"I asked you, where is Lucius' son." the Death Eater asked again and
walked over to where Harry, Hermione, and the twins were sitting.
"I... I don't know." Harry stammered. One of the other Death Eaters pulled him up out of his chair.
"Should we take this one then, sir? He's the one the Lord really wants."
"Harry Potter is not of our concern. Let go of him."
"But sir, the Lord will be pleased."
"Drop him! I know the kid is here."
"You're pathetic Kingsley. Everything that Dumbledore's done for you. This is how you repay him?" spat Harry. The Death Eater that Harry had recognized grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall. Harry spit in his face and kicked him, releasing the grip around his neck. Malfoy and Krum came running down the stairs.
"That's him! That's the one, come on." Kingsley ordered, wiping his mask. He and the other four Death Eaters advanced towards the staircase.
"Back upstairs." Krum told Malfoy.
"No, if they want me they have to get me." Malfoy replied, and pulled out his wand.
"Now is not the time to be noble!" Hermione yelled at him.
"Someone shut up the mudblood." a Death Eater snarled.
One of the others grabbed her roughly and held his wand up to her neck. Fred and George jumped forward, but they were caught with a binding charm. They struggled against the ropes.
"Let her go! She won't get in the way. This has nothing to do with her." Malfoy told them.
"Aw, the kid's still got feelings for the mudblood whore." a Death Eater taunted.
"Yeah he wouldn't say that if he knew what his father did to her." another one chimed in.
"I wouldn't mind having my way with her." the masked figure ran a finger across Hermione's face and tightened his grip on her.
"Leave her alone!" Malfoy yelled and moved forward. Krum pushed him back.
"Do you think you're going to stop us? This isn't a game of Quidditch boy. Avada Kedavra." hissed Kingsley.
No sooner than he had, Viktor Krum fell to the floor. Malfoy looked at the body horrified. Fred and George stopped struggling against the binding and stared. Hermione screamed and fought against her attacker. He held her tighter and dug his fingers into her small frame. The tenants of the pub screamed, some women began to cry and one was trying to comfort her wailing baby. Tom, the innkeeper, was horrorstruck.
Thoughts were running through Harry's head a million a mile. He was seething. Krum had done nothing wrong. This was senseless. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened. He did the first thing that came to his mind and freed the twins. The three of them attacked the Death Eaters shooting curses at them. Others in the tavern joined in. Malfoy took the opportunity he had and sent the Cruciatus Curse at Hermione's captor. He let go of her and fell to the floor, writhing in pain. Malfoy grabbed Hermione's wrist and pulled her back.
"Take Viktor's body upstairs and stay up there." he told her.
"I... I can't... I."Do it!" he said, harshly. She nodded and he let go of her shaking wrist.
As Hermione levitated Krum's body up the stairs, Malfoy joined the others. Fred and George had cornered one of the Death Eaters into a corner and were torturing it with various hexes. Harry had just knocked one out and went to help another wizard fight off another. Kingsley was getting angry.
"Do not give in. We are not leaving here without him!" he shouted. He turned to Malfoy.
"Here I am, what are you waiting for?" Malfoy taunted and took to a dueling stance.
Kingsley pulled off his mask. Harry stopped and noted that he'd been beaten since the last time they'd seen him in the tailor's shop. There were faint lines of scars left when cuts had been magically tampered with. He also had random bruises on his neck and jaw line. Harry pointed his wand at Kingsley's back.
"Arania Exumai!"
A bright white light protruded from Harry's wand and headed in Kingsley's direction. Kingsley quickly turned around and blocked the stunning spell. He laughed.
"Foolish boy."
"Flipendo!" Kingsley fell over, unconscious.
Harry looked over to see Fred standing with his wand up. He smiled at Harry.
"Thanks, mate. Let's get up to Hermione and Krum. We need to get out of here." he replied.
He dashed up the stairs with the others following behind him. Hermione was on the ground next to Krum's body. She wasn't crying, but staring emptily at the corpse in front of her. Harry went to her side and pulled her to her feet.
