A/N: Okay so new chapter. I don't even know why i sat in front of my computer all day typing instead of studying like I should have been. But for some reason i did. And here we are.
Previously: The first day back in school seemed normal, aside from Emmeline's floating glass of juice, and the fact that James Potter was now dating Hestia Jones... We saw how that occurred, during a party in the summer at the Potter's mansion. Awkwardness in potions class with Snape was experienced. Broom closets with Hestia and James were occupied, to which he explained to the Marauders, and Benjy Fenwick, that he was serious about her. Girls drooled over Professor Doge. Lily flirted with Samuel, much to James Potter's dismay? And Hestia Jones got angry.
Chapter III
"We Got Knackered"
September 8
Remus Lupin did not need a calendar to know when the full moon would rise.
If ever he found himself stranded somewhere with no means of calculating what day it was or how much time had passed, he would still be completely aware of the time his transformation would occur.
It was something he felt in his bones , a strange and quieting ache that began two or three days prior to the day of the scheduled moon. But the days of the full moon, Remus thought, were always the worst. An incessant coursing pulsed through his veins, the longing ache in his bones felt like a migraine that was spread throughout his body.
He made it a point to seclude himself as much as possible on these days. But of course at Hogwarts, that could sometimes be a challenge.
Today for the most part he had managed to remain unbothered by classmates and teachers, but when asked about his surly demeanor, he always used the excuse that he felt quite ill. And that was accepted.
Now it was around six in the evening, and Remus found himself sitting in a windowsill in the deserted corridor that led to the astronomy tower, an empty cartridge of chocolates resting at his side. He stared at the departing sun and mentally reviewed the plan he and the Marauders had for tonight. The buzzing in his ears grew louder. He definitely did not need a calendar.
Sirius Black often joked that he didn't need a calendar to know when the full moon was either.
But the Sirius Black now was walking with James and Peter through the castle. They had only just left the Great Hall after an early dinner, and it was time to depart from the castle with Remus for the night. They just had to find him first...
"Oh where, oh where, could Princess Lupin be?" Sirius called as James pulled out the map.
"Corridor below the astronomy tower." James said through a chuckle. And they walked in that direction.
"Has anyone else noticed that Remus has been a bit more… miserable… than he usually is around the transformation?" Peter asked quietly when they had reached the staircase.
Sirius shrugged, "Not any more than usual, why?"
"Well… I don't know… He just seems more gloomy to me." Peter muttered.
"If he does than I reckon it's just because it's the first full moon back at the school," James said at the top of the stairs.
The other Marauders nodded in agreement. And then they found Remus, and it was time to begin.
. . .
Tall and inky trees flew by as a stag wove its way in and out of the Forbidden Forest.
A scraggly black dog sat quietly behind a tree.
A rat scampered past a large rock.
A great wolf stood on its hind legs and gave a loud howl.
The stag suddenly stopped and noiselessly made its way back to a small clearing where the others were.
The wolf lowered itself onto all fours, and with one small shudder, Remus Lupin appeared.
The others followed suit. Tonight had been alright James Potter thought, not the best, but they had managed to lead Remus out of the Shrieking Shack and into the forest with ease. And for the most part they had only been running the entire time, no serious damage had been done.
But running and bounding for hours was easier for a stag, dog, wolf, and rat, and tomorrow they would all feel the limitations of their normal bodies.
Remus was still on his hands and knees, breathing heavily when he said, "I thought I told you not to lead me into the forest."
"Remus-" James started.
"Well it was for a reason." Remus said. "Just because I can't control myself in that form doesn't mean you should."
"It's less dangerous that way, mate." Sirius said as he crossed the clearing. "If we're in the forest, it's a greater area to run around in. You can't hurt anyone… or yourself." Sirius offered Remus a hand.
Remus gave a small, desperate laugh and ignored the hand before getting up himself.
"It's less dangerous?" He asked angrily, "I can't hurt anyone in here can I? What if some innocent person was out here at this time? What if Hagrid was out here? What if I ran out of the forest and someone saw me?"
The others were quieted.
"… I doubt anyone out here at this time of night is innocent." Sirius added mutely.
Remus closed his eyes "I'm going to bed," He said and then made his way out of the forest.
James looked to Sirius, who gave a small shrug in return.
"Do you see what I mean?" Peter whispered.
And they did.
. . .
"What the bloody hell happened to you three?"
