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Magical Mugwort	By : Marjay2127 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 10391 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Sometime later, the group had finished dinner and remained at the table. It had been a raucous hour, filled with stories and anecdotes that left each person feeling that they should probably be feeling more embarrassed. But through the miracle of friendship and alcohol, embarrassment was nowhere to be seen.

Taking another sip of his drink, George finally stood up. “Well, not to interrupt this excellent gathering, but I must take leave of your presence.” He made an exaggerated bow to Maggie, who giggled and blew him a kiss.

As George turned to leave, Lee stood as well. “Sounds like a brilliant idea.”

“Good. Bugger off, both of you then,” Fred called, wrapping an arm around Maggie. “More time for us then.” He kissed her cheek.

George glanced back at the table and rolled his eyes. “I swear, Fred's out to make a total arse of himself tonight,” he observed.

Lee just shrugged as they headed towards the loo. “Not like that's anything new, George,” he grinned. “Fred's always been a bit of a prat that way.”

“True enough.”

Upon reaching the loo, the two young men entered to find it empty. Taking a deep breath, George leaned on the sink, resting his head against the mirror for a few moments, basking in the coolness of the surface.

Lee leaned against the sink next to him, laughing. “What's wrong, mate? You're not getting pissed, are you?”

George shrugged, ignoring the buzzing in the back of his head. “Nah, mate. Just needed to step away for a minute. I'd never admit it in front of either Fred or Maggie, but that Muggle drink always takes the mickey out of me a bit.”

Smirking, Lee nodded at the faucet. “Best splash some of that on your face, then. Don't want to go back out there looking as if you've had your head in the loo.”

Splashing some water on his face, George nodded. “I'm all right, Lee.” Standing straight, he glanced at his friend with a smile. “So what do you think of her?”

“Maggie?” Lee grinned and nodded. “She's a brilliant girl. As utterly devious as both of you wankers. I think that if you want any sort of chance with that bird, you best not leave her alone with Fred much longer.”

George made a sound and waved the thought away. “I'm not worried about Fred.”

Lee raised an eyebrow. “Really. Well, that would be a first, wouldn't it. Fred's always had a bit of a way with the girls, hasn't he?”

Snorting, George answered, “If you recall, Lee, Fred's not the only one who's had his way with the girls.”

“Right, right. Who could forget your little rendezvous to the Astronomy Tower back in school?”

Leaning against the sink, George nodded a bit absently. “Ah, good memories. But I'll tell you something, mate. Maggie, she's absolutely mental, and I love it. Being around her makes the Astronomy Tower look like kid stuff.”

“That right?”

Grinning, George nodded. “I've never met anyone like her. She's got this amazing energy inside of her, and the wildest mind I've ever seen.”

As if putting things together, Lee said, “So that's why Fred gave her such a turn when we first got here, about the bloke at the bar. I can tell she's a popular girl, right?”

George shrugged neutrally. “Well, she's never alone if she doesn't choose to be, I'll say that much.”

Lee's eyebrows shot up and he gave his friend a hard look. “You saying she's a bit loose, then?”

George hesitated, as if searching for the right words. “Don't know if I'd put it that way. She's very liberated, I'll say that. It's that personality of hers. You can see the way people react to her. She draws people in.”

“That, and the fact that she's not exactly painful to look at. I can see why you're drawn to her.”

“That I am, Lee. That I am.”

Lee paused for a few moments before he spoke again. “So have you, then?”

“Have I what?”

“Don't be dim, George. You know what I mean.”

George glanced over his shoulder, then looked back at his friend. He couldn't help the self-satisfied smile that touched his lips. “Not at liberty to say, mate.”

Lee stood up, as if shocked. “What's this? The great George Weasley protecting his own honor?” He clapped a hand to his chest. “Surely this is a momentous occasion.”

“Don't be a wanker. You know bloody well I don't spread around every time I snog or shag someone.”

