Midnight, October 30th
-Regulus Black-
It doesn't take much to completely break down. Perhaps a word, an action; maybe it could even be a series of events and sentences. But when it comes down to it, it doesn't take a lot.
Like now, kneeling over a dying Muggle.
-AN IMAGE OF A BROKEN MAN-
A woman, a girl forced to grow up, lying face-up on the freezing pavement. I was watching over her, holding her hand as she fell asleep. A certain coldness covered her face, but her eyes were wide open: watching me. But slowly, painstakingly, almost, her eyes began too began to fade. Finally, her body gave loose a powerful gasp, and the girl was no more.
…
What could I do but stay?
Yes,
I had orders to leave.
But how could I? I was the coward who stood by, watching her receive a Death blow she never saw coming.
This was the end.
I knew about the Horcruxes, he all but told me about them. Told all of us. He didn't have the skill to understand. There could've been several, but I knew of one.
That locket.
Slytherin's locket.
Yes, I knew of that too.
I knew I was going to die, but before that happened, I was going to take him down with me. I wasn't sure how to do it, or even if it existed. But I had faith, and that's all it took to keep going. Perhaps then, maybe, if I was lucky, I would see my brother again. I'd explain everything, and he'd understand. Sirius and I knew each other, we were brothers; and I hate to put them in past tense. Was isn't the way it should be.
As a Black, I could be under the protégé of the Imperius Curse and not raise suspicion. Yes, I could see the story now. Read it like a book.
Regulus Black, that One no one understood.
…
Today, the sky was like honey.
Clouds like cream, floating through the sky.
I saw it, slipping off the walls like shadows; walking with my parents to the forest deep.
It was Bellatrix's wedding day.
But don't worry, it wasn't as if she actually loved him.
Rodolphus, that is.
Lestrange. How ironic.
As her cousin, some things were more obvious than others. We knew each other, Cissy and I used to tease her for her accidental magic. She spurted rats and fire more than any of us combined. She was purely Black, more so than me, at least.
The black dress.
The sneer, pure denial to more than laugh.
She was maniacal. She was inspiring. She was a mystery.
Sirius had yet to show up.
The ceremony went as planned.
The rings falling like raindrops into the others hand, slipping onto the forced fingers.
She made a respectable marriage. Pure-Blood, from a racist family.
I had never felt more alone.
…
-Hogwarts. Midnight, on the night before Halloween-
'You coming, Padfoot?'
'No, you said you were getting it!'
'I said nothing of the sort!'
'Come on, Moony. We both know that you fancy her. May as well do her bidding before Prongs shows up.'
'Lily? I don't fancy Lily!'
'Sure you don't mate.'
'Shh. I think I heard something.'
'Nice cover. Really, it was convincing.'
'No! I think I heard a teacher.'
'How do you discern a teacher from a student? Like, do they sound different? I suppose you could tell Flitwick. Twice as many steps as any normal person.'
'Yes, but SHHHH!'
'Don't you shush me!'
'Come on. Good thinking remembering the cloak.'
'Besides my imperishably good looks, I do possess a manner of smarts, thank you very much.'
'Stop bowing, will you? You can see my ankles.'
'Your ankles? I'm seven inches taller than you!'
'Haven't got over it, have we?'
'Stop going so fast! I'm going faint! Wait, why'd you stop?'
'Faint?'
'Oh shut it, Moons.'
'When're the others coming?'
'Pete said 'round midnight. Prongs had detention with Slughorn.'
'Again? You'd think he'd have better things to do!'
'That Slytherin's a git.'
'Royally. But really, we have to make it to Filch's office! Merlin, Sirius. We need that map!'
'I know, but its Midnight. Prongs should've been here by now.'
'Perhaps he and Lilikins are snogging in a broom cupboard.'
'Thanks for that visual, Moony. Really needed that.'
'Here we are. Can you open the door? My hands are full.'
'Of what?'
'You know… stuff.'
'That's right. Because the great Remus John Lupin, ex-werewolf, can't open a bloody door without-'
'Finish that sentence, and we won't need to open the door.'
'…'
'Brilliant. Now Misser Padfoot, if you please.'
'Alohomora.'
'Now, was that so hard?'
'I dunno. You tell me.'
'Just grab the map and let's get out of here. This room reeks.'
'There's so many cupboards! Aww, come here. Filch has a whole drawer called "Marauders." How sweet.'
'I reckon it's almost full too.'
