Chapter 9:
Settling into a new routine can be challenging. This is especially true when ones new routine is drastically different from their old routine. Considering everything that had transpired in the short timeframe before their staying with the Clay family school was going smoothly for the Wolfes. Most of the classwork the same at Zauberei as it had been at Hogwarts, but there were a few key differences between American and English wizarding educations. The main difference of which Paul was notably concerned about: the FOX exams. These tests were quite different from the OWL and NEWT exams in the UK-the biggest adjustment was that the FOX exams contained a practical demonstration portion, a somewhat alarming prospect for the senior who had missed six years of practical exams in preparation for the event. Aside from his fervent studying and practice (for fear of not placing well on the test that his future career would be based upon), the other Wolfes seemed mostly content with the work they were receiving in their classes, with only a handful of minor snags along the way.
"What exactly do they mean when they say 'typed'?" Will frowned as he read over the list of assignments that he and James had been given for their No-Maj Studies course.
Danny glanced over Will's shoulder and scanned the homework sheet; this week you must write two reports: one on the current President of the United States, and a second on the uses of electricity in the average American household. At least one of these must be typed. "Using a word processor or computer probably, though pop probably still has his typewriter holed up in a closet somewhere." Danny stated as he half-grinned thinking of how, despite his dad's best efforts Silas managed to hide away a handful of things he refused to part with, despite their apparent lack of practicality or use.
"Oh, okay." Will nodded as he sighed, "I swear, they keep making up new words for all the things you do with those things. I thought 'printed' meant it was from a computer."
"No, that's just for when it's come off a printer." James replied, feigning condescension, as he scribbled something down for his potions report, "But you've never been very good when it comes to remembering much of anything aside from which girls you tried to snog."
"I still did better than you on the Charms OWL." Will muttered.
"By one question." James retorted, "And that's just because I ran out of time."
Danny chuckled to himself as he left the twins to bicker in the dining room. He was glad he was still only a second year, the work got substantially harder once high school started. He, Ted, and Jane had already done their assignments for the evening, meaning that the three of them could meet Chase and Alicia in a few minutes. Ted had done well to integrate into the friend group over the last few weeks, with Chase and Alicia welcoming the newcomer, then his sister shortly afterward. While Jane had friends of her own at school they mostly lived on campus, meaning that when she wanted to socialize outside of school hours she normally accompanied Ted-not that anyone minded.
Tonight they were going bowling.
For the no-maj born (or raised as if no-maj born in Danny's case), it would be a simple outing to Friar's Bowling Alley. For Ted and Jane it was an enjoyable evening out and training in the ways of the non-magical. Over the last two weeks the Wolfes had stayed with the Clays Moony and Padfoot had been working to try and give the magic-born houseguests a crash-course in the ways of an average American teen. Basic electronics and appliances were relatively easy to manage, with the eventual understanding that simply moving the button or switch to the correct position being ineffective if the electricity was not connected being one of the finer points of detail that had to be repeated, but had eventually stuck. Obviously the use of more complicated electronics-like the stereo, stove, home computer, and microwave-hadn't been covered fully yet, but at least the basic knowledge of the potential danger of an untended flame or burner had been comprehended (muggle fires don't keep to themselves, they catch anything near them).
Pop culture and awareness to television and films had been one of the harder things to manage, given the plethora of media available and the relatively limited timeframe to expose them to it. Courtesy of the local Blockbuster Video and the cable package that Wolfgang always insisted was too expensive-$23.50 a month is ridiculous!-the siblings had been at least exposed to most of the genres of movies and TV shows. It seemed like the group had already started to form their own tastes, with action movies and science fiction being clear winners across the board.
"Already everyone?" Wolfgang asked after reappearing with Alicia in-tow.
"Yeah!" Danny grinned. "You guys are gonna love bowling."
"It sounds fun, from what you said, at least." Ted replied, nodding.
"It is. Even if you don't do great, the video arcade will make up for it." Alicia smiled as she patted her pocketful of quarters she'd been saving up.
