Wow! Even more reviews! I'm so touched guys, really. It's nice to know I'm
not writing complete b/s that noone understands!
HermyGWeasley- my loyal reviewer! Thank you so much for writing every chapter, makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside! You're a star x
George-and-Hermione- glad you like it, I'm going for the 'cute' side of it, but this next chapter should spice things up a little! Hope you like it!
Pixieballerina- nice name btw! Glad you like it! Here's the next update!
Well here we go (oh, and btw, I realised how many grammatical mistakes I've made when my bro decided to read it and point them all out to me! Sorry if it makes it difficult to understand. I'm generally a fast typer but that naturally comes with mistakes! Sorry!)
'Well, it's gotta be a surprise.'
'Duh. What you think we're gonna invite him to plan his own birthday party.'
'Well, from what I've heard and seen of the Dunces-'
'Dursleys.'
'Whatever. Well, from what we've seen and heard, I doubt he even knows what a birthday party is.'
'That's true. Remember his first Christmas at school? He almost collapsed with shock when he found out he'd got presents!'
'Yeah, or that may have been the jumper mum knitted for him. I've always found them a bit tight round the neck. Makes it a little difficult to breathe, y'know?'
'Hmmm...'
The twins sat on their beds, heads together, planning the party they were going to throw for Harry the next day. And in true Weasley twin style, they were going to make sure it was a party he never forgot... unless someone accidentally Obliviated him, but the chances of that were slim to none... Okay, slim.
'We're going to have to tell mum what we've got planned,' George stated morosely. If Mrs Weasley was involved, in any way shape or form, the party's fun-factor was likely to drop from a 9.5 to 2.
'Not everything?' asked Fred worried.
'Well, obviously not everything. That would ruin the whole point!'
So for the next fifteen minutes they discussed what they should and shouldn't tell their mother about what they had planned. Eventually they had it whittled down to two things they would and seventeen they wouldn't.
'So we tell her about what food and drink we need-' said Fred,
'But not anything about the decorations, the alcohol, the times we're staying up 'til, the party games, the amount of noise there will undoubtedly be, the clothes we're going to wear-'
'Oh come on. Ours is going to be pretty refined. It's just the girls they don't need to know about'
'Right. Well that makes three things we can tell her. Suddenly I don't feel so guilty!'
'Anything else we don't tell her about?'
'The fact that we're probably going to have to knock out both Mum and Dad and lock them in the broom cupboard so they can't upset our fun.'
'Is there any other way? I don't fancy the look on Mum's face when she gets out of the cupboard any more than a finding large dead Kneazle in the bath!'
'We could send them out for dinner...'
'That's an idea. They haven't been out for ages, it could be our treat for them. A sort of late anniversary present.'
'Fred. Their anniversary was last November.'
'Or a really early one.'
'I'm all for that. Let's go put it to them.'
Ten minutes later
'Well, I must say, that's a lovely idea boys,' smiled Mrs Weasley. 'Your father and I haven't been out for ages. And we're not really doing anything tomorrow either.' The twins nodded encouragingly. 'Alright, what is it? What do you want?'
'Nothing mum,' said Fred smoothly. 'Really,' he enforced.
'We just figured that we've been getting up your backs a little lately and you seem a little tense.'
'So why not send you out for a nice quiet evening with dad?'
'You won't even have to do any cooking...' George whispered silkily. 'None at all.' A glazed expression grew on Mrs Weasley's face.
'No cooking. That does sound good,' and she wandered away in a blissful manner, emerging herself in a world without the chore of cooking.
'Sorted,' the twins grinned at each other and ran back up the stairs.
'Ok, what are you two up to?!' The twins stopped in their tracks as the saw Hermione, spread out luxuriously on Fred's bed, a look of intense interest on her face as she looked at the twins intently.
'Up to?' George enquired innocently. Hermione grinned.
'Yes, up to,' and when the twins faces remained impassive (they were very practised at this) she pressed on, 'sending your parents out to dinner, all expenses on you. I might have changed on the outside, but I'm not stupid. What's up?'
The twins had to tell her. Even if they didn't want to (which they did) they would have had to, that face just couldn't be refused.
'Ok,' relented Fred, sitting down on her feet, smiling at her. 'We're organising a surprise party for Harry's birthday tomorrow.'
'Seriously?!'
