I would just like to thank Charm13insomnia and adenoide for your continued support and reviewing. This chapter is dedicated to you both :D
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29. Draco's Revenge
The sun was shining brightly in the sky as the three Slytherin's made their way to breakfast feeling quite happy and with themselves and a little smug which was evident on all of their faces. After weeks of planning and debating and some insightful input from Neville (without his knowledge) they had figured out how to exact their revenge and now felt that the time was right to set their plan in motion and then sit back and enjoy the show. They had spent many nights sitting by themselves in the Slytherin common room trying to decide how best to exact the revenge when Blaise recounted a story Neville had told him and their minds were made up. Each Slytherin was talented in their own way and had skills in specific subjects although Draco was generally skilled in all things he tried his hands at so they were strong in their belief that they could not fail, after all they were Slytherins known to achieve their end by any means. They had waited a while, believing strongly that revenge was a dish served ice cold and they wanted Ron to be off his guard, completely unsuspecting. They had chosen today as it was a full day of Slytherin and Gryffindor classes so they had front row seats to what was to happen.
...
Ron Weasley was bored and lonely, it had been weeks since he had lost his temper and punched his best friend, people were slowly starting to acknowledge him again but no one, not even his brothers would speak to him. His friends were avoiding him and even Hermione only stayed by his side so he was not left alone. It had been made worse by Ron's insistence on not telling anyone the reason behind his outburst, he strongly believed Harry and Malfoy's friendship was a whim and Harry was just dancing on the dark side, Ron believed he would get bored and it would end and Harry would come running back full of apologies, after all it was Malfoy who would want to remain friends with that slimy git. Ron plonked himself down at the breakfast table and threw a glare in the Slytherin's direction for good measure, blaming them wholeheartedly for everything that he was going through, however Ron was most disconcerted to find Draco waving and smiling at him, Ron's head snapped round looking for the real target of Draco's attention only to find he was alone, what was the Slytherin up to, Ron furrowed his brow and decided to ignore the pretentious git, friend of Harry's or not he would not let him get to him, he had a day full of him and the rest of his bloody house so he needed to control his temper and just enjoy his breakfast.
...
The Gryffindor table began to fill around him as did the rest of the Great Hall, Ron always liked to get their a little earlier to get the best food and make the most of breakfast time, something he was unable to do at home being one of seven children, he didn't even look up from his plate as he reached over to pick up his goblet of Pumpkin Juice. Ron was distracted and did not immediately register the slight tickling sensation on his hand, he lifted the goblet to his lips and his eyes landed on the cause of the tickles, a small spider was carefully making its way across Ron's hand, slowly choosing its path from finger to finger. Ron spluttered, his eyes opened wide with fear, as round as two Galeons on his red face, he began whimpering and started shaking his hand from side to side to dislodge the unwelcome guest, Gryffindor's on all sides of him were suddenly showered in Ron's untouched Pumpkin Juice whilst the spider stoically remained seemingly enjoying the ride. With a final shake of his hand Ron's goblet flew out of his hand and smacked Lavender Brown firmly on the side of the face, the girls hand flew up as she glared at Ron tears filling her eyes from the pain, she got up from the table and fled the hall closely followed by her girl friends. The majority of the table were, shouting, swearing and glaring at Ron who didn't notice, his eight legged tormentor was clinging on as though it's life depended on it, which it probably did. Fred had watched this take place and was yet again embarrassed by the behaviour of his little brother. He made his way over to Ron and clasped his brother on the shoulder and hissed in his ear and the boys whimpering was attracting attention from every house table,
'What in Morganna's name are you playing at?'
Ron turned his fear filled eyes on his brother, 'S – p –pppp – pider.' Ron managed to get out from between trembling lips, 'On my hand' he whispered as though it may be able to hear him.
'Oh for...' Fred rolled his eyes and leant over and flicked the spider from Ron's hand before turning and striding out of the Great Hall to catch up with his twin. Trembling, Ron slowly lowered his hand and stared wide eyed around the Great Hall, all eyes were on him, every pair on the Gryffindor table were narrowed in annoyance especially those near by that had been showered in Pumpkin Juice. The looks around the Great Hall varied from surprise to amusement but those of a certain blonde haired Slytherin were glistening with glee, when Ron met his eyes, Draco lifted his goblet as though to toast him and sneered across the top. Ron glared in his direction this had to be his doing, he just knew it.
...
