Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or assorted characters. If I did, I'd
be living it up in Tahiti and wouldn't have to resort to such low-budget
entertainment. J.K. Rowling is god, what can I say?
~^~^~
"Hey Weasely, sure you belong in the /women's/ locker room?" This from the annoyingly nasal voice of Paula Schefield.
A few of the Gryffindor girls snickered raucously at that, though most were either too tired from the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff that had just ended, or weren't interested enough to take much notice.
Whatever reaction the blonde had been anticipating from the redhead on her right, she didn't receive. Only ignorance, the Weasely girl not missing a beat at all as she finished lacing up her boots. Paula was inwardly seething at how anyone could dismiss her so completely from her awareness.
Leaning against the locker, she folded her arms and casually did a once- over on the young bitch before her. Weasely hadn't grown that much since third year, and still stood at 5'7, whereas she was 5'5. Yeah, she had delicacy on her side, she could attest to that. Weasely towered over her much like a Neanderthal would; though she was by no means imposing in the least. She'd lopped off most of her hair last year, finally settling upon a style much like most of the boys wore at their school. Paula guessed that she claimed it 'easier to handle' but she thought she knew better.
/Probably just a dyke who's yet to come out of the closet, / she mentally criticized, facial features forming an ugly smile of self-importance.
Virginia Weasely was watching the slender female out of the corner of her eye without detection. She never could understand Paula Schefield's roiling hate for herself. She didn't have any special talent or skills that the other didn't possess. She was by no means more attractive than the girl, and Schefield was richer than her (though if she allowed herself the truth about her relatives, most wizarding families were) and she was better known throughout Hogwarts.
Not that she prized popularity, no. In fact if Virginia could fade into a wall like Nearly-Headless Nick could, she'd be perfectly content. Honestly, she couldn't figure out why the blonde girl detested her very existence. Maybe some people did just hate others for no distinguishable reason or purpose.
The young student finished her task and reached back into her locker, searching a bit for the Restoration Salve Pomfrey had equipped all the teams with. Gods, the hunger pains seemed more frequent now since she had been accumulating muscle mass. Her metabolism had skyrocketed significantly and she found herself with a surplus of energy.
/Ah, I can't wait till dinner / she mused. In all likelihood she would probably tear into the rolls and snocker down milk like some ravenous boar.
With that thought lingering, she deposited the rest of her gear into the satchel and headed over to the doors, catching the disdainful eyes of her adversary in the process as she stepped away from the lockers, as though the redhead had become the bubonic plague.
"Aw, fuck you too Princess," she said with saturnine-sweetness, the cockiness of her attitude reflecting in the sashay of her hips.
Heading up toward Gryffindor Tower was always a bit of a nuisance when one was physically exhausted, and she didn't think it anything else but that when she arrived and opened the door to her room, sighing as she finally felt the weight of the day anchor upon her shoulders.
As she stepped toward her bureau, intending to stash her parcel within it, she was accosted with an unseen hand wrapping around her mouth.
"What-the-FUCK?!" She squawked, confusion, fear and adrenaline flooding her system.
Virginia's nerves were abruptly soothed, however, as soon as she got a good look at her would-be foe's face in the dim lamplight.
"Goddamnit Ronald Weasely! Don't you EVER do that to me again! You about gave me a mother-fucking heart attack! I could kill you with my bare hands!" She wailed, body coming down off of the chemical high that had jump- started her heart.
His eyes glinted mischievously, sheepish grin lending a touch of apology in hopes of quelling her anger at him.
"I'm sorry Gin, I just couldn't resist. You should have seen your face! You looked like a frazzled porcupine with your hair all sticking up like that."
"Fucker," the youngest Weasely mumbled, punching with little effort at her elder sibling's head.
He guffawed amusedly at her expense and quieted somewhat, eyes dancing with mirth, as he held up his hands in the universal gesture of peace.
"By the way, did Harry let you have his cloak for the evening? I didn't even think he could bare to part with it after the last stunt you pulled."
