OOO

"You look like you're studying hard." Remus rinsed the dust of cleaning off of his hands in the kitchen sink while Sirius poured over a book at the table. "Wish I could have gotten you to focus like that back when we were in Hogwarts. What's got you so focused?"

"This book Theo gave me." At Sirius' side was a bowl of corn chips and salsa that he munched on occasionally; Draco had talked him into trying them once and Sirius had gotten easily addicted. "It's harder than I thought it would be and this new wand is taking a bit to get used to."

Remus frowned and leaned against the counter. "Sirius, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but I have some serious misgivings about this plan of yours."

"Why?" He looked up at his friend with sharp eyes. "It's nothing that Nott didn't ask me to do."

"That's precisely my point. He's a twelve year old boy. No matter how 'mature' or 'old for his age' he might be, he doesn't always know what's best for his own welfare. It's up to the adults around him to act like adults and prevent anything bad from happening."

"What are you suggesting? That I would deliberately put Theo in danger?" He turned back to the book. "He's probably right, too, you know. This Legilimency sounds precisely like the sort of dealings that Snape would be involved with. The responsible thing to do is to teach the boys how to defend themselves against possible threats."

"I thought they said that Quirrell was the guilty culprit, not Snape. Snape was trying to protect the stone."

"This time." Sirius' voice dripped suspicion and his jaw clenched. "Besides, who knows where else it might come in handy?" He insinuated.

"At the very least you have to admit that they boy is over-extending himself," Remus sighed. "Practicing by attempting to invade his mind… that's nothing in which a pre-teen boy should take part."

"He asked, Remus. Practically pleaded."

"This is why it's up to you to be the wiser of the two and say no. You're the adult Sirius; or at least you are ostensibly. And it would serve you and young Theodore well if you didn't forget that."

Clenching his jaw, Sirius didn't reply and kept scanning his page.

"I'm helping them, Remus," he finally snapped. "I'm helping them to be prepared. You of all people should know how cruel this world can be. I'm only helping to arm them against what is and might be coming."

"If you say so. But I still…"

"Don't like it, I know. You were always such a worrier, Remus. You can't be cautious all the time, you know."

"And you shouldn't be so cavalier with children!" Remus lost his temper for a moment and then turned with a sigh. "This conversation is getting us nowhere and I should get back to cleaning."

"What are you working on? I could give you a hand if need be."

"It's no problem, just one of the upstairs sitting rooms. I can handle it. There's a lot of dust and a bit of a puffskein infestation, but nothing too Dark or awful was stashed there or enchanted to the walls."

"No worries, Remus. We'll pry her off the wall somehow."

"I certain hope so," he replied before heading up the stairs.

OOO

"That," Draco sighed as his finished off a burger and stretched out on the grass, "was delicious."

"I think it went well." Theo took off the apron he'd worn and set it aside.

"A lot better than anything my Uncle Vernon ever grilled; of course, they only gave me the burnt stuff." Harry spread mustard on another bun. "That and he used gas. Wasn't patient enough for coal."

"On that unpleasant note," Ginny piped up, "when do you have to go home, Harry?"

He shrugged. "Honestly? Unless there's been a problem with the lawn, the Dursleys probably don't even notice that I'm still here." He took a bite out of his newly constructed burger. "They were keeping their distance anyway. I made sure not to tell them about the underage magic prohibition so as far as they know, I get angry and they might all end up with tails."

Draco chuckled. "I remember you telling us about your cousin. Did they ever manage to remove it?"

"Only with an operation." Harry grinned at the memory.

"Perhaps that was a bad idea," Luna commented casually as she read Theo's book of poetry upside down. "A tail might be quite useful you know."

"Yes, but a pig's tail is rather short and not nearly as helpful as other tails might be," Theo pointed out with a smile.

"Are you reading that book upside down, Luna?" Ginny quirked an eyebrow.

"It gives me new perspective."

"Doesn't it hurt your eyes, though?"

She shrugged. "I read the Quibbler like this all the time. I'm quite used to it." She closed the book and held it out to Theo. "I suspect you'll be wanting this back, though, now that you're done with the grilling."

"Thanks!" He cheerful took the book from her and began flipping through the pages.

