Entwined (Ron Weasley X Female OC)

The Gryffindor boys' dormitory was a disaster zone.

Seamus Finnigan had just violently hiccuped and released a puff of blue smoke, Dean Thomas was howling with laughter, and Neville Longbottom was sitting stiffly on the edge of his bed, deeply regretting every decision that had led him to this moment.

"I— I think my lungs are burning," Neville croaked, clutching his chest.

Harry, laughing, tossed him a bottle of water. "That's what you get for letting Seamus talk you into eating whatever that was."

"I said it was experimental," Seamus grinned, still wiping tears from his eyes.

Ron, meanwhile, was frowning down at the box of sweets in his lap. "Alright, so these make you smoke, these make you sound like an animal, and these—" he picked up a tiny, bright green bonbon—"make you do what exactly?"

Dean smirked. "Turn your hair a different color. Supposedly."

Ron popped it into his mouth without hesitation.

For a second, nothing happened. Then—

Dean cackled. "Merlin's pants, Ron!"

Ron blinked. "What?"

Seamus was wheezing. "Mate, your hair—"

Ron turned toward the mirror across from his bed and yelped. His entire head was a violent shade of bubblegum pink.

"OH, BLOODY HELL!"

Now everyone was on the floor laughing.

Ron furiously ran his hands through his hair. "I look like a flamingo! Harry, fix it!"

Harry, still breathless from laughing, handed him a chocolate bar instead. "Here. Try this before you actually combust."

Ron shoved it into his mouth, muttering furiously under his breath as his hair slowly faded back to red.

Seamus wiped his eyes. "Right. That was the best thing I've seen all week."

Dean shook his head, still laughing. "No wonder your sister's best mates with Cassidy. The Sweets are responsible for half the disasters in this dorm."

Neville, still recovering from his earlier near-death experience, groaned. "Alright, new rule. No more experimental sweets."

Seamus grinned. "Yeah, yeah—now, back to important things." He leaned in lowering his voice. "Who d'you reckon the prettiest girl at Hogwarts is?"

Ron groaned. "Oh, come on—"

"What?" Seamus smirked. "Just a bit of fun."

Harry, still grinning, shrugged. "Alright, go on then, who's your pick?"

Seamus barely hesitated. "Angelina Johnson."

Dean nodded approvingly. "Good choice."

"She's gorgeous," Seamus continued. "And she's got confidence, you know? Like, she'll hex you and make it look good."

Dean snorted. "You like getting hexed?"

"I like a challenge."

Dean shook his head. "Alright, well, I'd say Katie Bell. She's cool. And she's fit."

Seamus turned to Neville. "What about you, Longbottom?"

Neville immediately turned red. "Oh— er— I dunno—"

Seamus gasped. "You've got someone in mind!"

Neville stammered. "N-No, I—"

Harry, smirking, leaned forward. "Alright, c'mon, Neville, we won't judge. Who d'you fancy?"

Neville hesitated for way too long.

Dean grinned. "Ohhhhh, it's Cassidy, isn't it?"

Ron's head snapped up.

Seamus howled. "I knew it! Knew something was going on when you two went out for ice cream—"

"It wasn't a date!" Neville groaned, covering his face. "And I don't fancy Cassidy!"

Seamus wiggled his eyebrows. "Uh-huh. Sure, mate."

Harry and Dean were trying not to laugh. Ron, however, was not amused.

"She already told us about that," he muttered, crossing his arms.

Seamus raised an eyebrow. "Alright, no need to get defensive."

Ron scoffed. "I'm not defensive."

Dean smirked. "Right. Then you won't mind answering this—who do you think is the prettiest?"

Ron blinked. "What?"

"You heard me," Dean grinned. "We three answered. Your turn."

Ron hesitated. "I dunno! Haven't thought about it much."

Seamus snorted. "Alright, then let's make it easy. You must fancy someone." Dean smirked. "Maybe Hermione?"

Ron jerked like he'd been hexed. "HERMIONE?!"

Seamus cackled. "Merlin, mate, say it with your chest!"

Ron's face went scarlet. "I— I don't fancy Hermione! She's— she's Hermione!"

Harry pressed his lips together to stop from laughing.

Dean shrugged. "Alright, alright, maybe not Hermione—"

Seamus, suddenly grinning, leaned forward. "What about Cassidy?"

Ron's whole body locked up.

"Ohhhhh," Dean grinned. "Yeah, that makes sense."

Harry immediately looked away.

Neville, still mortified, turned even redder. "Wait— what—?"

Seamus was thrilled. "You do fancy her, don't you?"

"I do not—" Ron spluttered. "I just think she's loud, alright? And annoying. And—and obnoxious."

Dean snorted. "Right. That's why you're always staring at her like a kicked puppy."

"I do not—"

Harry physically put a hand on Ron's shoulder. "Mate. Breathe."

Ron shut his mouth, scowling.

Seamus, still smirking, patted Ron's knee. "It's alright, Weasley. Denial is the first step."

Ron threw his pillow at him.

By the time the lights went out, he was still scowling at the ceiling.