Author's Note:
Hello my lovelies! Thanks to all of you who have reviewed my last chapter, I sincerely appreciate it. As to the question I asked about the letters between Snape and Harry—it seemed that there was an interest for a chapter with the letters back and forth. I plan to write that chapter—but later on in the story.
This story, as you already may have noticed, is written with multiple story lines. As it goes on, the storylines begin to intertwine (as most stories often do). This particular chapter has two parts to it. This is actually the 'future' part, if you will, of the two chapters. Because the next part of the chapter actually goes BACK in time to earlier that day.
The thing is, I originally wrote the 'first' part (which is really the second) before the 'second' (which is really the first). If you notice in the beginning of this chapter, it starts off with Snape going to lunch. Originally I was going to write it going to breakfast, to coincide with the previous chapter. The only problem with that is that I didn't have anywhere to put the second half of this chapter if I set THIS chapter in the morning. So! This chapter is set in the afternoon, and the chapter following this one will be set in the morning. I hope you followed all of that!
These two parts were actually written a long time ago…I have changed them slightly while typing them up, to match the rest of the altered story, but for the most part, they're the same. In as much, this happens to be one of my more favourite chapters (along with the other one) due to the interaction between characters and some of the key dialogue. We're getting closer to the big mystery. We have this "weird connection" thing going on between Draco and Hermione…and, obviously, who the hell Harry is in love with.
I hope you all review this one as much as you reviewed my last one, and keep your eyes peeled for the chapter that connects with this! It's very important stuff!
Hope you're all having a good weekend! Cheers!
Chapter 8: Downright Mental (Part I)
Sitting in his private office, Severus Snape was getting ready to head out for lunch. He had class with his first year students afterwards, which was always such a treat for him. As he began walking towards the door, he heard a familiar scuttling sound and a soft whoosh from his desk. He turned around immediately and walked towards the black box that allowed him to have frequent communication with Potter.
He opened the lid and removed the message and read it quickly.
Severus-
I'm going to get some rest now, so you won't see me at breakfast or at lunch. This would probably be a good time to corner the twins about that lipstick.
Just,
Harry
Severus checked the clock on his mantel and realized Potter must have slept right through his morning classes and now lunch. He nodded to himself and folded up the letter and placed it inside his desk along with the other letters from Potter throughout the time of their correspondence. When they first started writing to each other, Harry had frequently reminded Severus that he was not the "Boy Who Lived" and was simply Harry. He began ending his letters with "Just, Harry" to remind (and annoy) Severus every time he read one. Eventually it became routine and Severus had gotten used to it.
Walking towards the Great Hall from the Slytherin dungeons, Severus contemplated over the possible ingredients that had been used in the making of that lipstick. It was one thing to alter the person who used its' personality – but to also have an affect on the person who was kissed by that person with the lipstick…especially when those affects only affected one particular person.
It irked him greatly to be immediately unaware of what ingredient could cause a simultaneous collapse in both persons. He supposed it would help him further to question both Malfoy and Miss Granger to discover what both of them were doing at that particular moment in time. But even still, something else could have transpired that had a delayed affect.
When he reached the entrance hallway, he gazed up at the sunlight that reflected softly off the stone floor, causing the stone to sparkle under the rays. Snape knew that the various love potion ingredients had to have been found in the cosmetic item and he began running a list of them through his mind, before reaching the Great Hall doors. He then noticed two thirds of the Gryffindor Trio and the Weasley girl coming from the stairs. They both reached the doors at the same time, along with other students. When Snape pushed open the doors for them, the Weasley girl thanked him curtly and her older brother purposefully avoided his eyes. It was Granger who looked at him intently, with her usual knowing glance, before heading off to the Gryffindor table, without looking back at him.
He supposed she was pretty in her own unique way, but Severus was positive that Malfoy's attraction to her lay in the basis of her intelligent nature. She could be very crafty, in a Gryffindorish sort of way. He saw the Weasley twins at the staff table and they waved aberrantly at their younger siblings and Hermione. Ginny and Hermione ignored them pointedly, Hermione still miffed about their ridiculous prank on her. Ron, hate having to be in the middle of things, gave Fred and George a half-hearted wave when the two girls weren't looking and immediately sat down beside Hermione, giving her a reassuring pat on her arm. When Hermione smiled at the gesture, Ron beamed.
