Good morning! I hope you're all well!
I hope you guys like this chapter. I'm a bit nervous about it.
Also, it's our last chapter at Grimmauld Place! Next time we'll be travelling to Hogwaaaaaarts :)
A huge thank you to everyone who suscribed/favorited/reviewed. (Thank you, Wolvesaremylife1 and Day, since I could not reply to you!)
I like you all a lot and I appreciate that you take time to review 3
Finally, I would like to thank the awesome Chaparrita, thanks to who we now have a ship name for George and Addy - Geddy! Isn't it cute? :)
Enjoy! xx

wildest dreams
VOLUME II

CHAPTER NINE

"Ooh! Booklists, finally!"

Fred glared at me.

"Don't sound so bloody excited."

"I'm just curious," I said, shaking my head as I opened the envelope.

The three of us were sitting in the dining room, finishing breakfast – Ginny had given us the letters from Hogwarts that had just arrived. It was strange that we were getting them so late – we were going back to Hogwarts the next day, after all – but we had guessed that it was because Dumbledore hadn't found a replacement for Defense Against the Dark Arts yet. The twins didn't even bother opening their letters – they just sat on either side of me, reading mine.

I quickly read the list of mandatory books – Charms, Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Runes… It same the same as usual – except for one.

"Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard? That's new," read George.

"Probably the new Defense teacher," said Fred.

"Who d'you reckon it is?" I said excitedly.

"Dunno," he shrugged.

"Someone who likes theory, that's for sure," said George drearily.

I bit my lip – I hoped that despite this, the Defense teacher would be a good one. It was NEWTS year, after all, and I needed a good grade if I ever wanted to work at the Ministry – or anywhere, really.

"Let's see what the others think," said Fred.

George nodded, took my hand in his and we Apparated in Harry and Ron's room. Both of them were also reading their booklists. I sat down beside Ron.

"We were just wondering who assigned the Slinkhard book," said Fred.

"Because it means Dumbledore's found a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," I said.

"And about time too."

"What d'you mean?" asked Harry.

"Well, we overheard Mum and Dad talking on the Extendable Ears a few weeks back, and from what they were saying, Dumbledore was having real trouble finding anyone to do the job this year," answered Fred.

"No surprising, is it, when you look at what's happened to the last four?" chuckled George.

"One sacked, one dead, one's memory removed, and one locked in a trunk for nine months. Yeah, I see what you mean."

I chuckled – and then spotted Fred's eyes, who were staring at Ron.

"What's up with you, Ron?" he asked.

I turned to Ron, who had been silent. He looked as if he had been struck by lightening. I looked down at what he was staring at – my jaw dropped.

"Bloody hell," I let out.

"What's the matter?" hurried Fred.

I was too shocked to say anything – so Fred stood up and looked at the parchment.

"Prefect?" he said, dumbfounded.

There was a short silence.

"Prefect?" he repeated.

George was the next one to move – he jumped forward, teared the letter from Ron's hands and looked down at it. A small, shiny object fell in his hand. Both Fred and George looked so uncharacteristically shocked – I would have laughed if I wasn't so surprised as well.

"No way."

"There's been a mistake. No one in their right mind would make Ron a prefect…"

They inspected the letter as if it was a piece of evidence for a crime – then turned to Harry.

"We thought you were a cert!" cried out Fred.

"We thought Dumbledore was bound to pick you !"

"Winning the Triwizard and everything!"

"I suppose all the mad stuff must've counted against him."

"Yeah" nodded Fred. "Yeah, you've caused too much trouble, mate. Well, at least one of you's got their priorities right."

After giving Harry a friendly smack on the shoulder, Fred turned again to Ron. I snatched the badge from George's hands, looking at it from all the angles. Prefect! I had never hoped of becoming one, not with the twins as my best friends, but it was still a great honor to get in my opinion – even though most Prefects were insufferable. Percy had been a nightmare. Fortunately, the two Prefects from our year had never taken their job really seriously – we rarely saw them around.

"Prefect… ickle Ronie the prefect…"

"Oh, Mum's going to be revolting."

"Congratulations, Ron," I said, handing the badge back to him.

He didn't answer – only gave the badge to Harry who examined it carefully. I had thought that Harry would get it too. But the twins were probably right – he had gotten too much into trouble. Suddenly, the door opened to a flushed Hermione. She was wearing a bright, excited smile.

"Did you – did you get –?"

She let out a scream when she saw the badge in Harry's hand.

"I knew it! Me too, Harry, me too!"

