Disclaimer — Everything recognisable is JK's.

Prompts: (character) Blaise Zabini, (dialogue) "It isn't funny anymore.", (setting) Hogwarts pumpkin patch

A/N: …or the world where Slytherins didn't have masks to hide behind and actually were allowed to have fun. They're kids, too!

Word count: 479


Pumpkin Punishment

Theodore Nott loved pranks. And he, Blaise, just got dragged alone because 'you're supposed to be my best friend' combined with Theo's giant doe eyes were just too much to fight against.

Usually, Blaise didn't hate it. Today, though… let's just say carving pumpkins on a Halloween eve wasn't his idea of fun.

"Look, I just thought it was funny, okay?"

Blaise gave him a look, and Theo silenced up. "It isn't funny anymore."

Three seconds later… "Just saying, though, the look on his face." Blaise let out a long sigh, wondering what he had done to deserve such an insufferable best friend. Theo prattled on. "Honestly, you have to admit. Who would have thought Hagrid was that scared of McGonagall?"

"Theo, everyone is scared of McGonagall."

"Well, that's true, but Hagrid's… well, he's Hagrid. How does someone that big even be that terrified?"

Blaise didn't deign that question worthy of a response. Instead, he continued to do what he should be doing because detention.

Perhaps Theo had thought the pumpkins were outdated and should be done for, and perhaps they had sneaked out at night to destroy all the pumpkins 'Hagrid spent ages carving, do you boys even realise?'

Perhaps jumping on the giant things, protected by a cushioning charm, had been fun, and in a short time, they had created pumpkin squash out of the power of their feet.

Perhaps, though, they should have actually taken a minute or two to clean their soles… or the whole boots… or their pant legs, actually. Or their whole selves, even. Perhaps they should have went on a route that went through the quidditch pitch, more precisely, the showers.

Or they should have learned a cleaning charm.

Because apparently, neither Filch's cat nor Filch loved Pumpkin shards and goo on just-cleaned floor, and Filch was a sadist. McGonagall, though, was simply cruel, especially when she saw the heartbroken and terrified look on Hagrid's face the next morning.

Magic couldn't do everything, and the pumpkin-goo couldn't be turned back to pumpkins, but new pumpkins could be grown. Hence the identical notes, "As a punishment for destroying the pumpkins Hagrid worked immensely hard to carve, you will do the same task today. You are excused from your classes."

Which was what found the Slytherin prankster-duo (even though one was very unwilling, shut up, Theo) in the pumpkin patch next to Hagrid's hut, sweating hard even under the pleasantly-cloudy sky, and Blaise was completely and utterly done.

"Here, look, you gotta admit this is funny."

Blaise was ready to tell Theo off, but then his gaze fell on the pumpkin theo was carving. It had one giant 'eye', a stick for a 'nose', and a gaping hole for a mouth.

"Reckon this looks like Malfoy?" Theo sniggered, and Blaise couldn't help but snort. Maybe, despite everything, he didn't completely hate his best friend.