Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 45 - Little Sister

Vivian does agree to give me a couple of days off with the condition that Martin and I meet up for lunch.  She said that us having impeccable teamwork could make or break the season.

But for now, I decide to do some shopping.  I have realized that not having my own owl as an adult is highly impractical.  I grab some money from Gringotts and head to the pet store.  They have fewer options than they did in the past, but still enough for me to find a buddy.

I choose a large dark brown owl with deep, intense eyes.  He looks like he would be willing to kill you, but I'm pretty sure he's a sweetie.  I buy him all the needed equipment and food as well as a few perches and treats.  I drop off all of his stuff at the flat, but opt to take him with me as I wander about Diagon Alley.  He happily perches on my shoulder.  Well, at least I think he's happy.  His face just always looks angry.  It's so cute.

I need a name for him, but I just haven't been inspired yet.  He needs a good name.  One that fits his personality.  I can't even count the number of students I have met with owls with boring names that just described their physical appearance.  Tawny, Barnaby, Speckles, Midnight, and Snowflake are a few that come to mind.

I grab some snacks and meander the junk shop for a bit.  I end up buying a self heating kettle and a beautiful cauldron with a lovely flower design up the sides.  Modern cauldrons are all plain and smooth.

I take the items back to the flat, and nearly trip over the package on the doorstep.  The pens I had ordered are in.  I take everything inside and set to enchanting the pens.  It take a bit to enchant five hundred gel pens, but I enjoy the task.  Once they are down, I have my owl hop back onto my shoulder and we head to the joke shop.  

I keep reminding myself that this is a professional interaction and that everything will be fine.  Keeping a straight face, I enter through the front doors.  The shop is buzzing with activity.  Witches and wizards of all ages are laughing and running about.  The place looks amazing, truly magical.  I feel so proud of them for having accomplished this.  They've worked so hard to get here.

I approach the front counter and wait in line behind the customers checking out.  I make sure I stay behind the witch in front of me so the twins can't see me.  I'd rather not have them glaring at me the whole time.

The lady in front of me steps away and I am face to face with George.  Fred is serving another customer and George scowls when he sees me.

"What do you want, Taylor?"  He sighs, as if my presence is a physical drain on him.

"I'm dropping off the shipment you requested."  I say in my most professional voice.

"Seriously?  You couldn't have owled them?"  He nods to my new companion.

"We are in a bonding period."  I raise my chin, feeling protective of my little buddy.  "He will make deliveries when I feel he is ready."

"Whatever.  How many did you bring?"  He takes out a pen and paper to add the pens to the inventory.

"Five hundred.  Fifty of each of the ten agreed colors."  I slide the box across the counter to him.

"Fine.  You'll get your cut upon sale."  He hands me a receipt paper with the agreed payment terms and puts the box behind the counter.  "Anything else?"

"No."  I say, although there are so many things I want to say instead.  "Have a nice day."

"Yeah right."  He huffs, turning away.

I also turn away, heading for the door.  I almost make it when I am attacked.  I am about to start fighting for my life when I realize that it's just Ginny Weasley.

"Hey, wait up!" She attaches herself to my shoulder and comes outside with me.

"What's up, Ginny?"  I ask once we're out on the street.  Ginny and I have talked a few times, but aren't really friends or anything.  I wonder why she's so set on talking to me.

"What's going on with the twins?"  She doesn't waste time getting to the point.  "They aren't talking to each other, and it looks like they don't want to talk to you either.  So spill."

Things can't really get any worse at this point, so I decide to be honest with her.

"Come on, lets find someplace to talk."  We take a table at the tea shop and order some coffees.

"So?"  She prompts, mug in hand.

"Fred and I hooked up for a bit, then we stopped.  George apparently developed feelings for me.  Fred didn't want to tell George, but I did anyway.  Now everyone hates me, and George is furious at Fred for not telling him when George told him how he felt about me."  I down my coffee in one go, feeling terrible about everything.

Ginny just sits there with her mouth agape.  Maybe dishing everything to a fourteen year old wasn't my best idea.  Too late now though.

"First off, ew.  Why would you want to hook up with my brother.  Much less two of them.  Second of all, they are both idiots.  Fred was an equal part of the initial drama, and it was before George even showed he was interested, right?"

"Yeah.  I guess."  She has points, but it doesn't matter if the boys don't see it.

"Then just give them time.  I'll try to give them a gentle nudge in the right direction."  She sips her coffee, and I can tell a plan is forming in her head.  I'm pretty sure any nudge she would give the boys would not be anything close to gentle.  It simply isn't her style.

"Sorry about all the chaos.  I didn't mean to cause problems.  Do you think George will forgive Fred soon?"

"Probably.  But it was a pretty low move on Fred's part.  I can't believe he would keep that from him."   She shakes her head, fed up with them.  "Anyway, tell me about your bird.  He looks murderous, and I love it."

***

After coffee with Ginny, I head back home and put my owl down for a nap.  He seems a bit overstimulated from being out and about.  I really need to come up with a name for him.  The perfect one is just out of reach, I can feel it.  Hopefully I'll find it soon.

There's a letter from Celeste on the table, and I pick it up.

'Hazel,

Congrats on everything with Puddlemere.  That's super exciting that Alex is there too.  I start a position at St. Mungos brewing department next week.  Apparently there are a lot more patients now.  Have you talked to George yet?  Let me know how it goes.

Love,

Celeste'

I toss the letter on the table.  I guess I better tell her how things went with George.  I already told Ginny.  Feels weird to be talking about it so much.  I grab my stuff and write a quick note.

'Celeste,

I talked to George.  He's super angry.  Fred's also mad at me.  George isn't talking to either of us, and Fred came by and yelled at me some yesterday.  Hoping it all passes soon.  It's been rough.  I also overexerted myself with quidditch and am on a rest leave for a few days.  I'm meeting Martin, my co beater, for lunch tomorrow, but if you want to come by after, I would love to see you.  I live above Eric's Extracts and Elixirs in Diagon Alley.

Love,

Hazel'

I wait until my owl awakens from his nap before sending the letter.  I eat dinner at the flat, and curl up in bed with a book.  It's nice to read for pleasure instead of for school.  It feels like I haven't done this in ages.  I end up falling asleep with the lights on, book still clutched in my hands.

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