Chapter 5- Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes

"I beg of you, Hermione," Professor Dumbledore said sternly, "not to let this information cast a shadow on you great accomplishment. There is no reason why you should ever compare yourself to him."

Harry had a guilty feeling of knowing the answer now. He knew why Dumbledore was warning Hermione, it was easy to doubt yourself when you are linked to him in some way or another. He listened as Professor Dumbledore continued.

"Hermione, this wizard was the most recent, before you, to receive such high marks, Dumbledore said, "but you are a totally different wizard. You have shown great moral strength and character…"

"Please, Professor," Hermione begged, "who?"

"Tom Riddle." Dumbledore said after with some hesitation.

Most of the wizards and witches let out a gasp. Mrs. Weasley began to tear up, and Ginny went very pale. Tonks shook her head with this new information and Remus looked to Hermione and Harry with concern. Charlie and Arthur Weasley began to whisper about the amazing coincidence. The only one who did not seem to understand what had been said was Neville.

"Who is Tom Riddle?" Neville whispered to Harry and Ron.

"Tom Riddle is Voldemort." Hermione answered plainly, interrupting Ron. She then got up from her chair and raced to her room, Ginny quickly followed.

"Well, I guess that is it for dinner." Dumbledore announced, " Sorry, Harry for putting a damper on it."

"Oh no, Professor," Harry replied, " its better we know these things."

Professor McGonagall stood up from the table and intercepted Harry and Ron before they left the dining room. "Boys, here are your letters from Hogwarts, and the classes that your are eligible for. I have one for you too, Neville." She handed each boy his own envelope. "Open these later, right now I need to have a word with you two." She gestured to both Ron and Harry to the corner. "I want to discuss with you who would be taking the role of Gryffindor Quidditch captain. Harry, I know you are a wonderful seeker and have been on the team the longest, but I am going to make Ron the captain this year."

Ron was in awe. His mouth was wide open and for the first time that Harry has known him, he was speechless. Harry however did not feel anything. He thought he should be jealous, but he knew Ron wanted this since their first year. He was actually quite happy for Ron. He loved Quidditch, but if there were one person that loved it more, it would be Ron Weasley.

After taking a moment to compose himself, Ron began to speak up. "Why me, why not Harry, he'd be a good captain?"

"After some thought, I believe you would make a better captain." Professor McGonagall explained. "You probably know more about Quidditch than anyone else at Hogwarts, and you performance at the Quidditch Cup last year proved to me that you are excellent strategist. As long as you're confident in your abilities you can win Gryffindor the Quidditch Cup again this year." However, Professor McGonagall's slim smiled turn into a stern expression, "But be aware, that there are those who can take your place, this was a very hard decision."

"One you won't regret Professor," Ron said with excitement.

What happened next took both Harry and Professor McGonagall by surprise. Ron reached around and hugged his stern Transfiguration professor. For a moment, Professor McGonagall did not know what to do with herself, she then gave Ron a soft hug back.

"Now boys, go to see Ms. Granger," she said composing herself, "and let her know that I am very proud of her and not to worry herself."

"We will." Harry answered teasing a blushing Ron. "Neville, you want to come up with us?"

Neville watching from the other side of the dining room stood up and nodded.

"Actually, Mr. Longbottom has to return to his own residence," Professor McGonagall interrupted, " I promised to get him back early, I am sure he will be able to visit you later in the summer."

"Would that be alright Harry?" Neville asked.

"Sure, come as much as you want." Harry smiled patting Neville on the back.

"And bring your wizards chess board," Ron added, "my pawns are forming a union and claiming they are overworked. Go figure."

Harry and Ron raced up the stairs after saying goodbye to some of the guest. Remus told Harry that James wasn't Quidditch captain either. "He was good at catching the snitch but couldn't make a game plan for the life of him."

Hagrid had given Harry and Ron some of his homemade rock cakes for "munch'in on when ye get h'ngry." As Hagrid left, Ron joked that the rock cakes would be good for weight training for Quidditch. "I'll have our beaters lift these a few times a day and they will be able to knock the bludgers out of the Quidditch pitch."

