I felt a rush of adrenaline as I neared where the still form lay. I heartily laughed. Jasper's body lay in a fresh pile of anguis dodo manure. I chanted the reverse spell, Rennervate.
Jasper moaned as I stated triumphantly, "Serves you right."
"This just proves that you can't be trusted and what is this horrible smell?" Jasper spat.
"Feces from the anguis dodo, which means we are close to where they are nesting," I answered.
"Ugh. I'm going to have to bathe for months to get rid of this smell," Jasper said disgustedly.
"Stop being such a drama king. Are you coming or not?" I asked hoping he'd turn me down.
"Of course I'm coming. I don't want you to stupefy me again. Who knows what I'll end up falling in next time," Jasper responded as he scraped off what he could of the dodo's doo doo.
"Okay. Stupefy anything that moves. It's best to ask questions later," I commanded as Jasper stood up.
"I'm ready oh bossy one," replied Jasper as he saluted.
We reached the edge of Black Lake and I began to scan the brush with my wand. Once I had located the flock, my wand emitted a blinking purple light.
"Alright. Help me put this peanut butter in a pile on the ground," I stated as I handed Jasper the spoon.
"Okay, but it seems like such a waste of food," Jasper replied.
"If you listened in class you would realize that the anguis dodo is particularly fond of nuts and peanut butter happens to have a stronger scent," I informed.
"I only took care of magical creatures my first year and that was ages ago," Jasper shrugged.
"We're in luck. The wind is blowing in the direction toward the flock," I smiled.
Hiding behind a huge rock, Jasper and I waited with our wands ready. Soon the birds had arrived and started licking the peanut butter. "Stupefy!" we both cried.
When no more birds showed up, we levitated the flock into the empty cage located outside Hagrid Jr.'s hut. After quietly shutting the cage door, I left a magical note tied to it. It read: You are welcome. ~The Masked Marauder.
After I made Jasper swear he would tell no one what occurred that night, we headed back towards the library window.
"What should I tell Hugo and Albus?" Jasper asked."
"Tell them you were out romancing a lady friend," I suggested.
"Smelling like this? I think not," Jasper said.
"You could always tell them it didn't turn out how you expected," I urged.
"Sure. Why not. That way we can all have a good laugh," Jasper concluded as he walked toward the Gryffindor common room.
After I gave the password to enter into the Slytherin common room, I sat down in a nearby chair. Due to it being so late in the night, it was quiet. I relished in the stillness while I could because I knew what awaited me up in my room. Snores from the spontaneous combustion bear known as Lucia. She may look dainty but she sounded like a jet engine when she snored. Hmm. I probably could cast silencio on her, but I didn't want any retribution for doing that.
I'll have to look for another kind of spell. Maybe I should ask James. That or buy the most amazing earplugs available.
The next morning at breakfast, Headmaster Strumpet announced all the anguis dodos had been caught. He had failed to mention the Masked Marauder, which irked me. I guess it was time for the Masked Marauder to make an appearance in front of all the students.
First stop, Albus Potter. I needed the Marauders' map and he would be the most likely Potter to crack.
After classes, I headed up to the Gryffindor's common room and waited outside for anyone I knew.
"What sort of mischief are you trying to get into?" asked Jasper as he came up the steps.
"None. Just want a visit with family. After all they never come to see me," I said as I shrugged.
"Fine. Follow me," Jasper replied after he said the password allowing him entry into the Gryffindor common room.
"I found the black sheep wandering out in the hallway," Jasper stated as he sat next to Hugo.
"Black sheep is right. I bet dad's eyes nearly exploded out of his head when he heard," commented Hugo.
That's my annoyingly smart brother. So smart and talented in magic that the Hogwart's headmaster let him in a year early. I'm sure it didn't hurt that our parents were part of the golden trio either.
"Dad always overreacts. It's not the end of the world," I stated as I rolled my eyes, which I tended to do when my parents were involved.
"Possibly," Hugo concluded.
"Anyway where is Albus?" I wondered.
