A/N: Okay, author here made a boo-boo. The spell that she used in the second chapter, to trap the people was wrong. She got it from a really bad translation service. The spell that was used is now 'Emprisonnez l'un intérieur les lignes'. You will find out the English translation later in the chapter. I am incredibly stupid and sorry for the mistake.
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Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The poem is 'The Road Not Taken' by Robert Frost and the song used is 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear'.
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MY2 ~ The Great Prank War
By: Noelle
Chapter 5: Awakenings
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The air was cold, in both ways. Of course, it was December, meaning that it was freezing outside. Jack Frost was having a ball, bringing the snow and ice rather early this year. But also, there was another cold. The cold of a sinister evil, formulating evil plans.
Welcome to the castle of Lord Voldemort.
The castle was enormous, spreading over several hundreds of acres. It was one of the oldest castles in France. Voldemort had several castles (he chose to call them 'evil lairs') but this was one of his favorites.
Voldemort could be found in the Throne Room. It was magnificent. The domed ceiling extended as far as the eye could see. The room was rounded, and beautifully decorated.
In this room, a meeting was taking place. A very important meeting. All of Voldemort's very important Death Eaters were attending -- Vanter, Malfoy, and Dkembvare. Voldemort sat on his throne, lazily, his feet on the table before him. He was bored out of his mind. The three faithful Death Eaters were speaking of the possible consequences of their latest evil plan.
"Are you done yet?" Voldemort drawled.
"We are ready to begin formulating particularly evil plans, if you are, my Lord," said Vanter.
"Good. Now, I was thinking about a plan. And I came up with the perfect plan. What if we let loose a hundred bunny rabbits into the school?"
The three Death Eaters looked at each other, clearly confused. This was their Lord's fantastic, evil idea? Bunny rabbits?
Malfoy decided to be brave. "Bunny rabbits, my Lord? Surely, there could be something else…"
Voldemort pouted for several minutes. Sure, Malfoy was right. But still, could anything be better than bunny rabbits? "Well," he said, looking out the ceiling. "They could be rabid and flesh-eating rabbits…"
The group couldn't think of a better plan. Heck, they couldn't think of any plan. So, they decided to change the topic.
"So, how are our friends in the Other World?" asked Dkembvare.
"Trapped," Voldemort answered shortly. He was still thinking of the bunny rabbits.
"Did you figure out a way to strengthen the spell yet?" asked Vanter.
"No," Voldemort pouted.
"But -- "
Suddenly, the doors burst open, and someone walked through the doors.
She was tall, and walked with the grace of a Goddess. She was pale white, and her hair was long and black. She wore a rather revealing black dress, and looked frazzled.
Voldemort sat up straight at once, taking his feet off the table. "Hello Night," he said silkily. "Do you bring me news?"
Night waltzed right up to Voldemort, and she slapped him across the face. "Oh, I bring you news, all right," she spat. "The Good Powers That Be just figured out a way to reverse the spell. If you do not strengthen it now, all your plans will fall apart."
Voldemort, held his cheek, where a red handprint was visible. "What? But… but" he stuttered.
Dkembvare finished for him. "But that's impossible! We're evil. We're powerful. I mean, how are we supposed to drink our strawberry milkshakes if we aren't more powerful than.. than…"
"Them," Vanter said venomously.
"Well, I guess you won't. If you do not strengthen that spell by Dawn, all will be lost…" And with those words, Night disappeared.
Voldemort held his bunny close to his heart. "Oh, Mr. Poo-Poo," he whispered. "What should I do?"
The bunny answered him, "Strengthen the spell, you dimwit."
"I have it!" Voldemort shouted to his faithful subjects. "We shall strengthen the spell!"
"We know that," Dkembvare snapped. "But how?"
"Mr. Poo-Poo?" whispered Voldemort. "How should we strengthen the spell?"
"Uh, I don't know," the bunny said. "Maybe with a SPELL STRENGTHENING SPELL? Gosh Tommy, how stupid can you get?"
"With a Spell Strengthening Spell!" Voldemort shouted, after he threw Mr. Poo-Poo across the room. "Now, let us get to work…"
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Charlie Hunter strode through the halls, not a care in the world. She had gotten Sirius Black back. And she got him good! Although it was not physically painful, it was emotionally. He would never be the same. He'd be… more feminine.
Suddenly, someone reached out and grabbed her. They covered her mouth (Charlie would've bit them, but they were wearing thick gloves), and dragged her into a secret room.
"Charlie?"
"Z? Oh gosh, I thought you were Sirius Black for a minute. He's out for my blood, you know."
Z rolled her eyes. She was pretty in a conventional way. She was tall and skinny, with brown hair. Dark eyelashes framed her cinnamon brown eyes. She was a Ravenclaw, and usually kept up a studious and quiet air.
This was a façade.
The Ravenclaw and the Hufflepuff were actually best friends. Not many people knew it. Especially if they knew each of them. It seemed as if they could never get along -- they were total opposites, seemingly. But this was simply not true.
"So Q," Z said teasingly. "Did you get him?"
Charlie grinned. "Why, Z, how could you ever doubt me?"
