Chapter 21 From Unbearable Pain
It was decided that, for the time being, Pete would carry on as if he was still willing to provide a service to The Dark Lord. February's weather reflected Pete's confusion. He felt like no matter what was done, no matter who did the doing, his path had been chosen by someone else. He agreed to help Dumbledore and The Order but he also believed that something which was very fragile in him to begin with, was now in someone else's hands and they would not be gentle with it, as his friends always had been. Still, Mary was well and he was too. None of his friends had come to any harm yet so maybe he would be proven wrong. Classes were as demanding as ever, Quidditch was a good escape, there would be another Hogsmeade weekend this one coming, as a matter of fact. After all it would be Saint Valentine's Day.
Finally, Regulus Black made contact with Pete but it was in disguise. It was the Friday before the weekend of Saint Valentine's Day and Pete received a Valentine from an anonymous admirer. He did not recognize the handwriting but his ego compelled him to open it anyway and there it was in print:
All of the names of the members of The Order of the Phoenix. Provide these and Mary McDonald will live. Tell anyone or fail to comply and she dies!
Then, before Pete could show anyone this evidence it burst into green flame and fell to the floor as ash. The blood left his face and he sat down on his four-poster bed. So, it begins. Of all the wizards he knew, he considered himself the least likely, the least equipped of them all, to become embroiled as a central figure in the coming war. Then he realized that this alone was the reason they targeted him; he was a weak, cowardly and talentless wizard. He wasn't a totally untalented person. He was a talented artist and nearly a chess master, he was well traveled, spoke several European languages and above all, he had the affection of a beautiful witch. But he always wondered why, of all Hogwarts's Houses, he had been sorted into Gryffindor. What was that stupid hat thinking? Had it seen something in Pete that he himself, didn't know was there? He certainly hoped it had because so far, his magic was unimpressive. Well, he wasn't going to be weak today! Pete, true to his word stood up and walked straight to Dumbledore's office.
The Headmaster received him immediately and Pete told Dumbledore everything.
"So, no one saw you read this note?" Dumbledore asked, looking down his crooked nose through his spectacles with those piercing blues, directly into Pete's soul.
Pete swallowed down his nerves and answered the Headmaster. "No Sir. I was alone in my dorm when I read it. No one even knows I received it, except you, of course and the sender. I didn't expect them to ask for so much Sir... names of all the Order's members! What do I do?"
"You give them what they have asked for. Do not let yourself worry Mr. Pettigrew, you can only give them the information that we'd give you as, you do not know who all the Order's members are. I am certain that Voldemort and his most trusted comrades already know most of our members though anyway. This is a test of you Mr. Pettigrew and I think we should insure that you pass with flying colors. They left no instructions as to how you are to deliver this information?"
Pete shook his head so Dumbledore continued. "Well, they obviously expect you to just meet up with Mr. Black at a place and time of their choosing. They won't be dictating the terms of this exchange, not a chance. As none of you go anywhere alone, Mr. Black will be forced into this exchange in a public place like the Great Hall. Tonight, during dinner would do nicely and you will agree to his demands. You will also choose a method of communication at this time." Seeing Pete's doubt Dumbledore continued. "Yes, you can play their game! If they demand an exchange of information, you can set the terms. Not to worry Mr. Pettigrew, we all have your back. I'll call an emergency meeting of The Order immediately. Are you still willing to do this?"
"I am Sir and it's certainly not because I'm brave. It's because I have no choice. I'd like to get it over with as soon as possible."
"Remember Mr. Pettigrew, you are a Gryffindor. You are as brave as any one of us. It's you who doubts your own bravery so it's you who must demonstrate your bravery first to yourself."
That evening at dinner Pete did exactly as Dumbledore asked. But Pete was no Occlumens. When Regulus returned to the Slytherin House table he looked directly into Severus Snape's eyes and Regulus delivered his information without saying a word. Snape knew that Pettigrew had told Dumbledore everything. It was so easy, almost too easy. The whole plan went like clockwork. Regulus really had been practicing and The Dark Lord would be most pleased with the pair of them. Snape had deceived Dumbledore again and Dumbledore was none the wiser. How, could Dumbledore possibly think that a pitiful wizard like Pettigrew could escape being read by Regulus? Perhaps he'd not thought to remember that Regulus was a Legilimens. If that were true then it would prove to be a costly mistake and Dumbledore would bear the responsibility.
"That seemed to go well Pete. How are you? OK?" James whispered urgently when Pete retook his place at the Gryffindor table.
"Yeah, Prongs, I'm fine. I don't much like it, being their informant but I can see no way out now. They think I am their eyes and ears now! Can we talk about something else? This whole chain of events well, it makes me queasy. Hogsmeade weekend?"
"Of course, we can Pete. Valentine's Hogsmeade weekend! What more could we ask for, eh? Have anything special in mind with Mary?"
"Naw. I think we should all stick together though. I know we're all playing our part for the greater good but I still feel uneasy about the whole mess I'm in. I wish they hadn't singled me out for this. I feel like Mary's even more vulnerable now than before, like if I make one wrong move, she'll pay the price."
