A/N: Sorry it took so long!
I had to write it, and I wanted
them to be a little longer.
Thanks for reveiwing me...
Peace-ya-Jade.
'Look!' Lily shrieked at the Breakfast table, thrusting a paper at James.
'What? Asked Sirius, Remus and Peter, whom were all coming around to James'
shoulder to read the article.
' -Muggles have died in Voldemorts latest attack. In Kleppe Bellingsaugen,
Switzerland and le Troupes la Floures in France. The list is forty deaths
high on Wizards and Witches and four on muggles. The Muggles are; Aimee
Jepoures, Maximilliam Rihgardeaux, Gi-Gi Massenet and Jonah Swergansen, a
British citizen who is the head of the Police Shock Unit, he was (Swiss
family, though he comes from Sweden) visiting family. Autopsies have found
nothing wrong with them, all four of these people had important positions in
the Muggle world and that is believed to be the link between them. Other than
these four Muggle deaths, seventy-one injuries were sustained and forty Witch
and Wizard deaths. Please visit the obituary section for names.'
'Lily, calm down…it's in France and Sweden' said Sirius, face bleak and pale.
'These were the only other witch and wizard settlements with less than ten
Muggles there. Do you know where the only other place is like these two?'
she demanded, voice high and shrilly with panic.
'Hogsmeade' James breathed.
'Yes, Hogsmeade, do you know where this Voldemort will be coming next?' she
said, blowing her nose.
'Possibly here, or he could just set his sights lower, and then gradually
build power…' Remus said, objectively but hopefully.
'Lily, he wants you to fear him…he might even lie low for a year or so, to
make people forget him, then come back with a bigger bang.' Sirius said gently,
not wanting to set her off again.
'He might not, but you're right, I don't like this Voldemort, Tom Riddle did
the article say, no not there, up the top, yeah, there'
'Yeah, Tom Riddle. Let's find out all we can about him, and we will see what
his weaknesses are and stuff…' said Sirius, not expecting Lily to take it seriously.
'Yeah!' she said jumping to her feet, 'That's a good idea Sirius, where do you
think he went to school?'
'Here, he got the Special Services Award…' Sirius added helpfully.
'Good. Sirius er-how do you know that?' James said.
'It's in Hogwarts: A History.' He sighed.
'Oh, right. Well if he got a special services award, it might be in the trophy
room. Remus, aren't you coming?'
'No, I have to go visit mum, she's sick.' He said blankly.
'Oh, okay. Bye then and say hi to your mum for me!' Sirius said brightly.
'Okay'
Later that day, Remus went down to Hagrid's cabin. He went in to say hello.
'How was yeh firs' couple weeks a' 'Ogwarts?' he said, offering him a plate
of treacle fudge.
'No ta, that's fine Hagrid.' He said. 'My first weeks were okay, I guess.
My favorite teacher is Professor Erb so far.'
'Oh yeah, tha' Ravelclaw one…she 'ates those Slytherins this year. Yeh've
got Potions with 'em don't yeh?'
'Yes, unfortunately' he sighed through his nose.
'Oh well.' Said Hagrid sympathetically.
'Well, I was just dropping in. I have to go see my mother…I'll be back soon
though.' He said.
'See yeh!' boomed back Hagrid. Remus waved his hand over his shoulder. He
then walked past Hagrids to a massive tree, a willow, newly planted with the
foliage dying off a little with the coming of Winter. He went under one of
the branches and touched the knob in the centre, it stopped aggressively
swiping at him, just as Dumbledore said. It moved and Remus jumped down the
tunnel. He kept moving and took off his cloak and watch. He glanced at his
watch for a moment, squinting to see what the time was in the dim light. He
followed the tunnel until there was a sign that read; 'The Shrieking Shack'
and he stopped and waited for Dumbledore to appear. Remus waited five or so
minutes before Dumbledore came.
'Ah-Remus! You are to do this every time you are to transform. Come here at
approximately four o'clock in the afternoon and leave here when you are done,
at nine o'clock in the morning. Stagger the times slightly and sometimes go
the day before you transform, so people don't start to put two and two
together.' Dumbledore winked at him, and disappeared.
*
'The assassinations of the four Muggles was successful my Lord.' Said Brun.
'Yes, they were, but only just.' Hissed Voldemort. 'How many Muggles saw you?
Did I or did I not say it was to be as quiet as possible? Or am I, I mistaken?'
'No, No Lord, but it wasn't easy. Maximillian turned out to be more ah, strong,
than we had first thought.' He explained meekly.
