Fred and George left the Ministry fairly easy. No one paid them any mind or attention. There was a swarm of reporters and photographers just waiting to catch a glimpse of the Malfoys and Harry. Not to mention a crowd of people wanting to watch the drama unfold. Some of them were Ministry workers! Didn't they have a job to do? Unless gossiping like school girls is a new position that they were unaware of. If so, they knew quite a few simpering girls that would fit the bill.
George sighed, couldn't they just leave their brother alone? Hadn't Harry done enough for the wizarding world? Didn't he deserve some peace and quiet? Who cares if he got the Malfoys off? Part of him loathed that Lucius Malfoy was free, with not even a slap on the wrist. Especially after his actions nearly cost the life of Ginny during her first year. But Harry had his reasons, whether George agreed with them or not. It didn't matter. If this is the one thing Harry wanted in life to make him happy then George could take getting Lucius Malfoy off scot free. Harry was never one to do things without a reason. George hadn't needed to read the contract to know it had involved Draco. Why else what Harry do something? And listening to Lucius read off the contract had been a humbling experience. Draco was the one thing that Harry wanted above all else. It was obvious looking at them interact. How could anyone fault him for that?
Fred grabbed a hold of his brother's hand and squeezed gently. "I know." Fred said simply. That was one thing George loved about having a twin. Fred just got him. They never had to have elaborate conversations. Words weren't always needed. They could look at each other and have a world of conversations in that single glance. Fred knew what George was thinking sometimes before even he knew himself. They understood each other in ways that no one else could. They knew the rest of the family didn't understand their need to be together. They didn't understand why they couldn't settle down into their own lives. But that just wasn't something that interested either of them.
They were a packaged deal. Where one went so did the other. You couldn't have Fred without George and vice versa. It just didn't work like that. It felt unnatural to separate them. They weren't meant to lead separate lives. Fred wasn't sure he could function without his brother. That wasn't normal. But since when did they care about trivial things like being normal? Normal is a relative term. What is the basis that people compare being normal to anyways? People used to ask him if he ever wanted his own space, or if it ever got crowded always being together. Fred always laughed in response. No. That wasn't something he had ever wanted around George. They were extensions of each other. They clicked in ways that most people just wouldn't understand. They were more than just brothers. They were lifetime friends. If there was a position beyond family, then that is what you could use to describe them. With George by his side he would never grow lonely. Sure, there were times when he longed for someone to share his life with besides as a brother but he had time. When the right person came along that could put up with George always being his number one, then he would know that they were meant to be. Which is why relationships always failed for the pair of them. Partners just couldn't understand that they would have to share his time between the two of them. George and Fred's partner would have to share being the most important person in his life. It was always the deal breaker that ended most of their relationships.
The twins had never felt connected to the rest of the family like they did to each other. Their mother had a hard time telling them a part most of the time. That was why she knitted sweaters with the first letter of their name on it. Their father was always busy at the Ministry and when he did have time for them, he had five other children besides them to visit with. Growing up Bill and Charlie were busy with Hogwarts to have time for them. During the summer they were busy doing homework or hanging out with each other. They weren't envious or wished their older brothers had had time for them. They had lives to live and even at a young age Fred and George understood that.
Percy was the one that understood them the most. Perhaps it was because he was the closest one in age to them. Even though Percy's strict personality often warred with their mischievous nature, the three of them got a long better than they did with anyone else. When Percy was in a good mood he would often give them pointers on their ideas. He would point out logical ways to get materials for cheaper. Or he would help them plan some of the more complicated pranks. He never wanted credit. He preferred to be the in the back, silently approving of their handiwork while publicly chastising them. When Percy left the family, it had crushed Fred and George. Harry was their brother just as much as Percy was. They felt like they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. But Percy kept them updated with weekly letters. That was something they never told anyone. Percy never pressured them to think like him. He let them come to their own conclusions when it came to Harry. When everything with you-know-who came to light the letters increased. Percy never admitted to being wrong but the twins could tell. Percy had been wracked with guilt but too prideful to come crawling back. He never asked for forgiveness, but that was something Fred and George gave willingly. Percy never needed to worry.
