Chapter Five

Misguided Ghosts

Sirius rushed through the crowd on Platform 9 ¾, shoving his trolley in front of him, looking for this best friends. Christmas had been terrible and he was eager to get back to Hogwarts and away from his horrible family. He passed Severus, who he smirked at as the latter attempted to wrestle his trunk onto the train. Sirius' smirk was wiped clean when he saw Avery go over, pat the boy on the back and help him.

"Oh now you have definitely gone over to the dark side Snivellus," Sirius muttered before he continued his search.

Finally, Sirius found James and Remus chatting as they hoisted their trunks onto the train. Remus looked a little bit worse for wear but James looked as pampered as usual.

"Well look who it is," Sirius drawled. The two boys spun around. James gave a yell and tackled his friend. Remus smiled and shook his hand.

"How were your holiday's gentlemen?" Sirius asked as he lugged his trunk on board and jumping on as the train whistled.

"They were brilliant! I got everything I asked for and Sirius I have to show you and Rem something when we get in a compartment. And Peter! Hey, where's Petey?" James asked, "The train's about to leave!"

"Look there he is! Run Peter!" Remus yelled at the pudgy figure running for the train dragging his trunk. With the other boys help, Peter managed to get his trunk on before the train started to move and, grabbing onto James' hand, he jumped onto the train before it could get any faster than a slow crawl.

"Phew! Thanks," Peter said smiling at them all. Sirius grinned and turned to James.

"What was it you wanted to show us?" he asked. James grinned like a Cheshire cat and led them into the nearest spare compartment. James made sure the door was shut tight and drew the curtains on the window to the corridor. The other boys watched quizzically as he pulled his trunk onto the seat and lifted the lid, rummaging through it for something that was obviously on the bottom. Finally, James seemed to find what he was looking for and turned around with his hands behind his back; his smile was one of a person who had a delightful secret.

"I am about to show you the most prized family heirloom my dad has ever given me. This will help us play the most amazing, brilliant, secretive pranks this school has ever seen. I present to you, my fellow Gryffindors and friends, the Invisibility Cloak," James announced mystically, whipping a silvery piece of cloth from behind his back.

Sirius gasped, "Those are so rare! How did your dad get it?"

"Family heirloom. His father gave it to him and so on. Pretty cool huh?" James grinned, "How amazing will our rule-breaking be now!"

"I think the Slytherin's won't know what hit 'em," Peter squeaked causing the three other boys to burst out laughing. Sirius sobered up first.

"Speaking of Slytherin's. Guess who I saw Avery giving a hand to!" he said, "Snape!"

"I didn't think Snivellus hung with that creep. He is normally too busy trailing after Evans," James said.

"That's what I thought. Looks like he really is a Slytherin after all," Sirius said grimly.

Lily jumped onto the train and hurried up the corridor, looking for Rose. She passed the compartment with James, Sirius, Remus and Peter in it without a glance before finally locating Rose in a compartment to herself, reading a Muggle book.

"Romeo and Juliet huh?" Lily giggled as she slipped through the door, hauled her trunk onto the rack and collapsed on the seat.

"It's timeless. Mum says if I keep reading it every year, I will understand more and more of it," Rose laughed, "It is my third year and she is right so far. Each year I get more and more out of it,"

"I should do that," Lily grinned, "How were your holidays anyway?"

"Yeah they were all right. Went to the zoo with Dad about seven times 'cause we had nothing else to do," Rose shrugged, "What about you?"

"Tuney and I fought a couple of times, Mum and Dad took us the zoo and ice-skating and I bought like ten books," Lily smiled.

"What books?"

And with that, the two girls bantered about their favourite books and so on for the rest of the trip.

Finally the train pulled into Hogsmeade and Lily made to get her trunk before stopping.

"Hey Rose. Where's Mary?"

Rose looked up from her owl cage and titled her head.

"Maybe she is in another compartment?"

"Yeah probably," Lily said, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"Come on James!" Sirius whined as they walked through the Entrance Hall. James was lagging behind, turning his head this way and that.

"James, you'll see her in the Great Hall," Remus snickered as James went bright red and hurried past them into the Hall.

