"I do believe the password is 'cockroach cluster'" said a quiet voice behind them.

The doctor swivelled round and looked up into the smiling face of Albus Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore!" The Doctors squealed, clapping his hands together in joy. "It's been so long! How are you?"

Dumbledore smiled kindly. "I'm very well, thank you. As you can see, it has been so very long. I grow old. You, however, do not."

"Yeah, well. New face!" The Doctor exclaimed, pointing to his cheeks.

"Quite. But how could I not recognise you? With the haphazard hair and pretty companion." He motioned to Amy.

"May I ask: what happened to Rose?"

The Doctor's face turned hard and he look away from the old wizard.

"She's... gone. Lost in another world. But she's... happy. Well, she's safe. I..." The Doctor didn't finish his sentence.

"Who's Rose?" Amy asked haughtily. The Doctor knitted his eyebrows together and stammered "She's well, uh, uhm..." He cleared his throat awkwardly.

Fred mentally laughed at the look of panic on the doctor's face. Oops. Mentioning the ex in front of the new - what was it Dumbledore called her? - 'Companion.'

"So!" The Doctor said, his face resuming the care free, child-in-a-sweet-shop look it had before the seemingly taboo subject of Rose was brought up. Although he was happy now, Fred had a feeling it was an act.

"Amy Pond, this is Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"Pleasure to meet you" Dumbledore said politely, extending his hand to Amy. She took his outstretched hand and shook it.

"This is a school?" Amy asked in amazement.

"Yeah , yeah. School for young witches and wizards" The Doctor waved his hand dismissively and faced Dumbledore. Amy huffed indignantly.

"I'd introduce you to our friend Fred, but, considering the reception he got out in the corridor a few minutes ago, I daresay you've met before."

Dumbledore chuckled and raised an eyebrow at Fred "Oh yes, on many occasions"

Fred grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, I'm an old timer. Good old Hogwarts." Fred shook his head, clearing it from the memories surfacing about him and George's time here. "Sooo, about that badge, Doctor?" He steered the subject elsewhere.

"Yes! Down to business. The Doctor produced the badge from inside his jacket and held it up toward Dumbledore. Dumbledore took it and observed it closely.

The Doctor explained the curious circumstances in which they came across the object, Dumbledore frowned and put the badge into his pocket.

"It seems a member of Slytherin house has been taking part in something suspicious."

Fred leaned over to Amy and whispered in her ear "Slytherin were always a bunch of slime balls."

Amy turned to face Fred and grinned. "Oh, yeah? The rotten apples on the ripe, magical tree? So you were in Slytherin, too?"

Fred's jaw went slack and Amy gigled quietly, glancing at the Doctor and Dumbledore, apparently deep in conversation.

"Joking. What house was it then?"

"Gryffindor. Where dwell the brave of heart. And dashing good looks."

"Your modesty blinds me."

"Some find it charming, you know."

"I can imagine."

Fred was glad The Doctor interrupted them and announced that Dumbledore had generously invited them to the daily feast in the great hall because he, for once, genuinely had no idea what to say.

A/N: holy crap guys fred is just so nostalgic. It's been eons since i updated this like a year or something so hopefully my vocabulary, writing style and grammar have improved. ALSO OH MY GOD S7 IS ALMOST UPON US. (Also I was creeping on this story's stats and it's had 988 hits. WHAT. THANKS.) Turns out this is set in HBP before Dumbledore's killed sob. Also I think Harry Hermione and Ron might be in the next chapter, but not majorly. No BETA so I apologise for mistakes.