Flying Assignment #7: Write about a Thievery.

Halloween Bingo: (object) cobwebs

Word Count: 536

A Thief's First Steps

Mundungus first stole something when he was a mere five-year-old boy, with gappy teeth and scraped knees. His older sister had a sparkly quill that he wanted so bad that he could feel it in his gut. He wasn't allowed his own as they were too girly — at least, they were, according to his mother. He thought a sparkly quill would be perfect for a boy like him.

The day was quite sunny, at least it was for a winter day. His sister was at a friends house, probably pretending to be eleven-year-old witches attending their first days at Hogwarts. If he was completely honest, Mundungus did not see the appeal of Hogwarts. It was just another school where he would learn stuff. It wasn't anything special.

The thrill of trying not to be caught as he crept into his sister's room, however, was thrilling. It made his heart pump and his mind race. He could be caught at any moment!

His eyes quickly scanned the room, noticing that the room hadn't been dusted in ages, as cobwebs littered the corners of the room. It was a trivial thing to notice, but his eyes were super aware, trying to spot anything that could resemble a quill. Nothing. It wasn't on the desk, or dipped in the ink pot. For a fleeting moment, he thought that she had taken the quill with her, until he noticed there were helpful little notes on the drawers stating what they contained. 'She always was organised,' he remembered with a smile, as he looked for the sign that had a word beginning with 'Q' on it.

He almost gave up, until his young mind finally stumbled upon the right door. Triumphantly, he ripped open the door, revealing perfect rows of quills and ink pots. He smiled to himself as he plucked out the perfect quill, stuffing it in his inner pocket, hugging his robe close to himself. He was successful. It actually worked!

A scream could be heard from his sister's room. "Mum! Someone's been through my stuff! One of my quills has gone!"

"Mundungus!"

He blinked nervously, walking out into the hall. "Yeah?" He asked, his voice timid.

"Did you go into your sister's room?"

Mundungus shifted his eyes away from his mother. "No?" he said, but his voice sounded questioning.

"Are you sure? You don't sound too sure. And you wouldn't want to be lying to Mummy now, would you?"

"I'm sorry, Mummy," Mundungus said, cracking under his mother's glare. "I didn't mean to steal the quill, I just wanted one of my own, and you wouldn't let me!"

"I knew it would be you," his sister declared. "You always want to annoy me. You think you're so much better than me! You're five years younger than me."

Mundungus growled.

"Go to your room, Emily," his mum said.

"Fine."

She huffed off.

"For lying to me, Mundungus, you are grounded for a week. And for stealing, you are grounded for two weeks. No more going out to play with your friends."

"But—"

"Don't even think about complaining, young man, or I'll double it!"

Although it was the first time he had stolen something, it definitely wasn't the last.

Meh.