onlyholey | 1 Mischief Managed

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1 Mischief Managed - [Video]

[The camera opens on the video feed. Not much can be seen, as what appears to be a hand is covering most of the camera. There is a THUNK as the device is thrown onto a hard surface and skids slightly until it settles, setting up a clear view of the edge of the fountain. A young man is standing waist-deep in water, drenched to the skin. He pushes his fiery red hair out of his eyes, and peers towards the device with what may be an extremely familiar freckled face.]

Look, if someone’s trying to make a point here, I have bathed today.

[He’s seemed to have worked out that the device is broadcasting, and is nonplussed by it. He hoists himself out of the water and sits of the edge, trying to shakes the water out of his sleeves.]

And Ron, if this is another one of your misguided attempts to ‘cheer me up’, I must say that you’ve reached a bit of an all-time low. Dropping me into a fountain, really? Absolutely no finesse at all. In fact I’m considering disowning you on the spot. And I have water up my ear-hole.

[He tilts his head over and gives it a smack to try and dislodge the water. Wear his left ear should be, there is simply a dark hole in the side of his head.]

If the water seeps into my brain I am holding you personally responsible. I don’t need to be brain-damaged on top of being horribly disfigured.

[He hops to his feet and scoops up the device, holding it level with his face as he turns around, surveying his surroundings.]

Now. Where in bleeding hell am I?

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Yes, I am here alright.

[More water goes flying as he shakes out his sleeves.]

Is there a reason that's surprising?

I haven't seen you in—

[No. Stop. She remembers how Fred took that news and she doesn't want to bear it again. Perhaps it's awful to lie by omission, but she doesn't want to mar would could very well be a wonderful family reunion. Let's all be happy, shall we? Please.

So Ginny moves on, still beaming.]

It's not surprising. It's brilliant. Perfect, even. Are you alright?

[It's rather odd thing to say, considering he saw her yesterday. But he still isn't convinced that he's not dreaming, so he'll ignore any of the weirder things that come out of her mouth.]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks I'm brilliant and perfect.

[He tries his best at a winning smile, but it cracks slightly at the end.]

Course I am, Ginny. Why wouldn't I be?

[She's been watching carefully, of course. She's been trying to pick up any and all clues on the timeline George is on, and there's something to his smile that isn't quite right, but that could be anything. Maybe it's not because he's further along than she is, maybe it's not because he's from around the same time their brother is.]

Well, for starters, you landed in the fountain. Though I suppose that's nothing too different from when you're inventing things that explode with slime.

[All joking aside, though - her smile softens around the edges.]

It's really good to see you, George.

It's good to see you, too.

Even though I saw you about 5 hours ago.

[He drops his head with the pretense of emptying out his shoe.]

According to some other people around here... and what you first said...

Is Fred here, too?

It's been a bit longer than five hours.

[That is murmured under her breath. Ginny resists the urge to avert her gaze from the camera, because this isn't anything to hide, but she doesn't know how George'll react to... Alright. She takes a deep breath, then, softly and evenly - ]

Fred's here. Has been for a few weeks now. I was hoping... I was really bloody hoping you'd come along soon, and here you are. [She pauses, biting her lip, then adds,] Welcome to the City.

[George's face lights up, just for a moment, before it settles back into something more cynical. Hearing it from Ginny makes it a little more real than from some random passing stranger. Still, until he sees the prat with his own eyes...]

There you go with 'The City', too. Hasn't anyone come up with a better name yet?

[Oh, Merlin. That expression. She knows it all too well. She doesn't blame him, really, something like this needs proof and when it's family... And George doesn't even ask after Fred at this point. He must be from later on, then.

Bloody hell.]

Afraid not, Georgie. This is the City and if you've just arrived, I can't possibly be the first person to tell you about it. People tend to flock towards the new ones, but I expect it's better to just ask questions and I'll answer as best I can.

[She doesn't want to answer questions about the City. She wants to ask question about George, how he's doing, how he's really doing, but something like that shouldn't be over the network.]

But I've a few questions for you, too.

So far it's just been that little bloke with the glasses who looks like he might be our first cousin. And I think my only question at the moment is where I can bloody change.

[He tips out his other shoe ruefully, sending a stream of water back into the fountain.

He looks up at her final sentence, and fixes her with a careful stare. He knows that voice. He's been hearing people talk to him with that voice in a steady stream for four months, now. He's learned the hard way that it's better not to ignore them.]

