Disclaimer: Unfortunately, my name isn't J. K. Rowling...which means that I own nothing. While you guys read, I'll go cry in a corner about the fact that I didn't create this marvelous world and these amazing characters.
"So, all in all, not one of Ron's better birthdays?" said Fred.
It was evening; the hospital wing was quiet, the windows curtained, the lamps lit. Ron's was the only occupied bed. Harry, Hermione and I were all sitting around him; we had spent most of the day waiting outside the double doors, trying to see inside whenever somebody went in or out. Madam Pomfrey had only let us enter in the afternoon. Fred and George had arrived at eight o'clock.
"This isn't how we imagined handing over our present," said George grimly, putting down a large wrapped gift on Ron's beside cabinet and sitting beside me.
"Yeah, when we pictured the scene, he was conscious," said Fred.
"There we were in Hogsmeade, waiting to surprise him—," said George.
"You were in Hogsmeade?" I asked, looking up.
"We were thinking of buying Zonko's," said Fred gloomily. "A Hogsmeade branch, you know, but a fat lot of good it'll do us if you lot aren't allowed out at weekends to buy our stuff anymore…but never mind that now."
Fred drew up a chair beside Harry and looked at Ron's pale face. "How exactly did it happen, Harry?"
Harry retold the story he had already recounted before to almost everyone. "... and then I got the bezoar down his throat and his breathing eased up a bit. They reckon he'll be all right. Madam Pomfrey says he'll have to stay here a week or so…keep taking Essence of Rue..."
"Blimey, it was lucky you thought of a bezoar," said George in a low voice.
"Lucky there was one in the room," said Harry.
Hermione gave an almost inaudible sniff. I noticed that she had been exceptionally quiet all day. She had taken almost no part in me and Harry's obsessive discussion about how Ron had been poisoned, but merely stood beside me, clench-jawed and frightened-looking, until at last we had been allowed in to see him.
"Do mum and dad know?" Fred asked me.
"They've already seen him, they arrived a while ago—they're in Dumbledore's office now, but they'll be back soon..."
There was a pause while we all watched Ron mumble a little in his sleep.
"So the poison was in the drink?" said Fred quietly.
"Yes," said Harry at once. "Slughorn poured it out—"
"Would he have been able to slip something into Ron's glass without you seeing?"
"Probably," said Harry. "But why would Slughorn want to poison Ron?"
"No idea," said Fred, frowning. "You don't think he could have mixed up the glasses by mistake? Meaning to get you?"
"Why would Slughorn want to poison Harry?" I asked.
"I don't know," said Fred. "But there must be loads of people who'd like to poison Harry, mustn't there? The 'Chosen One' and all that?"
"So you think Slughorn's a Death Eater?" I said, ignoring the niggle in my stomach.
"Anything's possible," said Fred darkly.
"He could be under the Imperius Curse," said George.
"Or he could be innocent," I said. "The poison could have been in the bottle, in which case it was probably meant for Slughorn himself."
"Who'd want to kill Slughorn?"
"Dumbledore reckons Voldemort wanted Slughorn on his side," said Harry. "Slughorn was in hiding for a year before he came to Hogwarts. And maybe Voldemort wants him out of the way; maybe he thinks he could be valuable to Dumbledore."
"But you said Slughorn had been planning to give that bottle to Dumbledore for Christmas," I reminded him. "So the poisoner could just as easily have been after Dumbledore."
"Then the poisoner didn't know Slughorn very well," said Hermione, speaking for the first time in hours and sounding as though she had a bad head cold. "Anyone who knew Slughorn would have known there was a good chance he'd keep something that tasty for himself."
"Er-my-nee," croaked Ron unexpectedly from between all of us.
We all fell silent, watching him anxiously, but after muttering incomprehensibly for a moment he merely started snoring.
The dormitory doors flew open suddenly, making us all jump. Hagrid came striding toward us, his hair rain-flecked, his bearskin coat flapping behind him, a crossbow in his hand, leaving a trail of muddy dolphin-sized footprints all over the floor.
"'Bin in the forest all day!" he panted. "Aragog's worse, I bin readin' to him—didn' get up ter dinner till jus' now an' then Professor Sprout told me abou' Ron! How is he?"
"Not bad," said Harry. "They say he'll be okay."
"No more than six visitors at a time!" said Madam Pomfrey, hurrying out of her office.
