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╰┈➤ ❝ [𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐸𝐿𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑁] ❞ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
⁺⤾·˚.⃗. [ ᴡᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀɴᴅʟɪɴɢ ʟᴇssᴏɴs ] 𑁍ࠜೄ ･ﾟˊˎ
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The Quad Balcony
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
- Scottish Highlands
( September, 1994. )

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐏 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐘, perched high above the sprawling landscape of Hogwarts grounds. The group had gathered there, basking in the rare, clear autumn sunlight. It was one of their favorite spots-a hidden gem in the castle, with a view that stretched all the way to the lake and the Forbidden Forest beyond.

Gideon Thyme joined the group - a Slytherin sixth-year with a magnetic presence and sharp wit, known for his skillful pranks and knack for stirring up trouble. With a mischievous glint in his eyes and a laid-back, confident demeanor, he's widely popular among his peers, admired for his boldness and creativity. He's the kind of person who can smooth-talk his way out of any situation and charm people into laughing at his antics rather than reprimanding him.

Though he's in Slytherin, Gideon breaks the mold with his close friendship with Fred and George Weasley. Their bond is one of mutual respect for each other's prank prowess, and together, they make an unstoppable team, constantly plotting their next big spectacle. Gideon also has a knack for spotting weaknesses in spells and charms, which he uses to his advantage when creating elaborate pranks. Quick-thinking and charismatic, he's the kind of friend who brings excitement and an edge of chaos, always one step ahead, and relishes his reputation as a master trickster.

Gideon had brought his usual sly grin, arms crossed and leaning casually against the ancient stone railing. Cassie and Judeth were chattering excitedly, already wrapped up in their own conversation, while Lee and Seraphina laughed about something to the side.

Fred clapped his hands together, sparking everyone's attention. "Right, folks-just one week until Durmstrang and Beauxbatons show up! Time to see if those rumors about Beauxbatons sending the 'most beautiful witches in the world' are true." He wiggled his brows, earning a chuckle from Judeth.

"Just don't get your heart broken, Weasley," she teased, tossing a bit of her hair over her shoulder.

"Oh, please. My heart is made of steel," Fred shot back, puffing his chest. He threw a wink at Olympia, but she merely glanced up from her book with a distant, polite smile before returning to it, her mind somewhere else entirely.

"Says the guy who used to cry during The NeverEnding Story," George teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he nudged Fred with his elbow.

Fred flushed slightly, but he quickly shot back with a defensive laugh. "Hey! That's a really sad movie!" he protested, his hands raised in mock surrender. "I mean, come on, that horse-Artax-he... he died! And don't even get me started on the luckdragon."

George snickered, clearly enjoying his brother's discomfort. "Oh, right, the luckdragon. Sure, Fred, it's all about the magical creatures for you." He grinned wider, unable to resist poking fun. "Next, you'll tell me you're still scared of the nothing."

Fred scowled playfully, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward despite himself. "You don't understand. It was emotional, alright? A lot of people don't get it!"

Then George's eyes fell onto Olympia with a mix of longing and frustration he hadn't been able to shake for weeks. He fiddled with a small twig in his hand, his usual energy and jokes more subdued.

Since that heated moment in the library, Olympia and George had barely exchanged a word. The tension between them hung thick in the air, an unspoken rift that neither seemed ready to bridge. George, usually quick with a joke or a playful retort, had fallen unusually quiet when Olympia was around, his sharp sense of humor dimming whenever she was nearby. He'd give her a short nod or a distracted glance when their paths crossed, but nothing more. The warmth and camaraderie they once shared had been replaced with a cold distance that neither of them could ignore.

Olympia, on the other hand, found herself regretting the biting words she had spoken in the heat of the moment, but her pride kept her from apologizing. She could feel the weight of her mistake, but a part of her resented the fact that George hadn't sought her out either. The silence felt heavy, as if they were both waiting for the other to make the first move, and each day without resolution made the rift seem wider.

