- CHAPTER EIGHT -

Boys

Harry was kept in the Hospital Wing for the rest of the weekend, but was sure to make a full recovery. Aside from scaring the wits out of him, the Dementors hadn't done any real damage. The actual fall off his broom was the real cause for worry, but it wouldn't be long before he'd be back up and running again.

With the growing number of faculty members constantly patrolling the halls, it was a shock that the twins and I managed to keep ourselves out of trouble. Indeed, even though the talk of Sirius Black had died down substantially, Dumbledore was not about to let his guard down. It was apparent that all of the professors were still tense, and were bound to be until Black was returned to Azkaban.

On Monday we returned to classes only to find that instead of Professor Lupin as our Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we had Professor Snape. Everyone was clearly dismayed about the switch. Fred saw it fit to blatantly ask Snape what in Merlin's name he was doing in our classroom. Due to his remark Snape had deducted five points from Gryffindor and refused to enlighten us about the whereabouts of Lupin.

Instead he assigned us an essay about werewolves. He didn't seem to care that Professor Lupin hadn't even touched on the topic of werewolves (George lost another five points for pointing out the matter). In fact, within two days it came to our attention that he had assigned the same project to every class no matter what age group.

"Who the hell does Snape think he is assigning us something when he's not even our teacher?" George complained as the two of us walked to the Great Hall for dinner. He had been complaining about Snape all afternoon, and it was beginning to grate on my nerves. I'm not sure what had gotten me into such a huff lately, but I was the first to admit I had been a right crabby mood since the Quidditch match.

"I dunno George," I answered boredly.

"And he thinks he deserves the Defence job," he said with a huff, "Fat chance that'll happen if he assigns a pointless essay to every student in the bloody school."

"Yep," I replied unenthusiastically, picking a bit of string off of my robes.

"Are you ok?" he asked, looking at me with concern.

"I'm fine," I said a little harshly.

George's eyebrows rose toward his hairline.

"Alright, what's up?" he said with a sigh.

"Nah, no – it's nothing," I said, feeling stupid. "I'm just in a right stink after losing that Quidditch match against Hufflepuff."

George shrugged. "Nothing we can do about it now."

"I know," I said. "Let's just not talk about it."

"Okay," George agreed. "So, what's up with you and Fred?"

I shot him a confused look. "What?"

George looked at my puzzled face for a minute, deliberating.

"Never mind," he said quickly.

"No, come on George what did you mean?" I asked, confusion clear in my tone. We had made it to the Great Hall and were headed towards Fred and Lee who were already seated and waving us over.

"We'll talk later," George replied in a hushed voice as we sat down. Apparently it was not to be discussed in front of the others.

"Hey, what's up?" Fred asked as the two of us joined them.

"Just talking about Snape, the great bloody prune," George said, launching into his complaints again. "Can you believe he assigned us that paper?"

"Will you stop bringing that up?" I grumbled, my irritation returning.

"Someone's in a mood," Fred commented.

Lee snickered but said nothing.

"I was just pointing out that-"

"George if you say Snape one more time you'll be wearing your food as a hat," I warned him. "I don't feel like hearing it today."

"Is something wrong?" Fred asked, turning to me with sincere concern on his face.

I shook my head.

"George is just infuriating as hell today," I replied.

"Well you're particularly irritable today," George commented. "I think it's more than the Quidditch game that's got you fussed. Are you er-having any feminine problems that are causing you problems?"

"Oh, shut it, George," I snapped as he grinned cheekily.

"Alright, alright, I was just asking," he said.

"Well don't ask," I said childishly.

"I won't next time," he said.

"Good."

"Good."

Fred and Lee chuckled as George and I looked away from each other.

"You two act like three-year-olds with a crush," Lee said laughing.

At this Fred's laughter ceased and a slight frown formed on his lips.

I, however, cracked a smile at Lee's comment and let out a laugh despite myself. George followed suit.

"Aww I love you Julie-bug, let's never fight again," George said to me, kissing my cheek sloppily.

I rolled my eyes at him but grinned.

"You're a moron," I said.

"But you're not mad at me anymore are you?"

I shook my head good-naturedly and George gave Lee and Fred a triumphant look.

Fred looked down at his soup and didn't make eye contact with any of us for the remainder of dinner.

It was near the end of term and much to the students delight there was another Hogsmeade trip scheduled on the last week before the Christmas holidays. I planned on going, especially after missing the last one. Fred and George would be joining me as usual. They had run off early to talk to Harry about something first and promised to meet up with me later.

