Starlight// FW

The Library

****

My favorite place besides the Ravenclaw common room was the library. It was a little escape from the real world. I could travel to Africa in A Wizard's Guide to African Magizoology or the world of Hillary Huffington, Witch Detective. Hazel was most likely one of the Astronomy towers, working on her painting. She was given special permission from the Headmaster to set up a studio in the school.

Her talent stunned me, and it was no wonder that every guy was into her. Too bad she wasn't into them. Roger was in a prefect's meeting, and I was here, trying to not feel the impending jealousy. My eyes scanned the Transfiguration chapter I was currently studying. I yawned slightly, straightening my back to stretch. Suddenly, an orange blur whizzed past my feet. I lifted them up, startled.

"I'm so sorry!", a voice called from across the library. A mop of bushy hair rushed by, bending down and picking up the cat that had previously been running rampant through the library. "It's okay", I laughed, "I needed a reason to take a study break". The girl in front of me looked very familiar, then I realized, "You're Hermione Granger, right?". She smiled and nodded, seeming flattered that I knew her.

"I'm Sawyer Foster", I said, reaching out my hand. She took it, shaking. "I know", she said, a glint in her eyes, "You're the brightest Charm's student Hogwarts has seen in a millennium". It was my turn to look flattered. "Oh, well thank you very much", I tightened my ponytail, "Would you like to join me?". Hermione beamed, "I would love to". She sat down across from me, pulling a book out of her bag and securing her cat on her lap. From that day on, Hermione Granger and I were friends.

****

Classes were finished for the first week, and I scratched out the last task on my planner, the welcomed sense of accomplishment filling my body. The warm summer air blew my ponytail around my face and I pushed it out of the way. The courtyard was swarming with students, but I sat in a small group with Roger and Hermione. "What are your plans for the weekend?", Roger let out, tucking his wand in his pocket. "Not sure yet", Hermione replied. I shrugged, "Probably studying". Roger rolled his eyes, "Shocker".

"There's nothing wrong with studying", Hermione said, standing, "I'm going to grab some dinner. Would you like to join?". Roger looked at his watch, "I have prefect duty in a little, I should probably head out". He stood and waved. "Sawyer?", Hermione said expectantly. "Oh...well okay why not". We made our way to the Great Hall when I realized something. "Am I allowed to sit at the Gryffindor table?".

Hermione paused for a moment, "Well I haven't read anything about it in the school rules, so I don't see anything wrong with it". I smiled, happy to have someone in my life with the same affinity for rules that I had. "Okay", I replied, and we were off. The tables were already filled with food and students. It was odd walking past the Ravenclaw table.

Hermione sat down next to a redhead and someone who I knew a lot about, but had never actually spoken to. "Hello Harry, Ron", said Hermione. I slid into the seat across from her. The pair looked at me for a moment. Hermione grinned, "This is my friend Sawyer". Ron raised his eyebrows, "Hermione made a friend, wow". Harry shoved Ron, saying, "I think it's great. Nice to meet you Sawyer".

"You too", I smiled back. Was I extremely out of my comfort zone? Yes. Was it actually not that bad? Yes. We began to eat, Ron teasing Hermione while Harry and I chatted. "Are you going to enter the tournament?", he said, digging into his chicken. I shook my head, "No. Plus I'm only 16". Two masses seemed to appear out of thin air on either side of me.

"If it isn't our favorite Ravenclaw!", one of the twins smiled, "I'm Fred". "And I'm George. What brings you here?". My porcelain skin turned bright red, and I wasn't sure why. "You know each other?", Hermione said, turning away from Ron. "We... bump into each other", I let out. Fred let out a laugh and I glanced at him. He was staring at me, causing my face to deepen in color.

"You never explained why you have graced the Gryffindor table with your presence", Fred said, leaning his elbows on the table and peering at me. "Sawyer and I met in the library", Hermione explained, "I invited her to eat with us". I nodded, cursing myself for not being able to think of anything to say. "So you're a nerd too then?", Fred pressed on. "Don't be mean, Freddie", George said, reaching over me and hitting his twin.

I rolled my eyes, finally finding my voice. "Just because I try doesn't mean I'm a nerd", I said, raising an eyebrow at Fred. I noticed that he was slightly taller than George, and had a small freckle by his right eyebrow. Fred looked at me for a moment, and this time I didn't look away, almost challenging him.

"Sawyer is phenomenal at Charms", Hermione let out, breaking whatever feeling was in the air. "Is she now?", Fred said, still looking at me. I broke, looking away. "I wouldn't say phenomenal", I started, "But I'm certainly good". George smiled, "That's great". Fred moved so he straddled the bench, facing me. "That means you can help us out then", he said with a smirk, "We've needed help developing some things that have to do with charms?".

My eyebrows drew together. What could that mean? I was about to ask when I noticed someone waving at me from behind Fred's head. Roger. I stood, grabbing my bag. "I'll think about it", I let out, "See you later Hermione". With a swish of my ponytail I was off, I greeted Roger and we exited to Great Hall, unaware of the pair of eyes following us closely as we left.