IX
IX
Thalia had spent hours over the past few days meticulously crafting her timetable, trying to balance the rigid expectations of her grandfather with her need to stay at Hogwarts. Her Monday slot was easily filled with the year group study hall, Potions on Tuesday, Alchemy on Thursday, and Transfiguration on Friday. But Thursday was a thorn in her side. She had stared at the empty space for hours, trying to come up with an acceptable reason for her absence from the house. After much deliberation, she finally wrote "Library" in the slot, praying that would be enough of an excuse for her Grandfather to approve. She knew he wouldn’t question it too much, but the thought of having to lie sent her pulse racing.
When Wednesday finally arrived, she approached his study door with a mix of apprehension and determination. She’d rehearsed what she would say, knowing full well her Grandfather would scrutinize every detail. Her heart hammered in her chest as she knocked softly, the sound echoing down the silent hallway.
"Enter," came his voice, deep and authoritative as always.
Thalia hesitated for only a moment before stepping inside, her eyes immediately falling to the floor in an attempt to avoid his piercing gaze. She approached his desk, where he sat, papers and a glass of whiskey in front of him.
“Grandfather, here is my timetable,” she said, holding out the parchment with both hands. “I’ve made sure to include study sessions and classes that I believe are necessary for my success this term.”
Her Grandfather didn’t immediately look up from his papers. His fingers absently swirled the contents of his glass as he took the parchment, inspecting it with a cold, calculating gaze. Thalia held her breath, the silence stretching on longer than she could bear.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he let out a soft grunt of approval, barely glancing up at her. “It’s adequate.”
He took a moment longer to read over the timetable, then gave a stiff nod. Without a word, he handed it back to her, his fingers brushing briefly against hers as he did. "I trust you’ll abide by this schedule and attend those sessions you’ve listed. If you find yourself straying, there will be consequences. Am I understood?"
“Yes, Sir,” Thalia replied quietly, trying to mask the relief that rushed through her. He hadn’t questioned the library slot.
With another cold nod, her Grandfather gestured to the door. "Good. Now leave me to my work."
Thalia made her way to the door, but just before she left, she turned slightly. “Thank you, Grandfather,” she said, though the words felt hollow in her mouth.
His gaze flicked up for a brief moment, but he didn’t acknowledge her thanks, instead focusing on the papers in front of him. "Don’t waste my time, Thalia."
And with that, she left the study, her heart still racing but her mind finally clear. She had her timetable. She had the chance to remain at Hogwarts, and she had just a little bit of space to breathe, for now.
As she walked back down the hallway, her thoughts were already turning toward how she could make the most of her time. Studying is only a cover, she reminded herself. I’ll find a way to use that time wisely.
~.~.~
The following evening, the slot Thalia had assigned to library study, she allowed the twins to lead her through the corridors to the Great Hall. The boys flanked her on either side, their usual banter filling the air. George had his arm casually draped over her shoulders, an unfamiliar yet comforting gesture that had Thalia’s cheeks tinted pink. As they walked the pair had their heads thrown back in laughter as they mocked Fred’s latest transfiguration disaster.
“A demon budgie,” George spluttered out, almost choking on his own laughter.
“I was meant to transfigure a tea cosy into a turtle!” Fred wailed, “instead it became some sort of deranged budgie, I thought it was going to peck my eyes out!”
Fred shot them both a scowl as their laughter echoed off the corridor walls, though the playful irritation on his face couldn’t quite hide the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "It's not that funny!" he grumbled, crossing his arms and pouting as the laughter from George and Thalia only intensified.
Thalia’s laugh bubbled up uncontrollably, the sound rich and warm, as she wiped tears from her eyes. "I can’t even see how a budgie is in any way related to a turtle!" she teased, nudging George, whose grin was infectious.
Fred rolled his eyes, though a smirk tugged at his lips. "Well, I suppose we’ll never know. Clearly, I’m just too advanced for this whole magic thing." His tone was sarcastic, but they all knew it was just another round of playful teasing.
