Chapter 04 _Escape from Hogwarts_
Summer was pretty visible over the grounds around the castle. The sky's and lake's bluish color shone over the golden rays of the sun; the flowers bloomed like fresh cabbages. This is a perfect time to stroll, enjoy and escape. This thought bothered Sirius during the Transfiguration class.
"Sirius, can't you do anything right? You used ten spiders already, killed them and you were not able to transform it into a goblet, not even one!", Professor Albus Dumbledore, the Transfiguration teacher bellowed.
Sirius just stared outside the window. "Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry. My eyes love to see the beauty of nature", he said, lying. The truth is, it's boring.
"One of my special abilities is to read one's thoughts, Sirius," Professor Dumbledore calmly said.
"What was he thinking a while ago Professor Dumbledore?", Severus asked with a smirk. The rest of the class laughed as well. Peter's and Remus' grin were also evident but was gone when James looked at them straight in the eyes.
Professor Dumbledore got the bottle filled with spiders; he handed one to Sirius. "Now, I'm handing to you another spider and remember that this is your last. Tap your wand thrice on the spider and say Pereverto!
Sirius followed the professor's acquaint. Seconds later, the spider turned into a shiny, brown goblet - a goblet with eight appendages! Professor Dumbledore was about to scold him again when the lunch break rang.
"Sirius, what is happening to you? You used to like Transfiguration and a while ago, you made yourself a laughing stock", Peter said, trying hard not to laugh again as they headed to the Gryffindor tower.
"Nothing's wrong Peter", Sirius said. He then faced James and Remus. "Now that we're through with the map - I was thinking if we could use it now."
Remus' face went blank. "Use it now? Sirius, this is not the right time to use the map! We all agreed to use it only to bring us to Hogsmeade or in emergency cases wearing James' invisibility cloak! What is someone will see us use the map? It is not safe!"
"Okay Remus, tell me when will it be safe. Tell me when is the right time. Tell me who suggested this idea - "
"It's only safe when less students are here in this castle and that is the right time to use the map. Sirius, tell me who finalized it of which is your -"
"- you may be the one who finalized the map but still it is my idea."
James pushed Remus and Sirius at the side. "Guys, stop it! The argument on when to use the map is closed." He faced Sirius. "Remus is right. Using our map in the midst of this populated castle is not safe." He turned to Remus and tapped his shoulder. "I think everybody needs a break. Each gave his best to the fulfillment of Sirius' idea. Maybe going out to the MUGGLE WORLD this evening when everybody is asleep is a good plan."
"But James, Mr. Filch is a vigilant caretaker. What is he'll spot us?", Peter asked.
James rested on Peter's four-poster. "That's the use of our being an Animagus and my invisibility cloak. We have potions and we know some spells that can help." He took off his round glasses and went to his own poster. "We will all meet in the common room at ten in the evening and that's final."
Hours passed by and the awaited hour has arrived. James, Peter, Remus and Sirius met in the Gryffindor common room.
"Everyone, take a sip on this Aging Potion I made a while ago", James said and took his sip, so with the rest of the Marauders.
Peter felt his skinny body explode. He ran to the comfort room and saw another man emerge from his body. "Wow! I look twenty years older!" He went back to the common room and was amazed to see his colleagues transform as well.
James opened his invisibility cloak and covered himself and his friends. "Bring your wands with you. We can't risk ourselves in the other world", he said in a low tone. "Don't worry on Muggle money, the conversion task is through." He showed them fake Muggle coins.
Remus jumped to his feet when someone caught his exposed arm. It was Rubeus. "'orry for fri'tenin yu 'emus. Wher yu goin?"
"Whew! You almost killed me, Rubeus. Good for you to still recognize me", Remus said while stepping out from James' cloak. "Ummm, we are just going for a walk outside to relax. You know we need to breathe fresh air and savor the silence of the environment", Remus said, trying to explain imperfectly.
"Don' lie - me 'emus. Li'y tod me ever'tin. She 'eard n saw all of yu - "
"Heard us? Saw us? Oh my! She is really a nuisance maker!", Remus said with panic.
Rubeus patted Remus' shoulder. "Don' ory - 'end. She promis'd to me won' tel one els'. Hav a safe t-ip." He went back to the dormitory.
Remus on the contrary was terrified. He went near to Sirius and Peter who patiently waited for him on the couch. "Rubeus told me that Lily knows everything about our plans -"
"Uh-oh! I smell trouble", Peter commented.
"- but he assured me that silly lady won't tell anyone," Remus finished his sentence after Peter's interruption.