"Pete, that's how they want you to feel. Don't let them have it! Hell, if Voldemort wanted to he could just show up in person in Hogsmeade tonight and kill the lot of us! None of us are safe anymore. That's why we have to trust each other. Right?"
"Right. Yes, of course you're right. Let's all go to Hogsmeade tomorrow and have a great time. We'll only panic if we can see the whites of Old Voldy's eyes, eh?"
"That's the Marauder spirit, Wormy! You know, they say his eyes are almost red now. Why would anyone change their eyes to red, eh? What a nutter!" James guffawed and, against his will, Pete smiled.
Saturday morning brought rain, wind and loads of slushy mud. Dumbledore insisted everyone take the school carriages to and from Hogsmeade and they were all to be back before dark. It was a mistake on Dumbledore's part, making them take the carriages. It was proof that he knew something Dark was up but as great a wizard as Dumbledore was, even he could make mistakes. No one in the whole school seemed to mind taking the carriages nor the curfew because in the current climate most of them couldn't believe were still being allowed to go to Hogsmeade in the first place so carriages and curfews were an easy caveat. After the Halloween massacre, no one much fancied being away from the safety of the school, after dark so, a curfew was a welcome excuse to return to its protection.
They made the usual rounds in the Village; Honeydukes, The Three Broomsticks, Zonko's and The Hog's Head. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, no duels broke out between Gryffindor and Slytherin and if they had been paying better attention, that alone should have been a red flag. They had a bit of a flutter and drank a little but no one overdid it; they were still on their guard and needed to have their wits about them. Just before it was time to head back to the castle a disturbance could be heard outside the back of the Pub on the High Street. Everyone was expecting this to be a scuffle between rival students so they flooded out of The Hog's Head and poured in mass toward the High Street to see what was going on.
The rest of the shops were emptying too and the High Street became so crowded that it was hard to locate the cause of the commotion. But at the center of all the commotion, Death Eaters hidden behind their masks were in Hogsmeade once again. Just their appearance here was bad enough but what followed got worse still. They were attacking anyone in the front of the crowd and those in front, unfortunately, were the smallest. Better to see the commotion if they were in front. No one expected Death Eaters in Hogsmeade. It was a disastrous mistake. Victims ranged from third years to the stooped, elderly shop owners all of whom were the shortest of the crowd. The death Eaters were using Dark spells and no one knew how to block these.
Thankfully, The Aurors charged into the fray from all directions, some attacking Death Eaters, some shielding victims. Lily, brilliant Lily, cast her Patronus, called for Dumbledore to help and sent it toward the school. Mars cruised the front perimeter, staying low, looking for the wounded. Frank, Alice, Dor, Remus, Sirius and James dove into the broiling mass and it was Halloween all over again!
Lily could have sworn she heard the Death Eaters using unforgivable curses and fear for the people she loved, flooded her heart as fury filled her brain. She had to find James! She could face anything as long as she knew that he was still alive. The instant she spotted James she took up a position near him threw herself into the battle, providing as much cover for their fighters as she could, Shield Charms around the smallest of them, doing damage to the enemy when she caught them off their guard.
No one noticed or even wondered where Pete or Mary were, assuming they would be nearby, fighting along with everyone else somewhere on the High Street. It was battle and you couldn't let your mind wander. Pete, as it turned out was in the thick of it. He was not happy about being used and sick of being thought of as weak so he took the opportunity to prove them wrong. Mary was fighting too and her target was Mulcibur. She had been training for this since her attack and she'd learned a thing or two.
Severus Snape hung back with Regulus Black in the shadows cast by the street lamps and shop windows and they watched the mayhem. They looked glum. This did not help their plan, furthermore, they hadn't been informed. The most dangerous Death Eaters in the world were part Voldemort's ranks and many were present in the streets of Hogsmeade tonight. This time they lacked caution. It was so loud that individual curses were difficult to hear but the results could be seen all around them in the fallen; some bled profusely others looked untouched, some were rolled into a ball of agony, while others wandered aimlessly, staring, completely unaware of anything.
It only took a second. Both wizards watched as a jet of green light flew toward Mary McDonald from the wand of Bellatrix Lestrange. Mary simply dropped to the muddy, slushy street and was no more. The battle continued around her fallen body as Regulus and Severus turned to look at one another. Severus was the first to speak.
"I don't know how much use Pettigrew will be now ... without her to protect. Bellatrix always did lack restraint."
"A bit over enthusiastic wouldn't you say though, she is thorough. So much for that plan. They may be on our side Severus but they aren't very clever, are they?"
"No Regulus, they are not. Do you think he knows they are here?"
"I doubt it. She was never one to ask permission, even from The Dark Lord. And, it's unlikely they will face any repercussions. He's always had a soft spot for my cousin, The Dark Lord."
"He has. I think it's a weakness if I'm honest. What about our plan, eh? Well, I guess we'll just have to come up with another one."
Then both young wizards melted into the deepest shadows.
