̗̀➛ II
Ron Weasley was cute.
Of course, anyone with working eyes could tell that (even if he looked a bit of a dork), he was cute. But being as close to him as you were? You swore your heart would stop beating if he smiled like that again.
He seemed less nervous now. His blush had faded and he could actually look you in the eyes now. He wasn't even stuttering anymore! He was pulling you quite quickly, though you assume it's to get away from his brothers.
While he drags you, -you can't help but notice that he's holding your hand- he's raving on about his previous year at the wizarding school and how excited he is to go back. He mentions something about playing a really good game of wizard chess, but you arrive at the bookshop before he can explain further.
The two of you squeeze into the building, rather closely due to how packed it is. There's barely even any space to adjust the way you're standing yet you still weave through the crowd. You wonder if there's an event of some sort or if people are always this eager to grab their books.
Ron slows for a moment, just suddenly enough for you to bump into his back as he sighs.
"That's my mum" You look over his shoulder and spot who he's talking about. A middle-aged woman with red hair. You'd be dense not to notice they were related. She seems to be fretting about the group she's with as though she's looking for something. After a few moments, she turns towards the two of you and you can practically feel the relief coming from her.
She rushes towards you. Well, as fast as she can considering how crammed the store was. She smiles politely when she notices you before turning her gaze to Ron.
"Oh, where were you? Had me and your father so worried. Not to mention Harry got lost as well." She mumbles something you can't make out before her expression turns panicked again. "Have you seen your brothers?
Speak of the devil. Somehow, out of nowhere, they had managed to worm through the crowd and ended up behind you. One of them, you couldn't tell, had their arm propped on your shoulder as the other leans against Ron.
"Right - here - mum"
Ron's mum starts on a rant about running off and losing each other until she realizes you're still there.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry dear. Are you a friend of Ron's?"
You flush slightly as they all switch their gaze toward you while you try to think of how to respond.
"Oh uhm, I guess so? I just met him today, I asked him for help finding my books." a smile grows on her face at the thought of her son gaining a new friend. "Oh, you must be in Ginny's year then. First-year?" You nod politely.
Before you can converse more, the group that Ron's mum had been with moves towards you. A few more redheads, obviously family, a boy with dark hair and glasses, and quite possibly the prettiest girl you've ever seen. Merlin, everyone you had met thus far was insanely attractive.
The twins move from their spot beside you to go bother a fancier-dressed boy as Mrs Weasley's attention flicks to the event taking place. Feeling no interest in whatever is going on in front of the crowd, you ask Ron where you can pick up your books. His face blanks as though he's thinking, -he's not- and he turns to the two that he's obviously not related to.
"Hey, 'Mione, where are the books for this year?"
She looks puzzled for a moment before she focuses on you. "Oh! They're towards the wall. I can take you if you'd like,?"
You nod, "Please, thank you"
She smiled and grabs your hand so she doesn't lose you. Unfortunately, you don't get very far before she stops as the boy with glasses gets pulled through the crowd.
Looking through the spaces between people, you spot the boy, Harry? you think was his name, getting jostled around by a blonde guy as the cameras around flash frantically.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" He calls out dramatically as his arm waves across the crowd. "What an extraordinary moment this is!-" Aaand you lost interest. He was far too flashy and almost everyone was swooning for it. Even Hermione stopped to listen eagerly.
Thankfully it was over quickly, but you should have known that you couldn't have peace. You let Hermione and Ron drag you over to Harry as you can't be bothered to stray off on your own and you got to hold their hands again. Harry had just dumped his books into the Weasley girl's cauldron when some snobby-looking blonde boy inputs himself into the scene.
"Famous Harry Potter" he spits out. Well, he seemed pleasant.
Ginny manages to defend him before Ron got close enough to make a remark but it doesn't stop the blonde git.
Ron finally gets to cut in. "Oh, it's you.." Who is he?
The whole group was looking at the kid like they wanted him dead and honestly, you couldn't blame them, he seemed annoying. Though not too bad until he decided to call the Weasleys poor. Yeah, that was shitty.
Once Arthur got involved you stopped paying much attention because he would solve it right?
Wrong. In fact, he most definitely made it worse when he decided to throw himself into the blonde's dad and start a catfight. As much as you wanted to feel bad for him, it was a bit entertaining watching them.
Realizing you've gone off track, you turn to try and spot the books you need only to spot an absolute giant of a man pushing his way through the crowd. Hermione seemed to notice your change in focus follows your eyes, immediately reassuring you. "Oh! Thats Hagrid. He's the groundskeeper at Hogwarts. I know he seems a bit scary, but I promise you he's not." Her thumb runs comfortingly over your hand.
Finally, your whole group manages to leave the store. No incidents this time thankfully. You can spot your mom making her way down the street and call out for her. As she walks over to you, you can hear everyone saying their goodbyes.
Before everyone leaves, you manage to get Hermione's number and a promise from Ron for a letter. Maybe this school wouldn't be too bad.