Authors Notes: This story is the direct sequel to 'School of Enchantment' it came to me when I was reading 'Prisoner of Azkaban' and I thought James had come back from the dead, then ended up in tears because he was still dead. I had some loose ends with my other story and thought this would be an idea.
This story is BASED on the books and movies, you'll see some quotes and some things you've read in the book as well as heard on the movie this has been done on PURPOSE!! I have a story in my head that requires it. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!!!!! I live off your comments!!!!
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Chapter One
Back From the Dead
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-Smallville, Kansas, USA-
"Hey Mom!" Jaelithe greeted piling through the door along with Chloe, Max, Isabel, Clark and Peat.
"Hey," Cat said in mild surprise. "Clark, Peat."
"Mrs. Sullivan." The chorused, grinning. Looking up from her papers she asked,
" What are you guys doing home so early?"
"You didn't hear?" Chloe asked in complete amazement.
"Obviously not. Gonna tell me?" Cat set down her pen and turned around to face them as they settled the couches.
"There's been a prison break in London, so the school sent them home early!" Isabel explained with a grin. Isabel, Max, Chloe and Jaelithe were home from Hogwarts already, but Smallville Elementary still had classes to which the occasionally attended with Pete and Clark.
"There's been a prison break inLondon, therefor the school inSmallville, Kansas let you out early?" Cat asked with raised eye brows. All her children eagerly nodded. She shook her head and sighed.
"Well no one said the school board was smart." Peat grinned and stated,
"There's supposed to be a report on the news at five." Cat checked her watch one-thirty, and nodded. Seeing a chance for a get together she addressed Clark,
"Clark go home and invite your parents to dinner and the five O'clock news, Peat your parents left town yesterday didn't they?"
"Yes ma'am they did." Cat smiled.
"Then I'll expect you for dinner too." Peat grinned with such obvious relish, that Cat laughed.
"Leave you homework behind, boys and when you get back I'll help you with it so you have the long weekend for fun. Be sure to come right back so I know how many's coming."
"Awww! Couldn't you just tell us the answers?" Clark moaned grinning. Cat burst out laughing.
"Nice try Clark Kent! Nice try! Now hurry up and get outa here!"
-TIME LAPS-
"That was wonderful, Cat." Martha commented beaming "Thank-you! You saved me from a lonely dinner."
"Hey, I should be thanking you! I don't know what I would have done if hadn't brought over those berry pies, considering the girls chowed the last of the raspberries!"
"Oh, nonsense. I just had- CLARK! BOYS!" Martha exclaimed in mild reproof. Cat turned to see Clark, Peat and Max had piled their plates high with the left-over dinner and desert. Cat chuckled.
"Less clean up. Come on, bring them into the living room, the news is going to start." Everyone filed into the living room. Cat curled with Isabel and Chloe on one of the couches, the boys on the floor, Jaelithe on Gabe's old recliner and Martha on the other couch. Jaelithe turned on the news and turned up the volume, blasting out a preview of a new movie.
"Jae! Turn it down!" Cat said with annoyance. Jaelithe laughed and turned the volume down.
"Our Top story tonight, A prison break in London, England had authorities around the world on alert. Sirius Black a relatively unknown terrorist, killed thirteen people when he set off a gas explosion. Allegedly at the time of the crime authorities had to forcibly remove Black, laughing from the premises. Black is said to be armed and extremely dangerous. The public is warned NOT to approach Black. A hotline has been set up, anyone sighting Black is to phone in report it to the authorities."
No one heard anymore, as the tv droned on with the local news, Jaelithe muted the tv so they could talk. Martha was the first to break the silence.
"You don't think he could make it over here do you? With the whole world on the look out for him?"
"Seams unlikely, but hey! It get's us out of school!" Peat replied enthusiastically. Chloe rolled here eye's, while Clark laughed and agreed. Max turned to ask Cat what she thought when he noticed she was staring at the tv screen that was now showing a picture of a ragged man with black hair.
