SANCTUARY

Chapter 10: Wizards Chess

Hermione felt overwhelmed. Mrs. Weasley was such a noisy woman compared to her husband, and it certainly startled her at first. Even with Harry standing beside her, holding her hand, she couldn't help be slightly afraid of the woman. She'll stuff me like a Christmas goose if I'm not careful, Hermione thought fearfully. Mrs. Weasley certainly didn't seem like the kind of woman who would do harm to them, especially if she had children of her own, but then again, the witch from Hermione's favorite fairytale (Hansel and Gretel) didn't seem so bad either. Sitting at the long dinner table and hearing all the movement from upstairs, Hermione could also conclude that The Burrow was a busy place. This put them in great danger. The more people know about Harry's scar, the worse off we'll be. Hermione had created a temporary fix by smearing mud across the tiny, yet defining mark. But no doubt someone would notice eventually, Mrs. Weasley most likely, and they would see the scar. Leaning over to her best friend as the thundering of footsteps came closer, Hermione whispered in his ear. We can't stay here. Harry nodded in agreement, but shot back to his position in his chair as the first figure appeared from upstairs,

"Oh! Percy, my love come help me in the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley insisted, waving her wooden spoon about at the older young man nodded. He looked like his father, being tall and willowy with a sharp nose and red, cylinder curls of red hair. His eyes though landed skeptically on Hermione and Harry, though Percy said nothing and vanished into the kitchen. Hermione shifted awkwardly as two more sets of feet thudded against the ground floor. To her amazement though, twins appeared. Also red haired and dark eyed, they both looked to be full of mischief, and were tossing what looked to be some kind of sparkler in their palms. Upon seeing Harry and Hermione though, the boys immediately brightened,

"Greetings-"

"Strangers," They both said, finishing one another's sentence as Hermione glanced at Harry wildly. She knew boys like these, a pair had gone to her school, and they were nothing but trouble,

"You seem nervous," one said, motioning to Hermione as the other laughed,

"But no worries. We'll take good care of you. Cause, that's George,"

"And that's Fred. Welcome to the Burrow," The last phrase was said in perfect unison as both boys bowed at the waist with equally beaming smiles. In her honesty, Hermione was very impressed with their ability to nonverbally communicate. But they still made her uncomfortable as Harry gave her hand a squeeze and took the reigns,

"Nice to meet you both," he spoke, though watched with an arched brow as the boys smiled at one another, "I'm Harry, and this is my...sister, Hermione,"

"Well its nice to meet you, Harry and Hermione," one of the twins said,

"Yes. But we've never seen you before. You look Hogwarts age. Don't they look Hogwarts age Forge?"

"They do indeed, Gred. Just like our precious Ronniekinz,"

Both boys cackled, only to be quieted by Mrs. Weasley who appeared from the kitchen, rapping her spoon against the doorframe,

"Fred and George, go fetch your father from his shed for dinner, would you? Then come help and set the table,"

"Sure-"

"Mum," both boys turned and smiled at Harry and Hermione before disappearing out the door shoulder to shoulder. Shaking her head, Harry whispered. That was pretty amazing, huh? Hermione nodded, reaching down to pet Snuffles who had finished his main go through of the house and plopped down at her feet, panting slightly,

"Is that dog yours?"

Glancing up, Hermione met the brown eyes of another redhead whom she hadn't seen enter the room. His cheeks currently matched the color of his hair, and he looked to have been running, "it's a bloody menace, it is,"

"He is not," Hermione retorted sharply, looking to Snuffles who began to growl. Glancing up, Hermione could see a fat brown rat squirming in the boys arms. Repulsed, she patted Snuffle's on the head with the flat of her hand, "it's in a dogs nature to catch vermin,"

"Scabbers is not vermin," the boy complained hotly, though his eyes clearly showed he didn't exactly know what being vermin was, "he's my pet. We've had him in our family for 12 years. And your bloody dog nearly killed him. And no doubt that pig with hair is somewhere around here too?"

"Pig with hair?" Hermione's tone became shrill as she clenched her fists, but calmed as Harry placed a hand on her wrist in a warning not to lose her temper, "no doubt it was your rat causing the trouble,"

"Was not!"

