XXX
XXX
Claire tossed and turned in the small bed, irritated. Another night unable to sleep. Wonderful.
And all because of that damn redhead I can't get out of my head, she grumbled.
She turned over, only managing to get her legs tangled up in the sheets.
Frustrated, she shot out her hand and she yelped in surprise as the entire bedspread flew off her and shot across the room in a big gust of wind.
She scowled. Wonderful, she thought. Now this is affecting my powers. I really need to get a grip on this.
She got out of bed and went to the kitchen, surprised to find George at the kitchen table.
"Well, hello," he grinned at her. He held up a cup. "Tea?" he asked.
"Please," she said, sitting down across from him. "What are you doing up?"
George shrugged. "Couldn't sleep," he said. "I'm a bit of a night owl." He eyed her curiously. "I could ask you the same thing."
Claire smiled nervously. "Couldn't sleep."
George smiled knowingly. "Anything on your mind?"
Claire scowled at him as she sipped her tea. Claire knew George knew full well what was on her mind.
George grimaced. "Sorry, bad joke," he said. "It happens occasionally." He grinned and Claire giggled.
They were quiet a moment.
"He's being an idiot, you know," George said softly.
"Please George," Claire said quietly "It's not important."
George reached over and placed his hand on hers. "He deliberately hurt you," George said and Claire could hear the anger in his voice. "That matters."
Claire sighed and put her face in her hands. "This whole thing is so messed up." She groaned. "I never asked for this to happen. My mother always warned me against the stupid mind games you men are so fond of."
"Well I'm flattered you have such a positive outlook on my fairer gender," George said cheerfully.
Claire grinned. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. "Nothing personal."
George shrugged, unfazed. "Can't say I blame you," he said.
George was pensive for a moment. "You know," he said slowly. "Fred and I may be twins, but that doesn't mean we're alike." He shrugged. "At least not as alike as many people think we are."
Claire was confused. "What do you mean?"
George seemed to be thinking up an explanation. "Well," he said. "It's true that we have that eerie way of finishing each other's sentences." He grinned. "And we always have shared the dream of this joke shop."
"But. . ." Claire asked
"But," George said smiling. "In a lot of the deeper ways, we're very different, especially as we get older. In school, we were flirts, I'll admit it. We were far more serious about girls and pranks than actual schoolwork, and pranks we took more serious than the girls."
Claire giggled.
George grinned and continued. "To be honest, I'm still like that," he admitted. "I'm still way more serious about the joke shop, not interested in any relationship other than a quick fling." He shrugged guiltily. "I enjoy my bachelorhood way too much."
"But with Fred. . ." he broke off, looking pensive.
"With Fred what?" Claire asked, curiously.
"With Fred I think he's looking for more," George said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Claire said quietly.
George shrugged. "It's hard to explain. We've always been able to read each other like a book, and as we've gotten older, I've noticed that Fred has seemed more. . .restless." He frowned. "It's like he's. . .searching for something. Something that's missing in his life. Something that will make him feel more complete."
Claire looked down, feeling completely unnerved by George's intent stare. "And what does that have to do with me?" she asked quietly.
"Because I see the way he looks at you," George said. "And although he may be too stupid to realize it right now, I think he might have found what he was looking for."
Claire cleared her throat nervously. "I think you're reading too much into the situation."
George sighed. "Claire. Just answer one question."
Claire held her breath.
"Are you in love with my brother?"
Claire let out her breath so fast she almost choked. There it was. The question she was terrified he was going to ask.
Was she in love with Fred? How was she to know? She thought about how her heart had almost stopped in her chest when she saw Fred was Gwen, how he had looked at Gwen with appreciation, with desire.
Then she remembered the way he had looked at her. The way his eyes shined when he had looked at her. The way he held her tenderly and made the rest of the world disappear. The way she felt when he was even in the same room as her.
"How should I know?" she said finally, trying to ignore George's probing gaze. "I've never been in love."
"Well that's not an answer is it?" George said, quirking an eyebrow.
Claire was just thinking of something else to say when they heard a girlish giggle from the living area.
George groaned. Wonderful, he thought scathingly. Blondie and Fred must be back.
"Thanks for the wonderful evening," Gwen cooed sweetly. She lowered her voice seductively. "It doesn't have to end you know."
George felt like gagging. What is her deal? he wondered. She knows that Claire is here.
