Second of Two Folds – 6

"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Sirius asked, standing in the middle of an unused classroom with Marlene McKinnon latched around his waist.

"Because it pisses me off."

Sirius felt a grin pull its way onto his face as Emma answered. Marlene sighed from where she was resting her head against his chest. A lot had changed between the three in the last few months. Marlene and Emma tolerated each other on most occasions and Sirius and Marlene were only friends. This seemed a mark of the volatile and young friendship that had not quite started up between Emma and Marlene, because here Marlene was, possibly risking her life to help Emma improve.

Not that Marlene really thought her life was in danger. Emma had managed to control several blasts that she had let off from her right hand, but in Marlene's opinion they were far smaller then Emma was capable of.

"Either get angry Dill or I'm leaving," she said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Merlin's beard I don't have all day."

"I'm trying control McKinnon, flaming anger is only going to get you two killed."

"You aren't going to kill anyone Dill, stop kidding yourself; you're far too much of a softy to so much as roast a bunny." Marlene smirked as Emma's eyes flashed, "In fact I'm amazed you can even be considered a Gryffindor."

That did it.

A blaze of fire burst out of Emma's palm, scorching the wall. Emma leaned over, hands on her knees when it had finished.

"Nice one McKinnon," she panted.

"I wish I could say the same Dill."

Emma smirked at the reply, standing straight and focusing on the image before her.

"Oh this is ridiculous!" Marlene exclaimed after several minutes of Emma looking perfectly normal.

"W-what are you doing?" Sirius asked as Marlene looked up at him with a flirtatious smile.

Marlene giggled, pulling herself up, using Sirius for leverage. Immediately he began to push her away and being the bigger he was succeeding.

Completely against the plan.

Hardening her eyes with determination Marlene jumped up, managing to kiss Sirius on the cheek, the idiot had moved his head at the last second.

Marlene covered her mouth in horror as the heat of the flames coming out of Emma's palm assaulted her, seeming to sear the very air.

Emma fell onto her butt once the flame was over, completely exhausted, but what had Marlene's attention was the half foot hole she had burned, no melted, into the brick wall.

Holly shit!

"I think that's enough for tonight," Emma said, breathing heavy. "Good idea McKinnon, but never do it again, next time you might not live through it."

Marlene nodded, completely shocked, "How you feeling about that control?"

Emma grinned, "Satisfied."

Sirius helped Emma to her feet then and Marlene left without a word, hoping Emma didn't ask for a repeat of their 'lessons'.

A melted brick wall had not been in her game plan.

Emma let Sirius help her down the hall, gaining her energy back slowly. She had already told them about the wandless in the woods, though she had omitted her plans in going after it. She had no doubt that Sirius would insist on going with her and that was completely out of the question. Wandless, especially one with little control, were dangerous and she wasn't about to let anything happen to him.

They reached the common room before Marlene; despite their slower pace they knew short cuts aplenty.

"How'd it go?" Peter asked. He had taken the biggest interest in the training, since he was the only one who knew exactly what was riding on it.

"Better then I'd dared to hope," Emma responded taking a seat.

Peter grinned, pulling Joyce closer to him in his joy.

"I hear the music for Graduation's been picked," Lily said, flipping through an issue of Witch Weekly, "McGonagall informed James and I that we'd have to open the dance."

Emma choked, "Dance?"

Remus smirked, "You didn't realize Swift? After we graduate there's a dance, one you're actually expected to dance at."

Emma was visibly paling. "That's not a problem," Sirius said easily, "All Blacks can dance."

"Who all watches this dance?" Emma asked in horror.

"No one watches parse, but some older students and Ministry people are there; most people use it as a means to get a job," Remus said easily, chuckling when Emma groaned.

"I'm doomed!"

"I could teach you," Sirius offered.

Emma hesitated, not sure. On the one hand she sucked at dancing, on the other these lessons were libel to go to Sirius's head. "Thanks for the offer Padfoot, but I'm going to have to pass."

Sirius shrugged, "I hope your partner wears steel toed boots."

Emma glared.

James chuckled, ruffling his hair, "Quidditch before dancing though, yeah? We have that game against Ravenclaw coming up and Valentine snagged the Captain's badge this year so there might actually be competition."

Those on the team couldn't help but roll their eyes; Lily watched them, a bemused smile on her lips.

It was only a few days later that the match between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor took place.

"At another Gryffindor game Wood?" Dumbledore asked the Westmont Tornadoes Captain as he took a seat.

Reginald Wood smiled, "Professor Dumbledore, how have you been?"

"As well as can be expected," Dumbledore answered, eyes sparkling. "I take it you have an interest in the team?"

Wood nodded, "I'd be willing to take both the seeker and chaser; no doubt Potter would be able to replace me as captain in a few short years."

Dumbledore chuckled, "He is rather talented. You are aware, I assume, that the seeker is a wandless?"

"Her picture was all over the paper. I'm about neck deep in a debate with the Department of Sports about her; otherwise she'd already have an offer."

"What do they propose?"

