The next few days, hanging out at Grimmauld Place was a bit like hanging out at Hermione's homes except everyone did their thing in the same room. Ginny, Harry, and Ron were playing pool, Fred and George were working on prank ideas, Hermione was working on her idea and had been using up a lot of paper. Cedric had been filling out orders or working in his notebooks, but now he was quietly playing guitar scales, as his hands were locking up.
"How's your mood today, Ced?" Ginny asked.
He'd had a horrible meltdown yesterday because Mrs. Weasley threw away his order forms thinking they were Fred and George's. Luckily, Hermione had made copies and stowed them in her trunk, but she was furious Mrs. Weasley would destroy her sons' work.
"Not bad actually," he replied. "I know it varies from moment to moment…"
"It's fine, Harry's been in a pissy mood, too," said Ginny.
"Oi!" Harry scowled. "I think I have a right to be in a bad mood."
"The key is to not take it out on others," said Cedric. "You need healthy releases that do not harm others around you, especially when they are your friends and family. I've found yoga helps, you're welcome to join me and Hermione."
"Yoga, huh?" said Harry.
"Yoga, huh?" repeated Fred. "Next thing you know, you'll be having spa night with the girls."
"It's not gay to practice self-care," said Cedric.
"I didn't say it was."
"You were thinking it." Cedric rolled his eyes. "Why are there so many restrictions on what's masculine and feminine? You can't even give a bloke a hug without it being weird. And anything like baking, fashion, or stuff like that is unmanly unless you can make money off of it."
"Amen," said Hermione. "Ron, come look at this, I can't get these runes right."
Ron stood behind her, leaning against her chair.
"I think you should switch these two lines," he said, pointing to her parchment. "Flows better."
"Thanks," she said, re-writing it out on a new piece of parchment.
"What are you working on?" he asked.
"Are you actually curious or being polite?"
"Curious."
"Project that could revolutionize instant communication between wizards," she looked at Cedric and smiled, "besides walkie-talkies."
"Hey, I'm already working on something beyond walkie-talkies," he said. "It's going to be tubular."
"No."
"Er… aces?"
"There you go."
Cedric huffed a laugh and went back to playing. Soon, he'd be retreating to the ballroom to work on his jukebox. Hermione could tell he was frustrated with it. Anytime he got frustrated, he would step away and do something else for a little bit before returning.
"You've gotten good at playing the guitar, Ced," said Ginny. "Did you write any songs for Hermione?"
Cedric grinned. "I do know a song."
"Oh, bloody hell," Fred and George chorused when he played the opening chords.
"I will never let you let me leave, I promise I'm not lyin'," he sang. "Go ahead ask anybody who would see me tryin' I'm not goin'."
Hermione threw her head back and laughed.
~o0o~
"I did it," said Bill to Hermione when he returned home.
"Did what?"
"I got you an audience with Ragnok," he said. "Two days from now. I know it isn't a lot of time to prepare…"
"You're right," said Hermione. "It isn't, but I'll do what I can. I'll need your help preparing because you know more about their culture having worked for them for so long."
"Yes, of course." He smiled. "This is rather exciting. Working on relations with Magical Beings."
"Isn't it?" she said. "Think of how much better society will be."
The next two nights, they worked on Hermione's platform for goblin rights. It was a good thing, too, because Hermione had no idea about actual goblin culture. But just because it was different than her cultures did not mean it was wrong. She'd just have to adapt and hope that her movement worked.
The night before, she couldn't sleep. She ended up just staring at the wall until she saw Cedric's magical signature pass by. She watched him walk down the stairs until, eventually, he disappeared behind the layers of magic. She pushed back the covers, wrapped up in a dressing gown, and crept downstairs after him. The rest of the house was dead silent making every step feel incredibly loud. Once she reached the door to the ballroom, she walked normally and hummed to notify Cedric of her presence.
He had completely taken over a corner of the room, the walls were plastered with papers and the floor littered with parts. Cedric was sorting through them when he looked up at her.
"Did I wake you?" he asked.
"No," said Hermione. "I was already awake."