Snape sneered at their display and strolled forward to the staff table. He casted a casual glance at the Slytherin table, to see if Malfoy was already there, but he was not. He wondered if he had suffered any head damage after all. He made it a point to discuss that matter with Dumbledore further later on, after he was through with the Weasley twins.
When he reached the table, instead of taking his usual place at the end of the table, as far as possible from the other teachers, he purposefully walked to the empty seat near the twins, beside Fred Weasley, with George on the other side of Fred. Both twins looked at him, their eyes wide. Then, Fred grinned and slapped Snape's back good naturedly.
"Well hullo Snape! Nice of you to join us, but I must say, we weren't expecting you."
"It's quite a pleasant surprise, Professor!" George exclaimed cheekily, wearing the same expression as his twin brother.
If Snape hadn't been intent on discovering the information Harry asked him to find, he would have found a way to humiliate them right then and there. But he got a grip on his anger and spoke to them evenly.
"I have something of importance I need to discuss with you."
"Is that right? Well, by all means, we're all ears!" Fred said, leaning closer to Snape and George doing the same.
Snape sneered. "I would like to discuss that lipstick you gave to Miss Granger."
"Oh ho ho!" laughed George, elbowing his brother. "I think Snapey hear wants a piece of the action, eh Fred?"
"Oh I definitely think so, George. Don't worry Snape; we could cook you up something just as effective. Except, we probably wouldn't be giving you lipstick—"
"Unless you're into that sort of thing," George exclaimed quickly, raising an eyebrow at Snape. Fred chuckled and put his arm around his brother.
"Why of course! How silly of me. I should have asked you first. Would you like it the same colour? Hermione was definitely more of a rose pink, but I think you're more of a lilac, it goes with your skin tone!"
Snape's eye was twitching rather unflatteringly as Fred and George gripped at each other to prevent themselves from toppling over backwards in laughter.
"If you're through gentleman—that is not why I wish to speak with you. I just wanted to inform you that I could have your apprenticeships revoked with Flitwick for your little stunt with that lipstick."
Fred and George immediately stopped laughing.
"You…what?"
Snape smirked at them, his eyes flashing mercilessly.
"You heard me, children. If you do not cooperate with me, I will see you both removed from this school and that you're never given the opportunity to enter these walls again."
The twins gulped simultaneously.
"Merlin, Snape, must you be so horrible? You could have just asked for our help, instead of threatening us," said Fred, looking miffed.
Snape chuckled, causing the hair on the twins' arms to stand on end. "I believe I do not do things that way, Mr. Weasley. I much prefer this." Snape smiled at them, spreading his hands in a mock gesture. Fred leant backwards slightly, eyeing the smile wearily. It looked as if Snape could have taken a chunk out of Fred's face with that set of chompers. He certainly wasn't kidding.
"Now that I have your attention; I'd like to know what ingredients were in that lipstick."
Fred looked relieved. "Oh, is that all? Well, that's not so bad—"
"Fred—" George said, sounding worried.
"It's okay George, I remember the ingredients!"
"Fred!" but George was ignored as Fred launched enthusiastically into the list.
"Well there were obviously rose petals, common ingredient found in most love potions. But of course you knew that already!" Fred added, smiling sheepishly at the Professor. George's face was beginning to turn white and Severus found himself smirking in amusement. "The rose petals were more for scent than anything else, as we wanted to hide the dash of peppermint we put in to induce the euphoric sensations. That was probably why she was just itching to scratch…if you know what I mean."
Snape gazed at him coldly. Fred pressed on.
"We also used a smidge of lovage, the common ingredient found in most befuddlement potions."
"I assumed you altered it to inflame the body itself instead of the mind," Snape asked, sounding almost bored.
"Oh sure," said Fred, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly in mock amusement. "But not entirely. We found a way to boil the stuff to decrease the inflammatory reaction of the synaptic nerves in the brain to a more…stimulating degree. The reaction still has the familiar burning sensation, but it would trigger a more pleasurable sensation than the original intention for the ingredient. The other effects, such as hot headedness and recklessness, of course, remained the same."
Despite himself, Snape felt mildly impressed. That would take months to accomplish.
"Of course, the lipstick's base had to be established with the most well known, and most powerful of all love potions—Amortentia. But as all love potions go, only infatuation is created and not the real emotion itself. Couldn't have Hermione feeling all lovey dovey towards Malfoy now, could we?"
"The wine that you used to alter the effects of the potion—" Snape began, but was cut off by Fred's jovial reply.
