Chapter 18: Another Memory
Harry could feel a jerking motion and everything seemed to turn gray. He realized that he was changing memories. The grayness turned into a bright sky and green grass. Harry recognized the area as Hogwarts.
"Say Cheese!" a female voice said. Harry turned to see several people taking a picture. He recognized all of them. Standing from left to right was Sirius, Faith, Lily, James, Sarah and Remus and on the end was Peter. They all stood shoulder to shoulder with bright grins.
"Next!" Lily said. Faith grabbed Sirius by the shoulders and jumped into his arms. Peter gave a set of bunny ears to Sirius,Lily jumped onto James's back and Remus and Sarah shared a big kiss while the camera flashed again, which was floating in mid-air.
"Hey Wait!" Sarah said just as they were all prepared to switch positions again.
"What?" Lily asked laughingly as James spun her around.
"I asked Sarah to marry me." Remus said as Sarah lost her words. Everyone stopped laughing and turned to look at Sarah. Sarah held up her hand which had a ring with three diamonds on it. Everyone screamed as the camera flashed again. They were oblivious to the cameras continuing flashing as they congratulated the two.
"Lily, Sarah, Faith!" A voice yelled from far off. They all turned and waved to a woman that Harry had only seen in pictures. Alice Longbottom..
"We're gonna miss the train!" She yelled.
"We're not taking it. Party at Potters house. Stick around and you can get a ride!" Sirius hollered. Alice smiled and hurried over, she was joined by Frank Longbottom. The group continued to take several more pictures. The others didn't notice but Harry caught a glimpse of a tall greasy haired boy leaving the castle. He gazed at the group for a minute and then left to catch the train.
That's when a black glitter of metal caught Harry's eye. In the distance Harry could see a shiny black car, a limo, flying in their direction. The group came and stood directly next to Harry as the car came down with a soft thud. The group entered the car smiling and laughing. Harry managed to squeeze in and took a seat in-between his father and Sirius.
Remus and Sarah sat in the corner and spent the entire ride whispering into each others ears and staring into one another's eyes. Peter's squeaky laugh, Sirius's barks of laughter, Faith's roar of a laugh, Lily's quiet giggle, James's loud laugh, Alice's hiccuping giggles, and Franks's broad smiles and chuckles filled the car as they all made jokes and poked fun at each other.
"Potter, this party is bound to be a party that every seventh year will remember." Faith said with a broad smile as they pulled up to Potter Manor. As the group entered the house they could see the house elves running all over.
Decorations seemed to drown the walls and there were three long tables covered with food.
"You've out down yourself James." Sarah said with a smile as Remus gave her a kiss on top of the forehead.
Suddenly Harry could feel himself being pulled out of the memory.
"Sorry Harry. I have to be going and I can't leave you here with the Pensive. Somethings are better not knowing." Sarah said. Harry only gave a small nod.
"Did I end your doubt though? Trust me. Faith does not have feelings for Serverus." Sarah said with a nod as Harry exited the class room. He then quickly took the stairs by two's and raced to the Gryffindor Common room to tell Ron and Hermione what he had seen.
Sarah reached over to grab the pensive when something caught her eye. Sarah didn't recognize the memory and figured it was one of Faith's recently added. Sarah found herself soon hovering over the bowl and staring at Faith's memory. Suddenly she gasped and stormed out of the room.
Faith sat in her classroom. She was leaned far back in a student's desk and staring up at the ceiling. On the desk were several pieces of parchment that held plans for the Christmas dance. Sarah stormed into the room and slammed the door.
"HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID!?" she roared at Faith. Faith sat there calmly and rose a high eyebrow.
"What…are you talking about?" Faith asked setting down the chair.
"No wonder Voldemort was after you!" She screamed.
"Oh that….I did what I had to, and it helped a great deal." Faith said tipping back in her chair again. Sarah seemed to be speechless.
"What would Sirius say?" she asked coldly.
"Don't even give me that! Sirius supported my decision. After he went to Azkaban I decided not to do it but he told me to go ahead and do it and that he would be out soon to help me." Faith said standing up.
"It was stupid and reckless." Sarah said sternly, her American accent coming out unusually thick.
"And what you did wasn't? Tell me Sarah how many deatheaters and innocent people did you kill?" Faith asked.
"You know I was just trying to help Lily and James." Sarah said softly.
"SO was I!" Faith said. Sarah couldn't think of anything to say in response and let the room in a huff.
"I hate Christmas" Faith said sitting back down. She could slowly feel herself slipping back into a memory.
"Christmas?" Lily asked.
"Of course. Sirius and our favorite holiday, so why shouldn't we be married then. I mean Sarah and Remus got married around Halloween and you got married around…springtime….Ok so your not much of an example, but Sarah is." Faith said as she sat at lunch with Lily.
"I just hope this Voldemort stuff blows over before then." Lily said sighing gloomily.
"In another week." Faith said softly. She was referring to the time until Lily, James and baby Harry had until they moved away into hiding. Peter was their secret keeper and clearly wasn't telling anyone.
"Professor?" A voice said softly. Faith turned around to see Hermione tiptoeing into the classroom.
"Yes?" Faith asked.
"I was wondering if I could see my grade on the final before I leave." Hermione said as she tied up a scarf around her neck.
"Of course. Give me a minute to grade it." Faith said as she rustled through several papers on her desk. She found Hermione's and quickly scanned it over.
"It appears that you have an 'O'." Faith said with a smile. Hermione returned it with an even greater smile.
"Thank you professor. Happy Christmas." Hermione said turning on her heels. Faith nodded and sat in her chair. She heaved a huge sigh and ran a hand through her hair.
"I hate Christmas." Faith grumbled and hit her head on her desk.