Chapter 3: A Deal is Struck
Several hours later, Kaylee sat upstairs in Ginny's room with Ginny and Hermione. Ron, Fred, and George had left with their father to collect Harry from his Aunt and Uncle's. Kaylee had always gotten along quite well with Ginny and Hermione. Though Ginny was three years younger, she was mature for her age. Kaylee thought it had something to do with growing up with 6 older brothers. Ginny had to be tough to live with so many boys.
Hermione was a lot like Kaylee in many ways. They were both knowledgeable and bookish, but Hermione was less inclined to break any rules and she lacked that wild streak Kaylee held. Nevertheless, Kaylee loved the two girls like they were her own flesh and blood.
"It's not fair," grumbled Ginny as she plopped down on her bed.
"What's that?" asked Kaylee, absentmindedly flipping through Quidditch Through The Ages.
"You grew boobs! You can barely tell I'm a girl with my flat chest, but the two of you have boobs now!" Ginny said indignantly.
Hermione and Kaylee shared a brief glance before the two burst into giggles. Ginny smiled sheepishly, and joined in the giggling.
"Don't worry Ginny. You'll get them too. Give it another year or so," said Hermione soothingly.
"Don't rush it. These boobs are a pain in the arse," grumbled Kaylee. "You wait till you have to wear a bra. Bloody uncomfortable."
"At least you'll attract plenty of attention this year if you know what I mean," said Ginny waggling her eyebrows up and down.
Kaylee just rolled her eyes but remained silent.
"Oh come on. We all know you'd like to attract the attentions of a certain someone," said Ginny suggestively.
"How is that situation going, by the way? I saw you talking to Fred and George earlier and it seemed normal to me," said Hermione.
Kaylee had been able her secret from everyone except Hermione and Ginny. Ginny knew what unrequited love looked like, having been head over heels for Harry in her first year. Hermione was just too observant for her own good, and had quickly spotted Kaylee's hidden affections for a certain red haired master of mayhem. However, the two girls were sworn to secrecy, and Kaylee trusted that they would both keep her secret.
"I'm glad I was able to fool you then. I must be getting better at this acting thing," Kaylee replied sadly.
"Still in love with him then?" asked Ginny kindly.
"If by love you mean I walk around with a constant stomach ache and forget how to do simple motor functions like walking, when he's around…well yes I suppose you could say that."
Kaylee sighed heavily and laid back against Ginny's bed, staring at the ceiling in misery. Hermione and Ginny shared a look of pure pity.
"I've been meaning to ask you…." Hermione began tentatively. "How can you be in love with George, but not Fred? I mean, aren't they almost the same person?"
Kaylee remained in her position of misery upon the bed as she answered, "You see, that's were everyone is wrong. Fred and George aren't two halves to a whole. They are two entirely separate people. No matter how much they look alike, or even act alike, they are different. See, George is sort of the conscious of the two. He is more hesitant than Fred to do something he knows is wrong. George actually talks Fred out of going through with some of the more dangerous ideas Fred gets."
"She's actually right about that," agreed Ginny, nodding her head.
"So Fred is the more…. rebellious one?" asked Hermione.
"Definitely. Don't get me wrong. I love Fred too. He's hilarious and kind and he's always had my back when I needed him. But the little differences he has from George have always been apparent to me. When I started having…. well, feelings for George, I knew I'd never think of them as the same person again. My heart doesn't start beating like mad when I see Fred. My stomach doesn't twist in knots whenever Fred touches me. I don't feel like there's a gaping hole in my chest whenever Fred isn't around," Kaylee finished miserably.
"So that's how you tell them apart!" Ginny exclaimed. "Well if that's what it takes to tell them apart, I'm fine with getting them mixed up thanks."
Hermione continued to watch Kaylee with a sad expression on her face. "You really love him don't you?" she asked softly.
"With every inch of my being," Kaylee replied sadly.
"I think…Kaylee I think you need to tell him," said Hermione.
Silence fell between the three girls. It was several moments before Kaylee spoke.
"Hermione, you know why I can't do that. We've been over this."
"I know. You don't want to lose him as your best friend. But Kaylee if you never tell him how you feel, you'll always wonder what would have happened if you had. You'll regret never knowing what could have been" she said wisely.
"Hermione is right, Kaylee. You've been in love with George for nearly 3 years now. You've been suffering in silence for long enough. Isn't it time you just get it out in the open?" Ginny asked.
"The thing is, I know what he would say if I did tell him. He doesn't look at me the same way I look at him. I can see it in his eyes. And…. this may sound foolish, but I'd rather be in his life as his best friend and be miserable, than not be in his life at all," Kaylee explained in a quiet voice.
"I dunno Kaylee. I saw the way he was looking at you downstairs. I think he might have just realized how attracted to you he is. I mean now you have boobs and everything…well I think George will be looking at you in a different way this year," said Ginny with a smile.
"Yes, my chest has magical properties that will ensnare any member of the opposite sex I desire," Kaylee chuckled. "If only."
"No, I saw it too. When you turned to walk upstairs, George just watched you until you were out of sight. He couldn't take his eyes off you." Hermione said with a knowing smile.
"Maybe you don't tell him straight out how you feel. Try flirting with him casually and see where that leads you," suggested Ginny.
"What do you mean flirt casually?" asked Kaylee, confused.
"Oh you know, tease him. In a different way you do now. Make your jokes a little more…risqué?" said Ginny with a grin.
"I dunno. I don't want to overstep my bounds."
