Thanks for reading everyone, and thanks so much for the reviews. I get excited every time I read one. *giggles* Sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter up; for some reason it was hard to write, but I'm already working on the next one. *wink* Our drama shall start to unfold…
Chapter Five- Fall 1976
-The Beginning of the Real Beginning-
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"Liiiily-kins. Waaaake-uuuup."
Something was tickling her nose and she heard stifles of laughter in the background. Only one person in the whole world called her that.
Her emerald eyes flashed open and her normally soft hand suddenly jerked and grabbed at the hand holding the feather under her nose.
Sirius, surprised at Lily's sudden violent awakening, gasped while the other three Marauders laughed.
"Whoa, Lily, I didn't know you had such a temper," Sirius winked at her.
"Rude awakening, Sirius?" Lily smirked at him. She sat up on the Common Room couch, stretching as she yawned. "What time is it?"
"Time for you to check a mirror," Sirius laughed.
"I think she looks good with the messy look, Padfoot," James winked, absentmindedly running a hand through his own mess of hair.
Lily's hands went automatically to her hair, pulling out the tie that had once held it out of her face. She blushed slightly, sensing the awful mess she probably looked.
"You were out like a log, there, Evans, thought we'd wake you so nothing happened to you while you were sleeping," Remus smiled at her.
"How ironic that the ones to wake me would be the ones that would have done something to me in the first place. What are you blokes doing, anyways," she asked, doing her best to flatten down her red locks.
James wasn't able to answer; he was too enthralled with watching the crimson beauty. He sat on the arm of the chair, his heart doing somersaults.
"On our way to detention," Remus sighed, glaring at James and Sirius.
Sirius shrugged, "Come on; don't tell me that you weren't having fun."
"Fun? While you three were busy making a mess of the corridor, I was arguing with Finley Donovan, Snape and that first year, Bill Weasley."
Lily rolled her eyes, "So how many points did we lose?"
"We lost thirty but Slytherin lost ten," Peter grumbled.
"Why'd they lose any?"
Sirius and James looked at each other and smiled at Lily, "Do you think we just hexed and charmed them out of the blue, m'dear? Don't you know they provoked it?" Sirius looked proud. "Good ole Prongs here and his quick thinking."
Remus coughed, "Hardly. Come on, we're going to be late."
"Are you feeling all right, Remus? You look pale," Lily inquired.
"Oh…uh, no, I'm fine. Let's go, mates," Remus quickly made his way towards the portrait hole.
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* * * * *
.
The four boys made their way to a night full of cleaning. Lucky for them, Filch seemed to have other things on his mind (as in Peeves) and set the four to all cleaning the same room--the trophy room, of course. The same room the four had cleaned numerous times, not to mention the countless times James and Sirius had done it on their own. They still had most of their sixth year and all of their seventh year to go, but those two already held the record for most detentions at Hogwarts.
All was quiet for a while. Sirius and James each took a wall of trophy cases, Remus took to the shelves, and poor Peter got stuck with the floor. Filch was holding their wands hostage; he had long since learned that the Marauders were rather smart when it came to magic. So rather than baby-sit them and make sure no magic was used, he took their wands.
"Prongs, you've been cleaning that case for the last hour, move on already," Sirius rolled his eyes.
James proudly smiled, "Shiniest damn trophy in the room."
"Do we have to relive the glorious moment again?" Remus sighed.
Peter looked up from his scrubbing with an admirable look to James, "Yeah, come on Prongs, tell us again!"
"Wormtail, keep scrubbing," Sirius snapped. "You were there when Mr. Chaser took over the Seeker position that one fateful game his first year on the team and made the most glorious Snitch catch Gryffindor had seen in centuries winning us the cup and impressing the world."
"Well said, Padfoot," James nodded, completely missing the sarcasm in Sirius' voice.
"On to more –noteworthy- conversations," Sirius started. "Calista Danes."
"Yes, do tell," James rolled his eyes. "The pick of the week?"
