Chapter 21: The Night Begins
Percy was enjoying himself tremendously. His brothers had teased him for so long about his looks. Now they had to deal with it themselves.
Although he could have done without Ron's comment, made Ron-style at the top of his lungs, "THE ONLY THING KEEPING ME ALIVE IS THE FACT THAT THIS WEARS OFF!"
Really, Ron had nothing to yell about. Harry had it much worse.
It was also a little disconcerting to turn to the person next to you and discover that it was, for all intents and purposes, you. He didn't know how Fred and George managed it.
"I hear something," Bill said softly, holding up his hand for them to stop.
A group of boys appeared at the other end of the hallway that dead-ended in the T-junction where Percy and Bill were currently standing. Their eyes went very wide.
"Hello," Bill said neutrally, then turned back to Percy as if continuing a conversation.
"So, as I was saying," he said, gesturing with his wand as if it were a conductor's baton, "she told me," two swoops of the wand conjured a sturdy bar onto the wall above the door, "that if she sees me doing that again," another flick created an upwards arrow, "she'll leave me. Now how do you like that?"
"Quite a lot, actually," Percy said, noting the boys whispering among themselves at the other end of the hall. "Get ready," he added quietly as one of them pulled away from the pack to smile smarmily at the wizards.
Bill tensed. "Wait for it," Percy admonished. Bill rolled his eyes.
The boys charged down the hall.
"Jump!"
The Weasleys leapt into the air, grabbing the bar, and pulled themselves up and out of the way. The boys couldn't stop in time and ran headlong into the wall, knocking themselves down and, in at least one case, out.
Percy dropped from the bar a bit heavily, staggering a little to avoid the dazed boys sprawled everywhere. Maybe I need to spend more time outdoors. The office does get rather stuffy this time of year.
Bill landed lightly as a cat, vanished the bar, and held out his hand. Percy slapped it first, then shook it, and the two Disapparated to seek prey elsewhere.
-----
Minerva opened the door of the pranksters' home base. The desks she had Transfigured galloped out, accompanied by Ginny's Charmed chalk. Changing into her Animagus form, she chose her moment, then leapt onto the top of one of the desks. As she had hoped, it went where she directed it with her weight, galloping faster as she leaned forward, turning where she wanted it to.
I haven't had this much fun in years.
-----
Fred and George were in their element. Plenty of people to prank, plenty of supplies to prank with, and a whole night to prank in.
If only they didn't look like Percy.
Ah well, it would wear off in time. Besides, they didn't have to look at themselves.
But we do have to look at each other. Fred grimaced, looking at his twin's temporarily stuffy and prim face.
It doesn't matter, he told himself sternly. No matter what we look like, we're still masters of the noble art of prank.
"There they are!" shouted a voice from the bottom of the stairs. It was Harry's cousin Dudley.
"Never changes, does he," George commented.
"Nope, never does," Fred replied. "I wonder if that Irrationality Spell we cast on him is still in effect?"
With a bellow, Dudley began to run up the steep stairs at them.
"That would be a yes," George said.
Steep, straight stairs. Besides being alliterative, what does that remind me of?
Fred pulled out his wand. "Do you remember, brother mine, those books that were so popular when we were getting the joke shop started?"
"How could I forget?" George responded. "After what we pulled off at Christmas that year?"
"True enough. Do you happen to recall a recreation known as 'traying'?"
"Ah yes. This does look like an ideal place for the indoor form of that pastime."
They exchanged evil grins as always. On Percy's face, it looked decidedly peculiar.
Fred conjured a pair of large red plastic trays from the Goldenrod cafeteria. George applied a Slipping Spell to their undersides.
Dudley's face turned the color of oatmeal as he realized the Weasleys weren't waiting for him at the top. On the contrary, they were coming down as swiftly as they could manage. He turned and tried to get away, but it was too late.
Dudley skidded down the stairs on his back, feet first, pushed by the combined force of two gleeful twins riding trays.
