Of Bubblegum, Love, and Quidditch – 8
James had been out of the Hospital Wing for almost two weeks, and tomorrow was April fools.
"Okay troops, here's the lowdown," Padfoot said pacing up and down the length of the boy's dormitory where the other Marauders sat doing various things, "Tomorrow is the day, our favourite day, our holiday. Tomorrow is April Fools, and we have nothing." He paused for a moment, clearly expecting everyone to jump up, and possibly even for Wormtail to burst into tears. When none of this happened he continued his march, "We need a plan people, something horrid and… Swift will you stop looking out the bloody window and at least pretend you're listening," Padfoot sighed exasperated coming to a halt.
"I am listening," Swift murmured not moving.
"You are? Why?" Moony asked looking up at last from his book.
"They're perfect for each other you know," Swift sighed.
"They?" Padfoot questioned.
"Alice and Frank."
"Longbottom and Brandon?" Prongs all but choked.
"Do we know any other Frank or Alices?" Swift asked turning, a single eyebrow raised.
"I don't really see it," Padfoot said waving her thought away with his hand, "Now back to business…"
"Well they do both have a thing for each other-"
"Not you too Moony!" Padfoot wined, stomping a foot, "We need to focus! Ideas anyone?"
"Waddiwasi?" Moony suggested.
"Ew no," Swift exclaimed, her face scrunched in distaste, "No way in hell are we sticking gum up people's noses!"
"Humm…" Padfoot grinned evilly, "I have an idea!"
"Lily!"
Lily spun around in the middle of the hall on her way to lunch, smiling as she saw Emma running up to her, "Hi Emma."
"Lily, I know how we can do it; but I haven't got it all sorted out…"
"Do what?"
April Fools, over the past few years Dumbledore had come to anticipate the day. Who knew what missjiff would be afoot?
Taking his seat at the staff table he began eating breakfast, noticing as he did that everything looked normal, everyone looked normal, the Marauders were present, the Marauders were eating breakfast,
Peacefully,
Normally,
Completely normal.
Dumbledore shrugged, letting the suspense build; perhaps they were simply waiting for the opportune moment?
It wasn't until almost twenty minutes later that he let a frown show on his face,
No prank,
There was no prank!
He sighed, putting his toast down having lost his stomach for it; he had been looking forward to this for days.
He noticed that around the hall people were beginning to stop glancing at the Marauders shiftily, they were calming down,
Because there was nothing to worry about,
No prank.
APRIL FOOLS!
Dumbledore smiled widely as the purple script wrote itself on the back wall in three foot tall letters,
Did you think we had forgotten you?
Silly, silly Hogwarts!
WE GOT YOU!
APRIL FOOLS!
Dumbledore started as a piece of normal, inoffensive chewing gum appeared on his plate. It was unwrapped, so of course he didn't know what kind it was, couldn't have been prepared.
He didn't catch on when it multiplied itself so that there were two bits of gum.
But he certainly yelped when both bits flew up his nose!
All around the hall people screamed as a chunk of gum flew up each of their nostrils.
And then they began breathing.
Large pink bubbles blew out of each nostril. Some popped when they got too big, engulphing their host; others simply detached and flew away – hitting a wall and then covering it in sticky pink goo.
And the best part,
Everlasting gum.
You heard me, not only did everyone produce two giant bubbles every few breaths that exploded violently; but the bubble… symptoms didn't stop.
If there are forty students per year,
And seven years,
Plus about fifteen faculty,
And each person has two nostrils,
And breaths once every four seconds,
And each bubble takes four breaths,
Then that's 2212.5 bubbles per minute.
Excuse me, 2212.5 exploded bubbles per minute.
Why? Dumbledore wondered as he watched two large pink bubbles form at the end of his crooked nose, Oh why had he wanted a prank?
Classes were cancelled for the day, and Madam Pomfrey found herself busy unclogging nostrils right up until dinner.