"We need to get you lot to Hogwarts." George stated. Harry nodded.
He looked over at Malfoy, who was still standing in the doorway. He was watching Hermione, looking every so often, at Krum's body.
"How the hell are we supposed to get there? Especially carrying a dead body." He asked finally.
"I'll go get Fleur. She can get a hold of Dumbledore quicker than we can." George told them and apparated. Harry held Hermione close. She rested her head on Harry's shoulder. He noticed Malfoy glaring at them. A few moments later George returned with a very beautiful, but confused Fleur. She was more beautiful than Harry had remembered. She looked older and to his recollection, more Veelaesque. He hadn't realized he let go of Hermione and stood in front of Fleur, blushing.
"Oh, 'Arry!" she smiled and hugged him. She let go at the sight of Krum. She walked over to his body.
"He was hit by the killing curse. A traitor from our side did it." explained Fred.
"Oh mon dieu, non non. Je suis désol" she gasped, then turned back around.
"Dumbly-dorr has zent me order to transport you to zi castle. You are of zi age to apparate, even though you've not completed zi exams, and he will explain zis to zi ministry."
"We don't even know how to apparate yet." Malfoy pointed out, joining the rest of the group.
"Zis does not matter. You will not be zi one performing zi task. Just hold on to one of us." she explained.
Harry and Malfoy both reached towards Fleur. Malfoy got there first and smirked at Harry. Harry and Hermione went to Fred's side, and George went over to Krum. Harry grabbed Fred's arm as Hermione grabbed his waist, and a moment later they found themselves in the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. The others arrived at their side. Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were waiting, and she rushed to Krum's side immediately. Ron and Ginny rushed over to Ron and Harry. Harry felt Ginny wrap her arms around him in a hug.
"I'm so glad you all are safe." she smiled.
"What happened, mate? Is Krum okay?" Ron asked.
"He's dead. Kingsley got to him when he was protecting Malfoy." Harry replied.
"Are you serious?"
"I think we best go up to my office." Dumbledore told the group. They followed him through the corridors and to the gargoyle. Harry looked back at the others. Ginny was comforting Hermione. Fred and George were talking quietly to themselves. Malfoy and Fleur were whispering. She laughed half heartedly at something he said.
"Here we are then. Bee of Bumble." Dumbledore said the password and the staircase emerged.
Waiting in the office was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and Lupin. Harry was relieved to see that the witch that had died wasn't from the Order. He and the others took a seat in the circle of chairs. The others there were all talking amongst themselves.
"Now that you're here and safe, I can explain things to you that I couldn't in the owl or through Fred and George." Dumbledore started, sitting down at his desk.
Dumbledore went on to explain how they'd thought someone from the Order had traded sides, but they had no proof of who it had been. It wasn't until the received the letter stating that they were to be attacked that they knew it was Kingsley. The witch that had died had indeed been from the Order, but it wasn't anyone Harry had heard of. Kingsley had been punished for assisting in the escape, which explained the scars and bruises. Dumbledore then went on and told them that, for a while now; the Order had been researching into the Malfoy's history. They were just as clueless as the rest as to why Lucius was so insistent on returning his son to Voldemort. Under normal circumstances they believed he'd just disown Draco and would have killed him when he had the opportunity to back in March. All they were able to find out was that there was a prophecy made while Tom Riddle had still been attending school, and they believed that it had something to do with Draco still being alive and being hunted. He'd sent Draco to stay with the Dursley's as they suspected neither Lucius nor Voldemort would ever think to check there. It was known to them that he and Harry were not friends, and it'd be one of the last places he would go. He would also temporarily be protected by the same bonds as Harry, as no one could attack him while he was with Harry, who was out of Voldemort's reach at his relatives' dwelling. Harry's body ached with exhaustion by the time Dumbledore finished wrapping up.
