“Ah, yes, ‘real lads,’” Montague mocked, a slight chuckle escaping his lips. “Because ‘real lads’ are measured by physical strength, and not by intellect or their reputation.” He walked up, placing a hand on Jude’s shoulder. “Let’s face it, we are not meant to win this game. But I’m fairly certain all of the ones who can together make up half of our IQ.”

Jude huffed at his attempt and shook his head in disbelief, although it was endlessly difficult to deny the lack of strength in the fifth year. “I reckon you’re right,” he sighed. “Still. Imagine if we were intelligent and strong? We could make our own Hogwarts.”

Montague rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He then turned to his friend, sighing a quick “Fine, one try,” before walking towards the strength testing game. He picked up the hammer, immediately regretting letting the peer pressure get to him. He tried to use some momentum on the hammer to hit the piece of metal to ring the bell, but it only got right under the halfway mark before going back to the ground. He turned around, shooting daggers and a pointed smile at Jude. “Happy?”

He would have burst into laughter if he hadn’t had the smallest bit of remorse. At least there weren’t any obnoxious lower years around to giggle at them. “Thank you for your cooperation,” Jude bowed playfully, “Super-Man. But let the real lads get a chance, eh?” He stepped up to the game and inhaled steeply before grabbing the hammer and slamming it onto the metal, only beating Monty’s results by half an inch.

Montague chuckled, tilting his head. “You are joking, right?” he asked. He gestured to the costume, saying “The muscles in this costume are, in fact, fake. I’m so sorry to disappoint you.” Montague was confident in a lot of things, but physical strength was not one of them.

Montague chuckled at his friend using his words against him. He then shook his head, his smile fading. “I would fit anyone better than this flat, unrealistic, pathetic excuse for a character,” he spat before taking a deep breath. “Please don’t get me started on my superman rant, that was what got me into this fiasco in the first place.”

“Merlin, calm down. He can’t hear you, mate.” laughed Jude, entertained by Monty’s evident distaste. It was always a show to watch the other Ravenclaw throw his small fits over things he deemed unworthy of his time. “Alright, what if actually do something instead? Might as well find something to like about poor Clark Kent, maybe test your strength?” he grinned.

“Your ability to lie has deteriorated,” Montague smirked before shaking his head. “My hope is that she has her fun watching me suffer in this… abomination tonight, then let’s me off the hook for next year.’ He couldn’t stop a small chuckle from escaping as he looked down and said “I’m doing everything in my power to not give her any reason to leave me.” He then looked up, ready to take whatever ‘whipped’ comments Jude had in mind.

Montague shook his head, brushing Jude’s hand off with a light scowl. “Don’t be condescending, I know you’re enjoying this far too much,” he pointed out, though there was still a tiny smirk on his lips. Montague knew he’d be feeling the same way if the roles were reversed. Speaking of… “Perhaps, but who’s to say you won’t be in my exact position this time next year? Maybe I’ll be the one allowed to be in a lazy costume while you wear something ridiculous for someone you are dating.”

Jude pouted at his friend, but didn’t press the issue as he was in fact being a condescending ass. His face heated for a moment’s time before he collected himself and cleared his throat noisily. “I would appreciate her efforts to have me join the fun,” he lied blatantly. “Maybe is the key word in that sentence. Are you insinuating that Lu will leave you before next Halloween, or that she’ll let you off the hook in the slightest by then? Both are hilarious to me.”

Montague rolled his eyes at the ladies comment. Part of him wanted to say ‘there’s only one lady I’m interested in impressing,’ but that would only give Jude more material for the whole ‘Monty’s whipped’ argument. He then nodded at the explanation, a small smirk of appreciation appearing. “I can respect that kind of laziness. I attempted something similar, but… as you can see, that did not last.”

“And you have my utmost respect for your efforts,” said Jude as he placed a hand on Monty’s shoulder, offering half a smile that was really just a cover to keep his laughter controlled. “We would have been quite the power duo had we both managed to get away with our non-costumes. Maybe next year?”

“Jude, I am practically begging you,” Montague sighed, rubbing his temples. “Not. Another. Word.” He then looked up to see Jude’s costume, and Montague squinted in confusion. “I’m sure you’re doing something incredibly clever, but please explain your costume to me.” 

“Oh, cool…”

          Her lips quirked up and as she stepped closer to him, she shrugged one shoulder. “Something extraordinary rebellious is my ultimate goal in life,” she said. “But with a last name Weasley, I doubt anyone would be surprised about that,” she added jokingly.

“I don’t know, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing a few tamer Weasleys this year. Might be something else in the water besides that veritaserum.” he chuckled, leaning his shoulder on a nearby column. “I am more than intrigued to see what you come up with, however. Just don’t tell the other prefects I said that.”

          Rose watched him in amusement, and in turn, she held up her hands in playful surrender. “Probably why I’m not a prefect. Mum was a bit disappointed,” she shrugged. “I only think to argue my point until after I’ve done something I shouldn’t.”

He shook his head a bit, “It’s not what it’s cracked up to be, especially now. But parents, I guess. Glory days and all.” Jude hadn’t been the child of prefects, though he could imagine how much worse his life would have been if he were. “She’ll learn eventually. You’ll just have to do something extraordinarily rebellious.”

           “Now, Deck him, makes a bit more sense to me. I’m more likely to punch someone than kiss ‘em,” Rose chuckled. “But I do have anger issues and no impulse control. My house prefect probably hates me by now.”

“Are you?” Jude took one playful step back, chuckling lightly. “I’d say we’re about the same, though I’m more likely to argue with them. Civilly, that is. Wouldn’t do good on my own prefect reputation to be punching you lot.”

          With her brows raised, Rose chuckled softly as she reached out for the parchment to have a look for herself. “I have to agree with you. Snogging Rory Smith has never crossed my mind, I have to admit.”