Trying | Hogwarts OC student

chapter 12

The Prank

The following day dawned with a heavy weight on Alistair Montrose's shoulders.
Breathing heavily, Alistair finally found himself in a secluded spot by the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The ancient trees towered above him, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. He leaned against a gnarled trunk, trying to catch his breath and steady his racing thoughts.

The events of the morning replayed in his mind like a relentless storm. Snape's disapproving gaze, his own outburst of anger—it all weighed heavily on him. He couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, suffocated by expectations and his own inner turmoil.

Pulling out the small pouch from his pocket, Alistair stared at it for a long moment. The temptation to seek refuge in its contents tugged at him, promising a fleeting escape from his troubles. But deep down, he knew it wasn't the answer.

Frustration boiled within him. With a sudden burst of emotion, Alistair flung the pouch into the underbrush. It landed with a soft thud, disappearing among the fallen leaves and tangled roots.

He sank to the ground, his back against the tree trunk, feeling drained and defeated. The weight of his emotions pressed down on him, threatening to overwhelm. He closed his eyes, willing the tears that stung at the corners to stay at bay.

Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds. Alistair tried to steady his breathing, to calm the storm raging inside him. But the turmoil persisted, a tempest of anger, self-doubt, and raw vulnerability.

Footsteps approached from behind, snapping Alistair out of his thoughts. He turned to see two familiar figures emerging from the forest path: Fred and George Weasley, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Alistair, mate, are you alright?" Fred asked, his brow furrowed as he glanced at the discarded pouch.

Alistair hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just needed some air," he muttered, avoiding their probing gazes.

George crouched down beside him, his voice gentle. "You look like you've been through the wringer. Snape giving you a hard time again?"

Alistair nodded, unable to find the words to explain. The Weasley twins exchanged knowing glances before Fred spoke again, his tone serious.

"We heard shouting earlier," Fred said quietly. "What happened?"

Alistair sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I lost it," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't control myself."

George placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We all have moments like that," he said softly. "It doesn't make you any less strong."

Fred nodded in agreement. "Snape can be a right pain, but he's not worth losing your cool over."

Alistair looked at them gratefully, feeling a glimmer of relief amidst the turmoil. "Thanks," he said sincerely. "I just... I don't know how to handle all of this."

"You don't have to figure it out alone," George reassured him, his eyes kind.

Fred grinned mischievously. "Besides, if anyone can stir up trouble to distract you, it's us."

Alistair raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "What do you mean?"

Fred exchanged a knowing look with George before turning back to Alistair with a sly grin. "We've been working on a little prank," he said cryptically. "Care to join us?"

Despite the weight on his shoulders, Alistair felt a spark of excitement. "What kind of prank?"

George chuckled. "Let's just say it involves some Slytherin mischief by the lake," he said, winking at Alistair.

Alistair hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright," he said with a small smile. "Count me in."

Together, the three friends set off towards the lake, their laughter echoing through the quiet Hogwarts grounds. For the first time in days, Alistair felt a glimmer of lightness in his heart—a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there could be moments of joy and camaraderie.

As they reached the edge of the lake, Fred and George pulled out a bag filled with enchanted fake spiders. With mischievous grins, they set about placing the spiders strategically around the Slytherin students' favorite sunbathing spot.

Alistair couldn't help but laugh as he watched the twins work, the tension of the day melting away. For a brief moment, he forgot about Snape's disapproval and the weight of his own insecurities. With Fred and George at his side, Alistair felt a glimmer of hope—a promise that no matter how dark things seemed, friendship and laughter could still light the way.