aligning the stars | fred weasley

chapter four - soot

Stella was now about to start her 6th year at Hogwarts. She still had a week of summer left but she had nothing planned. Most summers were the same; stay with her father at Hogwarts and maybe spend a week or two at the Burrow. This summer she had just stayed at Hogwarts, she didn't mind though, it was nice to walk around the practically empty corridors. It felt as though she was living in a castle of her own.

Stella was laying on her bed, in her old room, up in the living quarters that she shared with Dumbledore. She was reading one of her many books, although she wasn't paying much attention, idly turning the pages. Instead, she was staring out of the window admiring the view.

Suddenly a blur of brown flew past the window. Stella was snapped out of her trace and leaned forward to get a better look. A loud bang followed as it hit the window. Stella laughed after realising it was the Weasley's owl, Errol. He had never been a particularly clever owl.

Stella opened the window as Errol dropped an envelope on to the window sill. She petted him gently and gave him a treat. She then grabbed the envelope and eagerly opened it.

Dearest Ells,

How have you been? How was your summer? We've been working on products mostly. I've missed you lots. I do have some exciting news and I know that you weren't planning on coming over this summer. But Dad got tickets to the Quidditch World Cup Finals, from work and there's a spare ticket! Harry and Hermione are coming too.

If you would be so kind and attended with us we would be eternally grateful and possibly consider never pranking you, ever again. If so, pack your bags and we'll pick you up by floo tomorrow. It's only a few more days until school starts again so, if you'd like, you can stay over the rest of the time and then go to Hogwarts on the train, with us.

Sincerely, Frederico :)

A grin appeared on Stella's face as she read through the letter. Jumping quickly off her bed, she hurriedly searched for a piece of parchment and a quill. After finding what she needed, she began to write a reply.

Dear Freddie,

I've missed you too. Give my love to everyone. And yes, I would gladly come to the Quidditch World Cup with you. Considering that you hold up your end of the deal.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Love, El <3

She folded up her letter and placed it into an envelope writing:

Fred Weasley

on the front of it. She gave it to Errol who picked it up with his beak and flew away. Stella fell back down on her bed, sighing happily.

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The next morning Stella was all packed and ready. Albus was out somewhere, though he knew of her plans. She sat patiently in front of the fireplace, glancing at the clock that sat on the mantle above it. The normal orange glow suddenly flashed bright green, flames swirling wildly. Mr. Weasley stepped out from the fireplace. his face covered in soot but smiling widely. He walked towards Stella, who jumped to her feet and gave him a hug.

"It's so lovely to see you again Stella, we missed you this summer." He said as he exited the hug.

Before Stella could answer, the room was drowned in another flash of green light and a second person stepping out from the flames.

"George!" Stella shouted as she ran forward to give him a hug.

George chuckled as he hugged her back. "Hey Stells".

The fireplace turned green two more times and two more people stepped out.

"Fred!"

Stella rushed over to Fred throwing her arms around him. He laughed while hugging her tightly. They stayed that way for quite a long time, the rest of the people in the room standing awkwardly.

Even though the two would never admit It, they both liked each other and it seemed that everyone but them knew this fact.

Ron, who had arrived very shortly after Fred, coughed. Stella and Fred pulled away, both looking at the floor with red cheeks. Stella looked up and realised it was Ron who had coughed.

"Ron! Hey, how are you?" She said as she gave him a quick hug.

"Good, yeah I'm good. You?" He replied.

"I'm good."

Mr. Weasley could sense another awkward silence, so trying to avoid it, he quickly mentioned how they needed to go and pick up Harry.

They all took a handful of the floo powder and lined up in front of the fireplace, one by one dropping the power and announcing where they wanted to go. Eventually, they ended up in Harry's Aunt and Uncle's living room.

Once they had collected harry, they all headed back to the Burrow. Stella, Fred, George, Harry, and Ron stumbled out of the fireplace laughing uncontrollably.

Just before leaving, Fred and George had purposely gotten Harry's cousin to eat one of their sweets, making his tongue swell to twice its normal size.

Even Mr.Weasley was chuckling slightly, though when Molly approached he silenced it.

"Stella, Harry, how are you my dears?" She said pulling each of them into a motherly hug.

"Now, what are you all finding so funny?" She asked as the group burst out laughing again.

After finding out what had happened, she gave Fred and George a stern telling off while Stella stood there trying to hide her smile and the giggles that threatened to escape her throat.

After hearing shouting, Ginny ran downstairs. She realised Stella had arrived and ran up to hug her.

"Stella!" She shouted.

"Hi Ginny, I've missed you." She said as she smiled gently and hugged her back.

"Me too. Summers without you are so incredibly boring, there's too many males in this house." She said rolling her eyes. She quickly glanced at Harry, who smiled politely. She quickly looked away as her cheeks grew red.

"Ginny help Stella take her bag up to your room," Molly said.

Molly didn't trust her boys enough to let Stella sleep in their rooms, knowing what they were like, pulling pranks 24/7, she couldn't leave it up to chance. Ginny took Stella's bag and started dragging it up to her room.

Later that evening they all sat down for dinner, which tasted amazing. They finished, leaning back in their chairs, very full. After, they all helped Molly clear up, well, most of them did.

Ginny and Stella headed up to Ginny's room. Ginny dramatically flopped down on her bed and sighed a happy sigh, indicating how full she was.

"Do you want my bed? I can sleep on the floor, Hermiones coming tomorrow morning." Ginny said.

"No, no it's fine, sleep in your bed." Stella said, already settling herself down on top of the sleeping bag that lay on Ginny's floor.

"Night Ella, oh by the way, dad is waking us up at some ridiculous hour in the morning tomorrow."

"Ok, good night Gin".

word count: 1180