A/N:
Before I begin, I wish to give a special thanks to (well, lets start at the beginning) :
littlewitch34 (I know, but I love L/J fics all the same!),
SAKURAnTOKYO (thank you sooo much, I appreciate all of your reviews!),
Quack Quack 88 (thanks for the suggestion ;)
Satans Little Princess (I'm trying! I would have it up sooner, but school and all, as you know...)
midnightlily (thanks, I love all reviews, short or long!)
G.D. Jade (Thanks soo much for coming back, and for all of your reviews!)
Skye (Thank you, I'll try!)
shadybaby14 (Thanks, I'm glad you liked it ;)
Sierra Sitruc (I also very much appreciate all of your reviews)
Quinn (You too! Thanks for numerous reviews!)
coolgirl947@aol.com (Thank you, thank you!)
Riauna (even that one word means a lot to me..thanks!)
Milkyweed (I will, or rather I did, lol, thanks!)
Ariana (I'm glad you enjoyed reading! I hope you enjoy the rest!)
thistlemeg (thanks for all of your reviews! I love you!)
kitkat (thanks for your numerous reviews, I love them!)
serinitypotter (thanks a lot!)
Luna Rose (hoped you liked what I've added since then;)
Harryett (lol, I would have updated right then and there, but I was at school ;)
Liitle One (I know, I hate waiting too, but I suppose everyone has to do it! Thanks for your reviews!)
ice blossom (Thanks soo much!)
heath and sar (I will, and thanks!)
Hermione1909 (thank you, thank you)
Lady Fayett (Thanks for reviewing! I haven't talked to you in a while. How's it going?)
Nari-chan (As always, I really appreciate it!)
Shits and Giggles (Thanks! And I guess I already answered your question..although not completely..)
Kristatwen (And I love you for reviewing! Both times!)
Ice (I wish we did know the real story between them! Thanks for all of your reviews!)
Shining Star (Thanks, although I wish I had done some of the plot differently now ;)
Midnightlily (Lol, thanks!)
Ditz (Thanks for both reviews, and I really appreciate your suggestions!)
Phew! I believe that's everyone, thanks again! If I missed anybody, I'm terribly sorry, and please know that you're thanked. By the way, whoever put this story in their favorites- thanks a lot! I am forever in your debt! You don't know how happy you made me! And now, I'm sure you're all very sick of this authors note, so on with the story...
******************************************************
Chapter 13- Where's Sirius?
Lily was awoken abruptly by a kiss. She opened her eyes to find herself staring into the face of James Potter. He grinned and brought his hand out from behind his back. Clutched inside was an attractive red rose that was charmed to say "I love you" when you smelled it. James was obviously pleased with himself. His grin become even wider after they kissed.
The morning was slow, but peaceful nonetheless. Everybody was happy, holding hands, and surprisingly ready for class to begin. Until Professor Blint took points away from Gryffindors because of too much smiling in class. Snape and Malfoy snickered at this. But Sirius, being the devious guy that he was, made sure to 'accidentally' spill his potion on some of the Slytherins, getting a little on Blint himself. They happened to be making a dye potion (Lasted 12 hours. This one was green.)
James and Lily arrived in the Great Hall for dinner just in time. Everyone was there, already seated and filling their plates. Except Sirius. He was nowhere to be found, which was very odd. Sirius never missed meals. He must have a very good reason. thought James. Peter was missing too, but that wasn't new. He was probably in the hospital wing for injuring himself again.
Some students at the Slytherin table looked quite silly, having green faces, arms, spots, etc. The other Houses seemed to find it very funny.
After dinner they all headed back to the common room together. "Leviosa" Lily told the fat lady, who swung forward immediately. They all stopped dead, horrified.
"Oh my god!" Jennifer said hoarsely, running over to the limp figure on the ground. "Sirius! Sirius, talk to me!" He looked awful, like he had been beaten. Purple spots and bruises covered his body, and he was very pale. Blood dripped from just above his eye, running down his cheek. "Who did this to you? What happened?" Jennifer was frantic. She grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
"I...I…don't…" he trailed off, his eyes closing. Next thing she knew, Remus had rushed over to catch his friend as he fell unconscious.
"Hospital Wing, now. James? Can you help me carry him there?" Remus and James picked up an unknowing Sirius and carefully headed out the portrait hole. The girls followed, horrified and not really knowing what was going on.
Madam Pomfrey rushed over to help put Sirius in a bed.
"What on earth happened to him?"
"We…I don't know. We found him like this in the common room. He just fell unconscious. Is-Is he going to be alright?"
"Yes, but he'll need to stay here awhile." She looked very somber. "I just don't know who could have done this to him."
