Chapter 13: Pranks and Rats

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, only original characters like Socks, the cat.

A/N: For those returning to this story after my long hiatus, you might have to do some rereading in order to remember what is going on.

Fred and George decided to ease their new partners into their pranking apprenticeship by giving them an easy target: Ron. Despite the constant pranks they would pull on their youngest brother, he never learned to protect himself against their antics. Although his chess skills gave the appearance of a strategic mind, he never used that part of his mind outside of the game. The only form of defense he employed was to hide behind their mother's skirts, a decent defense at home, but ultimately useless at Hogwarts, as Ron would soon learn.

"Underlings what should we do to Ickle Ronnikins?"

"We leave it up to you"

"Unless it's bloody awful"

"Can't have you ruining our glorious name"

"What about spiders, he's deadly afraid of them" Ginny replied with a wicked grin on her face.

"Listen up minions for Lesson Number 1: Save the truly terrible pranks until the target has done something equally terrible."

"That way we will be working on Karma's behalf."

"Rather than earning her fury."

"So we need to find a prank equal to his behavior towards Ginny and Hermione."

"Exactly Harry!"

"But what exactly?"

"Well if we can't target what he fears the most, can we target what he loves the most?"

"Sleep."

"Or food."

"Both," Harry responds to the great delight of both twins. They had always known that their sister held the pranking spirit within her, but Harry remained a mystery to them. That is until he revealed a glimpse of pranking genius with his plan for Ron. Thank Merlin Ginny got bonded to someone who doesn't have a stick up his bum. His parents were Head Boy and Girl, for Godric sake, the genes weren't exactly working in his favor for pranking.

"Brilliant, Harry" Ginny exclaimed while rewarding Harry with a hug. "So what do we do now?"

"Lesson Number 2:"

"Pranking is far more complicated than people believe"

"It requires both a creative mind and an intellectual one in order to create what you think up"

"Therefore, for the next couple of days we will be working on creating the prank"

"And by we, I of course mean George and me"

"Lil first years like you simply don't have the knowledge to think up such magic"

"And we simply don't have the time"

"nor the patience"

"To explain everything to you until you have a better foundation." Ginny rolled her eyes at her brothers' antics knowing full well that it was best to just let them have their small little victory. Truth be told she was getting kind of tired anyway and she had a thought she wanted to test out.

Just act upset but agree after a couple minutes.

I am upset though.

Good because you're not a very good actor.

Yes I am, just not with you. We know each other too well.

Whatever you say, Harry.

#$%*()

Once the pair finished their exaggerated complaints, the twins escorted them back to the Ravenclaw common room, seemingly knowing exactly where the prefects and teachers would be. Although when asked how George simply replied with 'a lesson for another day.'

Ginny ran straight into their room shouting for her cat.

"Socks, Socky, where are you, baby?" Ginny continued to shout until she noticed him lying directly in the middle of the bed, his usual spot since arriving at Hogwarts.

"Socks can you understand me? Can you speak to me?"

Yes Mistress, now I'd appreciate it if you could let me get back to my nap.

"YESSSSSSSS!" Ginny squealed while dancing and jumping around the room. Harry quickly ran into the room from the bathroom wondering exactly what was going on.

"Umm, Gin? Everything good?"

"Better than good! Harry! We can speak to Socks! Isn't this great!"

"Yep, just great, great news" Harry stated far less enthusiastic than the statement deserved. Although Harry had picked out the Kneazle, neither of them got along very well once Ginny turns her back. Ginny might know everything about Harry, but her own opinions of her 'big boy' often leaves her ignorant to the fights that break out between both of her boys.

"Socks, now that I can talk to you, I have sooo many things to ask you!"

Well after all that raucous I'm awake, so you may ask now, mistress.

"Is there anything you want? Anything you want me to change? I mean we moved from the Burrow to here before I knew we could talk to each other so please tell me how you are adjusting," Ginny quickly rattled off.

I have no complaints about this new dwelling; there is no evil rat here to disturb my peace. Although, perhaps your Vassal could get me a fuzzy blanket for on top of the bed and some treats. That would please me greatly.

"Yes of course… Wait what did you just say?"

"Your cat called me a bleedin vassal and I believe this proves my point about your cat thinking he's better than me." Then in a quieter voice Harry adds: "I just feel like I'm constantly being made into one of those punching bags I've seen at school." Ginny's eyes filled up with tears at the words Harry had spoke. When he was done speaking, Ginny ran to his side and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm so so sorry, Harry. I didn't realize you felt that way. You know you're my Harry. I joke that without me you'd be lost, but the truth is without you I would be so lonely. I would be at home sending letters to my brothers knowing that I wouldn't get a response. Mum would be trying to teach me how to cook, an absolutely pointless endeavor. But do you know why I don't worry about that, because I know you will be there to take care of me, just like I am for you."

"I normally don't care about all of that, I actually normally like it, but lately I just feel so unsure about everything. I mean I feel jealous of a cat. A Cat!" Harry couldn't figure out why he felt these sudden mood swings. He knew that Ginny's mom warned her that her emotions could be all over the place, but that was a girl thing. Wasn't it?

"Socks, Harry isn't my vassal. He's my equal, my soulmate, and I'd appreciate it if you would be nicer to him."

If you insist Mistress stated the cat in between his 'bath' time.

"Thank you. And Socks?"

Yes

"What exactly did you mean by the evil rat? Did Scabbers do something to you?"

That rat can't be trusted. He is not a normal rat; he is something else that reeks of something foul.

"We should tell Bill and maybe even the twins about this. As much as I'm not a fan of your cat, he would never lie to you."

"Good thinking! I'll write a letter to Bill right now and then I'm going to sleep. It's way past our bedtime." Ginny said as she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

#$%*()

Meanwhile in a distant Manor, Lucius Malfoy read over the report he received on the Diary. The Goblins, although not the cheapest source of information, do provide the most discreet intel. According to their research the Diary is known as a Horcrux, an object so dark in nature that Malfoy had previously never heard of it. He realized that this would be his ticket to permanently remove himself from his association with the Dark Lord. Once he is fully dead, Lucius would be safe in the luxurious position he secured for himself in society. And so would Draco. There would be no need to disown his son. In fact, the best political move would be to embrace this new change.

Harry Potter, heir to the Potter seat and fortune would be an excellent ally now that he wouldn't have to worry about Voldemort's return. Turning the Weasley girl away from her mother would give him great joy. To take someone that wretched woman loves away from her, like she did to me would be pure justice. The Muggle-born would take some getting used to, but he could just treat it like all the other undesirables he had to associate with.

Of course the Goblins hadn't shared any other relevant information crucial to ending Voldemort, except to say that more information could be attained with additional funds. For now, however, it was best to do his own private research. Combing through his extensive library for any reference of a Horcrux. The key would be to find out how to destroy it and how to find the others. Although his ego was quite large, it wasn't so large as to believe that Lord Voldemort trusted him enough with his one and only source of life. No, he must have more out there, but the quantity and location remained a mystery to him at the moment.

Perhaps he should include his wife. She was far cleverer than anyone gave her credit for and she never liked his association with the Dark Lord.

#$%*()

A/N: It's been almost four years to the day since I lasted updated. I apologize for this long wait, but writers block and life got in the way. I've lost all my old files on this story, but thankfully I remember most of the important parts I had planned. I'm still getting back into the groove for this story, so tell me what you think!

Reviews kept me from forgetting about this story, so please review! Special thanks to Guest Reviewer Peggie. You managed to leave a review at just the right moment in my life to come back to this story.