"If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have gotten anywhere." -Marilyn Monroe

"Look, there's Bagman," Fred said, pointing. It was the end of May and Fred was with George on a trip to Hogsmeade. McKenna was off with Katie and Angelina and they were all supposed to be meeting up later. Fred and George were planning to use the time to go to Zonko's for inspiration for future products that they might invent themselves one day.

"And he's with goblins again," George added.

"Do we have time to follow him?" Fred asked.

George glanced at his watch. "We have an hour."

"Let's go," Fred said, making up his mind quickly. He and George quickly made their way after Bagman and the goblins. They stopped at the far end of Hogsmeade, near the Shrieking Shack, where there were rarely any people.

"Behind here," George said, gesturing to a couple of nearby trees. They each hid behind one before listening in to the conversation.

"It was a close one, Ludo," one of the goblins said. "Potter nearly came in third place this time."

"It's not my fault," Bagman snapped. "I offered him help. Of course, he didn't need it. He would have come in first had he not acted so noble and gone and saved the Delacour girl's sister! Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. Thankfully, the judges saw it as showing 'moral fiber' as opposed to being thick."

"Yes, but he's still tied with Cedric Diggory, is he not?" one goblin asked.

"Yes, he is, but-,"

"You bet that Potter would win the entire thing himself. Drawing with Cedric Diggory does not count. Potter has to win the third task if you want to win the bet. He and he alone must reach that Triwizard Cup first if you want to win." When there was silence, the goblin continued. "You do realize that the fate of most of your debt with us is in the hands of a fourteen year old boy."

"He'll win," Bagman said. "I was sure of it when I made the bet and I'm sure of it now. I've offered him help before every task. He's declined each time, of course, but he's done well."

"Like we discussed a few minutes ago, he got through this task by the skin of his teeth and received the points he did as a result of sheer dumb luck," a goblin said. "For your sake, he better make it through the last task and get to that Triwizard Cup before anybody else."

"He will," Bagman assured them, but he didn't sound all that sure anymore.

Fred and George concealed themselves further behind the trees as Bagman and the goblins headed back towards Hogsmeade. When they were completely out of earshot, Fred looked at George with wide eyes. "He's betting on Harry! That's how he's trying to pay off the goblins!"

"He must be really desperate," George said. "Those goblins can play dirty."

"Yeah, and apparently so can Bagman," Fred answered.

Fred sat on the couch in front of the fire, his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands as he thought. He and George were deciding what to do about Bagman. It had been about four months since the confrontation in the Three Broomsticks but they still weren't giving up. At least not yet. Not when there was still one more option.

"We're going to have to do it, George," Fred finally said. "If we want out money back, we're going to have to play as dirty as he is."

"He doesn't have any money to give us, though. He's still trying to pay off his debt to the goblins," George said.

"Exactly. By betting on Harry. The Ministry sure won't like what he's done. Betting with the goblins is already tricky enough to do, and he's even betting on Harry and offering him help."

"We can get in a lot of trouble by blackmailing him, though," George said.

"He can get in trouble too," Fred answered.

"Yeah, but-,"

"Do you want our money back or not?" Fred asked. "This is the only way at this point. If we want him to pay us as soon as he's able to, we need to do it." He looked over at George, who stared back before nodding.

"Okay, let's do it."

"What's Bagman doing here?" McKenna asked Angelina. They were sitting outside on the front steps, enjoying the nice weather and Bagman had just walked by.

Angelina shrugged, but didn't answer. Instead, it was another voice that did.

"He's here to show the champions what the third task is." Harry took a seat on the steps next to McKenna, resting his chin in his hands. Ron and Hermione took seats on the step below him. "We find out what it is tonight," Harry continued.

"Any guesses about what it could be?" Angelina asked, leaning forward.

"None," Harry answered. "Although I'm sure Bagman will be asking if he can help me." He rolled his eyes.

"He's been offering to help you?" McKenna asked.

"Yeah, before the first two tasks he made sure I knew what I was doing and asked if I needed anything."

"That's odd," McKenna said, frowning.

"Very," Hermione agreed. "He of all people shouldn't be offering Harry help. If he's going to do it, though, the least he could do is offer to help all the champions."

"Which he isn't," Harry muttered.

"You know, Harry, you could probably win this thing on your own anyway," Angelina said.

Harry snorted. "It'll be a miracle if I win."

"Not really," McKenna said.

"Yeah, I'll bet anything that you'll win," Ron chimed in.

"Hold on," McKenna said suddenly. "I wonder…"

"Wonder what?" Harry asked.

"I have to go. I don't know if I'm right, but –well, we'll find out soon enough. I have to go. See you later." With that, she gathered her things and dashed away. She had just gotten an idea about how Bagman might be repaying the goblins.

