Pretty Kitty (completed)

Chapter 28

"I can't... I can't believe we've actually done it," George breathed, gazing at the shining ring around his finger. Fred grasped his hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing the ring.

"We're, well, married," Fred agreed, looking just as awe struck at the ring adorning his ring finger. George smiled shakily at him, adoration in his gaze, which Fred mirrored with his own look.

"We're together," George said seriously, fingers entwining with Fred's. Fred nodded, squeezing his hand.

"Forever," he added, the words impacting them both. In unison, they leant forward, lips meeting, sparks seeming to practically sizzle around them as they shared what seemed like their first kiss all over again.

Harry, sitting in his corner, which was darkened with shadow compared to the bright light surrounding the twins, gulped audibly. He suddenly felt very, very alone, and looked down at his own hands. There was no ring on either.

The shadows wound around him, around his torso and his legs, keeping him from moving, crawling over to the twins and begging to be let back in, to share in their light. He felt himself falling back into the wall as he was consumed by overwhelming despair.

The despair that came from knowing you didn't fit in anywhere.

Harry's eyes flickered open, and he realised he was panting heavily, as if he'd just run a mile. His heartbeat was pounding in his ears and he couldn't seem to hear anything but the frantic thump. Tears leaked down his face.

The day of the bonding was drawing ever nearer. And suddenly, for the first time, Harry wished it would never, ever arrive.

XxXxXxX

Six in the morning found Harry slouched over his still-full plate of food, fork idly swishing around beans and bacon he knew would never meet his mouth.

The only other people in the hall were Severus Snape and Charlie. Both were sitting at the head table, Snape practically being dragged into Charlie's lap, flushing and spluttering with indignation, while docking house points from Gryffindor and attempting to give Charlie detention.

Neither of them had noticed he was there, and Harry couldn't help but watch them – they were a welcome distraction from his dark thoughts, and trying to work out just what was going on between them was occupying his mind. Snape was acting... almost like he, himself, did, and Charlie was akin to Fred or George.

It was so... intimate. But that wasn't right. Was it? He, Fred and George were, crassly put, shagging. It was no wonder they acted so coupley. But Snape and Charlie were...

Harry gasped loudly, eyes growing wide behind his glasses. He only just kept his hands from flying to his mouth. No! Surely not... he thought with disbelief. Charlie and Snape?

Sure, Charlie was rather handsome, muscled, broad shouldered, tanned. But Snape was... Snape.

It's Snape! Harry's mind decided to supply him with yet again, unable to deter from that path of thought. It was just...

"Took you long enough," a playful voice whispered in his ear, and Harry jumped with a large yowl that caught Snape and Charlie's attention. Snape looked mortified and furious, standing from his seat.

Harry's eyes grew even wider, and he turned to George, trying to distract himself from Snape, who was stalking ever nearer.

"Erm, George! Hi," Harry greeted, shooting to his feet and gathering his school bag. Maybe he could escape. Oh Merlin, he hoped he could escape. George's already devious smile only widened further, as he wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, kissing him soundly on the lips.