'Seriously,' said George, attempting to sit on Hermione's stomach and getting shoved off, having to kneel by the side of the bed instead. 'But keep it quiet. We've already told Ginny about it and that's why she and Harry haven't been seen for the last two hours.' The twins both shuddered involuntarily and Fred continued,
'So we've been able to plan in peace. Only trouble is-'
'You can't tell your mum, right?' asked Hermione and the twins both nodded. 'Okay,' said Hermione, 'what's going on with this party that means you need them out of the house?' The twins glanced at each other and Fred handed Hermione the list they had made. She glanced down at it, eyebrows raised.
'Well?' asked George. 'What do you think?' subconsciously playing with a strand of Hermione's hair that was hanging off the bed, then coming to his senses and dropping it quickly. Hermione scanned the list and leaned forward to grab the pen that Fred had put behind his ear.
'Yes, okay, hmmm... yeah actually that might be alright, how much?!, we'll see, no, yes, no, no-' The twins exchanged glances. Maybe the Hermione they knew hadn't changed quite as much as they'd thought.
'You have GOT TO BE KIDDING!'
'Shhhhhhhh!' said George, clamping a hand over Hermione's mouth who looked shocked at the contact.
'Grge... cnt... brth...' came her voice from behind his hand.
'What? Oh, sorry!' and he removed the hand, however reluctantly, from her lips.
'It's okay. But THIS isn't,' and she pointed to the paper, and the twins craned in for a better look.
'Oh, that,' said George grinning.
'Oh come on 'mione, it'll be fun,' said Fred. 'Pleeeeease?'
'NO'.
'Ah well, it was worth a try,' said George turning back to the list.
'Oh, and one question,' Hermione turned to Fred. 'Is this your writing?' and Fred nodded. 'Thought so. Anyway, just exactly how much alcohol do you mean when you put "lots"?' Fred grinned the grin that suggested pure evil behind the rather innocent and good-looking face-
'Ah Hermione, darling sweetie pie. Is mummy's little girl worried about alcohol consumption?'
'Not worried no. Just curious,' Hermione replied trying to keep her face straight and failing immensely. You just couldn't stop smiling when you looked at his face.
'Well then. Why don't you just be content with "as much as we can lay our hands on"!'
So for the next couple of hours, the three of them sat discussing all the particulars of what the party was going to entail. In truth the twins hardly took in much more than a couple of points, too concentrated on the girl who had changed herself so much, but also seemed to be changing them too. They also failed to notice a distinct lack of Ron around the house, unaware he was sat outside their room, listening in on everything they were discussing.
'Okay then mum, have a good time.'
'Are you sure you kids will be alright? I mean, I don't have to go if you'd prefer not-'
'No, really mum, we'll be just fine.'
'Alright then boys, look after everyone won't you? God help me, I'm putting you in charge seeing as you're the oldest.'
'Thanks mum.'
And with that, plus a little chivvying from the twins, Mr and Mrs Weasley left the house, hopefully not to return until past midnight.
'Sorted,' they grinned and went to find Hermione who had taken up responsibility for the decorating.
'Have they left?'
'Yup, and that gives up about six hours to ourselves,' said Fred jovially. 'How's the decorating going?'
'What does it look like?' asked Hermione exasperatedly. 'I thought this was going to be fun, you know, streamers and things, but I just keep tripping over it all. I'm not terribly artistic,' she concluded miserably.
'Please pretty please tell me you're not trying to do that without magic,' said Fred, grinning at the amount of tissue paper had managed to get tangled in her hair.
'Here,' said George, and with a flick of his wand, every single decoration flew, not into their place, but at Hermione, causing her to fall over into Fred and they both collided to the floor, yelling incoherently at George.
'Oops. Sorry guys,' apologized George, helping them to their feet and smirking at the position they were both in. In truth, they looked like they were conjoined at the head. 'Hehe, it's a nice look guys, you might want to consider staying like that!' Both Hermione and Fred, looking equally abashed at the situation, started yelling at George again to get them untangled.
'THIS IS NOT DIGNIFI-'
'I SWEAR GEORGE, YOU'LL BE IN SO MIUCH SH-'
'AND IF YOU DON'T GET US OUT OF THI-'
'YOU'D BETTER GET US UNTANG-'
'RIGHT NOW!!!' This last part, they yelled together at the same time with equally menacing looks on their faces, and they burst out laughing.