Charlie and Z together made up one of the most infamous and dangerous Prank Groups at Hogwarts…
Charlie and Z were the infamous 'C.A.H.'
Just those letters would drive fear into the hearts of people everywhere. No one knew who they were. Of course, most suspected Charlie. But the quiet Ravenclaw? The studious Ravenclaw? Never could she be a mischievous prankster! Well, that's what they thought.
Z had kept her façade up incredibly well. She was an incognito prankster, who no one would ever suspect. That is why C.A.H. was so successful.
"Charlie, there is one small problem. And I mean incredibly small. So small, we shouldn't worry about it."
"Really?" questioned Charlie. "What?"
"Well, after we got Sirius, James thought it was the Venustians. So, he went to go and yell at Lily. Meanwhile, Lily was going to visit Toria, after we got her. Well, they yelled at each other for doing the stuff, and figured out that it was us."
"By 'us', you mean 'C.A.H.', right?" Charlie asked.
"C.A.H. But they are teaming up to find out who we are. So, we should be extra careful over the next couple of weeks."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Both remained silent for a moment. Then, they spoke at the exact same time.
"Let's plan our next prank!"
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Remus Lupin walked through the halls briskly. He was a 'man with a mission' as some might say.
His mission was to investigate 'C.A.H.' Sirius had instructed him to make a list of all possible people that may be in on it. The Marauders knew that there were not many -- it would be too obvious.
This didn't narrow the search any.
Remus had decided to first walk around Hogwarts, to find anyone who exemplifies suspicious behavior. But then of course, everyone did at Hogwarts…
He didn't notice an obese Slytherin following him -- Peter Pettigrew.
Remembering something that his mother once told him, Remus stopped. He could hear her words echoing throughout his mind. 'Build it and they will come'.
Remus walked to a big crowd of Hufflepuffs. "Does ANYONE here," he began, "know who C.A.H. is?"
Everyone began to talk at once, saying they wish they did. Remus did not notice a petite blonde Hufflepuff duck down and crawl beneath the legs of people in the crowd. He didn't notice a brunette Ravenclaw begin to walk away rather quickly. There were too many people talking!
Sighing, Remus decided to go to the library.
Since he did not get a direct answer, Remus decided to research the mysterious group. He slowly crept into the library, trying to avoid Madame Pince. The library was musty, and rather dreary today.
Remus sat silently at a table, and took out a piece of parchment. He then took out a quill (a SugarQuill), and began to think.
Well, maybe C.A.H. stands for something. But it can stand for a lot of things. 'Conspiracy Against Hoffman' is a given, but perhaps it has another meaning. Remus mused this as he laid his head down on the table.
Remus fell asleep, still 'thinking'.
Meanwhile, the infamous 'C.A.H.' walked into the library, and were excited to find one of the Marauders, asleep and unprotected.
"Do you see what I see Q?" asked Z.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Q asked.
Both grinning, the two girls circled around Remus. Poor Remus, who was oblivious to the terrible fate which would be bestowed to him.
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Michael Barnette walked into the library. This was quite a new thing for him. He didn't exactly know that Hogwarts had a library. James had to tell him.
Michael walked along the shelf on the side, peeking through the holes. He was looking for Remus. He was also looking for a book on the Founders. He wanted to know a bit more about Godric. Godric knew everything about his life. He should be respectful, and know a little about Godric.
He ran his fingers across the long rows of books. He wasn't sure about what he was looking for. But he did know that he would know when he found it.
Michael continued to walk, and then he felt it. He felt a tingle. He turned and grabbed out the book of which he had been touching. Slowly he read the title. 'A Hero -- Sir Godric Gryffindor'.
Smiling, Michael checked the book out. This was just what he was looking for. And then, as Michael surveyed the mysterious place, he frowned.
Remus was asleep at one of the tables. And he wasn't exactly normal either…
Michael walked over to Remus and gently shook him. "Reemie? Remus, buddy?"
Remus groggily opened his weary eyes. "Michael? How are you here? You didn't even know that we had a library."
"I came to find you," Michael said quickly. "Er, Remus…"
"Yes?"
"Did something happened to your hair?" Michael blurted out.
A look of horror passed over Remus' face. "My hair!" he shrieked, grabbing a large chunk.
Remus' hair was red and green. Christmas colours.
"Okay buddy," Michael said, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm Remus down. "What -- "
"Hark! The herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King;' Peace on earth and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled. 'Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the - "
At this, Michael couldn't take anymore. He tackled Remus out of his chair and covered his mouth. Remus continued singing though…
'Think Michael', he said to himself. 'What would you do if you couldn't stop singing? I would er… make myself stop. Yeah. By a… er… Silencing Charm!'
Michael grabbed his wand from off the floor and muttered the incantation for a Silencing Charm. He then got off Remus. Remus continued to sing, although no sound could be heard.
Gathering up his and Remus' belongings, Michael found something that wasn't there before.
"A piece of parchment?" he said aloud. He unrolled it and read it's medieval scrawl.
'Hear Ye, Hear Ye.