Jennifer suddenly burst into a sob. "H-He looks s-so sad! So h- horrible! I can't b-believe this! Why w-would anyone w-want to hurt h-him?" Chloe walked over and put her arms around her friend. While Jen laid her golden head on Chloe's shoulder and cried, James walked over to the bed containing Sirius. There, in his pocket, was something James hadn't noticed before. A rolled up piece of parchment. He extended his hand, pulling it out and slowly unrolled it. Suddenly he gasped, dropping the parchment in surprise. Jennifer's sobs had slowed, and everyone was watching James. He picked up the piece of paper and handed it to his friends, his hands now shaking slightly. On the paper was something every witch or wizard dreaded seeing. The Dark Mark. Someone had inscribed it on the parchment and put it in Sirius' pocket.
"Death Eaters." James said slowly and quietly. "That's who did this. But why? What would they want with Sirius? And how did they get into the Gryffindor common room?" His friends simply shook their heads, partly in disbelief and partly in wonder.
*****************************************************
A disheartening air surrounded the Gryffindor House over the next few days as everyone learned of Sirius's attack. Nobody else knew about the Dark Mark, of course, but either way, a Gryffindor had been attacked in the common room. Dumbledore had heard of the Dark Mark found in the pocket of Sirius, and seemed very gloomy afterward. He asked the Marauders and Lily's friends to report anything at all suspicious. They were, by far, the most depressed people of everybody. Nothing was the same when one of your friends was missing. And Peter was gone too. Dumbledore told them that he had left for an aunt's funeral, and would be back in a week or so. They didn't really miss him though. They sat in silence, doing homework on Friday evening (which they never did) in the common room. Suddenly, Jennifer sighed. She looked horrible, her blond hair was uncombed and there were dark circles under her light eyes, which were puffy from crying.
"I'm going to see Sirius." She announced, and left after everyone nodded. They would have followed her, but she seemed to like the time alone with him. He was still unconscious, but Madam Pomfrey seemed to think that he would come around soon.
"Alright. I just cannot go on like this." Chloe declared, throwing down her quill.
"I very much agree. I really wish I could do something about all of this, but I don't know what." Lily replied solemnly. James grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. She smiled weakly and squeezed back.
Remus said, "I know what you mean. I keep wondering what I can do to help. I need to do something. I can't just wait for him to get better, and keep wondering why Voldemort (A/N: All of the Marauders and Lily's friends say the name in this story, alright?) is after him. And is he after the rest of us, too? If they really are after him, then why didn't they just kill him right then? Thank goodness they didn't." he sighed, screwing the top back onto his ink bottle. He also looked tired, but for a different reason (though he was depressed about his friend). The full moon was nearing, and he would be transforming into a werewolf soon.
"You have other things to worry about, Moony. Don't be so hard on yourself." James joined into the conversation.
"I can't help it. I just don't know what to do right now."
"None of us do. We'll just have to wait until Sirius wakes up and hope that he knows something and Dumbledore can handle it."
James told them, "This is why I want to be an Auror. I hate Voldemort. I'll do anything to help get rid of him. He's making everyone's lives horrible."
"An auror?! You want to be an auror?" Lily's eyes had widened when he said this, and she was now watching him with full attention.
"Yes, I decided this with Sirius a couple months back. We have been studying the Dark Arts a little bit when we had free time in the library, and I have decided that I want to help rid the world of them. Becoming an auror seemed the most reasonable way for me to do this."
"Oh, James! But it's such a dangerous job!"
"I know. But I feel as if I owe it to the world. If you are afraid and don't want to be with me, I'll understand."
"No! I have to be with you now! I can't imagine that you could keep yourself safe without me!"
James laughed. "I suppose you're right."
****************************************************
Jennifer walked into the Hospital Wing, waving to Madam Pomfrey and heading over to Sirius. She sat down in a chair beside his bed and held his hand. A tear ran down her check, but she made no move to wipe it away.
Abruptly, Sirius stirred. Jen held her breath, and his eyes popped open. He took one look around the room and said, "What? Where am I?"
She shushed him, putting a finger to his lips. "Shh. Madam Pomfrey will kill me if she thinks I'm disturbing you. You're in the hospital wing, Sirius. Do you remember anything?"
He stared at her a moment, thinking, then said, "I do now. A little. I don't know who it was, never seen him before, but his eyes were awfully familiar. He…he questioned me. He beat the answers out of me." He grimaced, remembering the experience. "Who was it?" That last part he said more to
himself, but Jennifer handed him the piece of parchment that had been in his pocket as an answer. Sirius's eyes widened when he saw what was on it.
