The next two days, the girls stayed mainly in their room as they digested and discussed what their uncle had told them. They wondered how many people knew about their origins. Surely Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall knew, as well as the man in the shabby coat, Lupin. At least a few of the Death Eaters knew. They wondered how many people would treat them differently when they found out.
Finally, hunger drove them out of hiding on the evening of the second day. Slowly, they made their way up to the Great Hall. Only one table was set and the few professors who remained at the school sat with the few students who were still there. Quietly, the girls took up seats next to Professor McGonagall, who sat across from their uncle.
"It's good to see you two, finally," he said casually as he started filling their plates. "We were beginning to wonder if you didn't plan to waste away down there."
"How are you girls doing?" asked McGonagall softly. "Please remember, we are all here to help you, if you will just let us."
"Thank you," replied Bailey as she nodded to the professor. "We appreciate the offer and will keep it in mind."
"We are doing fine," added Lake. She looked about and realized that the professors at the table, except maybe Hagrid, already knew their story and she didn't care if the few students figured it out, so she continued. "It's just taken us a while to come to terms with everything that Uncle Severus told us. There was so much that we didn't know about our parents. But for now, our questions have been answered."
"Which really only leaves one more," said Dumbledore from the head of the table. "What do you plan to do with your new knowledge?"
Lake and Bailey both regarded him for a moment, but it was Bailey who finally answered. "We plan to do what we think our parents would have wanted us to do. We'll use what they taught us to continue their fight."
"Your parents would be very proud to hear that, I'm sure." Dumbledore regarded them with sparkling blue eyes from over the rims of his wire-framed glasses. He suddenly drew a piece of parchment from the folds of his robes. "Oh, I almost forgot, this came for you this morning, Severus."
Snape took the parchment from the headmaster and unfolded it. He scanned it and the creases in his brow furrowed. He crumpled it in his hand as he exclaimed under his breath, "Why, the nerve of some people."
The girls exchanged surprised glances then stared at their uncle expectantly.
"It's nothing," he answered their quizzical looks. "The Weasley's have invited us to share in their holiday feast."
"Fred and George want us to come to Christmas dinner?" There was more excitement in Bailey's voice than she had intended.
Severus groaned, "Thankfully, no. The invitation came from Molly Weasely, their mother. I'll send her an acknowledgement in the morning, thanking her but letting her know we won't be able to attend."
"Why not?" demanded Lake and Bailey together.
"It's too dangerous for starters. Besides, I thought we could spend a nice quiet day, just the three of us. Maybe we could have some butterbeer delivered from The Three Broomsticks." Severus tried to sound enthusiastic about the idea.
"That sounds great, Uncle Severus." Lake replied for the both of them.
The twins were relieved when the conversation turned to other subjects. They sat in amicable silence as they listened to the others' conversations. When dinner was finished, they made their way in silence back to their room.
"What is brewing in that tiny brain of yours?" Lake asked her sister as they entered their dorm room.
Bailey held her finger to her lips as she motioned for her sister to join her on her bed. She pulled the curtains shut before casting a silencing spell. They had learned that it was impossible to cast a silencing spell over the whole room, but that their bed space was much more vulnerable.
"I don't know about you, but I don't intend to spend my holiday tottering around this old castle. And butterbeer with Uncle Severus?" Bailey rolled her eyes. "That's just about as appealing as Hagrid's flubberworms."
"You do realize just how dangerous it is for us to go outside the walls of Hogwarts." Lake made her comment a statement rather than a question. "Besides, you know Uncle Severus will never give us permission to go. Even if he felt comfortable going out he would never agree to go to the Weasley's. You remember what Fred said about him not liking the whole family?"
"Suit yourself," said Bailey flippantly. "Enjoy your butterbeer, while I'm spending the day with the Weasleys. It can't be that unsafe. Harry is there, so is Hermione. Besides, think about it, I'm sure that if someone really wanted to get in here, they could."
"Okay, Miss Smartypants, so just how do you plan to get out of here? You can't just march out through the front gates."
"Remember what Harry told us about Sirius Black and Remus Lupin? How they told him about the tunnel under the Whomping Willow. He said something about there being a knot that you have to press to still the tree's branches. All we have to do is hit that knot and slip out through that tunnel."
"And then what? We don't know where the Weasley's house is."
"No, but we do know someone who does. All we have to do is apparate to Diagon Alley and Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Fred and George can show us the way to their house."
"What makes you think they will even be there?"
