As It Was Meant to Be
A/N: I welcome you now to chapter seven of "As It Was Meant to Be", with some small amount of frustration on my part. I don't particularly want there to be such a lag in posting times as there is, but some situations just can't be helped, eh?
But I digress.
In any case, last chapter, we discovered that Professor Beata is related to the Zabinis and watched as Shannon spent her first full moon away from her boyfriend. And there was more James and Lily awkwardness, but you knew that already.
This chapter: Supported by her girls, Anaral finds a way to spend more time with Sirius. During the first Hogsmeade weekend, the gang meets up with some familiar faces who seem to have a thing or two to say about certain happenings in the magical world. And there is more James and Lily awkwardness...but really, did you expect anything different?
Enjoy!
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Chapter Seven: Familiar Faces
"You'd think they could find another weekend to do all of this stuff."
James was staring at the message board outside of the Great Hall, looking for a space to hang his announcement about Quidditch Try-Outs, but the board was so covered with announcements and papers that there was no space available. Sirius, who was also looking at the board with a smile on his face, reached forward and took hold of an announcement printed on pink parchment.
"Glamour Charms by Lisa," he read aloud, seeming to suppress a laugh. "This can go. Stick it there, mate."
James laughed aloud and put up his announcement where the pink parchment had been. "I dunno, Padfoot. Anyone who's ever seen you would agree with me that you could use a Glamour or two," he stated, his voice sounding serious.
"Oooh, that's low!" Sirius laughed then lowered his voice to a whisper. "Look who's coming."
James followed Sirius' gaze to the awkward figure of Severus Snape, lurching down the hallway. The temptation to pull out his wand and send ol' Snivellus flying into the rafters was almost overwhelming. James had his hand on his wand and was about to send a curse at his nemesis, when a flash of red hair caught his eye. Lily was standing with Anaral and Shannon, laughing about something. She turned and looked at James briefly and sent him a gleaming smile before turning back to the girls.
"Not today," James answered, shaking his head.
"Awww," Sirius groaned as they wandered off to the dorms.
The girls, meanwhile, took the opportunity to see what James had put on the message board. "Quidditch Try-Outs," Shannon reported, reaching the board first. "Figures."
"Either of you think you'll try out?" Anaral asked, smiling congenially.
"Me? On a broom? I might as well just break my arm right here and now and get it over with," Lily laughed. "How 'bout you, Shannon?"
"Mm, I make a better Beater than Keeper, and James is just looking for a Keeper. I don't think I would make it," she answered. "Why, Annie? Are you going to try out?"
Anaral cocked her head cutely, her hair spilling down one side. "Well...I have been practicing," she admitted.
"You haven't!" Lily cried.
"I have."
"Go for it, girl!" Shannon pumped a fist into the air as if she was some sort of cheerleader. "I mean, it really does look like a lot of fun. And it'll give you more time with Sirius."
"Yeah...I know." Anaral's grin was cunning.
***
Try-outs were two nights later, and James was less than happy with the turnout. The only people who showed up were a skinny second year who, from his manner of walking, seemed to have the coordination of a goat on roller skates; and a fourth year who was constantly checking her hair in a pocket mirror and eyeing Sirius with a longing air about her. James shook his head at his best friend.
"My friend, I think it's safe to say that, as far as Quidditch goes, we're doomed," he stated flatly, and Sirius threw back his head and laughed. He was still laughing as he spotted someone walking towards the pitch; upon realizing who it was, his smile froze. James eyed his friend questioningly and followed his gaze to the newest Quidditch hopeful.
Anaral Karadhras walked onto the pitch, smiling broadly and holding her own broom. Her hair was twisted back from her face and she was wearing what looked like hand-me-down Quidditch robes. She bobbed her head in greeting to Sirius then turned her smile on James. "Quidditch try-outs today, right?" she asked conversationally.
"Ah...yeah," James answered, somewhat awkwardly. "Are you...?"
"Trying out? Yeah." Anaral leaned closer to James and said in a low voice, "And in case you're wondering, Lily's watching from the stands with Shannon and Remus...who aren't watching at all."
