Pranking hearts

"Oh pipe down," Rhea frowned, shutting her book in annoyance. She was sitting by the Black Lake with Edmund, the two of them as always being the silent partners for reading a book. Well, it was silent until the two started conversing about school. A topic which quickly led to the question of their houses. And since both of them shared a great deal of pride in their house it was bound to end in a small argument.

"You just can't bear with that fact that I am right," Edmund said back, a confident smirk gracing his pale face as his brown eyes didn't leave the book he was casually reading. Their conversation got to this dangerous point when they both started arguing about which house was better. The fact that Gryffindors once again didn't win the Quidditch Cup this year. Once again lost to Slytherin who after the rather demolishing loss with Gryffindor at the beginning of term managed to win against Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, securing first place for themselves.

That was certainly something that wasn't adding to Rhea's mood. Since they didn't have Harry there to help them and they made some major mistakes in their match against Ravenclaw and her and Angelina were complaining about it to the twins for good two weeks. They were all ready for Oliver to go berserk next year and start intense training sessions to get them all into shape. And now Edmund was bragging about his green and silver pride to her and it was getting on her nerves. She has nothing against the house itself. But she thinks that it is highly unfair that Slytherin gets to win both the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup. It shouldn't be fair since they often cheat during the Quidditch matches and they don't lose points in Potions because Professor Snape prefers them. Such a bigoted stance for a teacher.

"The truth is only that your House is good at cheating." Rhea snapped back, pouting like a child whilst pushing her book into her satchel. Deciding that she had enough of being in Edmund's presence. Before she could stand up Edmund grabbed onto her wrist. Finally putting down his book and appearing as less of a git when he gave her attention. His dark brown eyes were no longer reading through the words of the book, instead, he was scrutinising Rhea's facial expression which gave him a clear image of how she was feeling.

"Oh come on Ree, you can't be angry at me for that. I didn't even play properly during the match with Hufflepuff, remember? I got sick the day before and was practically dead on my broom." Edmund defended himself, trying to get Rhea's glare to soften a bit. If it were anyone else she would have already rolled her eyes and marched her way straight to the castle. But Edmund was one of the kindest people she knows and he never lies. She was always surprised how he was in Slytherin in the first place when he was so much more suitable for Hufflepuff with his loyalty and hard-working personality.

But then the Slytherin traits always somehow poke their way through his kind attitude. He could form words in any way possible, his resourcefulness with them was to die for. Even if he would break the rules of school in some way he would surely be the one to talk his way out of detention. His ambition to become an Unspeakable one day was truly admirable, and in some way brave, as no one knew what was going on at the Department of Mysteries. But Edmund did everything he could to get there one day.

It was his ultimately set goal. All Pevensie siblings seemed to have their goals set. Peter was on a good way to being an Auror, and Susan was set on being a journalist one day. And Lucy who was now only in her second year already knew she wanted to be a healer one day. To say that Pevensies knew exactly wanted with their future was an understatement. And Rhea wished to also know what her future was holding for her.

Of course, the lessons of divination could never bring her any answer. Just this year they learned that a Hufflepuff boy in their year would die because she saw it in his teacup. Rhea didn't mind Tessomancy, she and the twins were having a good time out of it. A few laughs were shared about the mad topic, taught by the mad-looking teacher. But that all changed quickly when Professor Trelawney decided to take a peek into Rhea's cup. She was told that the cross has come her way but not to worry because there is still a beam of sun merged with heart. In other words, she told Rhea that she will suffer and be put under hard trials but would be happy about it and something with love, or joy. Rhea wasn't sure how to correctly convert the words of the teacher into sensible English so she did what she could with the help of her textbook.

The twins were having a good laugh out of her. Especially when they found in their teacups an acorn, sun and spade. Which all are ensuring them great fortune and happiness. They didn't let her live that down for the next few months.

"I'm not angry at you." Rhea sighed with a shake of her head as she relaxed and fell back into her spot on the ground. Her relationship with Edmund wasn't often as carefree as she would like. Since Edmund liked to appear rather serious and he had a hard time easing up sometimes. Whereas Fred and George were relaxed all the time. Firing jokes every chance they've got and she was like that too most of the time, that's why she was a bit unsure to be like that around Edmund. "I just think that this year we will win the House Cup," Rhea said with confidence lacing her words as she smirked at Edmund who shook his head with a chuckle.

