"I'm pleased to see that you have all done your homework" said Professor Thicknesse, at the start of the second years' next transfiguration lesson.
Several people turned back to Darren, who once again was slouching at his desk, far away from anyone else, ignoring the lesson in favour of reading a muggle comic book.
"Last week I asked you to study the theory of animal transfiguration" Thicknesse continued, with Darren's homework being left unaddressed. "Today I will ask you to perform it."
Thicknesse got out a cage containing nine mice. He opened it up, and carefully placed one in the hands of the students.
"Sir" piped up Nigel Thomas. "You're one mouse short."
"Count again Thomas" replied Thicknesse. "I'm pretty sure I gave nine mice to nine wizards."
Darren didn't even seem to hear the insult. He kept his head in his comic, and Thicknesse wasn't in any rush to alert him. The class then spent the rest of the lesson transfiguring the mice into various small objects like marbles or goblets. Bizarrely, it was probably the second best lesson James had since returning to Hogwarts, purely down to Darren not throwing a tantrum.
"No homework today" said Thicknesse after the lesson. "You all did a fine job; class dismissed."
"Why was that lesson so good?" asked Bella, who was still used to being bullied by Thicknesse from the year before. "It's Transfiguration, it was supposed to be the lesson we all feared."
"Darren being quiet for once must have put Thicknesse in a good mood" said James.
"Ignoring the fact that he basically skived an entire lesson" added Jackson.
"I hope he does it more often" said Aoiffe. "If Thicknesse got Darren to do today's lesson, he would have been screaming in anger, and the mouse probably would have bitten off his finger."
The rest of the day's lessons were not so simple. Unlike Thicknesse, the rest of their teachers weren't prepared to let Darren sit around lazily and do nothing, whilst everyone else did the work. Whilst James accepted that this is what teachers should be doing, it ultimately led to Darren failing the lesson miserably, which led to him screaming at the teacher, and if everyone else was lucky, he would finish off by storming out of the class.
"This is going to be a long year" groaned Bella, as the last bell of the day finally rang.
James, Bella and Jackson all made their way to the Great Hall for dinner together, when they were distracted by some first year students.
"Stop it" cried Isaac McLaggen, who was currently floating upside down in the air.
"Professor Flitwick asked us to practise Wingardium Leviosa" giggled the girls who was enchanting him.
"Expelliarmus" roared Jackson.
The wand flew from the girl's hand, and Isaac dropped downwards.
"Got you" declared James, as he caught Isaac just before he hit the ground.
"I'll take this thank you very much" said Bella smugly, as she picked up the girl's wand.
"Give it back" she ordered in a stroppy voice.
"Why were you lifting Isaac in the air like that?" demanded James. "He was clearly distressed."
"Floyd Falcon got a place on the quiditch team for burning his face" replied the girl. "There are rumours going around in the common room, that the ones who hurt Isaac the best, get the last remaining spots."
"Oh no…" murmured James.
"This isn't fair" cried Isaac. "I haven't done anything to you. I've tried to be friendly with everyone, yet you all keep doing this to me."
"I want to play for Ravenclaw" protested the girl.
"Hang on a second" interrupted Jackson. "Keep doing this to you?"
"Ever since Floyd burnt me, I have been jinxed with all sorts of curses, and attacked by several muggle duellers" explained Isaac.
"Right" said James firmly. "Come on everyone, let's go and see Professor McGonagall.
James went over to talk to Professor McGonagall during dinner, who looked livid after she heard the explanation.
"I have just heard some disturbing rumours" she said to everyone, after demanding them be silent. "That the bullying of Isaac McLaggen is being used as a bargaining chip for a quiditch team placement. I will ensure you all right now, that anyone who dares to attack Isaac from now on will receive a lifetime quiditch ban. Do not dare challenge me on this."
James was initially pleased, as he expected the threat to work out perfectly. Unfortunately it instead resulted in Isaac being bullied in ways which made the perpetrators less obvious. Throughout the following week, Isaac had his wand thrown to the Womping Willow, his books destroyed during the middle of the night, and was even sent a howler which burst out into song the moment it was opened.
"Isaac McLaggen is a cry baby, result of his daddy maybe, his grades will suck, like a pig in the muck, but we all know it's what he truly deserves."
"All Professor McGonagall did was make the bullies hide their tracks better" said James.
"Why is he being bullied so much?" asked Bella. "There can't be that many people wanting to get onto the Ravenclaw team."
