Y/N's eyes fluttered open, and he looked up into the face of his girlfriend. Her features were swimming in and out of view, but he could clearly see the look of concern that was plastered across her face. The moment she saw his eyes opening, she immediately pushed a large chunk of chocolate into his hands as her head swooped down in front of his view and began examining him. The presence of the cloak was gone.

'Mione. I'm fine, honestly,' he said blearily as she rested the back of her hand against his forehead, but Hermione ignored him and continued checking him over. 'How long was I out for?'

'Only about thirty seconds,' said Ginny's voice, 'but you looked bad, I've never someone's drain of colour that quickly.'

Once Hermione was apparently satisfied with her inspection, she helped him half sit up, so he was instead now resting in her lap instead of in her arms and she began running her hands soothingly through his hair.

'For the love of Merlin, be careful, will you?' she said sternly as she looked down at him. 'I get wanting to know, believe me I do, but this is all still unknown territory right now. Don't push yourself.'

'Don't worry,' said Y/N. 'I won't be doing that again in a hurry.' Y/N allowed his eyes to roam across the rest of the room. Ginny wore a look of mild curiosity. Ron and Harry looked as though they'd looked the same way a few seconds before and were now trying very hard not to laugh.

'Your tune would change if it was Cho,' said Y/N with half a smirk at Harry which caused Ron to lose control and Harry to glare at him.

'You almost pass out and the first thing you do after waking up is take the mick?' asked Harry.

'Second. First was get lectured,' said Y/N.

'What did you find?' asked Hermione, ignoring Y/N's comment.

'I don't really know,' said Y/N. 'I didn't see the cloaks creation as such. I just saw a skeletal black thing putting it on.'

'Wait, what do you mean its creation?' asked Harry.

'I figured out a new trick to my sense. If I focus on something for long enough, I can see who cast it and the incantation they used. It appears like a small vision.'

'Woah,' said Ron, sounding impressed.

'So that's what you tried to do with the cloak?' asked Harry.

'Yeah,' said Y/N. 'That cloaks magic is ancient. I've never seen, heard, felt, or known anything like it. The only thing close is Dumbledore. It's in a whole new league. I knew it was going to be bad, that cloak always messes with me, but that was next level. Not doing that again. Not for a long while at least. Still a little bit out of my capabilities yet.'

'But what do you mean you saw a black skeletal figure?' asked Ginny.

Y/N closed his eyes, trying to picture the figure again. But the harder he tried the more it slipped away, like a dream.

'It was tall. Jet black. Looked like a man but it was super long in the wrong places. Like its fingers and stuff. It's tough to remember-'

'Well stop trying to then,' said Hermione sternly as she looked down at him. 'Just lie here and let yourself recover.'

'Yes ma'am,' said Y/N, readjusting himself so he was more comfortable and allowing Hermione to continue running her hand through his hair.

'Shut up Pig!' said Ron sternly as Pigwidgeon continued soaring around overhead, twittering madly.

'Why are you calling that owl pig?' asked Harry. Y/N and Hermione laughed.

'Because he's being stupid,' said Ginny. 'His real name is Pigwidgeon.'

'Yeah. 'Cause that's not a stupid name at all,' said Ron sarcastically. 'Ginny named him. She thinks it's sweet. And because Y/N and Hermione think it's sweet as well, they keep calling him it. And now he won't answer to anything else. So, it's Pig.'

'That's because it is sweet,' said Y/N.

'And look at how much he loves it,' cooed Hermione as Pigwidgeon's twittering got louder.

'Besides. You love him really,' said Y/N.

'Yeah, yeah alright' said Ron begrudgingly 'Suppose it's hardly the worst name he could have been given.'

'We're whittling him down, piece by piece,' said Ginny victoriously.

'What about Ves and Crookshanks?' asked Harry, turning to the couple on the floor.

'Crookshanks is out in the garden I expect,' said Hermione. 'He likes chasing gnomes. He's never seen them before, and they give him a hard time. I imagine it plays into his Kneazle side.'

'And Ves is around,' added Y/N. 'Imagine she's enjoying the time off. Everyone I write to is here now, so her job is done for a while. Christmas at the earliest. Not that she works that hard anyway.'

'I think mums finished shouting at Fred and George,' said Ginny as she moved over to the door. 'Should we go?'