"She's absolutely fascinating," Sirius sighed. "Not to mention nice to look at."
"I think…I think Isadora knows," Remus barely whispered, concentrating rather hard on shining a Tri-Wizard Tournament trophy from years ago.
"Moony, everyone knows how drop-dead gorgeous Cally is," Sirius replied.
"Cally?" James laughed. "Aw, how cute. They already have nicknames for each other."
"No…I mean…I think she…knows," Remus finished his sentence hoarsely.
"You mean?" James stopped dusting and looked at his friend. Sirius turned around, looking confused.
"But how? No one knows but us and the teachers," Sirius said.
"You two figured it out," Remus sighed, leaning his back against the wall and closing his eyes; his blondish hair just falling into his eyes with his face full of dread and worry.
"Why do you think she knows?" Peter asked.
"Something she said yesterday afternoon," Remus opened his blue eyes and stared across the room at nothing. "She was…flirting with me I guess and then asked me if I knew what her name meant."
"What her name meant?" James repeated as Sirius let out a low whistle.
"Isadora was flirting with you?" Sirius smirked.
"Padfoot-" James warned. "Moony?"
"A gift from the moon," Remus finally took a breath.
The boys looked at one another, letting the information sink in.
"Well, she was flirting you said, I mean, come on Moony…a gift," Sirius winked.
James chuckled, "For once he may be right, Moony. You're probably just jumping to conclusions. She was probably just hitting on you."
"Yeah, but after five years, you two are the only ones to have figured it out? What kind of witches and wizards are we going to school with?"
"I bet Snivellus is on to it," Peter spoke up.
James and Sirius both threw an annoyed glance at Peter, as James tried to make his friend feel better. "First off, Moony, no one else is as close to you as we are. Plus, we're all really good at hiding it and covering for you. Shit, even the professors are good at covering for you. And who's going to argue a professor?"
"Besides us, of course," Sirius winked.
Remus nodded, "Are you sure? I mean, you heard Evans ask me how I was. She noticed something was wrong."
"Moony, you're over-reacting. You do look pale, Evans was just…being a friend and making sure you're alright. I'd bet that at least half the students don't even realize there's a full moon tomorrow," James said.
"So you think Izzy just likes me?" Remus asked, still a bit worried.
"She's giving you a hell of a lot more attention than Evans gives Prongs," Sirius laughed.
"It's tomorrow?" Peter asked.
"Wormtail, keep up with the conversation," Sirius rolled his eyes.
James slammed a trophy down so hard that three pairs of eyes were glued to the back of his head.
"I think we need a plan of action for Prongs," Sirius announced.
James turned around again and looked at Sirius, "For what?"
"Getting Lily to at least talk to you. I say we put full focus on her for a while. She's got a lovely temper."
Remus rolled his eyes, "Padfoot, I think this is a battle only James can fight."
"Have you guys noticed Pandora's been sneaking off a lot lately?" James suddenly changed the subject.
"Are you feeling alright, Prongs? You just changed the subject away from Lily Evans," Sirius teased.
"No, I'm being serious. I know that the girls are all in some fight, but Pandora keeps…disappearing. She's been acting really mysterious lately."
"I saw her talking to some Slytherins the other day," Peter admitted. "Rosier and Macnair I think."
"Why would she be talking to them?" Sirius questioned.
"Is it any of our business?" Remus pointed out.
"Yes. Our girls shouldn't be messing around with Slytherins," Sirius said pointedly. "Like your Evans is always talking to Snivellus."
James passed Sirius a look, "She's anything but mine, but yeah, that bothers me too."
"Speaking of other houses, though, have you seen Marlene McKinnon this year? She's in Ravenclaw…" Sirius changed the subject back to girls.
"Shh," James hushed them after a while. "Filch is coming."
The four silently went back to their cleaning as Filch entered the room with a mean and nasty glare on his face.
"You rats done in here yet? Ain't broke nothing, have you?"
"No sir," Sirius saluted. "Shiny as a galleon."
