**Chapter 6: A Touch of Fate**

The Hogwarts corridors were always bustling with students rushing to their next class or gathering in groups to discuss the latest Quidditch match. Fred Weasley navigated the crowded hallways with ease, his eyes scanning the sea of faces for a glimpse of Maria Underwood. He'd been thinking about her nonstop since their conversation in the Great Hall, and he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement whenever he saw her. As he turned a corner, Fred spotted Maria walking towards him, her long brown hair flowing behind her like a river. He quickened his pace, his heart beating a little faster in his chest. They were heading in opposite directions, but Fred was determined to catch up to her. Just as they were about to pass each other, a group of rowdy students burst out of a nearby classroom, causing a commotion in the corridor. Fred and Maria were swept up in the chaos, their arms brushing together as they tried to avoid colliding with the others. For a moment, they stood there, their arms touching, the spark between them growing stronger. Fred felt a jolt of electricity run through his body, and he knew that Maria felt it too. They exchanged a brief, electric smile, and Fred's heart skipped a beat. "Sorry about that," Maria said, laughing as she pulled her arm away. Fred grinned, feeling a little breathless. "No worries. I'm just glad I didn't drop you." Maria playfully rolled her eyes. "I'm not that fragile, Fred." As they stood there, the crowd began to disperse, and the corridor grew quieter. Fred felt a sense of disappointment wash over him, not wanting the moment to end. But then, Maria smiled up at him, and he knew that he wasn't ready to let her go just yet. "Hey, want to walk with me for a bit?" Fred asked, falling into step beside her. "I've got a few minutes before my next class." Maria nodded, and they strolled down the corridor together, their arms brushing against each other as they walked. As they talked, Fred found himself feeling more and more at ease around Maria. He loved the way she laughed, the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about something she was passionate about. He couldn't help but notice the way her hair fell in loose waves down her back, or the way her smile could light up a room. Maria, too, was enjoying Fred's company. She'd been a bit intimidated by him at first, with his reputation as a prankster and a troublemaker. But as she got to know him, she realized that there was more to Fred than met the eye. He was charming and witty, with a quick sense of humor and a kind heart. As they walked, the tension between them grew, a slow-burning fire that threatened to ignite at any moment. Fred couldn't help but feel drawn to Maria, to the quiet confidence and spark in her green eyes. He knew that he wanted to spend more time with her, to get to know her better, and to see where this newfound connection might lead. As they approached the entrance to the Great Hall, Maria glanced at her watch. "I'm running a bit late for my next class," she said, smiling up at Fred. "But it was great running into you." Fred grinned, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Yeah, same here. Maybe I'll see you at dinner?" Maria nodded, and they parted ways, the spark between them still burning bright. Fred couldn't wait to see her again, to talk to her, to get to know her better. He had a feeling that this was just the beginning of something special, something that would change his life forever.