Magic and Mischief | Fred x Hermione

Chapter 2: Ancient Runes And Other Inconveniences

Fred slid open his compartment door as the train neared Hogwarts, heading down the hall to change into his school robes. 

Looking to his sides he could clearly tell which of the compartments contained first years, their wee faces alight with anticipation and excitement. Fred could clearly remember when he first came to Hogwarts, George by his side. They had arrived at the castle and quickly began to concoct brilliant pranks to pull off on their fellow Gryffindors, as well as the staff. 

Fred smiled, now, considering the present. Honestly, not much had changed in the now six years that he had attended the school. He and George had already discussed a new crop of tricks to pull on Filch. Boiling Butters, Crying Caramels, and Breathless Bon Bons were begging to be experimented with. Not to mention their more old-fashioned tricks, good old gum-in-the-keyhole never got boring, conspiring with Peeves, messing with the suits of armor, Fred could hardly wait.

"Excuse me?" A small voice called to him.

Fred had to crane his neck down to find the source of the noise, he and George had been growing "like weeds" of late according to their mother.

Finally he pinpointed the source of the noise coming from a very small boy indeed, who was positively swimming in robes, obviously home-hemmed, but not quite short enough evidently. His hair was cropped into an uneven bowl cut, his large blue eyes peering up at Fred with awe.

"Do you know any shrinking charms? I've already fallen near 12 times and I don't need the other first years laughing at me, it's hard enough to make friends already," he said, lip quivering slightly.

Fred sighed and looked around.

"Well, technically I'm not allowed to do magic "outside of school", but seeing as this is a gray area and you seem like a respectable young chap who won't tell, I'll help you out," Fred grinned.

The boy's whole demeanor lit up as he held out his arms towards Fred and closed his eyes as though waiting for a dramatic Cinderella-type transformation.

Fred nearly snorted, but managed to keep his laugh concealed just barely behind his now inflated cheeks. He shook his head and then waved his wand, muttering "Reducio," doing his best to control the effects of the charm.

The robe shrunk significantly, perhaps not leaving enough of the boy's ankles up to the imagination, but still the small first year's face broke into a radiant smile.

"Thank you, much obliged! Mother said that I ought to introduce myself as to make friends, my name is Maxwell Polpington," he said, giving Fred a low bow.

"Fred Weasley the second, at your service," Fred echoed the boy's lofty tone, bending into an even deeper bow.

A small chuckle coming from behind made Fred turn. Ron and Hermione stood observing the scene.

"Fred, you know you aren't allowed to use magic outside of school, what would your father say!" Hermione scolded, but her eyes sparkled with a hint of approval at his act of kindness. She and Ron continued down the train, but Fred didn't miss how she turned around again to look at him, giving him a small smile.

The boy scampered off and Fred changed into his school robes, which thankfully hid his ankles appropriately.

The train arrived, and they were all ushered into the Great Hall for remarks from Dumbledore and the feast. The first years were sorted, Fred's little friend being sorted into Ravenclaw, from who's table he gave Fred a little wave.

After the sorting concluded, Dumbledore stood to begin his announcements, but was interrupted by the arrival of the new defense against the dark arts teacher. Fred had heard before of the legendary Auror, but was shocked along with the rest of the students by his appearance. An electric blue eye which swiveled this way and that, a missing leg which caused him to clunk against the floor with every step, and gnarled scars across his face.