Connections

Chapter 11: As the Owl Flies

Hermione was worried about the new advanced Care of Magical Creatures course and had convinced T.J. to tutor all the Hogwarts students on dragons. So the six students started a makeshift school in the garden outside of the Burrow. For a few hours each day they would gather to go over a new breed of dragons. Fred had not taken to the early school and had skived off most of the classes to work on new wheezes for his and his brother’s new company, but the others were eager to learn and enjoyed the classes with their new American instructor.

"Now, unlike the Herbridean Black who require a territory of one-hundred square miles or more, the Chinese Fireball will tolerate its own species sharing its territory with up to two others of the breed," T.J. told them as he showed pictures he had taken.

"Oooh! Those are pretty," Ginny said. T.J. smiled. It took a special person to appreciate the beauty of fire breathing beasts that would just as soon kill and eat you as breathe.

Their lecture was interrupted by six Hogwarts school owls that swooped down to drop letters into the laps of each student.

"These should be our school lists. I guess we can check to see if we still need anything," Ginny said as she broke the wax seal bearing the Hogwarts crest and opened her letter.

"Oh, look here’s the note about the Advanced Care of Magical Creatures course," Hermione said, "Wait it says, ‘with dragons and other class four and five rated beasts. The course will be theory as well as practical. Entrance exam required. Only the top twenty scores will be invited to join the course."

"Thank you, Hermione, I was having trouble reading my own," Ron said with a wry smile. Then asked T.J., "What other class four and five beasts? I thought it was just dragons."

Bethany walked outside just as two large owls delivered a large parcel. She handed them owl treats, petted them on the back and watched as they flew away. She tore open the package and smiled.

"Hey, the course books just arrived. Come get your copy of Charlie’s new book," Bethany called. They hurried over to see the new books. They were bound in Welsh Green dragon hide and the students were surprised by the mild warmth that radiated from the books.

"To answer your question, Ron," Bethany said as he took his copy of the book, "the course will cover a variety of beasts. The main focus will be on dragons, of course, but you will learn about how to handle a few others should you pass the test."

"These are really wonderful books," Hermione said as she carefully thumbed through her copy. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she smiled down at the pages. George smiled in her direction. Hermione treated all books as if they were the most cherished items on Earth.

"I’m glad you like them. Charlie worked hard on this and wouldn’t let any of us help. I had no idea about the cover or the warmth charm. I better go give Molly her copy. If I see Charlie I’ll send him out this way to autograph them for you," Bethany finished with a teasing smile. Then she added, "T.J. will you get the other copies into the tent for me?"

"Yeah sure," T.J. answered, "And I’m sure Charlie will love the attention."

Bethany smiled as she turned toward the back of the Burrow. As she walked away, she called over her shoulder, "It will provide us with some nice teasing material won’t it?"

T.J. chuckled quietly as he shook his head. He turned back to the students, "I don’t want to give any of you the wrong impression about this course. It will not be easy even if it is your family and friends instructing it. To get in you must be one of the twenty best students both academically and physically."

"What do you mean physically?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Think about the job we do, Hermione," T.J. said as he leaned back on the garden wall, "It isn’t a walk in the park. We don’t just draw pictures and make observations. Dragons are unpredictable as are all the dangerous beasts. Even Berta and Percival could attack us. You have to be quick on your feet and on a broom. You need to be able to cast a good stunning spell. It doesn’t hurt to be able to run fast, especially since you can’t Apparate at your ages or at Hogwarts for that matter. Bethany and Charlie run to keep in shape. Merrick swims when he can. Carlo cycles. I started lifting weights in my high school and still do it to keep my strength up and I skip rope to keep my agility up. The test will include a physical test as well as an academic one."

Harry and Ron both looked over in Hermione’s direction. Her brow was furrowed. Academics came easy for her, but they both remembered her first flying lesson in their first year. Harry had always thought that part of the reason Hermione didn’t like Quidditch as much as the others was because she couldn’t do it as well or better than everyone else. Harry shrugged at Ron who nodded as they watched Hermione chewing the inside of her cheek as she thought.

"You could start running with us," Harry offered. Ron and Ginny nodded in agreement.

Hermione shook her head, "I rode a bicycle at Donnalaith. Perhaps I’ll see if I can get her to bring one here that I can use until my parents can send mine from home," Hermione said. Her mind was made up. She had been the first on her lane to learn to ride a bicycle and had always enjoyed taking it on the trails of the wooded park near her home.

"That sounds like a good idea," George said, "Maybe I’ll try that too." He blushed. Harry looked over at Ron and mouthed, "We’re just friends."

"Angelina has been swimming. She’s a regular fish that girl," Fred said, "but I don’t know about any of that. T.J. can I try out your weights?"

"Come around this afternoon. I’ll let you borrow a set and show you a routine to get you started," T.J. Answered before he left to levitate the large box of books into the tent for Bethany.

"Hermione," George said, "was there anything else in your Hogwarts letter?"

"No, just the usual school list and when to report for the Hogwarts Express. Why?" she answered. George just shrugged and looked away. He let out a sigh of relief when Hermione stood to leave saying, "I’m going to talk to Bethany about getting us bicycles."

Once she was gone, George turned to Ron and Harry, "What about the two of you? Was there anything extra in your letters?" They both shook their heads.

"Why do you look so worried, George," Ron asked.

"They usually send the prefect notification with the Hogwarts letter. I’m not sure if Hermione knows that. But I really thought she would have made prefect and I half expected one of you to be the other. I think she is expecting to be prefect too," George said.

Harry and Ron both looked through their letters again. They found nothing but the usual school list and the information about the new course.

"You know, Harry, I could see if one of the other boys got prefect over you and me. Dean’s grades are really good. Neville’s grades aren’t the best but he is never in any real trouble. But I always thought it would be Hermione. Could you see Lavender or Pavarti, the Trelawney twins, as a prefect over Hermione?" Ron said.

"Maybe they just didn’t send it yet," Ginny suggested.

"I hope that’s the case, Gin. I can’t see Hermione being very pleased if she wasn’t a prefect. She’s not just the top in our class in Gryffindor, she’s the top in our year. I always assumed she’d be head girl in our seventh year," Harry said.

* * * * *

Mrs. Weasley was busying herself in the kitchen. "Ron dear," she asked, "was there anything else in your Hogwarts letter?"

"No ma’am," Ron said as he tried to hurry the others out of the room before his mother said anything else in front of Hermione.

Hermione shooed away Ron who was trying to get her outside. "What else should be in those letters? George asked me the same thing earlier," Hermione asked, as she dodged Ron and approached Mrs. Weasley.

Ron and Harry attempted to signal the Weasley matriarch but it was too late. "Hermione, you mean to tell me you didn’t get a prefects notice?" she asked. Hermione, realizing at last, shook her head and looked down at the floor. Mrs. Weasley’s face reddened as she continued her rant, "Well I just can’t believe. If the girl with the top marks in her year wasn’t chosen as prefect, I just don’t know what it coming of that school." She turned to Ron, who jumped when she did, "Ron, give me a quill and parchment. I’m going to give your headmaster a piece of my mind!"

Charlie had entered just as his mother had began her rant, "Mum, you may want to hold off on that Howler to Professor Dumbledore. At least for a bit."

All eyes turned to Charlie, waiting for him to provide more information, except for Hermione’s. She was still looking at the ground. Her eyes were becoming glassy from the tears that threatened. George put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

"What do you know, Charlie?" his mother asked. She was calmer but the anger was still evident by the pink in her cheeks.

"Well, I know what names were on the ballot for each house. As professors, Bethany and I were both required to complete approval forms," Charlie answered, "I think the notifications will be done differently this year. It wouldn’t be a first time."

"When has it ever been done differently?" Molly asked, "Bill and Percy both received their letters with their school letter and so did your father and I."

"I remember Angelina saying that Alicia received hers with the Hogwarts letter too," Fred added.

"In my year they didn’t go out that way. I think they just had a few things to consider this year. The approval form was somewhat unique this year," Charlie said. Then looking around at the questioning faces added, "No, I won’t explain. You’ll all just have to wait a while longer." He grabbed a pastry from a tray on the counter and ate it in one bite as he grinned then left to retrieve something from his old room.

Just as a frustrated Mrs. Weasley was about to yell after her son for more information, a cacophony of fluttering wings and tapping at the window startled her to silence. She threw open the window to permit entrance to the Hogwarts owls that dropped Gryffindor red letters in the laps of Hermione, Harry, and Ron. The owls retreated through the still opened window as soon as the letters were delivered.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all picked up their letters then looked at one another. The front in gold script was addressed to each of them individually. The back was sealed with black wax bearing the crest of Hogwarts. But no one broke the seal.

"They can’t be prefect notices," Hermione said, "They only have two per year."

"Maybe they’re expulsion notices," Fred offered with a laugh. His twin shoved him in the gut with his elbow.

Mrs. Weasley looked sharply at her middle son and said, "Frederick Weasley, go de-gnome the garden. To even suggest such a thing."

Fred winked at the others, "Sure mum." He was laughing quietly as he left to de-gnome the gnomeless garden for the second time that day.

"Open them already," Ginny said.

Harry took a deep breath and unfolded the letter. Inside the parchment was the usual ivory color and Harry recognized Professor McGonagall’s neat script in her customary emerald green ink.

Mr. Potter

It is my pleasure to announce that you have been selected as a prefect for the Gryffindor House. Enclosed you will find a list of your duties as well as your new prefect’s badge.

Congratulations, Mr. Potter, I expect you to uphold the values and ideals of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as you perform your duties with the honor befitting a Gryffindor.

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

He reread his letter twice. Ginny looked over his shoulder and smiled proudly.

Hermione was being congratulated by George, "I knew you’d be prefect."

