Another update? So soon? I know, I know, I'm spoiling you. It's just in my nature.
Review and I'll give you a puppy.
Astrid kept silent as she followed the twins through the deserted, winding corridors, straining to listen to their hushed whispers as they exchanged mischievous grins, frequently glancing back at her to check she was still there. She found herself almost having to jog to keep up with their long strides, almost tripping over her robes every so often as they flowed around her ankles. Blinding beams of golden sunlight filtered in through the open windows, which were concealed beneath a thin layer of dust, highlighting the swirls of lint and dust dancing through the air, floating gracefully downward. The warmth struck Astrid's face, lighting it with heat as her skin glowed. The early September sunshine was strong, and as she peered out of the windows, she saw students dotted across the grounds like ants, sprawled across the luscious grass as they soaked themselves in light, lapping up the remaining minutes of their lunch break. Luckily for Astrid, she didn't have any more lessons that day, and it appeared that the twins didn't either.
The twins suddenly ground to a halt at what appeared to be a dead end, whirling around to face Astrid with matching lopsided grins as she raised a brow, peering around them to look at the solid wall behind them.
"Impressive tour, boys," She started sarcastically, blowing a stray curl of hair out of her eyes, "What next, are you going to show me the famous Hogwarts broom cupboard? Or how about the legendary stain on the carpet of the common room?"
The twins merely exchanged a glance, their smiles growing wider.
"Now, Astrid, what we're about to show you - ..."
"Is top secret, so - ..."
"You can't tell a soul about it - ..."
"Otherwise, we'll have to - ..."
"Hex you." The pair finished in perfect sync, their grins unwavering.
"Okay..." Astrid said slowly, looking at the twins sceptically, "Should I be concerned?"
The boys simply chuckled in response, and Astrid watched in bafflement as they strode up to a rather tacky, rusting statue at the end of the corridor. Glancing shiftily down the corridor, Fred raised his wand, tapping the statue with its tip as he muttered something inaudible. Astrid watched in wide-eyed fascination as all of a sudden the statue sprung to life, swinging forward to reveal a gaping hole in the wall, the pitch black trail of the passageway stretching on eternally.
Astrid let out a whistle, stepping forward as she peered at the statue curiously, "Okay, now I'm impressed."
"Now the fun can really begin," George grinned, "Come on," Without another word he disappeared into the hole, followed by Fred, with Astrid hurriedly following behind as the statue swung shut behind her, cutting off the rectangle of light.
"Lumos," She whispered, the tip of her wand illuminating the bleak, narrow passage. Fred and George followed suit, the sudden burst of light almost blinding Astrid as she shielded her eyes. Stifling laughs, the twins began to lead her further into the darkness.
"So, where exactly are you taking me?" She inquired as they crept through the passageway, her fingertips grazing the uneven wall as she guided herself.
"We're taking you on a tour, aren't we?" Fred responded, grinning at her over his shoulder.
"And where does this tour lead?" Astrid tried again.
"You'll see!" George called back to her cheerfully.
"That's comforting," She muttered, earning a few chuckles from the twins.
"Somebody's grumpy," George quipped.
"I'll have you know, I'm not grumpy, I'm...- Woah!" Astrid cried out, arms flailing as she stumbled over a jagged rock jutting from the dusty ground. She crashed into an unsuspecting Fred, who in turn ended up bumping into George, the result being a tangle of limbs piled on the floor, shaking with muffled laughter.
"Graceful, apparently." Astrid jokingly finished her sentence as the twins laughed through their pained groans. Fred rolled off of the pile first, falling to his knees with a thud, before he stood up, brushing his robes down, and offered Astrid his hand. Grinning, she took it, allowing herself to be tugged to her feet by the beaming boy. Dusting herself off, she giggled as George jolted upright, rubbing his arm as he grumbled about being squashed.
"You're quite the ballerina, aren't you?" Fred smirked at the girl as he helped his brother to his feet.
"Who'd have thought it – Astrid Black: world's biggest klutz," George added, retrieving his wand.
"Should have warned me about the rock then," Astrid shot back, poking her tongue out at the duo.
Laughing, the trio continued onwards, joking and talking animatedly as they went.
"Our destination is just up ahead, Miss Black," George hollered over his shoulder.
"Then we're gonna have to bill you for the tour," Fred said, his grin betraying his mock serious tone.
"Cash only, please!" George added as they reached the bleak end of the tunnel. Astrid watched in curiosity, fascinated as George raised his wand, uttering an incomprehensible incantation as he waved the wand. With a jolt, the bricks whirred to life, separating slowly as the mould began to break, fragments of stray debris crumbling to the floor as a narrow gap formed, light filtering into the passageway as Astrid's eyes adjusted to the bright corridor.
"Where are we?" She asked, rubbing her eyes as she followed them out of the passage, glad to be back in the light.
"Sixth floor." The twins replied in unison.
"Sixth flo..- We made it up three floors using that passage?" Astrid inquired in disbelief.
Grinning, the twins nodded.
