Chapter 10
Weeks passed as they will and everybody settled into their routine. Classes began in earnest and Duncan proved to be a tough but likeable teacher. Oliver's class was a favorite among those who took it. He was funny and would often tell stories and jokes to keep the mood light. Percy was a surprise, however, to the students. Those who had him teaching expected the 'Perfect Prefect' of his school days. They were quite shocked, therefore, when they found it was Percy, not the 'Perfect Prefect' who taught the class. He had a unique way of teaching and his emphasis on comfort made him a fast favorite.
None of this, however, was why the castle was humming with excitement one week in early October. The reason was, in fact, very simple.
The first Hogsmead weekend.
The excitement wasn't dampened by the fact that they needed to remain in large groups with a teacher supervising, especially since prefects counted as teachers. Percy and Oliver stood together outside the Gryffindor tower, waiting for their group. Draco soon joined them in their wait.
Oliver was leaned against the wall, holding Percy close by the waist. Percy, for his part, was leaning back against Oliver, his head next to his lover's. cheek to cheek. Draco raised an eyebrow at them, but didn't comment. Really, what could he say? Lucky for him, Harry was the first to exit the common room, and met him with a bright smile that Draco just had to return. They both longed to show their love as Percy and Oliver do, but knew it was too dangerous. They settled for standing rather close. Hermione and Ron followed with Ginny and the group was ready to go. Together they left the castle and headed down the path to Hogsmead.
There weren't that many headed to town as you would think for either they were too young or were to afraid to ask a teacher to prefect to chaperone. It was because of this that Methos, Severus, Duncan, Remus, and Snuffles were able to go to Hogsmead with no children to supervise.
When the great triple W sign appeared Methos stopped and smirked, looking decidedly devious. Severus saw the looked and paled.
"Adam.luv.what are you planning?" The other three looked at Methos and Mac was suddenly as pale as Severus. He knew what that look meant. Methos simply smiled and headed towards Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Inside the store
George looked up from where he was adjusting the shelves in the window and froze. The store was full of students and Adam Pierson was making a bee- line for their front door.
In a flash he was running towards the back of the store, dodging customers and shouting, "OI! FRED! Pierson, coming fast!" Fred's head jerked up from behind the register. He nodded.
"LEE! Take the register!" He called to the third twin, who ambled over. The twins ran to the back and uncovered a large machine, very high-tech looking and very complex, with a giant tube going up into the ceiling. They flipped switches and pushed buttons, and the thing roared to life. Jamming muggle army-issue helmets on their heads, they looked around the door into the main store. George had and old-style push down detonator in his hands and Fred had a pair of omnoculars.
The door opened.
Methos and Severus entered the store.
"Now," whispered Fred.
George pushed the detonator.
There was a flash of light followed by a cloud of smoke and glittering confetti poured from the sky. When the smoke cleared, where the professors once stood now stood two tall, beautiful, buxom, pissed-off amazons. The taller, with the dark pixie cut dressed in an outfit that was best described as 'sexy-pissed-off-evil-pixie' placed her hands on her hips and glared at the back of the store, where the sounds of two hysterical twins could be heard. The other, with the long stringy black hair and 'evil-sexy- schoolgirl' outfit and heavy black makeup looked completely shocked before flipping her hair and glaring at the back with the evil pixie.
The twins couldn't stop laughing even when their professors stood over them, silently plotting their revenge. The pixie looked at the schoolgirl and blinked, then slowly looked the girl up and down. The schoolgirl caught the look and smirked back. The pixie raised an eyebrow and turned back to the twins.
"How long will this last?" A pleasant alto.
"An.an hour." One gasped out.
"We better hurry then," said the schoolgirl in a breathy alto. The pixie nodded.
"We will have retribution, and it will not be pretty. Our treaty is broken. The war is on." With that the two left and the twins, their laughter since died down, began to get really scared.
***
Remus, Snuffles, and MacLeod, once they realized what had happened to Methos and Severus, turned and walked as fast as they could in the other direction to hide their smiles and avoid the explosion. It was not unexpected that they would end up at the Three Broomsticks, sitting at the bar and trading tales of their adventures. They talked of James and Lily Potter and of Fitz and Tessa. The spoke of the Marauders and the traveling band of actors. They talked of Connor and Dumbledore. They spoke of past friends and lovers. By the time they staggered out of the bar (scaring a few students who had never seen a drunk Remus before) both Snuffles and Remus were convinced that with a little care and some time, Mac could be bent.