"We have a plan to get the prophecy, but it won't be an easy task. Obviously this is something of great importance to Voldemort, which means it is of great importance to us. The plan is to send a few of you back to Tom Riddle's sixth year. That was the year the prophecy was made. We will disguise you as foreigners and sort you into Slytherin. The task will be to befriend Tom so that you will be around when the prophecy is made or long enough for him to trust the secret to one of you." he told the group.
"I'll go... I've used the Time Turner before." Hermione sighed, raising her hand.
"Okay, is there one more person up to the task? Besides you, Harry. There are things I need you here for. Besides, it wouldn't be wise as Voldemort knows exactly who you are now, it might have an undesired effect." Dumbledore replied, noticing Harry who was about to raise his hand.
"I'll go too." Malfoy volunteered.
"We'll go." the twins stated. Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, you two may go with her. Mr. Malfoy, I think it's best if you stay here. It's too risky, as they will be around your relative. There are some things I need to discuss with you as well. You and Harry are both in too much trouble with the ministry as it is, and it won't look good if you two are sneaking off back in time."
"If the prophecy has to do with me, I have a right to be there. And with a Time Turner won't they just return to this time and location when they're done? Why do you need us here?" Malfoy protested. Harry was confused too. When he'd gone back in time his third year, they were able to return right to the spot where they'd just left.
"They will be there for an undecided amount of time, as we don't know exactly when the prophecy was told. Such a length in time can have an effect on the present. They will be returning one week before the term begins. It is best this way." Dumbledore half explained.
"When do we leave?" asked Fred.
"Tomorrow morning. I ask that you three research the time period tonight so that you can act accordingly. Also, my past tense self will know you're coming. I sent myself a note yesterday." Dumbledore smiled.
"Now you all should get to your dormitories. Your things will be brought up shortly." Mr. Weasley told the group. Everyone nodded and stood up.
"We'll be having supper in the Room of Requirement tonight. I expect you all to be down there in about an hour. Hermione, may a please have a word with you darling? You too Ginny." Mrs. Weasley announced.
Hermione and Ginny went over to her, leaving Ron and Harry to walk back to Gryffindor tower with Fred and George. Harry watched as Malfoy went off in the opposite direction with Fleur.
"You know until a week ago, I never imagined we'd be back here." Fred stated, as they ascended the stairs up to the Fat Lady.
"Yeah, we saw what's left of our swamp. Nice of Flitwick." George commented.
"Pollywog." Ron told the Fat Lady when they reached the top of the staircase. The door swung open.
The common room was hot, dry, and vacant. Not at all what Harry was used to. A few books were strewn out on the tables. He felt uncomfortable being there. His mind was still haunted with Krum. He'd been so relieved just a few hours ago, knowing he could come back, but now that he was in Hogwarts again he wanted to be anywhere else. He sat down on his bed while Ron opened a window in their room.
"Bloody hot weather. Grimmauld's felt a lot cooler than this. Are you ready for your apparation exam?" Ron asked sitting down on his own bed. Fred and George had remained down in the common room with Ginny.
"Er... I haven't really been studying."
"Yeah, we heard about the court case from Dumbledore who assured us you were coming back. It was Malfoy's fault wasn't it?"
"Not really I guess, although he didn't help the situation any. He threatened my Uncle."
"Really rotten luck having to spend so much time with him. I was hoping that this year we wouldn't have to put up with and go back to hating him. Now with him as Head Boy and Hermione as Head Girl though, I just don't see that happening. How were they acting around each other?"
"Tossing insults at each other, mostly. He won't let her go. Seems as if she's over him though."
"You two have to come and see this." said George as he rushed into the room. Ron and Harry got up and followed him out of Gryffindor Tower.
"That's bollocks, Malfoy! Why are you jumping down my throat about this now? What do you care?" a girl was yelling. Malfoy stood at the end of the staircase with Fleur, glaring at his accuser.
