Chapter 9

"Fred, George. I'm glad you two could make it out today," Keith Smith said, shaking each of the twins' hands as they walked out on the field. It was Wednesday afternoon, after their class with Professor Bradbury.

"Thanks again for inviting us, Mr. Smith," Fred said.

"Now, you say you've never played, yeah? Well the laws are simple enough, you want to get the ball to the other end and touch it down on the ground," Keith told the twins, he continued to explain the game to them and then they were ready to give it a go. It was a practice for the team so they just joined with them and Nick, with the twins on one team and Nick on the other.

They game was going well, the twins, being natural athletic caught on rather quickly. As with Quidditch they were able to use their 'twin telepathy' to their advantage knowing where to throw and where to be to catch without looking for each other. Then out of nowhere George was hit, hard. There was no reason for him to be tackled, the ball was nowhere near him, but one of the guys on the other team completely took him out. The game was halted to check him, Fred was there in an instant. Keith was down field berating the player who hit George. Nick was hanging back, watching everything, a smirk that would have made Draco Malfoy proud on his face.

George had a broken arm, and at least a few bruised ribs from the impact. Had there not been muggles around everywhere Fred could have mended it in an instant, as that was the case however, he had to watch as the team doctor looked him over. They were wrapping George up on some sort of mobile muggle bed when Fred lost it, he walked over the the boy who tackled George.

"What the bloody hell was that about?" Fred all but screamed at the boy, then promptly punched him on the nose. Instantly fists were being thrown around in every direction. Fred realized quickly just how outnumbered he was, but he was a Weasley, and had pure adrenaline and rage on his side. He had managed well enough for himself when a sharp voice stopped him short.

"Fred! That's enough," Hermione shouted. It was then that he realized that he wasn't exactly fighting on his own. Somewhere in the maylay Bill had shown up and was quite effectifly throwing members of the team off his little brother. Keith and his assisant coach were also moving players away from the center of things. As he was looking around at his surroundings Fred's eyes locked on Nick's and there was a momentary flash of something hard in his eyes, it set Fred on edge, but it was gone as quickly as it came. There was no doubt in his mind that Nick had arranged the whole thing.

"Sorry, love, got a bit caught up. Where's George?" Fred asked.

"George has been sent to the hospital, we were just setting up a time to visit Professor Bradbury to look at the box, remember. We were meant to meet you two after, head home together, yeah?" Hermione said carefully, to remind him they were there for a reason, they still had the mission to worry with. She put an arm around his waist and looked at him questioningly, she wasn't angry with him, just wanted to know what caused it.

"Yes, yes of course. Can we go see to George? We'll talk over all that later. Bill you coming?" Fred asked feeling very tired as the adrenaline left his body.

"Mr. Smith, I'd like to apologize for my behavior. I'm not sorry for hitting that git, but this was not the place for it," Fred said earnestly.

"Honestly, I can't say that I blame you. Taking on the lot of them was a bit reckless, however. I promise you one thing though, they will regret it by weeks end. I don't tolerate dirty playing on my team," Keith said turning serious.

"We're going to go check on George, Uncle Keith. We'll see you soon," Hermione said giving him a weak smile. She then led Bill and Fred towards the parking lot and out of sight so they could aparate to the hospital.

"Did you get a chance to check Nick out at all while all this was happening?" Bill asked Fred quietly.

"As a matter of fact, there at the end of everything I caught his eye, I think he planned all of it. If he meant to hurt George or me or the both of us I don't know, but that wasn't random," Fred said evenly.

"You think Nick wanted to hurt you? Why on earth would he want to hurt either one of you?" Hermione asked, turning around to face them.

"There's something off about him, I can sense it. I won't say he's evil, I mean he's a muggle after all, I suspect it's his feelings for you Mione," Bill said.

"Me? What feelings? He hasn't feelings for me, other than friendship," She said, quite resolute on the matter.

"Oh, come off it, love. He's been puffing his chest up at you since we ran into him at the market," Fred said, finally smiling again at her obliviousness. "For such a clever witch, you don't see much when it comes to yourself do you?"

"You're barmy, here hold on, I'll take us to the hospital," Hermione said rolling her eyes. They went to the front desk and found out that George was in X-ray, which Hermione had to explain to them, and were sent to the waiting room.

