Chapter 17: Letter From Moony

Since they were already planning on making that Saturday a day for another one of their "picnic-days" it was settled that the twins would be invited. There was something else that the twins' invitation would help with, since there really was only one Weasley in their group, and that was something that Ron brought up. Since they were headed towards their spot by the lake, the twins had been invited, and one of the house elves had agreed to provide lunch and a timer, in case they lost track of time once again, everything was going to plan...so far, at least.

"So, what did you want to ask the twins about, as you said before, the 'Weasley Offer'?"

"Well, you asked again about it, but I wanted to get their input also. We've had this happen before and I'd rather avoid that scenario if we could."

"He means the awkwardness" Piers piped up from the back.

"Awkwardness?"

"Yeah" Dudley added "awkwardness. we were invited to our friend's house one day to play Sony, and-"

"What's soney?" Neville asked.

"It's a game system...I can show you over the summer, it's a muggle thing." Piers and Dudley both had the look of overwhelming excitement for having a chance to show the magically-raised of their group muggle stuff that, to them, was almost better than magic itself.

"Anyway, we went to her house but had to leave early because, even though she invited us, her family didn't like us all that much."

"Like us Harry? They hated us."

"It wasn't that bad Piers, they just didn't like us because of Dudley, at first..." Harry trailed off, but since it didn't look like he was going to finish, the rest of the group assumed it was just a bad experience. Ron though, looked kind of guilty but no one knew why. That is, until about 30 seconds later when the twins arrived.

"Looks somber"

"Like someone took a dung bomb"

"To the face."

Harry shrugged off their banter, but started setting up the site for a nice long chat. Hermione looked like she knew the feeling of an experience like that, but no one else looked like they could relate.

"So who wants to start this merry band of misfits' meeting?" One of the twins asked. Harry thought it might be Fred.

"Okay, so remember when we met in Diagon Alley, and we met all the rest of your family?" At a nod from both of the twins, Harry seemed to gather his nerve to continue. "Well, Ron invited us to spend the christmas holidays with your family, and said that your mom and dad were planning on visiting Charlie in Romania."

"This is true"

"And Ron already got our okay on it."

"Well, Dudley, Harry, and I had a bad experience when we were invited over a friend's house for a day, but she didn't tell her family about it."

"Okay..."

"What does this have to do with- Oh! I get it." With a seemingly mental conversation, the point was cleared up, as evident by the other twin's enlightened expression, and the next statement.

"We already cleared it with the family, but"

"You may have to get there on your own"

"As our family isn't exactly of the Malfoy family wealth."

After a glance at Ron, then the twins, Harry started laughing, with Dudley soon to follow. The rest of the group, however, looked confused at the outburst of laughter. It took Hermione nudging Harry in the side to get him to explain.

"Dudley, maybe you should let them know about the bag incident at Gringotts."

"That was rich...seriously rich. Harry here comes back to the lobby and shoves a handful of Galleons in my bag. Seriously, it was like 50 at least."

"Well, to be fair, I did withdraw 400."

Ron and the twins looked like they snagged a goblin for themselves, but it was the Weasley twins themselves that cleared it up.

"I think that it's safe to say"

"That Harry here would be able to get there"

"And bring as many people he wanted."

"Then your family won't feel like we're intruding on a family trip?" Dudley asked the twins specifically.

"Not at all. I know what mom will say already"

"As do I Ronnikins"

"And I" The twins then took the same stance while facing the group.

"If you think having a few friends over"

"Is going to change anything"

"It will."

Ron then stood next to his brothers, took the same stance, and finished with "You'd just make it more fun!"

At the acting done by the trio, Harry, Dudley, and Piers brightened up immediately. The rest of the group seemed to take this as a que to forward the rest of the conversation, Hermione, it seemed, immediately.

"There was something else that we were going to ask you two that Ron told us he didn't know, but you would."

"And what would that be, my bookish beauty?"

A slight blush, then, "What would you two know about coded magical languages?"

To the surprise of everyone at the picnic, the twins retreated for about 50 meters, and a whispered conversation could be seen between them. They seemed to agree on something, then asked the group "What kind of coded magical language?"