She sat down behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle.
"Nightmare?" she asked.
"No," he said. "Just intrusive thoughts."
She hummed and pressed her cheek into his shoulder.
"Tell me about the jukebox," she said in hopes to take his mind off those thoughts.
"Well, I think I'm on the verge of a breakthrough," he said. "You know how wizards are flamboyant?"
"Mmhm."
"So, I was thinking that any old jukebox that only plays records would be boring," he said. "So, I'm building this to be able to play cassettes, records, radio, and these things called compact discs. They've been around for a while but they're becoming more popular. The main thing I'm trying to work out is the laser to play them within the jukebox. The semi-conductor laser is about… mmh … 760 nanometers, which is infrared and a bit more difficult to replicate consistently without the aid of technology. I have to not only get the laser to the right frequency but I have to also make it about 600 nanometers wide, which is not exactly something you can eyeball."
Hermione hummed and studied his findings. She wished she were good at mechanical things so she could help him.
"I'm really close to figuring it out," Cedric assured her. "I've already got the cassette and record parts installed in the jukebox. Once I get this CD thing figured out I can customize it and then patent the adaptation for CD players."
"I know it will be brilliant," said Hermione. "Tell me more."
Though she didn't understand a lot of what he was saying, she liked hearing Cedric talk about things he was passionate about. She sat with him while he bounced ideas off her and watched him work out Arithmancy problems to get the laser right and paired it with transfiguration to shape lenses. They just wouldn't know if it worked until they put it in practice.
"Alright," said Cedric, rubbing his face tiredly. "What test is this?"
Hermione opened one eye and looked down at the paper. She shifted and forced open her other eye so she could actually read it.
"According to your notebook… forty-three."
"Right," he said. "Forty-third times the charm."
Before they could test it, Mr. Weasley entered the room.
"So sorry to interrupt," he said. "Hermione, Bill's just woken up, so you've got an hour to get ready to meet the goblins."
"Alright," said Hermione. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley."
"Do you want me to pick you up when you're done?" Cedric asked, placing his safety goggles over his eyes.
"No, I'm meeting up with the girls afterwards and I plan on putting my motorcycle in my bag," she replied, kissing his cheek. "I don't want to slow you down on your jukebox."
"Alright," he said and pressed his forehead against hers. "Good luck. I believe in you."
Hermione smiled and ran her fingers through his hair before following Mr. Weasley up the stairs so she could get ready.
It didn't take her long to get ready and she dressed in the same outfit she wore to Harry's hearing; after checking that everything was in her accordion style folder, she was ready to go.
"Have you side-along apparated before, Hermione?" Bill asked.
"Yes," she said.
"Okay, good." He held out his arm. As soon as Hermione hooked her hand, they apparated.
Once more, Hermione couldn't breathe and saw nothing but darkness.
"You alright?" Bill asked.
Hermione coughed and cleared her throat.
"I'm fine," she said and looked around the room.
It was a white marble room filled with fireplaces. Other witches and wizards either apparated in or came out of the fireplaces.
"Bill!"
"Fleur!"
Fleur glided over to him and kissed him on the cheek. She turned her attention to Hermione and brightened up.
"Et Hermione!"
Hermione kissed the air by Fleur's cheek in greeting.
"What brings you here?" Fleur asked.
"I'm here as Founder and Chair Head of S.A.M.B.," she replied.
"Ah, very important business, oui?" Fleur smiled at Bill. "Do not forget our lunch date."
"How could I?" he replied.
Fleur waved and went off to work, her hair a waving waterfall.
"I can see things are going well," said Hermione as Bill walked with her to Ragnok's office.
"Yeah," he said dreamily, though not by veela influence.
At 9:30 on the dot, Ragnok's door opened and the wizards he was meeting with filed out. Hermione narrowed her eye at them, not liking the aura they gave off.
"Weasley. Enter."
"Yes, sir."
Hermione followed and remained standing. Goblins were direct and to the point, they preferred eye contact because it meant they had nothing to hide. No sugar coating. Polite yet firm.
"Sit, please," said Ragnok.
