These characters aren't my magical doing, they're J.K. Rowling's.
Cricket and Max Mann, Emily Steele, Charlie Ashfield, and Professors Mac and Zinski are part of my spell :)
The boys went into the great hall and saw Cricket happily planted between Lily and Emily. She saw the boys and made a face at them before taking a bite out of her toast.
"You guys got me in trouble," Remus complained.
"What?" James gaped.
"Yeah, you were standing there right next to us," Sirius complained.
"I still blame you." As Remus passed Cricket he squeezed her shoulder, but she swatted him away.
Cricket knew she was overreacting, but she hoped she'd knock some sense into them. Charlie was only being a friend, but they wouldn't look past the Slytherin stereotype. As Cricket finished her piece of toast the sound of owls sounded from above.
Cricket didn't expect any letter, but she loved watching all the owls enter and sweep down to their owners. While she was watching she almost didn't notice Bert as he landed in front of her. Cricket froze and stared at the owl.
"Cricket?" Emily gently shook Cricket's shoulder. "Aren't you going to take the letter?"
Cricket didn't break out of her reverie. What if it's another letter from Dad?
Lily sighed and untied the letter from the owl's leg. She gave it a piece of toast and handed the letter to Cricket.
Cricket hesitantly took it and stared at it.
"Cricket, what's the matter?" Emily asked.
Cricket looked up to Emily and Lily's questioning eyes. "Oh, sorry. Excuse me for a second?" Cricket ignored their protests and quickly went up to the table where the boys were sitting. She held the letter in front of Remus' face.
"What?" Remus twisted his head to see the owner of the hand. "Another one?"
Cricket shrugged. "I didn't open it," she said softly.
Remus nodded and took the letter and motioned Cricket to sit next to him. He unrolled it and said, "It's from your mum."
Cricket snatched it right away. "I forgot I had written her earlier," she commented to herself. She read the letter quietly.
Dear Cricket,
I'm glad to hear you've made some friends. I know you'll probably roll your eyes, but please be careful who you trust. I know you know who to trust, but there is reason to be cautious. Your father is back.
I don't know why he's back but he showed up after you left. He says he wants to see you and Max again, but I have a feeling he's up to something more. I have a feeling he's gotten into trouble since he's been away. I told him to wait until Christmas Break to see you, but he went to Hogwarts last night anyways.
He told me about the boy you're seeing. Honey, I know you are old enough to make these kind of decisions, but please don't get involved in anyone. Your father seemed very upset about it when he returned, and I don't know what he is capable of doing now. Please be careful.
I'm able to get this letter out without him knowing, but I don't know if I'll be able to again.
Be careful!
Love Mum
"Remus?" Cricket looked up to him. He was reading over her shoulder. "If Mum's worried then—"
"You trying to get rid of me?" he teased.
"Remus, I'm serious."
Max came up to them before Remus could respond. "Cricket? What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Cricket asked. "What's wrong?"
"Last night I got a strange letter," he dug in his pocket.
"Oh no," Cricket took the letter Max was holding out to him. She opened it and found the same scratchy lettering.
Hey Son,
I hear you're going to Hogwarts, congratulations! You probably don't remember me because I had to leave when you were very young. Business called me away.
Cricket snorted.
"What? What is it?" Sirius asked from the other side of the table. He was leaning over trying to read the letter.
I have some good news though; I've returned home to stay! There's more too; your sister is getting married.
"Why does he keep saying that?" Cricket asked herself.
"Say what? What does it say?" Sirius asked more impatient.
"Does it say to who?" Remus murmured next to her.
Cricket looked back to the letter.
I can't remember his name at the moment, but he goes to school with you. Anyways, we'll talk more about that when you come home for Christmas. I hope we can get to know each other and be best friends, just like Cricket and I are.
With Love,
Dad
"Best friends my bum," Cricket grumbled.
"Your father sounds crazy," Sirius commented. He had gotten fed up with waiting for the letter to be relayed to him so he crawled under the table and was looking over Cricket's shoulder like Peter, Remus, and James.
"Who are you getting married to, Crick? Is it him?" Max pointed to Remus.
