Harry's POV
"No Ronald. It's not right to make them do that" Hermione scolded Ron.
"But I'm hungry" Ron whined.
"They're not slaves" she snapped and I saw Ron was trying not to smile.
"Come on Hermione, we'll just go have a peak" I said, my stomach rumbling.
"Fine. But I did warn you not to skip dinner for quidditch practice" she tisked and Ron and I rolled our eyes.
I grabbed my cloak and we pulled it over ourselves and hurried out. It was about one in the morning and the halls were dark and silent.
"This is a stupid idea" Hermione hissed in my ear.
We got to the picture of the fruit and I tickled the pear. The door swung open and we went in and I pulled off the cloak.
"Master Potter" a few elves said and I saw Hermione frown.
"Are you hungry sir?" One asked.
"Yes" Ron said and before I could ask they had hurried off to get us some food.
"Wait, why are you all up?" Hermione asked the elves.
"We were helping out Master Bren" one told us as he brought over three mince pies.
"Who?" Ron asked stuffing his face.
"Me" someone said from behind us, causing Ron to choke on his food.
Behind us stood a first year in his pj's. He had dark brown hair and blue eyes and his skin was tanned dark.
"Who are you?" Ron asked not so politely and Hermione elbowed him in the ribs.
"I'm Declan Bren. First year in Gryffindor" he said enthusiastically.
"Nice to meet you then" Ron said grinned and the boy grinned back.
"How did you know where this place was?" I asked making sure the map was still in my pocket.
"Just stumbled across it" he shrugged.
"I have a knack for getting into mischief" he added.
"So this is your first year?" Hermione asked.
"Sure is. My parents are muggles, so it was a real shock when the letter came you know" he said helping himself to some food the elves had brought out.
"You should probably get going so you don't get caught" I told him and he shrugged.
"I won't" he said.
"How are you so sure?" Ron asked.
"I just know" he laughed like he knew something we didn't.
We gathered up some food and got ready to leave
. "You coming Declan?" I asked and the boy followed us out of the painting's doorway.
"Ok guys I'll guess I'll see you around" Declan said from behind us.
"Wait how are you getting back?" I asked and turned to him.
There was no one there. I head a small childish chuckle in the distance.
"Ok. I'm officially freaked out, let's get out of here" Ron said and we threw the cloak on and hurried back to the common room. Once there we stopped and took the cloak off.
"Guys, I don't remember there being a Declan Bren sorted this year" Hermione frowned.
"Me either" Ron added, and honestly, I couldn't either.
Just then the same distant chuckle could be heard off in the distance.