The Last Great Hogwarts Dynasty

chapter three.

November 6th, 1994.

'I have a date with Cedric Diggory!' Those words were like thorns digging into Draco's chest. A wave of mixed emotions washes over him: a sinking feeling in his stomach. As he stood in the shadows at the top of the stairwell, he fought back the tears prickling in his eyes. As he heard her footsteps creaking up the stairs, Draco fled to his dorm and shut himself away.

As dawn paints the sky in hues of rose and gold, the sun gracefully ascends above the turrets of Hogwarts. A cacophony of students can be heard approaching the courtyard, all eager to leave for the village.

'I cannot believe you're going to Hogsmeade with Diggory and not us.' Fred winges as they set off down the stone lined path. The Hogwarts countryside unfolds, a meandering river sparkles under the gentle gaze of the castle, and the air is tinged with that familiar scent of flowers and wild grass.

'I'm sorry, Freddie,' It's clear that Em genuinely feels bad for leaving her friends for Cedric.

'Don't be a tosser, Fred. We really don't mind, do we boys?' Katrina glares at both of them in an almost maternal way as she folds her arms. A small red tie was wrapped around her neck in a scarf like fashion contrasting her black long sleeved bodysuit. it was still somehow slightly too warm for too many layers, so she wore a pleated brown skirt and held her signature red leather jacket close to her as they strolled up the winding path. The twins mumble in reluctant agreement with her.

'I'll stay with you guys next weekend, I promise!' She linked arms with Katrina with a wide smile. Their styles contrasted beautifully; you would never have known a more perfect pair. Em wore soft pink sweater that almost covered her black skirt, paired with leg warmers and a cozy pair of boots. She was sure it would get Cedric looking.

In fact, they had a lot of people looking that day.

'How you doin', Granger?' Cassius Warrington whistled and winked as the girl walked by.

'Keep moving it, Warrington.' Katrina barked at the well known womanizer. It appeared that she hated fending people away from Em, but it secretly gave her an immense sense of purpose. After all Em does for her, helping her with family troubles, she feels like she's repaying a debt.

Cassius slows his walking pace down to the group of four, the twins already rolling their eyes at the overly confident Slytherin.

'Hello to you too, Malfoy,' A sly look crept onto the cocky boy's face, his confident grin paired with a glint in his eyes, suggested mischief and a hint of self-assured charm. 'I wouldn't mind taking both of you, to be honest.' His eyes scan them like predator to pray.

With a swift and almost prepared motion, Katrina's hand quickly moves to her side, fingers wrapping around the smooth handle of her wand. As she draws it, a subtle, determined expression crosses her face.

'Sternius!' A focused beam of light shoots forth, aiming at Cassius. The spell briefly freezes him in place as if held by an invisible force. That's when the sneezing begins.

The valley echoed with the sound of joyous laughter as the group of friends revelled in the success of Katrina's spell. Cassius was dumbfounded and ran off in the direction of Hogwarts, desperately wanting the sneezing fit to stop.

'You're brilliant, you are.' Fred says, wiping away a tear of laughter from his rosy cheeked face.

'Totally brilliant.' George smiles warmly at her as he walks by the other side of her, his heart equally as warm.

The path to Hogsmeade unfolded beneath an ancient archway, leading into a charming village. Cobblestone streets winded through a landscape adorned with quaint shops and crooked buildings. As students strolled with anticipation and excitement, Hogsmeade beckoned them in.