James, Sirius, Remus and Peter
Chapter 9- Kitchen adventures
A month had passed and Hogwarts already felt like home to the four boys. Their lessons had turned out to be more satisfying than Potions; in Transfiguration their teacher was none other than Professor McGonagall, who like Professor Gilman had the ability to keep the class quite without trying. Very similar to Professor Gilman, she showed them a few tricks about transfiguration by turning her desk into a pig and back, which the Gryffindors happily applauded. Though by the end of the lesson the Gryffindors didn't find themselves transfiguration furniture but matches into needles, which James and Sirius achieved successfully; and to also find out that Professor McGonagall was not so favouring her house as Professor Gilman was when she set them a large amount of homework to do.
Charms on the other hand was taught by Professor Flitwick, a small wizard who had to stand on top of pile of books to see over his desk. Perhaps it was due to a cheerful teacher or maybe for once they were allowed to talk a bit in class but Charms was one of the most enjoyable lessons and people often found them selves walking in and out in the Charms classes: talking, laughing and joking.
History of Magic however turned out to be one of the most boring lessons. Professor Binns, the only teacher who was a ghost taught the lesson. With the same routine in each lesson, he would read his notes off about the history of magic with the most boring, drawling voice ever that people often found it hard to concentrate and not drift off. The most exciting thing that happened in that lesson was Professor Binns entrances, when he unexpectedly comes out from the walls but it's beginning to loose its touch and people were bored of that as well.
Other lesson like Astronomy, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts turned out to be more stratifying; but the lesson James enjoyed the most was Flying Lessons. Particularly because he was told that he was an outstanding flier and even enjoyed himself when the Professor was not watching by placing his right hand on the handle and flying around whilst at the same time slapping every head he could reach with his left hand.
James and Sirius ambition to wreck havoc had not disappeared but the mayhem had already begun. Minor pranks they were but James and Sirius still found them selves laughing and enjoying. Their influence on Remus and Peter had increased; Remus never took part in the pranks but every now and then he would drop a hint for the suitable curse or charm. Peter on the other hand who hero worshipped James and Sirius, helped them in any possible way he could; and sometimes he would try to do a prank by himself which James and Sirius often liked to see even though Peter had not meant for it to happen. For instance, he had once been trying to put a leg locker on a second-year who happened to be going down the stairs but ended up putting every one on the staircase including an angry Filch who went crashing down along with a bunch of Hufflepuff fourth-years.
Apart from pranks the only other constant thing James and Sirius did was explore the castle. Peter of course would loved to join them but apparently he wasn't so talented at magic as James and Sirius were so he didn't have enough spare time to roam around with the two. Remus on the other hand sometimes had some spare time but he thought it was pointless seen as they would be spending the rest of their seven years at Hogwarts which was plenty of time to get use to.
James and Sirius however, thought Remus theory was wrong, Hogwarts was not a muggle castle but a wizard castle which meant there were many secret staircases, rooms, corridors that it would be very impossible to know it in seven years but that didn't stop the two from trying.
They had covered a lot within a month but they still had a lot to go but at the moment they had no clue of whatsoever where they were. Three hours they've been walking and still they were lost, they had missed dinner and were feeling hungry.
When they could not go on walking any longer, hope came to James and Sirius. A portrait lay before them containing a small Knight and his pony. It appeared the Knight had fallen off his horse however he had jumped to his feet when the footsteps of James and Sirius met his ears.
'Who goes there?' he cried. 'Thieves? Ruffians?'
He did not wait for an answer but unsheathed a sword that looked very hard to carry. He lashed the sword left and right viciously; James and Sirius could see it cost him a lot of energy to wield the sword it wasn't long when the sword had slipped out of his grasp and narrowly missed his pony.
Taking advantage of the Knight's exhaustion, Sirius strode towards the Knight and spoke in a voice similar to the Knight.
'Begging your pardon, Sir' he said bowing. 'But we are no thieves or ruffians. We are distant travellers who have gone astray from their road'
'Lost' said the Knight calming down
'Yes, my dear Sir. My companion and I have travelled far and wide, and our journey was very tiring, therefore you see us very famished. And now our fate lies in your hands and would you not be a kind Knight lead us to food and drink?'
