Disclaimer: I don't own the characters but J.K is a very nice lady and I'm sure she'll let me borrow them for a bit.
Rating: It's PG at the moment but it's subject to change as the story progresses into later years. At the moment there's only mild swearing. There's a little hell and damn and there might even be an arse or two in here somewhere.
A/N: So this chapter is pretty significant to the Harry Potter series. I hope you all figured out what's going on… I'm skipping a month or two so it's now the end of October. Keep in mind that the Quidditch season starts in November so that will be in next chapter. This chapter was a little difficult to write but I tried really hard!
At this junction I'd also like to point out that I don't understand the system at Hogwarts. Why do they have some classes with other houses like Herbology with the Hufflepuff's but other classes like Transfiguration by themselves? I don't understand the logic of it so I kind of had to improvise a bit. Sorry.
Chapter 4
The new Gryffindors enjoyed their first two months at Hogwarts immensely. Even Potions class with the tyrannical Professor Snape was tolerable when all of them were together. Indeed the six had become considerably closer.
Fred and Angelina weren't exactly what you'd call the best of friends but they did seem to have developed a certain respect and admiration for each other.
No one could deny that Fred and George made life at Hogwarts interesting. They had already managed to get eighteen detentions, which was apparently some sort of Hogwarts record. The twins called themselves the Princes of Pranks and got rather large heads but Angelina was quick to point out that having the most detentions in the shortest amount of time wasn't really a record to be proud of.
Evidently, Mrs Weasley agreed because Howlers became a regular fixture at breakfast. Typically the twins laughed it off as their mother simply over reacting as usual.
Individually, the Gryffindor's all excelled in different subjects. Alicia had a knack for Transfiguration; in fact she was the only one in the year who had managed to turn her match into a needle on the first try. Lee Jordan surprised everyone with his skill in Charms, he said it helped him with his pranks. Much to Snape's annoyance, George was exceptional at Potions, this of course didn't stop him deducting points from Gryffindor.
Katie had an unusual gift with plants that helped her in Herbology. Angelina was simply brilliant on a broomstick. But Fred was perhaps the most surprising. He tried to hide his success in Defence Against the Dark Arts and insist it was just sheer luck. Despite his reluctance everyone knew he was smarter than he was letting on.
All in all, things were going well for the new students. Halloween was coming up in a week or so and Fred and George suddenly realised they didn't have any pranks planned. So one night they called an emergency meeting with Lee to discuss the matter.
"What are they up to now?" Angelina sighed as she watched the three boys who were huddled around a table.
Alicia glanced up from her History of Magic essay. "I suspect it has something to do with Halloween. Probably trying to come up with a prank of some sort."
"How much more do you need?" Katie asked Alicia. She too was struggling through the essay.
"Only a few inches."
"I still need a foot," Katie groaned.
"I can't even concentrate." Angelina rubbed her forehead tiredly. She wasn't even halfway yet and it was impossible to concentrate on why Emeric the Evil was so influential to modern magic when she knew the boys were planning a monumental prank.
"Do you think they've even started the essay?" Katie asked.
"Considering it's due in three days…nope," Alicia said as she measured her parchment carefully. Grinning, she threw her quill down and announced, "I'm finished!"
"Can I read your essay? Just to get some ideas. I promise I won't copy," Katie implored.
"If you agree to help me with the Herbology homework."
"Sure."
Alicia left Katie and Angelina to their work and wandered over to the whispering boys.
"What do you want, Spinnet?"
"I was just wondering if any of you have started the History of Magic essay yet."
"Of course not. Why start now? It's not due for another three weeks," George said.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, honey, but it's due in three days."
"Don't call me honey and Fred reckons he heard Binns say it was due in three weeks during today's lesson."
Alicia smirked. "No, honey, I assure you, it's three days."
"Stop calling me that!"
"Now that you mention it…maybe he did say three days," Fred said timidly.
"Fred!" George and Lee exclaimed.
"Well, I was half asleep," Fred said defensively.
