Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare

All nine Gryffindors settled down in the cozy plush armchairs surrounding the Gryffindor fire. Harry Potter sat with Ginny Weasley on his lap, stroking her hair. Ron Weasley, his best friend and Ginny's brother, sat in the same position except with Hermione Granger on his lap. The other five all rolled their eyes. It was their seventh year at Hogwarts, and old Voldie had finally been defeated last summer. Dean Thomas was the first to speak. "So... whatcha want to do?"

Everybody blinked, and Seamus Finnegan shrugged, as did Neville Longbottom and Lavender Brown. Pavarti Patil had a suggestion. "How about we play Truth or Dare?"

The others agreed enthusiastically, except for Harry, who was staring into the fire, still stroking Ginny's hair.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Oh, come off it Harry! Voldemort's gone, everybody's safe and alive, and you're going out with my sister! Geez! Lighten up! Now, do you want to play Truth or Dare or not?"

Harry turned his green eyes upon Ron. They seemed to have gotten darker over the years, mementoes of all the horrors in his past that he had to experience. He shrugged. "Ok, fine. Ron, Truth or Dare?"

Ron looked nonplussed for a moment, then blinked. "Um, Dare, I guess."

Harry looked positively evil. "Ok, I dare you to go up to Professor McGonagall's office and proclaim your everlasting love for her. Make sure she's still asleep when you go in, but make sure you talk extra loud to wake her up."

Ron looked as if he had just been hit over the head with a hammer. "WHAT? Are you crazy? I'll get detention for the rest of my life!"

Harry smiled that evil smile again and said, "Not if she can't see you."

Realization dawned upon Ron's face. Then he frowned. "You're gonna have to get it for me. I dunno where it is."

Ginny got up off Harry's lap, and Harry disappeared into the boys' dormitories. He returned a minute later with a silvery, shiny thing in his arms. He gave it to Ron, who threw it over himself and instantly disappeared. The others all gasped, and Dean whistled. "Whew-y! Harry, you have an invisibility cloak?"

Harry nodded, and Ron's voice came seemingly out of nowhere. "Ok, but how will you know if I did it or not?"

Harry grinned again. He waved his wand, and everybody in the circle (including Ron) was bathed in a soft yellow light. "There," said Harry, seeming satisfied. "Now we all have to do the dares and tell the truth. And everybody gets only two chicken-outs. Got it?"

Everybody nodded, and the portrait hole swung open and closed again. Evidently, Ron had left. Although, not without a parting gift.

Harry's hair had turned fluorescent purple.

Ron came back about 45 minutes later, pale and sweating. He glared at Harry. "Don't EVER make me do that again. She was wearing a tank-topped nightdress for goodness sakes!"

Everybody laughed hysterically. Ron looked around the group, surveying everyone closely. At last, he chose someone. "Dean. Truth or Dare?"

Dean swallowed. "Truth."

"Is it true that you really walked around in public wearing your mum's underclothes once?"

Dean stared at him. "But... but... how did you know about that?"

Ron looked funny. "I didn't. I guessed. And you walked right into it!"

Dean groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Ginny. Truth or Dare."

Ginny looked thoughtful. "Dare."

Dean looked up hopefully. "Really? Well, then, I dare you to kiss me!"

Ginny stood up. Harry looked pale.

She strode over to Dean, leaned forward... and slapped him as hard as she could. Then she kissed him on the cheek and stood back to admire her handiwork. A large red hand mark was forming on his cheek. Along with a bright red lipstick mark.

Ginny smirked. "I don't do chickens." Then she went back to Harry's lap. Harry looked immensely relieved.