Chapter Eleven: Easter

The air was filled with the sounds of hexes and curses.

James and Sirius were laughing as they jinxed Snape, mercilessly.

Lupin and Peter stood by, looking cross between amused and anxious.

The Marauders and Professor McGonagall seemed to have reached a stalemate. They were allowed to leave the Common Room, providing to keep their wands to themselves.

The Marauders decided that Snape was the exception to the rule.

"Potter! Black! Leave him alone!"

James and Sirius cringed, but relaxed, upon seeing that it was only Lily Evans.

She was marching towards them, looking furious.

"You two are nothing more than arrogant, bullying, toe rags!" she spat. She then handed James a letter.

"What's that?" James asked, mildly surprised.

"Your owl dropped it off at the Owlry. Seeing as how you four are still trapped in the school, I decided to be mature and deliver it to you."

"Blimey!" James cried, horrified, "I forgot all about Bandit!"

"Don't worry," Lily said, rather shyly, "I've been feeding him for you."

"Thanks," James said, relieved, before smirking seductively, "For someone who claims to hate me, you're sure helping me out."

She glared at him, before grabbing Snape's arm. The two walked off.

James chuckled and opened the envelope, reading the letter. He then brightened, saying, "My mum and dad invited me to come home for the Easter holidays."

Sirius grimaced, "My parents requested me to come to my house, as well."

"Bad luck, mate," James sighed.

He grabbed a piece of parchment and scrawled down his address.

"Here's my address: As soon as you're able to get to a fireplace, take the Floo Network over to my house."

"Deal," Sirius grinned.

"Say, how long has it been since Snape and Lily left?" he asked, suddenly.

"I dunno, why?" Peter asked.

Sirius smirked, "I snuck a Dungbomb into Snape's pocket."

A muffled explosion, a cloud of yellow smoke, and two shrieks told the Marauders that the Dungbomb had exploded.

They roared with laughter, before running for their lives.

The Potter reunion was a warm and welcoming one. Mr. and Mrs. Potter hugged and kissed James, excitedly. Even though James loved Hogwarts, he felt a surge of joy as they arrived at the farmhouse.

Mrs. Potter immediately started baking James's favorite treats. Mr. Potter and James went into the parlor.

"Now then," Mr. Potter said, "I know that you've been asking Alastor Moody and I to send you Auror supplies. Why is this?"

James shrugged, "It's just like I explained in my letters. Hogwarts was nearly attacked by Death Eaters. We need to help protect it."

Mrs. Potter bustled in, carrying a platter of sweets, "Well, I for one think that you four are too young to be worrying about such things. It's much too dangerous."

"It is pretty risky," Mr. Potter admitted.

"We can handle anything," James said bracingly.

Mr. Potter nodded, "A good soldier knows when to stand down, James. At any rate, have their been any more attacks on Hogwarts?"

"No," James admitted, "Though, we have been following a couple of Sirius's cousins who are causing trouble. We think that they're after the tomb of Slytherin."

Mr. Potter raised an eyebrow, "The tomb of Slytherin?"

James spent the next hour narrating everything that they had found out.

"…and then Professor Dumbledore didn't believe us at all," James finally finished.

Mr. Potter looked intrigued, "I wouldn't worry about it too much, James. After all, Dumbledore seems to think everything's fine. And above anything else, you should always trust Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

Mr. and Mrs. Potter allowed James to invite the other Marauders over on Easter Day. They toured the farmhouse, admiringly.

"Nice, mate," Lupin mumbled, timidly.

The three then had to endure many hugs and gushing speeches from Mrs. Potter, who seemed delighted that James had finally made three friends.

Sirius and Mr. Potter shook hands, as though they were old friends. Mrs. Potter gave him an extra hug, before saying, "How have your parents been, dear? Is everything alright? You're welcome to stay here, you know."

"Thanks Mrs. Potter," Sirius mumbled, embarrassed, "I'll remember that."

The six sat down to a wonderful dinner, that would've made the Hogwarts house-elves jealous.

When they were done, Mr. Potter's eyes twinkled as he said, "So, James tells me that you three have been causing mayhem at the school?"

Sirius shrugged, his mouth full of ham, "We try."

"Well," Mr. Potter smirked, "Let's see how well your Auror Training has taught you. I don't suppose you boys would be interested in an Easter Egg hunt?"

The four heads snapped up, excitedly.

Mr. Potter chuckled, and motioned for everyone to follow him. They went outside, where James's mum grinned, "We've hidden fifty eggs around the farm."

"I see one!" Peter said suddenly, pointing to a tree branch.

Mr. Potter smiled, "Very good. Though, might I say that these eggs will not be easy to get. It will be a perfect way to test your skills."

"It will be a perfect way to have fun," Mrs. Potter corrected.

"I think that teams are in order," Mr. Potter said, rubbing his hands together, "Let's see then. How about Sirius and James against Remus and Peter."

"Lupin, sir, if you don't mind," Lupin mumbled.

"Lupin and Peter, then," Mr. Potter said, smoothly.

"Ready?" Mrs. Potter said, "Set…"

"Go!" the Marauders roared, charging forward.

They reached the tree that Peter had pointed out, and Sirius and Peter began to climb. Sirius reached the egg first. He popped it open, and was delighted to find a galleon.

He slid back down, roaring, "One down, ninety-nine to go!"

He and James high-fived, before racing off.

The next two eggs they found were in the barn, hidden amongst the hay.

James was suddenly struck with an idea, "Say Sirius, if we take one of the horses, we'll be able to cross ground twice as fast!"

He crossed to his favorite horse, Scarlet, and quickly climbed on.

Sirius grabbed the other horse, and the two galloped off.

"Oi! No fair!" Lupin roared, as they galloped past them.