"Fred, George, I have to tell you something."

Fred turned at the sound of McKenna's voice and George did the same. They were standing in the common room, just about to walk out of the portrait hole. "What is it?" Fred asked, throwing his arm around McKenna's shoulders and kissing her temple.

"Did you know that Bagman's been offering Harry help in the tournament? Every chance he gets he's been asking if Harry's all set with everything. That's what he was asking him in the Three Broomsticks before the second task. He needs money badly, so do you think he bet with the goblins that Harry will win the tournament?"

"How did you figure that out?" George asked, his mouth dropping.

"I was right?" McKenna asked in surprise. "And how do you know what Bagman was doing?"

"We tailed him yesterday," Fred said. "He was in Hogsmeade meeting with the goblins again. We heard him say that he's betting everything on Harry. If Harry wins, he'll be able to pay the goblins off."

"And if Harry doesn't win?" McKenna asked.

"Well, Bagman's in deep trouble, then," George said.

"So, what's your next move?" McKenna asked.

"Well, it's not the best…" Fred began, glancing at George.

"It's quite low, actually. I'm not too fond of the idea myself, and that's saying something," George continued.

"We've decided to blackmail him," Fred concluded.

"Blackmail?" McKenna asked.

"Yeah," Fred answered slowly. "The Ministry won't like it that Bagman's betting on Harry and offering him help to pay back goblins. Harry's not even supposed to be getting help."

"We helped him," McKenna said quietly, stepping out from under the weight of Fred's arm that had still been around her shoulders.

"That's different," he said defiantly. "Bagman works at the Ministry. He can get in more trouble."

"Look, Kenna," George said gently. "We know it's not the best idea-,"

"No, it's not," she snapped, crossing her arms.

"It's the only chance we've got," Fred retaliated, crossing his own arms.

McKenna's glare slipped off her face and she spoke quietly. "I know." She reached out and took Fred's hand, giving it a squeeze. "It's just that Bagman works for the Ministry. So, yes, he can get in more trouble, but he also has more power over you. He could—if you make him mad—I don't know. It makes me nervous for you," she stuttered out.

"He works for the Department of Magical Games and Sports," Fred snorted. "What can he do?"

"He probably has connections. Mr. Crouch, for example."

"Mr. Crouch is too sick to do anything," George said.

"How do you-?"

"Haven't you noticed he hasn't been coming for the tournament? Percy's been taking his place."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean-,"

"We asked Percy what was going on," Fred interrupted. "He gave us a pretty rude and vague answer about Mr. Crouch feeling too ill to judge the tournament. I don't even think he's been going in to work."

George shook his head sadly. "Percy's been acting like even more of a pompous prat ever since he started working for the Ministry," he added.

"Don't say that," McKenna whispered.

"It's true," Fred said. "I hate to admit it, but the Ministry's almost changed him."

After a pause, McKenna spoke again. "So, how are you going to do this? Blackmail Bagman, I mean."

Another letter, I guess," Fred shrugged. "The next time we can be sure we'll see him is on June 24th for the last task and we don't want to wait that long."

McKenna nodded. "Okay," she said, "you should do what you have to do. I'll stand behind you every step of the way."

Fred pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. "Thanks for understanding."

"Even if I still don't like the idea that much?" she asked.

"Even then," Fred answered with a smile. "I love you.'

"I love you, too," she whispered pulling back from the hug so that she could press a kiss to his lips.

"You know," George said, "you two should really consider getting a room."

"We are in a room, George," McKenna giggled.

"Yeah, maybe you should be the one to leave the room," Fred added, managing to keep a straight face.

"Rude," George muttered as Fred and McKenna laughed.

"So, finally a waking moment when you aren't with Fred." Cody sat down beside McKenna in the common room and smirked at her.

"I don't spend all my time with him," McKenna argued. "I've spent time with my friends. I am capable of managing my time."

"Sure." Cody's voice was full of sarcasm.

"It's true," she said, swatting her brother.

"Maybe I miss you," Cody said with an exaggerated pout.

"You miss me?" McKenna asked, playing along and reaching out to give her brother a huge hug.

"Back off," he said, prying her arms away. "I don't miss you that much."

McKenna sighed. "It was worth a try."

"You know, it's about time you and Fred got together. I like him a whole lot better than Oliver."

"Okay," McKenna said, turning back to her homework and trying to keep from laughing. "That's nice."

"I hated Oliver," Cody said.

"Hey, be nice," she said.

"How can you not hate him?"

"I'm with Fred now. It doesn't matter what he did anymore. Plus, Angelina's dating him now. I have to like him, or at least pretend to."

"But you're not pretending."

"No, not really."

"Why can't you just pretend?"

