"Are we doing this?" Fred asked the group. Grins formed across each boys face. The question was not needed. The biggest pranksters in school would never pass up a chance like this. Especially if it meant pissing off Professor Snape.
"Of course" George and Lee said in unison. All eyes fell on me. Obviously I was the deciding factor. I was the only one who knew where Newt spleen were. My eyes met with Fred's. Butterflies erupted in my belly. As frightened as I was I could never say no to him.
"Sure" I answered. They began quietly cheering.
Fred leaned in closer to my face smiling. We were only inches apart "You're a lot more fun than I thought Isadora." Said Fred.
***
The four of us crept down the dimly lit hallway. The echoes of our footsteps were swallowed by the stone walls. My heart was racing, not just from the thrill of sneaking around but from being so close to Fred. Hogwarts always felt like a maze, but tonight sneaking around the school made it feel so mysterious.
"We need to take the east stairway to avoid prefects." George whispered pointing to the corridor to our left. Prefects! I had completely forgotten about prefects when I agreed to this. A few teachers that's fine they can't be everywhere at once. There are many prefects though. I felt myself getting nervous again.
Fred stepped closer so me. He shot me a mischievous grin. His eyes glinting in the low light. He whispered in my ear. "I told you this would be fun."
Fuck
I smiled back my nerves dancing between excitement and the way Fred makes me feel. This was most I've ever interacted with Fred and I was losing my mind.
We continued forward. Sticking to the shadows as we passed several doorways. I could hear paintings murmuring to each other. Some commenting on our actions. We turned the corner, only to her the sound of distant footsteps. I froze.
"Filch is coming!" Lee whispered urgently. "Quick split up!"
Lee and George ran. I was frozen. I didn't know where to hide we were in the middle of a hallway. I didn't know my way around like they did. Suddenly I felt a hand grab mine. I was pulled into a nearby corridor just as Filch's voice got louder. We slipped into a narrow hallway way hidden behind a tapestry. I looked up to see Fred right in front of me. Our bodies touching there was no room in between. I opened my mouth but Fred placed his available hand on my lips. The heavy fabric of the tapestry fell back into place just as the footsteps passed by.
My back was pressed against the cold stone wall. My hand was still locked with his. The narrow passage was barely wide enough for two people. Forcing us close, closer than we had ever been before. Fred peeked through a small crack in the tapestry, making sure the coast was clear.
"I think we're safe," he whispered turning back to me. Our faces inches apart, our breaths mingling in the darkness.
My heart was pounding in my chest. My senses heightened by the darkness and our closeness. "That was close." I whispered barely trusting my own voice.
We locked eyes, his gaze softened when he looked at me. "You're not scared, are you?"
I swallowed hard and shook my head "Not scared. Just.... Caught off guard."
Fred lips curled into a smile. "You're tougher than you think."
Silence filled the narrow walk way, but it didn't feel awkward. The tension in the air felt as though it had shifted. Not from fear but from something else. Something warmer. Fred's thumb gently brushed against my hand. I felt my heart beat a little faster. I wonder if he felt it too.
"Isadora..." Fred's voice was soft now almost hesitant.
I looked into his eyes. My breath heavy. "Yeah?"
For a moment it looked like Fred wanted to say something more. The sounds of Lee and George's muffled voices on the other side of the of the tapestry broke the moment. He blinked, and the spell between us faded as quickly as it had begun.
"We should...get back to them." Fred said his hand still holding mine a moment longer before letting go.
"Yeah....right." I nodded the warmth of his hand still lingering on my fingers. We walked back into the hallway.
As we walked back to the corridor the dim light almost seemed blinding after the darkness of the narrow hall. Lee and George eyes widen when they saw us.
"We thought you had gotten caught!" George said a mixture of relief and amusement in his voice.
"Not a chance" Fred said letting out a low chuckle. Playfully hitting George on the arm. His calm demeanor contrasting the adrenaline pumping through my body. Fred glanced down at me checking if I was okay. I gave him a small smile masking my true feelings.
"Let's keep moving. We don't wanna test our luck." Lee said nudging George.
We continued down the hall eventually reaching the stairway. The warmth of Fred's hand still lingered in my mine. The entire thing felt like a dream. Hogwarts already always felt magical, but it now has an additional layer of magic. One that stems from thrilling near miss with Filch and the brief moment shared with Fred in the narrow hall.
After a few more minutes of walking and occasionally hiding we made it to Snape's cupboard. There was a massive lock on the door. I shot it with a disenchantment charm and the lock flew off.
"You'd think Snape would use a better spell to keep his door locked." Fred said fiddling with the janky lock.
I took the lock out of his hands giving it a closer look. "He would..." I trailed off. "This lock has already been tampered with." I said. They all looked at me.
"We better be faster. If someone's already been here tonight they might comeback." George said. I went in hurrying to look for the Newt spleen. I found it and grabbed it. We closed the door locked it again before running off. Just before we left I heard a faint sound of metal tapping against the ground.