Ch 4: Fred meets Pain & Success

Goodess it was cold. Had Ron left his window open again? Fred wished the Burrow had better heating.

"Mr. Weasley? Can you hear me?" asked a far away voice.

Maybe he would dunk Ron in the pond as retribution. Again.

"It is no good."

…o0o…

"Rennervate."

The spell jarred Fred awake and he cringed at the assaulting sunlight. Trying to cover his eyes he began to panic as he realized his left arm wouldn't move. What was this?

"Put him under!"

…o0o…

Fred woke slowly trying to get his bearings. His body felt sluggish and he was unsure where he was or what was going on. Reaching out with his magic sense he felt, "Perce?"

"I'm going to assume that was my name and not another poor attempt of yours to mangle the English language. The Healer said you would have trouble talking due to the sedative they gave you. Last time you woke up you destroyed the better part of the Hospital wing."

He did?

Perce came over and set on the bed. "I receive a letter from Granger saying she needs help getting you to the hospital wing and I find you frozen solid missing an arm! I don't know what you were thinking." Perce rapped him on the head strongly, "So help me if you ever do that again I will find a way to lock you up and prevent you from practicing magic ever again."

Ouch.

"They are having to regrow your arm. It's Wednesday the day after break, and they have to let a little more of the muscle rebuild before you can be let out. Poppy has another Healer coming in from Mungo's every day to consult. You are very lucky. If you had lost the bone structure or if the nerve endings hadn't been frozen like they were you would have been without an arm for the rest of your life," Perce lectured while readjusting his blankets.

Well Bugger.

"I have to go now. Potions. Why George likes that subject is something I will never know. Anyways, stop fighting the Healers. That's an order. I'll be back to check on you after class."

…o0o…

On Friday Fred was flipping through chapter three of The Mudblood Menace when his Gran walked ominously through the hospital doors. Her long black locks trailed behind her as she walked determinedly for his bed. Fred swallowed and closed the book, "Hello, Gran."

"Fredrick." Gran swept up her plum velvet cloak up swiftly as she set in the rickety hospital chair. "At first I simply thought you were ignoring my return missive. One can make excuses for the poor decorum of children. Then I was setting down for bridge with Minne today and I find you lost an arm of all things."

"Uh, yes." Upon seeing Gran's intimidating glare Fred quickly corrected himself, "Yes, I lost an arm. But the Healers have managed to regrow it, Ma'am."

"Very good. And have they given you an estimated time for recovery?"

Having nothing better to do Fred explained, "Well it's been almost three weeks. They didn't reverse the freezing until this weekend. I've still got some numbness in my left arm and have limited functionality in my hand. Madame Pomfrey says that with some therapy I should have most of my functionality back."

Gran sniffed delicately, "I wasn't sure what to think when I received your missive on the Black family Arts. Septimius and I raised our children with different inclinations. It never occurred to me that my grandchildren would think differently. It will have to wait until summer, but I will instruct you."

"Pardon?"

"The Dark Arts. We will start your instruction this summer," Gran stated assertively.

Fred started, "Dark Arts? But I-"

"Don't play coy with me boy. That ship sailed when you destroyed your own arm. Besides," Gran pointed one long finger towards the bed, "If you want to hide your activities I wouldn't be trying to read Grindelwald under Albus' nose without so much as a glamour."

Fred looked to where The Mudblood Menace was laying obviously on his bed covers. "It's not like that. My friend wanted-"

"Mother?" Dad's voice rose up from the other side of the hospital wing. Fred frantically scooped the Menace under his covers.

"Arthur," Gran rose from the chair to kiss Dad, "Goddess great you."

Dad bowed in response, "You as well, Mother. What brings you here?"

"Fred and I were just discussing his summer arrangements."

"Pardon?" Dad asked. Fred was glad he wasn't the only one who felt confused.

Gran smiled serenely, "Fred will be staying with me."

They never discussed that!

"Alright," Dad nodded, "I'll let Molly know."

"Excellent, I will expect him the Saturday after term ends." Gran left the hospital wing for all appearances a conquering dignitary.

Dad smiled secretly, "She corner you?"

"You could say that."

He set down and laughed, "I've found it best to just do what she says. This one time Billus told her no and-." Dad shook his head to clear it like he always did when his brothers were mentioned. "Anyways, it's safer just to go along."

"What about George?" Fred asked petulantly.

"Maybe it will be good for you two to spend some time away from each other. Try new things. Besides, we are only a flo call away. Now then, are you doing alright?"

"I suppose."

"Great! I just stopped by. Owl if you need anything. Your Mum sends her love," Dad patted his leg and left.

Fred set alone in the hospital wing trying not to panic about Gran wanting to teach him Dark Arts. He was a light wizard! Those spells were harmful and wrong. All he had to do was try and move his left arm to know that. The pain flared through nerves and straight to his bones when the potions wore off. Why would anyone ever want to inflict that on another human? How could he have been so careless to create that spell? He wished Hermione would stop by so he could talk to her about it. It had been days now and he hadn't seen her. He hoped she wasn't hurt.

Sneaking The Mudblood Menace back out, he took the time to grab his wand and glamour it as a difficult Arithmancy book. Then he added a lower level locking spell that would only respond to his password. Gran did have a point about that, at least. Best not to leave it around for another clueless Muggleborn to find.