***
Percy and Oliver held hands as they walked behind their group of students. Hermione and Ron had their arms around each other as they teased and bickered. Draco and Harry walked so close they brushed against each other with every step; close enough to touch but they didn't. Percy mentally shook his head. Acting like that they'd be outed before the year was done. Giny, who had been walking next to Hermione stopped walking and came to walk next to Percy, tucking her hand in his arm. He smiled down at her. It wasn't far, less than a foot, but it was a lot less than he remembered.
"Hello, bit." Ginny giggled.
"Percy, you haven't called me 'bit' since before Hogwarts!" He shrugged.
"So?" Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I'm not a little girl anymore, Percy." His smile grew tender and almost melancholy.
"I know that.but you'll always be my baby sister."
"The baby of the family."
"Better the baby than the outcast middle child." She made a face. She always hated it when he put himself down like that. They had many arguments over the very thing. Oliver, who had overheard, turned to tell Percy off about it, but was distracted by Ron's call.
"Look, it's Remus and Snuffles!"
"And Professor MacLeod!"
"I wonder where they're headed in such a hurry?" The group watched as the three entered the Three Broomsticks, and shrugged at each other.
"So where are we headed?" Oliver asked the group.
"Triple W!" cried Ginny excitedly. Draco rolled his eyes melodramatically.
"Help me! I'm surrounded!.Ouch! Harry! You have a rather sharp elbow, you know."
"Serves you right."
At that moment two beautiful (if a bit scary looking) women rushed past, holding each other and kissing and laughing. Ron stared, eyes wide, until Hermione slapped him. Draco and Harry watched with raised eyebrows. Oliver stared much as Ron had and Percy amused. Ginny stared, eyes wide and mouth open, following them down the street.
That was the old one and his lover, courtesy of the twins.
Percy laughed out loud, drawing strange looks from the assembled group.
"That was Snape and Pierson. The twins transfigured them somehow." That set Draco off, and Harry and Hermione. Ron looked sick and scrubbed his eyes. Ginny, id Percy wasn't wrong, looked slightly disappointed, before giggling as well.
"C'mon," said Harry. "Let's go see how they did it." The group agreed, and headed on to 3W to interrogate the twins.
TBC
Weeks passed as they will and everybody settled into their routine. Classes began in earnest and Duncan proved to be a tough but likeable teacher. Oliver's class was a favorite among those who took it. He was funny and would often tell stories and jokes to keep the mood light. Percy was a surprise, however, to the students. Those who had him teaching expected the 'Perfect Prefect' of his school days. They were quite shocked, therefore, when they found it was Percy, not the 'Perfect Prefect' who taught the class. He had a unique way of teaching and his emphasis on comfort made him a fast favorite.
None of this, however, was why the castle was humming with excitement one week in early October. The reason was, in fact, very simple.
The first Hogsmead weekend.
The excitement wasn't dampened by the fact that they needed to remain in large groups with a teacher supervising, especially since prefects counted as teachers. Percy and Oliver stood together outside the Gryffindor tower, waiting for their group. Draco soon joined them in their wait.
Oliver was leaned against the wall, holding Percy close by the waist. Percy, for his part, was leaning back against Oliver, his head next to his lover's. cheek to cheek. Draco raised an eyebrow at them, but didn't comment. Really, what could he say? Lucky for him, Harry was the first to exit the common room, and met him with a bright smile that Draco just had to return. They both longed to show their love as Percy and Oliver do, but knew it was too dangerous. They settled for standing rather close. Hermione and Ron followed with Ginny and the group was ready to go. Together they left the castle and headed down the path to Hogsmead.
There weren't that many headed to town as you would think for either they were too young or were to afraid to ask a teacher to prefect to chaperone. It was because of this that Methos, Severus, Duncan, Remus, and Snuffles were able to go to Hogsmead with no children to supervise.
When the great triple W sign appeared Methos stopped and smirked, looking decidedly devious. Severus saw the looked and paled.
"Adam.luv.what are you planning?" The other three looked at Methos and Mac was suddenly as pale as Severus. He knew what that look meant. Methos simply smiled and headed towards Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Inside the store
George looked up from where he was adjusting the shelves in the window and froze. The store was full of students and Adam Pierson was making a bee- line for their front door.
In a flash he was running towards the back of the store, dodging customers and shouting, "OI! FRED! Pierson, coming fast!" Fred's head jerked up from behind the register. He nodded.