'Why? I remember you saying that he was weak and sick, not strong and healthy
at all.' Voldemort said with silky, angry intensity. 'AND WHAT HAPPENS! HE
CALLS THE POLICE, HE FIGHTS, HE KILLS ONE OF US! ALL BECAUSE YOU SAID IT WAS
SAFE!' the Lord raged.
'I'm sorry s-'
'SORRY? YOU'RE SORRY? DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL? YOU COULD HAVE BROUGHT
WHAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR, FOR THE LAST WHO KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS, TO IT'S
KNEES AND YOU ARE SORRY? YOU ARE THE SORT OF PERSON WHO WOULDN'T GIVE THEIR
LIFE FOR ME, AS DID GLHKI, YOU ARE THE SORT OF FOLLOWER WHO CHOOSES TO FOLLOW
PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE POWERFUL, NOT WHEN WEAK, YOU ARE THE SORT OF PERSON I
CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IN MY ORGANISATION. ARE . WE. CLEAR?' He thundered,
continuing to rage, through gritted teeth. 'Kill him.' He said curtly.
'But Sir, I still got the job done. I still deserve my prize…you promised.'
He gasped.
'You shall have a trial, I shall be judge. You are to face execution.' Said
Voldemort, animosity in his cold, scarlet eyes.
'But, But that's not fair!' Brun panted.
'Isn't it? Kill him by physical torture.' Said Voldemort, on the verge of
laughter.
'S-Sir please, Sir' he begged.
'For four hours, torture him to maim. Then let him go in a dark alley. If
he has the strength to remain alive, then he can keep his life, if he doesn't
well…' Voldemort instructed.
'But, sir…I wish nothing more to stay alive and serve you Lord.' Quavered Brun.
'You have no other wish than to live and leave' thundered Voldemort.
'N-no Lord-d' he faltered, breaking out in a sweat with tiny beads falling down his face.
'Yes you do, who do you think controlled Gene when she asked you? Me. Now
traitor, you shall pay. '
'Sir, Please!' Brun shrieked.
'You show nothing but cowardice as you are here, begging for your life. You
are now no use to me.'
'Please, put a memory charm on me so I remember no longer. I promise, I
shall be good.' Brun pleaded.
'NO!' Voldemort trumpeted. 'You served me faithful once, but a little pain
and you suddenly didn't know what you were in for…you need to know these
things…pain beyond pain. If you survive this torture session, you are free
to go. You may tell the whole world about how Voldemort threatened you, but
it will only spread more fear. Exactly what I want. Exactly what you don't
want.' There was a short, terrifying pause. 'Take him out of my sight' hissed Voldemort.
'Please! No! Lord!' he panted as he was lifted by the waist by a torturer.
'No Lord, Please I beg of you, Please.' But it was too late. When you go up
to the mansion, you can hear his screams, echoing around the hills.
*
Remus had not yet come back from visiting his sick mother, James and Sirius
were disappointed. He had been their friend ever since they rescued him from
an angry wolf, guarding her pups. After that, they would sled, muck around
and play tricks. They were the best of friends, though Sirius could never
quite understand how Remus read so much, and still lagged behind them in
classes. Sirius and James were gifted, intellectually and in other ways.
Sirius, who was, though thin, more solider than James was made for chasing
the quaffle around the Quidditch pitch. James was built as a seeker, light
and surprisingly fast. Both had shown talent beyond their years at their
more suited places on the Quidditch Pitch. Remus, who had no flying talent,
let alone Quidditch talent, played Muggle games and Chess. He perfected how
to play certain board games, which rules were rather tangled and complex,
rather contradictory. Remus, who never really had the nose, or the guts, for
trouble and mischief, would normally wait around in the Gryffindor Common
Room, or the dormitory, to see what perils they had got up to and if they got
caught, who by, the punishment and their excuses. Remus also didn't say how
long he would be so there was no telling how long his absence may be. Peter,
who was neglected in the fun, because of their only short background was
delighted that Remus had gone so that there would be more time for James,
Sirius and himself to have even more fun than if Remus were there. He was
wrong, the boys, though friendly and companion-like to him, still weren't used
to him, his disgusting manners, his very light, high voice which was barely
audible, and his high giggles, that pitched everyone into laughter. He was
an outsider. He was never lonely or treated like an outsider though. Sirius
would leave him, not even realising he was there, but James saw to it that
Peter was having fun with them, when he was with them. They sat in the
Common Room, half-heartedly playing exploding snap, which James with his
Quidditch Seeker reflexes, always won. He had gone to McGonagall, with Sirius,
about being reserves for the team and try-outs were being held next week,
third week of term. Sirius and James were excited by this, as if when Remus
had gone, it was the light house on their lost at sea journey. Sirius had
finally got bored.