"Ronald Weasley!" Mrs. Weasley's scolding voice once again entered the main room as Ron's pink face went white in mere seconds, "have you even bothered to introduce yourself to our guests before starting an argument?"

"Me! But-"

"No, none of that young man. You are to be kind and respectful, and as these two are your age I expect you to be friendly, am I clear?"

The boy, Ronald, kicked a foot and nodded as Mrs. Weasley nodded and vanished back into the kitchen. Hermione folded her arms indignantly and huffed. She didn't like when people accused her willy nilly, though the tears at the edges of her eyes claimed otherwise as Ron's eyes widened in panic,

"Mm' sorry. I shouldn't have been a bloody git. I'm Ron, this I Scabbers. Who are you?"

Hermione merely hid her face as Harry patted her shoulder and spoke for her,

"I'm Harry, and this is my sister Hermione,"

"Harry? You mean like Harry Potter?" Ron's voice grew excited as Hermione stiffened slightly,

"Potter? No, my name is Harry Granger,"

"Oh," Ron's voice deflated slightly as he moved to sit down, only to jump back as Snuffles growled at the rat in his hands, "I'll go put Scabbers away. I'll be right back, mate,"

Nodding, Ron disappeared back upstairs and Hermione felt Harry wrap his arms about her. She truly felt safest in his arms, away from the hurt of wild accusations and judgements. She knew Ron apologized, albeit only after she started crying. But he was earnest enough, and was probably just worried about his pet. As Ron promised, he was back in a moment, but with him was a little girl a bit younger then Harry and Hermione. She looked similar to her mum, and hid behind Ron's legs as he rolled his eyes,

"This is my sister, Ginny," he stated, though sounded less then pleased, "Gin, this is Harry and Hermione,"

The little girl squeaked and darted back up the stairs as Ron grumbled something about little sisters before walking towards Harry and Hermione, looking down on them from his standing position, "I haven't seen you all around here before, are you going to Hogwarts too?"

"Us? No," Harry stated, patting Snuffles slightly as Crookshanks appeared as well to lounge across Hermione's lap, "we're traveling, actually."

"By yourselves? Wicked. Mum would never let me travel alone. I'm not even allowed to go to Diagon Alley by myself. Say, do you play chess?"

Harry shook his head, and Ron turned to Hermione questioningly. She smiled weakly and shook her head,

"Dad used to play sometimes, when he was in the study. But I've only ever read about it,"

"Reading about chess?" Ron asked, lifting a carrot colored brow, "naw, the best way to learn is to play. C'mon, we can get in a round before dinner,"

Ronald was a whirlwind of activity, and soon enough they were all gathered about a chess board. Hermione watched in curiosity as the little animated pieces moved on their own at the players command. And when piece came to piece, they destroyed each other to steal the space. That's totally barbaric. Hermione complained at one point, while Ron merely smiled and claimed it was Wizards Chess. Eventually though, Harry had ahold of the game, and was moving his pieces back and forth while chatting, "I've never met real Muggleborns before," Ron commented after Harry had said they had been living with their family in London, "it's pretty unusual for your kind to be here,"

"Our kind?" Hermione asked with a lifted brow, "how do you mean, Ronald?"

"Don't you know? Well, you probably wouldn't now would you? Well, when two muggles - non magic folks - get together and have a magical kid, that's what's called a Muggleborn, or sometimes, rotten people like purebloods call you lot Mudbloods,"

"What's so bad about being a Mudblood?"

"Well, nothing really. Our family has never really believed in that blood status type of rubbish. But a lot of people think they aren't supposed to be magic at all, and are always complaining about how they 'disrupt the balance of things'. So the Ministry decided that by not allowing Muggleborns into the Wizarding Community, it would 'keep them safe' from any harm,"

Hermione cocked her head to one side slightly. What was the Ministry trying to protect Mudbloods from? As if reading her mind, Ron continued on with his prattle, "apparently some dark wizard guy nearly overthrew everything a few years back. I think it was just a bloody good excuse for those pureblood gits in the Ministry to enforce the ban,"

"You seem very educated about this subject, Ron," Hermione complemented, causing the boys cheeks to flush in embarrassment as he turned his eyes to the chessboard, "does this interest you?"