James who was already near the porthole went near to Remus. "What's keeping you so long?"
Sirius positioned his mouth an inch away from James' ear and whispered, "Your lady James. I mean Lily. She knows all our plans. Rubeus told Remus this a moment ago. Good thing she promised not to spill the beans."
"Now you know how to use idioms!", Remus joked.
"Oh! Shut up!"
"Hey, can we go now? Those Muggle shops might close now", Peter insinuated.
"Some Muggle shops are open twenty four hours", James reminded.
Slowly and carefully, they went out from the porthole hidden through the portrait of Sir Nicholas Cadogan. James got his invisibility cloak again where he and his friends sheltered in.
"Let's stop for a while. I hear some footsteps coming", Remus advised. "Peter, can you please transform into a rat and check if someone is there ahead of us?"
Peter then and there turned itself into a rat even though with hesitation. I still want to be a beaver!, he sadly thought. He ran a few meters and saw the castle's caretaker, Mr. Argus Filch! He transformed back to his original state. "Mr. Filch is coming. His cat, Ms. Norris noticed me as a rat", he whispered to the group. "Let's go down now to the 3rd floor before that nasty caretaker figures out that we are sneaking out."
James, Peter, Remus and Sirius preferred to use the staircase at the other end of the floor. The elevators are locked at the end of the day. When they reached the 3rd floor, Remus got the parchment under his robes. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." Instantly, illustrations appeared like thin spider webs. Four men figures were on the map labeled as Remus, James, Peter and Sirius in a corridor on the third floor. He didn't bother to inform the group that a feminine figure was also present in the map, labeled as Lily. Then, a speech bubble appeared on the map like a tiny dot, Dissendium. "That's the spell we need to use to enter the secret passage behind the statue", Sirius advised. "I worked hard on that", he proudly said.
Remus on the other hand sneered.
"Do we need our broomsticks?", Peter asked.
"Who needs flying broomsticks in the Muggle world?", Sirius raised him a question in return.
Peter fell silent.
"When I count to three, all of us will tap the statue and say 'Dissendium'", James instructed the group. "Get your wands now. One - two - three -"
"Dissendium!", they shouted wryly.
The witch statue moved aside and the secret passage Sirius was referring to was revealed. They entered in the dark tunnel. James got his wand and shouted, "Lumos!" Peter, following James closely behind uttered the spell as well as Remus and Sirius.
The journey towards Honeydukes seemed to be forever. Whenever they reach a trapdoor, another passage lies underneath it. "This is the fifth tunnel we've entered", Peter complained.
"Can you please remain silent?", Sirius grumbled.
"Keep walking", James demanded.
The passages twisted and turned. After what felt like several hours, the passage began to rise. The Marauders were puffing, grasping for air. Everyone was sweating and trembling with fear. It seems that the thrill had disappeared from their lives completely. It took like ages but the Marauders had the thought of Honeydukes to endure the feeling of emptiness.
Minutes later, they saw some worn out stone steps. Careful not to make any noise, Remus, James, Peter and Sirius began to climb. Five hundred three steps . five hundred four steps, James lost his count as he climbed. Remus who led the group, without any caution, his head hit on something hard.
"Ouch", he moaned. He tilted up his head to see the hard object; it seemed to be another trap door.
"Are you alright?", James asked.
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay", Remus answered while massaging his head. He looked at the map. "It says that we must open the that door."
"Then, let's open it. I think I can't take this anymore", Peter weakly said. He was tired, very tired; so with the rest of the Marauders. Their heads were hot but their limbs were shuddering with cold.
Another trap door, James thought. But as Remus opened the door, the moon's light lit the dark cellar and James' blue green eyes opened wide.
"The illustration of passages ends here. I guess this is it!", Remus shouted with glee.
Each was overwhelmed and uttered, "Nox" to put out the light on their wands and tucked it in their robes as they hurriedly went out from the dark cellar. A number of stores and light were everywhere. "Mischief Managed", Remus whispered as he tucked in the blank parchment under his robes. "Now, where will we go?"
"Let's go to Zonko's. We can but there some eerie stuffs to scare and fool the Slytherins", Sirius suggested.
They treaded off to Zonko's and bought Dungbombs, Hiccup Sweets, Frog Spawn Soap and a Nose-Biting Teacup. Then, they headed to a 24hour restaurant to drink butter beer and eat jams.
"This is the most relaxing day of my life!", Sirius said as he handed to the lady fake Muggle coins and stretched his arms. "I never felt this free!"
"Think again dingbat!"
The Marauders turned their heads and exclaimed, "Lily!"
