Text Cut: Ronan
five....six....seven....eight.
Wait....when did Peeves show up? And really, why did some people insist on calling him little (or, in this case, little wee)? Sure, he wasn't as muscular as some of the other sixth and seventh years, but they were the odd ones, not him. No, he was the size he should be for his age, thanks. Also, was there an order to try as hard as possible to shatter eardrums this term? Because between Professor Grimsbane and her banging and whistling and Peeves yelling in his ear, that was what was going to happen. "Nope, none of that's happening." Not yet, technically.
"What....grrr," spluttered Ronan as Peeves just swan-dived into his cauldron. It was hot too, so there was burning. He vanished the whole mess and checked his arm where the potion had hit. Okay, it wasn't too bad. Something he could slap a little burn paste onto later if needed. "Well, now I'm starting over, since you ruined the potion." Thankfully, he hadn't been very far along.
Further humiliation? Really? One hand, Peeves' little proclamation had him bristling, but on the other, it had him thinking. He also almost pointed out that that wasn't a very nice way to ask to be a part of someone's shenanigans, but look who was talking to. That would be as futile as telling a bee that stinging you would kill it. "Actually, how good are you at sneaking things into people's drinks?" he asked the poltergeist, cleaning his cauldron and adding the water, heat and Essence of Wormwood again.
Did the cauldron water burn the icky Gryffindor?
Well HA!!!! The mischievous spirit cackled gleefully at hearing the potion would have to be started all over again - and just to be annoying he dived back in.
Coming back up, Peeves grinned and wriggled his finger at the Gryffindor.
"AHA!!!! Old Peeves was right - you ARE breaking rules!" He did not seem to care that his
SHOUTING could attract attention.
But wait - was this first year REALLY inviting Peeves to participate in his rule breaking? For a moment, his wicked grin froze in place. On the one hand he wanted to continue infuriating Ronan. But on the other...
The poltergeist zoomed right up to the boy's face and rubbed his palms together.
"Old Peeves can lsip things in anyone's drink without them noticing," he said, lowering his voice slightly in spite of himself. The wicked grin was back in place.
"What business does a little wee Gryffindor brat have in asking Peeves such a question?"
Actually at that moment he was having an IRRESTIABLE urge to grab the boy's nose or scream as loud as he could in his ears now that he was close. If the answer to his question was in any way boring, that was
EXACTLY what he was going to do!