Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Summer's End
After Charlie's departure, the rest of the summer passed in a whirlwind. Within that span of time, Percy revised his homework an abundant amount of times. Ron flew around on Bill's old broom as much as Mum would allow. Ginny complained to anyone who'd listen about how unfair it was that she wasn't allowed to go to Hogwarts. While Fred, George, and I secluded ourselves in the boys' bedroom.
We had many conversations pertaining to the ever-daunting future. The majority of them revolved around the specific topic; what the bloody hell are we supposed to do about Scabbers? "I say we just kill him". Fred said. "In rat form, it shouldn't be that hard". Committing homicide is what all three of us reverted to when we became frustrated and still couldn't come to a decision.
"We can't kill him," said George.
"If we did, Sirius Black would never get the chance to be proven innocent". I finished for George.
"Not to mention we'd be murders" Fred concluded. And there lies the major problem. Do we kill one person to prevent a war? Or do we stick to our moral code? Fred crossed his arms from where he is sitting on the floor of his and George's room. His right cheek is puffed out to suggest extreme contemplation. "I just don't like that a death eater is sleeping in our little brother's room". The day after Percy got Hermes, he gifted Ron the old rat. And since then, Pettigrew had been living in Ron's room.
"Me neither," George and I said at the same time. George was standing with his back up against the door to prevent it from opening. It's his turn to stand guard. It wouldn't do for anyone to barge in and realize that we are plotting the demise of a supposed family pet. We may not be able to kill Pettigrew, but we were definitely disposing of Scabbers…. somehow.
"What did Scabbers do?" George asked. "I mean, in the future, what will he do?"
I blew hair out of my face as I lay stomach-down on Fred's bed. What does Wormtail do after the third book? "Umm," I said as I collected my thoughts. "After he escapes in Ron's third year he'll go to Albania and find the left-overs of you-know-who. He'll take the left-overs back to the UK. And at the end of Ron's fourth year, he'll use Harry's blood, a stolen bone from a grave, and his hand to return you-know-who to a fully-abled body form". I said, pondering over that shortlist. Does he do anything else?
"His hand?" Fred asked, seeking clarity.
"Yup," I said, popping the P. "He cuts off his own hand to revive you-know-who".
"Blimey", George commented, his face turning a bit green. But he composed himself quickly enough. "What if" George started to say, throwing out another idea. "We cut off Scabbers' front paws and then expose him to Dumbledore at the start of term? That way Black will have a chance to be set free and if Scabbers does escape he won't have any hands to sacrifice. He won't even be able to use a wand".
I roll the idea around in my head. It's not a bad idea. It would kill two birds with one stone; prevent or at least stall the return of the dark lord, and prove Sirius Black innocent. Of course, that plan involved the three of us mutilating someone. I wiggle a hand between my stomach and Fred's mattress, palm up. I touched one of the places Jessie was stabbed. Could I go through with that? Could I hurt someone? Disfigure them after knowing what it's like? I'm not sure I would be willing to let Fred and George do it either.
Fred shook his head before I did. "No. We wouldn't be able to explain how we know Scabbers was actually a man".
"But we should do something". I said, trying to keep the wheels turning. We'll board the Hogwarts express tomorrow. And who knows if we'd be able to plan like this at school.
George nodded. "I've been sleeping with one eye open since Jolly Holly told us about the rodent. To think that someone who killed twelve muggles is living in Arthur Weasley's house". George tucked his chin down as if the thought added extra weight to his head. "Dad would have a fit if he knew". We took a moment of silence to deal with the serious feeling of the situation. "And I thought having a ghoul in our attic was bad enough".
"Merlin, Holls", Fred broke in, as if a thought had just occurred to him. "Scabbers has been living with our families for about ten years. We were three when Percy found him. And you've known all this time!" Fred gave me an incredulous look. "How have you not gone batty?"
Still lying stomach down on Fred's bed, I picked up my head to look at him. It's a valid question. When we were three, I was in a state of oscillating between panic, boredom, and elation. On one hand, there was a mass murderer living in my older brother's room. On the other hand, I was a three-year-old who knew more than she should. Pettigrew moving in was one of the most terrifying things to happen in my new life, but at least it was exciting. Overall, however; I was elated. What self-respecting Harry Potter fan wouldn't be if they got a second chance at life and got to spend said life with the Weasleys?
