Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Treats and Tricks

A tidy room was the last thing on Fred and George's minds. Not when they were both focused on one singular goal that over compassed everything else. Most of their clothes had found their way to rest in a pile in a corner of their room. Something that made sense when you peaked inside their wardrobe and dresser. Drawers were filled with fake wands and samples of sweets with funny side effects. Their wardrobe was being used to keep potion ingredients, a cauldron, and other such supplies out of sight. On their desk were sheets and sheets of parchment ranging from; drawings of product designs and a brand logo, lists, order forms, and a menu of prices. Sometimes, it was hard to believe these two were only sixteen.

Sitting criss-cross on Fred's bed, I examined a colored sketch of a big orange W; feeling a vague sensation of déjà vu. "Hey, Holls", Fred said as he looked up from where he and George were trying to organize some of this mess. Apparently, one of the sheets of Parchment that had their fever fudge recipe on it had gone missing and they needed to double-check it before crafting another batch.

Fred waited for me to look at them before holding out a rainbow-colored square. "Want to try one of our toffees?"

"We made them with you in mind", George added.

Both of my brothers were smiling broadly like they were offering me a gesture of goodwill. But I didn't miss how they were eagerly leaning toward me or the excitement behind their eyes. Frowning, I set the parchment down. "How thick do you think I am?"

They let their façade fall as Fred retracted his offering. "Please Jolly Holly. We need to see if they work", Fred kept trying even though it was clear to all of us that it wasn't going to happen.

"Can't sell any until we know they do", George said as he returned to the search for the fever fudge recipe.

Picking up the mock-up of their future logo once more, I used it to place a sort of barrier between us; making it clear I wouldn't be swayed. "Because of me, you know the fever fudge, the puking pastilles, and the nosebleed nougat work". And hadn't that been a trip? Across the days we'd tested those products, Charlie kept turning up at the worst times. Once, when I was running to the bathroom with a bloodstained handkerchief pressed against my nose. Again, when he found me lying in the garden red-faced, sweaty and shivering as Fred and George sat around me taking notes. And lastly, when he was heading downstairs and heard retching coming from Fred and George's room. Concerned, he'd looked in only to find me hurling into a bucket as Fred and George clapped themselves on their backs to celebrate their success. Now, whenever I was in the same room as Charlie, he'd eye me like he was waiting for me to spontaneously combust. "It's someone else's turn. Get Ron to do it".

"No", Fred disagreed; sounding a bit sad. "Ron's become smarter".

"Not as easy to manipulate. He won't just eat whatever you put in front of him, these days", George explained. But then he paused and had a second thought. "Well, anything we put in front of him".

"It's a shame, really", Fred continued. "We blame Granger".

"She's been too good of an influence on our little brother".

"Got him thinking and asking questions. We couldn't even trick him into trying one of our new ideas".

"Speaking of which", George said as he paused in his search to look at me. "Holls, have you ever wondered what it'd be like to have feathers?"

And there was a thought that needed to be nipped in the bud. "So, you made a logo for your store", I said; changing the subject. "Have you come up with a name yet?"

Fred and George glanced at each other to share a shrug before they accepted the new topic. "We have a few ideas. Weasley's Joke shop", Fred started to list.

"Weasley Wisecracks".

"Hoodwinks and Witticisms".

'The Wonder Weasleys", Fred said; making me shudder. Merlin, they needed to let that one die. "But then it occurred to us-"

"That you already know what we'll name our shop", George finished.

Two pairs of eyes sent pointed looks in my direction. "And rob you two of the joy of coming up with it yourselves? I'm offended you'd think I could be so cruel".

Leaving their mess on the floor, Fred and George moved until they were also sitting on Fred's bed; sandwiching me between them; forcing me to adjust so we could fit comfortably on the twin bed. "No, Jolly Holly", Fred argued as George took the drawing of their future logo from my hands. "Cruel is skipping out on our plan to start a business together".

"You mean your plan", I countered unbothered. After our OWLS, I told them about how my career advice meeting had gone with Lupin and Sirius. Once they had finished laughing at the story of how I'd overshared with our heads of house and probably stressed them out, Fred and George stated that as long as I knew what I wanted, they wouldn't stop me… mostly. But that didn't mean they weren't above trying to get me as invested in the joke shop idea as they were.

"What a blow it had been", George lamented. "The future we had envisioned-"

"The three of us making people laugh for a modest price. Inventing new and hilarious things-"

"Contributing to the greater good of comedy-"

"Gone", they said together; making it sound like I'd just ripped their first-born child out of their arms.

"So, the least you can do is help us with the name", Fred made his case; bumping my shoulder with his.

"Before you become an old stuffy academic and we lose Jolly Holly forever", George said, really making a go for my heartstrings.

