Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Third Year: Halloween

Now that classes were over, Bambi changed out of her school robes into some more casual clothing for the feast, a matching top, and pants in an earthy green linen. She found a book about enchanting clothing in the library, so she attempted to make little dancing pumpkins on the edges of her pants and sleeves, but they ended up looking more like carrots. She pulled her curls into a high messy bun after some significant effort. It was never as easy as everyone always seemed to make it, but she knew she would want her hair up in the case where food may very well be mashed into it.

The Great Hall was already bustling with chatter and laughter by the time she rejoined the rest of the school for the feast. A thousand live bats swooped and fluttered from the walls and ceilings, causing the floating candles to flicker within the Jack-o-lanterns. Food appeared on the golden plates, just as it did at the start-of-term feast.

She made sure to squeeze right between Fred and George. If she was going to start a food fight, it was going to be with people who would actually participate.

Bambi filled her plate up just as she had at the last feast, but this time there were far more festive dishes. Pumpkin pies, squash soups, pecan clusters...

Bambi looked at the dishes in front of her. "Well then, it's now or never,"

She scooped a hefty handful of mashed potatoes in her hand and splatted it in Fred's face. She made sure it was Fred, made 100% certain because he was the one who insisted on her doing this.

Fred blinked potatoes out of his eyes, and without a second thought, reached in front of him, grabbed the bowl of gravy, and dunked Bambi's face inside. George whipped around to see what was going on, accidentally hitting Lee in the eye with a chicken drumstick.

Nobody had time to react, just then, the double doors flew open and Professor Quirrel came sprinting into the hall, a face of complete terror on his face. Everyone stared.

"Troll! In the dungeons... thought you ought to know," He fainted.

There was a moment where complete silence filled the room as comprehension crossed through the student's minds, then- chaos.

There was an uproar. Dumbledore stood, shooting purple sparks from his wand in an attempt to bring silence once again. "Prefects!" He said in the loudest voice that Bambi had heard him speak, "Lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!"

Percy stood, doing just as Dumbledore said. He put the first and second years sandwiched between the higher-level grades to keep them safe in case they did come across a troll. "Follow me! Stick together, first years! No need to fear the troll if you follow my orders! Stay close behind me, now! First years coming through, make way- Excuse me! I'm a prefect!" He ushered the students forward.

"Troll?" Bambi whispered to the twins at her side, ignoring the few confused looks that came their way. "How did a troll get inside the dungeons?"

"Maybe it was Peeves," Said George, wiping some potatoes from Fred's face and eating them.

"What about a Boggart or something- There's lots of dark corners in the Dungeons." Bambi thought out loud, walking swiftly with the rest of the group as Percy safely closed the common room door behind them.

"What in the world happened to you two?" Percy was making his rounds with the other Prefect, making sure everyone was accounted for. A disgusted look crossed his face.

"Potatoes and gravy- brought some with us since the feast was cut short." Said Fred, scooping some mashed potatoes in his hand and then scraping the leftover gravy in Bambi's hair. "Want some?" He shoved the handful of cold potatoes toward Percy who scoffed, and turned away muttering something about "In this emergency..."

"Where's Ron?" George suddenly turned, surveying the group of first years. His red eyebrows scrunched together.

"I'm sure he's in there-" Fred turned his attention toward them too, "Probably just hiding or something-"

"Sort of hard for him to hide with that hair of his- he's not here, Fred," George repeated, a bit more seriously, his voice rising.

The two of them dove into the group of first years, frantically searching for him. Bambi watched as they turned each first year to face them, Fred getting bits of potato on their robes.

Percy grabbed Fred and George by the back of their collars and drug them back. "You two need to relax- I'm sure they went up to their dorms or something- Dumbledore would make sure they're alright. Don't cause a scene, we don't need any more panic!"

"What if he's out there being bludgeoned by a troll?" Fred yelled.

"I'm sure it's not a real troll, it's probably just Peeves again, or maybe a-"

"Percy!" The Prefect girl hurried over to him. "We have three first years missing-"

"I know," Percy responded, looking agitated. "You two- just- Fred, clean off. Go to your dorms, I'll let you know when it's safe to come out."

"I'm staying right here until Ron comes back," Fred stood his ground, crossing his arms stubbornly.

"Me too," George added.

"I'm a Prefect- please boys, I don't want to take away points-"

"For what? That's our brother!" Fred argued.

Percy opened his mouth to say something but Bambi dragged them away, "Come over here, arguing with Percy won't make them come back sooner."

The three sat by the window waiting, even after almost all the other students went to their dorms to sleep after the leftover food had been brought to the common room. It seemed like the longest hour of their lives. Bambi wiped Fred's face off with her sleeve, as her top was already soiled.

She hadn't seen them this serious about anything before.

"Sorry about the potatoes," She said in a quiet voice, trying to say anything to fill the silence.

Fred looked at her, giving a weary smile after she cleaned his face. "Sorry about the gravy,"

The common room door swung open again.

"Ronikins!" Fred and George jumped up, and with just one look they were back to normal.

George took Ron in the crook of his arm and gave him a noogie, ruffling up his already frazzled hair.

"Guys-" Ron went pink, "Let go of me!... Why do you smell like potatoes?"

Bambi watched with a relieved smile as the three first years, a bit bruised and dusty, collapsed onto the couch and ate the leftover food, all while telling them the amazing tale of the troll they had just defeated.