April 8th, 1978
It was loud out in the hallway. Be it because of the wild Scottish scenery passing by outside, or perhaps because of the noisy groups of students meeting on the Express after the Easter holidays. Peter slowly edged along the side of the hallway, pressed against the windows to make himself as small as possible.
'Even if James had lent me the Cloak, I couldn't even use it out here.'
He winced when an elbow suddenly connected roughly with his chest. Apparently some broad-shouldered sixth-year Slytherin had bumped into him on purpose; the taller boy merely sneered down at him as he passed.
'Thank Merlin I'm almost there.'
Peter pushed past the Trolley Lady and headed towards the gents' bathrooms. He glanced over his shoulder one last time, checking the hallway before entering.
It was a lot more silent inside, quiet enough for Peter to know that there were no other students in either of the two stalls. 'But was she there already?'
"E- Elana?" He whispered cautiously.
He squeaked in fright when the air suddenly flickered next to the first stall, faint ripples revealing a familiar face that hovered right in front of him.
"Hello, Pete." Her light green eyes sparkled with amusement. She took a step forward and took him in a brief hug, letting go almost at the exact moment Peter caught a whiff of her vanilla scent.
"Hi, E- Elana." He stiffened a small stab of disappointment and searched his brain for something to say: "Your- your disillusionment charm is very good. I would've never guessed you were here."
"I've practiced over the break. It's a very useful charm to learn." The Slytherin replied while pulling her wand. "And there's something we should do before we talk..."
"Wha- what do you- " Peter eyed the thin piece of wood warily until she tapped the door handle to the bathroom from the inside.
"Colloportus." Elana chuckled: "Relax, Pete. You looked like you expected me to attack you..."
He winced at her choice of words.
"I'm sorry, that was rather insensitive of me." Elana's eyes softened as she took his hand and squeezed gently: "I've read about what happened to your friend Lupin in the Daily Prophet. How are you holding up since- well, since it all happened?"
"It- it's been tough. Very tough," Peter swallowed down a lump of unease: "Remus was always a good friend. He was usually the one to stop James and Sirius from making fun of me, even if they didn't mean it too seriously."
"I can imagine what you're going through, even if I didn't know him well personally. I've also lost people dear to me." Elana's voice was filled with sympathy. "You must have gotten even closer to him ever since Potter, Black, and Peverell started sticking to themselves and ignoring you?"
'They didn't even offer me to come by Potter Manor if I wanted to talk.' He grimaced: 'I learned about my friend's death in the newspaper, not from them.'
"Ye- Yes. I'll be all by myself even more often now." Peter admitted with a deep frown: "It- it's all so scary, isn't it?" He absently nibbled at the edge of his thumb: "Remus was such a kind soul; he would've never hurt anyone. His parents were some of the friendliest people I've ever met. Why would someone want to harm them?"
Elana was silent for a few seconds before regarding him with a long, penetrating look: "The lines have been drawn in this conflict, Pete. No one is a true bystander at this point. Maybe you should think about why so many family members of your friends have lost their lives so recently..."
"What- what do you mean by that?" Peter squeaked in fright.
"Peter, your friends in particular are publicly proclaiming their stance in this conflict." Elana shot him a sad smile: "Think about what Peverell has been doing ever since he arrived in Britain. He not only angered but outright killed the son of one of Britain's most prominent Lords and for what? All because of a slight misunderstanding regarding his heritage. It shouldn't come as a surprise that he's being targeted right now, should it?"
"They- they really target Harry?" Peter frowned.
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Elena shrugged and began counting on her fingers: "His girlfriend's brother was the first to die, followed recently by her parents. Evans' parents were killed as well and now the war has hit a close friend of his. Anyone that associates with him is in grave danger..." Elana bit her bottom lip: "I was really worried for you as well over the break."
"About- about me?" Peter whimpered: "But I wouldn't hurt anyone, I'm nowhere near as brave as Harry, or James or Sirius. I don't even want to fight in this war!"
"It's not as much about what you do or want, but rather what the people you associate with do," Elana explained patiently: "Perhaps you also want to think about whether or not it's worth risking your life for friends who hardly include you in their activities anymore..."