"Let him set the boundaries. See how much he is comfortable with. Only go as far as he is willing to take it. If it never goes past friendly flirting, well then you'll know. But if it does advance into something more…" Ginny let her voice trail off.
"I guess I could try it out," said Kaylee pondering her words.
"It's not a bad idea. This way you can still keep your feelings a secret if you find out he only wants friendship," said Hermione.
Kaylee just nodded, still thinking about what casually flirting entailed.
Angry voices coming from downstairs began to reach their ears. Figuring Mr. Weasley must have gotten back with Harry, they all went downstairs to greet them. Mr. Weasley was scolding his twin sons when they entered the sitting room. From what Kaylee could make out from it, the twins must have fed Harry's cousin a Skiving Snackbox. Kaylee caught George's eye and it looked like he was fighting hard to suppress a smile. The Tongue Ton Toffee she had helped create must have been a success.
"Wotcher, Harry," Kaylee said to the dark haired fourth year.
"Hullo Kaylee. Have a nice holiday?" he asked grinning at her.
"Can't complain. Why don't we all, er, go upstairs to catch up."
Mrs. Weasley had just entered the room and Mr. Weasley was explaining what the twins had done. It looked like another row was about to take place. Catching on to her idea, they all retreated up the stairs again. Kaylee threw the twins an apologetic look before disappearing up the landing as well.
"Good thinking, suggesting we come upstairs," said Harry.
"The toffee worked then?" asked Kaylee eagerly.
"I'll say. You should have seen it! Dudley's tongue was about 3 feet long before I left," Harry said laughing.
"Excellent," Kaylee said mischievously.
"You better not let Mum find out you've been helping them, or she'll know to check your things as well," suggested Ginny.
"Well as long as no one here snitches, I should be in the clear," she cast a warning look at the group. Just then, Percy stuck his head out of his bedroom door on the second landing.
"Hello Percy," Harry said.
"Oh, hello Harry. I was wondering who was making all that noise. I'm trying to work in here and I must say it is hard to concentrate with people thundering up and down the stairs every few minutes," Percy said annoyingly.
"We're not thundering, we're walking," replied Ron stiffly.
"What are you working on Percy?" asked Harry politely.
At this, Kaylee knew it was her queue to silently walk away before Percy decided to drag her down into another boring conversation about cauldron bottoms. He had already cornered her once that day. She sneaked back the way she came, down the stairs and out the front door without anyone noticing her. She made her way to the garden where Bill and Charlie were setting up tables for dinner.
Well, they were supposed to be setting up tables. They were actually laughing and suspending the tables in midair with their wands. It looked like they were trying to see whose table would fall first.
"Alright, now a fight to the death! The last table alive will be declared the Master!" Kaylee egged the two Weasleys on.
At her words, they began sparring with the tables in the air, making them crash together and bounce off each other over and over again. It was highly entertaining to watch. It became even more amusing when Percy stuck his head out the window and told them off for being so loud. Charlie used Percy's complaining as a distraction and sent his table flying towards Bill's, which fell promptly to the ground, declaring Charlie the Master.
Soon, everyone filed outside for dinner and they began to eat. Mrs. Weasley was the best cook Kaylee knew, even better than the Hogwarts house elves. Kaylee filled herself on a bit of everything Mrs. Weasley had prepared. She sat between George and Charlie and was discussing the upcoming Quidditch match when Percy interrupted.
"I've just been so busy with the cup and then the event we're planning after that. You know the one I'm talking about, father. The one that is TOP SECRET," Percy said, clearly trying to goad someone into asking what he was talking about.
Fortunately Kaylee already knew. Her mother had been working on preparations for weeks.
"He's been trying to get us to ask him what that top secret event is for ages now," said Fred rolling his eyes.
"Oh just you wait. We've never seen anything like it, I promise you that," Kaylee said enthusiastically.
"You know?!" George said incredulously.
"Mum told me. Well I kind of accidentally found out. But I promised her that I wouldn't say a word to anyone about it," she said hastily sharing a look with Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, Amelia must certainly have her hands full right now." Mr. Weasley said looking down the table at her. "I know her department has been, er, heavily involved in the preparations for the event".
"Yes, but she's loved every minute of it," Kaylee smiled and shared a knowing look with Charlie. Charlie smiled back.
"Go on then, tell us what it is," said Fred when Mr. Weasley and Charlie were no longer paying attention to them.
"Oh no, I don't think so. If you want information, you're going to have to earn it," said Kaylee smugly.
"What do you mean earn it?" asked George.
"Well its simple Georgie. I've got something you want, so offer me something I want."
"What do you want?" asked Fred.
"Oh, many things. You're going to have to offer me something I'll find useful," said Kaylee. She loved teasing the twins. Too often she found herself the butt of their jokes and antics. It was rare when she had a leg up on them.
"Alright…." said George thinking. "How about we each owe you a favor. One favor you can cash in at any time." George suggested.
"Hmm. Interesting. Alright, I'll take your deal…. on one condition," Kaylee said slyly.
"I have a feeling I'm not going to like the next words out of your mouth," Fred declared.
"When I decide to use these favors, you both have to do whatever I ask you to, no matter how much you are opposed to it. Deal?"
The twins looked at each other before nodding in assent.
"Fine. Now tell us," said Fred eagerly.
"Okay. This year…." Kaylee began, but she was interrupted by Mrs. Weasley declaring how late it was.
"Off to bed all of you. You have an early start tomorrow!"
"I'll tell you tomorrow, promise." Kaylee whispered to Fred and George before departing for Ginny's room.
