Below The Surface

Chapter 3

After the potions incident, any trace of pity I had for Malfoy disappeared entirely. Unfortunately, the potion he'd spilled on me did not. Hermione did her best, but there was no saving my robes, or the bottom half of my hair, for that matter.

Now sporting old robes from before my fourth year growth spurt, and hair much shorter than I'd like, I was furious. My mood, however, was nothing compared to the twins.

"Who does that twat think he is?" Fred's arms were crossed, and he was glowering in a distinctly un-Fred-like manner.

I shrugged from my spot on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. It was late Monday night, and Hermione had insisted on swaddling me, burrito style, in blankets as if it would soothe me and prevent me from plotting Malfoy's murder. It wasn't working.

"Doesn't matter. We're going to get him back," I said decisively.

George squeezed my shoulder and grinned, glad we were finally discussing something he could contribute to.

"Damn right we are. What are we thinking? Ton tongue lolli? Hexed broom?"

I pondered this for a moment.

"No. This has to be bigger than one of your candies."

I had to show Malfoy that I wasn't to be messed with. But what would really bring the point across? I went to run a hand through my hair, an old thinking habit, and felt air where thick auburn waves used to be. That's it! I narrowed my eyes, an evil smile growing on my face.

"I know exactly what Malfoy needs."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Getting the potion into Malfoy's drink had been almost too easy. Fred and George caused a distraction while Ginny, the least likely of us to be suspected, wandered past the Slytherin table and discreetly emptied a small vial into Malfoy's goblet.

Then, we waited.

The twins and I were finding it difficult to hold in our snickers, especially when Malfoy took a large sip of his pumpkin juice, completely unaware of the fate that awaited him.

Hermione shot me a meaningful look.

"Act natural! Everyone is already going to think you did it, if Flich sees you laughing you'll get an automatic detention for sure!"

I forced my features into a mild expression, and took a bite of my toast just for something to do.

Soon, though, the potion began to take effect. Malfoy's hair began to darken, first at the roots, then all the way down to the tips. I could see Crabbe's eyes widen, and he poked Malfoy urgently. Malfoy turned to him impatiently, and I could see the two having a whispered conversation before Malfoy's eyes widened. He stood up stiffly and strode with purpose towards the Gryffindor table, the rest of the Great Hall gasping as they caught a glimpse of his hair.

Malfoy came to a stop in front of me.

"All right, Malfoy?" I said mildly, still focusing on my toast.

"You did this," he said, repressed anger underneath his flat tone.

I finally looked up to see the full glory of the twins' handiwork. Sure, it'd been my idea, but the execution was all Weasley, as was the color they'd chosen.

Malfoy's hair was bright orange.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

My saintly act was somewhat sullied by Fred and George shaking with silent laughter on either side of me, but I managed to keep my composure.

"Did you do something new to your hair? You look different," I squinted as if I was really trying to figure out what was different about his appearance.

Fred couldn't stay silent any longer.

"Yeah Malfoy, if I didn't know better I'd say we could be cousins," he burst out.

"Technically, Fred, we're all cousins," George pointed out nonchalantly.

"Right! Pureblood lineage and all that," Fred said cheerfully, shooting Malfoy a conspiratorial wink.

A muscle in his jaw began to twitch, and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. He opened his mouth as if to retort, but instead turned on his heel and marched out of the Great Hall to faint snickering from three out of the four houses.

As soon as he was out of earshot, the twins began howling with laughter.

"Did you see his face when you said we were cousins?" Fred exclaimed, "Priceless!"

"Even his eyebrows were orange!" George said gleefully, "I didn't know our potion could do that!"

I threw my arms around both boys, suddenly very grateful.

"Thanks, guys. I owe you one."

"Don't mention it," Fred waved off my thanks.

"Yeah Char, you know we'd do anything for you," George smiled crookedly, and a faint blush rose in his cheeks. There was an awkward pause before he realized what he'd said.

"I mean, where'd quidditch be without you? We can't have the snake harassing our best chaser!"

I punched him on the shoulder and grinned, eager to avoid whatever strange moment had transpired just then. I wasn't in the mood to analyse what that blush had meant, and evidently neither was George.

"Race you to the common room!" I said.

"You're on!" the twins replied in unison, and we were off, laughing all the way.