Night fell properly, quite soon after the attack began and the battle raged on. Curses flew, incantations bellowed reverberated off Shield Charms. Wand light danced in terrifying colors! Screams of fury and agony mingled in the din and everywhere, those who could, fought on. Presently, Dumbledore Apparated onto the High Street and as soon as they saw him the Death Eaters began to Disapparate, fleeing the scene, running away from just one wizard! The entire Village, every student along with trained Aurors who had just been fighting for their lives, paused. All it took to drive the enemy into hiding was the appearance of this one wizard: Albus Dumbledore. The entire mass of remaining witches and wizards were stunned at this turn of events, silence fell over the High Street. They gaped at Dumbledore in disbelief, relief spreading across faces from the young to the very old.
The High Street ran with blood. Fallen witches and wizards were everywhere. Mars was the first to shake off her momentary paralysis. She moved with determination to reach the fallen and see if any were still alive. Sirius moved with her almost like a dance, providing her cover though, cover had just been rendered moot by the appearance of their Headmaster. Dumbledore watched as Marlene McKinnon attended to the needs of the fallen and he was nearly overcome by her courage of conviction and Sirius Black's determination to protect her. Soon, the rest of the Marauders and their Minions followed her example and the sound of earnest, productive work returned to the High Street. Soon, Madam Pomfrey Apparated along with the rest of their teachers.
"I brought stretchers, medical supplies and help. Don't move anyone until you get the go ahead myself or from Miss McKinnon. My God Dumbledore what happened here?"
"Hell. Hell happened here, Poppy. How can I help?"
"Firstly, collect everyone who can walk and get them into the carriages and back up to the school. Shield them so they make the journey. Keep them in the Great Hall until I can have a look at them. I have called for Mediwizards from St. Mungo's so they should be here shortly. I'll keep Miss McKinnon and her friends here to help me; they would never let her stay here without them anyway. That witch is a Healer; she'd never leave the wounded."
"I'll do exactly as you say, Poppy. Some refreshments? What would be best? The house elves, will offer."
"Yes. That should be fine. Calming Drafts I should think in a tea. Obviously hot chocolate would be medicinal as well. Blankets. Wrap everyone with a blanket whether they think they need one or not. They will all be suffering from shock. Don't let anyone wash up just yet; I like to see them as they were at the scene of crime. Once St. Mungo's can take over here, we'll return. Thank you Albus. I can't be in two places at one time."
Dumbledore merely nodded and turned away from his Healer to cast a weary look, over the scene. All his informant's intelligence had failed once again. His students, his village, his friends were again victims, of Voldemort. He had failed them. Shaking his head to ward off self-loathing and shame he began to call to those who were still on their feet. He could follow Poppy's instructions and that would keep the crush of sorrow at bay long enough; it was something he could do and he must do what he could. Action always helped and action was what was needed now.
It seemed that no one among them was unharmed. The younger students were bloodied from their courageous attempts to help. They were so overjoyed to see their Headmaster they naturally gravitated toward him and formed a group, collecting as many as could move on their own. He could see Miss McKinnon bent low over someone, surely to whisper encouragement; she was a natural, Miss McKinnon. Mr. Black was with her, serving as her guard and following her instructions. The Healers were in charge of everyone now.
Then, Dumbledore saw her bearing change, she dropped to her knees and her head dropped completely onto the chest of the person on the ground. He instinctively moved her way but as he got closer he could tell that Miss McKinnon found someone who would not rise again. He turned to his group of students and spoke. "Everyone get into the carriages and we will all go to the castle together. I'll be right behind you." The students turned to obey their Headmaster and he proceeded toward Miss McKinnon.
As he got closer he saw who it was that had broken Miss McKinnon's carefully composed professional distance; it was Mary McDonald. A moan of sorrow escaped his own lips and he went down on his old knees right in the middle of the slushy, reddened snow on High Street. But he had to get to Miss McKinnon. He rose and walked wearily toward Marlene McKinnon, Sirius Black and Mary McDonald. He reached his destination and once more went down to his knees, this time to comfort his young healer in training. Together Albus Dumbledore, Marlene McKinnon and Sirius Black grieved for a fallen friend.
"What do I do Professor? Oh God, where's Pete? He can't see her like this! Please Sir, find him and keep him away from here until we get her back to the school and clean her up. This will break him!"
For the second time that night Dumbledore obeyed the command of another and crawled up off the filthy ground and went in search of Peter Pettigrew. Mr. Black remained at Miss McKinnon's side. Then, Dumbledore found Mr. Potter and Miss Evans. Perhaps they found him. He was certain that he was beginning to suffer from shock as well but it would have to wait. He rallied and asked them if they would direct him to the location of Mr. Pettigrew. The look in his eyes spoke volumes and shaken by the open grief on their Headmaster's face, without a word, they simultaneously pointed in the direction of Pete. Dumbledore sighed, left them and walked towards Mr. Pettigrew. This was going to be a long and terrible night.
There could only be one reason why the Headmaster would be searching for Pete. Lily and James turned as one, looking frantically around for Mary. Or Mars or Sirius or Remus or Dor, anyone who could tell them what had happened to cause Dumbledore to go in search of Pete and allay their worst fear. They spotted Sirius and Mars. They were on the ground, covered in red, slushy snow and mud. Mars appeared to be crying while Sirius held her in his arms.
