A/N: Hi, and welcome to the sequel to It Happens in Threes. If you've just stumbled upon this story for the first time, you may want to backtrack and read the first part of this story. Everything will make much more sense after reading the beginning rather than jumping in during the second part.

I have recently revamped the first part of this series, so if you find minor consistency errors between this story and the first, you'll know why. Rest assured, I will be working to edit out any such discrepancies!

Now, I'm sure you'd like to get on with it, so happy reading everyone! Be sure to review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my character and my plotline. Everything you recognize belongs to JK Rowling.

- CHAPTER ONE -

Peace, Tranquility, and…Boredom

Peace.

Quiet.

Relaxation.

It was safe to say that after returning home from school for the summer holidays I was thoroughly enjoying the amount of peace and quiet I had access to. There was no drama floating around in the air like at Hogwarts, and no schoolwork to worry about (although I did have a fair bit of summer homework to complete). I had as much time as I wanted to simply relax and enjoy the long, warm days.

Upon my return, my parents had spent several hours asking questions about the recently past school year, and it was nearly two full days before I had run out of new things to tell them. They seemed positively thrilled to hear about anything and everything I had to offer, and it became clear that I was going to grow weary of conversing sooner than they were. Although I shared much of my school experience with them, there were certain things I made a point to keep to myself. The instance with Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew, for instance, was something I was going to keep quiet. As far as the rest of the wizarding world knew, Black was a mass-murderer and Pettigrew was dead. I was one of the few who knew the truth.

Fortunately, my parents had no idea I had had anything to do with Sirius Black's reappearance and escape from Hogwarts at the end of term. Thus, they had believed my initial tale in which I had described how Professor Dumbledore had merely explained to the students that Black had managed another miraculous escape. However, my mother and father were far more interested when it came to other topics of my fifth year at Hogwarts. Amongst being bludgeoned with questions about Quidditch, Sirius Black and the professors at school, I was also quizzed on my love life. Both my mother and father seemed to be waiting for me to slip up and feed them some information.

Of course, I was sure they were referring to Fred Weasley.

Ah yes, Fred. I had been extremely careful not to bring up too much to do with either Fred or George, as I was sure my parents would punish me for any trouble they realized I had gotten in to during the year. However, they seemed to suspect that I was dodging the topic of the twins, and they constantly brought them up over mealtimes in what I assumed was an attempt to dig out the dark secrets of my social career. However, there was no chance on earth that I was going to admit to them that a romantic relationship had somewhat developed between Fred and I. I didn't need them breathing down my neck about that sort of thing.

The fact that Fred Weasley was no longer around was actually quite nice, despite the feelings that had arisen between the two of us. Without him around I had a rare chance to relax. I spent the first week of my summer holidays at home, enjoying the sunny days by flying a bit in my yard. I didn't bother myself with letters to my friends, as I knew I would be seeing them again in good time. Until then, I kept myself occupied with other things.

I was still taking the God awful potion Professor McGonagall had sent me home with, and although I was extremely excited about the entire thing, I was almost wishing I hadn't agreed to it at all. The taste of the thick substance was enough to make me want to vomit. It is the most disgusting thing I have ever in my life had the displeasure of tasting.

My parents had originally wanted to inform the rest of my family members about the Animagus procedure I was undergoing, but I wouldn't hear of it. The reason I was so excited about being able to transform myself into an animal was so no one would know it was me. Where's the excitement in becoming a cat if everyone knows it's you? Therefore, I did not allow my mother to owl my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins when they asked for my permission to do so.

Thirteen days had passed before I received my first letter from Fred and George.

I was lying on my bed with school books, quills and ink bottles spread out in front of me. I figured it would be a good idea to get a head start on my homework while I had the chance. Merlin knows when it came time to see my friends homework would be last on my list of priorities.

Just as I was wrapping up a rather lengthy essay for Charms, an old, scruffy looking owl flew through my bedroom window clumsily and landed with a thud on my dresser.

I looked up, surprised that my quiet had been interrupted, and hurried over to retrieve the letter it was carrying. I recognized the owl to be Errol, belonging to the Weasley family.

"From Fred and George I suppose," I said to the owl, though it did not seem interested in making small talk. Instead it just nipped me in the arm as if to tell me to hurry up so he could get going.

I pulled the letter from its leg and the bird eyed and pecked at a water bottle I had sitting next to my bed. I unscrewed the top and carefully poured some of the liquid into the bird's open beak. When it had had it's full, he sat patiently, waiting for a reply to bring home to the twins.

Sitting on the edge of my bed, I unrolled the parchment and recognized Fred's messy handwriting.

Our Dearest Jules,

How is your summer going? I bet you're missing our dashing faces already aren't you? I know we're missing yours.

