Where I Stood
Chapter 9
Once Sileni returned to Hogwarts it took a couple of days to return to work as she had a lot of homework to do. It was the same routine; the only difference was she was now working one job at a time, and not every day. It was already mid-March and Voldemort has yet to come attack her. She was on alert, having not told anyone of what Andi told her of her attack or death. But she was scared. Sileni was utterly scared to death and hoped that the vision Andi saw was not about to come true; however that was only wishful thinking.
During the two months Sileni and Luke went with the Marauder's during Remus' transformation, not in January as both siblings practiced transforming into their Animagus. Remus was hesitant to let them come near him during this time, especially Sileni, but she only glared at him—something Remus never wanted to be at the other end again—and argued until it was final. To say the least the siblings had a lot of fun with Remus as they played around while making sure he stayed inside the shack or around the forest area.
With this the three older boys had made Luke the fourth Marauder, quickly changing the name on the map they had made. Now instead of one reasonable and thinking on the spot (Remus) there were two with Luke. To say the least Peter was not happy about this, though he doesn't remember as Sileni had Obliviated (something that she's been practicing on Sirius) his memory to modify the past five years about Remus' condition, the map, and the secret passages. All Peter remembers was that he was friends with James, Sirius, and Remus but their friendship had been broken and they went their separate ways during the end of their second year, and the beginning of their third.
At the moment Sileni was cleaning up at the Muggle restaurant with Charlie, Emily, a bus boy, and several cooks. It was after closing and they were all tired, not even wanting to clean up as they were distracted about one thing or another. But the simple things in life were not what worried the fifteen year old; no, it was things much worse.
After saying goodbye, Sileni walked the couple of blocks towards the Leaky Cauldron. As she was nearing the tavern, which was just around the corner, Sileni was suddenly grabbed from the back. She screamed, her mouth being covered, but the person was not fast enough for someone to have heard her. From where the Leaky Cauldron was, Mad-Eye Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt had just exited and heard her scream.
They ran towards the alley, Sileni fighting back as best as she could, minus the wand as she still wasn't good at it. Because she was short, she was able to duck from the spells they aimed at her while kicking and punching the six men that surrounded her. Both Auror's were able to bind four out of six of the Death Eaters, Sileni scrambling back against the wall of one of the buildings, breathing heavily. Bruises were already started to form as blood trickle down in several places, both her hair and uniform frazzled and out of place.
She was looking around in a daze, her heart beating quickly, the attack still fresh on her mind. Her legs felt like jelly, which told her that one of the spells the Death Eater's threw at her hit her legs. She gave a small scream when someone grabbed her arm. She looked up to see a concerned Mad-Eye Moody (very rare, but he's taken a liking to her), looking her over while his other eye was moving around quickly for any more Death Eaters.
Holding back her cries and tears, Sileni cleared her throat. "My legs are jelly."
Mad-Eye nodded, quickly saying the counter spell for the Jelly-Legs jinx. He helped the girl shakily to her feet, Sileni looking around. She now knew why she was to die—aside from being the one to be sacrificed—in two years time. Her wand work and spells still needed to improve, the least she can do is that so as not to be easily taken down by Voldemort.
Both Mad-Eye and Kingsley took her back to Hogwarts (after several other Auror's came to take back the prisoners)by Apparating outside the gate, which opens without anyone giving the password to the four animal's that guarded the gates, Sileni mentally thanking Andi. As they walked into the school, Sileni wanted nothing more but to sleep on her bed. But due to her injuries and shock, neither Auror would have it, so took her to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey quickly healed both the scratches and the bruises, and her ribs that were also broken in the process. Madam Pomfrey ordered the girl to one of the beds, saying that she needed to stay for observation.
However, Sileni didn't want to hear it, being as stubborn as the mediwitch. Having been at it for nearly a half hour (both Mad-Eye and Kingsley having left to give their report back at the Ministry), Madam Pomfrey finally gave in and just gave her a vile of purple liquid and a parchment with instructions of when to drink it and how much. Returning to Gryffindor Tower, Sileni looked around for the one person she knew would still be up and waiting for her.
Remus stood up from the corner of the room, smiling widely at her as he set down the book on the table. However, at the grim look and her disheveled appearance, the werewolf was immediately on alert. Sileni let out a sob before falling to her knees as the hour ago finally caught up with her. Remus was quickly at her side, holding her, soothing her, and rocking back and forth, all the while wondering what happened.
Noticing the vile and parchment, Remus read over the parchment and quickly told the crying girl to drink some of the liquid. Once she did, the werewolf pockets the vile and the parchment, picking up the girl as though she weighed nothing, and went up to the boy's dormitory. Sileni fell asleep before he even reached the door, which was fine for him as he couldn't stand to see and hear her crying. He would get answers in the morning; that he was sure of.