"The last stun- what do you mean the last stunt /I/ pulled? I'll have you know that /I/ wasn't the one who spilled pumpkin juice all over it. Our beloved Mr. Potter did that himself when he had made a few late-night rounds down to the kitchen for some snacks from Dobby. How the hell was I supposed to know that Mrs. Norris could smell that crap a mile away? And besides, who'd think a cat would love /pumpkin juice/ so much she'd run an invisible man down hunting for it? I was clawed to death I'll have you know! If Harry had just been more sensible to begin with-"
"I'm sure. Now to get to the point, why did you want to see me? You'd have better make it quick before Mcgonnagal realizes you're in the girl's dorm. She's been keeping a sharp eye on you since the Underwear Incident."
The freckled boy slapped a hand over his face, rubbing his cheek as though to ease an old wound. "Let's not even delve into /that/ one, sis. Please spare me the memories."
Virginia rolled her eyes heavenward, wishing that she could forget some of the pranks her brother and her brother's best friend had delighted in construing.
"So? I'm waiting. What're you here for that's so important it couldn't have waited till dinner-time for?"
Ron's smile stretched wider across his face if that were possible, the dimples now appearing, adding additional character. "I originally was going to come up here and cast Petrificus on you, so you wouldn't have a choice but to listen about how worried we all are for you. But be grateful that I decided I wasn't in the mood to have my head decapitated and roasted over an open spit tonight, else I would have. So I came here for a different purpose."
She raised an eyebrow with mock inquisitiveness. "Which is?"
He walked over to the bed and plopped down, throwing the cloak half-hazard on the floor, as he rested his head back on his arms and turned to study her.
"You know how I haven't been able to get 'Mione a proper engagement ring yet, right? Well, I ditched History of Magic today and went down to Muggle London. That's what the cloak's been being used for. Harry was a bit miffed when he realized I was going today and that he couldn't ditch with me since he had Snape first period. We'll I was down there for about two good hours and I couldn't find a single thing that suited her. The rings were either all too gaudy or flashy, or too delicate and plain. None of them were for my 'Mione. However, after finding that nothing had caught my eye that was of significant interest, and knowing that the clock was ticking away and that Potions would be starting for me pretty soon, I was on my way to Diagon Alley when fate dealt it's cards. Wouldn't you know I happened to glance at a window when I was leaving and there it was. The /perfect/ ring for Herms. Here, I've got it with me right now, I'll show you."
He fished for the small cargo within his pocket and when he did pull it out, he popped it open with an extravagant flourish, as though it were the crown jewels. Virginia scoffed lightly as her brother wiggled his eyebrows for dramatic effect.
She opened the tiny box with deliberate poise and peered inside, lips curling smugly at the excited expression on her sibling's face.
"You know, I think you've managed to get away with it this time. No doubt she'll /have/ to forgive you for running from her with your tail between your legs after she sees this. Now Hermione isn't a materialistic woman, but what's worse is she's slightly on the sentimental side. As I'm sure you already know. She'll adore it. The intricacy is exquisite as well as the cut of the rubies and ivy. You've done me proud, Ronald. She'll be very surprised. In fact, admittedly I am too. Who'd have guessed you'd have it in you?"
His chest swelled up with pride, face flushing with color at the compliment. "Who'd have guessed I'd had what in me?" He queried, attempting to look subtle while searching for further flattery.
"Taste," Virginia shrugged.
A blankness over took his eyes for a moment, then a look of pure amusement as he cuffed her upside the head and laughed, a nice healthy belly laugh.
"You can be such a ponce when you put your mind to it, little girl," He stated this hurriedly, then swiftly bent down and planted a smooch upon her forehead, roaring with laughter again at the sneer of disgust crinkling her nose.
"It never fails with you does it?"
"That's what big brothers are for."
"Whatever you say. All right, off with you now, I have some much-needed rest to catch up with. Oh, and can you tell Hermione that I'm sorry about today, that I shouldn't have reacted so badly?"
The Weasely boy crooked his neck sideways, "What'd you guys get into an argument of sorts? What was it about?"
She waved her hand dismissively, shaking her head. "Nothing of too much importance, just tell her that I'm sorry, alright?"
"Of course, no problem," with that he threw on the invisibility cloak once more and just as she heard the footfall of his shoes lumbering across the oak floor, Virginia picked up on the elder Weasely muttering under his breath:
"I've got taste. What does /she/ know?"
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All right, I've said it before. Reviews are food for my soul. Please make my heart happy and tell me what a wonderful author I am. *grins. Well, you don't have to tell me that, but what can I say, I'm a mooch. Just give me something to work with. The other chapters will be tossed out shortly. Don't worry.You'll be getting a goodly-sized shitload of Tom VERY soon.
