Whispers in the dark
Chapter 33: Educational Decree
A/N: I own nothing except my mistakes
"Catch it if you can!" Fred laughed as he tossed George a blazing firework. "C'mon now, Freddie, be a bit quicker, will you?" George countered as he twirled around and tossed the firework back to Fred over his shoulder.
Laughter from both the twins as well as bystanders boomed around the courtyard, and Hermione couldn't help but smile as she watched the two of them. They were testing out some newly created firework that was able to keep burning as long as it didn't stay on a surface for longer than a second.
Yet, their fun was short-lived as soft clicking sound was heard ticking behind them, and as Hermione slowly turned around to see who was approaching them, she looked in disdain as Umbridge lifted up her wand and made the firework the twins had been playing with vanish in mid-air.
Both Fred and George sulked as they watched the pink back of Umbridge disappear out of sight, before grumbling towards the others that they should go ahead and find someplace else to entertain themselves.
"If it's any consolation," Hermione began as they headed back to the castle, "I quite liked your newest invention."
At this both heads' snapped her way, a grin reappearing on their faces as they high fived each other right in front of Hermione's face, nearly clasping her nose between it.
"Did you hear that Freddie?" George began as he shot a wicked look at his twin.
"I dunno, Georgie, I think I'd like to hear it again just to make sure my ears didn't deceive me." Fred smirked as he dipped his head a bit so he could look at Hermione properly.
Scoffing, she let a smile graze her lips as she shook her head. "I mean, there's loads to be said about the safety when it hits the ground, of course." She corrected, knowing that it would be dangerous if she were to only give them praise. Though she could admire their work, she didn't want them to be unsafe with it.
"Huh, that's weird," Fred mocked as he looked back at George. "I think I just had temporary hearing loss," he went on.
George piped in as well, mocking a serious face as he itched his ear. "That's weird indeed, Freddie. I think the same thing happened to me just now as well."
"I sure do hope you weren't saying anything important, Hermione," Fred feigned.
"Yeah, would have been a shame if we had missed it." George said, though a grin broke out on his lips, and soon the boys were chuckling as Hermione gave them both a good half-hearted slap to their arms and picked up her pace, just so she could create a bit of distance between them.
That didn't work, of course, seeing as their legs were almost twice as long, and they had caught up with her three steps in just one single stride.
Their grins were still wicked, though faltered slightly upon entering the Entrance Hall, coming to a halt along with Hermione as they watched Filch sway on his wobbly ladder, beating away at a new Educational Decree.
The light shone in such a way that at her level she couldn't make out the words, so she turned her head to Fred. "What does it say?" She asked, then let her eyes drift to Umbridge, who was standing below the ladder, looking very satisfied with herself. Perhaps she had a hunch of what it would say.
"Educational Decree: Number One-Hundred and Thirty Seven: all enchanted fireworks are now forbidden." Fred cited bitterly, then shot Umbridge a nasty look, who just batted her eyelashes sweetly in return.
"That foul-" Hermione began, but was tucked away by Fred before she could finish her sentence. "C'mon, I don't want you to get into detention," Fred mumbled and watched over his shoulder to see if George was tagging along.
- x -
"Make it a powerful memory," Harry began as he had just finished explaining the Patronus Charm at their DA meeting. "The happiest you can remember."
"Allow it to fill you up," Harry went on as he walked through the mass of practising students, many of them not able to shoot more than some feeble strays of light. "Keep on trying, Seamus," Harry encouraged.
Hermione dared to drift her eyes around for a moment, gleefully watching as a majestic horse shot out of Ginny's wand, parading the room in pride, the owner of it grinning like mad.
Then there were others, who were straining so hard that it worked against them, their wands shooting out light puffs of air. There were also a few people who got the gist of it, but didn't manage to hold on to it. At least that was a start.