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Sileni woke up with a start, looking around her wildly. All that happened last night came back to her and started to hyperventilate. Wanting to get away from the many questions that were to come, Sileni quickly got out of bed as quiet as possible. But as soon as she closed the door, she heard her name being called out by a sleepy Sirius. She quickly ran to the girl's staircase to take a long shower and take the potion for her nerves and her broken ribs that she nicked from Remus' robes on the ground.
She stayed up in the room, having no work today, and tried to keep calm and go over what she was to say. After the lunch hour, having ignored Lily's bribe to go down and talk with them all morning, the fifteen year old finally decided to go down, her heart thumping wildly. At the foot of the stairs, she saw the Marauder's and Lily sitting at the couch, trying to occupy themselves. They were the only ones there, which Sileni was grateful.
They all turned at the sound, all of them wondering at the still fear look upon her eyes. Her face was void of all emotions, her body tensed and alert. Luke was the first to rush over to her, looking over her as he took her arms with a frown and worry.
"Rumors are flying about how you got beat up yesterday. Someone saw bruises and cuts all over your body as well as your uniform being torn and such." he whispered so only she could hear. "Now, what happened?"
Sileni only shook her head, holding back the tears and the sobs that started to form, Luke grateful to see some emotion in her. But he quickly figured it out what happened and was pissed off, fisting his hands at his sides. He looked ready to go kill someone but stopped himself as he saw the pleading look on his sister's face. With a sigh he looked over to the others and nodded, everyone getting up and following him out of the tower; all except Remus, who walked slowly towards her.
Meeting him half ways, she smiled shyly at him, praying that he wouldn't ask about the rumors that were now flowing around. She wondered how someone knew about her last night–aside from Remus–as everyone was supposed to be in bed. Of course Sileni doubted Remus would have said anything to anyone, let alone the whole school. Her lips twitched as she noticed the werewolf looking over her quickly, trying to find the bruises and such. Sileni didn't know if she should try to reassure him and lie, or just simply lie to him.
"Don't lie to me, please." Remus whispered, taking her hands in his.
Sileni chuckled, trying not to let the tears fall. She always wondered how he knew what it was that she was thinking. Could it actually be that she was an open book? Or was it due to the closeness that they had become that he knew her as much as she did herself? She squeezed his hand, moving closer to him, giving him a watery smile.
"I was attacked," she choked out, feeling the tears start to fall. "By some evil wizards called Death Eater; luckily both Kingsly Shacklebolt and Alastor Mad-Eye Moody were walking out of the Leaky Cauldron just when I screamed for help."
Remus was trying his hardest to control his anger, not wanting to let Sileni see this side of him, looking anywhere but at her. But just like how he knew her so well, Sileni knew him just as well, making her smile slightly at that thought. She placed a hand on his cheek, Remus having to look at her, and just stroked his cheek. The werewolf just sighed and leaned his forehead against hers, sinking his arms around her waist while she sank her arms around his neck, both needing to be closer.
"I promise you luv that no one will ever touch you again!" he whispered to her, bringing the girl even closer. "On my life, I promise you."
Sileni hugged him closer, closing her eyes to keep her tears from falling. She has wished and hoped that with her and Luke being here she would ease the pain of what Remus would have to endure two years after his graduation for thirteen years. And that he finds his true love earlier on and be more at ease than when he was during Harry's life in the sixth and seventh book.
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—June—
Time passed quickly after the incident, the OWL's weeks away. Everyone was bucking down and studying, even Sileni. The Marauder's, Lily, and even Severus helped her out in the areas (which was almost all of them) she was having trouble in. Severus—slowly, but surely—started to warm up to her after the present she got him; a cauldron.
I was a couple of days prior to the Christmas breaks both James and Sirius had somehow melted Severus' old one during a potion lesson. To say the least, Severus was very surprised to find a white owl sitting on his bed with a package next to it. The note told him to open it before going to Diagon Alley to buy a new one. Since then Severus found no fault in the girl and had started to trust her, despite being friends with the Marauder's. He even didn't mind her going out with Remus as he was a better choice than either James or Sirius.
After OWL's, Sileni had rushed off to Gryffindor tower to get to work. Of course none of her friends or Luke knew this, so they were very surprised—except Luke, he was only mild surprised as he knew her too well—to see her Muggle clothes.
"Don't tell me you're going to work after our freedom?" Sirius cried out.
"Actually, we still have a Transfiguration test to do." James added in.
"I'm sorry but Charlie called me during one of the OWL breaks. He needed another hostess because Emily called in sick. And I'm sure I can make it up!" Sileni told them as she made her way to the portrait hole.