When Percy died, it devastated them. Percy had been their favorite brother. The one who they could always count on. Even if he gave up on the rest of the family, Percy never gave up on them. He was always there for them. There would be no more weekly letters. No fond chastising. No more silent egging on. No more praise hidden under strict glances. The twins had lost a lifeline when Percy died. He died fighting and that was the way he would have wanted to go. But still.
With Percy's death came the inevitable closeness that sprang between them. They had never thought it could be possible for them to be even closer but they were. They drew in on themselves and threw everything they had into the shop. They rarely came home for visits and didn't answer many firecalls. The only reason they had initially answered the call from their mother when Ron came home was because she had mentioned Harry's name.
Ron and Ginny had never been real close to them. They always seemed far younger than they actually were. Their mother coddled them in ways that the rest of the family hadn't been. Maybe because they were her babies? The closeness Ron and Ginny had with their mother never made them envious. No. They saw the damage it was causing them. Entitlement. That was what Ron always wanted but never earned. He felt entitled to life and didn't want to work to get it. Being Harry's friend gave him a bit of that entitlement. They didn't doubt that their younger brother really cared for Harry. It was obvious that he did. It's just that Ron could be very selfish. It's funny most people assume that children with no siblings tend to be more selfish. But when you are a child of seven and times are difficult, toys and possessions were sparse. Ron grew up wanting more and more and didn't want to share. So when things got difficult in his friendship with Harry, Ron did the first thing he always did. He only thought of himself. He didn't stop to think about what Harry was feeling or even if he had a good reason to do so. By the time he realized his mistake, Harry was always there to take him back. But if Ron didn't get over his issues he was going to wake up one day and realize that Harry was gone. Draco was Harry's whole world now, and if Ron wanted to be a part of that world than he would have to swallow his pride and accept Draco.
Ginny… well she was a girl. With only brothers in the house she was the odd one out. They had no idea how to play with a girl. Their mother always told them they had to treat Ginny differently because she was a girl. They couldn't play normal pranks on her because it would hurt her feelings. They couldn't get her outfits dirty because she was a girl. They couldn't tease her because you just didn't do that to a girl. You were supposed to treat girls with respect and dignity. Well all that was a load of hogwash. Ginny didn't want to be treated like a girl. She didn't want to be pampered. With six brothers, she wanted to be like them. She didn't want to be the odd one out. She wanted to be pranked. She wanted to be teased like everyone else. She didn't want to stay clean and orderly, she wanted to get dirty with her siblings. The two warring opinions always threw Fred and George for a loop. Instead of getting in the way of either of them, the twins just stuck to themselves except for the occasional talks with Percy.
Fred and George, they were seen as one person. Sure they always did things together but they had their own interests. Everyone always assumes that they like the same things and eat the same foods. They don't. Fred is allergic to raspberry but his mother forgets because George loves raspberry. George hates onion in anything but his mother forgets because Fred loves onions in excess. Fred was never a fan of Quidditch but George was and so he joined the team to please his brother. Fred actually enjoys knitting. It was something that gave him time to just be still and think things over. His best inventions had been thought up during his knitting time. George could never sit still long enough to do something as time consuming as knitting. George was more of a hands-on thinker. He liked to mess around with old projects, that would always get his creative juices flowing. They have their own quarks that defines who they are but people don't notice that. It is easier to lump them together than to bother getting to know them separately.
Which is why they adored Harry so much. Harry could always tell them apart. He knew that they liked different things. He never talked to them like they were one brain instead of two. Harry treated them like Percy always did. Harry was a unique character. No matter how many times they tried to understand him they just couldn't. He was always doing things that surprised them. Harry was considerate of everyone, always ready to listen to others in a time of need. He never demanded the same treatment or got upset when no one was there to listen to him. Harry had been a martyr in every sense of the word. It used to upset Fred and George when they would witness Harry just take the shite everyone threw at him instead of fighting back. They worried that Harry would always do what was expected of him. Never taking what he wanted. But watching him grow into his own person with Draco was a dream come true. Draco was giving Harry everything he never let himself have. Today in the trial they heard Harry say that Draco saved him. They could tell by the tone of his voice that he meant it in more ways than just one. There was more to the story. They weren't going to ask about it though. Some things are just personal. But they just knew that Draco was part of the reason that Harry was okay. Draco being with Harry wasn't a bad thing. It was one of the most natural things either of them had witnessed.