As they approached the Gryffindor table, the lively hum of chatter and laughter grew louder. Thalia found a spot on the bench between Alicia and George, squeezing herself into the space with an apologetic smile. George, ever the playful one, knocked his knee against hers gently under the table, sending her a cheeky grin that made her heart flutter despite herself. She nudged him back, a silent acknowledgment of their growing bond.
Thalia grabbed a generous portion of lasagne, the layers of cheese and sauce comforting against the gnawing hunger she had been suppressing all day. She piled her plate with a thick slice of garlic bread, the aroma of herbs and butter making her stomach growl in anticipation. Her hunger felt different tonight—less like a result of missed meals and more like a craving for something she hadn’t realized she’d been longing for: the ease of acceptance and friendship.
Digging into her hearty meal ravenously, she could almost forget that she was lying to her grandfather, that her time at Hogwarts was a constant balancing act between staying true to herself and staying under his watchful eye.
Her spiralling thoughts were interrupted when Lee Jordan’s voice boomed from across the table.
"Not disappearing on us again tonight, Badger?" Lee called, waggling his eyebrows at her.
Thalia froze, looking up at him, trying to hide the nervous flutter in her stomach. She could feel her friends' curious gazes on her, and it made her want to shrink back. Forcing a nonchalant shrug, she tried to play it off as casually as possible.
"I might head to the library after dinner," she said, her voice light, trying to sound unconcerned.
"No! Not again!" Ginny practically wailed, shaking her head dramatically. "Hermione dragged me there last night. Don't make me go back!"
“We all agreed on a relaxing night in the Common Room!” Angelina chimed in with a teasing groan, looking back and forth between the twins and the other Gryffindors.
Thalia felt her stomach drop as Angelina’s words sank in, and she forced a smile onto her face, even though it felt like it might crack under the pressure. Looking back up at the older girl, she tried to muster a nonchalant tone.
"That's alright, I don't mind studying by myself," she said. But her voice betrayed her, wavering ever so slightly and carrying with it a thread of loneliness she couldn’t quite suppress. She kept her eyes low, pretending to focus on the remnants of lasagna on her plate, anything to avoid the pity she was certain would reflect in Angelina’s gaze.
Deep down, she had known this moment would come. They were Gryffindors, and she wasn’t. No matter how much time she spent with them, they belonged to a world of roaring fires, golden-red tapestries, and camaraderie built on years of shared experiences. She didn’t. Their paths were bound to diverge eventually. They had their common room, their shared identity, and their tight-knit house. She had... the library, perhaps, and a heavy silence waiting for her at home.
As much as she tried to brush it off, the thought gnawed at her. How could she be part of their group when her reality was so different from theirs? When she couldn’t fully join in, couldn’t truly belong?
Angelina seemed to pick up on the shift in her tone, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she leaned closer. "That’s not what I meant, you idiot," she said with a warm laugh, her teasing laced with concern. "We’re not ditching you, Thalia. You’re part of this now, whether you like it or not."
Thalia glanced up at her then, startled, and caught the determined glint in Angelina’s eyes. She wasn’t joking—none of them were. They weren’t ready to let her slip away, not tonight, not ever. And the thought, as foreign as it felt, made her chest tighten with something other than sadness.
Before she could respond, George’s voice chimed in, his usual playful lilt softened with something more sincere. "We’re serious, Lia. No more sneaking off. Tonight’s for you.
Fred interrupted his brother, his excitement causing him to physically vibrate, “A true Gryffindor initiation!"
Thalia paused mid-bite, the lasagne practically forgotten on her fork as the weight of Fred’s words sank in. Formal induction? She blinked at him, trying to process the sudden shift in conversation. The twins were grinning mischievously, clearly pleased with themselves, while the rest of the group—Ginny, Lee, Angelina, Alicia, Katie and the Golden Trio—were eyeing her with interest.
“You’re part of the team now, Lia,” Fred said with a knowing look, his tone light but with a serious undertone. “We’ve been talking about it. You’ve been hanging out with us for a while now, and we think it’s time you really feel like one of us.”
Thalia’s pulse quickened. She hadn’t expected this. The idea of being “officially” part of the group was something she hadn’t really considered. She didn’t know how to have friends. A true friendship group of people who cared. Her mind raced, her typical anxious thoughts threatening to overwhelm her.