Fred laughed somewhat nervously. "Not tonight Gwen. I've got an early morning."
George could practically see Gwen's magically altered lips pouting. "It's because of that Bella girl, isn't it?"
Fred was silent.
Gwen gave a very unlady-like snort. "Well that answers my question. Who the hell is she anyway? She didn't go to Hogwarts."
Fred thought fast. "She went to. . .uh. . .Beauxbatons," he said.
"Really?" Gwen looked thoughtful. "Interesting." She waved it away. "Anyway, it's nice of you to help out and all, but really, since when do you go out of your way for a charity case?"
Claire's eyes tightened in annoyance.
Fred stifled his anger at hearing Gwen so blatantly insult Claire. He shrugged indifferently, trying to placate Gwen, knowing that he was only going to piss her off if he acted like Claire meant something more.
"She's just a family friend," he said. "My mom asked me to keep an eye on her. She'll be gone soon."
Claire gasped, stunned hurt washing through her. George growled under his breath, furious at his brother.
"Very soon?" Gwen cooed, innocently.
Fred sighed. "Yes Gwen, very soon."
Gwen smiled, satisfied. "Alright, then," she said. "Well, I guess I'll just see you later then." She kissed him on the lips before Fred could even dodge away.
Finally, he groaned when she apparated. I forgot how much she talks about herself.
He yawned as he made his way into the kitchen. He turned the corner and froze as he saw the two people sitting at the table. He winced as he saw Claire's pale face.
Please say they didn't hear. . .he trailed off, horrified as he saw his twin's furious glare.Oh no. . .
He swallowed hard. "How much did you hear?" he asked quietly.
His question was answered as Claire pushed herself out from the table and ran out of the room. Fred frantically ran after her.
"Claire wait!" he said, quickly. "That wasn't what it sounded like, I swear!" He grabbed her hand. "Please just let me explain -"
"Save it Fred!" she said, her voice choked up. "Let me go!" she wrenched her arm away.
George pushed Fred out of the way. "Are you happy now?" George growled at him.
George caught up to Claire just as she was heading to the door. "Claire wait," he pleaded. "He's an idiot. He didn't -"
"Please George," Claire whispered. "Just let me go." She held back her tears valiantly but a single tear fell down her cheek. "If this is what love feels like, then I never want to fall in love again."
George was so surprised he let go of her hand and before he could stop her, Claire misted away, leaving only faint blue dust.
Well, he thought dazedly. I suppose she just answered my earlier question.
Fred sat at the table, staring at the space where Claire had disappeared.
What have I done? he thought.
XXX
XXX
Harry yawned as he stumbled to the kitchen. He yanked open the ice box and frowned at the distinct lack of food that was inhabiting their kitchen.
I thought Ginny went grocery shopping,he thought grumpily. After a moment, he finally settled on left-over Chinese take-out.
He stopped suddenly as he felt a faint prickling on the back of his neck. He braced himself, cursing himself for leaving his wand on the bedside table in his and Ginny's bedroom.
He sighed with relief as he saw a faint blue mist. It's Claire, he realized. He looked at the clock, puzzled.Something's wrong,he thought, concerned. It's awfully late. . .
Claire appeared a moment later. Harry eyed her carefully, noticing how she was trembling faintly, and she was a bit pale.
"Claire?" Harry said, worriedly. "Are you alright? What happened?"
Harry's genuine concern finally broke Claire and she fell into his arms, tears falling down her cheeks silently.
Harry comforted her, silently fuming. Damn Fred, he growled. "What did he do?"
Claire struggled to collect herself. "How did you know it was Fred?"
Harry half-smiled. "Intuition."
Claire gave a watery laugh and wiped her eyes. "I just feel like a complete idiot."
"You're not an idiot," Harry said firmly. "Why would you think that?"
Claire was about to respond when they heard a tired voice. "Harry," Ginny yawned sleepily. "What's going on? I heard voices –" Ginny blinked in confusion when she saw Claire.
"Claire?" she asked, concerned. "What's wrong?" She cursed as she took in Claire's dejected state. "Stupid prat," she muttered.
"Is it that obvious that he was the cause of it?" Claire said frowning.
