Exploding Snap

A few weeks later, Bianca found herself studying in the library with Blaise. She felt as if they had been in there for hours, and no doubt her companion felt the same. But there was nothing for it – the shack had to be closed, and they had homework to do.

Finally, Blaise slammed his quill down and sighed heavily. "Bi."

"Yes," she asked, not looking up to see his fretting face.

"Why did you shut down the shack?"

She looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. He could be a bit bloody quieter when speaking to her about the shack! "What are you on about, Blaise?"

"Everyone's going bloody mad with boredom. We're all going to end up killing each other."

His auburn-haired girlfriend leaned in toward him. "I'm sorry, honey. The professors were getting suspicious and Flitwick spoke to me about it."

"You mean he knows?"

"What? Oh. No. He just wants me, as Head Girl, to find out where everyone's going."

"Oh," the dark young man said, sighing in relief. "Okay."

She shook her head, grinning, then winked at him. Back to that damn Potions essay!

Later in the Ravenclaw common room, two friends were playing exploding snap.

"Bloody hell," the first boy said in an aggravated tone. "I'm going crazy since they closed the shack."

Jokingly, his friend answered, "Going? I believe you already crossed that line."

"Ha ha. Shut up." He lightly slugged the other boy in the arm. The boy, laughing, hit him back. "Hey, don't hit me!"

"Well don't hit me!"

A punch war ensued and as the boys wrestled around they knocked into two sixth year boys.

"Hey watch it!" said one, pushing the first boy.

A seventh year boy appeared almost instantly. "Hey mate, don't push my brother."

The fight was like a snowball, growing with everyone it touched. Bianca and Tiger Lily walked in to see that their common room was a war zone and stopped. They gaped briefly, exchanged glances, then began laughing.

"Tiger we need to stop them!"

"Okay . . ."

They got composed and broke up the fight. The boys, shamefacedly, blamed boredom and informed Tiger Lily that she needed to reopen Kitty's Loveshack.

Smiling, she said, "I promise I will talk to Kat about getting something together."

"Okay . . ."

"Bi come on. We need to figure out something for everyone to do."

"I know. Everyone's going to kill each other if we don't."

"Right. So . . . any ideas?"

After pondering for a moment, Bianca snapped her fingers and grinned. "I got it."

"What? Tell me!"

"Well, Halloween is coming up, right?"

"Right. And?"

"Why not have a Halloween costume ball?"

"Bi, that's bloody brilliant!"

"I know." They giggled. "I've got to run this by James."

"Right. See you."

"Bye."

My Dearest James,

I must speak with you. I have a question that needs your immediate attention. Meet me in the Head Meeting Room in 10 minutes.

Love,

Bianca Weasley

James stared at the letter in awe. She needed his attention? That he could do. He soon arrived at the meeting room and threw the door open; he stepped inside, fighting to catch his breath.

Bianca cleared her throat and he looked up at her. She smiled, cocked an eyebrow, and blatantly looked at her watch.

"Impressive. Four and a half minutes. What'd you do? Run here?" He blushed fiercely and Bianca had to bite back a laugh.

She sauntered up to him and traced his strong jaw line until her finger was under his chin; she forced him to look up at her.

"Aw, did I embarrass you? I'm sorry."

She let herself smile mischievously as he turned an even deeper scarlet. She swayed back to the table and sat at its head, leaning leisurely back in her chair with her legs crossed. Her arms draped seductively over the arms of the chair while she looked thoughtfully at him.

James shook his head and cleared his throat. "So, you, uh, y-you wanted to speak with me?"

Bianca's expression abruptly became serious and she sat up; she folded her hands on the table. "Okay, we have a problem. I have a solution. And I need your help."

He took a seat next to her. "Okay, I'm all ears."

She grinned wickedly. "Yeah, you are. Okay, here's the deal: the students are getting restless and agitated. They're bored. I propose that we have a dance, perhaps a masquerade. But we have to agree, and then we have to talk to Dumbledore." She leaned in closer to him, her gaze penetrating. "So what do you think?"

Startled by the redhead's sudden close proximity, James was speechless.

"James!" He jumped. "Any thoughts?"

"I- uh- think that it's great. Let's go for it."

She smiled and sat back. "Brilliant, let's go talk to Dumbledore."

She rose from her seat and he followed suit, rushing ahead to open the door for her.

"Hold on. All that flirting, that was just a ploy to get what you wanted, wasn't it?"

She turned to him, smirking, and patted him on the head. "You're quick James, but . . . Just not quick enough."

"James, do you know the password?"

"No. I thought you did."

"He should consider installing a doorbell," Bianca muttered darkly.

"Huh?"

"Nothing." Shrugging, she rapped on the stone gargoyle, which almost immediately opened up.

Professor Dumbledore was smiling at them. "Ah, Miss Weasley, Mr. Longbottom. How may I be of service?"

"Professor, the students are going mad with boredom. They are all going to kill each other."

"I see," the headmaster said, nodding. "And do you have a solution to this problem?"

"We think so, sir," said James.

"Ah. Splendid. And what might that be?"

"A Halloween costume ball."

"Brilliant. I trust I can leave my head students to sort out the details?"

"Yes sir."

"And you'll fill me in later?"

"Yes sir."