“FUCK!”
Harry and Ron flinch from their spot on the couch. The rest of the common rooms’ occupants quickly whip around to face them. The boys slowly sink into the suspiciously scented crimson cushions.
“What. Did. You. Do?!” Percy hissed.
“Nothing!” Ron squeaked.
“Bullshit!” Angelina shouted.
“I swear it wasn’t us this time!” Harry pleaded with the crowd to believe them.
Stomping could be heard from the stairwell leading up to the girls' dorms. Everyone quickly fell silent with matching expressions of fear and existential dread. Whatever happened, would affect all of them, regardless of their involvement, or lack there of, in the incident.
“Take cover!” One of the twins shouted.
Older students made a mad dash for the portrait-hole. The younger years scrambled to various hiding places within the sitting area, while many others fled to the boys dorms, abandoning the girls’ dorms entirely. Those who either had a death wish or were morbidly curious stayed in place.
Harry and Ron were of those few.
“NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!” Hermione screeched.
The chaos paused momentarily to allow for a few seconds of confusion. Ultimately, the escape attempts resumed because relieving the burden of confusion was not worth witnessing the wrath of Hermione Granger.
“What did you do?!” Ron wheezed.
“You’ll find out soon.” Neville whimpered.
By the time Hermione made her way to the common room, the rest of the Gryffindor students were halfway to France, and probably not planning on returning any time soon.
She inhaled deeply, then exhaled, rather aggressively. Staring down Neville, she Pulled out a light green dress and deep purple jumper. The colors did not match at all.
“I have no problem with you borrowing my clothing. But for the love of Merlin, learn color theory!” She snarled.
“Huh?” Ron asked, dazed.
“I will not have you going around wearing my clothing when the outfit does not match. Do better!” With that, she rose to her feet and sauntered away.
Ron and Harry turned to face their roommate.
“The entire Gryffindor student body was fearing for their lives because you committed a crime against fashion?” Harry asked incredulously.
“Yeah, sorry…in my defense, I didn’t know until Blaise Zabini told me.” Neville replied sheepishly.
“Don’t let it happen again, okay?” Ron groaned.
“I won’t, I promise.” Neville replied seriously.
Professor McGonagall entered the common room followed by the headmaster and the other heads of house.
“We noticed an alarming number of Gryffindor students sprinting towards the front gates…would any of you happen to know what that’s about? Or you know, where they are going?” Professor McGonagall asked.
“France.” The three boys answered nonchalantly, already returning to their pre-fiasco activities.