A/N: And once again I feel bad and am a useless author and have the concentration span of a goldfish, etc etc. I wouldn't care I have plenty of idea of where I'm going with this story it's just the actually sitting down to write them I have a problem with, between Uni and other distractions… Anyway, you're not here for my excuses and all I have to say is I hope to actually update this story in future but as I keep saying this I will not promise anything as I'm annoying myself never mind you.

Also apologies for any nonsense/disjointedness in this chapter, please bear in mind that as I post this it is nearly 2am. Oh, and also I promise the next one will move on from Faiths first year (very swiftly if all goes as planned) I just seem to have problems balancing chapters in a sensible timing type way…

Anyways, as usual I don't own anything Harry Potter related, or Enid Blyton, or anything else I may have mentioned that's escaped my sleepy brain now, just Faith, so on with the story. Enjoy! :D

Chapter Four: Faith the Troll and Seamus the Monkey

Time flew by at Hogwarts in a blur of mischief, homework and exploration. Faith's first week in the castle had, as she had expected, been a good indication of how the weeks and months to follow would pass for her. It wasn't long before all of the teachers and a large number of students recognised the name Faith Higgins as one which was closely associated with the Weasley twins and any mischief or madcap schemes which were happening in the school.

People were often surprised however when they realised that this name belonged to the girl who was also best friends with Neville Longbottom, they found it difficult to believe that the small, sparky, mischievous ball of energy who could be seen darting about the school with the red-headed trouble makers was the same girl who had befriended this shy, clumsy boy. To Faith however there was nothing unusual in this friendship, Neville was her best friend, just as Dean and Seamus were, all three were very different boys, just as she was different to each of them, but this did not stop the four of them enjoying each others company and quickly becoming close friends.

With time passing swiftly it wasn't long before Halloween came around. This was a day Faith had always enjoyed as she felt that it was the one day a year that she should be allowed to get away with pulling pranks (unfortunately neither the twins mother or her own seemed to agree, and neither she suspected would the Hogwarts staff). She had been particularly looking forward to her first Halloween in the castle, sure that it would be a day to remember, she was not disappointed.

The day started early for Faith, something which she could blame on Fred. In the common room the previous afternoon he had come up with an idea to set up a jar supposedly full of treats such as biscuits and sweets but which was actually rigged to send out a shower of something such as confetti or dye powder with a large bang whenever opened. Faith had suggested a slight alteration to this plan, saying they should set up two jars, one treat and one trick because, as she had said:

"It's far too obvious it's not gonna be a treat otherwise, I mean c'mon everyone in this tower knows we're around!"

Following this conversation, George and Lee had disappeared from the common room, George up the stairs to the boys' dorm and Lee out of the portrait hole. George soon returned with two large empty Bertie Bott's jars, Lee was gone for another half hour before returning with a bag full of biscuits and other goodies (half of which would never make it into the jar as it was instead used as 'fuel' while they worked). In a couple of hours they were all ready for the following day, having enchanted one jar to 'explode' when opened, filled the other with goodies and enchanted both to shuffle themselves around after one had been opened so that no one could be sure which was which. Faith had even enlisted Dean to help her create a 'Trick or Treat?' banner to stick on the wall behind where they set up the jars. The boy's had then hidden the prank in their dorm room ready for the following morning. So, Faith was up early ready to help set the trick up and then sit back and watch their victims.

When she reached the common room the twins and Lee were just emerging from the boys staircase carrying the jars and banner. Before long they had their trick set up and the four of them settled down on sofas near the fireplace to watch. Few people were up that early and so, by the time Neville, Dean and Seamus joined them about half an hour later only a couple of people had investigated the jars.

As the morning wore on more and more people started to emerge and Faith and the boys were soon in fits of laughter watching the astonished faces of those people who received a shower of confetti and powder paint. They spent a good hour or so sat laughing at their unfortunate victims but then decided it was time to go down for breakfast.

