THE PARTING OF THE TWAIN
They were born of the same parentage, with the same appearance only separated by two minutes in time of their birth and now their Hogwarts Houses.
Parvati had always had more confidence than Padma. Both sisters knew it; but both still felt that it was unfair that Padma was not put in Gryffindor along with her sister.
Of course, Parvati has always been better at Arithmancy, said Parvez Patil, driving back from Kings Cross Station where he and his wife had dropped off their daughters. I knew she would be in Gryffindor.
I think you are very hard on Padma, sniffed Priyanka Patil, replying in their mother tongue - Urdu. They are both our betis after all.
Yes, but Parvati has something Padma lacks... replied Parvez. I cannot quite place it... people just - flock to her. Like Harry Potter for instance.
Priyanka growing tired of the conversation tried not to retort, but when Parvez persisted saying that he had told Parvati to invite Harry back for the summer, she was forced to answer.
Parvati told me how it really was. Harry was Triwizard Champion and needed a partner. The girl he wanted to ask said no. He danced once with Parvati because he had to. Then he ignored her for the rest of the night and she went off with some boys from Beauxbatons.
Professor Parvez Patil sniffed. He did not like his favoured daughter to be referred to as a girl who went off with some boys.
*
They were born of the same parentage, with the same appearance only separated by two minutes in time of their birth and now the captaincy of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Frederick Weasley had always been more dominant than his brother George.
Both brothers knew it and it had never affected them as much as it did now, in their seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
But it's not even as though Fred's a better player! cried Molly Weasley. Arthur tried to block out and changed the subject. It's just gone eleven, he said looking at the hallway clock which now read Hogwarts Express now left.
George is just as good as him! she continued.
Molly, dear, said Arthur resignedly folding up his copy of The Daily Prophet. I think it's unfair that Fred was picked over George too, but they had to pick one of them. Imagine if neither of them got it! George is happy, he told me.
Oh, as though he would tell you! snapped Molly.
Molly, it's not my fault! cried Arthur exasperated.
Molly collapsed next to her husband on the sofa. (It groaned.) But Fred's always been the leader of them. How will George cope?
*
The train whistled and slowed. It'll be good to be back, said Fred, but this train journey was the best!
George privately disagreed. Their compartment 6 was packed. Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet sat talking mainly to one another but Angelina Johnson - a girl George had been in love with for the better part of six years - took great pleasure in sitting on Fred's lap. Of course George did not blame them, no-one had ever known how he had felt about Angelina, but it still cracked his heart into a thousand pieces when he thought about the way his brother, his twin had danced with the girl of his dreams at the Yule Ball.
One of their best friends, Harry Potter had given his Triwizard Winnings to them for the Joke Shop. George had made all the decision making - and Fred had got the Credit.
As they descended from the train for the second last time, Angelina and Fred led the way, closely followed by Alicia and Katie. George lagged behind, weighed down by a broken heart and an old Cleansweep Seven that had brought him no luck on the Quidditch field.
*
Padma slid into a seat at the Ravenclaw table inbetween her best friends Lisa Turpin and Amanda Brocklehurst. It was time for the annual sorting. Padma glanced over at the Gryffindor table where her sister Parvati was sitting talking to Lavender Brown, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. Padma caught a sight of the Weasley twins and suddenly wished she were at the table too.
Albus Dumbledore broke into her thoughts. ...We also salute new Quidditch captains. Ravenclaw- Hufflepuff - Slytherin - Gryffindor - Fred Weasley.
Padma found herself torn in two as she applauded. How could they pick one of the twins? How could they tear the pair apart?
*
Hi George, smiled Hermione Granger as the tall fiery haired seventh year entered the empty Gryffindor common room. It was three o'clock in the morning of the first day back - and already Hermione was doing work.
Work already Hermione? asked George collapsing into a seat next to her. Well you know with Ordinary Wizarding Levels only a couple of months away...
They're in June. Hermione, it's September the 1st - well the 2nd.
Hermione ignored him so George continued. Still, I suppose you'll have to set an example now, being a Prefect and all. Suppose I should say Congratulations.
Hermione grinned and tried not to look too pleased with herself. And Congratulations to you too.
George looked up with a blank expression on his face. Oh right, he said eventually.
Hermione shook her head. No, George, you. I know how much you wanted that captaincy - no don't interrupt I know you did - and I also know that you've been really, well, noble about it to Fred. And it's going to be harder to be the Captain's twin brother than the Captain. That deserves a Congratulations.
George went so red that he had to excuse himself and hurry up to bed. He supposed Ron must have told Hermione something. She was a nice kid, like a sister to him.
*
Padma lay in bed staring at her blue velvet curtains surrounding her four-poster bed. She could hear Lisa's heavy breathing and Mandy's snoring. In five hours Padma would be in Transfiguration, but she could not help feeling, excited as she was, very depressed. Even though she knew Lisa and Mandy very well and told them everything, they could have no idea what she was going through. Could anyone understand?
Yes, she realised slowly, someone could. Someone who knew exactly how she felt because he was in the same position himself.
However, trying to talk to George Weasley would be impossible. He was in Gryffindor and two years older than her. Although she and Ron had been on pretty good terms since they had partnered each other at the Yule Ball, she could not ask him to introduce her to his older brother.
She was seized with an idea. She would sit down at the Gryffindor table. George would mistake her for Parvati, she would tell him that she was Padma and all would go to plan. Yes that would be good....
*
Next morning after telling Lisa and Mandy that she was going across to speak to Parvati (despite them pointing out that Parvati and Lavender were not down yet) Padma slid into a seat next to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Hi Parvati, Hermione said absentmindedly. Lavender not down yet?
Padma shrugged. Fred and George entered. Fred was holding hands with a tall black girl who was a Chaser on the Quidditch team. They sat with the rest of the team but
Hi Padma, said George. You joining Gryffindor for breakfast today?
Padma opened her mouth but no sound escaped. She stole a glance at Harry, Ron and Hermione who were all wearing the same expression as she was.
How did you know? she muttered.
George smiled. You think I've spent almost eighteen years of my life looking identical to another human being without being able to tell twins apart?
Padma smiled back. She knew they were going to get along.