𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍 | 𝘍𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺

Chapter 25 - Yule at Hogwarts

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I told the 

Stars about 

You.

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The group was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall for lunch, every one of them wearing the knitted jumper Molly had made. Ron had weakly complained about the marron colour, but he had slipped it on anyway; Percy had protested more strongly, but the twins had forced it over his head, knocking his glasses on the floor and leaving the older boy with a deep scowl and tousled hair.

They had dressed in warm clothes suited to the cold and snowy weather of winter in the Highlands. "Oi, Bel," Fred called the girl as he raised to his feet, "Am I pretty?"

The group quieted down suddenly. Harry and Ron exchanged a perplexed look, Percy put his hands in his red hair knowing already that the question would lead to nothing good, Ginny rolled her eyes, and George reserved his twin a look with which he asked if Fred had gone finally mad.

Betelgeuse put down her fork with smooth poise, fixing Fred with an impassive look, "Of course you are, Fred," she began, shocking her friends, Fred even began to sport a bright flush on his freckled face. Ginny turned to the older girl, not believing her ears. "Pretty fucking annoying, that is." The Black added with nonchalance, turning her attention to her half-finished dessert.

George chocked on his pumpkin juice as Percy began to pat him vigorously on the back, trying not to laugh at Fred's aghast expression. Harry and Ron had been rendered a laughing mess, supporting each other. "This is the first time I heard you swear," Ginny said to Betelgeuse, giggling.

Fred regained his wits quickly, "You know, Bel, sometimes you frustrate me," he rebuked grinning.

"Well, art is supposed to evoke emotion," Betelgeuse replied smirking.

The group roared with laughter once again, "Oh, Bel, our Queen of Sass!" George declared, bowing before her. "Let me, your humble servant, escort you," he stated as he began walking arm in arm with Betelgeuse, "we will stroll around the grounds of this small mansion of yours, trying to avoid the snow fight in which these peasants are going to partake."

☆☆☆

George was shouting some instructions to his team about strategy. Betelgeuse sat crouching beside him with Harry, half-listening to the twin. The snow had covered Hogwarts like a blanket as the group was in a massive snowball fight. George had decided to elect himself General, having taken his role too much seriously, in Betelgeuse's opinion.

"What is he saying?" Betelgeuse heard Harry whisper to her.

"I do not know what he says half the time, Potter."

They caught a battle cry from the other team as Betelgeuse saw snowballs fly over their heads.

"We go on three," George commanded. Harry muttered something about venturing into no man's land. Betelgeuse tilted her head in confusion, but she did not have time to ask a clarification, as suddenly George sprinted towards the others.

So much of counting to three!

Betelgeuse ran forwards aiming at Ron and Percy, "Come on, Potter!" She urged, hurling snowballs with force. She felt two arms grab her by the waist and hoist her up. Betelgeuse glanced over her shoulder to see it was Fred. She tried to wiggle, but to no avail, he was too strong, "Fred put me down! You cannot use me as a shield!"

Fred only grinned, tightening his hold on her; Betelgeuse managed to turn to look at him, with an annoyed expression on her pale face. The two locked eyes for a moment, lingering in silence, motionless. He was looking at her with curious, open eyes.

His dark copper hair fell off his face and brushed across the very top of his freckled cheekbones. His dark auburn eyelashes shone a golden colour in the golden light reflected by the snow. Betelgeuse noticed his two darker freckles. They had helped her to recognise him in the early days of their friendship. One was right above the right side of his top lip and one right under his left eye, just above his cheekbone.

Her heart skipped a beat; it was a foreign sensation for the girl as she saw him staring back at her. Betelgeuse had almost forgotten they were in the middle of a game, Fred seemed equally lost in her gaze. It wasn't until Fred was hit with a snowball in the face that Betelgeuse was able to get free from his embrace.

Fred groaned, "Now I know how Professor Quirrell felt."

Betelgeuse threw her head back, laughing carefree, "Oh Morgana! And to think that he was hosting You-Know-Who there. Can you believe you hit the Dark Lord with a snowball?"

Fred grinned at her, admiring her bright grey eyes as George reached them, "You both sicken me."

"Oh, shut up, George!" Fred protested as he pushed his twin away. Fred had not measured his strength, and George went tumbling down in the snow. Betelgeuse and Fred paused, watching George trying to escape the waist-heigh snow. He gave up, remaining in the position he had fallen, as if he was stuck in a vase too tight, with his arms and legs coming out of it.

"You will pay for it, Freddie boy!" He hollered, waving his fist in the air to the laughing leaving duo.

The rest of the day had been a quiet affair, the perfect atmosphere to spend a serene Christmas evening for Betelgeuse. The twins had tried their new brooms, Betelgeuse smiled softly to the memory of their elated expression of glee.

She was currently sitting in the Astronomy Tower, staring up at the stars. The clear winter sky allowed her to admire the stars above. Betelgeuse was mumbling something intelligible when Fred made his way to the Tower. He remained in the shadows, admiring her form, and inquiring to himself why she talked to herself.

Betelgeuse knew Fred was somewhere behind her; she had sensed his presence while he was ascending the stairs. "Aren't you tired?" Fred asked her, making his presence known.

Betelgeuse shook her head, "I missed the stars too much to go to bed tonight," she responded without taking her eyes away from the beauty above her.

Fred nodded, already knowing her endless love for the night bright lights. They remained in silence, basking in the comfort each of them could provide to the other.

"Isn't it weird how Earth is so small? I mean, compared to the Universe and everything else up there," Fred mused, staring up and gesturing at the sky.

Betelgeuse diverted her eyes to him; Fred was again amazed at how her eyes could capture the bright lights above them, turning into two silvery, precious gems. "That was deep, Fred," she commented in a soft voice.

Fred smiled a bright open smile that rivalled the starlight above.

"Merry Christmas, Bel. Now, let's go to bed. I am freezing!"

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