A number of children were running along the street, dashing this way and that in pursuit of…well, in pursuit of something. The problem was, this something (or someone) was invisible, making the game arguably much more complicated, and yet ridiculously entertaining.
A young girl screeched with laughter as the invisible someone tickled her in passing. Seconds later, a boy's hat flew off his head and danced across the street, hands reaching to grab it and laughter dancing across the crowd as the elusive hat paraded just far enough away from their outstretched fingers.
Suddenly a house door swung open, and a voice called from within. "James Potter! Didn't I tell you to clean yesterday! And didn't I tell you that you couldn't play outside with the others until I could see the floor of your room again? Get in here now, young man!"
Smiles faded as the baseball cap fell to the grass and James shook of his invisibility cloak, frowning slightly. "Aw, man!" He kicked the hat a few feet in mild frustration.
"Hey! Watch it, James! That's my favorite!" the kid who owned the hat whined beseechingly as the cap landed in a mud puddle.
"Oh! Um…er…sorry Derrick. I wasn't thinking. Sorry," James muttered, embarrassed by his impulsive behavior. "I didn't mean to do that, really."
Derrick sighed. "It's fine."
"Merlin, James! You really don't think sometimes." A small girl trotted over two him with a strong, admonishing glare in her eyes, uncanny on such a young face. A few boy's chuckled. Cynthia was always lecturing them, and despite her age, or perhaps because of it, she made them ashamed all to easily. With a sigh, she smiled suddenly. "Don't worry, though. Mum will get the stains out. She always does. Remember that mud fight we had three weeks ago, Derrick?"
Derrick grinned. "Of course I do!" Turning to James he shrugged his shoulders and feigned a look of indifference. "Yeah. My mum can get stains out, no problem. She's really good with those cleaning spells."
"James Potter! Don't make me call you again or you won't have dessert tonight!"
"I told you I'm coming, mum!" James yelled back, exasperated. "I've got to go, guys. Same thing tomorrow afternoon?"
The group brightened a bit. "Definitely!" said a red haired boy a few years older than James. "But its my turn with the cloak first, right? I mean, I didn't get to run with it today, and everyone else did…so…"
James winked. "No problem, Fabian! Bye everyone!"
"Bye!" chorused the group. The kids immediately began to reorganize. Enthusiasm wasn't as high without an invisible runner, however, and many decided to return home for dinner.
James strolled home, taking as much time as possible, resenting having to leave his friends so early. It wasn't everyday the Prewetts could play, and it was always more fun when Gideon and Fabian could play. They were older, taller, and faster. It was a tricky game, and the teams had to be unbalanced, as the runner's invisibility was a huge advantage. Seventeen to one, but the chasers had just as much difficulty as the runner, as an invisible person could hide almost anywhere on the street if it weren't for the boundaries they decided upon.
James began to hum, and then burst into song when he entered the house, slamming the door behind him. He exaggerated the vowels and consonants, imitating his mother's favorite vocalist, Cassandra Warbeck. His horrible singing voice only added to the mockery.
"A cauldron of luuuuuurve! For my sweetest daaaaaaaarliiiing!"
Mrs. Potter appeared in the kitchen doorway, broom in hand. "Very funny, young man! Now, up to your room! Scoot! I want it clean by dinner time, do you hear?" And with that, she paddled him with the brush-end of the broom, sending him galloping up the stairs, snickering madly.
The house was decorated Victorian style, but not stuffy in the least. There was a fine family portrait of both Mr. and Mrs. Potter's relatives, dating ten years back. And, of course, numerous photographs of James when he was a baby, all gurgling and laughing with baby-glee as he walked past. A few even waved their little palms playfully. He just ignored them, however, particularly the one of him bathing at the age of two, decked out in nothing save his birthday suit. Ugh. Parents.
At last James reached his room. A squawk greeted him as he swung the door open, its base hitting into random items that littered the floor. Carefully treading along the floor so as not to step on any of his possessions, James tip-toed over to his bed. He had almost made it, having managed to navigate around his broomstick maintenance kit, game of exploding snap, and miniature toy Quidditch field, when he heard a crunch. Groaning, James bent down and delicately swept the glass shards of a broken Remembrall into his palm, wincing a bit when he accidentally pricked himself.
He stuck the bleeding finger in his mouth and flopped down on his bed, irritated. Why couldn't she just clean his room for him like she used to? After all, mum could use magic. She wasn't under aged. It would take a mere second, really. Until this year, she'd always just done it for him. Why the change of heart now? It probably had something to do with his going to Hogwarts that fall. She felt he needed to learn to be a bit self sufficient before leaving home. Parents.
Admittedly, he'd led a fairly pampered childhood. An only child, and raised by doting parents, it was no wonder he hated doing his chores. Not that anyone who'd always done them enjoyed them any more than he, but he suspected it was easier for them to accept it and just do the work. How would he ever get his homework done at school? Procrastination. The one word he heard far too often. Procrastination.
Rolling his eyes, he reached for Quidditch Through the Ages and lazily flipped through the pages, humming again. He'd clean his room tomorrow. Knowing mum, she'd let him get away with it. And he'd gotten his letter of acceptance from Hogwarts! At Hogwarts, he would never have to clean his dormitory. Ever. And with that thought, he abandoned all his worries, few that they were, and immersed himself in his book.
Author's Note:
This chapter was re-edited after a very thoughtful review from SiriusBlackTheMarauder, noting my error on house elves, and how they aren't hired, they are passed down through the generations. EEP! Well, I'm glad someone caught me. Thanks! If anyone else catches an error in a recent chapter, PLEASE let me know and I will really appreciate it:)