Pranking hearts

"I still don't get it," Alicia said flipping through the book of Herbology. She had an essay she needed to do for next week, but let's be honest, Herbology isn't her forte. Katie who sat next to her glanced inside the book to see what page she was on, only to roll her eyes.

"That might be because you are supposed to do the paper about Dittany not Aconite, dimwit." Katie corrected, flipping the pages of Alicia's book to the right one. Alicia scanned the page, reading the first few lines.

"Oh, this does make more sense than the last one..." She said her cheek flushing with a subtle red tint from embarrassment. She cleared her throat shaking her head. "But that is not what I wanted." She looked over at Rhea who was reading through some old-looking book that she received from Harry for Christmas. He said he got it when he was in London during the summer. "So you said you saw Fred at the Three Broomsticks?"

Rhea rolled her eyes. Putting her book down before glancing over at Alicia. It was the fourth time Alicia wanted to discuss this topic again. It was still the same topic over and over again. How Fred invaded Rhea's date with Cedric. Well, actually he didn't but at the same time did...it doesn't make sense.

"I already told you. Cedric and I went to Three Broomsticks for Butterbeer because the teashop of Madame Paddifoot's is far too tacky and frilly in my opinion."

"So it's not your cup of tea," Angelina said with a chuckle. The other three girls looked over at her with surprised or quizzical expressions. "Oh come on, I want to make jokes too. Ah, whatever leave it."

"Anyway...while we were in Three Broomsticks we were talking, everything was good and then Fred came with George and Lee behind him. He was being unnecessarily loud. And even if he didn't directly go up to us and break us apart like he always does, he kept glancing over at us making sure we noticed him there. I mean, of course, we noticed him, he was so loud one would have to be deaf not to know he was there." Rhea said with annoyance lining her voice.

"Maybe he was being jealous? That's the whole point of this isn't it?" Katie suggested. Her attention was captured seconds later by passing Beauxbatons girls. She was searching for Vivienne, her date from Yule Ball. She yet didn't have the time to speak with her. But it was clear Katie was smitten by the girl.

"I doubt that honestly, he was flirting with a girl like ten minutes after his arrival. Not a sign of jealousy or affection. So the plan is failing." Rhea explained her thoughts to the other girls, well, those that were listening anyway.

"Maybe he is just trying to hide it?" Alicia suggested, frowning in Katie's way since the girl was leaning over the table, pushing aside Alicia's books. "Do you mind?" She huffed, shoving Katie's elbow off the table causing her to hit her chin against it.

Rhea sighed, not really believing that Fred would be able to hide something like that. Or that he would be even slightly interested in her. He just doesn't like Cedric and that is all it takes for him to be mean and moody every time he sees him. There is no affection included whatsoever.

The library that they were in was still full of students but everyone was doing their own thing, not minding the bickering between Alicia and Katie or Angelina furiously glaring at her Potions book. Nor did they notice Rhea's lost look that she had in her eyes. Mind trailing off to somewhere where no one could reach her. She didn't even know what she was thinking about. Could have been self-pity, could have been blaming herself, could have been rage. No one could be sure.

But the peaceful atmosphere was to be interpreted as Fred and George strolled inside the library. Angelina was the first to notice them and she elbowed the two girls next to her to catch their attention as well. Angelina, Katie and Alicia were keeping a close eye on the two boys. With their eyes pushing them as far away from them as possible. Since Rhea didn't look to be in a state of mind to be talking with Fred right now. George seemed to understand the stern stares of the three girls and he kept pushing his brother in the direction of where Harry and his two friends were trying to figure out something about the second task.

For a second it was quiet and everyone could get back to their own thing, whilst they let Rhea be lost in her little world far away from reality. But before Alicia and Katie could even get back to what they were arguing about Angelina's radar caught onto someone who was approaching them again. Someone clearing their throat got the three girls to snap their heads in the direction of the person, all three wearing unpleasant glares that could either fry or freeze a human being. Unfortunately, the person receiving this cold treatment didn't deserve it.