These were the words Sirius Black awoke to. The two and a half hours of sleep he had received felt like ten minutes, but he opened his eyes and saw James sitting up in his bed, a dazed look on his face with his glasses hanging dangerously from one ear. If Peter was awake, you really couldn't tell. Remus was probably in the bathroom because a shower was running. But now he decided, would be a good time to answer the incredulous Benjy Fenwick that stood before them.
"We got knackered." He answered hoarsely.
"On a Tuesday night?" Benjy laughed.
"You doubt our abilities?" James asked proudly.
Benjy shook his head. ""We'll see in transfiguration, but now I'm going to go eat breakfast, see you lot later." and then they were alone.
Sirius turned to look at Peter, who had let out a snore, before chucking a pillow at his face.
He remained asleep.
James laughed. "Ya know… If we keep using that 'knackered' excuse they're going to start referring us to some AA meetings."
Sirius yawned before answering, "I don't know Prongs, I think they would do that anyway. Have you seen us at the quidditch after parties?"
James laughed again, "That's true, remember that one last year when you and-"
Remus now emerged from the bathroom.
He looked at James and Sirius before saying gently, "Listen, about last night. I'm sorry for getting so worked up about the forest thing. I know you were only trying to keep me from harming myself but… It's just better that way. I can't risk hurting an innocent student, or teacher, or anyone for that matter. So if you guys want to continue helping, just promise me you won't lead me out of the shack, okay?"
James looked somewhat defeated, but looked to Sirius and then Remus before giving a nod.
Sirius stood and clapped Remus on the shoulder, "Okay Moony, we promise. But if we're going to stay in the shack just try not to go for my face."
September 9
1:34 PM
Lily Evans liked Samuel Jacobs.
These were the words that passed through Marlene Price's head as she, Mary and Emmeline walked down the path that led to the Black Lake.
She had noticed the two spent a considerable amount of time together. Samuel sat at Gryffindor table with them all of the time. He walked with them to class. He joined in their conversation. He was slowly inching his way to becoming the fifth member of their usual quartet.
And it wasn't that Marlene didn't like Samuel, because she did. Just as everyone else did. He was nice and funny and clever in that celebrated Ravenclaw way.
But Marlene knew that something about Samuel Jacobs bothered her. They had gone to school together all this time, so why all of a sudden did he want to become their friend? And why was he suddenly so interested in Lily? Mary was the one who was friends with him in the first place, so was it only because she had offered to introduce the two of them?
Marlene tried to accept that as the reason. Lily was brilliant, so of course Samuel liked her already, that had to be the reason he spent so much time with them now…
"Marlene, what in Godric's name are you doing?"
Emmeline stood ten feet in front of Marlene, alongside Mary, and they were both staring at her with a bewildered expression. It took a while for Marlene to realize that she had stopped to think and hadn't started walking again.
"Oh, sorry I was just having a thought!" said Marlene and she ran to catch up with them.
"About what?" asked Mary as they continued toward the lake.
"Lily and Samuel." Marlene said quietly. "I think Lily really… likes him."
Emmeline nodded her head, "I was thinking the same thing the other day at breakfast."
"It's wonderful isn't it?" Mary beamed, "They're perfect for each other."
Marlene shrugged, "I don't know, I really want to like him, it's just… something about him… bothers me."
"What, the fact that he's not James Potter?" Mary asked sharply, "It could never happen between Potter and Evans. Marlene, that ship has sailed. Lily hates him, and he has Hestia now."
Marlene smiled and shook her head, "Ten sickles that it will happen."
Mary rolled her eyes, "Honestly Marlene you are hopeless. Just try to be happy that Lily has found someone who likes her that is not... an absolute prat."
"I'll take that bet with you Marlene. C'mon Mary, if it does happen you owe us ten sickles each. And, I'm throwing in a little something to make things interesting. If it happens, you'll also have to… run through the common room naked, out the door and down the corridor screaming that you love Sirius Black."
Mary stopped and looked at Emmeline as if she had just been stunned with a Bat-Bogey hex. Marlene laughed aloud.
"Really put a lot of thought into this haven't you, Em?" Mary finally let out.
Emmeline smiled and nodded, "Thinking of ways to torture people is a hobby that I take pride in."
"Well I'm not doing it." Mary said indignantly.
"Oh c'mon Mary!" Marlene pleaded, "You said it yourself that it will never happen! Just humor us."
Mary sighed, "Fine idiots, It's a deal. But, if Lily and Samuel get together you each owe me ten sickles and you have to jump into the Black Lake naked." And then she quickly walked past them.
"Hey! That's not fair! We just established that that probably will happen!" Marlene called.