"Hagrid makes six," George pointed out.
"Oh...yes…" said Madam Pomfrey, who seemed to have been counting Hagrid as several people due to his vastness. To cover her confusion, she hurried off to clear up his muddy foot prints with her wand.
"I don' believe this," said Hagrid hoarsely, shaking his great shaggy head as he stared down at Ron. "Jus' don' believe it... look at him lyin' there... who'd want ter hurt him, eh?"
"That's just what we were discussing," said Harry. "We don't know."
"Someone couldn' have a grudge against the Gryffindor Quidditch team, could they?" said Hagrid anxiously. "Firs' Katie, now Ron..."
"I can't see anyone trying to bump off a Quidditch team," said George.
"Wood might've done the Slytherins if he could've got away with it," said Fred fairly.
"Well, I don't think it's Quidditch, but I think there's a connection between the attacks," said Hermione quietly.
"How d'you work that out?" asked Fred.
"Well, for one thing, they both ought to have been fatal and weren't, although that was pure luck. And for another, neither the poison nor the necklace seems to have reached the person who was supposed to be killed. Of course," she added broodingly. "That makes the person behind this even more dangerous in a way, because they don't seem to care how many people they finish off before they actually reach their victim."
Before anybody could respond to this ominous pronouncement, the dormitory doors opened again and mum and dad hurried up the ward. They had done no more than satisfy themselves that Ron would make a full recovery on their last visit to the ward; now mum seized hold of Harry and hugged him very tightly.
"Dumbledore's told us how you saved him with the bezoar," she sobbed. "Oh, Harry, what can we say? You saved Ginny...you saved Arthur...now you've saved Ron..."
"Don't be ...I didn't...," muttered Harry awkwardly.
"Half our family does seem to owe you their lives, now I stop and think about it," dad said in a constricted voice. "Well, all I can say is that it was a lucky day for the Weasley's when Ron decided to sit in your compartment on the Hogwarts Express, Harry."
Madam Pomfrey came rushing back out of her office to remind us that there were only supposed to be six visitors around Ron's bed. Harry and Hermione rose at once to leave and Hagrid announced that he would go with them so Ron would be left with his family.
Mum and dad immediately took Harry and Hermione's vacated seats where mum proceeded to stroke Ron's hair lovingly.
"Ginny, have you eaten at all today?" asked dad.
I shook my head. "No, I've been waiting outside the hospital wing most of the day with Harry and Hermione."
"We're starved," said George, getting up.
"Let's all go down to the kitchens," said Fred, following suit.
"Do you want anything, mum, dad?"
"No thank you Ginny dear," mum answered, not even looking up from Ron.
"And nothing for me either," said dad.
"C'mon, let's go," said Fred, gesturing to the door.
The twins and I ambled down to the basement where Fred tickled the pear in the painting. It turned into a doorknob and Fred led us through into the kitchens.
The elves squeaked excitedly as they recognized Fred and George.
"Masters Weezy," squeaked one elf. "How may we serve you?"
Fred and George grinned to each other and started rattling off a list of great amounts of food.
"What are you two going to do with all that food," I laughed.
"Eat as much of it as we can, of course," said George.
"And bring the rest home," added Fred.
After a couple of minutes, the elves passed Fred and George two big baskets filled with food. The elves were fast; I had to give them that.
"C'mon, let's go eat in the Great Hall," said George, leading us out of the kitchen amid squeaking goodbyes.
"But it's night," I complained. "Can't we just go eat in the hospital wing?"
"Nope," said Fred, grabbing my arm as I tried to veer towards the hospital wing.
The Great Hall doors were open but—like I expected—the candles were extinguished and the room was hidden in shadows.
"No problem," said Fred, pulling out his wand and waving it once I pointed this out. Immediately, the candles around the room flared to life.
The twins set up some food at the Hufflepuff table and we tucked in. It was eerie being in the Great Hall at night since we were the only ones in the room. The candles seemed to cast longer shadows than usual and without the constant chatter of students, every little sound made my spine shiver.
Fred and George kept pestering me about Dean until I threatened to hex them. After that, we settled into comfortable conversation about what's been going on with my schoolwork and their business. We were just finished eating when we were interrupted by a certain blonde boy who spotted us as he walked by and decided to come and say hullo.