Remus only gave Sirius a look before running after her, both James and Sirius rolling their eyes. He quickly jogged after her and grinned mischievously as he noted Sileni about to step on the trick step, moving faster. The said girl squealed in surprise before laughing for Remus had grabbed held of her waist just before she stepped on the trick step. He was now carrying her over his shoulder, making his way towards the room she used to floo.
"Remus John Lupin, you put me down this instant!" Sileni cried laughingly, turning red form embarrassment as many students looked back at them as they passed by.
As they turned the corner in which held the room she uses, Remus put her down and cut off her protests as he kissed her. Pushing her against the wall, Sileni pulled back and took hold of her phone, placing her fingers to Remus lips when he went to say something.
"Hi Charlie, I'm on my—"
Charlie cut her off but her breath was caught in her throat as Remus kissed her fingers and up her wrist before pushing it away and started to kiss her neck. He attacked right where her pulse laid, her heartbeat quickening by the second.
"She came? OK," Sileni said breathlessly. "Fine!" she squeaked, feeling Remus smirk against her skin. "Bye," she quickly hung up before taking Remus' head to make him look at her. "Emily came to work, I don't need to go in!" she told him before kissing him hard.
Pushing his body even closer to hers, Remus picked up the girl by her waist so that they were at eye level rather him having to bend down. Sileni not only reached his chest but nearly everyone's—except from the third years and below—which is why everyone thought Luke was the oldest because she was so short. She had wrapped her legs around him, her skirt riding up a bit, Remus' hands lingering at the edge of her skirt, itching to rise it up even further.
Suddenly someone was heard clearing their throat, causing the two teenagers to look up at the right with wide eyes. They both had the decency to blush, Sileni going back to normal height and fixing her skirt and her hair. McGonagall and Dumbledore were standing there, McGonagall looking appalled while Dumbledore looked amused.
"Despite no more OWL's for two hours, I would have thought that a Prefect would have other duties Mr. Lupin, especially a Gryffindor Prefect. Corridors are not meant for... for teenage hormones to take over!" McGonagall said briskly, "And Miss Thorn, I'm sure that you have a job to go to?" she asked archly with a raised eyebrow, her lips a thin line, noticing her uniform.
Dumbledore placed a hand on the Transfiguration professor, still looking amused. "I think that a warning on this occasion would be sufficient for the first offense," he told them, looking over his glasses. "But let's keep the hallways clear for moving about the school and not indulging our hormones, shall we? Now, run off outside to your freedom for two more hours before your next test."
Nodding in unison, the couple ran off hand in hand, McGonagall protesting to the warning. Once out on the grounds, the couple started to laugh, Remus bringing the girl closer. They were both laughing, embarrassed as to have been caught by both the headmaster and deputy headmistress.
"Come on, everyone's over by the lake." Remus said after calming down, taking her hand.
They made their way around group of students and saw the scene before them; though it was slightly different than from what she remembered reading. Both James and Sirius were taunting Severus, who was trying to walk away from them.
"Damn it, I forgot about the prank!" Sileni muttered in panic.
Before Remus could ask what she meant Sileni was already jogging towards the boys. He followed suit, seeing Luke and Lily rushing towards them as well.
"Hey, Snivellus!" Sirius yelled, grinning at James.
Severus sighed and turned to see what they wanted, knowing that there was going to be trouble coming since it considered these two. But everyone stopped at a very dangerous voice speaking up from the side that held a threat behind her tone.
"Sirius Black, you best think twice before you do harm to my friend!" Sileni growled, eyes blazing.
"What are you—?" Sirius started innocently, but she cut him off.
"I mean it Sirius! Don't!" Sileni warned before looking at a curious Severus.
"I just wanted to see how the tests were going for you?" he told her in a tight tone.
"Very stressful, but overall well; I doubt, however, got any more than an 'A' on most of them. How did you do?"
Sileni held up her finger, having seen Sirius about to say something from the corner of her eye. Sirius glowered at this but kept quiet, knowing not to piss off the girl. Unconsciously he rubbed his left cheek from the slap he gotten from her back in the first day of school, and didn't want a repeat of that pain.
"Good, though I think I failed Astronomy and Care of Magical Creatures." Severus said, a bit amused to see Sirius being silenced by Sileni.
The said girl shrugged her shoulders. "That's all right as you don't need it to teach Potions."
Severus frowned in suspicion as Sileni smiled mysteriously. But he learned not to ask questions as she wouldn't answer them; merely she spoke in riddles instead.
"True. I better be off before Black and Potter explode and Lupin gets ready to kill me."
Sileni nodded, looking over to a seething, in control, Remus watching Severus walk away. Knowing they want answers, Sileni rounded on James and Sirius first, glaring at them.
