Evil Twins

"No, you can't," said Megan, slamming the book shut and holding it tightly. "It's mine."

"Uh, Megan," whispered Harry, "I think you'd better give it to her."

"Well, I don't," said Lisa flatly. "It's mine too, and it's not like it's an illegal book or something."

"At least tell me the title," said Professor McGonagall crisply.

"True Accounts and History of The Sorcerer's Stone," said Megan, still clutching the book.

McGonagall was silent for a moment.

"I insist upon seeing that book now, Miss Drew, "she said finally, holding a hand out.

Megan held it out reluctantly. Just as McGonagall's fingers touched it, it disappeared in a puff of blue smoke. A look of immense surprise and horror came over the twins' faces.

"Where'd my book go?"shrieked Megan.

Something about all this was seeming strangely fake to Harry.

"That was my book!I want it back!"yelled Lisa.

Harry had a sudden suspicion that both the Drews knew exactly where the book was.

Lisa turned and winked at him, putting a finger over her mouth.

"Give us our book, Professor!"demanded Megan.

"I don't have it," said McGonagall, looking at them all suspiciously. "It's gone."

"Sure," said Lisa. "We believe you."

"C'mon, let's go before she jacks our homework, too," said Megan. They got up and went to another table. McGonagall, after watching them for a minute, turned and left.

"How," said Harry, "did you do that?"

"We've always been able to do it," said Lisa, shrugging. "Make stuff disappear and appear in another place. Sort of like apparating, but not so difficult or restricted. I hear frequently that you can't apparate or disapparate on the school grounds." She grinned at Hermione.

"Well, where's the book, then?" asked Ron.

Megan grinned wickedly.

"In Harry's bag," she said.

Harry, amazed, reached into his bag. Sure enough, there it was.

"Wicked," said Ron.

"How clever," said Hermione flatly as though she were repeating something she had memorized. "Now let's have a look at it."

They opened it again and turned to the same page.

"Now, we figure Flamel's dead, right?" said Megan. "Well, right here, he says what was to be done with the other two stones in case he died." She jabbed at a faded paragraph on a worn old page. It read:

"Nicolas Flamel, the maker of the three stones, left a note in his will, which gave instructions pertaining to the stones in case of his death. It goes as follows:

'In the quite unlikely event of my death, the Stones I have created are to be delivered to the individual whose name is etched onto the backside of the headboard of my bed. In the event that that individual cannot be found, the stones are to be given to my wife Perenelle's sister in Peru.'

It is unknown which of these instructions was carried out, if either."

"So there you have it," sighed Megan. "One stone gone, Flamel dead, and the other two who knows where."

"Megan," said Harry suddenly, "You can't let anyone know about this book. Anyone." He realised what it would mean if Voldemort got his hands on that book. He had already been restored to health, but if he found the book and got the other Stones, plus the one Sirius was bringing--he shuddered. He had to keep anyone and everyone from ever finding out about it.

"You have to make McGonagall think the book's gone. Completely." He looked Megan and Lisa straight in the eyes. He noticed that they didn't look that concerned.

"Well, of course," said Lisa. "How stupid do you think we are?We know what could happen if this book was discovered. We never told anyone before now that we have it. Not even the bookshops or libraries. We just told them we were looking for a book called True Accounts and History of The Sorcerer's Stone."

Megan closed the book and looked around at them.

"Well," she said briskly, "If you're going to meet this godfather of yours, you're going to need a plan. First of all, we'll need to find out when he's coming, and where he's going to be. Second of all, we'll have to make absolute sure we won't be caught by Snape, who'll be lurking around. Thirdly, we'll have to make sure you catch Sirius after he talks to Dumbledore."

"And lastly?" asked Ron dryly.

"We have to be careful, of course," said Lisa matter-of-factly.

Harry couldn't believe his ears. He had known Megan and Lisa for a full twenty-four hours, and already they knew a whole lot about him, and were helping him plan how to meet Sirius without getting caught.

"Maybe I should just tell Dumbledore I know, and get him to let me be there. I have a right to see him, after all. And that way I won't be getting you all in trouble."

"Skip that," said Lisa. "Not in a million years is Dumbledore going to let you do that. And you'll be getting us in trouble anyway, because you'll have to explain about you all listening at the door while we were in his office, and then you'll have to say we were listening, too. He'll never believe you were there listening by yourself."

"Lisa's right," said Hermione. "He won't let you. I still think going at all is a bad idea. I have a horrible feeling about all of this."

