Chapter 7

"This place is creeeepy," Fred observed, whistling under his breath at the different dental equipment and sets of fake teeth that filled Hermione's parents' office. "No wonder muggles hate the dentist."

"If they brush and floss regularly they really shouldn't have any reason to be afraid of the dentist," Hermione argued before finally caving in, "yeah, I don't like it either. Imagine the other side though, I wouldn't want my hands in other people's mouths all day either."

"Surely you don't still let them do that to you?" Fred asked, looking horrified. "You know we have spells for that?"

"Of course I know that now, but I wasn't always privy to such information, now was I? Some of us didn't grow up in a house full of witches and wizards. My parents took care of my teeth the best way they knew how."

"That must have been so strange. I mean, I've thought about it before, of course, what it must be like for muggle borns, but to actually live that…I think it would be really…tough."

"Why Fred Weasley you aren't actually developing some sort of sympathy for others now, are you?" Hermione teased. "Don't you have a reputation to uphold?"

"I think our reputation is pretty solidly set at this point," he answered smugly before his expression once again turned grim.

"Right, George," Hermione said, sensing the reason for his sudden change of demeanor. "Well, there was definitely something not right about that pub."

"Yeah, but what? They can do magic, but they don't like magic? I mean, how can anyone not like magic?"

"There are probably quite a few muggles out there that wouldn't be huge fans," Hermione said thoughtfully, "If they knew about it that is."

"Yeah, but they wouldn't be able to do magic, would they? So why do these people hate magic and what does that have to do with George and the others?"

"There are definitely people out there that know about magic and don't like it. Think about Harry's aunt and uncle. But you're right, they can't do magic for themselves. Alicia said "he's back" but that doesn't really make any sense either. Who's back? Voldemort? He is almost certainly really dead this time, but even if it were some of his followers they wanted the exact opposite of this- pureblood magic, not no magic at all."

"We'll have to go back to the pub again. See if we can get anybody to talk."

"I'm not sure about that, Fred. Those people obviously didn't like us. I'm not sure we'll be as fortunate next time."

"Really, Granger, are you a witch or not? We don't have to be ourselves." He grinned wickedly before pulling out a couple of small vials from his robes.

"Polyjuice potion? And you're just carrying around in your pocket? Where did you get that? Are you mad?" Hermione looked horrified at the idea of him carrying around who knows what kind of potions on his person at any given time. It's a wonder he hadn't blown something up. Okay, blown something bigger up.

"Nope, but you'll find I'm often quite prepared for most any situation. A quality I thought you of all people would appreciate. Would you prefer to question where it came from or spend months brewing some more?"

"And who do you propose we turn into then?"

"Well, I'm sure there is something from your parents around here we could use…" He started opening drawers, in search of who knows what, ignoring her protests.

"You want us to turn into my parents?" She shook her head vehemently. "No way. Not happening."

"You have a better idea? It's perfect actually. Your parents are still off in Australia so after we turn back into ourselves it's not like they will be able to find them again."

"I don't know…." Hermione pulled her fingers through her hair as she often did when she was stressed, resulting in it being even more unruly than usual. "Putting my parents' life in danger, our lives in danger, I don't like it.

"Well, I'm open to other suggestions, but could you think quickly? I'd like to find my twin before anyone else disappears."

"I guess you're right," she said with a sigh. "No time like the present I suppose." She found her parents' lab coats and scoured them meticulously hoping that any hairs she might find were definitely theirs, or at the very least, human." She shuddered as she remembered her previous experiences with polyjuice potion. The cat was horrible enough, but Bellatrix Lestrange was honestly not much better. This should be a breeze compared to that.

"It's not going to taste very good," she warned Fred as they prepared to drink.

"I know that, but how do you know that?" the redhead asked giving her a curious look.

"This is not my first time, Fred. And the stuff really is atrocious." She made a sour face before downing the contents in one swift gulp.

"You have a lot of secrets, Granger. I like that in a woman." He winked at her before his face began morphing into a very familiar one. It was the face of her father and seeing it sent a twinge of pain and regret through her body.

"You'll see them again, Hermione. I promise. You're helping me look for George. I will help you look for them."

The sincerity in his voice and use of her first name surprised her and she just stared at him for a moment. She had spent quite a bit of time with Fred over the past few days and she was beginning to see a side of him that she hadn't realized was there. It was a side that she really liked.

"You're a lot nicer than people give you credit for, you know," she observed.

"Ssssh, don't tell the world. Reputation to uphold." He took a deep breath, looking her up and down as she now completely had taken on the form of her mother. "Hey, your Mum's not a bad looking woman, Granger. There's hope for you yet." He laughed and dodged to annoy the inevitable slap on the arm that he knew was coming.

"Alright, are you ready for this?" she asked, choosing not to respond further. After a slight nod, she grabbed his hand and they disapparated.

Please let me know what you think! I would really appreciate it. :)