Chapter 70: Surprises
"We're going to miss you so much, you know??" Stefanie told Arabella. The three girls wanted to have a heart-to-heart session together without any disturbance and of course, they went straight to the Room of Requirement. This time it was equipped with three comfy couches with butterbeers that tasted similar to those in Three Broomsticks.
"So do I. The last five years were the most amazing time of my life." It was Arabella last week in Hogwarts before she would leave and return to the orphanage she had stayed before Hogwarts. Dumbledore had done all the necessary arrangements to make sure she would not feel uncomfortable leading a non-magical lifestyle.
"I don't think I can ever forgive myself for causing you to lose your magical ability." Lily said honestly.
"Lils, you know I never blame you for that??"
"I know. You're just so wonderful and nice."
"Anyway I'm going to enjoy myself in Hogwarts for the last week."
"We can ask Dumbledore to excuse us from lessons so we can accompany you for the whole week. We can go Hogsmeade too."
"We save that for the next weekend, together with the guys??"
"They probably go Hogsmeade so often until they had gotten bored of the place."
"Remember there's a secret passageway that leads all the way to Honeydukes."
"I nearly had forgotten about that tunnel."
"Lily and James discovered it."
"Someone made it first."
"Anyway it's nearly Christmas, maybe you can come back during that time??"
"That's a great idea, Lils."
"We can ask Dumbledore for permission."
"What did you Mum say about you leaving Hogwarts??"
"She knew about it. In fact she said we would meet up really soon again. But she didn't tell me when would that be."
"It's a great idea." Remus agreed, laughing at the same time.
"Padfoot, this gotta be your best idea." James laughed.
"It's great, but feasible??" Peter spoke.
"Wormtail, no worries. It's me who mastermind this." Sirius boasted confidently.
"The problem why we should worry is because it's you who mastermind it." Remus said as if it was the most obvious thing on earth.
"So when are we going to go about doing it??" James said in a faked serious tone.
"Bell, I'm going to miss you so much!!" Samantha said and gave Arabella a big hug.
"Me too." Arabella's eyes were getting a little teary.
"It's so different if you're not around." Joey hugged Arabella tightly after Samantha released her. It was Monday evening and Arabella had skipped all the lessons for the day. Most of the student population was questioning Arabella's absence but no one knew what was the truth behind it.
"I can't help it. I need to leave. Family matters." Arabella lied since it was impossible not to tell Joey and Samantha anything. She could not tell them the truth either.
"We're your friends. If you need any help, we'll be there." Joey said sincerely.
"Thanks." I don't think you can help me in any way. Arabella thought sadly but she mustered up the happiest smile she could.
"Shall we dress up together the night before you leave??" Samantha suggested.
"That's a great idea." Arabella smiled, her eyes shinning.
"So let's have a dressing up party this Friday??" Lily asked.
"No problem." The five girls had the same expression, knowing what one another was thinking.
It's like the old times. I'm going to miss them so much. They're my friends, my closest girlfriends. Arabella thought as she looked at each of her roommate, reminiscing the old times in her head.
"Prongs and Wormtail, kitchens." Sirius instructed. "Moony, girls." The Marauders were having their usual Marauder's discussion, except this time it was not an ordinary prank, but an extraordinary birthday-cum-farewell present for Arabella.
"Yes, sir." The three guys pretended to salute to Sirius and left their dormitory.
"So you two keep Bell busy until 6pm." Remus was telling Lily and Stefanie about the Marauder's plan for Arabella as they walked along the corridors, heading back to the Gryffindor tower after class on a Friday evening.
"So you guys planned this for very long??" Lily asked, touched by their gesture.
"Not really. It was ready last night." Remus laughed. "Relatively simple to go about doing it."
"What a havoc we're going to have tonight." Stefanie remarked.
"Make havoc an understatement for tonight." Remus teased.
"The most important is that Bell gotta enjoy herself."
"That's why Sirius suggested that."
"Sirius suggested??"
"Yes, it was his idea from the beginning."
"Wow. I didn't know Sirius would do a thing like this."
"Afterall those bickering with Bell for so many years, I believed he would miss her when she's gone."
"I know my bro will."
"Who knows what he might do tonight??"
"What do you mean??"
"Marauders do swear to secrecy."
"I'm your girlfriend."
"I can't tell a secret of my best friends."
"Sirius is my brother, or cousin if you call it."
"Sirius is a Marauder in case you forget."
"Alright. Fine."
"C'mon, don't be angry." Remus started tickling Stefanie, which she shrieked in ticklishness.