Harry was starting to feel really annoyed, weary, and a bit angry.

"See here, Hermione," he said, "I've already told Ron that I don't give a damn what happens to me. I could have died about a thousand times already. I'm not saying that's any guarantee that I'm out of danger, but who knows, maybe my luck'll keep up. And---"

"Luck?" interrupted Hermione softly. "Luck? Is that what you call almost getting killed by Voldemort three times, and Cedric dying, and Voldemort returning to power? That's what you call luck, Harry?"

Harry was silent for a moment.

"You're right, Hermione," he sighed. "I shouldn't have called that luck. The truth is, it's been horrible, and I can't take this waiting anymore." His green eyes pleaded with Hermione to understand. "I have to see him. I have to. I can't stand this anymore. Come on, Ron, Hermione, Megan, Lisa, think about how I feel. What would you do in my place?"

There was silence. Hermione, Lisa, Ron, and Megan looked uncomfortably at each other.

"Give him a break," said Megan finally. "I'd do exactly the same if I were him. Now that that's over with, we need some more info."

"You guys don't have to come," said Harry. Sneaking around Hogwarts at night without being caught had never been easy. They had been caught a couple of times. He had a feeling that it would be doubly hard with Megan and Lisa. "I'm sure I can manage fine on my own. Besides, this is my problem, not yours, you should really stay here, guys."

"And miss out on sneaking around behind Snape and Voldemort's backs?You've gotta be kidding," grinned Lisa.

Ron flinched ever so slightly, but no one saw.

"This isn't a game, you two," said Hermione severely. "Lives are at stake here, including your own."

"We know that," said Megan impatiently. "But if we're going to do this, why not have a little fun while we're at it? Besides, we helped you already, you should trust us."

"How have you helped us?" asked Harry, startled.

"We got you up to Dumbledore's office by teaching Hermione the Entra Revealus, didn't we, which led to your learning that Sirius is coming? We showed you our book, which gave you the information that there are more Sorcerer's Stones, in which case the Eternal Death stone isn't so dangerous, didn't we? We cursed Malfoy and got away with it, didn't we?"

Megan and Lisa glared at the three.

"They have a point," said Ron.

"Well, then, let's quit jabbering and get to work."

"Ok, we need to find out, first, when Sirius is going to get here," said Harry, his doubts gone.

"That'll be easy, won't it," said Ron. "Dumbledore said McGonagall's going to be overseeing detentions at the time. Just ask someone who has detention Friday night what time their detention is."

"I'll do that," said Hermione.

"Right," nodded Harry. "Then we need to know where Sirius is going to be."

"Also easy," said Lisa. "We can teleport Snape, McGonagall, or Dumbledore's schedule into our hands. One of them's bound to have it written down. If not, well, we can look in Dumbledore's Pensieve."

"How do you know he has a Pensieve?"

"Uh, we were sort of just in his office, Ron."

"Right."

"Well, what if we can't find the location in Dumbledore's Pensieve, either?" asked Hermione.

"Well," said Megan, "if worst comes to worst, we can just ask Dumbledore. Like this---Hey Headmaster, where are you going to be on Friday night? Cuz' we were wondering if you could come party with us."

Hermione looked doubtful, but Ron and Harry nodded.

"Ok, so Hermione's finding out the time, Meg, Lisa, you're finding out the location. Right then--I guess that means me and Ron will make sure we can get there without getting caught by Snape."

"Ok," they all said together. Then Harry gave a huge yawn. He hadn't realised how late it was getting.

"I'm going to bed," said Hermione. "Night, Harry. Night, Ron." She kissed Ron.

"Nighty-night, suckas," called Lisa, halfway up the stairs to the girls dormitory.

"She doesn't mean the suckers part," called Megan from the door.

"Yes I do," yelled Lisa. A door slammed.

"I'll be going off to bed now," yawned Ron. "Coming, Harry?"

"No, I'll be there in a minute, Ron," said Harry in a faraway voice. He was pondering his situation. He really truly didn't care about eternal death, or about getting in trouble. He wanted to see Sirius, that was all, and he was determined to see him. Nothing was going to stop him. He got up from his chair by the fire and walked up to the boys' dormitory. Neville was snoring loudly. Ron was sitting in bed polishing his wand. Harry heard a faint whistling coming from his trunk. He knew what it was. His Sneakoscope.

"Ron, you aren't doing anything untrustworthy, are you?" Harry joked. To his surprise, Ron reddened and looked down, clearing his throat. Harry was surprised and curious.

