Chapter 16: After Graduation Plans
When the holidays ended school sped forward full steam with little regard for any worries or woes of the outside world. N.E.W.T.s were fast approaching and Calamity found herself in the library even more than she enjoyed- which was saying something. By the time spring's sunny disposition poked through winter, James had taken it upon himself to magically expand their table so that the marauders could join Calamity, Lily, and Margaret as they studied. Susan's family had opted not to send her back for her final term. Sirius let out a groan on a particularly late night, running his hand through his hair in a Potter-esque fashion. He balanced onto the back legs of his chair and gave Calamity a devilish look.
"No," she said turning a page without looking up.
"What" Sirius said in pretend offense. "I didn't say anything."
"Sirius I have got to get almost perfect marks to make it into the Healer program."
"I thought you'd made it in," Lily said scratching something out on her Transfiguration essay. She handed it back to James so he could continue reviewing it for mistakes.
"Well, I'm expecting a response this week. If I do get in I still need top marks to keep my spot," Calamity explained. She glanced at Sirius who was beaming at her.
"And you don't think that deserves a celebration," he asked nudging her.
"No. Not until I finish this Herbology homework."
"She's right, Padfoot," Remus said to Sirius' sound of exasperation. "We're almost done with this stack of homework. Besides we can all celebrate on the weekend."
Lily checked her watch.
"James, we have about fifteen minutes before our rounds."
"Ah, yes," he said pushing up his glasses. "This part is brilliant, but you need to recheck the nonverbal applications of human transfiguration into inanimate objects."
Lily made an exasperated sound packing away her things. "I'll have to do it ."
"I try to be brilliant," James smirked.
"And modest," smirked Lily. They stood and headed towards the door, their banter fading away as they walked.
"Blimey, if first year James could see himself now," Sirius said with a slight smile.
"Remus, will you pass me the Potions book," Margaret asked. "I need to fact check this- oof."
Snape had bumped into her chair, his expression distracted as he stared at the door as if in deep thought, his face twisted unpleasantly. He let out a hiss of pain, eyes flashing as they turned to Margaret.
"Watch it," he snarled.
"You ran into her chair, Snape," Remus pointed out. Snape turned his dark eyes to Remus, they glinted maliciously.
"Lupin, what a surprise. I imagined you'd be occupied with your less flattering side this close to your time of-"
Sirius slammed his book closed loudly cutting Snape off midsentence. Snape sneered turning Snape's attention towards Sirius.
"Oh, I forgot, you don't like me to talk about your pet."
Calamity touched Sirius' hand, which was shaking slightly with rage.
"Can we help you, Snivellus," asked Remus.
"Of course not, Lupin," Snape drawled. "I just enjoy seeing you studying so hard for unemployment and destitution. It's a monster of a world out there. But, of course," his eyes glinted again. "You know all about monsters."
Sirius lunged forward across the table, magic forgotten in his rage. He managed to get two good swings in before Madam Pince came bustling over and kicked them all out of the library, sending Snape to the Hospital Wing for his bloody nose.
As they walked back to the Gryffindor Tower, Sirius shook his hand to relieve some of the pain from making contact with Snape's jaw.
"You shouldn't have done that," Remus said quietly.
"He's got a big mouth," Sirius said fiercely. Calamity took his hand and inspected it. There weren't any cuts, just soreness from the force of his punch.
"It was a good punch," Peter said.
"Don't let him get you down," Margaret said. "He's a git. All that nonsense about your future? You're one of the top students. He's jealous that you'll be in line for a better job than 'll just finish studying in the common room."
Remus gave a weak smile as they stepped through the portrait hole.
"Thanks, Margaret. I'm a bit tired. I think I'll go to bed."
"Oh," she said sounding disappointed that her pep talk didn't work. "Good night."
"I better go too," Sirius said glancing to Calamity."I haven't forgotten that you owe me a celebration." He kissed her cheek gently before hurrying after Remus, Peter behind him.
"Do you think he's alright," Margaret asked as they sat next to the fire, spreading their homework out again for final touches.
"I think so," Calamity said, but she couldn't help but think that Snape had hit a particularly sensitive nerve with Remus. What was a werewolf to do after school in a world that didn't understand their monthly dilemma?
Calamity checked her watch in the common room. They had ten minutes to get to class. Sirius was taking too long. She gave an exasperated sigh. She had already told Margaret and Lily to go ahead without her. She tapped her foot impatiently as James, Remus, and Peter came into view. No Sirius.
"Calamity, just the young woman I was hoping to see," James said beaming. Remus rolled his eyes.
"Where's Sirius?"
