Chapter 2: Do You Believe In MAGIC?
The silence that rang through the air was earth shattering. The smoke from the burning houses filled the air, creating a smell that carried through the night sky. Hermione sighed and began talking to the boys again.
"Ian? Evan? I am going to climb the fence. Don't get scared, ok?"
"All right," they answered simultaneously. Hermione, still clad in her pajamas, climbed the fence using a nearby flowerpot. She hopped on top of it, and with a balance she thought she lacked, she managed to look over. When she did manage to peak her head over the fence, she nearly fell with shock.
Around the two brothers was a green and blue sphere. It was swirling like a pensieve, and a low humming noise was heard if you listened closely. They were holding on tightly to each other, each petrified. She touched the sphere and watched as her hand slipped right through it. Could it possibly be?
"Psst," she said. They looked up at her, their tear stricken faces gazing at her. "C'mon. You can trust me. I used to watch over you guys when you were babies. C'mon, up," she said lovingly. She tried using a voice her mother would have, in order to make them feel more secure. The boys stood up and gave one last look at their house. "It'll be ok. Grab my hand," she said to Ian. He hesitated for a split second, until he clasped his hand tightly in hers. She smiled and helped him climb over the fence. He landed with a thud on her side. She helped his twin brother over and then hopped off of the stool. The sphere that had surrounded them faded away.
The trio stared at their houses, both burning rapidly. Hermione hid her wand, in order not to scare her neighbors. She glanced at them and noticed how big they had gotten.
"My goodness you boys have grown up!" She said smiling. They both gave a strained smile. She wrapped her arms around them tightly, feeling their tears wet her pajamas. "It'll be all right guys. We'll figure this out. Come on, lets go say hello to my parents." They nodded and wiped their tears hastily, their cheeks rosy with embarrassment. Hermione groaned. This was not good. She would have to do magic in order to get her parents. But if her theory proved right, it wouldn't matter what they saw.
"Now don't freak out ok?" She instructed. They looked quizzically at her; however, before they could react, Hermione had made the shed visible again. She undid the words and took off the disillusionment charms she had placed on her parents.
"Hermione? Is everything all right?" Her father asked. Her mother stood behind him and glanced at the two little boys behind her daughter.
"For now. They're gone. Ian and Evan are the only ones left," she said sadly. Her Mum rushed over to the boys and embraced them tightly. Her father looked at her oddly. There was a soft voice that echoed behind them.
"Eh-hem." Hermione reacted with a lightning speed that would later prove useful.
'Expelliarmus!" She cried. Her eyes widened in shock as the voice's wand landed in her hand. Albus Dumbledore stood before her, his eyes twinkling slightly and his mouth agape. "Sorry Professor!" She said. She handed him his wand back, which vanished instantly.
"It's quite all right Miss Granger. I have a portkey," he said, pulling out an old hat. "I want you all to touch it and everything else will be explained from there." Hermione nodded, her eyes somewhat cold when looking at the Headmaster.
"Guys, just hold on tightly to the hat," she said. The four others looked at her oddly. "Please?" She asked, her patience straining. They complied, thankfully, and within a second of touching the hat, they disappeared in a world wind of magic.
The living room, well more like the floor in the living room, of Twelve Grimmauld Place came into view immediately. Hermione groaned and got up, only to be ambushed by a flurry of wild red hair.
"Oh Hermione Dear!" Mrs. Weasley wailed, her hug smothering any oxygen needed for breathing.
"Mrs. Weasley, can't breathe!" Hermione gasped. Mrs. Weasley let go, and helped everyone up.
"Is everything ok? I heard all about it!" Mr. Weasley came in at that moment, and looked sorrowfully at the family. He shook hands with the Grangers and hugged Hermione lightly. She turned to the boys, who looked fearful at the red headed couple. They looked at Hermione, terrified once more.
"You boys have had a rough night. C'mon, sleep will do you best right now. We'll talk in the morning, yes?" She said softly. They nodded and each grabbed one of her hands.
"Is everyone here?" She asked, turning to Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes. Ron is in the original room he shared with Harry, who inherited this place. Ginny is in your room, Fred and George are sleeping in their new apartment that is a top of their shop, Charlie is back in Romania, and Bill is in France with Fleur. Yes, I know Dear, don't ask. There is Harry's master bedroom for when he arrives, and a spare where Fred and George used to sleep. These two dumplings can sleep there."
Hermione nodded and put a finger to lips, silencing them as they walked past the portrait of Mrs. Black. They walked up the creaky stairs, hoping not to wake the Sirius's bitch of a mother. They walked past Ron's room, his loud snores ricocheting around the house. Hermione snorted, grabbing the boys' attention. They smiled at her not so feminine grunt, their bright blue eyes sparkling for the first time. She led them into Fred and George's now deserted room.
Two twin size beds bordered each side of the room. It was a fair size room, big enough to suit two occupants comfortably. The boys looked at each other slightly nervous. But who could blame them? Their parents just died along with the house they were raised in. Everything they had was gone.
Hermione looked around the room for a few spare candles.
"Incendio," she said gently. The now harmless flame lit up the room, making it feel warmer and cozier. She turned to the very horror stricken boys. "I've got a lot of explaining to do, haven't I?" She asked playfully. They nodded excitedly. "I will do so only if you both pick a bed and start getting cozy. We'll be hanging here for a while."
The twins eagerly picked a bed, kicked off their shoes that had been tied loosely in a rush, and awaited impatiently for Hermione to begin.
"Well c'mon!" Ian exclaimed excitedly. His brother nodded in approval, waiting to hear.
