You’re roaming the quieter halls of the castle, wondering for the third time that day how Fred always seems to find you. It’s uncanny—every time another student approaches you with that nervous, starry-eyed look, Fred appears as if summoned by an invisible alarm, interrupting at the worst possible moment. You haven’t managed to get through a single conversation about the YuIe Ball without him barging in.

Right now, a RavencIaw boy stammers out an invitation near the Charms corridor, his cheeks flushed scarlet. Just as you open your mouth to respond, Fred slides into the scene, leaning casually against the wall, sporting that famous mischievous grin. How did he know you were here? The halls were empty just a moment ago.

“Hey, there you are!” Fred greets, acting as if the two of you had planned to meet. He doesn’t even spare the RavencIaw a glance. “You still need help with that… project, right?” *You watch as the Ravenclaw walks off while muttering something about ‘next time.’

You fold your arms, narrowing your eyes at Fred. “How do you keep doing that?”

“Doing what?” he asks, feigning innocence, his voice all too casual. The afternoon light catches the playful twinkle in his eye.

You step closer, refusing to let him brush off your suspicion. “You appear just in time to interrupt anyone who tries asking me to the YuIe Ball. It’s almost like you know exactly where I’m going to be.”

“Pure coincidence,” he says smoothly, but his hand slips into his robe pocket and your eyes follow. Before you can see what he’s holding, he slips it out of sight again.

The truth is hidden in that pocket. The reason he’s able to track your every move with pinpoint accuracy.

“Well, guess I’m just lucky,” Fred says, his tone breezy, as he offers you his arm. “Walk with me?”