'I'm not brave or good enough to fight.' The feeling of unease laced his every thought. 'But I also don't want to die like Remus.'
"Anyways, enough of that for now..." Elana smiled at him, lifting some of his worries: "I actually came to cheer you up. As you know, after we've taken our NEWTs, we're basically off for the rest of the term. No classes, no nothing..."
"Ye- yes, and?" Peter nodded.
"Well, I couldn't think of a better way to spend that time than with you in a very special room." Elana batted incredibly long eyelashes at him and took a step closer: "And for that, all we need to do is figure out how it opens..."
A hot blush crept over his cheeks. Peter was about to reply when suddenly a familiar voice sounded from the other side of the door and the handle rattled wildly.
"Merlin's dirty underpants, why is it locked? Not now... Come on!"
'NO!' Peter froze on the spot in panic, blood pumping furiously. 'This couldn't be.'
His eyes found the Slytherin next to him. Elana's pale face was a mask of hysteria. She flicked her wand over her head mumbling under her breath, yet besides a few ripples of air nothing happened.
"Use your wand to open it." A hushed, female voice giggled from outside: "The one out of wood preferably. I have plans for the other one..."
"Alohomora!"
"There we go!" With a click of the lock, the doorknob turned and the door was pulled open, revealing two figures: A petite blonde seventh-year girl, already wearing her Hufflepuff robes, her face flushed in pink blush, and a tall boy with elegant, shoulder-length ebony curls who looked exactly like...
"Let's be quick and- " The goofy grin was wiped off Sirius' face and he froze right in the swell of the door when he noticed Peter. "Wormtail?!" He gaped in disbelief before his grey eyes found his companion and narrowed dangerously: "What the fuck are doing in here with her?!"
"N- Nothing!" Peter squeaked.
"Did she lock you in here?" Sirius caught the wand in Elana's hand, immediately pulling his own.
"What, no- " Peter howled when Elana suddenly poked his back with the tip of her wand.
"Alright, the game is up I suppose." Elana sighed dramatically and stepped past him: "Looks like the school's biggest blood traitor needs the bathroom himself to defile yet another poor girl." She sneered down at the Hufflepuff in disgust. "But it was just some light payback for a prank anyways..."
"Yes- yes! Of- of course!" Peter squirmed, fidgeting with his fingers while avoiding his friend's harsh gaze: "You know the Sl- Slytherins, right? They pranked me again and locked me in here with her. Thank Merlin you came, Sirius!"
"I don't fucking believe you, Wormy!" Sirius growled and stopped Elana from leaving, wand raised at her chest: "Is this who you've been sneaking out for during the entirety of the last term? To meet some bloody snake without telling your mates of six years?"
"No, no!" Peter whimpered: "It's really not like that!"
"What's this all about?" The blonde Hufflepuff, who had remained at Sirius' side rather awkwardly, spoke up: "Is this bathroom free or do we go look for a different one?"
Sirius clenched his jaw, glaring from Elana to Peter: "I'm not in the mood anymore. Leave, both of you!" He answered the indignant blonde and eventually allowed Elana to step out of the bathroom.
'What is he going to do to me?' Peter swallowed heavily, shaking frantically on the spot.
"We're going to have a talk tonight, Wormy, all of the Marauders." Sirius' eyes turned cold as steel on Peter: "And then you'll get one chance to explain what the fuck this was all about. I can't believe you'd stab us in the back like this."
Great Hall
"Before you each head back to your common rooms and the warm beds that have been prepared for you, allow me to welcome you all back to the castle for the remainder of the term. I'd also like to say a few words..."
'No twinkle in his eyes.' Harry mused as he along with the rest of the Great Hall turned their attention up to the Headmaster's podium. 'A serious note then.'
"Much has happened over this rather short break, which had been supposed to grant our seventh and fifth years a well-deserved break from the heavy studies they're undergoing at the moment." Dumbledore's voice hitched ever so slightly: "Instead, as you undoubtedly know by following the papers, three of your peers, people you've all visited classes and lived with, won't be returning to the Castle for good."
Complete silence settled over the Great Hall.
