Freaks: Year Two

A Name

Referenced abuse and referenced infant loss.

It was eleven at night when Jasper took a trip to the kitchens.

There was something he needed to do.

He knew if anyone were to find out about what he was planning and if they ever found out the reason for it they would think one, how sad it was or two, think that it was sort of pointless.

And maybe it was pointless, but Jasper wanted to do something today. He wanted to do something for his brother that never made it past two weeks.

He exited the Hufflepuff common room, looking both ways before creeping down the long corridor, touching the stone walls until he reached the painting of the fruit bowl. He looked again to ensure Filch or Mrs Norris wasn't around before whispering, "Lumos," and tickling the pear and it giggled and fell out of the fruit bowl much to his amazement even though he had seen it once before and the portrait opened and he walked in shutting it behind him, enclosing himself in complete darkness except for the wandlight.

He started to walk along the kitchens, but before he could even get to the cupboards a voice stopped him in his tracks.

"WHO GOES THERE?!" a voice squeaked and Jasper quickly whispered, "Nox," leaving himself in complete darkness not even remembering that house elves magic was a lot more impressive than a wizards' magic ever could be and with a snap of a finger all the lights were on and blinked in surprise.

"What are you doing here mister?" a familiar voice asked and once his eyes adjusted he realised it was Jumpy the house elf. "Yous not allows here. Not after foods fights. You is BANNED!"

"You...still remember that, huh?" Jasper said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck remembering how just last year he and the other Hufflepuffs from his year had been banned from the kitchens by Jumpy due to starting a food fight when making a cake for Harry's birthday. Now he was back. Breaking in.

This is just what you want to do to win back Jumpy, huh? Jasper thought he was such an idiot and he realised it was becoming a common thought.

"It is late for yous to be in here," Jumpy continued. "Yous be sleeping, no?"

"No, sorry," Jasper said with a sigh. "I just...I should have asked first. Sorry. I was wondering if I could bake something. I promise all the ingredients will stay where they should stay. No messes this time."

Jumpy didn't look convinced and Jasper couldn't blame her.

"I promise," Jasper said again.

Jumpy approached Jasper closer this time and stared at him to the point that Jasper was wondering if she was going to try to explode him with her mind when she said, "Yous okays mister?"

"What?" he asked, surprised. "I'm - I'm fine."

"Tears means sad. You is sad?" Jumpy asked her wide bulbous eyes now concerned.

"I'm not sad," Jasper lied wondering how a house elf could see through him. He had been in the kitchen for less than five minutes, but Jumpy somehow knew he was upset. And tears? What did she mean by tears? He wasn't crying–

His right hand instinctively touched his cheeks and he felt them.

Oh, well that's just great, Jasper thought, quickly rubbing his hands over his face and taking a breath before speaking again, "Sorry. Don't know why. Allergies, I think."

"I dos not thinks sos," Jumpy said and she signalled him over to one of the cupboards and he slowly walked over and she opened it, pulling out a recipe book. "Heres yous ares sirs," she said holding it up. "Whats you making?"