"That's the problem," James said. "Sleeping Beauty won't get up and if we are late we'll get detention for the month- Slughorn is still not pleased about our,er, habits as it is."
"You mean you skipped too many potion classes," offered Calamity.
"Exactly, so could you just..." James nudged her towards the boys dorm.
"Or you could just let him get detention," offered Remus. James looked at him betrayed.
"Our mate? Detention? Never! Have you no loyalty, Moony?"
"Save the dramatics," Calamity sighed. "I'll go. Get to class."
"Yes Ma'am," James called.
Calamity walked up the steps, reading the signs as she went until she reached the landing that said "7th year boys." She pushed the door open, letting it bang against the wall as it revealed the messy and darkened boys dormitory. The largest pile seemed to be next to the only four poster bed with it's curtains drawn.
Calamity approached, trying her best to make as much noise as possible: knocking over books from the dresser, kicking shoes, and stomping with each step. The curtains were still closed and peaceful despite her noise.
"Oh for the love of Merlin, Sirius," Calamity began, her hand reaching for the curtain. She paused as her eyes caught sight of a letter signed Professor Albus Dumbledore. She glanced at the curtain again, tempted by the easily accessible information. What could Professor Dumbledore be writing to Sirius about? Before she could decide whether or not to read the note, she felt her wrist being pulled forward and through the red curtains. She was tangled in Sirius' arms and legs, her cheek pressed against her bare chest.
"Glad you could make it," he mumbled kissing the top of her head. "Not the sort of celebration I was thinking, but acceptable all the same."
"What a gentleman," Calamity snickered, pushing away to look up at him."Do you know what time it is?"
"Sexy time," Sirius suggested in a groggy tone.
"No, Class time."
"I love it when you talk dirty, Calamity."
"Sirius, I'm being-" Sirius opened his eyes lazily, an expectant smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Stern. I'm being stern," she finished lamely, trying to avoid the pun.
"I'm being Sirius. Who is Stern?"
She groaned and Sirius let out a bark like laugh.
"Alright I'll get up, but we'll be late no matter what."
He threw the covers off of him revealing that he was wearing only his underpants. His back still showed the scar from his motorcycle attack- a sleek line across his shoulder, and a fading patch on his side. He stretched making the scar elongate as well.
"We can still make it," Calamity said turning away as her breathe caught. Sirius threw on his uniform quickly, tousling his hair and glancing at the mirror.
"You're really ruining my bad boy reputation," Sirius said finding his bag under the pile of socks.
Calamity spotted the letter again on the table and quickly looked away, trying not to be nosy. Sirius sat next to her, sniffed a sock and pulled it on.
"You can read it," he offered. He nodded to the letter. "It related to you as well. I was going to mention it over breakfast but someone slept in and made us miss breakfast."
"Sorry, Calamity," Calamity said in a gruff voice, her best impression of Sirius. "I just stayed up too late having a pillow fight with my friends."
"It's okay, Sirius," Sirius replied in an impression of Calamity. His voice was much too high pitched and she gave him a halfhearted glare. "I still love you, you devilish rouge you." He disappeared into the bathroom and Calamity took the letter.
Mr. Black,
I received the information sent over holidays regarding the motorcycle incident. Considering this new information with the death of Elizabeth Blackwell, your encounter with Mr. Black in Hogsmeade, and the information you provided last term, I think it would be best for us to meet Wednesday night in my office. The password will be Ariana. For the purpose of our meeting, it would be best to include Mr. Potter, Ms. Ezra-Mahoney, and Ms. Evans.
Sincerely,
Professor Albus Dumbledore.
"You'll make us late," Sirius said.
Calamity put the letter on the bed and followed him down the stairs as Sirius intertwined his fingers with hers. They walked in silence, as Calamity considered the letter. What could Professor Dumbledore want with them? He was putting together all of the pieces that James and Sirius had provided him, but what could it add up to? Was Ted right? Had the two stumbled onto something big? Was there an attack coming and if so how could she and Lily help?
"Alright, here we are."
Calamity looked up. They were standing next to a hunched back statue, no potion classroom in sight. It was clear that in her reverie she had been led astray.
"Sirius," she said exasperated. She looked at her watch. They were ten minutes late and counting.
"James will cover for us," Sirius said with a smile. "Come on, I have a surprise for you."
He tapped the hunch of the statue and the hump opened. He leaned down to give her a boost. Calamity frowned slightly looking from him, to the statue, to her watch.
"We'll get detention if we show up now," Sirius reasoned. He grinned at her, eyes twinkling with laughter. "Might as well enjoy our freedom."
