Bonjour delightful readers (well, I hope someone is reading this)... Here's the next instalment, this time by a different author – exciting huh?
(T)
Chapter 3 – Detention!
The dorm door closed with a decisive snap as Lorkin entered the room, looking rather red in the face. Cassie glanced up from her Potions textbook, raising an eyebrow.
"What did you get?" She asked with a smirk, her glasses flashing in the candlelight. Lorkin wrinkled her nose.
"Detention," she replied, throwing herself onto her four-poster with a frustrated groan and a creak of springs.
"Only one? Not bad!" Cassie exclaimed, grinning at her friend rather wolfishly.
"One? One every week for the next month, more like!" Lorkin closed her eyes and exhaled heavily. Cassie snorted and removed her spectacles, rubbing the bridge of her nose where they had left red marks.
"The old bint," she muttered. "Still, never mind. It'll be done in a few weeks and you'll get to spend some quality time with Black…" She wriggled her eyebrows suggestively. "I'm sure he'll get detention soon."
"I don't like him!" Lorkin cried indignantly. "Really, I don't!"
"Lokiana Avery, the only woman alive who is immune to the patented Black charm… We must record this moment for the incredulity of future generations, and to prove that even the most luscious looks can be resisted!" She reached for a quill and pretended to write the words in the air above her head.
"You think you're so funny," Lorkin groaned, rolling off her bed and grabbing the quill from her friend's hand, sticking out her tongue.
"I know right?" Cassie smirked with false innocence. "I'm contemplating a career in stand up…" "Good luck with that," Lorkin replied dryly. "Where are the others?"
"In the Great Hall still," Cassie checked her watch. "Come on, if we go now we can still grab something to eat before the feast ends."
"Haven't you eaten yet?" Lorkin looked confused.
"No, I've been waiting for you to be chewed out by McGonagall – figured you'd want some company." The two girls exchanged toothy grins and made their way out of the Gryffindor 6th year dormitory, their footsteps soon fading down the stone steps.
When they reached the Great Hall the sorting had already taken place and the pale faces of nervous first years were scattered around the tables. They made their way over to their friends at the Gryffindor table, who promptly shuffled over to make room for the pair. Several pairs of eyes followed them to their seats; they were renowned around the school for being in the wrong place at the wrong time – and no one knew whether it was intentional or not. Odd things, well, odder than usual, happened around Avery, Lamont, Hayes and Hawthorne; they intrigued people.
"How was McGonagall?" Percy asked dreamily, watching the two latecomers pile their plates with food.
"Awful," Lorkin replied around her mouthful of potatoes before swallowing. "I got a month's worth!" Morgan laughed loudly, causing a few heads to turn in their direction.
"Sucker!" She smirked. "Bet she'll get you doing something awful." Lorkin grimaced at her, wrinkling her nose.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," she growled, glaring at her plate so fiercely it seemed in danger of combusting. Cassie chuckled into her goblet, almost choking on a mouthful of pumpkin juice.
"Perhaps it'll - " she broke off, her head snapping around sharply. "Someone just hit me with a -" Suddenly a volley of peas pelted at the four girls, who yelped and covered their heads. Cassie stomped to her feet, her eyes flashing dangerously. "The Marauders," she hissed, returning to her seat and scanning the table for ammunition. The desserts had just appeared and an identical evil smirk passed between the girls.
"On three," Morgan muttered as they all drew their wands from their sleeves. Slowly, carefully, they began to levitate dishes from the table, much to the consternation of those around them, spoons poised to take helpings from the now floating bowls. "One, two…" They glanced at the teacher's table - no one was looking. "THREE!" Morgan shouted and the Marauders' eyes widened as they noticed the large portions of jelly, ice cream, blancmange and custard heading towards them at high speed.
"Merlin's p - " With the satisfying sound of shocked yells and laughter ringing in their ears, the girls stood to leave the hall. They were under no illusion that the boys wouldn't retaliate.
"Quickly!" Cassie giggled, "Before anyone realises it was - " She was cut off by a slice of lemon cheesecake clipping her around the ear before smearing itself around her face. She flushed a deep red and her hair seemed to crackle with electric rage. "DEATH!" She yelled, as she launched herself towards a tureen of fruit salad, followed swiftly into battle by Lorkin whose robes were splattered with chocolate gateau and had treacle tart lodged in her hair.
"FOOD FIGHT!" James roared, for once ignoring Lily's disapproving glare as he leapt forward, the battle cry swiftly spread around the Great Hall, the teenagers gleefully launching into battle. The bemused first years, watching their introduction to the school descend into chaos, couldn't help wondering whether this was normal. Hell, they thought as they watched food and cutlery sail above them. This was a wizard school, and it was awesome!
The two groups of four were fighting furiously; all eight figures now seeming more cake than human, yelling incoherently and flailing their wands, conducting the chaos that reigned all around.