'Okay, okay, keep your hair on,' muttered George, 'although that wouldn't be too difficult seeing as it seems to be strapped to your head-'
'George, I'm warning you, brother or not, you will suffer if we're not out of here in ten seconds!'
So, with a flick of his wand, the decorations flew into a pile at the corner of the room, leaving Fred and Hermione to collapse onto the floor again, Hermione conveniently falling on top of Fred, winding him.
'Oh, sorry Fred, are you okay,' she asked concernedly as she rolled off him.
'Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Lucky for me you're quite petite. Now if it was someone like Pansy Parkinson-' he grinned evilly, 'I'd be in a much worse state!' And he heaved himself to his feet, offering Hermione his hand.
'Ouch! And yet so true!' Hermione grinned, taking Fred's hand, who pulled her up, perhaps a little too forcefully and, for the second time that holidays, Hermione found herself in the arms of a very good looking Weasley twin.
'Err... right... yeah, let's get these decorations fixed up then,' said Fred awkwardly, slowly letting Hermione go and turning to the large pile of decorations and pulling out his wand. As Fred fixed all the streamers into place, George whispered in Hermione's ear,
'Well, I may be able to mend bones, but when it comes to all the girly decorations and things, I usually have to leave it to Fred,' causing Hermione to giggle and turn to him.
'George?'
'Hmm?'
'Why didn't you do something becoming a healer? You'd have been really good at it.'
'Didn't get enough OWLs,' he replied simply. 'And then Umbridge drove us to the point of insanity so we left. Simple.'
'Yeah, but, do you really enjoy the whole joke shop thing?'
'Course I do... although-'
'Alright, that's done!' came Fred's voice from the other side of the room and they looked up. Every single possible surface was covered in streamers, paper chains, coloured bubbles and fizzing multicoloured sparks. And across the ceiling was a flashing banner reading
HAPPY 17TH BIRHTDAY HARRY!
'Umm, Fred?' asked Hermione tentatively.
'Yup?' said Fred jovially, clearly pleased with his effort.
'You, uh, can't spell birthday.'
'I what? Oh, crap!' and he fixed it to how it should be. 'D'you reckon he'd notice if we left it the way it was?'
'Oy, don't be mean, of course he would!' retorted Hermione, but she didn't look completely sure of herself. 'Okay, now this is done, I'm going to go and change. See you soon!' and she disappeared off upstairs, remembering to jump the trick step the twins had left there. She emerged half an hour later wearing a short black dress with a not-entirely-modest neckline.
'Wow,' the twins breathed.
'God Hermione, how do you expect us to live up to that?!' asked George, looking her up and down.
'Well, I'm off to go and put on MY dress,' said Fred grinning and ran off upstairs, presumably to go and find Ron and let Ginny know it was time to bring Harry downstairs.
Hermione turned to look at the table the twins had set up which was laden with food and lots and lots of drink, firewhisky, butterbeer and even some alcopops, though Hermione had no idea how the twins had managed to get hold of muggle drinks.
'What do you think?' asked George.
'Well, we're not going to go thirsty at any rate,' and George smiled at her. They turned when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs but it was only Fred and Ron, who was looking slightly dazed and tired.
'They're just coming,' said Fred. 'Everyone ready? Okay,' and with a wave of his wand, all the lights went out. Soon they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. And then a thump and shriek, several more thumps and a groan.
'Oh shite,' said George and relit the lights. Sure enough, Harry was once again at the bottom of the stairs cradling his wrist and Ginny was stuck in the trick step and Ron ran forward to release her.
'You really need to get rid of that before you kill someone!' Hermione said to the twins and they gave a small nod.
'Well, it's not the way we'd have chosen you to give your entrance Harry, but happy birthday anyway!' said George as Harry clambered to his feet and gave a shocked look at the room.
'Wow. Guys, you really didn't have to-'
'But we wanted to Harry,' said Hermione walking forward and hugging him. 'Happy Birthday!'
Five hours later, they were all to be found on the couch, all considerably more tipsy than they were at the beginning of the party but all seemingly very happy.
'Ohhhh,' groaned Ginny. 'I have eaten waaaay too much. I need the loo!' and she ran off.
'Do you reckon she's okay?' asked Fred?
'Ill go see,' said George and he went after Ginny.