So far it had proved an interesting read. Grindelwald had adapted captus summa into a spell that would tell the approximate adult core size of a Wizard. Now that was a Tur'kor he wanted to see. He wondered what a maga summa would reveal if cast on him. In the third chapter Grindelwald was dealing cases where he saw final core size increase. Some included Dark Arts rituals; others were results of magical accidents. Fred was under the impression that his little House Elf stunt would be one such incident.

"That book so interesting you can ignore us?" George asked.

Fred looked up from the book to find George and Perce had stopped by again. Finally, a decent distraction. He grinned, "It's just a little light reading."

Unsure of what to make of the look that his brothers shared, he was glad when Perce spoke up, "How are you doing?"

"Alright," he replied automatically.

"Truth?" George demanded.

Fred grumbled, "My arm stings something fierce."

Percy sighed as he adjusted his spectacles, "I suppose it's to be expected. Is there anything you need from us?"

"I suppose," Fred hesitated to ask, "You could tell me who won the Quidditch game?"

George laughed, "Oh, you should have seen Oliver. 'My last chance to win the cup and one of my best players loses an arm! My unstoppable Seeker gets attacked by Dementors and now this! It's hopeless!' and then he looks at Ron of all people and says 'You, Weasley, on the field!'"

Fred gawked, "And then what?"

"We won, of course," George proclaimed.

"Bloody Hell!" Fred exclaimed, "Little Ronnie?"

"Yeah. Totally surprised, myself. Why do you remember-"

"The first time he flew? And hit the-"

"Pond?" George concluded.

Perce but in, "As I remember you two hit each other. You couldn't tell the handles from the bristles!"

George and he concluded, "Us? We're perfectly in sync," as they all burst out laughing.

When the laughter died down Perce looked to George and nodded solemnly, "All joking aside, we need to talk."

"Okay," Fred responded hesitantly.

"Granger gave me this to return to you," George said as he pulled out Fred's Blood Grimoire.

Well Bugger. Fred would have to have a talk with Hermione about that book. "It's not like that."

Perce narrowed his eyes ominously, "So you paid for it?"

"No?"

"Fred Weasley!" Perce snapped in frustration, "You accepted a proposal gift from another. Not only that but one that bound to your core. Don't think we didn't notice that this whole incident was because you cast a spell from a non-set Tur'kor. What were you thinking?"

Fred moved to stop the impending explosion of Mt. Percy, "I've been tutoring her. And she doesn't know the Rites!"

George asked incredulously, "You imbalanced your core for a Muggleborn?"

"Maybe?"

Perce growled, "You better find an appropriate return gift. Is there anything else you need to tell us?"

Best not to mention that he now owes Hermione a life debt, too. Perce would want them to get engaged or something equally ridiculous. No thank you. Even though a Blood Grimoire could be considered a marriage proposal, that didn't mean it was in this case. Hermione and he weren't even dating! Rites were so outdated. Instead Fred said, "Gran wants to teach me Dark Arts."

"Wicked," George exclaimed, "Do you think she'll teach me too?"

Perce rubbed his eyebrow warily, "Goddess preserve me."

…o0o…

Madame Pomfrey woke him up Sunday, "Three weeks is too long for you to be here, Mr. Weasley. I want you gone. And if you show up next weekend you might just find I have decided on early retirement."

"Perhaps I should start healing myself then," he quipped.

"Don't you dare!" the matron admonished. "Now begone."

Fred jovially gathered up his belongings. He picked up his cloak with his left hand and swung it over his head per normal; however, when his forearm cleared his head he lost all sensation and searing pain jarred through his shoulder. The cloak hit the floor before he did. As he sat on the floor he grabbed his left wrist and tried to rub the searing pain out of it. Allowing himself a few minutes to regain his bearings before he stood up and attached his cloak with his right hand, he noticed that his left hand had developed a minor tremor. Pomfrey had said it was to be expected, so he figured he would leave and only come back if it got worse. At least he had an arm.

Fred headed for the library to look for Hermione. Since she never came to visit him he was concerned something may be wrong. When he didn't find her at their table he began to worry more and decided to see if he could sense her on his way towards the common room.

It was as he was leaving the library he came across Cho Chang laughing obnoxiously at Luna. Luna wearing a yellow sundress and a bottle cap necklace. She had no shoes or cloak on for this muggy April day in Scotland. Reminded about Luna's bullying Fred decided he better do something about it before it worsened. As he approached the table Chang looked up and winked flirtatiously, "George! I wasn't expecting you today."

Why not? Fred leaned down to whisper into her ear, "I just couldn't resist. Want to go somewhere more private?""

Chang straightened her skirts making sure to spend extra time on her bum, "So, Georgie, anything in particular you are in the mood for? Oh, how about this closet?"

"I had something more special in mind," Fred smirked roguishly.

Chang squealed, "Oh baby, you're so romantic!"

Fred spent the next two floors listening to Chang's ridiculous babble. How George could stand to listen to her talk about her make-up of all things was beyond him. If he ever got a girlfriend she wouldn't talk to him about such nonsensical things. She would be a sensible woman capable of rational talk- like Arithmancy. Perhaps Hermione would help him find a smart girl.

