Contraband
In the Beginning...
It was Harry Potter's 7th year at Hogwarts and Voldemort was gone, banished forever by the boy-who-lived-but-hadn't-yet-graduated-school. The year began like almost every other year had, with the Hogwarts Express pulling out of Kings Station, and Mrs. Weasley crying while waving frantically at the train. George and Fred had taken the morning off and accompanied her in the sending off of her "four babies", and Hermione could see them teasing their mother as the train left the platform.
The compartment arrangements were a bit different again. Ginny had been made a Prefect, and so she got to sit in the front compartment with Ron and Hermione, who was of course made Head Girl. They were accompanied by Blaise Zabini, who had been named Head Boy, and Draco, a Slytherin Prefect. While one couldn't say a friendship had formed, Draco avoided using the term mudblood, and in return the red-headed Gryffindors limited their insulting to the school Quidditch teams. Harry and Neville sat longingly in a compartment in the back, nibbling on chocolate frogs and discussing girls in their year. Well, Harry kept coming back to Ginny, and Neville politely listened, because he had nothing better to do.
The Sorting Hat sang his song, and the little first years were sorted (not without commentary by Harry and Ron about how tiny the children were – Ron being rather intimidating with his six foot three lanky frame). By the time Headmistress McGonagall got to the part about prohibited items, Harry and Ron were busy stuffing their faces with food and chattering about Quidditch tryouts.
"Hush, you two, I'm trying to listen!" whispered a very irritated Head Girl, poking them with her wand.
"Blimey, Hermione, she's going to say the same thing we've heard for six years, and you already have a copy, knowing you!" retorted Ron, rather upset to have had his Quidditch conversation sabotaged.
"SHHH!" she replied, and the boys grew quiet just soon enough to hear McGonagall's final remark.
"And all objects and products from the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes store are prohibited from being on school property. Your luggage has already been searched, and all items appropriated. All Owls returning to the school with packages from this establishment will also be confiscated."
The howl that rose from the four tables drowned out anything the Headmistress attempted to say in the school's defense. Ginny almost giggled when she realized that the Slytherins were as upset as the Gryffindors – one buys the best even if it IS from a Weasley, she supposed. Ron, on the other hand, was almost in tears.
"Bloody hell, Hermione, do you know how much I spent on things to bring back?" he sobbed.
"Well, serves you right! You're a Prefect, for Merlin's sake, you should be setting an example for the rest of the students," she muttered. "Really, we're all better off this way."
Unappeased, Ron turned to Harry and Neville for a bit more support.
Climbing their way to the Gryffindor tower, Hermione and Ginny gathered their robes and other toiletries and set off for the Prefect's bathroom. Hermione had just sunk down into a huge tub of jasmine and lavender bubbles with a shriek from Ginny made bolt upright.
"GINNY! What's wrong?"
"The box, did you see this box?" Ginny asked, pointing at a small intricately carved box sitting in a corner.
Twisting her head, Hermione tried to read the writing on the top.
"Does it say 'Open Me'? That's rather silly."
"Silly or not, I'm opening!" The youngest Weasley's fingers had just let go of the box top when a small brown envelope – resembling an infamous Howler, thought Hermione – flew into the air and began to speak.
Just drop your Knuts and Order Form here
and Wait until the Coast is Clear.
If the Money's Right,
and No-ones in Sight,
Expect your Order shortly!
Banned or Not – We know you love us!
Weasley's Wizard Wheezes
"Oi! Hermione! It's a way to get stuff from Fred and George!"
"Ginny – that's all banned….we could get in a lot of trouble."
Ginny narrowed her eyes and approached her best friend with a glare.
"Hermione, you will tell NO ONE of this. I love you like a sister, but if I find out a single Professor knows about this box, I WILL cast every hex I know on you in your sleep. You are more than welcome to spend your life as the studious student, but I for one want a little fun. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly." Hermione replied, turning her face so Ginny couldn't see the glint of humor in her eyes.
Upon returning to the common room, they quickly found out that the boys Prefect bathroom had an identical box. And that's how the best year at Hogwarts began.
A/N: ARGH! I know, this was suppose to be a oneshot-plot-bunny that became RABID and I just had to get it out. It's short, it's funny (at least to ME) and it's going to go month by month. It all makes sense to me, but I'd like to see if anyone else can figure the whole thing out before I get to Harry's graduation in May. Email or review if you think you got it!