"GRYFF-IN-DOR. GRYFF-IN-DOR." The chanting of students enveloped the Common Room once the team walked in. Wood flashed his signature smile while holding the Cup raised high over his head.
"We did it," whispered Angelina in excitement as Tessa and her roommates jumped up and down with happiness. The twins squeezed through the congratulatory crowd and put on some music. The sound blasted through the room as students began to cheer and chant for their House even louder. Tessa was doing the same until two arms grabbed her shoulders and waist dragging her away from the party.
"We have a responsibility you know," said the twins in unison.
"And why am I in it," stated Tessa wriggling away to get back to the center of the party.
"To be look out of course," said George with a laugh as they opened the Common Room door to the silent Hallway.
Getting food for the party was always easy considering the Professors rarely monitored the dungeons at the end of the year, but, due to unfortunate circumstances, the traffic was overwhelmingly high with Professors and Prefects.
"It's been a crazy year," said Fred quietly as they maneuvered the Grand Staircase.
"Indeed," replied Tessa looking over the edge to the floor below.
"Mrs. Norris is on the Third Floor," said George holding the Maruader's map.
"Harry let you borrow it?" Tessa asked quite surprised to see the old map again.
"He just as hungry as the rest of us," replied George flipping the map around to the second and First floor.
"The ground Floor is clear," whispered Tessa as she slinked across the hallway to the entrance of the dungeons.
"Now remember," said Fred.
"Send an origami," said George.
"Here's a list of which animal is a symbol for each signal needed to be given," said Fred.
"We already memorized it," said the twins' proudly in unison. Tessa rolled her eyes and snatched the scroll from Fred.
They waved goodbye and sauntered into the darkness of the dungeon leaving Tessa with the scroll and Map for security. Tessa sighed and sat along a very shadowed end of the Great Hall.
Tessa laid her bag beside her right thigh and laid her wand beside her left. She unbuckled the latch of her bag quietly. Flipping the top flap over the shoulder straps, she lifted her Potions book out, with a few sheets of crafting paper stuffed inside, and placed it upon her crossed legs. She unraveled the scroll Fred had given her and looked at the list.
Dragon- Safe and Sound
Rabbit- Get Outta There!
Snake- Snape/Prefect in the dungeon
Cat- McGonnagall
Crane- 5 minutes
Frog- !0 minutes
Whale- 15 minutes
Smiling, Tessa shook her head, rolled up the scroll, stuffed it in her bag, and began making the origami pieces. It was calming to make the pieces without her wand. She felt liberated to acknowledge and witness her minor mistakes and folds permanently wrinkled within the paper. Small origamis began lining Tessa's book by the time five minutes past.
She lifted her wand a lightly tapped the crane at the upper left corner of her makeshift desk. The Crane floated into the air and began floating in front of her face. She whispered a tracking spell she made to find the twins and the crafted paper zoomed towards the entrance of the Dungeon.
"Safe Travels," Tessa said quietly and looked down for the next sheet of paper.
Tessa shuddered at an unexpected noise and raised her head slowly. A medium sized cat sat in the middle of the grand staircase staring straight into Tessa's direction.
She froze hoping the cat was merely looking at the birds above her whom nestling themselves in the sil for the night, but the cat obviously bore their glowing eyes right into her soul.
The cat arched its body in a long and meaningful stretch before sauntering, slowly, down the staircase. Once it reached the third step that was fully illuminated by the moonlight, a small black paw and another slowly began showing until Tessa sighed with relief. Nyx leaped off the last step and hopped towards her owner.
Nyx head-butted the book on Tessa's lap with so much force it knocked over the origamis that now littered the floor and the book bag. The cat excitedly jumped onto the book and rolled to her side laying her body across Tessa's things. The cat pawed at Tessa's right hand trying to lean into her palm.
She rolled her eyes and began stroking underneath Rosie's chin. She picked up her wand with her free hand, and, with a flick, the papers on the floor rustled. The colorful sheets quickly formed into each of the last origamis needed.
