Natalie Erin Lillian Bryce Potter

I don't own anything that even seems vaguely familiar to you. Most characters and places are real or belong to the most brilliant and famous J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 13: The Plot
December 19, 2008

"If I could have your attention please." Kelly, Rosemary, Missy, and Orlando looked up eagerly from where they were sitting at the Gryffindor table; they knew what the Headmaster was going to say. Christmas break had started the day before and only about 20 students had signed up to stay so it didn't take too long for the hall to get quite.

"Thank you. Now, as some of you already know," Professor Dumbledore glanced at the Gryffindor table, "There will be quite a few guests coming to stay at the castle for part of the holiday and on Christmas, Hogwarts will be host to a Welcome Back Ball. This ball is not specifically for students but you are all welcome. The purpose is to officially welcome a friend and former student back to the country."

"And get Harry and Ginny together," said Professor McGonagall in an undertone.

"There will be several ministry workers and their families coming," continued Dumbledore smiling at his deputy's comment, "Including the Minister himself, so I expect you to be on your best behavior. Some of the guests will be staying in the empty dorms while others will be staying in the village. They will be arriving tomorrow by lunchtime; I will introduce you then. That is all, Good-night." The old Headmaster got up and left. Ginny looked meaningfully at the four sitting at her old house table before getting up and following the Professor out of the hall. Understanding the message, Kelly, Rosemary, Missy, and Orlando got up and headed to their Aunt's rooms.

"So Aunt Ginny who's staying where?" asked Kelly brightly.

"Your parents and everyone will be staying in Gryffindor tower with you," explained Ginny as they entered her rooms. "Charlie and them will be staying in Romania until the 23rd. Granger-Weasleys will be staying in 'Mione's rooms, obviously. The Longbottoms will be staying with the Ravenclaws. Fred, George, Lee, and their families were going to stay with the Slytherins but Snape forbid it, they're staying at the Three Broomsticks."

"Poor mum!" exclaimed Rosemary, "That's got to be horrible!"

"I agree," laughed Ginny, "Fleur is still at Potter Manor so that's where they're staying. The full moon is coming so Remus'll be in the hospital wing for a day or two but I think they're staying with Perc in the tower."

"What about Grandma and Grandpa?" asked Orlando.

"Mum and Dad are at the Manor with Fleur," replied Ginny, "Becky will be remaining there as well while Harry and Nat somehow got stuck with me. The Order and their families are coming Christmas Eve."

"Oh, too bad," said Missy pretending to be sympathetic. She glanced sideways at the other three when Ginny wasn't looking, "Well we better get back to the tower and leave you to get ready. 'Night!"

" 'Night!" the four Gryffindors jumped up and ran out.

"Good-night," called Ginny looking slightly confused.

"Alright," whispered Kelly to the others once they were back in the tower. "Phase 1-Sleeping arrangements, complete. Phase 2: Operation Switch Clothes starts tomorrow. You two," pointing to the twins, "Will go to breakfast like it's any other morning. Aunt 'Mione is going to make sure Aunt Ginny gets to the Hall early and stays there."

"Next," continued Rose, "Kelly and I will go to Ginny's room and switch all her clothes with something, ah...more 'appropriate' We're going to hid her cloths behind the One-Eyed Witch."

"Which night is Nat staying in the tower again?" inquired Missy.

"All of the kids will be staying in the tower after the ball on the 25th as well as on the 26th, but Natalie will be here the 21st as well," replied her brother, "That's the day after tomorrow, the Winter Solstice. It's perfect."

"But how are we doing the actual locking?" asked Rose.

"Loppy's gona nick the Marauder's Map from Uncle Harry and give it Aunt Hermione. Squeaky will then place a charm on the bedroom so it locks as soon as Harry and Ginny are both in," explained Kelly, "With any luck, they'll be engaged by New Year's!"

"Wait! Wait! What about the mistletoe?" remembered Missy.

"Squeaky and Flit, Sunny will be a distraction if necessary. That's Phase 3, tomorrow during dinner," said Kelly, "Everything is taken care of; we better get to bed."

"Yeah," yawned Orlando, "Lot's to do tomorrow."

Saturday, December 20, 7:45 am

"OK," whispered Missy raising the pillow over her head, "On the count of three..."

"One..." whispered Rose.

"Two..." continued Kelly.

"Three! Get up!" The three girls continued to shout and started beating Orlando over the head with pillows.

"AHHHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOO Stop!"

"Never!" cried his twin, hitting him even harder.

"Not until you get up!" yelled his older sister.

"We have to start phase 2!" exclaimed his newly adopted (unofficially) cousin.

"Oh yeah, I'll be down in five minutes."

"You better be!" called the girls as they ran down the steps.

"Phase 2 is complete. Nana Becky will take the clothes back to the manor later," whispered Rose to the twins as she and Kelly sat down for lunch.

"Good, Professor Dumbledore's already introduced everyone," replied Missy.

"As you can see, the kids are all sitting down here," added Orlando.

"Phase 3 will start in about five hours," said Kelly looking at her watch, "Remember, act normal."

Tap Tap

"Burrr its cold out there," shivered Nana Becky once Tonks had opened the window and she had transformed. "Is Squeaky here yet?"

"Squeak squeak...yep here I am! You get the last piece up?" asked Hermione after coming through the crack in the wall.

"No problem and when I left all three were sitting on the couch reading a bedtime story, they looked quite cozy," smiled Nana Becky.

"Alright," said Tonks, she had volunteered to stay up with the four Gryffindors, "Nana Becky has to get back to the Manor, and Aunt Hermione has to get back to her rooms before Ron gets suspicious."

"Remember, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice; Nat will be sleeping here and Phase 4 will be put into action," exclaimed Kelly excitedly.

"Shhhh! Good-night."

" 'Night."

"Squeak!"

"Potter Manor!" Whoosh.

"Good-night."

End Chapter 13