Where I Stood

Chapter 14: Big Events, Couples, And Regulus Arcturus Black

Come Christmas everyone visited and stayed at the Potter's home, except Sileni as she had to work both jobs (on her request, nonetheless). However, on Christmas day, she was able to visit and exchange presents with everyone. James had cornered the younger teenager and thanked Sileni for the advice on Lily, as it was working.

"James, you and Lily are meant for each other, there is no denying it. But she has to see that you've grown up a bit and matured. She's already seeing different sides of you as you've befriended Severus." Sileni placed a hand on his cheek (as a mother would to her troubled child). "Just trust me that you will be together either by the end of this year or the beginning of next year."

Kissing his forehead, Sileni walked away, leaving behind a thinking James. Everyone–especially James and Sirius–were surprised to have received a present each from Severus; one's they liked very much. Staring at his own present–a photo album with some pictures of Lily, then some with her and Severus when they were kids up to now–James looks up at his best friend with a frown.

"Padfoot..." James paused for a moment, "why did we hate Severus so much?"

Sirius, with a frown of his own, continued to stare at a book full of spells and potion's he has never heard of with the writing of Severus to switch it up and make it easier; not to mention correct.

"I think when after we hit it off on our first train ride that I noticed how you liked Lily from the first moment she walked up to the stool. So, when we saw Severus–a Slytherin, no less–speaking with Lily, you decided to protect her. Thus the hatred became, and naturally I followed along."

"You think if we didn't quickly judge him, things would have been different?"

Sirius looked up at his best friend/brother. "If different, you mean friends and on Lily's good side? Then, yes, I do think so."

Both boys laughed, looking back down at their present from Severus. They both had already given him a present, on Sileni's request, of course; they just didn't expect to retrieve one in return. On the train ride back to Hogwarts, everyone had thanked Severus for the present they had gotten (the Slytherin had actually flushed in embarrassment!); the older boy by a couple of months had also thanked all of them for his presents that he received from them.

Naturally, after that train ride, the Marauders had become good friends with Severus by the end of their sixth year–all of Hogwarts surprised; even the staff was in shock. James and Severus had also come to an understanding concerning Lily. Whoever she choose, the other will back off but will not take it out on the other person.

During the summer, Sileni worked twice as hard, trying to save as much money as possible for her brother to be well off once she dies. It was also the summer that both of James' parents died in their sleep, old age finally catching up to them. Because they knew of her knowledge of their world and such, they had asked the one question they were afraid to ask and the answer it would be.

Sileni wondered how it was that they knew when they were to die for no one really knows when their time is up. However, the teenager eased their concern the night before about James and Sirius. She even told them about their grandson and how he would be the exact replica of James, only with Lily's eyes and kindness. With that in mind, they died in peace.

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During the start of feast, James and Sirius were really quiet, not talking to each other or anyone. The deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Potter had hit them truly hard. Lots of people–especially important ones–had come to give their respect, both Lily and Severus there for moral support as they did not know Mr. and Mrs. Potter at all.

That all changed, however, after two and a half months of mourning. The boy's were themselves once more, doing up to no good during and not during school hours (not to mention wrecking havoc all around the school; they wouldn't be Marauders for nothing). Everyone, especially Sileni, were grateful that they were their old selves as Sirius took to drinking at all hours for the first month and a half. It only took both Thorn siblings to make him realize what it was he was doing to himself and others around him.

Not to mention the staff was piling lots of homework and reviews as it was their last year and their NEWTS. As soon as he was able, Sirius had caught up with everyone on homework assignments and classroom activity, the staff grateful of this, for they knew just how talented Sirius really was and how far he can really go. Sirius, of course, was thankful to the siblings, know all that they had said were true to heart, and he wasn't thinking about anyone else but himself.

Upon other surprises, Severus had taken Sirius advice back on the train home at the end of their sixth year of washing his hair after finishing a potion so it wouldn't be so greasy. To say the least a lot of people noticed–especially some girls–and started to talk about these changes going around Hogwarts the past two years now.

