Chapter 22
George
Grimmauld Place didn’t disappoint, George mused, as he and Fred made their way back to their potions lab. Every day there was some drama to revel in, stir up, or just observe (storing potential information for the future). The twins were naturally nosey, and even if they didn’t have a greater purpose (pranks, blackmail, revenge) spying was great fun. It was even better when they simply happened to be in the right place at the right time.
It had been Sirius’s suggestion that they check out the potions room near the dungeon to see if there was anything they could use, a suggestion casually tossed out after breakfast. Perhaps he didn’t expect them to do so immediately, but time was Galleons, after all, so they had made their way to the space as soon as they had finished eating.
The dungeon potions room was a far cry from the sealed-off and perfectly preserved time capsule they had been gifted upstairs. This room had not been spared the ravages of time, with rusted cauldrons piled in the corners, home to rats and fat black spiders that scuttled away at their approach. The shelves that lined the far wall were littered with rubble and broken bottles,many of the books spilling out onto the stone floor, their pages torn and waterlogged.
It was a wreck, but like the rest of the house, had potential. He and Fred picked through the rubble, clearing the space of vermin and searching for something salvageable.George had found several books he hoped to repair enough to be readable, and Fred some incredibly wicked looking tools, when they heard voices echoing off the dungeon walls. Since they were not the type to pass on the opportunity, they disillusioned themselves, casting notice-me-not and silencing their footsteps for good measure, and followed the sound.
The scene unfolding around the corner did something to them that was almost unheard of for the duo. It rendered them speechless. Their sweet, shy, bookworm friend was speaking to a dishevelled woman who had just transformed from a bug and was behind the bars of one of the dungeon cells.
They knew Hermione was strong and brave, but little did the brothers know, she also possessed a ruthless streak that was both captivating and terrifying. George had to stifle a laugh at learning Hermione had captured the bug/reporter while she tried to spy on Harry’s recovery in the hospital wing, and had apparently been keeping her as a pet for the last few months. He had seen the beetle on her bedside table and thought nothing of it, at most thinking she simply enjoyed looking at the jewel-colored bug.
Instead of feeling repulsed, the twins found themselves drawn to this darker side of their crush, unable to tear their eyes away from the spectacle unfolding before them. The way Hermione commanded the room with a single glance, the way she effortlessly outmaneuvered that cow Rita Skeeter with a sly smile - it was all too intoxicating to resist. George knew Fred was just as impressed as he was at her sly wit, but personally found himself struggling not to react physically as they watched Hermione taunt Rita. She’s so godsdamned sexy. He thought wistfully.
Hermione, facing them now that she was walking away, turned back to her captive, the torchlight dancing in her curls, giving George the impression of a golden Medusa.
“Actually, I can. It’s going to be so fun being you. Think of all the things I can do to your reputation.” Hermione said mockingly. George caught the sparkle in her eye as she grinned at Rita, She’s enjoying this, He thought.
“No, no, Ok, OK, I’ll do it, I’ll do it, let me OUT OF HERE!” Rita howled. “I’ll write whatever you want, just-”
“No need. It’s already written. You run it, and don’t change a single word, or you’ll wish I left you in that fucking jar.” Hermione snarled.
George tried to discreetly adjust his pants, but being a soulbound twin had the district disadvantage of never having secrets. Fred choked out a snort, desperately trying not to laugh out loud at his brother’s discomfort.
Forcing his mind out of the gutter, they watched the rest of the scene unfold.
“Why do you care so much about Sirius Black anyway?” Rita was sneering as she read the parchment Hermione had handed her.
“Well you see Rita…” Hermione turned her head and gave a warm smile as the man himself turned the corner and joined them. “He’s my father.” Sirius laid a hand on Hermione’s shoulder and smirked at Rita, her eyes widening in shock as she retreated further into her cell. Her mouth moved but no sound escaped it, casting her eyes franticly around the space.
“You-you-You’re Sirius Black!” The reporter shrieked, finding her voice.
Sirius chuckled. “Come now, Rita. You were only a few years ahead of me in school, it’s not as if we’re strangers. Now, I hear you’ve been rather cruel to my daughter.” He stepped forward and touched the bars gently. “Do you know how we Blacks deal with that kind of disrespect?”
“No-I didn’t know she was your-I’ve agreed, I’ll get the article published, I’ll-”
Sirius smiled as he opened the cell, deftly reaching into the small space and pulling Rita out roughly by her arm.
“Clasp Hands. I’ll be your Bonder.”
“Now?!” Rita squealed, as Hermione darted forward and grabbed her hand.
“Now.” Hermione confirmed.
Sirius waved his wand over the hands of the two women. Hermione stood, her back straight and her face set in determination, while Rita panicked, shifting from foot to foot as she darted her eyes around seeking escape.
“Do you, Rita Skeeter, swear you will publish the article as written in the daily Prophet, taking all the credit for the story, the idea and the contents?”
“I-swear.” Golden threads of magic swirled around the women’s outstretched hands.
“Do you swear you will never slander Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, or their known friends and family, in print, word or action again?”
“I-uh…damn I swear.” Another magical cord spiraled out out Sirius’s wand, wrapping around the women’s hands.
“Do you swear you will speak of your imprisonment, this home, or this meeting with no one?”
“I swear.” Rita sounded weary, resigned to her fate.
“Last one. Do you swear you will never again use your animagus ability?”
Rita glared at Hermione, her face filled with fury and loathing.
“I swear.” She snarled, and the last golden thread snapped into place. The threads dissolved into the women’s hands and their skin glowed, golden and brilliant for a single moment before the light disappeared. Hermione yanked her own hand back quickly, wiping it on her jeans.
Sirius waved his wand again, and Rita slipped to the floor in an enchanted sleep. He grunted as he lifted her and slung the unconscious woman over his shoulder. George’s eyebrows shot up in surprise when they were joined by Harry and Lupin, the latter casting a featherweight charm on Rita as Harry high-fived Hermione. Laughing, the partners in crime exited the dungeon, leaving the shocked twins alone to process the new information about their friends.
Fred and George exchanged knowing glances, they couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of respect and desire for the witch who had captured their hearts.