Chapter 7

The first week of the term went by in a blur, the teachers dove right into their lessons as if they wanted to teach us everything they possibly could before the students began arriving from other schools next month. Professor McGonagall warned us that because of all of the disruption that was bound to occur in our schedule, it was imperative that we make time to study for our O.W.L. exams on our own time. These were in place of the regular end of term exams at the end of every student's fifth year. Ministry officials were brought in to score you in each subject you've been taking up until this point. Your scores on your O.W.L.'s could determine your future career opportunities, and generally guided the courses you took for the remainder of your magical education.

By Friday afternoon I had already been assigned four essays; one each for Transfiguration, Herbology, History of Magic, and Charms, a month-long star chart for Astronomy, a number chart for Arithmancy, and predictions about the upcoming school year for Divination. Professor Moody had given us a gripping lesson that no one would soon forget, but he hadn't assigned us any homework yet, and for that I was thankful. After my last lesson of the day, Potions with the greasy-haired, long-nosed Professor Snape, I found myself amongst piles of textbooks and rolls of parchment with Charlie on the floor of our common room.

The Hufflepuff common room was round, with low-hanging ceilings, and yellow and black tapestries spaced around the walls. Professor Sprout, our head of house and Herbology teacher, had covered almost every surface and windowsill with plants of every variety that you could imagine. Some were green with long leafy vines, others had giant vibrant colored flowers. A few would even dance and talk if asked very nicely. Spaced evenly throughout the room, overstuffed yellow and black armchairs and love seats were arranged in small groups around low wooden coffee tables. A portrait of Helga Hufflepuff, the founder of our house hung over the honey-colored wooden mantle than encased our one large fireplace.

Charlie had just pushed her Muggle Studies textbook off her lap and stretched her arms above her head. She groaned, "These teachers are trying to kill us I swear. It's only the first week of term for Merlin's sake."

I looked down at the essay I was writing. I'd been staring at the roll of parchment for a little over an hour now and had only written two lines.

"I think Professor Binns would still expect me to turn in this essay even if I was dead," I laughed, thinking of the one teacher at Hogwarts who was a ghost. The rumor is that he died one night, and just got right up the next morning, half transparent, and went about his job, droning on to his students about magical history.

"You're probably right about that," she snickered. "I've never seen the teachers in such a tizzy. Feel like they've got to have everything perfect for the foreign kids."

"I'd imagine it gets a bit boring when you teach the same things year after year. How long d'you think McGonagall's been teaching here? Fifty years?", I snorted. "They're bound to get a little over-excited."

"Suppose any Hufflepuff's will enter into the tournament?" she asked, tapping her quill on her chin.

"I overheard Cedric telling some other sixth years that he plans on entering, but if I'm being honest, our champion will probably be a Gryffindor. Don't know how you'd win with kindness."

"Oh," Charlie mused, "I wonder who it'll be. I wonder if he's cute? I bet he'll be the most eligible bachelor in the school after this is all said and done."

"Oi! What makes you so sure it'll be a guy?" I asked. "I heard Angelina Johnson was planning on entering. I think she'd make a pretty good champion."

"She is pretty good at quidditch," she agreed.

At that moment, several people appeared through the doorway that framed the path back up to the main castle. Cedric, tall and brooding, was flanked by Beatrice Haywood, a thin, lanky seventh year girl with braided blonde hair and a small pointed nose, and Zacharias Smith, a scrawny fourth year boy whom I'd never liked very much. All three of them were carrying their broomsticks.

"Morris," called Cedric cheerfully, "there you are. We've been looking all over for you."

"And the common room was the last place you looked?" I teased.

He grinned but ignored my comment. "The Weasley twins were hoping to play a little pick-up match."

"We told him we'd just play three on three but Fred practically demanded that you be there," said Zacharias coldly. I'd never met a less likeable Hufflepuff.

"They said they wanted to ask Angelina and Potter too," added Beatrice gently, shooting Zacharias a look.

"Yeah, we want you to come. I definitely need you on my team," said Cedric.

I pondered what he meant. Probably just that I was the better of the two beaters on our team, but it felt more significant than that. I looked down at the unwritten essay in my lap and then at Charlie.

"Oh go on," she sighed, waving me away with her hand, "I'll just be here, hating my life."