Wood snorted, "They propose I stop day dreaming. They've got about twenty people digging for history books that prove wandless have higher senses, so of course she'd be an unfair advantage. Meanwhile half my team is digging for things that will counteract her abilities. Bell has them all convinced she's the best seeker this side of the moon – which, of course, she isn't, but she's better then most of the idiots I have trying out at the moment. Roy Peaks tried out, can you imagine? That boy can barely fly in a straight line!" He shook his head in annoyance, "And I have to find a beater to top it off – speaking of beaters, what's that bloke's name?"

Dumbledore looked to where Wood had pointed, "That's Ricky Valentine, seventh year Ravenclaw. He was made captain just last September."

"Huh, maybe I'll give him a look too, not half bad… speaking of that, why doesn't anyone try to hit the girl with a bludger?"

"That would be due to an incident in fourth year when Mr. Black hit Mr. Valentine in the back of the head for aiming for Miss. Dill."

Wood looked shocked for a moment before laughing, "That's good stuff, got to love Hogwarts. Well I'd offer Black a place, 'sept that sort of thing gets you suspended in my line of work, pity. I'll look into Valentine though."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Hum."

They sat in silence for ten or fifteen moments, Wood analysing the players, before Emma dove downwards and caught the snitch, giving Gryffindor the game.

.

As was custom on the first of April, Dumbledore took his seat at the Head Table with a wide smile. He would never get tired of a good prank and the Marauders always delivered. Of course, they had odd pranks all throughout the year, but the grand display that was April Fools was something Dumbledore anticipated all year long.

However at the end of breakfast, it still seemed as if nothing had happened. To say that Dumbledore was disappointed was an understatement.

It was then that green and black script appeared, as it had for so many years on the back wall.

Grab A Broom and Take To The Trees Hogwarts!

The words vanished as quickly as they had appeared, a broom appearing before each student or staff. For some, it was the broom they had brought to school, for others it was one of the school's ancient models.

Dumbledore threw his long white beard over his shoulder, mounting his broom expertly before rising to exit the great hall. On the other side of the wide double doors a forest awaited. Thick boughs and hanging vines tinted the light green. Squawks and squalls signalled that the owls had left the owlery and were roaming overhead. Somehow the Marauders had managed to turn the school into a forest, forcing students and staff to navigate the terrain on brooms.

Dumbledore was almost forced to spin upside down in order to avoid Emma flying past with Sirius hot on her heals.

"Sorry Sir!" Her voice yelled back, though she was long gone, hidden by the dense forest.

Dumbledore chuckled, turning his broom and making his way to his office slowly, completely blown away by the prank.

Soon the Easter Holidays were approaching, and with them came an argument.

"No Prongs, I'm staying," Emma said, for what must have been the hundredth time.

"Swift, you know you're more then welcome-"

Emma sighed, "I just need time James; I'm not ready to face Potter Manor devoid of my parents. I'm not ready to deal with the memories."

"I'll stay with her mate," Sirius said easily, looking up from a game of chess he was playing with Remus.

James ran a hand through his hair, for what must have been the hundredth time in the past few minutes, "You're sure?"

Emma nodded, "Yes. I'm sorry to be such a downer; I just don't want to spend the holiday moping around like an idiot."

James pulled her into a quick hug, "We're going to make it Swift, I promise."

"I know Prongs, I know."

They pulled back, Emma wiping a few stray tears from her face before looking up. Immediately Sirius patted the bed beside him.

The chess set they had set up was a bit wild, Remus and Sirius were on opposite sides of the room, sitting on their beds and directing enlarged pieces across the space between them.

Emma sat tensely and Sirius threw an arm around her, directing his pieces with his other hand.

A knock on the door signalled that Lily wanted in and once she was allowed access she entered, jumping over Remus's bed to get to James.

"Where's Pete?" She asked, looking around for the smallest Marauder.

Remus shrugged, "Joyce," he answered by way of explanation. "Do you need him for something?"

"No, it's just that I hadn't seen him in a while," Lily explained, sitting beside James with ease.

"He's been a bit odd lately," Sirius answered, moving his knight with a wand wave. "Personally I think he's in lurrrrrrrv."

"Worms in love with Walters?" Remus clarified, looking as if someone had just slapped him in the face.

"Yeah, I mean have you seen the way he dotes on her?"

"I'm sorry, did you just say 'dotes'?" Remus asked with a smirk.

"Shut up Moony," Sirius muttered darkly.

"I'm happy for him," Emma interrupted them. "I think it's good for Worms to have someone special."

"Yeah… I wonder if he's snogged her yet?"

Emma sighed, "You are such a pig Sirius."

Down by the lake, enjoying the warm air were Peter and Joyce. Sirius had been completely correct – for once – when he'd said that Peter was in love. With Joyce everything was natural; she wasn't perfect, in fact she had almost as many flaws as he did and it was exactly what he loved about her.

