Saturday 2nd December 1978

Marauder Flat, 14:30

Ah, the weekend. The time of the week were none of them had any work (unless Remus picked up an extra shift) and they could do as they pleased. It was supposed to be glorious and free but of course it didn't work out that way. Who knew that being an adult and getting a job could be so exhausting? Not Sirius, that was for sure. He was pretty sure the others hadn't known either.

Maybe it was because everything was so new and hard work. Not that their jobs had suddenly become less work but Sirius definitely found himself actually having energy after work and at the weekends now. It only took four months. Which meant their time off was theirs to do whatever they pleased. It didn't matter what it was, they could do it.

Then why were they all still lying around in the flat doing absolutely nothing?

James had taken up the entire sofa, stretched out on his back with his feet on the arm rest, Remus was curled up on the armchair with, you guessed it, a book, Peter was on the other chair frowning at the Daily Prophet and he was sprawled out on the floor. James had offered to sit up so Sirius wasn't on the floor but he didn't want that. He actually kind of liked up being on the floor like this. It was kind of comfortable. He was almost tempted to transform into Padfoot he was that comfortable. And being comfortable was even better as a dog. But then he wouldn't be able to talk to anyone and he would be able to smell everyone's feet...

It was amazing how bad a place could smell without the daily work being done by House Elves. They had all soon discovered that even if they always washed their dishes and wiped down surfaces some things just held in stink because there were four people living in one space. They now had quite the armoury of cleaning spells under their belt.

Sirius idly wondered if any of them would be useful in a fight. What would happen if you cast the polishing spell in someone? What effect would that have on their skin?

And yes, these were the things he thought of when he let his mind wander. His brain could come up with all sorts of weird things. Like how the two Equinoxes were days of the same length but they were always dramatically different from each other in his opinion. Where that thought came from, he didn't know but he thought of it.

Sirius suddenly sat up straight, a thought literally smacking him upside the head.

"We didn't celebrate Samhain."

He was both shocked and amazed at that revelation. How in Merlin's name had they missed so many rituals? Two important ones too. At least.

Everyone else had froze as well with their jaws almost hitting the floor. No one said anything.

Sirius coughed. "Ahem, I said that we never celebrated Samhain."

"We heard what you said," James said. "I just can't believe it. We had to have celebrated Samhain, didn't we?"

"I honestly can't remember," Remus said, rubbing his forehead. "We must have."

"But it's normally something big and we'd remember if we did something big," Peter pointed out.

He raised a good point. And Sirius dint remember doing anything never mind something big. How could they not do something? It didn't make sense. His mother was right, he really was a mistake.

No! Get that thought out of his head. He wasn't supposed to think like that anymore. He wasn't supposed to listen to his mother. She was crazy. She was cruel. He didn't have to listen to her anymore. He should have never had to listen to her.

"I don't think we celebrated anything in the last couple of months," James said with a frown, bringing Sirius back to the present. "We didn't do anything for Mabon or Lammas either. I think I can't remember. "

"But you forget what you've eaten for breakfast sometimes," Peter reminded him.

Which was true. Once James had thought that he'd eaten eggs for breakfast when he'd actually had cereal.

"We were all working late on Mabon," Remus reminded him. "I had to do overtime for that sudden delivery and you and Sirius were doing that night training."

"Yeah, that was for our Stealth and Tracking," James remembered.

"More of the tracking than the stealth," Sirius added. "It was fun."

"Moody didn't appreciate us jumping out from trees though," James said sheepishly.

Sirius snorted at that though the results certainly hadn't been funny. Doing laps in the dark was hard. Very hard. Especially when there was a load of tree stumps littered about the place. Sirius was convinced his knees still hadn't recovered.

"It was a bit stupid of us," Sirius pointed out.

"Yeah," James agreed. "Doesn't help anyone."

Moody had made them feel really small after that stunt so they weren't going to do it again. It had been a horrible feeling and Sirius really didn't want to repeat it.

