Chapter 64: Bad News
"Mate, deflate your ego a bit and apologize to Lily." Sirius commented as the three guys walked towards the Whomping Willow for their monthly animagus transformation.
"It's not my fault to start with." James said stubbornly. "So why should I apologize??"
"Lily is quite headstrong as well." Peter commented to no one in particular.
"What happen when two stubborn people come together??" Sirius joked.
"Head crash??" Peter answered anyhow.
"Nah." Sirius replied. "Marry is the word." Both Sirius and Peter burst into laughter.
"Haha. Very funny." James remarked dryly.
"Let's hurry up. Don't keep Moony waiting." Sirius said as he transformed into a big black dog once they were out in the dark school grounds. James and Peter did their transformation as quickly as possible shortly. Peter dashed through the moving branches of the Whomping Willow to freeze the tree and the three of them slipped swiftly into the tunnel.
"What are those animals that slipped underneath the Whomping Willow??" Lily asked Arabella and Stefanie. The three girls were hanging out in Gryffindor common room. The Marauders absence had made the common room a more peaceful and pleasant place for most students.
"There's nothing out there." Arabella took a quick glance at the Whomping Willow. "Are you sure you're not hallucinating or something?? That place leads to, you know where. And no one else knows about it besides us."
"I strangely thought I saw a stag and dog going down the tunnel. The tree seems to stop moving for them to enter."
"You're going nuts. It's only the third week of school, my dear."
"I'm not stressed up or anything. I know I saw something. The question is what is it."
"I think the answer is go and sleep."
"Bell!!"
"Lils!!"
"Bell, I think it's time Lily should know about it." Stefanie spoke up suddenly.
"You know it as well??"
"What's going on?? And why are you hiding from me??"
"James, Sirius and Peter are animagi." Stefanie whispered to Lily's ear.
"W-what??" Lily was surprised. "It's not an easy thing to master."
"They had mastered it and even perfected it without any guidance."
"How come you two know about it??"
"I don't know about Bell, but Remus told me about it."
"I can see the future. I already knew this was going to happen back in first year."
"Argh.. I'm the last to know."
"It doesn't matter, right?? James is your enemy and why would you want to know stuff about him??"
"Oh ya, that reminds me. Drats, I'm totally curious about the A-thing."
"Then you ask them yourself."
"Stef, tell me all that you know about it."
"I don't know. Rem doesn't, you know, transform with magic. He can do it automatically."
"You gotta ask James, Sirius and Peter if you wanna know more."
"James pissed me off so I don't want to talk to him. That egomaniac."
"Then you ask Sirius."
"But Sirius practically glued to James like Chang and Eng."
"They don't."
"They don't??"
"They don't do everything together."
"Well, not everything. But I mean most things."
"There is one thing that James and Sirius never do together and I'm sure about it."
"What??"
"Ask the same girl out."
"Huh??"
"Sirius asked Bell out."
"It was one of their joke."
"It wasn't. I think he sort of meant it."
"That's probably because he doesn't want to be stuck with James."
"Yeah, right. Bell, no one knows better than you do."
"So can someone tell me what's going on between the guys??"
"Basically James, Sirius and Peter want to keep Remus company during his monthly thing. This was like a gift to him and indeed it helps a lot. Remus is much happier and the guys all look forward to this day which they spend the nights exploring the forbidden school grounds."
"Sounds pretty cool."
"Don't tell me you want to try that??"
"Why not?? They can do it so can we."
"Lils, you don't have a need to be one."
"It sounds fun, ya know??"
"It's not easy."
"They figured it out."
"Don't you know James topped Transfig. for like five years in a row??"
"Oh, well."
"Don't bother about it. Ask him teach you after you two get married."
"ARABELLA!!"
"Tiring day." James commented. It was the day after their night out as animals. As always, they slept throughout most lessons except for Potions.
"I need to sleep." Sirius let out a loud yawn.
"Cover your mouth. It stinks."
"I just woke up from my nap. The toothbrush is in our dorm."
"I can't take it already. Going to skip dinner for sleep." James turned towards the direction of Gryffindor tower. "Wormtail, you coming??"
"Yup." Peter was apparently too tired to talk as well. His dark eye rings were obvious from the lack of beauty rest.
"Count me in. Hit the kitchens after that." Sirius ran after James and Peter.
"For once you chose sleep over food." James remarked jokingly.
"Because we can still get food later, I'm turning to a walking zombie." The three guys made their way up to the tower in their fastest pace.
"Potter and Black, Dumbledore would like to have you in his office now." Professor McGonagall's voice boomed across the moving staircases.
"Argh, bad timing." Sirius muttered. James and Sirius exchanged a questioning look. Peter looked rather puzzled as well.
"Can it wait??" James asked pleadingly.
