To Prepare

Lily

After we left the warmth of the pub we wandered towards the renowned sweet shop. Lara next to me was quietly frowning and her hand was twisting around a piece of her gossamer hair. I watched as she glanced up the hill towards the shrieking shack.

"What's up?" I asked, squeezing the arm linked with mine.

Could it have to do with what Irvine said? I didn't think so; she had managed to walk away from that encounter pretty well - considering things.

"Hmm… I'm not sure… I think its Alex, but he's too far away to tell" She said musingly. She didn't seem too worried so I figured whatever it was wasn't that bad. It didn't stop me from feeling a stab of concern though.

We continued down the street and approached the colourful shop. I wondered if Amy was still here…

The bell of the shop tinkled as we went in and the two of us squeezed in through the crowds. Lara was looking around with wide eyes and a small growing smile on her lips. Her eyes met mine and she sparkled with mischief. Uh ow…

"Lara!" I turned and saw the speeding over excited mass of Amy charge at Lara.

I laughed and grinned at the tired but fond expression of Taby as she squished threw the crowds to us. She was always just behind her crazy best friend who I knew she treasured like a sister. They were the oddest pair; Amy with her constant energy and the tranquil kind Taby.

"Oh thank Merlin you came! I was just about to hunt for you! Didn't I say I would drag you? Yes I did! But I didn't want to leave! Oh, come on I'll show you around. You wait! You wait!"

Lara laughed and sent me and Taby a pleading look as she was dragged away. I felt for her, I really did. Just not enough to intervene, no, it was much too amusing for that.

"How's it been Tabs?" I asked as we walked to a quieter corner by the weird and unusually (or the completely vile) section. I cringed as I saw the usually blood pops and the variety of sugarfied insects. Eew.

Taby sighed in relief as her charges squeals drifted across the room.

"Oh well, you know. Hogsmeade, first of the year, lets just say it was expected. I managed to get her wand though" She grinned and pulled out the absolutely tiny (yet sturdy) pale yellow wand, which chuckled little blue sparks. She examined it dotingly before putting it back into her inside pocked.

I laughed at the very idea of a person confiscating their friend's wand. The funniest part though was how necessary it was. Bless little Amy Farmer.

Alex

The Marauders and I walk back down to the main village. James and Peter were in front talking about the charms homework we'd been set (the discussion seemed to be based around the various different excuses they could use, which were getting more and more impossible). Remus was in the middle, his mind swirling and clenching. He was brooding, still angry at the appearance of my father. Sirius and I were last.

We weren't saying anything, just walking side by side in a tense silence. He, like Remus, was deep in angry thoughts.

I still felt the gnawing fatigue of my encounter with father. He'd never tried to break into our minds, I thought dejected.

What! He tried to do WHAT! Lara screamed in my head and I groaned. Trust her to act this way the moment I got into range, especially when my head killed. Ugh.

He tried to hack into my thoughts, and could you please be a little quieter. I scolded her, rubbing my head. Sirius was looking at me concerned.

Oh… right. Sorry… she said sheepishly. She was still angry though and the feeling grated on my mind. I felt the bubbling anger and the pain from her nails biting into her fists. Amy was with her, looking at her with uncharacteristic seriousness. She was apologising and leaving the shop. I looked down the hill and saw her figure, standing out like blinding light amongst the crowd, walking to us.

"Is your head okay?" I looked up into Sirius' unhappy face. He seemed unsure of what he was doing and his awkward hands were at a loss.

"Yeah, it just… My sister is really annoyed, kind of uncomfortable on the mind when she starts mentally shouting at me" I said rubbing my head and chuckling.

He looked a little shocked for a moment then seemed to recover. He looked thoughtful for a minute.

"Well, I did say I was sorry" Lara said playfully and I looked up to see her guiltily smiling and walking towards us. I rolled my eyes at her.

James and Sirius seemed to become very entertained as my sister swept her eyes over us all. I figured it had something to do with the overheard conversation. I saw her blush slightly, probably hearing my thoughts.

It was Lily's fault. Let's just say the discussion took a turn…

She was avoiding catching Remus' eyes and I chortled. I walked down the hill to her, patting the said boy lightly on the shoulder. I clasped my sister's hand.

Let's go, I'm exhausted!

"See you guys later" Lara called and we walked away, comparing our stories of the day.

James

I watched the Grey twins walk up the path to school hand in hand. The magic seemed to vibrate around them and I knew they were talking silently to each other. Alex still looked weary.

I glanced behind my shoulder, smirked at my two friends still frowning in their direction.

"Is it just me Wormy, or are those two a little caught up in our good Grey friends?" I whispered and he sniggered.

