Harry Potter and the Ancient Alliance

Chapter 2

Twins for an Hour?

The sun shone brightly through the open window, its warmth waking Harry from rest. Hedwig was perched on the sill. Harry awoke to silence. He realized that Ron wasn't in his bed. How long had he been asleep? Where was everyone? He quickly remembered hearing Sirius's voice in the darkness calling his name and wondered if he had just dreamed the whole thing. This was the first time he had thought of Sirius in days. What was wrong with him? How could he have forgotten Sirius even if it was just for a few days? Guilt poured into him like a tidal wave. His stupidity and carelessness had gotten his godfather killed.

"Forgive me, Sirius," Harry whispered.

He knew he didn't deserve to be forgiven, but Harry didn't want forgiveness he wanted his godfather back. He dressed quickly and headed down the stairs. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were in the garden picking fresh vegetables to prepare for dinner. Ron was sitting at the kitchen table writing something.

"Well, it's about time you woke up, it's going on noon," Ron said as he looked up from his parchment, placing his quill on the table. "You really slept for a long time there, Harry."

"Wow, I didn't realize how tired I was. What are you doing?" Harry asked taking a seat next to Ron.

"Oh," Ron blushed. "Writing a letter to Hermione to tell her what's happened."

"Great, tell her I said hello, alright?" Harry instructed.

Ron nodded. Just then, Mrs. Weasley and Ginny came into the kitchen carrying a huge basket of veggies.

"Well good afternoon, Harry. Did you sleep well?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Mum, told us not to wake you," Ginny added.

"Yes, I did thank you," answered Harry.

"Are you hungry dear? I could fix some lunch," Mrs. Weasley offered.

"Yes, that would be wonderful Mrs. Weasley." Harry said.

"Great news, Molly!" Mr. Weasley had just walked though the door with Fred and George right behind him.

"Fred, George?! I'm so happy to see you two boys! It seems like you've been gone for an eternity. I haven't seen you since the Ministry summoned you a week ago," Mrs. Weasley said kissing and hugging the boys.

"Careful mum you'll mess up our hair," Fred said jokingly.

"Oh, terribly sorry Fred. Wouldn't want to do that," Mrs. Weasley said half sarcastically half laughing.

"I'm not Fred, I'm George! Have we been away so long that you can't tell us apart anymore?" Fred asked.

Mrs. Weasley blinked in silence. "Nice try Fred," she said, a small smirk forming on her face. "I'm not going to fall for it again. I know my own boys."

"I told you we couldn't fool her, mate. Mum's too clever," George said.

"So what happened at the Ministry?" Mrs. Weasley asked with Ron, Harry, and Ginny listening intently.

"Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic have agreed to let Fred and George intern this summer to makeup for the lessons they missed this past year," Mr. Weasley started. "However, they will have to continue to stay at the Ministry's Visitor's Boarding House during this time and will have limited contact with anyone who is not assigned to their cases. They will be given special assignments to complete over the coming months. On August 20^th, Dumbledore will choose five Hogwarts teachers to critique and grade the boys' overall progress. If they pass, they will be able to graduate from Hogwarts."

"Limited contact?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "What do you mean by that, Arthur? Like jail?"

"Molly, please try to understand this IS a punishment as well as an opportunity," Mr. Weasley explained. "They did leave school with out any authorization and left a messy swamp that cost a lot of time and energy to clean up. The only reason the Ministry even considered this arrangement is because Dumbledore pleaded their case and because of the fact that the incident happened under Umbridge's short Hogwarts rule."

Mrs. Weasley let out a mummer of disgust at the sound of Dolores Jane Umbridge's name, the woman who had manipulated her way from being the new DADA teacher in Harry's fifth year to ruling Hogwarts for a short time.

"The Ministry is well aware of the twins' "special talent" for getting into trouble and feels that after everything that has happened, it would be best if Fred and George were free to concentrate on their upcoming tasks with no distractions. We will be allowed to visit them once a week at the Ministry, but they won't be allowed home until after August 20^th.

"But, it sounds like there going to Azkaban or something," Mrs. Weasley said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Hardly, Molly...It's not forever and when they are done, they are free to go about as they please." Mr. Weasley continued, attempting to comfort his wife.

"And start our Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes shop," Fred finished a great big smile on his face.

"Well," started Mrs. Weasley, wiping her eyes. "I guess a career at the ministry is out of the question for you two then?"

