~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Marauders ~ Year One By: Noelle Chapter 4: And So It Begins… ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Bella Figg's POV "Lily…" "No." "But Lily…" "Bella, she's a Slytherin. I don't trust her." "Lils, she doesn't act like a Slytherin at all." Lily and I were in a deserted corner of the library. I was trying to convince the stubborn redhead to let Noelle in on our pranks. "Do you want to know a secret?" I asked her. Lily looked at me curiously. "Noelle let me into the Slytherin common room. We were the people who dungbombed the Boys' Dorms," I told Lily "If she would betray those in her own house, how long will it be before she betrays us?" Lily asked angrily. "LILY EVANS! You are IMPOSSIBLE!" I screamed. I turned on my heel and walked out of the library. After all, D.A.D.A would begin in 20 minutes. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ James Potter's POV Sirius and I ran to Defense Against the Dark Arts. We were already late. As we stumbled through the door, the professor, Professor Hawkins, looked at us in amusement. "Boys, why are you late?" she inquired. Sirius stood up in a 'dignified' manner. "Well, you see professor, we were walking to class around 45 minutes ago, but a group of blind nuns attacked us. So my chum James wisely suggested that we run. And we ran for our lives! We managed to lose them near the North Tower, but suddenly, there was a stampede of rabid hippogriffs and flesh-eating flobberworms! My dearest professor, we got here as soon as we possibly could." "Mr. Black, that is a very good story indeed. You should try creative writing. However, you will still receive a detention, as will Mr. Potter," Professor Hawkins said, smiling cheerfully. Sirius whooped for joy. "I got a detention, I got a detention," he sang as he danced around the class. "Now, I have noticed we haven't been getting much work done. Therefore, I am going to change the seating arrangement," said Professor Hawkins. "Let's see… Black, Snape…" "What?" they both screamed at once. Professor Hawkins looked at them sternly. They stared right back at her. "Black, Snape," she repeated. "Malfoy, Lupin… Barnette, Charrier…Figg, Avery…" the professor continued on, ending with the inevitable pairing of "Evans, Potter". "What?" I screamed, standing up angrily. "I refuse to be paired with that…that SHREW!" "It's not like I want to be paired with you. You are a four-eyed TOAD!" Evans screamed. "Yeah? Well, at least I'm not an ugly red-haired FLOBBERWORM!" "That's because you're a…" "ENOUGH!" screamed Hawkins. "I have had it with the BOTH of you. You are now to leave and not return to the class until you can act civil towards each other!" Then as an afterthought, Hawkins added, "At least during this class." "But Professor," I began. "I said NOW Potter." I angrily picked up my books and walked out of the classroom. I went to the library, to begin planning the Marauders' next big prank. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Remus Lupin's POV Professor Hawkins smiled. "Well, since those two are gone, we can begin. Due to the rise of the Dark Arts and Voldie…" Some people gasped. The professor rolled her eyes. "Fine, have it your way. Due to the rise of the Dark Arts and the Dark Lord, we will start on curses today. Even though you aren't supposed to learn them until 4th year, Professor Dumbledore wishes you to learn them as soon as possible." The professor continued talking about different sorts of curses, but I didn't pay attention. Halloween was in one week. So was the full moon… I decided the best excuse would be 'My mother is sick'. Or perhaps I should use 'I have a dentist appointment'. I mused about this until class ended. I followed Michael and Sirius to the library. We had to plan our next big prank. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sirius Black's POV The Marauders decided our next prank had to be good. I was raking my brain for ideas. "How about blowing up the Slytherin Common Room and Dormitories?" I suggested. "Sirius, we're blowing up all the common rooms and dorms at the end of 7th year," Michael said impatiently. James was staring at the wall, muttering, "Set her head on fire." "James, stop thinking about Lily. We need a prank for the Slytherins," I said. I turned to Remus, who had a devilish grin. "Remus, what do you have cooking in that head of yours?" He grinned. "I got it." He told us his plan. Then he told me my job. ******* (time change) ******* "Oh, Bella…" I sang as I walked into the Girls' Dormitory. Bella wasn't there. Lily and Victoria were talking, but stopped when I entered, and glared at me instead. Lily and Bella not together? Something is definitely wrong… "Er…Where's Bella?" I asked. Lily's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't know where that TRAITOR is," she spat. "Nor do I care," she added as an afterthought. I gulped as I slowly backed up. "I'll escort him out, if that's alright with you, Lily," said Victoria. Lily nodded, so Victoria grabbed my arm and dragged me to the common room. "What's going on?" I asked her. "Lily and Bella had a fight," Victoria whispered. My eyebrows shot up. "What?" I asked. "Lil and Bella had a fight. I'm not really sure what it was about. I'm counseling Lily. Kiki…" "Kiki?" I questioned. Victoria rolled her eyes. "Kiana is trying to clam Bella down." "Where?" I asked. "Fourth floor. There's a picture of a girl with black hair and violet eyes. The password is buttercup." I nodded and ran out the portrait hole. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Bella Figg's POV "It's just that she's impossible," I told Kiana sulkily. "She does have a tempter. And sometimes she can be unreasonable," Kiana agreed. "But there's more. Lily…" I never got to finish. Sirius walked in. "Hello Kiki. May I speak to Miss Figg for a moment? Alone?" He batted his eyelashes. I rolled my eyes, but nevertheless followed him. "I need some information," he began. "What kind of information?' I asked. "I need the password to some common rooms," Sirius told me. "No." "Pretty please with a big maraschino cherry on top and whipped cream and ice cream and sprinkles…" "No," I repeated. "Well," Sirius sighed, "I thought you'd say that. " Sirius grabbed my arm and put a handcuff around my wrist. He put the other around his won wrist. He then took the key and put it in a sandwich. "Oh, no. Sirius, don't!" I screamed. I was too late. Sirius ate the sandwich, along with the key. He turned to me and grinned. "Tell me when you change your mind," he said cheekily. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Michael Barnette's POV "I wonder if he got the passwords,' I whispered to Remus. "Why Michael, don't tell me you doubt the Great Sirius Black," Remus said tauntingly "Plan B?" I asked. "Plan B," Remus agreed. ******* (time change) ******* I opened my trunk and rummaged through my belongings. I found what I was looking for, and held up my most prized possession. "Wow," Remus breathed. "It's…" "An invisibility cloak?" a voice interrupted. I turned to find Thomas Brooks, a fellow Gryffindor first year. "Er…I don't know what you're talking about," I said quickly, hiding the shimmering cloak behind my back. "Oh, come one. Let me in on your pranks," Thomas begged. "Conference," Remus called. We huddled in a corner of the dormitory. "Do you think we can trust him?" Remus asked me. "We'll see. His initiation will be Plan B." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Thomas Brooks' POV When Michael and Remus told me what I had to do, I almost had a heart attack. I had to get the password to the Hufflepuff Common Room and to the Slytherin Common Room. This would not be easy. I walked towards the Great Hall. I figured I could find a Slytherin or Hufflepuff somewhere around there. I noticed a group of Hufflepuffs walking towards me. I readjusted the wig I was wearing. I now had black hair, instead of blonde, and was going by the name 'Eric Carter'. A brunette with curly hair was leading the pack of Hufflepuffs. I recognized her as LeAnn Jacobson. "Hey LeAnn," I called out, "Can I talk to you for a moment?" LeAnn shrugged. "Sure." I took her into an alcove. "My name is Eric Carter," I told her. I gulped. It was now or never. I normally don't lie, but I had to. "I have fancied you for the longest time. I think that you're beautiful, smart, funny, and kind, and I would be honored if you would be my girlfriend." "That's very sweet," LeAnn interrupted, "But I don't really know you very well." "Can't we get to know each other?" I pressed on. LeAnn looked around before turning to me. "Do you know where the Hufflepuff