By the order of C.A.H.,
Remus Jonathan Lupin
shall not stop singing
until the finder
of this letter
can figure out
the code word
of which shall make
him stop.
Good riddance!'
"Oh no," Michael moaned. "Why me? Why is it always me?"
The Silencing Charm chose that moment to wear off. Michael had used a particularly weak charm, thinking that the enchantment on Remus was temporary.
"Triumph in skies; With angelic host proclaim, 'Christ is born in Bethlehem!' Hark the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn - "
"Ah," Michael said, as he tried to remember the stronger Silencing Charm. "Put a cork in it!" And with that, he placed the spell on Remus, who remained silent.
'Well,' Michael thought, 'this should be interesting…'
* * * * * * *
If one were to search for the Marauders that night, one might find them in the 2nd Year Boys Dormitory. They would also find the Venustians.
The two groups had decided to join forces, in order to find out who was in 'C.A.H.'. They had no clue. And with Remus silently singing, it was up to them -- James Potter, Michael Barnette-Potter, Thomas Brooks, Sirius Black, Toria Vanter, Kiana Walters, Arabella Figg, and Lily Evans. It probably didn't help that James and Lily were fighting, Toria was slightly traumatized over what happened to her (trust me, it's best not to ask), Sirius playing with dungbombs, and Bella yelling at him. Kiana, Thomas, and Michael were left to save Remus.
Kiana was sitting cross-legged on James' bed, trying to block out all of the 'distractions'. "Okay," she said, breathing deeply. "A code word…"
Michael had already showed them the letter. And then it had exploded. A self-destructible letter. How wonderful… So wonderful that it singed part of Michael's bangs.
"Well, it could be anything," said Thomas Brooks, who was sitting on top of the bureau. "But chances are that it's something that they know but we don't."
Michael was pacing the room. It was creepy to look at Remus singing, but not actually singing. "Well, it was activated by a word. But I don't think that the word is going to make him stop."
"What was the word?" Kiana asked, grabbing a parchment and quill.
"It was 'what'," Michael said.
At this, the Silencing Charm was broken, and Remus began to sing again. And loudly at that!
"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells; Jingle All the Way…"
All in the room covered their ears, and shouted to make him stop. Toria grabbed her wand and said a particularly strong Silencing Charm. It was an advanced one that you would learn in Sixth Year.
"Thanks Toria," Lily said, rubbing her ears. "That was almost as bad as having Potter talking -- "
"Hey!" James shouted. "I have a very good voice!"
Lily stuck her tongue out at him. "Do not!"
"Do too!"
"Do not!"
"Do too!"
"Do -- " Lily began to say, but she suddenly found that she couldn't talk. James went to make a smart remark about it, but he was unable to talk too.
Everyone stared at each other, wondering who did that. Sirius was twirling his wand. All stared at him in shock.
"They were getting annoying!" Sirius said defensively.
"Sirius Black, you are usually the instigator!" Bella said.
Sirius shrugged, and went back to toying around with a dungbomb. Bella continued to chastise him for his doings. Toria returned to being silent. The others went on trying to break the enchantment on Remus.
"I don't know!" Michael said. "He was like that when I got there. Maybe the code word is in another language!"
"Or maybe not," said a voice. Everyone stopped what they were and were not doing.
"Who said that?" Bella called out. No one answered her. "I'll give you one more chance to respond!" she said. Still, no one answered. "Very well then, I warned you. "Accio Intruder!"
A whirling sound was heard, and then Bella fell off the bed. "Get off me!" she shrieked. Smiling sheepishly, Jules Potter stood up.
"What are you doing in here, squirt?" asked Michael. Sirius took out his wand.
"Accio Invisibility Cloak!" he shouted, swishing his wand. A cloak flew toward him, and Estella Black was standing in the middle of the room.
"Hey Siri," she said sheepishly.
"What are you two doing here. And is that -- is that my Invisibility Cloak?" Michael asked, grabbing the cloak protectively.
Jules nodded. "We just wanted to borrow it. We came to help!"
"Really?" Kiana questioned, rolling her eyes. "What can you tell us that we don't already know?"
Estella smirked. "We think we know what the code word might be."
Sirius dropped his dungbomb, causing it to explode on Bella's head, in colors of red and green. Toria fell off of her sitting place, and laid silently on the floor. Thomas' jaw dropped, as did his wand.
James Potter stood up, and backed his sister against the wall.
"What do you know?" he asked threateningly, but of course no words came out since the Silencing Charm was still on him. Everyone erupted into laughter.
"Can you repeat that James?" Jules asked, grinning. "I'm afraid I didn't quite catch that…"
James crossed his arms over his chest and sat on the ground, pouting. Sirius still refused to remove the charm.
"Estella?" asked Sirius. "What do you know?"
"Well, me and Jules know about what happened. And we figured that the code word would be the one thing that no one knows, except for them. The code word is going to be the identity of 'C.A.H.'. It makes perfect sense!"
James sucked in his breath. He also happened to suck in a fly that was passing by at the moment. He began to uncontrollably choke. But of course, as fate would have it, on one could hear him. They all thought he was playing Charades, and began to guess.
