Disclaimer: Same old, same old. Blah blah blah.
Starriecat: I think you were right, the second chapter was a bit forced. I think I knew where I was going, but I didn't know how to link the two.
With a tiny pop they disapparated. Angelina blinked and looked around. It was evident to Fred that she hadn't quite expected the vastness of the park. Well, he knew for a fact that they had just arrived in an area in a muggle park that was easily protected from muggles. Wizards and Witches would easily break through the spells, but it was at least a warning that the two wanted privacy. Grabbing Angelina's arm, he dragged her over and transfigured the park bench into a comfortable sofa, making sure that it appeared, at least to muggle eyes, a regular park bench. All the spells were so simple, it almost made him laugh. Sitting, Fred said "Angelina, I'm sooo glad you're here, won't you sit?" He fluttered his eyes. Angelina, for the second time that night, laughed. She had known that a short time in his company would cheer her from what had seemed an irreversible depression. When she spoken to the team healer, he had said that it wasn't purely psychological. He believed that she was suffering from missing someone too much, perhaps her true love, he had suggested. Angelina had scoffed at that. She knew that she wasn't really missing anyone to that point. However, she had decided, it wouldn't do her any harm to catch up with Fred, who she had always been close with despite the fact that he was a guy and a joker at that.
"What if I said I wouldn't sit?" Angelina asked, joking around with him.
"Well..I guess I would have to make you want to sit, by..hexing you with the jelly legs hex!" He did so.
Her legs feeling like putty, Angelina quickly sat and said "Mercy! Mercy! Please! I sat!" She gasped for breath and laughed. Wow..Fred really had cheered her up. She hadn't felt like this since she had left Hogwarts. She didn't want to think about the fact that that was the last time she had seen Fred. It had to be a coincidence. He was just a good friend who could make her laugh. Despite the fact that it was summer, Angelina suddenly shivered. There was quick cold breeze that went past them. She looked around, because it wasn't normal for cold breezes. Wrinkling her brow, she turned to Fred and said, "Did you feel that? That cold breeze?"
"Yeah...wonder what it is?" Fred answered, his attention flicking from spot to spot around them. Suddenly, they heard screams. Both of them shot to their feet, their wands out and ready. They knew it could just be kids screaming with delight, but it didn't sound like that. It sounded like real terror. "Ok, that is definite terror. Something's happening. Let's go." They sprinted towards the source of the screams, which were coming from a muggle neighborhood that was a quarter of a mile away. Suddenly, the screams went silent. Angelina and Fred, who had now slowed to a fast walk, to catch the attackers by surprise, glanced each other, knowing that silence of this sort was not good. Continuing towards the origin of where the screams had come from, Fred and Angelina were silent, both terrified about what they would find. Suddenly they found themselves in a normal neighborhood. They could both hear the sirens of something..what did they call them again? Fred thought he should know this. After all, his father DID work in the Muggle-relations department. Please-men! Glancing up, he frowned. He really really wished he had some sort of training with this. The dark mark hovered above it. "Angelina, You need to apparate to the ministry and tell them what happened. Please! Do this. I'm going to look around and keep the muggle please-men from poking around too much. Do it quickly!"
"But Fred-" Angelina objected
"Please? We really need to let them know." Fred said. It was one of the few times he had been serious in his life. His eyes were serious and clear, no longer dancing. His mouth was a straight line. He watched the neighborhood anxiously. It was evident that whoever had done the torturing had already left. However, the muggles in the neighborhood were beginning to fill the streets. Stepping out cautiously from their doors, wrapping their coats or dressing gowns tightly around their shoulders and glancing fearfully up at the dark mark hovering above the house which Fred and Angelina stood in front of. Angelina disapparated from the spot with a little pop. Fred knew that memory charms were going to be used on all of these people, so he knew that it was alright for Angelina to disappear like that. Fred looked around at all the people in the streets. This was not a normal attack to torture muggles. Muscles tense, Fred crept towards the house, even though he knew that it was unlikely for any dark wizards to be there anymore. Suddenly, a car drove wildly down the street. Fred glanced at it and realized that this was another occupant of the house. Odd, that implied that it was a muggle family, although it was possible for a witch or wizard to be married to a muggle. The sick sensation that had started in his stomach increased ten-fold. What kind of attack was this. Ignoring the growing murmurs of the growing crowd, He waited apprehensively for the car to reach the house. The car screeched to a halt and a man, who looked vaguely familiar jumped out.
"What happened here?" He screamed, terror clear in his voice. He started to run towards the house, but Fred grabbed his shoulders. He got a sensation that he knew this man, who was obviously a muggle, so he knew that chances of this not affecting him were not good.
