DEVORA BANE MET ALL 3 OF HER BEST FRIENDS IN THE SAME DAY. Looking back at it, she always becomes so overwhelmed by how lucky she was. Most people spent decades searching for the type of friendship she found at the ripe age of 11.

Devora sat on the Hogwarts Express in a cabin entirely alone. She had grown up with only her grandmother around, so she hadn't exactly learned the proper ways of communication. As kids had whisked by her on the train, claiming cabins with each other, she made her way to one in the very back. She chose to ignore the ball of anxiety that weighed in her stomach.

Her life was about to change completely and she knew it. While she assumed that suspicion was based on her beginning her academic journey at Hogwarts, it also had a little something to do with the two red headed twins about to stumble into her life.

Devora had drifted to sleep, her head rested lazily against the cool window pane. She was startled awake by what sounded like mini explosions, causing her to shriek and jump up. The sound of her voice was stifled by a hand being outstretched and clamped onto her mouth.

"Oi! Shut it, will you?" The owner of the hand yelled in a whisper.

"You're going to get us caught!" Another voice whispered.

Devora's eyes adjusted as she took in the scene unfolding. In front of her, a miniature fireworks set was exploding between the two booths. Vibrant colors shot in multiple directions with little structure, causing Devora's eyes to widen. She then glanced next to her, where the boy with his hand on her mouth had slid into the booth, while an identical looking boy had slid into the booth across from her. The latter was leaning out of the booth, glancing out into the hall to check if anyone was coming.

"Coast is clear," He reported back to his brother before returning his eyes back to the fireworks.

"Wicked," They spoke in unison.

The fireworks began to dissipate, fading into nothing as if they had never been there at all. The boys seemed to deflate, with their disappearance. The boy next to her removed his hand, wiping it cautiously against his trousers before sticking it out for the girl to shake.

"Fred Weasley," The boy with fiery hair introduced. Freckles dotted his cheeks and nose and Devora couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever taken the time to count them. After accepting his handshake, he nodded his head across the way to the other boy. "This is George."

"Are you two twins?" Devora cocked her head to the side, letting her eyes wonder back and forth between the two. She knew it was a foolish question, obviously the two were twins, but her lack of social skills with kids her own age seemed to want to make an appearance.

"No, we actually just met," Fred grinned cheekily, causing George to snort. "I saw him standing on the platform and thought 'that bloke is almost as good looking as me.'"

"We've stuck together ever since," George chimed in.

"Ha ha," Devora responded sarcastically, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless. She introduced herself with a small wave. "Devora."

"What are you two doing all the way back here?" A high-pitched voice cut through the air, causing the three to glance up. It was a slightly taller, thin, red-haired boy. He narrowed his eyes between the brothers, not sparing a glance at Devora. "I know you're up to something."

"We're just hanging out with our new friend, Percy," Fred responded in a sickeningly sweet tone, nodding his head towards Devora.

"Honestly, always assuming the worst of us," George tutted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And where are your manners? Not even bothering to say hello, you seem so rude!" Fred smacked a hand to his chest, feigning offense.

"This is Devora." George introduced.

Devora gave a weak smile and wave, clearly uncomfortable by the family affair unfolding in front of her. She had never had siblings, so she didn't possibly know how to respond to three brothers arguing in her cabin.

"Pleasure," Percy nodded briefly, not giving the girl a second glance. "I promised mum I'd keep an eye on you two, it'll be my head if you end up blowing something up."

"Ah, Perce," Fred shook his head, standing from his place on the bench.

"Don't threaten us with a good time," George continued for Fred, standing as well.

"See you around, yeah?" They called back in unison, before disappearing out of view.

Devora sat stunned by the interaction, not entirely sure of what to make of it. After a few moments of silence, she simply shrugged her shoulders and let herself lull back to sleep. She had no way of knowing just how important the boys who just disturbed her slumber would become to her.

LATER ON IN THE DAY, DEVORA SAT ANXIOUSLY AS SHE AWAITED THE SORTING HAT. Her leg bounced nervously, and she did her best to avoid chewing at her nails. It wasn't quite a habit yet, but she knew if she didn't begin suppressing it, it would become one. Half of her wanted to glance around and look for the twins from earlier, but she decided it would be better not to.

"Psst," Devora jumped at the sound in her ear, feeling a finger jab her in her arm. She glanced back to see a girl with jet black hair leaning towards her.

(At the time, Devora didn't know why the girl had singled her out. It wouldn't be for years later that she'd learn the girl had picked up on her nerves, the bouncing leg a give away, and made it her mission to calm Devora's nerves.)