Whenever they were in a group, she would catch glimpses of him laughing with Fred or Gideon, and a pang of guilt would strike her. Yet, she kept her distance, unsure of how to break the silence without feeling like she was admitting fault. It was as if the library incident had drawn an invisible line between them, and neither knew how to step across it without confronting what had happened.

"So, who here's excited about a chance to meet Viktor Krum?" Seraphina grinned, nudging Lee, who rolled his eyes.

"Oh, right, because he's not already swarmed with enough attention," he said, mock-jealousy in his voice. "Bet he's never even gotten a detention. What a bore."

Gideon let out a hearty laugh, throwing an arm around Lee's shoulder. "If he joins in on one of our pranks, he's all right in my book. Otherwise. . well, he'll have to prove he's fun enough for this lot."

Cassie smirked, clearly intrigued. "You know, they say Durmstrang's students are extremely disciplined. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all rule-following bores." She looked pointedly at Olympia, who'd only ever been half-listening, her nose still firmly buried in a thick book.

Judeth snapped her fingers in front of Olympia's face. "Oi, bookworm, do you hear that? The tournament could mean meeting wizards even more disciplined than yourself. Isn't that a thrilling thought?"

Olympia blinked, pulling herself back to the conversation. She caught George's eye for the briefest moment, then looked away just as quickly. "I'm. . . just reading, Judeth," she replied, brushing off the teasing. "But I suppose the tournament will be. . . interesting." Her voice trailed off as her focus shifted back to her book, clearly not fully invested.

Fred rolled his eyes at Olympia's nonchalance. "Hey, Gideon, looks like you're the only Slytherin who stands a chance against these 'mysterious foreigners.' You ready to defend Hogwarts' honor?"

Gideon smirked, feigning confidence. "Obviously. The Beauxbatons girls don't stand a chance."

Lee laughed, crossing his arms. "Yeah, but just imagine if one of them has, like, a dozen manners and the ability to actually listen to people talk, unlike you."

Gideon clutched his heart in mock offense. "You wound me, Lee. It's not my fault I'm irresistible to all houses alike."

They all laughed, though George was still quiet, eyes shifting over the group before landing on Olympia again, who continued to keep her face hidden by her book.

Cassie, picking up on the tension, leaned in toward Judeth and whispered, "Notice how he's staring at her?"

Judeth raised her eyebrows, muttering back, "Impossible not to." She glanced at Fred, who was watching George as well, both Fred and Cassie clearly aware of the silent stalemate between their twins.

Fred, always eager to stir up some trouble, finally called over to Olympia, "Oi, Oli, come on, you're not even a little curious about what's coming next week?"

Olympia's eyes lifted, glancing around, catching George's gaze again before looking away. "I suppose I am. It's just. . . a busy time for me." She closed her book but kept her hands resting on it, an excuse not to engage fully. "You lot can afford the time to think about distractions. I can't."

Judeth sighed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, Olympia, not everything has to be about schoolwork. Sometimes, you have to let go and just live a little."

"Exactly!" Fred grinned, taking Judeth's side. "Merlin's beard, Ollie, you act like taking an interest in the outside world will wreck your grades as if you aren't the smartest one of us."

Olympia bit her lip, avoiding their eyes. "It's just important to me. That's all," she murmured, the words more defensive than she'd meant them to be.

Fred shot George a glance, and George looked down, shoulders tense. After a moment, he straightened and said softly, his voice holding a touch of genuine curiosity, "So. . . you're really not excited about the tournament at all?"

It was the first he had directly spoken to her since the library a few weeks ago.

Olympia blinked, finally meeting George's gaze fully. She hesitated, feeling the weight of his question in a way she hadn't expected. "I. . . I am," she admitted, a bit flustered. "I mean, it's a historical event. And yes, I suppose I'm curious about the students and what sort of magic they know. It's exciting I suppose."

A small smile tugged at George's lips, and he nodded, the tension between them lightening just a little.

But before he could respond, Gideon jumped in with a dramatic sigh. "Ah, our dear Olympia, hiding her wild side behind a pile of books."

