Entr'acte: Chapter 1
A multi-chapter story by Ky'atia
Part of the "The Dance" series; Prequel to "The Dance"
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Fred dashed down the corridor of the school train, not caring who or what he ran into. He was devastated. He couldn't remember that last time he had been this upset. Echoes from the fight that morning still rang in his memory.
He knocked again, this time more loudly, on their bedroom door, worried. It was unlike George to keep their door locked. Getting no reply yet again, he knew there had to be something wrong. He unlocked the door with his wand, pulled the door open, and drew back in revulsion at the sight he found there.
Fred found himself sitting in an empty compartment, not entirely sure how he had gotten there. It didn't matter. Nothing really did just then. He had lost his best friend, his brother, over an argument. Well, several really. They had been having arguments over the summer holidays. They had started small; more of a disagreement, but soon the twins were hardly speaking. He knew they should have stopped arguing sooner, but they didn't, and this last fight had been the icing on the cake for both of them. They couldn't take it any longer.
"Another one, George?!"
"Why the hell do you care? It isn't your business. It's--"
"The hell it isn't! My own brother, a--"
"Don't even say it again! I don't want to hear it any more."
"Then stop doing it! What are you on now? Isn't this the seventh this summer alone?!"
"Yes, it is. And I don't see how it has anything to do with you. It isn't like you care."
"I don't CARE?! George, just tell me why you are doing this."
"Fuck you, Fred. I am done with this."
"Oh, yeah? Well I have news for you George. This fighting bullshit is over. All I have tried to do this summer was talk with you. You only get defensive, and you know what? That is fine. I don't care anymore. Fuck this; I hate being your twin."
They both looked at each other in disbelief; they were at a loss for words. Never in their lives had they ever said, or even thought, anything like that.
"George, I--"
"Don't speak to me."
And he left, leaving Fred alone without another word.
Fred felt his forehead pressing against the cool glass window. He was paying to attention to the countryside passing by him. He simply didn't care. It seemed like their argument had happened such a long time ago, when in reality it was mere hours beforehand. He closed his eyes and tried to forget the morning's events. He didn't even notice when someone joined him in the compartment.
"Do you mind if I sit… Fred? Is that you?"
Fred looked up. He must have looked horrible because Oliver ran over and sat down next to him. "Fred, what happened to you?"
"Nothing, Oliver. Thank you. Unless, of course, you count being hit by a train. And of course you can sit here," Fred sniffled and wiped his eyes. He hadn't even realized that his face was covered in tears.
"Are you sure you're okay? I don't normally see people crying if they are perfectly happy."
Fred nodded. "You're right. I just don't really want to talk about it just now."
"Should I leave?" he asked.
"No. Don't go," Fred pleaded, surprising himself. "It's just… I would like the company is all."
"Where is George?"
Fred's breathing changed at once and Oliver jumped back. "What is wrong? Is he okay?"
Fred covered his face and nodded. "We… we… just had a fight," Fred sobbed, his mind opening up, thoughts pouring out in a flood. "A really, bad, stupid fight and it was my fault because I shouldn't have been bothering him but I kept pressing it and should have just left him alone but I had to go on and say that and I don't even know why I said it because now I feel so stupid because now he is mad at me and won't talk to me and it is my fault."
Oliver sat looking stunned for a moment before awkwardly patting Fred on the shoulder. "Umm… well, I am sorry to hear about that, Fred," he said. "Is there anything that I can do right now?"
"No. Not really. The last time something like this happened it took us months to speak again. We never fight, but when we do, it is horrible."
"Well, I am sure in time it will blow over," he replied, trying to comfort him somehow.
"I'm sure he's already gotten to our friends and told them that I was just being horrible or something."
"Why don't you just come with me for the Start-of-Term feast?"
Fred thought about that for a moment. He and George always ate the Start-of-Term feast together. But, eating with George wasn't an option, so what did he have to lose? He and Oliver were good enough friends from their years of Quidditch together. What harm could there possibly come from eating a meal with a friend? "Are you sure?"
"Of course. We've known each other for years and never spent any time together. Why not?"
"Well… okay. You're right! Why not?"
"Good. Now, let's go ahead and get changed. It will be awhile before we get there, but the changing rooms will be crowded later."
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Later that night, Fred and Oliver sat across from one another in the Great Hall. Neither could remember the last time they'd just sat and talked and it was quite refreshing for the both of them to catch up, especially for Fred. Not only did it help keep his mind off of his problems with George, but he had been worried that he would be spending this year mostly alone. Oliver, it seemed, was willing to be his friend when he needed one and that meant the world to Fred.
"What are you planning to do after Hogwarts, Oliver?"
Oliver took a drink of his pumpkin juice and replied slowly, "Well… I might try out for a Quidditch league. I don't really know. I guess I haven't given it much thought."
Fred nodded. "I understand. I know I'm only in fifth year, but I do still need to think about it. I don't have a clue about any 'real' jobs. The only thing I've ever wanted to do is open up a joke shop with George, but now…"
"Hey, don't worry about it. I know it is hard now, but you two will patch things up. I know it."
Fred blinked back emotion and met Oliver's eyes. "Thanks. We might, but it will… be quite a while."
"Well, you know you can always talk to me," Oliver said earnestly.
"I know. And that makes a difference. Thank you."
Dumbledore then called their attention to the front of the room and announced the end of the feast. The room filled with the deafening screeches of the benches being pushed back. Oliver motioned for Fred to walk with him to the common room. They heard someone announce that the password was 'Quidditch' when they arrived at the entrance.
After they climbed through the portrait hole, the two parted ways to unpack in their respective dormitories. Once Fred got to his room, he saw George. George didn't look at him. "George…"
The only sign that George had even heard his brother was a slight stiffening of the shoulders before returning to his unpacking.
"George, please. I am sorry. I didn't mean it!" Fred pleaded with him. But by the looks of things, to George, Fred may as well have not even been there. Fred walked over to him and grabbed his shoulders, spun him around to face him. George wouldn't have it. He struggled to get free from his brother's grasp and punched him hard in the stomach. Fred collapsed to the ground, clutching his stomach. George glared down at him and stalked out of their dormitory.
A wave of anger washed over Fred. 'Fine,' he thought. 'If that is how he wants to be, then that is great. I don't need him and he obviously doesn't need me. I have another friend. I don't need him or his friends.'
Fred brought himself gingerly to his feet and began unpacking. The blow would probably leave a bruise, but it didn't matter. He had truly lost George. He had thought that it would hurt more than it was. Maybe the pain came later, once the anger ran out.
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A/N: So, I know this was a short chapter. I promise that they will get longer. This is currently un-beta read. If anyone would be willing to beta read for me, please drop me a line. Thank you. Right now, this story looks like it will be between 12 and 15 chapters, certainly no shorter, and possibly longer. Please feel free to send in your requests. If there is a particular scene that you have always wanted to see with Oliver and Fred, I will do my best to include it so long as it won't interfere with the overall plot too much, and I will give you credit for the idea. Review, please! Thanks for reading.