DICLAIMER: THE WORLD OF HARRY POTTER BELONGS TO JK. ROWLING.

" Dementors at Harry Potter's! What! How is that possible? How can they just…wait, so are they bringing him back?"

Everyone at the Headquarters was in up roar. Apparently Harry had been attacked, and had to be brought to Headquarters earlier than planned. Every one suspected that it was Voldemort who had sent them after Harry.

" Thank God he knows how to repel them." Replied Laura to Ron, as they all sat in one of the bedrooms, talking about what they heard happened the night before.

" Oh Harry, and he just wanted to know what was going on. Ron, you know he will be very angry with us. I just hope he did not get hurt.." Hermione said with a worried expression on her face.

" Hey, as I always say, friends like you guys are for life, so not to worry." Said Stephanie determined.

" That's right! Look at us," said George speaking up suddenly, " I couldn't tell you how many times Fred and I hid pranks from Laura and Stephanie so we could experiment them, like that one time in fourth year when we 'accidently' switched their shampoo bottles with hair removal solution…" catching Laura's death glare, and Ron's bewildered face he quickly added, " And you see, we're still all friends, the best ever!"

Fred's mouth was twitching in remembrance until Stephanie slapped his arm saying, " You made us bald for a day! You prats!"

" Haha! The good old days! I bet I could have seen my reflection on your noggin!" laughed Fred, as Ron was rolling on the floor with laughter, and Hermione was trying not to laugh.

" Anyways," said Ginny waving her hand, " Let's just hope he is ok. I know Sirius was furious last night when he heard, and this morning when they told him he couldn't go. I bet mum will kill Mundungus when she next sees him."

" For once, we won't get the fire." Said George, " You know she has been on our case all summer about our joke list, says it rubbish! Pfff, jokes are the future of our nation!"

" Tell 'em George!" said Fred

" With jokes and laughter the world would be perfect, everyone would be in perfect health!"

"Yeah, how do you figure?" asked Ron with raised eyebrows.

" Simple: LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE." Said George obviously.

" I agree!" said Stephanie at once, " I say we make some of that medicine now!"

" …sounds like we are about to break out into our rendition of a musical…" said Ron under his breath.

A knock was heard at the door of the bedroom, as Sirius entered seeking company away from his temper. Upon seeing his expression however, Stephanie rethought her idea of laughing at the present time.

" Everything all right?" asked Laura calmly.

He nodded and asked " Mind if I join you guys for a while, I can't think at the moment. Need a distraction."

" Of course, you are always welcome; you know that." Said Laura looking into his stormy eyes.

They looked at each other for a moment, then remembering of the others present, Sirius went to sit down against the bed on the floor.

" So what are you mates up to?" asked Sirius.

" Well George was just declaring with life philosophy, and was about to demonstrate it." stated Hermione looking at Sirius to see if he was ok.

" Philosopher heh?" said Sirius mockingly.

" Well, I do what I can." Said a dignified George.

" Ha!.." said Ginny with a smirk.

" Sirius, do you know when Harry is coming here?" asked Hermione.

" Supposed to be some time tonight or this morning. You lot don't have to stay up…"

" Oh I couldn't sleep tonight, not until this bubble of anxiety calms down." Said Hermione, and Sirius smiled appreciatively.

" Stephanie dear! Mails' here for you!" shouted Mrs. Weasley from the landing.

Stephanie looked up in surprise, not expecting anything from her adoptive parents for another day or two, she stood up and said, " Funny, didn't think I was getting anything for awhile. Ooh maybe it's a present! Be rite back guys." She left the room swiftly to see what she had received.

When she entered the kitchen she saw a beautiful jet black owl standing on the table in a dignified way. His eyes were bright red, like a Dracula Bird, and he had a touch of green feathers on his front. He was a real beauty. It was a Tikkizora, the rarest owl that still existed. He watched her, sticking out his silver looking leg, holding a letter with a green was seal.

" It's for you dear." Said Mrs. Weasley quickly turning back around making diner.

"…for me..wow, I've only seen these owls in books. " she was in bewildered as to why it was here for her. She gently removed the letter, and petted the owls head in two gentle strokes, before he opened his large wings and took off into the dim evening sun.

