Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, things, or places you recognize from the Potter-verse.
CHAPTER FIVE: Endless Discussions
"Why don't we just kill him?" Fred asked.
Harry sighed. "Because he can't be killed. Voldemort mentioned immortality experiments. At least one of them must have worked. We've got all the facts, we just need a solution."
"If we can't kill him why don't we just trap him forever? It seems like the most sensible thing to do," Renata responded.
"Do either of you listen?" asked Professor Delano. "Fred was closer to being right. If we could find him, yes we could kill him. Voldemort settled for his old life and his old strength back. But we don't know how long we have to…dispose…of him. He seems to have partially grasped immortality and he is likely to use his spells again to bring back his immortality. We don't know how long before the spells will be cast and we shouldn't try to chance it. If we killed him and he didn't die his spirit would float along and join someone else's body until he could create one of his own. The best thing would be to find a place where we could trap him forever. Unfortunately we don't know of one. People are working on something that they hope will do the trick but this type of magic has never been attempted before. Does anyone have any helpful ideas?"
"Could we find a basilisk and have him petrified? If you only see a basilisk as a reflection or through something you don't die, you only get petrified," Harry put in.
"There are no basilisks left in England! There haven't been even been any sightings in over four hundred years!" exclaimed Percy.
"Shows how much you know," retorted Ron.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" scoffed Percy.
Harry could sense the fight coming on, "Just forget it, Percy. We saw a Basilisk and we killed. If there aren't any in England still couldn't we get one from somewhere?"
"That's dangerous work, even if you could find one. Trying to capture a live basilisk is nearly impossible even if you found people willing to do it," Mr. Diggory said.
"Charlie, you and your friends deal dragons. I've met dragons they are nightmares, a basilisk can't be much worse. Wouldn't you guys like a challenge like it?"
"Harry you're right and you are wrong. The dragons I deal with can be pretty rough but they are nothing compared to a creature that could kill you just by looking at you. I don't even know how you managed to make it alive away from the one you met. You are extremely lucky."
"Dumbledore has a Phoenix named Fawkes and according to Dumbledore because I showed so much loyalty him in the Chamber Fawkes came to me, and he had the sorting hat. Fawkes distracted the basilisk and scratched out its eyes so it couldn't petrify or kill me. But I guess it still could have gotten me with its fangs or squeezed me to death. I'd be willing to go up against a basilisk if it meant getting rid of Voldemort. Do I really want to be looking over my shoulder for Voldemort the rest of my life? I think not."
"I'll help with the basilisk," offered Fred.
"Me, too. Sounds like fun," added George.
Mrs. Weasley shot them a look. "You are here because we thought you could handle this. If not, go sit in Ron's room and wait until we finish."
"Yes, Mum." The twins answered hastily.
Mrs. Weasley turned to Harry, "Dear, now you mustn't get so upset. I'm not sure that even your luck can withstand a basilisk again. You're perfectly safe at Hogwarts, Dumbledore wouldn't let anything happen to you."
"That's just the point. But there is no way that even Dumbledore could watch me all the time. He doesn't always know everything that goes on right away. What am I supposed do, spend my whole life going between the Dursleys and Hogwarts? They're the only places I'm safe according to Dumbledore. I can't stay Hogwarts forever and if it were up to me I'd never see the Dursleys again."
Mrs. Diggory looked at Harry, startled. "Your relatives can't be all that bad."
"Somebody has to agree with me on this!"
"The Dursleys are rotten," said Ron
"They aren't very pleasant," admitted Hermione.
"No way," Fred said.
"Definitely not," agreed George.
"They were a bit unfriendly," Mr. Weasley told them.
"See what I mean?" asked Harry. "Life there is miserable. Besides, it's not only me that's at risk from Voldemort. It's all the witches and wizards who aren't on his side. I don't want the Dark Days to come back...and I don't think anyone else here does either." He glanced around the room, looking for support.
Sirius spoke up first. "No one here does, Harry. I'd take you away from the Dursleys, I've wanted to ever since the night your parents died, but I can't. Not yet. As far as almost everyone not in this room is concerned I'm a murderer who worked for the Dark Side. Unless Pettigrew is captured it stays that way."
