Hello everyone :) Back again with a fast(ish) update and I hope everyone's having a good holiday season. :D
This chapter is part I of my little Valentine Day special (originally there was only supposed to be one but I realized that wasn't happening) I decided to throw in a little bit of background information on a few of my characters because they really do lead interesting lives and sometimes I need a break from the marauders.
And thank you to my wonderful new beta, the incredible Maia (Prongs is mine), and thank you to all of my faithful reviewers, readers, everyone who has added my story to their alerts and favorites, and to everyone who has helped me reach 8000 views. :)
Happy reading,
Chapter 24:
Of all the things in the air; Love wasn't one of them.
Just when they thought everything in their lives had settled into somewhat peace, Valentines Day reared it's ugly, romantic head (And the date happened to be the thirteenth and only day remaining for desperate teenage girls to find a date).
Students were pairing up left and right, others were getting frantic, and James could have sworn he saw a cherub drifting around the second floor corridor, or a least, Peeves wearing a toga (which was just as bad as the latter).
"Hey, Sirius." A suave Ravenclaw third year batted her eyelashes as the four marauders took up their seats in the Great Hall.
"Please go away." He replied in the kindest tone that he could manage through agitation.
"There's no need to be rude." Remus laughed and snatched a red velvet muffin from the pile. "The heads really went all out with the decorations this year, didn't they?" he muttered bitterly, seeing that every item of food on the table in some way reflected the date. "I even have a girlfriend and this is making me sick."
"Making you sick?" He glared. "Girls haven't been stalking you and sending perfumed cards for the past week and a half."
"Wait." Remus paused. "Is Sirius Black saying that he doesn't enjoy the attention?"
"When attention reminds me of my grandmother's clothes- Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying. I can only refrain from eating the food that's put in front of me for so long before I really lose it!"
"They tried to slip you a love potion?" he said skeptically.
"Yes! Those Ravenclaws and that blonde Hufflepuff! They're right mad, I tell you. I mean, I know I'm attractive and all, but it's ridiculous how much they want this."
"Merlin, you're almost as conceited as Alex Diggory." Remus shook his head.
"James, you haven't said much and they're after you too, right?"
"Nope!" He smirked "Can't figure out-"
"It's because they think you have a chance with Evans. After all, you two are actually talking now."
"So this means all of their attention is just- going towards me?"
"Yup." Remus laughed.
"I know the answer!" James cried.
"There wasn't a question."
"I know that! Sirius, why don't you and Gemmaline just pretend to be together? That would easily get rid of them."
"James, that wouldn't- Holy Merlin. That would work out wonderfully."
"Sirius, do you remember anything that happened?" Remus interrupted, regaining his position as 'voice of reason'.
"Eh, Adora's fine. Remember, she's with that Ravenclaw or someone else. And of course Gem isn't committed to anything."
"This would make sense if we were talking about anyone other than the Graes," Remus added. "So I'm going to stick with this being a bad idea, as is normally the case when James makes sense."
"Though, it is better than Sirius making sense. When that happens we know things are looking down," Peter added as everyone agreed except for Sirius, who continued to pout.
'*' '*' '*'
"Alice, for the love of Circe, put on your sweater, roll your skirt, and let's eat." Gemmaline pounded on the bathroom door where Alice was taking her sweet time.
"My apologies for actually wanting to look nice!" the petite girl shouted back.
"Leave her alone, Gem. She's trying to get Frank's attention and we all know he has trouble seeing things that are far away."
"Lily, did you just make an Alice insult and a Quidditch joke?"
"I pay more attention than you give me credit for." She smirked and picked up a book from her bed, turning to the page where she left off.
"I'm so glad you're my friend. Speaking of which, how long does our essay for Charms have to be?"
"Three feet, and if your letters are any larger than a half-inch he's docking points."
"Can I see what you've written?"
"Why? Isn't it early for you? After all, it isn't due for another three days."
"I know, but I have two other essays and a star chart. And one of those essays I actually have to try on so I can show up Cosette in Defense."
"Wait, what's the defense essay about?"
"Probably vampires, after all, that man is pretty keen on proving that Dumbledore is one."
"You'd think he would have picked something more likely, like a werewolf or an ostrich."
"An ostrich?"
"He has more in common with that than a vampire."
"Valid point. So, do you have any expectations for tomorrow's Hogsmeade trip?"
"I'm almost positive that James is going to ask me, although I'm hoping Connor says something first."
"Asks you what?"
"You're kidding, right? Tomorrow's Valentines day, you ignorant troll!"
"Do I look that bad?" Alice asked nervously as she finally stepped out of the bathroom with half of her hair pulled back and her skirt rolled up (something she wouldn't usually do).
"Nonsense, you look great, I was talking about Gemmaline."
"She does look like a troll," Alice agreed. "I'm going downstairs; I have to converse with a couple Hufflepuffs and a Ravenclaw before class."
"And catch Longbottom's attention." Gemmaline winked as a blush spread up Alice's cheeks.
"That too," she muttered, giving them another nervous smile before leaving the room.
"I hope she'll make it to the end of today without dying from excitement."
