Chapter Four

And So It Begins...

Author's Note: Please not that this is chapter four, not five. The singing chapter will not be up. I just got too lazy to do songs. SORRY. I will write the aftermath of the singing stuff, so if it feels like there's a big chunk missing... sorry. I just... couldn't write that. Made my brain wacko. I will never - ever - write a karaoke competition.

Author's Note: Jamie, I'm so sorry. I wish we'd gotten to know each other better. Rest in peace, girl, you'll forever be in our hearts.

The Tutor

The whole group - Marauders, girls, and Ashley - were settled together, each avoiding one another's eyes. If one would catch ones eyes, they'd grunt or squeal, look down, and resume doing that for the remainder of dinner.

As if sensing the tension of his school, Dumbledore stood, ceasing any talk. He surveyed the nervous students and started chuckling.

"Good evening, students. I would like to thank the person who put us all under a spell, making us sing our feelings," he chuckled, a faint tint of red blemishing his pale features as he remembered getting up on the staff room's table and dancing around in his knickers, singing about how he loved socks. Lucius Malfoy sent a charming smile to anyone who looked his way and bowed his head in a humble manner. Dumbledore looked his way. "I would also like to punish him for endangering students; that spell was Dark Magic. One hundred points is deducted from Slytherin, and Lucius, you will serve a week's detention with Professor McGonagall.

"And please notice that classes are canceled this morning. A student here was attacked last night, we are investigating, and there is no need to overreact. We would like to keep you all in your Common Rooms, and if you must leave for any reason, leave in groups. That is all."

~*~

A few weeks later, Remus strolled into the common room, late at night, his face weary, but a smile was on his lips. He walked over to the Marauders, Ashley, and the girls and plopped down, grinning at them.

Lily sent him a curious look and slapped James upside the head when he tried to sneak a peek at her Charms homework. "Remus, why are you grinning like that?"

Snickering, Sirius slapped Remus on the back, sending him on the floor. Sirius had always been stronger than he looked. "Did you finally admit -,"

"No!" hissed Remus, glaring at Sirius. He grinned again. "It's done."

Lily, James, Lindsay and Peter gaped at the young man. Then, at once, they jumped on Remus, hugging him. Well, Peter and James clapped him on the back and punched his arm. Ashley, however, looked completely confused.

"What's done?" she asked, pulling the couples - who weren't couples, except for one - off her friend. "And why are you all acting like crazy people?"

Lindsay smiled at the new girl. She patted her arm. "It's the potion to get us separated. Remus and the others were working on it for weeks, and he just added the final touches to it." She turned to Remus. "We should take it immediately."

He nodded and stood. "Let's go now."

"But we'll get caught!" AJ hissed, pulling him back down. "Now, I'm one for late night adventures, but I don't want to get caught by Filch. And there are teachers everywhere. Around every corner, Remus."

James rolled his eyes. "I have an Invisibility Cloak, Miller. But it'll only be able to hide me, Lily, Peter, and Lindsay. You have to do an Invisibility Charm."

"And that's my area," Lily said proudly, taking out her wand.

~*~

Turning the doorknob, the girl stepped into the room. She was clothed in a long dark robe, a hood covering her face. The room was full of robed figures, all bowing to a man with dark black hair and hungry blue eyes. She strolled forward to the man, a sliver of her hair showing. The man grinned at her as she bowed down and kissed the hems of his robes. Looking up, she gave him a smile.

"My Lord," she whispered smoothly, taking the hand he offered her. The man helped her up and brought her to him, kissing her roughly.

"My dear, you have returned from Hogwarts. How are things moving along with our little project?" he asked as she brought down her hood. Several gasps arose in the room but were all quieted with a look from the man.

Her eyes lit up, "It is going as planned; Lillian Katherine Evans and James Dominic Potter are acquaintances at Hogwarts. I fear they are growing closer everyday, my Lord, their bond is growing. However, Remus Jacob Lupin has found the antidote to their spell, and is currently working on it. Soon they will no longer be attached and will drift apart."

Tom Riddle a.k.a. Lord Voldemort nodded thoughtfully. "And the girl?"

"She is fine. I made sure nothing or no one harmed her, my Lord."

Tom nodded and stroked his chin in reflection. "We will have to put our plan into action soon, my dear. You will have your first kill in time. And then you'll be hooked and will become one of the most feared Death Eater's Albus Dumbledore has ever seen!"

