Key: If you see the words, 'It was then' at the beginning of the chapter, that means the scene is taking place in the past. If you see nothing at all, it is present time. Same disclaimers apply for this chapter as well.


Chapter Two

Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes

It was then…

Hogwarts, sixth year:

Harry awoke with a start, hitting heads with someone who was on top of him. With a cold hand clamped over his mouth Harry could hardly breath, let alone tell off who had woken him up in the middle of the night. Half-asleep still, Harry made a move to sit up but was pushed back down by someone else who lingered in the shadows of his lifeless room. His eyes darted to a small plastic clock which read, 12:04am. There was a faint stir, someone made a move for the window and opened it slowly, but whoever it was, their outline was hazy in the dark.

"Perhaps this will help," said a small voice.

Harry's heart leaped in his chest. Was that Ginny? Her voice was but a hoarse whisper inside Harry's head. It sounded like her but what was she doing in his room at the Dursley's house? She was mumbling something to the person on his bed. The realization finally set in and Harry swallowed the lump in his throat before he reached down underneath to pull his sheets up to his jaw line, covering himself up. He clutched onto them hard in case someone yanked him out of bed suddenly. The fact there was a girl present in his room didn't only make his situation worse, but the fact that there seemed to be a small group of people present as well. Harry groaned out of sheer misery.

"You'll startle him more than he already is Ginny."

"Ginny?" Harry said trying to sit up again. "Ron, is that you?"

"Shh!" The room was full of whispers coming from the others that were with Ron and Ginny. Their voices were inside Harry's head, speaking to his mind.

"Harry it's me, Ron."

"What—"

"Oh do make him shut up or we'll get busted!" Ginny said. Harry focused on the sound of her voice. They all were murmuring to one another but it felt like they were sending their own thoughts to into his head. The sound didn't echo about the room and if Harry became very still there was complete silence as he lay there. He could hear the snores of the Durselys down the hall and the soft hoot of Hedwig lounging in her cage.

"We put a silencing charm on your room and on our voices," Ginny said she came near. "Put a whispering charm as well, so we can talk to one another normally and not be heard. Sorry if it sounds weird, we didn't have much time to combine the two and make it work right." Ginny was hovering about him; Harry could finally see her long locks of red hair coursing over a shoulder and onto his bed sheets as she bent down to slip his glasses on for him. "Here, I'll put the charm on you so you can talk and move about without being heard by your aunt and uncle."

Harry nodded and watched as Ginny raised her wand over his head. She tapped it once and Harry felt as if warm butter was being poured over his head, trickling all the way down to his toes.
"All set," she said turning and walking away.

"Can I talk now? Harry said to Ron.

"Sure mate."

Harry glanced over to Ginny and coughed. "Can I get dressed too?"

"Oh," Ron said bug-eyed. "I see what you mean." Ron looked nervously around the room to everyone else. "Sorry Ginny, you should wait outside."

Harry thought he heard a giggle coming from her and felt his face go very hot, so hot that it would explode from embarrassment. He was finding himself angry too, for everyone to just come in the dead of night at the worse possible time ever and stir him from sleep. Why couldn't they wait until the morning or earlier in the evening to come? Harry watched as Ginny, Fred (or George), and Bill climbed out of the window, each of them carefully sliding onto a broomstick of their own. Ginny managed to go last, but not before she took the curtains and closed them shut to give Harry some privacy.

Harry turned towards Ron and shoved him off his bed. "Why'd you bring her?"

Ron shrugged. "Why not?"

"Why not? I'm not even dressed!"

"Oh yeah, well I didn't think you'd go to sleep only in your pants." Ron said giggling. "Sorry mate."

"Oh, shut up," Harry said hitting Ron in the head with his pillow. The only response he got back from Ron was another giggle. "Dudley is angry with me because I'm getting more attention than he is, so he went and hid half of my clothes. I had to hide my school things from him. I had no choice really."

"I see," Ron said standing up and tossing Harry's trunk onto his bed. "Why are you suddenly getting attention more than he is? I thought your uncle and aunt hated you?"

"They do. I think because what everyone said to my aunt and uncle when they came to pick me up from the train recently." Harry sat up in bed and sighed in relief. "They really are frightened to do anything to me. They talk to me in this odd soft tone of voice, no yelling or anything and they've been creeping about the house, allowing me to do whatever I want to do during the week..."

