Chapter 11: The Funeral: Part 1
Sirius:
For as long as I could remember James had talked about Dark Magic as if it was a poison spreading in the water. Something that had a supremely corruptible force that crumbled the will of a person. James absolutely loathed the dark arts, just like his parents and his grandfather.
So it was understandable that he was shocked into silence when we heard our very own Muggle Studies professor, a man who wouldn't swat a fly for fear of bad karma, ended up dead at the merciless hands of those who called themselves Death Eaters and indulged in the darkest of magic.
It was hard to imagine a person you'd known for five years suddenly dying. It jolted reality somehow even though we all understood death was a part of life.
We still hadn't heard anything from Professor McGonagall as we sat around the dormitory all lost in thought. James was slumped on his side on my bed, his knees drawn up and his toes just touching my shoulder as I lay across the foot end staring at the tester of my four-poster, my legs dangling aimlessly off the edge.
There wasn't much sound. It was eerie, for the dormitory that had housed five teenage boys was hardly ever quiet. Remus rested against two pillows propped up against the headboard and Peter sat leaning against one of the posts. Peter too was oddly silent. He talked a lot when he was worried, upset or anxious. It appeared he too was in shock. Wesley, the fifth Gryffindor sixth-year, was sat on his bed scribbling a letter to his parents. Wesley was a good lad though he wasn't as close knit with the rest of us. Having two older brothers had prevented him from socialising much with his classmates early on. He and Remus had taken Muggle Studies for the past three years and were the most affected.
Midnight came and went and the bedside lamps and candles lit through the night.
I didn't remember falling asleep. I couldn't recall when I'd drifted off, but I awoke with a start when something slapped me in the face.
It was James. He was still under, shifting in his dreams. His hand lay on my face, clammy with sweat. I couldn't yet say which direction was up or down, but I had enough sense to push myself away before I received a second blow. Turning to my side I could see Peter's frame snoring softly on Remus's bed. The faint blue light of early morning lit up Remus's face as he sat on the rug next to his bed carefully constructing a house of Exploding-Snap cards.
"Not the smartest idea you've had" I whispered groggily.
Remus looked up and smiled a humourless smile.
"Did you sleep at all?" I questioned with concern.
"Some." Remus brushed it off, picking up the cards carefully off the floor. Peter slept on soundly under Remus's duvet.
Trying not to wake James I sat up slowly on the bed and looked around. It was cold in the early hours of the day. James's owl Cecil was sat on his perch snoozing under his wing. There was a letter tied to his foot that had yet not been released.
"Did you write your mum?" I asked Remus quietly.
Remus nodded. "Wrote to Peter's too."
For a long moment we were silent. I sank to the rug between our beds sitting cross legged.
"He keeps wandering around," Remus said out of the blue handing me the Map.
I took it without question despite my confusion. The map was folded to show the entrance hall and the staircases up to the first floor. A small dot kept pacing around in circles up and down the staircase.
Regulus Black.
I gritted my teeth. That wilful little pest! What was he up to?
"You can't keep avoiding him." Remus said quietly.
"He won't write me back. I'm sure talking is out of the question."
"Sirius…" Remus spoke delicately as he did when he was truly concerned. "Reach out to him before he is well and truly lost. It can't be easy for him."
I sighed heavily, "I will."
We talked back and forth in hushed voices about what could happen that day until the sun began to creep through the windows painting everything in a faint gold.
By the time I'd showered and come to the room, everyone was awake. Remus was combing his hair. James was nursing a warm glass of water and Peter was trying his hardest not to yawn repeatedly. Wesley went to the bathroom after me. Once the water started running we all looked to each other.
"So… what's the plan? Peter asked.
James threw his feet over the edge of the bed and got up somewhat exasperatedly. "Let's just get to breakfast. Rest will fall into place."
No one argued him. The four of us quietly got ready. Wesley left once he'd dressed. Unsure of what to wear we each opted for casual clothes in some combination of white, grey or black.
The great hall was buzzing as we reached the ground floor. It was unusually full for an early Sunday. None of the teachers sat at their table. James followed my gaze and sighed at Dumbledore's empty ornate chair at the centre.
We took seats midway up the Gryffindor table. Olivia soon joined us inquiring how we were doing and if we'd heard anything new. Though she mostly spoke to James, who ate the toast Peter served him in silence.
A few seats away Lily Evans watched us with an expression close to worry on her face. She kept darting her eyes over to James over her cup of coffee until Quinn pointedly shoved an elbow in her side. Any other day, I would've teased James about it. But I couldn't bring myself to do it, even for a distraction.
Some people talked in hushed voices with sombre expressions, others seemed quiet and confused.
Remus pushed a few sausages onto my empty plate and I nibbled unenthusiastically. Struck by a thought my eyes searched the Slytherin table. I found Snape deep in conversation with Avery who nodded importantly every now and then. Beside him sat Mulciber. He'd finally arrived back at school. I could feel my fists clench.
Suspicious timing, indeed.
I couldn't find Regulus at the table. My eyes kept scanning the Slytherin table again and again until they met Mulciber's. He was smirking at me. The smugness on his face said every loathsome thought I had out loud. They knew. They knew everything.
I was gripping my fork so hard it began to rattle against the plate. Remus pulled it out of my grasp and followed my line of sight. Mulciber was concentrating on his bacon a satisfied smile on his face.
Prick.
"I'm not hungry," I crossed my arms.
"Well, none of us are here for the food," Remus responded.
At long last the dishes cleared and the teachers began to file into the hall following a line to the head-table. Bringing up the rear were the four heads of houses and…
"Hey," I nudged James, "He's back. Dumbledore's back!"
James looked up but said nothing.