'You guys go on ahead,' said Y/N, prying himself gently out of Hermione's lap. 'I want a quick word with Harry.'

Ron and Ginny left. Hermione looked at Y/N quizzically, but he gave her a quick smile and a kiss on the cheek. This seemed to sate her for now and she followed after the two Weasleys.

'What's up?' he asked, turning towards Harry.

'First. You sure you're alright? That looked bad,' said Harry.

'Yeah. It did its job. Got the attention off you writing to Sirius. So, what's up?'

'The other day I had a dream. A dream about a house, well- more like a manor. This old muggle man went in there and found… he found Wormtail and Voldemort. Voldemort asked him a few questions and then killed him. I woke up with my scar hurting. I don't remember much more.'

Y/N's stomach turned over. The implication even in what Harry just said was worrying. Voldemort was alive enough to be able to speak, to ask questions. To kill someone. And Wormtail was there too.

The words Harry had declared Professor Trelawney had given a few months prior came swimming back into Y/N's mind.

'Voldemort's servant was going to set out to return to him before midnight. She said the servant would help him come back to power.'

'This isn't good Harry,' said Y/N. 'I know I'm not usually the bearer of bad news, but this isn't good. If Wormtail is with him-'

'I know,' said Harry. 'That's why I don't want the other two to know. But as I've said before, it's better to have you on your guard. You at least stay on the defensive instead of panicking.'

'Oh, I do both. Just the panicking is subtle,' said Y/N as his mind raced, 'and I assumed that's what you wrote to Sirius about?'

'Yeah. I thought he'd know what was best. He'd be able to help in some way.'

'Smart thinking,' said Y/N. 'I could write to Remus as well. See what he reckons. But Harry, the other two deserve to know. I don't want them to stay in the dark about things like this.'

'I know,' said Harry. 'I just wanted your opinion first is all.'

'Well, my opinion is that we need to be very careful. Following the prophecy from Professor Trelawney last year, I've been on high alert. And I know Dumbledore, mum, and Remus have been as well. Not saying it's going to happen anytime soon, but we need to be keeping an eye out. Speaking of-'

Y/N withdrew his foe glass from his pocket and held it up. But the figures within were still as blurry as ever. He turned it to face Harry, who shook his head.

'Then we're safe for now,' said Y/N as he stowed it. 'Voldemort is hardly around the corner and even if he was, he's still just a shred of what he once was. We just need to watch each other's backs. But let me know if anything like this happens again? He's dangerous, no matter how weak he is. We need to be ready if anything is going to happen.'

'I feel a lot safer knowing you've got mine, mate,' said Harry smiling wryly. 'Especially after your classes last year, but of course. You'll be one of the first to know.'

'Let's just hope I don't need to use them,' said Y/N grimly. 'Now come on, or Hermione and Mrs Weasley will have both of our heads.'

Harry nodded and the two of them made their way downstairs. They arrived in the kitchen where Mrs Weasley stood in front of the sink looking very bad-tempered.

'We're eating out in the garden,' she said as she saw them. 'There's just not enough room for twelve people inside. Can you take some cutlery out for me please, Harry?'

'What about me, Mrs Weasley?' asked Y/N.

'Nothing from you,' said Mrs Weasley sternly. 'Hermione told me you aren't feeling well. Head straight outside.'

'But-' began Y/N.

'Drop it,' muttered Harry as he moved over to the cutlery drawer. Y/N sighed, thanked Mrs Weasley and headed out into the garden where his ears were immediately greeted by a crashing sound. He made his way around the outskirts of the house where he saw Bill and Charlie, wands drawn, making two tables crash into each other and attempt to knock each other out of the air. Hermione was stood off to the side, looking half amused, half reproachful.

'Not enjoying the entertainment?' he asked as he swept up behind Hermione and scooped her into a hug.

'Just observing,' said Hermione in a very poor attempt at sounding innocent.

'Turns out all the Weasleys are as chaotic as each other,' said Y/N watching as Charlie's table had a leg snapped off by Bill's table flying under it.

'Makes me wonder how Percy came to be in a family like this. You'd think hanging around this many troublemakers would turn anyone.'

Y/N shrugged.

'I'm hardly one to ask. I'm normally the troublemaker. And I kind of dragged you down with me. I still remember you getting cross at Harry and Ron for the midnight duel. Now you're normally the one instigating my jokes.'