When they finally made it to Ravenclaw tower he knocked on the cherry door at the base of the stirs. "Flitwick's office, Georgie? What are we doing here?" Fred turned to her and flared his magic. Chang's face immediately dropped and her voice shook, "Fred?"

Chang must remember when he came after George in the broom cupboard. Fred couldn't help but smile vindictively. He'd never got that reaction out of anyone but Ron. This was fun. Maybe he should intimidate people more often.

Flitwick opened his office door and asked excitedly, "Miss. Chang! What can I do for you today?"

"Nothing, Professor, I-"

"Can we come in?" Fred interrupted.

"Of course, Mr. Weasley!" Fred grabbed Chang's arm before she could protest and steered her into the crowded office. A cornucopia of books and parchments lined the walls- along with every other surface. Once the Professor settled into his over sized armchair he asked, "What can I do for you?"

Fred adapted a tone of great disappointment, "We are here to report the serve bullying of one of your Ravenclaws. I'm practically concerned because the student in question says that older students are stealing her clothes and homework on a regular basis. Now I am all for a few pranks, but when it starts to affect a student's academic career I know it should be reported to the staff."

Flitwick steeped his fingers, "This is a serious accusation Mr. Weasley. I will look into it immediately. Do you have anything to add Miss. Chang?"

"No, sir."

Fred explained, "Oh Chang's just here to turn herself in."

"What?" Chang squeaked.

"You and Edgecombe have been bulling Lovegood for years. I may have just found out about it but it stops now. Your lucky its O.W.L year or I would be taking care of you myself."

Chang looked frantically to Flitwick, "It's not true! Besides Lovegood is so Looney I bet she made it up just to get attention. She goes around telling people stories all the time!"

Fred felt himself loosing control of his magic. "How dare-"

Flitwick turned to him, "I can take it from here Mr. Weasley. 50 points to Gryffindor for bringing this to my attention." Fred nodded and went to leave the room. "Oh, and Mr. Weasley?"

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm glad to see you are out of the hospital wing."

When he walked out of the Flitwick's office he came face-to-face with Luna. She stared at him with wide eyes, "Strange, I figured it would have been more effective against Heliopaths."

Fred scratched his brow, "Can't say I ever heard of those."

"Oh, they are spirits of fire that like to eat everything. I thought you were trying to eat them with that."

Fred looked to where Luna was pointing at his left shoulder. Isa shone brightly in his sense. Several clusters of Runes that Pomfrey said were designed to keep him out of a magical coma surrounded it. How had he missed feeling that? Fred gently reached up and traced the design. The entire Rune-set felt of Hermione; like water and fresh flowers. He said softly, "No, that was an accident."

Luna tilted her head, "Are you sure? Sometimes you just have to look at Magic from a different angle."

"That's nice Luna, but I need to go. See you later?"

"Certainly," Luna answered while spinning his cloak in circles.

Chuckling as he left, Fred was excited when he sensed Hermione in the dormitories. When he arrived there; however, Hermione had secluded herself in the girls' dormitories. With the charms on the dormitories to prevent boys from going up there he would have to find another way. Walking over to Angelina he asked, "Hey there, do you think you can help me out?"

Angelina looked up from her books, "Uh, sure, George."

"It's Fred, actually."

From the way Angelina perked up Fred figured that was the wrong thing to say. "Oh, what can I do for you?" Angelina winked. What was with these girls?

Fred smiled charmingly, "I was hoping you could go up to the dorms and get Hermione Granger for me."

Angelina frowned, "What do you want with her?"

This was getting ridiculous. "Ron wanted to see her."

"Okay." Angelina leaned into his ear, pressing her bust uncomfortably close, "Maybe afterwards you and I can go have some fun?"

She ran up the stairs before he had time to voice his protest. Perhaps he should have made the situation with George clearer. Or he should know when to pretend to be George. This was just too complicated.

When Hermione came down the stairs he was startled to see bags under her eyes. What was she doing to herself? Fred took a step towards her. Hermione's eyes went wide, "Fred?"

He didn't think he looked that bad.

Angelina screeched, "You told me Ron wanted to see her!" Then she punched his arm. His left arm.

Fred's vision blacked as he staggered into the wall with a scream. It felt like his arm nerve in his arm was on fire. At that moment he wondered if it would have been better to have lost his arm all together.

Hermione ran down the last few steps and turned on Angelina, "What were you thinking, he just got out of the hospital wing!"

"If you want the jerk so much you can have him. We're through, Fred!" Angelina stormed off.

"Oh, Fred, are you all right? Do you need to go back to the hospital wing?" Hermione turned to him concerned.

Fred shook his head and tried to calm his left hand's tremors with his right. He found the pressure did help the pain. "Pomfrey said that this might happen. I'm already taking the max amount of pain potions. Give it a few minutes to pass."

"Okay," Hermione shifted nervously, "Did you need something else?"

Wringing his wrist he looked into her anxious brown eyes, "I was hoping we could talk about what happened."

"Oh."

Fred glanced around the common room deciding the crowded space wouldn't work. Well, best to get it over with. "The Fawn room?"

"Are you sure you're up for it so soon? I mean-" Hermione trailed off.

Noticing the way she looked so downtrodden Fred took a guess, "You haven't been back have you?"