They got a solid two weeks worth of detention for their 'little stunt' as McGonagall had put it; and by the time they were allowed free time again the last quidditch match of the season was approaching.
"What's taking her so long?" Prongs groaned checking his watch for the twentieth time.
"Donno mate," Padfoot sighed from where he was lying on the grass.
It was quidditch practice, and the three Marauders were waiting for Swift, who was currently missing.
"Maybe the venomous tantecula got her or something," Padfoot stated splitting a blade of grass.
"Nah, look here she comes," Moony said looking over the top of his book.
Indeed, they could all see that Swift was coming, Lily and Alice at her side.
"What held you up?" Padfoot asked sitting upright and moving his too-long hair from his face.
"Stuff, you really need a cut Pads," Swift muttered picking a piece of grass from his hair.
"Nah, he's decided to go for the rogue look," Prongs said, "So shall we?"
"I suppose," Swift rolled her eyes as Padfoot tripped over his broom, hair in the way, "Seriously Pads, you look like a stray," she said alluring to their last full moon (April 8th) adventure (Sirius's hair had made him trip up several times).
Padfoot grumbled something rude and Swift gave him the finger.
"Let's get up in the air," Janice stated, hoping to get started before Dill and Black took a swing at each other; honestly they were best friends but sometimes…
"Yes I think that's best," Bell cut off her train of thought.
They mounted as Lily and Alice took to the stands, where Peter was already sitting comfortably.
"I still don't understand how this is going to work," Alice sighed.
Lily smirked, "That's because you don't know the whole plan."
"Oh?"
"Oh."
"Plan?" Peter asked confused.
Lily smiled, "Don't worry about it Pettigrew."
Swift swerved through the air, looking anywhere for that spec of gold; she dodged a bludger and sent Padfoot a smirk, nice try…
Looping over Moony she exchanged a nod with Prongs; giving him the signal to hit Alice with the quaffle 'by mistake' when…
There was a defining scream and Swift spun around to see Alice passed out, thing was, she didn't get hit with a quaffle; Padfoot had accidentally hit her with a bludger… the girl had horrid luck.
She flew over to Alice, the rest of the team right behind her, Moony was first on the scene.
"Alice, Alice are you okay?" Emma asked.
"Is this part of the plan?" Alice slurred and Emma almost laughed, she was fine!
"I'm sooo sorry Alice," Sirius apologised looking scarred for life.
"S'fine," Alice waved it away.
"Listen Brandon, I think you'd best get to the hospital wing…" Swift smiled triumphantly as Frank spoke.
"I'm okay," Alice protested going red.
Frank muttered something under his breath before saying, "You're going Brandon, don't make this difficult."
Swift and Lily exchanged a look as Alice's eyes narrowed, never a good sign, "What are you going to do Longbottom? Carry me?"
Frank gave a rogue smirk that Swift generally associated with Pads before saying, "If the lady insists," and hauling her up over his shoulder. He plunked her down on his broom just as Alice snarled,
"Who do you think you are? How dare you I…!" She yelped and grabbed onto him as he took off for the castle.
"She's passed out; it's a good thing Frank took her to the hospital wing," Lily sighed.
"How do you know?" Prongs asked confused.
"Do you hear her screaming?" Swift asked him with a raised brow before shaking her head as a look of comprehension came over his face.
They made their way to the hospital wing in a subdued manor, Padfoot looking exceptionally guilty.
Frank was already gone by the time they arrived; and they only stayed for a short while because Pomfrey had given Alice a sleeping drought and they figured watching her sleep would be deemed 'creepy.'
"I can't believe he did that!" Alice fumed two days later as she walked to class with Emma and Lily.
"He was worried; people do stupid things when they're worried," Emma reasoned.
Alice humphed and Lily sighed, "Honestly Alli, he probably saved your life."
Alice muttered something less then polite as they entered the classroom. Emma rolled her eyes and took a seat beside Remus, DADA would never be her favourite subject at this rate.
