Disclaimer: The plot is ours, but the majority of the main characters belong to the imagination of J.K. Rowling. We do not gain any profit from writing this story.
Summary: With the Grimoire in safe hands and James Potter expelled, Severus Snape, Lily Evans, and their friends expected that their remaining time at Hogwarts would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, the intentions of a few detestable individuals will make their lives more arduous. With the help of a few new friends, they all must join together to fight against the rising tide of evil in the Wizarding World.
A/N: This story is A/U and is NOT canon compliant. If you don't like Sev/Lily fiction, don't read it.
A/N: Scumbag Snape: I was hoping staying at home during the pandemic cured you of your obsession with me!
Little Lambs Lost
Lily returned to the Great Hall. She looked around her and guessed that Dumbledore had already cleared up the wreckage from Petunia's unexpected visit. She sat down next to Alice again.
"How did..? Alice started to whisper, but Lily shook her head and nodded in Dante's direction then whispered back, "I'll tell you later."
Dumbledore stood up. "There will be no further discussion by either the professors or the students on the unfortunate event that happened tonight. I am going to have the Aurors come tomorrow and place a password on the floo here so not just anyone can floo in here again."
Lily bristled a bit at Dumbledore referring to Tuney as "just anyone" especially when he was always posing as a big friend to Muggles.
"The students are dismissed," Dumbledore finished, sitting down again.
"Let's go down to our place," Severus said as he met the others in the hallway outside the Great Hall.
The teens went down to the dungeon and Clive popped in as soon as they shut the door with his usual offerings. "Clive, could you bring Lily something? She didn't get to finish her dinner tonight." Severus asked.
"Clive will be right back with something for Miss Lily," Clive said and popped out. The elves, of course already knew of Petunia's visit. He was back in a few minutes with a tray containing a hot roast beef sandwich with melted cheese, mashed potatoes covered in thick brown gravy, peas, and a big slice of chocolate cake. He set it down in front of Lily.
"Thank you, Clive," Lily said. "This smells wonderful!"
"You is welcome, Miss Lily." He bowed and popped out again.
Dorian clapped his hands to get everybody's attention. "Okay, what does everybody think? Has the visit by Lily's sister and her breaking Dante's conk…"
"Which Dumbledore repaired at miraculous speed," Caddaric added.
"True," Dorian agreed. "But what effect will it have on our pending alliance with the United?"
"Why should it have any effect?" Emily asked. "She punched him in self-defense. We all heard her ask him twice to let go of her shoulder and he wouldn't and then Cassidy grabbed her so she stamped on his foot. It serves both of those gits right!"
"The United may not see it that way though," Remus pointed out.
"If they can't see she was defending herself from those two clowns, then too bad," Jane said. "Maybe they need to see Madam Pomfrey about having their eyesight improved."
"My guess is she totally wrecked the possibility of any alliance with the United now," Tav said sourly.
Lily stopped eating and looked at Tav in amazement. "Like Emily said, Tuney was defending herself against those two bullies. What would you have done if it was you? I noticed you were clapping and cheering Tuney right along with the rest of the Slytherins."
Tav's face flushed.
Lily turned to Alice, ignoring Tav and said, "In answer to your question of how she got here, Salem took her to the magical area of Paris and he must have pointed out some of the places that have floos."
"I did notice she kind of looked surprised that she had actually gotten to Hogwarts," Alice replied.
"When she yelled at Dumbledore, his jaw about hit the table!" Sirius chuckled. "His mouth was open so wide that a Niffler could have crawled in and took all the gold out of his teeth!"
"Now I would pay to see that!" Reg said.
"None of this has anything to do with the fact that your sister might have blown our possible alliance with the United," Tav insisted.
"If they're so thin-skinned that they'll get mad about this and they can't see what creeps Dante and Cassidy are, then maybe they aren't worth allying with," Lily snapped, bristling. "We'd probably be better off on our own than have to be constantly walking on eggshells so that we don't hurt their precious feelings!"
"I admire Petunia for dealing with those two louts," Alice said. "And the look on the faces of the professors when she set their arses on fire!"
"What the heck happened to Athena?" Frank asked. "It looked like she tried to get up three times, but couldn't pull her arse off the bench and then finally she ended up sprawled on the floor."
"From what I could see, it looked like her feet kept slipping out from under her," Pete said. "Somebody must have cast a Slipping Charm on the soles of her shoes."
"It's possible. From what I've seen, she isn't liked much more than her boyfriend is," Irene said.
"What do you think, Sev?" Dorian asked. "Do you think Petunia's action did anything to our temporary alliance?"
Severus shook his head. "I don't think what Petunia did ruined anything. I think the majority of the United's loyalty isn't to Dante, it's to Sam and Petunia didn't punch Sam. As Emily said, they saw Petunia ask Dante to let go of her twice and when he didn't, that's when she slugged him."
"I'll bet Dumbledore gets tougher on us just like he did when James was his favorite, but Petunia was right about what she said to Dumbledore and the rest of the professors," Remus said. "They are just sitting on their arses, letting Dumbledore and Dante do whatever they want!"
