A/N: Out of curiosity, could Weasley's Wizard Wheezes be contracted to Sextuple U, or Triple Double-yu, or would you just called them WWW, or Wheezes, or Weasleys or something? Thoughts, anybody? Personally, I wanted to go with Sextuple U, but I thought it might not translate very well so I did the WWW instead.
Enjoy chapter eight!
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October, 1999
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Portkeys are fascinating. While not particularly complex, the nature of their magic tends to warn people away from their creation and so Theo is a little surprised by the skill that has gone into the spell-casting on the little silver spoon. However, he recalls the Weasley twins' utter fearlessness and the surprise melts away.
It is almost eleven-twenty, and Theo grasps the spoon tightly. There is the familiar tug behind his navel and then he is deposited into what looks like a basement, a cellar of some kind. George Weasley rises out of the darkness, well dressed and somehow more fearsome for it.
"Morning," the ginger man greets, "O, Illustrious Leader."
Theodore nods acknowledgement, waiting for a cue before he speaks. This is still dangerous territory, even if he is supporting their fight.
"Theodore Nott – I find it curious that a Death Eater, and a legacy one at that, would be wishing to start a rebellion," George drawls, buffing his nails on his dark green velvet suit. "Tell me, what is it that's changed your mind about old Voldy? Not enough pay, not enough fun? Or is it something else?"
"Don't presume to think that all Death Eaters volunteer for the position, Weasley," Theo says severely. "If you must know, this is a decision that's been festering in me since Hogwarts. A certain somebody tried to redirect my path; she was unsuccessful only in part. She planted in me the seed for this fight, now I'm just carrying it through."
George watches him intently; he must know of whom Theodore speaks, but he says nothing.
"She is safe, at the moment. For how long we can ensure that safety is unknowable," Theo adds. "She's in the snake pit, as it were, though the snakes are unaware as of yet."
The effects of these words are unmistakeable.
"Hermione's alive?" George demands hoarsely.
"Yes."
"Thank the stars and all that is good in this world," the other man breathes. He shudders, trying not to show weakness, but his eyes glisten with unshed tears at the revelation. Theo understands. He has seen the papers that speculate over the witch's fate; a broken wand, a chunk of hair, it all bodes badly in this time of war.
George pulls a bottle of Firewhiskey off a nearby shelf and conjures two tumblers. He offers one glass to Theo, who accepts but doesn't drink until George has swallowed all of his in a single go. When Theo does drink, he feels the tingle of Veritaserum.
"How did you manage to coat only the one glass?" he asks resignedly.
"I didn't," George replies. "I can't join a rebellion if I don't trust the leader, but you can afford even less to have untrustworthy co-conspirators. Call it an action of goodwill," he says, "as opposed to gaining an underhanded advantage."
"Fair call," Theo says with a sly smile. George clinks his refilled tumbler to Theo's and the interrogation begins.
It takes two and a half hours for them to come to an agreement, another forty-five minutes to discuss all that needs to be discussed.
In the end, George Weasley has consented to provide ammunition in the form of rare and un-purchasable WWW products – including pepper bombs and numbing granules – aswell as Peruvian darkness powder, an impressive number of Skiving Snackboxes, and few of the more 'simply irritating goods' (as the redhead put it) like trick wands; and since George, as primary weapons master, has also become a kind of minor commander, it will be through him that the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix will be informed of events.
The game is well and truly afoot now.
"Keep in touch, Illustrious Leader," the red head says as he hands over the broken bicycle horn that will transport Theo to the open fields just outside Hogsmeade.
The pull comes unexpectedly and Theo barely manages to hold onto the horn until he reaches his destination.
Read and review responsibly, please and thank you.