But George, sensing her hesitation, nudged her playfully. “Don’t worry, it’s just an excuse to have some fun. We’re talking about a proper Gryffindor initiation, nothing too dramatic. Just a little bit of time to officially call the common room your second home.”
Ginny, clearly trying to ease the tension, grinned and added, “It’s not like you don’t already spend all your time with us anyway. Think of it as a celebration—of your brilliance, and maybe also your slightly questionable taste in friends,” she teased, glancing over at the twins.
Thalia hesitated, glancing between them all. It sounds like they actually want me there, she thought, the warmth of the moment making her heart flutter slightly. She knew she could always choose to leave if it got too overwhelming, but maybe—just maybe—it was time to fully embrace the idea of belonging somewhere.
With a deep breath, she smiled at them all, a little unsure but excited nonetheless. “Alright, alright. I guess I can’t say no to that. But I’m not making any promises on how much fun I’ll actually have.” She shot George a playful look, who winked in response.
“Perfect,” Fred said, clapping his hands together. “We’ll make sure you get the full experience.”
Lee nodded enthusiastically, raising his goblet in a mock toast. "To Thalia Winterbourne, honorary lion of the evening!"
The whole group erupted in agreement,drawing a few bemused glances from the surrounding students, and Thalia’s forced smile started to feel a little more real. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she didn’t need to pretend, didn’t need to downplay the ache inside her. They saw her, really saw her, and still wanted her there. It was strange, overwhelming even, but also... nice.
She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she glanced down at her plate. "You lot are relentless, you know that?"
"Absolutely," Ginny quipped, flashing her a grin. "And you’d better get used to it."
Thalia looked around at their expectant faces, her heart beating a little faster at the realization that they weren’t ready to let her drift away—not yet.
As the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, the feeling of being part of something larger settled in Thalia’s chest. It was strange but comforting to realize she was no longer just an outsider. The group felt like home, and though she had her reservations, she wasn’t about to turn away from this newfound sense of camaraderie.
Dinner continued with the usual chatter and teasing. The twins were up to their usual antics, making Lee laugh so hard he nearly choked on his drink. Ginny and Angelina joined in, teasing the boys about their latest misadventures with their pranks and inventions. Thalia found herself laughing more freely, caught up in the rhythm of their banter. Every so often, she glanced at the twins, who were watching her with affectionate smiles, as if they were silently welcoming her into their world, a world she wasn’t sure she had ever fully believed she would be a part of.
When dinner finally ended, and the group stood to leave, George dropped his cutlery onto his plate and brushed his hand against hers in a quick, friendly gesture.
“So, library or common room?” he asked, his voice light but with a teasing edge. “You can’t escape us now, Lia.”
She paused for a moment, glancing in the direction of the great doors thinking of her lonely desk in the library, but the warmth of the Gryffindor table and the chatter of the common room seemed far more inviting tonight.
“Common room,” she said with a smile, meeting George’s eyes. "I think I could use a little Gryffindor bonding after all."
The twins exchanged pleased looks, their identical grins lighting up the room as they slapped each other a triumphant high five. Fred leaned back in his chair, a smug glint in his eyes, while George couldn’t resist a wink in Thalia’s direction, his expression a mix of pride and playful mischief.
Ginny, meanwhile, let out an excited squeal and immediately grabbed hold of Thalia’s hand. "Come on, Lia!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her heels. Before Thalia could protest—or even fully process what was happening—Ginny was tugging her out of her seat. and pulling her toward the door of the Great Hall.
"Wait! I haven’t even—" Thalia began, gesturing back toward her half-finished plate of food.
"Too late!" Ginny said with a laugh, dragging her along. "You’re officially ours for the night!"
The rest of the Gryffindors weren’t far behind. Angelina and Alicia exchanged amused glances, their grins wide as they hurried to catch up. Katie trailed them, throwing a cheerful wave to a confused Hufflepuff table. Lee, ever the showman, announced loudly to anyone who cared to listen, "Make way, make way! A momentous occasion is upon us!"
Fred and George brought up the rear, walking with a casual swagger but clearly just as excited as the rest. Fred nudged George with his elbow, his grin never faltering. "Told you she couldn’t resist our charm."