'Well I agree with what Emily and Lily said," Jane announced and gave Tav a withering look. "If the United chooses to side with Dante over this, then they don't deserve our trust or support!"
"I agree also," Irene said.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Sam was in the room of requirement at the time of Petunia's confrontation.
He was pulling a bit of a study session with a few of his friends. Sebastian, Nathan, and Michael.
Sebastian was in his kitchen area whipping up some food for them all.
Michael smelled the aromas coming from the kitchen. "Damn Seb, what are you cooking?"
"Chicken Parmesan!" Sebastian grinned as he was reducing some roma tomato sauce in a skillet with some herbs and garlic. "Well I'm just doing the sauce now. I have to bread the chicken and then cook the pasta."
Sam looked at Sebastian, "What are you going to bread the chicken with?"
"Pita chips," He answered as he was mincing up some more garlic.
"No panko?"
"Panko, eh." Sebastian shrugged, "I'm panko'd out. I want to try something new."
Just then the door to the room of requirement opened. It was Jessica Langley, Sebastian's girlfriend, and she rushed over to her friends.
Sebastian was the first to greet her, "Hey babe, you're just in time! I'm making...what's up?"
"You guys are never going to believe what just happened," Jessica exclaimed.
"What's going on Jess?" Sam looked at her.
She then told them all about how Petunia Evans confronted Dumbledore about appointing Dante as the Head Boy. And afterward Dante and Cassidy confronted her to which she stomped on Doherty's foot after she broke Dante's nose.
Sebastian guffawed as he breaded the chicken breasts. "That's incredible!"
Sam sighed as he gave his friend a look.
"Oh don't give me that look, Sam, those two have been asking for it!".
"They might have been, but I'm more concerned about what's going to happen afterward," Jessica said as she put her hands on her hips.
Silence rang out throughout the room. "Dante's going to declare War."
Everyone turned to Nathan Clearwater, who was still seated.
"Lily's sister has fired the first shot for Snape's group, and now Dante has his justification for conflict."
Sam was rather quiet when listening to his best friend.
Nathan looked over at Sam, "A conflict that will draw lines in the sand…"
Sam slightly turned around.
"And that has the potential to divide this entire school, should we let it!" Nathan got up and walked over to his best friend. "We have to take a stand! Before it's too late!"
"Nate I'm not going to let this come to that, okay?!" Sam looked very uncertain as he tried, and failed, to put up a brave front.
Nate knew better so he pushed onward, "We got to break away now! Your cousin is going to drag us all into his stupid little war with Snape and his friends!"
Michael turned to Sam, "Nate's right Sam. If this blows up, Dante will expect us to soldier on for him."
"No, Dante's going to do his own thing with Snape and his friends and will keep you guys out of it. He gave me his word!"
"Right, cause Dante's never gone back on his word before!" Sebastian came back from behind his stovetop, "And what about you?"
"What about me?" Sam looked a bit confused.
Sebastian pointed at Jessica, Nathan, and Michael. "Say Dante does leave us out of it, but what about you? He'll probably have you do something you don't want to, like when you shoved Snape last year!"
Sam crossed his arms and looked away, ashamedly.
"Above all else, we just want you to just tell Dante off!" Nate said, to put it bluntly. "Just tell him no!"
Before Sam could retort, the door to the rest of the castle appeared. "Enough of this talk!" He ceased their discussion.
"To be continued, Sam," Nate promised.
The door opened to show Cassidy storming in, his face showing a ghastly shade of red. He was pissed.
"Who does that little harpy think she is?! I swear to the Lady of the Lake she's going to get hers!" Cassidy swore.
"You'll have to get in line, Cassidy," Athena coldly spoke. Her eyes were filled with rare malice. "The first opportunity I have, I'm going to wallop that little tart!"
Sam looked around, he saw his cousins all follow in behind. Tom and Slink were right behind them, followed by his brother and sister.
Sam looked around, "Where's Dante?"
"Dumbledore had to have a word with him in private," Athena explained.
Cassidy was pacing back and forth, failing to contain his anger. " I'm glad this happened. I am so glad this happened! It's about time for some action."
"Action?" Nathan crossed his arms.
"Yeah, action! I'm wired up, and spoilin' for a fight!"
"Now hold on a minute, you're not sincerely thinking about fighting Evan's sister?" Nathan got up from his chair.
"Evan's sister, her fiance, her father, grandfather. Whatever! I want them all!"
"You know you sound insane, right?" Nathan called out Cassidy.
"Hey, whoa." Cassidy turned towards Nathan. "Watch what you say little Badger. Do you want to run afoul of me?"
"I'm not scared of a guttersnipe like you!"
"Guttersnipe?! My my, that sounds an awful lot like fighting words Clearwater." Cassidy approached Nathan. "Are you looking for one?"
"Depends, who's asking?" Nathan retorted.
Sam got up and put himself in between Cassidy and Nathan. "Hey, we aren't doing this. There's no infighting here!"
"Then make sure your friends keep their mouths shut!" Cassidy looked at Sam. "Matter of fact you'd better get all your friends ready. When things pop off, it'll be all hands on deck!"
Sam was quiet, but took a breath. "No."
