Chapter 3-9 (POV George)
Normally I got no trouble falling asleep on the night before my birthday, but this time it's different, and I doubt I'll sleep a wink. It's not like this is a special birthday or anything- I mean, all birthdays are special, sure, but this one isn't more significant than any other. The difference is that me and Fred decided to change things up this year; get a head start on April Fool's Day pranks. We decided to do another switch.
So here I am, lying in Fred's bunk in the Dungeons. I don't much like it- it's far too cold, there's a draft, and everything even in the dark seems tinted green. Gryffindor is so much warmer. It doesn't help that I have no idea who it is on either side of me. There's a pit in my stomach, worried about if someone wakes up and tries to talk to me and I mess this whole thing up.
At least I know it's going well- the whole point of this prank is fooling Cas and Jo. Fred and I figured that if it worked on Lee, it would probably work on the girls too, right? Well, it's not actually a question. I know we're right. Cas has no idea.
Fred and I went out together late after dinner. We avoided the girls, switched clothes, and spent a few hours hanging out and going over the plan. Then when it was close to midnight we snuck to each other's dorms. I got into the Slytherin Common Room no problem, expecting it to be empty. Instead the fire was going, and someone was tending to it. It was Cas, waiting up for Fred. When I closed the door she turned around. My heart was racing, wondering if I had already lost. She just stared for a second before giving me this sleepy little smile and a wave. I waved back and sighed with relief. She patted the ground next to her and invite me to sit, so I went over and joined her. The fire was glowing green, like floo powder, but it was warm as anything.
"So, you excited for your birthday tomorrow? I waited up for you- it's almost midnight. I wanted to be the first one to wish you happy birthday," she told me as we both stared into the fire. I turned and looked at her, admiring the way the green light wove itself into her black hair and danced around her cheeks. She looked over at me, making a face like she was confused. Again my heart started pounding, but she just laughed and asked why I was staring at her like that. I shrugged and turned my face back to the fire.
"I swear I'm trying, Fred, but I think I'm about to fall asleep," she said, followed by a sad laugh. I was honestly relieved, so I stood up. She looked up at me and reached out her hands, so I pulled her to her feet. She pulled me into a hug.
"Happy birthday," she whispered into my ear. Then she pulled back and walked up a flight of stairs to the girls' dorm. I waited a minute, just thinking to myself, before coming here to Fred's bed. I'm still thinking now, harder than ever since I can't sleep.
I can't put my finger on Cassidy: what her deal is, what her relationship with Fred is, what her relationship with me is. I don't get how sometimes she can seem so weak and helpless, like when the troll was chasing her, or back when we tried practicing Quidditch using her as bait- but then there are the times when she's so...passionate: when we're planning pranks, when she's talking about her classing- and she's flat out powerful when she's got her wand in hand. Jo's so much easier to understand and to be with- she's straightforward, fun, and, well, predictable. I know who I am when I'm with Jo- we're on the same page.
And then there's Fred. Things are easier than ever, but also complicated. We're still us, still the twins, still Fred and George, but it seems like we're the only ones who see us like that. Mum and Dad even- they're so...awkward, in a way. Mom making Fred the green Christmas sweater, Dad not knowing how to talk to Fred about his House; it's so much harder than either of us let on, which is why I'm so glad we found the girls.
I keep thinking like this as long as I'm conscious, and then I feel the sensation of waking up, but with the same thoughts on my mind, leaving me to wonder if I had actually slept at all, or if everything has been a dream.
I stand up and notice everyone else is sleeping- so it must be early. I pinch myself for good measure, but when I don't wake up I come to the conclusion that it is an ungodly hour on my birthday.
So I make my way back out to the Common Room. The fire isn't glowing, so everything seems even darker and colder than last night. I don't want to go out just yet- I doubt the elves have even made breakfast. So I go to sit on the couch, planning on just staring at the ceiling. But when I get the the couch I see her- Cas- lying curled up on the couch. Her eyes are close and her breathing is real slow and shallow. That just won't do.
"HEY!" I shout, giving her a jab in the side. She shrieks and tries to jerk away, rolling off the couch and landing with another yelp. I'm cracking up as I circle around and pull her up, but this time she doesn't accept my hand.
"You little arse," she hisses, "You would be dead if it weren't your birthday!" I keep laughing, and she cracks a smile herself, even though she's trying to hold it back. She shoves me down into the couch and stands over me.
"I'm glad you're up, though- sorry I was asleep. I wanted to be here when you got up; didn't expect it would be this early though." I shrug and tell her it's no problem, and she smiles. She goes behind the couch so I can't see her, and when she comes back around she has her hands behind her back.
"I figured I'd be the first to give you a gift," she says with a sly smile. I sit up a little straighter- this is one perk I wasn't expecting from the switch.
