Hey! This is an extended scene from the 'Chamber of Food Snatcher' story that didn't make the cut. Hopefully you'll pick up on this, but the line breaks often indicate a POV change, see if you can guess who it is!

Hope you enjoy it!

I stormed into the Great Hall literarily causing the ceiling above to cloud over in angry purple. I can't believe them! Drips of dirty water and mud poured from my robes

leaving a slippery trail behind. I made a beeline for the Gryffindor table which was already tucking into lunch. Ron looked up to Ginny, cramming more chips and beef

onto his overloaded plate. I mentally prepared my opening rant to Ron and Hermione, life was so unfair why Dumbledore would agree- ! –My mud covered foot slipped

across the polished floors carrying me sliding forewords. 'AHH!' I screamed in warning and a first year barely scrambled aside inches from being knocked flat. My other

leg shot out to gain back control before I – WHAM! I smacked into a pile of gangly limbs and red hair.

'BLOODY HELL!' Ron just managed to bellow as he toppled over the bench backwards. We both thudded sickeningly into the floor. The whole school stopped. OW!

Ron's elbow jabbed into my ribs as he scrambled to his feet brushing mud off himself his entire face red.

'Harry what-?' He began to stutter, but was drowned out by waves of hysterical laughter. I glared up from my place on the floor noticing that most of the uproar was

led by the Slytherin table, pacifically Malfoy and his gang. I half heard Professor McGonagall's attempts to settle everyone as I crawled painfully to the Gryffindor bench

and took a seat next to Ron who was still a little pink.

Even Ginny's face was glowing though she had no part in our mass embarrassment! It was like Mrs Weasley's Howler all over again! I flinched a little at the memories I

desperately wanted to repress and I vowed to never have her rage fully targeted on me. I desperately hoped that I was still be welcome back at the Burrow after the

stunt Ron and I pulled with the car. We were lucky enough not to be expelled despite Snape pushing so hard for that outcome. I looked up at the staff table to catch

eyes with my 4th Mortal enemy. He twisted his thin lips into a smirk that almost made me shake with rage. Dean and Seamus shot me a sympathetic look between

chuckles as I grabbed a bread roll and bit down angrily.

Suddenly I remembered my news and turned to face Ron and Ginny.

'You'll never guess what happened to me at Quiditch practice!' But to my surprise BOTH of them tuned me out to busy shooting daggered glares at each other. Huh?

My eyes darted between them puzzling over what I had missed. Suddenly Ginny let out a tremendous snort and doubled over flat on the table bursting with shouts of laughter.

'It's not funny!' Ron growled at his giggling sister. Then it hit me and my eyes widened in realization. Ginny's face must have been beat red from holding in-

'HAHAHAHA!' She crowed half trying to cover her mouth and clutch her side.

'You wouldn't like it if it happened to you!'

'Guys, guess what!' I interrupted trying to prevent the Great Hall from turning into a wrestling stadium. Their moment seemed to pass and each of them turned back to

their lunches leaving me hanging out in the silence Maybe they just want me to tell them what happened, because they can't guess, because it's too tricky! I began to

cave in 'Professor Dumbledore in his wisdom-'. No Harry, I told myself, I mustn't give in. 'Ron?' He picked at his food. I turned my attentions to Ginny to see her

scrambling around in her bag through papers and notes. Fine! I definitely wouldn't be telling them anything! Serves them right. 'PROFFESSOR DUMBLEDOOR CHANGED

THE RULES TO ALLOW TEACHERS TO PLAY TOO! I HAVE TO TEACH HAGRID TO MOUNT A BROOM BY TOMORROW!" I exploded, unable to hold it in any longer. Ron sat

absent mindedly pushed beans across his plate, while Ginny was still searching for something in her bag. Are they ignoring ME? Just as things were about to get ugly

(for the two red heads that is) Hermione breathlessly wedged herself between us a look of panic painted on her face.

Her back clunked on the floor. 'You've got to help me!' She cried desperately, 'My library books are missing and they're due back in ONE WEEK!' She glanced around at

the three of us ignoring the snickers from the other students around the table. With her frenzied eyes and the way her hair fizzed out statically, I thought she was

about to have some kind of malfunction I half expected smoke to start pouring from her ears. I edged myself away. 'Please, help me look for them!'

'Of course I will.' Both Ron and Ginny replied at the same time.

