Magical Pets, Rats, and Tests (Part Five)

"Fred, George," Molly called to the twins circling the Enhanced Magical Pets in the showroom, raising her voice. "Stay with Hermione. Don't leave her on her own. Come find us at the ice cream shop when you're done. Don't wander off, and don't cause trouble."

Fred poked his head out from behind a Magical Pet that had transformed into a dog. He gave Molly a wave and a grin that said, Yes, yes, we know. George stood behind him with a brochure open to the last page, where the Ouroboros emblem was printed.

"Don't worry, Mum," George called from inside the showroom. His voice sounded casual, but carried a reassuring certainty. "We won't lose Hermione."

Molly glanced at Hermione once more. Hermione nodded and gave her a small smile that said, I'm fine. Go on. Only then did Molly take Ginny's hand and walk slowly down the cobbled street of Diagon Alley toward the ice cream shop. The little pony's hooves clopped behind them like a tiny echo that would never fall behind.

Hermione stood at the showroom entrance and watched them disappear into the crowd. The moment Molly turned away, Hermione's smile vanished and her brow furrowed again. She went inside toward Fred and George. She needed another look at those Magical Pets. Not to buy one, but to understand what the little pony that had finally drawn a reaction from Ginny really was.

All the while, a voice kept sounding in Hermione's head. It came from within, rising like water in a pot about to boil. Tiny bubbles had already formed on the surface. A little more heat, and it would boil over.

She didn't know what those pets were. She didn't know who ran the Nirvana Research Center. She didn't know what the tests were measuring, or