HARRY POTTER AND THE BREATH OF LIFE
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any other known character from the Harry Potter series. I do own the plot and a few characters.
Chapter 12 – The Marauders seventh year – A Duel: Second versus Seventh Year
On the first of September Iris and William made their way through the Hogwarts Express to find a compartment. Almost in the end of the train they found the Marauders. James was reading a small piece of parchment. Remus was exchanging cards with Peter and Sirius was relaxing, eyes closed, with his back to the window. He had a goatee now instead of a whole beard, and it looked even better that way. Iris smiled before entering the compartment. The boys stopped what they were doing to welcome her and William. Sirius, however, didn't move. Iris and her brother said hello to the boys and James beckoned William to sit next to him. The young boy took his prank book and then Remus and Peter joined them. Iris made her way slowly to Sirius. She sat down next to him and kissed his neck under the chin. He smiled and opened his eyes.
" Hi there, beautiful." He said.
" Hi, handsome. Didn't sleep last night?"
" Hardly.
And you?"
" I slept wonderfully. Are you trying to drive me nuts?"
" I beg your pardon?"
" The goatee. Is it to drive me nuts?" she asked while running the goatee with
her fingers.
" I can
take it off if it bothers you."
She smiled and shook her head. Instead
of answering she kissed him.
" So, is your sister going to teach?" he asked after they broke the kiss.
" I don't know, she didn't tell me anything. I guess she wants to surprise us."
Suddenly Lily erupted into the compartment.
" James Potter, what are you doing? You're supposed to be patrolling the wagons." She yelled.
" Relax,
Evans. There are the prefects to do that. We have to control the prefects."
" If you are going to behave like I won't go out with you ever again."
" Calm down. It's not a sin to hang out with my friends. Why don't you sit down
with us? And relax a bit."
She looked at him as if the proposal was indecent. Iris noticed the HG badge on her robes. When she looked at James she saw the HB badge on his. She turned to Sirius.
" James is Head Boy?" she asked perplex.
He nodded, grinning.
" Oh my God. Is Dumbledore off his rockers? James a Head Boy! That's the news of the year."
They both laughed. When she looked back at the door both James and Lily were gone.
With James and Lily as Heads this was going to be an interesting year.
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When they arrived at the Great Hall they noticed that there were two seats empty in the teacher's table. They shrugged and sat down. After the sorting Dumbledore got up.
" Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts. The new students please note that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone and please stay away from the Whomping Willow. The same goes to all the older students." - he looked at the Marauders - " Now, allow me to introduce to you the two new Potions Masters. Yes two." – he added when he saw their faces – " The first, second and third years teacher is newcomer but former student Sarah Renata." – she appeared from behind a door to the left of the Headmaster. The Marauders, Iris and William clapped enthusiastically. – "The other years' teacher will be Leopold Stanford." – the other teacher appeared from Dumbledore's right. He looked like the typical Slytherin. Ill disposed, pale face, killer eyes and a snake in his robes. He smiled to the Slytherin table and sat down. No one applauded in the Gryffindor table. – "Very well, it's time to dig in." Dumbledore finished and food immediately appeared on the tables.
After dinner they all met Sarah.
" Congratulations." Said Lily.
" Thanks. I'm so nervous. I think Professor Stanford isn't going to be helpful."
" I believe you. He's a Slytherin." Said James.
" Remus, can I talk to you in my office later?"
" Sure. Just tell me when and where." Remus answered smiling slightly.
Iris grinned and after a few more minutes of talk they left. The Marauders, Iris, Lily and William left to the Gryffindor Tower and Sarah went to her office located on the dungeons.
That was definitely going to be an interesting year.
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On the third day Sirius decided to take Iris to the Shrieking Shack. When everyone had left to their dorms, the couple took James's Invisibility Cloak and left the castle. When they reached the Willow Iris stopped.
" Wait a minute. Where are we going?" she asked.
" To the Shack. Trust me."
She nodded and he picked a stick from the floor. With the tip he touched the notch that stopped the Willow. Then he beckoned Iris to follow him through the hole on the trees' roots. After entering the passage way he took the Cloak and giving her his hand he lead the way to the Shack. Soon they were inside the house. Iris looked around but Sirius took her to the first floor. Finally he stopped in the entrance to the bedroom. She was impressed with the bed but the ruined furniture made the biggest impression.
" Is this Remus's work?" she asked pointing to a destroyed chair.
" Yes."
Sirius answered sadly. " But he's getting better now. Since we started making
him company. He says that he feels more human when he's with us."
" Wow. You guys are amazing. So you came here every full moon?"
No answer came. Iris looked around and saw that she was alone. She looked at the bed and saw a big, black figure lying in it. Because of the wooden boards in the windows it was very dark so Iris couldn't see very well. She took her wand and said "Lumos." The light that came from the tip of her wand showed that the figure was a dog. It was wagging its tail franticly. She approached the dog and it got up, jumped from the bed and placed its front paws on Iris's shoulders. She rubbed its chest and the dog leaked her. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again Sirius was grinning at her.
" Nice
trick. You're a pretty dog."
" Thanks."