Filch looked around the room with a sneer, "Should've been able to do more to you for what you done. Dumbledore just gave me orders to send you all back to your dorms. 'Cept Potter. He wants you in his office."
The boys exchanged looks as Filch unwillingly handed over the wands and let them go. Once out in the hallway, the three heading back to the Common Room looked at James.
He shrugged, "Beats me. Probably about Quidditch or something; tryouts are this week."
James made his way to the Headmaster's office where he knocked and found Dumbledore, sitting at his desk in his night clothes, waiting for James.
"Professor?" James entered the office.
"James, please, have a seat," Dumbledore waved a hand at the comfy looking chairs in front of the desk. "Care for some Bertie Bott's beans?"
James raised an eyebrow at the Headmaster as he took a seat, "No, thank you."
"I suppose your wondering why I called for you at such a late hour," Dumbledore sighed. He made a face after popping another piece of candy in his mouth. "You're parents sent me an owl that I felt you should read as well."
James looked confused as Dumbledore handed him the letter from his parents. Why hadn't they just owled him if it was something he should know about?
Dear Headmaster-
We feel that with your position in all that is happening in our world, and that you are such a figure in our son's life, that we should inform you of what is going on. You, like the rest of the wizarding world, know where we stand as this war against such an evil man arises before us. Even through all our recent loses, we refuse to stand down. The Dark Arts hold no place in the future we imagine for our young wizards and witches. To even think of what Voldemort sees for our world brings tears and anger to us. He shall not rise; we will bring him and his followers down.
And as we declare this out loud, we know that it makes us prime targets. We feel that our James is a strong, smart and able young Wizard, and we have no fear that he can handle what may come before him. He is a true Potter in all the senses.
As we begin our fight and knowingly walk into our death traps, we want you to know how much you mean to our family. Every small thing you say or do for us is felt ever so humbly in the bottom of our hearts.
Please, as a last wish from us, to whatever may happen to us, promise us that you will look after James. Make sure that he's ready for what comes and that he knows he is loved.
We question not your decisions; we value your opinion. And as this quill ends this letter-we declare our battle and begin the fight for what is right.
Sincerely and always~
Richard and Corrine Potter
James looked up to the Headmaster. He was confused. He knew his family was willing to fight against Voldemort. He'd already gone through a summer of losing relatives, of learning to not under-estimate a feeling of security. He was proud to be a Potter; which meant that you stood for what you believed and never backed down.
This letter to Dumbledore almost sounded like a goodbye. It almost sounded like his parents didn't think they'd come out on top. If he was as arrogant as Lily Evans made him out to be, it was because his father absolutely was. Richard Potter held his head high no matter what- always knowing that he'd win.
"Sir?" James felt his self paling as Dumbledore reached for another paper on the desk.
"James, this only came moments before you arrived," the older man handed James another rolled up parchment.
James was shaking as he took it. He was afraid to unroll it. He took a deep breath as he opened it and saw it was on official Ministry paper.
He held the letter to his lap and looked up at the walls. Most of the paintings were asleep, ignoring the conversation taking place. James' eyes ran across the many books lining the office walls. The moonlight was shining through the open window. A slight breeze brought a chill to James as he finally looked down to read the letter.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:
We, with regret and sorrow, wish to inform you of family members pertaining to your student, James R. Potter. With the wish of his parents, we are informing you rather than him.
Sadly, as it is a great loss to all of us, and our fight, at precisely 11pm this very evening, a Mrs. Corrine Potter was hit with a powerful Cruciatus Curse. As this curse hit her, another, unknown to us at this time, was directed at her. Thus, the curses caused Mrs. Potter to after being in a considerable amount of pain, to point her wand and curse indirectly, her sister, the widowed, Mrs. Wright, with the Avada Kedavra curse. Mrs. Potter is at this time unconscious in St. Mungo's care. Mr. Potter is currently in St. Mungo's healing his own wounds as well.