"I'm going to go meet up with Remus and Dora and explain what's going on, you two alright to wait?" Bill asked.

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll meet you at the house at 5:30 and we'll head over to the professor's house," Hermione told him.

"Well I can't heal the black eye and split lip for you, as enough muggles have already seen it, but do you have any other injuries I can take care of for you?" Hermione asked once Bill had left them.

"I'm fairly certain my hand may be fractured, but other than that I'm alright, few cuts and bruises is all. So, I figured you'd be down my throat for fighting."

"You're an adult, sort of, if you want to take on a dozen burly rugby players that's on you. Besides I can understand needing to punch someone in the face," Hermione said with a bit of a wicked smile.

"Right, like little miss prefect has ever hit anyone," Fred said as Hermione took his swollen hand in hers.

"I'll have you know, Fred Weasley, I've broken probably just as many rules and even laws as you and your twin, only I don't get caught. And as it happens I have punched someone in the face," She said indignantly.

"Who pray tell would that be? My youngest, most oblivious brother? The boy wonder?" Fred asked with a smile.

"Neither, actually, Draco Malfoy," She said proudly.

Fred burst out laughing for the first time since George got hit. They spent the next hour with Hermione telling him the story and discreetly healing his hand. They were finally met with a slightly drugged George, who proceeded to tell Fred in an exaggerated stage whisper about how much fun muggle machines were. They left quickly to avoid George saying too much as he was under the influence of the pain medication.

…..

"So he was alright when you left?" Bill inquired about George as they walked together up the path to Sam Bradbury's house later that day.

"Oh yes, he was sleeping off the medication. Remus healed his arm but left the cast on for appearances. He kept trying to break Fred's arm so he could check out the X-ray machine at the hospital. Dora stunned him and we decided he needed to just sleep it off. Fred's watching over him," Hermione told him laughing.

"Sounds about right. So the plan for this afternoon is pretty simple. Well take a look at the box and see if we can't figure out what it's all about, yeah? I think the runes should be easy enough to decipher and I'll be able to tell if there's any curses on it," Bill said.

"Sounds good to me, I'll let you take lead, I'm just an assistant for this one."

Bill knocked on the door and it was promptly opened by the professor. Bill inhaled deeply, and used his wolf senses to help him, it was something he had started doing since being attacked and didn't realize for the longest time. He would always try and see if he could sense danger. All he got off the professor was the same honesty and excitement he always did.

"It's just in here, if you'll follow me," Sam said as he led them into a sitting room. "Can I offer tea?"

"Tea would be great, thank you.," Bill said as he eyed the box sitting on the table just in front of him. "Do you mind if I go ahead and take a look?"

"Not at all. Help yourself, I'll be back in a moment."

"Hermione would you mind taking notes as I talk?" Bill asked as they were left alone. "This is dark magic for sure, I can feel it from here."

"Certainly. Ready when you are," Hermione said, frowning.

"Here these all seem to be protection. This one was an anti muggle spell, but see here how it's cracked down the middle? That's why the muggles are able to see it at all. It still has the power to repel but it is severely weakened," Bill quickly took out his wand and transfigured a box he had brought with him to match exactly. He then handed Hermione the original. "It's cursed heavily, I'll need to work on it later, without company."

"I had a feeling," Hermione said as she placed the box carefully in her bag.

"So what do you think? See anything I missed?" Sam asked Bill as he walked back into the room with a large tray of tea and biscuits.

"It certainly is unusual. These here, they speak of a dark magic, and these are for protection. The box doesn't look to be more than 40 or 50 years old, so it looks as though someone was just randomly putting runes on it. Unless of course you believe in magic," Bill said with an easy laugh.

"I don't know, I wouldn't discount it too readily. There are thousands of ancient writings that allude to the validity of magic. I'm not saying you can wave a magic wand and turn a matchstick into a needle or fly on broomsticks, but perhaps there is something to it. Ancient rituals and such," Sam stated.

"Perhaps your correct, professor. However, as I said the box itself is no more than half a century, I doubt very much it was used in an ancient ritual," Bill said with a chuckle.

"No, I don't think so either. I quite agree that whomever put those runes there didn't know exactly what they meant. See here, this one? It isn't even a rune. It's simply a Roman numeral, just the number 5," Sam said pointing to a small carving on the bottom.

"Or maybe a signature," Bill said under his breath.

