Part Forty
Lily, James and Sirius exchanged worried glances.
James- Lily, stay here and try to reason with him. Sirius, let's go deal with our one time 'friend'.
Sirius nodded and the two of them entered the Great Hall through one of the side entrences beside the main doors. When Remus tried to join them, Freedom moved in front of him and lowered her horn threateningly.
Inside the Great Hall, things were beginning to wrap up. Peter, per his request, was the last to speak. Many of the people who had attended the service for the elder Potters had stayed for the service for the younger boys. Among them were Remus's parents, Lily's parents and sister, Petunia, and members of Sirius's 'family' including Regulas, his younger brother.
At the Slytherin table, Lucius Malfoy scowled in disgust. Good riddance to people who had never been anything but blood traitors anyway, he thought. Too bad James, Sirius and Remus had managed to escape, we would have been well rid of three very troublesome boys who might have made a difference. He looked down at the wand he carried and shook his head. It wasn't anything like his old one and didn't work right. Stupid mutt. If I ever catch him he's worse than dead.
Over the heads of the crowd, came the voice of the last member of the group that called themselves "The Marauders." Snape sniffed with contempt. Though he had never had anything but amnity for the four boys, he still could not understand what the other three saw in this pathetic speciman that stood extolling the virtues of his best friends. The boy wasn't anything like his popular, charismatic friends. He was a coward, depending on his friends for the support and protection from those who would bully him.
Peter (It..., Cowardly rat..., ..., traitorous snitch...): They were my best friends. Through many adventures we stuck together, protected each others backs...
Snape snorted at that. Pettigrew had never ever protected his friends from anything.
"...They will always remain in my memory and, if Professor Dumbledore agrees, I would like to put up a memorial to them beside the..."
Sirius- Well, isn't this touching? Sorry we're late. Must have overslept. What's been happening?
Everyone gasped and turned to see Sirius Black and James Potter standing at the back of the room. To most of the people in the room it looked like they were amused by the proceedings, which worried a few people, but to anyone close enough (which included many of the Slytherins and several of the Gryffindors who got up and backed away) the smiles looked forced and both of them had a look in their eyes that would make even the bravest of those who could see it gulp with nervousness.
James- Dear me, Padfoot, I do believe that we have done what Mom... (his voice breaks for a moment) always said I would do... arrive late for my own funeral.
Sirius- (lets out a bark-like laugh) You know, Prongs, I do believe your right.
The two of them began walking down the center aisle of the Great Hall towards the Teachers' table and were met halfway down it by Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall with drawn wands.