I quickly gathered my belongings and ducked through the arched wooden doorway into the girls dormitory. I dumped my books onto the patchwork quilt that covered my twin bed, and grabbed my broom from the corner next to my trunk.

Back in the common room, I waved goodbye to Charlie and followed Cedric and the others back up the narrow tunnel to the main part of the castle. When we reached the great oak front doors, I was met with beaming afternoon sunshine and crisp fall air. Birds flitted between the tops of trees that were dropping large orange leaves down to the earth. I shivered as the wind blew and cut through the lightweight long sleeve shirt I had on. I should have grabbed a sweater.

Fred, George, Angelina, and Harry were all already waiting for us down in the green space outside the quidditch pitch. Fred and George looked like they had started trying to bewitch trees to bend into hoops like goal posts, but had gotten distracted and were now sending sticks flying at each other in the air as the other dodged with their broom. Harry was floating a few feet off the ground, watching the twins with a wide toothy grin.

"Oi, you two!" yelled Angelina, pulling her long dark hair into a ponytail. "Are we going to play quidditch or are you just going to keep goofing off?"

Fred and George soared down to land next to her, roaring with laughter.

"Alright then, Johnson," George said to her, "let's get on with it."

"You ready for this, Hufflepuffs?" called Angela as we all mounted our brooms.

"A better question is if you're ready," laughed Cedric.

In unison we all kicked off from the ground and took off. The sun warmed my face and I closed my eyes as I rose into the air. This was my favorite feeling, flying through the air on my broom. As the wind and the world blew past me, it always felt like I was leaving my problems behind on the ground. I opened my eyes and surveyed the Hogwarts grounds. Hagrid's Hut was off to one side, on the edge of the Forbidden Forest; smoke billowing out of the chimney. The black lake was clear and still, with the occasional bubble rising from the surface from what I knew was the giant squid in its depths. Students were lounging in the sun spread all throughout the grass of the grounds. It truly was a beautiful day.

Beatrice and Harry took places in front of opposite goalposts, playing as keepers. Zacharias, Cedric, George and Angelina all played chasers, tossing the old quaffle we kept for these makeshift matches back and forth in an attempt to get it through the goal. Fred and I played a sort of invited defensive position for our respective teams, since we didn't have bludgers or beater's bats.

We both helped our keepers block several shots, but about a half hour into our game, we were up sixty to ten, and everyone was struggling to catch their breath. Fred's hair was windblown away from his face, and his cheeks were pink from the exercise. He looked quite handsome in his light blue sweater embroidered with an F. Angelina got past me and scored on Beatrice because I was too busy watching Fred do a wide sweep on his broom. Beatrice glared at me as I mouthed an apology.

"Keep your head in the match, Morris!" yelled Cedric.

I nodded in acknowledgement and turned my focus back to the Quaffle passing between George and Angelina. Zacharias flew at Angelina, forcing her to make a last minute pass to George that Cedric easily intercepted. He raced back up the makeshift field, but Fred flew at him from his left. He passed the Quaffle back over his shoulder and Zacharias snagged it out of the air. He faked a left and sent the Quaffle sailing through the goalpost while Harry was covering his right side.

The Gryffindors were starting to realize that we were going to beat them. We usually played to one hundred points when we didn't have a snitch to play with, and less than twenty minutes later, Cedric had gotten past Harry again, and we were there. We all landed in a loose circle in the grass.

"Had enough yet?" asked Cedric, dismounting his broom.

"You lot are just lucky we didn't have Potter playing seeker," said Angelina dismissively.

Zacharias scoffed. "You can't honestly claim that your team has any skill if you always have to rely on your seeker. Krum was the best player at the World Cup and Ireland still won."

"Relax, Smith. We were all just having fun," said Cedric forcefully.

Harry looked rather uncomfortable about the whole exchange, and I got the impression that Zacharias was unliked by more than just me. Beatrice was glaring at him and Angelina had her hands balled into fists. Fred and George seemed to be the only ones unbothered.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting a wee bit peckish," said George smoothly.

"We could go up and see about dinner. It's probably getting late," mumbled Harry.

The sun had started to go down over the horizon, and the clouds had taken on a beautiful mix of orange and purple in the west. The group agreed that it was about time to go up and have supper, and we all made our way back up the long path to the castle.

