The rest of the year passed in such a flash even though we would have had it last forever. We passed our N.E.W.T.S with flying colors. All expect Peter of course who just barley scraped by. Before we knew it graduation was upon us. Life after Hogwarts was something I didn't want to think about. The last night we all crept out for one last adventure. Lily accompanied us for the first time. It wasn't a full moon so Remus and Lilly took turns riding on James's and my back. I was big enough that they could, but then Remus wasn't that big and Lily was very small. We explored the grounds, the village, and the school. The forest everything. We sat in the shrieking shack for a long time. We just talked about everything we had ever done. And we set prank traps for every single teacher.
The next morning at graduation, James and Lily were presented with head boy and girl awards. I got the most detentions ever received in the history of Hogwarts award ( 4963) as well as valedictorian. How I did that, I still have no idea. Dumbledore then handed out scholarships. To our surprise, Remus's name was not called. We were worried because we knew he'd gotten one. He made a note to talk to Dumbledore right after the feast
Then Dumbledore spoke " Yet another year comes to a close and we say goodbye to yet another talented bunch of wizards and witches. You are going out into the world at a very dangerous time. The days when Hogwarts produced scholars, healers, poets, and politicians are over. We must now produce warriors. And I can only say to be careful. Yes, especially you, Sirius." He added when I made a face. " You must be on alert but don't forget how to have fun. If you forget just call up the Potter gang."
The hall laughed and then gasped as a brilliant display of fireworks filled the room. We had been waiting for the box under his chair to go off. Dumbledore, the teachers, and all the kids in our year burst out laughing. It was the first prank we had ever played. Everyone burst into applause. We stood up and bowed deeply.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the best pranksters ever to come to Hogwarts." When the noise died down he contented. " You are all great and you are wonderful witches and wizards. You will make us all proud. No one knows what will happen in the future, but I hope what ever is in store for you, you have a good life. Now I will leave you with one word. You are always welcome here."
"That's five words." I called out.
" So it is." He laughed. " Now eat."
After the meal which was as good as the first meal one our first day seven years ago. we stayed for a long time. No one wanted to leave. Then Dumbledore told us the train was here. We said goodbye to Hagrid who was sobbing and grabbed James, Remus and me in a hug so tight none of us could breath and Dumbledore had to pry him away. Professor McGonagall was acutely crying when we said goodbye.
"James, Sirius, Lily, Remus, could you come here please?" He asked.
" I have asked you here for a very important reason, And don't worry, the train won't leave without you. I would like you to come back this Friday night. I have something I wish to discuss with you. "We nodded, then turned.
"Wait, Remus? May I speak with you?" Remus nodded, looking confused. The rest of us hurried on to the train and waited for him there.
Remus got on just as the train pulled out of the station. He looked pale and shocked.
"Moony, what is it?" I asked. He sat down and buried his face in his hands.
"What?" James asked.
"What do you want first, the bad news or the horrible news?" Remus muttered. Uh oh, this couldn't be good.
"How about the bad news?" James said.
"They won't let me be an auror." R he said, sitting up.
"Why not?"
"What's wrong with you?" James and I exploded.
"They say I can't be trusted, because of what I am." He said. We growled and threatened to do all sorts of things to the administration that could in no way be legal, when Remus waved us down.
"Don't worry about it. Actually, Dumbledore said I have just the qualifications of the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for next year." We gave him a cheer.
"Alright, moony!"
"We always knew you'd be a teacher."
"I be your mum's gonna be proud!" then his face fell.
"She won't know about it." He said, softly.
"Why not?" James asked.
"She's dead." He whispered. Then he curled himself into a small ball on the seat. We tried to comfort him as best we could. We hardly knew what to do, so we did what we knew best. We distracted him.
On the way home, we dragged Remus out and talked and laughed and did every thing we could in our last few hours as kids. We played pranks on the Slytherins and not even Lily protested. In fact, she helped out a bit. We threw dungbombs and played exploding snap. We ate loads of candy and even turned Snape's hair a bright red, for Gryffindor coulors. But once it grew dark, we settled down a bit.
