Title: Of Death, Betrayals and Love
A/N: Wow, do reviews motivate or what? lol
--
Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, "Throw cares away."
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold
Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song,
With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear words of good cheer
From everywhere, filling the air
O, how they pound, raising the sound
O'er hill and dale, telling their tale
Gaily they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas!
On, on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to every home.
"Carol of the bells"
--
Sirius and Arya walked hand and hand into the Great Hall the next day. A few whispers broke out starting from the Ravenclaw table. It quickly spread throughout the hall.
"Ignore them," Sirius said
Arya smirked "I'm enjoying this."
He looked at her and smiled "Is this the same girl that hated all the attention?"
"Going anywhere with you Sirius means attention."
"Must be my dashing good looks."
"Don't flatter yourself." She said as they sat down. She looked over at Lily and James who were sitting as far apart as possible. She raised an eyebrow at Lily who blushed.
A young 1st year tapped Sirius on his shoulder. Her light brown hair was tied back in braided pigtails and she had sea-green eyes. "I'm sorry to bother you," She said "But, a few girls over there" She pointed to the Hufflepuff table "Want to know if you're tied up?" She looked confused.
Sirius smiled at the young girl, he always loved kids. "Well, you can tell them girls that I'm tied up with the love of my life."
The little girl smiled "Alright Captain!"
"What's your name?" He asked
"Jessica McKinnon," She said sweetly "You might know my two sisters, Laurel and Leslie."
"Hello Jess," Said Peter sitting down "How's your first year so far?"
Jessica beamed at Peter "Peter! It's been wonderful! Except for a few people that have given me trouble for being a Gryffindor."
"You tell them The Marauders will kick their bums if they do it again," Said James smiling. Like Sirius he loved kids as well.
"It'll be my pleasure, Mr. Potter." She said grinning, before running over to the Hufflepuff table.
"I love children," Sirius said wistfully "I can't wait to have a family of my own."
"You're going to be a wonderful father, Padfoot." Said Remus smiling "Now all you need is a wife to put up with you."
Sirius looked at Arya "I found me one."
Arya blushed but her mood quickly darkened as a letter was dropped onto her plate. The owl sat next to her plate, waiting for a response. She picked it up and read it silently.
Santella,
Don't think we don't know why you're dating our man. Back off bitch. A man like him needs to breathe. He can't be tied down with you.
-SBFC
She brought out her quill and began to write.
SBFC,
Sirius loves me, not you. Sirius wants me, not you. I have Sirius, not you. He is tied down with me, not you.
The lovely bitch who stole your man,
Santella
She handed the letter to the owl who flew away. Sirius looked at her curiously.
"Fan mail"
--
"So, Remus" Said Priscilla smiling; they were patrolling the corridors. Ever since Lily became Head Girl, Priscilla was appointed the Gryffindor 7th year prefect.
Remus smiled at her "Yes?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Something wrong dear?" He asked nervously
"I found out," She whispered "About you."
Remus paled dropped his hand from hers. "What?"
"I found out that you are a werewolf." She said softly
"Priscilla...I..." He began "I..."
"I understand why you didn't tell me," She said "It's hard to tell something like that to the people you care deeply about." She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.
"I don't deserve you," He said weakly, hugging her.
"The only man that deserves you," She quoted "Is the one who thinks he doesn't." Remus nodded and looked away from her. She snorted "Now, I will have none of this. Christmas Break has just started and THIS SCHOOL WILL FEEL MY WRATH if people don't start cheering up."
Remus looked at her in amazement. Cool, collected, shy Priscilla was glaring at him. He gave her his famous 'Shy smile' and she couldn't help but grin back. "I knew that would work," He said smirking evilly.
"Remus Lupin!" She said half outraged, half laughing "I never knew you could be so devilish."
"You have me confused with Sirius, love. He's the little hellion."
Priscilla laughed and lunged for Remus. She kissed him hard, and then smirked as he looked at her with a dazed expression. "I could give Sirius a run for his money."
"I bet you could," Remus said smiling. She nodded and grabbed his hand again. They started to walk down the corridors.
"How did you find out?" He asked.
"I think I always knew," She said softly "I just never questioned it."
"Why?"
"Because you were my friend;" She said smiling "And now because I love you."
Remus picked her up and twirled her around "I love you too."
--
James walked into the Heads Room with a bouquet of Lilies. The tallest one, in the middle, was made of glass. He stood nervously waiting for Lily to turn around. "Lily?"
She turned around and smiled "James," She noticed the flowers and blushed.
He walked over and handed them to her. "For you."
She accepted them gratefully. "Oh, James, what are they for?"
