Monday at noon, in a corner of the Gryffindor Common Room.
Ron and Ginny were holding their final strategy meeting.
"We'll charge over in a minute," Ron said, rubbing his hands together, already getting impatient. "Just tell them we want to buy their best stuff! Knock them senseless with Galleons!"
"No, you idiot."
Ginny rejected his plan outright.
"Fred and George are the chief engineers at the Marauders Power Company now. They're not short of Galleons. We need to play our parts properly-a younger brother and sister who idolize them, have a little money, and want to prove themselves."
She laid out a detailed script for them both, right down to every line and expression.
"I'll lead the conversation, handle the flattery and questions. You, Ron, just play yourself. Show that envy and longing of 'I can't afford it, but I really want to buy it anyway.' Make them feel superior. Once their heads swell, they'll tell us the truth."
Ron felt his role was a little humiliating, but Ginny's plan did sound more reliable, so he could only grumble and accept the arrangement.
They soon found their targets in the busiest part of the common room.
Fred and George were surrounded by a group of excited younger students, showing them the latest Skiving Snackboxes.
Ginny took a deep breath, arranged her expression, and pulled Ron into the crowd.
"Wow! Fred! George!"
Ginny called out in a tone of utter admiration, with acting so good even Harry would have had to admire it.
"You're practically Hogwarts legends! I heard you're the chief engineers at the Marauders Power Company now?"
The title "chief engineer" struck Fred squarely in his vanity.
He immediately puffed out his chest and cleared his throat smugly.
"Aha! Look who it is-our adorable little sister! That's right,