I
had to fight the urge to skip breakfast when I saw George standing in the common room the next morning. This would be my last day with him at Hogwarts. My last breakfast with him in the Great Hall. I latched onto him quickly, snuggling into his chest, inhaling his scent and memorizing the feel of him against my body. He didn't laugh like he usually did, he just held me tightly, smoothing my hair.
"Come on Hermione, we need to go to breakfast." I nodded my head glumly, wanting to do anything but.
The tables were full, and extremely rowdy. The break had restored everyone's spirits, and they were all feeling rebellious. I didn't join in on the jokesor laugh at the silliness-I was too blue. I was going to be losing the main source of my laughter today.
He walked me to my first class, his arm wrapped firmly around my waist. I loved the feel of it, and had to fight back tears when he dropped me off at my class and left. The lesson drug on endlessly, and I paid little attention to it. I took notes on everything, but I didn't listen to the material, I just copied it down.
George met me outside after class, apparently having skipped his class, because he was supposed to be in one right now. He drug me away from the crowd and hid behind a knight statue.
He kissed me deeply, holding me to him tightly, smothering me in breathtaking kisses. He held me for a long time, making me dizzy at the force of his kisses. I finally pulled back a little, knowing I needed to leave for class.
"I've got to leave, George, Sprout will give me detention-ooh.." He kissed his way down my neck, something he'd never done before and I lost the ability to think at the feel of it.
"What do you say?" he whispered, pulling me to him again. "Want to skive off Herbology? I have a few products to help."
I smiled up at him, still feeling breathless and warm from the incredible kisses. I'd love to skip class, far more than I would care to admit, but I couldn't. I shook my head softly, reaching up and kissing him on the lips before turning around. He grabbed me around my waist and squeezed me in a tight hug before letting me go. He ran with me to Herbology, and I barely made it in time for class.
He met me after my next two classes also, stealing me away for passionate snogs, and tender hugs before running me to the next class. Before I realized it, it was five o'clock. George was nowhere in sight and I knew I'd find him and Fred in Smarmy's corridor. Ron and Angelina walked beside me to the corridor. There was already a lot of noise coming from there, and I found myself starting to worry. The crowd surrounding the corridor was incredible, a smell was emitting from it, and there were students everywhere that appeared to be covered in stinksap. We fought our way through the crowd of students, ghosts, and teachers, till we reached the front. George and Fred were in the middle of the corridor, huge grins on their faces. I looked around the corridor in shock. The twins had somehow changed the entire corridor into a swamp. We were having to stand ankle deep to see them. It reeked to high heaven, and was bubbling eerily. The water stuck to our robes, and if it got on your arms it stuck to them with amazing resilience.
I caught George's eyes with mine at the same moment that Umbridge stepped forward from the stairs.
"Good job," she said, speaking to the Inquisitorial Squad. I glared at each of them, thinking how much I'd like to try the DA hexes on them. I'd get them for this. They'd regret hurting my boyfriend.
"Filch, go to my office, there's a paper there I want you to bring. The permission form arrived today." He got an evil grin on his face and ran for her office. A cold chill ran down my back and I turned back to George, my eyes large with fright. His were calm and happy. He stared at me with his grin, never breaking eye contact.
"So!" Umbridge said with a triumphant air. She was still standing on the stairs, too scared to come down to the floor. "So - you think it amusing to turn a school corridor into a swamp, do you?"
They didn't look the least bit scared of her, they actually looked happy and calm. My heart was beating erratically and I was feeling faint watching them. I wanted to cry, but I was determined to remain strong for George.
"Pretty amusing, yeah," Fred answered, a slight grin lifting his lips as he looked at her without any fear.
Filch had returned by now, and he elbowed his way between the students to Umbridge, his eyes wide with happiness. He was clutching a piece of parchment to his chest and sounded near tears.
"I've got the form, Headmistress, and I've got the whips waiting…oh let me do it now," he said, his voice hoarse as he stood in front of her. I took an unthinking step forward and Ron grabbed hold of my arm, pulling me back firmly.
