Elle's POV
It's time to go back to Hogwarts. I guess Ron and Hermione are the new prefects this year. I'm not really surprised about Hermione, but Ron... I wouldn't have guessed him. Oh, and Fred mentioned once, though I didn't reply, that Mundungus had gotten us the Venomous Tentacula seeds that I had been trying to get before... well, before things went to hell.

Yesterday Mrs. Weasley came in and packed all my things, as she knew I wouldn't. I didn't have the energy or want to speak, so why would I have the energy or want to get up and pack my things? Hell, I didn't even go to Diagon Alley with the others this year to get the two new spellbooks we need. I just laid in bed, numb as I watched Molly amble about my room, folding all my robes and clothes, asking me if there was anything else I wanted packed. I really wanted to say something, I really did, but my mouth just wouldn't open. Instead, I just shook my head. Molly gave me a sad smile, patting my shoulder before she left the room.

On the first of September, I managed to drag myself out of bed. I trudged into the bathroom and put on a black skirt and a plain white t-shirt. I waved my hand, and using non-verbal, wandless magic, charmed my hair up into a ponytail. I slipped on my Vans and walked out of my room, as Fred had already levitated my things to the door. However, I guess he and George weren't as successful with their own things, because their trunks hurtled straight into Ginny and knocked her down two flights of stairs. I took one last look around my room, trying in vain to remember anything that happened this summer before I got that damned letter.

I suppose I look like a robot; no emotion on my face and walking slowly despite the chaos of the house around me. Do I care? No, no I don't. All I want is my mum back. But that's not going to happen, is it? 
-----
We were walking to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Dad even got to come, as Snuffles of course. Molly wasn't too happy about it, but she knows how Dad can be. I made sure to give Dad a pet before I boarded the train, since he nudged my hand with his nose.

The twins, Sammy, Betty, and I all boarded the train.

"Well, can't stand around chatting all day, we've got business with Lee. See you later," Fred told the Golden Trio before the five of us went down the corridor to the right in search of Lee. Sam and Bets kept ahold of my arms, making sure I stayed with them.

Finally, we found Lee in our normal compartment, all alone. I sat in my normal spot by the window with Fred on the other side of me. I suppose Lee noticed me on his own because he spoke first. "I'm... I'm really sorry about your mum, Elle."

I nodded, "Thanks," I whispered before looking out the window. Every time someone says that to me, my stomach plummets to the ground. Every time I hear that sentence, it's like I'm reliving the day I found out she was killed. My stomach knots, making me feel like I'm going to be sick.

I knew Fred, George, Lee, Betty, and Sammy were all passing worried looks around. I ignored them.

I zoned out. I've been doing that quite a bit lately. I guess that's what happens when you lose your mum. I guess that's what happens when you've been truly broken, when you've lost all hope in humanity. When you don't think things will ever get better.

I was brought back to reality by Fred, "Do you want anything off the trolley, Elle?"

I barely shook my head. I heard Fred sigh and could practically feel the worry and disappointment rolling off him.

I turned back to the window and zoned out, again. Memories of Mum kept swimming through my mind. How we used to paint together, how she would read me a story from The Tales of Beedle the Bard every night before bed when I was little, how she would always be in the kitchen reading the Daily Prophet when I came down for breakfast. Things I would never experience with her again.

I was once again brought out of my memories, but by Sammy this time.

"Elle, we're nearly there. We need to change into our robes."

I nodded, "Okay."

I stood up and walked over to the bag Molly had packed my robes in. I reached up to grab it but the train lurched, sending me into Fred. I didn't realize he had changed seats with Sam.

Fred's hands had attached themselves to my waist to steady me. The skin at my waist felt like it was on fire with his touch. It was intoxicating. I turned a shade of pink, the most emotion I had shown in days. His touch made me feel happy, if only for a moment. Fred's eyes found mine. He held my gaze for a moment.

"S-sorry," he stuttered and took his hands off my waist. I went numb again as his hands left my skin.

I nodded, "It's fine. Th... Thanks for breaking my fall."

Fred smiled at my words, "No problem, m'lady."

I flashed a small smile, although it was gone as fast as it had come.

I reached up once again and grabbed my robes. I followed Sammy and Betty to the girls bathroom.

We changed and they touched up their makeup. I wasn't wearing any so I waited at the door for them.

I followed Sammy and Betty back to our compartment once they were done and saw that the boys had already changed. I took my seat by the window once again and started staring off into space... Again.

It wasn't long, however, until the train lurched to a stop. I felt a hand grab mine and begin to pull me through the crowd. Fred.

I let him guide me. Fred was my best friend and sure, people will talk and Fred and I will have to deal with rumors about us being a couple for a month or so, but at the moment I really don't care. Let them think what they want; my wonderful mum is dead. Besides, if they think Fred is taken, maybe I won't have to deal with the burn of jealousy in my chest when any other girl talks to him.

Fred's touch had again, made me happy or at least not as numb. It made me feel something. His touch made the numbness go away, if only for a little bit.

I still couldn't put an expression on my face, however, so I continued to allow Fred to guide me through the maze of people and to a carriage. After a few minutes Fred found a carriage and helped me up, while Betty, Sammy, George, and Lee followed behind us.

I saw Betty, Sammy, George, and Lee smirk at Fred and I's hands, which were still intertwined.

Fred also saw, I assume, because his hand dropped mine and the numbness returned. I took to staring out the window again and watched as we approached the castle. It was still magnificent, looking as if one of the best people in the world hadn't died. It looked far too bright. It should be dark and depressing, to match my mood.

We finally arrived, bringing me out of my thoughts as Fred's hand found mine again and he led me to the castle.