Halloween was an even more exciting day than Faith had expected it to be, the whole castle was decked out to suit the occasion, the castle ghosts out in force and what seemed like a large proportion of the student population getting into the spirit of 'Mischief night', for once Faith and her prankster friends were not in the minority. Peeves especially was in his element and students and teachers alike had to be careful when moving about the school for fear of whatever he was dropping at that particular moment.

The school's population were happily enjoying the Halloween feast when the most exciting thing to happen that day surprised them all, an event which would eclipse even the most elaborate of Halloween practical jokes. The news came from a panicked Professor Quirrell, who burst into the room in the middle of the meal announcing as loudly as his stuttering voice would allow:

"Troll! Troll in the dungeons!"

The hall erupted in panic, some students began scurrying for the exit, others sat looking lost and still others, including Faith started chattering excitedly. When Dumbledore had managed to restore order he instructed the prefects to lead their houses back to the dorms.

The Gryffindors followed Percy and the other prefects back to Gryffindor Tower in a blur of panic and excitement. The common room was packed by the time Faith and the three first year boys, straggling towards the back of the column of Gryffindors were herded through the portrait hole by a sixth year prefect. It seemed the whole house was milling about the room, all discussing the same thing, what was a troll doing in the castle and how did it get in?

Dean, the tallest of the group managed to spot Fred, George and Lee at the far side of the room, Lee was sat in an armchair and the twins had managed to claim a sofa each by lying full length on them and refusing to move. Dean gestured towards the older boys, telling Faith "Your brothers are over there with a sofa each."

"Well we'll have to sort that won't we" she replied and with that the four first years began the slow process of pushing their way through the crowded room.

When they finally reached where the three boys were sat the twins sat up and George moved to sit next to his brother, letting the three first year boys take over the now empty sofa, with Faith plonking herself on the arm.

"Thanks" said Dean

"No problem, we like to make sure our little sister is alright when there's a monster in the castle" answered Fred.

"Our little brother on the other hand" added George.

"I'm fine" said Faith absentmindedly "and yeah, where is Ron?"

"No idea" grinned Fred "He'll be fine, so anyway, troll."

"I wonder how it got in?" said Neville, echoing the thoughts of most people in the room.

"Levitated most likely" suggested Faith, who had now stood up again and was stomping about in the small space between the sofas in which the boys were sat.

"Now that I'd like to see" chuckled Seamus.

"Maybe they're actually not as thick as people claim…" mused Lee.

Faith was still stomping back and forth, now with her arms outstretched.

"Faye, what are you doing?" asked George looking bemused.

"Being a troll" Faith stated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world "Trying to see it from his view."

"Is it a he?" asked Dean.

"I dunno, I expect you'd be in trouble if you got close enough to find out" Lee pointed out.

"True, though I think you'd be in trouble anywhere within 100 metres of it."

"Nah, not if you were above it" Fred disagreed.

"What if it throws something?" asked Seamus grinning.

"Ok, so maybe a little…"

Faith was still doing her troll impression while the boys were having this conversation.

"Er, Faith" Fred started, turning his attention away from the other boys "far be it for me to point out the flaws in your impression, but I think trolls are a lot taller than that."

Faith glared at him for a minute then climbed onto the sofa between Dean and Seamus, very nearly standing on Seamus and using Dean's head to balance herself as she climbed over him and onto the arm of the chair, where she stood with her arms stretched in front of her.

"Happy?" she asked Fred once she was balanced.

"Yup, that'll do" he grinned, while Dean grumbled something about how he definitely wasn't happy.

"Isn't the arm thing zombies?" Dean asked, craning up to look at Faith.

Faith just grunted and commenced a mock attack on him.

Dean was fighting her off when they heard a voice calling out across the room.

"Faith Higgins, what is all this commotion?" Percy's stern, bespectacled face appeared behind Neville. Faith's only reaction was to grunt again, so the twins answered for her.