Hermione sat and rested her folder on the desk.
"Speak," said Ragnok.
"Ragnok, my name is Herminia Lotulelei-Sanchez y Granger and I am here today to talk to you about the Society for the Advancement of Magical Beings. The point of the society is to create equality and give magical beings inalienable rights." She removed her pad and pen, and gave Ragnok one of her pamphlets. "I know we can't solve society's problems today, but I would like to make a list of grievances you have and formulate a five-year and ten-year plan."
Ragnok took the pamphlet out of her hand and peered down his long nose at it. Hermione sat with her pen poised to take notes.
"And you think you can promise us these things?" he said.
"Promise is a strong word," said Hermione. "I prefer goals. Promises create problems."
Ragnok studied her and nodded once, then his glare hardened.
"If this is to get us on Dumbledore's side…"
"Respectfully interrupting," said Hermione. "This isn't about the War or Voldemort. This is about your rights. True, you have your own society and culture, but you also work so closely alongside wizards that we should be respecting that culture and society without denying you the rights we have in our society."
"So about Magical Beings and wands?"
"We can't share how we make wands anymore than you would want us to know your metal-smithing techniques. I believe that when it comes to carrying wands there may be a new trade. Goblins creating magical items for wizards that can be bought in a shop, Goblins can buy wands and other goods." Hermione scribbled that down. "We can work out the finer details another time when I have a bit more political power."
"Fair," said Ragnok.
Okay, this was going better than expected. They talked a little more about certain laws that restricted Goblins and Hermione provided several solutions that could be expanded upon another time.
"I do have one other concern," said Ragnok. "What makes you think werewolves, house-elves, and Goblins are on the same level?"
"Elaborate, please."
"Werewolves are half-breeds," Ragnok sneered. "House-elves are slaves."
Hermione's eye twitched. He was baiting her.
"This isn't about classism, sir," she said tightly. "This is about those classified as Magical Beings having civil rights denied to them. It's about filling in those denied rights. I suppose in a way it would handle classism and I think—"
"Do you really think I can't see what you're really doing?" Ragnok growled. "You're trying to get us to fight for Dumbledore!"
"You shouldn't have to take a side," Hermione stressed. "However, if it were me, I wouldn't take the side of a fascist."
"I think this meeting is over."
"I suppose it is." Hermione stood up and bowed slightly. "Have a pleasant rest of your day, Ragnok."
She left with Bill, steaming a little over the last couple of minutes.
"That was a disaster," she muttered.
"Don't give up so quickly," said Bill. "You got him to listen for that long."
"I suppose I'll try again when I have more results from my cause," she said. "Thanks for setting up the meeting, Bill. I'll see you tonight or tomorrow or whatever."
"Alright, see you, Hermione."
Hermione ran two errands at the bank before going to the closest loo to change into high-waisted pedal pushers, an orange crop top, and chucks. She released her hair and fluffed it, then put on a pair of sunglasses.
Ready to go, she headed out into the bright streets of Diagon Alley, striding to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Shoppe.
When she entered the shop, she saw Hannah, Padma, and Daphne waiting for her in a back booth.
"Hey," she said, sitting down.
"Whoa!" Padma gasped. "Hermione?"
"Yep," she said, shaka-signing at them.
"Well, you look like you've had an interesting summer," said Daphne.
"Everyone at Hogwarts is going to freak," said Hannah.
Hermione just nodded and perched her sunglasses on top of her head.
"Why did you ask us to meet, Hermione?" Padma asked. She gasped. "Ooh! Did Professor McGonagall tell you that all four of us are prefects and so you're holding a meeting to prepare us?"
"That does sound like something I would do doesn't it?" said Hermione. "I take it you haven't received your letters?"
"Not yet," said Padma. "Baba says it's because they haven't gotten a Defense teacher yet."
"That seems unreasonable," Daphne scoffed. "School starts at the end of the week! Diagon Alley is going to be a mad house!"
Hermione noticed a commotion and saw a flood of witches and wizards take up the street outside.
"I think the letters dropped," she said and looked at the girls. "Ever been to London?"
