Magnolia sat in the Great Hall, up before dawn with her hair brushed out, the length of her hair returning as time had passed since her last haircut. She liked having long hair over shorter hair, though there had been circumstances in which her frustration for the tresses overpowered her love for them. Her mum used to trim it periodically when she was home, but it had been nearly six months since Magnolia had last gotten a chance to see her mum. Today Magnolia cleaned up more than usual, paying more attention to detail, her uniform was pressed perfectly, her necktie perfectly straight and tucked under the collar of her white dress shirt.
Her concern for the Boggarts lesson that was to take place in less than an hour had taken a backseat as Magnolia remembered she had less than a week left of the term before she'd be bundled in her new bed. Hopefully, Juniper would be sitting beside her on the train home Friday.
"How much longer?" Roxy asked, nudging Magnolia as her eyes drifted to the clock. Fourteen minutes and roughly thirty-five…thirty-four seconds, Magnolia counted quickly as the small hand ticked away viciously stealing time.
"Fourteen minutes. And now…" She paused, counting again, "Ten seconds." Magnolia glanced back to Roxy beside her.
Roxy hadn't been worried about the lesson at all, claiming that a Boggart was likely the least of our problems. Fear had always beat out Magnolia though, when there was something that put anxiety in her head, it took quite a bit to rip it away from her spiraling thoughts. There probably were worse things that she'd have to face but Magnolia didn't have the same luxury her dorm mates or even the Weasley twins had, she had only known this was a part of her life just a few years ago.
"It's going to be fine, one of my older brothers had a run-in with a Boggart and all he said it did was cower in fear when he stood up to it." Magnolia overheard Sam brag from the Slytherin table behind her.
He was full of shit, she thought to herself, Boggarts don't cower in fear. She was trying her hardest to bite her tongue until,
"It'll be no surprise if these Hufflepuffs behind us just ran away before the lesson even started. Then, we'll be able to actually learn something useful." His words made her skin crawl.
Magnolia did want to run away, truthfully it wasn't a boggart that scared her but what or who she may see.
Now she wanted to prove Sam wrong, she twisted around tapping his shoulder. The pair of boys sat beside him twisted their faces in disgust as Sam turned around.
"What do you want?" He sneered.
"Just wanted to tell you that your brother is full of shit, Nott," Magnolia replied, keeping her voice level despite the anxiety ripping through her stomach.
"How would you know?" He questioned defensively.
"I've read enough about Boggarts to know that they don't just cower in fear. Maybe his memory is hazy on the details of what really happened?" Magnolia spoke again, the hint of a smirk on her lips as the Slytherin boy scoffed before rolling his eyes.
"Not sure how much you use you're even going to be anyways, you're just some…" Sam was struggling to think of something quickly, "Mudblood.." He finally added with his own smirk.
Mudblood. Magnolia heard the word echoed through her head. A chorus of shocked gasps filled the air. She'd heard the word but never directed it towards anyone before it wasn't something to be really used. It was such a nasty word for Muggle-borns, all because a witch or wizard was from a Muggle family. Blood purists say they were equivalent to mud because they dirtied a family bloodline. It made Magnolia's stomach twist.
"You did not just say that?" Roxy called out in shock.
Magnolia stood from her seat, taking a step closer, closing off the distance between Sam and her. She bawled her fists clutching around the wand in her robe pocket. He glanced at his friends laughing as he looked back at her.
"What's she going to do about it?" He chuckled.
By now, the majority of the Hufflepuff table stood on their toes trying to catch a glimpse of what was unfolding. Even a handful of Gryffindor students from across the room stood on their seats trying to watch as Magnolia stood up to Sam, she pulled her shoulders back like a string tightened her posture.
Roxy gave Magnolia a quick nudge of encouragement, Magnolia couldn't think of something quick, loosening her grip on her wand. Pulling her hand from her pocket, she wiggled out the tightness in her head.