Ginny and Harry both looked over at Ron who was grinning from ear to ear as he continued to reread his letter. Mrs. Weasley walked behind him to read his letter. She threw her arms around him and said, "Oh, Ron, our third child to be a prefect. I am so proud."

Harry was confused. Ginny walked over and grabbed the letter from her brother’s hands and read it. "It’s the exact same as yours, Harry. Well, except for the name," she said.

Everyone was confused. Harry fumbled with his letter and removed the shiny silver prefect’s badge and held it up. Ron and Hermione echoed his actions.

Charlie walked down the stairs as Ron said, "It must be a mistake."

"It’s no mistake," Charlie interjected, "when we got the approval ballot it had all three of your names listed as Gryffindor Prefects. I’m assuming that the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall had to convince a few others that you were all equally deserving of the position. So the letters were not ready when the others were prepared."

"This will be an interesting year with the three of you as prefects," George said.

"What wonderful news. You are all prefects. This is quite an honor," Mrs. Weasley said as she swooped around the room to hug each of them.

"Geroff, Mum, you already hugged me," Ron said as he attempted to squirm free of her embrace.

Bill entered the house and observed the commotion, "Did I just hear correctly? They all three made prefect?" His mother nodded proudly. He walked over to Ron and Harry and teased, "Dumbledore and McGonagall must have lost it to have both of you in that position."

"Oh, come off it, Bill," Charlie said, "Your old file is thicker than Fred’s and George’s combined and they made you head boy. This lot hasn’t gotten into near as much trouble as we did."

"Now, Bill, I can’t believe," Mrs. Weasley started to chastise her oldest son.

"Mum, I have been out of school now for several years and as Charlie pointed out I was head boy. But if you’d like to reprimand someone, you can blame his wife for most of the trouble I was in," Bill said as he pointed toward Charlie.

"Hey, don’t go blaming Bethany. You could have said no to most of her schemes. She never forced you into any of it. And, as I recall, you were quite often a more than willing participant and often instigated the very acts that you got into trouble for," Charlie said as he laughed.

"That’s just a technicality," Bill said as he laughed too.

Charlie noticed the mischievous expressions on the faces of his younger siblings and their friends. "Don’t get any ideas. You will not get away with more with her as a professor just because she tried to set a record for receiving the most detentions while she was at Hogwarts," Charlie told them.

Bill laughed, "Had Bethany actually been caught for everything she did that she shouldn’t have, she would have gone down in the books as the first student to spend more time in detention than in classes. I am still having trouble picturing her as a professor."

"I have to admit I’m a little worried myself. You know she never seemed to wear the proper Hogwarts uniform as a student. There is no telling what she will come up with as professor," Charlie said.

"It will be fun to see what she has up the sleeves of her faculty robes. I’m almost sorry I’ll miss it all," Bill said. Then noticing the mischievous grins of his brothers warned, "Professor Donnalaith may be more forgiving of your mischief but don’t think for a minute that you will get anything past her. I wouldn’t even try it."

* * * * *

"Bethany!" Charlie yelled, "What is in this package?" He was looking at a large box addressed to his wife from Madam Maulkin’s.

Carlo shrugged, "Not sure, Chas, but she did tell us to watch your expression when you opened it. Apparently it is for you."

Charlie began to open the package. T.J. and Merrick hurried into the room and sat down to watch. Charlie stopped and looked at his friends with a smirk, "Do you know what is in here?"

"No, but it took six owls to deliver," Merrick answered and added, "And, we were instructed to all be present when you opened it."

Bethany walked into the kitchen and put on a kettle for tea, "My but the owls have been busy today." She smiled and sat on Merrick’s knee, "The suspense is killing me. I hope it lasts."

Charlie rolled his eyes in his wife’s direction and began to chuckle when he saw what the package contained. "You know, Bill and I were just talking about this," Charlie said.

"I wanted to make a statement at the opening feast," Bethany said as she jumped up and went over to the box. She passed out Hogwarts faculty robes to each of them. They all laughed.

"Leave it to Annie to have school robes made of dragon-hide," Merrick said as he put his on and turned around.

"These are great, Bethany," Carlo said, "Hmm, you think I should wear mine with or without a shirt?"

"I think we will be pushing the envelope quite enough with these a shirt is definitely a must, Carlo. But," Charlie paused and grinned, "the outfit wouldn’t be complete without the matching trousers."

"I sent one to Remy too. I don’t think he’ll where it to the opening feast though. He can be such a fuddy-duddy sometimes," Bethany said as she put her robe on as well.

Bill entered the room and laughed as he took in the attire of his roommates, "What were we saying earlier, Charlie? You do know that McGonagall will have a fit. I’m jealous that I won’t be joining you."

"I didn’t leave you out, Bill," Bethany said as she removed the last robe from the box. These were simple robes without the school crest, but were also made from dragon hide like the others.

* * * * *

"I can’t believe you all three were made prefect," Ginny said, "I wonder why they decided to let you and Ron take the position?"

"It really surprised me too. I’m glad about Ron though. I really wish he would have it outright though," Harry said as he awkwardly put his arm around Ginny’s shoulder.

They were sitting beside the pond on Charlie’s property. They had taken their books to study but had yet to open them.

"Harry, you deserve the prefect position just as much as Ron," Ginny said as she turned to look him in the eye.

Harry shrugged, "Ron never seems to get anything of his own. He has always had to share things with his brothers and now he has to share this with me."

"Ron is just as happy to share this as to not. Actually, I think he’d hate it if your weren’t there with him," Ginny said, "You and Ron compliment one another. Some of your weakness are his strengths and vice versa. Frankly it makes sense. Neither one of you would really qualify on your own."

Harry turned to Ginny, "I’m not sure if I should smile at that statement or be insulted."

"I didn’t mean it that way. You and Ron need each other. You seemed destined to be friends. Why else would you work so well together and be so miserable when you are squabbling," Ginny said.

"Because we are friends," Harry said, "You are right. We are friends because we compliment each other. I am very happy to have been lost in the train station and only find an odd family of redheads to ask directions. And as much as a pain that she was in the beginning, I’m glad Hermione dropped herself in our boat too." Harry bent down to kiss Ginny, "But I’m the most happy that my friend had a little sister."

Ginny smiled, "You wouldn’t have said that two years ago."

"Eyes as green as a fresh pickled toad…" he began with a grin, "No, I wouldn’t have and I’m glad I wasn’t asked to make any permanent decisions then." He pulled Ginny into a tight hug, their school books forgotten.

* * * * *

"Fred, how long are you going to stay out here pretending to de-gnome the garden?" George asked. He and Hermione had been sitting in the garden at the Burrow watching Fred go through the motion of catching and hurling gnomes out of the garden, even though there were none present. He had been at the charade for almost three hours.

"If I don’t follow through mum will know the gnomes aren’t here," he said as he acted as if he was tossing another gnome over the garden wall then went to sit beside his brother.

"Why pretend?" Hermione asked.

George turned to Hermione, "Fred and I have de-gnomed this garden countless times in the past sixteen years. Bethany removed all the gnomes. That is great but if mum finds out she will just think up a new punishment and it may be something worse. If we can keep her fooled for just a few more weeks, we can avoid a nasty punishment."

"We go to school in just two weeks. When we return it will be for just a visit. Mum never punishes Charlie and Bill when they visit," Fred said.

"Just a visit," Hermione said as she looked puzzled, "where do you plan on going?"

"Hogsmeade," George answered and smiled at Hermione’s expression of relief, "We’ve made a deal with the owner of the Quidditch shop for the Fantastics and he wants to see some of our other items, too. And, as it turns out, our new sister-in-law owns property right in the center of Hogsmeade. She told Fred and me that we could have it if we promised to follow our dreams."

Hermione smiled, "So Weasley Wizard Wheezes will be opening next summer?"

"We hope so," Fred said as he watched a Tawny Owl gracefully gliding toward him. "Ah, a message from Angelina," he said as the owl landed on his shoulder and accepted an owl treat from him. Angelina had written to Fred so frequently that he always kept owl treats in his pocket for Mortimer, her tawny owl.

"Well, that is good news but don’t neglect your N.E.W.T.s. I know you won’t be trying for a ministry position or anything but it will give investors more security if you do well on those tests," Hermione added.

Fred finished reading his letter and looked up, "Where’s Harry?"

"Went for a walk with Ginny," Hermione said. She shook her head in response to the matching expressions the twins wore when she mentioned their sister alone with Harry. "He won’t hurt her you know," Hermione said in her friend’s defense.

"He bloody well better not," Fred said. George nodded his agreement.

"What did Angelina say? Why so urgent to find Harry?" George asked his brother.

"You know that American Alicia was visiting this summer?" George nodded as Fred continued, "Well, they’ve run off together. She isn’t returning to Hogwarts." George and Hermione both dropped their jaws in disbelief.

"I thought Alicia would be the head girl this year," Hermione said as she shook her head slowly.

"She would have been. They have made Angelina a prefect in her place," Fred said.

George started laughing. "What are you going on about?" Hermione asked.

"Fred, we’re doomed," George answered shaking his head, "we are going to be surrounded by prefects this year."

"I was thinking the same thing," Fred said with a snort, "who’d have thought?"

"That means Ginny could get the chaser spot on the Gryffindor Quidditch team," Hermione said excitedly.

Fred looked at Hermione with surprise, "Why, George, I do think you have become a positive influence on Hermione. She actually thought of the Quidditch team before you did."

"I’m so proud," George said as he faked a sniffle. Hermione elbowed him and smirked but smiled brightly at George. "She’ll have to try out just like Ron will, but I doubt we will find anyone better. I’m sure she will make the squad," George added.

