The Marauders Begin (I)

The Slytherin Compartment

September 1, 1971

The Slytherins set their bags down in their compartment and make themselves comfortable on the seats.

ANDROMEDA: So, Lucius. Cissy and I are under very strict instructions to assist you in any way we can.

NARCISSA: Yeah, you're gonna need to fill us in on this cabinet business of yours.

ANDREW: What's this about?

ANDROMEDA: Bella wants Lucius to set up a black market to deal merchandise from Borgin and Burkes to students at Hogwarts.

NARCISSA: And he wants to find some sort of missing cabinet that will form a magic passageway between the school and the shop.

ANDREW: Wow. Sounds interesting.

LUCIUS: But nothing is going to happen if we can't find the cabinet in the first place. Borgin said the caretaker confiscated it years back, and I haven't the faintest clue where to start looking for it.

ANDREW: Well, we're prefects, so we might be able to get away looking for this thing at night.

ANDROMEDA: Oh, yeah. Sorry, Cissy.

NARCISSA glances at her sister, then locks eyes with ANDREW, who smiles at her.

ANDREW: I think it's time to tell her, Narcissa.

ANDROMEDA: Tell me what?

NARCISSA pauses, then reaches into her bag and pulls out her Prefect badge, smiling slightly.

ANDROMEDA: (gasping) When did you get that?

LUCIUS: They did give it to you!

NARCISSA: When they sent the booklists in July.

ANDROMEDA: Why didn't you tell me? This is amazing!

NARCISSA: I didn't want to brag or anything- there's a lot going on-

ANDROMEDA: Are you joking? We're gonna be Prefects together! (She gets up and hugs NARCISSA; ANDREW smiles).

ANDROMEDA: But wait a minute. This means... all of us are Slytherin prefects! Awesome! We're gonna rule this school. (She steps over to her trunk, opens it, and begins rummaging through it).

NARCISSA: What about the sixth-year prefects?

ANDROMEDA: Those two are dorks. Don't even bother with them. Remember last year? They took away so many points from Slytherin, we came in dead last for the House Cup. Ah, here it is! (She takes out a bottle of firewhiskey).

ANDREW: Whoa, Andromeda.

ANDROMEDA: I was saving it for tonight, but I think this is a bigger occasion.

LUCIUS: Is this really the best idea?

ANDROMEDA: Yeah, I bet starting an illegal black market at school is a much better idea. (She conjures four glasses from thin air and passes them out). Come on, we're celebrating! (The bottle begins to pour itself, and the four begin to drink).

NARCISSA: (to LUCIUS) So what's gonna be our first action as Prefects?

LUCIUS: I don't know. I really want to take some points from those idiots in Gryffindor, but we can only take points from our own House. That's such a stupid rule.

ANDROMEDA: Andrew. What are we thinking for this year?

ANDREW: I was thinking we could take it easy this year. I mean, the sixth-year prefects can take over the discipling for the entire school, if they wanted, not to mention the Head Girl-

As if on cue, they hear DOLORES UMBRIDGE'S strict voice outside the compartment. Quickly, ANDROMEDA whips out her wand and vanishes the firewhiskey and glasses. The compartment door opens up, and DOLORES enters.

DOLORES: (to NARCISSA and LUCIUS) Ah, there you two are. Just a reminder that you should be patrolling the corridors frequently. You will also need to escort the first-year Slytherins to our common room this evening.

ANDROMEDA: (overly enthusiastic) Well, hello there, Dolores. How was your summer?

DOLORES: (with a fake simper) It was just fine. How are you, Andromeda?

ANDROMEDA: Oh, well. I'm not Head Girl, so I guess my life is no longer worth living. I basically cry myself to sleep every night. (ANDREW lets out a small laugh).

DOLORES: Well. I can't say I was surprised to get the letter. I think we all knew that you weren't leadership-material, Andromeda.

ANDROMEDA: (returning her fake simper) How is your brother, Dolores? Is he fitting in well in the Muggle world?

DOLORES: (angrily) That's enough.

ANDROMEDA: (grabs NARCISSA by the shoulders and hoists her to her feet) Did you hear my sister was made Prefect?

DOLORES: Yes. That was why I entered this compartment.

ANDROMEDA: (turning to the others) Say, I wonder. What do you guys think is better? A family with two Prefects, or a family with one Head Girl and- a Squib?

DOLORES: (furiously) Shut your mouth, Andromeda! I told you never to bring my family into discussions with me!

ANDROMEDA: That's a shame.

DOLORES: You're one to talk, you know! Running around with that Hufflepuff Mudblood, Ted Tonks, half the time? How do you explain that?

ANDROMEDA considers DOLORES for a moment, then bends down and kisses ANDREW, much to his surprise as well as to NARCISSA and LUCIUS.

ANDROMEDA: (standing back up) It doesn't seem like you know me as well as you thought you did, Dolores.

DOLORES: You listen to me, Andromeda. You've messed up a lot of things in this school before, but you are not causing any trouble this year! Not while I'm in charge! And that goes for all of you. Now, get into your robes before we arrive. And don't embarrass me at the feast tonight! (She leaves the compartment and slams the door shut).

ANDROMEDA: God, she is gonna be a nightmare this year.

LUCIUS: We'll be able to sneak around her if we need to. There's four of us and one of her. And besides, if anything happens, we can just blame it on her.

ANDROMEDA: Whatever. I'm not taking any of her rubbish this year.

ANDREW: (looking out the window) I can see the castle. We better change.

ANDROMEDA: Not without one more shot!

ANDROMEDA conjures back the firewhiskey and glasses, and together the four take one last drink before the school year begins, laughing and donning their uniforms.