Chapter 11

” Potter,” she said, stopping him as he was leaving the room. She adjusted her spectacles, her expression stern but not unkind. ” About the permission form. I have looked into it, and without your guardian’s signature, I am afraid the regulations are quite clear. You cannot visit Hogsmeade next Saturday.”

Harry’s shoulders slumped. He had been hoping, just a little, that she might make an exception. ” Yes, Professor,” he muttered, looking at the floor.

” I am sorry, Potter,” she said briskly. ” But rules are rules. You will remain within the castle grounds.”

As McGonagall turned away, Grace stepped forward quickly, falling into step beside him as they walked out into the corridor. Ron and Hermione were still pointedly ignoring each other, walking ahead in stony silence.

” I heard,” Grace said softly. ” It’s really not fair, Harry.”

He forced a weak smile, trying to act like it didn’t bother him. ” It’s fine. I’ll just catch up on work or something. Get ahead, you know?”

” Actually,” Grace said, taking a deep breath as she made her decision final, ” I’m not going either.”

Harry looked at her, clearly surprised. ” What? Why? You have your form signed, you can go!”

” I know,” Grace said, linking her arms through his to steer him toward the Great Hall for lunch. ” But honestly? It’ll just be crowded and noisy. And look at them,” she nodded towards Ron and Hermione ahead of them, ” they’re not even talking. I’d much rather stay here with you. We can find somewhere quiet to hang out and practice the spell Professor Lupin taught us. It’ll be way more fun than being stuck in the middle of their arguing, right?”

She saw the relief wash over his face, chasing away some of the gloom.

” Thanks, Grace,” Harry said, smiling for real this time. ” That… that would be really good, actually.”

” Come on,” she said. ” Let’s go eat. And don’t worry, we’ll have a much better time here than they will.”

Harry smiled widely, although he didn’t understand if it was worth it for Grace to stay with him. But the thought of practicing the spell taught by Professor Lupin was enough to push away his gloom. He ran towards Ron and Hermione, then turned to look at Grace and gave her a little wave.

Grace smiled and nodded. She was halfway across the Entrance Hall when a loud commotion behind her made her turn around.

Fred and George Weasley came bounding down the marble stairs, looking like two people who had just discovered the secret to eternal happiness. They skidded to a halt in front of her, grinning widely.

” Alright, Grace!” Fred said, clapping his hands together. “Just the person we wanted to see. The operation is a go! Everything is set for Saturday.”

George leaned in, his eyes twinkling. ” We’re talking big business this time. With your new batch of products ready, the demand is going to be through the roof. We’ve got a prime spot picked out near the entrance. You create the magic, we handle the crowds. Profits are going to be massive!”

Grace winced internally. She had completely forgotten about their arrangement. She and the twins had been planning this for weeks; she spent hours brewing and crafting the special items, and they provided the sales strategy and locations. It was a true collaboration, and this was supposed to be their biggest payout yet.

” About that..” Grace started, shifting her weight awkwardly. ” I.. I won’t be going on Saturday.”

The grins slid off Fred and George’s faces so fast it was almost comical. They blinked at her in unison, looking like she had just spoken in a foreign language.

” Say again?” Fred asked, leaning forward. ” Didn’t your parents sign your form? I distinctly remember you showing me the parchment last week.”

” They did,” Grace said, glancing at Harry who was now trying to calm down his two arguing friends. ” But.. I’ve decided to stay back at the castle instead.”

George let out a dramatic gasp and clutched his chest. ” Betrayal! Treachery! In our own ranks!”

” Are you ill?” Fred asked, suddenly looking concerned, though his voice was still laced with mischief. “Has a Dementor kissed your sense of adventure? Grace, this is our launch we’re talking about! You’ve spent days making those items!”

” I know, I know, and I’m really sorry,” Grace said quickly. ” But look.. Harry can’t go. Everyone is going to be there, and he’ll be stuck up here all alone. I just couldn’t leave him behind by himself.”

” Oh.” Fred’s expression softened immediately. He looked at Harry, then back at Grace, and slowly nodded. ” Oh, I see. A noble mission. A rescue mission, almost.. You don’t happen to like him, do you?”

” Very gallant of you,” George added seriously, though a smirk was playing on his lips. “Leaving the gold on the table for the sake of friendship. Putting the ‘partner’ in partnership.. just for a different kind of partner.”

Grace gave Fred and George a flick on their foreheads. ” What are you talking about? He’s a friend and I only see him as a brother!”

” Then.. maybe you can think about it more?” Fred asked.

” That’s right! How about you go with us in the morning, then you can return by lunchtime? Me and Fred will take care of the rest,” George suggested excitedly after some thought.

Grace felt that the idea was good. Her road to making money wouldn’t be delayed, and at the same time, she could still stay with Harry.

” Deal!” Grace said, relieved that they weren’t actually angry.

” Alright! Come on, George, we’ve got stock to pack. Duty calls!”

With a final wink and a dramatic salute, the two brothers strode off towards the common room, already talking animatedly.