"Alright; Alright. Let's move somewhere else," said Tessa to Nyx trying to pick the cat up off of her lap.
After gathering her things, with a very happy familiar weaving through her legs, Tessa moved them to a nook completely covered in the shadows. Rosie waited patiently as Tessa situated the Origamis on the window sill above them. Once Tessa sat down, Rosie jumped into her lap. Tessa chuckled and with a whip of her wand another Origami flew. Tessa closed her eyes hearing the paper crinkling to life and speeding towards the dungeon door.
"Merlin's beard!"
Tessa's eyes flew open from the sound of Profesor Lupin's voice. Nyx groaned at Tessa's sudden movements and playfully bit Tessa left hand. "Fuck," mumbled Tessa trying to struggle with getting her wand away from her cat. With a swift movement of her hand Tessa set herself free, but all of the origamis on the window flew towards the sound of Professor Lupin's voice. Like a rhythmic pattern of notes, each Origami hit its mark perfectly.
After a long silence Professor Lupin laughed and continued up the stairs. Nyx purred at the sight of the Professor once he reached ground level of the Great Hall and leaped off of Tessa's lap running towards him.
"Lousy cat," thought Tessa and began to stand up to proclaim her punishment.
"Not another step Miss Thornhill," said Lupin still petting Rosie who was now weaving underneath the Professor's legs and nibbling his frayed shoelaces.
"You have a mission to fulfill," he finished while standing up and began walking towards the staircase.
"Meet me in my Office Monday evening, after dinner, for your detention." Tessa grumbled with a mixed emotion of relief and annoyance.
"Oh by the way," said Professor Lupin once he reached the first step to the staircase. "You have about five more minutes." The Professor turned on his heels and swiveled back to the stairs bounding up them to continue his daily rounds.
Once the Professor was out of range she leaped off the window with so much force Nyx spat at her owner and scampered up the staircase to the Gryffindor Common Room Tessa yanked her backpack off the bench and ran to towards the dungeons.
"They're not leaving me out this time," said Tessa with annoyance as she skipped each step reaching the bottom of the dungeon. She leaped of the last step and ran towards the painting that was near the entrance of the Kitchens. Once she reached the door she saw a light emitting from the very end of the Hallway near the Slytherin Common Rooms.
"Shit," muttered Tessa as she opened the door quietly and closed it swiftly. "Oh Miss, if you're here to find the twins they've already left."
Tessa whirled around and rammed her back against the door. Her heart was racing at the little elf standing on the stool next to the cupboard. With a slight click the lock on the dessert pantry clicked and the elf leaped off of the stool.
"Terribly sorry to scare you Lady Gryffindor." The small elf's ears covered its eyes in shame. "I'm not Lady Gryffindor," Tessa thought with anger.
"Do you know where they went?" Tessa asked kindly.
"I think they walked towards the Common Room down the hall. A certain Professor was lumbering through the basement for quit sometime and might be back. You must get a move on too. My lady," said the elf with concern.
"Thanks," said Tessa trying to not roll her eyes. She opened the door and turned around to meet the elf again. She lifted her last sheet of paper and fashioned it to the shape of a dragon.
"Oh thank you Miss! Your creations are always a treasure!" Said the elf excitedly as he scampered towards the back of the kitchen and placed it near the stove.
Tessa laughed and left the room. She looked down the hall towards the light she saw emitting at the very end. Anger began to brew and Tessa bolted towards the end of the Hallway.
She already had detention with Professor Lupin and now that it was end of Quidditch, Tessa didn't really care what other Professors saw her during their rounds.
"MISS. LADY."
Tessa didn't bother to turn around to see what the elf had to offer for she was already nearing the Slytherin Common Room and didn't want to cause any more trouble to their evening.
Fred and George reached the end of a secret passageway and lifted the trap door slightly. Night sky and wind was their only company. George pushed the door harder and with a loud thud it hit the ground behind his head.
"Do you think Tessa got our letter?" Asked George smoothly while pulling his twin up and out of the door.
"Not sure, but there's only one way to find out," said Fred grinning as they walked towards the entry way to the Gryffindor Tower.