Stephanie stared at the letter a moment, it had no markings, just green wax, and the envelope was luxurious paper. She sat down at the wooden table, opening her letter. A small thick parchment was enclosed. On it, it read,

My fair lady,

It took me by chance to think upon you well being, and I am writing to inquire how you are. I have missed our few but highly appreciative times we have spoken. Esspecially this little game we have started to amuse ourselves with, talking as if from another time, perhaps we had met in a past life. I did not know how to address the envelope, as you may have seen, but this owl; his name is Hellion, is a one of the smartest birds of his kind, so I had faith that he would find you. Wishing you a happy summer, away from tedious company, as myself have been exposed to, too frequently for my liking. Stay safe, and perhaps we shall meet again as another year takes its toll.

Sir Draco Malfoy

PS. No need to reply, I just felt like writing this letter on a whim.

Stephanie smiled happily. She almost wanted to laugh, she found this letter so ingenious.

Hmm…never thought he would have quite that imagination! What a puzzling fellow…

" Was it good news dear?" asked Mrs. Weasley kindly.

" Oh, yes I think it was." Said Stephanie brightly.

She got up to rejoin her friends, but before she joined them, she went to her trunk to tuck the letter away. If the others got any idea that she did not actually hate Draco Malfoy as everyone naturally did, for his outside arrogance whenever at school, she could only imagine what yells and shouts would ensue. No, it was better to keep it secret, and plus, it wasn't as though she was having an affair with Draco, just a letter out of the blue, and a couple incidental encounters.

Laura, Stephanie, Ginny, Ron and the twins had all fallen asleep in the early hours of the night/morning, as they had been waiting for Harry, but finally one by one they all nodded off to bed, on the floor, on the bed, sort of piled up everywhere.

Sirius had gotten up when he thought they had fallen asleep, and magically covered them all with blankets. He bent down to tuck it warmly around each of them, and when he went to Laura who was on the floor next to Ron, his hands wrapped themselves ever so gently around her waist to tuck in the blanket.

Laura was not quite asleep yet, tired enough to have her eyes closed, but somewhere between dreams and reality. She felt the warmth of his hands in that simply touch warming her body, and his scent encircled her breath. Sirius felt her back tense up slightly and got up briskly to leave the room.

Harry had come at last, much to pleasure of Sirius who had missed his nephew. Although Harry did seem rather withdrawn from everyone the first day. Many Order members were coming for dinner the following night to see how Harry was doing, and to bring some news into the house.

" Wait, so you are suuure that Tonks is coming?" asked George.

" Uhh..yeah, I just told you that George." Said Laura

" So you are POSITIVE she'll be here tonight?"

" What's your deal George? Gotta crush or something? Owe her money?" asked Laura confounded.

" Laura, why would he owe her money?" asked Stephanie looking up from the chess game she had been playing with Fred.

" Ha! So many reasons I could think of rite now.." evil smirk

George grabbed a pillow and threw it at her head.

" Fred, you think Mom cleaned my green shirt, you know the one with the stripes on it?"

" Nope, I told her to wash my shirts before yours."

"What! But Fred I need that shirt for tonight."

" Why don't you just wear what you have on?"

" I can't, it got wrinkled."

" Since when do you care, huh?"

" Esxcuse meee for my hygiene. I like to be well groomed!"

" George, this wouldn't have anything to do with a certain someone that you've mentioned all afternoon..?" asked Ginny smirking madly.

" I do not know what you speak of…"

" Aah, so he IS dressing up for someone! AHA! Wait 'till I tell Lee, he'll have a field day with this. I can imagine his face now..HAHAHAHA" said Stephanie laughing.

" George you have a crush on Lupin?" asked Ron alarmingly.

" No you git!" said George throwing his shoe at Ron's head.

"…no need to get violent when you're in love…" muttered Laura, eyeing Stephanie, ready for a new fit of giggles.

" You kids just don't understand the artistic soul!" declared George.

" HAHAHAHAHA!..ok..phew, you're going to give me a heart attack! can't breathe…"

Everyone exploded with laughter as George stood in the middle of the room, he lifted his nose high in the air and left the room.

" Hahaha…ok you guys, let me handle this one." Said Stephanie as she left the room.

"George?" asked Stephanie as she opened his bedroom door. He was busy rummaging through his trunk, apparently looking for something. He quickly stuffed whatever IT was in his pocket and looked up.