Sirius and Remus snickered. Peter looked puzzled.

"See who?" he asked. Sirius gave him a disbelieving look.

"Don't worry Petey!"

James cursed and plonked down at the table. Why had he been so obvious?

"What's up kid?" Gideon Prewett asked, "Girl troubles?"

James grunted, "How'd you know?" He glared at Sirius as the three boys sat down.

"The look on your face, mate! Just wait until you're about….fourteen….fifteen… then girls get really confusing!" Gideon said with an air of wisdom before turning back to his friends.

James considered Gideon's statement before looking up at the doors; just as Lily and Rose walked in.

"Oh god!" James groaned as Sirius waved at Rose, his face lighting up.

Fabian glanced up just as Sirius Black waved at Rose Stanford, both of their faces brightening. He tapped his brother.

"Fifty galleons that they go out before the end of school. We'll get James to keep us updated!"

Gideon peered at the two kids, Rose just sitting down, Sirius moving up for her. Lily Evans slid in beside Remus Lupin.

"Nah! They'll be dating by fifth year at least!"

"You're on!"

The Prewett's shook hands.

Lily nudged Rose, breaking up her and Sirius' conversation.

"I can't see her anywhere!"

Rose scanned the room, her teeth nibbling at her lip.

"After dinner, we'll go talk to Professor McGonagall. She'll know what to do,"

Albus Dumbledore was quietly writing a letter when he heard a faint knock at his door. There was only one person who called in this late.

"Come in Minerva,"

Professor McGonagall entered and sat down at Dumbledore's desk.

"Albus. Two Gryffindor first years have just seen me about some rather distressing news that I am surprised has not been addressed yet,"

Dumbledore frowned. He knew everything that went on in this school, "Minerva?"

"Mary MacDonald did not turn up to school today. Miss Stanford and Miss Evans could not find her on the train and she wasn't at dinner, nor is she in her dorm," Minerva gripped Dumbledore's desk, "She isn't the type of student to drop out Albus,"

"Her parents have not reported her missing, but I do indeed see your point. This is very upsetting news. I will Floo to Miss MacDonald's house immediately. Care to join me?" Albus said standing up.

"No, I must get back to Lily and Rose. I left them in my office. They were most upset!"

"Of course. Goodnight Minerva,"

Matilda MacDonald was not a nervous woman, nor was she frightened easily. But the sight of Albus Dumbledore in her kitchen at 10 o'clock at night would startle anyone.

"Pr-r-r-rofessor!" she stuttered, dropping her towel.

"Madam MacDonald, I am terribly sorry for the late interruption but I have come about your daughter, Mary," Dumbledore said, kindly but firmly.

Matilda drew herself up to her full height, which is quite impressive, but one look at the gentle old man's face and she collapsed, sobbing, to the ground. Albus sighed and knelt down just as the MacDonald's front door opened. Matilda stiffened until a man's voice yelled out.

"Tilly! Tilly where are you?"

"In the kitchen Scott!" Matilda called out, her voice breaking.

Scott MacDonald thundered through the house and stopped short when he saw his wife, on the ground, being comforted by an old man with an extensive beard.

"Oh Tilly, what did you tell him?" Scott knelt on the cold kitchen floor and cradled his wife.

"Nothing, b-b-but I w-w-will! I j-j-just want my d-d-daughter b-b-ba-back!" Matilda sobbed clinging to Scott's shirt.

Mr MacDonald glanced worriedly from his dishevelled wife to the calm old wizard and sighed.

"They took her! It was them," Scott MacDonald whispered, "The Death Eaters,"

Lily and Rose were nearly asleep when Professor McGonagall arrived back at her office, Rose's head sliding off Lily's shoulder with a jolt, waking both of them up.

"Sorry to keep you waiting girls. The Headmaster has gone to visit the MacDonald's but in the meantime you must be patient and go back to your common room. In the morning I will tell you if we have any news. She will be okay girls," McGonagall led them out of her office.

"What if she's hurt?" Rose asked timidly.

"She won't be! Now straight to the Tower!"

Lily and Rose walked slowly down the corridor but stopped around the corner. Lily turned to Rose.