'I'm going to get another butterbeer. Anyone want?' asked Ron. Everyone said they did so Harry agreed to help Ron go get some more glasses and butterbeers, leaving Fred and Hermione alone on the sofa.
'I think it went quite well, don't you?' giggled Hermione. 'Except the whole step thing, obviously'
'Yeah, I think Harry liked it which is cool. Whole point of the evening, right?'
'Right!' said Hermione who was still giggling.
'Mione, why are you giggling so much?' asked Fred.
'I think I'm a bit of a lightweight actually, did I mention that?' and she laughed so hard, she fell off the sofa onto the floor.
'Oh god, what are we going to do with you?' said Fred, pulling her up where she proceeded to sit on his lap.
'Well, whatever you want really.'
'Whatever I want? Anything?'
'Mmmhmmm,' mumbled Hermione. So he kissed her. And she kissed him back.
'Man, he's a good kisser,' Hermione thought as he deepened the kiss and she ran her fingers through his hair. And then they were interrupted...
'Mate, what's up with you lately? You've hardly spoken a word to any of us. What about 'mione, I'm sure she'd like to talk to you once in a while.' Ron and Harry were in the kitchen, searching for some clean glasses for more drinks.
'I don't really know 'bout that. She was perfectly content to talk to the twins for over two hours yesterday.'
'Only because you keep shutting yourself in your room.'
'You know what Harry? I... I'm not sure if I didn't prefer the old Hermione, you know?'
'What?! The old Hermione? Mate, she was quite pretty then, but seriously, are you feeling okay?'
'It's not just how she looks. When I heard her talking to Fred and George, she had so much confidence. She never used to be like that. I... I just don't think I deserve her.' And silence reigned.
'Well, if that's how you feel, let it all go mate. Seriously. Let her have someone else without going wild with jealousy.'
'Yeah. Yeah, you're right.' And they walked back into the room with the drinks. You know what they saw.
'Gin? You alright?'
'Yeah, I'm fine,' and she walked out of the loo. 'George, I just needed a piss that's all.'
'Oh, okay then.' They headed back to the room.
'George?'
'Yes, my darling wee sis?'
'There'd actually something I wanted to talk to you about-'
'What?'
'Actually, about Hermione. It's just that-'
And they walked back into the room. You know what they saw.
Keep reviewing! R xxx
HermyGWeasley- my loyal reviewer! Thank you so much for writing every chapter, makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside! You're a star x
George-and-Hermione- glad you like it, I'm going for the 'cute' side of it, but this next chapter should spice things up a little! Hope you like it!
Pixieballerina- nice name btw! Glad you like it! Here's the next update!
Well here we go (oh, and btw, I realised how many grammatical mistakes I've made when my bro decided to read it and point them all out to me! Sorry if it makes it difficult to understand. I'm generally a fast typer but that naturally comes with mistakes! Sorry!)
'Well, it's gotta be a surprise.'
'Duh. What you think we're gonna invite him to plan his own birthday party.'
'Well, from what I've heard and seen of the Dunces-'
'Dursleys.'
'Whatever. Well, from what we've seen and heard, I doubt he even knows what a birthday party is.'
'That's true. Remember his first Christmas at school? He almost collapsed with shock when he found out he'd got presents!'
'Yeah, or that may have been the jumper mum knitted for him. I've always found them a bit tight round the neck. Makes it a little difficult to breathe, y'know?'
'Hmmm...'
The twins sat on their beds, heads together, planning the party they were going to throw for Harry the next day. And in true Weasley twin style, they were going to make sure it was a party he never forgot... unless someone accidentally Obliviated him, but the chances of that were slim to none... Okay, slim.
'We're going to have to tell mum what we've got planned,' George stated morosely. If Mrs Weasley was involved, in any way shape or form, the party's fun-factor was likely to drop from a 9.5 to 2.
'Not everything?' asked Fred worried.
'Well, obviously not everything. That would ruin the whole point!'
So for the next fifteen minutes they discussed what they should and shouldn't tell their mother about what they had planned. Eventually they had it whittled down to two things they would and seventeen they wouldn't.
'So we tell her about what food and drink we need-' said Fred,
'But not anything about the decorations, the alcohol, the times we're staying up 'til, the party games, the amount of noise there will undoubtedly be, the clothes we're going to wear-'
'Oh come on. Ours is going to be pretty refined. It's just the girls they don't need to know about'
'Right. Well that makes three things we can tell her. Suddenly I don't feel so guilty!'
