Harry Potter's : Fantastic Beasts Guide

"David... wake up. David... wake up."

In his sleep, David thought he heard Tina's voice, soft and familiar, urging him to wake up. Groggily, he scratched his face and muttered, "Grandma, just five more minutes. Let me sleep a little longer..."

The words were barely out of his mouth when he jolted awake. He wasn't home. He wasn't in his cozy little bed by the garden. His eyes snapped open, and he quickly realized where he was. Across from him stood Hermione, her expression a mix of surprise, confusion, and a hint of alarm.

"Ahem… Hermione, I think I must've been dreaming. Sorry about that." David coughed awkwardly, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Hermione's lips twitched as though she was suppressing a laugh. Finally, she nodded, but didn't say anything.

"Promise you won't tell anyone what just happened?" David asked hopefully, holding his breath.

Hermione tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Hmm, should we make a promise? Maybe pull a pinky hook?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

David groaned. "I mean it, Hermione! Please!"

"Alright, alright!" Hermione giggled, her voice light and teasing. "I won't tell. I promise. Consider it our little secret." She tapped his shoulder playfully.

"Thanks," David said, exhaling in relief. "Let's get going now. It's nearly morning."

Hermione nodded and glanced outside. The sky was already lightening, with the faintest glow of dawn peeking over the horizon. It had to be around 4 or 5 a.m., and though it was a weekend, they didn't want to risk being caught.

Together, they activated the invisibility charm once more and quietly left the area where they'd been hiding. The white unicorn, who had spent the night lying near David and keeping him warm, lifted its head briefly but soon rested again, unbothered by their departure.

As they moved through the darkened halls of the castle, David asked, "So, will you come with me again sometime?"

Hermione's response was immediate: "No!" She blurted the word with such force that David blinked in surprise. But then, after a moment of hesitation, she added more quietly, "Well… maybe if it's just once a week. The forest is fascinating."

David grinned, pleased with her change of heart. "I knew you couldn't resist."

When they finally reached the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, the Fat Lady was already awake in her frame.

"Dragon scum," David whispered, giving the password.

"Who's there?!" The Fat Lady shrieked, clearly startled. Though she'd heard the password, she couldn't see anyone thanks to their invisibility charm.

"You scared her!" Hermione whispered, giving David a light slap on the arm.

The Fat Lady, however, was now in a full-blown rant. "Fred? George? Is that you two again? I know it's you! Always sneaking in and out, playing your silly pranks. Well, this time, I'll report you to Dumbledore!"

David groaned as the portrait swung open. "Let's get inside before she gets even more upset," he whispered to Hermione.

Once inside the common room, they released the invisibility charm. Hermione flashed David a grin. "See you later—oh, no, see you this afternoon," she said, slipping off toward the girls' dormitory.

"See you," David said, then paused. He glanced back toward the Fat Lady, feeling a twinge of guilt. Slipping out again, he said, "Madam, I'm really sorry. It was me earlier—I accidentally startled you. I didn't mean to frighten you."

The Fat Lady squinted at him suspiciously. "You? I don't believe it. It had to be Fred and George Weasley. They're always sneaking around and causing trouble."

"No, really, it wasn't them—" David started to explain, but she waved him off.

"Don't bother covering for them, dear. I know those two troublemakers when I hear them!" She huffed, clearly unconvinced.

Just as David turned to leave, the Fat Lady's angry voice rang out again: "You two are back already?! Oh, you've got some nerve!"

Sure enough, George and Fred Weasley were standing outside the portrait hole, looking tired but unapologetic.

"Dragon scum," one of them muttered, and the portrait swung open.

"Hi, David," Fred said with a yawn. "Up early, are you?"

"Or maybe up late?" George added with a smirk.

"Um, hi," David said awkwardly. "Listen, about earlier… The Fat Lady thought it was you two playing a prank. It was actually me, but she didn't believe me when I tried to explain."

Fred's face lit up. "Wait, wait, wait—you fooled the Fat Lady into thinking it was us?"

"That's brilliant!" George exclaimed.

"Absolutely brilliant!" Fred echoed. "How'd you do it? You've got to teach us!"

"Yeah, come on, share your secrets!" George added, slinging an arm around David's shoulders.

David sighed, overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. "Fine, fine. I'll teach you another time."

Fred grinned. "Deal! From now on, you're officially one of us."

"Anything you need, just let us know," George chimed in.

"But not now," Fred said with a dramatic yawn.

"Definitely not now," George agreed, heading toward the boys' dormitory. "We've been running all over the castle all night. Time for a nap."

David watched them go, marveling at how effortlessly they finished each other's sentences. "See you later, I guess," he said, heading to his own bed.

Sliding under the warm covers, he let out a deep sigh of contentment. Today had been an adventure, and he couldn't help but smile as he drifted off to sleep.