Harry, Ron and Hermione had promised Padma and George that they would do all they could to help. However, there did not seem to be much urgency in them discovering anything.
Since Halloween, nothing had happened to either twin, and since they both had a lot of work to do (Padma's O.W.L.s and George's N.E.W.T.s were coming up) they almost forgot about the incident entirely.The only thing that kept reminding them waswhen they had to see their twins.
Padma did not have such a hard time; she only had to see Parvati when their mother sent some samosas from home to them both. She had came to a mutual agreement with Lisa and Mandy about not mentioning Halloween and was fairly content. However, George was having a miserable time. It was bad enough that his best friend was completely ignoring him, but because of Fred's captaincy, most of the Quidditch team had turned on him. Only Harry and the new sixth year Keeper would have anything to do with George.
"Why don't you just say sorry?" asked Harry during one practice.
"Because I'm not sorry!" snapped George, his temper as fiery as his hair. "I was only telling the truth and if he's too egotistical to realise that this is nothing to do with him, then-" Harry interrupted. "It is to do with him. He's your brother..." He trailed off. George saw Harry's green eyes glint with discovery. "It is to do with him. Oh course it is!"
"Well he's not acting like my brother," began George.
"I don't mean that!" cried Harry excitedly, hopping around on his Firebolt.
"Harry," Fred yelled. "The point is to stay on the broom, not fall off it."
Harry repositioned himself on his invisible cushion. "What have you and Padma got in common?" he asked George quietly. George was taken aback by the sudden change of subjects.
"Quite a lot actually." He drifted off and talked for a long time until Harry was forced to interrupt. "You're twins, you idiot. Identical twins. And I think that's why whoever this person is, is after you."
George was quiet for a time, allowing this idea to sink in. It was only when a Bludger came flying towards Harry that George was forced out of his reverie and hit the ball towards Fred with surprising strength. "But why us two?" he asked. "Why not Fred and Parvati? I mean, they don't know each other, they wouldn't be able to talk to each other."
Harry shook his head. "They're in the same house. It's more likely that they'd know each other than you and Padma." George kept silent. "You're going to have to work out where Padma's going to be over the holidays."
George looked up. "Why?"
"Because it's the first chance that you two will be separated. You're prime target."
*
"How are you spending Christmas?"
Christmas. Hmmm. What with the pile of work that Padma had to get through as well as worrying about the unknown person, she had not noticed the weeks speed by. So when George asked her how she was spending Christmas, she did not really have an answer ready. However, December was upon them, if not fully proven by the layer of snow surrounding the castle, then by Raving Robin (the Ravenclaw ghost) singing his upbeat rendition of "Good King Wenceslas."
Padma had two choices - she could go to India with her parents, or she could stay at Hogwarts. The Patils did not celebrate Christmas as a rule. Quite apart from not believing that Jesus Christ was the son of God, they also hated the commercialisation that came with the celebration. That was partly why she did not want to stay at Hogwarts. Then again, she did not want to go to India. The wizards there were very old fashioned; they still charmed snakes. Also, there was the Yule Ball... She decided to answer a question with a question. "Why?"
George quickly informed her of Harry's theory. Padma felt like laughing out loud at the thought of a psycopath wanting to capture two identical twins, but bit her lip instead.
"So you think we should stick together this Christmas?" she asked resisting the urge to grin.
"Yes," said George, solemnly.
"Is Fred going home?" asked Padma. George shrugged.
"It doesn't make a difference to me. But he mentioned something about staying with the Johnsons. Where's Parvati going?"
"India," muttered Padma. "Well I'll stay then. Just don't force me to sing any carols."
*
"Chanter!" George whispered to his wand. Instantly Padma's mouth jerked open.
"We wish you a Merry Christmas!" she sang shooting dark looks towards George. Harry, Ron and George dissolved into laughter and ordered five more tankards of Butterbeer. The Three Broomsticks had been decorated with tinsel and glitter. A magnificent Christmas tree stood in the corner lavished with flashing coloured lights and a star that winked at them.
Hermione frowned. She whipped out her wand and muttered the counterspell. It was Christmas Day and everyone - including Padma - was feeling merry. The Yule Ball was to be held that night - everyone had decided not to partner anyone, just to dance with as many people as possible.
"We'd better get a move on," said Hermione glancing at the clock.
"Yes," said Padma, rising.
Harry, Ron and George looked at each other. It was only four o'clock and the Yule Ball was at half past seven. "Move," Hermione hissed.
"Girls," Ron muttered as he followed Hermione and Padma.
*
It seemed strange to be separated from Fred on Christmas, thought George as he made the final adjustments to his appearance. For the first time in his life he had not woken up to exchange presents with Fred. Only one Weasley jumper had arrived from home. Still, he would have to get used to it. After all, he could not spend all his life tied to Fred.
"Concealero" he muttered to his wand which cleared his face of a few of his freckles. He had used "Gerald's Gel" to make his fiery fringe spike out straight.
"Come on!" cried his mirror. "Give me a smile!" George grinned widely. He would show them tonight: he was just as cool as Fred.
*
She looked stunning; there was no denying it. Of course, the scarlet dress robes that clinged to her figure had cost quite a few Galleons, but it was worth it. From her wrists to her elbows she wore gold bangles. Her hair was up in coils. She had no make-up: she did not need it. Padma smiled at her reflection which revealed a beautiful young woman. She would show them tonight: she was as much of a stunner as Parvati.
*
George entered the Hall, lit only by multi-coloured flames from a million candles. Hermione smiled at him. Once again it hit him how gorgeous she could look when she made the effort. Ron was looking much happier than he had last year partly due to his designer dress robes. Harry grinned and waved. Where was Padma? He sauntered over to his friends. "Looking stunning tonight Mademoiselle Granger," George said putting on a sophisticated accent and kissing her on the hand. Hermione giggled.
He turned to Ron. "You need not look so distraught, my dear brother. I dare say Mademoiselle Granger will save a dance for you too."
Harry and George were the only ones who laughed because Ron became embarrassed and Hermione, to save Ron the humiliation, ignored George.
"It's good to hear you laugh again," said Harry. It's good that people find me funny again thought George. It was twenty to eight. "Where's Padma?"
*
Padma entered the Hall, lit only by multi-coloured flames from a million candles. Hermione smiled at her. Once again, it hit Padma how gorgeous Hermione could look when she made the effort. Ron was staring at Hermione in awe. Harry's glasses steamed up at the sight of Padma. Where was George? Like a model on the catwalk, she gracefully walked towards her friend.
"You look amazing," said Hermione. She was only being courteous, but Padma knew it to be true anyway. "As do you," she replied.
Harry and Ron mumbled something to them about looking nice. Then they asked them to dance. It was twenty to eight. "Where's George?"
*
A/N Do you know what is going on?