'Come on, let's go and visit Hagrid.' He said, getting up slowly and stiffly.
'Yes, let's do that, it may be interesting to get to know someone here better.'
Agreed James, now up and helping Peter. They exited the Gryffindor tower and
continued down the stairs.
'Where do you think you are going?' Ertopsun demanded.
'We were just going to look at the grounds, it should be alright, we have
done all of our homework and it's only five o'clock.' Sirius said, glaring
at the Herbology teacher.
'Very well' he snapped back, 'please ensure you are back in the building by
dinner, and no walking into the Forbidden Forest.'
'Yes sir' simultaneously said the three. They walked along a bit and spottedLily.
'Do you want to come with us?' said Sirius with a sly, sideward glance at
James. 'We are going to visit Hagrid.'
'Oh, okay,' Lily said.
'Good!' Sirius said cheerfully, looking at James to whole time.
'Why do you think Hagrid's ten feet tall?' asked Peter, looking nervous.
'I don't know, the tallest man I've met is six foot, nine!' said Lily.
'He might be half giant…' said James, looking at Sirius. Their minds worked
the same way.
'Yeah! I never thought of that, do you think he would mind if we asked him?'
said Lily, emerald eyes opened wide.
'I'm sure he would…' said Sirius darkly.
'Why?' Lily said blankly.
Sirius sighed through his nose and James looked at her, dumbfounded.
'Because there was a huge campaign that giants were evil, and if the Ministry
of Magic doesn't act soon, we could have them against us in a fight that could
change the world…' defined Sirius.
'What fight?' Lily said, eyes concerned and nose crinkled.
'The fight that you made such a big deal of at breakfast this very morning'
said James, looking tired and wary.
'Oh, that one'
'Yeah, that one' told Sirius, nodding.
'Voldemort…' said Peter, shivering. 'He gives me the creeps. I want to be
on the good side, but I'm not like you three, who would die for what they
believed in. A few minutes of torture and I would be on his side, no trouble.'
'PETER!' exclaimed the three of them, all in shock. Sirius and James were
opening and closing their mouths, not knowing what to say, or if they knew
what to say, their mouths wouldn't work. Lily however had more passionate
fire in her eyes, she was looking murderous at Peter, who had his shoulders
scrunched and was wincing, awaiting the ear bashing he was about to receive.
'PETER PETTIGREW, HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT! THIS IS VOLDEMORT. THE BAD GUY, THE
ONE WE GIVE OUR LIVES FOR IF IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. You can't honestly
tell me that you wouldn't do such a thing?' she raved. She continued for a
little while, about why we should stand up to this guy, why we shouldn't give
in. Peter flinched every time she stopped to breath and Sirius and James had
their fingers in their ears, and still could perfectly hear every word she
was saying. She continued on until they reached Hagrids hut (thank god,
muttered Sirius under his breath) and they knocked on the door.
'Who is it?' a big voice bellowed.
'It's James, Peter, Sirius and I. You know, you told us off at the lake…'
said Lily.
'Oh, I remember youse, and young Remus has gone to visit his mother, right?
And Sirius and young James just got into trouble, a few days back, from Filch,
and Peter got that awful detention…'enquired Hagrid.
'Yes, that's us, now can we please come in, it's freezing out here,' pleaded Peter.
'Oh, right yeh's are.' Said Hagrid cheerfully. 'Tea, treacle fudge?' he offered.
'Yes please' said Lily, looking thankful for the experience of warmth that t
ea would bring her.
'Just some fudge' said Sirius and James together. 'Hey!' said Sirius.
'An' yeh Pete?' boomed Hagrid.
'I'll just have a square of fudge thanks er-Harris?'
'Hagrid.' James corrected.
'Sorry'
'That's fine!' he sat down Lily's tea at the small table, stoked the fire and
sat down in a large armchair facing them, by the fire.
'Thanks Hagrid.' Said Lily after taking a sip.
'No probs! How was yeh firs' few weeks at 'Ogwarts going?' he bellowed.
'Fine'
'Okay'
'Terrible.' Four people, three answers and five laughing faces.
