It was my last day at the Weasleys' home. Papa had sent me a letter not long after the one I had sent him. He reproached me a bit about intercepting his letter like I had. But I got the feeling he was more impressed that I had thought of telling Whiskers to do that than angry at me for it. Either way he let me stay a few extra days at the Weasleys to which Mrs. Weasley graciously allowed. I was thankful for that since it allowed enough time for my head to heal properly. Plus I did enjoy my time here. Aside from my moments with Ron and the discomfort of the small bed in Ginny's room it was nice. It wasn't often that I spend time away from home, and if I did it was usually at Hogwarts or somewhere with Draco, so it was fun to see Fred and George outside of school. And now I walked with Ginny up the stairs and towards the twins' room from which muffled screams could be heard
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"How often do they do this?" I asked the boys' sister. I had never heard them arguing. They joked around and sometimes rough housed but I had never actually heard them upset at one another
"Not usually but then again who knows what goes on in there." Ginny made towards the stairs again on her way up to meet Hermione in Ron's room. I watched her walk away then turned back to the door. Just as I was about to knock their yelling picked up, distracting me. Curious I couldn't help but listen
"Why won't you just say it? She is literally down the stairs!" one of them yelled
"No, Fred! Not now, okay?" George yelled back defensively
"No, not okay? You are being a prat about this! You want me to tell her?"
"No! I will just not now"
"Then when? What better time is there than now? Just go downstairs and say it!" I sighed. This was beginning to sound private and I changed my mind about listening. It was rude to eavesdrop anyway
"Fred!"
"George you're over thinking this! Just go down there and tell her—" Their conversation stopped as I knocked on the door and opened it
"Hey you guys it's me. Sorry but... Umm" I became lost for words at what they were doing. George stood behind Fred covering his mouth as Fred tried fighting him off. "Am I interrupting something?"
"How long have you been standing out there?" George questioned while ducking from Fred's elbow
"I heard you arguing through the door if that's what you mean. Who are you not telling what to?" George sighed at my question and let go of his brother. They shared a look and Fred sighed too before running over to me
"So what brings you here?" he asked not wanting to answer. I let it go since I wasn't supposed to be listening anyway. He put his arm around me and walked me further into the room next to George
"I wanted to talk to both of you, actually" I began and took in a slow breath
"About what?" George asked noticing me scratching my head somewhat nervously. I took in another breath trying to decide how I was going to say this. I wanted to tell them about my brother but it would be more difficult with them than it was with Hermione. They actually knew, or had at least heard stories, about my brother whereas Hermione had been clueless to the subject.
"Stuff…" I muttered turning to the door. Fred noticed my glance and moved to close it. Once he did I felt a little better but still unsure as to how to proceed. Trying to give myself some form of comfort I moved to sit on one of the boys' beds. George came to sit next to me as Fred pulled a chair over to sit in front of us.
"What is it Kitty?" George asked starting to look worried. I frowned a little noting how often he seemed to do that lately. While the events at the World Cup could be justifiably worrisome it still felt like he upset too easily. But that wasn't what I wanted to talk about at the moment
"You guys know about my brother, right…?" I ask in a quiet tone. Both of them looked away from me
"Umm, yeah." They started shifting uncomfortably in their seats. People in the wizarding community knew about Nikolai but they also knew better than to talk about what happened in front of my family. I figured the twins would be no exception to this since neither of them had brought him up once in the three years I had known them.
"You know how he left home and how things ended for him..." I stayed quiet awaiting their answer. Fred nodded, not saying anything else. George put his arm around my shoulders in a comforting manner. I suppose he thought since that worked at the World Cup it would work now
"Sorry" he muttered. I smiled a little; I never understood why people apologized for things that they had nothing to do with.
"Well you should also know that what you've heard is a lie."
"What?" Fred asked snapping his head up at me. He gave me a look like he questioned my sanity
"He's not dead" I clarified though it didn't change his expression
"What?" This time they both asked. Again I smiled a little at their reactions. I found it reassuring how easily these two could make me smile
"My father just said he was dead. Once the rumors started he told others that he was but my brother is very much alive. He's in London right now and quite happy with his Muggle"
"What?"
"Do you know any other words?" I giggled. They seemed to relax when hearing me do so. George let go of my shoulders and they both smiled. I let out a breath and continued. "Papa thought it made the rest of our family look bad if my brother ended up okay"
"So he told everyone your brother died…" George muttered. I nodded and turned to look at my hands on my lap.
"It was a lie but they did disown him, that part is true. I just thought you two should know."
"But he's fine" Fred asked to clarify. I nodded again, looking back up at him
"He has nowhere near as much as he did living at home but he's happy and very much alive." I was thankful for that much. I love my brother and want nothing more than for him to be happy, even if it means not being able to see him. So long as he's content then I am as well
"You've visited him?" George guessed though his tone was conveyed a little more like a question
"Only twice" I answered turning to look at him. "Once a few months after he left and the second was a little before I went to meet you at the World Cup"
"That's why you wanted to meet us there" Fred realized putting the pieces together. Again I simply nodded
"Papa doesn't know I have visited him. He thinks I went with you right after, like I told you, but that was what I actually went to do." I muttered a little as I said it. I hadn't realized it before, most likely due to denial. In the four years passed since his departure I had only seen Nikolai twice.
"You miss him…" George guessed again, probably due to the look on my face
"Wouldn't you miss your brother?"
"Maybe not Percy" Fred joked and George laughed. I giggled a little too but I knew they would miss him. You never truly realize how much a person means to you until you're forced to be without them
"That's not the only reason though…" I mumbled. If I was going to tell them this I might as well say the whole story
"What's the other?"
