The Shadow Trio | Year 7: Running from the Light

Part 7 - The Redheaded Lions

As I step into the Great Hall for lunch, the savoury aroma of chicken pot pie and buttered scones immediately awakens my appetite. Each time I enter this grand room, it feels as though I'm experiencing it for the very first time. I never grow tired of it. Today, there are floating candles dancing along the ceiling as hungry students chat among their friends, the hall itself is half
-full today, the normal capacity for lunch hour.

I begin making my way to the Slytherin table to find my friends, when I notice Sebastian nor Ominis aren't there. I look towards the Hufflepuff's and Poppy is no where to be seen either.

"Oh come and sit with us, Angel. Us Gryffindor's don't bite." A familiar voice says.

I turn around and see Garreth and Leander sitting next to each other with the rest of their house friends.

"For now..." Leander says with a chuckle.

A sly smile forms on Garreth's face as I begin making my way over to their table. I sit across from the two boys, and graze over the bountiful spread of food in front of me. I pluck a warm scone from the assortment of bread varieties in the middle of the table.

"So, where are your henchmen today? It's not often that I see you all by your lonesome." Garreth asks me before taking a bite of his pie.

Leander cuts in, "Probably wanking each other in the prefect's bathroom."

Weasley almost spits his pie out while Prewett laughs obnoxiously at his own joke. His stupid comment left me in annoyance which must have been displayed on my face because Leander's laugh immediately cuts off.

"Sorry." He replies quickly.

Garreth folds his arms across his chest nonchalantly.

"Ouch, I don't think she cared for that comment, Prewett," He points out.

"Apologies, didn't mean to offend your little girlfriend."

Weasley lets out a scoffing noise mixed with an awkward chuckle, "Haha... hilarious!"

"You're just full of pleasantries today, aren't you?"

"Just trying to make the poor girl smile." Leander replies.

It's comical to me, the two boys could be mistaken as brothers with their undoubtful likeness to one another. Their matching fiery hair and rosy cheeks are their most distinguishable features, but their personalities could not be more different.

Leander is incredibly obnoxious and stuck up, despite not having a single good quality going for him. I mean come on, I beat the poor lad at Summoner's Court and Crossed Wands the first week I arrived at Hogwarts.

Garreth on the other hand is kind and compassionate. However, his biggest flaw is how he behaves when he's intoxicated. Well that, and being best friends with Leander Prewett.

My appetite once again arises by sending a grumble to my empty stomach. I bring the scone up to my mouth and take a considerable bite. My taste buds are hit with wonderful flavours of rosemary and butter. I will never turn my nose up at the house-elves traditional cooking here at Hogwarts.

Garreth's freckled face grabs my attention as he begins speaking again, "Anyways, after I almost singed off my own eyebrows today, I went and picked some Moly flowers."

"They made me think of you..."

He reaches into his leather knapsack and pulls out a white piece of folded fabric. He delicately unfolds the fabric revealing the white petaled flower.

"Here you are." He says, leaning over the table with the fragile flower becoming a focal point in his freckled hand.

He takes the black-stemmed plant and delicately weaves it through my braided hair. The delightful honey-scented fragrance of the flower invites itself into my nostrils.