Being around the other Marauders was almost enough to give someone a complex. They were all fairly good looking, quidditch players, geniuses in their own right and, generally, loved by all. But Peter wasn't the best looking guy around, he wasn't on the quidditch team and no one in their right mind had ever called him a genius.

He'd never told the others, but he'd heard people openly question why he was even considered a Marauder.

It hurt.

It hurt to be someone completely normal around people who were 'destined for greatness'. Peter almost snorted aloud, yeah, they were amazing, people just didn't see the real them. James was the self appointed leader, it was follow him or butt out. Sirius was more arrogant then anyone Peter had ever met. Remus was currently a depressed once a month monster and Emma was so self important at times that it drove him up the wall.

But of course he was the one who was imperfect, they were all amazing.

"Is something wrong Peter?" Joyce asked softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Peter almost jumped, he'd been so lost in memories he'd almost forgotten who he was with. "Fine," he grinned, a genuine smile that reached his eyes, how could it not with Joyce at his side?

Joyce grinned back, hugging herself to his side as they traveled around the lake. "I can't believe this is our last year."

Peter nodded, looking back at the castle, "Yeah, it's hard to imagine."

Joyce frowned suddenly, "Will you be joining the war?" She asked him, looking perfectly terrified.

Peter frowned, he knew what was expected. As a Marauder it was supposed to be obvious that he would fight against You-Know-Who, but in all honesty Peter would much rather buy a house out of the country, maybe the Americas, where he would never find him. "I'm not sure," he answered honestly. "I'm hoping it will all be resolved before I have to make a choice."

Joyce exhaled slowly, "I wish I could just run away from it all. I mean, I know that as a Gryffindor I shouldn't but… Peter, I'm scared."

Peter held her tighter, "I am too. I think you should go though," he continued, "Run while you have the chance."

Joyce looked up at him, eyes wide, "What?"

"The further away you are the safer you'll be. We could go together, maybe hang in Canada or the States until this all blows over."

Joyce's face split into a wide grin, her eyes lighting up like miniature suns, "I love you Peter Pettigrew!" She squealed, grabbing him around the middle.

Peter blinked in shock, I love you too…

.

Emma flipped through a magazine with a sigh, bored shitless. She threw it onto the table in a foul mood, maybe she'd go for a walk or something.

It was only a few days into the holidays and already the silence was eating at her. Of the Marauders it was only her and Sirius, all the girls were gone and she was ten seconds from loosing her mind.

"You look bored," Emma grinned, relieved at the sound of Sirius's voice.

"Thank Merlin, I was afraid the silence would swallow me whole!"

Sirius nodded seriously, "I can understand how you feel. The dorm is all wrong, without Peter's snores I feel exposed. I mean, before it was always obvious the monsters would go for him first, being the loudest, but now," he hissed, "I'm a goner."

Emma laughed, "We could camp out in the common room if it makes you feel better; but onto more important matters, what do you say to making Filch's life hell for the day?"

"It would make me feel much better Swift, really and yes, I think Filch's office needs a little sprucing up."

They exchanged evil grins before exiting the common room.

Thirty minutes later found them standing in front of a smug Flitwick, soaking wet.

They had painted moustaches onto every picture on the second floor; they'd been on their way to the third when Peeves had pummelled them with water balloons and Flitwick had caught them.

Now, standing in the Charms Professor's office, Emma couldn't help but wish that evil smirk would leave his face.

"Let's see… Mr. Black, I believe thirty detentions are in order. Dismissed."

"Sir?" Emma asked confused, "I think I misheard, but did you say only Sirius was getting detention?"

Flitwick raised a brow, "Are you complaining Miss. Dill?"

"Well – I-?"

"Good, dismissed."

They were half way to the common room when McGonagall found them; her mouth thinner then the two Marauders had ever seen it. "Miss. Dill, 40 detentions for dripping in the hall!" She stated, a smirk working its was onto her face before she left with the twirl of a cloak.

Emma and Sirius exchanged looks.

"I have a feeling we're not the only ones betting on detentions."

"Yeah, me too."

Detention turned out to be more of a study period. Apparently the Professors weren't cruel enough to steal precious study time from NEWT students.

By the last day of holidays Emma's head was humming painfully, filled with runes and wand patterns. She had just reached McGonagall's office, expecting to do another five hours of study only to pull up short when she caught her expression.

"Professor?"

McGonagall looked teary, her face dismal, "Come with me Emma, we have to go speak with the Headmaster."

Emma felt her bag fall off her shoulder and hit the ground, her eyes wide with terror, "Who?"

"Emma I think it would be best if the Headmaster-"

"DAMN IT PROFESSOR WHO'S DEAD?" Emma yelled, her chest tight. Was it James? Remus? Peter? Lily? Could it have been Ricky or Shiloh? Alice? Frank? Elaine? Joyce? Aileen? Marlene?

McGonagall's lips thinned at her outburst, but she let it slide, realizing that Emma was at exploding point, driven by fear. "Miss. Joyce Walters."

So it's Joyce then, Emma felt herself fall into a chair, both relieved and horrified. She felt sick to her stomach immediately, relief? Am I really so cruel? Cruel enough to be relieved it wasn't one of the Marauders.