"You're Sirius, and you just saw your reflection!" Bella guessed, as James stuck his finger in his mouth, trying to point out that he was choking.
James soon gave up, and majicked a glass of water, and he drank the fly down.
"So, where were we?" asked Thomas.
Kiana answered, "We were trying to figure out the code word."
"Well, I'm tired," said Toria. "Can we figure this out tomorrow?"
All consented to this suggestion, and went to sleep. Even Remus slept, although he was singing still.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Dawn took her throne the next morning, bidding the scornful Night goodbye. Night stormed out, as she always did. She never did understand the concept of sharing.
Dawn set up her easel with the tenderness of that as handling a newborn baby. Painting was Dawn's life.
Dawn began to paint, to the music of Beethoven. He was her favorite musician. She had once dated him, years and years ago. He was a kind person, who was so passionate about music. Just as she was about painting.
Dawn was as old as time, but she didn't look a day over 16. Her long golden hair and sparkling blue eyes just reminded you of sunshine. She wore a light green robe, and no shoes. She preferred to be barefoot.
Dawn stared out the tower. Warmth enveloped her as the sunlight shone through. She smiled before picking up her brush and sweeping its colours across the canvas.
She swept the brush against the canvas, making the golds cascade with the whites.
She then noticed one area with towering gray clouds. There, she coloured gold all over it, making the gray invisible. Today, it would be different.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
*takes place in 'Other World'.
Noelle shivered. The fog had grown cold in the past month or so. She supposed that it was around November or December. She wasn't quite sure. Severus was right -- you did lose a sense of time.
The world was incredibly strange. It was vast, extending as far as the eye could see. A rolling fog enveloped it in its cold. And yet, you could always see the moon. That's how Noelle was able to tell which time of the month it was. She was guessing that it was around November 29th or 30th.
Noelle had been colouring nonstop for the past 38 hours. She did not sleep. She just worked feverishly. She couldn't take being in this place any more!
Noelle crumbled to the ground, and sobbed. This place was meant to break people down. And it had broken down the strongest of heart and mind.
"I can't do this!" Noelle screamed, flinging her crayon. The crayon sailed through the air, and landed outside of the lines. It landed on the point.
And it disappeared.
Noelle ran to the edge, and threw her fists against it. She had struck an invisible barrier.
Sobbing, Noelle turned and sank to the ground, leaning against the barrier.
'How did the crayon get through?' Noelle asked herself. 'It must know something that I don't. Oh gosh… I can't stand being here any longer. Especially since I know that there is another Me in the real world, who is probably evil. This is something that Lucifer would love.'
Noelle mused about what the crayon could know. She then had a flashback, to a memory near forgotten.
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flashback
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Five Year Old Noelle Charrier sat at the Dining Room Table, colouring in a colouring book. It was a wizarding one, and the pictures would move when they were completed.
Noelle didn't really care for staying in the lines. She thought that was too boring and predictable. So she would colour both inside and outside the lines.
She picked up a blue crayon, and coloured the girl's pretty robes. She made several marks outside the lines, but they made the picture special.
Lucifer chose that moment to check up on Noelle. "What do you think you're doing?" he shrieked when he saw Noelle's work. "You are to colour inside the lines! I told you before!" He grabbed Noelle's hair as he switched the page. "Now, try again," he said, tilting her head back.
Noelle coloured inside the lines, perfectly. Lucifer then let go of her and smiled. He left, and Noelle was alone.
For the rest of her life, Noelle would only colour inside the lines. She had seen what Lucifer could really do, and didn't fancy having some of that stuff done on her. She was scared to colour outside the lines. Scared…
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flashback
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"Okay, what was the spell that Lucifer used? Er… I think it was French. Now, I had to learn French. So… let's see. It was… 'Emprisonnez l'un something… then there was -- "
"Intérieur les lignes," someone answered. She looked up to see Severus standing before her. But he wasn't. He was faded, and sort of transparent. "That's what I remember about the spell," he said softly. His voice was far away, and seemed to echo.
"So it was 'Emprisonnez l'un intérieur les lignes'? That means…" but Severus began to disappear. Noelle was now alone, standing halfway between the two worlds, in a sense. "That means 'Trap the One Inside the Lines'. So, to break the spell…"
Suddenly, a crayon appeared in Noelle's hands. It was an off-white colour.
Noelle began to think. 'Colouring. It's just like thinking. If you have been trained to think one way your whole life, it's hard to think another. Sometimes… Sometimes you have to think outside the lines. This crayon has to be used somehow. Maybe…'
Noelle grinned. She knew how to break the spell. She lifted the crayon to shoulder level, and began to write on the now black barrier. "Now, if I remember French… What was that spell? 'Trap the One Inside the Lines'? What's free? Free is… Libérez. Noelle wrote the word on the barrier. "Okay, so I want to say 'Free the One from Inside the Lines'. That would be 'Libérez celui de l'intérieur des lignes'." With that, Noelle wrote the phrase on the barrier.
When she finished, the words turned to a golden light, and created a pathway. Noelle walked to leave, but she walked smack into a barrier.