Hot, burning tears came before she could stop them and Lily broke into run, grabbing James's hand and dragging him behind her. They bolted for Mars. They literally slid in and Lily joined Sirius, on the ground, enveloping Mars while James just stared mutely at the form of Mary lying on the ground. He instinctively went down to his knees and held Lily while she openly sobbed alongside Mars. They're crying, barely audible now was the sound that alerted Remus with his werewolf hearing to their location. He grabbed Dor's hand and together they made their own way over to the pile of their grieving friends. Frank and Alice, noting their destination followed leaving Dumbledore all alone, to deal with Pete.
Mary McDonald was dead. Alice and Dor wailed when they saw Mary laying in the mud. It was the sound of Alice's and Dor's wailing that caused Pete to turn around and he found himself facing Dumbledore who stood alone in the street between himself and his wailing friends. He looked past the Headmaster to the pile of of grief at the other end of High Street. Then he tore his eyes away from the scene and looked at Dumbledore again. Dumbledore moved toward Pete while opening his arms. That one motion, offered to him from his Headmaster, told him everything. Peter Pettigrew dropped to his knees right there and broke down in silent, wracking sobs, in the middle of the filthy, bloody street. Pete knew. Mary was gone. His Mary was gone… Pete had nothing left to live for, all his dreams were gone, they died with the witch he loved.
The rest of that night passed like a nightmare. Though he was getting up there in years, Dumbledore was still quite strong but sadly, he was no a match for the agility of a young and determined Peter Pettigrew. As Dumbledore closed the gap between them, Pete rose to his feet and dodged the elder wizard and charged down the High Street toward his fallen witch. Sirius had taken the time to look up the street keeping his eye out for Pete and he was the first to see him, barreling toward them. Sirius touched both James and Remus on the shoulder and nodded Pete's direction then he moved to stand pulling Mars up with him. James and Remus did the same with Lily and Dor and Frank, noticing this stood and lifted Alice right off the ground.
Pete slowed as he got close and began to walk with care so as to not disturb the filth around his Mary for fear that he'd accidentally add it to her remains. Her remains … He looked down at her beautiful face through tear filled eyes and he wiped them away furiously. He kneelt at her side. He found her hand in the bloody slush and lifted it with his own. His friends gave him space but moved to encircle Mary and Pete.
Far up the High Street, Dumbledore witnessed the scene as if he was having an out-of-body experience. He was paralyzed with dread. He watched as Pete bent low and kissed Mary on the mouth, on the forehead and on both her temples, he found her other hand and lifted both crossing them gently over her chest.
Back down the High Street, at Mary's side, Mars had closed Mary's eyes as a healer would do and Pete felt momentary anger that she had done this. He'd never again see his Mary's amazing blue-green eyes looking at his. He moved around her and straightened her legs out and covered her body with his cloak but left her face uncovered. Then sitting at her feet, looking at only Mary, Peter Pettigrew wept.
He's friends did not move to stop him, comfort him or interfere in any way. They were heartbroken too and they reached out to hold the hand of the person next to them and there they remained until Pete was done. Then Pete looked up to his Marauders and saw Sirius first. For the first time, they held no certainty, no confidence or anger or mischief. All he saw was despair. Then he looked at the rest and they all looked the same. He needed help! Frank was the first to respond, coming closer and kneeling down to help him lift Mary off the street. Immediately Lily, Mars and Dor dropped their wizards hand and moved back out of their way.
The four of them lifted Mary as gently as they were able and placed her on a stretcher that simply appeared. Each took a handle, rose as one and began to walk toward the castle. Dumbledore waited for them and he would walk behind them all the way back to the Castle, completely forgetting his other charges who were obediently waiting for him, in the carriages. With one thought Dumbledore commanded the carriages to move and they led the broken party carrying Mary McDonald back to the castle. Lily, Mars, Dor and Alice were lighting the ground with their wands, alerting their wizards for rocks and ruts to avoid and Dumbledore remained at the rear of this procession walking beside Pete.
No one noticed how cold they were nor that they were covered in blood. By this time the witches were shaking from shock and fear and sorrow but they carried on, all the way to the castle grounds where the wards allowed them to pass and they crossed the grounds eventually coming to the stone steps which they slowly climbed, looking back to the stretcher-bearers to be certain their steps were sure. Eventually they passed into the Entryway. It was so bright in here! The doors to The Great Hall were open and muted voices could be heard as the heartbroken party eventually entered The Hall, witnessed by the whole of Hogwarts.
They were met by a stunned Professor McGonagall and she silently led them to one of the house tables where the carefully laid Mary down and then stepped aside. Professor McGonagall's composure broke and she openly grieved, she held herself high, back straight, shoulders square but her hand clutched her chest and she let the tears fall. Dumbledore stood right next to his Deputy Headmistress and let his own fall as well. Madam Pomfrey arrived presently with a white sheet and looked to Pete as if to ask his permission. Pete nodded and Madam Pomfrey covered Mary's body completely. When this was done, Pete's friends turned to him and he finally let them wrap their arms around him. Pete was in such a state they had to support his weight lest he fall completely to the floor. James, Sirius and Remus held him, he kept his feet with their support. Then when he could take it no more, he grabbed all three of them and held on like his life depended on them; it seemed that it always had. The rest of the group broke away and moved over to unoccupied table where they were instantly offered blankets and hot beverages by the house elves. They numbly accepted these offerings. Still, no one spoke; what was there to say? Death was final.
