Gwen Bennett Song didn't surround herself with many people. She didn't go out of her way to make new friends or to be seen by others. She actually preferred to remain in the shadows and unnoticed. She was fine with what she already had; a small grou...
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Gwen let her eyes scan the Great Hall looking over every face and student in search of those she knew. Primarily she was looking for Oliver who had promised to save her a spot with him, but also, Gwen subconsciously searched for yet another red head among the crowd. Gwen felt a slight sense of relief as she spotted Harry, who she knew had been staying in the castle as well, and now seemed to be helping Olivia set up her sleeping bag next to him. Happy to see that they were alright, Gwen continued to look.
"Look over there..." Cedric made Gwen turn towards one of the corners of the large space. "There's uh... Fred?" Cedric tried to guess, but even when he was close to them, he could rarely tell the twins apart, much less when separated by distance and a crowd of people between them. Unlike Cedric, Gwen recognized him with ease.
"George!"
Gwen started to make her way through the people occupying the floor, some already lying down while others sat in circles and groups, all having hushed discussions. However, one name continuously echoed around the room. Sirius Black. But Gwen tried to ignore the name and the conversations as she made her way towards the Weasley, careful not to step on anyone.
George seemingly heard her call, and while it took him a moment to locate the source of it, once he spotted her in the crowd, he too started to make his way over. However, unlike Gwen his steps were much quicker, and often followed with curses or groans as he absentmindedly bumped into people. George didn't really care. He managed to reach her within seconds, while she had stopped to apologize to a girl she had accidentally bumped into.
"Gwen!" He called her name, a couple of steps away and wanting to catch her attention. And he did so just in time, because as she turned around, she barely had a chance to spot the red headed Gryffindor before she felt arms wrap around her shoulders.
For a few seconds that seemed to go on forever, Gwen was too stunned to do anything. George was about to pull away, ready to apologize for making her uncomfortable. But before he could, he felt her return the hug, her movements slightly hesitant but she still did. After that, the hug didn't last much longer as Gwen soon pulled away, stepping back so she could look up at him. The residual surprise in her eyes made George quickly speak up.
"Sorry. I was... uh... I was a bit worried about you." George tried to explain, hoping she wouldn't mind the hug too much. However, hearing his words, Gwen soon started to shake her head in an attempt to reassure him.
"No, it's... It's alright. But you didn't have to be, I wasn't even in the castle." Gwen tried to remind him, slightly confused by the fact that he would worry about her.
"Still, nobody could find you. You know Song, this was a really bad time to break the rules." George said, a small smile on his face, hoping the joke would ease the tension caused by his hug and admission.
"I'm sorry." Gwen started to apologize, feeling bad for making people worry about her more than she had even realized. She really didn't think much of it.
"Gwen. It was a joke." George let out a small laugh, not wanting her to feel like she had to be sorry about it. When would he ever really fault someone for breaking the rules? Gwen let out a small 'Oh' once she realized her apology was unnecessary. But it didn't mean she still did feel bad. "Come on, we're set up over there." George continued on comfortably, pointing towards a group among which Gwen easily recognized Oli, Aurora and Fred. Lee was there too as well as Oliver Wood.
"Rory saved you a sleeping bag mate, so you're with us if you want." George now turned to Cedric as he spoke who had so far been patiently waiting for Gwen and George to be done with their little moment. And while he did he had to do his best not to groan at Gwen's obliviousness. He sent George a nod of thanks and started to follow after him as he led the Hufflepuffs towards their spot.
"I mean, yeah, Black getting into the castle is bad and all, but you can't deny this is cool. We never get to do something like this; it's like a proper sleepover." Rory's voice echoed around the area as Gwen, Cedric and George approached, her excited tone making Cedric let out a small chuckle. "They should organize this type of thing. Every month, a full school sleepover in the Great Hall."
"Carmichael, I have to listen to you in classes, during breaks, and most meal times. The time I sleep is my only moment of peace, please don't take it away from me." Cedric spoke, announcing their presence to the group as he jumped down to sit on the covers of her sleeping bag.
"Those are my legs you git! Get off!" Aurora scolded him, easily pushing him off of her and scoffing in pretend annoyance. "Honestly, how do you even fly?"
"Faster than you." Cedric replied with ease, a cheeky grin on his face, making the people around them laugh and mockingly gasp at the retaliation. Before Aurora had a chance to swing at him, Cedric quickly moved over to one of the empty sleeping bags. Obviously the one she had saved for him as it was right beside her and had her stuff placed on it while it was actually unoccupied.
"Yours is over there, right beside Oli." George said to Gwen, his words making her look over to the only other empty sleeping bag. A small smile came over her face, and she quickly jumped over Fred's long legs which were in her way since he had sprawled over the floor in front of everyone else's bags so he'd have an easier time being a part of the conversation. George followed after her and to her surprise made himself comfortable in the sleeping bag on her other side.
"You okay?" Oliver's voice brought Gwen's attention away from George and made her turn to look at him. She nodded her head in reply. "What do you think he was looking for?" Oli asked, his voice quiet as he spoke to his sister, not wanting to catch the attention of everyone else who surrounded them. Being the closest one, George sat in his spot, leaning over to be part of the conversation, but Oliver didn't mind.
"In Gryffindor Tower? I don't really want to think about it, but it seems to be a bit obvious..." Gwen replied quietly, her eyes shifting to where she had previously seen Harry and Olivia. Gwen knew that even after the death of You Know Who, his supporters ran wildly through the UK. It was one of those rogue situations during which her parents had died. They happened mostly after the war, but for all that time Sirius Black had already been in Azkaban. It wasn't surprising that now that he was out he was trying to get the revenge as all those before him tried to.
"Well you shouldn't worry about it. Dumbledore wouldn't let anything happen to any of the students. There are plenty of spells around here to protect everyone and there are more Dementors around the school too. I doubt he can get in again." Oliver said, confident that while Dumbledore was around Black wouldn't get another chance to get in.
"That isn't really a source of comfort." Gwen stated, referring to the information about Dementors.
"Well then you can sleep easy knowing we're here! Anyone tries to get to us and Fred and I will just pummel them with dungbombs." George announced without any hesitation and it was enough to make Gwen let out a small laugh.
"And even if they fall asleep, you can believe I'm staying up all night and will be able to catch whatever happens." Wood added in as well, having heard the end of their conversation.
"Why are you staying up?" Lee turned to Wood with a confused look on his face. While staying up all night and talking and using the opportunity they were given to have fun in a new way, the Professors would probably take away so many points that their houses would be in the minus.
"In case Diggory talks about Quidditch strategy in his sleep." Oliver explained as if it were the thing everyone should be doing. Once again, laughter rang through their circle, because no matter what Cedric said to try and retaliate, everyone could actually imagine him doing just that.
"See? We'll all be just fine." George turned to Gwen with a wide smile, Oliver nodding his head too. And Gwen found herself smiling as she believed them. Well, maybe the Hufflepuff Quidditch team was in danger, but she promised to cast the Silencing Charm on Cedric during the night if necessary.