"George mentioned that it's their busiest day of the year. They'll be rushing to get out last minute orders for the holiday."
"Well, stripe me like a candy cane and hang me on the tree. I knew your attention to little details and that photographic memory would pay off some day. So, when do you plan to make your grand escape?"
"Tomorrow morning after breakfast, we'll say we're going out to have some fun in the snow. So what if we happen to wander down by that tottering old tree? All we have to do is find the knot and with your accurate aim and a stone, we're out of here."
"You know, with your art for scheming, you're going to get us killed some day." But Lake laughed as she nodded in agreement with her sister's plan.
Bailey's eyes gleamed as she joined her sister's laughing. "Well, you don't intend to live forever, do you? We might as well enjoy our youth while we can."
Lake shivered and suddenly sobered under her sister's words. "That's not funny," she scolded as she slipped off the bed. "Well, good night. I suppose we'll have a busy day tomorrow."
Bailey just flashed her sister a grin as she settled under the covers. "I'm planning on it."
------
George lifted the stack of boxes in his hands high in the air as Fred ducked under with his load as they passed in the slender doorway.
"We're gonna have to enchant that thing," sighed George as he settled his burden on the glass counter top.
"Yeah, it needs to know when to grow wider," added Fred as he returned from the storeroom. "So, we just need to get this last load of orders out and we can go, right?"
"Right," answered George as he began sorting the boxes and handing Fred the orders to be double checked.
The sudden knock on the door didn't disturb either of them as they continued their work. In unison they called out, "We're closed!"
However, the knocking persisted and finally Fred, a bit irritated, stormed over to the door. He flung it open and yelled, "Can't you read? We're closed!"
The slender figures at the door dropped their hoods and stood smiling at the gape jawed proprietor.
"Tell whoever it is to go away and that we'll be open again the day after tomorrow." George was putting the final touches on his last box. "Hurry it up Fred. I want to get these delivered so we can get to the Burrow. Mum was planning something special for tonight."
"I don't think there's any rush on getting those delivered," said Fred as he threw open the door to admit their visitors. "Look who's here, Bailey and her Great Grandmother, twice removed."
"Very funny," quipped Lake as she punched Fred playfully in the arm. "So, are you going to invite us in, or should we just stay out here and freeze to death?"
George rolled his eyes as he stepped around the counter and waved the girls in. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise. What brings you girls here?"
The girls shook the snowflakes off their cloaks before stepping into the warmth of the shop. They glanced at each other before turning back to the boys.
"Well," Lake began. "Your mum had sent an invitation for our uncle and us to join you all for Christmas dinner. And well…"
The Weasley twins immediately grasped what had happened.
Fred spoke up first. "He said no, so you ran away. Well, I'm sure mum won't mind a few extra bodies at the Burrow."
"Don't let her fool ya, she lives for company," added George. "Well, I think we're about done here, so if you girls are ready, we'll be off."
Bailey nodded. "Just show us where we are going and we'll apparate there."
"Apparate? On a day like today? Never!" George ducked into the back room and returned with two fine broomsticks. "This is a great day for flying."
"Is there ever a bad day?" asked Fred as he took one of the brooms.
The girls exchanged wary glances and Lake shook her head. "We didn't ride here, we apparated. If you insist on riding, then just envision where we're going and we can take it from there. We'll meet you there."
"Nonsense," said Fred with a wave of his hand. He took the two small boxes off the counter and ignoring the tiny squeaks coming from inside, tucked them into a sack that he slung across his back. "You can just ride with us."
"Certainly, these new Firebolts will easily hold the weight. C'mon, it'll be a blast."
"But, we've never…" began Bailey, even as she accepted George's hand and he led her out the back door into a small courtyard.
"It's easy," George whispered in her ear as he straddled the broom. "I used to do this all the time with my last girlfriend. Now, you just climb on behind me and I'll take care of the rest."
Bailey looked at him skeptically, but did as he bade her. She felt the broomstick quiver between her legs and she suddenly felt lighter as her feet lost contact with the ground. Instinctively she wrapped her arms about George's waist, clutching to him for dear life. She chanced a glance over at her sister, only to see Lake doing the same.
The boys exchanged satisfied glances as they eased the brooms into the air. They did a couple of gentle circles over Diagon Alley until they felt the girls starting to relax. When they felt the girls were comfortable, they rocketed off across the sky.
