Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling rules, I suck and have no imagination to come up with characters and locations of my own... blah, blah, blah.
A/N: Faithful readers, random entrants and personal friends doing this out of loyalty: The Weasleys' residence, April 25th 1996, eight o'clock in the evening. Apart from five young ladies who glance nervously at the house in front of them, all guests have arrived.
The Parting of the Twain (PG-13)
Chapter 11: Coming of Age
Padma had never been to The Burrow before, but by what she had been told of it, she guessed (correctly) that it had never looked as magnificent as it did that warm April evening. The Weasleys' residence stood tall and elegant in its splendour against the sunset's wash of bright colours, which the house's roof was concealing. The five chimneys' smoke was culminating in one cloud which had been enchanted to read "HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY FRED & GEORGE."
Parvati nudged her sister forward. "Go on," she whispered as though the house could hear her (which it probably could.) "Ring the bell."
"Why me?" Padma asked in a louder voice.
"Because you're the only reason Mandy and I were invited," explained Lisa patiently. "Parvati and Lavender are Gryffindors, but the only reason we're going is because you and George are - are - "
"Oh alright!" snapped Padma, privately thinking that if she were told she and George were an item one more time she would scream. She took her rage out on the doorbell by ringing it with extreme vigour. She need not have bothered, because the welcomer was eagerly awaiting guests, hovering on the other side of the door, so naturally opened it immediately.
"Hi," said Ginny, hopping about excitedly. The charming thing about the Weasley daughter, thought Padma, was that she still retained her innocence, despite her being just one-year younger than Padma. Perhaps it was something to do with her being the youngest child, or only daughter.
"Hi Ginny," replied Parvati. "I think you know me, Lavender and Padma." Lisa and Mandy gave Parvati withering looks.
"Oh, I know Lisa and Mandy too," answered Ginny. "But," she added with a giggle, "I have to make sure it's really you." Lisa and Mandy gave her a gratifying look.
Padma had noticed the small, spherical, opaque object in Ginny's hands before anyone else because she had been with George in Hogsmeade when they had bought it.
"This is a Bouncer Ball," explained Ginny articulately.
"That's very nice, dear," smiled Lavender, patronisingly.
"It is, dear, isn't it?" scowled Ginny. "You need to state your name and the ball will tell you if you are what you seem. Padma distinctly heard the words "rude" and "cow" but said nothing. "That's a bit extreme, isn't it?" asked Mandy, wide-eyed.
At first Padma thought Mandy meant Ginny addressing Lavender as a "rude cow" was extreme, but then realised her friend was referring to the Bouncer Ball.
Ginny shrugged. "We want to keep the Slytherins out."
Padma knew better. She and George had specifically sought out the Bouncer Ball in order that they keep out whatever had been tracking them both down - they both felt that the thing, whatever it was, would try something on George's birthday.
Parvati and Lavender pushed in front of the others. "Parvati Patil," she cried.
The ball glowed. A mechanical sound came from it. "Patil, Parvati Parveen. Born 12 February 1981 to Patil, Parvez and Patil, Priyanka..."
"That'll do, thankyou," said Ginny and the ball was silenced. "Come in Parvati. Go straight ahead and turn right." Parvati entered the Burrow, staring at the ball. Lavender went next. "Brown, Lavender. Born 3 September 1980 to Brown, Dr. John and Brown, Miranda." Parvati looked at Ginny, wondering whether she would stop the ball, but Ginny seemed quite content to allow the ball to continue. "Terrified of white mice, in love with Seamus Finnigan..."
"Won't that do?" snapped Lavender, who had gone bright pink.
"Do come in, Lavender," smiled Ginny, avenged. Padma could tell Ginny was envisioning telling Gryffindor House about Lavender and Seamus. Lavender swept past her coldly.
The other three looked at each other, uncertainly. Lisa shrugged and said her name. "Turpin, Lisa. Born..." Ginny let her in.
"Brocklehurst, Amanda Louise..." She entered.
"Hey Padma," smiled Ginny when they were finally alone. "Go on then."
"Padma Patil," she said and waited.
And waited.
The Bouncer Ball had said nothing.
Ginny frowned. "Better repeat it," she said. "Just in case."
Padma repeated her name, feeling slightly nervous.
"Void," announced the Bouncer Ball.
It was hard to tell who was in more shock: the redheaded guardian or the ebony haired apparent intruder.
"Ginny, I don't know..." protested Padma.
"Fuck off bitch," whispered Ginny looking terrified. The door slammed in Padma's face.
*
"What? Are you sure?" George asked, astonished. He and Padma had bought the Bouncer Ball as a precaution; to appease Padma's increasing alarm. He had never thought that the creature that had been haunting them both would arrive at the doorstep impersonating Padma.
"But she looked like her, didn't she?" asked Ron.
"Oh Ron," sighed Hermione,"There are all sorts of creatures who could impersonate Padma. Shape-shifters, for example..."
"Spare us the lecture," Ron retorted.
"But there's no-one else downstairs who looks exactly like her, is there?"
"Yes, there is," pointed out Hermione. "Parvati."
"Do you always have to be such a know-it-all?" George asked, exasperated. Hermione shrugged. "You did ask."
"Well she's still there," said Harry, looking out of the window.
"Then I've got to go down and see," George said.
"George, she - it is evil!" cried Ginny. "This is probably exactly what it wants you to do - walk right into its trap."
George shook his head and looked out of the window. It certainly looked like Padma. "I have to make sure," he said eventually. "The Bouncer Ball might be faulty."
"It let everyone else in just fine," pouted Ginny, hands on her hips, but George was already heading for the door.
"Look," said Percy, who had been silently listening. Bill and Charlie were downstairs helping Fred. "As the eldest person here, I am in charge of you all. You're not quite eighteen George, legally you're not until midnight. And I feel guilty about this, what with Mum and Dad being away..."
"Oh shut up Percival!" snapped Ron irritably. "And come downstairs."
*
It was the worst possible way to start a party, she thought miserably, sitting down on the front step of the Burrow. Everything had been going so well. The five of them, Padma, Parvati, Lisa, Mandy and Lavender had gone into Hogsmeade earlier that day to buy presents and (in the Gryffindors' case) clothes. Padma had not bothered buying a new outfit; no one other than Harry, Ron or Hermione had seen the scarlet dress robes she had worn at the Ball. Even if she were let in, George and the rest of them would be watching her all evening.
The door she was leaning on opened and she fell backwards, inside.
"Nice plan of getting in," sang Ginny, reeking of sarcasm. Padma hurriedly got to her feet and found that George's wand was pointing at her heart. "Padma," he said. "I'm really, really sorry. Veritas"
"George Weasley!" exclaimed Percy, torn between astonishment and disgust. "You're not supposed to do that unless it's a real emergency - you'll get in trouble with the Ministry for this - I'll have to report you!"
"SHUT UP PERCY!" yelled everyone except Padma.
"This is an emergency," said Padma, her voice wobbling.
"Hardly, it's only a party -"
"She's telling the truth," said Ron pointedly.
"What is your full name?" asked George.
"Padma Priyanka Patil," she replied, feeling as though she were about to wretch.
"Right, that'll do," said Percy.
"Do you fancy George?" asked Ron hastilly. George hit him, but Percy had already said "Finite Incantatem!" anyway. Padma shivered and felt herself once more.
Ginny was shaking her head. "Padma, I'm sorry, I didn't know - I'm sorry."
"It's okay," said Padma, but she felt sick. "That Bouncer Ball was a waste of a galleon though, wasn't it?" She came inside.
"We could test it now," said George. "Everyone?"
They swiftly ascertained that Virginia Weasley, Harry James Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Jane Granger were who they claimed to be. "Percy?" asked Hermione.
Percy took a step backwards. "I don't really think that I should..."
"Come on, are you an imposter?" mocked George. "Who are you? Are you really Percy Weasley? What are you hiding?"
"Well of course I'm Percy Weasley, but - " Too late, he realised his mistake. "Weasley, Percival. Born 1st August 1976 to Weasley, Arthur and Weasley, Molly. Engaged to Clearwater, Penelope Ann..."