Scoffing, I got ready to tell my fellow triplets exactly what I thought about the odds of me becoming that type of professor. Honestly, if I did become a teacher, I was more likely to pass out coupons for their products than anything else. However, we were interrupted. "Fred! George! Holly!" Mum yelled from the kitchen.

"Ron did it!" The three of us yelled reflexively without any forethought. Waiting for a response back, we passed questioning glances between us; trying to see if anyone knew what Mum was yelling about. The last mischief we were guilty of was hiding Percy's new tie pin in a bowl of pudding. But Mum had already yelled at us for that, so this time was a complete mystery.

From somewhere else in the house, Ron yelled back, "I didn't do anything!" From the sound of it, it doesn't sound like he's in his bedroom. Ron wouldn't have been able to hear us accusing him of anything if he was. Although, maybe he hadn't become as smart as Fred had claimed. When presented with the chance, us triplets always blame Ron. We've been doing it since he was born. And not once has Mum believed us. So, Ron really should know better by now.

"Four letters have just arrived", Mum called back; ignoring our nonsense altogether. More looks passed between us. Mum wouldn't bother breaking the in-doors voice rule she never enforced for just any old post. "They're from the ministry!"

That had us up and moving. Scrambling off Fred's bed and hopping over the mess on the floor, it was a race to the door. I made it first. Then, it was a hurried dash down the stairs, following one after the other. Having not committed any crimes that the ministry was aware of (Fred and George have always taken the underage wizardry rule as more of a guideline), there was only one thing the ministry could want with the likes of us.

From the stairs, it was only one step to the kitchen. Mum stood by the sink with the window above it wide open. In her hands were four letters. I reached her first and Mum handed over the one addressed to me. It wasn't a very thick letter. A little heavier than a feather, if I had to describe it. It was too light; considering the doors this letter's content could open or close.

Having been on my heels, Fred and George reached over my shoulders to claim their letters. I guess the fourth one must be Percy's NEWT results. Unlike me, Fred and George had no problem tearing into the envelopes right away. "Well? Go on, Holly?" Mum prompted. Somehow matching my anxiousness and Fred and George's excitement.

It took two deep breaths before I steeled my nerves enough to break the wax seal. Somehow, I managed to access the parchment inside at the same time as my fellow triplets. Despite their head start.

Ordinary Wizarding Level Results

Student: Holly Agatha Weasley

Date of Exam Period: May 1994

Blah, blah, blah… something about the department of magical education...

Ancient Ruins ...E

Arithmancy...A

Astronomy... P

Charms ...O

Defense Against the Dar Arts... E

Herbology ...D

History of Magic... E

Potions... O

Transfiguration ...E

"Well?" Mum asked after giving us enough time to read. She was wringing her hands together in anticipation.

"Excellent", said George. I could hear the grin in his voice.

"Fred", Mum asked; already sounding over the moon.

"Just what we wanted", Fred assured her.

Mum breathed and some tension in her shoulders vanished. "Holly?" She moved on.

Exhaling through my nose, I nodded; slowly tearing my eyes from the parchment. "I didn't need to worry", I admitted before quickly looking back at my marks. As if they were subject to change at any moment.

"Let me see", Mum demanded; holding out her hand for my results.

I hesitated, glancing back at Fred and George. We had discussed this; coming up with a plan on how to disappoint Mum with as little fanfare as possible. But we never did decide if seeing my OWLs would be better before or after theirs. It could reduce Mum's overall reaction, like water in wine. Or it could be like burn salve; soothing after an upset.

Mum made the decision for us; snatching the parchment from me before Fred or George could offer her theirs. As Mum read, she placed a gentle hand on her chin. "Seven OWLs", she reported; absolutely satisfied. "Just like Charlie. And you got two outstandings. In charms. And in Potions, nonetheless".

"Yeah", I commented; rubbing the back of my head in mild embarrassment. But mostly because I knew what level of hellfire Mum was about to unleash on Fred and George. Knowing that it didn't feel right to be proud or relieved. "I bet Snape will be surprised to see me in his classroom next year".

Her mood pleasant, Mum chuckled as Fred and George handed her their results. But it was short-lived. Viewing George's results caused the proud-mama closed-lip smile to slip off her face. Eyebrows furrowed; her movements were rough as she switched the letters so Fred's results were on top. Mum pursed her lips and her face started to heat up. Nervous hands, one from each Fred and George, grabbed me by my shoulders and situated me until they could equally stand behind me. Of course, there being two of them and one of me, and our differences in height meant I wasn't the best choice of things they could hide behind.

Like a kettle overboiling, Mum's arms gestured wildly; flapping Fred and George's letters in the air. "Three!", she raged. "You only passed three OWLs. Each of you."

"Technically, we got six OWLs", George said; ignoring that the smart thing to do was to remain silent. "If you string us together. Which most people do".

"Thirteen OWLs in total", Fred added. "If you include Holly. Which you should. Since we're triplets".

