Twice Over
Hey guys. Again I'm sorry for the lack of updates, I really am trying to get on-task here. Anyways, this story is hopefully going to make progress this summer so don't worry about it. Here we go, onto the chapter. No more waiting.
Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter, nor will I ever or do I plan to. That's about it…
An Extra Author Note: I am sorry for the lack of shout-outs (being as there are none) and I will try to add them next chapter. The fact is, they are very time consuming and will delay more chapters. I hope you all understand, and I want to thank everyone for reviewing! Every review I receive gives me more confidence in my writing, and gets me inspired to do some writing. So I thank you all! I could have never asked for better readers!
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Chapter 17- A Forgotten Box
George woke up to the sun shining straight in his eyes. As soon as he opened them he quickly slammed them shut and squinted, trying to feel his way to the blinds on his four-poster. Pulling them closed he opened his eyes to the slightly darker closed-off bed and he yawned, stretching.
Peering out of his four-poster, he realized he was alone in the room.
"Of course," he muttered, "its Christmas morning."
He walked downstairs and the smiling faces of Fred, Lee and Angelina greeted him.
"Morning my brother," Fred said, slinging his arms over George's shoulders. "Mom gave you another sweater." He shoved the opened box towards George and grinned.
George pulled the blue sweater over his head and Lee shoved a box into his hands.
"Happy Christmas, mate." He said as he jumped onto the couch and snuggled into its pillows, chewing on some candy.
George pulled the ribbon at the top of the box and-…
BOOM!
He started laughing hysterically as he noticed his hair and eyebrows had turned blue.
"It's a good colour on you," Lee answered and then he pointed to the box again, "the real gift is inside."
George carefully and warily picked up the box and opened the top of it. Inside was a book on famous Quidditch Beaters.
"Thanks Lee!" George said happily as he flipped open the cover of the book.
"No time for that," Fred said as he pushed Angelina forward.
Angelina scowled at Fred and sighed. "Okay, okay… here's my gift, George." She replied as she dropped the box into his hands.
"Thanks…" George said feeling slightly awkward. He opened the box to reveal a new cauldron base. Of course, it was like Angelina to be practical. Besides, he had needed one for ages ever since he had blown his up, second class of potions. "Awesome, thank you Angelina!"
She nodded and smiled, and then looked up to Fred. "You didn't seem so happy about your gift."
Fred rolled his eyes. "I said thank you," he muttered.
It was Angelina's turn to roll her eyes.
Fred shook his head and then looked at George. "Oh yeah! Now mine." He pushed a fairly large box his way.
George flipped it open and inside were about ten different Zonko products, all waiting to be used for pranking!
"Wow, Fred! Amazing!" George said happily as his brother gave him a wink.
"Okay guys, here's your gifts," George said as he leaned over and pulled the other couch back slightly. "I had to hide them here, knowing Lee and Fred would be looking for them."
He shoved three boxes to his friends and they opened them happily. To Fred, George had given him a fairly expensive mixing pot, which Fred had wanted for a long while. The one they always used to make experiments in was getting tarnished and old, which George didn't mind, but Fred had always complained about wanting a new one.
When Fred opened the box his face lit up and George smiled knowingly at him. Then he turned to look at Lee, who pulled out his own game of 'Exploding Snap'. He clapped his hands and looked to George saying, "Thanks mate!"
George shrugged and looked over at Angelina, who was now staring at her gift. He had given her a set of Quills, for Fred had ruined her old one.
"Wow, George!" She exclaimed as she opened the box to examine them, "these are beautiful! Thanks!" She got up and hugged him, and then she plopped down beside Lee.
"Percy gave us chocolate, George." Fred said as he pushed another box toward him, "and mum also gave us some homemade pies and that."
"Where is Percy?" George asked.
"Hibernating in his room, most likely," answered Fred.
George smirked, "not if we can help it."
The twins raced up the stairs, up to Percy's door. They knocked unbearably loudly and waited for Percy to answer.
"So what did you get Angelina?" George asked.
"I got her chocolates… not boring ones though… they were from this fancy store." He replied.
George smiled, "fancy store? Why so fancy?" He nudged his twin with his elbow knowingly, but Fred just shoved his arm away.
