Author's Note: Thank you all for all the reviews. They mean sooo much! If you ever want me to email you the answers to your questions, include your email address in your review, ko?
I'm sooo sorry for the long wait. The only excuse I can give is that I started school on the 25th of August and I've been busy with everything that entails. I will try to post a chapter a week, at the most even intervals possible. But I can't promise anything.
Disclaimer: Listen people, if I own Harry Potter, do you think I'd be writing it here? I DON'T! So please don't sue me, I have nothing! Zero, Zip, Zilch, Nada, Cero!
P. S. I own characters you don't recognize, but the rest are the work of the goddess of fantasy, J. K. Rowling.
Chapter 4: The Leaving Feast
Everyone rushed to pack the night before the train ride home. The Marauders, like every year before, had left their packing until last minute, and were now kicking themselves for it.
"Come on, Wormtail. Hurry Up. The feast starts in ten minutes." whined Sirius, folding his arms and tossing his hair back haughtily.
"Chill Padfoot." James kicked his trunk toward the end of his bed and joined him by the door. "It's Moony who's taking forever. How come you're not done? Normally you're the first one packed."
"I don't know. I'm just distracted that's all." Remus finished folding the last of his robes and straightened up. "You guys go on, I'll catch up."
"You sure?" asked James.
"I'm sure. Go on." Remus picked up his copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi and tossed it half-heartedly into his trunk. The other boys left quietly.
Remus sat down on the edge of the bed snd sighed heavily. It was quiet times like this that Remus truly enjoyed. Growing up smack dab in the middle of four girls, Remus had learned early in life to use quiet time wisely. But he really didn't mind the chaos that filled his house most days. He loved his sisters to death, even Terri, the oldest, whose favourite pastime was embarrassing him at all opportunities. She had left Hogwarts two years ago, and worked at Honeydukes in Hogsmeade.
Faith, the next oldest, was two years older than Remus. She had brown hair and grey-yellow eyes like their dad. Faith had been Head Girl all year, continuously butting heads with the Marauders for one prank, joke or another. She and Remus were the most studious ones in the family. She was quiet and serious, the exact opposite of his friends, and considered her education very important.
After Remus was born, things began to get complicated. Remus, Faith, and Terri's father divorced their mother when he was one. He couldn't remember his father that much. His mom remarried a man named Tomas Stemson a year later, and he was the only father Remus knew.
A year after they married, Selene was born. Selene had dark hair like her father and was very mischievous. She often joined the Marauders in playing tricks on the Slytherins and Faith at school. James and Sirius enjoyed having her join them, as she could go places they couldn't (such as the girls dorms!) and set up pranks there.
Gracie was the youngest at 11 and Remus' favourite sister. She had blond hair and blue eyes, like their mother, and always gave you the impression that she was made of porcelain glass. A lot of people saw her as the "innocent" one, But Gracie was tough and loved anything dangerous and rowdy. She like playing Quidditch, catching minnows in the brook behind their house, and building trails and forts on the woods. She had a natural ability to make anyone cheer up when they were down too.
Remus began wondering if she had received her letter form Hogwarts yet. Gracie had been wanting to go since Selene left for the first time, back in his third year. He and the rest of the Marauders loved to tell her about their adventures there, which only fuelled her wish even more.
He came out of his thoughts when Fudge, his owl, hooted loudly. He walked over to him and handed him a Owl treat absent-mindedly. He turned grudgingly back to his trunk. I supposed I should finish packing. He thought wryly and bent to pick up a bunch of books.
Ten minutes later Remus hurried toward the Great Hall for the leaving feast. He sat down next to Peter and looked up toward Dumbledore expectantly. He had just stood up and was raising his hands to silence the students. The babble quieted and eventually stopped.
"Thank you. First I would like to congratulate Gryffindor on their fourth straight House Cup win." He was interrupted by the cheering from the Gryffindors and James and Sirius pounded on the table with their fists. Remus just shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Dumbledore raised his hands again as the Slytherin table began to hiss at the Gryffindors. "That will do. Secondly, I would like to take a moment to remember the casualties of several attacks that have occurred in the last week. These attacks were carried out on muggles and wizarding families alike, by the followers of the one who has become known as Lord Voldemort." several gasps rang out around the room, as it had become a custom by many to call him You-Know-Who.
"Grow up." muttered James.
Dumbledore continued. "Many of you have lost friends ,acquaintances, or even family members to these tragedies. Our thoughts go out to you during these difficult times. May you turn to your friends and family for support and do not hesitate to ask for assistance from the Ministry officials trained in such matters." He paused. "For now, enjoy the meal." Food appeared in the dishes in front of them while Remus snuck a glance at Lily, further down the table. Cara was handing her a napkin while Lily brushed a tear away.
Remus shared a concerned look with James, who had also looked at the group of girls with concern. James nudged Sirius and jerked his head toward the girls. Sirius looked around him and his eyes widened. "Think she's okay?"
"Dunno." said Remus. James started eating silently. Peter was already stuffing his face. He, apparently, had noticed nothing.
The boys finished eating in silence. After the feast ended, everyone began filling back toward Gryffindor Tower. James and Remus spotted Lily, Cara, Chandra, and Jen hanging back in the Great Hall and exchanged glances.
"I'll go talk to her." James nearly whispered. "You guys go on ahead. I'll meet you in the common room."
The rest nodded and turn away from him. James jogged over to the group. "Hi ladies." He turned to Lily. "You okay Lily-Flower?" asked with genuine concern.
She nodded. "It was just a ... surprise. I'm alright. I'll be okay."
He smiled. "I'm sure Dumbledore didn't mean to upset anyone. But, my offer still stands, alright?"
She nodded again and smiled slightly. "Thanks."
"No problem Tiger Lily." He walked off toward Gryffindor Tower.
"Thanks a lot. Really." she whispered so even the other girls didn't hear her.
Author's Note: So, how was it? Beautiful, Good, Bad, Ugly? Only one way I'll know...
Review!!! PLEEEEEEEASE???