"This may come as a bit of a shock really, hell it did when I found out. Let's start off with the basics. There is such thing as magic," she said. Their jaws dropped, and they began glancing at each other nervously. "Why are you two looking at each other nervously?" She asked suspiciously.
"Well, you see-" Ian began.
"It's rather odd that you mention it," Evan continued. Hermione inwardly groaned at the resemblance they had to George and Fred. She raised her brows at them in mock irritation.
"There was this one time, Evan and I were out in the street playing some futbol. Simple game really. And -"
"I was kicking his arse," Evan cut in. Hermione gave him a look, causing him to smirk.
"Anyways, I went to go chase the ball because somebody kicked it into the street. I wasn't paying attention, and then I saw a speeding car headed my way. I through my arms up in front of me and when I opened my eyes, the car was stopped and tilted front down."
"It was brilliant, if I may add," Evan cut in once more. Ian huffed and looked expectantly at Hermione. She smiled and looked to Evan once more.
"Remember that other time Ian, when we were playing tag like three years ago. We were what, seven and three quarters?"
"Seven and three quarters, yup," replied Ian.
"Yes, so we were seven and three quarters when the first round about of this so-called magic showed up. We were playing tag, running up and down the block because we got kicked out of the house for ruining Mum's flowers." He stopped to gather himself, the wound still fresh on his soul. He took a deep breath, and continued with his story. "So, all of a sudden, we heard this loud bark. I looked to Ian, who then turned around and noticed two dogs chasing us. And they weren't poodles either. They were HUGE." He exclaimed, gesturing their size with his hands. "About this big, don't you say Ian?" His twin nodded, settling himself more and more into the bed.
"So what happened?" Hermione asked.
"We don't have a bloody clue!" Ian exclaimed. "We stopped in like shock, and the next thing we knew, the dogs disappeared!"
"Do you know what this means?" Hermione asked, her mood changing rapidly to complete excitement.
"What?" They both asked.
"You're both wizards!" She exclaimed gleefully.
"We're what?" They asked, confusion in their eyes.
"You're wizards. I am a witch. We can do magic. Those incidents that occurred, the futbol and the dogs, are called accidental magic. They're-"
"We did magic on accident," Evan whispered. He looked to his brother, who had come to the very same conclusion.
"And, although I must bring this to face as well, you did accidental magic this evening. When I found you on the opposite side of the fence, you both put up a combined safety sphere around yourselves. I was able to touch you because you trusted me."
They looked deadpan at her. She sighed and put her hands on her waist.
"It's not a bad thing to be magical," she exasperated. Honestly, she thought.
"Were Mum and Dad magical?" Ian asked.
"Not that I know of. My parents are not magical, and yet I am a witch. When is your birthday?" She asked curiously.
"August tenth," they replied. A smile came to her face.
"You'll be coming to Hogwarts this year," she grinned smugly.
"What's a Hogwarts?" the boys asked.
"A school in Scotland, where we learn magic. It's similar to our secondary school. You're called a first year. I'm going to have to give you my books to fill you in. Why don't we get some rest before we go into all the details? It could be a while." They nodded reluctantly and climbed into bed.
"Hermione?" Evan asked in a smile voice.
"Yes?"
"Are we safe?" He asked. She smiled warmly and nodded.
"You are safe. And you always will be from now on, if I have anything to do with it. Goodnight. Try to get comfortable. Would you like some hot chocolate?" She asked. They nodded and began to pull the covers up. She closed the door quietly, a heavy sigh escaping her.
She made her way downstairs, her footsteps creating soft thuds. She entered the kitchen, where the majority of the Order and her parents were seated. She really did not care at this moment. As she continued to ignore them, she made her way into the potions cupboard. Two vials of Sleeping Draught were marked on the second shelf. She carefully made her way into the kitchen, and then continued to make hot chocolate. She ignored the huffs as they watched her use magic. So what were they going to do? Throw her into Azkiban. As if they could.
After adding the draughts, Hermione made her way upstairs. The boys were talking quietly amongst themselves. She knocked courteously, before entering the now quiet bedroom.
"Hot chocolate for everyone," she said quietly. They both took their glasses and began to sip at it, before they both became drowsy. She took them back just in time, before both boys were out cold. She put a permanent warming charm, and blew out the candles before leaving the bedroom.
She was about to take another step, when suddenly a snowy white owl came flying in. She landed on Hermione's outstretched arm, with a loosely tied letter. Hermione knew just who it was, and opened it eagerly.
Hermione,
Ok, what the hell is going on? I had a dream, and you were being attacked. Correction, your whole bloody STREET was being attacked. Please correct me, it can't be true. And are you all right? If you're not then obviously you're not reading this. If I don't get a reply within the hour, I'm personally leaving to come and find you.
Here's the house phone # -
280.613.883
DO SOMETHING
Love H-
After letting the butterflies that had blossomed in her stomach, she went into the room she shared with Ginny and found a quill and parchment. Her roommate was far from consciousness, her wild red hair all over her pillow.
Harry,
I'm fine, but you are correct in your assumptions. The whole street was attacked. I was able to save two little boys that lived next door to me. We're at GP. My parents are fine as well.
I have a lot of things to discuss with you. Are you coming soon? I'd call you, but there is no phone, and please don't hit yourself in the head. Thanks.
I miss you a ton.
Love H-
"Hedwig," she whispered. The bird stuck its leg out and grasped the parchment. "Try not to be seen, and do not let anyone besides Harry get it. Ok?" The bird hooted softly, and flew out of the open window.
She just noticed how friggon tired she was. Sleep would not come easily. She had to worry about the boys, Harry, her parents…everyone. She walked downstairs and headed once more into the kitchen to face the music.