Which is why they lied to everyone back in the courtroom. They hadn't closed their shop. They left Verity in charge. She could handle it for the rest of the night. It wasn't because they didn't want to go to the Manor either. That actually sounded intriguing. They really did want that raincheck. No they lied because they were going to talk to their family. And it was about time too.
Harry didn't deserve their silence. They chose a good night too. It was the monthly annual Weasley dinner. Bill and Charlie couldn't always make it but since Percy's death they have been firm about showing up.
The two of them apparated out front of the burrow. "Ready?" They asked in unison. They shared a fond look. Fred sighed heavily. He was not looking forward to this. Confrontations were just not his thing. George was better suited for this then him. "Right" They answered in synch, answering their own question.
It was George's turn to sigh as he pushed open the front door. Heaven help them. They put on fake identical grins and marched into the kitchen.
"Fred! George!" Molly Weasley shot out as soon as she saw her sons. It had been too long since she last saw them. They hadn't been coming around for dinner lately and since Percy's death she really needed all of her family home.
Bill narrowed his eyes upon seeing the twins faces. He may not have known them as much as Percy but he still knew his baby brothers. Bill shared a look with Charlie, who also noticed the fake smiles. Before he could come up with an appropriate response the floo whooshed and their father stepped out. Bill noticed the grimaces the twins held when they caught sight of their father. He crossed his arms across his chest and tried to understand what this could be about. Well whatever it was, dinner was no doubt about to get interesting.
Ron was excited that the twins came home for dinner. It had been ages since they had a proper conversation. After the twins stormed out of The Three Broomsticks last week, he had been worried about them.
Hermione could tell something was wrong. She couldn't figure out just what but she planned to observe everyone and figure out what was going on. She was about to ask Ginny if she noticed anything out of the ordinary but Ginny wasn't paying attention. She was having a one-sided conversation with Charlie. Ginny hadn't even noticed that her brother wasn't paying attention.
"Arthur! Just in time. Look the twins came for dinner. Isn't that lovely?" Molly gushed as she kissed her husband in greeting. Arthur straightened immediately.
"Boys." Arthur said testily. The twins lost their smiles and looked at their father in indifference. The temperature in the room dropped drastically. Everyone looking from Arthur to the twins with confusion.
"I just came from the Malfoy trial." Arthur began to explain. Hermione narrowed her yes. Did Harry know? "Did they get what they deserved?" Ron interrupted not noticing the glares the twins sent Ron. Everyone else did though. They were now looking at the twins curiously. What was that about?
"No. Harry spoke on their behalf." The silence in the room was deafening. "With Harry's testimony, they didn't even have to pay a fine. They just walked away free men." Arthur said bitterly. He may not have given much thought to Lucius's wife or son but Lucius Malfoy didn't deserve to walk free. Not after everything he has done.
"I knew it! See mum I told you they were using Harry!" Ron said in outrage as he waved his fist angrily. Fred had to hold George back from cursing their brother. George always did have the shorter fuse than Fred.
Ron looked bewildered at George. He closed his mouth with an audible snap. "What's with you?" He demanded after he recovered.
"These two were at the trial. They were there to show support for the Malfoys and Harry." Fred could never handle silences very well. It was why he loved playing pranks on people. It covered up silences. This silence made him nervous. He had to fight the urge to shift from one foot to the other. George moved his hand to the side to grab hold of Fred's. This is why he loved his brother. George just knew when he needed support without him ever needing to ask.
"What?" Ron exploded angrily. Hermione winced at how loud Ron could yell. She knows his mother taught him manners. He just tended to disregard them. Typical.
"After I talked with Kingsley when the trial was over, I went back to see where the twins had gone off to and I saw them hugging Draco Malfoy." This silence really did make Fred shift from one foot to the other. He hadn't realized that their father had seen them. If their father saw them then that could mean someone else might have seen the way Harry interacted with them as well.
"Not you too!" Ron shouted as his face grew red quickly. "Dad check them for any spells." This time it was George holding Fred back. Hermione and Ginny leaned away in surprise. The twins were acting out of character. The twins were usually the ones to break rough tensions, not start them.
"Just explain it to me." Arthur asked sitting down wearily ignoring Ron's outburst. Fred and George shared a long look that irritated those watching. Couldn't they for once just be normal? Did they have to confer to each other every time?