-----
Minerva's desk screeched to a halt just in time for her to enjoy the twins' descent. Her only wish was that both of them, instead of just one, had landed on Dudley at the bottom.
The Weasleys vanished the trays and moved off in search of other quarry, waving politely at her. It still looked odd to see Percy Weasley's face on more than one person. But if she could get used to one set of Weasley twins, no doubt she could get used to another.
She shook her head. Of course she could get used to more than one set of Weasley twins. There were two currently attending her school. Only one set was identical, thankfully, and those in different houses. She didn't think she could have handled another Fred and George. Brian Weasley, Sirius Potter, and their friend James Black were quite enough.
Dudley groaned. Minerva leapt down from her desk and trotted over to him. She made sure she had his full attention, then began to cough.
A few moments later, she spit the token of her esteem delicately onto his chest.
Well placed, Minerva! Directly inside the shirt! Ten points to Gryffindor, m'girl.
She returned to her desk and urged it onward.
-----
Hermione sat at her ease in one of the classrooms, carefully enchanting the books she had pulled off the shelves. Beside her, Penelope was bespelling the supplies she had gotten from a cupboard at the back of the room.
"How are you coming?" Ginny asked from the doorway.
"We're fine," Hermione said. "Thought you knew that."
"I did, but it's polite to ask." Ginny stuck her tongue out at her sister-in-law.
"Really, girls," Penelope said without looking up. "If you must fight, can't you do it quietly?"
Silence reigned in the room for a full minute. Then Ginny transformed into cat form, gave an audible sniff, and left.
Penelope sighed. "That is still a bit disconcerting, you know."
"You asked for it," Hermione pointed out.
"I know. It just proves that not even I can be intelligent all the time."
Hermione wisely declined to comment. "There's a group of girls about to come around the corner. We can ambush them as they pass."
Shrill voices rose in the hallway.
"How were we supposed to know she really had a magic family?"
"Yeah, everybody lies. You lied, Petrov, you said you had a magic family too."
"I did! I did have a magic family!"
"You did not."
"Well, I had a magic granddad. I never knew him, but I did have a magic granddad." The girl sounded positively sulky.
"Yeah right. So why doesn't he magic you out of here?"
"I don't know!" the girl shrieked, and Hermione winced. She sounds so young. What could she have done to be sent here?
We're not hurting them, she reminded herself. And if their behavior today is any indication, this might just be the lesson they need in how to treat others with respect.
Besides, she had to admit to herself, it was fun.
Penelope held up one hand and began lowering the fingers. Three... two... one...
Hermione swung the door open from behind.
The books and supplies flew into the hallway and encircled the screaming girls. The books each grew to tremendous size and gently but firmly picked up a girl between cover and pages. A pair of scissors quickly clipped all their outer clothing off them. Reams of paper reclothed them with glue to hold it together, and for a final touch, Penelope's enchanted pens decorated their new outfits.
Hermione watched carefully through the hinges of the door. One girl in the group was noticeably younger than the rest, and oddly, after the first shock, she didn't scream. Instead, she watched in amazement and what looked like... hope?
She might be the one they called Petrov. She looks like she's seen magic before. Or at least heard about it.
Odd. She looks vaguely familiar...
The books released the girls, most of the rest of whom hadn't stopped bawling the whole way through the experience. With a rustle of pages, they flew neatly back through the open door, followed by scissors, pens, glue, and what was left of the paper.
The girls snatched up their discarded clothing and ran.
All except the littlest one.
She eyed the open door for a long moment, her back against the opposite wall of the hallway, as if weighing the possibilities. Then she visibly gathered her courage and ran at full speed towards the door.
Hermione caught her as she entered the room, spinning her around to slow her and landing her deftly in one of the desks. Penelope shut the door and switched on the lights.
The girl was a bit unprepossessing, up close. She had flat brown hair and a mousy face. Of course, it didn't help that she currently looked so scared she couldn't breathe.
