"Arthur, what are we going to do?" Molly anxiously asked her husband the second he walked into the kitchen.
"Something smells good." He said sitting down at the table. "What are we going to do about what, Dear?"
"Albus sent us an owl asking us to come to the school tomorrow at 9 am. He needs to discuss something with us. He said if you couldn't make it that I can come alone." She said as she wiped her hands on her apron and sat down next to him at the table.
Arthur served himself some food and asked, "Did he say why?"
"No, but I know it has something to do with Fred and George. I swear, we have been to the school more times with them in one school year than any other parents have ever had to go to the school."
"Yes, it does appear that way, but they really don't get into bad things. They are just too smart for their own good."
"I know. I agree. I'm very proud of the things they invent, but I wish they could try to stay out of trouble while at school. If they could have waited for whatever they've done this time for two more weeks, they would be home for the summer. Why would they do something so close to the end of the year?"
"Well, there's no use worrying about it now. Tomorrow will be here soon enough and we'll find out what they did."
Molly and Arthur arrived at Hogwarts a few minutes before 9 the next morning.
As they exited the floo, Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry told them, "Molly, Arthur nice to see you. Please have a seat." He indicated two chairs.
"Is something wrong?" Molly asked looking around. She had been in this office many times and it always amazed her the amount of gadgets Albus Dumbledore had.
"Well. Nothing serious and nothing that can't be taken care of."
"Is it Fred and George?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. But let me start off by saying how bright those two young boys are."
"I'm sorry Albus, but could you tell us what they did?" Molly asked before he started talking about the boys. She was interested to know what they had gotten themselves into this time.
"Well, it seems they made the Hogwarts ghosts very angry. They turned the majority of them fluorescent and they don't know how long it will last nor how to reverse the spell they used."
"Oh dear." Molly said.
"How?" Arthur asked.
"They invented a charm and they enlisted the help of Peeves to give it to the ghosts. The ghosts are very angry and not only with Fred and George. They wanted me to banish Peeves. However, the ghosts and I have come up with a solution for the boys. That is if you agree to it. If you don't agree I thought the three of us could present the ghosts with an alternative suggestion. As for Peeves, the Bloody Baron is going to keep him in line for the next year and if he does something out of line the ghosts have decided that we will have to make him leave."
"What is your suggestion?" Molly asked.
"The ghosts have suggested that we take away the summer vacation from the boys. I thought that was a little harsh, so we compromised and they have agreed that the boys should have to give up double the amount of time as the amount of time the ghosts remain fluorescent. So, if the ghosts are fluorescent for a week the boys lose two weeks, if the ghosts are florescent two weeks they lose a month and so on. The catch is they are to serve their time separately. The Hogwarts ghosts think the boys would get in less trouble that way.
"That seems reasonable." Arthur said. "But what would they do?"
"That is where my part of the suggestion comes in. You see, Hagrid never got to finish school due to Tom Riddle's accusation of him letting the basilisk out in his third year. We know that was a false accusation, and I thought the boys could use their time to teach Hagrid. Hagrid wants to take his OWL's and then later on he can study for his NEWTs. The ghosts have agreed to this suggestion and said they will oversee the teachings to ensure that the boys don't do anything wrong. The boys will be very bored because they will not be teaching Hagrid in the evenings or the weekends as it will be as close to a regular school day for Hagrid as we can get it. Maybe they can use that time to work on their own projects, visit with the House Elves, maybe they can study, or maybe they'll read some."
"So, they would be here at Hogwarts for their punishment?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. I will be here as well as some of the Professors, but other than that they will be alone. A ghost will be assigned to their room so they aren't completely alone."
"Can Arthur and I have a few minutes to talk this over?" Molly asked.
"Of course. I'll be in the back room. Just holler when you're ready for me."
As soon as they were alone Molly asked, "What do you think, Arthur?"
"I think it will teach them that they need to be held accountable for their actions and being separated would certainly be their biggest objection. Don't do you think?"
"I agree with you and knowing that Hagrid would benefit from this is a good thing. But they have never been apart from each other. It will be hard on them."
"Maybe this is what they need to show them they can't do everything they think of just for a laugh."
"You're right. I guess we should agree to this."
"Mum, Dad. What are you doing here?" Fred asked when he walked into Professor Dumbledore's office.
"Mum, you look so nice today." George added.
"Yes, and Dad you look like you lost a few pounds." Fred said.
"Cut it out." Molly said to the boys.
