THIRTY SIX

THE NEXT DAY, Rory simply could not focus in her classes. The plan was in motion, there was no turning back. It seemed the performance of the last prank was now necessary, as it was serving as a diversion for Harry to sneak into Umbridge's office and speak to Sirius. They decided it would be best to do it after evening lessons when the corridors would be bustling with students. It hadn't quite hit her that it was her last moments with a Weasley-twin Hogwarts. She knew the castle was going to feel wrong when they departed. She knew it would be a little more dull. However she couldn't get too somber about it. Quidditch and N.E.W.Ts were still on her mind, she couldn't throw in the towel just yet.

"Promise you'll write every day if you can?" Rory asked Fred and George as they left Charms and began making their way to set up the prank.

"Of course!" George smiled, "We're going to need you, anyways... ya know for the shop."

"And remember George," Rory sighed, "Don't open any letters addressed to only Fred, I won't say much else on the matter."

Fred smirked while George rolled his eyes, "Oh, that reminds me, Rory... what color for our duvet?" Fred asked.

"Excuse me?" The girl chuckled.

"I'm serious, Rory. You aren't going to argue your way out of this one. You're living with us." He said with a bit of firmness. "It's decided. It has been for ages. The flat only has two bedrooms so unless you intend to sleep on the couch, we're stuck sharing a bed."

George lightly elbowed his brother, "I mean you basically do now. Nearly every other night you sneak into our dormitory, Ror."

"Fuck off, mate," Fred teased. "Now, Rory, answer my question."

Rory felt a wave of relief take over her. She never planned on asking the twins to move in with them. It felt wrong, like she was intruding. However, her living situation after Hogwarts stressed her out. Andrew was always there, but she was told his house was rather small and he was always very busy. With Aaron also living there it just wouldn't be convenient.

"I don't mind what color," she answered simply. "Preferably something darker though, yeah?"

"I got you, love. White it is!" He joked, "Alright, it's time. Rory, any last words?"  

Rory felt suddenly nauseous. This was it, the moment she saw coming for seven years was finally upon them. That sounded like enough time to prepare something to say, but it simply was not. She had a million things to say to her best friends before they left. It wasn't like they were going to be gone forever, though. She would see them very soon.

So, she kept it short and sweet, "Please be safe out there, Freddie, my love. You too, Georgie. I love you both so much, and I'm so proud of you." She gave her boyfriend a short kiss, knowing it wouldn't be their last, also she wanted to spare George a stomach ache watching them.

"You sure you don't want to come, Ror?" George smiled as she gave him a hug.

The girl pulled away and shook her head, "I've got unfinished business here, Weasley."

And with that, they were in action. The last prank. The Portable Swamp.

It was an idea that came to them as they looked over the Black Lake many years before and Rory said simply, "It looks so beautiful I wish I could pack it up and put it in my pocket, then I could see it whenever I please."

And Fred simply scoffed and replied, "You're such a sap Ror. It'd be more fun if it was a swamp!"

It took a while to perfect, but seven years later, Rory and the twins had a swamp in their bags ready to release. Rory's role was to simply release her portion, then run into the nearest classroom and alert someone of what was happening. That way, she wouldn't be suspected and could draw more attention to it.

The Portable Swamp seemed simple on the outside. It was a small sphere that activated exactly sixty seconds after the incantation was spoken. The girl locked eyes with Fred across the corridor and placed her sphere on the ground, she pointed her wand at it and muttered, "Aaperire Puteum". She gave it a light tap with her foot and it rolled down the corrider, towards where the twins had placed theirs. She counted to thirty and slowly walked away backwards, watching the three spheres roll towards each other.

George looked at her and mouthed, now! Rory nodded and took off in a run for a classroom as she heard small pops behind her indicating the sixty seconds had passed and the swamp was now in the corridor.

The nearest classroom happened to be one she went to often, her favorite one in fact. The Muggle Studies room. It was covered with posters (some moving, some not) of muggle movies, music, and historical figures. Technology such as television and telephones sat in the corner and at a desk in the front of the room sat Professor Burbage. A kind woman that Rory had grown very fond of over the years. A few students sat in the classroom, still doing work as the Professor graded assignments as it appeared.

"Oh! Hello, Rory!" The woman smiled, "I just did your favorite lesson with my fifth years, remember? Taught them all about The Beatles! What did you need, dear?"

Rory, slightly out of breath, answered, "It appears a swamp has been created in the corridor, Professor! You should see this."

The woman raised her eyebrows and stood up, "Oh? Yes, I guess I'd better see this. You three, come." She gestured to the students doing work. They looked to be in about third or fourth year. They dropped their quills and followed Rory and Professor Burbage out of the classroom.

There stood Fred and George, devilish grins on their faces. They began running towards the Entrance Hall as masses of students followed, attempting to get away from the swamp. Rory ran after them, with the crowed of students as they heard Umbridge shriek.

"Filch! Get me the approval forms, now!"

The Entrance Hall was now fully filled with students, Rory found Zane McDowell and stood next to him, both of them were trying desperately hard not to laugh as the pink clad woman huffed with anger just a few stairs above them, looking down at the students.

"So... you think it amusing to turn a school corridor into a swamp, do you?"

"Pretty amusing, yeah," said Fred, looking back up at her with courage and a twinkle in his eye.

"I've got the form, Headmistress! I've got the form and I've got the whips waiting... Oh, let me do it now..." Filch panted, waving a sheet of parchment around.

"Very good, Argus," she said. "You two," she went on, gazing down at Fred and George, "are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."

"You know what?" said Fred. "I don't think we are." He gave Rory a wink and turned to his brother. "George, I think we've outgrown full-time education."

"Yeah, I've been feeling that way myself," said George lightly, with a nod.

"Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?" asked Fred. Rory's heart was racing as she continued watching the scene. They were so close to finally doing it.

"Definitely," said George.

Before Umbridge could say a word, they raised their wands and said together, "Accio Brooms!"

Rory heard a loud crash and the students' heads turned. Down the corridor came their brooms, heavily chained, but still flying towards them. The students were silent as they watched, Rory smiled widely, her eyes watering with slight tears of joy.

"We won't be seeing you," Fred told their new Headmistress, swinging his leg over his broomstick with a  grin.

"Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch," sneered George, mounting his own.

Fred looked at the crowed and smiled, he locked eyes with Rory and nodded. She nodded back and he spoke, now glancing at the others, "If anyone fancies buying a Portable Swamp, as demonstrated upstairs, come to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley — Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes," he said in a loud voice. "Our new premises!"

"Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they're going to use our products to get rid of this old bat," added George, pointing at Umbridge.

"STOP THEM!" shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late. The Inquisitorial Squad closed in, but as they did Fred and George kicked off from the floor, flying high into the air, the iron peg and chains still swinging dangerously below. Fred looked across the hall at Peeves the Poltergeist – a vital colleague in many of their childhood pranks – and smiled.

"Give her hell from us, Peeves."

With that, her best friends ever so cliche, flew off into the sunset as students cheered.

"That was wicked!" Zane shouted. Rory looked around at the students and saw them all celebrating. Fred and George were heroes. Rory had never felt more proud. She was going to miss them, but it was worth it. Their writing would suffice for the time being as long as she remembered they were living their dreams and setting up for opening day (July first, for anyone who was curious). Even Marina went to bed with a smile that night (sure, she didn't speak to either Angelina or Rory when she came into the dormitory for bed, but she seemed in a slightly better mood).

Rory truly did have unfinished business at Hogwarts. Quidditch, exams, continuing their troublesome legacy, and most importantly: helping Marina out of whatever mess she was in and finally being a good friend.