She shook her head no, her mane of bushy hair falling to cover her grimace.

Fred grimaced and hefted himself off the wall, "Well then, Gryffindors' charge forward." Hermione was silent as they exited the common room and looked as though she might bolt at any time. In an effort to alleviate the tension, Fred went for small talk. "Anything interesting happen while I was asleep?"

"Uh, we won the Quidditch match?"

"So I heard. Tell me the truth, was Ron really that good?" Fred asked curiously.

Hermione giggled, "He was awful in the beginning. Actually hit himself with the beaters bat. The Slytherins started singing this dreadful song. George called a time out, talked to him, and Ron started corralling the beaters only letting George make the shots. I think it might have been the longest game in Hogwarts history; we were there until after dark. The final score was 720 to 500."

"Wow. I bet that would have been amazing to watch." And to play in.

"It was." Hermione shook her head, "To hear Ron tell it he won the whole thing single handedley."

Fred laughed, "Ron's always wanted to be noticed. I remember when he was little he used to steal Charlie's wand to cast spells. When Charlie left to be a Dragon-tamer he couldn't find his wand at all and had to get a new one. It wasn't until a month later we found him at the pond trying to cast lumos."

"What happened then?" Hermione bit her lip, "Did he get in trouble?"

"Ron, George, and I spent the next two years playing with the wand. Ron was always saying it was his wand and we couldn't use it when he wasn't around. We were able to get some spells out until Perce caught us and made us give it to Mum." Fred reminisced with a shake of his head.

Hermione giggled, "Wow."

"Yeah. But I get it. It's hard to stand out in our family. Sometimes I look at Bill and Charlie with a bit of intimidation myself. I mean, a Curse-breaker and Dragon-tamer? Those are like two of the coolest jobs ever. Don't get me started on Perce. Head Boy taking twelve N.E. . Plus he's got all these policy ideas of things he wants to change in the Ministry. If he's not Minister for Magic in the next twenty years I'll eat my hat. So you have to work really hard to find your own thing."

"I guess that makes sense." Hermione's steps faltered as they neared the Fawn tapestry. She hesitantly asked, "Are you sure you are ready for this? I mean, we can find somewhere else. An empty classroom, or-"

Fred pulled her to his side with his right arm, "Listen here, Princess. We're both okay. This is nothing but a room. What happened was horrible, but it can't be changed. Sometimes the only way to get over your fears is to face them."

Hermione looked up at him, "Did you rehearse that?"

"No," He laughed. "That was straight Bill. He told me that the first time I fell off my broom and refused to get back on."

"You have some amazing brothers."

"I do." Fred nudged her towards the tapestry, "You ready?"

Hermione nodded and disappeared into the tapestry. By the time Fred stepped in behind her she had already opened up the rest of the passageway. Fred steeled himself as he walked down the narrow stone alleyway towards the commons. Even though he told Hermione they needed to face their fears, it didn't make it easy. He walked up to where Hermione was sitting next to the Griffin's claw leg of the dinning room table. Knelling next to her Fred asked, "What are you thinking?"

Hermione whimpered, "It's all my fault."

Fred startled, "How do you figure that? As I recall I cast the spell."

"But it was my idea to use the time turner. I bought you the Blood Grimoire. I pushed you to cast the spell. And-" Hermione hiccuped and wiped her eyes with her shirt sleeve, "I was the one who put you in a time-loop so you had to cast the spell. It's all my fault."

Fred felt as though the world and been pulled out from under him. Scooting closer he pulled Hermione into his arms. "Do you remember how you got to bed?"

"Pardon?"

"That night. After the incident. Do you remember going to bed?"

Hermione nibbled on her lip for a moment. "No. I remember running to the Astronomy Tower. When I woke up I was here."

"That's right. I went to go get some more Butterbeer from Hogsmeade for the party, but before I could get there I ran into you. When you ran away I was concerned so I followed you disillusioned. I wanted to make sure there was no chance of you getting hurt by Black. As I stood there watching you cry I knew that whatever would hurt you had already happened. So, after an hour and a half I cast a sleeping charm on you."

"Fred," Hermione grabbed his check with desperate eyes, "Tell me you didn't see yourself like that."

Fred could only smile grimly down at her, "If anyone caused a time-loop it was me."

"Oh Fred."

"I went to the common room first. But when I sensed you there I knew you were this Hermione. My original plan had been to knock on the wards and leave you outside. But there weren't any wards, so I figured I would just stay disillusioned and place you inside the room. I opened the door-"

"And saw yourself lying frozen on the floor."

He saw himself. His left arm completely torn off down to the bone with and expression of pure terror. He sensed no magic. He saw his corpse. "But I could sense a spark of magic on my shoulder. Your magic. I set your body down. I remembered that you had said you would 'make it right'. I knew then you would save my life. And you did," he smiled down at Hermione.

Hermione shook her head, "I almost didn't. Because I was the one to carve the first Rune, the healer from Mungo's said I had to complete the set to wake you up. He had a fit when he realized that was the first Rune I had ever carved."

Fred chuckled, "Well you did a mighty fine job, if I do say so myself."

Playing with the buttons on his shirt she continued, "Usually they can counteract Isa with just two Runes but they had to create whole new schemes. Apparently the Reno was still in effect when I cast it. I think the time-turner counts as a something not to use."