"Time's ticking, are you going to do something or not?" He teased her. His hazel eyes stared holes into her stormy eyes. Magnolia felt her stomach twist up.
Do something, she kept telling herself. Magnolia slapped Sam as hard as she could. A print of her small fingers staining pink on his cheek. She felt herself burst out an awkward laugh as he stood up pissed off.
"What do you think you're doing?!" He exclaimed.
Roxy pulled Magnolia back with a grin ripping across her face, "I'd say it's fair for now, Nott." Roxy warned. Her arms holding Magnolia's back as she stood in shook. "Since you called her that."
Magnolia couldn't believe that she did that. Sam had been an ever-growing problem for her as the days went on, since their brush in Diagon Alley. She couldn't ever get away from him, always glaring at her from across the room. He was worse than the little blonde problem children in his same house. Helena had at least tried to leave her alone, and Draco had been more of a problem for the twins than Magnolia. Sam, on the other hand, found as many opportunities as he could to sabotage not only Magnolia but Roxy and Juniper too. They'd become a target for being friends with a measly muggle-born.
"Yeah right, it's fair?! Just wait," he sputtered angrily, "When my family hears, it's over for you."
Magnolia laughed again, "Ooh, I'm so scared. Your family is going to know a little Muggle-born girl slapped you." She teased as Roxy began dragging her from the Great Hall before it could continue.
Juniper and Demi closed behind laughing loudly carrying Magnolia and Roxy's bags. Magnolia tried pulling out of Roxy's arms, "You hear that everyone? Nott was slapped by a girl!" She called out to the entire hall, causing the heads of most of the students to turn. A few voices from the Gryffindor table cheered loudly, but Magnolia couldn't distinguish anyone's voice around her adrenaline.
Roxy clamped her hand over Magnolia's mouth muffling her teasing. Roxy had built up muscle from Quidditch practices, making it hard for Magnolia to fight her off much.
The four Hufflepuff girls managed to get into the hallways before anyone could stop them. The halls quickly filled with students heading to their first classes.
"Are you trying to get detention before you've even left breakfast?" Roxy scolded, causing another laugh to ripple between the Haywood sisters.
••••••
Magnolia's POV:
Adrenaline was rushing through my body still, I hadn't thought about the Boggart lesson until I was walking behind Roxy and Juniper into the classroom. All the tables had been pushed to the front of the classroom, at the center stood a tall black wardrobe. Professor Lockhart wore a light blush-toned suit, with dramatic frills, and his waves were styled. He stood with his arms tucked behind his back excitedly as the classroom filled with his victims.
Roxy hooked her arm around my shoulder forcing me further into the classroom. Juniper quickly moved behind me, forcing me forward. I had no way to escape now.
"Come on now," Roxy warned as I tried twisting out her grip.
"I can walk myself," I huffed, twisting in her grip again.
Roxy loosened her grip, the rest of the classmates filling the room quickly, really making it harder to try escaping. I pulled at my bag hooked to my arm. I forced a deep breath and tucked my hands into my pockets.
Lockhart moved to the center of the room, standing beside the wardrobe.
"Good Morning, delighted to see all of you. Today's lesson is a test of bravery."Lockhart stepped in front of the wardrobe. "I'm proof that you don't have to be a Gryffindor to be brave," He added with a grin at the cluster of Gryffindor's girls. Who swooned with feverish blushes ripping over their cheeks.
"The best way to defeat a Boggart is by using the Riddikulus Charm, you all should be familiar with it." He awaited an answer, there were a few quiet replies along with a few slow unsure nods. "But you've got to be quick on your feet and think fast."
By the looks of things, I wasn't the only one hesitant about this lesson. Lockhart instructed us to line up a single-file line in front of the wardrobe. It rattled unexpectedly, causing me to flinch. I watched as everyone lined up, waiting to take the last spot in line. Perhaps time would just run out and I'd be able to just get out of it.
