Chapter 21

That night, Sage paced around the common room waiting for George. She had a simple plan, but there was one little detail that George might not agree with. She was nervous, hoping that he would go with her plan. It was around 11:30 when George shuffled down the stairs. Together, they sat on the couch in front of the fire. It was a few moments before Sage spoke.

"So... uhm, William cheated on me," she said softly. Before George could say anything, she continued, "My plan is to cheat on him. I want him to see me kiss another boy in front of him. I want him to hurt like the way I'm hurting right now."

George nodded, but looked confused.

"So then, what do I have to do with this?" he asked. Sage hesitated.

"...I want the boy I kiss to be you," she muttered, hoping he wouldn't instantly walk out of the common room. George was surprised. Of course, he wanted to immediately say yes, but he didn't want her to think he liked her, which he obviously did. George grinned inwardly and put on a straight face.

"I suppose I could..." he said, trailing off. He was rewarded with a grateful grin as Sage thanked him with great enthusiasm. She then launched into the rest of the plan.

"Would tomorrow be okay? I don't want to spend another day with him as my 'boyfriend'," Sage said, making a face. George smiled and nodded. Sage let out a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for agreeing to this. I don't want our friendship to get awkward afterwards," she said, looking at the crackling fire.

"Don't worry," said George breezily, excited for the next day. Sage flashed him another grateful smile. She excused herself to get some sleep and walked up the stairs, her mind occupied with mixed thoughts of George and William.

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George sprawled onto his bed, grinning.

"How'd it go?" asked Fred, who had waited up for George. Everyone else was asleep.

"She wants me to kiss her," George murmured. Fred shot up from his bed.

"Good going, mate!" he exclaimed, clapping George on the back. "Finally managed to woo her, eh?"

George shook his head.

"It's for her 'revenge' on William," he said. Fred's shoulders drooped.

"Oh," he said, disappointed. "Well, you'll get around to it eventually! Speaking of wooing... I, uh, need some help."

George sat up on his elbows.

"The great Fred Weasley? In need of help on the art of making girls fall for him? Why in the name of Merlin would you need help?"

Fred cleared his throat and looked around nervously.

"Ah... well, see, the thing is... well, this girl... Hermione seems hard to woo," Fred blurted.

George choked on air.

"Hermione?" George asked incredulously. "Hermione. Ickle Ronniekins's friend?"

Fred looked miserable as he nodded.

"Yes, that Hermione. The brilliant one. The beautiful one. The one who seems like she'll never fall for me..." Fred trailed off, a wistful look on his face.

"Since when, Freddie?" asked George.

"I don't know," Fred sighed. "i just started noticing how pretty she is and how brilliant she is."

George raised an eyebrow. He had never seen Fred like this.

"Alrighty then, Fred," said George. "Tomorrow, we will start the Wooing Project, and we will succeed!"

With a smile, Fred said, "I do believe this will be a difficult mission, George. But we're Gred and Forge! Together, there's nothing we can't do!"

The twins grinned at each other and started discussing ways to make the Wooing Project successful. It was late at night when they finally fell asleep, both boys anxious for the coming day.