fur. He responded with a resonating purr that vibrated through them both.

Stella sighed and pulled away to press the button on her alarm clock. She always seemed to wake before it went off whether she was in the midst of a nightmare or dreamless sleep. It didn’t matter if she stayed up all night or went to bed early, either. It was just who she was. Her internal clock was perfectly synchronized to the hour. It could be both a blessing and a curse.

Getting out of bed, she did her daily routine of a short yoga session, showering, and getting dressed. Today’s attire would be about comfort because she’d be spending most of the day on the Hogwarts Express. A tank top, cardigan, jeans, and flats could accomplish a nice mix of comfort and style well enough. She could change into her school robes on the train when it got closer to Hogwarts.

Oberon, who had refused to leave her side the entire morning, escorted his human into the kitchen where Stella’s father was setting down plates of eggs and toast. “I think I set a new record!” The man said excitedly, his accent still distinctly American even after living in England for over a decade. “I only burned one egg. The rest turned out perfectly, and all of the toast is the perfect shade of golden brown.”

“Wow.” She replied, nodding her head appreciatively. “I’m impressed.”

“Me, too.” He laughed.

Stella used a fork to scoop a hard-cooked egg onto the toast. It wasn’t bad to eat, but it was a little bland. “This is perfectly cooked, Dad. The next step is learning to cook eggs with seasoning!” She teased.

“Hey, it’s edible for once. Baby steps.” He replied.
 
They both ate their food while standing. Stella was too excited to sit, and her father wasn’t about to relax so much he’d cause his daughter to miss her train to school. When they finished, he spoke. “I think it’s time to go. I packed you some food for the train. There’s enough to share with your friends, too, if they’re feeling hungry. It’s in here.” He handed her a backpack.

“[i]You[/i] made me food? Did you suddenly learn to cook more than eggs and toast when I visited my friends last?” She teased.

“Ms. Renally next door, with the dwarf rabbits, made me some dinners for while you’re gone, and I divided up the leftovers I won’t be able to eat for you to take.” Her father admitted.

“Oh.” Stella replied, surprised. “Are you two…” 

Tadlo lifted his palm. “I’m going to stop you right there, Estela. Ms. Renally is a very nice woman who has been very good to us since she moved into that house last year. However, I can assure you that Renally has no interest in me beyond friendship. I think she just wants friends, and she may be trying to get us to buy a rabbit.”

Stella laughed. “Why don’t you just tell her about Oberon? I don’t imagine kneazles and tiny bunnies make a great combination.”

He shrugged. “I might eventually, but I want some more cooking tips first. You don’t think I magically figured out eggs on my own, do you?”

Stella shook her head, sighing dramatically. “I think we better get to the Platform before I learn any more about how you manipulate our neighbors.” She entered the fireplace, and Oberon leapt into her arms. She transferred him to one arm, scooping up floo powder with her free hand. “King’s Cross Station!” Stella spoke clearly as she dashed the powder on the stones at her feet. In an instant, her surroundings changed, and she stepped from a new fireplace onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters. A moment later, her father followed behind her with the trunk of her belongings.

Oberon hopped down and waited at her feet while Tadlo hugged his daughter tightly. “Be good at school. Study hard. Have fun, and if you need [i]anything[/i] at all, you contact me. I’m here for you no matter what you need, no matter what the hour.”

Stella smiled, a little sad to be leaving her father again after what felt like such a short time with him. She was glad he was getting on with the neighbors while she was away at school. He’d seemed so lonely these last few years. “I know, Dad. I will. I love you.” She kissed his cheek.

“I love you, too. Be safe!” He called as she boarded the train with Oberon.

“I will!” Stella replied over her shoulder with a wave. Now was the time to find the compartment that housed her friends, provided they’d already arrived. Thankfully, it didn’t take long before she saw a very familiar boy smack his head into the top of the doorframe. She cringed empathetically, resisting the urge to simultaneously chuckle and rub her own forehead. How did Zef manage to do that [i]every[/i] time? She supposed it didn’t matter as much now that they were in their final year. She suspected he might do it once more when boarding for the train right home, but after that he would be free. Door frames elsewhere seemed tall enough to accommodate him, usually.

The witch hesitated just long enough in the corridor to make sure it didn’t seem like she’d witnessed Zef’s blunder, then she slid open the door and stepped in with Oberon on her heels. “Hey! Long time no see!” She placed her bag in the overhead compartment and sat between Zef and the window. “How was the rest of your summer, guys?”