Evil Twins

"Do you think it's true, about Malfoy's sister?" asked Megan two days later as they were going down to Hagrid's. "Maybe he dropped that letter on purpose to make us think he does."

"Oh, really," said Hermione irritably. "Of course it's true. Malfoy is a lot of things, but he's not a practical joker. Unlike some people I know of, but I won't mention any names."

"Go ahead, we know you mean us," grinned Lisa. "As for Malfoy's not being a practical joker, I wouldn't know about that. I don't really know anything about the guy, except that you all seem to hate his guts. I went along with it because it was good movie material, but now that the production is cancelled until further notice, I'm beginning to wonder exactly why you hate him so much."

"Have you not been listening to me when I tell you stories about him?" Ron said indignantly. "He's always insulting Hermione, and Gryffindor, not to mention my family, and he tried to get Hagrid fired! He's nothing but an arrogant, stuck-up, son of a---"

"He does seem to have some--ahem--problems with less rich people and muggle-borns," said Megan thoughtfully. "But look at it from his angle. From all you've told me, he's grown up with a father and mother who believe that Muggles, half-Muggles, and wizards who protect them, are a disgrace to all pure blooded wizards. Of course he's going to believe that too, having grown up around it. And he's rich. He probably doesn't understand what it's like to have to support a big family on a not so great income. I think his insults and taunts are actually his way of soothing his insecurity. Maybe, just maybe, beneath his sneering and his wealth, he's just desperately unhappy and is jealous of you all because you're so happy."

"That was touching, Drew," said a voice. Draco Malfoy stepped out from behind a tree nearby. "A rather intelligent attempt at psychoanalogy, but incorrect nonetheless, "he added.

Megan didn't look even remotely embarassed. "Alright, believe what you will, Malfoy," she shrugged. "Say hello to Elen for me,"she called over her shoulder. Malfoy froze, and turned around slowly, mouth open.

"What do you--how do you--when did you--" he stammered.

"Yeah, one of those three," said Lisa, much amused. "Let us know when you're coherent."

"You took my letter!" accused Malfoy.

"Correction: you dropped your letter and we picked it up," retorted Ron.

"Give me my letter!" demanded Malfoy.

"Tsk, tsk, little boy, you'll have to ask more nicely than that," taunted Megan. This remark didn't appear to sit too well with Malfoy, who happened to be a good three inches taller than both Megan and Lisa.

"You have till three to give my my goddamn letter," he said slowly. "One....two......"

"Fine. Megan has it," said Lisa.

"Liar. She has it," said Megan, pointing to Hermione.

"I most certainly do not. Harry's got it," chortled Hermione, catching on.

"Nope. Ron's the one who's holding it," said Harry.

"Uh-uh. Lisa has it," grinned Ron.

"You're all wrong. Malfoy's got it," laughed Megan, pointing at Malfoy's robes.

Megan and Lisa giggled as Malfoy pulled the letter out of his pocket. He clapped mockingly.

"Not bad, Drew," he smiled. "I c---"

"Draco!" squealed a voice.

They all turned. A girl, about thirteen or fourteen years old, was running towards them. She had stick-straight golden blonde hair, pale blue eyes, pale skin, and freckles, and was swinging a small leather bag. She hurled herself on Malfoy, almost knocking him over as she hugged him, while Harry, Ron, Hermione, Megan, and Lisa stared.

"Geroff, Elen," laughed Malfoy, staggering back. "I'm happy to see you too."

"You are the greatest brother in the world! However did you convince Daddy to let me come here?" Elen demanded.

"I have my ways," smiled Malfoy. "Where's my month's worth of Every Flavor Beans? And why did you get expelled? And why are you wearing Ravenclaw's colors?"

"In my trunk. Because my teacher is a prat. Because I've been sorted into Ravenclaw," said Elen rapidly. "Oh, don't look so disappointed, Draco. I'm going to get enough of that from Daddy, because as a Malfoy I should be in Slytherin, and blah, blah, blah. Really, as the Malfoy heir, you're the only one who was expected to be in Slytherin, and it's not my fault Daddy likes you better," she added in the same rapid tone.

