The Space Boy and The Red Head

9 - Barnyard Breakfast

Monday - 8th January 1996

The prank meant for the first night back had been delayed. The group thought it was best to wait til everyone could participate. That meant they'd rearranged it for the morning just before classes started back. The night before (which was a Sunday) the boys had set the plan in motion. Now all they needed to do was sneak into the Owlery.

"Remember code names only now. We don't want to get caught like last time" Fred said. Each boy performed a sort of Walkie-Talkie charm on their wands so they could stay in contact with each other.

A crackle came through Lees wand. Followed by a message. "Alright Scamper move into position!"

"This is Scamper to Mischief Makers, confirming I am in position. Bandit you're up next" Lee said into his wand.

Fred then stealthily made his way up to the Owlery tower, having to duck behind a wall to avoid being spotted by Filch's cat. He had to discreetly get in and check for any potential students without being seen.

"Bandit to Mischief Makers, Owlery is clear. Proceed to stage 2." He whispered into the tip of his own wand.

"This is Mopsy, initiating stage 2" George said. Being the muscles of the group he was hauling a giant bag up to the Owlery.

Now they knew the Owlery was clear Fred joined lee in playing lookout. If someone was to come along now they'd be the distraction.

Whilst George was carrying the bag, Apollo was providing cover from behind. Once they made it up the steps together George placed the bag down. Fred and Lee took guard at the door.

"Ok, this is Bandit, listen up Cosmo. Scamper has spotted Filchs cat so has gone to lead them the other way. However, I think you'll need to act fast anyway. Just incase" Fred said, keeping his eyes and ears open for any possible interruptions.

"Copy that Bandit. I'll be as quick as I can"  Apollo responded.

George began taking a letter out of the giant bag, one by one. Handing them to Apollo, who placed a charm on them before distributing them to the owls.

"Cosmo, Mopsy. We have company! Are you almost done?" Fred's panicked voice sounded through their wands.

"We need 5 more minutes!" The other twin replied.

Now rushing, George and Apollo were desperately distributing letters to owls. George was also trying to place the charm on the letters now too, but was having a slight problem with the incantation. He found himself faintly blushing as Apollo quickly offered him advice.

"Guys. Get out of there now! We have to go!" Fred yelled. They pair in the Owlery had just finished the with last letter as he had called out, then they were bolting down the steps quickly. As soon as they made it to the last step Fred seized one of both Apollo's and George's wrists, dragging them away as fast as possible.

They all breathed heavily as they slowed to a walk several corridors over from where they had been.

"Scamper went off to the kitchen to handle stage 3 after he finished leading Mrs. Norris away. We're meeting him at breakfast." Said Fred. The group began making their way to the hall. Talking amongst themselves on what foods they'd hope to eat at breakfast.

As they entered the hall Lee stood up from his chair and waved them over. The four all sat together at the table, surrounded by other Gryffindors.

"Which food is safe Lee?" The boys questioned, ready to fill up their plates.

"Anything but the Apple juice, scrambled eggs or hash-browns." Lee said as he piled his own breakfast onto his plate, "though we might want to have just a little, to avoid suspicion". The others in their group following his lead. Waiting for the chaos to begin.

It would be several minutes before the chaos would begin. Picking up a copy of the Daily Prophet from the table, the four boys read the headlines together. A mass breakout from Azkaban. Apollo felt as though one of the mugshots looked familiar, face paling when he recognised the man. He had plagued his nightmares since he was a boy.  Fenrir Greyback.

The first owl arrived, dropping its letter on the table of a 3rd year Hufflepuff, snatching the groups attention away from the newspaper. The student hadn't been quick enough to move the bowl of porridge they'd been eating so the envelope became dirtied with oats. Then the next owls trickled in, dropping off their letters to students from different houses and years. Soon every owl had made its way in. The owls, were getting in each other's way whilst trying to take a treat as payment for their delivery. This led to quarrels between the owls, beaks and talons clashing. The owls that were trying to get out were crashing into each other as they all tried to exit at once.

Then each letter broke itself free of its envelope. The sound of rustling paper filled the room. Paper began folding in on itself. The charm Apollo and George had placed was working. Little origami animals were sprouting up all over the place, some taking flight, others beginning to climb whatever they could, whilst others raced around the tables. Occasionally stealing some of the breakfast foods.

Horses, rabbits, dogs, lions, chimpanzees, cranes, sharks, and anything else you could think of. Hundreds of tiny paper animals. Everyone with their own, even the staff. Dumbledore with a phoenix, McGonagall - a cat,
Hagrid was adoring his little dragon and Snape was trying to shoo away a minute snake. Umbridge looked most upset at the fat toad that wouldn't leave her alone.

Lees main contribution to the prank was next. Everyone that had eaten the food he had tampered with that morning was now sporting some kind of feature similar to their little paper pet. Fred had a bright bushy fox tail that he kept smacking people with. Lee had his front teeth grow considerably longer and was absentmindedly storing food in his cheeks. George had floppy dog ears that he kept trying to scratch behind. Apollo was less happy with his, elongated canines, claws, and amber eyes. He thought he probably looked much like he would as he started his monthly transformation.

He had to pretend he found his appearance funny for now though. If anyone saw that he was upset they would be able to work out his secret, he told himself. Instead he laughed and joked with his friends for the rest of breakfast. Trying to ignore everything he was feeling inside.

"Y'know, you kinda suit this look" George had leaned over to whisper into Apollos ear. He found himself blushing furiously at his words.

"Thanks, I think?" He replied, a mischievous smirk on his face as he got an idea. Reaching up and petting George's head, then rubbing behind his puppy-like ears. The red head leaned into Apollos hand, closing his eyes and letting his tongue fall out his moth. As soon as he did he sat up in shock.

"Hey! That's not fair. Don't do that!" He said, feigning anger. He couldn't ever actually be mad at any of his friends. Fred and Lee were in hysterics, looking like they were about to wet themselves from laughing at George.

As breakfast ended so did the effects of the potion. Everyone returning to their usual self. The paper animals accompanied their owners everywhere, many people electing to carry them around in their robe pockets or secure them in their dorm to keep them safe in classes. The twins, Apollo and Lee had placed theirs in shoeboxes in their dormitory. They'd decorated them to accommodate their pets before they'd even carried out the plan.

A lot of the teachers were very angry and upset about the fiasco at breakfast but others were trying to hide their amusement. The stricter staff members were going to be extra miserable in classes that day.