'Who said fine?' asked Hagrid, wiping a tear of laughter away with the hem of
his sleeve. Sirius and James looked at each other and counted one, two and three.
'I did. HEY!' it couldn't have been more perfectly planned. They said this
together and while Lily knew it had been planned, she didn't spoil their fun.
'I said okay' Lily raised her voice over Sirius and James' laughter.
'So yeh must've said terrible then, er Paul?' said Hagrid, still laughing.
'Peter,' he said nodding.
'Why was yeh first couple o' weeks bad?' Hagrid frowned.
'I-I had to clean out the t-toilets. It was disgusting!' he squealed,
flinching at the thought of that night. Hagrid was now laughing so hard
that he was doubled over on his chair, he wiped another tear of laughter of
his whiskery face and looked at them.
'Look at the time!' he said, pointing at the clock above his fire, 'It's almost
time for yeh dinner!'
'Yes, er, we must go Hagrid.' Said James.
'Good to see yehs! Tell me when Remus comes back from visiting his mum!'
'Good bye now!' Lily said, and the rest of them waved.
'Thanks for popping in! See yehs!' Called Hagrid but they were already gone,
and only Sirius and James heard him calling and turned their heads back towards his hut.
They scuttled inside to the Great Hall, and caught the last few people
filing in. They sat down, Sirius, James and Lily, together and Peter separated
by a few people and on the opposite side. They looked at him, Sirs laughing,
Lily concerned and James wearing the face he wears normally, torn between
laughing and worried.
'Oh, smell that!' said Sirius, sniffing the air. 'It doesn't smell like
normal dinner, it smells, grander than that. Where do you suppose the secret
passage to the Kitchen is?'
'I don't know, it would be useful to know, because of all those cheery
Gryffindor house Cups we are going to win, right?!' said Lily brightly with
mock enthusiasm.
'Yeah, sure, whatever. Hey, are you guys staying for Christmas?' Sirius enquired.
'I think so, mum and dad said it was up to me…'
'I am, going all the way back there, for what? This place is so much cooler
than home,' said Lily sadly. When she saw the stares on their faces she added;
'Not that I mind home'
'Yeah, lets go, I'm full.' Said Sirius.
'That's a first' said James, signaling Peter as he stood up.
*
The alleyway was dark. It was smoky and smelly. It had garbage cans and
dumpsters every few steps, and was the back yard to many shops and units.
It had cats and dogs, strays, prowling around the bins, sniffing, looking for
anything edible. Brun rolled over onto his stomach and seized everything up.
He was hurting allover, his face, his sides, his back and had visible scars
allover him. He was alive. He was mentally hurting as well as physically.
He attempted to get up, but he wasn't able to. All he managed was to his
knees, and slowly, he started crawling on all fours. He winced as he moved
his arms forward, the burns were hot and stung. He persisted though,
determined to get onto the busy Muggle street and find a port key or something,
to find someone who could heal him quickly and understood. He finally held
onto a door handle and read the sign on the door. He felt for his wallet and
was pleased to find it was still there. He looked again hard at the sign on
the shop. He saw two of everything, his head spun, his neck was blazing, and
weak, as if it couldn't support the weight of his cut and burnt head. He
dreamed of his family, being able to apparate to Majorca once more, and he
felt an overwhelming surge of strength wash over him. A wizard friend had
spotted Brun from across the road.
'Brun, what happened?' he gasped at the sight of him
'Vol, Voldemort.' He panted. His friend understood at once and grabbed Brun's
hand. He clapped twice, one hand his, the others Bruns, and they instantly
were found in the emergency section of a Wizarding Hospital in Britain. He
grabbed some chocolate and some tea of the bench, and quickly made Brun
consume some of both. Brun instantly felt the warmth spread over him, right
to the tips of his toes and to his scalp. He had some tea, and felt a mile better.
'What happened?' a nurse asked.
'Tortured,' Bruns friend said, 'by Voldemort.' A gasp was expelled from the
nurses mouth. She lead him into a room, and then called another nurse. She
looked after Brun and the original Nurse, Nurse Pomfrey the badge read. She
lead him into an office and wrote on a yellow piece of parchment. It read:
Dear Ministry of Magic.
We have just had admittance of a wizard who is named Brun, who was recently
found, tortured by Voldemort. He is in a delicate state, and as soon as his
physical injuries have been tendered to, you may question him. Please be
here by Four O'clock in the morning, by that time, he should be in a
satisfactory enough condition to speak.
Nurse Pomfrey.
