An Unexpected Twist of Fate || Dramione

CHAPTER 25 - Fred Weasley

"How many more of these bloody stairs are we going to climb?" Ron huffed as they followed Professor McGonagall up to the eighth floor. Apparently, there was another floor added to Hogwarts when it was rebuilt. Nobody could believe that they hadn't noticed it yet.

Most students were out of breath by the time they had finally reached the eighth floor, some of them actually fell to their knees and started breathing heavily. Draco and Blaise, however, looked perfectly fine. Not a hair out of place, not a single droplet of sweat on their body and their breathing was completely even.

Merlin, how do they do that? Are they even human? Ugh.

"Right. Once you've all caught your breath, I'll show you the portkey." McGonagall smirked as she watched the unfit students gasp for air.

"Portkey? You're telling me that we did this for nothing! WHY?" A student shouted.

McGonagall gave an innocent shrug and continued down the corridor. It was long and there were plenty of portraits along the walls.

"The portkey is over there at the end of the hallway. Your rooms are indicated on the metal plate next to the portrait. You can set your own password but please discuss it together. All rooms are the same; one common room, four bedrooms and two bathrooms

No inappropriate behaviour is permitted. You are still on school premises so you are expected to abide by the rules. I wish you all the best for the year ahead. Try not to burn the place down or destroy anything. Goodnight." McGonagall disappeared through the portkey.

"Well isn't this lovely!" Pansy sighed with sarcasm dripping from her words.

"I'm going to look for our common room." Hermione muttered, wanting to get as far away from the tension as she could. She walked down the corridor and looked at the portraits, scanning the metal plates for their names. She came to a halt at a portrait that shattered her heart into a million and one pieces.

Fred Weasley.

Hermione could feel the physical pain in her chest as he noticed her and offered her a bright smile.

"Why hello there, Hermione. How have you been?" He cheerfully spoke. A tear fell from her eye at the memories flashing through her mind.

"I-I'm d-doing w-well..." Her voice trailed off and she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"That's lovely! So, who's the lucky man? Is it Ron?" He winked at her, his signature grin displayed on his face.

Draco chose that exact moment to arrive. Fred's smile faltered as he gave the pair a onceover.

"I-It's not...it can't be...MALFOY?" Hermione nodded and laughed as he fake fainted.

Not even the dead could believe he was her soulmate.

"Yeah, I wasn't too pleased either." She whispered and received a stern look from Draco.

Hermione looked at the metal plate next to his portrait to check who the lucky group was. Her jaw dropped and a smile overcame her features.

"Looks like you're our portrait." She smiled and looked at Fred who returned it with a wink.

"Specially asked for you lot."

"Hey, Mione, what's taking so–"

Ron lost his words as he came face to face with his brother. "Fred..." His eyes were teary and his voice broken. Fred smiled lovingly at his little brother.

"It's been a while Ron." His voice was soft. "How you been holding up?" Ron whimpered at his brothers words.

"It's different without you... George's never been the same since...since your...you know." He answered. Fred's smile fell at the mention of his twin brother's name.