To Love a Twin

Chapter 10: Quickening

George, Kira, and Ron went back to the flat after Mr. & Mrs. Weasley and Ginny Apparated back to the Burrow. Harry had returned to his house on Grimmauld Place and Hermione to her parent's home. Kira spent the evening cooking the roast she'd bought so that she and George could take sandwiches along on their trip the next day and Ron would have something on hand to eat while they were gone.

The next morning George and Kira planned to go to Hogwarts to see Fred's grave, traveling on the Knight Bus. George had explained to her that the other forms of Muggle transport were physically too taxing to use with a pregnant Muggle.

George and Ron sat in the parlor while Kira began emptying her things from Fred's room, moving them to George's. His drawers really were a mess; things were just stuffed in them without organization or folding. She carefully sorted everything, organizing everything into neatly folded piles and managed to end up with three empty drawers in the bureau. She also ended up with a pile of things that needed mending.

She filled the empty drawers with her own things and turned to the closet. There were two sets of Magenta Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes robes, a set of black robes that looked rather fancy, and a few sets of regular robes like she'd seen other men wearing in the street, also black.

Whenever they'd come into town, Fred, George and the rest of the family had always worn jeans & trainers. Mr and Mrs. Weasley tended to dress oddly. Nothing bizarre, but their outfits had seemed to be outdated in the Muggle world or oddly put together. George's muggle clothes were in a heap on the closet floor. His jumper, the one with the letter G on it, was snagged and torn. Kira tossed it into her mending pile.

Kira turned and looked at the bed. It felt strange, knowing she'd be sharing it with George tonight. She hung her dresses, her winter coat, sweaters, and skirts in the closet. Then she pulled off the apple-green summer dress and hung it up too. She put on her robe and walked out to the hall.

"I'm going to take a bath," she said to George and Ron. "Do either of you need to get in the bathroom first?"

George and Ron looked at each other and shook their heads, so Kira went into the bathroom and ran the tub, pouring in a good amount of her favorite bubble bath. While it filled, she washed some of her things in the sink by hand, wringing them out and laying them to dry over the towel rack. She'd noticed a laundromat near the butcher shop that morning and she made a mental note to go there soon to get some laundry done. How the heck do witches and wizards do their laundry anyway, she wondered?

Kira took her time in the tub and then let the water out. She turned on the taps again and washed and rinsed her hair. She dried off and put her robe back on, grabbing her still damp things from the towel bar and taking them with her into George's bedroom. She opened the window and laid them to dry on the sill. She opened the drawer she'd put her nightclothes in and selected a clean pair of pajamas, a pair that provided maximum coverage. They were deep blue, flannel, and not at all form-fitting.

She got into bed and moved to the far end, against the wall, intending to pretend to be asleep when he came in. But then she realized that she'd be stuck there. And she'd have to climb over George every time she had to go to the bathroom, which she had to do a lot lately. The pregnancy book in the library had said that was to be expected. Fed up, she left the bedroom and stalked down the hall to the parlor. George and Ron were talking about the store and they both turned to look at her.

"Well, are you coming to bed or not?" she snapped, tapping her foot and glaring at him.

George blinked. He had been trying to be considerate by staying up as late as possible. "Yes, dear," he said, now thoroughly confused.

"You'd better do what she says, George," whispered Ron. Blimey, what is it with girls, he wondered? One minute they're all sweet, smiling, the next looking ready to chop a guy's head off. He knew that he sure tried to avoid getting Hermione mad at him and even Ginny had already gotten a ring through Harry's nose.

Poor Harry. He had defeated the worse evil their world had ever seen, but he absolutely quaked at the thought of Ginny's displeasure. Puddlemere United had scoped him out as Seeker, but Ginny wanted him to take Kingsley up on his offer to enter into Auror training. It was more stable, she'd said.

But Ron knew the truth. Ginny wasn't willing to spend her last year at school worrying about thousands of witches throwing themselves at the legendary dark wizard slayer after matches. Somehow, Ginny had even managed to leave Harry convinced it had been his idea to turn down the team.

