Penny Perish -

"Well, this morning has been eventful," announced Marietta as we exited our first class of the day. It was close to lunch now, but I was not ready to face a room-full of perverted seventh-year guys again. And with what happened with Roger Davies, I was nervous to see him again after the Weasley incident.

"Unfortunately. Um, can you both snatch me some food from the Great Hall? I don't think I can go back in there," I pleaded still mentally reliving the embarrassing fiasco this morning.

Cho and Marietta smiled, nodded and agreed to meet me by the One-Eyed-Witch Statue before our next class. I made my way up the stairs and away from the Great Hall, keeping my eyes down to avoid passing students. As I reached the statue, I sat on the floor, careful to keep my books over my skirt so no-one got a peep show of my underwear as I squatted down. I left my books in my lap and began to read the first chapters of our Advanced Transfiguration book.

"Hey," said a familiar husky voice.

I looked up from my book to glance at the Weasley twin. He was the twin that almost got in a fight with Roger over me. I didn't know which one he was—Fred or George—but now I could tell he was the same one from before. "Oh, hey."

He looked up and down the hallways, to see no students coming. "Are you waiting for someone?"

"Not quite." He raised an eyebrow to this. "I'm hiding," I quietly explained.

"Ah, makes sense," he smirked, hands shoved into his pockets. "May I join you?"

I was kind of taken aback by this question and tried to search his face for an explanation. But came back with nothing. "Um, sure."

He sat cross-legged next to me against the wall and huffed as he relaxed on the floor. I wasn't sure if I should say something about this morning or not. Maybe he just wanted to forget about it. I decided to look back at my book, and as hard I tried to focus on reading, I couldn't get back into it. "So, this morning…" he started.

I quickly looked up from my book. Of course, he wanted me to thank him and bring up what happened. How dumb of me to think otherwise. "Oh, yeah, that whole thing was unexpected. I was not ready for Roger to act like that, and then…" I began, but he cut me off.

"I was going to talk to you about your brother." He smiled at me, looking down at my face, and continued, "I'm sort of worried about him." His icy blue eyes turned softer and I could sense the sincerity in his voice. I gave him a quizzical look, urging him to explain further. "Well, this morning I found him in the Gryffindor Common Room. Up and studying, still awake from the night before."

"He didn't sleep at all?" I questioned. I was surprised, but not completely, for I knew how nervous he was prior to arriving.

"Definitely not, and apparently he studied all night long so he could be prepared for classes today," he clarified, clearly worried. "He mentioned that his whole family thought he was a squib up until he got his Hogwarts Acceptance Letter." I felt like these words were judging me, my family and my actions. He had no idea what it was like for Oliver growing up, and how grateful, but surprised we were when he got his letter. Even though his words felt judgmental, they weren't wrong, which made me feel even worse.

"He's right. We did think he was a squib," I confirmed defeatedly.

"Now he feels like he has something to prove to you and your parents, I reckon. Like he has to prove to you all that he is a wizard," his voice was slightly condescending, but the tone was also concerned. It seemed like this Weasley truly was starting to care for my little brother. Maybe he took my warning to him in the Great Hall the night before as a signal to watch over Oliver for me. Maybe that's what I meant by it in the first place. "I'm worried that he is so focused on how to prove himself that he isn't going to enjoy the world he belongs in." Now these words cut me deep.

He was right again. If Oliver thinks that we don't believe in his abilities, then we will be what holds him back, nothing else. This reality hit me like a brick in the face. I felt so embarrassed that in all of 24 hours, this random guy could analyze and break down my issues with my brother, all before I even noticed it was a problem. I didn't say anything, I physically couldn't. I was at a loss for words.

"I offered to help him with his classes if he needed it. I'm not a top-student or anything, but I passed my classes thus far," he shrugged his shoulders and smiled admitting his shortcomings. I smiled back, thankful for the kind gesture.

"I guess I need to step back a bit and let him do his own thing."

He rested a hand on my arm and said, "I don't think that is true at all." At his touch a chill rushed through my body. He could probably feel the goosebumps on my skin, and I got embarrassed at this idea. "I think he needs you to be there for him, Penny. He really looks up to you and appreciates you watching out for him. I feel like instead you should show him how much you actually believe in him."

Wow—I was getting lectured by the class clown of Hogwarts.

"I suppose you are right. Man, I feel like an idiot."

He laughed, "Nah, I just think you are too smart for your own good."

"Well, a smart person would've known their own brother is feeling oppressed by their family."

"That's not your fault. I think he wants to put up a strong front for you," he spoke, and the words comforted me more than he knew. This guy, who was a perfect stranger, knew exactly what to say.

"Wow, do you want to be a therapist or something?" I teased.

"A what?"

"Oh, it's a type of Muggle doctor. They talk to you about your problems, which make people feel better."

"Oh, that sounds like a fun job. Easy, too."

I laughed, "Oh it's not that easy. It requires a lot of schooling to become one."

"Damn, I was contemplating skipping out on Hogwarts and going to the Muggle world to become one," he laughed at his obvious obliviousness of the Muggle World.

I looked down at my lap. "Can I ask you a question?" He turned his body to face me and nodded. "Okay, well, I don't quite know how to go about it…"

"You want to know which twin I am."

"Was it that obvious? I feel like a jerk for even wondering, but yeah. I'm sorry," I apologized.

He flashed me a big smile, saying, "Nah, I get it a lot actually. I would've been shocked if you knew which brother I was. Most of the time my own mother can't tell us apart." He continued to laugh at his own expense. I felt obligated to join in.

I reached out my right hand toward him. "I'm Penny Perish, sixth year Ravenclaw."

He took my hand in his and gave it a soft shake. "George Weasley, seventh year Gryffindor. It's nice to officially meet you," he muttered in an overtly formal tone, mocking the encounter.