"Like words that have their definition changed?"

"Or runes?"

"Or something that isn't runes that look like runes?"

Harry took over, but was obviously careful in what he wanted to tell the duo. "More like only the third one."

"How do you know it's not Runes?" John asked in curiosity.

"Simple, I asked the Goblins. There was a symbol that I recognized that they told me to tell them if I ever figured out what it meant. And since Ron's brother Bill said he worked as a curse-breaker, I looked up what that was."

"So, you found out that the Goblins run the most proficient Curse-breaker's course post-Hogwarts, and knew that they would have already known about the Runes?" John looked like he just won the lottery with that statement.

"More like I knew that they would have recognized the symbol from their wards, since Dudley here remembered that exact symbol being on the cover flap of a certain book."

"And this book, did it say anything in english?"

"Or was it covered with these NOT-runes?"

"Well, the cover of it was only a few runes, and when it opened, it was written like a journal, or text book, but only in those symbols. We didn't know what they were, but Auntuney was the one to tell us to try and figure it out on our own by christmas."

"Whose Auntuney?" Hermione looked genuinely curious, but had a quasi-dangerous look on her face. Come to look around, lily also had the same look, but no curiosity on her face.

Dudley answered with "My mom; Harry calls her Auntuney, since he was little, and found out that his mom called my mom Tuney."

The rest of the group looked like they kind of pitied Harry, but then changed their minds and seemed happy that Harry at least was getting along with the Dursleys. After a few furtive glances to and fro, the twins looked like they were going to ask something, but paused once again. Another mental conversation seemed to be going on so the group waited.

"So, this book of symbols"

"It's definitely not a language of runes"

"And it's not a simple language"

"And it's not in the library"

"Since both Red here and Hermione"

"Would have looked"

"Extensively."

"And no, we don't have the book" Piers added. "Harry said that he could get it after the Christmas holidays if he didn't find anything by then."

"Well, we only know of one other language"

"Besides English"

"And that is runes."

Ron looked surprised, and it was cleared up why when he looked from one twin to the other and said "But you don't take runes."

John looked like he was going to laugh, but it was Hermione that actually did. "You don't have to take a class to study it you know. The library has almost any book that would be included in any class that Hogwarts does or doesn't teach. I found a few on warding, but that was when I was looking for books on symbols."

John added "Aye, and some of the books looked pretty interesting; I don't know why they don't teach at least some of them."

"We can look"

"But no promises on answers."

With that agreed on, the group moved onto their next item of business. With the twins here, and no answers were to be had on the book issue, Harry wanted to look into their reactions at hearing the name, before hearing the nickname. With that, Harry handed the letter from Remus to Lily to read. Hermione didn't react, but it looked like Neville was curious as to why Lily got the letter instead.

"This is a letter from a friend of my dad's. He offered Hagrid to set up a meeting, but I think he was feeling a little bit like an intruder after seeing us in Diagon Alley with everyone around me, and didn't come to introduce himself. So, I sent him a letter and he sent this reply."

"Is this how you guys usually do it?"

Instead of a constant back and forth from them, the twins looked curious at getting a letter read aloud. "Lily can read it out loud since yes, this is how we do things in this group."

"Harry, Hagrid told me that you wanted to contact me, but I didn't think you really wanted to. I don't know where you have been staying, but I can make a few guesses. However, I really didn't think you wanted to see me in Diagon Alley with all your friends around you, so I left thinking that you grew up magical. I'll leave you to tell me otherwise, but since it seems that you didn't. That's mostly my fault, and for that I'm sorry."

"How would that be his fault?" Harry asked, but looked to Hermione for an answer.

"Let's just wait til the end to see if he answers that on his own" was Hermione's response.

"Well, there is someone who would probably tell me I was fooling myself that it is my fault, but as he's not here right now, it really is my fault." Lily looked up at Harry, but at his nod continued. "This friend I'm talking about, you may know. Or know of. His name is Sirius Black, and if you know of him, it is probably because of the paper. There is something that you should know, though. I know where he is and why he's there, but I truly don't think he is guilty of that. I have known him since our second year, and through all that time, I know that he's not that good of an actor. I have tried to find out more, but I have an illness that stops me from doing that. There is a lot that I could have done, had I not had this illness, but the fact is that Sirius and James were the best friends a guy can have. If there was any indication otherwise, there was many times that things would have ended, or began, differently, and these events prove, to me, that this isn't so."

