00
After the routine pleasantries have been said and I’m sure Hermione is asleep, I peel back my covers as quietly as I can and make my way to the door. I halt before reaching for the handle, glancing down at my pyjama clad legs wondering if I should quickly change. No, I tell myself it’s after curfew no-one will see me. After convincing myself I’ll be fine I reach for the handle and swiftly make an exit.
I creep down the winding stairs on my toes, not wanting to make a sound or draw any unwanted attention to myself. Nearing the common room, I can hear voices blurring together, their hushed whispers too quiet for me to make sense of. The light of the now dim fire still somewhat illuminates the stairwell, the familiar burning smell invading my lungs as I stop at the base of the stairs.
Taking a deep breath to prepare myself, I exit the stairs moving as quickly and quietly as I can, desperately trying to stay unnoticed. Releasing my breath a celebratory smile creeps it’s way onto my face happy that whoever is in the common room didn’t notice me.
‘Hey, where are you going’ a voice questions and my stomach drops, the smile instantly dropping from my face. I quickly turn around to face the voice only to be met with the twins. Again.
‘I’m just going to the owlery’ I say quietly, not really sure why I’m explaining myself to them. The twin who spoke looks at me with a single eyebrow raised, his eyes momentarily dropping down to my tartan pyjama trousers and I’ve never regretted not changing more in my entire life.
The other boy glances to the clock hung above the fireplace. ‘At this hour?’ he asks me, confused. The boys share a glance then bringing their gazes back to me expectantly, waiting for me to answer.
Wracking my brain for a valid excuse to be sneaking out of the dorm all that comes to me is unconvincing. ‘It’s less busy at this time’ I get out weakly not wanting them to question me further. Feeling the silence fall over us like a ton of bricks I promptly turn back around and start towards the door.
Once I’m out the door, I turn left picking up my pace to be as quick as possible. I’m halfway down the corridor when I hear the Fat Lady complaining, my steps falter and I turn my head back to see what’s going on only to be met with the sight of fiery hair emerging from the painting. My mouth falls agape seeing the boy, convincing myself he can’t be in pursuit of me instead something fun and adventurous. After all the boy is a Weasley.
Turning on my heal, I set my pace back to what it was hoping that I can turn the corner before the boy notices me. To my horror, I hear fast approaching footsteps coming in my direction. I keep my head down trying to mind my business when a body stops next to me slightly out of breath and hunched over.
‘Merlin you walk fast’ he breathes out his body hunched over with his hands resting on his knees. He straightens back up to his full height, combing his shoulder length hair out of his face and resumes walking in the direction I was heading in.
‘Where are you going’ I question him, staying in position from where he just was. He turns to me, now walking backwards his face playfully scrunched up.
‘Owlery’ he states as if it’s obvious ‘You coming or not?’ he pushes, not giving me any time to respond. Without thought, my legs carry me towards him quickly catching up.
‘Shouldn’t you be in the common room?’ I press not meeting his burning gaze.
‘Shouldn’t you?’ he challenges quietly, and we fall silent. We walk for a few minutes like that, not a word exchanged between us no noise apart from the soft patter of our feet.
‘Why are you going to the owlery so late anyway?’ the boy says breaking our silence. Once again, I’m left searching for an excuse, why must he ask questions that I can’t answer. Looking up at him I find his eyes already looking down at me.
‘Which one are you?’ I ask softly, trying my best to change the topic from me and onto him. A large mischievous grin spreads across his face, his features morphing to match it.
‘Same one you ran into this morning’ he says with a wink, and I drag my eyes away from his. Embarrassment crawling up the back of my neck. Laughter cracks out of him, the same noise that escaped him on our first meeting.
‘I’m so sorry about that’ I say quickly, my hands coming up to play with my hair, grasping onto sections absentmindedly. His laughter dies down and he slings an arm around me lazily my body tensing at the contact.
‘I’m Fred’ he says sincerely this time, offering out his other hand to me.
‘Evie’ I reply simply, taking his raised hand in mine. He shakes it firmly a smile once again taking over his face as he leans in closer to me.
‘Nice to meet you Evie’ he says in a near whisper, so close to me I can feel his breath fan over my cheek.