"The prank you were about to do could have destroyed any more friendliness Severus has, along with Lily's and my friendship with him! There is a reason why I am defending him, other than being his friend, but it is something I can't reveal until the time comes! No more pranks on him, you guys! I mean it, for I swear you both will regret it until the day you die!" Sileni turned to Lily, "You need to be there for him once things start happening because you two have been friend's way before you knew about magic and this school!" Sileni now turned to Remus, who was trying his hardest not to explode. "And you, Remus John Lupin, have no fear whatsoever!" Remus raised an eyebrow, "For I only have eyes for you; and the only one to call me theirs!"
Remus sighed, softening at her. He brought her to his side, kissing her lips. The boys made mock vomiting while Lily sighed with a smile.
"Oh shut it! Let's go celebrate that after the Transfiguration test we have no more tests or classes!" Remus told them, walking away with a laughing Sileni.
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—Night—
Sileni was pacing in Dumbledore's office, as there was a meeting with the Order the night before the train ride home. The only problem was that she and her brother still didn't have a place to live yet and call their own. James' parents had agreed to take in Luke while Sileni stayed at the castle. The Potter's had asked Sileni to stay, but politely declined. She didn't want to risk of getting them killed after what happened three months ago.
Just like Andi predicted, Voldemort issued another attack on her, though it could not happen because of the Auror's surrounding her as she went to and from the castle and the restaurant. Remus was on high alert, as were the other two Marauder's, making sure that Sileni wasn't alone anymore during the classes, especially with the Slytherins.
"Phoenix?" Sileni looked over to Dumbledore and George. "Is that all right with you?" the headmaster asked, knowing she had no clue.
"About the loft?" Sileni questioned, smirking at the surprised looks. "Just because my mind was elsewhere doesn't mean I wasn't listening." she told them amused.
Everyone, mostly the women, laughing, Sileni looked to George, she was about to say yes when she caught something in his eyes. Frowning, the fifteen year old thought back to her appendix burst and to the now—something she's been doing a lot lately. The whole time George was the one to always ask her questions, more about the books Dumbledore had given back to her on the first meeting with the Order. She also remembered the girl's dormitory was trashed and the other girl's trunks were opened, their items askew while hers remained untouched nearly a month ago.
It was thanks to a spell she placed on it; something Severus taught her when she asked since she needed to keep the books a secret. She also remembered the boils upon George's arm that he tried to hide a few weeks ago. With quickly reflexes, Sileni pulled out her wand and yelled 'Petrificus Totalus,' George immediately freezing in place, his hand reaching for his wand.
"Phoenix!" nearly all of the Order cried in outraged and disbelief.
"He's a Death Eater and a spy for Voldemort! He's been the only member in this Order to ask me so many questions about me and my brother's life. Questions that none of you need to be asking!–No offense–and if you take off his robes, I bet there are still some boils left on his body as he was the one to trash the girl's fifth year dorm and tried to get into my trunk!" Sileni accused angrily, "Which is how Voldemort knew where I worked! I told George—if that's his real name—and Dumbledore; no one else knew!"
Some of the wizard's and witches were hesitant but Mad-Eye and Shacklebolt stepped forward. Sileni didn't hear what spell they uttered but George's robes were stripped from his body. All over his skin were red angry dots, where boils used to be, healing ever so slowly. But what shocked them the most was the tattoo on his chest; the terrible mark of the evil wizard that was rapidly rising.
"I doubt he has said anything about what you all have said except about me and what I have said." Sileni said, angry with the man she trusted. "It's the only way for Death Eater's to possibly know where I work and what time I get off."
"Take him to the Ministry and begin to question him." Dumbledore ordered angrily, "Then Obliviate his memory."
Both Auror's grinned, "Will do, Dumbledore." they said in unison, a grin upon their faces that scared the still frozen George.
Once they Apparated, Sileni sighed with such a relief that the fifteen year old seemed to be older then she should be. Everyone either turned to Dumbledore or Sileni, wondering what to do next.
"You need to go into hiding! If Voldemort grabs hold of you—" Dumbledore started but Sileni interrupted.
"No! Voldemort may know about me, but I am not going into hiding!" Sileni told him sternly, not backing down from his own angry stare. "I will not lose contact with my brother, because I know that will happen if I go into hiding." Sileni shrugged, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying. "Besides, I'm the one who's going to die, so why try to invade that? I'm gonna leave notes for my brother, as well as the books, so you'll still have information should something happen to me so don't worry."
Everyone looked at each other both in warily and sadness, feeling for the young girl. Sileni, however, just shook her head and looked out the window, dawn nearly approaching. Now things will have to progress even faster and discreet from all those she love. It was the only way to save their lives.
A/N: All right you guys, PLEASE review and give me your thoughts on the story thus far; thanks!