A/N
Yeah so ya know what I said about never joining another goddamned writing comp? This fic is in remembrance of that promise which I betrayed. Prompt, kitchen (setting)
The Hogwarts kitchens and Quidditch did something to the students of Hogwarts that no one else had managed to do in the entirety of the war era: bring the four fractured houses together. No one quite knew when the odd tradition of midnight Friday quidditch games had started, but it became such an important part of each and every student's life.
It would start at 11pm every Friday night. The slow exodus would begin, the lookouts leaving their common rooms to make sure there were no teachers. After the sign was given, another group of students would follow, so on and so forth until every student was out on the quidditch pitch.
The teams would be decided (usually Gryffindor and Hufflepuff vs Slytherin and Ravenclaw) and their captains would shake hands.
Then the chaos could begin.
Hermione was always the score keeper, the only one trusted enough to be unbiased in the face of house rivrally, keeping count of each goal meticulously.
Draco could be counted on to cause a stir, complaining about this or that or Finnegan set my broom on fire but despite this, his prowess as seeker kept him from being booted from the Friday Quidditch matches.
The Quidditch pitch, alight with color and laughter with everyone in their pyjamas, no one knowing which person was in which house, couldn't possibly go unnoticed by McGonagall. Instead of reprimanding and breaking this newly formed bond, Professor McGongall could often be found seated at the window watching these Friday games, curled up with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
Once Oliver Wood was snuck onto the premise by the Weasley twins (who definitely weren't supposed to be there either) and started a game of Quadditch, a variant of Quidditch where there were three snitches, eight quaffles, nine bludgers and as many players as possible split into four teams. Terry, Ron and several other players ended up with head injuries, going to a very confused Madame Pomfrey the next morning for medical attention.
One night, a storm suddenly hit, drenching the players and onlookers. And so, what became known as the dash to end all dashes began. Giggling teenagers swarmed the secret passageways, clinging to each other and laughing as they headed for the Hogwarts kitchens.
The kitchens were warm and welcoming to any who stepped foot within them, enveloping the children in a warm hug feeling. Ask any one of the students what their favorite part of the Friday night games was, and they would most likely say the food.
Post junk food binge, tiredness usually began to set in, and the students would crash in whatever common room was nearest or not full.
"Oi Draco, is there room in your common room?"
"Yeah, c'mon Pothead."
"Shut up."
"Looney - I mean Luna, can we -?"
"There is an infestation of nargles in your common room so I guess you probably should stay in ours. This way."
"Abbott, can we sleep in here?"
"Fine Parkinson, but don't touch my cat."
And so a tradition was born. But how long could it last?
A red head girl poked her head around the corner.
"All clear." she hissed to her cousins.
Rose pushed open the door. "Thanks Lils, you're a lifesaver, now hurry up or we'll be late."