CHAPTER 8
We are such stuff that dreams are made of.
Heavy Breathing. Perspiration pouring down her. Hair soppy, hair soaking, body shaking, body shivering. Disbelief. Unacceptance. Fear.
*
You have but slumbered here, while this vision did appear.
Gasping. Hands shaking. Sweat drenching his forehead. Head shaking, head splitting. Trepidation. Terror. Fear.
*
It was only a dream. Yeah, she had only had a fucking nightmare, but it had been so vivid.
It was only a dream. Uh-huh, but it had still scared the shit out of him.
*
Their eyes met. Was Padma imagining it, or had the sea-blueness of George's eyes faded slightly from the previous evening? asked George as way of greeting.
Padma shook her head.
Did you... George stuttered, his confidence gone. He changed tack. I had a strange dream last night. Padma started and looked up at him. His arms clutched around his body to steady himself. He did not look at her but concentrated on the table. She could tell what he was visualising. It was about me and Frederick being -
Padma whispered, finished for him. She was beginning to see a pattern now: a dark connection that linked her to George. In her angst, she almost wished she had never sat at the Gryffindor table that September morning, never pretended to be Parvati, never got to know George.
Did you have it too? George asked, his eyes bleary. In his terror, he had seemed to have lost ten years of his age. Padma knew she would have to be braver than him, to help him through his pain, but still shivered each time she remembered what she had seen...
she said. But I saw Parvati and myself being born.
And you weren't supposed to be born either? asked George throatily.
mouthed Padma holding back her tears. And they wanted a son...
They wanted a daughter! exclaimed George. And then, there was... He stopped, his eyes watery.
Padma nodded slowly. There was. She lost control, thinking about it - her strange existence - her father's disappointment - the Dark Mark. She dissolved into tears - tears of anger, tears of pain. George held her as his own eyes burned.
I will not feel I will not
feel until
I have to.
*
Should I tell Fred?
There was a long silence. He is your brother.
Is he? I don't know anymore. Am I even George Weasley?
You are to me. Padma considered before continuing. I'm not telling Parvati. It's different with you and Fred - you live together at school. Parvati wouldn't understand.
Should we tell Harry?
Padma did not hesitate. We're going to have to. He's always the one that's... involved in that sort of thing... She shivered as she thought of James and Lily Potters' death, the Philosopher's stone, the Chamber of Secrets and most recently Cedric Diggory's death.
gulped George. I'll tell Harry and Ron.
*
So he told them. Hermione said that it was a personal matter between family and that she should not be present, but George begged her to stay. He described what had happened at the Yule Ball first, how he and Padma had somehow been separated from the world that they lived in. Then he told them of the dreams, the nightmares.
But that - that's utter crap! exclaimed Ron, in a high, false voice. Tell him Hermione! But even Hermione, who did not believe in Divination and the Grim was looking grave. She did not reply.
I've had weird dreams, muttered Harry.There was one I had when I just arrived in 1st Year... about Snape.
What happened? asked Ron.
Doesn't matter...
Honestly, you've got nothing to worry about, continued Ron. He forced a fake smile.
*
George sat tensely in his dorm, nervously awaiting the return of Fred and Lee. Term started the next day. He hoped that Fred would have made peace with him. He was still wondering whether to tell him when George heard mouths gradually ascend the stairs. See you in the morning, Weasley! yelled someone. George sighed and waited for the door to open.
*
Oh hello, said Hermione trying her best to act natural. How was Christmas?
grinned Lavender.
said Parvati, throwing herself onto her bed.
said Hermione unsure how to take this. Padma asked me to tell you to go and see her.
Parvati's face lightened. Good. I have to give her some stuff from Mum. She bounded out of the room, renewed with energy.
Lavender frowned. When did they make up?
shrugged Hermione. But I'm glad they have.
Down the stairs, through the Common-room, past the Fat Lady, down the stairs, past the Great Hall, through the Ravenclaw Common-room and up the stairs ran Parvati. She paused at her sister's door, then knocked. Come in! called three voices simultaneously. Mandy, Lisa and Padma were lying on their beds laughing at some joke. As Mandy and Lisa caught sight of Parvati they signalled to each other, waved at the twins and left.
How was Christmas? they asked in unison.
Sorry, you first, said Padma. It was like they had never met and were starting over again.
Crap. Although my Urdu improved. You?
Yeah, it was alright.
I'm sorry, they said together.
*
Fred grinned. George breathed a sigh of relief. He had forgiven him. No pretend apology was necessary. Yeah, I'm fine, he replied.