"Well, Hermione said she called you on that telly-thingy, had a nice chat with you," Ron said raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah, Dumbledore wants me to lay low for a while. No owls."

"Well, you better get dressed then, everyone is waiting for you to arrive," Ron said.

Harry's head perked up. "Waiting for me?"

"Well, any meetings they have, they want you present. Actually, they want all of us present there."

"All of us?" Harry said. "Who else?"

"Well yeahyou'll see. It is a big surprise so I can't spoil it for youno sorry Harry, I promised everyone not to say anything until you arrived. And Snape isn't around, I thought that would cheer you up some."

Harry looked at the closed curtain and gingerly pulled the bed covers free, slightly wondering if anyone else would just pop through the window or apparate like Fred and George had been known to do a lot. "Why'd they all come for?" Harry said reaching under the bed and pulling free his invisibility cloak off most of his things. Quickly he tossed his school stuff into his trunk, smashed down his cloak on top of it all and shut the lid. Then Ron and Harry both sat on the trunk and squeezed it closed with a snap. They both went quiet for a good minute, both looking around the room, not saying anything to one another. Harry could hear shuffling outside, like a few more people had gathered outside his window.

"What you have against Ginny coming?" Ron said looking at Harry. "Don't you remember what she did for us?"

"Of course I remember," Harry said giving Ron an exasperated look. "And I also remember Ginny getting hurt." Harry pulled some socks off the floor and sat down on his bed, pulling them on. Ron tossed him a stained pair of trousers and a shirt left on the floor.

"Hermione and I got hurt as well," Ron said protesting. "Not that I'm proud of it or anything."

"It's just that…" Harry began.

"What?"

"I don't know," Harry said as he stood and zippered his trousers up roughly. "I'm just annoyed by it, that's all."

"It's just my sister Harry," Ron said rolling his eyes. "I'm sorry, really I am. You and I both know she is pretty powerful and Dumbledore agreed she'd go along with us. We are all in this war together mate." He stood and opened up the curtains and whistled down to someone below. "Anyway, I thought you were used to her being around by now."

Harry paused in mid-button, his hand still on both folds of his shirt. His mouth was hanging open and he stared at Ron, as if he liked nothing better to do at this moment than give him a swift good kick in the pants. But just then his Firebolt soared up from the ground and hovered at the window, waiting for Harry. Tears stung Harry's eyes and he ran over to the window and rested his hand on the handle of his broom.

"Hope you don't mind, I kind of rode your Firebolt here," Ron said grinning. "Had to fight Ginny for that task."

"I don't mind," Harry said pulling his broom inside his room. He felt his face go hot again at the mention of Ginny and wished she wasn't outside waiting for him, not after the embarrassment of having her see him in the state he was in just moments ago.

"Right then, let's get your trunk hooked up to your broom."

Harry nodded and then both Ron and him spent the next five minutes trying to get the heavy trunk latched up so it hung smoothly underneath the Firebolt. When at last both boys were satisfied at the results, Harry swung one leg over the handle and soared casually out of his bedroom window. Ron followed a little while later after Hedwig, and both of them met up with Bill, Fred and Ginny who were up a few feet from the roof of the house.

"All set then?" Bill said winking at Harry. Fred was trying to hide his case of the sniggles.

"Oh give it a rest Fred," Ginny said rolling her eyes at her brother. "If Harry is ready then." Ginny raised her wand, murmured something and Harry felt the odd sensation of something popping at his throat.

"I took the charm off," Ginny said following Bill on his broom.

"Hold it a minute," Harry said catching up to Bill. "This is it? Just us? Isn't it a bit, well, dangerous for all of us to just go flying about whenever we want to in the middle of the night with Voldemort and his Death Eaters still out there?"

"Dumbledore, Moody, Tonks, Lupin and Shacklebolt are hovering about the ground as well, just we can't see them," Bill said pointing to a trashcan at the edge of the Dursley's front yard.

" Dumbledore thought it good we come early and pick you up and with Dumbledore with us, you-know-who won't think about causing trouble," Ron said hovering next to Harry.

" The old man sure thinks you-know-who is up to something else at this moment," Fred said coming to Harry's right.

" Look," Bill said pointing. "They're on the move. Okay, don't linger everyone stay close to me. Harry, you get behind me and the others will follow."