Astrid opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by the echoing noise of footsteps approaching, the rhythmic beating of heavy boots pounding the stone rattling their ears. A towering shadow licked at the wall, crawling up it as it grew larger and larger with every mechanical step. The twins recognised the demonic shadow immediately, their eyes widening.
"Snape!" They hissed together, "Quick, run!"
"Why?" Astrid asked in confusion, her furrowed brows knitted together as each fierce step thundered through her head.
"We're supposed to be in class," Fred explained, whispering hurriedly as his hand latched around Astrid's arm, a faint grin playing on his lips as he tugged her back into the passageway just as Snape rounded the corner to the empty corridor. Taking no chances, the trio dashed through the passageway as the wall sealed behind them, the darkness overpowering as Fred's grip tightened around Astrid, George thundering on ahead. Astrid stumbled blindly, struggling to keep up with Fred's strides as he tugged her arm from its socket. Her vision was distorted, everything flashing by in a blur as they darted through the passageway, stumbling over nothing, rocking from side to side as her mind whizzed, the cogs whirring rapidly. Astrid's mind was alive, vivid images dancing through her head, scorching her brain as she ran, as she soared, feeling freer than she had in years. A delirious giggle tumbled freely from her lips, and before she could stop herself, she was laughing hysterically over nothing. The twins joined in, the three of them guffawing over some unknown joke as they reached the end of the tunnel, stumbling out through the wall as they clutched their aching sides, tears misting their eyes as they gasped for breath.
Hiccupping though hearty laughs, his eyes gleaming with mischief, Fred spoke, "Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Black."
~MischiefMismanagedMischiefMismanagedMischiefMismanaged~
The Gryffindor common room was deserted later that day, with students outside bathing in the late afternoon sunshine to unwind after lessons. The blue sky was streaked with pink and splattered with orange as the golden orb hung low in the sky, weakly shining down on the Hogwarts grounds as the afternoon drew to a close. Astrid was sat atop a rickety, wooden desk, one of its legs propped up by a dusty, outdated book, peering out of the window, when the portrait hole swung open. She raised her head at the sound of chatter to see Angelina, Katie and Alicia clambering through the entrance, smiling brightly as they caught sight of her.
"Why hello there, Astrid," Angelina smiled coyly, tossing her bag on the floor as she hoisted herself up beside Astrid, "How was your afternoon?"
Alicia and Katie giggled as Angelina waggled her eyebrows suggestively, suppressing her own laughter as Astrid swatted her away, a grin dominating her features.
"Wouldn't you like to know," She laughed, lightly punching Angelina on the arm, "Why'd you ditch me, you tosspot?"
Angelina shrugged, a smirk tugging at her lips, "I was giving you a chance to get to know the twins for yourself."
"That was a genius idea." Astrid responded sarcastically.
"Well, you hit it off, didn't you?" Katie pointed out, flopping down on the seat closest to the desk.
Astrid pouted, knowing the girl was right.
"Well, I had fun, if that's what you're asking."
"And?" Alicia prompted, curling up at Katie's feet.
"And what?" Astrid arched a brow, leaning back on her palms.
"Well, what did you think of them?" Angelina stated as if it was the most obvious thing known to man.
"Did you like them?" Katie added.
"Do you think they're fit?" Alicia chirped excitedly.
"Jeez, I spend one hour with the pair and you three are already trying to marry me off to one." Astrid laughed with a wave of her hand, "They're interesting, that's all I'm saying."
"Interesting?" Alicia wrinkled her nose, "That's so vague."
"Oh, sorry, what I meant to say was they are so glorious that I just desperately want to ravish them whenever they're near. Honestly I don't know how much longer I'll be able to restrain myself until I lose control and tear the robes from their bodies with my teeth." Astrid replied, her words dripping in sarcasm. Angelina let out a loud cackle, throwing her head back as she laughed heartily and Alicia and Katie erupted in giggles, rolling about the floor.
"I bet that's half true." Angelina winked at Astrid, tears glazing her cheeks as she howled with uncontrollable laughter.
"Shove off," Astrid giggled, shoving Angelina.
"Pfft, give it a month and you'll be under their spell." Katie said, gasping for air as she clutched her aching stomach.
"They wish." Astrid snorted, sending the group into fits of laughter once again.
"Not full of yourself at all, are you?" Alicia joked, wiping the tears from her eyes with her sleeve.
"I'm a Black, what do you expect?" Astrid responded in a deadpan voice. Suddenly, she jumped to her feet, standing on the table with her hands on her hips, "We, of the Noble House of Black, pride ourselves in our ruthlessness, our cunning, and our fabulous hair."
The other three girls couldn't contain themselves any longer, cawing out deranged cries of laughter as the clutched their sides. Astrid collapsed in a fit of giggles, falling into Angelina's lap as hysterical laughs bubbled up within them all, escaping their lips. They laughed and laughed, oblivious to the students filing into the common room, casting them odd glances, as they lapped up each other's company. For the first time in her life, Astrid Black had made friends.
