Author's Note: I declared a prompt war against Dysonrules on LJ, also known as Cheryl Dyson on (see my favourite authors for her account). This is called the Le Obscure Prompt war. This is my story to round one; you can view her corresponding story at her account

Words: 1065 words
Summary: Written for Le Obscure Prompt War, to the following prompts; Hot air balloon, elastic bands, Anubis and jail

Mile High

Draco looked from one freckled face to the other and raised an eyebrow. "Are you joking?" he asked, quite right to question whether they were pulling his leg or not.

"Honestly, mate," grinned George, pointing to the picture, "They're real. And we're always wanted to go on one, and as it was your birthday…" George pulled on the elastic band around Draco's chin, and snapped it back, making the purple party cone-hat wobble on his head. Draco yelped and lurched forward with the intent of band-snapping revenge, when another Weasley with an identical purple hat to his, which clashed horribly with his hair, stepped in.

"We had three tickets when we ordered," said Fred, fending off the enraged Slytherin, "But Jordan is scared of heights, so we thought you'd like it."

"Also, we didn't know what else to get you," said George, waving his hand to the mountains of presents piled up in the corner of the living room.

"So what do you say?" asked both the twins, echoing one another in perfect synchronisation.

"Why not just use a broom?" asked Draco, looking down at the picture wearily.

Fred and George looked at one another, dumbfounded. Draco was not placated with the reply: "Why not?," so they dragged Harry over to explain the logistics of a hot air balloon.

xxx

The idea of roaming above unsuspecting Muggles had appealed to Draco. As he sat on the sofa, filling the new bottomless-bottom bag he had gotten from Granger with all the presents that he deemed unworthy of his attention or storage space, Draco was forming a malicious plan to fill up his evil quota for the day. Whoever had condoned the idea of two Weasleys, a Malfoy, and a hot air balloon had obviously miscalculated greatly.

That person was Harry Potter.

"Here you are," said Harry, bringing out a little plastic sandwich bag from the kitchen. Draco had just stuffed a florescent pink umbrella, courtesy of that stupid overgrown oaf Harry insisted on being friends with, into the bag before a pair of sealed pickle and cheese sandwiches were dangled in front of his face. Feigning innocence and gratitude, Draco put the sandwiches in the bag, wishing they were strawberry jam and ham.

"Thanks."

"Got a coat?"

Draco looked over the back of the sofa and raised an eyebrow, "Why would I need a coat?"

"You might get cold."

"Fine, fine, mother. I'll pack a sodding coat," grumbled Draco, standing up to get his coat from the bedroom.

He removed his coat from the back of the door and just as he was about to leave, Draco's eyes fixed upon the selection of souvenirs that sat on the chest of drawers next to the door. Grinning, Draco swept the mementos of New York, Cairo, Barcelona, Madrid and Tokyo into the folds of his coat. He snuck back into the living room, one ear listening to Harry whistle while he washed plates, and stowed away his coat and contents into the bag.

xxx

It was about the size of a double bed and Draco wondered if the wicker's weave would disintegrate at high altitudes, and they would all fall through the bottom of the basket, plummeting to their certain deaths. And he didn't care how big that balloon was, it certainly wouldn't support a double bed or him.

"I'm not getting in that," stated Draco firmly. Both twins smirked and grabbed an elbow. Digging his heels into the soft grass, Draco shook his head, "Oh no! I'm not going in that death trap."

"Come on, imagine you're a feather," said Fred, coercing the blonde along.

"Feather?"

"Yeah, a feather. The lighter you think you are, the higher you'll go," finished George, winking over the blonde head at his brother.

"GET OFF OF ME, YOU CRAZY GINGER CRET -"

In no time at all, Draco found himself in the basket that was suspended over some little Muggle town called 'Whinging' and hugging his bag to his chest for dear life. Every time one of the blasted twins leaned over the edge, Draco would let out a little screech of horror and demand they remain in the centre of the parameter before they were all poured to the ground below.

However, Draco's irrational fear only lasted as long as the novelty did. Looking over the edge, he opened his bag.

xxx

Harry had done all the housework and he was feeling terribly bored, lonely and frustrated. Unreasonably wishing that one of the twins had forfeited their ticket so that he and Draco could have had a romantic high-sky ride together, Harry was forced to settle for watching the six o' clock news. Turning on BBC1, he sunk into the sofa and dully watched about the current MRSA problem in hospitals.

"…More from that next week. And in other news, earlier today, a rather unusual police pursuit occurred over the town of Birmingham." Tthe news presenter's smile was cut off as a footage clip appeared on screen, obviously shot from a helicopter. The presenter's voice bridged the image. "Earlier today, police were engaged in a slow speed pursuit with a hot air balloon. The occupants of the ride had been throwing objects down below and endangering many civilians. Car pursuit seemed fruitless, and helicopters could not get near enough for fear of sweeping the balloon up in the blades. They, instead, had to wait till they ran out of gas…"

Harry watched in horror as scenes appreared of police cars dawdling along hedged roads after a red and blue striped hot air balloon, with helicopters flying at a respectable distance. A close up of the occupants confirmed Harry's worst suspicions, and he was even more horrified to see Draco flinging the statue of Anubis he had bought in Cairo over the edge of the basket, police cars swerving to avoid it's shattered pieces below.

"…Pursuit went on for five hours before the balloon finally touched down in Glasgow. Occupants are awaiting conviction in a county jail. That's all from London Tonight, join us again at nine. Goodnight."

Harry jumped up and grabbed his wand.

xxx

"Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?" asked Harry, looking through the bars at the three relieved faces as an officer unlocked their cell.

"Lady Liberty sure bounced high," Draco said with a grin, stepping out into freedom.

Fin