"Welcome, welcome," Hopkin sent them a ridiculous smile that Emma dearly hoped she would one day be able to use against a bogart.
"Today we will be studying Bogarts!"
Emma felt her jaw drop.
They couldn't study bogarts, hadn't Dumbledore told Hopkin they couldn't? Did he know what was at steak? What if her magic failed her? What would bogart-Emma manage to do?
"Now, the spell is riddikulus, everyone try it," Hopkins instructed.
"Riddikulus!" Everyone said in unison waving their wands.
"Good, now line up and I'll let the boggart out; we'll take it on one at a time…" He grinned as the all lined up single file facing a trunk.
"Ready?" he asked Lily who was at the front of the line.
Lily nodded looking determined.
A great hooded figure loomed out of the trunk. All at once the lights in the classroom went out, and a deep rattling sound was heard. Lily looked up at the dementor in terror, they had been her greatest fear since Severus had told her about them years ago.
"R-riddikulus!" Lily commanded and the dementor tripped, loosing his footing and causing his cape to fly off. The class erupted in laughter as a skinny man in only his underwear appeared looking violated.
Lily smiled and moved, exposing the next student.
Spiders, mummys, slugs, toads and snakes dominated the field; as the line got shorter Swift began to panic, how did she fight herself?
Prongs stepped forward and the bogart shifted into a corps on the floor, dimly Swift recognised them as his parents.
"Ridikulus," Prongs commanded and the bodies turned into a glass marble.
There was no laughter as Prongs moved aside, but Swift understood. There was no way to make death funny, all Prongs could do was make it disappear.
Moony stepped forward and the marble rose in the air, getting larger it could soon be recognised as the full moon.
Moony stared at it hungrily, he had never seen the full moon before, and would never see it again. After a moment he lifted his wand and commanded, "Riddikulus!" causing the moon to turn into a punctured balloon that wizzed through the air.
Wormtail squeaked when the balloon landed before him, turning into a man with red eyes, "R-riddiculus!" Wormtail squeaked and with a crack the man became a block of cheese.
Padfoot laughed, clapping Wormy on the back as he took his place. Walburga (Sirius' mother) stood tall and elegant. Her face sporting a smile for the first time in Padfoot's memory, "You've done well," she said gesturing behind her towards a corps, "You've made the family proud-"
"Riddikulus!" Padfoot bellowed cutting her off and causing her to turn into a great flapping bat.
Swift inhaled in terror as she faced the bat, waiting, waiting…
Swift once again faced herself; but this time, there was something different.
"Where are we?" the bogart-Emma asked.
"Hogwarts," Swift answered, wand raised.
The bogart-Emma cocked an eyebrow, "Oh, yes I remember that place… I went there back when I could do magic."
Swift inhaled in shock… back when she could do magic…
"So then…?"
"I'm a muggle… Lost my abilities you see," the bogart-Emma smiled.
There was a shift then, and the class was privy to watching bogart-Emma switch between insane-wandless-Emma, and muggle-Emma.
Wandless-Emma flew forwards, fangs barred… Muggle-Emma stood contently… Wandless-Emma pooled magic… Muggle-Emma sighed… Wandless-Emma cackled evily, "You will never be rid of me!"
"Riddikulus!" Swift screamed and the bogart disappeared.
"What did you turn it into?" Alice asked terrified.
Swift lowered her wand, "Nothing."
The end of class bell rang then and Swift was more then thrilled to have an excuse to leave.
She had almost packed all her things when Remus clapped her on the back, "I'm sure Dumbledore will figure out what went wrong with your magic soon," he said soothingly.
Emma sighed, "I hope so."
The last match of the season dawned bright and early on the first Saturday of May. Gryffindor Vs. Hufflepuff.
"You'll do fine," Lily said bracingly as she walked with Alice and Emma towards the changing rooms, "You always do."
Swift made a noncommittal sound in her throat; it wasn't catching the snitch she was worried about, it was her magic.
