Life over the next few days were good-with the exception of Defense Against the Dark Arts class and the ego-bruised Draco Malfoy. I was accepted whole-heartedly by the Gryffindor House and even by the majority of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Everybody knew what had happened-though accounts of which were slowing deferring from the actual truth- and the people who Draco Malfoy had messed with were only too eager to re account the story. Even the girl from Hufflepuff that had sent me the airplane note came up to me and apologized, though somewhat begrudgingly.
"It's okay." I simply said. I almost added 'I understand' but I had an inkling that it would not have worked out as planned. It was a bit awkward because she had just nodded after that, stood for a moment as if unsure what to do now, then turned on her heel and walked away. I was glad that that was over. Unfortunately, the thing with Draco Malfoy had yet to be.
He seemed to take it extremely offensive that I had punched him when he was egging me on. I guess he wasn't used to retaliation yet, which was humorously surprising because he was really obnoxious and I couldn't see why anyone had yet popped him one. It was pretty funny because we were still paired together in Potions and I could hear him muttering underneath his breath. Probably vicious and hurtful things but I couldn't really take him seriously when he had scooted his stool over as far as the table would let him.
It was a bit unnerving that I was an enemy of the Slytherins and stuck in a large group of them for more than an hour or so every other day. Pansy had gotten into the habit of staring at the back of my head as if willing it to catch fire. I saw other Slytherins shoot me dirty looks all class and it took all my will-power not to smirk viciously and rub it in their faces that their self-proclaimed Slytherin King was afraid of me.
Snape, however, seemed to take it onto himself to make my life a living hell in Potions. It was like he was making up for all the comments Draco was refraining from saying in a loud voice. He's already dropped about eight of my completed potion samples "on accident" and gave me an extra essay to write on the properties of unicorn hair when I had failed to make a Dreaming potion up to his ridiculously high standards for me. And those standards weren't in my best interest, no, they were to get back at me for punching his favorite student. How Draco got to be his favorite student with his oh-so-delightful attitude was beyond me though.
Defense Against the Dark Arts wasn't much better. Professor Umbridge was a complete joke. Weren't we supposed to be learning about defensive jinxes and how to protect ourselves? Copying notes out of a book that skirted around actual practices of said defensive spells was not preparing us. I felt like slapping her.
She wasn't qualified to be a teacher and I've heard about her detentions. Harry showed me the scars to prove them. Why wasn't Dumbledore in an outrage about this? I mean, this was harming his students that I was under the impression that he cared immensely about. Except I did know why he wasn't doing anything.
Hermione and all them had explained the situation to me; about how Dumbledore was on thin ice with the Ministry, saying he was making some kind of army which, even though I had only known Dumbledore for a few days, I already knew was complete bull. They hated the situation as much as me, probably even more so because I had yet to experience detention with Umbridge though I knew it was only a matter of time. She was wearing my patience thin and it was only going to get thinner with the full moon rolling around.
The only real comfort was that I had that covered- or I guess Dumbledore had that covered. It was still a constant stress on my life but knowing that everything was covered and all I had to to was take a potion (something I was still a bit on the fence about considering Snape was the one making it) and show up. Everything would work out as long as I didn't let it slip. Even to Hermione, Harry, and Ron, to whom I was still considering confiding in.
I also thought about sending a letter to that Remus Lupin fellow; even though I had been a werewolf for five plus years I had mainly gotten by on pure initiative and learned from trial and error. I knew next to nothing on the mechanics of it from a fellow werewolf; only just stuff from books. I was an expert in field work but lousy in desk work, point blank.
Could I confide in him though? It might make me feel better and Reggie had yet to go anywhere. I guess it couldn't hurt though... But what about the trio? Harry and Hermione and Ron... Did I really trust them enough to say anything? I had only known them for a few days but they had done nothing but accept me, incident with Draco notwithstanding. I think I'll think about it for a while. See how things play out. You should never rush telling someone you just met that you turn into a 200 pound beast every full moon.
So, in conclusion, all was pretty good. I had a few weeks yet until the next full moon, I didn't have to worry about social status (however shallow that may seem), and my grades were fine. The classes, excluding Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts of course, were fun. I was completely dumbfounded about how Hermione could get through a History of Magic class without falling asleep though. It was all I could do not to drool uncontrollably.