As the two men headed back to the bar, Lee said, “All I'm saying is that you're growing up a bit, George. I can't say whether I'm proud or desperately depressed.”

George laughed and shrugged. “What can I say, Lee? There's just some things a gentleman doesn't spread around.”

Lee stared and was left silent for several moments. Finally he burst out with a loud guffaw and exclaimed, “Sweet Merlin, George! What has that girl done to you?”

The two young men paused before heading back to the table, watching what was happening for a few moments. Fred was whispering in Maggie's ear, casually running a hand through her hair. Maggie seemed to be blushing deeply, and possibly squirming. It must have been something quite explicit to get that sort of a reaction out of her.

George watched his brother, marveling at how strange the whole situation was. Even as he watched his brother touching the woman that he cared for, it didn't bring forth the full-throttled jealousy he expected. Sure, there were times when he admittedly wished that Fred would step aside, but at the same time he knew that Maggie had feelings for both of them. It was something that he was learning to deal with.

Lee tsked and shook his head. “I see Fred's warming up to make sure that Maggie's satisfied tonight.”

George made a noncommittal sound in return and smirked. “Not to worry. The end of the evening's a long time coming, mate. No telling what will happen between now and then.” He clapped a hand on his friend's back, and strode towards the table.

Lee chortled. “Too bloody right,” he muttered to himself, and headed towards the table as well.

When both men reappeared at the table, Fred and Maggie looked up. “About time you two got back,” she scolded, sitting up straighter. “Fred and I were just starting to worry.”

George snorted at the look on Fred's face. “Oh, I'm sure you were,” he said dryly.

As he moved towards his seat, Lee detoured and crouched down near Maggie. “All right, luv,” he said, looking at her pointedly. “There's something I've just got to know.”

She caught the warning look on Fred's face and grinned. Turning to Lee, she met his gaze fearlessly. “Really. And what's that, Lee?”

He raised an eyebrow and nodded at the twins. “What's going on with all this?” he asked. “I know you're seeing one of them, and right now my money's on Fred. But the way George tells it, you're not exactly causing a rift between them. Care to explain this to me?”

Maggie laughed, noting the inquisitive look on the young man's face. “What's this, then? Trying to assuage your own curiosity or looking out for your mates?” she grinned.

Lee shrugged gracefully as Fred and George gave him incomprehensible stares. “Let's just say I like to keep tabs on good things in life,” he answered. “These two are my best mates and they usually keep me up to speed on the girls they're with, but with you they're both strangely tight-lipped. Best as I can figure, there's one of a couple of explanations for that.”

“Which are?” Maggie prompted.

“Well, it's possible that you're not seeing either of them and you're all just friends.” He snorted. “But I don't buy that for a second.”

Exchanging a glance with George, Maggie smirked. “And what are your other theories?”

“The most probable being that you're seeing one of them, you're all just being royal arses and trying to make me guess. I suppose there's the remote possibility that you're seeing both of them.” He shrugged.

“That would be a bit foolish, wouldn't it,” Fred said.

“Absolutely. We share a lot, but there's certainly a line to things,” added George.

Lee nodded. “Which is why I'm more in favor of another possibility.”

“Which is?”

For a long second Lee didn't speak, but the intensity of his gaze strengthened. Running a finger over Maggie's arm, he said smoothly, “That Maggie's had about enough of you two and is scouting around for other potential friends.” He gave her a knowing smile, which only broadened when she raised an eyebrow.

“Well, that's just bloody ridiculous,” George said with a snort. “Now you're clearly reaching for explanations, Lee.”

“Too right,” Fred said, a small frown appearing. “We provide more than enough entertainment for Maggie. Isn't that right, luv?”

Maggie glanced back at Fred for a moment before turning back to Lee, who was still giving her that knowing smile. “You both are very entertaining,” she said. “Though I see nothing wrong in creating new potential friends.”

“Brilliant.”