Cassidy piqued his head, "No?'
"Dante gave his word that this wouldn't involve my friends
The door opened and in walked Summerset and Dante behind him.
Cassidy marched over towards his friend, "Dante, did you tell Sam that his friends were exempt from all of this?!"
"All of what?" Roland looked between Cassidy and Dante.
Dante looked down at Roland, "Nothing Roland. Cassidy is just frustrated at current events. I'll admit it, I am too. I just handled that situation poorly, and let my emotions do the talking."
Roland looked at Dante and frowned, "You shouldn't have done that Danny."
Everyone in the room was taken aback; Dante absolutely hated being called Danny.
"I know that now. I hope you can forgive me."
Roland shook his head, "I do."
"Thank you, Roland," Dante looked over at Cassidy. "What were you saying, Cass?" He gave Cass a look that told him to play along.
"Umm, nothing. It can wait."
"Good. Roland listen, it's nearly time for curfew. Could you escort my cousins Augie and Luta back to Gryffindor House?"
Lyta scoffed, "I don't need escorting! I'm a year older than Roland!"
"Then you escort Augie and Roland back to Gryffindor house." He turned to his siblings and Vienna Dain. "You three clear out and head back as well. We got to hash out a few things."
The young ones all cleared out of the United Clubhouse and left the others alone to talk.
Dante closed the door behind them and leaned his head on the door. He laughed softly.
"Bad form, dear boy, bad form." He turned back around to face the others. "You're the shining example representing the entire school. You shouldn't allow your feelings to dictate your actions!"
Cassidy smirked, "Dumbles give you a talking down to?"
"A half-hearted attempt, at least. Just to say that he did so to McGonagall and the others."
"Did you tell Sami that he and his friends were staying out of this little feud we've got with Snape?"
Dante put his hands on his hips, "I told him I had a handle on things and they would not be needed. However, if the situation arises where we need more hands then they'll fall in line."
A few of Sam's friends scoffed, or rolled their eyes at this, but kept their mouths shut.
"Everything is going to plan, more or less. I will grant you I wasn't expecting to get my nose broken, but oh well."
An irate Athena asked, "And what of that wench? Evans' sister?"
"Don't worry, I convinced Dumbledore to take immediate action against her. All we have to do is wait."
Sam didn't like the sound of that, "What else are you planning Dante?"
"A little of this and a little of that, but nothing that pertains to you or your friends." Dante turned to his younger cousin. "I'm keeping to my promise Sam. You and your friends will stay out of this, scout's honor."
Sam relaxed a bit when Dante said that. He knew Dante would never lie to him.
"Anyways, I'm going to bed. I suggest you all do the same." Dante motioned for Cassidy and Athena to join him. The three left the clubhouse and went towards the Head Boy's quarters.
Cass growled, "I'm telling you he's losing his edge, he needs to get a swift kick in the teeth if you ask me?"
Dante frowned, "That's not happening Cass, but you're right, a correction may be needed. Something that will get Sam's flames heated back again."
Athena frowned, but agreed that Sam had lost a step. Certain measures would have to be enacted to stoke those fires. "What are you thinking?"
"I have an idea," Dante mused. "It will take some time, but it will get Sami solely back on our side."
Dante, Cassidy, and Athena walked away. Unbeknownst to them that someone was listening in on them.
Silas Attenborough lit one of his cigarettes with his wand and puffed away as he walked away with a smirk on his face.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Horace, Pomona, and Filius left the Great Hall together and walked slowly down the corridor to the Entrance Hall.
Horace shook his head. "You know, I don't think I've felt this ashamed since I was eight and my grandmother caught me helping myself to the pudding she'd made for dinner that evening. Miss Evans was right. We have been derelict in our duties as protectors of these children."
"Yes, it appears to be a repeat of when Mr. Potter was the favorite," Filius replied nodding.
"I wondered why so many of my house seem to want to spend the majority of their time in the common room. I realize now it's because they're afraid of Mr. Yalarad or Mr. Doherty bullying them," Pomona remarked.
"As Miss Evans sister said, we are acting as if we have no power and allowing Mr. Yalarad to do as he pleases," Filius added. "I do not plan for this to be my course of action for the year!"
"I say we call for a meeting with Minerva and get some specific rules regarding what the head boy and girl, can or can't do, laid down. We all know that Dante has not changed one bit since that incident 4th year. He's still the same liar and bully he was then!" Horace stated.
"Well, we'd best all have a look through the Hogwarts Code of Conduct and see if there's anything about that," Pomona suggested. "Because you can bet that Albus will shoot down any restrictions we might try to implement."
"And we don't want to see another hexing war, between Severus and his friends and the United, like second year with Potter," Filius said.
"Good point," Horace replied as they split up to go to their respective houses.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
James looked skeptically at the Vanishing Cabinet in front of him then at the note from Dante in his hand. According to Dante's note, he was supposed to install it in a room his parents never looked in and let Dante know when it was done and he was supposed to notify Dante whenever his parents were out for the evening. James sighed then glanced at the cabinet again before shrinking it. He picked it up and opened the door to his room. He remembered there was one room on the third floor of Potter Manor that was used as a storage room. When his mum bought any new furniture, she just ordered the elves to take the old furniture up to the storage room. She never went up there herself or his dad either. Even if the elves spotted the Vanishing Cabinet and knew what it was, they wouldn't say anything because they knew it would mean clothes.