"Really, Elen, if you keep talking that fast, I shall never understand what you say," said Malfoy a bit dazedly. "And Father does not like me better. I don't know what gave you that idea, but this is no place to be discussing this."

"Anyway, I'm ever so glad to see you," said Elen, still speaking very quickly. "You have absolutely no idea how boring it is in France, there's absolutely nothing to do at all, I've missed you ever so much, when is the next Hogsmeade weekend? I can't wait to see the spot where you saw a ghost, or a floating head, or something of the sort, and I want to meet Harry Potter, who you always talk about----"

"Elen," said Malfoy loudly and slowly, "slow. Down. Come, I'll help you unpack."

"Oh!" said Elen suddenly. "There's Harry Potter!" She ran over to Harry and scrutinized him closely. "You're nowhere near as ugly as Draco says you are," she rattled. "However, I agree, that scar does somewhat enhance your features, and your hairstyle is a bit messy, but it looks good, and did you really face Voldemort three times? How splendid, that must have been terrifying, I wouldn't face Voldemort for anything, well, maybe for a whole lot of money, but, I mean, really, Draco exaggerated about you hanging about with all the misfits of Hogwarts, they don't look very much like misfits to me, who are all these people, anyway? Is Draco not very nice to you? I'll just bet he isn't, don't worry, I'm here, I'll make him behave, and oh, you're twins! How marvelous, I adore twins, they are extremely intriguing, aren't they, and you two are in love, aren't you, I can tell by the way you keep squeezing each other's hands, are there many cute boys here at Hogwarts? Oh, I do hope there are, and is Snape really as nice as my brother claims? I--"

"Elen!" said Malfoy sharply. "What have you been eating? And why on earth are you talking like that?"

"Silly, I've always talked like this, as long as I can remember anyway, you just don't remember because I haven't seen you forever, it's not my fault you never come home for Christmas and I always have to stay with Aunt Talia for summer, why don't you write more often? Really, I only get about one letter a month from you, and that's not nearly enough, you know it isn't, and why didn't you tell me this was such a fascinating place? Dumbledore is positively interesting, you know, much more than Professor Snape, and McGonagall can talk almost as fast as I can, and Flitwick is like a dwarf almost, and the Sorting Hat talked to me, and--"

"For heaven's sake, Elen, stop it, " said Malfoy, throwing up his hands. "I can't keep up with you. Did you come on the train?"

He should have known better than to ask, Harry thought.

"Of course not," said Elen airily. "Mum and Dad brought me, we traveled into Hogsmeade by Floo powder and then walked up here. Mummy says it's a waste to have all that magic on Hogwarts, because it doesn't entirely protect the castle, I mean, Sirius Black got in, didn't he? Of course, Daddy says you'd have to be extremely clever to get past all the magic, but it's not impossible. They're talking to Professor Dumbledore, something about getting me switched into a different house, and Mum wants to talk to you, so you'd better get up to the castle, and stop staring at me like I'm the ninth wonder of the world, just because I talk quickly, and you will show me around, won't you?"

"This is incredible," said Megan suddenly, circling Elen. "How remarkably confusing she is! Put her in the same room as, say, Trelawney or Snape and there'd be chaos. You, my dear, are fabulous. Where ever did you learn to talk like that?"

"Elen, we should go," said Malfoy loudly, taking Elen's arm and gently steering her away. He gave her a little push in the direction of the castle. "Go and tell Mum I'll be there in a minute, okay?"

Elen waved to everyone and bounded away. Malfoy turned and glared at them all.

"Keep away from my sister," he said quietly. "She's not one of you and never will be."

"One of us?" repeated Hermione. "You mean a Gryffindor."

"No, I mean--you know what I mean," snapped Malfoy.

"Hey Dra--Malfoy," said Lisa suddenly, "what are you going to be at the Halloween ball?"

Malfoy glanced at her sharply. Lisa winked. It was very fast and no one seemed to notice it--but Harry did and, not for the first time, he wondered if perhaps Lisa or Megan wasn't telling something.

"Salazar Slytherin," Malfoy muttered.

"Excellent," said Lisa. "Say hello to your mum for me."