"Yes, it's me, the nuisance maker. What's this escape about, huh? Another detention again boys", Lily mildly said.
Before she would utter another word and move another step, Sirius got his wand, directed it to Lily and shouted, "Petrificus Totalus" but James uttered the spell, "Expelliarmus" ahead of time and Sirius' wand landed on his hand.
"How could you do this to me?", Sirius asked. "Do you want detentions again, Potter?"
"Of course no one would ever want that. I am a kind of man who pays respect to others, especially to the female. They should be respected, understand?"
Sirius gave him a forceful nod. Lily on the other hand blushed as she joined the group in their merry-making. It was about three in the morning when Sirius yawned and rested his head on the table. The Marauders were drunk, including Lily.
"Com' on Lilysh. Drin' mor rotbeesh", Peter offered with his trembling hands. Lily laughed boisterously - with no reason as she accepted the drink. She and the Marauders were really out of their minds to the extent that they forgot that the Aging Potion that the Marauders took had worn off an hour ago. A policeman noticed their minority, so he inquired.
"Excuse me. I notice the minority in your faces. Mind if I'll ask you your ages?"
Remus stood up and confronted the policeman. "Ey! Wat yu want fight? Can't yu see wer in twentish?"
"Boy, you can't fool me or are you trying to fool yourself. I recognize your teenage faces and right now I will bring you, including your friends to the police station", the policeman calmly said while taking out five handcuffs.
James was half back to his senses. The Aging Potion has expired! This muggle must not recognize us, he thought. He got his wand by his jittering fingers, directed it to the policeman and exclaimed, "Obliviate!" Suddenly the policeman asked him, "Who are you? Who am I?", and then he left the group.
"Wat hapshen Jamesh?", Sirius asked, finally awake, eating his words. "Ar we goish bak toh 'ogwarts?"
James scooped Lily on his arms. "Lish ashleep. We musht goh bak. Les aparat."
With just a tap on Sirius' wand, they vanished from the muggle world and settled on the Gryffindor common room, safely. Everyone was tired and drunk from their midnight adventure, so the boys entered in their dormitory. Unconsciously, James brought Lily with him in the dormitory and laid her on his four-poster. He smiled as he watched her sleeping peacefully like a baby. A minute later, he slumbered as well, on the floor.
Summer was pretty visible over the grounds around the castle. The sky's and lake's bluish color shone over the golden rays of the sun; the flowers bloomed like fresh cabbages. This is a perfect time to stroll, enjoy and escape. This thought bothered Sirius during the Transfiguration class.
"Sirius, can't you do anything right? You used ten spiders already, killed them and you were not able to transform it into a goblet, not even one!", Professor Albus Dumbledore, the Transfiguration teacher bellowed.
Sirius just stared outside the window. "Professor Dumbledore, I'm sorry. My eyes love to see the beauty of nature", he said, lying. The truth is, it's boring.
"One of my special abilities is to read one's thoughts, Sirius," Professor Dumbledore calmly said.
"What was he thinking a while ago Professor Dumbledore?", Severus asked with a smirk. The rest of the class laughed as well. Peter's and Remus' grin were also evident but was gone when James looked at them straight in the eyes.
Professor Dumbledore got the bottle filled with spiders; he handed one to Sirius. "Now, I'm handing to you another spider and remember that this is your last. Tap your wand thrice on the spider and say Pereverto!
Sirius followed the professor's acquaint. Seconds later, the spider turned into a shiny, brown goblet - a goblet with eight appendages! Professor Dumbledore was about to scold him again when the lunch break rang.
"Sirius, what is happening to you? You used to like Transfiguration and a while ago, you made yourself a laughing stock", Peter said, trying hard not to laugh again as they headed to the Gryffindor tower.
"Nothing's wrong Peter", Sirius said. He then faced James and Remus. "Now that we're through with the map - I was thinking if we could use it now."
Remus' face went blank. "Use it now? Sirius, this is not the right time to use the map! We all agreed to use it only to bring us to Hogsmeade or in emergency cases wearing James' invisibility cloak! What is someone will see us use the map? It is not safe!"
"Okay Remus, tell me when will it be safe. Tell me when is the right time. Tell me who suggested this idea - "
"It's only safe when less students are here in this castle and that is the right time to use the map. Sirius, tell me who finalized it of which is your -"
"- you may be the one who finalized the map but still it is my idea."