When Harry and Ron finally reached Hermione and Ginny's room they heard what they thought was giggling. As the opened the door, Hermione and Ginny quickly composed themselves and stopped the girlish chatter.

"I thought you were down in the dumps." Ron exclaimed taking a seat next to Hermione.

"I was, until Ginny told me that I am nothing like Voldemort." Hermione said.

"I also told her to look at Harry" Ginny said humorously poking Harry's scar, "if anyone is linked to Voldemort, it would be Harry. But he is far from it."

"Well gee, thanks Ginny." Harry said sarcastically while playfully rubbing his scar as if it hurt.

"Well, that's good. Guess what?" Ron said with enthusiasm, "I was made Quidditch captain!"

"That's great Ron." Hermione said giving Ron a brief congratulatory hug, "But why not Harry?"

Both Harry and Ron explained what had happened before McGonagall left. They also gave Ginny and Hermione their Hogwarts letters. Hermione seemed more excited about her Hogwart's letter than Ron's news about being made Quidditch captain. They all opened their letters. Ron, Harry, and Hermione had a letter explaining what classes they are eligible for and to check off 6 classes. Hermione was eligible for every class. They all had to choose 6 classes. She was miserable that's she could only choose six. Ron tried to remind her of her course work in their third year. "I am pretty sure you won't get a time turner again. Plus you can maybe take up some extra activities in your spare time."

"What do you mean extra activities?" Hermione asked raising one eyebrow.

"Oh, I meant like becoming Gryffindor's Quidditch manager…" Ron said, " …you know, like keeping statistics on our team and the other houses team, and organizing some of the game plan. I think that would help Gryffindor a lot.

"That sounds like a good idea." Hermione nodded, "But if all I do is carry the brooms and balls around, you will answer to me Ronald Weasley."

"I hate when she calls me that." Ron whispered to Harry. "Sure, Hermione, we can carry our own brooms and balls. But I need you to be keen on this."

"Of course I will." Hermione said before going her course offering.

"Hey Ron, can I look at your class listing?" Harry asked.

Ron handed Harry his letter and began to read over his shoulder.

"Are you seeing what I am seeing?" Harry pointed out.

"Blimey, we got listed!" Ron cried out.

"Let me see that…" Hermione read the letter Harry had gave her, "Yes its on both of yours. But I thought Professor Snape only allowed those with an 'O' into his N.E.W.T level Potions class?"

"Maybe Professor McGonagall asked him to let us in." Harry said.

"Maybe, so are you going to take it." Hermione inquired?

"Yeah, I am thinking about being an auror and you need it to qualify."

"I am taking it to. I rather that than Divination." Hermione stated.

"I guess I will brave another two years of Snape if you are Harry." Ron said. "Plus Fred and George said they had some items from the shop they needed to test out in his class room."

Hermione gave Ron a stern look but then went back to her course listing. They all chose Transfiguration, Potions, Care for Magical Creatures, Defence against the Dark Arts, and Charms. Hermione chose to stay with Arithmanacy while Harry and Ron both chose Herbology. "I'm sure Neville will be in that class if we need help." Ron said to Harry.

After checking off their classes, the list of N.E.W.T classes offered turned into a list of books and materials they would need for their 6th year and their classes. Most were the standard N.E.W.T level reading material. The excitement of getting a new list of books had Hermione giddy. But Harry and Ron were ready to turn in for the night rather than listen to Hermione going over her study schedule.

The rest of the summer went by without much excitement. Neville came over occasionally, sometimes with his grandmother. Mrs. Longbottom had a gentler demeanor toward Neville than what Harry remembered. Neville explained that she seemed very proud of him even though she wouldn't say it. Ron would routinely destroy Neville in wizard's chess. Once, Neville's pieces threatened to join Ron's pieces in a boycott if Neville kept losing. When there was nothing really to do, Ron would have everyone talk about Quidditch and go over some famous game plays. Ron even listened to his father as he went over some defensive strategies he heard about in muggle futbal.