"She's not Faye Perce, she's a troll" began George.

"And an aggressive one at that, so you better watch out" finished Fred.

Percy glared at them "Whatever she is she better behave or she'll be in detention" When this showed no signs of having an effect on 'the troll' he added "and reported to her mother."

'The troll' groaned at this and Fred pointed out "he's got you there sis, don't wanna annoy Mrs H."

Faith flopped forward off the arm of the sofa onto the laps of a complaining Dean, Seamus and Neville. She was soon pushed and jiggled off onto the floor, where she stayed sat leaning against Neville and Seamus' legs, while the group continued discussing the troll in a slightly less lively and more conventional fashion.

Time continued to fly at Hogwarts and soon the grounds were blanketed in a thick white coating of snow which only served to increase the magic of the place in Faith's eyes. Nevertheless by the time the Christmas holidays rolled around she was becoming sick of being pushed and thrown in snowdrifts by her brothers and best friends, who all seemed to think it was amusing to make use of her small size, lack of balance, and the mass amounts of snow whenever they could.

When the time came to leave Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays Faith was torn. As much as she wanted to see her family and partake in the usual family Christmas traditions she was going to miss the castle and her friends. This year was also going to be the first where she did not meet with the twins on Christmas day out in the snowy fields between the Burrow and the Warren to exchange gifts (they were staying at Hogwarts over the holidays while Mr and Mrs Weasley visited Charlie) and she was going to miss them and their little tradition.

Faith spent the last evening before leaving for Christmas sat with the twins and the following morning they were there to see her off from the Common Room. They exchanged gifts (all swearing they would not open them before Christmas Day), Faith hugged each of them in turn and then twins leaned in to kiss her on opposite cheeks simultaneously (a habit they had started on her ninth birthday in an attempt to embarrass her). Having said her goodbyes to the twins she was soon off to catch the train back to London with Neville, Seamus, and Dean who were all heading home for the holidays.

After a rather less exciting train journey than their last one the four first years were soon preparing to part ways for a couple of weeks.

"I'm not sure I want to go home" Faith told the others.

"What do you mean?" Neville asked "Do you not want to see your family?"

"Yeah, 'course I do, it's just, I'm gonna miss you guys."

"Aww, the little monster's going soft on us!" Seamus smirked.

Faith stuck out her tongue "Yeah, yeah. I'm a girl I'm allowed the odd sentimental moment."

"She has a point though, life at home isn't gonna be half as interesting as it is at Hogwarts" Dean pointed out "There's no ghosts, magic, crazy red headed twins…"

"Exactly, especially the last bit, I'm used to having the twins around at Christmas, its not going to be nearly as fun with just my parents and little brother."

"At least you have them" Neville countered "I've just got Gran for company…"

"Ok, point made" Faith smiled at him "We'll make sure we write, keep Sagey busy."

Neville and Dean nodded, while Seamus piped up "If writing to you means I have to deal with that evil owl, count me out."

"We've been through this, Sage is not evil" Faith scowled at him.

"Then why has he been giving me the evil eye from the luggage rack this whole journey?"

"He has not"

"Has too"

"Well you probably did something to deserve it."

"Did not"

As they continued to bicker Dean rolled his eyes and said in an undertone to Neville "They could be at this a while."

Neville nodded, replying "It's ok, I think we're nearly there."

As it turned out he was right, within quarter of an hour (and with Faith and Seamus still bickering) the train began to slow as it made approached to King's Cross Station, as it made its final approach Dean threw a chocolate frog at Seamus, succeeding in hitting him on the head and earning both his and Faith's attention.

"Ow, what was that for?" Seamus asked, rubbing his head where it had hit him.

"We're nearly at the station" Dean replied, shrugging "Thought it would be the best way to get your attention."

"Couldn't have thought of something less violent?" Seamus grumbled.

