Light my fire

Disclaimer: I don't own anything I don't own, including but not limited to Harry Potter.

Chapter one

Trick or treat

Everything began on a cold winter day, as Hermione was still in her sixth year.

Christmas Eve was not far away, and the whole Weasley family had gathered at the Burrow to celebrate it together. Obviously, there would be some knitted pullover and Cauldron Cakes under the Christmas tree but it was good to feel that nothing would ever change. The Christmas balls, the smell of cinnamon all around the house and all these habits the Weasley had since their childhood. Of course, Harry was invited, and Ron had insisted for Hermione to come too, even if the house would be crowded. In spite of her parents protestations, Hermione had finally managed to convince them, ensuring she would be with them for Easter.

All the teens had planned to go skiing the very next day on Harry's advice, and even if no one of them had ever tried that muggle sport except Hermione, it seemed to the Weasley almost as exciting as Quidditch, and the snowy hills made their eyes shine like the candles of Mrs Weasley's Christmas tree.

A hysteric giggling increased from the lower floor, and Hermione sighted, recognizing Ron's voice. At least, the boys were having fun, downstairs… Of course, she was used to share Ginny's room at the Burrow, but was she had to admit she was a bit deceived not to spend more time with Harry and Ron.

Ginny wasn't the problem, she had always been a really good friend for her and they actually shared a lot together, but she wasn't as close to her as the boys, and Hermione knew they didn't speak freely in Ginny's presence. However, let her alone to meet Harry and Ron downstairs would be impolite as well, and she was thus staying with Ginny.

"KIIIDS! LUNCH TIME!" Mrs Weasley yelled from downstairs, her voice squeaking like an old plastic toy. She had apparently caught a bad cold while hunting gnomes in the garden and was in a very bad mood.

Mrs Weasley could surely have drunk a dose of Pepperup Potion but Ron had taken the last one two days ago, and that fact didn't improve Molly's mood.

Hermione was thus about to go downstairs quite quickly not to irritate her more than she already was -that is to say, like a T-Rex, at time-, guided by the delicious smell of chestnuts and turkey which came from the first floor when Ginny interrupted her.

"Mione, could you tell mum I'm not coming for now? I really want to finish this one..." she asked, her cheeks blushing while she smiled, a bit embarrassed.

Ginny had waited an owl the whole morning and the day before, and as Hermione had saw her smile when the long-eared owl arrived at the Burrow, it wasn't hard for her to guess that the letter came from her boyfriend, who was still Dean Thomas according to the latest gossip.

Hermione whispered nostalgically. Ginny was in love, at least. A feeling she hadn't feel since many years…

"Of course, I will, don't worry. But if I were you, I'd hurry up, I don't think she's patient at all, today…" she said with a smile.

As she opened the door, Hermione heard a strange malicious whispering next to her and discovered without delay that Harry and Ron were sitting in the unstable stairs of the second floor, their faces preoccupied by a random mischievous plan.

"What evil plan are you both preparing?" she asked, distrustful.

Harry jumped guiltily, scared by her proximity, but didn't lose his poker face. Actually, he didn't have done anything he should feel guilty about, except perhaps speak ill about Dean Thomas. The young Gryffindor had always been his friend… since he became Ginny's boyfriend. Harry didn't really know why, but he couldn't bear Dean since he was with her. And imagine Ginny in his arm… Dean kissing Ginny in the common room… He shuddered with horror.

"Hey Mione! D'you want one of those jelly beans? They're really delicious…" Ron asked, interrupting Harry's dark thoughts while he presented the bag to Hermione.

Something in her head told her not to accept, but she changed her mind. After all, Ron would never give her something bad, would he? Hermione picked up a bright red bean in the bag, hoping it was strawberry flavour, her favourite, but she had barely bring it to her lips that she felt something strange on her left leg.

"What the…?!" She yelled without understanding. But she hadn't even the time to finish her sentence that she fell into the stairs.

She didn't feel any pain but something did go wrong. It wasn't broken but more like… Like if she hadn't any bone anymore. Wait… She really didn't have bones anymore. For Merlin's sake… What happened?

"Mione?!" Ron screamed panic-stricken.

"My leg! It's become... like rubber!"

Hermione was lost until she saw Fred and George looking at her from upstairs, their faces surrounded by anxiety. Of course, how didn't she think about it earlier? The twins were trying all their tricks for the shop they had opened a few weeks ago on Diagon Alley… And she had fallen into the trap like a newbie. How could she have been so stupid?

"Did it work?" George asked in a low voice.

"Apparently not, mate. Er… Her bones don't seem to grow back. We'll have to work on it for our next Skiving Snackbox" Fred answered with a little laugh, desperately trying to hide his giggle.

"I'm so sorry, Mione, I swear I didn't know! Fred told me it was a Canary Cream! Are you ok?"

Ron was racing down the stairs to catch her up… Too late. Hermione already supposed he hadn't become conscious of what had been on those jelly beans, but she was irritated by his slow-wittedness. Obviously, Fred and George wouldn't give him a bag of jelly beans of pure kindness. There was always something behind their acts, and particularly when it was a question of food.

"Of course I'm not, you fool! I don't have bones anymore in my left leg, Ron!" she barked angrily. "FRED, GEORGE! I'LL KILL YOU! I swear I will!"