George got up from the couch and walked into the bedroom, eyeing Kira warily as he passed her. She smiled at Ron and said, "Sleep well." Then she turned and followed George, slamming the door behind her.

"Are you mad at me?" he asked as soon as she shut the door.

"Of course not," she said. "Why would I be mad at you?"

George wondered if it was a trick question. He'd watched his mother and father enough to know if he'd done something to piss her off and didn't apologize, there'd be hell to pay. But, if he hadn't and apologized for nothing, she would get mad at him for being an idiot. There was no winning either way.

"Are you feeling all right then?" he asked, side-stepping the question.

"I'm fine. I wanted to talk to you. I need to sleep on the outside of the bed because I have to get up and go to the bathroom a few times during the night. So you need to get in bed first."

"Okay," he said. "Um...I need to get undressed."

"So, get undressed. I'll keep my eyes closed. Or are you afraid I'll peek?" She turned her back to him and closed her eyes.

"I can always hope," he said, turning and opening a drawer to look for a pair of pajamas. It was filled with her lingerie. He lifted a pink bra out of the drawer, dangling it from his finger. "Uh, Kira, where are my pajamas?"

Kira turned around and saw him dangling her bra. Her face turned red and she whipped it off his finger, folded it, and put it back in the drawer. "The drawers on the left have my stuff in them. The three on the right have your things. Your knickers and socks are in the top, t-shirts and pajamas in the middle, and jeans in the bottom. I hung most of your shirts in the closet. Some things are in my mending pile. And others I'm tossing out because they look terrible. When we get back from Hogsmeade, I'm taking you shopping. Now take your clothes off." Kira turned around and waited.

"You've no idea how long I've dreamed of hearing those words out of a woman's mouth," he quipped while inwardly groaning at the thought of another shopping trip.

"Funny, George. Not!" Kira said.

After a couple minutes, he said. "You can open your eyes now. Thanks for not letting on that our marriage isn't...you know. I totally forgot that Ron was planning on coming today. You'd think he'd have realized that things had changed because we're married, but...well...he's always had the sensitivity of an ox."

"Ron is very sweet," she said. "And I don't want to be the cause of your parents being worried about us. They've been very kind to me."

George pulled back the covers and got into the bed. Kira got in and lay on her side, facing out, on the very edge of the bed. "Good night," she said.

George could feel her tension. He turned on his side, facing her. "Kira, if you don't move closer, you're going to fall out of bed," he said. "I don't bite, you know. Much."

Kira moved closer to him, about a centimeter.

"This is ridiculous," he said. He sat up and slipped his arms under her, moving her closer. "You are so tense. You'll never get any sleep." He began to massage her shoulders. He remembered his father once saying that a good shoulder or foot massage could get mum to forget anything.

Mmmm," she purred, "that does feel good." Within a few minutes she was sound asleep.

When Kira awoke the next morning, George was gone. She walked down to the bathroom and saw the door closed. "George, are you in there?" she asked.

"I'm having a bath," he said. "I'll be out in a minute."

She went into the kitchen and saw that he'd already lit the stove and set the kettle to boil. There was a package on the table with her name on it. Mrs. George Weasley. She remembered standing in the butcher shop when business was slow, writing Kira Weasley and Mrs. Fred Weasley, over and over on pieces of white butcher wrap paper. Seeing it like this seemed odd, discordant.

She opened the package and saw that it contained about six sets of witches' robes from Madam Malkins. Three sets of plain black, another set of dress robes, similar to the gold ones she'd been married in but in deep blue silk, and two sets of heavier ones, obviously for winter, in deep green velvet and black. Two hooded cloaks rounded out the package. One was of heavy black velvet and the other of gold silk one, obviously made to match the gold robes.

She got out her mixing bowl and began to prepare French Toast. Right after breakfast, they were leaving for Hogsmeade. Ron would be minding the store all day.