"Yeah?" Devora whispered back, glancing nervously towards the front of the hall. The last thing she wanted was to get in trouble for talking out of turn on her very first day.

"What house do you hope to get sorted into?" The girl smiled warmly.

"Uh... I dunno, I guess I haven't given it much thought."

Devora's answer wasn't entirely true. While she wasn't sure, she had given it a lot of thought. Growing up, her nan always told her stories of her brave Gryffindor mother who had gotten into loads of trouble during her time at Hogwarts. Or there was her kind Hufflepuff father, who doted on her mother and always took the blame for her schemes. Both houses sounded wonderful. She secretly hoped that being in either would bring her a piece of them.

"Maybe Gryffindor, or Hufflepuff," Devora bit down on her lip and shrugged. "What about you?"

"Ravenclaw, all the way," The girl lifted her hands and revealed her nails painted a deep shade of blue with a giggle. Devora returned the girl's smile, her attention only being pulled away when someone began to speak at the front of the hall.

"Attention students," McGonagall demanded their attention. "Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."

"Welcome students," An old man moved to the front of the room, and Devora was entranced. He had a long, graying beard and glasses that were shaped like crescents moons. Without really meaning to, Devora could feel herself softly mouthing 'wow.' "I'd like to start out by first and foremost informing the first years that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Additionally, if you would like to make it to second year, avoid the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side."

Devora gulped, shooting a glance back to the girl she had just been speaking to. The girls eyes were wide as she returned the look.

"Now, when I call your name, you will come forward and I will place the sorting hat on your head. You will then be sorted into your houses. Roger Davies." McGonagall took back over.

The shake was now back in Devora's leg as she watched student after student take their turn.

"Mayumi Kimura."

The girl with the jet black hair stood and began to make her way to the front. She paused, only briefly, to smile at Devora.

"Wish me luck!" She whispered before continuing back up. Devora watched as the hat was placed on the girl's head. After a moment, the hat called out.

"Ravenclaw!"

Mayumi squealed excitedly and cheers roared from the Ravenclaw table. Devora found herself grinning excitedly for the girl before offering her a thumbs up. Mayumi returned the gesture before scampering off to her new house.

"Fred Weasley."

The boy from earlier staggered up to the front of the room, a goofy grin plastered to his face all the while. The hat had only just touched the boys head before yelling out "Gryffindor!" Devora assumed that Fred got the house he wanted as he excitedly threw a fist in the air then made his way over. George was called next.

"How many Weasleys are there?" The hat sighed out loud, causing a few students to giggle. "Gryffindor!"

"Devora Bane." McGonagall called, causing Devora to gulp. She made her way to the front of the room, hating the feeling of everyone's eyes on her at once.

"Ah a tricky one," The hat seemed to whisper, and Devora knew only she could hear its words. "I remember your mother, and your father. You've inherited many traits from both."

Devora rubbed her hands against her robes, trying to rid them of the clammy feeling.

"But I also remember your grandmother, who you seem to have taken a likeness too." The hat's voice then grew, calling out; "Ravenclaw!"

Devora forced a smile before standing and making her way to the cheering table. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't somewhat disappointed. Sure, she loved her nan, but she could see her every break. She didn't know exactly what she thought she'd find by being a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff, but she had hoped it would be something.

"How exciting!" Mayumi boasted as soon as Devora took her seat. She outstretched her hand. "You can call me May."

"Dev," Dev replied, the smile she was faking morphing into a real one.

As May chatted excitedly into Devora's ear about all of things she looked forward to that year, Devora couldn't help but think that perhaps being a Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad.

☽

BY HER SECOND YEAR, DEVORA HAD ONLY GROWN CLOSER TO THE TWINS AND MAY. Mayumi often feigned annoyance at the boys, but Dev could tell by the way they'd always leave a small smile on her face that she didn't truly dislike them. The girls had been enlisted as planners on a number of their pranks, tasked with ensuring that they didn't get caught or serving as alibis if they did.

"I swear, if those Weasley boys are the reason I don't graduate I will murder them!" May complained, throwing down a large pile of books in front of Dev. They had planned to meet and study in the library, but May had been 20 minutes late.

"What'd they do now?" Dev sighed.

"They shaved a mohawk into Mrs. Norris! Can you believe it!" May answered, throwing her arms in the air. "They've completely lost it."

Once the initial shock of the answer wore off, Dev couldn't help but giggle. She imagined the cat, now patrolling the halls with a new style. May looked at Dev like she was insane before her anger slowly dissipated. The raven-haired girl bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"Okay, it is a little funny," May admitted.

"They're lucky they didn't scoop up McGonagall by accident," Dev continued giggling.

"What's so funny?" Fred questioned with a smile as he approached the two, George trailing to his right.

