February 1976. Hogwarts Castle.
James Potter was bounding up the staircases to the fourth floor. Taking two steps at a time, determined to get there as quickly possible. He reached the landing and raced down the corridor. He got to the entrance to the Hospital Wing and saw Frank leaning against the wall across from the large, double doors.
"Hey Frank," James said coming to stand in front of him.
Frank nodded at him eyes tearing away from the doors for only a split second before returning to the door.
"What are you doing?" James asked looking back at the door.
"Shush, I'm counting," Frank said.
"Counting what?" James asked, confused.
Frank opened his mouth to answer but the door opened interrupting him.
Alina stepped out, closed the door behind her all while Frank smirked at her, "You owe me forty-seven seconds."
She looked at him, mouth slightly agape, she shook her head laughing slightly, "Really? You are insufferable sometimes you know that?"
"Yeah but I keep life fun," he said winking at her.
She rolled her eyes, grin breaking out across her face, "Next time I'll ask for a whole minute, how about that?"
"Good, better to cover all your bases just in case."
She narrowed her eyes at him but her smile still in place, while Frank's smirk never faltered.
James just stood there not entirely sure what was going on, his eyes darted between the two Aurors.
"C' mon we need to get to Dumbledore," Frank said stepping away from the wall.
"Is that now?" James asked.
"Is what now?" Alina questioned.
"Well, Sirius, Pete and I got a message from Dumbledore asking us to be present at a meeting tonight. I was hoping I could see Remus before though just to see how he was…"
Frank and Alina frowned at each other.
"What time did his message say to be there?" Frank asked.
"It didn't, it just said tonight…"
"Well c' mon you can come with us then," Frank said. Frank and Alina started walking towards the staircases. James hesitated and looked back at the doors to the hospital wing.
"Can I go in quickly before we go?" James asked, rooted to the spot he was standing.
"Remus will still be here when we get back," Frank called over his shoulder.
James huffed, he really wanted to go inside and just make sure Remus was doing okay but he knew that whatever Dumbledore wanted to see him about it must've been important. So with one last glance at the doors, he turned and followed the Aurors down the corridor.
"How is he?" James asked once he fell in step with Frank and Alina.
"I'm sure his wounds will heal soon enough," Franks said.
"Yeah but besides that… how is he, mentally, emotionally all that stuff?" Alina looked at him and gave him a small smile.
"He'll be okay, I think all of this was just a big shock for him and there's a lot he's being forced to process right now… but he'll be okay," she said, there was a slight sadness edging in on her voice. She looked forward again and James watched her for a second wondering if she cared about Remus as much as he seemed to care about her. James knew that Remus was strangely interested in the Auror and he could see the appeal but how deep did their connection actually run he wondered. Ever since she showed up that one night all those months ago her and Remus' lives seemed so intertwined.
As they were coming down the stairs James could hear voices, voices he recognized. They reached the landing and just off to the side at the entrance to one of the main hallways Lily and Marlene were standing with another girl. Frank and Alina paid no notice to the group and carried on right past them. Lesley spotted James and called after him, "Potter! Wait up!"
He winced and turned towards her slowly.
"What's the deal? You and your friends have been super cagy all day and I literally just want to talk to Remus about this weekend but no one in this entire school seems to know where he is."
"Uhm I don't know what to tell you… What did Sirius and Peter say?" James wasn't sure what to say, the key to a good lie was making sure they all knew the same story. Even if the four of them were asked separately they could answer knowing the other versions of the story would basically be the same. But without knowing what Sirius and Peter had been telling people made things difficult.
"Nothing! They said nothing! They said they didn't know and that he was probably studying or on prefect duty or something! But Lily said she hadn't seen him in the library and I asked Julian who said he didn't have duties yesterday or today. So for the love of Merlin, Potter! Tell me where he is."
"Jeez Lesley, he's not your boyfriend just yet. The truth is no I haven't seen him we don't spend every blooming second together. But if I do see him I'll let him know you were looking for him. Until then try not to go all psycho on the poor lad."
She glared at him and he glared back, "So help me Potter, Remus must be somewhere in this castle and I will find him. With or without your help," she said sticking her chin out.
James snorted, "Yeah okay… you do that." He started to turn away.
"Well, where are you going now?" Marlene asked from behind Lesley, James stopped, turned back and glanced at her, her arms were folded and her eyebrow raised indignantly.
He paused for a second, his eyes darted towards Lily who was watching him confused, a slight frown at her brow.
"Sorry ladies but James has to come with us to a very important meeting. You can have him back later," Frank said stepping in.
"Are you in trouble James?" Lily asked in a small voice.
"On the contrary, Mr Potter is helping us. He's proven to be quite valuable," Alina said.
Lily's eyes darted between James and Alina with a look James couldn't quite place, something mixed between awe and apprehension.
Marlene and Lesley were glaring at Alina, who seemed amused by their dissatisfaction.
Alina turned on her heel and carried on down the corridor. Frank gave James a look and followed her. James turned to the two girls in front of him and gave them a quick shrug. He smiled at Lily apologetically who smiled slightly back at him. He then turned and followed Frank and Alina.
Once they were out of earshot Alina turned to James, "What was that all about?"
"Ugh, Lesley. Her and Remus are going to Hogsmeade together on Saturday or supposed to go anyway… doubt he'll feel like it now. But she's always been quite intense and just… you know I don't even have the words for her."
"Wait. Like a date?" Frank asked.
"Yep, pretty much. I don't know why he did it, she's worse than Marlene on a bad day."
"Bolocks!" The three of them stopped and turned towards the shout.
Sirius and Peter appeared from underneath the invisibility cloak.
"You guys also ran into Lesley?" Peter asked.
"Yeah… we just got to meet her. She seems lovely," Frank said sarcastically.
"We've been hiding from her since fourth period," Sirius said scrunching up the cloak and handing it to James. James frowned at it unravelled it, folded it properly and shoved it into his bag.
"Wait I'm still confused," Frank said holding his hands up.
"Yes Lesley can be that crazy, I've been there, seen it for myself," Sirius said shaking his head.
"Well if she's as bad as you say why is Remus going on a date with her? I thought… well, I thought he liked someone else…" Frank started, Alina glared at him, warning him to stop "well not someone else like specifically… she just doesn't seem like his type…"
"Who the fuck knows, honestly I don't know what's been going through his head recently but maybe after last night he'll skip the date realize it was a stupid mistake and reconsider," Sirius said.
"I thought it would be good for him…" Peter said. They all looked at him and he shrugged, "She's pretty and smart… but I forgot what she gets like…"
"Well, I for one-"
"No that's enough," Alina said cutting James off, "Sorry James, but we have a meeting to get to and I really don't think any good will come from us discussing Lupin's love life." She turned and strode up to Dumbledore's office and practically yelled the password at the door.
James looked at Frank who was watching Alina, slight grimace on his face.
Frank followed her up the stairs.
"Hey did you get to see him?" Sirius asked.
"No, but Alina said we could see him afterwards."
"Alright…"
They had been sitting inside Dumbledore's office for over an hour now. The three of them were in there with McGonagall, Dumbledore, Frank, Alina and a short stubby man who said he was Remus' Werewolf Tracking Officer or something of that manner.
Each one of them had to stand up and describe last night's events in detail. While Elliot the W.T.O wrote it all down. He asked a lot of questions and made everyone recount their experiences slowly so he could write it all down. Just to have Alina read over his shoulder and tell him that he had misspelt a word or made a grammatical error.
"Right so Mr Potter… you said that after Miss Ravenclaw chained Remus up against a tree you came back to the castle and alerted Mr Longbottom to the situation and then just went to bed."
"Yup that's right," James said nodding. He was slouched in his chair pretending to be super tired and annoyed by being stuck here. Sirius and Peter were doing the same. Acting overly exasperated to try and sell the lie. When they entered Dumbledore's office he asked them to not tell Elliot that Alina was an Animagus. She said it didn't matter and that if the ministry found out she wouldn't care but Dumbledore with that ever so present mischievous twinkle in his eye said it would be more beneficial for everyone if the ministry didn't know of her illegal transfigurations just yet. So in five short minutes, they all agreed on the story.
"And after you went to bed what did you do?"
"I went to sleep…" James said with a roll of his eyes.
"Right, makes sense. Okay, Mr Black. You returned at the same time as Mr Potter and you too went to bed straight away?"
"Well no not right away I had a shower first, washed my hair. You see to get voluminous locks such as my own you need to take awfully good care of them or I might end up like… well like you. No offence though," Sirius said combing his fingers through his shoulder-length black hair. James just rolled his eyes at Sirius. Merlin, him and that hair of his, James thought.
"But then after my shower, I went to bed and then slept right through the night officer," Sirius added.
"Oh there's no need to call me officer," Elliot said slightly chuffed, he scribbled something on the page he was on and then rifled through the other pages. James looked at Sirius who gave him a wink and a dramatic hair flip.
"Mr Pettigrew and you too went to bed after going to Mr Longbottom?" Elliot asked.
"Yeah… I was so tired I fell asleep in my uniform. Almost chocked myself on my tie." Elliot frowned at Peter who just shrugged.
"Okay back to Mr Longbottom. After the boys came to you, you locked down the school is that correct?"
Frank sat up straighter on the small sofa he sat on next to McGonagall.
"Yup, I woke McGonagall and the two of us locked down the school, no one could get in or out."
"But you knew Miss Ravenclaw was out there with a deep in transformation werewolf, weren't you concerned she would get hurt and need to get back into the school?"