Professor Lockhart, flicked open the lock standing in front of the Gryffindor boy at the front of the line. A black shadow slithered out from the wardrobe, in front of Lockhart. It was the most focused I'd ever seen the man, he stepped aside letting the boy's fear take shape.
I tried blocking out as many senses as I could. Staring out the window, watching as snowflakes began to blanket the ground outside, refreshing the snow from last night. There was no way we'd get through everyone, I kept hoping. I made the mistake of glancing back inside as Roxy stepped up in front of the wardrobe.
The black shadow morphed into a tall, scarily thin, man with thinning silver hair. His face scrunched up into a disapproving glare back down at her. The hand holding her wand was gripped so tight her knuckles turned white. His hand was brought back ready to strike. Roxy shivered nervously.
"Riddikulus!" Roxy cast, her hand shaking.
The man was quickly transformed into a large baby doll with a frilly skirt and doe eyes. The smoke faded back to black for a moment as Juniper switched spots with Roxy. I was going to be next, I glanced around hoping I could find a way out.
Juniper held her wand in her hand much softer than Roxy had. The Boggart blended its appearance to a long-legged spider with glowing red eyes and pincers ready to shut. It began crawling its way across the floor towards Juniper.
She flicked her wand, "Riddikulus!" Her voice was shakier than I had ever heard it but it was working.
The spider squashed down into a jack in the box, bouncing up with a goofy expression stretched across its disgusting face. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. There was no way out now. I was next, I was the last person and no one else had any issues. So far the class was successful, I could make it through this class. It'd be a day of firsts, conquering fears, and Lockhart having a successful hands-on class.
"Alright, Miss Lancaster, you're the last one. Show us what you can do." Professor Lockhart encouraged from the sidelines, "Quickly now."
I nodded, staring back at the Boggart. My skin got that icky, cold feeling again. I felt like I had before I fainted. With the slowing feeling in my movements, I was being weighed by my anxiety, again.
My eyes followed all of the black smoke as it flourished quickly into my reflection. Before quickly flashing into my Mum's face with slashes across her cheeks, rich blood oozed from each cut like tears down her cheeks. I slammed my eyes shut, gripping my wand and I pointed it in front of me.
Opening my eyes, the Boggart switched again, as my mouth fell open in shock, I watched as it mimicked Hermione's screams from the Troll attack a year ago, before swirling into my friend's face looking back at me in pain. It just kept changing, I just kept watching as it morphed from Roxy into Juniper, and then Demi's face-melting with Juniper's as it changed again. My stomach felt empty and my skin was clammy. I could feel the increase in my heart rate. I felt frozen in place watching as my friends were being tortured one after the other.
"Ridik-" I stuttered, my voice catching in my throat, squeezing my eyes shut again. My hand felt weak around my wand.
No one else's changed like this; it was only one thing. I was shrinking smaller under my robes, as I tried reminding myself that none of this wasn't real. Roxy and Juniper were untouched beside me in the room. Demi was in her own class and Hermione and I had escaped unharmed before. Mum was home safe with Elliot. It couldn't get worse.
When I peeled my eyes open, it took the shape of both of the Twins, writhing in pain. Seeing their faces twist up in pain and agony while I stood there helpless. I wanted it to stop. I hated seeing George look so helpless. Searching for help, Fred's eyes found mine as he opened his mouth let out a weak cry in pain. Tears falling from their eyes.
I took a deep breath, this isn't real. I pointed my wand out again.
"Riddikulus!" I shouted, the Boggart melted into a puddle of soapy suds with a bright yellow rubber duck bobbling on the top, wearing a cowboy hat.
There was a string of silence as Professor Lockhart reopened the wardrobe forcing the Boggart back inside. Once it was locked again, Professor Lockhart clapped loudly, I flinched and it caused a few other students to jump, startled at the sound.
"Job well done class!" He exclaimed.
There were a few weak nods, "I was worried I'd have to step in at the end there." He chuckled, it felt like he was poking fun at me, as the clock tower rang, "Impressive work, I will see you all after the holidays." Lockhart dismissed us.
