Marauding at Hogwarts

A Trip to the Potters'

At 8:30 on the night of the 24th James Potter waited in a muggle cafe on a brightly lit street in the midst of muggle London. Number 12 Grimmauld Place was in distant view from where he sat. His eyes remained glued to the serpent shaped door knocker waiting for two shrewd-looking wizards to reveal themselves.

Mr and Mrs Black were people James knew only by sight and reputation, but if the rumours were true he did not want to be caught anywhere near their home. So James sat in his itchy muggle jeans and constricting muggle coat wanting desperately for a butterbeer but instead sipped at his bitter muggle drink. His leg bounced in anticipation as he tapped his fingers counting to 60 over and over again.

By the fifth round he saw the distant figures of Mr and Mrs Black step onto their porch step into the fluorescent Christmas lighting and quickly disappear from sight. James lurched from his seat, thanked the staff for their service, and ventured out into the blistering cold December night.

He rounded the corner into a deserted alleyway where he had hidden his brooms under his invisibility cloak. Thankfully he marked its position with a mouldy half frozen cardboard box or else he'd be there for hours trying to find it . James mounted his broom and took off flying towards number 12 Grimmauld Place. The light was already on in Sirius's window so he flew directly to it, tapped three times, and waited for no more than three seconds till Sirius opened his window.

"You're early," Sirius whispered.

"By five minutes," James answered checking his watch. "Why are we whispering?"

"I haven't checked on Kreacher yet. He might be listening outside the door." Sirius told him throwing some last minute things inside his trunk.

"Kreacher?" James asked.

"House elf." Sirius shrugged.

"What about Reg? Do we need to worry about him?" James asked with his hand on his wand.

"Nah. Mum locks us in our rooms when she goes out to make sure we don't get into anything." Sirius explained examining his door. "Even if he did break out, which is highly unlikely, he wouldn't say anything. He's not like that." Sirius poked at the door with his wand muttering different spells under his breath.

"Have you tried Alohomora?" James suggested weakly.

"Oh brilliant idea, James. I didn't think of using a spell that every first year knows." Sirius said sarcastically.

"Just trying to help, mate." James shrugged turning to look about the room. "We should get a skeleton key. You know one of those keys that can unlock any door."

"Now that is an excellent idea. We'll work on that when we get to your - wait a minute.... Got it!" Sirius exclaimed followed by several sharp clicks from his door. "I'll be back in a tick. Stay here. If Kreacher sees you, he'll call my father and we'll both be dead."

Sirius didn't wait for an answer but left James to wander around his bedroom. Sirius had pinned up red and yellow (very close to gold) blankets to cover the green walls. Under his bed were automobile magazines and hidden under loose floor boards were several muggle records and tapes. His desk was empty apart from some stationary with his family crest on it. His wardrobe was filled, wall to wall, with dress robes. James made a note to tease him about this later.

"Welp. Kreacher is preoccupied, it's time to go." Sirius said entering the room. He picked up his travelling cloak and threw it over his shoulders. He grabbed his trunk and cast a disillusionment charm under his bed and sealed the loose floor boards. James handed him his extra broom and they marched over to the window.

"Wait!" James gasped. "Did you pack the book?"

"No. I gave it to my father to take to the Malfoy's for a wedding gift." Sirius rolled his eyes.