"Well I suppose three days is still enough time to do it," George said.
"You mustn't forget the Herbology homework either. That's due tomorrow. We also have to have Wingardium Leviosa perfected for the next Charms lesson," Alicia said lightly.
They just stared at her with the same 'oh crap!' facial expression.
"We're screwed," Lee said mournfully and put his head in his hands.
"I suppose I could help you with the essay and I might be able to convince Katie to help you with Herbology. Lee has pretty much got the charm down pat so that shouldn't be too difficult."
"So what do you want in return for all this help?" Fred asked.
"Who says I want anything," Alicia said, batting her eyelashes innocently.
"I do and I've known you for half of my life so spit it out."
Alicia lowered her head and whispered, "I want in on your Halloween prank."
"Since when have you wanted to join in? I thought you said pranks were only juvenile cries for attention?"
"Well, it's just one more to get it out of my system for good. So, what have you got planned?"
"Nothing," George admitted.
"Nothing? Halloween is in a week!"
"We're aware of that. We're just having a little trouble coming up with something is all."
"What's wrong? Got pranker's block or something?" Alicia giggled.
"You come up with something then," George challenged.
"Fine, I will!" She turned on her heel and went back to the girls.
"What was that about?" Angelina asked.
"Nothing much. Katie, I need a favour..."
Katie agreed to help the boys as well. It took over an hour for them to grasp the concept of plant care then Alicia tried to help the boys start the essay.
"This isn't that bad really. Just make up some names, throw in some random dates, write the first thing that comes into your head and, voila, you have a first class essay!" Fred said extravagantly.
"That's not how you're supposed to do it," Alicia sighed.
"Well, smarty pants, let us copy yours."
"You're not copying my essay."
"Please. I'll be your best friend," George pleaded.
"All the more reason not to let you copy. Now get to work."
Half an hour later they hadn't really made any progress. Fred had managed to write a line, George had written his name on the top of his parchment and Lee had drawn a picture of a Snitch. Alicia read over Fred's one line of writing and groaned.
"Fred, this doesn't even make sense. Metaphorically speaking Emeric the Evil was influential to modern magic because he did lots of wicked stuff," she read from the parchment.
"What's wrong with that?" Fred asked, slightly offended.
"Metaphorically speaking? Do you even know what that means?"
"No, but it's the only big word I know."
"So you just put it in even though it has nothing to do with anything?"
"Precisley. You're smarter than you look, Leesh."
"That's it, I give up, you boys are hopeless." Alicia threw her quill down then stomped up to her room and slammed the door behind herself.
"Keep it down, would ya," Angelina grumbled from her bed.
"Sorry," she whispered and flopped onto her bed without even bothering to change. It wasn't until two days later that Alicia got an idea for a prank. It was during a particularly nasty Potions lesson that she got her brainwave.
"Now, stir the potion!" Snape ordered.
Alicia was partnered with Fred and he hadn't helped at all. Although, that shouldn't have surprised her.
"You heard the man, get stirring, Leesh."
"I am not stirring it, you have done nothing so far so you do it."
"You're the girl, you have to stir it." Fred nudged her. "After all, girls are the ones who cook all the time."
"Sexist pig!"
"Is there a problem, Ms Spinnet?" Professor Snape growled.
"No, Professor."
"Good, then two points from Gryffindor."
"That's your fault, you sexist ignoramus," Alicia whispered as she stirred the blood red potion.
"Oh, go burn your bra or something," Fred muttered.
"What was that, Mr Weasley?"
"Nothing."
"He was talking about bras, Professor," a Slytherin student named Steven Carter said.
"Bras, Mr Weasley? Such things should not be discussed at all, let alone in my class. Five points from Gryffindor and please refrain from talking about underwear in future."
Fred opened his mouth to reply but Alicia kicked him under the table.
"Weasley was talking about Spinnet's bra," a pair of Slytherin girls named Michelle and Rebecca said, sniggering nastily.
