Words from the author... Thanks for the great reviews. I appreciate them all.
About the Spelling and grammar:
Apologies to all of you that suffer through with me, I really do appreciate it. If someone would like to Beta for me please email! I would love it. Unfortunately, otherwise I will do my best, but that was never my strongest suite.
About Maia:
Maia…Pronounced like Gaia
Pronounced: MAY-a, MIE-a key
Usage: Greek Mythology, Roman Mythology
Extra Info:
In Greek and Roman mythology she was the eldest of the Pleiades, the group of seven stars in the constellation Taurus, who were the daughters of Atlas and Pleione. Her son by Zeus was Hermes.
Means "great" in Latin. This was the name of the Roman goddess of spring, the wife of Vulcan. The month of May is named for her
I know that I tell you this every time; but there is lots more to come really! It's just that I have unfortunately been stricken with "random scene-itise" which means that I have been writing and writing, I just have to figure out how the events go together in some kind of order that will make sense to people other than me.
I thank you for bearing with my insanity.
Onward! Back to the story….
Return to Hogwarts – 6th year
Len and Maia were ecstatic to be returning to school, well it was more to see their friends. Len and Maia had made great progress with their research on animagi. Bas had pointed Len in the direction of a few books he'd used. He wished her the best of luck.
The 3 girls were talking animatedly when each received a hug from their sweetheart.
"James I see way too many prefect badges around this circle." Sirius teased. "But look I've got the bad girl." Len giggled leaning into his embrace.
"Right. That's why she spent the summer writing tests." James teased back. "Whatever are we going to do with the angelic couple here?"
"Leave them be." Lily replied. "And help me with my trunk." She smiled at James. "Unless you have to get to setting more pranks?"
"Lily, I've always got time for you." James replied kissing her. Len laughed shaking her head.
"Are we all going to fit together?" Len asked. She took inventory of the box.
"Sure we can." Sirius pulled Len onto his lap. James and Remus followed suit with Lily and Maia respectively. "See lots of room." He laughed.
"Peter what happened with you and Shanti?" Len asked. Peter blushed a lot.
"She's still at her other school. We've gone out a few times." He said softly. "She . . . that is we write. She said, she's trying to transfer to Hogwarts."
"Too bad. You were cute together." Maia replied. "Oh! We've got a great idea. Over the summer we did some research."
"Revenclaws!" Sirius muttered sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Len promptly smacked him. He smiled at her.
"We had a brainstorm." Len continued. "To try help Remus. And well we found that as wolves being pack animals, werewolves have been shown to calm down by having other animals around."
"This even extends to animagi." Lily picked up for Len. "So if we all became animagi, we could join Remus on the full moon."
The Marauders looked at each other in shock a moment. Then back to the three girls who were very excited. Peter shifted nervously. Although Remus had a great poker face, he could not lie worth a darn. This meant that it fell to James and Sirius to dissuade the girls.
"Isn't that dangerous?" James asked sounding worried.
"Not really." Len replied. "So long as at least one person stays normal, that can cast the Reverto Charm."
"That's a great idea." Sirius replied. "But what if you get bit or something?"
"I was reading that the metabolism of animals is not affected be the werewolf's bit." Maia smiled. "What do you think, sweetie?"
"Ummm . . . wouldn't that be illegal?" Remus said hesitantly. "I wouldn't want you to get into trouble on my account."
"I'd be willing to risk it for you." Maia hugged him. Len and Lily were both nodding in agreement.
"That's a huge project. Are you sure you'll have time with your prefect duties?" James asked Lily.
"I'll find time. I'll make time." Lily replied.
"Roll reversal. Isn't it us who try to talk you out of doing rash things?" Len asked. "Why aren't you guys you guys happier? We thought that you'd be delighted."
"We are." Sirius hugged her. "We want to make sure that we've considered all angles of this first. It's pretty drastic."
"Yeah, but well," Maia smiled adoringly at Remus. "Sometimes, breaking rules and drastic action is the only way to get want you want." Both Lily and Len nodded agreeing.
"Well, if you're sure. I guess we could help." James said. "Perhaps we should reserve further discussion until later. When we can be sire we won't be interrupted."
"Good point" Remus agrees. "Besides Prefects need to check in up front"
Lily, Maia and Remus rose to leave. Len glanced around. "You aren't really leaving me alone with them are you?"
