Thick as Thieves

The next day, I tried my best to keep to myself. My head ached, and I needed to sort through my thoughts. I was sitting alone in my dorm room. Angelina and Alicia were at Quidditch practice and the other girls were gone as well. I enjoyed the silence as it gave me time to myself.

On my bed, I had an old box with precious photos and notes written on folded parchment paper. They were simple possessions, but priceless to me. Almost all of the memories I considered most sacred were with the twins. I saved just almost all of our doodles we drew during class, and I had every single photograph we've ever taken together ranging from first year to just now.

My hands stopped as I came across a photo of Fred and I from just last year at the Yule Ball. I gazed at it, unable to control the fluttering of my heart as I stared at his charming smile and warm eyes. Fred and I shared a glance before putting on our best smiles for the camera.

Watching us, our smiles and laughter, took me back to the memory that seemed like it was only yesterday.



Despite the four and a half years we already spent together, I never saw the girls in my dorm come together and chatter anxiously as much as tonight… and to think, it was just over a silly dance.

Angelina was modeling her dress as Alicia helped braid Tessa's long golden hair. Meanwhile, Cassie was putting on makeup as I stared at the dress on my bed. It was a long black dress with sheer sleeves covered in shimmering roses that stopped at my elbows. The fabric was so smooth and sheer, I felt like I was clothed in shimmering moonlight. It was an unbelievably beautiful dress made for a girl far more elegant than myself. Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking when I purchased it.

"You're going to look absolutely gorgeous!" Tessa beamed excitedly.

Alicia nodded in happy agreement, "George's jaw is going to hit the floor when he sees you."

Their words were kind, but only caused me to feel even more embarrassed. "He's just my best friend," I said with a shrug. The only reason George and I were going together was because Fred decided to ask Angelina at the last minute.

"Well you're bound to catch some lucky guy's eye tonight," Alicia shrugged.

Angelina gave me a smile and said, "She's right, you know. If I didn't know that you and Fred were just friends, I'd be so jealous."

I forced a smile, realizing she meant her words as a compliment and not a jeer… though it felt like one.

After three solid minutes passed of just staring at the dress, I finally mustered up the strength to put it on. I quickly dabbed on some makeup, and I did my dark hair in a long poofy braid. When I emerged from the bathroom, the girls cheered.

When all of us were finally ready, we headed for the Great Hall. Tessa and Cassie's dates were waiting outside of the common room, but Alicia, Angelina, and I made plans to meet Fred, George, and Lee at the Hall. As I walked, I tried not to trip over my own two feet. I rarely wore heels and not just because of how uncomfortable they were, but mostly because I looked something like a newly born unicorn stumbling on weak ankles.

When we finally made it down to the final step of stairs, I saw Fred and George chatting with Lee at the bottom. Without waiting a second, Angelina and Alicia made their descent down the steps, but I was frozen for a moment longer.

Lee spotted Alicia first, and Fred and George followed his gaze towards us. I stared at them, my two best friends, and was surprised at how good they looked in their matching dress robes. The rustic orange under the jet black dress robes really was striking, especially complimenting their fiery hair.

It wasn't until my feet were on the ground floor did I realize their stares. I blushed furiously and said sheepishly, "Okay, stop it. You're just trying to embarrass me."

"Not at all," George whispered.

"You look incredible," Fred grinned. After receiving a dirty look from Angelina, he added, "You all do."

Angelina looped her arm through Fred's and pulled him into the Great Hall. Following her lead, I took George's arm and together, we walked through the doors and into the Hall.

I was astonished how much it transformed from our dining area into a beautiful dance floor. It was as if winter had blown through, leaving icy crystals in its wake. From the ceiling, snowflakes that never melted drifted down. There were three giant Christmas trees behind the Head Table, and the rest of the tables were covered in a shimmering silver table cloth. People were anxiously gathered around, waiting for the arrival of the Champions.

Soon the champions began to walk in: Viktor Krum from Durmstrang and Hermione led the way followed by Fleur Delacour and her date, Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang were next, and finally, Harry and Parvati entered the hall. George and I watched anxiously as the Champions did their traditional first dance.

George bent down and whispered, "They're good, but I have to say, Ron and McGonagall's dance in the common room was better."

I giggled and nodded in agreement at the memory of McGonagall embarrassing Ron by forcing him to dance with her.

As the dance finished up, students began to crowd the dance floor. The classical music was replaced by the loud voices of the Weird Sisters. Snatching his hand, I dragged George out to the dance floor where we jumped and twirled and had the time of our life. He spun me around, and I twisted in giddy delight.

Though it remained cool in the Hall, thanks to magic of course, we eventually grew tired and sweaty. George and I found a table, and Fred eventually joined us.

"Angelina's gone to fix her makeup," Fred explained. "Can't see why. She's going to sweat it off in no time."

"I'll go grab us some drinks," George offered before getting up to leave.

Fred smiled, "You really do look amazing, Miss Thorne."

"You clean up rather well yourself, Mr. Weasley." I replied teasingly.

A younger student, probably a fourth year, came over to our table with a camera. "Would you like a picture?" He asked, raising his camera ever so slightly.

Fred nodded, "Sure, why not? Last time you'll see me in dress robes for awhile, so might as well make the memory last."

Fred and I got to our feet and stood side by side. I smiled, waiting for the flash of the camera, but then Fred slipped his arm around my waist. Chills shot through me, and I looked up at him, smiling foolishly. His eyes met mine, and we laughed before looking back at the boy with grins on our faces.