"GOT THE GOODS," the twins yelled in unison once the Fat Lady swung the door open to let them both through. Aloud roar of joy enveloped the Common Room as food began to lift out of their sack and land on the table. The party got louder and louder that even a muffling spell couldn't hold in the party for much longer. Fred scanned the room for Tessa while George began talking to Wood.
"She can't be that hard to miss she's taller than most of the students here," thought Fred. "Excuse me."
Fred looked down slightly. "That was awesome what you did during the match," said Malia, a Seventh year. Fred smirked and continued their conversation exploding with charm and wit that the girl incessantly laughed after every sentence Fred finished.
"I guess he knows what he's doing," said Lee to George.
"Not for long," thought George as he nodded at Lee's statement.
Tessa reached the top of the secret passageway, a floor away from the Common Room. She rolled her eyes at the lack of the twins' care with leaving the door open that she slammed it shut and jogged to the Grand Staircase.
"Always have to clean up their mistakes," mumbled Tessa loudly as she began to huff from her quick pace that she kept once she left the dungeons. She was too enveloped into her anger to look where she ran into something firm as she rounded a corner of the Hallway leading to the Grand staircase. She fell onto the ground, hard, with a heavy weight on top of her.
"At least, you found me and not another Prefect," mumbled the voice extremely close to her face. Tessa opened her eyes to see Cedric above her with his award winning smirk.
"Glad you found me as well," said Tessa.
"Kind of like this meeting we've created." Cedric smiled.
"I kind of like it too," said Tessa while blushing. Cedric blushed too and both began to register that neither one of them tried to move out of the situation they were in.
The only space that was between them was the gap between their chests and faces.
"So what brings you here," said Tessa.
"Um. You, actually," said Cedric looking down at Tessa's neck, or, at least, she hoped it was her neck.
"Oh. Care to explain, or are you going to stare at my neck all night," said Tessa with a smirk. Cedric's faced turned red even more and looked at Tessa's face.
"I found your bag while walking in the dungeons. A house elf saw me and told me you went passed the dungeons to the other staircase. So I figured you'd be near the Astronomy Tower and now we're here," said Cedric slightly pink.
"Well thanks for finding me and giving me my bag," said Tessa looking at Cedric's lips.
"Christ what is wrong with me," thought Tessa holding herself back from leaning forward. "He smells really nice," thought Tessa.
"You were great today. I've never seen someone dive bomb a goal before," said Cedric.
"Gotta go through any means necessary to score you know," said Tessa confidently.
"Yeah," said Cedric still not moving from the position they created.
"Is it okay of I take your advice," said Cedric looking back and forth at Tessa's lips and eyes.
"Yeah," said Tessa quietly. Cedric swiftly leaned forward and passionately kissed Tessa.
"Damn, he beat me," thought Tessa after Cedric lifted slightly from their kiss.
"Thanks," said Cedric breathlessly he lifted slightly and rubbed against her hips.
She kissed Cedric again with more force and passion than his. He obliged and began rubbing her waist up and down, with his hands, refusing to move to any further than the amount he thought felt comfortable to Tessa. She laughed slightly into their kiss.
"What?" Cedric asked, laughing as well after pulling away from the kiss.
"You are so nice," said Tessa placing a hand on Cedric's.
"Just didn't want to make you uncomfortable," said Cedric with a smile. "You aren't trust me," said Tessa biting her lip.
"You're a good kisser. I think I've already mentioned it before," Tessa added blushing.
"You too," said Cedric smiling.
"I'm sure plenty of guys have told you that of course." Tessa blushed and pushed Cedric off of her.
"You're the first person I've kissed actually. Well properly kissed," Tessa smiled and shrugged her shoulders a little. Cedric's face lit up as he stood to his feet. He reached towards Tessa's hand and helped her up as well.
Tessa stood up and wrapped and arm around Cedric's waist closing the space between them. Cedric smiled even more and began looking away and back at Tessa repeatedly.