"He- he got… He's married now." I struggled to get the words out. "I didn't just visit him; I went to was his wedding. He married his Muggle girl"
"Are you okay with that?" I was aware of the slight note of disgust in my voice. There wasn't much I could do about it. I could've hid it but the point of this conversation was to be honest with them. I sighed and looked back down again
"I have nothing against her as a Muggle if that's what you mean. It's just… well; she took my brother from me..."
"Well-" Fred started but George interrupted. He started to laugh and shook his head at us
"What?" I crossed my arms, annoyed at him. He merely smiled
"That's what you're angry about? Really that possessive are you?"
"So what if I am" I puffed out my cheek.
"It's cute" muttered George and turned to smile at the floor. Fred smiled at his brother's comment seeming to agree. I could feel my face heat up a little but tried to ignore it
"Why did you decide tell us all this?" Fred asked bringing the conversation back on track
"I owed you an explanation. And I trust you" I added with a smile
"Does anyone else know?" George asked curious. He looked slightly hopeful as if he wished the answer was no. I giggled realizing he wanted to feel special
"Yes. Besides my family only you two, Hermione, and Draco know."
"Malfoy?" George grumbled and I sighed in return. I knew they didn't like each other but it still bothered me that they spoke about each other like that. I cared about all of them for different reasons. But considering how their families acted towards each other it wasn't surprising they held that resentment
"He's my best friend," I defended. "I tell him everything"
"Everything?" he asked sounding bothered
"Yes. I'm sure he knows more about me than anyone else." George frowned at floor this time. The thought of our friendship probably didn't please him but that's just something he'd have to get over. Draco and I had a history and I did tell him everything. I may let a few things go by, like my family's resemblance to Salazar Slytherin, but that was a more serious topic. I only knew because my brother told me, having overheard my parents discussing it. Otherwise even I wouldn't know
"Wait, what about that friend of yours?" Fred asked changing the subject again
"Daphne?" I guessed. He nodded confirming my thought. "No she doesn't know"
"Oh?" Fred asked
"Why?" George mumbled still looking a little annoyed
"I just don't want too many people knowing is all" I replied but it was a little more complicated than that. The truth was Slytherins were, well, complicated people
I didn't consider being in Slytherin to be bad but I had to admit, we were selfish individuals. In our House there was a tendency to look out for one's own benefit. In other words, if the chance came, many wouldn't mind stepping on their friends. I'll admit I'm no different; it just depends on how much I want whatever is on the line. But Draco and I had a special relationship and I made exceptions with him. That relationship was not something I would compare to the one I shared with Daphne. Of course I care for and trust her but not with something like this. I doubted my brother's living status would matter to her but he is not something I am willing to risk. Gryffindors, on the other hand, have a tendency to put others before themselves. That's why I told them but not her
"I should probably get going now" I mumbled looking outside. It was getting late and I wanted to leave before it started getting dark. They nodded and stood with me.
The twins walked me out of their room and down the stairs. Papa had suggested sending someone to come get me but I had told him I would ride in my broom; that's why I brought it anyway. In the kitchen their family was all there, as well as the other guests. Taking advantage of this I said goodbye to them with a hug to Hermione. Mrs. Weasley stood by the door waiting with my things
"I appreciate you having me" I thanked her and took my things back. She smiled kindly reminding me once again of Alla
"Anytime dear" she replied sweetly. I liked her
With one last wave goodbye I made my way out the kitchen door towards the garden outside. Fred and George followed after me. We walked past the gnome infested land and further into the orchard. Behind us there was a bark and Lev came running out of the garden. He joined my side and his happy bark let me know that he was ready to go. It was obvious he missed being given his usual luxuries and treatments even though he had enjoyed his time chasing gnomes.
"Your mother's really lovely" I told them once we reached a stopping place
"That's just 'cause you're not related to her" Fred mumbled. I smiled gripping my broom in hand. Fred suddenly got a wicked smile on his face but it was not for me. Quickly he turned to his brother then back to me, making both of us a little suspicious. "Well goodbye, Kitty. And now you can say goodbye too, George." He gave me a quick hug and his brother a little push forward before running away. I looked ahead, confused by his actions. George frowned at his departing brother.
"Goodbye, I suppose" I said though I knew he couldn't hear me. George turned back to me with shy looking smile. It took a little off guard; I had never seen George looking shy before
"Yeah, umm, I'll see you at Hogwarts then..." he muttered but stepped closer to me. George looked down at me with that same strange smile
"Is there something you wanted to tell me?" I asked guessing by his evasiveness. He sighed and stepped closer again. George was directly in front of me now. I had to look up at an angle to see him right
"Well..." He turned towards the house for a second then back to me.
"Yes?" I smiled wondering what he wanted. If I had told him about my brother surely he could tell me about whatever this was. But obviously he didn't think the same as he once again sighed
"Well..." he repeated using his hand to rub the back of neck. "Kitty I-" Lev barked loudly next to me interrupting George. I smiled at my impatient puppy
"Be nice" I reminded him. George looked at my puppy surprised, as if having forgotten he was there. His expression turned to that of relief
"Guess he must be in a hurry to leave. Well I won't keep you. And you should probably go before your father bestows his wrath on us and all" George rushed his words making them a little hard to understand. He smiled though looking slightly nervous. I suppose the idea of Papa coming here was not too cheerful for him
"Alright I suppose" I smiled pulling my bag higher on my shoulder. Suddenly George pulled me to him throwing his arms around me for a hug. He placed a quick kiss on my cheek then pulled away just as quickly. Again I felt my face start to get warm
"Have a safe flight" he called rushing back to his house. I waved goodbye shrugging and grabbed Lev from the ground. Pulling him onto my arms I boarded my broom and set off for home leaving the Weasley's quaint little home behind a little confused by what had just happened