"That also doesn't help is the fact that we've somehow missed multiple Sabbats!" Sirius said, waving his arms around in emphasis.

Why was no one else concerned about this like je was? They should be! These were the Sabbats.

"I don't think we did any the last half of Seventh Year either," Remus said, frowning in thought. "Did we?"

"I can't remember," Sirius admitted.

Because he couldn't. Which was rather disconcerting. The Sabbats were important. They were big things. There was rituals and traditions and they had just forgotten about them? What kind of wizards were they?

"It doesn't mean anything bad's going to happen, does it?" Peter asked nervously.

"I don't think so," James said with a frown. "I mean, I've never heard of anything going wrong because you don't do them."

"I think we did the big ones last year," Remus said, still stuck on last school year. "You know, out of habit? Because we celebrate them as a school and all that."

"I can't remember doing any from Yule 9nwards," Peter admitted. "All I remember is studying for NEWTs."

"I think that's all anyone did in Seventh Year," James said.

"Well, that and play pranks," Sirius corrected.

James shot him a grin. "Obviously."

"But back to the Sabbats that we somehow managed to miss."

"We were just too busy," Remus said. "It's as simple as that. It's not necessarily a good reason but it's the truth."

Sirius drummed his fingers on the fireplace in annoyance. It wasn't a good reason at all. They had missed Sabbats. Remus and Peter were shocked but not overly concerned about them which was fine but he honestly expected James to be just as upset as he was about this. They were both brought up the traditional way, after all. The Sabbats were a big part of their lives. They couldn't just miss them like they had. But James seemed to be more confused than upset.

"What are we supposed to do?" Peter asked. "Can we make them up?"

James shook his head. "If you miss a Sabbat, you miss a Sabbat. It's tied to the day which means you can't do it on any other day. It just won't work."

They sat in silence just letting that fact sink in.

"Well, that sucks," said Peter.

Friday 8th December 1978

Evans House, 19:00

"Marlene's here," Rosemary called from the front door.

"Send her up!" Lily shouted back.

She turned to try and see how her skirt was sitting. Why was it all stuck out at the back like that? That was not how it looked on the mannequin and she was pretty sure it had fit her right when she had originally tried it on. Oh, this was annoying. Maybe she had another similar coloured skirt? She didn't want to sort her outfit out all over again.

"Hey, Lily, did you know that a bit of your skirt is tucked into the waistband?" Marlene greeted her as she bounded into her room.

"What?" She looked over her shoulder to try and see it with no success. "Where?"

Marlene leaned over and tugged some material free from her side. Her skirt suddenly fell flat. Oh. That's what the problem had been.

"Thanks," she said gratefully.

That was one less issue to contend with. Now she just had to finish getting ready quickly so she wouldn't be late.

"Are you going somewhere?" Marlene asked, finally taking in the makeup Lily had out. She only used this lipstick when she was going out somewhere. "I was kind of hoping we could do something together."

"I hadn't realised you were free," Lily said apologetically.

Marlene waved her apology away. "I should have called ahead. Who are you going out with?"

Lily but her lip nervously which made Marlene's eyes narrow and a sinking feeling start in her stomach.

"Just a friend," she said evasively. "We're going for dinner and then drinks. Maybe we'll end up in the muggle world. Better clubs."

"It actually has clubs you mean," Marlene corrected her.

Which was a fair point. The only places you could drink on D9agon Alley was the Leaky Cauldron and it definitely wasn't a club. Lily knew there were two rather high-end clubs that a certain class of purebloods went to but she still wasn't sure if that was just a rumour or not. Apparently, you had to be invited. Whatever. Even if she could get in it probably wasn't the same experience as going to a muggle club. Which she wanted. Dancing and having brightly coloured drinks were definitely a stark contrast to her work in the Department of Mysteries. Not that she was doing much work there, they were still seeing if they wanted to keep her around. Oh well, at least her Charms Mastery was interesting. Research heavy at the moment but interesting. Hence the need to get away from books and go out and have a good time.