"I think I better make my move first." Lily laughed at the happy couple with a smile. They must be the luckiest couple on earth. So sweet together. She wondered off up the moving staircases towards Gryffindor tower. Must catch Bell before she finds out about the party. With that she walked at a faster pace.
"Prongs, I'm meeting someone first. Catch ya later." Peter said and left the dormitory within a minute.
"Huh??" James shrugged and the door closed. So what do I do now?? Already helped Sirius with the foodstuffs. James looked over at the corner of the room where a heap of chips and finger food stacked up to a mini mountain in their dormitory. Let me see where the rest are. He dug out their priced Marauder's Map from the bottom of Sirius' trunk, knowing that he must had been the last person to use it.
"I solemnly swear I'm up to no good." James muttered with the wand tapping against the slightly old looking parchment. "Si, hmm, at the lake with Bell. Interesting. Rem and Stef, running around the fourth floor corridor together, expected. Pete, with Gracie, hmm. Lily alone." James studied the map for awhile, thinking a little." So much for Remus informing the girls to keep Bell busy. First sign showing Padfoot's plan isn't all that smooth. James gave a small laugh at the thought and disabled the map and then hid it under his trunk this time.
Bell leaving Hogwarts in just two days time. And I'm going to miss her so much. It would be really strange without her in our dorm. Everything would be so different. Lily was not concentrating where she was walking because she could just reach the Pink Lady subconsciously. I wonder how will she handle the life after Hogwarts. All those magical powers were gone, just because of my stupidity and impulse. Lily climbed more stairs, barely missing the hole in the staircase. Maybe I could check the library if there's anything I can do to regain her powers. The thought of keeping Arabella busy until after dinner had totally slipped out of her mind as she turned and start making her way towards the library.
I thought Lily is heading towards the Gryffindor tower. James looked around the moving staircase to check for any trace of a redhead heading upstairs. He walked aimlessly down the steps, greeting many people and stopping for small talks with some friends and his fans.
"Hey James."
"Hi."
"Where are you heading??"
"To the – library."
"That's hardworking. It's Friday afternoon."
"Yeah, no choice. Need something from there."
"See ya around."
"Bye." James started walking again. He barely walked down three levels and he had already been stopped for six times. Since I told who-knows-how-many people that I'm going to the library, maybe I just go there first then decide what to do.
"Regaining magical ability." Lily muttered to herself as she browsed through the row of books in front of her. "Magic for Squibs." Her finger glided through the thick leather covers of the books, trying to find something useful. The library was usually less populated on Fridays and Saturdays when most of the students would be having fun other than a handful few who hang out their doing something known as homework.
The library is definitely a good hiding place on Friday afternoons. James walked into the quiet library, giving a wave at the library behind the counter. Hmm.. What book should I look for?? Transfig?? DA?? He walked along the shelves of books aimlessly, looking for any book that might catch his eye from the shelves.
"Learning Magic from Scratch." Lily mumbled and took out the book and flipped a few pages, found that it was useless and put it back on its original location and continued looking for another book.
"Lily??"
"Huh??" Lily looked up and saw James. "Hi James." She continued looking at title after title for a useful book.
"What are you doing here on a Friday afternoon??"
"People do patronize our dear old library in case you didn't know that."
"Of course I know. But I don't expect you to be here though."
"I suddenly thought that there might be some books in the library that can help Bell."
"Actually I don't think there's anything we can do. Dumbledore can't help her, what can we do??"
"You've got a point. But Dumbledore might not have read every book in the library."
"I'm sure he had read most of them."
"Well, at least I'm not giving up."
"I don't mean giving up or anything. Just that we've to accept reality."
"Reality is real cruel."
"That's reality. Otherwise we would be in fantasy."
"Oh, well."
"Let's get out for some fresh air."
"Alright then." Lily returned the book she was holding back to its original location and left the library with James. "Oh, I nearly forgot to go find Bell."
"You don't need to."
"Why not??"
"Sirius is with her now."
"Huh??"
"You know that Sirius?? He's with her now by the lake."
"How did you – oh, the map."
"That's smart of you."
"But why did Remus called Stef and I to keep her busy in the first place??"
"You know that it's Sirius' plan right??"
"Yup."
"And Sirius' plans had never go according to the plan."
"I didn't know that."
"Now you know."
"Yeah, now I know."
"Wanna go Hogsmeade for awhile??"
"Tomorrow is Hogsmeade weekend."
"Do you want to go and squeeze the Three Broomsticks with those younger kids??"
"We aren't that old, okay??"