"STOP!" Everyone in the hall froze as Minerva McGonagall's strident voice rang out, trembling with rage. "Never in all my time at Hogwarts," she clutched her chest, her face white and her lips so thin that they had disappeared. "Professor Dumbledore," she said through gritted teeth before taking her seat, her back ramrod straight. Dumbledore rose sedately to his feet, his blue eyes twinkling despite the stern expression on his face.
"Now children," he began. "I think it would be wise if you would all head up to your dormitories – first years, the prefects will guide you." He surveyed the Great Hall over his half-moon spectacles and his lips twitched in amusement; the girls and the Marauders exchanged hopeful glances and were about to move towards the wooden doors with the rest of the student body. Cassie had just opened her mouth to call some of the bemused first years to follow her when Dumbledore spoke again. "Lamont, Avery, Black, Potter, Lupin, Hawthorne, Hayes and Pettigrew." He paused. Please meet me in my office, I believe we have something to discuss. "Evans and Longbottom, I'm afraid that you will have to manage the Gryffindor first years by yourselves tonight as your other Prefects are… Incapacitated." He flashed the scowling Prefects a smile. "That will be all. Now, off to bed – chop chop!"
Cassie and Remus stared at their feet, their cheeks flushing a deep scarlet. Lorkin grimaced at her friend in sympathy and nudged her with her elbow, but before she could speak she was interrupted by Sirius plonking himself down on the bench opposite them.
"Nicely done ladies," he smirked. He winked conspiratorially at Cassie; "Didn't think you had it in you old girl," he chuckled before reaching over to pluck a chunk of trifle from the front of Lorkin's robes. Lorkin's face turned a delicate shade of pink as he popped it into his mouth and she spluttered in indignation. "Mmm, delicious," he drawled, licking his fingers in a decidedly seductive fashion. Catching sight of Lorkin's thunderous expression he shrugged. "You weren't going to eat it, were you?" He chuckled.
"Sod off Black," Lorkin hissed through gritted teeth.
"I wouldn't push it Padfoot," James chuckled over his friend's shoulder. "She might explode again and we're running out of food." He grinned at her, wiggling his eyebrows in an infuriating manner.
"Actually," Peter piped up. "I think it was Cassie who launched herself over the table shouting 'death!'" Remus stifled a snigger and Peter puffed up with the approval, a smug smile spreading over his pudgy face.
With a sudden slam the double doors to the Great Hall crashed shut behind the final stragglers, who had no doubt hung back in an attempt to see the infamous teenagers being punished. The eight were now alone in the midst of the chaos they had created, which they surveyed in a mixture of delight and consternation.
"Not bad," James commented, leaning back against the table which smeared some more custard onto his robes. They gazed around at the damage; every surface was covered in a thick layer of sugary gloop, dripping off tables and benches into sticky puddles on the floor. The Slytherin table had been overturned to act as a shield against the vicious onslaught from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Only the teacher's table remained unscathed courtesy of a hasty shield charm thrown up by Professor Grubbly-Plank. The silence was only broken by a small giggle escaping Percy's lips. The others looked at her incredulously for a moment, horror plain on Cassie's face as everyone erupted into raucous laughter. Soon even Cassie saw the funny side and the room was filled with peals of laughter as the motley group clutched their sides and gasped for breath, tears rolling down their cheeks.
"I'm glad you find this amusing," Professor McGonagall snapped as she picked her way towards them, her glasses flashing angrily and her robes held above her ankles to prevent them from trailing through the debris. "Professor Dumbledore's office. Now!"
The grubby group trouped out of the Great Hall, herded by a tutting McGonagall her heels clicking on the flagstones. "Disgraceful," they heard her mutter repeatedly. "Disgusting behaviour!" Sirius and James exchanged gleeful smirks at this, and chuckled quietly to themselves, careful not to let the ranting Professor overhear. Much too soon they reached the carved Griffin that marked the entrance to the Headmaster's office. "Well?" McGonagall asked crisply. "What are you waiting for?" They hesitated at the foot of the large statue, unsure of what to do. McGonagall huffed and rolled her eyes. "Mint humbugs," she snapped at the Griffin which promptly leapt aside, revealing a rotating spiral staircase. The Professor waited impatiently for them to all file through the archway before turning on her heel marching off without a second glance. The words "as if I should ever see such a spectacle" came floating past the statue before it resumed its guarding position, blocking and means of escape.
"Well, we're for the high jump," Cassie moaned, running her fingers through her already unruly mane of decidedly sticky auburn hair.
"You can stop complaining," Morgan remarked, shooting a glare at her. "You started this bloody debacle!"
"Actually I think you'll find that was me," Sirius added with a smug smile. "I goaded the beast." He grinned toothily at Cassie who coloured and ground her teeth. Before she could retaliate though, a door appeared and swung open at their approach.