It was just as we were practicing Quidditch with Ron in the backyard that we realized, this isn't the same without Juliet to pelt bludgers at. Shame you're not with us.

But, all is well, as this letter will hopefully change all that nonsense about George and me missing you. I'm sure once we receive your return letter we'll remember we're not really missing out on all that much. Even if you are our best mate, you're really not all you're cracked up to be.

Now, to get to the point of writing you…Father has informed us that he has managed to get tickets for the Quidditch World Cup, and, as promised, you are indeed invited to tag along.

With that said, you are also invited to come to the Burrow and spend the remainder of summer with us whenever it is that you're able to come.

Take a moment and scream for joy if you wish, we understand this is possibly the most brilliant offer you could have received on your journey towards enjoying your summer.

But seriously, Mum's already gotten a start on cleaning the house. We've had to degnome the garden twice already, so you better not disappoint us Juliet my dear. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival.

If you can't give us an answer now, be sure to owl us later. That way we'll know when to have our dung bombs prepared.

Here's hoping everything is well. We hope to hear from you soon,

Fred & George

P.S. It might be a good idea to water Errol if he's going to make it the whole journey home.

I read over the letter twice just to laugh at the twins' jokes a second time before I grabbed a spare piece of parchment and began scribbling my reply.

Dearest George (and Fred too I suppose),

Thus far, summer has been dull, but far more relaxing than it would be with the two of you around. Although, as you said, I do miss your dashing faces (well, George's anyway).

It's brilliant that your dad managed to get tickets for the World Cup, and I'm more than excited to go with you.

As for coming to the Burrow, I'll have to confirm with my parents when I'll be allowed to go. I'll get back to you on that one, but I'm sure I'll see you in good time.

All my love,

Julie

I rolled up the piece of parchment and tied it back on to the waiting owl's leg. As soon as I had, he took off through the window once more and flew off into the distance, staggering ever so slightly in the soft wind.

After hearing from the twins I lost all motivation to finish my homework. In fact, I found it extremely difficult to enjoy the peace and quiet I was so looking forward to in the beginning. I found myself missing the twins more and more with each passing day.

Thankfully, my mother delivered good news to me which would surely cure me of my ever-growing boredom.

She told me I would be spending a week with Alicia and her family prior to leaving for the Burrow, as both of my parents were leaving on a romantic vacation together. They came to the conclusion that I should not be left all alone at home, and decided rather than sending me to the Burrow for an extensive period of time, Alicia's house would be a suitable place for me to stay. I was to leave for the Burrow immediately after being at Alicia's house.

Thus, as my parents were packing for their two-week long romantic tropical getaway, I was packing up my trunk for Alicia's, the Burrow, and Hogwarts all at once. I was not likely to be returning home for the remainder of the summer.

"Now Juliet, I don't want you forgetting your manners with Mr. and Mrs. Spinnet," my mother reminded me for the thousandth time. "Remember, their rules are much different than ours."

"You mean they're much more strict," I interrupted.

"We're lucky enough to have them agree to take you in for the week," my father said firmly.

"I know, I know, I'll be good," I said.

"We're just reminding you," my mother clarified. "You can be a bit forgetful at times."

"Ok, right, so that's…change my socks every day, remember to shower, and…oh I know this…oh ya behave," I said sarcastically, counting the points off on my fingers.

My mother and father gave me identical unimpressed looks.

"You know, it's true about couples who have been together a long time beginning to look alike," I said.

The expressions on their faces did not change.

"Wow, you'd think I was some sort of wild animal the way you two treat me," I said sarcastically. "What do you think I'm going to do? Destroy the place?"

"We can't exactly be sure now can we? What with the way you behave around Fred and George," my mother pointed out. She had heard many terror stories from Mrs. Weasley, and I'm sure many more from other members of the wizarding public.

"Oh Mum, they really aren't as bad as their mother makes them out to be you know," I said, although it wasn't really the truth. Mrs. Weasley didn't need to exaggerate Fred and George's behaviour. They were already as out of control as they could possibly be.

"I wasn't referring to Fred and George," she said, "I was referring to you."

"Oh ha ha," I remarked.

"Well, let's just be thankful there isn't three of them," my mother continued, "We can't have you getting into even more trouble now can we?"

"From what you just said, it sounds like there are three of them. Me being the third."

My mum cocked her eyebrow at me.

"Just, try to be good, alright hunny?" my dad pleaded.

"I'll do my best," I replied, giving them an angelic smile.

"We'll come with you to Alicia's to say goodbye," my mother told me as I lugged my trunk into the living room.

"Let me take that," Dad said, grabbing hold of the handle.

I moved over to the fireplace, as we would be travelling to the Spinnet residence by floo powder. I grabbed a handful of the black powder and stepped into our fireplace. Giving my parents a salute, I dropped the powder on to the floor beneath me and spoke Alicia's address clearly.

