Berry Christmas Blackmail
Disclaimer: I obviously don't own any of the characters or the settings BUT I do own the plot.
"Look, it's snowing!" an excited first year cried, pointing out of the common room window.
It was the 20th of December and it was freezing cold. A flurry of snow was floating down outside and was settling onto the ground. All of the Gryffindors oohed and aahed at it, apart from Fred and George who were high fiving and yelling to everyone that their snow dance worked. Angelina opened her mouth to ask what a snow dance was but stopped as shouts started coming from the far corner of the common room.
"You're just cross because I wouldn't buy a bloody badge for your stupid spew," yelled Ron, his face contorted with rage.
"First of all, I am NOT cross because of that, secondly, don't you dare swear and thirdly it is S.P.E.W!" Hermione screamed back.
The whole common room was silently watching them with mild amusement. The same argument happened most days so they weren't surprised when the pair shouted at each other yet again. As if they just realised that they were being gaped at by everyone, Ron and Hermione turned red and quickly sat down but continued their argument in hushed tones.
George smirked at Fred. "I think we need to do a bit of sneaking around don't you dear brother?"
"Why yes I do, I'm feeling very guileful today," replied Fred, grinning back at his twin and winking.
Lee raised his eyebrows and looked at him questioningly, knowing that his friend had very little knowledge about long words. Fred shrugged casually.
"Well, I am extremely clever," he started but stopped when he saw everyone's faces.
"Fine," he sighed in mock defeat, "Alicia called me it a few days ago when I stole her slice of cake so I thought I might as well say it. I am clever though!" he added.
George rolled his eyes as they rose from their seats and, gesturing for Lee to follow them, started towards their dormitory.
"Now then," said George, "we need to come up with a plan." He paused for a few seconds to think. "Lee?"
It was now dark outside although the time was only 6:00 PM. Hermione and Ron were sat down next to the fire in the common room, their dispute earlier now forgotten. Harry was at Quidditch practice as usual and he wouldn't be back for a while so it was just those two. Suddenly, a loud rumbling noise came from somewhere near Ron.
"What on Earth was that?" exclaimed Hermione, looking up from her History of Magic homework in shock and staring around the room to try to find the cause of it.
"Sorry 'mione. I'm really hungry." Ron patted his stomach gently and gave an apologetic shrug to Hermione, who sighed quietly, then settled back to her homework.
A few seconds later another rumble could be heard and it was somehow even louder than the first one. This time Hermione looked a little annoyed to be disrupted from her work again and glared at her friend.
"Ron…" she started tersely but was interrupted as he put his hands up as if to say hold on a minute.
"Actually, it came from you this time Hermione."
She glared at him angrily.
"It did not! As if I would..." but was cut off again, this time by another noise that definitely came from her own stomach. She blushed and then grimaced as another one could be heard.
"Oops!" whispered Hermione.