"Do you want to try this again?" Cedric asked with excitement in his voice. Tessa kissed Cedric in response. He put his hand on her face while wrapping another around her lower torso. Tessa released from the kiss and Cedric rubbed his nose against Tessa's. "Shall I walk you back?" Cedric asked while brushing strands of hair out of Tessa's face.
"Yeah, but let's take the long way around. I have to show you something," said Tessa smiling.
"Okay," said Cedric letting go of Tessa's body and grabbing her hand instead. Tessa pulled Cedric back to the way she came.
"I'm not gonna lie," said Cedric quietly.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you after our first date. I really like you." Tessa smiled.
"I like you too. I always thought you were amazing, but I never thought I would get past being friends. Especially after my rampage before Holiday," said Tessa looking up at Cedric.
"Yeah, and you were too busy chasing someone else most of the time," said Cedric jokingly.
"Yeah. You're right, and I think I'm done chasing nothing. I'd rather be doing this," said Tessa blushing. "Did everyone notice me having a crush on him?" Tessa asked with slight embarrassment.
"Do you want me to answer honestly?" Cedric asked in response.
"Yes," said Tessa with a sigh. "And I promise I won't run away." Cedric laughed and squeezed her hand tighter.
"Yeah, um, everyone saw, or, at least, my friends did. They told me you'd be…difficult, and I believed them for most of the semester until I mustered up the courage to ask. They joked that you were already taken in your mind," Cedric said quietly. Tessa face had fallen.
"Well we don't have to worry about that now. I'm not like that anymore. Thanks for telling me," said Tessa smiling up at Cedric.
"Thanks for not running away," said Cedric.
"I'm actually surprised no one has found us yet," said Tessa lifting up the trap door with a flick of her wand.
"Even so I'd just say I'm taking you to a Professor's office. You know Prefect and everything," said Cedric. "Ready for this adventure," said Cedric taking Tessa hand.
"So ready," Tessa replied as she walked down the stairs first with Cedric in tow.
"I can't believe Fred is making out with her just so she'd shut up," said Hermione looking disgusted at the two playing tonsil hockey in the corner of the Common Room. At the table she usually studies at.
"If you'd had a conversation with her you'd do the same thing," mumbled Ginny with annoyance.
"I'm going to have to sanitize the table later," muttered Hermione.
"I'll help," said a girl behind them. Ginny and Hermione whipped around to see Tessa.
"Tessa!," said the girls in unison.
"We were so worried about you," said Ginny situating herself so Tessa could sit between them.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked looking over at Fred.
"Yeah, I'm alright. He can do whatever he wants," said Tessa with a smile.
"We honestly figured that after Holiday, but we just want to make sure," said Ginny with relief.
"I think I have a…friend." Ginny and Hermione looked at Tessa with excitement and surprise. "It's Cedric," said Tessa confidently.
Ginny and Hermione still smiled at Tessa the morning after the news.
"So I know we didn't have a chance to talk, but what happened," said Ginny with a cup of morning tea. Tessa, Ginny, and Hermione were the only Gryffindor students up that morning, so they felt free sitting wherever they pleased.
"Well we kissed, but he told me he still had feelings for me and wanted to see things through," said Tessa smearing jelly on a slice of toast.
"So that's why it took you so long to get back," said Hermione.
"Well Fred and George left me. I saw them go into a passageway after I received detention from Lupin, and we ran into each other. He came looking for me after I left my bag in front of his Common Room."
"Wait, I thought he wasn't a Headboy," said Ginny setting her mug on the table. "He said the Headboy was sick so he offered to do it instead," said Tessa smiling looking down at her plate. "He's really nice, and I want to see this trough to its full potential."
Hermione and Ginny smiled at their friend and were relieved she had acceptance and understanding, for once.
"I'm sure it'll be more than satisfactory," said Hermione picking up her book and opened the page that was bookmarked by thick sheets of notes.
Tessa waved Goodbye to the two still sitting at the table, and walked up to the Common Room.
