phoenixdreams: Weasley twin pairings are SO much fun to write, too.

jasara: I really tried to write Fred and George as individuals so I'm glad you see them that way. I'm glad you check on my story everyday, too. I'm very proud of Percy's reaction.

film-chick101: I'm glad you loved that chapter. I really enjoyed writing it. I am paying close attention to you. You review quickly and leave good suggestions. You're reviews help keep me writing.

Xtreme Nuisance: I'm glad you like the pairing and the ending. It was fun to write, too.

Narikia: No problem, it's been a pleasure to write.

Kat Solo: I try to keep it humorous.

RaspSun: I'm glad it's believable. That was a little worrisome for me since everyone like for George to be with Alicia.

kalira: Can't you just see Percy fainting over that though?

Disclaimer: Potter is not mine. He belongs to Rowling.

Pranks, Jokes, and Practicals

Several open makeup containers littered the small counter in Padma's bathroom. She was frantically attempting to finish getting ready by the time George arrived to pick her up. There had been a rush at the Apothecary fifteen minutes before she was supposed to leave and Mr. Swarthmore had been unable to let her leave on time. Instead she left nearly an hour late, giving her only half an hour to get ready.

It was at times like these that she was especially grateful to be a witch. Her long hair could be put into an elegant French twist and her dress and robes ironed with just a flick of her wand, saving her at least twenty of those minutes. She wished that makeup was just as easy. The last time she had tried to use magic to apply makeup, she ended up looking as though she had been trapped in an explosion of blushes, creams, and eye shadows.

Carefully, so as not to accidentally poke out her eye, she applied the black eyeliner she had bought two days earlier for the occasion. This attempt was nearly ruined when she heard a loud crash from her living room and jumped, just barely missing her cornea with the pointed tip.

"You're early!" she yelled in the direction of the crash.

"Sorry," came the reply, "My flat was boring."

"Well, just give me a few more minutes."

She hurriedly finished with her face and rushed back into her bedroom to pull on the emerald green dress and matching robes that she had borrowed from Penelope. Sophie, her new grey tabby kitten, jumped onto her bed and arched her back lazily.

"How do I look?" Padma asked of her pet.

Sophie's tiny mouth opened wide into a yawn, showing her miniature pointed white teeth.

"Gee, thanks."

A portrait of her great-aunt Niti had been watching, however, and did not hesitate to give her opinion.

"Oh, you're going to knock poor Mr. Weasley dead," she sighed, "He won't know what hit him."

"I was looking for presentable," Padma said wryly.

The portrait shook her head. "I believe you were looking for stunning, gorgeous, or so beautiful that George will whisk you away to his house so you can…"

"Hush, Niti," Padma hissed between clenched teeth to the perverted portrait, "I want no such thing. We're just friends."

"Oh, pish tosh. Parvati is right, you know?"

Padma ignored her and tossed Sophie a small ball with a bell inside it before making her way to her living room where George was waiting. He was standing at the mantle looking at a picture of Padma's family at her grandmother's most recent birthday.

"Big family," he said, placing the picture back on the mantle.

"Most of that's extended," she told him, "Cousins, aunts, uncles, and all. The only time we all get together is grandmother's birthday." She reached for her purse on the coffee table. "So where to exactly?"

"Actually," he chewed nervously on his lower lip, "I was hoping that we could walk. It would give us some time to talk and catch up."

She paused for a moment. "Oh. Okay."

"You really should find a flat in a better area of town," George said as he looked at the row of pubs and the occasional drunk wandering around, "This place seems kind of dangerous."

Padma rolled her eyes. "I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself. Besides, I can't really afford much better with an apothecary's salary."

"You could always come and work for me and Fred," he suggested, "We can afford to pay you well."

Her heart sped up a bit at the thought of working with him and she forced herself to take a deep breath.

Stop it Padma. You do not like George.

"That's all right."

"Oh."

George mentally slapped himself for sounding disappointed.

Stop it George. You do not like Padma. You do not like Padma. It's just because Fred keeps teasing you…

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked over at her. The slight breeze was blowing two loose delicate tendrils of her hair into her face and the setting sun lit up her face just right.

All right, maybe I like her a little.