"No, 'Mione," he whispered, pushing my wand down. I glared at him, and then returned my gaze to George. He was looking at me with his vivid eyes, drawing me into his gaze. I reached without looking and clasped Angelina's hand in mine, knowing she was the only one who knew what I was going through. She squeezed my hand back, breathing heavily. I wouldn't let him whip them. I'd get myself suspended before I let anyone in this school get whipped.
"Very good, Argus," Umbridge said wickedly. "You two," she said, turning her gaze to George and Fred, "are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."
Fred smiled, really smiled and shook his head. "You know what? I don't think we are." He turned to George, still grinning. George stared intently at me for a moment before turning to Fred. I tried to memorize his face as Fred spoke, taking in every detail I could.
"George," Fred continued, "I think we've outgrown full-time education."
George smiled, nodding his head. "Yeah, I've been feeling that way myself," he said lightly.
"Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?" Fred asked, his huge grin betraying his excitement.
George grinned widely, nodding his head. I wanted so bad to be upset, but watching the excitement on their faces, I couldn't do it. I couldn't be upset. They wanted out so bad, how could I begrudge them their freedom?
"Definitely," George said, and before Umbridge, or anyone else could say anything, they raised their wands together.
"Accio Brooms!" they shouted. A loud crash sounded from somewhere behind me, a yell sounded ,and I turned my head to see two broomsticks, one still trailing a heavy chain and iron peg, hurtling towards George and Fred. They stopped right in front of the twins, waiting to be grabbed. They stepped forward together, grabbing the broomsticks with ease.
"We won't be seeing you," Fred said to Umbridge as he mounted his broom.
"Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch," George said, mounting his broom too. They looked around at all of us, George's eyes finding mine and locking his gaze with mine.
"If anyone fancies buying a portable swamp, as demonstrated here, come to number ninety-three Diagon Alley-Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes!" Fred bellowed, a huge grin erupting his face. "Our new premises!"
"Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they're going to use our products to get rid of this old bat," George added, and he pointed at Umbridge, but he never took his eyes off me.
"STOP THEM!" Umbridge shrieked, but it was too late, they were lifting off. George had the broom with the peg, and it swung below him dangerously, keeping everyone away from them. They flew towards the entrance, but Fred stopped.
He turned around on his broom and looked at Peeves, who was bobbing about the crowd.
"Give her hell from us, Peeves!" he shouted. Peeves, who I had never seen obey any orderfrom anybody, actually swept his hat from his head, and bowed, saluting George and Fred. They wheeled about, and sped towards the open doors, and the crowd started clapping and running. They were flying off into the sunset, and it was wonderful, and terrible, and so incredibly unthinkable.
They turned around for one last second, right before they disappeared. George sought my eyes out while Fred sought Angelina's, and then they were gone.
The applause went on for long minutes, we were all so thrilled, so shocked, so suddenly hopeful. Freedom seemed so close, all we had to do was fly away, just grab a broom and leave.
And then Umbridge came charging forward. She started throwing spells like mad at George and Fred. They couldn't be seen anymore, but she threw them nonetheless. Angelina and I both whipped our wands out and started charging her, only to be grabbed by strong, unyielding arms and pulled back. Harry, having appeared out of nowhere, was pulling me back, away from Umbridge. Ron had Angelina, and was being equally unyielding.
"No," I cried out weakly. They pulled me away, dragging me and Angelina into a more secluded hallway.
"No," they whispered fiercely. "You can't, it's what she wants. She'll whip you, and that's the last thing they'd want." The memory of last night came back with such force that it made me gasp. I'd made a promise. I was supposed to help look out for Angelina. I couldn't let her go out and hex Umbridge, I couldn't do it either, we had to stay safe for them.
I took a deep ragged breath. Angelina was still struggling to get free, but I'd stopped. "We promised," I whispered, tears filling my eyes. "We promised to stay safe." Angelina stopped struggling and dropped to the floor in a heap, tears filling her eyes.
"But what if she hits them?" she cried, her face buried in her hands. Ron and Harry had both stepped back, looking to be at a complete loss. I stepped forward, kneeling down beside her.