The ministry will report to you with more information as it comes in. We send our sincerest sympathies to Mr. James Potter.
Please also know that the Minister of Magic will be requesting your presence at the upcoming meeting.
Ministry of Magic
James was numb. It was a feeling he'd felt through out the summer, but his parents? His mother had been hit with an unforgivable curse…and cursed his aunt with one? His aunt. Aunt Charmin. She was gone now, along with the others.
James looked up to the professor with a hint of tears forming in his eyes.
Dumbledore gave James the most heartfelt look he'd ever received. Within a short four month period, James had lost five of his loving family members. And now his mother was unconscious. His father hurt. All to fight the Evil Dark Lord.
James stood with anger rising from the depths of his stomach. It wasn't fair. Why was it always his family that had to be the heroes? Why weren't there more people out there fighting yet? Why was Voldemort getting away with all of this?
James flung his hand at Dumbledore's desk, knocking a statue of a unicorn off and shattering it into pieces. Without a look to the Headmaster, he fled.
He ran down the spiral steps and into the halls. He ran straight out the huge main doors into the night. He didn't stop running until he reached the Quidditch pitch were he fell to his knees.
He opened his clenched fists, realizing he held both letters in his hands. He reread the one from his parents; it was in his mother's handwriting. The tears began to slowly fall down his cheeks, as he ran a hand over his face and through his hair.
He was strong, though. He was smart and able and could handle what ever would come before him.
He looked to the dark sky where the almost-full moon stood still. The stars were sparkling all around, making for an amazing sight. He wiped his eyes and cleaned his glasses before heading back in.
He'd face the dark if it meant tearing down the Dark Lord and getting his revenge.
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* * * * *
.
The next morning, as the owls delivered the post and students received their copies of the Daily Prophet, the Great Hall slowly quieted down. Three of the four house tables all but become silent as the news of the previous night spread. The Marauder's were no where to be seen.
Headmaster Dumbledore had a few words to speak before he, too, disappeared from the great hall.
"In these tumultuous times, it is best for us to remember to hold those closely the ones that we love. We must keep our heads up and remember what we believe. I expect you all, as you would wish for yourself or close friends, to give the respect, courtesy, and space to those in need."
It was only hushed whispers heard as the great Headmaster left the Hall. The Gryffindor table was exceptionally in a state of shock.
"Poor James," Greta almost seemed to have tears in her own eyes. "That's so terrible."
"Poor bloke, after the summer he had already," Kingsley shook his head.
"Is that where he is then? Did he go to St. Mungo's?" Audrey asked. "Where are the other three?"
"Didn't you hear what else happened?" Pandora asked them.
"No, something else?" Isadora asked, afraid of what Pandora might say.
"You don't think the Daily Prophet tells all, do you? I was up when Sirius, Remus and Peter got back from detention and they told me James had gone to Dumbledore's office. So I waited up with them for him to come back. He was in a right state, as expected when he did come back. As were sitting there doing our best to comfort him Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster came down."
"More bad news?" Lily asked gravely.
Pandora nodded, "Kineta Meddows, the fifth year, her father was in the same battle with just as an ill-fated ending as the Potter's."
"Kineta's? She's the other Chaser, right?" Isadora asked.
Calista nodded, "Her father was tortured."
A hand went to Lily's mouth as the news sunk in. Two Gryffindors had lost so much in one night while they didn't even know it. James had been busy in a detention, no doubt goofing off somehow. And Kineta had been laughing and joking with friends as they sat around the fire, talking Quidditch until the fire had almost died.
Died.
The word fell to the pit of Lily's stomach; she knew her friends were talking but the words made no sense to her. She had never lost anyone close to her before. She had never lived through a trying time.
Up to this point, her life had been squeaky clean. Only the normal mishaps and arguments that are abound in any family. The biggest shock Lily had been exposed to was receiving the owl that said she was a witch.
"So are the other three with them?"