"Me too," Lily agreed. "She's going to talk to Connor, isn't she?"
"Knowing Alice, probably. But she also needs to talk to Carly and her two friends in Hufflepuff, that other Ravenclaw, Remus, and James."
"You know, Gem, in some ways, Alice Prewett probably has control of our entire class's social structure."
"Thank Merlin she isn't evil or we'd be screwed."
"Maybe she is evil and she's just trying to fool us into thinking that she's innocent."
"If she really was evil, she would have gotten Frank by now."
"We should go down for breakfast now and figure out who's pairing with whom. I'm really curious to see who Sirius is taking to Hogsmeade this year, considering that blonde from Hufflepuff he was interested in is dating Alex Diggory and that my sister isn't only one-hundred percent off his list, but also seeing someone else."
"Who's she seeing?" Lily asked as she grabbed her jacket and opened the door.
"Beats me, but as long as it isn't a Slytherin or someone with a record like Sirius, I'm not caring." Gemmaline smirked and walked out the door.
"Wait, Sirius has a record?"
'*' '*' '*'
Adora Grae and Taylor Holland strode into the Great Hall that morning quite bitterly, considering the encounter they had the night before with Mrs. Norris, Filch, dried noodles, and super-glue. Apparently 'it's a funny story' didn't cut it and earned them a week and a half of detention scrubbing the girls bathroom where Moaning Myrtle had made it habit to appear.
"You know, maybe if we were wearing normal pajamas we would have been in less trouble," Adora grumbled.
"Maybe if you weren't complaining about our spy gear he wouldn't have heard you."
"Maybe if we didn't wear it, I wouldn't have been complaining."
"Either way, I think a week and a half is a bit extensive for being out past ten."
"And it's not like we were vandalizing the school or sneaking into classrooms."
"Exactly, we were just trying to break into the Ravenclaw common room. But why did you grab noodles and super-glue, again? I'm pretty sure that's the reason he added the extra half a week."
"I have no idea. I guess at one in the morning I thought that it would be a good idea. Or that the noodle art would have made a great gift for the Ravenclaws."
"Why did we even think we could get through the Ravenclaw portrait and not get caught."
"Because we can do everything," Adora said dryly. "Speaking of everything, why the hell is everything either red or pink. I understand holiday spirit, but this is ridiculous."
"It's a celebration of love." She chuckled.
"Love my arse," Adora huffed. "At Hogwarts, this holiday is like musical chairs but with people."
"Hey, I actually like my date."
"I like mine too; it's just going to be an awkward night because almost all first dates are awkward. Especially with how 'romantic' tonight is supposed to be. I doubt he's even going to kiss me."
"Someone took a bitter pill this morning."
"Sorry," she apologized. "I'm just kind of anxious to see who Sirius is asking this year since his first, second, and third choices have been eliminated."
"Someone still has feelings," Taylor sang with a grin.
"Sod off."
'*' '*' '*'
Gemmaline and Lily walked into the Great Hall, unsurprised by the two girls who scuttled around Sirius. One they recognized as a third year Gryffindor, Kerigan Maize, and as a Hufflepuff in their year. They thought nothing of it, only grinning at the boys as they walked past.
"Gemmaline!" Sirius practically jumped out of his chair and Gemma whipped around. "I've got a proposition for you."
"I haven't even started my homework," she said as she walked over and sat down next to James.
"It's not about homework," Sirius stated as Gemmaline literally heard the two girls behind her stop breathing. "I was wondering-" He gulped again. "If you would be my-" He seemed to mutter under his breath, barely loud enough for Gemma to understand, "valentine."
"Uhm, Sirius, I-" She paused a second, glancing at the other marauders who seemed to be holding their breath as well. Remus kept glancing frantically from her to the two surrounding, and James was winking. "I, uh, sure. Why not," she gave in, skeptically. "But we're not going to Madame Puddifoot's."
"Deal, valentine." He winked. A second ticked by and the two girls actually stormed away, the tension lifting.
"What was that about?" she hissed as Sirius started to back away from her smouldering green-gray eyes.
"I needed to get rid of those girls. It was getting ridiculous. I swear to Merlin one almost poisoned me."
"Love potion is not a poison, Si," Peter muttered.
"Well, it's close enough. But can you just be my date for the day?"
"Sure, as long as nothing happens."
"Why would anything happen?"
"Because it's you. And I will publicly dump you if I have to- Actually, I'll publicly dump you anyway..." she mused.
'*' '*' '*'
"Hey, Lily." James pulled the red head away from her friends as they walked towards potions class.
"Oh, hi, James," she responded cheerily. "What's up?"
"Well I was wondering if you-"
"Oi! Lily!" Someone shouted over the students crowding the hall. She whipped around, and James noticed her meeting the eyes of a tall Ravenclaw who strode, all the pride in the world.
"Hi, Connor." She blushed and he made a gesture towards James who leaned against the wall with a bemused expression.
Lily never blushed, he thought to himself.
"Oh, right- Connor this is James Potter and James this is Connor.
"Hullo." James smiled amiably and shook his hand.
