Chapter 19
Rowdy Ravenclaws!

A/N: As I have said before, this chapter is just a "filler chapter", so it won't have much to do with the main storyline of "Family Affair". In fact, this chapter will probably have nothing to do with the main storyline. This, is in fact, one of the deleted scenes I was waiting to do, but it popped into my head and wouldn't leave. I won't mind if you just skip this chapter... really. But if you want to read it... enjoy!

It is a very tough life for you when you are Brooke Longbottom. At least that is what Brooke Longbottom thought.

Brooke Longbottom was a first year Ravenclaw and was not very popular. In fact, her only two friends had other friends that they spent time with. So Brooke's life, since she had been at Hogwarts at least, had been pretty boring. Here it was, the first week of December, and Brooke figured that she would be have been pretty popular by this time. She was, in fact the second daughter of the Herbology Professor, and her older sister, a Gryffindor, was friends with the Head Boy and Girl, also Gryffindors. But no, that didn't get her anywhere. She was in fact, the smartest student in her year, but there weren't many people who liked a brainiac, even though the whole Ravenclaw House was indeed smart. Brooke even tried to make herself not look as smart as she was. She had even tried to talk her own father into giving her a lower grade then one of the other first years, but he replied with a "How can I do that when you are the smartest first year I have in my class!"

Oh yes, Brooke was indeed the twinkle in her father's eye. She was soon to be the middle child of the family though: her mother was pregnant and due any day now. But she knew she would still be the twinkle in her father's eye. Even though this was true, Brooke still envied her older sister, Alice. Alice could do legal magic, which she had proved on Brooke so many times before that summer! Brooke would never forgive her sister for that nice little pig's tail she had on her backside for a whole twenty-four hours before St. Mungo's could remove it. Brooke couldn't believe that Alice didn't get in trouble either. Her mother was so proud that Alice had done "such good magic". No matter how many times she heard it, Brooke knew that Alice was the twinkle of her mother's eye. Alice was, of course, getting a job at the Quibbler when she left Hogwarts. Brooke knew this was why her mother favored Alice more than her.

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"She's just sitting there all alone," Brooke heard a Ravenclaw say behind her, "Come on, she doesn't look busy. I am sure she would accept."

"No, don't, Marc," another Ravenclaw said, "She would get us in trouble anyway! Her father is the Herbology Professor. And don't forget, her sister is best friends with the Head Couple!"

Brooke rolled her eyes. She was used to people talking about her. She was, in fact, "Daddy's little girl" and everyone knew it. But still, her curiosity got the best of her, and she really wondered what those two first year boys in the corner were talking about. She knew who they were, but wouldn't admit it. It was hard to admit that you notice a person, especially when you fancy them! Marc Corner had indeed caught Brooke's eye, but Brooke wouldn't admit it. Even though he was very smart, almost as smart as her. And he was really popular as well. But he also bragged a lot. He was always talking to his friends about how he would be the youngest Quidditch Player since Harry Potter himself achieved it. He had, of course, failed to be on the team.

Brooke's thoughts left her mind the second she saw Marc walking across the room. In fact (Brooke's heart skipped a beat), he was walking toward her! Brooke stared at her Quibbler magazine, but was concentrating on nothing in it.

"Um... Brooke?" Marc asked.

Brooke peered over her magazine and saw Marc standing in front of her, his wand placed neatly behind his ear.

"Yes, Marc?" Brooke replied.

"Andy and I were wondering if you were busy or anything," Marc said.

"Not really," Brooke said, "Why?"

"Well, we were going to do some exploring around Hogwarts," Marc said, "It is rather cold outside, and we were wanting to stay inside. Well, we were thinking that maybe... if you wanted to come with us..."

"You're going down to the kitchens again, aren't you?" Brooke said, "And you were wondering if I could tag along."

"Down to the kitchens?" Marc asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Marc, don't play dumb with me," Brooke said, "We are Ravenclaws, and we don't play dumb. Besides, I know that you and Andy are always trying to get into those kitchens."

