A/n- Wow, more. ... ... ... ...
Cont. - On subject of Ms. Horder- No, she will not be a Mary Sue. I will never disgrace my existence in creating one of those. She is just a very bitter lady. :)

A/n2- Several people have laughed and questioned my dedication and motivation. I tell you, motivation has nothing to do with this fic. I am just so indescribably stressed out all the time and this blasted Saturday-morning starter fic just helps me get through everything without going insane. Believe me, I have absolutely no dedication to anything...


Note on my penname (God I have too many notes this chap)- Yes, I'm still Iggie and will continue to refer to myself as such. Ignominia, for those of you who remember back in May, was my original penname when I started this fic. I changed it because someone I know found it out, and I hate my friends in real life reading my stuff. I changed it back because the bloke moved, so I could care less now. It might change back to Iggie, I don't know. Sorry for any confusion.

Disclaimer- Lawyers can go bite themselves in the ass if you ask me. Screw them all.

Rating- PG-13 I guess, this one is kinda mellow.

Chapter Keywords- Well, school starts... Interesting conjunction with my life. Timing was perfect. Bah.



Seeing Grey - Part XLI - Mourning News



Everything's fairly normal here, as of now anyway. There was an attack nearby, on the Muggle village, so we're a bit shaken up. I still thank God the Dark supporters never came this way... The twins cried their little heads off when the explosions started, poor buggers are afraid to leave the house unless I'm right with them. Regardless, we're all fine and alive. How's school going, and you for that fact? Good news by way of that antidote... Someone here's a real whizz with analyzing potions, and he's working his arse off to develop an immunity. Until then, well, no one in the Underground will have to worry about being deathly sick. Thank that friend of yours for me, for all of us.

I have to get going, Mel's taking me out for dinner in Toronto with her brother. Write back,

Caleb.

P.S. Fail your O.W.L.'s?



You'll be amused to know I tied for top scores, thank you very much. Ye of Little Faith... Send my regards to the Terrible Two, let them know I'll probably be back for the Christmas holidays. Maybe that'll cheer them up a bit.

You'll never guess... My old potions professor, the bastard, he was a Death Eater, now serving deserved time in Azkaban. Rotten fool can get a taste of his own malice. No complaints though... Carlison, our old Defense instructor, is the one who took him in. He's back on duty now, and we have a very... Nice replacement. I'll elaborate later, I have to get back to pretending I can still kick someone's ass. Truth be told, I think Corey or Jason would send me straight back to the Infirmary for good... Ciao.

Remus

He tucked the letter in his pocket, needing to take it to the Owlry later on. All around the Great Hall, small little quarrels were erupting, many caused by Sirius' recent run-in with a few Slytherins. Now, a few were getting very pushy with James, once again striking up the Lily conflict.

Remus, come on, help me out here. Sirius asked, trying not to cower away from the seventh year that could easily pound him over a table.

I told you Padfoot... I kind of can't even knock out a toddler right now. Remus muttered quietly, trying to maintain a menacing look.

God dammit. I was hoping for a good fight.

Oh, it that why you set all the lower dungeons on fire? Peter questioned, hiding behind Alex.

Well, it did get the Professors out...

Yes you stupid git, right when we need them the most. Remus snapped. In the corner of his eyes, he briefly saw the first swing, colliding with James' head. Lily started screaming at her House mate to knock it off, while all the Gryffindors, and their massive pride, roared into overdrive.

What's the quickest way out of here? Remus asked over the now cheering Great Hall.

You're running away? Sirius gapped, bravely initiating a violent food fight.

If I take one hit, I'll be in the medical wing for a good three weeks. I can't run, and I can't defend myself. I'm no better off than Peter right now!

Sirius cocked a disappointed frown, and stood up on one of the tables. Immediately he Summoned an arsenal of food, and began to bombard the Ravenclaws. All around the Great Hall small toils and fist fights were breaking out among the older students, mainly around where James stood on unsteady feet.

You can't fight? At all? he asked.

No. At all. Remus confirmed.

Get out... he said, ducking a plate that had been flung for his head. Remus made a mad scramble for the doors, while Sirius daringly upheld a literal cuisine war.



Are you alright?

Kinda hard to breath. Remus said, crouched over on his bed. Arms across his chest, he took in a few strangled breaths, nodding his head. I'll be fine in a minute. he assured. James waited a moment to make sure he wasn't going to keel over, and went back to copying the Potions notes for Sirius.

So what went on this summer? You changed...

No I didn't.

You don't sulk very much anymore... As far as I can see, you've been a lot more optimistic about everything, more... Cheerful.

