Marauders Year 1: Rule the School

Chapter 7: Moony, Herbology

Mandrakes really are horrible bastards. They seem a little too bellicose for my liking but neither Sirius nor James seem to be having any scruples about the bloody plants while re-planting them. They're laughing and rebounding off each other and I can already tell that they'll be the best of friends. Brothers, more like. 

There was a shout. 

Darn, what had those boys gotten themselves into?

When I turned around, I came to a most comical sight. 

Sirius was standing atop James's shoulders flaunting what must have been the biggest mandrake at Hogwarts. They had been running about giving the others a scare but now the mandrake had attached itself to the ceiling so Sirius had pulled James's leg till they both crashed to the ground. Yet, the mandrake was still up there, howling out its fury and squat Professor Sprout was making failed attempts at getting it down. 

I rolled my eyes and send a simple detachment charm up there. It did not have the expected effect. The mandrake crashed down and now sat howling upon a very, very, very angry Professor Sprout. The thump that the mandrake had made when it fell shattered all the pots and now every single other mandrake was yelling at the top of its lungs. Sprout was struggling to heave the mandrake off of herself and was screaming above all the chaos for someone to help her. Unfortunately, the other students were too busy scrambling over one another to get to the doors and Sirius and James were clutching their sides, howling with laughter. 

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose before heading over to the two rascals. 

          "Didja see her face, Jamie! It was priceless!" Sirius howls. 

James is laughing hysterically. 

          "Honestly, you two! Do you realize you vandalized what is currently school property?!"

I said in a scandalized voice. 

          "To be fair, Remmy, it was you who pulled the mandrake off the ceiling," James manages through giggles. 

I scowl. 

          "Well, I wasn't trying to."

We're silent for a minute, letting the dust settle and soon we can hear voices floating up over the hill. It's Sprout with McGonagall striding hot on her heels. 

I turn to whisper-shout at James, 

          "We're going to get caught!"

He just grins mischievously and from his bag, he pulls out an shimmering, iridescent cloak. 

         "Get under here my fellow Marauders," he says and pulls the cloak over himself and Sirius. Instantly, they both disappear from sight and then, James's head pops up out of nowhere. 

         "You've got and invisibility cloak?!" Sirius gasps. 

James nods. 

          "Got it from my dad. C'mon Rem, Pete. We haven't got much time. McGonagal and Sprout seem pretty close, judging by the loudness of their voices."

I drag Peter under the cloak with me and we slowly make our way to the door, making sure that our feet aren't revealed. Just as we're about to go out the door, Sirius stops us-and just in time too. McGongall sweeps into the room with a scowl on her face. 

          "A Gryffindor student did this, Pomona? Are you sure?"

           "Minerva, it was Potter and Black. They are in your house, no?"

Now, McGonagall just looks distressed. 

            "I will certainly have a talk with them this evening."

James tugs us all out. Once we are halfway to the castle, he slides the cloak off, grinning broadly. 

          "She'll definitely give us detention," Peter states miserably. 

But Sirius has a glint in his eye. 

         "Oh yes, Pete...so we gotta talk our way out it, yeah?"

Peter looks so confused and I'm betting that I do too. James, however seems to have caught on. 

          "Yeah. Remmy and Pete, don't worry your pretty little heads about it, we got a plan."