"What?" Noelle said. "I figured out the spell!"
Suddenly, two doorways opened up in the wall. Both shone with golden light.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Noelle stared into the first doorway. It was beautiful. A perfect spring day in fact. She saw her fellow Slytherins on the grassy meadow playing, in front of a gentle forest. It looked so fun… so. Easy? Life was not meant to be that easy, Noelle knew. Sure, she was 12, but she was a little smart. And besides, Slytherins DO NOT frolic in grassy meadows. They prefer to mope in dark caverns. She stared into the other, attempting to penetrate it.
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
Noelle walked along the brick pathway. 'What did I get myself into now?' she questioned. When she had first walked through, it had been stormy, and dark. But she had walked through, because she saw something… something important. It made up for the awful scenery and weather. And she continued walking, hoping to find it. The storm grew less fierce, and soon it was as beautiful as the other world in which she had glimpsed.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
Both paths, seemingly the same. Yet, so different. Noelle did not know how to make sense of it. She had seen the first world. It was with her people. It was beautiful. And when she had glimpsed into the second, she saw a storm and something else… And she had chosen that way. Sure, it may have been harder at first. But…
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
It made the difference. She chose the right side, she could feel it in her heart. Just for that one thing. Simple, yet so complex that no words could truly describe its essence. She had walked through that door for one thing and one thing alone. Well, technically more of two…
Truth. And Love. But weren't they actually the same, right down to it?
She came across to another barrier, realizing that she still had her crayon. Noelle began to colour around the barrier. She then coloured on the other side.
She felt herself falling. She couldn't stop. Noelle kept falling, and quickly at that. It was like Alice, when she fell down the Rabbit Hole.
Noelle saw the ground coming, and braced herself for impact. But impact never came.
Noelle stood in a circular tower that was white. Pure white. Light originated from seemingly nowhere. But it was there.
"Hello?" Noelle called out. "Anyone there? You know, this isn't really funny…"
"It's not meant to be," someone said, as they appeared before her. The person was around 16. She had long golden hair and bright blue eyes. She was clothed in a sky blue robe.
"Don't mind me for asking," Noelle said. "But who the heck are you?"
The girl smiled. "I am everything, yet nothing. I am all, but none. I am -- "
Noelle interrupted her. "Can you just cut to the chase?"
"I am Dawn," she answered. "And you are no ordinary witch."
"Of course I'm not. I'm extraordinary," Noelle answered.
"I bring you news," said Dawn. "You have chosen your side. You are now of the Light. But the Dark isn't going to like that very much… they will do anything and everything to stop you."
Noelle rolled her eyes. "Don't I know it!"
"Night. She is dark. And she is the one keeping the others trapped."
"But how?" Noelle asked.
"She holds the other world in her ring. You must find someone to destroy it. Then all shall be free."
"Why can't I do it?"
"You must join the fight. But you can't. You will be killed or turned. Find someone else…" said Dawn, as she began to fade away.
"What do you mean?" Noelle shouted.
"Find someone to fight for you," Dawn said softly. "You cannot. Someone else can…"
Noelle began to fall again, and then she stopped and jerked up.
She was in Double Potions with the Gryffindors. The Gryffindors were giving her dirty looks. She supposed she had gotten some favoritism from Hoffman.
Noelle tried to pay attention to what Hoffman was saying. But Dawn's words echoed in her mind. 'Find someone to fight. Find someone…'
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It has been days (seemingly weeks, according to James) since Remus was cursed. And yet, the combination of the Marauders and the Venustians were none the wiser to the culprit. They couldn't figure it out.
Jules Potter ran into the meeting room, breathless. Her face had turned red and her sweaty black hair clung to her neck.
As she entered, the others looked up lazily. They were just as they were for their last meeting -- James and Lily were arguing, Sirius was toying around with some pranking object, Bella chastising him. Toria wasn't traumatized. No, she had joined in on Kiana, Michael, Thomas, and Estella who were trying to figure out the cure.
"Guess what!" Jules squealed. For being eleven years old, she had a childish squeal, at least to Sirius. He had covered his ears, for she had squealed loudly into them.
"What?" everyone said, with no emotion.
"I stole this from McGonagall. It's a list of every person in the whole school!"
Sirius dropped the firebomb (a strange combination of a dungbomb and a firecracker. His other invention was a dungcracker) causing it to explode. Bella just froze, her jaw dropping. Remus continued to sing silently. Everyone else just merely fell over.
"And," Jules continued, her grin becoming wider, "one of these names is sure to be the password!"
At once, Jules began reading off the names, alphabetically. First was Christof Aanderwilt, a Seventh Year. Next was Elisia Abbens, A third year. The list continued on, alphabetically, naming every pupil at Hogwarts.
"Charlotte Hunter," called out Jules. Suddenly, Remus stopped singing.
"Well," Jules said smugly. "We know one member of C.A.H. Now, since you don't need me, I'm going to go for a walk," she said, and with these parting words, she walked out of the room.
Jules didn't quite know where she was going. She was going somewhere. But she didn't care of the destination. The journey was the fun.