She told me it was all for O.W.L.S., a test all fifth years had to take at the end of the year. All the fifth years were freaking out about it and studying late and everything. I was even having trouble keeping up with the work load and I already knew everything. Hermione was going insane about scheduling everything and I had deduced by now that she was insanely smart and one of the top kids in our year. I liked her.
Ron and Harry were less homework-ly responsible though, always staying up extra late because they had procrastinated and had simply watched as Hermione and I completed our work. Ron was making the excuse that he was busy with Quiddich which I noticed Harry frowned darkly at. When I had asked about it, Hermione confided that Umbridge had suspended Harry, Fred, and George with a life-long bane from it after they attacked Malfoy. Huh, guess I wasn't the only one who's popped him one apparently.
I felt for them though. I absolutely loved Quidditch and was a pretty decent Chaser. I had splurged on a Nimbus 2000 a while back and had practiced when I wasn't studying. I hadn't joined my old schools team though; every body on that team was a complete idiot on a broom.
Ron was apparently a Keeper and Ginny the Seeker since Harry got banned. The team was hurting since they had to switch people around and recruit new people who rode like they had never seen a broom in their life. The one practice I went to, I was wincing almost constantly at the horrendous seizure that Jack Sloper called flying. How he managed to get on the team as Beater was astounding. I toyed with the idea of trying out, it couldn't do much harm right? Plus, I knew that the team could be great again if things were changed up a bit. Jack Sloper was definitely a hindrance.
Ron was a pretty good Keeper except for his whole confidence problem. I completely understood though. I liked Ron though, he was chill. And even though I had known the three for about four days, I could definitely tell that something was up between Ron and Hermione... Believe me, it was only a matter of time.
Today started slow though. I had Care of Magical Creatures first thing and I was non-too excited. Don't get me wrong, I loved Hagrid already. Sure we was a bit off kilter with his Danger Factor but otherwise like a big cuddly bear. A very, VERY big one. Even though Hagrid was chill, Care of Magical Creatures was a bit tough for me. The creatures that we were working with all seemed to have a sixth sense and immediately knew what I was.
They all shied away from me or went berserk when I passed too close. Hermione noticed and I was forced to pass if off as I didn't work well with animals (which is ironic considering I was one practically). Fang, Hagrid's dog, on the other hand, loved me. He always sat by me in class and drooled over my robes. I couldn't get angry at him though; he was way too cute. The fact that he was close to 180 pounds and practically reached my ribs considered. Another reason why I liked him was because I knew that he knew what I was but didn't shy away from me like the other animals. He liked me for me and I was only too happy to pet him all class.
Hagrid seemed to know about my condition though since he didn't push me to associate with the animals and was content to let me pet Fang and take notes just by observation. I heard a girl from Slytherin complain loudly at this and I was rudely reminded that I had yet another class with Draco Malfoy who seemed to find my situation suspicious. I wasn't too worried though. He can't pin anything on me just because animals don't seem to like me much- Fang excluded.
So back to where I started, I had Care of Magical Creatures first thing this morning. Hagrid said he had something special today but I highly doubted it was something dangerous. Ron and all them had informed me that Umbridge had been on Hagrid's case about showing creatures that were too dangerous for students so Hagrid was going to have to tone down the threat of death. I walked with Harry, Ron, and Hermione to class, the grass tipped with frost and the clouds thick with snow. It had yet to start blizzarding. I couldn't deny that I was excited for snow; being from Oregon, specifically in the Willamette Valley, we don't get too much snow.
As I was contemplating the sad fact that we got no snow, the group and I found ourselves outside Hagrid's house with a few kids mulling around. We were a bit early so we had to wait around a bit before class started and everyone seemed to appear at once. Hagrid trudged up from the forest and grinned at the class half-heartedly.
"I got sumtin' speciel for ya' terday." he rumbled, though looked throughly put-off. With a quick smile in Hermione and the boys and I's directions, he turned and started trudging back into the forest. With a quick glance at one another, the group and I were the first to follow him, encasing ourselves in the dark woods. The rest of the class followed quickly behind as if keeping up with us would save them.
Inside the woods was dark, damp, and wonderful. I knew I should be a bit nervous because of what roamed in said woodland but I wasn't. I was with friends and was pretty sure I could protect myself at least enough to get away. The bright morning sun dappled the ground of thick needles and damp earth, which muffled our footsteps. There was creaking of oaks swaying gently in the breeze and the rustling of branches. Off in the distance every so often I would spot a flash of a dark something as it made it's way between the trees.