'It is! How much room do you have? 'Cause I am not leaving without-'
'SHHH! Its Filch! Sirius, get over here!'
'But the map-'
'Leave it! We'll get it later! He'll have our hides if he finds it's us!'
'-as you can see, Headmaster, things are in set order for… Someone's here. I know it, Headmaster.'
'I assure it's nothing, Argus. No one is here tonight.'
'Of course, sir. Tis' nothing. Most likely a student out of bed.'
'Didja hear that? They know we're here!'
'Shut it, Pads. Just walk with me and they'll never know it was us.'
'But the map…'
'It's okay. James will understand.'
'You can stop whispering now.'
'Thank Merlin. And Dumbledore! What was he doing in Filch's office?'
'How would I know? I may be the hots of Hogwarts, but I don't know everything. That's your job.'
'Thanks, Sirius.'
'I'm here for you mate.'
…
-Lily-
'Unsuccessful, eh?'
Sirius hung his head 'Yeah. Dumbledore was there. We'll have to try again tomorrow.'
'Tomorrow?' James exclaimed 'Tomorrow's Halloween!'
'So? No one will be around.'
'Yeah…' Remus began 'But it's our last feast. I don't want to miss that. I missed it last year too.'
'Oh yeah. You were… yeah, that's right. Course, Moons. Can't miss it now.'
Peter huffed in, slamming the Seventh year dorm door with a slap of the hand 'Where were you all? I've been looking for ages!'
I looked at him oddly 'Peter, James and I have been here all night.'
Sirius gagged 'Thanks Lils. Didn't need to know that.'
James blushed, but I stood 'Where did you go looking? And Sirius? Grow up. We were making wedding plans'
'With Frank and Alice. She said she hadn't seen any of you, so I went looking.'
'Alice? I didn't know she was back! She said something about her mother being ill when we left.'
Peter shrugged 'Didn't come up.'
'Peter, you knew that we were going for the Marauders Map tonight.' Remus said 'We told you last night. You were there when we made the plans!'
He blushed 'Must've… forgotten. Sorry, mate.'
'Anyways,' Sirius said 'when else can we get it done? Filch is never out of his office!'
James cast a mischievous smile around the room 'Then boys? We'll have to make sure he isn't there.' He looked at me 'You in?'
I frowned 'This is a Marauder thing. I'm not a Marauder.'
Sirius looked confused 'Don't you remember? You're a deputy Marauder. And getting married to one. Hey! I've even got a nickname for her!'
'You planned this out?'
'Course not.' He laughed 'can you see me planning? Anyways, it's perfect. Lilypad.'
'Lilypad?' James exclaimed 'she's getting married to me, you tosspot!'
'So? It works!'
'Oi!' I yelled 'I am not getting a nickname. Not with a fox, not in a box! Now give it up before I kill you!'
'When did we start talking about foxes?' Peter whispered to Remus, who shrugged
'Lily, what're you on about?' James asked me, joining me on his trunk lid
'Nothing.' I assured him 'But I am not getting a name like Lilypad'
'Fair enough. Did you have any ideas?'
I shrugged 'not really. Sirius, got anything else?'
He put a finger to his chin 'Lilykins, Liliputs, Lilyshine, Lilypad, Lily-'
'Hey!' Remus began 'What about Lilypad? It's the only thing that makes sense!'
'Lilypad? It makes me sound like a frog.'
'Come on, I'm named after a bloody stag. It can't get much worse than that.'
'Really, Lilypad.' Sirius said helpfully 'You'll grow into it.'
'I can see it now,' Remus said 'Lilypad and Prongs. Married at last.'
James put an arm around my waist 'Yeah, I guess so. Only a year now.'
'Eleven months, sweetheart'
'Whichever. I'm just glad its you.'
It would've been a wonderful kiss if the other Marauders weren't catcalling and whistling.
Oh well. If this was my life, I didn't want it to ever end.
…
But it did :( Poor lily.
Many apologies for the long wait, but I hope you like the end result.
For those Maximum Ride fans out there, I snuck a quote in this chapter. If you can find it, I'll give you a shoutout next chapter.
Vote! I want to change my username! Go to my profile page to vote in my poll!
I think its funny, Lilypad. My younger brother came up with it, and I just had to include something of the sorts.
Lastly, review! Tell me what you liked best, who you liked best, or who you want to see next. Cause I can't tell you how frusterating it is to see a thousand hits and no reviews :) and it definitely inspires work, and will speed up the update times, just so you know.
Thanks for reading!
-Silence Nevermore
