Pranking hearts

It was the day of the first of September. The day when kids were going back to Hogwarts. As always, Remus rushed Rhea to the station so she was one of the first ones on the platform and the first one to board the train so she was sure to get their usual compartment. She was sure Fred and George would take forever to get here. Their fashionable delay was sometimes getting on her nerves but she didn't say anything, knowing that Mrs Weasley must have a hard time getting all the kids to the platform in time.

The two knew right away as they ran through the wall that Rhea would probably scold them for being late again, as it was most of the time their fault. But they could say that this time it was Ron who slept in for his first day at school. That would be a great excuse. Maybe Rhea would even believe it for ten minutes.

"Where do you suppose she is?" George asked his twin brother as they walked down the corridor. They were requested by their mother to bring Rhea over so she can say bye to her as well. You could say Rhea made it as a part of the family already. And if it weren't enough that their mum wanted to hug Rhea goodbye, Ginny wanted to see her idol as well. And was practically pushing Fred and George on the train to get her. Fred lifted his head giving his brother a look with a raised eyebrow.

"I'd say that she is in our usual compartment Georgie," Fred said with an eye roll. They were making their way to their usual compartment only to see a huge crowd there. They both shared a surprised look and started walking faster until they heard a loud shriek followed by someone rushing out of there. A blur of blonde hair rushed in their direction, colliding with Fred.

"Oh my Merlin, I am so glad you are here!" Rhea said in a freaked-out voice. Clinging to Fred for dear life. The two boys were a bit confused by the sudden display of affection coming from their best friend but of course, Fred couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease her about it.

"Aw, did little Rera miss us?" Fred said in a mock baby voice. Rubbing his hand up and down Rhea's back. George stood a bit back, silently snickering at Fred's red face. And the peculiar position the two of them were in.

"We told you to stay with us for the whole summer." George joined in the teasing. Even though he has to admit he did miss the girl. Both twins did. Even if they had seen each other two weeks before the start of the term. It was a lot less fun pranking without Rhea both twins would confirm that. And George was tired of always listening to Fred talking about Rhea. He had a slight suspicion that his brother might have a crush on the girl but that was never verified by his brother. Maybe Fred was just oblivious to his own feelings. That would be nothing new.

"Two weeks without us and you are all emotional Re," Fred smirked. the constant comments causing the girl to jerk away from the embrace. Glaring up at the two boys dangerously. George seeing her glare just laughed shaking his head and stepping a bit back to leave Rhea and Fred to bicker on their own, knowing that they could take forever. He just hoped they would make it to their mother before the train starts moving. Or else they would hear no end of it.

"Shut up you git." Rhea snapped, slapping Fred's arm. "Can you believe it, Lee brought a giant tarantula with him this year." Rhea's body shook with disgust. She wasn't utterly terrified of spiders but they gave her chills. Those eight furry legs and eyes and all that. It just makes Rhea cringe. Fred and George are both well aware of this conflict between Rhea and the spiders and they were always glad to tease her about it.

"Wicked," Fred muttered, standing on his tiptoes to look over towards the crowd hoping to see a glimpse of the arachnid on his own. This action got Rhea to frown and look away from him. Fred looked back down at her with a smile. "Aw, come on Rhea, you know you love me." He cooed, pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. Rhea gave out a sigh which sounded more like a laugh.

"Fred," Rhea whined whilst still laughing, trying to push the boy off her. "Just saying I am not sitting in the same compartment with that thing," Rhea muttered with some seriousness in her voice.

"We'll see about that," Fred answered back with a smile. The two just stared at each other for a moment too long. Not even realising how long it was until George's voice broke them from their trance.

"Oi, Fred, Rhea! Quit staring at each other! C'mere and help!" George called from somewhere behind Fred, alerting the two who quickly broke out of their embrace. Fred and Rhea walked over to George, seeing him holding one end of someone's trunk. Rhea looked over at the boy, smiling at him sweetly. The boy with dark messy hair and a pair of dark glasses smiled back at her awkwardly. Rhea took notice of the red scar which was covered by his hair but she opted to not say anything. Even though she already had her suspicion as to who the boy was.

"Thanks," said the raven-haired boy, pushing his sweaty hair out of his eyes. Twins helped him with his trunk. Fred walked back over to Rhea Standing on her right while George stood on her left.

"What's that?" Fred said curiously pointing towards the young boy's scar. Rhea was praying the boys would not try to make the boy uncomfortable about it. They tend to be a bit too much sometimes.

