Chapter 2: A New Face

The Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station, spewing out a tide of students eager to start the new school year. The castle loomed above, its turrets and towers glinting in the morning sun like a mirage of magic and possibility. Fred Weasley, now a seasoned student, was among the returning crowd, his mischievous grin firmly in place as he chatted with his friends. As they made their way to the Great Hall for the welcoming feast, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. The long tables were laden with golden plates, goblets, and silverware, and the ceiling was enchanted to look like the sky outside, a brilliant blue dotted with fluffy white clouds. The air was thick with the scent of roasting meat, freshly baked bread, and the sweet tang of pumpkin juice. Fred's eyes scanned the crowd, taking in the familiar faces and the newcomers. That's when he saw her – a girl with long, dark hair and striking green eyes that sparkled like emeralds in the sunlight. She was standing near the entrance, looking a bit out of place but radiating an air of quiet confidence that drew Fred in like a magnet. "Who's the new girl?" Fred asked George, nodding towards the mysterious green-eyed girl. George followed his gaze and shrugged. "No idea, but she looks like she's from Ilvermorny. I heard they've got some new students transferring this year." As they took their seats at the Gryffindor table, Fred couldn't help but sneak glances at the girl. She was chatting with Professor McGonagall, who was smiling warmly at her. Fred noticed the way the girl's eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled, and the way her hair fell in loose waves down her back. The feast began, and the Great Hall erupted into a cacophony of chatter and clinking silverware. Fred tried to focus on the food and his friends, but his eyes kept drifting back to the green-eyed girl. She seemed to be enjoying the feast, laughing and chatting with her new classmates. As the evening drew to a close, Fred found himself wondering about the mysterious girl. What was her name? What was she like? And why did he feel an inexplicable pull towards her? As the students began to file out of the Great Hall, Fred made his move. He excused himself from his friends and made his way over to the green-eyed girl, who was lingering near the entrance. "Hi, I'm Fred Weasley," he said, flashing his famous grin. "Welcome to Hogwarts." The girl smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm Maria Underwood. Thanks for the welcome, Fred." Fred's heart skipped a beat as their hands touched, and he felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this way about someone. As they chatted, Fred discovered that Maria was a transfer student from Ilvermorny, and she was excited to be starting her first year at Hogwarts. She was smart, witty, and had a quick sense of humor that left Fred grinning from ear to ear. As they parted ways, Fred couldn't shake off the feeling that he'd just met someone special. He felt a sense of excitement and anticipation that he hadn't experienced in a long time. Little did he know, his life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would lead him down a path of discovery, passion, and love. The embers of change were smoldering, waiting to ignite, and Fred was about to find himself at the center of a whirlwind romance that would change his life forever.