Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Fourth Year: New Years 1993

If Bambi thought that being scolded by Percy, McGonagall, and Hagrid was bad, it was nothing compared to the little red envelope dropped off by Errol on New Year's Eve when they sat down for breakfast.

Bambi was just pouring herself a cup of tea when the usual flurry of owls overhead was heard, and Errol, the Weasley family's tired and overworked owl, flapped in, clutching a small red envelope in his beak. Errol dropped it unceremoniously on the Gryffindor table, then collapsed, panting and looking for a reward for his hard work. Unfortunately for Errol, the twins only exchanged looks with Bambi, and did little to comfort the bird for flying so far just to deliver another scolding.

The usual bustle of breakfast was quieter than usual; fewer students had stayed at Hogwarts for the holidays, making the spectacle of the Howler even more glaring. Every eye in the hall seemed to be drawn to the little red envelope as it sat, ominously, on the table.

"Oh great," Fred muttered, "This is just what we needed," He said, cautiously picking the letter up. "Shall I do the honors, or would you like to?"

George reached out and took the Howler from Fred's hand. "If you don't mind, Freddie, I think it's my turn."

As George tore open the envelope, Ron and Harry exchanged amused glances from their seats across the table. They had received a Howler at the beginning of the year, and the twins had made sure to give them a hard time about it. Now, it was their turn to witness Mrs. Weasley's wrath.

The Howler burst into flames, sending a cloud of red smoke into the air. The hall fell into an uneasy silence as Mrs. Weasley's voice boomed out, filling the space with a mix of fury and concern.

"FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY, WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING? I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU THREE WOULD BE SO RECKLESS! WANDERING INTO THE FORBIDDEN FOREST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MINDS?"

The voice was unmistakable, sharp, and full of exasperation. The few students who had stayed for the holidays watched with a mix of amusement and curiosity, their breakfasts forgotten as they took in the scene.

"I'VE HEARD FROM PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL, AND YOUR BROTHER PERCY, WHO HAVE BOTH INFORMED ME OF YOUR STUPID ADVENTURE. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DANGEROUS THAT FOREST IS? VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE LURKS IN THERE. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO YOU? YOU COULD'VE BEEN HURT OR WORSE! AND YOU, BAMBI, I THOUGHT YOU WOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO GO ALONG WITH ONE OF THEIR OUTLANDISH IDEAS!"

Ron snickered, barely able to contain his laughter. "Looks like they're in for it now," he whispered to Harry.

"NOW, GET BACK TO YOUR STUDIES, AND NO MORE FOOLISHNESS, DO YOU HEAR ME?"

Percy made a smug look into his mug of tea, sipping it with a distinguished upturned nose.

Bambi's face flushed crimson, her heart pounding. She glanced around, feeling the weight of the other students' gazes as they watched the scolding unfold. Fred and George surprisingly didn't seem all that bothered to be the center of attention, they leaned back in their seats, patiently waiting for their mother's voice to fade.

The envelope crumpled into ashes, leaving a faint, smoky residue. Bambi sank into her seat, mortified, while Fred and George shrugged as if slightly disappointed in the Howler.

"Darn, thought for sure that'd break the record of being the longest one. She could have at least scolded us for a couple of other things while she was at it." George said.

Bambi buried her face in her hands. Her red hair fell over her face, hiding her blush. "I am never falling for one of your stupid ideas again," she muttered, her voice muffled.