𝓓𝓸𝓾𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓓𝓮𝓿𝓸𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼 - [EDITING]

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓞𝓷𝓮

I wait anxiously on the platform, biting my lip in excitement. My luggage is stacked behind me even though I ought to have packed up and found a compartment on the train by now. My cat, Midge, mewls from within her carrier.

"I know, shnookums!" I say, raising the pitch  of my voice endearingly. I bop her adorable pink nose through the black mesh. "We just have to wait for a few pesky boys to get here and I'll let you out into the compartment. So rude of them to make you wait, isn't it baby?"

Fifth year already! I can hardly believe it's already here-

"Gwen!" My name rings as sweetly and melodically as a bell from their mouths. A pair of identical, auburn haired boys, both wearing matching grins that stretch from ear to ear.

A grin forms across my tanned face. "My boys!" I exclaim, opening my arms for Fred and George to embrace me. "How on earth did you get taller again?"

"Good genes, I 'pose!" George says cheerily, casting a wink to his mother who bustles onto the platform with a horde of red headed children.

Fred gives me a once over and throws me a taunting look. "You've grown a bit too, from the looks of it. Where's the scrawny Oggy we knew?"

I punch his shoulder, crossing my arms over my chest self consciously. "I told you not to call me that," I mumble awkwardly.

George tickles Midge beneath her chin and speaks without looking at me. "Well, it's your name, innit Gwenog?" He chuckles.

Before I can get my hands on anything to wack the boy over the head with, Mrs. Weasley interrupts our reunion. "C'mon, c'mon. The trains leaving soon!" When her eyes settle on me, she finally pauses. "Good to see you, Gwen, darling. How was your holiday?"

I smile. Molly has always been like a mother to me. Ever since she discovered the lack of parents in my life, she was more than happy to fill in. "Lovely, thank you, Molly. I hope my boys didn't give you much trouble?" I say politely, as I pick up Midge's carrier.

She chuckles richly and pats me on the head while herding the kids aboard the train. "Who, these boys? Not a lick," Mrs. Weasley jokes. "Fred, George, come help Gwen with her trunk! Where's Ron gone off to? We've got to go!" And just like that, the moment of serenity vanishes for Molly.

A quick glance at my watch informs me that, sure enough, the train leaves any second now. I shove George's back as he and Fred lift the last of the trunks onto the train. "Hurry up!"

We stumble onto the train a holler our goodbyes to the sweet, plump lady remaining on the platform, dabbing her crystal blue eyes with a handkerchief. My copper brown hair dances in front of my eyes as wind tugs at the strands in an allegro ballet.

The train lurches into movement and I bump into Fred's chest. A shiver runs down my spine, but I attribute it to my excitement to be returning to Hogwarts.

"Careful there, Gwen," he chuckles, supporting me and letting his hands linger beneath my arms for a moment too long.

I try to laugh it off, but I'm unnerved, in all honesty. "Let's just find a compartment. Midge wants to get out." It's true, the stocky, broad-faced animal paws at her carrier, angry by the rough transportation I've been providing. "Sorry, my sweet," I whisper to her.

"What the cat wants, the cat gets," George observes, rubbing his fist into my hair. I swat away his hand and skip down the hall in search of a free compartment.

Ron manages to find one first, but Fred grabs him by the shirt collar and swings his younger brother out of the way. Ron grumbles, but the older Weasley just grins and gestures for me and George to come in to our newly claimed compartment.

"Sorry Ron," I exclaim while grinning. I offer a gentle peck to the forehead as consultation and my smile widens as his face goes as red as his hair.

We settle into our seats, shoving luggage above us. The moment I unzip Midge's carrier, she darts out in a fuzzy blur of gray and curls up on top of the luggage rack.

"Have you heard any news about the new Dark Arts teacher?" George asks, stretching his long legs out onto the bench opposite him.

"Nope, you?" I adjust myself to a more comfortable position, reclining across the entire bench rather than letting either boy share the seat with me.

Fred grins at me, an all too familiar gleam in his hazel eyes. "Aww, does Oggy-"

"Don't," I warn with a sing song tone, shooting him a scrunched up nose expression in mock amusement.

"Poor Oggy misses handsome Lockheart!"

"Shut up!" I exclaim, but the smooching noises have already started. I bury my hands in my face in defeat and to hide the heat warming my cheeks.

Fred and George laugh as I stand up and reach for my bag as if threatening to abandon them. Lanky arms wrap around my waist and pull me down, right on top of George's lap.

I squeak in surprise and my stomach swarms with a dozen butterflies. "Lemme go!"

I fight, but he's surprisingly strong for such a slim boy.

"Hold her down, George!" Fred exclaims to which his twin responds with a sharp nod and a salute. Then, the older twin lets his hands snake beneath my arms and tickle me.

"Stop!" I cry between gasps for breath and peals of laughter.

Suddenly, the laughter stops and the joy and warmth in the room vanishes as quickly as a candle blows out from a breeze. George's arms fall limp around me and my breath quickens.

Fred inhales sharply. "What is that?" The boys clearly feel it too.

I know exactly what it is, better than I'd like to, but keep my jaw clamped shut. Are they here for me?