Disclaimer: Still no...

Language warning... Just because...

Parker didn't know how she made it through the week leading up to Cedric's service; all anyone was talking about was Cedric's death and what had caused it, and how young Harry Potter had survived. Most of her time was spent away from her fellow Hufflepuffs and with her friends out on the Hogwarts grounds. Fred and George stuck with her as much as she tolerated, as they were concerned about her.

The service was held the last day of term, at what was usually the Leaving Feast. Dumbledore and the teachers allowed the students to sit with whomever they wanted, so the twins, Atlade, Lee and Brooke sat with their friends at the Hufflepuff table. With Fred on her right and George on her left, Parker felt a little better, a little safer with them nearby.

Dumbledore stood and gave his speech about Cedric's death and events surrounding it. Most Hufflepuffs had tears running down their faces while the Headmaster spoke, and Fred held his girlfriends' hand in his when her tears began to fall. The room was silent apart from sniffs and sobs, but there was a sort of uproar when Dumbledore revealed that Voldemort had returned, and was the one responsible for Cedric's untimely death. Everyone slept uneasily that night after hearing about You-Know-Who's return, whether they believed it or not.

The next morning, the students left for the summer break, or to go on to their adult lives. Parker and her friends tried to cram into one compartment, but as there were eight of them, they had to split up between two; Parker and Fred were with George and Brooke, Atlade and Drake were with Lee and Jude. Most of the group ended up sleeping on the way home, Drake had his head in Laddie's lap, and Laddie was paying chess with Jude while Lee slept against the window. In their compartment, Brooke was using George as a pillow while he looked over some notes that he and Fred had made about their products during the year. His twin, meanwhile, sat cuddled with Parker, wide awake and talking.

"Another year... gone," Parker told them. "It's hard to believe."

"I know, but Fred and me made some great advances with our products," George said without looking up.

"Next year should prove interesting, then," she responded.

"Yeah, maybe..."

"Maybe?"

Fred spoke up. "George and I aren't sure if we're going back for our last year, love. Not with what just happened to Cedric, with You-Know-Who coming back. The Ministry thinks Dumbledore's a bit whacked, so you know they'll want to be in the business of the school."

"But still..."

"You're not mad, Park?"

"No. A bit disappointed, but I understand."

"Parker, we said we aren't sure. We still may go back," George pointed out.

"I know."

Fred let Parker go so he could see her properly. "While you're disappointed, I guess now's the time to let you know."

"Let me know what?" Parker asked, slightly fearful.

"First, it's nothing bad, so stop worrying. Listen, though. Our Mum got a hold of Dumbledore and told him about what was supposed to be going on this summer. He told us there's going to be a lot going on, and he's worried about the safety of us Weasleys... and also your safety."

"Mine? Ok, I don't see what I have to do with anything..." Parker trailed off.

"Dumbledore is going to move us into hiding within a few weeks, love. He's afraid of you staying with us while we're at home, so he wanted us to pass on--"

"Wait, what?" Parker exclaimed.

"– He wanted us to pass on to you that while he's concerned about safety, he also knows we're together romantically, and the world can always use more love. So he told your parents, and ours, that you can stay with us until we get moved."

"Why can't I go with you?" she asked quietly.

"For safety, Dumbledore said," George answered. "As far as we understand, the only ones outside the family they're going to bring in are Hermione Granger... and Harry, since he knows who Harry's fond of, and Dumbledore wants them safe."

"And You-Know-Who doesn't know about you, love, and I'd rather it stayed that way," Fred told her with a kiss on the cheek. Parkers' response was to throw her arms around his neck so he could hug her.

"Ughh... Whaa...?" Brooke moaned, sitting up. A string of drool lead from the corner of her mouth to the soggy spot on George's chest where she had been laying.

"Oh, gross!" George yelled. "Did you have to drool?"

Brooke ran her hand over her mouth. "I do not drool."

"Than why is there a wet spot on my shirt?!" he cried, pointing to his chest.

"Oh. I guess I do. Sorry 'bout that."

"I have to change my shirt. Girls, turn away."

"Why should we turn away?" Brooke asked. "You're changing your shirt, not your unders."

"You might be in awe at the greatness of my being shirtless," George responded as he fished a new t-shirt out of his trunk.