Soon, George came into the kitchen. He was wearing a set of his black wizard robes. They had their breakfast. When Ron came in, Kira had finished, so she got up and made some for Ron too.

"I'm glad your new things arrived from Madam Malkin's today," George said as she was cleaning up. "I'd appreciate it if you'd dress in them for this trip. We're going to be spending the night in Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade is an entirely wizarding town. It's not like being here, where so many of us use Muggle clothes to blend in once we pass through the Leaky Cauldron. You'll find a small trunk under my bed. It uses wizard space, so it'll hold everything."

Kira nodded, "Sure. Whatever you think best, George," she said.

Kira went and got dressed, taking the package with her.

When George came into the bedroom, she was wearing a set of the black day robes and was in the process of packing a change of clothes for each of them. "Kira, I'm taking Ron down to the store to show him a few things. Then we'll be leaving. I made us some sandwiches from that roast you made last night. I hope you don't think I was being bossy about asking you to wear the robes. It'll just be easier, is all."

"No, not at all. I understood," she said.

"All right then. After you left the kitchen Ron said I was being bossy. He even gave me this book to read. He said he gave one to Harry too." George threw a well-worn copy of Twelve Ways to Charm a Witch on the bed. "He said it really helped him with Hermione and that, as far as he can see, Muggle women aren't much different."

Kira picked it up and began to peruse it. She cracked up laughing. "'Gallantry,'" she read aloud. "'The wise wizard is ever aware of the fine line he must walk between gallant courtesy and condescension. While it is advisable to remove heavy packages from your witch's arms, one should simply offer to carry more lightweight ones to keep her from figuring out that you are giving her the rush.' This is hysterical! I wonder if they have a How to Charm a Wizard book."

"I think you could write that one yourself," he said, taking the book from her hands and tossing it back on the bed. He put his hands on her waist and moved closer, lowering his mouth to hers and giving her a soft, tentative kiss. He was ready for rejection, but hoped it wouldn't come.

Kira, at first, tensed. But it felt so good to have someone touch her again, in a way that was soft, tender, and loving. Her mother had been tender with her when Kira had been very young. But then, when she was about ten, her mother had begun to withdraw into her silence. Until Fred had asked her out, the only human touch she'd had were the slaps and kicks of her father. Her mother had even stopped interceding when her father beat her. And now, George was offering himself, not to replace his brother, but to forge his own spot in her heart. She slid her hands up his chest and entwined her fingers at the back of his neck, holding him to her as she returned his kiss.

"Okay, George," came a voice behind them. "I'm ready--er, sorry," said Ron from the doorway. "You guys gotta learn to shut the door, you know?"

"I can't wait until we get our own place," muttered George.

* * * * *

George helped Kira down as they disembarked from the Knight bus in front of the Three Broomsticks. After setting her down on the pavement, he took her inside and introduced her to Madam Rosmerta, who greeted Kira warmly. Every time George saw Madam Rosmerta, he was struck anew at how much she had aged. Though still hospitable and kind, he knew she felt consumed with guilt over her role in Dumbledore's death.

"Mr. Weasley, your owl arrived yesterday, saying you'd need a room for the night," she said. "I got my nicest one ready for you. It overlooks the garden in the back. If you want to go get settled, I could send tea up. I'm sure two young newlyweds would like to have some privacy."

George had been about to say that they'd had sandwiches on the bus, but Kira said, "That sounds great. I'd love to have tea in the room. Can we have something to eat too? And something sweet too, like cake or something? I'm absolutely starving."

"I can send up a tray of chicken sandwiches and I made a lovely chocolate cake this morning. I still have a couple slices left. For dinner tonight, you will have your choice of fish or turkey. And I'm making cherry cheesecake for desert."

"Sounds wonderful," aid Kira. She turned to see George staring at her quizzically. "What? I am eating for two, you know, maybe even three, according to your mum."

Upstairs, she kicked off her shoes and lay down on the bed. "I think every bone in my body aches from that bus," she said. "Do we have to ride it to get back home?"