Continuing to stare at her friends around her as they sat at the Gryffindor table for breakfast one early November, Sileni thinks back to the one subject she never wants to go back (however she has little choice on the matter). Two years in a relationship with Remus and her feelings for him haven't changed one bit since she started to think it over just last year. She liked him, a lot, but not in love. Sileni can only pray that Remus feelings' towards her was the same; she prayed it wasn't love for she couldn't return it.

Thinking of the word love, Sileni smirks towards her brother and his girlfriend (since last night), Sarah from Ravenclaw sitting across from her. They sat now at the Gryffindor table, holding hands and talking to either each other or to the boys. Long story short, they had bumped into each other (literally) rushing towards their class. Immediately they became good friends, Luke–for the first time ever!–was shy and clumsy around this girl who was a year younger than him.

Finally, having talked with Sarah early in the day before, she took Sileni's advice and just kissed Luke before asking him out. The result, the two haven't been able to stop touching or talking to one another. So far, at least; sooner or later there will be problems, as all couples would, but they will work it out. She didn't know why, but Sileni had a feeling that, like James and Lily, her brother and Sarah were meant for each other.

With a grin, Sileni turned to the couple also across from her. Lily had finally given James a chance when he asked her out for the last time. To say the least the one date to Hogsmeade was defiantly a memorable for them. And since then the couple had hooked up and became inseparable, James fan club diminishing and going over to the Sirius fan club instead. Both teens were thankful for the siblings to have made them realize what it was they were doing wrong and what they weren't doing.

All in all, fate had finally stepped in and made it possible for the couple to be together. Of course, Severus Snape was heartbroken, but was happy for the couple. He stayed friends with them all, keeping the pact he made with James.

Suddenly a white owl came swooping in; everyone confused as it was a little early for mail, and landed before Sileni, holding a letter between its beak. Taking it, the owl immediately flew away, the young woman quickly reading the contents. With a sharp intake of breath, Sileni stands and runs out of the great Hall, everyone muttering to each other as the boy's called out to her.

Not knowing what else to do, the Marauder's (as well as Lily, Sarah, and Severus) all ran after her, wondering what was going. On the ever Changing Staircase, Andi made sure Sileni would get to the corridor she needed to be and those following her not able to get past the third staircase. Thus, Andi stopped moving the staircases, the group in utterly confused and shocked by this.

"What the hell is going on?" Severus questioned/demanded.

Luke sighed, his hand going through his hair (which was now a habit of his thanks to James and Sirius). "I think Sileni needs to do this alone; otherwise Andi wouldn't have stopped the staircases."

"Andi?" The group questioned Luke.

"Hogwarts is alive, and Sileni named it Andi because it's neither boy nor girl." Luke replied with a sigh.

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–Eighteenth floor–

Sileni panted, coming to a slow walk once she came to the familiar corridor. Andi appeared before the windows, a grim look on her usually peaceful face.

"Voldemort is going to start killing parents and family member's this year. He is desperate for any information about you."

Sileni frowned at this. "Any way we can stop this?"

Andi sighs. "Sirius Black brother."

The seventeen year old frowned, having forgotten about him. "What?"

"He has information, I believe, that may help you."

"So, Regulus Black has been accepted into Voldemort's followers already." It was a statement, not a question. "I mean, I know he was to be accepted at the age of sixteen, but he's a few months early."

"Only because half of his followers are either dead or in Azkaban because of us." Andi replied.

Sileni was pacing, chewing on her lower lip. There was no way Sirius was going to speak to his brother, let alone ask for help. If her memory was correct, the brother's had some sort of argument earlier in the year. How was it that she had forgotten about him so quickly? Then Severus came to mind, however would he be accepted, is the question. Sileni has seen the way the Slytherin's have been treating him as of late.