"In awe of what, your lack of chest hair?" Parker asked. George let out a series of sounds that reminded her of one of her younger brothers' temper tantrums, which made the rest of them laugh.

"Oh, George, she has you there," Fred choked out.

"Oh yeah? If I have no chest hair, neither do you, twin brother."

"I have hair, George, don't be jealous."

The reddened twin glared at his brother, but he quickly turned it into a smile. He made sure the blinds in their compartment were closed, then pulled his drool-spotted t-shirt off over his head.

"George, what are you doing?" Brooke asked through a laugh; he was swinging his shirt around his head, and was gyrating his hips.

"Anything you want," he said in a jokingly lusty voice.

Fred and Parker fell off their seats, laughing, as he jumped up next to Brooke and kept swinging his shirt around. They laughed even harder when their friend got up to dance with George. They all knew who exactly looked foolish at that moment, and it made all of them gasp for breath as both of the dancers fell onto the seats in a jumble.

"This is the most brilliant way to end the year ever," Brooke managed to say between breaths.

"Bloody brilliant," Fred agreed.

Some hours later the train pulled into Platform 9 3/4. Fred and Parker were rudely woken up by Drake and Atlade, who found it necessary to sit on them and drip cold water on their faces. Once awake, they all gathered whatever had managed to leak out of their trunks and dragged them off of the train. Parents were everywhere trying to find their children, and the group found a spot to avoid being seen so they could say their goodbyes.

"I'm going to miss you guys until September!" Parker cried as all of the girls got into a group hug.

"Who says we can't see each other till then? We have all summer!"

"Yeah, no one said we have to be home bound!"

There was more squealing and some tears as the girls broke apart. The boys stood off to the side, talking and clapping each other on the shoulders. Atlade flung herself at Drake, and their summer goodbye was so personal, the rest turned away in embarrassment. Lee was dragged off his parents, as was Drake and Atlade a few seconds later. Jude was talking to Fred and Parker as he watched for his and Brooke's mum, when all of a sudden, Brooke wrapped her arms around George's neck and kissed him deeply.

"I didn't know Laddie fancied George," Fred whispered is Parker's ear.

"Me, either. Guess we know now, eh? So how're we getting to your house?"

"Muggle taxis, most likely. The Ministry isn't about to let Dad use their cars, and the Leaky Cauldron is a bit of a walk with our trunks, so Floo Powder is out."

"What about Apparition?"

"Nah, Ginny and Ron are too young, and Mum likes for us to go home together. Ah, there she is. Bet Ginny told her we're off snogging or doing something not-so-nice."

"George and Brooke certainly are," Parker told him and pointed at where his twin was still snogging their friend.

"Oi! George! Put your tongue back in your mouth. Mum is coming over here!"

George and Brooke jumped apart as though they'd been burned. It was too late, however, as Mrs. Weasley seen them kissing. "GEORGE!"

"Hullo, Mum."

"What do you think you're doing?! Ginny, Ron and I have been looking everywhere for you, and here I find you--"

"Smashing good to see you, Mum, it's been, what? A few weeks?"

"Oh, Fred, there you are. Why do you let your brother just kiss anywhere he wants?"

"I'm his twin, Mum, not his babysitter."

Mrs. Weasley grumbled something under her breath, the said, "Alright you lot. We need to meet the others and get going. Your father won't keep the cars waiting forever."

George gave Brooke a hurried kiss goodbye as Fred said, "Mum? I'd like you to meet Parker Levesque, my girlfriend."

"I'm sorry, dear, I'm delighted to meet you. I'll have to give you better welcome once we get to the Burrow, we're on a tight schedule. FRED, GEORGE, GET MOVING!" she bellowed as the twins stood talking to Brooke.

Parker was laughing as the twins meekly walked over and joined their mother, who had taken over the trolley with their trunks on it. They met up with Ron and Ginny near the barrier and walked through to the Muggle side. Mr. Weasley motioned for them to follow him to the waiting taxis. The drivers shoved the five trunks into two cars, and the Weasleys and Parker split up. They took off with the twins and Parker in one car, and Ron, Ginny and their parents in the other.

An hour later they pulled up in front of the Burrow and began the task of unloading and hauling the trunks inside. Ginny took over for Parker, helping her with her trunk and showing the tired girl where her bedroom was. The girls dropped their school gear with a grateful sigh.