I couldn't move though, my feet felt glued to the spot. I'd just watched everyone I cared about so gruesomely, the worst anyone had seen. The look on their faces was engraved in my brain, the pleading cries and I couldn't do anything but watch.
I wasn't the only person struggling to regain their spirit as the class emptied. Juniper and Roxy waited at the door, Roxy wrapped her arm around me when I finally joined them. Juniper clutched my hand as her attempt at making me feel better.
It had become an unspoken rule to everyone not to bring up what each of us saw past the class. Even Sam and Helena kept tight lips as they passed us on their way to the Slytherin table at lunch. Juniper and Roxy didn't leave my side the rest of the day, barely mentioning much about it. I wondered if I should tell Fred and George about the Boggart but I knew it'd give them another thing to worry about.
••••••
Mum eventually wrote back and agreed to Juniper joining us at the holidays, to Mum, spending Christmas alone was no way to go. She quickly had her bag packed within a matter of minutes quickly snapping back to her normal routine. Demi had got on the earlier train home, meeting their parents at Kings Crossing, while Juniper and I joined Roxy on the one mid-afternoon.
"Have you seen Fred and George? I haven't gotten a chance to tell them we're leaving." I questioned, the halls were flooded with departing students and their stuffed bags.
Roxy shook her head, pulling her bag closer.
I couldn't see much of anything over the crowd of people around us, I tried standing on my toes but it was useless. Much like I was beginning to feel. The herd of students pushed me through the school down and out the doors, hopefully, they'd catch us at the station, I thought to myself.
Juniper had written up a list of things she'd learned during Muggle Studies that she said was a must for her to experience over the holiday. Magic had truly spoiled her, there wasn't enough time in two weeks to explain the entirety of the English royal family, nor enough for her to see every movie ever made.
I shrugged my bag closer to my back as I followed Roxy and Juniper to Hogsmeade, I couldn't help but keep trying to find either one of the twins. If I found one, the other couldn't have been that far behind. We were near the station when I began to give up hope.
"Maggie!" I heard my name called behind us, it was as clear as day, "Magnolia!" There it was again.
I tried craning my neck to find the source, "Squeaks!" It was getting louder, I got on my toes again to see two tufts of red hair, splitting through the crowd.
"Maggie! Wait up!" It was hard to tell them apart when they started talking at the same time. They each raised a hand as a marker above the crowd.
"Wait you guys, I think the twins found us." I pulled Juniper's arm back, stopping her. I tried to wave my hand up signaling that I'd seen them.
Splitting through the last of the students separating us. George tugged me into a tight hug, his scarf tickling my nose, as my face got muffled in the knitting. He had a similar warm scent to his clothes and the burnt smell of wood, without as much sweetness as Fred had. Pulling away he adjusted his hat, linking Roxy and Juniper in a group hug. I fought a laugh as Roxy looked to me for help, as he squished them together.
Fred unwrapped the scarf around his neck before pulling me in for a big hug of his own, no tickling on my nose this time. His arms wrapped around my smaller frame, and the winter air chilled through my coat and the jumper underneath. It was too easy to melt into the embrace. I felt his fingers trace along the seam on the back of my coat, that swirling feeling in the pit of my stomach returned. I swear I was coming down with something, hopefully, nothing serious, but I couldn't ignore the weighted feeling in my gut.
I pulled away first, feeling my cheeks heat up, as the feeling got worse. I tried fanning the cold air on my face as Fred moved to pull Juniper and Roxy into a group hug much like George had.
"June and I are gonna go ahead and grab a seat. Meet us inside!" Roxy announced as she pulled from Fred quickly as George came back around to say something to her.
Roxy was still avoiding George like the plague, she didn't want him to continue getting the wrong idea about how she may have felt about him. They weren't as close as I'd been with the twins, and neither had June. It wasn't an expectation of mine for them to be friends either. I glanced over my shoulder as my two friends slipped onto the train.