"Because I don't want to do that," she said. "Everything's just easier if we get along for real. I'm really just too…tired to hate him. I'm tired of drama."

Cody snorted. "I hate him enough for both of us for how he treated you."

"Hate is a strong word," McKenna laughed.

"Fine, I strongly dislike him," Cody said.

"I think Fred does too," McKenna said. "Somewhat, anyway." She gave a small shrug.

"You're really not upset?"

She shrugged again. "Not really. I was over the summer, but the second time around I wasn't angry. Plus, if I was angry it would only complicate things with Angelina. It's better to just move on. It's been months and it's over now."

"Where is Fred by the way?" Cody asked.

McKenna shrugged as she emptied a handful of Bertie Bott's beans into her mouth. "Sending a letter with George. They'll be here soon. Why, is he another person on your list of people you miss?"

"Yeah, I just discovered I can't live without him. What can I say? Fred's just too charming." Cody rolled his eyes.

"That might be the smartest thing you ever said." Fred approached the couch with George, who sat on the arm of the couch while Fred took the seat on McKenna's other side. "It looks like I even had an effect on your little brother, Kenna." He leaned over and gave her a long, slow kiss.

"Please don't do that," Cody said, sounding disgusted.

"Why not?" Fred smirked, planting a kiss on McKenna's cheek. "Is there a problem? Since you can't live without me and all."

"Yeah, in your dreams," Cody snorted, standing up. "I happen to have a girlfriend."

McKenna had just dumped a mouthful of Every Flavor Beans in her mouth, but at Cody's words she actually spit them back into her hand. "Cute," Fred muttered sarcastically.

"What?" McKenna gasped, staring at her brother. "Sit back down and tell me who it is!"

"No," Cody said.

"You know about me and Fred!" she whined.

"Everyone knows about you and Fred," Cody answered. He rolled his eyes and walked away, smirking and waving.

"Do you know anything?" McKenna asked. "About his girlfriend?"

"No," Fred answered, shaking his head and reaching for some of her Every Flavor Beans. "If I did, I would tell you."

"So," McKenna said as she changed the subject, "you mailed the letter?"

Fred and George both nodded. "Hopefully it works this time," George said.

"You know," McKenna said, "if this doesn't work—if you don't get your money back—well, it's okay. It's not the end of the world."

Fred and George didn't answer. Instead, they stared down at the ground.

"I mean it," McKenna insisted. "You'll get the money another way. It might take longer than if the Bagman incident hadn't happened, but you'll do it."

"Yeah," Fred sighed, "it's just discouraging to have such a huge setback."

"You're going to show Bagman exactly what he was slowing down from happening when you open that joke shop and I want you to remember that I love you both whether you open one or not."

"Oh, we're going to open one," George said determinedly as Fred nodded. "Although I do appreciate your comment about loving me." He winked dramatically.

"She said us, George," Fred said, playfully shoving his brother. George shoved him back.

"Come on," McKenna said, laughing in exasperation. "I'm trying to be serious."

"So are we," Fred said. "George is hitting on my girlfriend. It's very serious."

"Just because you're dating her doesn't make her yours," George pouted. "I'm friends with her, too."

"George, you know I love you as my friend. I don't think Katie would be too happy if I loved you any more than that."

"Yeah, go give some of your love to Katie," Fred said, pulling McKenna towards him and trying to hide his smile.

"Fine, kick me out. I know when I'm not wanted," George said, standing up and walking away, throwing a smile over his shoulder.

"So jealous," McKenna said, swatting Fred's arm.

"Mhm," Fred answered quietly, kissing her just below her ear. "I'm not about to lose you to anyone."

"Turns out girls aren't so bad, huh?"

"What?" Fred asked.

"At the very beginning of the year, on Platform 9 ¾, you told me how you had sworn off girls because they were too complicated."

"Like I said," Fred answered, "that was when George and I were six. You know, before the hormones kicked in. Anyway, it was complicated. Fighting with you all the time over all those secrets, knowing you liked Oliver…I thought I was just supposed to keep getting my heart broken over and over. I thought I was going to lose you forever."

"But since you didn't…" McKenna prodded.

"Since I didn't," Fred said, "I couldn't be happier. The hardest part might be over, but it's still not going to be easy. Except now I'm not going to give up. I'm fully prepared to work for our relationship."

"Wow," McKenna whispered. "That was so insightful and romantic."

"Underestimating me?" Fred asked.

"No, of course not," she answered quickly, sliding closer and resting her head on his shoulder. "I never underestimate you. Just like I never judge you."

Fred sighed and kissed the top of her head. "Thanks for that."

"Anytime," she giggled.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to leave a review. There's only going to be about two more chapters of this story after this one. We're almost at the end. :(