You're obviously talking to me now, then? asked Fred, a smile playing about his lips. George's eyes widened. But it was you who -
Bullshit, George, laughed Fred. You were ignoring me! Aint that right Lee?
Lee, after fiddling with his dreadlocks for a while, left. continued Fred. Forget that. You know our eighteenth birthday?
Yes, I think I remember, thought George irritated, but he simply nodded.
Well, I asked Mum if we could have a joint party and what do you know? She said yes! Nice of you to consult me about it, thought George but again all he said was Oh right. It sounded like fun, anyway. Time to try out the joke-shop goodies he had come up with... and inform the guinea-pigs that George had designed them.
Well anyway, said Fred. Coming down to the Common Room? George nodded.
Might as well. They walked, not ran as they were accustomed to doing. So we'll work out the invite list later, yeah?
Invite list? asked Fred incredulously. But we know who we're inviting don't we? I mean, apart from all the Gryffindors, who else would we invite?
*
A party? awed Padma. The envelope had been slipped under her door. It was addressed to all three of the fifth-year Ravenclaw girls but it was quite obvious that Mandy and Lisa had only been asked as a courteousy.
FRED AND GEORGE'S 18th BIRTHDAY BASH
To whom it may concern (in this case Padma Patil, Amanda Brocklehurst and Lisa Turpin.)
Get ready for what is possibly going to be the event of the century! Messrs. Frederick and George Weasley (Creators of weasley's wizarding wheezes limited) are celebrating adulthood in style! Grab your wands and set off on your broomsticks!
WHEN: April 21st, 8 til Late
WHERE: The Burrow
All of a sudden, Lisa and Mandy had forgotten their jealousy of George and began to praise him. Padma was a bit unnerved. George had been so nervous a few days ago - did he really want a party? Still, April was a long time away...everything would be forgotten by then.
*
Eighteen. Hmm. Adulthood. George found himself casting his mind back over his childhood, how Fred had broken Ron's broomstick when Fred and George had been six, how excited his mother had been when Bill was made Head Boy, how proud George had been when Charlie had been Quidditch Captain, how he and Fred had closed their eyes and run into Platform 9 and 3/4, how they had met Lee Jordan stepping onto the train, how Hagrid had taken them across the lake, how they had fared the Sorting....
Weasley, Frederick! Professor McGonagall's voice managed to fill the hall even though she had not used the Sonorus spell. George gave his brother a nudge and Fred bounded up to the platform. He picked up the hat and put it on his head. George saw Charlie and Percy wave at Fred from the Gryffindor table. Bill, Head Boy, had to sit next to Dumbledore. The hat opened its rip and cried Fred stood up, grinning and went to join Charlie and Percy, who were applauding. Please, George thought as he walked up the platform, let me be in Gryffindor too. He picked up the hat gingerly and placed it on his head.
OH MY.... thought the hat. OH MY...
Oh your what? thought George.
Well, I've sorted plenty of Weasleys in my time, but never had to... Oh my.
Never had to what? asked George, panicking.
Well, you're very clever, but I'm afraid I can't put you in Ravenclaw.
What's this about Ravenclaw? asked George fretting. I want to be in Gryffindor please.
But I'm afraid you can't, you see. You're too... cunning. Not really a spur of the moment person.
But I am! cried George. I'm very spur-of-the-moment!
And you're not really loyal enough to be in Hufflepuff...
No! I want to be in Gryffindor!
We can't always get what we want. Slytherin, it is.
Not Slytherin, no! My Mum would kill me.
She might not, suggested the hat, but he sounded doubtful.
Look, you don't know my mum, okay! cried George exasperated with the inanimate object resting on his head.
Oh, but I do, whispered the hat. I know more about you than you possibly could. Go in Gryffindor, if you want lionheart. But it's our decisions that make us who we are, not our houses. GRYFFINDOR!
A/N : Hello. Never had one of these before. Thought I better let you know how much I appreciate your reviews with special thanks to Shanchan (my first ever review) Stranger With My Face, Morrighan, Lucky Yuy and Draco Malfoy, Emily, Al (my favourite author), Jenneigh, radamof, Hermione Williams, Madhuri (Ap kesi hai?) Ginny :), magical little me, kiana 1488, TDC311, Hermione L. Granger, Ron's Babe, Cappie, Yarn, Princess Katrina (who is coming up with really good theories) College girl, angelet, quirky babe, carefoam, Sreya, water nymph and not forgetting the digger Heather, Hazel (hope I can come tonight) and the mother of Drama Katherine.