Pranking hearts

Rhea woke up in the morning on a particularly hot summer day. Her summer holiday was slowly coming to an end. But Rhea surely didn't waste it. Remus took her on a small holiday. For a week they went to Cornwall. The day before Remus got a job as a DADA teacher at Hogwarts. Rhea couldn't be more proud of her uncle. It would be amazing to have him there with her. Especially when it was the year of her O.W.L.s. She was already freaking out about it.

The huge stack of books and papers that were scattered on her table in her room was telling everyone how worried she was about not passing with flying colours. Even if she wasn't particularly aiming to be an Auror, she still cared about her records and wanted to have her marks high. The same couldn't be said for the twins who didn't yet give a single thought to the tests that were awaiting them this school year.

Rhea quickly changed into some light clothes. Pulling her long blonde hair into a ponytail. Satisfied with how she looked she slipped into the bathroom, brushing her teeth before walking downstairs. From the stairs, she could hear the sound of the Tv. A new one that Remus brought into the house while Rhea was in school. It was quite an interesting thing. Sure, Rhea had seen television before. The kids around used to talk about it. About new cartoons that they have seen. But Rhea never understood how someone would prefer watching moving pictures on a screen over reading a book.

"...is armed and extremely dangerous. A special hotline has been set up, and any sighting of..."

"Good morning." Rhea greeted loudly to be heard over the noise of the telly, causing Remus to jump and quickly turn the Tv off. Quite a weird action in Rhea's eyes. She quickly shook off the confusion. Hiding it behind a kind smile.

"R-Rhea, morning. How did you sleep?" Remus was acting strangely. More than usual. Rhea was sure that this wasn't caused by the full moon. Because the last one was two weeks ago. The whole thing was very weird. He was jumpy and secretive. Always hiding newspapers from her, turning the Tv off whenever she came into the room. Seriously weird.

"Good, good," Rhea said, not convinced by Remus' act. 

"Great, um...if you want breakfast there are some eggs in the fridge." Rhea knew Remus wasn't the type to be cooking. Her earlier years were accompanied by burned toasts, watery porridge and everything that could be messed up in cooking. Luckily she learned how to cook fairly soon or else they would be on bread with cheese or with marmalade for their whole life.

"Nice," Rhea muttered already walking towards the kitchen. Remus' weird behaviour ran through her head. It was getting quite strange. But she yet didn't gain the courage to ask. It could have been something personal that Remus didn't want to talk about. But it could be something that was concerning her as well. One could never know. "Do you want some too?" Rhea asked, pulling out the carton of eggs which was already almost empty.

Their current economic situation wasn't the best. Remus wasn't able to keep any job due to his condition. The place at Hogwarts came like a light at the end of a tunnel. It was something that could pull them out of this thing. This year, shopping for new books and things for school might be quite a problem.

"No thank you, dear," Remus answered her with a strained voice. Even if it was breaking her heart, Rhea decided to ignore it. Giving her uncle some space was probably the best option here. Although he always was eager to talk to her whenever something was bothering her, she knew that he was rather keeping his emotions to himself. Thinking that it would just burden Rhea down. But she would be glad to help. Eager to listen to everything that was bothering him.

With a sigh, Rhea turned to the stove, getting ready to make herself some breakfast. She was never a big fan of those. But over the years with Fred practically forcing food down her throat every morning. She just somehow got used to it. As she put the pan on the stove her eyes travelled towards the window. Getting caught on an interesting sight.

A big black dog was sitting in their backyard. Well, it wasn't entirely theirs. They didn't have any fence so anyone and anything could just wander in there. But Rhea as a huge animal lover was always enthusiastic when seeing a new one. Whether it was an ordinary dog or a magical creature. So seeing a big fluffy dog sitting in the garden, staring right back at her was amazing for her.

"Hi," Rhea greeted with a kind smile. Completely forgetting about cooking her meal. Her full attention was on the big black dog that didn't even move a muscle. It was just watching her. When she smiled at him kindly the animal tilted its head to the side.

Rhea always wanted an animal. It was a big dream of hers. She wanted a crup, a bowtruckle, but most importantly she wanted a Niffler. Those creatures intrigued her. But dogs were cool too. She wouldn't mind having that as a pet either. But her uncle wasn't supporting that idea.

"Hey, buddy."  Rhea walked towards the door and opened them. Ready to approach the dog. No one would be stupid enough to walk towards an unknown dog just to pet it. And Rhea was not stupid either. She just wanted a closer look. She had a biscuit hiding in her pocket to offer to the beautiful animal. His fur looked a bit scruffy as if he had been living on the streets. Which might have been true.

The dog was watching her carefully, almost a proud look in his eyes. With every step, Rhea took his tail started moving faster until it was a steady wagging. Rhea laughed at the gesture. Almost within the reach of the dog. She reached her hand forward carefully, letting the dog sniff it. But before the animal could even take a whiff...

"Rhea dear, your Hogwarts letter came." Remus' voice was heard from the inside. For a split second, Rhea's attention left the dog in front of her to look towards the house where her uncle was.