They twins sighed in unison which caused Bill's lips to twitch in amusement. "Despite what Ronald." Ron flinched at the venom in George's tone. "Has said, Harry is not confunded. He has not been duped. He has not lost his marbles. Harry befriended Draco with a clear head and sound mind." Fred finished glaring at Ron.
"Draco?" Hermione asked in surprise. Hearing Harry say Draco was weird enough but listening to a Weasley say it as well was out of the ordinary.
"Yes Draco. He is not just Harry's friend. He is our friend as well." Everyone started at them like they were mad.
Bill narrowed his eyes. He hadn't had the pleasure of going to school with a Malfoy. So he didn't have the hatred that Ron did for them. Hearing the stories that both Ron and Ginny have said about the Malfoy heir had been enough. Bill however did have the unfortunate pleasure of meeting Lucius Malfoy once. The man was a repugnant arse who looked like he belonged on hair care advertisements. There had to be more to the story then they were letting on. Harry had been through a lot in his life, he was smart enough to know if someone was using him. When his mother mentioned that Harry was being duped by the Malfoy's, Bill had a hard time believing that. Harry had been through too much to be blinded by them. So, there must be a reason Harry was spending time with the Malfoy heir. It could just be as simple as Harry making a new friend. What was wrong with that?
The thought of Harry getting Lucius Malfoy off was unsettling. The man didn't deserve it. But… for Harry to speak for him meant something. Harry doesn't do things for no reason. He must have had a reason. And to be honest how was that anyone else's business? The courts found the Malfoy family innocent of the charges. That should be the end of it. Why Harry did it didn't matter. All that matters is that he did it. Harry was an honorary Weasley, Bill wasn't about to judge Harry on hearsay. He would just accept Harry's decisions and move on with his own life.
Charlie was unsure on what to think. The only times he had been in contact with Lucius Malfoy was when the man was shooting stunners at him through his deatheater robes. Which was a giant glaring reason to dislike the man. But you can't judge someone solely on them being a deatheater. Snape was a proof of that. Yes, he changed sides when it mattered but at one point he had joined Voldemort willingly. So just being a deatheater wasn't enough to completely hate the man. Charlie didn't know Harry as well as Ron, Ginny and the twins but he knew enough about Harry to know that the Malfoy's must be somewhat redeemable for him to speak for them. Harry wasn't the type of person to be tricked into things. He was uneasy at the thought of Lucius Malfoy getting away without any punishment. What kind of message did that send? You can break the law and get away as long as you know powerful people?
"Why would you two befriend a Malfoy?" Arthur asked. He couldn't process this. Malfoy's have always been enemies of the Weasleys. It went back generations and it wasn't like Lucius Malfoy had been pleasant to them. Ginny was a prime example.
"The war is over and it is about time you all grew up." Fred said bluntly. Bill and Charlie shared surprised looks. This was the first time they had ever seen the twins speak to the family like this. They usually stuck to themselves and only added input when prompted or to make a joke.
"If you want to continue a childish hatred for the Malfoy family then go ahead. But we won't. We don't like Lucius any more than you do. But Draco is not his father. He is a really kind and caring person when you get to know him. He cares for Harry far more than any of you do." Ron stood up interrupting George.
"What are you on about? Malfoy was the one who bullied Harry since first year! We are his family!" Everyone was nodding their heads in agreement with Ron. Bill tilted to his head to the side curiously. Something must have happened between the Malfoy heir and Harry for a statement like that. The Weasley family had been a huge part of Harry's life, so for the twins to say that it had to go beyond a simple friendship. It was the only thing that made sense. But what kind of relationship would that be?
"Right. Because family stops talking to each other because they don't like who you hang out with." Winces were seen across the table.
"Right. Because family throws out everything they have been together because they can't cope with someone else's decisions. Who Harry chooses to spend his time with is none of our business." George said angrily.
"I don't like that odd lady from down the road that comes and knits with you mum but that doesn't mean I am going to stop talking to you." Molly flushed red.
"Mrs. Raymond didn't bully Harry though!" Ginny piped up. Fred and George shook their heads. It was like they were deliberately ignoring the whole point. Were they being particularly obtuse on purpose?
"Listen to your own statement. Draco bullied Harry. So if Harry chooses to forgive him then how is it any of your business." Ginny squirmed uncomfortably. He was right. It wasn't like Harry befriending Draco affected her at all.
