A/N Don't own them. Never have, never will. Just the people and the ideas you've never heard of. Spoilers- see first 7 chapters.
Chapter 8
The carriages dropped the students off outside the Three Broomsticks, with the promise of returning at 6.00 sharp to pick them up. Magentra hurried off towards Zonko's Joke Shop, hoping to get her errands done quickly so she could enjoy a butterbear before they had to return home.
Leah-Jade followed her closely, just as excited as she to be rumbling about Hogsmeade.
The bell tinkled overhead as the two friends stepped through the door. The first to arrive, the shop was relatively empty. However, it was soon filling with people, and within a half hour there was barely any room to move.
Magentra gasped at the shop. It was small, and rather cramped, but it was stuffed- boxes on every shelf, from floor to ceiling. Squawking rubber chickens, shrinking wooden spoons, and other joke items dangled from the ceiling, hitting the head of anyone a bit too tall. All the boxes were transparent and neatly labeled- "Filibusters Fireworks," "Backhand wands," "Mischevious Muggle Powder," the possibilities were endless.
"I think we should get some of those Chimp Chocolates. You know, the ones that make turn whoever eats them into Chimpanzees for a whole hour," Leah-Jade grinned mischeviously, picking up a ruffled, heart shaped box, full to the brim with 5 pounds of exquisite looking candy.
"Huh uh," Magentra shook her head, "Chimpanzees would wreck every room in the castle. Especially if they went by the names of Fred and George."
Leah-Jade grinned, holding up some large toffees that turned your tounge a rainbow of colors if you ate them, "What about these."
Picking up several celophane wrapped packages, Magentra placed them in a basket that already contained a flask of hair dyeing pumpkin juice, Gobstones that instead of spitting a foul smelling liquid-spit either pumpkin seeds, ink or lemon juice, firecrackers that shot off stuffed bunnies if you lit them, dictating quills that always twisted your words around and managed to write something insulting about you, and camoflage book covers that made it look as if you were reading a text book when you were truly reading a novel or comic.
The two friends shared a laugh at their plans for revenge on Fred and George as they paid for their various items and set off for Gladrags Wizard wear in search of some new socks for Magentra and something to spruce up Leah-Jade's robes.
An old woman met them at the door, "Hello dears," she chirped, patting them fondly on the shoulder, as if they were old friends, and prodding them towards some of the displays. "We have some specials going on today. Peacock feathers to spruce up drab robes, glitter, those pretty little sparkles that that actress, Matilda Wickel, I believe her name is, wears all the time. We've got odd socks, 75% off for the daring witch or wizard, as we can't seem to find the matches to them, bits of ribbon to tie bows in your hair, complementary if you bye a Galleon or more's worth of merchandise, quidditch robes and gear for the sports enthusiast, and quite a bit more dears. Just look around, make yourself at home, I'll be behind the register when you're ready. Prices are as marked. " And off she went to greet more customers, chattering about low prices and special sales, prodding them towards the clothes that would suit them best. The shop was large and brightly lit with circular, revolving racks of robes, shirt, hats, shoes, socks, underwear, quidditch gear, scarves, gloves and fur lined robes for winter were placed haphazardly throughout the room.
They sorted through all the dull sections until they came to a particularly large and bright one labeled "Odds and ends."
"Hmmm....what about this?" Leah-Jade smiled jokingly, holding up a silk, pink and orange, polka dotted robe with matching, pointed toed shoes.
Magentra wrinkled her nose and picked up a robe that looked as if someone had taken to it with a knife and then placed a different colored robe under it, "What about this?" She smiled, speaking with a snooty, London accent, "Simply purrrrfect for dinner pa-ties," she slipped the rope over her head and marched around with her nose around in the air.
"What about this?" Leah-Jade giggled. Magentra turned to find Leah-Jade had shed her wizards robes and had put on over her sweater and jeans, a silk teddy that flashed naughty messages at passers bye ("I hear loads and loads of screaming voices, and they certainly don't like you") , a lacy cape-looking garment that looked as if something large and furry had attached itself to the middle of it and died, bright orange, spiky platform heels, and a red velvet top hat on with a purple feather, and was waltzing around waving at the manequins and playing a rusty trumpet like the Queen of Sheba.
