Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, the honors for creating this terrific universe go to J.K Rowling.
It was Christmas time, or at least, just a few hours before it actually would be Christmas. And Harry, as usual, had been invited to stay with the Weasley's, rather than being alone at school or even worse, going to the Dursley's. Harry had to admit that Christmas at the Weasley's was great, even if you never knew what to expect. The scent of pine needles was heavy in the air and a fire crackled in the hearth as he and Ron entered the kitchen and saw one of the twins banging his head repeatedly against the oak table that Molly had just finished polishing. ''Is this a new tradition?'' Harry whispered as they sat down, wondering if the twins were up to their usual business, or if something was off. ''I don't have clue. Don't want to ask though.'' Ron shrugged.
''Is he still doing that?'' another voice blared through the room. Both Harry and Ron looked to the door to the living room, only to see the other twin staring at the scene. ''Forge, will you stop doing that, just tell us what's up. You are going to leave a mark, and I'm not going to bump my head into a table all day to make us identical twins again.'' Fred said, walking towards his twin, but George didn't stop.
''Just how long has he been doing that?'' Harry wondered out loud. ''Since this morning. Percy said something, don't recall what though, I couldn't care what prefects blabber about, and neither should he.'' Fred said, shaking his head at George's behaviour. ''We should stop him then, this can't be healthy.'' Harry observed, ''How are you going to do that? Seems to me at times they compete to be the most stubborn.'' Ron said. 'You mean that all Weasley's are stubborn.' Harry thought, but was reluctant to say it out loud. Not that it mattered, for Fred beat him to it. ''You're one to talk.'' he said, before managing to sneak a hand to George's forehead, lifting his head up, succesfully stopping the younger twin from banging his head on the table.
''Leave me alone.'' George mumbled. ''What were you even doing? Knocking yourself out? You weren't making progress. Not that I care, I would have taken care of your share of the christmas dinner.'' Ron said. ''Take it.'' George mumbled. ''We can't let Ron eat that much, Draco would kill us if we let him grow fat, he's awfully shallow.'' Harry said, Fred nodded in agreement, turning to George as he said, ''Come on, at least tell me what's up then.'' ''I want to skip Christmas dinner all together, I just don't feel like it.'' George said.
''Are you mad? Christmas is a wonderful time, especially here. Why would you want to skip Christmas?'' Harry interrupted, then felt slightly guilty. It was not really his place, maybe George just wasn't feeling like it. He couldn't imagine it though, seeing how George possessed such a cheerful character. ''I really don't want to talk about it.'' George said, somewhat glum, as he got up. ''I'm going to bed.'' he added, before going upstairs.
''Sheesh, what has crawled up his arse and died. Say, Fred, you two have twinpathy, right? Why not read his mind, find out that way?'' Ron asked. ''It doesn't work like that, Ron. Wait, it doesn't, right?'' Harry asked, just to be sure, they were wizards after all. ''It doesn't.'' Fred informed them. ''I've never seen him like this before. I'm not sure what to do, how to react.'' Fred told them, pouring himself a cup of coffee. He offered Harry one as well, who refused.
''Ron, do you recall what Percy said at breakfast?'' Harry asked. Ron shook his head, ''I was focusing on my second helping of that great bacon mum served, afraid I would miss out.'' Ron admitted. ''I think your stomach is taking over your body. Try using your brain for once.'' Fred sneered. ''You weren't listening either.'' Harry deadpanned. ''I had a valid reason.'' Fred defended, but the sheepish grin told everyone otherwise.
''Harry? Didn't know you were here. Should have expected it.'' anther voice joined the conversation and Harry looked up to see Percy. ''Percy, long time no see.'' Harry said, as he shook Percy's hand. ''How are you doing?'' he asked. ''Great. I'm currently applying for a job at the ministry of magic. How are things at Hogwarts?'' Percy asked. ''Wonderfull. Almost got killed by a basilisk, got betrayed by Ron's former rat, and had to fight a werewolf. But otherwise, fantastic.'' Harry answered.
''You always have been followed by strange circumstances.'' Percy said with a smile. ''Speaking of which, it seems like one's been following George as well.'' Fred said. ''Oh?'' Percy asked, ''Are you sure it's not just you and George's childish behavior again?'' he asked, as he quirked an eyebrow. ''George is the one suffering from weird behavior, not me. Since you said something at breakfast, he's been silent, and kept banging his head against this very table.'' Fred said.
''Something I said this morning? I only told mom that I've invited my friend, Oliver Wood, over for Christmas. She was okay with it.'' Percy said. ''Oliver Wood. As in, our former beloved beater, our Scottish hero? The former Quidditch captain of Gryffindor?!'' Ron said excitedly. ''Oliver Wood, the one that complied with that awful joke Katja pulled on me, and took our brother's innocent lips?'' Fred joined in. ''Maybe he thinks Oliver wants to get us in shape, for Quidditch.'' Ron said. ''What the -?'' Percy didn't finish his sentence. ''Ron decided to replace his brains with his stomach, don't bother. Maybe George is tired. Just let it go.'' Harry said.