"Naturally," George replied, giving a mock bow to an imaginary crowd. "We are, after all, irresistible."
Thalia couldn’t help but laugh, though her cheeks flushed pink as the group’s energy swept her along. The lively gaggle of Gryffindors created quite the scene as they exited the hall, their chatter and laughter echoing through the corridors. A few students paused to watch them go, their curiosity piqued by the infectious enthusiasm of the group.
By the time they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, the group was practically vibrating with energy. Fred leaned against the wall with mock seriousness, pretending to shield Thalia’s ears.
“No listening to the password, Badger. Top-secret Gryffindor intel,” he teased.
“Oh, come on, Fred,” Ginny said with an eye-roll, nudging him aside.
“Fine, fine. But only because she’s one of us now,” Fred said, waving his hand dramatically as George gave the password.
“Fizzing Whizzbee!”
The Fat Lady swung open with a bemused smile, and the Gryffindor common room was revealed in all its warm, golden glory. The room was cozy and inviting, a perfect reflection of the Gryffindor spirit. Overstuffed brown leather armchairs and sofas were arranged haphazardly around the space, their cushions worn from years of use but still plump and welcoming. The warm glow from the large fire crackling in the stone hearth spread across the room, casting flickering shadows on the walls and bathing everything in a golden hue.
On one side of the room, a row of tall, mismatched bookcases stretched nearly to the ceiling. They were crammed full of books of every size and age, their spines displaying titles that ranged from school texts to novels, and even a few clearly magical tomes with glowing runes etched into their covers. Among the books were scattered trinkets and treasures: small statues, framed photos of Gryffindor alumni, and peculiar objects that looked like the sort of thing Fred and George might use in their pranks. A well-loved chessboard and a stack of old, slightly tattered board games were tucked into one of the shelves, waiting to be played.
The opposite wall featured tall windows, now obscured by thick, crimson velvet curtains embroidered with the golden lion of Gryffindor. They swayed slightly with the draft, adding a subtle, rhythmic movement to the room. Two grand archways stood at the other end of the room, leading to the spiral staircases that Thalia guessed led to the dormitories.
The air carried the faint scent of parchment and a hint of something sweet—likely remnants from the many late-night treats sneaked in from the kitchens. The atmosphere felt alive, almost as if the room itself was smiling in welcome. It wasn’t just a space to study or relax; it was a haven, filled with history, camaraderie, and the essence of countless memories.
Thalia couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy, tempered by awe, as she let her eyes take in every detail. This was a home, not just a common room.
Thalia spun around in a slow circle, her wide eyes drinking in every detail of the room, her wonder so genuine it felt almost contagious. Behind her, she heard a chorus of snickers from the Gryffindors, clearly amused by the awe written across her face.
Blushing slightly, she spun back to face the twins, letting out a breathy laugh.
“This place is incredible!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with genuine amazement.
"Yes well, let's not dilly-dally, Winterbourne!" Lee announced with exaggerated impatience. Before she could protest, he clasped her shoulders and steered her toward a well-worn sofa near the hearth, its cushions sagging invitingly as if ready to envelop her.
As she passed through the room, a familiar voice called out, “Hey, Thalia!” Turning her head, she spotted Claudia, a friendly sixth-year Gryffindor from her Arithmancy class, lounging with a group of friends near the window.
“Oh, hi, Claudia,” Thalia said, returning the smile with an added blush.
“I’ve been wondering how long it would take these hooligans to drag you up here,” Claudia teased, her eyes flicking knowingly toward Fred, George and Lee who were clearly in full orchestrator mode.
“Official initiation tonight,” Fred declared dramatically, clasping his hands together as though declaring a royal decree. His grin as wide as ever as he nudged Thalia along without missing a beat.
“It was nice to see you!” Thalia called back over her shoulder, her voice bright despite being hurried along.
Claudia gave a knowing chuckle and waved her off, but not before Thalia caught Fred rolling his eyes in exaggerated annoyance.
“I’m being polite!” she protested, grinning and shrugging at Claudia as if to say What can you do?
“Typical Hufflepuff,” George teased with a smirk, his tone affectionate as he elbowed her lightly.
