Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and Co, but I own any OC in this story including Runa, Brenna, Marianela, and Sara. Rolling...well, moving on…
Those Who Reviewed:
Dontletmegetme: Hmm, that's always been funny, but somehow it just hasn't fit. Thanks for the idea, though- and the review! I'm glad you're still reading.
Pandas rule the world: thanks! Glad you liked it. I couldn't find a sound clip for a stag, but I heard that they had a loud cry during mating times so I just made a sound up. :-)
Iamsiriusgrl: thanks! Whee, exams are over! So I'm finally updating….
Pleione: Thanks a lot!
The Marauderet: Many thanks! I'm glad you don't think my story has too many clichés- I know I am doing a time travel fic, and there are a lot of those. I try to turn twists on the clichés that end up in there, though-- I like imagining things. :-)
Ash618: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying this, and I hope your vacation was a lot of fun. Um… Do you know what you just asked? I mean, you do and you don't. See, I'm one of those writers that has various plots weaving through my mind, and honestly I have a ton of main characters, maybe 11? I'll keep the name in the back of my mind, but I can't and won't make any promises for being aminor character even in the sequel.
I'm dedicating this chapter to the class of 2005 (especially my friends) and the others I'm leaving behind. :-)
Chapter 21
Confrontations
Sirius sighed and pounded his fist against the wall.
"Oops," he muttered when he noticed an enormous dent. James and Remus looked up at him.
"Padfoot, what are you doing?" Remus asked calmly. Sirius has done stranger things before.
"I'm being bored to death, that's what. Even worse, we Marauders have been made fun of in front of the whole school, and all our Prongs can do is wonder why Firewings is avoiding him. Well, I say that we take action and revenge our honor!" He pumped his fist in the air, while Remus and James stared at him like he was crazy. "What?"
"Um, Padfoot, it's 'avenge' our honor, not 'revenge.'" Remus responded mildly.
"Well, excuse me, Mr. I-don't-have-a-life-because-I-can't-stop-studying," Sirius grumbled.
"Actually, one could argue that he has more of a life," Harry commented as he and Ron entered; they had only heard Sirius's last remark. "For one thing, he has a steady girlfriend."
"Is this Pick on Sirius Day?" he grumbled.
"Well, as a matter of fact, it is," James announced. "Anyway, Padfoot thinks we need to avenge our honor. Does anyone have an idea?" Ron paced the room, deep in thought.
"Runaway books would drive Herm- Pouncer- crazy, but Howler wouldn't care," he mused. "Umm, something to do with words, since they denied us speech for a day?"
"Good idea, Stealth," James said. "We could make them say, 'The Marauders are awesome' every time someone calls their name."
"No, we need to be more creative than that," Remus insisted. "Let's give them different phrases."
"Oooh! Howler can say, 'Sirius Black is a genius!'" Sirius proclaimed.
"Do you really want her to kill you?" Harry asked skeptically. "If you do, go right ahead."
"She won't kill me," Sirius protested.
"He's delusional, that one," James commented to Ron, who nodded in agreement.
"Hey," Sirius protested. "Look who's talking."
"And look who's here," James responded, nodding toward Harry. Sirius stuck his tongue out at him.
"Back to business, Marauders," Remus insisted. The rest sat up straight on their beds. "Oh, Padfoot? A certain Lady Nighthowler still doesn't have a date for the ball." Sirius immediately shot up and his head on the ceiling.
"WOO-HOO!- Ow," he complained as he rubbed his sore head.
……………………………………………
"Hey, Prado, where have you been?" Marianela stopped and turned around to find three of her former roommates behind her.
"Hi Sara, Annie, and Rosa," she greeted them by name. "I've been in my new room, girls," she added sweetly. Rosa and Annie flinched; they did not like her using their first name, but they pasted their fake smiles back on their faces.
"We've missed you," Sara told her. Marianela held her tongue in check; Sara had been the only decent girl among her housemates.
"Honestly, dear, how could you worry us like this?" Rosa scolded; she had been the cruelest to Marianela, and Annie had backed her up.
"I believe the only worry to you, Rosa, is your inability to get a free slave," Marianela replied coldly. "As for you, Annie, do you still have my mother's necklace?" Annie winced; she was wearing it.
