She thought her life was over – but fate gave her another chance, in a world of magic. Now, running around Hogwarts with James Potter and his friends, she's about to make choices that will change the future in ways she never thought possible…

Marauder's Phase

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Speaking With Dumbledore

I woke up, feeling like I'd slept for a thousand years, but I still felt sore and tired.

I opened my eyes, and saw a bright light.

I'm dead. I thought. I'm staring into a tunnel of light, my body is cold and numb…we are talking deceased here… I was terrified. No one wants to be dead!

"This is a bad dream…" I muttered, not expecting anyone to answer me, except maybe God.

"No it's not." Said a voice.

"God!?" I gasped.

Sirius laughed. "If you say so."

Sirius' face swam into view, and I was as relieved to see him as he was to see me. Presently, I saw Remus, James and Peter standing around the bed I was in, all looking relieved as well.

Blood covered Sirius' robes, and James was also looking a bit bloody.

"What happened…to you two?" I asked, looking from James to Sirius, and resting my gaze on the latter.

It was James who spoke. "Snivellus cursed you. We think he was trying to kill you." He looked extremely annoyed. "I've already dealt with him, and he's being dealt with again by Professor Dumbledore."

I paled. "D-Dumbledore knows I'm here?"

The Marauders exchanged a glance.

"He knows, doesn't he?" I thought my heart was going to stop.

"He's not angry," Remus assured me. "Just…" He glanced at his friends.

"Curious?" Sirius shrugged. "Who can tell with old Dumbledore?"

"Is he…angry with you guys?" I asked, and was alarmed when nobody answered. "Guys? Did you get in trouble because of me!? Guys!?"

They didn't say anything.

"You haven't been expelled, have you!?" My voice was rising.

"No, of course not!" James said. But he looked slightly unsure, although it's always hard to tell with James.

"Then," I tried to sit up quickly, and winced. I sat up slowly. "Are you guys in trouble?" If they were in trouble because of me, then I would have a fit. If they were expelled…then I was committing suicide. I couldn't handle it if that happened. I looked at each of them in turn, silently begging them to tell me, mentally plotting Severus Snape's demise.

Just then, the doors to the hospital wing opened, and Professor Dumbledore stepped in.

I froze, for the second time in a week. Oh God, I hadn't even been here for a week, and I'd been found out. Worse…I glanced at the Marauders. I may have gotten my new friends expelled.

Damn you, Severus Snape.

***

No One's P.O.V:

"Good evening," Dumbledore said politely, acknowledging the four boys and one girl. He was also amused at the differences between their expressions.

Sirius Black looked guarded. James Potter looked prepared.

Peter Pettigrew was nervous beyond belief. Remus Lupin, at least, had the penitence to look ashamed, although there was a certain reserved look in his eyes.

The girl, whom Dumbledore had come to know was called Emma Pax, looked absolutely horrified, as if the mere sight of him filled her with fear.

Dumbledore could guess what those fears were.

"I trust that you all know why I am here." He said, gazing at each of them in turn.

Peter let out a small whimper.

"Do you have…anything to say, for yourselves?" He went on, peering at them over his half-moon spectacles.

For a moment, nobody spoke, not even James or Sirius.

Then, at last, Emma cleared her throat. "U-uh umm…P-Professor Dumbledore…umm…" She blinked when he looked right at her. Those eyes…it was like he was gazing right into her soul. "Umm…you see…" She took a deep breath. She seemed to be calming herself. And then she looked at Sirius, who nodded at her. She sighed. "You see Professor Dumbledore, what happened was this…these guys found me in the forest on Friday night. I was…more than a bit lost…but, they helped me in here, and gave me a place to stay. We're really, really sorry that we didn't tell you, I guess I was just scared you would turn me away because I have nowhere else to go!" She finished in a half yell, tears in her eyes.

But there was no way the tears were going to spill over. She took another deep breath, and said: "I'm sorry."

"Sorry." Remus said immediately. He had no idea what else to say.

"Sorry." James and Sirius echoed in unison.

"S-sorry." Peter stammered. He still looked nervous, as though they might be expelled at any second. He kept glancing nervously at Emma, whose eyes were glued on the white-bearded Professor.

"A-are you going to…expel them?" Emma asked nervously. She was sitting very still, as if awaiting Dumbledore's decision before she did anything else.

Dumbledore looked surprised. "Expel? Why, no Miss. Pax, these four have gotten into far worse mischief than this."

Emma looked so surprised that, for a moment, the others were shocked.

And then the Marauders started grinning, and Emma sank back onto her pillows, sighing. "That's a relief." She said, smiling, and closing her eyes.

Remus patted her hand reassuringly.

"Uh, however," Dumbledore said, and Emma's eyes snapped open. "That doesn't mean…that they will not have to pay, for their actions."

Immediately, Emma said: "If they get punished, then so do I!"

The Marauders glanced at her, and her eyes were full of determination. If they could have read her mind, then they would have heard her say: I know I only just met them, but I already knew so much about them, it's like I've known them forever! They've helped me a lot – and I won't stand aside to let them be punished!

Dumbledore, however, merely smiled, and said: "No, all I ask is this – that they make sure that you find your way around Hogwarts, and do not let you have any trouble – if they can prevent it."

The Marauders were all grinning like crazy now, in relief and happiness.

"Yeah, but who's gonna prevent them from getting me into the trouble in the first place?" Emma muttered.

"Hmm? What was that?' Dumbledore smiled.

"N-nothing." Emma said, smiling. "So, umm, what about Sn…Severus Snape?"

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore's expression darkened slightly. "That is…being dealt with." He nodded, and turned to go, heading toward the door.

Sirius and James exchanged a high-five.

Emma met Remus' eyes. They exchanged a silent, meaningful look. Emma's eyes looked…serene. She had calmed down. Remus was glad.

At the door, however, Dumbledore turned around again, and said: "Oh, and Miss. Pax?"

"Hmm?" She glanced up at him, and wasn't sure if she liked the amusement in his eyes.

"Your Sorting will take place tomorrow evening, when I trust you will be well again." He said, tipping his hat and exiting from the room.

Emma's eyes were two big dots, here face a massive question mark. "S-Sorting? Me?"

…