Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 5 - Owls Home

The rest of the school day I manage to avoid the Weasley twins for the most part.  Trelawney's words spook me a bit.  That stupid game of mash really got into my head.  This is why you should always use the names of celebrities and not of people you know.

After classes I head back to my room and lay on my bed.  I put my headphones on and listen to a CD as I draft a letter to my parents.  I'm not sure how much me writing actually means to them, but I still try to send about one a week.

I love my parents, don't get me wrong, but it's just a little awkward sometimes.

My mom is a witch, and dad is a muggle.  Mom didn't like a lot of the drama in the wizarding world and pretty much left it for the muggle one.  I grew up knowing about magic, and seeing from time to time on the rare occasion mom used it.  But mostly I was raised like any other muggle kid.  For the longest time, we didn't even think I was going to be a witch.  I didn't show any accidental magic.  But at the end of July when I was eleven, I got the letter.  I was ecstatic.  I was so incredibly excited to get to have magic like mom.  But my parents we're as thrilled.  I think they were hoping I'd like a muggle life like them.

I still do my best to keep up with non-magical events and trends.  However, I know I want to live my life in the wizarding world.  I can't imagine it any other way.  I've known this since first year and it's cause a bit of distance between myself and my parents.

I finally put pen to paper and write a short letter to them.  I tell them about my classes, that Mia's doing well and says hi, and that I love them.  I sign and seal it, drawing a quick heart in pink glitter pen on the back.

I grab my shoes and head on over to the owlery.  Despite my pleading, my parents refused to get me an owl, so I had to use the school ones.  Thankfully it's deserted there and I have my pick of owls.  I selected a cute spotted one and give it my letter.

"Thank you."  I tell it softly and give it a treat.  The bird nuzzles my hand softly before flying off to deliver my letter.  I do over to the railing and lean on it, watching the owl fly off until it disappears.

I'm not sure how long I stand there, lost in my thoughts, but it must be longer than I realized.  Footsteps coming up the stairs pull me back to reality.  A Slytherin girl who I believe is in my year clutches a light pink envelope in her hands.

I smile politely at her and after a second of hesitation, she returns it.  She disappears inside the owlery for a couple of minutes before returning.  To my surprise she joins me at the rail, taking a deep breath.

"You okay?"  I ask, glancing over at her.  I feel ashamed that I can't remember her name.  We've been going to the same school for over six years, and I never learned her name.

"No."  She admits quietly.  "You?"

"I've been better."  I chuckle.  "Not sure how I'm going to make it through the year, honestly."

"Me either.  After everything with the Triwizard Tournament last year, I actually considered not coming."  She tucks one of her long braids behind her ear.  "My name's Celeste by the way.  Celeste Waters."

"Hazel Taylor."  I grin, relieved that we are in the same boat about not knowing each other's names until now.  "It must be rough being a Slytherin these days."

"Seriously is.  I had to lie about my blood status just to not be constantly bullied by my own housemates.  Since when does ambition equal unkindness?"  She blushes turning away from me.  "I'm not sure why I'm telling you all this."

"Maybe I'm just a good listener."  I shrug, hopeful to make a new friend.  "And it doesn't mean unkindness.  The unkind ones are just the loudest."

"I suppose you're right."  She muses, considering my words.

"Do you want to walk to dinner together?"  I ask, feeling a bit shy.  I'm not very good at making friends.  Other than Mia I didn't have many people that I regularly talked to.  I suppose I'm her pet introvert or something.

"Yeah, that'd be great."  Her face changes from melancholy to pleased at my request.  She tosses her beautiful braids over her shoulder before linking arms with me.  "I think this might be the start of a wonderful friendship, dear Hazel."

"I certainly hope so, dear Celeste."

We make our way down the stairs and to the great hall.  As we walk, we talk about what classes we are taking in hopes of getting N.E.W.T.s.

"I really enjoy potions," Celeste gushes.  "I know Snape can be a bit tough, but the mix of magic and science to create amazing things...  It just blows my mind!"

"Right?  I was so worried I wasn't going to get an Outstanding on my O.W.L.s and not be able to continue the class."  I tell her as we walk through one of the busier halls.  "Thankfully I managed to just scrape by.  I truly have no idea how Fred and George did it."

"The Weasley boys?"  She asks, interested.

"Yeah.  They're my potion partners right now.  It would be a lot easier if George could successfully count to three though.  He completely ruined our potion of patience this morning by only adding two drops of morning dew."

"At least he only added two.  Mine added four!"  She cracks up and I realize that the boy who blew up the cauldron earlier was her partner.

"That was you guys?"  I can't resist giggling as well.  "That's really rotten luck.  Too bad we didn't sit together.  It would have made things a lot easier."

"And left all of those boys together?  Surely we'd lose the entire school in such an explosion."  Her words send us both into another round of giggles as we enter the great hall.  As our laughter dies down, we realize that this is where we separate.

"Let me see your schedule," Celeste demands, holding out her hand.  I quickly fish it out of my bag and hand it to her.

"Oh!"  She exclaims excitedly.  "We have Herbology and Muggle Studies together tomorrow!  As well as a double free period after lunch!  What luck!  We'll have plenty of good study time together!"

"Really?  That's awesome!"  We give each other a quick hug.  "So I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Can't wait!"  She winks and heads over to the Slytherin table.  I stand there, staring after her just a moment too long.

"Well now we know why she isn't in love with us Georgie."  Fred comes up behind me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah, Fred."  George does the same on my other side.  "Seems like she's already got a girlfriend."

"Shut up."  I hiss, cheeks flaming.  I pull my eyes away from Celeste.  "It's not like that."

"Sure it isn't."  Fred grins down at me.

"Wouldn't blame you if it was though."  George laughs and the two saunter off to Gryffindor table.

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