Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Family Reunions
After a socially uncomfortable carriage ride up to the castle, Adrian and I parted ways in the entrance hall. Adrian wanted to walk me up to the seventh floor because of all the time we spent apart and how unsatisfactory our reunification at Hogsmeade had been. Seriously, one hug under the supervision of two adults was all we had been allowed. In the carriage, an opportunity that usually allowed for close contact was blocked by Flitwick's not-fooled eyes. He very much knew what we wanted to do and what he was preventing.
So, when Adrian mentioned walking me up, Flitwick was fast to assure him that I didn't need such assistance before I could offer my own opinion on the matter. And proceeded to stand in the entrance hall with Lord Flint looming over him to watch Adrian and I say goodbye and head to our respective staircases. I mean, Merlin Professor Flitwick! Give a girl a break.
Before I made it up the first flight of stairs, I heard Flint Sr. remind Flitwick of the business he was here to conduct business with Dumbledore. And the annoyance I was feeling towards my charms professor was replaced by suspicion for my lawyer. Why was Flint Senior here anyway?
Another problem revealed itself when I reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Password?" She asked, her voice clear as bells.
Wanting nothing more than to change into my favorite pair of pajamas and camp out in the common room until Fred and George made an appearance, I absentmindedly answered, "Wattlebird". And I waited. and waited. The Fat Lady blinked. I blinked and still, nothing happened. When my mind caught up with current happenings, I sighed heavily. "They've changed the password since I've been away, haven't they?"
The question was rhetorical but the Fat Lady decided to grace me with an answer anyway. "Yes, dear girl".
Fantastic. Time passed with the Fat Lady and I staring at each other. I have no idea what the portrait was thinking, but I was busy running through possible solutions. Do I wait here for a fellow Gryffindor to come back? Or do I go traipsing through the castle looking for a Gryffindor or teacher who could help me? Unhappy with either of those options, I asked, "What are the chances of you letting me in without a password?"
"That would defeat the purpose of having one in the first place". The Fat Lady answered a bit stiffly. Really takes her job seriously, this one.
"Right". The word fell slowly from my lips. I looked over my shoulder as if I willed it hard enough a Gryffindor would appear that very moment. When that didn't work, I turned back. "Could you let someone in the common room know I'm here?"
"If I did that, who would watch the door?" Was the Fat Lady's response.
Well… Bollocks. Resigning myself to an indeterminable length of a wait, I sat down on the floor; my back resting against a wall. To be so close to my bed but unable to access it was just cruel.
I'm not sure how much time passed as I sat on the floor. I spent most of it eavesdropping on the portraits as they gossiped amongst themselves. Apparently, some painting by the name of Bertha was making the rounds. I was contemplating my chances of successfully blasting the portrait open, when I heard, "Holly? Why are you here?"
Standing just a couple of feet away was Ron in all his freckled glory. Hermione and Harry were standing on either side of him. But compared to each other, there was no contest about who I was most eager to see. I was on my feet before I noticed and closed the distance between my younger brother and me with a few steps. "Thank Merlin", I declared; pulling him in for a bone-crushing hug. I don't know how long I've been stuck out here. Just that it was too long.
For once, Ron didn't reject the contact or act like he didn't enjoy displays of sibling affection. Instead, he tentatively wrapped his arms around my lower back. Still short enough that it would be uncomfortable for him to return my hug at a higher point. "What are you doing here?" He asked again after a moment. Ron tried to break away but I refused to let go. If Harry and Hermione were looking like they were embarrassed about intruding on a private moment that was their problem.
"I don't know the new password". I answered; resting my cheek against the top of Ron's head and gripping his school robes with my hands. My little brother smelled like grass and pubescent boy. It was tempting to tell him that he needed a shower, but I should wait until he lets me into the tower.
"He means what are you doing at Hogwarts?" Hermione supplied as Ron tried to squirm out of my hold a second time.