Fred frowned, "I didn't even think of that."

"Pomfrey wanted to know why I didn't call her. Did you know the house elves constantly listen for students? If I had said 'Student needs the Healer' they would have brought her immediately."

"No, I didn't know that," Fred frowned.

Hermione pulled her hair frustrated, "You could have died and they never tell us anything important!"

Fred squeezed her gently, "I didn't. Everything worked out. And I won't ever try and cast that spell again."

Hermione reeled back, "What? You can't just give up after all that work! I mean what if you just have to try to change out a few nodes, adjust some harmonies, or even just change the wand movements? If you are going to be a Spellcrafter you tell the spells what to do, not the other way around!"

"The flick."

"What?"

Fred chuckled humorously, "The magic started complaining right as I started the upward motion of my wand. I should have aborted the spell then, but I was so wrapped up with worrying when something was going to go wrong to realize that something was going wrong. To think it was something as simple as a wand movement."

Hermione smiled, "Well that's something, then. So you think you could try casting it again without making any adjustments to the Tur'kor?"

Fred tilted his head, "I suppose."

"Okay, but this time we are doing it in the Hospital wing," Hermione said as she stood up.

"Uh, Hermione, Pomfrey said if I came back anytime soon she was retiring," Fred scratched his brow.

Hermione turned to him, "Would you prefer it if students came to you before they tried to kill themselves or when they were already half dead?"

"Well, I-"

"Don't answer that. Tomorrow morning work for you?"

Fred shrugged, "Why not?"

"Good." Hermione looked around, "I may regret this, but are we still on for Operation Fawn?"

"I'm game if you are."

"We've lost a few good weeks, so I'll have to revise our study schedule a bit. It's a good thing Quidditch season is over, because you are going to have to spend all your time in the library."

"Sounds fun." In an extremely exhausting sort of way.

Hermione beamed, "Oh, it will be."

Fred started as Hermione pounced on him and hugged him fiercely. "Hermione?"

"I'm so glad you're okay."

Fred embraced her back, "Me too, Princess. Me too."

It was hours later that Fred finally parted from Hermione and the Fawn room with color coated study schedules for each subject. He got the feeling he was going to pass his O.W.L's or die from sleep exhaustion if Hermione had her way. At least fifth year wasn't boring. Not by a long shot.

Descending the stairs towards the Great Hall, Fred saw a recognizable head of hair. Mischievously taking out his wand he silently lengthened the ginger hair to waist length.

"Oi!"

Fred smirked, "Well, well-"

"The lazy ass finally woke up!" George tackled him with a hug.

Fred sputtered through the long main of hair that clouded his face, "I wake up to find Ron stole my place on the team and you're taking after Bill."

George pulled back and nodded solemnly, "Yes, well I figured he would make a better twin. At least trying to get killed is in his job description."

Shaking his head, Fred threw his arm around George's shoulder, "Bill's too old and stuffy to make you a good twin. You need someone with a little more youthful exuberance."

"Know anyone like that?" George smirked.

"Well, I think first you would have to keep it in the family," Fred deduced.

George nodded, "That makes sense."

"And you will need someone approximately the same age. That leaves out Bill and Charlie. I don't think Ginny makes the cut either- too curvy. Perce has always been too formal to really understand the whole twin code. So that makes Ron your best bet."

George sighed dejectedly, "I'm stuck with you, aren't I?"

"Afraid so."

"Can you at least invite me next time so I don't have to hear about it from Perce?"

Fred supposed that was only fair. "We were going to try again tomorrow morning?"

"We?"

"Hermione and me."

George stopped walking and looked at him askance, "What's going on between you and Granger?"

Fred shuffled awkwardly, "She's helping me study for my O.W.L's."

"What?"

"Look, I know we agreed to only do three O.W.L's each. But I've decided to go ahead and try to be a Spellcrafter. To do that I need more than that. So she's helping me study."

George beamed, "That's great."

"It is?" Fred relaxed, "I thought you might be worried."

George waved him off, "Nah. Remember when I took that swing at Snape and he gave me detention? We actually went to the Potion's guild. I have no idea what Snape was doing there, but he made me spend the day coming through the archives. It was absolutely amazing. Did you know that they keep original notes for all the potions recipes?"

"They do?" Must be the same for all guilds, then.

George nodded, "Yeah. So I was thinking I actually might want to be a Potions Master. Having access to those recipes could really help us with the shop. I wasn't sure how to bring it up, though."

Huh, old Snape actually came through. Didn't mean he actually liked the bat. Fred smiled at George, "That's great. The Spellcrafter's guild has something similar. I was looking into it too because I thought it would be useful for the shop. But I didn't want you to be disappointed. We're a pair, huh?"

"You know what they say about twins-"

"Double the trouble." They laughed.

George winked, "Speaking of trouble, I hear you got into it with Margret Ettington."

While he was in the hospital wing? "Really. I'm sure that was interesting."

"Oh it was."

…o0o…

In the morning George and he meet up with Hermione in the common room. There was awkward silence for a second where everyone was waiting for someone else to speak up. Fred realized Hermione might not have been expecting George to come along. Had anyone ever even introduced them? Adopting his most charming smile he intoned, "George Weasley of the Ancient House of Weasley, allow me to introduce you to Hermione Granger. Miss. Granger is an indebtee of the House Weasley having saved the life of Fred Weasley and been instrumental in the rescue of Ginevra Weasley from the Baskilisk of Hogwarts."

