Harry Potter: An Alternate Universe

Summer Job

Year: Seventh
House: Gryffindor
Gender: F
Love Interest: n/a

You had finally had your dream summer job; working from the end of June to mid-August at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. You had applied for the job the end of your sixth year, seeing a advertisement to apply on a trip to Diagon Alley. You thought Fred and George were just biased, knowing you're in their House, and playing Quidditch with them on the Gryffindor team.

After your interview, you remember George immediately going:

"Well, you've got the job. Wouldn't want a bloke to try out our new love potion."

And then Fred adding something like:

"That'd just be awkward."

You didn't really care what the job implied. You were just happy to be there.

A few weeks before school started, it was another busy day at the shop. When other stores began being raided by Death Eaters, the joke shop seemed even more popular. For some reason, that day in particular was even more industrious. It was the same day the Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny had come to take a look at the shop.

You go over to to Ginny and Hermione, who were looking at some love potions.

"Hello ladies," said the twins in unison. You stand beside Ginny and wrap an arm around her, in greeting. Her and Hermione give you a warm smile before turning to Fred and George.

"Love potions, ey?," says Fred with a grin.

"Yeah, they really do work," his brother says. Ginny glances up at you, and you give her a reassuring nod.

"Then again, the way we here it sis, you're doing just fine on your own," George adds on.

"Meaning?," Ginny scoffs.

"Are you not currently dating Dean Thomas?," he asks. You suddenly notice Harry lurking behind the elder brothers, looking rather longingly at the red-headed girl.

"S' none of your business," she states. The twins leave to help some customers, and Ginny turns towards you.

"How's your summer been, (y/n)?"

"Crazy, but I like to keep myself occupied," you reply. Hermione seemed to see someone who displeased her, some blonde-haired boy trying to get her attention. She joins into your conversation.

"Fred and George have been treating you well, then?"

"Well... I'd say for the most part. Not that I'm complaining or anything," you chuckle.

"Oh boy, what'd they make you do?" Ginny asks, in a tone that sounds like she's all too familiar with her brother's antics. You tell them the story of your first day of working at the joke shop:

You insert the key into its keyhole, clasping your hand on the handle on the back door of the the deserted store. You close the door behind you; at first it seems no one was there yet. You spend 10 minutes or so organizing the shelves, until you here an explosion several feel above your head. Smoke starts to pour from the bottom of a closed door. You watch as the door opens, Fred doubled over coughing, and George waving a large rag trying to disperse the smoke.

'Ah, glad you're early,' says George. 'Come one up, shouldn't be too bad, now." You head up the steps, and the brothers lead you into their office. In the center is a huge cauldron, filled with aromatic, frothy pink liquid. You smelt pine trees, freshly fallen snow, peppermint, and dark chocolate. Behind a desk piled high with all kinds of junk, one of them pulls up a velvet colored chair, and beckons you to sit. You awkwardly oblige, and wondered if you missed some sort of protocol.

'Here you go, have yourself a taste of that,' Fred said, handing you a ladle filled with the mysterious drink. You look up at them, who both look anxious, or rather impatient. You might be eager to please, but a line has to be drawn somewhere.

'What's this?'

'The love potion we told you about,' said George. 'Don't you remember.'

'Yeah,' you pause. 'Wait, but won't I go head over heals for one of you two? That is, if it works. Which I'm sure it will!,' you add, hastily.

'So flattering.,' began Fred. 'We've tested this already, out with some friendly volunteers. But it's more accurate if we test this in a controlled setting.'

'Plus, we have to make sure it's twin-proof. How dreadful would it be if a customer stumbled upon a pair of twins while under its influence, and couldn't tell which one they were in love with?'

'You want me to be your guinea pig?'

'Please,' they said at once. You sighed and took a sip. At first, you felt a bit woozy, but then your eyes landed upon Fred, and you felt yourself smiling stupidly. You stand up to see him better.

'Wow,' you say, breathlessly. 'How am I only seeing you for the first time? Like, really seeing you?'

'But I'd do too, don't you think?,' chimed in George. 'We're really one in the same.'

'Nonsense!,' you gasp. 'Fred Weasley is the only one for me!' You though that swooning feeling they talk about in romance novels was over dramatic, until then. It was like a fairytale, and Prince Fred and come to sweep you off your feet, and ride with you on his stallion into the setting sun.

'Oh well, I think we've got all the data we need,' said Fred with pure satisfaction. 'Here, take this.' He hands you a small bike a murky clear liquid.

'Anything for you!,' you shout, pop the cork off the vile, and take a swig. You get that same dizzy feeling, but feel yourself crashing back down into earth. 'What the he-'

'Ah, so glad you're back!,' cried, George. 'Here,' he says, throwing you a thin stack of clothes.

'That's your uniform. Bathroom's downstairs. Opening time is 8:00.'

"Sounds rather bold, doesn't it?," remarked Hermione.

"Sounds like them," added Ginny, with a grin. "Do you really feel anything towards either of them?" You glance over at the twins, bargaining with their younger brother over the price of one of the items.

"Mmh, I don't think so. Then again, I got another week or so. Maybe I'll change my mind."

"Alright we're leaving," Ron states, defiantly. The four friends leave the store.

"Bye, everyone!," you call. They give you a wave in return, and depart into the abandoned street. Fred and George sneak up from behind you.

"Sold anything to them?," George asks.

"No, but I think they were just here to see you too."

"Want us to make you try the new sample of Puking Pastels?," Fred asks.

"Absolutely not," you exclaim.

"Then get on with it!," they shout as one. You scurry to the back of the store to help some customers. Fall in love with either of those two? You ask yourself.

Fat chance.

And that's it, folks. Please comment any ideas or anything else you feel like sharing.