"Whatever, George." He said as he slammed his fist on the door again.
"And what did Angelina give you?" George asked as he started kicking the bottom of the door and making it shake.
"New dragon-skin gloves." Fred replied.
"What?" George asked in surprise. "New dragon-skin gloves! Those are wicked expensive!"
Fred was silent. "Really?"
"Yeah! Those are bloody-…" he used his fingers to count as he muttered numbers, and then he just shook his head. "They're a lot!"
Fred banged his fist on the door again and replied, "Why would Angelina buy me something so expensive?"
Just then, the door swung open revealing a tousle haired and slightly pissed Percy. He fixed his horn rim glasses atop his nose and scowled.
"What do you two want?" He snapped.
"It's Christmas morning, Perce!" George said.
"You need to spend time," Fred began.
"With family!" George finished for him.
"No." Percy said lamely as he began to close the door.
Fred shoved his way through and fell on Percy's bed, ruffling up the neatly fixed sheets. "Ah-ah-ah," Fred clicked his tongue, "what would mum say if she heard you talking like that?"
George pushed past Percy and made his way into the room as well, leaning on the doorframe of the bathroom and pushing back his now- blue, hair. "Not wanting to spend time with your own family…" George said shaking his head, "how sad."
"Get out of here, you two." Percy said with his arms folded.
"Now, now, Percy." Fred said waggling a finger at him.
George made his way to the stack of presents beside Percy's bed. He opened the one labelled 'from mom' and pulled out the green sweater with the large letter 'P' on the front in gold. He threw it across the room to Fred, who made an excellent catch.
"We know how much you love Christmas, inside." George commented as Fred snuck up behind Percy.
With a swift movement George grabbed Percy's arms and Fred shoved the sweater over his older brother's head. They shoved his arms through the holes of the sweater and stepped back, marvelling at their work.
Percy scowled as he made to tug the sweater off.
"Nope," Fred said, shoving his arms away from the sweater. "Today you're going to spend the day with us!"
Percy made some sort of a disappointed noise as he was ushered out the door and down the stairs, the twins by his side singing Christmas carols to the tune of a funeral march.
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Something was tugging at the box in Alicia's hand. The box fell to the ground with a clunk, rolling under the bed. Alicia's eyes warily blinked open and she looked at the cat, nudging her face.
"Ugh, Charm…" She muttered, rolling over.
After about five minutes of being persistent, Alicia's hand shot out to pet the cat. It purred and curled up between her arm and chest.
"Miss Spinnet?"
Alicia sat up in bed.
"Your mother will see you now. Its Christmas morning, miss," said a maid.
"Right…" Alicia nodded and got up to get changed. She heard the door close and she looked at the cat, sitting and staring at her. "So what should I wear?"
There was no answer from Charm, so Alicia walked to her closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a baggy sweater. Running down the stairs with her cat on her heels, she halted to a stop at the large oak doors. She pushed them open and walked in calmly.
"Hello mother," she said. Even the sight of a thousand presents in front of her, didn't fill the hole in her heart.
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"LEE!"
"Oh god…" Fred muttered as his hands flew up to his ears.
Lee turned to see Carrie Apples heading towards him. They both hadn't been able to see each other that other night, because of a long essay from Snape.
"Hey, Carrie." Lee stood to greet her.
Carrie smiled as she stood beside him. "Hello, Fred, Angelina," she said as she looked down to Fred and Angelina who were sitting across from each other at the table. Angelina gave a small wave and Fred nodded before lifting the glass of pumpkin juice to his lips.
"Can I talk to you somewhere else?" She asked as she grabbed his hand.
Lee's back stiffened and he gulped before he nodded.
"Okay, is now good?"
"Yeah."
"Nice seeing you two," Carrie said to Fred and Angelina, before dragging Lee away.
Fred raised one eyebrow at the retreating backs of Lee and Carrie. He shook his head and looked to his plate, wondering where George and Percy were. George had chased after Percy when he made to run away.
"I think they look good together, don't you?" Angelina asked.
"No." Fred replied bluntly. "But as long as they're happy."
Angelina allowed her jaw to drop. "What's so bad about them?"