"What! As if we would ever wear anything of yours, Spaniard," she scoffed.
"What do you mean?" Sara glared accusatively at her. "Annie, is that her necklace? You said that Amos gave it to you."
"Accio necklace," Marianela said, pointing her wand. The necklace immediately dislodged itself from Annie's neck and into Marianela's hand.
"But-" Rosa and Annie protested.
"I don't have to let you bully me anymore, darlings," she replied. "Thankfully I had the rest of my jewelry under a charm. Oh, are you still dating Diggory even though you two were cheating on Runa Soleine?" Sara gasped again. "Honestly, skipping class to be with him in History of Magic was extremely idiotic."
"Why-"
"Oh, sod off," Rosa demanded. "One would think you were a Hufflepuff."
"No, I'm a Ravenclaw," Sara replied steadily. "You- you should be in Slytherin!"
"Oh, go live with the fifth years," Annie told her. "You obviously aren't mature enough to be a sixth year."
"You're obviously not mature enough to be beyond first year," Marianela retorted.
"Look who's talking, Spaniard," Rosa sneered.
"Watch how long you keep your face that way, tonta. It might stay that way."
"Marianela, would you mind helping me move?" Sara asked timidly. "I know we've been cruel, and I'm sorry, but…"
"No problema, chica. No fuiste tan- I mean, you weren't cruel to me. Not really."
"Being half Italian helps me understand," she replied quietly.
"I knew there was something odd about you!" Annie said triumphantly.
"Italian? Why didn't you tell us, dear, or bring us some cute guys?" Rosa demanded in a sickly-sweet voice.
"What's the difference between me and Marianela?" Sara asked quietly. "We both have blood in us that isn't English." She paused. "You know what? I'm through with this conversation. Ciao, Gunther and Kilden." She grasped Marianela's hand, and they walked to the Ravenclaw rooms.
"You know, I actually do miss you," Sara admitted. "Do you mind if we hang out sometime?"
"Sure," Marianela responded. "I don't mind at all. Perhaps you'd like to meet my other friends?"
"That would be wonderful," she replied simply before saying the password to the Ravenclaw corridor (Marauders Rock). They hurried and steadily packed up Sara's many things, then carried them to the fifth year girls' room. When they were finished, it was very late and both of them were exhausted- especially after having been bombarded by the excited fifth years.
"Buona sera, Nela. Thanks for the help," Sara said gratefully.
"You're welcome, Sara," she replied. "Buenas noche y duerme bien. See you tomorrow." She strolled back to her room, very careful not to be seen. The others were already sleeping soundly. Marianela was too tired to change into pajamas and instead crawled under her covers. She fell asleep almost immediately, but couldn't help thinking that she needed to do something- however, she could not remember what that was.
…………………………………………
Lily woke up with a start at 3:15 in the morning, immediately sensing that something was wrong. She got out of bed wearily, grabbed her wand, and stumbled to the mirror.
She pointed her wand at herself and tried to say 'lumos,' but instead "I got a D on my charms test," came out. Horrified, she screamed; she could still manage to do that. The others immediately woke up.
"It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing," Ginny protested in a sing-song voice. She meant 'What did you do that for?'
"Rule breaking is fun!" Hermione said before putting her hand to her mouth in shock and horror. 'Is it morning yet?' she meant to say.
"Miren el pepino!" Marianela chimed in. 'Oh no, that's what I was supposed to do- check the MSCD tape from tonight,' she wanted to say. Lily turned on a small lamp so that they could see, reached for a notebook, and began to write a quick note.
WILDCAT, DID YOU FORGET TO CHECK THE TAPE LAST NIGHT?
YES, SORRY- I WAS HELPING SOMEONE MOVE TO THE FIFTH YEARS' ROOM IN RAVENCLAW AND FORGOT.
IDIOTIC MARAUDERS! JUST WAIT TIL I CAN SPEAK AGAIN.
GRR! BLOODY BOYS! WAIT TIL I GET MY HANDS ON THEM! EVEN IF I CAN'T DO MAGIC I CAN STILL MAKE THEM REGRET THIS.
LANGUAGE, GINEVRA WEASLEY!
BOLLOCKS! THEY DESERVE IT.
ELLA TIENE RAZÓN. SO WHAT DO WE DO?