"I am of course talking about Remus Lupin, our seventh-year prefect from Gryffindor, Carolina Smith a seventh year from Hufflepuff along with her younger brother, William Smith from fifth year." With each name Dumbledore mentioned, a framed wizarding photo of the very student appeared in front of his podium, along with a large candle that lighted with a flick of his fingers.
'Werewolves took the former's life.' Harry glanced at the other Marauders and Lily, blocking out the Headmaster's words momentarily. All of them stared at the photo of a laughing Remus, tight-lipped and with grim expressions: 'The Smiths were murdered because their father held a strategic office in the Department of International Magical Cooperation.'
" -I'd therefore like to raise a toast to those who have been robbed of something no student should be deprived of. Their innocence, their childhood, and their future." Dumbledore raised his cup: "To Remus, to Carolina, and to William!"
Benches were pushed back as the staff table and the entire Great Hall followed through. Yet Harry noticed how a few of the Slytherin merely raised their cup without actually drinking: 'Fine by me. You just make it even easier for me to find my next targets...'
"Thank you, everyone," Dumbledore said solemnly: "And now- "
He paused mid-sentence with a frown and Harry immediately felt it too.
Suddenly, a blinding white light burst from the ceiling of the Great Hall and flew down to his podium. The closest students cried in panic as it twisted into a large bull that scratched its hooves in mid-air, horns lowered.
'Mad-Eye Moody.' Harry frowned, standing up in an attempt to listen to what the Patronus was telling Dumbledore, yet with the hysterical screams ringing through the Great Hall his efforts were in vain.
Almost as quickly as it appeared the Patronus vanished with a faint pop, leaving an ashen-faced Headmaster, who quickly cleared his throat and attempted to smile, spreading his arms wide: "There is no need to panic, everyone, you are safe here at Hogwarts! Nevertheless, it has been a long night! Head students and Prefects, please escort all students to their common rooms now!"
'Nothing is fine.' Harry caught Dumbledore's worried glance. 'Something serious must have happened.'
"You heard the man, everything is fine, let's go back to the Tower alright?" James motioned for a few first-year students to finally get off the benches and move towards the giant oak doors.
Harry remained at his spot, catching his fiancé's eye over at the Ravenclaw table. The blonde shot him a frown and moved to walk over to him when suddenly another volley of shouts echoed through the Great Hall.
Bright light seared Harry's eye. Fawkes had appeared right on Dumbledore's shoulder in a golden flame, gently nipping on the Headmaster's earlobe while cocking his head sideways. Dumbledore walked over to his Deputy, still with Fawkes on his shoulder while seemingly giving the bird directions.
"Any ideas what this might be about, love?" Marlene appeared next to him, having fought her way through the mass of students.
"No, but I'd like to find out." Harry's eyes followed the Headmaster and his members of staff as they moved towards the small antechamber, where he'd been sent after the Goblet spit out his name. "But we'd need a distraction to follow them unnoticed."
He pulled the smooth, cold fabric of his cloak from within his robes, holding it at the ready.
"I'll give you a distraction." Marlene's wand was in her fingers within the blink of an eye, aimed over the heads of the students leaving. A faint ripple of magic flared from the tip.
The large blackboard hanging on the wall next to the Great Hall's exit suddenly vibrated with a deep gong before it slipped out of its brackets. The students underneath barely managed to scatter aside as it came crashing down, causing another small panic.
"A bit of an overkill." Harry drew her closer by the waist and threw the Cloak over them, wrapping it tightly around: "But it'll do."
They edged along the benches up to the staff table and past it to the small door, moving slowly so the cloak would flatter and expose their ankles. Flitwick instructed Professor Vector to remain in the Great Hall and oversee the incident with the Blackboard before hurrying towards the antechamber himself.
Harry and Marlene barely managed to slip inside right behind him before he locked the door with a flick of his wand. Harry glances around, catching the Headmaster, the four Heads of House, and Meadowes standing in a small group.
" - they will be here shortly," Dumbledore said to Minerva: "I've sent Fawkes to collect them from the Ministry."
They edged along the wall, positioning themself at the far end of the room, yet close enough to listen in.
"How could this have happened, Albus?" Slughorn dabbed pearls of sweat from his forehead: "It was supposed to be impossible!"
"We will have our answers soon, Horace." The Headmaster replied, scanning the room over the frame of his half-moon glasses: "Any moment now."
