My Brother’s Eyes: Part 3
Oops….so it’s been a while since I posted the final part of this saga, but here it is! Again please in the comments let me know what you think!
Thunder crackled outside the Amesbury residence. George rolled over in bed looking at the clock on the wall, 4:09. Running his fingers through his hair and scratching the back of his neck, he rolled over to see Angelina wide awake. She gave him a half smile, “Don’t think anyone could sleep with that storm whirling on outside.”
George pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his chest. “You’ve just jinxed us. Roxie is going to be up here in three, two…” A faint knock could be heard at the door. In a pale blue nightgown with her stuffed niffler, Foggy, a worried eyed Roxie padded into their bedroom.
George and Angelia parted as their daughter crawled into the bed between them. George smiled down at her whispering in her ear, “Whatever are we going to do with you, Moxie Roxie?” The redhead giggled as the whiskers from his unshaven cheek tickled her own. These were the moments George lived for. It helped him stay out of the dark confines of his mind.
The rain pitter-pattered on the window seal as the three drifted back to sleep.
Sunlight peered through the gap in the curtain. Not a sound of rain to be heard. Rolling over George noticed neither Angelina nor Roxanne was there. He shot up from bed, only to see the door open and the sound of breakfast being managed downstairs. How long had he slept for? Looking up at the clock, it read 8:27.
Thudding down the hallway in the floor above him and the sounds of an argument brought him to his feet to see what all the commotion was about. He knew today was going to be a sensitive day for the family, but he hated the idea of his children arguing on such a day.
“Where did you put my wand, Roxie? You know you aren’t allowed to touch my things, especially my wand.” Fred yelled in the hallway outside his door as George reached the top of the stairs. A flurry of red hair and blue fabric ran past him as the girl whirled around with the scrunched-up grey niffler under her arm.
“I didn’t touch your wand! You always blame me when you can’t find your things.” And she slammed the door to her bedroom shut. A creak behind him indicated Angelina was coming up to break up whatever this fight was. George waved her, indicating he’d handle it. She mouthed a thank you, turning around and heading back to the kitchen. The wafts of bacon and waffles drifted up George’s nostrils, making his stomach growl. That would have to wait.
The children often pranked each other. Foggy had gone on many adventures in the back garden of their townhouse on more occasions than George could count. But he knew this was different. As he made it to the doorframe of Fred’s room he shoved his hands in his bedrobe pockets and leaned against the frame. With a half smile on his face, “What’s this all about?”
Fred was already dressed in his clothes to the train station. Students didn’t change into their Hogwarts robes until after they were on the train, didn’t want to raise any suspicions in the muggle world. Fred wore a jumper and a pair of navy trousers. He didn’t have his shoes on yet but as George looked around, the boy’s room was a mess.
“I went to the bathroom to get my toothbrush and toothpaste to put in my trunk and when I came back I saw Roxie in my trunk messing around! And then I noticed my wand was gone. I know she took it! She’s always taking my things.” Fred balled his hands into fists at his side and sat down on his bed, frustrated tears beginning to well up.
George took out his wand, swishing his wrist in an upside down triangular motion, “Reparo” And the room started to tidy itself back up. Papers folded back on his dresser, socks inched their way back into his truck, and a wand lifted from under Fred’s bed and floated back into the trunk. George walked over to Fred and sat beside him on the bed.
“It seems like you have a bit of an apology to give to your sister.” Fred looked down at his hands as George spoke. “Today’s going to be a pretty tough day for everyone. I don’t think today is the day for pranks. Maybe tomorrow.”
At the mention of pranks another day, George put his arm around Fred’s shoulder and squeezed it. “Besides, your mum has got your favorite breakfast ready downstairs and if you don’t hurry up I am pretty sure Foggy is going to eat every last waffle.” His voice boomed with laughter as he heard giggles down the hallway.
“Best go say you’re sorry before you head downstairs though. I think Roxie was just trying to give you something to remember her by. Wingardium Leviosa.” And with a flick of his wand a drawing, done by Roxanne floated up showing Angelina, George, Fred, Roxanne, and of course Foggy.
Fred got up from the bed and walked over to the trunk. The photo was made of stick figures but showed his curly red hair and George’s height towering over the lot. Fred placed the drawing back into this truck, looking it over and placing his toothbrush, which had been in his jumper pocket, into the side pocket. Grabbing his bag and placing his wand in side the knapsack, the boy turned back to George.
The look on Fred’s face was somber but determined. George motioned for him out of the room. As Fred turned to leave he stopped and looked back at George. His eyes twinkled that mischievous look that his twin would always give him before embarking on something big. Taking quick steps, he flung his arms around George’s midsection. The moment made George’s eyes well up as Fred said into his robe, “Thank you, Dad.”
And without a second thought, the boy ran down the hallway. George stood by the door to eavesdrop.
“Hey Roxie, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blamed you.” George could hear Fred say as he heard the muffles of the siblings hugging. Roxanne giggled, “It’s okay. It’s not your fault you can’t think past the end of your broomstick.” The two could be heard giggling as they walked downstairs.
George let out a sigh of relief, glad that this fight was an easy one to fix. Even though the two could give him a right headache, he knew he’d soon miss this. As he walked into his bedroom, he quickly changed into respectable muggle attire with a button-down shirt, tie, waistcoat, and matching trousers. She shaved his face and ran his fingers through his hair. Grabbing Fred’s trunk, he headed downstairs for breakfast as the trunk followed him in the air.
The children were at the table with Angelina, wolfing down their breakfast. “Slow down Fred, you’ll give yourself a stomachache.” Fred’s cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk’s full of waffle. Picking up a piece of bacon from the center of the table, George walked over to grab a cup of tea.
