-Ewww! said Hermione, as she, Ron and Harry crawled into the Gryffindor common room. What IS that smell?
-Exploding Wizard Crackers from Zonkos! said Fred.
-Filled with the new rotten hen-poop smell! said George.
-That's disgusting! said Hermione.
-Don't worry, it will wear off in a couple of minutes! said George.
He and Fred went over to the fire and crashed in one big, comfortable armchair each.
-Give them a break, said Ron. It's their 18th birthday tomorrow. They're very excited about it.
-Ron! said Hermione sternly. The O.W.L.-exams are only a few weeks away! We need to study very hard β and how are we going to be able to concentrate with them playing pranks all the time?
-You do what you want, said Ron. But I'm going up to my bedroom. How about you, Harry?
-I'm going with you, said Harry.
-We COULD go to the library... said Hermione.
-Oh, come on, Hermione! said Ron. We've got plenty of time! Fancy a game of chess, Harry?
-Sure, said Harry.
The boys went upstairs, and Hermione went back out of the common room, muttering words like "irresponsible" and "inconsiderate". Angelina Johnson met her in the doorway. She climbed into the common room and went over to Fred and George. She sat down in Fred's lap.
-Hi, honey! she said. Hi, George!
-Hi, sweetheart, said Fred.
-Hi, Angelina, said George. Well, I suppose you two want some privacy...
He got up and went for the stairs to the boys' bedrooms.
-Do you think George is upset because we're dating? said Angelina.
-Nah, said Fred. He's just jealous.
-Then why doesn't he try to find a girlfriend of his own, then? said Angelina. There are lots of pretty Gryffindor girls... Alicia, Katie...
-Don't you worry about George, said Fred, and kissed her. He'll be all right. Say, Angelina, how about we take a walk in the moonlight? I'm in the mood for romance...
Angelina giggled.
-Actually, I wanted to ask you something, she said. I've got a little birthday present for you for tomorrow. It requires a little preparation, so I thought I'd ask you first, to make sure you really want it, before I go through all the trouble of arranging it...
-Of course I want it! said Fred. What is it?
-My virginity, said Angelina.
-WHAT? said Fred.
He had been dating Angelina for 6 months, but they had never gone further than kissing.
-I want us to make love, said Angelina, blushing. I know of this office that is empty. It used to belong to professor Kettleburn, but ever since he retired, it's been empty. It's got a bedroom and a bathroom right next to it. Now, if you WANT, we could sneak away tomorrow night, and... spend the night there.
-If I want..! said Fred. Don't be silly, OF COURSE I want to!
-Splendid, said Angelina. Then I'll prepare everything, and we'll meet outside the office at 8 o' clock tomorrow night!
-I'll be there! said Fred.
Angelina kissed him, and got up.
-Goodnight, Fred! she said.
-Goodnight, sweetheart, said Fred.
They went to their separate bedrooms. When Fred came into the bedroom that he and George shared with three other boys from their class, George was the only one there. He sat in the big window and watched the sunset.
-So tomorrow is the big night for you and Angelina? he said.
-Were you eavesdropping at us? said Fred, annoyed and embarrassed.
George shrugged his shoulders.
-I'm happy for you, he mumbled.
-No, you're not! said Fred. You're jealous!
George span around.
-Of course I'm jealous! he yelled. You've got a great girl who loves you and wants to sleep with you! And I don't have ANYONE! Of course I'm jealous! I want to have a beautiful girlfriend to sleep with, too!
He jumped down from the window, and put his hands on his twin brother's shoulders.
-But I AM happy for you, he said.
He went over to his bed and laid down, swinging his wand, drawing a pattern of sparkles in the ceiling. Fred watched his brother, deeply troubled. He loved his brother very much. George was like a part of himself. It hurt to see him this miserable.