That'd make Rom laugh. Me. Cheerful... he snorted, quickly regretting it as he went into a another fit.

Well, you are. James said with a shrug. But seriously, what caused this sudden turnaround?

My summer was a bit odd... he said with a small grin. I co-adopted two little kids, freed six or so werewolves from Ministry execution, found myself in a hidden city... And I nearly died a horrible death from stress. he added calmly.

James mused, searching for another potions book.

Remus blinked, eyebrow raised. How is any of that typical? Sitting around on the couch eating nachos and going to Quidditch games is a little more typical.

Not with you it isn't.

Point taken. Remus said with a shrug, smiling to himself.



And thus, you're dead. Ms. Horder said monotonously, rolling her eyes. Defense Against the Dark Arts had become, more or less, a class of combat. With three weeks of school having gone by, she was now teaching the sixth years how to defend themselves while unarmed.

The first thing a Dark mage will do is kill you. If that fails, they'll disarm you instead. In that situation, you're all as good as dead. she repeated to the class as her third victim lasted less than two seconds. My job is to give you a second lease on life, so to speak.

Second lease my ass, I've gone through at least thirty. Remus mumbled to no one in particular.

Lupin, care to demonstrate how this should be done? You seem to think you're some high authority on the manner. she snapped at him. For a beautiful young woman, everyone had quickly learned she was very bitter and had a temperament to match Bane. A few boys, the selective few who even paid attention, noticed she was also somewhat of a bigot.

I'm kind of under Madame Pomfrey's orders not to do anything strenuous. he muttered quietly.

Crying shame. I'm sure that would touch the very heart of a Dark mage. Up here, now.

Reluctantly, he walked forward, trying to ignore his mental pleads to retreat.

Wand please. she asked. Remus stood still, not even budging. She smiled, and nodded her head.

Someone give a count. I'll cheat a little... No one will count in real life, but I suppose we should start at the first step.

After the three was muttered, Horder immediately disarmed him. What she didn't expect was a counter. In the blink of an eye, the professor was stuck on the ground, face down on the floor mat. Remus used every ounce of strength to no tear himself at the moment. Moving too quickly and making contact with someone else was not what his body had been asking for.

Well class, would you look at that? Someone with enough brains to outsmart me... Brings me to my next lesson., Never underestimate your enemy. she said gruffly. Lupin, you can get off now.

What, and release my foe? I think not. he joked through gritted teeth. James and Sirius, along with most of the others, began to chuckle enviously. Here he was, a sickly werewolf, having the luck to pin down the deadly and beautiful Professor.

Lupin, get off.

Shouldn't you be teaching that when given an advantage, never blow it away? Deception...

I do control your grades you know.

Fair enough. he said with a grin, letting go of her arm, permitting her to move. As soon as she did, Remus found himself the one against the floor.

Take your own advice Lupin. Horder said, smiling sweetly. And this class, is why men are idiots.

a Gryffindor girl muttered.


God, you have no idea how lucky you are! James said happily, swarming Remus as soon as class let out. Bruised and aching, he nodded his head, trying to keep himself on his feet.

Hell, I'd let her fail me just for that... Maybe I should deliberately let her pin me down. Sirius mused.

Good idea.

Guys, come on, she's way older than you. Like she'd be interested. Peter said quietly.

Oh to hell Pete. We can dream if we want!



Dead yet?

Ha, didn't think so. We're all fine here, nothing new at the moment. Man, you're lucky you got out of work when you did. There's been twenty-one people since I took the reigns back, it's insane. The Ministries here are going all-out to capture every werewolf on the continent. All this Dark stuff is really stirring them up. Well, anyway, the Canadians are blind to what I'm doing, so I might be able to keep this job for a while. Christmas holidays, if you're well enough, I want you to come work the American Ministry to double. It's close to the border, so there'll be few problems.

That Garade fellow seems interested enough, so I'm taking him up as apprentice in your absence. I don't think it'll last, he's too hotheaded. I need you back ASAP. Well, the twins send regards, and a few of Mel's friends are wondering when Black is going to come back. Lucky bastard, I say...

Suck it up,

Caleb

P.S.- I don't know when it's going to arrive, but a few of the Healers here threw together a test potion. It might speed up your recovery, if it's right anyway, so keep an eye out for it. I'm not sure if it will make it though... Hope it does.


Remus! Ha, come look at this! James called from across the dorm room. Stuffing the letter away, he strode over, finding James and Sirius rummaging through Peter's belongings.

Found his O.W.L. results. James said with an evil glint in his eyes.

Guys, if he didn't want us to see them, leave them alone.

Shut up, you know you want to know how bad he did. Sirius said. Remus shrugged, silently agreeing as he crouched down behind them.

