The Fifth Marauder.
Chapter 13
The next day, the whole school had heard that Rothburn had been sacked for attacking students and using an unforgivable curse on students. Yet, no one knew who the students were, no one except the Marauders and Lily. Classes had been cancelled for the day and the heads of houses had announced that Dumbledore was going to make an important announcement during the feast that night. The students of Hogwarts took the opportunity to spend the day enjoying a rare, British summer day outside. The hot sun found the Marauders sat under a tree near the Dark Lake, watching first years try to dodge the water being splashed around by the giant squid.
"What is with this heat?" Remus asked, lying flat on his back in the shade.
"Don't knock it Moony. We live in England, which means very few sunny days." Nixie commented from where she lay with her head on Sirius' lap reading a book.
"Yeah, we don't know when we're going to have another day like this." James said. He had been lying on his front, playing wizards chess with Peter.
"How are you so calm?" Sirius asked, running his fingers through Nixie's hair.
"What do you mean?" She asked, moving her head to look up at him.
"After last night. How are you able to lay there so calmly?" He asked, slumping slightly into the tree he was leaning against.
"I'm not calm. I'm just trying to get on with my life and not dwell on what happened." She replied.
"Hey guys." They looked around to see Lily walking up to them, looking more at ease than she had all year. "So, Rothburn has been sentenced to life in Azkaban after last night."
"Finally. Thought we'd never get rid of him." James said, looking up at the woman he was sure he loved.
"So, what happened before we got there last night?" Remus asked, looking back at Nixie, who sighed and sat up, moving to lean against the tree next to Sirius.
"I was heading to the astronomy tower to get some air when I was thrown into that room. Rothburn walked in and told me that he had been sent here to find the student that Dumbledore was keeping secret, which turned out to be me. He said he was going to take me to Voldemort for a reward." She said, making the rest look at her in shock.
"He was working for Voldemort?" Peter squeaked, looking terrified at the idea.
"Why does Voldemort want you?" Lily asked, frowning.
"I don't think he does." Nixie said, causing more confusion. "Rothburn said that he was sent here to find a student that Dumbledore was keeping hidden. All Dumbledore told Rothburn was that I have more magical potential than other students, the rest he worked out. He also said that Voldemort would definitely want me when he finds out what I am."
"So what does that mean?" James asked.
"I think that Voldemort knows there is a student here that has more magical potential, but I don't think he knows who, or what that potential is. I don't think Rothburn ever gave him my name, or told him what I am." She said, making them share a look.
"So, you're safe?" Sirius asked, making her laugh.
"We're Marauders. Are we ever safe?" She asked, making them smirk.
"Never. Filch will be chasing us to our graves!" James said, making Lily roll her eyes.
"Don't you guys think you should tone down the pranks and trouble making next year?" She asked, making the 5 Marauders share mischievous looks.
"Not a chance." They said, making Lily sigh.
"There is one more thing I want to know about last night." Lily said, making them frown. "Remus said he could feel that something wasn't right. That he just knew you were in trouble. How could he know?"
"Remember how I told you that the fairies created werewolves?" Nixie asked, making Lily and the others nod. "Well, they were designed to be protectors of fairies. Remus has this instinct to protect me, no matter what. When I was in trouble last night, that instinct he has told him that something wasn't right, which is how he knew something was wrong."
"So, Remus has to protect you when you're in danger?" Sirius asked.
"Kinda." She replied with a slight smile. "On a full moon he won't be able to control the instinct that tells him to protect me, but while he's in his human form, it'll just be a slight nagging in the back of his mind." Lily looked at the time and sighed as she stood up.
"Well, looks like it's time to get ready for the feast. Nixie, come on." Nixie sighed, giving Sirius a quick kiss before getting up and following Lily to Gryffindor tower. Lily pulled her to a stop when they were inside their dorm, making Nixie frown.
"Fess up." She said, making Nixie's frown deepen.
"What are you on about?" She asked.
"I know that you are more bothered by what happened last night than you're letting on, so tell me." She said, her hands on her hips.
