A/N: Essentially, what you recognize belongs to the goddess that is J.K. Rowling, and what you don't belongs to lil' ol' me.
Thanks for reading this far, and I hope you enjoy what's to come.
•~0~•
Following a long conversation with her father in which he had strictly but firmly told her to spend what precious years of childhood she had remaining with her friends, despite her offers to stay and help, Genevieve arrived at the Burrow on the twins' invitation to remain for the rest of her summer. As an only child, she'd never experienced the chaotic nature of day-to-day life with a big family and found that, while it certainly required much adjusting to, she quite enjoyed it.
Her summer was filled to the brim, including bunking with the hilarious and fiery Ginny, who would soon be off to Hogwarts for the first time, playing wizard chess with Ron (the only person she ever lost to), and plotting more pranks with Fred and George for the upcoming year at Hogwarts. She, along with Ron, and no doubt, Hermione also sent letters to Harry, detailing their adventures and checking on him. Ron even invited him to stay multiple times. Mysteriously, he never responded, even to birthday wishes. Coupled with the fact that Mr. Weasley said one day that Harry had received an official warning from the Ministry for using magic outside of Hogwarts, the Weasley family to began to grow increasingly worried until, one night . . .
"Wake up, Genevieve, wake up!"
"Dear God, woman, are you asleep or dead?"
She sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes. Ginny was still sound asleep. She was about to ask what the bloody hell the twins thought they were doing when they resumed whispering excitedly.
"Get dressed."
"We've got to hurry. We're behind schedule; Mum only just went to sleep."
"We're going to get Harry."
Ushering them from the room for a moment, she changed as quickly and quietly as she could and slipped out into the hallway, where Fred, George, and Ron were waiting impatiently. As they hurried out of the house, Genevieve began questioning them.
"Exactly how are we planning on getting Harry? No magic, remember?"
"We don't have to use magic if the object is already enchanted." Fred gestured to a nearby Ford Anglia.
Genevieve's eyes widened in horror. "No."
George grinned. "Yes."
"We could die, or worse, be seen! Your dad could be prosecuted for this; everyone would find out he's been meddling with Muggle artifacts!"
Fred shrugged. "All in the name of saving Harry Potter. Let's go."
Aware that this was going to happen whether she approved or not, Genevieve climbed into the car, and they flew away.
•~0~•
After rescuing Harry from his aunt and uncle's house, where they'd locked him in (and with bars on the window, no less!), he'd explained that a house elf was not only responsible for intercepting their letters to him, but also the use of magic Harry'd been reprimanded for. The group contemplated who Dobby belonged to, and why they didn't want him to return to Hogwarts, even singling out Malfoy.
Finally, George said, "That's the main road. We'll be there in ten minutes . . . Just as well, it's getting light . . ."
Touching solid ground again (thank Merlin), there was a collective sigh of relief at being successful. Until Mrs. Weasley stomped up to them, looking particularly murderous.
"Ah," said Fred, almost worriedly.
"Oh, dear," George contributed.
"So," Mrs. Weasley began. Genevieve winced internally, preparing for a long and shouty scolding.
"Morning, Mum," George said, trying to act as though he were innocent.
"Have you any idea how worried I've been?" Mrs. Weasley's quietness was, quite frankly, terrifying.
She could hold it in no longer. "Beds empty! No note! Car gone - could have crashed - out of my mind with worry - did you care? - never, as long as I've lived - just wait until your father gets home, we never had trouble like this from Bill or Charlie or Percy -"
Fred spat out dangerous words. "Perfect Percy." This was a very, very wrong thing to say.
"YOU COULD DO WITH TAKING A LEAF OUT OF PERCY'S BOOK!" Mrs. Weasley thundered, nearly impaling Fred with the sheer force of her finger. She continued in this vein until her voice grew husky, then turned to where Genevieve and Harry were barely managing to keep from trembling in fear.
"I'm very pleased to see you, Harry, dear," she said. "And I'm sure you both must be exhausted and starving. Come in and have some breakfast."
Still scared witless, Genevieve followed Harry and the Weasleys into the kitchen, which was small but full of interesting books and knickknacks. Mrs. Weasley was already at the stove, sometimes slamming down pans and muttering under her breath as she glared at her youngest sons.
As she filled Genevieve and Harry's plates, she spoke to them comfortingly. "I don't blame you, dears. Arthur and I have been worried about you, too, Harry. Just last night we were saying we'd come and get you ourselves if you hadn't written back to Ron or Genevieve by Friday. But really, flying an illegal car halfway across the country - anyone could have seen you. Thank Merlin you were there to keep them away from prying eyes, Genevieve. Heaven forbid Charlie and the twins - "
She shot a dirty look their way, "had never met you. Muggles all over Britain would be in need of Memory Charms, I daresay."
"It was cloudy, Mum!" Fred protested.
"You keep your mouth closed while you're eating!"
Mrs. Weasley retorted sharply.
"They were starving him, Mum!" George said, angling for forgiveness - or just release from his mother's wrath.
"And you!"
The burgeoning argument was cut short by Ginny, who had seen Harry as she entered the kitchen, made a sound that remarkably resembled a pig's squeal, and raced out again. Ron murmured her name to Harry and told of her obsession with him, only slightly exaggerating.
After trying and failing to worm out of punishment, the Weasley boys filed outside into the garden, Harry and Genevieve accompanying them, Harry out of curiosity about de-gnoming a garden, Genevieve out of pity. Once the chore was finished, and her arms thoroughly sore, they returned to the house, Mr. Weasley having just returned home, and Mrs. Weasley berating him about enchanting the flying car in the first place.
Seizing the moment, Genevieve, Harry, and Ron escaped, the boys off to Ron's room and Genevieve off to Ginny's. Just as she'd been about to enter, however, the previously slightly open door slammed in her face.
"Oi!" Genevieve said, annoyed. "What was that all about?"
The door opened creakily, Ginny glancing around cautiously before allowing the older girl entrance.
"Sorry." Ginny apologized. "Thought I saw Harry see me."
"I reckon he did," Genevieve replied. "He was right behind me, after all."
"Think so?" Ginny asked, biting her lip in horror.
"Well, yeah, I don't suppose he could have missed it; you weren't exactly subtle. Why does it matter so mu-" Genevieve broke off, comprehension dawning.
"Ohhhh. Ginny's got a crush," she singsonged.
Ginny threw a pillow at her, laughing. "Shut up."