Eclipse at the Triwizard Tournament

"Aether, Lumine, hurry up! The train is about to leave!"

Drops of sweat rolled down my forehead as I breathlessly dragged the heavy trolley with my things through the station. Around me, there were many children and teenagers with their parents; some were joyfully greeting their school friends, others were looking around for familiar faces, and some were crying as they said goodbye to their mothers. All of this blended into a continuous noise, signifying that a new school year at Hogwarts was about to begin.

"Aether, this way, don't lag behind!" With a light, ringing laugh, my sister pointed to one of the carriages, where the conductor was scrutinizing the ticket of a boy around eleven years old, probably a first-year student.

I wheeled my trolley to the baggage collection point and, after catching my breath a little, approached my parents. Dad looked at me as if he was about to become the ambassador of the word "pride," while mom theatrically wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

"See, we made it, we still have 15 minutes. You always panic over nothing, mom," I said, approaching her with open arms.

"You'll understand when you have your own kids!" Mom hugged me tightly and examined me from head to toe as if seeing me for the first time. "You're so grown up already, I can't believe this is your last year of schooling!"

"Dear, if you continue down this line of thought, we'll both need handkerchiefs," Dad chuckled. "I'm sure you'll both do great this year. Having two prefects in the family already makes my friends roll their eyes with envy when we talk about our kids, so the main thing is to enjoy your final year. Just don't forget about your studies," he said, ruffling Lumine's hair.

"The Hogwarts Express is departing, students please take your seats. Those seeing off, please step back from the platform edge," came the conductor's voice, amplified by a spell.

I shook Dad's hand while Lumine hugged Mom, and we boarded the carriage. Walking a bit further, I found a compartment where Xiao, Lyney, and Lynette were already sitting, and after cheerfully greeting them, I looked out the window to wave goodbye to my parents. Lumine peeked over my shoulder and sent them a kiss with a smile.

The train started moving. The station gradually disappeared from view. I exhaled with relief and turned around. As expected, there was no longer a false smile on my sister's face. Avoiding eye contact with me or anyone else in our compartment, she took her things and left.

She did this every year starting from the second course. At home, she acted like a loving sister, but as soon as we were out of our parents' sight, she became cold and distant. I did the same.

Of course, it wasn't always like this. We are twins and grew up together. We were the closest people to each other. We started walking and talking at the same time. Our magical abilities manifested simultaneously. We received our Hogwarts letters at the same time. We stayed up late dreaming about getting into the same house and being inseparable at school. But fate decided otherwise. More precisely, the Sorting Hat in its stead. As soon as it touched my head, it solemnly exclaimed, "Gryffindor!" I went to take my place under the joyful applause of children in red-trimmed uniforms. But I hadn't even sat down when I heard "Slytherin!" behind me. A chill ran down my spine because I knew Lumine was next. This couldn't be happening; how could she be placed in a different house? We met eyes, and I saw tears welling up in hers.

"Aether, are you okay?" Xiao's voice pulled me out of my memories. His hand was on my shoulder, and his eyes showed concern. Looking around the compartment, I saw Lyney and Lynette also watching me, their expressions somewhat sadder.

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you," I said, evidently letting some regret about the past show on my face while lost in my thoughts. Xiao squeezed my shoulder reassuringly and moved over to let me sit next to him. "Lyney, Lynette, how's Freminet?"

"He's fine; he went to the Slytherin carriage shortly before you came," Lyney replied.

"He asked me to say hi to you," added Lynette.

We bonded with the twins over a shared problem. Lyney and Lynette were sorted into Gryffindor like me, but Freminet ended up in Slytherin. At first, our big company visited each other across houses, but over time, Lumine and I began to drift apart because she got involved with those idiots from her house. There had always been rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and unfortunately, we found ourselves on opposite sides of the barricades. I'm sure her "friends" convinced her that Gryffindors are arrogant fools, which she later accused me of being. I don't know how they turned her against me, but after I called her an "ambition-chasing idiot" in return, a thick and strong invisible wall grew between us.

"I really am glad that the three of you managed to maintain a warm relationship despite the rivalry, but it seems Lumine and I won't be able to," I said, exchanging disappointed glances with the twins. "Better tell me, are you planning to participate in the Triwizard Tournament this year?"

"Of course," they answered in unison.

"What about you, Xiao?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning towards putting my name in the Goblet. Though if you do it too, we won't stand a chance."

"Haha, you're right," Lyney raised his hands up, stretching and cracking his fingers, "but in any case, the year promises to be interesting. At the very least, we'll get to meet students from other schools."

"And at the most, we'll face our NEWTs at the end of the year," Lynette added with less enthusiasm.

"Oh, don't start; we haven't even reached the school yet!"

I laughed at the twins' banter and glanced at Xiao, who covered his mouth, also laughing. Our eyes met, and slightly embarrassed, I started looking out the window behind him. The train raced through endless green fields, taking us further and further towards our second home. I'm sure this year will bring us all a lot of interesting things.

"You didn't talk properly this summer either, did you?" Lyney asked.

"No, it's the same as always—smiling in front of our parents and going our separate ways as soon as we're out of their sight."

"Do you really want to spend your final year like this?" Lynette asked worriedly.

"What do you suggest? Go hang out with that jerk Scaramouche's company or drag her to the Gryffindor common rooms?" Xiao interjected. "Don't take it the wrong way; I know you mean well, but you guys don't get it…"

His golden eyes radiated warmth under the sun's rays, and I immediately felt a bit better. He seemed to always be like that, doing everything possible to shield me from worries in any situation and, more than anyone else, understood how painful the situation with Lumine was for me. I smiled at him gratefully.

"Lyney, Lynette, I appreciate your concern, but unfortunately, our experience with Freminet didn't work out. I really am glad that the three of you managed to maintain a warm relationship despite the rivalry, but it seems Lumine and I won't be able to," I said, exchanging disappointed glances with the twins. "Better tell me, are you planning to participate in the Triwizard Tournament this year?"

"Of course," they answered in unison.

"What about you, Xiao?"

"I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning towards putting my name in the Goblet. Though if you do it too, we won't stand a chance."

"Haha, you're right," Lyney raised his hands up, stretching and cracking his fingers, "but in any case, the year promises to be interesting. At the very least, we'll get to meet students from other schools."

"And at the most, we'll face our NEWTs at the end of the year," Lynette added with less enthusiasm.

"Oh, don't start; we haven't even reached the school yet!"

I laughed at the twins' banter and glanced at Xiao, who covered his mouth, also laughing. Our eyes met, and slightly embarrassed, I started looking out the window behind him. The train raced through endless green fields, taking us further and further towards our second home. I'm sure this year will bring us all a lot of interesting things.