Chapter Three

Ouroboros 

March 1991

I walk into the charms classroom towards my usual table where my friend Cassius Warrington is sitting. 

“Ms. Patil” Professor Flitwick calls out, “you won’t be sitting over there today. I simply cannot keep listening to both you and Mr. Warrington discuss Montrose Magpie quidditch techniques while I am teaching any longer so I have assigned you a new seat.” 

“Sorry, Professor,” smiling sheepishly, “where would you like me to sit Sir?”

“Take a seat with Mr. Weasley,” Flitwick points to the gangly redhead on the other side of the room as he speaks to the class, “We all shall practice the new spell we learned on each other today.” 

I nod, embarrassed, and quickly move to sit next to the red-headed Gryffindor boy. As I sit and begin to take out my things for class I can see Cassius snickering and the Gryffindor boy looking at my robes uncomfortably. Ignoring the look the boy gave me, I stick my tongue out at Cassius and cross my arms, still a little embarrassed. I turn to my left to look at the boy who will eventually hexing me at some point during the class. 

“My name’s Aditi, what’s yours?” I rest my arm on the desk and put my head in my hands trying to seem unbothered. 

He glances over appraising my Slytherin robes, and looks away again, cheeks tinting slightly. “I’m George.”

There's a bit of an awkward pause as I try to come up with something to say. I sigh, thinking for a bit, and look around the classroom. Professor Flitwick begins droning on giving us all a refresher for the hex we’ll practice today. 

“So, are you any good at the Locomotor Mortis hex?” I try.

He looks over and whispers, “Charms is my best subject. My brother sucks at charms so I always have to help him; going over it with him all the time gives me extra practice.”

“Are you and your brother in the same year?” my voice drops to a whisper too.

“Yeah, he’s in First year too, we’re twins.”

“That’s cool, my two best friends are twins as well. I also have cousins who are twins and they should be coming to Hogwarts in a couple of years. They’ll be in the same year as my little sister.” 

Flitwick looks over at me, giving me a look, before clearing his throat. George and I look over at each other before breaking into small smiles. We decide it’s probably best to pay attention.

“Alright, get in your pairs and begin taking turns casting the hex on each other. I’ll be going around casting the reversal charm,” Flitwick instructs. 

George and I get up from the desk and face each other. We play Rock, Paper, Scissors quickly; the loser getting hexed first. George beats me so he’s first to hex me; I prepare myself across for him. I look him in the eyes as he casts the hex. I feel surprised at first to have my legs lock together so quickly but relax soon after and wait for Professor Flitwick to turn around to cast the reversal charm. 

“Nice job, Weasley,” I’m going to cast this spell so quickly he won't even see it coming.

I feel Professor Flitwick release me from the hex and move on to the next student. As soon as I’m released I cast the hex as quickly and accurately as I can just to see George's shock as his legs lock together. I start to laugh as he catches his breath. 

“Bloody hell, woman!” George exclaims and then breaks into a mischievous grin, “Better believe I never back down from a challenge. You’re on my pranking list now for sure.” 

“Why do you keep a list of people to prank?” I laugh as Flitwick comes around and casts the reversal.

“I guess you’ll find out soon, won’t you?” he challenges. Flitwick has us go through a couple more practices with the spell. George and I casting faster and faster each time, challenging each other. 

“Alright, nice work, everyone have a seat. I’m going to show you all how to cast the reversal charm.” Flitwick explains as all the students head back to their desks to start taking notes on the new spell.

When the class ends we’re promised to practice both spells during the next class. I gather my things and start to head to the Great Hall for dinner when George catches up to me in the hallway and starts to walk beside me. 

“About to threaten me with some pranks, are you?” I challenge, not looking at him. 

“It seems to be promised, it is.” his tone sounds a little different so I stop, pausing to look at him. He pauses to look at me as I sat dumbfounded for a moment. 

“You're…” I pause and become more assured of myself as I smile, “You’re the other twin, aren’t you?”

“What are you talking about? Fred’s on the other side of the castle.”

“No, you and your brother won’t get me on this one. You’re Fred, George's face is sharper. Yours is more round, though only slightly.”

“You’ve memorized him quite well haven’t you?” he laughs.