"Ok, Ron, what's going on?" asked Harry.

Ron glanced at him, redder than his own hair. He shrugged.

"Nothing," he said. "Much," he added.

But Harry noticed that Ron's blankets weren't tucked in around the sides of his four-poster bed.

"Ron," said Harry, "What's under your bed?"

Ron went even redder until he looked almost purple.

"'C'mon, Ron," Harry coaxed. "I won't tell anyone. And anyway, you have to sleep sometime. If you don't tell me, I'll see it when you're asleep anyway."

"Fine, I'll tell you," said Ron in a strangled sort of voice.

"Don't you dare tell him, Ronald Weasley!" came a voice from under Ron's bed.

Harry almost choked.

"Is that Hermione?" he spluttered. Then he burst out laughing. "Hermione, what are you doing under Ron's bed?"

"We were studying," came Hermione's choked voice.

"Sure, Hermione. Good night, Ron," Harry laughed, feeling much better. "Good night, Hermione."

He climbed into bed, took out his contacts, and was asleep in five seconds.

*************

Getting all the necessary info turned out to be quite easy. Hermione asked around, and found out that Friday night's detentions started at nine o' clock. Megan and Lisa teleported Dumbledore's schedule into their hands and found out that Dumbledore was going to be in his office at nine. They told Harry and Ron this.

"This is almost too easy," said Harry unhappily in the common room that evening. "If we can find all this out this easily, who else can?"

"Oh, stop worrying," snapped Lisa.

"For my part, I'm just glad we haven't been caught yet," said Hermione.

"Ok, here's the plan," said Ron. "At eight forty-five on Friday, me and Harry, under his invisibility cloak, will go up to Dumbledore's office, while Megan and Lisa distract Snape, which I'm sure will be very easy for them. Hermione will be a lookout and watch and warn us if anyone comes by sending us a signal with her wand. When Sirius comes out of Dumbledore's office, hopefully he'll be alone. Me and Harry will try and pull him into an empty classroom so we can talk. We'll use the Charms classroom, it's closest, and if he's alone, we'll send you a signal, you guys come to the Charms room. If he's not alone, me or Harry will send the rest of you a signal with our wand, and we'll all meet up outside. Any questions?" Ron looked around at them.

"I've got one," snapped Hermione. "How am I supposed to keep a lookout without being seen? And how are we supposed to get outside without being seen?"

Harry and Ron exchanged glances.

"Well, let's put it this way, Hermione," said Ron. "You guys have to drink polyjuice potion if you want to come along."

"What?!!!" burst out Megan, Lisa, and Hermione.

"No," said Hermione flatly. "I won't drink that vile substance ever again."

"C'mon, Hermione," coaxed Ron. "I'll make sure you don't turn into a cat this time." Megan and Lisa shot him quizzical looks. "Long story, tell you some other time," Ron muttered.

"Well, I'm not scared to drink rolypoly juice," declared Lisa. "But who am I turning into?"

"It's polyjuice potion," corrected Harry. "And you'll all have to be teachers. They're the only ones who'll have a good excuse to be out at that time."

"I'll be Sprout," said Megan. "I'm not going to change into Trelawney or McGonagall for anything."

"I'll be McGonagall," said Hermione, setting her teeth.

"I guess I'll be Trelawney, then," groaned Lisa. "And I'll give her such a bad rep, she'll never show her buggy face down here again."

"No!" said Harry. "Nothing like that. We're gonna meet Sirius, and that's all. Okay?"

"Fine, whatever, don't have a cow," said Megan. "But we only have two days, how are we gonna make polyjuice potion in two days?"

They all glanced blankly at each other. No one had thought of that.

"I think Snape keeps some polyjuice potion already made in his private stores," Harry said. "We'll just have to swipe some."

"I will, you mean," said Hermione. "I always get stuck with that sort of thing."

"No, not this time," said Lisa. "I'll do it, you can create a distraction. But we don't have Potions till Friday."

"Well, then we're just going to have to get a piece of the person we're turning into and get the potion on Friday. I can think of a few hundred distractions that would be very effective."

"Ok, well, now that we have everything worked out," said Ron, "We have till Friday. And nothing--NOTHING--is to be done Friday night except what we've discussed."

"Rats," muttered Megan.

"Listen, you guys," said Harry. "It's nice of you to help me and all, but you don't have to do this."

"Well, we are," retorted Lisa. "So don't try and get rid of us just yet."