"She's not down to earth. She's preppy and disgusted easily. Lee is the kind of guy who enjoys a good laugh, lots of jokes, and if there is mud in his way he doesn't mind rolling it. Carrie can't handle that kind of thing," Fred replied.
Angelina scoffed. "And who are you to know what she can or can not handle?"
"Have you SEEN her?" Fred asked, his hands flying up in defence as he pointed towards the doorway in which they left. It was his turn for his jaw to drop. "She's pathetic!"
"I have a different idea of what I think is pathetic, Fred Weasley. And it contains a freckled twin with red hair and a bad attitude!" She said, standing up. "And no, I don't mean George."
"I don't believe you! Parading around here like you know everything… you don't! I think I know what's best for Lee! I know a lot more about that than you do!" Fred said, standing up as well. He towered over her and frowned.
"YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLE!" Angelina screamed as she pushed him away from her.
He stumbled back slightly and was aware that some people were looking at them from around the Great Hall. A lot of people chose to ignore it, for their spats happened regularly and they were not to be bothered anymore- however some people hung onto the spats like a soap opera.
"Me? I think you are mistaken, Angelina! You're such a-…" Fred trailed off.
"A what, Fred? SAY IT! OR ARE YOU TOO SCARED?" Angelina said, her face flushed with red.
"YOU'RE SUCH A BITCH, ANGELINA!" Fred yelled.
There was silence. A clink of forks and Professor Flitwick who was on patrol gave a little squeak as he fell of the books on his chair. There were a couple gasps, and a few grunts, but Fred chose to ignore it. He was too intent on looking at Angelina, watching her face screw up in anger, tears filling her eyes. He was sure he hurt her, and seeing that, hurt him too.
"I can't believe you, Fred…" She said in such a low whisper, it would be almost impossible to hear if the Great Hall wasn't so silent. With a glare and a small tear out of her eye, she turned and ran from the great hall. The only sound was the click of her shoes and the slamming of the large oak doors.
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"So, Lee…" Carrie moved quickly around a puddle and sat on a rock, crossing her legs and poising her pink high heel into the air. She smoothed down her shiny pink skirt and tossed her hair.
"Yeah?" Lee asked as he looked at her. She was so beautiful, sitting by the calm lake.
"You like me, don't you?" She asked. Her cheeks flushed with a soft pink and she lifted her perfect hand to her lips, giggling slightly.
Lee's mouth dropped and he couldn't speak. His back straightened and he couldn't move. He took a deep breath and tried to answer, "I-… I-… I…"
"Its okay." She said, "I like you too."
Lee's mouth closed and he swallowed deeply as he watched Carrie rise from the rock she sat on. She walked up to his side and grasped his arm, standing on the tip of her feet to kiss his cheek.
"You can be my partner in Transfiguration for that project. I'll meet you in the library tomorrow. We can get an early start," she whispered, and with that she was off.
Lee stood there staring out over the lake, colour rising in his cheeks.
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Alicia sat in her room thinking about the day's events. She felt like there was something important that she was forgetting… something she couldn't quite place. It was pathetic, really, to be sitting there and knowing that she was forgetting something. She clicked her tongue and moved the sheets around on her bed.
She thought about how she had sat with her mother for a few hours, pretending to be enjoying a classy Christmas she always had. She had read in books about the children who would rush out of their rooms, bright in early on Christmas morning. They would still be wearing what they had slept in, their hair a mess, but smiles on their faces, as they got something they had always longed to have.
It seemed useless wishing for something like that. Everyone knew that the things you read in picture books were never real. But she knew that somewhere in the world, there was a child who was having that picture book Christmas.
She sighed and rolled onto her stomach, folding her arms so that she could rest her chin atop them. Then she looked straight ahead of her, watching her cat play with a piece of string from the curtains.
"Charm," she cooed, clicking her fingers.
The cat raised its ears and pranced over to her, jumping on the bed and pouncing on the folds in her shirt. She laughed as she turned over and scratched it behind the ears. Then she picked Charm up and held him in her arms for a while.
He jumped off of her lap and off of the bed, scooting quickly under the bed and poking a small coloured paw out from beneath it.
Alicia rolled her eyes and moved to the edge of the bed, placing her hands on the side and flipping herself upside down to look underneath the mattress. Her wavy auburn hair fell around her and she pushed strands away, looking at the two bright green eyes that stared back at her.
