HP: In The Magical World As a An Extra [ Chapter 53 ] (Patreon)
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"We need to keep to the shadows, for now, the old man is both magically and politically powerful, taking him head on and out in the open would be foolish'.
'Then doing so when he is away from the castle would be our best opportunity, and for a time when he won't be back, so as to give you time to ask your questions and have the hat returned.'
'I recall you mentioning two times soon that we could do so, once at the end of this year and the other near the end of second year, I could retrieve the hat either time.' Erebus reasoned.
I thought over the two times and frowned, 'The opportunity at the end of this year would be best, the one when he's supposedly travelling to the ministry for an emergency matter when Quirrell makes his move on the philosopher stone, but something's troubling me about that....'
'We need to make sure he's really gone, and I can think of only one way to do that.'
'The map that the red-headed twins have the one that was created by the Marauders?' Erebus stated reading my mind.
'Yes, the twins use it for their pranks and I don't think they're going to give it up easily, I'll have to have you retrieve it before you go to retrieve the sorting hat so that we can check that Dumbledore has really left the grounds.'
'If he hasn't we'll have to put it off until second year when he is suspended by the school board. At least then we will know he's really gone.'
I explained before opening my eyes as I finished my session before I stood up and began to stretch my legs out.
'Are you ready for your meeting with the old coot this morning?' Erebus asked me as I stretched.
"As ready as I can be, I think I know what to expect in this meeting. But I'm entering into uncharted waters here seeing as it will be the first time and all." I responded.
'Indeed, but I think you need to rethink your approach before you go to this meeting. You're not the only one who will have presumptions on how this meeting is going to go, the old coot has seen countless students you might draw attention to yourself.' Erebus said as I looked to him.
"What do you mean, 'might draw attention?' " I asked trying to get what he was meaning.
Erebus gave me a deadpan look, 'You're eleven years old, yet you act like you are much older. I know that's because mentally you are but, don't you think that's going to throw up some red flags in the old man's face when a student is serious and dead set against him from the start?'
I frowned, "So you think I should try and try and act as old as I look? Like an eleven-year-old?" I asked as I thought it overseeing the merits of it.
Erebus gave me a nod of his head, 'Yes, a smart but well-read eleven-year-old, who just so happens to be messing up the old buggers plans on every turn,' he said and I swear he was grinning.
I smirked, "And I'd drive him insane in the process, it goes with my plan of keeping myself under the radar for now." I said amused at the idea, 'it would be a good way to mess with the old bastard'.
'And while you're at it why not have some more fun? I do recall your uncle having a certain legacy that needs to be followed here at Hogwarts?' Erebus said with what sounded like a chuckle, 'It would be a good cover for you, and hilarious all at the same time?'
I paused to think for a moment and my eyes widened, "The Marauders? You want me to be a prankster? Like the Marauders and the Weasley twins?" I asked as I started chuckling at the idea.
'Why not? You have advanced knowledge of various events that you could prepare pranks for in advance, you could have a laugh, drive Dumbledore mental at the same time, and keep alive the marauders legacy. You need to lighten up some, you're a bit too serious you know?' Erebus told me.
I chuckled and shook my head, "No I'm not, I'm Magnus Black, Sirius is in Azkaban." I smirked.
Erebus gave me a deadpan look again, 'Really the serious and Sirius joke… you know what I mean.'
I smirked and nodded my head, "Yeah I do, and you're right I have been a little serious, but considering the pressures on my shoulders and the odds I'm up against can you really blame me?" I said as I started to count off the tasks using my fingers.
"I've got a war to prepare for, a dark lord in disguise to bring down, and Hogwarts classes to attend, on top of learning to be the head of a most ancient and most noble house, I think anyone would be as serious as I am."
Erebus nodded his head once more, 'True, but you're forgetting that you are in the body of a young boy, people don't expect you to be so serious all the time, loosen up, have some fun and think about the pranks.'
I snorted, "Okay fine, I'll loosen up some and act more my age… and I'll think about the pranks" I said as I turned and walked towards the door, 'might be fun.'
I chuckled as I heard Erebus in my mind as I walked out, 'That's the spirit!'
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After climbing out of my trunk I closed it up before heading out of my dorm room and went down the stairs to the common room to find Professor Flitwick waiting for me, I blinked.
'Guess the old coot wants to have the meeting before breakfast then, a little off-putting, having a meeting with a young boy who in all likelihood wouldn't have been more than an hour out of bed, most wouldn't be properly awake yet.'
I thought to myself, and part of me wanted to play that up and act like it, but my current state did not look it so I just rolled with it.
"Good morning Professor, I take it you're here to escort me to my meeting with the headmaster?" I asked politely.