Starlight// FW

Charms

****

"So you went on a midnight adventure with Fred Weasley?", gasped Hazel, stopping in her tracks. The sun was pouring through the dormitory window. Rachel, a pretty Asian girl who was the last of our roommates, sat doing her makeup on the floor, laughing at Hazel as she ran around frantically getting ready for class. "It was not a quote "midnight adventure". It was just a run in that just so happened to be late at night", I giggled. "So...you're telling me nothing happened", she wiggled her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes, "No, nothing happened besides me finally agreeing to help him with whatever charms he needs".

"Alright, I believe you", she said, pulling on her shoes, "Mostly". I threw a pillow at her, Rachel still laughing in the corner. "I'm not being late for class", I said, standing. I had been ready for almost 30 minutes already. Hazel scooped up her wand, "I'm ready to go when you are". I grabbed her hand, "Now".

****

"What an excellent class!", Professor Flitwick let out with a grin, "Have a wonderful rest of the day". The rest of the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs began to pack up, throwing their textbooks in their bags and tucking their wands away. "Goodbye Professor!", I called. Flitwick smiled, "Goodbye Ms. Foster". I tightened my ponytail as we filed out of the classroom. "Hello Sawyer", a voice called, grabbing my hand and pulling me to the side of the hallway.

Hazel's eyes glinted and she yelled out, "See you later!". I looked up, the beaming faces of Fred and George looking down at me. "I have another class...", I weakly said. "We know", they said simultaneously. "If you would", George said in a mockingly posh voice. "Please join us in the Gryffindor common room tonight to discuss some top secret activities". I shifted my weight, "Students aren't allowed in other house common rooms".

Fred rolled his eyes, "Come off it, Foster". George continued his thought, "No one will know". "Or care", Fred finished. I chewed on my lip. "I really don't think...", I began. Fred reached out and placed a finger on my lips. "Shh, young one", he said. I shoved him off, "We're literally the same age". George burst into a fit of laughter. "You promised", Fred said, batting his eyelashes.

"Fine", I gave in, "I can't believe I'm breaking the rules for you two. If I get in trouble I'm saying you Imperioused me". George reached out and shook my hand, "Deal". Fred winked, then they were off. As I made my way to my next class, I couldn't ignore the way my heart was beating. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, it was almost exhilarating.

When that evening rolled around, I gave myself one last glance over in the mirror and grabbed my wand off the bedside table. My white sweater was crisp and clean, tucked in nicely to my high waisted mom jeans, a brown belt wrapped around my waist. My ponytail was slick, not a hair out of place. "Have fun tonight", called Hazel from her bed.

I turned and looked at her, "I'm nervous". She sat up. "It's because you're finally getting outside of your comfort zone", she said, gesturing for me to come closer. She pulled me into a hug, I stiffened. It's not like I wanted to be so uncomfortable with physical touch, I just wasn't used to it. I grew up without a mom, I had never known her. My dad didn't talk about her, and I didn't think much about her, it was less painful that way. My father was an intellectual who worked in researching new spells.

The majority of my childhood was spent knocking on his office door. He rarely answered. So, I spent my time studying too, in an effort to impress him. It rarely did. The one time he said he was proud of me was when I wrote telling him that I had been sorted into Ravenclaw. "I'm proud of you, baby", Hazel said. I nodded, gingerly reaching up and hugging her back.

I nodded, "Yeah, I've got this!". I decided to power pose for a couple of minutes and then I was one my way. I basically sprinted down the spiral staircase and walked proudly towards where I knew the Fat Lady's portrait was. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the castle. I couldn't deny that it felt nice to do something outside of my normal routine. My book bag hung over my shoulder as I made my way through the almost deserted hallway.

"Hey!", someone called, and I heard footsteps running towards me, "Miss!". I turned. Cedric Diggory stood there, holding out a quill in front of him. "I think this fell out of your bag", he said, a little out of breath, his cheeks rosy. "Oh", I smiled, "Thank you". I was touched that he had run after me like that, and for just a simple quill.

"It's no problem", he said, flashing his dazzling smile, "I'm Cerdric Diggory". I took the quill from him, realizing I hadn't yet, "I know". It was embarrassing to admit but it was the truth. He was very popular around the school, and the opintomy of a golden boy. We had shared a few classes over the years, but never spoken. "Wait, don't we have Charms together?", he said suddenly.

I nodded, "Yeah I think so". He grinned from ear to ear, "You're quite good aren't you". I stuttered, "Well, I mean... yes". Cedric looked at me for a moment, "I'm sorry, what's your name again?". I slipped the quill back into my bag and tightened my ponytail. "It's okay", I said, "Sawyer Foster". He looked at me again for a moment too long, "Well, it's very nice to formally meet you Sawyer Foster". He began to walk away, calling out, "Hold on to that quill a little tighter for me, will you?". I nodded, standing alone in the corridor, completely at a loss for words.