Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 62 - Strategies and Stalemates

The next day at quidditch practice, I have a hard time focusing.  Thoughts of the twins fill my head, stressing me out as I feel the weight of their lives on my shoulders.  Fate has a cruel way of dragging you back into someone's life.  As much as I had planned on staying away from George, that is no longer an option.  I had to protect them.

Unfortunately, this is the moment when a bludger hits me in the head, cleanly knocking me off my broom.  I tumble through the air, and for a split moment, I welcome death.  It would be easier, right?  I could just be done with all of this.  I wouldn't have to plan and worry.

But reasonable Hazel quickly resurfaces and I pull out my wand, casting wingardium leviosa on myself so I drift softly to the ground.  My Firebolt floats down to the ground, landing next to me with a small thud.

"Sorry about that."  Martian lands next to me, stumbling on the turf a bit.  "Are you okay?"

"That was totally my fault.  My head isn't in the right place."  I pick myself up, brushing off my dirty uniform.  "I'm fine."

"Hazel."  Vivian flies down, stopping to hover a few feet away from where we're standing.  "I know you got a lot going on, but I'm going to need you to pull it together.  I can't have you risking your neck or the rest of the team."

"Absolutely.  My apologies captain."  I nod sincerely, feeling guilty that I let the team down.  Right then, I decide that I'll head to the boys' shop after practice and see what happens.  Perhaps having a clear starting point will help refocus myself.

With new determination, I take to the skies, letting myself enjoy the crisp fall air on my face.  I fly parallel to Marvin as we practice angled shots, playing a complex game of ping pong while avoiding the paths of our chasers.  I hit one of the bludgers with a satisfying crack, sending it just over Vivian's head and directly to where Marvin is waiting on the far side.

My captain shoots me a dirty look, but I just grin, letting her know that I had it under control.  She shakes her head before zooming off to the other end of the pitch, quaffle in hand.  Alex manages to block her shot, but misses the rebound by one of the other chasers. 

Practice continues with Martian and I trying new trick shots as we experiment with misdirection.  He manages to get me really good once, causing me to zoom to the wrong end of the pitch, completely missing the bludger.  I get back at him in a similar style.  The friendly competition boosts my spirits and practice ends with me feeling refreshed in a way.

I shower and change to get the sweat smell off of my before grabbing the remaining things from my locker.  Alex is in there, wrapped in his towel when I arrive.

"Forgot your clothes again?"  I chuckle as the still dripping boy tries to find all his clothing without dropping the too small towel.

"Unfortunately."  Alex grumbles, pulling his pants out of the cubby only to drop both socks.  He sighs in resignation, defeated by the simple misfortune.

"It's not like we haven't all seen your butt before," I tease him, slinging my purse over my shoulder.

"It was one time!"  He protests loudly, making me bust out laughing.  That one fateful practice, he had not only forgotten his clothes, but his towel as well when he went to shower.  After that he always left a spare towel in there, just in case.

"Alas, I cannot stay to see what fate has in store for you and your towel."  I pick up my wand, enjoying the smooth feeling of the wood handle against my palm.  "See you tomorrow."

I wave to him as I leave the locker room.  Just as I disappear around the corner, he tries to wave back, resulting in a quickly falling towel.  Thankfully I just barely miss the show, laughing as I exit the stadium.  As soon as my feet hit the pavement outside, however, my mood changes.  It was time to do the thing.

Groaning inwardly, I wave my wand, apparating myself to a familiar storefront in Diagon Alley.  The smiling face of the large animatronic on the front of the shop greets me by tipping his hat jauntily.

"Hello to you to, Mr. Wheezes."  I mutter up to the giant figure before stepping up to the door.  Nervous butterflies fill my stomach as I push on the door, causing the bell to jingle loudly.  The shop was mostly empty due to school being in session, which meant the second the cheery alarm announced my arrival, two sets of brown eyes snap up to meet mine.

George, who is holding an unlabeled box as he exits the storeroom, freezes. The box slips out of his hands, crashing to the floor, spilling it's contents everywhere. It is a supply of my pens, now rolling under the various displays as George seems transfixed on my face.

Fred on the other hand has the most normal reaction he's had to me in a long time.

"Afternoon, Hazel!" He grins welcomingly at me as the door swings shut behind me. "Wasn't expecting to see you here anytime soon."

"Well, fate is usually unexpected in her ways." I shrug, approaching him. My movement breaks George out of his trance and he disregards the fallen pens completely.

"Hazel! I'm so happy to see you! I'm so sorry. I," he fumbles over his words as he nears me. I take a half a step back, involuntarily. He sees this, and pain flashes in those brown eyes I used get lost in.

"I'm not here for your apologies, George." I say softly, reminding myself why I'm here. "What's done is done. You made your choices, and I, mine. It seems like the most we can hope for at the end of all this is a business relationship, and perhaps a friendship if we play our cards right."

My calmness and sureness surprises even myself as the words leave my mouth.  And even though it still hurts when I look at George, I realize my words were the truth.  I could be friends with him again.

"Seriously?"  Fred bursts out, causing both George and I to jump.  "The slimy git cheats on you and you want to be friends?  Hazel, you're too forgiving!  You got to use it against him for a few years first.  Hang it over his head."

I can't help but laugh as Fred hops the counter and embraces me.  

"You're my brother!"  George protests indignity.  "And you pit her against me!"

"It's what you deserve, mate."  Fred's laughter hums in his chest against my cheek.  "Be glad I didn't tell her to hex you."

"Now you're just giving her ideas!"  The two boys start bickering, and I find myself still wrapped protectively in Fred's arms.  I have a feeling that despite his playful demeanor in the moment, Fred really does believe I'm letting George off too easy.

And normally I would probably agree.  But isn't worth risking either of their lives over.  

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Hello wonderful readers!  Thank you so much for all the reads!  I absolutely love when you guys leave comments, they make my day. <3

I also have another Hogwarts story I've been working on.  It's a marauder's era about Remus Lupin.  That story gets updated less frequently due to AFYCE being my priority as well at the parts being longer.  It's called Fully Booked, so if you need something else to read, go check that out!

Lots of Love,

TheFanFictionGoddess <3