Ch 51: Curses and Promises

                                    

                                          
A/n: short chapter this time! Also! We finally hit 1k reads!!!!!!!!  That's amazing >:Ooooo


The fall leaves soon began to fall as the winter months settled in. White snow blanketed the ground as brisk winds flew in. Hagrid and I hadn't done much for teaching since our "classroom" had been outside, and due to the freezing temperatures, we would have to keep it on hold. I still helped feed the creatures and make sure the climates weren't too rough on them so I had something to do. During the remainder of the fall after I received the ominous prophecy from Treylawney, I hadn't been able to visit the twins as much as we had liked. We had barely been able to see each other once during the month. And with the coming trip, I wouldn't be surprised if they would be overly packed today. 
Today had been the day for the school's trip to Hogsmeade. We had to push it back a few times due to a recent snowstorm that had taken well over a week to get over. The winds had still been heavy during the early mornings, but the other teachers felt that since the storm had mostly passed, it'd be alright to make a trip there for the day; especially since the school had been looking forward to it. I had been one of them. I had a feeling they'd be busy, but I was hopeful I'd be able to at least stand beside the register while they worked and talked with them then. That had been my thought that morning, until I had received an owl from Fred that'd we'd be meeting that day for sure. Which felt odd, but I trusted them. 
Tightening my jacket around me, I walked along with the students and several other teachers as we trekked down the road towards Hogsmeade. Several students had already been excitedly whispering, the new first years especially excited seeing as this would be their first year there. Thank Merlin the walk there hadn't taken as long as I assumed, everyone had been equally ready to get to a warm building, so the pace had been swift. As we arrived in Hogsmeade I chuckled at the sight seeing so many students excitedly rush into a multitude of stores. I could still see the moving animatronic of the twins down the street, even as the snow began to n hall once more. 
I immediately made my way over to the Three Broomsticks, the wind licking my cheeks causing them to turn red from the cold. Pushing the door open, I let out a sigh of relief as the warm air greeted me. Dusting the snow off of my shoulders, I made my way in closing the door behind me. The place had already been rather busy, not too surprising to me, the colder temperatures brought in the most customers, filling in a majority of the seats. Dodging one of the customers as they carried two pints of Butterbeer, I wiggled through the crowd and found an empty rounded table off in the corner. Hopefully the two of them would be able to find me in this mass of people. 
Sitting down, I relaxed myself and began my waiting. The place smelled nice as always, the food prepared had always been delicious, its smells filling the tavern. There had never been a dull moment in this place either, always bustling and filled with loud conversations. 
After a little while of  waiting, a hand gripped my shoulder. Looking up I saw Fred standing behind me grinning. His red hair filled with snow, he held his jacket tightly against his body shivering slightly. In one hand he held two large cups of butterbeer, placing them down as he sat on the opposite side of me. 
"Just you today?" I asked, chuckling as I grabbed my cup.
"Just me" he answered, taking a sip of his. 
"Honestly I'm surprised you were able to come here and visit" I pondered, "I thought your shop would be busy with this trip."
"Oh, it is" he nodded, eyes wide. "Place is filled to the brim with students."
"Then how come you're here and not at the store?" I asked, tilting my head. 
"Do you not wish to see me?" He joked, grinning. "If so, I could always just leave." He gestured to the door with a small swish of his hand.