Moria stood in front of the door to McGonagall's room, hesitant. Did she really want to do this? She set her mouth in a determined line, before knocking.

"Come in." she heard and entered, spotting the Transfiguration teacher behind her desk.

"Ah Moria…may I ask what the visit is for?" The teacher asked. Moria hesitated again.

"Um… I have a question…actually…it's sort of a request." She clarified. The teacher looked at her in surprise and folded her hands onto her desk.

"And that is?"

"Could…I mean…" she started and furrowed her brow. "How difficult is it to become an animagus?" Moria asked. The witch was silent, almost as if she was contemplating.

"Do you wish to be one? It is not going to be an easy feat."

Moria hesitated and then nodded. "I know. But I want to try."

Minerva looked at the student with judging eyes before offering a slight smile.

"I will think about it."

Sirius sat in the common room looking around as though to remember every last detail. In two more weeks they would be leaving Hogwarts for good. It felt surreal when he thought about not coming back. He was going to be on his own. He glanced up when he saw Moria enter and couldn't help smile.

"Well not completely on my own." He thought as he saw her glance at him, smile and then pretend to not have noticed him, leafing through some books. He got up and then walked over to her. When she attempted to move he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, kissing her neck.

"Well hello." She said with a laugh.

"Oh don't even try, I know full well you saw me." He growled, grinning as she laughed again.

"You caught me red handed, Mr. Black." She said laughing again as he promptly picked her up, and walked her over to the sofa in the middle.

"Kind of surreal isn't it?" Moria asked as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"What is?"

"Graduating."

"Yeah…" he murmured kissing her forehead.

"Lot of things has happened." She murmured as he kissed her neck.

"Do you regret any of it?"

"No." She answered. She felt him smile before moving. "What are you doing?" she asked moving away to look up at him.

"Here…it's a present." He said as he pulled out a bag and her eyes widened and he saw a blush beginning to grow.

"But I didn't-!"

"It's okay. It's sort of like congratulations that you made it…and thank you. Even if you never knew it, you managed to keep me in line…somewhat. And besides can't a boyfriend give a girlfriend something?" he asked and her face turned red. He couldn't help but smile. As far as he knew, he was currently the only boy that had managed to get the "Ice-Queen of Hogwarts" to blush like her face was fire, and he was bloody proud of it. He then watched her hesitantly open the small box and subsequently her jaw dropped.

In that box was the necklace she had been looking at months ago.

"When did you…"

"I rule at being sneaky. I got it when Lily and Alice were asking you if Madge could make the dresses." He said as she pulled it out. She stared at it for a few seconds, then gripped his shirt and pulled him over and kissed him deeply. He had a goofy grin when they parted.

"I like that as a form of a thank you." He said and she smiled.

"Well I might show a different way of appreciation of this lovely gift…but not now." She teased as he growled playfully. She smiled and then looked at the necklace. The cord attached to it was incredibly long and the gem would end up at her stomach. So instead of just shortening it, she improvised. She looped both sides of the cord around her neck, not placing her head through the opening as the necklace was supposed to be worn. She could see Sirius looking at her oddly but she ignored him. Once she was there she pulled the gem through the end corner of the loop and pulled up to her neck like a lasso.

"Aunt Madge told me about a necklace variation that I found interesting. It's called a Lariat necklace." She explained. Now the gem rested on her chest. He looked at her and then grinned.

"Tell you what…you may say you aren't girly…but you do know how to wear jewelry." He said and pulled her to him, kissing her and effectively smothering her laugh.

"Can you believe it?" Alice said as they looked at the Hogwarts castle.

"That we graduated? No." Moria said. "Seems like yesterday it was 1970 and we were first years. And look, it's June of 1977." She said.

"I can't believe it either." Lily murmured and then looked at Moria teasingly. "So I hear you're moving in with Sirius." She teased and Moria blushed.

"What of it?"

"It's so cute." Alice teased. "And you said you would never get a boyfriend." She added and Moria's face turned a deep shade of red. Lily laughed but then glanced at where a large group of Slytherins were, spotting Snape. She looked away.

"Lily?" Moria asked.

"I'm fine." Lily said. "So…I see you're wearing a necklace." Lily added and Moria grinned.

"See…I can be girly once in a while." Moria stated and the two girls laughed before they returned to the boys. Lily didn't pay attention to one Slytherin that stared at her with anguish.

Where had it gone wrong? She had always been his best friend…and for him…maybe a bit more. He followed Lily's form and felt anger as she laughed at something James said, blushing as he pulled her close.

Them. It had been because of them.

He would make them pay.

Especially James.

Severus watched Lily till the little group of Gryffindors disappeared and made a vow to try and convince the Dark Lord to allow Lily into the Death Eaters.

