SIX

In Which Ron Yells A Lot And The Twins Present A Lame Defense

Harry was stunned. Not too long ago he had found the whole thing rather funny, enjoying Ron's indignation. But now, because of the Twin's demented sense of humor, Hermione had just received a zero in potions and would probably never be able to show her face in public again.

"This has gotten way out of hand," he muttered to Ron as they headed to Great Hall for lunch.

Ron nodded, his eyes blazing. "It's just like Malfoy to do something like this. When I get my hands on him —"

"You still don't see it, do you, Ron? It's not Malfoy who's done anything. He's the butt of the joke too."

"A joke is it? Well I'm not laughing, mate! And why did Snape have to go and read those bits aloud? Does he have no respect for anything?" They both sat down and Ron angrily began attacking his meal. After a moment he paused in his desecration of the meat and asked, "If it's a joke, who's behind it?"

Harry smiled cynically. "Think about it for a sec, Ron. Who, in this whole school, has a sick enough sense of humor to pull a joke like this?"

Ron thought for a moment and then he turned his head to stare at his brothers. "Them," he whispered murderously. He stood up, clasping his knife dangerously, and walked over to where the twins were seated.

"What is wrong with you two?" he yelled. "I mean, I knew you liked to create trouble, but this? It's bloody sick, is what it is, and if you two don't switch it back right now, I swear, I'll —"

"Calm down, little bro!" Fred said, alarmed. He pulled Ron down between himself and George and asked as he removed the knife from Ron's hand, "What is this all about, now?"

"YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Ron roared.

"Stuff it, Ron! You sound like mum!" George whispered. "What did we do this time?"

"Don't pretend like you don't know," Ron said nastily, though quieter.

Fred gave him a scathing look. "Let's just pretend that we are pretending, alright? What are you so mad about?"

Ron stared hard at his brothers.

"Ah yes, the two lovebirds," George murmured after a moment. "So we wanted to have a bit of fun. Where's the harm in that?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Hermione was caught passing notes to Malfoy in potions. Snape took twenty points from Gryffindor and gave Hermione a zero," he stated. "Have fun explaining that to Hermione when she comes around."

"A zero?" Fred reiterated.

Ron nodded.

"Hermione?"George asked.

"Which is why you have to fix it." Ron said.

"And soon," Harry added.

The twins averted their eyes. "What? Just give her the antidote to whatever you gave her," Ron pointed out.

"Uh, well, dear little bro, you see," George began lamely. "Er, we only made the one, er, thingy, so —"

"There's nothing you can do about it?" Harry asked incredulously.

Fred smiled, relieved that Harry had understood so quickly and that he wasn't shouting. "Right you are. So seeing as there's nothing we can do about it, it'd probably be a good idea if we just waited for it to wear off, right?"

"And when will it wear off?" Ron asked through clenched teeth.

"Hmm, now there's a question," Fred said happily.

"You don't know."

"Well, it could be by tomorrow, or it could take another whole week. Not quite sure about that." George said helpfully.

Ron put his head in his hands as a small moan escaped his lips.

"Cheer up, little bro," Fred encouraged, patting his brother on the shoulder. "It's you we could've made fall in love with Malfoy."

Ron groaned.