A/N Here it is! The story you've all been waiting for! Tadaaa!
The spell blew apart the wall. Debris rained around, burying me. I scrambled out, feeling pain as my wrist broke. Harry was near me, helping pull me out. I glanced towards Ron, seeing a red haired man on the ground, convulsing in pain. Percy sat near him, sobbing. He shifted, just enough for me to see the man's face.
"No!" I screamed. "No! Fred! NO!"
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"'Mione, are you awake?" Ginny asked, crawling out of bed towards me.
"Yeah. What time is it?" I mumbled, emerging from my blankets.
"Crap! It's almost ten! We're going to be late!" She cried, jumping up and rushing to get ready. I rolled over, burying myself in my pillows.
"Hermione, come on! Get up already!" Ginny shouted, jumping on my bed. I pushed her off so I could curl up again. "Go away…" I said, my voice muffled by my pillow.
Apparently, that wasn't the right answer.
She picked up a pillow, and pummeled me with it. "Hurry up! You know we have plans for today! We have to get Harry!"
"So? I'm pretty sure he can find the Burrow without me holding his hand the whole time." I muttered sarcastically. I glanced up to see Ginny stuck somewhere in between a laugh and a glare.
"Granger! Get out of bed this instant."
"Gin, since when do you call me 'Granger'? Been spending quality time with Malfoy again? I'm sure Harry'll love that." I grinned into my pillow. She is going to kill me…
"Hermione Granger! You will regret those words." She exclaimed, giving me a wink before she ran out of the room.
I groaned, envisioning her revenge. With Ginny, sister to the evil geniuses, nothing was impossible. I jumped out of bed, grabbing a hairbrush and my wand.
By now, grabbing my wand was a reflex. But, considering who Ginny was getting, it was a good idea.
Lost in my thoughts, I threw on semi-decent clothes. My mind was still on the nightmare. When will they stop? I can't-
My train of thought was interrupted by Ginny running back in, dragging Fred with her. He carried a bag in one hand, and a muffin in the other.
"Merlin's pants, Gin, are you trying to rip my arm off?" He said, setting down the bag to massage his shoulder. He made a face at her, earning himself a smack in the head. Holding the pillow, Ginny smirked, and started hitting him with the pillow again, shouting "This is WAR!"
Fred handed me the stuff he brought, grabbed my pillow, and proceeded to attack Ginny with it. I sat on the bed, watching. They kept hitting each other, and screaming random things, like "This is for the olive hat!" and "Don't forget the duck shoes!"
"Ginny!" Came the yell from downstairs. Ginny sighed, tossed the pillow at Fred, and ran off down the stairs.
Fred, who was sitting on the floor, looked up at me. "What's so funny, 'Mione?
I shrugged, giggling as I flopped back onto the bed. "You two. Honestly, never a dull moment is there?"
He sat on the bed, chuckling. "The day life gets dull around me is the day we find Filch in a good mood. I can't imagine it. The horror!"
"How's the joke shop?" I gasped, still laughing.
"Great. I'm not sure whether people come for the merchandise, or to see my devilishly good looks." He turned to me and winked. I hit him with my pillow.
"So, ready for Hogwarts to start again?" Fred asked, suddenly turning away.
What the…? Ever since the battle, and his coma, he had been acting weird around me. I don't get why, though...
"Nope. I don't think I'm going back. What about you? Going to get your N.E.?" I teased. Everyone knew the twins wouldn't leave the shop. They acted like it was their child.
"NEVER!" He yelled, opening the bag to douse me in an orange powder. I looked down at my hands, and saw that my skin was a bright shade of orange.
"FRED WEASLEY-!" I screamed, jumping up. Fred had already taken off out the door, running down the hall screaming, "A mad woman's after me! Everybody, RUN!"
I ran out the door, suddenly glad I had decided to change. Fred looked back, and started running faster, taking the stairs five at a time. By the time I caught up with him, we were in the kitchen. Oh, great...
"Since when is Hermione a Weasley?" George stated, grinning as he took in my appearance. "Orange is definitely your color, 'Mione."
I was more focused on Fred, but decided scaring him was worth it. "You're next, George."
He smirked, pointing to Fred. "Hey, I didn't have anything to do with this one. It was all Forge."
Fred was standing behind Ginny, laughing like a maniac.
"Change me back, Fred." I growled, at little shocked with myself. Where was my book-wormish self?
"No can do, 'Mione. talk to Gin, she's the evil mastermind of this operation."
I must have looked crazy, because that's when Mrs. Weasley stepped in.
"Fred! Ginny! Change her back, we have to get Harry soon!" She scolded, giving me a sympathetic look.
"But Mum-"
"No buts, Ginevra."