"Blimey," George said, now finally taking a good look at the boy. "Are you...?"

"He is. Aren't you?" Fred pressed a bit more. Both twins being way too excited. Surely making the boy uncomfortable. Rhea slapped both of their arms.

"Boys!"

"What?" The younger boy asked confused. Just now Rhea noticed that he was shorter than her. It was maybe a strange thing but it made her happy. You see Rhea doesn't often meet people that are shorter than her. Even though this was a first-year none the less a boy so by the time Rhea finishes school he will be taller than her.

"Harry Potter." chorused the twins, once again talking at the same time causing Rhea to jump in surprise not expecting them to talk so suddenly.

"Oh, him. I mean, yes, I am." The two boys gawked at him astonished, Rhea rolled her eyes at the behaviour of her two best friends while sending an encouraging smile to Harry who was turning slightly red. A far too familiar voice called from outside.

"Fred? George? Are you there? Do you have Rhea?" The twins shared a look hearing the voice of their mother. Fred reached down to grab Rhea's hand pulling her along with him and George.

"Coming, mum." The two called at the same time, hopping off the train with Rhea being dragged behind them. The minute Rhea stepped onto the platform she was tackled in a hug by Ginny, almost falling to the ground, if it wouldn't be for Fred still holding her hand. Rhea laughed at the affection she received from the youngest Weasley. She loved the whole Weasley family. Every time she was with them it gave her the feeling she had a real family and not just an uncle.

"Mum, Ginny is suffocating Rhea again," Fred said, glaring down at his sister who was hugging his best friend tightly. The sight made him groan on the inside while his sister kept on enjoying his best friend. George next to him snickered, elbowing his brother who just sent him a glare.

"Now George, don't be mean to your sister." Mrs Weasley scolded her son. Mixing up the names of the twins once again.

"Oi, what did I do?" George asked their mother giving her a mock hurt look. As if criticising her for mixing up their names.

"Oh, sorry George, dear. Fred, be nice," Mrs Weasley corrected herself looking over at the older one of the twins who just frowned some more. "And Ginny, let poor Rhea breathe." She instructed her daughter who reluctantly let go of the blonde girl.

"Nice seeing you again Mrs Weasley." Rhea greeted the plump woman with a laugh, walking over to her and giving her a hug which the ginger-haired mother gladly accepted. Hugging the girl even tighter than Ginny before.

"Wonderful to see you, dear." Rhea pulled away from the hug her eyes falling on the youngest ginger boy that stood a bit further away from her, looking down at his feet. Rhea chuckled, shaking her head before stepping towards him and capturing the boy in a bone-crushing hug taking him by surprise. The boy was maybe half a head shorter than her but he was growing like crazy at the beginning of the Summer he was a whole head shorter than her and look at him now.

"Hey Ronnie," Rhea's voice was like music to his ears as he let the girl engulf him in a hug. Immediately melting into the embrace. Being closely watched by his older brothers. One just to make fun of him, and the other was just glaring for some unknown reason.

"H-hey Rhea," Ron stuttered out of himself rather shyly. Once Rhea pulled away her eyes fell on the dirt that he had on his nose. The boys could have been fighting again this morning. Or the twins just tripped Ron for the fun of it.

"You've got something on your nose," Rhea informed him, rubbing the side of her nose to show him where exactly the dirt was. Ron blushed dark red, his hand shooting up to cover the filthy area on his nose. The intense blush coating his cheeks was ideal for the twins to poke some fun.

"Ah, has ickle Ronnie got something on his nosie?" as per usual Fred was the first one to start the teasing. The boy practically lived just to make fun of others. And his younger brother was an excellent subject for all his pranks when home.

"Shut up," Ron snapped, his hand rubbing on the side of his nose. Rhea turned around sending Fred a glare to stop teasing the younger boy. Which only got dismissed by Fred rolling his eyes and draping his arm around Rhea's shoulders to pull her closer to him.

"Where's Percy?" the mother of the read-heads asked, looking around for her oldest school-attending boy. Rhea and the twins looked around, trying to try and see the oldest school attending Weasley. Fred and George were sure to make this year especially eventful for him since he is now a Prefect. Something they heard through the Summer like thousand times.