I had to write it, and I wanted
them to be a little longer.
Thanks for reveiwing me...
Peace-ya-Jade.
'Look!' Lily shrieked at the Breakfast table, thrusting a paper at James.
'What? Asked Sirius, Remus and Peter, whom were all coming around to James'
shoulder to read the article.
' -Muggles have died in Voldemorts latest attack. In Kleppe Bellingsaugen,
Switzerland and le Troupes la Floures in France. The list is forty deaths
high on Wizards and Witches and four on muggles. The Muggles are; Aimee
Jepoures, Maximilliam Rihgardeaux, Gi-Gi Massenet and Jonah Swergansen, a
British citizen who is the head of the Police Shock Unit, he was (Swiss
family, though he comes from Sweden) visiting family. Autopsies have found
nothing wrong with them, all four of these people had important positions in
the Muggle world and that is believed to be the link between them. Other than
these four Muggle deaths, seventy-one injuries were sustained and forty Witch
and Wizard deaths. Please visit the obituary section for names.'
'Lily, calm down…it's in France and Sweden' said Sirius, face bleak and pale.
'These were the only other witch and wizard settlements with less than ten
Muggles there. Do you know where the only other place is like these two?'
she demanded, voice high and shrilly with panic.
'Hogsmeade' James breathed.
'Yes, Hogsmeade, do you know where this Voldemort will be coming next?' she
said, blowing her nose.
'Possibly here, or he could just set his sights lower, and then gradually
build power…' Remus said, objectively but hopefully.
'Lily, he wants you to fear him…he might even lie low for a year or so, to
make people forget him, then come back with a bigger bang.' Sirius said gently,
not wanting to set her off again.
'He might not, but you're right, I don't like this Voldemort, Tom Riddle did
the article say, no not there, up the top, yeah, there'
'Yeah, Tom Riddle. Let's find out all we can about him, and we will see what
his weaknesses are and stuff…' said Sirius, not expecting Lily to take it seriously.
'Yeah!' she said jumping to her feet, 'That's a good idea Sirius, where do you
think he went to school?'
'Here, he got the Special Services Award…' Sirius added helpfully.
'Good. Sirius er-how do you know that?' James said.
'It's in Hogwarts: A History.' He sighed.
'Oh, right. Well if he got a special services award, it might be in the trophy
room. Remus, aren't you coming?'
'No, I have to go visit mum, she's sick.' He said blankly.
'Oh, okay. Bye then and say hi to your mum for me!' Sirius said brightly.
'Okay'
Later that day, Remus went down to Hagrid's cabin. He went in to say hello.
'How was yeh firs' couple weeks a' 'Ogwarts?' he said, offering him a plate
of treacle fudge.
'No ta, that's fine Hagrid.' He said. 'My first weeks were okay, I guess.
My favorite teacher is Professor Erb so far.'
'Oh yeah, tha' Ravelclaw one…she 'ates those Slytherins this year. Yeh've
got Potions with 'em don't yeh?'
'Yes, unfortunately' he sighed through his nose.
'Oh well.' Said Hagrid sympathetically.
'Well, I was just dropping in. I have to go see my mother…I'll be back soon
though.' He said.
'See yeh!' boomed back Hagrid. Remus waved his hand over his shoulder. He
then walked past Hagrids to a massive tree, a willow, newly planted with the
foliage dying off a little with the coming of Winter. He went under one of
the branches and touched the knob in the centre, it stopped aggressively
swiping at him, just as Dumbledore said. It moved and Remus jumped down the
tunnel. He kept moving and took off his cloak and watch. He glanced at his
watch for a moment, squinting to see what the time was in the dim light. He
followed the tunnel until there was a sign that read; 'The Shrieking Shack'
and he stopped and waited for Dumbledore to appear. Remus waited five or so
minutes before Dumbledore came.
'Ah-Remus! You are to do this every time you are to transform. Come here at
approximately four o'clock in the afternoon and leave here when you are done,
at nine o'clock in the morning. Stagger the times slightly and sometimes go
the day before you transform, so people don't start to put two and two
together.' Dumbledore winked at him, and disappeared.
*
'The assassinations of the four Muggles was successful my Lord.' Said Brun.
'Yes, they were, but only just.' Hissed Voldemort. 'How many Muggles saw you?
Did I or did I not say it was to be as quiet as possible? Or am I, I mistaken?'
'No, No Lord, but it wasn't easy. Maximillian turned out to be more ah, strong,
than we had first thought.' He explained meekly.
