Fight or Flight {g. weasley}

unexpected gift

Year Five

• • • • • • •

It was early Saturday morning when Ramona waltzed into the Great Hall with a pep in her step and a smirk on her lips. It had been a great few weeks. With her animagus transformation complete, she had much more time to focus on classes, and her marks were back to where they were before her mandrake month. Now that she didn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn, and that there wasn't as much on her mind, her sleep had improved, leaving her mind clear and focused.

So focused, in fact, that the weekend previous, after a forty-five-minute standoff between her and opposing seeker Cedric Diggory, Ramona secured a triumphant victory against Hufflepuff for the Ravenclaw quidditch team. This meant that their next match was against Slytherin, and Ramona was looking forward to kicking the snakes' collective arse.

Of course, there was one hiccup. Ever since her first transformation, Ramona has experienced difficulties getting back into her animagus form. McGonagall tells her that it's normal, that the lightning storm aids an animagus's first transformation, and that learning to transform without that additional power easily takes time. Ramona had returned to her crow form through an intense meditation of sorts many times, but those attempts left her exhausted. Her unsuccessful efforts leave her discouraged, but then she remembers soaring through the air, the wind rustling through her feathers as her wings brought her higher and higher. The burning desire to be one with the sky again kept her going, kept her pushing forward.

Fred and George were enjoying breakfast when Ramona arrived. She plopped down next to George, giving him a quick peck on the lips and stealing a buttery slice of toast from his plate.

"Morning Georgie," she sang between bites of toast.

"Morning, love," he cooed in reply, kissing her on the temple.

"What am I? Chopped bat spleen?"

Ramona rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the twin across from her, "Good morning Fred,"

Fred gave her a smug smile, "Good morning, Mona. See? How hard was that?"

George ignored his twin, "So? How did your lesson with McGonagall go last night?"

"Really well!" she exclaimed as she scooped various breakfast foods on her plate, "It only took me a few minutes to transform. Not perfect, but I'm getting there,"

"I'm so jealous that George got to see your animagus form and the rest of us didn't," pouted Fred.

"I'll show you soon, I promise. I just need to get better at it first, that's all," she explained as George handed her a steaming cup of tea, which she happily accepted.

Fred sighed dramatically, "Well, until I see it with my own eyes, I'll just have to assume you're a fish,"

The Ravenclaw groaned, seeking solace in a sip of breakfast tea. Ramona had hoped the fish jokes would cease after her transformation was complete, but alas, it seemed they were here to stay.

"Fred, I already told you, she's a crow,"

"I know what you told me, dear brother," jested Fred, "But how am I supposed to know you weren't lying? After all, you're not exactly a neutral source, now are you, Georgie?"

Getting each other riled up was one of the Weasley twins' favorite pastimes.

"Now what is that supposed to mean?" demanded George.

Fred was smirking so hard it must have been painful, "Nothing neutral about snogging each other in broom closets, is there?,"

The couple turned beet red. "Alright, that's enough!" Ramona bellowed.