'Anything else we don't tell her about?'
'The fact that we're probably going to have to knock out both Mum and Dad and lock them in the broom cupboard so they can't upset our fun.'
'Is there any other way? I don't fancy the look on Mum's face when she gets out of the cupboard any more than a finding large dead Kneazle in the bath!'
'We could send them out for dinner...'
'That's an idea. They haven't been out for ages, it could be our treat for them. A sort of late anniversary present.'
'Fred. Their anniversary was last November.'
'Or a really early one.'
'I'm all for that. Let's go put it to them.'
Ten minutes later
'Well, I must say, that's a lovely idea boys,' smiled Mrs Weasley. 'Your father and I haven't been out for ages. And we're not really doing anything tomorrow either.' The twins nodded encouragingly. 'Alright, what is it? What do you want?'
'Nothing mum,' said Fred smoothly. 'Really,' he enforced.
'We just figured that we've been getting up your backs a little lately and you seem a little tense.'
'So why not send you out for a nice quiet evening with dad?'
'You won't even have to do any cooking...' George whispered silkily. 'None at all.' A glazed expression grew on Mrs Weasley's face.
'No cooking. That does sound good,' and she wandered away in a blissful manner, emerging herself in a world without the chore of cooking.
'Sorted,' the twins grinned at each other and ran back up the stairs.
'Ok, what are you two up to?!' The twins stopped in their tracks as the saw Hermione, spread out luxuriously on Fred's bed, a look of intense interest on her face as she looked at the twins intently.
'Up to?' George enquired innocently. Hermione grinned.
'Yes, up to,' and when the twins faces remained impassive (they were very practised at this) she pressed on, 'sending your parents out to dinner, all expenses on you. I might have changed on the outside, but I'm not stupid. What's up?'
The twins had to tell her. Even if they didn't want to (which they did) they would have had to, that face just couldn't be refused.
'Ok,' relented Fred, sitting down on her feet, smiling at her. 'We're organising a surprise party for Harry's birthday tomorrow.'
'Seriously?!'
'Seriously,' said George, attempting to sit on Hermione's stomach and getting shoved off, having to kneel by the side of the bed instead. 'But keep it quiet. We've already told Ginny about it and that's why she and Harry haven't been seen for the last two hours.' The twins both shuddered involuntarily and Fred continued,
'So we've been able to plan in peace. Only trouble is-'
'You can't tell your mum, right?' asked Hermione and the twins both nodded. 'Okay,' said Hermione, 'what's going on with this party that means you need them out of the house?' The twins glanced at each other and Fred handed Hermione the list they had made. She glanced down at it, eyebrows raised.
'Well?' asked George. 'What do you think?' subconsciously playing with a strand of Hermione's hair that was hanging off the bed, then coming to his senses and dropping it quickly. Hermione scanned the list and leaned forward to grab the pen that Fred had put behind his ear.
'Yes, okay, hmmm... yeah actually that might be alright, how much?!, we'll see, no, yes, no, no-' The twins exchanged glances. Maybe the Hermione they knew hadn't changed quite as much as they'd thought.
'You have GOT TO BE KIDDING!'
'Shhhhhhhh!' said George, clamping a hand over Hermione's mouth who looked shocked at the contact.
'Grge... cnt... brth...' came her voice from behind his hand.
'What? Oh, sorry!' and he removed the hand, however reluctantly, from her lips.
'It's okay. But THIS isn't,' and she pointed to the paper, and the twins craned in for a better look.
'Oh, that,' said George grinning.
'Oh come on 'mione, it'll be fun,' said Fred. 'Pleeeeease?'
'NO'.
'Ah well, it was worth a try,' said George turning back to the list.
'Oh, and one question,' Hermione turned to Fred. 'Is this your writing?' and Fred nodded. 'Thought so. Anyway, just exactly how much alcohol do you mean when you put "lots"?' Fred grinned the grin that suggested pure evil behind the rather innocent and good-looking face-
'Ah Hermione, darling sweetie pie. Is mummy's little girl worried about alcohol consumption?'
'Not worried no. Just curious,' Hermione replied trying to keep her face straight and failing immensely. You just couldn't stop smiling when you looked at his face.
'Well then. Why don't you just be content with "as much as we can lay our hands on"!'