"Malfoy didn't just bully Harry. He bullied us too." Hermione added. Honestly, it was like Harry wanted her to just forget all the harsh names and cruel teasing Malfoy put her through. Some of her worst memories were at the hands of Malfoys. Not to mention the cruel things that were said about Ron too.
"Harry didn't ask for you to forgive him, did he? He just asked that you respect his decisions. He just wants you to accept that Draco will be in his life." Fred bit back angrily. Hermione had the grace to appear ashamed.
"Family may not always understand everything you do but they are there for you regardless. You lot abandoned him the first chance you got because of who he chooses to spend his time with. That's not a family I would want to be a part of." George said glaring at them all.
"Draco will be in Harry's life forever. You better get used to that if you want Harry in your life. If it were me, I wouldn't have forgiven any of you." Charlie raised his eyebrows and looked towards Bill's wide eyes. Forever? That seems a bit presumptuous, right? You can't predict a friendship to last that long. Ron was the proof of that. Charlie had a feeling that he was missing something rather big. By the look on his older brother's face, Bill may have figured it out already. Charlie bit back a sigh. Just once he would like to beat Bill to the punch.
Hermione glared at them defiantly. "But Harry isn't you." They nodded in agreement. "You are right. You are lucky he isn't. We would have turned our backs on you and walked out without a backwards glance back. But if you think he will just accept you all back with open arms you are fooling yourself. You didn't see what utter heartache your silence caused him. Harry was gutted. After the way he grew up, he finally found a home with us and you all abandoned him like he was nothing. Harry has found new friends and a new family." Gasps could be heard. Hermione's eyes filled with tears. She hadn't wanted to hurt Harry but she thought that Ron needed her more at the moment. Harry had always been a fighter, she thought that he could handle it until it all blew away. Ron was her boyfriend and it felt wrong to agree with Harry when it seemed so obvious that Ron couldn't cope.
"We aren't saying he won't forgive you all but I doubt it could ever be completely fixed." Fred said sadly.
"Why would Harry want to be a family with the Malfoys?" Ron said in disgust. None of this made sense to him. Ron had met all of the Malfoys and not a single one of them had a redeemable bone in their bodies. What could Harry possibly see in them. Why would Harry want to make friends with the slimy gits? Harry was the one turning his back on him! Not the other way around.
"Maybe because he isn't a judgmental prat like you?" Ron spluttered at George's words. Not only was Malfoy stealing Harry but he was twisting his brothers against him too!
"Ron seriously grow the fuck up. You hurt Harry the most. You threw his friendship away because he made room for a new friend? What are you five? You don't want to share your friends so you think acting like a git is going to make Harry want to come back? If you don't change your ways Harry is going to walk out of your life forever. And newsflash, he doesn't need you. He has already begun the process of moving on." Fred warned, glaring daggers at his younger brother.
Ron sat down dumbfounded. This wasn't right. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. After the war was over, he and Harry were supposed to finish their final year at Hogwarts with Hermione. They were going to become Aurors and live the dream. Harry was going to marry Ginny and really become part of the family. Nowhere in his plan did he see Malfoy befriending Harry and stealing his best friend away. This was all wrong. So wrong.
"We really messed up." Molly whispered before burying her head into her hands. She really did think of Harry as one of her children. She hadn't wanted to hurt him she just wanted to give him time to realize that no good could come of befriending a Malfoy.
Arthur reached over and rubbed the back of her neck. When he had seen his sons talking and joking with the Malfoy's he was filled with a sense of betrayal. How could his sons support them? He still didn't understand the need for Harry to get Lucius Malfoy a free pass. The man didn't deserve it. He deserved to rot in Azkaban. Maybe if they got back on good terms with Harry he would finally get some answers. Arthur was embarrassed that his sons needed to teach him a lesson on tolerance. Were they really that blinded by hate that they pushed Harry away?
"No mum." Ron whispered. He couldn't let it go. He just couldn't.
Molly stood up with her hands on her hips. "Ronald, knock it off. We have already alienated Harry enough. What good will silence do if it pushes him away forever? He needs us and you being rude to him will not make him want to come back." She scolded him harshly.
"I can't accept Malfoy being his friend. It just doesn't make sense." Ron said bitterly and stubbornly.