"So soon," Remus remarked as the teacher's quietly took their seats.
An uncomfortable silence settled in as Professor McGonagall headed to the podium off to the side.
"May I have everyone's attention please?" McGonagall began unnecessarily, "Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, will now make an important announcement." McGonagall cleared her throat and returned to the table.
Professor Dumbledore stood up surveying the packed hall over his half-moon glasses. When he spoke his voice was heavy.
"Students of Hogwarts, we have suffered a terrible and inconsolable loss. It is with deep sadness that I must announce that our beloved Muggle Studies teacher, Professor Frasier Ewan Grubbly-Plank has passed away."
The hall buzzed with shocked gasps and furious whispers.
Dumbledore spoke over the babble. "The good professor will be laid to rest today at sundown at his home estate. Anyone wishing to attend the funeral is encouraged to do so with the accompaniment of a teacher. Classes will be cancelled for tomorrow to allow students and teachers to mourn the loss of one our best teachers. Professor Grubbly-Plank, was kind, engaging and always an encouraging spirit. He strived greatly in his lifetime to educate magic folk about Muggles and the great lessons we could learn from them. His loss is tragic and he will be terribly missed by everyone whose lives he touched."
The whispers continued among the students, the buzzing growing steadily louder.
"Remember," said Dumbledore, the word reverberating through the hall casting it into silence once more. His blue eyes seemed to pierce through each and every one as he stared down surveying us all.
When he spoke again his voice was taught "Death comes only once to the valiant but haunts the cowardly and disloyal for a lifetime."
Without another word Dumbledore turned and left through a door to his left exiting the hall.
"He knows," said Remus his eyes narrowed.
"Of course he bloody knows!"
"Well why wouldn't he say?"
"Haven't the faintest!"
The buzzing resumed in the hall augmented infinitely by panic and confusion. I strained to listen as Professor McGonagall explained the different methods of transport available to go to the funeral. We decided instantly to leave with Hagrid who would no doubt find the stealthiest option. It was best not to let the Ministry know we could Apparate or about our (technically illegal) Secure Portkey business.
James and I got up almost together as the students began to leave the hall. I threw one last scathing look at Mulciber who seemed more entertained by the news than anything else.
Students seemed to walk aimlessly, whispering incessantly. A significant number didn't really know Professor Grubbly-Plank well enough to consider going to his funeral. Most, I overhead, resolved to go simply on principle because he was a Hogwarts teacher. Having been a Ravenclaw while at Hogwarts, said house seemed most affected by the news of his passing. Most of them had grown accustomed to his presence around the house and his energetic support at Quidditch matches.
I remembered suddenly why I'd searched the hall earlier before finding Mulciber.
"I'll catch up with you later," I told James in an undertone. James looked curiously at me but didn't interrogate.
"Shall I come with?" Peter asked.
I clapped a hand onto his shoulder reassuringly. "Nah, I'll be up in a bit. Don't worry."
Peter shrugged.
It was hard to fight against the current of students heading back to their dorms. I manoeuvred with some difficulty towards the Slytherin dormitory. There was a funny feeling I always had whenever I went near the Slytherin Common Room, an old, almost nostalgic, sense of belonging and a powerful surge of resistance that followed. I balled up my fists shoving them into my pockets.
Just as I was about to head down the staircase I heard Laurent Mulciber's laugh from above. Looking up I saw him and his crew of miscreants walking along the first floor corridor. A familiar face followed him.
Gritting my teeth I gripped my wand at my side. I wished James had followed along.
This would be fun if James came along. It would be detention but it would be fun.
It took a frustratingly long time to travel through the crowds to the first floor and then follow Mulciber onto the second floor. But I finally did and when I rounded the corner the sight made me instantly slip back into the shadows of a pillar.
Mulciber was kissing a girl. His face was buried in her neck as she leaned against the stone pillar behind her. The rest of Muciber's posse hung around him looking bored or uncomfortable.
I shook my head and collected myself. Something wasn't right.
Mulciber pulled away from the girl's already reddened bruised neck.
"S-Stop… don't… do this," she whimpered.
Mulciber smiled wide. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip and bit down on it. I felt my stomach churn.
"Are you sure?" he asked tilting his head, "I thought you wanted this…"
His voice was equal parts practiced seduction and unrestrained evil. "I thought you wanted… me?"
He held her gaze.
The curly-haired blonde blinked hard as if forcing herself to focus.
"I… don't want-"
"Us?" he asked peeking at her, "Are you upset, my love? I wouldn't want that…"
I clenched my teeth gripping the handle of my wand.
How did he get to her so fast? We'd barely just left the hall!
How did no one else notice them sneaking off to this corner?
If there was one foul creature worse than Snape, it was Mulciber.
Laurent Mulciber was an only child, born with a silver spoon up his arse. His parents were aging morons with so much money they were running out of ideas on how to spend it. They paid little attention to the whelp growing up (probably only conceived to further the bloodline) and gave him anything he wanted to shut him up. All of that amounted to a wretched child with a cruel sense of humour. He indulged in the misery of others and enjoyed creating chaos. There was something deeply twisted in his thoughts that made him unpredictable and dangerous.
In recent years he'd grown into his looks and height and even managed to make his odd-eyes contribute to his attractiveness. Everything else about him, however, stayed as rotten as it had always been.
No one could catch them in the act but it was no secret that Mulciber and his posse dabbled in the dark arts. No doubt getting their feet wet before joining their despicable parents as Death Eaters.
I felt my grasp tighten on my wand as I stepped out of the shadows.
"Let. Her. Go."