"YOU'RE ENGAGED?!" demanded Ron. The rest of them simply stood with their mouths hanging open. Padma remembered Penelope well. She had been the Ravenclaw Prefect who had been petrified three years ago and had gone on to be Head Girl the year after.
"And when were you planning on telling Mum and Dad?" asked Ginny.
"I already have," stammered Percy nervously. "You don't seriously think I'd keep it from them, do you?"
"You kept it from us!" exclaimed George as Percy backed into the Living Room. "Didn't he? Did you know Ron, Ginny?" They shook their heads and forced Percy further backwards. "Who else knows?" asked Hermione. She, Harry and Padma were regarding the Weasley family feud with interest. "Only Bill and Charlie..."
"YOU TOLD BILL AND CHARLIE?!" yelled the Weasleys, thunderously.
They chased Percy into the Living room, much to the amusement of the other guests who joined in "Pile-up Percy." Harry, Hermione and Padma followed, forgetting that Weasley, George had not tested the Bouncer Ball.
*
By half past eight, Padma's mishap was forgotten. She was pleased (if a little put out) to find that the invitation list had been extended further than her friends and her. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Quidditch teams and supporters were present - Cho Chang was talking happily to Harry - but that was not all. Bill, the eldest Weasley, had his arm around Fleur Delacour's waist. Lavender and Parvati seemed to be scowling at Fleur and drooling over Bill at the same time. Padma recognised a few boys from Beauxbatons Academy whom she had danced with at the fourth year ball. She bit her lip trying not to laugh as she remembered the scene: Ron scowling at Hermione and Viktor Krum, Harry fuming at the sight of Cho with Cedric, she and Parvati dancing sensuously with French boys (whose only words in English were "bootiful" and "lurv") in order to make their partners jealous. Ginny was talking to one of them now. Padma seemed to remember his name being Pierre.
Charlie had shocked the party by bringing home his girlfriend, who turned out to be none other than Celestina Warbeck, the pop princess reknown for singing "Witching Hour". Her supporting band, "The Centaurs of Attention," was playing rock music in the corner, which looked to have been enlarged.
Hermione looked in her direction, detatched herself from Viktor and made her way over to Padma.
"Knut for your thoughts," she smiled.
"You ought to watch it, Hermione. Mr. Krum will have to pay off all your debts."
Hermione laughed heartily. "Live now, pay later. Full Marks for avoiding the question."
Padma sighed. "I was just thinking how everyone's paired off. Well all the people who have lived here, including you."
Hermione looked thoughtful. "Harry comes here more than I do. Although I did live here for a while two summers ago."
"Well, there you are. You're with Viktor -" Hermione looked about to protest so Padma continued with haste. "Harry's with Cho. Bill's with Fleur - " Hermione frowned. She had never much cared for Miss Delacour. "Charlie's with Celestina Warbeck! I mean, she sang Witching Hour and she's really famous. Percy's engaged, as we heard earlier. Fred and Angelina haven't appeared to come up for air for fifteen minutes. Ron -" Padma simply motioned for effect. Ron was entertaining some Veela cousins of Fleur's by telling them how his father was the Minister for Magic. "And Ginny's talking to Pierre."
Hermione shook her head. "That's not everyone who's ever lived here," she whispered and she turned Padma gently to look at the Weasley brother that Padma had missed out. The Weasley brother that was always missed out because Fred was the more confident.
Who did George suit? A year ago she would have said Angelina, Katie or Alicia, but she knew now that that was only because they were the only girls she had seen him with. (Besides Alicia was on-off seeing Lee Jordan and Katie was far too much of a flirt to stick to one boyfriend.) He spoke to Hermione, but they were practically brother and sister. If truth were told, Padma could not imagine George with anyone else because she did not want to. She had had a crush on him since she had first stepped aboard the Hogwarts Express but so had all the girls in her year. That had not been unusual. What had been unusual was that she had got to know the real George Weasley and had liked him more for it. She knew the man behind the jokes and the laughter because she shared it with him. Though she knew that there was some dark, evil power connecting them, she could not bear life without George and she realised with a pang that for the next two years at Hogwarts, she would have to.
With a start she realised she had been staring at George since Hermione had left. He drew away from Charlie and Celestina and came to stand by her.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, grinning. It was as though she was still that fourth year that had gazed at him across the lunch hall. "Yeah thanks," she said weakly.
"Nothing happened with you-know-what, has it?" he asked quietly.
"What? Oh, no." He was talking about the dreams.
"Good," he said, relief seeping through his voice. "Are you okay? You seem different..."
"No, I'm fine," said Padma, blushing.
"No you're not," he whispered softly. Padma began to shake with nerves as his hand massaged her cheek. She closed her eyes. His touch was so gentle that she did not notice when his caressing hand transformed into his lips... And then he was gone. Padma opened her eyes blinking to find George rocking himself irregularly, his eyes glazed over. "George?" asked Padma, thinking with a sinking heart that she had terrified him. "Are you okay?"
Before he had a chance to reply Fred yelled, "It's time for a party game!" his tongue now free to speak. "Truth or Dare."
"Oh no, they never work!" cried Harry. "I used to play that with Dudley. No-one ever tells the truth anyway."
"Yes, Harry," said George, crossing to join Fred. "But did you have one of these?" Out of the pocket of his robes he withdrew his wand and twirled it softly feeling power rise through his veins.
*
"Right, so anyone want to explain the rules for the benefits of Muggle-borns?" asked George. He and Fred had taken the entire gathering outside and positioned them in a circle. Colin Creevey put his hand into the air. "No offence Colin," grinned Fred, "But you are a muggle-born." The garden shook with laughter.
"I know," said Colin, abashed and amused at once. "But I know how to play this. You ask a person a truthful question and if they decline to answer, they have to do a dare." Fred and George exchanged a glance, shaking their heads. "Oh no," they said in unison. "That's the muggle way."
"You dare someone..." began Fred.
"...And if they don't do the dare, they have to - well, are forced to tell the truth," finished George, twirling his wand in his hand like a baton.
Padma gulped. She knew that the Weasleys' were referring to the use of the Veritas spell. It was only supposed to be used in emergencies. When she had had the spell cast over her, a wash of chagrin had left her cold. It was not like George to experiment with deep magic - well okay it was, but he had never done so in front of her. Still, everyone around her seemed too tipsy to care. She and Parvati were the only ones who had not drunk anything and that included the first years. She looked wildly around for a sign of Percy to interfere, but he, Bill and Charlie had taken Penelope, Fleur and Celestina for a drive. Hermione spoke up. "I really don't think we should be doing this..."
"Oh come on Herrrmionee," drawled Fred. "Bee a sporrt."
"You're just drunk!" Hermione snapped back. "We could get in serious trouble for this!"
"No we won't," said George. "Besides, if everyone takes the dares we won't have to get people to tell the truth, will we?"
At first, the dares were fun: Alicia had to dance sensuously round the garden, Ginny was pressured into owling Mrs Weasley to say that she was pregnant with Pierre's baby. The guests got bored and gradually drifted inside as the evening drew on, until the only people in the back garden were Angelina, Padma, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the incredibly drunk Weasley twins. The truths became cruel. Fred, at any rate, was still being facetious, but George seemed to be acting like Draco Malfoy on a bad day. She supposed it was the drink, thought Padma, but that did not excuse the way he was behaving.
"Angelina," Fred drawled. "When did you start fancying me?" Padma always thought that he deserved the slap he received. Angelina swept past them coldly into the house.
"Right," said Fred, downing yet another watermelon flavoured Wheezer, "Let's target the famous three, shall we?" He turned on his youngest brother and his two best friends. Hermione was shaking her head, gravely. "Fred, George, don't you think you've had enough to drink?"
Fred ignored her with a wave of his now empty bottle.
"Ron," he drawled. They were making a pattern now, noted Padma. Fred would make up the dares and George would invent the truths. "I dare you to... do an engorgement charm on a spider."
To Padma, this seemed harmless enough, but by the expression on Ron's face and the asperity with which Hermione hissed "You know how he hates them!" she gathered that this was fairly ruthless.
"I'll take that as a truth then," smiled George. It was a smile that Padma had never seen on George's lips before. It was a smirk, a lust for evil.