Remus had retreated to the seat next to me, gazing into space, silent tears running down his face. Peter was snoring in the seat opposite, and James and Lily were seated close, in each other's arms, whispering quietly to each other. I glanced at them and caught James's eye. He gave me a look, as I watched him hold Lily. I was so very envious of him at that moment. It was the first and only time I had ever, or have ever been jealous of James. My own arms felt empty as though something were missing. I fought to keep back the sob that threatened to come out of my throat whenever I thought of her, and I closed my eyes and forced my mind to focus on something else. Opening my eyes, I looked out the window. It was raining. It had been raining on our first day too. I thought back on the past seven years. I had ridden in this same car, been with the same people, but I wasn't the same person I was back then. I could never me, no matter how much I tried. I had simply been through too much. I had grown up.
"Seven years here and you won't recognize yourself." Hagrid had told us once when we went to visit him. He couldn't have been more right. For a second I wished to be that person again. Not Padfoot, the animagus. Not Padfoot the insane crazy, prankster, and not a member of the Potter gang. Not Sirius Black, the orphan. Just plain old muggle Sirius. But then I would not have my friends and I would most likely have been dead. I sighed. My dad would have been proud of me, mum too. My heart ached to see them again. I wished I wasn't something special. I wished I was just a normal kid. And I wished Erin was there to tell me things were going to be okay. Because despite my carefree and mocking exterior, that was what I really need.
I get scared too. In fact right now, I'm very scared. I've been scared now for so long. It never goes away. Never while I remain in this damned God forsaken place. I wish I could get out. It's driving me crazy. I may not be mad yet. But I'm well on my way. Everything hurts. I can only see James's face as I convinced him to change and I killed him and Lily. I can only hear him say those words that have haunted me ever since. " I trust you Sirius." He never called me Sirius unless it was important. He always called me Padfoot. He trusted me. He trusted me and I let him down. I as good as killed them.
I can't stop seeing the look on Remus's face as they brought me into the courtroom to sentence me without a trial. It was worse than the looks of hatred and disgust I was getting from my old friends and teachers. It was a look of disbelief, shock. Helplessness. And it bore deep in my soul. I don't think he even really saw me. Instead he saw a murderer, a traitor, the man who had taken his friends from him. He never saw me. Never heard me as I begged him to. The one person, who was supposed to, who had sworn to defend me no matter what, had forgotten me. I can't do this anymore. It hurts too much. This was a mistake. I never should have done this. I have to stop. I, I, can't live this…
Sorry, a bad day. I started crying when I remember Erin and the train ride home and any kind of emotion will attract the dementors. They crowded around my door and the sorrow just overtook me. I didn't mean what I said. I can't stop. Not now. Even if I wanted to. This has helped me and I don't know what I'll do when I finish. But finish I must. For the worst is yet to come.
We met Addi at the station. It was pouring down rain. She didn't need to be told something was wrong. But I told her anyway. With a quick hug for me, she pulled Remus close and they held each other for a long time, there in that pouring rain. It was in that instant, watching them together, watching the tears fade from Remus's face as he held my sister that I realized we were no longer children, and it was time to move on.
It was also then, that I realized that my sister was lost to me forever. She was no longer Addi, my baby sister. She was Adhara, and she was Remus's now.
We were not children, and though I longed to stay, adulthood pulled at me like there was a rope around my neck, dragging me kicking and screaming into it.
This world was suddenly very new, and very frightening. I understood that the world we were entering was not a safe or secure place. Even less so for us because of the dangers we would soon face. Voldemort was in power, and we were all that stood in his way. We knew that. And now the feeling of safety that surrounded Hogwarts no longer protected us. We were very much alone and exposed now.
I know most kids, when just leaving school, feel a bit afraid, anxious, scared, but what we were feeling was ten times worse. We were suddenly thrust into a world where the decision of whether or not to trust the stranger next to you was a matter of life and death.
As time went by, things got worse. People died, and people were tortured and disappeared. It was a frightening time to be a kid, so soon out of school, so confused, and unsure. Many people were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. You didn't know whom to trust. You didn't know if that person was who they said they were or if they had been sent to kill you. I played that one many times later on, from both sides.
But that night, we had no idea just how hard the next four years were going to be. We only knew we were tired and at home lay a bed with our names on it. the time for action would come later.
We made our way to James's. There, we spent the night and then we looked for a small flat in Diagon Alley.
We found one quite easily, and the next day, James, Remus, Peter, and I moved in. Lily and Addi moved into the one next door, along with one of Addi's friends, who I'd never met.
Chapter 35: Marianna
There was still the matter of Addi's graduation. She asked us to attend, partly, I think, to distract us.
