Louis/Fred

Prompt: Piggybank

Piggybank

October 19, 2016

Fred frowned as he stared at the small handful of coins laying on his bed. One Galleon, seven Sickles and three Knuts. It was all he had been able to find in his room – he had searched everywhere; in the pocket of his jeans, the bottom of his Hogwarts trunk, under his bed. He'd even scoured Roxanne's room but had found nothing but a measly handful of coins. He sighed; how was he supposed to buy all those cool Hogsmeade products with this?

Grumbling to himself, he tipped his piggybank upside down and a small handful of coins cascaded out onto the bedspread. His entire collection now consisted of five Galleons, eleven Sickles and nine Knuts. That was all he had managed to obtain through his bets with James. It wasn't fair how James always won their bets. Fred was constantly handing him money and it frustrated him.

"I hate being poor," he complained and lay back on his bed with his arms behind his head.

"Well, well, well," came a familiar voice. Fred looked up to see the smirking blonde head of Louis Weasley leaning against his doorframe. "You and James aren't planning on sneaking into Hogsmeade again, are you?"

Fred sat up immediately and fixed his older cousin with a sharp, suspicious glare. "How'd you know?" he demanded.

With a nonchalant shrug, Louis strolled lazily into the second year boy's dormitory and plopped himself down next to his cousin. He leant back on his elbows and raised one fair eyebrow as he loosened his Gryffindor tie.

"I saw James downstairs with the Marauders Map sticking out of his pocket."

The younger boy scowled and pointed one finger at Louis' chest. "So what? You going to rat us out, are you?" he threatened.

"No," Louis snorted at the idea. "I don't care what you two misfits get up to. But I know someone who does."

Fred's eyes widened in understanding and he gulped. "Victoire," he whispered, a frown slowly appearing on his face. He and James were only second years; they weren't allowed to go to Hogsmeade yet. They had already gotten detention and a Howler from Ginny and Angelina the last time they were caught sneaking around Hogsmeade – Harry and George had suspiciously remained silent about the whole thing. The last thing they needed was Victoire telling on them, which was something she would definitely do now that she was Head Girl.

Louis smirked bemusedly as he watched his the realisation dawn upon his younger cousin's face.

"Well," Fred said after a while, "We'll just have to make sure Victoire doesn't see us."

"Good luck with that. You might have convinced McGonagall that you wouldn't do it again, but Victoire knows you better."

Fred grumbled darkly and rested his dark head in his hands. All he wanted was to go to Honeydukes and stock up on sweets – maybe even stop by the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer. Was it that terrible that he wasn't allowed? It's not as though he was a first year – he was the oldest kid in his year.

"Well," he sighed deeply. "What do you reckon we should do?"

Louis' blue eyes lit up with mischief and he grinned impishly. "I guess I could keep Victoire busy for a few moments while you sneak out."

"You would?" Fred cried excitedly, jumping up onto his knees and beaming at his cousin. He noticed Louis' eyes flick to the pile of coins lying on his bed and frowned.

"Only for a price," he said finally.

"What price?"

He pretended to stroke an invisible beard before winking. "Five Galleons, eleven Sickles and nine Knuts."

Fred scowled at him furiously. "That's all I have!"

"Fine," Louis sighed dramatically. "Just the five Galleons then." When Fred continued to glower he raised his eyebrows. "Do you want Victoire to catch you, or not? Because I could easily arrange for – "

"Alright, alright!"

Looking sour, Fred reluctantly handed over his five Galleons and stowed the rest of his pocket. With a grin, Louis pocketed the coins and slapped his younger cousin on the back.

"Cheers kiddo," he said as he left the room. "Enjoy Hogsmeade."

Fred made a rude gesture at the retreating figure of his cousin, something that he would be scolded for at home if his mother saw him. James trotted up to the dormitory shortly after, a wild grin on his face and pulled his best mate to his feet.

"Whatcha looking so down for, Freddie? We're going to Hogsmeade."

Even the thought of Hogsmeade couldn't brighten Fred's mood and he made sure he sent Louis daggers with his eyes as he passed him on the way out.

A/N: Okay, so Louis was a bit of a prat in this chapter - taking money from a twelve year old. But he's tricky and enjoys bribing people. We've seen two chapters where he's been able to get his younger cousins to do things for him. It's just part of his nature.

Ages: Fred (12), Louis (13)

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