Chapter 4

A Man, A Plan, And A Little Help From The Elves…

"Moony, lover, don't you think that it's wrong?" Sirius asked, as he blew a strand of black hair out of his face (which was no use, as it always just fell back to the same place no matter how many times he did this).

"Please don't call me lover."

"I mean, it's already…what month is it?"

"October."

"Exactly. October. And we haven't done a single prank yet. Our reputation, it's fading away."

"Yes well I think it's a good idea that we haven't done any pranking. It's kept us all out of detention."

"Moony, that hurts my heart. We have to do a prank. Or else."

"Or else what?"

"I'll explode…or Snape will."

"Why would Snape explode?"

"I found this charm. But it might not be exactly 'safe'. Perhaps we should poison him?"

"Sirius, don't you think we could do something a little less harmful?" Remus asked, rolling his eyes.

"I guess. We could…we could do something a lot less harmful. In fact, I think we could do a helpful prank."

"Really. And how do you intend on doing that?" Remus asked, finally looking up from his homework that he had been working on. Sirius looked around the dorm, checking to make sure it was safe.

"Secret. Can't even tell you." Remus rolled his eyes again.

"You know what, fine. The less I know, the better."

"Glad you feel that way. Now if you excuse me, I'm off to start phase one."

Sirius exited the dorm rather bouncily and skipped down the stairs.

"Ari Beary!" he said to Ari, who had been exiting the common room.

"Sirius, please don't call me that."

"Sorry. Want to help me with my plan?" Sirius asked with a grin. "It's really good."

Ari shrugged.

"Sure."

The two of them headed down to the kitchens together.

"Hello. I need to speak with Lala," Sirius said to an elf when he entered. The elf bowed to Sirius and ran off, returning seconds later with a different elf.

"Wow these elves are quick," Ari said to Sirius. Sirius smiled and took her hand.

"Hello sir! What can Lala do for you?"

"I have a plan." Sirius wriggled his eyebrows at the creature.

"Ah sir, no disrespect sir, but Lala and the rest of the elves have thought it best not to get mixed up in your plans sir."

"Ah, but you see, this one is not like the others." Sirius bent down to whisper in the small elf's ear. Lala's eyes widened and a smile broke across her face.

"That is a genius plan, sir!" she said, clapping her small hands together.

"Really then! So you'll help?" Lala hung her head.

"Ah sir, Professor Dumbledore, he has a school policy. Only food and drink he approves can be served at meals sir."

"I understand." Sirius turned to Ari. "Off to Dumbledore's office we go."

"Really now Miss Lovell, I can assure you that no punishment will come of your turning Miss Albany into a parrot. Let's just try to not let that happen again. You may go."

The small girl sniffled and nodded her head. She stood up to leave Professor Dumbledore's office.

"But before you do," Professor Dumbledore said with a smile, "I'd just like to congratulate you on that fine work of Transfiguration. I've never met a third year who could do that before." The girl smiled.

"Thank you Professor," she said sheepishly. She reached for the handle on the door and was knocked off her feet when the door swung open in her face.

"Mr. Black!" Dumbledore nearly shouted, alarmed.

"Whoops, sorry lil girl." Sirius reached down his hand to help the girl up.

"Miss Lovell, are you alright?" Dumbledore asked.

"I just got knocked over by Sirius Black…Wait 'til I tell Hilary!" And with that the little girl ran off, leaving a chuckling Dumbledore and a somewhat confused Sirius and Ari.

"Mr. Black, and Miss Figg! What is it that I can assist you with?"

"Well Albus-" Dumbledore cleared his throat-"I mean, Professor Dumbledore…Sir. I have concocted a most genius plan." Sirius whispered it in the professor's ear. Dumbledore smiled.

"But you see, there's a problem. The elves won't serve it unless they get your approval."

Dumbledore nodded.

"So, do they have your approval?"

"Mr. Black-"

"Now before you say anything, let me just tell you that this plan is flawless. Nothing could possibly go wrong. And sir, people will be telling this for ages. Wouldn't you love for your name to be in the story? The students would think you were so cool."

"Sirius-"

"Please Sir? Just consider it. Everything around here has been so dreary. What with Voldemort and…well just Voldemort. That bastard."

"Sirius-"

"Sorry Professor. But I mean, come on! This would be-"

"Sirius!" Sirius stopped talking. "I will be sure to talk to the elves and let them know what to do. It will be served this afternoon at lunch. Now, don't you have a class to be at?"

Sirius bowed.

"Thank you kind Sir. I will remember this." Sirius and Ari left the office together.

"So would you mind telling me about this 'genius' plan of yours?" she asked once they had exited Dumbledore's office. Sirius smiled and whispered it in her ear.

"Oooh. I like it."

Yes I know, short. But there's another chapter coming hopefully soon.

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Otherwise you'll never know who gets together….

molly