[Third Person POV]
Winter Holidays were just around the corner, which meant the students of Hogwarts were already buzzing with excitement, thinking about trunks to be packed, trains to be caught, and family reunions waiting. Arthur strolled leisurely down the castle corridor with Lance, Gwyneth, and Merlin by his side. Their footsteps echoed against the old stone floors, the faint chill of December creeping through the drafty hallways. They still had a good stretch to go before splitting off toward their dormitories to begin organizing their things.
"I honestly can't wait to go home," Gwyneth sighed dramatically, clasping her hands together as if already imagining it. "I miss my little plants…"
Lance shot her a puzzled look, brow arched. "Your plants? Really? That's what you miss?"
"Of course I miss my parents and my brother," she retorted with an indignant sniff. "I still write to them regularly through owls. But my plants—" she pressed her hands over her heart— "my poor little darlings have no way to send me letters. I have no idea how they're doing unless I see them with my own eyes."
Arthur blinked, slowing his steps. "Hold up. Did you just say… brother? Since when did you have a little brother?"
"Uhh, since I was one year old?" Gwyneth scoffed. "As much of a prat as he is, I suppose I do miss having him around…" She trailed off before glaring at them suddenly, pointing a warning finger. "But don't you dare repeat that to him. If he ever found out I admitted to missing him, he'd never let me hear the end of it."
Merlin tilted her head curiously. "Is he going to be coming to Hogwarts next year?"
"Yes!" Gwyneth beamed, the defensive tone melting away into excitement. "And I dearly hope he gets into Hufflepuff, just like me. It would be perfect, having him right there in my own House."
Lance smirked, folding his arms. "So… is he small like you?" he asked, half-teasing, half-genuinely curious. He couldn't help but wonder if it was a family trait or if Gwyneth was simply the exception.
Gwyneth froze, her mouth dropping open. "What is with you always going after my height?!" she huffed, cheeks puffing red as she looked about ready to tackle him. "For your information, I am the average height for a healthy young girl. It's the three of you who are abnormally tall—giant freaks, the lot of you!"
She puffed her chest out proudly, lifting her chin. "And I'll have you know, I'm taller than my brother!"
Arthur, hands shoved casually into his pockets, leaned closer to Lance with a sly grin. "Bet you a Sickle he surpasses her by next year."
"I'm not taking a losing bet," Lance muttered with a smirk, which earned him a chuckle from Arthur and Merlin alike. Gwyneth, however, looked utterly unimpressed, arms crossed in defiance.
"You two do realize I can hear you, right?" she said flatly. She rolled her eyes but quickly diverted the conversation before they could get another jab in. "Anyway—what about you lot? What are you planning to do during the holidays?"
"Practicing," Arthur and Lance said in unison, their voices overlapping with the kind of synchronicity training partners could manage.
"Ugh," Gwyneth groaned, dragging her hand down her face. "Right. I forgot who I was talking to for a moment. The two sword-swinging lunatics. How boring…"
Arthur and Lance exchanged a glance, then shared a quick, smug fist bump that made Gwyneth wrinkle her nose in disgust. Merlin giggled softly at the exchange.
As they continued down the corridor, passing by clusters of students wrapped in scarves and chatting eagerly about their plans, Arthur found himself bombarded by familiar greetings. Gryffindors called out to him warmly, a few slapping his shoulder as they passed, others offering a quick head nod from across the hall. One boy stretched out his hand mid-stride for a swift high-five, which Arthur returned without missing a beat. It all happened so naturally, woven seamlessly into their conversation.
"What about you, Mer-lynn?" Gwyneth asked, deliberately ignoring the string of greetings Arthur had been receiving from passing Gryffindors. At this point, she had grown almost numb to it. The constant waves, cheerful nods, and friendly claps on the back had become part of their daily walk through the castle halls ever since Arthur's spectacular Quidditch performance.
That single match had changed things for him. Before, people knew of Arthur; now, they knew him. The game gave them a common ground, a reason to approach. And Arthur, being the natural charmer he was, never wasted the opportunity. He greeted everyone with ease, his words warm, his smile genuine, turning even the most casual curiosity into budding friendships.
"Arthur and I live together, so I'll just be accompanying him," Merlin said with a little shrug, her tone relaxed.
"I pity you," Gwyneth muttered, shaking her head as she reached over to pat Merlin's back in mock sympathy.
Arthur's head whipped toward her. "What's that supposed to mean?!" he exclaimed, his voice full of indignation.
"Poor girl can't even enjoy her holiday properly because she's stuck with someone like you." Gwyneth shook her head solemnly, as if Merlin were some tragic figure in a tale of misfortune.
Merlin giggled softly, covering her mouth, while Arthur's face twitched with irritation, his lips pressing into a tight line. Before he could snap back, however, two familiar Gryffindors approached.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil hurried up, Parvati clutching a notebook. She looked slightly flustered as she extended it toward Arthur. "Thanks so much for your Potion notes, Arthur. They were a big help."
"Sure, no problem. I'm glad they could be of use to you," Arthur said, smiling with effortless charm as he tucked the notebook back under his arm.
Gwyneth and Lance visibly cringed at the sight, almost shielding their eyes as though his smile were radiating blinding sparkles.
"Your notes are so well-organized, and your writing is just so beautiful," Lavender added, her voice almost dreamy.
Arthur chuckled politely, after exchanging a few words back and forth both girls turned away, giggling as they practically speed-walked back down the corridor. Lavender nudged Parvati in the ribs, whispering something that made them laugh even harder.
"You piss me off," Gwyneth muttered darkly, her eyes narrowing in contempt.
"I agree…" Lance said, his expression deadpan but his tone dripping with annoyance.
"Huh? What did I do?" Arthur blinked at them innocently, looking genuinely confused.
"Unlike a certain someone, making friends with practically the entire House doesn't just happen for the rest of us," Gwyneth said flatly, his arms folding across his chest.
Arthur tilted his head, flashing another grin. "What are you talking about? It's simple. All you have to do is be polite and smile. A kind smile can take you a hundred miles." He flashed another one of his warm, infuriatingly perfect smiles just to drive his point home.
"Ugh!" Gwyneth groaned, throwing her hands up in front of her face as though blocking out blinding sunlight. "Lance, if you will…"
Lance sighed heavily but played along. He glanced around, spotting a fellow Slytherin passing by. Channeling his best Arthur impression, he put on a warm, welcoming smile and said brightly, "Hello! I hope you enjoy your holiday!"
The boy gave him a cold look, scoffed, and kept walking. "I hope you don't," he sneered without missing a beat, striding away without a backward glance.
Lance's smile wilted into a deadpan expression as he turned back to Arthur. "See," he said monotonously, as if delivering irrefutable proof.
Arthur and Gwyneth both fought hard to contain themselves, their faces heating up red as their shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. Merlin, on the other hand, had no restraint. She doubled over, pointing shamelessly at Lance while cackling so loudly it echoed down the hall.
That was all it took. Arthur and Gwyneth broke almost simultaneously, bursting into laughter. Arthur wiped a tear from his eye, then casually slipped out his wand. With a subtle flick, the Slytherin boy's shoelaces came undone and tied themselves together. A moment later, the boy tripped spectacularly, face-planting onto the cold stone floor. Arthur quickly pocketed his wand as if nothing had happened, his laughter blending seamlessly with the group's.
Resting an arm over Lance's shoulder, Arthur smirked. "I think your smile was lacking a little pizzazz," he teased, patting his friend lightly on the chest.
Lance, despite himself, couldn't help but grin, his smile was more genuine due to Arthur's quick action to defend him.
Arthur winked. "See, That's more like it."
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