Novus Orbis | Fred Weasley x Insert | ON HIATUS

Chapter 25 - Snow

Winter has finally arrived, the coals in every fireplace in the castle kept lit to keep the drafts and cold away. Y/n doesn't know whether the Beauxbatons or Durmstrang students have anything like anything to keep them particularly cozy in their temporary habitations on the ship and the caravan, and every time she passes each while walking outside, she shivers.

"Rita Skeeter showed up today," Ron says during dinner one evening. "During our class with Hagrid."

"I thought she wasn't allowed to come around the school anymore," Y/n says, picking at a bit of turkey on her plate.

"That's what Hagrid thought, too," Harry sighs. "She can't keep her nose out of anything. Was asking all about the Blast-Ended Skrewts we were dealing with. She managed to get him to agree to an interview this week. And we all know how she just loves to put words in people's mouths."

"She's so–ugh," Y/n shudders. "I can't stand her."

"Nobody can," George says. "Except the Slytherins, maybe. Anyone who loves juicy, fake gossip."

"Where's Granger?" Y/n asks Harry, noticing that the girl is not in her usual seat at the table.

"Dunno," Harry said. "We parted ways when Ron and I had to go to Divination. We haven't seen her since."

"Maybe she got caught up studying. It wouldn't be at all surprising if she's in the Library with her nose stuffed into a book right now," Ron says. "We'll find her."

They finish their meal and part ways in the doorway of the Great Hall, the boys heading off to see if they can find their friend and the trio to the Common Room to work on their studies.

"I'm so glad we finally know what the gowns and dress robes your mum got us are for," Y/n says as she pulls out her potions book and uncaps her ink. "A ball! Isn't that terribly exciting?"

"Of course," Fred says. He slumps over his Dark Arts homework. "At least our robes don't look as ghastly as Ron and Ginny's." The teens share a laugh.

"Oh, come on now, don't be mean." Y/n rolls her eyes, but she can't bring herself to disagree–if she were a boy, she wouldn't touch those with a ten-foot pole. The twins know it, too.

McGonagall had announced the event in their Transfiguration class with the Ravenclaws the day previous.

"The Yule Ball is approaching–a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests. The ball will be open only to fourth years and above–although you may invite a younger student if you wish. Dress robes will be worn, and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Eve, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. I will tell you all more in a few days, when I will ask all of my Gryffindor students participating to meet with me so that I may make sure that you present yourselves to our guests with decorum."

It's the first time any of the Weasleys or Y/n have put their names down on the list of students staying for Christmas, but it was a huge exception–nearly everyone is doing the same. So when they bustle into the empty room she has prepared that Friday, it's no surprise to see the seating on either side is almost full. The professor divides them into two groups, with the girls on the left and the boys on the right, and Y/n and the twins jokingly mourn their unfortunate demise before going their separate ways and sitting down.

"Where were you at dinner the other night?" Y/n whispers to Hermione as she settles beside her.

"Tell you later," the girl answers quietly. They don't have time to say anything else by way of greeting before McGonagall begins to speak.

"The Yule Ball," she begins, as Filch fiddles with what has to be the largest phonograph Y/n has ever seen, "has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament since its inception. As I have previously explained, on Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity." She looks around at them a moment before continuing. "As representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward. And I mean this literally, because the Yule Ball is, first and foremost, a dance."