Disclaimer--If you like it, assume I don't own it. The Potterverse belongs to JKR, Steve Klowes, Scholastic and WB. Fanon belongs to the multitude...I'm simply paying homage with the sincerest form of flattery. No copyright infringement is intended, and no money is being made.

Author's Notes--This is intended as a sequel to that story intended to cover the events of Ginny's third year at Hogwarts. For those of you who know my posting habits, you already know posting has been a lot slower in this work (for which I apologize--I've missed our "club"), and it will probably continue to be slower. I really hope you'll make the effort to stick with me anyway. As you all know, I may not own it, but I work hard, and I love it, so if you read it and enjoy it, please review it!

Luna Project--Thanks! I hope you keep reading!

Lady Siri--It's great to know you've read my first two stories. I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them. :-) I hope you read and enjoy this one as well.

Raiining--More at last! Sorry for the delay! I'm thrilled you think SoA was true to the book...that's some of the highest praise I could ask for...and so is the idea I've helped to fuel your Ginny-mania...she's a great character, and deserves to be admired! I'm looking forward to what you think of future installments.

Bee11--I'm waiting for this story to evolve, too...I'm really excited about the richness there to be explored...if I can do it justice.

Adrienne--I liked the idea of the story starting with Ginny sneaking out to practice, though, of course, it was taken directly from OotP when Hermione tells Ron Ginny has been doing that very thing for years. *winks* The twins have depths I think a lot of people miss...and I would hate to underestimate the importance of comic relief anyway. *grins* Sorry to keep you suspended for so long...I've definitely missed our discussions. *hugs*

EEDOE--I liked that line about the solitude as well. :-) I love the fact the scene with Mrs. Weasley and the twins reminded you of you and your boys... (not only do I like the connection between you and me, I like knowing Mrs. Weasley is being portrayed in a realistic and sympathetic manner.) *grins* Ginny is a bit young, but someday she'll understand the bittersweet beauty of having people who live in her thoughts forever. *grins* Thanks so much for your patience and support. *hugs*

Bill--Yay! I'm so glad you think the transition between the two stories was smooth! :-) I totally agree...with as many injuries as Quidditch seems to induce, reserve players seem necessary, but...above all, the plot devices. *winks* Yeah...I think Harry would notice Ginny instantly, too...but guys aren't the only ones who miss the obvious. *winks* The ending of this chapter was definitely meant to leave people curious, so...*grins and winks* And, thanks to you to for being so understanding and comforting. *hugs*

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"IF YOU CALL ENDANGERING OTHER STUDENTS AND THROWING AWAY YOUR FUTURES A JOKE, YOU HARDLY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S FUNNY!" Mum roared, making the walls shudder as if they wanted to cower away from her.



"We're not throwing away our futures," George objected indignantly.



"We're thinking about them," Fred added.



"Which is why we decided it was time to start marketing," George said rationally.



"And our products aren't as dangerous as you think," Fred said, sounding a bit hurt.



"We've tested them very carefully," George agreed.



Ginny was beginning to feel a bit dizzy. She pushed Ron out of the way and sat down unceremoniously.



"Well, boys," Dad began, "that certainly seems--"



"RUNNING A JOKE SHOP IS NOT A FUTURE," Mum thundered. "YOU'RE OLD ENOUGH TO BE REALISTIC--YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT JOBS WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A LIVING--"



"Joke shop?" Ginny repeated to herself, wondering if the entire world had gone batty while she'd been up on her broom.



Ron nodded imperceptibly. "Apparently Fred and George have been planning to start one for a while," he said from the corner of his mouth. "Mum caught them making up an inventory list."



"You mean they actually have an inventory?" Ginny asked, surprised.



"Beats me," Ron admitted with the slightest suggestion of a shrug. "But you heard George--he said they've tested the products, so they must have some."



"We can make a living at this," George was insisting.



"We're good at it," Fred added.



"We've been developing things for years," George said.



"AND THAT'S SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER? ALL THIS TIME YOU COULD HAVE BEEN WORKING ON YOUR STUDIES, YOU'VE BEEN PLANNING TO MAKE A LIVING BLOWING THINGS UP? WHAT SORT OF AN EXAMPLE ARE YOU SETTING FOR YOUR SISTER?"



"Funny," Fred said so softly, Ginny thought--she hoped--she was the only one who heard him, "I don't think I've heard her complain."



"Ginny has other brothers to set her an example," George said a bit more loudly. Ginny winced.



"PERCY HAS A RIGHT TO FEEL THAT WAY," Mum snarled. "HE HAS AN INTERVIEW AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC AS WE SPEAK, AND HE'S QUITE LIKELY TO GET QUITE A GOOD JOB THERE--BEING LIKE HIM WOULDN'T HURT EITHER OF YOU A BIT."



"Yes, it would," the twins muttered together under their breath. Ginny didn't think she'd ever heard them use a tone quite so bitter.



"Now, Molly," Dad said, "if the boys have really--" he broke off with a sigh as Mum turned on him, eyes flashing and half-full of tears. "Perhaps we better discuss this later," he said firmly.



Mum opened her mouth to object, but Dad was already steering her toward the kitchen. Ginny thought she heard him say, "I think it's about time for some tea."



Ginny, Ron, and the twins were left to stare at each other in silence for several seconds. "Are you really thinking about starting your own joke shop?" Ron asked eventually.



Fred and George exchanged such a long-suffering look, Ginny nearly hugged them, only she didn't think it was a good idea given the dangerous emotional charge still hovering in the air. "No," George said shortly. "We're not thinking about opening our own joke shop."



"Then--" Ron began.



"We're going to open our own joke shop," Fred said flatly. "We've already decided on the name."



"Really?" Ginny grinned. "Well?"



Fred and George raised their eyebrows at her. "Weasleys Wizarding Wheazes." George said. "WWW for short."



"Catchy," said Ron.



Ginny was interested in more important things. "Are you going to show them to us or not?"



"Why, Ginny, I'm surprised at you."



"Encouraging irresponsible behaviour--what would your mother say?"



"I dunno," Ginny said, shrugging. "Want to go and ask her?"



"Follow us," said Fred, ignoring Ron's snickers somewhat heroically.



An entire lifetime with the twins hadn't prepared Ginny for the sheer scope of what they could do. After an enthusiastic demonstration of their wares, accompanied by an even more enthusiastic presentation of their business plan, Ginny was absolutely convinced Fred and George would be crazy to do anything else. Ron didn't seem quite so convinced, but he definitely didn't disapprove. Between Ginny's insistence that Mum would eventually come around because in the end she just wanted the twins to be happy, and Ron's fascination with their Belching Bites--"Lee gave us the idea for those," George remarked generously--the twins were in a considerably better mood for dinner.



Whatever Dad gave Mum for tea, she, too, seemed to be reasonably calm, if quiet, and the rest of the evening passed with nothing worse than Percy's endless descriptions of the various offices he had interviewed in.



Except for a slight tension in the air whenever Mum and the twins were in the same room together, the whole incident was forgotten by the end of the week.