We arrived at Addi's graduation by way of muggle train. We wanted to apperate as we had just passed our tests, but it might cause some fuss around the muggles.
I had dug through my supply of muggle clothes, and had done some lending to James, Remus, and Peter, so that they all looked passingly like muggles. At the reception, James was off flirting with Lily and making many boys angry. Addi was talking to a mean looking boy when I came up to her.
" Excuse me, but Addi, may I have this dance?" I bowed low. She laughed. But the boy growled.
" Look, buddy. I don't know who you are, but Adhara is my girl." He said her name all wrong, like addi hari.
" Really? That's not what she said last night." I couldn't help playing with the boy.
" Sirius." She said, her tone wearing me.
" Yes, my love? Ow!"
" That is for being so, so, " she frowned, trying to find the word.
"
You can't think of anything can you?' I grinned.
" I am going to hurt you."
"
Oh come on. You wouldn't hurt little old me would you?" I asked, giving
her puppy eyes.
" No, But I'll get James to." She said, smiling. I glanced at James.
" If you can get him away from Lily."
" I'm not sure I want to." She said as James shoved another guy out of the way as he went to get Lily some punch.
" Come on Addi, one dance then you can dance with your ' boyfriend' before the moon comes out." I said pointedly.
" Oh, is it the full moon already?"
" No, but soon."
" Really?" she frowned. "So how's the job hunt going?" she asked. I made a face.
" What do you do?' The mean faced boy asked.
" Well, I work for the headmaster of a wizard school and we are called aurors and we fight dark wizards and send them to Azakaban, the wizards prison." I said this all very cheerfully. "Just kidding."
"Really well, I have been hired by the ministry I'm going to work for the Queen."
" Really? Good for you. I got offered a job as beater for England, but Dumbledore wants me to wait for a week before I tell them anything."
"Why?" Addi asked.
" Dunno. He asked us to come in later this week. Said he wanted to tell us something."
"And you have no idea what he wants?"
"Not a clue. Prongs thinks it has something to do with " I glanced around. I didn't want to say it in case any of his followers where here. You could never tell. Especially not then. " As much as I hate to say this, he thinks it has something to do with you know who."
" You know who?" she whispered.
"Yep." Dropping the serious tone I said, " Now will you please dance with me? Please? Please? Oh please." I gave her my best puppy face. She rolled her eyes.
"God, you are such a baby. Alright! Alright. Just don't give me that look. You know I can't stand that look."
"But Adhara, I thought you were gonna dance with me. Not some loser."
"That loser happens to be my twin brother, who could turn you into dust with a wave of his hand. So I'd watch it if I were you." He stared after us as we moved on to the dance floor. We laughed as we danced. After a few minutes I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and Remus was standing there.
"Hey Moony. Feel better?"
"Yeah a lot."
"Great."
"Do you mind?" He asked gesturing toward Addi who smiled.
"Go on, you love birds." Remus laughed.
" Oh, Padfoot? Whatever you do, don't make any Lily remarks tonight. James is in a bad mood from all the attention Lily is getting." He warned me.
"You worry to much Moony." I said, giving him a fake punch on the shoulder. Then I turned and walked away.
"And don't touch the punch." He called after me.
"No prob." I waved back.
"Better yet, don't do anything to the punch." I turned around, a hurt look on my face.
"Who, me?" He gave me a knowing look and turned away.
I moved across the room, remembering what Remus had said and staying away from both James and the punch. I watched my friend's dance and a familiar lump rose in my thought. If Erin had been here, she would have pulled me onto the dance floor and never stopped. She loved to dance. I was so lost in thought I didn't notice the shouting for a second.
I was standing next to the entrance to the balcony. Because of the music, and the amount of people, it was hard to hear, but I could make out two voices, a girl's and a boys'. I looked out the door. There was a man standing with his back to me. He was shouting at a girl whose face was blocked from my view. I hesitated for a second. The I saw the boy raise his fist.
I strode out onto the balcony whistling like I was coming out to think. The shouting stopped. I gave them both a lopsided grin and leaned on the edge, pretending to be stargazing.
"Do you mind?" The boy's harsher voice asked.
"Hmm? Are you talking to me?" I glanced around, as if expecting to see someone else.
"You see anyone else out here?" He sauntered over to me and grabbed my shirt collar.
