All's Fair in Truth or Dare

8

Lavender followed Professor McGonagall into her office, Hermione was not far behind. Lavender had been there once before and at that time, it had seemed happy and welcoming. Now, it was like a walking into a jail cell. It wasn't Lavender's fault that her spell had hit McGonagall; it was Hermione's. She had ducked at the last moment, and now Lavender was along for the punishment.

"Sit." It was an order. Hermione and Lavender obeyed simultaneously and sat in the two chairs before McGonagall's desk. "Beg." Even now with a head that had been recently restored to normal, McGonagall still looked fierce.

Hermione was the first to speak. "Professor McGonagall, I'm really sorry about what happened to you. Lavender and I were having a sort of verbal fight, and it wound up with you having a donkey's head. We didn't mean for anyone to get hurt!" at this, Lavender snorted quietly. "We were just having a fight fueled by hormones. Her spell was meant for me, not you. I'm so sorry! I really must say that I am the one would should have been hit. I should have been the one to look like an ass."

"You already do," Lavender mumbled just loud enough for Hermione to hear. Hermione seemed to sigh, but Lavender saw the concealed dirty look that Hermione shot her.

"Professor," she began louder. "My spell was in my own defense. Hermione had slapped me and I was acting only to protect myself. Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't fought back?"

"Who knows what would have happened?" Hermione snapped at her. "I'll tell you what would have happened. You wouldn't have hit Professor McGonagall with that horrid spell of yours. You wouldn't have caused mass chaos in the common room. You wouldn't be here, in this room, awaiting some horrible punishment. Professor," she spoke towards McGonagall. "I only slapped her because she was insulting me, my friend, and my virtue. I had to act somehow. If someone mocked you and your worth, wouldn't you do something?"

McGonagall looked from Hermione to Lavender and replied, "Miss Granger, if someone had indeed said such things to me, I would not have induced Muggle fighting. I would have gone and told a prefect, Head Boy or Girl, or informed my Head of House. Did it not occur to you that you could have used your powers as a prefect to silence Miss Brown? Did it not occur to you that you could recommend a detention?"

Hermione was silent, and seemed to have found an interest in the stone floor.

"As for you, Miss Brown," she turned to Lavender, and she got a sick feeling that spread throughout her. "You could have informed the same individuals Miss Granger could have. Or if not, you could have simply walked away. If you turn your back on a fight, it is more likely to end."

Lavender squirmed a bit. This is all Granger's fault, she thought. If she hadn't interfered, none of this would have happened.

"As for your punishment, I guarantee you that it shall be harsh. You will learn from this experience even if I have to stick you two in a room together for two days. This is unacceptable behavior for a Gryffindor, and thus, your punishment is-"

* * *

"Detentions twice a week with Lavender until further notice? That's really harsh!"

Hermione lay face down on her bed, sobbing into her pillow. She had gotten into trouble before, but never this much. When her parents got wind of this, she was going to be in for even worse.

"Aw, c'mon, Hermione, it's not that bad," Ginny comforted her. "Okay, yeah it is, but that's not important. Look, think of it this way, every detention you have, you get more of a chance to think up how to get back at Lavender. I guarantee you Ron, Harry, and I won't let this go. Lavender's in for it, especially since Fred and George have a joke shop."

"Ginny," Hermione began, taking her face out of her pillow and turning to face her. "Don't get yourselves into trouble. It's enough that I'm punished for this. You shouldn't be, as well. Besides, I deserve it. I did slap her."

"And she tried to turn you into an ass," Ginny countered, to which Hermione turned away. "Hermione, she deserves this more than you. You know that and moping about isn't going to change anything. However, scheming will."

"Ginny-"

"Think about it, 'Mione," Ginny interrupted. "Think of the look on Lavender's face when you and Ron are together. Think of just how great it'll be. I'm sorry, but no one messes with one of my mates and gets away with it." Ginny watched as Hermione got up and began to walk away. "Lemme put it like this, 'Mione, if you don't get back at her, I will, and you know just how bad I can be. Let's work together. We'll make her regret ever starting this war."

There was a pause and Hermione finally turned around again, but this time she wore a malicious grin. "What does Lavender have? A perfect manicure. What do I have? I have full and unquestioned access to the Restricted Section because of all the extra credit assignments I do, and a book on Muggle pranks. I have a full bottle of ink and blank roll of parchment to use to contact Fred and George, a spell that can copy anyone's handwriting, a way to borrow an invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map, and a mind full of ideas."

"And I have three older brothers that would be more than happy to help in the cause, an owl to send messages, a huge supply of stink bombs, a few Extendable Ears, the only two people that Peeves has ever listened to, and over sixteen years of experience. Together, we'll make her suffer," Ginny laughed.

