'Tell Me Pretty Lies,' by moongirlel

Chapter 38: Hufflepuff's Golden Boy

[California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas]

༺ 𓆙 ༻
4th Year
Mon. 8th August 1994- 7:13am...

Pots and pans clang together. Manic footsteps dashed up and down the uneven stairs outside the bathroom. Following after, loud laughter and conversation from a few floors below me, broke the silence of the early morning.

"Get up, Ronald! Honestly, and get dressed!" Hermione's voice came from the room next door. "Get up, Ron! Your mother says breakfast is ready! And don't go back to sleep!"

I adjust my french braids, and tug on my jeans. Just as I zip them up, the bathroom door opens and I spin around.

"Bloody hell." Ron said, covering his eyes. "Lock the door."

"Last time I locked it, I got stuck in here. Remember?" I scoff, "I'm decent, no need to close your eyes."

"Oh, right, yeah. I forgot about that." He yawns, scratching his head. "Are you finished in the bathroom now? Can I use it?"

"Yes, I'm finished." I collect my hair brush, pyjamas and towel, and squeeze past him.

"You smell nice, by the way." He said quietly. He set his hand on my arm, "Wait, you've got... a bit of..." He awkwardly brushed his thumb against the corner of my mouth. "...toothpaste."

I huff, "Thank you?"

He grumbled in response and closed the bathroom door.

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"Jane! Good morning," Mrs. Weasley announced to me, handing me a plate of eggs and bacon. "It seems at least someone has gotten themselves up on time."

"Thank you," I sit down, pouring ketchup across my bacon. I take some toast from the middle of the table.

"Excited for this week?" Mr. Weasley asked me, peering over his newspaper. "I already have our tent set up, got us a good spot weeks ago." He folds the paper up, leaning closer to me.

"Yes. I've never been to a proper Quidditch match, except the ones at school."

"Ah, then you're in for a good treat."

"A right ol' time, I'd say." George adds, approaching me from behind. He wrapped his arms around me, in a faked strangle. "Little Janey here is going to cheer for the Bulgarians."

"I haven't decided," I look up at him.

He carefully removed his arms, fixing the position of my braids. He sat down next to me. "We'll see about that. Me and Freddie can be pretty... convincing." He grins wide, "Besides, I hear their Seeker might be to your liking. Since Malfoy has completely lost interest in you over this summer."

Molly hit his back with her tea towel, "George. Jane is a perfectly fine young lady, it was Malfoy's loss, not hers. He isn't the nicest boy, but he still caused her some grief."

"Mum, he didn't even wish her a happy birthday, or send her a present." He nudged my elbow, "And we all did."

"It's fine, really." I shuffle in my chair, "He's difficult enough, I suppose."