moonlight (f.w.)

five

     When Genevieve woke up that morning, she felt absolutely relieved. The night before had taken a real weight off of her shoulders, and she decided she owed Fred big time. She didn't know him that well, so she didn't know what she could do for him yet. But she was determined to figure it out. She got dressed and ready for the day. She was unexpectedly happy. She hadn't felt this good since before her parents died, and she was glad she was starting school feeling this way. It would be a good day, she decided. Nothing could get to her. She made her way to the Great Hall with a big smile on her face, making a beeline for the Gryffindor table. 

     "Good morning George, morning Fred," she greeted happily, sitting across from the twins. "Morning Genevieve," they replied in unison, smiling at her. "How did everyone sleep?" she asked, serving herself some breakfast. "Well, thanks," George told her, nodding at her in thanks. "Like a baby, love. What about you? Was it a good first night in your dormitory?" Fred asked in return, watching her intently. She nodded. "The girls were playing Truth or Dare and invited me to play for a while. I made friends with a girl named Georgia, she's really nice. I'm going to sit with her in potions today instead of Malfoy," she told them excitedly. "That's great! I'm glad you're getting on alright," Fred told her with a half smile. "What happened with Malfoy? You seemed to be alright with him yesterday," George commented, raising an eyebrow. Genevieve looked at Fred who looked at his plate in shame. She looked back at George. "He was saying some not-nice things about your family and I decided I didn't want to sit with some ass who judge people based on stupid things like that," she told him, eating her toast. "Like what?" he asked insistently. "Like wealth and who you decide to spend your time with," she said simply, shrugging. "Oh, we're so getting him back," George smirked, drinking his juice. "You already know it, mate, I'm just trying to decide what we should do," Fred replied wickedly. "What do you mean, 'what we should do'?" Gen asked cautiously. They wouldn't hurt him, surely. 

      "You haven't told her yet?" asked Ron, sitting next to Genevieve. "Told me what?" she asked again. "George and Fred are the Hogwarts Pranksters. They live for jokes, they're even opening a shop for it," Ron explained. "Oh, they did tell me! So we're pranking him then?" she asked mischievously. "Um, no. We are," George told her, pointing between him and his brother. "What, you won't let me help? Come on! I could like, pretend to have forgiven him and offer him some candy and the candy could like, make his tongue disappear or something!" she suggested, wiggling her eyebrows. "It's not a bad idea, George," Ron said, "And it's not outside the realm of what you two would do." Fred chuckled. "No, it's not. I say she's in," he said, looking at George for acceptance. Almost pleadingly. "Fine. Meet us on the quidditch pitch after our practice. It ends at 7:30. We can get to work there, yeah?" George replied, to which Fred mentally cheered. "Yes! Thank you, George. I won't let you down, I swear! I've been known to partake in a prank or two at Ilvermorny. Why not carry the tradition on to Hogwarts?" she asked, scrunching her nose and winking at Fred. His chest tightened and he felt as though he'd fallen off his broom in quidditch and he just hit the ground. He was losing his mind, every piece of information about herself she gave him, he took it and put her together like a puzzle, and that puzzle seemed to be a picture of the perfect girl for him. He just stared at her as she, Ron and George continued talking. He didn't know how much time had passed until he heard the bell ring and she stood up. "Wanna walk with me to divination, boys?" she asked, putting her backpack on. "Yes!" Fred replied overzealously, jumping out of his seat. He furrowed his eyebrows and cleared his throat. "I mean, uh, yeah, sure. Sounds good," he tried to take it back. She giggled and it was music to his ears. "You know, Genevieve, why don't you go on ahead and we'll catch up? Just for a moment, we have some family stuff to talk about," George said, pointing to Ron, Fred and himself. "Yeah, sure. See you in a few," she replied, exiting the Great Hall. "What the hell was that for?" Fred asked defensively. Ron stood up and reached across the table, smacking his older brother in the face. "No, sorry, what the hell was that for?!" Fred yelled. "Mate, be smooth at least!" George told him. "I can't help it! I..." "Love her?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow. "What? I've only just met her, Ron! Don't be daft," he defended himself. "Charlie is going to have a right laugh when he hears how his baby brother has turned into an idiot," George said, laughing. "I mean, really, Fred, I thought you were stupid before, but now you've really lost it," Ron added, running off and laughing when his older brother grabbed for him. "So you stopped me from walking her to class to mock me?" Fred asked his twin and George laughed. "Yes, I did. If I'm being quite honest, I should have stopped you from switching from muggle studies to divination in the first place. We're bloody awful at divination," he told him. "Yes. Which is exactly why I decided to switch. Now she's going to have to tutor me. I'm not completely stupid," Fred told his brother with a smirk, grabbing his book and running after Genevieve.