James cocked an eyebrow at Anaral and turned to look at the stands. Sure enough, Lily was waving to them from a seat high in the stands. She seemed to be trying to inch away from a fawning Peter. A little ways down the bench, Shannon and Remus were snogging to their heart's content. James felt like laughing.
"Alright, then. Let's get started."
An hour and a half later when the try-outs ended, James was sufficiently impressed with Anaral's skills on a broom and Sirius was, as he had been during the entire ordeal, completely speechless. The second year gave a valiant effort, but his coordination made him more suited for a brilliant position cheering from the stands. The fourth year seemed more interested in giggling at Sirius than in actually trying out, and only Anaral put in any effort into keeping the goals. James was amazed with how talented she really was and told her as they were heading back to the Gryffindor tower, unofficially of course, that she was on the team.
"Good to know," Anaral responded with a teasing wink, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She stepped back to put an arm around Sirius' waist and looked up at him. "Well, what did you think?"
He turned to her with wide eyes. "Ah...wow..." he finally answered, and Anaral giggled and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Surprised?" Lily was approaching the group with Shannon and Remus in tow and Peter lagging far behind. "We thought it was a great idea for her to try out, didn't we Shannon?"
"Mmm," Shannon answered, though she could have been agreeing to Lily's statement or simply responding to the string of kisses Remus planted on her neck at that moment. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Does anyone know when the next Hogsmeade weekend is?" Peter asked suddenly. "I kind of need a new cauldron."
"Didn't you just get a new cauldron less than a month ago, Wormtail?" James asked, sounding unimpressed.
"Well...it kind of exploded in Potions the other day," Peter admitted sheepishly.
"I think it's actually this weekend," Lily answered, looking up into the air as if imagining a calendar. "Yes, it is this weekend—the last of September."
At that, Sirius leaned over and whispered something to James, who suddenly brightened and nodded. "That would be a great idea!" he exclaimed.
"What would be a great idea?" Anaral asked, looking at the two of them questioningly.
"You'll see."
***
That Saturday dawned sunny and warm—perfect weather for a day in Hogsmeade. James, Sirius, Remus and even Peter had become increasingly more secretive all week, and the girls were beginning to really wonder what they were up to. Saturday morning, as Lily dressed in her favorite blouse and skirt, she wondered aloud again what the boys had planned. "I've never seen them act this secretive before," she admitted, pulling her hair back into a simple ponytail. "What on earth could they be planning?"
"Dunno," Shannon responded, fluffing her curls absently with her fingers. "Whatever it is, though, it'd better be good."
"It will be," Anaral seemed completely assured in that. She looked in the mirror briefly. "Ready to go?"
Downstairs in the common room, the boys all wore secretive and amused smiles, exchanging glances and suppressing laughter. "Alright, what is it?" Lily demanded when she saw them. "You can't keep this secret forever."
"You're right; we can't," James admitted. "But we can at least keep it until we get to the back room at the Three Broomsticks."
"What's in the back room at the Three Broomsticks?" Shannon asked Remus sweetly, but he shook his head.
"No, woman, your charms have no effect on me!" he stated and Shannon hit him playfully. The air of camaraderie continued as they made their way down the streets of Hogsmeade and into the Three Broomsticks. The barmaid, a pretty woman named Esmerelda, winked at the guys as they came in.
"The back room's all yours. Rosie's going to take care of you," she said of her eleven-year-old daughter Rosmerta.
"Thanks, Esmerelda," James stated, nodding at her and leading the way to the back room. He smiled at the girls as he pushed the door open. "Hope you're ready for a surprise," he stated, and opened the door. Lily, Anaral and Shannon pushed into the room and were greeted by all manner of friendly calls. They stood in the doorway astounded. Inside the room were many old friends of theirs who had already graduated from Hogwarts. Arthur Weasley was leaning back in his chair smoking a pipe and balancing his red-headed one-year-old son Charlie on his knee. Beside him sat his beautiful (and very pregnant) wife Molly, trying to slow down their two-year-old son Billy. Billy was chasing after another two-year-old, this one a girl with violent purple hair. Nymphadora Tonks ran shrieking to her mother Andromeda, who picked her up with a smile. Her husband, a milkman named Ted, was trying to explain the concept of television to Frank Longbottom, who had graduated Hogwarts only the year before. His fiancée Alice Montrose was smiling at Andromeda and commenting on Nymphadora's latest hair color. All conversation stopped in favor of greeting their old friends.