"Sirius is right," replied Lupin. "Only your godfather could legally take you away and while in hiding he can't do that. None of us want the Dark Days back but if we can't find a solution and do all that we can, they will. A basilisk is one suggestion but it is extremely dangerous and should remain out of the question. What is another option?"
Not a single idea came to mind.
After they all brooded in silence for a time. After a sigh, Professor Delano at last broke the thick silence, "Sirius, Remus, please continue your work with the reconstruction you were speaking of. Arthur, Molly, your instructions will be sent by owl when we have decided on them. Amos, you and your wife keep things running at the Ministry as best you can. Try to help gather for our cause. Bill, Charlie, Percy, keep your eyes out and do what you can. As for those of you still attending Hogwarts," she turned to the twins, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and her daughter. "Stay out of trouble. If anything else if is needed of anyone you will be contacted. I guess that if we don't have anything to say the meeting is over. If anyone comes up with more suggestions you all know whom to contact."
The Diggorys stood up. "Amos and I will be leaving now. It was good to see you all." The two of them turned and walked out.
"Sirius, we should be going now."
"Not yet Remus, I want to speak with Harry again." Sirius turned around to Ron and Hermione. "I'd like to speak to you two, too." With that Sirius led Harry, Ron, and Hermione to Harry's room. Sirius stood looking at the other three while they sat on the bed. "I don't want to hear that any of you get in trouble this year." The others began to laugh seeing Sirius trying look so stern. "I mean it! When Harry gets in trouble so do the two of you and I don't want anybody hurt. You've all been rendered unconscious from your mischief. Hermione's been petrified. Ron broke his leg. The three of you keep putting yourself in serious danger. Harry, how many times have you almost been killed?"
"At least four. I lost count," he admitted sheepishly. "But crossing the street could get me killed! It doesn't mean I should stay inside all the time. And I don't go looking for trouble. Honestly! It sort of follows me."
"You could have fooled me, Harry. You overhear things and check them out. But because you all keep your searches secret and you feel no else can ever save everybody and you all go into danger without thinking."
"I resent that! We think plenty," said Ron. "Putting facts together and keeping your ears open as well as taking care of schoolwork is plenty of thinking. Besides, we'd get help but nobody would believe us if we said something."
"Why don't you leave it to the professors? Or another adult?"
"We handle things quite well on our own and even Aurorers don't tell everything when they are still just guessing." Hermione frowned. "Ron was right when he said the three of us could teach the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. We have more experience than any other kid at school. Before he crossed over Quirrell might have been okay. Lockhart was hopeless. Lupin was really the best. Moody's impostor doesn't count. Delano we haven't had yet so I don't know about her, it'll be something if she makes it through the year, though."
The door opened and Professor Delano stepped in, arms crossed and wearing an odd smile on her face. "I can assure you that I'll last for at least a whole year. I'm tougher than I look. Sirius, Remus wants you; says its time to go. I am going to speak with these three a bit longer." Sirius said goodbye to everyone in the room. When he left, Professor Delano continued to talk once more in a stern, no-nonsense voice. "You three have to tell one of the professors when you know something. If you don't trust us tell Dumbledore. If you keep it all to yourself you've got to deal with it yourself and I don't think even the three of you could handle it. Just think for a minute about what you're dealing with. Voldemort does want his power back. But just as much or possibly more he wants revenge on Harry. Harry, are you listening? There are people who want you dead! Students at the school aren't all your friends they'd gladly give their parents information to pass on directly to Voldemort. All of you need to be careful and stay out of trouble. We don't want you dead, we like you Harry. Something really bad will happen if you die. I'm not sure what but its got to be something or Dumbledore wouldn't be so worried. Voldemort wants you dead now because all three of you keep humiliating him. The reason he wanted to kill Harry before must still exist and be really important or Dumbledore wouldn't be so anxious. Ron, Hermione, if any Death Eaters or Voldemort found you they wouldn't be hesitating in killing you either! Look what happened to Cedric and all he did was show up. The Dark Side has plenty reason to do worse that just killing you right away if they ever caught you. There are worse things. You're all in extreme danger. And they'd do even worse to Harry. The Crucio Curse! The Imperious Curse—"
"I can break that one. Voldemort tried to make me beg for mercy before our duel and I wouldn't do it. I had to practice trying to break that curse in Defense Against the Dark Arts that year."