     Her day had gone well, she'd gotten along with all of her teachers as of yet, and her and Georgia had had a good time in potions. Georgia had never imagined ever being able to even put the words "good time" and "potions" in the same sentence. But they just had a lot of fun chatting in the front while still perfecting Snape's potion. They had eaten lunch together as well, much to Fred's dismay. He watched them glumly from the Gryffindor table as the girls giggled about nothing and everything. "Earth to Fred!" Lee called, waving a hand in his friend's face. "What is it?" Fred asked, taking a bite of his sandwich. "I asked if you were going to Hermione's thing in Hogsmeade on Saturday. She sounded quite urgent about it," Lee asked him. "Uh, George?" Fred asked his brother, who nodded. "Yeah, we'll be there. A shame though, really, that we have to waste our Saturday like that. I really could have used a good butterbeer," Fred told Lee. "Well who's to say we can't get one after? We have all evening, you know," George reminded him, finishing his food. The boys continued talking and the girls continued laughing. 

     "I cannot believe your first friends at Hogwarts were the Weasley twins!" Georgia giggled. "They're kind of a unit, they don't often venture outside their circle," she told Genevieve. Gen smiled. "I dunno. They were just super sweet to me yesterday. And Ron's a cutie, isn't he?" Genevieve laughed, winking at her friend. Georgia went red but laughed it off. "Oh, Ron! Pish posh. Have you seen the way Fred has been staring at you? I've never seen him tear his attention from his brother for so long," she said, glancing at Fred. It was Genevieve's turn to blush as she laughed nervously. "He was really nice to me yesterday. I want to thank him but I don't have a clue how, I don't know him well enough. Do you know anything about him?" Georgia pondered for a minute. "Well, I know his mum Molly is a good cook and baker and the lot of them have got good appetites. Maybe we could make him and George biscuits or something?" she suggested. "Biscuits? Why would we make them- oh! Cookies! Yeah, that's a great idea, Georgia! Do you think the house elves would let us into the kitchen to make them?" Genevieve asked, finishing her lunch. "Yeah, we can go after our final class of the day, yeah? You can have them done before you go watch them practice quidditch," she suggested. Gen smiled. "Sounds perfect, I'll see you then?" she asked, putting on her bag. Georgia nodded and waved as Genevieve walked over and sat next to Fred, who was talking to George and Lee. When he saw her, his heart stopped, but he finished his sentence on quidditch strategies before greeting her. "How are you, Gen?" he asked, his heart racing. She smiled. "I'm good, thanks. You?" she asked in reply. "I'm... I'm good, yeah. Great, actually," he said nervously. He mentally slapped himself and told himself to get it together. He was Fred Weasley for Merlin's sake. He did not get nervous around girls. 

      Gen turned her attention from Fred to Lee with a smile on her face. "Hi, I'm Genevieve, and you are?" she introduced herself, putting her hand out for him to shake it. He slickly took her hand and turned it, kissing the top of it. "Lee Jordan, love. A pleasure to meet you," he smiled at her. She noticed hints of mischief in his smile, and she wondered why. "Likewise," she replied, taking her hand back. George cracked up and Lee and him were hollering in no time. "Did I miss something?" she asked Fred, who glared at the two boys. "Nothing important. It's just that they've got a warped sense of humour. Pay them no mind," he told her, trying to keep his voice as unbothered as possible. "Oookay then," she replied in a singsong voice. "I was just coming to ask if you guys wanted to sit with me in charms. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two," she joked, stealing a carrot off of Fred's plate and taking a bite. He chuckled and agreed. "Hold on, a fifth year in a seventh year charms class? You're joking, right?" Lee asked, eyebrow raised. Genevieve smiled proudly. "No, actually. I'm not. When McGonnagall said I was the top of my class, she wasn't kidding. Charms is kind of my thing," she said with a smirk. Lee shook his head. "No, that can't be right, charms is my thing. I've been Flitwick's favourite since first year," he told her competitively. "Well, Lee, not to toot my own horn, but Flitwick hasn't even met me yet and I've already replaced you," she told him cockily. The twins chuckled and Lee put out his hand. "10 sickles says I could beat you in a duel." "Oooooh, Lee's makin' bets!" George called. "That's a good thing, Gen, it means you've been accepted," he joked. She smiled. "I don't have any sickles yet, Lee, I need to go to the bank still," she told him, looking at his hand. "Well if you're so confident in your ability, you won't need them, will you? But when you learn you're wrong, I'll gladly wait for your trip to Gringotts to cash in," he said to her. She raised an eyebrow and shook his hand. "You're on. Duelling club, tomorrow at lunch," she told him. "Be there or be square," she giggled, standing up. "I'm off to class to butter Flitwick up. See you guys later," she said, ruffling Fred's hair and waving to George and Lee as she left. "Blimey, Freddie, I see what you mean. She's a catch!" Lee laughed. "Is this the new game then? You flirt with her while I'm around just to get a kick out of me? It won't work," Fred replied with a straight face. "Yes it will, you were redder than your hair just then!" George chuckled. Fred threw a baby carrot at him. "I can't believe I shared a womb with you."