"Whatever happened in there, you won't be able to help. I need to keep you out here because it could be dangerous for you to go in. You are a muggle are you not?"
"Yes..yes I am!" The man was clearly furious at being held back. Fred was startled. He had forgotten for a minute that they didn't refer to themselves as muggles and when he had answered like that, his sick feeling that this was a pointed attack increased.
"I need you to calm down. No matter what happened there, you can't do anything about it. The aurors will need to talk to you after they figure out just what happened inside." Fred tried to calmly tell him. His own panic was rising in his throat. As he glanced around, he noticed that many of the neighbors had moved forward. It appeared that they knew this man and were curious as to what had happened inside. "I need EVERYONE to STAY back. I need you all to go back to your homes. You will be able to ask questions of ministry officials when they come!" Fred shouted. He really couldn't handle all the curious looks that he and this man were receiving. He knew that they knew this man, but it irritated him that he was curious sight. Glancing down he realized why. He was in his coolest clothes. He had on his dragon skin boots and a magenta jacket that was very shimmery. His pants were a normal blue color, so that wasn't drawing the attention. He knew he hadn't dressed like a normal muggle. He knew that muggles didn't know why someone looking like him would take charge. He understood. Unfortunately, he was the only wizard around.
Angelina apparated to the ministry with a pop. Odd. Where did one go to report attacks on muggles? She decided that the information desk would be a good place to start. "Please, sir, there's a muggle house that's been attacked! We need to get help there!"
"Aurors and muggle protection offices, 5th floor." droned the little wizard. Angelina groaned. It was going to take forever to get people to this house. She knew that there was a street of muggle neighbor's who had noticed the screams. God, this was going to take forever to get someone's attention. Sprinting towards the elevator, she got in and pummeled the 5th floor button. Hopping from one foot to the other, she waited for the elevator to groan to life and start moving. Suddenly, it stopped, but only on the 3rd floor. A man was getting in, but he wanted to go down.
"I'm in a hurry." growled the man.
"Please, I'm trying to report an attack on muggle's! I need to get to the auror's offices!" Angelina pleaded with the man.
"I am an auror. If you speaking of 112 Longfield street near a little park in West London, we just dispatched a team of 3 aurors to the spot." The man responded.
"Thank you!" She allowed the man to go to the main floor, since she no longer had to go to the auror department. As he stepped out, she raced past him and apparated back to the place.
Fred gave a sigh of relief when all of a sudden three men appeared, each heavily scarred on their faces. He recognized one of them as his DADA teacher from 6th year. "Moody!" Fred yelled. "This man lives here, but I didn't want him to go inside until you guys got here!" Moody was one of the best aurors around. He knew that everything would be alright with him around.
"You are one of those Weasley twins aren't you boy?" Moody growled. Fred nodded fervently.
"Weasley twins? You're one of Ron's older brothers? Oh god." The muggle interjected. He had been relatively quiet for the past few minutes, drawing in deep shaky breaths.
"Yeah...what's your name?" Fred inquired uneasily. He knew this was not good.
"Richard Granger. I'm Hermione's father." he responded, the grief in his eyes all to clear. All Fred could do was gape at him. Hermione's dad? He must be familiar from when they had seen them try to change muggle money to wizard money. Oh god..his wife, Hermione's mother must have been the one they had heard screaming. Fred felt suddenly sick to his stomach. He knew that Death Eaters wouldn't usually kill one of the parents. He had a sudden suspicion that something different was happening here. He looked at Moody, the apprehension in his eyes clear. Suddenly Angelina appeared, with a little pop. Mr. Granger started and Fred smile weakly and reached over to take her hand without even thinking about it. He needed a friend's support. "Angelina, this is Richard Granger. This is his house." Fred watched Angelina patiently, while all the pieces came together.
"Not..Not Hermione's father?" She asked with a trembling voice.
Fred nodded. "The one and the same."
"Does that mean, that the screams...they were from Hermione's mother?" she asked. He nodded again. Squeezing her hand, they turned to wait outside with Mr. Granger while the aurors searched the inside of the house. They had all noticed that Mr. Granger was not dead, signifying a different purpose than just plain torture. There was a hidden motive. Fred knew it had something to do with Harry. Just then, he noticed that Moody had stepped outside the house, looking a bit confused. He stalked over to where the three of them stood. "This was not an ordinary hit. As you, Fred, may have already realized, when the Death Eaters torture muggles, they tend to do it widescale, usually, torturing whole neighborhoods. Here, it was only this house. However, something even more odd has arisen. We believe that the Death Eater's have taken your wife, Mr. Granger, and plan to use her as bait for Harry Potter. However, we can't be sure of that. We will continue to search the house, and we will take care of you neighbors so that they think you and your wife went on vacation. Weasley, may I have a word with you?" Moody took his arm and led him a few feet away. "Weasley, I know you're young and you live with your brother, but, I must ask you if you could bring Mr. Granger and keep him at your place tonight and to bring him to Hogwarts first thing tomorrow morning.
