They tried to act like everything was back to normal, but several 6th and 7th year students had disappeared. The rumor was that they were being recruited by the Dark Lord. Some of them would turn up a few months later dead. It was said these were the people who refused to join him. The air was filled with fear.
About 2 days before the end of the term Winnie could not find Lily anywhere. She thought perhaps Lily and James were together somewhere, but then Lily missed her first lesson. When James came in to the classroom, late as usual, she really started panicking. She raced out of the classroom despite the protests of Professor McGonagall, and went straight to Dumbledore's office. Just as she was about to go up to his office a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around wand at the ready to find that James, Remus, and Peter had followed her from the classroom.
"What's wrong?" James asked.
"I can't find Lily anywhere, have you seen her?" replied Winnie.
"No I haven't seen her or Sirius all morning," James starting to sound as worried as she was.
"Sirius is gone too! I just thought he was sleeping in like usual," exclaimed Winnie.
"There you are! How dare you leave my classroom without permission? If Dumbledore was here..." shouted Professor McGonagall.
"Dumbledore's not here! We need his help. Lily and Sirius are missing!" interrupted Winnie.
"Calm down Miss Mason! I'm sure Miss Evans and Mr. Black are just fine.
You four are to return to my class immediately," demanded McGonagall.
"Come on all lets get back to class," said James winking. They were able to get ahead of her and disappear into one of the secret passageways James and his friends had discovered over the last 6 years.
They headed back to Gryffindor house to look for any clues. "They are not on the map. That means they are not on the Castle grounds," said James coming back down into the common room. The boys (mainly Remus) had created a secret map that showed you where everyone is on the castle grounds.
"Could it be wrong? What if someone is hiding them magically?" asked Winnie.
"The map is never wrong. It would take some very powerful magic to hide someone from the map. We have to hide! McGonagall is on her way," replied Remus.
"Where?" asked Winnie. "Hey," she said as Remus grabbed her and James covered the three of them with a silvery cloak. James put a finger to his mouth and then pointed towards the porthole. They had to press themselves against the wall as McGonagall was right outside. James had to cover Winnie's mouth to keep her from making a noise. Once they had moved far enough away James uncovered them.
"What is that?" asked Winnie.
"Just an old family heirloom," replied James. "Sorry Peter,I figured you were small enough to hide on your own," he said to Peter who was still in rat form. They quickly hid again when they heard voices coming down the hall.
"Come on Severus it is time to prove your self. We have a little surprise for you," said Lucius Malfoy as he and Severus walked out of the castle. They quietly followed them which was not comfortable as the three of had to squeeze in to keep covered. From the conversation they figured out that Severus was going to have to duel someone to the death and Winnie was pretty sure it was Sirius. They thought they would loose them when they got in to Malfoy's carriage. James then had an idea, "wait here," he said. A few minutes later he and Remus came back looking like they were pulling something. "Get on," he commanded, "Remus you and Peter share."
"On what?" asked Winnie.
"Oh yea you didn't actually see your parents die," responded James.
"What are you talking about?" Winnie said starting to get annoyed, "They are getting away." James grabbed Winnie and through her up in the air. Winnie screamed and braced herself to hit the ground. Yet somehow she now found herself sitting about 5 feet above the ground. She looked over and noticed that Remus and Peter were doing the same.
"They are called Thestrels. They are kind of like horses, but you can only see them if you have seen someone die," said James as he climbed on in front of her. "Hold on," he said as they took off. The carriage was not too far ahead of them and they had figured it was headed for Malfoy Manor. They landed behind the house and snuck up to look into the windows. They were horrified by what they saw. Sara Kenwood, a 7th year Hufflepuff, was being forced to fight Piper Avon. Sara had obviously been tortured before the fight to throw things in Piper's favor. The girl could barely stand or even hold her wand. "Look over there," said James pointing to a corner of the room. At first it looked like people sitting watching the fight. Then you notice that they are tied to the chairs and writhing in pain every time some one felt like throwing a "crucio" their way. All of them wanted to go in wands blazing and save them, but they knew that would just get them killed. Winnie was trying to think of something when Piper who was done toying with poor Sara let out an "Avada Kedavra" and Sara fell to the ground.
"What are we going to do?" asked Winnie as she placed her head in her hands. She fought back tears as James put his arm around her shoulders. As she looked up she saw the Thestrals grazing nearby.
"Your turn Severus," said Malfoy. Severus stepped in to the middle of the room and the Death Eaters cheered. "We have a special challenge for you Snape," said Malfoy, "Bring forth the girl!"
Winnie could see Severus trying to control his reaction when they brought Lily before him, "You want me to fight a girl?"
"No, I want you to fight your old friend and prove that you serve the Dark Lord," said Malfoy.
"I thought I would be fighting Black. This little mudblood is beneath me to fight, said Severus trying to get out of killing Lily.
"He is here for his brother's test. Do it or I will kill you and that filthy mudblood," threatened Malfoy.
They threw a wand at Lily's feet and she could barely pick it up. Severus bowed to start their "dual" when Lily disappeared. James had used the cloak to sneak up and grab Lily. Then Winnie let the thestrals into the house. Using the distractions Winnie and the others were able to free Sirius and the other two prisoners. They were spotted running out of the house. The only way to get everyone out was to steal the carriage that Malfoy had used earlier. They were slowed down by those who had been tortured. They all had to help one of the tortured. Just as they neared the door, two Death Eaters appeared in front of them. They closed their eyes and braced themselves for the attack. Next thing they knew they were outside by the carriage.
"What just happened did we apperate?" asked Winnie.
