Singing Prankster| James Potter

Niffler Trouble

(Oct. 7, 1974, Monday)

The next day I woke up feeling pretty good. I go to the Great Hall looking for Isabella and Amber. I find them sitting at the Slytherin table today. I make my way over to them, feeling a bit nervous as I approach. I've heard about the rivalry between Slytherin and Gryffindors, so I feel a bit out of place here.

"Hey," I say as I slide into the seat beside Isabella. "What's up?"

"Not much," Isabella replies with a smile. "Just enjoying some breakfast."I nod, looking around the table at the other Slytherins. Some give me curious looks, but most are too busy chatting with their friends to pay me much attention.

I notice to the right of Amber sitting there is Regulus Black a Slytherin who I have seen around the school. He's always had a certain air of mystique around him, and I know that he is the brother of my new friend Sirius Black.

"Hey Regulus," Isabella says, noticing the direction of my gaze. "This is our best friend, Elle."

Regulus turns to me and smiles, his grey eyes lighting up. "Hello," he says, his voice low and smooth. The rest of breakfast passes in a blur as we discuss what classes we have for the day. I've come to find that Regualas is actually quite nice and funny. Sadly I have no classes with him since he is a year younger than me. But made promises to hang out during the free periods we have together.

As we make our way to the first class of the day. I glance at Amber and Isabella, who are chatting away. I start to get a bit sentimental while I watch them. They've always been my pillars of strength, my constants in a world that's always changing. I'm so glad that they have joined me in this new adventure this school will bring to us. In my own world not paying attention to my surroundings, I'm suddenly picked up. Just to notice that it's James Potter with the rest of the guys following. I grow fond of the new and old people I surround myself with. Happy to see my best friends getting along with the Marauders that I now consider my friends. And today, as we sit through an hour of Transfiguration with Minnie, I'm reminded of why I love being around them. They're fun and they never fail to make me laugh.

When class is over, Isabella turns to us and grins. "So, what's next?"

"Well, I have a free period," Isabella says. "I was thinking of going to the library." Amber rolls her eyes. "Typical," she mutters, and I giggle. "I go with you, I guess," Amber says, a little bummed from the lack of excitement. Peter squeaks out that he'll also go with them.

"Well, I have Care of Magical Creatures with James, Sirius, and Remus," I say, looking at my friends. "But I'll meet you guys at lunch?"

"Sounds good to me," Isabella beams at me. Waving bye, with the promise to meet later.

When the Marauders and I arrived at class, Professor Kettleburn was already waiting for us. As we settled in, he began his lesson on Niffler. My attention was immediately captured. I love these adorable yet mischievous little creatures so much.

Their black fur, long snouts, and webbed feet make them the perfect burrowing creature, always in search of something shiny. They are great at locating hidden treasures and coins. But as cute as they are, they are also dangerous. Their sharp claws and tendency to become violent when their findings are taken away, make them quite a handful.

As Kettleburn spoke, I couldn't help but daydream about having a Niffler of my own. The thought of going on treasure hunts with my little buddy brought a smile to my face. Suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by James, who had a mischievous look on his face.

"Hey El, what do you think? Do you reckon we could sneak one of these guys out of class and keep it as a pet?" James and I were partnered to observe the Niffler in front of us. While Remus and Sirius were partnered behind us.

I scoffed. "As much as I would love that, I don't think that would be very responsible."

But then start to laugh, when I realize the Niffler got ahold of James' watch from his wrist. And tried to run away with the watch now in the Nifflers pouch. Once my laughter dies down, I grab ahold of the Niffler before it can get too far from us. And switch the watch with something else just as shiny for the little guy.

Just for me to start laughing again once I notice Sirius struggling with his Niffler and Remus trying to calm Sirius down.

"That pesky little beast just lifted my lighter!" Sirius shouted in disbelief, chasing after the Niffler. But it wriggled out of his grasp and scurried away before he could get to it. Sirius was quick to run after the animal, with Remus close behind, trying to reason with him not to follow it. James couldn't resist getting involved, and so joined in the chase. 

I just keep laughing at the struggling boys while still having a hold of my Niffler. As I watch the chaos unfold, I can't help but feel amused by the Niffler's mischievous ways. I decide to join in on the fun and chase after the little guy. First putting down my Niffler, I start to weave through tables and chairs, the Niffler leading us on a wild goose chase.

Just as I thought I had caught up with him, the Niffler turned a sharp corner and disappeared from sight. I followed the sound of a clanging noise, only to find the little guy in a heap of shiny objects, his pouch overflowing with treasure. I reach out to take the lighter from him, but before I could do so, he drops it on the ground and darts away once again.

Chuckling to myself, I pick up the lighter and pass it to Sirius. In the end, you can't stay mad at the little Niffler. After all, he did bring some excitement and laughter into our day.

As the lesson came to an end, Kettleburn spoke to the class. "Now, I want you all to know that Nifflers are not meant to be kept as pets. They belong in their natural habitat, which is deep in the ground where they can burrow and find treasures." As the boys and I walk out of class, I couldn't shake off the idea of having my own Niffler. Maybe it was because of my love for all magical creatures. But whatever the reason, I couldn't let go of the idea. Maybe someday, I'll have my own little Niffler, but until then, I'll settle with the memories from Professor Kettleburn's class.