Because once she was gone from that group of blood traitors and half-bloods…she would be his Lily again.

"I thought women were supposed to have boxes upon boxes of clothes and stuff."

"Since when have I ever fit your definition of 'women'?" Moria asked as she tapped her last box and let it grow back to its original size before glancing at Sirius amused.

"Point taken." He said as he placed the remaining box next to the other five. Plus his they had a total of about ten, and about two of them were house essentials; towels, sheets, kitchenware which Moria had told him firmly that he was not allowed in the kitchen as the last time he had gone in there he had charred (and nearly set Jacob and William's apartment on fire) what was supposed to be toast. The others were clothes and some knick-knacks.

In all honesty the pair had been impressed by the small apartment when they arrived at it a few days ago, even though they had been living in their respective separate housing for a few months after graduation so they could get started on their training of being an auror and a healer. It probably would get snug if children came along, but for a couple of newly graduated young adults it fit. Moria rolled up her sleeves.

"Well might as well start unpacking." She said and he groaned, slumping on the couch that still had a cover sheet on it, apparently not too keen on unpacking. She smirked knowing a way that would get his randy arse moving.

"You do realize the sooner we get the stuff unpacked, the sooner we can start the christening." She stated, and as she suspected he sat up immediately, a hungry look in his eyes.

"Aha…knew there was a way to convince you to unpack."

"Oh shut it woman and let's get started." He said and she laughed.

"See…it's nicer if there's actually stuff unpacked." Moria said as Sirius kissed the back of her neck, traveling farther down her bare back. "Though I have a feeling you just like the reward you got." She stated and felt his lips curve up.

"We still have a few rooms to do though." He said and she looked at him amused.

"Sirius Orion Black. Do remember we do have plans with James, Lily, Alice, Frank, Remus, and Peter. I don't think we would ever hear the end of it if we were late." Moria stated. He chuckled.

"Later then?"

"Oh most definitely." Moria said with a grin. Later Moria had been dragged away by Lily and Alice leaving the boys to themselves.

"So Prongs…why the bloody hell did you need help…that didn't require Lily or any girl help? Because I may be wrong…but fashion advice isn't our strong suit." Sirius joked and then watched as James face turned a bit red. He then observed the shops around them. A clothes shop, broom shop, jewelry shop, candy store, a-!

He paused and then glanced at his best mate again who seemed to be eyeing the jewelry store.

"You're trying to get an engagement ring aren't you?" Remus asked, apparently catching James's gaze. James responded with his face deepening in color.

"Well, well Prongs. Way to go. Does Lily even know?"

"Of course she doesn't know! Why do you think I let her and the girls go shopping?"

"To torture Moria, since she hates shopping. Especially for herself." Sirius answered truthfully earning a snort from Peter, a chuckle from Remus and a grin from Frank. "Besides how hard can it be to find a ring?" he asked and Frank finally broke out in laughter.

"If you ever get married Sirius, trust me…you'll know."

"Why do I have to go shopping? My clothes are fine." Moria complained as Lily and Alice shoved another small group of hangars to her. The two other girls looked at her annoyed.

"Honestly are you a boy? You've been wearing the same type of clothes since we first met you."

"Because jeans and a t-shirt are comfortable!" Moria retorted as she was pushed back into a dressing room. Alice then looked at Lily, noticing she was staring at her hand that her wedding band. She grinned.

"Oi, Moria. You might want to tell your Aunt to start working on a wedding dress for Lily." Alice called out and Lily's face turned red.

"Shut up Alice."

"Oh come off it, you want James to purpose. Don't lie." Alice teased and Lily made no attempt to argue. Moria came out, wearing a light turtleneck tank top that showed off her arms. She was wearing dark muggle jeans. She was however barefoot as it seemed to be useless if she was trying on stuff.

"Well?"

"Hmmm…nice. It's girly but still tomboyish enough for you."

"Anyway Lily, Alice and I have known that since the sixth year you and James would get married eventually. It's not surprising." She said, pushing her hair back. "Can I change now?"

"Try on the jacket with this shirt." Alice demanded. Moria groaned loudly, storming back into dressing room, walking back out, jamming the jacket on.

"Well?!"

"I like it." Alice stated. "So you are free to change back now."

"Finally." Moria grumbled, going back to the dressing room.

"Hey, I was wondering..." Alice called out, earning a groan from Moria.

"What?" The other brunette grumbled poking her head over the changing room's door.

"What's with the earring on that metal chain?" The other girl asked. Moria glanced down at the necklace that was just under the necklace Sirius had given her. "I thought you didn't like jewelry."

"It's a good luck charm. From a friend I had when I was kid."