"Was actually a transparent liquid that is used as the antidote to counter the effects of the Amortentia potion."
"So the alcohol in the drink?"
"Vodka based. The dosage of the lipstick was fairly strong; so we needed an equally strong alcoholic beverage to counter its effects."
"Understandable. Anything else, Mr. Weasley?"
Fred practically purred with pleasure at his own brilliance.
"The most significant, and rather valuable, ingredient of them all," Fred said mysteriously. Beside him, George groaned and covered his face with his hands, but Fred went on, continuing to ignore his twin's protests.
"Ashwinder eggs. The thin grey snake that is born out of magical fire is the producer of eggs so flammable they could destroy an entire building. Of course, these eggs were frozen. It's very rare to find a batch of eggs, and freeze them, in time before they self destruct. We would have paid quite a heavy price to lay our hands on just one—but luckily, a generous fellow decided to help us out!"
Severus' insides twisted at the mention of a third party in all of this. No man would offer an egg of immeasurable value to two apprentice students for a pittance of a price, unless he had his own agenda. Severus noticed how Fred's twin seemed to squirm at the stupidity of his twin. Amazing, both from the same egg, and still obvious differences remained. Thank Merlin.
"He asked us what we needed the egg for, and we told him that we were making a special line of beauty products and we needed the egg to create a special kind of lipstick—the one our dear Hermione got to try."
"You mean to tell me you first tried it, without previous testings, on Miss Granger?" Snape asked feeling surprised at their carelessness.
"Oh no, of course not. What do you think we are, ridiculous?" Fred said, waving his hand. "We tried it on ourselves first."
Snape bit his lip to keep from making a sarcastic mark at the contradiction of those two statements.
"Wasn't so bad really. I did get a bit fresh with one of Ginny's friends who came to the Burrow for a few days over the summer—you actually might remember that colourful display."
Snape then recalled, during his occasional visits to the Burrow for Order meetings, that there had been a girl around Miss Weasley's age who had stayed for a short period of time. He had seen her locked in a passionate embrace with the boy he was now speaking to, one evening barely a month ago. It now made sense to him, why any girl in her right mind would mix up with a Weasley. Obviously there had to be magic involved. Fred hadn't been embarrassed by it then, nor was he embarrassed now.
"I am aware that ashwinder eggs are rather valuable; my question for you is—how on earth could you two afford such a rare specimen? I do realize that you both have become rather wealthy with your recent business on the rise. But the fact still remains that those who could afford such a rarity belong in higher wizarding society—Lucius Malfoy for one."
Fred waved his hand dismissively, shaking his head. "Malfoy? Yah right, the guy looked like he'd seen too many sunrises…and smelled like he'd been living in poverty for years."
"So how do you propose he could afford such an ingredient, Mr. Weasley?"
"Stole it most likely. How should I know? We didn't get cheated or anything; the guy was desperate. He wanted a drink at the tavern, so we bought him one, and after talking about our plans for it, he gave us the egg."
Severus was beginning to get annoyed at the lack of intellect used to attain the potion ingredient, to be used only for the humiliation of one of their friends.
"Oy, there's Hagrid! I've been meaning to speak to him about uh…another project we're working on." With that, Fred stood up and strolled quickly to the end of the Staff table and sat down beside the half-giant. Severus turned his attention to the other twin then, his eyes bearing holes into George's face.
George looked extremely uncomfortable under the weighted gaze of his former Professor, feeling very much like a student once more, despite his attempts to ignore his own squeamish feelings.
"There's nothing for it, Professor. Nothing can be done about it now. I hope you don't plan on telling Professor Dumbledore about it though….we really didn't mean any harm by it."
Snape's lip curled slightly. "No, I suppose not. But it was very foolish of both of you. Could you answer me something else?"
George nodded firmly, relieved that Snape didn't plan on turning them in.
"Anything, Professor."
"Do you remember anything about the man that seemed off to you? Anything that might make you think he was not whom he said he was?"
George frowned, attempting to remember anything significant.
"Well, for a drunk and a poor man, he seemed to speak with a degree of formality, and sometimes, condescension."
Severus nodded for him to continue.
"Well…I don't seem to remember anything else to be out of character…but…" then George's eyes flashed suddenly in comprehension. "Actually, now that I think about it, there was something peculiar that happened with his eyes in the moments before he left. He was pretty collected during the entire course of our conversation, but when he got a glance of himself in the reflection of his silver mug, he got a bit edgy. He said a hurried goodbye, left the egg with us, and scooted out of the tavern. But not before I saw his eyes flicker."
