Hermione stood at the train station, her trunk and Crookshanks resting on the platform behind her. She knew where to find Draco, but she was relishing what she knew to be her last moments breathing in English air. Finally she turned to apparate to the Malfoy Manor.
Suddenly, two large objects landed on either side of Crookshanks. He miaowed loudly and leapt to Hermione's shoulder. He tottered there for an instant, then noticed a large rat nearby and leapt off in pursuit, pulling out several strands of hair at the same time.
"Ow!" Hermione yelped. Then she noticed the reason for Crookshanks's leaps. The two very large objects were Fred and George. She immediately became much happier.
"What are you doing here?" She asked. "You know I have to leave- I can't stay."
Fred stood back a little, watching the way Hermione looked at George. He fell silent as George began to talk.
"Hermione, Draco may force you to leave, but he can't prevent me from coming with you."
Hermione looked at George and leaned up to kiss him. Fred, with a dejected air, disapparated. Neither one noticed.
George took hold of Hermione's trunk and led the way out onto the streets.
"Where to?" He asked.
"Why don't we stay at the Leaky Cauldron," she said. Somehow, she couldn't seem to wipe the grin off her face. To her relief, though, it seemed that George couldn't either.
Back at the Burrow, Fred stormed through the door and up to his room. He slammed the door shut behind him. He could hear Harry, Ron, and Ginny still going at it in another room.
Suddenly, the boys and Ginny disappeared down the steps. He watched from his window as they got on their brooms and flew in the direction of London. He began to pace his room, considering his options. Finally, he too grabbed his broom and flew off, landing rapidly at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. He gathered some necessary supplies and flew off again.
When Mr. and Mrs. Weasley returned home, they were surprised to find no one there to reply to their calls. They grew anxious as it became dark and finally, after an uneaten dinner hastily prepared by Mrs. Weasley, they disapparated to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix to begin the search.