"Did you tell Dev about our latest ingenious prank?" George continued, a mirrored smirk plastered on his face.

"Yes," May paused, regaining her angry composure. "But it's not funny nor ingenious, you prats!"

"Oh come on, you know it is," Fred cooed, sliding into the seat next to May. "That cats been following us around for the past year."

"Now, it'll keep its distance," George shrugged, sliding next to Dev.

"Well, the least you could have done was given us a warning that we were your excuse," May narrowed her eyes between the two twins. "I was just interrogated by McGonagall and Filch for the past hour. You better hope our stories match."

Fred and George shared a nervous glance, before ultimately shrugging and deciding they didn't care if they were caught. Dev rolled her eyes, but a smile remained illuminated on her face nonetheless.

"You know, sometimes I question befriending you," May snapped her attention to Dev, smiling lightly to highlight the fact that she was joking. "I'm not sure it's worth all the trouble of putting up with these two."

"It is," Dev responded in a sing-song tone before returning her attention to the potion's text book in front of her. May rolled her eyes lightly, the smile still on her face, before doing the same. Fred and George sighed in unison, bored by the girls lack of attention.

"If you're bored, I'm sure there's got to be a first year you've yet to prank," Dev responded to their sighs, never looking up from the textbook.

"Nope," Fred rested his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands.

"We've hit everyone," George shook his head.

"Well, I'm sure you could bother Percy," May suggested.

"That's where we've just come from," Fred sighed again, this time a bit louder. "But, if you two really want us to go, I suppose we can."

"Just say the word," George nodded.

Dev and May finally looked up from their textbooks, letting their eyes meet. There was a small smile on the both of their faces. Neither asked the boys to leave.

☽

IN THEIR THIRD YEAR, DEV'S ACCURATE PREDICTIONS BEGAN TO MOUNT. Often times, she'd wake up in a sweat in the middle of the night, panting or crying and not being entirely sure why. On more than one occasion, May had woke up as well. Or, she had already been awake, studying under her covers with her wand as a light. May would crawl into the bed, next to Dev, rubbing circles on her back until her breathing returned to normal.

"It was just a dream," May would ensure soothingly. Only once Dev had calmed would May venture to ask what the dream had been about.

"I can't remember," Dev would shake her head. "But it felt so real."

May never told the twins about the newly frequent occurrence, and Dev was thankful for that. She didn't need the boys thinking she was crazy over something she didn't even understand herself. Especially considering she was coming to terms with the fact that she may just have feelings for one of the red headed boys.

"Fred was asking where you were at breakfast," May revealed when she returned to the dorm one morning. Dev had skipped after another nearly sleepless night, choosing to try and get some rest rather than nourishment. "He noticed you weren't at the Ravenclaw table."

"What did he say?" Dev perked up at her words, sitting upright in her bed.

"I just told you," May moved closer to her, placing a hand on her forehead. "Are you sure you feel okay?"

"No, I know, I mean like, word for word," Dev shook the hand away.

"Oh, I don't know," May shrugged. "I think it was just 'Where's Dev?'"

Dev seemed to deflate in her bed. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting. She was best friends with the boys, she knew they never talked about girls to them. She also knew that Fred only viewed her as a sister, which he had made abundantly clear by repeating it over and over again the previous summer while she visited the burrow. 'Come on mum, she's like family,' or 'you're like the cool little sister I never had,' (just to annoy Ginny, of course).

"Why are you suddenly so interested in the vocabulary of Fred Weasley?" May questioned, plopping down on her own bed.

A deep red blush found its way onto Dev's cheek as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She avoided the gaze of her best friend. She knew if she looked at her, she would spill. She always told the girl everything, but she had managed to keep the budding feelings a secret thus far.

"No reason."

"Merlin!" May exclaimed, clamping a hand to her mouth. "You fancy Fred!"

"I do not!" Dev replied indignantly.

"You totally do!" May began to giggle. "Gross!"

With that, Dev chucked her pillow at the girl and smiled when it hit her with a satisfying thump. While it didn't cease the girl's giggles, the sound did distract Dev from her lack of sleep and splitting headache, two things that had become increasingly more common as of late.

☽

"YOU HAVE A GOOD YEAR DARLING," Dev's nan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Keep up with your studies, you know how important fourth year is."

The woman wasn't overly emotional or affectionate, so Dev knew this would be the most heartwarming goodbye she would get. The woman pulled her into a strained short-lived hug, and Dev found herself focusing on the knot in her stomach. It had been there for weeks, accompanied by dreams of an enlarged snake every night. Despite her better judgement, she decided she had to tell the woman.

"Nan?" She pulled back.

