The week passed quickly in the run up to Halloween, and as the other 5 grew more excited, Kathy grew more withdrawn, until, on the actual day she was nowhere to be found. When the girls woke in the morning, and found Kathy's bed empty, they didn't think much of it, and expected to see her at Breakfast, however by the time the 5 of them had got down there, Kathy was still missing.
"Where do you think she is?" Lee asked, Kathy was not one for missing meals, or for getting up early.
"Not a clue, but I'm sure she'll be in Charms next." Alicia replied. Ange said nothing, and surprisingly neither did the twins, but the all trailed to the charms classroom.
"She's not here." Fred said, stating the obvious.
"I hope she's ok." Ange said, worrying about her absentee friend.
When Kathy didn't show for Potions, they were all starting to worry, especially as none of the teachers asked where she was.
"I'm going to the hospital wing." Lee announced at break, "I can't think where else she could be."
Kathy wasn't in the hospital wing, nor did she show up for Herbology or history. By lunch time they had decided to ask McGonagall or Dumbledore where she was, but were surprised to find neither of them were present either. Subdued they went about their last two lessons of the day, finding it hard to even think about the prank they were playing on Snape.
Upon entering the hall for the Halloween feast, they were amazed to see Kathy's shock of red hair sat up at the top of the table.
"Where've you been?" Lee asked, "we've been looking for you all day!"
"Yeah, you've missed so many classes you'll be in detention until Christmas!" Alicia added.
"No I wont," Kathy said, looking up at them with slightly red eyes. "They understand that on Halloween Uncle Alb and Aunt Minnie take me to see my parents."
Silence fell as the group digested this, Lee very nearly asking how before realising she meant their grave.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Ange asked.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think." Kathy apologised, "I guess I'm just used to going, I forget you lot don't know."
"Well, at least you haven't missed the feast!" George winked, relaxing the tension of the moment.
"I've been waiting all day. I even managed to behave in potions knowing he was going to get his what for." Fred grinned.
Kathy laughed, "I think you may all be surprised. Oh look at the food."
The other five looked at one another, and spent the next 20 minutes trying to persuade Kathy to tell them what she meant, but Kathy wouldn't budge. Charlie and Percy were watching them all very closely, they knew something was amiss, just weren't sure what it was yet.
"BANG!" An explosion went off under the potion masters chair, the smell giving a tell tale sign that dung bombs were the cause. Albus stood up and cleaned the area, staff jumping about trying to get away from the smell. When Snape finally stood up, the hall roared with laughter. He was dressed from head to toe in pink, going as far as putting a pink bow in his hair.
" !" Snape roared, moving in their direction, and tripping over his now lacy robe.
Kathy and the twins looked at each other, a picture of innocence and bewilderment, before Snape arrived and grabbed the scruff of Fred and Kathy's robes.
"Now Severus, calm down." Kathy heard her uncle say, "How were they supposed to have been responsible for this? It takes a good deal of skill to manipulate a dung bomb, and how would they have got it up to your chair without you noticing?"
"She went invisible. I know she did. DON'T LIE TO ME GIRL."
"Unhand her this instant." Minerva had joined the fray, the teachers seemingly forgetting all the other students present. "She was sat in full view of the table for the whole meal, and since 6 am this morning has been with Albus and I. When was she supposed to plant this?"
"Well she's taught her cohorts to go invisible then." Snape roared.
"Really Severus, calm down." Albus said, "You know as well as I that very few students can get past the wards at the teachers table. Kathy only can because we altered it so she can sit with us in holidays. We cannot prove guilt, and I find it highly unlikely that 3 first years could have done it."
"She's getting back at me for the potions class!"
"Severus. Calm. Down. I will not say it again. We should get back to the feast. Let Mister Weasley and Kathy go. Now." The headmasters tone was final, and got through to the furious potions master.
"Mark my words Potter. I will find out what you did, and when I do you will be punished." With that he swept from the hall, ignoring the laughter of the students. Albus and Minerva looked at Kathy, and then returned to their meal.
In the common room that night, Kathy found herself being cornered by Charlie. "I know you had something to do with that, and that Fred and George were involved. I don't want to know how, but well done to you all. I'm glad I was here to see the day Snape got what was coming to him by first years!"
The other Gryffindor's, on hearing Charlie, all took turns in congratulating the 6 first years, well all but 3. Percy was disgusted at the way everyone was treating blatant rule breakers, and Stimpson and Towler, though impressed, would not show it.
"What I don't get is how?" Oliver Wood, a third year student asked.
The first years shared a glance before responding, "A good prankster never tells his secrets."
Oliver laughed good naturedly at this, "Well I raise my hat to you all, or I would if I were actually wearing one. I will be interested to see what else you get up to in the next few years."
A/N - I apologise for the massive delay, I have been writing my original fiction and have a new work schedule. Real life has also got a lot busier this last year, and looks to remain this way for the foreseeable future (planning weddings, finding somewhere to live, looking for a new job) so although I have no intention of abandoning this story, I can't guarantee regular updates...I am sorry about this, but as this is something I do in my free time it stands to reason as the less free time I have the longer it will take to post.