Dumbledore smiled. Never a dull day with these two. He turned to them and asked them to sit.
"Your parents are here to discuss your punishment for your latest prank."
"There was no harm done. It was all done in fun." Fred said.
"Be that as it may, the ghosts are very angry. But we have come up with a punishment that we feel fits."
"Ok. May as well tell us what it is." George said.
"You will be helping Hagrid study to take his OWL's."
"Really? That's the punishment?" George asked looking a little relieved at Fred.
"Don't get us wrong Professor, but we thought it would be something really bad since our parents are here." Fred said.
"There's more to it." Arthur told his sons.
"Like what?" George asked.
Arthur looked at Albus and continued. "Your punishment will be double of however long it takes for until the ghosts return to normal. You will do it over your summer break and you will do it separately."
"What? That's not fair." Fred said.
"Why can't we do it at the same time?" George asked.
"I'll tell you why." Mrs. Weasley said. "Maybe you will do less damage while apart."
"So, you want us to give lessons to a Hogwarts Professor?" Fred asked. "We aren't Professors. How will we know what to teach?"
"Yes, we want you to give lessons to a Professor. But you won't need to give new lessons. You'll be going over things you already know and Hagrid should be able to catch on quickly. After all he's been seeing the students learn this stuff for years. I will ask the Professors to write up a lesson plan for you to use." Professor Dumbledore answered.
"Ok. If we have to do it, we'll do it. Hagrid's not bad to be around." George said.
"Boy's we have one more bit to tell you." Molly said smiling.
"You look too happy, Mum. What is it?" Fred asked glancing at George.
"The ghosts that you have managed to offend are the ones that are going to be overseeing your punishment." She said.
"Do you mean to tell us that you don't trust us to be on our own with Hagrid?" Fred asked.
"We would never do anything to harm him." George said.
"We wouldn't harm anyone." Fred added.
"To think, our own parents don't trust us."
"That's enough." Molly said. "You will take your punishment and you will do your best by Hagrid. Is that understood?"
"Yes, mam." They both answered.
The fluorescent wore off the ghosts by the time the school term ended. So it looked like Fred and George would each have one month of detention.
George met Hagrid in the empty classroom next door to the Charms classroom. "Good Morning Hagrid. I will be your Professor for the next month." George told Hagrid on Monday morning.
"Good Morning Professor." Hagrid said grinning.
"Just kidding Hagrid. I'm not really your Professor. I am your study partner. We will cover a different subject each week. I will be covering Charms, History of Magic, Herbology and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Dumbledore says that you already know this stuff so this is mainly a refresher for you but if you need me to explain anything in greater detail let me know."
"Thank you for doing this." Hagrid told George very sincerely. "I hate to make you miss out on your summer break."
"No thanks needed, besides I had to serve detention anyway so it may as well be helping you. Are you ready to get started?"
"Yes." He told George and looking at Fang, Hagrid said. "Sit and behave and I'll get you some meat for lunch."
George met with Hagrid every day and got into a routine, but he was lonely. The days went by quickly, but the evenings dragged on. George was laying on his bed letting a snitch go and snatching it up before it got away. The Fat Fryar was lounging in the corner.
"I hate the evenings. There's nothing to do. And the weekend was really terrible." George told him.
"What do you mean? There's always something to do at Hogwarts."
"Like what?"
"Hmm. Let me see. Hagrid is studying all day so he has to do all of his duties in the evening. You could offer to help him. There are several Professors still here. You could see if any of them are willing to give you private lessons. It could help you in your future goals. I have been watching you for years and you have a bright mind. Why don't you do something nice for the House Elves? All you have to do is think. There's always something to do."
"You're right. I have almost three more weeks to go. I'm going to go see if Hagrid needs any help." He said getting up. "Who knows, maybe I can talk him into taking me into the Forbidden Forest."
"You'll do no such thing. Hagrid is a good person. Sometimes he doesn't know he is being manipulated so do not try to manipulate Hagrid into doing something you know is wrong."
"Alright. I won't." He said getting up to go see Hagrid.
"It's a little late now. Maybe you can see if he needs help tomorrow?"
"Yes, I think I will. Thank-you for the suggestion and I want to apologize to you for making you fluorescent."
"I accept your apology. Truth be told, I didn't mind. It kind of gave us a change, but not all of the castle ghosts feel this way."
"Hagrid, I was thinking that I could help you with the things you have to do each evening. It will help pass the time and maybe I can learn something from you." George told Hagrid as they were eating lunch the next day. "That is, if it's alright with you?"
