Tales from the Auror Office

"That Unfortunate Accident"

September 2012

"Hey Lupin, come sit with us!" a voice yelled out at me from across the Great Hall. It was Tyler Yates who was now standing and waving furiously in my direction from the Gryffindor table.

I smiled and waved back, making my way over. Tyler was a second year, like me, but he was seated with Nathan and Killigan, two third years whom I also knew. In between the door and the empty seat next to Tyler, several other students congratulated me for making the Hufflepuff quidditch team.

"Nice job, Teddy!" called the Ravenclaw fifth year Eliza Brownstone.

"Spectacular flying, mate!" Percival Hugh, a fellow Hufflepuff complimented.

Tyler slapped me on the back when I made it to their table. "You totally swept the competition," he remarked, smiling brightly.

I shrugged as I sat down. "More like I was just in the right place at the right time." A dish of food appeared in front of me, and I began scarfing down everything. Man, I was starving.

"Well, makes sense, considering who taught you how to fly," Killigan noted, subtly nodding at the front table where my godfather sat. He was the first to congratulate me after tryouts.

I shrugged again and mumbled, mouth full of food, "Shouldn't matter anyways. Can't we talk about something else now?" I scratched my neck nervously and looked around to see what else people might be buzzing about this evening. Next to us, a group of fourth year boys started chuckling. I followed their gazes as they all stared at the doors to the Great Hall, as if waiting for someone.

"Wotcher, Henry," I called, addressing the one in the group I knew best. Surprised, he looked over at me but relaxed once he realized it was just me.

"Hey Lupin," he replied out of courtesy. "Nice broom work today."

I thanked him then pointed at the doors. "What'cha all waiting for?"

He grinned widely and his eyes lit up. "Oh, you'll love this." He gestured for me to come closer and I leaned in before he whispered their plan. "You know how those three Slytherin girls always leave dinner first?" I nodded. "Well, tonight, we jinxed the doors so that whoever walks out of them first will get covered with paint!" The fourth years all chuckled, covering their mouths so as not to reveal their secret.

I frowned. "That's not funny, guys. You really shouldn't be pranking people – it's bad enough that Peeves is always harassing people."

When they realized my reaction, they all stopped laughing. "Chill, Lupin," the dark-haired one named Mason crooned. "It's just a harmless joke. Plus, those Slytherins are always so rude to us – why shouldn't we get them back for it?"

The others agreed. "Yeah, what's got your boxers in a twist? Wasn't your mum a huge trickster when she was at Hogwarts?"

"And your dad was friends with Sirius Black and James Potter-"

"Even Professor Potter got in trouble all the time as a student!"

They all laughed again, but now, I was clenching my fists. "What's all that gotta do with how you four are acting right now? Just because my parents were kids once doesn't mean I gotta be a punk like you!" I yelled that last part just loud enough for the others at the table to look our way. I could feel the heat rising to my face, and I was sure my hair was red now (for good measure).

While we were arguing though, I didn't notice the two Ravenclaw girls who finished eating way earlier than everyone else and were now headed towards the doors. When I saw them, panicked. Without thinking, I started running towards them.