A Snake Deserves No Pity

Chapter Three:

"Chaos, panic, pandemonium – our work here is done." Fred smiled brightly, a friendly arm draped around George's shoulder as the class went wild: guys yelling and girls screaming while half a dozen spiders the size of dinner plates scurried around the room, occasionally exploding into bright colours that spelled out rather rude words, and then once again becoming spiders.

The professor tried to get rid of the spiders, but it only resulted in worse words and insults. In all of the madness nobody but the twins noticed the door opening and a first year boy stepping in, looking completely terrified. "Aww, ickle firsty!" Fred grinned, as both twins went over to him.

The boy looked at them; he couldn't have been more scared. "Erm, c-could you help m-me out, I-I have a m-message for the p-professor." he stuttered.

George grinned at him mischievously. "I'd like to help you out. Which way did you come in?"

Both Weasley's laughed as the boy's face turned red. Luckily for him, Angelina decided to show up at that moment. "Fred, George! Get rid of those spiders, NOW!"

They raised their eyebrows. "What makes you think it was us?" They asked.

"Who the hell else would it be!" She then caught sight of the first year, who looked close to wetting himself. Angelina's face softened. "Do you need help?" she asked kindly.

"Hey, how come you aren't that nice to us?" George pouted, bottom lip stuck out. The effect was ruined by a slight grin.

Ignoring him, Angelina took the boy over to the teacher. Distracted from the spiders for a moment, the teacher spoke to the boy. Whatever it was about the twins didn't hear, seeing as people were making too much noise. "You would have expected they'd have settled down by now." Fred said, shaking his head. He watched as Alicia jumped onto a table and threw a book at one of the spiders, but missed. "How on Earth did she ever make it as chaser?"

The boy left a few minutes later and soon the professor's gaze fell upon the twins. "You two, fix this mess you've made!"

Glancing at each other, both twins shared a shrug, and transformed three chairs into very large cats: one black and white, one ginger and one smoky grey. The grey one ran at the spider Alicia was throwing books at, sending the spider running. The other two cats also went to work, destroying the classroom even more in their wake.

"Weasley's! Two wrongs don't make a right!" Their professor was yelling furiously.

Fred gave him a fake confused look. "If two wrongs don't make a right, then why do two negatives make a positive?"

Growling in frustration the professor shouted at them to get rid of the animals. With loud sighs George turned the cats back into chairs, and Fred jumped up onto a desk and shouted, "Adduco." All of the spiders scuttled over to him. With a wave of his wand they were gone.

Everyone seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

"OK," Their professor said, sounding tried. "class dismissed." He didn't bother to give the twins detention, they'd ruined his morning, he didn't want them doing the same to his evening.

"Well, see you later Fred." George called, patting his brother on the back as they left the classroom.

Fred gave him a confused look. "It's lunch, where are you going?"

"Meet Katie." George grinned as he walked backwards, so he was still able to talk to Fred while he walked down the corridor. "See you in DADA!" he called, disappearing around the corner.

Fred frowned, 'What can I do now?' He thought. George was off with Katie, and he had no idea where Lee had wondered off to. Shrugging to himself, Fred set off on a walk. He would probably come across someone he could hang out with.

"If I want your opinion, Weasel, I'll ask you to fill out the necessary forms." Ah, Fred couldn't not know that voice. What was the chance, out of the whole of Hogwarts, his brother, his brother's friends, and Malfoy only happened to be three corridor's away.

"Hello." He grinned brightly, walking over to them. They all looked, and for once Malfoy didn't sneer at the sight of him. However, he didn't exactly look overjoyed either. 'Well,' Fred thought to himself, 'a slight improvement.' He stopped when he was standing between Ron and Harry. "What's going on?"

"What do you think?" Ron said, glaring at Malfoy.

Fred heaved a sigh. "Listen, Malferret, if you're just going to insult my family, beat it. If you're gonna insult Harry or Hermione's family, beat it. If not, would you care for a sweet?"

Malfoy snorted. "Like I'd ever be dumb enough to take something from you." With a shake of his head, Malfoy turned on his heel and left, not bothering to insult the trio once the twin had arrived.

"I don't think Malfoy liked that." Harry snickered.

Fred nodded, cracking a grin of his own. "Well, like I always say Harry, if you don't like the way I fly, get off the pitch."

The trio laughed and the four moved on down the corridor. "So where's George?" Hermione asked, as it was very unusual to see them apart.

"With Katie Bell." Fred replied, a sly grin on his face.

"Get your head out of the gutter, Fred." Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"What?" Fred asked, giving her a strange look.

