Odd One Out (Fred Weasley)

THREE ~

I flinch at the squeak from my window as I pry it open. So much for being quiet. With my bag on my back full of everything I need, I climb out the window and creep down the roof onto the front lawn.

"This better be worth it," I murmur, glancing back at the dark house, towards where I know my parents are asleep, only once before taking off into a sprint.

"LJ, you made it! So glad you could come," Arthur greets me as I enter their home, a smile on my face.

"Thank you for inviting me! I'm so excited."

"My pleasure. Have you eaten breakfast?" He holds out a plate full of pastries towards me, all of them looking delicious, yet I politely nod, despite knowing that is certainly not true, yet I can't bring myself to eat with my nerves this high.

He claps me on the back. "Great. Let's go then," he shouts to his kids and they all come downstairs. Two others come down with them, people I haven't met yet. One is a young girl with bushy brown hair, the other a young boy with dark hair and circular glasses on his nose.

"Hi! You must be LJ. My names Hermione Granger," the new girl says. "This is Harry Potter."

"Nice to meet you!" I smile at them both. I ignore the fact that he's the infamous Harry freaking Potter. He wouldn't appreciate me gawking like everyone else, I'm sure. Plus, I'm too distracted by Fred and George as they come down the stairs, both of them pulling me into a messy hug, messing up my nicely done braid as I curse them.

"Alright everyone, come on," Arthur finished saying his goodbyes to Molly and we leave, heading out in a different direction to my house. I take one last look towards it, the dark house invisible in the distance, before following the others.

We walk for a long time. The sun has now risen, blasting down on us. I wipe my brow. I have been talking to Hermione and Ginny. Despite them being younger, they are actually very fun to talk to. It's nice to talk to friends for the first time in a long time. We are in the middle of discussing the school gossip when we're interrupted by Arthur shouting, "Ahh, Amos!"

A man is standing in our path, a grin on his face. "I was wondering when you'd turn up, Arthur." Small glasses sit on the end of his nose. He greets Arthur with a handshake, looking towards the rest of us.

A boy jumps out of the tree and lands effortlessly next to him, startling almost all of us. His brown hair is perfectly messy, and the smile on his makes all three of us swoon.

"So this is Cedric," Arthur shakes the boys hand. Ginny, Hermione and I exchange looks, in turn making us giggle. The two adults keep walking while Cedric introduces himself to everyone.

"The names Cedric," he says as he reaches us, his grey eyes focused on me.

I shake his hand, saying, "LJ. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. Ladies," he says, nodding and smiling at Hermione and Ginny. They blush uncontrollably as he walks away and start gushing over him once he's out of earshot. I can't help but grin as they do so, my cheeks flushed.

"Someone's jealous," I hear George snigger. I turn to see him elbowing his twin as Fred swears at him. My smile grows even bigger as we keep walking to our destination. Soon we make it to a hill with a simple old boot just sitting there, alone.

"Gather round kids." Arthur calls out. "Hold onto the boot."

Oh Merlin, this is a port key. I absolutely despise these. I fight through the rising fear as everyone grabs on and I follow in suit. I feel a tugging sensation in my nasal area that proves my point. I close my eyes, my stomach in my throat, and soon hear Arthur yell, "let go!"