Thank you, Cecelle and Emeria! Lupin is appearing briefly at the end of this chapter, so hopeyou enjoy!

Please review -I promise that if you do, I will r and r you!

"Aha, Sleeping Beauty has awoken!" A familiar freckled face grinned wickedly at Hermione across the Weasley breakfast table.

"Morning, Fred. You're not looking too wide-awake yourself."

"The result of a late-night business trip."

"Weasley's Wizard Wheezes don't make themselves, you know…"

"…and it's amazing how many of our suppliers don't come out by day."

Hermione shook her head amusedly. "You mean the two of you've been skulking around Knockturn Alley, trying to find some of that stuff that's turned Mundungus green."

"Well…"

"Did you get it?"

"Oh yes."

"And it works?"

"Like a charm."

"Which is strange, considering that it's actually a potion…"

"And a damned good one."

"Oh yes." Two identical evil sniggers. Hermione looked from one twin to the other, understanding finally penetrating into her dulled-by-sleep brain.

"Oh no. What did you do?"

"Seen Ron this morning?"

She shook her head wordlessly.

"Walking advert for Slytherin House, he is."

"You mean…he's green?"

George gave a satisfied smirk. "All over. We put it in his cornflakes."

Hermione laughed. "But there's an antidote, right?"

"There will be..."

"…we're working on it now..."

"…it should be ready by the end of the holidays."

The thought of Ron, bright green with flaming red hair, was arresting, and Hermione spluttered through her orange juice as she imagined his fury. Fred, meanwhile, had other preoccupations.

"That's really all by the by. The fact is - we have a legitimate reason for a little extra slumber. As does Looby-Loo here." He nodded at a fourth breakfaster. "You, meanwhile, are usually up with the merry lark. What happened? Someone slip you a sleeping potion?"

"Not unless it was you. Lulu, have they been so obnoxious all morning, or was it reserved especially for me?"

"Well, before you arrived I was being lectured on my love life. Obnoxiously."

Hermione gave her a sympathetic smile. She had found the second Appleby sister not at all how she had imagined after hearing of Charlie's adoration, and the real thing was far better than the idea. Lulu was quiet and nondescript, thoughtful and pleasant, with none of Emily's sparkling charm or skill for management but instead a diffidence of manner that concealed a generous yet astute mind and enormous ability in her own field. The only witch Hermione knew to work entirely in the muggle world, Lulu gave flute lessons by day and played in various groups and venues by night. She was talented and fairly successful, though lacking the ruthlessness which might have taken her to the highest level - there are many gifted musicians and few jobs for them, so only the most ambitious can rise to the top. Lulu, however, was happy in her niche; there was no relentless pressure, and her working hours kept the instrument a pleasure, not a duty. She was content and serene, and this made her very attractive – Charlie was smitten. Fred and George, in an unusual demonstration of fraternal benevolence, had obviously decided to help his suit, but in Lulu they had met a sureness of purpose disguised by gentleness of manner that was impossible to cajole, badger or sway in any way. The immensity of their task was beginning to dawn on George, and he now tried to enlist Hermione's support.

"You see, Hermione, she insists she won't have him, but we know that really they're perfect for each other…"

"…and it fits in the grand plan…"

"…it completes the grand plan!"

"Erm…hang on." The twins gazed at her expectantly. "What's this grand plan?"

"Ahh, well…" Fred looked extremely satisfied with himself. "If Lu here would only make up her mind to like Charlie…"

"I do like Charlie, but…"

He continued blithely, "then we just get Emily and Bill together…."

"What?"

The twins looked at her in polite curiosity, and Hermione prayed not to blush. She grasped lamely for an explanation. "I…I thought Bill was already seeing someone. Fleur. Fleur Delacour?"

"Ah, the bewitching Mademoiselle. That was nothing. I think Bill flirted with her a bit, but…well, Bill flirts with everyone, he really does."

"Can't help himself, he just has to see a woman and out comes that Weasley charm…"

"..I'm sure I caught him flirting with McGonagall the other day…"

"You're joking – I didn't think he'd dare. What happened?"

"…well, she didn't transfigure him into a turnip, so I assume he got away with it…"

"Who'd have thought it? That old battleaxe getting susceptible…"

"…I know! He should give lessons in seduction…"

"…I'd sign up like a shot…"

Hermione cleared her throat meaningfully, and they assumed identical sheepish-yet-unrepentant expressions.