"Jealous are we, Orlen?" Angelina asked quietly.
"Like I want a Weasley to even talk to me. Mudblood loving scum," Michelle sneered.
Alicia grabbed Fred to stop him retaliating but that didn't prevent George. He grabbed the pig's liver they were supposed to be chopping up and spun around.
"Duck!"
Alicia didn't question him. She pulled Fred down and they fell in a heap on the ground. George hurled the liver at Michelle. There was a loud smack as it hit her square in the face.
The whole class gasped. Angelina and Katie giggled quietly as the liver slid down Michelle's face and landed on the floor with a plop.
"Weasley!"
George winced. He knew Snape was talking to him. Snape couldn't tell the twins apart so he just referred to them both as Weasley.
"Sorry, Professor, it was a reflex."
"Don't get smart with me, boy! Twenty-five points from Gryffindor and a detention tonight! I must inform Mr. Filch that he will have company cleaning the bathrooms tonight. Continuing working until I return."
With a swish of his cloak, Snape exited.
Alicia clambered to her feet and pulled Fred up. Michelle was whimpering and wiping liver juice from her eyes. Angelina and Katie were no longer bothering to stifle their giggles. They were openly hysterical, leaning on each other in order to stay upright.
Rebecca put her arm around her friend and glared. "You'll pay for this, Weasley!"
"You know, I heard liver juice was good for your skin," Alicia said with a giggle.
Katie grinned and added, "If you're lucky it might help with those foul pimples."
"I ought to punch your head in, Weasley," another Slytherin named Justin Campbell threatened.
"What's stopping you?" George fumed.
"George…" Alicia warned. It would be just their luck that Snape would come in and take more points.
"Keep out of it, Alicia."
"Calm him down," Alicia said to Fred.
"And have him punch me? No thanks. You can feel free to have a go."
"We've already lost thirty-two points this lesson. Make him stop before he loses more points."
"He wants revenge, Leesh, there's no stopping a testosterone driven Weasley."
Alicia had to admit he had a point there. Maybe it was the red hair, but Weasley boys had a habit of losing their tempers quickly. There was only one sure way to stop George…
"Tell him I have an idea to get all the Slytherin's back."
Fred's eyes widened and Alicia nodded and grinned. Fred went and whispered this to his brother.
"A prank?" George looked at Alicia.
Her eyes glistened mischievously. "Uh huh."
"You're not worth it, Campbell," George unclenched his fists just before Snape returned.
"So what's the prank?" Fred whispered as they continued their work.
"Stir the potion and I'll tell you tonight."
Fred stirred like he'd never stirred before. He was beginning to feel the adrenaline pumping and the look on Alicia's face only made him more excited. This was going to be a brilliant prank!
The boys hounded Alicia all day but she was determined not to tell them till later on. Finally, after dinner, the boys smuggled Alicia up to their room.
Fred locked the door quickly and turned to his visitor. "Out with it, girl."
"Love how you've decorated the place," Alicia said as she gingerly picked up a pair of blue satin boxers from the middle of the floor.
"I thought you were here to tell us about this prank of yours, not play with my underwear," Lee said.
"Settle down." She threw the boxers at him and dusted her hands off mockingly.
"Tell us right now or we'll tickle the life out of you."
"Ok, keep your clothes on, George," Alicia went and sat on the nearest bed and the boys crowded eagerly around her. You'd think it was Christmas or something!
"I haven't perfected it yet but I think we should do something to the Slytherins. Something that the whole school will witness."
"That's a good basis, so what did you have in mind for the actual prank?" Fred asked.
"I was thinking we could slip a potion into their pumpkin juice at the Halloween feast. A potion that makes them sprout fur would be ideal."
George's green eyes widened and sparkled as he imagined the Slytherins covered in fur.
"Sounds perfect! How do we get the potion in their juice though?" Fred asked.
"That is up to the Princes of Pranks to figure out. I laid the platform now you three do the rest." Alicia said and moved towards the door.
