20 November, 1978
Frank and Alice were married today. The ceremony was small and simple. The boys all got back just in time for the ceremony, we have an Order meeting tomorrow to discuss what they found. These past two weeks have seemed so long and empty with Sirius gone. Now hopefully we can have a few weeks of peace before a fresh hell breaks loose.
Annicka Llewellyn
"I was thinking of taking some time off of work," Annicka announced as she and Sirius sat on their sofa one evening.
"Like a sabbatical?" Sirius asked surprised by the statement.
"More like a vacation," she replied. "I just need to take some time away from work, I'm losing the ability to think. Sometimes I feel like I'm going mad trying to work things out." Ann sighed a sigh that showed her exhaustion more than anything else she had said. "I need to get out of London for a while, clear my head."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Sirius asked.
"No, you have another mission and I can't get in the way -"
"Ann you are never in the way," Sirius objected placing a finger over her lips. "I can ask one of the others to go, if you want me with you."
"I always want you," she reminded him, "but I don't know how well you would do with a week in the cabin."
"The cabin?" he asked completely confused. Annicka looked at him for a moment, confused, before she sighed.
"I guess I never told you about it. My parents owned a cabin in Austria. We used to go there for Christmas when I was little. I inherited it when they died and I thought now would be a good time to use it." She explained with a slightly nostalgic smile.
"You know what," Sirius smiled Annicka's favorite smile.
"What?" she asked with a small smile of her own.
"I do great in the woods," he answered, and kissed her so she couldn't ruin the moment with more talking.
5 December, 1978
So the Ministry gave me the time off, and Sirius has cleared things with Dumbledore and the others, and we leave tomorrow for my parent's cabin for a week. We'll be back in time for all the Christmas fun, and insanity, but for one week we don't have to worry about saving the world, or even one group of people. For one week we just get to be us. I have to confess the main reason I want to get away is because of all my experiments trying to cure or "tame" werewolves have all failed. I need to regroup and find a new approach. Plus it will be nice to have some real alone time with Sirius. See you in a week.
Annicka Llewellyn
Annicka smiled as she watched Sirius build up the fire, "You look so manly doing that," she teased.
"I'm always manly," Sirius replies as he joins her on the sofa. Annicka laughs and he kisses her, that's when they hear the news.
9 December, 1978
We're home now; we came back the moment we heard. There was a fight with some Death Eaters . . . Mary and Margo were both killed. I can't even think right now.
Annicka Llewellyn
25 December, 1978
Christmas has come, we're going over to James and Lily's place soon to meet up with everyone to celebrate. I'll write again when we get back.
Annicka Llewellyn
Annicka set down her pen and slid her journal into its hiding place, "Sirius it's time to go," she called out as she picked up her jacket.
"I'm almost ready," Sirius replied from the bathroom.
"We're going to be late if we don't leave right now," she informed him from the doorway.
"Well you go ahead and I'll catch up," Sirius sighed in exasperation. Annicka laughed to herself and did as he suggested, she waited almost 10 minutes on the stoop to the Potter's before she knocked on the door. "Okay, I'm here," Sirius announced as she finished knocking.
"I can't believe it takes you longer to get ready than it takes me," Annicka scoffed. The door opened before he could reply.
"Ann and Sirius are here!" Lily announced as she stepped aside to let them in.
"Sorry we're late," Annicka apologized. "Someone took his time getting ready," Lily laughed as Sirius made a face. Ann made her way further into the party to say hello to the other guests. Three hours later and the party was winding down all the games had been played and everyone was chatting when Frank pointed something out. "Look, Annicka and Remus are under the mistletoe."
Everyone turned to look at the two friends who were now staring at each other in shock. "The two of you have to kiss now," Alice stated. "Its tradition," Lily added, both girls were grinning gleefully.
"This is ridiculous," Annicka objected, "we are best friends. It would be way too weird."
"I'm okay with it if you are," Remus stated to the amusement of the whole room. Annicka hesitated a moment longer before giving in. "Fine," she sighed and turned to face Remus.
"On the count of three," Sirius stated, "One . . . two . . ." he never got to say three because Annicka took a step forward and planted one quick kiss on Remus' lips.
"Merry Christmas," she said with a smile and walked through all of her shocked frozen friends.
25 December, 1978
For some reason the universe like to play tricks on me because tonight I got caught under the mistletoe with Remus and all of our friends insisted on us "upholding tradition." We kissed it was short and to the point, but I felt – anyway the year is almost over, and I hope next year will be a better one.
Annicka Llewellyn
"Ann, what were you thinking accepting that assignment?" Sirius shouted when they were finally alone in their apartment.