"I guess so. Hermione was always a good friend. She deserves to have her parents cared for in the best way possible. I will do everything in my power to make him comfortable." Fred answered.
"Good. I thank you very much." Moody gruffly responded. They made their way over to Angelina and Mr. Granger. "Mr. Granger, I don't think that you should spend the night here, before you go to Hogwarts tomorrow morning. Mr. Weasley, by the way, Weasley which one are you?"
"Erm, Fred sir." he responded.
"Right as I was saying, Fred here, has kindly offered to have you stay in his apartment and to bring you to Hogwarts tomorrow morning." Moody said.
"Thank you Fred. It's much appreciated. I don't know how I could stand to be in the house at the moment." Mr. Granger wearily replied. Angelina looked distinctly uncomfortable. She was exhausted, and she had been part of it too. She felt that she couldn't apparate back to Liverpool tonight.
"Angelina, you're welcome to crash our flat too, we don't have much room, but we can make do. I know you're exhausted. Perhaps you can come with us to Hogwarts tomorrow. You may be able to help comfort Hermione in a way that we can't." Fred said quietly to her.
"Thank you Fred. I really appreciate it." Angelina whispered. She was amazed that he had read her so easily and had acquiesced to her wishes.
Fred looked down at her intently. He wished that the little butterfly feelings in his stomach would go away. She was going to sleep on the floor, or perhaps something transfigured to a bed, but where would they put. With just Richard Granger, George was bunking with him, because they only had two bedrooms. Maybe the couch in the living/dining area. Fred sighed. They'd figure this out when they got to his apartment. "Mr. Granger, perhaps you know where we can find a taxi? Or drive us?" He added with a hopeful look towards his haphazardly parked car. "Maybe we should find a taxi. You're not in a state to drive, and neither Angelina nor I can drive." Fred knew that was best. He knew they had to get back soon, or George would start to get worried. Fred smiled to himself. Whenever George got worried, he set up numerous pranks wherever he was. Of course, he would never admit that he was worried, only bored.
Richard cleared his throat, cast a long glance at his house, knowing his wife wasn't there. It almost made him wish that Hermione wasn't a witch. But then, he knew, they would be tortured for fun and have no one to defend them. He knew he could depend on Hermione to protect her parents as best she could from Voldemort. He only wished that he could do the same for her. He knew that she and her friends there were growing up way too fast. He had only met Harry a few times, but he knew the boy had way too much on his shoulders. He knew that his only semblance of family had been killed 2 years ago in a fight with death eaters. "I think I can drive, but I don't know where your flat is. If you could give me directions?"
"Alright. Thank you. I know it's difficult for you." Fred answered. He just hoped that they could get back to his flat without getting too lost. He normally apparated there, but he knew it was in South London, on Beech Street. He settled himself into the front passenger seat, while Angelina slid in behind him. "Do you know South London well Mr. Granger, sir?" He asked.
"Pretty well, yes, I drive through it to go to work sometimes." He responded.
"Well, I live on Beech Street, near Appleton ave." Fred said.
"Oh! I go past Beech Street all the time. I know exactly where that is." Mr. Granger said easily. Fred was surprised that he was taking this all in hand. He seemed quite depressed but he hadn't fallen to pieces. He suddenly realized just how much Hermione had inherited from her parents. Her father was very brave, facing the troubles in the magic world without an ounce of magic to protect him.
"Mr. Granger, I want you to know that I can see Hermione got her courage from you. Your courage right now is inspiring. I am quite amazed that you have not fallen apart." Fred said, earnestly.
"Well, Thank you." Mr. Granger looked startled. It was quite a compliment. Suddenly, he looked at Fred again. "Fred..you and your twin...you were those two who were the jokers, right?" He asked questioningly.
"Well...Yeah..we own a joke shop in Diagon Alley. We've even been compared to James Potter and Sirius Black," he said proudly.
"Well then, I am amazed at the maturity you have shown this evening. I remember you two as hooligans. Sorry, that's just what you seemed like." Mr. Weasley responded.
"Is that a compliment? Wow..a compliment from an adult! That's, like the second one I've gotten from an adult! Cool!" Fred grinned. He noticed that they had turned onto Beech Street. My apartment is in number 76. We're apartment A. However, I want to warn you that my twin will probably have set up some elaborate joke to pull on me the moment I walk in the door, so Angelina, could you wait here with Mr. Granger, while I go set it off, and tell my brother you're staying with us?" Fred said. He jumped out of the car. Quickly, he put the key in the lock, and opened the door to his apartment and closed it quickly. He looked around at the strange apartment. This was definitely not their apartment. His bed and bureau had been put in the living room, joining the sofa and experiment table. He stalked towards his room and opened the door. His jaw dropped. This was a good sized joke. The wall separating his and George's rooms were gone, George's bed was twice it's normal size, and there was what muggles called a tellyvision in one corner. George lay on his bed, changing the channels with his wand. "George! What did you do to my room?" He screamed.
