Within a few minutes, Hermione was back to her old self again, talking with Fred and George as if they'd never left Hogwarts that day two years before. Hermione and Ginny told them what was going on back at the School and Fred and George told them about their business and their plans to expand even further.

"Fred will run one branch, and I'll keep running this one. We'll probably let Lee run the one in Diagon Alley, he's been asking to for so long." George explained as he sipped his butterbeer, "It'll be great." Fred nodded absently and tried to cover up a yawn. Ginny looked at her watch and stood up.

"Hermione, we'd better go. It's getting late." Ginny said goodbye to her brothers, then walked back to the front of the store with George. Hermione stood and grabbed her things. The letter from Ron fell out of the pile of boxes she'd been carrying.

"Oh! This is from Ron," She said, turning to Fred and giving it to him, "He asked me to give it to you." He pocketed the letter and helped Hermione put on her cloak. Before picking up her packages she gave Fred one more quick hug and a peck on the cheek. She walked to the front of the store, gave George the same, then she and Ginny disappeared into the streets of Hogsmeade. Fred fell back against the counter. He yawned again as he watched George flip the sign in the window from "OPEN—COME ON IN" to "CLOSED—NOW SCRAM!" The letter lying on the counter caught his eye, so he reached over, tore off the seal and read:

Fred and George:

Read this note quickly, don't show anyone, when you are done, destroy it. Dumbledore called me into his office this morning. He asked me to write a letter to you asking you to come to Hogwarts and stay over the Winter Holidays, which, in case you've forgotten are in a month and a half. He has a mission for you involving the Order. He told me to tell you that when you get to Hogwarts, come straight to Gryffindor Tower; don't speak to anyone. If you accept this Mission, send Dumbledore a single Canary Cream from the shop by way of owl post. Hopefully I'll see you guys over Hols.

Ron

Fred folded up the letter, threw it on the counter, and looked over at his brother. George had a frown on his face and a question in his eye. He looked up and met Fred's gaze.

"Should we?"

"What's this about?"

They both shrugged then looked at the folded parchment on the counter, then back at each other. Their eyes met, and they came upon a simple agreement—they'd go. George walked over to the shelf and picked up a Canary Cream, called for their owl, Georgion, and tied it to his leg.

"George, are you sure—I have nothing to lose, I'm willing to go—but you have Katie and the baby to think about…" Fred said, wondering about what George was thinking. George hesitated for a second, but took Georgion to the window and let him fly anyway.

"She'll understand…this is something we have to do." Fred could tell George was still concerned about what would happen to Katie and the baby if something...happened. Katie and George had gotten married a little over a year ago, and Katie was already carrying their first child. It was due in 2 months, and George was a nervous wreck. George walked to the backroom and plucked his coat off the rack. He turned off the light switch, closed the door and rejoined Fred in the front room.

"Are you going home yet?" George asked as he pulled on his coat and put on his hat.

"No, I'm sticking around…I'll close up." George nodded then walked out. Fred, alone now, looked at the note folded on the counter. Then, remembering Ron's warning, he grabbed it and threw it into the fire. Fueled by the old parchment, the fire blazed and leapt up, licking the stones and devouring the parchment. Fred watched the fire as it died down, then turned to a bright glow, and then burnt out completely. Even after the fire was gone he stared into the fireplace, thinking about what Ron's letter meant to him. The bell above the door tinkled once again and he called over his shoulder,

"I'm sorry but we're closed—" He turned around and looked towards the door.

"I know, but I left Ron's gift here." Hermione stepped in from the cold and shut the door behind her. Fred stood up and grinned.

"Sorry Hermione, I thought you were a customer." Fred walked towards the door and bolted it shut. Hermione walked into the back room and grabbed the small package she'd left on the table, then she returned to the front. She hesitated by the door, her hand on the bolt, then turned and looked at Fred.

"Are you coming? For holidays?" She asked quietly.

"You know?"

"I've been Harry and Ron's friend long enough to know when something is up. I followed Harry when they went to see Dumbledore. And—those Extendable Ears you thought up a few years ago still work." She smiled at him as Fred turned a deep shade of red.

"Looks like those Ears fell into the wrong hands." He mumbled, and Hermione smiled, and neither one spoke for a moment; both stared at the floor as if a work of art was painted on it.

"Well? Are you?" Hermione asked again, lifting her hand and laying it on the doorknob.

"Yes, I'm going." Hermione's smile flickered, a look of concern flashed across her face, but was soon replaced with a fake smile.

"Wonderful…" She faded off, then turned the knob and opened the door. "Can I see you before you go?"

"Count on it." Fred smiled at her, a reassuring smile that melted her heart and put her at ease.

"Goodbye Fred."

"Bye Hermione." The bell rang again as she closed the door behind her. Fred doused the lights in the front of the store and threw on his coat before walking out the front door and bolting it behind him.