"The thought did cross my mind but she's more than capable of taking on a werewolf, she's faced far worse in harder circumstances I knew she could handle it and at that point, my priority was the safety of the other students."
"Right, right… okay, Miss Ravenclaw, you said that you followed him the whole night. Why?"
"I needed to make sure he didn't move into an occupied area, muggle, wizard or otherwise. I kept him contained to the forest the whole night," Alina said from the pillar she rested against.
"And you expect me to believe that you were able to navigate the forbidden forest? With all manner of dark creature and dark wizard lurking in the shadows? And you weren't scared?"
"Forgive me Elliot but I feel like I should remind you that I am no ordinary Auror. If there was anything to be feared in that forest last night it was me."
James and Sirius looked at each other. She really was incredible. James was in awe, her confidence was profound and he found her absolutely terrifying. He didn't know her as well as Remus or Sirius did but the small moments that he spent with her always left him speechless.
"Okay well, I think that's all I need. Thank you so much for your time, everyone. I hope I haven't kept you up too late," he said putting all his pages in a folder.
"Not at all, we'll see you again tomorrow when you come to talk to Remus," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, yes. Good night," he said and he disappeared into the floo network.
Once the green flames died Dumbledore used his wand to close the floo network, sat down at his desk and put his wand down.
James watched the adults in the room, the tension in the room was thick and impossible to ignore. They remained in silence for a few minutes. James was about to say something when Dumbledore started speaking.
"I want to thank you all for lying about the events of last night, I know it's asking a lot, lying to the ministry but it is all for a purpose I promise you that."
"You know what Dumbledore, I'm getting pretty tired of your promises," Frank said from where he was sitting.
"Frank!" Alina hissed. Frank ignored her.
"You're always up to something and I'm tired of being a pawn in your chess game. You seem to forget that people are getting hurt around you. It needs to stop," Frank growled. He had leapt up from his seat and was standing across the desk from where Dumbledore sat.
"Frank, you were always so passionate and caring of others, and so very righteous and brave, a true Gryffindor," Dumbledore said.
"That literally had nothing to do with what's happening right now. Did you know about the Dark Moon?"
"You see I had a-"
"Yes or No. Did you know that the Dark Moon would cause Remus to transform?"
Dumbledore sighed, "Yes…"
"And you left and didn't tell anyone?"
"Everything I do is done in the way I do it for a reason, even if the reason isn't obvious at first it will make itself known in time."
Frank slammed his hand on the desk, "That's not good enough! What if Alina died? Huh, what then? What if I couldn't save her from the dark mark? Or what if Remus' claws didn't just scratch her arm? She could've died! He could've died! What if we didn't find him and he did manage to get out of the school but then ended up in some muggle village and got himself shot? What about that? If you had told us, we could've taken Remus to the shack and kept him there the whole night. We could've kept him safe. Rather than letting him change in the middle of the fucking dormitory and hoping he'd make it out without killing anyone! If he had hurt someone you would've destroyed him."
Dumbledore didn't say anything.
"There must be a reason," McGonagall said timidly from where she was perched, "but Albus you should've told us, you should've told me."
"I needed him to change, I needed Alina to rescue him. It might not make sense now but it will," Dumbledore said softly.
"I believe you," Alina said from her corner.
Frank looked at her, "What? You believe him? After everything he's put you through? Are you insane?" She gave him a long look. She looked torn. Frank, on the other hand, looked furious. James had never seen him this angry.
She didn't answer Frank but she made her way to the door, she turned back to Dumbledore, "Whatever you have planned or think is going to happen. I just hope it's worth it." And she left.
Dumbledore stood then and turned to James, Sirius and Peter, "Thank you for your time. I believe you can go to visit Remus now. Oh, and for your help I am granting you fifty house points each."
"For lying?" Sirius asked bemused.
"It will be the first and last time Mr Black I can assure you of that. But you are free to go."
"Thank you, Professor," James said getting up from his chair. He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He left the office, Sirius and Peter right behind him.
Once outside the office, James bolted down the corridor to catch up to Alina.
"Hey, Alina! Wait up!" He called after her.
She stopped at the base of the stairs and looked back at him.
He stopped just in front of her, "Can I ask you a favour?"
She frowned slightly, "Uhm, sure. What's up?"
"I want you to help me become an Animagus," he said in a rush. James watched her reaction she looked a little shocked. She narrowed her eyes slightly, "Come again?"
"I want you to teach me how to become an Animagus," James said slightly slower.
Sirius and Peter had caught up to them but didn't seem to have heard what James had asked.
She turned and carried on up the stairs, but asked: "Why?"
"Because I want to help Remus, I've never known how before but I know I can do this," he said walking up next to her.
She didn't say anything, she just carried on up the stairs.
"Please, you know it'll help and I know you care about him, maybe even as much as we do. But I can't do this alone… I need your help…"
"And I suppose you want to go unregistered?"
"Well yeah… McGonagall said the ministry wouldn't agree to my reasons and deny my request."
"It's not easy Potter, and you need to be incredibly strong to handle the transformation, and the process and the preparation needed… It's a lot."
"Alina please I'll do anything. I need to do this. If you say no I'll do it alone, it'll take longer but I'll still do it."
She stopped and looked at him, "There's no guarantee that it'll work at all. And if it does work there's also a chance that he's too strong for you and he could kill you."
"Wait what are we talking about?" Sirius asked butting into the conversation. James just ignored him.
"But he might not, I know it can make it easier on him and then he doesn't have be locked up every time. He can roam around I can do what you did and make sure he stays safe."
"He almost killed me."
"Yeah well he was mad, I'm sure if he's unprovoked he'll be okay… right?"
She took a deep breath, "Yes in theory, it's been done before and it does help… and last night he was more aggressive because of the Dark Moon."
"So it makes sense for me to do this?"
"Fine Potter, I'll help you. But no one can find out about this? Understand?"
"Yes, definitely. Thank you."
"Wait what is going on?" Sirius asked again.
"I'll tell you about it later," James said clapping Sirius on the back.
"Can we go see Remus now?" James asked Alina.
"Yeah c' mon lets go."
James was beyond excited, becoming an Animagus had been on his mind since he saw Alina's transfiguration. He had read every book he could find on transfiguration and had already snuck into the potions stores to get all the ingredients he needed and some extra in case he messed up the first time around.
They reached the hospital wing and Alina pushed the doors open. Remus was sitting up in his bed while Madame Pomfrey was holding up his arm and examining his shoulder. His face lit up once he saw the people who had entered the room.
James, Sirius and Peter ran over while Alina closed the doors behind her.
Peter jumped on the bottom of the bed while Sirius climbed up next to Remus. James stood next to Pomfrey looking at the wound, it was very ugly, deep and jagged. James couldn't even imagine what it would've looked like before Pomfrey tried to fix it up. Alina came to the other side of Pomfrey. Remus was watching her, waiting for her to look at him but she didn't her eyes were focused on his shoulder. James saw Remus frown, he wanted to say something but wasn't sure what.
"Will you hold him," Pomfrey said holding Remus' arm for Alina to take.
She nodded and gripped his forearm gently.
"I need to put this into the wound and then it should heal up nicely… but it'll scar. Phoenix talons are very powerful and unbelievably sharp, honestly, I'm surprised you didn't lose your arm."
"I'm used to scars," Remus said with a humourless laugh.
Pomfrey mixed up a strange concoction that smelt so bad it made James' eyes water.
"I'll put it on," Alina said softly, taking the ointment from Pomfrey. She put Remus' hand on her shoulder and held his elbow keeping his arm straight. She leaned in and started smearing the awful smelling stuff over the wound. His skin absorbed the weird creamy stuff until there was none left on his skin at all.
"It actually feels a little better already."
"Good, now I need to clean all this up. As for you three," Pomfrey said pointing between James, Sirius and Peter, "You can stay here for the night but so help me if I come back and this place is anything but immaculate I will have you expelled. Do I make myself clear."
"Crystal," Sirius said with a smug smirk.
"Thank you Madame Pomfrey," James said giving her a genuine smile. He knew she was being kind letting them stay the night with him and for that he was grateful.
Alina dropped Remus' arm and turned away, she pulled out her wand and cleaned the creamy stuff off her hands.
"Alina dear if I might have a word?" Pomfrey said as she walked into the hospital wing office. Alina turned back and gave them a small smile, but her eyes shifted awkwardly. She followed Pomfrey into the office and closed the door. James turned back to Remus who was watching the door Alina just disappeared behind.
Sirius slung his arm around Remus' shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're alright Moony. I don't know what I would've done without you," Sirius said hanging onto him. James and Peter just laughed at them.
Remus pulled away slightly, giving them each a sincere smile he said, "Thank you, truly. I don't even want to think what could've happened if you lads weren't there…"
"Don't worry about it, we'd do anything to help you out," Peter said big grin in place.
"Yeah, the four of us are in this together, even if you don't want us to be, you're stuck with us," Sirius said.
Remus smiled at them all, James reached into his bag and pulled out a large slab of chocolate and handed it to Remus. Remus took it with a large smile and ripped the wrapper off.
James and Peter pulled two beds closer to Remus' bed, making an extra large bed four the four of them to lounge on.
Peter was telling Remus all about the classes he'd missed but kept reassuring him that there was nothing important. Sirius started telling one of his long outrageous stories that Remus would usually butt in and tell him how impossible they were, but this time Remus just watched him smiling.
Alina came in again and handed James a folded up note.
"I hope you have a good time on Saturday," she said to Remus, she then walked out the doors into the castle.
