.:Recap:.

"What did you say, Dad?" Ron looked up, seeing three questioning faces. 'Oh, no.'Ron thought. 'Hermione's going to kill me…'

.:End Recap:

Hermione walked from the living room, carrying two cups of hot cocoa. She took one glance at Ron's twisted and worried face, and guessed what he'd done. Sighing, she gave the cups to Ariel and the other to Sophie. "Ariel claims you criticized her hair again," Hermione said, not taking an eye off of Ron, to make sure he didn't do anything stupid.

A new, surprised look came to her face to seeing the letters. "Hand me those, please, Ronald." He handed them to her, each addressed specifically to each child in curvy writing with green ink.

"Read them aloud, Mum!" Sophie piped up. "Read 'em, read 'em!"

Hermione gave a look at Ron, to ask, 'Should I?', but Ron only shrugged.

"Dear miss Weasley,

we are pleased to inform you that you have been excepted to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find an enclosed list—" Hermione was interrupted by three smaller, amazed, faces staring up at her with large eyes. "of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins September 1 . We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress"

Ariel gazed at Hermione, mouth gaping. "A—a—a witch? We— we -- CAN'T be witches… I… just, just, can't believe it…"

"Yes, yes, you can. After all, I would be astounded if you all were not." Ron he sighed, knowing what was next – lists bored him to death.

"UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

Three sets of plain work robes (black)

One pointed hat (black) for day wear

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

Standard book of Spells (Grade 1) By Miranda Goshawk

A history of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and where To find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quintin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad new OR a bat (no vampire bats, please)

PARENTS MAY BE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALL

OWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS." Hermione was the one awaiting a reply now. "Each of you have one…" She handed out the letters, allowing them to marvel at their contents.

"Mum, our tickets say Platform 9 ¾. There isn't such thing, is there?" Sophie asked dreamily. "Is there?" She repeated, looking up to find that they were gone.

"Ron! I SWEAR --!" Hermione started. Ron put his hand to her mouth, looking to see if the kids were nearby. Frantic, he looked up and down the hallways, and locked the maroon door to the all-orange bedroom. " Start explaining." She whispered, catching on.

"How are we going to afford all of this? We can't barrow from Harry, because we've SOMEHOW managed to keep the kids and marriage a secret for eleven years! Mum doesn't know either! Or any of my brothers, Ginny, my dad, your mum, and your dad! I knew we should have told someone!"

Hermione was now the one with a finger to his lips, a disapproving look on her face, saying silently, 'SHUT UP!'. She leaned up and kissed him. "I love you, but if we're going to make this work, you have to calm down. How about we arrange your parents to come for dinner, tell them then… Then your Mother might let us barrow --" A few squeaky barks erupted from behind the door, followed by some scratching and high-pitched hooting, interrupting Hermione.

Ron opened the door, causing six figures to tumble down. One fat, ginger cat, one tiny, gray, pigmy owl, a little tan bulldog, two girls, and a boy.

"How much did'cha hear?" Hermione asked, looking as much cross as her arms across her stomach. "C'mon. Out with it. Crookshanks, Pig, Toya, Ariel, Sophie, Roy?" Crook-shanks bounded around the room, chasing the airborne Pigwidgeon, hooting madly.

"Shut up, Pig!" Ron tugged the frantic pigmy owl from the air.

"From the 'how' to the 'someone'…" Ariel murmured, looking at her feet.

"You're friends with Harry Potter, aren't you?" The trio said in unison.

Ron and Hermione looked quizzical. "Well, yeah, but how'd you figure that out?" Hermione asked.