"We'll discuss it and tell you what we've decided tomorrow," George agreed.
Fred, who was beside himself with glee, grabbed Alicia's hand and bowed.
She eyed him strangely and tried to pull her hand away. "What are you doing?""I officially dub thee the Princess of Pranks."
Alicia just giggled and rolled her eyes. "Good night, boys, and remember the essay is due tomorrow."
She left them with that happy thought and returned to her own dorm before Angelina and Katie got suspicious
George laughed. "I never thought I'd live to see the day you called Alicia a princess."
"Shut up and go do your detention."
The next morning the boys walked around like zombies. They had stayed up till midnight doing the essay and still hadn't worked out how to execute the plan. They finally got around to discussing it at dinner.
"It's the twenty-ninth already. We have to figure this out now," Lee said urgently.
"Our best chance is to put it in before the juice is actually served. We need to do it while it's still in the kitchen."
"The kitchen? Where would that be located?" Fred asked no one in particular. He and George had discovered quite a few hidden passages while dodging Filch, but they had yet to stumble across the kitchen.
"Hmmm. That might prove a problem."
It appeared that their brilliant plan had hit a wall.
"Ok, I suggest we go out and explore tonight," Fred said.
"Sounds like a good idea. Think Alicia will be up for it?" Lee asked as the plates cleared and every stood up.
"I'll go ask her now," George said then he jogged to catch up with her.
"What's up, George?" Angelina asked then turned to Katie and added, "I'm getting good at telling them apart."
"I need a word with Alicia." He yanked her aside before they could object.
She shoved him away. "Hey, no need to pull."
"We need to find the kitchen so we can put the potion in the juice before it's served. We're going to look for it tonight after everyone goes to bed," George explained quietly and quickly.
"You want me to go wandering around the castle at night with you three?"
"Uh huh. It's ok, we've done it at least five times already."
"And how many times have you been caught?" Alicia raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, at least five."
"Exactly my point, George."
"We'll take care of you. I promise you won't get in any trouble. If anything does happen just say we forced you to do it."
Alicia considered her options. Getting expelled two months after starting Hogwarts probably wouldn't please her parents. On the other hand, it was her prank and she did want to finish it."I may be losing my mind, but I'm in. What time?"
"Meet us in the common room at eleven."
"I know I'm going to regret this," Alicia said to herself as George walked away.
At five to eleven Alicia slipped out of bed and shoved some pillows under the covers and drew the curtain around. She had deliberately kept her school robes on; they were black and would help hide her in the dark castle.
She tiptoed out of the room and down the staircase. Three dark figures stood in the middle of the common room. Alicia approached them and touched one lightly on the shoulder. He jumped about a foot in the air.
"Blimey, Leesh. Could you not do that again?" Lee clutched his chest.
"Little jumpy, are we?"
"Of course not, I just don't like stupid girls creeping up on me," Lee said indignantly.
"I am not stupid!"
"Quit bickering and let's do this thing already."
"May the force be with us," Alicia said as they silently climbed out the portrait hole.
"What are you going on about now?" George asked quietly.
"Never mind, it's a Muggle thing."
They soundlessly proceeded down the dark corridor. They really didn't have a destination in mind so they just wandered around for a while.
"You know, Leesh, if you're scared of the dark you can hold my hand," Lee offered kindly.
"Not after you called me stupid and besides I'm not afraid of the dark. I love the dark, it's comforting."
"All girls are afraid of the dark," Lee insisted.
"Not this girl, she's always dragging us out at night. She likes the stars and the stillness and stuff," George said.
"But if you get scared, Lee, you can hold my hand," Alicia said with mock- sweetness.
"Bugger off."
"Would you lot keep it down?" Fred asked. Actually, it was more of an order than a question.
The group ceased their talking and in the eerie silence they heard a strange noise from behind them. They spun around and saw a pair of glistening eyes.
"It's Filch's ruddy cat!"
Alicia's stomach plummeted as Mrs. Norris turned and ran in the opposite direction, meowing like crazy.