"I'm using it. Can't you see?"
"Well put it back to normal. We have guests. You're bunking with me tonight."
"WHAT! NO WAY! You know I hate bunking with you when we have our own rooms. Make them sleep on the floor or couches."
"Well. I am making Angelina sleep on the couch. But, Mr. Granger, he should have a bed. Put the stuff back to normal, while I get them, ok? Mr. Granger shouldn't have to take any of our crap." Fred snapped. George gaped at him.
"I would like an explanation." he said.
"You'll get one, once Mr. Granger and Angelina are settled in." Fred said tiredly. He left the room and headed for the door. As he walked down the steps, he bent his head, weary from all that had happened in the last few hours. As he approached the car, he noticed that Mr. Granger was standing wearily by the passenger door, while Angelina was lying down inside, curled up on the backseat. Apparently she was fast asleep. With a nod towards Mr. Granger he said, "I'll get her. Just follow me up, and I'll get you some tea." With that, he opened the door and looked down at Angelina. He leaned over, and tried to unbuckled the seatbelt. After a few minutes he finally figured it out. Carefully, he picked up Angelina and carried her up the steps to their apartment. She automatically snuggled closer, burrowing her face in his chest and putting her arms around his neck. With Mr. Granger walking beside him, he approached the door, which swung open to reveal George on the other side, who noted with little surprise that Angelina was in his arms. With a grand gesture, he swept Mr. Granger in to the apartment.
"Welcome to our humble abode Mr. Granger. Take a seat in one of the chairs. I'll be transfiguring the couch into a bed for Angelina. He did so. Richard Granger barely flinched. Even though he hadn't seen much magic, he was too tired to be surprised by much. Fred walked over to the bed/couch and gently placed Angelina on it, and tucked the sheet and blanket in around her shoulders. Turning, he flicked his wand at the teapot, which immediately held hot water. Taking out a couple packets of tea, he let it sit for a minute, and then poured 3 cups of tea, and sat down at the table. "Mr. Granger, you will be using my brother, George's room tonight. It's the door on the left. The bathroom is behind me, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I know you're tired, so if you leave while I tell George, here, what happened, I won't be offended." Fred said. George had a troubled look on his face. He knew his brother was exhausted too, and that something big had happened.
"Alright, George, I know you are rather apprehensive as to what occurred in the last 2 hours. Angelina, she came and we decided to go to a park and have a chat. She wanted to talk to me before she came back and said hi. I don't know why. Anyways, We went to this little park that we discovered a while back. You remember that one? Well, anyways, after about a half hour of discussing our lives and such, we were interrupted by these terrifying screams. Sorry, Mr. Granger, anyways, we decided that even if it was only some muggle problem, that we should probably check it out anyways. By the time we reached the street the screams were gone and there was dead silence." For a minute there was silence. Then Fred drew in a breath. "The dark mark hung above the house, George. What is really strange, though, is that the aurors think Mr. Granger's wife, Laura, was taken because of Harry." Fred smiled grimly. Looking at George and Mr. Granger. "Mr. Granger, Angelina, and I are all going to Professor Dumbledore to talk with him about this new circumstance, and to be there for Hermione and Mr. Granger. I think we may be gone for more than one day. So George, I have to ask you to please, take care of the shop while I'm gone. You can owl me if you have any questions about anything I normally take care of. I doubt You'll need to, you own the shop with me. It's a favor, George. I promise you'll be able to play so many jokes and tests on me when I get back."
"Aww Fred, You know I can take care of the shop. I'll just hex you into oblivion when you come back. You know, like brothers do." George answered, a half smile on his face.
"Thanks. Mr. Granger? You can use the bathroom first." He prayed that there was nothing magical flying or talking in there. Wearily, Fred and Mr. Granger prepared for sleep. George sat there, perplexed. He had noticed the expression of tenderness on his brother's face when he had tucked in Angelina. He had a feeling that Fred was falling in love with her, or, perhaps, he had always been in love with her. He couldn't tell. Fred was more moody than him, but he hid it well behind his practical jokes and humor. Even George rarely saw him with any other expression than playful happiness on his face. Sighing, George got up, and got ready for bed. He had a busy couple of days ahead of him, taking care of the shop by himself. He just hoped that Fred was able to be of aid at Hogwarts and that he would sort out his personal life.
