The Space Boy and The Red Head

24 - Poltergeist Praise

Monday - 1st April 1996

The twins usually woke up first on their birthday. But this year they were beaten to it by Lee and Apollo. At a measly 4:13am, the red covers of the beds were whipped back. The room was still dark and the Weasleys could only hear the wooden floor creak ever so slightly before the ambush happened. Lee had leaped into the air and landed on top of Fred. The birthday boy letting at a groan as all the air was removed from his body. George received slightly better treatment, Apollo being the one to jump on him. Apollo had taken care not to land with all of his weight on George.

The twins, after trying to shift the dead weight of their friends, sat up, rubbing sleep from their eyes. It took a moment to process what was happening, giddy grins lighting up their faces.

"Happy Birthday!" Apollo and Lee roared at the same time as the twins yelled, "It's our birthday!"

They celebrated with pre-breakfast sweets and presents. The sun eventually rising and lighting up the shared room. Its golden beams illuminated the red accented room. Everything felt cozy. The plump pillows and deep burgundy blankets of the bed were calling to George now. Glad to have been celebrating with his friends, but not used to early rises like this.

George crawled across his bed, past where Apollo sat so they could share sweets. He pulled back his covers and nuzzled himself into his pillow again.

"This has been great guys, thank you, but I need at least one more hour of sleep." He yawned.

"Alright. You heard the birthday boy, he's gonna need his beauty sleep for the party tonight. Apollo move your ass back to your own bed" Lee said.

"There's gonna be a party?" Asked Fred. Lee nodded excitedly. He had pretty much planned the whole thing himself, having to be careful to not get caught by Umbridge. Apollo also nodded along as he gathered up discarded wrapping paper and sweet papers from George's bed so he could relax better. As he went to stand up to walk away he was grabbed.

"You, stay. I'm cold" George whispered into Apollos ear as he had pulled the boy beside him. Forcing him to cuddle under the blanket. Apollo had opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted.
"Nope, I'm the birthday boy, you have to do what I say" George nuzzled his head into the crook of Apollo's neck. His red hair tickling the other boy. Apollo looked down at George, who was fully cuddled into him, eyes fluttering as sleep was coming over him.

"Fine, I'll stay. I'll wake you up in a bit though, can't stay here all day" Apollo said.

"What about if I really want to though? You're nice and warm, mon loup. Perfect for cuddles" Mumbled the yawning boy.

"Thank you. Now go to sleep"Smiling to himself, Apollo gently stroked George's hair out of his face. Occasionally, when the others weren't looking, placing a small kiss to the top of his head.

Apollo stayed awake the entire time George slept. Watching over the boy, tracing every feature of his face. Listening to his gentle snores, whilst he himself tried not to breathe too heavily. With George laying on his chest he didn't want to accidentally wake him now. He knew George wasn't fragile but the irony of him choosing a beast as a teddy bear wasn't lost on him. He wanted to be careful. Couldn't risk hurting someone else.

George had slept through breakfast and most of the first class when he finally woke up. He glanced up through his eyelashes to see Apollo, lost in thought, playing with his hair. The feeling of the other boys fingers running through his hair, grazing his scalp was heavenly, sending a tingling sensation down his spine. George dared not move, despite feeling slightly embarrassed to be cuddling up on top of his best friend (who looked adorable to George, still in his pyjamas with unbrushed hair), he didn't want this to end.

It took Apollo a moment to realise George had finally opened his eyes, giving his hair one final touch. He placed a quick kiss to George's forehead.

"Hello sleepyhead. Ready to get up?" He asked, smiling down at the boy.

"I don't want to, but I'm starving." George said. Taking one last opportunity to savour this morning before he sat up. The two got dressed quickly, George wearing the comfiest socks he'd ever seen, a birthday gift from Apollo.

"These are so soft." He said as he pulled them on.

"You're always complaining about having cold feet. I thought they might help." Apollo was pulling his own pair of socks on.

The two of them went to the kitchens for breakfast, Figgy who had been patiently waiting for them since Lee and Fred had left, had prepared a special breakfast for George. A warm filling meal, finished off with a slice of cake. Today was going really well.

After breakfast, they had met up with the others. They couldn't lounge about all day. It was still April Fool's Day after all. Skipping all of their classes they played little harmless pranks on anyone they could find. Even the castle ghosts. Of course they had planned something big to celebrate their final Hogwarts April fool's day.

During the last period of the day they had filled every unused classroom and broom cupboard with balloons and colourful plastic balls. They had set a timer spell on the doors to release all the contents into the corridors at the same time as all the students would be dismissed for the day. Turning the school into a giant ball pit. Filch had not been pleased when he had to wade through the mess before he could even begin to clean it up.

When Umbridge demanded to know who had caused all the trouble, the group of three (Lee had gone to set up the common room for tonight's party), all tried to quickly come up with an answer that would remove suspicion from themselves. Peeves had been having a great time throwing the balls at students and causing general chaos when he heard Umbridge yelling at the twins.

"It was me you old hag!" He jeered. Throwing a ball at her, then another, and another. Eventually driving her away, squealing from the rapid fire of projectiles.

"Now don't you mention to anyone what just happened, ok? Happy Birthday. You lot have been my favourite" he said. Wiping a fake tear from his eye.

With a grateful smile the boys thanked the poltergeist and headed up to the tower. They had a party to prepare for after all.