Forever and Always

Hogsmeade

I rocked back and forth on my feet as I stood between the twins. Professor McGonagall pursed her lips to a thin line as she looked at us from the seat of her desk. How long are we going to stay like this? No words exchanged, just looks.

I cleared my throat. "Professor—"

She raised a hand, cutting me off. "I expected ore from you, Miss Williams. But hiding in a closet with some boy? I never would have thought you would be that type of student."

"Professor McGonagall, please, if you'd listen." I waited for her to object. When she didn't, I continued. "I was patrolling the dungeons last night with Cedric when we came across the twins. They set up the prank and I was going to make them take it down when I heard Filch coming." That was a lie. I was going to leave the prank.

"Why did you run then?"

"Because I've been in trouble by Filch multiple times with the twins. He would automatically accuse me like he did last night. Running would either help me, or end me up where I am now."

She peered over her glasses. "Where was Mr. Diggory when all this happened?

"He continued patrolling, leaving me to punish the boys."

Professor McGonagall finally took her eyes off me and looked to the boys. "And what do you two have to say for yourselves?"

"It wasn't Fae's fault, Professor." Fred answered. "Please don't punish her."

George raised his hand. "I didn't get caught in the broom cupboard, so how do you know I helped with the prank."

Professor McGonagall took off her glasses and stood from her seat. "Because, Miss Williams already confessed to seeing you there last night, and wherever your brother is, you are not that far behind." She thought about it for a second. "I won't give you detention. Miss Williams, I trust you that you were making the right choice. Next time this happens again, you three will be punished. You may go."

"Yes, Professor." We said in unison. We almost ran out her office.

"That was a close one. I was for sure that we were going to get detention." Fred comment with a relieved smile.

I scoffed. "Yeah, if it wasn't for me."

"Yeah, were you going to punish us, Fae?" George looked to me with confusion.

"Of course not! And I wasn't going to take the bucket down either. I wanted to see who would spring the trap."

"You're the best." Fred leaned down and kissed me on my cheek. My face burned vibrantly. Don't stare, don't start. DON'T START THESE FEELINGS!

I stared across the field to the Shrieking Shack. It was Halloween, and I was feeling adventurous.

"What do you think happened in there?" I asked from where I sat on the fence.

"You ask that every time we come to Hogsmeade." Fred stated.

"So?"

"So?" George mimicked me in a high-pitched voice. "You've heard all the stories."

"Yes, the stories that others have told you. What do you think happened? Murder? I don't really think it's haunted."

"And you're so sure about that?" Fred arched an eyebrow at me.

"Well, nobody has ever been in there before. People just make everything up." A thought struck me. "How about we go inside?"