Chapter 10
AN: I don't own or gain anything concerning the characters or original plot.
Year 3 and we're into double figures - WOOT!! I was also actually able to find my copy of this book so hopefully it'll be a bit more plot consistent. Enjoy.
Easy read link: emsana . livejournal . com / 76324 . html
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Hogwarts, October 1992
Dear Charlie,
Things have been more than a little eventful since we saw you in Egypt --speaking of which, have you recovered from Mum's interrogation yet?--. First off, we have a new DADA teacher, name of Lupin and he's the best bloody one we've ever had. True, it's not hard to beat old Quirrel or Lockhart but he even let's us do practical lessons – we took on a Red Cap last week, and a boggart the one before. He's a bit frayed around the edges but otherwise the guys become a Hogwarts legend; even the Slytherins (well, most of them) like him. Can't say Care of Magical Creatures is going that well – you'll be pleased to here that Hagrid has taken over --about time too, Kettleburn was in pieces, literally-- but not so pleased to discover that Lucius Malfoy and his offspring have been trying to have him fired after one of his classes went a bit South. We don't really see what the fuss is all about to be honest, --there wasn't that much blood-- just old Greasy complaining about nothing. Oh, and because of this whole Black scare we've got the odd Dementor wandering around the school. Otherwise though, we've been having a cracking time.
Percy on the other hand is still going on about being Head Boy, but it does rather sound like he's --defleeting-- deflecting as when he opened the letter he just sort of sat there until Mum asked him if he was alright. Apparently he was "overwhelmed" but you and --I-- we know different. We think you must be right about Penelope as Perce has been miserable all summer and has only seemed his normal (well, normal for Percy) self when we --were tormenting him about being Head Boy-- when someone bothers him. When he was at the station with her he seemed rather awkward, which is more than can be said for Oliver. The good weather doesn't seem to have done him any good. At the platform we ran into him and he was practically staring at Perce and Penny like someone had just set fire to his broomstick. Don't worry, we --gave him a good slap-- snapped him out of it but at Quidditch practice the other day he looked like he was worrying about more than just the Cup. We just wish we knew what we could do for the poor sod.
Fred and George
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Where even the month abroad doesn't make up for our Mother, October 1992
Dear Fred and George,
You may be having such a smashing time but things are a bit bleak around here. The centre is still in dire need to, you know, walls and stuff. I really couldn't afford the time off over the Summer --and spending it with Mum persistently asking when I was going to settle down with a nice girl didn't much make up for it; I didn't even manage to scrounge a few galleons while I was there so I'll be living on Chocolate Frogs for another week running-- so things are a bit hectic here. The dragons seem to be enjoying it though so at least there haven't been any more escape attempts. It's not that I wouldn't love for them to be able to roam free but the fact of the matter is it's just not safe for them out there.
I'm glad to hear about Hagrid's position, and disheartened by bloody Malfoy poking his bloody nose into the bloody business. Let me know if there's anything I can do. At least you have a decent DADA teacher; considering the way the last two years have panned out it's about time you learnt something substantial.
I'd find some solid evidence about Percy before you try and --ruin his life again-- sabotage his relationships – not that I am in any way advocating that! But, for arguments sake, let's say Percy is in denial (or whatever) and is actually very unhappy then a) it would be in his own best interests to resolve this on going saga, b) it's not very fair on Penelope if she's just his validation, and c) I can't bare the thought of poor Wood being in the lurch like that. So, and I can't believe I am actually going to say this but, if you can find the proof, I officially give you permission to destroy your brother's relationship and set him up with your Keeper. May Merlin have mercy on my soul.
Charlie
P.S. - I'm going to regret this, aren't I?
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Hogwarts, November 1992
Dear Charlie,
Your last letter --can hardly-- almost make up for the events of the last few weeks. First Sirius Black (no, really, as if this school could get any more bizarre) turned up and attacked the Fat Lady --which we take as a personal insult--, then Lupin was ill so Snape of all the --gits-- people substituted for him, and then our lives were ruined. We had the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff and in the middle some of those bloody Dementors tried to take a bite out of Potter so we lost the match, and if that wasn't bad enough Harry's broom was torn to pieces by the Whomping Willow so now we're effectively a Sneeker down. The fact that Potter will make a full recovery --doesn't cheer us up in the slightest-- is some consolation though. The weather's not getting any better either.
As you can imagine this has done nothing to solve Wood's problems; he practically tried to drown himself in the showers after the match and we had to physically remove him from the bathrooms. We told the others it was all to do with Quidditch but we couldn't help but notice that he noticed that Percy was watching the game with Penelope and seemed to become even more --crazed-- determined than usual. This Dementor business couldn't have happened at a worse time.
You want proof? Alright, we'll get you proof. Our lives may be in the --prophetic-- --provable-- proverbial (Ha! Take that thesaurus!) toilet but we can at least fix Percy's. We're accumulating it as we --speak-- write. Firstly, Percy actually went to the match, and secondly, after he heard about the defeat we could have sworn we saw him giving Wood his condolences in the corridor. We can't tell is Oliver ignored him out of spite, or just despair. Regardless, --Clearwater isn't going to know what's hit her-- we're going to fix this --but the fact that he's dating a Ravenclaw should be excuse enough to break them up-- if it's the last thing we do.
With grim determination,
Fred and George
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What's left of the Suceava Research Centre, November 1992
Dear Fred and George,
I really am sorry to hear about Quidditch; especially as it's Wood's last chance at the Cup. With any luck you'll be able to find a replacement broom for Potter --or at least a replacement Sneeker-- before your next match.
Sirius Black was at your school? --Why am I not surprised?-- I wonder who he could be after; really, if Potter survives this year it'll be a miracle. --Then again, the same could be said of Percy and Oliver with you two on the war path-- Look after yourselves again would you, and keep an eye on Ginny – I think we've pretty much ascertained Ron can look after himself but after last year don't take any chances with our little sister, got it?
Oh Merlin, it's raining and we have no roof --and Mum and Dad are still failing to support me financially so I can't afford another hat--. I love my job, I do, I really do.
Right, so far so good on the Percy front but you really need solid, or at least verbal, proof that Percy is in fact so inclined otherwise this will all end in --more-- tears. Keep an eye on Oliver as well, he's sensible enough but when it comes to Quidditch (and love, apparently) the chap has a weak spot so don't let him doing something stupid; like that time he tried to practice in the storm – I swear his reflexes were never the same after that.
Oh, Florin has found me an umbrella. Really, you have to hand it to the bloke, not only is he a crack handler, but he really knows how to look after us humans as well. Also, makes a damn good cup of tea.
Where was I? Oh, I haven't the energy to remember. Keep up the good --sabotage-- work.
Charlie