"He can break that curse."
"Maybe that one time against Voldemort you succeeded, but can you count on that again? Could you stand up to many people using that curse on you all at the same time? Magic coming at you from every direction? Hate raining down on you? I think not, you'd never make it! They could make you do awful things. Kill people…" They could all see the fear in Professor Delano's face and hear it in her voice. She shuddered and took a deep breath.
"We'll be good."
"Don't worry about us."
"We can handle anything that comes our way."
"Don't get cocky. You've had way too many close calls already. Be careful." With that Professor Delano left. Tom had come upstairs to dim the lights in the hallway and when he heard the voices coming from Harry's room. They were saying something about Death Eaters and extreme danger for someone in the room. He had lingered by the door until he saw the knob begin to turn. The he moved on to dim the hall lights. Jennifer went back to her room shaking her head.
At the same time all the others who had been at the meeting were going to bed as well. Bill, Charlie and Percy went home since they didn't have any shopping to do the next day. Mr. Weasley had work in the morning so he went home too. The others went to their rooms and everyone slept soundly.
When Harry woke up Hedwig was poking him with her beak, she had Dumbledore's reply to the letter they sent the afternoon before. Harry got dressed quickly then brought Hermione and Ron in to read it. It just wouldn't be quite fair without them. Harry stroked Hedwig until Ron and Hermione came in. Then she flew to her cage. They opened the letter. It read:
Dear Harry, Ron, and Hermione;
The Delanos are clear by all accounts. They are friends and you should take their advice. Do not go too far alone. Stay where good wizards can keep an eye on you. Don't get into trouble. Stay away from strangers.
Your Concerned Headmaster,
"Well, I'm glad we got answered; but I think everyone's is worrying a bit too much. It'll probably take longer than just one summer for Voldemort to get his old alliances back with all the steps Dumbledore is taking. My guess is that he'll wait and gather strength quietly then do something really big. I think if he's going for huge he'll try to take Hogwarts. If not, he'll try to kill me."
"You're taking this far too lightly, Harry."
"No I'm not, Hermione. I've got good news, though: my scar hasn't all summer. Dumbledore thinks my scar hurts when Voldemort is feeling particularly murderous or is near me. I take the absence of any sudden scar-pain as a good sign. But I don't feel like arguing, it's to early in the morning. Ron, is the rest of your family up yet?"
"I think so. We're going shopping right after we eat so we better bring our supply lists with us." Ron and Hermione left the room to get their lists out of their trunks while Harry got his out. He met Ron and Hermione on the stairs and they went to a table where the rest of the Weasleys and the Delanos were already beginning to eat.
George called, "We thought you'd never get up."
Fred added, "We figured we could shop for you and pile all the books on top of each of you."
"Not if I stuff you both in trunks," Ron told them as he sat down.
"No more threats from anyone or you'll all be walking to Hogwarts," Mrs. Weasley told them. "Do all of you have your supply lists with you?"
All the children nodded. Everyone helped themselves to lots of pancakes and everyone ate in silence for a while. "Will Flourish and Blotts be our first stop?" Renata asked her mom a little while later when everyone was almost finished.
"Yes, it will after Gringotts. And then—"
"But I thought you both already did your school shopping?" Harry inquired.
"No, not really. We decided to wait and shop with the rest of you. I am in most of the same classes as Ron, Hermione, and you. We were at Ollivanders and Quality Quidditch Supplies yesterday."
"You play Quidditch?" Ron asked disbelivingly.
Renata tossed her head back and chuckled silently for a moment before answering. "I'm a Keeper. But I've played as Seeker, a Beater, and as a Chaser when there wasn't anyone else. I happen to know that several people at this table play for Gryffindor." She gave the twins and Harry a couple of sidelong looks, before bursting into a grin.
