(2) The New Ones// The Curse Of Slytherin

2/The Weasleys

"Here," Mum said, handing me the pot with floo power. Her hand was trembling.

"It's okay mum," whispered, giving her a hug. "It's been hard, but it'll work out." We don't know where he is. I gave her a hug and took some floo power. My trunk was already at the Weasley's, Mrs. Weasley had come to finalize arrangements and take the luggage with her by apparation.

"Yeah, it'll work." Erin parroted, our old red quaffle tucked under her arm. I ignored her, stepping into the fire place and taking a deep breath.

"The Burrow!" I shouted and closed my eyes, tucking my elbows into my chest. The spinning sensation make me feel sick as I stumbled out of a fireplace, opening my eyes abruptly and getting soot in them. I stumbled forward straight into something or someone. "Sorry!" I said, eyes still watering.

"It's okay!" Someone said. Oh crap, I nearly ran over a Weasley. I rubbed my hands over my eyes a couple of times, it probably didn't help but it was also instinct. When I could finally see without my eyes stinging, I looked up. It was Fred, no George. Wait which? I felt confused for a minute but then my twin instincts started to kick in.

Definitely Fred.

"Fred?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said. "Where's your sister? Mum'll loose her marbles if we only have one of you."

"She's coming," I said, my heart sinking. Who knows what Erin was doing or saying to Mum.

"Elaine!" Ron said, clattering down a flight of crooked stairs. I waved awkwardly and we all stared at the fire place.

With a banging Erin fell into the grate. She didn't open her eyes but she did throw the quaffle she had been holding directly out at us.

"Erin!" I screeched, dodging. She's always paranoid about getting lost in the floo network and must have brought that ball for precaution and quidditch.

"Oh sorry," she said, clambering out and then opening her eyes. Smart. I stepped forward and tried to give her a hug, but was slapped away.

"Girls!" Mr. Weasley called, bustling into the kitchen. "Ron! Fred! How come you didn't tell me they were here?!" She stood there with her hands on her hips, glaring. I just stood there awkwardly, unsure what to say, so I just looked around.

The clock on the wall opposite him had only one hand and no numbers at all. Written around the edge were things like Time to make tea, Time to feed the chickens, and You're late. Books were stacked three deep on the mantelpiece, books with titles like Charm Your Own Cheese, Enchantment in Baking, and One Minute Feasts — It's Magic! Mum likes those.

An old radio next to the sink was just announcing that coming up was "Witching Hour, with the popular singing sorceress, Celestina Warbeck." I actually love her, but I'm not about to start busting out in song in the middle of the Weasley's kitchen.

Erin poked me in the side, starling me out of my observations.

"So girls, you'll take the guest room I suppose, would you be alright with sharing?"

"Yes." I said before Erin could object.

"Sure," she mumbled before I could stamp on her foot.

"Ron will you show them up and Percy," Percy had just entered, holding a cup of cold tea, "make sure Ginny gets back from the Stewart's house by at least three and Fred go find George for heaven's sake!" She took a breath as if to finalize her orders and hugged Erin and I before shooing us upstairs.

"She's intense!" I said as we climbed the rickety stairs.

"Where is the guest room anyway," Erin interrupted, brushing soot off her plain grey robes.

"Straight up," Ron said, his ears going pink. "Mum and Dad added it on a couple of years ago. You lot will be next to me, theres a ghoul in the attic by the way." Erin groaned and I shot her a look. Ron's ears were even pinker.

"Sounds great," I said loudly giving Erin a stare. "Can we play Quidditch at any point?"

"Yeah!" Ron said more enthusiastically as we reached the second landing. "We have a paddock and everything. Are you too trying out for the team?"

"Yeah!" Erin and I said at the same time and grinned at each other.

"Nice," he said. "Go easy on Gryffindor will you?"

"Nope!" I said proudly. "We aren't going to loose this year!"

"In your dreams Jennings," Ron scoffed and we reached the topmost landing. To the left was a door with peeling paint and a small plaque on it, saying RONALD'S ROOM and to the right was just a plain white door that was also a little chipped.

"It's not much," Ron said as he turned the handle to reveal a quaint room with a low ceiling and a queen sized bed with an iron bed frame and a window looking out onto some fields. Our trunks were on either side of the bed.

"Thanks Ron," I said giving him a hug. "We love it, right Erin?" She shrugged.

"Yeah its not a crap pile,"

"Erin!" Ron laughed hard.

"Lunch will be soon, Ginny is at her best friend's place, see you guys soon."

"Thanks!" I said and sat on the edge of the bed that creaked.

"It is a crap pile!" Erin said as soon as the door closed.

"ERIN!"