Currently twin-less, I walked to Hogsmeade with Katie and Alicia. The three of us had spent a lot of time together over the years, having shared a dormitory since we first began school at Hogwarts. On the way to Hogsmeade the three of us passed the time talking about something I would never be able to touch on while around the twins. The subject of our conversation? Boys.

"I still think Oliver is cuter than Diggory," Katie said. She and Alicia had started up an argument about who was the most attractive bloke in the school.

"That's only because you fancy him," Alicia said rolling her eyes.

"I do not," Katie said.

"You do so," Alicia said, "You're completely infatuated."

"I can't imagine how you'll get along next year when he's gone," I added with a smile. It was a well-known fact that Katie had fancied Oliver since her first year. I suppose I couldn't really blame her. Although he was somewhat of a Quidditch nutter, Wood was awfully good-looking.

"Well what about you? You've fancied George since I can remember," Katie said turning to Alicia.

"Really?" I asked mischievously. "I had no idea!"

"Katie, shut up," Alicia hissed angrily.

"What? You don't want me to know?" I asked. "I'm George's best friend…that could work in your favour."

She glared at me.

I laughed, "Seriously I could talk to him for you…put in a good word."

"No, don't!" Alicia yelled.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because, just don't."

"Don't what?"

The three of us turned around to see the Weasley twins grinning from behind us.

"Nothing," said Alicia, quickly blushing a bright shade of red.

"Keeping secrets are we?" Fred asked cheekily.

"Just Alicia," Katie said quietly.

"Leesh?" George asked, hearing Katie's comment.

Alicia sent Katie an angry look.

"Katie has a crush on you George," she said quickly, before Katie could beat her to the punch.

George smirked.

"Well who can blame her, really?" George said. "But I always thought Kates fancied Wood."

Katie glared at him as the rest of us laughed.

"Why don't you two scram?" I said to the twins, "I'll meet up with you later."

"We'll leave you girls to your girl-talk then," George agreed, winking at me.

Fred gave me a half-smile and then followed his brother away from the three of us.

I waved as they left, then turned back to the girls. Katie hit Alicia's arm.

"What was that for?" Katie asked, referring to Alicia's lie. "And how does he know I fancy Oliver?"

"Do you think he heard? Do you think he knows I like him?" Alicia asked turning to me, ignoring Katie.

"I don't know, I'll ask," I said opening my mouth to call George back.

"No you will not!" Alicia said grabbing my arm violently.

"I was kidding," I said, rubbing my arm where Alicia had gripped it. "I'll just ask him later."

Alicia gave me an evil look as Katie and I laughed.

"Please don't tell him," Alicia said seriously.

"Leesh, come on, I wouldn't say anything unless you wanted me to," I said honestly.

Satisfied that nothing was going to be said to the boys, the conversation eased back to teasing Katie about Oliver.

Once we had reached Hogsmeade the three of us wandered from store to store intent on buying Christmas gifts. The holidays were fast approaching, and in the spirit of the season it was imperative we buy things for everyone who was even remotely a friend. We had great fun picking out silly gifts. None of us really had much pocket money to spend, so bargains always caught our eyes.

After a few hours of shopping I met up with the twins at Zonko's joke shop- where else would they be?

"Hello girls. You know, I forgot to mention how very lovely you all are looking today," George said, grinning cheekily as Alicia, Katie and I entered the shop.

I shook my head at him, "What are you up to?" I asked suspiciously.

"Nothing," he answered cheekily. "Can't a bloke tell his mates how ravishing they look without being scrutinized?"

"You here to stay with us now?" Fred asked as I rolled my eyes at George's antics.

I let out a sigh, "Oh, I suppose," I said glancing around the shop.

"Well if it's too much of a bother to hang around with us, you can leave," George said as Lee entered. George spotted him and sped off to greet him.

"Well, Alicia and I are going to head back now, you coming Juliet?" Katie asked.

"Nah, I think I'll stick around for a bit," I told her.

"Alright," she replied as she and Alicia turned to leave, "See you lot later then."

"Bye," Fred and I chorused.

The two girls waved and exited the shop, Katie pulling a reluctant Alicia away. Apparently she had been set on spending some time with George…silly girl. Silly me rather. How could I possibly not have known she had a thing for George?

"How did shopping go?" Fred asked, catching my attention back again.

"Very well," I said, holding up the many bags and parcels in my arms.

"Need some help?" he asked.

"Nope," I replied, setting my bags down. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wand. With a simple flick the bags were gone. I knew they'd be waiting for me again when we reached the castle.

