this part contains a lot of the original text as well, with a few thrown in comments from blayne. usual disclaimer applies. updates will be slower, first day of school for me today and things are looking a bit hectic. sorry guys

"Nearly time for bed, I think," said Molly with a yawn.

"Not just yet, Molly" said Sirius, pushing away his empty plate and turning to look at Harry. "You know, I'm surprised at you. I thought the first thing you'd do when you got here would be to start asking questions about Voldemort."

The atmosphere in the room flipped. Everyone was now alert, even tense.

"I did!" said Harry indignantly. "I asked Ron and Hermione but they said we're not allowed in the Order, so -"

"And they're quite right," said Molly. "You're too young." She was looking angry.

"Since when did someone have to be in the Order of the Phoenix to ask questions?" asked Sirius. "Harry's been trapped in that Muggle house for a month. He's got the right to know what's been happen—"

"Hang on!" George interrupted loudly.

"How come Harry gets his questions answered?" said Fred angrily.

"We've been trying to get stuff out of you for a month and you haven't told us a single stinking thing!" said George.

"That's not fair!" I screeched.

"'You're too young, you're not in the Order'," said Fred in a high-pitched voice that sounded uncannily like Molly's. "Harry's not even of age!"

"It's not my fault you haven't been told what the Order's doing," said Sirius calmly, "that's your parents' decision. Harry, on the other hand -"

"It's not down to you to decide what's good for Harry!" said Molly sharply. She looked so angry she could be dangerous. "You haven't forgotten what Dumbledore said, I suppose?"

"Which bit?" Sirius asked, readying himself for a fight.

"The bit about not telling Harry more than he needs to know," said Molly. All of our heads swiveled from Sirius to Molly as though watching tennis. Ginny was kneeling amid a pile of abandoned Butterbeer corks, watching the conversation with her mouth slightly open. Lupin's eyes were fixed on Sirius.

"I don't intend to tell him more than he needs to know, Molly," said Sirius. "But as he was the one who saw Voldemort come back and he has more right than most to -"

"He's not a member of the Order of the Phoenix!" said Molly. "He's only fifteen and -"

"And he's dealt with as much as most in the Order," said Sirius, "and more than some."

"No one's denying what he's done!" said Molly, her voice rising. "But he's still -"

"He's not a child!" said Sirius impatiently.

"He's not an adult either!" screamed Molly. "He's not James, Sirius!"

"I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly," said Sirius coldly.

"I'm not sure you are!" said Mrs. Weasley. "Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!"

"What's wrong with that?" said Harry.

"What's wrong, Harry, is that you are not your father, however much you might look like him!" said Molly. "You are still at school and adults responsible for you should not forget it!"

"Meaning I'm an irresponsible godfather?" demanded Sirius.

"Meaning you have been known to act rashly, Sirius, which is why Dumbledore keeps reminding you to stay at home and -"

"We'll leave my instructions from Dumbledore out of this, if you please!" said Sirius loudly.

"Arthur!" said Molly, turning to her husband. "Arthur, back me up!"

He kept quiet. He took off his glasses and cleaned them slowly on his robes, not looking at his wife. He replaced them carefully on his nose and replied.

"Dumbledore knows the position has changed, Molly. He accepts that Harry will have to be filled in, to a certain extent, now that he is staying at Headquarters."

"Yes, but there's a difference between that and inviting him to ask whatever he likes!"

"Personally," said Lupin quietly, and Molly looked hopeful, "I think it better that Harry gets the facts - not all the facts, Molly, but the general picture - from us, rather than a garbled version from… others." Oh no, Lupin knew some Extendables had survived.

"Well," said Molly, breathing deeply to calm herself, "well… I can see I'm going to be overruled. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has Harry's best interests at heart -"

"He's not your son," said Sirius quietly.

"He's as good as," said Molly fiercely. "Who else has he got?"

"He's got me!"

"Yes," said Mrs. Weasley, her lip curling, "the thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?" Sirius started to rise from his chair.

"Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry," said Lupin sharply.

"Sirius, sit down." Mrs. Weasley's looked like she was about to cry. Sirius sat down. "I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this," Lupin continued, "he's old enough to decide for himself."

"I want to know what's been going on," Harry said at once.

"Very well," said Mrs. Weasley, her voice cracking. "Ginny - Ron - Hermione - Fred – Blayne - George – I want you out of this kitchen, now."

