A/N: Another prompt from tumblr. This time from an anon.

"Extreme tension shut up in the burrow or Grimmauld Place and what happens once it snaps (maybe they wanna talk or get it out in the open but they never have the right time?)"

Disclaimer: I am not JKR and this isn't a prequel either.

It had been ages since anyone had last spoken. Hermione was still, except for her eyes, which were darting about everywhere, a thousand theories and strategies almost audible to the rest of them. On the other hand, Ron was shifting position every couple of seconds, though his eyes were no less calculating.

Harry wasn't sure how he knew it, but he was certain something was about to happen that would change everything. Whether this change would be a good thing remained to be seen.

Eventually, Ron's features settled into a picture of resolve and determination. Harry held his breath as Hermione's eyes locked onto Ron, all of her considerable concentration focussed on him.

Before any of them were truly ready, Ron rolled the die across the Monopoly board Harry had found stashed away under Sirius' bed.

"Four," he breathed, not bothering to reach for the tiny silver dog. "Four! HA! Bow Street is mine!"

He practically threw his money at Harry, who passed him the green house with some trepidation. A quick glance at Hermione and her scowl, showed that she hadn't failed to notice that the next six squares in front of her were all Weasley owned and she had barely a penny left to her name.

"Your go, Hermione," Ron grinned.

"Shut up."

"What? I just-"

"It's beginner's luck, that's all," she sniffed. No even bothering to roll the die, she gave Ron her remaining money and picked up the book she'd been reading before they'd started playing and left the room.

Harry held his head in his hands and groaned. "I knew I should have just left this upstairs."

"Are you kidding?" spluttered Ron. "I've got more money than I've even seen. I mean - yeah - it's Muggle money. Fake Muggle money. But it's mine!" To underline his point, he threw a fistful in the air and laughed as he watched it flutter around him.

Thanks for reading!