"Lee will have a time announcing the matches," Fred added.

"At least it’s just the two of you that play the same position," Hermione added.

* * * * *

Charlie and Bill were sitting at the small table in the kitchen of the Burrow. They would be joining the family tonight for a celebration of all the prefect announcements made earlier that day.

"Wonder what’s keeping Bethany?" Charlie said out loud.

"When I left she said she’d be right over," Bill said as he shrugged.

"I’ll go see about her. Mum is almost ready to serve," Charlie said as he stood to walk to the door.

As he reached for the door it swung open just missing his face, and Bethany entered. Her face stained with tears. She held an international express owl envelope in her hands.

"What is it, Beth?" Charlie said as he took her into his arms.

"Aunt Lelia. She died," Bethany said.

"Oh, dear, I’m so sorry to hear that," Molly said as she crushed Bethany in a bear hug.

"That’s not all. Aunt Lelia was three hundred nine years old. It was something we have been expecting for a while. I honestly think she stayed alive just to spite my Uncle Argent, her nephew. But now that she is gone, I’ve become her guardian," Bethany said as she looked up worriedly at Charlie.

"Uh, Bethany, I know they do things differently in the states, but how can you be guardian to your deceased aunt?" Bill asked.

Bethany laughed through her tears. She wiped her eyes with her fist and shook her head, "Not Lelia, Mona. The family says I am to go there or they will just send her here."

Bill shook his head, "No wonder you’re crying."

"Bill!" Mrs. Weasley corrected her eldest son, "that is not kind."

"Mum, Mona makes the twins seem like Percy. She’s not all bad but she tends to do things just to get a reaction out of those around her," Charlie said in his brother’s defense. Then he turned to Bethany, "We’ll have her come here. We can enroll her at Hogwarts. She has what four years left?"

"I know, Charlie, I feel like I’m being selfish but I wanted it to be just us for a while, at least until March. And it is Mona. I love her to death but she does try my patience," Bethany said.

Bethany took a deep breath and turned to her mother-in-law, "May I use your fireplace. We can’t make transcontinental connections on the one in the tent?"

"Of course, you and Charlie use the living room. I’ll hold dinner for you," Molly answered.

Charlie followed Bethany into the living room. He looked up at his siblings and their friends and said, "Can you all go somewhere else for a bit?"

Before the living room door shut they could hear Ron asking his mother, "What’s happened? Bethany has been crying."

Bethany stepped up to the fireplace and dropped a handful of powder into the fire, "Delachesay House, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States."

She waited as the fire spit and sputtered for the long distance connection to be made. A heavy set face appeared in the hearth, "Miss Bethany, you’ve heard I’m sure. I’m so sorry for your family. I’ll get Mr. Agent. He’s been expecting your call."

Charlie pulled over a chair and guided his wife to sit. When she looked up at him he winked and squeezed her hand as he knelt beside her.

"Bethany, darlin’ how have you been?" said the head of a blonde in his late fifties.

"Fine thank you, Uncle Argent. And how are Marcia and the twins?" Bethany asked. She hated all the small talk and wished they could get down to business but she knew that to get what she wanted with out argument she need to play by his rules. And he followed the rules of the American south which mandated a certain amount of small talk.

"As good as can be expected. Lelia is a great loss to the family. I take it that you are calling about Mona," Argent said.

"No more small talk?" Bethany thought, "This can’t be good. He’s breaking his own rules."

"What has she done this time?" Bethany asked suspecting that Mona had pulled a more publicly humiliating stunt this time.

"That girl. You’d think she was brought up in a barn and raised by werewolves," Argent paused. Bethany knew the last comment was meant as a not so veiled insult toward herself. She bit her tongue to keep from responding as she listened to her uncle.

"She wore a red leather mini dress to Aunt Lelia funeral. Bethany, that child looked like she belonged on Bourbon Street," Argent said.

Bethany rolled her eyes at this comment. Bourbon Street in New Orleans was notorious as being home to risqué adult entertainment. Her Uncle was implying that Mona was dressing like a prostitute. "That shouldn’t have surprised you, Argent, she hasn’t always dressed in the most appropriate manner," Bethany said.

"Well, she threw the baby out with the bath water on this one. She was practically exposing herself at the funeral," Argent explained.

"What are you not saying? Mona has her moments but flashing funeral guests has never been one of her hobbies," Bethany said.

"The little tramp talked a few of the young boys into accompanying her to a back room. She led them to believe that she would provide them with the sort of entertainment that proper young ladies should know nothing about. She had those poor boys waiting in nothing but their starched oxford shirts when she left and sent the other old aunts into room. They had to rush Great Aunt Charlene to the hospital," Argent told her.

Bethany tried not to laugh, "When you mention these young boys, you weren’t by any chance meaning your Kyle and Stewart?"

She could see her Uncle’s face redden, "Yes, that little trollop seduced them. They are just young boys and…"

Bethany cut him off angrily, "Young boys! They are fools. They should be the ones getting chastised, not Mona. Mona is fourteen your twins will be twenty next month. I could see you upset if she had a room full of ten-year-olds enticed in her scheme, but really your boys should be locked up. Where is she? I’d like to speak to her."

"Just a minute, I’ll get her," Argent said. His face was bright red. Bethany hoped it was with embarrassment for the sorry excuse he had for sons but she assumed it was anger.

She turned to Charlie with an exasperated expression.

"Do you think she’d be willing to come tonight?" Charlie asked, "that girl has a wild streak but that is just uncalled for."

Bethany smiled and mouthed, "I love you."

"I’ll see if I can catch Percy before he gets home and get him started on the arrangements from this end," Charlie said. He blew a kiss to his wife before he left the room.

"Hi Bethany," Mona said. Bethany could tell she had been crying, but also noted that she looked much older than her fourteen years.

"Hey there sweetie. How are you holding up?" Bethany asked.

"Okay I guess. What are you going to do with me?" Mona asked flatly as though she really didn’t care.

"A lot has happened here since I last spoke with you. Charlie and I are married," Bethany began.

"That’s great I like Charlie," Mona said suddenly appearing her age again as she heard the exciting news.

Bethany smiled, "and I’m expecting a baby in March. Charlie and I have taken teaching positions at Hogwarts."

Mona looked worried.

"I’d like you to come meet us here," Bethany said noting tension in Mona relax. "We’re staying at the Weasleys now, but the school year begins in two weeks. If you agree to come, we will enroll you at Hogwarts," she told her young cousin.

"I won’t know anyone," Mona said. Her voice sounded sad but her face revealed her excitement.

"Now when has that ever stopped you? You’ll meet six students before you even shop for your uniforms. Charlie has three brothers and a sister at Hogwarts. You and Ginny, his sister, will be in the same year," Bethany told her.

"Who are the other two?" Mona asked.

"Oh, friends of theirs. They have been here most of the summer," Bethany said then asked, "Are you okay with coming here? You are going to have to behave. You will not have the run of the place. I won’t lie and tell you it will be easy, but I do think if you give it a chance you will like it here."

"I know I don’t want to stay here with them," Mona said as she motioned with her thumb over her shoulder. Bethany assumed that Argent and Marcia were in the room. Mona continued, "Since Aunt Lelia has died they’ve been horrible. Like it’s all my fault she made me her heir. I never asked for it."

"I know, Mona, neither did I," Bethany said thinking of her own problems she had with her family in the states. "Charlie’s father and brother are in the ministry here. He has asked them to help arrange for your transport here tonight," Bethany told her.

"Tonight? What do I bring?" Mona asked.

Bethany laughed a little. She was excited for her cousin, too. "You’ll need your personal things of course. Those things you don’t want to be without for now and a few changes of clothes. We’ll go shopping for your school things later this week. We can send for anything you leave behind later," Bethany told her.

"I guess I’ll just pack what I don’t want them to get their grubby hands on. What about my computers? Can I have them at Hogwarts?" Mona asked.

Bethany was pleased that she seemed to be accepting it all. "That’s Mona," she thought, "throw the world at her and she’ll just smile and catch it."

"Your computers won’t work at Hogwarts. There is too much magic, but we’ll send for them to store at Donnalaith. That way you’ll have them on holidays," Bethany told her.

Mona made a face, "That will be the worst. I can’t believe I’m going to have to write everything out long hand. How am I supposed to do schoolwork."

"You’ll manage, Mona. I think you should prepare yourself for a few other changes other than just the American versus British one’s. Here most witches and wizards know little or nothing about the Muggle world. They do not mix much here," Bethany said.

"Are you serious? That is just crazy," Mona said shaking her head.

"Go pack. We’ll talk more when you get here. Keep your head up and I’ll see you tonight. Put Argent back on," Bethany said.

"Thank God you are taking her. Honestly that child is incorrigible. I don’t know what they were thinking about when they chose her as their heir," Argent said.

Bethany had lost her patience. It was tradition in the Delachesay family for one female of each generation to be chosen as the heir. As the heir you became official owner of all Delachesay properties and holdings. No one in the family was ever left wanting. Bethany had been selected as her grandmother’s heir since there were no females in her father’s generation. Mona was twice selected. She received the inheritance from their great aunts Lelia and Lydia, twin sisters who never married and had been designated their generation’s Delachesay heirs. So Mona was a very wealthy little girl. And, in leaving Louisiana, she would leave some with less control over the family fortune than they previously had.

"Yes, Argent, she is coming to me, but frankly after what your son’s have done, I think you should leave the house. I’ll give you and your family until the end of the month," Bethany’s face was red with anger. Argent’s head stared at her from the fire. His mouth opened and closed like a fish. "I’ll have someone there this evening for Mona’s travel and also tomorrow to supervise the packing."

"But… but…," Argent stuttered, partially in surprise and partially in anger.