"Sorry. But some one responsible has to baby-sit, while we're away. "Lily teased.
"Now, feed them lots of sweets and don't let them play with snakes." Remus added, trying to sound like a father. "Bad influence."
James and Sirius started to laugh. Len winced before joining in. "Why do I have the sudden feeling that the three little ones I was looking after this whole summer were better behaved then these three."
"Probably, because they were." Sirius said in her ear. "Bye Daddy, don't worry. We'll be as good as we always are." They laughed.
Despite their claim, Len found that the there remaining Marauders were rather sedate. However she found that was likely because they had already planned their pranks.
The Slytherin car was plagued, to no ones surprises, by a series of pranks. First an arch at the entryways to the carriage transfiged them to slugs. Then a frozen wasteland began to float about the train. However it was the swarm of bugs that drew attention. The bite caused the victim to turn bright orange and speak at the top of his/her lungs.
"You guys are so going to get busted." Len laughed. As the 4th angry bug bitten person walked by.
"Why? We were here with you?" James said innocently.
"You're using me for an alibi?" Len asked shocked.
"Well you'd never be involved in such vulgar pranks. And we have been with you all trip." Sirius teased her. Len rolled her eyes.
"Len don't you love us anymore?" James feint being hurt. Len laughed.
"How you've managed not to get expelled is a grand mystery." Len laughed. "What is Dumbledore like your uncle or something?"
At the welcoming feast. The sorting hat sang a warning, unlike Len's previous years. She wondered if Voldemort was really gaining that much power. There were surprisingly few new Ravenclaws this year. Three girls and two boys. Gryffindor made out little better, with only a total of 4 boys and 4 girls.
Once the feast commenced, the sober air lightened. Tales of summer abounded. Len avoided talking about hers. However Maia had a grand time showing her tan lines and mentioning her lack of some. Muggleborn understood what she meant however, most purebloods did not.
Len and Maia were the first two 6th years to head off. It had been assigned to Maia change the Ravenclaw password, "Lothlorein", was set as the new password.
"Maia, I don't suppose you could get me my timetable early?" Len asked with a yawn as they started to unpack.
"Sorry can't." Maia said. "Timetables are entrusted to 7th year prefect, for pick up. I won't get to see them until tomorrow."
"Too bad. I really wanted to sleep in."
"Well, I'll pick yours up if you like, since I've got to be there." Maia complained. "At least it's only this once. Tyler has agreed to take the morning person, so he'll do all the morning stuff from now on."
"That should work out well then." Len agreed. "What do you make of the boys reaction? I would have thought they'd have been happier."
"Me too." Maia sat on her bed. "It's not like then to be so . . . I don't know . . . cautious."
Gryffindor Tower; 6th year Boys Dorm
"Should have known that they'd have come to that conclusion." James said. "I thought I was going to fall down laughing. 'Let's become animagi.'"
"Yeah, if Len wasn't holding me in my place, I may have rolled with laughter." Sirius agreed. "I think our girls are too smart."
"So what are we going to do?" Peter asked.
"Help them of course." James smiled wickedly.
"James you are not serious?" Remus asked. He then saw the look in James eyes, the one he got when planning/plotting mischief. "You've got a plan."
"Oh yes." James smiled. "Who better to 'help' them? We'll make sure they find the most 'helpful' books."
"Right." Sirius caught James idea. "After finding nothing helpful at the school, they'll get disappointed and give up."
"You are dreaming, if you think those 3 will give up that easily." Remus replied shaking his head. "Especially since both Maia and Lily can get into the restricted section as prefects. We had to sneak in."
"It also took us 3 years to do it." Peter put in. "Maybe they'll lose interest."
"Unlikely." Remus said. He often got the position of voice-of-reason/devils-advocate, during the planning phase. Someone had to do it. This way things were laid out so that they covered all the basis before they set out.
"What are we worried about? They'll need a Vetus potion. We know that Len can't do it. Maia's little better, and Lily . . . well?" Sirius looked to James.
"Potions aren't really Lily's thing." James said evenly. "But they'll likely just draft me, or something."
"And James never says, 'No' to Lily." Sirius teased.
"Right, like you deny Len anything she asks for?" James threw back at him. "Besides, I was hoping to stop them before they got that far."