So for the next couple of hours, the three of them sat discussing all the particulars of what the party was going to entail. In truth the twins hardly took in much more than a couple of points, too concentrated on the girl who had changed herself so much, but also seemed to be changing them too. They also failed to notice a distinct lack of Ron around the house, unaware he was sat outside their room, listening in on everything they were discussing.
'Okay then mum, have a good time.'
'Are you sure you kids will be alright? I mean, I don't have to go if you'd prefer not-'
'No, really mum, we'll be just fine.'
'Alright then boys, look after everyone won't you? God help me, I'm putting you in charge seeing as you're the oldest.'
'Thanks mum.'
And with that, plus a little chivvying from the twins, Mr and Mrs Weasley left the house, hopefully not to return until past midnight.
'Sorted,' they grinned and went to find Hermione who had taken up responsibility for the decorating.
'Have they left?'
'Yup, and that gives up about six hours to ourselves,' said Fred jovially. 'How's the decorating going?'
'What does it look like?' asked Hermione exasperatedly. 'I thought this was going to be fun, you know, streamers and things, but I just keep tripping over it all. I'm not terribly artistic,' she concluded miserably.
'Please pretty please tell me you're not trying to do that without magic,' said Fred, grinning at the amount of tissue paper had managed to get tangled in her hair.
'Here,' said George, and with a flick of his wand, every single decoration flew, not into their place, but at Hermione, causing her to fall over into Fred and they both collided to the floor, yelling incoherently at George.
'Oops. Sorry guys,' apologized George, helping them to their feet and smirking at the position they were both in. In truth, they looked like they were conjoined at the head. 'Hehe, it's a nice look guys, you might want to consider staying like that!' Both Hermione and Fred, looking equally abashed at the situation, started yelling at George again to get them untangled.
'THIS IS NOT DIGNIFI-'
'I SWEAR GEORGE, YOU'LL BE IN SO MIUCH SH-'
'AND IF YOU DON'T GET US OUT OF THI-'
'YOU'D BETTER GET US UNTANG-'
'RIGHT NOW!!!' This last part, they yelled together at the same time with equally menacing looks on their faces, and they burst out laughing.
'Okay, okay, keep your hair on,' muttered George, 'although that wouldn't be too difficult seeing as it seems to be strapped to your head-'
'George, I'm warning you, brother or not, you will suffer if we're not out of here in ten seconds!'
So, with a flick of his wand, the decorations flew into a pile at the corner of the room, leaving Fred and Hermione to collapse onto the floor again, Hermione conveniently falling on top of Fred, winding him.
'Oh, sorry Fred, are you okay,' she asked concernedly as she rolled off him.
'Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Lucky for me you're quite petite. Now if it was someone like Pansy Parkinson-' he grinned evilly, 'I'd be in a much worse state!' And he heaved himself to his feet, offering Hermione his hand.
'Ouch! And yet so true!' Hermione grinned, taking Fred's hand, who pulled her up, perhaps a little too forcefully and, for the second time that holidays, Hermione found herself in the arms of a very good looking Weasley twin.
'Err... right... yeah, let's get these decorations fixed up then,' said Fred awkwardly, slowly letting Hermione go and turning to the large pile of decorations and pulling out his wand. As Fred fixed all the streamers into place, George whispered in Hermione's ear,
'Well, I may be able to mend bones, but when it comes to all the girly decorations and things, I usually have to leave it to Fred,' causing Hermione to giggle and turn to him.
'George?'
'Hmm?'
'Why didn't you do something becoming a healer? You'd have been really good at it.'
'Didn't get enough OWLs,' he replied simply. 'And then Umbridge drove us to the point of insanity so we left. Simple.'
'Yeah, but, do you really enjoy the whole joke shop thing?'
'Course I do... although-'
'Alright, that's done!' came Fred's voice from the other side of the room and they looked up. Every single possible surface was covered in streamers, paper chains, coloured bubbles and fizzing multicoloured sparks. And across the ceiling was a flashing banner reading
HAPPY 17TH BIRHTDAY HARRY!
'Umm, Fred?' asked Hermione tentatively.
'Yup?' said Fred jovially, clearly pleased with his effort.
'You, uh, can't spell birthday.'
'I what? Oh, crap!' and he fixed it to how it should be. 'D'you reckon he'd notice if we left it the way it was?'
