raison d'être (george weasley x reader)

4.4

The days subsequent to the morbid announcement of the chamber's opening were filled with hushed whispers and tension. Students rarely walked the halls alone, worried that they may meet the same fate as Mrs. Norris. Y/N and her friends were no exception to this. None of them ever traveled alone, though they were rarely ever without each other in the first place.

Y/N had also heard about the scolding that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had received after the discovery of the message. She was frustrated that they had even been questioned in the first place, especially considering what they had done for the school last year, not to mention who Harry is.

Days of unanswered questions passed before Professor McGonagall began one of her Transfiguration classes with a brief explanation of what the chamber is. She had been questioned by Hermione during the previous class and decided she ought to tell the students outright rather than let rumors slip through the cracks.

"As you all know, Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Now, three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously; one did not.

"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts. He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families. In other words, purebloods.

"Unable to sway the others, he decided to leave the school. Now, according to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle known as the Chamber of Secrets. Shortly before departing, he sealed it. Until that time where his own true heir returned to the school, the heir alone would be able to open the chamber and unleash the horror within, and by doing so, purge the school of all those who, in Slytherin's view, were unworthy to study magic.

"Well, naturally, the school has been searched many times. No such chamber has been found."

"Professor, what horrors lie in the chamber?" Y/N asked.

"The chamber is said to be home to something that only the heir of Slytherin can control," the professor responded. "It is said to be the home of a monster."

Never one to hide things from her parents, Y/N sent a letter detailing the week's events and McGonagall's explanation of the chamber's legend. Her parents had promptly responded, telling her that they can come pull her out of school at any moment if she reaches a point where she feels too unsafe to stay.

George had been with her when she received the letter and assured her that their friends would understand should she choose to take up their offer. However, she had rejected the proposal as soon as she read the words, claiming that she would feel more guilt leaving her friends behind than saving herself from potential danger.

"Besides, I'm a pureblood," she shrugged. "I'm safe."

Despite the risk of danger and rising tension within the student body, Hogwarts was still Hogwarts, which meant that quidditch would still be in full swing. The days immediately following McGonagall's explanation were filled with tryouts, meetings, and practice, all of which Y/N and Lee were dragged into.

"I really don't see why I have to be here," Y/N grumbled, having just had her study session with Hermione disrupted by Fred and George insisting that she come to the team's welcoming meeting. "I'm not on the team."

"You basically are," George insisted, dragging her along by her right hand.

"And Oliver is always nicer when you're around," Fred added, pulling her by her left hand. "Pretty sure he fancies you."

"He does not," she scoffed, having given up on freeing herself from their grip. "I'm just the only one able to get you two to shut up."

"Well, then I guess we fancy you," Fred joked, causing her to roll her eyes and for George's eyes to widen. Fred winked at George as soon as Y/N wasn't looking, only furthering the younger twin's embarrassment.