Marlene and Sirius lay on the common room floor, a game of wizards' chess between them, when Dumbledore's voice echoed through the castle.
"All students will proceed to their common rooms immediately." He calmly announced.
Marlene looked up at Sirius. "Did you know he could do that?"
Sirius laughed. "I honestly doubt there's much Dumbledore can't do."
Students quickly started pouring into the common room and soon James and Lily came in looking shell-shocked.
"May we have your attention please?" James called out. "Lily and I have just been informed that there was an attack on Hogsmead this afternoon and until further notice all Hogsmead visits are canceled. If you have any questions Professor McGonagall will be here in a few minutes to answer them." He and Lily walked over to Sirius and Marlene, and were quickly joined by Remus and Peter.
"What happened Prongs?" Peter asked, the laughter that he normally carried gone out of him.
James shook his head. "Dumbledore didn't give us much, but Voldemort came in with a bunch of his cronies and killed three whole families."
Marlene gasped. Without thinking Sirius had moved to be next to her and put an arm around her shoulders.
"It looks like he's done picking on Ministry officials. He's apparently taking matters into his own hands. All three families were mixed blood." Lily's voice was dead as she spoke, but her eyes betrayed her fear.
Marlene's hand gripped Sirius' leg, as the implications of what happened hit her. "James," she said quietly. "We're any of those killed what Voldemort would have labeled as blood traitors?" Peter leaned in close to hear the answer.
James sighed and nodded. He knew why she asked. Peter, her, Sirius, and even himself were all at risk now.
"Why does that even matter?" Lily asked, her voice breaking.
Marlene turned to her, and Sirius noted that the usual coolness that surrounded Marlene was returning. "News flash angel: you're not his only target. I'm as much of a target as you are."
"I'd like to see him try." Sirius growled quietly.
"So is James, and Sirius, and Peter, and Remus is half-blood so basically what I'm saying is get out of that well of self-pity you've thrown yourself in and realize that you're not alone."
Lily bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.
"Out of line McKinnon." James said going to Lily and wrapping a friendly arm around her.
"I call it how I see it Potter. I'm sorry Lily. I'm not trying to be mean, but Voldemort has just started a war, and if you think you're alone you'll lose. Don't let him make you feel singled out."
Lily began to cry softly into James' shoulder.
McGonagall walked through the portrait hole just then and the room quieted.
"Your attention please. I have a lot to do and so I will not repeat myself. Voldemort has struck at Hogsmead and so for your protection we have canceled all visits for the rest of the year. Effective immediately, students must be within the castle walls by sundown, no exceptions. Finally, all students will be given revised schedules to accommodate being in the castle by sundown, and to include double Defense Against the Dark Arts starting Monday. I have no information on the victims. Any questions?"
The common room sat silent.
"Very well." She turned on her heels and left.
"Well, so much for picking up more ink tomorrow. I need to write my parents to send some. Can I use your ink Black? I really am completely out."
"Sure thing McKinnon." He helped her to stand and they went walking up the stairs.
When they got to his dorm Marlene quickly scratched out a letter and as she folded it into the envelope she turned to Sirius. "I'm going to take a rain check on traveling the world with you after we pass our NEWTS. I've decided I'm going to fight him. I know he wouldn't let me live in his world anyway so I might as well try to take him and a few of his cronies out before he gets me."
"He won't get you." Sirius whispered, but Marlene didn't hear him.
She smiled a sad smile. "Have fun out there though."
"You bloody woman." Sirius shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm fighting too. Look, I didn't tell you everything when we were waiting out that storm. My parents would rejoice in seeing Voldemort kill me. They would probably even pay to be there. The rest of my extended family minus one cousin feels the same way. And I'm not going to let them rule the world. If you think he'll have it out for you, I'll have him and my whole stupid family out for me. Trust me; you're not going to be fighting alone."
Marlene smiled at him. "We'll go at it together then."
"Or die trying." Sirius grinned as he pulled her close to him. Holding her felt real, and the news of a war they weren't prepared to fight was just static in the background.
