Chapter Twelve: Beasts and Boasts

I placed Acromantula: The Revised Edition by Wally Shwerzinger back on the restricted section's shelf. Madam Pince had allowed me one hour in there alone, but that was plenty of time for me. I had a stack of notes I thought Fred and George would find useful that I put carefully into my bag, trying not to crinkle them. I wrapped the acromantula venom and web in spare parchment as added protection and placed them in my bag too. Locking the Restricted doors behind me, I carefully made my way up to Gryffindor tower.

"Father always promises me a new broom," I heard Draco Malfoy telling whoever was with him. "But this year I told him not to bother. I would much prefer the cash."
Pathetic, girlish laughter alerted me to Pansy Parkinson's presence. Seeing a deserted hallway, I quickly turned down it in an effort to avoid them. I picked up my pace and pulled out my wand.

"Look who it is!"

I just wasn't quick enough to avoid them, apparently. I kept walking but at a much calmer pace.

"Look at her hair!" Pansy shrieked. "Can it get any bushier?"
I shrugged off the insult. It was no use getting fired up over a Slytherin.
"I'm sure there's a spell for it," Malfoy sneered.

Instinct made me move slightly to the left for I hadn't turned around the moment I heard their voices. Blue sparks hit a suit of armour ahead of me – the spell had missed me by inches.

I was nearing the end of the corridor.

"Aren't Gryffindor's supposed to be brave?" Malfoy drawled.
"Yeah! Why are you running away, Granger?" Pansy giggled.
"I'm not running away," I said calmly, without turning around. I put my bag on the floor, out of harm's way around the corner. I had reached the end of the corridor and I turned around confidently. "You two look good together," I said kindly. My wand was aimed at them. "The ferret and the pug."
"You bitch!" Pansy screamed at the same time Malfoy said "You filthy Mudblood!"

My wand flicked and ropes shot out, binding the two Slytherin's together so tightly there was barely enough breathing space, before they hand even lifted their wands. The sudden loss of freedom made the two fall over backwards in surprise due to a loss of balance, forcing them to drop their wands. I regarded them with contempt before I walked away to collect my bag.

I saw it dangling from two hands, which led up to the faces of the Weasley twins. They looked mildly impressed.

"Fancy wand work," Fred commented.
"You need to work on your insults though," George said seriously.
I slung the bag over my shoulder. "It's first on my list of priorities," I promised. We walked past the two tangled Slytherin's again, Fred kicking Malfoy in the ribs on his way past, and headed up to Gryffindor Tower.
"Speaking of priorities," I began, but with a shake of their heads I was silenced. They led me down a secret passage that opened on the seventh floor – they were taking me to the Room of Requirement. I was curious as to what they would show me.

Fred stayed by my side as George paced in front of the seemingly blank wall three times. As the door materialised, I went through first and was overwhelmed immediately.

"This is our stock," Fred explained. "We've been making our own products to sell all year now."
"But before we go into that," George said, "You have to…"
"Swear that I'll never tell anyone," I said in a monotone voice.
"And you have to agree to become a part in our business," Fred said professionally. "We could use your expertise."
"I… I don't think… I am hardly an expert," I spluttered.
"Come on, Hermione," George pleaded. "You're a person of knowledge,"
"Someone we can trust," Fred added.
"And we know you would be useful in the production of new products," George said firmly.
"Oh, and I'd be in the hospital a lot less because you would actually know what you're doing," Fred teased.
"I like your visits in the hospital," I said without thinking. Fred grinned and I blushed.
George pounced on a sign of weakness. "Well you can see him more frequently if you help us out!"
"Right…" I said slowly. "Look, I need time to think about this."
They nodded. "As much time as you need," Fred promised.
"Good. Now, what did you need the venom for?" I wondered. "I also have something else for you I think you'll like, besides the research…"

The twins looked guilty when I pulled out all of my notes. "About that…" Fred murmured.
"Yeah, see, we don't actually need it," George admitted. "It was more of a test for you."
"Excuse me?" How dare they waste my time! I went to so much trouble for these two evil, conniving…
"We had to make sure you were worthy, Hermione. We only want the best," Fred assured me.
"And you are," George praised.

I shrugged modestly.

"But let's see what you've brought us," Fred said enthusiastically. George took the papers while Fred took the packages. George was already nodding his head to some of my notes as he read.
I glanced at Fred only to find he was looking at me proudly. "I knew you'd come through," he said with a grin. I smiled back.
"I'll be offended if all of my hard work was for nothing in the end," I said grumpily, but I was only teasing.
"Don't you worry, Hermione. There is some really useful stuff in here, things that even I didn't get," George mumbled. Fred's grin widened.
"Hurry up, I want to see what's in here."

George put my research down and sat in front of Fred like it was Christmas day. As I sat, a fluffy red cushion appeared under my bum. Fred and George followed suit – purple for Fred, green for George. My awful wrapping job was torn off in just a second and they admired the bottle. "It hurts to look at," George grumbled.
"That's because of the predator pheromones," I began. "They're specifically designed to scare other creatures…" Fred and George burst out laughing.
"Hush, Hermione," Fred laughed. "We know."
A bit disappointed that I wasn't able to finish, I had to remind myself that Fred and George weren't Harry and Ron, were older, more experienced, and probably knew more than I did as much as I didn't like to admit it.

"So if the venom is here," George said curiously.
"What's in here?" Fred finished, holding up the last package. I grinned.
"Open them and find out!"

Glints of silver reflected into my eyes as they twisted the vials around. George was holding his up to the light, Fred close to his eyes. "Careful," I warned, "You'll turn yourself blind."
He flashed a grin as bright as the web and asked, "Is this what I think it is?"
"Acromantula web," George confirmed in awe.
"Almost as rare as the venom and just as expensive," I agreed.

It was strange, because one second Fred and George were looking at the three vials, and the next they had enveloped me in a tight group hug. We fell backwards onto the floor as I was not expecting their sudden weight. "Can't… breathe…" I managed to get out. They immediately jumped off.
"Sorry, Hermione," George apologised. "It's just…"
"You really went above and beyond on this one," Fred explained.
"Well, I saw it and thought you might like it," I said sweetly. "Besides, looking around at everything in here, I'm sure it will come in handy at some stage in your career."

Their eyes light up. "Let us show you around, Healer Hermione."