Travel

George, Fred, Draco, and Blaise were all waiting for me in the great hall. They were all sitting at the Gryffindor table not speaking. I walked over to them and sat next to the twins.

"There you are, the train leaves soon," Fred said playfully pushing me.

"I know, I'm sorry, I didn't know what to bring, plus I got you guys presents. Oh! That reminds me, Blaise, Draco, since I won't be seeing either of you over the break, here are your presents." I said as I grabbed two boxes from my bag. I handed one to Draco and one to Blaise. Draco unwrapped his first, he pulled out the gift, It was a silver snake pendant wrapped around a small emerald gem.

"Holy, thanks Briar, you really didn't have to this." Draco thanked me. "Your gift hasn't arrived yet." He sighed.

"It's alright, Blaise, open yours," I said motioning for him to open his gift.

"Alright," He said, he tore open the wrapping paper and lifted the lid off the box, he pulled out what was inside. I had got him a silver ring with a peridot gem on it.

"This is amazing, thank you, Briar. Is it a peridot gem?" He asked I nodded.

"I don't get it," Draco said. I laughed.

"That's his birthstone," I explained.

"Okay, this is all really touching but Briar we got to go," George said. I nodded and got up. I hugged Blaise and Draco and said goodbye. The twins and I headed to the train, quickly getting onto the train and looking for Ron and Harry. When we found them we sat down with them in their compartment.

I sat next to Fred and stared out the window as the train started heading for London. I couldn't help but wonder what their family would think of me since I'm a Slytherin and all. It started to snow so I watched each snowflake fall thinking about the holidays.

"You alright Briar?" Harry asked. I looked up at him and nodded and went back to looking out the window. The twins gave each other a look and Fred nudged me, I turned to look at him.

"Yeah Fred?" I asked.

"Briar, tell us what's going on," George said. I looked over at Harry and Ron, then back to the twins.

"How is your pure-blood, all Gryffindor family going to think when they find out you decided to bring a Slytherin mud-blood home for the holidays." tears started streaming down my face as I thought of how their family probably doesn't even know about me because the twins were so embarrassed. Or how they'll hate me because I'm a Slytherin. They might even think I'm part of the Dark Lords army because I'm a Slytherin

Fred wrapped his arms around me and tears continued to fall down my face. I stopped making any sounds and sat in his arms tears still streaking my face.

"Briar, it's going to be okay, Mum is going to love you, we already told her you're a Slytherin," Ron said.

"Yeah, plus she remembers you from the book shop," George added.

"You don't get it," I said, "They hate us, everyone. No matter how nice I am, people whisper and talk, about how I'm a Slytherin and can't be trusted. The only reason you guys are friends with me is because you met me before the sorting."

"We would have wanted to be your friend either way," Harry said.

"Tell me, tell me you would have walked over to the Slytherin table and said hello. How many times have you talked to a Slytherin? A normal conversation, to get to know them, or to ask them about classes." Everyone stayed silent. "Exactly."

"Briar, look, our family is different, we don't care about blood status or Hogwarts house, we care if you're a good person, and you are," Fred said.

"And if we ever hear anyone say anything about how you can't be trusted, we'll give them one of our special inventions." George snickered.

I smiled, I felt better after getting that out. It's really hard being a Slytherin, especially if you hang out with Draco and Blaise. As soon as you're seen with them you're bad news. I try saying Hello to the other girls in the halls but they either look away or whisper.

I've wondered what it would be like if I was put in another house. If I was put in Ravenclaw they would assume I'm very book smart and probably a know it all. If I was put in Hufflepuff, they would assume I'm always happy and cheerful, and a very nice person. The only good house to be in it seems is Gryffindor, if you're in that house no one hates you other than most Slytherins but they won't do much.

-

I was awoken by Fred who was standing me up and pulling me out the door. I must have fallen asleep.

"Come on Briar, wake up," Fred said,

"I am awake you dimwit, stop pulling on my arm," I said as I ripped my arm out of his grasp. He stopped and laughed.

"No need for name-calling." He said. I laughed and followed him to our baggage. I grabbed my trunk and waited for Ron and Harry who seemed to be slow.

"Where are they?" I asked as the twins and I waited by the luggage pile.

"No clue," George said looking around the platform. We all waited for about five minutes before the two of them came running off the train.

"Where in the bloody hell have you been?" Fred asked crossing his arms.

"You should have gotten off with us," George stated.

"Sorry, we got caught up," Harry said as he and Ron grabbed their luggage and stood beside us.

"Well no mind, mums probably worried by now." Fred sighed. We all headed for the exit and every second we got closer I got more anxious.

We walked until suddenly I heard

"Harry! How wonderful to see you again." I looked up to see the nice lady from the bookstore.

"It's nice to see you too, Mrs.Weasly," Harry responded and got a hug from the lady.

"We're your own children and you say hello to Harry first?" Ron said laughing. He hugged his mother and then the twins hug her as well. She then turns to me and smiles with open arms, pulling me into a hug.

"And I remember you from shop Briar." She says.

"You must be the twin's mother," I said, she pulled away and stood in front of the group.

"Now, how was the train?" She asked motioning for us to follow her. Ron and Harry talk with her about the train while the Twins walk behind with me.

"See Briar, nothing to worry about." George smiled. I looked up at the two and smiled, I'm so excited to be spending two weeks with the Weasleys.

Mrs.Weasly took us to a fireplace and held out a pot of what looked like dirt. I gave a confused look to the twins who laughed.

"It's floo powder," Fred explained.

"Takes you wherever you want, as long as it has a fireplace," George stated.

"Here, I'll go first," Ron said. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder and stepped into the fireplace. He then yelled, "Weasley residence!" then he threw the powder onto the ground and was surrounded by green flames and then disappeared.

"What the," my mouth hung open as Harry did the same. The twins went next and then it was my turn. I grabbed some of the powder and went to stand in the fireplace. I quickly said "Weasley residents." and was quickly covered in green flames. I held my breath and closed my eyes. I only opened them when I heard George say,

"Briar, you good?" when I opened my eyes I saw George and Fred waiting for me in what seemed to be a living room. I smiled and they sat down on the couch. They motioned for me to come sit by them. I sat down on the end of the couch awkwardly. I never really visited any of my muggle friends' houses. I was more of a stay at home kind of person.

"I like your house," I said looking around, my eyes landed on a clock with Ron, the twins, and Ginny on them. That's when I realized, Ginny never came home. "Where's Ginny?" I asked.

"She's staying with Luna and Hermione for the holidays," Fred said.