©Sunrisepainter: Because of Snape
2. Worse Case
„Ah, Mr Weasley and Mr. Weasley, nice that you exhilarate us with your attendance as well!"
Like always Severus Snape sounded taunting and disdainful.
"Yeah, isn't it great", Fred hissed with clenched teeth.
"Watch your big mouth, Weasley! I deduct fifty points from each of you for lacking discipline!"
The Weasley – twins indignantly gasped for air. A hundred points!
"Sit down or your house will lose even more points", vibrated Snape.
Fast they sat down next to each other and poniard the teach with their glances.
"Old bat", hissed George and Fred nodded in approval.
"So what I wanted to announce before this two gentlemen interrupted was that I want to separate you in different teams in which you should work on different potions the following weeks. It wasn't my idea, but our headmaster came up with something like that."
Fred and George looked at each other. It was clear, that they would work together. A ripple of whispers ran through the classroom ans everyone was already looking for a partner. But after one warning look from the poisons master it became silent once again.
"You shouldn't be pleased too quickly. Professor Dumbledore left the constitution of the pairs to me. I've already prepared a list."
By saying so he fetched a parchment:
"Adrian Sparton and Isaay Klasnic, Alicia Spinnet and Cedric Diggory, Angelina Johnson ans Kevin Rosebud, George Weasley and Aimee McCartney, Daniel Trayfield and Lee Jordan, Amanda Kline and Harriet Welsh and finally Hope Shycates and Fred Weasley. I think everyone is provided. Sit down next to your partner and then pick one of the papers from the bowl on this table. On the paper you'll find the potion you have to deal with the next lessons!"
Fred frozen at in his seat and stared at Snape deep hatred. The professor only raised an eyebrow:
"Do you have any problem, Mr. Weasley?"
"Certainly! I refuse to work together with her", he pointed straight at Hope, "it's absolutely impossible!"
Snape just smirked devilishly:
"Well, you have no other choice. You snooze, you loose. If you're not going to move over to Miss Shycates, Gryffindor will definitely lose the house cup this year!"
He just wants to punish and anger me, Fred thought furiously, while he collected his stuff. But I guess that's an old game.
"Chin up, brother", George gave him a pitiful pat on the back, "it'll be alright!"
"Yeah, sure", his twin brother said sarcastically and scuffled away.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Weasley: I don't want to work with you, but it's about grades, so I have put up with you! Unfortunately...", explained Hope as Fred sat down next to her.
"My pleasure, Shycates!"
"Oh, that's the first time we have an agreement!"
"Yeah, but that's gonna be the last time as well."
"Who wants to pick the paper?"
"I'll do it!"
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Because, I'll do it", in order to that she raised from her seat and threw back her blond hair.
"That's out of question!", Fred jumped up as well. The girls looked at him feisty.
"Alright, we'll see who is faster!" And she already had set off. Fred rushed after her.
Of course Hope reached the table first of all. Just as she put forth her hand, Fred caught her wrist.
"Let go of me, Weasley!", she exclaimed.
He didn't even think about it but rather put his hand fast as lightning into the bowl. Hope was distracted by freeing herself from his grip. She just noticed his actions when he triumphantly swung the paper in front of her face.
"YOU!", the girl complained and started hitting him.
"So who was now the fastest!", he laughed.
Suddenly he was in a better mood then before. He still clasped her wrist. Hope pushed him hard. He lost his balance and tripped at which he dragged along the bowl and the girl. All off them fell down to the floor.
All of a sudden it was quiet in the dungeon and Fred could only hear the fast breathing of Hope who fell on top of him. She glared at him furiously through her classes.
"Well done, Weasley!", she spat.
"It was all your fault!", he replied.
The girl was about to answer him when she was gripped rudely at her cape and dragged upwards.
"Weasley! Shycates! To the headmaster! Immediately!", Snape jangled.
Fred stumbled back on his feed.
"B-but P-Pro-Professsor..." stuttered Hope.
"No complaining, Miss Shycates!", Snape gazed at her and she dropped her head in shame.
Everyone looked at them curiously as Fred and Hope left the classroom.
"If you didn't push me, we wouldn't be in trouble now!", Fred uttered irately when they walk side by side through the corridors.
"Really? And you didn't do anything, did you?", she rubbed her aching wrist.
"Of course I didn't! It was bad enough that Snape paired us up! Of all people it had to be you!", his voice shook in anger.
"It was because you had been late again! Serves you right, if you ask me! Even if it is a punishment for me as well!"
Fred remained silent. He wasn't in the mood to argue with someone like her. They approached the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
"Do you accidentally know the password?", Hope asked. Sighing Fred stepped forward and said:
"Licorice Wands !"
The gargoyle stepped aside and let them enter the staircase. The Weasley smirked at the astonished look on her face.
"Shut your mouth and follow, Shycates!"
"I don't want to know why exactly you know the password, Weasley", she said sharply to override her admiration.
"I wouldn't spill anything anyway!"
By rolling her eyes Hope rushed up the stairs, Fred looked around one more time and followed her slowly with a sly expression on his face.
Carefully the girl knocked on the door.
"Enter!", a voice answered right away and with an amused voice.
The two students entered the office.
"Oh, Mr. Weasley, Miss Shycates, what an honor to see you!", Dumbledore smiled.
"Professor sent us", Hope explained.
"Take a seat please and try to feel comfortable", he pointed at two cushioned chairs in front of his massive desk. The did what they were told to do. Albus Dumbledore looked at them in anticipation.
"So...uh...", Hope started and kneaded her hands nervously. She didn't know how she could explain the given situation.
"We have some slight hassles with each other and that's the reason why Snape sent us here", Fred said fast. The headmaster chuckled:
"I see and now Professor Snape obliviously wants me to punish you!"
"Exactly!"
"Perhaps you should tell me the story from beginning to end. It would be easier for me to decide what I have to do."
Fred nodded his head and started talking. Hope didn't say anything. She was ashamed of her childish behavior. Dumbledore listened carefully and it looked like he tried to fight back a laugh.
"...and eventually he sent us here", Fred flashed a side glance at Hope, but she seemed to agree with his explanation. Very unusual because she always had something to criticize.
Musing Dumbledore arose and walked up and down in his office. Both of them followed his movements tensely with their eyes.
"I ween that's enough of a punishment if you have to work together. But if I ever hear about you attacking each other, be it physically or magically, I'll have to take radical measures! So from this day forward promise me to get along with each other". They nodded their heads reluctantly.
"Great", Dumbledore smiled, "you're dismissed now."
Swiftly Hope left the room. Fred was about to follow her, when...
"Oh Mr. Weasley, I just wanted to ask you to frame your next prank a little more innocuous. Mr. Malfoy, Miss Parkinson, Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle don't look too good", he blinked at him.
Fred grinned and also left the office. In his opinion Dumbledore was the best headmaster of all times.
End of Chapter Two.