Starriecat: I think you were right, the second chapter was a bit forced. I think I knew where I was going, but I didn't know how to link the two.
With a tiny pop they disapparated. Angelina blinked and looked around. It was evident to Fred that she hadn't quite expected the vastness of the park. Well, he knew for a fact that they had just arrived in an area in a muggle park that was easily protected from muggles. Wizards and Witches would easily break through the spells, but it was at least a warning that the two wanted privacy. Grabbing Angelina's arm, he dragged her over and transfigured the park bench into a comfortable sofa, making sure that it appeared, at least to muggle eyes, a regular park bench. All the spells were so simple, it almost made him laugh. Sitting, Fred said "Angelina, I'm sooo glad you're here, won't you sit?" He fluttered his eyes. Angelina, for the second time that night, laughed. She had known that a short time in his company would cheer her from what had seemed an irreversible depression. When she spoken to the team healer, he had said that it wasn't purely psychological. He believed that she was suffering from missing someone too much, perhaps her true love, he had suggested. Angelina had scoffed at that. She knew that she wasn't really missing anyone to that point. However, she had decided, it wouldn't do her any harm to catch up with Fred, who she had always been close with despite the fact that he was a guy and a joker at that.
"What if I said I wouldn't sit?" Angelina asked, joking around with him.
"Well..I guess I would have to make you want to sit, by..hexing you with the jelly legs hex!" He did so.
Her legs feeling like putty, Angelina quickly sat and said "Mercy! Mercy! Please! I sat!" She gasped for breath and laughed. Wow..Fred really had cheered her up. She hadn't felt like this since she had left Hogwarts. She didn't want to think about the fact that that was the last time she had seen Fred. It had to be a coincidence. He was just a good friend who could make her laugh. Despite the fact that it was summer, Angelina suddenly shivered. There was quick cold breeze that went past them. She looked around, because it wasn't normal for cold breezes. Wrinkling her brow, she turned to Fred and said, "Did you feel that? That cold breeze?"
"Yeah...wonder what it is?" Fred answered, his attention flicking from spot to spot around them. Suddenly, they heard screams. Both of them shot to their feet, their wands out and ready. They knew it could just be kids screaming with delight, but it didn't sound like that. It sounded like real terror. "Ok, that is definite terror. Something's happening. Let's go." They sprinted towards the source of the screams, which were coming from a muggle neighborhood that was a quarter of a mile away. Suddenly, the screams went silent. Angelina and Fred, who had now slowed to a fast walk, to catch the attackers by surprise, glanced each other, knowing that silence of this sort was not good. Continuing towards the origin of where the screams had come from, Fred and Angelina were silent, both terrified about what they would find. Suddenly they found themselves in a normal neighborhood. They could both hear the sirens of something..what did they call them again? Fred thought he should know this. After all, his father DID work in the Muggle-relations department. Please-men! Glancing up, he frowned. He really really wished he had some sort of training with this. The dark mark hovered above it. "Angelina, You need to apparate to the ministry and tell them what happened. Please! Do this. I'm going to look around and keep the muggle please-men from poking around too much. Do it quickly!"
"But Fred-" Angelina objected
"Please? We really need to let them know." Fred said. It was one of the few times he had been serious in his life. His eyes were serious and clear, no longer dancing. His mouth was a straight line. He watched the neighborhood anxiously. It was evident that whoever had done the torturing had already left. However, the muggles in the neighborhood were beginning to fill the streets. Stepping out cautiously from their doors, wrapping their coats or dressing gowns tightly around their shoulders and glancing fearfully up at the dark mark hovering above the house which Fred and Angelina stood in front of. Angelina disapparated from the spot with a little pop. Fred knew that memory charms were going to be used on all of these people, so he knew that it was alright for Angelina to disappear like that. Fred looked around at all the people in the streets. This was not a normal attack to torture muggles. Muscles tense, Fred crept towards the house, even though he knew that it was unlikely for any dark wizards to be there anymore. Suddenly, a car drove wildly down the street. Fred glanced at it and realized that this was another occupant of the house. Odd, that implied that it was a muggle family, although it was possible for a witch or wizard to be married to a muggle. The sick sensation that had started in his stomach increased ten-fold. What kind of attack was this. Ignoring the growing murmurs of the growing crowd, He waited apprehensively for the car to reach the house. The car screeched to a halt and a man, who looked vaguely familiar jumped out.
"What happened here?" He screamed, terror clear in his voice. He started to run towards the house, but Fred grabbed his shoulders. He got a sensation that he knew this man, who was obviously a muggle, so he knew that chances of this not affecting him were not good.
"Whatever happened in there, you won't be able to help. I need to keep you out here because it could be dangerous for you to go in. You are a muggle are you not?"