He smiled and kissed her "Will you be my girlfriend?"
She kissed him back, smiling. "I'd be happy too."
He jumped for joy and gave a whoop. She laughed at his childlike behavior. James would always be James, and she never wanted to change that.
He sat down next to her and peered at her notes. "What are you doing?"
"Well, I thought it would be wise to start organizing again."
"For what?"
"For the Valentines day ball"
"Another ball?" He asked whining "But, Lillllllly. The last one took so much out of us." He paused "And I might not be there to help."
She sighed "I just want this last year to be the best it can be."
"Then lets make it only for 7th years," He said grabbing a piece of paper and writing it down. "Then we won't need that much of everything."
She nodded "And we'll have the same prefects do what they did for the last dance. Everyone was happy with there jobs and it was a huge success."
"What ever happened to Danny?" James asked suddenly.
Lily giggled "He's dating Belle."
James looked shocked "Are you serious?"
"No I'm Lily," She said using a joke that was well used "But, yes they are. They got together at the end of the ball." She smirked "It was a little favor I asked of him."
James raised an eyebrow "Go on"
"Well, you see..."
-Flashback-
"Lily," Said Danny smiling sadly "I know you have feelings for James."
Lily bit her lip. "Danny..."
"And I'm fine with it," He said "You two should get together."
"I never meant to hurt you." She said sadly
"Oh you didn't," He said "I cared for you, but maybe not in a dating relationship kind of way." He looked at her "As a sister."
She laughed and nodded "Alright, I can see you've broken up with me." She teased
He looked back into the hall "What's wrong with your friend, Arya?"
"Oh," Lily said replacing her smile with a scowl. "Annabelle deemed it a right time to steal Sirius away from her."
He nodded "I heard about that." He looked at her and her eyes widened .
"Could you possibly?"
"Rescue Sirius from Belle and in doing so ask her out?" He said knowing exactly what Lily was going to say.
Lily nodded sheepishly and Danny gave her one last kiss on the cheek. "Anything for you, Lil."
-End flashback-
Lily laughed "I guess they fell in love." She paused "They really aren't that odd of a couple." She smiled "The Ministers son, a gorgeous pure-blooded witch. It all fits."
James smiled "I've met his father; he would love any witch his son brought home. He's a great person."
"He raised his son well." She said "Now, back to this dance."
James groaned "Alright, alright. What next?"
She started reading off things to him "Apparel?"
"Dress robes"
"Time?"
"Seven to eleven"
"Date?"
"The day before Valentines day, which is a Saturday, meaning the Professors will make Friday a half day so all you girls will have time to get ready."
She laughed "Hogsmeade weekend when?"
"A week before the dance. Anything else?"
"Yes, what about 5th year and 6th year prefects, are they going to help?"
"Well, they aren't coming so I would say, no. Have them do all the patrolling that week so the 7th years can decorate and stuff."
Lily nodded and wrote that all down quickly. "I guess everything's in order. We'll have to arrange a meeting soon, to talk to everyone, but that's about it for now."
James smiled and she ruffled his hair. There was a knock on the window and he got up to open it. Fawkes flew in carrying a note in his beak. James took it and read it silently.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I expect you're recovering well? I am afraid dark times are growing stronger. Laurel McKinnion, as you know, had rejoined the order. She has asked about you many times. Getting to the point, I need to know if you are ready to continue. Of course, you won't be sent out until after the holidays. Please remember, James, there are things worth dying for.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
James gave a nervous gulp and ran a hand through his hair.
"Is everything alright?" Lily asked
He nodded "Yes, just fine. It's from Dumbledore; he just wanted to know something." He gave her a reassuring smile before sitting down to reply. Fawkes flew over to Lily and she cooed at the magnificent bird.
Professor,
I will keep to my word and gladly server the order in anyway possible. I thank you for waiting until after the holidays to send me. Please tell Laurel I am ready to come back.
Thank you,
James Potter
He looked over at Fawkes, who was being petted by Lily, he looked in pure bliss. "Fawkes" James said softly watching the bird get up and fly over "Take this to Dumbledore, please?"
Fawkes nodded and took the letter.
"Thank you" James said watching his fly back out. That moment was the end of his normal life.
--
The next day the Marauders and Co. (That was Lily, Arya and Priscilla; Sabrina was off with Drago and Peter was with Jessica.) were lounging in the Gryffindor Common Room. Mostly everyone went home for the Christmas vacation, except for most 7th years, determined to make the best of there last year here.
"So," Said Sirius winking at James and Lily, who were holding hands, "I see our favorite couple got together."
Lily blushed and James nodded. Priscilla squealed. "I KNEW it was bound to happen!"
