Chapter 7: Pranksters and Playmates


A few days pass and Rachel hardly sleeps ever since the dementor incident. Memories of her mom haunt her. Damn dementors, she thinks. She walks around to her classes like the ghosts of Hogwarts. Lifeless. No one minds because no one pays attention.

Breakfast time at Hogwarts is in the Great Hall. Students gather every morning to energize their battery for the new day. Rachel finds a seat next to her boyfriend and settles her bag onto the empty spot next to her.

"What's up?" Finn puts his arm around the tiny body.

Rachel shrugs it off. For some reason, she doesn't feel comfortable with people touching her today. "Nothing. I've been having these nightmares and I can't seem to get them to stop. I've asked Madam Pomfrey but she said it's natural so I just have to go through with it. I tried the cheering charm but nothing works. I'm still having terrible dreams and I can't get my beauty sleep at night." Rachel rambles, thankful that she has someone to listen to her.

"Oh, okay. Cool." Finn piles omelette and bacon on to his plate.

'Or not.' Rachel rolls her eyes. She sighs and pours herself a glass of orange juice.

"You look terrible today," Finn comments through his half full mouth.

Rachel looks at him in disgust, "Finn, I've just told you that I haven't been sleeping well lately, were you not listening?"

Finn swallows the food in his mouth and gets closer, "Is it because…" His voice is low. Rachel has to come closer towards him. "You know… it's your time of the month?"

Rachel turns red, "Finn Hudson! Have you not been listening to me?" She raises her voice enough to draw attention.

"Well, it would make sense." Finn looks uncomfortable under the eyes of other students. "I mean, you wouldn't let me touch you, you get really nasty when things don't go your way… more so than usual… and you know…" Finn lowers his voice again, "You keep refusing my advances…"

Rachel's eyes widens, "I thought you understood! I told you that I wanted to wait. You told me it didn't matter because you love me!"

More eyes shot to their direction. Finn, it seems as if he doesn't care about the attention anymore, continues, "But that was a year ago, Rach, come on. I'm a guy…" He stops once he realizes something is wrong. His nose feels terribly itchy and somehow, it has gotten bigger.

Snickers and chuckles can be heard in the Great Hall. Rachel has to cover her mouth to stifle her oncoming giggle. The longer people stare at Finn, the more obvious it becomes. His nose starts to resemble that of a pig's.

Laughter breaks out when everyone hears the grunt and snort of a pig coming from Finn. Rachel looks around wanting to know who casted the spell at her boyfriend.

Her eyes find the table next to theirs and she finds a certain Slytherin blonde muttering under her breath. Her back is slightly turned away, she is facing Karofsky, but she has a fixed gaze at the corner of her eyes. Her gaze is concentrated at one Finn Hudson and she does not blink at all. Rachel knows a spell when she sees one. She smiles and turns to her boyfriend, who is, by this time, trying to stop his ears from growing. "What's…" he snorts, "What's happening?" Finn stands up but trips over the bench causing a huge uproar within the Great Hall.

His ears now resemble that of a donkey's. Rachel tries to stop herself from laughing. She really tries.

"Hey Hudson!" Santana yells from the other side, "Nice look for ya! It really brings out your inner beauty!"

With that comment, Rachel finally lets her laughter out.

It looks like Finn is trying to say something but the only thing that comes out is a cross between a bark and a snort. If this were a cartoon show, steam would be coming out of his ears as well as his pig snout. He runs out of the Great Hall revealing a fluffy rabbit's tail behind him making everyone laugh even more.

Laughter does not subside until after Professor McGonagall settles them down. "That was a poor performance of magic. We are here to better ourselves and not ridicule the name of magic. Who ever is responsible for that act should come and reveal him or herself." McGonagall's eyes scan the giggling students from each table.

Rachel eyes Quinn and the ice Queen merely continues eating her breakfast. She has a twinkle in her eyes and a triumphant grin plastered on her face.