I feel my cheeks heat, “That’s not true. I’m used to memorizing people’s faces, my two best friends are twins AND twins run in my family you know!” I walk away hastily feeling the need for some pumpkin juice about now.

❇❇❇

May 1991

I sit in a dark alcove watching, waiting. To think they could get away with something like that. I look over at Flora and Hesia who are snickering quietly. Pranking me is one thing, but you prank my friends and you’ve cracked open a whole new can of worms. I mean I come from a long line of Ravenclaws, it’s bound to rub off some genius on me as well. 

“Fred, hurry!” George calls as he jogs down the hall late for another detention. 

“Get ready girls,” I smile at the idea of mischief about to be unleashed.

Fred catches up to George as they jog together to Professor McGonagall’s classroom. Flora, Hestia, and I whip out our wands as they approach the alcove and cast our spell causing the floor to become slick with slippery slime. The twins run right into it and start falling all over the place before collapsing into contorted positions on the floor. My friends and I laugh along with the rest of the students in the corridor. We quickly run out of the alcove being careful not to slip on the slimy floor. The twins look up at the running figures as I turn to face them sticking my tongue out at the both of them before running to catch up to the Carrows.

Peeves pops out from the ceiling screaming and teasing about what we did as he flies above our running forms through the school. Later on our head of house, Professor Snape finds us and hands out detention to each of us. Though we got caught, it was fun and worth it. 

❇❇❇

July 1991

“Jiya, Aditi, Let’s go!” Mum calls from downstairs.

Excited, I grab my bag of toys and meet my sister in the hallway. She has a smaller bag slung over her shoulder as well as we run down the stairs. We race out the door towards the car in the driveway. I quickly grab onto the passenger side door hand trying to open it and get in before Jiya gets a chance. 

“Adi! Jiya! Backseat please, your father’s coming with us,” Mum mentions as she gets into the driver's seat. Both Jiya and I get into the backseat of the sedan, putting on our seatbelts. 

“I thought Baba was going to work today,” Jiya looks out the window seeing her father exiting the house, presents in hand, locking the door. 

“No love, luckily he got off for your cousin's birthday,” she explains as she starts up the car and puts her seatbelt on.

Our father gets in the car with a grunt after putting the presents in the trunk. He lets out a sigh and puts his seatbelt on as Mum puts the car in drive and heads to the other Patil household. Music plays softly on the radio as Jiya and I sing along quietly. I catch Baba looking back at us here with a smile on his face as he taps his fingers to the beat. 

Once we arrive at my uncle and aunt's house, Jiya and I quickly run to the backyard gate and open it. We greet tau and tai with hugs and run to Padma and Parvati giving hugs and exclaiming happy birthday to them. 

We all play in the yard while our parents talk as they prepare dinner and cake. The day is filled with joy and excitement as we celebrate the twins together along with our grandparents. The twins open their gifts, happy to see all they’ve gotten. We all play with the toys as the night unfolds around us. It starts to get around bedtime for the twins and Jiya; yawns escape from all of us. Our parents load us into the car while talking quietly about the day. Baba drives home this time as Mum and Jiya fall asleep in their respective seats. 

“Did you have a fun day, Rani?” I look up into the review mirror smiling at the nickname.

“Yes, Baba. Are you happy you got the day off?” 

“Yes, though I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” he sighs, focusing on the road. 

“Baba, do you think Mum gets sad 'cause she’s not able to do magic?” 

“Hmm…” he pauses to think, “I think there are probably moments she wishes she could have magic because it may make things easier but, I think that she’s happy with the way she is. She’s happy with the way we are. Plus, she has us to show her such magic, we all just have to make sure we help make tasks easier for her and that includes doing things the muggle way.”

“Was Mum scared when she found out about you?”

“No, she just thought I was a very good Muggle Magician,” he chuckles, “She realized later on the truth. She was a little freaked out at first but we figured it out,” He smiles reminiscing.

We park in the driveway as Mum stirs awake. Baba gets out, picking up Jiya carefully bringing her inside and up to bed. I get out walking with Mum to the kitchen to get a glass of water before heading upstairs to bed. Mum follows me upstairs to my room and tucks me into bed, soon having Baba come in. They both kiss my forehead goodnight as they leave shutting off the light, leaving the nightlight plugged in. I feel my heart clench with how lucky I am to have my family and such loving parents.