"Coming!" She answered before turning back to the dog only to find no one there. The dog had disappeared the same way he appeared. With a confused look, Rhea scanned her surroundings. Not finding a single black hair. "Well, never mind then." She muttered sadly to herself. She strolled towards the door. Giving one last look at the garden before getting inside to retrieve her letter from her uncle.

Rhea stood at the train station with her uncle. Both of them waiting to board the train. Many kids had come sooner this year so the doors were permanently blocked now. But Rhea didn't mind. She was waiting to see the twins before the departure. Who knows where those two would have wandered off without her? The weirdest thing that Rhea experienced today was stares. People kept staring at her weirdly. Of course, she was used to people gawking at her all the time. That came with the package of being the daughter of the murderer.

It wasn't anything new to her that people were judging. Either pitying her or thinking that she was also mad in the head. But this year it seems like they are afraid of her. As if she were to kill someone at this packed-up station. It was an unlikely scenario but that was how everyone made her feel. And for the love of Merlin, she couldn't figure out why she was receiving those death stares. It was quite a disturbing feeling.

"Wonder what their deal is," Rhea mumbled to herself before turning to Remus who was quite nervously looking around. Rhea couldn't understand what he was so nervous about. Was he expecting someone to be here? Deciding to break the awkward silence she spoke with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Now, are you sure you have everything?" Rhea asked suddenly getting Remus out of the trance that he seemed to be in. "Quills? Parchment? All your books? Robes? Are you sure you packed enough clothes?"

It didn't take long for Remus to realise what she was doing. It was one of her specialities. Pull out on him something that he did earlier. No matter if it was years ago or just minutes ago. She remembered. Always. And wasn't afraid to use it to her advantage.

"I can hear that payback in your voice." Remus chuckled. "And all I can say is, good move, and yes, I do have everything." The older man answered with a cheeky smile before advancing towards the train to board it. He was probably the only teacher that was riding the train to school. Which made the situation even funnier to Rhea but Remus saw it as a chance to reminisce on the old memories. And he could keep an eye on Rhea just in case. Rhea smiled at the answer. She was about to follow Remus towards the train when there was a loud call heard from behind her.

She didn't even register from where the two bodies collided with her. But she was familiar with the impact and the scent of smoke and sweets brought her comfort as she relaxed into their embrace. But the tighter it got the more concerned Rhea grew. The hug wasn't one of greeting after a long time. It wasn't filled with light-hearted sentiment. It was a more protective one. The one where they were almost crushing her bones.

"All right you two, what the bloody hell has gotten into you." Rhea rasped out as she tried to push the two gingers off of her. She managed to get free from George's embrace but Fred was holding onto her for dear life. "Seriously Fred, let go," Rhea ordered loudly, getting the ginger to finally release his death grip on her. She was now left staring into the two pairs of brown eyes that were watching her with worry. Knowing the twins for so long she would have expected them to be happy to see her, bursting with enthusiasm to tell her how they enjoyed their incredible summer. But now it was a whole different situation. They were almost calm and spoke a bare minimum.

It took a few seconds for Rhea to get her ragged breathing in control. After that, she glared at the two tall gingers. Their hair had grown significantly, no longer being short as the year before but it still wasn't quite reaching their shoulders. They had grown taller. Once again towering over Rhea. She already gave up on the hope that she would one day come even close to their height.

"What's going on?" Rhea asked once the boys were calm. Fred and George shared a look. Both of them bearing the same worried expressions now hinted with some doubt. They were debating whether they should tell Rhea what is going on. She seemed to not know what the wizarding world was threatened with at the moment. And the two weren't sure whether they wanted to be the ones to break the news to Rhea. But then again who else should do it if not her best friends?

"You have to promise us you won't freak out," Fred said putting a hand on Rhea's shoulder. Quirking an eyebrow, Rhea glanced at her two best friends.

"You mean like you two just now?"

"Oh shut up." Both twins said at the same time with a hint of a laugh. But the mood once again turned serious when Fred looked over at George who nodded. Fred sighed and reached for something in his pocket. He pulled out a piece of scrunched-up paper. It had small rips and tears but the letters on it were still readable as well as the moving picture on it.

Rhea had seen pamphlets like these. Searching for robbers and such. But never one which came all the way from Azkaban. It was next to impossible to escape Azkaban. Whoever managed to do that must be quite a fearsome wizard or witch. With these thoughts, Rhea's eyes travelled towards the picture. Her eyes widened as she stared into the insane expression of the screaming man that was in the picture.

With bold letters, a name was spelt. A name that Rhea thought she wouldn't hear ever again. SIRIUS BLACK. Her father, a person that was suspected to have murdered many people. Her blood seemed to run cold at the mention of his name. In her thoughts, her father looked like from the pictures. Longish dark hair, caring grey eyes and a mischievous smirk attached to his lips. He was supposed to be the magnet for the ladies but this man looked nothing like the pictures or Rhea's imagination. This man was the reflection of madness within. Craze-fogged eyes and scruffy hair was something that sent shivers down her spine.

