Disclaimer I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters. Brief reminder the Potters are a bit different from how they were written in the books. I hope you enjoy, forgive my spelling/grammar mistakes, especially commas. Please read, review, favorite, and follow. Enjoy loves!
Chapter 14.
The last days of Hogwarts Year 1
"You?" The twins questioned together.
"Me," Quirrell said with a sickening smile causing both twins to gulp.
"I wondered if I'd be seeing you two."
"But we thought Snape," Hermione frowned.
With a cold chuckle, Quirrell looked at the two. "Yes well, he does seem the type. With him around who ever would've thought about p-poor st-stuttering pr-Professor Quirrell."
"But Snape tried to kill Harry," Hermione frowned.
"No dear girl, I tried to kill him, and I would've succeeded, had those blasted Weasley twins not distracted me with that Bludger. Make no mistake though, if Snape hadn't been muttering his little counter-curse I would've succeeded."
"Snape was trying to save me?"
"Why do you think he volunteered to be the referee for the next game? To make sure I couldn't try again. Not that I could've done anything with Dumbledore there. A pity though, since I'm going to kill you both tonight," Quirrell said his eyes glimmering with cold malice. "You two are far too nosey, if you both hadn't been running around on Halloween, I would already have the stone."
"You were the one who let the troll in," Hermione said furiously.
"Certainly, I have a gift with trolls, surely you two saw what I did to the other one. Snape who was already suspicious went to the third floor to head me off, and not only did that troll fail to beat you two death, that dog failed to bite off Snape's leg." Snapping his fingers in distaste Hermione and Harry were immediately bound up tight in ropes.
"Now sit quietly the both of you," Quirrell said. "This mirror holds the key to finding the stone," he murmured almost to himself, "trust Dumbledore to think of something like this." Quirrell was circling the object that Hermione and Harry immediately recognized as the Mirror of Erised. Looking at one another they knew that they had to keep Quirrell talking.
"We saw you with Snape in the forest," Hermione said.
"Yes, yes," Quirrell grinned as he walked around the mirror looking at it calculatingly, "he was onto me by that time, wanted to know how far I'd gotten. He suspected me all along, tried to frighten me as if he could when I had Lord Voldemort on my side." Quirrell moved so that he was in front of the mirror, and staring at it hungrily.
"But Snape hates us," Harry finally said.
"Yes he does," Quirrell nodded, "but that doesn't mean he wants either of you dead. He went to Hogwarts with your father they loathed each other."
"We heard you crying, we thought Snape was bullying you," Hermione said looking at the man.
For the first time a flicker of fear passed over Quirrell's face, "I sometimes find it hard to do what my master asks, he is a great wizard, and I am weak. I met him when I was traveling around the world, back when I was a foolish young man with ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was, he showed me that in this world there is only power and those too weak to seek it. I disappoint him, and he does not forgive easily. When I failed to steal the stone from Gringotts he punished me, decided he'd have to keep a closer eye on me."
Harry frowned as he was remembering their trip to Diagon Alley. How hadn't they suspected the man in front of him? Quirrell was there the whole time, and every time after. Then Quirrell turned back towards the mirror in irritation. Harry frowned as he looked at the mirror, he wanted to keep the stone from Quirrell. He thought that if he could just look in the mirror, he'd be able to find where the stone was hidden. Looking over he tried to move to see himself in the mirror but the ropes binding him caused him to trip. Quirrell didn't even bat an eyelash.
Hermione frowned at her brother and lurched forward to help him. "I see it, what I most desire I have the stone and I'm giving it to my master," Quirrell was saying to himself.
"Use the boy," a high voice came from seemingly nowhere, Hermione's eyes widened as she realized the voice was coming from Quirrell.
Quirrell looked at Harry and snapped his fingers again the bindings falling off. He grabbed Harry's arm and shoved him in front of the mirror, "Well what do you see?"
Harry frowned at first he only saw himself, then his reflection smiled, and pulled a blood red stone from his pocket. The moment the reflection dropped the stone back into his pocket, Harry felt an unfamiliar weight in his own pocket. "I see, Dumbledore, he's congratulating me because I won Gryffindor the house cup."
Quirrell shoved him away in disgust and Harry turned to Hermione grabbing his wand he quickly got rid of her bindings. "He lies," the voice said causing Harry and Hermione to freeze.