"Why isn't this precious," Draco drawled. "Weasel-dee and Weasel-dum. How's the mediocre joke shop?"
"Maybe you should pick on someone in your own age group," sighed George.
"Leave us alone Malfoy," I said. I hoped to cut off the confrontation before it even began. I also wanted to get rid of Draco as fast as possible lest I somehow give something away about me and Draco.
"I'm talking to your charming brothers little Weaslette," said Draco. He came to stand beside me on my side of the table facing Fred and George.
"Sod off Malfoy," growled Fred.
"Witty comeback," remarked Draco dryly.
"Leave us alone," I repeated.
"So what's this I hear about Githead being in the hospital wing after being poisoned?"
"That's none of your business," I shot back.
"Do they know who did it? I'd like to reward them for trying to get rid of you filthy blood traitor Weasley's."
A part of me knew that Draco was just acting like his usual arrogant self with me because Fred and George were with me but the other part of me couldn't help but feel a little hurt and angry.
Fred jumped to his feet, his hands balled at his side. "Angelina, Alicia and Katie may have held me back last year when you disrespected my family but they aren't here now."
I didn't want Fred to get into a fistfight, or worse, a duel. So I whipped out my wand and pointed it at Draco's chest. "Seriously, get out of here Malfoy. I won't hesitate to hex you!"
I knew Draco wouldn't back down so I was thankful when Professor Snape happened to walk by the entrance to the Great Hall at that moment and spotted our little group.
"May I ask?" he said, practically gliding in the Great Hall. "What is going on in here?"
"Nothing professor," I said, refusing to look away from Draco as I stashed my wand away in my pocket.
"I should hope not Ms Weasley," drawled Snape. "5 points from Gryffindor."
"What for!?" I sputtered.
He ignored me and turned to my brothers. "I would advise you to pack up and get back to the Hospital Wing where you belong before I take more points from your sister's house."
Fred and George glowered at Draco and Snape as they angrily stuffed the food and containers we had used into the basket. Draco was smirking at them the entire time while Snape merely looked bored at the proceedings.
"Well," said Fred, grabbing the basket and giving me a little wave. "It was nice seeing you Gin."
"It was nice to catch up," said George over his shoulder as they made to exit the Great Hall. "We promise to write more."
"I'm coming with you guys to check on Ron," I said, pushing past Snape and Draco.
"Actually, Ms Weasley," Snape said, cutting in. "I suggest you make your way up to your common room before curfew."
I shot a dirty look at Snape before dashing over to my brothers and giving them both a hug. "I'll see you in a couple months. Don't get into too much trouble over there in Diagon Alley."
They both grinned. "You know us, we enjoy the quiet life."
I snorted and shoved them through the Great Hall doors. "I'll believe that when I see it."
I watched them leave towards the basement to return the basket and then I turned around. "Well I'm off then," I announced to Draco and Snape who were both still standing there.
I turned on my heel and stalked off. I had made it up to the fourth floor when Draco caught up to me.
"How's Githead?"
"Why would you care?"
He shrugged beside me. I was power walking as fast as I could but Draco easily kept pace with me with his long legs. "I don't care. I'm really just wondering how you're taking it."
I snorted. "And here I thought you were happy that someone was trying to get rid of us filthy Weasley's."
"You can't honestly be hurt by what I said," he said incredulously. "Did you expect me to be all nice and lovely with your brothers?"
And here was where I was faced with a problem. I knew that Draco could have only acted the way he did towards me or he invited suspicion from Fred and George. In a twisted way, he acted nasty to protect us both from Fred and George finding out.
With a huff, all my anger left me and I slowed my hurried steps. "No, I'm not hurt."
"Good, because I wanted to ask you a question Weasley."
"Hmm?"
"It makes no difference to me, really, but I was wondering if you're still going to do it."
I frowned in confusion. "Am I still going to do what?"
He leaned in closer as we walked until his lips were brushing against my hair. "The Vanishing Cabinet."
"Why wouldn't I help with the Vanishing Cabinet? I already told you I would."
Draco smirked. "I thought Githead being poisoned would change your mind."
Suddenly, a dark thought entered my mind. What if Draco was the one who poisoned the mead? "Why exactly would that change my mind?"
He shrugged nonchalantly. "I figured it would sort out your priorities."
I squared my shoulders. "My priorities are sorted out thank you very much. You're my friend and you need my help right now. There isn't anything convoluted about that."