James set the cabinet in a corner and then enlarged it, making sure the door opened freely. He left the room and quietly returned to his bedroom. He wrote a note to Dante to confirm he had followed his instruction and whistled for the Potter owl, Godric, who flew gracefully into the room through an open window. "Take this to Dante, but only deliver it when he's not in the Great Hall," James instructed him. He watched as Godric flew back out the window.
James frowned. His other assignment was to get his parents in Dante's corner. He didn't know how he could do that as his parents hated the Yalarads only slightly less than the Prince's, but maybe he could start by pointing out that Dante was a Gryffindor and the Hat wouldn't have sorted him there if he wasn't a good person; he would have been in Slytherin with all the rest of the slimeballs.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
The following morning Lily woke up earlier than normal. She performed her morning stretches and ablutions.
It was nearing breakfast time so she decided to beat the rush down there. Lily went down the steps to the common room and saw Sam Yalarad tutoring his cousin Renner Dain about the stuff they had gone over in History of Magic.
"...Okay so Mesopotamia was a hub for both ancient muggle and magic folk back thousands of years ago. Now both groups were able to cooperate peacefully for nearly a hundred years. This was because of what, Ren?" Sam quizzed his cousin, Renner Dain.
Renner Dain was quite the specimen. He was over 6 feet in height, and there was no indication that he would stop growing anytime soon. He eclipsed other students in his year in height.
He had curly brown hair and thick sideburns to go along with it. He had thick facial hair coming in patches on his chin and neck.
If Lily hadn't known better she would have said that Renner was a full-grown man.
"That...I don't know? They communicated better?" Renner asked his cousin.
"Well, you're on the right track, Ren! Ancient Mesopotamians were theorized to use the first forms of written language. In doing so it opened up lines of communication between the muggles and the magic folk."
Renner smiled softly, he was never really book smart like Sam or Vienna, so he was grateful when Sam would help him out on these study sessions. He looked up and saw Lily. He tapped Sam on the arm and motioned towards her.
Sam looked up and saw her as well. He turned back to Renner and pointed at his textbook, "Re-read that section on the beginning of written communication."
Renner nodded and read the book as Sam got up and slowly walked towards Lily. "Umm, hey Lily."
"Sam," Lily cautiously addressed her classmate.
Same rubbed the back of his neck, "Can we talk? For just a moment, or two?"
Lily relaxed herself a smidge, as she knew Sam wasn't the one to do anything reckless. She waited to hear what he had to say, "Yes?"
Sam took a breath, "I would like to apologize on behalf of myself and my siblings about what happened last night. What my cousin did was not okay at all, and your sister was in the right to defend herself."
Lily was taken aback hearing this come from Sam. "Okay," She allowed Sam to speak his mind.
Sam struggled to find his words, "I don't know… what was really going through Dante's head last night." He laughed softly, "I haven't had any idea for quite some time."
He shook out of his funk, "Look you probably don't want to hear nothing my big mouth, so I won't take more of your time." Sam began to turn back around but Lily stopped him.
"Sam, wait." She got in front of him. "Thank you for saying that, but I'd rather hear that from him."
Sam shook his head, half agreeing with Lily, and half thinking how that would be nigh impossible.
"He's not one for apologies," Sam sheepishly answered.
"Well he won't get very far in life without showing a modicum of respect and manners," Lily quipped back. She looked at Sam, "Sam what has been going on?
Sam was a bit surprised at first, but knew she was right to ask that. "That...is a good question, and I don't really have an answer to that."
Lily threw her hands up. "Come on! You knocked over Severus last year before the summer holiday at Doherty's orders, and then you nearly killed Sirius' father!"
Sam looked at Lily, and Renner stopped reading momentarily to look back at the two of them before continuing to read.
"Oh yeah, I know about that! Sirius and Regulus didn't keep it to themselves." Lily sighed, "Look, I'm not trying to shame you. But what you've done is wrong, and frankly, I just want to know how much influence those two dunderheads, Doherty and Dante, have on you!"
Sam put his hands in his pockets before looking at the ground and muttered, "Better I'm their punching bag, than Ltya or Augie."
Lily's eyes widened, but before she could ask him to elaborate on that further. In came the last person she wanted to interrupt them at that time.
"Yally Boy! Get away from my friend!"
Lily groaned as she looked over at Sirius as he stormed over and got between him and Lily. Remus, Frank, and Peter rushed down after to separate them.
Remus was looking very pale, It was nearing the Full Moon, and he was without Isabella Gold's potion. "Sorry Lily, he got away from us when we were getting dressed."
Sirius growled, "Don't be bothering my friend Yally Boy!"
Sam frowned, "Lily can do as she pleases, Black. If she wants to discuss a private matter with me, then she'll do so."
"I'm warning you Yally Boy, keep away from Lily!"
Lily glared at him, "Sirius, I can take care of myself!"