The feeling of travelling by floo powder is one that I have never really gotten used to. The spinning motion in such a tight space always manages to make me feel sick. Fortunately, it was only a few seconds before I found myself standing in Alicia's living room.

I hurried out of the fireplace to make room for my parents and brushed my clothes off as best I could.

"Ahh, Juliet, you've arrived I see," Alicia's father said in a friendly tone, getting up from the seat he had been occupying.

"Indeed I have sir," I replied in an overly official voice as he came forward to shake my hand.

Alicia's father is not a man to mess with. He has always demanded the utmost respect in his household. Ever since I was eleven and I first came to visit Alicia he has made it clear that I was to abide by certain rules in his home. I knew to always be on my best behaviour while at the Spinnet residence. However, my time with Fred and George has taught me that rules are a lot more fun when they are broken.

Fortunately, before I could make a further arse of myself by subtly mocking Alicia's father, I was interrupted by Alicia herself.

"Julie! I was wondering when you were getting here," she said as she hurried in to the living room carrying beverages.

"Are your parents coming along?" Mr. Spinnet asked, glancing at the fireplace expectantly.

"Yes, they should be here any minute," I replied, taking the glass of lemonade Alicia was offering me.

Just as I had spoken, my father, followed closely by my mum came swiftly out of the fireplace. Dad sat my trunk down on the floor as he went forward to shake Mr. Spinnet's hand.

"Ah, Margaret, Kirk, great seeing you again," Mr. Spinnet greeted them.

"You too Peter, the Missus around?" my father asked.

As our parents began the usual routine of small talk and catching up, Alicia and I sprinted up the stairs, dragging my trunk behind us as we went.

"So how's your summer been so far?" Alicia asked as I dumped my trunk in a corner of her bedroom.

"Uneventful," I replied dully.

"Same here," Alicia answered. "Heard from Fred and George yet?"

"They owled me last week," I replied, "I'm going straight to the Burrow from your house when it comes time to leave."

"I pity you," she said.

"Whatever, you'd give anything to be in my shoes."

"I would not."

"I get to live with George Weasley," I said.

"You're right, so jealous."

"You're pathetic Leesh," I commented, flopping myself down on her bed against the wall.

"I'll freely admit to that," she said, "as long as you admit you're pathetic as well."

"Of course I am," I admitted, picking up a Muggle magazine that had been lying on the floor. "So what do you have planned for the two of us this week Alicia my dear?"

"Well I haven't given it too much thought," Alicia replied. "We've got to make a trip to Diagon Alley before you leave."

"Why's that?" I asked, absentmindedly flipping through the magazine.

"Well my parents won't tell me much about it, but they say we'll be needing a set of dress robes," she told me. "I don't know about you, but my old ones have gotten quite tattered."

"What on earth would we need dress robes for?" I questioned, pausing my page flipping momentarily to gaze at someone called Ashton Kutcher.

"I don't know," Alicia replied, "they won't say."

"Hmm…I wonder if Fred and George would know," I wondered, now studying an article titled 'Your Best Climax Yet'. "Alicia, what kind of rubbish are you reading?"

"My sister's into fashion!" Alicia replied defensively. "That's what she's studying in college this year."

Alicia's sister, like Mr. Weasley, is very interested in Muggle Studies and had decided to pursue a career in fashion design rather than getting a job in the Wizarding world…something that her father does not approve of.

"Since when are 'Our Most Outrageous Positions Yet' fashion-based material?" I asked, crinkling my nose in disgust and tossing the magazine back on to the floor.

"As I was saying," Alicia continued, ignoring me and kicking the magazine under her bed, "You and I can go shopping for robes together. It'll save you going with the Weasleys."

"Good plan."

"Aside from that, I'm not sure what we'll do to pass the time."

"I'm sure we'll come up with something," I replied.

"Ohh…" Alicia said suddenly, sounding as though she had just remembered something unpleasant.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I'd almost forgotten," she said, "Tomorrow night we have a party to go to."

"A party?" I questioned, "What kind of party?"

"Nothing exciting," she answered, "just some work thing Dad needs to go to, and he's dragging the lot of us with him."

"Your father works for the Ministry, right?"

"Yeah…" Alicia answered in a bored tone.

"There's bound to be someone interesting there though, right?"

"Don't count on it Jules," she replied.

I frowned. A boring party filled with adults sipping drinks and making small talk definitely didn't sound like fun.

"Have you ever been to one of these things before?" I asked.

"Thankfully, I have not."

"So you have no idea what to expect?"

"From what I've heard it's a fairly professional affair," she told me. "Certainly no one we would have fun talking to would be there."

I nodded in agreement.

It looks like my boring summer is just about to get even duller.

Oh how wrong I was…