They shook their heads and she grinned.
"You know… there's a bowling alley/arcade just a twenty minute walk from here. Want to go?"
"Out?" Padma asked. "Into London?"
"Why not?" said Hermione.
"Isn't it dangerous?" Hannah asked.
"We're in the center of London during tourist season," said Hermione. "Don't act like a tourist and you should be fine."
"Well…" said Daphne. "I am rather curious to see what Muggles do for fun."
"If Daphne's doing it then I'll do it," said Hannah.
Hermione looked at Padma questioningly.
"Alright," she said. "Why not? I don't have to be home until dinner anyway."
"Epa," said Hermione clapping her hands. "Come on, we gotta move through the crowds quick. If I have a panic attack here, I won't make it to Namco."
"Agreed," said Daphne.
The four girls joined hands before joining the river of people in Diagon Alley. Hermione led the way, hoping her power walk would be enough to get people to move. She nearly lost Daphne's hand a couple times, but she managed to get them to the exit and through the Leaky Cauldron.
"Oh, Hermione, dear!" came Mrs. Weasley's voice.
She exited the fireplace and swiped her hair out of her face creating a smudge of soot on her nose.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," said Hermione. "I'll be going into London for a few hours. Do you need me to pick up anything from the market?"
"Oh, that's quite alright, dear," said Mrs. Weasley. "Is it quite crowded?"
"Oh, yes," said Hermione. "You'll be there for hours."
Mrs. Weasley sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Of course. Be safe."
Hermione could tell Mrs. Weasley had a lot on her mind because if she were actually focusing on what the young witch was saying, the teens never would have made it out of the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione silently cast Point Me, her forearm spun once before her finger pointed where they needed to go.
"This way," she said.
Despite the warnings, Padma, Hannah, and Daphne twisted and turned their heads trying to take everything in. They even begged Hermione to stop and take their pictures a couple of times like when they were on the Golden Jubilee bridge or when they passed by the London Eye. Hermione always had her camera on her, so she obliged and promised to send copies once they were developed. Honestly, there was a charming history to the city with old and modern architecture painting a picture of transformation.
The day was sweltering but most of the tourists were aiming for places like the Aquarium or the museums. She was certain that very few would take interest in an arcade, bowling alley, and bumper cart place since those were practically everywhere. No, that was where the locals would be.
"What's the London Dungeon?" Daphne asked, staring intrigued at an advertisement.
"It's for tourists," said Hermione. "Actors and rides and whatnot about dark London history like Sweeney Todd, Jack the Ripper, torture chambers, things like that."
"Sounds spooky," said Hannah, grinning. "Maybe we'll sneak a bus out to London one weekend and go there."
"That'd be fun," said Daphne. "Hermione could get us tickets."
"About that…"
"What?"
"I won't be returning to Hogwarts," she said. "Getting attacked by Crouch was the last straw not only for my parents but also for me. I was going to announce it on the last day of school but…"
"Oh," said Hannah. "But… we were hoping to all be prefect pals. Giving tours, handing out detentions, things like that."
"I know," said Hermione. "Honestly, part of me still wants to convince my parents to let me go just one more year and transfer to Castelobruxo after I've taken my O.W.L.s, but I know better. A promise is a promise."
"Well, we'll just enjoy what time we have left together," said Daphne. "You'll be leaving a big hole, Mione."
Hermione was touched. "Thanks, Daph."
They entered Namco's Funscape and a blast of air conditioning was a wonderful welcome.
"Come on," said Hermione, waving them in. She approached one of the counters and got them a lane.
"Is there a wait?" she asked.
"Nope," said the girl working the register. "Lane Twelve is open and yours."
"Thank you," said Hermione.
The bowling alley portion was all yellow with yellow floors, yellow vinyl seats, and yellow walls. Neon lights in the shape of bowling balls and pins decorated the area.
"So, how do we play?" Hannah asked after their names were punched into the machine.
"The goal is to take one of these bowling balls," said Hermione, lugging a faded pink one off the rack. "And knock down all ten of the pins."