"Yes, actually I do. Her." I pointed at the girl.
" Look, we are trying to have a conversation here."
"Well, don't let me stop you."
"Why, you little," he growled into my face. I resisted the urge to growl for real.
" Steven! Stop it. Leave him alone. He didn't do anything." The girl ran up and took his arm. Her face was hidden mostly in the shadows. She had a lilting Irish accent.
" You stay out of this, Marianna."
"Please, Steven." She begged.
"I said, stay out!" And before any of us knew what was happening, he raised his hand and brought it down across her face. Anger rippled through my body. I'd seen enough abuse at home without finally escaping it and facing it again. Before he could say or do anything, I grabbed his arm and twisted it around so he couldn't move. Then I pulled out my wand and preformed the full body bind on him. I whipped my wand back under my robes before she could see it. He lay there, unmoving, his eyes following me in fright and anger.
"Don't you ever touch her, Don't' you ever touch any girl like that. If you do I swear, you'll get more than a full body bind." I whispered harshly.
The girl, Marianna, was crying. She had her face turned from me, standing a few feet away.
" Are you okay? I stepped over the prostate man and over to her.
" I'm fine. You didn't have to do that." She kept her face out of my view.
"Yes, I did." I reached out and touched her shoulder. She flinched and I withdrew my hand.
"Let me see." I asked, quietly as to reassure her.
" No."
Please. I won't hurt you. I promise. Please." I spoke softly. She turned. I was struck with shock. She was beautiful. With shining red gold hair that was partly done up in an elaborate bun and half hanging down her back, and sparkling bright blue eyes, brighter than James's, that dazzled me, milky pale skin, marred by a red mark starting to show on her cheek, and a frightened look on her wonderful face, she was the most spectacular creature I'd ever seen.
My heart began to beat hard and my breath , I drew in slowly. It felt hard to breath, just as it had when I'd broken my ribs. I could feel my heart pounding against my rib cage and I wondered that the whole world couldn't hear it too.
"Is it really that bad? She smiled slightly. God, she was beautiful when she smiled.
" NO, No it's just," I shook my head. I didn't trust myself to answer her. I took several deep breaths and reached out to examine her cheek.
"You can't see a thing." I touched her cheek gently and as I did, I felt something. It was like a jolt or a shock. She jerked as if she'd felt something too. I dropped my hand.
"Good." We glanced at each other, then looked away.
" Are you okay?" I asked gently, more to ease the tension than anything.
"Yes, I'm fine. Really." I bit my lower lip. Then I smiled at her.
"You want to go for a walk?" I offered her my arm. She glanced at me, gratefully and took it.
'Yeah."
Oh and you'll be able to move in about 12 hours, give or take a day." I grinned over my shoulder.
"Who was he?' I asked as we moved away from the still cursed evil boyfriend.
" My boyfriend, Steven. He's not really like this. He loves me." she sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than me.
" Really? Odd way for showing someone you care." I glanced at her. Her lip was trembling and she was avoiding my eyes. then she slumped down onto a bench.
" Oh, who am I kidding?" She groaned, burying her face in her hands. I sat down next to her and she melted into my embrace. " All my friends told me he was bad, I just didn't listen. He was so nice and charming at first. I never get guys like that interested in me. I always get the geeks. Never the popular guys. I just liked it so much. Then he started getting more and more violent. I could stop him. I couldn't fight back. " Her eyes were wet again. I conjured up a handkerchief behind my back and handed it to her. " Thanks." She wiped her eyes. " Oh my god, I can't believe I just spilled my whole soul to a complete stranger." I smiled. I liked the feeling of her in my arms, I felt almost whole again.
I laughed. "Well, don't worry. I know how you feel. Sort of."
" You lose some one?" Damn, just when I'd gotten my mind off of her.
"Someone? I can't count on my hand how many people have been killed because of me." I said bitterly.
"My mum, my dad, the potters, Eri," My voice croaked on her name. The tears were beginning to flow. I thought of all those people who had been so good to me. That I had as good as killed when I made them close to me. I blinked furiously to stop them, but that didn't stop one, just a single tear from leaking out.
"Tough life huh?" she reached out and brushed it away. Her gentle touch sent chills down my back. I shivered.
" I guess you can say that." We laughed slightly and sat there for a while. She lay back in my arms and I felt like 'd known her forever. It was odd, we'd met only moments before and here we were wrapped in each other's arms like lovers. For a moment, I wondered if this was what James and Lily felt.