'That's because they dragged you into it and could have gotten you expelled,' laughed Hermione as Percy opened a window and began yelling down to the battling siblings. 'I didn't care what they were doing. I just cared that they didn't rope you into it.'

'How selfless of you.'

'Well, I hardly wanted my first and only friend at the time getting expelled a week in, did I? Besides, you weren't even a part of it in the first place. Ron just volunteered you because you knew how to cast more than sparks.'

'Seems like a theme we've been following for the last three years,' said Y/N smugly. 'Still remember him telling me to go first into the Forbidden Forest because he knew I was pissed.'

'To be fair, I don't blame them. I've seen you when you mean business. It's like you become a different person,' said Hermione fondly.

Y/N laughed.

'You sound like you enjoy the other side of me.'

'I enjoy every side of you,' she said sweetly as Charlie repaired his table and set it down alongside Bill's.

'We really are sickeningly sweet,' said Y/N, kissing the top of her head before moving forward to help set the table.

By the time seven o clock rolled around, the tables looked ready to collapse under the mountain of food Mrs Weasley had prepared. Y/N settled himself in between Ginny and Hermione and allowed himself to listen to the conversations travelling up and down the table.

'I've told Mr. Crouch that I'll have it ready by Tuesday,' Percy was saying pompously. 'That's a bit sooner than he expected it, but I like to keep on top of things. I think he'll be grateful I've done it in good time, I mean, it's extremely busy in our department just now, what with all the arrangements for the World Cup. We're just not getting the support we need from the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Ludo Bagman-'

'I like Ludo,' said Mr. Weasley mildly. 'He was the one who got us such good tickets for the Cup. I did him a bit of a favour: His brother, Otto, got into a spot of trouble, a lawnmower with unnatural powers, I smoothed the whole thing over.'

'Oh Bagman's likable enough, of course,' said Percy dismissively, 'but how he ever got to be Head of Department... when I compare him to Mr. Crouch!

Y/N snorted.

'What's up?' asked Hermione leaning in.

'Percy's boss,' said Y/N quietly, trying to make sure Ginny didn't hear. 'He's the one mums been ranting about all summer. Him and Igor Karkaroff. Didn't realise Percy worked under him, but I also can't say I'm surprised.'

'I can't see Mr. Crouch losing a member of our department and not trying to find out what's happened to them,' Percy continued. 'You realize Bertha Jorkins has been missing for over a month now? Went on holiday to Albania and never came back?'

Y/N's stomach lurched.

'Sorry to interrupt Percy, but did you say she went missing in Albania?'

'That's what they believe, yes,' said Percy, looking slightly surprised at Y/N's sudden interest, 'but we don't really have any proof that she got there. Not that I know of at least.'

Mr Weasley threw Y/N a quizzical look. Y/N held his gaze for a few moments before Mr Weasley spoke. His words were slow and deliberate, as though choosing them carefully.

'Yes. I was asking Ludo about that actually, but he seems to think that it's not the first time and that she'll turn up eventually. Though I must say if it was someone in my department, I'd be a bit more worried.'

'Well Bertha's hopeless alright,' said Percy. 'I hear she's been moved from department to department for years. But at the same time, Bagman ought to be a lot more concerned as to where she's ended up. Mr. Crouch has been taking a personal interest, she worked in our department at one time, you know, and I think Mr. Crouch was quite fond of her. But Bagman just keeps laughing and saying she probably misread the map and ended up in Australia instead of Albania. However,' Percy heaved an impressive sigh and took a deep swig of elderflower wine, 'we've got quite enough on our plates at the Department of International Magical Cooperation without trying to find members of other departments too. As you know, we've got another big event to organize right after the World Cup.'

And he threw a pompous look down the table towards the younger Weasleys and visiting guests.

'You know the one father. The top secret one.'

'Percy. You remember who my mother is, don't you? I'm fully aware as to what's happening,' said Y/N matter-of-factly, which wiped the smug look off Percy's face.

'Yes… well-' and he took another swig of wine.

'Wait. He's actually talking about something?' asked Ron. 'We always thought he was trying to show off.'

'It's the same thing your parents have made me swear to keep quiet. Not really fair of him to rub it in though. Not exactly your fault they won't tell you.'

In the middle of the table, Mrs. Weasley was arguing with Bill about his earring, which seemed to be a recent acquisition.

