The week following what the students dubbed, the incident, was filled with mayhem. Parents owled the headmaster requesting- no- demanding that their children be pulled out of school. Flitwick and McGonagall went around putting extra protective wards around the school, and Professor Sprout instructed the suits of armor to be on the lookout for any trouble. Nobody was able to go anywhere without being watched as the knights noisily clanked their way around following hoards of students.
Once Fred was all healed up, the professors gave him an earful about how irresponsible his actions were. All three boys- Harry, Fred and George- were assigned detention with Filch. However, no matter how angry McGonagall sounded, George could have sworn that there was a hint of pride in her features.
Although things were chaotic for a while, everyone settled down once it was announced that the stone was destroyed. People congratulated Fred as though he had personally destroyed it himself. Eventually, students even began to laugh about Fred's antics and marvelled at how crazy he was to pull off Quirrell's turban!
"I wouldn't have done it even if I thought something evil lurked under there," a hufflepuff admirer admitted.
While Fred enjoyed the attention and soaked up the praise like a sponge, he and George felt as though their job wasn't finished yet. Yes, this was a bonus for them, but their real aspirations lied within the unfinished potion.
After about a week of keeping their heads down, the twins decided it was time to check on their creation.
~.~
"Finally!" Fred exclaimed.
"Now all we need to do is add a bit of who we're turning into," George said with anticipation.
He clutched the vials that contained Dumbledore's and Fudge's hair. Now all they had to do was to wait for the right opportunity.
Fortunately, the chance didn't take long to arise.
That Saturday morning, the twins sat down to breakfast. Things had relatively calmed down since the incident and even the students that were pulled out of school were back. The Hufflepuffs were playing miniature Gobstones at the table, the Ravenclaws were back to their old debates and discussions. The Slytherins were glaring at the Gryffindors and vice versa. It was all too mundane for Fred and George.
"Attention everyone!" Dumbledore announced.
The twins perked up at this because it was rare for the headmaster to make announcements. This either meant that he was going to forbid the students from going into a certain area (George smirked internally), or…
"I'm going to be out of the castle tomorrow. My brother has fallen ill and I need to tend to his needs. I bid you to treat Professor McGonagall with respect as she will be taking the place as temporary headmistress," he paused and looked pointedly down at the Slytherins and Gryffindors, "That is all."
The chatter resumed as if nothing had happened, yet the twins shot each other looks of glee. This was the perfect chance to carry out their plan since school was ending in a few weeks. Seamus cleared his throat from across the table and stared at the twins, a questioning glance in his eyes.
Fred nodded to him as if to say "Yes, we're doing it now!"
Seamus then grinned and tapped his wrist watch, which the twins knew was the signal for meeting in the bathroom in ten minutes.
~.~
Seamus was already in the loo when the twins stepped in. The first thing that anyone did was jump with joy. Myrtle looked on in confusion but seemed amused all the same.
"I can't believe how perfect this is! Dumbledore's gonna be gone for a whole day!" Seamus yelled.
The boys screamed some more and began to belly bump each other. Fred started doing some weird chant and dance around the potion that was kept fresh in a stasis spell. George and Seamus quickly joined him in their euphoria.
All movement stopped when the door opened to reveal a young Hufflepuff girl. The boys froze to stare at her. She stared back.
It was really awkward for a few moments as the boys had piled their robes on top of their heads and were positioned like gorillas around the potion.
The girl slowly backed out of the room without taking her eyes off of them.
The boys stayed still for a few more seconds before bursting out in laughter.
"I didn't know anybody actually used this bathroom," Seamus said through his snorts, "We're lucky no one messed with this before," he finished while gesturing to the potion.
~.~
~.~