Hermione rolled the ball down the aisle and knocked down about half the pins, the others followed her lead. Out of all of them, Daphne was the best bowler, quickly finding a form that worked for her.
Halfway through the game they ordered snacks and drinks from the counter, not thinking about how they were touching balls that were rolling on the ground as they stuffed chips into their mouths. When their time was up, they had three new inside jokes and were riding off an energy high.
"What should we do next?" Padma asked.
~o0o~
"GO! GO! GO!" Daphne cheered as Hermione and Padma shot down monsters.
Hermione had never seen her so excited. Perhaps it was the sugar rush. Coca-Cola had a bit more caffeine than butterbeer. Hannah was absorbed in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game right next to their Area 51 .
"Well, hello ladies," came a familiar voice.
Hermione stiffened and pulled the trigger on the blue plastic gun harder. This happened last time, too. Was she destined to never enjoy arcades? She hadn't really thought of Brenton since that day two years ago.
"Come here often?" Brenton asked, leaning close to Daphne.
Daphne scoffed and moved to stand on the other side of Padma. Unperturbed, he got in Hermione's personal space while his friends stood nearby attempting to look cool in their baggy pants.
"Did it hurt?" Brent asked her. "When you fell from heaven."
Ugh, seriously? Suddenly she gets attractive and he wants to get with her? He probably didn't even recognize her. Prick.
"This conversation hurts worse than when I crawled out of hell," she growled.
Padma and Daphne laughed, which caught Hannah's attention.
"High Score!" the Area 51 game announced.
The screen allowing their initials blipped.
"You put yours in," said Padma.
Hermione grinned and shot out three letters.
A.S.S.
The girls giggled over that.
"Come on," said Hermione. "We've only got a little bit of time left and I want to try and get enough tickets for a prize."
"Sounds great," said Brenton, putting an arm around Hermione. His friends took that as a sign to cozy up to the others.
"She didn't invite you," Daphne snapped, elbowing whats-his-face. Hermione wasn't sure she even went to school with him. Brenton must've had a new set of back-up singers.
"Ooh, fiery aren't we?"
"I'm Brent," he continued. "What's your name?"
"None of your business, Brant."
"It's Brent," he said, looking agitated.
"Brunt?"
"Brent."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Hermione, pushing him off her. "Does it offend you when someone doesn't pronounce your name right?"
Brent furrowed his brow in confusion. "Do I know you?"
"Hermione, who is this guy?" Padma asked.
"The reason I got expelled."
The three girls gasped.
"Granger…" Brent breathed. "So, I guess you weren't such an ugly duckling after all. Guess you might have a chance with me."
"Bold of you to assume that I would lower my standards so far," Hermione replied coolly.
Daphne, Padma, and Hannah laughed.
"Why don't you just piss off?"
"Yeah," Hannah, Daphne, and Padma chimed.
Brent went red in the face. "You're such a spastic bitch!"
"Yeah, maybe I am," she said, reaching into her pocket to tap an S.O.S. message to Cedric on her emergency medallion. "But you are a self-centered, ignorant, pig-headed bigot who rides off of daddy's coattails. Let me guess, you go out partying every night but make your parents think you and your friends are having tea parties and building connections when really all you are is setting your path where you blow your inheritance money on girls and once that runs out you will find yourself alone and pathetic!"
Stars danced across her vision and she found herself lying on the floor, cheek throbbing familiarly. They always went for the left side. Her ears rang from the blow and she couldn't see a thing except for blue spots and stars over silhouettes of feet. Someone helped her up and brought her to a chair. Cold plastic settled over her eye, and though she remained light-headed, her hearing cleared.
"Miss? Can you hear me Miss?"
"Hermione, are you okay?" Padma asked.
"No, I'm not," said Hermione. "I can't believe I'm almost sixteen and I still have to deal with that hijo de puta!"
"Hannah and Daphne sure gave him hell," she said. "I think he'll be digging varnish chips out of his face for a week."