The others sat, staring at his exchange in shock. I glanced at Ron, who was staring at me. He looked away, blushing. Lovely.
Fred pulled out his wand, pointing it at me. "This will, ah, sting a little. Everyone close your eyes. Purgare Coloro!"
Squeezing my eyes shut, I waited until Fred gave the okay.
"Alright people, shows over. Go back to your kippers and toast." He muttered, giving his mother a look.
I sat down next to Charlie, who was visiting from Romania. He leaned over, whispering "You do look good in orange. The boys couldn't keep their eyes off you."
"What? Who?" I muttered back, glancing down the table toward a certain red-head.
He didn't reply, instead he gave me the wink. You know, the 'I'm going to let you suffer with curiosity and enjoy the show but no hard feelings' wink. Muttering to myself, I sat back and ate my toast.
When everyone was done, Mrs. Weasley directed us to the car. By us, it was Ginny, Ron,, Mr. Weasley, and myself.
The car was a newer model, with a comfortable extension charm on the inside. Mr. Weasley had gotten it a few weeks before, and was forever tinkering with it in his garage.
I sat in the back with Ron, Ginny taking the front seat. Mr. Weasley got in, and we took off.
Ron kept throwing me looks, staring at my hand. I sighed. The boy has as much experience as a two year old...
Mr. Weasley took a sharp turn, causing me to slide into Ron. He looked happy about it, taking my hand and holding it. Here we go...
Ginny gave me a look through the mirror, but I didn't bother to respond. I knew what she was wondering. I made a mental note to explain later.
It wasn't long before we pulled up to a small brick house. The car made it up the driveway, stopping before the garage. The front door opened, and Harry rushed out.
"You guys made it!" He cried, running to us. He grabbed Ginny in a hug, twirling her around. While everyone was distracted, I pulled my hand from Ron's, and stood with my arms crossed. Harry finally put Ginny down, and noticed us. "Hermione, Ron! It feels weird not seeing you guys everyday now."
He grabbed the two of us, bringing us into a group hug. I grinned.
Ron spoke out, "Hey, Harry, mind loosening the choke hold? We need to breathe."
Harry dropped his arms, and I did the same. Ron moved his arms around my waist, pulling me towards him.
Harry shot me a questioning look, and I attempted to smile, though it may have come out a grimace.
"Guys, come inside! You've got to see Teddy." He lead the way back in, Ron dropped his arms from me to follow him in. Ginny walked next to me, and once the guys were inside, stopped.
"Talk. What's going on between you two?" She asked, looking concerned.
"Gin, not right now, please." She made a face as if to protest. "I will tell you, just not right now. Oh, and will you please sit in the back with me?"
She agreed quietly, not questioning my reasons. I gave her a smile, and we walked inside.
Harry stood near a crib, talking with Ron. Mrs. Tonks walked over, giving Gin and I a smile.
"Honestly, the boys are more taken with little Teddy then my girlfriends are!" She giggled.
We walked over to the crib, looking down at the little blue-haired boy.
"Does he always do that?" Ginny asked, picking him up to hold him.
"Only when company is around. Normally, it's blond. He likes to show off." Mrs. Tonks explained.
"Mrs. Tonks? I-"
"Andy, please, Hermione."
"Andy, can he control his morphing yet?"
"Of course! 'Dora could too, at this age. Of course, we don't go out very often." She remarked, glancing at the baby.
Ron was lost in thought. Suddenly, he said "I can't wait to have a son of my own."
He looked at me when he said it, and I paled. Not now...Why, Ronald, why?
Everyone had a look of shock on their faces. Harry followed Ron's gaze, raising his eyebrow at me. I blushed and left the room.
Ginny followed me outside. "The boys are getting Harry's things."
I nodded, showing I heard her.
Ginny sighed, "'Mione-"
The boys came out the door, Ron carrying Harry's trunk. Harry said his goodbyes, and we got in the car.
"Everything go okay, Harry?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Yes, sir." Harry replied, climbing into the front seat with Ron.
Ginny and I sat in the back, and it was all I could do not to look at the guys. Harry kept giving me concerned looks, and Ron, well, was being Ron.
When we got back to the Burrow, Ron and Harry went inside. Ginny kept throwing me looks, and I ignored them. Now was not the time to talk about this.
Fred walked over, clutching his broom in his hand. "Anyone up for a game of Quidditch?"
He winked at me, running into the house to get Charlie and the boys. Ginny threw one last look before marching off to the orchard.
George stood by the broom shed, holding his broom in one hand, and a Quaffle in the other.
"Two chasers and one keeper each. First to seventy wins. Got it?" He tossed Ginny the Quaffle, and handed me a broom.
Walking out into the field, Ginny and I warmed up. She tossed the Quaffle to me, giving me a hard glare.