"RUN!" Fred yelled.
Alicia didn't need to be told twice. She bolted down the corridor behind the boys. They twisted and turned through Hogwarts. Alicia tried to figure out where they were but it looked so different at night!
"Where are you leading us?" she questioned Fred.
"No idea!" he replied breathlessly.
Alicia didn't really care where they were going; she just wanted to put as much distance between herself and Filch as she could. She thought things were going well until they met an abrupt dead end.
"I know there's a secret passage around here somewhere," George said and searched the walls frantically.
"It's behind a tapestry," Fred panted as he felt along the wall.
"I think I got it!" Lee said.
"Yep! This is it! Hurry up, Leesh! Get in and run!" Fred grabbed Alicia and George shoved her through the passage.
Unfortunately, Alicia tripped and ended up sprawled in the passage. Lee hurried in after her and in turn tripped on her outstretched leg. They both swore and struggled until they heard a voice outside the tapestry.
"Hold it right there!" a deep, rough voice bellowed.
Alicia gasped and Lee slapped his hand over her mouth.
"Good evening, Mr. Filch, fancy meeting you here," Fred said cheerfully.
"You two! I should have known! I've had enough of you sneaking around at night! My office!"
"Ok, we'll come quietly," George said.
"That makes a nice change!"
Fred and George were quite happy to leave with Filch so they began to walk.
Alicia and Lee stayed hidden and thought they would get away with it that is until Mrs. Norris stared meowing incessantly.
"What is it, dearest? Do you smell some more naughty students?" Filch stopped and held up his lamp.
Mrs. Norris sniffed the air and turned her head back towards the hidden passage. Fred and George stopped and glanced at each other. George nodded and Fred pulled something out of his pocket. It took a second but soon the most putrid smell filled the corridor. It did the trick though. Mrs. Norris could no longer smell Alicia and Lee and she ran off quickly in order to escape the smell.
"What the…? A Dungbomb? You let off a Dungbomb? You sniveling child!" Filch grabbed Fred by the collar. "My office, now!"
Neither of the hidden Gryffindors had dared to breathe in case Filch heard and now they both gasped for air in the tight, musty passage.
"Uh oh," they both said at the same time.
They crawled carefully towards the tapestry and opened it slightly to peek through. All they could see was a lamp bobbing away in the dark corridor.
"What do you think?" Lee turned to Alicia. His eyes were wide and he was still struggling to catch his breath.
"I think they're up the proverbial creek without a proverbial paddle. We, on the other hand, now have a chance to get back to Gryffindor Tower while Filch is occupied."
"Well, this didn't go quite as planned," Lee commented dryly
Meanwhile, Fred and George were being dragged along by a very cranky Filch. He was mumbling to himself about juvenile delinquents and the best way to punish them while Mrs. Norris scouted up ahead.
Filch pulled the twins into his small, stingy office and ordered them to sit opposite his desk.
"Where did I put those forms?" He searched through a filing cabinet feverishly "Aha, found them."
"Great."
"You do not want to get me any angrier," Filch warned.
Fred and George sat back in their chairs calmly. They knew the routine, Filch would record their 'shenanigans' on a form then give them a detention or inform Professor McGonagall in serious cases.
"Name? Fred and George Weasley. Crime? Running through the halls at night and letting off dungbombs…"
George yawned and looked around the room in boredom. Something very, very interesting caught his mischievous eye. He turned to his partner in crime and judging by the look on his face, Fred had spotted it too. The drawer was labelled 'Confiscated and Highly Dangerous'. It seemed to be calling to the boys. They couldn't resist.
But how to distract Filch? One of the advantages of being twins was that the pair could share a quick glance and immediately know what the other was thinking. In this case George sent his brother a silent message: he would cause the diversion and Fred would grab something from the drawer.
"Suggested sentence? Hmm. If only Professor Dumbledore would let me - never mind though, I'll have to make do."