They stayed a bit longer and talked theory with the professor. Bill was quite impressed with the muggle man and his open mind. Finally after they had been there for a couple hours Hermione noticed that it was getting dark, she told the professor that they needed to go and check on the twins and that she looks forward to Friday's class.

"Sorry I wasn't able to shed any new light on the box for you, but I've had a wonderful time talking with you. We should do it again," Bill said shaking Sam's hand as they reached the front door.

"Indeed, any time. Good night," Sam said as he shut the door.

"That wasn't a Roman numeral was it?" Hermione asked once they were well out of earshot.

"No, it wasn't. It was a 'V' plain as day. I think it was His magical signature. I'm nearly certain of it. Once I break the curses, we can open it and see what we're dealing with," They walked together back to the house, neither of them noticed they were being watched.

…..

"Okay, I think we need a break. I can't see straight anymore," Bill said quietly. It was about 3:30 in the morning, Bill was sitting at the dining room table with Remus. Fred and George had long ago gone up to bed, Dora was sprawled out on the floor next to the table and Hermione was bent over a book using it as a pillow.

"I agree. I'll put some tea on," Remus said as they both stood quietly stretching themselves and walking into the kitchen.

"There are so many blasted curses on this box. When I think I've broken them all I find another layer, I'm starting to get very nervous about what's inside. The deeper I dig the more we learn though," Bill said, hoping going over it all again would shake something out.

"Indeed, we know that there is definitely something in the box, a dark and old magical item. We just need to figure out what." Remus mused. "I say we leave it for the night, come back with fresh eyes tomorrow."

"I suppose that may be best. So how are you? How's being a married man? Any advice?" Bill asked with a smile.

"Things are remarkably well, it's been quite a long while since I've been so happy. As far as advice, I haven't the foggiest. I'm groping my way in the dark here," Remus said with a small laugh. "However, if I know Fleur as well as I believe I do, she'll tell you exactly what you need to do."

"Too right you are, I've truly lucked out with this one. She's seen me at my absolute worst, and never flinched. She's much tougher than she looks. She did stand up to Mum remember," Bill said proudly.

"Something full grown men cower at the thought of. Are you doing better with the calming techniques?"

"Some, it's easier to control than it was, but I still want to mark her when we're together. She said she doesn't mind, but it still makes me uncomfortable. We've just resigned to a bit of distance during the full moon."

"As I've said before, if it gets to be too much you can try the wolfsbane potion. Hermione is quite adept at making it. I believe she's even been playing around with the recipe a bit. She's such a bright girl," Remus beamed.

"Interesting thing about Hermione, now that you mention her, I'm starting to see her as part of my pack. I don't see her as a possible mate anymore, like I do with all other women who aren't family. I wonder if that has to do with her relationship with Fred. Like my wolf knows she's his."

"That is certainly a plausible explanation, however, I'd let them figure it out for themselves before you mention it. But yes I'd say that your wolf sees her as Fred's mate now and no longer an option. In regards to all that though, an interesting thing happened once I got married, I no longer saw other females as possible mates. I suppose once the marriage bond took hold my wolf was satisfied. A bit of a silver lining, yes?"

"Quite. I know Fleur understands in her head but I know it still hurts when I'm around other women and size them up immediately."

"I understand, but it should be over quickly enough. So what are your plans for this week?"

"I'm at your disposal until we get Harry. I'll just try and work out that bloody box," Bill said.

"Very good, but tomorrow. Go up and get some sleep. I'll bring Dora up if you get Hermione," Remus said as he set their cups in the sink.

"Alright, princess, let's get you up to bed," Bill said as he hoisted Hermione up out of the chair.

"What is it with all you Weasley men and man handling the women around you," Hermione said sleepily even as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Only the pretty ones," Bill chuckled.

"Mhmm, whatever you say. I can walk you know." Though she made no move to walk on her own.

"Why walk when you can be carried? Besides it'll drive my brother mad to know I carried you up and he didn't get the chance," He said mischievously.

"Which brother? You have a rather lot."

"All of them I'd wager. Now get some sleep, we're back at the books tomorrow." He put her down on her bed and covered her with a quilt. He smoothed down her hair and pecked her forehead, it reminded him of when Ginny was small and went a whole summer letting only him tuck her into bed. He smiled softly at the memories as he shut her door.