"We're in sixth year already, in case you had forgotten."
"Thank you for reminding me that I'm old."
"We're old."
"Alright, alright. We actually wanted to ask you guys out to Hogsmeade tomorrow."
"Sounds cool. But we gotta be back by six for Bell's birthday-cum-farewell party."
"We've two hours to kill till six."
"Alright then, since I've nothing better to do." Lily said and started leading the way forward.
"Err, the statue is downstairs." James reminded and pointed at the staircase on their right.
"You alright??" Sirius asked and took a seat beside Arabella. He had just checked the Marauder's Map and found Arabella alone by the lake and he had decided to offer his company.
"Who said you can sit here??" Arabella questioned with the lack of the usual bickering enthusiasm.
"I said so."
"Whatever."
"Don't look so gloomy."
"I'm not."
"It's written all over your face."
"You're lying."
"I'm not."
"I know you're going to miss this place and everything here. It's probably strange to stay with the muggles and stuffs. But you're one of the strongest girl I know. And I believe you can handle all these."
"Thanks. I think this is the best thing you actually said ever since I know you."
"Well, you merely didn't hear all my great quotes."
"Okok, the Great One, do you mind keeping quiet??"
"Frankly, I do mind keeping quiet."
"Give me some peace, I beg you."
"Sad to say, you're receiving none." Sirius started tickling Arabella's sides making her jumped in shock.
"SIRIUS!!"
"Where are the guys??" Stefanie asked Remus as they came back to Gryffindor tower after their walk. They were alone in the boys' dormitory, wanting to get ready for their evening surprise party.
"No clue." Remus shrugged. "I get the map." He started rummaging Sirius' trunk, and then proceeded to James' before fishing out an old parchment out.
"I can see that it's very well used." Stefanie eyed the dog-eared parchment.
"That's an understatement." Remus said and tapped the empty parchment whispering 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good'. "James and Lily are not in Hogwarts. Sir and Bell are at the lake -"
"What are they doing at the lake??"
"I don't know. The two dots are sticking together and it's not moving."
"Could they be kissing??"
"I won't be surprised."
"Neither will I." Remus whispered and pulled Stefanie closed to him and kissed her gently on the lips.
"Why are you walking so slowly??" Lily asked as she brisk walked along the tunnel that would lead them back to Hogwarts. "It's already six."
"Trust me. The guys are far from punctual, especially when Sirius is the one who decided the time."
"But still-"
"Let me predict – Sirius and Bell kissing at the Astronomy Tower and-" James pretended to be concentrating hard by putting his index fingers on his temples. "Remus and Stef strolling hand-in-hand by the lake – and Peter making out with Gracie in the Broom Closet."
"Okok, the Great Fortune Teller." Lily laughed at James' pretended predictions. "At least someone need to get the stuffs ready."
"Are you referring to us??"
"Duh."
"The Great Fortune Teller foresees that two prefects from Gryffindor are working hard."
"Dumbledore had said about making Remus prefect instead since you aren't exactly a role model."
"He won't do that to me."
"You never know what goes in Dumbledore's mind." Lily remarked as they reached the end of the tunnel.
"Dissendium." James said and peeked out to check the coast. "Clear."
"Let's go then." The duo crawled out of the door and closed it quickly after them.
"Hey Lily." A male voice called out from the back.
"Oh, hi Amos." Lily said nonchalantly.
"I thought I just saw you two popped out of nowhere." Amos commented, trying to strike a conversation.
"You must be seeing things."
"I was actually looking for you."
"What's up??"
"Just wondering if you want to go Hogsmead with me tomorrow??"
"Sorry, I can't. Got plans."
"With James??" Amos eyed James with a tinge of jealousy.
"Yeah, with James." Lily smiled sweetly, throwing a look at James, hoping he would cooperate with her.
"Yes, we've plans for tonight, tomorrow, the day after and for the rest of our lives."
"Alright then, I see you around." Amos told Lily sweetly, giving James' a killing look. Then he turned and left the two alone at the corridor again.
"Thanks." Lily said gratefully. "He's so irritating."
"Haha, I get rid of him for you once and for all."
"Yes, thank you very much."
"So how do you show your appreciation??"
"Hmm.. treating you Butterbeers next time we go Hogsmeade??"
"Just like that??"
"Then what do you expect??"
"Marry me??" James said, studying Lily's reaction.
"Huh??" Lily was shaken by the comment.
"Just kidding." James laughed at Lily's expression.
"You gave me a shock."