"Tell the truth Potter, what did you see?"
"Let me talk to him," came the voice that sent shivers of fear down both Harry, and Hermione's spines.
"Master you are not strong enough," Quirrell said softly.
"I'm strong enough for this," came the reply. Harry and Hermione watched in horror as slowly Quirrell unwrapped his turban. His head looked oddly small without it and slightly disfigured. It wasn't until Quirrell turned around did the two figure out just how disfigured he was.
The face was chalk white, with glaring red eyes, and slits for nostrils like a snake. The moment Harry looked at it, he felt a pain shoot through his scar, and as a result, Hermione felt it too. Looking at one another they knew, this was Lord Voldemort, this was the man that had taken everything from them. "Ahh the Potters," the face whispered in its chilling voice.
The two tried to step back but their bodies wouldn't move too terrified to even attempt it. "You see what I have become, mere shadow and vapor, I'm only solid when I can share the body of another, but there are those loyal enough to let me into their hearts and mind. Unicorn blood has strengthened me these past weeks, and once I have the elixir of life, I can create my own body. Now, why don't you give me that stone in your pocket?"
Hermione looked at Harry, whilst Harry just gritted his teeth. Voldemort knew that was enough to cause the feeling to surge back into both twin's legs. They stumbled backward and Hermione instinctively moved between Quirrell and Harry. This was a familiar position, she'd done it so many times before when Dudley and his band of hooligans were using Harry as a punching bag. "Don't be a fool, Harry, if you don't join me you'll meet the same end as your parents, you and your sister. They died begging me for mercy."
"You liar!" Hermione shouted suddenly feeling very brave. "You won't get Harry and you won't get the stone I won't let you."
"I suppose that a little girl like yourself thinks she can stop me," the cool voice actually gave way to a bone-chilling laugh and Hermione took a deep breath. Suddenly Quirrell was walking backward at them so Voldemort could still see them. "Very brave, I admire that, your parents were brave. I killed your father first, then your mother, she needn't have died; but she was trying to protect the both of you. Don't let that sacrifice go to waste, just give me the stone, and you can go on living."
"Never!" Harry sprang towards the flame door.
"Seize him!" Voldemort screamed and Hermione immediately got between them again. With a careless flick of his wrist, Hermione was sent flying into the opposite wall where her head banged against the wall and floor. Harry gasped, and then turned his green eyes on Voldemort/Quirrell who was laughing as blood pooled around her head. Harry forgot his fear at that moment and lunged at the monster who had hurt his sister. The moment his skin actually came into contact with Quirrell's though, Quirrell started screaming.
"What is this magic," Quirrell's panicked voice cried as he tried to buck Harry off of him. Frowning Harry put his hands on the man's face. His skin was becoming red and shiny blistered, and his screams of agony proved Harry right. The man couldn't touch him without suffering. When Quirrell rolled him off Harry hung on as tightly as he could, while the screams echoed off the walls, and Harry's scar felt as if it would blind him in pain. The longer he held on the darker everything was becoming, and the more the pain in his head built up until finally, he was going down sinking into blackness, with a jolt he realized still holding onto Quirrell, and that he was beside Hermione before he knew no more.
Hermione woke up with a blinding headache and two voices, one that she would know anywhere. Turning on her side she saw Harry sitting up in bed with Dumbledore at his side. This was the first time Hermione got a good look at the older wizard. With a jolt, she remembered way back to her and Harry's third birthday.
Once again they had been sent outside because they were bothering their relatives so they decided to make a mud pie. That was going to be their birthday cake. A man came by giving them both chocolate and then hurriedly left before they could say a word. But then a loud crack sounded and the twins looked up to see a man's twinkling blue eyes looking down at them. He gave Hermione a book and spoke with them for a bit, that was when Harry said it was their birthday, and the man gave Harry a glass ball that when shaken a golden object that Hermione now recognized as a snitch would fly around while tiny people on broomsticks flew around it.
Then like magic, their mud pie turned into a beautiful cake and the old man was gone. Hermione rubbed her face and with a frown, she remembered Dudley breaking the glass orb, and stealing the rest of their cake after Harry and Hermione each got a slice. They were lucky to have gotten that much. Hermione kept the book hidden from her family and close to her chest until she was old enough to go to school then they didn't question it.