"He's coming now," George muttered, nodding his head towards his brother who was approaching them with determined steps. His head held up high. Curly hair may be sticking in every direction but not taking a thing from his seriousness. What surprised Rhea more was the fact that he had already changed into his billowing black Hogwarts robes. The train didn't even depart from the station and he was already ready. His new shiny silver Prefect badge on his chest was nicely polished. The three best friends shared a look rolling their eyes at the sight of the silver thing which Percy kept shoving into their faces every chance he got.

"Can't stay long, Mother," he said. "I'm upfront, the prefects have got two compartments to themselves..." His pompous talk was cut short by the twins.

"Oh, are you a prefect, Percy?" Fred started, with an air of mock surprise. "You should have said something, we had no idea." He elbowed Rhea who nodded her head.

"Yes, Percy. Why didn't you tell us? There's nothing to be ashamed of," Rhea joined in with her best friend. Elbowing George next to allow him to continue.

"Hang on, I think I remember him saying something about it." He tapped his chin with his finger as if thinking where he had heard it. "Once..."

"Or twice..." Rhea nodded in agreement.

"A minute..." Fred added. And after him all three of them chorused.

"All summer."

"Oh, shut up," Percy snapped at the two. Even if he thought that Rhea was pretty smart for her age, he still thought that when with Fred and George she is a pain to be with. She usually was a sweet girl, but when in combination with his two younger brothers she was just as insufferable as them if not more. With her mind, she could represent the mastermind of their pranks which kind of intimidated his inner Prefect.

"How come Percy gets new robes, anyway?" Fred asked with a frown. He had this conversation with mum before. He and George always get hand-me-downs from Charlie and Bill, while Percy gets everything he desires. He even got a new owl, leaving his old rat to Ron.

"Because he's a Prefect," their mother fondly declared, straightening the robes of her third oldest child. "All right, dear, well, have a good term. Send me an owl when you get there." She kissed Percy on the cheek and he left. Then she turned to the twins and Rhea. Her eyes were stern when looking at her two boys, softening when she looked at the blonde girl. "Rhea please make sure they behave." She said to the Black girl who nodded, putting the most angelic smile on her face. "Now, you two, this year, you behave yourselves. If I get one more owl telling me you've-you've blown up a toilet or..."

"Blown up a toilet? We've never blown up a toilet." The twins defended at the same time looking over at Rhea for confirmation. The blonde girl fished in her memory, but then shook her head not remembering a stunt like that.

"Great idea though, thanks, mum," George said with a laugh, earning a glare from their mother. But Rhea chuckled at it nevertheless.

"It's not funny. And look after Ron." Their mother instructed, mentioning t the youngest Weasley boy who looked anxious to get on the train already.

"Don't worry, ickle Ronniekins is safe with us." Fred teased, looking over at his little brother who rolled his eyes in annoyance. Most of the Weasley kids are quite fed up with the twins' teasing but there seems to be nothing that can stop them from their favourite pass time. Well, nothing and no one but Rhea. Just one simple word from her can make things happen. Both twins magically listen to her. Mainly Fred though.

"Shut up," Ron muttered, embarrassed by his brother's teasing. There could be one of his new dormmates around here listening in on their conversation. He doesn't need his brothers already ruining it for him.

"Fred, leave your brother alone for his first day," Rhea said to the tall ginger who stood next to her. A sigh escaped Fred's lips as he muttered a silent agreement. But then an idea for conversation popped up in his mind.

"Hey, Mom, guess what? Guess who we just met on the train?" George quickly caught on to what his brother was implying.

"You know that black-haired boy who was near us in the station? Know who he is?" Rhea rolled her eyes at their excitement. A feeling of pity for the black-haired kid residing in her.

"Who?" Mrs Weasley asks curiously. Both twins of course had to speak at the same time.

"Harry Potter!" their rather loud voices even attracted some stares from the passersby

"Oh, mum, can I go on the train and see him, mum, oh please..." Ginny pleaded.

"You've already seen him, Ginny, and the poor boy isn't something you goggle at in a zoo." Rhea wanted to thank the woman for her compassion towards the first year. Finally, someone that was not going to smother the boy just because of his past. "Is he really, Fred? How do you know?"

"Asked him. Saw his scar. It's really there...like lightning." Fred answered simply.

"Maybe we should stop the fuss about him? I think that it must be rather uncomfortable with all of these folks coming up to him just to stare at his scar. And I am sure he does not need us to ask about his past which he might not even remember which I would consider better for him since you know..." Rhea spoke finally, calming down the excited twins and Ginny. Mrs Weasley shot her a warm smile with a small nod.

