Okay, so this chapter has two problems: First, it's close to a thousand words - I couldn't write everything I wanted to say in only 500 this time. And, second: it's somewhat confusing, so bear with me! I hope I didn't mix anything up!
Hermione dozed heavily atop a pile of textbooks in the Gryffindor common room as Fred and George entered. Her curious, hour-glass necklace rested on her half-finished Arithmancy paper.
"Tisk, tisk," George said, shaking his head at her.
"Working herself like a dog," Fred added solemnly.
"Hold on, what's that?" George said, pointing at her necklace.
Fred gasped in surprise. "Holy gargoyles! I know what that is!"
"Well, spit it out," George said eagerly. "What is it?"
"It's a time-turner! Dad told me about them one time. The ministry controls how many there are and who uses them." Fred informed him excitedly. "It lets you go back in time." His voice was a little dreamy.
George snapped his head back and forth between his twin and Hermione's necklace. Without much thought or reason he said, in a hushed voice, "Let's take it!"
"Have something in mind?" Fred asked.
"Perhaps." George raised his eyebrows, then he gently – very gently – slid the thin band over her head without managing to stir her. He let it sit, motionless, in his palm and held it up to Fred's face. "Oh, the possibilities." Fred nodded earnestly.
Then, Fred snapped his fingers, signally he had just gotten an idea. "Yes?" George asked.
"What do you say we freak Trelawney out a bit?"
"How do you mean?"
Fred smiled and looked down at his watch. "Come one, we're going to be late for Divination. I'll tell you on the way there."
They waited at the bottom of the ladder that led to Professor Trelawney's classroom, practically bubbling with excitement. "Freddie, I can't say it enough; you are brilliant."
Fred grinned, appreciatively. "It wasn't all my idea. You helped. Look! Here you come! Hey, Georgie!" Fred waved, though he wasn't waving at the boy that was standing right next to him. Instead, he was waving at a tall redhead walking down the hall toward them. As he approached, it was strangely apparent that it was George Weasley. Fred's stomach lurched uneasily. "This is so weird."
"I know! He looks nothing like me," George said, poking the future George's face.
The newcomer laughed and said, "You're right. I'm so much better looking than you."
The present George smiled and looked at his twin. "Definitely has my sense of humor, though."
"Well, come on," Fred said, beaming at the Georges in front of him. "The whole class is up there already. We can make our grand entrance."
They climbed the ladder, one by one, and emerged from the floor; first George, then Fred, then George again. The entire room gasped. There was a loud, curious murmur coming from the students, but Professor Trelawney hadn't looked up yet. The future George cleared his throat as they made their way to an empty table.
"Sorry we're late, Professor," the present George said apologetically.
"We ran into someone we knew, and got talking," Fred added. He gestured to the new George.
" – but, there are three of them!" someone behind them whispered loudly.
" – triplets?" someone else muttered.
Professor Trelawney slowly lifted herself from the large armchair by the fire place and turned to face the class. Her thick glasses magnified her still closed eyes as she began to speak. "That's quite alright, you two. I won't give you detention this time. Just please – " But, she cut her sentence short. Her eyes had opened and they rested on the Weasley's table. Her mouth popped open and she gazed at them in disbelief.
Quickly, she removed her glasses from her face and wiped them with her handkerchief. She moved closer to them then squinted intently when her enormous spectacles had resumed their normal position. The three grinned happily, trying not to laugh. "Yes, Professor?" future George said.
"I – but – you – three?" she stammered.
"Three?" Fred repeated. Trelawney looked as though she would faint. George giggled.
"You – there are three of you – supposed to be two – " her thick voice spluttered impatiently. "Will you please tell me what's going on?"
"Professor, nothing's going on," the second George said, pretending to be surprised by her question.
"You are twins – twins! – not triplets! What is going on?" she shrieked angrily.
"Professor Trelawney, we've always been triplets," Fred said, managing – somehow – to keep a straight face. "Do you need reminding of our names?"
Her head swiveled dangerously as she looked at each Weasley in turn. Then, she nodded in answer.
"I'm George," the real George said. "This is Fred." He spoke very slowly, as though he were speaking to a two-year-old. "And, that is Gred."
Professor Trelawney was shaking now. "No! No! There are only supposed to be two! Who are you?" She pointed her finger at Fred.
"Me?" Fred said. "George told you, Professor. I AM FRED." The class was beginning to laugh despite their curiosity and incredulity.
"Then, you!" She pointed at "Gred".
"Professor, are you alright?"
"Do you need us to alert Madam Pomfrey?"
"I'm going mad!" she yelled, to no one in particular. The boys chortled under their breath. "Do you see them? Do you see them, too?" She attacked one of the students at the next table over. The girl nodded fervently. "I'm going mad!"
For the duration of the class, Professor Trelawney sat in her armchair glancing at the three boys apprehensively. She was rocking back and forth in the fetal position, muttering comforting words to herself. The whole thing was quite comical.
After class had ended, the boys returned to the common room to find Hermione still passed out over her homework, snoring noisily. "Alright, George," Gred said. "You have to get going." He raised his eyebrows, smiling at him.
"Right." George pulled out the Time-Turner, hung it around his neck and turned it once. "Bye! See you later, then!"
Then, he vanished before them, leaving Fred and Gred – well, George – standing there by themselves, laughing hysterically.
If anyone out there is wondering why the twins were able to deal with seeing themselves, I've come up with two reasons. One, because they knew it was coming and had planned the entire thing. And, two, because they are already insane in their own way. (: Hope that helps!