Fred smirked as George and Lee emerged from behind an aisle of joke products.

"Well I see you're still with us," George said. "Thought you might go back with the girls."

"It was a tough call. But you guys are girl enough for me, thanks," I answered, grinning.

"Alright then where to next?" Lee asked, ignoring my comment and clapping his hands together enthusiastically.

Honeydukes was our final stop of the afternoon before the four of us headed back up to the castle. Full of butterbeer and chocolate, we were set to face the walk back to the castle. It had begun to snow and it was quite cold outside. Huge flakes fluttered down and littered everyone's hair and clothing. The sprinkling of white looked quite lovely as it began to coat the ground around us. I found I was excited for winter to fully arrive, even if it meant spending a lot more time feeling chilled.

About halfway back to Hogwarts I felt Fred's eyes on me. I turned to look at him and he smiled crookedly. I grinned back, hesitating a bit at the look in his eyes.

"You've got snow in your hair," he said, reaching out and twisting the ends of my long strands in his fingers.

"So do you," I pointed out, and he shook his head to loosen the flakes.

I laughed, and Fred grinned and slipped his arm around my waist. George and Lee chose that moment to look back at us. Lee smirked and turned away, and I swear I saw George roll his eyes. I gave him a questioning look, but it was lost as he had turned his attention back to Lee.

The walk back to Hogwarts passed pleasantly, the four of us chatting about Christmas holidays and Quidditch. Once we had made it back up to the school I headed up to my dormitory to conjure my packages and set them safely under my bed. It wouldn't do well for me to forget about them.

Neither of the girls were around, but all of their bags had been placed on their beds. Vaguely wondering where they were I headed back downstairs.

When I re-entered the common room I found George was the only one still there.

"Where did Fred and Lee go?" I asked.

"Down to the kitchens," he answered with a yawn.

"And you didn't accompany them?"

George smiled at my surprise.

"Nope. Wasn't hungry."

"Shocking," I muttered. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure," he replied.

He cracked his knuckles and sat up in his seat as if preparing himself for the upcoming conversation.

I sat down on the coffee table opposite George and peered at him. He seemed to be acting quite odd lately.

George smoothed the front of his clothing and leaned forward. He folded his hands into his lap and looked at me expectantly.

I quirked my eyebrow at him, but did not comment on his sudden interest in posture.

"What did you mean the other day when you asked what was up between—"

"You and Fred?" he finished, cutting me off.

"Yeah," I confirmed.

"Oh, nothing," he said, refusing to meet my gaze.

"No, seriously George," I said, moving to sit down next to him.

"No really, it was nothing. I shouldn't have said anything," he answered.

He leaned back against the arm of the couch—perfect posture forgotten—and put his feet up on the coffee table.

I gave him a suspicious look

"George…"

He grinned at me.

"You're a smart girl; you should be able to figure it out."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Just tell me."

He let out a disappointed sigh.

"It really would be more rewarding for you to find out on your own."

"George…"

He observed me carefully a moment, a cheeky smile on his face. He looked like he was debating which route would be most entertaining. He must have decided he'd enjoy seeing my reaction, because he shrugged and said, "my powers of observation have led me to notice a few…changes in behaviour in Fred…towards you," he answered.

I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Like what, George?"

"You know…just stuff."

"Like what stuff?"

He rolled his eyes at me.

"You are so daft," he said.

I stared at him blankly.

"He likes you," George said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I laughed.

"That's ridiculous."

"Afraid not my dear. I'm being completely truthful," George replied.

"He can't possibly like me," I said shaking my head, although I felt a bit unsettled.

"Fine, don't listen to me. I'm only his twin brother, what do I know?"

"There's nothing different between the way Fred acts around me and the way you act around me."

"Jules, did you not see the expression on his face when I kissed you at dinner the other day?"

"Hmm interesting point, which raises a much bigger question; why did you kiss me, George?" I asked. "Maybe it's you who likes me, not Fred."

George shrugged.

"Maybe you're right," he said.

"I better not be," I replied.

"Why not?"

"Because I know a certain someone who would be devastated if she knew you fancied me," I said casually referring to Alicia.

"Well then I guess it's a good thing I don't like you…sorry to break your heart, Jules," he joked.

I placed my hand over my heart.

"Oh, the pain of rejection."

"Again, terribly sorry, but I do know a certain twin of mine—who shall remain nameless—who would be more than happy to comfort you during your time of need."

"You're a git, George."

"But I'm an honest git."