"Alice told me a lot about you," Connor started, looking at James. "You're the legendary Gryffindor chaser, right? With the ego larger than a mountain troll?"
"I prefer to call it confidence."
"I always thought Alice was a little harsh," he replied smoothly, turning back to Lily. "I just wanted to know if you're still up for five-thirty by Honeydukes?"
"Of course I am." She smiled.
"Right then, I'll see you later. And I promise you, I won't be late this time."
"I'm holding you to that." She giggled.
Lily Evans never giggled, James thought incredulously.
Connor waved and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Lily and James alone again.
"I suppose we should be on our way," James sighed while beginning to walk towards the dungeons.
"Wait, weren't you going to ask me something?"
"No, it's not important."
"Oh, okay." She didn't believe him but she had greater concerns, like what she was going to wear the next day that would be both warm and cute.
'*' '*' '*'
Adora and Taylor were walking through the halls; they were talking about some book they had both read, when Kerigan and one of her Hufflepuff friends came up behind them.
"Have you heard?"
"Heard what? They're finally putting you in Slytherin among the slime where you belong?"
"No, I'm too proud for that."
"Is that what they're calling it these days?"
"Oh, sod off, at least I have more than two friends-"
"Is that what they're calling them these days?" Taylor said again, receiving sidelong glances from all three. "I'm just saying."
"What have you heard that's so important, Maize? I don't have all day."
"Is the library closing early?"
"Just get to the point, I have planning to do for my date tomorrow."
"Well, it doesn't mean as much if you've already got a date..."
"Kerigan, for the love of Merlin, say what you need or we're walking away."
"Fine. Just ask Sirius about his valentine." And then she started to walk away.
"Really? All of that, just to walk away?"
"We could have done that on our own! And by the way Ker, you might want to do something about that arse of yours- like stuff it!" Taylor shouted, but Kerigan just shrugged and disappeared down a corridor.
"Nice!" Adora smirked and high-fived her best friend. "When did she turn into a bitch?"
"I think it was about three months ago when she realized she could fill out a bra."
"That's right, we're teenagers now."
"And that's why she's obsessed with boys and drama," Taylor muttered, and the two girls resumed their walk to the common room.
'*' '*' '*'
"Gemma, what the hell are you doing?" Lily laughed as Gemmaline turned up the radio and pranced around the room.
"Dancing! Come on, Lils! It's fun!"
"Are you excited about your date with Sirius? Because an hour ago I thought you were ready to start kicking dragons over."
"I was because I was under the impression I'd be forced to go on an actual date, you know, table for two by candle-light. But then I heard they're turning that empty shop in Hogsmeade into a student-bar for the night because Madame Rosmerta doesn't want students coming into Three-Broomsticks and terrorizing customers who are actually there for a romantic evening. And she's also supplying the drinks so it's going to be exactly the same only louder."
"You know, it's just going to be you and Sirius because everyone else is doing something more romantic."
"That's the best part-"
"What?-"
"FELICITY AND MULCIBER ARE SNEAKING IN."
"Seriously?"
"I just got the letter an hour ago! Their mother has to meet someone at the Hogshead and they convinced her to bring them."
"Maybe I'll just bring Connor there after dinner."
"You should! Felicity really wants to meet you."
"So are you going to be in Hogsmeade all day?"
"I think they're coming around twelve, and Sirius and I were going to meet them. What time are you supposed to meet Connor for dinner?"
"Oh, not until five-thirty, outside Honeydukes. But I wasn't going to leave the castle until later because I have homework to finish."
"Only Lily Evans would choose homework over Hogsmeade."
"Well, I might put it off."
"Not might, you are. You're meeting them."
"Meeting who?" Alice asked as she walked into the room.
"Where have you been?"
"Around, I just helped Taylor decide on what to wear tomorrow for her date. And Adora wants to ask you something."
"Was it something about Sirius?"
"Probably, she seemed a little angry."
"I'll talk to her in a minute."
"Isn't everyone in your family always angry?" Alice wondered.
"Actually, you missed it. Gemmaline was just dancing around the room and singing."
"Would that have anything to do with meeting someone?"
"How do you-"
"She knows everything, remember?" Lily whispered to Gemmaline, and Alice smirked.
"Actually I walked in just as you were saying something about Lily meeting someone, so who is it?"
"The Ryans."
"When is she meeting them? Because you obviously can't bring her to your house. They'll sacrifice her."
"Tomorrow night."
"No!"
"Yes!"
"Really, how?"
"They're mother's coming to Hogshead and she's letting them come along."
"Really?"
Gemmaline nodded and Alice squealed excitedly.
"I CAN FINALLY SEE MY FEE-FEE AGAIN." Alice screamed. "It's been almost a year!"
"Fee-Fee?" Gemmaline laughed. "That's even worse than Felix!"
"It's vile isn't it?" Alice said deviously. "She hates it which is why I say it… all the time. Want to convince everyone that's her actual name?"
"Naturally." She grinned, "Guess what."
"If you're going to tell me they're turning that place into a student version of the Three-Broomsticks for the night, then I already know."
"How do you manage to figure out almost everything, all the time?" Lily commented.