She smiled slightly and then looked to her left. A small box sat there, rolled on its side. Her hand shot out and she grabbed it, remembering what it was. She pushed herself onto the bed and scrambled to her pillow, leaning her back against the wood headboard.
"George's present." She whispered. "Its what I had forgotten…"
Her hand shot forward to the ribbon and she tugged at its edges. She watched as the shiny red string fell apart and she slowly moved her fingers along it. She looked the box over and found where a piece of the wrapping was coming loose. It only took a nudge of her finger to peel it away and with one movement, she popped the top of the box open.
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"Angelina, wait!" Fred chased after her retreating back and he watched her cloak fly past the wall. As he turned the corner, he realized she was nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, he walked down the hall slowly, peering through any of the open classroom doors.
"Mister Weasley."
Fred's head snapped up and he turned to face a sneering man, towering over him. His greasy black hair fell down and Fred moved back to dodge it.
"What are you doing wandering around on a day like this?" He croaked, brushing the tip of his long pointed nose with a finger. He sniffed and continued, "Lost, are we?"
"No," Fred replied, "I'm not lost, thanks."
Snape allowed himself a toothy grin. "Filch told me that someone set some dung bombs off in the corridors earlier… it would be a shame for you to miss Christmas dinner, wouldn't it?"
Fred gulped. George, he thought. "It wasn't me, I have no idea what your talking about," he answered as he clenched and unclenched his fists.
"How am I to believe that, when it is you and your twin that run around the corridors making havoc?" Snape snapped, anger reaching his tone.
Fred slyly grinned, "it wasn't me professor, and whoever it was is probably long gone by now. Now if you would only let me pass…" Fred made a move to pass by him but Snape reached out a pale bony hand and grasped his wrist tightly. Fred winced.
"Where do you think your going, you ignorant little-…"
"To find me." A voice called across the hall.
Snape's head cracked as he swung to look at the person who had spoke. Fred found that the corners of his lips were beginning to curve into a smile as he stared at Angelina. She stood in the hall, her fists clenched and at her sides, a straight look on her face. Her coco-coloured skin was radiant in the dim lighting, the grey walls high above her.
Fred thought she couldn't have looked more beautiful at that moment.
"Miss Johnson?" Snape's voice was now low rather than harsh and high.
"Yes, I told him to come meet me here. We were to head to Transfiguration… I needed help with a project, and Fred seemed to be grasping the concept," she answered sweetly. She gave a small smile and continued, "I hope that's not a problem?"
"No, its not." Snape said reluctantly.
Angelina smiled. "Good, I wouldn't want to be doing anything wrong… but I'm sure as a teacher you know how hard those Christmas holiday projects can be."
Snape's brow furrowed and he turned to Fred. He moved his arm up, pulling Fred's with it as he still had a death grip on Fred's wrist. "If I find out it was you who let off the dung bombs, Weasley," he sneered in a rough whisper, "then there might be a little bit of trouble."
Fred smirked slightly as sparks flew in his eyes. He gave Snape a smug expression and slowly backed up as he let go of his wrist, pushing his arm back to him.
"Good to see you, Snape." Angelina called at his retreating back.
Fred turned to look at her. Her cheeks were slightly red and flushed; her eyes had the slightest twinkle in them. She then looked at Fred and her expression turned cold.
"Thanks for that," Fred said as he moved his extra-large robes out of the way to inspect his wrist, which was now growing slightly purple.
Angelina rolled his eyes, "you certainly didn't deserve it."
He gulped and watched her turn on her heel. He listened to her shoes click away slowly, and he ran to catch up with her. He caught up easily, her legs being shorter than his. He allowed them to walk in silence for a bit, her pace still quick and her face still straight.
"So why did you do it, if I didn't deserve it?" He asked.
Angelina sighed, "Unlike you, Fred, I have feelings. I heard Snape giving you the third degree in the hall… I was in the Transfiguration classroom, cry-… sitting there," she gave a small cough, "and I thought you would like some help. Besides, I don't like Snape much."
Fred looked down, "I don't think anybody does."