"Yes..yes I am!" The man was clearly furious at being held back. Fred was startled. He had forgotten for a minute that they didn't refer to themselves as muggles and when he had answered like that, his sick feeling that this was a pointed attack increased.
"I need you to calm down. No matter what happened there, you can't do anything about it. The aurors will need to talk to you after they figure out just what happened inside." Fred tried to calmly tell him. His own panic was rising in his throat. As he glanced around, he noticed that many of the neighbors had moved forward. It appeared that they knew this man and were curious as to what had happened inside. "I need EVERYONE to STAY back. I need you all to go back to your homes. You will be able to ask questions of ministry officials when they come!" Fred shouted. He really couldn't handle all the curious looks that he and this man were receiving. He knew that they knew this man, but it irritated him that he was curious sight. Glancing down he realized why. He was in his coolest clothes. He had on his dragon skin boots and a magenta jacket that was very shimmery. His pants were a normal blue color, so that wasn't drawing the attention. He knew he hadn't dressed like a normal muggle. He knew that muggles didn't know why someone looking like him would take charge. He understood. Unfortunately, he was the only wizard around.
Angelina apparated to the ministry with a pop. Odd. Where did one go to report attacks on muggles? She decided that the information desk would be a good place to start. "Please, sir, there's a muggle house that's been attacked! We need to get help there!"
"Aurors and muggle protection offices, 5th floor." droned the little wizard. Angelina groaned. It was going to take forever to get people to this house. She knew that there was a street of muggle neighbor's who had noticed the screams. God, this was going to take forever to get someone's attention. Sprinting towards the elevator, she got in and pummeled the 5th floor button. Hopping from one foot to the other, she waited for the elevator to groan to life and start moving. Suddenly, it stopped, but only on the 3rd floor. A man was getting in, but he wanted to go down.
"I'm in a hurry." growled the man.
"Please, I'm trying to report an attack on muggle's! I need to get to the auror's offices!" Angelina pleaded with the man.
"I am an auror. If you speaking of 112 Longfield street near a little park in West London, we just dispatched a team of 3 aurors to the spot." The man responded.
"Thank you!" She allowed the man to go to the main floor, since she no longer had to go to the auror department. As he stepped out, she raced past him and apparated back to the place.
Fred gave a sigh of relief when all of a sudden three men appeared, each heavily scarred on their faces. He recognized one of them as his DADA teacher from 6th year. "Moody!" Fred yelled. "This man lives here, but I didn't want him to go inside until you guys got here!" Moody was one of the best aurors around. He knew that everything would be alright with him around.
"You are one of those Weasley twins aren't you boy?" Moody growled. Fred nodded fervently.
"Weasley twins? You're one of Ron's older brothers? Oh god." The muggle interjected. He had been relatively quiet for the past few minutes, drawing in deep shaky breaths.
"Yeah...what's your name?" Fred inquired uneasily. He knew this was not good.
"Richard Granger. I'm Hermione's father." he responded, the grief in his eyes all to clear. All Fred could do was gape at him. Hermione's dad? He must be familiar from when they had seen them try to change muggle money to wizard money. Oh god..his wife, Hermione's mother must have been the one they had heard screaming. Fred felt suddenly sick to his stomach. He knew that Death Eaters wouldn't usually kill one of the parents. He had a sudden suspicion that something different was happening here. He looked at Moody, the apprehension in his eyes clear. Suddenly Angelina appeared, with a little pop. Mr. Granger started and Fred smile weakly and reached over to take her hand without even thinking about it. He needed a friend's support. "Angelina, this is Richard Granger. This is his house." Fred watched Angelina patiently, while all the pieces came together.
"Not..Not Hermione's father?" She asked with a trembling voice.
Fred nodded. "The one and the same."
"Does that mean, that the screams...they were from Hermione's mother?" she asked. He nodded again. Squeezing her hand, they turned to wait outside with Mr. Granger while the aurors searched the inside of the house. They had all noticed that Mr. Granger was not dead, signifying a different purpose than just plain torture. There was a hidden motive. Fred knew it had something to do with Harry. Just then, he noticed that Moody had stepped outside the house, looking a bit confused. He stalked over to where the three of them stood. "This was not an ordinary hit. As you, Fred, may have already realized, when the Death Eaters torture muggles, they tend to do it widescale, usually, torturing whole neighborhoods. Here, it was only this house. However, something even more odd has arisen. We believe that the Death Eater's have taken your wife, Mr. Granger, and plan to use her as bait for Harry Potter. However, we can't be sure of that. We will continue to search the house, and we will take care of you neighbors so that they think you and your wife went on vacation. Weasley, may I have a word with you?" Moody took his arm and led him a few feet away. "Weasley, I know you're young and you live with your brother, but, I must ask you if you could bring Mr. Granger and keep him at your place tonight and to bring him to Hogwarts first thing tomorrow morning.
