one sickle ~ f.w.

chapter 26

it's been about two weeks since me and fred's date on the astronomy tower, more specifically since our kiss. i haven't been able to stop thinking about it, it's the only thing on my mind. we haven't spoken much about it since it happened actually - well, we did briefly the day after, but decided we didn't want to rush into things. i'm feeling a mixture of things about it, but mostly just happy with the way things are going - not too slow and not too fast either.

it's lee's birthday soon, so the twins and i have planned a surprise party for him - although i'm not sure if it would count as a proper party. fred thought it would be nicer and more personal if there wasn't too many people at the party, so we're only planning to invite his and our closest friends. hopefully he likes what we've prepared for him.

***

"where are we going? 1B?" i ask, as i walk through the crowded corridors to my next class - transfiguration.

"yeah i think," fred replies, taking his book out as we turn a corner.

after about five minutes, we enter the classroom just on time. most are already in their seats, a few just walking around the room mindlessly, waiting for mcgonagall to arrive.

as if on cue, the doors open suddenly and she walks in, taking her place at the front of the classroom. those who were standing before her entrance quickly sit down and take their books out, while the rest of the class just sit patiently and wait for mcgonagall to start the lesson.

"ahem." mcgonagall clears her throat, getting everyone's attention. "good morning class, today i will be teaching you the lapifors spell - the transformation of a small object into a rabbit. now, on the table at the front of the class, next to my desk, there are a range of objects to choose from for your transformation. there are some animals too on a separate table, though i would advise to choose an object as this is most likely your first time using this spell."

i look over to the tables, one with objects and one with animals. there are small statues on the object table, all identical and arranged neatly. on the animal table, there are ten salamanders, not moving much - just sitting there calmly. 

while mcgonagall demonstrates the spell, my mind starts to wander and i begin to daydream. first i think about lee's party, then i move on to wondering what i'm going to eat for lunch today. my mouth almost waters at the thought - the food at hogwarts really is the best. after that, i think about who i'm going to spend lunch with today. george, lee and fred - the memory of the night on the astronomy tower instantly enters my mind. i feel a smile forming on my face, but quickly change my expression to a more focused one, so it would look like i was focusing. but maybe i don't even want to--

"uhh y/n? you there?" i'm suddenly snapped out of my thoughts as i hear fred talking to me, trying to get my attention.

"hm? oh sorry. what happened?" 

"you zoned out. what were you thinking about?" 

i hesitate for a moment. i can't really tell him i was thinking about him - i don't think we're at that point in our... whatever our situation is. "oh- uh- nothing important." i say, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

he gives me a smirk in response, as if to say 'i know you're lying'. 

after a few moments spent in awkward silence, i decide we should probably get our object for our transfiguration task. 

"hey, uh, we should- get our thing for the task." i say.

"i already have." 

"oh- you did?" i ask, confused.

"yeah, it's right in front of you. i got it after the demonstration. of course, you were daydreaming so you didn't see." fred simpers.

i roll my eyes playfully and look at the middle of our shared desk, a small salamander sitting there. "oh, you got an animal." 

"yeah, of course. i didn't wanna get a statue - felt like i wouldn't be... reaching my limits, you know?" 

of course he did. he's always been really good at transfiguration. 

"so should we start?" 

"yeah, we probably don't have very long to do it." i reply, getting my wand out.

"wicked. i'm guessing you didn't pay attention to the demonstration then?" 

"no." i say, almost guiltily.

"right. i did - not like i would've needed to though, eh?" fred winks.

i smile and raise an eyebrow.

"watch and learn," he says confidently. "lapifors!"

a green light shoots out of his wand, and our salamander instantly transforms into a rabbit. 

i look at the rabbit, then at him, amazed - which i shouldn't be, because i knew he would be able to do it.

"pretty good, aren't i?" he smirks.

"wh- yeah, you are." i stutter, then i have an idea  - i think i could have some fun with this. "you got any idea how to change this back so i can have a go?" 

his expression changes immediately. he hesitates for a moment, before suggesting - "well, uh, we could use reparifarge."

"i'm not sure, that one's usually for incomplete or poorly performed transfiguration spells - it might backfire." i say.

he sighs and leans back in his chair. "what do you think we should do then?"

i look behind me and check the clock on the wall. "we only have fifteen minutes left. i say we don't do anything and just pretend to be working. we've already done our work for today - well, you have - so there's nothing really  that mcgonagall can make us do."

"let's do it."

we spend the remainder of the lesson talking and joking around, discussing different things and always finding something to talk about - and i find myself more and more attracted to him with each minute that passes. 

***

hey besties

are there even clocks in hogwarts classrooms?? i promise i do my research while writing these chapters but i literally have no idea on this bye

anyway sorry not much happened in this chapter, but lee's party is coming soon :)

hope you're having a good day so far <3

stay safe !!

-dasha