"My natural charm," she answered with a straight face, but quickly deteriorated into giggles.
"I'll be back, I'm gonna go see what my sister wants."
"She's in the library now."
"Where's that again?"
"Third floor," Lily answered.
"Right."
'*' '*' '*'
The castle was not a great place for second years on the thirteenth of February. It was full of couples and kissing and everything smelled sickeningly sweet as opposed to the usual smell of dust and stone; which Dudley Evans liked much better.
So instead of watching people kiss and look at one another through starry eyes, three second years decided to venture outside the castle walls and satisfy their small cravings of curiosity.
"Wait up, you two," Emma snapped, brushing snow from her jeans. "If we die or get expelled because of this I will punish both of you."
"It was your choice to come along." Theodore shrugged.
"Yeah, don't blame us. You could have stayed in the library."
"It was certainly warmer there," she grumbled, pushing her blonde hair away from her eyes, only to have it pushed back into place by the bitter February wind.
"It's not that cold," Dudley thought, knowing there were worse things than cold.
"I can't even feel my toes!"
"Eh, everything thaws." Theodore shrugged and took the lead.
"Hey, you know that rock that sits over the lake?" The others nodded. "Let's go there." There was a murmur of agreement as they trekked to the edge of the lake while the sun slowly dipped behind the horizon. None of them talked much, with the slight exception of random comments and complaints; it seemed they were more concerned about making it there than talking about school.
"We made it!" Theodore exclaimed, jumping onto the boulder and striking a victorious pose. "Hey, Emma, do you know a spell to clear the snow off this?"
"I know one that makes wind, so I could blow it off," Dudley suggested.
"Works for me." He shrugged, and with a few quick movements Dudley had cleared a space on the rock big enough for the three of them. "I'll go get some wood so we can start a fire. You two can stay here and make sure no one takes our rock."
"You can't go into those woods on your own!" Emma exclaimed.
"Why? There aren't any werewolves running around, and besides, I'm a wizard."
"You're a first year and a half." She glared. "And what about centaurs?"
"If there aren't trolls in the dungeons then there aren't any centaurs in the Forbidden Forest."
"You're mad," she stated incredulously. "Dudley, tell him he's being stupid."
"It's just a forest, Em."
"I swear, one day you two are going to do something really stupid and I won't help you. I'll just be standing there saying I told you so." She huffed and walked back to the rock.
"If I just say 'accio firewood' do you think it'll come?" Theodore mused.
"Probably, but if you need any help just yell. I'll stay here and make sure Emma doesn't tell on us."
"Right." The two boys high-fived and one turned to the forest while the other sulked towards the rock where Emma was brooding with her arms crossed.
"You're letting him go in there alone. Dudley Evans, I'm telling-"
"You and I both know he's a scaredy-cat and as soon as he hears something, he's going to be right back here."
"Fine." She glared.
The next minute was silent as the two looked over the frozen lake, light from the crescent moon bouncing off the snow. It made the entire landscape sparkle. It wasn't hard to forget how cold it was when they were surrounded by something so pristine and beautiful as the untouched, frozen lake.
"It's really pretty out isn't it?" Emma sighed, her voice softening as she traced something in the snow with the tip of her wand.
"Yeah, I like summer better though. It's warmer."
"Well, it's not too bad when we're not walking through ten inches of snow."
"Yeah, I guess." He was quiet for a moment as homesickness settled on his mind. "Emma?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you ever miss your home?"
"Not really," she muttered, "My brother just ignores me and my parents aren't home very much anyway. Besides, I like to think of you guys as family. Because to me, family isn't who you're related to. It's the people who'll never leave you and I don't think you and Theodore would leave me unless I deserved it. But I do miss my cat, and Mum says he can come to school with us next year."
Dudley made no attempt to respond to what she said, he just thought about it.
"Emma?" He wasn't going to say anything, but if she trusted him that much there was as much sense in lying to her as there was in lying to himself. "Did you find anything else on the Serpentine thing?"
"Actually..." She chewed her lip before she continued, "I did but I wasn't going to tell you because I didn't think- "
"What did you find?"
"Nevermind," she whispered. "You really don't want to know."
"Alright." He took her word for it, ignoring the stabs of curiosity.
"It happened the other night didn't it?"
"What?"
"An... episode?"
"Maybe, but it wasn't that bad."
"You really should talk to Dumbledore. He could help you."
"I'll be fine, really. People have survived worse things."
"That doesn't- Did you hear that?" The two went silent as they glanced back at the forest behind them. A few seconds later that heard the yells of someone accompanying the silence.
"Theodore," Emma whispered, sharing a glance with Dudley before both took off into the looming shadows of the forest.
'*' '*' '*'
"There you are!" Gemmaline finally exclaimed as she found her sister curled up in the corner of the library with a novel opened in her hands. "I've looked all over the freaking castle."
"For me or for the library?" Adora retorted as she lowered the book.
"A little bit of both," Gemma said as she took a seat across from her sister. "So what did you want from me?"
"Kerigan said there was something about Sirius's Valentine that I'd like to know."
