A continuation of my ficlet "Socratic Hemlock", which sprung from my oneshot "Trick". By hook or by crook, this is the last story in its series! It should clock in at fifteen chapters or so.

Standard disclaimers apply.

Chapter One: About the Crummy Summer We Had

"That'll be thirteen Sickles seven," Ginny Weasley said from behind her till. "One at a time, mind," she warned the customer, who appeared to be in third year or so, "they don't interact well when used in combination." As she bagged the boy's purchase, a deafening BOOM! sounded from the back of the shop, punctuated by the decadence of glass shattering. In most places of business, such an event would be rare and involve anger, solemnity, and retributions, but Ginny had barely flinched. The shop she was working till for was, of course, Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes, and even now triumphant whoops were heard from the back room.

"Make sure you drop by Zonko's before Halloween," she said with a wink as she collected the boy's coins. "They put in an order for that," she jerked her thumb in the explosion's general direction, "while it was in its concept phase. Enjoy the snackbox, and please come again!" She returned to drawing on her parchment, her knee bouncing in a nervous rhythm. She traced over the date she'd inscribed in the top corner. August 28, 1997.

Two weeks ago today. She was just procrastinating now. And it was past noon. She screwed up her courage. "Oi! George! Get your arse out here!"

George appeared, covered in a translucent layer of soot and beaming uncontrollably. "We finally got it to set properly! Of course, there's the small matter of the explosion, but I think it'll turn out okay, it's really much more stable if it gets it all out at once-"

"Yes, yes, you've done very well," Ginny said in a pacifying tone, casting a quick Scourgifying charm on her brother. "Can you take the till? I'm fancying some ice cream."

"Great idea! Let's go together! My treat." He stretched a hand out to her magnanimously.

"I was kind of going to go alone. I was thinking of doing some window shopping," she added hastily as George's face fell, "you probably don't want to be around for that."

"I don't mind."

"But I was-"

"Ginny." George was somber now. "I don't want you to go anywhere alone."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

"Fine, Mum doesn't want you to go anywhere alone. It's too dangerous, and with Ron and Harry gone…." He trailed off.

She twirled her wand in George's face. Well, it wasn't her wand, exactly. Its original owner was Draco Malfoy. It was hers now, though, and it was much nicer than her old hand-me-down. She tucked it back in her sleeve. "It's Diagon Alley, George. I'll be fine." She hopped off her stool, but George grabbed her arm and yanked her off-balance.

Instantly, wands were drawn and Ginny and George were facing each other with identical snarls. Neither fired a hex, though, and they lowered their wands slowly. "What's wrong with you?" George whispered.

"I want to be alone." Ginny wondered if tears would work on George this time. She was so frustrated by now that they would probably be genuine.

"You can't. I'm sorry."

"I need to go somewhere."

"I'll go anywhere you want."

She was out of options. "Anywhere?"

"I swear on a Canary Cream, your girly secrets are safe with me."

"You can't tell anyone."

"Of course," he said, eyeing her curiously. "Fred! You finished forming 'em?"

"As good as they'll get, I think," Fred yelled.

"Get out here. Ginny and I are going out."

Fred appeared, beating soot out of his robes. "Where are you going?"

"Window-shopping. Ickle Ginnykins needs cheering," he said, trying to put his arm around her while she attempted to shove him in the ribs.

"Bring me an ice cream if you run that way." Fred winced as he plopped down on the stool. "Strawberry."

"Will do." George ushered Ginny out of the shop. "So, where are we really going?"

"Azkaban," Ginny said in a small voice.

George laughed heartily. "Where are we really going?"

"Azkaban."

"Err…no."

"You said anywhere!" she argued furiously.

"You said Diagon Alley!" he shot back. "Why the bloody hell would you want to go there?"

"To visit Malfoy."

"Are you nutters, Ginny? Forget it. If he weren't in there for life, I'd beat him to a pulp upon release. I know you testified on his behalf, but you don't have to be nice to him, he's a bloody ponce and a criminal of the worst sort. Do you fancy him or something? because if you do-"

"George, please!" she cried desperately. "I have to, or he'll tell people things about me!" It was close enough to the truth. Kind of. "About…the Chamber…." She let her chin wobble dangerously.

"I'll kill him," George muttered tightly, pulling her into a rough embrace. "I have to come up with it yet, but I'll find a way."

"We have to go now, and you can't tell anyone. He can't do anything to me. I just have to visit him. Please."

Five minutes later they were in the Ministry of Magic getting patted down for a trip to prison. In half an hour, Ginny and George were at the gates of Azkaban.