Usual Disclaimer: This world does not belong to me. I just borrowed it along with its inhabitants. Thanks J.K. for lending me your ready made world of magic.
A/N: Just a quick note again seeing as again I have no reviewers to thank because I have received no less than zero reviews for my recent work. Okay so it may not have been up to scratch and they may be modified in the future but I am particularly pleased with this chapter so if you could take the time to reviews I would love to hear what you think of my fave chap so far and the longest (I think). Plz R&R. Enjoy!
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School life was hectic right from the start ("Well it is our NEWT year." Hermione had no problems in reminding them whenever the chance arose). There were Head-girl duties for Hermione, prefects duties for Ron, and prefects duties and Quidditch captaining for Harry. The Quidditch team was completely different from the one Harry joined in his first year but they were still the best. Especially with Harry as captain. They had held top place in the house cup with their victories. Ron had improved greatly in both skill and confidence as keeper since his first games during which he had been wracked with nerves. The new team had become great at the hands of Harry (much to disappointment of Slytherin house). Rivalry between the Slytherins and the Gryffindors was constantly present but neither house acted upon impulses for they stood to lose too much in their NEWT year.
Far from being the shy and naive teenagers, who wouldn't have recognised a flirtatious comment if it bit the end of their nose, they once were, Harry and Ron had come to thrive in the attention they received. When they walked into a room they immediately became the centres of attention and they loved it. Entertaining their audience with their charm and wit. More than once had they been caught laughing and joking in the midst of groups of admirers only to be silenced when they caught the eye of their girlfriends which were usually framed with frowns at their behaviour. They had never fallen out seriously over it though, they knew better. Ginny had been right, they had developed a strut but nobody discouraged it. They were everything the new generation of Marauders should be; they played pranks on students and teachers alike (often with aids from the masters at Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes who, for almost a year now, had been pushing Zonko's out of business).
Harry and Ron were, without a doubt, envied for their looks, charms and personalities while Hermione and Ginny were envied for having landed the two most gorgeous guys in the school. They played their part in the limelight and, although they hade the choice of Hermione's private Head-girl rooms, they were, more often than not, to be found in the common room. They were the ones that people trusted most and came to with their problems or just to talk to whether you were in first or seventh year. They had a wide circle of friends but in the privacy of Hermione's rooms they could be totally at ease as themselves, each trusted the other 100% and were completely relaxed in each others presence. They were calm, collected and concentrated students when they wanted to be. (Not that they often wanted to be, but any arguments or complaints about homework could be squashed with one look from Hermione).
In these quiet and thoughtful times when he was away from anyone who might catch a glimpse of the pain behind his shocking green eyes, Harry often found himself wondering what was ahead for them. What was out there for him when he left Hogwarts behind? His home for the past six years and the place he belonged. He would have to say good bye all too soon. Time was flying by them and three months passed when it seemed Harry had hardly had the time look at the time twice. Time was a strange thing. Never does what you want it to. They say there are sixty seconds to a minute, sixty minutes to and hour, and twenty-four hours in a day - but in reality time seemed to speed up and slow down to suit itself.
Harry continued to ponder, as time passed around him, what he would do after Hogwarts. He knew he was to be an Auror but leaving this place, his home, behind would be the most difficult thing he would ever have to do. What would become of him when he left? He only allowed these thought to cross his mind when he was alone and in the dark where nobody could see what he had always shielded from people. He hid his thoughts and feelings away from the world just like always.
Christmas soon loomed over them with snow and icicles decorating every inch of the castle and Christmas trees in every available corner. But while everyone was worrying about Christmas shopping Harry's mind continued to churn over his problems.
The problems to which and unexpected and strange solution was offered with an unexpected and strange Christmas present.
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"Merry Christmas everyone!" Ginny exclaimed compulsively neatening (a nasty habit passed on to her by her mother) their piles of presents on their favourite table in the common room.
"Merry Christmas!" Hermione practically bounced into the room smiling brightly while Harry and Ron shuffled into the empty common room looking both sleepy and excited.
They had pretty much had Gryffindor tower to themselves for the Christmas holidays seeing as the only other people who remained were a dorm full of second year girls and a couple of third year boys. These others apparently were not up yet (and quite rightly, Ron pointed out - who in their right mind would be up at quarter to seven on a holiday morning?).
After greeting each other with Christmas kisses the group took it in turns to open their presents and admire each one. Harry went last, as always.
"Who's this from?" He asked as he came to the last present at the bottom of the pile.
"Not me."
"Or me."
"Me neither." Came the consecutive replies from his friends as the peered curiously at the large, square, flat package.
"No tag." Harry stated scanning every inch of the wrapping.
"Well open it already." Ron encouraged and Harry did. As he did so a small note fluttered out and landed on the table. Harry put the large black leather-bound book, which he now found himself holding, down and picked up the note. He recognised the neat script at once as the very same as the one which had written the note that had accompanied his father's invisibility cloak. 'This ought to be good' Harry thought to himself and read the note.
Messrs Potter, Weasley, Weasley and Granger,
I think you'll find from the inscription inside that this
rightfully belongs to you. It was left to me with the orders to pass
it on to the right people at the right time. I hope I have chosen the right
time, for there is no doubt I have chosen the right people. I expect you
shall find no problems in using this as well as the previous owners.
"This ought to be interesting." Harry voiced passing the note to the other three to read while he inspected the book.
It was blank.
"Dumbledore?" Ron asked as he finished the note. Harry nodded still puzzled by the book. It was far too large to be a diary yet it was not your regular library type book. It seemed to have been hand bound and put together with different bits of parchment by hand. Ginny eyed it suspiciously, remembering all too well her last experience with a seemingly blank book.
"Is it safe?" She queried.
"Dumbledore obviously thinks so, or he wouldn't have given it to us." Harry turned each page. "What inscription?" He pondered aloud contemplating the blank pages.
"There's got to be something more to it." Said Ron stating the blindingly obvious, which was something he was quite talented at.
"Duh." Ginny rolled her eyes.
"The Marauders would be screaming if they could see us now not being able to figure out the secrets of a blank book." Hermione said, having guessed for herself how to reveal the books secrets but not letting on to the others.
Harry quickly picked up on what she was saying. "That's it! The Marauders!" He opened the book and gave the password. " I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
As soon as the words left his lips the four watched as the words appeared across the page.
Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
Are Proud to Present
The Ultimate Marauders Guidebook
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