Transfiguration started off as normal, McGonagoll was discussing the theory of turning a living thing in to an inanimate object and Ron was doodling on his parchment. He was sitting at the front next to Seamus, the Gryffindors on one side of the room and the Slytherin's on the other. Pansy, Draco and Blaise had decided to sit on the second row for the front for two reasons, Draco had placed himself directly across the aisle from Harry who was sitting behind Ron and he also had a perfect view of Ron. Unbeknown to many people Draco had a secret love of origami, he had been doing it since he was a young boy as a way to amuse himself during long, lonely hours at the manor and he had become quite adept at making any animal, he had decided to put this talent to use during this lesson, he knew he was risking the wrath of McGonagol but he decided that it was so worth it. Before the lesson Draco had made several tiny spiders out of paper and which were currently sitting in the pocket of his school bag waiting for a whispered charm from Pansy.
...
It was about half way through the lesson when Draco decided to act, McGonagol was busy revisiting theory with a group of Slytherins who knew Draco needed a distraction. Slowly Draco slid his wand off the table and pointed it in the direction of his bag, he whispered an incantation that Pansy had looked up for him, with a quick glance and a smirk he noticed that the charm was working as planned so he sat back to enjoy the show.
...
Ron had filled his parchment with tiny doodles of snitches and Chudley Canon logos when he felt the tickling begin on his shin, absent-mindedly he began to rub his shin with the toes of the other foot but the tickling increased and soon it had spread to the other shin, glancing down Ron's heart stopped. Due to the warmer weather Ron had forgone his robes so had a clear view of his shoes and climbing over his shoes were eight tiny spiders that were crawling up his socks and up the legs of his trousers, Ron was terrified. He shoved his chair back so hard he slammed in to Harry's table behind him winding the raven-haired boy, Ron jumped to his feet and began jumping up and down, whimpers were escaping from his lips as McGonagol turned to see what the commotion was about;
'Mr Weasley is there a problem?'
Ron could not answer, the tickling had intensified as more of the spiders made their way up his trouser legs, Ron made a strangled noise and began to undo his trousers just as Draco whispered another charm, in one swift movement Ron pulled his trousers down and off and kicked them away from him.
'Mr Weasley, never in all my years, what is the meaning of this ?'
'S pp p iders.' Ron managed to stutter pointing a shaking hand towards his trousers.
McGonagol strode over towards the discarded clothing silencing the laughing students around her with her stern glare. With the flick of a wrist she levitated Ron's school trousers and shook them lightly, nothing happened expect a few pieces of crumpled white paper falling to the floor.
'Detention Mr Weasley for distracting the class, I would not even expect this sort of exhibitionism from those brothers of yours, please kindly replace your clothing and refrain from distracting my class anymore.'
'But, there was a spider on my leg.'
'Mr Weasley, please there will be no more distractions.'
Ron pulled on his trousers after giving them another vigorous shake and dared to glance around at his class mates, it was obvious that they were all wanting to laugh and only their stern teacher was preventing them. Ron felt the heat flare in his cheeks as their colour rivalled that of his hair, he was never going to live this down, at least he had decided against his Willy the Whizz boxers at the last minute.
...
'Weasley where's your pants?'
'Nice legs Weasley.'
'Weasley watch out, invisible spider.'
The taunts had followed Ron from class to class throughout the rest of the day. He was sitting in his least favourite class but was grateful that it was the last class of the day, he could not waot to put the horrid day behind him.
...
Professor Snape began writing the days ingredients on the board when he heard a whimper come from a table behind him, he slowly turned his head and raised his head at the Gryffindor responsible for the noise, 'Is there a problem Weasley?'
'No sir?'
'Weasley has had a bit of a spider issue today Professor,' came the cool drawl of Blaise Zabini, 'So I think the prospect of spider's legs has terrified him.'
Ron's head snapped round as he glared at Zabini, who simply gazed levelly at him until he turned his head.
'I'm sure that is not the case, in fact I'm sure Weasley would not mind collecting the legs for the whole class would you Weasley?'
Ron raised terrified eyes to Professor Snape and gulped as he pushed his stool back from his desk and slowly made his way to the ingredient store.
'Today Weasley.' Drawled Snape and Ron picked up the pace slightly.
...
