Fred and George and the Toilers of Trouble (Year 1) ✔

Chapter 22:4

Several weeks had passed since that very long day, and now the biggest challenge facing the Weasley twins was the inability to ignore each other's thoughts, because this unique and seemingly desirable trait included hours of brain liquefying headaches. Fred and George took the pain as a warning that it was best to limit the use of their newfound skill. Although it was fantastic to hear what their twin was thinking at all hours, it was also jarring. This became increasingly disturbing when, during breakfast one morning, Fred was able to recollect George's most recent nightmares about the flood with striking detail. So, unless they chose to discuss what they'd heard in the corridors between classes, when people whispered behind their backs, the boys were determined to go silent, and to subsequently keep their brains from leaking out of their ears.

Thankfully they were approaching the end of their first year (and, quite possibly, their only year) at Hogwarts. Most of the students were too busy studying for exams and producing meter-long stretches of scrollwork to care that the Weasley twins confessed to being the Toilers of Trouble. And for those who found time to curse them harshly and lob wads of parchment at their heads, the summer months were not far off, and their poor treatment of the boys would come to a close.

Fred and George knew they deserved every ounce of punishment they received. Even that morning in Flying Class, they wore their broom tethers without complaint. They had earned the indignation, and the Gryffindor students agreed. After the drastic loss in points, the House Cup was all but guaranteed for Slytherin. The twins had let their house down so badly, even Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson were unsure of how to handle the loss. They kept their distance until Fred and George felt they were ready to make amends with Gryffindor. The opportunity finally arrived when Madam Hooch dismissed the first years, and they found Charlie waiting by the broom shed.

Like most of the Quidditch team, Charlie had been avoiding them. Their reason for skipping the match was irrelevant. Delinquency was about as unforgivable as the Killing Curse. And now, facing the brother they admired most of all, the twins struggled to meet his eyes.

"Lads," he said with a nod.

"Look, George," murmured Fred uncertainly. "Someone's talking to us."

"We do exist."

Charlie took a deep breath, but failed to smile. "How're you getting on?"

The boys shrugged and shuffled in place.

"I'm sure you've heard about the final match coming up. It would go a long way with the team if we all sat together."

"Are we even on the team anymore?" asked George apprehensively.

"Why wouldn't you be?" said their Captain, nonplussed. "You'll be sitting with us in the stands during the Cup. It's tradition. And...we need to root for Hufflepuff."

"Absolutely not!"

"No way, Charlie!"

"Oh, c'mon. They're the only ones not ignoring you," he said, with a hint of a laugh.

"Yeah, because they keep thanking us for losing the match! They're calling us the Hufflepuff Beaters!" George complained. "Rub it in, why don't you?"

"Then there's Diggory..." said Fred irritably, eyeing Cedric as he left the courtyard. "He's so proud of their win. Doesn't even care that we've become a laughingstock. I thought he was our friend!"

"Wait, we have to cheer for Tonks? She's the one that did us in!"

"Trust me," said Charlie, catching their gaze. "There's no one at Hogwarts who wants to cheer for that girl less than yours truly. All the same, you need to make strides with the team if we're going to do well next year."