"Another year, another reason to drink. Am I right or am I right?"
It took Fred a long moment to process what his brother had asked him, his focus held on the picturesque countryside passing by him outside the window. Blame it on fatigue or blame it on one too many Chocolate Frogs brewing up a mean ache in his stomach, but he was, momentarily, far less entertaining than his usual self.
"There are a lot of reasons in this world to down a shot of Firewhiskey," Fred explained as he turned to face what was seemingly his own reflection. "And this, Georgie, nearly tops the list. Just below Mum when she's on a rampage."
"So her all the time, yeah?"
Laughter filled the small space as the boys shared the fond memories of tormenting their mother all summer long while they were on recess from school. With candy strewn all along the seats, robes hanging haphazardly from the hooks above them and the boys eventually roaring with laughter over possibilities of all the mayhem to come, it was almost too easy to miss a knock on the compartment door.
"Ahem."
Their noisy discussion of Wheezes and the first years they planned to target was cut short by a harsh throat clearing. Even a simple noise from her was almost distinguishable from others. George bit into a licorice wand as their attention shifted from one another to the brown haired girl in the door.
"We're talking official Wheezes business here, Hermione," George told her, using his half eaten candy to wag it at her warningly.
"Top secret stuff," Fred added as he popped an Every Flavoured Bean in his mouth.
"I could care less about your business, boys," she retorted coolly. "I'm looking for Harry and Ronald. I can't find them."
"Maybe they've gone off somewhere to snog," Fred offered with a grin and a waggle of his eyebrows. He swore he almost saw the glint of a smile come from her.
"Doubtful," she replied matter-a-factly. "Last Ron told me, he was using the lavatory and well—"
The twins watched as Hermione's stern demeanor turned slightly abashed.
"You want us to check the loo to see if ickle Ronnie-kins is still riding the porcelain pony."
Fred couldn't stifle his laughter and nearly choked on what was left of his Every Flavoured Bean. Covering his mouth, both to save them the sight of him hacking his candy back up and to try and control his snickering, he watched as Hermione's face changed from embarrassed to slightly amused.
"Yes, I suppose that's it," she agreed with an eye roll, cheeks tinged pink. "But I could've used a much less crude description, thank you very much."
"You're welcome," George chuckled as he stood up. "I'll go make sure Ron's got everything under control in there. If I don't come back—" George shot a look of fake seriousness to the two of them. "—I've probably put a dung bomb in his toilet so just wait for an explosion."
Fred's twin retreated the compartment, maniacal laughter echoing behind him. With a soft shake of his head, Fred grabbed another sweet and held up the bag to Hermione who was still lingering around, no doubt to see if Ron showed up in one piece or covered in toilet water.
"No thanks," she said properly. "I've already had too much of Harry's. Plus, I got a liver flavored one earlier and it hasn't quite settled yet."
Her laughter, so rare it seems, made the air between them a bit lighter.
"Ron thought I was kidding when I told him there is a bogey flavored one," Fred explained. "Not that I blame him for being skeptical, but it made things ten times better when he actually got one."
She couldn't hide her smirk and the sight was pleasant. After all the years he'd known Hermione, he could only remember a handful of times he'd seen her really laugh. And a girl like her, wound so tight all the time, could certainly use a chuckle or two every now and again.
"…can't even finish my business without getting ruddy interrupted…whole bathroom bloody heard it…can't believe—Hermione, why on Earth would you send them to get me?"
Ron was quick to send a stern and irritated look towards Hermione who looked both apologetic and amused at the same time. George followed close behind him, beaming with pride as he rejoined his twin and fell quickly into a fit of laughter.
"He charmed my—my ass to the toilet!"
"Ronald, relax," Hermione said as her voice quivered, aching to laugh. She laid a soothing hand on his chest. "I'm sorry, come on. We'll be at the school soon."
The boys barely heard Hermione bid them goodbye as Ron rubbed his rear self-consciously, the twins cackling with amusement as the two departed.
···················
"Oi! Sleeping Beauty!"
George's voice pierced through Fred's slumber, waking him instantly. Forehead cooled from leaning on the window and neck sore from craning it uncomfortably, Fred shook his head subtly and blinked quickly.
"I prefer Aurora," Fred joked lazily as he woke slowly. Running his long fingers through ginger locks, he looked up at his brother curiously. "What's up?"
"Unless you're planning on going back home to Mum and Dad, I'd suggest you pick up the pace. We're here."
George nodded towards the hall, motioning to exit the train. Fred was quick to join him, tossing his dark, billowing robes on like he had done a thousand times before and adjusting himself before following his brotherly silently.
Still half awake from an unsettled nap on the train, he groggily navigated himself through the dimly lit train platform and towards the carriages, blindly following George.
"You look like you just got over a sleeping potion, mate," George observed, hanging back to talk to his brother. "Look alive, yeah?"
"Sorry, sorry," Fred apologized and yawned simultaneously. "Sugar high's coming down is all."
"Yeah well I need your keen eye to help me find Katie."
Quick to offer a look of curiosity, Fred was fully aware of George's interest in their friend but he never passed up the opportunity to discuss the topic.
"Wouldn't be surprised if she's with Angelina," he said with a shrug. "The two are inseparable. You might have to fight to sit next to her."
"I'm not worried about Angelina," George said cockily as his brown eyes cast over the crowd of students. "I'm more worried about what we're going to do with you."
Fred shot his brother a confused glance before nearly toppling over a first year student.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well I'm sure as hell not tackling the taken life alone," George explained simply. "I need someone to get me through the sappy dates once I woo Katie. We're finding you a woman, Freddie my boy, and a good one at that."
"You can't take all this—" Fred gestured to his tall, lanky frame. "—Away from the single ladies of Hogwarts, mate. That's just wrong."
George grinned at his twin with a hint of mischief in his smile. Fred could only return the gesture. He had no idea what kind of plan his brother was concocting, but he wasn't about to start doubting him now. And surely this was just a passing joke; it certainly wouldn't be the first time.
"They're no quidditch queens," George noted as they approached the carriage area, talking up to a half-filled one with Ron, Hermione, Harry and Neville Longbottom in it. "Well, Harry is—" George let out a short laugh. "But they'll have to do.
"Got room for two more?" George asked, looking up into the carriage.
"Depends," Ron said sourly. "If you come, I can't guarantee I won't charm you to the seats."
Fred and George's similar laughs rang harmoniously as they hoisted themselves into the carriage without even a moment of hesitation, dismissing Ron's threat with a swift pat on the shoulder from each of them.