Hello Everyone! I'm sorry I haven't been writing but along with this story, I'm sure a lot of you will be happy to know that I've also been working on the sequel to Travels of a Lioness: Lizzie's Story, and another story that I hope everyone will like. Here's the poll results so far:
Remus: 4
Severus: 2
Sirius: 6
Also, I'm going to skip forward quite a bit from when we last left off, to the end of the year actually. Also, there's only a bit of time left to submit an answer to the poll. Now, on with the chapter.
"Are you completely sure, Miss. Lupus?" Albus Dumbledore was the most infuriating man. I'd said yes thousands of times.
"Professor, kindly do not ask me that again. I will be leaving Abbigale in the company of Aunt Minerva and will be leaving tonight." It was the night before the graduation ceremony and everyone had already taken their N.E.W.T.s. I wasn't going back to my original time, it would feel too foreign to me now. I was going to kill Voldemort. I'd already destroyed Ravenclaw's diadem, there was four left. The locket, the ring, the cup, and the diary. Harry's scar and the snake hadn't been made into horocruxes yet, and I'd killed the diadem. I knew that it was time to go. I hadn't told Ginny, though I thought that she knew. I'd be leaving all five of them letters. Finally, Dumbledore nodded.
"Good luck, dear. I hope to see you in the future."
"As do I, sir. It will mean that we are both still alive." He nodded again. "Give this to Aunt Minerva, and read this when I'm gone." I handed him two letters, each labeled and then turned and left his office, throwing my cloak around me. I no longer thought of it as Harry's. It'd been eight long months since Harry had used this cloak. Eight months since I'd been thrown back in time and joined the Marauders. Seven months since I'd fallen in love with... Couldn't think of that. I was leaving tonight and no one would be going with me. The person I desired didn't belong to me, but to his future. A future that I would fix. I entered the dorms silently, moving swiftly. I reached inside my pocket and pulled out four letters and laid them on the bedside table of each of my boys. My boys. How long since it had been Harry and Ron that had held that position? I sighed heavily, the only noise that I'd made since I'd said the password to the common room. I cast one last glance at the people who'd become my family all too quickly. I turned and fled down the stairs before I could change my mind. No time for that, must deliver Lily and Ginny's letters and then leave before anyone wakes up. I did so, taking longer than necessary by Ginny. I'd explained to her, in the letter. No one but the recipiant could read the letters, so I wasn't worried. According to the old Remus, they hadn't shared the letters anyway. I sighed again, and held my breath as Ginny twitched. I moved out of the room once she'd settled again, checking my pocket to make sure I still had my minimized trunk. I whistled for Ara to come and she did so, slumped slightly in sadness. I held my wand steady, the cloak over us as we moved out into the cold. Once at Hogwarts gates, I apparated us away, not knowing when or if I would see them again. The last thing I saw was a pair of blue eyes looking from a window in the castle. The eyes had stopped twinkling.
Dumbledore
The poor child. No, not child. Miss Granger had grown up into a woman while she was here. I sighed in sadness before opening the letter she'd given me. I had no doubt that Minerva and I were not the only ones who had gotten them.
Professor Dumbledore,
You told me once that the you thought that parallel universes existed, so that the future is changeable. I don't know if you're right, but I'm going to try. If I die, I want you to give the container inserted in the letter to Ron and Harry once I disappear. They had already begun to suspect that I'd been hiding something from them. Tell the Remus, Severus, Minerva and Poppy of that time that I'm sorry I won't be coming back to them. If I suceed, I expect you to destroy the container. No one else is to listen to it, not even you. Only those six. I hope that you won't have to give it to them, but if I die, it will be needed. Keep it safe, it is my life. Thank you, for supporting me. I believe that you should know that I've enclosed a spell inside Ginny's letter that will allow her to go home, if she chooses. If she doesn't, she'll be Abbigale Lupus totally and completely. Do not forget what you promised me two months into my visit here. Thank you.
