Chapter 3

Hermione knew that Fred was getting frustrated and if she was honest with herself, she was, too. They had gone through every paper, box, and prank in Weasleys Wizard Wheezes and still found no clue to George's possible whereabouts. She was scouring her brain trying to think of anything that might help.

"Was George dating anyone when he disappeared?" she asked suddenly. It felt like such an obvious first question that she was a little annoyed that she didn't think of it sooner.

"He had been seeing Angelina a little here and there. I don't think it was that serious."

"Have you asked her if she has heard from him? Or maybe she knows something at least."

"George wouldn't tell her something that he wouldn't tell me."

"Fred, I know I don't have a ton of experience with guys, but I think I know enough to know that girls can get guys to tell them just about anything in the right situation."

She could see the smirk growing on Fred's face and though she was grateful to see that side of him starting to come out she could feel the blush heating up her own cheeks at the same time.

Sure enough, it only took a moment for him to make her face an even deeper red. "And what situation might that be, Granger?" he asked.

"Never mind that," she mumbled, trying to regain her composure. "I just think we should talk to Angelina."

"Fine, whatever. Let's go see her." He started to take her arm to apparate.

"Fred! We can't just show up in her living room. That's not polite."

"I wasn't planning on it, Granger. I do know how to apparate outside her door and knock. Is that how little you think of me? That I just pop into people's houses and have no respect for personal space? I mean, I was raised by Molly Weasley after all."

Well, that was embarrassing. "Of course not, Fred. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed."

He grabbed her arm, disapparating immediately and landing just outside the door to Angelina's flat. "I was only joking. I did consider for a moment just popping inside."

She tried her best to look annoyed, but his infectious grin kept her from being able to remain too serious. She slapped his arm playfully instead and then turned to knock on the door. "Hopefully she's home. Does she have a roommate; do you know?"

He nodded. "Katie Bell."

They waited rather impatiently for someone to answer the door when it finally swung open to reveal a rather haggard looking Alicia Spinnet.

"Oh, hi," is all she said as a greeting. Hermione had never known the older girl well, but she knew enough to know that she wasn't usually so distressed and unfriendly.

"Is something wrong, Alicia?"

"Um, well, maybe…that is, I don't know?" She kept looking behind her as if she was nervous about something.

"Alicia, what's going on?" Fred asked much more straightforwardly.

"Well, Katie's acting a little strangely," she said, obviously trying to be delicate with her wording, "and Angelina's not here."

"How long has Angelina been gone?" Hermione asked immediately, ignoring the part about Katie for the time being.

"Um, about two weeks, I think," she said before being interrupted by a strange sound. "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to go now." She started closing the door before Fred blocked it with his foot.

"What's going on, Alicia?" he asked, this time even more intensely.

She finally sighed, opening the door and allowing them to enter.

They looked around cautiously at first, but everything seemed perfectly normal. That is, until they found Katie in the living room. She was laying on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, and in addition to being extremely pale, she looked generally unwell. She was also shivering and appeared to be in desperate need of a healer.

"What's wrong with her?" Fred asked in his usual cut to the chase manner.

"I don't know. She just started acting this way. She will barely eat and only talks to mumble something- the same thing over and over."

"Has she seen a healer?" Hermione asked. "We can help you take her to St. Mungo's."

"Oh, we've been there. They have no idea what's wrong with her. Said it was probably just post-traumatic stress from the war."

"But you don't think so?"

"No way. Katie was fine and then randomly one day a couple of weeks ago she starts acting like this. Wouldn't post-traumatic stress develop a little more slowly than that? Maybe not, I don't know, but my gut tells me that is not what this is. Especially with Angelina missing."

"Have you told anyone about that?" Fred asked.

"Well, no," Alicia said, a clearly little embarrassed at that admission. "I didn't know if she was just off with her parents or even your brother. I was already making such a big deal about Katie."

"Alicia," Hermione said gently, "George is missing, too."

"What?" the other girl looked shocked. "You don't know where he is?" she asked Fred. It was obvious from her expression that this bit of news had completely changed everything in her mind.

"No, I haven't seen him in two weeks." The look of alarm on Fred's face was growing as well and Hermione had to admit that the situation was looking a lot direr than she had first believed.

"So the same amount of time as everything with Katie and Angelina." Alicia sat down slowly on the couch, obviously trying to process this new information. "So I'm not crazy? Something is really wrong?"

"It sure looks like it now," Hermione said. "We need you to tell us everything. You mentioned she keeps mumbling something? What is she saying?"

Alicia looked slowly back and forth between Fred and Hermione. "She just keeps saying that he's back."

Thanks for reading! I really, really would love to hear what you think so far...