Remus was frowning again.
"Saturday, what's happening on Saturday?" Remus said under his breath.
"What's wrong Moony?" James asked.
"She's acting so strange. Earlier she was just… well, she was so different. She couldn't even look at me now," Remus said still looking at the door.
"Well mate, she did a right number on you, she probably feels a little guilty," Peter said.
"Yeah, I saw her when she had her claws in your shoulder as PomPom said, it's a miracle you still have your arm," Sirius said.
"She did what she had to though…"
"Yeah and I get that, but look at you, you've practically been ripped to shreds. She probably does feel a bit bad I suppose."
"I hurt her too…"
"No you didn't, the wolf did. There's a difference," James said thinking that would help but apparently it was the wrong thing to say.
"You don't get it," Remus practically growled at them.
"Well then help us to…" Peter said softly.
"Me? The wolf? We're one in the same. There is no me or the wolf we're the same I am the wolf, the wolf is me!" He took a deep shaky breath, "Sorry, just earlier I freaked. I feel like a monster I could've killed all of you, I wanted to kill all of you and I hurt her, badly. She said she'd fine but now I'm not so sure. We were so close when she left earlier and now she's not even looking at me. What if she's finally seen the monster within me?"
James and Sirius looked at each other, both concerned and unsure of what to say. Remus looked so defeated. James had never heard him say anything like this before and he hated. He needed to help Remus. He was one of the best friends James had ever known and seeing him like this hurt.
"Maybe she was just being nice earlier?" Peter asked.
"She kissed me…" Remus said, smiling slightly at the memory. His finger traced his lips and he frowned again.
"Like kissed you or like kissed you?" Sirius asked putting emphasis on the second kissed.
"Like kissed me," Remus said.
"Whoa… you dog! You never said older women were your thing!"
Remus rolled his eyes, "Out of everything I've just said that's what you took from that?" Remus shook his head slightly.
Sirius shrugged, "You're not a monster, monsters don't panic about handing back library books on time or worry about whether or not the Quidditch teams have enough water, and monsters definitely don't fold their underwear like you do. I know what you're going through is hard and honestly, I'm glad it's not me but the difference is, if it were me I wouldn't be able to handle it, none of us would. It happened to you but you are one of very few people who could handle it and still be good." Remus gaped at him. Sirius smiled at him used his forefinger to push Remus' mouth closed from under his chin.
"Now that we're past that. How was the kiss?" Sirius said winking at Remus.
Remus looked at him for a minute, smiled and shook his head and then said, "World shattering…"
"Yeah!" Sirius shouted as he jumped up on the bed.
"Hey watch it!" Peter yelled as Sirius almost landed on him.
Sirius plopped down and squeezed himself between Remus and James.
"Stop crawling all over me Sirius!" James exclaimed, laughing slightly.
Sirius who was half sitting on top of James put his face really close to Remus's face. Remus leaned away slightly.
"The next question is… how did she enjoy it?" Sirius asked.
"Well, she kissed me first and then kissed me again," Remus replied.
"Not good enough, I need more details."
"Like what?!"
"Did she moan, did she grip your shirt and pull you close, did she rip your clothes off and have her way with you?"
"It was just a kiss Sirius."
"Hmmm, but if it was as good as you say it was then why would she be acting this way now?" Sirius stood up on the bed again and pointed to the door. "We must find out why!" He declared.
"For Merlin's sake Sirius! Sit down, do you always have to be so blooming dramatic!?" James said trying to stop the beds from rolling away from one another.
Sirius hopped down, "Why yes dear Jamie, yes I do."
"Maybe you just have to talk to her?" Peter mused.
"And say what?" Remus asked.
"Just ask her why she was so distant and what changed between leaving here and coming back," James said.
Remus leaned back on his pillows, hands covering his face. "I can't believe we're having this conversation…" he groaned.
Just then the doors to the Hospital Wing opened and Frank stepped in and closed the doors behind him.
"Hey, you're looking better!" Frank said to Remus.
Remus smiled at him, "Thanks."
"But you might want to reign you girl in, she's pretty loud and she really needs someone to tell her not to argue with Alina. It never ends well," Franks said leaning against their large makeshift bed.
"Wait… what?"
"Yeah, your girl? We met her earlier. Lesley? Or something. She's cute… A lot but cute. But anyway she was outside just down the hall yelling at Alina. It was actually pretty funny to watch but-"
"Lesley? What does she have to do with anything?" Remus asked cutting off Frank.
"Isn't she your girlfriend? We met her just after we left here, she was acting a bit mental looking for you…"
"Oh shit…" Sirius said.
"No… no oh shit. Will someone please tell me what's happening," Remus said sitting up, eyes darting between the four of them.
"Well you see, Alina, Frank and I ran into Lesley on our way to Dumbledore and she's been looking for you for the whole day. But we kept saying we hadn't seen you. Then we might have told Alina that you were going out with Lesley," James explained.
"Wait, so you're not going out with Lesley?" Frank asked confused.
"No! Well, we have one date this Saturday, Saturday! But I don't feel anything for her!"
"Then why are you going out with her if you don't like her?"
"I don't know! I didn't know it was a date when she asked me."
"You could still have a good time with her though," Peter said.
"I don't know man, she let her crazy start showing way to early…" Sirius said.
"Never mind that, what happened just now?" Remus asked Frank.
"Well I didn't see all if it but it seemed like she just wanted to know where you were but Alina wouldn't tell her and then Lesley said she was the Goddaughter of the Head of Magical Law Enforcement and could get Alina fired but Alina just laughed her off and then said something else I couldn't quite hear."
Remus flopped back down against his pillows, "Now she'll never talk to me."
"Nah I'm sure Lesley will come around," Frank said.
"No not Lesley! Alina! She was so different earlier but now she thinks I'm dating someone! No wonder she was so weird when she came back," Remus said exasperated.
"Different how?" Frank said with a slight smirk.
"She kissed him," Sirius said when Remus didn't answer, he just kept staring up at the ceiling.
"I knew something happened between you two!" Frank exclaimed, "Oh… but now, she thinks that you're with someone else… Someone your age… Oh, this isn't good."
"I'm sure we'll be able to fix this!" Peter said enthusiastically.
They all looked at Frank who looked less sure, "You see the thing is, I've known she's had… well had a thing for you for a while now. But she felt super weird because you're so young."
"So now what?" Sirius asked.
"Just forget it," Remus said.
"No! We messed this up we'll fix it! Right James?" Peter said.
"He's right we'll talk to her explain the situation and everything will be fine," James said giving Remus a smile.
"What was in the note she gave you?" Peter asked.
"Oh I nearly forgot to look," James said, he opened the parchment and read the words written in her elegant hand.
"It says that I must meet her this weekend, Sunday night and I need to bring a few mandrake leaves with me."
"A mandrake leaf for what?" Sirius asked.
"Is this to do with the favour you asked her for?" Peter asked.
James glanced over the top of his glasses, Sirius and Peter looked confused, Frank's eyes were narrowed and Remus looked slightly outraged. James knew Remus would piece it together, he was always the smarter one of the group.
"You're not doing what I think you're doing are you?" Remus asked.
James didn't answer he gave him a smile that James knew must've looked more like a grimace.
"No James don't be an idiot," Remus said.
"Well hang on, this could actually benefit everyone," Frank said.
"For any other reason but James I know you if you're doing this to help me then don't, it's not worth it. I almost killed Alina I could do the same to you."
"She already said that you were more aggressive because of the Dark Moon, so every other full would be easier. She thinks it'll work," James said.
"Will someone please tell me what's happening!?" Sirius basically shouted.
James looked at him, mischievous grin in place, "I'm going to become an Animagus."
"Whoa! Yes, I'm in."
"No Sirius you're in nothing! Because none of you are doing this! It's stupid," Remus said.
"I'm still lost," Peter said.
"Werewolves don't attack other animals, only people so if you can transfigure into animals you could possibly travel with him during the full moon rather than locking him up in the shack," Frank said matter-of-factly.
"Cool! You're not doing that without me!" Peter said.
Remus glared at the lot of them, "I'm not going to win this argument am I?"
"Nope," James said ruffling Remus' hair.
Remus battered his hands away, "If any of you get killed just know that I will bring you back to life just to say I told you this was a bad idea from the start and then I'll kill you."
"So glad you're on board with this mate," Sirius said, giving him wicked smile.
Remus sighed.
"Oh also, we must tell you about the lie we told your Werewolf officer thingy man," Sirius said leaning his head against Remus' shoulder.
"What!?"
"It's no biggie, Dumbledore told us too," Sirius said with a yawn.
Remus was shaking his head again, he looked at Frank who gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I'll fill you in," Frank said.
The rest of the week came and went. Once he returned to the Gryffindor Tower Lesley was on him before he even stepped through the portrait hole. They had decided to tell her that he was hurt by the firecrab Peter said had caused the ruckus the night Remus transformed. She seemed to believe it, and luckily so did with everyone else.
His meeting with Elliot went smoothly, he didn't have to lie about Alina because he couldn't remember anything during the full moons anyway. He had caught up with all his missed classes and homework thanks to Lily, who was more than happy to help. She scolded James and Sirius for even considering keeping a firecrab in the dormitory in the first place, which Remus found quite funny.
He'd had no luck talking to Alina though, he could never find her and the only times he did see her was during dinner or breakfast in the Great Hall. Frank told him to just talk to her anyway, even if it was in front of everyone else. No one would be eavesdropping, but Remus wasn't too sure.