"Tongue Fizzies," said Tessa to the Fat Lady. The door swung open to reveal an array of disoriented students still in their pajamas. Harry and Ron sat at the sofa in front of the fireplace with their heads hanging low.
"Morning boys," said Tessa jovially.
"Can you not talk so loud," stated Ron angrily in his squeaky voice.
"For Merlin's sake Ron, you didn't even drink," said Tessa laughing.
"Too much sugar can do wonders to you," stated Harry looking up from the Daily Prophet and slyly smiling at Tessa.
"I guess it can," stated Tessa walking towards the Girl's Dormitory.
Tessa changed into some jogging clothes and made a badger Origami and stuffed it into her HollyHead Harpies hoodie. She charged down the stairs waved to Harry and Ron.
"Hey Tess," said Harry. "If you're looking for the twins, they just left to eat breakfast." Ron lifted his head.
"Also a girl was with the—Ouch !" Harry elbowed Ron hard and muttered. "Shut up Ron."
"It's okay. I'm off to find someone else," said Tessa trying to keep her from getting too excited. Harry whipped around to look at Tessa.
"About time," said Harry and rolled back to his browsing position for the rest of the morning. Tessa was too excited to give a comeback and leaped of the step to the painting.
Once the Fat Lady closed her door Tessa whipped out her wand and with a flick the badger leaped off of her hand and ran along the staircase to its new owner. Tessa raced the paper down the stairs to the very bottom. The badger leaped off of the last steps and ran to the Great Hall. Tessa slowed her pace to a stop.
"Shit," muttered Tessa and she watched the little badger flatten itself and go under the seal of the Great doors. Tessa rubbed her face for a moment and slowly walked to where the paper would lead her to its destination. She opened the doors quietly to see the room filled with students from every House.
Hermione and Ginny sat in the same spot Tessa left them, but they were with many other girls laughing and giggling about whatever. Tessa scanned the room to see Fred, George, Lee, and a seventh year sitting together. Tessa rolled her eyes. She straightened her shoulders and walked towards the Hufflepuff Table.
"Hey Tess, wanna sit with us?" Angelina asked stopping Tessa at the end of the table. "We save a spot for you," she finished looking concerned.
"Erm, no I'm good," said Tessa winking at a very perplexed Angelina.
"You'll see," mumbled Tessa just enough for only Angelina to hear. She walked past the Gryffindor table and to the end of the Hufflepuff table.
Tessa looked back at her friend and Angelina had the broadest smile on her face that Tessa had ever seen. She looked back at the man she intended to sit with and noticed an empty seat to his left.
"Well, oh, well," said a Seventh Year. "Looks like she came after all."
Tessa smiled ready to up her charm. "I guess you found my note?" Tessa asked as she sat down in the open space.
"It's very crafty," said a Sixth year girl with a smile. "Could you teach me that sometime?" Tessa smiled.
"Of course," said Tessa. "I use it to find my friends." Most of the group nodded in approval.
"Very handy," said Cedric smiling broadly.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go on a jog today?" Tessa asked.
"Sounds great," said Cedric the smile never leaving his face.
"Gryffindor won the match and you still are conditioning?" Asked a Seventh year that Tessa saw as the Beater for the team.
"It's more of a hobby," stated Tessa reaching for a cup of tea and bacon. Some of the Quidditch players Tessa recognized around her nodded their heads and continued on with their conversations amongst themselves.
"If I do go jogging with you, I have a much better sweater you should use," said Cedric nudging her.
"Oh really, what could be better than the Harpies," stated Tessa placing her elbow on the table and resting her chin in her hand.
"You'll see," stated Cedric who continued to eat the last of his breakfast quickly.
Tessa left with Cedric after he finished his cup of tea. They stood up and some of the Gryffindor table fell silent. She walked out of the Hall and waved goodbye to her roommates who frantically waved back. She didn't dare look in the direction of the twins.
"Luckily the Common Room isn't too far off," said Tessa reaching for Cedric's hand.
"Yeah. You're welcome to come in," said Cedric looking at Tessa.
"Erm. Uh. Really?" Tessa said more shocked than anything.