It was nice to see Harry getting more into his element. You could see it from miles away that he had gained a lot more confidence than their first lesson, and that he was thoroughly enjoying what he was doing as well. Clearly the enthusiasm of the students was wearing off on Harry. It gave him a power boost in his teaching.
"C'mon, give it a try, 'Mione," A voice spoke, ripping her away from her thoughts. Turning her head to the side, she watched as Harry smiled at her, nodding in encouragement.
Clearing her throat, she gripped her wand tight as she pointed it up in the air, trying to think of a powerful memory. Before she could even process what exactly she was thinking about, she had already slipped out the words "Expecto Patronum," and watched in joy as an otter came swimming out of her wand, gliding through the crowd of students, encircling a certain redheaded boy – who was watching her almost mesmerized – before returning to her to make one last twirl around her body before disappearing.
"Yes, amazing, well done, Hermione!" Harry cheered before moving on to the next student. Vaguely hearing behind her how Harry was telling Luna to focus.
Biting back a satisfied smile on her lips, she dared a quick glance at the staring eyes, and couldn't help but let the smile creep back on her face as Fred propped a warm smile at her.
Feeling her cheeks heat up, she quickly spun around as she let out a breathy chuckle, lightly shaking her head. She couldn't believe that her Patronus had sought him out, but then again, considering what generated it, it wasn't so much of a surprise.
Though she had planned to think about her parents, and childhood memories, it wasn't what had gotten her to conjure that Patronus. No, it almost did, until last minute the memory of Fred kissing her again under that mistletoe just two weeks ago had popped back in her mind.
It wasn't exactly embarrassing to have that as a reason, but it did get her confused about a lot of things. Because what exactly were they?
It was clear that his intention with those kisses were honest. It wasn't part of some kind of charade. But then again, kissing her crossed the line of friendship, and yet, they hadn't moved much further to take one last extra step.
Did she even want that?
Hermione lost focus of her surroundings as she tried to imagine that. What would it be like indeed if she and him were to end up together? There's no secret that it would include a lot of frustrations as she would more often scold them on their behaviour than laugh at it. Then again, was that really true still?
Throughout these last two years they hadn't just gotten closer, but also eased up on one another. See different sides of their stories. Yes, both of them still shared different opinions. Though Fred had gained a tolerance to her constant studying, and did find it could be useful whenever he needed her help for their products, he still disagreed with it sometimes whenever she got herself consumed in it.
Then again, Hermione had learned to enjoy their pranks, seeing the benefit of some laughter in these crazy times they lived in. Sometimes, however, she thought some of their pranks were inappropriate, and failed to see the humour in it. That's when she would go all motherly on them and scold them for it.
"- all of you. We're going to keep practising, and I have faith that by the end of this year, you'll all be able to produce this charm." Harry's voice boomed through her ears, bringing her back to the present as she watched in shock as everyone had stopped practising, having come to stand around her and listen to Harry's conclusion of the class.
A little bit disoriented, she let her eyes drift on the opposite wall which had a mirror, and found Fred's gaze with ease. With his hands lazily hanging in his trouser pockets, his sweater a bit askew, he popped a grin at her, almost as if knowing she had been completely out of it.
Unable to help but return a smile, she had a hard time tearing her eyes off of him, but managed when everyone said their goodbyes and left in pairs.
"We could always slip Professor Umbridge some Puking Pastilles into her tea," Fred spoke, making Hermione snap her head to the twins again, ripping her away from her conversation with Neville.
"Are you coming?" Neville asked in confusion, probably wondering why she had zoned out all of a sudden and had stopped in her tracks.
Shooting one last look at the twins carrying some red boxed as they talked to Harry – she couldn't help but wonder where they had pulled those from – she returned her gaze back to Neville, offering him a lopsided smile. "Yes, sorry Neville, let's go." Hermione spoke a bit wearily, trying to put it off her mind. Perhaps she shouldn't always be so critical towards the twins. There was no use in scolding them for their creativity. Besides, part of her wouldn't mind if they acted upon their plan to prank Umbridge.