"We're of age!" Fred and George bellowed together.

"If Harry's allowed, why can't I?" shouted Ron.

"That is so not fair!" I screamed angrilly.

"Mum, I want to hear!" wailed Ginny.

"NO!" shouted Mrs. Weasley, standing up, her eyes bright. "I absolutely forbid -"

"Molly, you can't stop Fred and George," said Mr. Weasley wearily. "They are of age."

"They're still at school."

"But they're legally adults now," said Mr. Weasley, in the same tired voice.

"I - oh, all right then, Fred and George can stay, but Blayne-"

"George and Fred will just tell me what happened afterwards! Anyways, I'm only a year younger!" I shouted angrily.

"Blayne, as much as that is true and I know you'll hear anything anyways, Mum and Dad wouldn't approve much of you sitting in," Tonks told me regretfully. My eyes widened. How could Tonks do this to me!

"But NYMPH! THAT'S SO UNFAIR! Harry, Hermione, and Ron are YOUNGER THEN ME!" I screamed, standing up from my chair and flailing my arms around, knocking my chair and a few goblets over. My hair had streaks of angry red in it.

"I know Blayne but you have to understand, without their permission-"

"I can't believe this. I thought you respected me. I'm SIXTEEN for Merlin's sake! My own BLOODY sister! I'm not a CHILD anymore! I HATE YOU!" I screamed, turning and running out the kitchen door and up the stairs. Thank the gods that Mrs. Black hadn't heard me.

I couldn't BELIEVE this! Who does she think she is? I'm only a year younger then the twins, and I was a year older then the trio! That's ridiculous. I'll show her who's a child.

"Fucking family! I'm just as responsible as the others. Age has NOTHING to do with maturity!" I continued to screech, stomping and hitting the walls on my way up the stairs. My hair was completely red now and hot tears of anger, as well as mixed embarrassment at not being deemed dependable enough to hold the secrets of the Order, slid down my face. I could hear Ginny's stomping feet behind me, which simply enraged me more. Ginny may be one of my best friends, but she was two years younger than I. I knew the rest were allowed to stay. So, the only ones that weren't "old" enough were me at 16 and Ginny, at 14. I was TWO YEARS OLDER! In a year I would be of age! Mrs. Black's screams started to echo through the halls behind my thumps.

When I reached the top of the stairs, angrily hitting my foot against the wall and cursing at the throbbing that ensued, I looked to the twins' bedroom and then to mine. I wanted to comfort of Fred's smell, but I was embarrassed that my own sister didn't think I could handle the responsibility of the secrets of the Order. I didn't know if I could face them when they came back. I slipped into the room, angrily cussing, and threw myself onto Fred's bed, knowing I couldn't go to be with Ginny in our room. I couldn't face anyone right now- I was too angry. I let the angry tears flow as I hiccupped and yelled obscenities at adults until I fell into a restless, uncomfortable sleep.

I heard the twins come in a little while later as I tossed over in my sleep, and in my sleep I could hear them murmuring but couldn't make out the words. A pair of lips descended on my forehead and I relaxed, falling into a deeper sleep at the comfort the action brought me. I didn't hear the door close again.

When I awoke, I was wrapped in a pair of warm arms and I found my pillow to be the most comfortable one I had ever used. I remembered this pillow- I had woken up on it in this same bed a few days before after the sleeping drought. Opening my bleary eyes, I nuzzled my face into Fred's chest further and tightened my leg- which had been thrown across his in sleep- around his waist. I was just about to fall back to sleep when George's voice boomed through the room.

"Get up my lovelies! Time for breakfast!" his voice sang. I groaned and tightened my arm around my pillow's stomach, refusing to move. "Come on you little lovers you, you can't stay in bed all day!" Suddenly the covers vanished and I shivered. The room was so cold!

With a start, I was tipped off of Fred. He had sat up suddenly in response, shivering lightly. "What the bloody hell?" he grumbled sleepily, looking around and noticing me thrown hap hazardously beside him. "Oh sorry Blaynie! How stupid of me." He wrapped me up in his arms to warm me. "You're freezing love!"

"Bloody git," I nodded to George.

"Oh come off it, you need to wake up. We've got a long day of cleaning ahead of us," the accused rebuffed. I groaned and sat up, knowing there was no way around it. Fred sighed regretfully and let me go, sitting up next to me and slinging his arm around my neck. George disapparated, knowing we were awake, and I turned my head into Fred's chest.