"Flicker?" Severus asked, eyebrows lifting with curiosity.
George nodded. "They changed colour for a brief instant. They had been brown to begin with, but in that instant, they were…" George hesitated for a second, "I'm pretty sure they became translucent…a grayish silver."
Severus felt his blood turn cold. "I see."
"He said that we should try our prank on someone we were close to…so we were less likely to get in trouble for it. And the only girls we speak to regularly are our sister, and Hermione. There was no way Fred or I could try the product on Ginny; Mom would have our hides. Hermione was really the only option. I'm still surprised she hasn't turned us over to Mom though…I guess we're sort of lucky that it was Hermione, and not anyone else." George said, his stomach twisting at the words. He watched Snape's features take on a contemplative look. When Snape said nothing more, George swallowed uncomfortably.
George looked at him anxiously. "It…was Lucius Malfoy, wasn't it?"
Severus nodded his head slightly. "I believe we're in a very interesting situation now, Mr. Weasley. I can only tell you to be more careful in the future. I now have much research to do. As well as contact the senior Malfoy. This shall be a most…unpleasant…conversation."
George watched the Professor go, feeling a heavy weight settle in the centre of his chest. As the Professor exited the Great Hall, George's gaze shifted to the Gryffindor table. He was surprised to find Hermione staring back at him.
Her gaze was steady and seemed to pierce through him, just as Snape's had minutes before. George looked down the table at his twin brother, seeing him pat Hagrid on the back good naturedly.
He sighed, covering his eyes with his hands.
When had things gotten so bloody complicated?
When Fred returned to his seat next to his twin, George looked at him coldly. Fred only gave him a look of confusion.
"What is it, George?"
"You know what Fred? Screw off."
With that, he got up, his face contorted angrily and began marching out of the Great Hall. Fred was stunned by George's anger that it took him a moment to realize that George was leaving. Fred got up hastily, stuffing a piece of toast into his mouth and ran after his twin, purposefully ignoring Hermione's gaze as they walked by the Gryffindor table.
Fred cursed silently as his brother shoved open the Great Hall doors nosily, his anger now obvious to everyone in the Great Hall. Fred did not look back as he exited the Hall, feeling the weight of every eye in the room on their backs.
Except Hermione. She had already turned back to her lunch, an amused smile on her lips.
Draco had almost thrown a childish tantrum when he woke up only to discover the Golden Trio having already left the infirmary. He realized that it was already close to lunch time, and his stomach growled in slight protestation at the lack of food consumed that morning. He pushed his hunger aside, focusing more on the fact that they had all left without bothering to see if he was alright. It was quite difficult for him to regain control over his emotions at not being able to speak to Hermione about what had happened between them the night before. He wondered if Hermione had mentioned their second encounter to Potter and then instantly thought it would be insane to go down that road again. Potter was not to be trifled with, and if Draco had any say in the matter, he'd keep his pursuit of Hermione under wraps for as long as he could. He knew the Weasel would certainly have a fit if he caught Draco kissing her as he did the night before.
He probably wouldn't live to see another day.
As he began to dress, he felt a sudden pang inside his chest that made him gasp sharply for air. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly and clutched at himself, feeling his lungs constrict painfully. His eyes watered, and he gazed around blearily, trying to catch sight of Madame Pomfrey. To his disappointment, she was nowhere to be seen, and he stumbled clumsily to the doors. When he got there, he gripped onto the walls tightly, feeling his body sway and his vision swim. He cursed himself for having bothered to get up at all. He pushed the doors open weakly and determinedly trudged forward, trying to ignore the increasing pain in his chest.
His body seemed to have an internal homing device that led him on, guiding him to wherever it craved to go. He found himself walking down flights of stairs (which he found to be quite difficult as he couldn't seem to control the wobbliness of his legs) and as he reached the bottom, he noticed he was taking a familiar path towards the Great Hall.
He was leaning heavily against a statute, trying to catch his breath, when the doors opened and out walked the Weasley twins. One looking like he'd swallowed something disgusting and the other looked extremely worried.
"Listen George, I don't know what's gotten into you, but if you'd just—"
"Gotten into me, Fred? Are you serious? Do you have any idea what we've done?"
Fred looked at him wearily, like a bomb was about to go off any minute.