"I appreciate the offer and I will accept your help." Hagrid told George happily.
Each afternoon as they worked they went over the things Hagrid learned and George was true to his word to the Fat Fryer, he didn't ask Hagrid to do anything that he shouldn't have been doing. In no time at all George's month was over.
Professor Dumbledore took George home on Friday evening.
"How did it go?" Arthur asked.
"Really well. I think he was a bit lonely at first, but after the lessons were done for the day he started helping Hagrid with his duties. I'm confident that after Fred does his month that Hagrid will be ready for his OWL's."
"That's wonderful." Molly told Albus. "By the way, Albus, Hermione asked me to relay a message for her. She was here for a few days, but she's back home now. She wants to have a word with you and wondered if you could drop by her home."
"Of course. After I leave here I'll go talk with her."
"They sat and talked for a while longer when Albus said I really must be going. I don't want to arrive at the Granger's too late. I'll be by on Sunday evening to pick up Fred."
"Professor, thank you for coming." Hermione told Professor Dumbledore. "You remember my parents?"
"Yes, of course." He told her. "Good to see you." He told her parents.
Hermione led Professor Dumbledore to a chair and motioned for him to sit down.
"Professor, I was wondering if it would be alright for me to go to the school and take flying lessons from Fred. I am not the best at flying and I think it will be on my OWL's this year."
"We would pay him for his time, of course." Mr. Granger added.
"I can't really say, we would have to run it by Fred first. If he is alright with it, I don't see why you can't." Then he turned to her parents and said, "I want to make sure that you know that most of the staff are gone and if Hermione comes to the school she will mainly be chaperoned by the Hogwarts ghosts."
"Really? That would be nice. They are a fountain of knowledge." Hermione told Professor Dumbledore. "I have one more request."
"And what would that be?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"I would like to make sure that no one other than Fred knows about this. And let him know I would be willing to sit in on his lessons with Hagrid. A refresher would be nice for me."
"I will make sure Mr. Weasley knows he can't mention this to any of the students. The faculty would know, though."
"That's not a problem."
"I'm picking up Mr. Weasley on Sunday evening at 7pm. We'll stop by here on our way to Hogwarts and we can run this by him. Please have your trunk packed in case he's agreeable to it."
"I'm sure Fred will do it." Hermione told them. "Thank-you Professor."
Sunday evening Professor Dumbledore and Fred Weasley arrived at the Grangers house a little after 7.
"Come in. Have a seat." Mrs. Granger told them, while leading them to the living room.
Fred looked around in awe. He had never been in a Muggle house before and it interested him. "My Dad would love to come to your house." He told them.
Mr. Granger looked around. There wasn't much interesting in here so he asked Fred, "Why?"
"He loves everything Muggle and this house if chock full of things he would like."
"Well then, I'll make sure to invite your parents over." Mrs. Granger said.
"Fred, the reason you are here is because I have something to ask you." Hermione said.
"Sure."
"Well I was wondering if you could give me flying lessons while you are at Hogwarts."
"We'd pay you, of course." Mr. Granger told him.
"You want flying lessons? From me? Why?"
"Flying is not in my comfort zone and I think I could use the one on one lessons. You will be at Hogwarts anyway, so I thought maybe you would be willing to teach me."
"I don't know if I would be allowed to do that."
"You would, my boy." Dumbledore told him. "Her parents have given permission and I don't have a problem with it. The decision is yours."
"I could sit in on your lessons with Hagrid and keep you company in the evenings. We could study together."
"Hold on. I'm not studying in the evenings."
"Ok. But will you do it?"
"Sure. I'll do it."
"One more thing. You have to promise not to tell anyone. I don't want anyone to know."
"Why not?"
"I just don't."
"Alright."
"How much do you want for this?" Mr. Granger asked.
"I don't want to be paid."
"But we have to pay you for your time." Mr. Granger told Fred.
"No payment is necessary. I love flying, so it won't be a problem."
"Ok, this is settled." Professor Dumbledore told them. Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley we'd better head to the school."
The next morning Fred and Hermione were waiting for Hagrid in the same classroom that George met Hagrid in when Hagrid walked in. "Good morning Hagrid. I will be your Professor for the next month. And as you can see we have another student here that needs lessons too." Fred said indicating towards Hermione.
Hagrid laughed at that and said, "Good morning Professor."
"Kidding. I'm not really your Professor."
"You 'n George are sure alike. He said the exact same thing to me." Hagrid said still laughing. "And I know why Hermione is here. She don't need no lessons."