Olympia scoffed, rolling her eyes, while Fred and Lee burst into laughter. "Gideon, she's always been like this," Fred said, elbowing Olympia lightly. "She's just extra good at looking like she's behaving."

George's smile grew as he listened, though he kept quiet, observing her. His gaze held a softness, a thoughtfulness he didn't quite know what to do with.

Judeth nudged Cassie, a grin spreading across her face. "I say we make bets on how long it'll take for them to hookup." She whispered.

Cassie giggled, casting a sly glance at her sister. "I'll put two Sickles on her holding out for at least one more week."

Fred laughed overhearing them, and slinging an arm over Cassie's shoulders. "Oh, please. I'll give her 'til lunch."

George overhead them and couldn't help but grin, his gaze resting on her a moment too long. She felt it, glanced his way, but quickly turned back to her book, her fingers fiddling with the corner of the page as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. He took a steadying breath, knowing he still had so much he wanted to say-but in the end, he stayed silent.

The laughter was still echoing in the Quad when a familiar figure approached. Cedric Diggory strode up, his usual easy smile in place as he waved to the group. "What's up." he greeted to the group, his voice warm and friendly as he made his way over.

Olympia looked up from her book, her eyes lighting up slightly as she saw him. She closed her book, standing up quickly. The rest of the group fell quiet, surprised by her sudden movement.

Cassie tilted her head, a smirk playing at her lips. "Ols, where are you off to?"

Olympia glanced at Cedric, then back at her friends, her cheeks tinged pink. "Cedric and I, we're working on an extra credit assignment together for Charms. We were going to go over some of the material." She tried to keep her voice even, though there was a hint of defensiveness in it.

Gideon's eyebrows shot up, and he couldn't resist throwing in a mischievous comment. "Oh, extra credit, is it?" He waggled his eyebrows, an exaggerated smirk spreading across his face. "Sounds like quite the. . . intense study session, doesn't it?"

Cedric let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly caught off guard by the insinuation. Olympia, however, looked less amused. Her face flushed crimson, and her hand twitched as if she were about to swat at Gideon, but she managed to hold herself back, though just barely.

"Honestly, Gideon," she huffed, narrowing her eyes at him. "Not everything is about. . . that. Just because you can't keep it in your pants doesn't mean the lot of us can't." Her voice was tight, and she shot him a look that made it clear she wasn't thrilled by his remark.

"Speak for yourself." Lee joked, making eye contact with Seraphina who went red and smiled softly to herself.

Meanwhile, George's expression had darkened, his jaw clenched as he watched the exchange between Olympia and Cedric. He stared at Cedric with barely disguised frustration, the jealousy simmering just under the surface.

Fred, ever attuned to his twin's moods, noticed immediately and nudged George lightly, offering him a subtle, knowing look.

"Mate," Fred murmured softly enough that only George could hear, "let's not go hexing anyone in broad daylight, yeah?" He nudged him again, forcing a casual smile.

George's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained fixed on Olympia and Cedric. He took a breath, his hands still balled into fists as he forced himself to relax. "Yeah, right, no hexing," he muttered, though the tension was still clear in his voice.

Olympia shot a final glare at Gideon before turning back to Cedric, trying to shake off the embarrassment. "Shall we go?" she asked Cedric, her voice more polite as she tried to maintain her composure.

Cedric nodded, still smiling, though he cast a quick, uncertain glance at the rest of the group, especially at George, who continued to watch him with an intensity that was hard to ignore. With a final wave, Olympia and Cedric headed off, leaving the others on the balcony in a quiet, somewhat charged silence.

Cassie raised an eyebrow, looking back at George with a teasing grin. "Well, she certainly seemed eager to get out of here. Wonder what that's about."

Fred only chuckled, patting George on the back. "Let her have her extra credit, mate," he joked, though there was an undertone of encouragement. "Just means you'll have to step up your game." He challenged.