About ten minutes later they were all strolling down Diagon Alley. They were all headed to a large white building, taller than any of the shops. Outside the shiny bronze doors, was a goblin in a gold and scarlet uniform that bowed them as they strolled inside the building. The next set of doors –silver this time— also had a pair of goblins with the same uniform bowed them in. The next huge room was filled with goblins sitting at counters talking with witches or wizards, sometimes weighing jewels or checking for authenticity. The group went to a free goblin and Professor Delano spoke up first. "I am here to retrieve some money from the my vault. I am Jennifer Delano." Before the goblin could begin his question she spoke again and took out a small key. "Here is my key." She said as she handed it over.
"Everything seems in order," he replied handing it back. "Anything else?"
The others all stated their business and at last everything was in order.
"Since there are so many of you I will call two carts." He turned his head and called, "Griphook! Longshark!" Two goblins came out of a door nearby. Harry wasn't sure why, but the name Griphook sounded vaguely familiar. "Griphook, please take Ms. Delano, Miss Delano, and Mr. Harry Potter to their vaults. Longshark, please Mrs. Molly Weasley and her children to the Weasley safe." The two goblins led them all to doors on the opposite side of the hall. Griphook led Harry and the Delanos to one door and Longshark led the Weasleys to a door a few doors away. Harry and the Delanos climbed into the waiting cart along with Griphook soon they were going downward and gaining speed all the while, about ten minutes later they stopped by one of the many doors on the wall. They all got out of the cart and the professor put her key in the door and the vault opened. She put Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts into the bag she was carrying before locking the vault.
They all clambered back into the cart and it took off again, going even further down until it stopped once more. Harry put his key in the hole and the door swung open. He piled gold Galleons, silver Sickles, and bronze Knuts in to his bag. Then he locked the safe and climbed back in the cart. It started back all the hundreds of miles up to get to the main floor of Gringotts. When they reached the surface the Weasleys and Hermione were waiting for them. As they all walked out to the open daylight they felt the warm sun on their faces. They entered Flourish and Blotts and looked at their lists to see what books they needed to buy. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Renata all needed: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 4) by Miranda Goshawk, An Advanced Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch, and The Habits and Hidings of Rare and Magical Creatures by Guido Draconis. Harry and Ron also needed A Clairvoyant's Guide to Knowing All by T. L. Fortune.
Hermione was reaching for Arthimacy, the Greater Understanding, Advanced Guide by Erik Runerd, when another hand met hers. It was Renata's. In unison they said, "I didn't know you were taking Arithmacy." They both laughed and each grabbed a copy then went to meet Ron and Harry at the register to pay for their books. Then they all went to the Apothecary to refill their bags of potions ingredients. The Apothecary smelled awful but was, as always, quite interesting. It sold newt tails, beetle eyes, horned slugs and other various items.
After that the group split up; Mrs. Weasley and the girls went off with Renata's mom. The boys decided to stick around the joke shop instead. Fred and George bought some Filibusters Fabulous No Heat Wet-Start Fireworks, extra-large bags of Dungbombs and a couple of feather quills that put out purple smoke if you wrote with them. The twins' friend Lee Jordan was in there too. He looked into buying a mirror that showed you at you worst when you looked into it. Harry and Ron purchased a few oddments as well. Ron bought some flowers that turned into lizards if you said "thank you", while Harry favored a bottle of elixir that gave snowballs extra speed when you threw them if you added a drop of it to the snowball first. Of course they both picked up Dungbombs and Filibuster Fireworks, but not as many as Fred and George. After paying, Harry and the Weasley boys walked around a bit then met up with all the girls in front of Quality Quidditch Supplies where Renata admiring a full set of purple Quidditch robes with the initials AAA.
They all talked for a while on their way back to the Leaky Cauldron around noon for lunch. Hermione and Renata had discovered that they were in all the same classes. Fred and George made a point of letting Renata know that they were the Beaters for Gryffindor and that they planned to stay that way. "If your going to play for Gryffindor remember we don't need any Beaters," Fred warned.
"Or any Seekers," added Harry. None of them wanted to give up their place on the team. Quidditch was one of Harry's favorite things to do. It was definitely better than any Muggle sports Harry had ever played. He'd been a little disappointed last year when there was no Quidditch because of the Tri-Wizard Tournament.