Snapping out of the memory she looked over at the odd man and her brother. "Harry?" She croaked as her eyes adjusted the pain in her head faded. She looked around in wonder, figuring out that she was in the infirmary.
"Mione!" Harry gasped relief clear in his voice. Dumbledore smiled at the twins and with a soft chuckle moved so that he was between the two beds.
"It's good to see you up Miss Potter, as I was telling your brother you've been out for about three days. Many of your friends and admirers sent tokens, I believe it was Fred and George Weasley who tried to send you both toilet seats, although Madame Pomfrey felt that wasn't hygienic and confiscated them."
"Sir the stone," Hermione gasped sitting up.
"Already covered Miss Potter, what happened between the both of you and Professor Quirrell is a secret, so naturally the whole school knows. I imagine the Weasley's and your Quidditch team will be happy to know you are both awake. They've visited every day."
"But the stone," Harry said looking at Hermione, and then back to Dumbledore.
"I see you two are not to be distracted. Very well, when I got to London, I soon realized that the place I should be was where I had just left. So I came back as soon as I could. There I was met by a very worried Ronald Weasley who'd happened to have woken up and flew a broomstick out of the trap door. When I got to where you and Quirrell were fighting, I arrived just in time to pull him off. I feared I was too late."
"You nearly were sir, he almost got the stone," Harry said.
"Not for the stone dear boy, for you and your sister. I fear I never would've forgiven myself had something happened to the two of you," came the soft reply. "The stone, in fact, has been destroyed."
"But what about Nicolas Flamel," Hermione said with a frown.
"Oh you know about Nicolas, well we discussed things, and he and I agreed it was for the best."
"But he and his wife they'll die," Harry said looking up at Dumbledore.
"Yes, they have enough Elixir saved up to set their affairs in order, but without the stone, they will die. No need to look so glum, after all to them it'll be like going to sleep after a long day. Anyway to the well-organized mind death is but the next great adventure my dear twins."
"Sir was You-Know-Who destroyed," Hermione asked looking up at the professor.
"No my dear I'm afraid that he has only been delayed, however, if we keep delaying him he may never return to power. He left Quirrell to die, showing as much mercy to his followers as he would his enemies, and I'm sure he's lurking out there somewhere. Alas, there is no need to worry about that now my dear; and call him Voldemort, fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself," Dumbledore said with a warm twinkle in his eyes.
"Sir we… well, I want to know the truth," Harry said.
"Ahh the truth, well I shall try to answer your questions unless I have a very good reason not to. In which case I hope you will forgive me, but I will not in fact lie."
"Well Voldemort said that he only killed our mother because she tried to stop him from killing us, but why did he want us dead in the first place?" Harry asked with a frown. Dumbledore sighed and looked at Harry and then Hermione who was leaning forward looking rather interested.
"Ala,s the first question you've asked is one that I cannot answer. Not yet anyway, I promise you shall know when you are older, but for right now that is all I can say on the matter," Dumbledore answered.
With a sig,h Harry nodded and thought of his next question. "Why couldn't Quirrell touch me?"
"Ah,h now that is one I can answer, you see when your mother died protecting you both she gave you a protection. Not a mark that is visible, but one that lies within your skin. That is love, Voldemort has never understood love, and therefore he can't see how powerful it is. Not truly anyway. I imagine had Quirrell tried to actually touch your sister like he had done you, Harry, that it would've ended up the same. To touch something so pure, when you are corrupted is excruciating."
"I have one sir," Hermione said with a soft frown.
"Just one?" Dumbledore asked with a soft smile and raised an eyebrow.
Hermione bit her lip and looked uncertain for a moment before finally asking, "He said that Professor Snape hates us because he hated our Dad, is that true?"
"Aww yes well they did detest each other, but your father did something unthinkable at one point that made Professor Snape loath him even more, he saved his life. I believe that is why Severus worked so hard to protect you both, so that he could pay the life debt he owed your father."
"Professor do you know who gave Harry our Father's cloak?" Hermione asked after a bit of silence.
"Ah now, that was me, you see before he died he left it in my possession. A rather useful thing that cloak is, he used to use it to sneak into the kitchens at night I believe. That locket you're wearing Hermione was a gift to your mother from him, it's a Potter family heirloom, and I thought it only right you should have it."