"Professor McGonagall, I'm sure that whoever casted a creative spell knows it's only for fun." Flitwick pipes up, "Engorgio is an advanced spell and I will bet ten galleons that whoever is responsible, is also an intelligent student."

"Yes, I have to agree with you." Professor Snape turns his head towards the Slytherin table, "It's merely a childish act that should go unpunished." Snape's eyes fall on Quinn's for a second longer, "Students hex each other for good fun." Professor Snape turns towards McGonagall, "But more importantly, no one got hurt."

Professor McGonagall is about to speak when Dumbledore interrupts them, "Let's forget this incident for now, shall we? I'm quite eager to try the new recipe of this delicious muffin." Dumbledore faces Snape, "I trust that you will take care of whoever started this."

Snape nods curtly.


News of the Gryffindor spread like wildfire. By the end of the day, Finn Hudson is famous for his snout. Rachel feels bad for laughing at her boyfriend who must have felt humiliated, but it makes her forget about her dreams for a while, for that, she feels glad, even if it costs her boyfriend's pride.

Rachel walks into Muggle Studies that afternoon and is greeted by silence from her partner. As usual, they sit at the very end of the classroom with Quinn's back facing the class. Rachel takes her seat and gets her textbook out. She takes out a parchment and quill to note down what she needs to do after class.

"I know what you did." Rachel says softly, not peering up from her writing.

Curious hazel eyes looks up from the textbook. "Yea?" Quinn sounds uninterested, "What would that be?"

Rachel rolls her eyes, "I know that you were the one who hexed my boyfriend."

Quinn's nose twitches at the word boyfriend but keeps her eyes glued on her book, "Yea? What makes you say that, Berry?"

"Oh come on Quinn, I saw you. You were mumbling non stop when his nose changed."

"I was telling Dave a story." The blonde states lamely.

"You had your eyes on my boyfriend the whole time."

"One, eww and two it was because he was growing donkey ears."

"You weren't even laughing."

"I didn't find it amusing."

"Yet you were smiling by the end of it, looked like you needed to concentrate on something beforehand."

Quinn scoffs and rolls her eyes before glaring at the Gryffindor, "You're accusing me of hexing Hudson, Berry."

Rachel blows the bangs out of her face, "Okay fine, say you didn't do it." Rachel continues writing on her parchment, "But I have to say that I agree with Professor Snape. It was really childish. To attack someone when they least suspect it."

"I'd have to say, great strategy. Who wins in war if both sides don't think of their tactics?" The blonde challenges.

"War? Tactics?" Rachel looks up and accepts the blonde's glaring challenge, "You're comparing school to war, Fabray. How is that supposed to make sense?"

"I thought school was supposed to prepare us for the future. You don't even have to think of a war, how about a game of chess? Who wins if neither has a strategy to bring down their opponents?"

"Why are we talking about winning? No one won anything! What we saw in the Great Hall was merely an act of immaturity. Really? Pig snout? Couldn't come up with anything original? And wow, donkey's ears, what in the world were you thinking?" Rachel's voice has increased in volume.

"Because he is as dumb as an ass!" Quinn shouts as she slams her fist on the table.

The class has gone quiet. Professor Theresia is just in time to hear Quinn's outburst. She clears her throat, "Is everything alright here?" she addresses Quinn and Rachel.

Quinn takes a glance at Rachel. The Gryffindor has an elbow rested on the table and holds her head in her palm. Eyes wide with satisfaction and a big grin are plastered on her face. "Just peachy." Rachel says to their teacher.

Quinn huffs and pouts as she turns her back against the class once more.

"Excellent." Theresia claps her hands, "I trust that everyone is progressing in their mid-term essay? All about inventors from different eras, hope you've chosen your geniuses!"

With that, they are left to work individually as Theresia walks around the room to help students when they need it. Quinn gives Rachel a deathly stare while the latter stares adoringly back, loving the fact that she's won.

Quinn sucks on her teeth and settles on a pout. "I don't like you very much right now."

"Well Quinn, the problem with that statement is that even though you don't like me very much, you still like me. Though not right now anyway."