Now Remus was sitting on his bed in the dormitory looking down at the shoes he had pulled on. They looked up at him, waiting to be tied. He took a deep breath and huffed. His elbows leaning on his knees, head hanging low.
It was Saturday and he was meeting Lesley under the clock tower in forty-five minutes. He decided to pull on a pair of blue jeans, a beige button-down shirt and a thick brown woollen jumper over that. It started snowing the previous night and the path to Hogsmeade was covered in a fresh dusting of white snow.
He didn't really care what he wore but he felt like he owed it to Lesley to put some effort into today's date. He tied his shoelaces and got up, he walked over to the bathroom and looked in the mirror above one of the sinks, he started combing his hair. He looked at his scarred reflection and stopped mid comb, he lifted his free hand to trace the new scars on his face. It was still a shock every time he caught his own reflection, he looked so different now, half the time he didn't even recognize himself. They were unlike the others, they looked so violent against the softness of the rest of his face. His eyes looked tired. Tired and sad. He sighed and carried on combing his hair.
James, on the other hand, was a wreck. His first date with Lily was today and he was running around like a mad man.
He woke everyone up at five in the morning while it was still pitch dark outside asking them what they thought he should wear. Sirius told him to fuck right off and wake them up when it was actually day.
Remus tried to fall asleep again, but he had a knot in his stomach. He kept thinking about the kiss he shared with Alina, the way she said enjoy Saturday and how he had failed to speak to her. Between all his thoughts and the sound of James rummaging through his trunk, Remus couldn't fall asleep again.
He looked at himself in the mirror after combing his hair down. James rushed in and tried to fix his own hair but as always it was unruly and impossible to tame.
"There's not hope Moony," James said and rested his head against the mirror. Remus clapped him on the shoulder, "Just remember she wanted you to ask her out this time. She wants to go to Hogsmeade with you. You'll be fine, just be yourself."
James groaned and stepped back to look at himself in the mirror. He frowned and started pulling his jumper over his head.
"What are you doing?" Remus called after him and he left the bathroom.
"Changing!" His voice was muffled as his jumper got caught above his head. He fought with the jersey for a bit. It just got more stuck over his face.
"It's caught on my glasses!" He yelled. Remus, Sirius and Peter all laughed at him.
"Come on Jamie! What have you become!?" Sirius laughed at him.
James struggled more and tripped backwards over Peter's trunk and landed in a heap on the floor.
"Just look at you mate, so many girls in the school would fall at your feet but here you are… falling all over yourself for Evans," Sirius said between his wracks of hysterical laughter.
Peter pulled the jumper off James, who hopped back to his feet effortlessly. His hair was even messier than it was before and his glasses were sitting crooked on his face.
Sirius was rolling on his bed laughing. Remus was also chuckling much better.
Sirius reached into James' trunk and tossed him a dark grey t-shirt, a deep red jumper and his dark denim jacket.
James looked down at the clothes in his hands and gave Sirius a broad grin, "You think this is it?"
"Yeah either that or your green jumper, but we all know how you feel about the Slytherin colours," Sirius laughed.
James ripped off the t-shirt he was wearing and tossed it onto his bed. He pulled on the t-shirt and jumper Sirius had given to him. He righted his glasses and pulled his jacket on. He ran his fingers through his hair hoping to tame it a little but it was still messy and sticking up in all different directions.
He grinned at his friends and held up his hands, "Well how do I look?"
"Hmm, maybe you should wear different shoes," Sirius mused.
"What? What's wrong with my shoes?" James asked looking down at his shoes horrified.
Sirius tried to keep a straight face but ended up laughing again, "Nothing! You look fine, bloody hell I don't think a girl worries this much about what she's wearing," Sirius laughed.
"Honestly James you look fine," Remus said putting his wand in the pocket of his jeans.
"I need to look better than fine!"
"You look perfect then," Remus said without looking up from his nightstand.
"Do you really think so?" James asked earnestly.
Remus just shook his head, "Yes mate, Lily won't know what hit her."
James beamed.
"What a bloody girl," Sirius said to Peter and they sniggered.
Remus fastened his watch around his wrist and pulled on his own jacket.
James was rummaging around in his trunk and pulled out a small bead he waved his wand over the small bead, "Aguamenti." The small bead started vibrating and suddenly he was holding a very large bouquet of red roses.
Sirius and Peter looked at James and then at each other and then burst into fits of laughter again. James frowned and turned to Remus.
"Too much?" James asked.
"Maybe a little…" Remus said smirking at him.
"Merlin's balls."
"How many roses do you have there, anyway?" Remus asked.
"One hundred…" James said timidly.
That just sent Sirius and Peter into another fit of hysterical laughter. Peter collapsed onto his bed while Sirius was bent over clutching his stomach.
Remus pulled his wand out, "How about we just transfigure this a little, may I?"
James nodded eagerly. Remus waved his wand and the hundred red roses folded into one large but stunningly vibrant lily.
"How about that?" Remus said putting his wand away.
James looked between the flower and his friend, "It's beautiful. Thank you, Remus." James pulled Remus in for a big hug.
"Whoa, watch the flower!" Remus said.
"Oh right! My bad…" James said sheepishly.
He looked down and the flower again and caressed one of its petals.
"Such a blooming girl…" Sirius said.
Remus and James walked down to the clock tower together. They were both meeting their dates in that general area before making their way to Hogsmeade. Then later in the afternoon after their dates, Sirius and Peter would be joining them at the three broomsticks.
"How are you feeling?" James asked.
"Not sure… After everything else that's happened this week, it feels weird doing something so normal…" Remus said honestly.
"Yeah, I can just imagine…"
"How are you feeling though? Finally going on a date with Lily?"
"I feel like I'm going to throw up. I've been asking her out since second year and finally, here we are. I never ever thought we'd be friends again let alone be going on a date."
Remus smiled at him. James stopped walking, Remus stopped and looked back at his friend.
"But it was thanks to you as well. If it weren't for you I don't think she would've spoken to me again," James said, he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
Remus laughed at him, "It was nothing, seriously."
James gripped his shoulder and pulled him in for a hug.
"But if you two get married I expect to be best man," Remus said jokingly.
"Of course, but we'll have to wait and see if she can even put up with me for that long," James laughed.
They reached the clock tower courtyard and watched the students wander off towards the little town.
They were both watching all the people coming out of the castle. James was looking for Lily while Remus was hoping to catch a glimpse of Alina before Lesley arrived.
Frank strolled out of one of the doors and Remus waved him over.
"Hey, gents, ready for your dates?" Frank asked with a smirk.
"No," James and Remus said in union.
"I feel like I'm going to be sick," James said.
Frank laughed, "It'll be great, where are you taking her?"
"Okay so, I have a plan. I wanted to go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop because I heard her in class the day before last saying she likes the specific type of ink they have there. Then I thought we could go to Madam Puddifoot's tea shop for lunch and tea and then to Honeydukes for some sweet stuff and then I could walk her back to the castle," James said.
"Sounds great," Frank said, he turned to Remus, "And you?"
"To be honest I'm not entirely sure, I was going to ask her what she felt like doing when she got here and just take it from there…"
"Well I'm sure that'll be great too," Frank said.
The three of them chatted for a little bit longer. They spoke about Frank's wedding and all the preparations he still needed to get done, James was mid-sentence asking about Alice when Lily walked into the courtyard.
Frank waved his hand in front of James' face, "Hello? Earth to James… I think he's broken."
"I can see why," Remus said gesturing to Lily.
She was wearing an emerald green knitted dress, with black stockings and black knee-high boots. She had a thin floral scarf tied around her neck. Her deep red hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders. Her eyes landed on James and her face lit up, she blushed slightly and started walking towards them.
"Hi," she said shyly when she reached them.
James was still gobsmacked and didn't say anything. Remus and Frank shared an amused look.
"You look lovely Lily," Remus said, elbowing James in the ribs.
She gave Remus a warm smile and looked back to James.
He shoved the flower towards her abruptly, taking her by surprise. She looked down at the flower and she beamed up at James.
"It's beautiful James. Thank you," she took it from his hand and held it close to her face, she took a deep breath. She pulled out her wand and said a small incantation. The flower shrunk and hardened a little and she clipped it in her hair behind her ear.
"How does it look?" She asked softly.
"Like the loveliest thing I have ever laid my eyes on," James said in one breath.
Lily just looked at him awestruck, never breaking eye contact.
Remus and Frank looked at each other again, both feeling very awkward.
"I think we should go…" Frank whispered to Remus.
Remus nodded and the two of them backed away slightly from the couple.
James offered his arm to Lily who took it smiling broadly. And together they strolled off towards Hogsmead.
"That was adorable," Frank said watching the couple walk away.
Remus just laughed, "You know if someone had said to me a year ago that Lily Evans would agree to going on a date with James Potter I would've called them mad and had them sent to St Mungo's."
"And here we are…"
"And here we are," Remus said shaking his head and smiling.
"Did you ever talk to Alina?"
"No… I never got a chance."
"Maybe it's for the best," Frank said frowning, looking off into the distance.
"What do you mean?"
"Look, I've always been a firm believer in if it's meant to be it will be and if you and Alina are meant to be involved it will happen. But she's a lot, she strong and powerful but she is so full of anger and regret and I think she needs time to get past all that. And as for you, you're still a kid and maybe you should just concentrate on Hogwarts for now. Find someone your own age, someone who's fun to be around. Someone who can complain about homework with or watch school Quidditch matches with. Someone who is all here right now," Frank sighed, "I know it's probably the last thing you want to hear but just think about it alright?"
