Quidditch Conversations
Chapter 4: The Worst Prank Ever.
A/N: Some Fred and George randomness. I am not JK Rowling, although it pleases me to imagine that she might play around with her characters in much the same way I have, putting them in the most uncomfortable and ridiculous situations she can…It can't all be battles and intrigue, you know…
It was a cold early December day, and Fred and George were hanging around the Quidditch pitch, early (for once) to practice. They had just spend a good couple of hours in detention for McGonagall, turning oddly transfigured rats without tails, spiders with between thirty and a hundred legs, not to mention that turtle with the eerily glowing red eyes, back into teacups.
The whole time, Fred had kept unusually quiet, until even McGonagall had commented, "I know the third years' shoddy spellwork is irritating, but considering that you would keep talking through a Dementor attack, something must be going on."
Fred had just smiled slightly, and McGonagall had felt a pang of anticipating imminent disaster go through her heart. It was a common feeling around the twins, especially when they smiled the sort of slight smile which she knew meant filling out paperwork, and writing yet another owl to Molly Weasley, who undoubtedly had a library of such detention notices by this point in the twins' Hogwarts career.
But now the two were at the Quidditch pitch, whiling away the time, and George was watching Fred expectantly. If something was brewing in that ginger head of his, it was only a matter of time before it spilled forth, the twins could never keep from sharing anything for long. Not from each other, at least.
"Okay, George, I have an idea."
"What?" George asked, moving closer to his twin, ready for anything.
Fred leaned in confidentially, and said in a low excited whisper, "We could switch places!"
George groaned, "We've tried that, remember, in second year? Nobody noticed except Percy, who wrote to Mum…right git, and got us a Howler."
"It might still be fun," wheedled Fred.
"I dunno…"
Fred looked crestfallen, then brightened. "Or we could set fire to the staff room!"
George grinned, "Now you're talking!"
They high fived, and then turned, hearing the frozen grass crunch. It was Angelina. Fred winked at George, and George sighed. Fine, he would play along, if Fred insisted on this ridiculous farce.
Angelina walked up to Fred and said quietly, "Listen, Fred... I want to talk to you about us going to the Yule Ball."
Fred looked surprised, but decided to go through with it anyway. "Actually, I'm George."
Angelina looked startled. "Oh! I'm sorry. Oi! Fred!" she called over to him.
George walked over, "Yeah?"
Angelina sighed. "Can I talk to you in private?"
"Sure." George said, winking at Fred.
They walked a little way off, and George wondered what sort of awkward situation Fred's little prank was going to get him in now.
Angelina stopped and said, "Listen, Fred, I know you asked me to the Yule Ball, and that was very sweet of you, and of course we're really good friends, but..." She trailed off, and George looked puzzled.
"But what?" George asked. He could see Fred a couple of yards away, trying not to look out of his mind with curiosity.
Angelina took a deep nervous breath and said, "I can't keep lying to you, Fred. I'd really rather go with George…Do you understand?"
George's mouth dropped open, "What?"
Angelina winced, "I know, I'm really sorry...I've just always had a bit of a thing for him, and it's not like we get opportunities like this very often at Hogwarts, and…I'm sorry."
"Well, we won't have to set fire to the staff room now. He was right, this is a good prank," George muttered, looking over at his twin, incredulously.
"What are you talking about?"
George grinned, "Nothing important. I'll tell you later. Listen, it's fine. I wouldn't want to stand in the way of true love, after all. Let's go back to Fred. I mean, George."
Angelina looked extremely confused, although slightly relieved. "I worry about you two. You know that, don't you?"
"Why?"
Angelina smiled weakly, "The identity crises. It seems like it would be hard."
George looked up at the sky, shaking with repressed laughter, "You have no idea."
A/N: Thanks for all the readers and especially the reviewers who keep me going. I promise that all proffered ideas will be snatched up and used in future conversations. Special love to the ever faithful CrazyDreamerGirl.
