Quidditch meeting was over and I am honestly beat. As I lay in bed after wishing goodnight to the girls, my train of thoughts led back to what happened earlier.
Oh Merlin, I cannot believe that happened. I pulled the covers over my head, this is too weird. Fred's my best friend.
It was just an accident, never meant to , that's it. But why did I kiss back when he moved his lips? It was probably instinctive, yeah…You all must be wondering why I am frustrated over the kiss when I said I don't bother. Of course I bother, which normal girl doesn't? I only said so to stop Fred from probing in.
He has such nice lips…wait Sam stop! It was an accident, end of story. Oh whatever, I shouldn't think too much and get some sleep...
In about fifteen minutes, the match against Hufflepuff is about to start. And what do you know, the weather did not turn out for the best. It is cloudy, windy and probably stormy later on too.
Oliver is giving us one prep talk before we start, everyone got into position when Madam Hooch arrived and the match started as soon the whistle is blown.
Five minutes into the game came the torrential rain. Angelina, Alicia and I are at distress, trying our best to get hold of the Quaffle when we could hardly see with the rain continuously pouring down.
Even if we got possession of the Quaffle, it was difficult to follow the formations created in practice without being able to see properly. I can only now distinguish teammates through colour of robes.
"Sam!" I heard Angelina shouted. I barely managed to catch the Quaffle, wiping my hands on my drenched quidditch robes, I grabbed my broom and tried to fly nearer to the hoops.
My face broke into a small smile when I could see the hoops nearing, but that smile disappeared immediately when a bludger sent by a Hufflepuff beater came straight at me at lightning speed. I bent down at first instinct and was prepared for the impact.
Nothing came, I straightened up and saw Fred.
"Couldn't let it hurt you, love." He winked and flew off. I smiled appreciatively for a second and went ahead to score Gryffindor's sixth goal.
The whistle blew for a ten minute break, and all of us flew down to the grounds near our changing room. The first to reach, I grabbed the big towels and gave out to the members who arrived one by one.
"Harry, we need you to get the snitch fast." Oliver said.
I gave a small sneeze and was pulled by Fred to share the towel. He was soaking wet with his long hair covering his face that I pushed out of the way.
"I am trying, but I cannot see well with these." Harry took off his glasses. Like an answered prayer, Hermione came dashing through the stands and placed a water repelling charm on Harry's glasses.
Harry assured us that he could see better now, and everyone on the team gained some sense of hope. A few minutes more and the match will resume. A sudden bright of lightning flashed and thunder roared loudly, I buried my head in Fred's chest for a moment. One ear bud was stuffed into my ear by George who came to Fred and I.
"Thought you might need it." He smiled and placed the other bud in my other ear. I could not really hear much, but decided to really on my sense of sight to the fullest.
Seeing the rest of the team take flight is my cue to do the same thing too. Around five minutes later, I saw everyone flew down immediately and similarly did so. Turns out Harry encountered a dementor and fell off his broom and went unconscious after that.
Hufflepuff won as Cedric Diggory caught the snitch but none of the team could care less at that moment as we accompanied Harry to the hospital wing.
"You two alright?" I asked the twins who both nodded.
I shut my eyes for a moment, face-palming as the event drained me about three-quarter of my energy. I was pulled into a hug by Fred who saw my tiredness, with George patting my head. I hugged him back and sink my head into his wet robes, taking a moment of rest.
"Harry's awake." Lexi who came to see Harry along with Hermione and Ron of course announced.
"What happened?" He murmured.
"You fell." Lexi answered.
"The dementors are not supposed to be on school grounds, Professor Dumbledore is furious, he sent them back to their posts." Hermione informed.
"Harry, when you fell, your broom sort of fell into the Whomping Willow." Ron showed him the broken bits of his broom.
"The match, what happened?" He asked. There was a slight pause.
"Hufflepuff won. Diggory got the snitch." George said. Harry's face was overwhelmed with guilt.
"He caught the snitch, and only then he looked back and realized you fell. He wanted a re-match, he said the circumstances were unfair. " Fred added.
"But they won fair and square, even Wood admitted it." George added.
"No one blames you Harry."Alicia said, earning agreeing nods from the rest.
"Where is Wood?" Harry asked after taking in all information.
"In the showers, probably trying to drown himself." George answered. Catching Harry's guilty look, I spoke up.
"I am sure he does not blame you, Harry. He will be alright." Harry gave an appreciative nod and we left him to rest.
The team sent Katie to work her charm and rescue the captain from possible drowning.
All of us were too tired to speak, and decided to head back to Gryffindor tower and rest. Even though all of the team was tired, we couldn't really rest fully due to the fact we lost. Our chances of winning the Quidditch cup was slim if we could not even beat Hufflepuff.
Wearing a big sweater and gym shorts, I went down to the common room to get a glass of water. I saw George frowning by the fireplace on a couch and went to tap him on the right shoulder.