"Hang on," said George as he shot me an accusing look. "We were three. Wasn't that the age when you'd throw a fit every time Mum would make you sleep in your own bed?" Well, crap. I didn't think he'd remember that.
"Yeah", Fred recalled. Damn, they have good memories. "And you would only calm down when Dad caved and let you sleep in their bed with them".
Both of them stared me down; wanting an explanation. "At the time," I said very slowly. I don't think there's a way to phrase this any differently. "Mum and Dad were the only ones who had wands".
The looks on their faces, a mix between wide-eyed betrayal and furrowed brow fear, clearly expressed how unimpressed they were. I supposed I'd feel the same way if I was in their shoes. "You left us alone with a murderer in the house". Fred restated.
I smacked my lips together and looked back and forth between my brothers with shifty eyes. Yeah, I can't blame them. That does sound really bad. "I was three" was my retort.
"So were we!" Fred threw back. "And you weren't really three. You had twenty-five more years of life experience than we had".
I mean, Fred does have a point. But I can't let him know that. "No", I argued. "Jessie had twenty-five years of life experience. Me, as in Holly, was very much a three-year-old". Silence filled the room as the three of us sorted out our feelings. It can't be easy learning that your sister knew there was a killer in the house and didn't do anything about it. But taking it from my perspective, no one would have believed me if I just started saying out of the blue that Scabbers was actually a wizard who killed twelve people and framed Sirius Black in the process. There would have been no logical explanation about how I even knew who Sirius Black was at that age.
The silence ended when George started to snicker. And he wouldn't explain why he was laughing until both Fred and I were staring at him with questions. "You told Dad that you were scared to sleep alone because there was a monster in Percy's room that was going to hurt you". All I could do was shrug in response as Fred looked at me with mild disbelief. The best liars tell the truth.
In the end, we came up with a plan that would probably keep us occupied for the entire school year. Using Hogwarts' numerous resources, AKA the library, we will search for a way to publicly expose Pettigrew to Hogwarts staff. That way we'd have very little to explain and there'd be no denying that Scabbers is actually a wizard. With our end goal being; Scabbers does not come home with us for another summer.
But on the side, we'd also have to monitor the golden trio. As disturbing as it is to keep a murderer as a pet, it is equally disturbing to know that our defense against the dark arts teacher would be hosting you-know-who in his body. We're going to have to spend whole classes stuck in the same room as him. We'd need to keep an eye out for any trolls in the dungeon. We'd need to spy on Hagrid to know exactly when Norbert, or rather Norberta, would hatch. If we can, we should keep the first years out of the forbidden forest. Harry will require extra attention in the hopes that we'd know when his scar started to hurt. And Fred and George will have to be diligent about quidditch practice so they'd be in fit form to help Harry when Quirrell jinxes his broomstick. Ultimately, based on how things play out, we have to decide what we should do about the third-floor corridor. Do we let events carry out as they're supposed to? As J.K. Rowling intended? Do we go with the golden trio? Do we prevent Ron and Hermione from going, and instead the three of us go to support Harry? Because Harry does have to be the one to defeat Quirrell. Knowing what I do, I might be able to get the stone out of the mirror. But only Harry has the required touch, if you will, to end Quirrell. Other than that, it'll just be another year at Hogwarts.
With six kids, at least four trolleys, five trunks, and one caged owl, traversing through muggle King's Cross station was one of the most stressful days of the year for Molly Weasley. "Every year, packed with muggles of course," she said rather loudly as she led the way to platforms nine and ten. Ginny walked beside her with Mum firmly holding her hand. She'd been pouting all morning. Whatever plan she had concocted that she thought would get Mum to allow her to go to Hogwarts hadn't worked. It must be hard to be the youngest in a family this big. Ginny will be the only Weasley child at home for the next nine months. That will be hard after having at least Ron to always play with. It's a bit funny to think out of all eight of us only two will have any idea what it is like to be an only child; Bill and Ginny. But Ginny doesn't have it all bad. She'll get to go to Romania this year for Christmas.