Ginny showed Parker the camp cot she was going to use and where to put her trunk, then unpacked her wand and new diary and threw them on her desk. "So Parker... What on earth so you see in my brother?"

"Pardon?"

"What do you see in Fred? I mean, I'm not supposed to speak for him, he's my brother, and I love him and all, but..."

Parker laughed. "Fred's sweet, he's funny and he's a really good kisser."

"That's more than I needed to know," Ginny told her.

"You mean you don't want to know about the special spot on his--"

"NO OH PLEASE NO!" Ginny dropped on the bed and shoved her head under her pillows.

It took Parker a minute to realize the younger girl was laughing hysterically. "You're horrible," she said.

Ginny sat up and managed to stop laughing long enough to say, "I'm not horrible, Parker... Just grossed out and amused."

"So anyway, Ginny, what's it like having all those brothers?"

"Tiring, but you learn their tricks and how to outwit them after a while. Fred and George, for example, leave me alone for fear that I'll hex them. Bill, Charlie and Percy are protective, but they don't much bother me since they're so much older, but Ron tends to cling since he's just a year older. What about you?"

"I have an older sister and a younger brother. They're ok, but my sister is a bit high-strung and can be snooty some times. My brother, though, he can be clingy and a little whiney, but he's sweet."

"So how old are they?" Ginny asked, but was interrupted by Fred walking in. "I know you have the ability to knock."

"I do? Really? If I did, I lost it back at Hogwarts."

"Fred..." Parker warned.

"Come on, love, I'll show you the house," Fred said, grabbing Parker's hand.

"Hey, Mum told me to bring her up here while the rest of you lot are getting settled."

"Yeah, and George and I are settled. It's called making your trunk explode, Gin."

"Fred, if your mum wants me up here..."

"Nah, this'll give her a better chance to meet you, and you'll get to see the place."

"Fred," Ginny whispered quietly, "there isn't much to see, so stop making it seem like we have untold riches."

"Relax, Gin. C'mon, Park." Fred tugged her arm gently and lead her down the stairs to the kitchen. "Obviously this is the kitchen and eating spot. Through here is the living room, and through that door behind us, as you saw, are the stairs that lead to our bedrooms. The door to the garden is here," he pulled her along outside, "and here's the garden. The orchard is over that way; we play Quidditch there. There's the broomshed... I'm sorry there isn't more to the house and yard... We don't have a lot of money, see..."

"Fred, it doesn't matter if you have a lot of money, or if you have the newest things." Parker squeezed his hand. "All that matters is that you're okay, you have a roof over your head and food in your belly. If you're happy here, I'm happy."

"You mean you don't mind living in squalor for a few weeks?"

"You don't live in squalor, love. I like your house; I think it's charming. Your family barely knows me, and they've welcomed me with open arms. A loving family makes a home, not money or material possessions."

Fred pulled Parker close. "You're the best, did you know that?"

"I know."

"And your speech sounded like one of those Muggle greeting cards."

"Fred!" She playfully pushed him away and took a few steps back. She grinned, then started jogging away. It took Fred a minute to realize what was happening, but he finally got it and chased after her.

It was a sunny late afternoon, which meant that it was easy for Fred to find Parker's red-blonde hair among the trees in the orchard. They took turns hiding and chasing each other until Parker caught Fred unawares and leapt at him from the side, knocking them both over onto a patch of soft grass. Fred somehow ended up on top of her, but they were laughing and didn't much care at that moment. The laughing stopped and he rolled off to the side, cupping her face in one hand.

Parker put one of her hands on the back of Fred's neck and brought his face to hers. Her fingers entwined in his hair as his own fingers did the same in hers. His other hand was supporting her as hers was wrapped around his back. The kiss deepened, and Parker moved so she was laying across Fred's chest and her hand went from his back to his rather sensitive ribs.

"Love," he whispered before he kissed her again. He then moved his lips from hers to her neck.

"Fred..." Parker said softly. "This is the stopping point."

The teen nodded and laid back, Parker still on his chest. "I wasn't going any further, Parker. I know the limit you set."

"I'm sorry."

"Park, remember what we said? About time? I stand by that. I'll wait forever for you."

"I don't deserve you, Fred." She slipped off of his chest to lay next to him in the grass. Her hand found his and they clasped them in the space between their bodies. "Oh, look, that cloud looks like a rabbit."