Pandora shrugged, "I'm not sure. Peter said something about a late night tonight; like they had plans that they'd still go through with. But where they're at, I'm not sure. I do believe that James left for St. Mungo's last night. Well, early this morning, rather."
"But…I mean, the only people who died where…" Audrey couldn't speak.
"The only people? Audrey! They're still people! And they were very dear to others! Kineta lost a parent! James lost an aunt and quite possibly his mother!" Isadora yelled.
Audrey, on the verge of tears herself, stood from the table, "I won't be going to class this morning."
With that as her last words she tore away from the Great Hall. With a sigh, Lily ran after her.
"Izzy, you know that she lost both of her parents a few years back in some accident," Greta reminded softly.
Isadora shrugged, "And I'm not saying I have no compassion. I only suggest that she think before she speaks. Losing anyone is awful."
Calista and Pandora exchanged a curious look before heading out of the Great Hall themselves.
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* * * * *
.
He hated St. Mungo's. It wasn't that a feeling of dread took over him every time he stepped foot in the place; his mother was a Healer and he knew that great things happened in the hospital.
But the…aura the place had; it sent shivers up his spine. And now that his mother was here as a patent, not a Healer, the shivers had a shot of dread rung through them.
He had spent the last few hours sitting in the room with his father while they each held a hand of his mothers. She was still unconscious. There was still no word as to what the second spell had been. She still didn't know she had killed her own sister.
His father's wounds had been minimal, but his emotional state was a wreck. Richard and Corrine Potter had meant the world to each other. They had been together for years; James being almost an after thought in their life.
He was in the cafeteria getting something for breakfast. He wasn't really hungry, but his father had urged him to eat. The only reason James had given in was because his father had promised to eat when the Healer brought him his breakfast.
He stood at the counter, staring at the food, his mind wondering to a thousand different lands. The sniffles coming from next to him awoke him from his daze.
"It almost seems pointless to eat now, doesn't it?"
James turned to see the athletic, mousy brown haired fifth year standing next to him. Kineta Meddows; the third Catcher on his Quidditch team. The ever-active, always with a smile, short, cute, abrasive Kineta.
"Kin…" James stuttered. "Merlin, I'm so sorry to hear…I mean…"
She smiled her toothy grin through her pain-filled eyes, "You don't have to say anything, Potter. I know. Me too."
She sighed and the two embraced into a warm and sympathetic hug.
"How's your mum?" She asked, as they took a step back from one another; only James left his arm around her.
He shrugged, "No change yet. She's not woken up."
"How's your father holding up? Me Mum's a wreck…hasn't stopped crying since I arrived last night."
James nodded, "How are you holding up?" He knew that Kineta was a 'Daddy's girl'. She always had been; being so athletic and outgoing. She was a half-blood, muggle on her mother's side. As a child before Hogwarts she'd played many Muggle sports, but when it turned out that she was a witch, learned to fly and became interested in Quidditch, that was when her father hadn't been more proud of anything in his life.
Kineta chewed on her bottom lip, "I don't know how I feel, really."
James nodded as the two both opted for some pastries and milk. They headed towards a table to eat.
"You're emotionless, I understand. A part of you wants to cry and curl up in a ball, yet another part of you wants to yell and scream and be angry."
Kineta simply nodded, holding back the fresh batch of tears. The two ate in silence, both appreciating the company and the quiet. Neither noticed the noise in the background of Healers and patient's guests talking. Their minds both wondered in the same general direction and it was a comfort just being with each other across the table.
"Are you staying the day here?" Kineta asked, after they both finished eating.
James nodded, "I can't leave not knowing how she is."
"Mum said it was a strong curse."
"And they still have no idea what the other curse that hit her was. They're amazed that she's survived apparently. Dad said she was brilliantly brave…and that Aunt Charmin didn't even know what hit her…"
"James," Kineta didn't have the words to say. She pulled his hand into hers and squeezed it tightly from across the table. "Dad told me there was a reason I was sorted into Gryffindor. I always wondered what exactly he meant by that. He always said it with this…proud, yet dream-like look on his face. I always knew I was the type of person with enough self-strength to stand up for what I believed in. Never was one to back down. But I don't think that's what he meant…"
James smiled, "What do you think he meant?"
