I stared out the window of the Hogwarts Express as Elizabeth chattered on about her new duties as prefect. "I have to patrol the halls during my free class periods. I can take away house points if I think it's appropriate, although of course I'll have to report anything serious to Dumbledore. I have to lead the first years to the common room today. Did you know that Dumbledore considered Hermione Granger for prefect?"
I scoffed. "I wonder why he didn't just make her prefect. She's so perfect and smart, she's probably crying her eyes out right now. Either that or planning a speech about why she should be prefect instead."
Elizabeth looked stunned. "Ana, what's the matter with you? I know you've always been … well, ill disposed towards her, but you've never been like this! What's wrong?"
She was right, although jealous would have been a more appropriate word. Like us, she was Muggle-born, though she was top of our class. I always thought we could have been top of the class if it hadn't been for her. I sighed. "I don't know, I just … wish we could be prefects together. Deep down, I wish Granger was prefect so that we could stay together. I wasn't even nervous our first year because I knew we would be together. We're both in Gryffindor, we've taken mostly the same classes, and we go to all the Quidditch matches together. But now here's something we can't do together." I sighed again, already missing my twin.
Elizabeth slowly came to sit by me; we were the only ones in our compartment. "Leliana," she began. I jerked my head up and stared at her, surprised. She rarely used my full name, only using it in the most serious of conversations. "Leliana," she said again. "I know why you're worried. You're worried that we won't have as much time to spend with each other, that we'll grow farther apart."
Here I nodded. Elizabeth was always right when it came to my feelings towards her.
"You don't need to worry about that. Have I ever put my studies before spending time with you?" When I shook my head, she continued, "Exactly! This is no different! Don't stress out about it, we'll be fine. I promise." I smiled at her, knowing she was right.
"Hello, ladies," said a mischievous voice.
I turned, knowing exactly who it was and who was with him. Fred Weasley was leaning lightly on the door frame, smiling that smile that made my heart melt every time I saw it. George stood beside him, looking just as relaxed and up to as much trouble as his twin.
"Mind if we join you?" chimed Fred.
"Yeah, we can't seem to find any other beautiful ladies to spend our time with, so perhaps you'd be so gracious as to invite us in," added George.
Elizabeth giggled while I blushed silently. "Of course we don't mind, do we, Ana?" I shook my head, smiling.
"Good," said Fred. I had a feeling that he would have come in even if we did mind.
I'd had a thing for Fred ever since I first saw him in my first year at Hogwarts. We'd gradually become friends in the years since, but I hadn't yet told him of my attraction to him. He was funny and always had a smile on his face. He and George always seemed to be the cause of trouble. Despite that, I really liked him. Although he spent his waking hours making a joke of so many things, friendships seemed to be one of the few things he took seriously.
"You know, George and I have noticed something about you two," said Fred.
"You see," continued George, "we never seem to be able to catch you girls apart."
"Same goes for you two," I replied.
"Good point," said Fred. "So what we wanted to know - "
" - was if you would like to go to Hogsmeade with us on that first weekend."
"And maybe even any weekend after that, considering the first goes well," finished Fred. "You know, I take Leliana, George takes Elizabeth … "
"Of course!" squealed Lizzie and I at the same time.
Grinning, Fred said, "Fantastic! Come on, George, let's go back to our own compartment."
Lizzie piped up. "Wait a moment, weren't you just saying how you couldn't find any lovely ladies to sit with?"
"Maybe we could go sit with these strikingly handsome young men instead." I was appalled with myself; I had never said anything so bold to either twin before, but it was out before I could check myself.
Fred's grin grew wider. "You know, I think you might be on to something. What do you say, George?"
"I wholeheartedly agree, Fred."
Elizabeth stared at me, surprised. "Ana, what has gotten into you? Are you flirting?" Her tone was playful.
"So what if I am? I sort of wish I had started sooner." I was beside myself with happiness; I hadn't even officially begun my fifth year at Hogwarts, and I already had a date with Fred Weasley.
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