They kissed and Sirius swept her from her feet.
" Put me down, Sirius." She yelled.
" Don't scream." He whispered.
" All right, but put me down." She said, her voice a bit higher than a whisper.
" As ma'am wishes." He said, but instead of putting her down on the floor he took her to bed.
She laughed and he kissed her neck. Soon they were making love as if it was their first time.
At four a.m. they left the Shack. When they
arrived at the Gryffindor Tower they were surprised by the appearance of Remus.
" Where have you been?" Remus and Sirius asked at the same time.
The look on his face was similar to Sirius'. Iris realized almost immediately where he had been.
" Never mind. Let's get to bed before anyone shows up. Good night boys." She cutted.
She kissed Sirius and gave a peck to Remus on his cheek. Then she went to her dorm. The two Marauders were face to face. Sirius saw the twinkle in his friend's eyes and smiled. He punched his friend's arm.
" You wolf. Nice going. Is her office comfy?" he asked.
" I don't know what you're talking about." Remus said, trying – and failing miserably – to sound innocent.
" Right. Look at me and figure what I've been doing."
" I know
what you've been doing. You and Iris."
" Yeah, that's right. Newsflash Moony. You have the same look on your eyes.
Night." Sirius finished and ran up the stairs to his dorm.
Remus shook his head and followed his friend.
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In April came the true highlight of the year. The 24th came sunny but chilly. Sirius was finishing an essay for DADA when Peter showed up panting.
" You…must…come. William…Snape…upside-down. Fight." Was all he could say between breaths.
Sirius got up and followed his fellow Marauder. Outside, near the Willow – but far enough for the tree to be still – was a small crowd. Sirius made his way through the small agglomerate of students and what he saw made him rather sick. In the middle of the circle stood Severus Snape. In front of him, upside-down, was William. His face was red and he seemed to be running out of air. Sirius took his wand and pointed it at Snape.
" Snivellus, put him down now, before I hex you to oblivion." He yelled and the tip of his wand touched Snape's head. "You have two seconds."
Snape waved his wand and William fell to floor with a loud sound. The boy was panting and was still very red on the face. He grabbed his wand from the floor and tried to catch his breath.
From the crowd appeared Iris and behind her was Lily. Iris kneeled beside her brother and hugged him.
" Are you all right?" she asked concerned.
" I'm fine now." William said calmly.
After making sure her brother was really fine she turned to Snape with a death glare.
" Explain. Now." She said loudly.
" Your little protégé hexed me from behind. I merely defended myself."
" It wasn't me." William screamed from behind Iris.
" Be quiet.
Attacking second years doesn't suit you Snivellus. Why don't you pick on
someone your own size?"
" Tell that to the squirt there. He attacked me first."
Sirius lowered his wand and looked at Iris. She had rage all over her face.
" Now, if you'll excuse me." Said Snape before getting ready to leave.
The crowd dispersed to allow him to make his way back to the castle. Suddenly, out of nowhere, William jumped from behind his sister and screamed to him.
" I challenge you to a duel, you greasy git."
Snape stopped dead in his tracks and turned.
" I accept. Goyle will be my second. Who's yours?"
" Sirius.
Tonight, at eight o'clock in the Charms classroom."
" Deal." Snape said and with a smile he left to the castle.
Everyone was in shock. Iris was looking at her brother blankly. Sirius recovered first.
" You challenged Snape to a duel? Are you insane? That git knows more dark magic that the evilest of all evil."
" So what? I have a plan."
" I don't
think a plan is going to save you. And what was that of making me your second?"
" Oh come on Sirius. Don't be such a whiner."
And he too made his way to the castle. Sirius turned to Iris, who was still in shock. He placed his arm in her shoulders and took her inside.
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At eight o'clock Sirius and William were on the Charms classroom. Five minutes later Snape and Goyle arrived.
" You're late." William said defiantly.
" At least
we're here."
" Let's do this."
The four of them rolled up their sleeves and took their wands. Snape and William faced each other, wands up and ready, and Sirius and Goyle were by their side, a little behind.
" I'll let you go first, Gryffindor. Give me your best shot." Snape said lowering his wand.
William smirked and raised his wand to his face. He gave a confident step forward and yelled "Expelliarmus". Snape's wand flew a few feet and quickly William yelled again, this time "Petrificus Totalus". Sirius reacted faster than Goyle and yelled "Stupefy". Both Slytherins were now on the floor and Sirius and William were laughing. William took Snape's wand and went to nearest window and threw it out. Then, still laughing, both Gryffindors left the classroom. The rest of the Marauders and Iris were waiting for them in the hall.
" So, how did it go?" Asked James.
" Pretty much as I expected. The git allowed me to go first and I won. Stupid git." Said William, smiling.
" Let's go back to the common room before Filch or Mrs Norris show up." suggested Iris.
The group left for the Tower and spent the beginning of the night talking and laughing about the early events.
After that glorious duel Snape started to avoid William and things returned to normal. But soon NEWT time was upon them.
Smaller chapter. Hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I'm enjoying writing it. And I'm loving writing it. Keep reading and reviewing. Cheers.
