Ron took one look at their hands and burst out laughing, it was so sudden and unexpected that it left them speechless causing them to momentarily forget about their problem.
“ What? “ he asked when he noticed the expressions on their faces.
“This isn't funny Ron. We need to fix this before our superiors find out.”
“For once I completely agree with you Potter, now do make yourself useful Weasl… Weasley and help us get out of these cuffs before anyone sees me. “ the disgust in his voice was laced with a hint of panic that was so amusing to Ron that he didn't have in him to be sarcastic with him.
“You're a wizard yourself, why didn't you do it yourself? Surely you've learned something during those courses.” okay, he wasn't going to act friendly towards him, he was still the same git he was in their school years, although a little bit mature.
“Come on Ron.” Harry sounded desperate, so Ron decided to take pity on them, but solely because of Harry.
“It might have escaped your notice, Weasel, but these cuffs that currently lock my hand with Potter’s are heavily enchanted, we tried almost everything, still they wouldn't budge. Do you see the problem or do you need to borrow Potter’s glasses? “ the fact that he looked like he barely held himself from hissing like a wet kitten was even more amusing.
“How the bloody hell did you end up cuffed to Malfoy of all people? “ he asked and carefully watched as his friend's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, a quick glance at Malfoy’s even paler face gave him the answer he needed.
“It was an accident, remember the case I told you about, it seems that Malfoy was put on the same and like the nosy brat he is, he followed me and long story short we stumbled upon thes-” as expected Malfoy didn't let him finish, he interrupted him in order to say his part.
“I'm not nosy Potter, I was just following my superior’s instructions, not my fault you got us into this mess.” that was all it took for Harry to face him and to start his rant as the grip on his wand tightened, thankfully they both had enough sense left not to point their wands at each other when they were at a very close proximity.
“I got us into this mess? I? You tried to slap my hand before I could manage to grab the cuffs, therefore locking our hands together, shouldn't you have sensed something since you're that good at detecting curses?! “ oh, it did sound like a repeated argument.
“What?! You were the idiot who likes to touch things with his bare hands instead of using your wand to check for curses and hexes first. The way we were taught to.” Harry’s face had turned an alarming shade of red and for a second Ron contemplated stepping in to prevent an oncoming disaster, but Harry’s words stopped him.
“Then why didn't you use your wand?”
Now it was Malfoy’s turn to turn red in rage and normally Ron would revel in the sight, but the situation was slowly getting out of control, so he loudly said,
“Alright, alright. That's enough..Harry you said you tried everything you could think of, right? “
“Yes.”
“Then.. I really don't know what I can do, I can try a couple of spells, but I think you'd need help from a curse breaker.”
“Thanks for nothing Weasley.” Malfoy gritted out before he turned his face to glare at Harry,
“Tell me why we came to see him first?”
“Would you prefer if we went to see Hermione?” Malfoy flinched so badly at the suggestion that even Harry had a hard time keeping a straight face.
“Fair point Potter, as much as it pains me to say this, do you have any suggestions, Weasel? “
“Well, I was thinking about... “ he didn't have a chance to finish his thought because at that moment someone walked in his office and that someone was Kingsley.
Bloody hell, was on the tip of his tongue, but somehow he managed to keep it in, Harry and Malfoy on the other hand were trying to hide their hands, but their lack of coordination gave them away.
Kingsley took one look at them and let out a tired sigh, the animosity and rivalry between those two wasn't a secret, in fact everyone around held their breath whenever Harry and Malfoy decided to throw insults at each other.
“We can explain.” both of them said at the same time.
“I don't doubt that you can, but there's no need.” he pulled out his wand, did the routinely check up on the cuffs and just as they waited for him to separate them, he held himself back and said,
“Interesting…but I think I'll let them stay, at least for the next day.”
“What? But sir..”
“We can't work like this.”
“Would you look at that, Mr. Weasley, they finally agreed on something.”
Ron mirrored Kingsley’s smile and nodded in agreement despite the fact that he felt sympathy for his best friend.
“I won't take those off until you learn to work with each other without trying to hex each other after every insult. I don't want to hear any complaints, you can visit me once you decide to stop being petty for no reason. Now I have more important matters to attend to, have a nice day gentlemen. “ and with a quick nod left the office.
“We're so screwed.” Harry exclaimed.
Honestly Ron couldn't agree more.