The four spent several hours chatting under the watchful eye of Charlie, Bill and Hagrid. More than once Charlie nudged Bill and commented on how nice the four looked together or how they should be taking pictures so they could blackmail their brothers later.
"Mom would sure be happy too see them. You know she worries about those two," whispered Bill. He watched as George and Bailey clasped hands under the table.
The silence of the afternoon was suddenly shattered as chaos broke out in the main street of Hogsmeade. Charlie and Bill hurtled a table as they rushed to the window by where the four sat.
"Get down," hissed Charlie as he peaked out of the corner of the window.
Bill had moved to the door and was sliding it open just a crack to peer out, while Hagrid had moved to the rear entrance to block anyone from coming in that way. Lake and Bailey huddled close together, while Fred and George joined their brothers.
"What's going on?" Fred asked Charlie.
"Can you see anything?" George inquired as he tried to look over Bill's shoulder.
"Not sure," answered Bill as he pushed the door closed. "There are kids running and screaming in all directions. The source seems to be a little ways up the street." He looked at Charlie, who nodded.
"We don't want to get trapped in here. We'd better get those two back up to the school."
Hagrid waved to them as he opened up the back door. "Dis way, come on now."
Fred and George grabbed the girls' hands and pulled them toward the back entrance. The group dashed out into the alley and Charlie took the lead, his wand drawn. They weaved through the alleys, ducking behind buildings and stopping at corners to make sure that the coast was clear. At one intersection they were joined by Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were being hurried along by a man in a shabby overcoat and a young woman.
"What happened?" yelled Charlie as the group stopped behind a building to let some of the crowd pass by.
The man in the shabby overcoat pointed toward the sky behind them as he leaned against the building trying to catch his breath. All eyes turned to see what he was indicating. Hanging in the air over the rooftops was a large black cloud in the shape of a serpent.
"Death Eaters," whispered Bailey.
"Not quite, dear girl, but a very clever approximation. In fact, if I didn't know any better…" and the man turned to glare at Fred and George.
"It wasn't us," said George innocently, "honestly, Lupin."
Fred added, "We've pulled some dozers, but that's not funny."
"Well, the excitement is over and there was no harm done. Why don't we get these kids back up to the school then we can see to this mess," suggested the man in the shabby overcoat.
"Why don't you and Tonks herd them up to the school? Bill and I want to get a closer look at that thing. We'll let you know if we find anything." Before Lupin could respond, Bill and Charlie dashed off back down the alley.
Fred and George made to follow, but found the girls still had a tight grip on their hands. Fred just shrugged at his twin as he made the most of pulling Lake closer as he guided her toward the gates of the school.
Bailey seemed torn between seeking the safety of the school and following the older Weasleys on their quest to investigate the mark in the sky.
"Hey," George said as he gently tugged at her hand, "we're all going this way. I'm sure Dumbledore will extend his hospitality to a couple of wayward ex-students. Why don't we head up to the school and get a nice hot cup of cocoa?"
"The man in the shabby coat is wrong. That was sent up by a Death Eater. They know we are here. Lake and I can't stay, it's too dangerous." Bailey's eyes were glazed over as she stared at the ugly mark in the sky. "They will come for us, just like they did before."
"Okay, this is a little weird, even for me." George tried to free his hand from her grasp, but her hold had suddenly become as strong as steel. Bailey began to tremble and he placed his arm about her shoulders. "Who's after you?"
Bailey didn't answer and George gave her a light shake. When she still failed to respond, he bent down to look into her eyes. Though they were open, they seemed vacant. He waved his hand in front of her face then snapped his fingers right at the tip of her nose. The action didn't even elicit a blink. With a worried frown creasing his brow, he gave her hand another tug. She stumbled slightly and her still trembling form slumped against his side. George looked around for help and finding none, scooped her into his arms and carried her toward the school.
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Snape had finished his tutoring early and now paced the short length of his office. Five… Six… Seven… Turn. He didn't have to count off the paces of the familiar trek, but found something comforting in the monotony of doing it. His nieces had been down in Hogsmeade for three hours and that was two hours and fifty-nine minutes longer than he felt was necessary. He slumped into his office chair and stared at the empty portrait on the wall. Damn Dumbledore for convincing him that it was a good idea to let them act 'normal.' Damn Sina and Derrick for getting themselves killed and strapping him with the brats to start with. Damn them further for insisting that he be their secret keeper and for asking him to take a Vow that he would protect and care for the girls if anything ever happened to them. Damn…. His thoughts were interrupted by a pop as Doby, the house elf, appeared in his office.
"What do you want?" snarled Snape.
"The kids sir," stammered Doby, "they are returning from the town. They're making an awful racquet, running and screaming."
"They're always making an awful racquet, why would today be any different?" Severus looked down his nose at the loathsome beast.
"The nasty cloud has them scarred," replied Doby.
The elf gave a squeak and disappeared as the professor hurled himself out of his chair and through the door. For the first time, he cursed having an office and classrooms in the castle's dungeon. He hurried up several flights of steps and nearly bowled Professor McGonagall over in his haste to reach the front doors.