"Yeah, I mean it's only Hufflepuff," Alice said with a shrug causing several passing student to glare at her.
"Be careful what you say Alli, we don't want a mob on our hands," Lily scolded her jokingly.
"Yeah, especially not Hufflepuffs, they'd look like a swarm of angry bees," Swift murmured causing the other two to giggle.
"Well good luck Em," Lily smiled giving her a clap on the shoulder, "Make us proud."
"And don't let Sirius hit you with a bludger," Alice said seriously, "Hurts like the dickens."
Swift laughed, "Thanks for the tip Alice, see you both, wish me luck!"
Swift walked into the changing room only to stop as Padfoot's arm swung out and caught her, "Which do you prefer, broccoli or cauliflower?" He asked her completely serious.
"Well I'm not fond of either but probably cauliflower," Swift answered confused.
"HA! In your face Prongs! No one likes nasty broccoli!" Padfoot bellowed turning around to face Prongs.
"Shut it Pads, broccoli whips cauliflower's ass any day!" Prongs hollered.
"NO!" Padfoot yelled, "Cauliflower!-"
"How did this start?" Swift asked walking over to Moony and pulling her quidditch robes over her head.
"Not too sure… I think it originated as a competition between ice cream and chips and then it escalated," Moony shrugged.
Swift snorted, "It escalated to vegetables?" she asked bewildered.
Moony smirked, "You are talking about James and Sirius," he pointed out.
"True," Swift allowed, sighing as Prongs and Padfoot's argument got lounder.
"YOU'RE JUST JEALOUS BECAUSE YOU COULD NEVER BE AS GREEN AS BROCCOLI!" Prongs hollered.
"I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE," Padfoot screamed back, "BROCCOLI IS THE SAME GREEN AS SLYTHERINS!"
"YOU DIDN'T GO THERE!"
"YEAH, I DID!"
"Oh, dear lord," Swift murmured, "Someone call the pre-school I think they have a few escapees."
"WELL YOU JUST-" Padfoot began but was cut off as Janice yelled,
"SHUT UP!" loud enough to make everyone deaf.
"Now," she began quieter, "This is our last match, my last match, this is my last year."
"We'll miss you Janice," Padfoot said giving her a hug.
"Yes, well," Janice didn't seem to know what to do, settling for patting Sirius' shoulder awkwardly, looking for all the world as if he was a dangerous animal that might attack her at any moment.
After a second she cleared her throat and pried Padfoot away, "So, as I was saying, our last match. It's only Hufflepuff, I'm sure we'll do well… on that note, we need four hundred points and a win to get the cup."
"We WHAT?" James screamed looking as if he had just swallowed a dung beetle.
"We only lost one game!" Padfoot said shocked… how could they be so behind?
Janice sighed, "Our seeker – though admirable-," she gave Emma a nod, "Catches the snitch before we rack up too many points. One loss becomes a lot more devastating when you're only gathering about 200 points a game and everyone else is racking in three or four hundred."
Swift dipped her head, ashamed, "I didn't realize-"
"Can't be helped now," Janice said waving her off, "The point is we need a flawless show."
Sirius walked into the pitch, beater's bat in hand as the crowd roared with cheers and boos.
"WELCOME TO THE LAST MATCH OF THE SEASON," Hall bellowed, "GRYFFINDOR VS. HUFFLEPUFF!"
Padfoot caught Prongs' eye and they both smirked, Hufflepuff was dead meat.
"Captains, shake hands," Pads watched as Janice and Amos Diggory shared a too friendly handshake – lord help him if they were dating, Amos was such an idiot.
Mounting his broom Padfoot shared a long look with Robert Bell, their strategy was easy – stay as far apart as possible, and keep one eye on Swift.
How she managed to attract half the trouble she got into he would never know, then again being a Marauder probably didn't help.
