Bellatrix

Chapter 15

Year Six.

We all gathered at Platform 9 3/4, an hour early as planned.  The plan was to mess with the first year's heads... as per usual. But this year, instead of doing it once we got to Hogwarts, we decided to do it... before.

"All right, kids, here's the plan." Moony grinned. "So, basically, We gotta make the first years think they're in some kind of... limbo world. But they've got to be apart from the rest of the people, I mean, this isn't gonna freak out anyone older, cause they've run through the barrier before. I mean, some first-years have too, but most haven't. So to make sure it's all first-years, I'll drawn a simple age line- no one under twelve can go out. But, because we don't want parents going in to help, I'll drawn another age line right next to it- no one under a hundred can cross it. But it'll only works one sided- you can cross it one way, but not the other. The first age line'll be two sided."

"Blah, blah, blah, smart stuff. Get to the fun part!" Padfoot grinned.

"Okay, so heres how we're gonna scare them- when they run into this space, they're gonna get trapped in it. They won't be able to go either way, and surrounding them- on all sides, is gonna be this... enchanted mist stuff, which will basically be charmed to look like brick. They'll think they're literally trapped in the wall, and it'll be totally hilarious."  Moony laughed.

"It better be, you lunkhead."

We began performing the spells- age lines, brick walls, the works. Then for the finish- a simple sticking charm on the ground- so the kids would think they were literally cemented into the wall.

"We are horrible people." Wormtail commented.

"That we are, Wormy, that we are." Padfoot grinned.

"The screams of outraged mothers and horrified children will condemn us." Prongs said mournfully.

"And yet, they shall also lift us up higher than we ever have been." I replied.

"Except possibly that time when Snivellus decided to-" Prongs began with a sly smile.

"That disgusting moment is unmentionable! It scarred my life and ended my childhood!" Padfoot backed away, right into Moony.

"So you don't want to see the photo I took to document the momentous occasion?" Moony pulled something out of his bag. 

"NO!" Padfoot ran away and we all laughed.

But on my arm, I could feel the twinging pain of the dark mark. Your duty is to tear them apart, not become friends with them. Careful. Careful. Careful. The Dark Lord is everywhere.

Shut up, I told it. 

-------------------------------------

The first child came through at exactly 10:45. Unfortunately, it was not a first year. 

"Marvel! Why are you here so early?" I asked. 

"I'm not that early." He defended himself, blushing a bit. 

Okay, just to clear the air- after I dated him for most of our fifth year, we decided we were not meant to be, and broke up. Still friends- there was just no chemistry between us anymore.

Unfortunately, that chemistry had been replaced by complete awkwardness. 

"What on earth are you guys doing?" He asked.

"We're... uh... hanging out." Moony fidgeted.

"Yeah, just, you know, hanging." Prongs replied.

"Yup, not like we're doing anything besides... hanging around." Padfoot agreed.