"Besides that poem that you're continuing, what else are you reading?" Harry took a bit out of one of the chocolate chip cookies that Ginny had made.

"You said something American, right?" Ginny added.

"Yes. Whitman. It's a very famous poem of his, about the American President Abraham Lincoln, called 'O Captain, My Captain.'"

"Never heard of it." Draco frowned. "Or of Lincoln, really."

"Of course not." Theo rolled his eyes. "After all, why would a good wizarding education include Muggle history or literature? It's not as though we could learn anything from them or know not to repeat the same mistakes."

"But isn't that exactly what you think?" Luna asked.

"I think he's being sarcastic," Draco whispered and winked.

"You think?" Theo smirked. "I'll skip the lecture, though, and get to the poetry."

"Although it is about as much fun to hear you rant about the inadequacy of the wizard school system," Ginny teased.

"As I was saying!" He cleared his throat and playfully glared before beginning the poem.

OOO

"…of course, you're not invited."

Fred and George were rounding the corner and froze when they heard the sound of the slightly haughty masculine voice. Looking to their left through the stationary shop window, they saw a group of three children near the cardstock.

"Like I'd want to come to any party you held!" The largest of the three retorted.

"Why are you here anyway?" Pansy sniffed. "I didn't know you had anybody to write to."

Frowning, Fred pushed his way into the shop. "Well if it isn't a nasty little piece of traitorous scum," he said casually.

"And to think he claims to be our brother!" George added, joining his twin.

"I never claim that, anymore," Ron snapped. "Nor would I ever."

"He wants nothing to do with you two losers," Pansy retorted. "So why don't you just leave?"

"We have as much right to be in this shop as anybody." Fred advanced towards Ron with slow steps. "Mum cries her eyes out every night over you, you know," he growled.

A pained looked flickered across his face but soon it was set again. "I don't see why. I'm only visiting a friend," he said airily.

"You're only betraying everything our parents tried to teach you." George stepped up to Fred's side. "Don't see why she cries, though – worthless little piece of scum like you, not worth the effort."

"Yes, I'm sure she's much more proud of her two trouble-causing, dropout children," Pansy sneered.

"You know, perhaps our parents didn't give him the right type of education, George."

"You think we might be able to work out that, Fred?"

"I'll be we could. Teach him a lesson he wouldn't soon forget."

Ron blanched and stepped back. "You wouldn't dare."

"Come on Ron." Pansy tugged on his arm. "We have what we need. Leave these wastes of space. They're not worth our time."

"Coward!" Fred shot at Ron's retreating back, but the younger boy didn't even turn around.

"You ever wanted to kill somebody?" Millicent, the girl they had originally been addressing. "For real? You know, just punch them or Crucio them until they stop moving?"

"I must admit," George sighed, "Ron's bringing me dangerously closer to such sentiments."

"They're having a party for all the Slytherin firsties. Excepting me, of course," she snapped bitterly. "It's not like I would even want to go. It's going to be a garden party and all that means is getting dressed up in ridiculous outfits, sitting still for longer than anybody can bear and nibbling on poncy food. It's stupid, is what it is. I wouldn't say yes if they did invite me. Just…"

Fred nodded sympathetically. "You want to go ingredient shopping with us while plotting bloody revenge on Pansy and all of her cohorts?"

"We've almost got a few things perfected you know," George added.

"And we promise that they can be the first guinea pigs."

She managed to crack a tiny smile. "It might brighten up my day a bit."

"Excellent!" Fred clapped her on the back. "We'll meet up with Lee – he's probably waiting for us already – and then we'll let you in on what we've been developing since school let out."

"It's quite exciting you know," George told her. "And like we told Lee, we've been able to work a lot of the problems out thanks to Nott."

"Theo Nott? That swotty Gryffindor first year?" She looked confused. "Didn't think his dad would be the sort to let him hang out with you guys over the summer."

"Probably not. But it doesn't matter," Fred shrugged. "Theo ran away."

"Seriously?" She laughed. "Never thought a boy like him would have the guys to dothat."

"The details were pretty sketchy," George admitted. "But the point is, he's been living with us since the beginning of summer. Tremendous help he's been when it comes to potions ingredients."