Harry did what Bill told him to, still not able to see the others with them. Harry felt uneasy at not being able to see any of them but if Dumbledore had come as well, why should Harry worry at this moment. Because he was flying again, something he had longed for since that witch Umbridge had taken his broom-riding rights away. The hair lifted from his forehead and the heat of summer seemed to be left behind as he took to the skies, higher and higher—he could barely see the ground anymore—until everyone was up with him in the air, soaring freely about him. They were moving through the clouds and zooming faster through the midnight air. Harry had to keep himself in check not to go faster than anyone else, after all he was just dying to do circles around everyone else and go into a dive, but that would have to wait until he got back to Hogwarts and back onto the Quidditch Pitch.

Quidditch. Would he be playing this year? No one had mentioned anything yet to Harry, but no one looked miserable either. Harry suspected if he couldn't play this year, then the smile might be wiped off their faces once more. His own smile too, but his broom was back in his possession at the moment and nothing could kill the excitement flooding every bone of his body. Harry turned to look at Ginny who was flying at his right side. He smiled and she smiled back, all traces of laughter gone from her eyes. Harry felt relieved that she didn't seem to be dwelling on his embarrassment just a while ago. She flew in closer to him, her hair like a giant wave of flame being blown in every direction by the warm air.

"I thought you'd want to know right off," Ginny said keeping steady next to him. "That Dumbledore says you will be able to play Quidditch again."

Harry's heart leapt inside. There were no words to describe the feeling Harry had at that moment. He wanted to cry and shout at the same time, while thinking how happy Sirius would have been along with him. He clenched his jaw tight and looked up towards the moon. He had to use every ounce of self-restraint not to take off flying in a victory lap around all of Britain, not only for himself but for Sirius as well. He just nodded to Ginny and gave her a big grin, catching her eye as they both shared in the good news.

"Umbridge's actions are also being brought into question, but Dumbledore doesn't want to press any charges against her. Says what's done is done and that he has found another Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher and no longer requires her services."

Harry looked away and murmured a curse.

"But she won't be coming back…ever," Ginny said.

"That's good news," Harry said smirking. "I hope not to see that old bat ever again."

"I didn't like her either," Ginny said looking away.

"Well, so are you trying out for Chaser this year?"

"Of course!"

"Good," Harry said dipping slightly as Bill descended on his broom. "I think you are what our team needs. You're pretty good you know."

"Not as good as you," Ginny said. "I wish I were better."

"Yeah but still," Harry said looking away. "Perhaps the three of us can practice together this summer?"

"Perhaps," Ginny said smiling. "Dean said he'd give me some lessons too, although I'm not sure if he is a good flyer at all."

Harry grimaced. "Well, Dean isn't on the team is he? You have your answer then."

Ginny gave Harry a startled look. "He told me he wants to try out. I'm not sure if he is good or not though. I wonder if he wants my help."

Harry's hands tightened around the handle of his broom. "Oh, so you going out with him? Thinks he can use you to get on the team does he?" Harry said.

"It's not like that!" Ginny said shooting Harry a disgruntled look. "You don't have to be nasty about it."

"I'm not," Harry said.

"Well, I don't like your tone," Ginny said whipping her head to stare at Harry. At that moment she looked fierce and Harry felt himself fall back just slightly. There was something about Ginny Weasley that unnerved him and he rather not get on her bad side. "And stop sulking," she said flying closer to him. "Really Harry, don't take it the wrong way. I'd rather tell you what is going on than not tell you at all."

Harry bit his lip and looked at her. "Sorry."

"So if there is one extra person during practice, you wouldn't have a problem with it?" Ginny said. Harry shrugged. "Good, because he might need your help more than mine. Honestly, I'm not one for teaching, but you are Harry. You have the skills and heart for the game."

Harry didn't know if it was her words or just the feeling of the wind at his face that was making him feel pretty good right about now, but he smiled just the same. "Ginny, you won't need much help, like I said…you already are a pretty good Quidditch player. I mean it."

"Thanks," Ginny said and Harry wondered if she was blushing just faintly in the moonlight. In fact with the bright beam of light coming from the sky, shinning upon Ginny, she looked quite different from the girl he knew before. Something quite…changed about her Harry thought. She looked so fragile as if made of porcelain but her eyes betrayed something hidden beneath that exterior and Harry was drawn to the look in her eyes again.

"What you thinking about?" Harry found himself asking her.

"Oh," Ginny said looking about her. "Nothing really." She dived suddenly and Harry pushed himself likewise to catch up to her.