It was like watching a flock of birds engage in territorial behaviour. Evan Rosier drew his wand first, somewhat jolted. Bertram Avery, Nott and Crawley followed suit immediately closing ranks. The furthermost one I could not see. Through it all Mulciber remained placidly calm, his eyes never breaking his trance on the girl and his smile never faltering.
"Ah! There he is," he said not looking up, "I told you he'd catch up. And you had doubts, Bert!"
Avery simply smirked, his slick hair falling over his murky eyes as he stared menacingly at me.
I drew my wand, feeling its energy prickling in my grasp.
"Mary," I spoke loudly, it seemed to break her trance with Mulciber. Mary turned to look at me, her blue eyes wide and fearful, tears brimming over them. I felt horrible watching her.
Was it the Imperius? Were these bastards bold enough to try an Unforgivable right under Dumbledore's nose?
Mulciber, I couldn't predict. He wasn't just a bully, he was vile and psychotic.
"Come here," I reached out with my other hand for Mary across the hallway.
Mary tried to pull away from the pillar she was leaning against. Her tears streaming over rosy cheeks she looked forlornly to me as she could not muster the strength to walk the fifteen feet between us.
"Mary, come on!" I encouraged. But she had already given up. She looked dazed as she cried quietly letting her tears stream down her cheeks.
"You know, there was a part of me that thought you were all talk." Mulciber finally trained his eyes on me, "But then you up and left your family. No longer part of the Noble House of Black, I hear. So, what are you now? Is it Sirius- Blank?"
Several of the Slytherin bastards snickered.
"A typical Gryffindor," Mulciber sneered, curling his long fingers around Mary's wrist as she made to move forward, "You'd eat your own arm if you thought it made you look brave, wouldn't you? In the end it's just ridiculous and unbearably stupid."
"I said, 'Let her go'"
"Oh I heard you, I just don't care," his eyes glinted, one steely blue the other a mix of brown and orange.
I weighed my options quickly. Mulciber was ruthless in combat. He'd been one of the reasons McGonagall disbanded the Duelling Club. Evan Rosier and Crawley were both skilled in defence spells and probably had a slew of well-rehearsed hexes up their sleeves and there were three more members I couldn't even see.
To put it mildly, I was outnumbered. I was about to pick a fight I could hardly walk away from, let alone win.
"My God, you think too loud!" Mulciber cried exasperatedly, "I understand, it's intimidating. There's six of us and one of you. Too much to handle for the Gryffindor?"
I had to literally bite down on my tongue to not retort back.
"I'm bored." he yawned for effect. "Let's just finish this off. What do you say, Black?"
"I say, I don't take orders from you-"
"Oh…" Mulciber chuckled deviously and smiled at me, "I wasn't talking to you."
Avery smirked at me. The flock parted to make way for one of them to step forward. And for the first time I genuinely faltered.
Regulus moved to the front.
It carried me back to a rainy night last summer, he'd come running into my room after I'd been rowing with both my parents. The proverbial final straw having broken me, I was stuffing my trunk with everything I could carry. I'd had enough of it, my parents and their blind loyalty to blood purity, to men who slaughtered innocents in the name of 'cleansing our kind', the incessant grooming to join the Black Legacy, the underhanded funds to keep the world's worst rebel group in power.
I was done with all of it. Except Regulus.
He'd asked me to stay. God only knew what strength it took for him to beg me to stay after we'd grown apart for so many years. His spite against me growing stronger with time.
Regulus was the only reason I'd endured it all. He seemed like a fragile little bird growing up. The Healers at Mungo's didn't think he'd be ready for Hogwarts. But Regulus believed and trusted only me. So when he looked to me I told him that there was nothing in the world that could stop the Blacks brothers going to Hogwarts. He believed it and worked hard to be strong enough. He was so young, I couldn't believe the determination he had to get better.
A blood curse was not easy to manage, let alone cure. But thanks to the vast wealth my parents had we could afford the best healers, the newest potions and the best care Regulus needed. In my parents' eyes though he was a broken toy soldier. They saw no profit in him for the future, because that's what mattered most to them. So they groomed me for everything. When I was old enough to understand, I stopped fighting them and took it upon myself to do what they wanted, be what they needed. All because I wanted to protect Regulus.
When it was my time to go to Hogwarts, I was torn. I had shielded my little brother from the poisonous dreams of my parents for as long as I could. I shouldered every want and need they had of the both of us to spare Regulus. He did not have the strength or willpower to stand up to our parents. I did, but I was leaving.
I knew then that they would start placing the unbearable weight of their words and their hands on his small shoulders when I was no longer there to protect him.
Everything was planned. I would get on the train. I would sit quietly and not make eye contact. I would go to school and report to Mr Mortimer, a friend of the family and a member of the school board. I would become a Slytherin as we Blacks always were, and rise through my house with my brethren to be a prefect, a Quidditch captain, Headboy. I would protect Regulus when he arrived at Hogwarts. I would work at Black and Co of London, marry a girl they approved of. Whatever they wanted of me I would do it.
The Black name would go on.
Or so it would have been if James Alexander Potter and his big mouth had not sat next to me on that train. When I came back from Hogwarts, a Gryffindor and a rebel… I was too late. They'd taken Regulus and warped every good thought and hopeful feeling he had. They'd turned him against me.
He was no longer that frail child I'd wanted to protect. He was a boy that spoke of honour and loyalty without knowing its true meaning. He believed in a cause he didn't know the price of. And he was ready to push every limit of his body to prove himself to my parents.
In the coming years we drifted further and further apart. He was eager to prove he could erase the disgrace I'd left upon the House of Black.
It got harder and harder to stay home during the holidays. I spent Christmases at Hogwarts and most of my summers at the Potters where I'd always felt welcome. I did however need to come home to keep up appearances, because the money I needed for books and new robes were all tied into me presenting myself as the eldest son of House Black whilst I remained at Grimmauld Place.