"POTTER WITH THE QUAFFLE, HE SHOOTS… NICE SAVE BY DIGGORY, PASSES TO CHANG, INTERCEPTED BY HILL, AND IT'S LONGBOTTOM, HILL, LONGBOTTOM, POTTER, HE SHOOTS – GOAL!"
Padfoot smirked, hitting a bludger away from Prong's head as he circled around.
"AND IT'S CHANG WITH THE QUAFFLE, BAM, TAKEN OUT BY BLACK, HILL WITH THE QUAFFLE, OHH… THAT'S GOING TO HURT, NICE HIT BY BAGMAN, AND IT'S LONGBOTTOM WITH THE QUAFFLE."
Padfoot sped up, picking Janice out of the sky before she could hit the ground, "You alright?"
"Fine," she huffed, "I think that idiot broke my shoulder." She glared at him, and Sirius took an unconscious step back, "Get back in the sky Black, and win this game!"
Moony watched as Padfoot rose back into the air, Janice staying back and waiting as the matron came running over – at least she wasn't knocked out like Chang…
He caught the quaffle before it could enter the right hoop, loping it to Prongs who sped down the pitch with it.
"They're doing well," Lily said looking through a pair of binoculars.
"Pity," Severus muttered from where he sat beside her, a book in his lap.
Lily rolled her eyes, "Better Gryffindor win then Slytherin," she smirked as Severus frowned,
"Hardly," he murmured flipping a page.
"Are you saying you're not interested at all?" Lily scolded him.
A small smirk graced Severus' face, "I am," he answered, smiling as Lily huffed.
Swift circled the pitch looking for the snitch. She noticed it then, near the Slytherin end of the stadium. She slowed down, one eye on the snitch and the other on Shiloh Sims, the Hufflepuff seeker. She dodged Prongs who laughed as he flew by, the quaffle under his arm.
Prongs made his tenth goal, the keeper – Amos Diggory – wasn't on form today. He ducked a bludger aimed by Bagman.
Swift completely missed seeing the bludger making its way over to her, seeing it at the last moment she swerved, almost colliding with Robert Bell who smacked it at the other beater with a satisfying crunch, "Watch yourself Ems," he said flying off.
"Thank you!" Swift called after him.
Her eyes narrowed a second later as Sims made a dive for the snitch, "Bugger."
"SIMS DIVES FOR THE SNITCH, DILL HOT ON HER TAIL!" Daren Hall's voice rang through the stadium. Everyone inhaled, if Sims caught the snitch, Hufflepuff would make second place, if Emma caught it Gryffindor would take second. Either way Slytherin would win the cup, Gryffindor didn't have enough points…
Swift leaned forward, pelting toward the ground, she didn't use her magic to spur her on, it would be cheating, but she was sorely tempted to.
"DILL GAINING ON SIMS, THE SNITCH IN SITE, THEY'RE SIDE BY SIDE, SIMS REACHES…"
Swift swerved in front of Sims at the last second, causing them to collide and for them both to swirl downwards and out of control.
"SOMEBODY HELP THEM!" Hall screamed as the two seekers got closer to the ground.
Emma felt Sims grab onto her as they fell, screaming. With a grunt Emma managed to gain control of her broom, but Sims jerked her arm, causing them to spiral downwards again.
Panting, Emma managed to right herself, holding onto Sims with her right hand as the other seeker got back on her broom in mid-air.
"YOU IDIOT!" Sims screamed; her face twisted in hate and anger.
"Well, neither of us died," Swift shrugged, smirking, thankful that her ploy had worked – the snitch was gone.
"YOU COULD HAVE KILLED US BOTH!"
Swift sighed, "Listen Sims, I don't fancy giving Slytherin the House Cup."
Shiloh frowned, eyes narrowed, "Nor do I but second will do."
"I need 400 points to best Slytherin," Swift stated, "I assume Hufflepuff isn't much different.
"405," Shiloh agreed.