"You went through an entire day at Hogwarts and never heard?"
"I don't listen to gossip anymore."
"You're a third year. Aren't you supposed to live on that?"
"No, if I want gossip I'll read. I like that drama better."
"Well then I'll just tell you. And please don't rip out my throat until I get a chance to explain."
"Right, I swear on Wuthering Heights."
"Okay." Gemmaline took a deep breath and began. "Sirius asked me to be his Valentine." She watched her sister's expression drop from normal to enraged in seconds flat and chuckled despite herself.
"What?"
"Yeah, and I agreed."
"What?"
"And I kissed him." Now she was having way too much fun. "Okay, I'm kidding about that last part."
"Explain or I'm walking away, bitch."
"Fine." She sighed, realizing her fun was over now. "So all of the attractive Marauders are taken, aside from Sirius, and considering the girls have come to their senses, they've decided that James isn't interested in anyone but Lily. Therefore, they only have one object of affection to drool over." Adora nodded, her lips still pursed together. "And that other girl who you used to be friends with (Kerigan, right?) was furiously stalking him this morning, so he pretty much just asked me to get rid of all the attention."
"But nothing is going on?"
"Nope, nothing. He's just using me to detract attention because I could care less if the other girls hate me and he knows I would kill him if he asked you."
"Anything happens and I'm going to ruin you." She glared.
"Ruin me? Are you reading another Victorian novel?"
"Maybe."
"Ad, I know you like him. Even if I don't support it, I don't want you to hate me either."
"If you know I like him-"
"You're thirteen, Adora. You'll get over it and realize he's just your friend, and then you'll find someone better who can actually count to twenty without taking of his shoes."
"I'll take your word for it considering you're actually being rational right now."
"Thank you." She grinned. "Hey did you hear-"
"About the empty shop in Hogsmeade? Yeah, I heard. It's all anyone talked about today."
"I thought you don't listen to gossip?"
"My 'Valentine' asked if I wanted to help him steal firewhiskey."
"That means you're dumping him right?"
"On his arse. In fact I have it all planned out, and it's gong to be very public."
"Good girl." She smiled proudly, "What I wanted to say is that Felix and Mulciber convinced their mum to bring them to Hogsmeade tomorrow."
"Really? I bet you're excited for that one." She winked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, someone's thinking about cheating on Sirius." Adora pressed a little further and Gem couldn't hold back a grin. "Face it, Gemma. I know you just as well as you know me."
'*' '*' '*'
Cold made everything fragile. The trees above swayed and quivered, threatening to tumble to the ground while fresh snow crunched beneath the two pairs of feet as they sprinted desperately through the woods, trying to find what they had lost.
"Theodore!" Emma cried, but her voice only echoed back. "Dudley, what if we don't find him?"
"We have to find him."
They wandered the woods in near silence for the next ten minutes, feeling the effects of bitter cold more and more with every wave of fruitless silence that followed their calls.
"Maybe we should go back and get a teacher," Emma said hollowly. "We can't be out here much longer, or we'll break curfew."
"Theodore!" Dudley yelled again. When bitter silence was the only reply, Emma pulled him away and back the way they came.
"Maybe we heard something else." She shrugged, "He's probably back at the rock waiting for us. Or he was smart enough to go back to the castle."
"Right. Maybe."
They continued walking until Dudley heard something out of the corner of his ear that made him stop cold.
"What is it-"
"Shh," he hissed. Emma clamped her mouth shut and listened intently. After a moment she heard it, two sets of footsteps. But they couldn't have been students; they were heavy, trodden steps accompanying a broken, worn breath.
"Would you look at that," a voices gaped in a rusty tone. "That looks exactly like the mudblood Grae kidnapped."
"Couldn't be," another voice retorted. "Lumos."
Dudley stepped back slowly and Emma did the same as the other two stumbled out from behind a particularly large tree. Cruelty was embedded in their features, beginning with their dark sagging eyes to their sallow sunken skin, mutated by scars. One was slightly taller with matted hair and a lopsided smile while the other was more put together with his dark hair pulled into a ponytail. Upon a second glance, Emma let out a small gasp. The one with the ponytail had a deep, fresh cut just under his chin while the other had several fresh cuts on his face and ugly bruises around his neck.
"By Circe's undergarments, it is," the ponytailed man muttered, taking another step closer as yellowing fingernails gripped his wand tighter. "And you, blondie. You're a mudblood aren't you?" Emma shook her head. "Well then, speak up."
"Leave her alone." Dudley glared.
"Ah, green-eyes is getting defensive."
"Probably afraid because his precious Dumbledore made a mistake and we made it through his little barrier."
"But you won't tell on us, will you?" The wild one grinned, flicking a piece of her hair with the tip of his wand.
"You better not." The other frowned. "Because we'll kill you. Right, green-eyes?" Dudley just gulped, afraid to even make a move for his wand.
"You can't kill us," Emma whispered.
"Why is that, darling? It's just us and you alone in this forest."
"Because they'll know you performed an unforgivable curse-"
"Stupid filth, don't you know there are plenty of other ways to kill without doing the 'unforgivable'?"