"What is all the ruckus?" asked Minerva as she clung to Severus' sleeve to balance herself. "What has happened and why are all these children running about so?"
"Don't know," heaved Snape between breaths, "but I'm going to find out."
He pushed through the throng of terrified students as he made his way to the door. Wading through the mass of bodies, he finally made it out the door and down the steps. He walked briskly along the edge of the crowd of worried children, scanning them for any sign of Lake or Bailey. He was almost to the gates, when he ran into Hagrid's huge form.
" 'Scuse me perfessor, didn't see ya come up. You're looking for dem girls? They're righ' behine me." Hagrid stepped past Snape and hurried along the crowd, trying to calm the students' fears.
Severus spied Remus Lupin next. He charged toward the ex-Defense teacher and grabbed him by the lapels of his shabby coat.
"Where are they Remus?" Snape spat out. "I swear, if anything has happened to them…"
Before he could finish, Lake was rushing toward him and slinging her arms about his neck.
"Uncle Snape, it was awful," she wailed as she buried her head in his shoulder. "The Dark Mark appearing in the sky. The Death Eaters know we are here. How did they find us so quickly? I thought we would be safe here."
Before Snape realized what he was doing, he was holding Lake in a tight embrace and whispering reassurances in her ear. "Everything will be fine. You are safe, as long as you stay within the confines of Hogwarts' walls and close to me. I promise nothing will happen to you or your sister."
Snape suddenly pulled away from Lake and began a frantic search of the crowd. When he didn't see Bailey, he snagged Lake's chin forcing it up so that she looked directly at him. His voice rose to a frantic pitch. "Lake, where's your sister?" He glanced at the others who had gathered around and demanded, "Where is Bailey?"
"Here, Sir," called George as he appeared on the edge of the crowd, still cradling Bailey to his chest. "Something is wrong though. She won't respond and she's trembling as if she's deathly cold."
"It's alright Fred… George… whichever one you are. Here, let me have her and we'll get her up to Madame Pomfrey's straight away." Lupin held out his arms and took the girl. He turned to follow Snape as the professor cleared a path up to the school. As an afterthought, he called over his shoulder, "Tonks, get the rest of them inside. We'll meet you in Dumbledore's office as soon as we can."
The young woman with the mousey brown hair looked wistfully after Lupin. Suddenly, she shook her head and began to hustle her charges up the lawn to the school.
Lake started to go after her sister and uncle, but the young woman grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Don't worry," she said softly, "everything will be fine. I'm sure they will let you in to see her as soon as they know what's going on. Come with us for now."
Hermione stepped up to one side of Lake, while Fred stood on the other side. Hermione took Lake's hand and patted it. "I'm sure she's okay. Madame Pomfrey can work miracles. She unpetrified me after I was attacked by the Basalisk. And she helped Harry grow a new bone in his arm after an unfortunate Quidditch accident."
"Accident," interrupted Ron. "The only accident was Dumbledore hiring that git, Lockhart as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. What a phony he was. Zapped himself with his own memory erasing charm."
"Which, may I remind you, Ronald," snapped Hermione, "wouldn't have happened if he wasn't using your broken wand?"
Ron mocked Hermione as they continued up the steps and Tonks turned them towards the headmaster's office.
Harry fell back to walk with George, who looked almost as miserable and worried as Lake. He nudged his friend and gave him a big grin when George finally looked up to meet his gaze. "So, how's the world of tricks, pranks and jokes treating you? It must be pretty good because I see packages arriving from your shop every Saturday."
George nodded absently. "We're doing good. Hoping to expand a couple of our lines this winter, just in time for the Christmas rush. You don't have to worry. Your investment is well protected. The sales from Hogwarts alone will keep you sitting comfortably for many years."
"You really like her, don't you?" Ginny stepped up to wrap her arm around her brother's. "She's really nice and I'm sure mamma will approve of both of them. Any one is better than Phlegm." Ginny made a gagging sound as she puckered her face.
"Yeah, I do like her," admitted George. "After Alicia dumped me, I didn't think there could be anyone else. Then Bailey fell into my lap, literally, and I can't stop thinking about her."
"What's this," boomed Charlie's voice from behind the group, "a serious note out of one of the prankster princes? Someone better call Rita Skeeter, we've got a haunting or possession going on here."
George's cheeks blushed beet red as he tried to dodge his taller brother's hand as it ruffled his hair. "Damn it all, Charlie, not everything is a joke."
"Yeah, since when" queried Bill as he fell into step beside Charlie.
"Since, well…" George was saved from answering the question as the group was met by Professor McGonagall as they arrived in front of the large griffon.
"Is everyone okay?" inquired the tall, thin professor as she moved through the group of students. "Oh, Bill, Charlie, it's wonderful to see you both again, Fred, George you as well. If we're all here, lets go on up to see Professor Dumbledore."
As the others started to make their way up the winding staircase, McGonagall motioned for Bill and Charlie to stay back. She waited till the others were well up the stairs before she whispered to the young men, "What exactly happened out there? Was it Death Eaters as some of the children reported?"