A/N: I hope you liked it! Kind of sudden, but I wanted something to happen. I'm working on the next chapter now, but won't be posting it until I get at least 65 reviews. I know, you hate it when people do that. But it isn't finished yet anyway! Well, thanks for r/r! See you next chapter,
~Emily~
Before I begin, I wish to give a special thanks to (well, lets start at the beginning) :
littlewitch34 (I know, but I love L/J fics all the same!),
SAKURAnTOKYO (thank you sooo much, I appreciate all of your reviews!),
Quack Quack 88 (thanks for the suggestion ;)
Satans Little Princess (I'm trying! I would have it up sooner, but school and all, as you know...)
midnightlily (thanks, I love all reviews, short or long!)
G.D. Jade (Thanks soo much for coming back, and for all of your reviews!)
Skye (Thank you, I'll try!)
shadybaby14 (Thanks, I'm glad you liked it ;)
Sierra Sitruc (I also very much appreciate all of your reviews)
Quinn (You too! Thanks for numerous reviews!)
coolgirl947@aol.com (Thank you, thank you!)
Riauna (even that one word means a lot to me..thanks!)
Milkyweed (I will, or rather I did, lol, thanks!)
Ariana (I'm glad you enjoyed reading! I hope you enjoy the rest!)
thistlemeg (thanks for all of your reviews! I love you!)
kitkat (thanks for your numerous reviews, I love them!)
serinitypotter (thanks a lot!)
Luna Rose (hoped you liked what I've added since then;)
Harryett (lol, I would have updated right then and there, but I was at school ;)
Liitle One (I know, I hate waiting too, but I suppose everyone has to do it! Thanks for your reviews!)
ice blossom (Thanks soo much!)
heath and sar (I will, and thanks!)
Hermione1909 (thank you, thank you)
Lady Fayett (Thanks for reviewing! I haven't talked to you in a while. How's it going?)
Nari-chan (As always, I really appreciate it!)
Shits and Giggles (Thanks! And I guess I already answered your question..although not completely..)
Kristatwen (And I love you for reviewing! Both times!)
Ice (I wish we did know the real story between them! Thanks for all of your reviews!)
Shining Star (Thanks, although I wish I had done some of the plot differently now ;)
Midnightlily (Lol, thanks!)
Ditz (Thanks for both reviews, and I really appreciate your suggestions!)
Phew! I believe that's everyone, thanks again! If I missed anybody, I'm terribly sorry, and please know that you're thanked. By the way, whoever put this story in their favorites- thanks a lot! I am forever in your debt! You don't know how happy you made me! And now, I'm sure you're all very sick of this authors note, so on with the story...
******************************************************
Chapter 13- Where's Sirius?
Lily was awoken abruptly by a kiss. She opened her eyes to find herself staring into the face of James Potter. He grinned and brought his hand out from behind his back. Clutched inside was an attractive red rose that was charmed to say "I love you" when you smelled it. James was obviously pleased with himself. His grin become even wider after they kissed.
The morning was slow, but peaceful nonetheless. Everybody was happy, holding hands, and surprisingly ready for class to begin. Until Professor Blint took points away from Gryffindors because of too much smiling in class. Snape and Malfoy snickered at this. But Sirius, being the devious guy that he was, made sure to 'accidentally' spill his potion on some of the Slytherins, getting a little on Blint himself. They happened to be making a dye potion (Lasted 12 hours. This one was green.)
James and Lily arrived in the Great Hall for dinner just in time. Everyone was there, already seated and filling their plates. Except Sirius. He was nowhere to be found, which was very odd. Sirius never missed meals. He must have a very good reason. thought James. Peter was missing too, but that wasn't new. He was probably in the hospital wing for injuring himself again.
Some students at the Slytherin table looked quite silly, having green faces, arms, spots, etc. The other Houses seemed to find it very funny.
After dinner they all headed back to the common room together. "Leviosa" Lily told the fat lady, who swung forward immediately. They all stopped dead, horrified.
"Oh my god!" Jennifer said hoarsely, running over to the limp figure on the ground. "Sirius! Sirius, talk to me!" He looked awful, like he had been beaten. Purple spots and bruises covered his body, and he was very pale. Blood dripped from just above his eye, running down his cheek. "Who did this to you? What happened?" Jennifer was frantic. She grabbed his arm and pulled him up.
"I...I…don't…" he trailed off, his eyes closing. Next thing she knew, Remus had rushed over to catch his friend as he fell unconscious.
"Hospital Wing, now. James? Can you help me carry him there?" Remus and James picked up an unknowing Sirius and carefully headed out the portrait hole. The girls followed, horrified and not really knowing what was going on.
Madam Pomfrey rushed over to help put Sirius in a bed.
"What on earth happened to him?"
"We…I don't know. We found him like this in the common room. He just fell unconscious. Is-Is he going to be alright?"
"Yes, but he'll need to stay here awhile." She looked very somber. "I just don't know who could have done this to him."