Fred laughed and said, "We will be going over Potions, Astronomy, and Divination, and for our last week we will go over anything you want to cover again. We will do Potions and Divination in the morning. George told me that he helped you with your Hogwarts duties so Hermione and I will help you after the noon meal. After we finish with whatever duties you have for us Hermione and I will do flying lessons. We will meet when it gets dark for Astronomy. How does that sound?"
"Thank-you. Between the three of us we can get everything done pretty quickly, so you'll have more free time than you think."
"Hagrid, do you think we could go into the Forbidden Forest?" Fred asked.
"Don't answer that." The Grey Lady said to Hagrid and then very sternly to Fred she said, "Mr. Weasley, you know the Forbidden Forest is off limits to students."
"I know. Just thought I'd ask. Now let's get into Divination, then we can head down to the dungeon for Potions."
Hermione took notes all through Fred's divination lesson with Hagrid.
As they were walking to the dungeon Fred asked, "Hermione, what were you writing?"
"Everything. I quit Divination in the middle of the school year and I want to make sure I'm ready if it's on our OWL's."
When they got to the dungeon they were surprised to see Professor Snape.
"Professor, I didn't know you'd be here." Fred told Professor Snape.
"I want to make sure you don't blow up my classroom and that you stick to my lesson plan." He said to Fred.
Fred looked at Professor Snape and said, "If you are so worried you are welcome to join us. I'm sure you'd be way better at this than I am."
"Silly boy! Just be careful in my classroom." His snarl was almost a yell as he walked out of the room.
"Fred, you shouldn't push him." Hermione told Fred when Professor Snape was gone.
"Oh, he doesn't scare me. Now let's get going."
It turned out that Hagrid knew a lot more than they thought. Fred was sure that the lessons would go smoothly, if the rest of the time was as good at this day started out.
After lunch they helped Hagrid check the gardens for pests.
"Not much to do until it's time for picking them. It's too early to water them, so I'll come by this evening and water them." Hagrid told them. "You can run along now and do your flying."
"Don't you have any other chores you need help with?"
"Tomorrow I am going to go over the castle and check all of the doors. Make sure the keys work. Get it ready for the school year. It will probably take me all week."
"I'll come help you water the plants after our evening meal, Hagrid." Hermione told Hagrid. "And I'll help with the doors."
"I'll come too." Fred added.
Fred helped Hermione pick out a broom and as they walked to the Quidditch Pitch he asked, "How much do you know?"
"I can fly, but I'm not comfortable doing it. I get anxious. I guess that's what I need to learn."
"Ok, how about we fly together? We can talk while you're flying and it will take your mind off of what you're doing. It will come naturally to you."
"Together? On the same broom?"
"I promise I'll be a perfect gentleman."
"Ok. If you think that will work."
"I think you have to get used to not concentrating so hard on flying. I predict that by the end of this week, you'll be hopping on your broom and flying all over."
"Oh, I hope so."
Fred was right. He was talking to her as she took them over the grounds and she didn't even get a little scared. When they landed she was so happy.
"Tomorrow we'll fly side by side and talk as we go. I was right thinking a week should do it. I know you won't need the entire month."
"Thank-you, Fred. You don't know how I dreaded this."
"That was probably part of your problem. But by the time you're done here, you'll be able to fly whenever you want."
It took a full two weeks for the doors to be checked and new keys made. Fred made a key cabinet in Hagrid's hut and Hermione labeled and organized the keys so it would be easier for Hagrid in the future. Fred had Hagrid put a charm on it so that it only opened with a password, so no one could get into it. Hagrid could give the password to any of the Professors he wanted to, but for now he was only going to give it to Professor Dumbledore.
"I don't recognize that charm from any of my studies." Hermione told Fred and Hagrid.
"It's something me and George made up to keep our things private."
"You sure are smart." Hagrid told Fred. "Tomorrow I need to work in the forest. I have asked Professor Dumbledore if you could accompany me and he said if you give us your word that you'll behave and not do anything that he doesn't think there would be a problem."
"I promise. Do you think that if I find some plants or something in there that I could pick them?"
"What kinda plants?" Hagrid asked wearily?
"I don't know. I would have to see what I find."
"We'll have ta ask Professor Dumbledore before we go."
"Ok. Awesome."
After Hagrid left and Fred and Hermione were in the Gryffindor common room, the Grey Lady said, "Mr. Weasley, I hope you don't do something stupid that will get not only you, but Hagrid in trouble also."