"She's going to tell on us, she looks like the type," the particularly wild one observed.
"Are you sure? There are plenty of ways to scare her."
"Don't touch her," Dudley snarled again.
"You've had your reminder, green-eyes. But this one, she's such a pretty piece of flesh."
"Such innocence would be embraced by our friends and I can think of a few potions that would love a drop o' her blood. After all, we've already got plenty of yours." He flashed a rotting smile at Dudley.
"Just remember, brother, we can't apporate from here, so whatever we do has to be done well."
"Or better yet, let's make her promise not to play tattletale." The one with the ponytail came closer to Emma, his rancid breath warm on her neck. Dudley was reaching for his wand, but his body went rigid and he was frozen to the place he stood as the wild one grimaced, particularly pleased with his craftiness.
"I hate you," Emma spat, trying to hold herself together. The two men only laughed cruelly.
"Let's make a promise, darling. You keep all of this quiet or we'll kill you, yeah?"
"I-I," Emma gulped and glanced from Dudley to the captors. The man was still breathing on her neck. "Promise." A tear slipped down her cheek and a look of hunger passed through the man's eyes, matching the disjointed glimmer in his wild brother's.
He pressed his wand against her forearm and whispered some sort of incantation. Her face contorted in pain as he dragged his wand slowly over her arm, and then she screamed, but it didn't stop the man. What stopped him was a blinding flash of red light that blasted the wand from his hand.
"Stupefy! Expelliarmus! Stupefy! RUN!"
"Theodore?" Dudley exclaimed.
"Run!" he yelled, helping Emma to her feet. "They're coming!"
The trio ran through the woods, faster than they had ever ran before, trying to lose the two men.
"Where are we going?" Dudley shouted.
"To the game-keeper's!"
In thirty seconds, they went from the shadows of the forest to panting in front of the game-keeper's hut.
"We can't go in there." Dudley muttered "He's-"
"Trust me, as long as we have a good enough story, Hagrid won't turn us away. He's too nice," Theodore said.
"How do you know?"
"I've heard a lot of stories."
"Emma, are you alright?" Dudley asked with concern, looking at Emma who was leaning against the hut, trying to regain her breath and cradling her arm.
"I'm fine." She whispered.
"Theodore, how'd you find us?"
"Well I went back to the rock after an owl in the woods scared everything out of me, and you two weren't there so after a minute I went back into the woods to look for you."
"Couldn't you hear us yelling your name?"
"No, I just heard Emma scream. So they must have cast a silencing charm on the forest and forgot about it when they, you know…"
"What did they even do, Em?"
"Nothing," she said through tears. "Can we just get out of this cold?" The two boys shared glances and realized that it had started to snow again.
"Come on," Theodore muttered. "I'll knock." They walked up to the steps, suddenly aware of exactly how cold it was outside as Hagrid threw open the door and a warm draft rushed towards them.
"Aren't you s'pose to be in the castle? You three could be in serious trouble 'fer wanderin' around after hours."
"We have five minutes-" Theodore started, only to be interrupted.
"Is she alrigh'?" he asked, looking towards Emma who was holding back tears and clutching her arm.
"We think so," Dudley stammered, watching her for a second before turning back to Hagrid, who seemed a lot taller up close.
"Right, come quickly, now an' 'ave a seat by the fire b'fore someone sees ye." He ushered them in and shut the door. "Second years, huh?" They nodded.
"I'm Theodore,"
"I'm Dudley and this is Emma."
"Please' ter' meet ye. Now would ye care to explain what business ye've got being out o' the castle, 'specially after dark?"
"Well, we had gone for a walk around the lake because we wanted to get out of the common room," Theodore began.
"And we ended up stopping by the rock over the lake," Dudley added as Emma stared vacantly into the fire, trying to forget the searing pain in her arm. Theodore and Dudley carried on their story.
"And I volunteered to go find some sticks in the woods to make a fire. So I did. But I didn't go in the forest, I just stayed on the edge until I saw an owl come out of no where. Then I got scared and ran back to the rock but they weren't there."
"We had heard someone scream and we thought it was Theodore, so we decided something had gotten him and we ran into the woods. But we couldn't find him, and we started thinking the worst. So as we were heading back we heard something, and these two men cut our path." Dudley paused a second to notice the confusion and concern in Hagrid's eyes. "They recognized me as the one their friend had kidnapped, and they wanted Emma's blood for a potion."
"Then they did something and Emma screamed and I ran over and stunned them and we ran out of the forest," Theodore concluded.
"So yer sayin' tha' two men made it through Dumbledore's enchantments and attacked ye in the forest?" The two boys nodded. "You a'right, Emma? Would'ye like some tea? "
"I'm fine," she reassured with a forced smile.
"Righ' then. I want ye to get yerselves back up to the castle. And if anyone gives ye trouble just send 'em ter me. I'll let you get away with it this time, but next time ye won't be so lucky."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Theodore said as he stood up.
"Now don't ever let me hear of ye going into the Forbidden Forest again, 'specially alone. Ye have no idear what's hidin' behind the trees and ye don't need to find out. Quickly now, 'fore I change my mind." He ushered them towards the door, checking his watch to see that it was already two minutes past curfew. "And yer head will 'ave to know." They nodded again. "Gryffindor, aye?"