Magentra grinned, removing the grunge robe and putting on a polyester robe, with brightly colored flowers that let off a slight lavender scent and fluorescent smily faces that winked mischeviously and screamed loudly when you sat down, splashed all across its bright green background. Searching for a hat, she plunked a large jester hat on her head that was colored in bright red, bright blue, neon-pink and a shocking orange respectively and had large bells atttatched to the end of each point that bit your finger if you tried to jingle them. Shoes were next. Quickly, Magentra chose a pair, replacing her regular loafers with green velvet shoes that were covered in different colors, and whose pointed toes were charmed to curl up at the ends and snap out at anybody who was being mean to the wearer. For her hands she placed bright pink, satin gloves that came up to her elbows and turned colors depending on mood, outside lighting and the state of the weather. Over her robe she tied a bright blue corset that screamed "I'm melting" if it got the slightest bit wet, and attatched to her ears she put bright gold earrings that played carol of the bells if it got below forty degrees and shouted "Hot Stuff" at every man who managed to enter the room.
After they were dressed in outfits that suited them (Leah-Jade added a pair of bright yellow and orange striped knee socks- Magentra donned a feather boa that whistled "I believe I can fly" if you pinched the ends) the duo continued to search for more bright odds and ends.
The slightly deaf shopkeeper, somehow did not notice them in the slightest and Magentra and Leah-Jade were content to waltz about in their outfits, pretending to be shopping for swim-suits in the middle of fall, acting as if the way they dressed was perfectly normal, and scaring all possible customers away.
It was beginning to grow a bit later in the afternoon and the duo had just gotten done staging an orchestra in the "Singing shoes" section and turning hand stands in the dressing rooms when they were interrupted by several laughing voices.
"Oye, what's going on in here. We've spent half the day searching for you two."
Leah-Jade shrieked and dived behind a large display of loud and very naughty underwear ("Come get me BOYS!!" "I'm cold, come warm me up!") , while Magentra shrouded herself in a large bedspread (the earrings were shouting "Hot stuff! Hot stuff!") they'd been playing with and peeked her head over a display of boots with detacheable heels that were presently doing the two-step.
"What are you playing at," she shrieked at Fred, George, and Oliver, who'd chosen that exact time to enter the shop.
"I think perhaps we should be asking you that," Fred replied, doing his best to, unsuccessfully, stifle a laugh at Magentra's jester hat (which was singing, "For he's a jolly good fellow!") , and Leah-Jade's top hat (Which was whistling "Pop goes the weasel" and flying off her head everytime it went Pop).
"We wanted to go have a butterbear with you two, but you disappeared," Oliver grinned. Ever since Magentra had practiced Quidditch one night with him and Harry he'd developed quite a liking for her. Fred had been after Leah-Jade since Magentra had introduced the two. Poor George.
"We're not thirsty just yet," Magentra smiled mischeviously, throwing a bright yellow robe with bees printed on it to George. They were buzzing about trying to sting each other.
"Oye, what's this for?" George looked confused.
"If you want us to go drink butterbeers, then you have to dress up first."
Fred and George looked at them wide eyed, "Absolutely not," Oliver replied, pretending to scowl.
"Fine," Leah-Jade grinned, grabbing some of the velvet elves shoes (only these were bright yellow and covered with large red stones) while Magentra picked out a cloak that looked as if it were made out of melted neon signs, "Then I guess we'll have to dress you ourselves."
And with that an ambush occurred.
Leah-Jade and Magentra dove at Fred, George and Oliver, finally managing to subdue the struggling figures with a few spells, and dressing them accordingly.