"Don't worry. I heard you need a new Keeper. Wood graduated, he won't mind if I take his place. But," she added cocking her head. "I definitely wouldn't mind taking his other position. Though I imagine several other people feel the same way, too." She sighed and let out a little laugh. Oliver Wood had been team Captain and was a terrific Keeper. "Then again, who knows what house I'll be in?"
Harry looked at her, "You seem to have done your homework. I imagine you know the names of all the players on the other teams, too?"
Renata, "No, actually."
They all talked a little while longer before Mrs. Weasley and Renata's mom came over. "It's almost time to leave. I want the five of you upstairs to pack; we're leaving for home in half an hour. Renata, you're welcome to come visit us anytime this summer, as long as your mother approves. I want the rest of you upstairs, now," said Mrs. Weasley.
Harry, Ron, Fred and George headed upstairs to their rooms followed by Ginny and Hermione. When Harry had put his new books into his trunk he went to see Ron; Hermione was still putting away the things she had bought that day.
"Twenty-five days until we go back to Hogwarts."
"Yeah, I can't believe we'll be taking the O.W.L.s this year." O.W.L.s were Ordinary Wizarding Levels, tests taken at Hogwarts when you were fifteen.
"Hermione will have study schedules for us by Christmas."
"Do you really think things will be as bad this year as everyone says?"
"I'm not sure, if Dumbledore is actually willing to talk to us himself during the Start of School Feast it's got to be big. I can't ever remember him not being there. The Headmaster is always there when the new students are being sorted."
At that moment Hermione bounded in the room. "Ron, Harry! It's time to go. Everyone is waiting. I've got to go bring my trunk down, too."
"We can't just sprint down the stairs carrying our trunks. I'll help you with yours," Ron offered. Then after rolling his eyes and shrugging, Ron shuffled off after Hermione to help carry her trunk downstairs.
Up in the his room Harry stared absentmindedly out the window until he saw a flash of scarlet and gold pass by, when he stuck his head out the window he couldn't find it. Harry perched Hedwig's cage on top of his trunk and decided to make a mental note to tell Ron and Hermione about the bird. He'd seen it twice now. Ron came back upstairs to help Harry bring his trunk downstairs where Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were waiting; Fred and George had already gone with Ginny back home. Ron ran back upstairs to carry down the traveling bag he'd been using for the last couple of days. He was back down in a moment. This would be Hermione's first time traveling by Floo Powder. Mrs. Weasley offered her advice. "Keep your elbows tucked in and speak clearly. Step up to the fire and throw the powder in and say 'The Burrow.' When you see Fred and George, get out and you'll be in our kitchen."
Hesitantly Hermione took a pinch of powder out of a jar with yellow flowers on it. Stepping up to the fire she announced, "The Burrow." And she was gone. Harry went next.
Before stepping up to fireplace Harry put his glasses in his pocket for safety. With some help he got his trunk in front fire and he stood beside it. Once Harry threw the powder in the flames just felt warm and nice. In a voice loud and clear enough so there would be any mistakes Harry spoke to the flames, "The Burrow." Immediately Harry, along with his trunk, was whisked into the flames. After spinning a bit he saw several red heads and a brunette, and he was thrown out of the fire and was on the floor of the Weasleys' kitchen. When he got up not only were Fred, George, Ginny, and Hermione there, but Percy, Charlie, and Bill as well. Charlie picked up Harry's trunk and moved it off to the side, because a moment later Ron and his bag came through followed by his mother. She got up and dusted herself off.
"Harry, Hermione," She smiled. "You know where you're staying so why don't you put you're bags away. Ron, Ginny, help them." Ginny helped Hermione carry her trunk up to Ginny's room. At the same time Harry and Ron were on their way to Ron's room. When Ron kicked the door open—he didn't have any free hands—and the room was exactly as Harry remembered it. When you stepped in it seemed as though you were in the sun, the room was almost completely bright orange. Posters of the Chuddley Cannons Quidditch team cover his walls. His comforter was also themed with the Cannons. On top of a tank that once held a bull frog, was an orange hat with Chuddley Cannons on it. In a corner on top a stack of books Ron threw his wand.