"I guess so. Hermione was always a good friend. She deserves to have her parents cared for in the best way possible. I will do everything in my power to make him comfortable." Fred answered.
"Good. I thank you very much." Moody gruffly responded. They made their way over to Angelina and Mr. Granger. "Mr. Granger, I don't think that you should spend the night here, before you go to Hogwarts tomorrow morning. Mr. Weasley, by the way, Weasley which one are you?"
"Erm, Fred sir." he responded.
"Right as I was saying, Fred here, has kindly offered to have you stay in his apartment and to bring you to Hogwarts tomorrow morning." Moody said.
"Thank you Fred. It's much appreciated. I don't know how I could stand to be in the house at the moment." Mr. Granger wearily replied. Angelina looked distinctly uncomfortable. She was exhausted, and she had been part of it too. She felt that she couldn't apparate back to Liverpool tonight.
"Angelina, you're welcome to crash our flat too, we don't have much room, but we can make do. I know you're exhausted. Perhaps you can come with us to Hogwarts tomorrow. You may be able to help comfort Hermione in a way that we can't." Fred said quietly to her.
"Thank you Fred. I really appreciate it." Angelina whispered. She was amazed that he had read her so easily and had acquiesced to her wishes.
Fred looked down at her intently. He wished that the little butterfly feelings in his stomach would go away. She was going to sleep on the floor, or perhaps something transfigured to a bed, but where would they put. With just Richard Granger, George was bunking with him, because they only had two bedrooms. Maybe the couch in the living/dining area. Fred sighed. They'd figure this out when they got to his apartment. "Mr. Granger, perhaps you know where we can find a taxi? Or drive us?" He added with a hopeful look towards his haphazardly parked car. "Maybe we should find a taxi. You're not in a state to drive, and neither Angelina nor I can drive." Fred knew that was best. He knew they had to get back soon, or George would start to get worried. Fred smiled to himself. Whenever George got worried, he set up numerous pranks wherever he was. Of course, he would never admit that he was worried, only bored.
Richard cleared his throat, cast a long glance at his house, knowing his wife wasn't there. It almost made him wish that Hermione wasn't a witch. But then, he knew, they would be tortured for fun and have no one to defend them. He knew he could depend on Hermione to protect her parents as best she could from Voldemort. He only wished that he could do the same for her. He knew that she and her friends there were growing up way too fast. He had only met Harry a few times, but he knew the boy had way too much on his shoulders. He knew that his only semblance of family had been killed 2 years ago in a fight with death eaters. "I think I can drive, but I don't know where your flat is. If you could give me directions?"
"Alright. Thank you. I know it's difficult for you." Fred answered. He just hoped that they could get back to his flat without getting too lost. He normally apparated there, but he knew it was in South London, on Beech Street. He settled himself into the front passenger seat, while Angelina slid in behind him. "Do you know South London well Mr. Granger, sir?" He asked.
"Pretty well, yes, I drive through it to go to work sometimes." He responded.
"Well, I live on Beech Street, near Appleton ave." Fred said.
"Oh! I go past Beech Street all the time. I know exactly where that is." Mr. Granger said easily. Fred was surprised that he was taking this all in hand. He seemed quite depressed but he hadn't fallen to pieces. He suddenly realized just how much Hermione had inherited from her parents. Her father was very brave, facing the troubles in the magic world without an ounce of magic to protect him.
"Mr. Granger, I want you to know that I can see Hermione got her courage from you. Your courage right now is inspiring. I am quite amazed that you have not fallen apart." Fred said, earnestly.
"Well, Thank you." Mr. Granger looked startled. It was quite a compliment. Suddenly, he looked at Fred again. "Fred..you and your twin...you were those two who were the jokers, right?" He asked questioningly.
"Well...Yeah..we own a joke shop in Diagon Alley. We've even been compared to James Potter and Sirius Black," he said proudly.
"Well then, I am amazed at the maturity you have shown this evening. I remember you two as hooligans. Sorry, that's just what you seemed like." Mr. Weasley responded.
"Is that a compliment? Wow..a compliment from an adult! That's, like the second one I've gotten from an adult! Cool!" Fred grinned. He noticed that they had turned onto Beech Street. My apartment is in number 76. We're apartment A. However, I want to warn you that my twin will probably have set up some elaborate joke to pull on me the moment I walk in the door, so Angelina, could you wait here with Mr. Granger, while I go set it off, and tell my brother you're staying with us?" Fred said. He jumped out of the car. Quickly, he put the key in the lock, and opened the door to his apartment and closed it quickly. He looked around at the strange apartment. This was definitely not their apartment. His bed and bureau had been put in the living room, joining the sofa and experiment table. He stalked towards his room and opened the door. His jaw dropped. This was a good sized joke. The wall separating his and George's rooms were gone, George's bed was twice it's normal size, and there was what muggles called a tellyvision in one corner. George lay on his bed, changing the channels with his wand. "George! What did you do to my room?" He screamed.