'Why? I remember you saying that he was weak and sick, not strong and healthy
at all.' Voldemort said with silky, angry intensity. 'AND WHAT HAPPENS! HE
CALLS THE POLICE, HE FIGHTS, HE KILLS ONE OF US! ALL BECAUSE YOU SAID IT WAS
SAFE!' the Lord raged.
'I'm sorry s-'
'SORRY? YOU'RE SORRY? DO YOU TAKE ME FOR A FOOL? YOU COULD HAVE BROUGHT
WHAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR, FOR THE LAST WHO KNOWS HOW MANY YEARS, TO IT'S
KNEES AND YOU ARE SORRY? YOU ARE THE SORT OF PERSON WHO WOULDN'T GIVE THEIR
LIFE FOR ME, AS DID GLHKI, YOU ARE THE SORT OF FOLLOWER WHO CHOOSES TO FOLLOW
PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE POWERFUL, NOT WHEN WEAK, YOU ARE THE SORT OF PERSON I
CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IN MY ORGANISATION. ARE . WE. CLEAR?' He thundered,
continuing to rage, through gritted teeth. 'Kill him.' He said curtly.
'But Sir, I still got the job done. I still deserve my prize…you promised.'
He gasped.
'You shall have a trial, I shall be judge. You are to face execution.' Said
Voldemort, animosity in his cold, scarlet eyes.
'But, But that's not fair!' Brun panted.
'Isn't it? Kill him by physical torture.' Said Voldemort, on the verge of
laughter.
'S-Sir please, Sir' he begged.
'For four hours, torture him to maim. Then let him go in a dark alley. If
he has the strength to remain alive, then he can keep his life, if he doesn't
well…' Voldemort instructed.
'But, sir…I wish nothing more to stay alive and serve you Lord.' Quavered Brun.
'You have no other wish than to live and leave' thundered Voldemort.
'N-no Lord-d' he faltered, breaking out in a sweat with tiny beads falling down his face.
'Yes you do, who do you think controlled Gene when she asked you? Me. Now
traitor, you shall pay. '
'Sir, Please!' Brun shrieked.
'You show nothing but cowardice as you are here, begging for your life. You
are now no use to me.'
'Please, put a memory charm on me so I remember no longer. I promise, I
shall be good.' Brun pleaded.
'NO!' Voldemort trumpeted. 'You served me faithful once, but a little pain
and you suddenly didn't know what you were in for…you need to know these
things…pain beyond pain. If you survive this torture session, you are free
to go. You may tell the whole world about how Voldemort threatened you, but
it will only spread more fear. Exactly what I want. Exactly what you don't
want.' There was a short, terrifying pause. 'Take him out of my sight' hissed Voldemort.
'Please! No! Lord!' he panted as he was lifted by the waist by a torturer.
'No Lord, Please I beg of you, Please.' But it was too late. When you go up
to the mansion, you can hear his screams, echoing around the hills.
*
Remus had not yet come back from visiting his sick mother, James and Sirius
were disappointed. He had been their friend ever since they rescued him from
an angry wolf, guarding her pups. After that, they would sled, muck around
and play tricks. They were the best of friends, though Sirius could never
quite understand how Remus read so much, and still lagged behind them in
classes. Sirius and James were gifted, intellectually and in other ways.
Sirius, who was, though thin, more solider than James was made for chasing
the quaffle around the Quidditch pitch. James was built as a seeker, light
and surprisingly fast. Both had shown talent beyond their years at their
more suited places on the Quidditch Pitch. Remus, who had no flying talent,
let alone Quidditch talent, played Muggle games and Chess. He perfected how
to play certain board games, which rules were rather tangled and complex,
rather contradictory. Remus, who never really had the nose, or the guts, for
trouble and mischief, would normally wait around in the Gryffindor Common
Room, or the dormitory, to see what perils they had got up to and if they got
caught, who by, the punishment and their excuses. Remus also didn't say how
long he would be so there was no telling how long his absence may be. Peter,
who was neglected in the fun, because of their only short background was
delighted that Remus had gone so that there would be more time for James,
Sirius and himself to have even more fun than if Remus were there. He was
wrong, the boys, though friendly and companion-like to him, still weren't used
to him, his disgusting manners, his very light, high voice which was barely
audible, and his high giggles, that pitched everyone into laughter. He was
an outsider. He was never lonely or treated like an outsider though. Sirius
would leave him, not even realising he was there, but James saw to it that
Peter was having fun with them, when he was with them. They sat in the
Common Room, half-heartedly playing exploding snap, which James with his
Quidditch Seeker reflexes, always won. He had gone to McGonagall, with Sirius,
about being reserves for the team and try-outs were being held next week,
third week of term. Sirius and James were excited by this, as if when Remus
had gone, it was the light house on their lost at sea journey. Sirius had
finally got bored.
