Chapter 38 – Goodbye Hogwarts

The Christmas holidays were finally upon the students of Hogwarts, most of whom had decided to go back home for the two weeks rather than stay at school. Who could blame them though with Umbridge still ruling the roost? Even the feast before they all headed home hadn't the same happy atmosphere like previous ones had. Then again the previous Christmas they had the Yule Ball in the school. A lot of the students felt like they were constantly walking on egg shells. Even Dumbledore didn't look his cheerful self as he sat pushing his food around his plate rather than chatting to the other teachers like he usually would. Umbridge sat with her sickly sweet grin on her toad like face, watching the students like a hawk ready to pounce at any moment.

"I'd like to wipe that grin off the old bat's face. She sickens me." Fred snapped looking at the teacher's table.

The following day the students headed back to London on the Hogwarts Express to spend Christmas with their families. Most knew this time would be precious as witches and wizards were disappearing constantly. For those who believed that Voldemort was back they lived in constant fear that their friends or families would be killed or tortured. Most of the students were also glad to get out of Hogwarts and away from Umbridge for two weeks and have some well-deserved freedom.

Ideally the Weasley children, Harry and Hermione would be heading back to the burrow but as it wasn't safe they were going back to number 12 Grimmauld Place as the Order still gathered there. Molly, Arthur and Bill were still living there along with Sirius and Lupin. The journey back to snow covered London was an un-eventful one. Fred and George had insisted on sitting with Harry, Ron and Hermione in case anyone aka Malfoy and his cronies tried to start any drama. Hermione sat engrossed in a muggle book while the boys played exploding snap. The gang were also visited the odd time By Ginny, Luna, Neville and Seamus.

*****

London was soon in sight after a long journey on the train which pulled into King's Cross station. Already Platform 9 ¾ was filled with parents waiting patiently on the children whom they hadn't seen since September. Molly, Arthur and Bill Weasley were there to pick up their four children, Harry and Hermione. Mad Eye and Tonks weren't far away to help get everyone back to Grimmauld Place safely.

"Thank heavens you are all ok." Molly stated pulling every one of her children into tight embraces.

"Mum not in public." George cringed pulling away as quickly as he could.

"I'll give her an hour before she's shouting at us again." Fred whispered to his twin.

Molly quickly ushered the six teens out of the huge crowd to where Mad Eye and Tonks were waiting.

"About time! Right each of you are going to apparate to said place with one of us. One of you will have to go with either Fred or George though." Mad Eye barked in his usual bossy tone.

"I'll take Hermione." Fred answered.

"I don't care who goes with who as long as you all get to said place in one piece and get going ASAP. We don't want to be hanging around here for too long, it's not safe." Mad Eye snapped his magical eye spinning.

With a wave of Tonk's wand all the trucks and luggage disappeared. The group split into twos; Tonks with Ginny, Fred with Hermione, Bill with George, Arthur with Ron and Molly with Harry. One by one they apparated to Grimmauld Place. Mad Eye was last to leave as he kept watch while they others went.

They all arrived safe and sound where Sirius and Lupin were waiting patiently on them. Molly set about making dinner while everyone unpacked. The house was far cleaner and less dingy than the last time they were there which they were all glad about.

"Mum better not ban me from spending time with Hermione while we're here." Fred said as he and George settled into their room.

"I think she might be ok this time around. At least we don't have any cleaning to do. Knowing Mum she'll find something for us all to do though." George answered.

"Merlin's beard! Me and Mione have been going out a year tomorrow." Fred gasped realising he'd been dating Hermione for a year. "We need to try and get out of here tomorrow so I can buy her a decent Christmas present!"

"Sounds great but how are we going to get out of here? Mum will go mental." George wondered.

"Hello we are the famous Weasley twins. We'll find a way." Fred answered.

George however wasn't so sure.

"She'll never let us go to Diagon Alley. It'll be too risky." George.

"Oh come on Forge when have you been scared of us taking a little risk? I was actually thinking of going into muggle London." Fred replied.

"We have one slight problem, we don't have any muggle money nor do we know our way around London." George said back.

Fred jumped off his head and headed down the corridor in search for Harry, coming back with him.

"What can I help you guys with?" he wondered.

"I want to go into London to get Hermione a really good Christmas present because we've been together a year and I want to get her something special and we need your help." Fred explained.

"Firstly we don't know anything about muggle London and secondly we don't have any muggle money." George added.

"And I want your advice on what I should get her." Fred said.

"Look guys I really wish I could help you but I have never been into muggle London nor do I have any muggle money to lend you. I really wish I could help you more." Harry answered feeling slightly guilty that he wasn't much use to the twins.

"Hermione!" the twins said at the same time.

"Hermione?" Harry wondered.

"She's the only person who can help us then. She's been in muggle London and could maybe lend us some money." George said.

"Good luck with that guys. You'll need it." Harry said patting Fred on the back and leaving the room.

With a massive crack Fred had gone from the room.

******

"Sirius I need your help. Can I speak to you alone for a moment?" Fred asked quietly.

Sirius and Fred left the noisy kitchen and went into the empty living room.

"What can I help you with?" Sirius wondered.

"I need to either go into muggle London or Diagon Alley to get Hermione a Christmas present but we don't know London or have any muggle money." Fred explained.

"Ah I see. Well I know London quite well but unfortunately I'd be recognised straight away so I can't help you there. I may be able to help you with the money situation though." Sirius answered. He thought for a few moments. "Unless I can go in some sort of a disguise. If I had some polyjuice potion I could use that but I don't have any." He said as though thinking out loud.

"Could you use Harry's invisibility cloak?" Fred suggested.

"No that wouldn't work as London will be far too busy with it being so close to Christmas. The only other person I could think of who could maybe go with you is Tonks since she can change her appearance. She should be here very soon but she might be busy with work." Sirius answered.

Fred felt like he wasn't getting anywhere. Fred being Fred however would get Hermione a present if it was the last thing he'd do.

In the end Tonks had agreed to accompany Fred and George into muggle London. She changed her bright pink hair to a jet black pixie cut which she teamed with a bright red Alice band to match her red duffle coat. Molly was determined to put a stop to their outing claiming it wasn't safe.

"Mum you can't keep us cooked up in here 24/7. We'll go nuts." Fred exclaimed.

"Fred's right Molly. They'll be safe enough as long as they keep their wits about them." Lupin said.

"Look London will be busting with muggles doing their Christmas shopping so they've a better chance of being hidden."

"Molly dear you've got to trust them. Fred and George are not stupid and Tonks will be with them." Arthur added.

Molly eventually gave in. The next morning Fred, George and Tonks headed off into muggle London in search of the perfect Christmas present for Hermione.