Title: A Prank To Remember
Author:
mihnnRating: PG
Word Count: 1255
Notes/Warning: Prompt 4 - Chocolate / Enchanted / Banshee
It had started innocently enough. A simple jinx that may or may not have gone wayward and hit an unsuspecting innocent rather than the slimy Slytherin it was intended for. A tiny jinx that wouldn't have done much harm unless the recipient happened to have frizzy curls that no magic could tame and a level of anger that could only feed the lightening energy that travelled down to the ends of her messy strands.
Hermione Granger stood there in the middle of the classroom, completely surprised, with her hair pointing high towards the ceiling while everyone tried their best to choke back laughter; everyone, save for one slimy Slytherin.
Draco Malfoy practically bent into two while laughing long and hard, giving his minions the perfect opportunity to chuckle along with him at the ridiculous image Hermione made. Then slowly, one by one the rest of the class couldn't hold it in and they were outright laughing.
With a silent 'eep' and a sheepish smile, Ron pocketed his wand and pointed quickly at Malfoy with a telling expression when his best friend's gaze landed on him. When her eyes narrowed with the threat of a promise at the blond who was clutching onto Goyle's robes for fear of falling amidst laughter, Ron realised that he had made the right decision. An angry Hermione was a force to be reckoned with. He'd rather gently manoeuvre that threat towards someone much more deserving.
Seamus leant towards Ron just as McGonagall entered the classroom to start the lesson, her expression grim and her eyes far from amused. "Looks like we're in for it, aren't we? A war to end all wars. My Galleon's on Hermione."
"Yeah," Ron mumbled distractedly as he saw Hermione look at Malfoy with anger bordering on hatred; an expression he hadn't seen since Umbridge had been at Hogwarts and refused to teach them. "And it's only Monday."
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When Harry entered the Gryffindor classroom after a really tiring Quidditch practice, he couldn't help but notice something strange. Hermione was not sitting near the fireplace reading nor was she sitting at the table and doing her homework. She was simply sitting down and waiting alone. It was a strange image if there was ever one. Before he or Ron could even state a proper greeting, Dean burst through, excitement making his cheeks flush with laughter.
"Quick! Malfoy's streaking around Hogwarts! McGonagall thinks he's mad!" And without waiting for a response from the stunned silence of the Gryffindor common room, he ran out.
Almost immediately, everyone scrambled to the door, leaving Harry, Hermione and Ron. "C'mon," Ron said with a big grin as he dropped his broom. "Let's hurry before we miss the good stuff."
But Harry found himself distracted. He saw a small smile play on Hermione's lips as her eyes fell on the fireplace, one so small that he couldn't help but wonder if it was a smile at all.
"Well, this has been fun." Calmly, Hermione stood up. "I think it's time for me to go study." Without another word she moved quickly towards the staircase that leads to the girl's dormitory. Harry watched her leave, all the while focusing on how she seemed to have a spring in her step.
Ron squinted at her disappearing form thoughtfully. "You don't think..."
Harry shook his head. "...Nah." On the other hand, he wasn't that sure, now that he thought about it.
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Minerva pursed her lips as she turned the corner, the commotion drawing her attention. As all bad things usually began, this too had two students in the middle of a large circle of students while they looked on with the greatest excitement. There were even a few first years who were trying to squeeze through the thick crowd of seniors to see what was happening. Huffing in annoyance, she cleared her throat, making her presence known and causing one section of the circle of students to shuffle on either side, parting just enough to let her through.
What she saw took all her years of training not to cause her eyes to widen.
There stood Hermione Granger in the middle of the crowd with a hand around her throat while Draco Malfoy knelt before her, his arms wide and an expression across his face that would make anyone think that he was absolutely smitten with her.
"Well, Granger, will you marry me?"
Minerva didn't think it was possible, but she nearly choked on air. She would have suffered a heart attack too if she didn't try to control her breathing.
Just as Granger opened her mouth to reply, she saw everyone cover their ears, including Malfoy. Out of pure instinct, she did the same, her expression confused and her fear for what was about to happen imminent.
It was a good choice to follow the students. For when Granger spoke, her eyes narrowed and her anger evident, the hall shook. What came out of her mouth was a high pitched shriek, one so violent that its vibrations shattered a glass window that happened to be next to an already shattered window that Minerva hadn't noticed until then.
When Granger stopped, Malfoy's grin widened. "Your voice is the sweetest sound, my love," he shouted, his hands still covering his ears.
"What in Merlin's name?" Minerva asked shakily.
"It's a prank, Professor," a fourth year Hufflepuff who happened to be near her said with utter glee. "Malfoy decided to turn Granger into a Banshee for Halloween. He said she might as well be her true self on the night dedicated to all freaks."
"And what, pray tell, has happened to Mr Malfoy?" Minerva questioned, her eyes widening when Malfoy grabbed Granger's hand and started kissing her finger tips while Granger tried her best to pull away to no avail.
"No idea," the student said with a shrug. "Someone did say that he might have a thing for monsters."
Minerva balked. She had heard enough. With a strong, authoritative voice she said in no uncertain terms for all students to leave; all except the reluctant couple who were still fighting each other, one pulling away and the other holding on to her for dear life. As the students parted, her gaze fell on two other wayward students whose faces she wasn't at all surprised to see.
"You too, Mr Weasley, Mr Potter."
With their eyes wide, they tried to hide what they had been doing behind their backs.
"Betting on your friends with Chocolate Frog Cards is a poor showing on your part," Minerva said with a stern voice.
"Not if you're not betting against your friend," Weasley mumbled sheepishly.
With a sigh, Minerva told them to scoot before she turned her attention back to the problem at hand. Granger was still trying to squirm away while Malfoy shuffled after her on his knees, his hands clutching her robes and spouting out nonsense about love and her beauty.
If this was any other day, this would probably be the only incident. But Halloween tended to bring out the worst pranksters with the worst intentions.
"Your hair is as messy and beautiful as a pit full of snakes, Granger."
Minerva pursed her lips at the awful display of affection by Malfoy as she prepared to usher them towards the Hospital Wing to see Poppy. No doubt she would find this amusing. Granger and Malfoy together was a thought that no sane, sober or logical person could ever envision. Why, the propensity for murder would just be too high.