Elvira raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she watched Olympia walk away with Cedric. "Wow, Ols practically sprinted out of here. Think she's more excited about Charms or... 'getting her wand practice' in with Diggory?" She joked.

Gideon snorted, catching on to her insinuation. "Right, didn't realize Cedric's 'extra credit' involved private tutoring on 'advanced wand techniques.'" He emphasized his point with an exaggerated wink, making a few of them break into snickers.

George's expression tightened at the comment. His jaw clenched slightly, and his eyes followed Olympia and Cedric, though his gaze was colder than usual. He didn't join in with the laughter, his mood darkening instead.

Fred noticed the change, the way George's posture stiffened and his gaze hardened. He caught the faint irritation in his twin's face and shifted slightly, not wanting to make the situation worse but unsure how to address it.

George didn't respond to the jokes. He didn't have to. The comments hung in the air, sharp and pointed, and all he could do was swallow down the frustration building inside him. He could feel the heat creeping up the back of his neck, the unease in his chest as the idea of Cedric and Olympia spending time together-alone-gnawed at him.

Instead of saying anything, George just stood up abruptly, his hand running through his hair. "I'll see you lot later," he muttered, his tone flat as he turned and made his way out of the balcony.

Fred watched George's retreating figure, a mix of concern and frustration crossing his face. He could tell his twin was upset, and Fred wasn't about to let him walk off without talking. So, without a second thought, he pushed himself out of his chair and followed after him.

It didn't take long for Fred to catch up, his footsteps light but determined as he walked up to George's side.

"Oi, hold up," Fred called, falling into step beside him.

George didn't look at him, his face set in a grim expression as he kept walking. Fred knew that look all too well-George wasn't one for talking when he was in one of his moods, especially when it came to things like this.

Fred sighed, a little more gently this time. "Look, mate. . . I know those comments weren't exactly the most brilliant. But you've got to know they were just messing around, right?"

George shot him a quick glance, but said nothing. The silence between them felt heavy, like there were a thousand things left unsaid. Fred wanted to push, to get George talking, but he also knew when to give him space.

"I know what you're thinking," Fred continued, his voice softer now. "You're angry. And that's fair. But you don't have to handle it on your own."

George's jaw tightened, and he let out a frustrated breath. "It's not just the jokes. I mean yeah I didn't wanna hear em but," he muttered, his voice low. "It's just-" He stopped himself, shaking his head like he didn't know how to finish the sentence.

Fred waited patiently, but he could tell it was hard for George to articulate what was really going on in his head. It wasn't just the jokes; it wasn't even just Cedric. This was bigger. It always had been.

"I get it, alright?" Fred said quietly. "I see how you've been with her. And how she's been with you. It's not like it's been just a laugh or a fling between you two. It's different."

George's steps slowed as he processed Fred's words. It was clear that he hadn't expected to talk about it so soon, but the weight of the conversation had become too heavy to keep bottled up. The frustration had been gnawing at him for days, and now it was finally spilling out.

He stopped walking altogether, and Fred, sensing his brother's shift in mood, stopped too, waiting for him to speak. George's face was tight, like he was holding onto something too heavy to keep inside. His twin could see it in his eyes.

"Fred," George started quietly, voice low. "There's something I didn't tell you. Something that's been eating at me."

Fred raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, letting George continue. He could see his brother was struggling to get the words out. George never kept anything from him, so Fred felt a slight tinge in his gut, knowing whatever it may be it was serious.

"It's about Olympia," George said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I lied about it what she said in the library the other day."

Fred's gaze softened immediately. He'd been waiting for this. He could tell something wasn't sitting right with George, but he hadn't known how to get him to open up. Now that he was, Fred knew this was important.

"What did she say?" Fred asked carefully, stepping closer, keeping his voice steady.

George hesitated, then exhaled sharply. "She said-" he swallowed hard, almost as if the words were painful to say. "She said, 'Well, good thing it didn't go any further. Don't have time for this bullshit.'"