Angelina stopped by a suit of armour in the empty corridor. "So what- why did you follow me?"
Fred looked down and concentrated on the floor.
"To apologize?" She asked.
"Maybe," he said softly.
Angelina rolled her eyes and stomped her foot slightly. "I should have known not to expect an apology from Fred Weasley… you're the guy who doesn't need to apologize, ever!" She said.
Fred watched her turn and begin to walk away when he shouted out, "Wait!" His hand shot out and grabbed her arm.
Angelina didn't turn around. She only stood there and looked at him from the corner of her eye. She then closed her eyes, waiting for him to say something. She concentrated on his grip, soft but tense like he was doing something unbearably hard.
"You- you know this isn't easy for me," he said breathlessly, "but I am- well… you know."
"What? Sorry?" She asked turning to look at him.
"Yeah."
"You should be."
He grinned slightly and let go of her arm when he realized she wasn't going anywhere. He then looked to his left at the armour and got a small spark in his eyes. His hands shot into his pockets as he fished around for a moment, bringing out a small yellowing parchment and his wand. He muttered something and tapped the parchment, and then read it quickly. Then with a smirk, he tapped it again, saying, "Mischief managed."
"What was that?" Angelina asked as he shoved the parchment back into his pocket.
"None of your concern," he replied haughtily.
Angelina's jaw dropped. "What do you mean it's none of my concern?"
He smiled and walked to the suit of armour, pulling it back slightly and touching the walls, moving his hands along the cold stone.
"What are you doing? You have officially gone psychotic-…"
Fred grabbed her hand and said, "Shut up and follow me." With that, he grabbed a stone and pulled it back, pulling her in the secret corridor with him. "I've got the Weasley touch."
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Alicia's hand grasped the object in the box. She pulled it out to examine it closer. A long brown leather chain, rough and worn- looking to be antique, with a small pendant hanging on the end of it. The pendant was mesmerizing and intriguing. She peered closer at it.
It was of a dragon, its head turned to face her, silver and somewhat rusted. She rubbed it softly and uncovered a small clear surface in its stomach, with things that moved inside of it. Looking closer, she realized it looked like the solar system- something like the Milky Way, which she had learned about in muggle science.
She lifted it by the leather string it was upon, letting its spin slowly in the air in front of her. It was old, looking to be second hand, but very beautiful. She moved her hair slightly and moved her arms to the back of her neck, doing up the chain and allowing the necklace to hang from her neck.
There was a knock at her door. "Alicia?"
"Yes?" She called, taking the dragon in her fist and pulling her shirt away from her slightly, tucking it so that it was hidden beneath it.
"Your mother would like to speak with you now." The maids voice called.
"Yes," Alicia answered as she stood from the floor. She brushed her knees off and walked out of the room, the dragon hidden from sight, but still with her.
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"Where are we going?" Angelina asked as Fred pulled her along.
"Just a small detour- I want to show you something," he replied.
Angelina's face showed sheer panic. "Not a Fred Weasley detour!"
"Calm down," Fred answered as they reached a wall of brick that he slowly pushed aside, "its nothing terribly horrible I don't think."
"Ah, but your brain does not work as well as others." She commented as he pulled her through the opening.
She looked around to see that she was standing outside. Fred tugged her along till they reached a shed. He then knelt down and lifted a rock beside it, grabbing a ring of keys. Pulling them out from under the stone, he opened the door and walked inside.
When he returned to her, he was holding a red ball and two brooms.
"Ever played Quidditch before, Angelina?" He asked.
"Is that a Quaffel? And the school brooms?" She asked.
Fred nodded.
"I've never ridden before…" She said quietly.
"George and I used to take out my older brothers brooms at night… I'm an excellent rider," Fred said as he puffed out his chest, "allow me to teach you?"
Angelina bit her lip and then nodded. "Okay," she said, "do your worst."
After a few minutes, Angelina was hovering slightly above the ground, Fred's hands at the front of her stomach and the small of her back, supporting her.
"You've got it!" He said to her as she gripped the top of the broom and urged it forward.
"I can't believe it!" She said through laughter. Her eyes met Fred's as she whispered, "I'm flying…"
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"I can't believe you set that dung bomb off in the halls!" Percy said as George ushered him into the common room.