"No love," Said Remus smiling "I believe that was me, who said it was going to happen."
Sirius coughed "No no no, if I clearly remember it was me."
Arya cleared her throat "I believe I told Lily she was bound to marry that annoying boy on the train ride here in 1st year."
Remus and Sirius cursed "Damn she's good."
Lily scowled "Now that you're all done messing with my love life..."
"Aw, Lil's," Said Arya "We're just playing with you."
"Speaking of love," Said Sirius "What's going to happen when we graduate?"
"Where does love fit into that?" Asked James curiously
He shrugged "Don't ask questions, I can't answer."
Arya laughed "Well, I'm hoping to become a writer."
"I got an acceptance letter to 'The Blue Moon orchestra'," Said Priscilla smiling brightly "AfterI graduate I'll be flying around the world, performing in concert halls."
Lily squealed in delight "That is wonderful Priscy!"
"I didn't know you played an instrument," Said Sirius "What is it?"
"The Violin," She said smiling "I've been playing since I was four. What about you, Sirius, what do you want to do?"
"James and I wanted to be Auror's," He said grinning as James nodded. "Lily?"
"Lily wants to be a designer," Said Priscilla giggling "She's very good at it too."
Lily laughed and nodded "Yes, and Sabrina wants to be an Auror, she's just not here to tell you."
"What about you Remus?" Asked Priscilla; "What would you like to do?"
He bit his lip, "Either own a book store," The others laughed, that was so Remus like. "Or maybe be a teacher."
Priscilla snuggled close to him and Sirius said "We all can buy a shop and name it "The Marauders Café."
James joined in "Lily can design it, Priscilla can create soothing background music, Arya can read her stories and Remus can have a hallway leading to his book shop."
Lily laughed and nodded "Let's do it."
James looked at her with wide-eyes "Really?"
"Absolutely"
"I'm in," Said Sirius "Remus? Arya? Priscilla?"
Remus and Arya nodded "We'll do it."
"I can come by whenever I can," Priscilla said smiling "And, I will help whenever possible."'
James stood up "Let's go check out Hogsmeade right now, and see if there is any store openings."
Lily got up and said "I can't believe I am doing this!"
Everyone grabbed their cloak and walked with the Heads to Hogsmeade. A Black carriage took them their, seeing as James and Lily could visit anytime they wanted.
--
The six of them looked at Hogsmeade smiling. The freshly fallen snow, gave the small village a magical look, some wizards were looking into the windows of Jewelry shops while their wives, picked out new dresses for winter parties.
James and Sirius led everyone to a brick store and walked in.
"Mr. Potter!" Said an old man behind the counter; "How are you my lad?"
"I am fine, Mr. Zucchini," Said James smiling "I come for a favor."
"Name it."
"Do you have any openings for shops?"
Mr. Zucchini looked at him oddly but nodded "We have two, one is located on Appleberry Cove and 4th Street, and the other is on Memory Lane and Hope Drive."
James nodded "We'll go check them out. Thank you for your time Mateo."
"You're very welcome, Mr. Potter." He smiled mysteriously "Come back when you have made a decision."
They walked out of the store and strolled down the blocks. Sirius every so often, would run up ahead and play in the snow. James smiled at his best friends antics. Life was good, for everyone so far. Voldemort hadn't attacked over the past month, leaving him with an open mind about coming back and fighting.
They reached a white building and walked inside. The floors were not done and were cement. Lily examined the large window in front which had a seat near it, while Remus walked through large double doors to a huge open room. He walked to the other side and opened the glass sliding doors which led to a patio. Arya was outside on it too; apparently it was connected to where everyone else was looking.
"Moony!" Said a voice above him, he looked up and saw Sirius leaving over a balcony "There's an apartment up here. We've got to take this place!"
Remus chuckled and nodded "Alright Padfoot, let's talk with James."
Everyone met up in the main room and Lily conjured seats and a table. As soon as everyone was seated, there was a knock on the door and Mateo Zucchini walked in.
"50 galleons a month, Mr. Potter," He said smiling "You get full services and a peppermint."
James looked at everyone who nodded. He turned back with a smile on. "We'll take it."
Mateo watched as the happy teenagers walked out of their newly aquired shop. He himself walked out a few minutes later and looked up. 'The Marauders Cafe' was located between Memory and Hope. And quite a memory this will be....
--
A/N: Sorry for such a long up-date! Everything has calmed down a bit here and I hope to get back into routine pretty soon! Happy Holidays too all! MERRY CHRISMAKKAH!
Magicians of the Yami: Thanks! I'm going to try and make them sweeter. lol.