Like any parent worth their salt, Mum wasn't swayed by that argument. With a furious shake of her head that made her hair look more frazzled than normal, Mum smacked the letters she was holding with the side of her hand. "Only three OWLs", she repeated. "What can you two hope to accomplish with only passing three subjects?"

"Quite a lot, actually", George started to say. "We-"

But Mum wasn't having it. "You're only eligible to take three classes for your NEWTs now. I hope you know".

"We know, Mum", Fred broke in without sounding even the least bit contrite. Something Mum picked up on if her squaring shoulders were anything to go off. "We both want to take defense and Charms next year, so we made sure to pass those exams. I want to take herbology, and he wants to take transfiguration. So we each passed the subject we needed to".

To anyone thinking, this was clearly the wrong thing to tell Mum. "George Fabian Weasley, are you telling me, you failed on purpose?" Mum asked, her voice dangerously low.

Responding to the atmosphere, I coughed into my hand to elevate some of the attention off my fellow triplets. "Actually, Mum. That's Fred", I corrected.

Earning myself a heated stare as Mum focused her eyes on me. I was nearly struck silent as she dared me to interject myself again. Which… was a bit unfair considering how I was standing between them.

"No, we didn't fail the exams on purpose", George swore as Fred slipped a small oval into my hand without Mum noticing. "Fred and I knew what classes we wanted so those are the ones we studied for".

Angrily Mum shook her hands in our direction. "That is the same thing as you very well know, Fred Weasley!"

"Actually, Mum", I spoke softly. "He's George". Mum didn't mix up Fred and George very often. As their mother, she hated getting them confused; worried that it would hurt them somehow. But as enraged as she was at this moment, she didn't seem that concerned if they were hurt by her confusion.

With one finger raised, Mum's attention returned to me. "Holly Weasley!" She warned pointing the raised finger at me to make it clear how awful things could become if I interrupted again. Immediately after, her focus shifted back to my fellow triplets. "I don't know what will happen to you two if you keep going as you have-"

"Hey Mum", George jumped in. "Holly got seven OWLs. Impressive right? Maybe we should talk about that?" But Mum wasn't anywhere near ready to take the bait.

"You are creating a world of trouble for yourselves if you don't straighten up", Mum kept going. Turning my head to the side and using my hair as a curtain, I slipped the little oval Fred gave me into my mouth; biting off one end. My nose wrinkled at the taste before I turned to face Mum once more. A pastille. I thought we'd agreed a nougat would suffice. "Where did I go wrong?" Mum asked; throwing her hands up in the air.

One of my hands traveled up to cover my mouth as I used the other to hold my stomach. "Mum", I forced out; gagging.

"Fred and George Weasley, you better know what lengths your father and I go to make sure you have a quality education. And is this how you'll re-"

"Mum, I don't feel well", I mumbled again as a feeling of nausea became all-consuming.

But Mum didn't hear me as she kept talking. "Wait until I tell your father about this. We'll see what he has to-"

Not being able to hold it in any longer, I pushed past Mum so I could get to the sink; successfully cutting her off. It was a matter of seconds before my body quaked, my stomach heaved, and something acidic shot up my throat and spilled into the sink.

"Oh!" Mum said as she caved to her maternal instinct. Joining me by the sink, I felt one of her hands start to rub circles between my shoulder blades as she used her other hand to pull my hair out of the line of fire. Just in time too. As not even five seconds later another bout hit the sink. "Do not think we're finished discussing this", Mum said over her shoulder to Fred and George. I listened to Fred and George's retreating footsteps as Mum gave me her full attention. "Alright, Holly. Let's get you sorted", Mum said. It's amazing how fast her tone of voice could go from furious to soothing. Although, I suppose it's a good skill for a mother of eight to have. "Have you eaten anything strange recently?"

It took some deep breaths before I could find the words. "Nothing I haven't eaten before", I managed to get out between pants; already counting the seconds until Mum's back was turned and I could eat the antidote.

Augusta Longbottom was a force to be reckoned with. Austere would be the word I'd pick if I had to choose one. Flooing into her parlor was like entering a fine arts museum and realizing you were underdressed. The floor was a cold polished stone. The furnishings were from a different era. But their upkeep made them look like they had just been purchased new; from the curtains tied back with tassels to antique vases that didn't have a speck of dust on them. And amongst all these things was our hostess.

Having flooed first, Percy, Ginny, and Ron were already talking to her as I stepped over the hearth. Although Percy was inquiring about her health, the old witch's eyes still managed to stare me down as I approached; making me overly conscious about any soot I may have tracked in.

"I'm the picture of health, Mr. Weasley", Lady Longbottom said as I got closer. "Old and frail are not synonyms". Before Percy could stammer an apology, her eyes swung to me. "The eldest Weasley girl", she observed as the sounds of the fireplace flaring up happened in the background. Not knowing if I was expected to respond, I chose silence and allowed Lady Longbottom to scrutinize me at her leisure.

