And now chapter 36. Please enjoy. Remember same disclaimer.

When I woke the next time the room was dark, I was still alone in the bed and I was facing the curtains. I looked around and spotted a clock that read one a.m. When I came back from the bathroom I noticed Talon on the floor sleeping and the rest in various stages of sleep.

Later that morning most of the boys were halfway dressed when I sat up and stretched. The exception that I could see was that Sirius was still in just his boxers. "Morning Princess." Talon said.

"Morning idiot." I answered.

"Idiot?" Remus questioned. I pulled the curtains open glaring at Remus before turning back to Talon.

"Yes idiot, you didn't have to sleep on the floor you know." I said.

"Yeah I know but ..."

"But nothing Tal, you've been my best friend since we were what two? It's like me sleeping with James or Jason. It's. No. Big. Deal."

"I know, but Remus and Lily both said you looked really upset last night and well ..."

"Things aren't going so well with Parker are they?" I asked tugging on the bottom of the shirt I had yet to change out of.

"Yeah, I just didn't want to get you into anymore trouble and..."

"I get it." I nodded climbing out of bed and hugging Talon.

"Thanks." He muttered hugging back. When he let go I sat back down on his bed and looked around his room.

"Are you packed?" Remus asked.

"Almost, I need a few more things, but other than that I'm good." I heard the bathroom door open, but knew it was only James so I looked back at the floor. James came into view as he kneeled in front of me.

"Look Mandy, I'm really sorry for being so suspicious of Michael. It's just ... you know what never mind because nothing I'm going to say is going to make what I did right. I will only promise you one thing, I will make an effort to get to know him and to trust you with him, but please give me time to get use to the fact that you trust him?"

"Sure." I looked into his swirling hazel eyes and old feelings came rushing back to me. I shook them away looking deeper and smiling when he did.

"Thanks Mandy." I nodded as he stood and hugged me.

"Of course, but Jamie if I do turn out to be wrong you have full rights to say 'I told—'."

"I could never say that to you." I hugged him again and Sirius spoke up.

"Amanda, I'm sorry too it was—" Sirius paused as I felt someone move behind me. I glanced back and saw Talon making his bed. "Like James said it wasn't right and we shouldn't have done it." I got the sense that Talon had stopped him from saying something else.

"Thanks guys." I said.

"You two have the strangest relationship I have ever seen." Peter said.

"Who?" I asked.

"You and James, you're fighting one night but not even 12 hours later you two have made up and it's like the fight never happened." Peter clarified.

"You can't stay mad at someone when it tears you up inside." James answered.

"Reproba imago," I muttered shrugging, which cast an illusion charm around my body so it looked like I had changed and not slept in my uniform from yesterday. "Breakfast?" I asked seeing them all dressed now. We headed down but in the entrance hall Michael called out to me.

"Hey Seeker." He yelled. I stopped and turned to face him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw they guys stop too.

"Guys, go on I'll be fine I promise." I said.

"No, they can stay it'll only take a second or two."

"What's up Mike?"

"I just wanted to give you this. Happy Christmas Seeker." He handed me a present and kissed my cheek. "I would have sent it but it's just—my parents."

"I know and Mike I don't want you getting into trouble for me."

He looked away for a moment. "It's fine I wanted you to have it. Just know that you can't open it until Christmas Day."

"Or what? It'll blow up in my face?"

"No, you'll just smell worse than Potter and Black did in November."

"Alright, hey I think my parents are have a ball Christmas party on Christmas Day, if they are do you want to come?"

"Um ... I couldn't impose really." He answered hesitantly. I glared back at the boys who wiped the menacing looks off their faces and tried to act innocent.

"I would love it if you can come and grace lowly old me with your presence." Still glaring at the boys I glanced at Michael quickly.

"I guess but you know I'd have to ask my parents."

"Good." I said then turned back to him. "I'll send you the information in a few days and I'll get you your present on the train."

"You didn't have to Mandy."

"I know Mike; you say that every year and yet every year you accept the gift."