"I can't believe this!" Anaral cried, rushing forward to hug Andromeda and pick up Nymphadora. "Why on earth couldn't you guys find it in your hearts to tell us about this?"
"We wanted you to be surprised," Sirius answered, giving Andromeda—his cousin—a hug from the side.
"Well...it worked," Lily assessed and everyone laughed.
Over the course of the next three hours, the friends sat and caught up on each others' lives. Molly, pregnant with their third child, was quite certain that this one was another boy. "It runs in the family," she stated with a sigh, patting her large stomach. "I'm the only girl in a family of fourteen, and we all have red hair."
Arthur, meanwhile, was terribly excited about his new position in the Ministry of Magic. "Misuse of Muggle Artifacts!" he exclaimed gleefully. "I get to spend all of my time for the next however long with Muggles. Can you imagine?"
Ted Tonks was unimpressed. "We really aren't all that great," he stated. "You could come and deliver bottles of milk every morning for me, if you want." Arthur seemed elated at the idea until Ted mentioned that he was just joking around.
Andromeda couldn't seem to stop bragging about her daughter. "Nymphadora," she said again with a sigh. "Isn't that the loveliest name? And a metamorphmagus at that! I keep trying to convince her to change her hair to some lovely color, like auburn or golden blonde, but she insists on these louder hues." As if to prove the point, Nymphadora scrunched up her adorable face and her hair was suddenly floor-length and a shocking shade of teal. Remus, who happened to be standing nearby, laughed and picked up the toddler in a friendly embrace.
In the end, Lily was just glad to have a quiet moment to talk to Alice, who had been like an older sister to her while they were both at Hogwarts. Since Alice had graduated the previous June, Lily had missed her terribly and was always writing her long letters, describing the exciting events of Hogwarts life.
"Have you two decided on a wedding date, yet?" she asked Alice, nodding at Frank, who was involved in a deep discussion with Peter about...something.
"Probably next May or June. We're hoping that things will have calmed down by then," Alice answered softly, touching her diamond engagement ring. She looked at Lily with worried grey eyes. "Lils...big things are happening. Things like I've never seen before. It's frightening to say the least."
"What kinds of things?" Lily put down her butterbeer and leaned in to talk to Alice in a quieter whisper.
Alice started twirling a lock of curly brown hair around her finger; her round face wasn't as cheerful as usual. "Well, I'm sure you've heard what happened to Professor Beata," she stated in a low voice, and Lily nodded, dropping her gaze. "Lily, I wish I could say that it was a freak accident; that she was the only one. But she isn't."
"There have been more mur...more deaths?" Lily corrected herself quickly. Alice shook her head.
"Call them murders, Lily, because that's exactly what they are. A lot of them have to do with people who have connections to the Wizard Mafia." Lily stared at her blankly. "You mean you don't know?"
"No; this is all new to me. What on earth is the Wizard Mafia?"
Alice sighed as if the weight of the world had been placed on her shoulders. "They're based out of Italy; a string of very powerful wizard families. The Zabinis are the most notable, but they also involve the di Palvos, the Salvatores and..." Alice looked down uncomfortably, "the Beatas."
"Professor Beata's family was in the mafia?" Lily gasped, trying to keep her voice low.
"Most of them were," Alice admitted. "It seems like Professor Beata's father Alessandro didn't want to be a part of it anymore. He married a Muggle, against the wishes of his parents, and, as he'd hoped, they disowned him."
To Lily, it sounded a lot like Andromeda Tonks' life story, but she simply nodded at Alice to continue.
