"Who is it?" Hermione asked.
George shrugged. "Alicia Spinnet."
"Oh. Okay." I said, walking towards the great hall. "We'll do her a favor then and make you taste test for Ron."m
"... But am I going to die?" Ron asked.
We all groaned.
I flipped the page in my potions textbook, writing down the information I needed. The common room was quite silent, other than the crackling of the fire and the breathing of the few people in the room. Who consisted of Ron, Hermione, one small third year and me.
Ever since McGonagall had let slip that tiny tidbit of information concerning danger to Ron's life, he had forced us to take turns as his guard. At the moment, everyone else was at lunch while Hermione and I watched him in the common room and tested the food the house elves brought.
Hermione'a wrist swirled carelessly through the air. "This one's clear, too." She said, passing the platter of food to him. It was really rather boring, sitting her in the silent common room, testing all of his food for any potential killers.
"Are you sure? It looks a little orange-"
"Ronald, just eat the damn food!" I yelled, snapping my textbook shut. Sanding up and tucking it into my bag, I rubbed my temples. "You're fine. McGonagall was just being the dramatic mother hen she is and you don't need to worry. So stop this madness, and get over yourself!" With that I stalked from the room and into the empty hallways.
I wound through the school until I had finally made it to the Great Hall. I was instantly greeted with the wonderful roar of chatter and clinking. I breathed in deeply the smell of food and made my way towards my usual spot. Only to find upon my arrival it filled with boxes and things.
I quirked an eyebrow at the three boys surrounding said mess. "What is this?" I asked.
"Oh!" George said, looking up as they noticed me. Lee only blinked slowly before returning to his- very obscure- task of twirling wires.
"Rita! But I thought you were on Ron Guard?" Fred asked, trying to clear a space. I'll give him credit for trying, at least, but nothing was going to fix this mess.
"It's okay, just leave it. I'll sit on the other side of the table." I said, grabbing his hand and stopping him. "I got sick of the quiet and testing so I left. He'll be fine."
Fred agreed and George nodded.
"Indeed."
Now that that was covered, I swung my bag off my shoulder and onto the bench on the other side. The whole 'I'll carry your bag' escapade had only lasted about a day and a half, two if I was pushing the truth a bit. It didn't bother me, though, so it was alright.
I pushed aside some of the prank stuff- for that's clearly what it was now that I got a better look- and sat on the table. Fred gave me a weird look.
"What are you-"
I spun around on my butt so my back was facing him and placed my feet over the opposite edge of the table, edging off and onto the bench.
Once I got settled correctly, I looked up to three confused and disgruntled faces.
I shrugged. "What? It was so much easier and faster than walking all the way around the table." I started filling myself a plate, avoiding anything with meat. I wasn't in the mood for it today, and the smell alone was starting to make me feel a bit icky. Or irritated. Or both. "So, whatcha working on?" I asked.
All three boys then launched into long, detailed explanations of what they were doing while I tried to keep up.
"Ookaaay... Cool? I think." I said when they had finished. "Does anyone wanna help me tie Ron up and hide him somewhere until he accepts the fact that he's not going to die?"
"No thanks." All three chorused. I groaned and let my head fall on the table.
"'I'm going to die' this, and 'I'm going to die' that. Bloody hell, yeah, he's gonna die- at my hand." I grumbled. George laughed as Fred patted my head.
"He'll shut up soon." George said.
"Yes. Because I'm going to suffocate him."
"I think you just need a break, Ree." Lee said.
I sighed. "Don't call me that. It's annoying." Lee laughed.
"Actually... That's not a bad idea." Fred said.
"Call me Ree and I will drown you." I said.
He blanched a bit, causing the other two to start laughing again.
"No, I mean taking a break. Who's up for a trip to Hogsmeade?" Fred asked. I groaned.
"I'm up for a nap."
"You sound like an eighty year old." George said.
"Yeah, where's the Rita we used to know?" Lee prodded.
"She's still having fun out in the Black Lake before McGonagall ruined her peace." I responded.
Fred frowned at me. "Why don't you go take a nap if you're so tired?"
"Because then Ronald The Cry Baby will throw a fit and send Hermione after me or even worse, Ginny. She gets so irritated with him that she will literally drag me down the stairs."
"Why does Ron need so much protection?" Lee asked.
I sat up. "McGonagall said something about possible death scenarios to him and now he's convinced he's going to die, and apparently he thinks Hermione and I are his best chance at survival? I don't know. But he makes us check his dorm for danger every night before he goes to bed, and it's really annoying. And smelly." I sighed, scrunching up my nose at the memory of stinky socks and dirty boys.
"You could take a nap in our dorm." Feed offered. "It's not nearly as gross as Ron's, trust me. And then we could stand guard so no one wakes you up."
"Hmm" I thought about it. "Sounds good to me."