'Yes! Of course!' cried the Knight. 'Needless do thee should suffer. Come my friends; follow your new companion and guide, put your trust to Sir Cadogan for he never leads thee astray. Onward!'
The knight called Sir Cadogan leaped from his portrait into the next continued to do so for the others. All James and Sirius could do was follow; James had of course tried to keep track but it was quite difficult and when at the same you were trying keep up with a mad knight who happened to be travelling through portraits.
At last they had arrived, and before them stood a large portrait of silver bowl containing fruits and vegetables.
'Our journey ends here' said Sir Cadogan halting. 'Tickle the pear and the door to the kitchens will open. A very kind folk dwell there, who will feed you; and eat comrades eat until you can eat no more and drink until you can drink no more'
'Thank you, you are most kind' said Sirius hardly believing his luck. He had been intending the knight to lead them to the great hall but the kitchen was even better.
'You are welcome' said Sir Cadogan bowing. 'But remember If ever you need an ally with which to fight, if ever you need a man of might, call upon Sir Cadogan, the knight!'
James and Sirius saluted as the passionate knight turned and leaving the boys alone racing back to his lonely portrait, with only his pony for company.
'What folk do you reckon dwell in there?' asked James jerking his head towards the kitchen.
'Don't know, but I'm guessing there not human' said Sirius walking towards the portrait.
Sirius tickled the pear as the knight had instructed. The pear giggled and suddenly stopped and before they knew it a door a stood before them. Both boys entered and found themselves in a large room probably as big as the great hall. The folk turned out to be house-elves and they were larges amount of elves the two have seen under one roof.
The elves who had been working had all stopped to watch the two boys. They rarely saw people come down to the kitchens apart from the headmaster.
'Hi…' said James nervously
'Outta the way' said Sirius pushing James aside and addressing the startled house-elves. 'Evening, my friend and I here have been hearing rumours about your excellent service and we are hear to see if these rumours are true'
The house-elves startled faces turned into delighted smiles and before James and Sirius knew it they were embarking on a small feast in the kitchen. The house-elves happily ran back and forth, they squealed with delight when James and Sirius set them tasks to do in a short space of time.
'Well' said Sirius to house-elves after he and James could no eat anymore. 'You've fed us very well which only leaves me to conclude the rumours are true'
The house-elves looked very pleased when Sirius had praised them and were looking eagerly at him for more work.
'Think we should get Remus and Peter some food?' James asked Sirius
'Good point' said Sirius before turning to the house-elves, and clearing his throat 'Wrap us up a few éclairs and muffins to take, and be quick about it'
While the house-elves looking excited raced off to bring the éclairs and muffins Sirius noticed James giving him a calculating look.
'Charm' said Sirius as though reading James mind. 'It's a quality I posses and one you can never achieve so I bid you to leave all the talking to me'
James would've said something to reply back but something caught his eye. He could not believe it how he did not notice but over the head of the house-elves stood four long tables, which were identical to the ones in the great hall. In fact they were positioned in the same way and possessed the same identical golden plates and goblets. It didn't take long for James to work out that the food was sent up from here and brought back down; and discovering this new information a prank was already forming in his mischievous mind.
'Here are your muffins and éclairs' squeaked the elf bringing James back to earth.
Sirius and James happily took the muffins and éclairs before leaving the kitchen and waving good bye to the joyful house-elves.
As they walked back to the Gryffindor common room James filled Sirius in on about the prank James had in mind which Sirius thought was a great prank.
'What about Rem and Pete?' asked Sirius. 'Are you going to fill them in?'
'Of course' exclaimed James. 'Even if we could pull it off by ourselves I still wouldn't want to do it'
'Yeah but do you reckon they would do it?' said Sirius
'What are you saying?'
'I know Remus isn't a good too shoes but his not a trouble maker either. And have you seen the way he looks at Dumbledore, utter most respect is written all over him. I bet you, if Dumbledore took a little stumble he would be the first over there to help him up'
'What are you saying he loves Dumbledore?'