Not long after leaving Diagon Alley, the boys stopped to hover over a cottage that stood in the middle of a small clearing. Bailey chanced a glance down and sighed at the quaint little picture painted below them. The afternoon sun glistened off the new layer of undisturbed snow that surrounded the cottage. It would have been quite picturesque accept for the odd shape and almost topsy-turvey design of the additions to the cottage.
"Well, there it is," said George as he sat up on his broomstick and leaned back, forcing Bailey to sit up as well.
"Home, Sweet Home," called Fred. "And look, there's the greeting party." He pointed at the house as several figures poured out the door.
George flashed his brother a grin and before the girls could object, they were in a nosedive, heading right for the four who had just come out of the house. The small group scattered, dashing for cover and screaming warnings and insults at their attackers. The twins swooshed back into the air then circled down for a smooth landing.
Lake and Bailey barely got their feet under them as they clung, white knuckled to the boys.
"I ought to jinx you two into next week," yelled Ginny as she dusted snow off her pants from where she had dove into a snow drift.
"Ought to?" declared Hermione as she shook snow from her hair, "I'm going to!"
"Don't be that way Hermione," said Fred, raising his arms in surrender.
"Yeah, c'mon, it's Christmas Eve. Besides, we come bearing surprises." He pried Bailey's fingers apart and helped her balance as she stepped off the broom. He swung his leg over the handle and walked over to prop his broom near the others beside the door.
Bailey seemed to finally find her voice. "George Weasley, I swear, if you ever do that to me again, I'll… I'll…"
George quickly placed his arm about her waist, catching her as she nearly fell over. Bailey gripped his shoulders for support and all her anger washed from her face as she found herself so close to him, staring into his laughing, cinnamon colored eyes.
"Careful now," he said jovially as he easily supported her weight. "It sometimes takes a few minutes to get your ground legs back after flying."
"Ground legs, right," she laughed lightly and quickly turned her head away as she tried to hide her blush.
Just then a rather plump woman in her early fifties came bustling out the door. She threw her arms wide in greeting as she rushed toward her twin sons. As her bright auburn hair glistened in the sunlight, it was easy to tell what predominant trait she had passed on to all her children.
"Fred, George, I'm so glad you could make it. But I thought you said you would be here late. You were going to stop at Hogwarts, weren't you? Oh!" Mrs. Weasley stopped suddenly as she noticed the two strange figures standing with her sons. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't realize that you brought company. Hello, I'm Molly Weasley," she greeted as she extended her hand to the girls.
Lake and Bailey lowered their hoods as they reached out to accept Mrs. Weasley's gesture of friendship.
Molly blinked in amazement as she looked over the two girls who stood before her. Not thinking, she pulled her hand back and clutched it to her bosom as a solitary tear ran down her face. She turned her eyes toward the sky as she whispered, "Sina, they're the spitting image of you."
"Mum," said Fred, stepping up and touching his mother's arm gently. "I'd like to introduce…"
"Lake and Bailey Snape," Molly finished for him. "I'm surprised to see you girls though. I thought your uncle said that you wouldn't be coming?"
Lake gave the kindly woman a small smile as she answered, "He doesn't exactly know we're here, Ma'am."
"Oh, gracious sakes, we'll have to remedy that immediately. Hurry now, in the house with the lot of ya. We'll get ya settled by the fire so you can warm up while I make some tea and you two can contact the professor. He's probably worried sick about ya."
The girls found they couldn't resist being herded and bustled about by the motherly figure.
"Just wait," said Fred as he caught the smile that passed between the girls. "This is her best 'company' face she's putting on. You'll see the real Molly Weasley soon enough. I'm sure she'll find some fault in us before the hour is up."
"That, or we'll create one," added George as he nudged his twin with his elbow.
Lake and Bailey were left alone in the sitting room as they contacted their uncle. Even though Mrs. Weasley had cast a silencing spell on the room, Ron produced his ear extensions and the group shared in eavesdropping on the conversation.
"Do you realize how worried I've been?" they heard Snape yell. "Not only have you placed yourselves in greater danger, but you've also endangered the lives of everyone around you. I want you to return to Hogwarts this instant."
Both Snape and Bailey were surprised when Lake spoke up. "We won't do it. We'll be fine and safe here, Uncle Severus. Besides, we can protect ourselves. You don't need to worry about us."
Snape looked vehement, though he kept his words even. "Fine! I'll give you tonight. However, I will be there tomorrow and you will come back to Hogwarts with me."