Hermione nodded at Harry, basically confirming that she knew of this illness that Remus refereed to, and that it was the 'secret' that only Remus would tell him about...unless he found out for himself. Harry, however, didn't think that was likely, as he would have to do exactly what she did to find out, and he didn't know what that was. Harry motioned for Lily to continue, even though he knew what was coming, in the letter, and that it was okay; even with the twins present.

"If you know of those names, don't skip the next paragraph, unless you don't want to know about the other friend of ours." A confirming nod and "His name was Peter Pettigrew, and I believe that if anyone was to turn dark, it would be him. However, I don't think that it was out of wanting to go dark. He was a lesser-known coward, even though he was a Gryffindor, So I think that he was turned dark out of fear or survival. I know it sounds bad, but this is something that I have been thinking on since 1981, and I've had a long time to think. I was also the more studious of our group, so I don't think that someone like Sirius, who was much more of a 'Typical Gryffindor' would have thought of."

At this statement, Dudley laughed, as did Piers. Hermione could be seen covering her giggle, and Lily looked like she was trying, really hard, not to laugh. At Ron and Harry's confused looks, Hermione clarified. "He means rushing in and not thinking things through at all."

"Okay, I get it. Don't be a typical Gryffindor." Harry looked properly chastised, so Lily continued with the last bit of the letter.

"Well, I don't know what else I can tell you over owl post, but I was wondering. Since you seem to still want to contact me, if this letter is any indication, then how about we meet over the Christmas Holidays? I can meet you somewhere, or come to where you are staying, if you would like. Where we would meet doesn't really matter to me, it has been a long time since I have last seen you. I'm not sure if you are staying at Hogwarts, or visiting someone over the holidays, or heading home to visit, so I'll leave the decision up to you and whoever is taking care of you. If you have other plans, don't feel like you have to cancel them on my account. It has been ten years, a few more months won't make that much difference to me." At this, though, Lily paused and asked Harry directly if he wanted the last bit read.

"Go ahead and read the last part, I think they can now know."

"Okay, it reads...P.S. My friends called me Moony, so you can call me that if you wish."

"MOONY!"

"AS IN THE MOONY?!"

At Harry's smirk, Dudley answered with "THE Moony? What moony would that be?"

Trying to find out if they where having them on, the twins decided to just ask.

"You saw the fireworks?"

"You know, the quidditch ones?"

"THAT moony."

Harry thought for a moment and asked "Moony of fireworks? Sorry, I don't know that one."

The twins looked from one group to another, but still couldn't tell if they were joking or not.

"We mean Moony of the Marauders."

"Oh that Moony. Yeah, he's that Moony."

"So which one was your dad then?"

"To prove you know."

"Well, Prongs, since you asked nicely."

"And which one was Sirius Black?"

"And Peter Pettigrew."

"Peter was Wormtail -"

"Making Sirius Black Padfoot, yes."

With all that settled, the twins were now at the feet of Harry, saying "Oh honored Progslet" and "Let us meet him too" over and over again. Laughing, Harry and Dudley the most, the twins continued for a few minutes before pleading for an answer.

"I planned to invite him with us to go to Romania with your family. That was another thing I wanted to ask you guys to ask your parents about."

"Well, that depends."

"On what this illness that he apparently has."

"Hermione?" Asked Harry.

"It will be alright, it's not contagious except for certain rare circumstances, and if Mr. Lupin has gone this long, I am sure that he knows how to prevent those circumstances from happening. He wouldn't be out and about otherwise."

"Then I am sure that our parents will agree." "

Especially if he's a friend of your Dad's."

"All the same, I'd rather be sure."

"We'll write them tonight."

"Today"

"That's exactly what I meant to say, Forge"

"Too right Gred."

