Cold Side of the Pillow (A Ravenclaw Tale)

Author's Note,
I would suggest reading the Chapter Titles, because they are rather helpful. If you are anything like myself, you tend to skip over them without really meaning too. I know, it's difficult, but just consider it. :)

~~~~~

I shifted my weight so that I lay on my stomach. Reading the Daily Prophet on your rock-hard living room floor isn't the brightest idea. Pushing the overgrown side bangs out of my eyes, I flipped to the next page.

"Hogwarts Term Starting in One Week"

I sighed as I read the headline. I knew I'd have to go back eventually. I guess I just wasn't that excited this year. For some reason, every time I thought of Hogwarts this summer, I got a nervous feeling in my stomach. Maybe you are just forgetting something, I'd tell myself. Which is reasonable, because I despise forgetting things. But of course, I had been ready. All my school things were neatly packed and ready upstairs. I blamed my restlessness on missing my older brother, who wouldn't be attending Hogwarts this year. I had always had him as a companion. Whenever I needed him, I could just skip down into the Common Room to find him sitting in a big blue armchair, reading or writing with his friends. I would simply say,
"Thomas, are you busy? Could you perhaps help me out with something?",
And he would stop whatever he was doing to spend time with me. But this year it would be different. As I would enter my final year at Hogwarts, Thomas would leave his, and I'd be without my best friend and favorite companion. Thinking of this lead me to thoughts about my first day at Hogwarts.

~~~~~

I hugged my Aunt Tilly goodbye as she tucked a small blue velvet box into my pocket.
"Don't open it until your on you way, dear." She whispered into my ear.
"I promise!" I whispered back and gave her a tight hug before turning around to Thomas.
"Come on Aubrey, we're going to miss the train!" He said hastily.
"Then on with it, brother! No time to spare!" I joked, attempting to mimic his voice, but failing terribly.
He rolled his eyes as Aunt Tilly laughed and pushed us onto the Express.
"Have a good term you two. Make us proud. And Aubrey dear, please get sorted into Ravenclaw. It would be a dreadful shame if you mislead the family name."
I frowned nervously, and muttered an "I'll miss you too." back.
The whistle sounded and Thomas and I waved a goodbye to Aunt Tilly. We sat in the first empty compartment we could find.
Aunt Tilly takes us to Hogwarts every year. Usually because she won't allow any other family member to do it. Not even our parents. Some... thing, she just always does. Never figured it out. She's really our Great Aunt.
"Don't worry, she's just, well you know, being Aunt Tilly." Thomas said.
Aunt Tilly had always been very... concerned, that the whole family was sorted into Ravenclaw. It was a "dreadful shame", in her opinion, if you weren't. I suppose that's because the family has higher than average knowledge and is quite intelligent. I don't mean to brag, but it's true. Unfortunately, it's also a lot to live up too.
"I know, she cares a lot about the family honor, but sometimes I second guess myself. What if I'm not good enough for Ravenclaw?" I asked him.
"That's not what a true Ravenclaw would say. Confidence is key. You know that."
"Well yes, I suppose so. Thanks Thomas."
"Of course! I know you'll have a great term, no matter where you're Housed."
I relaxed back into my seat as Thomas' friends filed in and began talking. Two of them had younger siblings who were also both going into their First Year, like me.
"Brandy Schwartz. Pleased to meet you." Said a light-blonde haired girl with tanned skin and blue eyes.
"Pleasure is mine. My name is Aubrey Skylar." I replied with a slight smile.
"Lovely name, I'm assuming you're Thomas' sister? Kevin never shuts his mouth about you're brother's old Silver Arrow Broom. 'What a classic find!' He'll say. Never stops. I'm thinking about saving all my money just to buy him an original." She stated.
"Oh really?! That's quite funny! Because I must assume you're Kevin's sister, yes? Thomas never stops rambling about Kevin's bronze Snitch. 'Now how in the world did he get one of those?' He'll ask me. Pssh, I haven't a clue what's wrong with him." I replied.
We both laughed at the irony of each others' story for a minute. I decided I liked Brandy and she officially became my first friend at Hogwarts.
Then the other First year cleared his throat.
"Oh, how rude of me! Aubrey Skylar is the name, as you may have heard." I said, sticking out my hand.
He accepted my handshake and replied,
"Carson Intruze," With a deep Jamaican accent.
"Nice to meet you Carson." I said with a smile. Carson had dark skin and big brown eyes. His hair hung a bit past his shoulders in dreadlocks. He looked the spitting image of Oscar Intruze, who must of been his older brother.
"Same to you," He said while sporting a cool expression, "I believe it to be rather funny how our brothers all know each other."
"Yes, I agree. Humorous, actually." Brandy piped in.
We all chuckled and bought some pastries off the cart. I was the last to get something, a chocolate frog, and then I sat back down next to Brandy and Carson. As I bit off a leg, I remembered the box in my pocket. I reached in and pulled it out. Flipping the lid open, I looked down and saw a gorgeous silver locket with a small blue Sapphire encrusted into it. I gasped quietly and took out a folded note that had came with it.

Aubrey, dear.
Wherever you're heart takes you is the right path. So even if you're not a Ravenclaw, which we're all quite sure you are, you'll still have this locket to remember I love you no matter what and what happens is for the best.
Love you.
-Aunt Tilly

I smiled happily to myself and carefully folded the note once again. Tucking it safely into my pocket, I gently picked up the locket. I opened it to find a small red heart on one side, with a picture of myself, Thomas, Mum, Dad, and Sandy, our little beagle, running around our front yard on the other. We all had smiles on our faces, and occasionally one of us would stop and wave.

Getting such a note from Aunt Tilly made me exceptionally happy. All my worries seemed to melt away. Clasping the locket around my neck, my heart seemed at ease and I enjoyed the rest of the train ride to my new school.

~~~~~

I missed her, Aunt Tilly. She died when I was in my 4th year. Thomas and I got a letter from Grandma Anwen saying she had died peacefully in her sleep, with a book on her lap. She was rather old. 96, I believe. Even though she was a very particular women, she always had faith in others, especially the family. Always kind to me, she was. And when I got sorted into Ravenclaw, she threw me a big party, just like she had done with every family member who would let her. (Thomas not being one, he isn't big on attention.) She loved me, and I loved her. Broke my heart to know she had to go. I reached down and stroked the locket around my neck.
"I miss you, Aunt Tilly." I whispered softly as I turned the Prophet's page.

~~~~~

So my friends...
What do you think? Hopefully you'll like it, but if not, perfectly understandable. I had this idea and just had to write it out, like I always do. Although I rarely ever publish my writing to Quibblo. Ah, oh well. Like I mentioned before, I enjoy writing the story, so that's what I'll do, just because it entertains me. xD

Oh, and to see the locket, follow the link below;

http://www.krikawa.com/images/styles/281/LOCK-locket-striped-cushion-blue-sapphire-fv.png