"Are you witches?" she blurted out.
"Yes," Penelope said. "We're not evil, but we are witches."
"Can I be one too?"
Hermione blinked. Well, that's direct. "I don't know," she said. "You have to be born with magic to be a witch or a wizard. How old are you?"
"Ten. I'll be eleven next April."
I was right. She is young. Too young to be in a place like this.
"Why are you here?" Penelope asked.
The girl blushed. "I did stupid stuff at home. I ran into construction sites and yelled at my teachers when they yelled at me. The counselor said I had too much spunk for my size. My dad thought maybe a year here would help me control myself."
Fool of a man. "What about your mother?"
"She doesn't care about me. They're divorced."
"I see."
"My name's Elizabeth," the girl volunteered. "What's yours? Please?"
"I'm Hermione. Would you like to hold my wand?"
Penelope looked slightly shocked, but Hermione gave her a I-can-handle-this look and she held her peace.
Elizabeth accepted the wand reverently. "Is it really a real magic wand?"
"Oh, yes," Hermione said, remembering her own first shock at discovering the realities of a magical world. "Very real indeed."
Elizabeth waved the wand gently, up and down, then suddenly flicked it hard towards the wall. A jet of red sparks flew from it and left scorch marks.
"Oops," Elizabeth said shamefacedly, and quickly gave the wand back to Hermione, looking at her sidewise as if she expected to be scolded.
"She did tell you it was real," Penelope said, hiding her surprise admirably, Hermione thought. "No harm has been done." She waved her own wand at the wall, repairing the damage.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said, still staring at the desk as if she expected a beating any moment. Which she might, Hermione remembered.
"Elizabeth," she said quietly, and the girl looked up at her. "Why don't you come along with me. I'll take you someplace where you can sleep tonight. You were so brave, I think you deserve a peaceful night, away from all this craziness. And then tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised if your father comes and gets you to take you home."
The girl's face lit up. "Really?"
"It's not certain yet, but I'll see what I can do. And I do mean it. Come on."
They walked through the school to the dormitory where Helen and Marie were sleeping, avoiding the active prank zones as much as possible. Penelope repaired Elizabeth's nightdress, and the girl climbed gratefully into a bed and murmured "good night" to them.
"Why?" Penelope asked once they were far enough down the hall that they wouldn't be overheard.
"Why what?"
"Why did you tell her that?"
"Because I intend to make it come true. She's magical, you saw it yourself. What kind of place would this be to get her ready for Hogwarts?"
Penelope nodded thoughtfully. "This gives me an idea," she said. "The Headmaster of this school won't remember this night, except as a dream. So we need to find a way to make the lesson permanent without harming him or his property. I believe it might be prudent to remove as many pupils from this so-called school as we can."
"Financially squeeze him," Hermione breathed, realizing her sister-in-law's scheme. "Brilliant."
"Thank you."
-----
Arthur Weasley was happily tinkering with a telephone, one that had survived his power surge intact but inoperative. "It'll bite people's ears occasionally for the next few weeks," he said gleefully. "I never thought all those curses I had to learn to remove would come in so handy."
"You're as bad as the boys, Arthur," Molly said fondly, watching the end of the hallway. She hoped, oh, how she hoped, that Helen's birth mother would wander down this way. Any member of Helen's birth family would have done – she had ideas for them all – but she had such a wondrous treat in store for the woman.
Well, well. Speak of the devil.
Marcie Dursley stuck her head timidly around a corner, peering around for signs of life.
Molly activated her warning signal to give the others notice to get set up. Then she froze the other woman with the Impediment Curse, knocked her down, and sat on her. Dreadfully unladylike, but so satisfying.
Marcie wheezed as the curse wore off. Molly stared coldly down at her. "You neglected one of my grandchildren," she said. "Neglect that would have bordered on abuse, were it not for her true family. I do not take kindly to that."