"I think he meant that I have the courage inside to withstand things. It takes more than just…bravery and strength to stand tall sometimes. Something motivates you; something…keeps you from falling even as you're tripping…"
Her words were lost as the tears and sobs came on. James moved to her side of the table and she huddled her head into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him.
"Why? James, why? Me dad couldn't kill a fly! Why'd he go and work for that department? He shouldn't have been out there! He wasn't an Auror! Why was it him?"
"Ssh," James gently rocked Kineta in his arms, as he stroked her head. He had the same thoughts running through his mind but knew that there wasn't an answer. There never was one; not one enough to satisfy his questioning at any rate.
.
* * * * *
.
By the time dinner was approaching, Corrine Potter had woken. Her eyes had opened and she had squeezed both the hands of her husband and son.
But she hadn't uttered a word.
Nor had she made any notion that she understood anything. James was devastated. His father, even more so.
The family planned on the service for Charmin to be the following day. He had numorous offers from family members for him to stay with them over night, but James refused to leave his parents. He was still hoping against hope that his mother would recover.
Kineta had found James before she left the hospital. Her father's services would fall on the day after Charmin Wright's. James promised to be there, as Kineta said she'd be at his aunts. Before she left, she gave her condolences to Richard Potter and the rest of the family.
"She's a nice girl, James," Richard told his son that evening as they sat in the room watching Corrine sleep.
James nodded, "Yeah, she's a great Chaser too."
"Oh, she plays Quidditch?"
"She's a year younger than Sirius and I, but right good. She's half blood and has played sports all her life. Her older sister just graduated Hogwarts last year," James explained.
Richard nodded, "Yes, Dorcas Meddows. She's in auror training, her father spoke of her."
"Why were they out there with you, Dad? Why were Mum, and Aunt Charmin and Mr. Meddows out on the field like that?" James suddenly got an angry tone.
Richard closed his eyes briefly. He let go of his wife's hand and stood towards the window. The sun was gone and the full moon had risen. Suspended in a sea of stars, it lingered brightly in the night sky.
"Can the other two handle Remus alone tonight?" Richard asked. He was more than proud of all three of the boys for learning to become animagus, even if they were illegal. He was the only one that knew about it. All Corrine knew was about Remus' lycanthropy.
James sighed, looking at the moon, "They're fine dad. I talked to them through the two way mirror earlier. Answer my question. What were all those Healers doing out in the middle of the battle? No one else was that badly injured for them to have been out there."
Richard turned to his son, "They wanted to help James. We were striking down some of the Deatheaters and they wanted to…help."
James didn't believe his dad entirely. He sat there, looking at his mother for quite some time before looking back at his father. He saw the few tears rolling down the older man's face.
"Who were they?"
"Old friends. People we thought we could trust. People who we thought were on our side."
James nodded, knowing. His mother had an old friend they'd been wondering about for some time. She had gone missing the year before. In fact, many people his parents used to dine with, attend parties and socialize with had gone…missing in the last couple years. Many people from the Ministry had begun acting strangely. No one was to be trusted anymore. Only the Ministry still seemed to be ignoring the problem as a whole.
"James, it's no where near over," Richard suddenly said, staring out the window again.
"Obviously," James muttered.
"No, it's not going to be over for a long time. We're underestimating Voldemort's power. He's so much like Grindelwald it's scary. It's as if he studied his 'power over people' abilities and sharpened them. James, I'm scared for our future."
James just looked at his dad. Richard Potter was staring out the window again; a grave look upon his face. He looked down to his sleeping wife and conjured up a small smile. Turning towards his son, he sighed.
"James, promise me something."
James just looked to his father. No expression on his face; he was tired of having one. Sorrow, dread, anger, fear- they were becoming too much for him.