Jennifer suddenly burst into a sob. "H-He looks s-so sad! So h- horrible! I can't b-believe this! Why w-would anyone w-want to hurt h-him?" Chloe walked over and put her arms around her friend. While Jen laid her golden head on Chloe's shoulder and cried, James walked over to the bed containing Sirius. There, in his pocket, was something James hadn't noticed before. A rolled up piece of parchment. He extended his hand, pulling it out and slowly unrolled it. Suddenly he gasped, dropping the parchment in surprise. Jennifer's sobs had slowed, and everyone was watching James. He picked up the piece of paper and handed it to his friends, his hands now shaking slightly. On the paper was something every witch or wizard dreaded seeing. The Dark Mark. Someone had inscribed it on the parchment and put it in Sirius' pocket.
"Death Eaters." James said slowly and quietly. "That's who did this. But why? What would they want with Sirius? And how did they get into the Gryffindor common room?" His friends simply shook their heads, partly in disbelief and partly in wonder.
*****************************************************
A disheartening air surrounded the Gryffindor House over the next few days as everyone learned of Sirius's attack. Nobody else knew about the Dark Mark, of course, but either way, a Gryffindor had been attacked in the common room. Dumbledore had heard of the Dark Mark found in the pocket of Sirius, and seemed very gloomy afterward. He asked the Marauders and Lily's friends to report anything at all suspicious. They were, by far, the most depressed people of everybody. Nothing was the same when one of your friends was missing. And Peter was gone too. Dumbledore told them that he had left for an aunt's funeral, and would be back in a week or so. They didn't really miss him though. They sat in silence, doing homework on Friday evening (which they never did) in the common room. Suddenly, Jennifer sighed. She looked horrible, her blond hair was uncombed and there were dark circles under her light eyes, which were puffy from crying.
"I'm going to see Sirius." She announced, and left after everyone nodded. They would have followed her, but she seemed to like the time alone with him. He was still unconscious, but Madam Pomfrey seemed to think that he would come around soon.
"Alright. I just cannot go on like this." Chloe declared, throwing down her quill.
"I very much agree. I really wish I could do something about all of this, but I don't know what." Lily replied solemnly. James grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. She smiled weakly and squeezed back.
Remus said, "I know what you mean. I keep wondering what I can do to help. I need to do something. I can't just wait for him to get better, and keep wondering why Voldemort (A/N: All of the Marauders and Lily's friends say the name in this story, alright?) is after him. And is he after the rest of us, too? If they really are after him, then why didn't they just kill him right then? Thank goodness they didn't." he sighed, screwing the top back onto his ink bottle. He also looked tired, but for a different reason (though he was depressed about his friend). The full moon was nearing, and he would be transforming into a werewolf soon.
"You have other things to worry about, Moony. Don't be so hard on yourself." James joined into the conversation.
"I can't help it. I just don't know what to do right now."
"None of us do. We'll just have to wait until Sirius wakes up and hope that he knows something and Dumbledore can handle it."
James told them, "This is why I want to be an Auror. I hate Voldemort. I'll do anything to help get rid of him. He's making everyone's lives horrible."
"An auror?! You want to be an auror?" Lily's eyes had widened when he said this, and she was now watching him with full attention.
"Yes, I decided this with Sirius a couple months back. We have been studying the Dark Arts a little bit when we had free time in the library, and I have decided that I want to help rid the world of them. Becoming an auror seemed the most reasonable way for me to do this."
"Oh, James! But it's such a dangerous job!"
"I know. But I feel as if I owe it to the world. If you are afraid and don't want to be with me, I'll understand."
"No! I have to be with you now! I can't imagine that you could keep yourself safe without me!"
James laughed. "I suppose you're right."
****************************************************
Jennifer walked into the Hospital Wing, waving to Madam Pomfrey and heading over to Sirius. She sat down in a chair beside his bed and held his hand. A tear ran down her check, but she made no move to wipe it away.
Abruptly, Sirius stirred. Jen held her breath, and his eyes popped open. He took one look around the room and said, "What? Where am I?"
She shushed him, putting a finger to his lips. "Shh. Madam Pomfrey will kill me if she thinks I'm disturbing you. You're in the hospital wing, Sirius. Do you remember anything?"
He stared at her a moment, thinking, then said, "I do now. A little. I don't know who it was, never seen him before, but his eyes were awfully familiar. He…he questioned me. He beat the answers out of me." He grimaced, remembering the experience. "Who was it?" That last part he said more to
himself, but Jennifer handed him the piece of parchment that had been in his pocket as an answer. Sirius's eyes widened when he saw what was on it.
A/N: I hope you liked it! Kind of sudden, but I wanted something to happen. I'm working on the next chapter now, but won't be posting it until I get at least 65 reviews. I know, you hate it when people do that. But it isn't finished yet anyway! Well, thanks for r/r! See you next chapter,
~Emily~