Sam shook his head, "I'm done talking anyways." He walked back to gather his cousin.
"Yeah go ahead, and run off like a coward!" Sirius jeered.
Sam stopped in his tracks and sighed. "You're trying to provoke me. It's not going to work."
"If you're addressing it, then it's already worked you, damn idiot!"
Renner slammed his textbook shut, and everyone turned to see him stand up to his full height.
Sam rushed over to him before he turned around. "Hey, hey! It's all right Ren, the arse is entitled to his opinion."
Just then Michael came down the stairs with Sam's siblings, Hippolyta and Agamemnon.
Hippolyta surveyed the situation and looked at her older brother, "Are we interrupting something?"
Sam looked up and smiled. "No Lyta, we were just leaving. Come on, let's go get some breakfast before the day begins."
Sam led his siblings out of the Common room after they gathered their belongings, with Michael and Renner following behind.
Before Renner closed the door, he looked straight at Sirius and made a slashing throat gesture at him.
Lily along with everyone else just stared at Sirius.
"What?!"
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Lily didn't speak to Sirius at all that day. When Severus tried to bring it up, Lily said she'd explain after classes in their little hideaway.
Sirius was in a bit of a mood after that. He didn't think he was in the wrong about anything. Needless to say he got an earful from Lily when they were in their clubhouse in the dungeons.
Lily scowled at Sirius, who was sitting in a chair with his feet up on a table, "I can't believe you'd try and pick a fight with him after we all agreed to attempt to ally with The United loyal to Sam?! That has to be one of the most dunderheaded things you've ever done Sirius Black!"
Sirius looked at Lily, "Hey, I didn't agree to anything, okay?"
Everyone was scattered across the clubhouse. In separate subgroups, Severus noticed. Those who supported the alliance, and those that didn't. And that really worried him. Black Donal was standing by the door as he always did, just in case.
Severus walked over to stand beside Lily, "Sirius when we all agreed to not start anything, we'd thought you'd go along with the general consensus. We're trying to get Sam away from Dante, and it sounds like you made things a bit worse!"
Remus was sitting down on the couch with his head resting on the headrest. "They're right Sirius. You need to reign in your temper." He spoke in a mild tone, his transformation was nigh as the full moon approached.
Tav shrugged, "I mean fair point to everyone, Sirius did handle that wrong, but I don't think we should concede too much to them. I mean everyone is going to have arguments and disagreements from time to time. We can't just walk on eggshells around that all the time."
Dorian disagreed, "Nobody is saying to treat them with kid gloves, but if this keeps happening then our hard work might go up in flames!"
Tav scoffed and walked over to the nearest wall and leaned on it.
While this discussion was ongoing, Remus looked over at Regulus was on the couch working on some of his Charms coursework from Professor Flitwick. "Regulus?"
Regulus looked at Remus, "Yes Remus?"
"Let me ask you something. Have you ever had any encounters with Sam since we've been back to Hogwarts?"
Regulus nodded, "A few times, but nothing eventful happened. We just exchange quick pleasantries and be on our way. Why?"
Remus looked to be in thought, "And he didn't seem aggressive towards you?"
"No, now that you mention it, not really."
"Can you do me a favor?"
"What is it," Regulus asked Remus.
Remus answered, "Try talking to him next time."
"Why? I don't see how that might help."
"If he's always confrontational with Sirius, you might be the only Black he'd be willing to talk to. You may be able to find out more about his grudge he has against your father. Perhaps you could shed some light on the matter. Who knows, perhaps this may be a big misunderstanding?"
Regulus thought, "All right, that's a fair point, Remus. I'll try, but I'm not holding out any hope for this."
Remus coughed a bit before getting a handkerchief to cover his mouth for the rest of his coughing fit.
Everyone turned to him.
Severus looked at his friend, "You doing all right Remus?"
"I'll be fine, I've got a cold to deal with along with that time of the month. So hopefully when I transform, I'll be too sick and miserable to do any real damage," Remus joked.
"I wish you wouldn't joke about stuff like that," Peter admitted.
Remus sighed, "You either make a joke about it or mope around in a pit of misery for the rest of my life. So, I'll take the self-deprecating humor, Pete." He started feeling sick and held his stomach.
Sirius got his feet off the table as he started looking concerned for his best friend, "Mate, where's that potion that Gold gave you last year?"
"I finished those during the summer. I didn't know how to get in contact with him or else I would have. Also, I don't think Madam Pomfrey has those potions stocked."
Severus thought to himself, "I think I might know someone who could get in contact with Professor Gold's wife. Then it's just a matter of getting the instructions to make it from her."
Remus weakly smiled, "Thank you, Severus."
At that moment a dull thumping was heard. Everyone looked around the clubhouse.
"What is that?"
"I don't know?"
"Where's it coming from?"
"It's coming from outside."
"Is it getting louder?"
The thumping was coming from outside, and it was growing louder as well as closer.
Everyone turned to the door as the noise was drawing closer and closer.
The singular knocks were precise and calculated. As if to root something out.
The thumps grew louder and closer still. Leading to the door.
'BANG. BANG. BANG.'
The final thump knocked onto the door with a loud thud.
'THUD.'