"They won't tell us anything, you know that right?"

Rose nodded; one sharp jerk of her head.

"So we shall do some digging. Someone doesn't just go missing! Something happened to Mary and it is up to us to help her! I'll ask Sev to help to," Lily said and she started walking to the common room. Rose didn't follow. Lily looked back.

"What?"

Rose looked guilty, chewing her lip, "Lily, I don't know if I trust Severus Snape…," she trailed off.

"Do you trust me?" Lily asked, her head cocked.

"Well yes of course I do,"

"Well I trust him. So trust me to trust him,"

Rose bit her lip but let it go.

"Shh Peter! You're going to wake the whole school!" Sirius hissed, poking his friend. James stood on their toes and that set off more growling until Remus' hoarse whisper cut it all off.

"Quiet,"

The four boys stood silently for a moment before starting off on their awkward shuffle down the corridors under the Invisibility Cloak. They had just rounded a corner when they all ran smack bang into Lily and Rose.

James stifled a curse as he fumbled with the Cloak. But it was too late. Both the girls had already seen the floating heads of James, Sirius, Remus and Peter.

"What the hell?" Rose growled.

"Where did you get that?" Lily hissed, picking herself off the floor.

"Family heirloom," James mumbled.

"Oh of course, Potter, you come from a family of trouble-makers! Why am I not surprised?"

James grimaced, "I don't know whether to be insulted or proud,"

"Definitely proud mate," Sirius grinned, holding out his hand for Rose.

The boys snickered while Lily just glared at them and dragged Rose off to the common room.

"Night Sirius!" Rose yelled as they disappeared around the corner.

"Night Rosie," Sirius said to himself as the Cloak was thrown over him and the boys set off again.

Dumbledore sighed as he sat in his chair. Pulling the Pensieve towards him, he deposited tonight's memory into before entering the memory itself.

"Last night, Scott and I had a party to go to. We left Mary at home to pack. She was fine when we left! She loved packing,"

At this point Matilda had become so overwhelmed with tears Scott took over.

"We thought she would be safe. She has been at home before. And she knows what to do if she hears intruders..."

Scott trailed off. Dumbledore nodded encouragingly.

"We came home at about 9 o'clock. The house was quiet. We assumed Mary had gone to bed. Tilly offered to check on her. I was making a cup of coffee when I heard her scream. When I got up there, Mary's bed was empty, her window was open and there was blood on the windowsill. Before we could even call the police or anything there was a knock on the front door. I opened it and – and …,"

Matilda shuddered and clutched her husband harder. Scott took a trembling breath.

"A tall man with a skull mask stood there. He had a-a bowl with him. It was filled with water and – and Mary, she was in the water,"

Dumbledore frowned.

"In the water? Like in the bowl?" he asked.

"No…it was a picture of her but it was happening at this moment. Like a Muggle television. She was crying out for us. She looked so scared. The man demanded we join them or they'll – they'll kill her! We have till next Monday,"

Scott then succumbed to tears and Dumbledore stood up and took his leave.

Dumbledore shook his head as he sat back down behind his desk.

He knew that this Lord Voldemort had gained much power in the last couple of years and there had been rumours of his gang of loyal followers who called themselves the Death Eaters, but he hadn't realised how powerful they had become. To snatch a girl from a busy town full of witches and wizards without anyone noticing, someone should have noticed them Disapparating at least.

Albus sighed. He had a lot to think about.

The first day of term dawned bright and pink, well for the Slytherins' anyway. Their hair, uniforms and skin was a light shade of fuscia.

"WHO DID THIS!" Mercedes Banks, Slytherin Prefect screamed as they all trouped in for breakfast. The Great Hall erupted with laughter at the sight of the House of pink. Slughorn and McGonagall hurried from the High Table to help set them right.

Over on the Gryffindor table, Sirius hi-fived James under the table. Remus sighed and put down his toast.

"One day we are going to get into big trouble for this you know?" he smirked

" Yeah but in the meantime let's have some fun!" Sirius grinned, "Where did you even learn that spell James?"

