CHAPTER SEVEN:
Fred and George Weasley are twins, identical, brothers, pranksters and the best thing is people can't tell them apart except probably their father. Arthur Weasley always seemed to figure out which one is which. This drives everybody else crazy.
It was their first year at Hogwarts and they stood there with the first years as they watched this magical hat sang about the four houses. Bill, Charlie and Percy never told them how the sorting could go. Charlie teased that it was going to hurt a lot but they caught Percy and Oliver rolling their eyes – after all Oliver was the victim in his first year.
So when they were in the train they yelled to all the first years that the sorting involves fighting a troll, they got confused looks, some scoffed at them but most panicked and starting talking and muttering about spells they have to do in order to defend themselves. They even annoyed the higher years, especially the prefects that they almost deduct points.
So here they are standing, grinning like loons while the rest of their year glared at them. When the sorting started, they watched as one by one the first years went to their respective houses. Fred and George don't care which house they ended up with as long as they are together. They do hope for Gryffindor though – so far they can get away with their pranks in that house.
The twins didn't want to work with the ministry just like their father. They wanted to make a name for themselves. They like quidditch but they aren't aiming to become professionals, they like to be creative in everything they do and to have fun. They both wanted to open a joke shop in the future, one that will rival Zonkos.
They watched as their newly formed friend from the train Lee Jordan was sorted into Gryffindor so is a couple of girls Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson (whom George thinks is cute) and Katie Bell.
"WEASLEY, FREDERICK GIDEON!"
Fred climbed on the stool and put the hat on.
"Another Weasley."
"Uh, Hello? Did I just hear that?" Fred thought.
"Yes you did."
"The hat just talks!"
"Of course I can talk!" Fred could feel the hat rolled his eyes (if it has eyes).
"Okay. That settles it then." Fred piped.
"You have no idea how many years have I've been saying another Weasley."
"Then think of something else. Like here comes the carrot tops or well it isn't the freckly red heads or…"
"I get it. Let me go back to your sorting."
"You started it!"
"Well young Frederick (call me Fred!) I can see that you are quite a naughty boy (Fred seemed to find that a compliment). You are outgoing, daring and a bit sarcastic. A Gryffindor trait if I must say so. You are loyal to your family especially to your siblings and your father, a Hufflepuff trait and you may deny all you want young Frederick but you are a very intelligent child. You just like to learn things that you think are important – not very Ravenclaw I'm afraid…"
"Gryffindor." Fred stated confidently.
The hat chuckled. "Daring yes but you are quite sadistic too young Frederick. You are the ring leader of the two. You are not afraid to be cruel to people you don't like."
"So, it's Gryffindor. Why do you have to be so dramatic?" Fred swore the hat just scoffed at him.
Severus stared at the hat. He was nervous. Really nervous. He knows what kind of trouble makers the twins are. If he has any say into it, he'd rather they stay away from his house. From what Severus understood from Percival Weasley and Minerva, the twins are worst than the Marauders! Minerva can have them or Pomona or Filius! Just not his house! He doesn't know what to do if they would be in Slytherin!
After what happened with the third eldest Weasley many of the faculty and staff are wondering where the other younger Weasleys would be sorted if not Gryffindor. But Severus knows that Percival was at least decent.
Charlie and Oliver were anxious as well. They wanted Fred and George in Gryffindor. It isn't because Charlie doesn't like the other houses. Sure they know how brilliant they are with their inventions and pranks and can be a bit cruel with it but they needed them for their quidditch team. They have played with them many times and they were very good beaters. Oliver commented that they were like human bludgers.
Percy wondered where Fred and George could wind up. He knew that most twins would be in the same houses but there is a chance Fred and George will be separated. He would never admit it but even though the twins were inseparable and people (including himself) has difficulty telling them apart because they act and dress alike. Percy knew that Fred and George are quite different (they can deny all they want).
Fred can be a bit cruel especially to people he doesn't like and a bit reckless and daring in almost everything. He was the ring leader of their gang of two and has turned Ronald's teddy bear into spiders multiple times. The poor boy was scared of spiders now. Fred was the one who like to develop plans and to strategize and even though they thought no one was listening Bill, Charlie and Percy are aware of their secret about the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes'.