Remus frowned, he wasn't sure how to take what Frank was saying at all. But a part of him, ever so small, knew there was some truth to what Frank had to say.
He gave Frank a small smile, "I will."
"Sorry mate, but trust me. One day things will work out for you," Frank clapped him on the back and then pointed to the clocktower, "But for now just try to enjoy yourself."
Remus turned, Frank had been pointing at Lesley who was looking around the courtyard timidly. She looked beautiful, Remus thought to himself. Her blonde hair was long and straight, hanging loose under a light blue knitted hat with a tuff of fluff at the top. She was wearing a light blue jersey with lacy cuffs, tight white pants with tall brown boots. She had a thin elegant chain hanging around her neck.
Remus smiled at Frank once again and started walking over to Lesley. She looked relieved when she spotted him and gave him a bright smile.
"To be honest part of me was a little worried you wouldn't show," she said softly.
"What? Me? Disappear without a trace and not tell anyone where I am, never," he said smiling back at her.
She laughed a little.
"You look beautiful," Remus said softly. She blushed and looked down at her feet. He tilted her chin up so she would look at him, "Honestly, you really do look beautiful."
"Thank you, Remus," She said softly.
He held his hand out which she took gladly.
"So what do you feeling like doing today?"
"Hmm, well I was thinking maybe we could just take it as it comes. See where the day takes us, maybe there's an adventure waiting for us," she said eagerly.
"An adventure you say? I'm intrigued."
"Good, where shall we start?"
"Why don't you pick the first place?"
"How about Honeydukes? I need to stock up on cauldron cakes before exams start," She said.
"Oh really? Do they help you study?"
"I use them as an incentive, finish a chapter or an essay snack on a cauldron," she said with a small shrug.
"So you have a sweet tooth," he said with a smirk.
"Mmm hmm, anything chocolate and I'm there, you should study with me sometime. Maybe I'll treat you to a cauldron."
"That does sound good, but you'll have to keep your chocolate away from me, I might just eat it all."
"Ohh so you're also a chocoholic then?"
"That's an understatement…" he said proudly.
They laughed together as they walked towards the small town.
James held the door open of the small stationery shop, Lily walked in and dusted a few pieces of snow out of her hair.
The small shop was a little crowded but Lily weaved her way through the students directly to the shelf she wanted.
James weaved through the people, following close behind her. They stood in front of a large shelf, it had all sorts of bottled ink on it. Tall bottles with black and purple ink. Small, stout bottles with silvery and golden ink. Some ink turned invisible and would only appear at the incantation written at the bottom of the bottle. Some bottles were encrusted with jewels and their inks would gleam and shimmer. There were bottles of ink that came from animals' blood. And some that came from fallen stars. There was even ink that would burst into flames if used incorrectly. Lily knelt down to the bottom shelf and reached in scratching around the back. She pulled out a few bottles of ink. She unstoppered a few of them and sniffed each one. James watched her a little confused.
She put them back and scratched around some more. She pulled out a small red pot, unstoppered it and took a sniff.
"Ah ha! Found it. Take a whiff of this," she said standing and holding the ink out for James to smell.
"Uhmmm, I'm not sure-"
"Ugh, c' mon James it's just ink."
He looked and her and she just smiled at him. He leaned in and took a sniff. It smelt amazing, he couldn't quite place it though. It was warm and happy and made him smile. He took another sniff.
"What is that?"
"Ink."
"Yes, but what type of ink?" he said rolling his eyes and smiling.
"It's ink that's had sunlight embedded within it. In Egypt, there's a valley where they make this ink. They put it out as the sun goes down and it freezes overnight then the next day the sun beats down on it and melts it back to a liquid. The ink is then bottled and it smells like a warm summers day. It doesn't smell that strong when on the page but there's still a slight scent and if you unroll an essay and a subtle scent of summer washes over you, it's super uplifting. And then my essays are always being marked by someone in a good mood," she said winking at him.
"You little minx, it's genius!"
"You're not the only one who gets up to mischief." She reached down again and pulled out another bottle and handed it to him.
He took it from her, "How about we each take two?"
A little bit down the main street of Hogsmeade, Remus and Lesley were packing a basket full of chocolate. Honeydukes was always insanely busy and today was no exception. They were standing really close to one another in the crowded store. Remus was standing on his tiptoes trying to reach the floating shelf above him that was covered in bars of assorted chocolate.
"Can you get it?" Lesley asked.
"Almost. Have. It." Remus said stretching as far as he possibly could.
He pulled down a few bars that he managed to get a grip of but almost the entire shelf collapsed and the chocolate rained down on the two of them.
Lesley just laughed at Remus' expression. He sighed as another chocolate bar fell and bounced off his head.
She knelt down and started piling a bunch of chocolate into the basket.
"Whoa, I know I said I was a chocoholic but that seems excessive."
"Relax, we can have a study party and feed everyone chocolate, it'll be great!"
"Erm, yeah it would be but, this will end up being quite expensive."
"Don't worry about it. I'll get it."
"What no. It's too expensive."
"Oh please. My parents both work for the ministry and hardly ever spend time with my brother and I. They always feel oh so guilty and give us both way too much money to make up for the time lost. Might as well put it to good use."
"Let me at least pay half,"
"Nope. But you can buy me a cup of warm tea at Madam Puddifoot's after this."
"How about tea and a brownie."
"You really know how to get to a girls heart Lupin!"
Sirius and Peter were sitting in the Shrieking Shack, Sirius had his nose buried in a book on advanced magic while Peter was drawing in the dust that was on the floor.
"We need to keep the mandrake leaf in our mouth for an entire month," Sirius said.
"Eww… how do we eat without eating the leaf?"
"Maybe we should practice before we have to do it for real, remind me to knick a few leaves from the Greenhouses later when we get back to the castle."
"Say we do manage to not eat the leaf and we do become an Animagus what would you want to turn into?"
"Uhm, I'm not sure. In here it says you can't pick though. It's like your Patronus it's an animal that fits your personality."
"I've never produced a corporeal Patronus though."
"Yeah neither have I…"
"Remus had though hasn't he? Maybe he can show us later."
"He has? What was it?" Sirius asked.
"I'm not sure he didn't say."
"People can change their Patronus though… but this book says once the Animagus form is chosen it will be that for life. Unlike the Patronus, which can alter over time."
"I hope I'm something cool, like a lion or a panther or something."
"Oh check this, fun fact apparently the four animals which represent each Hogwarts house is the corporeal Patronus of each founder."
"Whoa… I suppose that does make sense."
"Yeah," Sirius said snapping the book closed.
"C' mon I want to go to Zonko's then we can take the book back to the dorm before meeting the lads."
"How do you think their dates are going?"
"No clue, but hopefully they're going well. Imagine James if his first date with Lily tanked," Sirius said as he got up and dusted off his jeans.
"Oh man, that would be horrible," Peter said putting the book Sirius had been reading in his bag.
They left the house and wandered back towards the town. They were about to enter Jonko's Joke Shop when Sirius spotted Regulus walking into the post office alone.
"Hey Pete, just give me a minute will ya."
"Yeah okay," Peter sat down on a bench outside one of the clothing shops next to post office and watched Sirius go in after his brother.
The bell on the post office door run and Regulus turned to see Sirius close the door behind him.
"Hey," Regulus greeted.
"Hi," Sirius responded coming to stand next to him in the short queue.
"How have you been?"
"Good and you?"
"Yeah, I've been alright."
"What are you doing here?"
"Father sent me a parcel but Giddy couldn't carry it," Regulus said referring to their family owl.
"What's he sending you?"
"No clue actually. His letter didn't say."
"Alright."
"Yup…"
"So how are classes going?"
"Classes are good. Are you ready for your OWLS?"
"I will be…"
"Good."
"Well, I'm glad you're alright… I'll see you around?" Sirius said backing up towards the door.
"Sirius wait, you didn't just come in here to ask me how I was. What's really going on?"
"Nothing… I just. Whenever I see you, you're not alone. So when I saw you coming into the post office I wanted to talk to you. Not about anything specific. Just to talk."
Regulus smiled at him, "You could just talk to me whenever."
"I know, but I don't want to cause any issues for either of us. And I know how your friends feel about me…"
"Yeah, makes sense…"
"Yeah…"
Regulus watched his brother curiously, "Well, there's this divination essay I'm having an issue with… Maybe you could help me with it? I'll be in the library tomorrow night. I usually study in the back by myself. If you have the time maybe I'll see you there?"
Sirius smiled back at him, "I'd like that."
"Don't get too excited. I'm not like you. I don't get divination as easily, it might take a long time for me to get it."
"That's okay…" Sirius wanted to say something else but a commotion outside drew their attention.
They both looked through the window to the street outside. Sirius' eyes widened in horror when he saw Peter floating upside down screaming for help.
Peter watched as Sirius followed his brother into the post office, he sighed and watched the other people walking around. He tried to spot either James or Remus but there was no sign of either of them.
I hope they're having a good time, he thought to himself.
He looked down at the snow on the ground and shuffled his feet to make patterns and shapes in the snow. He smiled down at a large smiley face he made that was staring up at him.
"Well well look who it is…"
His head shot up and towering above him was Severus Snape. Snape stepped closer, smooshing the smiley face with his black boot.
"What are you doing out here all alone? Hmm. Did your so-called friends get bored of you already?" Snape sneered.
"No, as a matter of fact. Sirius is just inside and James and Remus are meeting us later."