"Uh Fred? We've met already." Hermione said uncertainly.

George shook his head, "Muggleborns."

Hermione frowned furiously, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Fred jumped in quickly, "What George means is formal introductions are different than casual introductions. Especially in the wizarding world. Acknowledging a formal introduction means you agree to the terms in which it was given. In this case, George understands that I owe you a life-debt and the House owes you for helping to save Ginny."

Hermione blushed, "Oh, sorry."

"No problem," George shrugged and held out his hand. When Hermione held out her own, George turned it over and gently placed a kiss on it.

Hermione blushed and Fred got a sinking feeling in his stomach. Would it be wrong if he warned Hermione to stay away from George? He loved his twin, but he treated women deplorably. Hermione deserved better than that.

Shaking her head, Hermione asked, "Shall we go then?"

"Go where exactly?" George asked.

Hermione determinedly led them out the portal, "The Hospital wing."

George looked to him, "Didn't you just leave there?"

Fred chuckled, "Apparently it's the best place to try dangerous experiments."

"That's actually kind of brilliant."

Hermione smiled, "Thank you."

George rubbed his chin, "Do you think we could convince Pomfs to let me brew there too?"

"What?" Hermione screeched.

"I can see it now. There's never anymore than four students in the wing, so I could petition the school to get rid of the majority of the beds and replace them with potions benches. I could try all kinds of ingredient combinations. If the hospital wing blew up I would be in perfect position to get healed!" George recited exuberantly.

"Are you listing to this, Fred?" Hermione waved her arms in exasperation.

Fred chuckled. He knew George would never brew in such an unstable environment. He was always saying the key to any good Potion experimentation was a place of uninterrupted calm. Fred knew that the Hospital wing was anything but. Not to mention the germs that might contaminate the Potions. George was just pulling Hermione's leg. "How exactly is that any different from what we are doing?"

"It just is!"

Looking at each other, Fred and George each looped an arm around Hermione, "If you-"

"Say so."

"I do."

Approaching the bottom of the grand stairwell Fred spotted Luna in a periwinkle halter dress, his cloak, and some red high heals. At least she was dressed, but it didn't look like he would be getting his best cloak back anytime soon. Luna looked dreamily at them, "I thought the Wrackspurts would be gathering here this morning."

George asked, "Pardon?"

"No clue," Fred shrugged.

"She thinks were doing something stupid," Hermione answered warily. "Look, Luna, we're going to have Madame Pomfrey there the whole time. And Fred's going to stop the moment something goes wrong."

Something was going to go wrong? That was news to him.

Luna tapped her feet, "So no more Dabberblimps!"

"Exactly," Hermione nodded.

Luna reached out, "Lets go then!"

As Hermione and Luna skipped off to the Hospital wing Fred couldn't help but think girls were strange creatures.

George turned to him, "You sure about this?"

"Yeah," he nodded assertively. Then to put it in terms George would understand, "I think i stirred when I should have let it simmer."

"Well that was stupid. Even first years know the key to a good Potion is to watch the ingredients and wait for them to turn," George commented helpfully.

"Why I never knew that. Do you think I could get a first year course on Spellcrafting?"

"No."

Fred pouted, "Why not?"

"Because it would be dangerous. Not to mention everyone but you would fall asleep."

"I suppose you're right."

When the group entered the Hospital wing, Pomfrey immediately rounded on them. "If Mr. Weasley's arm is falling off, the House Elves are attacking, or Merlin has sent you a secret message the flo is open to Mongos. Otherwise out!"

She really could joke.

"Madam Pomfrey," Hermione began sweetly, "We were hoping you would observe while Fred attempted to cast a spell. That way if anything went wrong you would be available."

Pomfrey narrowed her eyes, "This wouldn't happen to be the same spell he cast to loose an arm?"

So much for pulling the wool over her eyes.

Hermione gestured her arms grandly, "Isn't Hogwarts a learning institution? What better way to do that than to figure out where we went wrong with a spell? Fred is certain he understands where he miscast it and we are here because we want to do it in the safest way possible."

Pomfrey adjusted her skirt and sighed, "Alright." Fred and George whooped.

It took Fred a few seconds to realize everyone was looking at him. He reached into one of his expanded cloak pockets and pulled out his Blood Grimoire. "Okay then."

Pomfrey gasped, "Is that a Blood Grimoire? Nobody said anything about Spellcrafting!"

Luna turned luminescent eyes to the school matron, "Please?"

"Very well, but the instant I say stop that means stop!"

Holding the Grimoire in his left arm, Fred lifted his wand with the right. Pointing towards the unoccupied area of the wing Fred took a few deep breaths. Taking a second to listen to the magic around him, he focused on his wand. Fourteen inches in length - Larch and Kneazle whisker - it gave off a noticeable vibration to his sense as it was casting spells. He couldn't believe he didn't take the time to listen to it last time as he was casting. Arm- Swish, the magic gathered in the wand like an impeding storm. A- A twist of the wand, the magic strengthened in vibrancy. Fred took a brief pause. Sui- A jab, the magic settled on the end of the end of his wand.

