Greg dodged what seemed to be the entire school; flashes of blue, yellow, green and red was all his eyes could register. He went up stairs and turned around corners. When he finally reached his friend in a deserted corridor, he was almost out of breath.
-Wow, Mycroft, you are actually really fast!
Mycroft looked quite miserable. He didn't even look up to meet his gaze as he spoke.
-For a fat bloke, you mean?
Greg's little smile froze on his face.
-That's not… that's really not…
Mycroft smiled a gloomy smile and sighed.
-I know.
He was leaning against the wall, staring at the ground. Greg leaned by his side.
He had never, not even once, mentioned Mycroft's weight. He knew it was a sensitive topic. He had heard Sherlock teasing him about it and he had seen the blush on Mycroft's cheeks while he tried to dismiss it, as if it didn't matter. Greg had never mentioned it, even though he knew it did actually matter. Way to be a best friend, he thought.
-Do you… wanna talk about it?
He honestly couldn't think of anything better, more appropriate to say. He tried to sound casual, but his voice came out as small and timid.
Mycroft pondered for a second. He tried to look at Greg in the eye, but could only do so for an instant. He groaned and went right back at staring at the ground. Greg restrained the impulse to hug him right then and there.
-Sherlock's right. I just… I'm terrible at this.
His voice had started to fade out a little, in the end it was barely a whisper. He bit his lower lip. Greg had to admit that it was downright painful seeing him in that state.
Once more, he had to struggle to find the words. He knew they needed to address the subject, but he didn't want to sound insensitive while doing it.
-Hey, you know… I'm your friend, I could help, if you'd want me to.
Mycroft let out an incredulous laugh.
-Really now?
Greg shrugged.
-Why not? You always help me when I need you too. Just now you were helping me slowly decipher potions for the hundredth time. I know I'm not an easy one, but you have spent hours making sure I get it. You even corrected my History essay last week.
Mycroft still looked unsure. Greg knew wasn't the best idea he had ever came up with, but it was something and he was going to stick with it.
-Come on, it can't be that hard. I've been training the Hufflepuff Quidditch team for two years now. I can assure you, you are more docile than they are. They are vicious!
They shared an almost silent laughter.
-We'll try it for a couple of weeks, we can stop any time if it doesn't work. What do you say?
Mycroft looked torn. Greg wasn't sure if it was because he thought it wouldn't work, or because he thought that, in fact, it would.
To be completely honest, Greg was having second thoughts too. Mycroft had to be the absolute worst dieter he had ever met in his entire life. They had been inside the kitchens together. Greg still couldn't forget just how fast those elves were moving. He didn't know they had it in them; it was quite the sight… Oh, and God help the poor bastard that tried to make Mycroft move a muscle. He still remembered that one and only Quidditch class they shared in first year. Poor Madame Hooch was never the same…
Mycroft voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
-Fine. But you are not making me run around the Quidditch field like an idiot, I swear to God if you even dare to suggest…
Greg had to laugh at that mental image.
-Ok, ok, I promise. We'll find another way. We'll make it fun!
At the sight of Greg's cheerful little smile, Mycroft buried his face in his hands and let out a grunt.
-Dear Lord, I'm regretting this already.
Greg patted him on the shoulder. He wasn't too confident himself, but he was certainly going to give it his best. He was going to honour the house of the loyal and hard-working if it cost him his life.
-Don't worry, I'll be gentle. Come on, let's get to class.
They started to walk away and down the stairs, but all of a sudden Greg stopped with a small:
-Oh!
Mycroft frowned in confusion.
Greg extended his hand with his palm facing up. It was more than evident that Mycroft stood straighter under Greg's expectant look. They both stared quite intensely at each other till Greg broke the silence.
-Do I have to accio them?
Mycroft rolled his eyes and put his hand in his right pocket. Three chocolate frogs then landed silently on Greg's palm.
-All of them.
A fourth and a fifth frog were handed to him, this time coming from Mycroft's left pocket. The look Mycroft gave Greg wasn't exactly one of devotion. He still tried to be civil.
-Thank you.
Mycroft rolled his eyes for the second time.
-Oh, shut up!
It was going to be a long, long two weeks.