Quinn scoffs and continues to glare at the grinning Gryffindor. A smile slowly creeps up to Quinn's face, Rachel's mega-watt smile is seriously contagious. "Will you stop looking at me now?" Quinn ends up grinning.

"I'm just enjoying my sweet victory. Subtly accusing and demeaning you in an argument was really a good way to pop your bubble." Rachel giggles.

"Ouch. I didn't think you'd think that far." Quinn smirks.

"A good tactic, I'd say." Rachel hooks her hair behind her ear, "Something you've been trying to tell me in the past five minutes."

Quinn looks amused, "You're quite… interesting, Berry."

"I know, I am." Rachel grins.

"You know, you're also amazing, I might've used an enlarging charm on Hudson's head, but your head just gets bigger without a spell at all!" Quinn quietly chuckles.

Rachel fakes a surprised look as she holds her hands over her chest, "Quinn Fabray, how dare you mock my head," she says in a very over-exaggerated tone.

Theresia clears her throat behind Quinn, "If you girls are done with your chit-chat, please work on your essays. I want at least the first draft handed in by next week."

"Sorry, Professor," The two girls reply.

"If you don't stop, you'll get us both in trouble," Rachel whispers as soon as Theresia turns around.

Quinn snickers, "I wasn't the one being the drama queen slash damsel in distress slash in-need-of-serious-mental-help patient."

Rachel slaps Quinn's arm playfully. The two turn back to researching about muggle scientists. Rachel smiles when she realizes the air between them has changed. She has broken through the ice queen's defenses.


Rachel is utterly focused on her parchment as her eyes follow the lines of her essay, sometimes mouthing certain sentences or phrases that need her undivided concentration. Quinn glances subtly at the brunette every once in a while, taking in the petite Gryffindor in front of her.

It is getting chilly and Rachel is in her sweater with the Gryffindor tie around her neck. She has clipped the sides of her hair behind her head leaving a clear column of that delicious neck with her hair settling on the brunette's back. Quinn follows Rachel's neck and eventually reaching her lips. The Slytherin zones out while she stares at the Gryffindor's lips. When Quinn has snapped out of it, she looks up at Rachel's cute nose up to her eyes.

Quinn frowns a bit. "Rae…"

"Hmm?" Rachel tries to ignore the sudden leaping heartbeat at the nickname the blonde gave her and looks up from her parchment. Worried hazel eyes catches her attention.

"Are you feeling alright?" Quinn asks.

"Yes, of course." Rachel nods hastily and turns back to her parchment, "Just feeling a bit parched."

Quinn tilts her head lower to catch Rachel's attention.

"What?" Rachel looks at the blonde curious to the blonde's action.

"You look really pale, are you sure you're feeling alright?" Quinn holds her palm against Rachel's forehead. "Cold sweat," Quinn states.

"Uhm… Quinn?" Rachel is surprised to be touched by the Slytherin.

Quinn ignores her, "Been sleeping enough?" She looks at those brown eyes that looked drained. Quinn has to mentally slap herself for only just noticing it.

"W-w-well… not lately." Rachel stutters. The blonde's worried stance takes her by surprise.

Quinn lowers her hand and cups Rachel's cheek. The brunette nearly fluttered her eyes closed at the warmth. She doesn't, however, she let out a very content sigh, which is embarrassing nevertheless. Rachel watches Quinn's eyes search her face for a sign of sickness.

"Well… it's been three days, you should be over it by now." Quinn dips her hand into her bag to retrieve something.

"Quinn Fabray, are you telling me that I'm weak?" Rachel raises her eyebrow.

Quinn shakes her head, "No. Dementors have different effects on people, depending on their worst memories."

The Slytherin rummages her bag some more but gets impatient as she settled it on her lap.

"What about you?" Rachel asks.

"What about me?" Quinn peeks into her bag.

Rachel bites her lip. She wants to know what the worst memory the blonde has. But it feels a bit too personal. That, and today is the first time the blonde has actually talked to her, makes her contemplate whether she should ask.