"Some of them might be trying to get on McLaren's good side" theorised Jackson. "Or at the very least, not getting on her bad one."
Ravenclaw's quiditch practise was set to begin the following week, where McLaren has stated that she would decide who gets the remaining places.
"Do you think the bullying will stop once she announces her new players?" asked Bella.
"Almost certainly not" replied Patricia Muggs. "I overheard that anyone who doesn't get in still has a chance next year, by displaying consistent loyalty to the team."
"So in other words, bully Isaac some more, and you might get a shot next time" muttered James. "I can't believe Professor Flitwick kept her on as captain again."
"I'm not" muttered Benedict. "Had McLaren been removed from her position, it wouldn't just be Isaac who would be going through hell right now."
That Saturday was the first day that the older students were allowed to visit Hogsmeade. As almost all of the school were spending the day there, James came up with an idea to cheer Isaac up.
"Can you go into the village, and get something nice for Isaac?" he asked Benedict and Patricia. "I'll pay for it."
"That's a lovely idea" said Benedict. "I will split the cost with you."
"Aw, screw it" muttered Patricia. "I'll put some into the pot too."
"Why are you helping that cry baby?" asked a nearby Darren.
"Because it's the right thing to do" replied James.
"That's what all the others said as well" chuckled Darren.
"What do you mean?" asked James.
"What I mean, is that all the prefects and goody two shoes who try and be friends with Isaac, all seem to end up in unfortunate accidents" Darren explained.
"Well considering that we ended up in unfortunate accidents last year for no reason at all, that's not really much of a threat" said James, before leaving Darren to his own business.
Aaron Tekkno and his friends have finally signed out at the inn, and have changed back into their Hogwarts robes. The waited in the shadows until a large number of students were in the village grounds, then emerged from their hiding place, and integrated with the crowd.
"This is perfect boys" grinned Tekkno. "Once it's time to go back, we will blend in with everyone else."
"We can finally go to Hogwarts" said Ebenezer gleefully.
"I've been waiting so long for this" said Drake triumphantly.
"But before that however, we still need an ally" warned Tekkno.
"It can't be too hard" muttered Drake. "There must be someone in Hogwarts we can…"
"You three" bellowed a female voice from behind.
Tekkno turned around, and gulped. Silverstone McLaren had spotted them, and was walking towards them.
"Oh crap" muttered Ebenezer.
McLaren was one of Cybersaur's victims over the summer holidays; but they didn't know whether or not she saw their faces on the news. If she recognises them now, then the rest of their plan is ruined.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Tekkno asked politely.
"I've seen you somewhere before" McLaren muttered.
"Well we are Hogwarts students" said Tekkno jovially, pointing at his robes. "We probably passed by in the corridors…"
"What's my name boy?" McLaren asked Drake in a demanding voice.
"I don't know miss?" answered Drake nervously.
"That's strange" McLaren sneered. "Because everyone at Hogwarts knows who I am."
"I'm in my first year miss" Drake replied in panic.
"Drake" hissed Ebenezer.
"That's funnt" giggled McLaren. "First years aren't allowed to go down to Hogsmeade."
Tekkno and Ebenezer looked at each other worryingly. McLaren must have seen their faces after they targeted her, but she hadn't yet made the connection. With Drake's blunder, McLaren could learn the truth any second.
"Did I say first?" Drake squealed. "I meant third."
"What house are you in?" sneered McLaren.
"We're…" Tekkno began.
"I didn't ask you" McLaren snapped. "If you are all Hogwarts students, then you should be able to tell me where your… ouch."
Whilst McLaren was distracted by Tekkno, Drake took the opportunity to rip out some of her hair. By the time she realised what had happened, Drake had already pocketed it.
"You…" she breathed, pointing her finger at Drake. "Now I know who you are."
"We aren't here for you" Drake replied. "You being here is just a coincidence."
"Cybersaur" McLaren muttered. "So this is how you were taking all those photographs. You're all wizards."
"No, we're not" replied Drake sternly. "We are all ordinary, common, muggles."
"Did you use an invisibility cloak to sneak into the same room as me, when I signed my modelling contract?" McLaren demanded.
"Of course" replied Tekkno.
"But we don't always sneak up on our targets" explained Drake. "If we have some DNA samples, we can use Polyjuice Potion to transform ourselves, and create the evidence."
"Give me back my hair" screamed McLaren, after realising the consequences of Cybersaur having it.
"Let's think of how many ways I could destroy your reputation by disguising myself as you" said Drake. "I personally like the sound of beating up a homeless person in front of some witnesses. I don't think they'd let you into Formula One after that."