'Come on, let's go and visit Hagrid.' He said, getting up slowly and stiffly.
'Yes, let's do that, it may be interesting to get to know someone here better.'
Agreed James, now up and helping Peter. They exited the Gryffindor tower and
continued down the stairs.
'Where do you think you are going?' Ertopsun demanded.
'We were just going to look at the grounds, it should be alright, we have
done all of our homework and it's only five o'clock.' Sirius said, glaring
at the Herbology teacher.
'Very well' he snapped back, 'please ensure you are back in the building by
dinner, and no walking into the Forbidden Forest.'
'Yes sir' simultaneously said the three. They walked along a bit and spottedLily.
'Do you want to come with us?' said Sirius with a sly, sideward glance at
James. 'We are going to visit Hagrid.'
'Oh, okay,' Lily said.
'Good!' Sirius said cheerfully, looking at James to whole time.
'Why do you think Hagrid's ten feet tall?' asked Peter, looking nervous.
'I don't know, the tallest man I've met is six foot, nine!' said Lily.
'He might be half giant…' said James, looking at Sirius. Their minds worked
the same way.
'Yeah! I never thought of that, do you think he would mind if we asked him?'
said Lily, emerald eyes opened wide.
'I'm sure he would…' said Sirius darkly.
'Why?' Lily said blankly.
Sirius sighed through his nose and James looked at her, dumbfounded.
'Because there was a huge campaign that giants were evil, and if the Ministry
of Magic doesn't act soon, we could have them against us in a fight that could
change the world…' defined Sirius.
'What fight?' Lily said, eyes concerned and nose crinkled.
'The fight that you made such a big deal of at breakfast this very morning'
said James, looking tired and wary.
'Oh, that one'
'Yeah, that one' told Sirius, nodding.
'Voldemort…' said Peter, shivering. 'He gives me the creeps. I want to be
on the good side, but I'm not like you three, who would die for what they
believed in. A few minutes of torture and I would be on his side, no trouble.'
'PETER!' exclaimed the three of them, all in shock. Sirius and James were
opening and closing their mouths, not knowing what to say, or if they knew
what to say, their mouths wouldn't work. Lily however had more passionate
fire in her eyes, she was looking murderous at Peter, who had his shoulders
scrunched and was wincing, awaiting the ear bashing he was about to receive.
'PETER PETTIGREW, HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT! THIS IS VOLDEMORT. THE BAD GUY, THE
ONE WE GIVE OUR LIVES FOR IF IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. You can't honestly
tell me that you wouldn't do such a thing?' she raved. She continued for a
little while, about why we should stand up to this guy, why we shouldn't give
in. Peter flinched every time she stopped to breath and Sirius and James had
their fingers in their ears, and still could perfectly hear every word she
was saying. She continued on until they reached Hagrids hut (thank god,
muttered Sirius under his breath) and they knocked on the door.
'Who is it?' a big voice bellowed.
'It's James, Peter, Sirius and I. You know, you told us off at the lake…'
said Lily.
'Oh, I remember youse, and young Remus has gone to visit his mother, right?
And Sirius and young James just got into trouble, a few days back, from Filch,
and Peter got that awful detention…'enquired Hagrid.
'Yes, that's us, now can we please come in, it's freezing out here,' pleaded Peter.
'Oh, right yeh's are.' Said Hagrid cheerfully. 'Tea, treacle fudge?' he offered.
'Yes please' said Lily, looking thankful for the experience of warmth that t
ea would bring her.
'Just some fudge' said Sirius and James together. 'Hey!' said Sirius.
'An' yeh Pete?' boomed Hagrid.
'I'll just have a square of fudge thanks er-Harris?'
'Hagrid.' James corrected.
'Sorry'
'That's fine!' he sat down Lily's tea at the small table, stoked the fire and
sat down in a large armchair facing them, by the fire.
'Thanks Hagrid.' Said Lily after taking a sip.
'No probs! How was yeh firs' few weeks at 'Ogwarts going?' he bellowed.
'Fine'
'Okay'
'Terrible.' Four people, three answers and five laughing faces.