"They do seem a little… distant" He replied and I grinned at him.

"Oi, dreamers! Are we going to the Three Broomsticks or are we going to stare at the silver haired twins all day" I called to them, watching triumphant as they both blushed. I caught my eye with Paddy's and grinned; he crossed his arms and stared defiantly back.

I turned away, a smirk on my face, and walked down the street. I saw a flash of red hair outside Honeydukes and I grinned, a new bound of hope in my chest at the memory of the overheard conversation, I thanked Lara silently in my head. I knew the exchange was her orchestration and I could wait to prove to Lily that I wasn't just doing it to annoy her… or at least most of it wasn't.

"Lily flower! How are you this fine day" I called, approaching her.

She looked up at me and tried to scowl. Instead it was a mixture of a light blush and a grimace. How beautifully my fire flower was. Things were going to change, I just knew it.

"What do you want Potter?" She said grudgingly, crossing her arms and turning to me "I don't suppose you've seen Lara anywhere"

"Yeah I have actually" I grinned, glad she was actually talking "But I won't tell you anything unless you go out with me"

She scowled and narrowed her eyes at me threateningly. I unconsciously rubbed the faint scar on my wrist from a previous hex.

"Go on, you know you want to" I teased, ignoring the way her hand drifted to her pocket.

"Lara went back up to school with Alex, we just met their father" Remus said good-naturedly from behind me and I sighed. Damn.

Lily frowned at Remus and nibbled her bottom lip.

"Is he okay?" she asked "did he… do anything?"

"Yeah he's fine, just a little tired. He tried to break into his thoughts" He replied and she nodded, frowning, and walked away without sparing me a second glance.

Lara

I pushed open the door to the hospital wing, hoping the door wouldn't creek and alert Pomfrey to my lateness. Luckily it didn't but I knew she'd have noticed anyway.

"Sorry I'm late Madam Pomfrey, I had a bit of trouble with Peeves on the way here" I apologised to the Matron when she looked up at me as I walked in. I hoped pulling the lucky card out with the Matrons dislike of the crazy prankster thing that buzzed around would help, it did.

"That poltergeist is a menace to the school; I don't know how Dumbledore can allow him to stay, humph!" She huffed and waved her hand towards her office. I took the hint and went to change.

I had been working in the hospital for about three weeks now and I found I was already learning a lot. I was given the easiest jobs of course, very little magic involved, but I still got to watch the matron at work. She had loaned me a large book all about the different potions, their effects, and the spells and the inner workings of the body. There was a lot of information and she told me it wasn't even a fraction of what healers had to learn before becoming a healer.

It was crazy how fast my ambitions had increased. I knew without a doubt that this was what I wanted to do. I wanted to help people! I wanted to look down at a patient and know that I could solve their problem, that I could save their life. It was inspiring and made my heart sing to watch the Matron work. I had finished the book she'd given me (three times) and I'd borrowed a whole stack from the library. Madam Pomfrey was impressed!

I knew that I had to get Es in Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defence against the Dark Arts and Herbology. I didn't know what type of Healer I wanted to be yet and I'd been asking the Matron hundreds of questions. It seemed to me Spell damage would be the best department for me.

Once I entered the small room reserved for changing I pulled open the closet that held a small plaque saying Larissa Grey, Junior Helper. I quickly pulled the plum red robe over my top and jeans and secured the apron around my waist. My apron wasn't the full length one that Pomfrey wore, but a simple white cotton one from my waist to just bellow my knees. I pulled my hair into a high pony tail and stepped out of the room.

"Larissa? Could get me two mild calming potions?" Pomfrey asked as I approached her and a weeping second year girl with what looked like a horse tail.

Ahh wizarding schools… Hospital wings in the muggle world must never be used without the danger of hexes, curses, jinxes and all the rest. I quickly went and picked up a pair of the small phials of pale blue liquid I recognised. They were the same (if weaker) as those that I used before and after an episode. I hadn't told Madam Pomfrey that, I could just imagine her react to the fact I had been tortured and suffered from reminiscing PCE (post cruciatus effects). Yes… that would be a bad move.

I carried them to the Matron and she took one from me and indicated to a first year boy in another bed for the other.

So my Sunday evening passed until the end of my duty. I delivered potions to patients, bandaged various minor cuts, changed the bed coverings, took note of patients in the hospital log and other such jobs. At the end of the day I changed out of my uniform and waved good bye to the protective Matron and her one remaining patient.

"How was duty?" Remus asked as I collapsed into the seat by the fire.

I grunted and he chuckled and went back to his homework.