George on the other hand was quieter and gentler and more sensitive. Percy remembered that when the twins tried to prank him that 'cause Percy to fell down the stairs (almost broke his neck), he was the one who almost cried and the first to apologized. Percy also knows that more than half of their inventions were George ideas while Fred was more focused on schemes. Percy knew that George was the reason why Fred wouldn't go too far.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"YES!" Charlie whooped and Oliver almost fainted from lack of oxygen from holding his breath. Fred joined the other Gryffindors of his year as he sat next to Lee and the girls. Fred hoped that George would join him soon.
Severus sighed in relief, one twin down, and two to go. Albus Dumbledore was beaming. It was a good thing. He knew how valuable the Weasley twins' talents are. They would aid the Boy-Who-Lived in the upcoming battle against Voldemort and the dark.
George watched as his twin joined Lee Jordan and gave him two thumbs up. He was the last student to be called.
"WEASLEY, GEORGE FABIAN."
There was a long pause before George almost jumped when a voice called out in his head. "Your twin brother is quite the character and yes the hat can talk." There was another pause.
"The hat can read minds?" George thought.
"Of course young George. I delve into the students' psyche and find the trait that that best put you in the house. You have typical bravery and recklessness like your brother but unlike your brother you have limits and it is very noble of you young George. You prefer to be loyal to those who are important to you and you are quite the intelligent little man aren't you?"
"Uh, thank you?" George wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Is he going to wind up in Ravenclaw?
"Ravenclaw? No. You are intelligent but you prefer knowledge that best applies to your inventions, not because of the sake of it. Ravenclaw is not for you. However, you are quite the little actor aren't you young George."
"What do you mean?"
"You think you and your sibling are alike. You like wearing the same clothes or exchange each other's clothes for the matter and even try to act alike. You love your brother and you would do anything for him but you wanted him to avoid getting hurt from his recklessness. You keep him leveled from getting too dangerous."
"Of course I do! We're twins!"
"But Fred is the daring one! Fred is the brother whom everybody recognize while you just support him. Don't want a name for yourself young George? That small bit of getting recognized as not just the twins or Fred Weasley but George Weasley also. Fred is always the popular one of course. He was always the one who was remembered."
George was not confused. "What are you saying?"
"I'd say you'd do best in Slytherin! Yes, Slytherin would get you there, better…"
"WAIT! You can't separate us! Me and my brother! You just can't! We need each other."
"If you stay together you won't be recognized George Weasley. This is my final decision…"
Five minutes. It was taking five minutes. Longer than Percy was sorted. Charlie thought. He has this strange feeling that he is going to lose a spot for beater.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Charlie groaned and dropped his head on the table. There goes his other beater. Little did Charlie knows Professor Snape also groaned at the staff table.
Since Percy was sorted to Slytherin, none of the faculty and staff was surprised by it. They were just curious that the twin terrors were sorted in different houses.
Fred was gaping. He was going to be separated from George! No! That can't happen! Can it? It just did! Fred has never been without George. The two were inseparable. They even shared the same room! Why didn't he beg the hat to let his brother be sorted in Gryffindor. Did George even fought also?
"It's okay Fred." Charlie laid his hand on his baby brother's shoulder. "It's bound to happen. Think of it this way, you and George are going to rock both houses."
But Fred was disappointed. He planned everything by expecting George to be there with him. But he is his twin and always will be his twin. This just means that they are going to work hard to run their business! Yeah! Slytherin has connections after all.
George sat down next Percy and another first year whom George found as Miles Bletchley. George couldn't believe the hat managed to point out something about him. It was true. People recognized Fred easily because he was the outgoing twin. This is why Fred and George always exchange T-shirts and try to pretend to be each other, keeping people guessing about who they are.
George was nervous. There are five Slytherin first years. They only have one girl. For the past three years Slytherin only got one female per year. Percy was staring at George.
"What Percy?" George asked.
Percy smiled. "Now I know which one of you is George."
George blinked and he stared at his twin at the Gryffindor table. Fred was also staring at him. Then something clicked on their heads. The two smirked at each other. This year is going to be fun.