"Look, I can tell something is wrong," Harry said.

"It's not about you," Ginny said shaking her head some.

"Oh," Harry said. "I'm sorry then. I didn't mean it like that."

"We should pay attention to the others," she said and Harry got the feeling she didn't want to talk to him anymore that night.

Harry watched her as she flew over to Bill and that is where she stayed for the rest of the ride. Ron moved in next to him and Fred on his other side and they spent most of the flight tossing nougats and toffees back and forth to one another. With Fred along for the ride, Harry had a chance to ask about their Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes shop and how it was going. Fred didn't give much information but told them sales were going pretty good for the time being.

"Probably will be a long while till we can really start making up some new stuff," Fred said.

"Why so?" Harry said.

"George and I have joined the Order."

"Brilliant," Harry said. "But I thought you couldn't join?"

"Only wizards and witches who have left school can join," Fred said.

"And you two did leave," Harry said laughing.

"Not the way mum and dad wanted us to," Fred said. "But at least dad is proud of what we have accomplished so far. Mum is worried about where we got the money from to start our own shop. Eventually, we are going to have to tell her you gave us the money Harry."

"She told them she would poison them with Veritaserum if they didn't confess," Ron said.

"She wouldn't do that, would she?" Harry said.

"I don't think so, but it sure did give George and I a good idea of what to create next. Our Truth Telling Tasteless Toffees," Fred said.

"Tasteless?" Harry said making a face.

"Well, we haven't gotten it right yet. We wanted it to work so the person eating the toffee doesn't taste the potion inside, but it gives off a foul odor as of right now. If you mix Veritaserum in any food it causes the food to turn sour and start to smell awful. The taste isn't much better, like eating moldy socks."

"Fred and George have been testing those on themselves," Ron said grinning. "Fred almost blew the cover over who their financial supporter was, including almost telling every dirty secret George and him have ever kept from anyone."

"Used two drops instead of one," Fred said.

"George and I had to stun Fred for a bit to make him shut up, drag him off into my bedroom."

"Missed dinner and everything, mum was in a right state, wasn't she?" Fred said shaking his head.

"I'd like a couple of those," Harry said. "As soon as you get it to work. Put me in for a dozen."

Fred grinned. "Harry, are you planning of giving them to anyone?"

"No, not really," Harry said nonchalantly as he looked away.

"You should get Hermione to check over your potion. You two making a complex potion like that scares me," Ron said shaking his head. "And if Ministry found out…you two would get into a load of trouble."

Fred's grin went wider. "You are starting to sound like Hermione if you must know."

"I am not!" Ron said narrowing his eyes at Fred.

"Are to!" Fred said casting Ron a wry look.

"I am not—Harry tell him he's wrong!" Ron said.

"Would you three keep it down," Bill said looking over his shoulder at them.

"Well," Harry said. "Perhaps just a little."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Ron said.

"If you two would hurry up and notice how alike you are, perhaps you guys wouldn't row as much as you do now," Harry said in one breath.

Ron gave Harry a nasty look and decided not to talk to either of them for the rest of the trip.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed.

"Don't worry about my brother, he'll cool off once we land," Fred said.

"So what you two doing for the Order and where are we headed?" Harry said trying to get his mind off Hermione and Ron. Right now he rather not think about them at this moment, or their fights.

"Well, can't talk about it much here, not until we reach headquarters," Fred said.

"And where is that?"

"Sorry Harry, Order business—"

"Don't give me that nonsense."

Fred looked taken back. "Actually we are headed to somewhere you have never been before," Fred said.

"And where is that?"

"Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes."

Harry blinked. "All this stealth just to go to your shop?"

"Because Harry," Fred said lowering his voice. "That is where the Order is setting up base for now. Moody would blast me if he heard me telling you out in the open."

"Wow…that's actually, kind of…odd," Harry said going into a dive as their party prepared to land.

"I know, but its bloody brilliant, isn't it?" Fred said. "No one would ever think that the DA and the great Order of the Phoenix is setting up shop at the Weasley's."

To be continued...


Author's Note: Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing! I'm trying to get a new chapter out every week. Right now looks like I'll be combining two fanfic ideas into one so this story could get long. I know you have questions and might be confused, but that's the point! No good writer just tells you everything in the first chapter! There would be nothing left to write for later on!

Keep on reading if you want to find out what happens and WHY it is happening! All will be explained in due time!

A.J. Nightingale