Chapter 167: Hogwarts’ Darkest Hour
Fred and George didn't truly dislike Ron; they were just exasperated. If they genuinely didn't care, they wouldn't have gone on about him like this.
"You can't put it that way," Kyle said thoughtfully. "At least Ron is honest. That's a virtue. But why'd they end up dueling Malfoy in the first place?"
"It was apparently over that first-year, Neville," Fred explained. "Malfoy hid Neville's Remembrall and mocked him for having a terrible memory. Ron and Harry stood up for him, which led to the challenge—a three-on-three wizard duel. Who comes up with that?"
"Having a sense of justice and loyalty...those are two more points in his favor," Kyle nodded, genuinely. "So, Ron isn't as bad as you're making him out to be. At least he's got more to him than the fish in the Black Lake."
"We're not criticizing his intentions." Fred shook his head, smiling a bit ruefully. "If he'd acted out of cowardice or shame, we wouldn't care. We're just questioning his common sense. I mean, even complaining to Professor McGonagall would've been smarter than sneaking to the fourth floor after hours."
George sighed. "And after all that, he just slept it off and let it go!"
Kyle raised an eyebrow, seeming to pick up on their underlying frustration. After all, the rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin ran deep, and if Slytherins pulled a dirty trick, you didn't just drop it—you at least returned the favor.
"Now, if it had been me," George went on, "I'd have five ways to make Malfoy regret it."
"Like arranging for an owl to deliver a Dungbomb at breakfast that'd explode the moment he opened it," Fred suggested.
"Or slipping the contents of a failed potion into his shoes," George added, eyes glinting.
"That might be tricky," Kyle observed, rubbing his chin. "Snape usually disposes of the failed potions himself. But if you're willing to risk losing points and detention, you could try causing an 'accident' in Potions."