Flash.

The boy said he'd have the pictures ready within the week before leaving to take more photos. Fred and I sat back down, laughing as we blew fake snowflakes at each other.

"Alright," George grinned as he returned, "drink up."

"I don't think I like that grin of his," Fred responded, evaluating his brother's cheeky smirk.

I agreed, "Me either… I better not turn into a flobberworm after I drink this.

Fred lifted his goblet, sniffed the liquid within, and recoiled quickly. "Bloody hell, George, that's strong! Where'd you get so much firewhiskey?" Fred chuckled quietly, glancing over his shoulder as if McGonagall would overhear.

George winked, "I've got my resources."

"Well, mate, cheers!" Fred applauded before taking a long swig.

"Bottoms up!" George cheered while handing me a drink.

After the three of us finished our drinks, we were back on the dance floor acting even more ridiculous than before. Fred and George were waving their long arms as if they had eaten a dozen Canary Creams, and I twirled and jumped all around them. However, the fun came to a halt when Angelina returned and stole Fred away.

Shortly after Fred left, George bent down and asked, "Hey, do you want to get out of here?"

Laughing for no reason, I agreed.

George snatched my hand, and we skipped up to the towers. Letting him lead the way, I stifled giggles as we sprinted through the corridors and up a tall circular stairwell.

"Where on earth are we going, George Weasley?" I gasped, nearly out of breath from sprinting all the way up to the towers. He flashed me a mischievous grin before taking out his wand and giving it a flick. I watched in amusement as a ladder descended from the ceiling. "The Divination classroom? You're going to make me study?"

"You'll have to wait to find out," George chuckled before climbing the ladder.

Without waiting a second, I followed after him. When we made it up to the classroom, I was greeted by the thick perfumes and incenses that filled the air. It was warm, but not terribly stuffy like it normally was. George waved his wand and the fire burst to life, and all of the candles sparked little flames.

"I always liked the Divination classroom… not Trelawney's biggest fan, but she sure knows how to decorate." George smiled before plopping down into a squishy red chair.

I sank into the chair beside him and stared at the ceiling. "You know, you're kind of remarkable." I murmured before glancing over at him. "I'm so lucky we're best friends."

George gave my arm a playful nudge and replied, "Now, now… don't go getting all sappy on me."

"I'm serious," I insisted. "I guess I'm lucky you two targeted me for that prank first year."

George pulled a flask from his robes and untwisted the cap. "And Fred and I are lucky you decided to spare us from your wrath." George laughed before taking a swig.

When he offered it to me, I drank happily from it, enjoying the warmth running down my throat.

"Inseparable ever since," I sighed in content. "Well, until just recently, at least."

"You say it like it's a bad thing we've spent so much time just the two of us." George pouted.

I grabbed his hand while shaking my head furiously. "Of course not!" I swore fiercely. "You know I love you."

George stared at me, his eyes burning bright, and he sighed. I watched as he took a long drink of firewhiskey, trying to chase down words and fear. I wasn't sure what was wrong, but I knew that I had to make it right. He was my very best friend, and I would do absolutely anything to see him smile.

"You know the best way to tell you and Fred apart?" I asked with a mischievous grin.

"I'm sure you know. You never confuse us even when our own mother does." George half smiled. "Tell me."

"You have the tiniest little mole right there on your neck," I explained, reaching over and gently touching the tip of my index finger to the mole on his neck. As he looked down, I lightly brought my finger up to give his nose a soft flick. "Got you." I giggled.

With that simple gesture, George was laughing with me. He jumped from his seat and on top of me as he began to tickle my ribs. We were laughing as I begged him to stop, my hands grabbing his as I squirmed beneath him.

Suddenly, he stopped. My laughter faded as I looked up into deep brown eyes. He stared at me, my lips, my eyes until he slowly bent down. I felt it coming, knew what was happening, but I did not stop him. His lips, so soft and sweet, met mine in a tender kiss.

As I cleared the firewhiskey from my mind and realized what was happening, I pulled away with a small smile on my face.

"Hey…" I mumbled drunkenly.

George's eyes widened to the size of Quaffles, and he frowned, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to… I don't know what came over me."

"Don't be sorry," I insisted, "you're my best friend, Georgie."

"You're mine, too, Mia."

Looking at him, his eyes burning holes in my heart, made me feel more frightened than ever before. We were friends, and I was so terribly scared of losing what we had. I've seen relationships crumble, and I couldn't bear to even imagine a life without George. It would have been so easy to cross that line, but I couldn't.

"We'll always be friends," I promised, a slight insistence in my voice.

George replied quietly, "Yeah… friends."

Kissing George ignited a spark in me, a dangerous spark that had the potential to roar into a raging wildfire, but I couldn't react. He was my best friend, so I pushed those feelings down, buried them deep inside of me.

George and I talked for awhile longer, but soon, we were walking back to the common room.We said goodnight, and I collapsed as soon as I made it to my bedroom.

That night, I dreamt of brown eyes and mischievous smiles.



I bit down on my lip as my heart thumped loudly against my chest. For the first time since that night, I let myself think about how it felt to kiss George. It was confusing, terrifying. I could remember the fear buzzing in my clouded mind.

And there I was, foolish me, trying to repeat history. Wouldn't loving Fred as anything more than a friend ruin everything I tried so desperately to spare by pushing George away?

Of course it would. There was only one solution.

I had to distance myself from Fred… at least for the time being.