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 FIFTY-FIVE
The Threat
When I walked into our DADA class late, there was collective murmuring, and everyone turned to look at me.
Blushing, I hurried to my seat beside Sirius who, of course, muttered: "Thought you'd been attacked."
"Not yet." I replied grimly, as Professor Ackerly, today in robes of dark green, faced the class.
"Today we will be practicing duelling." He said in his musical voice. "I have been informed that you have all had experience in this field, yes?"
We all nodded.
And Sirius said: "Yeah, but we," He indicated himself, James, Peter and me. "Have an advantage, since we've duelled actual Death Eaters before – and lived."
There was a murmuring of agreement – some of the Slytherins, particularly Bellatrix, gave us cold glares.
"Well then, Mr. Black," Professor Ackerly said, looking somewhat amused. "Why don't you and Miss. Pax come up here and demonstrate your duelling abilities for the class?"
I froze. Me? Duel Sirius? My boyfriend? Here? Now? In front of the entire class?
My mind told me to get up, to walk to the front of the classroom, draw my wand and duel.
But my heart screamed at me not to, because this was Sirius. My boyfriend, my partner…
Professor Ackerly seemed to assess my discomfort, or perhaps he saw the look of utter defiance on Sirius' face, because he said quickly: "Or, perhaps, Mr. Black, a different opponent? Can you suggest someone?"
Sirius' expression changed instantly and, naturally, I knew exactly where his train of thought was headed.
"Snivellus." He said, standing up and pointing to Severus Snape, who tensed, but also rose.
"Fine." He said in an icy cold voice, and I cringed, wondering how anyone could think someone as beautiful, warm and vivacious as Lily could end with Snape?
James said: "Yeah, go for it Padfoot!"
Peter added: "Go Padfoot!"
Many of the Gryffindor students also showed their support for Sirius – Snape was clearly disliked, but I knew that.
Lily, Remus and I looked on – the former two silently, but me apprehensively.
It was a natural feeling, with my boyfriend facing his mortal enemy. It was a rivalry that would continue on way into their thirties.
Sirius and Snape faced each other.
My heart began to pound.
"Furnunculus!"
"Conjunctivitis!"
Well, they certainly weren't going to start small.
Everyone moved back.
"Densaeguo!"
"Everte Statum!"
Neither one of the curses managed to hit, because Sirius and Snape were both equally matched – and both had the same amount of hatred burning in their eyes.
Why wasn't the Professor doing something about the obvious danger here? Didn't he know how bad this could be? Sirius and Snape look for any excuses to try and murder each other – and now they were practically being given permission!
I knew Sirius well enough to know his one weakness, which could be his one downfall – over-confidence.
Snape may be a jerk, and all those other things, but he had an analytical mind, and would be able to spot an opening as soon as one presented itself.
It was only a matter of time before…
My eyes opened wide.
"Expellia…"
"SECTUMSEMPRA!!"
"NO!!"
I saw Sirius' eyes widen in shock, not because of the spell, but because I had gone running across the floor and had pushed him out of the way, thankfully not taking the hit myself, unless you count the fact that it got my face, just below my eye. Another two or three inches higher, and it would've hit my eye.
Sirius and I fell to the floor with a crash, as blood oozed out of my face, and everyone watching began gasping.
"Emma!" Sirius gasped.
"Sirius." I muttered, feeling an unexplainable anger toward Severus Snape burning in my chest, erasing all pain from the Sectumsempra spell. "Expelliamus!" And Snape's wand flew out of his hand. I stood up, and a cold, ominous wind blew through the classroom, billowing the edges of my black day robes as I advanced on Severus Snape who, I am very happy to say, looked apprehensive. I supposed I might resemble an advancing lioness…or a wolf. "Severus Snape!" I shouted, my voice shaking with a cold and terrible tremor. "If you EVER attempt to harm Sirius again, then I don't care if it lands me in Azkaban – I WILL kill you!!" My wand was pointed directly at his throat and I was shaking.
So was he.
Nobody said anything, everyone's eyes were on me, and my wand, waiting to see what I would do next. Blood ran freely from my cut, dripping onto the floor with a steady rhythm.
At last, after what seemed like an eternity, Lily spoke, and her voice brought me crashing back to reality. "Em…don't, he isn't worth it…"
I sighed, and lowered my wand. There were a few sighs of relief from the crowd as I returned my wand to my robes, but then Snape chose that moment to say: "I don't need help from a mudbl…"
But I cut him off my punching him in the face.
As he staggered back, I turned, and ran from the classroom, with Sirius right behind me. He caught up with me in the corridor, where I immediately started shouting.
"I hate him!" I screamed, my voice echoing off the empty corridors, as people in classrooms poked their heads out to see what was going on. "Goddam it, I hate him so much!!"
"I know, I do too," Sirius said, his was face concerned but his eyes were alight with something I can only describe as pride. "Here, Emmy…" He took out his wand and held it over my face. "Vulnera Sanentur… Vulnera Sanentur… Vulnera Sanentur…"
"Thank you…Siri…" I whispered, allowing him to gather me in his arms.
***
No One's P.O.V:
The great beast slid through the darkness, hearing screams reverberating from high above. No, that wasn't quite correct. It felt them, they were so loud that they sent tremors running through the place, right through the very pipes that the giant snake used to navigate the castle.
The Basalisk's tongue flicked in and out, tasting the air around it.
It was still hungry. Very hungry…
And it craved blood…
***
I walked into the common room that evening, and James seemingly materialized out of thin air.
"You're Seeker." He said to me.
"Excuse me?" I blinked, as the other Marauders joined us.
"I'm taking over Rains' position as Keeper," James said, glancing not at me but across the common room at a certain red-head. "And making you Seeker."
I was stunned. "W-what? But…why?"
"Plenty of reasons," Sirius said seriously. "One, you're good at being Seeker, two, you suck at being Keeper."
I gave him a Look.
"And three," And Sirius was grinning now. "Lily said she'd kill James if he didn't, since she knows points one and two as well as he does. But those points were more important." He added quickly, catching sight of the Look on my face.
I sighed. "Okay then," We'd had a few practices recently, with me and James alternating between Keeper and Seeker. "So I'm the official Seeker now. Cool. When's our next match?"
"Tomorrow." James said immediately.
"Morning." Sirius added.
"And it's against Slytherin." James added.
"Regulus!" I squeaked.
Sirius nodded. "You're better than him, Em. You'll be fine."
I sighed. "And just when I thought I wouldn't have to worry about any snakes for awhile…"