𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, fred weasley

˗ˋ 86

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
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-: seventh year :-

── IN WHICH THEY ARRIVE

. . .

"So are you planning on trying out then?" Fred's question rang loud above the chaos of the Hogsmeade platform, the group of four carefully making their way off of the train. 

The Quidditch topic had long been dropped, transitioning through into a discussion of all the products that Fred and George had developed, designed and created over the summer. Since then, they had eaten what could be several tonnes of sweets and other confectionary from the Honeydukes cart (Fred and George had decided they could spend quite a bit on it given their prefeictions on how popular their products would end up being) and changed into their uniform.

Whilst Fred, George and Lee's uniform was covered in red - the embelm on the robes and sweaters and the scarlet and gold striped tie - Elodie's had remained grey and dull. She was yet to be sorted, so it made sense, but there was the reminder in her head of the tie that Fred had given her and made her promise to give back to him.

She had done just that - Elodie wasn't one to break an oath - but she hadn't given it back until she came to London. All summer it had hung over her mirror, occasionally draping it around her neck and tying it or even putting on a blouse and an old pleated skirt to really complete the look. 

She was somewhat desperate on getting Gryffindor. That would be where she was most comfortable, she had been there the year before, up in Gryffindor tower, taking classes with them and spending a mass amount of her free time in their common room and at their table in the Great Hall.

"Hm?" Elodie's features flooded with confusion at the random question, feeling a hand wrap around her own and tug her out of the way of a group of first years. "Trying out.. for the.. Quidditch team?"

"Yeah, what else would I mean?" Fred grinned, guiding her as they followed Lee and George. "Huh... that certainly isn't Hagrid." The grin turned into a frown as they stopped in their path. Elodie quite liked Hagrid - he fed the Beauxbatons' Abraxans very well and was nice to her all through the year in their limited interactions. 

"Maybe he's just busy." George had a matching expression on his face, frowning in the direction of the woman who they recognised to be the woman who had taken over some of Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures classes the year before. "Grubbly-Plank only covers lessons, right?"

"Maybe." Lee shrugged. "But maybe we should get to the carriages before it starts to rain - because the stars are slowly disappearing behind clouds and I really don't want to get wet." 

"Yeah, good idea." Elodie smiled at the twins, tilting her head towards the archway under which the stagecoaches were stood. "And about the Quidditch team then.. probably yes." 

"Good. I'd love that." Fred had a particular smirk on his face that made Elodie dig her elbow into her side, erupting into laughter as Fred's fingers pressed into her ribs. 

"Alright, calm down." George and Lee simultaneously rolled their eyes as they continued to move towards the carriages, standing together in a small group as they figured out which one they should take. 

Eventually, they found one and climbed up into the stagecoach, George pulling the door closed behind them. "So when do you think that you're going to be sorted Elodie?" Lee asked, leaning forward to pull up the blind on the window and offering a smile to the French girl.

"I'm hoping.. maybe before the feast. On my own and not in front of the crowd." Elodie had thought about it ever since Fred had told her about the Sorting. She hated the idea of being a seventh year amongst firsts, and after last year she really didn't want to be the centre of attention. 

"I reckon you'll get that. McGonagall likes you and she... manages the Sorting?" George sat back in his seat. "She'll pull you out before you go into the Hall and maybe to her office - make sure you get a good look around, take in anything interesting-"

"Georgie, just let her get sorted first." Fred was smiling as he looked over at the girl. "Look." He nodded to the window that Lee had revealed. 

They were approaching Hogwarts, travelling over the bumpy track. But it was such a magnificent sight that Elodie didn't necessarily mind the feeling of her stomach lurching every two seconds.

Outlined against the night sky was the castle, a picture filled with towers and turrets and oval windows illuminated with a glowing amber. It was so majestic and welcoming, and quite frankly Elodie couldn't quite believe she was spending her last year of magical schooling there. 

If only they knew what that year would bring to them.

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