"That's because back in second year when I insisted you didn't have to and wouldn't take it you hexed me so that I had to, I couldn't bear to see you so down when I refuse so I have to accept gratefully even if I think you really shouldn't." We both shrugged at the same moment and then headed for breakfast. After breakfast I went up, changed, and finished packing while the boys got everything they needed together. We hauled our luggage down the stairs and met back in the Common Room.

"So are we all ready to go?"

"Sure." Sirius answered. Slowly we trudged our way down to the entrance hall where we saw others waiting and then grabbed a carriage when they arrived.

"So Mandy who are you sitting with on the ride back?" James asked. Still being a little pissed that the boys were so mean to Michael I decided to play a small trick on them.

"Oh I don't know maybe I'll go sit with Michael." I said smirking a bit.

"But...what about..."

"Oh come on you guys Michael is just a friend, there's nothing going on between us."

"But are you going to sit with us?" Peter asked.

"Give me one good reason why I should sit with the ever famous Marauders." They looked at each other a little freaked out. They didn't have a reason or so I thought.

"That's easy, me." Sirius said.

"Oh please Black, get over yourself." I said.

"That is a good reason." He defended.

"Yeah maybe for your pining fan girls, but not me. You have to have a better reason."

"Don't hurt him Mandy we all know you'd go nuts without him." James said.

"Only because I wouldn't have anyone to fight with verbally." I answered.

"Come on Stripes, you know he gets to you."

"Yeah you caught me, I'll admit it. Black makes me all hot and bothered." I said fanning myself. Sirius swallowed hard.

"Really?" Sirius asked.

I looked from him to Remus who glanced up from his book to smirk. "Oh don't wet your pants." I said. "You know all you do is make my blood boil and you bother the dung out of me." Sirius's face fell and we were left in laughter. "Come on Black you don't actually think I would fancy you do you?"

"I still don't see what's wrong with me."

"Must I say it again?" I asked. He nodded. "You're a..."

"Stuck up, egotistical, arrogant, overstuffed pigeon." Remus, James, and Peter said drowning me out.

"That's it exactly."

"How'd you lot know she was going to say that?"

"That's what she always calls you mate." Remus answered as the carriages stopped at the station. "Decision time Mandy."

"I'll sit with you guys in a bit, but first I have to talk to the Millers." I said.

"About?" James asked.

"It doesn't really matter. Kinda personal Jamie-boy." I answered handing my own bag to James and heading for the train.

"Right, sorry. So are you going to enjoy your break?" James asked switching the subject.

"I'm gonna try. I promise I'll floo to your house to be with you on Christmas if I can't get there earlier."

"Alright. Mandy, I know you don't like what Scott, did but don't let it ruin your holiday."

"Of course Jamie, I'll see you guys later." I said walking down the train looking for Cathy. I found her with Ashley, Timmy, and Talon in a compartment. "Hey guys." I said squashing myself between Timmy and Talon.

"Hey Mandy we're just waiting for Parker." Cathy said. I nodded as the door slid open again.

"Hey," Parker said softly.

"Alright our first concern is Mandy and Parker." Talon said as Parker cuddled in his lap. A twinge of pain hit me, but I brushed it away impatiently.

"What about us?" I asked.

"You and Parker were close to Mom, Dad, and Max and you didn't get to say goodbye, so after we talk to Cass and Pat I'll take you two to their grave site. Is that ok?" Cathy asked.

"I don't know." I said swallowing hard.

"We need closure Mandy. You'll regret it if you don't, you know you will." Parker said.

"Alright we'll go, but we need to do it the day after you talk to Cass and Pat, I have a feeling you won't be up for it in the same day." Cathy nodded.

"Next the twins." Talon said.

"What about them?" Parker asked.

"You're going to have quite a few people at your house for break, me, Talon, Timmy, Ashley, the twins, Mandy, you, and your parents are you sure there's enough room?" Cathy asked.

"Yeah, but a few people will have to share a room. We only have three guest rooms."

"How do you do Christmas?" Ashley asked.

"Christmas Eve the Hunters, and sometimes Jason, will come over and we'll open presents after our big Christmas dinner. Then Christmas morning we'll open the rest and spend the day watching old movies or stuff like that. Just spending the day together. Every other year the Hunters will throw a ball that night. They didn't last year so I think it'll be this year right?" Parker asked.