"Where's the fun in that?" Dean grinned.

Just then the train pulled up at the station with a hiss of steam and the friends prepared to part ways. They lifted all their belongings down from the luggage rack, with Seamus giving Sage's cage a wide berth, and trundled their way off the train. They stopped briefly not far from the train saying goodbye and wishing each other a Merry Christmas and Faith hugged each boy in turn, before they all set off in their own directions towards their families. Almost before Faith knew what was happening she had a small bundle of energy attached to her waist, asking her question after question without waiting for a reply, she put her arms around her little brother and looking up, smiled at her parents, happy to be going home, despite all the things and people she was going to miss.

Christmas came and went, and as much as Faith enjoyed her time at home with her family she was glad when it came time to return to Hogwarts and her friends. When term began time once again flew for Faith and soon the snow around the castle was beginning to thaw, something which Faith was very happy about, being pushed into the snow was definitely getting old now.

One rainy Saturday afternoon in early February Faith was sat curled up in an armchair in the Gryffindor Common Room, staring blankly at a book she had long since given up reading. It had something to do with goblin wars which, other than imagining hoards of Enid Blyton-esque fairy folk beating each other with sticks held no interest for her. She was supposedly working on her History of Magic homework but really could not be bothered, she was restless, she wanted to be out and about doing something but it was horrible outside and besides that all her friends seemed to have something more interesting to do, Faith however was bored.

"How can I be bored in a magical, enchanted castle" she thought "well maybe 'cause no one will play with me."

She glared in the direction of her three best friends, all engrossed in their own activities.

"If the wind changes it'll stick like that" Dean quipped after a minute or so of glaring, glancing briefly up from the game of Wizards Chess he was playing with Seamus.

"Well I'm bored!" Faith whined "What use are you lot if you won't entertain me?"

"What d'ya want us to do, dance?" asked Seamus, looking up from the chessboard and raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, that'd do" Faith grinned.

"Tough" he went back to his game.

"Aww, c'mon Shamey" she whined.

"No" Seamus scowled at her "Not when you call me that."

"So there's a chance when she doesn't?" piped up Neville curiously, looking up from the Herbology book he had previously been immersed in.

"No, and don't you start!" exclaimed Seamus.

"Oh, c'mon Seamus, you'd make a good dancing monkey!" Faith grinned mischievously.

"Yeah, you could show us your Irish Jig" Dean added with a smirk.

"What is this, pick on Seamus day?" came the grumbled response.

"You did start it when you suggested dancing to Faith" Neville pointed out "You know what she's like."

"Yup, see, all your fault" Faith was grinning from ear to ear.

Seamus rolled his eyes "Can you not go annoy your brothers?" he asked Faith.

"They're in detention. Again."

"What for?" asked Dean.

"No idea, probably something stupid since I wasn't invited to help" Faith joked.

"Pah, it was not stupid, quite ingenious in fact" Fred's voice behind Faith made her jump.

"So much so that we feared your young mind could not take it" continued George's voice.

"You're out!" Faith exclaimed excitedly, flinging her book in the general direction of the table, bouncing up in her chair (nearly toppling it in the process) and kneeling up to lean over the back of it and grin at the twins.

"Yup, and we've got something to show you" George grinned back.

"Yes, we think you're ready now" Fred added.

"Oooh, does it have legs?" Faith asked.

"…no, well, things in it do" Fred replied, looking slightly confused at the question.

"If this is Lee's bloody spider again…" Faith began, shuddering.

"Nah, far cooler than that" George assured her "Although also slightly more likely to land us in trouble."

"So all the more reason to do it" Fred grinned.

"You coming?" George asked, although by the look on his face he was already well aware of what her answer would be.

"Of course I am!" Faith exclaimed, grinning and clambering rather ungracefully out of her chair.

"Gentlemen?" Fred asked, looking in the direction of the three first year boys, who all shook their heads.