In any other circumstances, that question would have been funny. Yes, why would a student be at school? Unfortunately, there's nothing funny about why I had an unexpected long-term absence. "You didn't know I was coming back? I thought Mum would have written". Meaning I thought Mum would have told Percy and Percy would have informed everyone in the merry band of Weasleys. I mean, really? How did Adrian know I was coming back and not my siblings?
"No one told me", Ron said as he tried to twist out of my grip again. This time with more energy than before. "No one ever tells me anything". Well… I can't refute that. Ron is one of the youngest after all.
"It's good to see you again", Harry added shyly as his best friend continued to be imprisoned in my arms. And to think that this time next year, I won't be strong enough to hold Ron like this because he would have undoubtedly outgrown me.
"You too, Harry", I said genuinely, smiling at the boy. "Even if you did tell Adrian about my diary".
"Are you going to let go of me?" Ron mumbled into my shoulder. Momentarily giving up his struggle.
"No", I answered; fighting a grin. Merlin, how I missed this.
"Why not?" Ron demanded to know.
"Because I love you too much". I could practically feel the heat radiating off Ron as he was most likely blushing. Harry looked away, suddenly finding my sisterly affection too embarrassing to witness while Hermione made some sort of choking sound from the other side of Ron.
That was when Ron officially reached the end of his wand. "Get off me!" He ordered; shrugging me off his shoulders and pushing me with his hands. He didn't use as much force as he was capable of. But I decided to take the hint. Letting my brother go, I turned to Hermione to allow Ron to collect himself. "So, what's the password?"
Addressing not only me, but the Fat Lady, Hermione announced, "Phoenix Tail".
"Huh". I said as I watched the portrait swing open. "We have a bit of an avian theme going on this year, don't we?"
"So", Ron started slowly; now that we were sitting around the fireplace in the common room and he was no longer concerned I was going to force more hugs on him. "You're alright? You're not…" He trailed off. Unsure about how to phrase his question.
Not to worry. Hermione was happy to finish what he started. "We read about the trial in the Daily Prophet. About Lockhart pleading insanity. That's good, right? Now he won't go to prison for being possessed".
I guess that means the press hasn't reported anything about Lockhart stealing his accomplishments if Hermione still has sympathy for him. I tried to formulate a response. Not terribly sure if I should reveal any new information. Also, I didn't really want to jump down another rabbit hole after just climbing out of one.
"Who cares about him?" Ron broke in before I had to force out an answer. Ignoring the scowl his female friend was sending in his direction, my little brother turned his attention back to me. "He's not going to break out and try to kill you again, right?" Aw, Ron does care.
"He didn't try to kill me the first time". I think… maybe… No, he wasn't trying to kill. He still believed me to be a Horcrux after all. "But I'm fine. I promise. I'll be able to walk away from this". At least, I hope. Feeling a sudden urge to close my eyes, I yawned. It was a big yawn. Big enough that I stretched my mouth open as wide as it could go. But I couldn't turn in yet. Not until I was back with Fred and George. "So, what's been happening since I left?"
I wasn't sure what I was expecting, because it wasn't like the golden trio would know anything more about the chamber of secrets than I did. Especially because I knew Fred, George, and I were in full agreement to keep our siblings as far away from this as we possibly could. Hence the letter they made Ron write. But what I was expecting sure wasn't Hermione bouncing in her seat excitedly proclaiming, "We started a club called SPEW".
That had me arching an eyebrow. Really? Compared to cannon, we were two years away from Hermione becoming an advocate for social justice. And yet she had ended up using the same name for her organization. I was finding that to be both impressive and a bit scary. I mean, did the choices we make even matter? Would things always end up on a path some creator out in the universe invented? Did we even have free will? Before I could give myself a philosophical headache, I offered my two cents to spare myself from thoughts that were too deep for my noggin to handle. "What do you do in this club? Throw up?"
Hermione's face became downcast. "Why does everyone keep saying that?" She muttered to herself.
Frequently the peacemaker, Harry shared, "We help house-elves. But so far it's just been Dobby".
