"So let me get this straight—this giant eagle is Lewis's Animagus form, and you two just came out for a stroll?"
"And you guys actually drove that flying Ford Anglia to Harry's uncle's house and broke him out?!"
High above the clouds, the eagle and the car flew side by side.
Hermione and the four boys had finally figured out why each of them was up here.
"You two are literally taking a midnight walk in the sky."
"That's insanely cool!"
Fred and George exchanged a glance and spoke in perfect unison.
George even let out a whistle, making Hermione's face flush bright red.
"That has nothing to do with you!"
Embarrassed, Hermione snapped back angrily.
"And what about you?! How could you do something like this? Aren't you afraid Muggles might see you? Ron, isn't your dad working in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office?!"
"But if we didn't go," Ron shot back, clearly agitated, "Harry would've been stuck in that attic all summer—he might not even get back to school!"
"There's a house-elf trying to stop me from going," Harry added miserably. "It even used magic in my house. Now the Ministry warned me—if it happens again, I'll be expelled."
"But you could've written to Professor Dumbledore! Or Hagrid! They would've helped you! You didn't have to steal a flying car and do something this reckless!"
Hermione fired back sharply.
But Ron immediately countered.
"Oh yeah? And what about you? I bet Lewis's Animagus form isn't registered, is it?"
Hermione froze.
She had no comeback.
Without realizing it, she—who always tried to follow the rules—had already been shaped by Lewis and the others.
She was slowly becoming… a rule-breaker herself.
After all, Lewis's daily activities were already far beyond what most wizards—let alone students—would dare attempt.
Experimenting with unknown potions.
Developing new spells.
Secretly becoming an Animagus.
Using extension charms privately.
Learning advanced teleportation.
Hunting top-tier magical beasts.
Compared to all that… Ron's stunt almost seemed mild.
Seeing Hermione fall silent, Ron puffed up with pride.
But Harry suddenly noticed something odd.
"Wait… why are you two up here in the first place? Shouldn't you be at home?"
"That's because I'm staying at Lewis's place," Hermione replied naturally. "And his house is in Ottery St. Catchpole."
"Lewis lives there too?!" Ron exclaimed.
Fred and George turned to look.
"Of course," Hermione said, puzzled. "Don't tell me you live there too?"
"We do live there!"
The three Weasleys spoke in unison.
Well—
That was unexpected.
Turns out, they were neighbors all along.
Harry's excitement instantly doubled.
Not only could he stay at the Burrow, but Lewis and Hermione were nearby too.
This summer was shaping up to be perfect.
Ron explained that the Weasleys had lived there for generations.
Hermione mentioned that Lewis had only just moved in this year.
"So our mysterious new neighbor is Lewis?" Fred said in surprise. "Everyone's been guessing who it was. Ron thought it was some ancient old witch."
The eagle shot Ron a sharp look.
"I didn't!" Ron immediately protested.
He had no intention of getting on Lewis's bad side.
"So… how did Lewis even afford a place like that?" Harry asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Hermione was about to answer—
But Fred and George beat her to it.
"You didn't know? Lewis got a First Class Order of Merlin," George said loudly. "He killed a Chimera and saved a bunch of Muggles."
"Yeah, that happened after he bought the place," Fred added, "but it proves he can make money."
"Of course he can…" Ron muttered, half resigned. "A house… and a Merlin Order…"
Meanwhile, Fred grinned mischievously.
"So… you two are living together, huh? A boy and a girl, flying around at night—no wonder you're out here."
"We are not living together!"
Hermione snapped again, flustered.
"In fact, Ciri's there too!"
"Oh, so it's three of you," George whistled again. "Wow. That's… lively."
By now, they had reached the Burrow.
The car descended, and the four boys climbed out.
Lewis landed as well, shifting back into human form.
"Fred," Lewis said with a slow smile, "remember Lisa?"
Fred stiffened.
"That Muggle girl from the paper shop? What about her…?"
"I saw you two having quite a good time the other day," Lewis said calmly. "I wonder what Angelina would think if she found out."
Angelina Johnson—fellow Gryffindor Quidditch player.
"Angelina? What does she have to do with this?" George asked, confused.
Lewis ignored him, staring directly at Fred.
"If I hear any rumors about 'cohabitation' at Hogwarts… this conversation will become very interesting."
"Understood!"
Fred nodded desperately.
George looked completely lost.
For once, the clever twin failed to connect the dots.
Poor George.
He still hadn't realized—
Fred liked Angelina.
And Fred clearly intended to keep it that way.
"Anyway!" Fred quickly changed the subject. "We should get back. Quietly. Then surprise Mum in the morning."
He turned to Lewis.
"Come to the Burrow tomorrow. Bring Ciri. We're throwing Harry a proper welcome party!"
"Of course," Lewis said with a wave. "Good luck. Though… I think Mrs. Weasley might have a surprise waiting for you."
Just like in the original timeline.
They snuck off toward the house.
Lewis and Hermione turned back toward the tower.
They hadn't gone far—
When a furious scream erupted behind them.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED I WAS?!"
"EMPTY BEDS! NO NOTE! AND THE CAR IS GONE—!"
The two of them couldn't help it.
They burst out laughing.
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