Both Harry and Ron collapsed on the bed. "I'll get my bag from downstairs later. Tomorrow want to play Quidditch on the hill?"
"Sure. Think Hermione will play?"
"Probably not. She'll just hang out with Ginny. Fred and George will play, I think. If Charlie and Bill get to stick around a few days they will, too."
"Want to play Wizard Chess? My set is in my trunk."
"Sure," Ron got up to get his board and very battered players. They had once belonged to his grandfather. Harry opened his trunk to get out his set. Ron happened to be very good at Wizard Chess. It was exactly the same as regular Chess except that the players were alive which made it a lot like directing troops in battle. Chess was the only thing Hermione ever lost at. Harry and Ron felt it was good for her.
Ron and Harry played three games and watched Ron's players drag Harry's across the board whenever apiece was taken. Ron won all three matches though Harry did better in the second one than either of them excepted. "Hermione is getting too bossy again. Don't you think?"
"Not really, she's fine, what makes you think that?" Harry just lost a bishop.
"Er—the way she's been ordering us around...and she made me carry her trunk downstairs at the Leaky Cauldron."
"No she didn't Ron, I thought you offered?"
"Well, she was scowling at me as if saying 'you'd better help me or else.' I had to help her."
Harry would have mentioned that Hermione had been smiling not scowling when Ron offered to help carry her trunk, but he would be staying in the same room as Ron from now until June. He didn't want a fight before they even got to Hogwarts. Instead he changed the subject, "What do you think this year will be like?"
"Do you mean will there be extra security and stuff?"
"I dunno. It was a just thought. Forget it."
"No, I won't. You didn't ask that for no reason. What is it?"
"I don't know it's just—"
There was a knock at the door and Hermione poked her head in. "Its almost time for dinner. You're supposed to come down and help set up." With that she turned her heel and left. Ron and Harry got up, trailing after her. As he walked downstairs Harry began to feel there was something wrong with Hermione, but he couldn't put his finger on it just yet. They walked in silence. When they were down in the kitchen Mrs. Weasley had her wand out and was stirring some pots on the stove.
She saw the three of them standing there and smiled. "Could you take some plates outside? Bill and Charlie will be leaving the day after tomorrow and after that will all be able to have dinner inside but until then it's just too crowded in here." All of them brought plates out to the tables set up out in the yard. Crookshanks was chasing garden gnomes around the yard, Ginny laughed as she watched. As they went back in Harry looked over at the grandfather clock in the living room, it had eleven hands each with one of the Weasleys' names on it. Ten hands were pointed to HOME. Only Mr. Weasley's wasn't, he was at work. For a brief second the hand labeled Arthur Weasley was at TRAVELING, then he was HOME.
"Dad's back!" shouted Ron who was also looking at the clock as well. Mr. Weasley had appeared just inside the doorway. He looked tired.
"Good evening, Molly," said to his wife. Turning his head, "Hello Ron, Harry, Hermione."
"Dinner is just about ready Arthur. Why don't you go to the backyard?" She gave her son a very meaningful stare and Ron got the point at once. He helped his dad up and led him outside. After Mrs. Weasley handed them cutlery to carry out Harry and Hermione followed. The tables were out in the garden with the plates they had brought out earlier. Lanterns and chairs were there as well. Ron led his father to a seat as the others came to greet him.
A few minutes later Mrs. Weasley came out of the house carrying the rest of the food not already on the table and they all sat down to eat. Down at one end of the table Bill and Fred were debating which rules of Quidditch they would change if they could and Charlie was telling George about a really big dragon he found near Hogwarts just a week before. "It was huge, I've never seen a Chinese Fireball as big as that one. It was twice the size of a full-grown Hiberdean Black. It took three-dozen of us to stun the thing. But when we were going to load it up to take it away the spell wore out and it flew off."
Ginny stopped whispering with Hermione and looked up at Charlie. Charlie saw her. "I'm only joking," he said hastily. He knew he'd be in trouble if his mum saw he had made Ginny upset. "Really. Fred knows I was kidding. I found a baby dragon down in Kent. It was only a common Welsh Green, nothing to get worried about. Plenty far away from Hogwarts. It was in a Muggle's yard. I wouldn't really have needed to do anything except take it away, but the Muggle living there saw a puff of smoke come out of its mouth so I had to put a charm on him before taking it away."