"So it's agreed. Our course will be to distract them and find all the wrong books." Sirius replied on a final note. They nodded in agreement.
The next morning.
Remus and Lily headed to the great hall earlier then their fellow students. They met a very tired Maia and Len in the hall on their way.
"Morning beautiful." Remus hugged Maia, who happily leaned into him. Truth was she was not awake enough yet to hug back. She really did not like mornings.
"Worst part of being Prefect." Maia groaned Lily laughed. Maia scowled at her. "Too early to laugh."
"So why are you up, Len?" Lilly asked ignoring Maia. "I thought that was just a rumour that you and Maia were conjoined."
"She's my alarm clock." Len yawned. "I'd never find my way without her, she's my compass too."
They laughed and proceeded to the Great Hall, Len flopped down at the table, her head smacked down with such force a loud WACK was heard echoing threw the hall.
Those that knew Lenore chuckled softly and ignored it. All the rest looked over and winced. The 7th year Ravenclaw prefect boy nudged Len's arm and slipped her timetable in her hand. About 30 minutes later the noise level in the hall had risen so Len could no longer ignore it.
She looked at her timetable. She sat up, in confusion. It had no classes on it, just a note: Please see me. Prof. Albus Dumbledore. Len looked around seeing that all the Marauders were here, she took it as a joke.
Len stood up. Maia caught her arm. "So how's yours look? I'm sure that it's better without potions."
"I don't know. Were they near me this morning?" Len asked, showing the blank sheet to Maia. Maia shook her head 'no'.
""Not yet, they haven't." Maia looked equally confused. Then as if a light went on, she smiled. "Think that it has something to do with this summer?"
"I'd completely forgotten about that." Len closed her eyes. Apparently it was still too early for her to think clearly. "I'll catch up with you."
Len headed out of the Great Hall to the staffroom. She knocked and Dumbledore himself answered. "Ah! Miss Nightshade. I believe that we have several things to discuss. If you'd kindly follow me to my office." Len half smiled thinking, Like I have much choice.
Len followed him up to the gargoyle and up to his office. Glancing around, she admired all the golden gadgets on the table.
"Sit please." Dumbledore smiled kindly. "Now, Lenore, the results from your WISPER testing came back." He paused, looking across the table at her. "Would you like some pop, delightful stuff, or tea?"
"No, thank you sir." Len smiled weakly, still confused. She waited while Dumbledore settles again behind his desk, the pop fizzing in the silence.
"I must say, you gave them many surprises." He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Well, actually WHISPER does not often recruit off OWL scores or testing. Normally it's after NEWTS." Len patiently waited for him to get on with things as she nervously sat across from him. "Well, they'd like you to consider placement with them." Dumbledore looked at her.
"I don't follow. I didn't do all 4 tests, and I defaulted on the second." Len replied in a rush, she stopped at the hand, Dumbledore held up.
"That was all taken into consideration." He smiled. "And yes, They would like you. This will mean several more classes that you would be required to take to prepare yourself."
"Sir?" Len asked. "You're telling me, they actually want me?" Len was in shock.
"If you accept, this will be your timetable." Dumbledore handed her a scrape of parchment. It had four additional classes on it. 2 were held once a week. The other two were held twice a week but an hour each. This also had class resting on Sunday.
"Ummm, Sir?" Len looked at him uncertain. "What if I don't want to?"
"Then it goes no further than this." He said simply. "I know this is a big decision. Whatever you choose, know that I am very proud, as you should be. You are the first student in a hundred years to be recruited after OWLs." He smiled at her again. "Now think about it. Try to let me know your decision by Friday." He touched the time-table with his wand the extra classes vanished.
"Sir? What does WHISPER want me for?" Len asked. "Why me?"
"Lenore, your . . . unique way of tackling a problem, the way you perceive things, is a gift." His eyes twinkled. "You intelligence and resourcefulness are an added bonus. But it is you they want."
Len had several dozen questions to ask, but was rushed off before she could ask them. "My, look at the time, you had best be off to class." Dumbledore told her as way of dismissal. Len knew better than to cross him (on the first day especially) and hustled off to Herbology. Deciding the in would really not do to be late for that.
