Disclaimer: It's not really stealing them if I return them, right? I'm just borrowing these characters from JK Rowling et al; I'll put them back, I promise. In new and improved condition, even.
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Chapter 9
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Hermione emerged from the room looking neat and proper, pink-cheeked but chin held high. Fred followed looking quite satisfied. Bill tried to hide his grin, but George made no such pretense. Only a warning look from Fred stopped him teasing Hermione mercilessly.
Fred calmly set out the breakfast Molly had packed, which was enough for all of them, and they sat down to discuss the problem of the traces left in the wards. Fleur finally appeared through the floo, which George had re-opened, and she and Bill went downstairs to begin scanning the wards more thoroughly.
"Georgie, I was thinking that we might want to consider a Fidelius for the flat. What do you think?"
George leaned back and considered. "What will that really do though? If the store stays open, won't it be obvious the flat is there?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know enough about the Fidelius. You'd have to cast it if we did it, and I'm only suggesting it if we can't figure out what's happening here. You are the genius with charms."
"Might be worth considering. I'll read up, in case. You are awfully quiet, Hermione."
She frowned. "There was something bothering me last night, I only just remembered. It was when Bill and Fleur were telling us about the rumors at the bank. That's not the only time I've heard about underground Death Eaters or about ward breaches or something requiring repair. It's frustrating me that I can't place it."
"You think someone was targeting us, Mione?"
"You obviously do. And if they were testing the wards or probing them, then yes, it was targeted and deliberate. I just don't know why. I suppose we'll know more when they isolate the spell." She stirred her tea without noticing, her mind clearly running furiously.
"I also think we need to better ward the workroom. I don't want anyone to be able to walk in unnoticed and plant something there. Or worse, hide in there. We've been too lax about security, brother mine."
George looked a little chagrined as he acknowledged Fred's point. "So what do we do then? Verity will need access, and you and I and Hermione. And anyone else we want to take through."
"Bill will know what's best. But you've got another sort of problem. You have got to hire more help. I've been harping at Fred about this. And more help means more access to more people, even if it's just at the register. It's going to be difficult to find someone if you aren't sure you can trust them."
"That's not a problem, actually. Freddy, Lee's interested. He can only do part time, while he's working on getting the job with WWN, but it's something, specially through Christmas. Him, we can trust." Fred's eyes lit up, and Hermione nodded. That arrangement made sense to her.
They heard footsteps on the stairs and Bill and Fleur reappeared, looking grim.
"Worse than we thought," Bill said without preamble. "It was a very tricky little spell designed to blend in and to trace the magics. Alone it couldn't have broken through the wards, but it could allow the castor to monitor the activity of the wards. If you watch long enough, you can begin to unravel, and from the patterns, you can decipher the ways to raise and lower the wards, at least in part. If they'd been standard wards, we might not have noticed it."
They exchanged looks. Someone was going to a very good deal of trouble to break through the wards they'd set, which was sobering.
"That is not all," Fleur said with a sigh. "We disabled it easily enough, but we were unable to alter the spell. Whoever cast the spell will know we found the spell and disabled it. Whether they knew that you were alerted to the wards being tampered with before, I don't know. But they will know soon."
"Malfoy Manor. This is what happened at Malfoy Manor." Hermione closed her eyes in concentration.
George started to ask, but Fred shushed him. They watched her for a moment, clearly trying to puzzle something out.
"That's what I read. The wards were attacked at Malfoy Manor about two months ago. It was dismissed as a retaliatory action. But wards were also disturbed at other, seemingly random locations, including the Montrose Magpie training facilities. And there were stories of ward repairs in other places, like St. Cecily's Magical Medical Hospital in Shropshire. Bill, when was the last time the wards at the Burrow were thoroughly checked?"
He frowned. "It's been at least three months, but they aren't dissimilar to what I set up here, so I think we'd have had warning if they'd been tampered with. I'll have Dad check them over though, to be safe."
"I'm not sure what's happening, but someone is obviously planning something. It would be a very good idea to make sure the Burrow is secure before the wedding and that Grimmauld Place will be secure."