Ron was paired with Hermione who had left him with strict instructions on how to prepare the ingredients while she made the potion. He glared at the spiders legs in front of them as though they had personally offended him and stabbed at them with his knife. Suddenly, right before his eyes two of the spiders legs jumped up and started dancing across the desk, the seemed to be marching to and fro, throwing in the occasional high kick for good measure. Ron was frozen in fear, he quickly glanced around the room and noticed that Malfoy was staring right at him, he knew it, he knew this was to do with him, the foul git he would get him for this. Whilst he was glaring at Draco he noticed the Slytherin incline his head back towards his desk, Ron whipped his head back around and screamed with fear as he jumped out of his stool, the spider's legs were all moving towards him, creeping slowly across the desk as though converging on him, he needed to move, to get away, he ran from the classroom, shoving Hermione to the floor in his haste to leave the room. Red faced Ron ran from the classroom leaving behind a room of very confused but highly amused students.
...
No there was not one Gryffindor that would speak to him, he had hurt Lavender and Hermione just a few weeks after hurting Harry and clearly had made a complete show of himself, thoroughly embarrassing his family members, Percy could not even look at him after hearing that he was pant less in front of Professor McGonagol. As Ron sat down to dinner people physically moved away from him, Ron ate quickly and stormed from the Great Hall not noticing the group of Slytherin's that got up to follow him.
...
'Weasley.'
Ron whirled around to find himself face to face with five Slytherins, Draco at their head, flanked by Blaise and Pansy, who in turn were flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
'What?' Ron spat, 'I know it was you, so why don't you just admit it?'
'Ok,' said Draco coolly, 'It was me.'
'I knew it,' Ron raged, hand twitching as it headed for his wand.
'Do you think that's a good idea?' came the bored voice of Pansy as she and the others pointed their own wands at the red-head.
Ron glared at her but decided she was right..
'Why?' he spat, 'I didn't do anything to you.'
Draco kept eye contact and shrugged, 'for Harry,' he said simply, hoping that Crabbe and Goyle would just go with it, he could answer questions later.
'Harry,' Ron spluttered, 'You did that for Harry, why?'
'Of course I did and what do you mean why? He told you why.'
'He told me... of course he didn't we have not spoken in weeks.'
Draco took a step closer and said in quiet tones, 'He told you and then you hit him Wealsey I suggest you think before I force you to remember.'
Draco stepped closer still, backing Ron in to a corner, 'Harry was hurt, upset, betrayed, humiliated, frightened and blamed himself Weasley, and all I know is that if you have felt any of that today then I have done my job properly.'
Ron swallowed a gulp,'What do you care?'
Draco leant closer to Ron in a menacing way, foreheads almost touching, he felt the anger bubbling up inside him, 'I care,' he hissed at the Gryffindor, 'Harry is my friend and when you hurt him you hurt me, you should bare that in mind in future Weasel, today was just the start of what I am willing to do for that boy so take that as a warning.'
With that Draco swung around and strode off down the corridor, his friends falling in to place behind him.
...
'Harry,' Ron said cautiously as he entered the dorm room.
Harry's head snapped up at hearing his name from Ron, 'What?' he said cautiously.
'I'd like to apologise.'
'For what?' Harry asked, feeling long buried resentment building in his chest.
'Everything, Malfoy, hitting you, just everything.' Ron said as he cautiously perched on the end of Harry's bed.
'You want to apologise for Draco?' Harry asked incredulously.
'Yes, I didn't understand, I mean I still don't but I can see he means a lot to you, and you him I guess.'
'What do you mean and you him?'
'Never mind, just listen I'm sorry ok, If you and Malfoy are friends I can deal with that as long as I don't have to make nice with him.'
Harry stared a long time at Ron, he was sure he was hallucinating, 'You mean it?' he asked.
Ron shrugged, 'Yeah I guess, and I'm really sorry for hitting you , it was a reaction, I didn't mean for it to happen, god I'm sorry Harry, I didn't realise how much it affected you, I shouldn't have done it.'
Harry gave his friend a small smile, 'It's ok, we can sort it out, I forgive you.'
...
Me and Ron sorted it.
Oh that's good, isn't it?
Yes I guess, I can forgive him and he says he's ok with us being friends.
Oh is he now.
Yes, I wonder what changed his mind?
We may never know.
It was you wasn't it
I'm not sure what you mean.
The spiders today.
Innocent until proven guilty.
Drake?
So you and Ron are good now.
Yes, thanks to you, what did you say? He seemed to think I mean a lot to you.
That you do but I don't know how he found that out.
Drake?
Yes?
Thank you.
Night Harry x
Night Drake xx
Draco smiled as he pushed the parchment back under his pillow, it had been a good day all round and he had some funny memories of Weasle to keep him going for a while.