It took a moment for Harry to realize that the girl with the temper was Hermione. Her hair was no longer frizzy, but in soft managed girls. It was also the deepest shade of natural red he'd ever seen. Ron seemed to have noticed it too, as he was standing next to Harry gawking with his mouth open. Harry elbowed him to close his mouth.
"You're the one who started this, Granger. The jealousy your showing is so uncharacteristic that it's pathetic. You're the one who ended it remember? And trying to throw your relationship with Krum in my face, as if I actually really cared. I'm the best you've ever had, and you know it and I know it. You gave that up. Why would I be jealous of someone who's so below me? He's nothing compared to what I was!" he sneered at her.
"What's going on?" Harry asked George quietly.
"I don't know. Apparently Malfoy and Fleur were doing something when Hermione interrupted."
"At least that's what we've gotten from the argument." Fred added.
"Yeah, we were in the common room when we heard the yelling."
"You know what you are? You're a little boy, Draco Malfoy. You don't get what you want so you cry and complain about it expecting everyone around you to take pity on you. You try and make people look bad for your own mistakes. This is why it ended, because you have no idea what a relationship is. You go for whatever you're attracted to at the moment and run with it. You can't make your own decisions, and you allow everyone else to do the work for you. Which isn't going to happen as Head Boy, by the way. You're no different now than when we first met on the train coming to Hogwarts are first year. You know, I do pity you though, Draco. I pity the fact that you're so naive and narcissistic that you really can't see what's two inches in front of you. That makes you a lost pathetic soul, and I pity you for it. That also doesn't make you all that different from your own father." she snapped back at him, and took off up the staircase so fast she nearly knocked Ron and Harry down. Malfoy just stood there stunned.
The next morning Harry and Ron woke up early. They wanted to say goodbye to Hermione and the twins before they left. They got dressed quickly then went to Dumbledore's office. Hermione was standing next to Mrs. Weasley, talking quietly with her and Tonks. Fred and George weren't there yet, neither was Dumbledore. Harry and Ron nodded at Moody and took seats. Dumbledore came into the room. In his hand was the Time Turner. Snape walked in behind him. He looked around the room.
"They're late. Not surprising." he muttered. Fred and George ran into the room, knocking into Snape.
"Sorry!"
"We overslept." they explained.
"Glad you've decided to join us. I shouldn't have to remind you that there is no running in the school. If you were still pupils here I would've had to use disciplinary actions." Snape told them. Fred rolled his eyes.
"Well then it's a good thing we're not students anymore, isn't it?" George said with a smile. Snape narrowed his eyes at him.
"I assume you three read the literature I left you last night?" Dumbledore stated as Fred and George went over to Hermione. All three of them nodded.
"Good. Now here are the books you will be needing for your courses. I must state that it is of utmost importance that you do not use spells that you aren't supposed to be qualified for. That list I gave you of what was still banned from underage students at that time is very important. Your headmaster, Armando Dippet, is very well aware of the situation at hand. You will be given new names of course, and will be sorted into Slytherin. From what we know, the prophecy was made during the second term. Whether it was before or after the Chamber of Secrets was opened, we're not sure. So you will be sent back as if you are joining Hogwarts after the Holidays." Dumbledore explained further.
Fred, George, and Hermione each grabbed a set of books. They huddled together as everyone said their goodbyes. Mrs. Weasley burst into tears and hugged her sons tight.
"It's okay, mom. Really." Fred coughed as he was being hugged tight. After everyone regrouped, Dumbledore brought forward the Time Turner. Hermione took it from him when offered and placed it around her neck and the twins.
"You all will be Weasley related, cousins so to speak, with the last name of Ellis. George your name is Cerrick. Fred, yours will be Kenton. Hermione, yours is Theresa." Dumbledore told them quietly, as if he didn't want anyone overhearing.
"Wait, I've heard these names before..." Hermione replied.
"Turn it forward three times and back two." Dumbledore instructed, with a wink.
Harry watched as Hermione turned the Time Turner, as he'd seen her do before. Within an instant, she and the twins vanished. They were gone.
