Rivals

Untitled Part 1

"-and we have to be sure to execute it perfectly. . .we have to get Ron good this year," said Fred Weasley.

"It's never the first day at Hogwarts without a prank on the little brother," laughed George Weasley. Together, the two of them scored over the dimly lit corridors after the feast, and thought up silly pranks to pull the next day. They were sure McGonagall was expecting their usual confetti or potion blasters, but this year. . .this year was different. They had planned all summer to execute their prank perfectly.

Giggling together like two evil monkeys, the Weasley twins turned the corner to head towards the Hogwarts library. . .an area the two of them were not all too familliar with.

"I didn't know we had a library," joked Fred.

"I've seen it once, only because Hermione dragged me inside," George said in a state of terror, "-scary, that one is. . .even more scary when she's reading a book about the deadliest potions."

Both of them shuddered.

"There shouldn't be anyone inside tonight," Fred reminded in a low, hushed tone, "-all first years will want to get to sleep, and try to stay out of trouble-"

"-the rest of the Gryffindors are all too obedient to be out after hours," George whispered, "-Hufflepuffs are asleep, Ravenclaws are-" he paused for a moment, crouching behind the corridor wall underneath Fred, "-I don't know what Ravenclaws do."

"All we have to worry about are those Slytherins," Fred mumbled, "-they're like a creepy cult, Malfoy induces them in with a secret ceremony. . .I should know. . .when Malfoy first came to Hogwarts, I tricked him into thinking that in order to become a Slytherin, he had to hang his underwear on the Astronomy Tower."

George chuckled far too loudly, and Fred slapped his hand over his mouth before anyone else heard. In the corridors, their whispers sounded like screams.

"That's why Malfoy's baby boxers were hanging all the way up there?" George giggled, much quieter, after Fred released his hand.

"Good joke, that one," Fred added with a smirk, "-Malfoy has always held a grudge on me after that day."

"Eh, he has it out for all the Weasleys," George corrected, "-pompous weiny, really."

Fred grinned and motioned for George to follow him after the way was clear. A small group of giggling second year girls. . .Slytherins. . .had come rushing along the dimly lit corridors, led by the mischevious, dark-haired, Pansy Parkinson.

"Hurry, George," Fred rushed through clenched teeth, "-I hear more of them coming."

Although he was whispering as quietly as he could, his manner was urgent. Quickly, the two of them rushed into the library, and shut the door quietly behind them.

The shuffles, whispers, and echoes of the corridor disappeared, and instead a dark, overwhelming room faced them, although they could hardly see anything that dwelled beyond.

"Where's your wand?" mumbled George.

"I-I don't have it. . .where's your wand?" implied Fred.

"I-I don't have it!" George cried.

"What do you mean you don't have it?" Fred snarled.

"I mean-" George paused and sighed so loudly, whatever few candles that were lit had diminished into smoke, "-I don't have it, Freddie."

And so there they stood, in the darkness, practically shaking with fear. You would think two boys as sturdy, brave, and reckless as the two of them wouldn't be so fearful of a dark library. . .but, it was, in fact, the opposite.