The professors suddenly flinched back to the walls when Fawkes flamed into the middle of the chamber, dropping three people on the tiles in a clutter of limbs. Harry recognized Moody, Barty Crouch Senior, and the Minster herself, Millicent Bagnold.
"Bloody firebird." Alastor Moody growled as he untangled himself.
Harry frowned and felt Marlene shiver next to him when they caught a good look at the Auror.
Moody's face was wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, leaving only his right eye exposed. Large spatters of crimson shone on his red robes and multiple spots showed scorch marks or cuts.
"What happened, Alastor?" Dumbledore heaved his friend up.
"Azkaban has fallen." The Auror grumbled, much to the shock of everyone present: "The fortress was overrun by Death Eaters while the bloody Dementors turned on us and kissed the guards before letting out the prisoners."
Marlene's fingernails dug into his palm almost painfully. Her eyes were locked on Moody, her lips trembled with the question he wanted him to answer.
'I'm pretty sure this didn't happen the first time.' Harry frowned and contemplated the matter. 'Voldemort must be in desperate need of followers if he risks his forces in such a brazen move.'
"How many escaped?" Albus frowned.
"All of them of course!" Moody looked deeply troubled: "All that's left of the prison is a large pile of smoking ashes and rubble!"
"How could this happen?" Slughorn cried: "Azkaban was supposed to be impenetrable!"
"They attacked with their entire force, knowing that today we'd have any additional security stationed at King's Cross, along the rails up north, and also Hogsmeade station to protect the Express and the students' journey." Moody briefed them while allowing Madam Pomfrey to the tent to some of the smaller cuts on him: "Those bastards were perfectly prepared for us. They even knew the exact times the guards changed shifts, how to access the fortress, and also how to get past the protections on the high-security cells."
"Someone talked!" Crouch flared his nostril: "Someone betrayed the Ministry and shared that information with them. We must sweep the entire Department for the mole!"
'Try sweeping your own house instead.' Harry grimaced, knowing fully well who could have easily supplied such information to the Death Eaters.
"Well even without it, there would've been little we could do against them." Moody growled: "Voldemort himself was there and he cut through our forces like a scorpion playing in a flower field! It's like none of our spells even harmed him, Albus. He just shrugs them off and continues killing anyone he sees!"
Harry caught Slughorn pale considerably, more so than any of the other professors, something Dumbledore missed as it seemed.
"How heavy are our casualties?" The Minister slumped into a chair. Apparently, she was only now being briefed on the matter herself.
"We lost more people trying to evacuate what was left of our forces than there'd been to begin with." Moody shook his head in anger: "I only know that Bones, McKinnon, and at least one of the Prewetts twins survived. The rest I'm not sure, but if they're still there, then they've become dessert for the Dementors."
A small sigh escaped Marlene's lips as her body lost some of the tenseness. Her eyes widened when she realized her mistake too late.
'Fuck!' Harry cursed, immediately pulling the cloak tight around them.
"What was that?" Dumbledore's blue eyes had shot up at the moment Marlene expressed her relief.
His gaze roamed through the chamber, coming to a halt right over the spot where they stood.
"Albus?" McGonagall frowned at him: "Filius locked the door. No one else entered after him. Surely we would've noticed if there was anyone else here."
He merely shook his head, held up his hand, and pulled his wand from his sleeve. His blue eyes remained fixed on a spot on the wall behind them as if he caught something particularly curious.
'Don't force my hand, old man.' Harry's heart began pounding harder.
Marlene tensed up again. He slowly let the Elder Wand slip into his palm, ready to defend himself should the need arise.
"Accio Invisibility Cloak!"
'That just won't do.' Harry didn't even feel the need to wrap the cloak closer around himself.
When nothing happened for a solid few seconds Dumbledore's wand stabbed forward again: "Homenum Revelio!"
The occupants of the chamber were dead silent and holding their breaths as they listened to the humming of his wand. The Headmaster waited for a few seconds after the last count.
'Only Death can hide a soul.' A small smile crept over Harry's lips: 'Even from the Great Albus Dumbledore...'