"Promise me that you'll always fight for what you believe in, no matter what. That nothing will stop you or hold you back."
"Dad, I-" James stopped, mid-sentence. It had always been an argument between the two as what James' career path was going to be. James, no question about it was obsessed with Quidditch. And he was good. He had a chance to go pro. But family tradition argued that he'd be an Auror. That sounded intriguing to him as well; but James was not one to pass up brilliant opportunities.
James looked down at the bed. His mother's long and wavy black hair was cascading off her pillow towards the floor. She slept soundly, and looked peaceful. But the healers couldn't yet diagnose her long term. The Unforgivable Curse could leave her…in St. Mungo's the rest of her life.
James eyes followed around the warm, albeit still a hospital, room. There were flowers, cards, and candy all over. Portraits of sceneries, the beach and ocean, waterfalls and other soothing landscapes lined the walls.
James sighed, "Dad, I'll fight till the end."
Richard Potter nodded, a single tear falling down one cheek as he grabbed a hold of his wife's hand, "You should get some sleep, son. We have a long day ahead of us."
James, with on last look between his parents nodded, and headed out to the waiting room. There, he'd catch some shut-eye in the comfortable chairs. And have either dreamless sleep or wonder what was going to become of him someday.
.
* * * * *
.
"James, my, how you've grown," Some older, distant relative pinched James on the cheek. His cheek was burning from the pinching. The funny thing about it was that he very much doubted he'd grown in the past month that had gone by since seeing these people.
He hated this one the worst. He'd been equally close to his aunt as he had been other relatives that had already brought the family together under these unfortunate circumstances. But this time; the way that people were looking at James. The way they whispered as he walked past. How they comforted his father, just a bit more than any other times.
And his mother wasn't there.
Luckily, Dumbledore had seen it fit for Sirius to be able to skip classes that day and be there with the Potter's. Remus, of course, was more than likely spending most of his day in the infirmary, so wasn't able to come. And Peter…as much as he wanted to be there, couldn't afford to miss classes.
James and Sirius were sitting off in the back, away from the crowds. Neither really saying much; just thinking. Family members and friends came and went; offering their condolences and giving out hugs.
"I need a stiff drink," James sighed.
Sirius laughed, "Unfortunately all I can offer you, Prongs, is some butter beer when we get back."
James rolled his eyes, "Make sure to get a lot then."
"Hey, is that? Is that Kineta over there, with her sister?" Sirius pointed towards the doors.
James looked up, "Yeah, it is."
The two boys stood and walked towards the sisters. Kineta smiled at the two, rushing over to hug them.
"Sirius, I know his family is like yours," she hugged him. Sirius smiled towards James, appreciating Kineta's kind gesture.
Kineta turned to James then. Offered him a sympathetic smile through her chocolate eyes and put her arms out to hug him. He pulled her into a tight hug, glad that she'd managed to come.
"You don't have to stay, Kin," he whispered in her ear as they held each other.
She pulled back from the hug, sniffled a bit and shook her head, "No, because I know you'll come for me tomorrow."
James smiled and wiped the tear drop from the corner of her eye, "Thank you. It means a lot."
Sirius just stood back, watching the embrace. Kineta's older sister, Dorcas, followed over to them.
"James, Sirius, I'm so sorry," Dorcas offered them each a hug.
"We're sorry too, Dorcas," James nodded back.
"Mum's a wreck, she's talking with your Dad now," Dorcas sighed.
"Um, Dorcas, care for a drink? I'm parched," Sirius glanced towards the hallway. He took the Hogwarts Graduate by the arm and led her out with him. The two remaining stood together, both looking down.
Kineta took a deep breath, "We stayed at the house last night. Merlin, James, it was so hard."
James nodded, "I've not been back to ours. I can't imagine going to my aunt and uncles house again, though."
"You've cousins?"
"They had one daughter, Tyra over there; she lives in London with her boyfriend. Charmin was my mum's only sister," James explained.
"How's she today?" Kineta grabbed James' hand and held it tight in her own.