I smiled at her excitement – Hermione would be the perfect prefect, that was for sure. I had never doubted that she would be the one getting it.

"No. It's Ron, not me," said Harry, giving the badge back to Ron.

"It – what?"

"Ron's prefect, not me."

"Ron? But… are you sure? I mean –"

"It's my name on the letter."

I looked at Ron – it was the first time he had spoken since we had Apparated in the room. Hermione blushed furiously.

"I… I… well… wow! Well done, Ron! That's really –"

"Unexpected," said George.

I gave him a nudge in the ribs – but I was smiling. He only winked back at me.

"No, no, it's not… Ron's done loads of… he's really…"

That's when Molly entered the bedroom – Hermione looked quite relieved that the attention was deviated from her, and took a few steps back, her cheeks still a deep shade of red.

"Ginny said the booklists had come at last. If you give them to me I'll take them over to Diagon Alley this afternoon and get your books while you're packing. Ron, I'll have to get you more pajamas, these are at least six inches too short, I can't believe how fast you're growing… what color would you like?"

"Get him red and gold to match his badge," smirked George.

I bit my lip – but Molly was still sorting out the clothes on Ron's bed and didn't react.

"Match his what?"

"His badge. His lovely shiny new prefect's badge," said Fred.

"His… but… Ron, you're not…?" said Molly, her eyes wide.

As Ron showed her his badge, Molly let out a shriek. Woah.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe it!" she said excitedly. "Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!"

"What are Fred and I, next-door neighbours?"

I snickered, trying to hold back my laughter as I stared at Fred and George's faces. But I couldn't do it – and bursted out laughing.

"What are you laughing at!" said Fred indignantly to me.

"I'm – I'm sorry, it's just – your faces…"

"And you're supposed to be on our side," he hissed.

But I couldn't stop laughing – tears burned my eyes. Fred and George started to make retching noises as Molly gushed about Ron's new nomination. I held on to my sides, still laughing.

"Well, what will it be?" asked Molly to Ron. "We gave Percy an owl, but you've already got one, of course."

"W-what do you mean?"

"You've got to have a reward for this ! How about a nice new set of dress robes?"

"We've already bought him some," said Fred.

He clearly looked as if he regretted that gesture – I bit my lip hard to stop myself from laughing again.

"Mum, can I have a new broom?"

Molly looked a little unsure.

"Not a really good one! Just – just a new one for a change…"

"Of course you can" she smiled. "Well, I'd better get going if I've got a broom to buy too. I'll see you all later… Little Ronnie, a prefect! A don't forget to pack your trunks… A prefect… Oh, I'm all of a dither!"

She kissed Ron again on the cheek before leaving the room.

"You don't mind if we don't kiss you, do you, Ron?"

"We could curtsy, if you like."

I rolled my eyes – poor Ron. The twins had always been kind of hard on him – and it would only grow worse with that new nomination.

"Oh, shut up," said Ron.

"Or what? Going to put us in detention?"

"I'd love to see him try."

"He could if you don't watch out!" suddenly cried out Hermione, looking annoyed.

The twins, of course, only bursted out laughing. I shook my head, but I couldn't help but smile. Imagining Ron giving the twins detention was kind of funny.

"We're going to have to watch our step, George, with these two on our case…"

"Yeah, it looks like our law-breaking days are finally over."

George grabbed my hand and we Apparated in their room upstairs. The twins kept on laughing.

"Who d'you reckon Head Boy and Girl will be?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Dunno," shrugged George.

"Probably those two weirdos still," said Fred.

"They're not weirdos. They're just… peculiar," I frowned.

"Peculiar? Have you forgotten second year, when the bloke invited you for a 'stroll in the forest' during the full moon?" said George.

"I remember! You thought he was a werewolf and wanted eat you alive."

I narrowed my eyes at them.

"I was twelve! I never really believed that, I just didn't want to go out with him!"

I hesitated.

"He was kind of weird."

"Well, lucky you didn't go or you might be dead now. But I'm pretty sure he still fancies you."

Both George and me glared at him. Fred raised both his hands.

"It's true!"

"It's not!" I cried out.

"I'm telling you!"

"Really? Well, how come I've never heard from him again? I've never spoken to him since!"

"You probably scared him off," shrugged Fred. "Accusing him of being a cold-blooded murderer and all…"

I rolled my eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"How about we stop talking about that psycho?"

George gave out a sigh of relief.

"Yes, thank you. I hate hearing about blokes fancying you, makes me want to strangle the lot of them."