"I just had a feeling," Ginny said shrugging. "Come in the kitchen and have a cup of tea, and tell me about it . . . "
XXX
XXX
. . . "I didn't even think, I just ran," Claire finished, finished her tea. "I didn't know how to react, what to say to him."
"I know what you should have said," Ginny growled. She was fuming. "That stupid wanker."
"Would you be hacked off if I beat the hell out of your brother?" Harry muttered.
"Not before I do, dear," Ginny said sweetly.
Harry shook his head. "It's complete bollocks Claire. He probably didn't even mean it –"
"It doesn't matter," Claire said firmly. "Its obvious that he's one of those men who's heads get turned easily by a girl like Gwen -"
"Gwen?" Harry said in surprise. "Gwendolyn Pierce?" She looked over at Ginny. "What's she doing in town?"
"Apparently she's here for Ron and Hermione's wedding," Ginny said frowning. Harry looked at her in disbelief. "Don't look at me like that," Ginny said defensively. "You do know who her cousin is don't you?"
Harry frowned in confusion for a moment. "Oh," he said, remembering.
"Hannah Abbott. I forgot about that." Harry shook his head. "Hannah is one of the nicest people I know. Something seriously went wrong with that gene pool."
"And the invitation did say Hannah Abbott and family," Ginny said grudgingly.
"So let me guess," Harry said wryly. "Gwen put the moves on Fred. Because I know George wouldn't fall in that trap." Harry grinned. "George has been there and done her."
Claire grinned as Ginny smacked Harry on the arm. "Oh stop," Ginny said, trying valiantly to hold back her laughter. "I remember all that." At Claire's look of confusion, she explained further. "George briefly dated Gwen right after she graduated. Although I don't know if using each other as sex toys really qualifies as 'dating'."
"She's basically a gold digging slag," Harry explained, grunting when Ginny smacked him the stomach. "What?" he defended. "It's true! She's only after the blokes with money and status. It took me months to get her off my back and only after Ginny gave quite an excellent bat-bogey hex. She hasn't come near me since." Harry grinned at Ginny who merely smiled serenely.
"Well it's not like Fred needed a lot of convincing," Claire said frowning. She shook her head. "I don't even want to think about it tonight." She bit her lip. "I really hate to ask, but is it okay if I crash here tonight?"
"Like you even needed to ask," Harry said grinning. Ginny flicked her wand and conjured some blankets.
"The couch folds out," Ginny said. "Let us know if you need anything."
Claire nodded and crawled under the blankets eagerly. Harry patted her shoulder. "Goodnight then," he said.
"Goodnight," Claire murmured.
Harry made his way out the door, still fuming about Fred. "Stupid, no-good, prat, I should really tell him where to shove it. . . "
Claire smiled sleepily as she heard Harry's grumbling.
It's really nice to have a brother, she decided. And with that last thought, she drifted off to sleep.
XXX
XXX
George frowned at his brother. "Would you quit your pacing? You're driving me mad."
"Well excuse me for not having your calm, collected demeanor," Fred snapped, anxiously running his hand through his hair. "Where could she have gone?" he muttered. He collapsed in a chair. "I'm such an idiot," he groaned.
"I would have to agree with you there," George said casually.
"I know I was stupid," Fred said, putting his face in his hands. "But I can't bloody think straight when it comes to her! I try to be with her, and fate inevitably throws something back in our faces. I try to keep an arms length and I end up hurting her." Fred sighed. "Although the latter is worse."
Fred groaned. "I just don't know what to do."
"Well," George grinned. "Next time you see her, pull your head out of your arse, kiss the daylights out of the girl and tell her you love her."
Fred's head snapped up at the last part of George's sentence. "What?"
"You heard me," George grinned.
Fred glared at him. "You don't know what you're talking about." But there was a feeling in the pit of his stomach, something that stirred violently to life when he heard George say the word love. It downright terrified him.
What was love? How was he to know? Sure he saw how Ginny and Harry were, and Ron and Hermione, and even his mother and father. But for him? He never thought there would be someone out there, someone that he would want to hold and cherish. He stopped suddenly. But then again. . .there had been this feeling he had been having lately. This. . .emptiness- no, not even that. Just something missing. He had brushed it off as young restlessness. He was Fred Weasley after all. Him and George were the famous pranksters, not to be taken too seriously, and never to fall in love.
But then all that had come to a crashing halt from the moment he had first looked into a pair of bright violet eyes.