"Oh." Lily stated, almost surprised. Moria hadn't ever mentioned friends in her childhood. "Who-"

"Holy Merlin do my eyes deceive me? I didn't expect to see you three here." They heard and looked to see Chelsea standing there, a small bag in each hand, her hair cut in a pixie styled cut.

"Yes…I'm being held against my will. Save me." Moria joked as she went back into the dressing room to change back into her old outfit.

"I'm not really the one to help you there. Your style is too boyish." Chelsea complained. Moria groaned again.

"Not you TOO!"

Lily grinned walked away from the group of loud friends, listening to now Moria arguing with Chelsea, the sounds disappearing as she exited the store. She smiled gently at the vendor before ordering a quick snack. As the vendor got her order, Lily let her thoughts wander. What Moria had said had been true. It was ironic.

If someone had told her before her sixth year that she wanted to marry James Potter, she would have told them to shove it and to keep dreaming because she would sooner marry the squid from the Black Lake than marry him. But now…

"Lily Evans." A voice called out snapping her out of her thoughts and she looked up. Immediately her face turned to anger as several Slytherins were in front of her.

"What do YOU want?" she growled out.

"To make you an offer." One responded absently and Lily had to literally bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from growling.

"And that is?"

"To join us. To join Lord Voldemort's cause." The response was, though the speaker seemed bitter by that idea. This time Lily couldn't stop and growled.

"And kill muggle born witches and wizards?" she asked sarcastically. "You can tell your 'Lord' to stick his offer straight up his arse. The answer is no." She said.

"I don't think you understand-!"

"I think she understands plenty." Lily heard and looked behind her to see Moria, Alice, and Chelsea exiting. Moria was glaring at the group. "Back off."

"I don't see what this has to do with you, half-breed." He spat out and all four girls blinked in confusion.

Half-breed? Since when had Moria been considered a half-blood witch? Chelsea and Alice were pure blood and Lily was a muggle. But-

"Come again?" Moria finally asked, now curious. The man glared at her.

"You heard me." He snarled and Moria could feel the atmosphere changing. Apparently the other three girls as well as other witches and wizards could too, because people began to grow nervous, looking around as though some demon was going to jump out. Moria glanced around and then in the corner of her eye spotted a man in a black pointed hat, and a mask covering his face.

Aiming a wand directly at Lily.

"LILY MOVE!" she yelled and grabbed her best friend's elbow and wrenching her back just as a spell slammed into the coffee vendor, shattering it.

As though a switch had gone off, chaos erupted. The civilian witches and wizards that were walking began to scramble around like chickens with their heads chopped off, clambering around each other and stomping on the poor souls that had fallen. However the small group that surrounded them didn't panic or run, instead withdrew their own wands, aiming them at the four girls. They returned by withdrawing their own wands.

Moria was first.

"Stupefy!" she called out, hitting one of Malfoy's buddies square in the chest and sending him flying. She ducked as she dodged another spell, noting that the other three were handling themselves fairly well. She also noticed that the number of people wearing masks and dark robes were multiplying.

"Bloody hell…this is so not ending well!" She thought.

Well she'd have to worry about it later.

If there was going to be a later.

Sirius groaned as they finally left the jewelers.

"I swear to Merlin, Prongs, it shouldn't have been that hard to decide." He complained. James glared at him, shoving the ring box into his pocket.

"I really can't wait to when you have to get a ring for-!" he began to growl out but stopped when they heard the sound of screaming and yelling before seeing a mob of panicked people rushing towards and passed them. Frank grabbed one of the running witches.

"What's going on?!" he asked. The witch looked back panicked.

"They just started attacking these four girls! No warning!"

"Who!?" Frank started asking, panic now obvious in his tone. The direction that everyone was rushing away from was the direction they had seen Lily and Alice dragging Moria away.

"I don't know! Two brunettes, a red head, and a black haired girl!" the witch shrieked before wrenching herself out of Frank's grip and rushing away. At this point the panic now grew into fear for the three men and the other two, they stood there for a few moments, stunned before they bolted towards what could now be conceived as a battle.

Moria panted as she stumbled up, shoving her torn sleeve up, knowing full well it would just fall back to her wrist. She glanced quickly at the other three and saw in relief that they were still moving and fighting. She had to admit that Chelsea was holding her own despite being a healer. Gave her some hopes that she-

"Moria!" she heard and looked towards the entrance of the street to see all the boys rushing towards them. She smiled but didn't notice one of her adversaries stumbling up and glaring at her, raising his wand. Lily however noticed and as he uttered a curse, she bolted to her friend and shoved Moria away.

"Moria mov-"

"Sectumsempra!"

For Moria it was in slow motion as the curse slammed into Lily's back. Lily's eyes opened in shock before growing vacant and with that her legs buckled under her, falling onto the ground and growing still. Moria immediately scrambled to her friends' side, shaking her desperately to wake her friend up. To Moria's shock she saw blood beginning to blossom on Lily's still form. It looked as though she had been involved in a knife fight.

