"Match his what?" Mrs. Weasley asked absently, folding a pair of socks onto Ron's pile.
"His badge," Fred said swiftly. "His lovely, gleaming new badge."
Fred's words seemed to require a moment's journey to Mrs. Weasley's ears as she concentrated on folding pajamas.
"His... wait... Ron, surely you haven't...?"
Ron raised his badge triumphantly.
Mrs. Weasley released a shriek rivaling Hermione's.
"I can scarcely believe it! Oh, Ron, how absolutely marvelous! A prefect! Every child in our family!"
"What does that make Fred and me—the neighbors?" George demanded indignantly. But Mrs. Weasley swept past him, enveloping her youngest son in a crushing embrace while peppering his face with kisses. Ron's complexion now exceeded his badge's crimson intensity.
"Mum... please don't... Mum, you're suffocating me..." he protested, struggling against her iron grip.
Mrs. Weasley finally released Ron, declaring breathlessly:
"Well then, what reward would you prefer? New dress robes?"
"We've already purchased him various items," Fred said with bitter spite, "new clothing, a fresh cauldron, and whatnot." His expression suggested profound regret over past generosity.
"Mum," Ron ventured hopefully, "might I have a new broomstick? If our finances permit, I'd truly desire—I'd love a Firebolt."
Mrs. Weasley hesitated momentarily, then beamed.
"Naturally... well, I'd best depart immediately. Until later... dear Ronnie, a prefect! Don't forget packing your trunk... a prefect... oh, I'm positively trembling!"
She bestowed another kiss upon Ron's cheek, drew a steadying breath, and hastened from the chamber.
Fred and George shared a meaningful glance.
"You won't mind terribly if we forgo kissing you, will you, Ronnie?" George inquired with exaggerated longing.
"We could attempt curtsying instead," Fred suggested helpfully.
"Oh, stuff it," Ron glowered at them both.
"Or what consequences await?" Fred challenged, wickedness dancing across his features. "Planning to assign us detention?"
"I'd relish witnessing that attempt," George snickered.
"Continue this behavior and he genuinely will!" Hermione snapped furiously.
Fred and George erupted into raucous laughter while Ron, scarlet-faced, mumbled:
"Leave it alone, Hermione."
"George, perhaps we should exercise caution," Fred declared with theatrical terror. "These two hold authority now..."
"Indeed, our reign of Gryffindor chaos appears concluded," George lamented, shaking his head mournfully.
With a thunderous crack, the twins vanished.
"Those insufferable—!" Hermione seethed, glaring at the ceiling. Fred and George's boisterous laughter echoed from their upstairs quarters. "Ignore them completely, Ron—they're simply consumed with jealousy!"
"I doubt that assessment," Ron replied uncertainly, also studying the ceiling. "They've always maintained only gits pursue prefect positions... that opinion remains unchanged." However, his tone brightened considerably: "Though they never earned prefect badges themselves! I wish I could accompany Mum for broomstick shopping... oh! I should inform her about purchasing a Broomstick Servicing Kit simultaneously—far more economical than separate acquisition..."
Ron bolted from the room, leaving only Hermione, Harry, and Orli in awkward silence.
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