Midnight Snack *

[HUNTER O'BRIEN]

It wasn’t unusual for Hunter to lose track of time when he was in the library working. Sixth year had brought about a whole new set of challenges that required his undivided attention, meaning that he needed to dive head first into his studies as soon as the start of term feast had reached its conclusion. The professors wasted no time in assigning massive amounts of homework, intent to determine which students had continued their studies over the course of the summer and which had not. Fortunately for Hunter, he had been diligent enough to have himself marked as a model student and thus avoided the “looks” that the professors had given most of the others.

But after his final class of the day, he had hurried along to the library in order to get a jump start on his homework for Charms class. He’d taken up a table near the back so as to avoid as much human interaction and distraction as possible, surrounding himself with books before he began to take notes. His hands were quickly speckled with ink as he scribbled away, tongue sticking out of his mouth a little in the midst of his focus. The sooner he got these done, the sooner he could focus on Herbology, he thought to himself.

Yet the young Hufflepuff was so wrapped up in his notes and his books that he failed to notice the passage of time. Daylight gave way to candlelight, and the other students in the library slowly began to make their way to the Great Hall for dinner. Little by little the library fell into a stillness that only seemed to encourage the boy to continue on as he was.

...until he lifted his head to realize that there was no one else around.

Frowning, Hunter looked around him. Sure enough, there wasn’t another soul in sight! He had somehow managed to wind up completely alone in the library, avoiding even the gaze of the librarian before she had headed out for dinner too! The trouble now was that as he glanced at his watch and realized the time, he knew that dinner was going to be long over. And his stomach was suddenly none too pleased with him for having skipped a meal.

”Alright, alright,” he muttered at his stomach as it growled. Hunter quickly began to close his books and pile them into his bag once more, trying not to smudge the pages with the little blots of ink that now littered his hands. He was going to have to wash them before he ate anything. But if the dinner hour was over…

The Hufflepuff cursed softly under his breath. The only other solution was to go down to the kitchens and ask the house elves for something to eat. Not that any of them would mind. As soon as he set foot through the portrait hole they were going to be all over him, literally tripping over one another in order to bring him food and drink until he was stuffed and ready to throw up. They-...they were nice enough creatures. But every time he had to go down there to get something to eat, he suddenly became the most interesting and important person in the entire room. And Hunter hated that. But going without food was not an option, as his stomach was very clear about.

Groaning softly, the lad swung his bag over his shoulder and headed out of the library for the portrait that he needed. Students weren’t supposed to know how to get in, but it was almost a tradition now. Almost everyone had an idea of how to get into the kitchens, or at least had a friend who could help sneak them food at any other point of the day. The real trick was in making sure you didn’t get caught by a professor or prefect as they wandered the halls on patrol.

Dark eyes darted anxiously around him to ensure that he wasn’t being watched. And as soon as he thought he was safe, he headed down the stairs. Within minutes he was outside the portrait, reaching out to tickle the pear in the fruit bowl. And with a small giggle, it swung open to grant him access to the kitchens...and the hundreds of house elves who immediately turned their heads to see who had entered their domain.

”Oh! Master O’Brien!” squeaked one as it hurriedly scampered in his direction.

Hunter’s shoulders rose awkwardly. ”Hi Dizzy….I missed dinner. And I was wondering if maybe-....”

”Are you hungry?!” the house elf quickly asked! ”Dizzy will get you food! Lots of food! And drink!”

Hunter groaned again, turtling further. This was exactly the sort of thing he had wanted to avoid. As soon as Dizzy had turned to get him things, the other house elves were either trying to help or ushering him to a seat in front of the roaring fireplace that kept the kitchens toasty warm. And despite his protests as they helped him onto a stool, they seemed rather oblivious to his discomfort. Wonderful, the boy thought to himself. Just wonderful...

WORD COUNT: 868
TAGGED: OPEN
NOTES: --