Standing up, Maggie received the full view of the shocked looks on Fred and George's faces. “What?” she asked innocently. “You two look as if you just stumbled into a roomful of Stunning spells.”

“Maggie, darling,” George began, attempting to regain some of his composure. “You know Lee's our mate.”

“Of course I know that,” she said, giving him a smile. “And since he's your friend, I want to make sure that I get along with him. It wouldn't do to have you two fighting with one of your friends because they don't like me.”

Fred sat up, looking a sight uncomfortable. He reached up for her hand, which she took and squeezed in reassurance. “And that's true, luv, very true,” he said. “It's always good when our friends get along.”

“Good. Then it's settled.” Maggie leaned over and kissed his cheek, then stretched across the table to plant a kiss on George's cheek. She paused, allowing George the ample opportunity to let his eyes slide down her face to the open front of her shirt, and allowing Fred to swallow hard with the view of her backside. She touched George's chin and gave him a wink. “I'd like for us all to get along.”

Slowly she stood back up and winked, then made her way off towards the loos.

For several moments, the young men remained silent, all three of them staring after her. At last Lee stood up and turned as well.

“And where the hell do you think you're going?” Fred asked, staring up at his friend.

Lee swallowed and shifted. “I have the sudden need to be alone for a moment. If you'll excuse me.”

He turned to leave, paused, then leaned over the table so he could speak to both the twins. “All I have to say,” he said in a low voice, “is that I can't wait to be friends with her.” With a grin, he turned and left the twins staring after him with open mouths.

After several long moments, Fred ventured to speak. “He's not serious.”

George ran a hand through his hair, trying to sort out what just happened for himself. “I'm not sure,” he said. “Lee knows enough about it that he's quite aware Maggie's unavailable.”

“Did you tell him that?” Fred demanded.

Pinning his twin with a look, George replied, “Come on, mate. Lee knows that she's ours. He's just being a twat right now and having a go at us. You heard him before. He figured we might have been setting him up with her, but he knew it wasn't true. He knows better than to read anything into things. Maggie likes to chat up blokes, that's how she is.”

Fred looked unconvinced and gave his brother a look that said just that. “Yeah, she does,” he said. “Gets along great with all sorts of people. Got along quite smashing with Wood, if you remember.”

That time George squirmed and a look of doubt crept over his face. “Sure, but things were different then,” he argued.

“How's that? She still won't say whether she's strictly ours or not,” Fred shot back. “Maybe she is looking for someone else. Maybe she decided after all that we're not worth the bother.”

“Will you stuff it already, Fred? Listen to yourself! A few minutes ago she was practically draped across your lap, and now you're sitting here proclaiming that she's ready to give us both the haul and take up with Lee. He just met her, for Merlin's sake!”

“Exactly. Remember how when we met her, where things led to from there?”

George stared at his twin, at once trying not to laugh and trying not to explode in frustration. The alcohol was having quite the effect on everyone, he decided. At last he barked a laugh and said, “Blimey, Fred, if you're that paranoid, then go grab Maggie and remind her why she's with us.”

Fred seemed to consider the suggestion, mulling it over in his head. Gnawing on his lip, he finally nodded. “Damn fine idea. I'm going to go find her.”

Standing up a little too quickly, Fred wavered for a moment. He turned to go wait for Maggie, when he caught sight of something that made him freeze.

George gave his brother a look of exasperation. “Will you just sod off already, Fred? What are you waiting for?”

Fred was quiet for a moment as a strange look passed over his face. “Well, it seems Maggie's a bit preoccupied at the moment,” he said dryly, and nodded at what he was staring at.

Rolling his eyes, George stood up and his eyes drifted to what Fred was looking at. His eyes found Maggie standing against an empty wall in the back, and Lee stood close to her. Actually, it appeared as if Lee was attempting to share space with her as he leaned closer and brushed a hand over her cheek, earning a flirtatious smile that George recognized all too well.

“Fuck me.”

