The Hogsmeade visit after the fourth task was a welcome relief for Harry and Ginny. With classes and the school year winding down, the teachers were preparing most of the students for exams. Harry and Ginny received news from McGonagall that they were exempt from the exams, but they still had to do the homework to be sure they knew the material. That meant piles and piles of homework! Each of their classes had at least two essays due by the end of the following week and Ancient Runes had a research paper on top of that due just before exams and the final task. The short break to get out of the castle in the warm weather was very needed for all of their sanity.
They had invited Ron, Lavender, Neville, and Luna to Sirius' apartment, but the two couples already had plans and declined. They tried to ask Fred and Angelina, but they had their own plans, also declining. George and Hermione, however, did accept the invitation, only wanting to spend time together and not having any definite plans of their own. It was still a little strange for all of them to see and hang out with only one of the twins half of the time.
When Sirius opened the door with a broad smile it faltered slightly, only seeing George and not Fred. He quickly recovered as he motioned them in. Hermione had a knowing smile that she flashed to Sirius. Harry looked around before anyone spoke, looking at Sirius quizzically. With a shake of his head, he led them into the sitting room where Remus and Tonks sat, behaving themselves this time.
"Aww," Harry grumbled. "I wanted to see you jump again, Dora."
"Watch it, Potter," Tonks growled with a smile.
"Which Potter are you addressing," Ginny feigned innocence.
"Both of you," Tonks pointed at them with narrowed eyes. Her eyes fell on George and Hermione as they entered behind Harry and Ginny. "Wait a mo! Something is missing here. Where's Freddie-boy?"
"Off on a date with Angelina," George answered as he sat with Hermione, taking her hand. Tonks raised an eyebrow. "They've been spending a lot of time together."
"Yeah, Hermione and Angelina actually got them to disconnect from the other's hip," Ginny added with a sly grin.
"But when they are together, we've been getting the triplet and quad stereo sounds," Harry added, putting his arm around Ginny.
"Oh, like we don't hear that from you?" Hermione frowned.
"We're bonded," Harry raised his eyebrows, making a silent challenge for her to refute him.
"What's your excuse?" asked Ginny with the same look on her face. Hermione and George open their mouths, but closed them again quickly, remaining silent.
"Yeah, thought so," Harry smirked. Sirius snorted. Harry turned to Remus and Sirius. "Any luck, yet?"
"Actually, yes," smiled Sirius. "We finally have the ring, and now we can move on to the next one."
"Brilliant!" Harry and Ginny smiled. George and Hermione looked confused. Tonks shook her head, letting them know it was best not to ask.
"Still working on the Goblins, though," frowned Sirius.
"Not surprised there," Harry frowned.
"When Bill gets in from Egypt, I can see if he can't pull some strings," Ginny offered.
"Not a bad idea," Sirius nodded. "So, how goes your end of the research? Ours just keeps ending in dead ends and false trails."
"The same," frowned Ginny. "All we know are the things that have manifested so far."
"And the other research?" asked Harry.
"Albus is still stalling," growled Sirius. "All we know is he went to school here in the forties, and Albus was a teacher then."