"No, I don't think I will," Malfoy said, turning to go. "My mum doesn't need to know you exist."

And he sauntered away, whistling.

"That was.....odd," said Hermione.

"Very," agreed Harry, turning in the direction of Hagrid's hut.

"Ummmm, you three go on to Hagrid's, we'll catch up," said Megan. "I need to talk to my twin."

"Alright," said Harry, and him, Hermione, and Ron walked on to Hagrid's. They talked for a long time, but Megan and Lisa never came. As they walked back in the deepening twilight, Harry wondered where they were. They went up to the castle and headed for Gryffindor tower, but before they reached it, they heard some loud voices around a corner. Harry stopped and listened. It was Megan and Lisa. They seemed to be arguing.

"Don't tell me who I can date," said one voice angrily.

"I'm not. I'm telling you who you can't date," countered another.

"You can't tell me that either," retorted the first voice.

"Well, I am."

"Well, screw you."

"Screw you back."

"I thought you hated him."

"No, I just don't know him. I dunno, maybe he's really a nice guy, you know?"

"Alright, whatever, but I do wish you'd told me."

"I don't have to tell you anything. Anyway, you're no one to talk, the way you've been flirting with Harry."

Harry's mouth dropped.

"I have not been flirting with Harry."

Ron snorted.

"Puh-lease. Are you telling me you actually like the guy?"

"Maybe. Why do you ask?"

There was a shriek of laughter. "Pleeease! Did you honestly think I didn't notice? You're either flirting very excessively or you like him. Since you say you haven't been flirting with him, I'm just wondering if you like him."

"We're getting off the subject, Lisa. Are you going to Halloween Ball with Draco Malfoy or not?"

Hermione suddenly went into a fit of silent giggles.

"Do you like Harry or not?"

"I don't have to tell you."

"And I don't have to tell you."

"Fine."

"Fine!"

There was the sound of two people turning on their heels and stomping away. Ron peered around the corner. "They're gone," he remarked. Hermione's giggles suddenly became very loud.

"What," demanded Harry, "is so funny?"

"L-l-lisa and Malf-foy," hiccuped Hermione. "That's what."

"It's not true," said Ron. "They wouldn't. I mean, Megan threw a pancake at him! And they both cursed him! And, and..."

"And he's always had a thing for Lisa," finished Hermione.

"How do you know?" inquired Harry curiously.

"I've watched him around Lisa," replied Hermione. "He tries not to let it show, but he likes her. I can tell. Women can, you know."

"Well, let's not tell Megan and Lisa we heard them," said Harry nervously. "I have a feeling they wouldn't like it."

"Agreed," said Ron easily.

They headed for Gryffindor tower, blissfully unaware that two other people had been listening to them.

*************

The next morning at breakfast, Megan and Lisa were still sitting together, but they were being unusually stiff with each other. Harry decided to ignore their hostility towards each other and began talking to Hermione about Fear-draining Drafts, which they were going to be making in Potions the next day.

"It's really quite simple," said Hermione. "There are only about four magical ingredients in it at all. The rest are everyday herbs like peppermint, lavender, orange leaves, and such. The making of it is quite complex, however. You've got to make sure the aconite is properly crushed so that it is completely and utterly unrecognisable, and if you don't add some of the ingredients right when it turns green, it--"

"Alright, alright, Hermione," said Ron impatiently. "We get it. You know all about this potion and will therefore be able to answer every question Snape asks about it and should win Gryffindor a hundred points, but won't because Snape is a jackass."

"Thanks, Ron," said Hermione. "I think."

"So, Harry," continued Ron, "Halloween ball's not far off. Got a date yet?"

As always when this subject was addressed, Harry felt himself going red. "Er--not yet," he said, with an attempt at nonchalance. Ron noticed the blush and quickly dropped the subject. But Lisa didn't.

"Hear that, Meg?" she hissed in a shrill stage whisper that everyone within a six-foot radius heard. "Harry hasn't got a date for Halloween ball. Hey, neither do you! Why don't you ask him?"

"Shut up, Lisa," Megan snapped through clenched teeth.