Mars was the first to come back to the present. She was roused by the sounds of people in pain and fear. She'd been sitting on a bench, curled up in nearly a ball, her legs bent and pulled up to her chest, her forehead resting on her knees, her electrum plait hanging almost to the floor was soaked with snow-melt, red with the blood of Mary McDonald. She lifted her head up and looked around the Great Hall; Madam Pomfrey was inundated with the wounded and so she rose from her place and walked toward the Healer re-plaiting her hair as she went. "Where do you want me?"
Madam Pomfrey looked up gratefully at the selfless witch and smiled a weak thank you. "There are open wounds that need cleaning, closure and bandages; start there while I tend to mending bones. St. Mungo's may be in the Village a while so for now, we are on our own." Mars walked up to the nearest house elf and asked his name.
"I am called Nifty Miss."
"Alright Nifty, could you help me? I'll need warm water and some clean bandages from the hospital. My medibag is also there and it will say McKinnon on it; it should be in Madam Pomfrey's office. If you could do those tasks for me I can get to work straight away." Nifty disappeared and Mars got to work.
"Mars? What can we do?" Lily asked just as Nifty reappeared with Mars' bag and she opened it.
"Hey Lily, Dor, you could follow behind me with Dittany from my bag and then once we make our first pass we can come back and bandage those wounds that need it."
"Madam Pomfrey has already arranged them into priorities so we'll see to the worst first."
"Thank you, Nifty. Nifty these are my friends, Lily and Dor. They are here to help."
"Hello Nifty." Lily and Dor said.
"I know these witches. They are the Marauder's witches: The Minions. I can bring more help. We elves could set up cots with blankets and float your patients onto them if that would help."
"It would help a lot Nifty." Mars replied offering Nifty a weary smile.
So, the work to heal and care for all the wounded began. There seemed to be so many this time. The prefects moved through the Hall accounting for their House's students and noting their injuries. The third and fourth years, led by the house elf, Nifty, brought clean blankets and fresh pillows to everyone. The Heads of House were reinforcing the school's wards. Order grew from chaos. Faces showed relief at being once again safely within the walls of the Castle and grateful for something to do.
Mary's body was moved to the room directly behind the Great Hall and Pete moved with it. Mary's parents soon arrived by the Floo Network, chaperoned on their magical journey by Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dumbledore escorted them to their daughter. Remus was helping to keep the youngest among them, keeping them students occupied by simply listening to their fears and trying to reassure them. James Flooed a message to his parents who arrived quite quickly. Euphie went straight to the triage area with potions aplenty while Monte found Professor Slughorn. Monte provided a mobile potions kit which they set up right in the Hall and together the two Potioneers quickly went to work, replenishing the school's stock of Calming Drafts, Dreamless Sleep, Pepper Up and Essence of Dittany and the like.
In the wee hours of the morning after the Valentine's Day Massacre, as it was now being called, most of the Great Halls occupants had been seen to and were resting comfortably, sleeping on cots if they were more seriously injured or just gathered together in groups on the floor, tucked in fluffy purple sleeping bags that Dumbledore had provided. Pete had been sedated and moved to hospital. The McDonalds had been offered a room for the night. All of them had lacerations, sprains, strains and other injuries that had been ignored until Madam Pomfrey saw to them herself.
Exhausted from working all through the night, Mars was attended by Sirius. He washed her face, hands and arms with clean warm water and dried her skin with fluffy warm towels. He rinsed her hair till the water no longer ran red and wrapped it in a towel. He levitated some towels around her and changed her out of her filthy clothes and into pajamas. Then the towels fell to the floor and he combed out and re-braided her hair. It was an intimate moment graced with boundless care and concern. Then Sirius made her drink hot sweet tea laced with medicinal fire whisky and fed her toast with butter and honey.
Lily and Dor were not as in need of cleaning exactly but their wizards did wash their hands and faces, following Sirius's lead and they too drank tea and ate toast. The whole of them had taken up a corner in the Great Hall. They too had purple sleeping bags laid out for them by Nifty and his crew. All together they curled up right there with the rest of the school, on the floor and eventually they all gave in to exhaustion. Curled around one another just like they did the morning after the Halloween attack and fell into an uneasy sleep right there in the Great Hall along with everyone else.
By daybreak, which came with unseemly haste, most of the older students had woken and were being fed a proper meal by busy house elves who brought breakfast to them right where they were, on the floor in purple sleeping bags. The mood in the Hall was somber and the noise level was kept to a low hum. Those who were fed first rose from their spots on the floor and dragged themselves back to their common rooms to get some proper sleep in their own beds. The population of the Great Hall was diminishing and the Gryffindors, last to leave, made their way to the Fat Lady who looked at her sad lot and simply opened to admit them. This time, rather than sleeping in the common room they all went in pairs to the boy's dorm and piled into the boy's beds in pairs. None of them felt like being apart from their friends. Here at last they slept hard and did not wake again until the sun had crossed the Scottish Highlands at its very low angle and began to set.
