Whelp II The Wrath of Snape

'specially--'

'Once we told her it'd wear off before the prat--'

'Had to be at school.'

The four boys stood close together, with Harry still holding Treacle in his arms.

'C'n I pet her, too? I wanna pet her, too!' Ginny was right behind Harry, and he jumped, startled, when she spoke.

'Why don't we all head outdoors, now,' Mrs. Weasley said suddenly, from near the door. Father was there, too, arms crossed over his chest. 'And I'm sure Harry will let everyone have a chance to pet his kneazle, if they are very kind with her.'

'Yes, ma'am,' Harry said.

'Harry,' Father said. 'I am going to class now. Behave yourself for Mrs. Weasley.'

Though his stomach did a little flip, Harry nodded, rubbing his chin along Treacle's head. 'Yes, Father.'

Father nodded in return. 'I will see you at lunch time. Do make sure to check in with Hagrid this morning, if you can.' He inclined his head slightly for Mrs. Weasley, and then he was gone.

'He's dark as a bat, that one,' George said quietly.

'Charlie likes him all right,' said Fred.

'Charlie likes dragons.'

The twins grinned at each other, and then at Harry. 'You gonna show--'

'Us around or what, Harry?'

'Outside,' Mrs. Weasley said firmly and started to herd them toward the door. 'Let's go.'

Ron walked next to Harry as they made their way out of the dungeons and toward the Main Entrance. 'We're gonna stay here during the days, Mum says, and go home after your Dad's done with classes. But just for a bit, and after that, you'll come to our place for days, 'cause there's stuff at home what won't get done by itself, Mum says.'

'Yeah,' Harry said quietly.

'Besides, the pitch we've got is easier to play on that the one here. And Mum says we wouldn't get a chance to play here, anyhow, not now that school's started up again.'

'The pitch?'

'For Quidditch, you know. We've got one at home.'

'A Quidditch pitch? Really?'

Ron grinned. 'Yeah. We can play all the time when you're over.'

Suddenly things didn't look quite so bleak. 'That'll be brilliant!'

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A/N: I cannot believe it! They made me actually work at my day job yesterday, or I would have written this chapter then. I beg your forgiveness. Thanks for all the enthusiastic reviews and encouragement for this story! More Twins and pranks and learning to get along in the next chapter.

*Chapter 9*: Chapter 9

Whelp II -- The Wrath of Snape