Chapter 9
AN: I don't own or gain anything concerning the characters or original plot.
As promised – and thank you all so, so much for the lovely comments; they make my day! Also, that's Year 2 done, wahey! Enjoy.
Easy read link: emsana . livejournal . com / 76085 . html
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Hogwarts, May 1992
Dear Charlie,
Things have gone from bad to worse around here --and we're not just talking about the smell in the Quidditch Changing Rooms--. It all happened last Saturday. First off the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff was cancelled, then some Ravenclaw girl and (can you believe it?) Ron's little girlfriend were found petrified --which is made all the much worse by Ronnie's incapability to shut up about it--. All this led to the Ministry turning up and dragging Hagrid off to Azkhaban and before we could even give him your message. It gets even worse, they've taken Dumbledore out of position as well. Don't worry, we plan on reeking absolute havoc until he's reinstated and Hagrid is released. Meanwhile everyone else is running round in a frenzy; they're even talking of closing the school! And you thought taming dragons was dangerous.
Percy is, of course, practically running the House, whilst Wood mourns the game. Don't get us wrong, we appreciate both their concerns; but it does all rather scupper our plans of --hooking them up after the match-- apologising to both of them for all the trouble we've caused. As if things couldn't get any worse Ginny is even more maudlin then usual, hanging round us and looking like --someone butchered the cat-- she's having a rough time of it. The other day she even tried to talk to Percy – as if he didn't have enough trouble with Prefect duties, the school going to pot, and his inability to communicate with his not-quite boyfriend; who happens to be the Captain of our Quidditch team. Who ever said an education was good for you?
Fred and George
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Suceava --"Slightly Singed"-- "All But Disintegrated" Research Centre, May 1992
Dear Fred and George,
The fact that I'm writing this to you from the charred remains of what one was our --asbestos filled and draughty-- charming and wonderful Research Centre now seems rather futile --then again, if you're allowed to complain about cancelled Quidditch matches at a time like this then I think I'm fully entitled to milk it for all it's worth--. I've done a bit of reading and apparently Mandrakes can cure petrification; I vaguely recall Sprout being all but obsessed with the ghastly little things so with any luck all the students will be recovering soon. Still, that doesn't quite cure the mystery of what the Deatheater has been doing this. To be honest, I'm surprised that Mum hasn't dragged you all home; especially now Dumbledore has gone which, while I mention it, is possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard – which Niffler thought to themselves "the students are being attacked... let's remove the Headmaster; who is not only in charge of the school but also Albus Dumbledore, a wizard even He Who Must Not Be Named is afraid of". --Although they do employ a man obsessed with plug sockets so there's not telling who else they have stashed away in there--. They arrested Hagrid? But the --man-- --giant-- --half-man-half-giant-- guy couldn't hurt a Flobberworm! I'm more than tempted to fly over and give them all a good piece of my mind but --I can't afford the time off-- they can't really cope without us right now. Anyway, nothing is worth missing the hatchlings --frolic-- playing in the ashes.
Have you thought to ask Ginny if she's alright? I now she's safe as Hogwarts Houses being a pure blood but that doesn't mean she isn't terrified --I know I would be--. It is nice to hear some concern for your brother though; now is the time to stick together as a family and keep an eye out for each other, you can worry about Percy's love life (or rather, the lack of it) later.
Keep me posted, and stay safe.
Charlie
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Hogwarts, June 1992
Dear Charlie,
Thank you for your --soppy-- lovely letter and all of your concern. However, it was all for nothing. The attacks we told you about in our letter were the last. In less than fortnight it was all over; but you'll never believe how. The long and the --very-- short of it is that Ginny somehow became pen pals with a teenage He Who Must Not Be Named and accidentally started setting a --Basillica-- --Basalt-- giant snake on people; unintentionally, of course. Then this Riddle chappy kidnapped her, panic ensued, and Mum and Dad appeared. Somehow Potter figured this out so he and Ron went down into the Chamber of Secrets, killed the slimy thing, rescued our sister, and knocked Lockhart's brains out. By Tuesday Hagrid was back, everyone was un-petrified, and all the exams had been cancelled which, short of the fact that Lockhart doesn't know himself from a Sweet Potato, was probably the best thing about the whole shenanigans.
So alls well that ends well you're thinking. But you're wrong. We were on the Hogwarts Express on our way home and Ginny sort of let something slip. That Ravenclaw girl that got petrified, Penelope Clearwater, is apparently going out with none other than our dear brother. And we're not talking about Ron. At first we thought she was joking but when we --drilled-- asked Percy about it later he admitted it. We know what you're thinking right now, because we've been thinking the same: --we ruined our brother and our Keeper's lives for nothing-- how did we get it so wrong? Weird thing was, he looked so miserable when he admitted it, although that could have had something to do with Mum whisking him away the moment she found out to get the girl's name, house, and DNA coding. --The woman's mad.-- We can't help but wonder how Oliver is taking it; first Quidditch, now this. Poor bloke's been rather taken through the mill this year.
Oh, and Dad one the raffle or something so apparently we're all off to Egypt. Even you're invited. See you there then. --And, no, you can't bring your dragons.--
Fred and George
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In a State of Shock, June 1992
Dear Fred and George,
There are no words.
Charlie
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Yes, the only reason for skipping a month back then was to include June and Penelope. And sorry about the cliffhanger!