'Who said fine?' asked Hagrid, wiping a tear of laughter away with the hem of
his sleeve. Sirius and James looked at each other and counted one, two and three.
'I did. HEY!' it couldn't have been more perfectly planned. They said this
together and while Lily knew it had been planned, she didn't spoil their fun.
'I said okay' Lily raised her voice over Sirius and James' laughter.
'So yeh must've said terrible then, er Paul?' said Hagrid, still laughing.
'Peter,' he said nodding.
'Why was yeh first couple o' weeks bad?' Hagrid frowned.
'I-I had to clean out the t-toilets. It was disgusting!' he squealed,
flinching at the thought of that night. Hagrid was now laughing so hard
that he was doubled over on his chair, he wiped another tear of laughter of
his whiskery face and looked at them.
'Look at the time!' he said, pointing at the clock above his fire, 'It's almost
time for yeh dinner!'
'Yes, er, we must go Hagrid.' Said James.
'Good to see yehs! Tell me when Remus comes back from visiting his mum!'
'Good bye now!' Lily said, and the rest of them waved.
'Thanks for popping in! See yehs!' Called Hagrid but they were already gone,
and only Sirius and James heard him calling and turned their heads back towards his hut.
They scuttled inside to the Great Hall, and caught the last few people
filing in. They sat down, Sirius, James and Lily, together and Peter separated
by a few people and on the opposite side. They looked at him, Sirs laughing,
Lily concerned and James wearing the face he wears normally, torn between
laughing and worried.
'Oh, smell that!' said Sirius, sniffing the air. 'It doesn't smell like
normal dinner, it smells, grander than that. Where do you suppose the secret
passage to the Kitchen is?'
'I don't know, it would be useful to know, because of all those cheery
Gryffindor house Cups we are going to win, right?!' said Lily brightly with
mock enthusiasm.
'Yeah, sure, whatever. Hey, are you guys staying for Christmas?' Sirius enquired.
'I think so, mum and dad said it was up to me…'
'I am, going all the way back there, for what? This place is so much cooler
than home,' said Lily sadly. When she saw the stares on their faces she added;
'Not that I mind home'
'Yeah, lets go, I'm full.' Said Sirius.
'That's a first' said James, signaling Peter as he stood up.
*
The alleyway was dark. It was smoky and smelly. It had garbage cans and
dumpsters every few steps, and was the back yard to many shops and units.
It had cats and dogs, strays, prowling around the bins, sniffing, looking for
anything edible. Brun rolled over onto his stomach and seized everything up.
He was hurting allover, his face, his sides, his back and had visible scars
allover him. He was alive. He was mentally hurting as well as physically.
He attempted to get up, but he wasn't able to. All he managed was to his
knees, and slowly, he started crawling on all fours. He winced as he moved
his arms forward, the burns were hot and stung. He persisted though,
determined to get onto the busy Muggle street and find a port key or something,
to find someone who could heal him quickly and understood. He finally held
onto a door handle and read the sign on the door. He felt for his wallet and
was pleased to find it was still there. He looked again hard at the sign on
the shop. He saw two of everything, his head spun, his neck was blazing, and
weak, as if it couldn't support the weight of his cut and burnt head. He
dreamed of his family, being able to apparate to Majorca once more, and he
felt an overwhelming surge of strength wash over him. A wizard friend had
spotted Brun from across the road.
'Brun, what happened?' he gasped at the sight of him
'Vol, Voldemort.' He panted. His friend understood at once and grabbed Brun's
hand. He clapped twice, one hand his, the others Bruns, and they instantly
were found in the emergency section of a Wizarding Hospital in Britain. He
grabbed some chocolate and some tea of the bench, and quickly made Brun
consume some of both. Brun instantly felt the warmth spread over him, right
to the tips of his toes and to his scalp. He had some tea, and felt a mile better.
'What happened?' a nurse asked.
'Tortured,' Bruns friend said, 'by Voldemort.' A gasp was expelled from the
nurses mouth. She lead him into a room, and then called another nurse. She
looked after Brun and the original Nurse, Nurse Pomfrey the badge read. She
lead him into an office and wrote on a yellow piece of parchment. It read:
Dear Ministry of Magic.
We have just had admittance of a wizard who is named Brun, who was recently
found, tortured by Voldemort. He is in a delicate state, and as soon as his
physical injuries have been tendered to, you may question him. Please be
here by Four O'clock in the morning, by that time, he should be in a
satisfactory enough condition to speak.
Nurse Pomfrey.