𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 5

The rest of the year seemed to be going smooth until the day of a certain hippogriff's execution. Natasha and the twins didn't take Care for Magical Creatures, but after hearing the tale of Buckbeak and Malfoy, they were starting to rethink their lives.

"So, you're telling me, Blondie got a scratch and screamed bloody murder, ending up in the execution of the beast, but when you guys were attacked in the Forbidden Forest, in your first and second years might I add, no spiders were harmed?" Natasha pointed out, and the three Musketeers nodded, Ron looking slightly queasy at the mention of spiders.

Fred and George were busy stuffing their faces with toast and eggs as the third years talked to Natasha, their space covered in sketches of prank ideas. Natasha took a bite of her apple, thinking about the situation.

"If I were the Minister, I'd definitely sentence the spiders to death, because come on, they're actually dangerous, unlike a hippogriff, who has done nothing," she said. Ron smiled at the mention of the spider deaths, causing Natasha to laugh.

It had been a little over two months since the death of Aurelia, and in that time, Lee, Fred and George had constantly checked up on her welfare, bringing the light back to the girl. Her laughter had returned, her grades stayed stable, and most importantly, her pranks were better than ever.

"If you were the Minister Natasha, we'd be eating pumpkin pasties every day and wearing 'I love my father' shirts," Lee piped up and Natasha stuck her middle finger up in his direction, earning a stuck-out tongue in return.

"I think everyone should love their fathers, unless of course it's the spawn of You Know Who, I'd buy that child a shirt that says, 'Nose Wanted'," Nat said smirking, as the group fell into laughter, receiving glances from the students around them.

The four fifth years excused themselves from the table, waving to the three Musketeers before heading down to the Quidditch Pitch, where the next prank was to be set upon. In his bag, George carried a batch of the fireworks they had designed all the way back in their first year on the Hogwarts express.

With a bit of tweaking and a lot more money, the Colour Me Blind fireworks now contained scents, glitter and more colour. The next quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Slytherin was due to happen next Saturday, but because exam practice for the O.W.L.S. was in the coming week, they had to set it up now.

Lee took George up to the commentator's box, where a batch of the fireworks was to be set up for when the game finished. As dementors hovered above the grounds, Fred and Natasha were on broomsticks, placing the remaining fireworks strategically under the bleachers.

The whole time, Sirius watched the four, hidden by the shadows of a tree which gave him perfect viewing access. They reminded him so much of the Marauders, but he could tell his child was a lot more like Remus than himself when it came to pranking.

Lee was like Peter, following everywhere, whilst Fred reminded Sirius of himself, always looking out for Natasha and making sure she was ok. George was definitely like James, making remarks just as he had done all those years before.

Sirius wished he could go down and join in, but he knew that tonight was only for catching Peter. He knew Moony would go to the shack, as he did every full moon, and Peter would hide in the shack as well, away from the horrors of Remus in the safe room they had created during school.

All he needed to do was wait.

~.~

The four pranksters spent a good 5 hours at the Quidditch Pitch, from setting up the fireworks to having a 1 on 1 game of Quidditch, aided by Lee's commentary and Natasha's awful attempt at boosting their spirits.

"You suck- I mean rock George!" she squealed, shooting blue sparks from her wand. George glared at her playfully, giving Fred enough time to snatch the bat from his brother and have the ultimate two bat weapon.

"Plead now or forever hold your peace as I destroy you with my bats of destiny!" he cried; his face now covered with the face paint normally used for the students supporting in the stands. George shrieked and flew off, with his brother hot on his tail.

Because of how late the four had eaten breakfast, they contently missed lunch, snacking on Sugar Quills and Chocolate Frogs instead. The twins were still chasing each other like mad men as a cool breeze came along, almost foreshadowing the execution of Buckbeak in a few hours.

Natasha hugged the nearest item of clothing to her, which just so happened to be Fred's discarded coat. She took a sniff and smiled as the hints of parchment and fireworks filled her nose, the scent always bringing her comfort.

She wouldn't lie to herself; she had always had a teeny crush on the boy, even as children, but when they arrived at Hogwarts, she felt these feelings develop into something more than a childhood sweetheart.

Even now, she couldn't take her eyes off of Fred, concerned for his safety as the twins zipped around the stadium dangerously.

Before every game, she would give Fred the ribbon that sat in her hair, only promising to stay friends with him if he didn't lose it.

He had never lost the red ribbon, always tying it to the front of his broom, where he could clearly see it. George on the other hand, was given a sugar cube, which hyped him up and ready for the game.

There was no doubt Natasha loved the two boys, but it was clear she loved them both very differently. George and Lee, along with Angelina would try to set the two up on dates, but something always came up, whether it was a surprise quidditch match or McGonagall on their tails about their latest prank.

Life had it out for Fred and Natasha, but the two stubborn Gryffindor's didn't care.

They had each other after all, and that's all that mattered.