"Right Ron, what are you most jealous of Harry for?" Padma's jaw dropped open and she was not in the least surprised to find that she was not the only one. This was George's younger brother. How could he be subjecting him to this torture? Even Fred seemed alarmed. "George," he muttered warningly. "Maybe that's pushing the game." Harry was looking nervous, not sure quite what to do.
As Hermione sharply said "That's too harsh George," and Ron stammered "I can't answer that - " George whipped out his wand and muttered "Veritas."
Hermione struggled for her wand, probably to stop the spell. "I repeat Ron, what are you most jealous of Harry for?"
Ron's voice was cold and monotonous. "He can never do anything wrong. Even when he gets homework wrong people excuse him. "It's the Boy who Lived," they say. And he doesn't need me anymore. He's got Sirius and Hermione. And he's so blind, he knows Hermione's in love with - "
"Finite Incatatem," said Hermione. Ron turned his back and headed for the house. "I'm sorry Harry," he mumbled without being able to turn around. Harry was white with anger, even though he knew Ron was not really to blame. "George, stop or you'll lose the only person who still cares about you." Padma knew he was referring to her. She knew something was terribly wrong. This was not George. Something had happened to him: he was ill. "George," she said gently. "I think you need to lie down for a while. Help me with him, Fred." Whatever his physical state appeared to be, Fred was sober enough to detach George from the drink.
"No!" yelled George. "Hermione!"
Hermione looked up sharply. Her arm was around Harry's shoulders and she was whispering words of reassurance to him. "Veritas!" yelled George, pointing his wand at her, before Fred could take it away. "Harry and Ron are both drowning, who do you save first?"
Padma would have put up a counter spell, but she was in a state of shock. She wanted to cry; what had happened to her George? Had something possessed him? Harry, reflexes sharp from Quidditch training muttered "Finite Incatatem" before Hermione, looking pained, could answer.
"Don't you want to know Harry?" asked George, who did not seem to realise that the people gathered round him wanted to punch him.
"No I don't," said Harry quietly, his voice shaking with rage. "You don't seem to realise that friendship isn't based on petty jealousy and who likes who more. Hermione is my best friend. So is Ron. I wouldn't care if he was jealous of me because of the colour of my hair or being Triwizard Champion - because friendship is about making allowances. It's obviously something that you've completely forgotten. Come on Hermione, let's find Ron."
They turned. "Harry!" yelled out Fred. "I'm sorry, I never meant... it was only a game." Harry briefly turned back to nod as a gesture of accepting his apology.
They left Fred, Padma and George with the deep silence for company. "I think you'd better find Angelina," said Padma shortly. Fred nodded, glancing sideways at George. "I'll take him to your room," she continued. Fred ran off, suddenly seeming very sober. "Right then," she sighed and led the stumbling boy towards his bedroom. George was silent the entire way. It was only when Padma put him down on his bed that he began rambling. "Don't know why everyone's behaving in such a weird way... only a joke... everyone wants to know if Hermione fancies Harry or Ron...He's my brother - got a right to know..."
"No you don't," said Padma shortly. For the first time in her life she was annoyed with George. Oddly enough, she was not furious with him: she knew that there were dark powers at work here. It had been something to do with his peck on her cheek. It had seemed innocent enough, she thought guiltily. "That was wrong George. Even though Harry said he didn't want to know whom Hermione would save, he'll be curious forever. And she'll feel too guilty to choose one over the other. She might not ever go out with either of them, now. You might have scarred their lives."
George blinked at her with a neutral expression and Padma realised with a jolt that he did not care. "I'm going to the bathroom!" she muttered in frustration, marching over to the door that connected to it and slamming the door behind her. She looked sweaty, she thought looking at herself in the mirror. What was she to do? Something was seriously wrong with George and she knew, no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she knew she was responsible. Opening the tap in an attempt to relieve her perspiration, she splashed cold water on her face. Immediately an aspect of guilt lifted from her soul making her feel lighter. She started smiling, though she told herself that there was nothing to smile about - the party would soon be over and George would soon lose all his friends. She braced herself and went back into George's bedroom.
"Hey," he grinned at her. "What am I doing up here?"
She stopped her mouth from falling open just in time. He is himself again. He is himself again and he can't remember anything that happened.
"You didn't feel well. I brought you up here 'cos you thought you might be sick." The lies flowed from her as easily as water flowed from a stream. She could not bring herself to tell him that kissing her had turned him into something that she had hated. "Oh," he said, a little surprised. "What time is it?"
"Ten," she said glancing down at her watch.
"Ten!" yelped George. "It was only half eight a second ago. I feel fine, now - can we go downstairs?"
Padma nodded silently, hoping against all hopes that his guests would have forgiven him. George ran down the stairs and bounded into the Living room in the manner of a puppy reunited with its kennel. Harry was the first to come over to him. Padma gulped. Please, she prayed, let him have forgiven...
"George!" exclaimed Harry delighted, clapping a hand on his friend's back "Feeling Better?"
Padma's pupils darted from left to right. What was going on?
"Yeah thanks," said George. "What have I missed?"
"Oh the food, the food!" yelled Ron coming to join them. He was grinning at his brother.
"I missed the banquet?" asked George. Padma's head was reeling. It didn't happen. None of it happened. I'm going mad. I'm going delusional. I'm going crazy.
"You can have some now," said Hermione. "There's loads left over."
"Not now," said Fred. "We're going to play Truth or Dare." Padma looked up wiede-eyed. Oh God, no!
"Oh no, they never work," cried Harry, as Padma was hit with déjà vu. " I used to play it with Dudley. No-one ever tells the truth anyway."
There was nothing for it. "Exactly," said Padma before Fred could continue. "Let's do something else instead... I know - " (But of course she did not have a clue what to do.) "Yes?" asked George expectantly. Padma glanced wildly around her for a plan that would be harmless. "We could - we could..." She saw Charlie with Celestina. "We could do a karaoke!" she exclaimed triumphantly. The guests looked at each other, with dubious looks. Parvati shook her head, proclaiming her sister to be mad. "Ok," said Fred eventually although he was staring at Padma as though she was a fish on a bicycle. "Why don't you start off?"
Padma groaned as Bill said "Sonorus," pointing his wand at her. "I walked right into that one didn't I?" Her voice echoed round the room.
Ever since she had been a child, Padma had been forbidden to sing. She had always assumed that it was because she sounded like Crookshanks being strangled. However when she was suddenly the centre of attention, she had no desire to sing.
"Maybe, em, Celestina could start off since she's a singer," she babbled nervously. She had to keep this idea going. They could not play Truth or Dare. "Call me Tina," came the recognisable voice, the American accent that had only ever been heard on the radio. "And I'd really prefer not to sing tonight."
"Yeah," piped up one of the band. "She never sings live."
Padma gulped. (The microphoned sound caused everyone to hear.) What could she sing with two hundred people watching her? Mandy and Lisa were giving her the thumbs-up. She caught George's eye and he winked. She thought of how her kiss had turned him into something that she could never have loved. She thought of how they could never be together because what kept them together, their dark connection, had to drive them apart. Then she thought they were lucky because whatever the future or the past had held, they had shared a year of their lives and she knew that George would remember it even better than she had.
Mumbling something about a muggle track and whispering to the band about what to play, she cleared her throat and began.
It was a Monday when my lover told me,
We can't be together for love only,
What could I say to you except I loved you?
And I'd give my life for yours.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
She looked up during the instrumental and saw that the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. A few were even dancing to the slow rhythm. George was looking grave. He knew.
She changed the words of the verse to suit her, but kept the chorus the same.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
It was no use crying; the crowd was applauding. Lee Jordan yelled above the crowd. "Miss Padma Patil there, with a muggle track of her favourite. Quite a singer too..."
Padma crossed to stand next to Hermione. "I never knew you could sing," gasped Hermione. Padma shrugged. "Neither did I."
After Padma had sung, everyone seemed keen to join in. All the Weasley siblings joined in to sing their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, Viktor and his teammates sang Billy Joel's Leningrad. Even a few of the first years belted out a track off the Weird Sisters' latest album. However, it was silently agreed that Padma's performance had been the best. She was even approached by Celestina Warbeck to be asked if Padma sang professionally, whether she had an agent, if she would mind joining "The Centaurs of Attention" over the Summer for a tour of America as Tina's supporting Act. Dizzily, Padma said that she would get back to her through Charlie.