Once they'd been properly dressed, Magentra and Leah-Jade surveyed their handywork. Oliver was wearing the yellow shoes and the bee robe. They'd managed to find another jesters hat, this time pastel with bells shaped like flowers at the end of each point. Fred was wearing a pair of enormous, bright purple bloomers, a crown made of jeweled snakes, the neon sign cloak, and a masquerade mask adorned with enormous peacock and phoenix feathers. For George they'd saved the best for last though, putting a robe on him that had "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans" "Chocolate Frogs" "Fizzing Whisbees" "Droobles best blowing gum"and "Cauldron Cakes" logos splashed all over the fabric. A pair of bright pink bloomers, as large as George's, were held up by orange suspenders, and his shirt was bright green with blue ruffles and red jewels all over it. Perched atop his head was a leopard print, tri-corn hat, with a gigantic purple feather in the brim and a large mouth that opened to yell "Everyone wake up and go to sleep," every hour on the hour. On his feet were Zebra print, platform sneakers with bright red, angora trim, and around his kneck was a mauve and yellow feather boa.
The three did their best to be upset, but realising how utterly rediculous they looked, they began to laugh. Oliver was doubled over, doing his best to keep his dignity, but failing miserably. George was leaning against a large hat stand, trying not to fall over with laughter, and Fred was tickling Leah-Jade with unmerciful accuracy.
"What is going on here?" The five looked up to find the old woman staring at them furiously.
"Um...we were just, trying out the merchandise," Magentra replied hopefully, finger a set of different colored plastic beads Oliver had clasped around her kneck.
The woman's frown melted into a smile as she realised what they were wearing. A loud laugh burst out of her tiny mouth, "You five look utterly rediculous."
Fred looked up embarrassed, "This we know."
"Well, don't forget to put it all back, and if you find anything you like, I'll sell it to you cheap. Got a big shipment of that stuff in the seventies and the eighties and no one ever bought it."
"Thanks Mrs. Whetherbye," Oliver waved as she left the room, chuckling to herself, "I suppose it's about time to get ready if you two still want to visit the sweets shop and have time for a butterbeer. It's almost five and the carriages are coming at six."
"All right," Magentra nodded, fingering the fifty, galleons Lupin had sent her. He'd found some of her short stories she'd written over the summer and sent them off to a contest. The prize money had arrived they day after she left. Sending it to her promptly, he'd written a note saying to spend it all on something absolutely ridiculous. What was more rediculous than a pair of enormous pink silk bloomer, and a red velvet top hat.
Eyeing the countless boxes she went in search of the sales lady as everyone else undressed.
"Er...Mrs. Whetherbye?" she caught up with the woman.
"Yes dear," the woman turned and smiled.
"You don't perhaps have anything that could hold the whole lot without looking suspicious?"
"The whole lot dear? How much do you have?"
"Forty-nine galleons," Magentra replied, keeping one for the sweets shop and the butterbeers.
"My goodness dear, that whole section itself is probably worth about fifteen. All those rediculous shoes and screaming hats. Used to be all the rage once upon a time, but now they're ancient history. I'll make you a deal, twenty-five galleons for the whole lot, plus a bottomless suitcase. That way you can fit the whole lot in there and it'll feel light as a feather. Magentra handed her the coins speechless, what was it with these merchants selling her stuff dirt cheap?
Mrs. Weatherbye soon returned with a small yellow and red plaid suitcase, "Here you go dear. Stuff the whole lot in there. No one'll ever be able to tell and you'll have the whole lot to traipse about Hogwarts scaring people with. Just don't tell anyone where you got it or they'll have my hide for selling you such hideousness."
Magentra hugged the litttle old woman, "Thanks Mrs. Weatherbye."
Returning to the section, this time with everyone dressed in normal clothes, Magentra grinned, holding out the suitcase. "Pile it in."
Leah-Jade looked at Magentra "You're insane."
Fred and George gasped incredulously, "Mad...absolutley mad...bunch of hogwash clothes..."
Oliver looked uncertain "If that's what you want... then I'll help you pile it all in."
Fred and George shrugged reluctantly, and Leah-Jade giggled at the thought of Magentra walking into Snapes class with her jester's hat and flowered robe on.
