Phoenix Star
Disclaimer: I do not own any of this. I don't own Harry Potter or the Marauders, (yes that includes Sirius). Victory, Marcus, and a few of the other characters who will come into this story later are mine, but the context obviously isn't. I don't own it, so I hope all of you Harry Potter fans are happy. I am also happy, but I'm done rambling now. I command you to enjoy the story and review. -MornieGalad
Shivery moonlight trickled from overhead, casting a shadow of an orange tint around the pair. The Halloween air encircled them like a wave, crisp, cool, and refreshing after the long hours of heat within the yonder school. Through it they walked, inseparable in spirit. Reflecting the light, the ring on the girl's finger was the one star that lit the eerie night. Smiles lit their faces.
Suddenly, Marcus started. He had felt a disturbance in the night. He exchanged a nervous look with his sister and she, too, became wary. A jolt of noise erupted in the silence of the night; he crumpled to the ground. Instinctively, the girl flew toward the location of the sound. A sharp pain met her chest. She drew her wand.
"Expeliarmus!" The sound of fleeing feet met her ears as she collapsed on the ground.
When she opened her eyes, they were met with light. She could sense that she was being watched, but before she could turn her head, a voice called to her.
"Victory, Victory!" She knew his voice too well not to recognize it: Sirius Black. She tried to turn toward him, but was in far too much pain.
"Sirius, where am I? What happened?" He came to her side, allowing her to see his face. He looked exhausted, as if he had not slept in days. "Where am I?" she repeated, anxiously, her eyes studying him quickly, picking up on his every move.
"You're in the hospital wing, Victory. It's November seventh."
"November seventh?" She questioned. "I've been here for a week?" Her friend nodded, a look in his eyes so uncharacteristic. Usually he was as mischievous as a fox, but now he looked gravely disturbed. His characteristically carefree eyes were now darkened with grief and the smile he typically wore had disappeared. Something was dreadfully wrong.
"What is it?" she asked. He sighed, reluctant to tell her, yet knowing he had to. Bad news coming from a friend was always better than bad news from a stranger.
"I don't know exactly what happened on Halloween night. I arrived after the attack." Tears formed in his eyes as he struggled for the easiest way to say the next words. Finding no painless way, he choked out what had to be said, "Marcus is dead." At that moment, Remus Lupin rushed in.
"You told her?" he asked. Sirius nodded, turning his head from both his friends, trying to hide his tears. Victory lay motionless, stunned. Remus closed his eyes and took a seat across from Sirius. Tears came to Victory's eyes and her two friends took her hands sympathetically.
"Welcome back, Katherine Victory," an elderly voice said from the doorway. Victory flinched at the use of her first name, but it was merely an instinctive reflex. She was too consumed in her thoughts to have even noticed Professor Nobelock's entrance.
"Sirius Black, you told her, didn't you?" he asked, obvious disapproval in his voice.
"She had a right to know," he choked. "She would have found out sooner or later. Better the news come from a friend who shares her loss than . . ." his voice trailed off and he faced the wall again. In rushed James Potter and Peter Petigrew.
"She's awake!" James exclaimed.
"That brings the funeral closer," Peter commented.
"We wanted to wait for you to be able to attend, considering you are his sister. Your father has been waiting to see you, but he's sleeping now." Nobelock explained.
"Victory!" Lily Evans flew in, shoving Peter and James out of the way and dashed to Lily's side, completely ignoring Sirius, whom she nearly ran over. "Thank goodness, thank goodness!" She wept half from joy at seeing her best friend awake for the first time in a week and half for grief from knowing that the same best friend's twin brother was gone. She put her arm around Victory and held her tight.
The next morning dawned with the tears of rain. Marcus's funeral would be held that day. Balthasar Cleft, Victory and Marcus's father, had requested that he be cremated. They would attend the ceremony in the Great Hall. Sirius carried Victory there, for she was still too injured to move herself. She sat beside Balthasar, who had appeared in the hospital wing only moments after Lily. Sirius sat on her other side, much to Lily's annoyance. The body lay on a decorated table about three feet in front of them. Marcus wore his Hogwarts robe, a peaceful look on his face, completely unchanged from Victory's last memory of him.
The Hall had been overcome in music, dance, and feasting. Victory's red hair had contrasted gorgeously with her ravishing orange dress. She and Marcus had left Gryfindor Tower with the Marauders, the red sunset seeping through the windows. Lily had joined them merely to keep an eye on her best friend. She had never trusted Sirius and now he seemed to have taken more of an interest in Victory, officially asking her to be his date to the dance. Lily's date, Frederic Teriss of Ravenclaw had met them at the feast. They had wonderful laughs about how they would probably never see Victory as dressed up as this again. Both Marcus and James had enjoyed teasing Sirius, joking that Victory was his girlfriend and playing harmless jokes on the others, like putting a frog in Lily's drink. Lily was unamused, but the others had laughed heartily. Marcus's augh was the loudest.
Victory blinked away tears at the memory, the last she had before their final walk together. The ceremony was commencing. Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, was saying some words about Marcus, how he would have become a fine wizard and the injustice of his death. Victory hardly listened to him. She was occupied taking in every detail of her brother's body as though the thought of forgetting any minuscule detail would kill her. Her hand slipped from her lap to dangle at her side. As the headmaster finished his speech, he motioned for Balthasar to rise and set fire to the body. He declined, gesturing to Victory; it was her duty to begin her twin brother's final duty. Her father gently helped her up and Sirius walked at her side, although it wasn't far. Tears filled her eyes as thoughts and memories from the long years past filled her head.
"Goodbye," she whispered. "Pirioaramus." The fire ignited and she had to look away. Sirius returned her to her seat. Victory couldn't bear to watch. She closed her eyes, but she could still see the flames consuming him. Victory felt she would explode in pain from her heart and body. There was a single portion of her body that didn't burn: her left hand. It felt strangely comfortable and relaxed. Little did she realize it was in Sirius's, who did not know it either.
Marcus's remains were given to Balthasar Cleft in a fiery red bowl. Engraved upon the lid was a bird-a Phoenix - encircled in a strange star. Only three people reclined in the Great Hall that day knew full well the meaning of these images. They sat side by side, tears in their eyes, the memory of Marcus Cleft burning a fire in their hearts.