Soon the winter had disappeared and spring was nothing but a memory as summer crept into the town of Crestwood followed by autumn. Festivals were a everyday occurrence and the children were happy that school had finally ended for the summer but sad that their break would not last. But this happiness was not fully shared by the entire towns population.
The Lupeal family, better known as Harry, Hermione, Remus and the twins, were not apart of the festivities. They couldn't bring themselves to enjoy the simple muggle fun. They were just content on staying inside their small cottage and watching as the seasons passed them by. This was the same route that they fell into for each passing summer.
The only time the Lupeals were really seen out and about was if they had the, now 5 year old twins, with them, dragging them from shop to shop with childish curiosity. Because this year was the first year that the Lupeal twins would be heading off to school, under the guidance of their grandfather, who was truly loved by the all his pupils and their parents. But the town began to notice the change in the small, quiet, family. As each year passed they seemed to grow more solitary and anxious.
"Come on, Sirius. You don't want to be late for school." Called Harry from outside the bathroom which currently held his 5 year old son. He let out a sign and turned to the little girl standing at his side. "Serenity, go ask your mum if she can give you a hand getting ready. If she asks, tell her that I'm prying your brother out of the bathroom." He smiled and watched as the little girl tore off down the hall and skidded into her parents bedroom where she knew her mother was now located.
Harry's attention then turned back to the door as he hammered on it once again. "Sirius Thomas Lupeal, I demand that you open this door right now." He had to refrain from calling him Potter incase someone overheard his shouts. He listened as the door gave a soft click and swung open to reveal a very messy haired little boy with red, puffy eyes. The anger seemed to seep out of Harry as he kneeled down to the boys level. "Sirius." He said in a whisper as he held his arms open and gathered the smaller version of him up. "I know that you don't want to go to school but I promise that you'll like it." He rubbed the little boys back, soothingly. "Lets go get you dressed." He cooed as he headed into the twins room, which has been converted from a nursery into a regular bedroom.
Meanwhile, Hermione was combing Serenity's hair trying to get the knots out. Finally after a few minutes she had it combed straight and pulled up into a pony tail. "There you are sweety." Hermione said softly, trying to calm her own nerves about the children being away from them for the whole day. "Let me take a look at my little pumpkin pastry." She took a step back and eyed the little girl. She couldn't help but smile when she saw the perfect mixture of herself and Harry staring right back at her.
Serenity was almost a miniature Hermione except with coal black hair and sparkling emerald green eyes. Her hair was straight and only unruly in the mornings when she first woke up. Her personality was a perfect mixture of her mother and father. She had her mothers love of books but her fathers lack of patience. She also had somewhat of a temper and knew exactly how to get what she wanted from either of her parents but mostly her father. She was a daddies girl from head to toe and had him wrapped around her pinky.
Sirius was somewhat a mystery. He was almost identical to his sister except that his hair was always unruly and untamable. It was also a shade lighter than his sisters. Almost a smokey black instead of coal black. His eyes were the same emerald green but had specks of brown mixed in that he got from his mother. Now comes the mysterious part. Sirius was a shy child and only happy when around his family. He had his mothers love of books and her patience to do something for a long period of time and not tire of it. But he would rather sit on the floor in front of the fireplace and play with the toy horses that he received on his last birthday from his pappy. He had a rather bizarre imagination for a child his age and sometimes found his parents watching him as he made up stories to go along with his horses. He was nothing like his namesake. He also reminded Harry of himself when he was 5 but he was a momma's boy. Sometimes he would rather have her light, gentle touch instead of Harry's gentle but manly touch.
Harry looked up from dressing the small boy as he heard commotion. "I'm in here, Remus." He called out and finished buttoning Sirius coat. He picked the little boy up and headed out of the room to great his mentor.
"Harry, we got to go." Remus said slightly out of breath as he handed him a slip of paper that he was holding and took Sirius.
Harry blinked and looked down at the slip of paper and nodded. "Alright. I'll get Hermione and Serenity. I'll meet you in the living room." He then headed towards the bedroom just in time for Hermione to step out with their daughter tucked in her arms. "Hermione. It's time." He stated simply and watched as his wife nodded. "I guess we won't have to be separated from the twins just yet, after all." Reaching out he took his daughter into his arms. "We'll have to leave everything that isn't important and just take what we will need." He licked his lips and headed down the hallway and into the living room. "How much time?" He asked Remus.
Remus shook his head. "I really don't know. I got that message via owl just a few minutes ago. Hogwarts is the only place that we will be safe, you do know that right?" He asked as he hugged his grandson to his chest.
Harry nodded as Hermione stepped into the room with a bag already packed with some clothes and personal items. "I can't believe this day has actually come." Harry whispered and looked out the window as the dark clouds that were rolling in. Snow would soon follow so they needed to go.
"We'll have to apparate." Remus stated as he began to pace. Harry took one last look around his home and nodded. "Alright. I'll came back later for the rest of the items."
Soon several claps of thunder echoed through the small town and the Lupeal family disappeared as mysteriously as they came. A gentle snow began to fall and soon all of Crestwood was covered in a light dusty of snow. It was a beautiful sight that the Lupeals wouldn't ever see again.