Swift nodded, "An agreement? We wait until both houses are over that amount before going after the snitch, once 405 points are collected by both sides the game is on."
"I hate your guts Dill," Shiloh stated venomously, "After you almost killed us… but I hate Slytherins more… agreed."
Swift nodded triumphantly as Hooch came over, hollering and screaming.
A penalty shot was awarded to Hufflepuff, which Moony easily blocked before the game continued.
From the ground Janice could be heard egging her seeker on, an annoyed Madam Pomfrey beside her.
"WELL AFTER THAT DANGEROUS AND RATHER IDIOTIC PLAY BY DILL, WHICH SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN BOTH THEIR DEATHS, THE GAME CONTINUES, AND IT'S POTTER WITH THE QUAFFLE."
Padfoot could still feel his heart pounding in his chest, watching Swift plummet to the ground in a death spiral would certainly be provoking nightmares. He turned instead to watch curiously as the two seekers sat side-by-side. Neither was making a go for the snitch, and he wondered what had occurred between the two that he had missed.
Shiloh wasn't sure she could trust Dill. The girl was obviously an idiot, that didn't think things through. She could very easily have killed the both of them, and now there was no guarantee that Dill would hold up her end of the bargain. Still Shiloh sat beside her; Dill was a formidable seeker, Shiloh planned on looking for the snitch while stationary in the hope of giving herself an advantage.
Prongs shook his head as he headed down the pitch, Swift had given him a bloody heart attack! She would defiantly be getting an earful when they landed.
Robert Bell was still frowning as he aimed a bludger at Diggory while James shot, allowing him to score. Emma was nuts, if she continued doing idiotic stunts, like this little 'tumble' with Sims and her heroics in saving Sirius' brother last year, she was going to get herself killed. There was something about that girl that was intriguing; he just couldn't place it… She was pretty, sure, beautiful even, but it wasn't just her looks that had hooked him… she had a strong will, unbending, and she was caring, kind… He knocked a bludger away from Remus, but what did it mean? Why did he care about her getting hurt? Why did he feel the need to smile when she did, and then it hit him-
Both the realization that he had a crush on Dill, and a bludger in the back of the head.
The game, Lily realized, was getting incredibly dirty. Even Severus had put his book down to watch as Emma and Sims had had to catch Bell before he crashed into the ground. Bagman had hit him in the back of the head with a bludger – the git.
"Emma had better catch the snitch soon," she muttered.
Severus shook his head, "She's not looking for it, haven't you noticed? She's clearly come to an agreement with Sims."
"If she doesn't catch it soon," Lily muttered, "Then there won't be any players left."
This statement was verified when Sirius hit the other Hufflepuff beater in the head knocking him out and causing Emma and Sims to dive for the falling player.
Janice watched her team with pride, although she herself was annoyed. Pomfrey wouldn't let her play, her arm was healed, but the matron insisted she sit out the rest of the game. She smiled widely as Longbottom scored, making their total 400, but was shocked when Emma didn't immediately go for the snitch. She frowned, standing.
"You can't play," Pomfrey said hurrying over.
"I'm not going to," Janice muttered angry, "I'm going to get Hall's microphone and tell my bloody seeker to do her job!"
Shiloh watched Dill from the corner of her eye, amazed that she hadn't flown off the minute Longbottom scored, perhaps she was trustworthy…
Shiloh grinned as Hufflepuff scored, only a few more…
It took Janice a good thirty minutes to make her way up to Hall's box, by now the score was 520-400 to Gryffindor.
"I need your mic," she said, positively fuming.
"I'm not sure I can…" Daren started to protest but Janice ripped it from his hand.
"GET YOUR BLOODY ACT TOGETHER AND GET THE SNITCH DILL!" She bellowed.
She snarled as her seeker gave her a pointed look, shaking her head, "NOW!"
She watched as Emma chuckled, she was just about to curse the girl to the deepest circles of hell when Hufflepuff scored.