When a minute passed no effect George piped up, "Well that's a dud."

"No, it's still on my wand."

Hermione bit her lip, "Well now what?"

"You cancel the spell!" Pomfrey demanded.

Fred sighed dejectedly and turned to do just that when Luna's hand darted out and grabbed the tip of his wand.

"Luna!"

"Miss. Lovegood! Give me your hand this instant!" Pomfrey demanded.

Luna slowly passed the palm of her hand to Pomfrey. As she did, Fred got a glimpse of her skin. On it was a patch of what could only be described as scales. Luna smiled secretly, "They really like touching your skin. It kind of tickles."

Pomfrey tried to finite the spell to no effect. She then did a thorough diagnosis of Luna's hand. "Well, I see no harm. But that doesn't mean nothing will happen. I would like to keep you overnight, Miss. Lovegood."

"Oh, Goody! I can look for Moon Frogs from here," Luna laughed.

Hermione spoke up, "Can we see if it works?"

"If what works, Miss. Granger?"

"The spell. Can we experiment on it?"

"I think a successful casting is more than enough for today. Experimentation can wait."

Luna tilted her hand into the sunlight, "I don't mind."

Pomfrey sighed upwards, "By the Goddess, alright. But no more spells. Call me if anything looks off!"

As Pomfrey left for her office, Fred shook his head. Who know all you needed to convince people of devious plots was a couple of girls? Perhaps they would work on Snape. Maybe they should bring Hermione and Luna in on their pranks.

Hermione squealed, "Let me see. Fred, come look!"

They all crowded around Luna's hand. The scales had a greenish tinge and when Fred touched them they didn't give at all.

George asked, "Now what?"

"Well," Fred reasoned, "I made it to be a shield spell. Perhaps we should test its durability." Taking out his penknife he held it up to show Luna. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all. This is almost like having friends!"

Because friends usually tried to cut you. Not that Fred really knew. Hermione was always encouraging him to study and cast potentially deadly spells. Taking the penknife Fred pressed it against Luna's palm. And pressed. Harder. Harder. There went his penknife.

Hermione gasped, "Marvelous! Anyone have anything sharper?"

Fred groaned. Did she have to ask that around George? George chuckled and pulled out not one but three sets of Potions tools. By the time he was done an entire bed was full of all manner of knives and picks. "Pick your poison," George said with flourish.

Luna clapped, "The shiny one!"

29 sharp objects later. They had been through small knives, long knives. Silver knives, brass knives, and even a gold one. When even George's sharpest knife failed Fred was ready to call it quits.

"Well that's that," said Hermione.

George rubbed his hands together, "What do you mean? That just means it's time to get serious." Reaching over to the pouch George whispered a password and pulled out a blade, "My pride. Silver, 10 inches, infused with Runespore venom. She'll cut through any bone like butter."

"Shiny."

"Is that safe?"

George shrugged, "They keep antidotes in the hospital wing."

Before Fred could state his objection George pressed the knife into Luna's willing palm. And people said he was the reckless one. Fortunately, the knife did nothing. George grumbled, "I was so sure that would work."

"You wanted it to work?" Hermione complained loudly.

Luna laughed, "I don't think Fred's spell would like that."

George sighed in exasperation, "I suppose. But it's not very effective, is it? Not like an enemy is going to be nice enough to aim for a shield the size of a Snitch."

"Is there any way to make it work over a larger area?" Hermione asked.

Fred frowned, "I don't know. That took up a lot of magic as was. Perhaps if I reduced some more of the variables?"

"If a Potion doesn't come out right, I just re-brew it," George shrugged.

"Couldn't hurt."

Saying goodbye to Luna, the group made their way out of the hospital wing. Hermione turned to Fred enthusiastically and hugged him, "Congratulations! I'm so glad you managed to cast the spell!"

"So am I," Fred patted her.

"And nothing went wrong," Hermione concluded.

George winked at him, "Except Fred seems to be having all the fun."

Fred went to respond when the wind was knocked out of him from behind. Falling to the ground he landed on top of something very soft. Fred's body quickly took note of the very feminine form beneath him. Blushing he stammered out, "Sorry."

"Fred!" George's frantic shout cut through his embarrassment. Quickly standing Fred found George at wand point with the Hogwarts Grimm. The massive beast was standing in-between him and his twin.

Not wanting to provoke the Grimm, Fred tried to think of a way to scare it off. Taking out his wand Fred shoot off a quick color changing charm. The Grimm's hair instantly changed Wesley red. Fred was surprised at the spell's effectiveness.

When the Grimm turned towards him Fred realized that might not have been the smartest idea. The Grimm let out one loud bark and began to bounce back and forth excitedly.

Hermione laughed, "You know, I actually think this is an improvement." Then she actually walked up to the Grimm and began to pet him!

"Get away from-"

"Him Granger!"

"Oh, seriously. He's just a big puppy," Hermione chastised. Then she cast a shower spell on him. The Grimm's tongue lolled out to the side happily.

"Don't you know what-"

"That is?"

Hermione scratched the animals ears, "It's a Grimm. Isn't he sweet?"

Fred explained patiently, "Hermione, Grimm's kill people."