"Emma, are you alright?"

"I think I'm going to be sick," Emma managed before her breakfast came spilling upwards.

.

Sirius sat in complete shock before the Headmaster, four empty chairs around him.

"Dead?" He whispered horrified.

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, I am sorry to have to inform you that Miss. Walters died early this morning, they believe Voldemort killed her personally."

Sirius felt himself nodding, "He's after them."

"I beg your pardon?" Dumbledore asked, feeling confused.

But for Sirius it was snapping into place. He looked up, eyes cold, "He's trying to scare people into joining him. Getting rid of those he sees as expendable to lure the more powerful. He's after Emma and Remus."

Dumbledore sighed, "The thought has crossed my mind." He looked at Sirius very seriously across the table, "You are the one person Emma is most likely to listen to Sirius, I'm sure you know that."

"Sir?"

"Has she told you about the wandless in the woods?"

"Yes Sir."

"Has she told you her plans to go after it?"

"She's planning what?" Sirius yelped sitting forwards.

Dumbledore nodded, "She plans to go alone, to keep you safe. Sirius, she must not go; somehow you have to keep her from leaving. I fear that if she leaves she will not come back, at least not in time."

Sirius nodded, "What exactly did she say?"

.

Here they were again, sitting in the common room in absolute silence.

The holidays had ended, everyone was back and for those in seventh year Gryffindor it was only to be faced with another empty bunk.

Peter and Remus were sitting together, both knowing the others pain.

All Peter could think of was that he'd never told her. He'd never told Joyce that he loved her, how much she meant to him. Tears fell into his lap, glancing off white knuckles. Now she was dead, the best thing in his life was gone. He looked up with undiluted hate at James and Lily as they cuddled on the couch, leaning on each other for support.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that they got everything!

"He'll die." Peter looked up to see Emma's furious eyes, "I promise that he'll meet his match eventually."

Peter felt like laughing in her face. Will he? And who do you think his match will be, you stupid wandless, you?

Instead he forced a smile for her benefit. Hiding his own emotions effortlessly, as he'd been doing for years, "I know Swift."

.

Sirius stood in a white room, completely alone. He felt content, but at the same time he was saddened.

Swift.

He missed her, in that one moment he wished more then anything that she was with him, that she would accept him.

He roamed the white world aimlessly for a time, jumping when he spotted a black splotch on the horizon. He froze, wondering if the shadow was friend or foe, watching intensely. Then, at last he recognized the figure and his breathe caught in his throat.

She was beautiful, with pale skin, flaming hair and changing eyes. Emma stood before him in a long white dress that showed the curves he, as a teenaged boy, had come to appreciate.

"What's wrong Sirius?" Emma asked him, her eyes seeming to bore into his.

"I-uh…" Sirius was stunned, where had she come from? "I-just… uh… I love you," the last part came out in a whisper.

Emma giggled, a very un-Emma-ish thing to do, "Well I hope so," she said. "Because I love you to."

With one elegant step she was in his arms, she was his, he had captured her.

She was so soft, her hair tangling around his fingers, her tongue tracing his lips…

Suddenly Emma pulled back with a gasp, looking back from where she had come.

"Swift?" Sirius asked confused.

Before he could even react she had pushed him into a cupboard that he had failed to see before, locking it. He could see her through a crack where the door met the wall. He tried to call to her, but she had silenced him.

All at once the scene outside the cupboard changed from that odd white to a silent forest. As was oft to happen in dreams Sirius understood the odd change without pause. Emma was searching for wandless.

"Emma… a pleasure," Sirius tensed as a person he could not see spoke; but he recognized the voice immediately – Voldemort.

"Mouldy Wart," Emma responded, voice cold, her chin raised in defiance.

"Who were you talking to?" Voldemort asked her.

Emma looked confused, "No one, there was no one with me."

Though the scene had changed, though she was searching for wandless Sirius still knew that Emma was lying. That she was intentionally hiding him.

Voldemort chuckled, "Very well. Join me, last chance."

Emma's eyes flashed, her shoulders squared, "You'll have to kill me."

"Pity," Voldemort smirked and Sirius felt his heart freeze. "AVADA KADAVRA!"

It was the most horrible sound he had ever heard, her scream. It was like glass shattering into a million pieces, like the breaking of crystal, of his heart.

She fell to the ground gracefully, hair swirling around her face. She hit the ground with barely a sound, her face turned so that he could see her eyes. Eyes which were wide and unseeing – Empty.

SWIFT! Sirius wanted to scream her name, but he couldn't, because her last act had been to make sure he was safe, to make sure he couldn't take revenge…

Sirius sat up in bed panting.

It was a dream only a dream. He tried to convince himself, as he sat in the dark. She was fine. Emma was in bed sleeping and…

Sirius stood, creeping from the dormitory silently. He strode across the common room and waved his wand once, stilling the stairs to the girl's dorm before sprinting upwards.

