We are already at chapter four. How do you like the second season so far?

I would be happy if you leave a comment.

Refugees

»How long an hour feels when you're sitting in Potions,« complained Scorp, who was sitting next to Albus in the second row. The latter half-heartedly noted down information the professor had written on the blackboard at the front.

»Longer than an hour of Defence Against the Dark Arts but shorter than an hour of Divination.« They both grinned at each other.

Scorp was now reaching for his pen to finish his notes. But before he could write anything, a folded piece of paper landed on his table. He unfolded the paper, careful not to let the professor catch anything.

»Is Maxym at the Ministry yet?« The Malfoy boy looked around and caught sight of Rose grinning at him.

»Yes, right after lunch. Shall we go to the lake today? We could study together there.« He quickly folded the note back up and handed it back.

Rose nodded at him in acknowledgement and they both concentrated on their lessons again. Albus hadn't noticed any of this, he was too focused on following Brew's lead.

After class, Albus wanted to walk to the common room. Scorpions, however, was walking in the opposite direction. »Are you coming?« asked the Potter boy.

»Ehm, I haven't finished my essay yet. And I thought the fresh air would give me some inspiration,« Scorp pressed on.

»Well, good luck with that. The essay is overdue, after all.« Laughing, Albus walked to the dungeons. Scorp, on the other hand, went to the lake.

He found a quiet spot, spread a blanket and waited for Rose. She arrived a few minutes later.

»You've already thought of everything.« Smiling, she sat down with him and they both unpacked their books. Rose helped Scorpions with his essay for History of Magic. With the help, they made quick progress.

»And why did they fight each other?« asked Scorp, leaning over her shoulder so he could see into the book.

A slight flush of red settled on Rose's cheeks and she glanced sideways to see his face. A blonde strand hung in his field of vision and she brushed it away from his face. This brought him out of his thoughts and he looked directly into her eyes. Time seemed to stand still. The giggling of the group of girls further ahead at the lake became a minor matter and despite the mild temperatures they both grew warm.

Rose's gaze kept going to Scorp's lips and he slowly approached Rose, giving her the opportunity to back away. But she stayed with him and slowly closed her eyes. Scorp tilted his head slightly.

Before he could close his eyes as well, he heard someone calling his name from a distance. Annoyed, he paused and exhaled through his nose. Rose and Scorp put distance between them again and the young Malfoy glanced over his shoulder.

Albus came running up to the two of them. »Here you are. I'm looking for you everywhere.« He sat down with them, completely unaware that he was disturbing them at the moment, and grinned at them both.

»Hello Al,« Rose greeted him, looking down at the ground. The flush of red on her cheeks became even more pronounced and she was visibly embarrassed.

»Hey Rose, well are you helping our slacker here?« Al playfully tapped Scorp on the shoulder. The latter moved forward.

»You want something in particular?«, Scorp quickly tried to brush his best friend off. He wanted to be alone with Rose and seize the opportunity. But Al had other things on his mind.

»We really need to do something.«

»Now?« asked Rose.

Her cousin shook his head. »No, but when Max comes back and tells us what's going on with Ted. We can't be on the sideline, can we?«

Before either of the other two could say anything, James joined in. »We don't have any other choice though. We'd only cause more problems than we'd solve.« James turned to the blond boy. »Have you heard from your sister yet.«

Scorp finally slumped his shoulders. His time together with Rose was over. »No, I don't think she's back yet.«

»She'll probably be a while, there's bound to be a lot of talking to do at Ted's trial,« Rose helped him.

Albus turned around in a flash. »Did you hear that too?«

»No, what?« James looked in the same direction.

»Well, there was a rustling, there by that bush.« He pointed to the bushes behind them.

»That must have been the wind. Come on, it's getting dark, we should get back to the castle.« Rose stood up and the others followed. Scorp and Rose packed up their school things and as they shouldered their bags James now heard a rustle too.

Everyone paused and James put his index finger to his lips and pointed to the bush. Al and he crept up to the bush from the side. Was someone eavesdropping on them? Quickly they rushed behind the bush, but there was no one there. They looked into the expectant faces of Rose and Scorp and shook their heads.

Rose saw something black in the corner of her eye and pointed in that direction. »There!« she called out and ran off. The others, surprised that the stranger could move away from the bush without them seeing him, ran after her.

»We're running to the Whomping Willow,« James stated and you could clearly hear his thoughts forming.

»Are you thinking the same thing as me?«, Al asked his brother and he nodded in confirmation.

»Hey, can you enlighten us?« Scorp was not amused by this exchange.

»The Whomping Willow is one of the entrances to the marauders old hideout, the Shrieking Shack. Maybe that's where they are,« Al explained.

»But that would be very obvious already. The inspectors must have looked there first,« Rose countered.

»The obvious is often the best place to hide. It's worth a try.« James took a step faster. If they could find the Marauders, they would finally be one step ahead.

The three of them walked to the Whomping Willow. »How do you know that's where the Marauders' old hideout is, anyway?« asked Scorp as they walked.

»As you know Ted's father is a werewolf. Dumbledore created the lair, the Shrieking Shack, for his monthly transformation. The Whomping Willow was planted at the entrance to keep curious students away. Later, when my father went to school, Sirius hid there after his outbreak,« James told the story.

»I wonder if they'll hide there again.« Scorp was very sceptical.