"There are no buts. I know Mona can try the patience of a saint. I was a lot like her myself at her age, but there is no reason for her to be treated as you have," Bethany started. Argent was making fish faces again. "To use your own language, don’t try to crawfish out of this one, I’m not blind nor am I stupid," she said angrily. She knew that Mona had been at least verbally mistreated after the death of her aunt. Mona was not one to cry often and to see her tear streaked face when she first spoke to her was a clear picture of just how unhappy she was there. "Now, someone from the British ministry will be in touch for Mona’s travel and my solicitor, attorney, will talk with you as well. Good bye, Argent."

Her uncle’s face disappeared from the fireplace. Charlie stood behind her and put his hand on her shoulder, "You okay, Beth?"

"AAAGGHHHH! It makes me so mad to talk with him," Bethany said as tears crept into her eyes, "Daddy was nothing like Argent and neither was Aaron, Mona’s father. Argent and his clan remind me of the Malfoys sometimes," Bethany said exasperatedly.

"If I ever see those boys, I’ll break their necks. They are old enough to know better, even if Mona was being Mona," Charlie said. Bethany smiled at him.

"Percy has her travel arrangements set. It’s a good thing he hadn’t switched departments yet," Charlie said, "Dad would have had to call in quite a few favors. With Percy, I just offered him his choice of honeymoon. He and Penelope will be using your villa in Italy by the way."

"Charles Weasley did you bribe a ministry official?" Bethany said as she hugged him.

"Guilty. I was surprised he took me up on the offer. Honestly, I think he would have helped anyway. When I told him about what happened with her cousins, he nearly had a heart attack. He kept saying, ‘if that had been Ginny.’ It really upset him to hear that anyone had to live like that," Charlie said.

"Did I ever tell you how happy I am to be a part of this family?" Bethany asked as she kissed Charlie.

"No, but I will be sure to remind you that you said that at another time in our lives," Charlie said grinning as he led her back to the kitchen.

No one was inside except Mrs. Weasley who had been tending the meal she had held for Bethany and Charlie. "I wish you wouldn’t have held dinner," Bethany said.

"Nonsense," Molly said, "Do you have everything straightened out now?"

"Almost," Charlie answered, "If it’s okay, we have a guest coming this evening and I think she’d be more comfortable in my old room here than in the tent."

"The more the merrier, Charlie, and no one is in your room right now anyway, but who is this guest?," his mother answered.

"My cousin, Mona. Thanks to Percy, she will be arriving this evening. She is Ginny’s age and will go on to Hogwarts with us," Bethany answered.

"Bethany, I don’t understand why you are taking responsibility for this girl. Where are her parents?" Molly asked.

"Her parents were killed when she was six. Her father was an Auror, like mine, and her mother was in the wrong place at the wrong time. My Great Aunt Lelia was her guardian. My Uncle refuses to watch her and frankly, I don’t want him to. My uncle has never been kind to Mona. He didn’t like that his family was slighted in the inheritance. He only has sons. But basically, the man is a bigot and would do anything for money and power, your typical Slytherin," Bethany said as she helped bring the dinner to the table.

"Well, that settles it. She is certainly welcome here," Molly said, "that poor girl should have been here before now." Bethany was thankful her mother-in-law was so accepting. She really was happy to be a member of the Weasley family.

"This is the cousin that you have heard the twins teasing Ron about. It seems your youngest son is quite enamored with her picture," Bethany said.

"I’m so confused with that boy. I thought he liked Hermione," Molly said.

"Molly, I think you have missed a few things," Bethany said.

* * * * *

"Time for dinner," Charlie called out the back door. His mother had sent everyone outside while Bethany was talking to her family in America.

"How is Bethany?" Ginny asked as she came inside.

"Is everything okay?" Harry added.

"Bethany is okay. Her great aunt passed away and she is now the guardian for her cousin, Mona," Charlie explained.

At the mention of Bethany’s cousin, Ron snapped out of his thoughts and walked closer to Charlie. "Is Bethany going to the states to see about her?" Ron asked.

Charlie smiled. His little brother’s interest in this girl was far too obvious. "Actually, no, but with the help of Percy, Mona will be under the Burrow’s roof tonight," Charlie said as he put his hand on Ron’s shoulder to hold him back as the others went to the table. Ron was grinning broadly.

"Ron, I wanted to talk to you about Mona," Charlie said.

Ron looked concerned, "What about her?"

"She’s been through a lot recently. Her life is about to be turned upside down without much warning," Charlie began. Ron just nodded. "It’s pretty obvious that you are attracted to her. You’ve mooned after her picture at my place since Hermione first pointed it out to you," Charlie said.

Ron’s ears were bright red. "I guess I think she’s pretty," Ron said looking down. The flush of his ears spread to his cheeks.

"I agree. She is a pretty girl, but I think you may want to get to know her before you start making any more of this than there really is," Charlie said as he looked into his brother’s eyes.

"So what is it you want me to do?" Ron asked more confused. He didn’t know if Charlie meant for him to stay away or not.

"Just be a friend to her. Don’t approach her with plans to make her your girlfriend. When it’s your time to have a girlfriend, you’ll have one. So when you are around her use the brain that rests on your shoulders not the one in your trousers," Charlie said as he clapped Ron on the back. Charlie smiled and shook his head. Ron just returned a puzzled expression.

"When do you expect her?" Ron asked.

"If all goes well it will be around nine tonight. Let’s hurry. We’ve held dinner long enough and you’re one of the guests of honor," Charlie said.

* * * * *

"Thanks, Percy, for all that you’ve done," Bethany said as she walked along side her brother-in-law to the table.

"When Charlie told me what happened with those boys, I had to. It sounds like you’re going to have your hands full though," Percy told her.

"That is an understatement, if I’ve ever heard one," Bethany said as she took a seat next to Charlie.

"We have a table full of prefects or past prefects," Bill said then turned to Ginny, "or future prefects." Ginny blushed at her brother’s suggestion.

"Are we here, Fred? I could have sworn that we sat down with at the table with the rest of the family, but I could be mistaken," George said.

"Perhaps we’re invisible. Of course, so is Charlie. He wasn’t a prefect either," Fred suggested.

"You two are anything but invisible," Bill said to the twins, "and I hate to tell you this, but Charlie turned down the prefect position in his fifth year. But he counts because they offered it to him."

"Oh no, our numbers are dwindling," Fred said.

"I feel so left out," George added.

"Don’t worry boys," Bethany said as she leaned toward the twins, "I was anything but a prefect. I never even fell into the remotely-considered-for-the-job list."

"I knew there was a good reason I liked you," George said. Hermione prodded him playfully and gave him a stern look that she lost quickly to a smile.

Bethany laughed, "And unfortunately for the head of whichever house she ends up in, Mona, will not fall into that category either."

"Bethany, I think our year they just drew a line through your name before they even began any discussion on who to choose," Charlie teased, "Of course, wouldn’t it be poetic justice if she ended up in Slytherin? I’d love to see Snape with grey hair," Charlie chuckled. "Ow," he shouted as he rubbed his shin that was kicked by his wife.

Ron looked very worried. He had not considered her being placed in Slytherin. He hadn’t even thought about her being put into one of the four Hogwarts houses. "Why is that?" Ron asked.

Bill started laughing, "Professor Flitwick once attributed his grey hair to Bethany and her antics. She ended up with a month of detention when she pointed out that his hair was grey before they met."

"He then said it was his body’s foreknowledge that she would one day reside in her house that did it and ran off muttering about why she couldn’t have been in Gryffindor," Charlie added.

Ron shook his head, "I meant why would you think she’d end up in Slytherin?"

Bethany turned to Ron, "You don’t know Mona. She is very clever and could end up in Ravenclaw. She has at times run head long into danger just like your typical Gryffindor. And for Slytherin, well, ambition is a trait all of the Delachesays carry. The only thing I know for sure is she isn’t really hardworking enough to end up in Hufflepuff."

"But she is loyal. You’ve told me many stories of her loyalty," Bill said.

"That’s a bit of a stretch, Bill," Bethany said.

"Do you really think your cousin will be a Slytherin?" Ginny asked.

"Honestly, I doubt it, but you never know," Bethany answered, "the hat sat on my head a full three minutes while it debated whether to put me in Ravenclaw, Gryffindor or Slytherin."

"The hat almost put you into Slytherin, too?" Harry asked. The eyes of everyone at the table turned to Harry. Harry shrugged in response, "It said I could do well in Slytherin, but I kept thinking anywhere but Slytherin."

"The hat did take a bit longer with you than the others," Hermione said.

Ron laughed, "All it said for me was, ‘Another Weasley’ then shouted, ‘Gryffindor’." The rest of his siblings nodded in agreement that the hat had done much the same for them.

"Well, for me it said something about trying to deceive it when I had it on," George said, "but that could have had something to do with me sitting on the stool when they called Fred’s name." Hermione turned with wide eyes and an angry smirk that matched his mother’s.

"Would have served you right if it had chucked you off that stool and out of the school," Mrs. Weasley said angrily, "trying to fool the Sorting Hat."

"When I sat for George," Fred began then answered his mother’s angry scowl, "Mum, I had to or else they’d have known. Anyway when I sat down it said, ‘Prepare to join your brother in Gryffindor’ but before I took it off it mumbled something about not wanting to spread the mischief."

"Why didn’t the hat put you in Gryffindor? It considered Ravenclaw for me, but I really wanted Gryffindor since that was Professor Dumbledore’s house. And it said, ‘yes, you’re right, you’d be better served in Gryffindor.’"

"Like Harry, I had no desire to go into Slytherin and I let the hat know that," she paused as she took a breath, "The hat put me in Ravenclaw because at the age of eleven I thought I was invincible. I didn’t fear anything."

