Chapter 1
You were sat alone in the library, the warm but dim lighting illuminating the pages of the book that you were trying your hardest to read without falling asleep, which was proving increasingly difficult as you sat there, bored out of your mind. There was a big test in Defence Against the Dark Arts tomorrow, and professor Lupin made it very clear that it was important that you got a good grade, so you decided to do what you always did; leave it until the night before and then spend all night cramming, falling asleep in the actual exam and end up failing.
You leant back in your chair, looking up at the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf that ran along the wall, wondering how many words there were in all of them combined, and why they all seemed to be crammed into the book you were reading. Glancing over at the clock you noticed that it was 9:57—three minutes infill you had to be in your dorm room. Secretly thanking the universe for the break it just gave you, you gently closed the book you were reading, slipping it under your top and heading out of the library; professor Snape had banned you from borrowing books from the library after you were caught with a 5ft high pile of unreturned books sitting on your nightstand in second year—to be fair, it wasn't your fault, you were just forgetful. You still borrowed books though, just secretly.
The halls were empty as most students are in their dorms, leaving the building peacefully quiet as you strolled along, taking in the fading warmth of dusk and the breeze of summer air on your face as you walked past the open archways that looked out into the courtyard. Checking that Snape wasn't somewhere near you — lurking in the shadows as usual — you slid the book out from underneath your shirt, tucking it underneath your arm just as you heard the footsteps of a teacher. You hid it behind your back as professor McGonagal turned the corner, smiling at you.
“It’s almost 10, better hurry up young lady.” She said as you passed.
“Of course professor.” You smiled back at her, sliding the book round your body as she walked round you.
Snape had ordered Filch to hang your picture behind the desk in the library, with the words ‘BOOK THEIF’ inscribed beneath it. You thought it was a little dramatic, but you admired the theatrical flare.
You finally arrived at the Slytherin common rooms, entering the admittedly cosy room to be greeted by a fire crackling as it illuminated the ornate fireplace, making it look slightly demonic; but, like, in a cool way.
You headed to your dorm, sliding the book underneath your bed as you got changed. Your bed was surprisingly comfortable, especially considering that time you dropped a candle on it and lit it up like a bonfire. It was still a bit charcoal-y, but nonetheless good.
You hopped into bed, leaning over and blowing out the candle on your neighbours bedside table as she read, earning an annoyed “Hey!” from her.
“Go to bed, Pansy.” You said, holding in laughter as you heard her huff, slamming her book down on the table to make a point.
You stared at the ceiling for what felt like a week, but in reality was about an hour, trying to fall asleep, but you couldn't. This always happened before a test: almost fall asleep when studying, but suddenly wide awake when you actually want to sleep. Perfect.
You contemplated waiting another hour, or possibly drugging yourself, but you arrived at the usual solution when you were in this situation: sneak out. Whenever you couldn't sleep you went for a little wander around the school grounds, and sometimes outside the grounds, and luckily you hadn't been caught yet.
Being as quiet as was humanly possible you rolled out of bed, slipping on your socks and slowly opening the door, before tiptoeing past the boys dorm. You weren't 100% sure where you were going, but anything was better than staring into the dark, letting your mind wander into an existential crisis as you just tried to get your beauty sleep.
The hallways were somehow even quieter now, the torches along the wall extinguished and the lingering warmth of daytime had vanished form the air, making you wish you'd brought a jumper. You went back past the courtyard, looking out the archways as you passed. You stopped; there was a bright red squirrel sat in the middle of the grass, inspecting a rock to see if it was edible. You crept over the the window as quietly as you could, watching it bite into the rock. Man squirrels are dumb. It looked up at you, pausing for a moment before scuttling away, taking the rock with it; maybe it was for home decor? You stuck your hand out into the open, assessing the temperature, which was average. You hopped the archway, landing with a thud on the soft grass.
You continued your journey, walking past the tree that shaded half the turf. The dark, blocky shapes of the quiddich pitch stood out in the dark, contrasting between the clouds that wafted across the sky, lit up by the full moon which made them iridescent as they decorated the sky.
Knowing you should probably go back to bed, you started walking over to the pitch, which you were sure would have a good view of the night sky.
You were about halfway there when you heard the soft thudding of footsteps catching up behind you, making you realise that you didn't have your wand on you. You snapped round, ready to swing, only to be greeted by the sight of a scruffy redhead, wavering barefoot through the grass.
“Ron?” You said, walking up to your friend as he smiled.
“Hey, Bethany!” He replied confidently.
“Bethany?” You questioned, furrowing your eyebrows as you observed him.
“Yeah! Bethany!” He repeated, throwing his arms up in the air, before looking down at his feet and frowning. “Where are my shoes?” He looked back up to you. “Bethany?”
You were confused for a second, before realising what was going on; no, Ron hadn't suddenly gone insane—his brothers, dumb and dumber, had probably spiked his drink with befuddlement draught again. That would explain why he was talking gibberish, and was out on the grounds at night.
“Ok, Ron, lets get you back to bed now.” You said, leading him back to the castle as he muttered unintelligible babble to himself, the look on his face painfully serious.
You managed to get him through the halls and up to the Gryffindor common room without any interruptions, thank god, although it was a task to get him up the moving stairs without him jumping off.
you stood in front of the door to the Gryffindor common room, about to try and get Ron to say the password, when you sensed someone standing near you. Your irrational brain went straight to ‘DEMENTOR’ of course, which freaked you out majorly, enough to not want to turn around. You froze, not willing to get your soul sucked out of your face, as you babysat a delirious Ron.
“You found him.” You snapped round—it wasn't a demented, it was Fred.
“Where was he?” And George.
“Outside.” You said, rolling your eyes as you handed Ron over to his brothers, which probably wasn't the smartest idea but oh well.
They both chuckled as they watched their brother smile at a wall.
“Befuddlement draught?” You said, crossing your arms.
“Yup.” They proudly sang in unison.
Fred escorted Ron into the common room, followed by George, who paused, taking a step back and leaning his lanky body against the wall, craning his neck to talk to you.
“Whay were you outside, anyway?”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“Why not?” He frowned.
“I’ve got a test tomorrow and I only started studying like four hours ago.” You chuckled, reminiscing about your certain, impending doom.
“Which book did you steal this time?” He raised an eyebrow mockingly as he grinned.
“Hey, I don't steal.” You corrected him.
“Right, right, I forgot: you borrow.” He put air quotes around ‘borrow’, earning an eye roll and a huff.
You both laughed quietly, trying not to attract a nosy professor sniffing around after curfew.
Freds voice came from behind the door, calling George into the common room.
“I hath been summoned.” He said in a mockingly posh voice, tipping an invisible top hat.
“Then I shall bid you farewell.” You copied his accent, waving your hand fancily thought the air.
He bowed, looking up at you. “Goodnight, M’lady.”
“Goodnight, Good Sir.” You curtseyed, holding up an imaginary skirt as you realised you were still in your pyjamas.
He left into the common room, clicking the door closed behind him, leaving you stood on the dark stairway. You headed back down, deciding that Ron was a sign from the universe telling you to go to bed.
Once again, you made it back to your dorm unscathed, climbing back into bed unnoticed. You closed your eyes, the image of Ron completely out of it popping into your head and making your chuckle as you drifted off to sleep.