"You lost your House fifteen points just this week when you pulled that prank with pink shampoo on Snape." Edmund didn't fail to point out a bark-like laugh escaping him when he remembered Professor Snape with bright pink hair. An experience that he won't forget and will cherish till the day he dies. Rhea laughed along, the memory of it vivid in her mind. It was a dare she got from Fred and at first, she thought it would be a total failure, but it turned out to be a memorable event. Even Professor McGonagall couldn't help but faintly laugh when she saw the hair of the gloomy Professor sporting such a fresh and lively colour. The reaction of Professor Snape should stay a secret as he wasn't an enthusiast of such colour.

"Okay, but that was worth it," Rhea said with a grin. The moment was one of her greatest achievements. It was a Dear Diary moment that the whole school will remember. And she was sure that her relationship with Professor Snape got to a whole new level after that. Edmund put his hands up in surrender fully agreeing with her but the loss of points wasn't sitting very well with her statement of winning the House Cup.

"Still missing quite a lot of points to at least push out of the bottom line there."

"We will win this year Pevensie."

"You sure Black."

"Positive."

"Fine, so let's bet on it," Edmund stated nonchalantly making Rhea stop to replay everything he had said.

"What?" She asked with confusion written on her face as she tilted her head to the side.

"If you're so sure you will win, let's have a bet. If we win you get to do anything I tell you to. If you win, I will do everything you tell me." He stuck out his hand, waiting for Rhea to shake it to seal their deal. It was almost like an unbreakable vow. Just no one will die if the promise is broken. Not that Rhea or Edmund would back out of anything like this. They were too stubborn and proud to do that.

"You're on Pevensie." She grabbed his hand firmly and the bet was sealed. Now just wait for the next month till they get their results. Until that Rhea must come up with a way of getting her lost house points back.

***

The end of the year rolled up sooner than Rhea would want. One month was seriously too little of a time gap to last her till she was able to gain all the points she had lost during the year. Of course, she is not always losing points for her house. Entirely, there were more times when she was able to gain some points for the lion house but Professor Snape was sure to always bring her efforts down rather quickly during every Potion class.

Also half of that month Rhea was worried about Harry who, surprisingly enough got himself in the trouble with Professor Quirrell who carried You-know-who on the back of his head. This means that when she and the Weasley twins were playing snowball fight and hit Quirrell in the head, they might as well hit the Dark Lord straight in the face. Sounds wicked but also terribly terrifying when realising that someone like You-know-who was here at school with them the whole time. At least Harry defeated him again. Getting himself in the Hospital Wing maybe but he was alright. That however didn't mean that Rhea wasn't worried, oh no, she was terrified for the boy's life and she visited him every day possible. A perk of having a good relationship with Madame Pomfrey.

So when Rhea sat down that evening in the Great Hall with the rest of her house and other classmates, she was sure her bet with Edmund was lost on her side. She doubted that anyone from Slytherins managed to lose enough points to be below Gryffindor at this point. They were very careful about their status of winning every single year. A bunch of airheads, that's how Gryffindors called them.

Rhea caught eyes with Edmund who sent her a wink. Already smiling triumphantly, knowing the result. He was surely thinking about the things that Rhea could do, trying to figure out the best one. And that was making Rhea's blood boil. To prevent herself from hexing her friend she turned her gaze downward to the surface of the table. Not realising that her friends were noticing everything.

"You've got yourself into some peculiar situation," Angelina muttered to her from next to her. Alicia on her other side and Katie on Rhea's left. The boys were just opposite them. Fred directly in front of Rhea with George on his left and Lee on his right.

"Believe me, I've noticed." Rhea snapped, a bit more harshly than she initially implied.

"It's your own fault, you know, betting with Pevensie," Fred grumbled harshly. All of Rhea's friends knew about the bet. All of them supported it, believing that their house had a chance of beating Slytherin finally. Of course, that was just the excessive lion arrogance talking for them. However, Fred was against the idea from the beginning. Despising it ever since Rhea mentioned Edmund's name.

No one knew why he was so against the boy. Sure they all weren't big devotees of Slytherins, but they all could agree that from the human being's perspective, Edmund wasn't a bad folk. None of them was going to be making great friends with him any time soon, but they didn't utterly hate him like they did other Slytherins. But Fred, oh that lad loathed the Pevensie boy. He doesn't even have any valid reason for his hatred, he just can't stand the idea of the dark-haired boy. Simple as that."