WE SPEAK/ WRITE IN ENGLISH!
SORRY! SHE'S RIGHT. SO, DO WE WAKE UP BREN AND RUNES OR DO WE GET SOME SLEEP? I'M EXHAUSTED!
A) WE GO BACK TO SLEEP AND B) AS SOON AS WE CAN SPEAK AGAIN, WE UP THE SECURITY AND FIND PASSWORDS FOR BOTH ROOMS THAT THE GUYS WILL NEVER GET.
OOH! WELL AT LEAST WE GET TO DO SOMETHING FUN WITH THIS!
HOWEVER, THE BOYS MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES DEFENESTRATED AT THE VERY LEAST. GOODNIGHT!
GOODNIGHT EVERYONE!
DUERME BIEN AND LEAVE ON THE SMALL LIGHT SO WE'LL REMEMBER.
ALL RIGHT! GOOD NIGHT! HEY, WHY AM I STILL WRITING?
………………………………………………
At 6:30 A.M., the alarm clock in Runa and Brenna's room went off. Brenna immediately sprung up and turned it off; she hated the sound of alarms.
"Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!" She sang. She meant to say "Runes, get up now if you want a shower." Runa glared at her. However, when she tried to speak, she could not express her ire at the Italian singing.
"Sirius Black is a genius!" She found herself shouting. She tried to speak again. "I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves!" What on earth is happening to me?
"The Marauders rule," Brenna said when she tried to speak again. She flipped on the lights and searched for the nearest quill and piece of parchment before scribbling a note.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE MARAUDERS, she wrote.
GRR! THEY ARE GOING TO GET IT!
I'M HONESTLY SICK OF PRANKS, AND IT IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE BALL.
WELL, TOO BAD, AND IT'S A WEEK AND A HALF. MARAUDERS- GRR! LET'S SEE IF THE OTHERS ARE THE SAME WAY.
Parchment in hand, they passed through the portal to find the others getting ready for school. Most of them waved, but Ginny was still scowling.
YOU TOO?- RUNA
UNFORTUNATELY YES.-GINNY
HONESTLY. I SAY EITHER 'MIREN EL PEPINO,' 'GRYFFINDOR ROCKS,' OR 'SNAPE IS A BIG-NOSED GIT.' WHICH HE IS.
ALL I'VE SAID SO FAR IS 'FIGARO' THREE TIMES AND 'THE MARAUDERS RULE.'
AT LEAST YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SAY 'RULE BREAKING IS FUN,' 'POTIONS IS HORRID," OR "BONZAI!" ALTHOUGH THE SECOND IS TRUE WITH THE CURRENT PROFESSOR.-HERMIONE/POUNCER.
I'VE GOT YOU ALL BEAT. I SAY 'I LOVE JAMES POTTER,' 'I GOT A D ON MY CHARMS TEST,' OR 'IT'S RAINING ON PROM NIGHT.'-LILY/FIREWINGS
WELL, THOSE GITS HAVE ME DOWN TO 'SIRIUS BLACK IS A GENIUS' AND 'I KNOW A SONG THAT GETS ON EVERYBODY'S NERVES.' UNFAIR!-RUNES
RUNES, BREN, MAYBE YOU SHOULD CHANGE BEFORE BREAKFAST.-HERMIONE
OOPS. COME ON, BRENS. -RUNES
Runa grabbed Brenna's hand and dragged her through the portal; the conversation continued behind them as they struggled to get ready for breakfast.
HEY GINNY, CAN I BORROW YOUR HAIRBRUSH?-LILY
SURE, WHY NOT?-GINNY
ARE YOU READY YET? OH, DO YOU HAVE SOME EPOXY?-HERMIONE
WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT?-MARIANELA
GLUE. I HAVE SOME. WHY, DO YOU WANT TO PUT ONE OF THEM THROUGH TORTURE BY ATTACHING THEM TO ONE OF US?-LILY
BRILLIANT MINDS THINK ALIKE. OH, AND IT WON'T WORK FOR ALL 5- THEY'LL SUSPECT SOMETHING. SO, WHOM SHALL WE TARGET? LET'S DO IT ONCE THIS SPELL ENDS.-GINNY
LET'S NOT EMBARRASS REMUS AND BRENNA. -HERMIONE.