"Quite Miss Popular tonight," said Parvati. Padma smiled at her sister. "I didn't mean to," she said. "Just didn't want to..."
"...Play Truth or Dare," smiled Parvati. "I know."
"No-one knows me like you do," Padma said.
"Of course not. The firework display should start soon. It's almost eleven." Sure enough, Bill called everyone together, told them to put on their over-robes and led them outside. The sky was pitch black, lit only by the stars above and the laughter that the guests shared. "Did you get any food, Padma?" asked George, putting his arm through hers in an effort to be jovial. "No..." She was trying to think of something witty to say, but all she could think of was his arm is linked in mine. "Well, don't worry, there's still the Birthday cake to come. Percy and Dad pulled a few strings at the Ministry to get the fireworks. Our brothers and Ginny have made a firework each. Should start soon. There'll be different colours of course - blue, green and red - oh and speaking of red, did I mention how nice you look tonight? I only mentioned it in passing, you know fireworks, colours, red, dress robes... Don't you think it's great about Charlie and Celestina? I do, she's really nice, and not just because she's a singer. Talking of singers, you have a really good voice - did I mention that? It was a nice song. Only mentioned it in passing, you know, Charlie and Celestina, singing..."
He stopped because Padma was smiling at him. "What?" he asked.
"I love it when you babble," she replied. His face turned the colour of her dress robes. He prayed for a distraction and it came shooting out of Bill's wand onto the black canvassed shimmery sky. A green Catherine Wheel that spun more quickly than any of the Bulgarian Quidditch team on broomsticks zoomed to the top of the sky, circled then burst into golden Galleons that danced against their ebony background and rained on the gasping crowd. A few galleons remained in the sky, which (magically of course) wrote the words
Fred and George, you had a lot to live up to and you have. Hey, you've even equalled the swotty accountant eldest bro!
Happy 18th Birthday from Gringotts Bank, Fleur and most especially Bill.
Padma was in a state of awe but that was nothing compared to the Muggle-borns who had not seen Wizard Fireworks before. "That was amazing - " "Never seen anything like it" "Better than at the Quidditch World Cup - " (Here there was a chortle of mirth, as nothing could beat the standard of the leprechauns.) Bill stood up and bowed as the crowd applauded and Fleur beamed with pride.
Just as they were missing the first firework, there came a second. This one appeared to be a golden snitch, which shot up to the sky faster than a Firebolt. Well, it was from Charlie, who had been Quidditch captain. The golden snitch appeared to grow in size until it resembled a large egg. The crowd held their breath in glee as the egg hatched to reveal what now had the Snitch's wings: an outline of a cute red baby dragon. The dragon spouted steam, which read
Fred and George - The world is your shell: explore, discover and don't drink too much. Happy 18th Birthday!
Charlie, Celestina and "The Centaurs of Attention"
With a flick of Charlie's wand, the dragon disappeared. Padma looked at Percy, whilst applauding Charlie who had rolled up his robe sleeves and held out his wand. From the shiny, pointy tip came a purple cloud of smoke, which rose to the sky slowly, expanded and formed letters inside it.
On behalf of Mr Percival Weasley, Miss Penelope Clearwater and the Ministry of Magic, we wish Messrs. Frederick and George Weasley a very happy 18th Birthday and a prosperous adulthood.
"What's that supposed to do with him?" whispered Padma to George, whilst applauding. George shrugged as he fake-grinned at Percy. "That he's boring?"
Padma suddenly realised that of course Ron would be next as Fred and George were the hosts. With a reassuring squeeze from Hermione that made Viktor raise his eyebrows, Ron pulled out his wand and sent something roaring across the sky that made the crowd realise that firstly they were in for a treat, and secondly that Hermione had been training her best friend up. Ron continued working with his wand, treating it as a sparkler. He drew a rectangle in the air, which the royal blue spark in the sky copied, only a hundred times bigger. Once the blue rectangle was in place Ron whispered something to his wand and gradually an image began to form inside the rectangle. Padma's eyes widened in delight as she realised that the blue rectangle was acting as a frame and that it held a picture of two year old Ron with five year old Fred and George.
Fred and George
It's been a long time since then, but if you think about it we haven't changed that much - you two still make me laugh. Hogwarts won't be the same without you.
Harry, Hermione and above all Ron.
Padma had never seen such a sentimental letter from Ron - but then again come to think of it, she had never seen any letter from him. But by the look on Fred and George's faces, she doubted whether all Ron's letters were like that.
Ginny as always was last. She tried to look confident as she flicked her wand into position. Ron had managed to capture pictures: Ginny had transported recorded sound. As the gleaming gold spark streaked across the sky Mr Arthur Weasley's voice could be heard.
"It's a girl!"
"Thank God for that!"
With a start, Padma realised she and her friends were hearing six-year old Fred's voice. "At least we won't have to fork out another eighteen galleons to buy another baby," added six year old George.
As the sound faded, the streaking cursor formed lettering against the entertaining sky.
It isn't easy to be the only girl. But I know that it's no picnic to look after an only sister either. Whenever I frowned, you made me smile, whenever I cried, you made me laugh and whenever I got too bossy, you gave me a good slap. Let's always be there for each other.
Happy 18th Birthday Fred and George to two of the best brothers in the World (the rest being Bill, Charlie, Percy and Ron.)
Lots of Love from Ginny (Should there be someone else as well?)
No one had seemed to notice how the time had flown. It was quarter to twelve and time for the birthday cake. The party resolutely shuffled inside; they knew that the evening was drawing to a close - after the cake had been cut, the guests would have to return to normality, and for the majority of them, Hogwarts.
The cake was quite small: just large enough for words of delicious cliché "Happy 18th Birthday Fred and George."
"George," muttered Padma warningly. "There might not be enough for everyone. Why don't you save it until everyone's gone home?" George silenced her with a wave of his hand. He and Fred clasped hands over a knife and cut the cake across the middle. Fred cut a slice and fed it to Angelina. "For the loveliest lady in the land," he said as Angelina munched away and the party laughed. As the laughter died away, Padma could feel the crowd's eyes turn towards and fix on her. Oh God thought Padma. They're waiting for him to give his slice to me. George looked baffled as to what to do. Then he cut a slice, motioned his sister forward and gave it to Ginny. "For a lady equally as lovely, although not quite as tall."
The party responded by chuckling, although Padma distinctly heard a trace of pity in their mirth, and blushed at the fact that it was probably directed towards her. "Anyone else want a piece?" asked Fred, and Padma found that the cake had refilled its board.
"Yes please!" yelled Bill. As the guests filed out of the door they would receive thanks for coming, their slices of cake and each time the board emptied, someone would flick his wand and the board would be refilled with more chocolate sponge. Eventually there was nobody left except the Weasleys, Celestina, Fleur, Penelope, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the Patils.
Padma suddenly felt the awkwardness of her situation: everyone else was connected with the Weasleys in some way. "I should going too," she said. Parvati nodded, thanked her hosts for having her and told her sister she would meet her outside. Suddenly, Fred set everyone about tidying up the back garden. "Oh George, d'you want to clean inside?" he asked with a glance at Padma, who shifted awkwardly.
And they were alone. At last. The room they were standing in suddenly seemed very small and as they moved closer together, both felt their worlds converging. They halted a foot apart, as if this distance could keep them separated. "Thanks for coming," he said, tonelessly.
"No thankyou," she replied, knowing how much she sounded like an untalented actress from a cheap film.
"It wasn't much but..."
"No," she interrupted. "It was great. I had a really good time tonight."
There was silence. George moped as he imagined the way it would play out. She would leave, thanking him again, eating her chocolate cake. They would both do their exams and suddenly feel that what they had shared that year was petty in comparison with the world and with what they could achieve, who they could meet. He would leave Hogwarts at the end of the year and forget about her...
"Oh screw this," he muttered and kissed her.
They were so close; it was as though they were drinking each other. This was beyond kissing; this was something greater. And in that instance, the chemistry and electricity that bound them together, acted as a portkey to transport them to a world determined to tear them apart.