And then nothing, for a couple of seconds before a loud knocking was heard onto the door.
Black Donal out himself between the children and the door.
Everyone looked at the door. Remus had even gotten up as well.
"Little pigs, little pigs!" It was Dante.
Severus' eyes nearly bulged out of his skull, "What in the blue hell?!"
Everyone was in stages of panic, shock, fear, and anger. Lily took charge immediately."Shhh! Everyone quiet," She whispered.
"How the hell did he find us?" Alice whispered.
"Maybe he had Doherty follow us again?" Frank suggested.
Irene theorized, "A tracking spell?"
Sirius was standing up glaring at the door. "I've got an idea," he quietly seethed.
"Let me come in!" Dante banged the door as if he was tackling the door with his shoulder.
Peter was standing behind Frank, Alice, and Caddaric.
Dante taunted, "Not by the hairs on my chinny chin chin?"
Severus instinctively stood in front of Lily.
"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!"
Sirius drew his wand, and Regulus followed his brother's lead.
"But... before I do…" Dante's voice trailed off.
Peter was frightened, "He can't get in, right? The room is protected by the password Clive put on the door, right?"
A couple of footsteps were heard approaching the door. "A question has to be asked. Say Cass?"
Cassidy's laughter could be heard from outside the door. "Yeah Dante?"
"Tell me...what's my name?"
Lily's eyes widened, "No!"
Cassidy laughed, "Dante!"
The door latch unlocked and the door was pushed open by Cassidy, and he rushed in. "Hello, all!'
Sirius aimed his wand at Doherty, "Expelliarmus!"
Cassidy effortlessly blocked Sirius' attempt to repel him. He aimed his wand back at Sirius, "Give me a reason."
Black Donal approached Cassidy, and Cassidy turned his wand at him. "Attend carefully Black Cloak," He warned Black Donal. "You're at a disadvantage."
Black Donal growled, "For now."
Two other boys from Gryffindor marched in behind Cassidy. Severus recognized them as Delsin Myers and Ramsey Clarke. Two Gryffindor 6th Year Boys who used to encourage James Potter during his rants against Slytherins and Severus in particular.
Ramsey Clarke was rather tall, and portly. He had long brown hair, and his face was littered with small scars from popping boils and acne.
Delsin Myers was thin, and very short. He had a dirty blonde bowl cut, that honestly did not look good on him.
Cassidy looked back at the two. "Spread out fellas, make sure nobody moves."
Ramsey saw Regulus with his wand out and quickly disarmed him, "Little snakes should keep their wands away in the presence of their betters!"
Dante sauntered into the room and looked around. "I have to admit, great work on the password. I would have never guessed that the password used to get in and out would be my name." Dante walked around the room. Severus and his friends gave him a wide berth.
Sirius never let Dante out of his line of sight, "How the hell did you get that password?!"
Dante flashed a grin, "Just how do you think? My little birdies on my shoulder, whispering all sorts of knowledge to me. And it's not just the password they told me. Oh no, it's a lot more than that."
Regulus looked over at Dante, "Like what?" He inquired, "What else do you know?"
Dante wandered over towards Regulus, "Secrets. Lots of secrets. Secrets that even you aren't privy to." Dante moved away from Regulus and got the chair Sirius was sitting on and stood upon it. "Now then, onto business. Pack your crap, you're leaving!"
Severus got out from Black Donal's protection. "You can't make us leave!"
"Oh, permit me to shine the light of my brilliance on the darkness of your ignorance." Dante pulled a leather-bound book from his satchel and opened to a bookmarked page. "In the Hogwarts Code of Conduct, a group of five or more students may not congregate without the supervision of a professor, or a Prefect." Dante closed the leather-bound book with a small thud. "And I don't see a professor, nor a Prefect here."
Black Donal walked over to him. "I'm here."
Dante chuckled, "Yeah, but you're not a recognized chaperon. Hell, you're the least trustworthy person to have around a bunch of children! A trained killer such as yourself? You'd have free reign to kill Snape and hush up any witnesses. After all that's how your brother, The Grey Cloak l, killed Lord Abercrombie!"
Black Donal launched himself at Dante, grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the nearest wall.
Everyone was shocked at what was happening,
"Black Donal! Stop!" Severus commanded his Black Cloak but to no avail.
Cassidy rushed over and pulled Black Donal off of his friend, and struck Black Donal across the face, temporarily disorienting him. "Come on then! Square go!"
Black Donal recovered quickly and was about to engage when Severus yelled at him.
"Stop this now Black Donal! I command you!"
Black Donal looked back at Severus who was very angry that things had devolved this quickly. Black Donal wrangled his emotions under control and returned to Severus' side.
Delsin was attending to Dante, "Shite, Dante the back of yer' head is bleeding!"
Dante winced as his hand reached back and traced his open wound. He saw the blood on his hand and softly chuckled. "I'm going to be very nice about this and forget that you did this Black Cloak. Otherwise, one letter to the Black Cloak Academy, and they will strip you of that Cloak."
