Chapter 8
You sat in the Slytherin common room, reading a book that you had borrowed sometime during the summer, and kept telling yourself that you had any intention of returning. The fire crackled, brushing the cold stone of the fireplace that encased it. You paused your reading, looking around at the room, completely empty, save for you of course. The lack of talking wasn't unusual, but the lack of people was. Most students had been whisked away by their parents for christmas break, which you usually were, but this year you were left at Hogwarts thanks to P&O and their incredibly priced range of winter cruises.
You didn't mind, it was nice for your parents to get a holiday, besides, this meant that you could more easily acquire books as there were less students around to observe your habit of ‘borrowing’, and you practically had the entire grounds to yourself.
You expected it would be lonely, though; no friends around to talk to, but it wasn't the end of the world.
You checked the clock on the wall and put down your book, jumping up to go and bit farewell to your friends. You weaved in and out of the hallways, passing students rushing around, some going to their families, some running back because they'd forgotten something.
You spotted Hermione in the crows catching up to her and tapping her on the shoulder. You hugged her goodbye, wishing her happy holidays, and waving her off.
You waded back into the crowd, spotting a familiar pair of red-heads bobbing amongst the masses.
“Heya.” You said, the pair turning around.
“Hey.” They said in unison.
You could see Ron and Harry a couple metres away, bickering about something or other.
“Where’s your bag?” Fred said, looking down at your empty hands.
“Haven't got one, I'm staying here this year.”
“Oh,” George said, crossing his arms. “Why's that?”
“My parents have abandoned me for a cruise.” You said, wiping an imaginary tear from your face.
“So you’re just gonna stay here?”
“Yeah I guess so.”
“Huh.” George said, looking over to Fred.
Fred looked back at George, and you watched them exchange a series of expressions and gestures that only they could understand. You guessed it was probably some form of twin telekinesis.
“Well, if you want,” Fred said.
“You can come stay with us?” George finished.
“Oh, no,” You replied. “I wouldn't want to take up space, or anything.” You waved your arms.
“Not at all!” Fred smiled. “The more the merrier!”
“Um.” You thought for a second, watching as Fred migrated over to Ron, hitting him over the back of the head as he joined in on the argument.
“C’mon,” George said, leaning in to you. “It’d be fun; like Fred said, the more the merrier, besides Harry’s staying with us.”
You thought for a second, looking up at him. It would be nice; Friends and all that.
“Okay.” You smiled back at him. “Okay, if I'm welcome?”
“Always.” George said back, shooting you that familiar mischievous glance. “Now go get your stuff, hurry before we leave you behind.”
“You better not.” Was your parting remark before you hurried off to collect various personal items to bring with you.
You got to your dorm, sliding out your trunk from under the bed and shoving varois clothes and books into it, still telling yourself that you had even a speck of intention to return them. You smiled, clicking the locks on the trunk and standing up, wondering how different Christmas would be in the Weasley household.