Ron gave a shrug and rubbed the back of his neck,

"A little, but my brother Percy wants to go work for the Ministry, so he's always talking about all the laws and stuff. Either way, you both seem alright to me,"

Smiling, Hermione felt Harry give her hand another squeeze as Ron joyfully called Checkmate! As if that were some sort of signal, the board vanished and people filled the dining room. Fred and George set the plates in a race like fashion, while Mr. Weasley sat at the head of the table closest to Hermione and Harry. Soon, Fred and George sat as well, and Mrs. Weasley appeared from the kitchen. Waving her wand in the air, the table was piled high with food, and Hermione's eyes widened in amazement. She had never seen such a large spread in her life. Her parents usually left chilled leftovers for her, or brought back whatever they had eaten at a restaurant that night. Harry seemed to think the same thing, and looked terribly skinny beside the plump turkey as Mrs. Weasley and Percy sat down and everyone began to eat. Hermione enjoyed the full meal, though tried her best to eat with some dignity. Harry followed her lead, eating shyly, while across the way, Ron ate with an almost sickening appetite.

"I've been working on a curious muggle invention," Mr. Weasley happily prattled on, filling the dinner table with conversation as he tapped his fork against the edge of his plate, "I just finished putting it together. It has two wheels with bars for steering, and you sit on it and use your legs to move it,"

"Like a broomstick?"

"Yes, a bit. But this contraption doesn't fly, and has air tubes hooked up to help stop movement. It's the strangest thing. The muggles call it a...a..."

"Bicycle, Mr. Weasley," Hermione said, causing the main to nod,

"That's right. A bicycle. The literal translation. Two wheeled."

There was laugher about the table as Harry and Hermione glanced at one another humorously. Soon, the rest of the family left the table, and Ron looked ready to sleep for ages. Mrs. Weasley stood behind Hermione and Harry and clucked her tongue,

"You both are much too skinny," she chided sweetly, "you eat all this, and then I will pack you a nice big sack of food for you to take on your journey tomorrow," smiling, Mrs. Weasley refilled their plates. However, Hermione didn't fail to notice the pointed look the red haired matron gave her husband before leaving the room. Hermione knew the look well, as it often meant something along the lines of. We'll talk later.

And indeed they did. After ushering the children up to bed, Hermione and Harry borrowing clothing from the Weasley's and sleeping in different guest bedrooms, Hermione somehow ended up on the stairs. She had been going for a glass of water from the kitchen when the two hushed voices of the Weasley adults reached her well trained ears. Sitting down, Hermione strained to listen,

"-I don't believe they are who they say they are," Mr. Weasley said, "they hopped into my car with no destination, and very little to tell me. I do believe they were trying to get away quickly,"

"From what do you think?" Mrs. Weasely asked, "what do two children possibly have to run away from?"

"I don't know. But I have a hunch that the boy is...Harry Potter,"

Hermione stiffened as she balled her fists into her nightshirt, heart stuttering as Mrs. Weasley gasped slightly,

"Harry Potter? Here? Are you sure?"

"No, but Dumbledore informed the Order that the boy was missing, and was reported in Diagon Alley today,"

"What about the girl? She's so small, Arthur,"

"No doubt a muggleborn witch, love. She won't be able to fit in here much longer, either way. They don't know how to do magic,"

"So what do we do? Both of them are exhausted, and they looked practically starved-"

Arthur sighed heavily, and Hermione could imagine him rubbing the back of his head,

"We tell Dumbledore, and inform the rest of the Order that they are here. We can't risk letting the boy out of our sight,"

"Not tonight though, dear," Mrs. Weasley insisted softly, "let them both have a peaceful night for now. Come along, we should get to bed as well,"

Soon, Hermione heard the sounds of feet, and the soft closing of a door downstairs as the Burrow once again went quiet with night time. Holding a shaky hand over her mouth, Hermione swallowed thickly. The Weasley's were going to tell the bearded man about them! About Harry! Standing and whipping around on the steps, Hermione hurried towards her best friends room. They had to leave, and they had to leave before sunrise!