I breathed in deeply, taking in the smell of pine, wet earth, water, and life. The air smelled like snow even though there wasn't any on the ground but it was still enough to increase my excitement for snow. There was a stillness in the air and it was like the forest or world was holding it's breath in wait for the first fat snow flake to drift from the pregnant sky.
Absolutely wonderful.
When I breathed in again after brushing my hand across a low hanging branch, the scent of pine increased and seemed to tickle at my memory, saying I should remember it. Where had I smelt pine recently?
Fred.
That was right. When he had hugged me, he smelled like pine among other things. For some reason I couldn't understand, I took another deep breath of pine, smiling faintly at the memories of bright orange hair, blue eyes, and freckles.
I was so caught up in the scent that I hardly realized that Hagrid had stopped. When I peered around him, I was stuck momentarily speechless by what I saw but I heard gasps from the group behind me.
In front of us was a large clearing with a brook running happily through it. The clearing was filled with flowers of all different colors and sizes and scents... Dancing all through the clearing were curious specks of golden light that had something funky around them.
You know on a hot day when you look ahead and you see heat waves? Where the scene is wavy and distorted? A similar effect surrounded the golden lights as they danced.
"Anybody kno' 'hat they 're?" asked Hagrid, catching sight of our faces. Hermione instantly raised her hand.
"Cherubim. Small, human-esk creatures that have wings and help humans with certain things like finding love." she explained. Hagrid nodded and awarded ten points to Gryffindor at which Draco scoffed. There was a lull of sound and distantly, I heard voices.
There was a song that was whispered on the peaks of the breeze. It swirled around in happy little tunes that played on the edge of your consciousness like a white noise that you didn't notice unless you sought it out specifically. It was like the babbling of a stream or echo of a child's laugh and made you smile faintly at it.
I wasn't aware that I was moving though until I was several steps ahead of the group with Hagrid looking at me quizzically. Nobody said anything though but by the time I got to the edge of the flowers, I didn't care.
I stepped into the meadow and was instantly swimming in various flowery scents that mingled together and smelled like a warm bath with flower petals. It brought any sense of coldness out of me and took in a tingly warmth that spread to the tips of my toes and fingers in delicate curls of heat. The golden flecks stilled for a moment before resuming their dance as one of them broke away from the pack and floated distantly over to me, as if regarding me curiously.
Without my own accord, my hands raised themselves to cup the air before me. The golden light swirled around me for a second before oh-so dreamily floating towards my hands. As it got closer I got a better look at that. The shimmering, distorting waves cleared a bit and I saw a tiny person, no bigger than my hand, swishing delicate sparkling wings as it flew ever closer to my open palms.
The cherubim was pink and golden with sharp angles that shimmered. The head was round and ended in a point with no hair, just more shimmering dust. The eyes were huge and dark, a kind of midnight purple. They were staring intently at my hands.
Then, it landed on my open palms with tiny, warm feet. The effect was instant and multiple things happened at once.
The other golden lights drifted forward and swirled and tumbled around us. The wind picked up and it circled around me like I was standing in the middle of a small tornado. The wind whipped at my waist-length ebony hair and swirled it up and above my head as my robe and other clothing were caught up to. I couldn't stop staring at the cherubim though.
It reached its arms out to me, towards my face and I brought it slowly closer. As I brought my arms in, the wind grew faster and faster and the song I had heard earlier was beginning to grow louder and louder, the golden dots of the other cherubim still swirling.
When I had my arms clutched close to my chest, the cherubim looked at me softly before placing its hands on my cheek bones and forehead to mine. In an instant, the wind stopped and I was distantly aware that my hair and clothing drifted around me slowly as if I were floating in water.
My vision slowly faded and I heard a little voice speak in my mind, like a feather brushing against my skin. I wasn't afraid though, no, I felt completely and utterly safe.
You're a special one... It said, in a voice that was quiet and childlike in innocence.
Veela and werewolf. How you will be plagued. Yet blessed. For you will find a love where none have been more true. It spoke again, the voice rising in power.
How is it a blessing? Where will I find someone who will love...this, me? I asked, stringing together words from my subconscious. I felt a small light appear in my chest; I knew it was smiling.