"If you think they are targeting Harry, there wouldn't be much reason to attack the wards here," Fred said.
"Maybe or maybe not. Don't assume there is a single, straightforward goal. If someone wants to get to Harry, the easiest way is to get to his family and friends. Getting to you, or getting to me would be an easy way to do it. Possibly it's an organization of dark wizards or left over Voldemort sympathizers who is seeking revenge against war heroes. Or maybe it's a sophisticated theft ring. We don't have enough information at this point, except they tipped us off and have been tipped off we know. So now we need to be a little more cautious." Hermione shrugged as if it were completely clear.
"Maybe we should gather the Order of the Phoenix again, and put out feelers and see what we can find. Coincidences do happen, and odd things may not have meaning. But it might be worth checking."
"It is a good idea anyway, Bill. The fact that wizards were so lax before is what allowed Voldemort to return to power, no?" Fleur's voice was mild, despite the harsh words.
"Yes. I'll make the rounds today. We'll want this to be quiet. And we'll need a secure place to meet."
"Before you go, Bill, we want to secure the flat and the workroom to make them inaccessible to the public. I don't want there to be any risk of someone slipping through into the workroom and hiding or making their way up to the flat."
"That's fine. Let's go downstairs then and see what we can do."
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Two hours later, Bill felt comfortable with the wards and managed to convince Fred and George that it should be perfectly safe to stay at the flat again. Hermione offered to fix lunch for everyone, but Bill and Fleur declined, citing their need to consult with Arthur and Kingsley about calling the Order together. George and Fred took her up on her offer, though, and they sat together around a light meal of pumpkin soup and freshly baked poppy seed muffins.
Over lunch, they discussed security protocol and wondered further about how they might try to trace the attackers and speculated again over the motives. It was a largely fruitless conversation, frustrating in it's circular nature; the fact remained they had very little idea what was happening and who was responsible. Finally George said they may as well work as sit around, but Hermione begged off, saying she needed to study, since she hadn't done anything the previous day.
She and Fred exchanged a long kiss that had George making catcalls before the end, and then Hermione floo'd to the Burrow, promising to return the following day at the normal time. George raised an eyebrow at Fred, who simply ignored him and went downstairs to the workroom.
"Freddy, come on. You can't avoid talking about it to me forever, you know," George stated matter of factly as he followed Fred downstairs.
"No, probably not. You are a nosy sod, aren't you?" Fred couldn't help the slow smile that was spreading across his face.
"I see you gave her the ring well ahead of time. Didn't like my plans for a firework display in the end, hmmm?"
Fred gave his brother a look of affection mixed with aggravation. "No, it was a brilliant plan. I just didn't count on Mione in it, and her falling for me as well. It was just the right time last night. So I gave it to her."
"Well, it looks good, brother. You choose well. Does she like it?" Fred shrugged and began assembling ingredients for acne-fighting potions, which they distilled into pastes and soaps. George took the hint and began pulling out wood pieces that he could transfigure to look like wands.
"I think so. She said it was very beautiful and she cried a bit. I offered to exchange it, but she refused."
"That's a good sign then. I remember being quite terrified that Angie would hate the ruby, it was very nerve-wracking."
"Oh, don't think I don't remember, Gred. You were a bloody wreck for a week and you made me listen to your proposal five times." George smiled ruefully while Fred looked smug.
"Yeah, well, she said yes, which was the important thing. You had no reason to be nervous as you are legally obligated to marry her. So, that aside, how goes your attempts to seduce the lovely and apparently quite leggy Miss Granger?" George wagged his eyebrows at his twin, who responded by throwing a piece of wadded parchment at his head.
"I am not giving you details, Georgie. Forget about it." Fred retrieved a copper cauldron and started it over a low flame and pulled on dragon hide gloves to cut open a stored bubotuber pustule.
"Hey! I've always told you about me and Angie!" George sounded hurt.