"Miss," said the first voice. "I am so terribly sorry you went through this here. I would like to offer you a full refund for your bowling. Namco's does not endorse this type of behavior and your friends already explained that that hooligan has hurt you before. We called the proper authorities."
Who used hooligan anymore?
"Daddy's little boy is going to get off scot-free," she spat. "It happened before! I'd like to see him sit and squirm in a holding cell, but I want to go home! Right now!"
"We can take you home," said Daphne. "Where do you live?"
"I'll take her home."
"Cedric," Hermione sighed with relief.
He took her hand and kissed it.
"I'll get you home," he said. "Fred and George will take Daphne, Padma, and Hannah home while we talk to the authorities."
"They're here, too?"
"Of course," said Cedric. "While I'm sure I could fight Brent with one arm, I wasn't so sure about his one-dimensional, unnamed, background characters."
Hermione hummed and tried to see where he was but her eye was too swollen and she didn't want to take her eyepatch off.
They waited until the police came and Hermione could give her report. Brenton protested and when his blaming fell on deaf ears, he resulted to insulting Hermione further. So, she did the only thing she knew how to do in this type of situation: Bawl her eyes out and clutch onto Cedric.
"All right," said Cedric. "He's gone."
Hermione immediately stopped crying but she still sniffled and hiccoughed. Cedric collected the refund from the manager.
"And here are a few vouchers for free bowling and laser tag," said the manager. "Again, I am terribly sorry you had to experience this with us."
"Thank you," said Cedric, speaking for her. "I'll go ahead and take her home."
Hermione held onto Cedric's arm tightly and took small steps, afraid to trip.
"Is Mrs. Weasley back from shopping yet?" she asked.
"No," said Cedric. "I imagine Diagon Alley is crazy, stupid crowded. I don't think she'll be home until dinner."
"Want to make her life easier and order in Chinese with my refund?" Hermione asked.
"You order and I pick it up?"
"Works for me."
"Hang on tight and think of Grimmauld Place."
Hermione hated apparition. She felt like she was wrapped up in a plastic bag and shot through space.
"We're here," said Cedric. "Let me help you sit."
Hermione took off her eyepatch and looked up at Cedric. Well, his energy signature.
"That eye looks bad," he said. "I'll get you some more ice and maybe Mrs. Weasley has a potion that will help with that."
"Okay."
Hermione looked around the house. Ron and Harry were in their room, Ginny was in the kitchen, a house-elf was skulking about the attic. Something odd caught her attention in the parlor above. Furrowing her brow, she stood and carefully made her way up the stairs. When she reached the parlor, she knelt down on the floor and tried to grab whatever was emitting that signature. Her hand hit wood.
It was underneath.
"Hermione?" Cedric called. "Where are you, love?"
"I'm up here," she called back.
His heavy footsteps came up the stairs and he entered the room.
"What did you find?" he asked.
"Something odd," she replied and knocked on the floorboard.
"Hermione you've returned—bloody hell what happened to your eye?"
Hermione turned her attention to Harry and saw the exact same signature on his forehead as the thing under the floorboards. Okay, she really needed to get that thing out.
"Brent happened," said Cedric angrily. "He hit Hermione, damn near knocked her out."
"Seriously?!" Harry shouted. "That prick! I'd break the no-magic rule just to hex him into oblivion! Expulsion would be worth it."
"Blimey, Hermione!" said Ron. "Can you even see?"
Fred and George apparated in and all of them started clamoring over each other.
"SHUT IT!" Ginny bellowed. "Merlin's balls I could hear you all from the ballroom. Fred, George don't you have something for Hermione's eye?"
"Oh right!" said George. "I'll go get it."
Hermione rested her hand on top of Cedric's. There's something under the floorboards.
Should I tell Bill? He projected as he helped her to an armchair. Judging by it's cushioning, it was the one by the phone.
No, she replied. He might give it to Dumbledore. I should take it with me to Castelobruxo.
He squeezed her hand and gave her the phone.
"Hermione —"
"Shh!" Hermione carefully dialed the number for her favorite Chinese place.
"Hello, thank you for calling Dumpling Palace, is this order for pick up?"