Fred nodded absently, still gazing at the scene unfolding before him. “You got that right.”

As they watched, Lee leaned down and whispered something in Maggie's ear. She laughed and gave him a playful slap on the arm, smiling up at him with the natural charm that she had. Lee, of course, couldn't look away from her.

“Still think I'm just paranoid?” Fred asked, glancing at his brother.

George clenched his jaw as he stared, still trying to wrap his mind around what was going on. “I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't seeing it.”

With a purposeful shrug, Fred answered, “Well, I aim to put a stop to it. I don't care if she doesn't want to admit it, she's ours, and I'm going to straighten this out once and for all.”

“Right behind you, mate.”

The twins made their way towards the other end of the bar, dodging chairs, people, and the occasional overturned pint. With each step the crowd seemed to grow thicker, hindering their efforts. The Muggle alcohol certainly wasn't helping matters, either. At last they made their way over, and Fred stood directly behind Lee.

“You've got some nerve, mate,” he said in a low voice. “Come in here and start chatting up our girl right in front of us? That's some brass ones, that is.”

Lee slowly turned around,very calm. He raised his eyebrows as he looked between the twins. “Our girl,” he repeated, a slow smile touching his lips. “So... you two are both seeing her then, aren't you.”

“Damn right we are,” George countered, stepping forward as well. “Maggie seems to like having the both of us around, so we've made it rather simple. The hell do you think you're playing at, Lee?”

Fred turned his gaze towards Maggie. She stood quite still as she watched the exchange, a rather forced look on her face, as if she were trying not to laugh. Fred shook his head, and frowned deeper. “Are you chatting up our mate here, Maggie?” he asked. “Finding anything interesting to talk about?”

Maggie remained silent, although she raised an eyebrow.

George just stared at his friend and shook his head. “You best remember that you're our mate, Lee,” he said in a dangerous voice. “But that won't stop me from knocking the piss out of you if you don't pull your head on straight.”

Lee just stood there, looking utterly nonplussed about the situation. Then to everyone's surprise, Lee chuckled. He slowly turned to face Maggie, who was now visibly fighting not to laugh. He smiled and said to her, “Guess it's true then, luv. Fred and George are mighty protective.”

Maggie nodded slightly, her lips curving into a tight smile. “I told you they would be.”

“You're damn right we are,” Fred shot. “If you thought you could just move in and we wouldn't say anything to you...”

Lee stood straight and shook his head, his dreadlocks moving in unison. “Oh, Merlin, no. I expected quite a reaction out you, actually,” he said, a strange smile on his face now. “I knew that you'd fly over here and try to save this lovely young lady from a rogue such as myself. And I must say, Fred, George, I'm flattered.”

Fred and George frowned as one, anger changing into confusion. “Flattered,” repeated George. “What on earth for?”

Again, Lee glanced at Maggie. She gave a small nod and put a hand up to her mouth, obviously trying to reign in some chuckles which she covered with a well-timed cough. Turning back to the twins, Lee said, “Why, it's absolutely spiffing of you to care so much for me. Not wanting me to try and corrupt such a wonderful girl, as it would truly ruin the experience of me being your friend. But it is more than that.”

When neither of the twins said anything, Lee faced them and took a step closer. Both Fred and George were staring at him with utter bewilderment on their faces. Lee took the opportunity to take a long look of each of them. At last he spoke again in a slightly softer tone. “I realize now how much you two really do care for me. And I think it's important that I tell you I feel the same way. Have for awhile now, actually.”

Fred stared at him, eyes widening with each second. “Lee--” he began.

“Ssh.” Lee put a hand on his shoulder, gently, intimately. “You don't have to say anything, Fred. After all, it's perfectly clear.”

Glancing at the hand on his shoulder for a moment, Fred turned wide eyes back to Lee. “The hell are you talking about?” he breathed.

Lee brought both hands up to Fred's face, holding it gently. “That we really are meant to be together.”