Harry fell silent. He hoped it would be as easy as it sounded.

************

"Miss Drew!" Snape's sharp voice rang across the Potions classroom on Friday.

Megan and Lisa looked up.

"Yeah-huh?" drawled Lisa.

"Will you kindly stop reading magazines in my class and take your seats?"

Megan and Lisa obligingly picked up their chairs and began walking towards the door.

"Miss Drew!" Snape snarled again.

Megan and Lisa turned.

"Yeah-huh?" drawled Megan.

"Just what do you think you are doing?" inquired Snape icily.

"Taking our seats," said Lisa, her face perfectly straight. "Didn't you tell us to take them?"

"Ten points from Gryffindor," said Snape, mouth tightening. "Bring those chairs back here and sit down, at once."

"Spoilsport," muttered Megan.

"Stick it in your ear, Snape," snapped Lisa, causing Snape to take a further fifteen points from Gryffindor.

Grumbling, Megan and Lisa carried their chairs back and slammed them down. Suddenly, the chairs disappeared and reappeared on Malfoy's desk. Objects suddenly began disappearing all over and reappearing everywhere else. The class was in an uproar. Lisa swiftly darted over to Snape's store room and went in. Megan made something appear on her own head to escape suspicion and began running and squealing like everyone else. After about three minutes, Lisa reemerged from the room with something in her hand. It was a large glass vial of a thick, glutinous liquid. Lisa quickly teleported it into her bag. Suddenly, things stopped disappearing. Everyone fell silent as they looked at Snape's twisting, murderous face. Snape had no evidence that anyone had done anything, though, so he merely spat, "Continue with your potions."

Megan, Lisa, Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged triumphant glances. Now everything was ready. It was almost time to put their plan into action. Harry smiled broadly as he watched Megan and Lisa throwing porcupine quills at Malfoy as though he were a dartboard. Megan glanced up and caught Harry's eye. She grinned happily and Harry's heart twanged.

Do I like Megan? he asked himself. I shouldn't--she's obnoxious, wild, rude, and she can't even take Voldemort seriously. Besides, I like Cho. Or do I ? Ever since Cedric died she's been so....distant. I haven't seen her for ages, and Lavender says she's dating Roger Davies now, even though I don't believe that . And Megan has been really helpful..........stop it this minute, Harry Potter! You do not like Megan!

Megan flicked another quill at Malfoy. It hit the back of his neck and Megan punched the air triumphantly as Malfoy grabbed at his neck with a little yelp. Harry watched her with a small smile on his face.

***************

"Ok," said Harry at 8:40 that night, "Have we got everything?"

"Yeah," said Ron, looking nervously at his watch. "And the girls are taking the potion." Pretty soon Professor Sprout, Professor Trelawney, and Professor McGonagall came down the stairs into the common room.

"This is just weird," said Professor Sprout, in a tone which was too obviously Megan's.

"Don't talk like that," said Harry. "Sprout always talks sort of sharply."

"Alright, you chaps, come along and be quiet about it, what what? That better?" snapped Megan.

"I hate this," said Professor McGonagall. "It's uncomfortable. Look at me--I'm about a foot taller than Ron!" McGonagall's face was wearing a look which was all too Hermione-ish. It was her I-don't-like-this-it's-so-stupid-we're-going-to-get-in-trouble look.

"Calm it, Hermione," said Ron. "Quit complaining, I thought you've always wanted to be exactly like McGonagall. And anyway, you sound just like her."

"Trelawney must be anorexic," whispered Professor Trelawney as they climbed through the portrait hole. "Good God, how does this woman live? I know if I looked like this, I'd kill myself."

"Shhhh," hissed Harry, from somewhere they couldn't see. "Ok, there's Snape," he added, peering around a corner. "Megan, Lisa, your cue. Hermione, come with us."

Megan and Lisa walked around the corner, talking loudly. Hermione was under the invisibility cloak with Harry and Ron.

"Oh, look, Sibyll, there's Severus now," said Megan loudly and sharply, sounding exactly like Sprout always did.

"We have something to ask you, Severus," said Lisa mistily, in an almost perfect imitation of Trelawney. "And, no offense intended or anything, but why the hell don't you hang yourself?"

"Because I'm not suicidal," the other three heard Snape's furious voice as they hurried along a corridor, trying to be quiet. At the beginning of another corridor they left Hermione. Silently Harry and Ron hurried up to Dumbledore's office. Harry was excited. He couldn't wait to see Sirius. When they reached the door, all that was left to do was wait. After a long time, however, Harry became impatient.