Alex

"Miss Grey, Mr Grey? Could I have a moment please?" I turned back to McGonagall and she beckoned me forward. Lara next to me had a confused look on her face but also obliged. I waved off James and Sirius who looked like they were planning on waiting.

I looked at the transfiguration teacher curiously as she summoned the mirrors we'd been using to check the alterations to our appearance. I unfortunately still had about four hundred freckles thanks to James, something I wasn't happy about, to say the least. Then again, he had a mono brow now (… so not my fault…) so who was I to complain.

"It has come to my attention that you are both very musically talented and I was wondering if you would perform for the school at the Halloween feast. I have had the pleasure of hearing your Aunt, Marilyn Grey, and I know that she taught you, as well as the teacher at Amalia's Witchery Academy, both of whom speak highly of your skill. I'm sure your contribution would really add to the feast. We have tried over the years to encourage more students to take part in events like this but unfortunately they seem to be hesitant. Would you be willing?"

My initial thoughts screamed 'no' and I crossed my arms doubtfully. Lara too was preparing to give a negative response when McGonagall interrupted. She gave us a stern look and Lara bit her lip.

"I want you to think about it but I would like your answer by the start of half term. You may go"

We left the room, each deep in thought. Should we? I didn't particularly want to, I hated recitals as a rule, but I couldn't find sufficient reason not to. Who knows perhaps…

Aw no Alex, resist the temptation! Resist! If you decide you want to do then I'm bound to be dragged along! Lara said hearing the turn in my thoughts.

It might not be too bad…

"I think you should do it"

"Yep you are defiantly not getting out of it"

We looked up shocked and nearly walk straight into four boys. Four evil faces, four Marauder smirks, four brains swelling with cunning and determination. Lara grunted in annoyance and resignation.

Great, now we have the brash quartet of stalkers involved – how the Merlin are we getting out of this one, all we need now is Lily to jump in. I laughed at the nickname of the four boys.

James and Sirius were eyeing us smugly and Remus look curious and Peter excited.

"Is there any way of getting out of this?" She asked half-heartedly.

"No"

"Impossible"

"Not going to happen"

Sirius looked thoughtful.

"Well… you could always bless me with a kiss Lady Greyette?" He smiled sweetly and everyone else glared at him "No? Ah well, I'll get it eventually" He winked at Lara and she shook her head in amusement.

I shifted uncomfortable. Remus was bright red. Lara just smirked, I didn't like the sound of her thoughts.

"Well then I guess we will have to" I said, entertained.

My sister's large pleading eyes turned to me pleadingly and her voice in my head whined like she was five again, don't wannaa!

"If you don't, we'll tell Lily" Remus said with satisfaction dancing in his eyes.

Lara stopped; horror swelling into her eyes as she slowly turned to the boys and scowled at Remus.

Traitor…

I laughed and dragged my sister away by the hand, feeling her resolve collapse.

Now… what should we play…?

Lara

So now we were practicing for the Halloween feast. Yay…

I had re-found the music room from before. The weird painting of dancing trolls still hung where it had before. It had taken a while to get it to appear. When we had arrived the wall where it should have been we found it was tauntingly blank. Then after scratching our heads and pacing a bit (as you do) it suddenly began growing and pushing out of the bare stone. It's completely baffling but that hardly matters now that it's here.

When we entered Alex's eyes became as large as Amy's at the prospect of sugar. That is until I broke down into a fit of giggles.

Alex was playing the piano, after much debate, and I as ever was playing my trusty violin. Aunt Marilyn sent us some music for a duo, lyrics included. It was a German song, haunting but beautiful and I secretly (or a secretly as you could with a psychic brother) relished it playing it. I wasn't so happy with the idea of the whole school hearing it. Damn McGonagall. Damn the Marauders. Damn you Alexander Nathaniel Grey.

What? Hardly my fault…

Needless to say, I was out numbered.

We had two weeks to practice, on top of my increased amount of Quidditch practices, homework, hospital wing duties and fascination with Remus.

And now I had even more problems to add to my growing list; Regulus. The boy kept staring at me! It wasn't a crush (how disgusting would that have been) but a constant demanding curiosity. It was like he knew something I didn't and I really did not like it. His mind was locked and barred against me, even if I did want to break our code of privacy. And yet I could always feel him there, staring, watching my every move and interaction. I hadn't spoken to Sirius about it, scared of how he would react.

It was making me feel ill.

What did he know?

Regulus

I'd been watching her. I knew she'd noticed but I couldn't stop myself. The words of the letter from my father spiralled around my head constantly and I yet I still took to taking it out and rereading it. As if that would make the words vanish.