"Yeah, all three of us." Dudley answered as they spilled out of his hut and into the snow.
"Righ' to yer common room!" he called, and closed his door as they scrambled to make it into the castle without getting detected.
'*' '*' '*'
Felicity Ryan was in her room, staring at her closet and trying to decide on what she would wear the next day for their trip to Hogsmeade. She normally wouldn't have been so careful, but this was something that never happened, and with the way things were going, it certainly couldn't hurt to indulge in the good things that did happen. After all, nearly two weeks had passed since she had last seen her father. Her and Mulciber were getting ready to deem it hopeless.
"Felicity!"
"Coming, mum!" She closed her closet doors and sulked down the stairs to the tea room where her mum was sitting, holding onto a cold cup of tea.
"Have a seat, love."
"Is something going on?" she said cautiously, meeting her mother's gaze.
"No, nothing's happening. I just wanted to talk to you. It feels like it's been forever."
"Well, I'm the same as I have been."
"I'm glad. I was beginning to worry about you."
"About me? I'm more worried about you," she muttered.
"Why would you worry about me? I'm fine, I've always been and I'll always-"
"Mum, you're not eating, you're barely even sleeping, and you've hardly touched you're tea."
"Felicity, love, everything will be fine."
"Stop using that word," she hissed. "I already know you're lying."
"Fee, there are things I can't tell you, I thought you understood," she said sadly. "Here, come with me. I want to show you something." Felicity reluctantly stood up and followed her mother through one of the cold hallways that led to her parents' bedroom. "Have I ever shown you all of my jewelry?"
"I'm not sure...I've seen everything in that case and the one under your bed. Are there more?"
"Only one." She smiled. "It's hidden in the back of my closet and I like to think it's the best one- with all of the priceless pieces you're father's gotten me through the years, or the ones that have been handed down through the family... You'll love this drawer." She pushed a few of her older gowns out of the way to reveal a beautiful, carved jewelry case from which she pulled out the first of it's ten drawers. "This is the ring drawer. These two were my grandmother's and this one was my mother's favorite." She pulled out a beautiful ring with an amethyst gem set in gold, surrounded by small dark stones that caught the light at nearly any angle.
"It's beautiful," Felicity breathed, and her mother set it in her hands.
"You can try it on."
"No, I'm alright. I don't want to lose it." Her mother smiled and took it from her hands, tucking it back into the drawer.
"These are your ancestor's wedding rings. This one was my grandmother's, this was your father's great-grandmother's, and this one-" She held up an un-tarnished gold ring with a glimmering diamond and inset pearls. "This one was the ring I was married with, but it was too precious to wear in public. I was always afraid I would lose it, so I got this one to replace it." She held out her hand and Felicity admired the simple little band that adorned it. "And Mulciber better use my real wedding ring when he proposes because it will look stunning with a wedding dress and it's perfect for showing off." She smiled, inexplicable sadness in her voice which quickly ebbed away as she continued to explain the pieces and their past.
The mother and daughter spent the next hour or so looking and admiring each of the drawers and the beauty they held. There were a few collar necklaces and a choker from the Victorian age, simple charms, beaded bracelets, goblin-made hair pins, and a butterfly brooch that, with an incantation, would beat its wings.
"Why are you showing me all of this?"
"Because, love, I'm afraid that if I don't do it now I'll never remember."
"Can you be honest with me?" Felicity began, her fingers playing with the jeweled collar her mother had placed around her neck. "Is something going to happen?"
"I hope not." She sighed. "But it's not up to me. And no matter what happens, Fee, I love you and I don't want you or Mulciber getting hurt while I can help it."
"Is that why you can't tell us anything?"
"That's exactly why," she whispered, turning her eyes to the small bracelet she had clasped around her wrist. "That's exactly why."
"I think I'm going to bed now," Felicity said, pulling off the necklace and rising to her feet.
"Alright, dear. I'll take that. And can you tell Mulciber that I'm sorry for blaming the entire foyer/library incident on you two?"
"Yeah, I can." She wanted to say something more but decided to leave it at this. "Night, mum."
"Sleep well, Fee. I love you." Tears were waiting on the edge of her voice.
"Love you, too."
Felicity took her time getting back to her room. She could have sworn she heard her mum crying but she decided not to dwell on it.
"Where have you been?" Mulciber asked aloud as his sister wandered into his room.
"Mum showed me a jewelry box she hides in her closet. It's the one where she hides all of real valuables. And she wants me to tell you that she's sorry for blaming the destruction on us."
"Did she tell you why?"
"No, but I was right. She's just trying to protect us."
"Really?"
"Uh-huh. And she showed me which ring she wants you to give your fiancé."
"Good to know she's thinking ahead-"
"Mulce, something bad is gonna happen." Felicity sighed and leaned against the edge of his bed, training her eyes on the window, where clouds were starting to cover the stars and change the sky to just a sheet of black. "Mum even said."
"Did she say anything about dad?"