"Yeah, but I never asked for that amount of detail, then, did I? Nope, Mione would hex my bollocks off if I gave you details. But suffice it say that I have every reason to think we will get along swimmingly well in the bedroom. And the loo. And the lounge." George was laughing by the time Fred finished. "Merlin, Georgie, she's amazing. We haven't even shagged yet, and she still the best I've ever had."
Georgie whistled. "Oh, brother, you've got it bad. You went and fell in love." He gave him a smile that only Fred and Angelina ever saw; one of affection and approval and satisfaction, without the usual mischief and wickedness.
"That I did, Georgie. It's bloody amazing." Fred was as close to tears as George had ever seen. He slung his arm around his brother and gave him a rough sort of hug.
"Yeah it is, innit? Bout time, Freddy. Now, you'd better watch that cauldron before that potion turns purple and explodes." Fred cursed under his breath and quickly reduced the heat.
They worked together quietly for awhile, Fred continuing to brew the base for their Wonder Witch blemish products and George transfigured the sticks into realistic replicas of wands, which he would later charm with a time release to transfigure again into a goofy object.
"George, I've been thinking," Fred said.
"About the wards?"
"Yes. Something about this is bothering me. Hermione says this has been happening elsewhere, but it doesn't make sense."
"No, I agree. It's odd. There is no real pattern."
"Do you think it was a test? Our wards are some of the most complex out there. Well, Malfoy's wards are probably pretty tough, but cracking ours or the Burrow's wards would be as hard as cracking Gringott's or the Ministry's new wards, if you believe Bill."
George leaned back against the work bench, crossing his arms. "Now that is an intriguing idea, brother mine. To what purpose though? What does spying on our wards gain anyone?"
"That, I dunno. Mione's right on that score; there's not enough information. But everything points to someone trying to figure out how to disable wards, and all the places that have been hit have no connection. Some of them have explanations, but ours doesn't, beyond someone trying to watch."
"So, we try to be careful. Not much else to do and not much different than it's been for a couple of years." George shrugged his shoulders and returned to his transfiguration.
"Yeah. Georgie, please promise me that you will be careful? And that you'll have Bill take a look at Angie's wards before you move in there?" Fred's voice was quiet, strained.
"Of course, Freddy. What has you so worried though?" George was hopeful that maybe this time he would be willing to talk.
"You know as well as I do. I don't want to feel that ever again, Gred. Please be careful." Fred looked up from his cauldron, his eyes completely haunted, and George could only nod his agreement. He could never deny Fred anything after coming so close to losing him. They shared a look in which a full conversation silently took place, and returned to their work feeling more calm.
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Harry was sitting alone on the porch when Hermione returned to the Burrow. She dropped down next to him, and hugged her knees close to her.
"Ron is at the Cannon's pitch for training, so you don't have to hide," he said mildly.
"I haven't been hiding, Harry," Hermione replied, a touch of defensiveness in her voice.
"No?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Well, maybe a little. But I like spending time at the shop, and doing something useful. And it's really necessary for me to spend time with Fred. We are getting married in less than a month, we need to get used to each other."
"But why were you here last night? Ginny said you were going to spend the night at the flat."
"No one told you about the wards? Someone attempted to breach the wards at the shop last night. They planted some sort of monitoring spell, but Bill and Fleur found it and disabled it. Fred didn't want us staying there until we were certain it was safe, so we spent the rest of the night here."
"I can't believe no one said anything!" Harry stood up and began pacing, firing questions at Hermione, his mind clearly racing, trying to piece together the oddities, but got no further than the others had.
"One thing is certain, Harry. You need to make sure Grimmauld Place is secure. You may want to cast a new Fidelius over it, given how diluted the old charm is. And you should talk with King about making sure the wedding is safe. Are your honeymoon plans secured?"
"Yes, but we're only going to be gone for four days, that's as much as the practice schedule would allow." Harry ran a hand through his messy black hair and sat down again with a sigh. "Maybe I was wrong, Hermione. Maybe I should have taken up King's offer. I just . . . wanted some time, you know?"
Hermione rested her hand on Harry's arm. "It's fine, Harry. You should be sure it's something you want to do before you commit. It's not as if you can't contribute as a member of the Order, right? It's not like I'm doing much either, revising and working at the shop. I'm not even sure what I want to do."