"Their Forge and Gred, she wouldn't stand a chance," I said, giving a wet chuckle. She hiccupped softly, pulling me into a hug. We held onto each other desperately, crying earnestly. She wouldn't get them. They'd be safe. We'd see them soon, it was only a month until school was out… Just one month and I could hold him again. I'd make it, and until then I could hold on, I'd hold on for Angelina. I'd make it through this hell that Hogwarts had become.
"We're getting her. You and me, we're going to do the worse prank she's ever seen." Angelina vowed, her voice determined. I nodded my head firmly, still holding onto her. We both stood, helping each other up and then turned towards the boys.
"Lets go get some dinner," I said, my tears finally dry.
They both nodded, relieved grins claiming their lips. We walked towards the hall in silence, but it wasn't just a sad silence, it was a determined one. We reached the hall minutes later, surprised to see that it was nearly full. Ron and Harry sat down, and I sat next to Harry, with Angelina on my other side.
I grabbed a roll and a bowl of soup, determined to eat something despite my lack of appetite. I picked up my spoon when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned my head slowly, worried about what I would find. Terry Boot smiled down at me.
"So, 'Mione," Terry said, smirking down at me. My eyes were still puffy from the tears I'd shed and the git actually had the nerve to come and flirt with me!
"Wanna go out to the black lake tonight?" he asked, smiling as though he didn't think I'd refuse him.
"No," I said, turning around to face him, "I bloody well do not want to go to the lake, or anywhere with you," I said, giving him my worst glare. Angelina had turned around too and was glaring at him, along with Harry, Ron, and Ginny. He looked a little thrown off by our group glare, hesitating before he continued.
"Why?" he asked, titling his head as though he genuinely did not understand.
"I'm going to say this one more time in hopes that it gets through your thick Ravenclaw head!" I said, whispering fiercely. Several Gryffindor's were staring at us, along with a large quantity of the Hufflepuffs. "I. Am. Dating. George." I spoke each word slowly, annunciating carefully. He rolled his eyes at my answer.
"Why? He's gone now, he'd never know. Besides, you have nothing in common with that drop out." I had started to turn around, but I froze at the end of that comment. I turned around slowly and stared at him with shocked eyes.
"What did you just say?" I asked, my mouth falling open in shock. Apparently the Ravenclaw did have a brain in there somewhere, because he realized he had insulted me and quickly backtracked.
"I mean, why not try out a few other blokes?"
"Leave," I said quietly, glaring at him with all I had. He took a small step back before smirking.
"I'll talk to you later then," he said, then he turned around and settled down at the Ravenclaw table. I put my spoon down, my appetite gone.
"That arrogant little git," Angelina snarled, glaring at his back. I smiled at her, but it didn't reach my eyes.
"Thanks guys, I'm going to go ahead to the dorm, I've got some studying to do… not really hungry anyway.." Harry watched me get up with worried eyes, clearly wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say. I stood up from the table, grabbed my bag, and started down the aisle towards the door. I had just reached them when I heard a garbled scream coming from somewhere behind me. I turned around, wand drawn and bag dropped, instantly looking for Harry. He was still sitting at the Gryffindor table, looking surprised, but then erupting in a huge grin.
Why was he grinning?
I let my eyes drift around the hall until my eyes landed on Terry. He'd turned a sickly purple, and then he started to grow spots, bright blue spots all over his face. His hair turned green, and took on the texture of seaweed. He started coughing hard, and Michael pounded him on the back in worry while Anthony started laughing at his side.
"What happened?" Michael asked, as the rest of the hall erupted in laughter. Terry shook his head, his eyes growing wide.
"I don't know," he said, but his voice had turned squeaky. His eyes grew even wider and he jumped up from his seat, running down the aisle, past me, and out of the Great Hall. Michael stared after him, clearly unsure whether or not to laugh or run after him. I was laughing, deep belly laughs that filled me with glee. A warm flash filled my pocket and I left the hall quickly, ducking behind a knight statue before pulling my Galleon out of my pocket. A simple message from George was written on it, but it made me feel as though I had just received a warm hug from him.
I promise no more students… Tell Terry I said hi, and that I'll be watching.
P.S. We made it to the shop safely. Sweet dreams!