Coup de Foudre [Fred Weasley] [4]

⚡️ Chapter 15 ⚡️

As the train continued to travel farther north toward Scotland, the rain only became heavier and heavier. They sky was so dark and cloudy, and the windows were so steamy that the lanterns were lit along the length of the train by the time midday rolled around. The atmosphere was gloomy.

It was not much different from the weather that they had travelled through just last year – yet this year, Vega was comforted by the thought that she would not be going face-to-face with Dementors.

And it was then that Vega realised just how much she would miss Lupin as the D.A.D.A Professor.

They had no idea who would be there new teacher for the subject, and they would not know until they have reached the Great Hall. Vega only hoped that someone like Snape wouldn't take the post.

In her honest opinion, someone as vengeful as Snape, and someone who didn't even know that Kappas were Japanese water demons – not found extensively in Mongolia – should never be one. Vega wanted a good teacher – someone just like Lupin, who made such a great final exam for them.

Vega had just finished reading Nightmares and Dreamscapes by Stephen King and was well into the latest Transfiguration Today journal by the time the lunch trolley came rattling along the corridor.

As per usual, both Vega and Harry were the first to get up and buy a large array of sweets for themselves and their friends. Vega picked out some candied strawberries for herself, in particular.

The afternoon rolled on slowly, as dark as it was, and Vega was comfortably in her seat again, nibbling on the sweet and inhaling each and every word that was laid in front of her in the journal.

Several of their friends looked in on them as the afternoon progressed, including Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan. And it seemed like they were all taken aback by how much Vega had changed physically, but she didn't mind their furtive looks as much as before.

"Hello, Neville, Dean, Seamus," Vega greeted, getting on her feet, and trying to smile at Neville naturally. "How are you all doing? How is Trevor doing? Is he with you?"

"I've got him right here," Neville replied, holding his hand up to show that Trevor was sitting on the palm of his hand. Vega nodded and waved lightly at the toad, smiling. "I'm doing good, too,"

"Same with us," Dean Thomas answered for himself and Seamus as the two of them settled down with Neville in the compartment as well. Vega offered them all some Cauldron Cakes.

"You can have anything you want," Vega told them earnestly. "Don't be shy – also, I've got some Fudge Flies here. Trevor likes them, doesn't he?" She held it out to Neville to give to his pet.

"Thanks," Neville said, blushing as he took them from her, and Vega nodded back with a smile.

Seamus Finnigan was still wearing his Ireland rosette. Some of its magic seemed to be wearing off now; it was still squeaking 'Troy – Mullet – Moran!' but in a very feeble and exhausted sort of way. And it from there that Vega, Harry, Ron, Harry, Dean and Seamus began to discuss the Quidditch Final, with only some words by Neville, who hadn't been there, and Hermione, who wasn't a big fan.

However, after half an hour or so, Hermione, growing tired of the endless Quidditch talk, buried herself once more in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, and started trying to learn a Summoning Charm, feeling left behind when Vega casually used it to pick up the Fudge Fly that Trevor dropped.

Neville, on the other hand, listened jealously to the others' conversation as they relived the match.

"Gran didn't want to go," Neville said miserably when they inquired why he hadn't been at the Cup Final. "Wouldn't buy tickets. It sounds amazing though..."