I hated it. I was sick of it. So finally, I left.
I had no regrets save one. Regulus.
We stood there for a moment staring at each other.
He looked at me as if he was beyond sadness and anger, as if all he wanted to do in his life was to end me. I felt a strange mixture of guilt and shame.
"Sometime today!" Mulciber complained loudly.
"Reg, you're better than this. Let her go." I spoke quietly and calmly like I always did with him. Through all his panic-stricken nightmares, his frustrating days with crutches and his breathing problems I'd somehow gotten him to calm himself and relax.
But again I was reminded, that boy was long gone. Reg's steely resolve never wavered, his eyes didn't soften.
"You see, Black, he's not your little brother anymore. He hasn't been for a long time. He's a man now… Besides, you left him to fend for himself, didn't you?"
I gritted my teeth keeping my eyes on Regulus.
Mulciber began to ramble and I stopped listening, instead using the minutes to figure out an escape.
"…And that is why Gryffindors always die alone. Isn't that a shame?"
I braced myself. No matter what I wouldn't hurt him. I couldn't.
There was aloud crunch behind me as if someone ill-mannered had bit into a crisp apple. The sound was followed by lazy footsteps.
"Unfortunately for you, he's not alone," James appeared at my shoulder apple in one hand wand held in the other. "Shame, indeed"
"Urgh," Mulciber shook his hair out of his eyes irritably and straightened up. "How dull," he sighed though he seemed to like his odds much less.
"Terrible affliction yes, it's like we're incapable of travelling alone anymore," I smiled as I heard Remus's voice behind me.
"It's damning for a relationship, really! No girl wants to date all four of us at the same time," Peter said making me almost snicker.
Evan Rosier looked to Mulciber unsurely. Regulus dropped his wand an inch.
Mulciber clenched his jaws. Pushing his way forward he held Reg's shoulder and shoved him back roughly. I took an involuntary step forward as James threw his apple aside and grabbed the back of my cardigan.
"Gentlemen," Remus spoke again, "As a prefect it is my duty to inform you that you are requested to report to your dormitories and duelling in the hallways is forbidden. It is also my duty to intervene if such duelling was to take place,"
"Shut up, Mongrel." Nott snapped loudly.
Peter stepped forward wand raised but James blocked him. "Don't let him rile you!"
"Yes," agreed Remus, "And ten points for your potty mouth, Nott."
"Enough!" Mulciber stepped forward, he raised his wand about to fire a curse.
"Peter!" James moved aside and I did the same. Peter filled the gap between us a shield charm already in place. I augmented the spell increasing its strength and pushed it forward.
Mulciber's red curse bounded off the edge of the shield and hit a torch bracket, bursting in a shower of sparks and flames.
James responded first, his signature Disarming spell hitting one of the cronies at the back, making his own stunning spell hit himself and his neighbour knocking them both out.
"See that?" James smirked at me over Peter's shoulder.
"Nice one," I laughed dodging Rosier's flaming curse as it streaked by my face and fired back with several short curses. He dodged most of them but finally got hit by a Knee Reversal hex and collapsed in a heap on to the floor. I stunned him to sleep.
"Beat that," I smirked back at James. He grinned throwing a Tongue-Tying curse at Mulciber. He moved quickly to avoid it and the curse hit the marble pillar inches above Mary's head.
"Careful!" Remus warned as he deflected several spells and fortified Peter's shield charm.
Struck by an idea Mulciber seized Mary by the neck and pushed her forward, holding her visibly shaking body as a shield.
"Alright you miserable vermin, drop your wands or her's will be the second funeral you attend this week!"
"Do that and you'll follow her right to the grave," Remus stepped forward wand in place though both James and I had immediately dropped our wands.
Suddenly the air became thick and heavy and I couldn't breathe anymore, I looked around as the air started to choke me. My chest was tight as if it was being crushed in an iron vice, my lungs felt like they were collapsing. I fell to my knees and then I saw Regulus, his wand trained on me, his eyes in complete focus.
"Sirius?!" Remus questioned in panic.
"Padfoot!" James exclaimed dropping to his knees beside me as I struggled to breathe.
"Reg… don't" I could barely get the words out. My head felt like it was going to split open.
James didn't even hesitate, his stood and drew his wand in a seamless single motion. The disarming spell was so powerful it knocked Regulus back several feet and threw him against the wall. Regulus landed in a heap on the floor.
Air flooded back into my lungs and I breathed hard, gasping and spluttering trying to breathe normally again. Just as my erratic breathing began to settle and I tried to push myself up, I was knocked back down and my wand flew out of my hand landing with a clatter at the centre of the hallway between us. Everyone else's wands left the grasp of their owners soon joining mine in a pile.
"I trust there is an exceptionally sound reason to all this pandemonium?"
I winced even as I turned over on the floor to look at McGonagall stood behind us. Even upside down she looked threatening drawn to her full height, veins throbbing at her temples and eyes sparking in anger. Flitwick, stood beside her equally angry but less impressively so.
I was still seeing spots and struggling to breathe properly but I knew we were all doomed.
For half an hour we sat at McGonagall's office while she attended to Mary at the hospital wing and handed over the Slytherins to Slughorn. My nose had started to bleed and my head was still throbbing. Remus conjured some ice for my head while Peter handed me his handkerchief to stop the bleeding.
"We're fucked" James voiced our thoughts out loud.
"Well, technically-" Remus began.
"No, he's right. We're fucked." reiterated Peter
"What was I supposed to do? Leave her there? With those murderous -" In the second I'd taken to speak my nose bled over my mouth again and I hurriedly wiped it away.