Calamity sighed and took the boost, sliding less than gracefully into he tunnel. Sirius slid next to her as the statue closed and they sat in darkness.
"Lumos," whispered Sirius. his face lit up. From his wand light, Calamity could see that they were in a very low, very narrow earthy passageway that seemed to lead to darkness.
"I'll lead, shall I," Sirius asked. He squeezed passed her and she followed. They half crawled through twists and turns of the passageway for what felt like an hour until finally the earth began to rise. Sirius stopped and glanced at her as if making sure she was still there.
"Ready?"
"I suppose so," she said.
"Let's change first," Sirius said. He tapped his own clothes and his uniform transfigured into muggle jeans and a dark shirt.
"If it's worth playing, it's worth playing loud," Calamity read. Sirius beamed.
"Remus has one like it."
Calamity transformed her own uniform into bell-bottom jeans and a royal blue sweater, a black cloak wrapped around it. Sirius whistled. "Fancy wand work. You must be taking N.E.W.T.s soon."
They walked up a staircase, gasping after the first hundred or so.
"Almost there," Sirius said, he reached out his hand and his wand fell across the bottom of a trap door. He glanced at her, pleased by her surprised look. He pushed it open, looking out before disappearing through the hole. He hand reappeared to help her up. As she exited from the passageway into a storage room of some kind Sirius closed the door. It disappeared in the dusty floor. Calamity looked around- she could smell chocolate.
"Honeydukes," Sirius explained as they moved quickly from the storage room into the bright shop. It wasn't as crowded as it often was on weekends, but there were still a few witches and wizards scanning the shelves. Three small boys with pale features were staring hungrily at a large chocolate bar on the top shelf.
"This isn't the surprise," Sirius explained leading her to the door.
"It's a surprise better than a visit to a candy store," asked Calamity. Sirius smirked.
"Much better. Come on."
He led her passed the Hogshead to a slight wooded area. Glancing around, he stopped.
"Alright, hang on," he said, pulling her close. Before she could say anything she felt the pressure of apparition pressing down around her and with a pop they were not in Hogsmeade anymore. Instead, they were on a city street corner. A four story brick apartment complex stood before them, a chinese restaurant in one of the storefronts, making Calamity's stomach growl. Sirius nodded towards the restaurant.
"Sirius, I don't have any muggle money with me," Calamity said. He brushed away her comment.
"My treat."
After their late breakfast, the waiter brought out two fortune cookies and a key on their check. Calamity opened her mouth to comment, but Sirius held up a finger to indicate for her to hold that thought. He put the muggle money on the table, took the keys and fortune cookies, and finally led her through a side door near the kitchen. They walked up a staircase to the third floor, down a small well kept hall, and finally stopped at a red door with golden trim- similar to the coloring of the Gryffindor common room. Sirius paused and glanced at Calamity, seeming nervous for the first time on their adventure. Shaking his head as if to rid himself of the nerves he put the key in the doorknob and turned.
The room was flooded with light from the large windows overlooking the street below and was surprisingly big compared to the hallway they had walked though.
"What is this," Calamity asked, her voice reverberating slightly on the blank walls and hardwood floors.
"This is my flat," Sirius said. "Do you like it?"
"You-you bought a flat?"
"I figured that after Hogwarts I should probably branch out on my own. Can't stay with the Potter or Andromeda for the rest of my life."
"It's beautiful!"
Sirius beamed taking her hand. "Here's the kitchen area with a stove and all the muggle fixings, then here's the bathroom with a bathtub, then there is a small study, and the room right back here. And of course the living room. Do you like the windows? I picked it because of that. It's so bright!"
"Sirius this is so exciting for you!"
"It's a pretty good neighborhood. I mean, obviously the Chinese food is good, but it's a pretty quiet spot considering its on a muggle corner, and with some protective charms I think I can make it untraceable and safe against any attack. It's just a subway stop away from St. Mungo's."
Calamity, who had been peering out the window at the people passing below, turned to glance at him.
"St. Mungo's?"
Sirius looked nervous again as he dug into his pocket and pulled out the key he had used to open the door.
"I was thinking that with us graduating and you going into the Healer program you'll be needing a place to stay and obviously the Leaky Cauldron isn't the safest place and, well." He paused glancing at Calamity, then out the window, then back to her again. "I thought this would be a perfect place for you to stay as well."
"You want me to live with you?"
"Only if you'd like. If not, you can just have a key and visit," Sirius said hurriedly. "I know it's a lot to think about so you can take your time. There's no hu-"
"Yes."
Sirius blinked, surprised into silence. A grin began to spread across his face. "You're sure? You don't have to agree if you're not ready. We still have months."