Jules walked up to an unused tower. It had previously been used for storage, but now it was practically empty. Except for one thing…
A beautiful ornate mirror stood in the corner, facing to all who entered. Jules walked forward, to inspect it. There was an inscription of some sort around it. Jules couldn't make sense of its language.
'Mirrors', Jules muttered, walking away. 'Never particularly enjoyed them. Especially the ones at home. MIRRORS! That's it!'
Jules ran over once again. Mirrors were known for showing the reflection. And if one were to write backwards and hold it in front of a mirror, it would be normal. Perhaps the inscription was backwards!
'I show not your face,' Jules read silently, 'but your heart's desire'.
Jules then took a deep breath and stepped in front of the mirror.
She stood there for a while, transfixed upon the reflection. This mirror--maybe it showed the future?
"What do you see, Young Potter?" called a voice behind her. Jules whirled around to find a ghost of some sort standing there.
"Who are you?" she asked defensively, holding out her wand. However, that would do her no good…
"You can call me Ric. That's what Helga called me," he answered. "Now, what do you see?"
Jules took a deep breath and stepped in front of the mirror. "Well," she said calmly, "I see me. And I see my family. There are two people I don't really know though. I think one of them is James and Michael's mum. The other may be the husband, I'm not sure. Around us, there are lots and lots of other people. The whole room is filled. And everyone is smiling. And -- wait. Is that… Devin McKinnon?"
"Yes," Ric answered. "I have seen him before."
Jules bowed her head. "He was killed last year. Was going to come to Hogwarts this year, a First Year. But Voldemort got him. And is that -- that's Gadriella Vargus. She also died. What does this mean?"
Ric answered her softly, "This mirror was created in my time. It is called the Mirror of Erised. It was created to show nothing more or less than the deepest desire of your heart. Now, am I correct in saying that all of the people you see have had their lives torn apart by Voldemort in some way?"
Jules looked around the mirror. "Er… yes. What does that mean?"
"It means that your deepest desire is that Voldemort never existed. That he never tore apart the families, and that they were still living, and happy."
Jules chuckled softly, her eyes brimming with tears. "Wistful thinking," she muttered resentfully, and turned around and walked out of the room.
She walked right into Ric, and fell over.
"What? But? Huh?" she said unintelligently. "What are you?"
Ric helped Jules to her feet by holding out his hand. "I am a Ric."
Jules scolded him. "Ric? You look familiar…" Suddenly, realization dawned upon her face. "Ric. As in Godric. As in Godric Gryffindor?"
Godric bowed his head. "Er… hullo. Yeah. I'm Godric. And Helga did call me Ric! You must be Jules. You're one of my descendents, you know…"
And with these words, Jules Potter fainted.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas," sang Sirius softly as he crept toward the Hufflepuff Common Room. Sirius had already been to Ravenclaw and Slytherin. "It's the Best Time of the Year." Sirius soon reached the doorway. He then extracted his wand from his robe pocket.
The halls were bathed in a silver light. There was a full moon, so Remus was sick. Therefore, Sirius was bringing to others the Christmas spirit. Christmas was still awhile away, but he still anticipated it as if were tomorrow.
"Er… I don't know if there'll be snow… but there'll be lots of cheer?" Sirius grinned as he charmed the doorway. Oh, would everyone be in for a surprise!
"Oh, no, the mistletoe, hung where you can see. Somebody waits for you… Get her lips away from me!"
Sirius then crept back to his common room, eager for the new dawn to come.
* * * * * * *
Students awoke the next morning at Hogwarts, not in their true form. Minnie discovered this when she had went to find the Head Boy in the Ravenclaw Dormitories.
Minnie had walked over to find swarms and hordes of stuffed reindeer littering the floor. These reindeer were red and had red sparkles of some sort, resembling tinsel, sticking out from its body. Its antlers were green. Minnie had walked into the Common Room. She had gotten the password from Professor Polaris earlier that morning.
When she stepped through the doorway, Minnie found students crowded away from the door, as far as possible, fear and trepidation evident in their eyes.
"What's going on?" Minnie asked.
A timid 2nd Year, Rhiane Richards, answered her. "Everyone who st-st-stepped through the door turned into th-th-th-those things!" She pointed to the Stuffed Reindeer thrown around. Some were inside the Common Room.
Minnie turned and faced the open doorway. She remained silent for awhile, fury engulfing her. "BLLLLAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKK!!!" she shouted loudly, shattering glass and making the building shake.
Meanwhile, in Gryffindor Tower, Sirius Black awoke with a Marauding Grin on his face.
He had charmed all of the Common Room doors so that whoever stepped through would turn into a Christmas toy. The Ravenclaws turned into stuffed reindeer. The Hufflepuffs were Snowmen. The Slytherins were little Santa Clauses with really fat bellies. They all sang, "Ho Ho Ho."
Talk about having some Christmas spirit!
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
It was now December 18. Hogwarts was abuzz, in anticipation of Christmas. Some more so than others, but all were anticipating it in some way…
Charlie Hunter was in the library, researching Christmas hexes. She was humming a Christmas carol she had known for ages.