He opened the door quietly and crossed the room to her bed, the one by the window, in three long strides.

Lily woke up at around three having to use the bathroom rather badly. Once she was finished she got a glass of water from the sink and went to make her way back to bed when Sirius almost walked right into her. She gave a small yelp of fright, only barley managing not to drop her water, planning on yelling at Sirius when her heart stopped.

He was kneeling at the head of Emma's bed, seemingly in thankful prayer.

Sirius knelt beside her face, looking at the peaceful expression that she wore. He sighed in relief, and thanked the gods that she was safe. Slowly he stroked the hair from her face. Emma muttered something that sounded like, "Stop it," and pouted before adding on, "Sirius".

Sirius froze, but realized almost immediately that she wasn't awake, she was dreaming. He stood and made to leave, but stopped when he saw a stunned looking Lily Evans.

"Evans," He nodded to her.

Lily smiled tightly, "Bad dream?" she asked him.

Sirius cursed and rubbed at his face before croaking out, "She died – I had to be sure it was only a dream."

Lily froze, eyes wide, "You really… you really do love her don't you?" she whispered.

Sirius sighed, "More then you will ever know," he answered before opening the dorm door. "Good night Evans," he said roughly before leaving.

Lily smiled, "Sirius Black, in love," she mused looking at Emma's sleeping form. "Thought I'd never see the day," with that she went back to bed.

.

Sirius couldn't get the dream out of his head the next day. Her wide empty eyes making his chest tighten uncomfortably.

His knuckles whitened where they clutched the map, waiting impatiently for her to exit the dorms so that he could talk to her.

Sirius had spent half the night awake thinking about how he could demolish Emma's plans to go wandless hunting and he thought he finally had the answer. He watched with a frown as she made for the forbidden forest, stopping at the edge.

Sirius's brow furrowed. Stashing the map away with a low growl he made for her location. She wasn't going wandless hunting; he wouldn't let her.

"Enjoying the view?"

Emma smiled as Sirius's voice greeted her, his footsteps measured. The trees in the forest swayed before her, as if beckoning her forwards. "Immensely. What's up?"

"I've been thinking about Moony lately-"

"Oh, yes, he did look rather dashing in his robes yesterday," Emma said with a smirk.

Sirius sent her a look, "As I was saying," he continued, pretending she hadn't just made fun of him, "I was thinking about where he was going to live after Hogwarts."

"With his folks, right?" Emma asked, flinching internally.

"Well that's the thing. He's not going to be making much money with his condition and I was thinking the three of us could move in someplace, just until Moony is able to stand on his own."

Emma frowned, "I don't know Sirius. You do realize I only have my parent's money at the moment and chances are I'm not going to be any better off then Remus."

"Come on Swift," Sirius whined, "You're always a stick in the mud."

"No, I'm logical. Sirius think about this, you're going to go into Auror training, Remus and I will have knut jobs and once the three of us are together you're going to start feeling obligated to keep the house going. This is madness and a date with disaster."

Sirius rolled his eyes, "As an Auror I'll have no problems keeping a three bedroom apartment and you two would never be a burden," come on take the bait…

"Sirius I just don't think that this is a good idea-"

"So you'd just leave Remus to starve in some corner once his parents die?"

"No, but-"

"You'd just disown a Marauder, your brother like that?"

"No, but-"

"Then why wouldn't you do your part to help him?"

"Sirius, I-"

"Come on Swift, it's not like he has flees."

"F-"

"But if you won't do it then I guess he'll have to manage off rats or-"

"FINE!" Emma yelled to be heard over Sirius's monologue. "Fine, I'll get an apartment with you two, but don't blame me when this goes down hill."

Sirius grinned, "It won't." and you're not leaving.

It was easy to convince Remus to move in. All Sirius had to do was tell him about Emma's plan to go wandless hunting alone. Sirius realized that manipulating his friends the way he had was positively Slytherin but for once he didn't care; not when this might save Emma.

Of course he invited James and Peter to join them, but they both turned him down. James, because he was worried about his mum and Peter because he wanted to keep an eye on his folks for a little while.

No one would have guessed that Peter was lying.

Peter was confused, not knowing what to do. There were several choices before him. On the one hand he could leave the country, no doubt loosing the support of the Marauders and becoming known as a traitor. He could join the Order and die a Martyr, because he was positive that You-Know-Who would win in the end.

But what was it to Peter, who lost and who won? He was a pureblood, it wasn't as if anyone would try to eradicate his kind.

And Peter wasn't ready to die quite yet. He wasn't an idiot; he knew what would happen to those in the Order. They would all die, You-Know-Who would show them no mercy.

Some might be given a chance at redemption, those like James who were talented, but Peter had very little magical talent and You-Know-Who wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

Peter had initially wanted to simply move away from England, with Joyce, to be able to start fresh somewhere new. But with no support and no connections even that option seemed like less of a security and more of a risk.

So what was he going to do?

He had no idea.

.