Knowing that there was no other person to do the job, Sileni decided to ask the year younger Black herself. The seventeen year old looked towards Andi, whom nodded in return, and turned into the arctic fox. Sileni sprinted off, Andi's voice echoing behind her.

"Sirius has the map inside his robes, right pocket."

In her Animagus from, Sileni was able to jump from staircase to staircase–with the help of Andi, of course. As soon as she saw the group still standing at the entrance of the staircase, Sileni put all her force to her back legs and jumped from the second floor. Being caught off guard as he was turning, Sirius stumbled back, tripping over him own two feet. Sileni smiled but quickly took hold of the map before running off once more. Sirius growled, rolling on to his hands and knees.

"Damn it Rouge! Give me back that map!" He yelled angrily, running after her.

The three Marauders rolled their eyes as Lily, Severus, and Sarah raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, who's fox is that and what map was Sirius talking about?" Lily asked suspiciously.

"Lily, it's best if you didn't know." James said sincerely, placing an arm around her shoulders and walking away with Luke and Remus.

Sarah walked over to Luke, who put his around her, Severus walking along side Remus.

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Sileni finally shook off Sirius (who had also transformed into his Animagus form), quickly returning to her human form and entering an unused classroom. Looking about quickly, Sileni took out her wand, placing the blank parchment (for now) on top of a dusty desk.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The teen smiled with awe as the blank parchment quickly filled with moving ink, corridors, bedrooms, and hidden passages forming. Wasting no time, Sileni quickly scanned for Regulus, praying that he wasn't too deep with hatred for his brother or the light side.

"Got you," Sileni muttered, looking at what seemed to be a room in the dungeons. "Andi?"

'I have him, go. Sirius is close by.'

Sileni folded the map once more. "Mischief managed."

Putting away her wand, Sileni ran out of the room, Sirius stumbling back in surprise. He quickly held on to the map that was thrust at his chest, watching with a frown the girl run away from him. Sileni quickly made her way to the dungeons, Andi guiding her safely around the Slytherin's roaming around. Finally, Sileni quietly slipped inside the unused classroom, a boy's back to her. Locking the door behind her, Sileni watch as the boy brew something that smelled terrible, but the girl did not dare make a sound, knowing how fatal it was to be careful with potions.

It didn't take long as he cried out in joy, quickly picking up a large vile. Once corked, Sileni decides to interrupt and make her business known, locking the door behind her just in case.

"Regulus Arcturus Black,"

The startled boy turned sharply on the spot, his gray eyes wide with both shock and surprise. Sileni smiled, carefully walking slowly towards the year younger Black. She saw him put the vile in his pocket, making note not to break that.

"Do not worry, I don't care what it is that you're doing; I just need your help." She told him, truthfully, her smile fading.

Regulus frowned in suspicion. "What sort of help?"

Quickly, Sileni had taken his right wrist and tugged him forward, pushing his layer of sleeves upwards. There in bold black ink was the mark of Death Eaters; that of the Dark Lord. She can only hope that Regulus had already seen what it was Voldemort was doing and had started to protest against him.

"I know you don't want to continue in helping Voldemort," Sileni rushed into detail, letting him go and taking a step back. "There's a way for you to live pass eighteen years if we do this correctly; but I need your absolute loyalty and trust! It's asking a lot, I know, but it will be well worth it, trust me."

Regulus looked back at the older teenager, wondering if he can truly trust her. He had lost trust in everyone after his argument with his brother earlier in the school year. Since joining the Death Eaters both the Dark Lord and the few members still joined has told him all there was to capture a person name Phoenix. From there all was told about the Horcruxes and where Voldemort had stored them.

Sileni waited patiently, praying that he would agree. If Regulus should reject than the teen had nothing else but to Obliviate his mind so that he wouldn't go to Voldemort and make a plan to capture her only to find out who she really was.

A/N: All right you guys, PLEASE review and give me your thoughts on the story thus far; thanks!