'-with a horrible great fang on it. Really, Bill, what do they say at the bank?'

'Mum, no one at the bank gives a damn how I dress as long as I bring home plenty of treasure,' said Bill patiently.

'And your hair's getting silly, dear,' said Mrs. Weasley, fingering her wand lovingly. 'I wish you'd let me give it a trim…'

'I like them,' said Y/N. 'I'm a big fan of the earring. And the long hair suits him.'

Bill threw him an appreciative nod, but Mrs Weasley had apparently not been listening and was still eyeing his hair.

Next to Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George, and Charlie were all talking spiritedly about the World Cup.

'It's got to be Ireland,' said Charlie thickly, through a mouthful of potato. 'They flattened Peru in the semi-finals.'

'Bulgaria has got Viktor Krum, though,' said Fred.

'Krum's one decent player, Ireland has got seven,' said Charlie shortly. 'I wish England had got through. That was embarrassing, that was.'

'What happened?' said Harry eagerly.

'Went down to Transylvania, three hundred and ninety to ten,' said Charlie gloomily. 'Shocking performance. And Wales lost to Uganda, and Scotland was slaughtered by Luxembourg.'

They rounded off their food and were just getting ready to retire inside when Mr Weasley called out.

'Just a moment please, Y/N.'

Y/N nodded and waited until everyone else had left. Molly gave them a quizzical look as she moved inside, but didn't say anything.

'What's up, Mr Weasley?' asked Y/N.

'I was hoping you were listening in to our conversation,' Mr Weasley said quite quietly, despite them being completely alone. 'I assume you too noticed where Bertha Jorkins has gone missing?'

'Albania. Yeah,' whispered Y/N back. 'Isn't that where-?'

'You-Know-Who was last rumoured to be. Yes', said Mr Weasley. 'Now I know Ludo thinks nothing of the disappearance, but I do. And so does Dumbledore. So, I have a favour to ask. I can do it whilst they're at work but keep an eye on Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch during the school term. I imagine Dumbledore will be doing much the same, but they're less likely to divulge something in front of him than they are some lone student.'

'You think they're hiding something?' asked Y/N alarmed.

'No. But I do worry that if something comes back about it, they'll try to. The Ministry doesn't want to think that You-Know-Who is still out there, and if they find out one of the employees died mysteriously at the place he was last rumoured to be,' Mr Weasley breathed a shaky sigh.

'Why me though?' asked Y/N. 'Why not one of your sons?'

'Dumbledore, Minerva, and Remus all speak very highly of you and your abilities, Y/N. And you saved my daughter's life. I know you are capable and whilst I know your friends are too, Harry has enough on his plate. Besides, the word also comes from Dumbledore. He's asked me to pass it along to you and you alone.'

'Dumbledore asked you to tell me?'

'I think he's figured out by now that you aren't going to keep out of trouble even if begged to. So instead, he's going to use you to his advantage,' said Mr Weasley with a wry smile. 'I believe his exact words were "he's too much like his mother to stop. And enough like his mother to be worth having as our inside source. Even if he needs to break a few rules to do it".'

Y/N smiled in spite of himself. It was true, but he didn't think they'd notice.

'It just feels weird. I mean, I'm only fourteen-'

'And you've proven yourself capable of things older and more advanced wizards cannot do. You can control your emotions in your spells, have felled a basilisk and can even produce a patronus. These are no small feats, Y/N. I wouldn't be surprised if you were welcomed into The Order of the Phoenix once you turn of age.'

'The Order of what?' asked Y/N, slightly bemused.

'The Order of the Phoenix,' said Mr Weasley. 'It's Dumbledore's gathering of the Witches and Wizards who opposed You-Know-Who last time. All in secret of course, but Minerva is one of the members, as are Remus, myself, and Molly. And should the time come, Bill and Charlie will be welcomed into the fold as well. Both are very capable. But that's beside the point. Will you keep an eye on them? And the other delegates from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang too?'

'I was already intending to,' said Y/N. 'Mum's told me enough about them that I'd have at least been cautious, but yes of course I can Mr Weasley. And thank you for trusting me.'

'You've got a good heart and a strong head on your shoulders, Y/N,' said Mr Weasley with an approving nod. 'I know you can do this for us. Anything you see, report in either directly to Dumbledore or if you can't contact him, Minerva or myself. I will be happy to relay anything you find. Now off to bed with you. We need to be up early tomorrow.'

