Memories Forgotten and Found
Chapters: 3
Word Count: 3,794
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything that is taken from that series. I also do not own the initial idea that set the ball rolling, which is the story of Anastasia (the version which inspired me was the 20th Century Fox Animated Movie). I also do not own anything that even reminds people of novels by Tamora Pierce, even though the concepts for Healing and generic magic were inspired by her. I also do not own any of the lyrics or songs which inspired each individual chapter.

GN:
Thus begins the third epoch of our journey. More characters and other facets of our central conflict are introduced. The relationship between the Marauders is interesting, and may seem awkward, though that is the result of the times they are living in. Enjoy!
As always, each of the chapters is inspired by either a song or a specific line from a song.
I challenge thee to decipher the song and be the first to guess it.


Chapter Three: In Which It's Been a Hard Day's Night

"This. . .is like searching for the proverbial needle in the largest haystack ever constructed," Sirius Black commented to no one in particular as he bundled deeper into his thick cloak.

The Marauders were walking around the old castle in Karlieh and the surrounding streets, not making eye contact with passerby, and ridiculously focused on their mission.

Peter Pettigrew brushed his mousy brown hair out of his face and sighed, having heard this argument before. "If we happen to be so lucky to even happen to find her, I pray we do the right thing." He stared up at the castle, pondering.

"Have any of you ever thought of venturing inside, you know, to see what it's like after years of vacancy?" Peter hesitantly asked his friends, Sirius Black, James Potter and Remus Lupin.

James ran a hand through his mop of black hair thoughtfully.

Sirius on the other hand, raised an eyebrow and cocked his head at Pete, causing his chin-length black hair to fall to one side. He gave the question some consideration, or at least what consideration he thought due.

Remus Lupin rubbed the stubble on his chin as his blue-grey eyes narrowed in concentration. None of these patterns of consideration were new, but rather habits that the Marauders had developed during their times at Hogwarts.

James shrugged. "Honestly no, not really. Do you want to?"

Sirius' gray eyes lit up and he jumped up and down, the epitome of a toddler that has been told that he's getting candy. "C'mon, let's go!"

Remus, the ever sensible one, hung back and tugged at his scarf nervously. "You do realize that we aren't even technically supposed to be here, right?"

The other three turned back to face him.

He put his gloved hands up in a sign of 'no offense' and spoke again, giving reasons. "I'm just saying that this is his territory and you know very well that he could recognize us-that anyone could recognize us."

The expressions of the three turned simultaneously into frowns at Remus, who plowed ahead.

"James, you're the freaking Crown Prince of a country who hasn't yet fallen under his rule! Sirius, he's out for your family's blood; Peter, you're a great strategist and would be an exceedingly powerful asset to his armies! And I . . ."

James noted that Remus was suddenly more subdued. "We know Remus, we realize. In our eyes, it's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of because you are still you. Others. . . .well, they all tend to be a tad bit afeared of your furry little problem."

Sirius nodded. "We know that we're all risking capture, but if we knew it was safe there'd be no fun. What do you think we are? A bunch of pansies? Hence, wands."

Peter agreed. "Nobody's checked there-ever. She could still be locked up in there, after ten years, anything can happen really. The actual chances of that happening though are astoundi-"

Sirius clamped a hand over the slightly shorter boy's mouth. "We know Pete. Stop rambling. The chances are blah, blah, blah. I don't mean to be offensive, but we don't care at this point."

Peter smiled sheepishly as the hand was removed from his face.

"Way to be blunt, Sirius," Remus commented with a small smile as they walked forwards.

"Sirius is the name, and extreme bluntness is my game," he winked at James, who rolled his eyes.

"Sorry 'bout that, guys. So, we going in?"

Remus sighed. "Why not?"

Sirius bounded ahead and after a few steps, turned to face them so they could still talk. "Hey James, didn't Marie give you that box-thingamabob recently?"

"Yeah," James replied, pulling it out of his pocket, a slip of parchment attached. "She said that it was Lily's. Auntie Marie grabbed it right before they left," James hands made the silver box seem the smallest thing in the world as he handed it to Sirius, his hand trembling.

Sirius studied the box for a moment, also reading the paper. Halting his backwards path, he asked James a simple question. "What exactly is supposed to open it?"

"A locket." At the unbelieving looks he received, James elaborated. "Presumably she's wearing it about her neck. It's a silver and turquoise locket with the same design as the box. She said that it was their secret as to what was in there and she wouldn't tell me."

They walked in silence as each Marauder remembered their fallen comrade. The first one to snap back to reality was Remus. Now, normally, he was not the 'cheering' person in the group. Despite that knowledge, he needed to be as the circumstances were entirely different. Something was deeply bothering James and it was affecting all of them.

"Well, I think we'll find her, as a matter of fact, I'm sure of it," Remus attempted. He wasn't very successful.

Peter came to Remus' rescue by raising his hands in frustration. "This is all too much drama for me!

Sirius gave a hearty laugh at Peter's actions, and even James had to crack a smile.


GN: Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Sugar is Sweet and So are Reviews!

P.S. Chapter Two was inspired by the song "All My Loving" by The Beatles from With the Beatles (copyright 1963)