Fred blinked, stunned. He had no idea Olympia had been that harsh. That didn't sound like the Olympia he knew. His brow furrowed. "She said that? To you?"

George nodded, biting his lip in frustration. "Yeah. And it stung. A lot. I didn't know what to say. I just. . . I didn't know where it came from."

Fred frowned, stepping closer to his twin, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Mate, that's rough. I get it. But you've got to remember, she's probably just as confused as you are."

George scowled. "Yeah, well, I don't think she was confused when she said that. She made it clear she didn't want to do anything with me."

Fred sighed. He could see his brother was clearly hurt, but he wasn't sure what to say to make it better. He knew Olympia, no matter how engulfed she got in her studies she was never mean. So this was quite a surprise to Fred.

"Well, did you ever think she might be scared? I mean, she's always so focused on everything being perfect, right? Maybe the idea of messing things up with you made her put up those walls. She's not exactly known for being all 'let loose' when it comes to stuff like this," Fred suggested, trying to piece it together.

George clenched his fists at his sides. "I don't know, Fred. She made me feel like I was some bloody idiot. Like I was out of line for even trying."

Fred knew George well enough to see he was wrestling with more than just confusion. He was hurt, and more than that, he felt rejected. The idea of Olympia shutting him out had been hard to swallow, but Fred knew one thing: his twin was not the type to take something like this lying down.

"Listen, mate," Fred said, his tone more serious now. "You've got to talk to her. You can't just leave it hanging like this. If you care about her, you've got to find out why she said that. Because something doesn't add up."

George let out a bitter laugh, but it didn't have much humor in it. "I don't know, Fred. After that, I'm not sure I want to even know why she said it. What if it's just. . . I don't know, a sign that she doesn't feel the same?"

Fred saw the frustration in his brother's eyes, the uncertainty. He could understand why George was upset, but Fred knew the only way to fix things was to face Olympia head-on.

"You can't keep running from this, George. You're going to have to have the conversation with her, no matter how much it scares you. But you can't let this stew. Not when you know she's got something to say," Fred urged, his voice firm.

George ran a hand through his hair, the familiar frustration creeping back. He was feeling cornered-cornered by his own feelings and the overwhelming sense of confusion that came with trying to understand Olympia's reactions. But he also knew Fred was right. As much as it hurt, he had to do something about it.

"I don't know what to say to her," George muttered, his voice barely audible.

Fred gave him a crooked grin. "You'll figure it out, mate. You always do."

The two of them continued walking, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. Fred could tell that George wasn't quite ready to make a move, but Fred knew one thing for sure: when it came to Olympia, George wasn't going to give up easily.

George muttered aloud, "I wonder what's the deal with Cedric."

Fred frowned, his brow furrowing in thought. "Honestly, mate, I don't know. The guy's a prefect, all 'golden boy' with his good grades and charm. Can't say I've ever seen him show much interest in Olympia, though."

George sighed, clearly frustrated. "Yeah, well, neither have I. But now they've been spending time together, and it's messing with my head." He ran a hand through his hair. "I just don't know what to think anymore."

Fred raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. "Well, if you need to take your mind off things, mate, I've got a brilliant idea."

George looked at him, sensing where this was going. "What kind of idea?"

Fred's grin widened. "We could always prank Cedric. Nothing too crazy, but just enough to ruffle his feathers a bit. You know, get him to stop acting all perfect and prim around Olympia."

George's lips curled into a half-smile. It was just the distraction he needed. "I like the sound of that. You think we can pull it off?"

Fred's eyes sparkled with excitement. "When don't we?" He snorted. "We'll make sure he knows who's the real troublemaker around here." He paused for a moment, considering. "Maybe something subtle... like a little ink stain on his robes, or perhaps we could charm his shoes to squeak every time he steps. You know, harmless, but annoying as hell."

George chuckled, feeling the tension in his chest ease just a bit. "Let's do it. It'll give me a chance to clear my head before I deal with all this."

Fred gave him a knowing look. "That's the spirit. Let's get to work."