"No way. I wouldn't." Fred said.
Hermione looked at Fred and said, "I'll come along too and I'll make sure you keep your promise."
Fred grinned, "I expected nothing less from you."
Professor Dumbledore came into the classroom when the lessons were ending the next day.
"I have let The Fat Fryer know that he won't need to accompany you to the forest today as I will be accompanying you."
"Professor Dumbledore Sir, there's no need for that. I'm sure you have other things to do." Hagrid said to Professor Dumbledore.
"Actually, Hagrid, I am free right now and I thought it would give me some time to see the things that interest Mr. Weasley." He said smiling. "I am happy to accompany you. Miss Granger, however, does not need to come if she doesn't want to."
"Oh no, Professor. I would love to go."
"It's settled then. Shall we?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
Fred was so ecstatic and his happiness showed and the others were happy too. 'I guess happiness really is contagious. Hermione thought.
Professor Dumbledore let Fred pick any of the plants he was interested in and told him, "Mr. Weasley I trust that you will not use these to do anything harmful."
"No, professor. Just experimenting. I really don't have any plans for them yet."
"Fred, maybe you could take some of the Unicorn hairs too. I think they would come in handy." Hermione said to Fred.
"Good idea. Maybe you could help us with any thoughts you have on new inventions?" He asked her.
"Maybe I will." She told him.
"I wonder what that pretty pink flower is." Hermione said pointing to a beautiful pink flower. "Hagrid, do you know?"
"Stay away from that. If you touch it with your bare hands you'll get blisters and if not treated quickly you'll have a lengthy stay in St. Mungos."
"Hagrid, do you have any gloves handy?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"Maybe you can take a small sample for Mr. Weasley?"
"Really? Wicked." Fred said excitedly.
"I will want you to research it and write a paper on it for me. After I read it to make sure you know what it is you're working with I will give you the plant. I will also let your parents know that you have it."
"Do we have to tell them? Mum will probably tell me that I can't have it."
"We absolutely have to tell them."
"Come on Fred. I'll help you do the research." Hermione told Fred.
The rest of the time passed quickly. Hermione and Fred spent hours going over not only the plant they were supposed to be studying, but all of the plants they picked. They included them all on the paper they turned into Professor Dumbledore.
We have one more week left of vacation. Are you going to come to our house?" Fred asked Hermione the day before they were going to be taken home.
"I don't know. I still have to go to Diagon Alley to pick up my school supplies. But I want to thank you for this summer. I know I knew the regular classwork, but seeing things the way you see them opened my eyes and I think it will make my Owl's better. I really want to thank you for helping me to fly. I was thinking that after Hagrid passes his OWL's that he'd need to study for his NEWT's and maybe we can study with him? I know you'll be thinking of your NEWT's too and I would love to learn all I can."
"No thanks are necessary. I'm glad you were here. It made my time go by quicker and you really helped with the plants in the Forbidden Forrest. I know they wouldn't have let me have most of them, if you hadn't have been there. I can see why so many of the Professors love you. You actually enjoy learning. But I'll have to let you know about studying for the NEWT's. I'm not concerned about them because I already have my future planned out and I'm only finishing school because my Mum expects it of me."
"Well if you change your mind I would love to study with you. It's a whole lot easier than studying with Harry and Ron. Remember when we see each other again, you can't say anything about me being here."
"I guess it's because those two are so thick that you do more trying to go over the lesson again with them. I won't say anything about you being here."
"Even to George?"
"Not even to George. This will be our secret. And by the way, I was thinking that when we find a use for the plants we got from the forest that maybe you'd like to be let in on it?"
"That would be lovely. But how would you explain it to George? I'm sure he won't want me interfering in your inventions."
"Leave George to me. I'll find a way to include you without anyone finding out that you were here this summer."
"Thank-you Fred."
Then she turned to the Fat Fryer and asked, "I know this is short notice as we are getting ready to go down for dinner but, do you think you can ask the ghosts to come to the Great Hall during dinner?"
"I'm sure I could. If you are alright here for a few minutes I'll go spread the word."
"Yes, we're fine."
As soon as he left Fred asked, "What are you planning with the ghosts?"
"I thought it would be nice to thank them for chaperoning us this summer and I thought you could let them know that you apologize for what you did to them."
"Good idea. Then maybe they could be willing to help us with other experiments."
"Fred Weasley that is not what I was thinking." She said laughing.
She was still laughing when the Fat Fryer came back.