»Immobilus,« Rose spoke, waving her wand. The willow remained silent and the three were able to crawl through the secret passage.

»Not a pleasant way to go,« Al complained. James rolled his eyes. There was no pleasing his brother. They walked up the stairs and stood in the hut.

»Still as deserted as years before,« Al remarked, looking around. The condition of the hut had not changed much in the years. The bed on the right side, had been completely destroyed, the piano had burnt patches and the table stood at an angle in the room. The shutters rattled and the three students felt uncomfortable.

»We should go back. They're not here. No one is here.« Scorp wrinkled his nose. James and Al turned back again, but Rose waved her wand.

»Aparecium!« The spell made everything glitter and suddenly the room they were standing in changed. What was on the floor found its place against the wall or on the shelves, the bed repaired itself, the table was now in its place near the window and the floor was cleaned of dirt. Several folding beds appeared, a radio appeared on the table and clothes were seen hanging over the chairs.

»What did you do?« asked James.

Rose shook her head. »Nothing, the spell was just to make hidden things visible.«

»Is that a love nest?« Scorp pointed to the repaired bed and the clothes on the chairs.

But James shook his head. »Maybe fugitives hiding from the Ministry. None of the students would dare come here. Maybe we'll find someone.«

The three split up and searched for the fugitives. Suddenly Scorp stopped stock-still. »Ehm guys, can I get some help,« he stammered.

Al and James turned to him and, startled, they sucked in a breath. Scorp was being threatened by a floating wand and slowly people became visible standing next to Scorp. One of them had the wand in his hand and was pressing the wand against Scorp's throat.

In front of them stood James and Lily Potter, Tonks and Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black.

When Al had regained his speech, he raised his hands. »Wait, that's a friend. Please don't!« he pleaded with Sirius, who was threatening the boy.

»A Malfoy is not a friend,« Black hissed back.

»Yes, he's a Malfoy. And our friend.« James also raised his hands defensively and spoke reassuringly to him.

»Sirius, let the boy go,« James Senior ordered his friend, lowering his wand in a gesture. The other marauders, as well as Tonks and Lily, did the same.

As soon as Sirius took his wand from Scorp's throat, he took cover behind Al in a flash. »You're hiding here?« his friend asked incredulously, drawing the adults' attention.

Lily started to speak, but Remus interrupted her. »It's better if you don't know anything. You shouldn't even know we're here.«

»But we do know,« James Junior countered, looking challengingly at his grandfather in particular.

»The kid's right.« Sirius, who had put his wand away again, leaned casually against the piano.

»But they're still children,« Tonks supported her husband.

»Yes, we are, but we're also your family. And my uncle is very worried about you,« Rose took the floor.

»As you know, we lived with Harry, your father, first. Remus, Tonks and Sirius lived in the flat near Grimmauld's Place. Then, when the voices against us became more critical and families were put under house arrest, we made plans with Harry. Then, when some wizards and witches were arrested, we fled so that you and your parents would be safe. Hogwarts was perfect for that. We've spent half our lives here and the men here,« Lily pointed to the Marauders, »know every secret passage and hiding place.« She got tired of arguing and spoke up.

»And the inspectors didn't find you,« Al asked sceptically.

»I'm telling you, the obvious is often the best hiding place,« James replied for his grandparents. Al playfully mimicked him and the two brothers grinned at each other.

James senior took this teasing with a smile. »The inspectors searched here first, but they were not as smart as you.«

»What do you mean, not as smart?« Rose didn't understand what he meant by that.

»They didn't use magic like you did. Remarkable,« Remus praised the young Weasley, remembering his time at Hogwarts as a professor.

»Does Father know you're here?« Al looked expectantly around.

But Lily shook her head. »No, it's better that they don't know. We don't want to put him and your mother in any more danger. The fewer who know about it, the better.«

»So can you tell us anything? I heard something earlier about the court and a trial.« Sirius straightened from his casual pose.

»So you overheard us?« Scorp spoke up for the first time since he had been threatened.

»Of course, how else would we get information?«, Sirius defended his actions.

The teenagers looked at each other briefly and silently debated whether to share their news.

»What do you know,« James Senior asked anxiously.

James cleared his throat. »The inspectors arrested ted and today is his court hearing.«

»Arrested? Ted? But why? He's an Auror, isn't he?« Tonks was completely shocked.

»We don't know why and no matter what they say against him, it's not true. Scorp's sister had to testify at a trial today and is watching the trial for us. When she comes back tonight, we'll know more,« she clarified to James Junior.

»She's at his trial? And what about Harry?« asked Remus.

»Dad, just like Rose parents are under house arrest. They're not allowed to leave the house. We had to take the opportunity and it's the only way we can get information,« Al helped his brother.

»You can't send anyone there. We have no allies left. Do you know how dangerous that is?« Remus was beside himself with worry. And his best friend, James Senior also scowled at the youths.

»Oh well, father did far more daring things when he was our age. And we have to help you. No one but us can do anything anymore.« James was getting louder now. He didn't understand why they kept shutting them out.

»You're just kids. You don't have to help us,« Sirius countered, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Before any of the children could say anything, Lily raised her hand. »We can't keep arguing. The sun is almost down. You have to get back to the castle or they'll be looking for you and we don't want to draw attention to this hiding place.«

The marauders are here, finally. How do you like there first encounter with the rebels?