My Father's Legacy - Fred Weasley 18+

Ellen strolled through the ancient corridors of Hogwarts, the sun pouring in through the stained glass windows and casting colourful patterns on the stone floors that Sunday morning. Her heart raced with excitement as she walked side by side with Neville, Sterling, Fred, Blaise, Aurora, and Septima. The air buzzed with anticipation, the energy palpable as they headed toward the Quidditch pitch for their first real practice session in preparation for the teacher's tournament.

It felt surreal to her that they were actually organising this, the vibrant idea that sprung from a conversation with Sterling, was now a shared reality. Ellen remembered the thrill of the last time she had flown, the wind whipping through her hair and the exhilaration of soaring high above the ground. Quidditch had always been a passion of hers, but now, it held even more significance—a chance to bond with colleagues and friends beyond the labels of students and teachers.

"This is going to be epic!" Fred shouted, a broad grin plastered across his face. He was practically bouncing on his feet, the energy radiating from him infectious. "I hope you've all been practicing your moves in secret, 'cause I'm coming for the gold!"

Blaise leaned forward, casually resting his arms on the back of Fred's neck in playful fashion. "Gold? You mean you're coming for the glory, right? We all know the real prize is bragging rights."

"Bragging rights and the best beer on the line, Blaise! Don't forget that!" Fred shot back, laughing as he playfully elbowed his tall friend.

Ellen couldn't help but chuckle along with them, her spirits soaring and her heart swelling with that familiar warmth of camaraderie. It was hard to believe that just a year ago, her life had been entirely different, filled with shadows of heartache and uncertainty. But now, she felt as if the layers of sorrow were peeling away, revealing something vibrant underneath—something hopeful.

"Watch out, Fred!" Septima shouted jokingly, feigning seriousness. "I might be coming for your Beater spot. I've been practicing my aim on rogue Bludgers. You might want to keep your distance!"

"Oh, is that so?" Fred said with an arch of his brow, his competitive spirit ignited. "I'd like to see you try."

As laughter rang out, Ellen glanced sideways at Sterling, who was walking closest to her. She caught a glimpse of his profile—his tousled hair, the way the sun caught the sharp angles of his jaw, and the warmth in his eyes as he participated in the banter. He was proving to be a stable anchor in her turbulent sea of emotions, and just thinking about him made her want to smile.

"Are you plotting against me?" Sterling said, breaking into her thoughts, his sharp eyes catching hers. "You realise I have to be on the lookout for your secret plans to dethrone me as captain, right?"

Ellen laughed lightly. "No plotting, I promise! Just friendly competition." She could feel a light blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Thank goodness, or I might have to recruit some backup!" he teased, a twinkle in his eye. It was moments like these that made Ellen feel a warmth bubbling inside her—a connection forming that was both exciting and terrifying.

"Let's go over some strategies first," Neville suggested, his voice steady but still brimming with friendly enthusiasm. "I mean, I think we should discuss our positions and tactics before we dive into actual practice." The chorus of chatter behind them filled the hallways and echoed through the castle.

"Okay so, our trip to Wales..." she said, hoping to divert the planning toward something fun. "We need a solid list of all the pubs to visit. I've heard that The Black Lion in Ystradgynlais has a great selection of local beers."

"Absolutely! Love a beer" Sterling replied, his excitement bubbling up. "Same for the Brecon Beacons. The hiking trails there are amazing, and they lead to some unbelievable views."