"Mom? You ok?" Everyone turned to look at Cat, who now had tears slipping down her face.
"God James, where were you? Padfoot love, what happened?" Isabel turned sharply to Max
"What the hell is she talking about?!"
"Do I look like Einstein?!" Max snapped. Cat smiled through her tears.
"I'll explain everything but first I want to hear something. Jae turn off the tv and turn on the lamp. Max start the fire we may get company, now that this is out. I'll be right back." Cat walked out of the room, leaving Max, Isabel, Jaelithe and Chloe gaping. As she walked toward the attic she thought back to her seventh year at Hogwarts.
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The graduation ceremony that was to take place in five minuets and the bathrooms were still crammed full of girls doing last minuet touch-up's, including her best friends, Lily and Molly. They had decided to blend muggle and wizard formal clothing, so they could were fancy dresses and flowers. Coming out they found the Marauders pacing the hall in front of the bathroom talking.
"What's taking them so long?" Sirius growled and James chuckled.
"Pointless question, Padfoot mate. They're girls."
"Maybe we should check on them?" Remus suggested. James and Sirius look at him in horror.
"ARE YOU NUTS?" They demanded. Remus held up his hands in defeat. Trina choked back a laugh. Sirius, hearing her, whipped around to see them, unfortunately he did so too fast and trip over the hem of his cape bowling into James, who had his mouth hanging open, and nearly knocked him over. Lily smiled and James dropped Sirius coming over to taker her arm.
"You look...words can't describe your beauty, Lily." Lily cracked up.
"Oh that was a good one James! Thanks." James had continued to stare at Lily while Sirius had bluntly told Trina she wasn't going to be innocent for much longer, to her immense hilarity. The girl's decided to give their gifts first. Lily and Trina nodded at each other, then turned to Molly who grinned. Lily stepped beside James, Trina between Sirius and James, forming a half circle. Remus opened his mouth but Molly nudged him.
"Hush!" Lily glanced around.
"Ready girls?" They nodded. "OK, here it goes."
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Trina brought down the stirs to the attic, remembering the looks on James and Sirius's face, the shock and surprise as well as the love. Tears filled her eyes and she smiled sadly, how bittersweet the memories were and still painful, much to her surprise. Climbing the ladder she fumbled for the pull cord to the single light bulb that lit up the small space, finding it she turned it on and began to search, tears mingling with the dust.
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Isabel, Max, Jaelithe and Chloe continued to gape till Cat was out of sight. Jaelithe was the first to move, getting up she clicked off the tv and turned on the Tiffany floor lamp, illuminating the room.
"What's with lighting fire?! Who's going to come?! What..." Jaelithe interrupted Max's torrent of questions with a sharp look.
"I don't know, but I were you I'd start that fire. Mom didn't look all that stable."
"Well your not me are you, Jae?" Never the less he got up and stared to fire. No sooner had he sat down then the flames turned green and flare up like some one had added gas to the flames. Everyone watched as a man became visible in the fire and then stepped out. He was tall, thin with light brown hair and rather shabby robes. He looked exhausted and ill. The stranger smiled and asked,
"Is this Trina's residence?" Before she could stop herself Jaelithe opined her mouth.
"You look like hell, are you sick?" Every head turned to her with expressions of utter shock and surprise, everyone except the stranger, who smiled ruthfully.
"In a manner of speaking yes, I have been sick, but I didn't think I looked that bad. I must have been mistaken." His eyes glowed with wicked humour. "Would you be so kind as too tell me if I have the right house? I haven't seen my friend in Fifteen years and I'm not sure if I have the right address."
"Who are you looking for again?" Isabel asked.
"Her name is Trina." He frowned." Well it was in school, anyway." Isabel shook her head.
"There's not one here by that name, but our mom might be able to help you. She should be back here pretty soon, she just when to look for something, I think."