~^~^~
"Hey Weasely, sure you belong in the /women's/ locker room?" This from the annoyingly nasal voice of Paula Schefield.
A few of the Gryffindor girls snickered raucously at that, though most were either too tired from the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff that had just ended, or weren't interested enough to take much notice.
Whatever reaction the blonde had been anticipating from the redhead on her right, she didn't receive. Only ignorance, the Weasely girl not missing a beat at all as she finished lacing up her boots. Paula was inwardly seething at how anyone could dismiss her so completely from her awareness.
Leaning against the locker, she folded her arms and casually did a once- over on the young bitch before her. Weasely hadn't grown that much since third year, and still stood at 5'7, whereas she was 5'5. Yeah, she had delicacy on her side, she could attest to that. Weasely towered over her much like a Neanderthal would; though she was by no means imposing in the least. She'd lopped off most of her hair last year, finally settling upon a style much like most of the boys wore at their school. Paula guessed that she claimed it 'easier to handle' but she thought she knew better.
/Probably just a dyke who's yet to come out of the closet, / she mentally criticized, facial features forming an ugly smile of self-importance.
Virginia Weasely was watching the slender female out of the corner of her eye without detection. She never could understand Paula Schefield's roiling hate for herself. She didn't have any special talent or skills that the other didn't possess. She was by no means more attractive than the girl, and Schefield was richer than her (though if she allowed herself the truth about her relatives, most wizarding families were) and she was better known throughout Hogwarts.
Not that she prized popularity, no. In fact if Virginia could fade into a wall like Nearly-Headless Nick could, she'd be perfectly content. Honestly, she couldn't figure out why the blonde girl detested her very existence. Maybe some people did just hate others for no distinguishable reason or purpose.
The young student finished her task and reached back into her locker, searching a bit for the Restoration Salve Pomfrey had equipped all the teams with. Gods, the hunger pains seemed more frequent now since she had been accumulating muscle mass. Her metabolism had skyrocketed significantly and she found herself with a surplus of energy.
/Ah, I can't wait till dinner / she mused. In all likelihood she would probably tear into the rolls and snocker down milk like some ravenous boar.
With that thought lingering, she deposited the rest of her gear into the satchel and headed over to the doors, catching the disdainful eyes of her adversary in the process as she stepped away from the lockers, as though the redhead had become the bubonic plague.
"Aw, fuck you too Princess," she said with saturnine-sweetness, the cockiness of her attitude reflecting in the sashay of her hips.
Heading up toward Gryffindor Tower was always a bit of a nuisance when one was physically exhausted, and she didn't think it anything else but that when she arrived and opened the door to her room, sighing as she finally felt the weight of the day anchor upon her shoulders.
As she stepped toward her bureau, intending to stash her parcel within it, she was accosted with an unseen hand wrapping around her mouth.
"What-the-FUCK?!" She squawked, confusion, fear and adrenaline flooding her system.
Virginia's nerves were abruptly soothed, however, as soon as she got a good look at her would-be foe's face in the dim lamplight.
"Goddamnit Ronald Weasely! Don't you EVER do that to me again! You about gave me a mother-fucking heart attack! I could kill you with my bare hands!" She wailed, body coming down off of the chemical high that had jump- started her heart.
His eyes glinted mischievously, sheepish grin lending a touch of apology in hopes of quelling her anger at him.
"I'm sorry Gin, I just couldn't resist. You should have seen your face! You looked like a frazzled porcupine with your hair all sticking up like that."
"Fucker," the youngest Weasely mumbled, punching with little effort at her elder sibling's head.
He guffawed amusedly at her expense and quieted somewhat, eyes dancing with mirth, as he held up his hands in the universal gesture of peace.
"By the way, did Harry let you have his cloak for the evening? I didn't even think he could bare to part with it after the last stunt you pulled."
"The last stun- what do you mean the last stunt /I/ pulled? I'll have you know that /I/ wasn't the one who spilled pumpkin juice all over it. Our beloved Mr. Potter did that himself when he had made a few late-night rounds down to the kitchen for some snacks from Dobby. How the hell was I supposed to know that Mrs. Norris could smell that crap a mile away? And besides, who'd think a cat would love /pumpkin juice/ so much she'd run an invisible man down hunting for it? I was clawed to death I'll have you know! If Harry had just been more sensible to begin with-"
"I'm sure. Now to get to the point, why did you want to see me? You'd have better make it quick before Mcgonnagal realizes you're in the girl's dorm. She's been keeping a sharp eye on you since the Underwear Incident."