"Master, Dumbledore is suspecting something. Last night, while I was checking on my charge, I had to attack a Gryffindor student, Ashley Lynne Minent, for being nosy. If Dumbledore believes her story, I'm in for it."

Sighing, Tom brought a hand to her chin. "Do not worry, my dear, the old fool suspects nothing. Now, you must get back to school before any notices your absence."

She smiled at him, bowed again, put the hood over her head once more, and left the room, her dark robes billowing out behind her.

"Now there's a surprise," Tom chuckled darkly.

~*~

Lily surveyed her surroundings with distaste. "You brought us to Myrtle's because...?"

Remus sighed patiently and started stirring the chunky brown mixture on the floor. The group was settled in the girls' lavatory huddled around Remus and a little cauldron. He spooned four cups full of the mixture into four goblets they had snatched from the kitchens and handed it to the couples that were together. Peter, Lindsay, Lily and James frowned at Remus.

"We're here because this is the only place no one could catch us. We're safe here. Now drink it up."

The four shared a look before throwing it down their throats. To their surprise, the potion tasted like watermelon. As if on cue, they doubled over, their hands latching onto their sides. A bright light encompassed them and after a few seconds went straight to the glue like substance holding them together. With a flash, the cord broke and Lily was able to pull away from James. She stared at Remus before running at him and throwing her arms around him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! How can I ever repay you? Name anything, I'll do it!" she shrieked, hugging him harder than before. She pulled back and kissed him on the cheek. Lily grinned as he blushed and kissed his other cheek. "I am forever in your debt, Remus!"

Ashley giggled nervously and twirled a piece of her hair around her finger. Lily stepped back and patted Ashley on the head. She winked at the girl, "He's all yours." Ashley blushed furiously, stood, and hid behind Remus.

Lily turned to Lindsay and engulfed her in a hug. She looked at the sniffling girl. "Lindsay, why on earth are you crying? If Peter did anything, I swear..." At the mention of Peter, Lindsay collapsed on the floor, crying hysterically.

Alyssa, Sunny, and Lily dropped to the floor and soothed her.

After Sunny had asked the girl what happened, she choked, "Peter... he said now that we're not bonded, he doesn't need me. Oh, Sunny, he broke up with me! How could he do this to me? I thought he loved me! Peter is nothing but a... a dirty little rat! I hate him!"

AJ sent a nasty glare towards Peter, stood, and stomped over to him. She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.

"What is wrong with you?" she bellowed, getting the attention of everyone in the lavatory, including the deceased Moaning Myrtle. The grinning ghost floated over to Lindsay and teased her, which made her cry even harder, until Lily took out her wand and threatened to trap her in the Slytherin Common Room.

The Marauders took on an offensive look and stood threateningly behind Peter. AJ, who happened to be taller than any of the boys, loomed over them, her eyes ablaze with fury. She turned her fiery gaze upon Peter.

"Pettigrew," she spat out, "what gives you the right to hurt Lindsay like that? You're an egoistical, stupid twerp! Oh, so you're a Marauder, hmm? As if pranking someone gives you the right to pull their heart from their chest, throw it on the ground, and stomp on it with your heel?" She leaned down and whispered in his ear. "If you do not apologize to her right this instant, I will tell the entire school about you fancying McGonagall. Do you hear me?"

Peter's eyes widened and he stuttered. With a look from Alyssa Jean 'Get Your Arse Over To Her Now' Miller, he stumbled over to Lindsay and muttered something.

The deafening silence was enough for Peter to squeak loudly and kneel down to Lindsay. He blushed. "I'm s-sorry, Li-Lindsay f-for break-breaking up with y-you. I'd like to re-retract my dump, and ask if y-you'd still li-like to be m-my girlfriend."

Lindsay's eyes filled with tears. She nodded and threw her arms around the pudgy boy. "Of course, Peter, I love you! I could never hate you!"

The group besides the now snogging couple grinned at each other.

Sorry this is so short. I just wanted to get this out and over with. The Hooded Girl comes more into play next chapter--and I SWEAR that the transfers come into the picture. I just needed this little filler chapter with one scene that really means something--the Girl. She plays a humongous part in upcoming chapters.

I promise that it will be a total surprise on who the Girl is and what she does. This fic has to be my favorite. I will not give it up. I promise on Red's dirty grave--but he got swallowed up by it, but I do. I SWEAR!