"Uhm…you mean what I was talking about with Snape? He was going to throw us out if we didn't tell him the truth!"
"Not that! It was GOOD that we told Snape the truth…though, definitely not in those circumstances…and it shouldn't have happened! We should have never given that damn lipstick to Hermione, and we should have NEVER taken that ashwinder egg from that man."
"I don't see the harm in it. We didn't have to pay anything, and we did the guy a favour. He only wanted a drink!"
"THAT WAS LUCIUS MALFOY, YOU COMPLETE IDIOT!"
A heavy silence descended between the two. From behind the statue, Draco's eyebrows shot up, his body tensing as it usually did at the mention of his father's name.
So that's why father had come home smelling like he'd rolled in filth…
He turned his attention back to the twins and saw, to his amusement, that George's chest was heaving heavily with great emotion and Fred looked as if he were going to throw up.
"No…did Snape tell you that? How could you possibly know for sure?"
George moaned pathetically, raking his fingers through his hair. The strands he tugged at seemed to almost give way from the constant abuse.
"Because Snape knows these things. They were Death Eaters together after all, and Snape is Draco's godfather. They're all one big happy family!" George said sarcastically, the venom obvious in his words.
Fred seemed to recoil from George's anger.
"Merlin, George…I've done plenty of stupid things…we both have, together," Fred emphasized pointedly. "But you've never gotten this angry…what's wrong?"
But George had no time to reply, for the Great Hall doors opened once again and out walked Ron, Ginny and Hermione. They all looked at each other uncomfortably.
Ron cleared his throat. "So uh…do you think Harry's probably going to be sleeping for the rest of the day?" he asked, pathetically trying to come up with a subject to lessen the tension within the group.
Ginny rolled her eyes at him. "He's your best friend, Ron. One would think you'd be aware of his habits by now."
Ron looked at her as though she'd gone barmy. Hermione was looking around, not really paying attention to any of the Weasleys. She felt as though she was being watched.
"Hermione, don't you think Ron should pay more attention to Harry?"
Hermione looked back at them, her face wrinkled in confusion.
"Uh….sure. Guys, I'm going to head to the library okay?" Before anyone could respond to her sudden statement, she scurried off down the halls in the direction of the library.
Ginny and Ron looked at each other.
"What's up with her?
Ron's lip curled. "She's your best friend; don't you think you'd know?"
Ginny huffed angrily at him. "She's your best friend too you git."
"Yah well, so's Harry, and he seems to be acting funny too lately, and I haven't a clue as to what's going on. He seemed alright last night though. I dunno how he managed to stay up all night…Harry doesn't have a thing for 'Mione, does he?" Ron asked, sounding horrified.
Fred chortled, joining in the conversation. "No, mate! Are you blind? Harry's got it bad for Malfoy. It's why he got so pissy when Malfoy started flirting with her," Fred said knowingly, attempting to bring George out of his bad mood with a bit of humour.
Obviously it was the wrong way to go about it.
"Stuff it, Fred, you don't know what you're on about."
"I think someone's got a thing for Harry," Fred said, grinning madly, thumping his twin on his back. Ginny and Ron looked at George, their eyes wide.
George sneered at all of them. "Now you really have no idea what you're on about."
George turned and faced Ron and Ginny. "Fred's gone barmy. Obviously he's taken one too many blaster brains to the head," George said spitefully, referring to one of their new Weasley products that gave the user a slight high when they took it. It was obviously still in its testing states.
Ginny turned to Ron and raised an eyebrow. Ron shrugged, looking just as lost as Ginny felt.
From behind the statue, Draco was beginning to get his strength back, and his trademark smirk was already plastered on his face. As the Weasley's moved up the stairs, he began to follow them quietly, listening intently to their conversation, crouching low as he walked.
Potter having it bad for him, eh? Yah that was priceless.
Ron attempted to figure out what was going on with his twin older brothers.
"So are you two in some sort of row then? I'm pretty sure Fred was only playing around George," Ron supplied helpfully, wishing George would stop shooting hateful glares at Fred.
George ignored Ron's comment and continued walking on as though he hadn't heard. Fred, who still hadn't seemed to get the message at George's anger, snickered quietly, shooting Ron and Ginny a "don't worry about it" look.
"I mean, except what you said about Harry and ferret face…that's just…wrong."
Ginny and George turned on him so fast, Ron took a step back in surprise, and his eyebrows shot up passed his fringe.