"Betcha won't," smirked Lisa. "I'll bet you anything you won't ask him cuz' you're too nervous."

"I'll ask him," retorted Megan.

"Betcha won't," repeated Lisa.

"Watch me," said Megan flatly. She turned in her seat and faced Harry. "Harry, will you go to Halloween ball with me?"

Harry stared. What was he supposed to say now? He didn't know if she actually wanted to go with him, or if she was just asking him because Lisa was being so obnoxious about it. In any case, she had asked him and he assumed she was expecting an answer. He did like Megan, and he did want to go to Halloween ball with her, but not if she didn't really want to go with him.

"Earth to Harry," said Megan loudly, looking at Harry anxiously.

Harry made up his mind. He really did like her and she really did look very sincere, even with her orange hair still looking like she had just woken up and a smudge of red paint across her nose.

"Yes," he said. Megan smiled, Fred and George(who had been videotaping the whole thing)grinned, Ron chuckled, Hermione beamed, Lisa snorted, Malfoy clapped mockingly, and Elen expressed her interest in her usual way by talking rapidly to her neighbor, who happened to be Patty Clearwater. Elen was becoming sort of a joke with the Ravenclaws. They would repeatedly ask her questions about France to trigger her speech, which usually lasted at least eight minutes and never stopped for breath. Malfoy did not like this, but he couldn't do anything; Elen had always talked strangely, and people had always considered it a joke. So he continued to not like it, Elen continued to talk rapidly, and Megan and Lisa continued to be stiff and unnatural with each other.

**********************

(Night of Halloween Ball)

"I still can't believe you're going with Malfoy, Lisa," said Hermione as all the Gryffindor girls were getting ready. Megan snorted. Hermione, in her medieval green satin dress and hairstyle, looked very pretty. She had applied her daily bottle of Sleekeazy Potion (no, I don't believe Hermione's hair could just get straight suddenly without magic), and as it was a special occasion she had actually put on some mascara and lipstick.

"Neither can I," admitted Lisa. "He is unbearable. But he is so cute," she sighed dreamily. "And he kisses like---oh, how do I put it?" She put on her sparkly blue mask, which when combined with her blue suit and wig, contrived to make her look very Cornish pixie-ish indeed.

"Ewww," said Megan disgustedly. "I do wish you wouldn't talk about that. Harry hasn't even kissed me yet."

"Does he not want to?" asked Lisa slyly.

"I don't think it's that," shrugged Megan. "I think he's just shy."

"Really?" Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Draco isn't shy in the least."

"Don't," groaned Parvati. "I don't want to hear it." Parvati was going with Justin Finch-Fletchley, and was dressed as a French maid.

"Really, Lisa," agreed Lavender, pinning up her blonde curly hair. She was going as Cinderella. "How could you? Slytherin is our rival. A union between the two houses is unheard of."

"What is this, Romeo and Juliet?" laughed Lisa. "Look, after tonight, he's probably not going to want to date me anyway."

"Indeed," smiled Megan, fixing her horned headband onto her head and picking up her red pitchfork. "Tonight's gonna be good."

"Uh-oh," giggled Hermione. "The Drews are at it again."

"What's going on?" demanded Lavender. "What are you planning to do?"

"Ah, if we told you, we'd have to kill you," smirked Megan wickedly.

"Come on, tell us, " wheedled Parvati. "You told us when you put a boggart in Snape's desk, why can't you tell us now?"

"Can't tell you that either," laughed Lisa.

"I know what it is," said Ginny quietly, who was sitting on Hermione's bed with her arms clasped around her knees, already fully dressed as Pippi Longstocking. "But I'm not telling."

The other girls crowded around Ginny, begging her to tell, but she just smiled and flatly refused to say a word about it.

"How do you know what it is, anyway?" said Lavender, pouting.

"I have my ways," said Ginny laconically, feeling her red pigtails, which had been charmed to stick out straight on either side of her head.

"It's not going to be something that's going to send me running from the room shrieking, is it?" asked Parvati anxiously.

"Oh, it's going to send a lot of people running from the room shrieking," smiled Ginny wickedly. "But I don't think you will."