"Well technically Dobby apprated you," said a small unknown voice.
"It's a house elf!" said Winnie.
"You need to get out of here now. Dobby will have to punish himself severely for this, but Dobby does not like what master was doing. Dobby has to get rid of the bodies," explained the house elf.
"Thank you Dobby you are a good elf," said Winnie as she kissed Dobby on the check.
"Dobby will never wash this cheek again," he said as rubbed the area where she kissed him and started to tear up.
"Come on Winnie!" yelled James from the carriage. As she ran to the carriage she heard what sounded like Dobby banging his head on the ground.
They could see the lights of the castle up ahead and thought they had made it back safely until they heard a crack and the rains connecting the pegasi to the carriage disappeared. The carriage started falling out of the sky. James and Winnie tried every spell they knew to keep it from crashing in to the ground, but nothing was working. Just as they were about the hit the ground they stopped and floated to the ground. Lily stepped out of carriage, "Did nether one of you think to use Arresto Momentum." Winnie tried to run to Lily and hug her but James beat her to it.
Instead she went to check on Sirius and the other two prisoners. Sirius had passed out at some point from exhaustion. Winnie sat next to him and placed his head in her lap. She was finally able to recognize the other two people they had helped escape. Passed out in each others arms were Frank Longbottom and Alice Neville. They were two years older than Winnie and her friends. Alice had been one the students that showed Lily and Winnie around when they were first years.
"Is everyone all right?" called a familiar voice.
"We need help Hagrid," replied Remus, "we have some injured people here." Hagrid, the gamekeeper of Hogwarts, is half-giant, half-wizard. He is a large man with an equally large heart. He picked up Sirius and Frank and proceeded to carry them back to the castle with out any effort. Following him was James carrying Lily and Remus carrying Alice.
"Is Dumbledore back?" Winnie asked Hagrid.
"Oh yes. McGonagall was right mad when you four ran off and disappeared. She sent an owl for Dumbledore to come back straight away. He just got here about an hour before you lot. He's been waiting in the infirmary for ya," answered Hagrid.
Dumbledore was indeed waiting for them and he ordered James and Winnie to follow him back to his office as soon as the injured were settled. Winnie was sure it was not going to be good and was hoping that they didn't get kicked out of school. Professor McGonagall was waiting in Dumbledore's office when they arrived along with the Potter's and aunt Persephone. Dread filled Winnie and when she looked at James he looked just as scared. Everyone just stood there in silence a moment, and then Mrs. Potter let out a cry of relief and went to hug her son. Persephone had already moved past relief and moved on to anger.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Mason I want you to apologize to Professor McGonagall for leaving her class and disappearing," ordered Dumbledore.
"We are sorry professor," said James and Winnie together both of them looking at the floor.
"You should not have left...," started Professor McGonagall until Dumbledore cut her off.
"Minerva I am quite sure that they understand the gravity of situation. As foolish as it was four lives have been saved by their action," announced Dumbledore. "Mr. & Mrs. Potter you wish to go down to the infirmary now. I do believe that Sirius Black is under your care now," he continued.
"James what has happened to Sirius?" asked his mother. Dumbledore answered, "all your questions will be answered downstairs." Mrs. Potter hurried out of the office followed by her husband. "Minerva and Persephone please go and meet Miss Evans's parents at the gate and show them to the infirmary," ordered Dumbledore.
"What's happened Albus?" asked McGonagall.
"All will be answered shortly," he replied as they left the office.
As Dumbledore sat back down at his desk, he asked James and Winnie to tell him exactly what happened. He seemed to be lost in thought while they explained what happened. "Well I now have a lot to think about and I am sure you wish to return and check on your friends," said Dumbledore as the office door opened. James and Winnie made their goodbyes and left his office.
Back in the infirmary everyone was awake. Winnie ran over to Sirius and they wrapped their arms around each other. Nether one wanted to let go of the other. Unfortunately Madame Pomfrey shooed every one out of the infirmary a few moments later so the injured could get some sleep.
The next morning everyone met again in Dumbledore's office to hear the other's story. Lily had been snatched on an early morning trip to the library. She was knocked unconscious on her way to breakfast and woke up in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. Sirius had a similar story except he was a little sketchy on exactly what he was doing before he was snatched. Frank and Alice had come to Hogwarts to investigate about the disappearing students for the Auror office. They had received a note from an unknown person asking them to meet in Hogsmeade. When they got there they were ambushed and woke to find themselves in Malfoy Manor. Sara Kenwood and Steven Taylor had already been there about a day when they arrived. At first they tortured them with different curses and jinks. Then it was time for the duels. Steven had been killed before Winnie and James arrived. After that Winnie and James explained their side of the story to everyone. All the parents and teachers started yelling and asking questions all at once. Dumbledore caused a small box on his to explode to get everyone's attention.
"Yelling and speculation are not going to fix this situation. I will answer your questions and concerns in and orderly fashion. First though I would like all the students and the Longbottoms to return to the infirmary," ordered Dumbledore
They didn't want to go but they knew better than to argue with Dumbledore. Once back in the infirmary they started talking to Frank and the now Mrs. Longbottom. They told the kids about a special group that Dumbledore had put together called the "Order of the Phoenix." They were actually investigating for the Order not the Ministry. The Ministry and the Auror office had apparently been infiltrated by the Death Eaters. The Minister disappeared a few months back and the Undersecretary is reported to be working for Voldemort. Frank and Alice said that they would be recommending them to Dumbledore to join the order when they all became of age and that was right around the corner. Winnie the youngest, would turn seventeen about week after the term ended.