"Relax Padfoot," James turned to me, "No one's blaming you."
"Merlin knows what woulda' happened if you hadn't found her," Peter said his eyes wondering horrified into the blue sky outside the glass-paned window. "Poor Mary"
"Think they'll be expelled?" I asked the group wiping away more blood from my nose.
Remus shrugged disheartened, "Who knows, they've gotten away with worse…"
I could taste a bitterness in my mouth that had nothing to do with the blood.
James got up suddenly and walked over to me.
"Hold still," he said pointing his wand between my eyes.
"No no no no! I'll be fine! I hate your healing spells! No, gerroff!"
"Hold him down," James commanded and Peter instantly got up pushing my shoulders down even as I struggled, Remus helped somewhat reluctantly.
"Episkey" James said.
I could only explain the feeling to a muggle by asking them to imagine every nose hair being plucked out simultaneously. Urgh.
My eyes began to water as I stuffed the handkerchief to my nose.
"You're welcome" said James.
"Fuck you!"
"You're welcome"
I huffed annoyed but gave in, "Thanks"
As we waited Peter spotted something, "Hey look, it's the carriages! Is it safe to travel all that way with Thestrals?"
The four of us pressed against the window behind McGonagall's desk peeking down at the seemingly endless stream of black carriages.
"Better than taking a broom I reckon," said Remus. James gave him an offended look.
Suddenly the office door opened and the four of us spun around to see a glowering McGonagall enter the office.
None of us dared to move an inch under her gaze as she dropped several scrolls of parchment into a box by the door.
"How's Mary?" I couldn't contain myself.
McGonagall gave me a severe look and pursed her lips. She took off her hat slowly and placed it on the cloak rack by the door.
"She'll survive," she said surveying each of us, "Your collective fates are less certain."
Peter swallowed audibly next to me.
"Take your seats."
She didn't need to tell twice. The four of us scrambled back to the chairs facing the study.
McGonagall sat behind her desk and pulled off her glasses wearily. When she spoke her voice held no anger, just exhaustion.
"One would hope that something as morbid as the death of a teacher at this very institution would curb your enthusiasm for misconduct and debauchery," she dropped her glasses carelessly onto a stack of parchment on her desk and closed her eyes pressing her forehead into the entwined fingers of her clasped hands.
It was unsettling to see Professor McGonagall this way. James even peeked at me worriedly. I shrugged back.
"But of course, there would be no such luck," she then fell quiet.
"It was my fault," I said as the silence stretched on.
"I would imagine so," McGonagall looked up placing her hands on the parchment letters in front of her. Her intense gaze fell on me pinning me to my seat.
I badly needed to swallow as my throat felt parched but dared not to.
"The only reason you haven't been suspended, Mr Black, is because Miss McDonald was able to recall you trying to coax the others to release her."
"What'll happen to the others?" James asked which earned him a kick under the chair by Remus.
McGonagall looked at James as if he'd defied her somehow. "Professor Slughorn will decide the appropriate punishment for them."
"They'll get away with it!" Peter said angrily but regretted it as McGonagall's severe gaze turned on him.
"Sorry," he said looking down.
"I'm not in charge of Slytherin house-"
"Professor, you're Deputy Headmistress! Surely you-"
"I"Professor McGonagall spoke louder over James who fell silent, "Couldn't very well instruct order to Slytherin students when I haven't managed to keep my own house in line!"
I didn't want to see the disappointment in her face as she turned to each of us so I looked down.
There was blood and dirt on the front of my shirt and grey cardigan.
She fell silent again. The fire at the other end of her office crackled slowly. A few birds in cages from her last class chirped now and then.
"I'm sorry Professor," I said as I began to feel her disappointment, "I saw Mary, and I just thought about getting her to safety."
"Professor Grubbly-Plank is dead." McGonagall said ignoring my apology. "We have no leads as to who was involved in his death or what message these perverse individuals were trying to send. I assume you would have read The Prophet and found the official statement by the Ministry..."
We remained silent as she surveyed us.
"What you did was careless, reckless and as always short-sighted!" she turned her sharp eyes on me, "Your own brother is in the hospital wing alongside Miss McDonald, and though he has suffered no serious injuries I cannot say that it wasn't a possibility."
I swallowed again remembering Regulus hit the wall and crumble to the floor as James disarmed him.
Remus shifted in his seat as if he wanted to say something but thought better of it.
After a short pause, McGonagall continued. "Professor Grubbly-Plank was a pureblood wizard well respected in our society. He posed no threat to anyone. His work was mainly to encourage relations between magic folk and muggles. It's not entirely inconceivable why he was targeted by Death Eaters. But it does suggest a grievous danger for students at this school whose blood status these misguided individuals believe to be less than ideal.
It is no secret that Death Eaters are recruiting members for their ludicrous cause. We have lost contact with some of the brightest minds to come through Hogwarts. However while Professor Dumbledore looks into the matter it is prudent we keep the peace within our doors.
Rash actions always lead to dire consequences. Always."
Remus spoke finally in his usual firm yet respectful voice, and as if he represented all four of us. "Professor, we don't want to give excuses for our behaviour. We just wanted to help Mary who seemed to be under some sort of spell. I admit we should've sought help from a teacher, but it didn't seem like we had time. They attacked us first and we defended each other."
"Miss McDonald's memories confirmed as much." said McGonagall placing her glasses back on her nose. "Which is why we're still talking," she added casually making us look to each other.
She sighed and directed her wand at the tartan tin on her desk we were all too familiar with. The lid sprang open and James helped himself to a ginger newt handing us each one more. "What we discussed just now should not leave this room, I hope that's clear?"
We each nodded in agreement.