Ever since the dementor incident, Rachel doesn't know how to act in front of Quinn. Were they friends now? Quinn did save Rachel from a horrible kiss. But the last time they talked before the incident, the blonde hardly expressed any interest.

Rachel's mind goes back to the present. 'Well… Quinn did jinx my boyfriend because he was being an ass. She admitted defeat in our earlier banter and now… she's worried about me? What is going on in her head?'

"As you were saying?" Quinn smiles as she finds her little bag and hands it over to Rachel.

"What's this?" Rachel opens the bag and picks up a marble sized… "Candy?"

Quinn nods. "Yep."

Rachel chuckles quietly trying not to catch Theresia's attention, "Is it poisonous?"

Quinn chuckles at the statement, "If it were, I'd be more subtle."

Rachel smiles at the joke, "What are they then?"

"Something my father calls cheerbons." Quinn rolls her eyes, "Cross between cheerful and bonbon."

Rachel eyes the candy sceptically, "They're not illegal, are they?"

Quinn lets out a hearty laugh before she stops herself. People in the classroom turn around and are surprised to see the Slytherin laugh. Quinn clears her throat and a tinge of pink spreads across her cheeks.

Rachel grins at the cuteness of her partner.

"Not all Slytherins are bad, Berry." Quinn opens the bag and plops a marble looking sweet inside her mouth.

"I never said that." Rachel takes a deep breath, "You did save my life. I'm curious as to how you end up in Slytherin though. You don't seem like the type." Rachel puts the sweet slowly inside her mouth.

Quinn is watching Rachel intently as the brunette closes her mouth and licks her lips. Once more, Quinn's eyes are glued on the Gryffindor's lips. Her eyes shoot up to the brunette's. She is caught red-handed and averts her gaze quickly. "I didn't think about it at first either." Quinn shrugs. "My whole family was in Slytherin, I just thought, I'm just living the legacy."

The Fabray Legacy. Santana's words pop into her mind. Rachel is suddenly distracted however, as she feels sudden warmth of juice of the candy trickle down her throat. "Quinn…" She moans quietly and closes her eyes, "What is this?"

Quinn grins, "Dad's secret recipe."

"That's informative."

Quinn rolls her eyes, "At least it helps."

Rachel nods slowly.

"Although the red one you had just swallowed will have side effects of colour change… to your face." Quinn hides a chuckle.

"Quinn!" Rachel raises her voice. She is shocked, "How dare you!"

"Relax Berry!" Quinn can't control her laughter, "I was just kidding."

Rachel groans as she feels her face warm up.

"Well…" Quinn cocks her head to the side curiously with a sly smile on her face, "I have to say though, your face is turning red. The effects are applicable after all." She giggles.

Rachel cups her cheeks, "You, Fabray, are such a kid."

"You're just too easy." Quinn says as she plops another sweet into her mouth.

Rachel is sure that her whole face is as red as a beetroot. She watches the blonde smile at her. "Quinn?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

The Slytherin feels as if those two simple words carry a bigger meaning. That and the way Rachel looks right now makes Quinn nearly choke on her candy but she quickly gathers herself. "Anytime," Quinn replies quietly as she averts her gaze.


Half an hour into the lesson, Quinn and Rachel are busy trying to focus on their essays. Quinn would sneak a glance towards the brunette when she thinks the Gryffindor isn't looking. Rachel has plopped a candy into her mouth after the last one is done. Quinn smirked.

Rachel looks up when she senses that sly eyes were on her. She sees the hazel eyes, "What?" She whispers and tries to concentrate back on her essay.

"Nothing." Quinn sticks her tongue out.

Rachel rolls her eyes and focuses on her essay again with a smile on her face. She looks up at the blonde every once in a while.

Quinn knows that something is bound to happen in a matter of…

Rachel starts giggling. Quinn looks up and grins mischievously. Rachel looks confused as she tries to calm herself down. She turns towards the blonde, "What's in those candies?"