A/N: Faithful readers, random entrants and personal friends doing this out of loyalty: The Weasleys' residence, April 25th 1996, eight o'clock in the evening. Apart from five young ladies who glance nervously at the house in front of them, all guests have arrived.
The Parting of the Twain (PG-13)
Chapter 11: Coming of Age
Padma had never been to The Burrow before, but by what she had been told of it, she guessed (correctly) that it had never looked as magnificent as it did that warm April evening. The Weasleys' residence stood tall and elegant in its splendour against the sunset's wash of bright colours, which the house's roof was concealing. The five chimneys' smoke was culminating in one cloud which had been enchanted to read "HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY FRED & GEORGE."
Parvati nudged her sister forward. "Go on," she whispered as though the house could hear her (which it probably could.) "Ring the bell."
"Why me?" Padma asked in a louder voice.
"Because you're the only reason Mandy and I were invited," explained Lisa patiently. "Parvati and Lavender are Gryffindors, but the only reason we're going is because you and George are - are - "
"Oh alright!" snapped Padma, privately thinking that if she were told she and George were an item one more time she would scream. She took her rage out on the doorbell by ringing it with extreme vigour. She need not have bothered, because the welcomer was eagerly awaiting guests, hovering on the other side of the door, so naturally opened it immediately.
"Hi," said Ginny, hopping about excitedly. The charming thing about the Weasley daughter, thought Padma, was that she still retained her innocence, despite her being just one-year younger than Padma. Perhaps it was something to do with her being the youngest child, or only daughter.
"Hi Ginny," replied Parvati. "I think you know me, Lavender and Padma." Lisa and Mandy gave Parvati withering looks.
"Oh, I know Lisa and Mandy too," answered Ginny. "But," she added with a giggle, "I have to make sure it's really you." Lisa and Mandy gave her a gratifying look.
Padma had noticed the small, spherical, opaque object in Ginny's hands before anyone else because she had been with George in Hogsmeade when they had bought it.
"This is a Bouncer Ball," explained Ginny articulately.
"That's very nice, dear," smiled Lavender, patronisingly.
"It is, dear, isn't it?" scowled Ginny. "You need to state your name and the ball will tell you if you are what you seem. Padma distinctly heard the words "rude" and "cow" but said nothing. "That's a bit extreme, isn't it?" asked Mandy, wide-eyed.
At first Padma thought Mandy meant Ginny addressing Lavender as a "rude cow" was extreme, but then realised her friend was referring to the Bouncer Ball.
Ginny shrugged. "We want to keep the Slytherins out."
Padma knew better. She and George had specifically sought out the Bouncer Ball in order that they keep out whatever had been tracking them both down - they both felt that the thing, whatever it was, would try something on George's birthday.
Parvati and Lavender pushed in front of the others. "Parvati Patil," she cried.
The ball glowed. A mechanical sound came from it. "Patil, Parvati Parveen. Born 12 February 1981 to Patil, Parvez and Patil, Priyanka..."
"That'll do, thankyou," said Ginny and the ball was silenced. "Come in Parvati. Go straight ahead and turn right." Parvati entered the Burrow, staring at the ball. Lavender went next. "Brown, Lavender. Born 3 September 1980 to Brown, Dr. John and Brown, Miranda." Parvati looked at Ginny, wondering whether she would stop the ball, but Ginny seemed quite content to allow the ball to continue. "Terrified of white mice, in love with Seamus Finnigan..."
"Won't that do?" snapped Lavender, who had gone bright pink.
"Do come in, Lavender," smiled Ginny, avenged. Padma could tell Ginny was envisioning telling Gryffindor House about Lavender and Seamus. Lavender swept past her coldly.
The other three looked at each other, uncertainly. Lisa shrugged and said her name. "Turpin, Lisa. Born..." Ginny let her in.
"Brocklehurst, Amanda Louise..." She entered.
"Hey Padma," smiled Ginny when they were finally alone. "Go on then."
"Padma Patil," she said and waited.
And waited.
The Bouncer Ball had said nothing.
Ginny frowned. "Better repeat it," she said. "Just in case."
Padma repeated her name, feeling slightly nervous.
"Void," announced the Bouncer Ball.
It was hard to tell who was in more shock: the redheaded guardian or the ebony haired apparent intruder.
"Ginny, I don't know..." protested Padma.
"Fuck off bitch," whispered Ginny looking terrified. The door slammed in Padma's face.
*
"What? Are you sure?" George asked, astonished. He and Padma had bought the Bouncer Ball as a precaution; to appease Padma's increasing alarm. He had never thought that the creature that had been haunting them both would arrive at the doorstep impersonating Padma.
"But she looked like her, didn't she?" asked Ron.
"Oh Ron," sighed Hermione,"There are all sorts of creatures who could impersonate Padma. Shape-shifters, for example..."
"Spare us the lecture," Ron retorted.
"But there's no-one else downstairs who looks exactly like her, is there?"
"Yes, there is," pointed out Hermione. "Parvati."
"Do you always have to be such a know-it-all?" George asked, exasperated. Hermione shrugged. "You did ask."
"Well she's still there," said Harry, looking out of the window.
"Then I've got to go down and see," George said.
"George, she - it is evil!" cried Ginny. "This is probably exactly what it wants you to do - walk right into its trap."
George shook his head and looked out of the window. It certainly looked like Padma. "I have to make sure," he said eventually. "The Bouncer Ball might be faulty."
"It let everyone else in just fine," pouted Ginny, hands on her hips, but George was already heading for the door.
"Look," said Percy, who had been silently listening. Bill and Charlie were downstairs helping Fred. "As the eldest person here, I am in charge of you all. You're not quite eighteen George, legally you're not until midnight. And I feel guilty about this, what with Mum and Dad being away..."
"Oh shut up Percival!" snapped Ron irritably. "And come downstairs."
*
It was the worst possible way to start a party, she thought miserably, sitting down on the front step of the Burrow. Everything had been going so well. The five of them, Padma, Parvati, Lisa, Mandy and Lavender had gone into Hogsmeade earlier that day to buy presents and (in the Gryffindors' case) clothes. Padma had not bothered buying a new outfit; no one other than Harry, Ron or Hermione had seen the scarlet dress robes she had worn at the Ball. Even if she were let in, George and the rest of them would be watching her all evening.
The door she was leaning on opened and she fell backwards, inside.
"Nice plan of getting in," sang Ginny, reeking of sarcasm. Padma hurriedly got to her feet and found that George's wand was pointing at her heart. "Padma," he said. "I'm really, really sorry. Veritas"
"George Weasley!" exclaimed Percy, torn between astonishment and disgust. "You're not supposed to do that unless it's a real emergency - you'll get in trouble with the Ministry for this - I'll have to report you!"
"SHUT UP PERCY!" yelled everyone except Padma.
"This is an emergency," said Padma, her voice wobbling.
"Hardly, it's only a party -"
"She's telling the truth," said Ron pointedly.
"What is your full name?" asked George.
"Padma Priyanka Patil," she replied, feeling as though she were about to wretch.
"Right, that'll do," said Percy.
"Do you fancy George?" asked Ron hastilly. George hit him, but Percy had already said "Finite Incantatem!" anyway. Padma shivered and felt herself once more.
Ginny was shaking her head. "Padma, I'm sorry, I didn't know - I'm sorry."
"It's okay," said Padma, but she felt sick. "That Bouncer Ball was a waste of a galleon though, wasn't it?" She came inside.
"We could test it now," said George. "Everyone?"
They swiftly ascertained that Virginia Weasley, Harry James Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Jane Granger were who they claimed to be. "Percy?" asked Hermione.
Percy took a step backwards. "I don't really think that I should..."
"Come on, are you an imposter?" mocked George. "Who are you? Are you really Percy Weasley? What are you hiding?"
"Well of course I'm Percy Weasley, but - " Too late, he realised his mistake. "Weasley, Percival. Born 1st August 1976 to Weasley, Arthur and Weasley, Molly. Engaged to Clearwater, Penelope Ann..."
"YOU'RE ENGAGED?!" demanded Ron. The rest of them simply stood with their mouths hanging open. Padma remembered Penelope well. She had been the Ravenclaw Prefect who had been petrified three years ago and had gone on to be Head Girl the year after.