"It's a Muggle saying." Harry explained. "Don't worry about it."

Fred shrugged it off. "So, where are you three headed? Out to catch murders, kill Basilisks, fight You-Know-Who? You know, the usual?"

Ron snorted. "I wish, but no, we're doing something much worse mate. We're going to see McGonagall."

Hermione opened her mouth to reply, but stopped as Fred abruptly stopped walking. "Well, you have fun doing that. No way am I spending my free time with a professor. See ya." And with a wave, Fred left them to it, hearing Ron and Hermione begin to bicker in the background.

He set off back the way he came, taking a staircase down to the lower floor, where he once again saw white-blond hair. Fred grinned. "Following me Malfoy? People will talk. Say, how did you know the answer to the riddle?"

Surprised by the sudden voice Malfoy jumped ever so slightly and turned quickly to see Fred. "What?"

"Riddle." Fred repeated.

Malfoy snorted. "Please, it was hardly difficult if a Muggle could come up with it."

Fred shook his head, looking amused. "You were having trouble with Impervius, yet can do that harder riddle over night. Just how long did it take you anyway?"

For a few seconds Malfoy seemed to be debating answering, but finally shrugged. "About an hour." He said simply.

"Go on then, tell us how." Fred grinned as he began walking down the hallway, Malfoy following somewhat reluctantly. Reminding himself Fred never asked him to follow, Malfoy mentally kicked himself, 'What am I doing, being civil with a Weasley?' Banishing those thoughts for now, Malfoy focused on his question.

"Well, you start with the clues, it's good if you make a table for each category Einstein gives, for example nationality, house colour and so on, then from the clues you can pick out bits to fit into the blank parts of the table. Like number nine says that the Norwegian lives in the first house, but that could be either left or right. I just went with right, and so that also answers the clue number fourteen, as it says the Norwegian lives next door to the blue house, and he only had one next door. You can work out that the green house is the fourth one, as it could be a possibility of two, three, or four. It couldn't be the third as that's the house were the owner drinks milk. To work it out between the third and fourth house was simple, as it states in clue five that the owner of the green house drinks coffee, where as the owner of the house next door drinks milk, so that's the only place left for the green house to be. From the information gathered you can also work out that the fifth house is the white one. Soon that's three more boxes filled in. Furthermore clue one says the British man lives in the red house, and the third house is the only one that has neither colour nor nationality specified yet, so we can fill in those two boxes. This also gives us the colour of the first house, since only yellow is left. Yellow smokes Dunhill (clue number seven), so we get that too. Clue eleven says that the person next to the Dunhill smoker has horses. The person who smocks Blends has a water-drinker to either side according to clue fifteen, which means it has to be either the first or second house. Since he also lives next to cats (clue ten), and horses are in the second house- so he has to be in the second, and cats have to be in the first, along with a water drinker. Clue twelve says that the Blue Master smoker drinks beer, however there are two spaces open. This, however, answers itself as one of the two houses, the second, the person in there smokes Blends. That means only the fifth house is left. Once aging after that it is obvious the Danish man lives in the second house as he drinks tea and smokes Blends, plus the fact that it's the last one with the drinks spaces. Now of what's left, only the fourth house has room for nationality and cigar type, which lands the German who smokes Prince in there. That also leaves only the Swedish man to inhabit the fifth house, and we know that the Swede owns dogs as it says in clue two. All that is left now is three answers to fill, the cigar and pet of the British man, and the pet of the German. Clue six says the Pall Mall smoker has birds, so that fills in both for the British man. Now you have the answer, as there is only one space left, the German's pet. The Norwegian has cats, Danish horses, British birds, Swedish dogs, and so the German man has the fish."

Fred had stopped walking about halfway through that, trying to get his brain around it. "Oh, erm, OK. If you say so."

Malfoy gave him an amused look. "It would be easier for me to explain it to you if I had a table."

"Yeah, just a bit." Fred said, matching his amusement. "I still don't see how anyone could get that, in one night too!"

Malfoy shrugged and the started walking again. "The riddle itself isn't that difficult, its how its set out that puts you off. It looks so complicated that you just think you can't do it, and so you don't even try. Once you get going however it all unravels itself rather quickly."

Fred nodded (for that was what he had done) and they lapsed into a semi-comfortable silence. Walking threw the empty corridor's (as everyone was at lunch) Fred often looked at the other boy out of the corner of his eye, trying not to make it to obvious. "You know Malfoy," He finally broke the silence a few minutes later, the blond looked at him. "It's nice like this don't you think? Just having conversations, not jumping down each others throats constantly."