"But shouldn’t that have put you into Gryffindor?" Ron asked.

"No," Bethany said turning to face Ron, "because to be brave you have to have fear. I always looked at things very logically. And really I had survived quite a lot for my age. So I was sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Of course, she should have been a Gryffindor for all the time she spent with other Ravenclaws," Bill said, "You tagged along with the seventh year Gryffindors until you and I became friends."

"Remy was not particularly happy that I ended up in a different house. We had considered ourselves siblings when I started school. I think Sirius was the only one to complain about my presence," Bethany said, finishing her last statement with a smirk.

Harry noticed the brief change in her expression and thought, "I need to remember to ask Sirius about that."

"I wonder who made prefect in the other houses," Hermione said aloud.

Bill looked over at Bethany and Charlie, "I know that the two of you know. All the professors know ahead of time."

"Yes, we do, but you’ll have to wait because I didn’t bring the list with me and I haven’t memorized it either," Charlie said.

"Let’s see if I can remember them," Bethany said with a grin, "The prefects in Ravenclaw are Terry Boot and Lisa Turpin." She turned t Charlie and said, "Still hold some house loyalty you know." She wrinkled her brow and continued, "Let’s see in Hufflepuff the prefects are, umm, ummm Susan Jones I think and…"

Hermione interrupted, "Do you mean Bones? Susan Bones. We don’t have anyone with the last name of Jones in our year."

Bethany nodded her head, "You are probably right the other is, Mc-something or other. The first name starts with an e. Edward maybe?"

Ron spoke up, "You must mean Ernie McMillan."

Charlie nodded, "That’s it."

"Last and certainly the least, Ow!" Bethany said as she rubbed her thigh where Charlie had nudged her. She grinned back at Charlie and continued, "In Slytherin we have Pansy Parkinson. Who could forget a name like that? And I know you all will be thrilled to know the other is…"

This time it was Charlie who interrupted, "Draco Malfoy. I couldn’t even forget that one." Ron made a face of sheer disgust at the mention of Draco Malfoy’s name.

"I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised to hear Malfoy’s name on the list," Harry said, "could you imagine Crabbe or Goyle as prefects?"

"I still can’t imagine why they named three prefects for Gryffindor this year," Hermione said.

Harry cringed, "Just imagine Snape’s reaction. Potions will be even more miserable."

"He knows already," Bethany said, "I wouldn’t worry too much. He wasn’t the one who objected to the protocol change." She looked at her family and noticed the looks of surprise and disbelief. "The vote had to be unanimous for you three to be prefects. And if my sources are correct, Professor Snape never voiced any disapproval."

"You’re sources?" Charlie said with a confused look, but before the words even settled on anyone else’s ears the confusion waned as realization spread across his face, "Oh, your sources, it figures that you’d know."

"Did your grandfather…" Harry started but Bethany shook her head before he could finish his question.

She smiled and thought, "This is fun. Come on girls think."

"Centaurs?" Ron said, "Charlie told us that you used to talk to them." Again Bethany shook her head and brought a finger to her lips to silence Charlie.

"You’re enjoying this aren’t you?" Charlie said and Bethany just smiled.

"It has to be someone who lives there," Fred said.

"Not necessarily, but it could be someone who knows someone well that lives at Hogwarts. Family or friend or something," George replied. Bethany raised an eyebrow and nodded to show he was on the right track. She was impressed with his reasoning.

Hermione had remained quiet. She had been calculating the probabilities in her head. She wore the same expression as when she solved complicated Arithmancy problems in her head. Ginny, too, was deep in thought. Mrs. Weasley levitated desert to the table. As the girls watched the plate land on the table they both smiled and looked at each other. In unison they said, "House elves!"

Bethany grinned, "Got it in one girls."

"I can’t believe it took me that long. I should have realized they all communicate," Hermione said.

"And the elves at Donnalaith adore you," Ginny said.

"It does help to have extra eyes around," Bethany said.

"Remember when Bill said not to expect to get away with anything around Bethany, that is exactly the reason why. There is nothing that goes on at Hogwarts that the elves don’t know about," Charlie said.

"Dumbledore," Harry said, "Is that how he always seems to know what we do before we tell him?"

Bethany laughed, "I don’t doubt that the elves are the source for most of his information, but I suspect there is more to it than that."

"Who didn’t want us both as prefects?" Ron asked.

"It doesn’t matter," Charlie said, "the vote had to be unanimous in the end."

"And since it was, we are celebrating tonight," Molly said.

"Here here," her husband said as he raised his glass for a toast.

* * * * *

Bethany and Charlie apparated to Diagon Alley to await the arrival of Mona Delachesay. Percy had arranged for Mona to travel by Port Key from the United States to the British Central Port on the other side of London. Percy had traveled directly to the Central Port. As a ministry official in the Office of International Cooperation, Percy was not required to have the special papers for a visit to the Port. They had planned for him to escort Mona to Diagon Alley via the Floo network once she arrived at the Central Port. To maintain security no one could floo to or from private homes and the port, but Diagon Alley was connected to the port.

The young couple was sitting near the hearth. Charlie had a glass of Butterbeer Extra but Bethany just had the regular nonalcoholic variety. He reached across the table to hold his wife’s hands, "She’ll do fine. We probably should have had her at Hogwarts three years ago."

"I agree but Aunt Lelia would hear nothing of it when I mentioned it. I just hope she accepts the restrictions of the school. She isn’t used to obeying the rules unless she makes them," Bethany said.

"Hmmm, how will I ever handle that? I’ve never been around anyone like that," Charlie teased. Bethany made a face at Charlie but he smiled back at her, "At least she’ll get a chance to know everyone. You have to admit they are good kids, despite the trouble they always seem to find themselves in." He pulled Bethany’s hands to his lips and kissed them gently.

"Yes, they are good at heart and they do make a good team," Bethany said.

Just as she finished her sentence the fire changed from the bright oranges and reds to a green indicating the activation of the Floo system. A petite girl with dark red hair tumbled out of the hearth followed closely by Percy.

Bethany was helping Mona to her feet and brushing off the soot and ash. "It’s so good to see you, Mona," Bethany said as she pulled her cousin into a warm embrace.

Charlie patted Mona on the back, "Welcome to London, Mona."

Mona looked up. Her pale blue eyes were stained with tears, "Thanks, Bethany, I’m so happy to be away from Argent. After you told him to leave, he threw the biggest fit. He started tossing things left and right. In the end the Federation Officers showed up and hauled his butt to jail."

Bethany laughed, "I almost wish I had been there to see it."

Percy whispered to Charlie, "Word came before she did. It wasn’t a peaceful departure. They said the life in danger alarms went off. Apparently he was threatening to kill her."

Charlie paled and shook his head as he looked at his wife’s cousin. "I don’t know how family could act that way," he told his brother.

"I couldn’t believe it myself, Charlie, I think it will do her good to be here with you two," Percy said. He picked up a few of Mona’s things and said, "I’ll see you at home." Then he apparated away.

"When your friend, Mr. Guidry, showed up, Marcia and those ninnies were yelling and fussing. He had them thrown out and started writing up a bill for all the things that they had destroyed. He helped with everything and assisted the guys from the ministry consulate," Mona said speaking very rapidly.

Charlie laughed at the rapid American accent. Bethany had explained before the people in New Orleans did not speak with a Southern or a Cajun accent that was common to other areas of Louisiana. Charlie thought Mona’s accent was a bit like T.J.’s friend from New York, but she spoke much more rapidly than he did.

"What are you laughing at, Charlie?" Mona said as she paused with her hand on her hips.

"I’m just not used to your accent is all," Charlie said.

"You should talk, of course, yours isn’t as bad as your brothers," Mona said, "He isn’t like you and Bill."

"No," Charlie said, "Percy is a bit of the black sheep, but being family and all, we keep him around."

"Charlie!" Bethany said, "Percy is quieter, not as outgoing as the rest, but I think he isn’t all that different than the other Weasleys."

"Percy wouldn’t have survived if he wasn’t a little like the rest of us. Actually he is more like dad. Dad was always quieter, but the rest of us take after mum. She was the one who used to get into trouble. When Bill and I found that out we almost died laughing because she always seems so scandalized every time the twins get into trouble," Charlie said.

"Charlie’s parents are really great. His dad loves everything muggle and will probably have more than a few questions for you about computers. He works at the ministry and is busy far too often with that. He has a good sense of humor and always sees the good in his kids. Charlie’s mum, well, the first thing you should know is that she’s a hugger and she can have a temper," Bethany said.

"Someone with a temper? I don’t think I can handle it," Mona teased.

"Very funny, but apparently she has a mischievous side that someone never told me about. She really is a sweet heart though and would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. And her family means the world to her," Bethany said. Charlie smiled proudly at the description his wife had for his parents.

"Well let me see, Bill you know. He is at the Burrow now," Bethany said.

"Oh good I haven’t seen him in, like, forever," Mona said.

"And, Percy you just met. Next are the twins. Fred and George. They are the opposite of Percy. They joke and tease all the time and actually plan to open a joke shop when they finish Hogwarts. They are in their seventh and final year and the only ones who managed to make it to the fifth year and never be selected as selected as prefects," Bethany continued until she was interrupted by Mona.

"What’s a prefect?" Mona asked.

"It’s a type of student government except appointed by the faculty not elected by the students. They are generally leaders and have good grades. They enforce the rules and show the new students the ropes," Bethany said.

"Oh, I see sorta like trustees in prison?" Mona said with a grin, "Were you one?"

"No way," Bethany said, "But Ron, the next in line just found out that he is a prefect. He isn’t as mischievous as the twins, but he gets into his fair share of trouble with his best friend Harry."

"Do you mean Harry Potter? So Ron is THE Ron Weasley?" Mona said with an excited smile.