"What is it dear?" The woman furrowed her eyebrows.

"I just..." She paused. "I have a bad feeling about this year. Something doesn't seem right."

"Oi! Dev!" The conversation was interrupted by the twins quickly approaching. Dev's nan tutted under her breath and forced a strain smile. The boys nodded towards the older woman. "Dev's nan."

"Devora, everything will be fine," Her nan continued, focusing her attention on her granddaughter rather than the fire-headed twins. "If you're so worried about trouble following you, maybe you should take a look at the company you keep."

Dev's heart sank at the woman's words. Not only did she not take the girl's fears seriously, but she had just taken a jab at the girl's best friends. The woman planted a kiss on Dev's cheek before turning and walking away.

"Love you too, Nan!" Fred called after her. This time, both Dev and George smacked him, causing him to mutter an 'ow.'

"Why are you so dead set on getting my nan to hate you guys?" Dev sighed, pushing her trunk towards the train.

"Why is she so dead set on hating us?" Fred retorted with a shrug. After lifting his own trunk, he turned and took the girl's off her hands. "Anyways, what was she talking about, you worrying about trouble?"

Dev considered, briefly, telling the twins about what was going on. But when she looked into Fred's chocolate brown eyes, uplifted from his ever-present smile, she decided against it. It all seemed too dark compared to his ever cheery presence.

"Nothing," She grinned. "She just was making a jab at the two of you. I guess word's travelled about all the trouble you two have put me through."

"Ah but you know you love us!" The two spoke in unison, one standing on either side of her as they made their way onto the train.

That, she could not deny.

☽

DEV LEARNED THAT SHE HAD BEEN RIGHT IN HER BAD FEELING ABOUT HER FOURTH YEAR, especially when multiple students ended up petrified or missing, including the twin's younger sister. After that, Dev never questioned what she called her 'intuition' again, and neither did May. In her fifth year, the dreams were becoming more frequent. At some times, Dev felt as if she were dreaming when she was awake, flashes of various images appearing before her. They always felt so real.

She had chosen to take divination as an elective, hoping perhaps it could help her figure out just what was going on with her. She quickly regretted the decision.

Often times, she'd make a prediction in class, and by the next class it had come true. It was to the point where her classmates were giving her odd looks. At first, Professor Trelawney had doted upon the girl. But, as time went on and Dev predicted things in more specific terms that came true, Trelawney almost seemed scared.

"Miss Bane," Trelawney spoke in her airy voice as the students began to pack their books to leave. "Do you have a moment to stay after?"

Dev glanced at the clock before biting down on her lip and nodding. Fred and George usually met her outside of divination and walked to potions with her as the room was on their way. She'd have to be quick so as not to keep them waiting. As the last of the students trickled out, Trelawney focused her attention on the girl.

"Miss Bane, how is it you know the things you predict?" Sybil questioned, her bug eyes boring into the girl.

"I don't—I just," Dev sputtered.

"Does it come to you in a dream? Does a voice that isn't there whisper the words to you? What is it?" Trelawney pressed on, taking a step closer. "My dear, I'm certain you've realized that you have a gift."

"No," Dev shook her head. "I'm just observant."

"Observant!? Is that all?" Trelawney almost sounded offended. "You have the gift!"

"No, I don't," Dev persisted more forcefully this time. "I just make good observations based on the people around me. I read people well. It's nothing more."

"Dear..." Trelawney shook her head, seemingly unable to believe what she was hearing.

Before Trelawney could continue, Dev shook her head and finished gathering her books.

"I really ought to be going, I'm sorry Professor," Without another word, she turned and hurried out of the room. There, the twins waited for her.

"There she is!" Fred boasted.

"What took ya so long?" George questioned as the three fell in line and made their way to class.

"Trelawney wanted to speak with me after class," Dev sighed. She rolled her eyes for the effect, feigning annoyance in hopes of disguising the true worry she felt.

"Ah, let me guess," Fred chuckled. "Trelawney's convinced you can tell the future by spitting into a cup of coffee grinds or something."

"Yeah, and she wants to know if you can see if she will ever actually make a real prediction," George joined in on the laughter.

Dev smiled numbly, wanting to laugh despite the pit forming in her stomach.

"Yeah, somethin' like that."

For the rest of the year, Dev never made another accurate prediction in class again, effectively getting Trelawney off of her back. Much to her worry, the amount of accurate predictions she was making outside of class, only seemed to mount.

☽

𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 !

ah I hope you enjoy this prologue!

the rest of the story will take place in their 6th year and on, which is the golden trio's 4th year and the year of the triwizard tournament. I wanted to give a little taste of the other years though!

I'd love any feedback you all have, lemme know what you think

rose <3