I glanced at him, eyebrow raised.

"You're my girlfriend! They've got no right fancying you," he said.

"And the other bloke's the psycho," muttered Fred.

I smiled softly, stealing him a quick kiss.

"Ugh, I'm going to be sick," moaned Fred. "Ron can very well send me to detention if it prevents me from seeing you two snogging."

"Oh, c'mon, let the poor lad be," I sighed.

"Certainly not," said Fred, cheeks red.

"This is actually good news, you know, Fred," grinned George. "Less chances to get detention now. Ron will never dare."

I gave him a smack on the shoulder.

"Ron might not, but I wouldn't underestimate Hermione if I was you. She won't hesitate."

"Right," grimaced Fred.

"We'll just have to find a way to keep her in our good graces," smirked George.

"Free merchandise?"

"Our memberships to SPEW?"

"Passwords to secret passages?"

"A subscription to Witch Weekly?"

"A year-supply of Butterbeer?"

"All of Addy's books?"

I glared at George.

"Our bodies?" suggested Fred, eyebrows frowned, as if he really considered the option.

"Okay, I'm done," I declared, heading for the door.

But the twins only kept laughing.

"Insufferable, you two are," I muttered.

I closed the door behind me, still hearing the muffled laughter behind it. I shook my head, but couldn't help the smile on my face.

I couldn't stand still for the rest of the day – so I decided to convince Molly to accompany her to Diagon Alley. She would certainly need the help anyway, and when I argued that I could help her choose Ron's new broom she agreed, making me promise that I would pack as soon as we got back. I wasn't worried about that – being able to use magic certainly helped. A few simple spells and it would be over.

Diagon Alley was insanely busy – everyone had gotten their letters and booklists at the same time, so it seemed to me like all of Hogwarts was cramped into the small street that was Diagon Alley – it was even worse in the shops, as everyone tried to squeeze in to grab the last copy of Defensive Magical Theory or the size 2 pewter cauldron that was on sale.

We came back to Square Grimmauld a few hours later, exhausted and hungry. My arms hurt from carrying all the books – but seeing Ron's smile when he laid eyes on his new Cleansweep Eleven made everything worth it.

"I helped her choose it," I told Ron as he unwrapped it. "It's a good one. Just came out. The bloke that works at the shop told me it goes from nought to seven –"

"Seventy miles an hour, I know!" said Ron, his eyes glued on the broom. "I read all about it in Which Broomstick and Seeker Weekly! I can't believe it! It's brilliant!"

I chuckled at the look on his face. When Hermione finally convinced him to let it go so we could go eat, we all walked downstairs where Molly had put up a huge banner that read "Congratulations Ron and Hermione – new Prefects".

"Me and Addy thought we'd have a little party, not a sit-down dinner," she said as we entered.

I smiled – we had talked about it while waiting in line at Flourish and Blotts. Fred and George glanced at me, eyebrows raised. I only shrugged, smiling.

"I don't want to hear you two complain" I told them quietly. "I also convinced her to get a bottle of Fire Whiskey, so…"

"Wicked," they said, grinning.

"She made me promise that we would only have one sip. But, I mean, if the bottle disappears, we can always blame it on Dung…"

They chuckled. Guests started arriving, and soon, the dining room was cramped with people. All the Weasleys were there – well, except for Charlie, at my great dismay –, with Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebot and Mad-Eye Moody. Everyone was talking, eating and drinking. I sat down with Ginny, Tonks and Hermione as the twins walked to Mundungus Fletcher – something about Tentacula seeds.

"I was never a prefect myself," said Tonks. "My Head of House said I lacked certain necessary qualities."

"Like what ?" asked Ginny.

"Like the ability to behave myself."

I laughed with Ginny – Hermione remained silent, and choked on a sip of Butterbeer.

"McGonagall said a similar thing to me," I smiled. "Something like 'I thought about it, that perhaps you could help Misters Weasley behave, but that method has failed miserably in the past and I'd rather not try it again."

My impersonation of McGonagall made Tonks burst out laughing.

"That's just how I remember her! Oh, I miss Hogwarts sometimes," she said.

"What about you, Sirius ?" asked Ginny.

Sirius, who was sitting a few seats away, let out a loud laugh.

"No one would have made me a prefect, I spent too much time in detention with James. Lupin was the good boy, he got the badge."

"I think Dumbledore might have hoped that I would be able to exercise some control over my best friends," said Lupin. "I need scarcely say that I failed dismally."

"So you were probably McGonagall's inspiration," I laughed.