"Harry is the Harry Potter but I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone refer to Ron as THE Ron Weasley. He’d get a kick out of it though," Charlie said.

"Harry and Ron are best friends. Harry is a little quieter. He is also a prefect, along with their other best friend Hermione. I assume that you know who she is too," Bethany said.

"She’s the one that was dating Harry and that Bulgarian Seeker at the same time," Mona said knowingly.

Bethany shook her head, "She and Harry have always been just friends. I believe she went on a few dates with Krum but she never would have called him her boyfriend. Hermione is very clever and keeps Harry and Ron and now George in line. Harry is dating Charlie’s little sister, Ginny. You’ll like her. She is your age. She’s quieter but I suspect that is mainly because the other’s make more noise."

Charlie walked to the bar to pay their tab.

"Bethany, you mentioned that Harry was dating Ginny, but urm, what about Ron? Is he dating anyone?" Mona asked as her cheeks reddened.

Bethany laughed and shook her head, "No he isn’t. As a matter of fact, I wanted to speak with you about him. He has seen a picture of you. You know the one of you under the oak tree by the river. Well, every time he is at our place he stares at it. I think he has a crush."

Mona’s eyes widened and a smile spread across her face, "You’re kidding right? Ron Weasley, the Ron Weasley, has a crush on me?"

"On your picture, yes. He doesn’t know you, Mona," Bethany told her, "Look, since you both appear to belong to mutual appreciation societies, I want you to promise me that you will take the time to get to know him. Become friends with him. I don’t believe he’s ever had a girlfriend and I don’t want you to take advantage of him."

"I wouldn’t have believed it had you not told me," Mona said.

"You ladies ready?" Charlie asked as he picked up Mona’s remaining bags. "I thought I’d take the bags and Apparate home. That way you can floo without worrying about baggage."

"Sounds good to me," Bethany said as she handed Charlie the last bag. "I’ll see you soon then," she said as she kissed his cheek.

Bethany threw a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace. When they fire turned green she motioned for Mona to go ahead of her. "It’s the Burrow. I’ll be right behind you," Bethany said as she smiled at her cousin.

Mona stepped forward, stepped up to the hearth, and said, "The Burrow," and disappeared.

* * * * *

"They’ll be here soon," Ron said exasperatedly, "Will you hurry and move that out of the room." He hurried down the stairs and leaving the others shaking their heads and laughing.

The twins, Ron and Harry had been helping Bill and Mr. Weasley with a quick remodel of Charlie’s and Bill’s old room. Ginny and Hermione were changing the sheets on the bed and Mrs. Weasley was charming the curtains to a brighter shade of blue. Harry, Ginny and the twins had been teasing Ron all evening.

Ron returned to the room a few moments later carrying a large vase filled with fresh cut flowers.

"Gee, Ron, you never had flowers for me," Harry said with a tone of mock indignation.

Fred put his arm around his little brother, "So what do you think you’ll name your first child?"

Ron answered them both with a glare just as Percy appeared in the doorway, "They’ll be here within the hour. Bethany wanted to talk to her first. Where should I put these?" He held up Mona’s bags that he had brought with him.

Mrs. Weasley took them from him and said, "We’ll just leave them here along side the bed." She turned to the others, "Now finish up and come downstairs."

* * * * *

Charlie arrived and handed the luggage he had to the twins and Bill who took it upstairs. Whey they returned the fire had just turned to the bright acidic green that signaled the arrival of their guest.

Mona tumbled out of the Floo and Charlie helped her to her feet. Mona looked around the room at all the eyes turned towards her. She had never been shy or nervous around crowds, but suddenly she was so scared she felt nauseated. Her usual reaction would be to put on a hard front, to be cocky and arrogant, to pretend she didn’t care. It was easy most of the time because she usually didn’t care. This time was different. She didn’t want to live with her Uncle Argent and his family. She wanted to stay with Bethany and to do that, she had to get along with Charlie and his family. She wasn’t sure what to do. She was used to being around the servants and her wealthy cousins, but the Weasleys were so different. She had met both Bill and Charlie before when they visited Bethany in New Orleans and when she had spent a week in Egypt when Bethany lived with Bill. She was only six when her parents were killed. Her Aunt Lelia had always provided for her but was far too old to have taken on her guardianship. She had been raised as though she might break if disciplined and she had pushed the envelope of acceptable behaviors trying to get some direction. Bethany was the only person ever to correct her and she loved her cousin for it, not because Bethany had punished her but because she felt loved when she was disciplined. Now, she found herself in a strange country in a house full of strangers without a clue of what would happen next. She suddenly felt like she hadn’t in a very long time. She felt like a child.

A tall handsome redhead, wearing an earring approached her with open arms, "Mona, how are you? I’m so sorry about your aunt."

She welcomed the brief hug, "I’m fine, Bill, thanks. And, how have you been?"

Bill didn’t answer as he was interrupted by Bethany’s return to the Burrow. Charlie was there to catch her if she had lost her balance but she exited the hearth gracefully. As she accepted his hand she mumbled, "Not an invalid yet." She smirked briefly and then turned her attention to Mona to make introductions.

"This is Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, our hosts," she began.

"Welcome, dear," Mrs. Weasley said pulling her into a tight hug. Mona was shocked. Bethany had warned her that she was a hugger as many are in Louisiana, but she didn’t expect to feel the warmth and comfort that she did when this strange woman hugged her.

"You Make yourself at home while you’re here," Mr. Weasley added as he smiled at her.

"Let’s see, Bill and Percy you know," Bethany said, "next would be Fred and George." She correctly identified each as she said their names.

"I don’t know how you do that?" George said as he walked over and offered his hand to Mona then he stood beside Hermione.

"Have a sweet?" Fred said with a mischievous grin.

Mona looked in his hand and took a purple candy. "Thanks," she said as she put it into her pocket, "I know just where to send this one."

"Yes, Fred, we warned her not to take anything edible from the two of you," Charlie said.

"This is Hermione Granger," Bethany said continuing the introductions. The girls smiled at each other as they shook hands.

"I hope you like it here. If you have any questions about school or England or just anything you can ask," Hermione said.

"She should have her badge on. Already acting like a prefect," Fred said as he leaned toward George, "Ow!" Fred rubbed his side where his brother who wore an innocent expression had just elbowed him.

Bethany laughed, "And this is Ginny. The two of you will be in the same year."

Mona smiled and shook Ginny’s hand. "Don’t worry we won’t test you on the names or anything."

"And, Harry Potter," Bethany said motioning to the bespectacled boy with messy black hair. He ran his hand through his hair succeeding in only making it stand up more as he prepared himself for the inevitable ‘famous Harry Potter’ greeting.

"Hi Harry," Mona said, "My dad used to talk about your parents. I think I still have a picture of them all together." Harry grinned as he shook her hand.

"And this is Ron," she said indicating her youngest brother-in-law.

Ron was bright red, "I, urm, we are all glad to have you here, Mona."

Mona swallowed and then smiled her largest smile at Ron, "Thanks, I’ve wanted to spend more time with Bethany."

Ron’s eyes locked with Mona’s. Bethany and Charlie looked at each other. Bethany looked a little worried and Charlie shrugged. Bill’s brow was furrowed. He couldn’t quite remember when he’s seen that look before until he looked at Charlie. Bill’s eyes widened.

"Well, Ginny and Hermione, why don’t you show Mona to her room," Bethany said bringing Ron and Mona out of their dazes. They both shook their heads as if shaking off a dream.

Mrs. Weasley said to Mona, "You just get yourself settled and if you need anything, just ask. I want you to feel at home here."

* * * * *

Ginny lead the way up the stairs to her brothers’ old room. She opened the door and stood aside to allow Mona to enter first. Hermione, who brought up the rear, exchanged a quick glance with Ginny before they followed her into the room.

"Mona, have you ever been to England before?" Hermione asked. Mona was distracted, looking around the room. It was clean but definitely not what she was used to. She had never seen the Weasley’s home from the outside. She didn’t know that it looked like it might fall over if not held together by luck and magic. "Mona," Hermione called again.

"Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I had been to England once on a school trip to see Stonehenge, but we didn’t stay long," Mona answered. She placed one of her bags on the bed and smiled when she noticed the flowers. "Oh these are nice, thanks," Mona said as she bent down to smell them.

"They’re from Ron," Ginny said giggling.

Mona’s eyes widened, "Really? Ron got these for me?"

Ginny and Hermione looked at each other with surprise.

"Yes he picked them himself from the garden out back," Ginny answered. Ginny bit her lip. She wanted to ask the new girl if she was interested in her brother but wasn’t sure how to ask her.

"Bethany says you like computers," Hermione said, "I have to say I missed mine at first too."

"Oh, you know computers? Bethany had said something about the wizarding people not knowing much about muggle things," Mona answered.

"They don’t really. It is a shame. I’m a muggle born. My parents are dentists," Hermione said, "So I know all about those things."

"I’ve never even seen a computer," Ginny said.

"Well they do save you time with research. At home, I have the WizNet. It was great for doing essays and things. Just type in what you want and zoom it’s right there. I can’t remember the last time I actually looked through a real book for information," Mona said.

"We don’t have anything like that at Hogwarts. I can show around the library though. It is a bit confusing and there isn’t even a proper card catalogue, but I have it figured out," Hermione said.

"Hermione lives in the library," Ginny said.

"I do not," Hermione said.

Mona began unpacking and when she placed a pile of American Wizarding Teen magazines on the desk, Ginny almost choked. Ginny grabbed the magazine featuring a familiar red head and started laughing.

