The Foreigner {Fred Weasley x OC}

20.

April First. The twins' birthday. I talked to Lee about it but he said he didn't have any plans in particular. It feels wrong not to do anything after the welcome back party they gave me.

I quickly sketch down all the things I need for a good surprise party on a piece of parchment. I look up from the table every minute to make sure the twins haven't walked into the Great Hall without me noticing.

"What are you working on?" One of the twins asks as he rests his hand on my shoulder. I crumple up the parchment, not worrying whether the ink is fully dry, "Just working on some more late assignments." I turn and meet George's eyes.

"And you crumpled it up, why?" Fred leans over my other shoulder.

I tuck the piece of parchment in my robes, "I didn't like the way I started my introduction paragraph... Now sit down, people are staring at us."

"Fine." The two of them sit down on either side of me. They both grab some oatmeal and toast. I stare at my empty plate, mentally taking notes of what I need to prepare.

"I don't know what your plate did to you, but maybe you should just eat something and forget about it." Fred puts a piece of toast on my plate.

I blink and bring myself back to reality, "Sorry." I chuckle, "Seems I have a lot to think about."

"You always have a lot to think about." He spreads jam over my toast for me. George adds, "If you talk about what's on your mind you don't have to space out all the time."

"Because you guys would be so interested to hear about my Muggle Studies essay."

The two of them shut up quickly at that and keep eating their breakfast.

I have Ancient Runes this morning without the twins so it allows me to work on my plans a bit more. It makes the most sense for us to celebrate in the kitchens because we will be able to make a lot of noise late into the night without anyone noticing. If everything works out the way I want it to, I'll be able to get the house elves to teach me how to bake a cake.

I'll need to come up with a strategy to get the twins down to the kitchen without them becoming suspicious of what's going on. Also, knowing them, they'll have planned something for April Fools and I don't want that to potentially ruin what I planned.

"Green." Professor Babbling calls my name, "Would you care to translate this phrase?" She points to the series of runes written on the board behind her.

"I - uh... No?"

After the horrible embarrassment I had in Ancient Runes, I decide to pay attention to Professor Burbage in Muggle Studies as she talks about famous Muggle painters throughout history and their impact on the nonliving painting world.

Lunch comes and I go to the library instead of the Great Hall to avoid the twins. I run into Hermione sitting at one of the desks. I sit beside her, "Hermione." I whisper. She jumps at the sound of my voice and lifts her nose out of her book, "Hello, Charlie."

"Say, Hermione. Have you ever planned a birthday party?"

She takes a moment to think, "I've only ever planned my own." She states.

"Okay, thanks anyway."

"Who's it for?" She asks. I lean closer to her, "Can you keep a secret?" She nods, "It's for Fred and George. Their birthday is in two days and I haven't got anything prepared yet."

Hermione smiles, "Good luck. I'm sure they'll like anything you do for them."

"Thanks, Hermione." I leave her to her book and go to find my own desk. I pick one that is tucked away between two bookshelves so that no one will find me.