Chapter 17- Hallows Eve
"Ed! Hurry up; we're gonna be late!" Harry called from the top of the dorm stairs, "You too, Ron!"
"Coming," both answered, hurrying over.
The three met Hermione in the common room and then rushed down to the Great Hall for the Halloween Feast. When they arrived, they found the food already on the tables and hastened to join the extravagant meal.
Halfway through his slice of pumpkin pie, Ron tapped Ed on the shoulder, signaling for him to be quiet and motioning toward his brothers a few chairs down, who were dumping the contents of a large flask into Neville's goblet.
"What is it?" he whispered, feeling mischief in the air.
"Fire whiskey. Fred and George convinced some drunken bastard to buy them some at the leaky cauldron. They've been saving it for a special occasion such as this," Ron supplied, tapping Harry on the shoulder and gaining his attention.
"He'll be happy tonight, but come the morning…" Harry chuckled and shook his head, "Poor Neville."
"What's wrong with Neville?" Hermione asked, catching Harry's last words.
"Nothing, I'm sure he's fine," Ron cut in, getting up and heading toward his kin.
He returned a few minutes later with the flask, which was about half full. While Hermione was talking with Ginny, he sneaked a shot into his, Harry's, and Ed's goblets. He then gave it back to the twins and sat down in anticipation for his treat.
"How'd you convince them to give you some?" Harry asked in excitement and wonder, taking a sip to test it out.
"Easy, I told them I'd snitch if they didn't," Ron replied nonchalantly.
"Uh…I'm not much of a drinker…" Ed voiced, staring into his cup, "Is it strong?"
"That depends on the man," Ron told him after draining his and chuckling at his own mirth.
"It's got a bit of a kick to it," Harry announced after following suite, his words slightly slurred.
"Alright then," Ed decided.
He took a sip, despite his better judgment and choked as the fiery liquid burned his throat. After this, better judgment won and he tipped the rest into Ron's cup, eyes watering.
"Thanks, mate! I owe you one, big time!" his friend exclaimed, a tad louder that needed, and finished it off.
He chuckled and hiccupped as he set his glass down, a red hue coming into his cheeks.
"Ed, it's about time to…" Hermione started, then noticing Ron's stupor, "Ron? Are you okay?"
"'Bout as fine as a ruttin' dragon durin' matin' season," Ron replied, grinning widely and peering at Hermione as if she was the mate.
"What the bloody…?" Hermione cursed, leaning in to Ron and taking a sniff, "I knew it! You're drunk!"
"I ain't not drunk," Ron protested, "'Arry's th' one who can't never 'old his licker!"
"Says who?" Harry challenged, blinking repeatedly to keep coherency.
"I can't believe you two! If any of the teachers find out about this you'll be expelled for sure!" Hermione exploded, "Ed, you didn't as well—?"
"Nope, I'm sober, promise," Ed replied with a grin.
"Then what is so funny! That's it, you two are coming with me! Ed, you'd better make this detention, or so help you—!"
"Okay, okay, I understand," Ed agreed, trying not to smile, "But perhaps you should help Neville as well…"
All three immediately redirected their attention toward Neville, who, as if on cue, fell out of his chair, unconscious. Fred and George burst into laughter and presently gained Hermione's wrath.
"You two! Did you do this!" she demanded, grabbing an earlobe on each and tugging relentlessly.
"No worries, she-devil!" one squealed.
"We know a sobering charm," the other finished.
"Then you're coming as well. Hurry and pick up Neville. Ed, I'll be coming to make sure you get to detention as soon as I get these idiots sorted out," she declared, dragging off the four boys, the unconscious one hanging over Fred's shoulder.
Edward chuckled as she left, getting up and deciding to cut his friend a break, for once.
A/n- this scenario was too funny to pass up. So…what'd you think? Hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)