Chapter 20

Remus was not in the dormitory when they arrived there, but neither James, Sirius nor Peter had seen him slip out of the common room. Next morning he was not at breakfast either. It seemed that Lily had noticed this as she anxiously asked them if they had seen him. When they told her they had not she walked off looking worried. James and Sirius were quite surprised to find they had done exceptionally well with their exams, even History of magic. Though Peter wasn't getting as high marks, he was still quite pleased he hadn't done too badly.

"Well done," Professor McGonnagal said as she handed James his exam paper back. An alien smile crept across her face as James realised with a pang he had received full marks. Trying to hide both his exam paper and his happiness he grinned back at McGonnagal who was now explaining to Peter how he could have achieved a higher score for question five.

Now that the exams were over, the first years were focusing their attention on other matters such as Quidditch matches, Gryffindor had only just been beaten by Ravenclaw in the final match but at least the Quidditch cup hadn't gone to Slytherin. The weather was rapidly improving and pools of sunlight fell on the grounds, sparkling the lake and brightening the grounds along with the general atmosphere. With nothing to worry about, the students were often found sunbathing on the grass, swimming in the lake, tempting out the giant squid with the remains of the morning's breakfast or in several of the Slytherins' case, remaining inside, taking advantage of the peaceful castle.

"So lets get our plans for the summer sorted," James said brightly. "You busy Moony?"

Remus had returned a week after his disappearance. None of them had questioned his absence since he obviously didn't want to talk about it. His face cracked into the first smile they had seen since he returned. "Hardly at all, we're going to Cornwall for a week but it would be great to meet up." He said sounding positively delighted.

"How about you Wormtail?" James asked. Wormtail was a recently founded nickname for Peter, based on his patronus.

"I'm free all summer." He said happily.

"Yeah yeah, that's right." Sirius said grumpily. "Leave the old Snuffs out of it. I'll just stay at home wallowing in self pity"

"I was going to ask you too," James said laughing at Sirius' expression.

"Don't," Sirius mumbled looking yet more miserable. "I won't be allowed."

"What?" James laughed. "Since when have you cared about 'not being allowed'?"

"Leave it Prongs," Sirius said firmly, trying to smile. "I'll be fine at Grim-mould place with my lovely family. Honestly."

James didn't look convinced. "Well… I'll write to you ok? Maybe we could arrange something by owls."

"You can try," Sirius said smiling as though he knew this wouldn't work.

James decided to discontinue the conversation since it seemed to be causing Sirius great pain. "Won't it be great in second year when we can play quidditch Padfoot?" He commented.

"Me? Play quidditch? You've got to be joking!" Sirius laughed.

"Why not? You're pretty good." James said smiling as Sirius flung himself back on the grass.

"I'd love to be able to play quidditch," Peter said wistfully.

James had to try and conceal his amusement as images of Peter on a broomstick popped up in his head. Sirius was having more difficulty. He was collapsed in silent laughter on the grass as Peter looked thoughtful.

As the final week arrived, they spent most of their free time playing gobstones or exploding snap and when they got bored would sneak round after Snape trying to find out his holiday plans. Remus had decided not to come with them so James and Sirius, followed by Peter hid behind stone statues as Snape announced that Narcissa Black had invited him to her place of residence. "Oh great! Wonderful! Yippee!" Sirius said sarcastically. "Let's just hope we're not visiting our cousins this summer…"

There was nothing at all for them to worry about. The newspapers bore no glaring headlines, there was no point in teachers dishing out detentions this late in the term and the 'funny disappearances' at last seemed to have stopped, although the missing students didn't return. Sirius however, did not appear to be sharing this mood with them. He would sit sulkily in the common room listening jealously to Peter and Remus' excited conversations about meeting in Diagon alley.

"Sure you won't be able to come?" James asked again.

"Dead sure," Sirius said miserably. "Very dead alright. If I don't return, avenge my death ok?"

James laughed, not sure whether Sirius was being serious or not. "They can't be all that bad can they?"

"Yes they can," Sirius said. "They're going to kill me when Narcissa or Bellatrix tell them about this year."

James looked sadly at his friend. "Don't worry about it," he said. "Look what my Dad sent me." He fumbled in his bag and pulled out what looked like two glass mirrors. "You keep this," he said, "and if you really need me, just say my name and I'll send my Dad to 12 Grimmauld place."

"Great," Sirius said grinning.

They were the only ones left in the common room now so not wanting to miss out, dashed down the stone staircase to the Great Hall which had been decorated in blue and black to announce Ravenclaw's winning of the house cup. Gryffindor would perhaps have had a better chance if Sirius and James hadn't set that dungbomb off outside the Slytherin common room the previous week.

The house points were announced, in reverse order: Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw. There was a great cheer from the mass of blue at this, then Dumbledore got to his feet and everyone fell silent.

"Yet another year gone," Dumbledore began as the students were all seated. "A lot has happened I'm sure you are aware of. However in these tough times we are to stand together as one school, one body. Each house is to unite though each has different outstanding qualities. Though let us not dwell on the past, but think on the future. I wish you all a very happy Summer Holidays and hopefully you shall return well rested and prepared for another school year."

The feast was magnificent though there was a gloomy air to it. Several students were voicing the desire to remain at Hogwarts whilst others were excitedly chattering about how good it would be to see their families again. When all the plates were cleared, they ascended the staircases to their dormitories and slept so solidly that it was Remus the next morning who awoke them with a book he had taken from the library that screamed as it was opened. The Gryffindors packed all their belongings and as they crossed the sunlit grounds shouted back at the castle. "Adios old friend!" Sirius and James called. "Farewell! Don't let that accursed caretaker block up the secret passageway on the fifth floor!" They hadn't realised the gamekeeper Hagrid was listening to them and chuckling, but as they turned guiltily to him he winked at them.

They boarded the train and found an empty compartment to themselves. They talked about just about all that had happened that year, about all the strange disappearances, about the secret passageways and also about how different second year would probably be. Snape passed them several times; they were delighted to discover he had not been able to find a compartment. Waving and catcalling every time he passed them, they had a very enjoyable journey back to Kings cross. As the scarlet steam engine began to slow down they started to crane their necks in hope to see their families again.

James turned to Sirius as the train finally halted. "Good luck with them," he said grinning. "I'll pretend I don't know you if it'll help. Remember what to do if you need me though."

"See you in September," Sirius said sounding uncharacteristically nervous.

They said goodbye to Peter, Remus and a few of the first year girls before filtering out onto the crowded platform and losing sight of each other.