The Headmaster's Only Mistake

Picnic by the Lake

A/N: I got the first shot of vaccine yesterday! Also, please read the A/N at the end! :)

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"Better this way anyways. Now, at least, he won't actively try to stop us." Amelia turned to McGonagall, "Lead the way, Professor?"

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By the time the prank had worn off, it was too late for the Headmaster to do anything. Fluffy had been found and taken care of by members of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and the rest of the group of Ministry workers and members of the Board of Governors had quickly spread around the school, making sure that everything was up to standard.

When Dumbledore attempted to cut the inspection short, he had been unpleasantly surprised to see that more than half of the people with clipboards had already left, and the other half were just about ready to make their way out the door as well. 

Harry had an especially wonderful time watching the affronted faces of the inspectors as Dumbledore tried - and failed - to either manipulate, trick, or bribe, them into handing over their notes. The headmaster looked ridiculous doing so as well, considering the fact that he was still as colorful as he had been last night, and many of the visitors did not hesitate to point that out as they pointed out his incompetence - among other things and insults hurled at his face.

When the last of the visitors left, Dumbledore all but slammed the large wooden doors before stalking off in a fit of rage, easily forgetting about his public farce.

"Do you think the teachers are going to question the elves about the prank?" Pansy asked, bitting her lip as the group of friends walked past the huddle of whispering professors.

"They probably won't, and even if they do, the elves won't sell us out." Fred assured her.

"The little tykes are loyal to fault, and for some reason, their loyalty falls to Harry." George added.

"How did you manage that anyways?" Fred asked him.

"Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen you in the kitchens." his twin continued, looking at Harry imploringly.

"A magician never reveals their secrets." Harry said in a conspiratorial manner. Hermione snorted into her hand at the irony.

"What?" the twins asked in unison.

"Nothing," Harry waved off, "just a muggle saying. Does anyone have any suggestions about what we could do today?"

"Let's go swimming in the lake!" Pansy jumped up immediately. 

Draco raised a skeptical eyebrow and immediately, Harry knew he was going to say no. "You want to go swimming in a lake with merfolk, a giant squid, grindylows, red kappas, and who knows what else?"

Pansy shrugged, "It's a lovely day out, and the lake looks fantastic."

"You do realize that the lake is always practically freezing to be kept to mermish standards? And that there is a large possibility that the giant squid may or may not be carnivorous?" Hermione pointed out.

"The giant squid isn't going to eat us. He's quite friendly, actually." Harry countered.

"And how is it that you know this?" Susan narrowed her eyes.

Harry huffed and opened his mouth to say something else when Luna interrupted him. 

"Arguing isn't going to help." She rolled her eyes. "How about we go out for a picnic and whoever wants to go swimming brings their bathing suit or trunks."