"And when were you planning on telling Mum and Dad?" asked Ginny.
"I already have," stammered Percy nervously. "You don't seriously think I'd keep it from them, do you?"
"You kept it from us!" exclaimed George as Percy backed into the Living Room. "Didn't he? Did you know Ron, Ginny?" They shook their heads and forced Percy further backwards. "Who else knows?" asked Hermione. She, Harry and Padma were regarding the Weasley family feud with interest. "Only Bill and Charlie..."
"YOU TOLD BILL AND CHARLIE?!" yelled the Weasleys, thunderously.
They chased Percy into the Living room, much to the amusement of the other guests who joined in "Pile-up Percy." Harry, Hermione and Padma followed, forgetting that Weasley, George had not tested the Bouncer Ball.
*
By half past eight, Padma's mishap was forgotten. She was pleased (if a little put out) to find that the invitation list had been extended further than her friends and her. The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Quidditch teams and supporters were present - Cho Chang was talking happily to Harry - but that was not all. Bill, the eldest Weasley, had his arm around Fleur Delacour's waist. Lavender and Parvati seemed to be scowling at Fleur and drooling over Bill at the same time. Padma recognised a few boys from Beauxbatons Academy whom she had danced with at the fourth year ball. She bit her lip trying not to laugh as she remembered the scene: Ron scowling at Hermione and Viktor Krum, Harry fuming at the sight of Cho with Cedric, she and Parvati dancing sensuously with French boys (whose only words in English were "bootiful" and "lurv") in order to make their partners jealous. Ginny was talking to one of them now. Padma seemed to remember his name being Pierre.
Charlie had shocked the party by bringing home his girlfriend, who turned out to be none other than Celestina Warbeck, the pop princess reknown for singing "Witching Hour". Her supporting band, "The Centaurs of Attention," was playing rock music in the corner, which looked to have been enlarged.
Hermione looked in her direction, detatched herself from Viktor and made her way over to Padma.
"Knut for your thoughts," she smiled.
"You ought to watch it, Hermione. Mr. Krum will have to pay off all your debts."
Hermione laughed heartily. "Live now, pay later. Full Marks for avoiding the question."
Padma sighed. "I was just thinking how everyone's paired off. Well all the people who have lived here, including you."
Hermione looked thoughtful. "Harry comes here more than I do. Although I did live here for a while two summers ago."
"Well, there you are. You're with Viktor -" Hermione looked about to protest so Padma continued with haste. "Harry's with Cho. Bill's with Fleur - " Hermione frowned. She had never much cared for Miss Delacour. "Charlie's with Celestina Warbeck! I mean, she sang Witching Hour and she's really famous. Percy's engaged, as we heard earlier. Fred and Angelina haven't appeared to come up for air for fifteen minutes. Ron -" Padma simply motioned for effect. Ron was entertaining some Veela cousins of Fleur's by telling them how his father was the Minister for Magic. "And Ginny's talking to Pierre."
Hermione shook her head. "That's not everyone who's ever lived here," she whispered and she turned Padma gently to look at the Weasley brother that Padma had missed out. The Weasley brother that was always missed out because Fred was the more confident.
Who did George suit? A year ago she would have said Angelina, Katie or Alicia, but she knew now that that was only because they were the only girls she had seen him with. (Besides Alicia was on-off seeing Lee Jordan and Katie was far too much of a flirt to stick to one boyfriend.) He spoke to Hermione, but they were practically brother and sister. If truth were told, Padma could not imagine George with anyone else because she did not want to. She had had a crush on him since she had first stepped aboard the Hogwarts Express but so had all the girls in her year. That had not been unusual. What had been unusual was that she had got to know the real George Weasley and had liked him more for it. She knew the man behind the jokes and the laughter because she shared it with him. Though she knew that there was some dark, evil power connecting them, she could not bear life without George and she realised with a pang that for the next two years at Hogwarts, she would have to.
With a start she realised she had been staring at George since Hermione had left. He drew away from Charlie and Celestina and came to stand by her.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked, grinning. It was as though she was still that fourth year that had gazed at him across the lunch hall. "Yeah thanks," she said weakly.
"Nothing happened with you-know-what, has it?" he asked quietly.
"What? Oh, no." He was talking about the dreams.
"Good," he said, relief seeping through his voice. "Are you okay? You seem different..."
"No, I'm fine," said Padma, blushing.
"No you're not," he whispered softly. Padma began to shake with nerves as his hand massaged her cheek. She closed her eyes. His touch was so gentle that she did not notice when his caressing hand transformed into his lips... And then he was gone. Padma opened her eyes blinking to find George rocking himself irregularly, his eyes glazed over. "George?" asked Padma, thinking with a sinking heart that she had terrified him. "Are you okay?"
Before he had a chance to reply Fred yelled, "It's time for a party game!" his tongue now free to speak. "Truth or Dare."
"Oh no, they never work!" cried Harry. "I used to play that with Dudley. No-one ever tells the truth anyway."
"Yes, Harry," said George, crossing to join Fred. "But did you have one of these?" Out of the pocket of his robes he withdrew his wand and twirled it softly feeling power rise through his veins.
*
"Right, so anyone want to explain the rules for the benefits of Muggle-borns?" asked George. He and Fred had taken the entire gathering outside and positioned them in a circle. Colin Creevey put his hand into the air. "No offence Colin," grinned Fred, "But you are a muggle-born." The garden shook with laughter.
"I know," said Colin, abashed and amused at once. "But I know how to play this. You ask a person a truthful question and if they decline to answer, they have to do a dare." Fred and George exchanged a glance, shaking their heads. "Oh no," they said in unison. "That's the muggle way."
"You dare someone..." began Fred.
"...And if they don't do the dare, they have to - well, are forced to tell the truth," finished George, twirling his wand in his hand like a baton.
Padma gulped. She knew that the Weasleys' were referring to the use of the Veritas spell. It was only supposed to be used in emergencies. When she had had the spell cast over her, a wash of chagrin had left her cold. It was not like George to experiment with deep magic - well okay it was, but he had never done so in front of her. Still, everyone around her seemed too tipsy to care. She and Parvati were the only ones who had not drunk anything and that included the first years. She looked wildly around for a sign of Percy to interfere, but he, Bill and Charlie had taken Penelope, Fleur and Celestina for a drive. Hermione spoke up. "I really don't think we should be doing this..."
"Oh come on Herrrmionee," drawled Fred. "Bee a sporrt."
"You're just drunk!" Hermione snapped back. "We could get in serious trouble for this!"
"No we won't," said George. "Besides, if everyone takes the dares we won't have to get people to tell the truth, will we?"
At first, the dares were fun: Alicia had to dance sensuously round the garden, Ginny was pressured into owling Mrs Weasley to say that she was pregnant with Pierre's baby. The guests got bored and gradually drifted inside as the evening drew on, until the only people in the back garden were Angelina, Padma, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the incredibly drunk Weasley twins. The truths became cruel. Fred, at any rate, was still being facetious, but George seemed to be acting like Draco Malfoy on a bad day. She supposed it was the drink, thought Padma, but that did not excuse the way he was behaving.
"Angelina," Fred drawled. "When did you start fancying me?" Padma always thought that he deserved the slap he received. Angelina swept past them coldly into the house.
"Right," said Fred, downing yet another watermelon flavoured Wheezer, "Let's target the famous three, shall we?" He turned on his youngest brother and his two best friends. Hermione was shaking her head, gravely. "Fred, George, don't you think you've had enough to drink?"
Fred ignored her with a wave of his now empty bottle.
"Ron," he drawled. They were making a pattern now, noted Padma. Fred would make up the dares and George would invent the truths. "I dare you to... do an engorgement charm on a spider."
To Padma, this seemed harmless enough, but by the expression on Ron's face and the asperity with which Hermione hissed "You know how he hates them!" she gathered that this was fairly ruthless.
"I'll take that as a truth then," smiled George. It was a smile that Padma had never seen on George's lips before. It was a smirk, a lust for evil.
