Golden (FRED WEASLEY)

Chapter 4:

A cool September breeze blows through the open window, awaking me from my slumber. I rub my eyes, and they flutter open as I stare out the window beside me. In just the couple hours I was asleep the leaves have already started to turn into shades of red, orange and yellow.

I love fall. It's my favorite season of all. For one, my birthday is in fall, the day before Halloween to be exact. And it's the prettiest season. All the others are too, of course, but something about fall just draws me in.

I pull back the yellow comforter, exposing my bare legs to the cold air. In the middle of the night I woke up very hot so I had to change out of my fuzzy pants into shorts, so the cloud pajama pants are sitting on the floor in a pile. Goosebumps cover my legs, so I quickly get dressed for the day.

I pull on my polo and skirt, still despising the uniform. It makes my legs look very short, so I pull on the socks we are supposed to wear and it kind of helps. Finally, I pull on a crew neck sweater and grab my robes of the hook.

Looking down at my watch, I realize I'm almost late for breakfast. I grab my wand and shove it in my sock, and slip on my tennis shoes.

Walking in the Great Hall makes me feel like I'm home. I know I was just here yesterday night, but the first day feels different. I look around the Hufflepuff table looking for Delilah, but she's nowhere to be seen. She wasn't in the common room or our dorms this morning so I have no idea where she could be.

I don't feel like sitting alone, so I take a risk and sit at the Gryffindor table with Maya and the twins. None of the teachers are really looking our direction, and I don't think I will really stand out since I'm constantly with them.

"Little Miss Rulebreaker, what are you doing sitting at our table?" George asks, and I shush him.

"You have to be quiet if you want me to stay. I cant find Delilah and I'm not in the mood to sit alone on the first day of school," I utter, grabbing my schedule from Flurry as a whole swarm of owls come in delivering them.

We all compare our schedules, and I have a couple classes with Maya and the twins. I look over to the Ravenclaw table and motion for Jocelyn to come over.

"What's your schedule?" She asks, her mouth full of waffle.

I hand her the piece of parchment with my classes, and we have only potions together this year. That's better than nothing, though nothing is worse than potions. Snape is a nightmare, and even though the subject is semi-enjoyable he drains any fun out of it.

"Well, Georgie and I have some plans before class, so I'll see you in transfiguration eh?" Fred laughs, giving me a wink. An uncontrollable blush comes to my cheeks and I give him a wave back.

People slowly start to leave the cafeteria to head to classes, and since Jocelyn has class on the other side of the school she leaves early.

Maya and I stand up, and start walking to transfiguration. She's been very quiet this whole morning, which is very unlike her.

"Are you alright Maya?" I ask, looking towards her as we near the classroom.

"Yeah, it's just that the whole Sirius Black thing is really freaking me out. I'm in gryffindor, what if he tries to hurt harry and hurts me?" She says, a frown forming on her lips.

"That isn't going to happen," I reassure her, as we pause in the hallway, "Dumbledore has some of the best security, it would be hard for him to get in."

Saying this to Maya almost helps me feel better too. Key word almost. It's seems to do the trick with her though, and her familiar smile comes back.

•

      Professor Sprout dismisses the class, and I swing my bag over my shoulder as I start to walk towards the library. We already got a ton of homework in transfiguration, and I want to get as much done as possible.

I hike through the hall and arrive at the library. It's mainly empty, except for a couple students scattered around studying. I walk to an empty aisle and spread out my work.

After what feels like hours of working, I finally finish. I zip my backpack up and look above me as a shadow covers me.

Carson stands above me, and I let out a sigh that it's her and not a murderer. She sits beside me, and looks over my shoulder at my journal. She's the only person I let look at it.

Jocelyn and I walk through the train, trying to find a compartment. We spot one that has two girls in it already, and we open the door a slight bit.

"Can we sit in here?" She asks, and the girl with very long dark hair nods. The other girl doesn't react to us at all, as she chews on a piece of her hair.

"I'm Maya, and this is Carson," The girl with the long hair says, pointing to the other girl, Carson.

"I'm Jocelyn."

"I'm Sofia, S-O-F-I-A."

We spend the rest of the train ride talking about our hopes for Hogwarts. The girls are all very nice, and Maya is the most talkative while Carson is the least.

We have been friends ever since that day. All of us hoped to be in the same house, but instead the opposite happened. We all got different houses, and then Maya made us cut off Carson because of the slytherin-gryffindor rivalry. Carson and I still stayed friends, we just have to keep it secret.

"I love the bleached streaks," I say, pointing out the blonde front streaks that stand out from her dark hair.

"Thanks. My mom screamed at me," She deadpans, rolling her eyes.

I look out the window behind us and see how dark it's gotten. "I should probably go. It's getting late."

"Me too. Dinners soon and I don't wanna be late."

We make our separate ways as we leave the library and I enter the great hall, and look up at the ceiling. The stars look beautiful from here. I've always been enchanted by the enchanted ceiling, so it's not odd that I trip over a students foot while I'm looking up at the ceiling.

I fall flat on my face, and quickly try to sit up and gather the stuff that spilled out of my bag. Oliver Wood, a gryffindor near where I fell stands up and helps me get up.

"Are you okay?" He asks, concern showing in his eyes.

"I'm fine physically, but my ego is bruised," I laugh, blushing.

I continue to walk towards the Hufflepuff table, and my eyes fall on Fred. His brow is furrowed as he stares at Oliver. I don't understand why he is upset.

He notices my gaze on him, and his face relaxes. He gives me a wink and smirks at me. I blush again, and a smile creeps on to my lips.

First day of school! This chapter isn't my best work but I hope you guys enjoy it! Remember to drink water and take a mind break at some point today x.
Written: October 6th
1226 words