Percy walked behind Mum and Ginny, but ahead of the rest of us. He is the most excited about going back to school. I don't recall exactly when Percy gets a girlfriend, but I think Penelope Clearwater might have something to do with his eagerness. He pushed his trolley with Hermes proudly on display in his cage on top of his trunk and his prefect badge gleaned from where it was pinned over his muggle street clothes. No doubt he will have a lot to show Clearwater. I wish him luck in his endeavors.
After Percy, I followed shoulder to shoulder with Fred and George. Between the three of us, we only have two trolleys. Fred has both of his and my trunk stacked on his trolley. While George managed his own trunk, with all our carry-bags rested on top. When we arrived at the station, we could only find four free trolleys. So, Fred, George, and I got lumped together like we always did. I don't mind. Let the boys do the heavy lifting. Not having to push anything gave me the opportunity to be on the lookout for one scrawny, shaggy black-haired youth. "Platform nine and three quarters this way," Mum said, urging us on. We always seemed to move just a little too slow for her. It was when Mum said this that I spotted a very confused-looking boy standing off in the distance in clothes that were a couple of sizes too big. With him was a trolley; carrying a brand-new trunk and a snowy white owl. With my elbows, I nudged Fred and George in turn. Adding A subtle tilt of my head, I pointed my fellow triplets in the right direction. A second later Fred and George nodded. Target acquired. We have to be careful not to be too obvious. Not with Ron walking behind us. Though he hadn't been the most observant person this morning. He looked a bit too pale for my liking. Though, that's probably our fault. Over breakfast, Fred and George told him that in order to get sorted he had to face a troll. And I didn't correct them. But it's fine. He'll be fine. It's just a little hazing between siblings. Completely harmless.
In the books… or was it the movie? Harry followed us once he heard Mum mention the platform. I used the corner of my eyes to see if that was true; becoming as pleased as punch when I saw the nervous boy trailing us.
That's good. Once at platforms nine and ten, Mum stopped and stepped to the side; taking Ginny with her. "Percy you first" Mum ordered. She sounded just a tad less frizzled now that we are almost at our destination. I wondered what Mum does when we are off at school. I mean, I remember what it was like when we'd see Bill, Charlie, and Percy off. Mum always cried. But that was when she'd still have a full house, even with her three oldest gone. But when us triplets started school, I kind of imagined Mum going home, sending the younger ones off to do some reading, and popping open a bottle of sherry and putting her feet up. Now, Mum really doesn't seem to be the type to do that. But if I was a mother of eight who finally got a quiet moment to myself, I'd be drinking.
Percy didn't hesitate as he took the barrier between nine and ten at a run. Clearwater is on the other side, I suspect. In a blink of an eye, Percy disappeared. I had to fight the urge to look over my shoulder to see if Mr. Potter had the same startled look that he had in the movie. The fact that this is real life is something that I have to keep reminding myself. Mum nodded her head in approval before turning to the next of us. "Fred, you next," she said with a wave of her free hand.
"He's not Fred," George said.
"I'm George," Fred chimed in a beat after George had talked. Both had put on their best acting hats and were trying to sound offended. "Honestly woman, and you call yourself our mother."
Mum nodded her head at them in understanding. She hated it when she got Fred and George mixed up. But at the moment, she was more concerned about getting us all on the train than hurt feelings. "Sorry, George dear". Mum placated as the mentioned brother, who is actually Fred, lined himself up with the trolley to make for the barrier.
Once he was all set, Fred looked up at Mum. "Only joking,'' he said. "I am Fred". And he took off before Mum could say anything. George quickly followed suit and ran without being prompted. In a moment, both of them have disappeared.
Mum stamped her foot at the two but otherwise waved off their little jest. They've been pulling that one on her ever since they realized that they looked the same. "Holly," she said, turning to me. "Off you pop". I take the barrier at a slower pace than the others. If memory served this is when Harry should be approaching Mum for help.
And just before I pass through, I hear a new voice call out, "Excuse me". Aw, I won't get to hear Ginny say her first two words to her future husband.