"Food in the kitchen, if your hungry, help yourself." Max said through a mouth full of food. The stranger look surprised.
"Wont your Mother mind that you've invited a total stranger to just go digging in the kitchen?" Martha laughed.
"Highly doubtful! Cat welcomes everyone! She'll probably be more mad that you weren't served chicken soup or something else that would make you fell better! Feel free to head into the kitchen." The stranger grinned boyishly.
"Thanks, I'll do that." He ran his hand through his hair when Jaelithe noticed a huge antique ruby ring on his middle finger.
"WOW! Look at that ring!" Surprised He brought his had down to look at his ring. "Can I see it?"
"Sure." Jaelithe scrambled up and all but ran to grab his hand turning the ring to the light.
"Where did you get it from?"
"At my graduation all my friends exchanged these rings. Each had a different colour with the first initial of each our names." Jaelithe nodded and asked,
"Would you tell me who each letter stands for?"
"Sure. James, Lily, Remus, that's me, Molly, Sirius and Trina." Jaelithe smiled suspecting the answer before she asked it.
"Why is the one letter a 'C' if her name was Trina?"
"Um..."
"You graduated from Hogwarts didn't you?"
"You know about Hogwarts? Of course you know about Hogwarts, you have a floo fireplace."
"The ring's enchanted isn't it? It shows the first letter of the name currently used by each of the people, right?" Remus nodded.
"How did you know that?" Jaelithe smiled.
"Mom's got one, the sapphire one. She never where's it, but it's in her jewellery box. She must have changed her name shortly after she got home from school, she never speaks of it." Remus nodded.
"How is it you know that, Jaelithe?!" Isabel snapped.
"Because I'm inclined to snoop, were's you, being a goody-two-shoes, isn't!" Jaelithe snapped back. Remus smiled, he remembered Trina being like that too.
"I'm going to get food." Remus had just disappeared when Cat returned with a dusty red rectangular box, opining the box she took out a piece of long dark wood. Isabel instantly recognized a wand, so apparently, did the rest of the room.
"Mom are you NUTS?! What's a wand going to help? Their's no incantation for you to here things!" Isabel said and under her breath muttered, "Thank God!" Cat threw her a sharp look.
"I too, went to Hogwarts school young lady! I know a great deal more than you do!" Cat pointed her wand at the old radio and said in a clear voice,
"Wizarding Wireless Network!" The radio hummed to life. Everyone watched in amazement.
"Unbelievable, Cat!" Martha breathed and Cat gave a small smile.
"I wasn't sure I could still do that. It's been years since I used a wand. I stoped using it right after Sirius broke off our engagement and I moved out here."
"WHAT?!" Screeched her kids.
"Explanations later, Listen." The radio started talking.
"Long time no chat, Trina. What do you want to know?"
"I want to know how Sirius ended up in Azkaban, and I want to know EVERYTHING! Even the rumours!"
"Azkaban?" Jaelithe said with obvious question, Max answered.
"Wizarding Prison, Jae."
"Oh." The radio paused then said,
"Your not going to like what you hear Trina."
"I don't care! And when you through putt on the regular broadcast so I can learn more."
"Fine!" The radio huffed. "I'll start from the beginning shall I? You remember when James and Lily were married? How Voldemort was after them? Well about a year later they had to go into hiding. Using a Fidelius Charm they went into hiding with Harry, their secret keeper betrayed them." Tears streamed down Cat's face as listed. Remus came into the livingroom, but everyone was so wrapped up they didn't notice him.
"James put a valiant fight, but no one stands a chance against a 'Avada Kedavra' curse. After James, he went after Lily and Harry. She pleaded for mercy, not that she got it." A man's voice filled the room from the radio.
"Lily, Take harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off-" Someone stumbling from the room followed and a woman's voice.
"I love you, James Potter!"
"I love you too, Lily! Now GO!" A door slammed and muffled shouts could be heard, then a loud BANG was heard like a small bomb. The sounds of a door being blasted open was heard before Lily's voice was heard.