Len was in a daze. She was trying to figure out what Dumbledore had meant, for he never said anything without meaning to. She was in such a fog that she bumped into a group of Slytherin boys. "Oh sorry." Len said politely.
"Filthy MUBBLOOD!" one sneered at her. Len locked eyes with the boy. "Were you not taught manners?"
"Unlike you apparently, I was. I already apologized for bumping into you. Unless you are deaf too." Len replied, not about to let a bunch of junior Slytherins push her around. "Don't you lot have class?"
"I do not see a prefect badge on you, mudblood." The boy snapped back. Apparently he was not ready to back down either. "Who do you think you are to give us orders?"
"It was a question, not an order." Len stated. She tried to walk away but was stopped after a few steps. Taking a deep breath, she set herself in her most logical tone. "Since my existence is so repulsive to your 'Pure-blood' sensitivities. Would it not be more logical to let me get away from you as soon as possible?" Len smiled sweetly at the group, all the while thinking how best to get to her wand in her boot.
"Admit it you little mudblood. You are afraid of us." The leader said again. Stepping closer to her. Len rolled her eyes.
"Oh yes. I'm terrified of four little Slytherin juniors." Len said sarcastically. "Petrified of you lot making yourselves late, for . . . I believe Transfiguration, or was it Defence with Scorge?" They looked at each other. Len persisted in her attack. "Quaking, that you'll detain me long enough that a teacher will come in to the hall and see you lot trying to act all tough."
"Nightshade, what are you doing delaying these young, innocent Slytherins?" Came Malfoy's drawl behind her.
Len sighed. 'The only way they're innocent is because they are too young to be charged, yet.' Len thought.
"Lost again?" Malfoy taunted.
"That's right, Malfoy. How does one get to hell?" Len asked sweetly, sounding dead serious. At the confused look on his face she continued. "I figured you must know, after all the time you've been told to go there." Len tool this moment of confusion, while they tried to figure out her insult to remove herself and start walking.
Len arrived late to herbology; she had had to take a few detours to get away from the Slytherins. "Sorry Prof. Sprout, There was a problem with my timetable."
"Well, don't let it happen again alright?" She smiled warmly. Len took her spot next to Maia. Len smiled at Sirius, who was across from them.
So what is the real deal? Maia asked/wrote.
Damn Hiss! Len rolled her eyes. Delayed me coming down from twinkle
How did that go? Maia looked expectantly at her. Len shrugged.
I will tell you later. This is really interesting.
Len was called at the end of class to stay a moment. It was so Sprout could tell her about her apprenticeship. Len was to be back at 7 pm to begin the project. Len thanked her and headed off to catch up with her friends.
"So what were you two discussing?" Sirius was pestering Maia, when Len came up.
"Why do you think we were discussing anything?" Maia asked innocently. "I mean we weren't even talking at all, not like you lot."
"That is exactly why." Remus smiled at her. "It's far more trouble when you two are quiet. That's when you're up to no good."
"And if you're up to no good, we want to be included." Sirius smiled. Mischief shone in his eyes.
"Oh really?" Len said, hugging him. "Don't you think that you find enough on your own?"
The Marauders looked at each other. Then chorused, "Never enough!" They all laughed.
"So, what kept you?" Sirius asked.
"I already said, I had a problem with my schedule. And just now, Sprout wanted me to arrange a time to start my apprenticeship." Len said. "Besides a group of Slytherins detained me a bit. No big."
"You alright?" Sirius looked at her concerned.
"Fine. They were just annoying." Len sighed. "It didn't even come to wands."
"Impressive." James replied. "So, what'cha taking this year."
"Usual, minus Potions." Len smiled. Then thought about correcting herself. Her correction died on her lips as Maia spoke up.
"Usual, minus potions and Arthmancy." Maia chimed.
"Usual, minus Arthmancy and Astronomy." Lily added. The girls laughed. "You lot?"
"You three are crazy." Sirius teased. "The point is to drop all that crap after OWLs."
"So Mr. Black, what have you gotten rid of?" Len asked batting her eyes. He just smiled at her.
"You'll see." Sirius kissed her cheek.
She left her friends and headed to Arthmancy, alone. It went much slower without Maia and Lily. Len headed to lunch preoccupied. Her day continued to drag on.
"What I wouldn't give for a good explosion to snap me back to reality." Len joked to Maia on their way to Defence Against the Dark Arts.
