Starlight// FW

Night Walks

****

 After another hard week of classes, my body was extremely tired. Unfortunately for me, my mind was not on the same page. I let out a huff as I turned over once again in my bed. I had already finished reading all the books by my bed, I didn't feel like writing anything, and I couldn't try to compose a song in my head because I was too preoccupied trying to remember the wand movements for the newest Transfiguration spell we had learned.

I sat up. I knew that a walk through the cool night air would clear my head right away. There was almost not a single night that I was home where I didn't walk around during the late hours of the night. The only problem here was that it was against the rules. I chewed on my lip. I highly doubt that I would be caught, and if I did I could just explain. I had never once gotten in trouble, so I would probably be excused.

My mind was made up. My pajama shorts were blue silk, and I threw on a Ravenclaw jumper, leaving my feet bare. My hair was braided back, but a few pieces fell out, framing my face. I tiptoed out of the dormitory and into the common room, which looked even more serene at night. The halls were quiet, and I made sure to step as lightly as a cat as I made my way down the spiral staircase and towards the courtyard. As soon as the night air hit my face, I already felt a sense of calmness wash over me.

"Good evening, Foster", a deep voice sounded. I jumped, startled. My hand flew up to my chest, "Please stop scaring me". I scanned the twin's face, seeing the freckle, it was Fred. "Where's George?". He smiled, making his way over to me, "Asleep". I noticed him tucking a stray piece of parchment away into his pocket and gestured to it. "What's that", I said, cautiously making my way towards him in the dark. He glanced at it, smiling to himself, "Something I borrowed from Potter for the weekend".

My eyebrows drew together, but I decided not to push it. "So", I said, moving closer to him, "What are you doing up?". He paused for a moment, looking at me. "I could ask you the same thing", he said, sitting down on a bench. I moved and cautiously sat next to him, "Fair enough. I couldn't sleep". He seemed calmer than usual. Maybe it was just the presence of his twin that fueled his chaotic nature.

"Being out of bed at this hour is against the rules", he noted, a teasing tone in his voice, "Seems out of character from what I know of you Ms. Foster". I laughed. "I calculated possible outcomes and decided it was worth it", I retorted. "Sounds fairly boring to me", Fred responded. "You don't have to keep calling me boring and a nerd", I said jokingly, "I get the point". Fred glanced at me for a moment, "Maybe I have ulterior motives".

"Ah yes", I said, "I forgot, you wanted my help with charms". Fred opened his mouth for a second, then closed it, "Yes". I didn't fully register what he was saying however, I had become distracted by the stars. "Look at that", I pointed up, "Orion's belt is so clear tonight". Fred's gaze followed mine. "Which one is that?", he questioned, glancing at me. I pointed up to the formation of stars right above us. "Look there", I whispered. His eyes searched the sky, unable to locate the constellation.

"No, a little further to the right", I continued. He still searched, and after a moment, I lightly touched his cheek, guiding his gaze to Orion's belt. "See", I let out, "There". He nodded ever so slightly. "I see", he breathed. I removed my hand from his face. Then there was silence. Beautiful silence. The pair of us sat there for a moment. Neither of us felt the need to say anything, we just sat in the starlight.

A yawn escaped my lips and Fred's eyes moved to me. "It's getting late", he said, "You should get your beauty rest". I nodded. The night air had done it's trick, and my eyelids were beginning to grow heavy. "Let me walk you to your common room", Fred said, standing. He grabbed my hand and pulled me up. I debated in my mind. Fred could obviously sense it, and quickly said, "If we get caught I'll be there to take all the blame".

I couldn't help but smile. "Okay, sure", and with that we began to make our way back to the castle. The halls were illuminated with torchlight, casting a glow across the boy next to me's face. I glanced at him, his strong brow, his fiery hair that seemed as if it was dancing flames as well. "So", he broke our silence, "How come I've haven't seen you around much?". I shrugged, "I prefer to stay to myself". After a moment, I continued, "I mean I have friends and everything. Hazel Pepperton and Roger Davis are my best friends. And the other girls in my year like Lacey Reddington and Rachel Ji". I stopped, realizing that I was babbling, "Sorry", I blushed.

Fred's face was covered in a smile. "No", he said, "Please continue. I do enough talking in my life, I'd like to listen for once". It was such a simple statement. A simple request, but it somehow meant so much. To have someone willing to listen to you, to be interested in you as a person. I smiled slightly and looked up at him, "Oh well, that's pretty much it". Fred raised an eyebrow, "I highly doubt that".

I laughed and nodded, "It pretty much is. Besides the fact that I'm a nerd". Fred let out a light laugh, and I began to lead us up the spiral staircase towards the Ravenclaw common room. "Well, I already knew that", Fred winked. We reached the door to the common room. The brass knocker let out loudly, "What is in front of you but can rarely be seen?". I paused, thinking. "The future", I answered. The door unlocked and swung open.

"It's absolutely mental that you have to answer a riddle every time you want to go into the common room", Fred shook his head. I shrugged, "I think it's fun". He rolled his eyes, "You would". I couldn't help but laugh. "Well", I let out, "I guess this is good night". Fred nodded, "Good night, Sawyer". He turned on his heel, and began to retreat down the stairs when I called out, "Wait, Fred!". He stopped in his tracks, looking at me. "I'll help you with Charms", I called. A satisfied smile spread across his face, "Alright, I'll see you later then".