Quinn was at once excited for and dreading this new term. He was so happy to get away from his parents after so many months at home... usually he could handle it, but this summer was especially draining. And after his birthday had passed... it just got worse. The stuff that happened with Atlas in Diagon Alley was complicated, to say the least. Now he was in very bad graces with his mother, he wasn't sure what terms he was on with Atlas—and even if they were good, how was he supposed to explain that?—and, now that he was on the train, the thought of being back at Hogwarts filled him with fear. He thought he was over what happened last term (which was not a topic of conversation that either of his parents seemed to care much about. Quinn still couldn't understand how it was just... like nothing to them) but thinking about different places around the castle made him feel like he couldn't breathe. No dungeons for him this term. Could he skip out on DADA? What about that particular spot on the grounds where.... they had that lesson? The one he tries to block out of his memory because it always sets off a panic episode. The one that makes him able to see thestrals.

On the flip side of the coin, he couldn't wait to see his friends again. They were the reason he couldn't handle this summer... he had that taste of closeness. He wanted it back. He wanted to see Eden, Dahlia, Tadhg, Ash, Bernie... he wanted to see Atlas, even though it would be weird. He wanted to at least be able to see him. Even if they weren't supposed to hang out.... Quinn wasn't sure what Atlas would make of that. What did Mr. Flamsteed say to him? Was he punished? Quinn hoped he wasn't... he only wanted to help...

Sitting with his knees up in an empty compartment, Quinn sat and waited for someone he knew to walk by. He was thinking entirely too much... he hoped one of his friends would come soon.