"And when it comes to distracting Mum if need be." Fred grinned as they walked into Florean Fortescues.

"Guys!" Lee stood up from a table. "Where've you been?"

"Ran into our brother along the way. With Pansy Parkinson," Fred informed him.

"Ooh!" Lee winced. "Bet than didn't go well."

"He ran off before anybody could do anything." George shrugged. "So – ingredients first or ice cream?"

"I'm always up for ice cream first." Fred winked at Millicent and she laughed.

"Sounds good to me then," Lee replied as they walked up to the counter. "I didn't know you were going to be joining us today, Millie."

She shrugged. "It was a chance meeting. Ron and Pansy were harassing me when the twins came in. They told me what they were up to and I figured I might as well come along. Don't have anything better to do." She stepped up after Lee and ordered a bowl of raspberry chocolate truffle.

"You should hang out with us more often," Fred commented. "Or with the other guys. Draco and Nott and our sister and all that lot have been having picnics all the time. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you coming along."

"Picnics? Seriously?" She sat down with her ice cream and scraped it with her spoon. "What prompted that?"

"A desire to get out of the house," George replied. "Theo's been reading poetry too from what I hear."

Millicent laughed out loud. "Again – seriously?"

"Theo takes educationvery seriously," Fred told her in a grave voice.

"I don't know," she continued to chuckle as she spooned up the ice cream. "All that being outside might give me hay fever. I would like the cooking part of it though." She at a little more then looked at them thoughtfully. "You know, if you like, I could try and help out with some of your products. I'm not much for potions and all that but I do know something about candy making."

"Where'd you learn that?" George took a bit out of his cone.

"My dad is into all that sort of stuff, actually. Real domestic, strange as that might sound. He makes amazing caramels, you know."

Fred nodded. "So your dad is a Muggle then?"

"Nope. He's the wizard in the family. Mum's the Muggle. She works while my dad keeps things together at home."

"What does she do?" Lee asked as he scraped the bottom of the bowl.

A slight blush tinged Millicent's cheek. "You promise not to laugh?"

"Of course!" George replied immediately.

"A little at most," Fred tacked on.

"Very little!"

"Hardly at all!"

"Entirely depending on what you say."

"Stuff it, you two!" Lee rapped them with his spoon. "What's your mom do?"

"She's a plumber," Millicent mumbled very quickly.

"A plumber?" Fred repeated.

"Yeah, I know. It's…"

"Awesome!" George interrupted. "What's the craziest think she's ever pulled out of somebody's pipes?"

"You think she could steal toilet seats for us to mail?"

"Has she ever hit anybody over the head with a wrench?"

Millicent's blush grew deeper. "You'd have to ask her. Anyway – getting back to what I said before – my dad has a lot of books on candy cooking plus equipment like thermometers and stuff. As long as I get to use it on Pansy, I'll be glad to help."

"Sounds good to me." George grinned at her.

"Welcome on board our little venture, then!" Fred sat back with a smile. "And maybe we'll get to meet your mom someday?"

"Maybe." She smirked and licked the last of her ice cream off her spoon.

"Ingredients?" Lee stood up from the table.

"Ingredients!" George affirmed. "Onward, ho!"

OOO

As Draco and Harry were preparing to leave, Theo pulled Harry aside for a moment while Draco fed the last of the ground chuck to Tywyll.

"What's up, Nott?"

"Draco's birthday is coming up soon," Nott began, "and Ginny and I were thinking that maybe we could all go present shopping for him some time soon."

"I take it you have an idea of a time in mind?"

Nott nodded. "He's going to be hanging out with the Hufflepuffs pretty soon, right?"

"That's the plan."

"Well, if you let him go alone and come along with us, we could all get something for him that would be a surprise."

"Makes sense. Alright then, I'm in, I suppose." He looked over at the girls who were still lounging on the grass. "Will Luna be coming too?"

"Ginny already talked to her about it. She agreed."

Harry nodded. "Do you have any idea of what to get him?"

"Luna thought he might like something living. He probably would although I'm not certain that it's such a good idea. Apart from that, we have no real plan. I'm sure we'll come up with something, though."

