From friends to this -Year six (re-uploaded) Book 1/4

Chapter 15

Tara took Fred's hand, held out, as they all clambered into the carriage. He pulled her in quickly before she sat down, letting Lee in behind her. She put the owl cage in her lap, "I swear I'll let you out soon" she sighed, sensing the owl was growing restless.

Fred chuckled beside her, "You like her more than you like me"

She grinned and looked up at him, "Is that really a surprise to you?" She joked, "I thought it was obvious. I never actually liked you all that much"

He laughed, and George joked opposite them, "Sure...Tara, you do know that you two are attached at the hip?"

"Against my will!" She exclaimed, "Did you know he just showed up at my house two weeks ago, uninvited?"

Lee scoffed, "Obsessed much"

"Exactly" she sat back and smirked, "Besides, I am far too entertaining for him"

"Bold words" Fred said simply,  turning to her grinning amused.

"Oh,shut up"

The walk to the castle was always the best part of it all. Of course, all the students knew magic was real and all, but walking into Hogwarts was just, magical; that was the only way to put it. Tara stopped at the entrance, the boys stopping, waiting, even though a few paces more and they'd be separated when they went into the great hall. She sighed, held the cage up and said, "Come to the Hufflepuff common room when you're done". The owl hooted, seeming to understand every word. She opened the cage and the bird flew out.

"How does she know where the common room is?" Lee asked, "Is she not new?"

"She is to me" she replied, closing it quickly, "She's an old owl though, especially for a barn owl. Old owner was a Hufflepuff...she graduated there three years ago?" She explained, "She works in the ministry now, doesn't need another thing to take of once she's home from work"

"Fair enough" Fred shrugged, as the group continued inside, "So, what, she's like six?"

"She's actually ten" she chuckled, "Yeah she's very old"

The warmth hit the four of them, as they stepped inside the castle. You'd think for a medieval castle that you'd be colder. George breathed in, experiencing the hallways in all of their glory. "Another year and more chances to wreck havoc" he said, closing his eyes.

Lee scoffed, "Open your eyes before you ram into someone would you?"

The walls seemed to amplify the conversations of all the students. It was as though you could hear all conversations at once yet not understand a single word.

Tara spotted pile of trunks, brought up from the train. She quickly piled her cage on top before continuing on quickly.

Then there it was, the grand entrance to the great hall, standing opposite the door. Despite its sheer size, it was impossible to see properly over the ocean of black robes.

"Well, if we don't start to head to the direction of our tables we'll never get there" George called to them, over the chatter.

"You're right" Tara called back, "So, this is where we part ways?"

"Unfortunately" Fred answered, as they passed through the door.

"I'll see you all tomorrow morning" she told them, "Breakfast here at 7:30?" She asked, standing as tall as she could, as she started to push her way backwards to the direction of the Hufflepuff table.

"See you then, Tar!" Lee chirped, waving wildly.

The twins laughed at him before they both turned away to walk to their table. Tara was about to turn away too but not before she saw Fred glance over his shoulder one last time, a smile on his face. He waved quickly once before getting pushed away.