"My dad taught it to me over the summer. He was a Gryffindor too, he knows all about the rivalry between us and the Slytherins. Although it wasn't so deadly back then. Did you read about the attacks on those Muggles over Christmas? Dad said it was the Death Eaters, You Know Who's followers,"

"Yeah, mum and dad were quite happy with the result," Sirius groaned, "My parents are so vile!"

"Don't worry, you're not too bad!" Remus smirked earning a face full of cornflakes

"A-attention class," Guillotine stuttered from the front of the classroom. Remus nudged his friends but they continued to talk, ignoring the teacher. Lily caught his attention from the other side of the room and raised her fingers to her lips. Remus nodded.

A shrill whistle sounded around the room and the class went silent. Guillotine looked shocked.

"Th-thanks Miss E-Evans," he mumbled, "Now class, to-today we are going…yes Mr Potter?"

"Excuse me sir, we have been here for a term already. See I was just wondering when we were going to actually start learning stuff? You know spells and such that can, I dunno, defend us against You Know Who!" James grinned.

Guillotine clenched his jaw, "Mr Potter, I have been trying to teach you stuff all year but you don't listen,"

"No sir, we do listen. But how will knowing what a Cornish Pixie is, help to defend us? I highly doubt the Death Eaters are going to through blue sprites at us!" Sirius snorted.

Guillotine went bright red, turned on his heel and left the class.

James and Sirius hi-fived, "Hook, line and sinker,"

"When are you two going to grow up? Why do you have to be so mean? He is just trying to do his job!"

James stood up and spun around to face her.

"When are you going to get out of our business? Why do you have to be so nosey? We're just trying to have fun!"

Sirius snorted and stood behind him.

"Don't you get it Evans. We. Don't. Like. You!"

Lily pushed James in the chest and ran out of the room, tears forming in her eyes. James fell onto his chair with a huff.

"Why do you have to be such a mean person James?" Rose asked and rushed after Lily.

"I think you blew it this time James," Remus sighed and sat back down in his chair. Sirius gazed after Rose and Peter tried to calm his shaking.

"I am so sick of him teasing me all the time!" Lily wailed in the girl's bathroom. Rose hugged her as they sat on the floor.

"I know Lil,"

"Mary's missing and no one has told us anything and he just has to go and be a pig all the time for no reason! It's because I am friends with Sev which is so ridiculous! I can be friends with whoever I like!" Lily growled.

"I know Lily! You have to learn to ignore him! You always rise to his teasing and it makes you look silly! Just ignore him and then he will look like the idiot not you!" Rose said standing up, "Now, let's go find McGonagall and demand she tell us what's happened to Mary!"

Mary hugged herself, her thin pyjama top doing nothing to shield her from the cold, damp air in her underground cell. She didn't know where she was and she all she could hear was the drip, drip, drip of water drops plonking onto the stone floor.

Mary sighed and scratched at the plate beside her. From the meals they were supplying for her, she had been able to count the days since she was taken. By her count she had been here for two days. After the first hour or so of panic, Mary had calmed down slightly and stopped calling for her mum and dad, realising it wasn't going to get her anywhere.

'There must be a way to find out where I am,' she thought as she hoisted herself off the floor. There was a volley of footsteps above her as though a herd of elephants had just galloped passed.

"What's going on?" Mary mumbled to herself and walked over to where she thought was the gate. Cold metal met her fingers and she peered down the dimly lit corridor. Nothing looked remotely familiar so Mary ruled out Hogwarts being her area of captivity.

'Maybe I should ask myself a better question,' Mary thought, 'Like why am I here?'

"Come on try again James, you can do it!" Remus encouraged patting his friend on the back.

Sirius groaned, "How many times are you going to pull thin air out of your pocket?"

Peter tittered but shut up at the look on James' face.

"Shut up Sirius!" James growled and gripped his wand.

"Reveal the flowers," James murmured, waving his wand over his hand. There was a puff of smoke but no bright roses, "ARGH! I can't do this Rem!"

"You can and you will! Keep trying James!"

"Why do you even wanna apologise anyway?" Sirius asked, sucking on a Liquorice Wand from the sweets pack James' mother had sent him.