Despite it being summer, the old woman was dressed in thick woolen fabrics. How was she not dying? I asked myself. But after spending a few seconds under her inspection, I found myself wishing I'd dressed warmer too.

"My grandson tells me you were voted to be the Youth of the United Party's next president", she said as Fred and George joined the group; taking up spots behind me. From her face, it was impossible to tell what Lady Longbottom thought about that. And unfortunately, she didn't offer any more words on the subject, so the world will never know. "The garden is through there", she directed; nodding to an archway behind her. "Neville is already entertaining our other guests. And do say goodbye before you leave".

"Umm. Yes, of course. Thank you", Percy said as he accepted the dismissal.

Ginny led the way to the garden and we all fell into step behind her. "This is where Neville lives?" Ron mumbled as soon as we were out of the parlor. "It smells like Great Aunt Muriel's house".

"Don't be rude, Ron", Percy rebuked as we found a door leading to the outside.

Spying tables decorated with and laden with different foodstuffs, we figured we were in the right place. The grass was neatly trimmed with flower beds aligning the edge. There were only a few trees, but each one had paper lanterns hanging from its branches. Even though it was daytime and there was no need for additional lighting.

"I see Hestia and Flora", Ginny said to excuse herself before walking hurriedly over to a stone bench to join her friends.

Splattered throughout the garden were different clusters of people. Cedric was getting his ear chewed off by Hermione near the center of the lawn with Harry standing next to them looking bored. They must have come here together. Harry and Hermione, that is. Not wanting to exclude any of our muggleborn club members, there had been a lot of letters over this summer to find someone's parent or guardian who was willing to pick them up magically for the event. Sirius had brought Hermione. The Macmillans agreed to help Finch-Fletchley to get to and from the party. Collin Creevy wasn't here. But that had something to do with a caravan holiday he didn't want to miss.

"Sandwiches", Ron said as he turned towards one of the food tables; not paying us a second glance.

"Ron", Percy called after him to no effect. "At least say hello to Neville first". But Ron already had two sandwiches in his hands.

Speaking of Neville, he was standing on the opposite end of the garden next to an all-glass structure filled with different plants, both magical and mundane, that would make Professor Sprout jealous. He was talking animatedly to Davis and Bulstrode as Neville was only capable of when the topic was herbology. The two girls were leaning towards Neville, commenting once in a while to keep the boy talking. In the brief time I spent watching them, it didn't seem to occur to Neville at all that it wasn't the plants they were interested in.

"Ah, Marcus and Lord Flint have already arrived", Percy shared after his eyes found who he was hoping to see. Straightening his robes and adjusting his glasses, Percy made his way over to the two. They weren't hard to find. As the oldest person currently in the garden, Flint Sr. stood out.

"What's he doing here?" I asked aloud once Percy was out of hearing range; already shaking hands with his boss. Even though Percy saw the man five days a week. "I thought this was just for YUP".

Fred shrugged as he took in the same sight I was; Percy overly enthused in his conversation (probably discussing something work related. It was the only thing he wanted to talk about these days), Marcus looked too indulgent to live up to the reputation he built in school, and Lord Flint seemed to take Percy's investment in their conversation as some sort of personal accomplishment… At least Percy could be counted to keep the Flints occupied. "Maybe he's going to try to indoctrinate us early".

"For the greater good of UP, of course", George continued.

"There's a quota to be filled".

"He'll need as much support he can get to force the 'social reform' he promised", George said with air quotes around social reform. Of course, social reform was a part of Lord Flint's master plan. I think he's only willing to be on our side because he wanted a social climate where Marcus could live as he pleased. But George's use of the words was more of a way to mention the army we needed to build (just in case) in an unostentatious way.

"Speaking of which", Fred said as I turned my attention to my fellow triplets. "It's time for you to go to work".

"What?" I asked with a wrinkled nose.

"Mingle. Shake some hands. Thank people for coming", George listed. "That kind of stuff. It's in the job description, right? As YUP's president".

"You're trying to get rid of me", I realized.

"Never", Fred and George assured me at the same time. Funny that I don't believe them.

"We just want you to be the best club president you can be", Fred said.

"Even if that means we get less time with you", George continued.

"It's a sacrifice we just have to bear", Fred said solemnly as he placed a hand over his heart. "You belong to the people now".

"Uh-huh", I intoned; completely unmoved. "And after I mingle with the masses, as you put it if I want to sample the dessert table…" I trailed off as a way to signal that I wasn't fooled. While we've become more independent of each other this last year, we were still the Weasley triplets. We'd always be able to read each other.

George squinted his eyes and gave me a small shake of his head. "I wouldn't recommend it".