Echo | Harry Potter - George Weasley

Chapter 51: Before the Good Ones Are Gone

Opening her eyes and letting out a loud yawn, Shaye stretched her arms and legs and sighed happily to herself. She had just woken up from one of her rare nightmare-free nights and was already feeling loads better than she had during the previous few days.

The bright sunlight that shone through the window told Shaye that she had missed breakfast, but she was more than okay with that. Looking at the clock, she realized she had just enough time to get ready and make it to study hall in time. 

Jumping out of bed, Shaye took a moment to admire the fresh sprinkling of snow that was covering the school grounds. Winter always made Hogwarts look just that extra little bit magical, and now that all of the students from the fourth year to the seventh would be staying for the holidays due to the Yule Ball, the grounds had started being decorated in advance. It was a wonderful sight to wake up to in the morning. 

After changing into her school uniform and grabbing her bag full of books and homework, Shaye headed down to the common room where a few younger Gryffindors were busy with their studies. When they caught a glimpse of her, however, they stopped what they were doing to stare. Shaye had gotten used to the sudden and overwhelming change in public perception directed at her and Harry since the first task, but it was still weird to be watched wherever you went.

Passing by the couch where she did most of her studying, Shaye noticed a book sitting in the spot where she had been working the night before. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it looked exactly like the Herbology textbook she had been using. Everything was the same, right down to the folded corner and name messily scribbled on the bottom. But how could that be? Shaye knew for a fact that her Herbology textbook was in her bag. She had just packed it.

Then she realized what was going on. Drawing her wand, Shaye pointed it at the textbook and sighed. "Revelio."

The front page of the book flew open and a cloud of green, foul-smelling smoke wafted into the air. It was a textbook Weasley prank, pun intended. Picking up the fake, tampered textbook, Shaye rolled her eyes and headed off to study hall.

Entering the Great Hall, Shaye noticed Hermione, Harry, and Ron sitting in the middle of the Gryffindor table. On the way over she stopped in front of the twins, who had been eyeing her not-so-subtly ever since she had arrived in the doorway, and dropped the book down onto the table in front of them.

"I'm serious, guys, stop trying to prank me," she told them. "Not only is it sad to watch you fail over and over again, but it's annoying."

George frowned. "So it didn't work?"

"Not even close." Shaye shook her head before joining her friends. Snape cocked a brow in her direction as she did so, indicating that he had seen her come in after everyone else and that he would be watching her to make sure she stayed quiet and did her work.

Hermione, like always, had her nose buried in a book and barely even looked up when Shaye sat down. Harry was writing an essay while half-listening to Ron, who wasn't doing any work at all. Instead, he was rambling on about the Yule Ball.

"This is mad." Ron scanned the room like he was trying to find an available girl right then and there. "At this rate, we'll be the only ones in our year without dates." 

Having heard Ron's chattering, Snape marched over and pushed his head back toward the tabletop. 

"Not us, just you." Harry corrected him.

Ron furrowed his ginger brows. "Who are you going with?"

"Shaye," Harry answered. "We're going together."

Ron looked over at Shaye, who nodded. "It just seemed easier this way," she said at a low whisper so as not to alert Snape. "Now we don't have to worry about finding dates."