Fred, George, and I don't stay behind to meet Harry Potter. As third-year students, we are old hats at claiming a compartment for ourselves. And that took precedence over everything else. Even Harry Potter. Not to worry though. We'd meet him soon enough. Abandoning the trolleys, I helped Fred and George haul our trunks onto the train. From there we each claim our own trunk and walk single file down the aisle; dragging the trunks behind us. Fred in the lead, me in the middle, and George as the caboose. Though only two compartments in, Fred spied Lee Jordan. We need not worry about claiming a compartment after all. Jordan had beaten us to it.
"Lee" Fred greeted after he slung open the compartment door. Fred entered first and made short work of swinging his trunk up into the overhead rack. It's all those beater's muscles that allow him and George to do it so easily.
"Weasley, Weasley, and Weasley," Lee said to each of us in turn as we filed in. He was sitting by the window with a suspicious brown cardboard box on his lap. He was too calm. Too composed. Usually, when we first see each other after a school break, he is bouncing around like a terrier puppy. Something in the back of my mind told me that I was not going to like whatever was in his box. But for the life of me, I couldn't remember what it was. Fred helped me place my trunk next to his as George does the same on the opposite rack. Only, he placed his trunk next to Lee's. Maybe I should find Pucey and sit with him on this train ride. It might be worth the extra teasing if I can avoid whatever is in that box.
"You okay holding the compartment, Lee?" George asked once all our things were settled. "Mum will want to say bye before we leave".
Lee nodded in an easy-going manner. "No problem. I can wait here". What is in that box? "Just don't make me wait too long. I got a gift for Jolly Holly". His lips twitched as if he was fighting a smile as he gestured his head to the box on his lap. He was taking such care to not move it. With narrowed eyes, I decided that I don't want to know what is in that box. Percy. There's always Percy. I can hide behind him on this train ride. He wouldn't let some boy hand me a suspicious box. Even if it is Fred and George's best friend. But he'd be at his prefects' meeting for the first half of this trip. Bloody hell.
In reverse order, George led us out of the compartment. And here was step one of the plan. Well, not really. Considering that this part also happened in the book. We didn't go immediately to the platform to say goodbye to Ginny and Mum. Instead, we searched for the chosen one. Fred and George need to help him with his trunk after all.
We found Harry in a compartment all by his lonesome. He had the compartment window open, where he could hear all the heartfelt goodbyes between parents and offspring. This boy really liked to torture himself, didn't he? He was standing up with his arms over his head as he tried to keep his trunk from falling off the rack and onto his noggin. His thin little arms were shaking with all his efforts. George and Fred stepped in at once while I stood in the doorframe. I had told them that they would meet Harry on the train and under exactly what circumstances. But nevertheless, I was proud to be their sister when they helped without any hesitation.
Once the trunk was safely stowed away, Fred and George turned to the eleven-year-old. "Nice to meet you, first-year" Fred started. "I'm Fred," he said, reaching across to grab Harry's right hand.
"I'm George," George said as he copied Fred, except he grabbed Harry's left hand. An act that forced Harry to cross his arms at his elbows. Fred and George shook his hands in a rigorous fashion. Causing Harry's bangs to bounds and his glasses to go askew. The poor boy was too polite to tell these two gits to quit it. "And this is Holly," George said, nodding over his shoulder in my direction once they were done shaking hands.
Play it cool, Holly. I tell myself as I give the boy who lived a lazy little half-wave. It wouldn't do to let him know that I know who he was before he even gave us his name. But this is more difficult than I imagined it to be. It was hard to keep still and calm. I mean, there's a literary hero standing right in front of me! "We're triplets," Fred and George said at the same time. As if it wasn't already obvious.
With his hands freed, Harry straightened his glasses. He seemed almost bewildered by the onslaught that is Fred and George. But with time he'll get used to it. "Er… Hi," he said after a moment. "I'm Harry Potter".
"Blimey," George said.
"He really is," Fred finished as both boys peered inquisitively at Harry's forehead; acting as if they hadn't known it from the start. "Well, if you need anything Mr. Potter, come find us. We know the school better than anyone".
"And we'd be happy to help", George started where Fred left off. "We won't even charge you for it". Once George finished the three of us backed out of the compartment, each giving Harry one more wave.