I ducked down and went to the left side of the couch, seeing him turn to his right.
"Boo!" It did not shock him like I wanted but it made him smile.
"Hey Sam." He ruffled my wet hair.
"Hey. Where's Fred?" I took a spot next to him on the couch.
"Sleeping. Why? Want to see him badly?" He wriggled his eyebrows.
"No." I slapped his arm.
"Why would you say that?" I added.
"Oh no nothing. So…" He dragged.
"So…?" I mimicked.
"You and Fred seem closer these days." He started.
"Really?"
"Don't you think?" He asked back.
I thought about it, yeah we hugged more often, we hang out more often and don't mind being close to each other. But that is what best friends do right?
"Yeah. I guess so we are closer." I answered.
"Not to mention you two slept together." He said, earning a few looks from others in the common room.
"No we did not!" I slapped his arm again.
"Okay maybe we did literally." I added and emphasized the word, literally.
I started to have a flashback.
The Saturday two weeks ago when Sirius Black broke into Hogwarts and apparently scared the Fat Lady away, the whole Gryffindor house had to spent the night in the great hall.
Grabbing my sleeping bag, I found a spot quickly to rest since there was a Hogsmeade visit earlier in the morning.
The spot I got was between Lexi and Hermione. I quickly lay in my sleeping bag, doing stretches as well. Weird of me but yeah…
I suddenly felt myself being dragged and groaned.
"What the hell?" I popped my head out of the sleeping bag. I saw myself facing someone's feet and climbed out of my bag.
"Hey…" I looked front to see Fred grinning sheepishly.
"What was that for?" I tried kicking him.
He placed my sleeping bag the correct way and gave it a pat.
I gave him an unimpressed look and slid into the sleeping bag.
"You know if you want to sleep beside me, you could just ask." I grunted.
"You know dragging is better, and I could do with some extra exercise with some heavy weight." He replied.
"Are you implying I am heavy?" I fakely gasped. Fred just shrugged.
I punched him in the arm which made him gave a cry of pain, wimp...
"Maybe I should gain more weight to let you train up that weak arm." I sarcastically commented.
"Stop fighting you lovebirds, people need to sleep." Lexi groaned beside me. I looked to see half of the house still wide awake.
"We are not lovebirds! And the only people needing to sleep is probably you." I retorted.
"Tch." Lexi turned over to face Hermione and sleep. I turned to see Fred grinning goofily.
"What?"
"We are lovebirds..." He goofily said.
"It's coming from Lexi, don't take it seriously." I poked his forehead.
"Since we are lovebirds, shouldn't we be sleeping in the same nest together?" He wriggled his eyebrows and gestured me to sleep with him in the same sleeping bag.
"Perve." I went to sleep.
In the middle of the night, something woke me up. I was unsure what it was and went back to sleep. Tossing and turning, I knew something was up and I could not put my mind to rest.
I grabbed my wand; ten inches, phoenix tail feather core and made of oak wood.
Maybe I should check things out while going to the bathroom.
"Lumos."
Inching my way to the nearest bathroom, I had to apologised to the portraits I have woken up because of the light coming from my wand.
Finishing up my business, I went to the sink to wash my face. As I look up, I saw a man with buck teeth and long, sharp nails in the mirror in front of me.
I let out a short scream, raising my wand up in defence.
"Who's there?" I asked. Nobody answered.
"I don't know who you are, but fair warning, I am really good at curses." I trembled slightly, holding my wand with both hands. Nobody responded again.
After minutes of silence, I decided it's best to return to the great hall.
Muttering apologies as I lit my wand and made my way back, my heart felt it was racing a thousand miles per hour.
My head turned back as I heard a noise from where I am, it must be the same person from the bathroom. Wand at ready, I opened up my senses to find out what is lurking in the school corridors.
What if it is Sirius Black, he broke into the castle previously, he could still very well be in the castle. Crap, I might be facing a highly sought after criminal...
But then again, the man in the bathroom was definitely not the Sirius Black I have seen on the covers of the Daily Prophet. That man looks seriously creepy and if I am not wrong, very similar to a rat of some sort.
Turning to a sound around the corner, I cast a body bind curse on the moving object that suddenly ran past me.
"Petrificus Totalus!" I slowly walk forward to whatever I might just cursed when suddenly a pat on my shoulder made jump.
I was about to utter a spell when I heard a familiar voice. "Miss James."
"Professor Snape." I placed a hand on my fast beating heart, relieved at least it is a professor.
"What, may I ask you are you doing at night along school corridors?" He asked with his usual sneering tone.
"I was on my way back from the bathroom, professor." I answered.
"Hn. If I am not mistaken, I remember hearing you using a spell moments ago."
"Err...yeah. I think there is someone in the castle tonight, someone not from Hogwarts."