"You were saying? Charlie and Lu, Emily and Bill… why those two, by the way? Just because they're the eldest siblings?"

"Well, partly that, but not just that. They would be good together!"

"They're very similar, you know."

"Both act like amiable idiots…"

"…whilst in fact being far too clever for their own good."

"And other people's."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're still mad about that Blasting Boomerang, aren't you?"

"Of course not!" said George, reproachfully. "We would never bear a grudge over something so trivial, so insignificant, so slight."

"Although…" added Fred, "it did hurt our professional pride, just a little."

Hermione smiled at the remembrance. Emily had not only been the first target to successfully dodge a Blasting Boomerang, but had also managed to purloin some of the prototype products and trap the twins with their own merchandise. Twice. This had made her somewhat of a heroine among the many victims of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, but had also acquired her two identical enemies for life. Hermione strongly suspected that the twins were hatching some atrocious plot of revenge, but she didn't think this was it. Bill was no punishment, surely? Quite the opposite…

She mentally shook herself, and hoped no one at the table could practise Legilimency. She really had to stop thinking like this – if anyone were to find out it would be extremely embarrassing and awkward and difficult - for her and for…that person whose name she wasn't going to say again, even to herself. He had enough to deal with already, without her silly adolescent crush…after he'd been so kind to her, as well! It was really most unfair of her, although obviously she hadn't wanted to feel like this, and was not enjoying feeling like this, and was frankly rather annoyed that she couldn't stop herself feeling like this. She could, however, stop thinking about it. And him. Put him out of her mind. Ignore her idiotic hormones. And for God's sake pull herself together and carry on with this bloody conversation, which had now been waiting for her contribution for rather a long time.

As Hermione snapped back into reality, she noticed Lulu looking at her in vague concern, and the twins with a sort of detached scientific interest. Feeling extremely stupid, she hurriedly tried to steer them all back to the original point. "So who else fits into this grand plan, then?"

George gave her a final questioning scrutiny, then shrugged and began to talk. "Well, with the aid of some mind-altering substances, we convince you to take on Ron."

"What?"

"You could have Percy, instead, if you like."

"No!"

Fred sighed. "We thought you might react like that. Too much taste, that's your trouble. Never mind, we'll pass over those two no-hopers for the moment, and…"

Hermione felt she had to protest, and interjected, "They're not no-hopers, Fred."

"Fine, fine. Have it your way. The fact remains, though, that you don't want to become Mrs Weasley."

"Absolutely not."

"You see!"

"When I marry, I intend to keep my own name."

He opened his mouth to reply but, realising he had nothing to say, laughed instead and held up his hands in surrender. "Damn, I'd quite like to have you in the family."

"You could always marry me yourself."

"You're too clever by half!"

Peeves the poltergeist had a certain expression which would always appear on his face as an unwitting student walked towards a door on top of which he had balanced a bowl of custard. It mingled awareness of the unfortunate's unavoidable fate, regret at their stupidity, and a certain glee at his role in the whole business. This was exactly the look that George now directed at his brother as he asked innocently, "What does that say about Angelina, then?"

Fred held his head in his hands and groaned.

Three slices of toast later, Hermione felt able to broach the subject again.

"Where do you fit into the grand plan then, George?"

"Well, apparently there is another Appleby girl."

"I don't know why you say 'apparently'," remarked Lulu. "Polly definitely exists."

"Of course she does. And judging by her sisters, she is utterly wonderful and I shall fall madly in love with her."

"And her with you?"

"Third time lucky, surely, seeing as neither you nor Emily have succumbed to my charms."

Lulu smiled at him. "And we, of course, are intended for other Weasleys."

"Of course."

Hermione was curious. "Is Polly younger than you, Lu? Where is she?"

"The youngest of us, yes. She's at university in Heidelberg."

"Heidelberg, that's in…Germany?"

"That's right. A beautiful old German town. Polly loves it there."

"Wow. What's she studying?"

"Mythology of Magic. Heidelberg has the very best course and all the leading experts are based there."

"Wow," said Hermione again, with a growing admiration for this girl she had never met. Of course George was right, every member of this family seemed to be extraordinary. "She must be good."

"She is," Lulu smiled. "We're all proud of her."

"Way too good for you, anyway, bro" said Fred pointedly.

George sighed. "I fear you're right."