"What would Potter and Lupin be doing that's more important than hanging around with a loser like you?" Snape laughed. He was accompanied by four other Slytherin boys. Peter glanced back towards the post office but he couldn't see Sirius. He gulped loudly.
"Well, Pettigrew. Where are they?"
"Why do you care?"
"I don't. I just find it hilarious that your foursome seems to be falling apart already. I should tell you, I saw it coming."
Peter stood up and rolled his eyes, "You're just jealous, you don't have friends like I do."
"Do you really? If they're your friends then where are they?" Snape asked stepping back.
"We don't spend every minute together. Unlike you and these guys," Peter said pointing to the other Slytherins, and taking another step forward, "I mean seriously, do you guys shower together too? Besides James and Remus are out with their dates. Something you would probably never experience."
Snape's expression hardened, "Shame I feel sorry for the girls they're with."
"Nah I'm sure Lily is having the time of her life."
"What?" Snape demanded.
"Oh didn't you hear. James and Lily are finally going out together. It's about time I'd say. All we really had to do was prove to her what a hateful idiot you are but you did that for us."
"They deserve each other, stupid mudblood."
"Oh Severus is that jealousy I hear?" Peter laughed.
Snape pulled out his wand, the other four Slytherins did the same.
"Take that back!"
"No," Peter said pulling his own wand out.
"Expelliarmus!" Snape yelled. Peter's wand flew out his hand and one of Snape's friends caught it.
"Levicorpus!" Snape yelled.
Peter was pulled up into the air by his feet, hanging upside down he yelled.
Sirius and Regulus both ran out the post office. Sirius stopped dead in his tracks. Peter was suspended high above the ground. Snape held his wand up high holding Peter within a levitation spell.
Peter struggled against the spell, while Snape and the four other Slytherins that were gathered around laughed.
Sirius drew his wand and shouted, "Put him down Snivellus!"
"Oh look Peter, Sirius Black, the unwanted son has come to save you," Snape laughed.
Sirius pointed his wand at Snape, "I won't tell you again. Put. Him. Down."
"You know I would, but I rather like him up there, just look at how red his face has gone," Snape sniggered.
"You're such a coward Snape. Taking on one when you have four, so un-wizard-like of you."
"I think you'll find it's two against five now," Snape said pointing the Regulus.
"Put him down man. Nothing good can come from this," Regulus said to Snape.
Snape gripped his wand tighter, "Oh so what? Siding with your bother now are we? I wonder how mummy dearest would feel about that."
"That's not what this is. It's just stupid, you could get into trouble."
Snape opened his mouth to say something when one of his friends pointed down the street past the small crowd that had formed around them, "Sev, one of the Aurors is coming!"
Snape dropped the spell. Peter fell out of the sky and landed on his shoulder and yelled out in pain.
Sirius stepped forward and helped him up, wand still focused on Snape.
"Give me his wand," Sirius said.
The Slytherin boy looked at Snape who nodded, he then tossed it towards Peter who almost dropped it.
"Now apologize," Sirius said through gritted teeth.
"Oh you can just fuck off-" Snape started.
"Stupify," Sirius said. Snape was blown backwards, he fell to the ground unconscious.
"You're such an idiot," Regulus said shaking his head.
"He deserved that," Sirius said. Peter grabbed his bag as Alina broke through the crowd.
"What is the meaning of this," she demanded.
"It was Sirius Black, he attacked Snape!" One of the Slytherin boys yelled pointing at Sirius.
"Oh hell no. Snape attacked Peter first!"
"I don't care who started what!" She knelt down next to Severus and looked him over. She tapped his cheek with the back of her hand and he groaned. She stood up and shooed the crowd away.
Once most of the people who had been watching were gone, she turned back to the group.
"You five will be serving detention tonight with Madam Hooch in the trophy room," she said pointing at the Slytherins and Snape. She turned on Sirius and Peter, "You two will serve detention with the groundskeepers in the forest tonight."
"Wait, they get to clean trophies and we have to go into the forest? That's not fair," Sirius said.
"Drop it, Mr Black, before I make you serve detention for a week."
Sirius closed his mouth and frowned at her.
"Now go, get out of my sight," she said to them all. The Slytherins left with Regulus in tow, he turned back and gave Sirius a small nod. Sirius wasn't sure what it meant but he smiled back sadly.
Once the Slytherins were almost out of sight Alina turned back to Sirius and Peter, "And, what do you two have to say for yourselves?"
Sirius frowned at the ground but didn't say anything.
"Must I remind you that not so long ago you brought the same Slytherin to my quarters to help sew his head back together. What is going on between your lot and him?"
"Snape is just so, so… ugh. I wouldn't expect you to get it. It was one of those you really had to be there to understand it things," Sirius said.
"Fine don't tell me, but promise me you won't let whatever this is get out of hand, alright?"
"Yeah, alright," Sirius said sitting down on the bench they were standing in front of.
"Good, I'll see you two later for your detention," Alina said as she started walking away.
"Wait, I thought you said it was with the groundskeepers?" Peter asked.
"Yeah well, Frank and are helping them out with something and we could use the extra hands. Eight o'clock sharp!"
Sirius and Peter watched her as she walked away.
James and Lily walked into Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop.
"You go find us a table and I'll get us some drinks," James said.
Lily smiled up at James, "Alright."
She wandered off deeper into the tea shop. She couldn't see an open table. She walked towards the back where the booths were she stopped when she spotted Remus and Lesley sitting in the corner. She looked like she was telling him a very interesting story that he was finding hilarious. Lesley looked up and their eyes connected. Lesley smiled and called her over.
"Hi guys," Lily said when she reached their table.
"Lily! Where's James?" Lesley asked.
"He's busy ordering," Lily said pointing over her shoulder to the counter.
"Well come sit with us," Lesley said scooting up closer to Remus.
Lily sat down in the booth next to Lesley.
Remus gave her a broad smile, "So how's your date going?"
She bit her lip and looked back towards where James was standing, "So so good. I don't want it to end," she said with a deep sigh.
Remus and Lesley exchanged and smirk.
"What, why are you guys looking at each other like that?"
"Oh it's nothing," Remus said.
Lesley giggled slightly.
"C' mon tell me," Lily pouted.
"We were actually talking earlier about you two," Lesley said.
"What about us?" Lily asked narrowing her eyes at them. Remus took another sip of his tea avoiding her gaze.
"No one ever thought you'd finally give in and say yes to him…" Lesley said, "But it seems like it was the right choice."
Lily looked at James again who was grinning at her from the counter, he winked at her and she blushed.
"I'm happy it's going well Lily, truly," Remus said.
"Yeah, me too," Lily said.
"Will you go out with him again," Lesley asked eagerly.
"If he asks me then definitely. But maybe he won't want to go out with me again…" she trailed off sadly.
"Oh please, look at him, that is not the face of a man who's not having a good time. He'd be stupid to not ask you out again," Lesley said.
"Yeah, we are having a great time," Lily said happily.
James walked over and she smiled at him. He gripped Remus hand in a greeting then sat down next to Lily. She watched him as he spoke to Remus. Remus said something that had Lesley and James laughing but Lily didn't catch it. She was too busy watching James, wondering where he'd been hiding for so long and why he hadn't shown this side of himself to her sooner. She knew him as the arrogant, narcissistic bully, but in reality, he was far from being any of those things.
A tray with two large milkshakes and a plate filled with cupcakes came whizzing towards them. James put the large caramel milkshake in front of her and a bright pink strawberry one in front of himself. He offered Lesley and Remus a cupcake. Remus refused but Lesley happily took one.
James then stuck his finger into the whipped cream sitting on top of his milkshake and took a huge dollop and stuck it in his mouth.
Remus and Lesley were talking animatedly to one another, James looked at Lily and she blushed again.
He leaned in a whispered, "Why do you keep staring at me?"
"It's... it's nothing," she stammered slightly.
"I don't believe you," he said in her ear.
She took her own dollop of cream off the top of her milkshake and stuck it into her mouth.
James gave her one last heated look before turning to the conversation. He unwrapped a cupcake and stuck the whole thing in his mouth. Icing spilt over his lips and coated his mouth, Remus and Lesley laughed at him and how ridiculous he looked with bright purple icing on his mouth.
Lily picked up a napkin and stuck it against his lips. He used it to wipe away the excess icing. She leaned in towards him and whispered in his ear, "If we didn't have company I would've kissed all the icing off of you."
He pulled back and looked at her, his mouth slightly agape.
She laughed at his expression, she pulled her milkshake forward and took a deep suck on the straw.
James cleared his throat, Lily turned back to Lesley.
"So Lesley, have you completed the essay for Professor Binns?" Lily asked.
"Ugh, Lily doesn't talk to me about school. Ask Remus that question," Lesley groaned.
"I've already finished mine," Remus said with a wink.
"Of course you have," Lesley said rolling her eyes.
"I thought you wanted to become a wizard historian. I figured History of Magic essays would be easy for you," Lily said.
"Oh they are, that's why I leave them so late. But we go through the Hogwarts founders every year, it's so frustrating there's literally so much else we could learn or discuss but no, we learn about Hogwarts first and stuff that actually matters later," Lesley said.
"You want to become a wizard historian? That's so cool," Remus said.
"Thanks, my parents are too enthusiastic but it's better than my brother who wants to become a professional Quidditch player."
"Hey, your brother has some mad skills. It's too bad he isn't apart of a better house," James said smugly.
"Here, here!" Remus said. The two boys laughed and Lesley and Lily just shared an amused eye roll.