"I'm afraid not. It's urgent." Professor McGonagall said sternly.
"See you later." James told Peter as he and Sirius followed Professor McGonagall towards Dumbledore's office.
"I wonder what happened." Sirius muttered sleepily. Professor McGonagall gave the two youngsters a disapproving look but remained silent.
"Professor Dumbledore, you looking for us??" James asked curiously as the two guys stepped into the ancient headmaster's office again. It was the first time for this year but at least several hundred times over the last few years.
"Take a seat first." Dumbledore said in a forbidding manner. James and Sirius exchanged a look, sensing that something was terribly wrong.
"I've some news for you." Dumbledore paused for a moment and continued. "Voldemort and his Deatheaters attacked the Ministry today."
"What happened??" James asked fearfully. It can't be!! It can't be that!! Sirius was rooted to the seat, not knowing what he should say.
"James, I'm sorry to say that Voldemort had killed your father today. Your mother is in St. Mungo due to the shock." Dumbledore was studying James' response. "Sirius, your father managed to escape, but your mother, she's – dead."
"This can't be happening!!" Sirius practically screamed. James was still in a slight daze from the shocking news.
"There's a time for grieving. But you must be strong, we all must be strong enough to fight Voldemort."
"What about Fion??" James spoke up after a few moments of silence.
"Witnesses had said that she was captured by the Deatheaters. We've to remain hopeful that she's still alive."
"But she'll be tortured."
"Fion is a brave girl. She'll make it through." James remained silent. I can't believe this is happening so soon.
"Where's my father??"
"He's coming soon."
"Does Stefanie know??"
"Professor McGonagall had gone to fetch her over."
"I can't believe this is happening." James said to himself.
"You may come in." Dumbledore spoke up suddenly. Stefanie emerged from the doorway.
"Sirius?? James?? Professor, is something wrong??" Stefanie asked in great fear. She was practically trembling.
"Mum's dead." Sirius told Stefanie.
"No!! This can't be happening!!" Stefanie broke into tears and fell back onto the extra chair, which was magicked out.
"Stef, we still have dad." Sirius said softly, not knowing how his younger sister is going to accept the facts.
"This is a terrible thing. But we must be strong. Your parents were the most admirable people I ever knew. They would want you to be strong and fight Voldemort, not for revenge but to prevent more sufferings." Dumbledore eyed the three teenagers; each of them had a different expression.
"Don't worry, Professor. I'm going to fight against Voldemort and defeat him myself, for the sake of my family." James said in a very determined voice.
"I'm not going to let him off." Sirius said with deep hatred for Voldemort.
"I shall fight with him till the very end." Stefanie said in determinedly.
"That's the spirit. Grieving over our loved one is what made us human. But we must be strong. Together as one, we shall defeat him."
"I wonder what happened." Lily said. Stefanie had already gone for an hour and Lily was getting worried.
"Stef's mother is dead – killed by Voldemort." Arabella said, knowing very well what's happening.
"This can't be happening." Lily exclaimed.
"It is. James' father is killed by Voldemort as well."
"Oh no!! How could all these be happening??"
"Voldemort is the cause of all these unhappiness."
"How can we defeat him??"
"It would be tough. But someday he would disappear once and for all."
"Can you disclose how?? We've to stop these."
"We can't. We've to let nature takes it course."
"At a particular day in the future, when the elements of life fits and the seven objects come together as one, that will be the day when Voldemort is defeated."
"What do you mean?? When will that day come??"
"At least twenty years from now."
"Dad!!" Jason Alphard Black appeared from the fireplace. He was looking much more haggard and tired than anyone could remember.
"Sirius, Stefanie, my dears." The three of them got into a long lingering hug before they broke away. "I love you." Sirius and Stefanie remained quiet in silent tears.
"James, I'm sorry that happened." Jason looked at James apologetically.
"Can you please tell me what happened??" James requested.
"Voldemort and his Deatheaters apparated to the atrium in the Ministry and started their killing. Your father, a brave man, had fought with him single-handedly. From the many exchange of curses and hexes, Voldemort hit him with the Cruciatus Curse. Despite all the pain he was suffering, he refused to relent. In the end, the Killing Curse killed him. Voldemort then apparated off." He turned to look at Sirius and Stefanie before continuing. "We went to the Potters which was hidden by the Fidelius Charm of course and your mother was at the Ministry that particular day. And then – at our house – we found the body of your mother." Jason closed his eyes; the thought was too much for him to bear.
"What abut Fion??"
"We believed that she was captured by Voldemort. That was pure rumor." James gritted his teeth and clasped his fists. His blood was boiling with anger.
"Stef sweetheart, you must be strong. Be daddy's strong little girl no matter what happen. Promise to protect yourself from harm." Stefanie nodded, still in tears. Jason gave his daughter a loving fatherly hug.