"Yeah, we're going to a club. It's near the Leaky Cauldron." Lily said, running a brush through her hair. "It should be fun. A few other Muggleborns told me about it."

"Well, you'll have to tell me what it's like and maybe we can go again next time?" Marlene asked hopefully.

"Sounds like a good idea," Lily agreed.

She would like to invite Marlene along but that would be a bit rude to do that without telling the other person. Especially on such short notice. Maybe if Marlene had said a few days ago that she was free but then again maybe not. As much as they had both improved, Lily knew that Marlene was still somewhat uncomfortable around this person. It just would make for a fun night for anyone.

"So, who are you going with again?" Marlene pressed.

She wasn't going to be able to get away with a distraction this time, was she? Lily sighed and mumbled something.

"Who? Marlene asked, cupping a hand around her ear.

"Alice," Lily said quietly and then braced herself.

Marlene recoiled from her. "Excuse me?"

"Yes."

"I thought I just heard you say that you were going out with Alice."

"... I am."

There was silence. Lovely, blissful silence until-

"You're going out with Miss Priss!" Marlene all but shrieked.

And there it was. That was the reaction Lily had been waiting for. Seriously, did she have to shriek? That was painful.

"Is everything okay up there?" Rosemary called up.

"Yes mum!" Lily replied before turning to scold Marlene. "Don't call her that."

"I'll call her whatever I like!" Marlene said indignantly.

Lily honestly had to wonder if Marlene heard how childish she sounded. She sounded like she was twelve instead of eighteen.

"Don't be so childish."

"I'm not being childish."

Really? Really?

"Marlene."

Marlene angrily crossed her arms and turned away.

"Fine, whatever. I don't care."

Lily sighed in exasperation.

"Why are you so fed up? You don't have any reason to be exasperated. But I do!" Marlene said dramatically.

Lily had not been aware that Marlene could be so dramatic. Well, she was but this was a bit much even for her.

"Why did it have to be Smith? Really? Alice Smith?" Marlene was still ranting. "It's Alice Longbottom now." Lily reminded her.

She got a vicious glare for her efforts. Which was completely inappropriate.

"I thought you liked her now," Lily said reproachfully.

They had been getting along when they were still at Hogwarts, weren't they? The way Marlene crossed her arms said otherwise.

"Like is such a strong word."

"Marlene."

"What? I'm not going to lie and say that I like her because I don't." Lily opened her mouth to argue but Marlene continued, "I mean, I don't hate her either or anything but I don't like her."

Lily sighed. She supposed that that was the best she was going to get from Marlene.

"Please don't say it where she can hear you," Lily requested.

Because she knew she would feel horrible if she heard such a nickname when people were talking about her. And Alice did seem to be more sensitive to this sort of thing.

"I'm not stupid."

That wasn't an answer so Lily glared at her. Marlene folded her arms and stubbornly refused to speak. Well, two can play at that game. Lily raised an eyebrow and Marlene almost immediately caved.

Ha. Who was the more stubborn one now, huh?

"Okay, fine, I won't," Marlene said in exasperation. "Happy now?"

"Very."

Tuesday 12th December 1978

Marauder Flat, 19:30

"Remus, come on," James said reproachfully.

No, Remus wasn't going to fall for that. He wasn't. He was going to stand his ground here because it made sense! James was the one who was being ridiculous. Why was he being so insistent and ridiculous? James was always like this which was great and all, it meant he was passionate but he didn't need to be for this. He just didn't. There was no need for him to be. Not that je was listening to Remus at all because why would he do that?

"No, James. I've told you and I'm not going to tell you again."

"But-"

"No."

That shut James up for all of ten seconds before he muttered, "You're ridiculous."

"You're the one who's being ridiculous!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Not!"

"Too!"

"Not!"

"T- wait," Remus stopped and shocked his head. "I am not doing this with you."