"Professor Beata—Marta—and her sister Maria were suited to the simple life. Maria even ended up joining a convent, as you know. But their sister Francesca started growing away from the family once she started school; she met Marcos Zabini there, and he introduced her to his world of finery, failing to mention that it was also a world of treachery, deceit and murder. They married twenty years ago and had a son and a daughter—Antonio and Sonia," Alice continued the story, not noticing that the rest of the room had grown silent, listening to her. "It seems that now, they are connected to some more powerful wizard and that he gave orders to have any blood traitor relatives exterminated. Alessandro Beata and his wife Cassandra were the first to die; Professor Marta Beata was investigating their death and making sure that Maria was safe when they found her and..." Alice stopped there, and the room was completely silent.
"So there is a new dark wizard coming to power," James finally stated flatly. "What does that mean, though?"
"It means that we should discuss this at another time in another place." Everyone in the room jumped and turned around to see Professor Dumbledore standing in the doorway. He was smiling fondly at Alice. "Miss Montrose, I'm glad you chose this group of people to reveal our secret to."
Alice blushed furiously. "I'm sorry, Albus. I didn't mean to."
"No apologies necessary," Professor Dumbledore said cheerfully. "I had hoped that these young people would soon join us in our meetings. If you are interested in learning more, I've given the contact information to Sirius; I know he is responsible. Until then, I must warn all of you not to speak of this to anyone. Beyond that, I think it wise that you return to Hogwarts immediately."
This was agreed upon by all involved. They said their good-byes and hurried back to the castle in the pinkish hues of a brilliant sunset. All were silent as they returned to Hogwarts; after all, they had a lot to think about.
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A/N: As happens so often in my writing, that did not come out the way I first intended it to, but I think it went well. I'm rather impressed; I've managed to complete an entire chapter in an afternoon. Go me!
Ahem.
At any rate, the next chapter is going to be more flashbacks than anything else, and the following chapter will bring us to the Marauders' first time at an Order of the Phoenix meeting. *grins* It's so nice to have a plan.
Happy reading!
A/N: I welcome you now to chapter seven of "As It Was Meant to Be", with some small amount of frustration on my part. I don't particularly want there to be such a lag in posting times as there is, but some situations just can't be helped, eh?
But I digress.
In any case, last chapter, we discovered that Professor Beata is related to the Zabinis and watched as Shannon spent her first full moon away from her boyfriend. And there was more James and Lily awkwardness, but you knew that already.
This chapter: Supported by her girls, Anaral finds a way to spend more time with Sirius. During the first Hogsmeade weekend, the gang meets up with some familiar faces who seem to have a thing or two to say about certain happenings in the magical world. And there is more James and Lily awkwardness...but really, did you expect anything different?
Enjoy!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Chapter Seven: Familiar Faces
"You'd think they could find another weekend to do all of this stuff."
James was staring at the message board outside of the Great Hall, looking for a space to hang his announcement about Quidditch Try-Outs, but the board was so covered with announcements and papers that there was no space available. Sirius, who was also looking at the board with a smile on his face, reached forward and took hold of an announcement printed on pink parchment.
"Glamour Charms by Lisa," he read aloud, seeming to suppress a laugh. "This can go. Stick it there, mate."
James laughed aloud and put up his announcement where the pink parchment had been. "I dunno, Padfoot. Anyone who's ever seen you would agree with me that you could use a Glamour or two," he stated, his voice sounding serious.
"Oooh, that's low!" Sirius laughed then lowered his voice to a whisper. "Look who's coming."
James followed Sirius' gaze to the awkward figure of Severus Snape, lurching down the hallway. The temptation to pull out his wand and send ol' Snivellus flying into the rafters was almost overwhelming. James had his hand on his wand and was about to send a curse at his nemesis, when a flash of red hair caught his eye. Lily was standing with Anaral and Shannon, laughing about something. She turned and looked at James briefly and sent him a gleaming smile before turning back to the girls.
"Not today," James answered, shaking his head.
"Awww," Sirius groaned as they wandered off to the dorms.