"And who do you reckon that someone is?" He asked skeptically, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't know, Sirius Black? But the person I encounter at the girl's bathroom does not look like him."
"Hn. I shall report it to the Headmaster, so get going." He said in a surprisingly normal tone.
I made my way back to the great hall and was surprised to see Fred and George awake and sitting by my sleeping bag.
"Where have you been?" Fred asked or more like demanded.
"Bathroom." I replied tiredly.
"You alright?" George asked worriedly and I gave a nod.
"You sure? You are sweating. " He use the sleeve of his long sweater to wipe off the beads of perspiration on my forehead.
"Yeah." I reassured him.
"Sorry, I was just worried you might get hurt." Fred pulled me into a tight embrace which made me fell warm and fuzzy all of a sudden. Weird...
"Sam, I know something happened, tell us." George said and I told them about everything.
"That is bloody scary." George commented.
"Which one? Her encounter in the bathroom or that she had a normal conversation with Snape?" Fred asked.
"Both." George answered. I gave a short laugh.
"Anyway, why did you two wake up?" I curiously asked.
"This bloke right here realized you were missing when he stretched his arms and felt nothing beside him on your sleeping bag. He wanted to search the castles for you." George snickered, earning a glare from Fred.
"He woke me up to help him search for you, but I told him to wait here, who knows you might just be going to the bathroom." He continued.
"Well, goodnight. " George gave a yawn and went to sleep on the other side of Fred.
"Goodnight." I repeated and was about to sleep when Fred tug on my arm.
"What?" I see him zip open his sleeping bag and mine, placing both sleeping bags side by side.
"The next time you wake up, at least I will know now." He said.
Too tired to resist, I just joined him. Fred placed an arm around my waist and held me close. Surprised by his actions I whispered, "Fred?" There was no response so I presumed he had already fallen asleep, this bloke sure can sleep within such a short moment. I tried easing into his hold and made myself comfortable.
I could not still sleep however due to the recent things that happened today; Sirius Black breaking in, the person in the bathroom...
I heard movement in the great hall and managed to hear Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape and Percy talking about the Fat Lady and could hear discussing between the Professors about me.I managed to see Harry a few feet away trying to hear into the conversation as well.
The exhaustion from thinking soon take over me as I felt a sense of warmth and protection in Fred's arms.
Waking up to the chatter of students in the morning was unpleasant, I obviously needed more rest from last night. The morning light pierced into my eyes, making me close them immediately.
I tried getting up but failed. I looked to see Fred's arms wrapped tightly around me. That's why.
My eyes widened when I saw the position we were in, we both are cuddling each other in our sleep. My head against his chest while his arms wrapped tightly around my waist.
"Fred? Fred." I tried shaking him awake but to no avail. Trying more several times, Fred is still sleeping like a log.
I wondered, is this how hard my friends try to wake me up? If that is so, I just want to say sorry.
I trying wriggling out of Fred's hold but failed.
"Psst. Anyone help?" I called.
George and Lexi heard my call for help and took no wasted time and whacked the senses out of Fred.
I was thankful for their help but in their process of whacking Fred, I being in his tight hold was being jolted by the whacks they given him.
"Hello? Indirect victim of your forceful whacks here." I said. The both of them shrugged in sync.
"Urgh..." Fred released me, and placed his hands over his back.
I got up and rubbed my eyes, squinting as I take in my surroundings. I was taken by surprise when I felt hands encircle my waist by none other than Fred again and I just ruffled his hair.
"Is he always this clingy?" I jokingly asked George.
"Yeah, he gets a little possessive. He is the more stubborn out of us two." George replied as he winked, I faced to see Fred's semi awake face and felt a smile creeping onto my face for no reason.
"Sam? Sam!" George snapped his fingers in front of me, snapping me out of my flashback.
"Sorry, having a flashback." I shook my head.
"What kind? You were smiling like some girl that is hopelessly in love. That is so unlike you." George scrunched his face in disgust and gave a shudder.
"Really?" I tried to think back, no way...
"Thinking of Freddie?" He grinned.
"You wish." I poked his forehead and went to get a glass of water.
"You know Fred likes you more than you think." He said in a serious tone. He just had to say this when I am drinking.
The water in my mouth came out spitting everywhere and I started choking. My eyes widened as I turned to face George who was giving strong pats on my back. I started coughing and took some time to get a hold of myself.
"Didn't knew you will have a such big reaction. Are you okay?" He gave a pat on my back.
"Why would you say something like that?" I retorted.
"Relax, I am joking." He just grin mischievously like he always did.
"That was not of your best jokes." I coughed.
"See you at dinner later, Sam." George headed for the boy's dorm. I thought back to what he said earlier, what the heck did he meant by that?
George's POV
Looking back and seeing Sam's confused face, I shook my head and sigh. Everyone can apparently see what's going on between Fred and her. How dense can this girl get?