Percy knew the twins are going to switch places sooner or later. Possibly tomorrow. This is why Percy said that he now knows which one is George. George has more freckles on his nose while Fred has more on his forehead. Back then he couldn't tell even if he knew about the freckles. He felt sorry for Professor Snape and McGonagall.
Albus Dumbledore was shocked but tried to not to show it. He expected both twins on Gryffindor. He knew that Fred and George function better together. This couldn't happen. What is happening? Albus glared at the hat when McGonagall took it away. The damn thing. There must be a way to make sure that his plans wouldn't fail. The twins only play a minor part but they were necessary.
It would have to adjust his plans because of this. No matter what Albus thinks, the children in Slytherin will become future dark lords in the future and he has to make sure that wouldn't happen. Voldemort was already a problem. Ronald Weasley and his newly found find, Hermione Granger has to go to Gryffindor!
This was the last stop of Remus' tour. He has to study a lot about the muggle world especially when he got an interview in some TV show. The way the muggle world communicates is amazing. He never knew about these gadgets. He has to thank his lucky stars to Severus Snape who grilled him about the muggle world.
Remus never got the chance to visit the magical side of the U.S. The problem was he could never find it. His last stop was the quaint little book store in Portland. He loves the trees around here. He was lucky to have brought Wolfsbane potions with him (courtesy of having a potions master as a friend).
His wolf liked it here. It loves the forests and the fact that he didn't have to worry about getting spotted. Back in Britain, a lot of wizards and witches panicked whenever they see wolves. Remus was only a child when he was bitten. His mother left his father after that. This was the reason why Remus loved his father very much. He did everything for him, even begged Dumbledore to get him to study in Hogwarts.
When another child put his book on the desk. Remus smiled at the tall boy with blondish hair and blue eyes. "And what would your name be?"
"Dudley." He answered. "I really loved your book Mister Lupin. I think werewolves are fascinating!"
This surprised Remus. Here is a muggle proclaiming he finds werewolves fascinating. Remus gave him a smile. If only the child knows the truth. He thought sadly.
"I think Timmy would do well if he would just accept the wolf." The boy Dudley muttered.
"What?" Remus blinked at him.
The boy blushed and shrugged. "It's just, I noticed in the story how Timmy struggles with the wolf. Maybe he should just accept it. Though I like the part that he never gives up but maybe it will be a lot easier if he accepts the wolf."
Remus didn't know what to say. Accept his wolf? Is this what the kid is saying? Remus never thought of that. He sees his wolf as dangerous. Something that can hurt others. And here is a kid who just tells him to accepts it? Remus shook his head. The kid isn't talking about him. It was talking about the story.
"I see Dudley. That is a very nice opinion." Remus replied.
Dudley smiled but something hit Remus. That scent is odd. He smelled it before. There was something lingering on the boy, whoever it was hugged the boy. The scent was so familiar but Remus couldn't understand where he smelled it before. He watched as the boy left taking the scent with him.
Remus shook his head. The scent. The adorable scent was like… Remus immediately stood up startling the child in front of him.
"Remus, are you alright?" his publisher asked.
"I'll be right back." He said quickly and tried to follow the boy, trying to catch his scent. That scent! Remus recognized it. It was Harry's! What does this mean? Does the boy know Harry? Does this mean Harry and his sister are in the U.S.? Does this mean Petunia Evans moved here? Is this the reason why they couldn't find them? Though Severus mentioned that Dumbledore put wards on the kids. Remus should have asked the boy's surname. The lingering scent on the Dudley meant that Harry probably hugged the boy. Remus wasn't sure. Maybe he was just getting paranoid.
He could try. Remus will have to write to Sirius. Sirius could have some correspondence with the ministry and try to come here magically.
Ignatius Peverell stared at the documents on his desk. The Peverell is still considered a very prominent family in Britain. Ignatius and Augustus were planning to return there the moment Harry and Iris leave the U.S.
