The Crystal Ball
Fred Weasley wasn't entirely sure why he and George were bothering with their OWL Divination practical. Well, obviously it was to prank their examiners, but sitting in front of the crystal ball made it all seem so much more serious.
"Now, what do you see?" Professor Tofty said.
Fred made a show of staring into the ball, but saw only his own reflection. No, wait…
"I see George," he murmured. "My twin. But...he's older. And his ear's missing. Oh, I see it now. But that's not George, that's me. And now...nothing."
Fred blinked and looked up. He felt like he'd gone into some sort of trance. Professor Tofty was staring at him, disappointed.
"Well, ah, good effort," he vacillated. "But it does rather sound like your own reflection. Perhaps better luck with palmistry?"
Fred felt off his game all exam. But by the time he went to bed, he was half-convinced he was imagining it. And in the morning, it was nothing but a dream.
"You really are joking, Perce!" Fred said in delight, pausing for a moment mid-battle to grin at his newly reconciled brother. A moment too long; something crashed through the wall. Fred realised a large piece of rubble was headed his way, and his mind flashed back four years.
"I see George. My twin. But...he's older. And his ear's missing. Oh, I see it now. But that's not George, that's me. And now...nothing."
And there was nothing.