"Oh mum!" exclaimed George. "You know that is not our dream. Our talents are better served on something that makes us happy."

"When do you start?" Mrs. Weasley asked the boys, ignoring George's statement.

"Today," they answered in unison.

"What! So soon?" Mrs. Weasley squealed.

"They came to get the rest of their things and stay for lunch," Mr. Weasley explained.

"Very well then," said a sad Mrs. Weasley. "Go get your things. I'll fix lunch and pack some snacks for you to take with you."

"Don't be too long boys we have to get back soon," instructed Mr. Weasley.

"Ok dad," they said together. "Thanks mum."

"Good to see you, Harry," said George having just now noticed that Harry was standing there.

"What on earth are you doing here?" asked Fred.

"It's a long story," said Harry.

"One that we will fill you in on upstairs," added Ron.

"And it's a good one," finished Ginny.

Fred, George, Harry, Ron, and Ginny headed up stairs to help the twins pack and fill them in on the events at the train station.

"That's Bloody Brilliant!" exclaimed Fred as the trio finished the story. "Mum standing up to your uncle that way, Harry. She can be scary when she gets like that."

They all laughed.

"Well I'm glad you're here for the summer. Have plenty of fun for us, alright?" George ordered.

Harry nodded.

"Let's go," Mr. Weasley's voice carried up the stairs.

"Coming," they all said.

The five of them rushed down the stairs and ate lunch. They spent the next hour or so laughing and talking about the swamp and how Umbridge was taken by centaurs. The twins almost spit out their pumpkin juice at the thought of Umbridge jumping every time she heard Ron make clip-clopping noises with his tongue. Lunch was soon over and the Twins said their goodbyes to everyone. A very tearful Mrs. Weasley hugged them both tightly. Then, in a blink of an eye, Mr. Weasley and the Twins disapparated out of the living room.

Harry and Ron spent the rest of the afternoon playing Quidditch and swimming in the nearby lake. Ron mentioned that he would finish his letter to Hermione later because he now had to tell her about Fred and George. Ginny spent her time reading a book on magical flowers and eventually joined Harry and Ron for a swim in the lake. That night, Mr. Weasley announced some great news at dinner.

"The Wizard's Carnival of Wonders and Mysteries will be coming to Diagon Alley for the first three days in August and I've got six tickets to go."

"Wow!" Harry, Ron, and Ginny yelped.

"What's the Wizard's Carnival of Wonders and Mysteries?" Harry asked.

"It is really cool, Harry," Ron answered. "They set up booths and tents all along the streets of Diagon Alley and there are all kinds of great stuff to see. Some of the booths are for muggle inventions and something called techsology."

"You mean technology," Harry corrected.

"Right, techNology, and they have real fortune tellers, not like Professor Trelawney, and various shows, games, concerts, plays, and other fun things. They only come here once every 7 years or so and the last time they were here, mum said Ginny and I were too young to go so only Fred, George, Percy, Charlie, and Bill went."

"Sounds great. I can't wait to... Mr. Weasley? Did you say six tickets?" Harry asked.

"Think I did, Harry," answered Mr. Weasley with a big smile forming on his lips.

"But, dad," said Ron. "There are only five of us sitting... Hermione!" Ron exclaimed. "You got one for her, didn't you?"

"Yes, I spoke to her parents right before I came home and they agreed to let her come with us," Mr. Weasley answered.

"Did you tell them about Harry being here?" Ron asked.

"No, Ron. Mum tells me you're writing her a letter and I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise," Mr. Weasley said.

Ron's face now matched his hair.

Ron finished his letter after dinner and asked Harry to send Hedwig to deliver Hermione's letter. Soon after that, they got ready for bed and Harry quickly drifted off to sleep once more.

"HARRY," the voice called him again in the darkness. Harry sprang up sure this was no dream this time.

"Ron," Harry whispered, but Ron only snored in return. "Sirius? What is it?" Harry asked the darkness.

"Don't be alone, Harry. Not in..." The voice drifted off.

"Not in what?" Harry whispered, pausing for an answer. His heart began racing. When none came, he asked again. "Not--In--What? Sirius? Sirius? NOT--IN--WHAT?"

Ron grunted something about spiders and then rolled over. Harry waited for the voice to continue, but there was no answer. The voice was gone.