"Well yeah," said Cedric with slight concern. "You just need to stand by the door," said Cedric. "I trust you. You almost were chosen for our House that year, I remember," said Cedric smiling.
"I had qualities of every House," said Tessa with a laugh.
"True," said Cedric. "I've never seen Dumbeldore shift in his seat while waiting for a student's sorting."
Tessa looked at Cedric with surprise. "No one's every told me that before," said Tessa wide-eyed.
"Yeah it was quite something," said Cedric looking proud.
"Why do you think everyone older than you has been somewhat decent towards you?" Tessa nodded her head and opened the door to the kitchens.
"I'll wait here," said Tessa with a smile.
"You sure?" stated Cedric. "No one is in there. It'll only be us. Where's that sense of adventure," said Cedric wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Where's your loyalty," Tessa retorted with a smirk.
"No opposing house member has ever seen our Common Room," said Cedric. "But that doesn't mean that they've never been inside." Cedric wrapped a tie around Tessa's eyes and pulled it tight.
TAP TAP. TAP TAP TAP.
Tessa heard a door swing open and felt Cedric's arms on her waist and thigh. "Okay, I know this is going to sound weird, but I need you to jump and wrap your legs around my waist. It's the, uh, only way to maneuver you through so you won't hit your head. Tessa stomach began to fill with butterflies. She leaped and wrapped her legs around his waist and rested her arms around his neck. She brushed his nose with hers trying to get a position.
"Sorr—" Cedric shut her up with a kiss. "Now hold on tight I have to crawl through," stated Cedric.
"Okay," said Tessa still in shock. She felt her body shift with Cedric as he swiftly maneuvered through the hole.
"Well you've had great practice," said Tessa jokingly. Cedric chuckled in her ear.
"Trust me you're the first," whispered Cedric. Tessa smiled and shivered slightly at his breath in her ear.
She felt warmth in the room and heard the small crackling of a fireplace. She heard rustling of leaves and chimes swaying slightly. She could feel sunlight on her face and the room smelled like flowers. Tessa laid her head on Cedric's shoulder. A leaf brushed her cheek, and Tessa lifted up her head banging it against a metal pot.
"Merlin! I'm so sorry," said Cedric holding Tessa's head where a large pot hit her. She only laughed in response and held tighter. She could feel Cedric stifling a laugh as well.
Cedric shifted Tessa's weight and let go with one hand to open a door. The room smelled completely different than the one before.
"Are we in a hallway?" Asked Tessa sniffing the dusty air. Cedric laughed. Tessa smiled and patiently waited for the next room. This one was boring.
Cedric opened a door to his room. He waddled over to his bed and slowly sat Tessa there.
"Nice room," said Tessa crossing her legs and patiently waiting. Cedric laughed and walked over to his wardrobe. He opened it looking for his Puddlemore United hoodie.
"Hope she'll wear it," thought Cedric to himself as he took a once over of the hoodie. He turned around saw Tessa in a muggle T-shirt with her Hoodie to the side. Cedric smiled and walked over. She lifted her arms and Cedric placed the holes over her hands. Tessa did the rest and situated the slightly baggy hood around her waist.
"Looks great," said Tessa with a smile.
Cedric smirked and walked over to Tessa. He lifted her over his shoulder and briskly walked out of his room. Tessa's laugh echoed the hallway as he jogged to the Common Room. He weaved through the dancing plants and chimes and made it to the entrance. He lifted Tessa pushed her through first; He leaped off of the barrel and swung the door shut behind him.
"Can I take my blindfold off now?" Tessa asked standing in the same spot he led her to.
"Yes," said Cedric with a chuckle. Tessa whipped off her blindfold and looked down at the hoodie. She nodded in approval and turned around.
"It's nice," said Tessa folding her hands into the pockets.
"Much better than the other sweater," replied Cedric nudging Tessa out of the corridor.