It was childish and they were not children. Despite how James and Sirius acted sometimes.

"Because you're wrong!"

"No because I'm right and you are being ridiculous."

James just didn't understand. He would never understand.

"I am not being ridiculous!"

"And I am not getting into that argument again."

James just had to accept that he was being ridiculous. Extremely so. Anyway, it wasn't even his decision to make. He had no choice in this. The decision was all Remus' and he had made his decision. Even if James didn't like it. Like he said, James would just have to accept it.

But of course, didn't accept it. He had never accepted it; he had just stayed quiet mistakenly believing that Remus would come around to the idea. Except he didn't. Remus did not want to come round to the idea. There was just no need to. But thought otherwise.

"Remus, we can help you. We've been helping you." James was trying to explain.

Except that there was nothing to explain. Remus already knew all of this.

"But now you can't."

And yes, he sounded impatient. Because all of his patience had long since fled.

"Of course, we can!"

"We don't have access to a safe place that we can all run free!"

Not that the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts should ever be classified as a safe place but still! And yes, they were talking about his transformations. Of course, they were. James just could seem to get into his head that he and the Marauders simply couldn't help anymore. They could do what they did when they were at school. Like he said, there was snow here for them to go.

"Your parents' grounds don't count," Remus added when James opened his mouth.

He couldn't do that! What of one of James' laments got hurt? He couldn't live with himself if that happened!

"Nothing will happen," James insisted.

"It could?"

And who wanted a dirty, great werewolf on their property anyway? James just didn't think sometimes.

"Please just think about it?"

Remus breathed deeply and put his hands firmly on the counter to physically restrain himself from turning around and snapping at James.

"I have thought about it," he said through gritted teeth. "And the answer is no."

It was a very easy word to understand. N. O. No. See? Easy.

James just sighed heavily in disappointment but Remus was in no way naive enough to think that this was going to be the end of it.

Thursday 14th December 1978

Marauder Flat, 17:30

James looked suspiciously at the envelope. To be completely honest, there wasn't anything overly suspicious about it. Except the fact that it was written in a hand he didn't recognise but that didn't really mean anything. Ministry correspondence was always like that. Though, this didn't have the Ministry seal. Nor did it have any hexes or curses or poisons laced on it - he had checked. Auror training was really useful for knowing these sorts of things. He could see why people got paranoid (Moody), lots of things were really hard to detect.

Hence his suspicion despite checking it. But he wasn't going to know anything further unless he opened it. It could be something completely innocent.

He couldn't even ask anyone for advice. Peter was still at work, Remus was recovering from the full moon (James had just brought hot chocolate up to him) and Sirius was still at the Auror Academy asking Moody about something, he hadn't told James what.

Keeping his wand at the ready, James decided to open it. Of course, he did it without actually touching it. Thank Merlin for Lily and her urge to look up weird but useful charms. The letter was soon free of the envelope and... nothing happened. No curse. No jinx. No hex. No Potion. No nothing. Huh. He did another scan but on the letter this time. Nope. Nothing there.

Then all there was left to do was to read it right? There was no one around to tell him otherwise so that's exactly what he did.

As he got further and further into the letter the more his disbelief and horror rose.

'- I noticed your skills during the incident in Hogsmeade and felt like I had to applaud you for them despite you obviously acting on behalf of the wrong side. There is room for people like you in my organisation. Skills like yours should be nurtured and -'

That was as far as he got before he dropped it on the table in shock. It was a recruitment letter! A recruitment letter for Voldemort! What the Hell?

It wasn't a prank. It better not be a prank. No. None of them would ever do something stupid like that. They wouldn't. James paused for a moment. No, they wouldn't. That wouldn't be funny. It would be stupid. Dangerous even.

Sirius came in at that moment looking happier than he did when James left him.

"What's up?" He asked in greeting.

James said nothing and pushed the letter toward him.

