DISCLAIMER; I don't own Harry Potter, or anything else you may recognize. I do own Diana A. Lupin, Mai Sorcensca, and Ari Thuraya. You'll see who they are later.
(A/N: This is my first real Harry Potter fic. I don't count Found because nobody reviewed it, so it was discontinued. Anyway! I don't know where this story will end up, but you can come along for the ride. Any suggestions on pranks, plot, or anything else, would be greatly appreciated.)
Chapter 1: The Last Marauder
Remus Lupin shook his head as he read Sirius's last letter to him. It claimed that since dear old Padfoot was dead, the responsibility fell to Mooney, as the last TRUE Marauder, to pick a new generation of Marauders and give the Book and the Key. Lupin sighed as he thought about his choices, then took out a bit of parchment and began to list students he thought would be fine Marauders.
Professor Albus Dumbledore gazed out the window of his office, his own letter from Sirius in his hands.
Most Noble and Honorable Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts,
Another Marauder down, eh? Not to worry. The new generation will be in action as soon as they are chosen. As for my possessions, put them to use for the Order. Only give Remus the trunks labeled 'Marauders', those are his to pass on. They're in the attic if he asks. Also make him get new robes. If he refuses, would you ask Harry, Ron, and Hermione to transfigure his robes into tutus at the welcoming feast? That is, if the old wolf is teaching. Farewell, old bumblebee, maybe we shall meet again someday.
Sirius Orion Black, last member of the Damned House of Black, Thank GodDumbledore read through the letter several times, taking in a different portion each time. Then he sat back and closed his eyes, thinking about Sirius, Remus, Harry, Voldemort, and most of all what he could do to protect Hogwarts.
"BOY! Get down here and clean the dishes!"
"Yes, Uncle Vernon."
Harry Potter trudged down the stairs, once more cooped up inside his aunt and uncle's house on Privet Drive. He didn't mind. Being there meant endless hours of sweaty work, and anything that took his mind off Sirius gave him some sense of normalcy. Of course, his summer was destined to be anything but normal.
Mai Sorcensca sighed and shook her head as she read her godbrother's letter. A few minutes later, her phone rang. It was Diana.
"Did you get a letter?"
"Yeah. Did you?"
"Two. One from Sirius and another from Uncle Remus."
"What did Remus say?"
"He's teaching at Hogwarts again this year. He wants us to come and be his assistants! Does that rock or what?"
"Total rockage, except for the fact that Sirius is dead. Obviously, Diana, can't you have a little respect for the dead guy and his godsister?"
"Sorry Mai, it's just that I'm really excited about getting to teach. Mind if I come over?"
"Not at all. I'll need your help anyway."
"Why?"
"Just get you arse over here."
"Righto. Over and out."
Mai hung up the telephone and within seconds her best friend Diana jumped out of the fireplace, just as scattered-looking as she did when she first traveled by Floo when she was five, which was twenty years ago. You'd think that twenty years of experience would help, but not with Diana. She got up and began to brush herself off.
"So, what's up?"
"Sirius told me in his letter that his godson, Harry, isn't treated well by the muggles he lives with during the summer."
"And?"
Mai flashed a mischievous smile and produced a map of Surrey.
"Ready for a search-and-rescue mission? Call Ari. We're going to have a guest for the summer."
Ari Thuraya was sleeping peacefully in the afternoon sun on her couch when the phone rang loudly. Fumbling blindly, she managed to pick up the receiver.
"H'lo?"
"Ari, wake up!"
"Goddamnit, Diana! I was just having a sweet dream about Cornelius Fudge!"
"Eww."
"Not really. I was about to blow his fucking head off with some strange weapon. Anyway, now that I'm awake, what did you call me for? And why are you calling from Mai's house?"
"Mission time!!"
"Oh? I'll be there in a moment. Should I bring a knife?"
"No. Sirius says that the people are cowards."
"Sirius is there? Great!!"
"No, Ari. Sirius is dead."
"WHAT??"
"Bellatrix killed him in front of his godson."
"Well, Bella was on my hit list anyway, but now she's on top!!"
Mai grabbed the phone. "Ari, just get your ever-lovin' ass over here!"
Ari appeared in Mai's fireplace two minutes later, laden with enough firearms to put the army to shame.
"Where the hell is Bellatrix Lestrange? She is toast."
"Chill Ari. We have to get Harry here first."
"Why?"
"Because the muggles he lives with treat him like rat shit. And I think we should tutor him a little bit before the new term starts at Hogwarts."
"I agree! I agree! I agree!"
"Down, Diana."
"For real. So….no use for my guns?"
"Nope. Have a use for your wand, though."
"That namby-pamby thing?"
