Pamela Hutchins: Thank you for your review! Honestly, I'd nearly given up on this story due to lack of readers and interest. I haven't forgotten about ItR. But maybe it's time to bring this story out of a nearly 7 month long hiatus lol.
A/N: Okay, things are going to get a little steamy in the last bit of this chapter and moving forwards. You know how teenagers can be. Hogwarts students were getting' it. Don't me.
Chapter 7: Off to School
The house was in a frenzy the next morning. None of the boys got up when they were supposed to. Hermione and I already had our things packed and ready at the door when Ginny came out of our room, dragging her trunk behind her. There was suddenly a loud crashing and a scream. Two trunks marked F.W. and G.W. landed on the floor with a deafening crash followed by Ginny. Dearest Grandmother Black began screeching. Molly and Arthur hurried over to their daughter. When Hermione, dad, and I looked up the stairs, we saw the twins running down the stairs, winded. They had bewitched their trunks to fly down the stairs instead of having to carry them down. The heavy trunks crashed right into Ginny and shoved her down the stairs. Dad turned to tug the curtains back over his mother's portrait as Molly screamed at her sons. The sounds were giving me a headache.
"GET DOWN HERE NOW," Molly somehow shouted over Walburga Black's voice. Dad had given up on the curtains. She was bound to start screaming again anyway. Harry and Ron could be heard coming down the stairs, their trunks thumping down behind them. "Finally," Molly crossed her arms over her chest, "Harry will be coming with me and Tonks. Everyone else will be together…." Walburga Black's screaming had not ceased and Molly's patience was wearing thin. She was about to say more when something wet hit my hand. I looked down and saw Snuffles, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. I bent down and scratched between his ears. "Oh, Sirius! Dumbledore said no," Molly scolded him.
With a bark, Molly caved. She pulled the front door open and she, my cousin, Harry, and Snuffles disappeared into the foggy morning. Remus came up behind the rest of our group from the kitchen with Arthur. The two seemed to be in good spirits as Ginny followed, glowering at her older brothers. She went off with Ron, Hermione, and Arthur which left me and the twins to follow Remus. Once the door to 12 Grimmauld Place shut and Walburga Black's screeching was cut off from my ears, I felt much better. Up ahead, I saw Snuffles running around, chasing pigeons and sniffing the free air. I hadn't seen him this happy in a long time. He'd been trapped in that horrible house for too long.
The whole twenty minute walk to King's Cross, I was contemplating how I could tell Fred that I loved him. I could do the sappy thing and do it on a romantic date and – no – that was too cheesy and girly for me. I could just blurt it out? The two of us were casually leaning against the barrier between the platforms waiting for a clear moment to step through. Fred had me close to his side, his chin resting on the top of my head. I looked up at him, making Fred remove his chin and stare down at me. I took a deep breath, about to say how I felt when he kissed me sweetly, stepping back into the barrier. I broke the kiss when I heard the whistle of the Hogwarts Express. Grinning widely, I took Fred's hand and we searched for the others.
"Excited for your last year," I asked casually.
Fred squeezed my hand, "Got big plans, as you already know."
"Oh, sure. I know your joke shop will be a big hit with the students. I don't know when you'll have time for me Mr. Big Businessman," I joked.
To my surprise, Fred stopped walking. He took both of my hands in his, "We're going to find time for each other. I promise you. We'll spend more time together before I leave."
My heart nearly stopped in my chest and then I found myself saying, "Fred, I lo –"
"There you two are!"
Molly rushed passed us and ushered us to the others. Remus and Moody were already saying their goodbyes when Tonks threw her arms around me. Her hair was curly black today. "I miss you already, cuz. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she laughed, looking towards Fred who was shaking my godfather's hand.
"And exactly what wouldn't you do," I teased Tonks, pulling on one of her curls.
"Oh, you know, run off with the love of my life and get knocked up. The usual."
She thumped me on the back and walked away, leaving me stunned. Tonks embraced Hermione and Ginny as my godfather approached me. I hugged Remus who said firmly, "Take care of yourself. O.W.L.s are nothing to slack off on. But I know you'll come out on top."
"Thanks Remus," I smiled fondly.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a blue rectangular pouch. I took the Razzles candy with wide eyes. "Snuffles wanted me to give that to you. I told him they're your favorite." I looked around the group but I could not see the black dog. Harry was missing as well. The last warning whistle sounded and students hurried towards the train. "I know things have been, well, off, since Harry's arrival. But he really does care, you know," Remus sighed. "Snuffles loves you very much. We all do."