He was surprised that the Peverell holds more than one seat in the Wizengamot: The Emrys, Pendragon, Ravenclaws and the La Faye's. Augustus told him to proxy the seat of the Blakes as well since he is related to him and his cousin doesn't like to dwell in politics. The Slytherin seat was claimed by a man named Tom Riddle, although it was mentioned by the report that he was missing but alive. The goblins can only tell that much.
Ignatius made a point of looking at the Peverell family tree. The Potters were distant relatives. Very distant. Harry and Iris are related to the Ignotus Peverell while Ignatius and Augustus came from Cadmus. The eldest Antioch has only Tom Riddle as the last descendant.
Ignatius is also concerned about the Hallows. As a Peverell, they were heirlooms. The Potters could have the Invisibility cloak but Augustus told him that he never found the Resurrection stone and it was neither in any of the vaults nor in Peverell castle.
He even hoped that the Elder wand did not fall into the wrong hands. As a Peverell it was common in their line to have Trestral tail hair as a core in their wands but they were not made of Elder. Some of his ancestors tried to replicate the Elder wand but failed.
When he reached the report from his cousin, he frowned. Most if not all of the members in the Wizengamot are light. There are only a handful of dark and neutral members left. It was unequal. Most magical countries today keep the balance in all three leanings. The Peverells are strictly neutral. They are never allowed to pick sides between the dark and the light and they prefer both leanings.
The head of the Wizengamot is Albus Dumbledore. He knew who he was and how powerful he is. He was peeved when he found out that the man holds four seats and is allied with the Diggorys, Macmillan, McLaggen, Browns, Patils, Longbottom, Potters,…, Ignatius stopped reading.
"I KNEW IT!" The shout of his cousin can be heard. Ignatius sighed and twirled his seat to meet his cousin who is walking while reading a large and old looking book. He recognized it as one of the Blake's family grimoires.
"What is it?" He growled. He almost cast a fire spell at him. Ignatius love fire. This is why teaching Harry was very easy. The boy was a natural in fire and earth magic. His sister struggles with it. She was more lightning and water.
"I knew I read the names Finch, Fletchley, Turpins and Creeveys. They were the first gens I tracked down in Britain." Augustus dropped the book on his Ignatius' desk scattering the papers.
But Augustus ignored it. "See? Look at this!" he pointed at the page.
Ignatius started reading and became wide eyed. "And they are first gens? Are you sure?"
Augustus nodded. "Yes. We can't be sure until we get them a blood test at Gringotts but imagine if they are?"
"I think it's time for us to track down the other families. What I don't understand is how many of them don't know about their heritage. I would assume none of them bothered to look it up in Gringotts." Ignatius stated. This is why he liked the goblins. They were thorough.
Augustus shrugged. "Ignorance make the wrong people powerful." He quoted. "What are we going to do?"
Ignatius paused and stared at the book. "It would mean establishing a relationship as young as they are." And Ignatius glared at his cousin. "And no! I will not be tutoring them!"
For those who got the houses they wanted for the Weasley twins, congratulations. I got two reviews wanting them separated but in Slytherin and Gryffindor. I honestly wanted your opinion. I was debating actually to put them both in Hufflepuff (to drive Cedric nuts) or Gryffindor or separate them to either Slytherin and Ravenclaw (though I still can't imagine them in that house) or Gryffindor.
If you're wondering what Oggy and Iggy are talking about, you won't find that out yet. And yes, Harry and Iris will be coming back on the next chapters. This is the last of pre-Hogwarts (meaning before Harry comes to Hogwarts) and things will get fun.
I forgot about Peregrine Derrick wasn't in Percy's year (but a year younger) and that Cassius Warrington and Miles Bletchley though friends with Marcus Flint were actually in Fred and George's year and that Lucian Bole was younger than Percy also. I'm creating a list. There weren't a lot of Slytherin, Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws to remember.
Thank you so much for the reviews. They made my day! I was thinking of waiting until I get 100 follows before I posted this but who cares. I got 99 anyway.
For my followers who are waiting on updates on my Naruto fanfiction. I'm sorry for not updating. I need to revise some of the chapters before I post them and I'm currently in Harry Potter zone right now, so it's going to be a while.
Wow, this is the longest author's note I ever wrote.
