The New Trio and the Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 15: The Forbidden Forest

Note: This chapter switches between Fred and George's POV, starting with George. Whenever there's an asterisk in this chapter, it switches.

There are now only two chapters to go, and I need about a month's hiatus after this fic is done to figure out exactly how to write the second one, and maybe get a couple chapters ahead.

Enjoy!

Things were... interesting once the Gryffindors found out they'd lost a record 100 points in one night. They were now barely in third place, with only ten points in front of Ravenclaw. George hadn't been able to sleep properly all night, dreading his housemates' reactions. He was relieved when at first those passing the giant hour-glasses thought there'd been a mistake, and no one seemed to know what had happened. He and Fred didn't know how the rumours started, but pretty soon everyone knew they'd done something huge.

Exasperated with the number of people who wanted to know what they'd done, George quietly asked his brother during break, "Fred, what do we do?"

"It's better that we take the fall for the points we lost, Georgie. Could you imagine what would happen if people found out about Hagrid or our firsties? No, it's better to lose points than get anyone arrested." Fred whispered back.

"I know that, it's just that seventeen people have asked me what we did, in Arithmancy alone! What should we tell them? It's not like McGonagall will put the stories straight."

"Ah, okay, well, what I've been doing is just smiling, winking, and walking off. It drives people mad and they probably think it was just some ridiculous prank we pulled on the professors."

George nodded. "Okay. That sounds like something we'd actually do. Let's keep it that way."

They took themselves to their joint Defence class. Their class schedule could be a bit hectic and confusing sometimes; George had taken Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures, and Magical Theory as his electives, and Fred had taken Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, and Care of Magical Creatures as well. Then, they swapped places with each other every week, and worked on all of their assignments together, since they'd both wanted to do as many electives as they could. They looked so identical, that the teachers never noticed. The only one who noticed, it seemed, was Lee. He could always somehow tell which twin he was talking to, and they had no idea how.

They were two of the most popular and admired people at the school, seventh-years envied them, firsties wanted to be them, and the girls-oh, the girls! Fred had already gone a bit girl-crazy, and George had no idea when he'd be slowing down his one-crush-a-day phase, but he hoped it was soon. He sort of missed the times when they'd both agreed that girls were gross, and having no intentions of ever being interested in them. George had no idea what Fred saw in them; and he had a sneaking suspicion that he might not ever want to. He still ignored this, however, because at the moment, he had no time to examine anything he was feeling because of the near-constant whispers following the pair around. Even some Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs seemed to have turned on them, because everyone had been longing to see Slytherin lose the House Cup.

However, these two were not weak-willed or mindless sheep; they were the Weasley twins, and they knew how to get away with anything, and keep their heads up high. So, that was what they did.

*

Then, about a week before exams were due to start, a note found itself in the hands of Fred, and looking next to him, he saw George had one as well. They were the same:

Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr Filch in the Entrance Hall.

Prof. M. McGonagall