"I need to get to my daughter's!"
"GIVE ME THE BOY!" The cold voice was chilling even over the radio. They heard Lily gasp.
"NO! NEVER!"
"You will give me that boy! Crucio!" The scream reverberate out of the radio like a death knell, then suddenly stoped. Silence fill the small livingroom they stared at the radio, were harsh breathing could be heard.
"I'll be kind and ask you again, give me the boy!"
"Please! Spare us!" Cold shrill laughter fill the room. "Please! Spare us!!" She repeated.
"Spare you?" The laughter continued. "Now why would I spare you? But your in luck tonight, I'm feeling generous and so I might spare you, if I so choose. Now had over the boy!"
"Not Harry, not Harry, Please not Harry!" Lily pleaded.
"Stand aside, you silly girl and I might spare you!"
"Please, not Harry! Not Harry! I'll do anything!"
"Stand aside,...NOW!"
"PLEASE! Not Harry, please no, take me, Kill me instead-"
"Ah, going to sacrifice yourself are you? A disgusting quality, girl, revolting! Even if you sacrifice yourself it still wont help the boy, he dies regardless, but if your so eager to die, Avada Kedavra!" The scream was the terrified, agonised scream of a mother who knew her child was going to die and there was nothing she could do to save it, echoed off the walls, as Cat sat there horror stricken and shaking. Closing her eyes she felt her heart rip apart at the sound of her best friend's murder, it hurt just to take a breath, she had no more tears to cry she just sat there white as a sheet, listening. Isabel was watching her mother with growing fear, she was upset before, now she seemed to have shut down, wondering if she should say something under the circumstances she looked to her siblings. Max was looking at Jaelithe, then they turned to Isabel with the same fear reflected in Isabel's eyes, it was time to say something.
"Mom? D.."
"SHUT UP!" Cat snapped and Isabel recoiled but fell silent. Max putt a hand on her shoulder in reassurance and Jaelithe got up and sat next to Isabel hugging her, this the first time their mom had gotten that mad and snapped. The radio was now talking.
"It was said that Black was the Potter's secret keeper and that he'd been passing Voldemort information for the past year. Rumours were that James had insisted on Black, when Albus Dumbledore had offered himself. Not a week after they were dead."
"No! I don't believe it, I WONT believe it! Sirius would NEVER betray James! They were brothers! We were a family and we were loyal. No, something else must have happed!" Cat spoke emphatically. She drooped her head to her hand and shook her head as if trying to puzzle something out. Then her head snapped up and she asked,
"Who's Harry?" The voice that spoke was not the radio's. The light timber of the voice struck another painful cord, in what she thought, was a broken heart, it was a voice she had not forgotten.
"Harry is James and Lily's son, Trina, or do you go by Cat now?"
"Remus." She breathed. "What are you doing here?" Remus Lupin smiled grimly, he still looked tired in what appeared to be his best robes. He settled himself in the easy chair Jaelithe had vacated.
"Surprised to see me? Well I guess so, considering you stoped writing fifteen years ago. Why, Cat?"
"I hurt."
"I know you were closer to Sirius than any of us, but you were my sister, the sibling I never had. Then you just up and left! No note, no goodbye, not even a forwarding address! James and Lily were frantic, no one knew were you had gone off to! Then Sirius told us what happened, but even HE didn't know where you were! You disappeared never to be heard from again!" The tears Cat had thought dried up were again streaming down her face. "Fifteen YEARS, Trina! My God, how did you think James and Lily would feel? DID you think?!"
"That's just it! I COULDN'T! I couldn't feel, think or operate rationally, I was hurt, I STILL hurt! I never believed for one minuet that I'd never see anyone again, especially James and Lily. God I miss them."
"How do you think I've felt all these years? You've had your family, I didn't know if you were alive or dead. You were the one person that totally understood me and accepted me for who I was, not even James or Sirius was that close, I thought I'd lost that. They missed you too, you know."