"Don't you dare…" threatened McLaren.
"You have no idea how badly I wanted to come here" Drake said grandly. "I am getting inside Hogwarts no matter what, and if you blow our cover; I will destroy whatever image you have left."
McLaren twitched anxiously. She could use a summoning charm to get her hair back, but Cybersaur could just look for some more of her DNA, and she doubted that her home in Monte Carlo is fully clean in that regard.
"Fine" she muttered. "I don't mess with you, you don't mess with me."
"Good girl" teased Drake, as McLaren walked away sulkily. "That's that problem solved."
"Solved?" gasped Ebenezer. "You just told her exactly who we are."
"She won't risk exposing us" said Tekkno. "Good work Drake."
Drake smiled smugly at Ebenezer, as the three of them walked over to Honeydukes, the village sweet shop. Tekkno was about to walk by, but he overheard a conversation between a wizard and witch by the window.
"No Benedict, that stuff is expensive" complained Patricia.
"Doesn't Isaac deserve something like that?" asked Benedict.
"Think about it Benedict" hissed Patricia. "If we get him something too nice, all of McLaren's buddies will just steal them from him."
"McLaren…" Tekkno murmured to himself.
"If we get him something slightly less expensive, the bullies won't pay his sweets any attention" Patricia argued.
"Hmmm…" Tekkno thought to himself. "Isaac?"
"We can put an anti-theft jinx on them" suggested Benedict. "That way if anyone tries to steal them, they'll get really sick."
"Ok, fine" Patricia relented. "Just for the thought of McLaren throwing up, after stealing her brother's sweets."
Tekkno grabbed Drake and Ebenezer by the necks, and dragged them away from Honeydukes. He had an excited expression on his face.
"What is it?" asked Drake.
"I think we've found our wizarding ally" Tekkno replied giddily. "Keep an eye on those two over there" he pointed at Benedict and Patricia. "They'll lead us to our new friend."
By the afternoon, it was time for all the students to return back to Hogwarts. John Dawlish, the school caretaker had counted everyone who passed back through the castle gates.
"We haven't missed anyone, have we Dawlish?" asked Professor Lee.
"I don't know Professor" muttered Dawlish.
"You don't know? What do you mean you don't know" Lee exasperated.
"I counted a hundred and eighty one people coming back in" replied Dawlish. "But I only had a hundred and seventy eight going out."
It was five o'clock in the evening, and Isaac McLaggen was eating his packet of Clara Creevey's Cauldron Cookies in the castle grounds. They were the most delicious things he had ever tasted, something that was quite evident from the price. When Benedict gave them to him, he said that it cost the same as his first wand.
"Man those were gorgeous" Isaac said to himself, after he finished the last cookie. "Eating these was almost worth being forced to kiss that toad."
"That's good little man" a low, deep voice spoke up from behind.
Isaac jumped round, and saw a large, muscular, black seventh year boy. By this point, Isaac could recognise the facial expressions people made, when they had cruel intentions.
"What are you doing here?" squealed Isaac.
"My name's Rockwell Zabini" replied the boy. "And you shouldn't have come here alone boy."
Zabini got out his wand, and without saying anything, summoned ropes to bind Isaac's arms and legs.
"Let me go" shouted Isaac.
"There are still some spaces left on the Ravenclaw team" explained Zabini. "If that wus Floyd Falcon got in just by burning your face; imagine what will happen when I leave you deep inside the Forbidden Forest, tied to a tree."
"No, you can't" pleaded Isaac. "The monsters in there could kill me."
"You are such a cry baby" taunted Zabini. "Come on, let's go."
"Someone help me" screamed Isaac.
"Nobody here McLaggen" taunted Zabini. "Just you, me, and your new friends in the forest."
"I wouldn't be so confident, if I were you."
Somebody else had just spoken up, but Isaac couldn't tell where. Zabini looked all around him in panic, but then suddenly collapsed onto the ground. Isaac could see a bruise to the back of his head; somebody knocked him out unconscious.
"Who are you?" asked Isaac now looking around himself.
His saviour then removed the invisibility cloak that was covering three people underneath. They were all wearing Hogwarts robes, but Isaac couldn't remember seeing any of them before now.
"My name is Aaron Tekkno" replied the tallest of the boys. "I'm here to help."
"Thanks" muttered Isaac. "But outside of being my bodyguard all day and night, I don't really know what you can do."
