By The Wing

Cora ran a hand through her hair as a smile crossed her lips. She was ecstatic to be back at Hogwarts. Cora was sitting in the courtyard, watching everyone that passed and seeing the groups of friends as they were reunited. Keeping herself busy, Cora was finishing off her journal entry for the day. She couldn’t help rolling her eyes softly when she heard the all too familiar voice of Draco Malfoy. Closing her journal, Cora turned her attention to him, “Malfoy, how was your holiday?” Being used to Draco’s interest in her, Cora was no longer bothered by him, but rather enjoyed his company from time to time.

---

George grinned at his brother as they walked across the courtyard, “Another year of mischief?” He asked Fred with a knowing grin on his face. There was one thing guaranteed by the twins, and that was there would be more than their fare share of pranks. Suddenly the familiar dark hair of Jean Wimple caught his eye, “I’ll be right back.” George told his brother with a grin as he took off in the direction of the girl. “Jean!” He called out, smiling when he caught her attention, “Hi, how was your holiday?”

@ iron underneath;

Jean heard her name and turned around smiled a little, "Hey, it was alright, kinda borin' but I managed," she shrugged a little as she sighed, "It's been too long though, you never owled me back," a small pout formed on the brunette's face as she poked him in the chest. Jean was just as good as they were at pranking people. She'd even gotten them a couple of times but she knew that the risk of her getting in trouble would enrage her parents so she tried to keep it quiet on the down low. "What about yours? I'm sure you and Fred got up to some trouble, probably giving your mother a heart attack,"

---

"Same as usual, then back to this dreadful place," he scowled a little before shaking his head, "I suppose you managed to have fun this summer?" he asked as his eyes flicked over to the petite blonde as he sat down. Draco had a draw to her, though it had started due to mild intrigue she was truly a nice person. Far better than someone like himself, he looked at his hands before shaking his head to get rid of the thoughts that invaded his mind.

Cora nodded, “That’s too bad.” She smiled over at him, “Nothing special, most of it was spent with my father’s family.” Placing her journal back in her bag, she turned her attention back to Draco. Seeing him shaking his head, Cora raised an eyebrow, “Are you feeling okay?” She asked him.

---

George sighed softly, “I know, everything got so busy. I should have let you know.” He felt bad about not getting back to her, laughing when she mentioned what he and Fred had been up to. “I think she was ready for us to leave,” he grinned over at her.

@ iron underneath;

She smiled as she listened to him then laughed, "Well, we're here now and we've got to make the most of this year it'll be good. Then one more year till we're out of here for good," she sighed excitedly, a part of her was sad to leave this part of her childhood behind forever but she knew it was necessary. Besides she was going to start her own potions shop, she was more than competent at making potions so it seemed to make sense.

"I'm starved though, we should go inside," she said as he stomach growled, "where is Fred?" she asked him looking for the other twin.

---

"I'm fine," he said nodding a little, but he wasn't. He wouldn't be till all of this was over, till he could escape from his home that was being taken over. No one could know, his life had been flipped upside down now and there was no going back. "Come on, let's go get our seats before the good ones are taken," he told her nudging her shoulder and motioning for Blaise to follow him. He had few people he could truly consider friends, and even then he didn't know who to trust and who not to.

“If you’re sure...” Cora said softly. She got up and followed Draco inside, even though her family was mostly Slytherin, they didn’t get involved with the dark magic like others. She had heard rumors of what was happening with the death eaters, so she could only imagine what was going on with Draco. Once they were inside, Cora sat down next Draco.

---

“Exactly,” George laughed as he realized they were that much closer to being done with school. He noticed Fred was walking towards them, “Ah, there he is. I knew he would make his way over to us eventually.” After Fred got to them, George nodded towards the castle, “Let’s go eat.” He laughed as he lead them inside.

@ iron underneath;

Jean smiled a little as she walked with them towards the castle and into the great hall. It was just as big as she remembered, and smiled - it had a comforting feel to it. She'd spent more time here than at home the last six years of her life, so it seemed right that she'd call it a form of home. "Come on, lets sit there - right in the middle," she said as she walked over to the bench then sat down crossing her legs.

---

He hated waiting to see who was sorted where, there were more houses than other some years, and some years there weren't many first years at all. This year seemed to be one of those, he saw maybe fifty to seventy new first years a lot of them taking it all in; muggle-born. They looked completely astonished that's how he could tell and part of him felt sick at the things that were being planned for them.

Cora could feel how nervous and uneasy the first years were and she felt sympathy for them. She had been nervous when she was sorted, afraid of her family’s reaction if she had been placed anywhere besides Slytherin. Of course, she had been thankful, mostly because she had met Draco.

---

George followed Jean and sat down next to her, watching as the first years swarmed into the hall. He was half paying attention as they were put in their houses, applauding whenever one was sorted into Gryffindor. He couldn’t wait for the sorting to be over so they could get settled in.

@ iron underneath;

"Lots of new Gryffindors this year," she smiled at George, "I remember how nervous I'd been, it's so strange coming from a home where magic isn't used to being thrown into this full time," he furrowed his brow before wetting her lips a little. She and the twins had always been kind of close, they were some of the first people to greet her when she was sorted. "I can't wait to eat, I'm starved," she pouted a little as she sighed.

---

"Finally," he huffed when the food appeared on the table then began to make his plate, the first years gasping in amazement. He could never understand the shock, he saw this at home all the time when he was young but he supposed to those who didn't live like he di it was amazing or magical even.