Dante got off of the wall, "You have until I get back from Madam Pomfrey to clear out of here. If you aren't, we'll forcibly evict you all and take away Fifty house points per head!" He looked at everyone in Severus' friend circle. "Look at you. You're all just pawns in a bigger chess game. Little lambs lost…" Dante slowly looked at Remus and made direct eye contact with him. "Among the wolves."
Dante backpedaled out of the room, "Get packing." Ramsey, Delsin, and Cassidy followed him out.
Severus went over to the door and shut it completely. He turned around and saw everyone consoling Remus as he was looking even paler as he sat on the couch.
Jane tried to console him, "Remus, it's okay. It's okay."
Remus hyperventilated, "No it's not okay! That psychopath knows! He knows!" Remus then proceeded to sick up in the cauldron containing the firewood.
Severus ran a hand through his hair, "Frank, Sirius, take Remus to Madam Pomfrey after we get our things and get out of here. Make sure Dante and those animals aren't there when you bring him."
"We're not leaving!" Sirius argued.
Tav tried to make Severus see reason, "Sev, I don't think this is the right move! If you give an inch, Dante will take a mile!"
"Guys we don't have much of a choice here! Please just do as I say!" Severus was visibly rattled and was trying to keep it together for his friends. "Everyone else pack up your stuff."
Everyone was getting their stuff together, but at the same time kept an eye on everyone else. Wondering if Dante's words about his little birdie had any merit.
*~* Page Break ~*~*
Cassidy went up to the 7th floor to the Room of Requirement where Dante had the other Vanishing Cabinet hidden in their clubhouse. It was after curfew, but Cassidy was in the mood for a bit of gambling. Dante had gotten a note from Potter saying his end of things was set up and apparently his parents were going to some fancy dinner party this evening. He entered the room, glad that the United had sole usage of it due to Athena's spell that made it impossible for anyone else to use it. Cassidy opened the door and stepped into the cabinet, waited, then opened the door again and peered out. Potter had said he had placed the cabinet in a storage room on the third floor of Potter Manor and this was what it looked like. He stepped out of the cabinet, closing the door behind him. He walked out of the room and down the stairs to the second floor where a door suddenly opened, surprising Cassidy. It was James, dressed in a nightshirt and slippers. "Where are you going?" James asked sullenly.
"None of your business, Potter, back to bed with you," Cassidy waved his wand at James who suddenly felt very groggy and trundled back into his bedroom. Cassidy waited a few moments and then peeked into James' bedroom and saw he was sound asleep. He closed the door again, went down the stairs, and outside.
From Potter Manor, Dante apparated to east London, transfigured himself so he appeared more modishly dressed, and then cast a luck spell on himself. "Fortuna, Mea Est." He walked casually out of an alley, across the street to a gambling club called 'The Black Knight'. He'd never been here before, but he'd heard it was owned by some shady characters which would make gambling there all the more exciting.
"Evening, Gents," he nodded at the rough looking duo standing inside by the double door entrance. "Here to do a bit of magic at the Blackjack table. I'm feeling real lucky tonight."
The two looked at each other with smirks on their faces. "Your name, Sir?"
"My name is Malcolm Burton." He made up a different name every time he visited a new place. He pulled out an ID and showed it to them.
The one thug recited the house rules while the other one motioned to someone.
A young women came over to them and he said, "Show this young gentleman to the Blackjack table. He says he's feeling lucky tonight."
"I'm Eleanor, this way, Sir," she said as she led Cassidy to one of the blackjack tables.
Cassidy followed her to a large table with several people standing or sitting around it. He nodded at them and took his place. "Would you like anything to drink, Sir?" She asked.
"Yes, I believe I'll have a whiskey," Cassidy answered.
She left and returned with a glass of whiskey. "The first one's on the house to all new customers." She said the last two words loudly as a signal to the dealer, George, that they might have a potential number present. The dealer smiled and nodded.
But both Elena and the dealer were shocked, an hour later, when Cassidy sat grinning, with a large pile of chips sitting in front of him,.
Elena went over to the two thugs at the door and pointed at Cassidy. "We think he's cheating somehow, but neither George or me can spot how he's doing it."
"Likely counting cards," one of the thugs answered. Quite a crowd had gathered around Cassidy, watching him play or hoping some of his luck would rub off on them. The thug stood where he could see Cassidy play, but as he watched, he couldn't see any illegal activity going on. The guy just seemed to be incredibly lucky.
"Well, I'm done," Cassidy said as he got up and scooped up all his chips. He reckoned he'd won around a thousand pounds in Muggle money. He took his chips over to the cash out cage and waited and when the clerk returned, he counted out £950 much to Cassidy's delight. He scooped it up and placed the roll into his pocket and left, hurrying quickly into the alley across the street and disapparating, He appeared in an alley near the Leaky Cauldron and walked inside, surprised it was still so crowded. He carefully made his way to the courtyard, tapped on the sequence of bricks and when it opened, he headed towards Gringotts. He tossed the roll of pounds in front of the first Goblin who didn't look busy and ordered, "Change that into Wizard money and put it in my account."
"Yes, Sir," the Goblin, Hork, replied. The Goblins hated the Doherty's even more than the Potter's. They were all above their stations with no regards for anything except their snobby reputations!
