With even more Prefects that normal, Padma found it was quite easy for her to hurry through her duties and find a seat. It seemed that the students were rather well behaved this time around. Many of them were excited and talking animatedly with their friends. Padma smiled as she patrolled the train.
Walking past a compartment, Padma caught sight of Stephen and froze. Of course she had been looking forward to seeing him, but at the same time she was incredibly nervous. Looking back, she shouldn't have initiated those kisses with Stephen. She wanted to regret it, but found she wasn't able to. They had been wonderful.
Oh, goodness, she was being foolish. Stephen had agreed that they would remain friends and there was no need to linger outside the compartment and stare at him. Opening the door, she slipped inside and sat across from him. "Hello," she said with a smile. "Good book?"