"Right Ron, what are you most jealous of Harry for?" Padma's jaw dropped open and she was not in the least surprised to find that she was not the only one. This was George's younger brother. How could he be subjecting him to this torture? Even Fred seemed alarmed. "George," he muttered warningly. "Maybe that's pushing the game." Harry was looking nervous, not sure quite what to do.
As Hermione sharply said "That's too harsh George," and Ron stammered "I can't answer that - " George whipped out his wand and muttered "Veritas."
Hermione struggled for her wand, probably to stop the spell. "I repeat Ron, what are you most jealous of Harry for?"
Ron's voice was cold and monotonous. "He can never do anything wrong. Even when he gets homework wrong people excuse him. "It's the Boy who Lived," they say. And he doesn't need me anymore. He's got Sirius and Hermione. And he's so blind, he knows Hermione's in love with - "
"Finite Incatatem," said Hermione. Ron turned his back and headed for the house. "I'm sorry Harry," he mumbled without being able to turn around. Harry was white with anger, even though he knew Ron was not really to blame. "George, stop or you'll lose the only person who still cares about you." Padma knew he was referring to her. She knew something was terribly wrong. This was not George. Something had happened to him: he was ill. "George," she said gently. "I think you need to lie down for a while. Help me with him, Fred." Whatever his physical state appeared to be, Fred was sober enough to detach George from the drink.
"No!" yelled George. "Hermione!"
Hermione looked up sharply. Her arm was around Harry's shoulders and she was whispering words of reassurance to him. "Veritas!" yelled George, pointing his wand at her, before Fred could take it away. "Harry and Ron are both drowning, who do you save first?"
Padma would have put up a counter spell, but she was in a state of shock. She wanted to cry; what had happened to her George? Had something possessed him? Harry, reflexes sharp from Quidditch training muttered "Finite Incatatem" before Hermione, looking pained, could answer.
"Don't you want to know Harry?" asked George, who did not seem to realise that the people gathered round him wanted to punch him.
"No I don't," said Harry quietly, his voice shaking with rage. "You don't seem to realise that friendship isn't based on petty jealousy and who likes who more. Hermione is my best friend. So is Ron. I wouldn't care if he was jealous of me because of the colour of my hair or being Triwizard Champion - because friendship is about making allowances. It's obviously something that you've completely forgotten. Come on Hermione, let's find Ron."
They turned. "Harry!" yelled out Fred. "I'm sorry, I never meant... it was only a game." Harry briefly turned back to nod as a gesture of accepting his apology.
They left Fred, Padma and George with the deep silence for company. "I think you'd better find Angelina," said Padma shortly. Fred nodded, glancing sideways at George. "I'll take him to your room," she continued. Fred ran off, suddenly seeming very sober. "Right then," she sighed and led the stumbling boy towards his bedroom. George was silent the entire way. It was only when Padma put him down on his bed that he began rambling. "Don't know why everyone's behaving in such a weird way... only a joke... everyone wants to know if Hermione fancies Harry or Ron...He's my brother - got a right to know..."
"No you don't," said Padma shortly. For the first time in her life she was annoyed with George. Oddly enough, she was not furious with him: she knew that there were dark powers at work here. It had been something to do with his peck on her cheek. It had seemed innocent enough, she thought guiltily. "That was wrong George. Even though Harry said he didn't want to know whom Hermione would save, he'll be curious forever. And she'll feel too guilty to choose one over the other. She might not ever go out with either of them, now. You might have scarred their lives."
George blinked at her with a neutral expression and Padma realised with a jolt that he did not care. "I'm going to the bathroom!" she muttered in frustration, marching over to the door that connected to it and slamming the door behind her. She looked sweaty, she thought looking at herself in the mirror. What was she to do? Something was seriously wrong with George and she knew, no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she knew she was responsible. Opening the tap in an attempt to relieve her perspiration, she splashed cold water on her face. Immediately an aspect of guilt lifted from her soul making her feel lighter. She started smiling, though she told herself that there was nothing to smile about - the party would soon be over and George would soon lose all his friends. She braced herself and went back into George's bedroom.
"Hey," he grinned at her. "What am I doing up here?"
She stopped her mouth from falling open just in time. He is himself again. He is himself again and he can't remember anything that happened.
"You didn't feel well. I brought you up here 'cos you thought you might be sick." The lies flowed from her as easily as water flowed from a stream. She could not bring herself to tell him that kissing her had turned him into something that she had hated. "Oh," he said, a little surprised. "What time is it?"
"Ten," she said glancing down at her watch.
"Ten!" yelped George. "It was only half eight a second ago. I feel fine, now - can we go downstairs?"
Padma nodded silently, hoping against all hopes that his guests would have forgiven him. George ran down the stairs and bounded into the Living room in the manner of a puppy reunited with its kennel. Harry was the first to come over to him. Padma gulped. Please, she prayed, let him have forgiven...
"George!" exclaimed Harry delighted, clapping a hand on his friend's back "Feeling Better?"
Padma's pupils darted from left to right. What was going on?
"Yeah thanks," said George. "What have I missed?"
"Oh the food, the food!" yelled Ron coming to join them. He was grinning at his brother.
"I missed the banquet?" asked George. Padma's head was reeling. It didn't happen. None of it happened. I'm going mad. I'm going delusional. I'm going crazy.
"You can have some now," said Hermione. "There's loads left over."
"Not now," said Fred. "We're going to play Truth or Dare." Padma looked up wiede-eyed. Oh God, no!
"Oh no, they never work," cried Harry, as Padma was hit with déjà vu. " I used to play it with Dudley. No-one ever tells the truth anyway."
There was nothing for it. "Exactly," said Padma before Fred could continue. "Let's do something else instead... I know - " (But of course she did not have a clue what to do.) "Yes?" asked George expectantly. Padma glanced wildly around her for a plan that would be harmless. "We could - we could..." She saw Charlie with Celestina. "We could do a karaoke!" she exclaimed triumphantly. The guests looked at each other, with dubious looks. Parvati shook her head, proclaiming her sister to be mad. "Ok," said Fred eventually although he was staring at Padma as though she was a fish on a bicycle. "Why don't you start off?"
Padma groaned as Bill said "Sonorus," pointing his wand at her. "I walked right into that one didn't I?" Her voice echoed round the room.
Ever since she had been a child, Padma had been forbidden to sing. She had always assumed that it was because she sounded like Crookshanks being strangled. However when she was suddenly the centre of attention, she had no desire to sing.
"Maybe, em, Celestina could start off since she's a singer," she babbled nervously. She had to keep this idea going. They could not play Truth or Dare. "Call me Tina," came the recognisable voice, the American accent that had only ever been heard on the radio. "And I'd really prefer not to sing tonight."
"Yeah," piped up one of the band. "She never sings live."
Padma gulped. (The microphoned sound caused everyone to hear.) What could she sing with two hundred people watching her? Mandy and Lisa were giving her the thumbs-up. She caught George's eye and he winked. She thought of how her kiss had turned him into something that she could never have loved. She thought of how they could never be together because what kept them together, their dark connection, had to drive them apart. Then she thought they were lucky because whatever the future or the past had held, they had shared a year of their lives and she knew that George would remember it even better than she had.
Mumbling something about a muggle track and whispering to the band about what to play, she cleared her throat and began.
It was a Monday when my lover told me,
We can't be together for love only,
What could I say to you except I loved you?
And I'd give my life for yours.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
She looked up during the instrumental and saw that the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves. A few were even dancing to the slow rhythm. George was looking grave. He knew.
She changed the words of the verse to suit her, but kept the chorus the same.
I know, we are, we are the lucky ones.
It was no use crying; the crowd was applauding. Lee Jordan yelled above the crowd. "Miss Padma Patil there, with a muggle track of her favourite. Quite a singer too..."
Padma crossed to stand next to Hermione. "I never knew you could sing," gasped Hermione. Padma shrugged. "Neither did I."
After Padma had sung, everyone seemed keen to join in. All the Weasley siblings joined in to sing their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody, Viktor and his teammates sang Billy Joel's Leningrad. Even a few of the first years belted out a track off the Weird Sisters' latest album. However, it was silently agreed that Padma's performance had been the best. She was even approached by Celestina Warbeck to be asked if Padma sang professionally, whether she had an agent, if she would mind joining "The Centaurs of Attention" over the Summer for a tour of America as Tina's supporting Act. Dizzily, Padma said that she would get back to her through Charlie.