"I... I don't know." Harry stammered. One of the other Death Eaters pulled him up out of his chair.
"Should we take this one then, sir? He's the one the Lord really wants."
"Harry Potter is not of our concern. Let go of him."
"But sir, the Lord will be pleased."
"Drop him! I know the kid is here."
"You're pathetic Kingsley. Everything that Dumbledore's done for you. This is how you repay him?" spat Harry. The Death Eater that Harry had recognized grabbed him by the throat and pinned him to the wall. Harry spit in his face and kicked him, releasing the grip around his neck. Malfoy and Krum came running down the stairs.
"That's him! That's the one, come on." Kingsley ordered, wiping his mask. He and the other four Death Eaters advanced towards the staircase.
"Back upstairs." Krum told Malfoy.
"No, if they want me they have to get me." Malfoy replied, and pulled out his wand.
"Now is not the time to be noble!" Hermione yelled at him.
"Someone shut up the mudblood." a Death Eater snarled.
One of the others grabbed her roughly and held his wand up to her neck. Fred and George jumped forward, but they were caught with a binding charm. They struggled against the ropes.
"Let her go! She won't get in the way. This has nothing to do with her." Malfoy told them.
"Aw, the kid's still got feelings for the mudblood whore." a Death Eater taunted.
"Yeah he wouldn't say that if he knew what his father did to her." another one chimed in.
"I wouldn't mind having my way with her." the masked figure ran a finger across Hermione's face and tightened his grip on her.
"Leave her alone!" Malfoy yelled and moved forward. Krum pushed him back.
"Do you think you're going to stop us? This isn't a game of Quidditch boy. Avada Kedavra." hissed Kingsley.
No sooner than he had, Viktor Krum fell to the floor. Malfoy looked at the body horrified. Fred and George stopped struggling against the binding and stared. Hermione screamed and fought against her attacker. He held her tighter and dug his fingers into her small frame. The tenants of the pub screamed, some women began to cry and one was trying to comfort her wailing baby. Tom, the innkeeper, was horrorstruck.
Thoughts were running through Harry's head a million a mile. He was seething. Krum had done nothing wrong. This was senseless. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened. He did the first thing that came to his mind and freed the twins. The three of them attacked the Death Eaters shooting curses at them. Others in the tavern joined in. Malfoy took the opportunity he had and sent the Cruciatus Curse at Hermione's captor. He let go of her and fell to the floor, writhing in pain. Malfoy grabbed Hermione's wrist and pulled her back.
"Take Viktor's body upstairs and stay up there." he told her.
"I... I can't... I."Do it!" he said, harshly. She nodded and he let go of her shaking wrist.
As Hermione levitated Krum's body up the stairs, Malfoy joined the others. Fred and George had cornered one of the Death Eaters into a corner and were torturing it with various hexes. Harry had just knocked one out and went to help another wizard fight off another. Kingsley was getting angry.
"Do not give in. We are not leaving here without him!" he shouted. He turned to Malfoy.
"Here I am, what are you waiting for?" Malfoy taunted and took to a dueling stance.
Kingsley pulled off his mask. Harry stopped and noted that he'd been beaten since the last time they'd seen him in the tailor's shop. There were faint lines of scars left when cuts had been magically tampered with. He also had random bruises on his neck and jaw line. Harry pointed his wand at Kingsley's back.
"Arania Exumai!"
A bright white light protruded from Harry's wand and headed in Kingsley's direction. Kingsley quickly turned around and blocked the stunning spell. He laughed.
"Foolish boy."
"Flipendo!" Kingsley fell over, unconscious.
Harry looked over to see Fred standing with his wand up. He smiled at Harry.
"Thanks, mate. Let's get up to Hermione and Krum. We need to get out of here." he replied.
He dashed up the stairs with the others following behind him. Hermione was on the ground next to Krum's body. She wasn't crying, but staring emptily at the corpse in front of her. Harry went to her side and pulled her to her feet.