James pushed Remus and Sirius at the side. "Guys, stop it! The argument on when to use the map is closed." He faced Sirius. "Remus is right. Using our map in the midst of this populated castle is not safe." He turned to Remus and tapped his shoulder. "I think everybody needs a break. Each gave his best to the fulfillment of Sirius' idea. Maybe going out to the MUGGLE WORLD this evening when everybody is asleep is a good plan."
"But James, Mr. Filch is a vigilant caretaker. What is he'll spot us?", Peter asked.
James rested on Peter's four-poster. "That's the use of our being an Animagus and my invisibility cloak. We have potions and we know some spells that can help." He took off his round glasses and went to his own poster. "We will all meet in the common room at ten in the evening and that's final."
Hours passed by and the awaited hour has arrived. James, Peter, Remus and Sirius met in the Gryffindor common room.
"Everyone, take a sip on this Aging Potion I made a while ago", James said and took his sip, so with the rest of the Marauders.
Peter felt his skinny body explode. He ran to the comfort room and saw another man emerge from his body. "Wow! I look twenty years older!" He went back to the common room and was amazed to see his colleagues transform as well.
James opened his invisibility cloak and covered himself and his friends. "Bring your wands with you. We can't risk ourselves in the other world", he said in a low tone. "Don't worry on Muggle money, the conversion task is through." He showed them fake Muggle coins.
Remus jumped to his feet when someone caught his exposed arm. It was Rubeus. "'orry for fri'tenin yu 'emus. Wher yu goin?"
"Whew! You almost killed me, Rubeus. Good for you to still recognize me", Remus said while stepping out from James' cloak. "Ummm, we are just going for a walk outside to relax. You know we need to breathe fresh air and savor the silence of the environment", Remus said, trying to explain imperfectly.
"Don' lie - me 'emus. Li'y tod me ever'tin. She 'eard n saw all of yu - "
"Heard us? Saw us? Oh my! She is really a nuisance maker!", Remus said with panic.
Rubeus patted Remus' shoulder. "Don' ory - 'end. She promis'd to me won' tel one els'. Hav a safe t-ip." He went back to the dormitory.
Remus on the contrary was terrified. He went near to Sirius and Peter who patiently waited for him on the couch. "Rubeus told me that Lily knows everything about our plans -"
"Uh-oh! I smell trouble", Peter commented.
"- but he assured me that silly lady won't tell anyone," Remus finished his sentence after Peter's interruption.
James who was already near the porthole went near to Remus. "What's keeping you so long?"
Sirius positioned his mouth an inch away from James' ear and whispered, "Your lady James. I mean Lily. She knows all our plans. Rubeus told Remus this a moment ago. Good thing she promised not to spill the beans."
"Now you know how to use idioms!", Remus joked.
"Oh! Shut up!"
"Hey, can we go now? Those Muggle shops might close now", Peter insinuated.
"Some Muggle shops are open twenty four hours", James reminded.
Slowly and carefully, they went out from the porthole hidden through the portrait of Sir Nicholas Cadogan. James got his invisibility cloak again where he and his friends sheltered in.
"Let's stop for a while. I hear some footsteps coming", Remus advised. "Peter, can you please transform into a rat and check if someone is there ahead of us?"
Peter then and there turned itself into a rat even though with hesitation. I still want to be a beaver!, he sadly thought. He ran a few meters and saw the castle's caretaker, Mr. Argus Filch! He transformed back to his original state. "Mr. Filch is coming. His cat, Ms. Norris noticed me as a rat", he whispered to the group. "Let's go down now to the 3rd floor before that nasty caretaker figures out that we are sneaking out."
James, Peter, Remus and Sirius preferred to use the staircase at the other end of the floor. The elevators are locked at the end of the day. When they reached the 3rd floor, Remus got the parchment under his robes. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." Instantly, illustrations appeared like thin spider webs. Four men figures were on the map labeled as Remus, James, Peter and Sirius in a corridor on the third floor. He didn't bother to inform the group that a feminine figure was also present in the map, labeled as Lily. Then, a speech bubble appeared on the map like a tiny dot, Dissendium. "That's the spell we need to use to enter the secret passage behind the statue", Sirius advised. "I worked hard on that", he proudly said.
Remus on the other hand sneered.
"Do we need our broomsticks?", Peter asked.
"Who needs flying broomsticks in the Muggle world?", Sirius raised him a question in return.
Peter fell silent.
"When I count to three, all of us will tap the statue and say 'Dissendium'", James instructed the group. "Get your wands now. One - two - three -"
"Dissendium!", they shouted wryly.
The witch statue moved aside and the secret passage Sirius was referring to was revealed. They entered in the dark tunnel. James got his wand and shouted, "Lumos!" Peter, following James closely behind uttered the spell as well as Remus and Sirius.