''You are probably right.'' Percy agreed, just before they heard banging on the door. ''I'll get it. Go to bed, before mom sees you, she'll throw a fit if we don't sleep the night before Christmas.'' Percy said. The three teens nodded, bolting upstairs. Percy swallowed, what if it was an ominous dark wizard, or worse, the one-who-must-not-be-named? He shook his head, but held his wand prepared, just in case, as he opened the door.
''Perce, I'm sorry for bothering this late, but I arrived earlier then expected.'' Oliver said. ''I can see that. That eager to celebrate Christmas here, old chap?'' Percy asked with a grin, putting his wand away. Oliver nodded, ''Mind if I come in? Scotland may have some chilly winds, but the United Kindom has a far more watery cold.'' Oliver said. ''By any means, come in.'' Percy said, ''We didn't expect you this early though. I'm not sure if we can give you a place to sleep.'' he added. ''All I need is a couch, I already brought a blanket.'' Oliver said with a generous smile.
As Fred entered the bedroom, he found his brother sound asleep. Still, his mind felt clouded, and his troubled feeling hadn't vanished. He quietly sneaked over, before ruffling through George's hair. ''What's troubling you? You are acting so strange.'' he wondered out loud. ''Not stranger than when you are around Angelique.'' his brother replied, blinking his eyes a few times. ''You weren't sleeping, were you?'' Fred asked, George shook his head. ''So, who's on your mind then? Better not be Angelique.'' Fred joked, laying down besides his brother. George snuggled closer, Fred always provided nice comfort. ''She's not. She'll be yours to handle, I keep my hands away from that.'' George answered. ''She's feisty, that is why I like her to begin with.'' Fred joked.
George smiled, the comfort of Fred's arm nearly lulling him asleep. ''So, who is it?'' Fred eagerly asked. ''You are not going to give up anytime soon, are you?'' George asked, Fred shook his head. ''I'm your twin brother, we're supposed to support each other.'' Fred said. ''So, when I tell you that I like blokes, then you say?'' George asked, feeling a little shy, glad that Fred couldn't see his flushed cheeks. ''As long as it isn't my chest you're gawking at, I'm cool with it. More ladies for me.'' Fred said.
Relief washed over George, ''Thanks. I've been needing to hear that.'' he replied. ''How long have you been holding that in?'' Fred asked. ''Two years, or so.'' George told him. ''Isn't that when Katja asked you and-'' things began to click in Fred's mind. ''You aren't really pregnant, are you?'' he asked, pretending to be shell-shocked. ''No.'' George said, ''But it was a nice perk you believed that. We haven't done that much, I doubt he'll remember it. No one wants to remember such a mortifying moment.'' he added. ''Wouldn't be too sure about that. Why don't you get some sleep? At least you've someone to confide in from now on.'' Fred told his younger brother. ''Much appreciated. Don't go babbling this around.'' George said, before falling into a deep sleep.
Fred watched his brother fall asleep, as he recalled the events of the dreadful day that Katja of all people had pulled a prank on him. He remembered the elated look on her face, the satisfied glint his brother had when Oliver had kissed him, and the charming way Oliver seemed to care for said twin brother. And as the genius he was, his mind was starting to come up with oh-so many ways to have his brother happy by the end of Christmas.
As George was one of the first that morning to wake up, he quietly padded downstairs to enjoy some tea. As he descended, he spotted a sleeping figure on the couch. ''Dad, have you been drinking again? Mom will kil-'' his breath hitched as he saw who it really was. Dark brown eyes stared back at him, as Oliver asked, ''Did you just call me daddy?'' ''Oliver, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-.'' George blushed.
A devilish smile appeared on Oliver's face. ''Technically, I recall this incident at Hogwarts, Gryffindor room wasn't it? How's our precious baby doing?'' he asked. George relaxed, as he caught on to the little joke. ''Marvelous. He's been keeping me awake, and poops like his life depends on it. Did I mention that he's learning to fly?'' George told Oliver as he walked over and sat on the edge of the couch. ''Such raw talent. Happens when the parents are that awesome.'' Oliver said.
''So, how are you doing?'' George asked. ''Great. I'm living the dream, I've always been fond of Quidditch.'' Oliver said. ''Never noticed.'' George deadpanned, before adding ''I always thought you indifferent.'' ''Are you mocking me?'' Oliver asked. ''Just kidding.'' George replied. ''There happens to be a severe punishment for those who mock my very life.'' Oliver said, ''It's called tickledeath. Can't do that to my favorite mommy of course, but I can tickle you until you'd say merlin.''