H3 saw all the emotions flit over Sirius' face as he read it, finally settling on horror and he also dropped it. Although, this time it was to the floor.

"Fucking Hell!"

Yep, that summed up James' thoughts exactly.

"Why?" James had to ask.

Sirius shrugged; his eyes wide. "I don't know. Did I get one?"

James shook his head. "It was only addressed to me."

"Probably because I've been disinherited."

Sirius sounded proud of that. As he should.

"What am I supposed to do?" James asked in desperation. "Ignore it?"

"Would he just try again?"

"I don't know!"

"Give him an answer then? Report it?"

"What if it makes people think I sympathise with him?"

Because getting a letter like this was suspicious, right? Things like this only got sent out to people who seemed like they would sympathise with him, right? He didn't want to get into trouble!

"I'm going to say no," he said decisively.

Sirius gave him a shocked look.

"What if that makes him angry?"

"Then so be it."

He had made up his mind. He didn't want anyone to ever think that he could ever support someone like Voldemort. No way.

He summoned his quill and a piece of parchment and started writing.

Sunday 17th December 1978

Marauder Flat, 15:30

Lily suddenly appeared in their apartment with a very sheepish looking Severus in tow, rubbing his left ear. His left ear that was looking rather red.

"Dodd you side-apparate Severus over here by yanking on his ear?" James said incredulously.

"Yes, Lily said unapologetically. "And I will be doing the same to all of you if you don't do as your told."

That made all four of them straightened up in a hurry. Lily would definitely carry out her threat.

"What do you want us to do?" Remus asked.

Lily gave him an approving look. "My mother has invited you all over to Sunday dinner. To get some real food into you."

"Hey, we cook," James felt like he had to complain.

Because they did! Or he did. And sometimes Peter. Remus and Sirius were not allowed anywhere near the oven or even the sink after that incident with the saucepan.

Lily raised her hands in the air. "I know. I know but try telling you mother that."

"She was the one who showed me."

And he'd picked up a few things of his own along the way. Bit still. Rosemary Evans definitely knew he could cook.

"Look," Lilt said with a sigh. "You're getting Sunday dinner whether it's willingly or not."

And there was a terrifying statement of there ever was one. But, none of them were going to be stupid enough to turn down some home cooking. They weren't that stupid. All four of their apparition pops were almost simultaneous, leaving Lily standing there and shaking her head fondly at their antics before she too apparated back home.

Monday 18th December 1978

Hufflepuff Table, Great Hall, Hogwarts, 08:15

Tonks couldn't help but look hopefully up at the owls as they came in. Not many people did that these days, not with the black ministry owls almost becoming a daily occurrence. But she couldn't help it, she was waiting for, what she considered, important post of her own. Post that wouldn't be depressing in anyway. Well, she hoped.

No, it wasn't going to be from her parents. She already got that either yesterday. She was hoping that this letter was from her so-called friends who had already left school. Sirius. Remus. Maybe even James or Lily? Just on sign that none of them had forgotten about her.

All the owls landed and not one of them landed in front of her. She tried not to sigh too loudly as she picked up a spoon.

Seriously, was it really that hard to write to her? It wasn't like she was asking for a long letter or anything. Just asking what she was doing and keeping her in the loop of what they were all doing would be nice.

Sirius had written one letter to her. One. And that was all about the Auror Academy. Which she appreciated, don't get her wrong - that's where she was hoping to go to next year, but still. She would like a little bit of gossip. Some news outside of this little Hogwarts bubble.

As the year went on Tonks had been finding herself pulling at the bit, so to speak. She wanted to be done with school. Wanted to get out in the world.

She was ready to be a full-fledged adult. Or she liked to think that she was. She was certainly ready to be done with school. It just seemed like such a waste of time when there was a whole world out there outside these school walls that she wanted to be involved in.

But that wasn't going to happen for a good six months, was it? Tonks sighed and slumped in her seat.

Being a student sucked sometimes.