"I hate this awful house," I sniffed. "And I hate my sister and my family and every adult who thinks I'm too young and stupid." The tips of my hair turned blue as I wallowed.

"Oh love, it's okay. George and I'll tell you everything at lunch break, promise." He enveloped me into a huge hug and I sniffled against him, the feelings of being rejected coming back to me as I fought of tears- this time of pure sadness. I knew I was overreacting, but I couldn't help it. I got my hotheaded attitude from my dad's dad.

Fred knew this, for he didn't try to stand up for my sister but simply told me they were gits for being that way to me and holding me for a few minutes. The door shut quietly as George left. After a little while, I sighed and regretfully turned from his embrace to stand up.

I found myself in a soft flannel shirt that smelled entirely like Fred- manly and musky with a hint of explosion. I breathed it in as I noted how it fell to my mid thigh like a blanket on me and smiled. "You know you're not getting this shirt back right?" I giggled. He nodded and smirked.

"Wouldn't dream of wishing." He got out of bed and stood in all his glory, only wearing his thin navy boxers to cover him. I resisted moaning at the sight of all his hard manliness. Gods praise Quiddich.

I gave him a face and he rolled his eyes, muttering "Accio shorts" and a pair of blue booty shorts came to rest in his hands. He threw them at me and they hit my face, dropping into my hands. I stuck my tongue out at him and pulled them on under Fred's flannel. I would get too hot to wear robes today.

"Come on, put on some clothes Mr. Incredible. I doubt we'll have time for a big breakfast this morning. We have to finish cleaning the house and we only have a few days till school starts." Fred leaped to his closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a plain white tee that outlined his muscles. Gods, did he always have to look so good? Couldn't he, for once, look ugly so I didn't have to disguise the aching he invoked in me for some ungodly reason? I had to concentrate from keeping my hair from turning pink at the sight of him.

I hopped on his back and he apparated us downstairs to the kitchen. Kissing his neck, I hopped off and made us both some toast, putting Marmite on his and Nutella on mine. He bit into his with a moan that made my womanly parts quiver.

"I don't understand how you can eat that. It tastes like ear wax!" I commented with a face of disgust. Biting into my own hunk of toast, I made a noise of delight. "Bow faz dewizus!" I mumbled through my toast.

"That's gross! It looks like dragon dung!" he pointed to my half- eaten bread. I scoffed.

"But it tastes like chocolaty heaven," I commented with a moan, closing my eyes.

He scooped me back up onto his back, his throat working to swallow the rest of his toast and chasing it down with some pumpkin juice. Seconds later we ended up in the drawing room with the rest of my toast, his glass of juice, and me still on his back.

This was one of the places we hadn't cleaned yet because it was one of the biggest rooms. I quickly scarfed down the rest of my toast and guzzled the pumpkin juice, which Fred sent back downstairs with a flick of his wand. I hopped off my pony and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for the ride, studly steed," I curtsied.

"My pleasure, pretty princess," he bowed in response. Ginny and George shared a look between them. Harry and Ron finally entered the room a second later and we all got to work.

We all donned a dish cloth over our nose and mouth, and I tied my long (curly today), burgundy hair up in a pony tail. Molly handed out large bottles of Doxycide.

"Cover your faces and take a spray," Molly said to the boys. "It's Doxycide. I've never seen an infestation this bad - what that house-elf's been doing for the last ten years-"

Hermione's face sent a sad look Molly's way. "Kreacher's really old, he probably couldn't manage -"

"You'd be surprised what Kreacher can manage when he wants to, Hermione," said Sirius, entering the room carrying a sack of what looked like dead rats. "I've just been feeding Buckbeak," he added, in reply to Harry's inquiring look. "I keep him upstairs in my mother's bedroom. Anyway… this writing desk…" He dropped the bag of rats into an armchair, then bent over to examine a locked, shaking cabinet.

They talked a bit more and then Sirius left to shut his mother- who was screaming again- up and to answer the doorbell.

"Right, you lot, you need to be careful, because Doxys bite and their teeth are poisonous. I've got a bottle of antidote here, but I'd rather nobody needed it." Molly beckoned us all forward to the curtains. "When I say the word, start spraying immediately," she said. "They'll come flying out at us, I expect, but it says on the sprays one good squirt will paralyze them. When they're immobilized, just throw them in this bucket."