Quinn shrugs, "A simple cheering charm. Though if you eat it excessively, it will cause…"

Rachel starts giggling uncontrollably.

"That." Quinn points at her.

"Quinn Fabray!" Rachel starts laughing out loud.

Quinn can't help but chuckle at the sight.

"Girls!" Theresia turns towards them, "What is the meaning of this?"

"I have no idea, Professor." Quinn covers her mouth with her hand as she tries to stifle her laughter.

"Liar!" Rachel's face turns pink.

"Miss Berry, I suggest that you stop laughing at once. I find nothing amusing about this."

Rachel's laughter fills the classroom. A couple of people, unlike their teacher, find it amusing and start laughing at Rachel.

"I…" Rachel is out of breath, "I can't professor." She turns towards Quinn, "You!"

"Detention!" Theresia shrieks over her students amusement, "Both of you!"

"Detention?" Rachel looks shocked.

"Both of us?" says Quinn as she quirks her eyebrow.

"For the next three days, for disrupting my class. Out of my classroom now, you will explain yourselves to Professor Binns." Theresia looks at her timetable, "As a matter of fact, you can go right now, he has already started detentions."

Rachel leaves the class abruptly followed by Quinn.

"Hey, wait up." Quinn jogs towards her.

"I-I will not…" Rachel giggles, "Stop! You gave me…" Rachel hiccups, "Detention!"

Quinn chuckles, "Oh come on, it's not that bad."

"Not th-that bad?" Rachel turns rapidly towards the blonde and causes them to bump against each other.

Quinn holds the giggling Rachel up with a wide grin on her face.

"Quinn Fabray! You've tarnished my clean reputation! I've never…" Rachel wipes a tear that escaped from her eye caused by her unstoppable giggling, "Ever had detention before!"

"There's always a first for everything." Quinn digs her hand into her bag and produces a similar looking pouch.

"Oh no… you're not fooling me this time." Rachel backs away from her and starts trudging towards their detention class.

Quinn chuckles behind her, "If you want to stop giggling, I suggest that you take one."

"The last time I trusted you, you put me in detention!" Rachel shrieks.

It is a good thing that students are still in their classes. The corridors are empty and Quinn is having the time of her life.

"Oh come on Berry. It's a simple prank." Quinn gently pulls Rachel's elbow and offers her the candy. "Look, just one of this… maybe two in your case." Quinn grins but quickly wipes it off after Rachel glares at her.

"I'll even eat one to show you it's not poisonous… or illegal." Quinn takes one out and holds it between her teeth to show Rachel before sucking on it.

"If something goes wrong with this one, I swear Fabray, I will never trust you again." Rachel makes a move to grab the candy.

"Oh." Quinn retracts her hand that is holding the bag, "Then this candy wouldn't do the trick."

Rachel's eyes widen. Is Quinn really going to prank her a second time?

Quinn laughs at the sight of a disbelief Rachel Berry, "I'm kidding Berry, just take one and the effects are immediate."

Rachel folds her arms and tries looking mad, but her condition wouldn't let her look mean. Quinn takes a candy out of the bag and holds it in front of Rachel's mouth.

"Open up." Quinn smiles.

Rachel rolls her eyes and snatches the candy with her hand. "You better be ready to run if things go wrong." Rachel puts the candy in her mouth.

Within two minutes, her laughter subsides almost instantly leaving her with hiccups.

"See?" Quinn offers her arm, "Detention then?"

Rachel swats Quinn's arm away, "I'm still mad at you." She walks past the blonde.

"Come on, Berry, you have to admit, it was funny." Quinn catches up and starts walking beside her.

"I will admit no such thing." Rachel puffs and lifts her chin as she tries to walk fast, "I will now give you the silent treatment."

Quinn scoffs, "What kind of person say they're going to give you the silent treatment? You might as well just do it."

"Hmm… for once you're right, Fabray."

"Fabray? What happened to Quinn?" The blonde pouts.

Rachel doesn't reply.

"Oh come on!"


