March 16th, 1996

THE WEASLEY PARENTS popped up that afternoon with a delightful surprise in tow.

"Hello Daisy, Sirius, Remus, Tonks," Mr. Weasley greeted them one by one as he made his way into the kitchen, his orange robe sweeping the floor.

"Arthur!" Tonks exclaimed, "Come in. Is Molly with you?"

"Yes, and someone else." Mr. Weasley sat down on a vacant chair. Daisy went over to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, just as two others walked in.

"Someone else? Is it Bill—"

Daisy turned around, and her shoulders were immediately gripped by two strong hands.

"Charlie!" Daisy exclaimed.

"Godric, it's been too long! How are you feelin'? Have you recuperated?" Charlie muttered, "Bugger, I should've hexed your Dad to oblivion when I had the chance."

"Good, and it's really good to see you," Daisy chuckled, hugging and patting his back, "How are you?"

"I'm grand. Just been busy about, y'know, dragons and Order stuffs. I'm so sorry, I'm visiting too late."

"You heard about... what happened to me last Christmas, didn't you?" Daisy grimaced.

"I'd be mad if no one told me. You're family."

"Bill's been coming home late. Today, too," Mrs. Weasley said thoughtfully, her eyebrows tightly furrowed in concern (because she didn't know by then that Bill was late not because he had too much work, but because he was courting some gorgeous mademoiselle).

Charlie exchanged hellos and hugs and back pats with everyone else in the room before they continued chatting.

"Bill was absolutely furious. The same night he rescued you with Mum and Moody, he literally shook my cave, yelling creative profanities through the fireplace."

"Really, I'm well now."

"And your lungs? I heard they were, failing or something?"

"It's been three months now, so it's healed. I'm exercising, too. It helps with the recovery."

"Right! Now that you mention it, you look different." Charlie pushed his chair back with a loud screech, then rubbed his chin in a thinking manner. "You look... lean. A little toned? Ah, I know. For once, you don't look like you're dressed for a formal party."

Daisy looked down at Fred's old T-shirt and George's jogger pants that she was wearing.

Tonks had told her to dress comfortably during training, and after rummaging through Daisy's entire wardrobe, none met her standard of comfortability.

She still braided her hair, though.

"It's—"

"Fred and George's, innit?"

"Yes. I borrowed some that they've grown out of and Mrs. Weasley still keeps."

"I'm shocked. Didn't you use to loathe P.E.? It was your worst score on every term, wasn't it?"

"I did, and it was! But it's a necessary skill, given the situation," said Daisy. "I may not turn out to be a professional, but I'll do my best."

"Good for you."

"She's doing better than a third of my Auror class already," Tonks said, slipping into the conversation. "Here for tonight's meeting, Charles? Did you Apparate well, or did you really end up three states away in Scotland?"

"Yeah, and I landed right on point, Dora. Thank you very much."

"Don't call me Dora!"

"You started it! Don't call me Charles."

✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿

March 23rd, 1996

Did you know Harry had an interview with Rita Skeeter and it's published today in the Quibbler?

DAISY LOOKED UP from her magical parchment and glanced at the mentioned magazine, laying on her desk.

The picture of Harry grinning sheepishly was plastered as its front cover. Across it was the article's title, written in red block letters:

HARRY POTTER SPEAKS OUT AT LAST:
THE TRUTH ABOUT HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED AND THE NIGHT I SAW HIM RETURN

She wrote down.

I've read it.
The young boy went through so much.

And Cedric... He deserved better, don't you think?

You've read it? Where'd you get a copy?

It's the Order's topic of the day.

Bill came by this evening with several copies of it, and since the discussion was getting more and more intense, I excused myself upstairs.

I see.

It's also Hogwarts' topic of the day. Harry's been bombarded with hate letters, love letters, questions, and everything.

By midday, our beloved Toad had released another decree. Anyone found in possession of the Quibbler will be expelled.

