Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters…

Chapter 1: The Trojan Horse

It was a normal evening at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizadry. It was past curfew and the atmosphere was tranquil. Even the moving stair cases were stationary and Peeves was no where in sight.

Ah, the beauty of silence and solitude. Silent walls, silent suits of armors, silent portraits, silent footsteps….wait, footsteps?

Where are they coming from?

The entrance? That's closed

The Great Hall? That's where it seems to be leading

May be the stairs? That's too far away!

May be…..where in hell did he come from? So, there's a hidden tapestry by the side of the Great Hall! Worth an investigation. May be later.

Who is this guy any way? And what is he running from?

And here, enters the second human in sight, a much more normal appearance than the first one, I tell you. She was just walking out of the Great Hall but I'd be careful, she doesn't appear too happy.

"Where did you run off to this time, Potter? Have you ever been early for any thing?"

"I would be, if you'd just agree to go on a date with me!"

"Let's go, Potter" she said and began walking towards the staircases which were moving now.

"You never answer me!"

"I thought you were perceptive. We'll be doing the sixth and seventh floors today, Potter"

"So that it'll be easier for us to return to the commonroom?"

"The room of requirement is on that floor and some people I unfortunately am acquainted with, have the tendency to hang around there after curfew" she said, while looking at him in a significant manner.

James was uncomfortably reminded of those days in his fifth and sixth years when Alice had been a prefect and he hadn't. She had made it a point to check out these two floors where he, Fred and Frank hung out.

Now, don't get her wrong, Alice Longbottom liked having fun as much as the next person but when it came to those three, she simply seemed unable to enjoy their pranks.

"Let's do it fast" he replied, hoping against hope that his comrades in pranking wouldn't have chosen this night to be daring and leave behind the cloak.

Silence reigned between the two as they ascended the stairs and walked past the sixth floor.

James let out a sigh of relief and thanked his lucky stars as they patrolled the seventh floor and found no one lurking about.

"So, that's that! Shall we go back?" James asked, a little too eager to return to the common room, which made Alice suspicious.

"What's the hurry, Potter?"

"What, hurry? Me? No…nothing! I was just suggesting that we go back!"

"Okay" she said though it was quite clear she believed not a word that he said.

"Alice?"

"Yeah?"

"Why won't you go out with me?"

"Ask Frank"

"But, I'd like to know no, and he tends to be quite secretive when it comes to you"

"Really, Frank?" Alice asked the air beside him and when no reply came, she walked forward until she was near James.

She reached up and uncloaked the two who had been standing there.

The two of them smiled at her sheepishly and tried to escape before her temper was lost and lives were endangered.

But, Alice just shook her head and left, leaving behind a stunned yet delighted trio.

"Whew! That was a close call!" Fred said as soon as she had disappeared from sight.

"Thank God no one chose you two for the Trojan Horse!" James said as they began to walk to the common room at a much more leisurely pace.

An: Written for the "Persistence is futile" challenge.

R&R!