Every now and then, Remus and Harry would talk about Sirius and the Marauders. It's was hard for Harry to talk about his death, but he enjoyed listening to Remus talk about James, Lily, and Sirius. Harry learned that Lily's best friend was Alice Longbottom and that James once kissed Sirius on the lips on dare. "I will never kiss Ron like that," Harry laugh, "not even for a million gaellons."

Harry enjoyed the rest of his quiet summer. Ron spent a lot of time with Hermione teaching her the finer points of Quidditch. Ginny would joke that if Ron focused on his classes like he did Quidditch he would have had 12 perfect O.W.Ls.

It was the week before they were to go to Hogwarts that they made the trip to Diagon Alley. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley accompanied them along with Tonks and Remus. They all had to travel by the Ford Anglia. Harry was amazed that everyone could fit in comfortably in the back seat. Once they arrived, they hurried to purchase their school supplies. Ms. Weasley said they could go to Fred and George's shop once their done. Harry and Ron spotted Neville coming out of Ollivander's wand shop.

"Hey, Neville," yelled Ron, "watch ya got there?" Neville had been holding what had obviously been a wand box. It was similar to the Harry's wand box, he thought. Except it had a dark purple ribbon around it. "Well, after breaking my dad's wand, Gran thought I best get a new one rather than trying to repair it. I never got to choose before, it was very cool." Neville said excitedly, "I only had to try three out before this one chose me." Neville unwrapped his box to show Harry and Ron his wand. "It's made out of Holly, and has a phoenix feather." Neville announced proudly.

"Wow," Harry said dumbfounded, "mine is also made of Holly and has a phoenix feather, actually Dumbledore's phoenix gave the feather."

"Oh, Mr. Olivander said that this phoenix feather was from the younger brother of Dumbledore's phoenix." Neville stated. "Kinda cool that our wands are somewhat related."

As Neville let Ron hold his wand, Harry thought of how related both he and Neville was. Not by blood but almost by destiny. Moments later, Neville's grandmother appeared out of Ollivanders. She was wearing a dark brown mink fur around her neck and large purple Sunday hat with a large peacock feather sticking out of it. She had a stern face, but also a face that looked like it had seen some painful times. Harry and Ron both greeted her with a quick "Hello."

"Neville, looks like you have found some of your friends here," Neville's Gran said with a stern but grandmotherly voice. "Good afternoon gentlemen. I see Neville is showing you his new wand. Dumbledore suggested he might get better at doing his own magic if he had his own wand." Harry and Ron nodded in agreement.

"Well, Neville, we best be going." Neville's Gran said. "I hope you boys do not get into to much trouble this year. But if you do, stick by each other, it seems you get the better of people as a team." She smiled and led Neville away.

A few moments later, Hermione and Ginny met up with them as they headed toward Weasleys' Wizard WheezesIt was nestled in between Eeylops Owl Emporium and a shop that sold magical instruments. It looked like a small cottage, smaller than the Dursley's garage with a yellow door and yellow roof and red siding all around. The window displayed posters of the different treats and tricks you could find inside. Harry thought the store looked dwarfed when next to the other shops. He thought that it would be hard for all four of them and Fred and George to be in the shop at the same time. Ron and Ginny were the first ones in. They had been there before so he did not stop like Hermione and Harry did to admire the posters.

"Are you guys coming in or what?" Ron said from inside the door way.

Harry let Hermione in first. Harry heard her gasp as he followed. He realized why once he saw the inside; the inside was huge. Bigger than any department store Harry had been in. The ceiling was also a lot higher than what it had appeared to me outside. Each wall had a different color. One was Weasley Red, another looked to be bright pink, the wall facing that was a deep blue, and the wall with the entrance was gold with silver trim. There were crowds going up and down the isles; mostly, Hogwarts students and fellow Gryffindors. Harry saw Euan Ambercrombie, Katie Bell, Ernie Macmillan, Hannah Abbott, Parvati, and Padma Patil. There were quite a few adult wizards there without their children. One fellow looked as if he was clown at a kid's birthday party, except without the makeup.