You may not understand now, but have patience, little one. Look where there are two, there you shall find your answer... The little voice drifted away and I felt a pang of sadness at its loss. Slowly my vision returned to me and I saw that my hair and clothing were no longer floating around me and all the little globes of light were gone. Except for the one in my hand.
It took its forehead away from mine and kissed me on my cheekbones on both sides, a fiery sensation erupted from the spots, then it pulled back. It looked at me for a second before winking and slowly disappearing. Just vanished on the spot leaving two little footprints of golden dust.
I was at a loss for second, faintly disoriented by the recent events. Then, hearing a rustling behind me, turned around and saw Hagrid was making his way towards me with a slightly panicked look on his face.
"Yeh alrigh'?" he said as he finally got to me. He put his large hands on my shoulders and looked over me, inspecting for injuries of any kind. I grinned for some reason in a great mood.
"Yes, Hagrid, jeez," I rolled my eyes while smiling to show him I didn't mean any disrespect, "I swear I'm completely fine. Utterly in perfect health." I didn't count the fact that I had werewolfdom to hinder my health. Hagrid gave me a skeptical look before nodding slightly and ushering me back to the group, muttering something under his breath.
Every body looked shocked, a bit scared to be honest, yet Hermione looked absolutely intrigued. I made my way back to Harry and Ron and Hermione while Hagrid tried to get the class back on topic. They seemed to be buzzing about what happened, which didn't seem too much of a big deal to to me. I mean, it's important for me and all but for them? All they saw was a classmate interact with a creature.
Once I got there, Hermione yanked me close to her, "What was it like?"she demanded, an excited look in her eyes. I grinned and recounted everything to her, except for some of the things the cherubim had mentioned, for instance, me being a werewolf and veela. She didn't need to know about that just yet, if ever. She beamed when I had finished and seemed to be examining everything in a scholarly like mode.
"That's so romantic, Ariel." I just shrugged and turned back to the boys who had been staring at us for a while, trying to hear what we had been saying. Hermione linked arms with me and we walked back to them.
They shot us questioning looks but didn't say anything as Hagrid had taken on a strict (and probably rare for him) tone that made the rest of the classes chatter die out. He smiled, as if pleased by himself, and continued to talk about the cherubim, still making it clear he thought little about them (probably based on their dangerous factor which was practically nonexistent). His attitude sent a wry grin around my group but we continued to listen dutifully.
And the rest of the class pretty much passed like that. All in all, it was a pretty normal day for me and I appreciated it since normal days are kinda nice when you have the looming stress of being a werewolf over your head.
Slept through History of Magic, spaced out through (and ignored the many pleas from Professor Trewlany to wash my watch since it apparently was going to explode soon) Divination; and actually had fun in Herbology. I stuck with Neville pretty much during that class and he was a pretty cool guy and seemed to know a lot about the subject (no wonder Professor Sprout loved him).
I was currently lounging in the Common Room with Hermione since we had taken the time to finish our homework earlier while Ron and Harry were struggling with the many essays that had piled up from their procrastination. It had been a nice day and the sky seemed that much closer to a blizzard; I could smell it.
A multitude of people were hanging out in the common room but the majority of them were working on homework of some kind or another.
Currently, I was whooping Hermione's ass in Wizarding Chess. It was hard at first but it became clear that while Hermione was astounding book-wise, strategy was not her thing. Ron had been complaining loudly about how we couldn't face off. They had told me about how Ron had almost never lost and was the current reigning champion between them.
I planned to take over.
As I was completing my check-mate move (which Hermione cursed loudly at; shocking both Harry and Ron- she had gotten very into it...), the Common Room portal opened again, the Twins coming through, carrying a large box each. They trudged over to a table in the back, directly behind the couch I was sitting on, and dropped their burdens with a sigh. Both of them were grinning madly and shot each other sly looks every few seconds. I got curious; plus I kinda wanted to talk to Fred again, but that was hardly my motivation. Really.
Slipping up from the couch as Hermione was demanding a re-match and setting up for another game, I silently (since my combat boots were long forgotten by the couch) walked over to the Twins as they poured over the contents of the boxes, hiding them from view with their bodies. Standing close behind them, I raised to my tippy-toes to look over their shoulders but was sadly cut-off from view as my 5' 6" form could not look over their shoulders. They may not be as tall as Ron but they were still pretty damn tall.