"LEE! Take the register!" He called to the third twin, who ambled over. The twins ran to the back and uncovered a large machine, very high-tech looking and very complex, with a giant tube going up into the ceiling. They flipped switches and pushed buttons, and the thing roared to life. Jamming muggle army-issue helmets on their heads, they looked around the door into the main store. George had and old-style push down detonator in his hands and Fred had a pair of omnoculars.
The door opened.
Methos and Severus entered the store.
"Now," whispered Fred.
George pushed the detonator.
There was a flash of light followed by a cloud of smoke and glittering confetti poured from the sky. When the smoke cleared, where the professors once stood now stood two tall, beautiful, buxom, pissed-off amazons. The taller, with the dark pixie cut dressed in an outfit that was best described as 'sexy-pissed-off-evil-pixie' placed her hands on her hips and glared at the back of the store, where the sounds of two hysterical twins could be heard. The other, with the long stringy black hair and 'evil-sexy- schoolgirl' outfit and heavy black makeup looked completely shocked before flipping her hair and glaring at the back with the evil pixie.
The twins couldn't stop laughing even when their professors stood over them, silently plotting their revenge. The pixie looked at the schoolgirl and blinked, then slowly looked the girl up and down. The schoolgirl caught the look and smirked back. The pixie raised an eyebrow and turned back to the twins.
"How long will this last?" A pleasant alto.
"An.an hour." One gasped out.
"We better hurry then," said the schoolgirl in a breathy alto. The pixie nodded.
"We will have retribution, and it will not be pretty. Our treaty is broken. The war is on." With that the two left and the twins, their laughter since died down, began to get really scared.
***
Remus, Snuffles, and MacLeod, once they realized what had happened to Methos and Severus, turned and walked as fast as they could in the other direction to hide their smiles and avoid the explosion. It was not unexpected that they would end up at the Three Broomsticks, sitting at the bar and trading tales of their adventures. They talked of James and Lily Potter and of Fitz and Tessa. The spoke of the Marauders and the traveling band of actors. They talked of Connor and Dumbledore. They spoke of past friends and lovers. By the time they staggered out of the bar (scaring a few students who had never seen a drunk Remus before) both Snuffles and Remus were convinced that with a little care and some time, Mac could be bent.
***
Percy and Oliver held hands as they walked behind their group of students. Hermione and Ron had their arms around each other as they teased and bickered. Draco and Harry walked so close they brushed against each other with every step; close enough to touch but they didn't. Percy mentally shook his head. Acting like that they'd be outed before the year was done. Giny, who had been walking next to Hermione stopped walking and came to walk next to Percy, tucking her hand in his arm. He smiled down at her. It wasn't far, less than a foot, but it was a lot less than he remembered.
"Hello, bit." Ginny giggled.
"Percy, you haven't called me 'bit' since before Hogwarts!" He shrugged.
"So?" Ginny rolled her eyes.
"I'm not a little girl anymore, Percy." His smile grew tender and almost melancholy.
"I know that.but you'll always be my baby sister."
"The baby of the family."
"Better the baby than the outcast middle child." She made a face. She always hated it when he put himself down like that. They had many arguments over the very thing. Oliver, who had overheard, turned to tell Percy off about it, but was distracted by Ron's call.
"Look, it's Remus and Snuffles!"
"And Professor MacLeod!"
"I wonder where they're headed in such a hurry?" The group watched as the three entered the Three Broomsticks, and shrugged at each other.
"So where are we headed?" Oliver asked the group.
"Triple W!" cried Ginny excitedly. Draco rolled his eyes melodramatically.
"Help me! I'm surrounded!.Ouch! Harry! You have a rather sharp elbow, you know."
"Serves you right."
At that moment two beautiful (if a bit scary looking) women rushed past, holding each other and kissing and laughing. Ron stared, eyes wide, until Hermione slapped him. Draco and Harry watched with raised eyebrows. Oliver stared much as Ron had and Percy amused. Ginny stared, eyes wide and mouth open, following them down the street.
That was the old one and his lover, courtesy of the twins.
Percy laughed out loud, drawing strange looks from the assembled group.
"That was Snape and Pierson. The twins transfigured them somehow." That set Draco off, and Harry and Hermione. Ron looked sick and scrubbed his eyes. Ginny, id Percy wasn't wrong, looked slightly disappointed, before giggling as well.
"C'mon," said Harry. "Let's go see how they did it." The group agreed, and headed on to 3W to interrogate the twins.
TBC