"We have a duty to our school. There are many dangers outside these walls and once you leave this place we cannot protect you anymore. As teachers it is therefore our greatest endeavour to impart to you all the knowledge and skill to choose what is right and to protect yourself and others before you depart. Whatever dangers may lurk outside these walls we must do our utmost to safeguard our school and the students within. It does not do to create conflict within Hogwarts while much larger foes are at work outside these walls."
All of us kept our heads down. It was worse when McGonagall was calm and her voice weary with exhaustion and worry. It was harder to bear than her anger.
"What if it isn't just outside though?" James said after a long silent moment.
"Mr Potter?"
All eyes turned to James whose eyes behind his glasses were unfocused as if he was thinking back.
"I meant, what if it's not just out there. What if, Hogwarts isn't as impregnable as we think?"
Peter looked past James uneasily at me. Remus chewed on his lip thoughtfully.
"Speak plainly, Potter. You know how I despise allusions." McGonagall said.
But I already knew what James was saying. He'd said it many times while we'd discussed this bile-retch inducing topic.
If he's as smart as they say, he'd have his spies at Hogwarts already. I can think of a few idiots willing to prove themselves to him.
Snivellus?
Among others.
"What if…" I said "there are students at Hogwarts already recruited by him? You know, the Dark Lord, whatever his name is?"
McGonagall clenched her jaws slightly. But if she was rattled by the thought she didn't show it.
"There's been nothing to suggest he's targeting school students, do not worry yourselves."
"What if they aren't targets," James said looking McGonagall in the eye this time, "What if they volunteered?"
Peter shifted uneasily. Remus looked pensively at James. But for me it clicked in an instant.
She was just helping me get rid of a hex.
What hex, Prongs?
Just let it go, Padfoot.
We've got bigger problems...
"I can tell you that we are extremely vigilant about the communications into and out of Hogwarts. It's extremely unlikely that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named keeps children as spies inside Hogwarts."
"What if that's not enough to keep them from practicing dark magic?" James suggested.
McGonagall exhaled loudly and I could tell she was having enough with all the 'What if's.
"Especially a student who wouldn't be questioned," James continued, "Who wouldn't be a suspect. A stellar academic. Someone who enjoyed research, loved to read. Someone the teachers trusted."
She was just helping me get rid of a hex.
I wondered what on earth James was about to say. Remus glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, a confused look in them.
"I gather you have a specific student in mind," McGonagall replied briskly.
"I do-"
"Let me remind you, falsely accusing a fellow student of such acts is also grounds for detention."
Prongs, what the fuck are you doing?
"What if I had proof?"
"A coerced witness isn't proof, Mr Potter."
"Professor, just because Hogwarts has not been breached before doesn't mean we should be complacent. I hope you agree..."
McGonagall said nothing. She directed her wand at the parchment which started to compile itself into a neat stack.
"Are all of you planning to attend the funeral services?" she said after a long pause.
We each nodded in agreement.
"Then I suggest you all clean yourselves up and report to the entrance hall." McGonagall turned to me, "Why don't you have Madam Pomfrey give you a once over, Mr Black?"
"It's fine professor, James fixed it for me."
McGonagall's lips twitched to a smile so fleetingly I thought I imagined it.
"Off you go then,"
With unsure glances at each other we all got up from our chairs and made for the doorway.
"A moment, Potter."
James lingered at the door and I waited outside. As we'd done so many times through the years James spoke only with his eyes. It was hard to explain how well we could read each other.
His eyes were catching the firelight when he looked directly at me.
Trust me.
I gave a small imperceptible nod and he then turned closed the door behind him.
Lily
It way mayhem trying to make our way down to the lake.
Edith and Mary weren't eager about flying Thestral led carriages so we opted for something we'd grown accustomed to over the years.
The Knight Bus.
Hagrid was ready at the edge of the lake with a dozen small boats. We came through the Reception Chamber onto the boarding dock. The wind was icy and I was glad we'd brought our heaviest cloaks with us.
Mary had however caught a terrible bug that morning after breakfast and opted to stay at the Hospital Wing or so we were told by Professor McGonagall. We'd all wanted to see her before leaving but she'd insisted Mary was recovering and needed sleep (And we were running late for the Knight Bus.)
"C'mon now… No more'n three to a boat! Yer'll topple it, mind!" Hagrid was directing the students. Edith, Quinn and I took a boat to ourselves. Cait opted to take the carriages with the rest of the school choir.
A short nostalgic boat-ride later we were coming up on the path toward Hogsmead station. The group was led by Professor Sprout, Professor Sinistra and a few prefects.
For a long time there was no sound but dozens of feet crunching down on the pebbly path.
We'd only used the Knight Bus travelling to and from each other's houses so we followed the herd unsurely as they led the way to the bus station. The familiar bright violet triple decker bus was already waiting for us there.
Edith and Quinn looked to each other then to me.
"Sit with me!" they blurted out together.
"Oh come now both of you!" I chastised impatiently and headed for the ticket counter.
Once we got out tickets and proceeded towards the bus we came upon the small candlelight vigil set up for Professor Grubbly-Plank. Another solemn reminder of the not-so-happy voyage. We all paused to add a few candles until we were impatiently ushered onto the bus by Wickham the middle-aged bus conductor.
Quinn pulled off her cloak and folded it neatly over her arm. Edith followed her into the bus pulling her coat off and stuffing it into her rucksack. I wore a long black cloak over a black lace dress. They were the only decent clothes could find that would befit a funeral.
We piled into the bus one by one heading up to the second floor. Luckily we found a row of three seats at the back and settled in for the ride without ensuing a tug-of-war.