"Why didn't you marry, Remus?"
"She was unavailable."
"You always liked the taken ones. How did you find me?"
"I 'loved' her, not like and I still do as a matter of fact. Dumbledore told me where to find you."
"How did he know?"
"Your Daughter, Isabel. Apparently she looks like you only with red hair." Remus nodded in the direction of Isabel still in Jaelithe's arms. Cat glanced at her daughter and turned back to Remus and opined her mouth to speak, Jaelithe having had enough interrupted.
"You CANT be that insensitive Mother! First you go all mysterious on us and just up to get your long forgotten wand, saying explanations will be given later, then you rip her head off when she's just trying to help YOU, than to top it all off you IGNORE HER! What's wrong with you?! I want explanations! And if the rest of them wont interrupt then I WILL! You're going to explain this from the beginning, NOW! You've heard more then what you wanted to hear from both the radio and your friend. Now EXPLAIN!" Remus stared for a moment, shocked, then smiled. Cat sighed and massaged her temples. Beckoning Isabel to her she hugger her.
"I'm sorry love."
"S' ok, Mom." A small laugh was heard and everyone looked at Remus, who had a huge grin on his face.
"You sound just like your Mother used to, just as demanding too. Well I guess I start and your mom can fill in the blanks. She'll know the specifics better then me." Before he could say a thing the fire flare up again and a dark and messy haired boy with glasses appeared, then stepped out and grinned.
"Hi, Max."
"Hey, Mate!"
"Ron's coming and so is the rest of the Weasly family, don't know why. Hi Isabel." Isabel gaped and glanced to Max who was watching Cat. She turned to look at Cat who was staring at the new arrival.
"Hey, Harry, um.." Cat turned her eyes on Max.
"Thank-you so much for informing me before hand that you had invited company. It's much appreciated." Harry was looking worried.
"Sorry, Mom but I didn't think they'd come this quick! I thought I'd have time to tell you later!"
"Next time please don't wait."
"Um, is this a bad time?" Harry asked. Cat answered.
"No better than the next few days are going to get. Your more than welcome to stay Harry, but you came at a rather stressful time. I'll explain when Molly and Arthur get here, have a seat. Jae get the pillows out of the closet will ya?"
"Sure." Harry sat next to Max while Jaelithe got the pillows and hurled one at Harry hitting him squarely in the face. Laughing she gave one to Max and plunked down beside him with her head in Max's lap and feet on Harry's shoulders, Harry just grinned. The fire flared again and a small redhead girl stepped out.
"Hello. Ron, Fed and George are coming right behind me, because Mom told us to wait but we didn't want to, so we decided to come as fast as we could while she wasn't looking." Cat cracked up.
"Oh poor Molly! I bet she just revolving! I sure am glad I'm not you, little miss." She grinned.
"This is Ginny, Mom." Max introduced.
"Hello, Ginny. Welcome." The next redhead came tumbling out of the fire spraying ashes everywhere.
"Hey!"
"Hi, Ron." Harry said. Ginny had gone over to Harry and planted herself in front of him with her head in his lap, Ron planted himself next to Harry on a big maroon pillow. Two twin boys jumped out of the fire seconds later.
"Mom's a goner! The last we saw she was steaming at the ears! Percy decided not to come, but Bill and Charlie should be hear shortly." They glanced around shaking their heads. "Dad's not going to be able to sit still in this place! It's full of Muggle stuff! Oh and Hermione's coming to she showed up at the last minuet."
"Hello to you too, Fred and George I presume?" Cat asked. The twins spun around and grinned.
"Sorry, Hi! Yeah that's us!" A young girl with brown curly hair came next.
"Hi, I'm Hermione." She said then turned on the Weasly family. "Your in so much trouble when your mom get's here! You should have seen her!"