The freckled boy slapped a hand over his face, rubbing his cheek as though to ease an old wound. "Let's not even delve into /that/ one, sis. Please spare me the memories."
Virginia rolled her eyes heavenward, wishing that she could forget some of the pranks her brother and her brother's best friend had delighted in construing.
"So? I'm waiting. What're you here for that's so important it couldn't have waited till dinner-time for?"
Ron's smile stretched wider across his face if that were possible, the dimples now appearing, adding additional character. "I originally was going to come up here and cast Petrificus on you, so you wouldn't have a choice but to listen about how worried we all are for you. But be grateful that I decided I wasn't in the mood to have my head decapitated and roasted over an open spit tonight, else I would have. So I came here for a different purpose."
She raised an eyebrow with mock inquisitiveness. "Which is?"
He walked over to the bed and plopped down, throwing the cloak half-hazard on the floor, as he rested his head back on his arms and turned to study her.
"You know how I haven't been able to get 'Mione a proper engagement ring yet, right? Well, I ditched History of Magic today and went down to Muggle London. That's what the cloak's been being used for. Harry was a bit miffed when he realized I was going today and that he couldn't ditch with me since he had Snape first period. We'll I was down there for about two good hours and I couldn't find a single thing that suited her. The rings were either all too gaudy or flashy, or too delicate and plain. None of them were for my 'Mione. However, after finding that nothing had caught my eye that was of significant interest, and knowing that the clock was ticking away and that Potions would be starting for me pretty soon, I was on my way to Diagon Alley when fate dealt it's cards. Wouldn't you know I happened to glance at a window when I was leaving and there it was. The /perfect/ ring for Herms. Here, I've got it with me right now, I'll show you."
He fished for the small cargo within his pocket and when he did pull it out, he popped it open with an extravagant flourish, as though it were the crown jewels. Virginia scoffed lightly as her brother wiggled his eyebrows for dramatic effect.
She opened the tiny box with deliberate poise and peered inside, lips curling smugly at the excited expression on her sibling's face.
"You know, I think you've managed to get away with it this time. No doubt she'll /have/ to forgive you for running from her with your tail between your legs after she sees this. Now Hermione isn't a materialistic woman, but what's worse is she's slightly on the sentimental side. As I'm sure you already know. She'll adore it. The intricacy is exquisite as well as the cut of the rubies and ivy. You've done me proud, Ronald. She'll be very surprised. In fact, admittedly I am too. Who'd have guessed you'd have it in you?"
His chest swelled up with pride, face flushing with color at the compliment. "Who'd have guessed I'd had what in me?" He queried, attempting to look subtle while searching for further flattery.
"Taste," Virginia shrugged.
A blankness over took his eyes for a moment, then a look of pure amusement as he cuffed her upside the head and laughed, a nice healthy belly laugh.
"You can be such a ponce when you put your mind to it, little girl," He stated this hurriedly, then swiftly bent down and planted a smooch upon her forehead, roaring with laughter again at the sneer of disgust crinkling her nose.
"It never fails with you does it?"
"That's what big brothers are for."
"Whatever you say. All right, off with you now, I have some much-needed rest to catch up with. Oh, and can you tell Hermione that I'm sorry about today, that I shouldn't have reacted so badly?"
The Weasely boy crooked his neck sideways, "What'd you guys get into an argument of sorts? What was it about?"
She waved her hand dismissively, shaking her head. "Nothing of too much importance, just tell her that I'm sorry, alright?"
"Of course, no problem," with that he threw on the invisibility cloak once more and just as she heard the footfall of his shoes lumbering across the oak floor, Virginia picked up on the elder Weasely muttering under his breath:
"I've got taste. What does /she/ know?"
~^~^~^~
All right, I've said it before. Reviews are food for my soul. Please make my heart happy and tell me what a wonderful author I am. *grins. Well, you don't have to tell me that, but what can I say, I'm a mooch. Just give me something to work with. The other chapters will be tossed out shortly. Don't worry.You'll be getting a goodly-sized shitload of Tom VERY soon.