Dangerously Yours - Mattheo Riddle

Nightmares

At last, the puddings too disappeared and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The Hall fell silent. 'Ahem – just a few more words now we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First-years should note that the forest in the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well.'

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins. Alora felt Astra lean closer to her, 'sounds like an invitation to me' she whispered, making Alora smirk. 

'I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.'

Alora felt Astra straighten up excitedly next to her. 

'And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death.' Alora and Astra laughed, but they were one of the few who did.

Alora looked around at everyone, her smile dropping as she realised that most of the people in the crowd werent laughing along with what she had assumed to be a joke from the headmaster. 

'He's not serious?' Alora muttered to Astra.

'Must be,' said Astra, frowning at Alora, 'everyone else seemed to take him seriously. Kinda stupid for them to have shit in a castle full of kids that can easily kill someone'

'mhmm,' Alora agreed

'And now, let us make our way to the common rooms for the night!' exclaimed Dumbledore. The Gryffindor first-years followed Percy through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall and up the marble staircase.

Alora and Astra were chattering excitedly as they admired the castle. The people in the portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed. They were getting tired and they were full. They climbed more staircases, yawning and dragging their feet, and Alora was just wondering how much further they had to go when they came to a sudden halt.

A bundle of walking sticks was floating in mid-air ahead of them and as Percy took a step towards them they started throwing themselves at him.

'Peeves,' Percy whispered to the first-years. 'A poltergeist.' He raised his voice, 'Peeves – show yourself.'

A loud, rude sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered. 'Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?' There was a pop and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks.

'Oooooooh!' he said, with an evil cackle. 'Ickle firsties! What fun!'

He swooped suddenly at them. They all ducked.

'Go away, Peeves, or the Baron'll hear about this, I mean it!' barked Percy. Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on Neville's head. They heard him zooming away, rattling coats of armour as he passed.

'You want to watch out for Peeves,' said Percy, as they set off again. 'The Bloody Baron's the only one who can control him, he won't even listen to us Prefects. Here we are.'

At the very end of the corridor hung a portrait of a very fat woman in a pink silk dress.

'Password?' she said.

'Caput Draconis,' said Percy, and the portrait swung forward to reveal a round hole in the wall. They all scrambled through it – Neville needed a leg up – and found themselves in the Gryffindor common room, a cosy, round room full of squashy armchairs.