"Did that go okay?" Fred asked me as we walked away, heading for the platform to give Mum and Ginny our goodbyes.
"Yeah", I said quietly as a couple of fifth years squeezed past us. "That was pretty much how I remembered it from the books". Although Fred and George didn't offer to help him straight out like that on the train. But considering what we were planning on doing this year, Fred and George thought it would be a good idea to do so.
"I don't know," George said as the three of us stepped out onto the platform. We immediately found Mum and Ginny due to all the red hair. "Wasn't it kind of odd that Holly just stood there and didn't say anything?" George asked as we made our way over. Looked like Mum was just finishing with Percy.
I shrugged. "I usually don't say a whole lot". For me, that was completely in character. "You two combined talk enough that I don't have to".
"Aw," Fred swung an arm over my shoulders and gave me a shake once we were only a few feet away from Mum and Ginny. "Don't worry, Holls. We will break you out of your shell. You won't be shy forever". I rolled my eyes. Shy, as if.
At the sight of us, Mum let Percy go. He scampered off with one last hug for Ginny. Probably to find the prefects' car. Mum started with me. Pulling me into a hug and out from under Fred's arm, before doing the same for George and then Fred. "Now," she said, as Ginny and Ron stood in the background as spectators. "You three," she spoke very sternly. with one hand on her hip as she uses her other hand to point at each of us in turn. "Behave this year. I don't want a single owl telling me that you've blown up a toilet, or-"
I cut her off. "Blown up a toilet? That's disgusting. We've never blown up a toilet."
But before Mum can even look a little relieved Fred took charge. "Great idea though. Thanks, Mum". Fred said, smiling widely at the Weasley Matriarch. I shook my head. We are not blowing up a toilet.
"Yeah" George chimed in. "Hey Ginny, do you want us to send you a Hogwarts toilet seat?" George asked, making it sound like the world's greatest Christmas gift. But I refuse. I absolutely refuse. We will not be blowing up a germy, disgusting toilet.
Ginny giggled at their antics. At least that is better than the pouting face she has been displaying all morning. "It isn't funny!" Mum reprimanded as she chose to just ignore Fred and George. She pulled Ron into a hug; making the boy blush. "You'll look after Ron," she said, giving us another direction.
Fred and George smirked at each other. "Don't worry. Ickle Ronniekins will be safe with us" Fred said in a baby voice as Ron turned a dark shade of red.
"Shut up," he complained. The four of us all get one last hug from Mum and Ginny before the train whistle sounded.
"On you go," Mum said; placing one last kiss on top of Ron's forehead as we boarded the train. The train door magically shuts behind us. So, it is safe for us to stand there as the train pulls out of the station. We all wave to Mum and Ginny. The latter chased after the train. She doesn't stop until she runs out of platform to run on. We don't stop waving until we can no longer see them. And a new year at Hogwarts has officially started.
"Well," George said, as he pulled me and Fred away from the closed door. "We're going to sit with Lee Jordan," he said to Ron.
"He has something to show Holly," Fred said; eyes flashing with mirth. Oh, merlin. I had forgotten about that stupid box. Maybe I should run.
Though, as if reading my mind, Fred and George each grabbed one of my hands. There really is no escaping these two. "So, have fun Ron". They said in sync. "We'll see you later."
"After the sorting"
"If you survive the troll".
Ron gulped nervously. "Can't I sit with you lot?" He asked.
"Sorry, Ron," I said. It is vital. At least in my opinion, that he makes friends with Harry on this trip. It is simply a friendship that was meant to be.
"But you have to be at least this tall," Fred said, waving his free hand horizontally over the top of my head. Fred and George may be identical, but as I am a girl, I am not. One of our physical differences is height. Fred and George are at least two inches taller than I am. "To ride with us". Fred led the way; tugging on my hand to get me to follow.
I get the feeling that I am going to be held captive for this train ride. I sighed. Or at least until I look into Lee Jordan's box. But I resisted long enough to inform Ron of something rather important.
"There's a boy about your age sitting by himself three compartments down. Why don't you go ask if you can sit with him" I said, as Fred finally managed to get me moving. George followed after me, seeing as we were all holding hands. There's nothing wrong with giving Ron a little push in the right direction.