“We need to leave in the next twenty minutes if we are to get there on time. I’ll make sure to bring the camera. Can’t not get this auspicious occasion on film!” He sat down next to Roxanne, grinning at Angelina. He could tell today would be a hard day for her.
Twenty minutes later the family was standing at the fireplace, Floo Powder pot in Angelina’s hand. “Okay everyone take some, remember to say clearly: King’s Cross Station.” Roxanne going first with determination grabbed of powder said the phrase with gumption. Angelina, surprised her daughter went first, went next. Finally, it was just Fred and George.
“You ready?” George asked. Fred smiled at his father and gave him a nod. With a throw of the powder a clearly pronounced phrase of King’s Cross, Fred was off. George stood in the room alone. It was quiet and a roar of memories flashed in his head. Angelina finding out she was pregnant and that it was a boy and sharing the news with George. Watching Fred take his first steps. Fred going on his first broom ride and falling off and skinning his elbow. Fred holding Roxie for the first time. So many firsts had happened in this house. George shook his head, stepping into the fireplace with the trunk in hand, “King’s Cross Station.”
The wooshing of green flames licked at his body as he slid through the channels of the Floo Network. His throat was always scratchy after a trip. It’s why he preferred apparition, but having children who couldn’t so that meant it wasn’t an option if they were all traveling together. A port key could have worked as well, but they were so finicky. Witches and wizards across the world had recently ended up not where it was supposed to take them. His father had mentioned it the last time they visited the Burrow.
As the tunnel started to slow down, he knew he was about to arrive. His watch read 10:33. Not much time left. His eyes adjusted as he stepped out of the fireplace inside a tavern next to King’s Cross. Families could be seen in droves using the network. Roxanne rushed up to grab his free hand, pulling him towards the exit. “Come on Daddy we have to go…”
As they walked out to the station they quickly passed through the barrier to get to Platform 9 and 3/4 where they found the Potters and his brother Bill. As they walked over to the familiar faces, a worker on the train took Fred’s trunk. George stopped and looked at Fred, “You’ve got your robes?” Fred nodded. “And your wand?” Fred pulled the wand out of his knapsack. And with that George allowed the rail worker to take his trunk along with the owl cage that Angelina had been carrying. The tawny barn owl ruffled his feathers during the exchange.
A bushy-haired James ran over to meet them. “Fred, I saw a couple of kids who said they would save us a seat but we have to hurry or the fifth years are going to make us sit near the bathroom cart!” The Potters and Bill walked over to meet them. Ginny grabbed onto James before he could run off. “And not say good bye to any of us? I think not.”
At the mention of fifth years, a mousy brown haired Teddy Lupin strolled over. The boy had grown since the last George had seen him. He had gotten taller and had filled in a little, no longer the gangly boy. He looked a bit nervous, but pushes his hands in his pockets he looked toward George’s niece Victoire. “Hey Victoire, how was your summer?"
The slender blond haired Weasley blushed, highly aware her whole family was watching her, especially her younger sister doing an “oooh” right next to her. She shoved the girl and walked off with Teddy. She stopped, running back over to Bill and Fleur giving them a big hug. “I’ll write you soon. I love you!”
Bill gave her a huge kiss on the cheek, whispering something in her ear. She started to laugh as she pulled away to catch back up with Teddy. The whistle went off signalling departure would be in ten minutes.
James was swept up into Ginny’s arms as she tried hard not to sob. “Mum….” he said embarrassingly. Harry chuckled and ruffled the boy’s hair. Lily ran in and joined the hug. Albus hung back by his father as Harry put an arm around him. Ginny sniffled, “Now no causes for trouble and if you need anything you can always go to Hagrid for help.”
Angelina taking her queue also swept Fred into her arms. She did care as tears welled into her eyes. She kissed the boy all over the face, with Fred eventually getting out of her hold. He walked over to Roxanne and threw his arms around her. “See you at Christmas,” he said to her. Roxie nodded a little tear in her eye. She wiped it away and went to cling to Angelina’s leg, holding Foggy close to her chest.
George looked at Fred, his breath caught in his chest. This was the moment. He knelt on one knee as he handed Fred his knapsack that had been deposited on the floor. Staring at Fred’s eyes, the boy threw his arms over George’s shoulders. George whispered in his ear, “Cause as much mischief as you can. It’ll be good for ole McGonagall to know she’s got another Weasley.” Pulling back with a twinkle in his eye, Fred nodded to his father.
“I love you, Dad. I’ll make sure to tell you all about it.” With a grin on his face, he gave each of his family members a hug and shoulded up with James. The whistle rang again. Five minutes. With that the boys ran off, showing their tickets at the fifth train car.
George hugged Angelina as she cried into his shoulder. “Damn, I forget to take a photo of us all,” trying to lighten the mood. Roxie was with Lily as they ran up to the train and waved at their siblings as they walked through the train cars to find a compartment to get situated in. Ginny looked at George, “How long do you think it’ll be before we get an owl from McGonagall?”
The steam from the engine started up and the train started to move. The younger children started to laugh and chase the train and the parents waved goodbye to the kids as they hung their heads out the window. Right before the train was completely out the station, Fred’s head popped out the end of the caboose, locking eyes with George. As he and James grinned, sets of fireworks went off out of the train. Kids could be heard screaming and laughing as some of the fireworks escaped through the open windows of the Hogwarts Express.
George and Harry started to laugh. He looked at his sister and chuckled, “Probably by the time we get home.”
His son may not be his twin, but boy could those eyes tell some stories.