''Oliver, I...-'' George hesitated. ''Something wrong?'' Oliver asked, his eyebrows furrowing in concern. ''I'm glad you are joining us for Christmas.'' George settled on saying. ''Me too.'' Oliver nodded in appreciation. An awkward silence grew between them, as George wasn't sure what he was supposed to say. Oliver eventually asked, ''Are the others awake yet? I'd like to take a shower, but don't wish to be a bother.''
''You're not!'' George instantly said, maybe a little too loud, making Oliver scrunch his eyebrows. ''A bother I mean.'' George said, this time tempering his volume. ''Oh.'' Oliver said, dumbfounded. ''As far as I could tell, no-one was awake yet. Go ahead. It's upstairs, the room on the left next to the staircase, first floor. You can take one of the towels off the pile in the bathroom.'' George told him. ''Thanks mate.'' Oliver replied, before heading upstairs.
''Subtle.'' a voice said, just after George heard Oliver turn on the shower. He snapped his head up, expecting Fred to have eavesdropped, or even worse, Percy. Instead he found Charlie, leaning against the door that led to the kitchen. ''How much did you hear?'' George asked, not bothering to pretend he was surprised or offended. ''Almost all of the conversation. I assumed that the daddy/ mommy stuff was a joke.'' Charlie said. ''Sort of, it was part of a prank we pulled on Fred.'' George said.
''But, the flirting tone, and the laid-back attitude both of you had seemed sincere. Did your prank leave you with more than you bargained for? You don't have to hide from us, we're your family.'' Charlie reassured, before offering his mug of coffee to George. ''I don't like coffee, more Fred's thing. And we weren't flirting.'' George countered. ''Hhm, could have fooled me. Both of you were as lovestruck as mating dragons.'' Charlie said. ''Eww.'' George instantly reacted. ''Yeah, not my best comparison, but you get the drift. I can give you the same advice as Nancy.'' Charlie said.
''Nancy? I assume a new pet dragon? Also, Nancy, really?'' George guessed. ''Yup.'' Charlie replied self-satisfied. ''Thanks, but no thanks.'' George said. ''Shouldn't we prepare breakfast for once, rather than mom. She'll throw a fit, she is always agitated around Christmas.'' he added. ''Sure, why not.'' Charlie shrugged, he and George had always prepared breakfast together for mother's day when they were younger, what was the big difference?
As they started preparing food, Fred woke up, noticing the empty spot next to him. 'George is up early. Oh well, maybe he was wondering if Oliver had arrived yet.' Fred was about to let it slide, then noticed someone taking a shower (perks of sleeping near the bathroom). A devious idea entered his mind, as he really figured he should switch George's shirt for a fancier one, rather than their mother's interesting sweaters. He pulled a tight-fitted shirt from his drawer, snuck inside the bathroom, and quickly exchanged the shirts while the person in the showercabin was distracted. When he got out, he looked at the shirt he had switched, before wondering where the hell George had gotten that, before shrugging it off, prefering to go ahead and have a bite.
Soon enough, nearly everyone save for Oliver (finishing up his shower), Bill (probably on his way) and Ron (sleeping) sat at the table, enjoying the marvelous breakfast George and Charlie had made. That is, everyone, apart from Ginny, who occupied herself gawking at Harry. Harry, of course didn't notice it, as he was absorbed in describing some candy and courses muggles ate to Mr. Weasley, who was fascinated. ''Mmm, thank you so much. This is great and shaves a bit of the holiday stress.'' Molly told George and Charlie before she turned to Percy. ''Speaking of holiday stress, what time did your friend come again, sweetie. I don't want to welcome him empty-handed.''
''Oliver you mean? He already arrived last night. He was chrashing on the couch.'' Percy replied. ''He's taking a shower now, I expect him to join us anytime now.'' Charlie added. ''You didn't offer him a bed?'' Molly asked sternly, as Fred choked on his coffee. ''We already offered the spare bed to Harry. It was Oliver's idea.'' Percy defended, as George patted his twin brother's back. ''Everything alright?'' Charlie asked Fred. ''Yeah, took a wrong sip.'' Fred replied hoarsely, but Charlie could tell by the look on his face that something was up.
He decided not to bother with it, he would eventually find out anyway. Maybe sooner than expected he thought as he saw Oliver walk in with a way too tight shirt, and a beet red face. ''Oh deary, there you are. Wait, Fred, isn't that your shirt?'' Molly said, as she spotted Oliver as well. ''I wondered where I left that.'' Fred said innocently, as George shot him an investigative look. ''It appears it got mixed up with my shirt.'' Oliver joked, as he joined the rest.