Hearing Draco huff, Cora looked over at him once the food appeared. She had grown used to everything magic. Making her plate, Cora started eating, “Relax, try and enjoy all of this.”

---

George laughed as she mentioned the first years, “I remember that too, it was something else.” He got his plate of food and glanced back over at her, “Fred and I were more than happy to help you out and you’re a troublemaker with us.”

@ iron underneath;

Jean smiled a little, "Of course, I remember when I visited in the fourth year you mother about had a heart attack," she said to him smiling a little then sipped her tea from her cup. "Quidditch practice starts on the 17th this year," she said smiling then tapped her prefect badge. "I didn't think I'd get it to be honest, considering I got in trouble with you both last year," she scowled at them playfully.

---

He shrugged, "It's the same thing every year, nothing special - soon we'll be out here though," he said to her nodding a little.

Cora shook her head slightly, deciding to give Draco his space as they ate. She finished her food and waited until everyone was dismissed to their common rooms. She made her way to the entrance to the common room with the others and went inside. Cora immediately went up and took care of her belongings. “You and Draco sure looked cozy together,” Cora heard from behind and couldn’t help rolling her eyes. Turning, she looked at Daphne Greengrass, “Daphne, I don’t have time for this.”

---

“Oh we were not that bad,” George shook his head, knowing full well they had almost caused their mother to have a heart attack. He nodded when she mentioned quidditch, seeing her prefect badge, he pouted playfully, “Does that mean no more fun?” He teased her.

@ iron underneath;

"Course not," she snorted a little as she leaned into him then sat up, "I think this year will be good, I know... we have a lot of weird stuff going on but I think it'll be okay," she murmured gently as she looked between the twins. A part of her hoped this year wouldn't go against the grain, as had the last couple of years since Harry Potter had started his schooling. Everyone knew he was back, Voldemort, but no one wanted to admit it. Jean was there when the death eaters had attacked the death eaters had attacked the quidditch world cup a year ago. It had been far too terrifying.

---

"Don't have time for what?" Daphne smiled cheekily as she looked at her then nudged her, "come on we never do girl talk anymore," she whispered to her excitedly. "You're the only one he really talks to you know, that has to mean something. "

Cora sighed softly as she sat on the edge of her bed, “Daphne, it means nothing.” Even though Draco talked to her, Cora didn’t consider them to all that close. “We don’t do girl talk anymore because there hasn’t been anything to talk about, and there still isn’t,” she smiled over at the other girl. Of course Cora had hopes that something would happen between herself and Draco, but the way things had started, her hope was dwindling.

---

“Good, that is exactly what I wanted to hear,” George smiled at her. He listened as she spoke about all the weird stuff that had been happening, “I agree, I think things are going to be okay.” As far as he was concerned, this year was no different than any other.

@ iron underneath;

Jean nodded a little, "Yeah," she murmured gently before sighing a bit as she chewed on the inside of her cheek, "Come on I have to show first years to the dorm but I'm sharing a common room with Wallace Greenford. I got permissions for guests if you two want to swing by on weekends or after dinner," she said to him excitedly.

---

She rolled her eyes a little,"sure sure, whatever you say, but I think he fancys you. He doesn't look at other girls that way, you should ask him to go to Hogsmeade together," she spoke excitedly at the potential romance.

Cora rolled her eyes slightly, “Daphne, Draco Malfoy does not fancy me.” She stood up from her spot and smoothed our her skirt, “But just to prove I’m right, I’ll go ask him right now.” Walking out and into the common area, she scanned the room for Draco. When Cora saw Draco, she hesitated before walking over to him, “Draco? I was wondering if maybe you’d like to go to Hogsmeade with me?”

---

George grinned at her, “Alright, always busy.” He laughed as he stood up with her, “We will definitely have to swing by and check it out when we get a chance.” Of course, George was thinking he would make an appearance by himself once.

@ iron underneath;

Jean nodded a little as she called to the first years, "Alright then, My name is Jean Wimple this is Wallace Greenford we're your prefects. If you need anything please let us know we'd be happy to help you out," she said as she looked at them, "We're going to head to the common room now, " she said as she made sure they were following her and when they got to the door she stopped. "This is the door into the room, the password this year is Balderdash," and the door opened. "Thank you," she said to the painting as they walked inside.

---

He looked up from his book with a raised brown then, with a small smile, "Sure, when do you want to go? I know it opens up this weekend," he said to her thoughtfully as he marked the page in his book so she had his full attention.

[oops]

Cora was surprised to hear him say sure, “This weekend sounds great, how about Saturday?” She was nervous, never expecting him to say yes. Cora was not looking forward to dealing with Daphne now.

---

George watched as Jean did her thing with the first years. She seemed like she was enjoying what she was doing. He smiled, following Fred and putting their things away.

@ iron underneath;

He nodded a little,"Sounds good," he said smiling a little, finally one of the first good things to happen to him all year. His home life was a bit dismal at the moment, and his school life was only remotely decent due to being away from there.

---

When she finished getting the first years settled she walked towards where her common room would be then let out a deep breath as she started the fire since it was out - the room was a bit drafty. It was about 200 square feet with stone floors and walls much like the rest of the castle. Huge windows lined the exterior wall and a comfy couch and arm chair sat in front of the fire place.