"No thanks, when she get's here's fast enough thanks." Ron said sarcastically Hermione shook her head and took up Jaelithe's position, with her head in Ron's lap and feet on Harry. Isabel went to go sit with or rather on, George and Fred. Cat moved to sit on the floor beside Remus chair resting her head on his knees she sighed, Remus smiled watching the new arrivals and lightly stroking her hair.
"Reminds you of us back in Hogwarts, doesn't it?" Cat chuckled quietly
"Yeah it does. Wonder how much time they spend in each others beds?" Remus laughed quietly.
"Do we want to know?"
"Probably not, considering how much time I spent in your guys's beds."
"They even look like you three. Do you still have all the pictures you took?"
"Twenty box's later, yeah in the attic."
"Can we look through them tomorrow?" Cat hesitated.
"Yeah, I guess it's just something I'm gonna have to do." Two more redheads stepped through the fire and into the living room one tall and thin with long hair, the other was shorter and a bit stockier, with short hair. Cat instantly recognized Bill and Charlie Weasly.
"Hey guys. So you finally got around to visiting, huh?" Bill and Charlie turned to look at Cat and grinned in pleasure at finding themselves face to face with Cat again.
"Cat! Good to see ya again! How've you bin?" Bill asked.
"I've been good. Business still good?" He laughed.
"You should know better than I, on that account!" She grinned and looked at Charlie who smiled.
"Hey, babe. How ya holding up?" So he knew, Cat though.
"Been better. It's hard." He nodded.
"It'll get better, Promise." He gently touched her cheek then shook Remus's hand.
"How you been, Remus? Any luck on your search?"
"I'm good. None what's so ever."
"Wish you'd take up my offer." Remus laughed.
"I really prefer to stay living thanks."
"Well if you change your mind, the offer's always good."
"Thanks." The fire roared with life and Arthur stepped from the fire, looking worried. Seeing his children he said one word.
"Hide." This was not a lightly taken warning but before they could so much as twitch Molly was standing in the fire place and coming out into the living room. She look similar to a very angry bull. Everyone of her children cowered even before she spoke.
"How dare you!" She spoke in ominously quiet tones. "I told you not to go till we were sure!" George made the mistake of speaking.
"Well it was right and we..." Isabel clamped a hand over his mouth, unfortunately it was too late.
"WELL IT WAS RIGHT?! YOU HAD NO IDEA WHO'S PLACE YOU COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN! YOU COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN SOME PSYCHO'S HOUSE! WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPED IF YOU HAD ENDED UP IN SOME FOREIGN COUNTRY WITHOUT ANYWAY OF GETTING HOME? OR SENDING US A MESSAGE? WE WOULD HAVE HAD NO CLUE AS TO WHERE YOU'D GONE! YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST TO US! YOU COULD HAVE DIED! AND WORSE OF ALL YOU THREE INFLUENCED YOUR SISTER!" She turned on Bill and Charlie then and they visibly grimaced when she turned.
"And what were you two thinking of letting them go?! YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE THE RESPONSIBLE ONES!! WHAT KIND OF EXAMPLE ARE YOU GIVING YOUR YOUNGER SIBLINGS, DOING THAT?" Cat sighed she was getting a head ache, it was time to stop her before she got too warmed up.
"Mol, hon, I'm getting a head ache." Molly turned with flashing eyes for the person who had spoken, then she saw Cat and all the colour drained from her face. One hand fluttered to her mouth then down to her chest and her eyes widened.
"Trina?"
"Hey, Mol. How's it been?"
"Oh Lord!" For the first time in Molly's life she passed out cold into Arthur's arms, much to the surprise of her husband and children.
"Well that outa be a first." Ron stated.
"Oh, it is, Ron. It is." Cat declared.
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TBC
Remember: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW!! Your comments make me write more! Many thanks to those who recommend my stories, I don't get many people reading my stories and love to hear if it's good or not!!!
Trina Casey