When Len and Maia sat in their dorm later that day, working on homework before dinner. "So what's the deal? You've been off all day!"
"Sorry, just well," Len looked about. After deciding that they were alone. "Turns out that they liked my test results."
"Are we happy about this?" Maia asked noting the confusion on Len's face.
"Well it's going to mean loads more work. I'm not even sure what I'd be expected to do." Len said seriously. "Heck! Does anyone?"
"Not that I even found." Maia shrugged. "I've only seen the briefest mentions of it."
"Well, they tested on like . . . well everything. So I don't know." Len sighed. "I don't want to be an Auror. I'm not sure it's not like an advanced auror thing."
"Well what are the extra classes in?"
"Advanced Surveying and Identification." Len replied.
"Great . . . Mapping." Maia sighed.
"Strategic Planning." Len continued.
"Yuck! Weekly chess games." Maia made a face. "But then you are sgood at that."
"Emergency Medical Treatment/Identification." Len paused, looking to Maia, waiting for her commentary this time.
"Ewww . . . You're going to be treating firsties running noses." Maia teased. Len started to laugh.
She settled into a smile, before telling Maia about the last class she had no idea of what is was. "Olculmancy." Len finished.
"Now that ones cool!" Maia replied excited. "I read about it in some of dad's books. It's blocking off your mind. I was always upset that it wasn't taught, here."
"Glad you approve." Len flopped down on Maia's bed. Len's was covered in books and parchment already.
"Len, that's seriously cool!" Maia continued. "I heard that you can learn to block Virtus 1."
"Okay, but apart from that, they all sound . . . boring." Len replied. "Besides, I'm more interested in my herbology work than that other stuff."
"Well, Len." Maia moved to sit beside her and whispered. "Being a WHISPER recruit might help you get into St. Mungo internship with Stonehenge University."
"Yeah, but what else will they want of me. That is what has me worried." Len confessed. "I'd better head to the garden. I'll likely be in late."
"Alright. No worries then." Maia said brightly. "I'll start the search if you're not in by breakfast."
"I get lost once, and you never let me forget it."
"I'll be in the library until curfew. If you're back early."
Len assisted Prof Sprout in planting many sprouts of Yarrow. Each had different soil. Over the course of the year, they would try different soil, fertilizers, light, and moisture. The end was to grow an untainted specimen of Yarrow.
Yarrow encouraged healing, but was toxic in any large dose or if taken repeatedly. As it was known to pick up certain characteristics from growing conditions the aim was to find a clean way to grow it. This would allow yarrow to be available form ore extensive use in the medical community.
Len was to check on the crop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. She headed back to the castle after the planting, covered in Dragon dung, Sprout's fertilizer of choice.
Len walked in and was at the stairs when she was set upon by a Prefect. "You're out after curfew." He snapped.
Len turned around slowly. Seeing Remus standing there, she smiled and tried not to laugh. "Talk to Prof. Sprout about it. I'd hug you but I'm covered in . . . fertilizer."
"How did it go?" He chuckled. They started to walk toward the Ravenclaw common room.
"Pretty good, I think." Len yawned. "Remus? Would you take an opportunity, if no one would tell you what it involved?"
"Len, in life you never know what to expect. I took the opportunity to come here, although I didn't really know what to expect. It was the best choice I ever made." Remus replied. "Have you ever thought that this opportunity was presented to you because the universe is trying to tell you something?"
"If the universe likes to point us the right way. Explain why . . ." Len stopped and looked at him.
He shrugged. "Maybe, I just don't know yet. Or maybe it's just a lot of bull." Len laughed. "Len, I can't tell you what to do. I don't know what I'd do. Just know that whatever you decide, we're all here for you."
"Thanks." Len smiled. "I still don't know what I'm going to do. But I feel better."
"Night lady." Remus smiled. "I'll see you in class tomorrow."
Len took a long shower thinking about things. Deciding to ask her questions about this . . . agency, before deciding,
Thursday afternoon, Lenore was grated the meeting with Prof Dumbledore, she'd requested to ask her questions regarding her pending decision.
"Sorry for the delay. Have you reached a decision?" Dumbledore smiled pleasantly at her.
"Almost. I was hoping to have a few things clarified first. "Len replied. She felt much more sure of herself than in their last meeting, but still very much out of her element.