Hermione's thrilled, though. She said if she could have done one thing to make absolutely sure that every single person in this school will read Harry's interview, it was banning it.

Reverse psychology. Brilliant.
And is she correct?

Though I didn't see so much as a corner of The Quibbler anywhere in the school today, I'm pretty sure everyone has read it already.

People are whispering about it as they queued up outside classes, over lunch, in the back of lessons...

How is their reaction? Do they believe Harry now?

Yeah, most of 'em do. I'll let you know more tomorrow.

How about you? How are you takin' it?
How's everyone taking it?

Well...
Before today, I am only aware of facts your parents and other Order members had told me.

It's... enlightening, to read about what really happened last June. It helps me understand how dire the situation really is, why you had to go into hiding, and so forth.

Agreed. Same with me.

I don't know about the others. Sirius and Tonks are proud, for sure. Your Mother thought it was reckless. Remus haven't said anything before I left. They're talking about it downstairs.

Just go to my guest room and get my hidden stock of Extendable Ear! Go, go!

Ah, unlike you, I would like to keep their trust.

What are you up to these days?

Nothin' much, really. Quidditch and D.A. meetings are George and I's only reasons for staying. Business is really good —students are lining up for our perfected products. Fingers crossed, we might reach breakeven point earlier than we expected.

Oh! We got a letter few days ago, offering a prime lot in Diagon Alley. Bit expensive, of course, but still affordable with the amount of money Harry's given us.

That's good news! Are you going to take it?

We're talking about it.
I mean, if we're both still in school, what's the point of having a store, right?
Offer still stands 'till late April, they say.

You're right. You should think about it thoroughly first.
Let me know when you've reached a decision.

What about you? What are you up to?

Reading, studying, training.
Tonks thinks I'm fit enough to actually learn combat techniques now.

Really? I still can't picture it. I really can't.

Well, in Elphias' words: I will kick your ass when we meet again.

Yeah? Looking forward to it.

I'm also onto another project. I'll let you know if it works this time around.

Another one? You just gave up on your last one three days ago.
You can't explain magic with logic and science, Dee. Not all of them at least.

Who knows? Maybe this one will.

Can't you at least tell me what's it about?

No, it's a surprise.

Oh, before I forgot! Ginny and Hermione's been wondering about you, since you never send us letter through Mum anymore.

How could I not think about that?
I'll write soon!

✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿

April 1st, 1996

Dear Fred and George,

Happy birthday, you two! I can't believe my twins are turning eighteen already! Mum and Dad wish all the best for you. I hope everything's well with school and N.E.W.T. preparation? Surely you can pass all six of your classes, can't you?

Enjoy your gifts! They're from your parents and siblings.

Lots of love,
Mum

FRED TORE THE packaging open, put the knitted present from their parents aside, and found another note hidden within a sealed box. Unlike its hidden-within-poem predecessor, it was very straightforward.

A package from B, C, D sent through E(rroll)
for F and G

Mum doesn't know that it's money and rare ingredients for your product development. Charlie even got a jar of dragon drool for you. Tell her you love the clothes or something.

Oh, you remember that flower we replanted last Winter? Surprisingly, it's thriving. It looks good and healthy, like it's enjoying its new home. Can't wait for you, Ron, Ginny, and the others to go home after exam and see it for yourself.

We really need to catch up soon. See you, brothers.

"Dragon drool?!" George whisper-yelled, scrunching up his nose. "Smells. What's it for, you reckon?"

✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿

April 4th, 1996

"YOU REALLY SHOULD go home."

Tonks, despite the apparent signs of her tiredness from an overnight mission with Sturgis Podmore, just flapped her hand dismissively. "I'll just take a nap here. I need to head up to my official job in two hours anyway."

Daisy stopped tinkering with her brand new invention-in-progress and looked up at the young Auror, sprawled on the floor.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Mmm... Maybe later... Daisy, be my alarm clock, please." Tonks' hair transformed into midnight blue as she flicked her wand, and one of Daisy's thick books zoomed into her grip.

