Chapter 7-Percy's Meltdown
It was a lovely Saturday afternoon, but instead of being able to roam free through Hogsmeade like all the students in third year and up, Fred and George were forced to stay behind in the castle with their dreams of Honeydukes and Zonko's Joke Shop. Of course, the fact that every other student under third year had to stay behind as well meant nothing to them.
They both lay on their beds in the dormitory, staring up at the ceiling.
Fred sighed loudly.
George sighed louder.
"We could go outside." Lee, who was sitting restlessly on his own bed, suggested.
"There are no heavenly sweets waiting outside." Fred said dully.
"There are no fabulous prank paraphernalia outside." George added wearily.
"You two are impossible." Lee huffed, shaking his head. "We've only got til next year to wait."
"It's still a wait." Fred said stubbornly.
"Fine." Lee gave up, standing and walking to the door. "I'm going out to enjoy the day. When you both rouse yourselves from your miserable stupor, you can join me."
With that, he was gone.
Fred sighed loudly.
George sighed louder.
Fred sat up suddenly. "Lee's right you know. We should enjoy the day."
He pulled his trunk out from under the bed, opened it, and pulled out the lining, revealing the hiding spot they concealed the Marauder's Map in when they weren't using it.
George sat up. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking," Fred raised his eyebrows devilishly. "We don't have to wait until next year for heavenly sweets and fabulous prank paraphernalia." He touched his wand to the map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"I dunno," George said apprehensively as Hogwarts appeared in front of them. "What if somebody spots us? We don't exactly blend in."
"It's cold out, we'll wear our big hats." Fred replied. "And turn our collars up."
George rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because that's not obvious."
"Come on," Fred scanned the map quickly. "Everyone'll be too busy to give us a second look." He smiled. "There." He pointed. "That, dear brother, is the passageway to happiness."
"Fine, but if we get caught I'm telling Percy it was you who transfigured his shoes into gravy boats."
---
"How many fireworks did you get?"
"Enough for three months. You got the Jelly Slugs, right?"
"Of course."
Fred and George went over their purchases as they walked down the street, keeping their faces pointed to the ground.
"Was there anything else we needed to do, or should we get back?" George asked, glancing at his watch.
"I wouldn't mind taking a peek at the Shrieking Shack." Fred shrugged.
"I think that'll have to wait." George grabbed his arm, stopping him.
Walking in their direction in the crowd up ahead was their third worst nightmare, Percy.
"Quick, turn back before he,"
Percy glanced up at them, and his mouth dropped open when he realized who he was looking at.
"Go, go!"
They scrambled, bumping a couple of people as they doubled back and hurried towards Honeydukes. They dodged and ducked behind people as they went, trying to lose Percy in the crowd; so far it seemed to be working.
They reached the shop quickly and the two hurried in as casually as possible, and Percy was not far behind. As always though, the twins were two steps ahead of their brother and in the blink of an eye had disappeared to the cellar and were safely on their way back to Hogwarts.
---
"That was a close one." Fred breathed when they were safely back in the dormitory.
"One of the closest we've had." George said.
They both sat on their beds, preparing themselves for their next acting session. It didn't take long for Percy to come barging in as expected.
"Excuse me!"
"Dear me! Percy, we could have been changing!"
"How did you do it?" Percy demanded, his hair sticking out wildly. "How did you sneak in?"
Fred and George maintained their looks of shock.
"Really Percy, you're making no sense at all." Fred said.
"Sneak in where?" George asked.
"You know perfectly well where!" Percy spat viciously, reminding them an awful lot of their mother. "I saw you walking around Hogsmeade. I've reported you to Professor McGonagall, but she said there's no way you could have gotten in, and she needs proof."
He flipped open their trunks and began rifling through everything.
"I say!" Fred exclaimed. "I don't think I'm entirely comfortable with you rooting through my underwear!"
"If you've run out of knickers that's your problem, you're not taking any of mine." George said firmly.
Percy scowled at them. "Where is everything you bought? You've hidden it somewhere, I know you have!"
"Oh dear," Fred shook his head. "All that homework has finally driven you nutty."
"I'm sure if you go see Madam Pomfrey she would help you." George said.
"I know I saw you." Percy said, pointing at them. "I don't know how you did it, but you were there."
He whirled around and stomped out.
They started laughing immediately.
"Brilliant!" Fred gasped.
"That was too perfect!" George brushed away the tears.
As they calmed themselves, Fred pulled out the Map to see if it was safe to retrieve their purchases from the passageway.
"And to think, driving him crazy was just a bonus!"
"McGonagall will never look at him the same."