The Other Uncle (a sequel)

The Wisdom of a Prankster

AN: I wanted to make this chapter a little more dramatic to make up for my lateness in updating. I hope you like it!

-A Little Over a Week Before Christmas-
Fred hadn't planned on going to the library that day. In fact, the ginger teen didn't think he'd set foot in it since freshman year. And, even now, it wasn't on purpose. He was running from a large, rather grumpy Slytherin boy who had not appreciated the prankster spiking his goblet with an ear-enlarging potion at breakfast. The library had been the most convenient hiding spot at the time.

Once he was sure he had lost the sixth year snake the Gryffindor let out a breath of relief and was about to exit again when he saw another redhead browsing with a book on hand, deep in thought.

He snuck up behind the witch and put a hand on Anna's shoulder before shouting, "BOO!"

In hindsight, sneaking up on a highly trained Auror and generally epic witch (in his opinion) was probably not the best idea.

Before he had even finished saying the word, the professor had taken ahold of his hand and flipped him judo style, knocking the wind out of him. Anna gasped, "Oh, fudge! I'm sorry Fred! I didn't know it was you! I've been so jumpy today!"

Her worried, apologetic ramblings, however, ceased when the trickster laughed, peeling his face from the carpet, "That was so cool! Where did you learn that?" She shook her head in exasperation but answered the question anyway, "Before being aloud to chase after death eaters, you must first know how to defend yourself with whatever weapon the situation gives you, whether that weapon be a wand, a sword, or your bare hands."

Fred was quiet for a moment before grinning, "Wicked!"

She rolled her eyes, "So, what are you doing here?" He didn't bother lying. She was the one teacher that he knew wouldn't punish him for a prank, "I was sort of hiding from this guy I pranked this morning but I think I lost him. How about you?" She shrugged, "I came here to think but I thought I would pick up some new reading material while I was here."

He gave her a once over before concluding, "You're worried about Harry."

"Am not."

"Are too. You only make that face when you're worried about him."

She looked at the twin with surprise, "I'm impressed. When did you learn to read expressions." He looked at her pointedly, "You're avoiding my question."

She sighed, "I just don't think Harry would appreciate me talking about him to one of his friends." Fred made a 'zipping' motion over his mouth, "My lips are sealed."

"Alright, fine. I'm worried about him because he didn't tell me that every time a Dementor makes him pass out, he can hear his mothers screams. Why wouldn't he tell me? Does he not trust me? Did I do something wrong?" Honestly? Anna hadn't been expecting Fred to be serious about this, but at that moment, he truly was sincere about wanting to help her. Perhaps she had a greater influence on him than she had previously realized.

The wizard sighed, "I don't think Harry was holding that back because he doesn't trust you. He was holding back because he didn't want to hurt you by bringing up your twin sister's death." His gaze became pained and sympathetic, "I can understand why he would too. Lily was your twin and, I don't think I could bear it if George died. Harry is just incredibly selfless and he would never do something he thought might hurt you."

The witch was stunned, "Wow, who knew you could be so deep?" He just shrugged and Anna sighed, "I just wish I could find a way for him to go to Hogsmede or to cheer him up at least." She winced as she remembered the crestfallen look on Harry's face when second Hogsmede trip had been announced.