Chapter 5.

As they approached the hospital wing professor McGonagall was waiting for them tears in her sharp eyes.

"Go on in children we will be along in a moment." She whispered in an unusually gentle tone.

Harry entered first with Ginny and Ron and Hermione followed them.

"Mione what did she mean?" Ron asked Hermione.

"I don't know maybe the headmaster wants to talk to us…" She did not get chance to finish because there was muffled sound and then the long curtain that parted the room shot backwards to reveal seven people with flaming red hair all looking tired but happy.

"Enervate." Harry said gently. Ginny woke up and looked around.

"MUM!" She screamed and ran towards her mother hugging her tightly.

Ron ran to his dad and almost jumped into his arms. Harry smiled towards Hermione and she returned his beaming grin. Tears in her eyes.

"Mione!" shouted Fred.

"Harry!" Called George.

They both burst into laughter and joined the group. Everyone laughing.

"Yeah you two are family now." Percy said happily.

"You're not taking Harry away from me." Sirius shouted from the doorway. His eyes were blazing and if he had been in his dog form his heckles would have been raised. Remus Lupin looked up at his friend beside him smiling and said,

"Oh old Padfoot is going soft in his old age…don't you think Sevvie." He elbowed Severus Snape in the ribs playfully. Severus glared at him and took a step away from Remus. The group in front of them was holding in their laughter and Severus could feel his face turn red. This caused Sirius to laugh and the potions master turned on him wand out ready.

"Prosendiatrum." Hermione shouted from across the room the three grown men suddenly found themselves in three identical cages.

"Miss Granger I suggest that you release us immediately." Snape spat. Hermione simply turned away from him twisting her hair casually in her fingers. Fred and George could take it no longer. They both burst into laughter. Snape glared at them.

"So does this mean your leaving me Harry?" Severus pretended to sniff.

"Yeah I think so." Harry replied jokingly.

"Well we love ya Harry!" Ron said. "Or at least one of us does don't you Ginny!" Ron continued loudly. Everyone except Snape, Harry and Ginny laughed. Harry and Ginny both blushed furiously and Snape just sat there annoyed at his predicament.

"Don't worry Ginny I love you too." Harry said casually causing his young friend to blush even more.

"Oh that is so sweet don't you think Ron?" Hermione said.

"Don't you start two Mione…I could tell you some things that would make you blush as much as I am…couldn't I Ron." Ginny said evilly.

The group broke into laughter again.

"I think we should all go to bed." Hermione said above the din.

"You think too much." Snape stated viciously. This earned him glares from everyone except Hermione who said calmly.

"Vendicimona." As soon as the words were out of her mouth the potions masters' wand had been transfigured into a baby dummy and he was sucking on it furiously. No matter how hard he tried he could not get it out of his mouth. So he just glared at Hermione which was rather funny considering his circumstances.

"Like I was saying before being so rudely interrupted…we are all getting grumpy. We need to go to bed." Hermione said throwing a glare at Snape. Everyone was shocked and Sirius said,

"Ohhhhh if looks could kill." Molly Weasley intervened just in time.

"Mione is right bed now." She said firmly.

Hermione whispered some counter charms and the three professors were released from their cages. She transfigured the potion's master's wand back and was saying goodnight to the Weasleys when the door opened and Dumbledor and professor McGonagall entered.

"Now I have always believed laughter to be the best form of medicine but I am sure the entertainment should stop here. I would not want anybody being humiliated. Harry, Ron, Virginia please escort our head girl back to her room before the hexes start." The old headmaster said happily. Glancing at both Hermione and Severus who were glaring at each other.

"I can send you up some beds if you would like." He continued. "Ron, Virginia you can stay in the head suite for tonight if you would like."

"Erm professor I think Mione's skills at transfiguration and charms will be quite adequate we don't need beds sending." Harry said a cheeky gleam in his eyes. Hermione hit him on the back of the head and Dumbledor stepped aside for her to pass.

"G'night all." She called over her shoulder. Harry, Ron and Ginny followed her out trying unsuccessfully to hide their grins.

Snape glared at them as they left. But in his eyes was something they had never seen before. Respect.