I tried again, my feet straining with the effort, then realized that I could smell Fred again. The pine and apples and cinnamon swirled around my senses in wonderful curls. It was familiar already and irristable. Frowning, I realized that I had never been so effected by Fred's smell before. It seemed stronger and that much more nice. Normally my senses didn't increase until the week of the full moon; so what had happened?
Brushing off Fred's scent and dropping back flat footed to the floor (my feet were starting to cramp) I finally made my presence known since they had both been too occupied with the boxes to notice me.
"So, whatcha doin'?" I asked, making them jump and curse loudly.
"Bloody hell! You scared us, Ace!" George said, grabbing his chest as if I had induced a heart attack. Fred was leaning against the table, breathing loudly and theatrically, putting on a show about being startled. I just rolled my eyes and grinned at the nickname.
"So?...," I prompted, eager to know what, in fact, they were doing, "Are you gonna tell me?" My curiosity had always been a problem but I couldn't help wanting to know things, especially when people were making such a big show about it.
Fred and George shared a look as if having a mental conversation. I saw Fred tilt his head in a "Come-on" look with which George responded with a "Still-you-can-never-be-too-careful" kind of expression. It was amusing.
Finally, after Fred had sent a "logical-argument" face to George, they looked back to me simultaneously and saw that I had been watching them avidly. They both blushed a bit. It was cute since they both had gotten the tiniest bit pinker while still grinning wickedly. Fred worked it very nicely.
"What we are about to tell you is in the strictest of confidence-"
"So strict," George continued, "that we can't do it here, where others might over-hear." He said others like a dirty word.
"But you guys were just working on them in plain sight; does it really matter if people over-hear when they could've just looked over and figured out what you guys were working with?" I pointed out, tapping my nose with my index finger (a habit I had when I thought about something). Their wicked smiles dropped a bit before Fred coughed and told me that was beside the point.
After that little event, they both turned around again, shuffling with the boxes which I assumed meant they were closing them, before picking them up and pushing me with said boxes towards the portal door.
"Wait, wait. I need shoes, dummies."
They sighed heavily and stopped pushing me, sending identical looks of exasperation to each other like I was causing a great annoyance with my need of footwear. As I walked back to the couch and grabbed my shoes, I turned to Hermione, who's nose was stuck in a book called "The Art of Strategy". Figures.
"Hey, I'll be back in a bit, then we can have a re-match." I finished tying my boots and stood up, Hermione, still focused on the book, merely nodded. I grinned, knowing that I could say something completely outrageous and she'd be still so into the book that she wouldn't even notice. I sent a small wave to Ron and Harry, both of whom grunted noncommittally.
Making my way back to the Twins, I noticed that Fred had his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbow. I stopped, staring at his forearms. The muscles beneath his skin were tense and and taunt; moving nicely as he shifted his box. It made my breath catch and I couldn't help but watch as they moved again after he had settled the box into a manageable hold. Quiddich, even though he had been off it for a while, had done wonders for his forearms. I couldn't help but stare, really. I had a thing for muscles.
A laugh from George brought my attention back from Fred's muscles unfortunately. I finally started walking again, reaching them quickly.
"Jeez, took you long enough. Let's get going before I turn into a crippled old man." George said sarcastically before walking over to the portal obviously trying to withhold another smile.
Fred gave me a grin, "Sorry about that. I'm the patient, caring, good-looking, romantic, smart, and irristable one."
"Obviously the modest one too." I winked at him before following George out of the portal. With my hearing, I noticed it took Fred a few seconds to start after me. Weird. Anyway, I caught up to George and a few seconds later, Fred too. They both took the lead and I followed them, laughing as they cracked joke after joke. Upon walking for a few minutes (note: this castle was HUGE) I found myself staring at a blank wall while motioned for me to stay there.
They then proceeded to walk back and forth in front of said blank wall, a look of (I assumed) rare concentration on their faces. After the third walk about, I opened my mouth to ask what they were doing but stopped when a large, ornate doorway melted from the smooth wall-face. George 'ah-ha!'ed accomplished. Turning back to me, they smirked at the surprise on my face which I quickly wiped off, much to their amusement.
"Can you get the door?" Fred asked after he and George had stopped chuckling. He made a motion with the box towards the door and I had to avert my eyes quickly from him as the motion made the muscles in his arm glide and tense under the skin. Nonetheless, I made my way over to the door and pulled it open to reveal a potion classroom-esk room.