" What?"

" You know we were just teasing you. It's not like you to get so offended."

" Oh that, yeah I know, I just had to leave, I need to change for dinner."

" George…dinner is in an hour…you have plenty of time." Stephanie tried to keep a serious face, but it was so hard, because she had never seen her friend acting so un-prankish.

" Listen to me, I know a little something about girls, seeing as I am one, and let me give you a piece of advice to woo Tonks."

" Tonks?" said George on a very high pitch, " uhh..hemm..what makes you think of her?" he asked his ears turning red.

" Nothing, I'm just throwing that name in the air," said Stephanie stifling her laughter, " and I think that you should just make her laugh. That's what you are best at, so just do what you do best."

When dinner came around, Harry had come down and was buisy talking to Ron and Hermione, as everyone sat down; except George, who was not in the room at present time.

As everyone had settled around the table, Arthur Weasley at the head of the table, next to him Hermione, then Ron and Harry. Next to Harry was Laura, facing Siruis. Molly and Lupin were on Arthur's other side, and at the end of the table was Stephanie, Ginny, Tonks and Fred.

" Fred dear, where is George?" asked Mrs. Weasley as she was about to serve.

" Uhh, I don't know. Should be here any minute."

Right on cue, George came in, hair combed, teeth brushed, black shirt ironed, kaki pants, dress shoes, and Laura was sure she caught a glimpse of his silk boxers as he sat down.

" Well George, there was no need to dress up." said Mrs. Weasley taken back seeing her son's tidy appearance.

" I did not dress up, I just threw this on." said George eying Tonks.

Everyone snorted into their soup, George seemed to notice nothing but the task at hand: Wooing Tonks.

" So Harry, how did the gits treat you this summer?" asked Sirius

" Oh, well it helps having a run away convict for a godfather." Smiled Harry as Sirius chuckled.

Stephanie who was sitting next to George whispered, " ..remember, be yourself…"

George looked around, picked up his spoon and made it stick to his nose.

" Can anyone do this?"

" George honestly, how many times do I have to tell you to not play with your food? Sometimes I think you're still 5." Reprimanded Mrs. Weasley.

George turned red, and didn't look up at Tonks who was busy talking to Lupin and Siruis.

As Sirius let Tonks and Lupin talk, he glanced up at Laura who caught his eye, just as she was licking her lips moist from the soup. He raised his eyebrows and looked down at his own soup. Laura bit back a smile, and sneakily looked back up, to see his eyebrows knotted, probably thinking about what he just saw…

Stephanie and Fred kept whispering little things to each other, always trying to catch the other one unsuspected in a kiss when the other would turn their face.

" You know, I have to say, you two make quite the couple." Said Tonks happily at the teenagers.

Fred smiled at Stephanie who laughed and thanked her.

" Tonks?"

" yes George?"

" Could you pass the salt?"

" What do we say?"

George turned red once again, was she making fun of him?

" Could you pass the salt please?"

" Sure thing Sparky!"

" Oh and could you also pass the mashed potatoes please?"

Tonks raised an eyebrow suspiciously but complied, " Anything else?"

" Could you pass me your address please?"

" What!"

" what?"

" What did you ask?"

" I asked you to pass the steak please." Said George smartly.

" Oh Stephanie, Ginny," said George very loudly, loudly enough for everyone to hear," did I tell you my new joke that I made up this morning? It's really very funny, after all that's me, I am a funny guy."

" Not rite now George, it's probably not appropriate for the table." Said Ginny, turning back to Stephanie.

" Oh no no, I promise it's REALLY funny." Said George exaggeratedly.

" George, last time you told a joke, we were gagging up from it's pervertedness, so could you stop." Said Ginny frowning.

" That's not true! I happen to be very funny!"

" Yeah, I have to agree with your brother Ginny. He is a comical act, I must say." Said Tonks amused.

George beamed. As Stephanie, Fred and Ginny stuffed their mouth with bread quickly to not make a sound.

" Ginny! Ginny, you ok?" asked Tonks, as Ginny had been gagging on her bread.

" yeah…hmm..yeah I am fine. I just…swallowed a funny piece of bread."

At that moment, Stephanie and Fred started coughing, as their piece of bread was getting chocked on, in a muffled wave of laughter.