"Okay, you caught me," Marc said, "And if you want to know the truth, we have actually only been down to the kitchens once. We nearly always get caught."

"And you thought I could help you?" Brooke asked.

"Three heads are better than one... or two," Marc said.

"You have never been told the story about Fluffy, have you?" Brooke smirked, "Well, no you wouldn't have heard it. Your family isn't friends with the Weasleys or the Potters."

"Come on, Brooke," Marc said.

"Well... all right," Brooke said.

Marc smiled and waved his wand at Andy. Ten seconds later, Andy walked over to Brooke and Marc. Andy Goldstein, unlike Marc, wasn't very popular, but he hung around the right people... Marc mainly. Brooke had never liked Andy much and had always questioned why a person so dense in the brain could get into Ravenclaw.

"Well?" Andy said.

"She'll do it," Marc said.

"All right," Andy said, "But, Brooke, I swear... if we get into trouble because of you, I am going to find a way to curse you!"

"Oh come on, Andy," said Marc, "We won't get into trouble. Brooke's father is in a staff meeting right now, and the Head Couple is probably off snogging somewhere. And do you really think Filch is going to catch us? Wheezy old bugger is about to fall over in his grave as it is! Besides, he isn't much of a threat now that Mrs. Norris is dead."

"I am still saying..." Andy started.

"I won't get you into trouble, Goldielocks," Brooke said.

Andy's eyes narrowed. Brooke knew Andy didn't like to be called Goldielocks, but still did it anyway.

"Come on, let's go," Marc said.

Brooke, Marc and Andy left the West Tower, where Ravenclaw House was located, and headed down the stairs.

"I am curious," Brooke said, as she leapt down the stairs with Marc and Andy, "Why are you guys still hungry? We just had breakfast two hours ago..."

"We don't really want to go down there just for the food, Brooke," said Marc, "It is boring in the Common Room and the pure thrill of doing something like this excites me. I am an active person. I can't play Quidditch, so I have to do something that entertains me."

"What about your homework?" Brooke asked, "Or Wizard's Chess?"

"I finish my work too quickly," Marc said, "And Wizard's Chess is too boring. I checkmate my opponent in seconds. But who wouldn't with brains like mine!"

Andy coughed, but Brooke swore she heard him say "Showoff!"

"Besides, haven't you ever wanted to meet the house elves, Brooke?" Marc asked.

"Well... yeah," Brooke said.

"You have to meet Dobby and Winky," Andy said, "They are a hoot! Especially Winky. It is so funny seeing a drunk house elf!"

"Andy, you are so mean!" Marc said.

"Sorry, Marc," Andy said, "Forgot you were interested in the S.P.E.W division."

"S.P.E.W Division? Really?" Brooke said.

"Yeah, Marc loves those little guys," Andy said.

"I just think they need higher wages," Marc said, "Even with the seven Galleon minimum wage, elves still don't get enough. Plus they need to be able to have better clothes. Have you seen those bed sheets? They are gross!"

"I think it is sweet that you like the S.P.E.W Division, Marc," Brooke said.

"Really?" Marc said.

Andy rolled his eyes and walked past them to the final set of stairs.

"Come on, you two," he said, "I want to see if Winky is drunk yet!"

"Andy!" Marc yelled.

"Hush, you will get us caught!" Andy said, "Besides, I was joking."

Marc rolled his eyes, and he and Brooke followed Andy down to the kitchens. Andy tickled the pear and a knob appeared. He opened the door and walked into the kitchens, followed by Brooke and Marc. Brooke couldn't believe her eyes. There were at least twenty house elves working on the food for the upcoming lunch.

"Oh, Mr. Corner, Mr. Goldstein, you have come back," a house elf said, walking over to Marc and Andy and hugging them around the knees, "Dobby is pleased. Dobby has missed you! Oh, and who is this? Dobby has never seen this girl before."