Charlie shook his head. "We don't think so. It certainly wasn't the Dark Mark, it more resembled, well, a large snake. From what we could find, footprints in the area where it was set off, we think it was someone's attempt at a joke."
"A very sick joke," added McGonagall with a curt nod.
Bill however didn't quite agree with the assessment. "Was it a joke or a distraction? Several students said that they rushed one of the Snape twins to Madame Pompfrey." He turned to his brother. "If you can handle things up there, I'm going to the infirmary to check on the girl. We'll all join you there soon."
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Madame Pomfrey came bustling out of her office as she heard the commotion of the students scurrying along the hall in front of the infirmary. She opened her door and was about to stop a student and ask what all the commotion was about when she spied Professor Snape hurrying toward her. She knew by the look on his face that something was wrong and propped open the door as she hurried to prepare a bed. When Snape rushed in, she already had the blankets turned down and motioned for Remus to lay his burden down on the bed. As soon as the girl was laid on the bed, the kindly healer pulled the blankets up and tucked them around the shivering form. She pushed the two concerned men out of the way as she drew the curtain around the bed.
Several minutes later, Madame Pomfrey emerged from behind the curtain.
"What's wrong with her? Will she be okay?"
Madame Pomfrey and Remus Lupin both looked at Snape strangely and he was surprised at the panic he had heard in his own voice. He cleared his throat and tried to calm the bundle of nerves that were knotting in his stomach. He schooled his face into his normal scowl, "So?"
"She's quiet now and needs to rest, but will be fine. Do you know who might have been trying to possess her? It was someone strong. She fought a tough battle and seems to have overcome whoever it was."
Remus looked expectantly at Snape, who looked completely lost. The ex-Hogwart's professor laid his hand on Snape's shoulder. "How much do they know, Severus?"
"Why should you care?" Snape turned to glare at Remus Lupin. The corner of his mouth turned up in a threatening sneer. "Just because you're some big, important part of the Order, that doesn't give you any right to butt into everyone else's business. I've told them what I thought was important."
"But do they know the whole truth? Do they know about Tom Riddle and Lavana Davenport?" Remus stopped when he heard a low moan come from behind the curtain.
"Uncle Severus?" came the soft, plaintive voice.
Snape spared a warning glance toward Remus before he slipped behind the curtain. His voice was surprisingly soft as he settled on the edge of the bed. "I'm here Bailey. How are you feeling?"
Bailey pushed herself up and reached out to her uncle, who pulled her close and let her rest her head on his shoulder. Her voice remained soft as she answered, "I'm okay, I think. I was so scarred Uncle Severus. First the Mark appearing in the sky then the feeling that someone was reaching for me. They were pulling at me and their touch was very cold. I fought it the best I could. Papa had told us about occlumency and I blocked my mind, but the force was strong. If George hadn't been holding my hand… George?" She raised her head off her uncle's shoulder and looked around. Panic washed across her face as she looked up at her uncle. "Where is he? Where are the others? Are they all safe?"
"Everyone is okay," responded Snape as he pushed Bailey back down on the bed. "Madame Pomfrey says that you need to rest and you'll be fine too. Try to get some sleep and we'll discuss what happened in the morning."
Bailey gave him a small smile as she pulled the covers tight up under her chin. She looked into his face for a moment before she commented, "You sound just like dad. Thank you, Uncle Severus." Bailey closed her eyes and curled into a ball under the covers.
It took the stalwart professor a moment to regain his composure before he patted his niece's shoulder and then pushed himself off the bed. His face was a mask of indifference as he pulled the curtain aside and faced Remus and Bill.
"Remus told me what Madame Pomfrey said. How is she?" Bill asked quietly.
"Asleep," replied Snape haughtily. "She said that whoever was trying to possess her was strong. She felt them pulling her toward them."
"Voldemort," said Remus flatly, his response as much a question as a statement. He watched as both Snape and Bill flinched at the use of the name.
Bill quickly recovered and looked imploringly at Remus. "Of all the people, why would he be after the twins?"
Remus looked to Severus to answer that one.
Snape's frown deepened. "I'm not at liberty to say."
Bill cocked one eyebrow toward the professor, but didn't push the issue. He turned toward Lupin. "Well, Charlie and I checked out the area around the mark. I think you were wrong in your assessment. That mark was too intricate to have been conjured by a student. However, it seems to have served its purpose. It created enough of a distraction that we missed whoever was trying to posses young Miss Snape here."
"Well, it's up to the Ministry now to find the culprit. We'd best get up to Dumbledore's office and get the story from the rest of them." Lupin cast a final glance at the sleeping form on the bed. He shook his head as he thought that she was too young to be drug into the middle of their war, but realized that there were others who had been fighting the war since they were much younger.
A/N - Some charachters may seem a little ooc, but I hope to clarify their actions in the next few chapters. Please leave a review. Even constructive criticism is quite welcome. I can't make it better, if I don't know it's broken. :) Hope you all enjoy.
