Closed Easy Mistake

[Freddie Lagowski]

Hiding was a strong word to describe what Freddie was doing in the empty classroom. No, no, he wasn't hiding. Recuperating - yes, that was more like it. He’d managed to get himself into a mostly comfortable position at a desk in the corner, a good book in hand, legs stretched out under the table, sunlight from the lead-paned window warming his shoulder. He could have stayed there all day. Alas, nature was calling. He left his book, sweater, scarf, and a bracelet on the desk. Nobody had come into the classroom all morning; the chances of someone turning up in the five minutes he was looking for a bathroom were minuscule.

He returned a few moments later and leaned on the door. It didn’t budge. He tried the handle. Locked? Someone had locked the door? But he’d only just come out! What about his book? His sweater? It was one his best! Damn it - what kind of idiot locked a classroom without checking it was empty? He swung his foot at the wood. This was ridiculous.

 

[Vanity Mettlestone]

Sixth year felt a little different to Vanity. No OWLs looming, no annoying older brother around, she still wasn't one of the oldest students so it was pretty easy to avoid responsiblity, even as a prefect. Life was pretty good. She hadn't done very well on her OWLs and only took a few classes now, which probably wasn't good in the long run but it was enjoyable right now. It wasn't like Vanity was every going to work at the stupid Ministry or whatever, so it wasn't a great loss. She was looking for someone to hang out with, maybe Morrie or Cornelius, when she suddenly heard a thud. She looked around and frowned as she spotted a young kid, probably a firstie, kicking a door. Vanity paused in her tracks. This wasn't her business, but she was nosy. Also, she supposed that as a prefect it was her business, in a way. She shouldn't let someone destroy school property, or whatever. Even if the kid didn't look like he could make a dent in the door even if they gave him a year to do it. "Hey, kid. What did that door ever do to you?" She called over.

 

[Freddie Lagowski]

Freddie turned, prepared to defend himself, or at least to let loose some coarse remark. By the skin of his teeth he managed to contain it. "It locked on me," he said. "Someone locked it. My stuff's in there." He shouldered the door again, just in case he hadn't given it enough force the first time, but it was definitely sealed. Someone had probably done it on purpose. They'd seen him come out and thought it'd be hilarious to lock the door behind him. Maybe they were still lurking about now, watching, laughing at him. If he found out who...

Wait - where had this girl been while he was in the bathroom? She could have done it. All right, she was wearing a prefect badge, but that didn't prove anything. It wasn't even pinned on straight.

Freddie shook his head. He was getting worked up over nothing again. "Just open it," he said. No 'please'. He was half-waiting for her to figure out he'd been hiding - sorry, recuperating - and being quiet and courteous didn't seem like it would build him a good defence.

(Badge godmod approved)