Confident | Fred Weasley

Chapter 19 | Skrewt

Sarah was heading to Sport, that was until McGonagall called the blue-eyed girl to her office.

Professor McGonagall's office was simple. Lit by the golden light from the fire, the rug looked as red as daybreak, whilst the walls were the same, grey stone, shaded by the light. Against the far wall was a black, wood desk and a cosy chair. On the desk was a packet of Rich tea biscuits.

"Sit," Professor McGonagall said, gesturing to the seat opposite her desk. Sarah sat down, waiting as McGonagall ruffled through a drawer in her desk.

"Now, about you housing situation -" McGonagall finally glanced up, some parchment files in her hand. She eyed Sarah, who was sat there patiently.

" - Have a biscuit," McGonagall nudged the packet of Rich tea towards her. Sarah took one and nibbled gingerly.

"So, about you housing situation, I couldn't find anything permanent," McGonagall began, sliding a file across the desk.

Sarah flipped it open, revealing a picture and some basic information on a studio apartment in South East London. If she knew anything about studio apartments, it meant no walls.

That wasn't the least of her worries as Sarah skimmed the information. One bedroom, one bathroom, a tiny kitchen and living room all crammed into the space of the Sports classroom. Even further, the rent was £500 for two weeks, which even Sarah understood as pricey.

"Two weeks? I need more time," Sarah told Professor McGonagall, who nodded understandingly.

"Yes, I know. Not many wizarding apartment buildings are willing to take a just of age girl. They're not taking you seriously," McGonagall replied, a sigh of frustration leaving her throat. It suprised Sarah, how much McGonagall cared. She appreciated it though.

"I'll get a summer job, Professor, I swear - " Sarah was starting to panic.

" - I know you will. But those apartment owners don't seem to think so. You have nothing to prove to me," McGonagall told her, waiting for Sarah's reaction.

"What if I can't find anywhere to go? I can't go back to Copper Beech Manor," Sarah said quietly.

It was an ironic name for the old house Sarah used to stay in. Residing in Dorridge, Solihull, that was the name of the house. Little did the Manor know that the residents there would carry the name 'Copper' too.

"I understand. I'll work on finding somewhere," McGonagall nodded, "But remember, you have until the end of the year to find somewhere, mot until your birthday. You're not running out of time."

"I know. Thanks, Professor," Sarah replied.

As Sarah walked out the office, heading towards Sports, she wondered. Did she really know that she still had time? She'd been stressing for the past month about finding somewhere to live, but she wasn't going to live anywhere until the summer holidays.

Sarah shook the thought from her head, put a smile upon her face and continued outside, the brezze pulling her hair back.

Fred was in Care of Magical Creatures with Lee and George. The three boys usually enjoyed this lesson, as they got on with Hagrid really well. However, they were tending to the Blast-ended Skrewts.

They were big now, and had started killing each other. Hagrid reckoned they had a lot of pent up energy, so the class had to take the Skrewts on walks.

Fred had a leash on an especially big skrewt with one eye. He hadn't come unscathed from the fight with his brothers. Fred named him Mad-eye.

George and Lee joined Fred as they walked Mad-eye across the grounds. Well, more like Mad-eye dragged them across the grounds, sending fountains of dirt in their wake.