ALL RIGHT! LET'S SEE HOW RUNES LIKES BEING STUCK WITH SIRIUS ALL DAY.-NELA
SO, WHAT DO YOU SAY? HEY, NELA, FIND RUNES AND BREN, AND WE'LL MEET OUTSIDE THE DINING HALL IN 10 MINUTES. OK?-HERMIONE
Marianela nodded in response to Hermione's note and waved her goodbye before passing through the portal.
…………………………………
The girls, irritated by the prank boycotted the Marauders' table at breakfast. Although they could sense stares coming from the Marauders' table, none of them looked back. Instead, they busied themselves with their food and a conversation via parchment.
AT LEAST WE WON'T HAVE TO TALK IN POTIONS- I HOPE-BRENNA
LUCKY YOU- I HAVE AN ORAL REPORT IN MUGGLE STUDIES- NELA/WILDCAT
ME TOO. HEY, I WONDER IF SOMEONE COULD TAKE THE STUPID PRANK OFF- GINNY/CLAWS
HOPEFULLY. MCGONAGALL MIGHT BE ABLE TO. I BET DUMBLEDORE COULD, BUT HE WOULDN'T.-LILY/FIREWINGS
HONESTLY, HE'S OUR HEADMASTER! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?-HERMIONE/POUNCER.
SHE'S RIGHT, THOUGH. MMM, FRENCH TOAST IS YUMMY!-RUNA/L. NIGHTHOWLER
I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. PASS THE FRUIT TRAY, PLEASE. I'D LIKE SOME CANTELOPE (THE ORANGISH MELON, NELA).-LILY
YUMMY! I KNOW IT'S OUT OF SEASON HERE, SO I WONDER HOW THEY GOT IT.-BRENNA
THIS IS HOGWARTS.-HERMIONE
OH, RIGHT. -BRENS
LEAVE SOME FOR ME, LILS! OH, AND SOME WATERMELON AND PEARS AND…. YUM! THE FRENCH TOAST IS GOOD! -GINNY
AREN'T YOU RAVENOUS TODAY. – LILY/FIREWINGS
HEY, GIRLS, HAVE YOU BROKEN IN YOUR NEW SHOES YET? HONESTLY, IF YOU DON'T THEN YOU'RE FEET WILL HURT BADLY AT THE DANCE.-RUNA
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. PETUNIA LOST HER SHOES AT A MUGGLE DANCE SHE WENT TO OVER THE SUMMER. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HEAR MUM YELLING AT HER.-LILY
PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME! I DON'T WANT TO WEAR A DRESS! WAIT… I WAS SUPPOSED TO BUY SHOES? AND WEAR A LONG, FANCY DRESS!
UM, YOU ARE FOR THE BALL, GIN. RUNES DOES HAVE A POINT; NEW SHOES, ESPECIALLY WITH HEELS, ARE NOTORIOUS FOR CAUSING BLISTERS AND OTHER DISCOMFORT. I MYSELF WAS PLANNING TO WEAR AN OLDER PAIR OF SHOES. -HERMIONE
OH BLAH. UGH, I SUPPOSE WE SHOULD BREAK THEM IN TOMORROW.- BRENNA
BUT THAT MEANS DRESSING UP FOR SCHOOL!-LILY
HONESTLY, RUNA, YOU ARE BEING CRUEL.-NELA
OH BLAH, BLAH. WHEN YOU'RE IN CLASS, NO ONE WILL SEE YOUR SHOES UNDER YOUR ROBE. GINNY, YOU CAN WEAR THAT BLACK DRESS SO YOU CAN FREAK RON OUT. WAIT… ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT YOU DIDN'T BUY SHOES?-GINNY
IT WOULD BE MORE FUN WITH THE REST OF MY BROTHERS AROUND AS WELL, BUT… ALL RIGHT. YOU WIN ON THE FANCY DRESS. I ACTUALLY KIND OF LIKE IT.-CLAWS/GINNY
ISN'T IT NICE THAT THERE IS AN EXTRA HOGSMEADE WEEKEND THIS WEEKEND? EVEN BETTER, A BOOK I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR HAS JUST COME OUT!-HERMIONE
YES.-BRENNA
THERE IS? OH, GOODY! MORE CLOTHES SHOPPING! OH, GINNY, HERMIONE, AND NELA, YOUR WARDROBES ARE SEEDY. WHY, I'D SWEAR A MOTH HAD EATEN ONE OF YOUR SHIRTS, GIN. BREN, LILS, YOU COULD USE NEW STUFF TOO.-RUNA
OH, THE TORTURE! WHY DO I NEED NEW CLOTHES?-LILY
REMUS LIKES ME JUST THE WAY I AM. -BRENNA
BECAUSE BRENS, JUST BECAUSE HE LIKES YOU DOESN'T MEAN YOU WON'T ENJOY SEEING HIS EYES POP OUT AT HOW GORGEOUS YOU LOOK. AS FOR YOU, LILY, I THINK YOU MAY BE FALLING FOR A CERTAIN MARAUDER WHOSE NAME STARTS WITH J AND ENDS WITH AMES."-RUNA
Upon reading Runa's note, both Brenna and Lily's faces turned a deep shade of crimson. They quickly passed the note on as if it were a hot potato.