Thalia laughed, the sound light and genuine, as George’s teasing remark hung in the air. "And what exactly is wrong with being polite?" she shot back, raising an eyebrow in mock challenge.
"Nothing, nothing," Fred said, holding his hands up in mock surrender, "but there's a time and place, Lia, and this is the Gryffindor common room. Politeness gets drowned out by chaos here."
"Exactly," George chimed in. "It's practically our house motto: Why say please when you can prank instead? "
Thalia rolled her eyes, unable to suppress her grin as Lee steered her toward the largest sofa near the fire. The cushions were so worn they practically engulfed her when she sat down, and a blanket—embroidered with faint golden lion motifs—was draped over the armrest.
“Right then, let’s get started,” Angelina said, plopping onto the sofa’s armrest beside her, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Alicia and Katie took up positions on the floor, cross-legged and leaning against the furniture, while Ginny perched on the opposite arm of the couch. Fred and George stood before the group like presenters about to host a chaotic game show, their energy buzzing like static in the room.
“So,” Fred began, pacing dramatically, “you’ve managed to weasel your way into Gryffindor territory. Congratulations.”
“We figured we’d give you a taste of the good life,” George added, gesturing around the room with a flourish, “and officially welcome you into our noble and—dare I say—legendary house.”
“Legendary for what, exactly? Detentions?” Thalia quipped, earning a round of laughter and a proud grin from Fred.
“Exactly!” Lee exclaimed. “Welcome to the house of rule-benders, risk-takers, and general overachievers in chaos.”
“Don’t forget bravery,” Hermione interjected from a nearby armchair, her voice dripping with mock-seriousness as she glanced up from her book. “Even if it’s sometimes bravery with questionable decision-making skills.”
Fred clutched his chest as though wounded. “Hermione! You wound us with your cruel words.”
“Yet you continue proving me right,” she retorted with a small smirk before returning to her book.
Thalia laughed again, her heart feeling lighter with every second she spent among them. "Alright," she said, sitting up straighter. "What does this initiation involve? Some sort of daring act? A prank on Snape? I mean I’ve already survived many meals with you!”
“Surviving a meal? That’s a warm-up,” Ginny teased, tossing a pillow at Thalia, who caught it with a grin.
“Oh no, no pranks tonight,” George said, looking entirely unconvincing. “Just a bit of fun, bonding, and perhaps—”
Fred cut in, his eyes twinkling mischievously, “a harmless game of truth or dare.”
The room erupted in cheers and groans, and Thalia, despite herself, felt a spark of excitement. Whatever was about to happen, she knew one thing for sure: she was in for a night she wouldn’t soon forget.
George practically skipped to a small, scratched wooden table in the corner, snatching a chilled bottle of butterbeer from a collection someone had thoughtfully brought up from the kitchens. With an exaggerated bow and a mischievous grin, he returned to the group, presenting the bottle like a prized artifact.
“Let’s make it a game of spin the bottle—more fair that way,” George suggested, setting it down on the low coffee table in the middle of the circle.
The group shuffled closer, some sinking into the overstuffed sofas while others perched cross-legged on the threadbare rug. The chatter and movement caught the attention of the nearby golden trio, who had been quietly engrossed in their books at a study table.
Harry glanced over first, intrigued, and nudged Ron, who immediately abandoned his half-finished essay on Goblin rebellions. Hermione sighed dramatically, muttering something about juvenile behavior, but her curiosity got the better of her. She picked up her notes and joined the group, sitting primly on the edge of the couch.
“Freddie, if you wouldn’t mind doing the honors?” George gestured grandly toward his twin, sweeping his arm as if introducing a knight to the round table.
Fred grabbed the bottle and spun it with a flourish. It whirled across the table, the golden liquid inside sloshing hypnotically until it slowed and came to a stop, the neck pointing squarely at Katie Bell.
“Katie! Truth or dare?” George asked dramatically, raising an eyebrow.
Katie groaned, leaning back against the arm of the sofa. “Ugh, fine. Truth.”
The group let out a collective boo at her safe choice, but George smirked. “What was your worst OWL score?”
