I wake to George kissing my forehead sleepily. "Wake up, Rey. It's our first day back," he smiles softly.
"Nghh," I murmur, rolling over and pulling his comforter over my head.
"Aw, c'mon, sweetheart. It's time to get up. You gotta get dressed and get some breakfast before you can go to class," he nudges me playfully. With a groan, I roll out of bed and stand. Then, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, I head to my own dorm to get dressed.
After I'm dressed, I meet the twins in the Common Room, crimson-and-gold tie in hand. I hold it out to George and let him tie it quickly before we head down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Just as Fred is forcing a second helping of eggs on me, the mail comes. "Hey, look! There's Errol!" Fred points.
"Oh no," George whispers.
"What?" I ask, elbowing him in the ribs.
"Errol's got a Howler," George groans, his face beet red. However, his upset quickly turns to joy when he sees that it's not for him. It's for Ron.
"Never would have saw it coming!" Fred chuckles. "Ickle Ronny-kins getting a Howler!"
"What's a Howler?" I ask curiously.
"You'll see," Fred grins wickedly.
That's when I hear it, Molly's yell, ten times louder than I've ever heard it before. She's screaming horribly at Ronald. When it's finally over, I can't be more glad. I'm so embarrassed for Ron.
"Don't worry, Rey. Georgie and I have received loads of Howlers. You get used to them after a while," Fred chuckles. I just nod and go back to my plate of food.
After a few minutes, though, McGonagall comes around with class schedules. Glancing at mine quickly, I see that I have double Herbology with the Hufflepuffs first.
"Do you want us to walk you to class?" Fred asks, concerned.
"No thanks, guys. I'll just find Hermione and walk with her," I manage a smile.
"You sure, Love?" George asks.
"Of course I'm sure. Thank you, though," I sigh, heading over to find Hermione.
"Hey, 'Mione. I was wondering if you wanted some company on the way to Herbology," I smile meekly.
"I'd love that! I've barely seen you since, y'know… The accident," she recalls.
"I know. It sucks. Hopefully, we can make up for lost time this year," I laugh.
"Sure. I hope you don't mind, though, but Ron and Harry are gonna walk with us," she gestures toward the two boys.
"Fine by me," I grin. "We haven't properly met, I believe, Harry. I'm Audrey Tyler. We met on the train here our first year," I remind him, extending a hand for him to shake.
"No, I know who you are. You're Rey. The twins talked about you the entire time I was at the Burrow this summer," he smiles back.
"That's great! Those boys are the best!" I chuckle lightly, pleased that they were talking about me.
"That's one way of looking at it," Ron rolls his eyes.
"C'mon!" Hermione whines. "We're gonna be late for class!"
"Yeah, let's go," Harry nods his head, standing from the table with Ron close behind. Together, the four of us walk out of the castle and toward the greenhouses.
After Herbology, we all head to Transfiguration. I've tried to catch up as much as I can on what I missed last year, but I'm still quite a bit behind many of the students, particularly Hermione. Luckily, though, she's more than willing to help me out. By the end of class, I've even turned a beetle into a button. It's nothing compared to Hermione, who managed to transfigure several beetles, but it's better than Harry and Ron did.
After Transfiguration, it's time for lunch, so Hermione, Ron, Harry, and I part ways. They go eat with Neville and Seamus and their other friends, while I go to the twins, Lee, and the girls.
As usual, Fred's flirting with Angelina and Lee's attempting to flirt with Katie, who's ignoring him. So, George and I are left to our own devices.
"How was your morning?" he asks casually before taking a bite of his sandwich. I pause a moment before answering.
"It was actually surprisingly good," I admit. "I'm having some trouble in class, due to everything I missed last year, but Hermione's helping me out, so I think I'll be alright. How about you?"
"It was good. Freddie and I messed with some of our peers, a couple teachers. It was the usual. You… You look a lot better, Rey. How long has it been since you slept, not counting last night?" he asks gently.
"A week, maybe? I don't know," I mumble.
"Please just sleep in my dorm from now on. I'll worry if you don't," his brows furrow.
I start to protest, but then I think better of it and just nod.
"If it helps, you really do look much better. The bags under your eyes aren't so heavy. Hopefully, those bruises will heal soon, too. God, I just wish you could go to Madam Pomfrey and get some medicine-," he starts.
"You know I can't, George," I widen my eyes. "They'll take me away from my dad."
"I know that. I'm just saying I wish you could. That's all," his voice is soft as he says it. "Now finish your lunch."
After lunch, we have Defense Against the Dark Arts. It's the most horrible DADA class I've ever had the displeasure of participating in. All the other girls, even Hermione, swoon over Professor Lockhart. However, I find him to be revolting.
The first thing he does is give us a test over him. I mean, how big can your ego get? Then, he sets a cage-full of cornish pixies on the class. This results in shattered windows, ripped books, and Neville hanging from a chandelier. Then, he's too cowardly to even clean up the mess and round up the pixies himself! He forces Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I to do it! I've never had a worse teacher in my life. I can't believe people think Snape's bad…
When the day's over, I change into my own pajamas, my/George's Chudley Cannons tee and short shorts. Then, I head up to his dorm, yawning as I go. When I get up there, I notice that George has a very smug look on his face.
"What?" I ask.
"You're wearing my shirt," he smirks. "It's cute. And it looks very well worn. Have you been wearing that to bed every night, Tyler?"
"Bollocks. I wasn't supposed to let you see me wear this," I furrow my brow.
"Aw, Rey, no. It's adorable on you. Far too big," he coos.
"Shut up and get in bed, you tosser," I growl, grumpily getting into bed and turning so that I'm facing away from him.
"Don't be upset with me, Love," he chuckles, getting into bed and scooting close to me.
"Don't test me, Weasley," I pretend to snap.
"You know, if you keep behaving this way, I'll have no other choice but to tickle you," he laughs behind me.
"Don't you frickin try," I try to sound stern, but accidentally laugh.
That's when I feel his long fingers on my sides, tickling relentlessly. I laugh and pant helplessly, tossing and turning, trying to get away from him.
"What do you say?" he asks through his laughter.
"P-Please. I-I-I'm sorry," I sputter, gasping for air between giggles.
"Say you forfeit!" he demands, tickling me more harshly. I don't want to give in. Not at all. Instead I flip myself over so that I'm on top of him, and I start to tickle him with all my strength.
"Hey! Cut that out!" he chuckles.
"Never!" I play-growl at him.
"I f-forfeit!" he finally gasps. He's far more ticklish than I am. That is, if he's not letting me win.
Gasping for breath between leftover laughter, I roll off him, snuggling myself against his shoulder. Suddenly, I'm very tired.
"Night, Georgie," I mumble sleepily, followed by a yawn.
"Night, Tickle Monster," he chuckles.
PSA: This ending wound up being very cheesy/cutesy and I am absolutely NOT sorry :)