Chapter Nine

By breakfast the next morning the entire school had heard that Fred Weasley fancied Abby Lestrange. The Great Hall buzzed with whispers up and down the house tables. Third years and above were looking back and forth between the two, trying to make up their own minds whether it was true or not, and receiving death glares from Flint (who was sitting closer to Abby than normal with one arm around her shoulders and eating with his free hand). Fred was really getting annoyed and constantly changed topics by telling jokes. When that did not work, he moved closer to me and made a point that he did not fancy Abby by kissing me and doing anything he could to get the attention off of him. First and seconds years madly tried to find out who Abby Lestrange was (most first years weren't even quite sure who Fred Weasley was either), though they knew the name from the constant renditions of the Hogsmeade punch-up.

Fred and Abby did as they should and avoided each other for the rest of the week, so by Friday the rumours had died down. After our last class that afternoon, Fred, George and me entered the Gryffindor common room and looked around. Only a few people were present: Harry and Ron were playing chess, Ginny was by herself writing in something, and a few third year girls were chattering by the fire. The twins heaved themselves onto the large sofa closest to them, kicked off their trainers and stretched out.

"I thought this week would never finish," Fred sighed in relief. I flopped down beside him and laid my head on his shoulder. His arm instantly went round me hugging me closer to his body.

"Really? I thought you were enjoying all the attention." George grinned at his brother, who gave an annoyed snort. "I'm only joking, Fred. It is good to have things back the way they should."

"Does that mean we're back on, then?" Lee asked excitedly as he entered the room through the portrait hole.

"Cool it, mate," Fred laughed. "We've got all year."

"Oh, you aren't serious, Fred?" Hermione piped up. The four of us turned to look at her; she had been reading a rather large book that had hidden her from view and we hadn't noticed she was there. She was sitting with Harry and Ron, who had stopped their chess game to look at her as well.

"Go on, Hermione," Fred replied. "Surely there's no love lost between you and a Malfoy or a Lestrange for that matter."

"That isn't the point," she stated firmly, wearing a face quite like Professor McGonagall's. "I just don't see why you would want to go about causing all sorts with that lot again! I should think this past week would have discouraged you from getting into any more trouble."

"You don't know him very well then," Ron told her. "Nothing discourages him."

"Not for long, in any case," George agreed. I nodded my head against Fred's shoulder.

"If it makes you feel better, we can get back at all of them rather than just her?" Fred offered.

"How does that help?" Hermione argued.

"Don't hurt," Fred shrugged.

Hermione scowled and her cheeks burned scarlet. "You're impossible!" she burst. "Do what you like but don't say I didn't warn you!"

"Right then, now that's settled," Fred grinned.

"Hermione, you should know that the twins will go against anything you say." I said sitting up slightly.

"I noticed you haven't tried to stop them." She snapped at me.

"I have for a matter of fact! They don't listen. They do want they like and they know the consequences. It is their choice." I snapped back before getting up and moving to one of the tables within the common room.

"She's got a point, Fred; Flint did say he'd kill you if you tried ought funny this year," George reminded him.

"Don't you start?" Fred eyed his brother suspiciously.

"You're right - don't know what came over me," the other replied. "Been around Percy too long." The three of them laughed. "Honestly though, I do think we should hold off a while."

"As do I," Fred nodded. Lee looked like his whole world had just come crashing down around him. "I don't want them to see us coming," Fred winked and Lee visibly brightened.

"Brilliant," he beamed.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

I saw Ginny watching as Fred, George and Lee laughed together; she then turned back to writing in whatever she had. I walked towards her.

"Hey. You ok?"

"Yeah fine thanks."

"Fred! George!" she yelled angrily and quickly covered the book. I did not notice that they had come up behind us.

"What's this then, Ginny?" Fred asked and tried to pry her off the book. "You haven't been writing nasty things about George and me have you?"

"Fred!" I scolded.

"Nah, Fred," George grinned. "She's probably writing about a certain young lad we know with wild black hair and rugged good looks."

"Oh yeah? Do you reckon she's got a load of mucky poems of her undying affections?" Fred nudged his twin and watched Ginny's face turn the colour of her hair.

"It's the scar." George tickled Ginny's ribs. "Girls go mad over a bloke with scars."

Both looked across the room at Harry, whose ears had gone crimson as he tried to ignore them and concentrate on the chess game. Ron's face bore a mix of sympathy and restraint from laughing.

"Push off," Ginny growled.

"Right then, we'll leave you to it." Fred winked at her as he, George and Lee left for their dormitory. Ginny watched until they were out of sight and then turned back to the book.

"Sorry about them Gin. They don't mean any harm. I'm here if you need to talk to me. Okay?"

"Yeah thanks Lie."

"No problem" I replied and walked off to do some homework.