"Ah, enter." Came Dumbledore's voice from within.
"I think he sounds happy," Lorkin whispered hopefully in Cassie's ear. She shrugged in response, grimacing. Warily the mismatched and messy group traipsed over the threshold, staring sheepishly at their rather grubby shoes. Out of the corner of her eye, Cassie saw Percy wrinkle her nose at a particularly offensive object that had stuck itself to the converse she was wearing under her robes. She nudged Lorkin and they exchanged amused smirks before realising where they were and resuming their poker faces.
Dumbledore sat behind his large oak desk, his fingers steepled below his chin as he peered at them over his spectacles.
"Well," he began when they had all entered. "I take it that you are collectively responsible for the little… Incident at the welcome feast?" They shuffled a bit and nodded, Peter positively trembling under the headmaster's piercing gaze. "All of you?" He asked, his eyes twinkling periwinkle blue.
"Um, no Sir," Cassie stepped forwards, stuttering slightly. "It was my fault. I take full responsibility." She bowed her head, her custard streaked hair falling into her eyes. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow but remained silent, motioning her to continue. "Er, well…" Cassie's face was slowly changing from grey through shades of pink to scarlet. "I just…"
"Was provoked." Remus finished for her, flashing her a small, reassuring smile.
"Remus was showing me how to levitate peas," Peter added, his normally high voice shriller than usual as his nose twitched in fear in an abnormally rat-like fashion. Dumbledore's eyebrow rose yet further.
"Really," he murmured before turning to James and Sirius. "Please excuse me if I struggle to believe that you two were in no way involved," he smiled serenely. "I do believe that if I did it would be a great disservice to your reputation." The two black haired boys grinned toothily.
"Quite so, Professor." James bit his lip to stop himself from grinning again.
"We may have been responsible for the trajectory of the vegetables…" Sirius drawled, completely unabashed.
"And the force behind them," James added. "Sorry Cassie." He smiled quite unapologetically at her and winked, his mouth twitching.
"Hmm," Dumbledore tapped his long fingers against the desk, pondering deeply. He left them standing silently for a few long minutes, until they were sure that he had forgotten all about them, before he eventually acknowledged them again. Evidently he had finished his internal debate. "As you are no doubt aware, I cannot let this go unpunished – chaos would reign at Hogwarts, not to mention the Governors' reactions when they are made aware…" He winked over his glasses. "However, I am assured that you did not do this in mean spirits and that none of you are wholly responsible." He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Merlin knows it enlivened the students and gave them something to enjoy in these darkening times – we can all do with the occasional distraction, and by Merlin, you provide them!" The girls smiled ruefully at this, and the boys looked an odd combination of smug and gleeful. "Therefore," Dumbledore continued, "I think that you should all serve a weeks' worth of detentions with Mr Filch: I'm sure he will be glad of your company." They groaned; Filch's hatred of students was renowned around the school. "Oh, and you will execute the tasks without magic!" Dumbledore finished. "It will do you all good to experience the hard work that goes into maintaining this castle – maybe it'll make you think twice about destroying it again, hmm?" A low groan, barely audible, escaped James' lips.
"Without magic!" He moaned.
"Indeed, Mr Potter." Dumbledore replied. "And your first detention is tomorrow at 7pm sharp, you may wait outside Mr Filch's office, he will meet you there. Now, off you pop to your dormitories and get cleaned up; I needn't tell you that you won't get off so lightly again." He raised his eyebrows at them and winked conspiratorially at them. A chorus of 'No Professor' and various apologies filled the office before they began to filter back out of the large wooden door. Once they thought they were out of earshot James began complaining again.
"Merlin's pants! Without magic? I mean…"
"Filch is going to hang us by our thumbs from the walls of the dungeons" Cassie stated darkly, her expression bleak.
"Cheer up Lamont," Sirius chirped, looking positively ecstatic. "The old sqib can't tell whether we've used magic or not – the old troll won't know whether we do or don't!" James perked up considerably.
"Oh yeah! Good one Padfoot." He punched his friend lightly on the arm. "Hey, isn't the - " he whispered in Sirius' ear.
"Hell to the yeah, Prongs. Hell. To. The. Yeah."
"One-eyed witch it is then," James grinned. "You in, Moony, Wormtail?" Remus shrugged as Peter bounced jubilantly at the thought of being included in another of their schemes.
"The one-eyed what?" Lorkin hissed to Cassie as the boys passed them, chattering loudly.
"Witch, I think," she replied, looking as confused as Lorkin felt. They exchanged a worryingly devious glance.
"I vote we find out…" Lorkin smiled, her eyes glinting with mischievous ideas.
"I'm in," Cassie smirked, glancing at the boys' retreating backs. Linking arms with the squelching sound of compressed trifle they proceeded to make their way back to the dormitories, their heads close together as they plotted the demise of the Marauders' secret.