The Queen of Vipers || Fred Weasley

II.VI

There was a loud tapping at the window.

Electra looked out the stained glass window and saw a small grey owl scratching and rapping its beak on the glass to get in. Cedric got up from his seat and opened the window a crack to let the owl in. It fluttered awkwardly in and swooped in front of Electra, knocking her cassette player to the floor and pulling her headphones out mid-Fleetwood Mac.

"Hey!" she protested, bending over to retrieve her music player and making sure it wasn't broken. "Mind your landing," she grumbled. The owl nipped her wrist. "Ow!"

Cedric offered the owl a piece of his pumpkin pasty he had hidden under the table. It hooted happily, taking the treat, before nuzzling its thanks to Cedric's arm, cawing indignantly towards Electra and flying back out the window.

"Goody-goody," she muttered.

He smacked her arm. "It wouldn't kill you to be a little kinder, Lex."

"Excuse me? Was I not the one who raided the kitchen and put on a birthday picnic for you today?"

Cedric bit his lips. "I mean to other people besides me."

She pulled a face and hummed, "Mmhmm."

He turned his head and grinned broadly. "Not that I'm ungrateful. The strawberry cake was a nice touch too." Her eyes narrowed. "Love you," he amended.

Electra hummed again, but a smile cracked across her hard exterior. "Love you too."

"So," he said, tilting his chin towards the letter in her hands, "who's it from?" He slouched back into his seat, leaning over a bit to try to see a name.

"I'll let you know when I read it," Electra retorted as she tore open the letter. He rolled his eyes and went back to his homework with an exasperated huff and snuck another bit of his pumpkin pastie.

Ella,

Harry's latest letter has me concerned. He tells me his scar is hurting again and the last time that happened— well, I'm sure you remember your third year.

Electra felt a chill run up her spine. Did she ever remember her third year. No wonder she wanted to avoid Defense Against the Dark Arts all year; You-Know-Who was attached to her professor. Gross.

I'm heading north immediately. I'll send notice as soon as I find somewhere safe. I've heard that Dumbledore's got Moody out of retirement as your new DADA professor. It's both a comfort and worry for me. He's a great wizard and you can trust him, but if he's come to Hogwarts then I fear that something evil is brewing in the near future, as you know, Dumbledore doesn't do anything without premeditation.

Please watch over Harry for me. And Ella, be careful yourself. I've lost you once, I won't lose you again.

~ Snuffles

She folded the letter up and stuffed it into her bag, Cedric watching her out of the corner of his eye. Gnawing at her lip, she pulled out fresh parchment, slapped it on the table and began scribbling madly.

Snuffles,

Are you fucking crazy?! Honestly, you should be more concerned for your own safety sometimes. I mean you're not exactly the Pope, now are you?

Electra wondered if her father knew who the Pope was.