"I suppose." Malfoy said with a slow nod.

"Come on, don't you get fed up with all of this stupid rivalry and name calling?" Fred asked with a raised eyebrow, looking at him with a small smile.

"It's a good time waster, when I'm bored." Malfoy said, cracking a grin.

Fred snorted and shook his head, smile growing a little. They reached the Entrance Hall, but neither felt like eating, and so they stepped outside, walking off towards the greenhouses. Fred watched the grass as he walked by, searching for a new topic. "So, Draco, what do you wanna do after school?"

If he'd noticed the use of his first name, the blond didn't mention it. "I just sent in an application to be God."

Letting out a laugh Fred once again looked at him, taking in the soft, longish white-blond hair and clear grey eyes. They no longer looked so stormy or hard, they seemed to shimmer silver, setting off his to pale skin, like in the Great Hall a few days ago. 'The job would suite you. …Damn, that was corny, I'm turning into Ron!'

"Really though. What have you been thinking about?" Fred asked. "You've got to talk about it soon anyway, with Snape for you I guess." The Slytherin looked away, over to the Forbidden Forest. "Draco?"

He turned to look at Fred, meeting his eyes. They'd lost that silver spark. The younger boy shrugged. "Well, I haven't really got that much choice have I? The Dark Lord is back, I'm a Malfoy, work it out."

With a sickening squeeze in his chest Fred realised what he was saying straight away. Being here, at Hogwarts, he'd forgotten about Voldemort, the Order, the war. Walking along with Draco he'd forgotten that they fought on opposite sides, that the boy's father was a Death Eater.

Fred was really regretting changing the subject now. "Y-yeah, I guess." He muttered, eyes downcast. "But you don't have to. You don't have to become a Death Eater. You could join the light side, or even stay neutral." he said hopefully.

Draco shook his head. "I couldn't work for the Light, how could I go against my own family? And well, as for neutral, I doubt the Dark Lord would let me."

Swallowing a lump in his throat, Fred rung his hands together. "What have your parents said about it, about you and the soon-to-be war?"

The blonde began kicking a stone along in front of him, trying to concentrate on that and not Fred. "I don't think my mother wants me joining, she's worried for me. My father says that the choice is mine, but I shouldn't worry myself thinking about it until after I graduate."

With the feeling of bile rising up in his throat, Fred also tried not to think about it. He didn't want to have to fight Draco, especially after these last few days. Granted, Fred still didn't really know him, and he was obviously still insulting his brother as demonstrated earlier, but Fred was sure that if he was able to get to know the blond better, then maybe things would be different.

Having decided this, Fred nodded to himself. War or not, he'd at least become friends with the youngest Malfoy, he'd make damn sure of it. Once a Weasley twin made up his mind, there was no stopping him. Mind set, both lapsed into silence as they continued to walk, the still air only broken by their footsteps along the ground and the odd song of a bird in the forest.

000

Over the next week Fred would make up excuses to his brother and friends, slipping away and spending time with Draco. The more Fred was with the Slytherin, the longer it took before he could leave him to go back to his normal daily life.

George seemed to have noticed Fred's absence the most, but luckily for Fred his twin had begun to spend more time with Katie, and so Fred usually chose that time to meet up with the Slythrin.

Even after a week Fred wasn't to sure that Draco saw him as a friend, more as an acquaintance. That was something the redhead could live with for now, however. Given time, he was sure Draco would let down his guards slightly and when he did, Fred would be there waiting.

As for himself, Fred was enjoying the younger boy's presence more and more each day. There were a few odd insults between them, but they were light and could easily be laughed off ten minutes later. That however, still didn't stop the fighting between the Gryffindor trio and Draco. Though it annoyed him slightly, Fred accepted the fact that the youngest Malfoy would not, and could not, change over night. It was just in his personality.

Neither had spoken of their future outside of school again, content to forget about it, and instead live out the present as it now is.

Currently, both twins were walking through the corridors on there way to lunch. It was a Saturday afternoon and most people were outside, enjoying the last of the sun as the months would soon turn cold. It was early October and both twins were going over some planning permissions for Number 93, Diagon Alley. Due to having their heads stuck in paper work as they walked, they had already managed to walk into a few walls, and each had a few bruises on their foreheads as proof.

Reaching the Great Hall they took seats. Only five other Gyrffindors were at the table, two third year girls and three sixth year boys. Sitting a distance from them the twins continued there work as they piled some food onto their plates; only taking occasional bites. "I hate all this legal rubbish." George sighed, glancing over a long set of questions. "Too much like work."

