A Not So Lonely Adventure

Chapter 4

December 20th, 1971

Maelynn stood waiting for the others to meet her in the great hall, like they had planned. Out of the blue, she started hearing incoherent yelling; confused she turned her head to the stairs and saw James and Sirius running away from a fuming McGonagall. The boys sped past her, leaving her even more confused than before.

Nashira and Remus then appeared from behind a statue, startling Maelynn.

"What did they do now?" Maelynn asked, turning to the duo. Remus shrugged his shoulders.

"They did it again," Nashira replied nonchalantly.

"Did what?" Maelynn asked, Nashira gave her the are you dumb? look. Maelynn finally understood what was happening, James and Sirius had pranked McGonagall, and now they were going to pay the price.

Maelynn turned back around, shrugged her shoulders, and grabbed her trunk. Remus along with Nashira also grabbed their trunks and dragged them toward the castle courtyard. They caught a glimpse of James and Sirius being scolded by McGonagall. Maelynn giggled at their unfortunate circumstances. . . and their terrified faces.

The group climbed onto a carriage, talking about their Christmas plans. From what Maelynn learned, Nashira was going to bake, Remus was going to prepare for the next term and Maelynn had her usually busy routine. From waking up early to feed the creatures and working until late at night cleaning cages and her home.

Not long after, James and Sirius joined them. Maelynn looked at the two boys, who were looking down at their feet.

"What happened to you two?" Maelynn asked. Remus looked up from his book, his eyes wandered to James and Sirius.

"Looks like two months detention," Remus said before going back to his reading. Maelynn laughed at her friends, wondering what they had done.

"What did you do?" Maelynn questioned Sirius's head hung low as he mumbled.

"Catnip..."

Maelynn realized what he had said and her eyes widened. She slid her book into her bag and tried to hold back laughter. She failed and burst into a fit of giggles.

"You put...catnip... on McGonagall's... desk?" Maelynn asked in a fit of laughter. Sirius and James sat down, silent for the whole ride home.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The train stopped at the platform and Maelynn was bursting with excitement. She was happy to see her grandparents after the last few months. It had felt like forever.

"IgottagoI'llseeyouallnextyear!" Maelynn said while rushing away with her belongings.

"What did you say?!" Nashira yells after her, confused.

Maelynn didn't stop to respond, her mind was focused on one thing, seeing her grandparents. Maelynn could see her grandmother's graying hair and her grandfather's blue coat.

"Grandma! Grandpa!" Maelynn said, quickly embracing them. Tina was caught off guard but hugged her granddaughter after a moment of being stunned.

"Maisie! You've grown so much!" Tina said as Maelynn pulled away from her grandmother's hug.

"I've missed you," Maelynn said. Newt put his hand on her head.

"We've missed you too. Now come. You Uncle Theseus is coming over for Christmas," Newt informed Maelynn. She grabbed her bags and then left the station with her grandparents.

Maelynn couldn't wait for Christmas.