I nodded my understanding in Harry's direction. But I was a bit surprised. None of that sounded like Ron's cup of tea.
"SPEW stands for", Hermione started; having quickly recovered from her unplanned bout of depression. "The Society of the Promotion of Elfish Welfare. Our mission is to end house-elf enslavement". She said with as much self-righteousness that a second-year is capable of mustering.
"That's a mouthful", I commented. Ron agreed with me as we shared an eye roll. "Why not just call it… ELF?"
Hermione bristled a little. Seemingly not liking the critique. "ELF doesn't stand for anything". She sniffed; nose pointed upwards.
…. I should be the bigger person here. Especially since I'm older. But, it's just too easy. "Elvish Liberation Foundation", I suggested. Talking in a slow voice.
For some reason, Ron beamed at me. Proud that I bested the know-it-all of his year. Don't get used to it, Ron. As soon as Hermione finished puberty and her brain developed a bit more, she'd run laps around me.
Hermione, on the other hand, looked a bit put out, while Harry fidgeted uncomfortably next to her. Probably because he wanted to support his friend but recognized my name was better. Or at least, that's how I'm reading this scene.
"Well, Fred, George, and Adrian joined SPEW. They like the name just fine", Hermione threw into my face. Though, I doubted the truth of that last bit.
But I think it had the opposite effect than what she was hoping for. "My Adrian?" I asked. Which was a silly question. As far as I know, we only know one Adrian.
After three confirming nods from each of the second-years, I ducked my head as I started laughing. Neither my fellow triplets nor Adrian had said anything in their letters about joining a club. Not that I blamed them. Adrian especially. I wouldn't want to advertise that I was a member of a club with a name like SPEW. "How did you manage that?" I asked as my laughter morphed into humorous snorting. An action that appeared to offend Hermione further. Merlin, I needed a good laugh.
"Fred and George agreed when they knew Dobby was going to show up. And Sirius signed Adrian up", Harry answered, smiling to match my amusement. "He's the club advisor… Sirius, I mean". I could see that happening. Poor Adrian. Between me capitalizing off his baby pictures and Sirius picking on him at school, he was probably running out of patience. Harry went on to share, "It was during a SPEW meeting when Dobby tried to destroy the diary".
"It didn't work", Ron mournfully informed me. Probably unaware I had already been informed.
But that wasn't the part that concerned me. "Wait, was Sirius there when you tried to destroy the diary?" I got three confirming head nods. "So, he knows about the diary?"
"Adrian told him after Harry told Adrian", Ron explained.
Groaning, I leaned back and rubbed a hand over my face. Great. Just great. Why were we so bad at keeping secrets? It wasn't like the concept of secret-keeping was a difficult one.
"Adrian really wanted to meet Dobby and to learn about how he can help with the diary", Hermione said, getting us back on topic.
And then I wasn't thinking about poor Adrian anymore. Thinking back to the letter he'd sent me. He had told me Dobby tried and failed to destroy the diary. He had told me he was actively involved now. But it made me wonder. Had watching Dobby try to destroy the diary make him think about the locket? Had he made the connection between the diary and the locket?
Before I could ask the golden trio about exactly what Adrian had asked Dobby, my attention was pulled away by the portrait door opening.
Hair out of place, hands stained black with dirt, and smudges all over their faces told me the detention they had been serving must have been with Filch.
I popped out of my seat fast enough that it startled the three second-years. Angling my body towards them, I threw my arms out. "Fred! George!" I called; instantly drawing everyone's attention. Not that I cared at that particular moment.
Immediately, the three of us locked eyes. Copying my stance, my fellow triplets held their arms out open. "Holly!" They cried in sync. And then we were moving. Tuned out from anything that wasn't each other. I nearly barreled over Longbottom in the process of getting to them".
But any apology I'd have to give later was worth it when I was standing in the middle of a Weasley sandwich. One of my arms was over each of their shoulders and I had my head resting in the gap created at the point of their left and right shoulders touching.