The younger girl walked over and took it back. "Get a proper pillow, at least."

Tonks groaned, but relented and summoned a fluffy pillow from one of the guest rooms. The moment she closed her eyes, she drifted away into a dreamless sleep. Her fatigue consumed her whole and enveloped her like a tight blanket or a cocoon.

It barely felt like ten minutes when she felt Daisy shaking her awake.

"Huh, what?" Tonks opened an eye and rolled onto her back. Her head was pounding, and she felt so... so tired. "It's been two hours already?"

"Unfortunately yes. Can't you just call in sick?" Daisy said in concern.

"You know I can't. The Ministry's scrutinizing our every move," Tonks yawned, "I'm gonna ask Sirius to make me some super strong coffee."

"Before that, could you do me a favor?"

"What?" Tonks sat up, scratching her head, until the wall on her left caught her attention.

She was too tired when she came into the room to notice the gigantic makeshift wallpaper (enlarged by Sirius with the Engorgement charm) covered with mathematical equations, numbers, incomprehensible words, and quotes. That woke Tonks up for good.

"What in Merlin's beard are you up to?"

"Here. Can you throw me a simple charm?" Daisy crouched to reach for a metallic contraption on the floor and turned its knob slightly. A click was heard, followed by a low incessant buzzing.

"Throw you?" Tonks raised an eyebrow.

"Anything."

"Anything? You sure?"

"Yes, anything."

"Okay... Stupefy!" Red jet of light bolted out of Tonks' wand and... AND!

Well, it only faded slightly as it successfully penetrated the thin, invisible wall vertically projected by Daisy's thingamajig and hit her squarely on her chest.

It felt like a huge punch, forcefully knocking her breath out of her lungs, and the attic rolled out of her view. Her eyes caught the ceiling moments before her back hit the brick wall with a very loud thud and she heard Tonks shrieking "Blimey!" as the world turned dangerously black.

Her eyes blinked back open when Tonks shot her with a dose of Rennervate. The latter's hair had turned sickly lilac and her skin paled, fear was clearly visible in her eyes.

"Daisy! I'm so sorry! Can you hear me? Can you see me? What number am I holding?"

Daisy, still a little disoriented, sat up... and laughed. With a large grin, she rubbed the back of her head, "Ow..."

"You're scaring me! Are you alright?"

"I'm alright, thank you," Daisy hissed as Tonks, still rambling profuse apologies, helped her up. "Well, that frequency failed. I never knew it can hurt that bad."

"Of course it can! Merlin, I'm so, so sorry—"

"Don't apologize! I asked for it. Can you do it again?"

"Do it again?" Tonks asked incredulously. "Of course not!"

Daisy jogged towards her thingamajig then turned the knob near its maximum point. The buzzing sound intensified until it felt like a fly was flying closely to her ear, and if she strained her eyes enough, she could see the wall's faint bluish white force.

"Okay, Stupefy me again."

"No!" Tonks exclaimed, "What is this supposed to be? Muggle's shield charm?"

"Please!" Daisy's excitement obscured the pain of being thrown into the wall. She took a step to the left. "Don't aim exactly at me, then. Please?"

Tonks sighed, "Okay. Step out of the way. Stupefy!"

This time, the red jet of light halted as it hit the force field, causing a reddish electric spider web to appear and creep outwards, before ultimately bouncing sideways.

"Look out!"

Tonks and Daisy both jumped away from its line of attack.

"What is this commotion— WHOA!"

Sirius pushed the attic's door open for two seconds and his eyes widened when he saw the red jet of light flying in his direction. It hit the door, slamming it shut with a reverberating thump and finally dispersed into thin air.

The two girls looked at each other with suppressed smile in amusement.

Then came Sirius' shout from the other side of the door. "What the— Is it safe to enter?!"

They burst out laughing.