"I'm sure," Calamity said moving over to Sirius. "Besides, who will make sure you don't accidentally bleed to death if I don't?" she touched his side gently where the square scar still lay. Sirius let out a bark like laugh, taking her chin in his hand and kissing her lightly on the nose.
"You know what I think you'll like best?"
"What?"
"There's a used bookstore just two doors down from here," Sirius said with a smile. He kissed her lightly. "Want to see?"
They returned to school in the late afternoon, Calamity still gitty with excitement, much to Margaret and Lily's confusion. Even through the next day Calamity could not help but feel the worries of N.E.W.T.s were far off as Sirius wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek, or as Remus beat James at chess and dramatically imitated his fallen king. It was one of the few times that the war felt far away from her mind since the Evans death. Wednesday night came and Lily and Calamity made their way to Dumbledore's office, finding that James and Sirius were already there, sipping tea as if they were quite at home in the large portrait covered space.
"Good evening, Ms. Evans, Ms. Erza-Mahoney. Please sit and have some tea," Professor Dumbledore said. Tea appeared before them on a small table as they sat down. Sirius gave Calamity a sideways glance and winked. She smirked back.
"I hope school work has not been to much of a bruden," Professor Dumbledore said conversationally. "It can be very stressful during 7th year, especially in times like these."
"Professor," Lily said timidly, "I'm a bit confused as to why I am here. Calamity told me about what happened over winter holidays, but I wasn't there."
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "You are correct . Part of my reason for calling you all here was to review some of the information provided, but it was also to formally produce an invitation for you to join the Order of the Phoenix after you graduate. We are determined that this participation would not start until after graduation, but as I have not reached out to any of you, I invited you along as well."
"The Order of the Phoenix," Lily repeated. "It's real?"
"Quite real," Professor Dumbledore said taking a sip of tea. "We try to work under the radar for the protection of our members and their families, but some of our best are aurors and ministry officials. You remember the Longbottoms?"
Calamity turned to see a couple she had not noticed before.
"Hello Alice," Lily said with a smile.
"Alice and Frank have been kind enough to join us tonight. I've debriefed them on your findings and the events of the recent months," Professor Dumbledore explained.
"We think there is a plan to be an attack Hogsmeade in the next month," Frank said looking at them each in turn. "If you stumble across any new information, it's vital you let us know immediately."
"Of course," James agreed.
"That doesn't mean that you should go looking for it, though," Frank added giving James a knowing look."These are deatheaters- not students in training. It's as serious as the attack on St. Mungo's."
"Should you hear or see anything, you are to find me and relay the message however necessary," Professor Dumbledore instructed. The four students nodded.
"Professor," Sirius said a look of determination flashing across his eyes. "James and I are ready to join now."
"I am as well," Lily added.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "I am very happy to hear that, but I will not require an answer until after your last N.E.W.T examination. I cannot stress enough how participating in the Order of the Phoenix will change your post-Hogwarts plans and it is vital that you consider your options carefully. Once you have joined the fight it will be nearly impossible to leave until Voldemort is defeated."
"Professor-" Sirius began, but Dumbledore held up his hand and Sirius fell into silence.
"Enjoy your time at school for now. We will talk after your exams," Professor Dumbledore said again, this time with a firm tone. His expression lightened as he said "Off to bed, then!"
They stood to leave, but Professor Dumbledore called Calamity back. Sirius paused at the door, then caught Professor Dumbledore's eye and closed the door quickly.
"Yes, Professor," asked Calamity.
"I did not want to forget your purpose for coming to study with us. As you know, Healers are not allowed to choose sides in a conflict. They must treat all patients."
"That's the Healers Code, yes," Calamity said.
"While I will not pressure you to choose sides if you feel it goes against your ethics, you should know that Elizabeth Blackwell is not the only healer who has aligned herself with Lord Voldemort and his deatheaters. Your decision will be respected by myself and all members of the Order."
He held out an envelope and she took it hesitantly. The address was to Professor Dumbledore. Calamity glanced at him confused.
"St. Mungo's has made it a habit in these times to reach out to a third party when relaying acceptance or rejection from the Healer Program. In this case, I was the third party."
Calamity opened the envelope and scanned the letter, her eyes pausing on the words she had hoped to read. Yet, her thrill of acceptance was not as light as she had felt the last few days. Dumbledore was right, Healers were not suppose to choose sides and she would surely be thrown into the worst of it even as a Healer in training with the war raging as it was.
"Congratulations, Ms. Erza-Mahoney," Professor Dumbledore said. "You will make a fine Healer, indeed."
A/N: Review!