"Last one," Harry said with a soft smile. "How did the stone move from the mirror into my pocket?"
"Ah I'm so glad you asked that one, it was one of my more brilliant ideas, and that is saying something. You see when someone wanted to find the stone, find and not use they'd be able to have it transferred to them. The others would just see themselves making gold, or drinking the elixir of life. Now if that is all, I imagine I must be going now." Dumbledore stood but saw the container of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. Picking it up he looked at the twins, "I came across a vomit-flavored one in my youth, and I'm sad to say I lost my taste for them, but I think I should be okay with a nice brown toffee," he said picking out a brown bean and popping it into his mouth where his face immediately scrunched. "Alas, ear wax." With that, he strode out of the room, and Hermione shook her head.
HJPHJPHJPHJPHJPHJP
"Please Madame Pomfrey five minutes," came the pleading voices of both Potters.
"Absolutely not, you two need your rest."
"But you let Professor Dumbledore in," Harry reminded her.
"Well, of course, he is the headmaster."
"We are resting Madame Pomfrey, you see we're in bed, just please let us see them," Hermione pleaded.
"Fine but five minutes only." With that Madam Pomfrey opened the door to three excited redheads who immediately ran inside.
Ron went straight to Harry and the twins straight to Hermione. Fred hugged her tightly causing a dull ache to shoot up in her head. "We were so worried," he breathed looking at the bushy haired witch.
"I'm fine Freddie," she said with a laugh, pushing him away and hugging George tightly as well. "I'm glad you're okay Ron," Hermione called.
"Yeah, same here Mione," Ron grinned at his friend sitting beside Harry. It was a few minutes and they were all discussing what happened when finally Ron asked a question the Weasley twins had been dying to know as well. "Do you think he meant for you too to do it, I mean giving Hermione the locket and you the cloak."
"If he did that's kind of horrible isn't it?" Fred asked with a frown. "I mean you don't think he did it so you two would go fight him…"
"No I don't think so, he's a funny man Dumbledore, I think he did it to give us a chance. He knew we'd try, so he just gave us the tools to be successful, I don't think it was an accident he let us figure out how the mirror worked. In fact, I bet he knows everything that goes on in this school. I suppose he knew we had a right to face Voldemort if we could," Harry said after a moment looking at his sister, who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah Dumbledore's off his rocker alright," Ron said proudly with a happy smile at the thought of his hero.
"You two have to be allowed to go to the feast," George decided after a moment.
"Yeah all the points are in and of course Slytherin's won. You also missed the last Quidditch game against Ravenclaw and we were steamrolled without you both," Fred said with a sigh.
"Alright, you've all had nearly 15 minutes now out!" Madame Pomfrey came shooing the Gryffindors out of the room.
Sighing the twins relaxed against their beds with a sigh. Finally, while Madame Pomfrey was straightening up the beds the twins looked at her. "We can go to the feast right," Harry asked the elderly woman nervously.
"Professor Dumbledore says you two are allowed to go yes." Sniffed the elderly woman, as if she thought Professor Dumbledore didn't realize how dangerous Feasts could be. "You both have another visitor." She said after walking to the door.
"Great, who is it?" Hermione asked with a smile. The moment the door was opened Hagrid came in, and as usual, he looked far too large to be indoors. The moment he set eyes on the twins he burst into tears.
"It's all my fault," he sobbed sitting between the two beds. "I told the evil git how to get past Fluffy, I told him. It was the only thing he didn't know. Ye both could've died, and all for a bloody dragon egg. I should be chucked out and made to live with the muggles." He sobbed his shoulders shaking as great big tears welled up and fell down into his beard.
"Hagrid," Hermione said shocked but soothingly. "It's not your fault, it could have happened to anyone."
"Yeah Hagrid, we're not dead, we're alive and fine. He would've found out eventually anyway, it's not your fault," Harry said soothingly. "This is Voldemort we're talking about."
"Ye both could've died, and don't say his name," Hagrid sobbed.
The twins looked at each other with mischievous grins and both shouted, "Voldemort!" so loudly that Hagrid stopped crying in shock and stared at the two.
"We've met him Hagrid," Hermione told him.
"So we're calling him by his name," Harry finished. "Here have a chocolate frog we've got loads."
"That reminds me I have something for you both," Hagrid said standing up.
