Chapter 10: Deaths and Differences

The Great Hall was packed for dinner. Everyone had just returned from the Ravenclaw and Slytherin Quidditch game that afternoon and were all in high spirits.

The marauders sat in their usual spot, eating fourth helpings of potatoes and pork.

'Bless those house elves!' Sirius sighed through a mouthful of meat. 'I"ll be sure to go down later and get some more food.' James rolled his eyes. 'You already ate four plates, how can you still be hungry in an hour?'

Lily was sitting close by them and overheard their conversation. 'You know,' She said scathingly. 'The just because the house elves are here doesn't mean you should go overworking them every time you feel a little hungry.'

Sirius smiled at her and she gagged at the half-chewed food in his mouth. James grinned too. 'Easy Evans. They love it when we visit every now and then.' He said cheerfully.

Lily scoffed. Just then, there was a loud ruffling sound and they looked up to see hundreds of flying birds coming down for the evening mail. James frowned.

'Look guys,' He said pointing. 'Anyone else see the ravens?'

Peter dropped his fork in fear as one of the dark birds flew past him. 'Uh oh,' Said Frank. 'Everyone knows ravens carry bad news.'

James looked around, seeing at least twenty people around the hall receiving ravens instead of owls. He frowned. 'Something bad must have happened.' He thought.

Suddenly, a raven landed in front of Frank Longbottom, whose face turned white. The hall was silent now while everyone read their letters.

They all looked at Frank expectantly when there was a loud cry of despair.

Followed by another one.

James looked down and saw Alice Dearborn running out of the Great Hall, soon followed by many others.

Frank made a choking sound. 'No...'

They looked at him in concern, before he too, rushed out in tears.

'What's going on?' Peter asked quietly.

Remus had grabbed a copy of the Daily Prophet and was now reading the front page intensely. He looked up, looking paler than ever.

'There's been an attack today.' He said gravely.

'Where?' Demanded Marlene.

Remus looked back at the paper. 'At King's Cross.' He breathed in shock.

'Bloody hell!' Muttered Sirius.

'Those Death Eaters...' Growled James.

Dumbledore stood up. 'Everyone back to their dormitories. Will the Head Boy and Girl please come up to the front as soon as possible.' They followed the mass out of the Great Hall. James tried to find Lily but couldn't see her flaming red hair anywhere.

'She's probably with Alice.' Said Remus, as though reading his thoughts.

They all sat in front of the fire in the common room. Nobody said much. They were all thinking about what could have happened to their own families and what had happened to Frank and Alice.

'I'm going to bed.' Marlene said quietly, her voice sounding hoarse. Mary stood up as well. 'I've got to mail my mum.' She said and they both left.

James sighed in frustration. 'They attacked King's Cross... But why? I thought they didn't want people to catch on just yet?'

'It means they're ready to come out in the open now.' Said Sirius. 'They're done playing games and so am I!' He stood up suddenly. 'I've got to go kill Malfoy! Self-important git knew all about this!' He snarled.

Remus grabbed him by the arm and hauled him back into his seat. 'That won't do... for now.' He said. 'We need to be there for Frank and Alice when they're ready to talk.' They all agreed and as no one felt like sleeping, they stayed by the fire for hours.

James yawned and placed his glasses back on. It was nearly three in the morning and they were the only ones in the common room. He noticed that the other three marauders were all wide awake.

Remus read and reread the article from the daily prophet. Sirius twirled his wand angrily between his fingers, and Peter kept biting his nails, looking from one to another.

Just then, there was a noise from behind James and he turned around. Frank was standing by the portrait hole, looking mortified that he wasn't the only one up.

James noticed he had puffy eyes and felt renewed sympathy for his classmate.

'Hey Frank.' He greeted. 'Wanna join us?'

Frank hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently and sat down in an armchair.

They were silent for a while, before Frank said, 'It was my father and my cousins. He was visiting them and they had all just met at King's Cross wh-when...' He trailed off.

Remus placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and Frank continued. 'So, the Death Eaters are prepared to go to war then?'

Nobody answered him, but it was clear what they were all thinking about.

They heard stairs creaking from the girl's dormitory and saw Alice come down looking just as bad as Frank, followed by Lily.

They froze when they realized they weren't alone.

James stood up. 'Dearborn,' He said softly. 'Come sit with Frank for a little.' Alice looked confused for a moment before bursting into tears.

Frank immediately stood up and placed an arm around her shoulder. 'James is right, Alice. You need to talk. 'I... need to talk about it.' He pleaded. She nodded and they looked around hesitantly.

'I'm going back to bed then, now that you two are alright.' Said Sirius. He looked at Remus. 'You lot coming?' Remus and Peter followed him up the stairs.

James stayed behind when he saw Lily was still standing beside him, awkwardly. He suddenly felt the urge to talk with someone, and he hesitantly raised an eyebrow.

'Fancy a stroll?' He asked. Lily nodded and they left the common room.

They walked around in silence for a while, not wanting to be caught.

Lily was the first to break it. 'Potter, what's happening?' She asked looking at him with fear. James sighed. 'The Death Eaters are ready to make their move.' He whispered. 'They don't care that we know it's them anymore.'

Lily's eyes widened. 'Does that mean-' 'That they'll attack innocents more often? Yes, definitely.' James finished. Lily crossed her arms and looked away, biting her lip.

James looked at her sideways. 'You alright?' Lily shrugged. 'I guess I'm just scared.' She whispered.

James felt bad for her. 'It must be hard, coming from a muggle-born family, and not knowing what to expect.' He thought.

To his surprise, she sighed and nodded.

'When Sev told me about the wizarding world and about Hogwarts, I couldn't be more happy.' She said softly. 'I felt like I belonged here with other people who could do magic, but it turns out that not everyone's so accepting of muggle-borns.' She sighed. 'And he never told me we were in a war.'

James nodded. Feeling like he needed to lighten the mood a little, he said, 'Would you like to go to the kitchens Evans?' He asked suddenly. Lily turned to him with an incredulous look on her face. 'Potter, I- we'd be caught!' She stammered.

James shook his head. 'Nah, we won't.' He assured her, and he led her to the fruit portrait. The house elves didn't seem to mind them at all and as they were eating, James pointed this out to her.

Lily rolled her eyes and smiled slightly. James felt relieved to see someone do it. The atmosphere all night had been exceedingly morose and he hoped that all would be better soon.

After a small snack, they headed back to the common room, narrowly avoiding Filch again. 'I never found out what you were doing outside of the common room that night.' James said, grinning.

Lily gave a non-commital jerk of her head and shrugged. 'I don't mean to be rude, but it's none of your business.' She said. James shrugged. 'Well, then I can't tell you what I was doing.'

Lily raised an eyebrow. 'And what makes you think I'd care?' She asked sharply. James shrugged. 'Sorry, just trying to be friendly.' He said.

Lily sighed then whispered a goodnight before trudging up to the girl's dormitories.

James followed her, noting that Frank and Alice were gone now.

He settled into bed, thinking about the attack and worrying for his and other's parents' safety over the coming months.