"Charlie," asked Harry "We were thinking about playing Quidditch tomorrow, want to come? It'd be nice to see the legendary Charlie Weasley that Wood was always talking about."
"Yeah, sure. I was very disappointed that after I left Gryffindor took so long for you guys to win the Quidditch Cup again."
"Bill, are you in? Fred? George?"
"Sure," Fred and George answered in unison.
"Why not? I do have my broom with me as a matter of fact. What about you Perce?"
"Bill, I have some very important work tomorrow."
Mr. Weasley had been listening and leaned across the table to answer. "Percy, I talked to Amos last night and you have tomorrow off, to spend time with your brothers and sister. If all of your brothers will be flying I can't think of a better way to spend your time off tomorrow. The report on Sphinx diets can wait." Amos Diggory was Percy's new boss; his old boss, Mr. Crouch, had been murdered the year before.
"Well, I guess I'll play Quidditch with all of you tomorrow. But I don't know where my broom is I haven't used it in ages."
"Percy, you can take some turns on my broomstick. Ginny? Hermione? Are you in?"
Hermione looked at Ginny before answering. "Well, I guess we could but we'll have to take turns to because we don't have brooms."
"It's settled. We'll all play Quidditch tomorrow."
After that, conversation seemed to change. Hermione was consulting Percy about advice for taking the O.W.L.s and Fred and George were whispering together. Harry suspected they were talking about Weasleys Wizard Wheezes a line of joke products they invented. Their mum had found out about it the year before and had them tear up their order forms. Mrs. Weasley was continuing her ongoing debate with Bill about the way he dressed: she did not approve his earring or long hair. "Please just let me trim it? They must think you look awful at work? It's just silly like that."
Bill's answers were always the same. "No Mum. They don't care as long as I do my work. I like my hair the way it is. And the earring stays."
"Please..."
"No, mum." Bill's hair was pulled back in a long ponytail, as it had been when Harry had seen it last year; although now the fang earring was replaced with a claw earring.
Harry turned to Ron, "Are Bill and Charlie staying in your room tonight, or with Fred and George?"
"Instead of dividing it with four in one room and two in the other we're divided up three and three. Bill will be in with Fred and George. You and Charlie are with me."
"When we go in I want to talk to you."
"Okay."
Eventually everyone had finished talking and eating and everyone felt sleepy. One by one they drifted indoors. Percy first, shortly followed by his parents, then Fred and George dragged Bill inside—they didn't want him waking them up if he came in afterwards. Ginny was tired and got up too. Charlie followed Ginny, and only Harry, Ron, and Hermione were left. They all got up without saying anything. Harry and Ron stopped with Hermione at Ginny's door. They all said goodnight and Hermione went inside. Harry and Ron continued up the stairs.
They reached the top and all was silent (not even the ghoul in the attic stirred). Together Ron and Harry step inside the very orange room. They carefully stepped over Charlie and got ready for bed. Ron climbed into his bed, and Harry lay down on the camping bed next to Ron's bed. Ron leaned over to whisper to Harry. "I think I figured out what's weird with Hermione."
"Really what is it?"
"She's being a girl."
"Ron, Hermione has always been a girl."
"I mean she's acting like it. Whispering with Ginny, laughing with Renata, shopping with Ginny and my mum and the Delanos instead of with us after leaving Flourish and Blotts. It all makes sense."
"Maybe you are right. She always felt like one of us. She never really had any other friends at Hogwarts. I guess Renata and her might become friends; they seemed to like each other. It will be good for her." He yawned, "I wonder what took Hermione so long to pack when we were leaving the Leaky Cauldron. She had more bags than we did. I wonder what was in them?"
"Books most likely."
"I don't think so."
"Harry, at dinner you said there was something you needed to tell me. What was it?"
"I'm tired. I'll tell you in the morning," Harry lied. He wasn't especially tired but when he had turned over he noticed that Charlie was awake. Harry wasn't sure about telling anyone else what he meant to tell Ron and Hermione, at least, not yet.