''Maybe our house ghost is active again, we should exorcise him.'' George said, giving Fred a kick underneath the table. ''We could always try and ground him.'' Charlie added, catching on when he saw Fred muttering the word ouch. ''Wait, I thought that house ghost crap was a joke to scare me when I was younger, I'm no longer that naive, you know.'' Ron said, with a pale face nonetheless. ''Sure you're not.'' George simply said, glad that his younger brother was so gullible.
Percy turned to Oliver, as he said, ''I did warn you about my weird family. Why did you want to come again?'' Oliver turned even deeper shade of red, as he replied, ''It's nice being here.'' None of them, aside from the keen eyes that belonged to Harry, noticed that he glanced at George as he said this. ''Sweetie, what would you like to eat?'' Molly asked Oliver, who hesitated before choosing. ''A slice of bread with a piece of bacon would be great, Mrs. Weasley.'' he eventually said, before adding, ''If you don't mind, I'd like to change my shirt first. That is, if I can find where this house ghost left it.''
''He usually hides it in the room next to the bathroom, in the drawer under the left bed.'' George deadpanned, eyeing Fred's sheepish smile. ''That's a real specific hiding spot.'' Ron said dumbfounded, almost making the Weasley siblings and Harry smack their foreheads. Maybe Ron's stomach did the thinking after all. Molly rolled her eyes, before she said with an ever so devious smile, ''I'm fairly certain that our little house ghost will do the dishes as well.'' Fred paled a little making Charlie and George snicker.
Oliver hurried upstairs in an attempt to retrieve his shirt, as breakfast resumed. ''Let me see, the room next to the shower.'' he said to himself, as he opened the door. Two separate beds were pushed together in the middle of the room. 'The twin's room. That is why Percy always complained when they pushed the beds together at Hogwarts.' Oliver thought fondly, as he thought back of the many rants Percy had given them. He looked at the left bed, it was a bit messy with the laundry splayed all over the bed. On the wall over the bed a picture of Angelique waved at him.
'Fred's side obviously. Should have known that he was said house ghost.' Oliver thought, as he rummaged through the drawer, retrieving his shirt. He switched the tight shirt for his own, a merry look on his face, as he felt relieved, after all, wearing such a tight shirt was embarrasing. He looked over to the other bed, it was neatly made up. The twins were so similar, yet so different if you asked him.
He shrugged, before heading back downstairs, rejoining the group. ''Here you go sweetie.'' Mollly said, presenting a plate with the requested slice of bread and bacon piled onto it. Ron was eyeing it quite enviously. ''Thank you Mrs. Weasley, but isn't that a bit too much?'' he asked, as the plate was held in front of him. ''Nonsense, you are almost as thin as Harry. Had to teach him to eat properly too.'' she said, and by the look on Harry's face, she wasn't joking. But still, it was common knowledge that the Weasleys lived on a tight budget. The eager look in her eyes and the motherly feeling she radiated, however, made it so that he couldn't refuse. ''Thanks.'' he said shyly, before taking the plate.
Soon enough, breakfast was over, and for some reaon, Fred wound up with the dishes, not that any of them minded. ''I'm going to take a shower.'' Ginny told her mother, who nodded her approval. ''Sure thing, sweetie.'' Molly replied, as she started cleaning the living room, along with Charlie and Percy, who offered to help out. Harry tried to as well, but she told him to go do something fun, like playing a boardgame with Ronald.
When Arthur offered, she asked him to cut some vegetables, in preparation of supper. ''Since this is your first time here, why not ask George there to give you a tour around?'' Charlie asked Oliver. If looks could kill, George's glare would have definitely melted him into a puddle of Charlie-goo. ''Sure, that'd be nice. If George doesn't mind.'' Oliver replied. ''I raised you two so well, Percy, you beter thank your brothers.'' Molly admonished. Percy wanted to say something about her being unfair, but didn't want to rile her up, Molly could be a veritable terror during holiday season
''So, a tour.'' George said, turning to Oliver, who nodded. ''A tour sounds good to me.'' he said. They decided to start upstairs, where they were least likely to bother Molly, but George didn't neglect to give Charlie a sharp look, too bad he only grinned in return. ''So, you've already seen my room and the shower.'' George said, as they stood in the narrow hallway, that had seven doors to several rooms, and one staircase that went a floor up.
''And the living room, the kitchen. What other interesting treasures does this house have to offer?'' Oliver asked, giving George a once-over, causing him to blush. ''Well, we have my brother's rooms. By that I mean Bill's former room, that is full with old stuff, Charlie's former room with interesting books, I used to play with his figurine collection of dragons, and there is Percy's room, which is as boring as he is.'' George told him. ''I wouldn't visit Ron's or Ginny's room. His is a mess, and she'll kill anyone that trespasses there.'' he added.