Soon afterwards, the twins left on 'business', and Lulu sighed in relief as the green Floo flame flickered behind them. "I'm very fond of both of them, really I am, but they don't leave you anywhere to hide, do they?"

"No," Hermione agreed, thinking of her rogue Bill-feelings that kept threatening to spill out into the open. It occurred to her, however, that these weren't what her companion was referring to. "Why, what have you got to hide?"

Lulu turned a little pink, and Hermione realised what she had just asked. "Sorry," she said awkwardly.

"It's ok," Lulu shrugged. "I don't mind telling you…if you don't mind listening?" She looked a little shy, and Hermione felt for her.

"Of course not! Go on."

"Well…it's just about Charlie."

"Ah."

Lulu looked at her sharply. "Are you sure you don't mind me…"

"I'm sure."

Lulu nodded, looking calmer. "Charlie. I don't feel about him like he does about me. I can't. I like him, I like him a lot, but that isn't enough. I can't give him what he wants from me."

"Have you told him?"

"I don't have to. He knows. He's so understanding and so kind that I just wish I could be who he wants, but I can't."

"Of course you can't, and you shouldn't try to be. Why should you change for someone else?"

"Oh, I know all that." Lulu smiled sadly. "I would never even have considered it, I would have been horrified at the very idea…before Charlie."

"What's changed?"

"I don't know… I never realised before that someone so wonderful could want me, and I wouldn't want them. It's strange. I mean, I thought love and attraction and all that would just grow out of liking and respecting someone. I never believed in that rubbish about love at first sight with one special person. But apparently that's what I'm waiting for." She shrugged again, apparently frustrated with the illogicality of her own feelings.

"You just haven't met someone yet who you can like and respect and love. It will happen though."

"Oh really? You can guarantee that?"

"No, but I can tell you it's more likely than love at first sight, thunderbolts from the blue, sentiment overtaking your reason over some idiot who's attractive but not much else. That's not going to happen to you, Lu – you couldn't love someone who didn't deserve it. It's just not going to be Charlie, that's all."

Lulu gave a small smile. "I hope you're right. You make a lot of sense. But at least I'm not, and at least Charlie's not, stupid enough or selfish enough to think that love is the most important thing, not during this war, anyway. We don't win it, there isn't a future to worry about."

They were reminded of this soon afterwards, with the arrival of Lupin and Snape in the fireplace. Snape took one scornful look at the two of them, then snarled, "Where's Weasley?"

"Which one?" responded Hermione, irritated. Snape might not condescend to use first names, but she wasn't playing Guess Who? just to sustain his superiority complex.

"Arthur," interposed Lupin before the other man could reply. "Have you seen him?" Although he was smiling gently, he looked tense and anxious, more so than usual, and Hermione was suddenly frightened.

"Isn't he at work?" she asked with foreboding.

"It's alright," Lupin reassured her. "He's been called out to look at a dancing lawnmower, but we need to speak to him and were hoping we might catch him here. Severus, do you want to wait and see if he turns up, and I'll try to find out where he went?"

"I'll go," said Snape curtly, and he marched straight into the fireplace and off. Lupin shrugged and sat down, whilst Hermione couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. Lupin smiled at her again, with more like his old smile, and nodded a greeting to Lulu.

"Ron said Professor Snape never came here," said Hermione, "but that's twice in two days."

"Twice?" said Lulu puzzled, and Lupin was also looking interested. Hermione couldn't believe what she had just said. She wasn't supposed to know about last night. She groaned inwardly. Now she was going to have to lie, and she was sure Lupin could spot a liar at a hundred paces.

"I thought I heard his voice last night. Was I wrong?" Good. She had got the expression just right – slight guilt at having heard, otherwise light and casual.

"Oh, well I had a gig in the village, so I wouldn't know," Lulu explained as her face cleared. It was Lupin, however, that Hermione was interested in. He didn't look suspicious, fortunately.

"Yes, Professor Snape was at the meeting. Not for long, though."

"Oh, right. The rest of you seemed to be in there for ages, though."

"I suppose so." He yawned. "I'm glad it's Professor Snape gallivanting after Arthur, not me. Just don't let me fall asleep – that wouldn't look very professional, would it?"

He believed her. Good. Why would he not? If she had been up to anything, she would hardly have drawn attention to it so stupidly and so obviously, would she? Hermione sighed. That late night with Bill had obviously affected her brain.