"I thought you had it all mapped out. You are one for plans, Hermione," Harry teased.
She just shrugged and toyed with the ring on her finger. "I thought I knew. But I also thought that I loved Ron, and we'd get married and have two lovely children, and I'd work at the Ministry in Magical Creatures or Magical Law Enforcement, and well, I'm not."
"What you do isn't that important, Hermione. You will excel at whatever you do and find some brilliant way to help people, whatever you decide to do. But your happiness is what we all care about. Even Ron, even when he's being the biggest prat in England."
"I am happy, Harry. Happier than I could have imagined when this ridiculous law came about. I wonder sometimes why I never considered Fred before. He's utterly amazing and he makes me laugh and he's brilliant and hardworking and as interested in magical theories and conjunctions as I am. And he's completely gorgeous." Harry studied his friend, someone he knew well, and saw the truth of her feelings shining in her eyes.
"You are in love with him." Harry's voice was soft and pleased.
"I . . . I think maybe I am. And I'm comfortable around him and George, and Angie, even. It's different than it used to be. I do wish you and Ginny would come over; I do miss you, you know."
"Oh, we will, once we're settled and you and Fred are married. Regularly, even. Things are changing, but . . . in a good way, I think. What is it you think you'll do, Hermione?"
"I'm not sure. I really love what I've been doing in the shop. I did my first layered charms yesterday, and it was brilliant. George wants me to work with him on transfiguration and they are talking about expanding their Defense line. I never thought I'd say it, but I might be happy there. I'm still considering Potions though. I'd love to attain Master status. That's something Fred is thinking about too. I feel like there are more possibilities than I realized before."
"I'm really pleased, Mione. I just want you to be happy. I've been a little concerned about you, but it seems Fred is more than taking care of you." Hermione nodded. "That ring is beautiful, by the way. What is it, a topaz?"
"No, a green amethyst. Fred explained a little to me about how gemstones and their properties work, and it's just so beautiful. Like a calm sea, with so much blue in it. I'd not given a lot of thought to it, never realized how much thought goes into it."
"Yes, I was terribly surprised by that myself. Thank goodness for George and Bill; they took me to the jeweler and explained it all, and of course Fleur had worked all the details out from Ginny about what kind of shape and style she wanted. I was still terrified. Amethysts are for deep and passionate love and the yellow topaz is for courage and generosity. I got yellow diamonds in her wedding band though. I don't know what she's chosen for me."
"Er, do wizards typically wear gemstones? I hadn't noticed."
"Traditionally they did; often great, ridiculous, flashy things. I talked her out of that, fortunately. I'm going to be playing Quidditch after all, no need to beg to have my finger smashed! There are less flashy things, but you have to choose it on your own. They won't even let you see your partner's choices. Very odd experience."
"Oh, Hestia's hearth, I didn't know that! I knew I should have picked up a book on wizarding marriages. What on earth am I supposed to pick out for Fred? I have to consider how it might interact with potions and I don't know if he's quite the type to go for something flashy or something small. I never noticed Arthur's ring before."
"His is very small; he's got a couple of small garnets set into the band, he showed me when I asked. Garnets for constancy, strength, faith and loyalty."
"Appropriate. I know Molly has a ruby, and Angelina as well. I don't remember Fleur's ring."
"Aquamarine and diamonds, with pink sapphires in her band. Bill's is a sort of signet ring, like the Egyptian pharaoh's wore, with lapis lazuli. The wear them on their right hands though, which is how French wizards prefer it, apparently."
Hermione raised her eyebrows. "You've become quite the expert, haven't you then? I can't believe you know so much. What else can you tell me about wizard bondings then?"
"And deprive you the joy of reading four or five books on the subject? Never!" Harry grinned and Hermione huffed and then smiled at him. "Bondings are for life. Your wands will be spelled to recognize each other so that you can never cause mortal danger to your bond-mate. Also, serviette color is hugely important."
Hermione laughed. "Next week. Are you ready, Harry?"