"We need to get you lot to Hogwarts." George stated. Harry nodded.
He looked over at Malfoy, who was still standing in the doorway. He was watching Hermione, looking every so often, at Krum's body.
"How the hell are we supposed to get there? Especially carrying a dead body." He asked finally.
"I'll go get Fleur. She can get a hold of Dumbledore quicker than we can." George told them and apparated. Harry held Hermione close. She rested her head on Harry's shoulder. He noticed Malfoy glaring at them. A few moments later George returned with a very beautiful, but confused Fleur. She was more beautiful than Harry had remembered. She looked older and to his recollection, more Veelaesque. He hadn't realized he let go of Hermione and stood in front of Fleur, blushing.
"Oh, 'Arry!" she smiled and hugged him. She let go at the sight of Krum. She walked over to his body.
"He was hit by the killing curse. A traitor from our side did it." explained Fred.
"Oh mon dieu, non non. Je suis désol" she gasped, then turned back around.
"Dumbly-dorr has zent me order to transport you to zi castle. You are of zi age to apparate, even though you've not completed zi exams, and he will explain zis to zi ministry."
"We don't even know how to apparate yet." Malfoy pointed out, joining the rest of the group.
"Zis does not matter. You will not be zi one performing zi task. Just hold on to one of us." she explained.
Harry and Malfoy both reached towards Fleur. Malfoy got there first and smirked at Harry. Harry and Hermione went to Fred's side, and George went over to Krum. Harry grabbed Fred's arm as Hermione grabbed his waist, and a moment later they found themselves in the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. The others arrived at their side. Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey were waiting, and she rushed to Krum's side immediately. Ron and Ginny rushed over to Ron and Harry. Harry felt Ginny wrap her arms around him in a hug.
"I'm so glad you all are safe." she smiled.
"What happened, mate? Is Krum okay?" Ron asked.
"He's dead. Kingsley got to him when he was protecting Malfoy." Harry replied.
"Are you serious?"
"I think we best go up to my office." Dumbledore told the group. They followed him through the corridors and to the gargoyle. Harry looked back at the others. Ginny was comforting Hermione. Fred and George were talking quietly to themselves. Malfoy and Fleur were whispering. She laughed half heartedly at something he said.
"Here we are then. Bee of Bumble." Dumbledore said the password and the staircase emerged.
Waiting in the office was Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Tonks, and Lupin. Harry was relieved to see that the witch that had died wasn't from the Order. He and the others took a seat in the circle of chairs. The others there were all talking amongst themselves.
"Now that you're here and safe, I can explain things to you that I couldn't in the owl or through Fred and George." Dumbledore started, sitting down at his desk.
Dumbledore went on to explain how they'd thought someone from the Order had traded sides, but they had no proof of who it had been. It wasn't until the received the letter stating that they were to be attacked that they knew it was Kingsley. The witch that had died had indeed been from the Order, but it wasn't anyone Harry had heard of. Kingsley had been punished for assisting in the escape, which explained the scars and bruises. Dumbledore then went on and told them that, for a while now; the Order had been researching into the Malfoy's history. They were just as clueless as the rest as to why Lucius was so insistent on returning his son to Voldemort. Under normal circumstances they believed he'd just disown Draco and would have killed him when he had the opportunity to back in March. All they were able to find out was that there was a prophecy made while Tom Riddle had still been attending school, and they believed that it had something to do with Draco still being alive and being hunted. He'd sent Draco to stay with the Dursley's as they suspected neither Lucius nor Voldemort would ever think to check there. It was known to them that he and Harry were not friends, and it'd be one of the last places he would go. He would also temporarily be protected by the same bonds as Harry, as no one could attack him while he was with Harry, who was out of Voldemort's reach at his relatives' dwelling. Harry's body ached with exhaustion by the time Dumbledore finished wrapping up.