Y/N nodded and re-entered the Burrow. He crept up to the first floor and knocked lightly on the door. He was told to enter, and he slipped inside.

'What was that all about?' said Ginny at once before Y/N had even closed the door.

'Give me a second!' said Y/N with half a laugh. He scooped up his pyjamas, slid out to change and returned to the bedroom. He moved along to where Hermione lay waiting for him and slipped in alongside her, she immediately wrapped herself into him and rested her head on his chest.

'So, what did dad say?'

'Nothing I can tell you yet,' said Y/N begrudgingly. 'Not until you find out what they're refusing to tell you. I promised them I wouldn't say a word.'

'So, Hermione will know by the morning,' said Ginny grumpily.

'Hermione's already half asleep,' said Y/N with a small smile as he felt the figure on his chest pull herself in tighter.

'No I'm not,' yawned Hermione.

'Of course you're not. I can tell you the other part though. Harry wrote to Sirius because his scar hurt.' And Y/N recounted everything Harry had told him after the incident with the cloak.

Hermione's grip on him had been getting tighter and tighter as he recounted and now when she spoke the tiredness was gone from her voice.

'But if Wormtail found him-'

'I know,' said Y/N. 'It's not good. We've got to be ready. I don't know when it will happen, or even if, but we have to be ready. We can't let him catch us off guard. But I've promised you before and I will again. I won't let him touch you. Either of you. Not whilst I'm still breathing.'

'Look at you being all noble,' said Ginny in a false attempt to sound brave, but Y/N could hear the shake in her voice.

'We've got time, Gin,' said Y/N. 'He's barely able to hold a wand from the sounds of it. He's hardly the dark wizard he used to be. By the time he does come back, if he comes back. We'll be ready.'

He heard Ginny sigh from across the room.

'I hope you're right, Y/N. I really do.'

Ginny fell asleep not long after, but Y/N was waiting till he felt Hermione do the same. Her grip on him was vice like still. He raised his hand and began to run it slowly through her hair and as the minutes crept by her grip slowly relaxed.

'Sorry…' she whispered. 'I just don't want to lose you.'

'You won't,' said Y/N. 'Voldemort doesn't stand a chance against us. We're too dangerous.'

Hermione laughed weakly.

'You and that never ending confidence.'

'No point in getting ourselves caught up in it. What will come, will come, and we'll have to face it when it does.'

He felt Hermione nodding against his chest.

'Good night, Y/N. I love you.'

'Good night, Hermione. I love you too.'

()()()()()()

Y/N was woken by a very quiet whisper what felt like ten minutes later. His eyes fluttered open to reveal Mrs Weasley, and his face broke into a blush. In the rush of the previous evening, he'd forgotten that she would be waking them up to ensure they made it to the World Cup on time.

Mrs Weasley didn't seem bothered however; in fact she was smiling sweetly down at the mass of bushy brown hair on Y/N's chest as she spoke.

'Come on Y/N, Hermione. It's time to go.'

'Sorry Mrs Weasley just-' began Y/N.

'You don't need to explain anything to me, dear. As long as you two are comfortable.' And with a warm smile, she stepped out of the room.

Y/N stretched and then began lightly poking the cheek of his slumbering girlfriend until she began attempting to swat his finger away.

'Y/N!' she wailed sleepily.

'We need to go 'Mione, or we're gonna be late.'

'It's only Quidditch,' she said grumpily. 'Can't we just stay?'

'Wouldn't really be fair to Mr Weasley after he got us the tickets,' said Y/N. 'Come on because I need to wake Ginny as well.'

Hermione gave another small wail but withdrew herself from his chest, and Y/N moved over to Ginny where he shook her gently.

'Come on Gin, it's time to go.'

'You're lucky I can't cast magic outside of school,' she said sleepily as she turned to see who was waking her.

'And so are you or I'd jinx you out of bed. Come on. I'm going to go get changed. You'd best be up by the time I'm back or I'll bring in your mother.'

Ginny grumbled loudly, but Y/N moved over to his suitcase, withdrew his set of clothes for the day and slipped out of the bedroom. By the time he returned, Hermione was changed and sitting patiently at the end of the bed whilst Ginny was sat up rubbing her eyes.

'Felt like I barely even got to sleep. And I thought I was used to getting up early because of you two.'