She raised her spray. "All right - squirt!"

I pressed my thumb down and a line of black liquid shot out of the nozzle, hitting the moth- eaten velvet. A Doxy flew out at me and I laughed, immediately spraying it. It fell to the floor with a thunk and I tossed it into the basket.

"Fred, what are you doing?" said Molly sharply. "Spray that at once and throw it away!" I looked up to see Fred holding a Doxy between his forefinger and thumb. I shook my head. They were going to keep them to figure out what joke items they could be of use for.

"Right-o,' Fred said brightly, spraying the Doxy and shoving it in his pocket, with a wink to Harry, when Molly turned.

"We want to experiment with Doxy venom for our Skiving Snackboxes," George told Harry under his breath. I continued to spray the devious creatures and throw them in the bucket so Molly would think they were Fred and George's and there didn't appear to be any less than expected.

Harry muttered out of the corner of his mouth, "What are Skiving Snackboxes?"

"Range of sweets to make you ill," George whispered back. I kept a wary eye on Molly's back. "Not seriously ill, mind, just ill enough to get you out of a class when you feel like it. Fred and I have been developing them this summer. They're double-ended, color-coded chews. If you eat the orange half of the Puking Pastilles, you throw up. Moment you've been rushed out of the lesson for the hospital wing, you swallow the purple half –"

"-which restores you to full fitness, enabling you to pursue the leisure activity of your own choice during an hour that would otherwise have been devoted to unprofitable boredom. That's what we're putting in the adverts, anyway," whispered Fred, sweeping a few stray Doxys from the floor and adding them to his pocket.

"Fred, be careful," I hissed. "If she sees you, all three of us are dead." He nodded absently. Did he always have to be the one to take the risks?

"But they still need a bit of work. At the moment our testers are having a bit of trouble stopping puking long enough to swallow the purple end."

"Testers?"

"Us," said Fred, nodding to me. "We take it in turns. George did the Fainting Fancies - we all tried the Nosebleed Nougat -"

"Mum thought we'd been dueling," said George. I grinned when I remembered how Molly had screeched at the three of us.

"Joke shop still on, then?" Harry muttered, pretending to be adjusting the nozzle on his spray.

"Well, we haven't had a chance to get premises yet," said Fred, "so we're running it as a mail-order service at the moment. We put advertisements in the Daily Prophet last week."

"All thanks to you, mate," said George. "But don't worry… Mum hasn't got a clue. She won't read the Daily Prophet anymore, 'cause of it telling lies about you and Dumbledore."

Harry grinned, obviously happy he could help them in their joke shop and that it was still a secret to Molly.

It was around midday now. I was currently having a nice little fantasy about the joke shop when molten pain flashed up my right arm. I dropped my Doxycide and screamed, staring at the Doxy that had its teeth sunk into my arm. I flailed my arm, trying to get it off, which only made it clamp down harder. I whimpered, shaking my arm harder, as I watched the tips of my hair grow black in pain. I felt a cold spray and my arm was covered in black goop as Ron sprayed the little deviant creeper. Molly ran over to carefully pull the stunned Doxy's teeth from my arm. I was starting to feel faint, sleepy almost. I gripped the side of a dusty couch to steady myself.

"Get the antidote!" Molly screamed wildly, seeing my distress. Stars had started to appear in front of my eyes. A potion was shoved down my mouth and despite the disgusting taste, I reflexively swallowed. My vision got spotty as the last of the drink went down my throat and I could feel myself falling. I landed in someone's arms as I slowly began to regain my vision. Then I could feel my legs again. I was slightly shaking as the person cradled me safely against their chest. Slowly I came back to myself fully.

"Horrible creatures," I groaned as I sat up in the person's lap. I turned to see it was George who had caught me. "Thanks George, you're a love." I kissed his cheek and stood.

"Oh gosh I do think we're done here. Blayne, you sit and don't move a muscle. You almost died! We'll all go over the curtains once more," Molly called. I sat with a huff down on one of the straight- backed wooden chairs. After they had finished, everyone threw off their rags, me included. Molly sat down into an armchair and sprang up again with a scream, having sat on the bag of dead rats. The curtains were finally no longer buzzing and we were all exhausted.

Just a typical day in the most ancient and noble house of Black.