So that was it. Sirius and Dorcas were over. Sirius kept telling himself that he should be happy; that now he could shag as many girls as he wanted with no consequences. Still, it was a horrible way to end his career at Hogwarts. He spent the last few days of term with James, Lily, and Peter; occasionally joined by Remus who sometimes brought Gwen. They walked about the grounds a lot; reminiscing about what had happened in each particular spot. They had spent almost an hour remembering things that had happened under the beech tree by the lake. James and Lily had laughed heartily over their legendary show-down over Snape at the end of 5th year. It seemed very silly now that they were engaged. They entered the Shrieking Shack all as humans; trying to imprint the place on their memories forever. Everyone mourned the loss of the Marauder's Map, but James had wisely said that some future mischief makers would probably nick it from Filch's office and put it to much better use than it would have gone to at any of their hands. James even spent the last few nights of term in his old dormitory with the other Marauders.
The evening before the last day of term, Dumbledore called all five of them into his office. They all sat rather nostalgically in the headmaster's office with the knowledge that it would be the last time they would have a lecture from the teacher.
"I'm glad you've all come," he smiled with his blue eyes twinkling. "In the excitement of the end of your career at Hogwarts, I feared you might ignore my note."
"Never Sir," Lily said.
"Well Miss Evans," he said, nodding. "I'm glad to see I was wrong. The reason I have called the five of you in today is because I want to extend an offer to you."
Lily and James were sitting next to each other; his arm thrown somewhat protectively over her chair. She was sitting completely erect; listening intently to Dumbledore's words. Sirius was leaning forward; his chin held up by an arm resting on his knee. He wore the angry scowl he had sporting since the Leaver's Ball. Remus had his hands on his knees and his head tilted to the side in interest. Peter was slouching in his chair; looking around at his friends expectantly.
"James, Sirius, I expect you remember the group of people I told you about that unfortunate night last year?"
The two friends exchanged glances and nodded.
"You'll forgive me if I explain it in more detail?"
"Of course sir," James shrugged.
"Alright," he nodded and sat behind his desk; his glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose. "About three years ago, when the threat of Lord Voldemort became glaringly legitimate, my good friend Alastor Moody and I decided that the Ministry's efforts would not be sufficient in dealing with the problem. We, therefore, decided to put together a group of the most talented and dedicated witches and wizards to bolster up the defense. We called it the Order of the Phoenix. At the moment we have ten members; including a few people you will remember from previous years at Hogwarts: the Longbottoms, Caradoc Dearborn, the Prewett brothers, and Emmeline Vance. I would like to ask all of you to join the Order."
"Yes," James said without hesitation.
"Without a doubt," Lily affirmed her fiancée's answer.
"You are aware of the huge risk being part of this organization will put you in. You will be fighting death eaters face to face or you may be asked to do undercover work. The likelihood of being hurt or killed is very high. I would understand if you chose not to join."
"But we'll be fighting him, won't we?" Lily said. "It doesn't matter if we're hurt."
"That answer is exactly the reason I asked the five of you to join."
"I say yes," Sirius nodded. The idea excited him and momentarily pulled him from his depression. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do than fight that bastard and his pure-blood tosser lackeys."
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at Sirius' answer, but in the end looked pleased. "Mr. Lupin, the order could especially use your help because of your ability to communicate with certain groups of wizards that may be loyal to Lord Voldemort."
Remus was silent for a second; obviously pondering the idea. He looked a little nervous. In the end, he nodded, "I'd be happy to help."
Peter looked terrified. He was biting his lip so tightly it looked as though he might draw blood. His eyes darted from James to Sirius to Remus. He swallowed hard and finally managed an "alright."
Dumbledore smiled at them all. "Well, I'm very glad to see you all are willing to take the risk. You will all be a tremendous asset to the Order of the Phoenix. I also think I must say that I will enjoy seeing the five of you after you leave school. And by the way, Congratulations James and Lily. I was very happy to hear about your engagement. I am sure you will both be very happy."
"If I'd known this was going to happen a year ago…" James smiled at Lily and she smiled back.
Remus swore he saw a knowing twinkle in Dumbledore's eye; like he had known this was going to happen a year ago.
The end-of-the-year feast was a rather emotional affair for the 7th year Gryffindors. Lily actually teared up a few times during Dumbledore's speech.
"In this time of darkness," he had said. "It gives me the greatest hope to see that our future generations possess goodness and talent. I have often been asked why I, a somewhat respected wizard, continue to teach children. I ask these other respected wizards why they would not jump at the chance. You all remind the world that happiness is possible, that peace can exist, and that the future of the wizarding world is not so bleak as some believe. As you 7th years enter the world as adults, I am filled with an even greater hope. I see a group of talented sorcerers willing to do what is right despite the hardships they will face. Your contribution to our society is more necessary than ever. Congratulations."