'No. It's just that he looks up to Dumbledore and I don't think he would like to cause trouble for him'
'Yeah but Remus loves hanging around with us and he only needs a little push'
'Yeah…I guess we'll have to found out who he likes the most, Dumbledore or us'
'What about Pete?'
'Don't sweat it, all we have to do is wave these desserts in his face and he is as good as having the Imperius curse on him'
James and Sirius finally reached the common and made their way to the corner where unsurprisingly Remus sat in the corner reading a book and while Peter was trying to finish his homework.
'Sup guys' said Sirius sitting opposite Remus and next to Peter
'Hey Pete, Hey Rem' said James taking his seat
Peter just about grunted and continued his homework gloomily. James and Sirius would of course have let him copy but Remus didn't approve saying it wouldn't do him any good.
'How come you weren't at dinner' inquired Remus over the top of his book
'We got lost' said Sirius shortly
'Oh' he said and returning to his book. 'I suppose you guys are hungry'
'Actually no' said James. 'We found ourselves in the kitchens tonight and had a little feast, so we're quite full'
Peter's ear perked up at the mention of kitchen and Remus looked interested to hear about their adventure which James and Sirius happily explained but they didn't waste any time on telling them about the prank.
When James and Sirius had finished talking, Remus and Peter's face changed from looking interested to nervous.
'Um, guys, if it's ok, I…I think that I'll sit this one out' said Remus standing up backing away. 'I don't want any trouble'
'Yeah…me too' piped Peter
'Pity' said Sirius looking at Peter. 'We were going to celebrate with these too bad you won't join us Pete' Sirius was waving the muffins and éclairs in front of Peter who was following it hungrily. 'Unless you've changed your mind'
'It'll take more than éclairs and muffins to persuade us' said Remus. 'Right Pete'
'What' said Peter distracted. 'Y-Yeah, of course'
'Really' said Sirius eating an éclair and putting on a face that said it-tastes-delicious. 'Are you sure? I mean you've been working hard and everything tonight don't you think you deserve a break'
'I'm in. I'm in' said Peter
'Knew, I could count on you' said Sirius handing him some of the food to Peter who began to eat straight away and then giving James I-got-Pete-in-you-get-Rem.
'Remus, mate this won't be fun without you' said James
'I can't' said Remus avoiding James eyes.
'Why not' said James. 'You do want to be our friend don't you?'
'Yeah' said Remus looking at James. 'I…I just don't want trouble'
'But there won't be trouble' assured James. 'If it is all planned good there won't be trouble'
Remus thought for a moment and it sounded a bit fun but his mind hit about being caught and he had been waiting to be in Hogwarts for time and he didn't want to blow it.
No, no, no' he said, half-backing away, half-stumbling until his back was resting on the wall. 'You guys go ahead and have fun'
'But Remus' said James. 'It won't be fun when one of your best mate isn't there'
'R-Really' said Remus he looked touched about what James had said.
'Yeah' said James putting a hand on his shoulder. 'So what da ya say, hmm'
Remus looked at James and Sirius hopeful looks and ignoring Peter's moans and groans of pleasure on eating the éclairs.
'I'm in' said Remus gloomily whilst sliding down the floor until he was sitting on the floor. 'I'll help you out, but I'll tell you that I won't be enjoying myself while you guys are having the time of your life'
'Knew we could count on you' said James joining Remus on the floor. 'Here's some éclairs and muffins if you like'
Author's note: Thanks to all the people who reviewed. I've taken some time out in answering your reviews and if any of you others have questions feel free to hesitate to ask, only joking. Don't hesitate to ask.
Psycopathic sitter: I think your story was Okay. The Lupins were Muggles as I recall...
Jaz man: J K. Rowling never mentioned anything about Lupin being a muggle born therefore we can't really say he was one. But if we look at Malfoy the only bad thing he could say about Lupin was "Look at the state of his robes" which means if Lupin was a muggle born, Malfoy would've called him a Mudblood. I can't remember the page but it is in HP and POA, when they are in the shrieking shack Lupin says his hopes of going to Hogwarts was shattered after the bite until Dumbledore was made headmaster which means he did know about Hogwarts and the wizard which means the Lupins were wizards.