"This is called the Room of Requirement. Whatever you need, it pops up with. All you have to do is walk in front of it three times thinking about what you need, like a bathroom or something, and it appears fit to your requirements. We need a room where we can make potions." George explained as he and Fred walked in and placed their boxes on an empty table.
"Why?" I asked as I examined a jar filled with a purple liquid. There was an eye in the center that watched me. It was disturbing to be honest.
"Because we make stuff that involves potions. See, we make candy and stuff for pranks and jokes. We're planning to start a shop so we've been making various products. These boxes," George motioned to their previous burdens, "are filled with a new line we've been working on since we perfected the others."
Something clicked in my mind, "That's what Hermione was talking about." I recalled my first day here when Hermione had been angry at the Twins for selling their merchandise. They didn't say anything but shared a look that told me that Hermione ragging on them was nothing new.
"So what have you perfected?" I asked, honestly curious. Waiting for their answer, I hopped up onto a desk and leaned back on my arms. Their faces split into huge grins as they opened one on the boxes and pulled out various items. Hurrying toward me, they stopped and began to present the objects one by one.
"This," Fred started, "is a Canary Cream. It transfigures the consumer into a huge canary but it only lasts a few minutes. They molt after the alloted time and return to normal."
"Another is the Fainting Fancy. It renders the consumer unconscious until someone feeds them the antidote." George held out a small lump of chocolate that looked seemingly harmless. They went on to describe a multitude of others like Ton-Tongue Toffees, Puking Pastilles, Nosebleed Nougats, and Fever Fudge; among many others. I was deeply impressed.
"This is incredible guys. I mean, with all the complex magic and potions, not to mention how they're all completely harmless- for the most part- but the fact that you guys thought about all of these, successfully made them, and made sure they were safe for consumption is astounding. I never knew you guys were so... dedicated. I am completely floored and pretty envious." I gushed, meaning all of it. My face was a huge smile. These little treats were amazing and I could see that George and Fred had taken a lot of time and effort to make them. I may not know them well, but I felt proud of Fred and George.
They both grinned at my praise before putting all the candies back in the open box.
"So what are you working on now? Since you completed the candy line that is."
"Our Wonder Witch line, complete with love potions and Ten-Second Pimple Remover." George reached in the second box and pulled out a pink bag.
"And Pygmy Puffs; though we're having some problems with this." Fred reached in and pulled out a round puff of something that couldn't seem to stay one color. Instantly, I shot off the desk and propelled myself towards the little puff. I stopped close to Fred so examine the puff further, noting in the back of my mind that Fred's scent was once again curling in my senses, bringing a small blush to my cheeks for some reason. I pushed it out of my mind and focused on the adorable little puff.
"Awwwwwwwwww!," I cooed, "It's so cute!" The little puff was a bit smaller than my palm and drifted from color to color in a never ending pattern. Its eyes were two little black dots nestled in the fluff.
I held out my hands to Fred, looking at him eagerly. He seemed taken back for a second before placing the little puff gently in my hands. Instantly, it made a little pip and rolled around in small circles, soft fluff tickling my palms. It made me giggle.
Fred and George looked shocked when I glanced at them, making my smile drop a bit as I took in their expression.
"What?" I asked, a bit nervous. Was I hurting it? Did I do something wrong? All I did was hold it in my palms...
"It's never made a sound before. All it's done was sit there and change color. It's not even supposed to do that!" George said. Fred looked equally as shocked but had narrowed his eyes in thought after a second. He and George started talking at once.
"Is it cause she's a girl?"
"No, we let Katie hold it and it still did nothing."
"Why her then? What did she do?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's something about her."
"But she's not any different from anybody else." I paled a little and took a step back from them as they discussed; this was coming too close for comfort. Instead, I focused my attention on the little puff still peeping and rolling around in my hands, contemplating it.
Could it sense what I was? How could it? And why would it react so happy to me being dangerous if it could? The questions made me frown a bit. George noticed.
"Hey, what's wrong?" George frowned too, confused at my change of emotion. Fred noticed to a put an arm around me. I stiffened but he didn't notice. His arm was warm, firm and heavy across my shoulders, palm burning through my shirt as he rubbed my arm. I caught his smell once again and closed my eyes, taking it in for a second.
