Snake Venom

Twin Brothers

Falcon sat at the Slytherin table slowly making his way through breakfast, trying to wake up enough to function. He looked up as Draco plopped down beside him and let his head fall onto his arms, groaning tiredly. He waved off Falcon's offer of toast and started lightly snoring moments later. A few minutes before double potions with the Gryffindors began, Falcon shook his friend awake. "Come on sleeping beauty. We have potions with the blockheaded Gryffindorks." Draco snickered slightly and stood, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

As they passed by the charms corridor, they were stopped by a large group of people in black and scarlet robes, all yelling and screaming. Slowly pushing to the front, Falcon grit his teeth at the scene before him. Fred and George were both sprawled on the ground and covered in bruises, a large group of fifth years and over surrounding them with wands drawn while Ron cheered them on. Another redhead stepped forward with his wand drawn. "You disgrace our name. I'm writing to mother, and I'll make sure she blasts you off the family tree." He spun around on his heel, and Falcon heard him hiss "Slimy snake." before starting to walk away. Falcon lunged forward before anyone could stop him, his fist colliding with the redhead's jaw. He spoke in a low voice, filled with anger. "How dare you." He glanced around, glaring at each Gryffindor in turn. "How dare you. You attack your own family because they get sorted into a different house? You're all nothing more than bullies trying to assert dominance. And to think, Gryffindor stands for bravery. You can't even fight on even footing. Cowards."

Falcon pushed to the middle and helped the twins up. "These are my brothers now. Anyone who messes with my family answers to me." Inwardly he cursed, knowing that an eleven-year-old making a threat wasn't very intimidating. He pulled out his wand and waited. No one spoke, then, "This isn't the end, snake. Meet me in the trophy room with a second. I'm Oliver and my second is Percy. Tomorrow at midnight." The redhead looked up from nursing his jaw and scowled, following after his friend.

He watched them leave, then turned back to Fred and George. "Are you guys ok?" They groaned in response. Falcon nodded to Draco, who hauled George to his feet and slung his arm over his shoulder. After Falcon grabbed Fred and did the same, the small group slowly hobbled to the infirmary. After lying the twins down and explaining what had happened to Madam Pomfrey, she gave them a note to give Snape and sent them on their way. Down in the dungeons, Falcon and Draco shared a nervous glance before slowly opening the door to the potions lab. "And why exactly are you late?" Their heads snapped up at Snape's voice. Draco extended his hand and gave him the note shakily. The professors' eyes narrowed as he read the note. "Try to have the Boils Cure potion done by the end of class. Ten points to Slytherin for helping other students." Snape glanced over at the right side, where the Gryffindor were working. "Mr. Weasley. I find the fact that you would cheer on an act of violence disturbing, let alone against your own brothers. Twenty-five points from Gryffindor." A sudden hiss filled the air, followed by a pained groan.

Striding over, Snape narrowed his eyes. "Granger! Why didn't you tell Longbottom not to add the quills yet? Thought you would make yourself look good? Ten points from Gryffindor! Escort him to the infirmary." Luckily, they managed to get through the rest of class without any more major incidents, managing to make a fairly decent potion. Draco and Falcon handed in their vial, then followed the rest of the class out the door. The rest of the classes passed in a blur, dinner also passing quietly. 

The next day it happened. As the owls swooped in, Fred and George gasped as a scarlet envelope was dropped in front of them. Draco leaned over. "You've got a howler! Best get it over with. It's better to do it quicker." They grinned and with a flourish, tore through the thin red paper. A screeching voice filled the dining hall, silencing all of the chatter as student turned to the source of the noise. "YOU DISGRACES! AFTER EVERYTHING YOUR FATHER AND I HAVE DONE FOR YOU, THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY US!? YOU DISGUSTING, SLIMY, FILTH. DIRTY LOWLIFE SNAKES! DON'T BOTHER COMING BACK. AS FAR AS YOUR FATHER AND I ARE CONCERNED, WE ONLY HAVE FIVE CHILDREN. I, MOLLY WEASLEY, HEARBY STRIP FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY OF THEIR INHERITANCE AND NAMES. SO MOTE IT BE."

The hall remained silent, all eyes on the twins. Harry could see the pain in their eyes for only a second before it was covered with a mask of indifference. "Well," started Fred. "So glad to be rid of the name. It really didn't sit right. So self-righteous." With that, the twins bowed and threw down a ball, covering the room with smoke. When it cleared, the twins were gone. The hall broke into whispers, no doubt students would be sending off letters with the news to their parents. Harry stood and walked over to the Gryffindor table, stopping directly in front of Ron Weasley, who wasn't even trying to keep his snickers quiet. "What do you want snake?" That did it. He drew back and punched the smirking redhead in the jaw, giving a smirk of his own when he heard a satisfying crunch. He turned and walked out of the hall, intending to find his adoptive brothers.   

He found them sitting in the common room, resting their heads on their knees and staring into the fire. He laid a hand on their shoulders, smiling apologetically when they jumped. They stood and faced him with joking smiles on their faces. "Sup little bro!" Falcon shook his head. "You guys aren't even related to me." Their faces fell. Falcon smirked. "But we'll change that. By the time we're through, no one will dare call you a Weasley." The twins brightened considerably.