"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Samantha questioned, trying to find the twins' eyes in the dark. They were in a small nook, pushed up against each other as they waited for their fireworks to go off.
It was New Year's Eve and the twins wanted the new year to start right. Right meaning getting Filch super bloody mad and quite possibly getting detention. They told Samantha it was worth it. She was doubting their words.
"Of course, Samantha. We're at a minute until 1992. Who's ready for the best New Year's Eve ever?" Fred asked.
"I am!" George whispered.
Samantha felt him jump up. A soft giggle escaped from her mouth. "I'm ready."
"Great! Now… ten… nine…"
Samantha heard George mutter the spell to light the fireworks. She held her breath as the twins counted down. "Eight… seven… six… five…"
They peaked out of their nook, the few of the entrance hall making Samantha gasp. Fireworks had been put everywhere. She noticed some of the portraits cringing.
"Four… three… two... ONE! Happy New Year!" all three students screamed as the fireworks started to go off. They watched it for a good minute or two before Filch came fuming around a corner, screaming curses.
Fred pressed the wall behind them with his wand and muttered a word. The wall slid back, showing a secret entrance. The three were a giggling mess as they walked through the walls of Hogwarts.
"Did you see Filch's face?" George asked, clutching his stomach.
"How could we have missed it?" Samantha replied, letting out a new string of giggles.
"Okay, okay, shh, we have to get to the common room as fast as possible." Fred tapped a wall and a corridor came into view. They came out and jogged as fast as possible without being too loud.
"Come now, Mrs. Norris, it had to have been those Weasley twins. We'll guard the portrait so they won't be able to get inside."
Before Samantha knew it, George had pulled her into a nook.
"What are we gonna do?" she whispered. "Where's Fred?"
"I have no idea. And Fred's on the other side. Look."
The two looked out of their hiding spot and saw Fred waving with a cringe on his face from another nook.
Samantha ran a hand through her auburn hair. "Oh man, we're stuck. We're gonna get caught."
George just stayed quiet. After a few minutes, Filch had yet to leave, despite the mess he should be cleaning up in the entrance hall. Samantha slid down the wall and wrapped her robe tighter around her. George sat down next to her and sighed.
"What's that?" George questioned, pointing at her locket.
Samantha ran a hand over the R before opening it and giving the note to George. He read it with a curious expression. "Do you think it's from your dad's family?" he asked, giving it back to her.
It had been bothering Samantha so much, she had thought of almost every single explanation for the locket, but she had a feeling she truly had no idea who it was from.
"I have no clue, George," she answered, placing the note in the locket. "My dad's last name was Jones. This person's last name starts with an R. Maybe it was supposed to go to someone else?"
George nodded. "I guess you'll find out this September."
Samantha's stomach clenched. "I guess so."
Yawning, she leaned her head on George's shoulder and closed her eyes. His warmth lulled her and soon she was asleep.
Samantha watched her father cross his arms, an irritated glare on his face. "What are you doing here?"
She was supposed to be inside the church, with her mother and brother, but she was curious, she wanted to know who the man was.
She couldn't see his face but when he spoke he sounded like a boy. "Come now, Walter, we need to talk."
"No. I never wanted to see you or anyone else ever again. I thought I made that clear?"
The boy shook his head. "Please, Walt. You owe me at least this."
Her father pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing. "Fine. But not here. I'll notify you when it's clear."
"Thank you," the boy said before turning away.
Samantha ran back into the church, wondering who the boy was and why her father owed him.
Filch had gotten tired of waiting around four. He muttered in irritation as he made his way down to the entrance hall, his demon cat following him.
Samantha opened her eyes and stretched. She felt George shivering and she cringed. "Hey," she whispered, shoving him. "We can get into the common room."
George's eyes shot open. "Oh thank Merlin. I'm freezing."
They left their nook and got Fred. The Fat Lady stared at them in shock as they said the password.
"I'll see you two later," Samantha yawned, making her way up to the girls' dorm.
"See you, Sam," Fred said. George waved before they disappeared.
A soft smile crept across her face at the nickname. Despite her better judgment, Fred and George were her friends.
As she laid down in her bed, she remembered her dream and her fatigue disappeared. She stared up at the red curtain as her mind raced.
Was that the boy who'd given her the locket? Who was he? Why did her father never talk about him?
Samantha groaned, throwing an arm over her eyes. She would not be falling asleep anytime soon.
A/N: Hey people! We got the fifteenth chapter here! I'm thinking five or six more chapters of this book (maybe, I'm not quite sure). Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed, and reviewed!