Six? Jesus, he barely passed altogether! Remus blurted out.

He scored just above the bare minimum for almost everything.

No, but look at his History marks. James said quickly, pointing to the correct line. He scored higher than you Moony.

No bloody wonder, he always has his fat little nose in a war book. Sirius muttered. I'll never understand that little prat. It's like he almost enjoys the thought of being at war.

Well, he is more than a bit odd. James pointed out. Personally, it scares the hell out of me.

Don't be such a wimp. Sirius joked. In a month or so the Ministry will have everything under control, it's just a matter of time.

Remus wanted to tell them otherwise, desperately. It was only a matter of time until the Dark would take their hold on the world... Soon enough, they would know. Ms. Horder had been right, there was no way to hide a war from the eyes of children. In time, it would all be clear.

Remus, you alright?

Snapping out of his daydream, he nodded, looking over the O.W.L. scores again.

Anyone up for bombing the Slytherin dorms? he asked quite suddenly. They quickly agreed, all silently needing a break from the war business.



Did you hear?

It can't be real.

I don't believe it, it's just a scam. The Ministry is always doing this.

Seven people though...

What will happen next?

The whispers spread like wildfire through the Great Hall as the Marauders lazily made their way down to a late breakfast. As soon as they passed through the double doors, they were greeted by a chaotic mass of frightened students. Or, for the most part. The majority of the Slytherin table seemed to be smiling very smugly, as were a few Hufflepuffs.

Looking up at the head Table, three of the boys noticed Dumbledore was gone, along with McGonnagal. Peter was too busy looking about in nervous excitement to realize this.

What's goin' on? Remus asked, tapping Alex on the shoulder. Pale faced and hazy-eyes, he handed Remus a newspaper before letting his head fall to the table.

Holy shit- he blurted out. James and Sirius went rigid next to him, eyes not believing what they saw.

Seven Ministry officials gone missing? Remus asked himself.

How can half the Defense unit disappear? Sirius asked, face blank. His hands were shaking slightly, and his eyes had dilated. James put a hand on his shoulder, reading the unspoken thoughts.

Good thing your father switched. he mumbled, Sirius nodding.

It's started. Remus said to himself, looking around the Great Hall. All around there were stunned faces and whispered conversations, half-glances shot frequently to the tightlipped Head Table.

Carlison was right... Trailing off, he looked back to Alex, and frowned. Hey, what's wrong? he inquired, sitting down next to him. In all the excitement, no one else seemed to notice that he was actually to the point of tears.

No one knows it. he said bitterly, eyes locked across the room. Remus followed his gaze, watching in disgust as a pack of Slytherin sixth and seventh years began to laugh and joke over the ordeal.

About the war?

Alex nodded, not bothering to question how Remus knew. I don't even think half the staff knows.

I don't think half the people fighting know what they're doing. Remus mumbled.

It's so... It's so Goddamn stupid... he trailed off, eyes locked upon his laughing brother and his pack of delighted comrades.

Killing always is...


Caleb, you can't be serious. The entire Ministry is on watch for anything suspicious, there's no way you can get out alive.

Lives are at stake, and if I die trying, so be it. I won't sit by and let the innocent perish without a fighting chance.

Let me come with you.

No, there isn't any point risking another. Stay behind and watch the twins-

I'm coming with you, whether you like it or not.

Fine... Just stay out of the way, and get your ass out if anything goes awry.


I still can't believe this. Sirius muttered from behind, snapping Remus back to reality.

I can. James choked out, face strung tight. At his side, the other two Marauders fell silent, only offering a hand on his shoulder.

Come on, let's go bomb the dungeons or something. Peter suggested for the first time in his life.

Yeah, it's too tense up here. Sirius agreed, trying to smile.

What happens now? a first-year whispered nervously to her friend as the pack passed by for a tunnel back to the dorms.

What if we go to war?

We can't go to war. Dumbledore's here, nothing'll go wrong. another boy her age snapped, brushing aside all caution.

With an earnest shake of his head, Remus watched his friends slip behind a banner behind an abnormally quiet James.



On the table, Viator sat impatiently, a tattered package tied to his leg. Remus unraveled the twine, and sighed regretfully at the little broken vile of an attempted remedy.

So much for a normal year. he grumbled.




A/n- Well, another down, another down. THANK YOU NEW READERS. And veterans, I love you! You guys keep me going, you know that? :) Cheers!


Iggie

Fic of the Day- The Lyria Strider Guide to Driving by Lyria Padfoot: Muggle driving lessons, in a wizard's eye! VERY funny, I guarantee you'll laugh your ass off.