The Space Boy and The Red Head

40 - The Parting Prank

Tuesday - 18th June 1996

All four beds lay empty in the dormitory. Untouched from the night before as the sun poured through the tall windows, painting the red room golden in the morning light. A grumble of snores let passers by know the room was indeed occupied, despite the neat blankets on the beds.

In one giant heap on the floor, all four of the boys slept. When they'd awake their hair would be messy and joints sore from spending the night on the floor. Ink splodged on their faces where they'd leant on parchment that hadn't fully dried yet.

Today was the big day, and they'd spent the night before finalising every detail. Every possible scenario thought of and accounted for in the plan. It had been slightly bittersweet as they finished setting up the accessories they would need. Both the twins trunks were packed and prepped at the end of the beds. It was decided that after this prank they'd be leaving Hogwarts. It made sense to Lee and Apollo why the Weasleys decided this, the shop was ready for them, but they'd need to stock it and decorate if they wanted to open in time for the Summer Holiday rush. It still hurt though when George told Apollo this would be there last night together for a while. But they were glad to spend it together with their friends, huddled together like they used to in first year. Giggling and eating plenty sweets to rot their teeth.

It was Fred that arose first that morning. Trying to shake the sleeping form of Lee off of him. Lees head hit the floor with a dull thump. Groaning he stretched and sat up, glaring menacingly at Fred for waking him. The anger wasn't held for long though as they both tried not to laugh too loud, not wanting to wake the other two.

"I'll miss you both, y'know. Won't be the same without you" Lee yawned, wiping sleep from his eyes.

"I'll miss you too. And Apollo. Can't believe I won't be coming back here." Fred smiled sadly.

"Hard to believe you're going to have an actual job. Like an adult" Lee joked.

"Laugh it up Jordan, I know you're just jealous." He winked. "But you're both welcome over to the flat, any time you want." He added sincerely.

"I'll take you up on that offer. Anyway, you excited to get the keys today?" Lee asked.

Fred's face lit up in excitement just thinking about it. He nodded enthusiastically.

"So excited. We're going to have our own rooms. For the first time ever. Won't have to hear him snore anymore" he gestured playfully to his brother.

"How dare you, you snore so much more than I do." a groggy George said. Gently sitting up from his spot on the floor, carefully placing a sleeping Apollos head in his lap.

"Not true" Fred threw an empty chocolate frog wrapper at his twin. Hitting him in the chest, it then bounced off hitting Apollo in the face.

"2 for the price of 1. I'm wasted as a beater. I should've been a chaser all these years. My aim is just too good" he cheered momentarily, stopping when he saw the glare George gave him for hitting Apollo. "Sorry." Fred muttered.

Apollo sleepily swatted the wrapper away, looking up to see George's eyes looking down at him.

"Good morning," Apollo said, wrapping his arms tightly around George's waist. "Do you really have to go today?" He mumbled into the jumper his boyfriend had fallen asleep in.

George chuckled and brushed Apollos messy hair back, though he figured his probably looked a hundred times worse. "I wish I could stay mon loup, but I have to get the shop ready before the summer holidays start." He gave the top of Apollos head a quick kiss.

"Take me with you" was the grumbled response.

"And who will watch over Lee if I do that? Hogwarts would be burnt to the ground if we left him unsupervised" George joked, ignoring Lees protests in the background, "I wish I could take you with me" he said sincerely.