Lily thought she was the first to wake and she noted the scent of James. They were curled around one another in his four-poster with blankets up to their chins. Lily lay there, awake in his arms and just drank him in, the feel of him, the sound if his soft breathing, the regular beat of his heart underneath her finger tips. Lily felt terribly grateful they they were alive and well and safe. This thought of gratitude brought with it all her memories of the night before. She felt a terrible need to account for her friends so she rose just a little and looked around the darkened dorm. She could just make out the sleeping forms of Remus and Dor on their sides, facing each other, hands intertwined. She looked over to Sirius's bed, careful not to move her head too much and she saw Mars and Sirius curled front to back, Sirius's arm over her hips, his head tucked into her hair, like a cat. She heard Alice's soft snoring and saw that she was curled safely in Franks arms. Then, she listened for Hero. He was curled around James's ankles, purring.
James, was awake as well but reluctant to move or show any signs of being so as he knew once he did, the day would begin and this moment would end. It was much needed comfort after the horrors of the night before. Lily, lay wrapped in his arms, their legs were laced and he caught her scent and was being tickled by her hair. He ignored this and just concentrated on the present, she was here and she was alive and warm and he sent thanks to the heavens for that one miracle. Then he thought of Pete and his body stiffened a bit, Lily kissed him on his neck and Hero rearranged himself on James's ankles.
"Morning Lily," he whispered.
"Morning James," she whispered back.
After long showers the eight Gryffindor's made their way down to the Great Hall. The house elves served brinner and it was consumed with the hunger that came with exhaustion and grief. It was Sunday evening and the students knew Dumbledore would want to address them so they lingered, quietly discussing all of the events of the previous night while carefully avoiding Mary's death. That conversation would have to come but it could come later. Mighty flew into the Hall to deliver the Daily Prophet as he had done all year and James looked up to his beautiful owl and heaved a great sigh. Mighty dipped his great white head toward James's face and nudged his master in a way not un-similar to Hero nudging Lily. James gave his owl a nudge in return then reluctantly, removed the Prophet. Not wanting to open it, he bided his time by offering his bird some bacon and juice. He looked out around the masses of students lingering here and found Snape and Reg looking, if it were possible, a bit confused. Was it possible that they had no prior knowledge of the Death Eater's attack? He'd have to talk to Sirius about this. Sirius could talk to Reg as if he came anywhere near Snape he'd be tempted to hex him into his next life whether he know about the Death Eater attack or not. Sirius caught his eye and nodded imperceptibly toward the Slytherins and James knew that the look on Reg's face spoke volumes to Sirius. Perhaps they really didn't know. A meeting in the Room of Requirement might be in order. Eventually found his parents up at High Table quietly conversing with his teachers and their friends. Their voices were hushed but their faces were intense. There was much to discuss and all of it was deadly serious.
"Thanks Mighty." He said automatically and the weight of his great bird brought him back to the present.
The owl looked at him with what seemed to be compassion and blinked solemnly as if to say that he understood and then gently took off for the Owlery. James looked for encouragement from Remus and Remus just nodded in a resigned sort of way. Emboldened, James opened the paper and flattened it in front of him.
Valentine's Day Massacre in Hogsmeade; Death Eaters Escape … un-apprehended!
Last night Hogsmeade Village was the scene of the worst Death Eater attack to date on the Magical Community. So far, the death toll stands at thirteen. Students attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were enjoying their traditional Saint Valentine's Day Saturday in the all-wizarding village when the attack began just before nightfall. Many were among those injured, several of whom were transferred to St. Mungo's in the early hours of the morning. Scores of witches and wizards were among the injured including many residents and shop owners. While their names have not yet been released owing to the need to inform their next of kin, there were fatalities. The Death Eaters were reported to Disapparate from the scene at the arrival of Albus Dumbledore, the ancient schools current Headmaster.
The Magical Community is in shock today and are asking where was Law Enforcement? Why weren't more Aurors dispatched to the scene? Why were so few Aurors stationed at the school? Where are the Death Eaters responsible? Where is Lord Voldemort? How are we to put a stop to the escalating violence that permeates our towns and villages? What might happen next time? What is the group, calling themselves The Order of the Phoenix doing to help? Who will give the families of the dead justice? All those asked declined to comment including Alastor Moody, (Head of the Auror Department), Albus Dumbledore, Bartemius Crouch (Head of Ministry Law Enforcement) and even our own Minister of Magic, Harold Munchin. The Magical community deserves answers to these questions!
James read the article aloud and there was a group sigh and shaking heads but no one could fault the Prophet today because all of the questions posed needed answering. The accuracy of the death toll was not something that they could question but they were all glad Mary's name did not appear.
"I'm beginning to feel quite useless! We are completely powerless to do anything to stop this nightmare or even slow it down." James whispered in a defeated voice that Lily had never heard before. She discreetly took hold of his hand under the table and he took hers into his own and they gave each other's hands a gentle but firm squeeze.
"Let's hear what Dumbledore has to say first James and then we can have a meeting amongst ourselves. Maybe it's time to step up our participation in the Order whether they want us to or not." Sirius suggested.
"Your right Sirius, maybe it is time." Remus took the Prophet from the table and pocketed it. There might be more inside but he didn't think that reading any more of it would help.