"It is a rough ride," said George, who had spent most of the trip holding on to her so she wouldn't end up crushed under the furniture as the bus made its insane trip through the country. He was beginning to wish he'd brought his broomstick. She could ride behind him easily on that. But it would be such a long ride.

He couldn't Apparate with a pregnant Muggle. Both he and Fred had taken Muggle studies in school and knew that Apparition was much physically harder on them than on witches and wizards, as were the Floo Network and Portkeys. So, they had to use strictly Muggle forms of transport, or broomsticks or things like the Knight Bus or the Hogwarts Express.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Nearly two," he answered. There was a knock at the door. George opened it to admit Madam Rosmerta and the tea tray, which she floated over to the tea table that stood in front of the fireplace.

"If you two need anything else, don't hesitate to ask," she said. "How is your brother Bill?"

"He's doing well. He and his wife are expecting a baby in about six months too."

"Give him my regards," she said. "I still feel terrible about that horrible night. It's so hard, knowing I'm responsible for so much evil and not being able to remember."

"Madam Rosmerta, it wasn't your fault. Everyone knows that. Any guilt has to be put on the shoulders of you-know-who and his minions. I still can't believe the Malfoys are getting off so lightly."

"Well, Harry did reveal that Mrs. Malfoy had provided assistance in defeating you-know-who in the end," said Madam Rosmerta.

"Right, and she deserves the pass, but not her husband and son."

"The fines levied against them have greatly reduced their circumstances. Their home and money have been confiscated. The Malfoy family will never be the same. Draco had depended on his father's money to live the easy life of the gentry. Now he's scrambling to find a job, and nobody is interested in hiring him."

"My heart bleeds for him," said George. "But not to worry. I'm surprised you havn't heard. He's engaged to be married to some pure-blood wannabe from Germany who has a fortune at her disposal. Her family only cares about buying her a husband who'll better their less than pure bloodline. Pureblood. You'd think they'd have learned what comes of that mindset."

Kira had been listening to the conversation. That sure was not the George she knew. He sounded so bitter. She got up and padded over to him. "Come on, George. Nothing would be different if they had all been sent to prison. Don't be angry. It doesn't become you. It sounds like this Draco person won't have much chance for a happy life. Come on, sit down. Let's have our tea."

After eating, George borrowed a broomstick from Madam Rosmerta. He and Kira flew together toward Hogwarts. George enjoyed the feel of her arms around his waist as she held on for dear life. They landed on the front lawn of Hogwarts, and George led her up the front steps.

"This is where our children will go to school," he said, opening the doors.

Kira stepped inside the large entry hall, amazed. The hall was so large, she could barely make out the ceiling. In the center were four gigantic hourglasses. A huge man was there, hoisting large baskets of the gemstones up a ladder, filling one with emeralds. One was already filled with rubies, another with sapphires, and the third with topaz stones.

The man looked down and saw them. "George! What'r ya doin' here?" he called.

"Hi Hagrid," said George. "You may not have heard, but I was married a few days ago. I'd like you to meet my wife, Kira. I brought her here to see Fred's grave."

"Nice to meet 'ya, Kira," said Hagrid. "We just got the new House hourglasses in yesterday. They were hit by so many dark curses, they couldn't be repaired. We only got a few days till the start of term. Luckily, we've been able to repair most of the desks, and we've closed off the wing that was destroyed when...er...you know. It'll take a few more months to finish the rebuilding."

Kira knew without anyone needing to tell her that he had been about to say it was where Fred had been killed.

George took her hand and led her back outside, toward the lake where, now, stood a cemetery. Next to the white marble tomb of Albus Dumbledore stood one of black marble that contained the earthly remains of the potions professor he had never lost faith in. Then, fanning out, in circles, surrounding those two tombs were more, in varying shades of marble. The first one they passed by was quite small. The name carved on the top was Colin Creevey. They noticed that were not alone. A dark-haired witch was standing by a tomb where she had just left flowers.

Taking Kira's hand, George walked toward her. "Hello, Andromeda," he called.