"That's very smart thinking Rhea, and very considerate of you." Mrs Weasley praised the Black girl causing a small smile to appear on her face at the recognition. A whistle sounded breaking the calm atmosphere. The train was about to leave. "Hurry up!" Mrs Weasley said. Fred and George let Ron go before them to make sure he would board the train just how mother told them to. Fred grabbed Rhea's hand pulling her onto the train right behind him, closely followed by George.

From the window Rhea noticed Ginny crying. She felt sad for the girl as she would be the last one at home now. Just with her parents without anyone to play with. Rhea maybe never had a sibling and didn't know how it felt to have one but she considered Ginny her sister. And seeing her sad was making her sad in some way.

"Don't cry, Ginny, we'll send you loads of owls," Rhea promised with a bright smile causing the younger girl to smile through tears.

"We'll send you a Hogwarts' toilet seat." George behind her spoke jokingly earning himself a glare from their mother who heard him through the window as well.

"George!"

"Only joking, mum." George dismissed the scowling of his mum as the train started moving, causing Rhea to wobble a bit on her feet. Supporting herself against Fred's back who for some weird reason was able to stand still like a column. Once Rhea gained her stability and was able to stand on her own they decided to make their way towards their compartment. Even if Rhea was still sceptical about sharing it with the eight-legged creature.

"Maybe we could check on Ron first? You know just to know he is all right?" Rhea asked, voice slightly shaky just at the thought of the tarantula that Lee has in their compartment.

"Sure, but you know we will have to go to our compartment sometime today," Fred said over his shoulder. Not being able to mask the smirk that was forming on his face. "Unless you want to stay with Ron, considering the ridiculous phobia you two seem to share."Fred taunted. Rhea getting quickly fed up with his jeering tripped him causing the tall ginger to fall face-first on the ground of the train's corridor.

George peered over Rhea to see his twin brother sprawled on the ground, groaning. And that was just enough to get him to laugh at the absurd position his brother had gotten himself into.

"How does the ground taste, Freddie?" George laughed high-fiving Rhea who was behind his brother's fall. The two best friends grinned victoriously at the older twin who shot them a glare from the ground.

"Shut up you two." He got up, with help from the wall. And they continued down the corridor towards their compartment and to where they saw their younger brother leave. Once they reached the compartment where their little brother was sitting with the boy who was supposed to be Harry Potter Fred slid the doors open and the three of them peered inside.

"Hey, Ron." The three chorused together. Rhea just simply as a greeting while the twins' greeting was with a more teasing tone. Ron just shot them an unimpressed look. But managed to give a faint smile to Rhea.

"Listen, we're going down the middle of the train. Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there." Fred said emphasising the words giant and tarantula just for the fun of it. Having great joy from the way how Ron's eyes widened in fright.

"Right," mumbled Ron. Rhea shot him a sad smile, knowing about the terrible fright the young ginger has. In some way, she can relate. But she does not have it that bad. Like if you put a spider near her she won't immediately freak out but she will just feel very uncomfortable in its presence and jittery.

"Harry," George said, startling the boy with round glasses, "did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is our best friend Rhea Black." George took it upon himself to introduce all of them. When Rhea's name was mentioned she looked over at the raven-haired boy giving him a smile and a small wave.

"See you later, then." The twins said at the same time slowly exiting the compartment of the two first-years.

"Bye boys," Rhea said cheerily, following after her best friends. hse heard the two younger boys say hi back before she slipped their doors closed. She followed after her friends but kept her distance just because she didn't want to face the tarantula just yet.

"Rhea come on, I know you can walk faster than that," Fred encouraged from the front. The twins were already by the door of their compartment when they realised Rhea was falling behind.

"I'm coming," Rhea muttered, walking even slower than before. The twins shared a long look. As if having a full conversation just through their eyes before George grinned and walked into the compartment to take his seat. Fred turned around and walked over to Rhea.

"Hey," He said gently causing the blonde girl to look up. "You don't have to worry about that tarantula. Lee will keep it in the box and he won't open it if you are not entirely okay with it. And if anything happens you have me there, you know I am not afraid of spiders." Fred said taking Rhea's hand into his and giving it a reassuring squeeze. The contact caused the short girl to ease up. She nodded in agreement, suddenly having a lot of confidence when Fred was holding her hand. The Weasley boy grinned and started pulling her to their seats. Maybe it won't be that bad.