"I'm using it. Can't you see?"
"Well put it back to normal. We have guests. You're bunking with me tonight."
"WHAT! NO WAY! You know I hate bunking with you when we have our own rooms. Make them sleep on the floor or couches."
"Well. I am making Angelina sleep on the couch. But, Mr. Granger, he should have a bed. Put the stuff back to normal, while I get them, ok? Mr. Granger shouldn't have to take any of our crap." Fred snapped. George gaped at him.
"I would like an explanation." he said.
"You'll get one, once Mr. Granger and Angelina are settled in." Fred said tiredly. He left the room and headed for the door. As he walked down the steps, he bent his head, weary from all that had happened in the last few hours. As he approached the car, he noticed that Mr. Granger was standing wearily by the passenger door, while Angelina was lying down inside, curled up on the backseat. Apparently she was fast asleep. With a nod towards Mr. Granger he said, "I'll get her. Just follow me up, and I'll get you some tea." With that, he opened the door and looked down at Angelina. He leaned over, and tried to unbuckled the seatbelt. After a few minutes he finally figured it out. Carefully, he picked up Angelina and carried her up the steps to their apartment. She automatically snuggled closer, burrowing her face in his chest and putting her arms around his neck. With Mr. Granger walking beside him, he approached the door, which swung open to reveal George on the other side, who noted with little surprise that Angelina was in his arms. With a grand gesture, he swept Mr. Granger in to the apartment.
"Welcome to our humble abode Mr. Granger. Take a seat in one of the chairs. I'll be transfiguring the couch into a bed for Angelina. He did so. Richard Granger barely flinched. Even though he hadn't seen much magic, he was too tired to be surprised by much. Fred walked over to the bed/couch and gently placed Angelina on it, and tucked the sheet and blanket in around her shoulders. Turning, he flicked his wand at the teapot, which immediately held hot water. Taking out a couple packets of tea, he let it sit for a minute, and then poured 3 cups of tea, and sat down at the table. "Mr. Granger, you will be using my brother, George's room tonight. It's the door on the left. The bathroom is behind me, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I know you're tired, so if you leave while I tell George, here, what happened, I won't be offended." Fred said. George had a troubled look on his face. He knew his brother was exhausted too, and that something big had happened.
"Alright, George, I know you are rather apprehensive as to what occurred in the last 2 hours. Angelina, she came and we decided to go to a park and have a chat. She wanted to talk to me before she came back and said hi. I don't know why. Anyways, We went to this little park that we discovered a while back. You remember that one? Well, anyways, after about a half hour of discussing our lives and such, we were interrupted by these terrifying screams. Sorry, Mr. Granger, anyways, we decided that even if it was only some muggle problem, that we should probably check it out anyways. By the time we reached the street the screams were gone and there was dead silence." For a minute there was silence. Then Fred drew in a breath. "The dark mark hung above the house, George. What is really strange, though, is that the aurors think Mr. Granger's wife, Laura, was taken because of Harry." Fred smiled grimly. Looking at George and Mr. Granger. "Mr. Granger, Angelina, and I are all going to Professor Dumbledore to talk with him about this new circumstance, and to be there for Hermione and Mr. Granger. I think we may be gone for more than one day. So George, I have to ask you to please, take care of the shop while I'm gone. You can owl me if you have any questions about anything I normally take care of. I doubt You'll need to, you own the shop with me. It's a favor, George. I promise you'll be able to play so many jokes and tests on me when I get back."
"Aww Fred, You know I can take care of the shop. I'll just hex you into oblivion when you come back. You know, like brothers do." George answered, a half smile on his face.
"Thanks. Mr. Granger? You can use the bathroom first." He prayed that there was nothing magical flying or talking in there. Wearily, Fred and Mr. Granger prepared for sleep. George sat there, perplexed. He had noticed the expression of tenderness on his brother's face when he had tucked in Angelina. He had a feeling that Fred was falling in love with her, or, perhaps, he had always been in love with her. He couldn't tell. Fred was more moody than him, but he hid it well behind his practical jokes and humor. Even George rarely saw him with any other expression than playful happiness on his face. Sighing, George got up, and got ready for bed. He had a busy couple of days ahead of him, taking care of the shop by himself. He just hoped that Fred was able to be of aid at Hogwarts and that he would sort out his personal life.