"Quite Miss Popular tonight," said Parvati. Padma smiled at her sister. "I didn't mean to," she said. "Just didn't want to..."
"...Play Truth or Dare," smiled Parvati. "I know."
"No-one knows me like you do," Padma said.
"Of course not. The firework display should start soon. It's almost eleven." Sure enough, Bill called everyone together, told them to put on their over-robes and led them outside. The sky was pitch black, lit only by the stars above and the laughter that the guests shared. "Did you get any food, Padma?" asked George, putting his arm through hers in an effort to be jovial. "No..." She was trying to think of something witty to say, but all she could think of was his arm is linked in mine. "Well, don't worry, there's still the Birthday cake to come. Percy and Dad pulled a few strings at the Ministry to get the fireworks. Our brothers and Ginny have made a firework each. Should start soon. There'll be different colours of course - blue, green and red - oh and speaking of red, did I mention how nice you look tonight? I only mentioned it in passing, you know fireworks, colours, red, dress robes... Don't you think it's great about Charlie and Celestina? I do, she's really nice, and not just because she's a singer. Talking of singers, you have a really good voice - did I mention that? It was a nice song. Only mentioned it in passing, you know, Charlie and Celestina, singing..."
He stopped because Padma was smiling at him. "What?" he asked.
"I love it when you babble," she replied. His face turned the colour of her dress robes. He prayed for a distraction and it came shooting out of Bill's wand onto the black canvassed shimmery sky. A green Catherine Wheel that spun more quickly than any of the Bulgarian Quidditch team on broomsticks zoomed to the top of the sky, circled then burst into golden Galleons that danced against their ebony background and rained on the gasping crowd. A few galleons remained in the sky, which (magically of course) wrote the words
Fred and George, you had a lot to live up to and you have. Hey, you've even equalled the swotty accountant eldest bro!
Happy 18th Birthday from Gringotts Bank, Fleur and most especially Bill.
Padma was in a state of awe but that was nothing compared to the Muggle-borns who had not seen Wizard Fireworks before. "That was amazing - " "Never seen anything like it" "Better than at the Quidditch World Cup - " (Here there was a chortle of mirth, as nothing could beat the standard of the leprechauns.) Bill stood up and bowed as the crowd applauded and Fleur beamed with pride.
Just as they were missing the first firework, there came a second. This one appeared to be a golden snitch, which shot up to the sky faster than a Firebolt. Well, it was from Charlie, who had been Quidditch captain. The golden snitch appeared to grow in size until it resembled a large egg. The crowd held their breath in glee as the egg hatched to reveal what now had the Snitch's wings: an outline of a cute red baby dragon. The dragon spouted steam, which read
Fred and George - The world is your shell: explore, discover and don't drink too much. Happy 18th Birthday!
Charlie, Celestina and "The Centaurs of Attention"
With a flick of Charlie's wand, the dragon disappeared. Padma looked at Percy, whilst applauding Charlie who had rolled up his robe sleeves and held out his wand. From the shiny, pointy tip came a purple cloud of smoke, which rose to the sky slowly, expanded and formed letters inside it.
On behalf of Mr Percival Weasley, Miss Penelope Clearwater and the Ministry of Magic, we wish Messrs. Frederick and George Weasley a very happy 18th Birthday and a prosperous adulthood.
"What's that supposed to do with him?" whispered Padma to George, whilst applauding. George shrugged as he fake-grinned at Percy. "That he's boring?"
Padma suddenly realised that of course Ron would be next as Fred and George were the hosts. With a reassuring squeeze from Hermione that made Viktor raise his eyebrows, Ron pulled out his wand and sent something roaring across the sky that made the crowd realise that firstly they were in for a treat, and secondly that Hermione had been training her best friend up. Ron continued working with his wand, treating it as a sparkler. He drew a rectangle in the air, which the royal blue spark in the sky copied, only a hundred times bigger. Once the blue rectangle was in place Ron whispered something to his wand and gradually an image began to form inside the rectangle. Padma's eyes widened in delight as she realised that the blue rectangle was acting as a frame and that it held a picture of two year old Ron with five year old Fred and George.
Fred and George
It's been a long time since then, but if you think about it we haven't changed that much - you two still make me laugh. Hogwarts won't be the same without you.
Harry, Hermione and above all Ron.
Padma had never seen such a sentimental letter from Ron - but then again come to think of it, she had never seen any letter from him. But by the look on Fred and George's faces, she doubted whether all Ron's letters were like that.
Ginny as always was last. She tried to look confident as she flicked her wand into position. Ron had managed to capture pictures: Ginny had transported recorded sound. As the gleaming gold spark streaked across the sky Mr Arthur Weasley's voice could be heard.
"It's a girl!"
"Thank God for that!"
With a start, Padma realised she and her friends were hearing six-year old Fred's voice. "At least we won't have to fork out another eighteen galleons to buy another baby," added six year old George.
As the sound faded, the streaking cursor formed lettering against the entertaining sky.
It isn't easy to be the only girl. But I know that it's no picnic to look after an only sister either. Whenever I frowned, you made me smile, whenever I cried, you made me laugh and whenever I got too bossy, you gave me a good slap. Let's always be there for each other.
Happy 18th Birthday Fred and George to two of the best brothers in the World (the rest being Bill, Charlie, Percy and Ron.)
Lots of Love from Ginny (Should there be someone else as well?)
No one had seemed to notice how the time had flown. It was quarter to twelve and time for the birthday cake. The party resolutely shuffled inside; they knew that the evening was drawing to a close - after the cake had been cut, the guests would have to return to normality, and for the majority of them, Hogwarts.
The cake was quite small: just large enough for words of delicious cliché "Happy 18th Birthday Fred and George."
"George," muttered Padma warningly. "There might not be enough for everyone. Why don't you save it until everyone's gone home?" George silenced her with a wave of his hand. He and Fred clasped hands over a knife and cut the cake across the middle. Fred cut a slice and fed it to Angelina. "For the loveliest lady in the land," he said as Angelina munched away and the party laughed. As the laughter died away, Padma could feel the crowd's eyes turn towards and fix on her. Oh God thought Padma. They're waiting for him to give his slice to me. George looked baffled as to what to do. Then he cut a slice, motioned his sister forward and gave it to Ginny. "For a lady equally as lovely, although not quite as tall."
The party responded by chuckling, although Padma distinctly heard a trace of pity in their mirth, and blushed at the fact that it was probably directed towards her. "Anyone else want a piece?" asked Fred, and Padma found that the cake had refilled its board.
"Yes please!" yelled Bill. As the guests filed out of the door they would receive thanks for coming, their slices of cake and each time the board emptied, someone would flick his wand and the board would be refilled with more chocolate sponge. Eventually there was nobody left except the Weasleys, Celestina, Fleur, Penelope, Harry, Ron, Hermione and the Patils.
Padma suddenly felt the awkwardness of her situation: everyone else was connected with the Weasleys in some way. "I should going too," she said. Parvati nodded, thanked her hosts for having her and told her sister she would meet her outside. Suddenly, Fred set everyone about tidying up the back garden. "Oh George, d'you want to clean inside?" he asked with a glance at Padma, who shifted awkwardly.
And they were alone. At last. The room they were standing in suddenly seemed very small and as they moved closer together, both felt their worlds converging. They halted a foot apart, as if this distance could keep them separated. "Thanks for coming," he said, tonelessly.
"No thankyou," she replied, knowing how much she sounded like an untalented actress from a cheap film.
"It wasn't much but..."
"No," she interrupted. "It was great. I had a really good time tonight."
There was silence. George moped as he imagined the way it would play out. She would leave, thanking him again, eating her chocolate cake. They would both do their exams and suddenly feel that what they had shared that year was petty in comparison with the world and with what they could achieve, who they could meet. He would leave Hogwarts at the end of the year and forget about her...
"Oh screw this," he muttered and kissed her.
They were so close; it was as though they were drinking each other. This was beyond kissing; this was something greater. And in that instance, the chemistry and electricity that bound them together, acted as a portkey to transport them to a world determined to tear them apart.