"Dobby, this is Brooke Longbottom," Marc said.

"Longbottom?" Dobby said, "Oh! Neville Longbottom's daughter! Dobby is pleased to meet you, Miss."

"Thanks... Dobby, is it?" Brooke said, "I have heard stuff about you."

"Oh, Dobby is blushing, Miss," Dobby said.

"Where is Winky, Dobby?" Marc asked.

"Oh, Dobby must not say," Dobby said.

"Dobby, we have already talked about this," Marc said, "You don't need to be ashamed of Winky."

"But, sirs, Dobby must be ashamed," Dobby said, "Winky has drunken nearly half the supply of Dobby's and the other house elves' boxes of Butterbeer. Dobby is afraid there won't be many left for the Sirs and Misses for their feasts!"

"Oh, then you must talk to Winky," Andy said, "We can't go without butterbeer!"

"Dobby feels that Winky won't listen to Dobby anymore, sirs and miss," said Dobby, balling his fist into his pillowcase, "Misstress McGonagall is threatening to take the butterbeer away! Dobby is afraid Mistress might do it too."

"Where is Winky, Dobby?" Marc asked.

"Over next to the cupboard, sir," Dobby said, pointing to Winky.

"Oh, dear," Brooke said, putting a hand over her mouth.

It was quite a sight. Winky the house elf was swaying back and forth, a half-empty bottle of butterbeer in her hand. Winky's eyelids and ears were drooping, and Brooke could hear a faint "hic!" coming from across the room.

"Winky, you know better than that!" Marc said, walking over to the drunken house-elf, "Why do you continue to do this to yourself?"

"Oh, please, sirs," Dobby said, "Sirs musn't be ashamed of Winky. Winky has been like this for years."

"But it is going to kill her!" Brooke said, walking over to Winky, "Come on, Winky..."

"Huh... hic!... no!" Winky yelled, "You... is... not... hic!... Winky's... hic!... mas... hic!...ter!"

Brooke felt a shock and hopped back.

"What was that!" Brooke said, "It felt like a shock!"

"Bad, Bad Winky!" Dobby said, "Winky should know not to use Elf Magic on Misses and Sirs!"

Winky smiled and fell over. A second later, Brooke heard a snore.

"Oh, Dobby is sorry for Winky's behavior, sirs and misses," Dobby said, "Most of the time, Dobby and the other house elves just ignore Winky. Dobby is used to it. Dobby has tried and tried over the years, but Dobby can't do nothing about Winky... erm, maybe sirs and miss should go... Dobby is ashamed that you see Winky like this. Oh, but of course take some food with you! No Butterbeer of course... running out."

Dobby threw a spare tablecloth over Winky and helped the house-elves give some creamcakes and pies to Brooke, Marc and Andy. A minute later, Brooke left with Marc and Andy. They headed back toward the seventh floor and thought they were safe when they heard a voice.

"What is it, my sweet?" the voice said, "Do you hear voices?"

"Phew, it is just Filch," Marc said, "He is talking to his dead cat again, come on."

Brooke, Marc and Andy reached the Ravenclaw Common Room, said the password (Brain Buddies!) and walked into the room.

"You know, Longbottom," Marc said, "That was actually rather fun. I had a fun time."

"Uh, thank you, Marc," Brooke said, blushing.

"We will have to do it again," Marc said, walking off.

"Uh, yeah... again," Brooke said.

Brooke smiled and walked over to the couch next to the fireplace. It had been a rather fun adventure. And she got to spend time with Marc. It was actually beginning to be fun again at Hogwarts, Brooke thought, laying down on the couch.

See, nothing really to do with the main storyline... but it was roaming through my head and I had to get it out. Besides, it showed a bit of the life of Brooke Longbottom (Alice Longbottom's sister, in case you didn't know). Brooke will be in the story more... maybe during Christmas Break...

Would love Feedback... I wanna know who actually read this chapter