AUTHORS NOTE: I'm sorry I haven't updated lately! School is crazy right now, I really hate summer classes! BOOOO COLLEGE. Anyways I know this chapter is a lot of filler, but it's necessary filler. I promise there will be more development between George and Kaylee in the next chapter which I will be posting soon. THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the love, support, reviews, favorites, follows. You guys are the best! 3

Chapter 7: The Daily Prophet

Early the next morning, the group found themselves in line to take a Portkey back to the Burrow. Mr. Weasley had awoken them all before the sun had begun to appear in the sky, and with a wave of his wand, had disassembled and packed both of the tents. Exhausted, they had made their way to the Portkey manager only to find there were several other families who had similar ideas about getting an early start.

After a brief discussion with the wizard on duty, Mr. Weasley was able to get them an old rubber tire which they promptly took back to Ottery St. Catchpole. No one spoke as they all trudged back down the hill, toward the Burrow. They had just reached the little lane that led to the house, when they heard a yell of relief.

"Oh thank goodness! Amelia, they're here!"

Mrs. Weasley came running toward them, still dressed in her bath robe and slippers. A rolled-up copy of the Daily Prophet was clutched in her hand. Seconds later, a tall, thin woman with black hair followed her.

"Mum!?" Kaylee called stunned.

"Oh Kaylee! Molly and I have been so worried!" Amelia Osmund said as she pulled her daughter into a strangulating embrace.

Fred and George began to snigger, but stopped promptly when Mrs. Weasley grabbed her twin sons and tried to suffocate them as well.

"Oh boys!" Mrs. Weasley cried.

"Ouch! Mum, you're strangling us!" protested Fred.

"I shouted at you before you left! It's all I've been thinking about! What if You-Know-Who had got you, and the last thing I ever said to you was that you didn't get enough O.W.L.'s?" Mrs. Weasley sobbed into George's shoulder.

With quite a bit of soothing from Mr. Weasley, they were able to get Mrs. Weasley inside. They all sat around the table, while Hermione made Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Osmund a cup of tea. Mr. Weasley poured a shot of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey into his wife's cup.

"When did you get here, Mum?" asked Kaylee.

"Very early this morning. As soon as I read the Prophet, I rushed over here to see if you were alright. Molly and I were so worried," explained Mrs. Osmund.

"I knew it," said Mr. Weasley heavily as he scanned through this morning's issue of the Daily Prophet. "Ministry blunders….culprits not apprehended….lax security…Dark Wizards running unchecked…national disgrace… Who wrote this? Ah… of course… Rita Skeeter."

"That woman's got it in for the Ministry of Magic," said Mrs. Osmund, in an annoyed tone.

"Too right she does! Last week she was saying we're wasting our time quibbling about cauldron thickness, when we should be stamping out vampires! As if it wasn't specifically stated in paragraph twelve of the Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans –"

"Do us a favor Perce," interrupted Bill. "and shut up."

"I'm mentioned," said Mr. Weasley quietly. "Not by name," he quickly said after Mrs. Weasley spluttered into her cup in outrage.

Mr. Weasley read them all the article Rita Skeeter wrote, explaining that he gave a statement that no one was hurt, but they were unable to catch the culprit. Rita Skeeter had also added a little false rumor that several bodies were removed from the wood.

"Oh really," said Mr. Weasley. "Nobody was hurt! What was I supposed to say? Rumors that several bodies were removed from the woods…. Well, there certainly will be rumors now she's printed that."

With a sigh, Mr. Weasley rose from the table declaring he would have to go into work to smooth this over. Mrs. Osmund rose too.

"I'll come with you, Arthur. They'll need all the help they can get today," Kaylee's mother declared.

Kaylee hugged her mother tightly.

"You behave yourself, dear. Try not to get into too much trouble with those two," Mrs. Osmund said giving a stern look towards Fred and George.

"You know me. I like the quiet life," Kaylee grinned up at her mother. Amelia Osmund chuckled.

Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Osmund departed with Percy tagging along after them. Kaylee yawned once, then turned to Fred and George.

"You two got a minute? I need to talk to you about some, er, homework," Kaylee said pointedly.

"Er, yeah. Let's go upstairs, shall we?" said George indicatively.

The three departed, and walked up to the fourth landing where the twins room was. Kaylee strode across the room and plopped down on Fred's bed.

"What's up?" asked Fred immediately.

"Wanted to talk to you about Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. I finished the order forms. Got about 200 made," Kaylee said excitedly.

"Excellent!" said Fred, sitting next to her on the bed.

"Knew we could count on you!" exclaimed George, taking a spot on the floor.

"I was also doing a bit of thinking this summer. What if you started a line of products, geared towards witches? You want to appeal to everyone right?" Kaylee asked.

"Well, yes…" admitted Fred.

"What kind of products did you have in mind?" asked George.

"Oh you know. Girly stuff. Love potions, acne vanishers, kissing concoctions, and I've been working on a little something that is sure to sell big time," Kaylee said slyly.

"Not a bad idea. I like it," said Fred, pondering her words.

