The Moon necklaces

Chapter5: Diagon Alley and more Howlers

~James~

I was so happy Remus and Sirius were still going to Hogwarts but I still had one question on my mind. "So who do you think saw you guys perform the Patronus?" I asked them when we got ready for bed, dad had brought two sleeping bags down for Remus and Sirius, so that we could sleep in the same room and still have our discussions.

"I don't know," mumbled Sirius "but when I do they will regret it."

"Probably someone who doesn't want us around," assumed Remus, "like Timoken." Timoken was the head of the vampires, he had tried to get the power to control time and also give that power to Voldemort so the vampires can be in charge, but we had ruined his plans, now he wanted revenge, probably Voldemort did too. "We should talk to Lily about this," suggested Remus ,"she's involved in this too and maybe Peter." Peter! I had forgotten about him since he sent that letter about being stuck in antique shop we have not heard of him since.

"Perhaps we shouldn't tell Peter," said Sirius more to himself as he lay on his back staring at the ceiling.

"But why shouldn't we?"I asked "he's our friend after all."

"I know but when has Peter been any help to us?" Sirius argued, turning to face me. "I'm not being funny or anything Prongs but every time he's in on a plan he's always hiding in the corner and we do all the work , when he does have the courage to be by our side it always goes wrong one way or another."

"Sirius is right when he puts it that way." Remus agreed, "this is not a silly prank, this is trying save a girl's life and ours from some revenging vampire. I don't think Peter would make it and I think the person who stitched us up to the ministry is the same person who took Harry, Ron and Hermione, and Annabeth as well, back in time."

I sighed, maybe he was right.

This morning we went down to the kitchen to find Remus's cat, Jink, inside a small cage and my owl, Una, with a letter in her beak "Not another Howler," moaned Remus as he took it out of Una's beak and took Jink out of her cage and held her in his arms.

"Well open it," Sirius urged, "get it over and done with I say." Remus put Jink on the table and with his shaky hands ripped open the seal as it hovered in the air shouting in a booming voice that echoed all over the house.

"REMUS JOHN LUPIN," it screamed "HOW DARE YOU USE MAGIC OUT OF SCHOOL EVEN IF IT WAS AT A DEMENTOR , AS IF, I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH A CHILDISH STORY IN MY LIFE! YOU AND BLACK ARE LUCKY THAT DUMBLEDORE STEPPED IN! YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS SHOULDNT GET TOO COMFORTABLE AT HOGWARTS THIS YEAR WHEN THE MINSTRY FINDS OUT YOU'RE A LIAR. YOU WILL NEVER SEE THOSES FRIENDS OF YOURS AGAIN!" and with that the Howler burst into flames. Silence.

"Are you alright Rem?" asked Sirius, Remus looked like he was about to cry he was shaking and his face was paler than before and suddenly he shot up the stairs as fast as he could with Jinks at his heels and I could hear my bedroom door slam shut with a bang. "Remus!" cried Sirius as he raced up the stairs after him. I should have told him that Remus needs time to himself but I was too much in shock. What kind of father would say that to their own child?

"It seems Mr John Lupin as turned into a very strict man after all," said father that morning as he smoked his pipe, me, mother and father were sat around the table as Sirius and Remus were still upstairs.

"But he's being so unfair" I shout "He's calling Rem a liar and I bet he doesn't know the full story yet"

"Well John has been though a very tough time lately," my mother argued, "even before this war started he has never been the same."

"The same?" I asked "since Remus was bitten?" my voice softened at the thought .

"You are right son," agreed father "has Remus ever told you the about his parents?"

"He doesn't speak much about them." I admitted trying hard to remember if Remus had ever discussed his parents. I knew the Remus's dad had insulted Greyback which made Greyback bite Rem and before we knew of the werewolf thing he used to make this story up that his mother was ill so he had an excuse to go away during the full moon and his two days disappearance.

"Well perhaps you should ask him about it," said father putting his pipe in his coat chest pocket.

"I know something that will cheer us up," mother started with bright eyes and a huge smile. "A trip to Diagon Alley you boys start school in two weeks yes?"

"Yep" I agreed, finally something to get our minds off things, besides a good trip to Diagon Alley on a flying motorbike is probably just what Remus needs right now.

An hour later we were up in air with a warm wind though our faces. The motorbike was high above the clouds so none of the muggles could see us. Remus was gripping onto my shoulders as tight as he could in fear of falling off. I don't think Remus likes flying very much, he calmed down after a bit but hasn't spoken to us since the Howler, Sirius as been unusually quiet too, I have decided to talk to Remus tonight.

We slowly came down in a alley way hiding the motorbike in a dark corner so no one could find it. Sirius didn't fancy using any magic since the court meeting, can't say I blame him. We rounded the coroner and stepped into the Leaky Cauldron were wizards were having drinks. We strolled to the backroom as I nudged Remus "Go on you know what to do" I urged as he tapped the wall bricks in front of us and in amazement I watched as the bricks moved creating a doorway leading to the bustling magical streets of Diagon Alley.

We saw children begging their mums for sweets as people hurried for poisons and books and such. We hurried past Broomstix were I saw some of my Quidditch mates buying new brooms or posters of Quidditch heroes, I wanted to join them but I already had plans to meet mum and dad in Flourish and Blots to pick up my new sixth year books but first we had to go to Gringotts for some money. After Gringotts with Remus having guilty look plastered on his face we rushed to Flourish and Blots. Remus went into the shop before us as Sirius dropped behind and whispered in my ear. "In Gringotts Remus went into his dads account for the money."

"But I thought you weren't allowed in other people accounts" I asked in confused.

"You're not but he must be allowed if they let him in," said Sirius as we entered the shop "His dad must of given him access before they fell out, Remus must be really angry at his dad to steal from him."

"James, Sirius over here" called mum as came rushing to us with Remus and father at her heels "I got your books James, but Sirius and Remus have to buy their own, we will be sitting in the Leaky Cauldron if you need us" she gave us our lists of poisons and books and she set off.

After paying I heard a voice call me from behind "James! James!" it was Lily Evens out of breath and red faced like the sweet strawberry she is.

"You ok? I thought I would meet you guys here, " smiling to Sirius and Remus who smiled back.

"Well it must be James's un dying love that has drawn you here." teased Sirius

"Shut up Black!" She snapped "I only came to ask if you guys have found anything new in that book."

"Yes" answered in Remus "but not here."

"I'm in rush anyway," she shrugged "are still a prefect Rem?"

"Yep I will tell you about it at the Hogwarts express."

"Great, meet you there." and with that she skipped away to her mum and dad with her lovely red hair trailing behind her.

We had a great time buying our potions and sweets meeting school friends who told us about their holidays Frank Longbottom had been to America to see his uncle and aunt but still no sign of Peter. But our happiness didn't last long as we exited the Leaky Cauldron and turned the corner to alley way we found something was missing "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" cried Sirius "MY MOTERBIKE! MY MOTERBIKE IS GONE!"

I'm sorry for the long wait I don't know what happened!