"I will endeavour to try, but do recall it is a secret society." His eyes twinkled in delight.
"Well sir, from the extra classes I gather it has something to do with planning." Len noted Dumbledore's delight. "But what?"
"That would depend on what's needed." He smiled kindly at her.
Len mental rolled her eyes. Well that was enlightening. she thought. Alright, different tactic.
"Sir, I don't want to be an auror. Under any name. I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Len, do you want to help people?"
"Yes." Len answered simply without hesitation. "But I'm a lover, not a fighter." Len told him seriously. "I'd rather help by fixing people."
"Lenore your compassion is a great gift." Dumbledore said pointedly. His voice was soft and kind like a father. "Do not forget that." He paused. "Do you have anymore questions?"
"Several." Len sighed. "I do hate jumping in without any hint of what I'm getting into. However it seems none are being answered. "He waited patiently.
"That is the trouble, with secret societies." His eyes twinkled. "They must remain secret."
"Are you implying, that I won't be allowed to discuss any of this with my friends?" Len looked frightened at that thought.
"Would that be a deal breaker?"
"Yes! I'd never be able to not tell them." Len shook her head. "I tell Maia everything. I couldn't lie to her. Besides I like to bounce ideas off her."
"Lenore," His eyes twinkled, as he looked at her. "That is something you will have to decide." He looked at her a moment. "You have a lot to think about. Let us meet tomorrow at say 7 in the evening. I should expect a decision then."
Len left, knowing that her time was up. She thanked him for his time, but left felling more confused and uncertain than before. Len headed to the library. She knew that were her friends would likely be as there was still a good 3 hours until curfew.
"Any progress?" Len asked, sitting between Maia and Sirius. She leaned over to kiss Sirius, hello. "Where would you like me to start?"
Sirius smiled broadly and whispered in her ear. "I have a few ideas."
Len giggled "I was taking to Maia."
"Here, look these up would you?" Maia replied barely looking up from her review of material. "Take him with you. He keeps jarring me, from my reading. Maybe you can get him to help."
"Fat chance." Sirius replied as he followed Len into the stacks. Laughing softly Len shook her head. Sirius hugged her, smiling. "Alone at last."
"Sorry Sirius. I . . . I've had a lot of stuff to set up and get sorted out." Len apologized looking shyly at him. "I promise I'll be a better girlfriend. Forgive me?"
He smiled and kissed her. "Absolutely nothing to forgive. I want you to be happy and I understand you've got a lot to set."
Len hugged him. Her voice was lost. Taking advantage of the situation, Sirius didn't' say a word for a moment. Then kissed her passionately.
"About time!" James called. He stood at the end of the row, smiling at them. "I'll give Maia some excuse for you. You take her out and snog." James laughed. Len blushed furiously, and tried to hide. Sirius was not about to let her go, he held on tight.
"That sounds like a great idea." Sirius announced. "Len could use a break."
"I just got here. Besides we were supposed to be researching." Len interjected quietly, still blushing.
"And just what kind of research is that?" James laughed.
"I like James's idea better. It's more fun." Sirius said. "And you've been working very hard. Especially for our first week back."
"But remember, I'm Ravenclaw. Research IS fun." Len teased. Sirius made a mock feint. James caught him easily.
"Ravenclaw girls." They laughed. Len smiled and pulled Sirius back to his feet.
"Give me an hour of research. I'll give you an hour of play." Len smiled at Sirius. "Deal?"
"I like the sounds of that deal." Sirius grinned, willingly following her.
"Me too!" James teased. "Think Lily will go for it?" Len shook her head laughing.
"You'll have to ask her." Sirius smiled. "But, I have to go do some 'research'." James laughed at the tone Sirius used. "Shhh, you!" Sirius ordered. "I'm 'researching'."
Exactly an hour later, Sirius was pulling Len out of the library. Len giggled and waved farewell, not even pretending to resist. Sirius had kept his side, so Len saw no reason not to keep hers. Sirius' hour turned out to be closer to two, but Len didn't really mind. She was having a good time, and for the first time that week, she was able to forget that she had a decision to make.
That night, after Len made it back to her room, she found that she could not sleep. She stared up at her canopy for what seemed to be hours before she gave up. Realizing that sleep was not going to come tonight, she grabbed some parchment and one of the books Maia had taken from the library.
