By the end of the summer, they had the puking pastilles almost perfected. Sitting around the cauldron in their night clothes, Hunn rolled up her sleeves and handed George the first half. It was deep, vivid red, and lumped into a small round ball. George took it and held it in his hand for a moment.
"Come on, eat it!" Fred encouraged, looking a bit green.
"Do I have to? Last time, it lasted three hours." He whined clutching his stomach.
"Yes, you have to do it. It's your turn," she told him sternly, knowing damn well it was probably hers but she didn't want to risk her dinner.
"You haven't done it in ages!" George claimed pointing a finger at her.
Stirring the cauldron, she turned her back to him, "Well, someone has to brew. And I'm the best at potions."
"Fine," George shoved the red piece into his mouth and swallowed. In a moment, he was throwing up into the bucket. They waited for it to calm down, but he threw up for a good ten minutes, and it showed no sign of stopping.
Hunn held onto the purple piece, waiting for him to stop for a moment.
"If you could just stop tossing your cookies, we would be able to feed you the other half, George!" Fred was frustrated holding back his brother's hair.
"I'm trying." George heaved and gasped.
Hunn took the moment and shoved the purple half down his throat before he could start again. George choked and sputtered but stopped throwing up in the bucket.
Hunn wiped her hand on one of their old shirts, frowning.
"Thank god. Don't know how much more I could take."
George crawled into bed and turned over, falling asleep on the bed. She covered him up and went back to work brewing, "Big baby."
His snores got louder.
"What's going wrong? The puking should only last a few moments."
Fred was frustrated. He wiped down the tools and threw them on the floor.
"We're adding too much of something. It only lasted a few moments this time. We took down the amount of... something," she put away the cauldron, "We won't get this right today. It's late, and tomorrow we need to be on the train."
"Fine. We'll fix it up at Hogwarts," Fred climbed into the bed in the other corner of the room and faced the wall.
They were sleeping in different beds tonight, she took it as her cue to sleep in her own as well. They were all frustrated and tomorrow was a big day, so she finished packing it all away in her potions bag.
Hefting it over her shoulder, she walked to the door and switched out the light.
The hall was silent and pitch black in the night. Hunn crept over to Ginny's room and the door creaked eerily as she set her bag down and crawled into the icy bed alone.
She fell asleep nearly instantly exhausted and nervous about tomorrow's long train ride.
Screaming woke her in the night.
She sat upright and shook her head to clear away the sleep.
The screaming did not stop. It was high-pitched and demanding.
Hunn stood and walked to the door. When she pushed it open, she was in the hospital room again. Her mother lay on the white bed not moving eyes closed, but she was screaming, "Help me! Let me out!"
Her mother screamed. Hunn ran to her placing Her hand on hers and smoothing her hair down.
"Tell me what to do. Mum!" Tears streamed down Hunn's face.
Her screams got louder and louder.
Hunn clasped her hands over her ears as it continued to get louder. Her ears were ringing, and her head was splitting.
Then it stopped. It was silent and when she opened her eyes, she was alone in the dark and there was nothing around her.
Her ears continued to ring and as her eyes adjusted to the dark all she could see was an endless tunnel of night.
Hunn screamed and begged to be let out but her voice only echoed and bounced back, taunting.
"Wake up!" Someone shook her roughly.
Her eyes snapped open to darkness again, she cried out fighting the arms holding her.
"Hunn, it's us. Come on."
She was hoisted into the air and out of the room altogether. A door shut behind them and another one opened. A light flickered on, and she saw Fred and George standing in front of her, half asleep and scared.
George set her on the bed, and Fred rubbed her back.
"We felt it." They whispered.
She fell back into the bed and shoved her head into the pillows.
"And we saw it, It was bloody awful."
"I tried to help."
"So, did I, but it was like you couldn't hear us."
"Or see us."
"You just screamed. And wouldn't stop."
"When we woke up, we ran to you and found you thrashing under the covers. Crying."
Hunn reached back and pulled them into the bed. They lay around her rubbing her back and talking about the puking pastilles until she fell asleep while the light glowed around the room and their shadows danced on the walls.
She buried herself in the blankets and pillows, hiding from the world. They didn't leave her in the night; they just stayed talking around her.
When dawn hit, the sun burst through the small window and lit the room in brilliant shades of gold and yellow. Hunn lay there in the early morning and listened to them snore. George and Fred lay on either side of her and did not wake as she sat up.
They stayed sleeping as she got out of bed and even as she packed their things in their trunks. They were rocks, big boulders in the bed curled around the pillows in the center.
She stacked their trunks and left the room.