The bus waited for the second group to arrive, Wickham tut-tutting and checking his watch every five minutes. The occupants of the bus were mostly silent. I looked around at the familiar faces, and they all had the same expression. A dispirited disbelief.
Finally the second group arrived. Hagrid's booming voice could be heard leading them through the station.
"Come along now, hurry up!" he called. "Don't wan' ter keep the bus waitin,' do we?"
"Will you hurry along?" Wickham coaxed the students as they made their way through the ticket counter and the vigil. "Day's not gettin' any younger!"
"I've half a mind to hex him," Quinn muttered mutinously next to me.
"I wouldn't stop you," I whispered back.
The bus doors opened, and we heard footsteps on the stairs and then appeared-
Severus Snape.
He looked about for a split second before locking eyes on me. I immediately looked down checking the clasps of my bag.
Quinn glanced out the window while Edith unrolled her fresh Prophet and read on. I was very aware that there were a few empty seats behind us.
I simply didn't want him to sit next to me. I wasn't sure how I felt about everything. And the last thing I needed was Severus Snape boring his eyes into the back of my head.
The group began to filter into the empty spaces on the Knight Bus. Some chose to head upstairs. When I looked up I could see no sign of Severus but instead saw Ivy and Laney coming along the corridor waving at us.
"What are you doing here?" Quinn asked when they were close enough, "I thought you both were getting ministry escorts to the funeral"
"We ditched them," Ivy shrugged her small shoulders. She wore a grey pinafore dress that hugged her small frame. Her voluminous crimped hair was pulled into a big bun.
Edith rolled her blue eyes, "Thanks for switching with us!"
"Aw but this is so much better!" Ivy encouraged rubbing Edith shoulders as she slid into the seats behind us. "Don't you remember all the fun we've had on this thing?"
"Funeral, up north, mourning a teacher passing, freezing cold winds, any of this ring a bell?" Quinn asked sarcastically pushing her dark hair out of her eyes.
"I know" said Ivy sobering up and pulling off her gloves.
Laney was still quite upset and silently slid into her seat.
The five of us were joined by Bina, her brown cheeks visibly frostbitten but her smile still warm as ever. She pushed her long braid of black hair off her shoulder and took a seat beside Laney.
Soon, the bus doors closed and we were ready to depart.
"Quinn! Do the Supergravity charm!" said Edith.
Quinn rolled her eyes.
In truth it wasn't a gravity enhancing spell. It was merely a high-strength Adherence Charm Quinn had found in an old spell book in the library. Over the years it had some in handy while we travelled on the Knight Bus because it acted- well, much like an ordinary seat-belt, thus christened the Supergravity Charm.
Quinn was best at it. She took turns securing us and our belongings to our seats and our seats to the floor.
Knight Bus got top marks in punctuality and accommodation however it's concern for the safety of its passengers left much to be desired.
It took nearly three hours on the lightning fast, mind-bending travel bus to reach the quaint seaside town of Portnahaven. The Scottish wind was unforgiving and icy but the day remained clear and bright as we all gathered in groups at the town centre. Teachers took a count of the students and collected everyone's luggage. Hagrid was by the dock his hands full of thick ropes as he single handedly pulled four large boats to the dock.
Edith leaned into me shivering, "I can hardly feel my toes!" It was terribly cold indeed.
Quinn looked disgruntled, "Did Hagrid row his boat here faster than that damn bus?"
I shook my head. "Doubtful. Any faster and we'd have lost our heads!"
The small town was picturesque to say the least. Its beautiful landscape overlooked the sea it was embraced by. The waters were dotted with hundreds of gulls and the rest of the flock made rhythmic music on the rocky cliffs by the shore. It was beautiful and I imagined Professor Grubbly-Plank had had a lot of fun growing up in this town.
We headed to the island a little further off to sea where a large lighthouse stood as if guarding the small seaside village. There were several dozen chairs set up next to the platform where a closed chestnut casket lay covered in flowers of every colour imaginable. Whoever had set up the funeral services had obviously underestimated the amount of people Professor Grubbly-Plank had touched.
There were over a hundred mourners in black and white gathered past the already occupied chairs. Some faces I recognised, but most were new to me. Laney and Ivy pointed out several ministry officials including their parents who were in attendance and split off to meet them.
Quinn, Edith and I made our way to the gathering crowd. There were people passing through the crowds handing small glasses of Pepper-Up potion which did help with the cold. There were foreign dignitaries in their traditional colourful garb. One gentlemen who looked like he was from an African continent in deep red robes handed a colourful bird to someone at the front, a sobbing old lady with white hair pulled under a black hat. She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief under her black veil and nodded to accept the gift.
"It's a Firebird," said Edith in wonder, "they're really rare…"
"Like a Phoenix?" I asked.
"Mmm… same family, but not quite the same properties. The name was coined in Russia where the bird was first found and bred. It's magical and yet, dangerous. Their feathers can create fire and light. It will pluck out feathers for its true master. Its song is also healing."
Quinn and I trained our eyes back to the front where Professor Dumbledore was consoling the poor old woman.
"Is that his wife, then?" Quinn asked of no one in particular.
"'Suppose," I said.
The gathered crowd slowly grew as more people arrived. We each took turns to place flowers and candles by the casket.
Seeing his smiling portrait from his office standing there among the wreaths was heart breaking. His bright smile never faltered and his eyes stayed forever crinkled in happiness as he waved at everyone.
We retreated to the back and waited while the funeral proceedings commenced. The sky began to churn with gathering dark clouds.
Quinn nudged me gently, "Look, over there…"
I followed her gaze. The grassy moors stretched on around us disappearing into the mist. And through the fog they appeared, one by one.
James, Remus, Sirius and Peter.