The girls, meanwhile, took the opportunity to see what James had put on the message board. "Quidditch Try-Outs," Shannon reported, reaching the board first. "Figures."
"Either of you think you'll try out?" Anaral asked, smiling congenially.
"Me? On a broom? I might as well just break my arm right here and now and get it over with," Lily laughed. "How 'bout you, Shannon?"
"Mm, I make a better Beater than Keeper, and James is just looking for a Keeper. I don't think I would make it," she answered. "Why, Annie? Are you going to try out?"
Anaral cocked her head cutely, her hair spilling down one side. "Well...I have been practicing," she admitted.
"You haven't!" Lily cried.
"I have."
"Go for it, girl!" Shannon pumped a fist into the air as if she was some sort of cheerleader. "I mean, it really does look like a lot of fun. And it'll give you more time with Sirius."
"Yeah...I know." Anaral's grin was cunning.
***
Try-outs were two nights later, and James was less than happy with the turnout. The only people who showed up were a skinny second year who, from his manner of walking, seemed to have the coordination of a goat on roller skates; and a fourth year who was constantly checking her hair in a pocket mirror and eyeing Sirius with a longing air about her. James shook his head at his best friend.
"My friend, I think it's safe to say that, as far as Quidditch goes, we're doomed," he stated flatly, and Sirius threw back his head and laughed. He was still laughing as he spotted someone walking towards the pitch; upon realizing who it was, his smile froze. James eyed his friend questioningly and followed his gaze to the newest Quidditch hopeful.
Anaral Karadhras walked onto the pitch, smiling broadly and holding her own broom. Her hair was twisted back from her face and she was wearing what looked like hand-me-down Quidditch robes. She bobbed her head in greeting to Sirius then turned her smile on James. "Quidditch try-outs today, right?" she asked conversationally.
"Ah...yeah," James answered, somewhat awkwardly. "Are you...?"
"Trying out? Yeah." Anaral leaned closer to James and said in a low voice, "And in case you're wondering, Lily's watching from the stands with Shannon and Remus...who aren't watching at all."
James cocked an eyebrow at Anaral and turned to look at the stands. Sure enough, Lily was waving to them from a seat high in the stands. She seemed to be trying to inch away from a fawning Peter. A little ways down the bench, Shannon and Remus were snogging to their heart's content. James felt like laughing.
"Alright, then. Let's get started."
An hour and a half later when the try-outs ended, James was sufficiently impressed with Anaral's skills on a broom and Sirius was, as he had been during the entire ordeal, completely speechless. The second year gave a valiant effort, but his coordination made him more suited for a brilliant position cheering from the stands. The fourth year seemed more interested in giggling at Sirius than in actually trying out, and only Anaral put in any effort into keeping the goals. James was amazed with how talented she really was and told her as they were heading back to the Gryffindor tower, unofficially of course, that she was on the team.
"Good to know," Anaral responded with a teasing wink, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She stepped back to put an arm around Sirius' waist and looked up at him. "Well, what did you think?"
He turned to her with wide eyes. "Ah...wow..." he finally answered, and Anaral giggled and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Surprised?" Lily was approaching the group with Shannon and Remus in tow and Peter lagging far behind. "We thought it was a great idea for her to try out, didn't we Shannon?"
"Mmm," Shannon answered, though she could have been agreeing to Lily's statement or simply responding to the string of kisses Remus planted on her neck at that moment. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Does anyone know when the next Hogsmeade weekend is?" Peter asked suddenly. "I kind of need a new cauldron."
"Didn't you just get a new cauldron less than a month ago, Wormtail?" James asked, sounding unimpressed.
"Well...it kind of exploded in Potions the other day," Peter admitted sheepishly.
"I think it's actually this weekend," Lily answered, looking up into the air as if imagining a calendar. "Yes, it is this weekend—the last of September."
At that, Sirius leaned over and whispered something to James, who suddenly brightened and nodded. "That would be a great idea!" he exclaimed.
"What would be a great idea?" Anaral asked, looking at the two of them questioningly.
