----ii----

The girls had just finished breakfast and sat playing poker for peanuts when the backdoor to the tavern opened, disturbing the silence of room. Both girls looked up and immediately recognized the dark figure who strolled in.

"Uncle Severus," the girls squealed as they jumped up and dashed over to embrace their uncle.

Severus Snape threw up his arms and looked most uncomfortable as the girls hugged him tight. He looked down into their expectant gazes and slowly lowered his arms to pat their shoulders. He attempted a smile as he guided the girls toward the steps. "Let's go upstairs where we can talk."

Snape winced as he entered the room. The girls, in their boredom, had figured out how to alter the spell that changed the color in the room. The four walls were each a different Neon color. The bed coverings were electric blue, while the carpeting was a pale violet. The three dressers were striped like candy canes and the desk was dark purple with bright red polka dots. "First things first," growled Snape and he waved his wand. The walls returned to white, the bedspread to a rich color of red, the carpet to a neutral tan and the dressers and desk to their walnut finish. Snape settled himself in the room's only chair while the girls sat on the edge of the bed, facing him. "That's much better. Now tell me what happened. How did you two end up here? What's going on?"

Lake held up the paper with the article. "I'm guessing you've already seen this?" Snape nodded and pushed a lock of greasy black hair out of his eyes. "Well, mom and dad had been suspecting that someone was getting close for a while. They were preparing to move us again when the alarms were triggered the other morning. There was a terrible battle and both mom and dad were killed. There were at least six Death Eaters, as far as we could tell."

Lake faltered and Bailey took up the story. "When we were sure that the coast was clear, we high tailed it out of there. Mom and dad had set up an intricate escape system, with a portkey for us that took us from South Dakota to just outside the airport in Maryland. We booked the first available flight on Knight Flights and came here. They said that we were to come here and contact you. They said we could trust you and that you would know what to do. What are we going to do now, Uncle Severus?"

"You're going to come back with me to Hogwarts. You'll be safe there. We'll need to get you books and supplies. Oh, and robes. You have the key to your parents' vault at Gringot's?"

Lake nodded.

"Good, let's go then." Snape pushed up from the chair and exited the room. The girls grabbed up their packs and followed their uncle. Down in the tavern, Snape settled their bill with the bartender then led them out the back door into an alley. The girls watched as their uncle took out his wand and tapped several bricks in the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron. Magically, the bricks started shifting and rearranging themselves till there was a large opening in the once solid wall. Severus stepped back and waved his nieces through.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," said Snape, his voice sounded less than enthused. He was glad to see that there weren't a lot of people walking among the shops. "We'll go up to the bank then come get your supplies."

An hour or so later, they had withdrawn a sufficient number of gallions, sickles, and nuts to purchase what they would need for school. They went to the potion shop first and got their cauldrons and ingredient kits. They went to the book store next and got all of the necessary texts and some other interesting looking books. Their final stop was the robe shop. The girls spent some time here trying on different styles and waiting while they were altered.

Snape leaned uninterestingly against the door as the girls paraded through in one robe after another. After the fourth change, he became quite agitated. "Girls, I have some other errands to run since I am here. Get your robes and I'll meet you in two hours at the café across the street." Snape turned to the seamstress. "Madame Malkin, you know what is required for a sixth year at Hogwarts?"

The seamstress snorted, "Been doing this for many years. Sixth years require five standard robes, complete with underlying uniforms, two capes - one heavy and one light and a set of dress robes. You hurry along with your errands, Professor and I'll have them outfitted in no time."

"Do not wander off," commanded Snape. He pointed to both the girls. "When you finish here, you go straight across to the café. No dallying or sightseeing."

"Yes, Uncle Severus," the girls answered together.

It only took the seamstress a half hour to get together everything the girls would need. "I just need to make a few more alterations, but you girls don't need to be here. Why don't you head on over to the café? I would recommend the chocolate, banana and strawberry shakes." With a wink and a smile, she waved the girls out the door.