There stood Neville Longbottom. A fellow Gryffindor and from what the girls collected so far a nice, sweet boy from the year below Katie. Angelina felt bad for glaring like that at the innocent boy who took a shaky step back in fright.

"Did you need something, Neville?" Katie asked calmly, trying to show the boy that he did nothing wrong and that they were sorry for being so harsh. Neville appreciated the kind tone of voice but still spoke nervously.

"McGonagall has asked me to find Rhea and tell her that Dumbledore wants to see her in his office. Said it was serious." The boy finished. Angelina nodded signalling that she would inform Rhea of the news. Neville then strolled off to somewhere already listing in the new book that he received from Moody.

"Now to wake the princess." Angelina sighed, snapping her fingers in front of Rhea's eyes. "Hello? Is anyone in there? Earth to Rhea?" She called. The sound of her voice and the fast-moving fingers in front of her eyes got her to get out of the trance.

"W-what?"

"Neville stopped by," Alicia informed, "Said McGonagall calls you to Dumbledore's office. Immediately." She conveyed the message to the Black girl who started collecting her things right away.

"Have any idea why?" Katie asked, giving her a look as if asking what she had done this time.

"Not a clue. Haven't pulled a prank since the start of the term." Angelina rolled her eyes at her friend's answer but let it slide. "I'll see you, girls, later." She called over her shoulder, walking towards the direction of the Headmaster's office. Little did she know that she won't be coming back to her dorm that night.

***

It was the next day that people started to get suspicious of their close ones missing. Fleur was desperately searching for her little sister the whole morning, while Harry had lost his two best friends in one night. It was like a game of hide-and-seek that no one wanted to play. Angelina, Alicia and Katie sat in the Great Hall also anxiously looking around. Their dormmate hadn't returned last night from her visit to Dumbledore. The devil knows where that girl had gone.

Of course, they haven't yet informed the twins. The two were far too busy collecting their bets. Which was rather annoying actually but Rhea instructed the girls not to get involved since the guys were just trying to earn some money since they were robbed of them earlier.

"Have you seen Rhea?" Katie looked up at the sound of a boyish voice. She met eyes with Harry who looked to be quite nervous that particular morning and no one could blame him.

"Sadly we haven't. She left last night to see McGonagall, we haven't seen her since." Her answer only made Harry grimace as he started walking away without another word. "Well, good luck then," Katie muttered, finishing her glass of pumpkin juice before she and the girls went to the Black Lake to watch the second task. From time to time  they still looked around if they could see their friend.

Once they made it to the stands they were soon joined by Fred, George and Lee. The boys were so excited they didn't even notice Rhea missing from the group. Which got girls even angrier. Angelina made a mental note to inform Rhea of that later when they find her.

"Welcome to the second task. Last night something was stolen from each of our champions. A treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion, now lie on the bottom of the black lake. In order to win each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough. Except for this, they will have one hour to do so and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own." Dumbledore announced over the loudspeaker so each student could hear. The three girls shared a look.

"You think it could be..." Alicia didn't dare to finish the sentence.

"Well, unless Diggory had lost his precious hairbrush in the lake I don't see any other option." Angelina spat, suddenly feeling worried.

"We have to wait and see then, don't we?" Katie said before the two could start arguing.

"You may begin at the start of the cannon," Dumbledore instructed. The cannon fired just as he finished his sentence and the champions entered the water and now everyone could only wait.

It was maybe just half of the time up when Fleur swam out of the water. Empty-handed and screaming. There was a right fuss around her when they finally managed to pull her on the dock. She was immediately taken care of by Madame Pomfrey.

"The Beauxbatons champion Miss Delacour has unfortunately been forced to retire. She will take no further part in this task."

"What about the person that is trapped down there for her?" Katie asked worriedly. She was aware that who Fleur treasured the most was her little sister Gabrielle. Surely the tournament wouldn't be so cruel as to let an innocent little girl die, just because she is dear to the contestant. Or? Angelina only shrugged. She was really hoping that the next one out of the water will bring someone out with them.