Twenty minutes later, Mrs. Weatherbye was twenty-five galleons richer and had an entire section of nothing but empty boxes. Magentra had a suitcase stuffed with the weirdest clothes she'd ever seen in her life and was hooked arm in arm with Oliver, Fred, George, and Leah-Jade, heading off at a run towards Honeydukes sweet shop.
Honeydukes was deserted, everyone else was in the Three Broomsticks, waiting for the carriages. Everyone was hurring so they'd have enough time for a butter beer before the carriages returned, that Leah-Jade knocked over a whole display of everlasting gum balls, Oliver managed to smack his head twice on a hanging display of sugar quills, spilling ink everywhere, George got so carried away that he came up 6 knuts short and had to borrow money from Fred, who accidentally sampled an acid pop thinking it was cherry candy on a stick, Magentra had to put his tounge right, but only after cleaning up the barrel of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans that she knocked over.
Eventually they made it to the Three Broomsticks, heavily laden and tired as ever. Oliver reluctantly was led off by one of the fifth years on a matter of importance and left the other four to sit by themsleve.
George ordered their butter beers and then sat next to Magentra as Fred slid in next to Leah-Jade.
"Madam Rosmerta said they'd be over in a minute," George said, smiling as he sat down.
"Don't forget practices start in a few weeks," Fred mentioned to Magentra, "Wouldn't want to lose first Quidditch game of the year."
Magentra nodded, "I can't wait."
"Magentra, I've been wondering," Leah-Jade looked at her pointedly, "Why did Professor Snape call you Miss Riddle yesterday. Your last name's Lupin right?"
Magentra looked at her uncomfortably, "Riddle was my father's last name. He left before I was even born. I prefer to go by my god-father's name instead."
Leah-Jade smiled apologetically, "Sorry, it just confused me-"
She was cut off by Madam Rosmerta, who was standing in the middle of the room with a large tray, and looking a bit lost, " Four Butter-beers?"
"Oye, right here," George called.
"Here you go, that'll be twelve sickles George," Madam Rosmerta set the foaming mugs down on the table. When she got to Mage she stopped.
"Magetnra? Mage Potter?"
Magentra blanched, "Y-you must be mistaken. My l-last name's Lupin."
Madam Rosmerta eyed her curiously, "I'm sorry. My mistake..."
"Are you okay," Fred looked at her worriedly. "Here, drink some Butter-Beer, it'll make you feel better."
Magentra nodded weakly, she didn't want anyone to know about her father and mother. It'd always been hard enough making friend as it was. The sip of Butter-Beer warmed her icy cold nerves from head to toe and it eased her nerves.
"What're you planning on doing with all those crazy clothes?" George changed the subject, "There can't be much use for them except to play dress up."
Magentra suddenly grinned, "Well, I was thinking that perhaps we might give the teachers a scare on Halloween day."
"We'll spare Oliver. He doesn't look fitting in yellow," Leah-Jade grinned.
"But the rest of us- we're all in the same class. We should all wear masks and give Sprout and Mcgonagall scares. Snape probably wouldn't take kindly to it, but his classes are always after lunch anyways."
Fred grinned, "Brilliant."
"Just one problem," Leah-Jade said.
"What?"
"The dress code. Any of the staff can sack you for it. If they see us in the hallways..."
"We'll talk to Dumbledore," George smiled, "Sporting chap he is."
Suddenly a loud whistle sounded outside The Three Broomsticks.
"Carriages are here," Leah-Jade announced, gulping down the rest of her drink as the others did the same. George left a few knuts as a tip for Rosmerta and the four hurriedly climbed inside a large, pumpkin shaped carriage.
The ride home was uneventful. The twins, Mage and LJ simply discussed Quidditch and potions classes and their mutual dislike of Snape.
When they reached the castle, Mage, LJ, Fred and George all retreated to their seperate dorms to drop off their packages and headed down to dinner.
But when Magentra reached her room, she wasn't the only one there. Mcgonagall was sitting on her bed, and looked as if she had been for awhile. A letter was clutched in her hand and she was looking grim.
"Magentra. Professor Dumbledore has requested that I bring you to him immediately. There is a matter of great importance that we must discuss."