Hearing Molly downstairs cooking and cleaning she walked into the room where Gin was packing her own things away and joined her to do the same. When she was finished, she dressed and returned to her boys who were still sleeping soundly.
"Fred. George," she shook them.
They only rolled over and snored a little louder.
"Don't make me get the bucket," she warned them sternly.
They sat upright. "No, not the bucket," Fred called out, swinging his legs over the edge. George rolled down onto the floor, sitting up with his hair in all directions.
"You're a cruel woman."
Laughing, she walked downstairs and sat next to Molly and Arthur. Hermione and Ginny came down next and started eating, talking about this next term and everything they were going to do.
Harry and Ron were next looking ruffled and tired, practically falling into their chairs, stuffing their mouths full of eggs and sausage. George and Fred walked down last, their hair ruffled, eyes almost closed, sleeping walking.
"You two are awake?" Molly asked amazed, her mouth hanging open in shock.
"Hunn threatened the bucket," George answered. His bum fell into the chair next to her as he glared.
"Couldn't risk it," Fred told them, sitting across from Harry.
Molly laughed, "Dear, you are wonderful for these boys!"
She went into the kitchen and brought back several lumps of food wrapped tight, "Here is your food for the train," She told us passing them out.
"The car will be here soon, Molly!" Arthur called from the front door.
She gathered us around and hugged us all tightly, "Arthur got us a car to take you to the station this morning. Now everyone better be safe and stay together."
She was near tears but hugged them all again before pushing them out the door. Arthur waved his wand, and everyone's trunks flew from the open windows and into the trunk of the small car. Hunn crowded in after Ginny and found the inside roomy and open. She stretched out her legs and leaned back closing her eyes and listening to everyone around her.
The twins pulled her out when the car stopped jolting her awake. Digging their trunks out they took their trollies into the station and plowed through the wall between platforms Nine and Ten. Emerging on the other side, as students were getting on the train and as parents were crying and saying goodbye.
Arthur hugged them all and watched as they bored the train.
Hunn went deeper into the train heading to where she normally sat when George grabbed her, "Where do you think you're going?" he asked.
"To the compartment with the other Ravenclaws."
"No, you don't." Fred pulled her into their compartment and sat her down between them.
Lee Jordan was there, along with two girls. Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell.
They began chatting immediately and Hunn felt herself getting annoyed. Angelina was far too touchy for her liking...
"George you're so funny." Angelina laughed loudly and smiled reaching over to touch his hand.
"I know! I'm just all around dashing." He puffed out his chest and squeezed her hand winking.
Hunn reached for her trunk and pulled out the Latin book from her parents. The book contained translations and phrases and tips on translating to English. She buried her face in the book and tried to block out what they were saying.
"Stuffy Ravenclaw. Why did you bring her back here Freddy?" Katie asked frowning scooting closer to Fred.
Hunn looked up glaring.
"Now she hears us!" Angelina laughed at her.
"Can't believe you're reading on the train. You'll do enough of that at school," Everyone laughed at her, making fun of her book.
She buried my head in the pages again and leaned into George the only one not making fun. His hand squeezed her knee, and Angelina gave her a death glare.
The hours passed by and she read the book going through the pages over and over again.
The train stopped, and George pulled her up to her feet, "Come on, Hunn. We're here."
Hunn followed him out of the train, and they waited for the carriages. They came pulled by Thestrals, two by two stopping in front of us she froze.
Fred pulled her onto the carriage and sat her down beside him. Angelina and Katie pushed her over to the wall and sat next to the twins instead.
Hunn looked over at them, they laughed and smiled ignoring her anger. Doing her best to calm down she opened her book again and pretended not to notice.
The book did little to distract her from the Thestrals pulling them along. They were skin and bone, natural for them, but so hard to look at.
When they halted in front of the castle gates, she got out and reached a hand to touch the closest one. Its skin was smooth, and she could feel every bone underneath its thin skin. It looked at her amazed at the attention, and moved closer, butting its head against her shoulder.
"Hunn! What are you doing?" George asked, grabbing her arm as he pulled her away. The Thestral stared after, watching her go.
They walked into the great hall. All the tables were longer than normal, and every teacher stood at attention at the head of the room. She started to walk to the Ravenclaw table but was stopped, "Hunn? Come sit with us." Hermione called out waving.
"I can't. I have to sit with my house. It's the first dinner of the year; it's required." Hunn smiled and turned to sit at the end of the table with the rest of the Ravenclaws.
Before the first years were sorted, the hat came out and sang it's song:
"A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from Glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen."
The great hall fell silent, and everyone strained to hear.