"I love him too," I breathed, starting off towards the train. Harry had reappeared next to Molly who was fussing over his hair and hugging him. A big black dog pushed itself between their legs. It jumped up, placing its front paws on Harry's shoulders. Molly looked properly annoyed. When I was at their side, Snuffles jumped down from Harry and nuzzled his head against my leg. I knelt down to eye level with him. Snuffles whined. "We'll see each other soon," I reassured him. The train's engine roared. I threw my arms around Snuffles' neck and whispered into his floppy ear, "I love you, dad."
With a sloppy lick on the cheek, Snuffles barked as Molly pushed me into the train. The door closed behind me and I waved as the train finally started moving. Snuffles bounded along the track, barking wildly as Harry waved to him from the window next to me. Hermione, who was standing behind me, expressed her uneasiness about my dad being on the platform. I just smiled. He hadn't seen proper daylight in months. This little trip was good for him, I could tell.
"Well," Fred rubbed his hands together, breaking the small moment of silence.
"We've got things to discuss with Lee," George smiled wickedly. "See you lot later."
Fred tapped my nose, winking, "And I'll find you when we're done."
The two disappeared down the hall as the train began to gain more speed out of the city. My three friends and I each placed a hand on the wall behind us to keep steady. "Shall we find a compartment, then," Harry looked at us all.
Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance. Ron rubbed the back of his neck, his face slightly red. "Well – we have to go to the prefects' carriage," Hermione told us slowly.
I noticed that Ron couldn't look at Harry. He had found something interesting about the floor as Hermione went on about the instructions they got in their letters. Harry, who was getting much better at masking his feelings, looked indifferent when she explained that they would have to spend the first half of the journey without us. Ron kept fidgeting. We said our farewells for the time being and Hermione dragged Ron off.
Ginny led us down the crowed corridor until we came to the last carriage. Neville met us at the sliding door. He greeted us with a small smile, saying that everywhere else was full. But Ginny pushed open the doors to reveal a young blonde with pleasant blue eyes. She was reading a magazine upside down. Harry and Neville courteously placed our trunks in the storage area above as Ginny and I took seats across from the curious girl.
Luna Lovegood. I had heard about this Ravenclaw; she was supposedly – well – loony. After our introductions, the compartment was quiet. The grey sky outside reflected the mood inside. Luna was reading The Quibbler, giggling to herself often; Ginny had pulled out one of her new schoolbooks, electing to ignore Neville's anxious foot tapping as he rummaged through his bag; and Harry was gazing out the window, probably wishing Ron was with us. Neville made a joyous sound and pulled out a potted plant from his bag. It looked like a grey cactus with large growths on it.
"What is that," I frowned as the thing pulsed.
"Mimbulus mimbletonia," Neville raised the pot up slightly. "It's very rare. I can't wait to show Professor Sprout! It does loads of things! It's got a cool defense system!"
Neville then jabbed the plant. Foul smelling green liquid sprayed out of the growths. Ginny and I squealed as we tried to get out of the way. The liquid got everywhere; Luna's magazine, which she used as a shield, had been soaked and was crumbling slightly, Ginny's hair was drenched in green goo, Neville and Harry got a face full, and I had turned away just in time for it to spray my entire right side. Neville began apologizing profusely, but the damage was already done. The compartment smelled like rancid manure. Ginny who was now smirking at the incident, waved his apology off. She fluttered her wand in the air and had the whole mess cleaned up.
When Ron and Hermione had come back, Harry's mood had worsened. Our friends filled our compartment in on who the new prefects were; Draco and Pansy Parkinson were chosen for Slytherin, Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott for Hufflepuff (Neville perked up a bit at the mention of the girl's name), and Anthony Goldstein and Padma Patil for Ravenclaw. Harry hadn't been paying attention when Ron started coming up with theories as to how Draco was given the position of prefect. I rolled my eyes. I may have disliked my cousin, but even I knew that he had the best marks in his house's year. Ron was in the middle of his complaining when the door slid open. Draco stood with his arms crossed and flanked, as always, by Crabbe and Goyle.
"What do you want," Harry asked rather aggressively. It was the first thing he had said in almost an hour.
