Chapter II

Tori slowly glanced around her room. She blinked her eyes a couple of times and then rubbed the sleep from them. She heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," she said slowly. Although she had wiped the sleep from her eyes, there was no way for her to erase it from her voice. The door slowly opened and her older brother, Jarren, stepped in.

"Hey Tor, you know they're coming for you today, don't you?"

"Huh? Oh…yeah. I know. I'm just…still sleepy, ya know?" she replied attempting to get out of bed with a little bit of dignity. She only succeeded with falling onto the floor. Hard. Jarren laughed and helped her up.

"What in the blazes were you doing last night, Tor?" he said concerned. She looked up at him slowly.

"Um…I don't…remember," she replied looking down at the floor once again. She sighed heavily and leaned against her brother.

"Tor! Come on! You've got to be ready to go when they get here. Get in the shower and I'll pack your trunk," he said shoving her towards the bathroom, "I'll get you some clothes as well." He said when he noticed her about to open her mouth. She slowly dragged herself towards the bathroom, walked in and closed and locked the door behind her. She turned on the water and got undressed distractedly. She climbed into the shower, almost tripping over the low edge.

She walked out of the bathroom, feeling better. Not much, but it was a start. She looked around and noticed not only had he packed her trunk, he had cleaned her room and laid her clothes out on her bed. She smiled. At least he didn't try to make her wear "nice" clothes. He had picked out a black spaghetti strap shirt to wear underneath the red netted, long-sleeve one. He had also picked out a black mini skirt and a nice pair of tennis shoes. I guess it is sort of nice, she mused and quickly got dressed.

She made her way downstairs, her trunk trailing down behind her, and into the living room where she saw Ginny, a couple of her brothers, and a couple of people she didn't recognize were already waiting. Geez, she thought. How long was I in the shower? What's with everyone being up at the crack of dawn? She glimpsed a clock that said it was two. She looked through a window pouring in sunlight. From the looks of it, it was two alright, two in the afternoon. Ginny ran up to her and gave her a quick hug.

"It's been so long, Tor," she said happily. Tori smiled and looked at the two people in the room that she did not recognize.

"Oh," Ginny said and followed where her eyes were gazing, "That's Harry and Hermione. Harry, Hermione, this is my best friend Tori." They walked towards her and shook hands.

"Hello," Harry said softly. Fred and George weren't lying. She really was pretty. Tori smiled softly to herself. She had heard Harry's thoughts. She was an experienced Occlumens herself. It ran in her bloodline.

"What's so funny?" Fred said coming up behind her and hugging her. She laughed and shoved him playfully, "Shove off Fred. I know what you're trying to do. And if it didn't work then, why would it work now?" He gave her puppy-dog eyes.

"I would never do anything like that…again."

"Wait," she said, "Was that you? Or was it your brother George? I never really was any good at telling the two of you apart then." He gave her a small smile and looked at George.

"Yeah, I thought so much," she said and laughed, her voice like the sound of bells.

"Well, we should get going," Remus said, stepping into the room with her brother, Chase. Chase nodded and said something only audible to himself and Remus. Remus nodded and herded everyone in front of the fireplace.

"Okay, everyone who can apparate. Do so now." Fred, George and Hermione all disappeared.

"Those who know how, but have yet to take their test, you might as well apparate, as well. It's a bit safer."

"B-but I can't apparate and I don't know how either," Ginny said softly.

"That's okay," Tori said and took Ginny by the arm, "I'll take you with me." Ginny nodded and they too disappeared. Which left Ron, Harry, and Remus. Ron and Harry apparated together and Remus by himself.

Mrs.Weasley looked around her living room and sighed. She had counted nine bodies. Only one more than what had departed from her house that morning. She quickly rushed over to Tori and squealed, "Oh Alice! You're okay. Thank goodness. I thought they had already gotten to you."

"Thank you for the optimism, Aunt Molly. It's always nice to know I can depend on you for that. By the way, I don't go by Alice anymore. It's Tori now," Tori said allowing Mrs.Weasley to obsess over her hair.

"Oh dear, what have you been using on your hair? It looks so beautiful, you must tell me." Tori smiled and nodded.

"So where'll I be sleeping?" she said looking around. The Burrow was just as she remembered the last time she had been there. Only everyone in the room was older, including herself.

"Oh! You'll be sharing a room with Ginny and Hermione. Ginny why don't you show her-?" Mrs.Weasley started to say.

"Mum, it's not like she hasn't been here before," Ginny mumbled softly.

"C'mon," Tori said, "It can be like old times. And you can introduce me to your friend, Hermione. She seems shy but I'm sure we can open her up." She whispered the last part to her. Ginny nodded her head and led their way upstairs to her room.

Harry sat down on the sofa.

"So what's going on?" he said quietly, "What're we supposed to be doing? I don't feel that I can just sit around doing nothing," He looked over to Remus and then Ron.

"We're not sure just yet," Remus replied, "The minister hasn't said anything. Not that he would of course, but none the less-" They heard a knock on the window and turned around. Mrs. Weasley quickly made her way over to it and opened it, letting the large, tawny owl in. It held out its leg for her to take the small piece of parchment.

"Oh dear," she said, "It's from Arthur. He says 'things have gotten even worse at the ministry.' He doesn't really go into detail, but he'll be home tonight." The room somehow grew quieter. At that moment they heard a loud bang and looked to the fireplace, where a girl with bubble gum pink hair stepped out and brushed herself off.

"I have news," Tonk said, "But first, can I get something to drink?"