They each had an arm wrapped under my shoulder blades and were giving me no wiggle room. At the moment, I didn't mind. The time I spent out of school was the longest any of us have ever been separated. Safe to say, none of us were prepared to let go anytime soon.
"About time", Fred said; voice muffled by my hair. "There was no one here to manage Filch with us".
"Lee tried", George said. "But he isn't as good at comedic timing as you are, and your boyfriend is an absolute pest. Can't take a joke at all, that one".
I heard the sound of the portrait opening for a second time. Followed by a disgruntled voice complaining, "George, Fred, you can't just stop in front of the door. You're blocking the way".
Pulling apart without ever breaking contact, Fred and George stepped to my sides; revealing me like one uncovers a window after opening shutters. This way, the three of us could address the disgruntled person as a unified group. "Percy!" We cheered in sync before we all pounced, forcing our older brother to join us in our Weasley sandwich. Percy was so flustered that he wasn't able to refuse us until it was too late.
My last family reunion happened the next morning. And I was well-rested for it. After Percy managed to untangle himself from us, me and my fellow triplets retired for the night in their dorm room where I got my first night of uninterrupted sleep in a long time.
Feeling more centered than I had since I left Hogwarts, dressed in my uniform, I walked up to the Slytherin table. The redhead sitting amongst them was easy to spot. Making their listening more bearable as it wasn't a challenge to ignore them when I had someone to focus on. "Hi Gin", I greeted; coming up behind her from where she was sitting between Hestia and Flora. Very similar to how Fred, George, and I sit at Gryffindor table. Twisting around, Ginny snapped her head back to look up at me. She did it so fast I was worried she'd give herself whiplash. Her eyes glistened as the corners of her lips pulled her expression into an open-mouthed smile. I blinked and then she was on her feet, standing in front of me. Briefly, I caught a glimpse of the little sister that used to follow me around like a duckling and hung onto my every word. I opened myself up; ready for a hug. But instead, I got a very polite, "I'm happy you're back". Lowering my arms to my sides, I now saw Ginny standing before me with a refined posture and her hands firmly held in front of her. Right. Ginny had learned a lot about keeping up appearances this year.
"How have you been?" I asked, shrugging off Ginny's change in personality. It was enough that she was happy to see me.
Before Ginny could answer me, a presence appeared at my elbow. Causing me to jump out of my skin. "Merlin", I complained. "Someone needs to get you a bell".
Ignoring my quip, Adrian took my arm. "If you're going to socialize with us this morning at least have the decency to sit down first", he said as he led me around the table so we could sit across from the first-years. I rolled my eyes but allowed it. I hadn't really expected to make an appearance at Slytherin table without Adrian being involved. Although, over at Gryffindor table Fred and George weren't looking too pleased. At least the diary wasn't a subject up for discussion as long as we were surrounded by others.
Once we were all seated, Ginny answered, "I've been fine. Haven't you been getting my letters?"
"I did", I answered as I watched Adrian ladle scrambled eggs on both of the plates sitting in front of us. I guess I'm eating here now. "Thanks for those. It was boring being home with just Mum and Dad". My words were directed at Ginny, but my focus was on Adrian. "I don't like grapefruit", I informed him as he reached to place half of the fruit on my plate.
That piece of information didn't stop him and soon there was a very sour and bitter fruit sitting next to my eggs. "Grapefruits are good for you", Adrian said as if there was no question about whether or not I was eating the disgusting fruit.
Giving Adrian a dour look, I commented, "Under your face of masculinity, you're actually a mother hen. Aren't you?"
The pursed-lip frown I got in response made it abundantly clear that Adrian disagreed. "You'll get used to it", Flora piped up; earning her the disapproving eye of her cousin.
"So, how have classes been with Black as a substitute?" I changed the subject before Hestia and Flora decided I would gang up with them against Adrian. Because as fun as that may be, it's not how I wanted to spend my morning. Especially with today being a potions lab day. I needed Adrian to be on the top of his game.