Len had finished the book by dawn. She sighed. Len was still no closer to her decision, nor to the problem of becoming an animagi. Len opened her curtains in hopes of catching Maia before class.
Len greeted the other 3 girls, who shared the dorm room. As they got ready for their day, they chatted about nothing important. Maia as typical, slept in. Part of Len was jealous that she had not done so yet this year. Len knew well that Maia would likely not rise until the other girls left, that were their normal way.
"Up two mornings in a row, in one week?" Cindy giggled. "Careful Lenore, or you may start a dangerous president for yourself."
"Not likely." Len scoffed the idea. "Just getting all my early mornings out of the way now." The other 3 girls giggled. They waved as they headed down for breakfast. Len shook her head amused. She waited for Maia. Several minutes later, Maia rose from bed.
"About time. I need to talk to you." Len insisted. Len reviewed what she had read during the night. "It stayed mainly to what one might change into. Although it was revealing."
"Oh really." Maia looked over interested. "How can you tell?"
"Well, last night I wrote up a questionnaire. Then did up 7 copies for us." Len told her. Maia suddenly scowled.
"What are you avoiding?" Maia asked suddenly. Len looked over at her innocently. Maia gave her a knowing look.
"Maia, what makes you think that?" Len tried again. To which she just received a scowl. "Fine, I was just thinking. What would you do if you were told to keep secretes?"
"From everyone?" Maia asked, Len nodded yes. Maia thought a moment. "Hmmm . . . I keep your confidence all the time. Why is it so bothersome?"
Len shrugged, that was not exactly what she had meant but did not want to tell Maia that. "So you want to take the quiz? I'll grade them tonight."
"Len, when did you plan to sleep honey?' Maia teased. Noticing Len's tired appearance.
"When I'm dead. I have too much to do right now." Len protested. "Too much to think about."
"Well let's go down to the hall find our boys, and present them with this questionnaire." Maia replied. Having finished twisting her hair up in an elaborate manner, whole looking graceful and elegant and wild. Unfortunately they missed the Marauders, and had to head directly to class.
Len sat board in transfiguration, fighting off sleep. They were paired with slithering. Len's stomach lurched every time Malfoy leered at Maia. Maia did her damnedest to ignore him. Malfoy hated to be ignored for any reason. He kept forcing Maia to pay attention to him, by casting spells and through acts that drew much attention during class.
He's being ridiculous Maia wrote in her notes. Even firsties have more sense than him. Len rolled her eyes at Malfoy, who had just transfigured his neighbour into a squid and back before McGonagall noticed.
Oh yeah. Almost makes you wish we were back in potions with them. Len replied. Least there they ignored us.
Have you made your decision yet? Maia inquired. Len shrugged and shook her head no.
Len could not help but notice that Severus was also trying to ignore her. Len was hurt but acknowledged that was his right. She had explained her side and if he was going to be a big idiot and continue to be angry, well at least she tried.
Maia and Len hurries off to lunch. They had conspires with the Marauders and Lily to meet and picnic by the lake today for lunch. They wanted to take advantage of the sunny weather, while it lasted.
Unfortunately, they did not retreat from class fast enough to escape before Malfoy and his thugs caught up to them. "Maia you look lovely. I especially like the way your hair looks like snakes." Malfoy drawled.
He received a very unladylike snort from Maia and, "Sod off."
Apparently Maia's not on top form today. Len thought. "The only snakes, I see around here are you." She replied evenly. Len glanced over the lot of them.
"Who asked for your opinion, mudblood?" Malfoy snapped. "I do not remember lowering myself to your level to speak."
Len was tempted to tell Malfoy just how wrong he was. This time Maia jumped in to the rescue. "If you are trying to get my attention, insulting my friend is not a good start." She smiled sweetly at him. "After all, you just showed yourself to be a narrow minded, stuck-up little pure-blood drown. Why would I waste my time on you?"
"Maia, you should really rethink who you call friend." Lucius replied smoothly. "After what her mother did. You really should keep you boyfriend on a tight leash."
Both girls were furious at him. However refusing to let him win. "Speaking of boyfriends, ours are waiting for us for lunch." Maia smiled unconcerned. Then glanced over his shoulder to the group of 'loyal' retainers behind him, which included Snape, Crabbe and Goyal. "It appears your boyfriends are also getting impatient."
