For the Hogwarts Gardens on the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Forum.
Alicia was sprawled across the couch, her legs dangling over the side. With her eyes fluttering to a close, she felt as though she might have been able to doze off to the sound of Angelina and Katie bickering over the Holyhead Harpies' most recent tactics. Then it happened. The Fat Lady's bellows entered the common room. Fred and George tumbled through the hole in the wall, only adding to the noise.
Alicia's eyes opened slowly, finally resting in a narrow slit as she turned to glare at the intrusion. It only took a moment for her to realise that the two were bickering about the same thing they always were. And that one thing was one Percival Weasley. This time, it seemed as though he had interrupted their latest endeavours, apparently involving Lavender Brown and a Nose-Biting Teacup.
"Come on, guys," whined Alicia. "He's just doing his job."
"Yeah, yeah." Fred gave a dismissive wave. "Perfect prefect Percy. That doesn't mean he has to be such a prat."
"He threatened to write to our mum!"
"Sounded just like Malfoy when he did it, though."
George pitched his voice up an octave. "Just you wait till our mother hears about this."
"Miserable bastard."
"Said he'd have us in detention for a week if he caught us again!"
"Well, maybe you'd deserve it."
In a flash, all the good will in the room disappeared. Fred and George's, albeit tight, smiles vanished completely. Even Angelina and Katie looked surprised, although Alicia could tell that they were trying their best not to show it.
"Wha-?"
"Alrighty then." George, his brow knitted together in confusion, clamped a hand on his brother's shoulder and pushed him gently forwards. "We'll just be going upstairs."
It must have been a strong grip because even when Fred began to protest under his breath, George continued to steadily direct him towards the stairs.
They had barely rounded the corner of the boys' staircase when Angelina and Katie shuffled closer to Alicia, both staring wide-eyed at her.
"What was that?" Angelina asked, her eyebrows raised.
"What was what?"
"That."
"Nothing!"
"I think I'll call it the Great Defence of Percy Weasley."
"You will not."
Katie laughed. "I don't know, Alicia. I think it has a nice ring to it."
"I'm not defending him," said Alicia hotly. She shifted her position on the couch, sitting up and folding her legs underneath her. "I'm just pointing out the obvious. He's doing his job. Honestly, I don't know what the twins expect him to do. Turn a blind eye just because they're brothers?"
"They're just venting."
"And besides," Katie added, "their pranks are harmless. It wouldn't kill Percy to cut them a little slack."
"Well, I mean…" Alicia trailed off, suddenly hesitant. "Sometimes they get a bit carried away, don't they? I don't think someone reining them in is such a bad thing."
"Alicia."
"What?!" she exclaimed. "You cried for a week when they turned your hair green."
"Did not."
"Oh, you absolutely did," said Katie, grinning wide at the memory. Then with a wink at Alicia, she added, "Angie was softer back then, wasn't she? Always crying..."
"I was not!"
"Oh, I think she was…"
"This isn't about me!" cried Angelina, flinging her hands in the air in frustration. "This is about Alicia and the Great Defence of—"
As if on cue, the Fat Lady's portrait swung open, and the man of the hour stepped through. Seemingly unaware of the girls' eyes on him and without even a hello, Percy Weasley strode confidently through the common room and up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.
"Unbelievable."
Alicia gave Angelina a hesitant look. "What?"
"I just can't believe he ignored you," Angelina responded, a wicked grin on her face. "You'd think he'd have more respect for his knight in shining armour."
"I'm not his—"
"Do you think he'll ever know about his great defender?" Angelina cooed. "Maybe someone should tell—"
Alicia grabbed Angelina's hand, pulling her back firmly. As Angelina stumbled to the ground, the three girls couldn't help but burst into laughter. For now, the Great Defence of Percy Weasley was laid to bed. But Alicia was certain that this was not the last she'd be hearing of it. Not by a long shot.