"Then find yourself a new friend." Fred and George said in unison. Ron's ears turned red and he stomped away upstairs with Hermione trailing after him.
After an awkward silence filled with uncomfortable stares, Molly cleared her throat. "Why don't you two sit down? Oh Fred I made your favorite. Raspberry pie!" She said with enthusiasm.
Fred let out a laugh of disbelief. Maybe it was the stressful day. Or the emotional argument they just had, but Fred threw his hands in the air. "I quit. I absolutely fucking quit." Everyone watched Fred walk out of the house slamming the door.
"Was it something I said?" She asked George fretfully. George opened his mouth a couple of times before catching sight of French onion soup that was for dinner. He closed his mouth with a snap and began shaking his head.
"You know what? I quit too!" He yelled before following his twins lead and slamming the door behind him.
"What just happened here?" Arthur asked bewildered. No one could answer him. It was safe to say that dinner that night at the burrow was a subdued affair.
The twins apparated outside of their shop and checked that Verity closed the shop properly before heading upstairs towards their flat.
"Un-fucking believable!" Fred swore loudly when they reached the top step. George sighed and pulled his twin in for a hug. "I know Freddie. I know. You know them though."
Fred let out a little hysterical laughter that tugged at George's heart. "That is sad when that is the excuse we have to tell each other to be able to face our family. It's like they don't know us at all. Raspberries George! Raspberries! How hard is it to remember?" He mumbled out rapidly. George winced. This wasn't a good sign. Fred was winding himself up. George mentally prepared himself for an hour of listening to Fred rage against the injustice of the world. Lovely end to a lovely night, he thought sarcastically.
"Are you guys okay?" A hesitant voice came out of nowhere, causing Fred to jump and George to tighten his hold on his brother. They spun around to see the concerned faces of Pansy and Blaise.
"Don't scare us like that!" They said in unison while trying to calm their racing hearts. Pansy and Blaise smirked in amusement, it's not every day you catch pranksters letting their guard down.
"It wasn't intentional. And it is about time you two liars showed up. We've been waiting here for what at least ten minutes?" Blaise asked Pansy. Pansy rolled her eyes. He acts like ten minutes was really hours. And people think she is the dramatic one.
Fred smiled at Blaise. He really was a sight for sore eyes. Blaise's smirk faded into a genuine smile as he stared at Fred. "It is a relief to see you guys after what we just went through." Fred said as his smile fell in remembrance.
Blaise took a hesitant step forward towards Fred. The four of them had gone out on a double date to get to know each other earlier in the week. Then went on one individual dates to get to know each other better. Blaise didn't want to rush things. He felt like he finally found someone who could understand his close friendship with Pansy, someone who wouldn't be upset if he needed to spend the day with her if she needed it. Because Fred himself had a similar situation. Blaise wouldn't dream of coming between the twins.
Fred saw the timid step forward and flashed him a smile before rushing the rest of the way and gripping Blaise in a tight hug. It was slightly awkward because Fred was taller than Blaise but it was still providing the comfort that he needed.
Pansy shot George a look of concern as she stepped up into his welcoming hug. "What happened to Fred? Is he okay?" George was thrilled that she cared about Fred, it showed him that she really could handle the relationship he had with his brother.
"We had a dinner discussion tonight with the family." Pansy winced. Her own family dinners weren't pleasant ones. She could understand. Blaise frowned. That was something he could empathize with. His mother was constantly trying to force him into 'family bonding' with whatever husband of the month she brought home.
George opened the door and invited them into the flat. Fred dragged Blaise over to the couch and wouldn't let go of him. Blaise didn't seem to mind. He looked down at George with a fond smile.
"Fred doesn't like confrontations. Which is exactly what we did tonight. Then our mum told him she made raspberry pie for him." Pansy seemed confused but Blaise made an indignant noise.
Fred had his head on Blaise's shoulder when George and Pansy looked towards Blaise.
"But Fred is allergic to raspberry!" Fred lifted his head so fast George wondered if he cracked it.
"How do you know that?" Fred rasped shocked. Blaise looked a little uncomfortable.
"Harry told us. Remember Pans?" Pansy shook her head. "No." Blaise sighed. "I swear you have the worst memory of anyone I have ever met." Pansy grinned sheepishly. It was true.
"It was the first time Harry and Draco invited us over to their place. H-" Blaise was interrupted.