"Lily! Lily come on!" she called out and vaguely heard James yell out in panic. Chelsea arrived first however, and pulled out her wand.

"Vulnera Sanentur. Vulnera Sanentur. Vulnera Sanentur"She said repeatedly and to Moria watched as the wounds begin to close up again. She looked up at Chelsea. "It's a healing spell. You'll learn it soon. But I need to get her to Mungo's. I don't know if there are any internal injuries-!"

"Lily?! Oh Merlin, Lily! Wake up!" James called out sliding to the trio. Moria then noticed that the men in the dark robes and masks were apparating away. Now they were alone in the eerie quiet.

They were all now crammed into the waiting room at Mungo's, waiting for a prognosis on Lily. James had not stopped pacing the entire time, ever so often glancing at the doors that the healer would come in to tell them. Currently Alice was cuddling herself to Frank who was rubbing her arm, trying to calm her. Moria however had pulled herself away from the group and had curled up in a chair farthest away from them.

She hated waiting in a hospital. Helping, being the one to try and save a life was one thing…but waiting in one was a different matter for her. She winced as she pressed against a bruise on her knee, but didn't move her head. Lily had taken a spell for her. She had gotten hurt because of her. Why-!

Her thoughts were interrupted by a larger hand pressing onto her shoulder and she jerked up to see Sirius standing there.

"Hey…"

"Hi." She murmured. "You should be helping James-!"

"Prongs told me to check on you. Besides the fact I was planning on checking on you anyway. You haven't spoken at all since we got here."

"One of my best friends took a curse meant for me and is now in an emergency room. What am I supposed to say?" Moria asked.

"She'll be fine. Lily's a fighter and stubborn. That was pretty clear throughout Hogwarts. You know that." He said, sitting down next to her.

"I hate waiting for results I guess…especially in a hospital. Waiting makes me more nervous when I'm in a setting like this." She said.

"It makes everyone nervous." He said and then pulled her to him, resting her head on his chest. She seemed to relax as he did that, and he combed his fingers through her knotted hair. "She'll be okay. Promise." He said. As though the fates heard him, Chelsea entered and James all but tackled her.

"Well!? How is she?!" he asked hurriedly. Chelsea was silent for a few seconds and then smiled.

"She's perfectly fine, right now all she is doing is resting." She said and the atmosphere in the room changed, lightening up in a near second. James looked weak with relief.

"Can we see her?" he asked.

"She's still out cold, but she should wake up soon. I don't see a problem with you guys going in to see her. Though some of the upper healers might shoo you out if they catch you, so if you get caught-!"

"We never saw you." Moria finished for her with a grin. "Thanks Chel."

"No problem." She said and with that left, most likely to go do some more rounds at Mungo's as the small crowd of young adults went to a room that Chelsea had gestured to. They saw Lily lying on a bed, asleep and Moria could see James relax even more and she felt relief wash into her.

Lily was alright…she was alright.

"Merlin today was a long day." Moria murmured as she and Sirius walked back into their apartment. Sirius didn't say anything instead pulled her to his chest. She looked up at him in confusion.

"Sirius?" she asked but he didn't respond. The moment they had entered their apartment it hit him that, if things had turned out differently today, Moria might have not been coming back with him. She might have been the one staying the night at the hospital…or worse. And it scared the living hell out of him.

"Did I mention to you today that I love you?" he asked and she looked at him curiously but decided not to ask.

"Yes…you have." She murmured as he kissed her. "And I love you too." She stated and he smiled softly, just holding her.

Sirius awoke the next day, blinking in the dull lighting of the bedroom. At first his memory was fuzzy. This didn't look like his room at the Potters. Where? The thoughts died down as a form shifted next to him, and curled closer to him and looking down he saw it was Moria, blissfully asleep. He smiled and delicately gave her a kiss on the cheek. She shifted again and mumbled something that was incomprehensible, but miraculously stayed asleep, considering she was one of the lightest sleepers he knew. She must have been exhausted. He smiled just watching her sleep, until her eyes scrunched slightly, before opening. She smiled softly.

"Good morning." He said kissing her. He felt her smile against his mouth.

"Got to say…I like this wake call much better than an alarm clock." She said and he laughed before rolling over on top of her, earning a laugh from her as well.

"I swear Sirius, you're randy even now?" she teased as he kissed her again. He smirked and cupped her face in his hands.

"You know me…" he murmured before capturing her into another kiss. The rest of the morning was silent and still, the couple unaware of what the Daily Prophet had plastered all over the front page.

WAR UPON US!

Attack on Diagon Alley just the beginning.