"It's not a stove sandwich is it," Hermione asked anxiously causing Hagrid to chuckle weakly.
"No, Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday to fix it, course he should've just sacked me instead. Anyway, here you go." Pulling out two leather-bound books he handed one to each of the twins.
They both opened them to find the pages full of wizard photographs. Each page had a different photo of their parents. The twins looked at Hagrid in shock. "I know that ye don't have any, so I've been owling all of their old school friends. They're the same photos, in each one used a duplicate charm, but I'd appreciate it if you kept that between the three o' us."
"Oh Hagrid," Hermione cried and sprung out of her bed to give the rather large man a huge hug. "Thank you so much," she said with a kiss to his cheek.
Harry smiled softly at his sister and got out of bed to give the man his own hug. Quickly the two climbed back into their respective bed so they didn't get yelled at by Madame Pomfrey. They chatted with Hagrid until he too was run out by the matronly woman.
Harry sighed as he walked beside Hermione, the two making their way to the feast by themselves. They were late because Madame Pomfrey had insisted on giving both of them one last check-up, that found the two were perfectly fine. Although now the great hall was already full. So steeling themselves the twins set their shoulders and walked inside.
Almost immediately silence echoed through the halls, then the loud voices started as people stood up to get a good look at the two of them. Quickly Harry and Hermione took their seats. Hermione was sandwiched between Fred and George while Harry sat across from her with Ron and Lee. Both keeping their heads down as they tried to ignore the loud questions.
Fortunately, the voices died down when Professor Dumbledore walked in. The Great Hall was decorated in Silver and Green to celebrate Slytherin winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row. Even behind the head table, there was a large banner with a Slytherin snake.
As Dumbledore stood he cleared his throat, "Another year has come and gone," he said cheerfully. "I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing jabber before we sink our teeth into this year's delicious feast. What a year it has been. Hopefully, all your heads are a bit fuller than when you arrived, rest assured you have the whole summer ahead of you to get them nice and empty again. Now as I understand it the house cup needs awarding and the points stand like this. In fourth place Gryffindor with 312 points, in third Hufflepuff with 352, Ravenclaw has 426, and Slytherin has 472."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table, and Harry noticed Draco Malfoy raising his goblet gloatingly. It was enough to make him sick.
"Yes, yes well done Slytherin; however, recent events must be taken into account," Dumbledore announced. The room became silent and the Slytherin's smiles faded a little. "I have a few last minute points to dish out, First to Mister Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years I award Gryffindor fifty points."
The table went crazy. Percy was boasting loudly to anyone who would hear, "That's my brother, youngest boy in the family, beat McGonagall's stone chess set," and Ron's face had almost turned purple.
"Second, to Miss Hermione Potter for being able to use cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house, fifty points." The table cheered loudly again, while Fred and George slapped Hermione on the back. While Hermione ducked her head down shyly. Harry felt that she had probably burst into tears as she buried her face in her arms.
"Third to Mister Harry Potter, for pure nerve, and outstanding courage I award Gryffindor house 60 points," The happy cheers were deafening. Harry blushed shyly and looked down.
"That ties us with Slytherin," Hermione told everyone quietly.
"And lastly there are all kinds of courage, it takes a great deal to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I, therefore, award ten points to Mister Neville Longbottom."
With that last sentence, Gryffindor had won and Hermione stood up and launched herself into her friend's arms kissing his cheek happily. "Way to go Neville!" She cheered clapping and not noticing the dark look a certain redhead was giving her. Turning to Fred she beamed happily at him and the look was soon replaced with his usual easy grin.
Neville disappeared under a vast amount of people hugging him, and he was still white with shock. He had never even won so much as a point for his house, and now he'd just won them the House Cup. The Great Hall was so loud that most would think an explosion had taken place because even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin.
"Which means that a change in color is needed I believe," Dumbledore announced over the noise, clapping his hands the green banners soon changed to the red and gold, and the serpent banner was changed to a towering Gryffindor Lion.
Snape was shaking McGonagall's hand with a forced smile, and when he met Harry's eye the twins knew his feelings hadn't changed towards them. Although Harry didn't mind he figured things would be back to normal next year. Or as normal as things can be at Hogwarts. It was the best evening of the Potter twin's young lives. It was better than Quidditch and knocking out mountain trolls, and both knew that they'd never forget it.