The last week of April found everyone in seventh year shifting through stacks of paper better known as applications. May 1st was the deadline for most Ministry job applications, including those places, like St. Mungos, that were run by the Ministry.

Lily blew the hair out of her eyes as she flipped a page in the paper work required of those who wanted to become Healers. Beside her, James, Sirius and Emma were filling out Auror forms.

Although Alastor Moody had told her it was unlikely, Emma was still hoping to get a job as an Auror. There was still a chance, or at least that's what she told herself.

"20 pages on my life story," Sirius muttered, flipping ahead. "Look at this crap! When were you born? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Do you have any criminals in your family tree? Do you take drugs? Do you smoke? What are your best qualities? Do you have any prejudices? – Like who would answer that honestly? – Are you married? Do you plan on having children?" He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "So Swift, any kids in the future?"

"Was that a proposition?" Emma asked, looking up from her own stack of papers slightly frazzled.

"Not unless you wanted it to be," Sirius winked.

Emma frowned, "No."

"No it is then…. Ah, I love this one, very informative – You accidentally turn a colleague into a chocolate frog, what do you do? – Eat him to hide the evidence obviously," Sirius snorted, reading over the choices. "What would you do James?"

"Hide him from Remus until I figured out how to turn him back."

"But then he'd tell everyone what you did," Sirius said in a no-nonsense tone, "Eating him is your best option."

"But what about when people figure out he's gone missing?" Lily asked.

Sirius smirked, "I'd just tell them I took him home to meet mum, they'd connect the dots."

Lily chuckled, looking up from her finished application, "Mine was 20 pages, how long is yours?" she asked when she realized they still weren't done.

"A hundred, I bet this is a test of patience," James said.

"Then it's working, this is pissing me off," Emma muttered, "Look at this one – You invent a spell that shuts down brain function, what colour is it?"

"Purple," Sirius said wisely.

"Really? I was thinking yellow," Emma said, cocking her head.

"No way, it's blue!" James argued.

"Purple and blue are close."

"True mate."

"Shut up, both of you, I'm concentrating!"

"And you suck! Yellow indeed," Sirius tisked.

Lily chuckled as Emma shot Sirius a glare; even after only a few months of being with them she couldn't imagine how she'd survived without them.

Sometimes it was hard to think that she'd hated James; James who she was slowly falling in love with. How had she never seen the real him? James lived for those he loved, would give anything to keep them safe. He'd extended his home to both Sirius and Emma without any expectations. He'd completed the Animagus transformation for Remus in an attempt to help him overcome his Lycanthropy, where most would have shunned him. James was arrogant in some ways, it was true, but for Lily his heart was in the right place.

The other Marauders were always there for each other, and with the exception of Sirius, for her as well. Emma and Sirius fought almost constantly, about everything, but it wasn't ever out of real anger or annoyance; they simply enjoyed 'verbal sparing'. Though, Lily had noticed that Sirius would royally piss Emma off if he felt she wasn't paying enough attention to him. This generally ended with something exploding in Sirius's face – Literally.

Remus kept them all in line, making sure no real harm came to the caretaker or his unfortunate cat. He was the voice of reason and wisdom, keeping Sirius from getting too far under Emma's skin as well.

Peter was the baby of the group, they all seemed to have a protective eye on him. He was the one they came to with their secrets, because Peter rarely, if ever, judged.

They were so perfect for each other, and by some miracle they had made space for her to join them, to sit at James's side.

If only Sirius wasn't so hell bent against her. Lily sighed, she felt as if she finally understood why the Black heir disliked her so much. She had, in his mind at least, always been an extra he'd had to put up with. At first she'd been Emma's only real girl friend, Emma, the one girl that Sirius actually cared about. So he'd had to almost compete for Emma's attention.

Then, in fourth year, James had set his sights on her. James, Sirius's in-all-but-blood-brother, began to care about her, going out of his way to win Lily's heart; and rather then accept him back, Lily had insulted and hated James. She wondered if Sirius had been relived, thankful that he had James all to himself? But now she and James were together and to Sirius it was as if she'd won.

Did he fear that she'd take James away from him? That one day she'd pit Emma against him?

Lily frowned; wondering how she could show Sirius that she'd never let anything come between him and the other Marauders. He was James's brother and for reasons even she couldn't explain, that meant she had to care about Sirius too.

Lily watched him laugh with Emma, the way his eyes lit up with a mischievous glint; what was it like to grow up with parents who despised you? What was it like to never get a hug?

Sirius made it look easy, but maybe that was just because he looked past what had happened, the future the only thing in his sights.

"You come to a fork in the road that isn't on the map. Do you go straight, right, left, or back the way you came to see if you took a wrong turn?" Sirius asked the room at large, reading off the applications.

"Go back obviously," Emma said easily, "A wrong turn is only going to mess you up later."

"I say go right, could be a short cut," James grinned at Emma's frown.

Sirius shook his head, "Naw, go straight," he said, jotting down his answer.

"Why?" Lily asked curiously.

"Because you can only ever go forward," Sirius said, giving Emma a look that made the wandless stiffen. "Can only ever move down the path you're on."