"We have a plan to get the prophecy, but it won't be an easy task. Obviously this is something of great importance to Voldemort, which means it is of great importance to us. The plan is to send a few of you back to Tom Riddle's sixth year. That was the year the prophecy was made. We will disguise you as foreigners and sort you into Slytherin. The task will be to befriend Tom so that you will be around when the prophecy is made or long enough for him to trust the secret to one of you." he told the group.
"I'll go... I've used the Time Turner before." Hermione sighed, raising her hand.
"Okay, is there one more person up to the task? Besides you, Harry. There are things I need you here for. Besides, it wouldn't be wise as Voldemort knows exactly who you are now, it might have an undesired effect." Dumbledore replied, noticing Harry who was about to raise his hand.
"I'll go too." Malfoy volunteered.
"We'll go." the twins stated. Dumbledore nodded.
"Yes, you two may go with her. Mr. Malfoy, I think it's best if you stay here. It's too risky, as they will be around your relative. There are some things I need to discuss with you as well. You and Harry are both in too much trouble with the ministry as it is, and it won't look good if you two are sneaking off back in time."
"If the prophecy has to do with me, I have a right to be there. And with a Time Turner won't they just return to this time and location when they're done? Why do you need us here?" Malfoy protested. Harry was confused too. When he'd gone back in time his third year, they were able to return right to the spot where they'd just left.
"They will be there for an undecided amount of time, as we don't know exactly when the prophecy was told. Such a length in time can have an effect on the present. They will be returning one week before the term begins. It is best this way." Dumbledore half explained.
"When do we leave?" asked Fred.
"Tomorrow morning. I ask that you three research the time period tonight so that you can act accordingly. Also, my past tense self will know you're coming. I sent myself a note yesterday." Dumbledore smiled.
"Now you all should get to your dormitories. Your things will be brought up shortly." Mr. Weasley told the group. Everyone nodded and stood up.
"We'll be having supper in the Room of Requirement tonight. I expect you all to be down there in about an hour. Hermione, may a please have a word with you darling? You too Ginny." Mrs. Weasley announced.
Hermione and Ginny went over to her, leaving Ron and Harry to walk back to Gryffindor tower with Fred and George. Harry watched as Malfoy went off in the opposite direction with Fleur.
"You know until a week ago, I never imagined we'd be back here." Fred stated, as they ascended the stairs up to the Fat Lady.
"Yeah, we saw what's left of our swamp. Nice of Flitwick." George commented.
"Pollywog." Ron told the Fat Lady when they reached the top of the staircase. The door swung open.
The common room was hot, dry, and vacant. Not at all what Harry was used to. A few books were strewn out on the tables. He felt uncomfortable being there. His mind was still haunted with Krum. He'd been so relieved just a few hours ago, knowing he could come back, but now that he was in Hogwarts again he wanted to be anywhere else. He sat down on his bed while Ron opened a window in their room.
"Bloody hot weather. Grimmauld's felt a lot cooler than this. Are you ready for your apparation exam?" Ron asked sitting down on his own bed. Fred and George had remained down in the common room with Ginny.
"Er... I haven't really been studying."
"Yeah, we heard about the court case from Dumbledore who assured us you were coming back. It was Malfoy's fault wasn't it?"
"Not really I guess, although he didn't help the situation any. He threatened my Uncle."
"Really rotten luck having to spend so much time with him. I was hoping that this year we wouldn't have to put up with and go back to hating him. Now with him as Head Boy and Hermione as Head Girl though, I just don't see that happening. How were they acting around each other?"
"Tossing insults at each other, mostly. He won't let her go. Seems as if she's over him though."
"You two have to come and see this." said George as he rushed into the room. Ron and Harry got up and followed him out of Gryffindor Tower.
"That's bollocks, Malfoy! Why are you jumping down my throat about this now? What do you care?" a girl was yelling. Malfoy stood at the end of the staircase with Fleur, glaring at his accuser.