We earned stares and glances, especially by Fred's fan club. They would probably kill to be in my position right now. If only they knew what I had to go through to get to this point. Then they wouldn't want to be in my position.

I loved feeling Fred's hand in mine, although it was over far too soon for my liking. If only this could happen without a tragedy occurring.

We were in the Great Hall and in our normal seats when Fred let go of my hand.

Betty scanned the table for the new professor, or professors. "Grubby-Plank's back. Hagrid can't have left can he?" Bets asked.

"Who's that woman in the pink that looks like a toad?" Sam asked, her brows furrowing. I followed her gaze to a squat woman with short, curly brown hair with a pink Alice band that matched the horrid pink cardigan she wore over her robes.

I saw Harry out of the corner of my eye, "She was at my hearing, She works for Fudge!"

"Nice cardigan," Ron said.

"She works for Fudge? What on earth's she doing here, then?" Hermione asked.

"Dunno..."

"No... no, surely not..." Hermione muttered.

The Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts. Why? Because Dumbledore and Harry are lunatics?

Then the Sorting Hat began singing its song, which had branched out from past years. Odd...

Everyone was overjoyed when Dumbledore told us to eat, but I couldn't force myself to eat. I just sat there and pushed my food around on my plate, trying and failing to look like I was actually eat it.

After we were done, Dumbledore started his annual speech, "Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices. First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students- and a few of our older students ought to know by now too.

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch's office door.

"We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubby-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

"Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the-"

It was then that the toad-like woman interrupted Dumbledore by clearing her throat before she got to her feet. Who interrupts Dumbledore? Who in the hell does this toad think she is? No one ever interrupts him. Clearly she needs to learn how things are done around here.

"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind word of welcome. Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say! And to see happy little faces looking back at me!" I nearly laughed when I seen that literally no one was smiling. Actually, they looked like how I felt: taken aback at being treated as if we are five years old.

"I am very much looking forward to getting to know you all, and I'm sure we'll be very good friends!

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching.

"Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress's sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation..." I found my attention wandering around, looking at every student, who seemed to be losing their patience for this woman as well. Many looked bored, picking at the table or looking up at the enchanted ceiling. Only the teachers seemed to be paying any attention at all. 

"...because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgement. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and accountability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited." Finally, the toad sat down. Dumbledore started clapping, then the other professors started (though, they didn't clap much), before the students joined in as well.

Finally it was time to go to the dorms. I kept getting sympathetic glances and you know how much I hate sympathy. I tried to ignore them, but my stomach churned with each glance. Don't people know how to mind their own business?

Fred's hand once again found mine, much to my pleasure. The same feeling of happiness filled me as he and I walked to the Common Room; me not paying attention as we walked.

I glanced at Fred a couple times and each time he had a smile on his face and his eyes were filled with something I haven't really seen. I couldn't tell what it was, though. Love? No, he doesn't feel that way about me. It was probably him thinking or something.

Fred's POV
Throughout the evening I took Elle's hand in mine to help guide her to where we were supposed to go. Each time my heart swelled. What is this feeling? Sure, I know I like her, but I've never felt this way before.

I caught Elle glancing up at me a couple of times during the walk to the common room. She didn't have a smile on her face, but the twinkle in her eye that she had when she was happy and content was there. Was it because of me? No, that's probably just wishful thinking. Yeah, it is. I wish she feels the same way I do about her, but she sees me as a brother and that's all she ever should see me as.

She talked more today than she has in days, maybe even a week or so. I think that's progress, but I can't really be sure. All I know is that it makes my chest ache to see her in such pain. If I could, I would take it away from her in a heartbeat.

She blushed earlier when she landed on top of me. It wasn't much, but it was there. Was it because of me? Does she feel the same way I do? The more I keep thinking about how she seemed happy when I was holding her hand and when my hands were on her waist, the more I think she might potentially like me. Like, like like me.

No. She doesn't. It's probably a coincidence. It is a coincidence.

Oh well, a man can dream. Right?

George's POV
Fred and Elle were walking in front of us and they were holding hands.

I leaned over to Betty, "You can just see the romantic tension falling off them, can't you?"

She smiled and linked her hand with mine, "Yeah, you can. I'm just trying to figure out when they'll admit it and get together."

Betty turned to Sammy, "Can't you see the romantic tension between them?" She gestured towards Fred and Elle.

Sammy nodded, "Definitely. I've seen it since the day they met."

I turned to Lee, "Romantic tension, much?"

Lee looked at Fred and Elle and smirked, "Yep! Sorry, Georgie boy, but Elle is gonna take your other half away."

I smiled, "Nah. I'm just waiting for him to get some of that Gryffindor courage and ask her out."

Betty poked my side, "Hey! You don't have much room to talk! It took you four and a half years to ask me out!"

I waved it off, "Yeah, yeah."

I saw Betty roll her eyes so I bent down and kissed her cheek.

Elle's POV
When we had reached the Common Room Fred let go of my hand. I, of course, wish that he hadn't.

Sammy led me up to our dorm. I got my typical bed by the window, much to my relief. I collapsed on my bed, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. It was a rough evening, and it wasn't even a full day! What am I going to do tomorrow?

---

Sammy attempted to wake me up the next morning, but failed miserably. As did Betty. Then they brought in the culprit of my demise. The person who got me out of bed. The person that drug me away from my beautiful, gorgeous, comfy bed. The person who tried desperately to make me be social. A certain red haired, blue eyed boy who made my heart melt. How they managed to get him up to the dorms, I don't want to know. Yes, that's right. Frederick Gideon Weasley is standing above me, ready to drag me out of bed.

Merlin help me.