Lumos

Chapter 9

Ron was in a bad mood when I got back to the carriage where my friends were, apparently, they had some words with Malfoy which is to be expected. He didn't speak much as we changed into our school robes and was still angry when the train slowed down and stopped at the Hogsmeade station.

The rain was falling heavily and thunder was rumbling as we got off of the train. Mione stuffed her cat under her cloak while Ron, Harry and I pulled some robes over our owls to keep them warm and dry or at least attempt to. It was absolutely freezing, I mean, I like the rain and even I don't want to be out in this.

"All righ' Harry, kids? See yeh at the feast if we don' drown." Hagrid shouted.

"Poor first years, I wouldn't want to cross the lake like this." I shouted to my friends.

We ran up to the horseless carriages, trying to find the closest one to us. We jumped into one with Neville and it lurched into movement quick enough but we were already halfway soaked through the bone.

"I bet at least two kids fall in the lake." Ron said with a smile.

"Only one will fall in but they'll all get there soaked, there's no way any one of them will be dry upon arrival." I said.

"Bet?" Ron asked.

"It's a bet!" I said with a big smile.

Pulling through the boar flanked gates made me feel more relaxed and at ease even though it was pouring rain. The lighted windows were getting bigger the closer they got and I felt like I was at home. Lightning flashed across the sky as the carriages pulled up to the stone steps. Neville was the first one out of the carriage and after him everyone ran out with their heads down, only looking up when we were safely inside. I am home, along with the Weasley house, this is the only place that feels like home now.

"Blimey, if that keeps up the lake's going to overflow. I'm soak – ARRGH!"

Ron was interrupted by one of the many large water-filled balloons that Peeves was launching at the already soaking wet students. He pelted a few more our way and towards a few more students before McGonagall came in shouting. Peeves argued that we were already wet from the rain before zooming away up the stairs. As the rest of the students filed in the school, I stood in the Entrance Hall, watching the rainfall in front of my third home.

Before I could so much as consider stepping back outside there was a twin holding onto each arm and pulling me back inside. I smiled at them and tried to dig my heels in before they dragged me into the Great Hall.

"Fred, George, what are you doing?" I asked sweetly.

"Wouldn't want you to catch your death in the rain now would we?" Fred asked sarcastically, in a very Mrs. Weasley-ish tone.

"Why I've no idea what you are talking about." I said sweetly again.

"Don't even think about it, mum told us to watch out for the four of you and that's exactly what we plan on doing. Now come on, it's time for dinner." George said.

"I wish you would." I muttered.

Together the twins pulled me into the Great Hall and all along the Gryffindor table. I could feel someone staring at me from across the room but I deliberately ignored him. He would not have the satisfaction of catching me looking back, especially not with my friends around me. Since that is the way he wants things to be, two can play that game and I'll show him that I can play a lot better than he can. All of my friends were already sitting down by the time we reached the middle of the table.

"Where were you? I was worried sick." Hermione stated.

"She was considering going for a swim with the giant squid." Fred told her.