Filch continued muttering to himself as George pulled the pin on one of the Dungbombs in his pocket. After making sure Filch was occupied, he lobbed it out into the hall where Mrs. Norris was patrolling.
The twins listened intently as the cat's claws tapped back and forth. Suddenly, she stopped walking then came screeching into the office. The fur on her back stood up as she leapt onto the desk. She simply detested Dungbombs.
"What is it, my love?" Filch jumped up, grabbed the distraught cat and ran out into the corridor.
"Now!" George whispered urgently.
Fred leapt into action as he heard Filch ranting outside. He yanked the drawer open and dipped his hand in. Keeping his eye on the door he grabbed the first thing he touched. A bit of parchment.
"Hurry!"
Fred shoved the parchment under his robes and returned to his chair and tried to catch his breath before Filch returned.
"This won't do at all! More students out of bed!" Filch returned and dropped Mrs. Norris on the floor. Luckily cats land on their feet.
"You should probably go find them then," George suggested innocently.
"This is a travesty! More students disobeying the rules! Friends of yours, I expect!" He glared at the twins irately.
They immediately put on identical angelic faces and shrugged.
"Well, off to bed with the both of you. I must find these other troublemakers! But mark my words, Professor McGonagall is going to hear about this. Expect to get notification for your detention in the next few days."
Fred and George let out relieved sighs. Bed was sounding very inviting now. Hopefully Lee and Alicia had managed to make it back to Gryffindor Tower. Once out of Filch's office they began to run back to Gryffindor Tower. They finally reached the Fat Lady portrait just as Alicia and Lee did.
"You're ok!" Alicia grabbed George in a tight, smothering hug.
"Of course we're ok!" George tried to wriggle from her grasp.
"I thought Filch would expel you!"
"Well, he didn't. Now, Leesh, seriously, let go of me."
"I was so scared! It took us ages to get back! We thought we'd be lost in the castle forever!"
"Calm down, Alicia. I'm fine, you're fine, everyone's fine. Ok?"
"You're right, ok, I'm calm." Alicia took a few deep breaths as Fred and Lee woke the Fat Lady.
"What? What's happening?"
"We need to get inside," Fred told her.
"What are you doing out at this time again? Not since Potter and Black!" The Fat Lady grumbled but swung forward to admit them anyway.
Alicia practically dove through the hole. She was so glad to be back in the safety of the common room. She shivered. "I am never doing that again!"
"We snatched something from Filch's office," Fred informed them as he pulled the piece of parchment out from under his robes.
The four students crowded around the glowing logs in the fireplace.
"It looks pretty old," Lee said.
Fred flipped it over and over again.
"It's blank!" he said incredulously.
"Excellent! You stole an old bit of blank parchment!" Alicia's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"But it was in a drawer marked 'Confiscated and Highly Dangerous' though! It has to do something!"
"If you needed parchment I could have given you some," Alicia said with a large yawn.
"Shove it, Alicia," George said edgily.
"Where?"
"Use your imagination."
"I think we should get to our rooms before our luck runs out," Lee suggested.
"That's the best idea I've heard all night. Good night." Alicia looked at her watch." Nope, I stand corrected. It's so late it's early. Good morning, boys."
Thankfully, they didn't have classes that day. Alicia trudged up stairs and silently entered her room.
"Come on, let's go to bed." Lee and George stood and climbed the staircase wearily.
Fred still knelt in front of the dying fire. He thought of throwing the parchment into the fireplace but at the same time he had a strange feeling that he ought to hold onto it for a while longer. He pocketed it and followed the other boys up stairs.
A/N: I knew the short chapters wouldn't last for long. I could have made it longer but I decided to leave it there. Old piece of parchment! How naïve they are! I had a little trouble writing the chapter. I even had to research on how the twins actually stole it. Ok, next chapter will see the prank pulled and the start of the Quidditch season and a little Oliver/Alicia. Actually it's pretty much just Alicia doing a bit of perving. Please tell me if you liked this chapter! I tried to make it more suspenseful!