"I'll give it some thought." He glanced over at Draco who was finishing cinching his saddle. "Anyway, it looks like Draco's about ready to go. I should probably head over there."

"See you later."

"Later." He gave him a last smile and wave before joining Draco.

OOO

Narcissa watched from the foot of the steps as Harry and Draco raced each other up.

"Remember to bathe before you go to bed!" She called up after them.

"We will, mum!" Draco's voice came from a distance down the hallway.

Sighing, Narcissa turned to her husband. "Boys."

"They will be boys," Lucius replied with a smirk.

"Their clothes are an absolute horror," Narcissa remarked as she sat down at the table and motioned for one of the elves to bring her a cup of tea. "The house elves can barely remove the grass stains. And don't you think Draco's hair is getting a bit long and unruly?"

"Not as long as mine," he pointed out with a smile.

"Yes, but you keep yours neat, combed and pulled back." Her lips curved and she walked around the table to stroke his ponytail. "Draco's, however, is entirely rumpled and wild."

Lucius shrugged. "If that's how he likes it, I don't see a problem with it."

"What?" She kissed his head and sat back down. "You don't mind your son looking utterly unkempt?"

"He'll grow out of it," Lucius told her with another shrug.

"You know his birthday is coming up."

"Of course I know dear – I was there too, you know."

"Yes, although I believe our memories of the event are quite different," she teased. "What do you think we should do to celebrate it?"

"Shouldn't we do the same thing we've always done?" Lucius sipped his tea. "Is there any reason to change that?"

"I hardly think an official party would be Draco's style, dear. In case you haven't noticed. He's not friends with many of our circle. Besides, he would be bored at a party with mostly adults."

"Well, then, think of what he would like. You're the one who's so good at planning these things."

She sighed. "Fine then. He shall have his own party, and then when the house is overrun with mudbloods, what will you think?"

"Dear, I'm sure he isn't…"

"Don't be too sure of anything, Lucius," she interrupted. "He is not altogether like us, this son of ours."

Sighing, Lucius put down the teacup. "Very well then. Suppose we take him out for a birthday dinner, just the three of us. Then he may go and do whatever with whomever the following day or earlier that day. Whatever you please. We do not have to ask him who he consorted with, he does not have to tell us and Malfoy Manor does not have to play host to anything… unbefitting."

"This is your compromise?"

"What else would you have me do?" He frowned. "Mudbloods though… surely not."

"One never knows," Narcissa hinted ominously. "Regardless. Have you given any thought about what to get him as a gift? I've picked up a few small things, but nothing too expensive."

Lucius laughed. "That's the thing of it. I asked him and – listen to this – he said that the best birthday present I could give him would be for me to accept a gift and give it a chance."

"Something Muggle I'm assuming?" Narcissa frowned.

"I suppose. He wouldn't tell me what; said that he wanted it to be a surprise."

"If it makes him happy, I suppose it couldn't hurt. After all, it isn't as though it would really change anything," she reasoned.

"Of course not. It's a fool's errand but if it cheers him up…" Lucius shrugged. "I don't suppose there's any harm in it. Someday, hopefully, he'll look back and laugh on how ridiculous all of it was."

Privately Narcissa had her doubts but she didn't voice them to Lucius. She loved him deeply, but he always did have an unfortunate propensity for unshakeable self-delusion in certain situations.

"I'm going to go upstairs and make sure the boys are getting to bed. Alright?"

"Of course dear. I'll be waiting in my study."

OOO

A/N: A new chapter in under a week? Gasp! Shock! Impossible! And there's an extra Valentine's Day surprise too. If you look in my Author profile, under 'homepage' there's a link to a DeviantArt page.

I have indeed come up with and generally settled on a number of couples. There's an outside chance that a few that I've settled on might change, but these will most likely be it. At the very least they will appear at some point in the story. And until the end of February, you can see an artwork which hints at what the couples to come will be. Basically the artwork is a faux CD mix. Each song represents one couple (save for one couple which made it on there twice).

So if you would like a few clues about what is to come, check it out. ;) It won't be up forever, though. And if you feel like guessing… go right ahead. I might be in a generous and hinting mood.

MD: The Romance Mix – look it up if you like and the next chapter will be out quickly (though probably not as quickly as this one was).