Polly cuddled into George's bed with a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. Fred and George were packing up their things while Polly and Ginny just sat near by watching the chaos. Things were being thrown around the room, and getting lost. So just as Fred or George would find one thing, they'd lost another. Polly just shook her head and talked with Ginny. Ginny was in a bit of a weird mood, but it wasn't bad. Just off. Polly assumed it was nerves. There was only one more day before they left for school. So tomorrow would be spent together. This would be the first year where Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would have the house to themselves for the school year.
Polly was talking about the funny pranks Fred and George had pulled over the years, some in defence of Polly's honour. This made Ginny feel a bit better, because now she felt like they would have her back should things go bad. And they definitely would.
"What if I'm not in Gryffindor with my brothers?" Ginny asked. "Or worse, what if I am in Gryffindor with my brothers?"
"Well, I think you'll be with your brothers, and you'll love it. They won't pick on you at school, love. I promise. No matter what house you get sorted into, you'll be happy. That I can guarantee."
"How?"
"Because you're wonderful, and there will be people who absolutely adore you."
Ginny nodded, looking into her mug of hot chocolate. She stirred it up with the spoon she had in there, and then moved to get up from the bed.
"I think I'm going to go talk to mum for a bit." Ginny left the room, her slippers shuffling under her feet.
"Will you two please talk to her and promise her that things will go okay?" Polly asked, shifting herself to sit on the edge of George's bed.
"We're very busy, Polly. If we don't want to miss any of the fun tomorrow then we gotta finish packing tonight." George stopped for a moment to put a hand on Polly's shoulder. "Ginny knows deep down everything will be alright. She knows everything we've ever done to defend you."
Polly nodded, and George returned to the floor. He was attempting to fold his clothes nicely, but he was having a rough time trying. Polly rolled her eyes, and sat on the floor, ready to help him. He smiled sheepishly. It was both wonderful, and a little embarrassing to have a girl care for you at this age that isn't your mother. But George wouldn't have it any other way. Not for anything.
With Polly helping, their packing was done way faster than it would've been. She kept them focused and organized. They were basically toddlers when it came to things like this. Things they considered to be too boring. Fred went downstairs to get them some hot cocoa, while George and Polly just sat on the bed, and talked. Polly was wearing the jumper she'd gotten from Molly last year, even though it was still kind of warm out. Polly was comfortable.
There was almost nothing George liked more than seeing Polly in that sweater. It made him feel like she was really part of the family.
"You will look after Ginny, right?"
"I don't think I need to, you seem to always be one step ahead of me when it comes you taking care of my younger siblings," George joked, elbowing her lightly. "Yes, of course I will. She's annoying, but she's my sister."
"Don't call her annoying," Polly said.
"See? You look out for them better than anyone else," George said. While Polly giggled, George leaned over and kissed her temple without explanation. They both smiled, and Polly moved so her head would comfortably rest against George's shoulder. Anyone who thought they could get between George and Polly were very wrong. Fred probably couldn't even do it. Not that he'd ever want to.
The next day was one of the most fun Polly had ever had. The whole family came together for a day of bonding. It was a big goodbye blowout, and Polly was welcomed into all the fun. At the end of the day, while Polly cuddled up to Ginny as the two girls both drank their last mugs of cocoa, Fred and George set off some fireworks outside that lit the night up beautifully. Then they set off a few little inside explosion of colours. Molly rolled her eyes, but enjoyed the show none the less.
"Off to bed, all of you." Molly began to shoo the kids away. "Long day tomorrow."
"Goodnight Polly," George said, smiling. He was going to miss spending the whole day with Polly. From sun up to sun down they'd been together. And now it was back to classes.
"Goodnight love," Polly said, walking off with Ginny.
Polly felt like she'd only slept for ten minutes before Ginny was shaking her awake half an hour earlier than Mrs. Weasley even.
"Ginny, what are you doing?"
"Get dressed and trust me," Ginny whispered. Ginny was already completely dressed and ready for the day.
Polly did as Ginny said. She got dressed, brushed her teeth and hair and was completely ready for the day with ten minutes before Mrs. Weasley would be getting everyone up. Polly brought her trunk downstairs and left it by the door. She still didn't understand why Ginny was so serious about getting up early. Polly and Ginny made a plate of toast with butter, and left it on the counter. There was plenty for everyone.
Mrs. Weasley was only awake for five minutes before Polly realized exactly why Ginny had gotten them up early. It was an absolute madhouse. All of the Weasley's were bumping into each other on the stairs, Mrs. Weasley looked especially panicked as if she hadn't prepared and checked everything days ago.
"Oh, two little angels making breakfast," Mrs. Weasley kissed both Polly and Ginny's cheeks as she grabbed a piece of toast for herself before returning to try and get everyone ready.
"Look at the little suck up," George said, coming up behind Polly. She was sitting at the table ready to go, and he came up behind her and put his hands on either side of Polly. His shirt wasn't on yet, but gripped in one of his hands. George leaned in and gave Polly a little peck on the cheek, before backing away to put his shirt on and then grab a piece of toast.
"George," Mrs. Weasley said, "Where's your brother?"
"Upstairs getting dressed," he said, biting into his toast.
"At least one of yous is ready this year." Mrs. Weasley rushed up the stairs, arms full of extra socks.