The Goblin quickly converted the Muggle currency into Wizard currency and then wrote Dante out a receipt of deposit and gave it to him. Cassidy looked at it in satisfaction before warning, "Make sure that gets in my account, Goblin."
"It will be done, Sir."
"It had better be!" Cassidy threatened as he turned to leave. He used the floo at Gringotts even though it was reserved for use by only the wealthiest families such as the Princes, the Yalarads, or the Blacks. Hork didn't bother stopping him as he just wanted him to leave.
Cassidy stepped out of the Potter's fireplace and then went upstairs and entered the Vanishing Cabinet.
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
The staff at the Black Knight met in the owners office. The owners, Steve and Simon Grey were well known criminals in the east end, They not only controlled most of the gambling, but prostitution, and some of the drug trade as well.
"So, what's the story on this Malcolm Burton?" Simon Grey asked, sitting at his desk. His brother stood behind him.
One of the thugs shrugged. "Don't know, Sir. He was cheating, but he weren't using any of the usual methods. He weren't counting cards, wasn't pulling extra cards out of his sleeves or his socks."
"I was watching him, too, and it just looked like he was incredibly lucky," Elena said.
"Put it out on the street that if anybody runs across this Malcolm Burton, I want him brought here to us," Steve Grey said. "He's going to find out what happens when you cheat the Grey Twins!"
~*~* Page Break ~*~*
Two Days Later:
Professor Flitwick was spending his free evening taking a stroll out in the forest and came across Mr. Campbell's ranch.
Filius saw that the old rancher was sitting outside on his porch with a pair of binoculars. Sitting by a wood stove that had the fires on to keep him warm.
"Hello, Mr. Campbell!" Flitwick called out to him.
Mr. Campbell put the binoculars down and waved back at him. "Evening Professor Flitwick! Would you care to sit for a while? I was about to have a cup of Tea."
"If I won't put you out," Flitwick accepted his offer and went over to sit with him for a while. It'd be nice to warm up before making the trip back to Hogwarts.
They sat by the stove and enjoyed a few cups of tea, and a couple of ladyfingers that Mr. Campbell had baked the previous night.
All the while Mr. Campbell was taking looks in the binoculars at random intervals.
Curious, Professor Flitwick inquired about what he was doing.
There's been a lone grey wolf that's been picking off sheep in my flock for the past seven years! Slippery bugger! Wily as fox, quick as a whip, and is getting to be a real pain in my side...or was."
Flitwick looked at him, "Was?"
"That's the odd thing about it. This wolf is smart, every night he prowls the edge of my property to try and find some new way to sneak in and hunt my sheep. Every night, like clockwork." Mr. Campbell looked through his binoculars again, "However, the last three days there's been no activity from him."
"Could he have decided to move on?"
"Well it's possible Professor, but would you ever want to leave a place where the pickings are this good to pass up on?"
"No, I can't say that I would," Professor Flitwick finished his tea and got up from his chair. "I think I should be on my way back to Hogwarts."
"All right Professor, thank you for stopping by and make sure you're careful getting home. You never know what's out there!"
"I'll be sure to stay extra vigilant, Alexander," Flitwick bowed his head. "Good night!"
"Night, Professor!"
Filius made his way off of Mr. Campbell's small ranch and headed back to Hogwarts
That same night Remus Lupin was escorted to the Shrieking Shack by an extra vigilant Minerva McGonagall. Where he could go through with his monthly transformation.
This one was probably one of the most stressful that Remus had ever been through. With the threat of Dante Yalarad knowing his secret becoming more of a possibility, he started losing sleep over it. It was so bad that Madam Pomfrey had to give him a double dose of Dreamless Sleep to get him to fall asleep.
The pain of transforming was so bad he couldn't even remember most of the night. Let alone the trip from the Shack back to Hogwarts the night after.
He awoke in bed and winced when he started to rise. He felt a bandage affixed to the side of his cheek.
Great. One more scar to add to the collection. Sirius always said that scars were cool, and made a guy look mysterious. Well if that was the case he'd be an Agatha Christie novel at that point.
He looked around and saw that nobody was in the Hospital Wing, but had a feeling that he was being watched. It was something that he couldn't shake.
He rubbed his eyes as he started to get up, there was no point in falling back asleep. As Remus rubbed his eyes, he felt something wet make contact against his eyes when he rubbed them.
It was still dark so he couldn't make out what it was. He looked over at the bedside table and saw his wand, so he reached over and grabbed it.
"Lumos."
Remus was horrified to see that the liquid on his hands was blood. He thought that he was more injured than he previously thought and was bleeding out.
As Remus began to move he felt something between his legs. Remus saw that through the white sheets of the hospital bed, something was there, and it left a large red, pulpy spot in the sheets.
Remus felt his breath catch in his throat and slowly reached over to pull the sheets back.
He was hesitant to do so but found his resolve. He grabbed the sheets and pulled them back.
Right in between his legs, laid a decapitated head of a grey wolf. Its blood had soaked through its fur and the mattress. Its face was contorted in a visage of pain and agony before death.
The screams that came from Remus Lupin's frail body were loud enough to wake the dead.
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