"Oh my. Can you believe this? The Inside Scoop on The-Boy-Who-Lived-Best Friend, Ron Weasley Chess Champ, oh and this one is my favorite- Ron Weasley: The Boy to Love" Ginny said, "this is priceless. I can’t wait to show the twins."

Mona took the magazines back and placed them on the desk. Her face was bright red. Hermione turned her head to look at the covers. She noticed that several were more than a year old. "I remember that photo. Colin took it just after a Quidditch match in our third year. I wonder where they got it from?" Hermione said as she took the magazine from the desk. "Oh, this figures, the byline is Rita Skeeter. I am surprised Harry isn’t on the cover though."

"He is on many of them, but I left those at home," Mona said her face turning an even brighter red, "You made it on the cover twice."

Hermione was surprised at first but then smirked, "I take it that it wasn’t very friendly."

Mona shook her head, "I’m afraid not. Bethany told me that none of it was true though. I guess that means most of these aren’t either."

Hermione started flipping through some of the magazines, "I don’t think I’d say these are untrue, maybe a little exaggerated here and there, but I do need to ask what Ron did to make that insect like him so much. Nothing in here says anything bad about him."

"Wait a minute," Ginny said as she realized that the magazines all featured her brother were from different years, "You only have the ones of Ron. Do you have a crush?"

"I don’t know him at all," Mona said, staring at the floor.

"That isn’t what I asked. To have a crush you just have a crush," Ginny said.

"Take her word for it," Hermione said with a laugh, "she would know."

"Herm, you have been hanging around with George far too much," Ginny said.

Mona smiled and swallowed, "I don’t know what it is. There is just something about his picture. I don’t know, the first time I looked at it, it felt like I knew him. My friend had to hit me to bring me out of this daze I was in when I was staring at it. It’s weird, you know I never even put together the fact that he and Charlie were brothers until tonight."

"Did Bethany mention anything about Ron to you?" Hermione asked.

"A little. She said I should forget all about magazines and pictures and all and just get to know him," Mona said.

"Well, I hope someone has told him the same thing. He goes into this daze every time he sees your picture over at the tent. I think we may need to let Bethany know about this," Hermione said.

"Not everything is a mystery, Hermione," Ginny said, "I don’t think we need to run off and tell Bethany that Ron and Mona have similar crushes."

Mona looked over at Hermione and Ginny and smiled, "No, I don’t think it’s a big deal or anything."

The girls began helping Mona unpack. They admired her clothes and Ginny said she hoped that she got sorted to Gryffindor so they could share them. Mona knew nothing about Hogwarts or Sortings or Houses, so Hermione ran off and to retrieve her much read copy of Hogwarts a History and began telling her all about the school. Ginny would interject with ‘more useful information’ as she put it and explained whom the better teachers were and where the best places were to get away quickly and what foods to avoid at meal time. They also told her all about the new Advanced Care of Magical Creatures Course.

"I got one of Charlie’s books this morning," Mona said, "Bethany told me about their teaching positions but I didn’t know what they were teaching."

"I have to admit, I’m a little afraid about the test. I’m not in the best shape physically and I don’t manage a broom that well," Hermione said.

"You’ll do fine. You know you will outscore even the seventh years on the academic parts. That has to count for something," Ginny said.

"I don’t know if I should even bother," Mona said.

Hermione and Ginny looked concerned and Ginny said, "I think I have the flying down okay and the agility on the broomstick. My grades aren’t bad but I figure that they will give the spots to the older students first anyway, but I want to try."

"If it was charms or potions, I wouldn’t have a problem, but my flying is the pits," Mona said, "My uncle used to tell me I got my flying ability from my mom. She never flew but was great at potions. Now, my dad was asked to play on the professional Quodpot team, so I guess it could be in me somewhere but I haven’t found it yet."

"Don’t worry you have some of the best Quidditch players here at the Burrow. George has told me he’d work with me on flying. Harry really is good and they say Charlie could have played professionally too," Hermione said.

"Yeah, Charlie is one of the best seekers and Harry is probably even better than him. Ron is really good too, so are the twins. Do you have a broom? We could start working tomorrow," Ginny said.

"I didn’t bring my broom but I suppose Bethany would have one I could borrow until I can buy a new one," Mona said.

The girls continued their chat for several hours until Mrs. Weasley chased Ginny and Hermione back to their own room to give Mona some rest.

* * * * *

It was late that evening when Bethany climbed the stairs and knocked lightly on the door to Mona’s room.

"Come in," said the quiet voice from behind the door.

Mona was hanging up clothes when Bethany entered and sat on the bed. "Those are nice," Bethany said indicating the pale pink dress robes that Mona was placing on the rack.

"Thanks, I got them for the cotillion. That certainly is one thing to be happy about, I don’t have to go to that stuffy dance," Mona said making a face of disgust, "I always feel like meat on parade at those things."

"They haven’t changed much, have they? And, I only had to suffer through the Junior Cotillion. It would get worse as you approach the marriage age," Bethany agreed.

"Yep, here we have the lovely Mona Delachesay. Mona is good student, enjoys animals and is worth a gazillion dollars. If you are interested in placing a bid on this fine specimen see her aunt," Mona said in a mocking tone with an oozing Southern accent.

Bethany laughed, "So what do you think so far?"

"The Weasleys really are great. I like Ginny and Hermione, too. They told me all about school and what classes to avoid. You didn’t tell me about the dragons," Mona said.

"I figured we’d get around to that sooner or later," Bethany answered.

"I’m a little nervous, but it does sound like it will be fun. They told me about the sorting hat. Ginny said her brothers had told her that she’d have to answer a whole bunch of questions before she was sorted and that she was petrified. Hermione said they told Ron he’d have to wrestle a troll," Mona said blushing slightly as she mentioned Ron’s name.

"The Sorting Hat is very old, created by the founders of the school. They made it to see the true you and it will place you in the house you will do the best in. I’m sure you know that all the Weasleys,Harry and Hermione were in Gryffindor. I was in Ravenclaw. Remy was a Gryffindor too," Bethany explained.

Mona nodded. Ginny and Hermione had already told her all of this. "Ginny says Remy is going to be at Hogwarts too, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him. You knew he came to visit a few years ago," Mona said as she plopped down on the bed beside her cousin.

"Yes, I knew he went. I had told him to stay as long as he wished but Argent gave him such a hard time. My grandfather sent for him to teach that year to give him an excuse to come back to England," Bethany told her then continued, "I really am glad you seem to like it here. Even if it has only been a few hours. Hogwarts is the best school in the world. You’ll learn a so much from some of the greatest witches and wizards of our time."

"You being one of them has nothing to do with it either, huh?" Mona teased.

"Actually," Bethany replied haughtily, "It has everything to do with it."

Mona replied by smacking Bethany on the back of the head with a pillow. Bethany grabbed another pillow and hit her back. The fight continued for a few minutes until both girls collapsed in a fit of giggles on the floor.

Breathlessly Bethany said, "Good thing this was Charlie’s and Bill’s room. They have a silencing charm and the pillows have been charmed not to burst."

"Good thing," Mona agreed, "or you’d be cleaning up a big mess."

"Me?" Bethany said as she made a face and placed her hand on her chest.

"Well, we are in Europe now. And me being underage and all, I can’t do the simplest cleaning spell," Mona said as though she had discovered a benefit to the law against underage magic.

"No, actually it means it would just take you longer to clean it up the muggle way," Bethany said.

Mona made a face of frustration and yawned.

"Go to bed, Mona. Mrs. Weasley will have breakfast ready in the morning," Bethany said as she stood to leave, "Make sure you go down dressed appropriately."

"As if I’d do otherwise," Mona said.

Bethany raised her eyebrow and looked at Mona informing her that she new better about Mona’s past antics. "Mona, the Weasleys are good people. They really care and they have been warned about you. Please, don’t do anything stupid," Bethany said seriously.

"I wasn’t really thinking of doing anything other than waking up," Mona said, "but if you’d like…"

"No thanks," Bethany said as she grinned and walked to the door.

"Bethany," Mona called softly as Bethany reached for the door handle.

Bethany turned and looked questioningly at her cousin, "What is it Mona?"

"Thanks," the young girl said before quickly turning away as tears welled up in her eyes.

Bethany walked back to the bed and sat on the bed beside Mona. Mona began to cry as she placed her hand on the young girl’s shoulder. "Just let it out," Bethany said as she pulled her cousin into a hug.

Mona sobbed quietly for a few minutes before saying, "I just don’t get it."

"What don’t you understand?" Bethany asked with her brow furrowed with concern.

Mona took a deep breath as she pulled away from Bethany to turn and look her in the eye. She rubbed the tears from her face and said, "The Weasleys really are great. You know, Percy, I think he wanted to hug me or something when I first got to London. He looked so concerned for me. And, I heard him thank the guy at the Central Port and tell him that he owed him one. I mean, all my family was worried about my leaving was that the right papers be signed so they could run the businesses with out me there. And here are these people I don’t even know and they are becoming indebted to others to help me out."

Bethany just grinned as Mona continued, "They just take in this stranger they’ve been told who knows what about and they welcomed me with open arms like I was their own family or something." Mona wiped her eyes with one hand as she nervously played with the small silver crucifix she wore around her neck.

"You just described the Weasleys in a nutshell. They don’t know strangers. And, because I am now family, you are family," Bethany said, "I’ve had a difficult time trying to explain our family to Charlie and Bill. They just can’t understand how someone could treat family the Delachesays do."

Mona sighed, "Why are they like that? The Delachesays I mean."

"They are a miserable lot. They have more money than they know what to do with and all the wizarding and muggle conveniences, but they are greedy and paranoid and worried about the family secrets that no one seems to know," Bethany said.

"Ooh, the forbidden topic. I used to search all over the house to find out what no one would tell me about," Mona laughed halfheartedly, "I guess you are right about the greed. I never understood why they hated me so much."