The journey towards Honeydukes seemed to be forever. Whenever they reach a trapdoor, another passage lies underneath it. "This is the fifth tunnel we've entered", Peter complained.
"Can you please remain silent?", Sirius grumbled.
"Keep walking", James demanded.
The passages twisted and turned. After what felt like several hours, the passage began to rise. The Marauders were puffing, grasping for air. Everyone was sweating and trembling with fear. It seems that the thrill had disappeared from their lives completely. It took like ages but the Marauders had the thought of Honeydukes to endure the feeling of emptiness.
Minutes later, they saw some worn out stone steps. Careful not to make any noise, Remus, James, Peter and Sirius began to climb. Five hundred three steps . five hundred four steps, James lost his count as he climbed. Remus who led the group, without any caution, his head hit on something hard.
"Ouch", he moaned. He tilted up his head to see the hard object; it seemed to be another trap door.
"Are you alright?", James asked.
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay", Remus answered while massaging his head. He looked at the map. "It says that we must open the that door."
"Then, let's open it. I think I can't take this anymore", Peter weakly said. He was tired, very tired; so with the rest of the Marauders. Their heads were hot but their limbs were shuddering with cold.
Another trap door, James thought. But as Remus opened the door, the moon's light lit the dark cellar and James' blue green eyes opened wide.
"The illustration of passages ends here. I guess this is it!", Remus shouted with glee.
Each was overwhelmed and uttered, "Nox" to put out the light on their wands and tucked it in their robes as they hurriedly went out from the dark cellar. A number of stores and light were everywhere. "Mischief Managed", Remus whispered as he tucked in the blank parchment under his robes. "Now, where will we go?"
"Let's go to Zonko's. We can but there some eerie stuffs to scare and fool the Slytherins", Sirius suggested.
They treaded off to Zonko's and bought Dungbombs, Hiccup Sweets, Frog Spawn Soap and a Nose-Biting Teacup. Then, they headed to a 24hour restaurant to drink butter beer and eat jams.
"This is the most relaxing day of my life!", Sirius said as he handed to the lady fake Muggle coins and stretched his arms. "I never felt this free!"
"Think again dingbat!"
The Marauders turned their heads and exclaimed, "Lily!"
"Yes, it's me, the nuisance maker. What's this escape about, huh? Another detention again boys", Lily mildly said.
Before she would utter another word and move another step, Sirius got his wand, directed it to Lily and shouted, "Petrificus Totalus" but James uttered the spell, "Expelliarmus" ahead of time and Sirius' wand landed on his hand.
"How could you do this to me?", Sirius asked. "Do you want detentions again, Potter?"
"Of course no one would ever want that. I am a kind of man who pays respect to others, especially to the female. They should be respected, understand?"
Sirius gave him a forceful nod. Lily on the other hand blushed as she joined the group in their merry-making. It was about three in the morning when Sirius yawned and rested his head on the table. The Marauders were drunk, including Lily.
"Com' on Lilysh. Drin' mor rotbeesh", Peter offered with his trembling hands. Lily laughed boisterously - with no reason as she accepted the drink. She and the Marauders were really out of their minds to the extent that they forgot that the Aging Potion that the Marauders took had worn off an hour ago. A policeman noticed their minority, so he inquired.
"Excuse me. I notice the minority in your faces. Mind if I'll ask you your ages?"
Remus stood up and confronted the policeman. "Ey! Wat yu want fight? Can't yu see wer in twentish?"
"Boy, you can't fool me or are you trying to fool yourself. I recognize your teenage faces and right now I will bring you, including your friends to the police station", the policeman calmly said while taking out five handcuffs.
James was half back to his senses. The Aging Potion has expired! This muggle must not recognize us, he thought. He got his wand by his jittering fingers, directed it to the policeman and exclaimed, "Obliviate!" Suddenly the policeman asked him, "Who are you? Who am I?", and then he left the group.
"Wat hapshen Jamesh?", Sirius asked, finally awake, eating his words. "Ar we goish bak toh 'ogwarts?"
James scooped Lily on his arms. "Lish ashleep. We musht goh bak. Les aparat."
With just a tap on Sirius' wand, they vanished from the muggle world and settled on the Gryffindor common room, safely. Everyone was tired and drunk from their midnight adventure, so the boys entered in their dormitory. Unconsciously, James brought Lily with him in the dormitory and laid her on his four-poster. He smiled as he watched her sleeping peacefully like a baby. A minute later, he slumbered as well, on the floor.