"Ron," he whispered. "I'm going in there."

"Harry, don't!" Ron hissed. "That wasn't part of the plan!" He grabbed Harry's arm and held him from back from the statue. Harry suddenly understood how Ron felt every time Harry held him back from hitting Malfoy.

"Ron," said Harry slowly, "I will never again hold you back from whacking Malfoy."

"What are you talking about, Harry?" asked Ron bewilderedly.

"Oh, never m--shh! Someone's coming!" Harry and Ron flattened themselves against the wall, even though they were invisible. A sudden thought flashed through Harry's mind--Dumbledore could see through invisibility cloaks. Fortunately for them, a huge black dog bounded out of the statue alone.

"Sirius!" Harry hissed. The dog whirled around and stared right at the spot where they were, hackles raised.

"It's me," Harry whispered. "I had to see you--come with me." Harry put his hand on the dog's head and hurried in the direction of the Charms classroom. Ron pulled out his wand and sent the others a signal : three small flashes of green light. When they reached the Charms room, Megan, Hermione, and Lisa were already there, back in their normal forms. Harry decided not to ask how they had changed back so quickly. Sirius switched to his human form.

"Harry!" he exclaimed in a hoarse whisper. "What--how--how did you know I was coming?And who are these two?"

"Megan and Lisa Drew, at your service, Mr. Black," smiled the Drews, bowing deeply.

"Nice to meet you," said Sirius uncertainly. Then he turned to Harry. "Harry, you have to go back to Gryffindor tower," he said sharply. "Voldemort's followed me here and I have to go before he gets in here. It's me he's after, and you are not to get involved in this, do you understand?"

"NOT GET INVOLVED?!!" shouted Harry, forgetting himself in his anger. "ARE YOU MY GODFATHER OR NOT? I want to help you! I don't care about Voldemort, I care about you! And if you think I'm just going to go sit in Gryffindor tower quietly while you get yourself killed, you don't know me that well!"

"Harry, please be quiet," pleaded Hermione. "You're going to get us caught. Sirius--you'd better go before Snape comes."

Sirius was staring at Harry like he'd never seen him before.

"Harry," he said finally, "I know how terrible it's been for you. And I know you want to help. But--Harry, there's really nothing you can do."

Harry opened his mouth to say something, but just then the magically magnified voice of Professor McGonagall boomed through the castle, waking everyone.

"Attention all students," she said urgently, "We are currently undergoing an emergency situation. All students report to the Great Hall, immediately. I repeat, all students to the Great Hall immediately."

They all gazed at each other blankly.

"Well, I ain't going," said Lisa finally. "I want to know what's going on, and there's no WAY they're going to tell us."

"Well, then, I'm not, either," said Megan determinedly.

"I'd rather not, either," declared Ron.

"I'm staying with Ron," said Harry and Hermione together.

"Quiet, all of you," said Sirius sharply. "You are all going to the Great Hall. I know what's happening, and you are all in very great danger so long as you are out here. I'm taking you to the Hall, and I want all of you to promise that you'll stay there."

"Screw you," said Lisa, and her and Megan ran out. Harry only just stopped himself from joining them.

"Dammit," cursed Sirius, "Dammit to hell."

"Sirius, what's going on?" questioned Hermione anxiously. Sirius grimaced.

"Lord Voldemort is here," he said quietly.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione paled and gasped.

"He can't get into the Great Hall," said Sirius rapidly. "It's enchanted. That's why they're making everyone go in there. But out here--well, let's just say wandering the halls isn't a good idea at this point."

"But--how did he get in?" gasped Hermione.

"No time to explain, Hermione," Sirius snapped urgently. "Go to the Great Hall, all of you, before they seal it completely. I'll see to it that those two idiotic twins get there, too."

"Sirius," said Harry, pausing at the door.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Goodbye," said Harry, a lump in his throat. Sirius nodded to him and swiftly left.

"C'mon, Harry," said Hermione panickedly. "We have to get to the Hall before it's closed!"

"No," said Harry firmly, "We're going to find Megan and Lisa first. They'd do the same for you." Hermione frowned, but it looked sort of forced.

"Well, alright--but this was your idea, not mine."

"What if Voldemort's down there?" protested Ron.

"I assure you, Ron, that if Voldemort's down there, you can hide behind me," snapped Hermione sarcastically.

Harry pulled out his wand and ran down the corridor.

To be continued. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .