Esto Perpetua
Chapter 1 – The Last Vestiges Of Peace
A/N: Long, rambly fic with multiple story arcs. Feedback always appreciated. Hope you enjoy the story.
Explain using examples, the difference in intent and incantation between the Animagus transformation and Trans-species switching spells. Sirius Black grinned down at this final question of the Transfiguration O.W.L paper, and proceeded to answer it in his customary elegant hand. Minutes ticked by as he finished, checked his paragraphs, and turned the paper over to read through the rest of the answers already completed. Satisfied, he scribbled his name and index number on the cover-slip and shook out his quill, spattering minute drops of dark blue ink over the desk as he did so.
Finally setting his exam paper face down on the desk, massaging cramped fingers, he glanced around the hall at his friends. James appeared to have finished too, he was absent-mindedly scribbling something on an extra sheet of paper – Sirius smiled inwardly, he could make a good guess as to what it was – and grinning at Lily Evans, who was seated two rows in front of him. She seemed to feel his gaze on her back; she tensed her shoulders and scowled, keeping her eyes determinedly on the parchment in front of her. Remus was arranging his ink and quills on the desk, in ascending order of length and colour, Sirius noted amusedly. Peter was chewing his nails, forehead beaded with sweat, and scribbling feverishly on his own parchment, pausing now and then to glance desperately at Ravindra Patil's paper.
Sirius yawned and made a face at the giant grandfather clock that stood on the platform in front of the hall. It said that there were still seven minutes before the papers would be collected. He glanced stealthily at McGonagall, who was the supervisor that day – but thankfully she was busy conjuring tissues for Sarah Fawcett who was having a sneezing fit – and hissed, hard, at Marlene McKinnon, who was seated diagonally from him, hoping she would hear him and turn around.
No such luck.
She kept her head down, and stared demurely at the desk. Sirius groaned and slumped in defeat. He caught McGonagall looking at him; lips pursed in disapproval, and hastily arranged his face into what he hoped was a neutral expression. He didn't think she'd be fooled, though.
There wasn't anything else he could do to attract McKinnon's attention, so he fidgeted in his seat, marking time with his foot, and focused his attention on her long, dark brown French braid.
Ding…dong…ding…dong…at last the clock sounded the end of the hour.
"The examination is now over. Quills down, please, and remain seated until I collect all your papers." Professor McGonagall's stern tones had never been more welcome. Sirius leapt out of his seat as soon as she had collected all their rolls of parchment, heaved his bag over his shoulder and ran down the aisle to greet James and Remus.
"Thank Merlin that's an end to the damned O. ," he breathed, slapping James across the back, and taking in the gigantic grin and tousled hair of his best friend. James had always had an infectious smile, and Sirius felt his own lips splitting into an answering grin.
"What do you think, Prongs? Transfiguration's your subject, after all."
"Easy as they come, mate. Had to finish off with an Animagus question too, didn't they? And it's just as much your subject as it is mine, Padfoot. You were the first to master the transformation, you know." James lowered his voice at the last bit, and cocked his head to look around: Evans was leaving the Hall, accompanied by McKinnon and two other girls.
James eyed Evans' retreating back thoughtfully, and then grinned. "Do you think she'd give me a cuddle if I turned into Prongs? Girls love animals, and I'm irresistible after all." He straightened up, almost unconsciously, and both Sirius and Remus chuckled.
"I wouldn't bet on it," Remus told him with a snort. "The antlers are likely to put her off. Padfoot might have a chance, though. I know that Lily likes dogs."
"That's true Prongs. Your antlered visage can't hold a candle to my liquid puppy-eyes!" He then proceeded to demonstrate the same, eliciting coos and murmurs from a few people who had caught sight of the expression in passing.
The three of them laughed, and James tossed Sirius a two-fingered salute. Sirius snickered good-naturedly and slung an arm around James, leading them to their usual spot by the lake.
Peter caught up to them at last, panting and still tucking the last of his stationery into his bag. He slung himself down next to James, sitting just a tad closer than was strictly necessary – something that made Sirius raise an eyebrow, and upon looking at Remus, saw that it hadn't escaped his notice either – still looking anxious, though the sheen of perspiration on his forehead had lessened somewhat.
"Did you do the seventh question?" Peter asked; he always wanted to discuss the paper afterwards, something that annoyed Sirius greatly. He preferred to forget about it entirely until the owl arrived, bearing his results. He sighed in annoyance, but luckily, Remus, kind as always, pulled out his question paper and turned to Peter.
Sirius lay flat on his back and put his arms behind his head, thankful for the cool breeze summer that swept around them, caressing the heated skin of his forehead and brow, soothing the dull ache that had started behind his temples, as though it was the tender and caring hand of a beloved mother. It gently rustled the branches of the willow – not the Whomping Willow, but a normal muggle one – under which they sat, and stirred the leaves of the vines that patulated over the roof of the greenhouses in the distance.
He sighed blissfully, soaking in the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that the end of exams usually heralded, and closed his eyes against the warm June sunshine.
Evans and her friends were feeding the Giant Squid again; Sirius could tell by the muffled grunts of pleasure the Squid was emitting as he swallowed the morsels of toast they were giving him, and also by James' stertorous breathing – something he always did when Evans was nearby. He grinned lazily, and nudged James with his foot. James' breathing intensified.
His thoughts turned to the incident that had happened the previous day after their Defence paper. Remus, ever talented with healing spells, had managed to mend the fairly deep gash Snape had left on James' face, but a small scar was still visible on his cheek. He hadn't been too enthusiastic about the prognosis, telling them that the remnants of dark magic transferred to James' cheek by the curse couldn't be removed by force. It would take its own sweet time to degenerate and fade out entirely – a sort of half-life, Sirius thought, like he'd read in those muggle science books – and the scarring was a direct effect of that.
Sirius was shaken, but not shocked. They all knew that Snape wouldn't hesitate to use dark magic if the fancy struck him.
Evans remained as blissfully – or wilfully – ignorant of that fact as ever, and had yet to acknowledge any of the Marauders after her tirade aimed at James.
"Do you think she'll ever speak to me again?" James' voice trembled slightly and he sounded uncharacteristically forlorn; Sirius knew they were thinking of the same thing.
"She'll come around eventually, Prongs. She'll speak to you before the term ends. There are just three days left, and I doubt she will want to part ways on bad terms with anyone." Remus' tones were soothing, and they all knew that what he said was true. Evans was fiery and spirited, but she wasn't unkind, and didn't hold grudges overlong.
James nodded quietly, then, forcing himself to cheer up, said, "Hey, that's right! Three more days left! Can't wait to go home! Dad said he'd refurbish the Quidditch pitch and get us a new set of balls – should be spiffing, eh, Padfoot?"
Sirius forced a nod and a smile, but swallowed thickly at the reminder that there was so little time left before the school year ended. He would soon be on the train back to London, to his Pureblood-supremacist parents, repulsive tattletale house elf and the vast, gloomy shell of a house which disseminated dark magic and evil from its very pores. The thought alone was enough to make him feel nauseous.
And of course, Father would be just waiting to pounce on him and his little brother Regulus and stuff them full of more pureblood nonsense and talk about 'such great opportunities' that the Wizengamot and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had to offer. Sirius didn't want to join the Wizengamot, but he did want to join the DMLE – as an Auror. He grinned at the thought of his parents' horror when he chose to share that information with them.
But little Reggie, on the other hand – not so little now that Sirius thought about it, he'd turned fifteen in April – might agree to apprentice to whatever puffed-up lord or lady Father would find. And no doubt Mother-
The rustling of wings and a soft "oh" from Remus interrupted his morbid musings, and Sirius looked up to find Remus holding out a cheerful looking owl to him.
"Letter for you, Pads?"
"Plunkett," Sirius said, taking the owl. "Andromeda's fellow. Oh good," he added, slitting open the envelope and shaking out two pieces of thick parchment.
"Any reply?" he asked Plunkett, who hooted negatively, then thrust forward for a brief caress and nipped Sirius affectionately on the nose before taking off into the afternoon sky.
Sirius opened the first parchment.
Dear Sirius, [It read]
I think your O. would have just finished, and I trust you did well.
I know I promised to write to you earlier, but we've just recovered from a nasty spot of bother at the Ministry. Ted recently got a promotion to Assistant Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. However, it appears that Judas Selwyn, acting Head of the Office of Law – Policies Department, wasn't happy about being passed over for the job. He lodged a complaint with the Department Head, saying that Ted shouldn't be considered for the position, because as a Muggleborn, he has no thorough understanding of the Wizarding laws and traditions that govern acceptance and exchange between international magical communities.
Can you believe his nerve? We did not think the Department Head took it too seriously, but all complaints are automatically forwarded to the DMLE for examination. Ted had to face an inquiry about his qualifications – of course, since Ted passed the Magical Bar exam with flying colours – never tell me Hufflepuffs are not clever! – All that claptrap about "not understanding laws" went out of the window. He was reinstated following the inquiry, but plenty of people have made it clear that they think he cannot handle the job.
I've been rushed off my feet as a result of this entire hullabaloo, and came down with the 'flu soon after. I'm recovering now, though still quite tired.
In other news, Dora's really blossoming into her metamorphmagus abilities – she turned her hair into all the shades of blue in the ocean when we took her to the seaside yesterday. Her favourite colour still remains pink, though.
Sirius, I know you probably won't have a very good holiday at Grimmauld Place, but I hope you leave soon and stay with the Potters like you did last summer. If you do, give Dorea my love. Ted, Dora and I send out regards to your friends, and to Regulus, too.
Your loving cousin,
Andromeda.
Ps: Dora seems quite taken with your friend Remus ever since you lot came to babysit her last summer. She's drawn a picture for him, which I've enclosed here. She says it's Plunkett, but I'm not quite sure.
Sirius' brow had become increasingly furrowed as he read the letter, but the postscript elicited a chuckle. He handed over the second parchment to Remus with a smirk.
"Dora's taken a liking to you, apparently, Moony. She's drawn Plunkett for you!"
Remus blushed slightly and took the drawing, swatting playfully in James direction when he laughed. It didn't look much like an owl; it was a hodgepodge of brown and yellow crayon, with one or two owl feathers glued on – provided by an obliging Plunkett, Sirius was sure – and 'P-l-o-n-k-i-t' written in a baby hand underneath.
Remus chuckled along with his friends, and stored the drawing in his textbook, just as Sirius folded up the letter from his favourite cousin, and put it away carefully in the deepest recesses of his schoolbag.
Remus was just tucking little Nymphadora's drawing into his Transfiguration textbook when a crumpled piece of parchment fell out. He picked it up and smoothed it out.
"What's that you've got there, Moony?" Sirius asked inquisitively, eyeing the neat handwriting.
"Just some career prospects McGonagall said to look at," he answered, setting the paper in Sirius' outstretched hand. James, who'd been watching Lily petting the giant squid all this while, turned, and peered interestedly over Sirius' shoulder.
"Curse-breaking?" James asked, surprised. "I thought you were interested in Healing or in – in veti – vertinorary – whatsit animal healing that muggles call it!"
"Veterinary healing," Remus corrected automatically.
He hesitated, wondering how to tell his friends that yet again, his hopes had been crushed to nothing. He had been to see Professor McGonagall, his Head of House, for a follow-up appointment regarding his Careers Advice when he'd expressed interest in Healing of any sort. Her tone had been gentle, but that did nothing to alleviate the sting of her words.
"I spoke to an advisor in the administrative department at 's, Remus," she said, kindly – at the sound of his first name, Remus knew it was bad news, for only when it was so did Professor McGonagall use the given names of her students – "they are prohibited by policy to allow entrance to any applicant with Lycanthropy, or any other long-term or incurable infectious disease."
She must have seen his face fall, because she laid a hand on his shoulder.
"What about veterinary healing?" he asked.
"I'm sorry, not that either." It was a not a shock, but it was disappointing all the same, for hope is an accursed bloom that insists on growing even reason demands otherwise.
They had gone on to discuss other options, and Professor McGonagall had been encouraging when he stated Curse-breaking as one of his choices.
"That's a good possibility," she confirmed. "Your marks in Defence, Runes and Arithmancy are excellent, and your Transfiguration and Charms results are almost as good."
She peered at him over the tops of her spectacles, and a rare smile graced the corners of her mouth. "They do not discriminate on grounds of disease– as long as applicants have the necessary academic qualifications – after all, Curse-breaking itself is a dangerous endeavour, and an extra curse or two makes no difference."
James beamed as Remus recounted this conversation, hazel eyes crinkling behind the thick lenses. "That's brilliant, Moony!" he exclaimed happily, then continued more quietly, "we know how – how disappointing it is when you can't…can't get your – dream, I s'pose" – Remus saw his eyes flick surreptitiously to Lily – but "Curse-breaking is also pretty good, isn't it?"
Peter piped up with his congratulations, as did Sirius, though a faint shadow lingered behind his eyes.
"Never mind me, lads, what about you?" Remus enquired. He'd submit an application to train under a practising Curse-breaker during the holidays as soon as he could, but although he now knew they considered werewolves, he was not certain that they would follow through – there was a possibility that such leniency was only theoretical, and that actually hiring werewolves was a different matter in practise.
"Yeah, Prongs, how's the Auror business going?" Peter asked.
"Well enough," James grinned. "They do ask for top-level N.E. in five subjects, so I guess Pads and I will have to really pull our socks up…not that we aren't doing well already," he added casually.
"My parents don't like it." Sirius said abruptly. There was a frown between his eyebrows, but Remus was surprised by the sheer bite in his voice.
"Father wants me to train for the Department of Law, and Mother – well, Mother won't care what I do, as long as it's something honourable and worthy and exalts the Noble Black name. My preferences don't come into account at all."
"You – you aren't going to listen to them, are you?"
"No, Pete," Sirius replied. His frown deepened. "The Department of Law's filled with narrow-minded baboons anyway." He crushed Andromeda's envelope in his fist. "No, I'm going to join the DMLE all right."
"I can see about applications for both of us, mate," James offered. "Dad's got a friend who's head of the Special Task Force, and I bet he'd give us a few pointers if we ask."
"That'd be good. Doubt I'll be getting any help from my parents anymore."
"So, what are the subjects you're doing?" Peter asked eagerly.
"Well, the usual – Defence, Transfig, Charms, Potions, and – and one more," James counted off. "And whatever else I feel like – would Ancient Runes be helpful, do you think?"
"Possibly," Sirius allowed. "Useful to translate – you know – nefarious dark wizard activities and all that." He waved a hand airily and grinned as he spoke, but Remus smiled to himself, realising that Sirius was probably very hazy about what 'nefarious dark wizard activities' involving Runes actually were.
"Anyway," Sirius continued, "I just can't wait to drop Divination!"
"But you always say it's a free Outstanding on your mark sheet, Padfoot," Remus said mildly.
"That's so," Sirius agreed, "but it's about as useful as a stuffed house elf with a sock in its mouth. Now that O. are over, we can move on to the real things!"
Peter, who had been listening avidly all the while, looked crestfallen at Sirius' pronouncement. Divination was one of his better subjects – Remus, who had no luck with his Inner Eye, and had dropped Divination after the second day in Third year, was quite impressed with the short boy's talent and always made sure to encourage him to explore it – but it was clear that Peter didn't want to continue with it if none of his friends were there with him.
Remus laid a hand on Peter's arm. "You shouldn't quit, just because none of us will be there with you. You'll make new friends for that class, you know. Professor Imago will be disappointed too, if you stop – you're one of his best students, after all. Just give it a few days, and all the others will be flocking to ask for your help with homework."
Peter didn't look as sure as Remus sounded, but he gave his friend a tremulous smile anyway, and said, "Yeah, all right," bravely.
"What about you, Moons?" James asked, twisting his head slightly to watch the Giant Squid curl his tentacles around the last bit of bread Lily was holding out to him. "Bet you're relieved to drop Potions at long last, eh?"
They all laughed, for Remus' notorious ability to botch even the simplest practical potion was a standing joke among them, though he was quite proficient at the theoretical aspects.
"Yes, I am," Remus agreed peaceably. He pumped his fist in the air. "No more melting cauldrons! No more disembowelled toads – or slimy frog spawn, or – or speckled shrivelfig juice that gets in my eyes – or-"
"Getting knocked down by Slughorn's belly when he turns around in class," Sirius broke in, and they all dissolved into hilarity again.
"That's definitely an advantage," Remus acquiesced, when they had all composed themselves once more. "And I think I'll keep on with History" – he made a face; he liked the subject but Binns bored him to death – "and Arithmancy, as well, I expect."
"Good choices all round," Sirius declared briskly. "Should be a good year, our Sixth year. Here's to interesting subjects, exciting adventures and fine company!"
James glanced stealthily towards the lake. "Wonder if she's doing the same subjects as we are," he said, sotto voce, but Remus heard him and smiled.
The four boys stayed out until dusk, chattering idly at first, then sinking into silence one by one, watching the last rays of gold and pink fade from the sky, and the sun, now a blazing ball of fire, dip ever lower until it disappeared over the edge of the lake and the mountains.
The Giant Squid had long since retired for the night, occasionally letting out a pleasurable burp as he sank below the surface of the water.
The girls – Evans and McKinnon among them – had gone in too. Sirius had tried to nonchalantly cop a feel as the latter's figure went by him, and he had been rewarded for his pains with a stinging hex to the hand. He was quite startled for a moment, as McKinnon was usually a sweet-natured girl, and this demonstration of spiritedness was unexpected. It made his belly squirm slightly with a feeling he couldn't quite identify. His faced must have expressed his surprise, because McKinnon's placid mien was broken for a second with a wicked smirk, and the other boys laughed at his discomfort.
It was dinner time when the boys rose to go inside, but were distracted by a scuffle in a clump of bushes near the doorway. Voices floated down to them, but the words were too indistinct for Sirius to make sense of them.
Remus though, appeared to have no problem understanding the words. His lycanthropy gave him excellent hearing – even better than the other Marauders, who also had good hearing due to their Animagus abilities – and the tendons in his neck were taut, and his chocolate eyes wary. The sense of urgency emanating from him made Sirius alert, too, and he went for his wand, moving forward cautiously. Behind him, the others were also drawing their wands.
"Snape," Remus hissed, from the corner of his mouth. "Also I think Mulciber and Avery – Rosier too. And a high voice I can't place – probably a First year."
Sirius heard James groan. They could all guess what this might be. They rounded a corner and went into the bushes. Snape, Avery, Mulciber and Rosier stood around three Hufflepuff First years, who looked terrified.
"Bullying First years again, are we, Snivellus?" James inquired coldly.
"None of your business, Potter."
"But it is my business when you're bullying students of the school," Remus replied coolly.
"Who do you think you are, speaking to us like that? You, unlike us, are a Mudblood!"
"Yes," came the calm riposte, "but I, unlike you, am also a Prefect." Frost dripped off the end of each syllable, but fire flashed in Remus' eyes. Sirius was both awed and a little frightened by the sheer power behind the calm demeanour. He knew Remus regretted not stepping in to stop the bullying yesterday, and he was more than determined to make up for it now.
"That'll be twenty points each from Slytherin, for bullying and causing bodily harm," Remus said, nodding at the closest First year, who was whimpering and clutching a bloody nose. "This will be reported to your Head of House."
Rosier snarled in rage and lunged forward.
Sirius raised his wand and stepped up, a hex on the tip of his tongue, as did James and Remus, though Peter's pavid nature kept him from following their lead.
Avery, who was either too cowardly, or had enough sense left in him not to tangle with the Marauders, grabbed Rosier by the neck of his robes and pulled him back before any spells could be cast by either party.
Remus opened his mouth again, but the Slytherins beat a hasty retreat before he could say anything more, casting looks of pure loathing at the Gryffindors as they went.
Sirius sighed and squatted down in front of Bloody-Nose.
"Hey," he said gently, "mind me taking a look at your nose?"
The little boy removed his hand, and Sirius prodded the sides of the nose gently with his fingers. "It isn't broken, luckily, just a tad bloodied." He siphoned the worst of it away with his wand. "You should show that to Madam Pomfrey in any case."
"Oy Moony," he called to Remus, "This one needs the hospital wing. Will you take him?"
Remus, who had finished tending to the others, came over and peered at the wound too. "Come along then," he said gently. "What's your name?"
"Aleksandar Romanoff," was the soft reply.
"Well then, Aleksandar, let's go see the nurse, shall we?" Remus took the little boy's hand and led him away, the other two Hufflepuffs following in their wake.
The others turned to go inside, too, but a slip of pale parchment on the ground caught Sirius' eye. "Hullo," he said, stooping to pick it up, "look at this – must have fallen out of Rosier's pocket." He glanced down at what was a flyer of some sort.
Join The Knights of Walpurgis – Junior Branch, [it said]
If you are a young witch or wizard aged 16 or under, with an interest in exploring the finer aspects of Spell-making, Potion-making, Runology or Duelling, consider joining The Knights of Walpurgis – Junior Branch.
We are an organisation dedicated to studying the advanced mechanics and subtleties of Magic, and upholding and practising the traditions and customs of Wizarding society.
If interested, submit your application to:
Evan Rosier
Cecilia Yaxley
Smugnacious Travers
"What on earth?" Sirius finished reading and glanced at James, who appeared to be as baffled as he was.
"Ah never mind, then," Sirius shrugged, and pocketed the flyer. "Must be some nutty Slytherin secret society or other – they'd probably hold meeting in the dead of night and refuse to admit anyone unless they do the secret handshake and produce a pound of flesh from a Hufflepuff First year. Anyway, come along, Pete. Dinner awaits!"