"You too, George Weasley," I laughed at his attempt to be super proper. There was a reason he was considered the class clown, and I was getting a sense for his type of humor. All the while we laughed, he still didn't take his hand away from mine. He held onto my hand for a moment longer than expected. I couldn't tell if it was nice or awkward, but suddenly, George's twin, Fred arrived peering around the One-Eyed-Witch Statue looking down at us.

"There ya are Georgie. Been looking everywhere for you," Fred stated. "Hey there, Penny."

"Hi, Fred," I said back, quieter than I meant to. I don't think he heard me at all.

"Sorry, got caught up." George stood, to greet his brother, then looked down at me. He reached out a hand for me, offering to help me up.

I was about to take his hand when I suddenly realized that I was still wearing an extremely short skirt. There was no way I could get up without either of them seeing my underwear, or worse, more. "Oh, no. I'm good, thanks, George." I waved off his gesture and placed my hands back into my lap, over my books. He smiled at me, accepting my response.

"It was nice talking to you," he said.

"Yeah, it was." I was surprised at how nice he was. George was always the class clown: pulling pranks with his brother on the ground keeper, Mr. Filch, and laughing at his misery. But this was a different side to him that I didn't realize he had. It was a kinder, more caring side. The two brothers left me at once, and I sat alone by the statue, waiting for Marietta and Cho to meet up.

While the hallways were still empty, I did my best to collect my things and stand up, without flashing any possible unsuspecting passersby. With some effort, I was on my feet again and, just as I was fully collected, my two friends showed up. They brought a napkin, inside was a sandwich and slice of treacle tart. I was so grateful, as I scarfed down my lunch on our walk to the next class.

George Weasley-

Walking away from my conversation with Penny, I had a newfound excitement bubbling up in my chest. I was meaning to meet Fred just in the hidden passageway of the One-Eyed Witch Statue, but coincidentally Penny was there. I had planned on pulling her aside at some point to talk about Oliver but was a bit shocked at her being there when I was secretly meeting up with Fred. Luckily, I spotted Fred down the hall and shot him an unsuspecting look, others wouldn't've noticed, but he understood—someone was in our spot.

I decided then and there, this was the perfect chance to talk to Penny about Oliver. Though, as I began to tell her the situation, she became flustered and started to bring up what happened with Davies instead. Her awkward reaction was actually very cute, how she got all nervous. Amid our conversation, I decided to try to comfort her by putting a hand on her arm. She was so soft to the touch, and I wanted to feel how soft the rest of her body was, but as soon as these thoughts popped into my head, I had to pull away. I couldn't be thinking that kind of thing, when I was the one who called out Roger Davies for trying to do the same.

I tried very hard to keep my hands to myself the rest of our chat, but Penny unexpectantly reached out a hand for me. Sure, it was for a handshake, but she wanted me to touch her—so I happily obliged. Her hand was even softer, and the warmth of it was so nice. Her fingers lightly brushed up against my skin and I felt a slight tingle shoot up my arm. I didn't want to pull my hand away, and some part of me thought she didn't want to either. The one time I wanted my twin to read my mind, he didn't. Fred showed up and interrupted a nice moment. I couldn't be mad at him, because he didn't know, but it was just my luck that the one time I wanted twin-telepathy to work it didn't.

Leaving Penny, still sitting on the hallway floor, I spent the rest of the day thinking about her. I could barely focus in my afternoon class, that Professor Flitwick called me out for daydreaming. I couldn't help it though. Penny was very pretty, and kind, and genuine.

Walking into the Great Hall for dinner, I spotted little Oliver at the front of Gryffindor table with some other first-years. "Hey there Olly, how was your first day?"

He smiled up at me and made room for me and Fred to sit beside him. "Hey George, hey Fred! I actually had a fine day, thanks."

"Professors go easy on you?" Fred asked.

He laughed a little, "I don't know about that, but they were much nicer than I expected. Even Professor Snape isn't all bad."

Fred and I made a face to each other in surprise. "Wow," we said in unison.

"Are you sure you met the real Snape? Ya know, potions master? Dark hair, creepy look?" Fred questioned.

Oliver giggled at this, followed by the other young witches and wizards nearby. "Yes, that Professor Snape. He wasn't all that mean. Penny made him sound ten times worse."

The sound of her name made my chest stop beating for a moment. Chill out Georgie! "Speaking of your sister, I spoke with her today," I said.

Oliver smiled brightly at this comment. "Really? How was her day? I didn't get to see her at all. What did you talk about?" he rambled.

Taking each question one at a time I shared, "Yes really. She seemed to be having a tough start, but eventually I think it got better. And, actually, we talked about you a bit." He looked at me confused. "Well, she mentioned how proud of you she was."

"She is proud of me? For what?"

I tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Of course, she is! Well, she is proud that you are in the best house ever," I emphasized to which he laughed aloud. "And she is proud of you being here at Hogwarts with her. She was excited to see you around school." It wasn't exactly what she said, but I could tell that what I told him on her behalf was actually true. I could tell she did feel that, even if she didn't verbalize it.

"Wow, well, I am really happy to be at school with her too. Do you think she will mind if I go over to her table?" Oliver asked looking hesitant.

Fred jumped in, "Yeah, mate. You can go sit anywhere really."

"We don't have to sit with our houses all the time?" asked Jacob Burke, another young Gryffindor.

"Nah, only for special events and stuff. You can sit wherever you want really," Fred explained.

A few little first-year students got up and ran over to other tables with students they must've known. Oliver got up too and walked over to sit next to Penny. She looked a tad surprised to see him but looked happy too. She glanced over her shoulder toward me, then smiled. It felt good to help her brother out, and I enjoyed talking to both of them. They were good people.