"What's so wrong about it?" Both of them were staring at Ron so intently, it took a few moments for Ron to get past the shock of their sudden assault.
"It's just…it's Malfoy after all," Ron muttered weakly, feeling uncomfortable by their weighted stares.
George and Ginny seemed to relax after that comment. George turned away from him and continued walking alongside Fred up the stairs.
"So…you're not against a boy dating a boy then?" Ginny inquired innocently. Ron's face turned bright red.
"Why would I be? As long as Malfoy doesn't come anywhere near Harry, I don't see anything wrong with it."
"Jealous, Weasley?"
The four red heads whipped around and came face to face with Draco Malfoy.
George's face, which had already been twisted in something akin to disgust, now twisted even further. So much, it looked as though he was going to be sick. Fred was looking at his twin with concern, and his hand curled around his wand reflexively. Ginny seemed to take an avid interest in the situation and looked back and forth between Ron and Malfoy, as though something was going to happen.
"Malfoy! What a…pleasant surprise," Ginny said, with forced enthusiasm, smiling brightly. Malfoy looked at her curiously.
"You're up to something Weaslette. I could make out as much while listening to your conversation. Something to do with Potter."
"Why should Harry concern you?" Ron and George growled simultaneously, but Malfoy chose to ignore Ron and turned his eyes to George.
"Because Weasley, Harry and I are on very friendly terms these days."
"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean, Malfoy?" George replied, revulsion in every line of his face.
Ron's eyes were wide as he looked at George. He had never seen his twin so angry in his entire life. He looked back at Malfoy, who appeared to look as though he just caught the canary. And he was purring.
"Would someone please explain what Malfoy's talking about?" Ron semi shouted, his voice cracking slightly in exasperation and anxiety. Ginny opened her mouth to reply, but Malfoy cut her off.
"I think Harry's been keeping secrets from you, Ron."
"I've also been keeping secrets from you, Draco."
Five heads whipped upwards to see Harry's figure slowly coming down the stairs, silvery material folded over the side of his arm. His face looked drawn, tired, and his eyes seemed sunken in his face. The green of his eyes looked unnaturally bright against the pallor of his skin.
Draco did his best to hide the worry from his face, and all of them looked at him as though they thought he'd collapse any minute.
"What do you mean, Harry?" Ron asked very quietly, almost frightened. His eyes were locked on Harry's, his face showing obvious concern for his best friend.
"Nothing, Ron…I'm going to go out for a little while. To be alone. Please don't come looking for me; I'll come back," Harry murmured quietly, slipping the invisibility cloak over himself.
"But Harry—"
"Especially you, Ron."
Ron's eyes were the only ones whose didn't move from Harry's invisible figure. After spending years knowing Harry's secrets, Ron could pinpoint the spot where Harry was at all times…even if he was invisible.
"Stay, Ron," was Harry's quiet whisper as he walked down the stairs. The forlorn looking red head watched him go, feeling a heavy weight settle in his chest. As the doors to Hogwarts opened and shut, Ron suddenly felt as though he'd missed out on a few years of Harry's life, that no matter how hard he tried, he'd never make up for it.
His eyes turned cold as they shifted to Malfoy and his face morphed into a bitter hatred that Draco had never witnessed before, on this boy's face. His insides twisted anxiously at thoughts of what might happen.
Suddenly, and without warning, Ron launched himself at the blond, his fingers grasping onto Malfoy's robes tightly, throwing him against the railings of the stairs dangerously. Malfoy felt his back crunch against the wooden railings and his face crumpled in pain.
"What have you done to Harry, you piece of shit!" Ron shouted in Malfoy's face, his eyes wild.
"Actually, Weasel," Malfoy breathed heavily, trying to gain his arrogant air once more, his eyes flashing maliciously. "It was your precious Harry that did it to me."
The statement was lost on Ron entirely and he looked at Malfoy as though he'd cracked his skull. George, however, understood entirely and stepped down a few steps, reaching around Ginny, and took a full swing at Malfoy's face, but missed due to Fred reaching down after him and tugging him further up the stairs. Ginny followed along with her older brothers, and Ron roughly dragged Malfoy up with them.
Finally, the five of them were now safely off the stairs and they stood there, all staring at Malfoy, wondering what to do with him.
Ginny then decided to take matters into her own hands. "Don't you think it'd be wise to take this to a more isolated location?"
