Chapter 53

Hogwarts

Marauder's 7th Year

Peter Pettigrew

Peter Pettigrew angrily entered the Gryffindor boys' room angrily. His head was about to explode with anger. He wanted to kill James, Sirius and Remus.

'Huh, friends, rather than friends they seem like enemies. Just because , I just tried to slip in some love potion in Risa's pumpkin juice, not like I was about to kill her but James had to give me a long lecture..and that potion Sirius blew up..why didn't he spare me if he thinks I am his friend,' thought Peter.

His eyes then fell on his bed. A book titled 'Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone' was lying on his pillow.

'Another prank of famous Potter and Black. Like I will fall for it after seven years,' thought Peter.

He angrily picked up the book and threw it on the opposite wall. The book fell behind Remus's trunk.

Severus Snape

Severus Snape was on his way back to his dormitory after getting antidote to dream-come-true potion prepared by Sirius, and a small duel session with James Potter. Severus angrily admitted the talent of James Potter and Sirius Black.

'Why did Lilly choose Potter?' thought Severus. He sighed and decided to skip dinner.

He entered his room and saw a book lying on his pillow.

Severus looked at the title 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. He then threw multiple spells on book to see if it was a prank by Marauders. But when nothing happened, he decided to read the harmless book.

He stayed up all night and read the book. He couldn't just wrap his head around the thought that Voldemort killed Lilly. He found his Professor Snape persona bit of annoying ,too. And the last handshake with Sirius, he would rather die than shake hands and be friendly with the person who tried to kill him last year. And Quidditch worldcup, triwizard tournament, everything has confused him, but somehow he knew that everything in book was true.

Since many things in books were pretty detailed, he got the idea that this might be book from future. It had confused him. He decided to share this book with his only friend , boy younger than him and who played Seeker for Slytherin, Regulus Black.

James Potter

James , worried about Peter, made his way towards Gryffindor dormitory. He thought that he might have been too hard on Peter. Sirius and Remus had detention with Professor Slughorn as Sirius had conveniently blown up his cauldron whose contents had given everyone in class including the potions professor 'dream-come-true hallucinations', Sirius's new invention; meaning whoever breath even a little fume would start hallucinating that their dearest wish has come true. When inquired as to why he did that, his response had made Professor Slughorn even more angry, 'I was feeling wishful, I guess'. Remus who had nothing to do with Sirius feeling 'wishful' , was automatically counted as accomplice. James who was sharing table with Peter was spared. Sirius had given signal to James to avoid the potion. And only three spared from dreamy-come-true potion were Marauders minus Peter. It had been fun watching their fellow students and professor talking and acting about how they had succeeded in love, work, etc.

Severus's dream-come-true had been marrying Lilly which was noticed only by him and Sirius. This had made him and Sirius immensely angry. But that anger had melted away when he had listened to Lilly's dream-come true. It was marrying James. He didn't get to listen Peter's dream-come true.

He bumped into Severus Snape , who was intent on revenge because of Sirius's 'wishful' potion, whereas James' anger about 'Severus marrying Lilly thought' had returned. They had a little duel until interrupted by sound of scolding of stern head of Gryffindor.

James entered the room to find it empty. 'Maybe Wormtail went to kitchen', thought James when he saw that his cloak and map was missing; and jumped on his bed only to have his elbow hit a thick book lying on his bed.

'Ouch', said James and picked up the books.

'Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban', read James aloud.

'Is this book about my grandfather?' thought James.

He decided to read the book.

James had went through the whirlwind of emotions. He was dead, Sirius was blamed and sent to Azkaban, and Peter betrayed them. The thing that had broken James's heart was their broken friendship. He was so absorbed in reading book that he had acted like he was sleeping when Sirius had called his name after returning from detention.

James, like Severus, got the feeling that this book was from future. He decided to disucss this with Sirius and Remus, but not Peter. He had made a mental note to keep an eye on Peter.

Regulus Black

Learning about his brother's new achievement has not made Regulus happy.

Regulus had been practicing Quidditch. He was seeker in Slytherin team and was appointed Captain, too, this year. He didn't like his teammates much. Some of them he thought didn't respect the game and were bullies.

'Why brother does such things? Why doesn't he care about me? If only he was in Slytherin' thought Regulus and moved towards his room.

He, too, decided to skip dinner. He laid down on his bed and felt something hard under his pillow. He took out the book and read the title ,'Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows.'

Regulus stayed up all night reading the book. And after finishing , he had decided to talk to two people, Sirius and Severus.

He was wondering how he will discuss with Sirius. Sirius ran away from home and the condition he left in, even imagining it brought goosebumps.

Remus Lupin

Remus was serving detention with Sirius. Dentention with Sirius always turned out to be fun. They were sorting flobberworms without using wands and gloves. Afterall, Slughorn's reaction to dream-come-true potion was hilarious. Slughorn has wanted that one of his student became Minister of Magic and give him special privileges. Slughorn has said, "Meet Minister of Magic, he was my favorite student, blah blah."

Remus, however, was worried about the reaction of Peter to this potion. He has noticed that he was the only one who really heard what Peter said. He recalled it.

Peter said, "I have power now ; this is what you get when you mess with me, James and Sirius. Dark Lord favors me above all now."

Remus was pondering over it when he saw Sirius conjuring a jar and putiing flobberworms in it.

