Twin Dilemma

Chapter 24: The Flaming Deception

Whatever deceives men seems to produce a magical enchantment.

Plato

"When we woke up the next morning we saw our two baby brothers nestled up to one another in the spare cot, sound asleep with identical grins on their faces," said Bill.

Charlie piped up." It took 6 months to repair our house. Poor Dad was working loads of overtime and Mum was canning everything from the garden to sell at the village market. And the twins were as tight as two peas in a pod."

Bill laughed. "Blimey! They even pulled a prank the next day and Mum didn't scold them at all. They put some of her pickled herring in my shoes and filled Percy's shampoo bottle with pond scum! His hair turned flaming green!"

"And I broke out with a nasty rash." interjected Percy.

Everyone around the table laughed at that, even Percy.

"So how do we get them back together this time?" asked the ever practical Hermione.

Bill looked at Charlie who nodded his accord. Bill said, " Well, we thought of a few ideas but we'll need everyone here in on the plan. And Ron, we'll need you to fill in Lee, Angelina, Katie, and Alicia."

Molly and Arthur looked at one another and nodded in agreement. Harry and Ginny were bobbing their heads up and down while Ron smiled and winked at Percy. Hermione replied, "Hmmmm."

Bill leaned in and outlined the plan. When he was finished he sat back. Everyone else looked at Hermione expectantly.

Hermione was chewing pensively on a strand of hair. It was one of her quirks that Ron adored about her. Finally she spoke, "Yes, I think I can do that by alternating one of Fred and George's daydream charms. The tricky part will be making it last long enough. And deceiving them with their own spells."


After a busy morning in the shop, George was occupied with rearranging merchandise and directing employees to restock items from the back room.
It was Fred's day off. They had worked out a schedule where each worked every other day at the shop to avoid any direct contact. On their off days they continued their experiments in their lab. They communicated through their workers or by terse messages left on each other's desks. Much to their dismay they seemed unable to invent anything successful independent of the other.

George sighed. His thoughts strayed to Chloe. He really missed her creativity and sense of humor. He also missed the exciting sex they had. His mind pictured her in her little leatherette outfit brandishing a whip and telling him what a naughty boy he's been fighting with his brother over toys...

"George!" Lee raised his voice.

George snapped out of his little fantasy. "Pardon?"

Lee replied, "I've only asked you three times if you fancy a cuppa?"

"Oh sorry. Minds on a new product," George said hoping Lee didn't notice him blushing. Looking down at himself, he offered silent thanks to Merlin that he happened to be standing behind a pile of merchandise. Lee wouldn't believe George would get that excited over an idea.

"Sure. I could use a cup of tea. I'm heading to the Burrow to meet Alicia for lunch. Mind the shop for me?"

"Love to." Lee called out as went into the back room to make them tea.

Once in the back room Lee smiled to himself. He put the kettle on with a wave of his wand. While the tea was steeping Lee sent off three express owls.
The first one went to Hermione who immediately apparated to the back room and handed Lee a frothing potion. The second one went to Angelina and Katie who were dragging Fred along for a day of shopping. The message read: "Feed Fred now." His third owl went to find Charlie.

Lee smiled at Hermione and took the potion. He emptied it into the contents of George's tea cup. He added some fancy sweetner to hide the slightly bitter taste.
Hermione made a thumbs up gesture and apparated away. Lee carried the tea out to the shop's counter. He set the cup for George in front of him. George was staring at a bill, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of a certain girl and how he might win her over. He automatically reached for his cup and gulped down the steamy contents without a second glance. Lee let out his breath that he had been holding and relaxed as he chatted with George about their latest market research.

Twenty minutes passed. Lee glanced down at his muggle watch and commented, "George, you'd better moving or you'll be late for Alicia and you do not want to be late for that girl.."

George replied," Right then I'm off." and he apparated to the Burrow.

Alicia was waiting for him on the doorstep looking put upon. George grinned sheepishly and guided Alicia into the kitchen. He began bustling around making lunch and asking Alicia about a local Quidditch team he had some money betted on.

Suddenly flames ignited in the kitchen fireplace and Charlie stepped out. " Hi George. Hi Alicia" he greeted them. "Are you and Fred back on speaking terms?" Charlie asked George.

"No." snapped George. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, I was just at the shop and I saw Fred there with Chloe. Naturally I assumed you two had worked things out."

"He was with Chloe?" George demanded angrily. “That two timing back stabbing sneak! I'm sorry Alicia but I've got to go straighten this out!" With that George apparated away.

Alicia looked at Charlie. He winked back at her. “Five minutes until show time." he smirked. Alicia just laughed.