Summers at The Burrow - Fred Weasley

Chapter Sixteen - McGonagall's Confrontation

Fall had sprung upon Hogwarts before anyone could prepare for it and the weather had become quite chilling in the time Oliver had set aside for Quidditch practice.

Normally I would wear a pair of leggings and a tank top to practice but I quickly adjusted to wearing much warmer attire onto the field.

The last few weeks were filled with lots of homework, quidditch practice, and outings with Cedric and we had grown quite close. I was helping the team with inside information and making new friends outside of the Gryffindors. The twins weren't fond of this but I still spent almost all day with them so they couldn't complain.

We were at breakfast right now. Thankfully it was a Sunday so we didn't have any plans unless you counted sneaking off to the forbidden forest to go fairy hunting. It was all in good fun and we never actually hurt them mostly because hagrid shooed us off the premises.

"Are you expecting something?" Lee asked as Bob swooped down dropping a letter into my lap.

"No." I said as I read the neat parchment envelope.

Ms. C. Black
Read in private

"I'll be in the nearest secret passageway." I announced to the group then left without another word.

Once I slid behind the tapestry outside the great hall I lit my wand and opened the envelope.

Dear Ms. Black,

It has come to my attention that you have a special talent for slipping under everyone's noses. I would like to have a word this evening at eight o'clock sharp in the headmasters office. You may inform your friends of where you will be going this evening but be weary of who you speak around. The password is Fire Whiskey.

Sincerely,
Professor M. McGonagall

I stuffed the letter into my robe pocket and extinguished my wand as I slipped out of the passageway. Once I returned to the table everyone gave me their full attention. They didn't even need to ask the question for me to answer.

"McGonagall wants me in the headmasters office at eight tonight." I explained.

"Are you getting expelled?" Angelina asked.

"If I was getting expelled they would have done it by now. Plus I haven't pulled nearly enough stunt's to get expelled this soon." I spoke cooly but deep down I was concerned for my fate later this evening.

I looked up at the head table and saw both professor McGonagall and professor Dumbledore looking at me. This solidified the uneasy feeling in my stomach and i felt like I couldn't shake their stares for the rest of the day.

I felt like I could see professor Dumbledore roaming the halls more than usual and even professor McGonagall was looking in my direction more often then usual. Even the twins noticed it and were nudging me every time they spotted one of the professors. This can't be normal behavior.

When seven fifty rolled around I made my way out of the common room and down the winding corridors to professor Dumbledore's office. I said the password to the giant eagle statue and it spiraled to reveal a staircase. I climbed the stairs quickly and quietly until I reached the top where a large door stood. It was cracked open slightly and I could see and hear professor McGonagall inside speaking in a low voice about something.

I pushed the door open and it creaked alerting the two professors of my presence.

"Oh Ms. Black I hardly heard you climbing the stairs." McGonagall said as she stepped aside inviting me into the conversation.