So It Begins

"Knight to D four."

Preston watched as Ramona's knight slid into position, check mating him for the fourth time in a row.

"Damn it! How did you get so good at this?"

"I use to play a lot with Neville. I could never beat Ron though."

"Did the poor boy ever win?"

"Neville? When I let him." She smirked. "I couldn't stand his face when he lost for the seventh time in a row, so I'd slip him a win every now and then."

"Because you're so kind hearted?"

"Exactly."

Ramona started to set up for the next game when she felt something on the side on her leg that she hadn't felt in a while, an odd burning sensation. Her hand went into her pocket and her hand clasped around the coin which she kept with her at all time, even though she told herself in her head how stupid it was to carry it around. She pulled it out and had to stop the gasp coming from her mouth when she read clear on the coin; Harry's Back.

"What's that? Is that your DA thing?" Preston asked reaching out to take it, but Ramona was too quick, pulling away from him.

"Yes…it….it is."

"What is it? Does it say something?"

"No." She said too quickly and Preston arched an eyebrow.

"Give it."

"No."

"Ramona give it!"

She huffed and placed the coin face up in his hand, watching as his eyebrows disappeared under his fringe. "Bloody hell." He whispered. "And you just got this? This message? Does this mean Harry's at Hogwarts."

"I'm guessing so."

"Bloody hell." He repeated. "Well you know what that means right? Better get your cloak it might be cold out."

"Excuse me?" She asked utterly shocked. "You want us to go to Hogwarts?"

"Course I do. If there's a battle we have to go. Besides I want to get me a couple of death eaters after everything."

"I can't believe you would let me go! I mean, that's so irresponsible!"

"Fine." He sighed. He cleared his throat and stood crossing his arms and puffing his chest out. "RAMONA I REFUSE FOR YOU TO GO TO HOGWARTS DO YOU HEAR ME? IN FACT, IF YOU EVEN LEAVE THIS HOUSE I'LL SNAP YOUR WAND AND LOCK YOU IN THE BASEMENT!" He then slumped his shoulder and put on a slight girly voice as he spoke. "But Preston I must! George will be there I just know it! I can't leave my friends to fight by themselves and you're not stopping me!" When he was done he cocked an eyebrow and smiled at her. "Happy?"

"Shut up. How are we even going to get there? We can't apparate."

"Oh…that's a point. Plus the place might be swarming with death eaters."

Ramona suddenly had an idea, she ran out of the room and into her own so she could search frantically through her draw until she found it, the little piece of plastic she had been using to communicate with Neville. She smiled as she held it in her hand, it was still warm, and she saw the writing across it saying The Hog's Head. Looked like Neville had the same idea as her.

"Looks like Neville knows me a little too well." She said quietly as Preston entered the room.

"That's a good thing. I left mum and dad a note."

"Saying what? Love you guys, gone off to potential face our impending doom?"

"Something along those lines. You ready? When we hit Hogsmead we're going to have to leg it."

"Yeah." She sighed standing from the bed. She grabbed her wand and threw her cloak on before taking his hand. "Let's go."

When they landed in Hogsmead Ramona felt an unfamiliar sickness in her stomach, she wasn't sure if it was from nerves or the fact she hadn't apparated in so long. Before she knew it she was being pulled by Preston, both of them running towards an alley trying to avoid the people searching through the streets. They only had to knock on the pub door once before it flung open and the man ushered them inside shutting it tightly behind them.

"Pass twenty bloody minutes you lot have been in here." He muttered going down the steps, Ramona and Preston shared a weary glance before following him slowly.

"Through there." He said pointing to the open portrait. "Leads you right up to the castle."

"Thanks." Preston said shaking the man's hand.

"Yeah, thank you." Ramona added following her brother swiftly through the portrait hole.

They both walked slowly through the tunnel, neither of them wanting to reach their destination any faster than they had to.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Preston suddenly said.

"You can't back out now."

"Not me. You. It was stupid to bring you here, you could get hurt. I wasn't thinking."

"You never do." She smiled. "Too late now anyway, no turning back."

"You're right, as usual. But can you promise me something?"

"Depends on what it is."

He stopped and turned to her, she couldn't read his expression, mainly because it was so dark in that tunnel and they thought it best not to light their wands. "If anything bad happens, run. Even if I'm being trampled by a herd of elephants I want you to go the other way and not help me. Understand?"

"Pres,"

"Promise!" He demanded.

"Ok. Ok I promise that if I see you being tramples by a herd of elephants I will run the other way."

He moved in giving her a quick hug before sharply turning back round and continuing up the tunnel. It wasn't long before they spotted the light at the other end, They weren't even sure where it was headed but Ramona kept thinking that it might lead straight into a pit of snakes and they wouldn't even realise until they were being bitten to death.

Preston brought up a hand to stop Ramona in her tracks. He moved forward towards the hole before smiling and turning to her. "So that's the room of requirement. The way you described it made it sound a lot more eloquent."

Ramona rushed forward peering over her brother's shoulder. She couldn't believe the state it was in. Hammocks were hung everywhere and chairs were scattered all over the place, but there was only one person standing there, Ginny was staring up at them. "About time you showed up!"

Ramon a climbed out of the hole and ran over pulling Ginny into a tight hug. Preston sheepishly followed. "Ginny what are you doing here by yourself? Why are you even here?"

"My mum doesn't want me getting involved." Ginny sighed rolling her eyes. "So I'm stuck here while everyone else is fighting."

"But Ginny, you're under age you shouldn't even be here." Preston commented causing Ginny to glare daggers at him. "I know that! That's why I'm stuck here! What about you? If your father knew you were here, which I'm assuming he doesn't, he would kill you."

"He might not get the chance." Ramona answered causing the three of them to go very silent. "Anyway," Ramona continued. "We'll wait with you. Won't we Preston?"

"Yeah course we will. Can't leave you here all alone and bored can we?" He smiled at Ginny.

"What about everyone?" Ramona suddenly asked. "Are they ok? Is Neville ok?"

"Yeah." Ginny smirked. "Wait till you see Neville, You won't even recognize him."

The castle suddenly shook and specks of dust started to float down from the ceiling. The only noise that came from them was a small bloody hell from Preston.

"You know what Ramona," Ginny said shaking her head. "You should go find George just...uh…"

"In case?" Ramona said quietly and Ginny nodded

"I'll stay here then" Preston added. "Can't leave Ginny alone."

"Are you sure?" Ramona asked.

"Yeah course. You never know what might happen."

It was Preston turn to receive a hug from Ramona now, she did it extra tightly just for good measure. Without another word she ran towards the door which she swore wasn't there a minute ago and disappeared through.