Blushing, Katie admitted, “Herbology. I made up half of the uses for common plants, my imagination only got me a D. I actually got a Dreadful!” The group groaned good-naturedly, some offering consolation, others teasing her for her moment of panic.
The bottle spun again, landing on Lee, who confidently chose dare. Fred rummaged in his pocket and gleefully handed Lee a dusty looking rotten egg-flavored Bertie Bott’s bean. Lee popped it into his mouth, only to gag dramatically, his eyes watering as the group burst into laughter.
The game continued to grow wilder. Angelina’s spin ended with her belting out an off-key version of Celestina Warbeck’s greatest hit to a confused group of second years, who clapped politely. Hermione shocked everyone by agreeing to a truth, recounting her harrowing first-year encounter with the troll in the girls' bathroom. Her vivid retelling left the group wide-eyed, though Fred jokingly accused her of “trying to out-dramatize Lee’s rotten egg performance.”
Thalia’s stomach fluttered nervously as the bottle spun, the glass catching the firelight as it turned faster and faster before slowing to a halt. All eyes were on her, the Gryffindors grinning wickedly while George leaned forward, clearly eager to see what would happen next.
“Well, Winterbourne,” Fred said with a mischievous gleam in his eye, “truth or dare?”
Thalia hesitated, chewing her lip as the group leaned in closer. She couldn’t back down, not now, not with everyone watching. Steeling herself, she met Fred’s gaze and said, “Dare.”
The group erupted into excited whispers and whoops, Lee clapping his hands together. “A brave badger!” he crowed, grinning at Thalia.
George’s face lit up, clearly thrilled by her choice. “Alright then,” he said, tapping his chin as if deep in thought. “How about this: you have to take a lap around the common room—on hands and knees—while barking like a dog.”
Thalia groaned, her cheeks flushing a deep red as the Gryffindors burst into laughter. “Seriously?” she asked, glaring at George, who was trying and failing to keep a straight face.
“Absolutely,” he said, barely suppressing a chuckle. “Consider it part of your initiation.”
“Come on, Lia, you can do it!” Ginny encouraged, clapping her hands.
With a dramatic sigh, Thalia dropped onto all fours, earning a round of applause and hoots from the group. As she started crawling, barking halfheartedly, the entire common room turned to watch, their reactions ranging from confusion to outright laughter.
“Louder!” Fred called, cupping his hands around his mouth. “Put some heart into it!”
Thalia shot him a glare but obliged, letting out an exaggerated bark that made Hermione dissolve into giggles and caused Ron to nearly fall off the armchair he was perched on.
By the time she completed her lap and collapsed back onto the sofa, her face was hot, and she was laughing despite herself. “Happy now?” she asked, glaring at George, who handed her the bottle of butterbeer as a peace offering.
“Ecstatic,” he replied, his grin reaching his ears. “Well done, Lia. You’ve officially passed the Gryffindor initiation.”
Thalia rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling as the game continued, her nerves forgotten as the group roared with laughter and teasing, pulling her further into their chaotic, joyful world.
As the game gradually fizzled into light-hearted chatter and gossip, Thalia let herself sink back into the cozy warmth of the Gryffindor common room. She was mid-laugh at one of Fred’s outrageous stories when her gaze flicked to her watch. Her stomach dropped slightly.
It was nearly ten.
Groaning quietly, she sat up from the squashy sofa, using George’s shoulder as leverage. He turned to look at her, his brows furrowing slightly.
“Where are you sneaking off to?” he asked, his hand catching hers to keep her from standing completely.
“It’s nearly curfew,” she whispered, mindful not to draw attention from the others. “If I don’t leave now, Filch will catch me wandering the halls, and I’m not in the mood for detention.”
George rolled his eyes but stood up with her, grabbing his discarded jumper from the back of the couch. He tugged it over his head, his hair sticking up in every direction as he muttered, “Let me walk you, then.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’ll get caught on your way back up, and I’m not bailing you out.”
“Fine, fine,” he relented with an exaggerated sigh. Then, flashing her a crooked smile, he added, “Let’s make it a tradition, then. I’ll walk you to the entrance hall every night. Filch doesn’t scare me.”
