Disclaimer: I own nothing but the characters Aurora and Christine.
A/N: Hi, I know this is really short, but there isn't much else to write except that it's so sad. I've always thought that it wasn't fair how that group turned out, but I suppose that's how it had to be. Please, review!
Potential
June 1978
Albus Dumbledore sat watching yet another class of students graduate. He had especially high hopes for this year's Gryffindors. He wasn't supposed to show any favoritism, but those seven young adults had earned a place in his heart over the years that he had known them. He was certain that they would remain friends. They were a tight knit group.
James Potter and Sirius Black were headed off to the Aurors' Academy in Wales. Remus Lupin was going to study to be a teacher. That boy especially, he hoped would turn out for the better. Peter Pettigrew wasn't as bright as the other boys, but he hoped to get somewhere within the Ministry. Lily Evans had been recruited by the Daily Prophet to write a few feature pieces. Albus didn't doubt that James would pop the question soon too. Christine Cavan and Aurora Nowell were thinking about opening a potion shop together. Christine could exercise her considerable talents while Aurora would take care of running the shop. Those two were constantly bickering, but the truth was, they worked very well as a team.
After the ceremony, Albus pulled the seven graduates aside to take a picture. He wanted to be able to look back on this moment when they were all established adults. And was sure they would all still be friends.
June 1994
Albus Dumbledore pulled a rather old and worn photograph out of the bottom drawer of his desk. He looked down at the seven happy and smiling faces and tried to imagine what each face looked like now.
James and Lily were dead, betrayed by one they thought was a friend. Sirius was little more than a skeleton from twelve years of rotting in a cell for a crime he didn't commit. He was now on the run after his near capture by the ministry. Remus was poor and for the most part, shunned by society. Peter was a rat. He had betrayed his friends to Voldemort and was now on his way back to his master. Christine was living in Ireland as a spinster, taking care of her elderly and ailing mother while putting up with her older sister. Aurora was living in New York, hiding from any mention of Sirius Black and refusing to believe that he was guilty. He would need to write to her immediately and let her know that she had been right. And he would leave the decision of telling Christine up to Remus. He knew her best and would know if she could be trusted with the information.
Albus shook his head wearily. He had had such high expectations for them. They had all had so much potential. But sometimes things don't happen as they should and sometimes those with the most promise end up with the worst lives. He could only hope that it would be drastically different for Harry and his friends.