Hey all, this is a story I just randomly thought of and I figured I'd write it out to share with you. I've changed it up a bit from the books. This story brings a whole new side to Fred and George Weasley, the sensitive romantic side instead of just the pranks and jokes. The story also skips through time quite a bit and quite quickly, but I do my best with filling in the time that has passed in a paragraph or two.
Hope you enjoy it, please let me know what you think
It was nearing the end of the summer and Hogwarts students were busying themselves in Diagon Alley, collecting everything they'd need. Harry Potter was entering his fourth year with his best friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. They couldn't be more excited to go back to school.
September 1st came quickly and the students boarded the train and were on their way to school. Fred and George Weasley were in there sixth year and everyone couldn't help but notice Fred and Hermione had eyes for each other. No one said anything, but Ron wasn't too happy about it. They got to the castle, went to the feast and watched the first years get sorted.
"Welcome! To a new year at Hogwarts", Dumbledore announced. "Welcome first years", he smiled. "Before we start the sorting ceremony, I'd like to introduce our New Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Professor Alistair Moody", everyone applauded. Dumbledore finished his speech and let McGonagall take over.
"When I call your name, please step forward so you can be sorted", she said and started calling the first years up one-by-one. After everyone was sorted, there was still one person standing there and no one knew why. She stood there with her head down, looking embarrassed at being the only one left.
The girl standing alone in the middle of the hall looked like she was about 5 feet 7 inches tall with medium length hair so dark it looked almost black, but it was actually brown. She wasn't thin like Hermione; she was slightly bigger around the middle, but not quite as big as Harry's cousin Dudley. No one could see her face though as her back was to them and her face was down.
Dumbledore got back up. "This student here is not a first year, but she is new to Hogwarts this year. This is the first time Hogwarts has had an international student... Since I've been here at least", he added, causing people to laugh since everyone knew Dumbledore had been there for many years. "This young lady is in her fourth year of magical studies and is transferring to us from The Canadian School of Magic. I expect you all to welcome her with open arms. But first things first, we need to get Miss. Scott sorted", he motioned for her to come up to the stool. McGonagall put the sorting hat on her and it pondered for ten minutes before shouting:
"Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table erupted into applause at having the only ever international transfer. McGonagall showed her which table she needed to go to so she headed over to the table and people instantly made room for her. She kept her head down during the entire feast so no one got a real good look at her.
After the feast was finished, they all headed up to the common room, McGonagall taking the transfer student up, to show her where she would be sleeping.
"Ah, Miss Granger. This is Ashleigh. She will be staying in your dormitory now. Ashleigh, this is Hermione Granger", Hermione stuck her hand out to shake.
"Pleasure to meet you", Hermione said.
"Likewise", Ashleigh said, shaking her hand. She was showed to her bed and all of her belongings had been brought up already.
"All right, I'll let you settle in Miss Scott", McGonagall said, leaving.
"Thank you", she said to McGonagall's retreating back.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. I think you'll like it here", Hermione smiled, sitting on her bed, which was next to Ashleigh's.
"I hope so", Ashleigh sighed, sitting down as well. She went quiet and Hermione couldn't help but notice the look in her eyes.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Just trying to get used to the idea of living in Britain now", Ashleigh told her.
"Okay. But if you need someone to show you around or just a friend, I'll be happy to help", Hermione told her leaving the room.
Ashleigh got changed for bed and slid under the blankets, pulling the curtains around the bed. She laid down and cried herself to sleep.
Down in the common room, Hermione met up with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George.
"How's the new girl?" Ron asked.
"She seems nice. But I think she's a little anxious and scared about being here. She looked like she was ready to cry", Hermione said. They all went quiet for a while.
"I think we should try to befriend her", Harry said. Everyone nodded in agreement. They all sat there talking for a bit before parting and going up to bed.
The next morning everyone went down to breakfast, but Hermione didn't see Ashleigh at all. She told McGonagall that she would give her timetable to her. McGonagall thanked her and moved on. After breakfast Hermione went back up to her dormitory to find Ashleigh sitting on her bed, it looked as if she had been crying.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked, startling her out of her trance.
"I'll be okay. I'm not even sure why I'm crying", she laughed, wiping the tears away. "How come you're back?"
"I told Professor McGonagall that I would give you your timetable since you didn't turn up at breakfast".
"Oh, that's so kind of you. Thank you", Ashleigh smiled, taking the paper.
"You're welcome. We have all classes together, since we're taking all the same ones. Each class has two different houses, but the same year. So if you want to come with me, we can sit together", Hermione told her.
"I'd like that", she smiled. She went with Hermione down to their double Transfiguration class, which was with Professor McGonagall. They sat together and McGonagall smiled and hoped that Hermione and her friends would let Ashleigh into their group.
Two hours later and class was over, they had potions next and then it was lunch. Hermione warned Ashleigh about Professor Snape while they walked to the Dungeons. Ashleigh kept her mouth shut in class, even though Snape thought it funny to pick on her.
"Starting here in fourth year. What is happening to this world?" He said as he walked past her. She just ignored him. He obviously didn't know the reason for her to have to transfer to a new school and leave her other school and only friend. Hermione could see that it was bothering her so she took Snape's attention off of her.
"Thank you for that", Ashleigh said as they walked to the Great Hall.
"No problem. I told you, if you need a friend, I'm here", Hermione said as they entered the hall and saw her friends.
"No one was ever this nice to me at my last school. They all called me nasty names because of the way I look and how much they think I weigh", Ashleigh told Hermione.
"Well my friends and I don't discriminate against or judge people, and especially for something so silly like that", Hermione said as they made their way through the hall. "You just have to watch out for Malfoy and his cronies. He's the bleach blond in Slytherin, sitting right there", Hermione pointed with her eyes. Ashleigh followed her gaze.
"Thanks for the warning", she smiled. Hermione nodded as she sat down with her friends. Ashleigh stood there awkwardly.
"You can sit down, we don't bite", a pretty red head told her. "I'm Ginny Weasley", she smiled and made room for her.
"Thank you. I'm Ashleigh Scott. Nice to meet you". The boys at the table were all looking at Quidditch magazines, so Ashleigh just looked down again.
"Boys, you guys are so rude", Hermione scoffed.
"What?" They all said together.
"We have someone new sitting with us and you don't even introduce yourselves", Hermione glared.
"Sorry", they all mumbled.
"Ron Weasley", she shook his hand.
"Harry Potter".
"Wait, that's true?" She asked.
"What?" He asked.
"You and the whole thing with your parents and a dark wizard who wanted to kill you and take over Britain or something", she said.
"Oh, yeah it's true. You didn't know for sure?" Harry asked.
"No. It was all only rumors at my school in Canada", she told them. They all nodded they're understanding. "Anyway, sorry for interrupting", she laughed and shook Harry's hand.
"Fred Weasley", she shook his hand. Fred hit another guy over the head with his magazine.
"What?" He asked, frustrated.
"Stop being a git and introduce yourself", Fred told the other guy, who must've been his twin, Ashleigh thought.
"Sorry. George Weasley. The better looking twin", he laughed but stopped when Ashleigh looked up at him and he saw her for the first time. He stared at her for a minute before she finally said something.
"What? Do I have something on my face?" She asked, wiping her face.
"No. George is just weird", Ginny laughed. Fred hit him again and he snapped out of it.
"Sorry. Nice to meet you. What was your name?" George asked.
"Ashleigh Scott. Nice to meet you too", she smiled and shook his hand.