'To be fair, this is early even for us,' said Y/N stifling a yawn. 'But we've got to make do. The sacrifices we make for Quidditch. I'll wait downstairs so you can change. Coming?' he added to Hermione, who nodded happily and followed him downstairs. They were the first of the children to arrive in the kitchen where they saw Mrs Weasley stirring a large pot and Mr Weasley sitting at the table with a roll of what looked like their entry tickets.

He looked around as they entered and spread his arms to show what he was wearing. It was a golfing sweater, a very old pair of jeans and a rather thick leather belt.

'What d'you think?' he asked more to Hermione. 'We're supposed to go incognito, do I look like a muggle?'

'You've done a very good job, Mr Weasley,' said Hermione brightly as she and Y/N sat down at the table and Mrs Weasley slid bowls of porridge towards them.

A few moments later and Harry, Ron and the twins came stumbling into the room, all looking like they'd been forcefully dragged out of their beds.

'Where're Bill and Charlie and Per-Per-Percy?' said George, failing to stifle a huge yawn.

'Well, they're Apparating, aren't they?' said Mrs Weasley, 'So they can have a bit of a lie-in.'

'So, they're still in bed?' asked Fred grumpily.

'You don't want to Apparate anyway, mate,' said Y/N. 'Horrible feeling. Honestly better just to walk.'

'Not when we're waking up this early it isn't,' said Ron darkly.

'Ginny not come down with you?' Mrs Weasley asked Y/N and Hermione, and Y/N shook his head.

'Hermione was changed by the time I was, but Ginny wasn't. We left to give her some privacy.'

'I'll give her a few minutes, then go and check then,' said Mrs Weasley as she turned back to the stove.

'Why have we got to be up so early?' came a wailing from the doorway as Ginny joined them about a minute later.

'We've got a bit of a walk,' said Mr Weasley.

'Walk?' said Harry. 'What, are we walking to the World Cup?'

'No no, that's miles away,' said Mr Weasley. 'We only need to walk a short way. It's just that it's very difficult for a large number of wizards to congregate without attracting muggle attention. We have to be very careful about how we travel at the best of times, and on a huge occasion like the Quidditch World Cup-'

'George!' said Mrs Weasley sharply, and they all jumped.

'What?' said George, in an innocent tone that deceived nobody.

'What is that in your pocket?'

'Nothing!'

'Don't you lie to me!'

Mrs Weasley pointed her wand at George's pocket and said, 'Accio!'

Several small, brightly coloured objects zoomed out of George's pocket; he made a grab for them but missed, and they sped right into Mrs. Weasley's outstretched hand. Y/N made a mental note of that incantation for later.

'We told you to destroy them!' said Mrs Weasley furiously, holding up what Y/N figured were most likely the legendary Ton-Tongue Toffees. 'We told you to get rid of the lot! Empty your pockets, go on, both of you!'

The next few minutes weren't pleasant. The twins had clearly been trying to smuggle as many sweets as possible out of the house. And in the end, Mrs Weasley had to use the summoning charm to get them all.

'We spent six months developing those!' Fred yelled as Mrs Weasley waved her wand and the toffees vanished.

'Oh, a fine way to spend six months!' she shrieked. 'No wonder you didn't get more O.W.L.S.'

Y/N excused himself from the table and slipped outside where he walked up to the fence surrounding the Burrow. The moon was still hanging out in the sky, though the faintest tinge on the horizon told Y/N that dawn wasn't far off.

He could kind of understand what Mrs Weasley meant, but he knew the twins weren't going to stop and quite frankly, why should they? They were good at what they did. There was no reason for them to stop. As long as they weren't hurting anyone obviously. In fact, the world could probably do with more laughing and smiling.

It wasn't long before he began to hear noise at the front door and, a moment later, he felt an arm wrap around his.

'You ready to go?' asked Hermione, looking up at him.

Y/N nodded, and they turned back towards the rest of the Weasleys who were now trooping out of the front door of the Burrow. They fell in line alongside Ginny and began the slow crawl out of the boundaries of the fence.

'Mum really is unfair to them sometimes,' whispered Ginny as she stared at the backs of the twins.

'Why were they even trying to bring so many?' asked Hermione. 'We're only going to watch Quidditch.'