"I'm not exactly completely normal, though..." I started, deciding that I could risk telling them I was a veela at least. I wanted to help them with this, to help fix the Pygmy Puff line. Them knowing I was part-veela wouldn't do any harm, much less make them stop being my friends. They both seemed honestly concerned.
"What do you mean?" Fred asked, squeezing me comfortingly. I opened my eyes and continued to stare at the Pygmy Puff. It had stopped rolling but peeped encouragingly, making a small smile appear on my face.
"See, I'm part-veela. A quarter actually. Maybe the puff is responding to that." There was silence.
"That's why she's so bloody hot!" Fred exclaimed, dropping his arm from my shoulder but throwing it up in the air like he had just figured out the meaning to life. He stopped mid-motion though as what he just said registered in his brain. I thought it had been silent before but now you could hear a pin drop.
Then, after a second, George and I bust up laughing; George clutching his sides and me wiping tears from my eyes. Fred had blushed crimson and the tips of his ears were blazing red. It was adorable.
"Shut up!," he pouted, "You thought she was hot too!" He pointed an accusing finger towards George who nodded, accepting the accusation.
"Yeah, but I didn't just scream it to the world. Way to embarrass yourself, mate." I was still laughing and my cheeks were beginning to hurt from the wide smile that had appeared on my face. Fred refused to look at me but couldn't stop the corners of this mouth from twitching as he tried to withhold a grin.
I put the Pygmy Puff in George's hand, at which point it instantly stopped peeping and rolling around, before turning and wrapping my arms around Fred's torso, admittedly still giggling a little bit. I managed to hold my full out laughter though; I didn't want to hurt his feelings.
"It's okay," I told him, "That outburst was very...endearing. I now understand what you meant by 'the romantic one' among other adjectives." He just laughed a bit and returned my hug, long arms wrapping around my body.
"Wait! He said he was the romantic twin right? And among other things! Ace, you gotta realize that he's lying! I'm obviously the better twin!" George was outraged and continued ranting as I pulled away from Fred, reluctance shooting up quizzically. Me and him laughed a bit at George who had stopped ranting and glared teasingly at Fred. Fred no longer was beat red but there was still a distinct tint to the tips of his ears.
George placed the puff back in a small cage in the box, making a small frown appear as I said a mental good-bye to the puff. It was so cute and I wanted to hold it again but it was Fred and Georges and I guess I would have to wait until they had fixed the line so I could buy one.
Admittedly I felt a bit guilty that I hadn't told them the whole truth about myself but it was nice to have them know at least something about me that I didn't have to with-hold anymore. They continued packing up and soon had both boxes ready to go but were moving over to an empty cauldron, taking out a sheet of paper. I took this as a queue to start moving towards the door seeing as I had found out what I had come here for. Checking my watch, I saw I had just enough time to get back to the Common Room before curfew if I managed to get there without getting lost.
"Where are you going?" George had been in the process of taking multiple jars off one of the shelves when he saw that I had made my way to the door and was in the motion of pulling it open.
"The Common Room? I want to get back before curfew." Quizzically, I cocked an eyebrow, wondering what he meant.
"Aren't you gonna help us? I hear you're pretty good in Potions when Snape isn't dropping your samples." Fred remarked, still looking at the piece of paper. I was a bit startled that they had expected my help. I thought they had just confided in me since I had asked, not wanted me to help them with their potions.
"Er- I'd love to, but I promised Hermione I'd play her again in chess. And she doesn't take too well to people lying." They nodded, understanding. I really did want to help but with the promise of the re-match with Hermione and the risk of getting caught after curfew, I decided that some other time would be better.
"I'll help you sometime though; I promise. It sounds like fun." I finished honestly. I meant it too. Hanging out with Fred and George was fun and made me forget the full-moon threat. It was nice not to have to worry for a time. The fact that they also wanted to include me in the creation process told me that they genuinely liked me and trusted me. How I accomplished that in four days astounded me but I had the feeling it had something to do with me punching Draco Malfoy.
We said our good-byes and I felt the Room of Requirement, feeling excited that I would be able to help them. It didn't take me long to get back to the Common Room but I still ended up cutting it really close. After entering with a minute to spare, Hermione instantly bombarded me and forced me to start playing chess with her, telling me all about how she was going to beat me using proven techniques.
I ended up crushing her worse than before. I fell asleep with a smile on my face and knew that this school year (or at least the last half) was going to be completely and utterly amazing.