"So what would you rather us study? I for one am also tired of the founders and would like to be done with them," James said.
"Well, I actually started reading this really interesting article about how Hogwarts is the only magical school in the world to never allow a Werewolf into their student body," Lesley said matter-of-factly.
"Really? Wow, and here I was thinking that Hogwarts was more progressive than that," Lily said taking another sip of her milkshake.
James and Remus shared a look.
"Don't you think it would be dangerous though? Having a werewolf amongst other students?" Remus asked.
"Not at all, the wizarding community wants to treat werewolves unfairly and yet they get angry when they lash out. I feel like if we had teachers and students who were werewolves it could educate everyone else and there would no longer be such a stigma around them," Lesley said digging into another cupcake.
"I completely agree, as we've heard in class they're people first. It's not their fault that they're afflicted," Lily said.
"Have you ever met a werewolf?" Remus asked.
"No, well I haven't anyway," Lesley said.
"Nope me neither. But then again maybe I have but didn't know it," Lily said with a shrug.
"I know two," James said.
"Oh wow! That's so interesting!" Lesley exclaimed.
"What are they like?" Lily asked.
"Honestly, I only know the one really well. He's amazing, one of the best men I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. The other is just a friend of my father's so I don't know him as well but he's pretty great too."
"Wow, you need to introduce us to him one day!" Lily said.
"I will," James said smiling at her.
He looked up at Remus who gave him a small smile.
"So why is it that Hogwarts is the only school that hasn't allowed werewolves in?" Lily asked Lesley.
"It's the stupid werewolf laws we have here. They're all kept on such a tight leash, no pun intended. But in other countries they're valued in amongst the communities," Lesley said.
The girls carried on talking about other stupid laws the British wizarding community had when a Jeremy, a fifth year Hufflepuff stuck his head into the shop. James knew him quite well they had a few classes together and a strong Quidditch rivalry. He spotted James and Remus and rushed over to their table.
"Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt but Sirius and Peter are having a go at Snape and a few others, outside the post office," he said in a quick breath.
"Bloody hell, we can't leave those two alone can we," James said getting up from the booth. He turned back to Lily.
"I've had an amazing time and I hate to leave you here but I need to go make sure my friends don't get themselves killed. But I would love to do this again, soon," He gave her a bright smile and kissed her on the cheek.
Remus turned to Lesley, "I've had a great time with you. I wasn't entirely sure I would but I did and I just wanted to thank you."
"Maybe we can do it again some time?" Lesley asked hopefully.
"Yeah, definitely. I'd like that," he smiled at her and followed James out the door.
Lesley sighed and looked over at Lily, "Well I guess it's just you and me now."
Lily laughed and sighed, "There will be other dates. That I'm sure of."
Once James and Remus reached the post office Peter and Sirius were sitting on a bench alone.
They ran up to where they were sitting. "Hey we heard something happened are you two okay?" James said once they reached them.
"Word spreads quickly around here," Sirius said.
"What happened?" Remus asked.
"Snape was being a prat as always. I was in the post office with Reg and then Snape came up to Pete while he was sitting outside and then… actually, what did you say to him?" Sirius said.
"I might have told him that he was jealous because James had gone on a date with Lily… and then the next thing I know I was hanging upside down in the sky."
"I'm sorry you were what?" James said.
"Relax, I stupefied him," Sirius said looking up at the sky.
"You could've got into so much trouble for that," Remus said.
"Oh we did get into trouble, we have detention tonight…" Sirius said.
"Sirius…" Remus started.
"No don't say my name like that Remus, Snape just makes me so ugh! It's frustrating. We're all lucky I didn't just kill him on the spot," Sirius said.
"You don't mean that," James said.
Sirius stood abruptly and sighed, "You're right… I don't. But I really hate that slimy git."
"Wait why are you two here? Shouldn't you be with your dates?" Peter asked.
"Yeah well we heard about all this and we came to make sure you're alright," Remus said.
"Well we're fine you can go back to your dates now…" Sirius said looking back towards the castle.
"Nah, the girls will be fine. We'll make it up to them later. So where are you having detention?" James said.
"In the dark forest," Peter said.
"What? They can't send you to the dark forest," James said.
"Who's your detention with?" Remus asked.
"The groundkeepers, Alina and Frank," Sirius said.
"Alina and Frank?" Remus repeated.
"Yup, Alina was the one who broke up the fight. She's sent the Slytherins to detention with Madame Hooch in the trophy room tonight," Peter said.
"Well, the forest on a Saturday night sounds interesting, hey Moony what do you say we join them for detention?" James said.
"Yeah, I'm keen, got nothing else planned," Remus said with a smirk.
"You really don't have too," Sirius said.
"Well that's nice but we're coming with you," James said.
Sirius sat down again, James and Remus sat down too.
Remus and Peter both sighed at the same time.
Long after the sun had set the four boys made their way down to the forest. In the same small clearing that Remus transformed in a few nights earlier stood five figures. Dumbledore, Alina, Frank, and the two groundskeepers, Roger and Wayne. Roger and Alina were standing off to one side with a large map floating in front of them. Roger was gesturing to a specific area out into the forest and then pointed back to the map.
Frank was standing in the centre with his arms folded with Wayne both of who were listening to Dumbledore.
Frank spotted the four boys and walked up to them.
"Hey I heard you two got detention, but why are you two here," he said with a small laugh, pointing at Sirius and Peter and then James and Remus.
"We were mostly just curious to see what kind of detention takes place in the middle of the night in the forbidden forest that two Aurors are needed for," James said.
"Aww well sorry to disappoint but it's not anything too exciting," Frank said.
"Aww well, we're here now might as well stick around," Remus said.
Frank looked over his shoulder but everyone else was still in the same positions.
"So how were the dates?" Frank asked.
"Amazing," James said beaming.
"He's been on cloud nine ever since it ended," Peter sniggered.
"He has a new love for the colour green," Remus said smirking.
"She wears it so well! The Slytherin's don't deserve green. It belongs to Lily now," James said defiantly.
Frank gave him a big grin, "And yours?" he asked turning to Remus.
"It was fine, I had fun," Remus said.
"From what I saw it looked better than fine," James said with a smirk.
"Okay it was good, really good," Remus said blushing slightly.
"Would you go out with her again?" Frank asked.
"Yeah, maybe…" Remus said.
Frank gave him a small smile, "C' mon, having four extra wands will come in handy tonight."
Frank led them to the middle of the clearing. Alina and Roger wandered over the map floated behind them.
They stood in a large circle and Roger placed the map in the centre.
"Right so we've been discussing it, I thought the barrier in the forest would take the longest but Alina designed a charm that won't take long to build at all so Wayne and I will go with her into the forest to do that while Frank and the boys will go into the western side tunnels and clear the wreckage then once that's clear Frank will put the barrier spells back up and then that will be that. Sound good?"
Alina and Frank nodded.
"The barrier charm in the forest? Is it as I asked?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, all manner of creature, magical and otherwise can pass through it but a human cannot, half-human as well. The centaurs are the only exception. But no muggle, wizard, vampire, werewolf, giant, nothing can get past," Alina said. Remus looked up at her when she said werewolf but she avoided his gaze.
"And what happens if someone were to come up against the barrier?"
"Nothing, the will not feel it or be hurt by it. They'll most likely end up going back the way they came or end up on the other side of the school in one step," Alina said.
"That's some pretty strong magic," Dumbledore said.
"That's why you're here, if the two us do the spell together then it'll be easy," Alina said with a smirk.
Dumbledore turned to Frank, "Will you be alright looking after these four?"
"Yes. No trouble at all," Frank was very short with Dumbledore. Remus frowned but James figured there was still tension after the meeting they had.
"Right well I'll take you to the tunnel entrance and then from there just follow the torches that are lit," Wayne said.
"Yeah, I'll find it again no worries," Frank said.
Roger and Wayne started walking off towards to forest Dumbledore followed after them.
Alina turned to Frank, "Just be safe alright?"
"Alina, don't worry about us we'll be fine," Frank said with a smirk.
She didn't look convinced, "Just remember, whatever caused the collapse could still be down there. So just… keep alert," she gripped his shoulder and gave him a pointed look.
He rolled his eyes and gave her a smile. She took a deep breath and disappeared into the forest.
"What's collapsed?" Peter asked.
"One of the tunnels under the school, it comes out beyond the lake, one of Alina's barrier spells was tampered with and it caused the tunnel to cave in. But we need to go in and fix the tunnel," Frank said.
"Why not just close of the tunnel before the collapse and leave it?" Remus asked.
"We thought of that but we want to clear it and maybe we can figure out what or who was trying to get into the school…" Frank said.
"When did it happen?" Peter asked.
"The night of the Dark Moon…" Remus said.
"Well yeah actually. How did you know?" Frank asked.
"Lucky guess…" Remus said.
Frank lead them a short way into the forest, there was a large old tree that had fallen on its side. It's large twisty roots sticking up in all directions.
Frank cast his wand over the base of the fallen tree, "Dissendium," he said the incantation softly but to the eye, nothing happened. Frank looked back, "C' mon the gateway won't stay open for long."
The boys looked at each other confused, there was no visible gateway. Frank stepped forward and disappeared into the tree.
"Frank?" James said. But there was no reply. He stepped forward and touched the tree where Frank had walked through, but his hand passed right through it as if it wasn't there at all. He stepped forward and suddenly he was standing in a long dark tunnel. Remus and Sirius came through next followed by Peter.
They looked back to the way they came in but it was just dirt, a wall of ground that looked like a dead end.