Cricket turned pink. "I'm not getting married, Max. Dad's just... What Sirius said: a little crazy." Cricket looked back down to the letter. "Do you mind if I keep this?"
"Go ahead; I don't know him anyways." Max bid farewell and ran off to catch up with his friends.
"I'm going to go talk to Dumbledore. You guys better go to class." Cricket looked at the marauders.
"I'm going with you," Remus said.
Remus and Cricket bid the boys farewell as they quickly went out to their class. Remus and Cricket went up to the professors' nearly empty table. Dumbledore was just standing up when they reached the end of the table. "Professor Dumbledore!" Cricket shouted.
Dumbledore turned and said, "I was wondering when you would be coming to see me." He turned around again and went through a side door, "Come." Cricket and Remus followed him to a Gargoyle statue. He said the password and they went up the spiraling staircase into his office. Dumbledore seated himself behind his desk and Cricket and Remus sat in chairs across from him. "Well, let us get started."
"How did you know I wanted to talk to you?" Cricket asked.
"Ah, don't we have something more important to talk about? May I see the letters?"
Cricket and Remus reached into their pockets and put the different letters on Dumbledore's desk. "Max and I received the ones from our dad last night," Cricket explained.
Dumbledore's eyes scanned the letters. "Hmm" was all he said after he finished reading them.
"'Hmm' what?" Remus asked.
"Your father has been gone for almost ten years, hasn't he Miss Mann?"
Cricket looked at Dumbledore. She hadn't said a word to him about her father when they met before. "Yes, sir. How did you know?"
"It was quite noticeable when one of the most powerful wizards disappears," Dumbledore studied one of the letters again.
"Wizard?" Cricket's eyebrows knit together. "My dad is a muggle, not a wizard."
"I'm afraid not," Dumbledore said as he looked back up to her. "Radley Mann was known as a very powerful wizard, but was never very smart. After he disappeared I heard he had gotten involved with Lord Voldemort, but the Ministry could never track him." He stopped to let the new information sink in.
Dad's a wizard? He's magical? Why did he make us all believe he was a muggle? "Did my mother know he was a wizard?" Cricket suddenly asked.
"I do not know."
Cricket's whole body slumped. If he's involved with Voldemort, what does he want with me? Is Mum alright? What is the big idea of me marrying someone? Cricket startled when Remus gripped her hand. She looked around to see both he and Dumbledore staring at her. "What should I do?"
"As your mother suggests: Be careful. If your father is as strong as he was when he was my student, take extreme caution," As he said this he looked to Remus and quickly winked. Cricket didn't see it, but Remus knew what he meant and nodded. "But as I said, he isn't very smart. I hope he won't be smart enough to do anything too drastic." Dumbledore paused. "You may go."
They left quietly and walked slowly to the dungeons. Cricket was about to walk in when Remus grabbed her arm. He spun her around and pulled her to him. Cricket looked up and saw the concern and fear he'd been covering with seriousness and bravery.
"Oh, Remus," Cricket wrapped her arms around him.
Remus shook his head and leaned down to kiss her lightly. Unlike most of the kisses they had shared recently, it was all Remus; no werewolf. Although it was short and sweet, it meant more to either of them than any of the others.
He pulled away and looked down at her one again and Cricket saw the concern and fear more evident before it disappeared all together. "I know you're worried about your dad but you don't need to." He kissed her again and rested his forehead against hers. "We're in the safest place possible and we're friends with some of the strongest witches and wizards in school. Even if your dad's a strong wizard, it will take quite a bit for him to get to either of us." Remus hesitated. "I care about you, Cricket. I want to help you through this and no half-crazed man is going to scare me off."
They stared at each other for a few moments before Cricket tilted her head to kiss him again. "Thank you Remus. Just don't do anything stupid and get yourself in trouble."
Remus grinned. "Since when do I do anything stupid?"
Cricket laughed and pulled out of his embrace. She took a step towards the door but stopped. She turned back to Remus and saw a wicked smirk on his face.
"Get back here," he growled before jerking Cricket back into his arms. He lifted her off the ground and Cricket wrapped her arms around his neck. Remus just slid his tongue in her mouth when they both 'woke up.' They froze, opened their eyes, and simply stared at each other. Then without any warning, Remus released her and she fell to the floor emitting a squeak. Remus knelt next to her, "I'm sorry."