"Never been more ready for anything in my life. I'm just thankful the law gave us an excuse to get married so quickly. We were trying to figure out ways to live together without setting Molly off on a tirade." Hermione just nodded; Ginny had told her as much already. "I love her so much. She was the only thing that got me through; the hope she would be fine in the end."
"I know, Harry. I know."
"And I won't let anything happen to her now. I'll talk to her about recasting the Fidelius. Then we'll be safe and everyone will have a safe place to turn up if it comes to it. You make sure you and Fred stay safe. We all just got through the war by some miracle."
"I promise, Harry. I won't let anything happen to Fred. I've grown rather attached to him, you see."
-o0o-
The rest of the week passed quickly for Fred. He didn't get to see nearly enough of Hermione, but at least they got to work together everyday. She hadn't stayed more than half a day since the day after the ward breach; his mum and Ginny were keeping her well occupied with wedding preparations for Ginny's wedding, though she had also taken an afternoon to handwrite the invitations to their own ceremony. It was not going to be as huge a crowd as Bill and Fleur's affair had been, but neither would it be small as Ginny and Harry's would be.
He was relieved when George agreed to let Verity and Lee manage the shop for a Sunday, so they could both be at the Burrow. There was work to be done to the meadow in preparation for the wedding, but it was also his best chance to catch Hermione on her own again, which is all he really wanted to do. He was hopeful that he could convince her to spend another night at the flat before the wedding took place. It was a little unreal that she would be married to him and they would be living together. Much as he had enjoyed that evening they'd shared, he was feeling uncharacteristically nervous about whole chunks of time with her. Really, when it came down to it, he had no bloody idea how to be a husband, let alone a good one.
For now though, he had to concentrate. There were plans to be made, such as a secret honeymoon to arrange for Hermione. Fred intended to drive her insane by mentioning a surprise to her, because he knew how much she would hate not knowing what it was, and watching her try to figure it out would be amusing. Pranking Hermione required a good deal of subtlety. There could be something overt now and again to keep her on her toes, but it was far more fun when she didn't realize he was having her on. He chuckled thinking of it, as he stirred the stew on the stove before him and waited for the charm to alert him that the bread was finished baking.
"Hey Georgie?" he called to his twin who was sprawled in an armchair, flipping studiously through a book on Fidelius charms that Bill had procured for him.
"Yeah, Freddy?" came the muffled response.
"Have you thought about where you will take Angie for your honeymoon?" George did look up at that and a smirk appeared on his face.
"Not as such, why? Planning a romantic getaway with Granger? Have you considered the British Museum?" Fred laughed at the idea.
"No, you git. I want to surprise her, but we don't have much time and I don't want to go terribly far; it's too much hassle to get the paperwork in place for the international portkeys." The stew was ready, so Fred dished it up, and placed a warming charm over it while waiting for the bread.
"Hmmm. Angie wants to go someplace tropical, I know that much. And her dad's brother has a place in the Barbados we could use, apparently. November makes it more difficult, doesn't it? So bloody dreary." George stood up and stretched before ambling towards the table.
"I was sort of thinking that a little cottage or something might be nice, but then I was thinking maybe a large posh hotel would be better. I just don't know what she'd prefer." Fred leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, a frown on his face.
"A good point. Hermione's not generally the type to be impressed by grand gestures of wealth and such; she's too practical for that. At the same time, being so practical, she's likely to secretly want a bit of romance. She lived in a tent for a year, so rustic isn't likely to appeal to her, but for something like this, where you'll be intimate and she's not used to it yet, privacy will greatly appeal to her."
"That's exactly it, Georgie. And this will probably be the first time we spend any real time with each other with no agenda and no disturbances. Comfort is probably important there, but it's going to be a bit awkward, even if I do convince her to stay over again before the wedding."
"Mmmm, true. You have told her that I won't be able to move out before the end of November, right? I'll stay over at Angie's much as I can, give you lovebirds privacy and all, but I can't not stay here some." George was looking sheepish.