"What have you been working on?" asked George.

"Oh you'll see. As soon as I've finished it, I'll let you take a look at it. It has required some difficult magic mind you, but I should be done with it shortly after we get back to school," Kaylee explained.

"Oh no, she's gone all mysterious on us Fred," said George, rolling his eyes.

"Just you wait. You'll be complimenting my brilliance when it's finished," Kaylee said smiling.

"Right. Well hide those order forms proper, or Mum will have them," warned Fred.

"Have I ever let you down?" asked Kaylee sarcastically. "How about we have a game of Quidditch? Us against Ron, Harry, and Ginny? It's been forever since I've played, I'll get kicked off the team if I'm not careful," suggested Kaylee. She played as Chaser for Ravenclaw's Quidditch team.

"Yeah! Let's go!" exclaimed the twins.

The evening before they were to return to Hogwarts, everyone (except Mr. Weasley) was gathered in the sitting room. Ginny was on the floor in front of the fire trying to mend her copy of 1000 Magical Herbs and Fungi. Bill was playing Chess with Ron, Hermione had her nose in a book, and Harry was polishing his Firebolt, and Charlie was attempting to repair his fireproof balaclava. Kaylee, Fred and George were sitting in a corner, bent over a piece of parchment and having a quiet but furious argument.

"Maybe he's just a bit short? I mean it's only been a little over a week," Kaylee whispered fervently.

"He's been absolutely silent towards us since the cup. He hasn't returned any of our owls. It seems pretty clear he's avoiding us," argued George.

"Well this letter sounds a bit angry to me. Maybe you should change it so you don't sound so cross," suggested Kaylee.

"Well we are a bit angry. He had no problem taking our money, he should have no problem paying up! We won the bet fare and square," Fred said.

Kaylee sighed. The twins were in a state about not receiving their World Cup winnings from Ludo Bagman. Kaylee liked Ludo, but she did know that he liked to gamble. Maybe when he gambled, he bet more than he could afford.

"What are you three up to?" asked Mrs. Weasley sharply.

"Homework," Fred said vaguely.

"Don't be ridiculous, you're still on holiday."

"Yeah we've left it a bit late. Kaylee's helping us," said George.

"Yeah, they haven't finished their essay on the properties of the three cores used in wandmaking," explained Kaylee.

"Alright…..because for a second there I thought you three were writing out new order forms for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes," said Mrs. Weasley shrewdly.

"Now Mum, if the Hogwarts Express crashed tomorrow, and George, Kaylee, and I died, how would you feel to know that the last thing we ever heard from you was an unfounded accusation?" joked Fred. Everyone laughed, even Mrs. Weasley.

Soon after Mr. Weasley returned home, Mrs. Weasley announced it was time for bed. Kaylee climbed the stairs to Ginny's room, excited to be returning to school tomorrow. When she reached the room, she found a parcel lying on top of her trunk.

Wondering what on earth it could be, she tore open the paper to find silky fabric underneath. It was a dress; a beautiful midnight blue dress that fell to just below her knees. Kaylee could tell it would be form fitting, and it had little half sleeves that hung off the shoulder. The fabric looked like it was embedded with crystals and it shimmered every time she moved the dress.

"Woah! What is that for?" asked Ginny who had just entered the room with Hermione.

"I have no idea. I just found it on my trunk. Oh wait there's a note," Kaylee said, noticing a piece of parchment that had fallen out of the wrapping. She picked it up and read it aloud.

Kaylee,

Your list said you needed a formal dress for this year, so I got this one for you. I thought it would not only represent Ravenclaw, but bring out the colors in your eyes. Have a wonderful year dear! I can promise you this will be a year you'll never forget!

Love,

Mum

"I saw that we needed formal wear this year. Any idea why?" asked Hermione.

"Not a clue," said Kaylee, holding the dress up to herself and checking to see if it was the proper length.

"Oooo I can't wait to see George's face when he sees you in this!" squealed Ginny.

"Yeah, he'll probably explode with laughter when he sees me in this," Kaylee said, embarrassed. Fred and George had never seen her in any kind of formal wear, and she could practically hear the taunts they were sure to deliver.

"Oh he'll probably explode, but he won't be laughing!" Ginny exclaimed.

Kaylee just rolled her eyes.

"Go on then Hermione, show me yours!" Kaylee said grinning at her.

Hermione rummaged around in her trunk, then produced a dress that absolutely stunning. It was in between pink and purple, and the fabric cascaded down in waves. It had a neat little ribbon tied around the middle.

"Ooo Hermione! This is beautiful!" Kaylee exclaimed.

"Thanks. I thought it would make my skin look a little rosier," Hermione said smiling.

"Definitely," Kaylee said.

"I wonder why 3rd years don't have to have formal wear," Ginny frowned.

"Must be an age restriction thing," guessed Kaylee.

They put the dresses away, and got into bed. Secretly, Kaylee was already forming a plan in her mind. Whatever this formal event was, she was going to make sure she looked fantastic at it. George won't know what hit him she thought as she smiled into her pillow.