"I was a part of it," Cricket got to her feet and she brushed her robes off. They didn't say anything more and went into the classroom silently.
"Miss Mann, Mr. Lupin; you're late." Professor Zinksi paused in her insane lecture and her icy eyes were trained on the latecomers.
"Sorry, Professor," Remus said, "We were talking with the headmaster."
Zinski's eyes softened. "Very well, get in your seats."
As Cricket was making her way back to her seat she happened to glance to where the Slytherins were sitting. Malfoy and Snape sneered at her and Cricket quickly looked away. She found Charlie in their group and he gave her an encouraging smile and wink. Cricket smiled weakly back and sat next to James.
Cricket and Remus quickly got out a piece of parchment and put the conversation spell on it.
Pr- What was that?
C- What was what?
Pr- Ashfield.
C- What about him?
Pr- The winking and smiling!
M- You were winking and smiling at each other?
C- Don't you guys start again; I mean it.
James sighed and looked over at the Slytherins. Charlie was looking at Cricket and as soon as James looked his way, Charlie looked back up to Zinski. What's he up to, James thought.
Pa- So what did Dumbledore say?
C- Oh, that's right!
Cricket and Remus explained the conversation with Dumbledore. The boys seemed slightly nervous about it, but none of them mentioned anything. The boys added to Remus' assurances that everything would be fine and soon they were splitting off to their next class.
Remus and Cricket didn't speak on the way to muggle studies, but Remus wrapped a comforting arm around her. Once there they took their seats, much to Remus' discomfort, in the back next to Charlie.
Professor Mac came in quickly and unrolled a scroll as he sat at his desk. "We're going to do some partner work for a few days. One at a time, come up with your table partner." Pairs from the front of the room began to get up and go to Professor Mac.
Remus looked from Cricket to the crack between their tables and growled. Charlie and Cricket were sitting at the same table. He opened his mouth to say something but Cricket nudged him.
"Don't you dare," she hissed. "You're the one who doesn't like him, remember? He's my friend and I'm going to enjoy working with him."
Remus gaped at her as she got up with Charlie to get their assignment.
Don't worry about it Remus, you'll still be sitting next to her. Remus gave Cricket a guilty smile when she returned and she squeezed his hand. That was when Remus realized he didn't have a table partner.
"Mr. Lupin, move over by Mr. Snape and you'll work together," Professor Mac called.
Remus growled again. He glared at Cricket as she giggled and carried his books over to Snape's table. Besides Charlie, he was the only Slytherin in muggle studies and had a whole area to himself.
Cricket watched him go and turned to Charlie. "Sorry about him. I keep yelling at him and the others to leave you alone, but they keep ignoring me."
"I understand; I have gone to school with them for quite a while. Anyways, let's focus on this," he paused and stared at the drawing Mac had given them, "What is this?"
Cricket studied the drawing. "It's a microwave, I think."
"A microwave? What is that?" Charlie twisted the picture different ways.
Cricket laughed and grabbed the picture. She set it down on the table the right way, "It's a machine that warms up food."
"Really?" he looked to her. "You sure remember a lot." Cricket had shared with him how her dad was a muggle and simply said he had left their family ten years ago. Thinking of her dad made Cricket freeze. "What'd I say?"
Cricket turned to him. "Apparently my Dad was a wizard, not a muggle."
"What? When did you learn this?"
"This morning. He keeps sending me strange messages so I went to Dumbledore and he told me. I really haven't had time to think about it. I don't know why he didn't tell us."
Charlie rubbed his chin with his thumb in thought.
"What?"
Charlie looked to her, "It's nothing. Let's get going on this paper, hmm?"
Okay, so I know it wasn't all that good, but at least part of the confusion with Cricket's dad is solved. I know it might still be confusing, but I think I'm going to keep you all in the same boat as my characters :) It's FINALLY starting to get to my FAVORITE part! Oh, I can't wait to tell you all:)
Anyways, let me know what you think in a review!
"Hope all is well!" :)
