The whispering quill | F. W.

10.

Dear readers,

Merry Christmas and happy new year!
The Whispering Quill, L.V.

The next day, Aria was on her bed, looking at the letter that Fred sent her. She sighed, thinking that probably was a bad idea.
"Alright bestie, see you after the holidays, what will you do during these days?"
"Uhm... I was invited to someone's house... But I don't think I will go"
Pansy stopped at the door.
"You must be crazy, you have to go! Who is he?"
Aria blushed.
"W- Who?"
"The one who invited you, is it a boy right? A slytherin?"
"Y- Yeah!
"I knew it! Who is it? Theo? Blake? Is it Draco?" Asked smirking.
"I- It's a boy... Older than us... Yes! He is an ex student, you probably don't remember him"
Pansy thought for a moment before shrugging.
"I approve, older men are chef kiss. You better go Aria, you seem to have a lot running through your mind, maybe he can help you chill" Said winking before leaving the room.
Aria blushed and looked back at the letter, hiding her face into the pillow.

Fred was tidying his room and the whole house, he wanted everything to be perfect for Aria.
Their house wasn't a mansion, it was always messy and full of strange and magical objects.
Fred wasn't ashamed of it, but for the first time he wanted to hide everything and make a good impression on Aria.
George, his siblings and his parents looked at him, confused by yet amused by his behavior.
"That girl must be special for your brother" Said Molly giggling.
"Oh mum, don't embarrass Fred, they are just friends... For now" Replied George winking and walking towards his twin.

"Oh, so Aria's coming, eh? Well, we'd better make sure the place is up to a Slytherin's standards then. I'll let you handle that, Freddie"
"Yes, she's coming over... Let's hope she doesn't expect us to have fancy china and silverware. I mean, we're more of a 'bash the dirt off your boots before coming in' kind of family" Said Fred nervously.
"Oh, don't worry about it. Aria's not that stuck-up. It's not like she's a Malfoy or something. Just focus on being yourself, and everything will work out"
Fred nodded, nervous and unsure.

Aria finally arrived. She looked at the big house in front of her and took a deep breath before knocking on the door.
I can do this.
"Welcome to the Burrow, Aria. This is my dad and mum, and that over there is my crazy family, you already know Ginny and Ron"
She smiled shyly and greeted everyone, shaking his parent's hands confidently.
As Fred showed Aria some of his famous pranks in the backyard, making her laugh, Molly looked at them.
"I kinda like her, she seems harmless and nice. Are you sure she is a Slytherin? Or is it just a prank of yours?" Said to George, who simply shrugged.
"Maybe that stupid hat put her in the wrong house five years ago, like it did with Percy"
Molly hit his arm with the wooden spoon.
Percy was the most ambitious of the family and for the twins he had to stay into the Slytherins house, but Molly didn't like the idea of his children talking like that.

After dinner, they all played games and chatted until was time to go to sleep.
It was now midnight on Christmas day, Aria was sat in front of the fireplace alone, since all the others were asleep.
She decided to do some training with her wandless magic. Aria was focused on the fire in front of her, trying to turn off and relight it with the spell in her mind.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?" Fred's voice distracted her.
He sat next to Aria looking outside the window.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"
She looked up at him as he sat next to her.
"I thought you were sleeping"
"I couldn't sleep without knowing you were alright. My family is a bit crazy... Want to take a walk under the stars?"
She nodded and followed him outside for a night walk.
"I'm glad you're here, Aria. I never thought a Slytherin could be this much fun"
She blushed and put her hands close her lips to warm them up.
"Me too, you and your family are really funny"
Fred smiled as they stopped in the frontyard and the snow started to fall.
"Look, it's snowing" Said Aria looking up into the night sky, but Fred couldn't stop looking at her.
"You have snow in your hair, Aria. Let me help you - he brushed off the snow and looked into her eyes with a smile - Perfect"
She lost her blue eyes in his deep brown ones.