SHIVER ━ A George Weasley Story

chapter 2, abrupt introductions

[c h a p t e r   t w o ,  a b r u p t   i n t r o d u c t I o n s]

[Platform 9 and ¾ Kings Cross Station, 1989]

Trust one of the twins (or both for that matter) to make their family run late for their train. They were inevitably always running late for something. With it, there was always some preposterous excuse as to why.

This particular morning involved an attempt at setting off some of Dr Filibuster's Fabulous Wet-Start, No-Heat Fireworks and in the process setting a pair of Ron's pants on fire, who so happened to be wearing them at the time of the incident.

The twins would argue it was entirely accidental.

Their mother disagreed with that sentiment entirely.

The twins had been here before, to King's Cross, a few times, dropping off their older brothers. Now it was fatefully their turn. To say they were excited was the understatement of the century. Although they would never say it to their dear mother, it was the freedom that made them itching to leave the most. They were two eleven-year-olds ready to fly the coop.

As they pushed their way through the crowds of parents, to race onto the platform, George caught sight of a familiar face and nearly collided with a stranger as he put his foot on the brakes.

"You must be relieved, Ronniekins" Fred nudged his youngest brother, who was dragged along to the station, still having not quite decided whether to forgive his brothers for the trouser ordeal of that morning. "You'll be rid of George and me for months. But don't worry, it'll be Christmas before you know it. Who's to say you won't be receiving some surprises in the mail from us too".

"I can't wait," Ron replied, sarcasm dripping in his tone.

As Fred anticipated George beside him to mirror his sentiments to Ron, he noticed he was no longer walking beside him. Fred instead turned to see his twin dawdling behind, staring at something, or someone. He couldn't discern from where he stood.

Fred silently fell in step beside his twin, now able to see from his vantage just what he was looking at. It was a blonde-haired girl, whom Fred had never seen the likes of before. And he knew every wizarding kid there was. He made it his sole purpose. This one, in particular, was quite pretty, which delighted Fred immensely.

George hadn't seemed to notice his twin had caught onto him blatantly staring at a stranger.

"Fred! George! Please hurry up!" Molly Weasley called.

George felt a strong hand smack him across his back, followed by the amused tone of his twin "Daydreaming there, Georgie?".

George's cheeks set aflame with embarrassment, hoping his brother missed him practically ogling a stranger.

Too late.

"I thought I saw one of our friends we met the other week at Diagon Alley" George covered, now eager to pace quickly ahead of his twin.

Fred chuckled to himself. Hardly likely, he thought, he would've remembered a pretty girl like her instantly.

Their farewell from their mother was as to be expected, Molly peppering her boys with too many kisses on the face, sending them on their way. Percy and Charlie went well ahead, quick to find their friends and trusting the twins to make their own trouble, although the twins suspected they wanted little to do with the newest additions to the Hogwarts clan.

Perhaps it had to do with their trouble-making tendencies.

Once Molly Weasley had relinquished her two boys, after much persuasion from Arthur, the two were off in the blink of an eye. Fred quickly turned around, however, as he forgot to remind his brother of one more thing. "When you get home... I'd check under your pillowcase before you sleep".