"Because I am a gentleman and I want to apologise for making her cry! She is worried about Mary, we all are, and all I did was hurt her," James retorted walking over to the corner of the room, mumbling and waving his wand.

Peter glanced wide-eyed between Sirius and James before skittering off, mumbling about going to bed early. Remus walked over to Sirius.

"Give him a break Sirius. He is trying to do the right thing for the first and last time in his life," Remus said sitting beside him, and taking a Pumpkin Pasty. The empty classroom they were in flickering with candle light.

"But it's Lily Evans!" Sirius exclaimed, "James hates her!"

"No, James likes her a lot, so naturally he is going to act like he hates her. And he's jealous,"

"Jealous of what?"

"You and Rose, you're friendship. I think he is worried you will start hanging out with her more than him. He's an only child, he has been given everything his whole life. You're the older brother in a family where you have everything but get nothing. You settle him down and I think he likes that. It's weird but he likes being put down from time to time. From what I've heard he had no friends till he came here. Just him, his mum and his dad,"

"How do you get all this from one person in six months?" Sirius said wide-eyed.

"I watch people," Remus smiled.

Sirius bit his lip before getting up and walking over to James.

"Hey Potter, let's see if I can get it!"

Remus smiled and picked up his book. His work was done for the day.

"Professor, you promised us you would tell us what you knew!" Rose whined as her and Lily stood behind Professor McGonagall's desk.

"I know girls, but we don't know anything yet," McGonagall said sternly.

"You're lying! There were Aurors here the other day. You know more than you are letting on," Lily growled.

"Now listen girls. This is matter for adults; please do not concern yourself with this anymore. We will find Mary but until then please stop bothering me. I have work to do," McGonagall said sternly, glaring at them over her glasses.

Lily huffed and stalked out of the room. Rose bit her lip

"We thought you would be more understanding Professor," she said before, she too, left the room.

Minerva sighed as her door closed.

"I do understand girls. I understand more than you do. I can't tell you because you could get hurt too,"

February 14th dawned grey and cloudy but nothing would dampen James mood; or his nerves.

"What if I stuff it up? I'll look like an idiot!" James stressed over breakfast. Sirius snorted.

"You look like an idiot all the time. One more won't wreck your rep Potter," he grinned dodging the flying spaghetti. It landed with a splat next to one, Lily Evans. James groaned.

"Oh bugger!"

Lily shrieked, "Gross Potter!"

James rushed over, "I'm so sorry Lily; I didn't mean to hit you. I was aiming for Sirius,"

"Ergh, whatever," Lily scrunched up her face and turned away.

James sat down with a thump, "Fate hates me!"

It wasn't until lunch that Lily managed to track Severus down.

"Sev, hey Sev! Wait up!" she yelled running up to him. Severus spun around, a smile lighting up his face.

"What's up Lily?" he grinned.

"You know how Mary MacDonald's missing? Well the teachers won't tell us anything and we really wanna help and I was wondering if you wanted to help us?" Lily asked.

Severus' lit up, "Of course I will help you!"

"Oh thank you Sev!" Lily gushed, hugged him and ran back to Rose. Severus stood standing in a daze of happiness before almost skipping to his next class.

Lily and Rose were discussing how to start the hunt for Mary when James sidled up to them.

"Hi guys," he said smiling slightly.

"What do you want Potter?" Lily growled. James' face fell.

"I am just here to apologise for the other day in Defence Against the Dark Arts class and to say Happy Valentine's Day," James said, a bunch of red roses appearing in his hands. He offered them to Lily. She looked stunned and held out a shaking hand for them.

"For me?" she asked shocked.

James grinned, "It was the best I could do,"

"Wow, thanks Potter – erm I mean James,"

Severus glared at James and Lily's exchange from down the hall, his good mood gone in a flash.

"I will beat you Potter! I promise I will!"

There you go, another chapter. Sorry for the delay. School got in the way! But I am finished for three months! WOOOO!

Anyway, Next chapter isSecrets and Lies. Lily and Rose start their hunt, James and the gang play some more pranks, Sirius and James get their first detention after being caught out late and maybe some more from Mary :)