"Does it have anything to do with boggarts?" chortled Hermione jokingly.

"Partly," said Ginny, much amused.

"Ginny! Not another word!" exclaimed Lisa in horror.

"Don't give it away too soon," nodded Megan. Ginny and Megan, surprisingly, had become good friends. Ginny had also told Megan something she hadn't told anyone else yet: she had a crush on Terry Boot of Ravenclaw. Ginny had made another new friend, and that friend was none other than Elen Malfoy. How on earth the two could stand each other, no one understood. Perhaps it was because Ginny actually took Elen seriously, perhaps it was because it was because Elen had no one else to listen to her. Perhaps it was because they both understood what it was like to have to live up to your older brother(s). Surprisingly, Malfoy didn't object to Ginny and Elen being friends. Maybe he didn't care; maybe he didn't consider Ginny to be any threat or harm to Elen. In any case, Ginny and Elen could often be seen walking to class together, talking together (though it must be admitted that the conversations were rather one-sided), studying together. They even sat at each other's tables when they could get away with it.

And Megan and Lisa were friends again and deviously plotting. They, Fred and George had been seen all the past week whispering, exchanging money and strange-looking packages, writing mysterious letters. They had even been given detention once for being caught locked out of Gryffindor tower at three in the morning by Professor McGonagall. What they had been doing, not even McGonagall could get out of them. Everyone who noticed wisely kept quiet about it(Fred and George's jokes were nothing to spoil, and besides Megan and Lisa were in on it), so none of the teachers took any notice of it. At any rate, tonight was going to be a very important night in many different ways.

"We'd better go down," said Parvati nervously. "Does my costume look alright?"

"You look fine," Lavender assured her, smoothing her blue gown.

"The Drews have entered the building," whispered Megan and Lisa, rubbing their hands together and quietly cackling.

************

"You look prettier than usual, Herm," said Ron, smiling. The patch over his eye and the red moustache contrived to make him look older and somewhat more serious. "If that's at all possible."

"Thanks, Ron," Hermione whispered, blushing as she took Ron's arm and walked down the sweeping staircase.

"Awww," drawled Malfoy behind them. "That's so sweet I have a cavity."

Lisa, who was walking with him, elbowed him sharply in the ribs and murmured a warning, "Behave yourself."

"Are you going to make me?" snapped Malfoy, wincing.

"Perhaps," said Lisa menacingly, reaching for her wand.

"They're arguing even more than usual," remarked Harry quietly to Megan. Harry was dressed in his everyday Hogwarts robes and clothes. The only visible differences were the 'Head Boy' badge, which he had borrowed from Percy, pinned to his robes, and the fact that he had attempted to comb his hair.

"She'll hex him eventually," said Megan calmly, "and that will be the end of that. But let's not talk about unpleasant things."

A sudden beeping made Harry stop.

"What was that?" he asked.

"It's only my beeper-thingamajigger," said Megan, pulling a small black contraption out of her top and holding it close to her mouth. "Red Demon here," she said, very quietly. "Over."

"Demon," came a crackly voice, "Vitamin A here. Is everything going snappy, over?"

"Affirmative," said Megan. "Will confirm twenty before, over."

Harry decided it was best not to ask and continued walking alongside Megan as she put the thing away and smiled at him.

"So," she said awkwardly.

"Yeah," said Harry.

"You two are adorable," grinned George, who was behind them with Mandy Finch-Fletchley, dressed as a carrot (George, not Mandy). "Look at you. Before you were going out, you didn't have any trouble talking and now look at you. You can hardly say two articulate words to each other."

"Thank you, George," said Megan wryly. "Learn that there is such a word as discretion in the dictionary, please. Even though that isn't true."

"Of course it is," said George airily.

"It's not," chimed in Harry. "We were discussing Malfoy and Lisa perfectly well before you came. Where's Fred, anyway?"

"Attending to business," said George vaguely.

