Lucia, Scorpius, Jasper, and I were waiting for Albus and Jade to show up for the meeting.
It may have been the excitement of adding a member to our group but I was growing rather impatient. Ten minutes after the meeting time, Albus finally entered with Jade trailing behind him.
"Get caught under the enchanted mistletoe?" I teased.
Albus turned a bright shade of red while Jade's mouth hung open.
The rest of the group laughed at their embarrassment.
"Now that you guys are here we can start," I announced.
Albus and Jade quickly took a seat on the blue and gray striped couch.
I chanted a spell and informed Jade that it was a magical contract and if she ever told anyone what happened her hair color would be purple with orange polka dots and she would speak in a high pitched voice. The spells effects would last two months.
Jaded slowly stated, "I understand. So what is it that you guys do?"
"We are the Masked Marauder group and pledge to cause mischief," I informed.
Jade's eyes lit with understanding and she replied, "I see. You caused that incident where the headmaster looked like the creature from the Blue Lagoon."
"Yes and we are offering you a chance to have in on the fun. Will you join us?" I asked.
"Yes. I think I will," Jade answered as she nodded her head.
"Alright. Now we can discuss our plans concerning Ophelia, after I fill Jade in on what has been going on," I stated.
I quickly let Jade know of what had been happening.
"Now Jasper will let us know what he has found out," I alerted everyone.
"When my dark arts class was over, I rushed towards the dining hall, but had to turn back because I forgot my wand. As I was about to open the door I heard whispers. I put on my extendable ears and found out that Ophelia and Zacharias Hummdinger are involved in the same group and there is going to be a meeting in three days at the stroke of midnight in the astronomy tower," notified Jasper.
"I suggest practicing the illusion spell and any other spells that can be used defensively. It never hurts to be prepared," I noted.
"I agree," Scorpius affirmed.
"Well let's get to it," Jasper jumped up from his chair.
Everyone else followed in line and began to practice.
It was the day of Ophelia's group meeting and Albus was visibly nervous. I considered casting a calming spell on him, but didn't want its effects to continue during our late night ambush. He'll just have to learn to deal with his nervous jitters.
I sighed. Could this day feel any longer? Ugh.
My potions class was disastrous. My potion had turned a stone into a fiery volcano instead of a calm soothing puddle. It had erupted all over the classroom. Fortunately, the worst thing the lava did was singe Elena Slopsh's perfectly coiffed hair. She cried incessantly. Professor Moriarti was livid. Lucia shook her head while Scorpius laughed.
Detention. Again. On tonight of all nights this was the last thing I needed. Hopefully it wouldn't run too long and I could join the group on later tonight.
"Nice going Rose," smirked Scorpius.
"Thanks," I said sarcastically.
"It was truly unfortunate, but I guess you will learn one day," Lucia pointed out.
"That will happen when hippogriffs can fit in the palm of my hand without the use of magic," Scorpius replied.
I punched his arm. Normally, this wouldn't have hurt him but I was a wearing a pointy ring that day. He he he.
"Ouch!" Scorpius declared.
Lucia raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"You didn't have to knife me in the arm Rose," Scorpius whined.
"If you can't take a punch from a girl then you must be a wimp," I concluded.
"If you were a girl then I would be a wimp," Scorpius shot back.
I glared at him, kicked him in the shin to distract him, and then cast the tickling jinx in his direction.
As he floundered like a fish out of water, I stepped over him.
"Please . . . stop . . . I . . . can't . . . take . . . this," Scorpius wheezed as tears fell from his eyes.
What most people don't know about Scorpius is that he is extremely ticklish. If you just move your fingers in a tickling motion in front of his face he will get very antsy. It is quite enjoyable to watch.
"Help . . . Lucia," Scorpius begged.
"You dug your own grave," Lucia reminded Scorpius.
"See you in ten minutes when the jinx wears off," I grinned as Lucia and I walked away.
Scorpius glared. Well it looked like he was constipated more than anything. Apparently, it was hard to do a proper glare when one was experiencing the tickling jinx.
As soon as class was over, I headed to Professor Moriarti's classroom. Cleaning potion instruments by hand was SO exciting. It was such a JOY. Thankfully though she let me off at 11:30 p.m., which gave me enough time to make it to the night's festivities.
I ran to the room of requirement to join the double M group.
"I thought you weren't going to make it," Lucia confessed.
"I didn't either, but here I am," I smiled.
"Heaven forbid the queen of mischief miss out," Scorpius stated as he rolled his eyes.
Ignoring him, I turned to Jasper and asked, "Did you bring the knockout bombs?"
"They are right here. I'll use them if we get into any trouble," Jasper informed.
"My mum was livid when Uncle George used it on my dad. She thought my dad died," solemnly said Albus.
"Your mum just had bad timing. If she had come in through the door fifteen seconds earlier she would have seen the bomb go off and the smoke dissipate," I replied.
"Maybe but it sure gave her a heart attack," Albus exaggerated.
"It sounds like a lot of interesting things happen in your family," Jade concluded.
"You don't even know the half of it," Albus sighed.
"It's time to go," Lucia pointed out.
With our illusion spells cast, we crept quickly and quietly to the astronomy tower. I peered at the marauder's map and found no one in the tower. We climbed to the top and waited.
Scorpius took pictures with his silent camera while Ophelia and her group drifted in the room. Some people I recognized and some I did not. Their ages and school houses varied greatly. I could not see a common thread among the group. Then the unexpected happened. My brother Hugo stepped into the room.
Sorry to leave you guys on such a cliff hanger but I'm going on holiday for all of July. I'll be back the second week in August. Sweet dreams until then!