But the sounds of the party drifted back to us and we were reminded of where we were. I shifted and sighed.
" Hey, do you want to go check out the dance? I'm in the mood to break that promise to Moony and go spike the punch." She smiled up at me.
" Alright. Lets go."
We entered the room, arm and arm. A quick gaze told me James and Lily was exactly as I had left them. Wrapped in each other's arms on the dance floor. Remus and Addi were smiling and watching them. Remus's arm and around Addi's shoulder and they were watching James and Lily, sometimes whispering things to each other and making the other grin or blush. I didn't want to face them right then.
"Do you want to dance?" I asked her. She nodded.
" Sure." I wrapped my arms around her and we danced. After the song we wandered over to the punch bowl. Remus was gone and Addi was speaking with several girls I'd never seen before.
" Hey Addi, where's Moony?" as I approached with Mari's arm looped in mine, Addi began to frown slightly.
" Little boy's room." She answered. I noticed her friends giving me looks like I was some fresh piece of meat. I also noticed Marianna's arm tighten in mine.
" Hey Adhara, who's the hunk?" One of her friends asked. Addi's frown was obvious now. I gave the girl my best lady-killer grin. That set Addi off.
"Sirius, stop that this instant." I frowned at her now, confused.
"What?"
"Don't you, what me. It might be alright for you to love and leave all the girls in your school, but leave my friends out of this." I shook my head.
"And what makes you so sure I was planning that? Can't I just have a good time?"
"A good time? You've been having a 'good time' since Erin. It's time to stop it now before it becomes your life. "
Now I was angry. Where did she get off, thinking she could tell me what to do? She's my sister, not my keeper.
"Don't you try to mother me!" I shouted back. " You think I like this? You think I'm happy without her? Do you think she doesn't cross my mind every second of every day? You have no idea what I've been through! No idea!" She glared at me. One thing we do share is the Black temper. That is one thing I can say I did inherit from my father's side of the family.
"I know exactly what you've been through. Do you think I didn't? Remus has been owling me for years, telling me everything. How you wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep, how you collapsed in the common room and then how you dated, then left every girl in your year. This has been hard for all of us, Sirius! You aren't the only one suffering here!"
God, how could she do this to me? How could she bring up Erin just when I wanted to forget her? Part of me wanted to burst into tears and crumble to the floor like a rag doll. But my pride would not allow it.
"But I was the only one who loved her!" I roared back. "You have no idea! You will never understand what it's like! Never!" I swallowed hard and fought to keep the tears back as Erin's dying scream echoed in my ears and Voldemort's laughter rang through my mind like a bell. In that instant, Addi's gaze softened and she reached out for me.
"Sirius, I'm just trying to-"
"What?" but I was too far-gone to let it go. "Help me? I don't need your help! I don't need anyone! I will do what I damn well bloody please! And no one, not even you, will stop me!" With that I spun around and marched out the door, the crowd around us parting to let me pass.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw James and Lily watching me with worrying glances from the dance floor. As I yanked open the door, I saw Remus comforting Addi in the glass. I slammed the door and hurried outside into the warm summer breeze.
My breath was harsh and out here, no one could hear me. But I couldn't cry, I refused. I bit my lip and fought back my tears. But that didn't stop me from burying my face in my hands.
God, I'd been so cruel to her, I could see that. My poor dear little sister. But she didn't understand, never could. And I couldn't explain it to her, even if I wanted her to know. I let out a dry sob.
Suddenly a hand touched my shoulder. I spun around and gazed into Marianna's face.
"Marianna!" I gasped, surprised.
"Are you alright?" she asked. I nodded quickly.
"You don't look alright." I shook my head.
"Fine. I'm fine." She sighed and reached up on her toes to brush away a tear that had somehow leaked out onto my chin.
"You don't seem fine to me." I shook my head. What could I say? Nothing. And so I did.
But she took my head and led me all around the grounds, showing me everything. Before long I had forgotten my worries and woes and was pointing out constellations to her. My hand always trembled on Orion, but I enjoyed pointing out Sirius, the dogstar. She giggled.
"Is everyone in your family names after stars?" I nodded.
"Of course, all the Black's are."
"Tell me some." She had her arm through mine and we were wandering the grassy area, laughing and standing quite close for the wind had turned cold. When she laughed she laid her head on my shoulder momentarily, I liked that feeling.
