Disclaimer : She-Who-Must-Be-Always-Named ... a.K.a J.K Rowling.
A.N: This idea came to me like a few months ago and I had written parts of it but stopped to do my other script, Raindrops on the Windowsill. But now I'm trying my luck with this one and hope you all will like it. Read and Review!
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Hide and Seek
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"Welcome everyone to my humble abode! Now, I believe everybody is here for the game?" Albus Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling at everybody.
It was a few weeks ago during one of the Order meetings that Dumbledore came up with a plan. More of a Game, actually. Right after the death of Lord Voldermort (Harry and the others snorted when Ron made up a song for him. "Lord Voldermort, Am afraid we'll miss you not.") The Order has been slacking around lately. It was when Dumbledore gave the idea of a game did they perk up a little. Now, they are standing in the hallway of Dumbledore's home.
It was spacious, almost like a manor, almost like a castle. Either way, it's a big house and they didn't know what Dumbledore could do with such a "humble abode" anyways. Members who were present were Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Ginevra Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Lavender Brown, Fred and George Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Bill Weasley, Fleur Delacour, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus J. Lupin, Sirius Black, Severus Snape, Mad-eye Moody, Minerva McGonagall, Kingsley Shaklebolt, Aberforth Dumbledore and Albus Dumbledore. By the look that Albus was giving, it was going to be a great day.
"I really am happy that most of you were willing enough to take part in the game, I didn't expect to see some of you here." Albus said, twinkling at Severus Snape. Snape merely sneered and scowled at Hermione Granger, who was stifling a giggle behind her hand. The night before, she had managed to persuade him into taking part. And trust her to really 'persuade' him that he finally relented and agreed to take part in whatever she was harping on.
"Now, there are a few instructions to be given out before the game starts. And I trust my brother to give the instructions out so that I can have time to prepare for the game. Now if Minerva would like kindly, please, join in helping me out." Minerva McGonagall inclined her head and walked up to Albus, taking his hands and walked away from the hall. Aberforth snorted and turned to the rest of them.
"Fine then, as all of you may know, it takes a bored, senile, maudlin old man like Albus to come up with a game like this," Severus snorted, while a few more smiled at the comment, "though it's for our good. We'd be dying of boredom by the end of July. Now, the game is called Hide and Seek. Anybody here is familiar with the game?" Aberforth asked, looking around. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Remus, Sirius, Tonks and Severus's hand went up.
"Ah, I suppose those who lived Muggle know what it is, and those who befriend the Muggles know what it is too... But... Snape?" Aberforth asked, raising one eyebrow at him. Severus merely sighed and kept looking at Sirius Black, who was smirking at him.
"Let's just say, I used to be a champion at hiding when I was in school." Severus answered. Sirius and Remus stifled their giggling and passed it off as a cough.
"Yes... Yes indeed... he was... wasn't he, Remus?" Sirius asked, looking up at Remus, who merely nodded and then shook his head when he started shaking with laughter again. Aberforth merely shrugged. Draco put up his hands after everyone had set their hands down.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" Aberforth asked.
"Please... call me Draco." Draco said. Aberforth rolled his eyes.
"What difference does it make; you are of the same person anyway. What is it, Draco?"
"My father will be arriving soon. Shouldn't we wait for him?"
"Who, Malfoy Senior? He wants a shot at this game too, eh?" Aberforth chuckled.
After the death of Voldermort, the rest found out that both Malfoys have been working secretly as spies for the Order too, giving private information to Snape, who then passes it to Hermione, who then passes it to the Order. Knowing that Malfoy Senior wants to be part of a Muggle game was indeed a joke.
"He has been trying to settle down in what Mum might say... A healthier lifestyle choice." Draco smirks as the rest chuckle.
"Never mind, he can join in later. Okay then, this game is called Hide and Seek. You merely hide, while the other seeks," Everybody groaned at the dry joke, "though there are twists in the game and I need everyone to listen to the instructions carefully." At that point, everyone paid attention.
"Now as you all know, we are magical folks, unlike those Muggles. So, we may have a little more fun than usual... Now there are a few people here that are exempted from playing. The hosts of the game are, obviously, Me, Albus and Minerva. Albus and Minerva are going to cast obstacles and charms around the rooms where you will hide. The one calculating the scores will be Kingsley Shaklebolt and Me. Molly and Arthur, since they didn't want much to participate but merely be audience, are the refreshments taker. Anybody feels like having a break, just go to them, though time is precious. They are cheerleaders too, cheering the team on forward. Moody, considering the fact that his magical eye can look through anything and everywhere will be the Hinter. He will give hints on where one is hidden to the seeker, Though one point will be deducted from every hints taken... and lastly, Remus, since he has the acute sense of smell and he could spot on where you are, where you've been and what you've been doing... so he stays back on, supporting the group too."
"You mean, he is part cheerleader too?" Sirius asked, smirking at Remus, who merely folded his arms across his chest and ignored Sirius.
"Yes, that... and something else. Now, I believe that is all the instructions. I will pass the sorting of groups to Albus." Aberforth said. Just in time, Albus came by with Minerva beside him.