"All is fair in war," James called. The two headed into the pasture, where they were met with training dummies.

They trotted around, jinxing the dummies easily. They forfeited half a dozen eggs, which James added to the basket, gleefully.

The two then went over to the gutters, where Sirius took a shrinking solution. He went up the pipes, coming out with three more eggs.

They proceeded to the pond, where James dove in. He came up with half a dozen more, saying, "I prefer diving into the pond than into sewer water."

After half an hour of running around, the two teams met up. Peter and Lupin rode were riding on one of the cows.

"You stole our cow?" James roared with laughter.

"You two ran off with both horses," Lupin flushed.

They compared eggs, realizing that each team had twenty-five.

They laughed, filled with pride, adrenaline, and sweat.

James took the galleons that were hidden in the eggs, and pushed them into Lupin's hands, "Here, you take these."

Lupin reddened, "No, James. We should separate them, evenly."

"We have enough money," James said, "Take them or I'll hex you."

"Thanks," Lupin mumbled, embarrassed.

"Blimey, I'm wiped out," Sirius yawned, "I suppose I should get back to Grimmauld Place, before my parents kill me."

"Sirius, you know that you can stay here," James said, quietly.

"Yeah, well, they've been semi-hostile," Sirius shrugged, "Anyway, I'll see you four at Hogwarts."

James didn't have to wait that long.

Three days later, the fireplace burst to life. A figure stumbled out, looking wild.

"Sirius," James said, expectantly.

"Hello dear," Mrs. Potter beamed.

"How are you, son?" Mr. Potter asked.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Potter," Sirius said, hastily, "James, you need to come to my house, right away. It's urgent!"

James gave a start, before turning to his parents, "Can I?"

Mrs. Potter hesitated, before turning to her husband, "Perhaps you should go with them, dear."

"Mum, we've faced far worst this year," James grinned.

Mrs. Potter wasn't sure whether or not that was a good thing. She then remembered something, "But James, dear, you don't do well with Floo Powder. Remember the last time? It made your tummy upset?"

"Mum!" James groaned, as Sirius roared with laughter.

Nevertheless, James and Sirius jumped back into the fireplace.

James felt his world spin around. Sirius's head seemed to be merging with his own.

He finally stumbled out, resisting the urge to vomit.

Sirius grabbed his underneath his arms, holding him steady.

"You alright, mate?" he whispered, alarmed.

"I'm fine," James wheezed.

He looked around. They were in a dismal room, that looked as though it were from the medieval era. A large bed sat in the corner, covered in cobwebs. James realized that this must be Sirius's room.

"What's so urgent, then?"

"Bellatrix and Narcissa are visiting," Sirius murmered, "They're in the drawing room, talking up a storm. They seem excited."

He put a finger to his lips and the two crept down the hall.

They stopped outside a door, where they crouched, listening.

"Keep your voice down!" Bellatrix was hissing.

There was the sound of shuffling feet, as someone paced the room.

"This place is simply revolting," Narcissa snapped.

"Kreacher!" someone called.

James peered in the keyhole and saw an old house-elf Apparate into the room.

"Yes, Mistress Bella?"

"You would do well to clean this room," Bellatrix sneered, "While you're at it, you can draw up a platter of sandwiches and some tea."

"Of course, Mistress."

The room was silent, as Narcissa and Bellatrix greedily ate.

"Lucius is sure that he found the entrance," Narcissa finally whispered.

"How do we know that Lucius didn't nick all of the possessions already?"

"Bella! I trust Lucius. He's my boyfriend! Besides, Lucius said that you can only get in during the waxing crescent moon."

"Fine," Bellatrix crowed, "Just wait, Cissy! In a few weeks, we'll be the strongest women in the universe! All we need to do is feed the snake some of our blood!"

"That's revolting," Sirius mumbled, rather loudly.

The door flew open and Narcissa and Bellatrix swelled with anger.

"Run!" James roared.

The two raced back into Sirius's room, avoiding his cousin's hexes. They had barely managed to dive into the fireplace, landing back in James's den.

"What happened?" Mr. Potter asked, alarmed.

"I knew that they were trying to break into the tomb!" James gasped, clutching his side, "We have to stop them!"

"Calm down," Mr. Potter said, "Now, what happened?"

"Bellatrix and Narcissa were at Sirius's house," James panted, "They were talking about how they found the entrance to the tomb!"

"They said something about it being behind a snake!" Sirius added.

James suddenly gasped, "Sirius, there's a large statue of a snake, just outside the Potion's Dungeons!"

"You don't think…" Sirius gasped.

"They're going to break in, within weeks!" James cried, "We have to do something!"

"You don't have to do anything, dear," Mrs. Potter soothed, "I'm sure that Dumbledore will sort it out."

"Dumbledore doesn't trust us," James muttered, "Quite frankly, I don't trust Dumbledore, either."

Mr. Potter looked at his son, horrified.

James stomped his foot, "He was the one who gave us the means and the weapons to fight for Hogwarts. Now, he's sitting back and blatantly refusing to help us."

Mr. Potter pursed his lips, "Perhaps you aren't the ones who need help. Perhaps he's waiting for you to help him."

"How?" Sirius asked, desperately.

"I don't know," Mr. Potter admitted, "Listen, I'll contact the Auror Office first thing in the morning. In the meantime, try not to worry about it."

"Sirius dear, why don't you stay here, until you go back to Hogwarts tomorrow?" Mrs. Potter suggested.

Sirius reddened, "That's okay Mrs. Potter."

"If you go back to your house, now, you'll be walking into a wall of hexes," James pointed out, "Come on, you can kip in my room."

The two went up, but hardly got any sleep. They paced the room all night, contemplating about the tomb of Slytherin.