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 FORTY-ONE

In The Hospital Wing – Again

"What the hell are all these!?" I gasped, staring at what looked like half the sweets shop, stacked high beside my bed in the hospital wing. I was sitting up in bed the following morning, feeling a little bit tired but nonetheless alive.

Standing beside my bed, grinning, were Peter, Sirius and Remus.

"Presents from your many, many admirers." Sirius said, winking at me as I examined a large peppermint chocolate the shape and size of a bulldog.

"Is this from you, Siri?" I asked him, and he nodded. I motioned him closer and he leant down. I kissed the cut on his forehead and said: "Thanks."

As Sirius straightened up, we all happened to glance over to James' bed.

He was sitting up as well, and talking with Lily in low, hushed tones. We couldn't hear what they were saying, but it looked like a very private conversation.

We returned our attention to the pile of sweets.

"Molly and Alice sent me those," I said, pointing to the Liquorice Wands. "And Serilda sent me that," I motioned to a particularly un-edible-looking chocolate. "She probably poisoned it, but I don't care – I'm just grateful we all got out of that mess alive, and vaguely in one piece…" I trailed off, and then glanced at James again. He looked okay, but he had to take twelve different potions daily. He, Sirius and Peter had nearly died saving me, and Remus and Lily had been out of their minds with worry. Professor McGonagall was debating whether or not to deduct house-points from us or not. I wondered if you could have minus any amount of points…

Sirius, Remus and Peter exchanged a three-way glance, and then Remus said: "Em…you don't by any accounts think that this is all your fault now, do you?"

"Of course I do!" I cried, emotions flooding through me. "If I hadn't gotten so angry about all that before then you wouldn't have followed me into the forest and the Death Eaters…"

"Would still have found a way to come after you, Miss. Pax." Came the quiet voice of Albus Dumbledore from the doorway to the hospital wing. He came in, with a serene presence of grace and dignity, and said: "Miss. Evans, Mr. Black, Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Lupin, would you mind stepping out for a moment so that I may speak to Miss. Pax alone, please? And, I believe your brother, Mr. Black, is looking for you."

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "And why would I want to speak to him?"

"Sirius!" I snapped, rolling my eyes. "Go and see your brother! Here, take him this thing." And I handed Sirius the present from Serilda.

Sirius grinned.

Remus glanced at me, and then left, along with Sirius, Peter and Lily.

James glanced at us curiously for a moment, and then pretended not to listen as Dumbledore asked me what had happened in the forest, from the moment I'd run away.

Leaving out parts, such as what I'd been mad at and the whole Animagus thing, I told Dumbledore about the three Death Eaters, what they had said and how they had reacted to what I'd said.

When I got to the part Voldemort's orders, I thought I saw Dumbledore's eyes harden, but then I must've imagined it because they resumed their normal twinkling just as fast.

Quickly, because I didn't really want to relieve the moments in the forest, I told Dumbledore about being tortured with the Cruciatus Curse, and about pretending to be under the Imperius Curse to fool the Death Eaters.

Dumbledore nodded. "You have shown extraordinary bravery in the face of immense danger, Miss. Pax."

"But…I led my friends into the danger, Dumbledore…I nearly got them killed." I said in a soft voice, staring at the enchanted black dog from Sirius that was now sniffing at a Cauldron Cake on my bedside table. I had decided to name the dog Snuffles. "The Death Eaters were all going to kill them, and it was my fault."

"Ah, but to not only admit it," Dumbledore told me. "But to then attempt to rectify it by going to extraordinary lengths to save their lives, shows that you can do what needs to be done, even if the fault is your own."

I looked up at him. "Umm, Professor? That makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever…"

He smiled. "In time, Miss. Pax, I believe it will. For now, do you have anything which you would like to ask or tell me?" I looked into his blue eyes and, for a second, I think he knew where I was from.

Oh God…

Then James, who had of course been listening in, said: "Professor – why did the Death Eaters attack Emma anyway?" He was looking over at us intently.

I looked at the Professor.

He sighed deeply. "That is something that, alas, I feel it would do no good for either of you to know, at present time. When you are older, and ready to hear it, then you will know the answer to the question."

James and I exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement. Dumbledore's insane!

And, I knew without a doubt, that Dumbledore knew at least something about who I was and where I was from!

Why else would he have so readily accepted me into the castle, all those months ago in November? I could've been a Death Eater for all he knew! No one knew a thing about me and, here I was, learning magic from the school!

Dumbledore…the Minister…they seemed to know something about me that I did not. I had a chance to think about that now, after the months that my life had re-begun, but I came to no conclusions.

I flicked a small ball of dust across the dressing table, and watched Snuffles chase after it eagerly. I wouldn't get the answers to my questions today, I knew that for a fact.

I sighed, and sank back into my pillows. At least I was safe here.

The old man stood up, and smoothed out his periwinkle robes. "For now, I have some unfinished business to attend to. I shall leave you two to heal and regain your strengths." He said, standing up and walking to the door, where he nearly collided with Remus, who was coming back in.

Remus walked over to my bed, looking slightly awkward, and handed me something in his hand. "Here, it's a…" He grinned suddenly. "Get-well-soon charm."

I took the small enchanted silver wolf and gazed at it with happy shock. "Oh wow, Remi, it's gorgeous!" I placed it on the table next to Snuffles, who immediately growled at it.

The wolf growled back, and Snuffles whimpered and ran to hide behind the table lamp.

Hmm…

"Not that I'll need it," I went on thoughtfully. "To get well, since Madam Pomfrey says I can leave the hospital wing tonight…James, on the other hand, needs to take it easy and rest…"

Suddenly, Lily burst into the ward, so suddenly that she startled me, Remus, James, the two enchanted charms and Madam Pomfrey, who was bustling out of the back room.

"Now really, Miss Evans…" Madam Pomfrey began.

"Sorry Madam Pomfrey!" Lily said breathlessly. "But you won't believe what Regulus Black just told us!"

"What?" I asked, gripping the sides of my bed, because Lily's eyes were unusually wild, her face a mask of disbelief.

"Slytherin's playing Gryffindor in a Quidditch match tomorrow!" Lily exclaimed.

"WHAT!!??" James and I both sat bolt upright, staring at the red-head in shock.

"Ravenclaw lost to Slytherin in their match yesterday," Lily said breathlessly. "So Gryffindor still has a shot at the Cup – they're playing tomorrow, at midday!"

James and I turned to each other, wearing equal masks of horror.

"I'll…I'll never be allowed to leave the hospital wing to play in a Quidditch match!" James moaned.

"Too right you want!" Madam Pomfrey said briskly.

"Oh my God…" I realised, comprehension dawning on me. "Guys…it'll have to be me. I'm the only reserve seeker that there is…"