Another twenty minutes later, only ten minutes till the end, someone emerged from the water again. This time, two heads were seen peaking from there.

"That's Cedric!" The Hufflepuffs cheered, knowing that their champion had won the second task pushing him to the lead. What pleased the Gryffindor girls more, however, was the person he was helping swim to the shore.

"What's Rhea doing there?" Fred asked confused, seeing the girl, supported by Cedric as the two of them swam to the dock. Angelina, Katie and Alicia raced down the stairs to get to their friend. George also followed after them. The only one who stayed frozen in place was Fred while Lee just stayed behind to give him some company.

"Oh, my Merlin!" Alicia shouted, sliding down the floor where Rhea was sitting, shivering. Angelina came over to check her face and arms for cuts and bruises while Katie and George brought thick towels with them.

"Damn Rhea, how long have you been down there, you're freezing," George stated, taking down his coat to give it to her as well since he didn't believe that the towel would do the job.

"I seriously have no clue. Everything's a blur. I remember meeting McGonagall and then I woke up and I had to swim so I wouldn't drown. I was lucky Ced helped me." Rhea explained. As if on cue the mentioned boy walked toward them, a towel draped over his shoulder. He gave the blonde girl a warm smile.

"Hey, you all right?"

"Yeah, thanks to you I am." She said smiling at him. Ced then got taken away by his friends leaving Rhea with hers. Meanwhile, Krum managed to reach the surface with Hermione.

Everyone was now just waiting and praying that Harry would show up soon. Of course, Fleur was desperate to jump back into the water to get her sister, but no one allowed her to.

"Where's Fred?" Rhea asked after a while of just staring at the water. She looked at her friends, no one wanted to answer, no one wanted to say to her that Fred didn't even try to get down to them.

"We'll talk about that later okay?" Angelina said. Rhea nodded sadly. When Harry finally got out, with Ron and Fleur's sister that's when the task was officially over.

"Attention! Attention! The winner is... Mr Diggory!" Dumbledore announced after everyone was taken care of. The Hufflepuffs cheered, and Rhea with them since Cedric was the one who saved her. "For showing unique command of the bubblehead charm. The way I see it, Mr Potter would have finished first had it not been for his determination to rescue not only Mr Weasly but the others as well. We've agreed to award him second place! For outstanding moral fibre." The Hogwarts cheered, apart from the Slytherins. The Bulgarians on the other hand weren't as enthusiastic.

With that, the task was dismissed and everyone could get back to spending their free day. And Rhea was sure what she wanted to do. Get a warm shower and sleep the day away. Being under the water for a few hours definitely tired her. On her way to the boats with her friends, she noticed Fred talking with George, Ron and Harry. She wanted to go up to him. Maybe yell at him for being an insensitive prick but then she would just seek comfort in him after a traumatic experience. Luckily Angelina caught her arm, leading her towards the boat. She would rather be hard on Rhea now than see her delve into pity because Weasley is blind to the obvious things.

***

It has finally come to March. The Second Task is long forgotten in the minds of some nosey students. Especially those desperate girls who wanted to stab Rhea for being Diggory's treasure. It's not like she aspired to it. But finally, the atmosphere seemed to calm down a little. Ced and Rhea were still occasionally seeing each other. But she advised him to focus on Cho, who was the one that almost wanted to stab Rhea earlier in the year.

Everyone was enjoying the calm moment, but Fred. The ginger's mind was preoccupied these past few days. He wasn't even that active when it came to perfecting the joke products he and George had been working on in their dorm. He was just away in his mind.

Now the three boys were in the common room. Most of the Gryffindors were in Hogsmead or scattered around the castle somewhere. Leaving the three sixth years alone. George was writing down the things they needed to work on for their joke shop, while Fred was looking somewhere in the distance, thinking. Lee was fiddling with his wand, whistling a tune.

"I'm so fed up with it." Fred suddenly said out loud catching the attention of the other two. George tilted his head confused.