She turned and Kira saw that she carried a baby boy who turned, trying to reach for the roses the woman had just placed on a double-wide tomb of pale pink marble. The name on this one was Lupin, and underneath, on the left, was the name Remus and on the right, Nymphadora "Tonks."

"George," she said. "It's good to see you."

"I'd like to introduce my wife, Kira," said George. "Kira, this is Andromeda Tonks. Tonks here was her daughter, and this is Teddy. He is Remus and Tonk's son, and Harry's godson. Andromeda also lost her husband during the dark times."

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Tonks," said Kira. "You have lost so much. We're here to see..."

"Fred, of course," said Andromeda.

But Kira was no longer listening. She had spotted a silvery-gray tomb just beyond the Lupin tomb. It had the name, Weasley, inscribed on it. She began to make her way to it. George went to follow, but Andromeda detained him.

"Let her have her moment, George. I ran into Percy at St. Mungos yesterday. He told me about Kira. That baby will be a great comfort to your parents, like Teddy here is for me."

"Damn him," said George. "Andromeda, I want everyone to think the baby is mine. Life will just be easier for him that way."

"I understand, George, and I told Percy he should not be spreading private family business around. But Percy has his own demons to deal with right now. I want you to know, it's a noble thing you did, marrying for your brother's child."

"It's not just for the child, Andromeda. I love Kira. I know it's still too soon to tell her, but I don't want anyone doubting it. The baby just provided me the excuse I needed."

"Then she is a fortunate girl. Does she return your feelings?"

"I believe she is beginning to."

"Then all will work out for the best. We cannot change the past. We can only accept it and move on. And it is far better to move on surrounded by love than regret and anger," said Andromeda. Then, she turned and made her way out of the maze of marble, the baby's laugher incongruous in this place of sadness.

George approached Kira by Fred's tomb and stood next to her, silent.

"It doesn't seem big enough to hold him," she said. "It's hard to believe he could be reduced to this. The marble is so cold. It's so silent here. Fred was never silent, or cold."

"No Weasley ever was," said George.

"We'd only been together twenty times, did you know that? Only twenty times. He was busy with the store, I know. But sometimes weeks, even a month or more would go by between his visits. Sometimes I doubted him. I used to worry he was just playing me, that he had another girl someplace else. I never really trusted him. Every day, I waited for him to show up in that butcher shop. Every day he didn't come was worse and worse. Then, after the night we made love, he disappeared. I began to think that he'd gotten what he wanted and dumped me, that my father was right about me and no decent man would ever want me for anything other than to use me and toss me aside. Then you came in and told me he was...gone. There was a part of me that was actually relieved that he hadn't just dumped me. Does that make me a terrible person?"

"No, Kira," said George, putting his arms around her from behind. "Wanting the person you love to love you back is normal. Wanting to believe he loved you until the end is normal. And he did. He dedicated himself to making our store a success for you. He wanted to come to you as a success. My family never had much. My dad had a low-level job in the Ministry and his wages had to be stretched to provide for seven kids. Fred used to tell me he planned on giving you a diamond bigger than any the Muggle Queen has even seen. At one point, he was going to fly off to your father's shop and just take you away with him. But then, things got bad. The Death-Eaters took over the Ministry and horrible things started happening. Witches and wizards who were Muggle born were persecuted. Muggles who were married to witches and wizards, well the Ministry dissolved their marriages and then had them arrested as Muggle spies. Fred was scared he'd bring all this down on your head."

Kira reached out her hand and touched the gray marble tomb. "Rest in peace, Fred," she said. "You left a child behind. You'll live forever."

At that moment, with George's arms around her, his hands on her stomach, both he and Kira felt a sudden movement, as soft as a butterfly landing on a leaf, but definitely there. Both looked down in wonder at the miracle of life's ultimate victory over death. They turned to each other and kissed.

A flock of birds in a nearby tree suddenly lifted into flight, the cacophony created by their flapping wings and excited cries sounded just like applause.