"Hold it. Harry and Draco are living together?" George asked insulted that he hadn't known this. He wracked his brain trying to remember if it had been said but he couldn't remember anything.
Pansy and Blaise nodded in unison. "Yes. They are living in the old Black residence." Pansy stated with a shrug.
Fred and George shared a startled look. Why would they want to live in Grimwald place? "With Kreacher?" George shuddered thinking about the senile old thing.
Pansy giggled, a sound that was music to George's ears. "The house elf loves them." At their incredulous looks, Blaise elaborated. "Well he definitely loves Draco. But he is very nice to Harry too. You should hear Draco talk about him. He won't admit it but he is very fond of Kreacher." Fred was having a hard time believing that. He knew Draco was a different person than he used to be but being nice to house elves? That seemed farfetched.
Blaise laughed. "I'm serious. I overheard Draco telling Harry that Kreacher needed a better bedroom. He wanted to turn the attic into Kreacher's living space. Harry said that Kreacher wouldn't want that but Draco started droning on about the benefits of color coordinating the room, completely ignoring Harry's protests and that is where I tuned him out." The twin's jaws dropped open.
Pansy laughed along with Blaise. "Kreacher was in the background cleaning. You should have seen his horrified look. I could hear him mumbling that his 'indecent' masters were trying to give him a heart attack. They treat him like a part of the family."
"This I got to see." George said with a wicked grin. Oh the blackmail material this could bring. Draco was practically part of the family now, and no one is safe against blackmail. Especially family.
"I wonder why he said indecent." Fred pondered dubiously. Pansy and Blaise shared a look. "After tonight's dinner, I don't." Pansy said with a blush. Fred and George shared another look.
"What they hell goes on at Malfoy dinner parties?" George demanded with interest. It sounded far more interesting than the Weasley dinners.
"That is a long story." Blaise warned. George nodded. "Get along with your explanation and then we can swap stories of our horrid night."
"As I was saying, we were visiting them for the first time and Harry mentioned a couple times that we reminded him of you two. I asked him to tell us a little about you guys. Harry was telling us some stories and one of them was when Fred's hands puffed up after picking raspberries for your mum. Harry didn't mention that you were allergic but it was obvious that you were from the story." Blaise explained with a shrug.
Fred was staring at Blaise with an intense scrutiny that was making Blaise nervous. Fred couldn't believe it. Blaise, a relative stranger knew he was allergic but his own mother couldn't remember. Fred was filled with such warmth for Blaise that it surprised him. Then his mind caught up with what Blaise said.
"That wanker! He just had to tell you an embarrassing story, didn't he?" They all cracked up laughing.
"Doesn't your mum know that you are allergic?" Pansy regretted her question when the smile fell off of Fred's face. Blaise shot her a glare. She winced and raised her hands in surrender.
"She should. I have told her countless times but because it's George's favorite she forgets and assumes it's mine as well. With so many children to look after the details tend to lose her." Pansy and Blaise furrowed their brows in distaste.
"But you aren't the same person. You have your own interests." Blaise felt like he was stating the obvious. Why would that be a hard concept for their mother to grasp?
"Thank you." The twins said in unison. Blaise just smiled warmly at the two of them.
"Is that all that happened?" Pansy pressed gently. George shook his head. "We have been avoiding family dinners for a while now. It was just hard after Percy's death. We wanted time alone to grieve instead of being suffocated by the family."
"I'm sorry." Pansy and Blaise said at the same time, giving their condolences.
Fred and George waved away the apology with small smiles. "We wanted to go to dinner tonight because we wanted to confront the family about the way they are treating Harry." Pansy and Blaise's eyebrows raised but their eyes lit up in delight. The twins were momentarily startled. They hadn't realized that a friendship formed this fast between Harry and Draco's friends. Interesting.
"Ron was a disaster but I do believe we made some headway with the rest of them." Fred said with a sad smile.
"I am sure Harry will appreciate it. Especially now." Pansy grimaced at the sharp looks the brothers were sending her.
"Explain." They said in unison. Fred tightened his hold on Blaise. George crossed his arms across his chest.
It took a while but between the two of them they managed to describe what had happened at dinner and explained everything that had been said. Fred and George were blown away. They picked a hell of a night to miss the excitement. Pansy and Blaise's night sounded a lot better than theirs at the burrow.
