NFWMB - hozier
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Grace steps into the room assigned to her for the night, the one she'll be sharing with Ginny and Hermione for the week. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she's a little disappointed that she won't be sleeping beside Fred each night. She knows this isn't her house, though, and respects the order of things.
Behind her, an excited Ginny chatters on about how this "girls' night" is going to be one to remember and how they'll be able to talk about everything, well, mostly Quidditch. Grace smiles, trying to ignore just how much she'd rather be sleeping.
The day has been exhausting: leaving Hogwarts, reuniting with Fred, meeting his family... Grace isn't used to her emotions being so overwhelmed all at once. And, as always when night falls, her darker thoughts catch up to her, pulling her back into their familiar shadows.
She sighs, setting her things next to the bed Ginny had pointed out for her. Hermione is already on her bed, in her pajamas, nose buried in a book. Ginny mentions she's going to use the bathroom before the boys start using it and slips out of the room.
Grace sits on the creaky bed and lets out a long sigh. She glances to the side to look at Hermione. She's never really talked much with her, and aside from Dumbledore's Army meetings and the fact that she, Ron, and Harry seem to attract trouble like a magnet, she doesn't know much about her. Being social without immediately feeling or being awkward is not Grace's strong suit—she's always felt like the worst person to fill silences.
Clearing her throat lightly, she tries to launch a chat. "So, what are you rea—"
"I'm really glad you're here—" Hermione says at the same time, glancing up with a small, warm smile.
They both pause, realizing they spoke over each other, then laugh. Grace relaxes, realizing maybe she isn't the only one who is socially awkward.
Hermione shakes her head and sits up a bit straighter. "I was saying, I'm really glad you're here. I love the Weasleys, don't get me wrong, but it's nice to have another girl around."
Grace smiles back. "I'm happy to be here, too. Even if it's only for a little while."
Hermione's smile grows. "We might even have one more soon—Fleur Delacour is supposed to arrive any day now."
Grace frowns, a flicker of memory from her sixth year and the Triwizard Tournament coming back. "Fleur Delacour? The champion from Beauxbatons?"
Hermione nods. "Yes, she's engaged to Bill, the eldest Weasley."
"What? I haven't even met everyone yet? There's another one of them?"
Hermione laughs. "Oh, you'll see... there's never a dull moment around here."
"Good," Grace sighs. "I think I need a bit of a distraction."
Hermione hesitates, curious but not wanting to pry. Grace gives a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious."
But she chuckles internally. Nothing serious. Sometimes she wonders if her habit of downplaying and brushing things off isn't just a little pathological.
Just then, Ginny flops onto her bed with a contented sigh, and Grace stands to get a bit of time in the bathroom. She barely makes it through the door before someone slips in behind her, locking the door.
She jumps at first, but quickly sighs in relief when she sees Fred leaning against the door, arms crossed, a smirk on his lips.
"And what exactly do you think you're doing here, sneaking in like that, creep ?" Grace teases.
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salvation - f.weasley
FanficGrace Colten begins her sixth year at Hogwarts just like the five before; determined to do everything to ensure the best grades and a better future. Outstanding at her papers, prefect, and prodigy chaser of the Ravenclaw quidditch team. She does not...