Dumbledore rose to address the residents of Hogwarts, he looked very grim. "Classes are cancelled all next week. The Hogwarts Express will arrive tomorrow to escort you home. The funeral date, time and place for Miss McDonald will be announced shortly and the specifics will be posted on common room notice boards sometime today. I am sure that some parents are asking themselves if it is safe to attend Hogwarts. The truth is that while we may not be exactly safe here, I don't think anywhere is safe anymore. It is my hope that you all will return. While you are away, we will be strengthening the castles wards. Meetings will be held to find answers to the same questions as were aptly asked in The Daily Prophet. Anyone who does not wish to return home will be allowed to remain here but you are all encouraged to attend Miss McDonalds funeral as we, the staff and myself, will be attending."
"As Miss McDonald was a Muggle-born witch, her funeral will be carried out in Muggle society in order that all of her family members may attend and therefore you will all be expected to behave accordingly. But, her parents made it clear to me that her Hogwarts friends were her closest friends and they would very much like you all to be there when they lay her to rest. I would like to say that the murder of Miss McDonald has deeply saddened me. Mary was a brave and talented witch but more importantly she was a kind person and a loyal friend. I know many students who will struggle with her murder for a very long time. I would like for all of us now to raise our glasses to Mary McDonald, who departed this world far too early and far too young." Everyone rose, held their glasses high and all together they said her name, "Mary McDonald". They stood, silently for a solid minute until Dumbledore spoke dismissing them.
"James?"
"Yes Lily?"
"I can't go to my parent's house. I can't explain why I'd be there or how and why Mary died. I would bring danger to my parent's home James! I don't want to leave you. I want to stay here, in the castle."
"Lily, you can come home with me. Or I could stay here with you, if you want."
"I want you to stay here with me; I couldn't bear to not have you near, to not know where you were or if you were safe! We could go home to Potter Manor whenever you like but I think we might be needed here. I can't be the only Muggle-born who will find this nightmare difficult to explain to their parents. I'd like to stay and do my bit for them. I'd love to see your family though so maybe a day trip?. I also want to do something for Mary's parents. Why Mary, James?"
"Honestly Lily, I don't know. Pete's a wreck. His parents owled mine and dad said that he's despondent one minute and angry the next. I'm really worried about him."
"I know. I am too. I've never known anyone who's died, well except for
my grand-parents but they lived a long and happy life. I never imagined that it would come to this, even after her second attack. Her being killed seemed outside the realm of possibility. What would Death Eaters hope to accomplish by killing her? Was it just because she was there, or because she is, was Muggle-born, or was it something to do with the threat against Pete?"
"I'm sure Pete thinks it's about the threat but I'm not so sure, it was all so quick and so random. Sirius and I both were watching Snape and Reg earlier and they lacked their expected smug expressions. I don't think they knew about the attack. I think it took them by surprise as well. We'll have to have a meeting in the RoR before everyone goes home. Come to think of it, I doubt any of us will go home. Mars won't as she is useful here in hospital, Sirius would rather be tortured than leave her here without him, Remus is a prefect so he'll likely prefer to stay and help however he can: with the little Muggle-borns. He does seem to have a way with kids. Dor won't consider leaving him here without her. Frank and Alice will stay. But I don't understand any of it either Lily. How did killing Mary further Voldy's cause? My parents, will be meeting with Dumbledore and The Order. Maybe we'll learn more from them. Anyway, we won't be the only ones to stay here. I think Frank might be spending some of the week at the Ministry; they have opened up Auror positions so Frank said he'd be volunteering, even if he is Head Boy. He said he could be stationed here as an Auror in training. He's clever, our Frank"
"That's right! I'm a prefect. I ought to stay. Thanks for reminding me of that! I can't even think. Now I can help whoever needs it knowing that we will all be here, together."
James looked at his lovely Lily, her head was supported in her hands, her elbows on the table, her face was careworn, her eyes were red and swollen, her hair was in a very messy pile tied to the top of her head and her robes were wrinkled. And yet, she was magnificently beautiful to him. Her heartbreak was heartbreakingly beautiful and James slid closer to close the gap between them.
"Lily. I don't know how but we will get through this. We will take strength from each other and our friends and give it in return. I know that sounds like some ridiculous platitude but I have to believe that we will be stronger for having gone through this tragedy together. Without hope we are all of us, lost." Lily nodded to James and then looked up.
Sirius and Mars had gone to High Table to talk to Madam Pomfrey and they were returning, fingers laced together, looking as heartbroken as Lily looked and as James felt. "Well, it's been decided; were staying. Mars sent Persephone with a message to her parents explaining the situation in the hospital and I'll send word to Monte and Euphie with Freyja. I'd like to send a curse to Grimmauld Place but Mars said that it really wouldn't be all that helpful."
Lily and James actually laughed a little with Sirius while Mars just smiled and elbowed him in the ribs. Sirius always knew when humor was needed and never failed to provide. Sirius had always known when the curative magic that only a moment of laughter could provide, was needed. Remus and Dor were further along the Gryffindor table talking with and listening to the younger students. It seemed that everyone was trying to be a comfort to someone.
"I suggest that we all spend some time in the Hot Springs this week and as a healer in training I think I'm right in this." Mars stated matter-of-factly. "I'm sure I can get a couple of hours off. My parents have offered it to the staff as well so maybe someone could come up with a schedule."