Now she understood why everyone was glaring at her. Why people at the station were pulling away when they saw her and Remus come in. Even the way why Seamus and Dean practically run away when she was trying to greet them. It was her father. He escaped and people were wary of her because she was his daughter. Rhea's eyes scanned her surrounding, not realising how sharp the looks of some adults were. Judging, cold, ready to just strike her with a stunning spell and leave her there for the officials to lock her in Azkaban.

A sudden feeling of determination surged through her veins. An idea of confronting Remus popped up in her mind and there was no turning back now as she stood up from her seat. Looking like a sleepwalker she started for the door getting the attention of the twins. Fred and George exchanged curious looks before the older twin mustered enough courage to speak to the blonde.

"Um, Re? Where are you going?" He was maybe expecting her answer but just to be sure he wanted to ask. Rhea didn't even turn to look at the two of them. Even if she felt their eyes on her back. She kept her gaze set upfront, just shooting an answer over her shoulder.

"To get my answers." She simply said, her voice drained of all emotions. Fred who was already expecting the answer leaned forward, just in time managing to grab her wrist and pull her back inside the compartment while George closed the door quickly.

"Yeah, we don't think so," Fred said for the both of them as he forced Rhea to sit down opposite him. The girl looked majorly infuriated by both of them. She wanted to know why she only now found out about her father. And the twins were just messing it up for her. "Look there's no use in you taking your temper out on Remus. The poor man did nothing wrong."

"He made a fool of me by keeping the truth from me. Again." Rhea defended herself. Her words spitting out of her mouth, sharper than the blades of the finest weapon. Though Fred didn't look like he was hurt or intimidated by the tone of her voice.

"You don't need your uncle for that. You're doing a fine job on your own." He deadpanned, hoping that the cold remark would get Rhea to calm down. According to him, she was exaggerating the matter. The two would eat each other alive if it weren't for George always trying to have a cool head around them.

He was the one coming with the rational things whenever Rhea and Fred were in their separate mindsets. Neither one ready to back down. That's why they had George. To keep them grounded and to keep them from acting like a married couple all the time.

"Rhea I think you should calm down. Your uncle surely had a good reason to keep it from you." George reasoned, flinching slightly at the pointed look that Rhea sent his way. He was not ready for the blond to unleash her wrath on him. Only Fred had his death wish for that. "I-I mean, maybe he just didn't want you to stress because of the O.W.Ls. We know that you have been buried in books the whole summer worrying about it. Maybe he just didn't want to add up to the pile." George squeaked out. Being careful not to use anything that Rhea could take as an insult.

Fred noticed the tension. Looking between his brother and Rhea who was glaring daggers at him. The situation would be quite dangerous for anyone else since Rhea was subconsciously gripping her wand in her right hand. But Fred knew better. He was not afraid of her actions.

"It wouldn't be very fair if you went towards your dear uncle and started yelling at him for something he did to protect you. We understand you are stressed, angry wanting answers, whatever. But in this situation, the best thing you can do is calm down and stop thinking about it before your hair grows white with worry and you get even uglier." The last part was meant as a joke, to get Rhea to finally loosen up.

And according to plan, it worked perfectly. The tight grip on the wand disappeared and a small smirk found its way to Rhea's pale face. She looked over at Fred, shaking her head from side to side.

"I reckon I still look better than those Hufflepuff girls which you flirted with just to get answers for the Herbology test." Rhea shot back. Now it was Fred's turn to shake his head. Overall there was nothing wrong with Hufflepuffs. They are amazing people. But these particular three girls have always been somewhat crazy about the twins. More particularly about Fred. And the ginger was not afraid to use it to his advantage when needed. Of course the way the girl practically drooled over him. And how they gushed over ever

"Oi, desperate times call for desperate measures. Though I would prefer if you didn't mention this low point of my life." Fred defended himself. Shivering at the memory of the hands of those Hufflepuffs on him. Rhea and George laughed loudly at the misery of the oldest ginger.

"You only have low points in life, mate." George joked, elbowing his brother. It was true that Fred had no trouble flirting with someone just to get something he wanted. It was his secret weapon. He even flirted with Madam Rosmerta just to get that special discount on his butterbeer. It magically works every time. Fred frowned at the accusation of his brother. It wasn't his fault that George wasn't using the good looks to his advantage.

"Don't let the jealousy eat ya alive dear brother."

Rhea laughed listening to the two gingers bicker back and forth about which of the twins is more attractive. It was the same old. Definitely, something that Rhea listened to at least once a year. It was hard to pick out more attractive since the two look quite the same. That was why Rhea always somehow managed to avoid the topic rather than answer one of their questions.

It was quite amusing watching the twins squabble over such ridiculous reasons. The Black girl would even laugh but suddenly her body shook. Feeling a chilling sensation creeping inside her bones. Freezing her from the inside. It wasn't something natural. The train always used to be an oven at the start of the term due to Septembers being still quite sunny. But this felt like winter with a snowstorm raging just outside the windows.

"Anyone feeling cold suddenly?" Rhea asked running her hands up and down her arms. Now slightly regretting not changing into her robes yet and wearing a short sleeve. The twins stopped the ridiculous fight, just now aware of the intense temperature drop. They all looked around seeing the frost on the window.

"Bloody hell..." And then the train stopped.