"Ah, I trust you told them the instructions?"
"Yes, I did."
"Fine then. Will all those exempted, stand on the right, while those taking part, stand on the left." Albus said. The group parted into two. Remus, Moody, Kingsley, Molly and Arthur stood on the right hand side of Albus while Tonks, Harry, Sirius, Draco, Fleur, Ron, Luna, Neville, Hermione, Severus, Bill, Ginny, Lavender, Fred and George took the left. Albus nodded with approval at the number of players.
"Good then, I will be in need of three seekers and thirteen hiders, including Malfoy Senior when he arrives. Remember the piece of parchment I gave for you to write your name in? Place them in this hat. Once your name is called, Hiders stand by Minerva's right and Seekers on the left." Albus said, pulling out the Sorting Hat. Obviously, even the Sorting Hat was bored. Everyone stepped up and place their parchment in the hat. Once everybody did, Albus shook the hat, causing it to groan.
"Slowly, Old Man. I'll spit everything out before you know it." The Hat said, eliciting a chuckle from Albus.
"Sorry there, Old Friend. Would you please do the honor of jumbling the whole thing up?" Albus said. The Hat nodded and a hum was heard from it. Finally...
"Am done. Shall I get on with it?"
"Yes please, do the honors." Albus said, stepping back, holding the hat out. The Hat cleared its throat (or whatever it is that Hats have) and went on.
"Oh, You may not think I'm pretty, But do not judge by what yo---"
"Oh cut the crap and go on with the Sorting will ya? Its not the first year ceremony!" Aberforth exclaimed. Albus chuckled and shook his head while Minerva merely glared at him. The Hat shook himself before a small "Humph!" was heard.
"Fine then. First Hider... RON WEASLEY!!" The Hat shouted. Ron looked surprised and stood by McGonagall's right. The Hat then paused for a while.
"Second Hider... SIRIUS BLACK!!!" Sirius shrugged.
"Well, I'd rather be Seeker... I can seek some people out..." He said, before walking towards Ron, glancing at both Remus and Snape. The Hat went quiet.
"Third Hider...GINEVRA WEASLEY!!!" Ginny walks up to Ron. A few more minutes later, there were twelve Hiders and three Seekers. The Hiders consist of Ron, Ginny, Sirius, Hermione, Severus, Neville, Fleur, Draco, Luna, Lavender, Fred and George. The Seekers were Tonks, Harry and Bill.
"Now, I am very happy with the choices, and no doubt you will succeed in this game. However, if suspected foul play, or also known as... cheating..." Albus said, looking at the twins, who merely smirked innocently at him... (Really, who can smirk innocently except for Severus Snape?) ..".. The witch or wizard shall be disqualified from the game... Now, there is a twist in the game. No wands are allowed."
The whole group, except Severus that is, gasped at the thought of not having wands to use. Albus shook his hand to get their attention.
"Now, now... I was just kidding. Wands may be used for self defense, but not for cheating in any ways... We will know if you have done so and we will retract you from the game." Albus said.
"Wait, wait... Self Defense? What do you mean?" Ginny asked.
"Well, let's just hope you paid clear attention towards Defense against the Dark Arts lesson, Miss Weasley... Now if the Hiders may please, kindly stand in front of me."
They did and stood in front of Dumbledore.
"There are about thirty five rooms in this house, including bedrooms, lavatories, libraries and drawing rooms. If I call upon your name, kindly run upstairs and find a place to hide. When all is done, the seekers will be given a new set of instruction before running towards the task. Now... first... Mr. Weasley?" Albus said. Bill, Fred, George and Ron looked at each other before asking..."Which one?" Dumbledore chuckled again before saying..."The first Hider, Mr Weasley..."
Ron nodded his head before breathing out. He quickly ran out of the hall before his footsteps dissapeared. They waited a few seconds before Albus called out for Sirius. He shrugged and walked confidently out the door. Snape scowled under his breath.
"Confident Git..."
After that Ginny went off, and then Hermione followed by Severus, Fleur, Neville, Lavender, Draco, Luna, Fred and George. After George managed to run off, Albus turned to the Seekers.
"Now, My seekers... I expect you guys to play fair and well... Now the instructions I am about to give you are not really instructions. They are basically a heads up on what you are going to encounter. Boggarts, Doxies, Elves and some not so dangerous animals and creatures. Now you have your wands, I suppose? Good! Now... the first person to come back with most victims and in the less amount of time shall win! Now... at the count of three..." Albus said.
"Wait! Dora!" Tonks turned to see Remus calling for her. She ran to him and hugged him. Remus pulled back and smile at her.
"Go get 'em, Tiger!" Remus said. Tonks gave a growl and jumped up and down before kissing Remus. She pulled away when she heard Albus gave a 'three' and ran out of the hall... only to fall face first on the floor.
"Ooooo...Ouch..." came from the room as she groaned in pain. Remus merely winced and gave her a smug smile when she looked up at him...
"Go slowly...tiger..." Remus said. She got up, shook herself and ran out.
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