Swift whipped around when she heard the ding, "520-410 TO GRYFFINDOR!" She heard Hall bellow.
She exchanged a look with Sims before diving, the two of them streaking for the other end of the pitch, where the snitch was waiting.
The entire stadium watched with baited breath as the two seekers flew side-by-side.
"AND IT'S DILL IN THE LEAD, NO SIMS, NO DILL!" Daren said, rapt with excitement, sounding like the commentator for a horse race, "THEY REACH…"
Swift watched in horror as Sims reached for the snitch, her hand swiping through the air-
Swift jumped off her broom, knocking Sims hand out of the way and catching the snitch, there was only one problem – she was freefalling.
Swift closed her eyes, screaming as she fell on something hard.
She heard laughter in her ear before a voice said, "Fancy you dropping in."
She cracked open an eye, laughing in relief when she realized that Padfoot had caught her.
"Well," he said, smiling widely, "Now that you're not falling to your death, we'll defiantly be going over your priorities later, where's the snitch?"
Swift smiled and opened her hand, to show the snitch, its wings beating rhythmically.
"DILL CATCHED THE SNITCH, THAT'S 670 POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR, GRYFFINDOR WINS!" Thunderous cheers erupted in the stadium, and if you looked hard enough, you could even see Janice gripping Daren in a vice like hug, jumping up and down for joy, tears streaming down her face.
Padfoot landed, and immediately they were swarmed by people, all screaming happily.
Sims pushed her way to the front, face set like stone, "You're an idiot Dill," she said coldly, "But a loyal idiot, lesser people would have negated our agreement."
Swift smiled, offering her hand, "I'll take that as a compliment, shall I?"
Shiloh smiled, "I suppose you could. You deserved the win, only a Gryffindor would be stupid enough to jump off their broom," that said, Shiloh turned away, disappearing into the crowd.
"Well that was odd," Padfoot remarked.
"No," Swift smiled, "That was a truce."
Padfoot nodded, "She's hot," he commented.
Swift laughed, "You're an idiot Pads," she said shaking her head.
"Says the girl who jumped off her broom while 200 feet in the air," Padfoot countered.
Swift mumbled something but didn't retaliate; causing Padfoot's barking laughter to punctuate the crowd.
The party that followed was the loudest in history, and through the whole thing Janice could be seen with teary eyes, the Quidditch Scouts had offered her a position on a team.
Exams flew by, and as was tradition, at the end of it the Marauders sat in the Three Broomsticks, in celebration of their end.
"It's been a hectic year," Moony said taking a sip of butterbeer.
"That it has Moons, but at least we didn't all almost die again," Prongs said.
"I wonder if next year will be quieter?" Wormtail wondered, looking into his cup forlornly.
"I doubt it, not with Prongs leading us," Swift smirked.
"Me? It's you that gets us in trouble," Prongs argued.
"I think it's Padfoot actually, he was responsible for going to see Myrtle," Moony observed.
"Yeah, but you were the one that thought of our April Fools prank," Pads countered causing Moony to blush.
"Knew I'd find yeh lot 'ere," they turned around to see Hagrid striding over to them.
"What a drink Hagrid?" Prongs offered.
Hagrid waved a dustbin sized hand, "Nope, Dumbledore sent me the find yeh, said 'e wants a word in 'is office."
"Yes, well," Moony said standing, "Wouldn't be a year without an end of term meeting with the Headmaster."
"Sure wouldn't," Prongs agreed, "Come on, let's go; see you Hagrid."
Hagrid merely grunted as they left.
"Come in," Dumbledore said, smiling as the five students filed into his office, "Ah, take a seat," he said waving them forward.
They entered slightly confused, noticing the Potters and Dills already seated before them.
"To start, I have figured out what happened with Miss Dill's magic," Dumbledore smiled as Swift's head snapped up.
"What?"
"It was a form of loosing control. Much of the time, when you loose control your magic flies out of your grasp, causing things to explode. This time, when you tried to do magic it ignored you. We will focus on this drawback during your lessons next year."