Eventually, the Headmaster's face fell in disappointment. "Pardon me, Filius, I didn't doubt your ability to lock a door, I merely thought we had some particularly sneaky eavesdroppers. Please, continue."
"Well, there's not much left to be said. We cannot brush this under the carpet" Crouch huffed: "Tomorrow the Minister and I will give a press statement after briefing the Wizengamot. The public is aware that most of these criminals will join the Dark Lord's ranks. We need efficient ways to strike back and win back their confidence. Otherwise, we'll be losing this war, slowly but surely."
"What about the Dementors? Azkaban has housed at least a hundred in recent times." Slughorn piqued up nervously: "Is there a way to negotiate their allegiance once more like Ekrizdis did back then?"
"Only for them to backstab us again?! Not if I have a say!" Moody barked: "The Unspeakables are already tasked with finding a way to combat their effects and perhaps even harm them. Until then, I will have the remainder of my squad practice their Patronus charms. I suggest you teach your students as well." Moody added towards Professor Meadowes.
"Some of them are very proficient with it already, yet the students that are teaching them refuse to share their knowledge with the entire class and merely instruct their closest friends."
"Let me take a wild guess... It's the Peverell lad?" Moody shot a long look at Albus. "Or his girlfriend?"
'It's fiancé, actually.' Harry corrected, feeling Marlene shift beside him: 'I thought Witch Weekly had made sure that the entire wizarding world knew so already.'
"His fiancé, Ms. McKinnon, is just as proficient with it," Meadowes said: "Still, they have proven to be as stubborn as they're brilliant."
"Aye, I've heard plenty of her from her older brother." Moody rolled his eyes: "Either get the lassie to teach or do it yourself. The more people are able to defend themselves in times like this, the better."
"We will see what we can do. Thank you for coming here so quickly, Alastor." Dumbledore nodded.
"Just tell that bloody bird of yours to get me back to Saint Mungo's." Moody growled: "One of the silver-masked bastards caught me in the eye with something and the healers said it's not looking too well."
"I need to get back to the Ministry as well, but I'd prefer using the floo, Albus." Bagnold sighed tiredly.
"So do I," Crouch added with glare: "This will be another all-nighter, and with my bloody elf going barmy ever since last week I can't even get a decent coffee..."
"My office is the closest, Minister." Professor Sprout offered and headed to the door back into the Great Hall: "Right this way."
Avoiding Dumbledore's suspicious glances, Harry and Marlene used a small gap between Hogwarts staff and Ministry personnel to sneak out themselves. They trailed a safe distance behind them until reaching the Grand Staircase.
"What do you think of it?" Marlene whispered
"Voldemort is desperate but his plan worked. He's got a bunch of murdering and raping scum that will be forever grateful to him." Harry whispered: "The Dementors are another problem. They're a perfect tool to spread fear and misery so I expect he'll be using them soon."
"I'm just glad my brother survived." Marlene swallowed heavily: "Do you mind if I stay with you tonight?"
"No, of course not." Harry squeezed her hand: "Though it'll have to be in the dorm. No doubt Dumbledore will check the Room later to see if it might have been us listening in."
"Dorm is fine." She remained close to his side underneath the cloak while they climbed the many stairs to the seventh floor. "I just need you to hold me while I'm falling asleep."
The Gryffindor common room was empty when they climbed through the Portrait hole. 'Apparently James and Lily had managed to send everyone to their dorms early.'
He stored the Cloak in his robes before entering the seventh-year boys' dorm.
" -it doesn't matter, Wormy! You still fucking lied to us!"
'Wow, what happened here?' Harry's eyes roamed over Sirius, James, Lily, and Wormtail. The latter cowering at the edge of his bed, his expression turned stony when he spotted them entering.
"Merlin, Harry, finally you're back!" James exhaled in frustration: "Did you at least manage to figure out what this panic was all about? Must've been serious if the Minister herself arrived."
'They watched us on the Map.' Harry took a seat on his bed and let Marlene slip onto his lap. "We know what happened and I'll let you know tonight, but right now I'm more curious about what's going on here?"
"Fine..." James sighed: "It's... complicated..."
"So- so he's allowed to sneak around and hide stuff I'm not?" Peter pointed a finger at them accusingly: "How is that fair?"
'Did they finally catch him?' Harry found his curiosity spiked.