Hermione Granger, Puella Lupus, Saviour, Defender, Hope, Light, and fifth Marauder.
I sighed as I took the container that had been magically inserted in the envelope and locked it away with my treasured possesions. I hoped that I'd never have to give it to the six. They'd be heartbroken. As light filled the sky, I heard two distinct howls of pain and knew that Mr. Black and Mr. Lupin had found their letters. An explosion in the dungeons, loud enough to wake the whole castle, showed the Mr. Snape had also found his. I sighed, it was not a good day.
Sirius
I woke up to light filtering in the windows and birds chirping. We were graduating today. The day I'd been awaiting and dreading all of my life. It was a happy day. I yawned and stretched like the dog I was, before getting up. My stomach dropped when I saw Remus staring at his table. I saw a letter with my name on it on mine. It shouldn't have made my palms sweat, nor my stomach clench in fear. It shouldn't have, but it did. For some illogical reason, I was afraid of what that letter might contain. I hesitantly reached for it, and saw Remus do the same across the room. I recognized the handwriting immeadiatly. Ella. I read, stomach clenching tighter at each word.
Sirius Black, Padfoot, Loyal, Friend, Brother, Light, and second Marauder.
Sirius, this is so hard. You have no clue how hard. How does one tell her family goodbye? How does one move from the brightest light, into the darkest shadow? That is what I'm doing. I'm writing this, because it would be too hard to face you and tell you goodbye. To tell all of you goodbye. You'll probably hate me for this. I'm not coming back until Voldemort is dead, by my hand or someone else's. I know how to destroy him. Abby will try to follow me, I know she will. Don't let her. McGonagall and Dumbledore will take care of her, but she'll need you and Remus and James and Lily. I'm taking Ara, so she'll be all alone. She knew nothing, so don't blame her for not realizing that I would be leaving. Neither did anyone, except Dumbledore. He knew the exact date that I would leave. There will be nothing but grief for me unless Voldemort is dead. I beg that you understand, but will understand if you don't. I have a few pieces of advice for you. First is Peter. He doesn't feel like he belongs in the Marauders. Make him feel like he does. Second, don't let James, Lily, Remus and Peter drift away or become lost in depression. Third, and most importantly, do not try to find me. I am going where no one can follow and will be facing dangers that Alastor Moody couldn't handle. Take care and know I'll always be there when you need me. Remember one thing, live as if everyday is your last. Live as if you won't be here tomorrow. Live and do all you keep putting off. Live for me.
Puella Lupus, Ella, Wolfpaw, Saviour, Defender, Hope, Light, and fifth Marauder.
Always, Forever, Once and for All, I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good.
I gulped back tears that threatened to overwhelm me. My friend, my pack-mate, Ella was gone. It overwhelmed me and I howled with tears as my counterform would do. I howled with sadness and dispair and knew Moony was doing the same. Somewhere in the castle I heard a humongous boom and knew that she must have left Snape a letter too.
Remus
Ella. The name rang through my head as I looked at the letter on my table. I wouldn't open it, not yet. Sirius' face told me enough. She was gone. She wasn't coming back. Ella. Abbigale too? I didn't know, and I didn't care. Ella. Moony howled in my chest, and the human part was in complete agreement for once. We howled together, out loud, letting our pain fill the room, ignoring all else. I vaguely heard James and Peter scrambling out of bed, begging Sirius and I to tell them what was wrong. All I could do was point at their letters. James paled as he read his, Peter fainted, James rushed to the bottom of the stairs and I heard him bellow for Lily and Abbigale with a hoarse voice. Ella. I heard him desperately cry for Ella as if she'd answer if he called hard enough. Ella. Sirius collasped in exhaustion, falling unconcious. I would follow soon. She's gone. That was the last thought I had before collapsing on my bed. I vaguely recalled Abby rushing in, tears streaming, face pale. Ella.
I want to know what you all think of this change in direction.