Chapter three: night wanderer

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CJ

In the Gryffindor common room, the first evening back was going differently.
"Oi Oi, anyone want a game of cards?" CJ asked, throwing her pack down on the table.

"I'll play," said Talia as she walked in.
James began to throw cards down, when Josh Shea in the year above said:

"Yeah go on, deal me in, mate,"
Talia gave a small gasp. CJ knew Josh from Quidditch and because he was Ben's friend, but Talia had harboured an obsession for him as soon as she had layed eyes on him in first year.

CJ dealt another place, when her friend Raj sat down and said: "deal me in too,"
"Right! can everyone stop joining as soon as I deal out?" She shouted, throwing down four places.

"Yeah yeah, put me in there too," said Esme Parker, loosening her tie as she sat across.
"Seriously Esme? Seriously?,"
"Yeet."
"I miss my phone," said Josh as he sat down. "Oi, deal my mate Abe in, will you?"
"Are you actually-"

"Jokes, jokes," Josh assured. "Lol,"
"Ha ha, funny," CJ said sarcastically.
"I can talk to dragons," Talia blurted.
"Really?" Said Josh absentmindedly. "What are we playing?" Raj asked, cracking his knuckles.

"Exploding snap?" Esme suggested.
"Ye, that's what I was thinking," said CJ.
"Lit. Let's play,"
"Finally," CJ murmured.

"Children, children, settle down!" Interrupted Professor McGonagall, striding into the room. CJ dramatically threw her arms up into the air. Are we ever going to play? She thought.

Professor Candid wobbled in behind her, her hair and robe looking terribly unkempt as per usual.

"I'd just like to remind you that any rebellious or bad behaviour will loose you house points. As a house we have somehow developed a reputation for being troublesome . While I respect that it's all for fun, you really must buckle down this year. No late night parties of sneaking out..." she cast her eye on CJ. "And no practical jokes or dares,"

McGonagall stepped out of the room. Professor Candid took her place.
"We've got a meeting until late tonight, so if you're going to have a party, do it then. And don't leave food out like last time,"
She whispered loudly.

"Candid!" McGonagall screeched. Professor Candid grinned and strode out, reminded of her own youth at Hogwarts.
———-
"Oi!" CJ heard over the music. "CJ!" She turned to see James Sirius (in the year below. ) She came over, holding a bottle of butterbeer in her left hand and a donut in her right. James was in the year below and, like CJ, got up to a fair bit of mischief.

"Hiya," he chirped, taking a bite out of his doughnut.
"Nice summer?"
"Yeah, it was lit," he answered. "You?"
"Eh," she answered. "What is it that you want?"
"I need to borrow your map,"
"Ah, bruv, I was gonna-"

"Please, CJ! I'll let you use the cloak!" CJ groaned, and continued to groan for a couple of minutes. In fact, the groan was so long that I feel like I have to write at least a few sentences about the length of the groan. It was such a long groan that James began to tap his feet impatiently and check his wristwatch.

"Fine," she muttered. "But if you get it taken off you again, mate, I'll-"
"ThankyouCJbyefam," He said quickly before shuffling away.
—————-

That night, CJ couldn't settle.
"Stop moving around," Talia murmured, turning over in her bed.
CJ sighed, but then had an idea.
She hopped out of bed, pulling on her favourite scruffy grey hoodie and some battered trainers.

"CJ! Where are you going?" Asked Penelope Clive from across the room. "Are you seriously sneaking around on the first night?"
"No, I'm founding a company," CJ answered sarcastically, creeping out of the room.
————
CJ slid into the Slytherin common room, the dark, cold air of the dungeon following her through.
Isaac and Zodiac were playing cards in the common room.
"CJ?" Said Isaac. "Sneaking out already?"

CJ nodded. "Starting off the year right,"

"How'd you get the password?" Said Zodiac as CJ sat down on the floor by the fire.
"I have my sources," said CJ mysteriously.
"Damn, it's cold down here. Deal me in, Ise,"
Isaac began to through cards down.
"Did you guys watch the new Ariana video?" Said Zodiac.
"Yeet," said Isaac. "Ain't got no tears left to cryyyyy," he sang loudly.

"Twas dank," CJ told her. "Where's Styx?"

"Upstairs, I think. Something about a Oujia board," said Zodiac.
CJ shuddered.
"Those things gimme the heebee jeebies," said CJ.  "Hey, did we get any holiday homework?"
"Um, yes," said Isaac.
"Eh, I'll just wing it,"
"Yikes," said Zodiac.
————-
At about one in the morning, CJ started to yawn and said "I better get back to Gryffindor, fam. Lit game though,"
She stood up to go, her brother came down the stone staircase.
"Ben?"
"Ah lol! What a coinkidink," he said. "I was just here to see my mates Robbie and Charlotte,"
"Lmao Guys," said Isaac, "#siblinggoals,"
"Yeah, rip you," said Zodiac, "if McGonagall sees you going back into Gryffindor she'll have your heads,"

They managed to sneak back without being seen or heard, despite being without the map, before saying goodnight and finally going to bed.
————

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