"Sirius, there's something I must be tell you." Mr. Black told Sirius. "Something that even your mother didn't know about."
"What is it??" Sirius asked questioningly.
"You're not my biological son."
"What??" A stunned Sirius questioned. "W-what do you mean??"
"Hear me out first." Jason looked away. "You're actually my nephew. You're actually my brother's son, who is named Sirius Black as well." Sirius looked at the man whom he had called 'father' all his life. "I was kicked out of the family twenty years ago for being the 'decent' son and married a half-blood."
"B-but how did you adopt me??" Sirius questioned.
"Stefanie did have a twin brother, the three of you were born barely a day apart from one another at St. Mungo. I supposed it was kind of ESP thing, my brother and I both named our son Sirius Black. There was a mixed-up in the hospital I supposed and the two babies were switched. I did not realize that until when you were about five. I met my nephew, and he had a patch of darken birthmark on his left forearm, which I was sure my son had when he was born but disappeared the next day when I saw him."
"Oh."
"No one else noticed that at all. Not even my brother and his wife. I decided to leave the situation to the way it is. There was no loss or whatsoever. We both have a son named Sirius. The poor child was brought up in such a horrible family. When he was ten, he died of a muggle illness, liukimia or something." Jason paused. "Anyway they had another son, Regulus, and I didn't want to return you to them. My brother and I were barely in speaking terms, which was an understatement. But now, I'm not left with much of a choice. I just sent them an owl telling them about it."
"But what about you?? Where are you going??" Sirius asked.
"Fight Voldemort. That is the only thing I truly want to do right now." Jason said in a determined voice.
"Honey, I've made the necessary arrangements for you already. Don't worry about me, okay?? Protect yourself well." Jason touched the necklace, which Stefanie was wearing.
"Dad, can you not go??" Stefanie pleaded.
"I can't. I need to." Jason said hesitatedly.
"But-"
"No buts. Promise me you'll live your life well."
"I promise." Stefanie gave her father a hug, her eyes tearing.
"Sirius, this is the address to – your home." Jason hanged a small piece of parchment.
"Number twelve, Grimmauld Place, London??"
"That's the place. It's hidden from the muggle, but you shouldn't have much problems going there." Jason spoke in a serious tone. "Whether you're staying or not, it's up to you. I want you to know your family history and meet your parents."
"Professor, can I go to St. Mungo to see my mother??" James requested.
"Yes, you may. But I don't want any of you to go anywhere alone." Dumbledore commanded.
"I'll go with him, Sir." Sirius offered.
"We're going with him too." Stefanie spoke. Arabella had informed Remus and the three of them had hurried to Dumbledore's office to join their three friends.
"We'll stick together as one." Remus added.
"Thanks guys." James said gratefully and smiled appreciatively as his friends.
"Dumbledore was really understanding to give us a couple of days off." Lily said suddenly. The girls' dormitory was deafeningly silence for several hours ever since they returned from Dumbledore's office the night before.
"Stef, take care of yourself." Joey gave Stefanie a pat on her shoulders and a hug.
"Thanks."
"Take care." Samantha gave Stefanie a bear hug.
"Stef, you ready to go??" Arabella asked in a patient voice. They were leaving Hogwarts for several days to accompany Stefanie, James and Sirius home.
"Yes." For once, Stefanie had packed her necessities into a normal Deuter backpack just like Lily and Arabella.
"Sorry Wormtail, we need to be away for a couple of days." Remus said apologetically.
"It's alright." Peter said. "I can manage."
"Padfoot, you done??" James called out to Sirius who was in the bathroom.
"Soon." A muffled voice called out from inside.
"Moony, you done??"
"Ever ready. I'm just waiting for you."
"Done. Let's get going." Sirius said.
"Bye guys." Peter greeted.
"Bye Wormtail." James and Sirius said as they carried their backpacks and left the boys' dormitory on a sunny Saturday morning. Most of the students were still in bed while the three Marauders, together with three other girls, were going to floo away for Hogwarts.
The six teenagers walked in silence towards Dumbledore's office so that they can go via the fireplace.
"Pringles." Lily said after the six of them stepped firmly on the moving gargoyle.
"Come in." Dumbledore's voice called from inside the moment they landed up at the doorway of Dumbledore's office.
"Good morning Professor." The six of them chorused.
"Morning." Dumbledore said warmly. "Floo to the Potter's Manor and settle there for these few days. It's the safest place from Voldemort and his Deatheaters."
Stefanie, with Lily and Arabella on each side, stepped into the fireplace and called out 'Potter's Manor'.
"Take care of one another. It's important to united together in this time of need." Dumbledore told the three remaining guys.
"We will." James assured. The three guys stepped into the fireplace and said 'Potter's Manor' and disappeared into the green smoke.