I slowed my pace and distanced myself a little behind the rest of the group. In a few short moments, Fred was at my side, and the familiar butterflies returned to my stomach. The breeze picked up again and reminded me of the season. I was covered in a thin layer of sweat from our match, and a mix of the wind and my nervousness sent a shiver down my spine.

"Are you really cold?" He cocked an eyebrow. "It's only September, it's going to get a lot worse."

"I'm not that cold. But I should have brought a sweater," I admitted.

"Didn't your Mum teach you not to go out without one?" he laughed.

"She'd be so disappointed, honestly," I giggled. I couldn't believe I actually giggled.

Before I could protest, he was pulling his jumper over his head. I would have thought there was no better sight than Fred Weasley in the sky blue sweater that I knew his mum knitted him every Christmas, but Fred Weasley in a white cotton t-shirt nearly buckled my knees. Freckles dotted his long toned arms, and I could see his collar bones peeking out of the slight V of the neckline.

"Here," he said, tossing me the sweater. "Put this on. It's not good to get too cold after you exercise."

"Oh—er—thanks," I stammered, but stopped walking and wedged my broomstick between my knees so I could pull the sweater over my own head. I was immediately assaulted by the sweet smell of cinnamon and burnt hickory wood that I knew they kept in the Gryffindor fireplaces. A small smile crept across my lips.

"Don't mention it," he said, scratching his head, and looking me up and down. "It looks good on you."

"Won't you be cold?"

"It's not much further up to the castle, I can just run up and grab another one. I've got plenty," he laughed. I could have pointed out that it would have been just as easy for me to run and get warmer clothes of my own once we reached the castle, but I wasn't sure I wanted to give his sweater back right away. "Glad you got to play a little?"

"Yeah," I agreed and blushed again, "Thanks for telling them to come get me. Zacharias can be a real git."

"I can't stand that bloke."

"Not sure how he was sorted into a house built on kindness and loyalty," I said coldly. "Seems more like a Slytherin to me."

Fred's shoulders shook slightly as he laughed. We were nearing the doors to the castle now, and I was scrambling to think of a way to extend our time together. It would be quite a statement to sit together at supper, me in his sweater. And I knew he was bound to be cold in short-sleeves. Even indoors it wasn't exactly warm.

Fred slowed his pace substantially as we climbed the stairs up to the front door, and I knew he must be thinking the same thing.

"D'you want to have a little fun tonight?" he stopped just inside the doors and turned to look at me.

"I dunno Weasley," I teased, "I think we might have two different ideas of fun. Will your plan involve risk of expulsion?"

"Risk of expulsion? No," he chuckled, "but there will be definite risk of detention."

I weighed this in my head, and although I'd never had detention before, I might be willing to risk it to see what kind of fun Fred liked to have.

"Oh alright, what did you have in mind?"

"Meet me outside Hufflepuff Basement at eleven," he had started to back away in the direction of Gryffindor tower.

"How do you—" I started.

"And don't get caught!" he called as he started bounding up the stairs.

I smiled to myself, both nervous to break the rules and excited to see what kind of trouble I could get into with him.

In the Great Hall, Charlie was nowhere to be seen, and I guessed that she'd already come up for dinner and retreated back to the common room. I did however spot Ginny sitting with Hermione at the Gryffindor table, and I crossed the room to join them. I leaned my broom carefully against the bench style seat and swung my leg over to sit on Ginny's right side.

"You're going to make me nauseous, honestly," said Ginny, pretending to gag.

"Huh?"

She pointed down at my chest and I was reminded that I was in Fred's oversized sweater. I blushed and crossed my arms in front of my chest, trying to cover the large knitted F.

"I forgot to bring a sweater," I said defensively, "I just got a chill."

"And Prince Freddie just came right to the rescue did he?" she teased.

"Oh leave her alone Ginny, I think it's sweet. Almost like he wants everyone to know," said Hermione.

"There's nothing to know!" I insisted.

"Not yet anyway," Ginny grumbled.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" I asked, slightly annoyed. My obvious crush on Fred hadn't seemed to bother her the last time it was brought up.

"You're my friend," she said matter-of-factly. "No one ever has time for me when my brothers are involved. Hermione isn't even really my friend, she only hangs out with me when Harry and Ron aren't around."

Hemione recoiled as if she'd been slapped. "Is that what you think?"