'Oy, don't be mean, of course he would!' retorted Hermione, but she didn't look completely sure of herself. 'Okay, now this is done, I'm going to go and change. See you soon!' and she disappeared off upstairs, remembering to jump the trick step the twins had left there. She emerged half an hour later wearing a short black dress with a not-entirely-modest neckline.
'Wow,' the twins breathed.
'God Hermione, how do you expect us to live up to that?!' asked George, looking her up and down.
'Well, I'm off to go and put on MY dress,' said Fred grinning and ran off upstairs, presumably to go and find Ron and let Ginny know it was time to bring Harry downstairs.
Hermione turned to look at the table the twins had set up which was laden with food and lots and lots of drink, firewhisky, butterbeer and even some alcopops, though Hermione had no idea how the twins had managed to get hold of muggle drinks.
'What do you think?' asked George.
'Well, we're not going to go thirsty at any rate,' and George smiled at her. They turned when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs but it was only Fred and Ron, who was looking slightly dazed and tired.
'They're just coming,' said Fred. 'Everyone ready? Okay,' and with a wave of his wand, all the lights went out. Soon they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. And then a thump and shriek, several more thumps and a groan.
'Oh shite,' said George and relit the lights. Sure enough, Harry was once again at the bottom of the stairs cradling his wrist and Ginny was stuck in the trick step and Ron ran forward to release her.
'You really need to get rid of that before you kill someone!' Hermione said to the twins and they gave a small nod.
'Well, it's not the way we'd have chosen you to give your entrance Harry, but happy birthday anyway!' said George as Harry clambered to his feet and gave a shocked look at the room.
'Wow. Guys, you really didn't have to-'
'But we wanted to Harry,' said Hermione walking forward and hugging him. 'Happy Birthday!'
Five hours later, they were all to be found on the couch, all considerably more tipsy than they were at the beginning of the party but all seemingly very happy.
'Ohhhh,' groaned Ginny. 'I have eaten waaaay too much. I need the loo!' and she ran off.
'Do you reckon she's okay?' asked Fred?
'Ill go see,' said George and he went after Ginny.
'I'm going to get another butterbeer. Anyone want?' asked Ron. Everyone said they did so Harry agreed to help Ron go get some more glasses and butterbeers, leaving Fred and Hermione alone on the sofa.
'I think it went quite well, don't you?' giggled Hermione. 'Except the whole step thing, obviously'
'Yeah, I think Harry liked it which is cool. Whole point of the evening, right?'
'Right!' said Hermione who was still giggling.
'Mione, why are you giggling so much?' asked Fred.
'I think I'm a bit of a lightweight actually, did I mention that?' and she laughed so hard, she fell off the sofa onto the floor.
'Oh god, what are we going to do with you?' said Fred, pulling her up where she proceeded to sit on his lap.
'Well, whatever you want really.'
'Whatever I want? Anything?'
'Mmmhmmm,' mumbled Hermione. So he kissed her. And she kissed him back.
'Man, he's a good kisser,' Hermione thought as he deepened the kiss and she ran her fingers through his hair. And then they were interrupted...
'Mate, what's up with you lately? You've hardly spoken a word to any of us. What about 'mione, I'm sure she'd like to talk to you once in a while.' Ron and Harry were in the kitchen, searching for some clean glasses for more drinks.
'I don't really know 'bout that. She was perfectly content to talk to the twins for over two hours yesterday.'
'Only because you keep shutting yourself in your room.'
'You know what Harry? I... I'm not sure if I didn't prefer the old Hermione, you know?'
'What?! The old Hermione? Mate, she was quite pretty then, but seriously, are you feeling okay?'
'It's not just how she looks. When I heard her talking to Fred and George, she had so much confidence. She never used to be like that. I... I just don't think I deserve her.' And silence reigned.
'Well, if that's how you feel, let it all go mate. Seriously. Let her have someone else without going wild with jealousy.'
'Yeah. Yeah, you're right.' And they walked back into the room with the drinks. You know what they saw.
'Gin? You alright?'
'Yeah, I'm fine,' and she walked out of the loo. 'George, I just needed a piss that's all.'
'Oh, okay then.' They headed back to the room.
'George?'
'Yes, my darling wee sis?'
'There'd actually something I wanted to talk to you about-'
'What?'
'Actually, about Hermione. It's just that-'
And they walked back into the room. You know what they saw.
Keep reviewing! R xxx