Beater ↕️ f.w.

I

AKG

I've always wanted to stand out in the crowds at Hogwarts. I always felt that I just blended in perfectly with the crowd of my house. The blue and silver colors on my robes distinguish that I'm labelled as a smart ass rather than my witty self. Of course, I was happy with the Hat's decision of Ravenclaw, it's the house I wanted to be in since I was a little girl when my dad told me stories of the place he once went to. But at the same time I feel like I should be in another place.

I sit in the Great Hall for breakfast on the first day of my fourth year. After the events that had taken place last year in the Chamber of Secrets, I had distanced myself from many people. My mother had been killed by the person who controlled the monster in cold blood when I was only three, and I've been with my dad and my brother ever since.

The people around me talk and laugh and go along with their own lives while I stay alone. It's not that I feel sorry for myself or any of that shit, but it's more that I'm scared to get close to anybody then have them get ripped away in a second. The thoughts run through my mind constantly while I pick at the burnt toast on my plate. I pick a small piece off and place it on my tongue as two redheads appear in front of me, Cheshire grins on their identical faces.

"Hello, love," they say in unison.

"Can I help you?" I ask, no emotion in my voice.

"We were wondering," one starts.

"If you could help us," the other states.

"With a project," they end together again.

"Will it get me a detention?" I look at them in question. Who even were they?

"Only if we're caught, which is hardly ever," the one on the right says.

"Will I be physically or emotionally hurt by whatever the hell this is?"

"Hopefully not," one says.

"Yeah, no. Find someone else to do your dirty work, I'm not interested," I retort.

"You don't even know what it is!" they exclaim together.

"Why should I help you guys? For one, I don't even know you. Two, I don't need to be getting into trouble all the time," I say.

"We're Fred and George Weasley, only best pranksters to live," one says.

"Oh my god you idiots. You're twins, I can't tell you all apart."

"We'll let you figure that out," the one on the left tells me.

"Meet us at the Fat Lady painting at 9 PM," the other says.

They scurry away to the Gryffindor table before I could even tell them no. They're expecting me, might as well be a disappointment and never show.

⇝

"Atty! Atty, wait up!" Cho yells from behind me.

"I'm pretty sure I've told you not to call me that," I say coldly, turning around to face her.

"Atkins. Look, what's been going on with you? You've been really distant from all of us, and it's worrying us because we've never seen you unhappy like this," Cho looks at me with a saddened face, but my stone-cold expression sticks around. I can't tell her the truth, if I do then she'll make herself stick around for me and I don't want that.

"Look Cho, it's better if we don't hang around anymore," I say to her as her face drops. "I need to go. Goodbye Cho."

I leave her standing there in front of the Great Hall making my way to the Ravenclaw common room. The riddles have always been easy for me, due to the fact that I have a different way of thinking than most people. I go to the fourth years' room, my stuff all over my bed after trying to find my favorite pencil this morning before breakfast. Penelope Clearwater barges in the room causing me to look up from my belongings, catching her eyes.

"Atkins, right?" she asks. I nod my head, breaking the eye contact. "You've been summoned by Headmaster Dumbledore, please come with me."

I don't need this right now, but I quickly gather my books for the classes I received from Flitwick this morning and leave the room following the girl in front of me. "Did he mention why he needed me, Penelope?" I ask her as we make our way towards his office.

"No, he did not. But of course it is Dumbledore, he wouldn't discuss private matters with a third party," she says to me, walking down the stairs. We pass a small group of Gryffindors, the older girl in front of me looking at none other than Percy Weasley, a snob that believes grades, numbers, and percentiles will get you everywhere in life. Which makes me think of his idiot twin brothers from this morning, basically forcing me in a way to help them with whatever stupid plan they have. "Atkins, please give Headmaster my regards."

I nod my head at her as we stop at the great statue, the girl speaking up, "Lemon drop."

Per usual, the griffin opens its wings, revealing the stairwell leading to the headmaster's office. Penelope leaves me as I start up the stairs, standing on the top one and riding it all the way up. I walk over to the open door, Dumbledore speaking up before I can knock on the door.

"Miss Groves, how wonderful to see you. I hope your summer was well," he says as I walk quietly into his office.

"I do hope the same for yours, sir," I reply, my Irish accent coming out strong. "May I ask why you summoned me on the first day, Professor?"

"Ah, yes. A few of your friends have written to me over the summer regarding yourself, Miss Groves. They appear worried that something is bothering you greatly, causing you to distance yourself from them," he says. "Licorice snap?"

"No thank you sir, not a big fan of them," I decline. My nose crinkles up a little bit at the candy.

"I do understand, they can be a bit sharp," Dumbledore looks at me from behind his glasses. "Now, what has bothered you so much as to leave your friends behind?"

"I'm quite okay sir, I am," I say to him.

"Miss Groves, I know I'm an old man, but I do know a lie when I see one," he tells me. "As headmaster of this school, I am at liberty to help all of the students attending this establishment."

"Sir, I promise that I'm fine. I'm the normal Atkins I've always been," I say to him.

"If that is what you believe, I will let you get to classes. If you choose to speak out about your troubles, you may find my door always open."

"Thank you, sir."