"They know how to make an entrance, I'll give them that" said Edith shaking her head.
A fifth person followed them close behind and joined pressing between James and Remus.
Olivia Fawley.
She was dressed in a full length black dress that peeked through her coat. She took James' arm and walked in stride with him. The other three followed a step behind as they joined the gathering and blended into the crowd.
"Are they together now?" Quinn asked nudging her chin in their direction.
I gave her a quizzical look, "Why would I know?"
Quinn said nothing but raised an eyebrow at me. Further thoughts of Potter and his crew were driven from my mind as Alice appeared saint like at my shoulder.
"Hello girls!"
It was all I could do to not gleefully hug her. She was all rosy cheeks and big bright eyes, the same Alice I'd always known. I hugged her none-the-less trying not to smile too brightly.
"I've missed you so much!" I whispered in her ear.
"Me too, dearie!"
"You cut your hair!"
"Mmm, do you hate it?"
"No, it's lovely."
Alice greeted Edith and Quinn as well and settled beside us. She told us about her life at the Ministry, her job at the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, how she'd heard about Professor Grubbly-Plank and the midnight shift that night where the ministry had been in an uproar. She filled us in on plans to have Ministry guards sent to Hogwarts, details she'd picked up within the ministry she wasn't strictly supposed to share.
She and Frank were doing well. I was glad. But Frank was eager to complete his training quickly to join the Aurors on the field. Apparently they'd needed more trainees to join.
Alice said there were plans to recruit students from Hogwarts specifically for Auror training.
It all seemed like a world we didn't know and yet it was happening right outside the walls of Hogwarts.
There was a series of sudden loud cracks a little further from the gathered crowd. A dozen men had apparated in.
A tall broad man with shaggy red hair and thick beard streaked liberally with grey led the group. He wore a patterned grey cloak over his clothes and a mistrustful look. Several burly men followed him each clad in black uniform, boots and gloves with a purple velvet cape fastened over their left shoulder. The emblem of the Ministry of Magic and Auror Office were secured to their capes.
"Who's that?" Quinn asked Alice as the red-headed man passed through the crowd to the front. Nobody made objections but parted to make way for him. He was clearly well-known by the public.
"That's Alastor Moody, Head of the Auror Office"
"That's Alastor Moody?" Edith repeated in disbelief. "Mad-Dog Moody?"
"Shhh!" Alice censored quietly. "Yes."
"He's got the best training scores ever seen in Auror Training history!" Edith said reverently.
Quinn smiled, "Look at you. Want an autograph?"
"He's brilliant!"
"That he is," agreed Alice, "And ruthless, persistent and relentless. That's what earned him the nickname. He wouldn't put aside any clues no matter how small or insignificant."
"Sounds like he's dedicated" I said watching him embracing Dumbledore.
"The ministry thinks he's just wasting funds going after nothing. Thinks he's paranoid. But he's put away every man who's got on his radar."
I remained quiet.
After a while the school choir began to sing a soft hymn. There were many traditions that seemed on par with muggle funeral customs; people wore mourning colours and carried flowers and candles as a mark of respect. But there was also much about funerals of magic folk that were completely new to me.
Apparently, it wasn't uncommon to give the widow of the deceased a gift by close personal friends of the couple, this was apparently symbolic that the window will be cared for by them for the rest of her days. Some gifts were small such as teapots or flowering plants or it could be as grand as… well, a firebird.
It was also common practice in Britain to bury the dead with a seed or sapling of the tree that bore their wand. This would ensure the remains of the dead nourished a new wand tree and lived on in memory.
Sometimes wands were buried with the bearer when they died, sometimes it was passed down to the next of kin, much like an heirloom.
One thing was strikingly similar in both muggle and magic funerals. It was heartbreakingly saddening. No one cared about how he'd died or what would happen to his belongings, who was responsible, how would vengeance be had or justice served. People who loved him simply missed him and wanted to thank his memory for all he had given them.
Finally, the choir softened and stopped and as if on cue several men apparated on to the moor. Each had a carved wooden staff and was clad in traditional Scottish attire, kilts and all. Alice told us they were from the MacFusty clan. They raised and took care of the Hebridean dragons of the islands.
We all pulled out our wands and raised them high. The light of a hundred wands wavering as if a swarm of fireflies were hovering in the wind. Bagpipes sounded in a sombre tune I couldn't recognise as the casket was shouldered and led to the sea shore were a beautifully carved boat was waiting decorated with lilac, sage and rosemary. The casket was laid upon a bed of lilac woven with thistle and bluebells.
The MacFusty clansmen guided the boat with magic across the water. It glided serenely over the still calm sea to the middle of the ocean between the isle and the seaside village. They then raised their staffs and twirled them about and it made an oddly peaceful sound like sand cascading through glass or rain falling in soft sheets.
Suddenly, there was a strong gust of wind and above us rose two gigantic creatures. I felt Alice grip my shoulder. They were dragons, Hebridean Blacks, with wings as large as sails spread bat-like across the evening sky. These magnificent creatures followed the command of the MacFusty men, gliding effortlessly to the middle of the ocean.
I watched in wonder and disbelief as these creatures hovered to a stop in mid-air beating their powerful wings stay airborne. The small ornate boat turned in circles against the change in the wind. The music made by the McFustry clansmen changed and became slower and softer. Each dragon reared back slowly and breathed a jet of fiery orange flames at the boat.
Everything caught on fire. The linen lining, the house flag, the flowers, the thistle, the candles and the casket and the beautiful boat in which it lay. Everyone watched as the flames rose higher and higher and the dragons sailed away into the night.
I realised then that I couldn't see anything anymore, my eyes had welled up. I couldn't hold back any longer and the tears began to brim over and fall.
