Chapter 7
"Where the hell have the two of you been? It is almost eleven and you two have just come in," James roared. Sirius and I just came in from our date out at the lake. It looked like James had made everyone stay up with him too. Peter was completely knocked out on the couch and Remus was nodding off in the chair. Only Lily seemed to be wide awake besides James.
"Calm down mate, we were at the lake," Sirius said calmly. He had his arm around my waist.
"Oh really, out by the lake, huh? I know how you are with girls Sirius and I just want to make it clear you know that that is my sister," James said angrily shaking his finger at Sirius.
"I know who Gwen is James. I wouldn't do anything to Gwen she didn't want me to; she's too smart for me," Sirius said his temper rising.
"Why in the bloody world is your hair so wet?" James accused rounding on to me.
"Sirius taught me how to swim. And for your information James, I am smarter than Sirius so I can take care of myself. I most certainly don't need an annoying brother shoving down every boyfriend's throat I have, especially when he's your best mate. Trust him," I yelled before storming off to my dormitory and going to bed.
It took James a while to get use to Sirius and me dating but he eventually did. Personally, I think Remus talked some sense into him. It was almost Christmas and all the Marauders were coming over and Lily would be there for New Years.
"Excuse me Gwen Potter, I have a message from Dumbledore." We were sitting at the Gryffindor table at lunch and a Hufflepuff's was delivering the message.
"Thanks," I muttered and took the note and opened it.
"What does it say?" Sirius asked looking over my shoulder. I quickly scanned the page before replying.
"It just says that James and I are needed in his office as soon as possible," I replied. James looked up when he heard his name.
"What? Did someone say my name?" he asked stupidly. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Can you stop snogging your girlfriend for five minutes? We're needed in Dumbledore's office," I said. James was about to protest but I cut him off. "He says it's urgent." James nodded and followed me out of the hall.
"Can I see the note Gwen?" James asked on our way to Dumbledore's office. I nodded and handed it to him. He read it silently then handed it back his face was white.
"James what's wrong? What do you thing the note means?" I asked nervously. James shook his head.
"It's nothing," James replied quietly. I snorted.
"You are such a liar James. I am almost 17; I'm not a little girl anymore," I said hotly.
"Look, Dumbledore will explain. I don't know anything for sure but I've seen kids get these notes before," James replied.
"And what happened?" I asked cautiously. James shrugged and didn't reply. We were silent the rest of the way to Dumbledore's office. He was waiting for us by the gargoyles guarding his office. He nodded and led us inside without saying a word. He walked around his desk to sit in his chair.
"Why don't you have a seat?" Dumbledore finally said after a few minutes of silence.
"I think I'll stand thanks," James said edgily. I took as seat across from Dumbledore. He nodded and went on.
"I find that it is easier to start a story at the beginning so I think I will take my own advice. Professor McGonagall and I are in the Order of the Phoenix, yes, along with your parents. This week it was held at your home and when we arrived there, the dark mark was hanging above the house…"
"Thank you professor, that's enough," James interrupted. I jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Alright then, Mr. Potter. I know we privately discussed this but are you and your friends still thinking about joining the order once you graduate?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes," Jams replied shortly, his face hard. He looked angry. I have never seen him like this before.
"Then you can go now Mr. Potter. Don't worry, Gwen won't be far behind." James nodded and left the room.
"Professor, can you explained all this to me again. Mum and Dad are dead, aren't they?" I asked quietly. Dumbledore sighed before replying.
"I'm sorry Gwen but yes, both your parents are dead. Judging by the way they were killed, Voldemort did it himself," said Dumbledore gravely. I nodded unable to speak.
"I was looking at you grades and the comments some of the other professors have said about you and you qualify to graduate early. You just need a reason and to pass the N.E.W.T's," Dumbledore said staring at me hard.
"And why would I need to graduate early Professor?" I asked already knowing the answer.
"To join the order. You will be 17 next month so you will be of age," Dumbledore explained.
"This war has gotten really bad really fast, hasn't it professor?" I asked. All Dumbledore could do was nod. Taking a deep breath, I made my decision.
"I'll do it professor." Dumbledore nodded before replying.
"I will arrange for you to take your N.E.W.T's at the end of term. You can go now," I nodded and left the office.
I slowly walked out of Dumbledore's office and down the empty hallways to the common room. Dinner was finished but I wasn't hungry anyway. I was so angry. I should be crying right now but I couldn't. I was even trying to cry but it was no use. When I got to the common room, everyone was laughing and talking but I paid no attention. I went over to the fire and sat with Remus, Peter, and Sirius.
"Hey Gwen," Sirius said smiling his usual 'you're my girlfriend' smile. I went to sit down next to him.
"Hey Sirius, Remus, Peter. Where's James?" I asked scanning the room for him and Lily snogging in a corner.
"He is up in the dormitory with Lily. He was really upset about something," Remus replied.
"Yeah, it was really scary," Peter added. Sirius was looking at me strangely before he broke the silence.
"Gwen, are you alright? Even you look upset," Sirius said scooting closer to me on the couch. I nodded before looking away. Damn why did the tears have to come now?
"No, something is wrong. You can't lie to me. Gwen, talk to me please," Sirius pleaded. I heard the concern in his voice and that just made it worse. I quickly wiped away my tears and turned to face him. I opened my mouth to reply but nothing came out.
"It's alright", Sirius said understandingly. "Calm down, everything will be alright," Sirius grabbed me gently and pulled me close to a point where I was resting up against his chest and I cried silently. Sirius caressed my hair away from my face and rested his chin on the top of my head. Eventually the tears stopped.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Sirius asked. I sat up and looked at him; he was so sweet. How did I get so lucky?
"I don't know if I can Sirius. I'm too afraid of crying again," I whispered, my voice shaking.
"Can you tell me what made James so mad? Even I haven't seen him like that before," said Sirius. I went into my pocket and handed Sirius the note the Hufflepuff gave to me.
"Have you seen any students getting these?" I asked him he read the note before replying.
"Yeah, they usually mean a family member passed away. But that was before the war. Now it means that a family member was murdered," Sirius explained. I stood up my mood changing from sad to infuriated.
"He knew…he knew and he didn't tell me. He told me that it was nothing," I said angrily, tears streaming down my face.
"What?" Sirius asked looking confused.
"James. We were walking to Dumbledore's office when he asked to see the note. After he read it he went white but when I asked about it he said it was nothing. I wish that stupid git would stop protecting me," I added angrily.
"Who died?" Sirius whispered. My face changed back and I sat down.
"Mum and dad," I whispered back. Sirius closed his eyes and breathed deeply before replying.
"I'm sorry, the reason James said that was because he didn't want you to be upset about your parents death before Dumbledore told you. He's just protecting you from the world. He thinks the less you know the more you are protected. He also just wants you safe and happy," Sirius explained putting his arm around me and pulling me close. I nodded, all the emotions running through my head, tiring me out until I fell asleep.