Maia and Len left. There heads high as they walked out of sight of the Slytherins. They sighed in relief as the sun hit their faces as they entered the yard. The walked to the edge of the lake where they were greeted warmly by the Marauders and Lily.
The bright sun gently made it ideal picnic weather. The grass of the castle's yard was still lush and thick from summer. Even the Dark Forest seemed to welcome them back, as the birds and sprites could be heard singing along the edges.
Len told them about the quiz she had compiled the night before. Suggesting that they take it now. This would make collection easier, she argued, as well as giving her the weekend to analyse them.
"But Len, what if someone see us." Sirius protested. Noticing a few other students had come outside onto the grounds after finishing lunch.
"Please. No one knows what it's about." Len said off handedly.
"It could be one of those 'test your relationship' quizzes in Muggle magazines all the time." Lily said. "Where you try to see who you're most compatible with."
They all looked at Lily. Lily rolled her eyes and shrugged. "What? You think you're my only friends. 'Chel and Tory have been nagging me for ages to get you lot to take one. I think they fancy you." Lily giggled looking at James. Michelle and Victoria were two other 6th year Gryffindors, who had obvious infatuation with Sirius and James.
Len slipped closer to Sirius possessively. "Or not." Len said with a spark in her eyes. "Who cares, if they see. Like anyone bothers you. If they're bold enough to ask, just tell them you were planning another prank."
Sirius hugged Len, incredibly pleased that she had become so possessive. He looked to James. "You mean defile the sacred art of pranking?" the other Marauders gasp. "I'm sorry, I think not."
"Besides, if we admitted to planning," James teased. "Then they would know it's not true, and that we're up to something." Len puzzled over a moment at the contradiction in that statement.
"Let's just use Lily's cover story." Remus continued, he noticed that the girls were getting agitated and suspicious. "Then anyone curious will think were panning pranks."
The girls looked at each other confused a moment, as if trying to follow the Marauders logic. Together the three of them shrugged. Len handed out the questionnaire to each of them. It was Remus' turn to look confused.
"Ummm . . . Why do I need one?" He asked quietly.
"2 reasons." Len smiled looking up from her quiz. "Appearances and I didn't want you to feel left out." He smiled at her. Len then recalled what Malfoy had said. Maia was close to her, so Len wrote: What do you think gag meant by that leash comment?
It was several minutes before Maia replied, Probable just that's what he likes.
"Gross!" Len burst out causing the others to look at her. She blushed. Maia giggled. "Sorry, a cold bug just crawled up my shirt."
Maia broke into a laugh. Sirius whispered an offer to get the bug out. The others just looked baffled and shook their heads. "I think we missed something." James said to the Marauders and Len and Maia were caught in debilitating fits of laughter for the next 10 minutes.
All the quizzes were done before afternoon classes resumed. Len collected them, telling the others that she would have the results by Monday.
"Are you both going to be on the pep squad again?" Lily asked.
"Definitely!" Maia replied. She hugged Remus, then gave him her 'cute innocent' look. "But I'll cheer for you, unless you're playing our team."
"That's good to hear." He smiled adoringly at her. "Will you change your uniform to Gryffindor colours?" He teased.
Maia gave a look of deep thought. "Oh yeah! It wouldn't do for me to wear Ravenclaw colour's while cheering you on."
They laughed. "Very true. You'd hate to be a traitor or something." Len teased. "Aren't you worried that we'll over shadow the Gryffie-girls?" Sirius smiled at Len's implication of also cheering on the Gryffindor team.
"Not our problem." Maia said dismissively. "So you going to join the squad, or are you too busy?" Her voice was even without a hint of condemnation or judgement.
"I'm in. I already know most of the cheers and moves. I should be fine." Len replied seriously. "Besides, who needs sleep?"
"Len, darling, I don't want you getting sick." Sirius said hugging her close. Then whispered to her. "I might have to make sure you get properly tired, so you sleep." Remus coughed/laughed and turned his attention to Maia.
"Did you hear him?" Len asked cautiously. Looking at Remus, the others looked at him too.
"Just how sensitive IS your hearing?" Sirius challenged. Remus gave him an innocent/confused look.