'Thank you so much! It's just with all my extra assignments…I'll make it up to you somehow.' She then quickly turned made her way to the great doors of the Hall. I

stared after her, a look of confusion on my face. One week? She has A WHOLE WEEK to find her books and she's already panicking? Merlin! I felt a tense crackling in the air

and turned to see the youngest Weasley siblings at it again. Honestly! Wait. Did I just-? Too much of Hermione was rubbing off on me. The hate waves increased

tenfold and I abruptly jumped from the table muttering an excuse that no one heard except maybe Nevil and Trevor and started after the bookworm. It was safer then

sticking around waiting for my head to blow off in the coming crossfire! Besides, I bet she would appreciate my story.

"I'm flattered that she came all the way here just to ask me to find her books really," Ron began over casually, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, "but you know I've got a lot on. Places to go, people to meet-"

"She was talking to me you know, she wasn't asking you to help." I explained to him in a slow voice, just to be sure he understood, but then he gave me a look which seemed to think otherwise.

"Not true!" he corrected me matter-of-factly, "She was asking ME!" He crunched down on a juicy bean.

"Nuh-ahh!'' I yelled mentally raging at Ron for making me stoop to his level.

"yuh-ahh!" he threw back raising his fork. I knew I was out of my element and quickly changed tactics.

"Ok then," I said coolly, a lot of the older students were paying us rapt attention after all, "let's have a bet. Whoever Hermione was actually talking to can win…" I

checked my inside pocket just to be sure I hadn't lost them, 'can win two sickles!' He gaped. There I knew I had him! That'll make him back off, he doesn't even own one sickle!

"Ok, deal!" he replied to my great surprise, sticking out his crumb covered hand. I felt my eyebrows rise above my hairline. Wow, maybe he's been saving up? I thought, reluctantly putting forward my hand. I sincerely hoped I hadn't just been out maneuvered by Ron.

"Deal." I said. But pacific's aside this was going to be an easy win. I was sure of it…I think.

I searched franticly through my belongings, I began to feel a twinge of guilt once I was alone in the dormitory, asking Ron, Ginny and -'HARRY!' I shrieked. He was

suddenly inches away from my face. His glasses, the lenses splattered in mud, were sliding down his nose. In fact it wasn't just his glasses; Harry was covered in mud

and looked a little out of breath. My eyebrows twitched in surprise.

"Hey Hermione! Guess what happened at Quiditch practice today! I have to teach Hag-'

"-That's great Harry." I said with fake enthusiasm, he didn't seem to get the message that I don't really care though and continued to blabber on. Boys!

"Ah.. Harry," I stopped him, about three minutes later, "you do know only girls can go in here without the staircase collapsing…" I trailed off uncomfortably. He stared, uncomprehending.

Ginny rushed, jumping up the last step to join Hermione in the Girl's Dormitory breaking the awkward one-sided tension. A large crack, then a screech echoed behind her.

"Aaahhhh!" Ron's magnified cries, filled the room fading into the distance. Bang!

"Ron…?" My voice cracked uncertainly.

"I'm okay…"

I stared outside the door to the flattened steps not quite processing what had just happened. Had Ron just..?

"So anyway, Hagrid-" Harry continued untroubled, swinging his legs on Lavender's pink bed spread.

"Hey, any luck with finding your books yet?" Ginny asked, interrupting him, he shot her a look of annoyance.

"No, I can't find them at all," I said, glad to change the subject. A strange squelching sound came drifting from the stairs below us. Ron's panting face poked around the corner.

"Hah! Suction boots! I told Mum these would come in handy, wasting my money, pah!"

"I've looked just about everywhere I can think of, pretty much the only place I haven't searched is…" my voice trailed off.

"What is it Hermione? Did you remember where you left the books?" asked Ron, before Ginny could say anything. He shot her a victorious smirk.

"Yeah," I said miserably, "I've got this terrible feeling that I left them in Professor Snape's office."

Everyone gasped in shock. Ron and Harry looked like fish freshly scooped out of water.

"What were you doing in there?" cried Harry a look of suspicion starting crawling across his face. He rolled off the freshly made bed and stood up.

I swallowed, here goes nothing. "He wanted to see me, he said I was failing potions badly and he told me to advise anyone in Gryffindor to quit his class." I bowed my head miserably, already hearing Harry's accusations.

"Gee, sounds like a pretty good idea!" yelled Ron excitedly tearing off his suction boots on the floor.

"Oh, please guys, this is really important," I reminded them, "this is a massive favor, but if you can pull it off… I'll give you all my notes for History of Magic for the one who get's my books back," that seemed to draw them in.

"Yeah, so what's the favor?" questioned Harry leaning forward, his face lighting up at the offer.

"I need you to sneak into Snape's office and get my books back." I said quickly, before they asked any more questions.