"Berry?" Santana is surprised to see her fellow Gryffindor entering detention.

"Yes, Santana?" Rachel settles on a chair to Santana's right.

Santana's eyes shifts to the blonde who enters right behind Rachel, "Fabray." Santana folds her arms.

"Lopez." Quinn says coldly and grabs the chair next to Rachel.

Santana turns her whole body and faces Rachel. "So…"

Rachel takes a glance at Santana and back to the front without saying anything. Santana waits for the blabbermouth to start. 'Any moment now,' Santana thought to herself. Rachel doesn't disappoint.

"You may be wondering the reason for my presence here," Rachel starts.

"There it is." Santana chuckles quietly.

"We had a little incident in muggle studies class earlier. A Slytherin tried to poison a fellow classmate." Rachel glares at Quinn.

Quinn remains stoic in front of Santana. She reaches for her bag and got out a book.

"Wait… Fabray tried to poison you?" Santana quirks her eyebrow with an 'I told you so' look.

Rachel looks back at Santana realizing that even though they were the only students in detention, Professor Binns seem to not pay attention to them.

"Wait… back up… Fabray's in muggle studies?" Santana leans back on her chair to take a look at the said Slytherin. Quinn pays her no attention, "Uhh… why?" Santana looks sceptical.

"I don't know. However, yes, she made me a laughing stock in class and got us landed here in detention." Rachel pouts.

The side of Quinn's lips twitches as she tries so hard to contain her grin.

"It's not funny!" Rachel hisses when she sees the blonde's sparkling eyes.

Santana, meanwhile, looks horrified. She grabs Rachel by the elbow and pulled her close so that her lips were centimetres away from Rachel's ears. "I told you not to get close to her. She's bad for you. This is the first time I hear you land yourself in detention."

Rachel tugs her elbow back and straightens her stature, "Because this is the first time I have detention."

"Rachel, I'm trying to look out for you. Look where she got you!" Santana hisses quietly, only enough for her friend to hear.

"I told you before, Santana, I don't need a babysitter."

"Rachel, you don't…" Santana's lips are moving but nothing is coming out.

Santana looks surprised. The Latina tries to scream. Or, that's what it looks like by the way her eyes widen and her veins popping out. Santana leans back again on her chair and sees a wand subtly pointed at her by the Slytherin. Santana glares at her.

Quinn slowly takes her eyes off from her book and eyes the Latina with a sly smile.

"It's on, Fabray." Santana mouths and looks back at their teacher. She pulls her wand from her robe pocket and points it at Quinn subtly.

Rachel does not want any part of it so she takes out her Muggle Studies essay and continues it. She tries so hard to ignore the low squeals and gasps that happen beside her.


Professor Binns, it turns out, forgot about detention and thought that he had a class to teach. He had his back turned towards the class the whole time and kept talking. He turns around at some point, "Oh…"

Rachel looks up from her parchment and sees what made her teacher speechless. She turns her head to the left and sees a human-jelly with spiky pink hair, arms crossed. To her right, she sees a skinnier version of an abominable snowman. Rachel rolls her eyes, "Kids," She mumbles under her breath.

They leave the classroom with their bags. Quinn is sneezing non-stop because of her fur. Santana is wobbling, leaving a trail of goo behind her.

"Well… ACHOOO…" Quinn rubs her nose, "See you tomorrow, Berry." Quinn nods curtly, "Lopez."

"I swear, Fabray, you might have won this time, but next time, I will turn you…" Santana's words are lost again. The Latina gives the blonde a deadly stare.

Quinn smiles at Rachel and walks away. Just before the Slytherin turns at the corner, the Latina points her wand at the figure. Within seconds, there is a loud yelp and crash on the other side of the corridor.

Santana smirks.

"I see you've found yourself a playmate," Rachel says as they start walking back to their common room.

Santana scoffs. Her lips start moving again but nothing comes out. She starts explaining herself with her hands. It doesn't work with her jelly arms.

Rachel shakes her head, "Merlin give me strength."