165 The Twin's Surprise

At breakfast I'm a bit surprised to see the twins already sitting down talking. We sit not far away with Luna and Daphne, I sit with Theo since he looks left out. After eating a bit I notice a shadow on me as if someone is standing behind me.

I sigh as I turn around, behind me the twins are grinning ear to ear, "Your secret is ready?"

George nods as Fred speaks up, "Yup, finished it yesterday after classes. Are you ready to see it?"

Shrugging I set down my spoon, "Lead the way."

"Can we come as well?" Hermione asks gesturing at the girls

Theo nods as he stands up, "Sure, you guys will see it sooner or later anyway."

Fred and George shrug uncaringly, "Let's go." George says, putting a hand on my back as I stand up.

At a brisk pace they lead me through the halls towards Gryffindor tower. Once we get off the stairs I realize they are leading us towards their shop.

Once we are down the hall from it I finally ask, "So it has something to do with your shop?"

The twins look between each other before looking at Theo, "Our shop," they correct.

My brows raise as Fred pulls out his wand and waves it at the end of the stone hallway. Just like always the stones fold in on themselves making a tall door revealing a bright shop within. I don't see anything different about it until I step inside and I pause in surprise.The once small shop is now massive, it extends over a hundred feet deep and thirty feet wide.

On the left of the entrance is a long counter labeled 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes'. On the right is a counter labeled 'Nott's Noxious Potions'. Both sides have shelves holding products respective to their shops, I even recognize the Trouble Bubble's on the counter of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.

Further down there are two more counters with blank shop names ready to be used for different shops.

"You two made this?" I ask genuinely very impressed.

"This is amazing," Hermione says, looking around in awe.

"This is very impressive," Daphne says, staying behind everyone with Luna.

George and Fred grin happily at the praise, "We spent the entire summer working on the extension charm," Fred says with a grin, "We can make a space up to twenty times larger," George adds on.

"What are the other two empty shops for?" I ask walking deeper into the new shopping plaza.

Fred shrugs, "For new shops of course,"

"We figured you'd recruit more people eventually so we thought preemptively," George says proudly.

As I'm about to speak up, Luna pipes up first, "May I have one for the Quibbler?"

The twins pause as they look at me with a curious face. I don't know how to reply so I take a moment to think.

"You would have to sell more than just a newspaper. There is a lot of space that has to be used."

She nods happily, "Of course, I will have my Dad send me some magical items." From her pocket she pulls out a pair of gold glasses with purple lenses, "Like these glasses, they show you what is there but cannot truly be seen, like Nargles."

Sliding the glasses on she smiles at me, "And that black haze that is always following you around."

My smile falls as I freeze, "What kind of haze?" Hermione asks curiously.

Luna tilts her head as she thinks, "Like a black mist that constantly hangs around his body and leaks from his hands."

Using two fingers I take the glasses off her face from the bridge of her nose, "Alright, you can have the shop spot."

I ignore the odd looks from the people around me, "What should we do about the last shop?"

Theo is the only one not giving me an odd look and replies first, "What kind of shop do you want?"

"I would prefer an alchemist's shop, but we don't learn alchemy till sixth or seventh year and I don't know that many older people."

Both Daphne and Theo perk up at my words but stop before they speak, "What? Do you know someone?"

Theo shakes his head, "Nope, no one."

I give him an odd look before looking to Daphne for answers. She blushes under my scrupulous gaze and looks down.

"It's Draco."

I am taken aback by her answer as I didn't think Draco was good at anything, "What do you mean?"

"Among the pureblood families Draco is well known to be a very talented alchemist, though he only does it as a hobby."

"I refuse," Hermione immediately vetoes.

I nod in understanding as I rub my chin, "I will talk to him. Not like I have anything to lose by entertaining the idea."

Theo sighs, "I will admit he has been better lately not bullying anyone, but still, it's DRACO MALFOY."

"Meh, I'm not the type of person to hold someone's past against them. At least as long as it's not terribly evil or something that affects me."

After I think for a moment I continue, "Do you two mind grabbing Draco for me after lunch?"

Theo sighs and Daphne smiles and nods, "Sure."

Hermione huffs, "I'm still against it."

"Not much I can do about that, but every time he's bullied he;s been on the worse end of the stick. So it's not like he hasn't gotten retribution for his actions."

Hermione huffs again as she turns around and walks out. I shrug as I turn to face the twins again.

"What's her problem? " George asks, obviously confused.

"Eh, she really doesn't like Draco. To be fair he isn't my favorite person either, since he is a stuck up blood elitist and all that."

"But he isn't anymore," Daphne defends Draco.

I nod, "Yeah, but he is still a dick."

Theo laughs and Daphne sighs, "I won't argue that."

"Mind if I take a look around?"

Fred opens his arms towards the shop, "Feel free, I'll just take the cost out of your cut."

My brows raise, "So you guys remember that I get a cut even after becoming big shots? How generous of you."

George smirks, "We aren't big shots until we get a shop on Diagon Alley."

"With that money I gave you you should have more than enough to buy a shop. You guys aren't thinking of dropping out are you?"

Fred and George pause as if they hadn't thought about it, "We're not seventeen yet," Fred says tentatively.

I nod as I begin to pursue the goods, "I suggest you don't, your mother would be very disappointed."

George nods in agreement, "Find anything you want?"

"Eh, I guess I'll take some trouble bubble and a few fart bombs."

The twins seem surprised at my choices, "You, using a fart bomb? Have we rubbed off on you? Are you sick?"

I roll my eyes, "I wanna use them when Ron tries out for Quidditch next week. If he gets in they will be my gift to him."

Daphne groans while Fred nods seriously, "Good gift."

I smirk at his words, "I hope he will like it." Walking towards the door I turn to Theo, "Will you be staying?"

Theo shakes his head, "We don't open till next Monday."

"Cool, you guys wanna go play with the animals?" I ask looking around at everyone.

"What about Hermione?" Luna asks, concerned.

"Do you want to go get her, I'm almost certain she went to the library."

Luna tilts her head thinking for a moment, "Sure, where are the animals?"

"Hagrid's hut."

Daphne nudges up to Luna, "I'll go with her to get Hermione."

I nod as I turn to the twins, "You two coming?" They shake their heads.

"We have other friends, you know?"

"Okay. Theo?"

Theo nods, "Yeah, I haven't gotten to meet them yet so it will be cool."

Looking back at the door I see the girls are already gone, "Well let's go then."