He shrugged, blinking back the tear, "No change yet. She's barely waking up."
"You'd think they could do something for her, tell you something at least. Not knowing, that's the worst."
"Yeah, it is."
"That's so wonderful that the Headmaster let Sirius come for you," Kineta smiled.
"Padfoot's family and Dumbledore knows that."
"Didn't he stay with you this summer? I thought I overheard you boys talking about that."
"Yeah, he did. How's your sister's training coming along?"
Kineta shrugged, "Alright. She's nervous now. Scared."
"They were out there because of who the Deatheaters were, Kin, I asked my dad," James told her.
Kineta looked at James straight in the eyes. James' gripped her hand tighter.
"They were in shock and they let down their guards," he explained.
Kineta nodded, "Sometimes I wish I wasn't a witch, James. I know that's terrible to say, but, sometimes it feels like being a muggle would just be simpler."
James and Sirius exchanged a look. It seemed to be, that no matter what sort of being one was; life just wasn't simple.
.
* * * * *
.
"Ug," Audrey let out a sound of frustration.
"What's wrong now?" Lily looked up from her own parchment she was attempting to write an essay on.
"I still have a foot to go. Lils, I can't take this. This…enforcement on me to…be confined to four walls and do busy work while there's…life going on out there."
Lily raised a brow, "What's gotten into you? You love history. And school."
Audrey pushed her parchment to the cushion next to her and dropped her quill. She let her head fall to the back of the couch with a sigh.
"Here we are in our sixth year of our schooling, Lils, and what are we prepared for? What do you think is going to happen after graduation? Look at us now, all torn apart from our best friends, people we know losing family members like they're just piece in a Wizard's Chess game…there's a war starting…and here we are just living life like we ought to?" Audrey rambled.
Lily began chewing on the end of her quill, "I think that you are thinking too much, Aud. Yes, all that you just said is true, but we're only 16. Obviously, the world is changing. It always is, though. I mean, the things that have been going on in the Muggle world for ages…what did I read? Oh, we're living in tumultuous times. But if we all stopped and started to…freak out and forget the little things, we've lost what we're fighting for."
Audrey lifted her head to look at her best friend; not knowing how to respond.
"Evans, that was beautiful," a male voice from behind the couch came.
Lily blushed a bit but smiled at Remus, "Thanks. How are you feeling? Peter said you were in the infirmary all day."
"Yeah, just…I'm alright. So what'd I miss today?" He asked, sitting in one of the big, plush chairs.
"Not much," Audrey sighed. "It was a rather boring day to be truthful."
Remus nodded, "James, Sirius and Kineta will be back the day after tomorrow."
"Did you talk to them?" Lily asked.
"Earlier," Remus closed his eyes. "There's still no word on Mrs. Potter. Um, where's Peter at?"
"Last we saw of him he was wondering up to your dorm," Audrey answered.
"Thanks, I'm going to go find him."
The two girls watched Remus make his way up to the boys' dorms and disappear down the hallway.
"Have you ever noticed how often he goes to the infirmary?" Lily asked, with a pondering look upon her face.
Audrey shrugged, "Not really. The Marauder's are always going there due to the 'scratches and bruises' they get from all the hexing they do."
"Yeah, but…I don't know. I guess I'm thinking too much." There was as silence between the two girls for a moment. Audrey finally picked up her parchment and quill again. "Aud…how exactly does one act in situations like this?"
"Like what, Lils?" Audrey barely addressed her, now working on her paper again.
"When they get back," Lily sighed. "I mean, how do you know what to say?"
Audrey nodded, looking up to Lily, "I'd say to just give them a hug and let them direct the emotions. Probably act normal, catch them up from what they've missed. But let them know we care if they want to talk about it. Lils, don't worry, you were great for me."
Lily smiled, "But you're my best friend, Audrey. I don't know James or Kineta that well."
"Just be you, Lils. James already likes that," Audrey winked, as the two girls went back to their assignments.
* * * * *