They aimlessly jogged and walked outside for most of the morning until more students emerged from the depths of the castle. They skipped rocks by the lake until it was time for lunch and walked back to the Great Hall. Cedric held open the doors for Tessa to go through and walked in behind her he squeezed her hand goodbye and marched over to the Hufflepuff Table leaving Tessa at her own. She aimlessly walked over to her roommates and sat down.
"So how'd it go?" Asked Katie excitedly.
"It was nice. He's really sweet," replied Tessa with a blush. She ranted on and on about his passions and personal stories until dessert enveloped the table in front of her.
"Sounds like you're having a great time," stated Angelina winking.
"So far yeah," said Tessa trying to reach over the tables to get the last peanut butter cookie. All three of her roommates looked at each other and silence fell between them.
"What?" Exclaimed Tessa with a cookie stuffed in her mouth.
"Fred's been in his room all day," replied Alicia.
"Well he can get over it. He seemed pretty happy sticking his tongue down that girl's throat last night. Why can't I enjoy mine?" The girls giggled at Tessa's statement and continued eating lunch gossiping about the party and who did what with whom.
Tessa walked down the Hall of Hexes aimlessly. She bid her time until she saw the forsaken door that would lead her to the group she was looking for. She stopped at the entrance and stared at the knob before turning slightly and pushing the door in slowly.
"There she is," bellowed George leaning away from scattered notes and an open book.
"About time," stated Fred not looking away from a potion brewing in his cauldron.
"We decided to study today," finished George with a smile. "We got your bag from your roommates," stated Lee with a wink and lifting up Tessa's bag. Tessa shut the door and walked across the room snagging her bag to reach the empty seat George scooted out for her to sit in.
"So what are we studying," stated Tessa lifting up some of Georges notes after scooting her chair in.
"Potions," said George pointing over at Fred.
"And DADA," said George broadly with Lee fist pumping in the background.
"Pick your poison," whispered George slyly. Tessa, without breaking George's eye contact, flipped open her bag and pulled out DADA. George nodded in approval and looked back down at his notes.
Tessa stretched her tired arms and legs. After dinner, the group relocated to the library. An entire table filled with Gryffindor fifth years placed themselves at the deepest parts of the library without disturbances. Mostly after Fred tried to avoid a table of giggling seventh years waving him over repeatedly while the twins waited for the rest of their group.
"I think it's time to head in," stated Tessa closing her book and leaning forward to stretch her aching back.
"I think the rest of us will stay," replied Angelina.
"You guys have a head start," finished Katie with a smile.
"Yeah I think I'll stay too," stated Lee pulling out his potions book. Angelina rolled hers and pulled out her DADA book using her quickly vacated potion books as a stand.
"Or DADA is fine too," said Lee slowly placing his potion books down and pulling out more DADA notes. Tessa giggled while putting her things away. She stood up and noticed that Fred was already finished standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her and his brother.
The trio walked passed group after group of studying students half asleep and struggling to keep up the momentum of reading book after book before exams.
"Hey Fred," said a voice very flirtatiously. Tessa looked up to see Malia, with the group of giggling seventh year girls, waving Fred over. Fred raised his hand once and kept on walking.
"What are they in third year," mumbled Tessa as they walked passed. Both Fred and George chuckled at her statement, and Tessa smirked with approval.
"Wait! Wait," said Malia stumbling out of her chair to catch up.
"I was wondering if you wanted to study with us," she stated while stroking and index finger down Fred's arm. Tessa gagged and the girl whipped her head around with such ferocity that George even scoffed at her glare that tried to rip through Tessa's core.
"No thanks," stated Fred getting the girl's attention back to him. Her face quickly changed to the award winning smile she had mere seconds before and then dropped to a pout.
"Your work is too advanced, of course, for a fifth year like me," said Fred again and turning to walk away. Tessa smirked and walked with him in tow.
"Well I could go in early too," mumbled the girl looking back at the table.
"Will she ever take a hint," mumbled Fred to Tessa.
"You made the bed," replied Tessa her smiled broadening once Fred quickened his pace.
"This is great," said Tessa once they exited the Library.