"Watch your mouth, Potter, or I'll give you detention."
"We aren't even on school grounds, Draco," I sneered at my uppity cousin.
"Oh? Didn't your little friends tell you? Once the first meeting on the train is over, we prefects have full power to hand out punishments. And, I, being a prefect, can and will punish who I see fit."
"Sure," Harry rolled his eyes. "Prefect or not, you're still a git. So get out and leave us alone."
We all laughed as Draco's face scrunched up. He started to compare Harry to Ron which made me and Hermione stand up, gripping out wands. "Get out," Hermione said.
Draco laughed this time, "Touched a nerve, have I?"
"Hermione's a prefect too. If she says get out, then get out," I growled, stepping closer.
"Is there a problem here?" From behind the Slytherins, Fred stood tall and imposingly. Draco's eyes narrowed. "Or do I have to remind you what happens when you mess with my girl?"
Draco scoffed. He threw one last malicious look at Harry and turned to leave. Crabbe and Goyle pushed passed Fred but Draco stayed. Under his breath I heard him whisper, "You can do better than a blood-traitor, cousin."
Fred, who must have seen my reaction, placed a hand on my cheek. I smiled weakly at him. My friends were looking at the two of us as Luna continued to read, unaffected by anything. Fred announced that he was stealing me away and happily led me out of the compartment. I thought I heard Ginny yell after us and Ron groan in annoyance.
Fred had brought me to the luggage carriage which was devoid of any persons, or so I hoped. Fred walked the carriage up and down, making sure we were actually alone. The grin plastered to his face when he came back to me said it all. Fred grabbed my waist, backing me into a stack of trunks.
"How much time do we have," I whispered breathily as Fred nipped at the flesh just below my earlobe.
"Mmm I'd say ten minutes before someone comes looking for us."
"Perfect," I sighed.
Fred raised his head and his lips were on mine in a sweet kiss. I melted into his arms. He was the only thing grounding me to reality because I could have sworn I was floating. His lips were a little rough and his hands gently slid up my sides. As Fred deepened the kiss, I let him have full dominance. A fire tore through my body like never before. Maybe it was the warmth of his hands on my skin, or maybe it was his tongue that had snaked its way into my mouth. I felt my stomach clench and a throbbing started between my legs, something I hadn't felt before. I pressed my thighs together, trying to stop the throbbing, but that only caused more friction which made me moan in pleasure.
"If you keep on making those noises, love, I won't be able to stop myself from ravishing you," Fred laughed as he pulled away, both of us hot and panting.
I blushed, not able to look at the gorgeous boy in front of me, "Do you want me as badly as I want you right now?"
Fred lifted my chin up. His eyes were darker and more dilated. A large grin tugged at his lips, "Love, I've wanted you since the Yule Ball."
Fred's hand moved from my chin to my shoulder to the top of my breast. His fingers circled around my shirt, cupping the full size of it. A soft kiss was placed on the corner of my mouth. The throbbing between my legs was working overtime. Desire rolled through me in crashing waves. Sensing what I was feeling, Fred's eyes darkened. His free hand rested on my thigh, dipping closer and closer to the spot I wanted him to touch more than ever. At the Burrow and Grimmauld Place, whenever we were alone, Fred and I started to explore more and more of each other. It was nothing more than making out heavily and touching over clothing in case we had to make a quick getaway. But in the luggage carriage, I desired more. Tonks had given me a No-Maj book on sex and sexuality over the summer. Better to be prepared now that you have a boyfriend, she'd told me seriously. So I was well aware of my aroused state. And Fred's, for that matter. I could feel his own arousal on my leg. I was trying not to get too carried away though for we were on the Hogwarts Express and not really alone.
The carriage door opening was the sign that our time together was up. A flicker of annoyance flashed across Fred's face. He took my hand and pulled me behind the luggage columns to wait for the person to pass. When the coast was clear, we made a dash for the door. I giggled at the thought of another successful rendezvous getaway. We walked hand-in-hand back to my compartment. At the door, Fred leaned down and pressed his nose to my cheek, murmuring in my hair, "Until next time, my love."
My face was red as I entered the compartment, squishing in next to Ginny and Hermione. The two smirked into their books. Neville, who was rummaging through his bag, looked up with a sweet smile, "Oh, Cora. We were just about to send someone to look for you."
My face turned as red as the Weasleys' hair.