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,
from heav'n's all gracious king
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
Charlie continued to sing the song, softly.
Still through the cloven skies
they come with peaceful wings unfurl
And still their heavenly music floats,
O'er all the weary world.
Above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.
O ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow
Look now for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road
and hear the angels sing.
For lo the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old
When with the ever circling years
shall come the time foretold
When the new heaven and earth
shall own the prince of peace
their King
And the whole world send back
the song which now the angels sing.
Charlie's mother had taught her the song when she was young. When they went caroling, it was a favorite of hers, and not matter what song the group would sing, she would sing this softly. It was always the first and last sung.
Suddenly, several arms reached out of nowhere and dragged Charlie off to a corner. She then looked up to the faces of Sirius Black, James Potter, and Michael Barnette.
"What?" she asked irritably. "I was trying to do some research!"
Sirius held her book in his hand. "Researching Christmas pranks?" he said suggestively, as if he knew exactly how this discussion would be.
Charlie grabbed the book out of his hands. "Lay off, Black," she muttered, attempting to walk away. However, she was cornered.
"You're C.A.H.," Michael said. He didn't ask, he said.
Charlie paled momentarily, before reddening. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said cluelessly, trying to push her way through her captors.
It didn't work. Sirius continued the 'questioning'. "You're C.A.H."
Charlie narrowed her eyes. "Charlotte. Anne. Hunter."
"So, are you admitting it?" James asked.
Charlie's eyes began to flash dangerously. "I'm not admitting anything. But I am warning you. If you do not let me go, C.A.H. will get you."
"So, what does C.A.H. stand for? Conspiracy Against Hogwarts?" Sirius pressed on.
"Or is it your name?" guessed James.
"Who else is in it?" asked Michael.
Charlie had enough. She kicked James' shin, punched Sirius in the stomach, and pushed Michael down, before walking out of the library with her belongings.
The three marauders followed her out. "You know," Sirius called out, as she turned the last corner. "The Marauders will make you pay!"
"And in Galleons," James added smugly.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"Lily!" Bella whined. "Why are you going home? It's so much… better here! You can't leave me here on the day before Christmas Eve!"
Lily surveyed her friend as she finished packing her belongings. The train was due to leave in around, 20 minutes. "I haven't seen my mother and father for months. I miss them," she said softly.
Bella frowned. "But… You'll miss me if you'll leave! Now, how would you rather miss? ME (She winked Lily and nudged her in the side) or them (she choked and fell to the ground, shaking violently).
Lily laughed musically, and continued to pack her things. "Bella, it's only for two weeks this time. They don't want us to be gone too long because of all the Dark acti -- oh. That's why you don't want me to go."
Bella frowned. "Voldemort has been attacking a lot of muggleborn witches and wizards lately. And their families too! I just don't want anything to happen to you -- you're my best friend!" Bella leaped over Lily's trunk and threw her arms around her. "I guess there's no changing your mind, so I wish you a safe, happy, merry Christmas. Owl me everyday!"
Lily nodded, and said a charm to make her heavy trunk float. She then looked at Bella, nodded, and walked out of the room.
A prefect helped to load Lily's trunk on the train, and she walked into a compartment. It was completely empty. Not a lot of people were going home, due to obvious reasons. Sighing, Lily pulled out her book. It was a poetry book, filled with her favorite poems. The first was a poem by Robert Frost. It was Lily's favorite poem -- The Road Not Taken.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Lily sighed once again as she finished reading, and tucked the book into her satchel she carried with her. She then snuggled up against the windowpane and fell asleep.
Lily awoke when the train reached King's Cross Station. She got her trunk and went to meet her parents. She found them, but unfortunately, she also found her sister, Petunia.
Exchanging greetings with her family, Lily packed her trunk into the car, and they drove to her home in Surrey, England.
The car ride was long. Of course, awkward conversation was thrown in around every 8.3 seconds. Lily answered questions about her school, her classes, her friends, and her potential boyfriends. Finally, they arrived at Evans Manor.
Her house was huge. In a sense, that is. It was quite too large for just four people. The Manor was an old, quaint Victorian style house, with green shutters. As soon as Lily arrived home, she went to her room, and fell on the bed.
'Oh, it's so nice to be home,' she thought, laying on her bed. It was so familiar to her, yet so different. Things have changed since she's been gone. Yet, her room remained the same.
"Lily, darling!" called out her mother, from downstairs. "It's time for dinner!"
Lily smiled, and ran down the stairs, two at a time. But something caught her eye. Lily ran over to the window, and peered around.
"Shoot," she muttered. "Oh, bloody hell! Mom! Da! 'Tunia! We have to get out of here!" Lily ran upstairs and grabbed the pouch of Floo Powder Bella had given her as a precaution. She also grabbed her wand. "MOM! DA! 'TUNIA! WE HAVE TO LEAVE!"
Lily ran into the kitchen to find her family eating dinner. "Quick, to the fireplace!"
"Lily, honey, what's wrong?" asked her mother.
"Are you feeling all right?" her father asked.