As they crossed the street, the flash of red hair in the sunlight caught Bailey's attention. She was sure it was George. Bailey grabbed Lake's elbow and pulled her in the direction she had seen him go.

"What do you think you're doing? Uncle Severus told us to wait at the café."

"I know, but he also said that he would be gone for two hours. We have at least an hour. I think I saw George come this way."

"You and boys," sighed Lake as she allowed herself to be pulled along.

They soon stood in front of the small storefront with the bold letters "Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes" on the window. They stood for a moment admiring the gadgets displayed in the window. Finally, Bailey opened the door and stuck her head inside. She called out, "Hello, is there anyone here?" She pushed the door open and stepped inside, followed closely by Lake. They looked about the small shop, pausing here and there to admire the many items that lined the shelves.

"Welcome ladies, to Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes. If we don't have it, you don't need it."

Bailey looked up and smiled in greeting to their host.

"Well, now isn't this a zinger! Hey Fred, front and center," George yelled for his brother. When his twin appeared, George quickly made the introduction. "Fred, meet the American bird who filched my paper last night."

"I did no such thing!" protested Bailey, placing her hands on her hips. "I asked you for the page and you said I could have it."

"Easy now, Love, I's only joshin'." George descended the steps to stand by his brother, who had come out of the rear store room. "It's good to see you again, and so soon. And who might this be?"

"I'm her great grandmother, twice removed," came Lake's sarcastic reply.

Fred let out a low whistle, "She's a spitfire, huh?" he elbowed his brother in the ribs. He stepped forward and held his hand out to the girls, "I'm Fred, by the way. You must be Bailey." He leaned in close to Bailey's ear as he hitched his thumb toward George. "He couldn't stop talking about you last night. Now I see why."

Bailey blushed as she accepted Fred's hand and shook it. She looked up at George, who also seemed to be blushing. She winked at him and turned her attention back to Fred. "Fred, I'd like to introduce my sister, Lake."

"Your sister?" he gasped in mock surprise. "I thought she said she was your great grandmother, twice removed?"

"Very funny," and Lake shot her sister a deadly glance as she accepted Fred's hand in greeting.

Fred shook her hand. Not letting go, he guided her toward a rack on the far wall. "Nah, but if you want to see funny, this shelf here is stock full of our tricks and practical jokes."

George stepped up to guide Bailey over to the shelf where Fred and Lake stood. He took one of the flowers from a bucket and handed it to Bailey, "A pretty flower for a pretty girl."

"I was a lady last night," said Bailey with a giggle as she placed the flower to her nose and took a whiff. Immediately she was overtaken by a fit of sneezing. Through her sniffs and sneezes, she accomplished to mumble, "Nasalsiezus!" Her sneezing immediately stopped.

Fred and George stared at her in surprise and George stepped behind the counter to get her a tissue. "Wow! I've never seen anyone reverse that spell. You're good."

Lake was laughing uncontrollably at her sister. "That one was better than my 'Love-me-not' daisy."

"Yeah, but not as good as my 'Death mints'."

"Oh yeah, had Amanda Sears' breath smelling like dragon dung for a week. The funny thing was she never realized what was going on."

"Ah, girls after our own hearts. Would you care to see more?" invited Fred.

Lake checked her watch. "We'd love to, but we really should be going. We're supposed to meet our uncle in the café soon. Thank you gentlemen for an entertaining time."

"Maybe you would like to accompany us? Have a chocolate, banana and strawberry milkshake with us while we wait for our uncle?" Bailey batted her eyelashes in invitation.

Fred and George shared a quick glance. They turned to face the girls, a broad smile on their faces. "Who could resist an invitation like that? What are we waiting for?"

The girls stopped to pick up their robes then the four young people settled at a table in the courtyard of the café. They sat laughing and sharing tales of prank playing and trick pulling.

"There was this one time at Hogwarts when…" Fred was regaling them with another tale when Lake interrupted him.

"You attended Hogwarts? That's where we'll be studying."

