Chapter Eleven
An uphill battle
"So how was your holidays? " Remus turned away from his book and looked at James, who was looking at him with a perplexed expression on his face. Something Remus didn't see too often on the face of his friend. They were in the common room, and people were trying to get back into the habit of being students again after taking a long break from Hogwarts.
"They were okay I guess. Yours? " Remus marked where he stopped in his book, and focused entirely on his friend. It looked like James really needed someone to talk to, and the twins were nowhere to be found. " It was fine. " Remus raised a brow at that. Usually James was much more talkative when it came to things that involved him, so why was he so tight-lipped about it now?
"What's wrong?" "What makes you think something's wrong Remus? " James asked as he focused on the snow falling outside the window, instead of looking at the face of one of his friends. "James, you look like someone killed your favorite pet. What's wrong? " James shrugged his shoulders like what he was about to say was no big deal.
"It's just... My holidays, well, they started off normal for the first week or so. Hung out with my parents, trying to be sneaky and figure out what my presents were. That sort of thing. But... "
"But what? " Remus added, trying to coax the whole story out of James. "It was the day of my parents usual New Years Eve ball, and they were having the time of their lives with their friends and all that, when someone comes up to my father, and whispers into his ear. Then as soon as that happens, my father finds my mother, and they leave the room to go into his study. Then I hear the yelling. "
Remus was concerned now. He had met James's parents when they got off the train, right before break, and they seemed nice, so what could have set them off? "What were they yelling about? " "Mione and Sirius. " Remus gave him a look as if he didn't truly believe what James was saying. "Why would would your parents argue about them? Wasn't your mum the only one to meet Sirius and Mione when you first met them in Diagon Alley?"
"I don't know Remus. Yes, my mum met them that day, and she really liked them. Thing is I can't figure out why my parents would argue about them. " James shook his head at one of his best friends. "My dad still hasn't met them yet. I don't know anymore. "Remus had a weird feeling about this. Even before break, he had noticed the twins acting strange, whenever the subject of going home happened.
They would shy away from the others, and avoid the subject all together. And now with James's parents arguing about Mione and Sirius, it just added another piece of the puzzle for Remus to solve. Just what happens at the home of the house of Black?
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"Minerva, did you happen to get a good look at Ms Black and Mr Black when they came back from break? " Albus and Minerva were walking side by side, headed to the great hall for lunch, and they smiled at all the carefree children walking and smiling with their friends. "Whatever do you mean Albus? "
As soon as they got to the great hall, Albus opened up the door for his dearest friend, and they both walked in to a room scattered with children from all four houses. There were Griffindors sitting with Ravenclaw's, and Hufflepuffs alike. The odd group out was not so surprisingly Slytherin. As they passed by the Griffindor table, they couldn't help but notice Mr. Potter talking up a storm to Ms Black making her smile light up a room.
On the other side of the table, Mr. Black was telling a story to Mr. Lupin, Ms Evans, and Ms Burke . They looked so innocent, both Albus and Minerva wished they could stay that young and innocent forever, but the adults knew that feeling would not last. When they got to the head table, they sat down next to each other, and continued their conversation from earlier, while filling up their plates.
The other teachers paid no attention to Albus and Minerva's conversation. They knew those two would always at least once a day would end up in their own little world, and block out everything and everyone else. "Are you referring to the slight bruises on the children's arms?" Minerva speared a piece of carrot on her fork, and glared at it like it had offended her personally.
"I know Orion and Walburga are not the friendliest of people, but to hit their children? Despicable. I wonder if they do that to their youngest as well. " "I'm not sure Minerva, but you and I both know the signs of pureblood outrage within its ranks. I'm assuming Orion and Walburga were not really happy with the fact that Hermione and Sirius got into Griffindor instead of slytherin, and they showed their feelings for that immensely. "
"Is there nothing we can do Albus? Hermione is an exceptional talent I'm the classroom, and I can see her going places with her skills. As for her brother, he may have his rough spots, is bit of a class clown when he wants to be, but he has a knack for transfiguration. And you know I don't hand out compliments that easily. "
"Unfortunately my dear Minerva, what we have is just speculation. We need physical proof, or the twins tell us what is happening behind closed doors at home. But until then, our hands are tied. I wish they weren't but... "
"I don't give a bloody damn about that Albus. I might not have had favourites in the past, but these are my cubs we are talking about, and I'll be damned if I let Orion and Walburga hurt them again!"
Albus laid a hand on Minerva's arm to calm her down. It only worked a little. He could still see steam coming out of her ears. "Don't fret my dear. While they are in the castle, we will do whatever we can to help them. I'd what is happening in that house is what we suspect, I promise you, I will make sure they will get away from that madness. "
"You better Albus, or I swear to Godric Griffindor himself Walburga Black will have me to deal with.. No one messes with my cubs and lives to tell about it."