Pardon?" Rhea asked slightly stunned by Fred's choice of words. She hoped that she had just heard him wrong. Because Fred was never this spiteful towards anyone. But her hopes came crashing down when Fred spoke again.

"Why would you even gamble with him? He is a Slytherin, nothing good is surely lurking through his mind." Fred frowned, pushing himself up in his seat to appear even taller than before. His honey-coloured eyes looked pointedly at Rhea who had a perplexed look on her face. Sure Fred was the more impulsive twin. Not having trouble getting into fights but his anger never got turned towards Rhea. And she wasn't sure why he was in such a foul mood.

"Fred, you're being dramatic," Alicia said from Angelina's side, trying to calm the ginger down. Even George seemed to be rather confused by the situation. Not knowing what has gotten into his brother all of a sudden.

"Am I? I think it's called sensible. The first thing on that git's mind will be to snog your face off Rhea. That's all he wants to do," Fred ended his speech, practically fuming with anger. The tips of his ear were so red they were comparable to his hair. And Rhea wanted to tell him it wasn't like that. To tell him it wasn't true. But seeing the look on Fred's face she knew that his mind has been set and so trying to persuade him would be next to impossible right now. So with a defeated sigh, she looked up at him. A sad smile found its way to her lips.

"Then we'll have to hope he doesn't win, won't we?" Fred didn't seem too satisfied with her answer but couldn't oppose it as Dumbledore had stood at the front. Causing everyone to quiet down. Waiting for the Headmaster to speak.

"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully, your heads are all a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts," There were a few laughs heard at Dumbledore's statement. It would be likely that most of the students would even forget their names during the long summer. Though Rhea would never, her memory soaking up everything she could and never letting go. It was maybe just her third year now but her O.W.Ls were nearing which struck her with fear and a nauseatic feeling crept into her stomach at every thought of that dreadful year.

"I already don't know half the things we learned this year," Lee whispered to them cheekily. Fred and George high-fived him while the girls just shook their heads in disappointment.

"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus..." There was a dramatic pause before Dumbledore started talking again. "In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points," Rhea bit back a cuss that was threatening to escape her mouth. Lifting her head to see Edmund triumphantly grinning at her. She wasn't angry at him, more furious with herself that she couldn't do better.

"There go our hopes," Fred muttered sarcastically, his eyes meeting Rhea's for a split second, causing a wave of guilt to flood through her veins. It was as if Fred was blaming her now. But that wasn't the case now.

"In third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table, just like always. The table of green and silver always being the loudest at the end of the year. It was unsettling to see them win each and every year. Those smiles plastered on their faces were clashing with their usual snobbish and cold demeanour. To say the least, it was a sickening sight.

"Now I wish I hadn't set off that last dung bomb yesterday," George muttered, all three boys keeping their gaze set forward, rather looking at the girls from their group than looking back at the cheering Slytherin table. Girls weren't so lucky, they were forced to have Slytherins on full display in front of them.

"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore spoke, shushing the cheering of the snake table. "However, recent events must be taken into account." The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little. The group of friends shared a look between each other in confusion.

"What's going on this time?" Angelina asked in a whisper. Leaning closer toward Rhea for an answer. But the blonde was as oblivious as she was. She was just hoping that this wasn't just a public way of taking some more points from Gryffindors. The Slytherins were already gloating enough as it is. No need for them to have any extra boost.

"Beats me," Rhea answered back. Her pale green eyes curiously scrutinising Dumbledore who stood at the front of the Great Hall.

"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out." The kids all shared a look with their housemates. It wasn't a very ordinary thing to be receiving points this late. Usually the last two or three days you couldn't gain any points. And you could only lose them if you broke the school rules in some way. What was Dumbledore doing? "Let me see. Yes...First to Mr Ronald Weasley..." The twins looked surprised, their heads shooting up in surprise when they heard the name of their younger brother being said. Slight shock crossed Rhea's face as well, she wasn't aware of Ron doing anything that would earn him points. But then again she wasn't with him that much this past month. "... for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

The giveaway of the points getting the Gryffindors to cheer slightly. At least they weren't last now. The initial shock in the twins' faces vanished quite quickly. They tried to cover it by talking to one another. But Rhea could see how proud they were of their younger brother. They and Percy. You could hear Percy gloating from the other side of the table where he sat with his Prefect friends. Happily announcing that Ron was his brother. Rhea couldn't help but shake her head at the diversity of the three brothers.