"Because it's completely different from what you did, Wormy!" Sirius snapped up: "Harry and Marlene sneak around together to practice and get some privacy as a couple. They don't hide it from us!"
"And- and who is to say I'm not doing the same?!" Peter huffed, a small blush creeping up his cheeks.
"Don't be ridiculous now!" Sirius barked in laughter: "Rosier might be a Slytherin but she's still way out of your league, mate..."
"Sirius!" Lily's voice carried a sharp warning.
"Lily is right, don't be an asshole now, Padfoot." James shook his head: "Still, this is different, Wormy, because you're sneaking around with someone who hangs with junior Death Eaters. The people who killed Marlene's family, Lily's parents, and now even Remus!"
"No! Elana isn't like them!" Peter defended her: "She- she's always been nice to me and never ridiculed me unlike the way you guys always do!"
'I suppose he's not too wrong about that.'
"Then she's obviously using you for information." Marlene snorted, tossing her hair over her shoulder: "I bet she has slipped in questions about Harry and me plenty of times, hasn't she? Some snide comments, some small remarks, and every so often a question revealing what she truly wants."
"E- Elana doesn't do that and she hardly has a reason to like you after what you've done to her, does she?! You- you almost killed her!" Peter snarled at Marlene.
"She made fun of my dead parents." Marlene's voice cut through the silence like ice: "Next time she does so, I will kill her."
"You can't do that! She is my friend!" Peter whimpered, glaring at the Marauders: "And unlike you, she even comforted me after we lost Remus. She said she truly understood how I feel."
"Oh, I bet she knew the sentiment of losing someone close to her." Cold laughter burst from Marlene's pink lips.
'Her Uncle, Evan Rosier.' A flare of hatred bubbled in Harry's stomach. 'The man who took my grandparents from me.'
"She hung around with the exact same lot who was found with the Dark Mark and caught going on raids last term, Peter!" Sirius shouted heatedly: "How can you be so stupid to oversee that!"
"Be- because I know Elana isn't like them!" Peter shouted in reply: "We- we all know you've fooled around with Slytherins as well and now you're just irritated because there's finally a girl who likes me for who I am! Just admit you're jealous!"
Sirius roared in laughter: "You're delusional if you actually think that, Peter."
"Ca- call me, delusional then, I don't care!" Peter crossed his arms in front of his chest: "I won't give up the best thing that happened to me over the last few years just because you tell me I can't see her."
"Fine, if we can't see eye to eye then you leave us no choice, Peter," James sighed, his hazel eyes full of regret: "Being a Marauder is a rank for a lifetime. However, since you'll likely keep having secrets from us, secrets that could do all of us harm, that is, we won't allow you to use my Cloak or the Map any longer."
"I- I've worked on that Map harder than anyone else!" Peter's face turned red in anger: "It was me who explored every inch of the Castle in his rat from day and night! It was me who risked everything by infiltrating the common rooms and offices of every professor!"
"And it was Remus who researched all the necessary charms while James and I did the spell work!" Sirius countered: "It was a team effort, but since you don't want to be part of that team anymore, your Map privileges are hereby revoked. Besides, you've probably shown it to Rosier already, violating the very first rule!"
"James showed it to Lily as well! Harry showed it to McKinnon!" Peter cried accusingly: "How can you guys be so unfair?!"
"Lily has proven herself trustworthy time and time again, she is my girlfriend and I love her!" James growled and took a protective stance in front of the redhead: "The same holds for Harry and Marlene. We know close to nothing about Rosier aside from the fact that she made fun of Marlene's parents' death and hangs around with junior Death Eaters. Our decision is final, Wormtail!"
'This will push him into Voldemort's corner even quicker than before.' Harry grimaced: 'But it was inevitable to happen and soon I'll kill him anyway. The Rat and Rosier can enjoy their little romance in the afterlife once Marlene gets to her.'
Peter stared at them in silence for almost a minute, wiping away tears of anger: "You- you will regret doing that!" He swept some stray clothes littering his bed into his trunk and lifted it up, stumbling as he walked to the door: "I'd rather sleep in the common room than in here with you. You guys were never my friends! You're the same bullies everyone has always accused you of being!"