"Yeah this year right." I mumbled.

"Bugs, are you ok?" Cathy asked. "And don't lie to me."

"I don't know bad feeling that this Christmas will be different than any other."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, it's just a really bad feeling."

"What's it feel like?"

"Like nothing I've ever felt before. It's just hard to explain."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine." Timmy tried reassuring me.

"I guess."

"Alright, so are Aunt Lynn and Uncle Scott hosting the ball this year?" Parker asked.

"I don't know."

"They didn't tell you?"

"No, but when I go there they will."

"Alright anything else?" We all shook our heads. "Then I guess you're free to go find your friends." Everyone but Cathy and I left.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm just thinking."

"About?"

"The offer Dumbledore made me."

"Anything I can do?" When she shook her head I went on hoping I'd hit on what she was worried about. "Listen, Cass and Pat are good people. Cass spends most of her day gardening in her greenhouse or working around the house. She raised Parker right and I know she will with them. Don't worry. Your parents named Cass and Pat godparents so you wouldn't have to. I know you think that they're your responsibility, but I'll let you in on a little secret. Parker told me that she and I are the only children Cass and Pat could have and even then they were lucky to have us. Cass has always wanted a yard full of kids, but Pat couldn't give it to her. Cass is glad to have kids in the house again. She wouldn't mind watching them if there was something you need to do."

"Thanks for the advice. Is there something I can do for your bad feeling?" She asked.

"Just make me believe that I'm wrong."

"I can't, you're the one who has a way with words. Sometimes bad feelings won't go away until the reason behind them is gone."

"I know. I should go; maybe Black can cheer me up with his stupidity."

"Good luck with that."

"See ya." When I got back to the Marauders compartment only Sirius and James were in it. "Hey James, something wrong?" I asked seeing the downtrodden look on his face.

"A really bad feeling right here." James answered tapping his chest over his heart.

"Hey don't worry mate everything will be ok, just you wait and see." Sirius said. I shut the door and locked it before pulling the shades down.

"Sirius, do me a favor and transform." He gave me a confused look. "Please."

"Pads, just do it." James sighed. Sirius shrugged, and then transformed before jumping back up on the seat and cocked his head at me. I sat down next to him and took his head in my hands then sighed.

"Jamie, I'm scared." I said petting Padfoot's head.

"Why?"

"We both have this bad feeling and it's not a good sign. I'm scared." Padfoot laid his front paws in my lap then put his head on top of them.

"I'll be here for you." James said nodding. "Why don't you come home with me?"

"I already told Cathy I'd go to see Cass and Pat with her, I'll come see you as soon as I can, I promise." James nodded. I looked down at Padfoot and he looked content. "I'm still scared though."

"I know." James said. Padfoot licked my hand and nuzzled into my tummy. "He'll protect you." James added. There was a series of knocks at the door.

"Padfoot, Prongs?" I heard Remus call.

"Who's with you Remus?" James asked.

"Smells like him and Peter." I muttered. Padfoot nodded.

"It's just Peter and I, can we come in?" Remus answered. I nodded.

"Yeah sure." James said.

"Why are the shades ..." Peter started out but trailed off when he saw Padfoot. "Ok that makes sense."

"Something wrong?" Remus asked.

"She's got the same bad feeling." James answered nodding to me.

"Dogs are your greatest form of comfort?" Peter asked.

"No, horses are but this works too." I answered. I was almost asleep when there was another knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Remus called softy. I felt Sirius leave my lap and soon I was enveloped in strong, warm arms. I was lain down across the bench and the person's lap as the person outside the door answered.

"It's Parker and Lily, have you guys seen—" Parker was cut off as the door slid open.

"Keep your voices down Mandy's almost asleep." James answered. That was the last thing I heard before I did fall asleep.

James' PoV
"Have we see what Parks?" Sirius asked as Dixon and Lily stepped inside.

"I was going to ask if you had seen Mandy, but the answer was kinda obvious." Dixon answered. Sirius shifted Mandy in his arms so she cuddled into his lap and that made room for the girls to sit.

"You know it's said that most people look peaceful when they sleep, but Mandy just looks scared." Lily mentioned.

"That's because she is." I said.

"Of what?"