"That would happen eventually anyway." James said truthfully. Lily was blushing rather furiously and looked in front instead of James. "You're blushing."
"I'm not." Lily could feel her face getting hotter.
"You are. Don't deny."
"I'm not." Lily looked away. "We're getting late." She started walking briskly several steps ahead of James.
"Wait for me."
"You're walking too slowly."
"You're the fast one." James slow jogged forward to catch up with Lily. The twosome walked in silence back to the Gryffindor tower because Lily was too flushed by James' remark to say anything.
"What's going on??" A first year asked as the five sixth years were setting up the common room with party materials.
"We're going to have a party tonight." James announced to everyone in the common room.
"What party??" Another first year asked.
"A surprise party." Remus told him. The five of them were rearranging the furniture to make a space for dancing and setting the food.
"Sound exciting." A third year girl commented while the rest of her friends giggled. Apparently they were one of the many Marauders' admirers out there.
"It is going to be exciting." James said. "All the Gryffindors are invited!!" There were several cheers erupted from various parts of the room. The parties that the Marauders' organized had been proven to be the most exciting ones in the history of Gryffindors.
"That's so cool." A fifth year prefect commented.
"Where's Sir and Bell??" Lily asked the rest after they finished setting up everything.
"Everyone, please get your fellow Gryffindors to the common room." James announced to those remaining in the room watching their preparations. Most of the students obeyed and headed to their respective dormitories.
"You're really influential." Stefanie told James.
"The Marauders are always influential. Hasn't Remus showed enough of his powers??" James joked.
"I know he is. But I didn't know you are as well."
"Oh well, now you know." James said in pretended shock. "Considering we've been childhood friends."
"James, you go and get Bell??"
"Ok." James said and headed out of the Gryffindor tower.
"I'm going to darken the place, when the door open, we'll shout 'Happy Birthday Arabella, we miss you'. Ok??"
"How're you going to darken the place??"
"It's Arabella's birthday??"
"How do we know if the person entering next will be them??
"Save the questions for the future. And the next person to enter will definitely be them because Lily is outside standing guard."
The big crowd waited impatiently in the dark with occasional murmurings.
"What's taking them??" Someone called out.
After another few minutes, the door opened. Arabella was the first to enter and with that cue, the lights came on and everyone shouted 'Happy Birthday Arabella, we miss you'. Confetti had been charmed to drop from above.
"Oh my – Thank you very much." Arabella said, touched by the gesture of her fellow Gryffindors. "Thank you so much." Her voice was shaking and happy tears seemed to be falling uncontrollably.
"Let the party begin!!" Sirius shouted out. Music suddenly blasted out from nowhere and filled the entire common room. "May I lead you to the dance floor??" Sirius held out his hand for Arabella.
"Sure." Arabella smiled and took his hand. Together they make their way towards the center of the 'dance floor' with the crowd parting for them to enter.
"Let's party!!" James said. "Wanna dance??" He held out his hand for Lily.
"Ok." Lily took James' hand and they made their way to the dance floor and started dancing. Within five minutes, many couples were dancing to the song In Love With You.
"Look at Bell and Sir, they seems to be unusual intimate today." Stefanie whispered to Remus. Not too far away, Sirius and Arabella were dancing very closed together; they seemed to be deep in conversation, whispering at each other's ear.
"Do you want to be intimate with me as well??" Remus asked cheekily.
"What're you thinking of??" Stefanie replied in a seductive tone.
"Like this." Remus leaned forward to kiss Stefanie on her lips.
"You're deprived of kissing today." Stefanie whispered breathlessly.
"I'll never get enough of kissing you." Remus looked into Stefanie's blue-green eyes and kissed her again.
"I'm going to miss you so much." Sirius said honestly as the two of them swayed together with the music.
"Thanks for everything. Who knows what might happen in the future??"
"Bell, I don't know why I had waited so long for this. And now you're leaving."
"I think I had foreseen something that we might be together before but I don't remember."
"It's ok. I'll be around for you."
"Thanks."
"May I have a dance with this stunning beauty??" A male voice interrupted.
"Sure Samuel." Arabella said politely, releasing Sirius.
"No – Alright then." Sirius said, releasing Arabella for Samuel Finnigan, a seventh year. He walked over towards the table to get a drink while waiting for Arabella to finish the song Tale As Old As Time before returning to her. From his angle, he could see Arabella dancing and talking animatedly with Samuel. A gush of jealousy rose inside him as he watched the couple at the dance floor.
Bell should be dancing with me and not Samuel. Sirius put down his cup of drink and returned to the dance floor towards Arabella.