"I daresay I probably was."

Hermione then started talking House Elves and her strong passion to save them to Lupin – I grabbed my pint and walked to Molly and Bill, who were having yet another conversation about the latter's hair.

"Let me cut it, dear. It's getting really out of hand, and you're so good-looking, it would look much better shorter, wouldn't it, Harry?"

Harry, who was just passing through, looked slightly alarmed.

"Oh – I dunno –" he said quickly, slipping away towards the twins and Dung.

"Well, what do you think, Addy, dear?"

I smiled.

"I think it looks good. My uncle says anyone with long hair looks like a rock star. Especially if you're ginger."

Bill grinned as Molly sighed softly.

"How is he? Your uncle?"

"Good. He's in Ireland, recording."

"New album?" asked Bill excitedly.

"Yep," I nodded. "Should come out around Christmas."

"Brilliant. And you know, I wanted you ask you…"

Molly suddenly interrupted him.

"What do you think you're doing? That is not yours to take! It was –" she said in a loud voice, eyes glaring at the other side of the room.

She walked away, in direction of a Mundungus Fletcher who looked like he wanted to slip away with the bottle. I chuckled, turning to Bill.

"What did you want to ask me?"

"Right. Er – I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

I frowned – Bill, asking me for a favor? That was new.

"Sure," I said.

He looked a little nervous.

"It's just – it's Fleur's birthday soon, and I was thinking of getting her tickets to see the Weird Sisters. She just discovered them, and loves it, so I thought… you know…"

"That's a lovely idea!"

"You think?"

"Yeah ! I think they'll be in London around October – I'll ask Myron…"

"Really? Brilliant, thanks, Addy."

Bill looked really excited. It was really sweet to see. I wanted to ask him more details about him and Fleur but the twins appeared behind me and pulled me upstairs, saying there was an emergency. Of course, they only wanted to show me what they had just bought from Dung – Venomous Tentacula seeds, which they needed for the antidote to the Nosebleed Nougat.

We talked for a long time, about the last ingredients they need for the Snackboxes. It was really late when I heard my stomach grumbling.

"I'm gonna go grab some food while there's still some left. You guys want anything?"

"Nah," said Fred.

"Me neither. I'm thirsty, though."

A mischievous smile spread on the twins' faces. I frowned.

"What?"

"Addy…"

"Dear Addy…"

"Didn't you speak of a bottle of Fire Whiskey earlier?"

I grinned. I had completely forgotten about that !

"I'll be right back."

I could hear the twins chuckling as I left the room. Luckily, there wasn't anyone left in the dining room – it was quiet. I immediately spotted the white bottle and walked towards it, grabbing it – it was still half full.

"Need anything?"

I jumped back in surprise, letting out a small shriek. Sirius was standing on the other side of the table, eyebrows raised.

"Bloody Merlin, Sirius!" I cried out, laughing nervously.

"Didn't mean to scare you."

I frowned – he looked a little pale compared to earlier.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"Just a silly boggart," he said, shrugging slightly.

I nodded – they had probably been taking care of the one in the drawing room. I could understand that Sirius was a little shaken. Boggarts were far from nice to encounter. I would always remember the one Lupin had brought at Hogwarts two years ago.

"What were you planning to do with that?" he asked, pointing my left hand.

I looked at it, and saw that I was still holding the bottle of Fire Whiskey. Bugger.

"Er – well, I was… er – I was going to… clean. The table. Clean the table."

Needless to say, I was a very bad liar – especially when I was tired and hungry. Sirius' eyes twinkled as he smiled.

"Right."

I smiled nervously as he walked towards me.

"During our seventh year at Hogwarts, me and James sneaked off and stole that exact same bottle from the kitchens. We were celebrating a Quidditch win, if I remember correctly."

I arched an eyebrow.

"So… you won't tell Molly?"

"So, I was seventeen once. Go have fun. But don't tell Molly I let you, that woman might very well kill me."

I smiled brightly at him.

"Thanks, Sirius."

He smiled back - but it seemed to me like it was a little sad.

"Thank you, Addy. It's nice to know I can still make people smile."

I don't know what it was - what he had said, or the look on his face - but my heart broke into a thousand little pieces. I couldn't help it – I took a step forward and hugged him.

"You're Sirius Black. If you couldn't, who would?"

He chuckled and I gave him one last smile before I ran upstairs, bottle in hand. The twins were waiting anxiously on their beds.

"Now, who wants a drink?" I said as I closed the door, grinning.