"Come with me" instructed Tekkno. "Ebenezer; untie Isaac, then give our friend a taste of his own medicine."
Ebenezer untied Isaac, then dragged Zabini away with the ropes. Isaac would have felt sorry for him, if he hadn't been trying to do the same thing to him earlier.
"Why didn't he just use a wand?" he then asked suddenly. "Zabini's body looks pretty heavy
"All will be revealed in due time" said Tekkno. "But in the meantime, don't you want to go someplace where you can just be free of all the bullying; all whilst living like a king."
"Yeah" muttered Isaac. "But there isn't anywhere like that."
"Nowhere like that in Hogwarts" corrected Tekkno. "Follow me."
Isaac followed Tekkno and the third boy back inside Hogwarts Castle. He noticed that the latter was looking all around him, as if he was looking for something.
"What did you mean by living like a king?" asked Isaac.
"I live in a mansion in London" explained Tekkno. "Servants to answer to your every whim, the most delicious food you can possibly imagine; we even have state of the art exercise facilities to help out with your quiditch."
"But we aren't in London" argued Isaac.
"Correct, but it's only a two minute walk" said Tekkno. "You're going to have to lead the way from here; I've never been to Hogwarts before."
"Where are we going?" asked Isaac.
"The left corridor on the seventh floor" answered Tekkno.
Isaac lead the two boys from the front. There was something suspicious going on with these people. How can Tekkno be here, yet claim to have never been at Hogwarts before. Part of him was thinking that these boys were tricking him, and only helped him in order to try and take a spot on the Ravenclaw quiditch team for themselves. But on the other hand, what Tekkno was offering couldn't be any worse than his current situation, so it was worth at least looking at.
"What does Hogwarts look like without the glasses Drake?" asked Tekkno, after noticing his partner briefly took off his crystal ball lensed glasses to wipe his eyes.
"Like the whole castle is falling apart" replied Drake.
Isaac took Tekkno and Drake to the seventh floor, passing several people on the way, but none of them payed any attention to his companions.
"What are we looking for?" demanded Isaac.
"According from the information I gathered in Diagon Alley, we are looking for a piece of tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy" replied Tekkno.
"Here it is" Isaac pointed it out, and ran to it. "Now what?"
"Listen to me very carefully Isaac" Tekkno said in a more sincere voice. "Do you really need to go to my safe haven?"
"Yes" cried Isaac. "I don't want to be target practise for my sister's friends."
As soon as he finished speaking, a door formed in the wall opposite the tapestry. Isaac couldn't believe it; he had not seen or heard of that door before.
"Open it" instructed Tekkno.
Isaac did what he was told, and opened the door. Inside was a short corridor that led to a door similar to one that belonged to his sister's Monaco house.
"What is this?" Isaac asked in awe.
"This is the room of requirement" replied Tekkno. "A room that is designed to serve the needs of any wizard that walks by it."
"And that door leads to your house?" gasped Isaac.
"Yes" grinned Tekkno. "It's a bit late to go there now, but come back here tomorrow, and I will settle you into your new paradise."
"Do I just come back here?" asked Isaac.
"Yes you do" said Tekkno. "But make sure you aren't seen."
"Understood" said Isaac happily. "See you tomorrow then."
He dashed off back down the stairs, looking the happiest he'd been in all his time so far at Hogwarts.
"Why does he have to be undetected?" Drake asked Tekkno.
"Because I don't want people to know where he's going" Tekkno muttered. "It will only take weeks at most for the staff to work out what's going on. If everything goes to plan, they will realise that Isaac will be using the Room of Requirement to escape the bullies, but not exactly how. Right; go and find Ebenezer, and bring him back here. It's time for us to leave."
"What?" gasped Drake. "We spent so long planning on how to break into Hogwarts undetected, and we're just going to leave?"
"No, you plonker" sighed Tekkno. "Why do you think I got that kid into making the Room of Requirement for a passage back home? We'll be using it ourselves to get from London to Hogwarts."
"Ah" Drake said in a manner of realisation.
"Now go and find Ebenezer" ordered Tekkno. "I need to wait inside the corridor, so that the Room of Requirement doesn't reset itself."
Drake nodded, and walked off in the same direction as Isaac. Tekkno walked inside the Room of Requirement, then burst out in a fit of laughter.
"I can't believe I did it" he spoke to himself. "Man, this is all way too easy. You wizards and witches sit all high and mighty, thinking you're all above us. You aren't going to think that again after this year."
Then he leaned back on the wall, cackling at his own success.