Pen Name: StarrAngelofNarnia

Team Name: Those Who Wander

Prompt: Ballora- (action) dancing

Rating: T

Warning: Sibling teasing

WC: 997

Author's Note: My not very good attempts at suspense. References to Five Nights at Freddy's and Markiplier if you squint. Inspired by this bit I found on Wikipedia: "In Slovakia, [veela] are the restless souls of deceased girls who lure young men into a deadly circle dance."

"You better be careful with that weakness to the charms of veela, brother dearest," Fred teased Ron as the group carried on in their tent after the Quidditch World Cup had ended. Everyone was hyped on adrenaline and sugar from the game, which meant nobody was going to bed any time soon.

"Whatever!" Ron grumbled, face turning bright red. He shoved at his brother, who just jumped from the sofa and danced out of his reach. "It's not like I was the only one they affected. Pretty sure every bloke in that stadium went mental."

"They did have the greatest effect on you, though," Hermione retorted, trying and failing to hide a grin. "At least they did once Harry came to his senses."

Ginny laughed and nodded her agreement.

"That's because Harry isn't completely straight," Ron protested. "So that comparison is unfair."

Harry only shrugged. "It did take some mental effort on my part though, once Hermione stopped me from jumping over the railing."

"No matter. Just beware, or else you'll end up like Marcus Fisher," George warned, though his tone was more jovial than worry-inducing.

"Never heard of him. Is this some dumb joke?" Ron accused.

Fred gasped. "Hey, Forge! Can it be?"

"Must be, Gred. Little Ronnie has never heard about the Bite of '89!"

Harry looked around, perplexed. He was used to not being in the know, so he had no qualms with asking, "What's the Bite of 89?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's probably nothing, Harry. If not a joke, then some kind of ghost story."

"Oh, not a ghost story, my favorite little genius. It's a very real tale of horror."

Harry chuckled. "A muggle ghost story is usually a horror story involving spirits," Harry explained. "Because the concepts of ghosts are different to muggles. But alright, then. Let's hear it. Who is Marcus Fisher?"

"Marcus Fisher," Fred said with a sigh. "It's such a tragedy. He was so young."

"The year is 1989," George began, but was swiftly interrupted.

"So…" Ginny looked thoughtful for a moment. "5 years ago? Can't be much of a legend if the story is only five years old, can it?" she teased.

"All the more reason you should hear out the tale, Gin. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!" Fred demanded.

Ginny laughed, but waved her hand as a signal to continue.

"The year is 1989, a mere 5 years ago, and Marcus Fisher is one of the most well-known muggle entrepreneurs of his time." George began for the second time, now standing to join his twin in front of the others.

"His most recent venture was a restaurant for gourmet Italian cuisine if memory serves me correctly." Fred continued.

"Mostly pizza," George added, miming someone cooking.

"As the business owner, the success of his restaurant meant early mornings, long days, and late nights," George carried on, swapping roles with his brother. "And it was one of those late nights that the Bite of '89 happened."

"What is the Bite of 89?" Ron interrupted. "Get to the point already!"

"Patience, dear brother," Fred chuckled, dancing around the room to stand behind him. He squatted down so his head was right next to Ron's head. "You can't rush suspense."

"See, the muggles believe that veela are the restless souls of dead maidens who prey on men," George pressed on as if the interruption had never happened.

"I'm muggleborn, and I've never heard of veela until I found out I was a witch," Hermione disagreed in protest. She was ignored.

"So, poor Marcus Fisher was leaving his restaurant when a beautiful woman appeared. Long blonde hair, skin that shimmered like the light of the moon, wearing a long white dress with large swooping sleeves that almost gave her the appearance of a bird." As Fred spoke, George strutted before them, swaying his hips and flapping his arms like wings.

The others laughed at how absurd he looked. But he paid no mind.

"She sang and danced around him, enchanting him, just like what happened to you!" Fred had continued dancing around the group but jumped in front of Ron as he finished speaking, startling the younger boy.

"She started her dance slowly, swaying gently to her own music."

The twins continued dancing in unison, twirling around, shaking their hips, flapping their arms, and dramatically fanning themselves, simultaneously and gradually isolating Ron from the group.

"And around and 'round she danced, faster and faster, inching closer and closer to him, as he stood paralyzed by infatuation until…"

"Ow! Arse!" Ron shouted, startling his friends. He swatted Fred's face, who had apparently used the distraction as an opportunity to bite his brother's shoulder..

"And that's the story of the Bite of '89," George concluded as the twins plopped onto the nearest sofa.

"So, what happened to him?" Ginny asked, clearly skeptical of the story. "He got bit. No big deal. Creatures bite all the time."

The others agreed with her sentiment.

"No clue," the twins said simultaneously.

"But he was never seen again," said George.

"Probably veela dinner," Fred concluded with a shrug.

"But it's just a cautionary tale, Ronnikins."

A silence fell over the tent. Ginny spoke up. "Hey!" she whispered. "Does anyone else hear music? And there's a shadow that keeps moving around the tent." She pointed toward the flap of the tent.

"Do you think the veela are still around now that the game is over?" Ron asked, voice squeaking.

"I don't know," George asked. "But it looks like we're about to find out."

They sat in silence, following the shadow around the tent with their gazes, until suddenly, a figure was before them, opening the flap of the tent.

"Alright you lot, it's time we get to bed. Some of us have work in the morning."

They collectively let out a sigh of relief—just Percy.

With a sigh of relief, Ron greeted his brother, "You don't know how happy I am to see you!"