'They'd have probably tried to sell it on,' said Ginny. 'Get some buyers who want to prank someone they know. From what dad's said, it's an easy to reverse charm. Just obviously whoever it happens to can't really talk so it's on whoever did the pranking to release them. I don't think that's all they've made though. Some of those looked different.'

'It is quite impressive magic,' said Y/N. 'Small number of OWLs or not, they're clearly capable. Infusing an item with a permanent version of a spell is quite intense.'

'I think mum wants them to join the Ministry,' whispered Ginny, eyeing her dad cautiously. 'Everyone in the family has been at one point or another, even if they went on somewhere else afterwards. But Fred and George have just said they want to open a joke shop.'

'They'd do well with it,' said Y/N, 'and it wouldn't hurt to have a few loose prank items in my back pocket.'

'To be fair I'm sure if you asked, they'd sell you something,' said Hermione, smiling slightly. 'But obviously when Ron's tongue is 6 foot long, I wasn't the one who said this.'

'I love it when you become a troublemaker,' smirked Y/N, giving her a kiss before speeding up slightly to walk along the twins.

'So-' began Y/N.

'Oh no,' said Fred at once.

'What does he want this time?' said George cautiously.

'Ha ha, very funny,' said Y/N, rolling his eyes. 'Those sweets. Once you've made more obviously, how much are they going for and are they all you have?'

Y/N watched Fred's eyes flash mischievously and George moved to block Y/N from Mr Weasley's line of sight.

'What kind of thing are you looking for?' said Fred, lowering his voice.

'Anything fun,' said Y/N. 'You know what I'm like. Flashy isn't my style but memorable is. Not quite extending tongue but-'

'Say no more,' said Fred. 'We'll need some time to replenish our stock, but we'll catch you through Hogwarts.'

'Anyone we should avoid?' asked George as he subtly nodded towards Hermione.

'Actually, it was her idea,' said Y/N with half a smile. 'Harry and Ron shouldn't be around.'

'Her idea?' said Fred incredulously.

'Ah, young Y/N is converting her to our ways,' said George, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. 'They grow up so fast.'

'Make them good and I'll order from you again,' said Y/N with a smirk. 'You'll have yourself a regular customer.'

Fred and George shared a mischievous smile and nodded. Y/N slowed his pace and allowed himself to fall back in line with Hermione and Ginny just as they approached the bottom of a hill.

'Stoatshead Hill,' said Ginny as Y/N came with hearing range. 'The Portkey we're getting is on top of here.'

They began the climb. The hill was quite steep and had several rocky outcrops that took a small amount of climbing in order to get up. They were around halfway up when Hermione began panting quite heavily.

'One more ledge and then it's a straight shot,' said Y/N reassuringly. But once they'd cleared the ledge, Hermione held up a hand.

'Gimme a minute,' she panted. 'Need to catch my breath.'

'Come on,' said Y/N, kneeling down. 'I've got you the rest of the way.'

'You sure?'

'Yep. Get on.'

Hermione hopped onto his back. He hooked his arms under her legs and lifted her as her arms snaked around his neck and he continued the rest of the trek up. He reached the top out of breath but managed it. As he let Hermione down, she beamed at him and kissed him on the cheek.

'Now we just need the Portkey,' said Mr Weasley as he glanced around. 'It won't be big… come on.'

'Hang on Mr Weasley,' said Y/N and he closed his eyes, feeling outwards. There was nothing nearby. Nothing floating past, but there was something in the distance. 'It's that way,' he said, opening his eyes and pointing towards the other side of the hilltop.

'I forgot you could do that,' said George as the group began to walk in the direction of Y/N's point.

Y/N felt the item move and turned his eyes towards it in time to see a man straightening up, clutching something in his hand with another person alongside him.

'Over there Mr Weasley!' called Y/N, pointing towards them.

Mr Weasley followed his finger and beamed.

'Ah, excellent. Morning Amos!' he called as they walked towards the two figures. He was a rather ruddy-faced wizard with a scrubby brown beard, and clutched in his hand was a mouldy brown boot. Stood next to him was Cedric Diggory, the Hufflepuff seeker who had defeated Gryffindor the year prior when Harry had fallen off his broom.

'This is Amos Diggory everyone!' said Mr Weasley happily. 'He works for the Department of the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures-' Y/N felt his stomach lurch as he remembered Buckbeak, '-and I'm sure you've met his son, Cedric?'