Emmeline put a hand on Marlene's shoulder, "Don't worry Marlene, our time will come…" And then she winked to her before chasing after Mary.
. . .
They found Lily Evans sitting beneath a beech tree in front of the lake with a novel held tightly to her chest.
"What's that Lily, another story about Rolio and Junette?" Emmeline asked while taking the book from her arms.
Lily laughed, "No not this time Em, it's called Les Misérables."
Emmeline's eyes grew wide, "I will never understand why muggles choose the strangest titles for their novels. But anyway, we've come to escort you to Herbology Lily, so stop sighing over your books and let's walk."
"We would also like to talk to you about-" Mary started before Marlene quickly covered her mouth.
Lily gave them a strange look before getting up and retrieving her book from Emmeline, "Alright, what's going on?"
"Oh nothing." Marlene smiled, "Let's just walk." And then she released Mary.
"What I was going to say-" said Mary as they walked up the path, "-Was, when are you and Samuel going to get a move on?"
Marlene tilted her head back and closed her eyes in an agitated fashion, "What she means Lily, is do you like him?"
Lily gave a small laugh, "I don't know, I think I do like him. I didn't want to at first, he seemed too nice and…"
"Perfect." Emmeline finished.
"Yes, exactly." Lily nodded, "But that's just who he is. And I do like him... But he seems like he only wants to be my friend so that might-"
"Lily, he carries your books." Emmeline said tiredly.
"I only let him do that once!" Lily clarified, "Because I had to carry an extra cauldron to Slughorn's. He was just being a decent person."
"Who's in love with you." Mary added.
Lily shot her a look, "It's been seven days, I seriously doubt that anyone could fall in love with me that quickly."
*cough* "Potter." *cough
Lily shot another look to Marlene as Emmeline laughed.
"Whatever, you're all insane. But we'll just have to see what happens. Because I would very much like to enjoy this normal period of time at Hogwarts for as long as possible." Lily said as they reached the greenhouse.
2:10 PM
Severus Snape was seated on a green upholstered couch in the Slytherin Common room.
He had been alone for quite some time now, as many students who usually hung around were at their afternoon classes. All but him, and two others.
The frown upon his face seemed to be more pronounced, he was in the middle of a deep thought, a worrisome one at that.
A word echoed around his brain as it always did since that last fateful day of June. Anytime he found himself alone, it was unearthed and brought back.
Mudblood
He could never take it back, and it ended everything he had ever wanted.
If there were anymore words to say to her, he didn't know them. And perhaps it was for the best he thought, this could be what finally broke them a million miles away to some unreachable point that would be between them forever, because their lives would never be compatible. Because he was about to start his official training to become what the others called, Death Eaters.
It was then that the other two students who had been out of their classes entered the room.
Dolohov and Mulciber.
"Sad to be missing herbology class, Sev?" The first let out.
Severus blinked his eyes and let go of the thoughts that had kept him in a dream-like stupor.
"Oh, something like that."
"Well, get used to missing a few more classes, Severus, because we've just gotten our first task." Mulciber said proudly as he revealed a small black envelope from his robes.
He placed it on the small table that stood before the couches and Severus wondered why their instructions were to be listed in a harmless looking black envelope of all things. Surely they couldn't be so terrible then.
"Is that door locked?" Dolohov asked carefully as he eyed the common room. He flicked his wand and every possible entrance was sealed. They were alone.
"Alright we're ready." Mulciber looked at the envelope cautiously, "Would you like to open it, Sev?"
Severus stood up from the couch and walked to the table slowly. "How do I do it?"
"Well…" Dolohov had now joined them at the table and spoke slowly, "A blood sacrifice has to be made, to ensure that the only wizards who can open it are pureblood. A small one." He added, as if that somehow made it better.
Severus looked at Dolohov steadily, "Ok."
Mulciber smiled and drew a small silver dagger from his pockets before handing it to Severus, who did not know if he had brought it with him specifically for this occasion, or if he always carried a dagger so casually. He would not put it past him.
Severus drew the dagger to the top of his wrist and pulled his robes out of the way. He winced as he made a small, clean cut, just enough to draw forth a small drop of blood, which he carefully placed on the white seal of the envelope.
At first the scarlet droplet was only absorbed into the seal, and it appeared as though nothing was going to happen. The envelope remained still, and just as the three boys looked to one another, it suddenly rose up into the air before their faces, before opening carefully.
Black smoke rose around a small letter and appeared to be slithering in the air, before a clear and strange voice could be heard.
