Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Door #19
The elves had been busy. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Christmas cake; it was a work of art: the smooth white icing covering the surface was draped with spirals of spun sugar; miniature figures arranged in one corner were having a snowball fight with tiny balls of icing and sparkling silver letters round the sides proclaimed 'Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year' to all and sundry.
I gasped in delight and edged closer to see it better.
"Not to touch!" one of the elves cried out and rushed over to protect the delicacy. I raised my head and simply looked at the elf, making it whimper and run off, presumably to bang its head with a poker or some such thing. As I strode from the kitchen, I took one last lingering look at the cake. I was determined to taste it.
Later that night, when the Manor was asleep, I crept down the back stairs to the kitchen. With wand held high, casting a small circle of light about me, I gingerly pushed open the door and entered the silent room. There on the counter in all its pristine glory was the cake. I tiptoed over and stood staring at it. I could practically taste the plump fruit bursting in my mouth, releasing their juices mingled with the good whisky it had been drowned with over the past few weeks; the tang of the almond paste and the sweetness of the icing in contrast with the spices, all making my mouth water.
I suddenly got the feeling that there was something not quite right here. Taking a step back, I quickly glanced about me but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. It was only when I looked at the cake again, I noticed that one of the corners was very clearly missing. With a frown, I realised that someone had beaten me to it. Stepping closer to examine it more carefully, my foot came into contact with something underneath the counter and I very clearly heard a muffled grunt. Bending down, I cast my wand into the darkness where it illuminated a blond head.
"Come out here," I ordered and a subdued figure clambered out. I gave him a disappointed glare and sent him to bed. "I'll deal with you in the morning, Draco."
"Yes, Father," he said and scuttled off upstairs. I turned my attention to the cake and sighed. Oh well, it had already been cut into, one more slice wasn't going to hurt.