"Mione, if you are playing him-"
"Ginevra! Not now!"
The boys walked out from behind the shed, clutching their brooms. Charlie divided us into teams: Ginny, Harry and Fred made one, Ron, George and I made the other.
It was interesting, flying. I sat in the air, waiting, feeling a little calmer. Calm, at least, until I looked down.
The others played with skill, flying as if they had been born on brooms. Ginny passed the Quaffle to Harry, swerving around me and Ron. George stole, passing to Ron, who passed it to me.
I tried to speed up, flying towards the goals, when Fred knocked into me.
"Gotta be on your game, 'Mione!" He yelled, throwing the ball to Ginny.
I spun in the air, trying to keep up. Fred winked, speeding towards the other end of the field.
Ginny scored, and Ron took possession. He passed to me, and as I scored, I heard a scream.
"No!"
I spun around, finding everyone speeding towards the ground. Towards Fred.
I hit the ground, running over to the group. Shock was written on every face.
Charlie ran towards the house, calling back that he was getting help.
George stood near Fred, who was face down on the ground. I walked closer, hands over my mouth, fearing the worst.
"Is he-is-Fred!" I gasped, finding it hard to breathe.
No one moved. It was silent, as if the world had frozen in pain and shock.
I walked closer and kneeled next to George. That's when I noticed something.
Near Fred's head was something that looked like blood, but it wasn't. It was...purple!
Ginny echoed my thoughts, anger seeping in her voice. "Fred! What the bloody hell?"
Fred sat up, a smile on his face. George broke into laughter, staring at us.
"Charlie! You can come out now!" He called, looking towards the broom shed.
Charlie ran out, laughing hard enough to cry. "Your faces! Did you really think he actually fell?"
Harry and Ron began to laugh, expressions changing from fear to awe and respect. Ginny was livid, and she rushed off towards the shed.
"Someone stop her. Mum would go spare if she found out." George requested, looking towards Harry.
With a nod, Harry and Ron ran off after her. Ron threw a look at me, still sitting near Fred. He must have decided something, because he ran off after Harry.
George and Charlie gathered the brooms and headed to the shed, talking about how brilliant the prank was.
I sat there, staring at Fred in shock. "How-but...why?" I sputtered, my in articulation annoying me.
He looked at me, finally taking in my shock. "'Mione, it was a joke. We wanted to test a new product, and Charlie was game...are you okay?"
"No!" I shouted, glaring at him. "Fred, it wasn't funny. Do you have any idea-" My voice trailed off. Suddenly, I understood why I was still having nightmares.
"Wow, 'Mione...Look, I'm sorry." Fred turned my head toward him. We were close, close enough for me to see every freckle on his nose. His eyes captured my gaze, the intensity of them shocking me. He moved closer, when-
"Oi! You two! Mum says get inside! We've got letters!" George called from the shed.
Fred looked to me, and stood up, offering me a hand. "Let's go, before Mum finds out."
We walked back to the house, meeting up with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She fell in step with me, muttering under her breathe.
"Relax, Gin." I murmured, looking at her. She was upset, and looked ready to kill Fred with her bare hands. I didn't blame her, but somewhere in my mind I wished she wouldn't.
Mrs. Weasley greeted us at the door, pointing to the table. "Your letters are there. Ginny, your Hogwarts letter came today, too."
I picked up my letter, staring at the Ministry emblem.
I looked at everyone else, seeing the confusion on their faces.
Opening my letter, I began to read.
Miss Granger,
We, the Ministry, would like to thank you for our efforts in the war. You have shown outstanding courage, and the Wizarding World will forever be grateful for what you did.
As the new minister of magic, it has come to my attention that you have missed your last year of Hogwarts. Under normal circumstances, you would be allowed an excused absence for it. Unfortunately, that cannot happen. With the current threats to students, especially you, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley, the Ministry has decided completion of your seventh year of Hogwarts is mandatory. Your safety is not the only reason for this abrupt change, but we cannot explain further at the present time. Failure to comply will result in serious consequences. Thank you for your cooperation. Your Hogwarts letter is enclosed.
Sincerly,
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Minister Of Magic
Everyone gasped, like we had been reading in sync.
"No! This isn't fair!" The twins cried, looks of disbelief and rage on their faces.
"We can't leave the shop!" George cried, tearing the letter up as if it had done him a personal wrong. Which, in a way, it had.
"Dad, isn't there some loophole? Something?" Fred asked Mr. Weasley.
He shook his head. "No. Not unless you want a cell in Azkaban."
"Well, looks like you're all going back to Hogwarts!" Mrs. Weasley cried.
A/N Told you I would be posting! Muahaha. I know I'm evil. Please don't hate me for cutting the Fred/Hermione drama! I promise, there will be more!
-Cammy c:
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