Bethany looked at her young cousin and said, "You and I are the only Delachesay females in our generation, and the family insists on following the old covenants where only the females inherit directly. I ended up as grandmother’s heir and you were Great Aunt Lelia’s and Lydia’s. I don’t know how many times I had wished those women had had children of their own. I was thrilled when you were born. You see, I was an interloper, the bastard child of Adam Delachesay and I didn’t even have the decency to be an American. Did you know those old women actually had me baptized again? They claimed anything that I may have had here didn’t count. When you came along the focus was taken off me."

"Glad I could oblige," Mona said teasingly.

"Well, I think it was more Aaron and Catherine who obliged but…" Bethany said with a grin.

Mona hit Bethany with a pillow. Bethany held her hand up and the pillow flew across the room as she said, "Don’t start that again. I have to get some sleep. I still run each morning."

"Urgggghhh! You and Charlie and that healthy life style, kinda makes me sick," Mona said as she stuck out her tongue as though she would vomit.

"Yes, well, I’ll have you know that there is a certain young Weasley male, the youngest to be exact, that just started running with us," Bethany grinned at the change in Mona’s expression, "Harry and Ginny run too. If you’d like you could join us."

"I will have to give it some thought, but I don’t think I will tomorrow," Mona said as she yawned again, "Night Bethany."

"It’s going to be okay Mona. I know it is scary right now but it will be okay," Bethany said as she stood in the doorway.

Mona sighed and nodded. Bethany closed the door and thought, "It just has to work out, for Mona’s sake, that girl has had the world on her shoulders far too long."

* * * * *

Charlie was already in bed by the time Bethany returned to the tent. Without bothering to change she climbed into the bed beside him.

"It’s been a dreadfully long day," she said as Charlie rolled over to face her. Charlie pushed himself up on his elbows causing the bed sheet to fall away. Charlie was shirtless, wearing only boxers with pictures of dancing dragons moving around on them.

Bethany smiled, "I have certainly come to appreciate this outfit much more than dragon hide."

Charlie laughed, "I may have a more difficult time finding a profession that will allow me to dress like this all the time." He bent down and kissed her cheek.

"It would be passe’ after awhile if you wore it all the time. Besides, nightly in my bed is just fine," Bethany teased.

Charlie chuckled, "That is definitely not a problem."

Bethany’s smile faded with a sigh as her thoughts returned to Mona. Charlie correctly read her thoughts and asked, "So how is Mona?"

"She’s scared and confused and bewildered by the Weasley family," Bethany answered.

"Us? Why is that?" Charlie asked.

Bethany sat up and shook her head, "You really don’t know how lucky you are to have the family you do. All the times you and Bill complained about your overprotective mother or your eccentric father, neither of you realized what great parents you have."

"We know we have good parents," Charlie defended.

"Yes, but you always assume that everyone’s parents are like yours. Strict but loving, with certain expectations but will be supportive if what you want will make you happy," Bethany paused as she shook her head again, "Sadly, those attributes are far to

Charlie was quietly contemplating the information when Bethany added, "and I haven’t even mentioned your siblings. You fight and argue, but it is so obvious how much that you each love one another."

"It’s just you didn’t have any brothers or sisters," Charlie interrupted, "you just aren’t familiar with the whole family thing."

"No that is not it. Your family is unique and not just because you all freckled, red heads," she said as she tugged on a lock of hair at the base of his head, "you are unique in that you are each important to the other, more important than money, fame or success. Despite how much you tease you can tell that you love each other. So, no I’m not familiar with that. Mona and I did not grow up in that type of atmosphere."

Charlie reached over and pulled his wife into his arms. He knew she had had a rough childhood, with experiences that made him shudder when imagined. "I know what you are thinking, Charlie, and Mona has had it worse," Bethany said, "that is why she is so surprised by your family. She’s lived her short life sheltered from others with only the Delachesays as her examples. And as much as I’d love to deny it, the Delachesay family is just horrid. They spend way too much time worrying about purity and bloodlines and would kill one of their own as soon as they would an enemy. There has always been only one rule in that family, ‘Do not disgrace the family name’ and Mona and I have both pushed the limits trying to break that one. Mona grew up in a house where no one was angry that her twenty year old cousins thought they’d get pleasure from a fourteen year old girl."

Charlie squeezed his wife tightly. He knew everything she told him. It hadn’t been the first time she said this, but he had never thought of his family in comparison and somehow the Delachesays seemed far away enough to not seem real. He kissed Bethany and said, "Well, she’ll never be in a situation like that again. Mum says that she’s welcome here in the summers and on holidays if she’d like."

Bethany smiled, "See Charlie, your mum has known her a few hours and has already said that she’s welcome in this house. She did the same thing with Harry knowing that doing so could bring harm to her family. The Lupin’s only took me in out of duty to my grandfather and the benefits that having me and my money around afforded them. Your parents really are special, and I think you sometimes take them for granted."

Charlie smiled. He had taken them for granted. "I won’t do that any longer," he said as mischievous glint came into his eyes, "Beth, are you planning on sleeping in your jeans?"

"I might unless someone gives me a good reason not to," she said as she echoed the same light in her eyes.

"I think I can come up with a reason or two," Charlie said.

* * * * *

Mona awoke the next morning surprised by her surroundings, but when she saw the framed pictures of the Weasley family on the window sill beside the vase of flowers, she remembered exactly where she was. She stretched and picked up the picture. It looked like it was in Egypt and guessed it was taken when the family had taken a trip to visit Bill. The twins were teasing Percy who was wearing a fez and some shiny badge. Mrs. Weasley looked as though she was pleading with Bill to remove his earring. Charlie had a burn on his cheek. Mr. Weasley had his hand proudly on Ginny’s shoulder. She was about to put down the photo when she decided to take a closer look at a much younger Ron holding and old rat on his shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat as his photographed head turned and his blue eyes seemed to look straight into her own. She shook her head. "Pull yourself together, Mona," she thought.

She pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. She was combing her hair when she said to her reflection, "Maybe I should wear a dress."

"Do as you like, dear," the dresser mirror said, "but in this house you’d be more comfortable in those short trousers. Not much call for dresses in this house."

Mona laughed. "Thanks for the information," she said to the mirror and then thought, "Geez, the furniture is even nice here."

She straightened her shirt and shorts and headed out the door and was almost run over by Fred who was shouting back into his room across the hall at his brother, "Come on, George, you look just lovely."

George exited his room telling his brother, "I think I need a haircut is all." George noticed Mona and said, "Oh, morning."

Fred turned to her and said, "Mum has breakfast, ready are you coming down?"

"I suppose I am," Mona said quietly.

The boys nodded and went running down the stairs. Mona shrugged and followed after them thinking, "Nice and friendly but not chivalrous."

Hermione was already sitting at the table reading the Daily Prophet. She looked up and smiled at Mona as George slid into the chair beside her, "Just take any seat. Breakfast is usually eaten in shifts here and there have never been any formal seating arrangements."

"Good morning, Mona," Mrs. Weasley said, "I thought you might have a bit more of a lie in this morning. Did you sleep okay?"

Mona nodded as she took a seat beside Hermione who passed her a plate and utensils and then the tray filled with food.

"Just pretend you’ve always lived here and dig in," George said.

"Yeah, if you don’t see anything you need, just ask, and if there is no one around to ask, just dig until you find what you need," Fred added.

Hermione laughed, "It takes some getting used to, I know, but they are serious. In a day or so what little manners they have shown will disappear. You may as well just jump in feet first."

Mona smiled, "So where is everyone else?"

"The crazy ones are still running. You know I wasn’t too surprised when Ginny took up with the idea, but Ron is now up and out of here so early," Fred said shaking his head.

George chuckled, "Yeah, I half expected him to stay around this morning to greet our guest for breakfast." Mona blushed.

"I’m surprised he slept at all," Fred added. Hermione nudged George and looked at them both more sternly than Professor McGonagall ever had.

"Oh, urm, Mum, great breakfast," George said changing the topic of conversation, "What’s for lunch?"

Mrs. Weasley shook her head ignoring her son’s question, "You boys need to check and make sure that you have everything for school. Bethany is planning on taking Mona shopping this weekend and if you are missing anything they can pick it up for you."

A strange owl tapped at the window. Molly opened the window to allow it to enter. It flew to the twins, dropped a parchment in front of them and nicked a piece of bacon from the platter on the table before returning through the still open window.

"How rude," Hermione said after the owl left. She attempted to read the letter but Fred held it too far for her to read.

"Well?" Molly asked the boys waiting for them to explain the letter.

"Mum, we’ll need to go to Diagon Alley with Bethany," Fred said as he handed the note to his brother.

"I’m sure whatever you’ll need she can get for you," Molly said as she turned away from the boys.

"Mum, the owner of the Quality Quidditch Supplies had written requesting we meet him and several investors this weekend," George explained.

"Oh, George, what great news," Hermione said proudly. She had known that a deal was in the works that could set the twins into business with no problems.

"I don’t want this little wheezes business to interfere with your school work," Molly told her sons.

"Mum, if this meeting works out well, Weasley Wizard Wheezes won’t be a small business at all," Fred said.

"You boys have a year to finish at school and your N.E.W.T.s. to focus on, not some silly pranks," she replied.

"Mrs. Weasley, this could be a chance of a lifetime for them. And I’m sure George and Fred will tell them that they must complete school first. Frankly, it would be to their advantage for the twins to complete school. It’s a more sound investment to have fully accredited wizards to invest in after all."

"I hope you are right dear," Mrs. Weasley said, "And you boys should listen to Hermione. She has a good head on her shoulders."

George mouthed a thank you as Hermione grinned smugly.