"Greetings, Pure of Blood. I am pleased that you are on the right path to purity and power..."
The voice was akin to a snake speaking, and it sent a chill down the boys' spines with each word.
"…But before you are to be among the ranked of our kind, you must prove yourself loyal, with three specific tasks."
Mulciber looked to Dolohov and smiled.
"The first of which, you will perform within the next two weeks."
Severus' stomach gave an unpleasant lurch.
"The others will be carried out much later, but for now, here is what you must do…"
7:30 PM
Hestia Jones had forgiven James Potter.
She sat in the stands of the quidditch pitch watching the boy hold try-outs when she realized this.
After she had caught him staring at Lily Evans in Defense class the other day, she had said she'd forgiven him, as he explained that he was only wondering why Lily had been laughing to herself. But she hadn't meant it then.
There was something in the way James had been watching Lily at that time that made her angry. He had an amused look on his face and his eyes had softened, it was a look that she herself had never gotten, but desperately wanted.
She watched James as he caught an oncoming quaffle, before sending it soaring through a goal.
She smiled and clapped loudly before he turned and quickly sent her a wink.
Yes, she thought, she had forgiven him. And yes, by whatever means necessary, she was determined to get that look from him someday.
Meanwhile
Lily, Remus, Sirius and Peter sat in the library studying for their first upcoming exams of the year, much to Madame Pince's dismay.
"I just don't understand this." Lily sighed into her blank transfiguration paper, she looked at Sirius pleadingly
"Don't ask me." Sirius said while leaning back to rest his feet on the table, "Prongs is the transfiguration guy. I'm the arithmancy king, and Moony's the charms… Potions… Herbology… Everything else prince."
Remus gave Sirius a weary glance from his Advanced Potions book.
"And what am I?" Peter asked angrily.
"Ahh Petey, you're the entertainment and snack retriever." Sirius said while patting Peter's head, "The most important jobs."
At this Peter was delighted and gave a large smile, "Really?"
Sirius smiled back at him, "Yes, and speaking of which, I am famished…"
"Say no more!" Peter yelled while getting up, "I'll be back in a moment." And then he headed off to the kitchens.
Madame Pince gave a "Shhhh!" in their direction to which Lily gave an impish smile and nod.
"That's a form of slavery." Lily said laughing.
Sirius smiled, "Yea… Let him have his fun."
Remus gave a large yawn as he finished writing his Potions essay, before he placed his head down on the table to rest. Sirius's eyes drooped occasionally.
Lily watched them carefully before setting her quill down also, "Why have you lot been so tired lately? I could've sworn today in transfiguration you were going to pass out into your box of spiders."
Remus looked to Sirius quickly, who gave the best excuse he could think of-
"We got knackered."
Lily placed her head on her hands and looked at him disbelievingly, "Is that so?"
"Yes." Sirius said ashamedly, "Just ask Benjy Fenwick. He saw us all. We have a problem, Lily, please just don't judge us."
Lily smiled and shook her head before turning to Remus, "Okay now Remus why don't you tell me what really happened?"
Sirius opened his mouth and pretended to be hurt.
Remus didn't look Lily in the eye, but sighed before answering in a monotone, "We got knackered."
Lily smiled and shook her head, "Well alright then, I'll take that for now. But if I'm ever going to finish this transfiguration I need to find Potter, where is the toad?"
Sirius shrugged, "Last I saw him he was running around with his... Toadette."
Lily sighed, "Forget that then, I'll just ask Emmeline later."
. . .
Dorcas Meadows was walking along a corridor alone.
She had just watched her boyfriend, Justin Diggle try out for the Gryffindor quidditch team, he had practiced for weeks, and tonight that had showed. She was certain that he had made a spot as beater.
She had just said goodbye to him and was on her way to the common room when it hit her. Suddenly the halls became dark and everything around her seemed to spin in slow motion.
A burgeoning pain had started in her spine and bloomed to the tips of her toes and fingers, her head felt as if it would burst. She curled to the floor in pain before she heard the words again.
"Crucio."
She knew that voice, but what was his name?
Her mind fleeted as her body twisted in another throb of pain, and suddenly she remembered.
She was going to scream out. But she heard that voice again.
And then she was unconscious.
A/N: And there you have it. Tell me everything. I hope to get a few more chapters our during spring break, but i might just sit around eating potato chips and watching movies. I mean what.
Thank you so much to everyone for reviewing, alerting, reading, all of that.
Reviews are vacations from school,
xx Kaytlin