little things

chapter four

"Boys, where are you dragging me to?" "You know I'm most definitely going to be late for Transfiguration." I groaned, as I follow the two of them down the corridor.

"Ah, don't worry Primrose, we'll get you out of getting in trouble." Fred winks, while still having his arm around my shoulder; twirling a loose curl of mine around his fingers, watching it bounce up and down.

"Well in case you didn't know, Weasley. Us Slytherins aren't likely to off the hook as easily as you Gryffindors." I say, giving Fred a side glare.

"Oh don't you worry, Primrose. We'll come up with an brilliant plan to sneak you out of trouble's way." Fred says, letting go of the loose curl of mine, wrapped around his finger.

I continued to follow them both down the bright corridor, observing the painted windows along the wall. Admiring how the light shown through the stained-glass windows; creating tiny specs of colored light throughout the hall. I was interrupted from my trance when the twins stopped all of a sudden in front of an empty broom closet. George preceded to open the door, with a simple "Alohomora" indignation; and pushed the door open.

"After you." George said, gesturing towards the open door.

I hesitated for a moment, but proceed to walk in the dimly lit closet. It was compacted, small, with dozens of brooms scattered amongst the room. The shelves were run-downed; and a small window that was located at the top of the highest shelves lit up the room.

"Okay Weasleys. What do you want?" I say, getting overwhelmed with anticipation.

"Not so fast. Close your eyes, Thea." George said, waving his wand in the air. Both twins were slouched over, considering their massive height; and towering over me.

"Yeah right. Just show me what it is already." I say gesturing to whatever is behind George's back.

They both roll their eyes, but obliged. George pulls out a blank white stained parchment , out from his pocket; all while he hits his head on the nearby shelf, earning a laugh from Fred.

He hands the parchment to me. I take it with an confused look on my face, flipping the parchment over onto it's back to check for any sort of writing. Still blank.

"What is this?" I say, holding the parchment up to their face.

"This map is the mastermind behind our schemes." George says proudly.

"Showed it to Harry last year, but decided to steal it back to show you. We need some help deciding who we should prank next." Fred said devilishly.

"And how exactly is this going to find your next target?" I say curiously.

"George, if you will." Fred says, nudging his shoulder.

George pulls out his wand, points to the empty piece of parchment in my hands; and says clearly: "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Written words appeared on the frayed map before my eyes: 'Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present the marauders' map'. The words were written in a dark red brown color, and the bold letters that stated 'marauders' map' were surrounded by what looks like Hogwarts castle. I was quick to open the map, flipping through the multiple layers of pages binded together; observing the exact layout of Hogwarts' castle. The map included absolutely everything on Hogwarts' ground. Every classroom, corridor, dungeon, secret passage way; all of it. As I ran my fingers down the map, I saw tiny footprints with names written underneath. It included the names of people on Hogwarts grounds with their exact location. I smiled to myself thinking about all the witty hysterical pranks the twins have pulled over the years, with the help of this map.

"It shows everyone." says George, hazel eyes lit up in excitement.

"Where they are." Fred includes.

"What they're doing." says George.

"Every minute." Fred adds.

"Of everyday." George finishes happily.

I tear my eyes from them and continue to run my fingers down the map, observing all the people roaming the corridors; it's absolutely amazing. God, magic is remarkable.

"Soo, Prim what do you think?" Fred says leaning his shoulder on the stone wall surrounding us.

I tear my eyes away from the map. "It's bloody wicked." I reply, beaming at the both of them.

"Yeah, we know it's bloody wicked." scoffs Fred.

"Who should we prank is the question." George adds.

"Malfoy." I say without hesitation. "Prank Malfoy, give the little ferret a run for his money." This will surely be a show, I thought to myself.

"Always can count on you, Primrose." George says, smiling

"Always here." I say smiling back. I hand the map back, but before I could George stops me.

"Not so fast, Prim. Whenever you are done using the map, always tap the parchment with your wand and say: "Mischief Managed" or it could be seen by anyone." I watch in amazement as the ink on the map disappears, until it was left an empty piece of parchment.

I slip the paper back into George's hands. "What time even is it now??" I ask, gathering my satchel off of one of the shelves.

"Yeah... about that." George says, as he checks the time on the nearby clock left on a secluded shelf; piled with other random discarded things.

"You are definitely late for transfiguration. 15 minutes to be exact." Fred adds.

They both quickly move out of my way, stumbling out the door; into the empty corridor. I push past them both, despite how much taller and broader they are than me; causing them both to trip on their robes. I gather my robes and began to pace towards my first class. The first class of the year and of course I'm late to it.

"You both owe me! Better be some grand surprise you have up your sleeves!" I shout behind me, quickly gathering my pace.

"Sounds tempting!" Fred says, earning a laugh from George.

"I'm your dreams, Weasley." I say, flipping them off.

I hate being late. More than anything. Mother always said, "if you arrive early, you're on time."

Now she hardly ever says anything.

I finally arrived at the door and I slowly walked in. Relived that Professor McGonagall was just now starting the lesson.

"Miss Primrose, how kind of you to show up to class this morning on your first day back." she says.

"Sorry professor." Is all I can mutter out. Holding my bag's strap tightly in my fist, my knuckles turning a pale white. All heads turned around and all eyes starting daggers at me.

"Do go take a seat, Miss primrose. I have a lesson to teach and it best be taught today." she says, sternly.

I tucked a loose curl behind my hair and proceeded to the last available seat. The back right corner, sits two on a brown wooden table with a very familiar face. A face I've grown to hate all my life. A vile taste I get in my mouth whenever I look at him. Just like the feeling of looking at a sour treat. The taste of bitterness on your tongue, before even opening the package. The absolute sour tasting left lingering on your tongue. That's what looking at him causes.

A sour taste.

And there sits the source of bitterness.

Malfoy.