"Thank you, Uncle," beamed Bailey. "If I could, I would hug you right through the embers. You don't know how much this means to us."
"This little bout of independence is going to cost you though. You're going to spend the rest of the holiday at my side. You won't leave my sight for one waking moment the rest of the time."
The girls nodded solemnly and bade their uncle good-bye.
Soon the whole gang was settled in the sitting room with the newest arrivals resting on the hearth and warming themselves after their cold flight.
"George," Mrs. Weasley started.
"I'm George," the twin furthest from where she sat in her rocking chair piped up.
"This is aimed at both of you, so hush." Mrs. Weasley's voice became quite stern as she stared from the one of her offspring to the other.
Fred leaned over and whispered in Lake's ear, "See, I told you. Here it comes."
"Fred, pay attention when I'm speaking to you," snapped Mrs. Weasley. Even Lake and Bailey snapped to attention with the force of her words. "How could the two of you do that to these girls?"
"Do what, Mum?" asked Fred.
"Honestly, we haven't done anything with them, Mum," added George.
Mrs. Weasley cast a stern glance at her son, "And you won't, at least not under my roof. Now, I was referring to the broom stunt. Riding them around in the cold air, we'll be lucky if they're both not sick come morning. You should have just used the portkey."
"But what would have been the fun in that? Besides, they'd never been on brooms before."
"Yeah, we were helping to broaden their horizons, experience something new."
"That will be enough of that kind of talk," declared Mrs. Weasley. "Next time," and she added under her breath, "and I pray there will be. Just use the portkey so you don't scare the poor dears half to death."
"We're all right, honestly, Mrs. Weasley. I had suggested we apparate, but they insisted on flying."
"That's because Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dumb over there never got their licenses." Bill was preceded into the room by a very pretty young woman with long, blonde hair and big bright, blue eyes.
Ginny and Hermione both started making gross sounding gagging sounds while Ron all but killed himself trying to get out of his chair so he could offer it to the young woman.
"Zank thee, Rownald. You ares sooch a gentlemen," said the young woman in her heavy accent as she took the seat Ron offered her.
"Lake, Bailey, it's a pleasure to see you again," said Bill as he stood behind the young woman's chair. "Girls, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé, Fleur. Fleur, these are the two girls I was telling you about."
"Yesss," said the young woman with a curt nod. There was a rather distasteful undertone in her voice as she continued, "Zee Ammerican gurls who are dating Freed and Gjorge."
"See you're still sore about last summer," said Fred in lieu of a greeting.
"It was just a joke," added George. "But I guess some people just don't have any sense of humor."
Fleur stood quickly, toppling her chair. She glared at the Weasley twins then stomping her foot, stormed up the steps.
Bill fixed them with a stern look. "The spiders in her curds and whey were a joke. Even the bees in her honey shampoo were mildly comical. But the jitterbugs in her shoes were a step to far. Her legs ached for a week after we finally got those shoes off of her."
"That reminds me," piped up Mrs. Weasley, who had gone quiet when her soon-to-be daughter-in-law had entered the room. "There are to be no jokes, tricks, pranks, hexes, jinxes, curses or duels, jesting or otherwise, in the house while the lot of you are here. We're packed in here as it is and don't need any more excitement." Mrs. Weasley pushed up from her chair and started pacing about. "Let's see, we could put Fleur in with Ginny and Hermione, which would free up Charlie's room. Then if we put Harry in with Ron, you twins could have your room."
"No," Ginny pleaded with her mum. "Please don't put Phlegm in with us. I can't take a whole night of her babbling about 'The French this' and 'The French that' and 'Bill is so handsome and kind and…'"
"Ginerva, that's enough," scolded Mrs. Weasley. "Fine, then maybe we'll just put the twins up with Bill, move Harry in with Ron and the girls can have the twins' room."
"I know mum," offered George. "Why not put Fleur in with Bill, move Hermione into Ron's room and Harry into Ginny's. I'll take Charlie's room and Fred can have ours. Bailey can stay in Charlie's room and Lake can have ours."
Mrs. Weasley tried to follow what George was suggesting. Suddenly her cheeks turned redder than her hair as she grasped what he was doing. "George Weasley! I am not running a brothel. We will work out sleeping arrangements when your father gets home."
A/N: This isn't the strongest of chapters. But after writing and deleting it 3 times, I decided to just leave it alone. Please leave a review and let me know what you think. A good critique is always helpful.