He leaned in and kissed Fred soundly on the mouth.

George's mouth fell open as he stared, bug-eyed.Maggie was leaning against the wall, her face turning red. Fred made a sound of surprise that was muffled, his entire body frozen.

When Lee pulled back, Fred stumbled backwards, half-shoving Lee away from him. “What the fucking hell!” he exclaimed, running a hand across his mouth. “Lee...! You bloody poofter!”

George stared at his friend as if he'd never seen him before. “You're our mate, Lee, but I think I can safely say neither one of us fancies you that way,” he said, aghast.

That was too much. Maggie burst out in laughter, tears beginning to run down her face. All three faces turned to look at her. An instant later, Lee began laughing uproariously as well. The twins were left staring at the pair of them as if they had gone insane.

“Oh, come on, Fred,” Lee choked out between laughs, reaching out to him. “Don't you want to know what kinds of dark and dirty little things I can show you?”

George immediately spouted back, “Bloody well not! Fred doesn't swing that way, and neither do I.”

Fred paused for a moment, frowning deeply as if he were trying to remember something. He stared at Lee, searching his face for some sort of clue. “I don't know what you're playing at,” he said, standing guardedly. “But what the bloody hell is so funny?”

Still laughing, Lee turned to Maggie and reached for her arm, pulling her upright. “Do you want to tell them or should I?” he asked.

Maggie coughed, wiping her face. Looking at all the faces, she shook her head. “This is your deal, ducks,” she grinned, still giggling. “You can have the pleasure.”

“What the fuck is going on?” Fred demanded loudly. “When the hell did you two meet? You obviously know each other, or is this something you just concocted a few minutes ago?”

Maggie and Lee exchanged grins again before both faced the confused and nearly outraged twins. Wiping away his own tears, Lee leaned forward and said in a confidential tone, “I'm damn near pissed that you don't know my kiss by now, Fred. After all, you couldn't get enough of it before.”

“I never--”

“WHAT?” exploded George.

Lee just winked. “I'm sure if you think hard, you'll know what I'm talking about. Something about what wizards and magic can really do, not to mention a couple of virile young men.” He turned to look at George, with raised eyebrow.

For a long moment, there was silence. Neither of the twins spoke, except for some sputtering. And then something seemed to click between them. As Lee and Maggie watched, a slow realization seemed to dawn on the twins. The confusion turned into naked dumbstruck astonishment, and whatever they seemed to want to say immediately died before it was released.

George just pointed at both Lee and Maggie, dazed. “But... you...”

Fred took a hesitant step forward, peering closely at what he believed to be his best friend. “Maggie?”

Lee grinned broadly and tossed back his dreadlocks in a very feminine gesture. He winked and blew a kiss.

Mouth hanging open, Fred looked over at Maggie, who was leaning against the wall, arms folded across her chest. Still staring, he said questioningly, “Lee?”

She smirked, a look that he knew instantly, or had thought he knew. “Took you long enough to figure it out, mate.”

George ran a hand through his hair, still trying to come to terms with the revelation. “You two switched,” he said, staring at the pair in almost awestruck wonder. “How the bloody hell...?”

Lee pulled a small vial out from his pocket. “Polyjuice potion, of course,” he said.

Fred frowned, shaking his head. “But—but you're a Squib! You couldn't do this! Did you make this, Lee?”

Maggie shook her head, still grinning wickedly. “Your sister's clearly got as mischievous a mind as you two do. Paired up with this girl here, they're downright deadly.”

“Ginny!” George exclaimed.

Glancing down at his watch, Lee interrupted. “We're cutting this awful close. Bout time we get ready to change.” To the twins, he said, “If you'll excuse us, there will be a brief costume change.” He turned to head into the loo, then paused and looked back at the young men. “You know, I honestly was getting worried you wouldn't figure it out in time. Still... it would've been a lark to see your faces when we changed back right in front of you.” He winked, and ushered Maggie into the loo.
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