"Don't know, she just said she has a bad feeling." Sirius said.

"Did she admit to being scared?" Dixon asked. Sirius and I nodded.

"This has got to be bad, she doesn't admit it often." Lily said.

"Yeah I know." I answered. The hours passed slowly and eventually when they realized Mandy wasn't going to wake anytime soon, the girls left. Remus got up to do rounds and Sirius, Peter, and I got involved in a discussion about something or another that I wasn't really thinking about.

"Jamie, was it just a dream?" My attention was drawn to Mandy as she spoke.

"Was what just a dream?" I asked.

"The past two months."

"Mandy, baby I'm sorry."

"I figured as much."

"So what are you going to say to Scott when you see him?" Sirius asked. It was a stupid question in my opinion, but he'll never learn to keep his trap shut.

"Probably nothing. Could you do me a favor though Jamie?"

"Sure, anything."

"See if you can catch the duel for me?"

"Sure, which way?"

"Either doesn't matter, muggle would be better unless you can ..."

"Yeah muggle would probably work easier."

"You remember how to right?"

"Yeah you spent two months teaching me how."

"Just making sure you're not forgetful in your old age."

"I'm not even 17 yet." Mandy rolled her eyes and shifted in her makeshift seat. I held my breath waiting for her to realize where she was sitting, but all she did was shift a bit more and looked up at Sirius.

"Tell me something I don't know about you." Mandy said. If you think that didn't surprise me you're wrong.

"Me?" Sirius asked. She sent me a look like 'you're friends with this idiot?' I shrugged and she looked back at him.

"Of course you." She said.

"I think you're beautiful." Sirius answered. I could tell he wasn't joking.

"Be serious."

"I am."

"That pun is older than dirt."

"I'm not joking, you are beautiful."

"But..." Mandy said as if expecting something else. Then it hit me, she was waiting for the insult.

"But what?" Sirius seemed confused.

"There's always something attached to that sentence. Like compared to the giant squid or for a blonde or for being so short." Mandy spat.

"I don't always say that." Sirius defended. Mandy's eyebrows rose in disbelief. "Do I?" He asked me.

"Sorry mate, but most of the time it's like that." I said and Peter nodded.

"Amanda you don't have to believe me, but this time I truly mean it. I do think you are truly beautiful, period the end of the sentence."

"Alright if you say so, but tell me something personal that few people know."

"My favorite color is purple and blue." He shrugged.

"Purple?" Mandy asked, but Sirius just nodded.

"Um I speak fluent French."

"Si vous alors me dites vraiment quelque chose." Mandy said in what I knew to be French.
(French Translation: If you really do then tell me something.)

"Mon professeur français a dit que j'étais un imbécile complet et que je ne reviendrais jamais à n'importe quoi mais McGonagall pense différemment. Elle dit que j'ai beaucoup de potentiel si je m'appliquerais juste améliore. Cela et quelquefois j'étudie si je peux passer l'Histoire de Magie."
(French Translation: My French tutor said I was a complete imbecile and that I would never amount to anything, but McGonagall thinks differently. She says I have a lot of potential if I would just apply myself better. That and sometimes I study so I can pass History of Magic.)

"Wow impressive. Though I only understood about 80% of that I got the gist. But then again you could have just repeated everything he said."

"And the second part?"

"Fine, I'll give you props on that, but don't ask me again."

"I want to be an Auror, my parents hate me but I return the favor, um ... I love Mrs. P's homemade cookies."

"They are good, but so is her fudge."

"I love to watch the stars and I really want a little girl someday."

"Wow and I just said tell me one thing, but you know ..."

"Mandy you can't use that as blackmail material." I said.

A smirk crossed her face for an instant but then it was gone. "I was going to say you know that was one of the sweetest things he has ever said, but now that you mention it...it would be perfect blackmail."

"You tell anyone what I just said and I might have to let it slip that you can't sleep without your stuffed teddy bear." Sirius put in.

"A teddy bear James gave me. It has sentimental value to it. But you have to think which will be more convincing." Mandy said.

There's chapter 36. I hope you liked it. Again the translations are from an online site. I do not speak French. If anyone does and would like to correct me, please and thank you.