Alright, then.

We've clothes for you.

[She says that almost dismissively, but really it's just the concern washes over everything else. She can't believe hoping for their brother to come to the City actually worked. Maybe that was the secret to it. Maybe if you wished... but she's done that dozens of times throughout her long stay here, and it's never worked before. Maybe it really was just the twins and how they must always be together.

Ginny hesitates a little at the glance George sends her way, though she's normally so fiery under most circumstances. This is different. This is so much different from being indignant in the face of their mother or the Carrows.]

This'll sound... really sodding mad, but humour me, alright? [She meets his gaze as best she can through the camera.] When are you from? What's the last thing you remember before coming here?

[It is a bit of an odd question. But this whole situation is a ruddy great mess, anyway, and there doesn't seem to be very much gained from fighting it.]

It's the September, Ginny. 1998. Last thing I remember - I guess I'd just closed up the shop. Ron'd gone home a few hours before.

[September. September 1998. Merlin's great saggy...

Ginny sits back in her chair, not quite able to mask just how stunned she is. That's farther than anyone else she can remember. Even Harry, who was the most ahead of them when he arrived a year and a half ago - he was still from immediately after the battle. Still ragged and exhausted and dirty from it. Fred, too. She knows the battle takes place in May, but four months ahead?

She can't even imagine it. What it must be like for George, their parents, herself, any of them.]

September of 1998. [She shakes her head.] It was March last, for me. It's been a lot longer than a few months, but... Merlin, George.

What do you mean, March? None of it's happened to you, yet?

[Don't make her feel guilty, now, George. Something flashes behind her eyes, hardens her jaw, but she wills her voice to stay even.]

No. I've not lived it yet.

[But she doesn't know if she wants to deal with the crippling losses just yet.]

But I know all about it. Everyone's told me.

Everyone? Who else is here?

Just Fred, now.

[She's been without world-mates for ages. Hermione came and left. Before her, it was Tom Riddle and Bellatrix Lestrange, but Ginny hasn't even told Fred that. Before them, no one. No one for over a year. Without family, it was even longer. She's been here for two and a half years. Three in December.

But she'll happily stay longer if it means she can be with both twins and without the war hanging over their family.]

And you as well, of course. [She smiles.] I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sounds like they decided to bring the best of the family back together again.

[He smiles at her, genuinely this time. If he's going to get stuck in a weird alternate universe... well let's just say that he's happy she's stuck here, too.

He just WISHES that Fred would show his ruddy face. All this talking about him - knowing he's here. After months of wishing to be able to see him again. It starting to make him feel just a little bit crazy.]

[Smiling. Good. This, she can deal with. This is how it should be. The conversation she had with Fred following his arrival had been so difficult - but necessary - and maybe this time it'll be better for all of them. Fred's got George and George's got Fred. This is how it should be. It's not their whole family, but it's more than she's had in forever, and she can't wait to be in the same room as her twin brothers again. Weasleys never stay apart for long.]

Naturally.

[She glances over her shoulder to something off-camera.]

I think I'll let Fred fetch you. It's only right.

Is he with you right now?

[It's almost too much to hope for, at this point. But just maybe...]

[She flashes a bright grin at him.]

I expect he's on his way. D'you really think he'll just sit on his arse when you're around?

Well, it is something he's fairly good at.

[He can't help the grin that's spreading all over his face now. He's talking about Fred. Making jokes about him, without anyone looking at him with that knowing, pitying look he's started to hate. And knowing he's going see him soon... well what the hell is taking the git so long.]

You know what else he's fairly good at? Setting off a load of fireworks without telling anyone. You're the slightly responsible one, so just keep in mind that I'd like a bit of warning the next time a Deflagration Deluxe goes off while I'm at work.

Edited 2011-08-26 17:40 (UTC)

He bloody didn't! How'd he manage to make any in two weeks? Fred is rubbish at potions on his own.

He didn't make all of it. There were a few boxes left over from the last time you were both here, two years ago. I kept them just in case you came back.

[She looks a little sheepish for being so sentimental, but she'd always hoped she'd have family again. And though she always spoke of using her brothers' products while they were away, she'd look into the boxes and close them again. It didn't feel right if they weren't around to laugh with her about it.]

Two years ago?

[This... needs some explaining, little sister.]

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