Frank lit one of the torches with his wand and one by one all the way down the tunnel as far as the eye could see the other torches ignited.
They started trekking through the tunnel, it sloped downwards and curved slightly. The floor went from damp dirt to cobblestones to black gleaming tiles.
"Wait, this looks familiar," Remus said.
"Right? I was thinking the same thing. It looks like the floor in a that huge cave with the giant bird," Sirius said.
"You mean that bird?" Peter said. The four of them looked up at the large eagle statue in the middle of the large cavern.
"Whoa, I had forgotten how huge it is…" James said.
"You guys have been here before?" Frank asked.
"Yeah, after the attack in Hogsmeade last year…" Peter said.
"Oh, the night when you were hidden in the staff room? I remember that!" Frank said.
Frank smirked at the way the four boys were looking up at the statue.
"Lumos Maxima," Frank whispered. A large ball of light erupted from his wand and sored high above the statue illuminating the entire cavern.
"Oh wow," Remus said under his breath. The space was enormous, so much bigger than he thought it was the first time he had seen it. There were ornate gothic pillars along the walls holding up the ceiling. The walls were covered in writing, the elegant script was so fine it was impossible to read from far away.
"What is this place?" Sirius asked.
"It's really impressive right?" Frank said.
"That's an understatement," said James.
"It's actually a tomb…"
"I'm sorry a what?" Sirius said.
Frank laughed slightly, "A tomb, you see before the Hogwarts castle was built here this land belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw's brother. He was like the Lord of their house or whatever. They had their own little castle, not nearly as large as the school but still impressive. But then there was a horrible accident or something, I don't know the whole story or what exactly caused it but the castle fell and what remains of it is at the bottom of the lake. Rowena inherited the land and used it to build the school on. She had this built below the forest and some parts of the school. The silver that was found in the ground was used to make her weird tiara thing-"
"Diadem," Sirius said.
"Yeah that, and then when Rowena eventually passed away her daughter Helena buried her in here as for everything else in here you'll have to ask Alina. It's her own family history," Frank finished.
"You know half the time I forget that she's a Ravenclaw, like a descendant of all this," James said gesturing to the room around them.
"Yeah it can be quite mind twisting," Frank said.
"So are all the Ravenclaws buried her or just Rowena," Remus asked.
"Uhm, I'm not entirely sure who is here and who isn't. I think Helena was also laid to rest down here but Alina's parents and brother aren't. As for the other generations, I have no clue."
"Well this isn't something you learn about in History of Magic class," James muttered.
"I feel like the bird statue is watching me…" Peter said.
"Oh that's just Steve he means no harm," Frank said.
The large eagle ruffled his stone feathers slightly and blinked at them.
Peter screamed and hid behind James.
"Are you seriously telling me he's called Steve?" Sirius asked.
"Yup. He was never named. And years ago I think Alina was like in her fourth year maybe her and Ilya came down here and named him," Frank said looking up at the large bird.
"Right c' mon the tunnel is this way," Frank led them down one of the lit passageways. They walked for a couple minutes until they came up to a large misplaced mound of dirt. It blocked the entire tunnel.
"What a mess," Sirius exclaimed, "and you want us to clean it up?"
"Yup, wands out lads, let's make quick work of this," Frank said.
"So what are we doing? Picking it all up and moving it somewhere else?" Peter asked.
"Can we disappear it all?" James asked.
"Maybe we can shrink it and then put it in a bag and carry it out that way?" Sirius contemplated.
Frank looked at them, eyebrow raised, "Uhm those plans sound great but no."
"We should just repair it. All of this came from the tunnel if we repair the tunnel then we don't have to cart anything away. And once it's fixed we can just reinforce the structure," Remus said looking at the mountain of dirt and stone. Frank pointed to Remus and nodded.
"Ohhhh," The three other boys said in unison.
"It's a lot of ground though so we'll have to do it all together," Frank said.
They stood in a line and pointed their wands at the collapsed tunnel.
"Alright on the count of three, one, two,-"
"Wait before three or after three?" Sirius asked.
"On three," James said.
"Yes, but are we saying three or are we casting the spell because we can't say three and the spell. And if we say three then it's actually on four?" Sirius said.
"After I say three," Frank said exasperated.
"Fine, you just had to say on four then but whatever," Sirius said. Remus rolled his eyes.
"One, two, three," Frank said.
"Reparo," The five of them said together.
The tunnel started vibrating and slowly all the dirt and stone fitted back into the walls and ceiling of the tunnel.
Once everything was fitted and the tunnel stopped vibrating. The torches that lined the wall ignited one by one down the passageway.
Frank looked down the tunnel, his eyes narrowed.
"Well, that was easier than I thought," Sirius said.
"Shhh," Frank shushed Sirius. They looked at Frank, his gripped tightened on his wand.
James looked down the passage but couldn't see anything. In the distance, a green light came hurtling towards them.
Frank lifted his wand and the spell rebounded off his magic shield. Frank pushed the magic forward and the soft glow of his shield spell glowed brighter as it pushed down the tunnel away from them.
The shield slammed into something a little way down the corridor. The figure came bounding towards them Frank whipped his wand and produced a magical barrier between them and the figure.
"Get back," Frank yelled, pushing James behind him.
James tumbled backwards a little but Sirius caught him before he could fall.
The figure ran straight into the invisible barrier. Frank said a riddle of spells so quickly the boys couldn't catch what he said. Chains came shooting out of his wand. They wrapped themselves around the figure. He grunted against the constraints and he was shoved up and onto his knees in front of Frank.
His head was bowed and his breathing was laboured, his long greasy hair was falling in front of his face. Frank looked down the long passageway and lifted his wand, "Homenum revelio." But there was nothing else there. He took the barrier down.
"Well, well. Look who we have here," Frank said kneeling in front of the figure, he gripped the figure's face and forced him to look up.
"Greyback," Remus said under his breath. Sirius and James looked at each other sharing a nervous gaze. Sirius took a small step forward positioning himself between Greyback and Remus.
"Mudblood fucker," Greyback growled.
Frank's gripped tightened on Greyback's face, "I could kill you right now and no one would know," Frank whispered. The ice and edge to his voice sent chills down James' spine.
"The Dark Lord knows I'm here," Greyback said.
"Let me rephrase then shall I? I could kill you and no one would care…"
"The do it!" Greyback demanded.
Frank let go of his face and stepped back.
"I'll let the dementors have you rather," Frank said. Frank cast another spell and a large silvery lion appeared. Frank nodded at it and it disappeared.
Frank patted Greyback's trouser pockets and pulled out his wand.
"And here I thought your wand was confiscated," Frank said.
"What can I say I'm resourceful," Greyback said, "It's in a Werewolf's blood. Isn't that right Remus?"
Remus froze on the spot.
Frank punched Greyback hard. He fell to the side and coughed up some blood.
"Why were you down here?" Frank demanded.
"To kill," Greyback said shortly.
"To kill who?" Frank asked gripping one of the chains over Greyback's chest.
"Her."
Frank turned and saw Alina walk down the passage.
"And once again you failed," she said. She walked past the boys and stood next to Frank.
They looked down at him.
"To Azkaban or the Ministry?" Frank asked.
"First I want to know how you got past the first barrier. On the other side of the lake," she said kneeling down close to Greyback.
"Hmm? Tell me how you got so close," she demanded.
"The Dark Moon has its perks…"
"Perks like?"
"Connecting blood."
"Connecting blood? What is that supposed to mean?"
"I was called, he called to me," Greyback growled gesturing with his chin to Remus.
"What are you talking about," Frank said.
"I created him, he will always call for me, you cannot break a bond like that especially not during the Dark Moon," Greyback looked at Remus their eyes connected, "You felt it too. Son, you belong with me. You belong with your own kind!"
"No!" Remus yelled.
"Don't deny it, boy! These people will never accept you. It was because of you I got so close. I got through this bitch's barrier spells because of our bond!"
"Stupify," Alina said quickly, knocking Greyback unconscious.
Remus slumped against the wall and slid to the floor, his hands in his hair, muttering no over and over again.
Frank and Alina looked at each other. Frank closed his eyes and frowned.
"Is the barrier up beyond the lake?" Frank asked. Alina nodded.
James and Peter were kneeling down next to Remus trying to get him to get up but he recoiled from their touches.
"Help me with him will ya?" Frank said to Sirius. The two of them lifted Greyback up.
"I'll see you in our quarters bring them with," Frank said softly to Alina. She nodded and he apparated Greyback and Sirius out of the tunnel.
Alina touched James' shoulder. He stood up and pulled Peter with him, they started walking back towards the Ravenclaw tomb.
Alina knelt down in front of Remus and pulled his hands away from his face.
"Remus look at me," she said softly. He looked up at her, the horror and self-loathing on his face broke her heart.
"It was my fault. All of this was my fault."
"Remus no, listen to me. Yes, there will always be a connection between you and Greyback because he turned you but everything he said was a lie. A lie to get you to trust him or doubt your goodness but you mustn't. He's strong and I can't even imagine how strong he'd become during the Dark Moon. He got past that barrier all by himself. It has nothing to do with you, okay?"
Remus looked at her, her eyes were so sad and filled with sincerity all he could do was nod. She pulled him into a tight hug. She caressed the back of his head, her fingers running through his hair.
They sat like that for what felt like hours, she pulled away slightly and smiled at him.
"Come hopefully Frank's put the kettle on," She stood up slowly and pulled him with her.
She gripped his hand and held it tight. Together they walked back to the cavern where James and Peter were waiting.