"By the way, what time is it?" Neville asked. After looking at his watch, Ron said it was 11:34, and just as he said the time, their picnic area was filled with a feast meant for a king. At least, until Ron spent the next twenty minutes devouring half of it on his own. The twins were not surprised, having to grow up with the food-devouring wizard. Hermione and Lily, and surprisingly Neville, all looked mildly disgusted at the rate and manner of which Ron was consuming the different foods.

After the food was finished, and everyone had their fill, the food sat for a little bit until it all disappeared, but that wasn't what settled their picnic. It was a few students getting closer to the group, but it wasn't known if they knew who was behind the willow or not, nor was it apparent if it was on purpose. That was, until Dudley suddenly perked up, and Piers started snickering at Dudley's obvious burst of happiness.

"Potter and company, we were just looking for you." Greengrass was looking kind of bored, but it was Tracy Davis that showed up with a letter in hand that gave Harry a clue as to why they would be looking for this particular group.

"This letter says that you have been contacted by my Father, and that you know of my family."

"That is...kind of true..." Harry trailed off, but then seemed to get his stuff together. "He did, but I don't realy know of your family."

Hermione and Lily took pity on Harry, finally. "Harry was trying to get to know you better, since the letter he got wasn't exactly expected."

"And the library session was his attempt?" Greengrass asked. At Harry's shameful nod, she just said "That was a pitiful attempt. Even for a Gryffindor." Tracy then laughed, actually laughed, and the laughing train took off. Dudley though was the most obvious, mostly because, Harry thought, Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis seemed to be warming up to the group as a whole, instead of just a few of them.

"Well, you should've just told me, instead of trying to be a Slytherin. Obviously, it's not your strong suit." After Tracy's statement, Greengrass looked from one to another, until she could gauge everyone's reaction. Since this seemed to be a tight-knit group, who laughed at each other and didn't seem to take offense too often, she made up her mind.

"Then, you can call me Daphne. But only outside of Slytherin; I'm still 'Greengrass' in that case. I have a reputation to uphold, and not just for me."

"I know, because Tracy is half-blood, and people like Malfoy would take that and use it."

Pure, unadulterated surprise was the reaction to Dudley's statement on both of their faces.

"Obviously, we could care less about what your blood is like; we all know it's red, and not a creature's-"

"Like a Veela?" Daphne asked with a determined expression towards Dudley.

"Uh, no, I meant like a Unicorn, or a Gryffin, or snake's blood. I mean, it's not like a 'half-blood' is half-snake, half-wizard or witch."

After looking at Dudley for a few seconds, and determining that he was serious, she nodded her head towards his way, and the enjoyment coming from him told her everything. To her side, Tracy was smiling at her that seemed to say 'I told you so.'

After a few minutes, Harry seemed to want to ask something, but didn't seem to know how to phrase it. Glancing at Daphne, he finally asked "So, Piers said that you're interested in subjects that aren't taught at Hogwarts...and said that one was warding."

"That's right. My family isn't a normal family as purebloods go. We focus more on life-fulfilling jobs instead of what is socially acceptable for most purebloods."

"Socially acceptable?" John seemed genuinely confused, but still interested.

"As in housewife, healer, or potioneer. Rarely will you see someone from a 'proper pureblood family' doing something like being an auror, or a politician, or even something as smiple as owning their own business. If a business is owned, it's the males that run and operated the shop or business."

"That's kinda insulting" Piers stated.

"No, it's really insulting. I know the muggle world doesn't put up with that kind of attitude...people get sued and fined for that kind of situation" Dudley added, with a semi-angry face to show just how much he didn't agree with that kind of situation.

With that, and since it was getting later than they had planned on staying, the group agreed to break up for the day, and go their separate ways. Harry was deciding on whether or not to head to the library, but couldn't tell if it was going to be worth his time. Although not as habitual as Hermione or John, Harry did actually study for his classes, as his previous history with schooling proved. Dudley was not so much as a study-hard kind of person, but more of 'read the reviews and get my own thoughts' kind of studier. Piers already said that there was a few things he wanted to look up in the library, and Lily wanted to finish a few of her future assignments, so Harry eventually decided to head up to the common room for the last few hours of the day then get a head start early the next morning.