"How do you think I feel after last night Lil? He tried to kill me!" She said, sitting on her bed. "I guess I just haven't really had time to process what happened. When we got to the hospital wing, I got distracted by Madam Pomfrey telling me about my parents."
"Nix, you know you're safe right? No one is going to hurt you." Lily said, pulling her friend into a hug.
"I know. Thanks Lil."
"You're welcome. Now, we really do need to get ready for the feast." They laughed before quickly changing into their robes. They walked to the common room arm in arm, laughing at the sight of the Marauders sprawled across the sofas, already in their robes. "Hurry up you lot. We don't want to be late."
"Why are you guys still here?" Nixie asked as they all began walking towards the great hall.
"We just thought we'd walk down with you two today." Remus said, avoiding eye contact. Nixie frowned before looking at the rest of the group, noticing that none of them would meet her gaze.
"Alright, cough it up. What's going on with you lot?" She asked, making Sirius and James share a look.
"I don't know what you mean." James said.
"Oh come on. You guys haven't let me be on my own all day. One of you is always with me. It's like you think somethings going to jump out and attack me." She saw their faces and stopped walking, making them look at her. "That's it, isn't it? You think someone's going to try and attack me again, don't you?"
"Nixie, we're just worried after last night. We're trying to make sure you're safe." Sirius said, knowing that if any of them could get through to her, it was him.
"That's sweet guys, but you don't need to worry about me." She replied as they kept walking. They were one of the last groups to walk into the great hall, and they quickly took their seats with the rest of their house before Dumbledore stood up.
"Good evening all." Dumbledore said as he stood in front of the staff table. "I am sure a lot of you are wondering why classes were cancelled today, and those eagle eyed among you would have noticed the empty seat at the staff table." All attention went to Rothburn's empty chair at his words, some students only just noticing his absence. "It seems, that Professor Rothburn was not as reliable as we originally thought. Late last night, he attacked a group of our students, and attempted to perform the killing curse on them. Thankfully, these students were able to defend themselves and hold Rothburn until he was apprehended. Rothburn is now serving a life sentence in Azkaban." There was a lot of chatter, and the Marauders shared a look, glad that the man would spend the rest of his life rotting in jail. "Now, I would like some students to please stand. Miss Evens, Miss Ryder, Mr S. Black, Mr Potter, Mr Pettigrew and Mr Lupin." The 6 shared a look before slowly standing, all eyes drawn to them. "These students acted with bravery and loyalty last night, proving to everyone why they should be in Gryffindor. Miss Evens, you sought out help when you knew your friends were in danger and for that, I award you 20 house points." Lily looked at her friends in shock as Gryffindor cheered.
"Way to go Lily!" Someone shouted, only for the room to become quiet again as Dumbledore raised his hand slightly.
"Mr Black, Potter, Pettigrew and Lupin. You showed great courage and bravery when you ran to your friend's side, unaware of the danger that was a head of you. You used all of your knowledge and skills to protect yourselves and your friend, and for that, I award you 30 house points each." They all shared grins as Gryffindor cheered once again, only to fall silent at Dumbledore's signal. "Miss Ryder." Nixie looked at the headmaster to see the small smile on his face and the twinkle in his eyes. "You bravely defended yourself and acted upon instinct when attacked. You stood for what you knew was right, and you protected your friends and saved them from a horrible fate. For your actions, I award you 50 house points." The cheer coming from not only the Gryffindor table, but the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables was deafening. A few students from Slytherin cheered, but many just sat there watching the events unfold.
"And now, to award the house cup." Dumbledore announced. "In fourth place with 170 points is Slytherin. In third, with 210 points is Hufflepuff. In second with 250 points is Ravenclaw, and in first, with a staggering 480 points, is Gryffindor!" There was a lot of cheering and hugging, even Slytherin politely clapped for the winners, recognising that it was a deserved win. "And now, enjoy the feast!"
Later that evening, Sirius and Nixie were curled up on the sofa, Nixie wrapped in Sirius' arms. The rest of the group had gone to bed, leaving the couple sat in peace in front of the roaring fire.
"How are you doing?" Sirius asked, holding her tight.
"I'm alright. Just glad that this is over." She replied, snuggling into him more.