"How about Transfiguration notes-"

"Don't push it Ron." I replied, before things got out of hand.

"Alright!" they all agreed, looks of competitiveness starting to show on their faces.

"I'm telling you we should be team Victor Krum." I argued as Harry and I emerged from the boy's dormitory dressed entirely in black, shoving beanies on. Amazing what one can find in the lost and found laundry pile.

"Your face paints smudged a little here let me just…" He raised his hand to my face fixing the imperfection.

"How many times do I have to tell you Harry? It's WAR PAINT!' Why couldn't he understand this! 'Face paint is for clowns. We are spies. We're sneaking into Professor Snape's office tonight and we're gonna win free notes and TWO SICKLES!" His look was questioning. Right he didn't know about the bet. "Oh forget it."

"Um, Ron," he continued 'don't you think we're gonna look a bit conspicuous sneaking around Hogwarts dressed like this?"

"Of course not! Harry, you need to stop worrying! Here, let's test our disguise. You'll see nobody can even recognize us!" just then Neville emerged from the dormitory, looking down on his luck.

"Hi Ron, hi Harry." he sighed dejectedly as he shuffled past us, barley raising his head. Harry crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow questioningly at me.

"We need more face pa- war paint!" I declared. I whizzed around on one foot but stopped suddenly nearly causing me to overbalance; Ginny was right behind us set to go as well.

"Ginny!" I cried stumbling a little, "You can't go; you know firsties aren't allowed to leave the dormitories after 8 o'clock at night!"

'But it's 8 o'clock now," she disagreed, brushing down her black as night sweater, "that means I have one minute to leave."

"No, that's not right because it's EIGHT O' ONE!" he spat back. Harry glared at both of them in annoyance, couldn't they ever let up? However the red head seemed to take his narrowed eyes as a different message.

Harry looked approvingly at me. Yeah, yeah, don't bother thanking me. I knew that he could never have gotten rid of my stupid kid sister. My well trained skills were the only thing that could stop her. I grabbed his arm and tugged him towards our target location.

"Golden snitch, do you read!" I tested, pressing my wand to my throat. We were both hiding outside the slimy walls of 'The Target's' Office.

"Ron! You know I hate that code name,' Harry suddenly spoke up from behind a corner, 'can't it be something cool, like... Lightning strike…" he said pointing meaningfully at his scar. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes in frustration.

"No Harry! People would pick up on that right away, the whole point is that they don't know who you are." I tiredly explained, we'd been over this! He just doesn't get it sometimes. I thought for a second. "Fine then, if you really want a new code name, we'll change it to… SCAB HEAD! Ahh, yes! It's perfect, they'll never guess it's really you."

"OH! No, no, no, no, NO! Ron that's a stupid code name!" The midget in glasses yelled waving clenched hands in from t of my face. I stepped back.

"Harry, if you could decide on everything, we'd fly around in the clouds and slide down rainbows!" I exclaimed poking a finger to his chest, "But that's beside the point! Now! Back to business!" He mumbled something to the floor and scuffed his worn sneakers.

"Wait, what's your code name?"

I took a deep breath and adjusted my beanie. "My code name," I paused for the dramatic effect, "is… The VICTORNATOR!"

He looked at me exasperated, then shook his head sadly and walked off.

"Scab head, Scab head, this is Victornator reporting from outside Sneaky Snakey's lair."

I turned my head so we were face to face. "Ron I'm right next to you."

"Use the wand." He commanded, stubbornly sticking out his lip.

If he wanted it that way, then fine.

"Red weasel, currently out side-"

My wand buzzed. "ITS VICTONATOR IDIOT! DO YOU REALLY WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW WHO WE ARE!"

"Ron can we just ditch the stupid code names.' I rubbed my head tiredly, not even Voldemort could cause me such a migraine, 'I'm pretty sure everyone within a hundred feet already knows who we are anyway." Silence…

… "Ron..?"

"Talk into your wand" A low buzz came from inside my cloak. Suddenly the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from inside Snape's office. Ron gasped and latched onto my arm like a python.

"SNEAKY SNAKEY IS COMING, HIDE, QUICK!" he yelled, scrambling behind the giant statue of a warthog with Medusa snake hair. Moments after, Professor Snape came stalking into the hall, his lips pursed and his cloak flapping around his ankles. Behind me Ron crouched forward, quivering with excitement. I shoved him back with my elbow. Did he want to get us caught? He stifled a giggle and a loud snort escaped from his mouth. Snape froze. His head whipped around in our direction

"Who's there!'' he hissed. Ron was now shaking hysterically, I was certain he was having a fit. I wondered if he'd have to be sedated. Snape paused a moment longer, before turning on his heel and continuing down the hall. When he was out of range Ron, unable to hold his hysterics in any longer burst into laughter, rolling around on the floor, tears streaming down his face.