"But before I give it to you, I wanted to make sure: I'm the only one who's gonna give you this gift, right? I'm the only one you asked?" This is a problem. I don't know what Fred asked her for- he didn't mention anything last night. But I don't have time to worry about that- and I don't figure Freds the kind to Si everyone for the same thing.
"'Course you're the only one!" I insist. She gives me a big smile, and I know I'm doing well. She asks if I'm ready, and I stick out my hands. She laughs really loud, shaking her head.
"Good one! Ha, as if you'd forget what you asked me for. You've been wanting it so long. For real, Fred- you ready?" She's real close to me now, but I still can't see behind her back. I'm real curious, excited too. What the hell is it?
"I'm ready!"
Her hands come out from behind her back and she puts them on my shoulders and leans in. Then her lips are on my lips, and we're kissing. She kissed me! I mean Fred. Me? I can't think straight, and before I know it, I'm kissing her right back. My hands on her hips and eyes closed and we're kissing. It's the best thing I think I've ever done.
Barely a second after I start kissing her back she stops, pulls away, and stares at me with wide eyes. Why isn't she smiling? I don't have the chance to ask because right then and there she slaps me hard across the face.
"GEORGE WEASLEY, HOW DARE YOU?!" She shouts. Wait...what? "George"? She knows?
"What're you-" I start, but she goes to slap me again and I flinch. She doesn't hit me though. Instead she grabs me by the sleeves and starts dragging me none too gently to the entrance of the Common Room, then up out of the Dungeons. She absolutely fuming and not saying a word to me.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"To Gryffindor," she barks. I now immensely regret leaving the Map in Cas's custody, for her to memorize. She knows right where she's going, and she's in complete control of everything but her own emotions. She's furious, and I'm scared.
We never make it to Gryffindor. As we get closer to the Great Hall I hear it- more footsteps, ones that aren't ours. I try to say something to Cas, but she ignores me. I think she honestly doesn't care if we get caught. We get into the main lobby, and then I see them- it's almost like a mirror image.
It's Jo, and she's pulling Fred along by his ear, and he's whining and wincing. Cas and I get to them before they get to us- I don't know what Jo is doing this for, but I bet it's not as bad as why Cas has got me. Cas releases me nice enough, while Jo throws Fred to the ground by his ear.
"What're you doing, Cas?" Jo asks her, and she looks over at me for a second.
"George has something to tell you both," she says, but I purse my lips in defiance.
"George Weasley! Tell them what you did- tell them RIGHT NOW!" She bellows and everyone steps back.
"George?" Fred asks me. I bite my tongue, but know it's gonna get out one way or another.
"Cas and I kissed," I admit. Fred goes pale. Jo's eyes are bulging. I look at Cas, expecting relief or pride or something like that, but it's something else entirely on her face.
"WHAT?! No, George Weasley, no! He kissed me! He impersonated Fred, lied to me, and KISSED me!"
"I did NOT!" I shout back. This is too much- I need to defend myself, "Yes, I lied. I said I was Fred- just like Fred said he was me! And maybe I was prepared to accept a gift meant for Fred- for the sake of the prank! But I did not kiss Cassidy- she kissed me!" They look at her and she rolls her eyes. I think Jo and Fred are pretty confused by now.
"Okay, fine. I kissed him. But he kissed me back!" she says. No one is on her side anymore. They're not quite on mine either, but I can live with that. Fred looks pretty shocked, maybe a little betrayed, and Jo may or may not be prepared to murder me. But they know it wasn't my fault. By God, what was I supposed to do? I mean, is it so bad I kissed her back? She knew it was me, right? So she meant to kiss me! Wanted to kiss me! And maybe I wanted to kiss her back, is it that crazy?
"What're you two doing here?" Cassidy asks Jo. Jo just rolls her eyes.
"Nothing half as bad as you two- I was pissed Fred thought he could fool me."
"You couldn't tell them apart first year," Cassidy mutters.
"Two years ago! I know by now, I'm not stupid."
"Says the Gryffindor," Cassidy mutters again. This time Jo just sticks out her tongue, and Fred high fives Cassidy with a laugh. Then she hugs him and wishes him happy birthday, taking his hand and walking back towards the Dungeons, apparently without another thought of me or Jo. I shouldn't care, but dammit, Cas. Just dammit all.
"So, I guess you're having a happy birthday," Jo says, still keeping a bit of distance from me.
"Not quite." She smiles and offers me her hand.
"Well, I guess we should fix that, shouldn't we? How about we go out- Cas gave me the Map for the day." I smile back. After everything, this mishat just turn out to be a good birthday.
AN: Ok, announcement time. Pay attention. It is with heavy heart I must inform you that not only is the next chapter (3-10) the last chapter of the year, but also the last chapter of the story Witches for Weasleys. Worry not, you dear and loyal followers, for there will be a new story to cover years 4-6. Name TBA. There will be no haitus in between the stories, and I will provide all necessary information with next week's final update to this story. Now and always yours, -cowriter