"I was thinking that I might finally get to do something for the Order besides giving them bits and pieces of potentially useless information," Annicka stated as calmly as she could.
"You don't understand how dangerous these missions can be," Sirius argued.
"And I don't think you realize just how dangerous it is to walk into the Ministry of Magic everyday and spy on my co-workers and superiors. Every single day I run the risk of being discovered not only by the Death Eaters but our own government. What do you think they would do to me if they found out?" Annicka argued passionately.
"This is different," Sirius objected, "If you're seen with me -"
"Sirius both sides of this know we're together, the two of us going on a trip together isn't going to be suspicious." Annicka reasoned holding her hands out to him. Sirius placed his hands in hers sighing at her stubbornness. "I know you are worried that I could be hurt, but I am always the one left behind, but this time, this one time I can be with you." Annicka stepped closer but was sure to maintain eye contact, "We will look after each other." Sirius just shook his head and kissed her.
15 January, 1979
Well Sirius and I just got back from our first mission together, and honestly it wasn't all that different from what I do every day except of course Sirius was with me. I don't think he handled our – duet as well as I did. He was too worried about me to act naturally. I don't see why he should start now when things have been so calm. Though I suppose it wasn't so unreasonable that he was worried considering Voldemort showed up to do some business with the locals. We got out of there quickly but we still had to fight. Still, back to work tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Annicka Llewellyn
10 February, 1979
There was an attack last night, we lost two more members of the order, the Hardingdales. Brothers just a few years older than us, but they were wonderful and didn't treat us like children like some of the others do. We will miss them. Several of the older members of the order laugh at our optimism, they are beginning to lose hope, and I think that makes them lash out at us, barely adults by our world's standards. Yet we fight, fiercely, I think they may also resent that Dumbledore sends the Marauders on so many missions. I guess I just needed to get this off my mind. I didn't mean to rant about all of this when I started, but in a way I guess that is what this journal is for isn't it? To relieve my thoughts.
Annicka Llewellyn
28 February, 1979
Today we celebrated my birthday, as Sirius is always fond of pointing out my real birthday isn't until next year. My presents were all wonderful, and everyone I invited came over to celebrate. The boys decided to put on a musical number for me, and I never realized just how terrible Sirius and James are at singing. Peter wasn't terrible, but Remus has a wonderful voice, he really should sing more often. When I told him that he just blushed and said performing wasn't for him. Sirius made a joke and everything was back to normal. Honestly some days I don't know what to do with them. Happy Birthday to me!
Annicka Llewellyn
5 May, 1979
Another day, another mission, the boys are gone again and I'm home working on a new potion. I have yet to find anything that makes it past the first round of tests. I'm getting very discouraged. I don't dare tell anyone about the problems I'm having at work, for one I don't think most of them would understand, for another I'm sworn to secrecy. When the Ministry officials come to check on our progress it's like they're looking for a weapon, I don't know, maybe I'm crazy.
Annicka Llewellyn
Annicka was clearing the dishes from her dinner when someone knocked on the door. Curious she went to answer it and found Amanda Lupin standing in the hall. "Amanda this is a surprise!" Ann exclaimed as she hugged her surrogate mother.
"It has been too long," Amanda replied. Ann led her into the living room where they sat on the sofa.
"What brings you here today?" Ann asked pleasantly.
"Actually I'm looking for Remus, he wasn't at home. Do you know where he is?" his mother asked.
"He's on a trip, all the boys are," Annicka explained vaguely. "I'm sorry, I thought he would have told you."
"No," Amanda sighed, "Remus was never very good at keeping me informed."
Annicka laughed lightly, "Remus is pretty terrible at keeping up his correspondence." Amanda joined in the laughter, when they quieted down Annicka took a good long look at the woman who had taken her into her home and family. "Is something wrong?" she asked noticing the worried look in Amanda's eyes. "Did something happen, is that why you want to see Remus?"
"No it's nothing in particular. Things have been strange at home, some of our neighbors have disappeared, and there have been a few suspicious deaths. I've been getting more and more anxious, I suppose I just wanted to assure myself that he was alright," Amanda explained, her voice growing more depressed.
"Why haven't you said anything in your letters?" Annicka demanded to know.
"I didn't want to worry your children, you're just started your lives -"
"I doubt Remus would mind hearing your troubles, he is your son," Ann objected. "I don't either by the way."
Amanda suddenly enveloped Annicka in another hug. "I am so happy you came to stay with us, I always wanted a daughter, you know."
"I'll bring Remus around for a visit as soon as he gets back," Annicka promised.
"Thank you."