"That's the problem with the wizarding world. You always believe what everybody else tells you. Believe somebody will die, so you try and find someone that does." Hermione bit her lip, "I bet you nobody will actually die from this Grimm in the next week."

George grinned, "What do we get if we win?"

"George!"

"I'll buy you a gold cauldron."

"Done."

Now he knew how Perce felt.

Fred was thankful the Grimm didn't stick around very much longer. Although why Hermione saw anything in that mangy mutt was a mystery to him. The trio quickly made their way down to lunch with George excitedly detailing a long list of acidic Potions they could try on Luna's hand. "-If that doesn't work there is always the Dragons Breath. It uses the diced heart of a Venus fly trap and I read somewhere if you brew it correctly it will eat through stone."

Hermione nodded contritely, "I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will approve that once we do some animal testing."

George stopped short, "You're not seriously considering including her again?"

"Of course," Hermione demanded, "It's the only logical conclusion."

"Fred, you have to tell her Wesley's don't work under teacher rule! It stifles our creativity."

Fred shook his head bemusedly as they continued up the stairs into the Great Hall, glad that Hermione and George were getting along. Perhaps they could start hanging out together and plan grand pranks on Snape and McGonagall. Surely he could convince Hermione as to the validity of that. Then again, it would probably have to wait until next year when he didn't have to cram for the OWL's. Bummer.

Once they had all took their seats Hermione turned to him, "What do you think Fred?"

"Pardon?"

George snorted, "Off with the Fae."

"We were discussing weather Hogwarts' students would learn more without teachers. George seams to think that if we just had the library and open labs with required study time the students would be more creative." Hermione explained.

No teachers? Well they were a bit of a waste of time. "I think-"

The great hall doors opened with a resounding clang. Fred turned towards them to be shocked at the unusual sight of 12 armored Goblins. They were decked out in full golden war garb, caring swords and axes, each coming no higher than his chest.

Professor Dumbledore quickly stood, "Brother Goblins, how may we help you today?"

The shortest Goblin stepped forth and spoke nasally, "We have received word there is a being most fowl in Hogwarts. A Thief."

"I have heard of no such thing," replied the Headmaster. Fred had to give him credit for looking so nonchalant up there. The Goblins hated thieves and were legally allowed to search any property they thought one was on.

The Goblin spat towards Dumbledore, "Perhaps you should watch your charges more carefully then?" Nodding towards his companions they didn't even hesitate but made a straight line for the Ravenclaw table. To Cho Chang.

Fred was unsure weather to feel guilt or not as he watched the goblins restrain Chang. One grabbed her purse and began counting out the coin. He had turned her in, but he hadn't made her steal, right? Right?

Chang began screaming something horrible until McGonagall silenced her.

"Fred?" Hermione nudged his shoulder, "What's going on?"

Fred swallowed past the bile in his mouth, "Chang stole some money and the Goblins are collecting it up."

"Then what?"

George spoke up, "Then she has to surrender her wand and become a ward of the Goblins."

"Like an indentured servant?"

Fred shook his head, "No. She's their slave." It's how Flitwick had been born. When they got tired of her they would kill her.

"Why doesn't Dumbledore do anything? It's barbaric! That's-"

"Silence!" Fred demanded. "It's the law. You will not be changing it unless you want to start a war with the Goblins, you hear?" Hermione was a great friend but sometimes she could just be so ignorant.

The short Goblin stood on the Ravenclaw table and announced jovially, "The Thief has stollen Gold from the house of Lovegood without proper transaction protocol!" A majority of the great hall booed. Some of the Slytherins were even throwing food at Chang. Steeling from another Pureblood house - no matter how odd the child - was bad form. Everyone knew the Goblins could tell when and how money changed hand; if it was without the owners consent you were a Thief. Fred rubbed his eyebrow unsure how Chang could have been so stupid.

Dumbledore took Chang's wand and held it up for everyone in the Great Hall to see, "Let it be known that from henceforth Cho Chang is no longer a witch!" With that he briskly broke the wand in two.

Her new Masters briskly dragged the weeping Chang out of the hall. She was as good as dead.

Hermione was crying beside him for a girl just four weeks ago she was complaining about being a bully. Fred dizzily stared at his lunch plate while most of the Great Hall continued on. Chang would be gossip for a few days but never anything more. She would never graduate Hogwarts, have children, or become the next Quidditch star. He turned to Hermione, "You're right."

"What?" she sniffled.

Fred gestured to the Great Hall doors, "What just happened is wrong. Just because we can't change it now doesn't mean that it can't happen someday."

"You can't be serious," protested George.

"Of course," Fred nodded solemnly, "You don't recon there's a fine for putting dungbombs in Gringotts?"

George grinned, "When in doubt-"

"Stick to the-"

"Classics."

Hermione giggled. Classic.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates! The doctors wanted me to try a new medicine. (Didn't work) Ick!

Also, I received a guest review that said:

"That didn't make any sense"

Since I can't reply to guest reviews, I'm assuming you are confused about why Fred has ginger hair... I'm sorry to say he was born with it - it is beyond my capabilities as a FanFic author to change. :)

Seriously, as a guest reviewer I can't respond to you, so give me a little more to work with! I hope this chapter answered some of your questions Mr. Guest.

Happy April 1st to our favorite twins! Bwhaha! R&R Pretty Please?