Ducky Baker knew that he should have been more diligent in packing and preparing for the next school year, especially as he was actually going to try and succeed this year. He had passed his classes by the skin of his teeth, and he was certain it was only because Nora had let him copy her work and because Finn had actually written an essay once or twice for him. However, his horrible OWL scores were enough to shock and scare him into new academic resolutions. Nothing higher than an E, and only one at that, and barely scraping up the As he needed to have enough subjects for this oncoming year.
He was going to have to buckle down.
But before that, he was going to reunite with his friends. He had visited as much as he could over the summer, of course, but most of his time had been spent sneaking out of his house and sleeping on Bev’s floor. He had harassed a good deal of female store clerks, had gotten in a decent amount of trouble, and had inhaled more illegal substances than he could remember . All in all, he had done everything that was necessary to enjoy summer. He would not have any regrets for the summer, save for that it was like most of his other summers in its lively activity and usual debauchery.
A backpack was slung over his shoulders, a large limp duffel bag scuffed along the ground, bumping over the ground. He slipped through the barrier, saluting Bev. His tall friend tipped his head, slipping a cigarette between his lips. He was trying to look casual and indifferent, but there was always a little weirdness when they separated. Ducky knew he was leaving Bev to his hardcore druggie friends, his harder criminals, and to his family. During vacations, Bev was safe from the true grimness of his world, but when Ducky went to school (a luxury Bev never really had) he had to become a criminal thug. Saying good bye to Bev every September was signaling the change the boy would suffer.
On the platform, Ducky immediately heard calls of his own name reaching his ears. He smiled widely and high fived and hugged people that approached and passed him. At home, he was an indentured servant. Amongst his fellow students, he was their rebel prince. He slipped his sunglasses onto his nose and walked confidently towards the compartment he knew to be his. He withdrew at pair of socks, his patented duck socks, from his pocket and tied one of them around the outside door handle. He pulled himself into the compartment and fastened the other sock around the indoor handle. His friends would find him.
They always did.
*
by 