Bailey shot her sister a warning look. However, before anything more could be said, a dark shadow seemed to fall over the table. Two large, pale hands with long fingers shot out from the folds of a black, black robe to grab hold of an ear on each of the young men. The fingers pinched hard as the Weasley twins were jerked out of their seats.

"Bloody hell, let go," they bellowed as they turned to face their attacker. Their eyes nearly popped out of their heads as they fixed on the pale, sallow features of Severus Snape.

"Professor Snape?" They exchanged startled glances then turned to look at the girls. "Your uncle is Professor Snape?"

The girls smiled and nodded.

"Fred and George Weasley, what are you two miscreants doing here?" He didn't wait for an answer as he turned to his nieces. "Didn't I tell you two not to speak to strangers? And believe me when I say these two are as strange as they come. Come, get your things. We're leaving."

Fred and George helped the girls gather their things. George leaned close to Bailey and whispered. "Look for Ron and Ginny Weasley when you get to Hogwarts."

Fred added, "Don't forget Harry and Hermione. They're a bunch of good eggs. You'll like 'em."

"I'm waiting!" hissed Snape as he tapped his foot impatiently.

"All done, sir," said George as the four rose. "Well, good luck girls and maybe we'll see you around."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Snape waved the girls ahead of him as they walked toward the end of Diagon Alley. When the girls were on their way, Snape turned back toward the Weasleys. He held his hand up threateningly, a skinny finger poking in their faces. His voice held a deadly warning, "Stay away from my nieces!" In a flurry of billowing robes, Snape turned and followed the girls.

"Now that," started George under his breath.

"Sounds like a challenge," finished Fred as they shared a laugh.

At the portal that Snape had opened several hours earlier, he took out a small vile of black powder. "We can use the fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron."

"That's not necessary, Uncle Severus. Mom and dad taught us how to apperate. All we need is to be shown where we're going and we'll get there."

Something like pride sparked in Snape's beady, black eyes. He envisioned the gates outside of Hogwarts. "If you have the image then we can go." He watched as the girls nodded and the air began to crackle and with two pops the girls disappeared. He concentrated and a second later stood with the girls at the large gates outside of Hogwarts.

The gates opened for them and the girls levitated their stacks of supplies and headed up to the large old castle that served as the main building of the school. They marveled at the large stone structure as they made their way up the wide steps. The large wooden doors opened as they approached and they soon stood in the huge open entryway.

They were met by a rather crotchety looking man. "You can leave your things here. They'll be taken to your room. Dumbledore wanted to meet with you as soon as you arrived, Professor."

"Thank you, Filch," and Snape guided the girls up the broad main steps and down a long, marbled hall. He stopped them in front of a large golden statue of a griffon. "Raspberry sherbet," he called out and the statue moved aside, revealing a spiral staircase. They stepped onto the stairs as they began to rise in the narrow tower.

Before they had a chance to knock, the door at the top of the stairs opened and they were met by the aged headmaster of Hogwarts. "Girls, welcome to Hogwarts," greeted the grandfatherly-like man. He stroked his long white beard as he fixed them with a kind, blue gaze. "You certainly are the image of your mother. We are most grieved to hear of your parents' demise. Albus Dumbledore at your service." He extended his hand in greeting.

"Thank you for your sentiments, Mr. Dumbledore." Bailey shook the hand that Dumbledore offered her. "Also, thank you for allowing us to come here. Uncle Severus says we will be safe."

"Yes, yes… There are many protections put in place around Hogwarts. No one can enter without us knowing about it, so you will be safe from Lord Voldemort. If you feel unsure, you should talk with Mr. Potter. He is probably just as hunted by Voldemort as the two of you are."

The girls exchanged quizzical looks. Lake spoke up, "Sir, we're being hunted by Death Eaters. Who is this, Lord Voldemort?"

"You mean your parents didn't tell you? They didn't explain who the Death Eaters are and why they hunt you?"

Slowly the girls shook their heads.

Snape stepped up between them. "Maybe we should discuss this later, after they have settled in." Not giving them a chance to protest, he turned them and guided them to the door.

"Good-bye for now girls. I look forward to seeing you at dinner."

----------