Draco's eyes shifted to her and then narrowed suspiciously. Ron looked at his sister, his mouth open in shock.
"Ginny, if Hermione knew you had suggested such a thing…" Ron began, raking his fingers through his hair, the anger fading from his face, "I think Fred and George have had too much of an influence on you."
"Oy! I resent that!" barked Fred, for once not speaking in unison with George.
Ron looked at George then, surprised. "Really George…what's wrong? You really still can't be mad at Fred, can you, mate?"
"That's nothing for you to be concerned with, Ron," George replied rudely, turning his eyes away from his younger brother. Ron felt rather hurt by the statement and immediately decided to drop the line of questioning. Fred bit his lip, trying to catch his twins' eye, but George pointedly refused to look at them. They all seemed rather torn.
Looking at the expressions on all their faces, Draco remarked, "Trouble in Weasley harmony?"
"Butt out Malfoy, this doesn't concern you," growled Fred, stepping in front of his twin protectively. George bristled at Fred's gesture.
Malfoy smirked at him. "Why don't we all listen to what little Weaselette has to say. She seems extremely eager for us to continue our fight," he said politely, holding out his arm so that Ginny could lead the way. Ginny looked around at her brothers, smiling nervously.
They all quietly followed Ginny to a deserted corridor. Ron looked rather doubtful at the entire situation, and looked to his twins for support. But Fred was too busy whispering to George, and George was flexing his hands as though he was definitely looking forward to punching his hand through Malfoy's face.
"Look, I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but doesn't this seem rather ridiculous? I mean, sure, I'd love to give the ferret a good pounding, but I'm actually more concerned about Harry right now, and why you're all acting so bloody strangely," Ron said, looking around, his face almost desperate for an answer.
"Well, I can tell you one thing, Weasel. This revolves entirely around Potter. As it always does, I'm sure." Malfoy's voice was nothing but bitter in the quiet hallway. Ron turned to him, the anger returned with renewed vigor, and his face extremely red.
"I don't know where you get off—" Ron started, but was instantly cut off.
"I think the question is with who—" Draco interrupted, his smirk spread wide across his face.
"Don't finish that statement, Malfoy," George hissed, his face as red as Ron's. Draco felt like it was his lucky day. Obviously the only one who had yet to figure out his prior sexual relationship with Potter…was none other than Potter's best friend.
"I suppose it's safe to assume everyone knows but good ol' Ron?" Draco leered at the fuming red head.
"That's about right!" Ginny piped up. Ron whirled to her. Ginny shrugged a shoulder in apology.
Ron felt more betrayed than all his years at Hogwart's, as Harry's best friend, combined. Everyone but Ron knew what was going on with Harry. At that moment, all he wanted to do was run to Harry and beg to be told that it wasn't true.
"If I didn't know any better Weaselette, I'd say you rather liked the idea of Potter and I—"
"SHUT UP, MALFOY!" George shouted as he lunged for the gloating Slytherin, his eyes boiling with a now unleashed rage.
Malfoy's back hit the ground with a rather loud thud and Draco cursed at the insanity of the Weasley's as both boys rolled around on the cold stone floor, trying to knock each other unconscious as best they could. Fists and legs were flying everywhere. Malfoy had gotten a good punch to George's jaw, but not before Malfoy was then kneed between his legs.
Fred and George moved to the ground and immediately tugged the two of them apart. Draco was hissing and spitting like a cat in heat, and George struggled to get out of Fred's arms to get another crack at Malfoy. He was positively livid.
The blond's hair was in disarray, and Ron would have laughed had it been an entirely different situation. Malfoy wasn't struggling like George was; he seemed to be almost grateful for having been tugged away. Ron noticed how he was holding his legs, and he almost pitied Malfoy at that moment.
"Surprised you didn't scream like a girl, Malfoy," George grunted, as Fred tightened his grip on his twin. Malfoy only glared back, trying desperately to ignore the pain he felt between his thighs.
"Enough you guys," Ginny said exasperatedly. "Malfoy, you promised you wouldn't say a word about this."
"Say a word about WHAT!" yelled Ron, clearly over the edge with trying to understand what was going on. He dropped Malfoy as soon as he yelled the words, and Malfoy got up instantly, brushing the dirt of his robes, and looked at Ron. Both of them were breathing hard, and they stared at each other intensely.
Malfoy knew the only way to handle a Weasley was to tell it to him straight.
"About Potter and I fucking each other's brains out."
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Madi Black