Fred held out a small crudely wrapped package out to me, "We got you something." He grinned, we walked closer to the train, as students began to board the final train.
"I got to wrap it," George said pridefully, it was a good effort I had to give him that much. "But Fred picked it out." He grinned.
"Thank you, but I wasn't planning to exchange any gifts until after we got back." I accepted the gift, stuffing it in my pocket, "So I haven't got you anything yet."
"Don't worry about it, I- we just thought you'd like it before Christmas." Fred shrugged, "In case your mum wants a nicer dinner with June coming over, you can open it now if you want."
I nod, "I promise when we get back you'll be stocked up on goodies until next Christmas." I smiled.
The train horn went off, I pulled George into a quick hug, getting on my toes to tighten my grip. He laughed at my efforts.
"Be good while I'm gone," I scolded George, still sporting a thick blush, before turning to Fred.
I chuckled at the notion, moving over to Fred. I wrapped my arms around his neck tugging him closer to my height. He held onto me longer than George had. Fred wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me close. This felt different from other hugs we'd shared. I got on my toes again pressing my lips to his cheek, just as I had to George. I could feel the warmth radiating from his cheeks on my lips, flushing red as I pulled away to catch the train. My cheeks felt like they were on fire too, the swirling feeling growing in my stomach mutating into a hurricane by the second. I stuffed my hands in my coat pocket, fumbling with the wrapping paper on the small gift inside.
"Thank you both, I'll see you guys when we get back." I mumbled, "Promise me, no funny business."
Fred grinned, waving me off, "We created funny business, Mags."
I glanced back at the train, students filling into the train. This feeling in my tummy was growing, as I turned back to Fred, his eyes watching my movements.
"I should probably be going now," I trailed awkwardly, George had moved along saying his goodbyes to Angelina as she stood at the door to the train.
They laughed together and I'd never seen George so giggly himself before. It was sweet to see him like this. Fred's eyes followed mine, I noticed his eyes roll as he watched his twin chat it up with Angelina. Fred glanced back, his expression changing again. I wonder what he was bothered by.
"Happy Christmas, Maggie," Fred finally said, breaking the silence as it formed. His eyes trailing back to his brother and Angelina again.
He wasn't looking at George, he was watching Angelina. Of course, he was, I thought bitterly.
"Happy Christmas, Freddie," I replied, I watched Angelina hug George with a tight grip before climbing on the train.
Fred gave me a limp wave before winding the knitted scarf back around his neck hiding the blush forming on his cheeks. It was cold, I didn't blame him. George beamed as he moved back over to Fred, waving at a much steady speed. I waved one last time before climbing onto the train.
••••••
From the window I watched Fred and George waving goodbye as the train pulled away. Fred's hand touched his cheek, a faint grin stretching across his lips. My stomach swirled again. I pulled the small box from my pocket, placed it on my lap to keep it from getting ruined.
"What's that?" Juniper questioned, as Roxy stretched her legs in front of her.
We'd already gotten used to the space without the boys crowding our cart.
"Something from Fred and George," I muttered, as I picked at the edges of the paper where it was already peeling open.
"Are you going to open it?" Roxy asked, leaning over to get a better look.
I shook my head, "I wanted to wait until closer to Christmas."
"Psssh, what're a few days early anyway." Juniper groaned, "Any guesses what it might be at least?"
I shrugged, I didn't expect anything from them. There were so many small things they could box up and call a gift. I was a little worried there might be something waiting to bite me inside. Though Fred said it was something I could wear I was still hesitant.
"I'll just wait to open it until later," I replied, tucking it back into my coat pocket, forcing myself to focus on Roxy's holiday plans.
I laid my head back, trying to get comfortable on the train seat. It always felt kind of odd riding the train without the three boys usually in our shadow. There was more room and Juniper and Roxy didn't waste time taking advantage and stretching their stuff out across the seats.