Remus had just walked up to the four of them, one hand in Dor's the other made a chain with all the younger students, including the first year Gryffindors. "We're taking this lot to the prefect's bathroom for a swim. I thought it might lighten their spirits, all those taps and such. Wanna come?"
James was the first to answer and he had no hesitation in his voice. "Absolutely!"
The six sixth year Gryffindors led the disheartened youth from three of the four Houses out of the Great Hall. In a moment of inspiration, Mars actually walked over to the fourth and fifth Slytherins who had helped in the Halloween attack. They were comforting their own younger students. "We're taking this lot up to the prefect's bathroom. You're welcome to come along if you like."
Only this small number of Slytherin resistance fighters took Mars up on her offer but it was as she expected. So too, were hateful looks these rare Slytherins received from their house. They came all the same. With Remus and Dor in the lead and James, Lily, Mars and Sirius in the rear to keep any of them from wandering they trudged up the many stairs to their destination.
The bathroom, like the Room of Requirement seemed to know ahead of time what was needed or maybe it was an attentive house elf like Nifty but there were swim trunks and bathing suits for everyone and loads of fluffy white towels and refreshments while the sixth years provided supervision. It was fun to watch their faces when the taps did their thing. The pool filled quickly and the youngest students, jumped right in! The diving board had a queue and James, Sirius and Remus went into competition to see who could perform the worst dive. Lily, Mars and Dor hung back visiting with the young Slytherins who looked like they felt out of place but they had come anyway. This was the magic that Dumbledore frequently referred to and Lily was not about to pass up an opportunity to try and establish a healthy relationship with those who seemed to seek it.
"I wish I'd had Black's courage during my sorting. I hate being in Slytherin House. My parents said that during their time it was a much different place. Slytherin in their day was known for brains and ambition, not all this pure-blood nonsense."
"What's your name?" Lily asked the witch.
"Geraldine Pritchard. But most just call me Gerry. This is Madeleine Baddock but we call her Maddy. Those two in the diving queue are the Flint twins Felix and Frederich. Those two at the arcing tap, the little brunette is Penny Pucey and her friend is Beatrix Zambini."
"Well Gerry, as difficult as it was, what you six did today is the start and showed tremendous courage." Lily said encouragingly. "You may take a lot of grief from your house but the only way that all of this will ever stop is if someone has the courage you showed today; to step across the line and befriend their supposed enemy. And as I see it, you were the first to do just that. Maybe you could talk to Dumbledore? I'm sure he'd have some thoughts on how you all can make an awkward situation better. He's always been very helpful to me. Besides, Professor Slughorn is my favorite teacher, and for heaven's sake, Merlin was a Slytherin! If you ever need help, with anything like being bullied, come find me or any of us and we'll will do what we can to help."
"Thanks Lily. That's kind."
Two hours later a thoroughly waterlogged group of students all went their separate ways. It was not past curfew so they were not breaking any rules and all were escorted by older students. They all marched up the spiral stone stairs to the boy's dorm once again where they would all sleep, together. Frank and Alice seemed to have the same idea and showed up, hand in hand shortly after the rest and they too piled on Frank's bed, fully clothed. They were all exhausted. It had been a very emotional day and time for discussion was past. Eventually sleep took them all.
On the day of Mary's funeral, the weather was clear and cold. The service took place in Mary's hometown in the same church where she was baptized. Hundreds of people, Muggles, witches and wizards were in attendance. The witches and wizards came from all four of Hogwarts Houses and from Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Pete stood with Mary's parents and his parents stood behind them; all looking lost, grey and heartbroken. It was a traditionally beautiful service and many of her non-magical family stood up in the front of the church and shared their memories of Mary aloud with complete strangers.
Every day preceding the service James, Lily, Mars and Sirius snuck down to Professor Flitwick's choir room, locked the door and set out to rehearse. The only thing they could think to give Mary's family was their music. It was one of only a handful of times when the three Gryffindors would ever perform for anyone outside their family and closest friends. But Mary was both so when it was Lily's turn to speak she went to the podium tear free for the first day since Mary's death.
"Mary was our roommate, the entire time that we attended school together we loved her. There are no words that would really do justice to the way Mary's friends felt about her presence in our lives nor about her absence now. It is our hope that this piece of music will serve to speak for us. Vocals will be performed by Sirius Black and Marlene McKinnon and they are accompanied on the piano by James Potter. If you know this hymn, please join us as we raise our voices to send our beloved Mary to a better place." Lily rejoined Dor, Remus, Alice, and Frank and left the rest to her trio of musically magical friends.
James sat at the piano. Mars and Sirius faced one another and then James began to play Morning Has Broken. Lily could scarcely breath for listening. After the assembled heard the first few notes they were struck silent when they heard the harmony and melody of this pair. If it were possible to sound better than they had before, they did. Today they sang, not for each other but for Mary. Allowing them to be heard over the hundreds of people in attendance, the mourners joined in singing softly as if to back-up the vocalists on the little stage. It was a singular moment in time that changed their unbearable pain into momentary joy. When their gift was complete, James rose from the piano and the three returned to their places beside Lily.