However, no one got the chance to answer before Flint (crooked teeth Flint) was making himself comfortable in the spot on my other side. "Weasley", he greeted. "Isn't this a pleasant surprise".
Maybe it was the way he said it. Or maybe it was because his father's proposal last night was still fresh on my mind. But I responded more sarcastically than I intended. "Isn't it?"
Adrian's hand found my knee under the table and he squeezed. In warning or out of comfort; I'm not sure. Flint grinned at me in response; completely unaffected by my hostility. "Father informed me you turned down his offer. Thanks for that". Well at least there was one thing Flint and I could agree on.
"What offer?" Hestia asked; speaking up for all the curious first-years currently listening.
Adrian shook his head and opened his mouth. No doubt to inform her it wasn't any of her business. Unfortunately, Flint beat him to it. "Oh", he spoke casually. Like one does when discussing the weather. "My father asked if Weasley would like to become the next Lady Flint".
"Ugh", I groaned in complaint; hanging my head to hide my expression of annoyance.
"Lord Flint asked you to marry his son?" Flora questioned. I'm assuming it was directed at me.
I picked my head up in time to see Ginny gawking at me. "I thought you were dating Adrian", she said before anyone could answer Hestia.
"I am", I assured her, glaring at Flint who looked far too pleased with himself. Git.
Turning towards Adrian in an attempt to freeze Flint out, I said, "The next time we decide to eat together, we're sitting at Gryffindor table".
Adrian snorted. "Why? So, your brothers can tamper with my food?"
Okay. I saw his point. I really did. Luckily, it didn't take me long to come up with a compromise. "We'll crash Ravenclaw table".
And then the peanut gallery grew by one. "Did I hear that correctly?" Stimpson asked as she leaned over Ginny and the twins; getting displeased looks from the Carrows. Her eyes swimming with hope washed over me before fixating on Flint. "Marcus, your father wants you to marry Weasley?"
"You mean you were listening in", I muttered ruefully. But I was ignored.
Flint shrugged as if the thought of his father arranging his marriage was a completely ordinary affair. And from his cultural viewpoint, it probably was. "It was suggested", came his three-word response.
Stimpson's attention snapped towards me. "And?" she asked, almost sounding like she was pleading.
"And what?" I asked gruffly.
"Did you accept Lord Flint's offer?" Stimpson pressed. I guess that meant she hadn't overheard our entire conversation.
"No", I said forcefully, in case there were any more eavesdroppers. "I threw the contract he gave me out the window at the first opportunity".
Flint guffawed a laugh as Adrian squeezed my knee again. A reminder, I think; to reign it in a little.
"Weasley", Stimpson started, before pausing to wet her lips. "You should consider the Flints' offer. They're a really good family". I think that might be the most cordial thing she has ever said to me. Why? What was her motive? The answer became clear to me as I glanced over in Adrian's direction, searching for backup. Oh, I know what she's after. And me becoming Mrs. Flint (shudder) would help her get one step closer to her goal.
"I'm going to make this as clear as I possibly can", I said to all the Slytherins who were currently a part of this whole exchange. Facing my boyfriend, I grabbed him by his tie and pulled until he bowed his head. Refusing to give Adrian a chance to pull away, I jammed my lips on top of his and proceeded to suck the air out of him. At first, Adrian was tense. But after a few seconds, I felt him relax and lean farther into it. The hand that was on my knee started to grip it hard enough to leave finger marks.
When we came up for air many, many seconds later, it was to the sight of shocked-to-silence first-years, a snickering Flint, and an emotional Stimpson. It was almost like flicking a switch. Gone was the Stimpson that was full of hope and instead stood a girl who turned on the waterworks. Blubbering, she turned and ran out of the great hall.
Adrian and I watched her go before making eye contact with each other. "You need to stop kissing me when you want to make a point", Adrian ordered in his sternest tone of voice.
I smiled at him in response. "Make me".