"So is your family just going to move to France at this point?" Juniper finally asks Roxy, as she plays with one of the braids in her hair.
Roxy shrugged, "M'Not entirely sure but we seem to be there more than home anymore, is it bad to miss my own bed?" She replied, with a longing look outside.
"Godric no!" Juniper shook her head. Her braids shifted with the motion.
Demi had sat behind Juniper all night braiding her curls into clean braids, I could see just how long her hair was now. It slimmed Juniper's face and it wasn't hidden by her curls anymore, it suited her. I didn't know if it was her new hair or if time was catching up to me but she looked so much older than I must've, as I began to trace over her features. Juniper had high cheekbones, but they were soft and round with a pink tint hidden beneath the melanin in her skin tone. Her eyes had a sparkle about them and held the same maturity as Demi's.
"You good, Squeaks?" Roxy asked, placing her hand on my knee.
I forced a nod, glancing out the window, "I'm trying not to let it bother me though, I think I might like someone from one of the other families that stay with us." Roxy admits hiding a blush.
I sat up, I'd never heard Roxy make any comments about boys before, so she caught my attention.
"They're going to Beaubaxton, that school in France." Roxy describes staring out the window, with a faint smile, "We've been writing back and forth since we left."
"Beauxbaton is all girls though?" Juniper questions with a confused expression.
Roxy doesn't like George or Sam because she doesn't like boys… Maybe I'd just come to conclusions but it was a pretty good guess all things considered.
"What's her name?" I ignored June's question.
Roxy looked back with a much thicker blush, her fingers were shaky. I didn't blame her for the nerves. Admitting a crush on someone of the opposite sex, how people were expected to, was hard enough. Admitting a crush on someone of the same sex came with a string of other hurdles to climb over. I didn't agree with it, but Roxy should know telling us about the person she was getting flutters from wasn't going to be one of them.
"Felicity," She whispered as if the cart was full of people.
"When you're ready, I want you to tell me all about her." I grinned, patting Roxy's hand.
Juniper glanced between us with a confused look, "Have I missed something?" She mumbled,
Roxy shook her head, "Felicity is a girl.." She begins explaining, "And I think I like her."
"And you're supposed to like friends?" Juniper argued.
I bit back a smile as Roxy rolled her eyes, "Like more than just a friend." Roxy continued,
"Like how Maggie and Fred are?" Juniper grinned, my mouth fell slack.
Fred and I didn't like each other more than friends. What would make them think that not like they knew about that night with the stars, or my birthday when I clutched to him for dear life. I didn't think there was anything out of the ordinary. Those were both just a friend comforting a friend, lots of friends did those things to comfort the other.
Roxy nodded simply, "Exactly."
"Excuse me?" I interrupted, "What are you two yammering about? I do not like Fred more than a friend." I shook my head in disbelief, sinking back into my seat. "And he doesn't like me that way either!" I argued quickly.
"Bet you'll know by Christmas if he likes you more than a friend." Roxy smirked, "He's gotta have gotten you something more than friendly in that box." Roxy looked down at the box in my hand.
I shook my head again, "You're a nutter if you think that. Weren't you coming out just a second ago? Please, I'd love to hear more about that."
Roxy blushed, "Right." She swallowed a lump in her throat.
"Besides, I think he's jealous of George and Angelina, "I added, I thought back to how he looked when George was saying goodbye to her, the longing look and his eyes were full of annoyance. It was pretty obvious he's grown feelings for the girl who was his first kiss.
"Didn't she already try throwing herself at him?" Juniper asks, Roxy glanced at me with a surprised grin at Juniper's choice wording, "That's how Lee put it when he was telling me about it."
Roxy sat up, turning her body to face Juniper better, "Care to explain what that is while we're having confession time?"
Juniper chewed at her cheek, "Let's get to finishing your discussion first." She quipped.
We went around, taking the length of the train home exposing our secrets to each other. If anyone had tried eavesdropping, they'd probably have been too scrambled to piece together who's truth was who's.