It took a moment for Harry to realize that the girl with the temper was Hermione. Her hair was no longer frizzy, but in soft managed girls. It was also the deepest shade of natural red he'd ever seen. Ron seemed to have noticed it too, as he was standing next to Harry gawking with his mouth open. Harry elbowed him to close his mouth.
"You're the one who started this, Granger. The jealousy your showing is so uncharacteristic that it's pathetic. You're the one who ended it remember? And trying to throw your relationship with Krum in my face, as if I actually really cared. I'm the best you've ever had, and you know it and I know it. You gave that up. Why would I be jealous of someone who's so below me? He's nothing compared to what I was!" he sneered at her.
"What's going on?" Harry asked George quietly.
"I don't know. Apparently Malfoy and Fleur were doing something when Hermione interrupted."
"At least that's what we've gotten from the argument." Fred added.
"Yeah, we were in the common room when we heard the yelling."
"You know what you are? You're a little boy, Draco Malfoy. You don't get what you want so you cry and complain about it expecting everyone around you to take pity on you. You try and make people look bad for your own mistakes. This is why it ended, because you have no idea what a relationship is. You go for whatever you're attracted to at the moment and run with it. You can't make your own decisions, and you allow everyone else to do the work for you. Which isn't going to happen as Head Boy, by the way. You're no different now than when we first met on the train coming to Hogwarts are first year. You know, I do pity you though, Draco. I pity the fact that you're so naive and narcissistic that you really can't see what's two inches in front of you. That makes you a lost pathetic soul, and I pity you for it. That also doesn't make you all that different from your own father." she snapped back at him, and took off up the staircase so fast she nearly knocked Ron and Harry down. Malfoy just stood there stunned.
The next morning Harry and Ron woke up early. They wanted to say goodbye to Hermione and the twins before they left. They got dressed quickly then went to Dumbledore's office. Hermione was standing next to Mrs. Weasley, talking quietly with her and Tonks. Fred and George weren't there yet, neither was Dumbledore. Harry and Ron nodded at Moody and took seats. Dumbledore came into the room. In his hand was the Time Turner. Snape walked in behind him. He looked around the room.
"They're late. Not surprising." he muttered. Fred and George ran into the room, knocking into Snape.
"Sorry!"
"We overslept." they explained.
"Glad you've decided to join us. I shouldn't have to remind you that there is no running in the school. If you were still pupils here I would've had to use disciplinary actions." Snape told them. Fred rolled his eyes.
"Well then it's a good thing we're not students anymore, isn't it?" George said with a smile. Snape narrowed his eyes at him.
"I assume you three read the literature I left you last night?" Dumbledore stated as Fred and George went over to Hermione. All three of them nodded.
"Good. Now here are the books you will be needing for your courses. I must state that it is of utmost importance that you do not use spells that you aren't supposed to be qualified for. That list I gave you of what was still banned from underage students at that time is very important. Your headmaster, Armando Dippet, is very well aware of the situation at hand. You will be given new names of course, and will be sorted into Slytherin. From what we know, the prophecy was made during the second term. Whether it was before or after the Chamber of Secrets was opened, we're not sure. So you will be sent back as if you are joining Hogwarts after the Holidays." Dumbledore explained further.
Fred, George, and Hermione each grabbed a set of books. They huddled together as everyone said their goodbyes. Mrs. Weasley burst into tears and hugged her sons tight.
"It's okay, mom. Really." Fred coughed as he was being hugged tight. After everyone regrouped, Dumbledore brought forward the Time Turner. Hermione took it from him when offered and placed it around her neck and the twins.
"You all will be Weasley related, cousins so to speak, with the last name of Ellis. George your name is Cerrick. Fred, yours will be Kenton. Hermione, yours is Theresa." Dumbledore told them quietly, as if he didn't want anyone overhearing.
"Wait, I've heard these names before..." Hermione replied.
"Turn it forward three times and back two." Dumbledore instructed, with a wink.
Harry watched as Hermione turned the Time Turner, as he'd seen her do before. Within an instant, she and the twins vanished. They were gone.