They entered the Great Hall, which looked even more magnificent than usual. The enchanted ceiling was perfectly clear tonight, and a full moon shone down brightly on the costumed students. The candles were burning very low, bats, ghosts and pumpkins were everywhere, and the tables had been removed to give the students room to dance. The huge stage, which must have stood at least ten feet high and forty feet across, was empty, but the glittering lights surrounding it gave the immediate impression that whatever would be occupying it was worth the wait. The staff table had not been removed and the teachers were already sitting there. Dumbledore was dressed as Merlin the wizard and smiling a little, McGonagall was dressed as a teacher (at least, Harry thought she was, she didn't appear to be dressed any differently), and Snape---where was Snape?

"Ah, there you are, Draco," said a voice behind them that nearly everyone recognised. "Isn't this a marvelous party? I mean ball, or whatever you call 'em, look at all the bats, they really do squeak, and the pumpkins are carved so nicely, and that Nearly Headless Nick is positively fascinating, this is ever so exciting, and do you like my costume, Mummy bought it for me last week but I'm not really sure she understood what I said about not getting me something that would make me look childish, I mean, look at me, she got me a fairy costume and I am anything but a fairy if you know what I mean and where is Professor Snape I heard he was going to come dressed as a troll it would certainly suit him anyway and have you seen Ginny Weasley?" Elen stopped talking, not because she was out of breath but because she was actually expecting an answer.

"Uh, no, " said Draco.

"Oh, I really must find her soon she promised me she would come dressed as Pippi Longstocking and she better have kept her promise, I really need to show her my costume....."

"I'm surprised her tongue hasn't fallen off," whispered Harry to Megan.

"Attention, please," said McGonagall loudly, tapping her goblet with her fork.

Lisa flinched. "Does she have to do that?" Draco just smirked.

Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome, and Happy Halloween," he said warmly. "As you may have noticed, the tables have been removed. Do not worry, we fully intend to feed you." He paused as several people giggled. "After the entertainment is through, the tables will be replaced and you will get your feast. Until that time, enjoy yourselves and don't forget, there will be a prize awarded to the couple with the best costumes."

"There's a prize?" exclaimed Lisa. "Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"Because, love," said Draco (yes, we are calling him Draco now) jokingly, "did you actually think I was going to dress as a pixie?"

"I could have dressed as Helga whats-her-face, you half-wit," said Lisa, punching his arm. "Then we would have been matching and we could have won. I love winning."

"Come on," said Megan quietly to Harry, "let's go. I don't think I'm gonna be able to stand any more of them."

"No argument here," said Harry, and they walked closer to the stage, where Celestina Warbeck was standing, getting screams and applause from much of the audience. "So, rumor has it that you, Lisa, Fred and George are planning something tonight," said Harry nonchalantly.

"Hmmm," said Megan musingly. "I wonder what gave anyone that idea?" She glanced quickly at the stage, the underside of which was hidden by a drape of purple and orange cloth.

Harry followed her glance. He knew they were up to something, and he knew, somehow, that whatever they were doing had something to do with Snape and Ginny's absence, and the stage.

"This is something big, isn't it?" he asked quietly. "It's not anything dangerous, is it?"

"Harry," said Megan, raising an eyebrow, "you're just going to have to trust me. I can't tell you anything about what's going on, because it's supposed to be a surprise, but believe me, it's not anything dangerous. Dance?"

"Er--sure," said Harry.

They stood there for a few moments, looking at each other. Harry was expecting Megan to do most of the work, like Parvati had at the Yule Ball, but she just stood there, looking expectantly at him. Finally, she rolled her eyes, smiled, and put her arms around his neck. Harry smiled and put his arms around her waist. It suddenly seemed the most natural thing in the world.

(an hour later)

Megan put her head on Harry's shoulder and whispered, "You don't dance half as badly as you'd like people to believe."

Harry half-smiled. "Yeah, I do. It's only when I have skilled partners that I can do anything that remotely resembles dancing."

"Going to kiss her yet there, Potter?" hissed Draco as he passed. They heard him grunt as Lisa dug her elbow into his shoulder.

Megan raised her head and looked at Harry. "Well?" she said gently. "Are you?"

Harry bent his head towards her, not really sure what he was doing but not really caring either. His mouth had almost touched hers when---

Beeep! Beeeeep!

"Uh-oh," said Megan impishly. "It's time."

To Be Continued......................