Till Forever Falls Apart

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Plan

*I apologize I haven't updated in a week! I have been on vacation, and have been trying to relieve some stress I had from just finishing school as I am now heading into summer. I hope you enjoy!

September 19, 1992

"Did you make sure to get every single one?" Val whispered as she hid behind the corner of the hall.

George stood behind her, their shoulders touching as to make sure no one would see them. He poked his head out, watching for Fred who scurried to their hiding place.

"All of them," Fred confirmed, out of breath as he huddled closer to them.

George checked a watch he had borrowed from Lee. Class was to be dismissed at any moment.

All they had to do was wait.

"Those charms were quite complex," George pretended to tip his hat in congratulations to Val.

"Nothing we couldn't handle, though," Fred smacked his brother on the back. Val pressed herself firmly against the cold wall.

"They should be coming out any minute," she said, thrilled at what was about to occur.

The doors of classrooms opened. Students exited the rooms, and the hall began to fill with voices and bodies as children filed into the Great Hall for dinner.

"There he is!" George pointed, being indiscreet. "He's coming towards us!"

The three moved quickly, pressing themselves against a pillar in the corridor, watching the scene unfold before them.

Draco, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle stuck closely together, laughing at something the blonde-haired boy had said as he described the joke using hand motions. Pansy tossed her head back, covering her mouth as she giggled, while Goyle elbowed Crabbe, urging him to laugh as well.

"MUDDY MALFOY'S GOT A RING,

HE THINKS HIS WORDS CAN BITE OR STING,

BUT LITTLE DOES THE SORRY BOY KNOW,

HE'S AS SLIMY AS A TOAD!"

The other students who were still in the hall cackled behind their books and robes, their childish laughs echoing under the old architecture of the passageway.

Although Draco was pale, his cheeks were a harsh shade of pink. Crabbe and Goyle's mouths hung open, while Pansy's face wrinkled into a look of extreme displeasure as the portrait continued to sing.

"MUDDY MALFOY'S GOT A RING,

HE THINKS HIS WORDS CAN BITE OR STING,

BUT LITTLE DOES THE SORRY BOY KNOW,

HE'S AS SLIMY AS A TOAD!"

"Not my favorite tune, but it's up there," George joked, confidently walking with his hands in his pockets as they continued to watch the spectacle in front of them.

"What do you mean, George?" Fred pulled them away, sauntering into the Great Hall. "We worked hard on those lyrics!"

Fred continued to dance and sing to the tune as they walked to the Gryffindor table. Hermione looked oddly at the twins, and back at Val.

"What are you three up two?" She asked curiously, though it sounded more like suspicion.

"Oh, you'll see," Val winked as she took the seat next to her, watching the doorway.

The group of Slytherins walked in, looking more frazzled than they had been after class. Draco seemed to be backing away at any sight of a portrait, pushing his two minions in front of him as a source of protection against the paintings.

"What is Malfoy doing?" Harry struggled to say as his chest rose and fell with loud laughs.

Peeves started to circle the Slytherin boy, bellowing the tune from the hall.

The Ravenclaws gave in and started singing, then the Gryffindors, and eventually the Hufflepuffs swayed to the song as if it was a tune they loved on the radio.

Dumbledore rose from his place, demanding the song be put to rest as the meal began.

"The portraits? The song?" Hermione gave Val a stern look. "You're behind all of it, aren't you?"

"With a little help, of course," Val bowed her head in thanks to the twins, who responded with the same gesture.

"Who knew you could be so charming, LB?" George teased.

Val bit the inside of her cheek, hoping her smile did not give away the utter delight she was feeling inside.

"Phase two?" Fred leaned in, looking absolutely thrilled to be able to complete the task.

"Phase two," Val gave him a thumbs up. Fred swung his legs over the bench, walking with perfect posture as he strode over to the area near the Slytherin table.

"Are you sure he'll get the exact spot?" Val asked nervously. George nodded.

"He has impeccable aim. Gets it from me."

Fred put a friendly arm around one of the Slytherin beaters, who tried to shrug him off with little success. The Weasley boy pretended that his wand fell out of his pocket, and picking it up, he swiftly pointed it in Draco's direction.

No one had noticed a thing.

Fred hurried back over, breaking into a quick jog as he returned to his rightful place.

"I got him."

"Who?" Hermione turned Val to face her. "What are you doing?"

"Happy Birthday, 'Mione!" Val hugged her. 

The girl was not pleased. "Thank you," Hermione said emotionlessly. "Now tell me, what are you-"

"THIS IS REVOLTING!" Draco shouted, coughing as he drank from his goblet to rid of the taste in his mouth.

But it seemed to make matters worse. Draco's red cheeks were now pale, hiding from the rest of the school as he took his robe and used it to wipe his tongue from the terrible taste that lingered.

"WHY DOES MY FOOD TASTE LIKE MUD?" He roared as he left the Hall and ran for his dorm.

Harry and Ron, almost falling over their chairs, snorted as they mimicked Malfoy. Val was very pleased with this reaction, but the feeling faded quickly once she saw Hermione fold her arms.

"Was that all for me?" Hermione said sullenly.

At this reaction, Val's malicious pleasure plummeted. A small voice appeared at the back of her mind, chastising her for the prank. The bubbling, unrecognizable sensation appeared in her stomach as she recalled the song, the spell for the food, and the conversation she had had with the twins, eagerly telling them the plan she had in mind.

And all of a sudden, it felt wrong. Terrible, even. But the damage had been done, and Val was to push this down for another time, perhaps when Draco upset her and she would remember this evening when she needed a cause for revenge once more.

Val cringed. "You said you were upset about him calling you a... well, I'm not going to say it. So, I collaborated with Fred and George to get him back."

Hermione considered this, picking at her food as she debated quietly as to how she would respond. "I really don't know what to do with you sometimes."

"Is that the closest I'm going to get to a 'thank you'?" Val grinned.

Hermione rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to her food. "I never said it was appropriate, or right."

"I'll take whatever I can get from you, Granger," Val threw an arm around her, bringing her close.

Hermione protested. "I'm eating!"

"Just hug me!"

And so they did, ending the celebration of Hermione Granger's thirteenth birthday.