Without You

Good Riddance

The days pass by quickly, with no changes to the students' terrible lives at Hogwarts. Everyday consisted of strict rules, short dining times, silent hallways and classrooms, and of course, O.W.L.s. Umbridge, as the Headmistress at Hogwarts, decided to change the school to however she wanted. The wall outside the Great Hall was soon completely filled with Educational Decrees written by herself.

Most of them were about useless things, like the distance between boys and girls increasing to eight inches. She also made Educational Decrees about purchasing any products made by George and Fred Weasley. Umbridge seemed to enjoy making the Hogwarts students' lives miserable. The Ministry of Magic was supposed to make things better for Hogwarts, not worse. Barely anyone ever saw Dumbledore anymore these days. It was only on those rare occasions, like when Umbridge tried to dismiss one of the staff members.

Autumn woke one morning extremely later than usual. Hermione was no longer in bed, and the Gryffindor common room had been left empty. Curious and surprised at the same time, Autumn made her way towards the Great Hall, expecting to be called out by Dolores Umbridge once again. To her surprise, there was no pink lady seated at the front. As usual, the staff were seated at the front, but both Dumbledore and Umbridge's seats were left vacant.

Taking a seat in her usual spot, Hermione and Ron watched as she looked around the Great Hall.

"Where's Harry? And Umbridge?"

"Autumn," Ron started, "You've missed a lot... A lot has happened since last night and this morning."

Autumn raised a brow, filling her plate with breakfast. "So, what did I miss?"

Autumn spent the night studying in the common room with Thomas and Parvati. She really needed to catch up in class, since she had been so caught up in the mess of detentions and private meetings with Umbridge. Autumn knew that Harry, Ron and Hermione weren't in their rooms, but she only thought they'd be out in the Room of Requirement once again.

Ron and Hermione looked at each other before looking at Autumn once again.

"The good news is that Umbridge is long gone, and Dumbledore is returning as Headmaster." Hermione said, "The bad news is that... Sirius is dead."

Hermione whispered the last part, her head slightly hanging low. Autumn nodded, biting on her lip. She wondered how Harry must have been feeling, and what he was doing right now. Although Autumn did not know Sirius well enough, she knew that he was the only family Harry had left. Other than his cousin, Dudley, of course.

Harry arrived shortly, after Hermione explained the battle he had with Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Hermione also revealed to Autumn that Draco's father was a Death Eater. Autumn's heart stopped for a second, a strange feeling suddenly taking over her body. Everything felt so wrong, all of a sudden.

"Draco," Harry said, "He helped me. He helped me to find a way to get rid of Umbridge, and we managed to do it together."

This was the first time Harry ever smiled whilst talking about Draco Malfoy. This, however, did not change the fact that his family was so strongly tied to Voldemort. They must be extremely loyal to Voldemort for his father to be a Death Eater.

"Well, that's nice."

"Nice?" Hermione laughed, "I thought you'd be much happier to hear that maybe Harry and Draco were finally getting along."

"I also heard," Ron said, chewing on his toast, "that Malfoy got you out of your detention with Umbridge by joining the Inquisitorial Squad."

Autumn dropped her knife. "And where did you hear that?"

"Umbridge said so herself. I also heard that she used an unforgivable curse on you... Autumn, are you okay?" Hermione asked, all three of them now looking at Autumn.

She simply nodded. "As long as Umbridge is gone, I'm perfectly happy."

"Come on, you three. After we finish eating, we need to finish packing. Don't want to miss our train back to London."

Harry and Ron groaned. Dumbledore had told Harry that he had to live with his Aunt Petunia. The fact that they lived under the same roof was the only reason why he was still safe, since she shared the same blood as Harry's mother. Harry had been excited about moving in with Autumn. It finally meant that he could get that freedom and love his Aunt and Uncle would never offer him.

The four friends got out of their seats, walking to the Gryffindor tower. Autumn was sure she at least packed half her things; all four of them were so tired last night, no one really started packing except for Hermione. The boys parted from the girls, heading to their own room. Hermione unlocked her door, Crookshanks jumping off her bed.

Autumn folded her clothes neatly, placing them into her trunk along with her other belongings that designed their room. Hermione finished well before she did, and said she'd be waiting in the common room. Taking her diary and other belongings from the dresser table, she placed it in her trunk.

Finally finishing after five minutes, she joined the others in the common room. Ron, Hermione and Harry were already waiting there with their trunks, ready to go. Heading downstairs to the carriages, the four friends, except for Harry, spoke excitedly about how they were going to spend their summer.

"Don't worry, Harry. After the summer, we're back to ol' Hogwarts again." Ron said, trying to get a laugh out of Harry who only nodded sadly.

The group arrived at the courtyard, filled with other students who were ready to go home. Autumn froze when she realised there were already students boarding the carriages that were taking them to the station. She still hadn't seen Draco, and the last time they were speaking, she had been yelling at him. Yet again, he had been misunderstood. He must have been feeling awful after that evening, especially after all he had done for her.

Autumn pushed through the crowd, searching for any signs of him. Whether it was Crabbe, Goyle, or Pansy, she didn't care. She felt like she needed to see him. Autumn could hear her friends calling her name, but nothing stopped her from searching. Harry finally found Autumn in the crowd and held onto her wrist firmly.

"Autumn, he's gone. All the Slytherins have left now. I'm sorry."

In the end, it all goes down to that person you look for in a crowded room.

And that was how Autumn's fifth year ended.