"Well," I began, "Of course, I'm Sirius and my sister's Adhara, both stars in the Canis Major constellation."
"Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, right?" I nodded.
"Well, you're more of an astronomer than you though, eh?" she blushed. Then I continued to point out stars and constellations. After a while, we just walked in silence.
"Sirius," Marianna began. I looked at her. "I want to thank you, not just for helping me with Steven, but for tonight. It really means a lot to me."
"Well, you mean a lot to me." I answered. I paused for a moment where had that come from? I had known this girl only one night, a few hours even. Sirius Black is not a person to take emotion lightly. I bit my lip and wondered what to say, but James running franticly to meet us saved me.
"There you are, Padfoot," he said, gasping. I waited for him to catch his breath, then I asked him.
"What's up, Prongs?" He looked flushed and scared.
" Dumbledore just sent an owl. Says he wants the meeting pushed up to tonight. Said it was important we be there." I glanced at Marianna and pulled James away. When we were out for hearing range, I turned back to him.
"Any idea what it's about?"
"The same as before."
Okay, go tell Lily and Remus and Peter. I'll meet you there."
" Apperating?"
"Yeah. It's faster."
" Yeah. Hogwarts, don't forget."
" See ya."
I turned back to Marianna. "I'm sorry. I have to go. "
" When can I see you again?" she asked. I thought fast.
" Er, how about tomorrow night?"
" Okay. Pick me up at my place." She gave me the address. It was next door! I laughed. But when she asked I shook my head. I smiled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then I ran after James. When I rounded the corner, I made sure no one could see me and I apperated.
Chapter 36: The Order of the Phoenix
I outside the castle gates. I ran up the path and the door was opened by McGonagall.
" Sirius, good to see you. They're meeting in the great hall." She pushed me toward the room. There were many people in it. I spotted James and Lily and ran to meet them. Remus joined us shortly. I wondered what Remus was doing there, when he wasn't allowed to become an auror.
Dumbledore came in and motioned for us all to take seats. I sat down and James and Lily sat across from me. Remus sat next to me and Peter sat next to me on the other side.
"For many of you, this is your first time here and you may not know why you are here." Dumbledore glanced at us. " I would like you to welcome James Potter, Sirius Black, Lily Evans, and Remus Lupin to the Order of the Phoenix." The others around the table clapped. We sat stunned. The Order of the Phoenix was a top-secret government organization. They fought Voldemort and his death eaters. They were mostly made up of aurors and healers and spies. Only the best got in. And no matter what it was dangerous.
"If any of you wish to leave you may do so and no one will say any thing more about it." I knew I wasn't getting up. No one else did either.
" You are the best in your year. You are here because we need you. All the help we can get to fight this evil that threatens to destroy all we have built. Many of you know the pain of losing someone you love to Voldemort." His eyes flicked toward James, Lily, and me " When you are here you will never refer to Voldemort by any name other than his own. No he- who- must- not – be – named, or you know who. Just Voldemort. It is foolish to fear a name. You will go through a training process that will last until you are ready. There will be no exceptions or allowances. You are here to do a job and do it well. You are expected to do your part. Is that understood?" We nodded. "Very well, let's get down to business. I would like some one to volunteer to show our newest members the ropes. And get them through the training." Several people raised their hands.
"Very well, Frank you can take Sirius. Minerva, you can take James. Arthur can take Remus and Lily." He called on some other people to take the other kids. I glanced at Frank Longbottom. He looked nice enough, blond and cheerful, not like I pictured aurors at all. I gave him a grin. He smiled back. Arthur Weasly was Tom's older brother. He looked nice enough. Though a little bookish. Across the table, Alastor Moody looked angry and to be perfectly frank, scared me. He gave me a glare and I glared right back at him. Then he smiled approvingly. I titled my head, but then Dumbledore spoke again.
" Now the reason I called you all here. This afternoon Voldemort made another attack." There were frightened whispers around the table.
" The Bones are dead."
I sat back in my chair. Samantha Bone was two years ahead of me, but our parents had been friends. I hadn't seen her much since my dad had died, but still I knew her.
" Sir, may I ask why?" Frank asked.
" The same as always."
He gave us a few more memos and ended the meeting. Frank told me to meet him in the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow at nine so we could begin. We went home and didn't speak the whole way.