"Yes. I need you to create a training ground for weapons. You can do it in the backyard, just make it so no muggles can see it."
"Alright, whatever."
"What about me?"
"Diana, why don't you go make a new bedroom for him? Keep in mind his age and interest in Defense and Quidditch."
"What will you be doing, Mai? Baking cookies?"
"I'll be making the house Unplottable and such as that."
Later that night, Harry Potter struggled to stay awake so he could finish reading his transfiguration assignment. He was startled by a quiet tapping at his window. He was even more startled when he saw three women at it. They all looked about twenty-five. One had long, wispy black hair and bright ice blue eyes. The second had honey brown hair and amber eyes. Somehow, the second one reminded him strongly of Lupin. The third one had brownish-red hair and crystal green eyes. She also looked ready to murder someone, but when her gaze fell on Harry, her eyes lost the murderous glint and took on a look of curiosity. The first beckoned for him to open the window. When he hesitated, she rolled her eyes and showed him her elbow, the held up a letter for him to read. He choked as he recognized he handwriting, then quickly opened the window.
"Who are you? Why are you here? Are you members of the Order?"
"Whoa, kid. We'll answer questions later. For now, let me gather your things."
The black haired witch swept her wand over Harry's room, making everything go zooming into the trunk at the foot of Harry's bed. She nodded to the second witch, who disapparated with it. The third witch gathered Hedwig and her cage and disapparated. Finally, the black haired witch smiled kindly at Harry.
"Hold on. We'll be apparating back to my house, where you'll stay for the rest of the summer."
"Who are you?"
"Mai Sorcensca."
"And why have you come to get me?"
"Sirius wanted me to. I'm his godsister, Harry. Now hold on tight."
"Does the Order know about this?"
"No, but we can send word to them later."
Harry nodded and grabbed Mai by the arm. He heard a loud crack and opened his eyes. They now stood in the middle of a modest kitchen. The other two witches were sitting at the table drinking soda.
"Where are we?"
"My ranch house. And this is Diana Lupin and Ari Thuraya."
"Lupin?"
"Yes. I believe you know Remus Lupin? Diana is his niece."
"Oh."
"And as for where we are in the world…we're in America."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Texas, to be more precise."
"Bloody hell!"
Ari chuckled. "I like this kid already."
"Me too. Now Harry, the time change may be a little difficult to get used to at first, but I'm sure you'll manage to adjust fine. Why don't you go get some sleep while we begin our mornin'? Up the stairs, second door to the left is your bedroom, first door to the right is a bathroom, second door to the right is Diana's room, the door on the right end is Ari's room, first door to the left is my room, and the door at the end of the left hall is another bathroom. In the attic there's a library—"
"Diana? Shut up already."
"We can show him later, after he's slept."
Harry, thankful for the stopped mouth of Diana, climbed up the stairs and entered his room. He barely took a look at it before falling on the feathery bed and drifting off to sleep.
"ALBUS!"
"What is it, Arabella?"
"Harry's gone missing!"
"What? How? When?"
"Last night. Vernon and Petunia say they haven't seen him. Do you think he may have run away again?"
"I do not know, Arabella. We may have to meet at your house later, if that's alright?"
"Of course, Professor. Do keep me informed."
"As always, my dear."
Dear Uncle Remus,
Mai, Ari, and me would love to help you teach this year! In fact, we're getting started early. Shhh, that's a secret.
Sirius told Mai that you'd be picking new Marauders this year. Any ideas on who the lucky four are? Ooh! Why don't you pick one, then let Mai and Ari and me pick someone? That way it's fair.
Diana A. Lupin
Dear Remus,
Yeah, we're all writing on the same parchment. This way you only have to open one letter to read four messages. Can't you do anything about your bloody niece? She's nice enough, but if she doesn't calm down, we may have to give her a Calming Draught. Or some ADD medicine. As Diana mentioned, we have a guest this summer, and we'll be tutoring him. Fun, eh?
Mai P. Sorcensca
Dear Wolfman,
How's it going? I'm about to replace Lestrange with Diana on my list if she doesn't take a chill pill. Yeah, we got a student this summer and I'm teaching him how to kick some ass. At least I'll be good at it, eh?
Ari M. Thuraya
Dear Remus,
The others told me not to tell you who I am. They're even putting a permanent spell on my quill so you won't recognize my handwriting. They think you should guess who I am. Just let me tell you that I'm safe here with these three loonies—ouch! Bloody women!! OUCH!! Bloody poking me…I'm not even allowed to use my owl because you'd recognize her. I guess I'll see you at school, Mooney.
Secret I. Canttell (THEY came up with this corny name, not me. OUCH!! BLOODY HELL, WOMAN, WILL YOU STOP THAT?)