"So my magic isn't fading?" Swift asked hopefully.
Dumbledore smiled, "Quite the contrary, it was too intense for you to control."
Swift sighed and fell back into her seat, at ease.
"Now, I called you all here to inform you that this summer the Potters are going into hiding."
"What?" James asked, fully alert.
"People are disappearing everyday James," Mary said soothingly, "We're not in danger yet, and we don't want to be."
"So we're getting off the radar," Harold continued, "Taking it underground."
Dumbledore nodded, "I called you to inform you that your letters will not reach each other this summer, and to tell you that there can be no contact," his gaze penetrated the five of them, "Is that clear?"
They nodded, varying expressions of horror on their faces, "Good. The Dills will join the Potters again, but this time you will stay out of the public view."
"And this is all just a precaution?" Swift checked, "No ones coming after us? Isn't it a bit extreme?"
The adults in the room exchanged looks, "Voldemort is very powerful," her mother said at last, "The farther we are from view the safer."
They were dismissed then, any questions they tried to pose silenced. Confused and scared they did the only thing they could – they thought up a prank.
"Hey Aileen," Swift called, spotting the Ravenclaw the next day, "Your bogart is a Mummy, right?"
"Yes," Aileen said, looking confused.
Swift beamed, "Excellent!"
The last breakfast of term was being served, and John Hopkins was glad that the year was coming to a close. He had already sent his resignation into Dumbledore, teaching the Marauders was just more then he was willing to do.
He froze, as he heard a rattling breath from behind him, turning he screamed as a bloody, bandaged Mummy loomed behind him.
The class erupted in laughter as they watched their DADA teacher bunny hop over the high table, falling flat on his face, before tearing from the great hall.
Minerva heaved an annoyed sigh, vanishing the Mummy with a flick of her wand, "Well that was an interesting exit, bets on how they did it?"
"I believe they placed a freezing charm on a bogart, Filius will be impressed," Dumbledore answered, continuing his breakfast.
"I'm sure he will be," Minerva agreed.
The train ride home was subdued, the five Marauders sat unhappily, the silence penetrating.
"I don't understand," James said at last, "Why are we going into hiding?"
"It's probably because of me," Emma sighed, "Because Mouldy Wart finds me interesting."
"Stupid Bella," Sirius muttered annoyed.
Remus gave them a bracing smile, "It's only two months," he said.
"Yeah," Sirius sighed, watching as the station came into view, "Two months of separation and hell before our lives can begin again."
Emma gave him a reassuring smile, "But then we'll be together for ten months, it won't be so bad Sirius."
"Yeah, ten months…" Sirius murmured, standing as the train began to slow.
Long Author's note, my apologies in advance.
Well, that was the end of the third book, sorry if it seemed a bit rushed, but I'm excited for fourth year, because the plot will start to pick up a bit now.
Just a few clarifications encase I didn't explain it well enough:
When Emma's magic failed her (last chapter I believe) it was a form of her loosing control. See she was out of control, and she tried to use magic, therefore she couldn't use magic – it's like in pokemon when Charzard won't listen to Ash because he's not experienced enough… and I don't own Pokemon either, just saying. Basically she couldn't control her magic, and the consequence came about in its failing. I really hope that made sense… tell me if you're still confused.
So now the plot is starting. The Potters are in hiding, and love is in the air, at least two pairs have been set up. Next year is also the begging of Lily x James drama – that will be sweet.
Random info for anyone interested –
In the original content, the letters by characters are all in different font, but it doesn't come through on the story, here's a list if you care, if not don't worry about it.
Emma – Quigley wiggly
James – Jenkins v2.0
Peter – comic sans MS
Sirius - Mistral
Remus – Bradley Hand ITC
Dumbledore – Edwardian script IT
Marauders (on the map and such) – Blackadder ITC
Thanks for reading, and powering through that note!
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