"We'll leave the trouble making to Faith for today if that's alright" Dean said.

"Who said anything about trouble making?" Fred asked, pretending to be aghast.

"We may have only been here a few months, but we're not daft" Dean pointed out "It's you three, it's bound to happen."

"Not that we're complaining if you're gonna take Faith off our hands with the annoying mood she's in" Seamus smiled at Faith to take some of the sting out of the words; she just stuck her tongue out at him.

"Ok, c'mon then Faye" Fred was already heading for the portrait hole.

The twins led Faith through the castle, through corridor after corridor and down many flights of stairs. By the time they reached the top of the main staircase which led to the Entrance Hall Faith's curiosity as to where they were going was almost unbearable. For most of the walk through the castle she had been quiet (at least in comparison to normal) but now she began to nag the twins.

"C'mon, where are we going? Tell meeeee!"

"You'll find out soon enough" was the only reply she got.

Pouting, she continued to follow them as they led her further down into the basement of the castle, close to where she knew the Hufflepuff Common Room was. The twins stopped in front of a large painting of a bowl of fruit, turning back to grin at Faith, who was looking about her in a confused manner for something significant or interesting.

"You're gonna love this" George smiled at her.

"Feeding you has always been a good way to shut you up" Fred smirked.

"Um, Freddie, dear" Faith began, in an impression of Mrs Weasley "You realise that is a painting of food, not real food right?"

"Make fun all you want, but you are going to love this" Fred guaranteed her.

With that, and with a grin still present on his face Fred turned back to the painting in front of them, reaching forward and tickling the giant pear which was painted towards the left hand edge of the painting. To Faith's surprise a doorknob appeared beneath his hand and when Fred pulled this the portrait swung open like a door. "I really shouldn't be surprised by that" Faith thought to herself "I am in a magic castle".

The twins gestured for Faith to enter first and she couldn't help but give them a suspicious look, she knew them too well.

"Don't worry" George said "We're on our best behaviour."

"That's not saying much" Faith remarked.

"Fair point, but this is a nice surprise" George smiled.

"We promise" the twins said together, each placing their hand on their heart.

Faith was still slightly suspicious, but made her way through the door nonetheless. What she saw before her made her stop and stare. The room they were in was enormous, as big as the Great Hall and laid out in much the same fashion, with the same five long tables. Around the edges of the room were heaped many pots, pans and other cooking utensils and at the far end was a huge open fireplace. Bustling all around the room were what seemed to be at least a hundred house-elves, all of whom were busy with some job or other.

"Welcome, to the Hogwarts' kitchens" Fred announced grandly, slinging one arm around Faith's shoulders as she stood looking wide eyed at the spectacle before her.

"When you close your mouth and stop staring we can get some grub" he grinned.

Faith visibly shook herself, bringing her back to her senses.

"Can we get anything we want?" she asked, beaming excitedly.

"Anything the house elves can make or find in the kitchens" George told her.

"Apple Pie and Ice Cream?"

"Yup and Yup" Fred smiled "and these lovely creatures are happy to serve anyone who comes down here, whatever time it is."

"As we may have tested" George added.

"Are we allowed to do that?" Faith asked excitedly.

"Well, no, not exactly" George admitted.

"But when has that ever stopped us before?" Fred asked.

As Faith and the twins moved forward into the room they were greeted by a number of little house-elves, all wearing matching tea-towels bearing the Hogwarts crest, who soon ran off to find the food which Faith and the boys asked for. Faith once again found herself wondering at the amazing castle in which she was to spend a good part of the next six years of her life. The twins had shown her many secret passages and strange features of the castle in her time there so far, and she had discovered others for herself, but the kitchens defiantly topped all of these in terms of interest and usefulness. It made her wonder how many other fascinating secrets the castle held for her to discover. She grinned at the prospect of exploring these secrets and determined that she would know as many as possible by the time she left Hogwarts.