As a final farewell, the Marauders had planned one last prank. The minute Dumbledore sat down, James looked around at his friends; a slight grin on his bittersweet face.
"Ready?"
They all nodded with similar expressions on their faces and flicked their wands. Immediately the Great Hall was in uproar; firecrackers, confetti, and food that had been caught in the way of the powerful pyrotechnics filled the air. Students screamed, dove under tables, and cursed the Marauders loudly. Teachers pulled their wands out and began putting out the small fires that had been started all over the hall. Dumbledore, however, sat back in his chair and watched the colored sparks as if he were attending a fireworks show. As the fireworks continued, the Marauders sat still; laughing and smiling about their prank for the last time. Even Lily laughed; her melancholy face breaking into a grin.
When it seemed the explosions were over, there was suddenly a huge KABOOM from between the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables. Purple, blue, red, and gold sparks filled the entire room before they settled together and spelled out a message.
Messers Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Would like to express their undying gratitude towards Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the most brilliant 7 years.
We would also like to offer our condolences to all those who will miss our presence here next term, especially the incomparable Professor Minerva McGonagall. Do not fret dear Professor, we are confident that there will be those who will offer you the pleasure that we once did; though we will always be the legend and they merely the copy-cats.
To our fellow students, enjoy your years at Hogwarts and remember: Draco dormiens nunquam titallandus. Never tickle a sleeping dragon. Or for that matter, a sleeping caretaker. Farewell.
The sparks faded and then disappeared.
"So that's it," Remus sighed.
"It's over," Peter looked as though he might cry.
James patted him on the back. "It'll be alright Wormtail, we've got other adventures to look forward to now."
He glanced at Lily; a bit of apprehension in his eyes. Or was it fear? She exhaled and took his free hand; smiling and squeezing it tightly.
Sirius was looking blankly at the plate in front of him.
"Alright, Sirius?" Remus asked.
Sirius shrugged. "This place just has so many memories for me. I mean, this has always been my real home, where I really belonged."
"Me too," Lily offered; smiling at him from across the table. "But now we get to go make our own homes. Isn't that exciting?"
She looked at James softly; then immediately clapped a hand to her mouth.
"Oh Sirius," she gasped. "That's not what I meant. I didn't mean…"
Sirius' shoulders had clenched and his eyes had shut closed. "It's alright Lily,"
"I'm so sorry," she pleaded. "I didn't mean to bring Dorcas up…"
"Then why are you still talking about her?" he snapped; flashing his eyes at her.
She sat back and looked at her hand. "Sorry," she muttered.
Sirius sighed; shrinking in his chair and looking to the side. "Me too," he said quietly.
"You had every right," she said; looking back at him with concern. James put his now free arm around her and Sirius propped his chin up with his hand Looking up, he caught a glimpse of Dorcas; sitting at the end of the table with Annabelle and Owen. She looked about as miserable as he felt; that damn wrinkle visible even from the opposite side of the table. Suddenly, she seemed aware of someone's eyes on her and turned towards Sirius' glance. He looked away before they locked eyes; but he was sure she had caught him looking at her.
As the Hogwarts Express pulled out of the station the next day; all six people in the compartment had leaned to watch the castle disappear from view.
"So that's it then," Gwen finally said; leaning back in her seat next to Remus. "We're done."
"I guess we are," Lily sighed; glancing at her feet. "Merlin."
"Quick seven years," Remus muttered; pursing his lips slightly.
"The quickest," Sirius frowned; still staring out of the window as if he expected Hogwarts to suddenly reappear.
"The best," James smiled at everyone.
Suddenly Peter began to weep big, heavy, wet, messy sobs.
"Aw come off it, Wormtail," James clapped him on the back. "It's not like we won't ever see each other again, you know."
"I know," he said in broken syllables. "But…but…I'll just miss it there."
"Shut it Wormtail," Sirius growled. "You think we're all so eager to leave? You're acting like a woman."
"Come of it, mate," James gestured at his best friend. "Let the bloke cry if he wants."
"And watch your mouth," Lily snapped; offended.
Sirius turned his body to face the window even more.
"Do you remember how we all met on the train?" Remus suddenly said. A smile grew as he spoke. "How James was so eager to meet everyone that he burst into my compartment and wouldn't leave until I put my book down and talked to him. Then Sirius here wandered in after his mental cousin went off to snog her boyfriend."
"Yeah," James smiled; lightly kicking Sirius. "You did a wicked imitation of Bellatrix and Rodolphus too."
"And Peter got lost on his way back to his other compartment," Sirius said under his breath.
The entire compartment, including a still-sobbing Peter and Sirius, whose scowl melted a little, burst into laughter.
"Thanks mates," Remus said; shrugging sheepishly. "For the past seven years. You all stumbling into that compartment was the best thing that ever happened to me."
Sirius softened and looked at the friend sitting next to him. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Me too, Moony."
Peter was sobbing even harder.
"For Merlin's sake…"