George slapped his hands over his ears, tugging at his fiery red hair with annoyance, "I can't believe your STILL going on about it!" He complained as he flopped down on the Gryffindor couch beside Fred.
"I knew it was you," Fred commented.
"I might as well just report you to McGonagall and let her deal with you!" Percy huffed.
"Oh, shove it Perce!" Fred snapped as he grabbed his older brothers arm and yanked him down onto the couch beside him.
"Unhand me," Percy sniffed as he straightened his curly hair. He pulled at his horn-rimmed glasses and scribbled something down into his notebook. "You can be sure that mum is to hear of this," he said.
"Awww," George leaned over and grabbed hold of Percy's cheek, pinching it and yanking it, "Perfect Percy."
Percy's hand moved up quickly to slap George's away. "I wont tolerate this behaviour any longer."
"Gosh, I wish there was something we could do about that," Fred said.
"But there isn't." George replied.
"Too bad," said Fred.
"You're stuck with us." Finished George.
Percy shook his head, "with this note of outrage to mum, you're bound to be taken out of here!" He held up his notebook, his neat handwriting filling up every line of the paper.
Fred leaned forward, "Dear mum…" he read.
Percy pulled it away before he could grab it.
"I am sorry to say, that I, perfect Percy, have a problem." George said as he thought of what the note could say.
"I seem to be too gay to function," Fred said as he smirked.
"Please, send help!" George made for a dramatic scene as he slapped his hand on his forehead.
"I can't stand it any longer! Please, send a woman!" Fred gasped.
"Love from, Perfect Percy." They said in unison.
Angelina walked down the stairs and stared at the twins with an odd expression. She shrugged and sat down on the couch across from them and Percy.
"I don't know what you're talking about- neither of you have girls either." Percy commented.
Fred jumped up and landed on Angelina's lap, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Nonsense, I have Angelina!"
Angelina made a disgusted face and pushed him off of her, listening to him land on the ground with a large thump. "You wish," she scoffed.
Percy stood up from the couch, "I'm off to mail this."
"No way in hell, you are!" George snapped as he lunched to grab the notebook from Percy. He only was capable of flailing his arms in the air before he fell face first into the couch.
Percy raised his eyebrows and began to walk away, when Lee Jordan walked through the fat lady portrait. Lee looked up at Percy and then down at the notebook.
"What's this, then?" He asked.
"Nothing-..." Percy began, but it was too late. The curious Lee Jordan had snatched it from his grasp.
He opened it up and fell onto the couch with ease, landing on George's back. His dreadlocks lazily fell into his face as he read. "Hmmm…" He muttered as he stroked his chin.
"Geroff Flee!" George mumbled as his face was pushed into the cushions of the couch. George turned slightly and made Lee slide so that he was standing once again.
"What did you say, George?" Lee asked.
"I said, get off, Lee," George said as he pouted. He stood up and grabbed the notebook from his friend. "Now this notebook is for our eyes only."
"What are you going to do with that?" Percy said in a panic.
Fred snickered as he stood up beside his twin. "Take it away, George!"
George smiled as he yawned and flicked his wrist. It spun straight into the Gryffindor fireplace where it was burned into ash.
Fred and George both gasped at the same time.
"Oh no George,"
"I didn't do it… did I Fred?"
"You've dropped it!"
"Into the fire too…"
"Damn shame."
The twins smiled at each other and turned to give Percy innocent expressions.
"Sorry," George said.
"He really is," agreed Fred.
Percy gritted his teeth as he stared at the two boys in front of him. "Don't think you wont get what you two deserve!" He snapped.
Fred shrugged to George. "Looks like we're going to get what we deserve one day, George."
"Hope it comes soon, we need to be whipped into shape. I want to be a Perfect Percy!" George replied.
Percy growled and stomped up the stairs as the twins fell onto the couch beside Lee. There was a silence in the common room until Fred, Lee, George and Angelina burst into side-aching laughter.
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There! I finally have the ball rolling once again! It took a lot of work, but I think it's been the best chapter I've written in a while. I hopped back on the train and I am now greeting inspiration again with open arms! Speaking of trains, Alicia's train ride home is next chapter! And more excitement- it's all planned out…
-Kit
