The Outlying Serpent { Fred Weasley }

7. Matron

Pre-Books

Mid-November, 1990
Second Year

So, perhaps Quidditch was not necessarily the most unifying thing at Hogwarts.

"You are an idiot!"

Ara and Fred stood toe to toe, in a screaming match, to angry to be pulled apart. Both Adrian, and George had attempted to calm and persuade their respective house members into dropping the argument, only to be met with a 'Shut up, Adrian!' and 'Shut up, George!' respectively.

George had quickly realized that he'd have to let this take its natural course and dissolve on its own, unfortunately, Adrian had not come to this conclusion. He'd only stopped trying when Cedric took some pity on him, and made him aware that he'd only be wasting his breath.

"At least I'm a fair playing idiot!"

You see, this argument had stemmed from the fact that Fred was convinced Adrian was a cheater and that he had cheated in their most recent Quidditch game, resulting in Gryffindor losing.

Fred was not a very good loser.

"Bloody hell! Drop it already! Adrian did not do one thing wrong! Slytherin won fair and square!"

Fred had decided to make his opinion on Adrian, and the Slytherin Quidditch team as a whole, vocal when a few of the players passed him in the halls between classes, yelling out 'dishonest, slimy, snakes!' among other things.

"If you actually believe that, you're delusional, Malfoy!"

His insults had earned him a few giggles from the 'Gryffindor Groupies', as all of Ara's year referred the girls that were always fawning over either Weasley twin.

Unfortunately, along with their snickers, it had also earned him a furious Ara.

Unbeknownst to him, the girl had been hidden among the group of Slytherins he'd decided to taunt. She had quickly made herself known, as she was too prideful to let the boy spew bad things about her house without getting an earful.

"Well then, call me crazy, Weasley!"

"I'd wager Fred'll be the first one to apologize," Cedric mumbled to George as they both stood among the crowd that had gathered to watch them argue.

"I only make wagers when they involve a few galleons, mate," George shrugged back, neither boy had taken an eye off of the quarrelling duo as they conversed.

Cedric shook his head and said nothing back, not willing to gamble any of the galleons he had on him.

"You're just what your corrupt house needs! Since you're all a lost cause, that no one cares about, not even your own mothers, you've put it upon yourself to become some sort of insane, overprotective, matron!"

The whole corridor came to an abrupt stop.

That was, by far, the most harsh thing either of them had said to each other.

Ara's angry face had morphed into a nearly hurt one upon hearing the words leave his mouth, all while Fred breathe heavily, not even looking phased by the cruel words he'd just said.

"How dare you?" She whispered aggressively, suddenly getting angry all over again.

George and Cedric had both pushed past the crowd, and made their way over to the pair upon hearing what Fred had said.

George, finally having had enough, grabbed Fred by the shoulder and forcefully pulled him away from Ara.

Cedric quickly made his way over to the blonde, and began assuring her that what Fred said was not true, and the he definitely didn't mean it. Ara stared at his taller figure intensely, her big blue eyes unreadable as she listened to him defend the redhead.