Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I do own Sarah Jane Stone-Black.
"Sarah, what happened to your voice?"
Hermione looked at me, her eyebrows knitted tightly together as she waited for a response. I put down my spoon and shrugged.
"Are you sick?" Ron asked.
I shrugged again. Each time I tried to say something, my voice came out in a raspy whisper. Fred placed his hand on my forehead and George placed the back of his hand against my cheek.
"She feels warm," they announced.
George looked at Fred, "Dumbledore did say she'd get sick."
"I know," Fred bit his lip. "I didn't think it'd be this soon. Does your head still hurt?"
"Yes, but I don't think it's because of that," I shook my head. "It's probably a headache from the pain of last night. I don't know."
"How badly does your throat hurt?" they asked.
I thought about it for a moment before shrugging once more. "A lot I guess. I mean, I was screaming all night thanks to you two."
Harry erupted in laughter. "Wow, Sarah! I had no idea that you were into that. You never struck me as a girl who liked threesomes, especially with twins."
Ron began to cough, Hermione and Ginny stared at us with wide eyes, and the twins' faces flushed. Leave it to Harry to find something naughty in the simplest conversation.
I could feel my cheeks redden, "It's not like that, Harry! They cleaned my back and it hurt, so I screamed."
"Uh huh, right."
"Harry."
"Okay, whatever you say Sarah."
He winked at me and I rolled my eyes. Placing my hand on my forehead, I leaned my elbow on the table and closed my eyes. My head was throbbing worse than it did this morning.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Fred stroked my hair.
I shook my head, opening my eyes.
"Sarah, do you want to go lie down?" George rubbed my shoulder.
Before I could answer, a black owl landed in front of me. I looked up at the ceiling and noticed many other owls floating through, dropping packages and letters to their owners. I was so out of it today that I didn't realize it was mail time. Usually, I was eagerly expecting a letter or something from my mum. Suddenly, a black owl hooted gently to get my attention.
I sighed, "Sorry Minx. I'm not feeling too well today. Did you bring me good news?"
Minx leaned to his right and outstretched his left leg so I could un-tie the furled parchment from his foot. Once I removed it, he leaned forward and gently bit my finger. I pet his feathers.
"Thanks for not biting me too hard."
He hooted and flew away. Minx was sort of our family's owl. My dad used him when we conversed after he'd gotten out of Azkaban and now that he was gone, Minx was mine. I liked him. The only problem was that he bit your finger if he liked you. Most of the time he did it hard enough to make you bleed, but today I guess he was feeling sympathetic.
"What did your mum send you?" Harry asked.
I unfurled the parchment and read my mom's writing. She was hoping that I was well, had heard about my accident, and wanted me to write back if I was feeling up to it. I smiled and tucked the letter into my robes.
"A letter," I replied. "She wants to know how I am."
Harry smiled as the twins gasped. In front of Fred sat a red envelope and in front of George sat an identical envelope. I covered my mouth. Mrs. Weasley had sent them each a Howler.
"I told you! I knew it was only a matter of time," Ginny grinned.
"Two?" Neville raised his eyebrows.
"One for Fred, one for George," Seamus reasoned.
"Knowing Mrs. Weasley, she'd send two Howlers to make the message twice as clear," Angelina folded her arms.
"Exactly," I nodded.
"Go on, open it!" Ron pressed. "The longer you wait the worse it will be."
Fred and George exchanged glances before picking up their envelopes and opening them both at once.
"Frederick Matthew Weasley!" Fred's Howler jumped back.
"George Andrew Weasley!" George's Howler jumped back as well, echoing his twins.
Both Howlers rose together; Fred's forming into a mouth in front of his face while George's did the same to him. Together the Howlers yelled in Mrs. Weasley's voice simultaneously. George's echoed everything Fred's said, making the sound of the Howler twice as loud and twice as angry.
"What have I told you about pranking? She is your friend and look what you have done to her! Do you think what you've done is harmless? The damage you have done to her isn't going wear off as quickly as the spells you cast! How is it that the two of you managed to come up with a prank that would make her seriously ill? Oh, and don't even begin to think I forgot about the Willow! You two had better thank your lucky stars that Sarah's back was not your fault! Frederick and George you have made me so furious I cannot see straight! If you ever so much as think about doing something like this again to her I will personally bring you straight home! I have never, in all my years of raising you, been so disappointed!"
Fred and George stared at the Howlers with wide eyes, their faces completely drained. I watched as the Howlers faced me and began to speak kindly.
"Sarah, Arthur and I deeply apologize for Frederick and George. If they give you any more trouble, any at all, don't hesitate to contact me."
The Howlers returned to their places in front of the twins faces, blew a raspberry, and quickly demolished themselves. Fred and George remained still, their faces not showing any emotion other than utter shock.
I rubbed my eyes, "I think I'm gonna go back to our suite. 'Mione?"
Hermione looked up, "Yes, Sarah?"
"Can you get my assignments and-"
"I'll give them to Fred and George after classes. Go rest."
Standing up, I staggered out of the Great Hall and dragged myself up the stairs. I felt tired, my throat felt like I'd swallowed a lit match, and my head felt extremely light. I don't remember how, but somehow I'd managed to get back to the blue lady. Saying the password, I went through the portrait hole and straight to my room. The room spun as I removed my skirt and unbuttoned my top.
"I should have asked Fred and George to accompany me," I moaned.
I stepped into my pajama pants and pulled them up to my waist. Ignoring the slight burning that was radiating from my back, I put on an old, oversized shirt and got into bed. I closed my eyes and sighed. Maybe I'd feel better after a nap.
Please review. Fred and George's middle names, I read them on a website some time ago. I don't recall J.K ever stating their full names.