"That quote doesn't apply," Emma responded coolly and Lily suddenly felt as if this wasn't about the application, but something else.

"You've mastered the technique-"

"Yes, a blast of fire, just what everyone needs-"

"It would be a blast of fire." Sirius said evenly.

Emma growled lowly in frustration, "You are going to get yourself killed Sirius."

"Stop being ridiculous-"

"I will when you do!"

"Oh, because that isn't childish."

Lily's mouth popped open in understanding, beside her James was frowning in thought. They were talking about their relationship.

"Childish? You want childish Sirius?" Emma snapped standing.

"You have a real reason Swift or are you just scared?" Sirius threw back, also standing, his height casting Emma's face in shadow.

"I'm not scared," Emma ground out, looking livid.

"Aren't you? Because to me it looks like you're trying to run away!"

"I'm not running! For hell's fire Sirius, there are bigger things to worry about…" Emma's voice trailed off as Sirius stepped closer and Lily watched as she took a small step back.

"Like Voldemort? Like the wandless? Like the empty bunks in Gryffindor tower?" Sirius shook his head, "You're going to lose people Swift, Merlin knows it, but you have to stop running."

"I'm a wandless Sirius," Emma said evenly. "I'm not a witch, try to remember that."

"How can I forget? You remind me constantly."

"Clearly not often enough if this is still on your mind."

"Why do you always have to throw up a defence? Why can't you just give in to your heart for once?"

"Because it's a traitor! Alright?" Emma yelled back, "I love you, happy, I love you enough to know you're better off without me. I'm leaving as soon as this year ends Sirius, it doesn't matter how many obligations you try to force on me. Yes, I know about the apartment. Do you think I'm stupid? It doesn't matter, I'm leaving, I have to find them!"

"Why? Why is this wandless so important?" Sirius yelled back, looking angrier then ever.

"Because they're like me!" Emma screamed, tears in her eyes.

"No, no they aren't." Sirius said; his voice even. "You're a Marauder Swift, you're our family."

Emma looked like she was going to pull her hair out, the torches spluttering angrily, "This is something I have to do." She said after several minutes, her tone devoid of emotion, closed off.

"But Swift-" Sirius argued.

"Swift only exists here," Emma said coldly, cutting him off. "Out there," she pointed to the window, "They call me Protem. The wandless who thinks she's a witch. Voldemort is gaining power, followers and I'll be damned if he brings them here. I have to find this wandless before Voldemort, Sirius, for both our sakes." She turned to the table, the papers flying to her hand without spoken direction or a wand wave. "I'll see you all later."

Sirius stood, fists clenching and unclenching, watching her leave with undiluted anger.

Lily was caught in shock, "She's leaving?" she whispered, feeling winded.

Sirius turned to face her, face still screwed up in anger, "Not if I have anything to say about it."

.

.

The night was dark, not even a moon present to light the grounds of Hogwarts. If you looked carefully though, you could almost catch sight of something dark moving across the field. The disillusionment charm, combined with an affinity for shadows allowed Severus Snape to lithely cross to Hogsmead, hidden from any eyes that may have been prying out of the castle windows.

After several years of biding his time, Severus was finally going to choose a side in the war, to make his path clear.

Hogsmead's streets were as quiet as the grounds of Hogwarts. All the doors were locked, windows boarded closed. No one was fool enough to wander the streets in these times.

Severus pulled his cloak closer to himself in the still cool spring air. After years of simply being an accessory, Severus was ready to come to the front. He was filled with anger and pain, pain thrust on him by others.

Dumbledore, too much of a fool to realize how strong he was. The Headmaster had never been there to help him fend off Potter and his minions, always coddling the Marauders instead.

The wandless, who had pitted Lily against him, giving away his position as a Death Eater Recruit. Potter, the imbecilic toad that Lily was now dating. Black, the obnoxious fool who had set the werewolf on him.

Severus felt his knuckles whiten around his wand handle just thinking about it. He'd get them all, show them how powerful he was.

The Hog's Head was as quiet as everywhere else, only a few oddly bandaged patrons nursing foul smelling drinks. He picked Lucius out easily, his dark hood not having covered all of his white-blond hair.

"Severus, how have you been keeping?" Lucius asked, smiling upon seeing the younger Slytherin, voice low.

"As well as can be expected. How are Narcissa and yourself?"

"We are both well. I'm glad to see you; I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

Severus nodded, "I had a run in with the Squib's abominable cat, but all is well now, shall we?"

Lucius nodded, leading Severus into the street. Here Lucius grabbed Severus's hand, spinning on the spot and disappearing with a crack!

They reappeared in a desolate looking place, a cave overlooking swamps and jagged rock. Severus frowned, picking out the lights of a hinky punk in the distance. He turned silently, following Lucius into the mountain cave.

The Dark Lord sat on a thrown carved from the mountain, regal if rough and hewn. Severus was unsurprised, The Dark Lord was not the sort of man who cared for intricate beauty, but one who required power in all things.

