Chapter 1 is dedicated to Wizards-Pupil for three reasons: 1. It's her birthday, woo! 2. Her love of all things Fred and George, and 3. She's one of my favorite fanfiction writers. If you've never read her work, go check it out! :)

And so starts our journey.

Weasley Rule #1
by: 93 Diagon Alley

"Has anyone seen a toad? Neville's lost one." As she spoke, a small girl – must be a first year – with big front teeth and even bigger poufy hair stepped into our compartment aboard the Hogwarts Express. My friend Lee laughed a bit at her appearance, causing me to frown before responding.

"No, we haven't, but my brother Fred and I would be happy to help you look; right, Fred?" He glanced at me with a look of surprise before turning towards the girl and nodding. "My name's George, by the way. George Weasley."

She stuck her hand out, and I shook it as she spoke. "Hermione Granger, pleased to meet you. Am I correct in guessing that Ron is your brother?"

I chuckled. "Unfortunately. Seems you've met him already, then; sorry to hear that. Anyway, let's go find that toad."

"Alright. His name is Trevor, though I don't think he'll respond to it..."

We set off down the corridor, looking everywhere we could. 30 minutes later, we were about to give him up for lost when the food trolley came through into our car. We heard a quiet 'croooooak,' causing the trolley witch to jump a few feet, and then we spotted him. "Of course!" I laughed, "he WOULD hide out in the barrel of chocolate frogs!" Hermione let out a small giggle and sent a delightful smile my way. I couldn't help but smile back at her, and Fred gave me a funny look.

"George, I think our Good Deeds Quota is filled for the day...let's go see Lee's tarantula again. Nice to meet you, Granger." He started off down the corridor, so I figured I should follow him.

"It was nice to meet you, Hermione, I'm glad we could help you find that toad. Good luck with the sorting later!" I grinned at her and turned to follow my twin.

"Wait, George!" Hermione called, "What house are you in?"

"Gryffindor!" I shouted back, with a quick turn and a wave.

"Cool, thanks again!" I heard her call as I opened the door to our compartment.

"Where've you been, George?" Lee asked as soon as I closed the compartment door.

"Helping her find that toad! You could've helped too, ya know," I responded.

"Eh, we're not prefects; I've got better things to do than mind the ickle firsties," Lee shot back, obviously torn between feeling surprised and annoyed.

I stood up and puffed out my chest. "Weasley Rule #1 – Always save the damsel in distress!" Fred chuckled at that, and dealt me into their game of exploding snap.

-oOo-

Lee and Fred are itching to start the feast; it's starting to get on my nerves. Yeah, sure, I'm hungry too, but at least let the firsties get sorted! You gotta be fair – we were in their shoes once, too. Wait a second. I'm George Weasley – one half of the most fearsome tricksters Hogwarts has seen since the Marauders! What should I care about ickle firsties?

"Granger, Hermione."

...Oh, right. My new friend from the train.

"Gryffindor!"

And she's in my house! I shoved Fred over a bit and made some room next to me before waving her over. "Hermione!" She turned her head and smiled when she saw me, then started making her way over. "Looks like we're housemates, yeah?"

She grinned and nodded. "I'm just grateful to know someone in my house. You're the only friend I've made so far; that is, if you want to be my friend." A bashful look appeared on her face and she ducked her head.

"I'd love to be your friend," I said with a smile.

-oOo-

We sat through the rest of the sorting and commented on each of the first years as they went.

"Longbottom, Neville"

"Hey, he's the one whose toad we found!" Hermione exclaimed, clapping extra loud when he got sorted into Gryffindor as well.

"Parkinson, Pansy"

"There must be something smelly on her upper lip," I started, "because that face cannot be natural."

Hermione stifled a giggle behind her hand at my comment. "Couldn't have said it better myself!"

"Potter, Harry"

The Great Hall broke out in a buzz of hushed conversation. "He was in the compartment with your brother!" Hermione whispered to me.

"Yeah, Fred and I showed him how to get through the barrier at King's Cross," I responded, "I can't believe ickle Ronniekins is friends with the great Harry Potter!"

Our table cheered extra loud when Harry was sorted into our house. Eventually, we neared the end of the sorting. When "Weasley, Ronald" was called, Fred turned to me and said, "two sickles he's in Hufflepuff."

"You're on," I quickly responded, "two sickles for Gryffindor." When he was sorted into our house, Fred groaned and reluctantly handed me the money.

I could hear Percy shouting, "that's my brother, you know! That makes everyone in the family so far!"

Hermione turned to me in surprise. "HE'S your brother, too? Just how many of you ARE there?"

"Seven. Six boys and one girl. She's the youngest; she'll start at Hogwarts next year. How about you?"

"Wow!" Hermione exclaimed, "Six siblings! I can't even imagine. I'm an only child. Your house must be like a zoo at Christmas!"

I rolled my eyes and gave her a lopsided grin. "You have no idea."

Posted: 17 June 2011
Word Count: 935