'Hi!' said Cedric brightly, looking around at them all. The group chorused the same sentiment back except for Fred and George, who simply nodded, and Ginny, who went scarlet.

'Oh poor sweet Ginny,' whispered Y/N so only Hermione and Ginny could hear him. 'You're going to regret that.' and she glared at him.

'Long walk Arthur?' asked Amos.

'Not too bad,' said Mr Weasley. 'We live just on the other side of the village there. You?'

'Had to get up at two, didn't we, Ced? I tell you, I'll be glad when he's got his Apparition test. Still. Not complaining, Quidditch World Cup, wouldn't miss it for a sackful of Galleons - and the tickets cost about that. Mind you, looks like I got off easy...' Amos Diggory peered good-naturedly around at the gathered troop. 'All these yours, Arthur?'

'Oh no, only the redheads,' said Mr Weasley, pointing out his children. 'These are Hermione, Y/N and Harry, friends of the family.'

Y/N felt his face set alight at being declared a friend of the family.

'Oh poor sweet Y/N-' began Ginny, but then she hissed in pain as Hermione stood on her foot.

'What was that for?'

'Oh, sorry, it's instinct when I think I hear someone about to threaten Y/N,' said Hermione casually. Ginny's eyes narrowed and Hermione stuck her tongue out playfully.

'Merlin's beard,' said Amos Diggory, his eyes widening. 'Harry? Harry Potter?'

'Er, yeah,' said Harry.

'Ced's talked about you, of course,' said Amos Diggory. 'Told us all about playing against you last year... I said to him, I said - Ced, that'll be something to tell your grandchildren, that will! You beat Harry Potter!'

Fred and George were both scowling again. Cedric looked slightly embarrassed.

'Harry fell off his broom, Dad,' he muttered. 'I told you... it was an accident-'

'Yes, but you didn't fall off, did you?' roared Amos genially, slapping his son on his back. 'Always modest, our Ced, always the gentleman... but the best man won, I'm sure Harry'd say the same, wouldn't you, eh? One falls off his broom, one stays on, you don't need to be a genius to tell which one's the better flier!'

'Guessing we just don't mention the Dementors?' whispered Y/N, trying to hide his laugh at the outraged look on Ginny's face and Hermione simply smiled weakly back.

'Must be nearly time,' said Mr Weasley quickly, pulling out his watch again. 'Do you know whether we're waiting for anymore, Amos?'

'No, the Lovegood's have been there for a week already and the Fawcett's couldn't get tickets,' said Mr Diggory. 'There aren't any more of us in this area, are there?'

'Not that I know of,' said Mr Weasley. 'Yes, it's a minute off... We'd better get ready...'

He looked around at the three non-Weasleys.

'You just need to touch the Portkey, that's all, a finger will do. Are you sure you're going to be alright Y/N. With your-?' and he pointed weakly at his head.

'I'll be fine,' said Y/N. The Portkey was making his head hurt slightly but it wasn't bad. He knew it would probably be worse once it activated though. He'd never used a Portkey before.

With difficulty, owing to their bulky backpacks, the ten of them crowded around the old boot held out by Amos Diggory.

As they stood there, Y/N was struck with an idea and closed his eyes feeling outwards. He felt the Portkey and pushed deeper.

In his mind he saw the image of a man in deep blue robes raising his wand. In front of him on a table lay a collection of random muggle items. Bent hangars, and empty cans. He swung his wand down towards the mouldy boot and said:

'Portus.'

Y/N's eyes reopened, and he immediately saw Hermione watching him carefully. His head was pulsing slightly harder now, but he still managed a weak smile. She shook her head slightly.

'Three' muttered Mr. Weasley, one eye still on his watch, 'two... one...'

It happened immediately: Y/N felt as though a hook just behind his navel had been suddenly tugged forward. His feet left the ground; he could feel Ginny and Hermione on either side of him, their shoulders banging into his; they were all speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling colour; his forefinger was stuck to the boot as though it was pulling him magnetically onward and then-

His feet slammed hard into the ground. Hermione fell sideways into him as she attempted to rebalance herself, but it was enough to send Y/N to the floor as his head swam dangerously and his vision blurred.

A moment later and the bit of light that had been visible became obscured by something as he felt something being pushed against his mouth. He took the chocolate Hermione was attempting to give him and his vision began to clarify just as a voice rang out.

'Seven past five from Stoatshead Hill!'