"I know it is Hermione, you probably only feel bad for me because Harry doesn't like me. It's not like it's exactly comfortable for us to all be around each other. I know you'd rather be with them," Ginny snapped.

"For your information," Hermione pointed a finger at her as she stood up, "I only ever hang out with you because I think you're lovely. I've got plenty of other friends I could spend time with," and with that she turned and stalked out of the hall and up the marble staircase.

"What on earth has gotten into you?" I asked Ginny after Hermione disappeared from view.

"I'm sorry," she hung her head. "I don't know."

We both sat quietly for a moment while I thought about the right thing to say. The answer was fairly obvious, but it was the last thing I wanted to do.

"If you don't want me going after Fred, I won't," I finally said gently.

She shook her head vigorously, "That would be the most horrible, selfish thing I've ever done. I couldn't ask that. I just don't want you to spend all your time with Fred and forget about me."

I laughed, and then immediately felt bad as she sent me a cold look.

"I'm sorry Ginny, but that's ridiculous," I reached out and wrapped her in a tight hug. "You are one of my very best friends. You and Charlie are probably two of my favorite people in the entirety of the world."

"Promise?" she asked quietly. I sometimes forgot how much two years of difference made when we were this young.

"I promise, silly girl," I said, giggling.

She pulled away from me and sighed, "I probably better go after Hermione."

I nodded in agreement and turned to the food on the table in front of me. My stomach was still twisted into knots thinking about seeing Fred after bedtime, and I didn't think I was going to be able to eat much.

"Yeah, I don't think I'm very hungry. I'm probably just going to go and find Charlie; let her pee her pants over my outfit."

Ginny laughed as she stood up, "Good idea. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you," I said, turning and grabbing my broom.

Back in the common room, Charlie had abandoned her homework as well, and was lounging in front of the fireplace with Hannah, Susan, and Claire. For a Friday night, the common room was otherwise fairly empty. A few second years were bent over parchment at tables along the wall. When I entered the room, the girls at the fire all turned to look at me.

"Shut. Up," Charlie's jaw hung open. I grinned.

"Fred Weasley?!" Claire squealed, jumping up and down in her seat.

"Isn't it obvious?" giggled Hannah. "They've been eyeing each other since the Cup."

For the next couple of hours until everyone but Charlie and I drifted off to bed, we gossiped like old ladies. Eventually, the fire burned down to a warm glow, and Charlie yawned.

"You about ready to turn in?" she asked, standing up and stretching her arms out above her head.

I smiled into the dim light. "Actually, Fred's asked me to meet him."

"After hours?" I saw her brow furrow. Charlie wasn't exactly afraid to get into a bit of trouble, but she knew I was.

"It's kind of exciting isn't it?" I couldn't move the grin from my face.

"Where are you going?"

"He didn't say, just said to meet him outside the common room at eleven."

She pondered this for a minute. "Well, you'd probably better get going then. It's nearly time."

My stomach flipped over backwards.

"And I don't care how late it is when you get back," she pointed a finger at me. "Wake. Me. Up. I want to hear all about it."

"Alright, alright," I laughed. "I'll wake you up."

"Good," she said, turning towards our dormitory. "Have fun."

I grinned even harder, "Night Charlie."

"Night."

After she disappeared through the doorway, my heart rate skyrocketed. I hadn't given myself much time to sit and think about my night to come with Fred. Would it even be just Fred? Surely, he, George, and Lee Jordan liked to get up to no good on Friday nights. Yes, it would probably be a group outing.

I took a few moments to steady my breathing and then set off down the tunnel that led back up to the main castle. I passed through the stack of barrels that marked the entrance to the common room, and into the dark basement of the castle. One torch high above me cast a warm dim glow on the room. My eyes hadn't quite adjusted yet, so I whispered, "Fred?" into the darkness.

Suddenly, a strong hand clamped down on my right shoulder from behind me. My heart rate accelerated and I started to scream, but another hand came up quickly to cover my mouth. Just long enough for a familiar voice to shush me, and then it dropped away. I whipped around, hand on my wand, ready to fight my attacker, only to find my face less than six inches away from Fred's.

A/N: Sorry for the delay between chapters this time. I was away from my computer for a while but I have another chapter that should be ready to post in a few days. Thanks again for all the kind words, favorites, and follows. You all make my heart so happy. I never imagined anyone reading, let alone enjoying my story.