"Ah. He has an extra long quidditch practice today. Wants to beat Uncle Harry's seeker record and if you want my opinion he might actually do that," informed Hugo.
"I wouldn't doubt it. He's the best seeker I've seen," agreed Jasper.
My eyes glazed over as they went on comparing the quidditch teams of the different houses.
"I see that you find this subject enthralling, Rose," Hugo said as he stood up.
"Quidditch is the best sport ever," I sarcastically remarked.
"No matter. I will not bore you with wonderful facts of the splendid sport. I am headed to the library to do research on my charms paper," Hugo stated as he went to the door.
"Goodbye mate," said Jasper.
Hugo paused at the door and turned and said, "I sometimes wonder how we can be related Rose." He walked out the door and did not wait for me to reply, which was probably a good thing because I would have ripped him a good one.
"Brothers," I huffed.
" I agree with him though. You aren't nearly as dull as him, but don't tell anyone I said that," concluded Jasper.
"Ha ha. I won't. It is nice to have someone on my side for a change," I confessed.
"I like learning as much as the next guy but I'm not going to turn into a library mole," admitted Jasper.
We both bust up laughing at the image of Hugo as a mole reading books in the library.
"Want to play a game of wizard's chess?" invited Jasper.
"If by wizard's chess you mean checkers then I'm in," I responded.
"Alright, but you better not cheat," stated Jasper.
"I never cheat. I win by using underhanded ways," I jested.
It was dark outside by the time we finished our fifth game. Unfortunately, Jasper had won three out of five games.
"Well I better head back. I've got care of magical creatures in the morning and I'll need as much rest as I can get to handle what happens in that class," I mentioned.
"Okay," stated Jasper as he started putting the checker pieces away.
"Would you let Albus know I'm looking for him?" I asked.
"Sure. Just as long as you let me know if you see the Masked Marauder. I'm his biggest fan," smiled Jasper.
"You don't find the Masked Marauder. He finds you," I answered as I headed out the door.
It had been a week and a half before Albus found me.
"I am so sorry I didn't catch you sooner," apologized Albus.
"You know there are things called owls. You write a note and then the owl will deliver it to the recipient," I emphasized.
"I know. I just got caught up in quidditch," Albus admitted.
"Are you sure it was quidditch and not the raven haired hufflepuff, Esmerelda Smith?" I teased.
Albus then proceeded to turn a very bright red. "H- h- how do you know that?" stuttered Albus.
"Oh a little bird told me," I smiled.
"Well you can tell that bird to mind its own business," Albus declared.
"That little bird wouldn't listen. Anyway, do you remember the stories that your father and my parents told us about when they attended Hogwarts?" I asked.
"Yeah. What of it?" wondered Albus.
"I was just wondering if your dad still used the invisibility cloak," I stated.
"Oh yeah. He takes that with him on some of his Auror assignments.
"So he probably doesn't use the Marauder's Map as it isn't very helpful to him, right?" I concluded.
"True," agreed Albus.
"So he wouldn't mind if I borrowed the map during my stay at Hogwarts?" I questioned.
"Now wait a minute. I am not giving it to you," Albus glared at me.
"I'm just asking to borrow it or do you want your dad and mum to find out that you drank fire whiskey last month on a dare," I stated.
"You have no proof," sneered Albus.
"Then what is this?" I said as I waved the photo in his face.
"Y- y- you are blackmailing me!" Albus cried.
"Yes. You gave me no choice," I said as I shook my head.
"Fine, but if I get caught you are going down with me," Albus declared.
"Whatever. Just figure out how you are going to get it and I'll help," I offered.
"Of course you are going to help. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be doing this in the first place," noted Albus.
"Owl me when you figure it out," I demanded.
"I will," Albus said dejectedly as he slumped away.
I really hated having to resort to blackmail, but the ends justified the means, right? Now the real planning started. How to announce the Masked Marauder in the biggest way possible. Easy. In Hogwarts meeting hall. Oh what wonderful surprises would be in store for my fellow students.