"They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus, Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones, they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition."
Each house cheered as they were mentioned lifting the spirit throughout the hall.
"While still alive, they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!"
The hat finished, and everyone cheered. One by one the first years were sorted into their houses. Their knobby knees shook as they walked to their houses greeted by happy faces.
Dumbledore strode to the front and demanded silence before he spoke, "Now we're all settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement. This castle will not only be your home this year but home to some very special guests as well. Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event," Everyone fell silent, no one took a breath, "The Tri-Wizard tournament! Now for those of you who do not know, the tri-wizard tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. From each school, a single contestant is selected to compete. Now let me be clear, if chosen, you stand alone. And trust me when I say these contests are not for the faint-hearted. Please join me in welcoming the lovely lads and ladies of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and their headmistress Madam Maxime!"
At the same moment, the doors flew open, and the older girls of the school danced into the hall followed by their boys. Dressed in blue they danced and waltzed to the front of the room standing to be seen and admired. Butterflies flew about the room a dazzling blue hue. Hunn looked at them, all beautiful in their own way, standing tall and proud. They rushed to the Ravenclaw table and sat down.
An older blonde boy sat next to her and smiled brightly, "I'm Timothy."
She shook his hand and blushed, looking away. He was beautiful, flawless, and perfect.
Dumbledore interrupted the moment of embarrassment. "Now, our friends from the north, please greet the proud sons and daughters of Durmstrang and the high master Igor Karkaroff!"
A series of older boys walk up the aisle brandishing their Bo staffs, twirling them around and stabbing them into the floor, creating sparks and smoke that filled the hall.
Viktor Krum walked into the hall last followed by his headmaster. The boys before him breathed fire into the air. Shapes of dragons flew about the hall and roared loudly. He demanded attention, and when he stood in front of the room, he threw his shoulders back, and every girl fawned and giggled at him. They all moved to the Slytherin table and sat with them for the night.
Food appeared, and everyone ate. Hunn was silent while reading her book. She peeked over her book and looked at the twins sitting at the next table over. The girls were hanging on their shoulders and smiling. Her heart ached, sourly.
"You like to read?" Timothy asked, smiling and peeking over the edge of her book.
She looked over at him and smiled "Yes, I like books. They're the best, quiet, and understanding," she explained, hiding again behind the pages.
He nodded and let her read again. When everyone was finished, Dumbledore had the food whisked away before he made his next announcement.
"Your attention, please! I would like to say a few words." He waited for silence, "Eternal glory, that is what awaits the student who wins the tri-wizard tournament. But to do this, that student must survive three tasks. Three extremely dangerous tasks." The Gryffindor's cheered!
"Silence! For this reason, the ministry has seen fit to impose a new rule. To explain all of this, we have the head of the department of international magic cooperation Mister Bartimus Crouch." Mr. Crouch walked to the front as the conjured sky thundered and started to rain.
A man in the corner shot a spell into the sky, causing it to calm and return to stars and clouds. "Mad-Eye! Good to see you!" The headmaster clapped him on the back, and the man nodded and went back to his corner.
Mr. Crouch cleared his throat and spoke, "After much deliberation, the ministry has concluded that for their own safety, no student under the age of seventeen shall be allowed to put forth their name for the Tri-wizard tournament. This decision is final." Students booed, and Hunn could hear Fred and George cursing at them over everyone.
Dumbledore dimmed the lights revealing a wooden goblet in front of the hall. Its fire burned blue and bright. "This is the goblet of fire! Anyone wishing to submit themselves for the tournament merely write their name upon a piece of parchment and throw it in the flame before this hour on Thursday night. Do not do so lightly, if chosen, there's no turning back. As from this moment, the Tri-wizard tournament has begun!" Everyone cheered and screamed.
The feast ended, and everyone stood to leave for their rooms. George and Fred found her, hooking their arms together with her. "We're going to enter, Hunn!"
"You can't, you're sixteen guys! That's ridiculous!"
"We're going to be seventeen as soon as our potion is done!" Fred smiled wickedly
They laughed and walked her up to their common room, following the crowd inside, Hunn pulled away. They looked back and tried to pull her inside, but she pulled away again.
"I can't guys. We'll get in trouble," she told them backing away.
"Oh, right." They frowned as if they hadn't thought of that.
"Password is Lions tail, this week. Come to us if you need us at all," They told her, "Day or night."
"I will. I will," she reassured them.
"Come on, Fred! George!" Katie and Angelina called from inside. The door closed behind them, and Hunn could see Katie hanging on Fred and Angelina on George.
Her heart ached, and she walked to her common room alone.