"I AM FINE! BUT I WON'T BE IF WE ALL DON'T GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE!" Lily screamed.
Her family followed her to the parlor. "Okay. What you do is throw this powder in and call out 'Gryffindor Common Room'. It's usually not hooked up to the Floo Network, but Bella did it just in case. Understand?"
Her mother and father nodded, while Petunia scolded her. As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Evans left, Petunia turned to face Lily. "You're trying to kill us! Walk into a fireplace my arse!"
"Petunia," Lily pleaded. "Listen! If you don't, you'll die!"
"I'll only die if I listen to you, witch!" shouted Petunia. "You think that you are so special. You know what Lily? You aren't. You are a freak!"
The main door burst open, and a group of Death Eaters ran into the home. Petunia turned to face them in horror. She was speechless.
"Gryffindor Common Room," Lily called out, pushing Petunia into the fire. She then turned her attention to the 'guests'.
"Filthy Death Eaters!" she cried out. "Stay away from me and my family!"
The first turned to stare at her. It was a woman -- she wore no mask. "Little mudblood, I am not a 'Death Eater'. No, I am an Elite. Now, you can either join us or die. Take your pick."
Lily stood, not thinking. It was either die now or die later. She had heard of the Elites. They were so powerful, they did not wear masks. They were the best of the Death Eaters -- the Elite of them. She then recalled a passage. A passage from a wise man, who wrote a poem.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
In this situation, must would join the Death Eaters. Rather kill than be killed, one may guess.
"I shall be telling this with a sigh," Lily said softly. "Somewhere ages and ages hence: two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
"What will it be?" questioned the woman.
"Stupefy!" Lily cried out, hitting the woman before she could finish uttering the deadly words. The Elite fell to the ground, stunned.
The other Elites began to form a half circle, trapping her. They did not notice the fire blazing.
Lily grinned. "Sorry to cut this meeting short, but I must be going. Dentist appointment, you see. But next time… there will be hell to pay. You ruined my Christmas. I ruin your life." And with these parting words, Lily threw the powder into the fireplace and whispered the destination softly, and ran in, before the Elites came to get her.
Lily arrived in the Gryffindor Common Room in a blur. Her mother and father crowded around her.
"Merry Christmas," Lily croaked.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"What is it?" asked Michael, holding up a… thing.
Edward Potter grinned at him. "That's a Whirlamajig. They whirl around when certain things set it off. You can program it for whatever you want." All of a sudden, the thing started to spin.
"Father, what did you set it off for?" Michael asked.
Mr. Potter grinned. "I set it off for Lily Evans," he said, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Michael whooped for James, along with Sirius, Estella, Jules, Andromada, and Elisabeth. James didn't pay attention to them. He was reading a letter.
"James?" Michael said softly, walking over to him. "What's going on?" He stood behind him, reading over his shoulder.
"She was attacked," James said softly.
"What?" everyone gasped.
"Elites."
Mr. Potter let out a low whistle. "Elites? That's serious business."
"They," James said, his voice trembling, "they went to her house. Threatened her. Almost killed her."
"Is she all right?" Sirius asked.
"Yes."
"Well, write her a letter, James."
James grabbed a parchment. He dipped his quill in ink and pondered what to say.
'Merry Christmas'
'We have to talk when we get back to Hogwarts'
~James
PS: Glad to Hear You're Safe
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"The brightest star shall steer the Lion and the Stag. It shall steer the Stag to the Flower, who will only realize that it is his until it is his to lose. The Bell shall bring great friendship to all, in time of need. The Bell shall hold the group together. The Dark shall continue to rise. The Lion, the Bird, the Stag and the Hunter shall grow more powerful, and overcome the Dark Lord at the age of old. Fate shall be an adversary, and bring great help. The Brook leads to the ocean, where answers will be. There, Earth, Air, and Water meet, and give answers to those who ask. They shall be there, along your odyssey. The lone wolf can be trusted, no matter his suspicions. The Snake shall seemingly be one, while another. But Rat shall be the downfall of the Light, if trusted."
Professor Trelawney's head rolled down once again, before jerking up. "What happened, Albus?"
Albus Dumbledore smiled. "You have brought me great hope, with your Inner Eye. Thank you."
Nodding gruffly, Professor Trelawney stood up and walked out, muttering about how brilliant she was.
Albus Dumbledore stood up. "That may be Professor Trelawney's first prediction," he commented.
The picture on the wall he was speaking to nodded. "Probably last," he said, sharing a laugh with the wise headmaster.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
A/N: Ha! Done! That's it for the month of December. So, Jules met her ancestor; Noelle got free and found out a really cryptic message; James cares about Lily a tad; Charlie H. is a member of 'C.A.H.'; Lily made a choice; The Venustians and the Marauders decided to cooperate partly; Voldemort can't seem to come up with an evil plan. Next chapter should be interesting. Takes place in month of January. There will be Quidditch, pranks, a little on the past of Charlie Hunter, and some classes. There will be more though, don't worry.
Well, I hope you like this. I also hope that you READ & REVIEW! (hint hint).
Well, I'm outta here!
~Noelle