I wasn't so much as angry, I'd learnt that things like this were rarely under my control and disobeying would fracture the flimsy relationship I had with my mother. She didn't really trust me, not really, not after Sirius made such a failure. I didn't want to lose my mother's favour and risk suspicion from my master.

Nevertheless, I was a bit annoyed that I hadn't even been asked.

I pulled out the heavy parchment and looked back down at the black ink and the broken seal of the Noble and most Ancient House of Black. I didn't have to see the words to read them anymore.

Dear Regulus Black,

As you may or may not be aware, a pair of twins has recently joined Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Their names are Larissa and Alexander Grey. They come from a very strong and pure family of wizards, indeed they are your second cousins on your mother's side. Their father, Alexander Grey S. is a very influential person in the wizarding world and the new order.

Through much deliberation in both families we have arranged that you should be betrothed to Larissa Grey. This is an extraordinary joining of blood and should bring us much influence in the years to come. Through this you can hope to gain a high status in the new order.

At the moment, Miss Grey is unaware of this arrangement though she should learn of it this coming Christmas break. It is also during this time that you shall formally meet and become engaged. I would recommend you take this time to study your future wife. One who knows her well is Darien Irvine, who is also a member of Slytherin, and I should seek him out and question him of her.

I am also aware that you may be concerned about her alliance, due to her sorting but be rest assured that this will not affect your prospects. The Dark Lord himself has given consent and assurance on the matter.

I know you will be just as excited at this fantastic turn of events as your mother and I.

Your proud Father,

Orion Black

'Your future wife'. My future wife. 'The Dark Lord himself has given consent'. Bloody hell.

Bloody hell… I was going to get married. I rubbed my arm unconsciously, a nervous habit. I was getting married to my traitor brother's friend, a Gryffindor I didn't even know. I'd never spoken to her and yet I'd still managed to get her to dislike me. Great first impression, I know. I'm sure we would have just the best relationship. Bloody hell…

I hadn't spoken to Darien about it. I could see he hated the girl, or tried to at least. I knew I would have to have words with him about how he treated her. I couldn't have him trying to kiss my betrothed, after all. I'd almost pulled her out of his hands that time in the Tree Broomsticks but I shouldn't have been worried.

To be honest I was rather smug about my soon to be wife.

Not only was she extremely good looking, all that unusual silver hair and pale skin, those large grey eyes. I thought the name Grey was ill fitted, Silver would have been more appropriate, more regal. But additionally she was strong willed and intelligent. Thank Merlin. Can you imagine being married to a bland, whimsy girl who had to be protected constantly, like most of the pure-bloods? I shivered at the thought. I seemed to have been dealt a lucky hand that was for sure. Now I just had to make sure my cards weren't about to run off.

Oh, I had no delusions that she would be willing in this arrangement; she was a Gryffindor after all. Them with their pride and fool hardy bravery. She, like my brother, was sure to throw away the opportunities given to her for some noble reason. I wasn't going to let that happen.

I suppose I did feel a little sorry for her, like myself, but there was nothing I could or would do about it. It was a good match. Black and Grey.

My future wife…

Bloody hell…

Remus

Half term was approaching fast and with it the full moon. We Marauders were busy planning our next adventure, this time into the forbidden forest. We had to be careful not to bump into Hagrid, the gamekeeper, who we knew quite frequently entered the forest. Not to mention the nest of Acromantula and the Centaurs roaming the place (the latter mainly just stayed out our way though). Didn't want to bump into them… again…

This time though I felt some misgivings. Lara and Alex were suspicious, it wasn't hard to tell. I knew they hadn't believed our lies about visiting my parents and then there was the time in the hospital wing. She hadn't asked anything and she hadn't seemed surprised. But she was frustrated.

The mocking face of the moon was becoming rounder and rounder and I couldn't sleep. The nights dragged on as I tossed and turned. Every morning Alex would look at me with large concerned eyes and Lara would stare and her jaw would clench and unclench. Neither said anything though and I tried to ignore it. I knew it wouldn't take long for them to work it out.

And then what? I wanted desperately to believe they would accept it like my other friends but really I couldn't be sure. People hated… us. For good reason.

But I wanted Lara to understand, more than anything. The amount of times I'd nearly told her then broke off. No, I wasn't going down that route, I wouldn't…

I tried to think on the bright side, always. My friends were with me and the day after I left the hospital wing the twins would be doing their recital. That was something to look forward to. I hadn't known they'd played instruments and I was intrigued to hear if they were good. I didn't doubt they were.

Sirius' brother has been staring at Lara and it doesn't bode well in my mind.