"She knows. And she understands us, she does. She knows we're something of a package deal. There is always, always a place for you, brother mine. Wherever I am." They looked at each other and
grinned identically, and shook on it. The charm sounded and Fred removed the bread from the oven, cast a light cooling charm over it and George levitated the stew to the table and soon they were eating.
"Hestia's hearth, Fred, I dunno how you learned to cook so well, but I am damn sure going to miss it."
"Eh, you'll be here every bleeding day sponging off our leftovers for your lunch and over half the week for dinner. Don't pretend otherwise."
George grinned appreciatively. "True enough, Freddy. I know a good thing when I see it. But back to your problem, then. As I see it, you've got two options. Let it be a surprise and hope she likes it, or find a way to do some market research without letting her in on it. Perhaps I can be of service to you there, for a price."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "And what price would that be?"
"Stay at the Burrow tomorrow so I can have the flat to myself. I need some alone time with Angie."
"Done. Now just how are you going to go about your market research, O Great One?"
"It's well past time you recognized my genius for what it is, Forge. Easy enough. I'll ask cunningly disguised questions. See how she answers. And if all else fails, beg for her help in surprising Angie."
Fred laughed appreciatively. "She'll see right through you, mate."
George raised his eyebrows challengingly. "Wager on that, then?"
Never one to back down, Fred nodded. "Stakes?"
"Loser has to test the next round of products."
"Deal." They nodded once, and then resumed eating. Fred finished first and fiddled with his spoon before broaching the question that had been on his mind all day. "George, do you worry about being married?"
"What do you mean, worry about it?"
"Well, it's a different for you, since you and Angie have been together so long. But do you worry about being a good husband? Mione and I are getting along brilliantly. I'm falling head over heels for her and the physical side is coming along splendidly. But I've never really lived with a woman. I don't know anything about it. You're the only one I've ever really lived with. What if I'm a total rubbish husband?"
"I think everyone worries about that some, specially since you'll be bonded for life. And you and Hermione have a different situation than Angelina and me, or Harry and Ginny, or Bill and Fleur. But have you ever just watched them?"
Fred shook his head.
"Then watch them tomorrow. There isn't any great secret, I don't think. Except listening and trying to do your best by each other. It'll take some adjustment, but if you love her, it'll work itself out if you just work at it. Trust me, Angie and I aren't special. We just learned that if we wanted to be together, we had to compromise on some things and not assume about others."
"It makes sense, I just haven't ever been in this situation before." George reached over and lightly punched Fred in the arm.
"None of us have been until we are. That's life mate. We'd never been shop owners until we were and we made it through that easily enough. Trust your instincts, you'll be fine. You've done really well with Hermione so far." Fred nodded. It was true enough, but it raised a funny feeling in him. A desire to see her again . . . he missed her. It was absurd, they had worked together just a few hours ago. But there was a pull in his stomach, making him wish he were with her.
"George, you want the flat tonight too?" Fred asked abruptly.
"Ah, I see how it is. Ditching your brother for some bird." George's blue eyes twinkled as he winked at his twin.
"Sod off, George. I just want to see her. Do you think there is any place I could find flowers this time of night?"
-o0o-
A/N: Well, chapter 19 isn't quite finished, but it's close enough I felt comfortable posting this. Something is certainly happening, but no one is quite sure what, eh? Hope you enjoyed it! I hope to maintain this rough schedule, but it really does just depend. In addition to the other fic I've posted, I've two others in progress that I really enjoy working on. I go where inspiration strikes, and while I try to focus on this one especially for all of you lovely readers who've been so kind to return each chapter, it can be a bit abrupt to switch back and forth between the pieces. While they center around the same characters, each piece is different and has a different focus and the characters are all at least a little different, despite sharing names and physical characteristics. It can take a bit to get back into the right frame of mind. This week was especially jarring as I jumped from 'Afterwards' (which is much, much darker than this piece, I realized belatedly) to 'Belonging' (on an especially light-hearted bit). I was ready to pull my hair out, it seemed suddenly to be so cheesy and fluffy. Fortunately for us all, after a wailing to my husband, and re-reading back a ways, I managed to work it out! Cheers, all.