"You'll see."
***
That Saturday dawned sunny and warm—perfect weather for a day in Hogsmeade. James, Sirius, Remus and even Peter had become increasingly more secretive all week, and the girls were beginning to really wonder what they were up to. Saturday morning, as Lily dressed in her favorite blouse and skirt, she wondered aloud again what the boys had planned. "I've never seen them act this secretive before," she admitted, pulling her hair back into a simple ponytail. "What on earth could they be planning?"
"Dunno," Shannon responded, fluffing her curls absently with her fingers. "Whatever it is, though, it'd better be good."
"It will be," Anaral seemed completely assured in that. She looked in the mirror briefly. "Ready to go?"
Downstairs in the common room, the boys all wore secretive and amused smiles, exchanging glances and suppressing laughter. "Alright, what is it?" Lily demanded when she saw them. "You can't keep this secret forever."
"You're right; we can't," James admitted. "But we can at least keep it until we get to the back room at the Three Broomsticks."
"What's in the back room at the Three Broomsticks?" Shannon asked Remus sweetly, but he shook his head.
"No, woman, your charms have no effect on me!" he stated and Shannon hit him playfully. The air of camaraderie continued as they made their way down the streets of Hogsmeade and into the Three Broomsticks. The barmaid, a pretty woman named Esmerelda, winked at the guys as they came in.
"The back room's all yours. Rosie's going to take care of you," she said of her eleven-year-old daughter Rosmerta.
"Thanks, Esmerelda," James stated, nodding at her and leading the way to the back room. He smiled at the girls as he pushed the door open. "Hope you're ready for a surprise," he stated, and opened the door. Lily, Anaral and Shannon pushed into the room and were greeted by all manner of friendly calls. They stood in the doorway astounded. Inside the room were many old friends of theirs who had already graduated from Hogwarts. Arthur Weasley was leaning back in his chair smoking a pipe and balancing his red-headed one-year-old son Charlie on his knee. Beside him sat his beautiful (and very pregnant) wife Molly, trying to slow down their two-year-old son Billy. Billy was chasing after another two-year-old, this one a girl with violent purple hair. Nymphadora Tonks ran shrieking to her mother Andromeda, who picked her up with a smile. Her husband, a milkman named Ted, was trying to explain the concept of television to Frank Longbottom, who had graduated Hogwarts only the year before. His fiancée Alice Montrose was smiling at Andromeda and commenting on Nymphadora's latest hair color. All conversation stopped in favor of greeting their old friends.
"I can't believe this!" Anaral cried, rushing forward to hug Andromeda and pick up Nymphadora. "Why on earth couldn't you guys find it in your hearts to tell us about this?"
"We wanted you to be surprised," Sirius answered, giving Andromeda—his cousin—a hug from the side.
"Well...it worked," Lily assessed and everyone laughed.
Over the course of the next three hours, the friends sat and caught up on each others' lives. Molly, pregnant with their third child, was quite certain that this one was another boy. "It runs in the family," she stated with a sigh, patting her large stomach. "I'm the only girl in a family of fourteen, and we all have red hair."
Arthur, meanwhile, was terribly excited about his new position in the Ministry of Magic. "Misuse of Muggle Artifacts!" he exclaimed gleefully. "I get to spend all of my time for the next however long with Muggles. Can you imagine?"
Ted Tonks was unimpressed. "We really aren't all that great," he stated. "You could come and deliver bottles of milk every morning for me, if you want." Arthur seemed elated at the idea until Ted mentioned that he was just joking around.
Andromeda couldn't seem to stop bragging about her daughter. "Nymphadora," she said again with a sigh. "Isn't that the loveliest name? And a metamorphmagus at that! I keep trying to convince her to change her hair to some lovely color, like auburn or golden blonde, but she insists on these louder hues." As if to prove the point, Nymphadora scrunched up her adorable face and her hair was suddenly floor-length and a shocking shade of teal. Remus, who happened to be standing nearby, laughed and picked up the toddler in a friendly embrace.