"No, but I feel like that's what she was talking about."
"What if that was the last time we ever saw him?"
"Don't think like that! He's not getting killed, Mulciber. We've seen everyone in the cult and we know that none of them are brave enough to do the unforgivable."
"Maybe things are changing?"
"If they are, let's pretend they're not. I'd rather be blissfully ignorant right now."
"Go to sleep, Fee."
"Why? You're not the boss of me." She grinned and he kicked her off. "Hey!"
"I want to sleep, because we won't be getting much sleep tomorrow."
"Fine, night," she muttered, and returned to her room, trying to forget her apprehension and focus on the day ahead.
'*' '*' '*'
"Now, I don't know whose idea it was to go into the forest, but I hope none of you ever make that mistake again or you'll be very sorry that you did. So for sheer disobedience and being out after hours I'm deducting 10 points for each of you."
"But professor!" Theodore exclaimed. "We were attacked on Hogwarts grounds, forbidden or not!"
"Which is why I'm also awarding twenty points to all of you on account of bravery."
"Thank you professor."
"You're welcome. And Theodore, you're excused. I need to talk to Mr. Evans and Miss Thompson about what they saw."
"Right, thank you professor." He gathered his things and quickly went back to the common room (or just outside of the door) leaving Emma and Dudley to face professor McgGonagall.
"Did either of you happen to catch the names of the two men who attacked you?"
"No," Dudley answered, "But we think they're brothers."
"And they're purebloods." Emma muttered. "That's it."
"I can't understand how this happened. Did either of you see their faces?"
"We both did." Dudley answered. "Both had dark eyes, dark hair, and a lot of scars on their skin. And they had fresh cuts like they were attacked."
"And one had bruises on his neck." Emma added.
"On his neck? They must have been attacked by the centaurs...although I can't understand why they wouldn't have just been speared.-"
"There are centaurs in the forest?" Emma said in sudden horror.
"Oh, yes. We have an entire heard-"
"Does the ministry know? Centaurs are some of the most dangerous creatures-"
"Calm down, Miss Thompson, the ministry is well aware. A treaty was signed when Hogwarts took the land from the centaurs and it prevents us from relocating them, so we just discourage the students from going in the forest and aggravating them."
"Why isn't that in Hogwarts A History?"
"It depends which edition you read, some have taken it out."
"Well that makes no sense at all." Emma scoffed, returning back to her usual, overly-perceptive self.
"Moving on, I'll make sure this doesn't escape the Headmaster's attention. And, Mr. Evans, please be more careful. I know you've been through a lot, but you don't need to make your family any more worried than they already are." Dudley nodded and McgGonagall turned to Emma, "And you're job, Miss Thompson, is to keep them out of trouble. So I'm holding you to that. Now get yourselves to bed, no dawdling."
"Yes, professor." The two rose and left her office.
"Did you get detentions?" Theodore was waiting for them outside of her door.
"Nope." Emma yawned and winced as she moved her arm.
"What did he do to your arm?"
"I don't know-"
"Here let me see," Dudley said, gently catching her wrist but she snapped it back.
"No, at least not here where we could get caught being out. Let's go to that empty classroom at the end of the hall, no one would bother us there."
"Emma, are you alright?" Theodore whispered. "You're suggesting we sneak around after hours."
"Well we've broken enough rules already and the common room is probably still full of people."
"Whatever you say."
They went into the classroom and Theodore swiftly closed the door, their presence barely evading the eyes of Fernoch, the elderly caretaker of Hogwarts.
"Come on, Em, let's see."
Gingerly, she pulled her sleeve up to reveal an ugly, jagged cut that extended from her elbow and little beyond the center of her forearm. It was obvious whatever spell the man had used, not only cut, but burned as well, because the edges of the gash seemed to be blistering painfully.
"That looks awful." Theodore muttered, and looked away before it made him sick. The wound was honestly nauseating.
"You should go to the hospital." Dudley said with concern.
"No, I can't. That would make me a tattletale and then I'd be done for."
"What is she-"
"It's nothing, Theodore, it's just something the man said."
"Emma-"
"Look, I'm fine. It's not poisoned, it's just an open wound and second degree burns. Besides, the healer probably can't do anymore than give me a pain potion because it's obviously dark magic. Alright?"
"I think you're mental." Theodore said incredulously.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm going back to the tower and it's in your best interest to come too."
The boys shrugged and followed her out, still at a loss for words over the horribleness of her injury. Theodore couldn't believe that someone could do something like that to someone so nice, but Dudley was furious. He knew what evil was, he lived in it for two months, but there was no reason for Emma to know what it was. That was why he hated those men, in fact, he hated everyone who used words like mudblood or filth because they were the root of evil in his world and he would like nothing more than to see them suffer in the way he has, and one day he would get his revenge.
I hope you enjoyed those little details, next chapter you can look forward to more Marauder antics, I promise. And there isn't actually much of Stolen Promises left (After all, it's kind of a prequel) so enjoy their fourth year while it lasts ;D
And some reviews would be absolutely lovely because my day today has been mildly awful. I'll also answer any questions.
Thank you :)