"With what exactly? 'Cause if you're bored you can just come and help me write this down," The younger twin suggested, slightly annoyed that he was doing all the work.

"No." Fred snapped, running a hand through his long hair. "With Rhea." He answered.

"What with her?" Lee asked, equally as confused as George. Fred had never complained about Rhea like that. There was never reason and there was no reason now since the girl wasn't even present.

"I just know she is angry at me for something," Fred concluded. Just then the doors to the girls' dorms opened and out came four girls. Angelina, Alicia, Katie and Rhea. They had their satchels and backpacks, most likely going to Hogsmead as they discussed earlier in the morning. The boys stayed quiet while the four girls walked past them. Angelina nodded at them, keeping a straight face. Alicia was chatting with Katie but the two still managed to send a smile to the boys, lastly, Rhea waved at the three before they disappeared through the portrait hole.

"She didn't look angry," Lee stated, turning his attention from the portrait back to Fred. The ginger groaned.

"But she is. I just know." He fussed. It was good no one was in the common room right now since he was being loud. "It's the way she talks to me, or how she behaves towards me. That's not her usual friendly demeanour."

"Wow," Lee muttered, turning back to fiddling with his wand. George put down the quill on the table and stared at his twin brother.

"Then maybe you did something." He suggested. Sending his brother a fake smile.

"No shit figured that out myself."

"Why don't you try and talk to her? She might tell you what's wrong. So many things would get sorted out if you would just come over yourself." George said, rolling his eyes when he saw Fred scoff at his recommendation.

"No, she wouldn't talk to me..."

"We have a seer on our hands everyone, beware," George grumbled, grabbing back his quill to get back to work since there was no speaking with his brother. "And to think you almost failed Divination last year."

"Sod off mate."

"Maybe you should slip her the truth serum you've been working on," Lee suggested absentmindedly, trying to balance his wand on one finger. So far failing miserably. George shook his head, not lifting his gaze from the parchment.

"I really don't think that's..."

"Brilliant. Truly genius Mr Jordan." Fred praised, standing up from his armchair to clap a hand on Lee's shoulder in appreciation.

"Um...thank you?"

"But Fred, the serum is not tested yet. It can have serious side effects." George opposed the idea. He worried that something like their truth serum would hurt his best friend. That, and he didn't appreciate this kind of intrusion into someone's privacy.

"Oh please, we are incredible with potions" Fred waved his hand. Trying to brush George's worries.

The younger twin wasn't very optimistic right now. He was usually calm and collected. Puts all his emotions out on the pitch rather than in words and fistfights. But what Fred was doing was bordering on lunacy. Surely he can't be that careless, can he?

"You got Dreadful and I go just barely Acceptable. Not the highest marks if you ask me." George reminded him, still keeping his voice calm, but on the inside, he was boiling.

"Ah grades mean nothing...look where they got Snape." This time it was Lee who got into the conversation. He apparently loved the fact that he could take sides in a very rare twin quarrel. Of course, the two fought all the time...but they usually had similar opinions. This was very new and for Lee, very exciting.

"See that's the thinking I like. Lee, you are now my new twin brother." Fred announced, putting his arm around Lee's shoulder to pull him closer. The boy with dreadlocks grinned while the other twin bit his tongue, not to say something mean.

"That's....that's not how it works." He mumbled.

"I don't care old George, just keep quiet while I and new George figure out how to get Rhea to drink the serum."

"Your birthday's coming and it is a tradition to play truth or dare since it is your favourite game. Why not dare her to drink it. Without telling her what it is, of course." Fred beamed at Lee's idea.

"Brilliant new George!" He said and started leading Lee towards the stairs leading to the dorms so they could find the flask with the truth serum.

"He is not George. I am George and that is a very bad idea!" He called after the two.

"I can't hear you, random person, that I don't know!" Fred called, already halfway up the stairs. George sighed dropping the quill and throwing his head back in frustration.

"Why am I even trying anymore?"