Chapter Two

Letters, Pranks, and Shockers

June 1996

Waking in the early morning I set myself up at the kitchen counter and start writing letters to the local businesses about a possible collaboration. I make a list of every business and scratch off each one once I've completed the letters. I set each letter aside in a pile to review later before sending them out.

 Weasleys ' Wizard Wheezes are next on the list of businesses to write to. Pondering whether or not to reach out is a battle of logic and pride. Their store is booming with customers and it would be the most logical decision to attempt to collaborate, but would they ignore me? Would they deem my invitation as something lesser or not worth it?

I start the letter with Dear Mr. and Mr. Weasley and glance at the clock. “Shit!” I exclaim. 

Grabbing my letters, parchment, and quill I run downstairs to open the store. I prepare everything for the day by fixing up the inventory and settling myself behind the counter thinking of how to go about this letter. It’s probably best to keep the letter short, quickly getting to the point. 

Dear Mr. and Mr. Weasley,

How are you?

I recently opened Patil’s Prodigious Potions and I’m reaching out to all the businesses throughout Diagon Alley in hopes of a possible collaboration to add some light back to the community. I have a few ideas on potions and other products that may work for your business. Please let me know if you're interested and we can set up a meeting to discuss such possibilities. 

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Aditi Patil

After reading over all the letters and deciding they’re all good I prepare my short-eared owl, Kali, for a tedious day that is hopefully full of treats for all her hard work. Patrons enter the store throughout the day either browsing or deciding to buy from my inventory. I start to feel a sense of accomplishment but know I'm only getting started. I’m going to create things to truly impact people either by bringing joy or by helping to protect their health. 

In the very late afternoon, I received a bright orange envelope with a purple wax seal showing the logo of two wizards back to back with their wands out. Immediately I knew who the letter was from, though I hadn’t expected such a quick response. Nervously opening the letter, I pulled the parchment out as confetti and tiny fireworks burst out from the envelope. I jump with shock and a small tug pulls my lips into a slight smile. I shouldn’t have expected anything less. 

Shaking my head, I look down at the letter and it’s blank. I’m confused at first and began to feel a bit irritated. Why would they send me a blank letter? I look at the letter more closely and see a light sheen cascading it and I understand what they’ve done. Cheeky bastards. I cast Revelio on the letter and the inky black words from a quill come to fruition. I am once again reminded of my days in Hogwarts and an ongoing challenge that never ceases.

Ms. Patil,

We are doing amazing, how are you?

Although we are surprised to hear from you, what you’ve proposed has intrigued us. We would love to meet with you to discuss such possibilities of collaboration. If you are able to meet us at The Three Broomsticks on Saturday at 8 p.m. please let us know. 

Looking forward to hearing back from you,

George Weasley

I find myself panicking for a moment. I need to prepare my presentation of all my ideas that may work with their business and clientele. I’d like to believe I have a pretty good understanding of their business and the products they sell. During our last year at Hogwarts, I was able to see and use some of them. 

I take a deep breath to sort my nerves and the overwhelming feeling of… I'm not even sure honestly. This could be a promising collaboration and would make my business more popular, without a doubt. Grabbing my muggle notebook full of ideas and spare parchment, I begin compiling and sorting my ideas into a neat presentation to offer to the Weasley twins. 

Fortunately, my store was busier the following days than it had been the previous day and I relished in it. After closing the store for the day I head upstairs and sit in my living room devising a form of revenge for the letter the Weasleys sent me. I feel the beginning of a plan starting to formulate within my head. If they decided to have something explode at me then maybe I should spin it back at them. 

After perfecting my prank and setting it for 15 seconds after the letter has been taken out, I seal it within the letter while calling out for Kali. She flutters by after a few moments and rests beside me waiting for the letter to be tied to her. I hand her a couple of treats and send her off towards Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, basking in what I know will happen.

❇❇❇ 

June 1996

Fred and George sit on opposite sides of the couch, still in their orange and purple suits, lost in thought. Fred ponders how he can make this charm work on the rubber duck in his hands for a new joke. George looks over the accounts and costs to create all their products, crunching numbers.

 A quiet swooshing sound is heard from the window. A loud tapping at the glass causes both twins to look towards an owl they’ve come to start recognizing. George gets up and opens the window for the short-eared owl as he grabs the letter. Fred joins him with some treats for the small creature. 

“Well, are you going to keep staring at it or are you going to open it?” Fred teases as the bird quickly flies off.

“Alright, bloody hell,” George huffs and grumbles under his breath, “Impatient bastard.”  

Both look at the letter as George opens it and takes out the written message. 

Dear Weasleys’,

That works perfectly for me. I’ll see you then. 

Adi Patil

P.s. I hope you enjoy my letter. 

As both Weasley twins finish reading a strange sound starts emitting from the envelope. Suddenly, with a flash of light, the Weasley's clothes are drained of all color, which is now emitting brightly from inside the envelope. There's a harsh clap ricocheting off the walls as the color shoots out of the envelope, cascading colors of orange, purple, and brown all over the walls, ceiling, floor, and furniture. The twins are dumbstruck for a moment before Fred starts laughing, shortly George joins in, unable to help himself. They look around the room and slowly see the colors fade from all surfaces and return to their suits, falling into more bouts of laughter at this.

