Chapter 1: King's Cross Station

by ttdbzgumball

Picture this: it is the 1st of September, 1989, King's Cross Station in London. Crowds of families bustle about here and there, before ending up between Platforms 9 and 10. They run at the barrier and to the unsuspecting Muggle's eye, they suddenly and simply disappear. What they don't see is the world beyond the barrier: there is a scarlet and black steam engine waiting next to a platform packed with people, the air buzzing with noise and excitement. Amidst such people are a family of redheads, and if you listened closely enough, you might even hear their conversation:

'-and your trunks and your books, and are you sure you've got the-'

'Yes, yes, Mum,' grumbled George Weasley, hoisting up his trunk. 'The books are all in the trunk, our clothes are in there as well, and our underwear too! For heaven's sake Mum, will you please calm down?!'

'Bill and Charlie are there, in the Prefects Compartment,' said Arthur Weasley, pointing to a compartment close to the front, 'and Percy is sitting with his friends…'

'Like he even has them,' muttered George's twin brother Fred, and 7-year-old Ginny giggled.

'Anyways, you'd better find a compartment. We're going to find Bill—you two take care of yourselves now.'

They pushed through the crowd and found a compartment near the middle part of the train. Fred and George shared an owl, which they had not named yet, and they put her in first (they had picked a Screech Owl because they thought the name was intimidating and the owl would naturally be as well—instead, the owl was as tiny as a pint-glass), then Fred started to shove and heave his trunk toward the train door. He tried to lift it up the steps but could hardly raise one end and twice he dropped it painfully on George's foot. George was having equal trouble with his own trunk.

Suddenly a head poked out of the door. 'Want a hand?' The boy looked about their age, with dreadlocks and a bright smile.

'Nah, it's alright. We've got this…' George was interrupted by Fred's yelp of pain when his trunk dropped on his foot.

'Doesn't look like it,' laughed the boy, extending a hand.

The trunks were both remarkably heavy, but with the boy's help, the twins' trunks were quickly tucked away in a corner of the compartment, where the boy's trunk already lay.

The boy once again extended his hand. 'Lee Jordan.'

Fred shook his hand. 'I'm Fred and this is my twin brother George—'

'Weasley.' Lee grinned. 'Could tell. So, you're also first years, I take it?'

George smiled at Fred—they could tell Lee was going to be a great friend. 'Yep.'

Before they could say anything else, Mrs Weasley's voice rang through the open train door. 'Fred? George? Are you there?'

A supremely annoyed George poked his head out of the door. 'Yes, Mum, we're here. Coming!'

They hopped out of the train. Before Mrs Weasley could say anything, Fred spoke. 'Mum, don't worry about us, really. It's not like we can't handle ourselves. Honestly Mum, we're 11, not 7-that's Ginny, and she's not hard to miss since she's the only girl here. Us, on the other hand-we are all packed up and calm and ready to go to Hogwarts, which is more to say then for you, Mum.'

'I know, it's just-' Molly Weasley began, only to suddenly and spontaneously burst into tears. 'My goodness, you're all so old now! It seems like yesterday that Bill had HIS first day of school, and now he's already in his last year and even Ginny's going to start school in a few years...' She broke down into sobs.

'Now, now, Molly,' murmured Mr Weasley, giving her a handkerchief. 'Let's not make a scene...'

'Exactly Mum,' said George, rolling his eyes impatiently. 'You cry like this every single time...'

'Besides,' said Fred, smirking a mischievous smirk which the Weasley family knew by now meant nothing but trouble, 'George and I have decided for the benefit of the doubt to-ahem-turn over a new leaf. Fresh new start-fresh new personalities, fresh new everything. Isn't that right, my dear Georgie?'

George stared at him dumbfounded for a moment before catching on and regaining his usual composure, but not before the rest of the Weasley family got suspicious. 'Why yes indeed, my dear Freddie. Yes we are,' and the two of them winked at each other.

A whistle sounded promptly, reminding them that they had to board the Hogwarts Express.

The twins clambered onto the train and leaned out so that Molly kissed their foreheads. 'Remember to write! And if you ever need anything, just send us an owl and we'll make sure it gets to you. And don't forget to wrap up warm when it gets cold…'

'We will, Mum,' the twins chorused before she could finish her lengthy list of demands.

Ginny hugged them as best as she could tightly. 'Tell me everything when you come back!'

Fred—or was it George?—reached out through the window and ruffled her hair. 'Of course we will.'

9-year-old Ron waved. Fred tossed him a sweet. 'Here you go, ickle Ronniekins, just in case you go hungry.'

The great steam engine began to move as the twins waved frantically at their mother and siblings, and shouted: 'Bye! Goodbye, everyone!' until the train steadily moved out of sight, as even then Ginny huffed and puffed and ran to try and catch up before finally giving up and waving.

The twins finally settled back down and relaxed and waited until Lee came back into the compartment holding a pack of wizarding cards. 'Anyone up for a game of Exploding Snap?'

Meanwhile, back at King's Cross, Mr Weasley patted Mrs Weasley on the back. 'Molly, don't worry about them. I know it's only their first year, but Fred and George have proven themselves more than capable of taking care of themselves and each other.'

Molly shook her head. 'Honestly, I'm not worried about them. It's Hogwarts I'm worried about.'

Arthur smiled, though he looked uncertain. 'What's the worst they could do?'

Molly turned to retrieve Ginny and Ron. Ginny was still waving in the direction of the now long-gone train, while Ron looked very uncomfortable.

Arthur looked at him. 'Ron? Are you alright?'

Ron shook his head and stuck out his tongue. It suddenly blew up to 5 times its normal size.

'RON!' screamed Mrs Weasley. 'WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED TO YOUR TONGUE?'

Ron tried to speak, but nothing coherent would come out of his mouth. Arthur gave him a pen and a piece of paper and he wrote down, F&G's sweets.

Mrs Weasley was positively livid. 'Those little—'

'Mom, calm down. It'll subside in an hour.' said Ginny, barely holding in her laughter. 'Or at least that's what Fred and George said—they're not ENTIRELY sure though.'

'You know, I think you're right,' nodded Mr Weasley. 'I'm not sure Hogwarts is ready for Fred and George.'

Hey guys! This is ttdbzgumball here and I hope you enjoyed Chapter 1-it was really fun writing it! If you did, please review and leave a like! Also, check out, follow and favorite my friend Shadow of the Blue Moon's fanfic, Harry Potter and the Twists of Destiny-it's really good! Thanks and see you in Chapter 2!

-ttdbzgumball

P.S. Yes, the sweet Ron swallowed is a prototype of Ton-Tongue Toffee-a nod to Dudley in Goblet of Fire. By now, the twins are already starting to develop their trademark sweets, which will be expanded on more in later chapters.

UPDATE: 18/7 Guysssss Chapter 2 is nearly ready! Here's a preview:

('Brilliant,' said Fred, after winning his 4th game of Exploding Snap. 'so what do we do now?'

Percy suddenly poked his head through the door.

'Oh, so there you are,' he said haughtily. 'I was wondering where you were—not that I care, of course. Father told me to keep an eye on you.')

I hope you guys have enjoyed and will enjoy the story!

Thanks, ttdbzgumball