Chapter 112: The Rat Witch
In what felt like an instant, the students' wardrobes were emptied, and the dormitories fell silent, no longer filled with the chatter and laughter of young wizards. Yet, unlike at the beginning of the school year, the walls now displayed photos the students had chosen to leave behind. The Quidditch players in these pictures continued their routines, repeatedly throwing the ball, celebrating, and cheering, as though they knew their owners would be back soon.
Each student received a notice warning them not to use magic over the holidays. With Hagrid still at St. Mungo's, Professor McGonagall took over the duty of leading the students onto the flotilla that would ferry them across the lake.
On the Hogwarts Express, Kyle politely declined the Weasley twins' invitation to join them in their compartment. They wanted to discuss future plans—how to earn Galleons next term and brainstorm ideas for selling their products outside Hogwarts. Enchanted by the prospect of making even more money after their recent windfall of a hundred Galleons, the twins hadn't even bothered looking for the password to the Marauder's Map in the last days of term. They'd been too busy planning.
I hope they come up with something good, Kyle thought.
As he walked along the train, he reached the last compartment and pushed the door open. Inside, there was only one person. Kanna was curled up on a seat, gazing out the window at the orderly wheat fields passing by. Kyle sat down across from her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Are you still upset about Pocky?" he asked gently.
...
"Her name wasn't Pocky," Kanna replied softly after a long silence. "Her name was Rattrey, and she was sort of my great-aunt."
...