"I have nothing more to lose, and only Ron to gain," with that, the new Hermione spun around and headed to the library, leaving the old, poor, innocent Hermione Granger behind.

"Let's show her just how dirty war can get," said Ginny as she followed Hermione, evil thoughts brewing in her head.

* * *

Lavender awoke the next day around three in the morning. She was still furious about her punishment, but still beautiful. No matter what happened, she'd always have her beauty. She looked in her mirror. Perfect, as usual.

After dressing, Lavender crept quietly out of the room, being sure to check that Hermione was sleeping. Satisfied, Lavender snuck out of the dormitory and closed the door quietly behind her.

The empty common room greeted her as she stepped down the stairs. A few quick steps, and she was out of the portrait hole and in the hallway. No one seemed to be lurking about, although Lavender kept feeling like she was being watched.

I wish I knew where everyone in the castle was, Lavender thought to herself. Knowing nothing would ever come of wishing, she continued on down the hall.

* * *

Hermione stared down at the piece of parchment in her hands. The Marauder's Map was quite a handy device. She watched as the little dot labeled, 'Lavender Brown,' crept down the hallway, unaware that she was being followed. Hermione laughed as she imagined Lavender turning around to stare directly at the invisible Ginny who was pursuing her. How wonderful Invisibility Cloaks were!

Remembering her job, Hermione mumbled, "Mischief managed." She stood and crossed the room to stand in front of the mirror all the girls used. Whipping out her wand, she began reciting the charm before remembering that the girls around her were sleeping. She quickly did the charm mentally; for once she was thankful for Snape's lessons.

As the spell was cast, a ripple spread across the mirror, like that which would occur on water when a pebble was kicked into it. It started in the middle, and as soon as it reached the edges, the mirror returned to normal. In order for the charm to work, Hermione needed to say a name, so she quietly uttered, "Lavender Brown."

Hermione then proceeded to do this to Lavender's compact and all other mirrors in her possession - a surprisingly small amount for a girl who thought she was so beautiful.

Giggling slightly, and making her way to the common room, Hermione took out the Marauder's Map and whispered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." She was both excited and alarmed when she realized these words were true. Hermione located Lavender and Ginny on the map, sat down in a chair, and watched.

* * *

Lavender kept looking behind her with every few steps she took; she was sure someone was following her. Although it sounded crazy, she believed that someone - or something - invisible was trailing her.

Impossible.

She shook her head and tried to concentrate on the task at hand. What she needed to do was reach the Owlery. Once there, all she had to worry about was getting back without being seen.

Lavender hurried down the hall, trying desperately to be quiet, and to ignore the feeling that someone was behind her. Almost there, Lavender thought, beginning to climb up the steps to the Owlery.

Once there, she called down an owl and took a roll of parchment from beneath her robes. It was tied in a white ribbon and was scrawled on in loopy handwriting.

As she began to tie the parchment to the owl's leg, she screamed and backed a few steps away. The parchment seemed to be floating away from the owl, and towards her. Suddenly, it disappeared. Lavender reached out to where it had been, and grasped something she couldn't see. It felt like cloth. Pulling, she discovered that her suspicions had been correct.

Ginny stood before her, quite surprised to be discovered. "What are you doing here?" Lavender demanded, waving the cloak she had pulled off of Ginny in front of her.

"And why should I tell you?" Ginny asked, standing at least five inches taller than Lavender.

"Because if someone invisible was stalking you, wouldn't you want to know why?" Lavender asked.

Ginny sighed in defeat and answered Lavender's question. "I was making sure you weren't going to do anything to Hermione. I know you two are having a row, and I didn't want it to get too out of control."

Lavender sighed, spun on her heel, dropping the cloak as she did so, and headed towards the common room.

* * *

Hermione laughed as she watched Ginny follow Lavender up into the Owlery. What would Lavender think if she knew Ginny was there?

The dots stayed stationary for a few moments until Lavender's dot moved quickly from the Owlery and towards the common room. Quickly uttering, "Mischief managed," Hermione shot up the stairs and into the dormitory, silently shutting the door behind her.

Setting the Marauder's Map she had filched from Harry in her trunk, she dove under the covers and assumed a sleeping position just as Lavender entered the room.

* * *

Stomping over to her bed, Lavender set her wand on the bed stand. She looked over to make sure Hermione was still sleeping and sighed to herself.

If only that Weasley girl hadn't interfered! Lavender fumed. I'll just have to go during breakfast to send the letter.

With a flourish, Lavender pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, watching Hermione carefully. All too soon, she fell asleep.