"And I do not take kindly to being kidnapped and abused for disciplining my own child in my own manner!" the woman spat back at her.
Feisty, isn't she. This should be more fun than I thought.
"Shall we have this out like civilized women, then?" Molly didn't wait for an answer. Instead she wrapped the end of the string she carried around Marcie's wrist and whispered the password.
The string-Portkey pulled them into the school's gymnasium.
"What are we doing here?" Marcie demanded.
The lights came on. Everyone awake in the school was sitting in the bleachers. Their expressions ranged from anticipatory to horror-struck.
"Ladies and gentlemen," said Harry-Snape in that peculiar, precise diction that had been unique to the Potions Professor. "This is it. The moment you've all been waiting for. Molly Prewett Weasley versus Marcie Kedder Dursley in..."
He savored the moment. "The Great Shout-Off."
Marcie looked confused. Molly folded her arms in satisfaction.
"The fight of the century, or at least the fight of the night. Take your corners, ladies, and come out shouting. May the best mother win."
-----
(A/N: Just wanted to put something out there for you, readers. Home At Last, and whatever I decide to call the sequel (Official notice: there will be one), are in the same universe as Resonance. Therefore, if you want more information on something interesting in Home, you could try reading Resonance. There might be background on it there.
RunningInCircles: Thanks!
Caprice-Ann HedicanKocur: Thank you, both for the compliments and for putting up with me messing up your name!
Brigade701: Thanks for reviewing, and for the tip.
Kraeg001: But I don't want you to say the least... I want you to say much more than the least... snicker.
Nalini213: Wish I had a picture of it myself; unfortunately, Harry and Ron destroyed the negatives. (Know any good artists, anyone?) Oh yes, and Vanna Weasley: oldest daughter of George and Alicia, Ravenclaw, fourth year to Helen's first. You like?
Gyre: Dust yourself off and keep reading – thanks!
cleo2rox: I update this fic Mondays and Fridays. Glad you like it so much. Check my Resonance update if you haven't already.
Lady Cinnibar: Especially his hair, what? Good that you have a computer again – pooh on losing all data. Almost happened to me once when I knocked my laptop off a table. (I was trying to keep my little sister from sticking her finger in an outlet and I tripped over the power cord.)
athenakitty: Fair question, but they're not using Polyjuice Potion, so they don't need a part of the person. As Ginny mentioned in passing, F&G have invented Metamorphmagus Mints, which work similarly to Polyjuice, but can be enchanted by the user or another wizard to produce the desired effect (from changed hair color to entire body change, such as Harry-Snape). Gabriel's presence wasn't planned, but Fleur is a talented improviser, so I guess he's part of it now. Most to all of the teachers are involved in this, and the students who scared/hurt Helen or Marie, and the truly nasty kids. The rest of the school has been spelled to sleep through it. And Helen will be adopted soon, I promise. We have to let the pranksters have their fun first, though.
Little Lioness: Thanks, and welcome to the list!
Tanydwr: I appreciate compliments from a writer of your obvious prowess very greatly. Thank you much.
vire: Don't worry, Marie will get the education she needs. And the set-up I envision is more like Marie being a big sister who just happens to take care of the kids a lot instead of it being her serious, full-time job. After all, Ginny and Harry will want to spend time with them too, and don't forget Mrs. Figg.
Joshua: Glad you liked the scene. I had fun writing it. Plays with your mind a little imagining it, doesn't it? Snape telling McGonagall that Harry misbehaved... pretty normal... but no... Snape is Harry... aagh... ::wicked laugh::
harryp123: As always, thanks.
Dahlias: Wow! Many, many thanks!
AKA Hummer: Thanks for long review! Didn't mean to confuse... am just HP junkie with too good a memory, and I forget that other people don't have as good. No, I didn't intend it to rhyme. Where does it? And I kind of like Snape... I think he's a slimy git in many ways, but I kind of like him.
My reviewers rock! Give yourselves a big hand!)