While Fred and George were for the first time keeping their pride silent. Maybe because it was someone else's spot to gloat about this achievement. Sure they were proud, but this was Ron's moment, solely for him to relish in and they were not about to steal it from him. And of course, they didn't want him to be bragging to them all the time like Percy. While Percy on the other hand was not afraid of announcing to everyone that Ron was related to him. The five minutes of popularity his youngest brother was receiving was his way to get some more respect amongst his peers. Shaking the thought off she turned back to Dumbledore once the Great Hall quietened down from the chatters.

"Second to Miss Hermione Granger...for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Hermione was quick to look towards Rhea, giving her a smile. The girl had spent many hours with Rhea just studying, with Rhea helping her perfect her skills and here and there mentioning some secrets that she had collected over the years. Rhea did it only because she saw quite a potential in Hermione, after all for a girl from a non-wizarding family she was extraordinarily talented and Rhea just saw an opportunity to boost the girl up a notch. Something that Hermione seemed to be rather grateful about.

Rhea didn't understand why Hermione would be coming to her for help. She thought the girl already knew so much and that what she didn't know she could just easily learn from the books. But Hermione knew why she was doing it. She's been hearing about Rhea all around the castle. She was portrayed as a rather extraordinary witch with the effortless perfection that she possessed she was able to perform any spell without even trying. Hermione couldn't simply comprehend how someone so bright isn't gloating, or always studying like her. And then she found out, Rhea had it all in her, without her even knowing. There was something rather magical about the girl itself. Whether it was her attitude, skills or just generally her as a being she was just something else.

Not only did she taught Hermione some new spells, proper manoeuvring with wand and what not, she also showed her how to be more approachable and how to make friends. Something Hermione was previously struggling with. And that's why she was now looking over at her. She saw Rhea as a friend. A great friend that she could always count on when something goes wrong. Maybe she even saw her as a sister. But she would not tell that to Harry who already had grown a brother-sister relationship with the third year.

But still, she felt like she needed to look over at Rhea to see her reaction when she was granted those fifty points which pulled their house from the losing streak. She immediately felt more sure of herself when she saw the proud smile Rhea gave him along with mouthed praise along the line of 'well done, Mione'. Hermione couldn't feel better about herself at that moment.

"Third, to Mr Harry Potter... " said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. Rhea's eyes widening even more as she glanced over at the raven-haired boy."... for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points." Rhea's hand flew up to cover her mouth in shock. Harry had earned them sixty points...that was more than anyone was ever given at once. Harry just had to be breaking the record.

"What does that mean?" Lee asked eagerly, leaning over the table towards Rhea. The blonde did quick math in her head. Something that Remus taught her to do rather well.

"We now have four hundred and seventy-two points...exactly the same as Slytherin," Rhea said, a giant grin breaking to her lips and others immediately copied her actions. They had tied for the house cup, which had never happened before. The Gryffindors were beside themselves with glee. They finally weren't the last ones. Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent. Everyone looked over at the headmaster, nervously waiting for what his words would bring next.

"There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I, therefore, award ten points to Mr Neville Longbottom." Once the words left his mouth, the whole Gryffindor table broke into loud cheers. They have won. McGonagall couldn't be prouder of her students, maybe only if they have won the Quidditch Cup. But she was proud nevertheless. Angelina and Rhea hugged each other whilst squealing in happiness. Alicia and Katie joining the hug rather quickly as well, while the boys were just doing as much noise as they could.

Rhea stole a quick glance at the Slytherin table. Looking at Edmund who sat in his place an amused smile on his face as he shook his head in disbelief. When he noticed Rhea looking at him, he clapped his hands a bit for her and her house's achievement. Not looking bothered by losing their bet. He was just enjoying how happy she was at the moment. Gryffindor had it long coming. It has been way too long since they have won something and this was the moment when the winning streak of Slytherins broke. And the house of red and gold couldn't be prouder of being the ones to break it.

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration." He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. The group of friend laughed at the sighed. Sitting down in their places, sitting upright all of them as proud of the lion on the display. This must have been one of the most successful years for the Gryffindors and now that they are in the first place they are not planning on falling down any time soon.