"Soulmates exist?" Fred breathed in amazement. Pansy and Blaise nodded. "You should have seen it. Their cores were combining and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Blaise was crying."
"Hey! I was not. Dust got in my eye. That's all." They all busted out laughing while Blaise glared weakly at them all. Fred kissed the side of his head which calmed him down immensely.
"Dust existing in a place like the Manor?" Pansy asked through tears of laughter. Blaise shrugged sheepishly. Alright it hadn't been the best excuse.
"I'll admit I cried too. It was amazing." Pansy said with a reverent tone. Blaise nodded vehemently. "I agree. I don't think I will ever see something as powerful or amazing as that again." Blaise added.
Fred and George shared considering looks. They weren't sure what to think. Why did the Ministry have to go so far in covering up the existence of soulmates? He understood why people would be upset that they didn't have their other halves but to eradicate the history books seemed a bit extreme.
"I wonder why our parents never told us about soulmates." Fred said disgruntled. George nodded angrily. They had a right to know. Even if it wasn't the best news to be told that you may never find your soulmate, it was still their right to know it. It wasn't right of the Ministry to outlaw it nor was it right for parents to choose what to tell their children when it came to history.
"They may not have even known." They arched an identical eyebrow.
"No Pansy is right. It was up to the parents to teach the children. Their parents may have decided that it was too emotional to talk about."
"But that is just one reasoning. They could have known all along and decided not to tell us." George said bitterly.
"That's true." Pansy conceded. "Narcissa said that our parents knew but they never intended to tell us." Blaise frowned again at the injustice.
"I knew something odd was happening between them. You guys should have felt the magical energy when they were in our shop." Fred said excitedly.
Blaise hummed in thought. "Well if you can find a pensive then we can swap memories." He offered. Fred and George grinned wickedly. That was a good idea. The twins wanted to see this once in a life time experience. It had to be good for the two of them to go on about it.
Blaise shifted uneasily. "Pans, do you remember what Severus said about sexual orientation?"
"You call Snape by his first name?" Fred said weakly.
Pansy ignored Fred and thought back to the conversation. "Yeah, he said that if one of the partners was gay but the other one wasn't that no bond would form between the soulmates." She stated.
Blaise stared at her pointedly. She gasped loudly. "You t-think that we are soulmates?" Fred and George shared frightened looks.
"Well it makes sense if you think about it. I mean I have never been into women but I have always been drawn to you Pans. It would explain why we need to have each other in our lives. But it would also explain why no bond has formed because I am just not into you like that." Blaise felt Fred relax at his words. He wanted to shake his head. Silly red head.
Pansy stared at Blaise with wide eyes. "You could be right. It explains so much. But there is no test or spell to verify a soulmate."
He nodded. "I know. It was just a thought." Pansy wasn't sure what to think. On the one hand if it was true that would be really cool that Blaise was her soulmate. On the other hand, she wasn't romantically inclined to be with him. If he was her soulmate would she still feel the longing of her missing half? It was enough to make her head spin.
"Well I don't know if we are soulmates or not but it doesn't change anything. You are my best friend and you always will be." Blaise smiled at her and blew her an air kiss. She laughed warmly and cuddled into George's side.
George let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. He had been worried hearing the possibility that they were soulmates. But knowing that it would change their relationship relieved him. He was growing attached to Pansy, he didn't want to lose her now.
"So, what do you think Harry and Draco are doing now?" Fred asked curiously.
"Fucking."
"Having sex."
Pansy and Blaise spoke at the same time. Pansy turned to Blaise scandalized. "Blaise! How vulgar." Blaise and the twins broke into laughter. "Sorry Pans. What I meant to say, was they are probably exploring their bodies in the delicate art of making love. There is that better?" Pansy shoved him playfully. "Oh shush it you." She joined in on the laughter that rang out across the room.
"Since Harry told us stories about you two, you should tell us some stories about him that we might not know." Pansy stated with a smile. She was picturing happy memories of the Weasley family as they let in a younger Harry.
"Yeah give us the inside scoop. The more embarrassing the better." Blaise added. The twins grinned wickedly. "Blaise!" Came Pansy's indignant tone but she couldn't help but be interested. She was a Slytherin after all.
George leaned forward slightly capturing the rest of the rooms attention. "Okay, there was this one time…."