It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 52

Just as all of the crates, boxes, bags and luggage were finally unloaded, George yelled to the ancient Wizard driver.  "TAKE  IT AWAY, ERNIE!"

 HONK,HONK! rumble, rumble. POW!  CRACK!  and the Knight Bus disappeared in a puff of smoke.

X X X

"Hagrid!" Ginny ran up to the huge man and threw her arms, as best she could, around him.  "Happy Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas to you, too, Ginny. Fred! George! Good to see ya!"

"Hagrid!"  Fred and George shouted and waved.

"Careful there, Ginny, you'll knock him over," chided Neville, as he walked up to the gates and gave Ginny a hug.  "Hey, George! Fred!"

"Neville! Hey, Seamus!" called Fred.

"Dean! Remus!" George waved.

"What have you brought?" asked Seamus, eyeing the crates and boxes piled by the side of the road.

"Ah, all in good time, Seamus!" kidded Fred.

"We'll reveal the goodies at the castle," added George.

"Well, let's get these loaded, shall we?" Hagrid said, having turned the wagon around and headed it back toward the school. "Ginny, would you hold Tenebrus' harness, please?"

"Sure Hagrid," replied Ginny, walking over and taking the leather strap in her hand.  Even though she couldn't see the Thestral pulling the wagon, she could see its breath in the frigid air.  "Hello, Tenebrus."  She reached out and petted him, receiving a nudge from the invisible, winged horse-like creature.

X X X

After all of the 'merchandise' and luggage was loaded and the gates closed, locked and warded, the group made their way down the snowy approach road. 

"There's going to be a demonstration in the Great Hall, but most of this will be stored in the Room of Requirement, to keep it safe," Fred told them.

"We've put a lot of thought into what you'd need Seamus, so by modifying some of our better fireworks, you're all set. And a few things to add to the confusion and make them think they're inflicting more damage than they really are," George explained.

"Explosions, smoke bombs and flames of all sizes and shapes." Fred grinned.

"All safely controlled by us, of course,"  George added, looking smug.

Dean, Seamus and Neville exchanged looks and grins as they trudged along.

"Although, Neville," Ginny started. " I really would suggest you don't stand there and taunt the Snatchers like you did the last time."

"I think that was just in the movie, Ginny," Neville replied, frowning.  "But you're right in any case . . .we'll have more important things to worry about."

"I can't wait to see what you have for us," Seamus was rubbing his hands together, wondering what he'd have at his disposal to rig the bridge. . . and anything else he could think of . . . and he'd be thinking of a lot! "BOOM! HE!HE!HE!"

"It's not all about blowing stuff up, Seamus," Fred cautioned him.

"We've also thought about protecting things," George added.

"The Headmaster and Professor Flitwick are going to do re-enforcing spells to the castle.  What could you add to that?" Remus asked.

"Oh, we know they are and those spells and enchantments will be really excellent, but we're going to be installing backup for those spells,"  George grinned.