I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN SAVING MONEY FOR USEFUL SPELLS FOR INTELLIGENT WITCHES EVER SINCE I CAME BACK IN TIME. IT'S OUT OF PRINT IN THE FUTURE! YOU SEE, NOT MANY PEOPLE BOUGHT IT.-HERMIONE
WHATEVER. OH, RUNES, I DO NOT WANT OR NEED A NEW WARDROBE, I DO NOT HAVE MUCH MONEY, I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TORTURED THROUGH SHOPPING, AND I LIKE THAT SHIRT!-GINNY
I, TOO, WILL DRESS HOW I LIKE. OH, IT'S TIME TO GO TO CLASS! GRR!-NELA
WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.-RUNA
CRUELTY!-GINNY
PASS THE STRAWBERRY JAM, PLEASE.-BRENNA
……………………………………………
Lily was seething. Of all the days their potions master had to ask her a question, it was today- today, when she couldn't answer properly. Almost everyone had laughed when she said, "I love James Potter," and the professor had given her detention. Well, she would have to talk to McGonagall or Dumbledore, because there was no way she was serving that detention! Honestly, it was not fair at all. She turned her head when someone poked her shoulder; it was James.
"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned. She glared at him, since she could not say, 'Of course I'm not, you IDIOT! And you know what? It's your bloody fault!' He winced. "Come on, Lily," he pleaded. "It's just a prank. We'll take it off at dinner, and I'm sure Dumbledore will take away your detention." Lily shrugged in response; she wished she could still avoid him, especially since it had been a few days since she had given them the potion, but she still felt nervous and panicked around them. This she could only cover up with irritation lately, although the current hex she was under also irked her.
"Speaking of which, there is only an hour before dinner," Remus commented from behind her, where he and Brenna walked hand. Again, Lily shrugged.
"Oh, let's just take it off now," Harry grumbled. "I'm getting sick of their stony glares."
"Where's the fun in that?" Sirius and Ron protested together.
"Um, possible conversation?" James suggested. "We can make them promise not to yell or scream at us." Remus and Harry nodded their agreement.
"No offense, Padfoot, but I have sensitive ears," Remus said.
"All right," Sirius agreed reluctantly.
"Spoilsports," Ron muttered. They took the spell off the four girls, and then Harry went to find Marianela and Ginny. "See you at dinner!" he called. While no one was looking, Lily mouthed a message to Runa: 'tomorrow.'
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Well, that covers chapter 21.
Wow, I graduate soon, but after my last day of school, I have at least 3 degradation- I mean graduation practices. I honestly don't understand why we must toil for hours upon end learning how to walk- if people don't know how to walk by 12th grade (excluding those with disabilities) they deserve to make fools of themselves. :-)
Hmm. Today was odd. The teacher was in her office (closeby), and someone actually allowed another person to duct tape her arms behind her back. That frightened me a bit, but it really isn't my place to worry about her sanity.
Thanks for sticking with me despite the fact that you often have to wait a week, maybe a week and a half, for updates- or in the case of Malgramer (author hides behind tree trunk to avoid gunshots and punches).
Ok, the action stopped.
Well, I'mreally sleepy, so I'm signing out. Until next time,
Auramistealia