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Chapter 11: Back at Hogwarts
Remus met Marlene and Alice as he walked to the headmaster's office, they smiled in greeting, hoping for good news as the ascended the stairs.
They paused in front of the griffin.
"Anyone know the password?" The girls shook their heads.
"Errr, Butterbeer?"
The griffin remained still.
"Cockroach Clusters?"
"Sherbert Lemon?"
"Gingersnap?"
"Acid pop?"
The griffin twisted, revealing the steps to the office.
Dumbledore was stood by his desk.
"Ah, Mr Lupin, Miss McKinnon, Miss Prewitt."
"Hello Professor."
"I'm afraid I have some upsetting news, please take a seat."
ALice stepped forward. "Darren didn't make it, did he?"
Dumbledore bowed his head, "No, I'm afraid not."
Marlene let out a sob, Remus stepped up, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"How?" He looked up, meeting the headmaster's sad blue eyes.
"He was hit by a car, he couldn't call out at them to stop."
Remus shut his eyes, holding in the tears he felt prickling his eyes.
"Is Lily ok?" Alice's voice trembled.
"She is at home with her family, they are helping each other."
Marlene seemed to gain control of her sobs, "Will she come back?"
Dumbledore sighed, "As of right now Lily Evans will not be returning to Hogwarts."
Remus and the girls walked slowly back to the common room, each thinking about the adorable little boy they had met, and the girl that was suffering.
The climbed through the portrait hole and were met by James, Sirius and Peter.
"What did he want?"
"Was it Lily? Is everything ok?"
"How's Darren?"
They were met by silence.
Sirius for once lost his grin.
"Darren didn't make it did he?" Remus shook his head as Marlene and Alice sat down, holding hands and crying for their friend.
The boys joined them, and they all sat in silence, staring into the fire.
They had been there for a while before people started to get up and trail to bed. Peter was the first to go, followed by the girls. Remus and Sirius left next. James stayed, staring at the orange flames as they died down into burning embers, before finally dying out.
The first term seemed to fly by after the first week. They had figured that even if Lily wasn't there they would make the most of it and take pictures for her. There was the Halloween feast where Sirius tried to catch a floating pumpkin and dropped it on ALice's head. The weekend where James had attempted to make friends with the giant squid and had gotten a little too close for comfort. Marlene's birthday. The feast before they left for christmas. The train home and Remus's sooty face from exploding snap.
They still hadn't heard from Lily. Even Marlene's birthday didn't bring a letter. But the second term was on its way.
The second term also brought nothing. No letters, no news. But they still made memories and took pictures and prepared for the end of year exams.
Second year drew to an end, no word from their silent friend. But after the summer came third year, and hopefully Lily with it.
A/N: Sorry about the short chapters, Just trying to get to the point I want whilst remembering everything! Please bare with me.