4AM Marauder Thoughts

RBDS College Apartment

It starts with a door. A white door, with a rainbow painted on it. And a sign, saying:

'Residence of the Rose Bennett Death Squad.'

***

Number 394 in the Hollyside Apartment Block, five minutes from all the major colleges in our town, one of the largest apartments, but with thirteen girls squashed in and all contributing to the rent, we can afford it at a pinch.

The rooms are messy, artwork covering the wallpaper, and messages scribbled directly onto the walls themselves. Book drafts cover the floor, sheets of paper always at hand.

"We are all very highly intellectual and mature young people who understand society and opposing toxic social norms better than adults. We won't judge you for bullcrap"
- Maddy

The quiet room for studying and reading, never quiet, but we have times dedicated for work.

The swear jar, on the kitchen counter, nearly always full. "DOLLAR IN THE SWEAR JAR!" is shouted every ten minutes, with Abbi more often than not the one contributing to the jar.

The cork board in the hallway, filled with printed quotes and marauder headcanons we find on pinterest. Alicia's quotes take pride of place, and when she helps us motivating ourselves, we write down her amazing advice and pin that up too.

"We were built on craziness, creativity and  marauder puns" - Mel

In the bedroom, an enormous map hangs on the wall, with flags placed where we come from, where we've gone and where we want to go.

The bedroom itself is the largest room, originally meant to be a living room, but turned into a bedroom with a bit of DIY. Bunk beds, crammed together but cozy, line the walls, and curtains can be drawn between the beds for a bit of privacy, or they can be left open. Clothes are folded in boxes, favourites on hangers round the room. Hogwarts house duvets are pulled messily over pillows, and second-hand rugs cover the splintering wood floors.

"Always remember best friends are suppose to make you laugh a little bit more, cry a little less, and smile much more" - Alicia 

Maddy buys us all blue hairbrushes for Christmas. Most of us don't quite get it, but it is accepted without question. They are used as weapons, microphones, lock picks (it is an extremely long story including a locked bathroom, a dinner party and a panicking squad.

Bookshelves where there is no space for bookshelves, books in little piles on the floor, books in the bathroom and books by everyone's beds. Books where books no longer have any business to be there. A time out section for books when they get too sad or distressing. Books.

A shrine for our queen, Minerva (Minnie) McGonagall. A wall in our quiet room with her quotes, fan art, a life size picture of her, cat stickers, Gryffindor flags, and a sign in the centre saying 'All Hail Queen Minnie'.

"I always think I'm insignificant, yet I want to change the world. That's just how my mind works" - Alicia

Cute magical creatures stuffed animals everywhere, Hippogriffs and unicorns, pygmy puffs, owls and thestrals, dozens of dragons, phoenixes and even a rare three headed dog. 

An enormous patchwork quilt, bought for a bargain at a jumble sale, perfect for cuddling under while reading, and usually being shared by a few people at once.

Drawers and pegs with names, swirls and flowers painted on by the artists in the squad. Everyone knowing immediately whose drawer is whose, as the signature patterns are instantly recognisable.