"Yeah for you," yelled Fred jogging down the hall to a secret passage way for good measure. Tessa and George laughed jogging after him when they heard the Library door burst open.
"I'M COMING," yelled the girl trying to sprint down the hall.
"How rude," mumbled George looking back at the open door slowly shutting back again from the force of her pushing the door against the wall.
"At least you're being a gentleman," said Tessa smiling at Fred's patience.
"Our Mother raised us well," stated George putting his arm over Tessa's shoulder.
"Could we walk alone, please," stated Malia once she caught up. She glared at Tessa who patiently waited on Fred's response while putting her hand on George's waist.
"Of course," said Fred with a sarcastic smile.
"Splendid," she replied grinning at Fred.
"Oh could you be a dear and hold my bags. They are so heavy from all the books I have to carry. You know I'm taking more classes than any student here—," her voice faded down the hall while Fred snatched her bag out of her hand.
"He made his bed deep," stated George squeezing Tessa's shoulder and pulling her to walk the opposite direction. "Let's go an even longer way around."
George and Tessa quietly walked passed the library again.
"So, now that they are way out of range," said Tessa. "How and why did this happen again. I mean I know he made out with her at the party, but she's treating him like a matt she can now walk all over."
"Well, from what I know, she's had her eye on at least one of us since we hit puberty. But that's also coming from Angelina," said George with a laugh.
"He only made out with her," said Tessa still confused.
"Not everyone's like you and your roommates Tessa," said George. "I'm just relieved it's not me." Tessa laughed. "Well she's going to get a wakeup call on that walk if she doesn't stop."
"Fred's already annoyed with her," said George frowning. "A bit put out with you for some reason."
"Even Ginny would be off-putting to that witch," replied Tessa with annoyance.
"She said some things over breakfast," said George thinning his lips into a flat line.
"It's okay. I'm a rock," said Tessa stoically.
"You are, but it was about you, your family. Just things that weren't acceptable," said George squeezing Tessa closer.
"And you defended my honor of course," said Tessa smiling up at the red-head.
"Yes, but in our own ways," replied George with a cunning smile.
"Good" stated Tessa leaning in closer to George's body.
"So Fred was hiding in his room—,"
"Because she wouldn't leave him alone," interrupted George. "He's fine you know."
Tessa sighed with relief. "He's a nice guy," mumbled Tessa quietly.
"Yeah but he also beat us on a fluke," stated George with pent up anger over the first Quidditch match last semester.
"Yeah, but we won cup," replied Tessa. George smiled. "Yeah, we did."
The Fat Lady opened the door to reveal an empty Common Room. "Looks like they haven't quit made it," stated George.
"So what was your way of defending my honor," stated Tessa too nosy to hold in her questions any longer.
"Puking Pastels," stated George plopping onto the sofa by the fireplace.
"Ah well I'm glad I will not witness it," said Tessa slyly.
"Told Fred she wanted candy to help her stress," said George ignoring Tessa.
"I'm sure she's so stressed out with all those classes," Tessa laughed.
"We all know who's taking the most of any student," replied George with a smile. Tessa nodded and rested her head on the back of the sofa.
The Common Room door opened and closed quietly. Tessa looked over to see Fred walking towards them.
"Well that's the end of that," stated Fred joyfully. He sat down next to Tessa and put and arm over the sofa.
"It's not right that people act that way," said Tess placing a hand on Fred's shoulder.
"Agreed," finished the twins in unison.
Silence was a rarity with the three, but they all enjoyed it for once. They stared at the fire until a few more students came in to study at a corner table farthest from the three.
"I'll see you guys tomorrow," said Tessa stretching.
"It's a big day," said George getting up as well.
"I think we'll be okay," said Tessa. "The potions final isn't until Friday. I'll help you guys out." Fred and George smiled broadly.
"Goodnight Tess," said the twins in unison.
"Night," replied Tessa reaching the girl's dorm door and closing it behind her.
"I'm glad things went so smoothly," thought Tessa as she spiraled up the staircase. She opened her door to and changed everything except Cedric's sweater as she crawled into bed for night.