In the end, Lily was just glad to have a quiet moment to talk to Alice, who had been like an older sister to her while they were both at Hogwarts. Since Alice had graduated the previous June, Lily had missed her terribly and was always writing her long letters, describing the exciting events of Hogwarts life.
"Have you two decided on a wedding date, yet?" she asked Alice, nodding at Frank, who was involved in a deep discussion with Peter about...something.
"Probably next May or June. We're hoping that things will have calmed down by then," Alice answered softly, touching her diamond engagement ring. She looked at Lily with worried grey eyes. "Lils...big things are happening. Things like I've never seen before. It's frightening to say the least."
"What kinds of things?" Lily put down her butterbeer and leaned in to talk to Alice in a quieter whisper.
Alice started twirling a lock of curly brown hair around her finger; her round face wasn't as cheerful as usual. "Well, I'm sure you've heard what happened to Professor Beata," she stated in a low voice, and Lily nodded, dropping her gaze. "Lily, I wish I could say that it was a freak accident; that she was the only one. But she isn't."
"There have been more mur...more deaths?" Lily corrected herself quickly. Alice shook her head.
"Call them murders, Lily, because that's exactly what they are. A lot of them have to do with people who have connections to the Wizard Mafia." Lily stared at her blankly. "You mean you don't know?"
"No; this is all new to me. What on earth is the Wizard Mafia?"
Alice sighed as if the weight of the world had been placed on her shoulders. "They're based out of Italy; a string of very powerful wizard families. The Zabinis are the most notable, but they also involve the di Palvos, the Salvatores and..." Alice looked down uncomfortably, "the Beatas."
"Professor Beata's family was in the mafia?" Lily gasped, trying to keep her voice low.
"Most of them were," Alice admitted. "It seems like Professor Beata's father Alessandro didn't want to be a part of it anymore. He married a Muggle, against the wishes of his parents, and, as he'd hoped, they disowned him."
To Lily, it sounded a lot like Andromeda Tonks' life story, but she simply nodded at Alice to continue.
"Professor Beata—Marta—and her sister Maria were suited to the simple life. Maria even ended up joining a convent, as you know. But their sister Francesca started growing away from the family once she started school; she met Marcos Zabini there, and he introduced her to his world of finery, failing to mention that it was also a world of treachery, deceit and murder. They married twenty years ago and had a son and a daughter—Antonio and Sonia," Alice continued the story, not noticing that the rest of the room had grown silent, listening to her. "It seems that now, they are connected to some more powerful wizard and that he gave orders to have any blood traitor relatives exterminated. Alessandro Beata and his wife Cassandra were the first to die; Professor Marta Beata was investigating their death and making sure that Maria was safe when they found her and..." Alice stopped there, and the room was completely silent.
"So there is a new dark wizard coming to power," James finally stated flatly. "What does that mean, though?"
"It means that we should discuss this at another time in another place." Everyone in the room jumped and turned around to see Professor Dumbledore standing in the doorway. He was smiling fondly at Alice. "Miss Montrose, I'm glad you chose this group of people to reveal our secret to."
Alice blushed furiously. "I'm sorry, Albus. I didn't mean to."
"No apologies necessary," Professor Dumbledore said cheerfully. "I had hoped that these young people would soon join us in our meetings. If you are interested in learning more, I've given the contact information to Sirius; I know he is responsible. Until then, I must warn all of you not to speak of this to anyone. Beyond that, I think it wise that you return to Hogwarts immediately."
This was agreed upon by all involved. They said their good-byes and hurried back to the castle in the pinkish hues of a brilliant sunset. All were silent as they returned to Hogwarts; after all, they had a lot to think about.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
A/N: As happens so often in my writing, that did not come out the way I first intended it to, but I think it went well. I'm rather impressed; I've managed to complete an entire chapter in an afternoon. Go me!
Ahem.
At any rate, the next chapter is going to be more flashbacks than anything else, and the following chapter will bring us to the Marauders' first time at an Order of the Phoenix meeting. *grins* It's so nice to have a plan.
Happy reading!