"Everyone who's ready come help me get the bags to the car," Mr. Weasley said from the door. He had Ginny's trunk in his hands, and the door held open with the other. Polly grabbed her own trunk and carried it across the yard, her little arms shaking by the time she got there. She wasn't weak, but she wasn't strong. She was nestled somewhere in the middle.
George had both his and his brothers trunks, and he easily made it across the yard without faltering. Mr. Weasley, however, was in such a rush that he hadn't noticed a lone chicken wandering around the yard, and he tripped over the poor little thing. Harry tried not to laugh, but failed.
"I'll mind you not to say anything to Molly," Mr. Weasley said, opening up the trunk to reveal it's nearly ten times the size of a regular boot.
"My lips are sealed," Polly said.
"Everyone in! We're running late!" Mrs. Weasley said, rushing everyone into the car. Percy was the last out of the house, his trunk already put into the boot.
The car had also been stretched to help the Weasley reach capacity. A big family needs a big car – not a little Ford Anglia. But Mr. Weasley made it work. Apparently, the car could also become invisible. But Mrs. Weasley wouldn't let her husband fly the car to the train station, so Polly never got to see what it was like. Percy was on one side of Polly, and George was on the other. It was like Percy put a wall around himself to block out any sort of fun. George and Polly were goofing off the whole ride to the train station, while Fred picked on Ron.
"Let's go," Mrs. Weasley said, rushing everyone. They were a little behind schedule.
They made it to the barrier dividing muggle trains from the Hogwarts Express. They only had just over five minutes to spare before they had to get themselves onto that train. Polly wasn't nervous as she normally would have been, but she was with two magical parents who would know what to do. Mrs. Weasley, however, looked awfully anxious. She kept glancing up at the clock.
"Percy first," she said, waving him through. Mr. Weasley went next.
"Ladies first," George said, gesturing for Polly to go. She didn't say anything as she casually strode through the brick wall. On the other side she slowly walked towards the train, and sped up when her favourite twins were right beside her. They climbed onto the train and sat in the first compartment they saw with only one other person in it. It was a girl, and she looked to be towards the end of her education. She rolled her eyes the second she saw people coming in, and left without a word.
"Friendly," Fred said. Polly laughed as she got comfortable.
The ride was casual so far, with Fred and George plotting out some elaborate practical joke on Lee while Polly just laid flush against George with her head on his shoulder. They were getting to the point where little signs of affection: Polly's head on his shoulder, George kissing Polly's cheek, hugging no longer made them both blush like crazy. But whenever George says something super sweet, or Polly kisses his cheek, one or the other lights up like a Christmas tree. Fred thought that this part was way more tolerable than before. Even though this part was so adorably annoying.
"Have any of you seen Harry and Ron?" Hermione asked, startling them from the doorway. Polly hadn't heard her open the door. Polly just shrugged, keeping her head where it was. She was too comfortable to move.
"They were at the station," Fred said, "we just got right onto the train. Didn't really feel the need to wait."
"Oh, well, I'll keep looking. Bye," Hermione said, leaving without giving the three a chance to say goodbye.
"So, Polly," Fred said. "Any thoughts?"
And just like that, the conversation was back onto the prank. It was like these boys were a yoyo. No matter how long the string may get, it always comes back around. Pranks were never far gone from their minds.
Polly fell asleep at some point during the conversation, leaving them to their own devices for a little under an hour before she woke up again. Polly rubbed her eyes and sat up straight, giving her back a chance to stretch. George was wrapping candies, which Polly didn't believe were actually candies, while Fred slept across from the two.
"Was I out long?"
"Not at all, still quite a few hours to go." George offered her a candy with a grin, but she just laughed and pushed it away. "Hermione said she went up and down this train and couldn't find Harry or Ron."
"Maybe they've hidden from her," Polly said, "but that wouldn't make much sense."
"It's just a little strange is all," George said.
There was always a certain excitement in the air when riding the Hogwarts Express back to school. Polly loved learning, and she couldn't wait to get back into learning about magical creatures. It was her passion. There were many things that Polly could do after school based on her talents, but she was head over heels for animals. Magic and non magical alike. George and Fred knew this well, as she talked about it all the time.
George leaned against the window, and allowed himself to doze off. Polly, being the only one still awake, pulled out Quidditch Throughout the Ages. She'd been trying to read all about Quidditch in effort to learn the game. Fred and George loved the game, and she wanted to share that with them. Or at least understand what was going on while she sat in the stands. She finished the book a few clicks away from Hogwarts.
Polly left to change into her robes, and woke the boys up for them to do the same when she got back. Sluggishly, the two of them left with their robes to go change.
Polly couldn't wait to get to the feast. She had been hungry for nearly two hours, but she didn't want to spoil her supper. The return feast was her third favourite. Right behind Halloween and the final feast.
Leaving the twins was fairly abrupt. Polly was dragged away by Justin the second she got into the castle. He didn't want to walk into the Great Hall by himself.
"I've missed you," Polly said, sitting down with Justin.
As the feast went on, Polly got to see everyone she'd missed. Anya, Cedric and everyone else. The sorting ceremony was as exciting as it always is. A few new members joined the Hufflepuff house, Polly cheering loudly for each new Hufflepuff.
Ginny was one of the last to go up, and Polly could see the nervousness on her face. But once she was sorted into Gryffindor, her face lit up, and she rushed off to sit at the long table. Polly cheered for her, and winked when she caught her eye. Ginny smiled, waved, and then returned to her table. Polly was so proud of her little friend.