"Hello, Mrs. Zhang," said Hermione. "This is Hermione Granger, I will be placing a very large order for pick up."
"Oh! Hermione!" said Mrs. Zhang. "It's been a long time since I've seen you. Usual?"
"Actually, Mrs. Zhang it's for a party. I know it's short notice…"
"Not a short notice at all!" said Mrs. Zhang. "It's very slow today. If you tip good, then no complaints."
Hermione chuckled and put her hand on the receiver. "Harry, how many people will be at the party?"
"Probably thirty," said Harry. "Including everyone who lives here."
"Okay, Mrs. Zhang we need an order for thirty people which means white spicy for the main dishes."
"That is a big party. I can put together a buffet plus your favorites in two hours?"
"That'd be perfect, thank you," said Hermione. "My boyfriend, Cedric, will be by then to pick it up."
"Very good. See him then!"
Hermione hung up. "Dinner is taken care of."
While she was ordering, Cedric filled everyone in on what happened.
"Here, Mione," said George. "This will clear that black eye right up."
"George and I had to come up with quick solutions," said Fred. "We always tested products on ourselves and we couldn't keep going to Mum with mysterious injuries."
"Honestly," Hermione scoffed while Cedric applied the ointment. "If you two wanted to take over the wizard world you could accomplish it with string and a rubber chicken."
"Is that a compliment?" they asked.
"Sure is," said Hermione. "Since I'm not going to be a prefect, it isn't my job to keep you in line."
"As Head Boy, it is mine," said Cedric. "So I want to have a short meeting with you two. Please bring your notes for Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Love the name, by the way, nice alliteration."
"Not even the first day and we are already in trouble," said Fred.
"Must be a new record."
Hermione's vision cleared, the swelling went down, and the pain receded. The ointment worked amazingly.
"You know," she said. "My mom might pay you for this recipe. She's always looking for new things to put in the shop."
"We might take her up on that," said George. "How's your eye?"
"It feels much better," she said, prodding it. "Cedric, how does it look?"
"A little yellow around the edges but the swelling is gone," he said.
"Good."
Fred and George returned with folders, notebooks, and product samples.
"I wanted to talk to you about your intent to market, sell, and test your products at school," said Cedric. "There's nothing in the rulebooks that state you can't market, sell, or test products. Legally, you could set up shop in this classroom on the fifth floor that's not in use. I can't stop you from pranking and I don't want to stop you from creating, however, as Head Boy, I do want to create some limitations."
"Oh?"
"Like… no testing anything on first years," he said sharply. "I don't care what House they're in or whether or not you think they deserve it. Eleven-year-olds are tiny and vulnerable! Anybody else is fair game, though, I'll let you know if there's someone to particularly avoid. Some people have it rough and might not be able to roll with a prank."
"Provide incentive for people who are in product testing," Hermione added. "Money and a discount on all products is a good start. When testing your products, draw up a waver so that people have no legal right to get you in trouble for when the product goes wrong. This includes what the product is and what the goal is. I will happily help you draw up a template for these. When testing make note of a person's age, gender, and even race. You never know how these things will affect someone."
"So, just to be clear," said Fred.
"You're openly giving us permission to prank," said George.
"As long as it isn't on first years or bullied kids."
"Correct," said Cedric.
"What do you think of this?" they asked Hermione.
She shrugged and brushed her hair back. "I'm not a prefect, so why should I care? I do agree with Cedric, though. Leave first years out of pranks. They're in a new environment and boarding school sucks."
"Do we have a deal?" Cedric asked.
Fred and George studied him for a long moment.
"Deal," they chorused, then spat into their palms before sticking them out.
Cedric stared at them, then spat into their hands.
"It is sealed," he said.
Hermione threw her head back and laughed. Fred and George laughed as well and wiped their hands on their pants.
"Well, we'd better get this place set up for a party," said Hermione. "Diagon Alley is crowded as all get out, so it might be nice to lend your mum a hand."
"Oh, but she'll want to do this up all special for ickle Ronniekins," said Fred.
"Because ickle Ronniekins is a prefect now."