"What the hell Ron!" I yelled at him. I thought this was meant to be under cover?

"It's just so COOL! Being sneaky, I love it! I could do this all day, I've never been an undercover agent in my life!"

"Humph!" I sighed, "Come on." and I dragged his quivering body behind me into Snape's office.

Wow! Look at all this cool stuff, It's like a totally different world in here. I thought as we wandered through Snape's lair. This must be pretty valuable, hey! I could sell this stuff on wi-bay! (wizard e-bay)

"Hey, Harry! I've got an idea! Let's sell this-" The messy haired boy snapped around and grabbed my shoulder. "Ron, stay focused! We're only here to get Hermione's books and then leave."

Merlin, he's sooo boring! I scanned the room and my eye's fell upon Old Snakey's desk. It was stacked with piles of paper. As I looked closer I noticed my first week assignment sitting on top of one of the piles. I studied each pile carefully and discovered they were arranged in houses.

"Hey, look Harry, wanna see what grade you got in potions?" I asked him coolly flipping through them like a pro.

"What?" Harry muttered, leaning over my shoulder. He began shuffling through the Gryffindor pile a troubled expression gathering on his face.

"So, what'd you get?" I asked, trying to be casual. I'll beat him this time! Any day now.

"Um," he began in a disturbed tone, "Everyone in Gryffindor failed, even Hermione." my face fell. Oh well, next time. Harry moved away and began flicking through the Slytherin pile to see what his 1st mortal enemy was getting. He dropped the whole stack suddenly.

"Hey, these guys all got outstanding! And a smiley face sticker!" he cried in despair.

"HEY! These reports are rigged!" I yelled in frustration, "Teachers shouldn't be allowed to do that!" I suddenly felt very angry and flung my wand across the room. That was the worst mistake I ever made

I could see Ron was getting seriously frustrated with this whole rigged reports thing. I turned to suggest we keep searching for the books when he suddenly turned and threw his wand in my direction.

"What the-" I managed to exclaim as I expertly swerved under the flying object, Matrix style, I'd managed to perfect this move as, you can only guess I was used this kind of abuse from Dudley. CRASH!

"What was that for!" I shouted at Ron, who ignored me as I stood upright once more.

"Hey-" my voice trailed off as a bubbling sound filled my ears. Slowly I turned around. Ron's display of anger had managed to sweep clean the whole of Professor Snape's potions shelf. A steaming substance was now a massive puddle on the stone floor.

"Ron! How'd you manage to do that! It'll take ages to clean up, how are we gonna replace all those potions?" I yelled at him. This day just kept getting better and BETTER!

"I don't know! My wand was nowhere near it, then it just like, froze and turned in mid air and then it just swiped the shelf. ALL OF IT!"

"Well," I groaned hopelessly, "we'll have to come up with some kind of plan, what do you suggest Einstein?" All he did was stare at the puddle, uncomprehending.

"Fine, I'll think of something myself, if your brain's not capable."I hissed under my breath. I began passing racking my brains for a solution.

Ok… just calm down and think. We need to replace everything. Hmmmm, well we could use repairo the broken bottles to hold the stuff and for the potions…Yes, food dye. We could go to the kitchens and-

"Harry!" Ron's voice was a high pitched whisper; he grabbed my sleeve and pulled me around to face the scene of destruction.

"Look…" he squealed.

"Oh, my-"I began, my voice nearly matching Ron's. The multicolored, flashing puddle of potions twisted hypnotically tracing spirals on the floor. I was hit by a terrible smell that knocked me senseless, a bit like Neville's 'gas' in herbology. For a moment, all I could do was stand there blinking at the bubbled and sparks it was letting off.

Perhaps it was the dimly lit room, but it seemed that the puddle of liquid was growing in size, like Ron at the Christmas feast. I quivered itching to bolt.

"Get out of here!" I screeched. This stuff couldn't be good. The collection of deadly poisonous substances increased its momentum. Sizzling and hissing as the gases reacted with anything it touched. Snape's floor mat was eaten up in seconds! "RON MOVE!"

We both skirted around the conglomeration, Ron- behind me- having to jump up on the furniture to stop it nipping his heels. It was unstoppable. What had we done?

CHRISTMAS EVE!

Hope you enjoyed it, please tell us what you think and any errors you picked up!

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xx

argenteh