"Good. Meet me in front of the Room of Requirement tomorrow at seven."
He rapidly picked up his pace until he rounded the corner up ahead without a backwards glance. I rolled my eyes and continued up to Gryffindor Tower where I knew Florence and Evanna would be waiting to hear about Ron.
And I was right. As soon as I made it through the portrait hole, Evanna and Florence accosted me and dragged me up to the girl's dormitory.
"So what happened to Ron!?" Evanna burst out.
"Is he going to be okay!?" Florence asked, only a tad softer than Evanna.
"How did you know something happened to Ron?" I asked.
"Hermione told us," Evanna said hurriedly. "So, is he okay?"
"He's going to be fine. Mum, dad and Fred and George are there now with him."
"So how did he get poisoned?" asked Florence.
"Well, Harry said that Slughorn gave them some mead that he had meant to give to Dumbledore. Ron drank it and started to have a fit or something. Harry managed to give him a bezoar and then he was taken to the hospital wing."
"So the poison was in the mead?" asked Florence.
"We think so. Snape and Dumbledore took the bottle so I'm guessing they're looking into it."
"Well thankfully Ron is going to be okay," breathed Evanna.
"I'm glad too," I said. "I mean, he's a prat but he's still my brother."
"So do you think things will be a bit lest frosty between you guys now?" asked Florence.
I grinned. "For a bit, but, knowing Ron, he'll somehow piss me off again."
"So Borgin from Borgin and Burkes gave you this list?" I asked, peering over the parchment where a long list of spells was written.
"He said he couldn't repair it without looking at it but he gave me these spells to try," Draco explained.
We were sitting in the Room of Hidden Things on an old couch with stuffing spilling out of it, peering at the list together.
I tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I scanned over how many crossed out spells there were. "But you guys have tried almost all these spells. Are you sure these are the only ones that might be able to repair it?"
He quirked an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting we go to the library and ask Madam Pince how to repair a Vanishing Cabinet?"
"Don't be daft," I scoffed. "I'm thinking more the Restricted Section."
"And what teacher would give us permission to go in there little Weasley?"
I pushed the parchment of spells across the potion stained table and sat back in the uncomfortable couch. "Aren't you Snape's favorite student? Ask him."
For some reason, Draco's face clouded with anger. "I'm not asking Snape."
"Well maybe Astoria will."
"This is my mission. Astoria is only help."
I shook my head. "Don't let Astoria hear you say that."
"She knows that I will get the majority of the glory once this mission is complete while she only receives a sliver."
I crossed my arms. "I'm no Death Eater but even I know that You-Know-Who will know that you had help."
"How would you know that Weasley?"
I blushed. I hated mentioning Harry around Draco for some reason. "Harry told me that You-Know-Who is a Legilimens."
"Potter knows too much," he mumbled almost to himself.
"So is Astoria coming to help tonight?" I asked.
"No, she had to serve a detention."
I smiled. "What did she do?"
"Homework takes a backseat to this mission for me, Astoria, Crabbe and Goyle. If you're serious about this, you'll probably be serving more detentions for not doing homework than you're used to."
"I told you I would help and I will," I said, exasperation lacing my voice. "Quit trying to make me unnerved about it."
"Suit yourself Weasley."
I stood up and snatched the parchment from the table. "Let's try some of these spells but if none of them work, I think you should seriously consider asking Snape for permission into the Restricted Section."
Draco glowered at me before joining me in front of the Vanishing Cabinet.
"I have a question," I said.
"You seem to have a lot of those."
I shrugged. "I'm a curious person."
"What do you want?"
"Well, wasn't this smashed by Peeves?"
He nodded. "It was but I used Reparo to fix the outside damage. It's the magic inside that these spells are designed to fix."
"Okay, let's get to it then…"
Review! Review! Review!
Everyone knows that reviews make the fanfiction world go around so please make sure you review. I would really appreciate it and I love hearing from you guys. I'm trying to follow the book as best as I can so I hoped you liked this chapter!
I'm sorry about not updating as quick as I promised but I just finished a Harry Potter Movie Marathon this weekend and it was awesome. So, I'm pretty sure that watching Harry Potter all weekend it a viable excuse :)
PS: Thank you to everyone who reviewed past chapters. To all of my reader's who regularly review- you guys make my day!