Another Wonderful Year

Tessa was excited to be starting her fourth year at Durmstrang. She was already on the ship, waiting for Afonka. This year would be different, she had Ariel to help her get around better. And she had Afonka to help her. And wondered what classes he was going to take.

She just smilied as Ariel was sitting on her lap.

Humming to himself, he strolled along the ship, looking around for Tessa. She was here, right? Eyes widening. his mind began to move at a mile per minute. What if she was late? Or what if Ariel had ran off? Or - or - or -

Oh, there she was. Grinning as he saw her, he called out, "Tessa," as he jogged towards her. Hugging her, he grinned even wider, "It's great to see you again." Glancing at Ariel, he grinned at her too, "Same to you, Ariel."

Tessa wondered where Afonka was. She had hoped that he wasn’t' late. Tessa knew that she had a great summer, since she got to spend it with Afonka in New York. But also she had gotten Ariel, her dog that was going to help her get around. She knew that he worried about her a lot.

She smiled as she knew Afonka found her. Tessa then hugged him back. “ It is great to see you again.” She was still smiling. Ariel gave a small bark, as if saying that she was glad to see him too.

"I missed you," Afonka said honestly, not wanting to pull away from her. He really had missed her. Though he'd spent most of his summer with her, being with Feliks or Taryn or even his family just hadn't been the same. She was special to him, and no one else compared.

"Both of you," he added with a grin at Ariel.

Tessa smiled. " I missed you too. But the new year starts."

"Yeah," Afonka grinned, pulling away. "Fourth year will be amazing. It'll be so much fun and I'll get to spend a lot of time with both of you, so it has to be amazing."

Tessa smiled. " Yeah that sounds really great, I found out that Lena not going to be spending her fourth year here. She is going to Hogwarts."

"Ooh, Hogwarts." Afonka breathed, "That sounds really fun. But it must be lonely, not knowing anyone there."

Tessa sighed a little bit. " Yeah she must be lonely there."

"But I bet she'll make lots of friends." Afonka said optimistically, "And I bet other people from Durstrang when to Hogwarts too, so she'll have them to talk to."

Tessa smiled. " Yeah you are right, I am just going to miss her this year."

"But before you know it, the year'll be over and she'll be back." Afonka smiled, nodding. "And you'll have lots to talk about when she gets back."

Tessa smiled. " I guess that you are right about that. It just this year is going to be different."

"I guess so," Afonka shrugged, "But in some ways it'll be better." Nodding, he grinned. You'll have me.

Tessa smiled. " I will always have you."

"Aww," He grinned, hugging her again, "And you'll always have me."

Tessa hugged him back. " Yes I know that."

"Good," Afonka nodded, softly kissing her forehead, blushing softly, "I want you to know that."

Tessa smiled. " It is something that I already knew."

"I know," Afonka nodded, "But -" he paused, sighing, "This made more sense in my head. What I'm trying to say is that I'll keep telling you." Satisfied with his answer, he nodded again.

Tessa smiled. " Yes I know that you will."

"Good," Afonka nodded, flopping down on the seat beside her, "It feels like just yesterday I was here for the first time," he reminisced fondly.

Tessa smiled. " I know the feeling. It feels like I should still be a first year."

"Yeah," Afonka nodded, "And when you see the first years now, you can't help but think that you used to be just like them. But were never that small." He added, smiling.

Tessa laughed. " Yeah I know what you mean."