"This place is huge." Hermione said in awe. Harry saw her and Ginny standing next to a 9 ft waterfall that went into a pond that looked similar to the swamp that Fred and George create to get at Umbridge last year.

"That's one of our best sellers." Fred said creeping up behind Harry.

"Some people want it for a prank." George started.

"Some people want it to have in their back yard." Fred added.

"It has cross market appeal." George finished, with a smile.

"You guys are doing bloody well for yourselves." Harry smiled.

"All thanks to you Harry," George replied bowing down to Harry. "We are also amazed of how well this has all taken off."

"We are also thinking of opening a store in Hogsmeade," Fred said happily, "We even asked Dumbledore to help us out."

"What did you ask him?" Ginny asked with a curious look.

"You'll see lil' sis," George replied. "Nothing big, just a little business deal."

"You like the store Hermione." Fred asked.

"Its amazing." Hermione cheered, "I can't believe you guys could come up with this…um… you know… not that you couldn't…but"

"Yes, yes, we're kinda amazed ourselves," George interrupted, "we got a great location and it seemed like people even outside of Hogwarts knew about us."

"That Umbridge prank made us a house-hold names." Fred exclaimed.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the shop. Ron was fooled once to eat violet gumdrop that turned him a shade of violet. He remained that way until Fred gave him a clear gumdrop that cleared his complexion. Harry and Hermione raced throughout the store trying different goodies and chatting with their fellow students. They discovered that Ernie and Hannah were now an item and Patil sisters recently had a baby brother named Prasad. Ginny bought a handful of gobstoppers before Mr. and Ms. Weasley came to get them.

"Hey, before you leave," Fred said cornering the four, "we want you to have these." He held out in his palm four silver coins, however they did not have any marking on them. They were just flat pieces of silver to the naked eye.

"These are coming out next summer, there are still kinda experimental." George grinned.

"I am not sure about this…" Hermione protested.

"There is nothing dangerous with them." Fred defended, "Look hold the coin in the palm of your hand, think about a realistic image of yourself, and place it on the ground. A real life image of you will be standing were you placed the coin."

George took one coin and placed it in his hand. He place the coin on the ground a moment later, another George was standing there with a smile on his face. "This George is an illusion, see." The real George passed his hand right through the illusion George.

"Light doesn't even pass thought it like it does with ghosts," Fred boasted, "the coin will take the image of yourself in your mind, that's what will come out. We call the me Double Take coins."

Harry laughed to himself as he had seen the twins become triplets. He understood why they were giving the coins to them… they would be handy in a sticky situation.

"The only problem is it last for a couple of minutes," George frowned, "We are trying to get them to last an hour at least, we figure we will have that done by next summer."

"So, take them, and don't get into any trouble." Fred said with a wink.

Each of them placed one in their pocket. Harry actually placed his Double Take coin in the pocket where he kept his Dumbledore's Army coin. He doesn't keep any real money in that pocket so he wouldn't get confused. After their goodbyes to Fred and George, Harry and the rest piled back into the Ford Anglia. He had decided to take a nap during the trip, however, he finally got to rest once Ron and Remus finished their noisy game of wizard's chess.

Harry found himself back at Fred and George's shop. He ran and leaped into the waterfall…Harry was now on Hogwarts grounds… he saw a few trees from the Dark forest topple over…Now he was talking to Hagrid, however Hagrid was three times his normal size…All of a sudden, everything went black… He heard a hissing all around him… he could feel someone approach him, dressed in black…he could now see his face… It was Voldemort.

"Harrrrry Potttter." Voldemort hissed. Harry reached for his wand, but it was not there.

"I know this is a dream." Harry shouted, "you can't hurt me in a dream."

"I can, and I will." Voldemort pointed his want at Harry, "Crucio!"

Harry covered his face, but when the spell hit him, he felt nothing. He looked back at a stunned Voldemort. "Get out!" he yelled, "Get out now!"

Harry woke up, clutching his scar. It burned like the time Voldemort appeared at the Ministry. He knew it was more than a dream. Everyone in the Ford was looking at Harry with concern.

"What happened, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I need to talk to Dumbledore, now!" Harry shouted.