Her heart fluttered unexpectedly at his words, and she found herself unable to argue. “Fine,” she agreed with a small smile, her voice softer than usual.
Making her way around the room, Thalia began saying goodnight to everyone. When she reached Ginny, the younger girl grabbed her in a tight hug, pouting dramatically.
“Why couldn’t you have been sorted into Gryffindor? Do you think if we went to Dumbledore, he’d let you try on the Sorting Hat again?” Ginny whined, her tone only half-joking.
Thalia snorted, shaking her head as she pulled back from the hug. “I like being in Hufflepuff,” she replied, her smile teasing. “Besides, I’m not sure I could keep up with you lot.”
Ginny huffed in mock indignation, but Fred swooped in, slinging an arm around Thalia’s shoulders in a side hug. “Honorary Gryffindor will have to do, then,” he declared with dramatic finality.
Thalia leaned into the hug briefly, her voice soft as she whispered, “Thank you.”
Fred gave her a light squeeze before releasing her. “Anytime, Winterbourne. You’re one of us now,” he replied, his tone unusually sincere.
Her chest warmed at his words, the simple phrase making her feel more welcome than she’d thought possible.
Turning, Thalia caught a content smile on George's face, his usual mischievous grin softened with a hint of affection. The sight made her heart skip a beat. She shook her head slightly, trying to push aside the fluttering in her chest, and walked up to stand beside him.
"Ready to go?" she asked, her voice softer than usual, a small smile tugging at her lips.
With a nod, George began leading the way toward the portrait hole, the familiar warmth of the Gryffindor common room behind them. They both slipped through the opening, as soon as they stepped out, a cold breeze swept through, chilling the air around them. The temperature dropped almost immediately, and Thalia instinctively pulled her robe tighter around her shoulders to ward off the sudden chill.
George chuckled lightly beside her, glancing over with a grin. “I told you, its not Filch you’ve got to worry about. Worry about freezing to death before you make it to the Entrance Hall.”
She shot him a teasing look, shivering slightly in the cold air. “I wasn’t prepared for a sudden Arctic blast,” she replied, pulling her sleeves over her hands. “It’s like the temperature drops twenty degrees as soon as you leave Gryffindor Tower.”
George chuckled again, but there was an easy comfort in his voice. “It’s the castle, the old bricks retain the cold, even in summer.”
She rolled her eyes playfully, trying to hide the way the chill sent a shiver through her bones. “It’ll be 10 times worse down in the dungeons,” she replied, her breath puffing in little clouds of mist as they walked, “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the cold that seems to settle in your bones.”
“I don’t think anyone gets used to it,” George said with a grin, pulling his own robes tighter around himself.
The stillness of the night wrapped around them, but it felt strangely comforting in his company. The conversation drifted from casual to more thoughtful, neither of them rushing to fill the silence, content with each other's presence.
As they reached the intersection leading to the entrance hall, George slowed his pace, looking over at her with a thoughtful expression. “I’ll walk you in, make sure you get there safe,” he said, his voice light but with a firmness that made Thalia smile.
“Thanks, George,” she replied softly. “But I think I can manage the last bit.”
He raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a playful smile. “Are you sure? You might get lost! It’s dangerous out there, especially with Filch lurking around.”
She laughed, the sound soft and warm in the quiet of the night. “I think I can take my chances.”
He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her, but then he gave a dramatic sigh. “Fine, but only because you seem so determined.”
“Besides,” she added with a wink, “it’s my last chance this evening to show off my new found Gryffindor courage.”
“Of course,” he replied with a loud laugh, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Thalia felt a strange reluctance stir in her chest. She nodded, stepping toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, her voice just a bit softer than usual.
“You better,” he said with a smirk, leaning casually against the wall.
Thalia smiled, her heart giving a little skip, “Goodnight, George.”
“Goodnight, Badger.” He called after her, his voice warm and filled with affection, before turning to make his way back up to the Gryffindor tower.
As she walked away, she could hear George’s voice calling after her, a playful, “Don’t get caught by Filch!”
With a smile still on her face she walked across the Entrance Hall and slipped out into the grounds. She had half an hour to get home. Plenty of time.