Roxy told us about Felicity, she was a girl our age, just a few inches taller than me but not as tall as Roxy with wavy chestnut brown hair cut at her chin, she described. The girl spoke fluent Spanish, French, and English. She played quidditch at Beauxbaton and was the one who started helping Roxy practice. Roxy said she was sort of like Meg March from Little Women, to give me a better comparison. I'd never seen her smile so much talking about a holiday with her parents. She said they met over the summer last year and just felt something. A ripple of waves crashing through her, as she described Felicity.
"I don't know, I just don't get that feeling from any boy." Roxy mused, "But with Fi, I don't know I feel different like there's this bursting feeling in my gut." She was blushing with every detail she shared about her, "I even get the feeling when I read her letters."
Juniper finally explained what had been going on with Lee. As soon as she'd gotten back from the States, her family was in Diagon Alley for supplies, Juniper was in Zonko's searching for a prank to play on Demi with because she said Demi had it coming. Whatever happened for her to earn the target, I have no idea. Lee and Juniper began writing on and off for a few weeks before we'd got back.
"Things just changed I guess," She shrugged nonchalantly, "Lee is funny and nice to me. He doesn't see me as Demi's little sister or Maggie's friend, he just sees me as June. Just like Rox said, I just get a feeling. It feels nice to feel good for once."
That left me with no fun crush story. Just an odd vibe from a friend. Both of my friends had found people that gave them the giddy feeling I was longing for a crush. I hadn't talked to James since leaving for the Burrow, though I hoped he was thinking of me. I couldn't deny that he popped into my head every time I got a letter from Mum hoping she'd mention him. The only flutter I felt in my tummy was anxiety from an unknown beast and facing Boggarts.
"Have you ever considered that you might like Fred but are in denial about it?" Roxy teased, "Or the possibility that he might like you?"
"I mean think about it, it's not completely out of whack. I know you groaned like a baby had to have him hold your hand." Juniper rolls her eyes.
"Who told you that?" I stuttered, that was not how it happened at all.
"Lee." She confirmed with a smirk.
"Well, that's not what happened." I mumbled, "I'm done having this conversation." I waved their interrogation off.
I felt different around Fred than I did with my previous crushes, it was a completely different feeling altogether. He was my best friend, we weren't supposed to be anything more. I didn't get any crazy feelings or flutters, I got nervous thinking about what troubles him and his twin were going to rope me in more than anything else. That's what I kept telling myself.
"Whatever, I'll bet my ten galleons that she caves first." Juniper turned to Roxy.
"Shit," Roxy cursed with a wicked grin, "I bet ten it'll be Fred." She struck out her hand to shake.
"I'm betting ten that neither of us will because this is stupid anyway," I interjected, separating their hands from shaking.
Roxy looked past me, sending Juniper a quick wink.
I sat back with a huff, I just had to witness my friends place a wager on my love life. "You guys should just leave me alone and focus on yourselves."
I pulled out a book in an attempt to ignore them further. They were pretty quiet the rest of the train home aside from the occasional quiet whisper to one another. Maybe I'd snapped too quickly on them for something that wasn't that deep, to begin with. I had to be honest with myself, things were certainly weirder with Fred than it was before. I just don't know where it got switched.
"I'm sorry for snapping on you guys." I finally muttered I didn't generally enjoy admitting when I was wrong, but if I wanted to make sure I didn't have a weird holiday with either of them I needed to, "Maybe something is going on but I don't know what it would be." I admitted.
They nodded, "We'll drop it, at least until I've met James and given my full review." Juniper grinned, causing a laugh to slip past my lips.
A/N: Double update y'all! 3 I am beyond proud of myself for continuing this fic as long as I have, and thank you for all the love and support so far. Face claims will hopefully be out with the next chapter. The original plan was Christmas in July but... things got crazy at my job. There may be a delay in chapters for a while but I'm hoping to come back with a heap of new visuals as well as a playlist.