Remus said, "What do you think you are doing?"

Sirius replied, "What does it look like I am doing, Moony."

Remus said, "I meant what are you going to do with these flobberworms."

Sirius said, "I have thought of a surprise for you. Tomorrow at breakfast in Great Hall."

Remus said, "Just don't land us in another detention. I am tired of these flobberworms already."

Sirius gave a mock horror-struck look and said, "Moony, are you of abandoning me and flobberworms. How will we survive without you?"

Remus has laughed. And the detention continued in the pleasant atmosphere. Remus was happy that Professor Slughorn hasn't separated them.

When they have finished their detention, Sirius has decided to take a detour to kitchen while Remus went to Gryffindor tower.

Remus entered the dormitory and sat on his bed. His eyes fell on James who was slightly quivering. He has asked James what was wrong but hasn't got any reply.

Remus opened his trunk to change and found the book 'Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets.' He has drawn the curtains and read the whole book. The time he finished the book, sun has risen. He has decided to discuss with Sirius about the book, hoping Sirius's surprise might land them in detention again.

Sirius Black

Sirius, after eating sandwiches with pumpkin juice, was going back towards Gryffindor Tower after visiting Great Hall with his flobberworms. He has met Argus Flich's cat on the way and decided to stun it.

Sirius entered dormitory and thought he heard a sigh from James, He has pulled the curtains and called him. However, he didn't get any response.

He sat on his bed and saw some book that he didn't recognize, beside his trunk. He picked it up and read,"Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix."

He, too, like others spent whole night reading the book. He even forgot about the flobberworms.

The next day

All boys pretended to wake up. However, it was quite obvious that neither of them has slept.

They looked at each other curiously.

James said," Padfoot and Moony, I need to talk to you."

Remus replied, "Same here."

Peter was quite elated that since last night he had killed Atsushi. It has given him some strange feeling of being powerful, of being in control.

Peter said, " What about me?"

Before Remus could say that Peter can join them, James has interrupted, "No, Peter. If I remember correctly today you have detention with Professor Sprout."

James' harsh tone has surprised Remus but Sirius has remained quiet.

Peter's elation has faded. His eyes showed mixed expression of fear and gloom and he left dormitory hurriedly. In the common room, he found Lily who was waiting for James apparently. Seeing Peter distressed she asked him what happened. But he ignored her and went for breakfast.

James, Sirius and Remus went to common room together and decided to meet each other in the Room of Requirement.

When they reached common room Lily has inquired about Peter but James has replied angrily, "You don't need to worry about him." Lily and Remus has looked at James with surprised expression. Sirius, however, has remained expressionless. Lily has tried talking to him but he has just smiled and left after James.

Lily inquired Remus but he was also puzzled. Lily and Remus walked to the Great Hall together but the scene before them made them forget about James and Sirius's attitude. It was like it was raining on Slytherin Table but instead of water, it was rain of flobberworms.

Professor Minerva entered the Great Hall behind them and shouted, " Black, Potter, Lupin to my office now."

Professor Flitwick who was kind of sour after Ravenclaw lost their Quiddtch match to Slytherin was just sitting and watching the scene. Dumbledore, however, has entered the Hall and with amused expression has stopped the rain. Regulus sighed and looked towards his brother who he was surprised to see wasn't laughing but sitting with blank expression on his face. Even James was lost in some thought. Severus was inwardly cursing them and removing flobberworms from his hair.

Regulus got up and walked towards his brother. He placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder and said, " We need to talk. Its urgent."

Regulus's sudden appearance hasn't only startled Sirius but James and Remus,too.

Sirius replied, " I am not joining your Dark Lord's fan club."

Regulus said with sort of a pleading expression, "Its not about that. But its extremely important."

Sirius, looking at his brother's expression, replied," Ok, I will meet you before lunch."

Before Sirius could elaborate, Regulus has interrupted and said, " Lets meet somewhere private. How about near lake?"

Sirius said, " Ok." And saw his brother walk away from table.

James who was already irritated after reading the book asked in extremely irritated tone, "What was that about?"

James mind was racing that could it be that meeting Regulus made people suspicious of Sirius that he could be a Death Eater.

Sirius looked at him surprised and said, "Whats wrong with you?"

Remus has had enough of James's temper and said, " Either you just tell what's wrong or drop the tone."

James then impatiently said, " Lets skip the lesson. We need to talk first."

Then Sirius, James and Remus got up and made their way to Room of Requirement.

Severus saw Regulus come back after talking to Sirius. He felt angry at Regulus.

Regulus ignored his expression and said, " Lets skip lesson. I want to discuss something with you that's more important."

Severus seeing how serious Regulus is, just nodded. They had got up and left the Great Hall together.

Unknown to boys, Hagrid the gamekeeper after some time has found the body of Atsushi near Forbidden Forest. There was an uproar in the Great Hall as Hagrid walked with tortured body of Atsushi in the Great Hall where many students were still doing breakfast. Dumbledore and all other professors have gotten up, alarmed and asked Hagrid to take Atsushi to hospital wing. However, looking at the condition of body, Dumbledore realized that it might be too late.

PS:

I have tried to lessen the mistakes and improve my English since it's not my native language. I apologize beforehand for any inconvenience. And Sorry for such a long delay.