"I thought I was going to lose you when he shot that curse at you." He whispered, burying his face in her hair.
"Hey, Look at me." She said, turning to face him and holding his face in her hands. "I'm here. I'm fine. You're not going to lose me. Ever." She whispered, placing a kiss on his lips. They cuddled back together before Sirius sighed.
"I'm not looking forward to summer." He said.
"Why not?" She asked, closing her eyes as she leaned against his shoulder. "Is it because of your parents?"
"Well, they're always one reason that I hate summer, but I have a different reason this year." He said, kissing her head. "I'm not going to be able to see you."
"I know. But we can still write, can't we?" She asked, leaning forward and turning to look at him.
"We can try, but my mother burns all my mail before I get the chance to read it." He said with a dry laugh. He smiled as he looked at her. "Don't worry. I'll find a way to make sure that we can contact each other. One way or another, I'll get at least a letter to you. Even if I have to send it through muggle post."
"Well, we have a whole train journey tomorrow, and then we only have a couple of months until we're back." She said with a smile. They sat there, wrapped in each other's arms until they decided that they needed to get some sleep.
Xxx
Late the next morning, the 5 Marauders were sat in their compartment on the Hogwarts Express, laughing and joking around as they reminisced about the year.
"Next year, we have to step up our pranks." James said, pulling out a piece of parchment. "I already have some ideas."
"James, can we get through summer before we start the pranks?" Remus asked with a laugh, lying on the chair as Peter and James sat on the floor, Nixie and Sirius cuddling on the other side of the compartment.
"No! We need to come back strong. Maybe do something on the first day of term." He replied.
"How about we just wait a couple of days. I'd rather not get detention before classes start." Nixie said, kicking James lightly.
"Where's the fun in that?" He asked, passing the parchment to Sirius who held his hand out for it.
"Hey James, what's this one?" He asked, pointing to number 13 on the list, which said 'Wings day'.
"Oh, that. I found a potion that when combined with a spell, and a bit of fairy magic, will give whoever takes it wings for 24 hours." He said, making them all share a look. "I figured we could have a day where Nixie doesn't have to hide who she is, and we can do it at Halloween to give everyone a laugh."
"Wow James. That's a really good idea." Nixie said, smiling at him.
"Yeah, well I just have to figure out how to make the potion and what magic we need you to input, and then it'll be ready for use. I just don't know how we're going to administer it." He said, frowning at the parchment.
"We can figure that out after summer. For now, let's just have a bit of fun." Remus said, making them all share a smile.
By the time they jumped down from the red steam train and onto platform 9 ¾, they had ate twice their weight in sweets and changed the hair colour of everyone that walked past their compartment. They walked towards the front of the train to collect their luggage arm in arm, laughing and joking with each other before they went their separate ways.
"I'm gonna miss you guys." James gushed as they walked towards where they thought their parents were.
"Aww, James. We'll miss you too!" Nixie said, ruffling his hair, making it stick up even more.
"Sirius!" They turned to see a stern woman marching towards them, Sirius' brother Regulus trailing behind her.
"Here comes the wicked witch of the west." Remus muttered making Nixie laugh as the others frowned. "Muggle thing."
"Sirius Orion Black." Walburga Black snapped as she stormed up to her eldest son. "What are you doing with these mudbloods and blood traitors?"
"No one here is a muggle-born. And they are my friends." He snapped.
"We will see about that. Come Sirius." She ordered, turning and walking away, Regulus throwing the Marauders a look of apology before following.
"Well, that's my cue." He mumbled, giving Nixie a quick kiss before following his mother away, giving the boys a quick wave.
"Nixie!" They turned to see Nixie's parents walking towards them, James' parents next to them. "Hello dear. Are you ready to go?" Mrs Ryder asked, giving her daughter a hug.
"Almost." She said, turning and hugging the remaining Marauders. "I'll see you in a couple of month's boys. Moony, I'll be seeing you on the 7th. Try and spend some time outside. Wormtail, try not to eat all of the sweets you can find. Prongs… Just try not to get yourself killed."
"Bye Wings!" They called as she walked away with her parents. She just hoped that they could get through the summer without incident, and that she remained off of Voldemort's radar.