Harry did almost forget that the exam results were still to come, and come they did. Hermione had the best grades of the first years, and Harry and Ron were surprised that they passed with good marks. Even Neville had scraped by, his amazing Herbology grade making up for his lackluster potions grade.
Then it seemed like within a blink of the eye the wardrobes were empty, and the trunks were all packed. They'd all been given notes reminding students not to use magic over the holidays.
"I always hope they'll forget to give us these," said Fred sadly as he left to the carriages. Hagrid was there to lead the first years to the boats. They glided through the water back to Hogsmeade and just like when they first came Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were all together. The moment they were in Hogsmeade they all walked to the station and soon they were all at the Scarlet train that would carry them home.
The Potters found a compartment across from Fred and George. They were sitting with Ron, and Neville and the doors were open so that a conversation could be mostly carried. They were all laughing and joking as they ate their candy, and snuck off to the bathrooms to change out of their robes.
They were blasting past Muggle towns, and all and all having a blast. Hermione switched easily from compartment to compartment, going back and forth from Harry and Ron's, To Lee, Fred and George's. She'd stay for about thirty minutes and switch again. Although Crookshanks absolutely refused to be in the compartment with Scabbers. Hermione had never really understood it, but her pet hated Ron's with more violent passion than any cat had ever hated a rat before. Ron claimed it was because her cat was mental, and he always complained about keeping Scabbers locked in his room.
When the train had stopped the young wizards went through the platforms in twos and threes to avoid catching the Muggles' attention. "You must come and stay this summer, the both of you," Ron said looking at his two friends. "I'll owl you guys."
"Thanks, we need something to look forward too," Hermione said with a smile as she gripped her things. Crookshanks was sleeping soundly in his carrier so she was attempting not to jostle the cat too much.
"He's right, it'd be a blast if you came and stayed Mione," Fred grinned as he and George moved forward. Everywhere people were bustling past the group trying to get out of the platform, every time someone would pass the twins would hear their names called with some sort of farewell, and they'd always wave back with smiles.
"Still famous," Ron teased them as they walked out as well.
"Not where we're going we promise you," Harry said with a sad look. There was Ron's Mum waiting for him with Percy, and the girl from last time. Sighing Harry looked at Hermione.
"You two should meet our mum," George finally said after a moment.
"Yeah if you're going to be staying with us it's only fair," Fred grinned dragging Hermione over to where the plump redheaded woman was standing. Harry followed with a laugh and ran his hands through his messy black hair.
"Look, Mum, I can see him," Ginny Weasley squeaked pointing, but it wasn't Ron she was talking about. "Harry Potter!" She said in wonder causing Mrs. Weasley to frown.
"Ginevra Weasley, it's rude to point," Mrs. Weasley scolded, "Well busy year?" she asked Harry Ron and Hermione with a soft smile.
"Yes ma'am," Harry answered her.
"Thank you so much for the sweater and fudge Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said with a warm smile to the older woman.
"Oh, it was no trouble dear,"
That was when Hermione saw Vernon, still purple-faced, and large, with his walrus mustache and beady eyes. Frowning as he walked up to them as if he couldn't believe the nerve of his niece and nephew. "Well come on then we haven't got all day."
"You must be Harry's family," Mrs. Weasley said with a warm smile to Vernon, and then to Petunia and Dudley who looked terrified of her.
"Yes. I suppose we are," he told her curtly and rudely before glaring down at the twins, "hurry up you two."
Hermione bit her lip as she watched him waddle away and felt two sets of familiar arms on her shoulders. "Well he's pleasant," Fred said with a frown.
"Yeah that's my Uncle Vernon for you," Hermione answered and looked at Harry who looked embarrassed at how rude Vernon had been.
"Well at least one good thing comes of this summer," Harry grinned at his sister for a moment.
"Yeah, and what's that?" Ron asked finally.
"They don't know we can't use magic outside of school," Harry answered with a grin.
The Weasley twins looked at each other and grinned down at their young friends before encasing Hermione in a sandwiched hug. "Bye Mione, we'll write to you," they said together.
Hermione laughed and ducked under their arms grabbing Harry's hand. "You better," she called over her shoulder as she and Harry followed their family.
Fred felt a tightening in his chest and he looked over at George, "Well brother of mine, looks like it's just us again."