"How's your family?" she asked, "I haven't seen any of them except Fred since the brunch."

He snapped back to attention.

"Pretty good. You should come back sometime. But I should warn you, things are a little hectic with Ron and Hermione's wedding being so close."

"Weddings tend to do that."

They walked in silence for a moment, George watching her carefully from the corner of his eye. She pushed the two tendrils out of her eyes. Suddenly, he began to really notice the differences between her and Parvati. Parvati had always been giggly, full of gossip, and downright silly from what he remembered of her from his Gryffindor days. Padma was full of intelligence with a completely different sense of humor, witty and occasionally sarcastic. She was a little shorter, a little plumper (but by no means fat), a few scars still remained from pubescent acne that were carefully covered with a small bit of makeup. She was by no means the "pretty twin," but at that moment he thought she was downright beautiful.

Maybe I like her a lot.

The hall the Ministry had reserved was completely full with the owners of every joke shop in the Wizarding world. They quickly found their seats with Fred and Angelina near a window. George, attempting to be a gentleman, pulled out her chair for her.

"Took you long enough," Fred teased, "Stop for a snog?"

Padma could feel her cheeks heating up and began repeating her new mantra over and over in her head.

I do not like George. I do not like George…

Angelina slapped the back of his head.

"Oh leave them alone."

Padma nodded to her gratefully and took a sip from the water glass that had appeared when she sat down. The room buzzed loudly with conversation and the occasional squawk or gasp as people became the victims of the latest pranks.

"I'm starting to feel a little paranoid," she commented as the man on her left turned into a very brightly colored parrot.

Fred shrugged.

"Just watch your food and drink like a hawk and you should be alright."

"And don't drink anymore water," George added, looking at her nose.

She caught her reflection in the silverware and was not pleased to discover that warts were growing on her nose. George handed her a small toffee and glared at his brother.

"I told you not to test anything on her."

Fortunately, the toffee was very effective and the warts disappeared within seconds. Padma felt her nose very carefully to make sure there were no left over spots or pock marks. When she was completely satisfied that her face was the same as it had been when she arrived, she picked up her menu to order, dismayed to discover that everything contained meat.

"George, they don't have anything for vegetarians."

He refrained from slapping himself in the forehead. He had completely forgotten to send in a request for a vegetarian option.

"We could split the chicken pasta alfredo. I'll take the chicken and you can have the pasta."

"Sounds like a plan."

Fred shot Angelina a quick look that simply said, "I told you so."

The first few hours were filled with eating and chatter about the latest products on the market. The toffees Padma had helped to invent were a favorite amongst the guests and George enjoyed introducing her as the one the product was named after. Then, someone cued up the band. Fred grabbed Angelina's hand and dragged her out for a dance. George looked at Padma nervously.

"Would you like to dance?"

She could feel her face heat up and her heartbeat speed up once again.

So maybe I have a teeny weeny crush.

"Sure."

He led her out onto the floor and awkwardly placed one arm around her waist and held onto her hand.

"I'm not very good at this," he admitted sheepishly as he accidentally stepped on her toe.

"That's alright. I'm not either. The last time I danced was with Roger and he was busy staring at Cho."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not," she told him, "If we hadn't broken up I'd probably be some boring housewife right now."

"I don't think you could ever be boring."

The song changed to a much slower one. Her heart was now beating so fast she was surprised it had not burst out of her chest. He began to pull her closer.

Someone tapped on her shoulder.

"Excuse me."

Padma turned around to come face to face with Amanda Zonko, the niece of the owners of Zonko's.

"Could I cut in?"

Before Padma could answer, Amanda had whisked George away from her to the middle of the dance floor, chattering about how much she loved the Weasley's store and how brilliant they were. Padma plopped down into an empty seat and gritted her teeth, seething with anger…and jealousy.

Maybe I like him a lot.

Well, I hope everyone liked this chapter. I'm sorry it took o long to get it up, but it is longer than normal. Anywho, I know some of you read my first story: Fly Away. I got a lot of good reviews and many requests for another OW/KB story. I have a new idea for one, but I'm not sure if it would make for a good story. If you're interested in hearing about it, drop me an email and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. Also, I'm in the market for a beta reader. My last one has disappeared. So drop me a line.

Arianna