“Godric, it was a good idea to do business with Adi, I suppose. Good to know she’s still got it after everything,” Fred chuckles again as George shakes his head with a smile.

❇❇❇ 

The waiting period until the meeting with the Weasly twins passes fairly quickly due to my store gaining more traction. I found myself closing up after a wonderfully busy day and heading upstairs to gather my presentation. 7:30 p.m. rolls around quickly after my shower. I get dressed in something a little more professional in hopes of looking like I mean business. 

I decided it would be best to be 10 minutes early so I apparate to The Three Broomsticks. Nerves soaring through me, I walk into the pub and sit at a table in the back of the room. I set up and organize my presentation, placing the copies of the plans on the table for both Fred and George. 

I look through my notes once again making sure I haven't forgotten anything when a cold Butterbeer is placed in front of me. I followed the arm of the person who brought the beverage to see someone I haven't seen in a long time. I start to feel a smile tug on my lips as I stare up at him. 

“Terance Higgs? I thought you were in Germany!” I exclaim standing up to give my old teammate and long-time friend a side hug. 

Terence gives a short laugh and explains he came back to announce some exciting news to his parents. Terence explains he and his girlfriend have just gotten engaged. He then looks across the pub pointing out his fiance and asks if I’d like to join them. 

“I would love to have dinner with the both of you in celebration of your engagement if you both will be in town for a while but I have a business meeting starting soon,” I smile, “ Just send me an owl and we all can plan something together.”

“Alright Adi, will do,” He departs with a wave as two redheads make their way towards the table I have set up for our meeting. Ignoring the Weasleys for the time being I watch the sweet couple begin the conversation again from the other side of the pub. 

“Patil,” George calls my attention. I look between both Weasleys and gesture toward the seats. All three of us settle into our seats at the table as the meeting begins.

“I’d like to begin this meeting with you both by saying thank you for joining me to discuss our possible collaboration,” I feel a small smirk blooming on my face, “I hope you enjoyed my letter, as it once again showed my ability in case you’ve forgotten. In front of you, I have laid out copies of my presentation so it’s easy to follow along with. I've also placed muggle pens out in case you'd like to make note of anything.”

“Interesting, I’ve never had the pleasure of using a muggle pen oddly enough.” Fred amused and began looking through the copy laid in front of him. I steal a glance at George to find he’s already looking at me probably wondering the same thing. Are you going to bring it up? He says nothing as he looks down at his copy.

“I see you’re quite thorough,” George looks towards me trying to see if I will react. 

Ignoring the comment I begin to explain my ideas. They give me feedback as we brainstormed what would and wouldn’t work for these possible products. We go through two rounds of Butterbeer, not including my extra one from Terence, as I fill my notebook with ideas, suggestions, and concerns both the twins and I have expressed. 

“E.B.P.s?” George’s face scrunches, “It’s not quite catchy, is it?”

“No,” Fred drawls, “What about Effortless Elixers?”

“We can’t. It sounds too close to a popular trademark,” we sit back thinking of what to call our collaboration item, “How about Easy-Brewed-Potions?”

“It could work,” Fred breathes.

“Can I look at the list of possible potions we might include?” George points towards my notebook and continues, “I’d like a copy of my own.”

“Oh, of course,” passing my notebook over to him. He takes it from me and starts writing down all the potions we thought about including in the kit.

~ Alihotsy Draught

~ Babbling Beverage

~ Manegro Potion

~ Pompion Potion

“At our next meeting, we should think about possibly adding on more potion to the brewing kit,” George looks up to Fred and I, “I think we should meet at our store next time. We have all our equipment in the backroom so maybe we can start testing what potions will be easily enough for the younger witches and wizards.”

“That’s fine with me,” Fred continues, “would Monday at 7 p.m. work, Adi?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. I'll make sure to bring over my potions pack and extra ingredients we may need as well,” I smile as I begin to gather my things and down the rest of my Butterbeer.

After the twins compile their copies and note as well we stand and start walking towards the exit, entering onto the streets of Hogsmeade. I breathe in the night air feeling a sense of fulfillment in our collaboration. Turning, I stick my hand out to George in the form of a goodbye. 

“I am looking forward to doing business together,” as our hands touch in a handshake I feel a jolt of warmth course through me.

 Our eyes snap up to meet each other and I feel my cheeks start to tint. I feel as if I'm trapped under a spell as I cannot tear my eyes away from his blue ones. I feel a shiver run up my spine and I harshly break the connecting as I move to shake Fred's hand next. 

Fred stares between us oddly with a hint of a smirk on his face. I can still feel George's eyes on my back causing that odd feeling to come coursing back through me again.

“We are looking forward to it as well,” Fred winks at his brother as he extends his hand. 

As I shake his hand I feel a harsher faster kind of jolt similar to licking a battery run up my arm. I exhale harshly in the small bit of pain as Fred starts hysterically laughing, George joining in soon after. Fred shows me his palm and I catch onto the bit. 

A small silver contraption lay at the center of his palm, of course, he’d take this moment to prank me with a muggle hand buzzer. I feel a smile cast over my lips as I call him a bastard and wish both twins goodnight. I take one last look at George before apparating to my loft.