"I think this one over here looks like a hippogriff," Fred answered, joining in the game. He eventually sat up and got Parker to do the same and lean against him. The sky began to darken, and he was certain he heard voices nearby. "Bollocks. They must be looking for us."

"It is dangerous to be out after dark, given what's happened recently," she answered, her voice taking on a sad tone.

Fred helped her to her feet, and asked quietly, "So you believe Dumbledore about what happened?"

"Of course I do; Cedric didn't drop dead of his own accord. Why? You don't believe him?"

"I trust Dumbledore to tell us the truth; if he says You-Know-Who has come back, he's come back. I'm just worried about everyone and who's going to make it out alive this time around."

"FREDERICK GIDEON WEASLEY WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed. "NIGHT HAS FALLEN AND YOU HAVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND OUTSIDE?! HAVE YOU NO SENSE?! GET IN THE HOUSE THIS INSTANT!" The livid woman stomped across the orchard and made a pointing gesture toward the house. Fred and Parker took off at a run, hoping to get to the house and hide well enough to avoid the proper scolding they deserved.

Ginny looked up in surprise as Parker hurried into the bedroom looking quite harried. She watched the older girl open her trunk and pull out a book, turning the pages as fast as she could and cursing vividly as she shut the book. Parker looked at Ginny for a moment, then said, "I am so stupid."

"Why?"

"I know how I can hide. Don't tell your mum you saw me, and don't tell anyone else. Please, Ginny."

"All I know is Mum is in a right state that you guys were out till dark," Ginny replied with a shrug. "I can't tell what I don't know."

"Thank you so much." Parker opened the window. "Do you leave this open usually?"

"No, why?"

"It'll have to be shut, then." She took a deep breath and touched her wand to her forehead.

Ginny sat up in surprise as Parker touched her wand to her forehead and her form suddenly shrink. Looking over the foot of her bed, she saw a red tail hawk sitting on the floor where her brothers' girlfriend had been seconds before. The hawk/Parker looked at the human girl and screeched quietly, then with a rush of wings, flew out the window. Ginny rushed to close it as her mother walked into the room.

"Where is Parker?"

"I haven't seen her, Mum."

"Ginny..." Mrs. Weasley said warningly.

"Really, Mum, I haven't seen her since before Fred took her to show her the house."

"If you see her, tell her she and I need to talk."

"I will, Mum. Did you talk to Fred yet?" Ginny asked innocently.

"Oh, I caught him trying to hide in the laundry room behind a rack of towels. He should have known better, and I made sure that he does now." Mrs. Weasley kissed her daughter on the forehead and walked out.

Fred burst in a moment later. "Where's Parker?"

"Knock, Fred! I swear..."

"Where is she? Mum said she can't find her anywhere. Neither can George and I, and we know every nook and cranny of this house. You have to know where she is, Gin."

"I do and I don't. She made me promise."

"Ginny, please."

"Fred, are you begging?"

"Ginny, if something happens to her, I don't know what I'll do."

She thought for a moment and thought she saw panic in Fred's eyes. "Give me a minute." She crossed to the window and opened it, and Fred heard her say, "He's panicking that he can't find you, you know. I think you might want to come in and soothe his fears, else neither of us is sleeping tonight."

"Are you losing your mind?" he asked, and immediately swallowed his next sentence as a hawk flew into the room and landed on the bed.

"Making new friends, Gin? This one looks a bit dangerous."

The hawk suddenly began to distort until a human girl sat there. "Dangerous, am I? I look like a pussy cat next your Mum."

"PARKER!" Fred hugged her. "You never, I mean I didn't, you can turn into a bird?"

"Yes, love. And I'll explain later. I think I want to lie down, and if you see your Mum, please tell her I'll talk to her in the morning." She kissed him and got off of the bed.

Fred left and the girls changed into their nightclothes, extinguishing the lights and crawling under their covers. Ginny and Parker chatted until they could no longer keep their eyes open, and were dead asleep when Mrs. Weasley checked on them. The older woman sighed, knowing that her son had found someone a lot like him, which meant that over the next few weeks she had another magical teenager to keep an eye out for.

Another day, another chapter. I know I don't have many reviews, but that's ok. I like writing this. I don't know if I'll have another up before the holidays, but I sure will try.

Tootles!