Fred nodded in agreement and glanced down the table. Two of the sixth years were sending them glances. It was a well known fact that if the Weasley twins were huddled together and keeping away from everyone, something bad was bound to happen. 'Well, not this time.' Fred thought lazily, noticing that George had spotted them too. Fred gave his brother a grin. "Keep smiling George – it makes everyone wonder what we're up to."

With a little snigger both twins returned to there task. They spent the next twenty minutes on it, until more people began to come in for lunch. As the Hall began to fill up, Fred folded the paper work and slipped it into his pocket. As soon as it was out of sight, Angelina, Alicia, Lee and Katie came in and took seats: Angelina next to Fred, Katie next to George, with Lee and Alicia opposite.

"Hey, what are you two up to?" Katie asked, filling up her plate.

"Planning world domination." Fred answered, no hint of joke in his voice.

Alicia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, two seventeen-year-olds, good luck with that."

"Ha! We don't need luck." George cheered, attracting some brief attention from other students.

"You're such a bad example to the younger kids." Angelina scolded lightly, a small grin on her face.

"It was decided long ago that our sole purpose in life is to serve as a bad example." Fred told her happily.

"I don't doubt that." Lee snorted.

"And you shouldn't." George replied, taking a piece of food from Katie's plate.

"Hey, you've got your own." Katie said, knocking George's hand away.

"Hogsmead next week." Angelina said, glancing at Fred, ignoring George and Katie.

"Uh-huh." Fred agreed, pretending not to have seen the look she sent him. He was suddenly very focused on his food.

"So…are you going with George?" Angelina continued.

More determined than ever to watch his food, Fred gave a little shrug. "I guess. Why, who are you going with?" he asked, deciding the best course of action was to play dumb.

Getting slightly frustrated, Angelina thought of a new way to get him to ask her. "Well, no one so far. Could I perhaps hang around with you?"

"Oh," Fred said, er, squeaked, much to his embarrassment. He cleared his throat. "Sure." he said, his voice once again normal. It wasn't that Fred didn't like her; he really did, but as a friend. Still, he wasn't to sure why he had to start acting like this now, he did go to the Yule Ball last year with her after all. It was Draco's fault he finally decided, he was fine until he came into the picture… Well, the fact that he's gay may have something to do with it also… but it's mostly Draco's fault.

Thankfully for Fred, Angelina seemed to be content with this answer and went back to her lunch. Sparing a glance at George, Fred found himself wondering not for the first time if today was a good time for him to tell him he preferred guys. It was something which he didn't like keeping from George, but he'd never had the nerve to tell him. At first, Fred had been embarrassed by the fact, then a little ashamed, now however, he'd come to except it as just being who he is. Still, whether it was out of habit after so long or something else, Fred had not told anyone.

"C'mon Gred." George's voice cut through his musings. "We need to do some more work on those fireworks." Without waiting for a response George grabbed his twins arm and pulled him up.

"Hold up Forge!" Fred called, reaching out for one last piece of toast as he was dragged away. He got it just in time.

They were out in the Entrance Hall, Fred stuffing the whole slice of toast in his mouth in one go when a big ball of frizzy brown hair came bobbing over. "Oh good, Fred, George." Hermione smiled. "I've just been looking for you."

"For us?" George asked with one eyebrow raised. "And what for?"

"Finy sid'd t' pwan s'on?" Fred asked, mouth full.

Hermione shot him a disgusted look. "I beg your pardon?"

With a rather large and difficult swallow Fred finished eating his toast. "I said, finely decided to prank someone?"

"Hardly." Hermione said stiffly. "I'm here about Defence Against the Dark Arts, or rather, lack of."

This got the twins attention and they stayed quiet for once, letting the younger girl speak with no interruption.

"I'm sure that no one in the school feels that she is doing an adequate job, therefore Ron and I came up with an idea. We've spoken to Harry and he's agreed. We've decided to take our own action, and so were starting up our own Defence lessons, with Harry as our teacher. If you're interested, there will be a meeting in the Hog's Head Saturday. Spread the word to people you trust, we don't want everyone to know however."

"Ron actually had a part in thinking this up?" Was Fred's shocked response, blinking slowly.

"And Hermione the prefect is going behind a teachers back?" George added, equally shocked.

Hermione flushed a light shade of pink, but the twins gave her matching grins. "We'll be there." They said together.

"We'll tell Lee, too." Fred added.

Hermione nodded. "Well, good day." With that, she set off into the Great Hall.

Once again the twins headed up the staircases and through corridors to their common room. They gave the password to the Fat Lady and stepped in, fireworks on their minds.

TBC