"Well in any case, the Hendersons are pulling up now." The tall man replied shepherding the children toward the waiting minivan.
"We'll be back by eight." Mr. Henderson called out as the rest of the group joined Chase inside.
"Have fun! And remember, if anything happens-page me!" He shouted as the children waved and pulled into the early-evening.
**HP**
About a half hour after the younger residents had left, the remaining adolescents had finished their assignments and were ready for their own leisure time. Paul had gone upstairs to study more-it's as if the boy didn't know what 'fun' meant-while the twins had slipped a piece of parchment out of Will's backpack and carefully unfolded it. The elder twin murmured, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
The worn yellowing and wrinkled piece of paper revealed that it held an intricate inked phrase across its surface, the two teens glancing at each other as they again read the words silently:
"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
are proud to present
THE MARAUDER'S MAP"
James flipped it open and the two started about trying to find their former classmates. "Let's see, it's just after six now, which means it's well after curfew there… Who's keeping up our legacy?"
"Looks like Lee's out right now-and he's heading towards Filch's office… That should be good." Will grinned brightly.
"And I see Roger Davies and-" James chuckled, "-Patricia Stimpson hiding out in the bushes by the astronomy tower!"
"Really, that uptight git? Would've never taken her as the type." Will noted as he checked the map, "Maybe he's finally managed to get her to have some fun."
"Unlikely. She's probably lecturing on proper wand handling techniques." James snarked.
"Well, by the looks of it, there might be some wand handling going on…"
Silas walked into the dining room holding a bag of microwave popcorn and a blue and yellow labeled VHS. "Hey, since the younger kids are out we figured it's time to show you guys some horror movies." He paused, realizing that the two teens were hastily moving to block his view of something on the table. "What's that you've got on the table?"
"Just some parchment from our homework." Will replied as he pulled out the now blank and folded piece of parchment.
Padfoot's eyes widened as his brow moved upward. "Really?" He smirked as a twinkle appeared in his eye, "Mind if I take a look at it?"
"Sure." James shrugged, knowing full well that the paper did nothing if the phrase wasn't spoken.
Silas turned the paper over in his hands, shaking his head slightly in reminiscence, before he cleared his throat and spoke, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
The parchment sprung to life, the words again reappearing along with a short greeting underneath, "Hello Mr. Padfoot, Messrs Moony and Prongs want to remind you that you're a royal git." The man chuckled to himself as he handed it back to the stunned twins.
"Wait… you're Padfoot?!"Will finally spoke.
"Yes."
"Oh my Merlin… we have so many questions…" James stated, his head nearly spinning at meeting a man who had been a sort of idol of his-at least in terms of practical jokes.
"Well I should probably wait until Moony's here. After all, he's the whole reason that thing exists in the first place." Silas smiled as Wolfgang poked his head through the doorway into the dining room.
"Whole reason what exists?" He asked, his brow raised in curiosity.
"This." Silas tossed the paper to his boyfriend.
After a brief glance the shorter man recognized what he was holding, "Wait, seriously? This still exists? How'd you get it from Filch? We never managed after that rat Snape got us cornered and he got Filch to take it in our seventh year."
"Wait, you know Snivelus?" Will responded.
"Know him? We had to suffer through that prick's company for seven years at school." Padfoot snorted.
"At least you never had him as a teacher…" James rolled his eyes.
**HP**
"Dark Lord, we have arrived…" A robed figure bowed as Voldemort stepped forth into the cool night air.
"What is this wretched place?" He sneered. "I feel no magic, and you had said we were going to the boy."
"We are sir…" The figure cowered, "But we do not know where he is."
"WHAT?!" Voldemort bellowed as the man started to lift off the ground.
"We don't know where he is right now-but we know where he goes to school!"
"Then why are we not there?" Voldemort hissed.
"The building is well protected-and your arrival would certainly cause an evacuation, giving the boy time to escape."
"Very well. I am placated for now. But if I do not have Harry Potter dead by the end of this year you can all be assured you will suffer in his place."