The Dark Lord stood, his face pale white despite the dark. His eyes were a burning red, though his features were not as snake like as they would become in the future and were as yet still framed by dark locks of hair.

Severus bowed low, his oily hair touching the ground as he kneeled, mouth dry with fear.

"Severus Tobias Snape," Severus cringed as The Dark Lord said his middle name. "Lucius informs me that you wish to join my ranks, to become one of my trusted Death Eaters."

"I do, my Lord."

Voldemort smiled, his thin lips pulling back oddly, "You are known in your class for your abilities with Potions and knowledge of the Dark Arts, am I right?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Very well, do you, Severus Snape, wish to join me? To purify the wizarding race? To dispose of mudblood and muggle filth?"

Severus nodded, his eyes rising to meet Voldemort's, "More then anything, my Lord."

Voldemort stood, stepping forwards, "Rise Severus and expose your left forearm."

Severus did as he was told. He watched with wide eyes as Voldemort placed his wand tip to Severus's pale skin.

Severus bit his tongue to hold back a scream as his skin seared. Fire, black, hot fire was burning him, eating his skin and manifesting into a skull and serpent's tongue.

Voldemort's eyes glinted, as he pulled his wand away, making for his thrown. "You know the wandless, you have information on her, yes?"

"I know little of her abilities, but I will tell you what I can," Severus answered, rubbing his now covered arm, which was burning lowly.

Voldemort sat back down, "Well then Severus, let us hear what you know."

Severus nodded, releasing his arm though it still burned, "What do you want to know, my Lord?"

Voldemort leaned forward, "Everything. What Elements does she rule? What are the flaws of Protem? How was the spell discovered? What does she love? What does she fear?"

Severus straightened, gathering his thoughts and memories of the wandless in order to make his report when a pair of brown eyes caught his and his Dark Mark burned.

.

.

Breakfast the next morning was awkward. Emma wouldn't raise her gaze to meet Sirius's, even though she could feel his eyes boring into the side of her head.

Lily and Peter were playing with their food, unsure of what to do while James and Remus sat stoically, not even bothering to pretend to eat.

Emma was planning to leave them. It was hard to digest for all of them, hard to think of.

"After breakfast we're starting your lessons," Sirius's voice broke the silence, everyone turning to face him.

"Lessons?" Emma asked, brow raised.

"Dance lessons," Sirius said, a false ease in his voice. "Graduation is right around the corner, we can't have you taking off people's toes, can we?"

Emma opened her mouth, no doubt to tell Sirius there was no way in hell she was taking bloody dance lessons, only to close it a moment later. She'd put them all through so much grief over the last few days that she couldn't bare to crush this as well, "Yeah, sure," she said, swirling her eggs, voice dead sounding.

Sirius led Emma to the Room of Requirement once they had finished eating; the room turning into the odd forest clearing with the cathedral window that it oft displayed for Emma.

Sirius held out his hand with a small smirk and Emma took it with a sigh, music playing around them immediately. Music, Emma soon realized, that mimicked the song they had danced to during the party at the beginning of the year, during their kiss.

"Why are you doing this Sirius?" Emma asked lowly, focusing on her feet.

"1-2-1-2," Sirius counted the measure of the song. "Arms strong, not wobbly, stop looking down and keep your chin up – I'm leading not you. What do you mean, why am I doing this?"

"Why are you making this so hard for me?" Emma asked, managing to keep her eyes on his for half a second before stepping on him.

Sirius gave a crooked smile, "Because otherwise you'd get away and I can't allow that."

"Even knowing I'm leaving?" Emma asked.

Sirius frowned, spinning Emma and catching her in the next second when she almost fell flat on her ass. "You're not going alone – don't argue, because you're not. And even if you did, there would come a day when you'd come back."

Emma sighed, "How do I get you to give up?"

"You can't Swifty; you'll never be able to."

"Why do you always call me that?" Emma asked with another sigh, looking tired.

Sirius's mouth twitched, "Because it's the name I gave you, because it's one more bond between us."

Emma blinked in shock, tripping in her moment of distraction. "Do you have any idea how much danger you'd be in Sirius, honestly?"

"It would be worth it."

Emma shook her head, "I could never live without you. I realized a long time ago that nothing was worth your life."

"Oh?" Sirius smirked, thinking her words were a jest.

Emma nodded, "I realized it the day Masen raised his wand against you and James and I wished that Avada would hit me instead."

Sirius blinked once, off footed, "You would never hurt me Swift, you wouldn't let yourself."

Emma gave a watery grin, "You can't know that for sure."

Sirius opened his mouth to protest but shut it when Emma wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug, "I'm going to miss you while I'm gone Sirius."

"You're not leaving," Sirius whispered, holding her just as tightly.

"We both know that I am, it's only a matter of time."

Sirius's grip was vice like, his eyes staring out the window. If there is a god keep her here, keep her safe.

Sirius would never tell anyone, but as he thought it, he could have sworn an odd breeze blew past his ear, whispering words he couldn't understand.