Common Room is?" she asked. I nodded. "The password is yellow badger. Meet me at 11:30. Everyone else will be asleep," she said. "I would love to, but I have detention today and for the rest of the week," I lied. "Well, how about next week?" LeAnn suggested. "That would be great. I'll see you later." I ran to the Gryffindor Common Room. Remus and Michael were waiting for me. "Did you get it?" Michael hissed. I smirked. "It's yellow badger." Suddenly, Sirius came running towards us. "Bella finally cracked," he said. "The password is pureblood. I didn't get the Hufflepuff password though." "That's okay, Thomas did," said Michael. "What?" asked Sirius. "Thomas is the newest marauder. He got the Hufflepuff password,' Remus explained, grinning. Michael grinned. "It's yellow badger." "I had to ask out LeAnn Jacobson to get it!" I added. "Well, let's find Jamsie and start the plan!" Sirius screamed. We ran out of the portrait hole after him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Bella Figg's POV The next morning the sun was shining. The birds were chirping. And Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was at it's weirdest. Lily and I were still fighting, so I went to the Great Hall with Kiana. "Good Morning Bella," someone called out. I turned around, and later wished I had not done so. Severus Snape was saying 'Good Morning'? And to me? And why was he sitting at the Hufflepuff table, with the other Slytherins? I turned to the Slytherin table. The Hufflepuffs were insulting and sneering at everyone who walked past. Professor Hoffman, the Slytherin Head of House, stormed in. "ALBUS!" he screamed. Professor Dumbledore looked up from his bacon and eggs. "Yes?" "Albus, the Slytherins are acting like…like…" "Hufflepuffs?" Professor Dumbledore supplied. Professor Hoffman's eyes flashed in response. She continued on. "And the common room is painted yellow and black. And there's. There is a…" "Badger?" "There's a badger in the Slytherin Common Room!" she finished angrily. Meanwhile, Professor Greenlefe, the herbology professor and the head of Hufflepuff House, walked in. "Albus, my sweet and innocent Hufflepuffs are acting like greasy Slytherins! And the common room was painted Slytherin colours!" Professor Greenlefe screamed. "Very well," Professor Dumbledore sighed. "Sonorous," he whispered, pointing his wand at his throat. "Attention students," he began. The Great Hall became silent. "Classes will be cancelled until we sort out this tiny problem. Will you please return to your common rooms?" Everyone began exiting the Great Hall. "Will Potter, Black, Lupin, Barnette, and Brooks please remain in the Great Hall?" They were so busted! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sirius Black's POV "So, whose idea was it?" Professor Dumbledore asked us. "It was all of ours," I answered. "Well, Mr. Black, you will all be punished," said Professor Dumbledore. "Detention?" Thomas asked eagerly. Professor Dumbledore laughed. "Not exactly. You are to undo the memory charms and redecorate the common rooms to their normal décor. And you will be supervised." We followed Professor Hoffman to begin our 'detention'. We had to redecorate the Slytherin Common Room first, and get rid of the badger. Putting the badger in there was my idea. It was a purple, cupcake eating badger. Then we had to reverse the memory charms. Most of the Slytherins were angry, and swore revenge. Especially Snape. However, one girl was laughing hysterically. Weird… ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Noelle Charrier's POV When I learned I had been a Hufflepuff for the entire morning, I began laughing. It was a funny prank. I wish I had thought of it. This one boy, Sirius Black is his name I think, was looking at me like I was crazy. Maybe I am crazy . I kept laughing. Severus grabbed my arm and dragged me to the other side of the room. "What are you laughing at?" he hissed. "Oh come on Sevvie. Don't tell me that you don't think that prank was remotely funny. I mean, we were acting like Hufflepuffs!" I started laughing again. "Noelle, it was not even remotely funny," he said sternly. I swear, Severus is going to be a professor one day. "You are such a bloody stick in the mud!" I said, before walking away. I walked out of the common room. I wanted to find Bella, to find out who made us Hufflepuffs. I had to congratulate them! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Lucius Malfoy's POV I walked across the Common Room. "Snape," I called out. Snape nodded. "Malfoy." "I want in on your revenge plot," I told him. "That can be arranged," said Snape, smirking. "So, what exactly is your plan?" I asked. Snape looked around to make sure nobody was listening. He then explained the plan. It was a fairly good scheme. "When do we do this marvelous scheme?" I asked. "We strike in one week," said Snape. We then began the traditional evil laugh. "Bwahahahaha! Bwahahahahaha!" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Lily Evans' POV I walked into the dorms. "Bella?" I called out. "Lily, is that you?" she asked. "Yeah. Look, I am really sorry. I don't want to fight with you. I mean, you're my best friend." "Lily, I'm the one who's sorry. I never meant for us to get in a fight," said Bella. We hugged each other. "Er…Lily?" "What?" I asked. "I'm sorry I said you were impossible." "It's okay. I'm sorry for everything I said about you too." "Friends?" "Friends." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Michael Barnette's POV The next morning at breakfast, Professor Dumbledore stood up. "I have an announcement to make," he said. Everyone stopped talking. "The elections for Minister of Magic are over. The new minister is Nathan Barnette." I dropped my fork with a clatter. Nathan had never told me he was running. And he was my stepfather! I walked in a daze out of the Great Hall. We had potions. As I walked to Potions, people were patting me on the back, congratulating me for my father becoming the Minister. This was starting to aggravate me. I sat in my seat. "So, your father is the Minister of Magic?" asked Noelle, the girl who sat next to me during this awful class. "What's your dad, a Death Eater?" I snapped. Her face fell. "Actually, my father is dead. As is my mother." "Oh, sorry." Why don't I ever think before I speak? "It's okay." "Actually, Nathan is my stepfather," I told her. "Oh," she said. "Well, congratulate him for me." "Sure," I told Noelle. " So, shall we get started on the potion?" she asked. I smiled. "We shall." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ James Potter's POV It was Halloween. Remus had left earlier that day. It turns out his mother is sick. He has to go visit her. I walked to the Great Hall with Sirius. "So Jamsie, how's FireDragon?" he asked. I growled in response. I still had to get her back for getting me in trouble during Defense Against the Dark Arts. Michael and Thomas were sitting down at our usual seats eating breakfast. We went and sat next to them. The owls came to deliver the mail. A jet black own and a brown owl stopped in front of Michael. He took the letters. He opened the one from the black owl first. As he read it, his face fell. He picked up the letter from the brown owl and read it. He ran out of the Great Hall, dropping the letters. I went over and picked them up. I opened one with a ministry seal, and began to read it. Mr. Barnette, We are sorry to inform you that your parents were murdered on the night of October 30. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is responsible for the death of your parents. If you have any questions, please respond to us at any time. We are sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Bob Smith Assistant Minister of Magic I opened the next letter, wishing I had not. Barnette, Your parents were meddlesome fools, who met an untimely end. I assure you that you will meet the same end, one day. And I will be the one to kill you, just like I killed your good-for-nothing parents. -The Great Lord Voldemort. Oh boy. This was not good. Not good at all. Another owl, a snowy white, flew towards me. The owl dropped a package. I read the inscription on front. To our son, Michael. I looked at Sirius and Thomas. "We have to find Michael." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sirius Black's POV I ran to Bella. She was sitting with Lily, Victoria, and Kiana. "Bella!" I screamed. "What? Are you going to handcuff me again?" "Have you seen Michael?" "No," Lily answered. "Why?" Noelle approached us. "Bella, I have to - what's going on?" "Michael's parents died, and he ran off when he got the letters. We have to find him." The girls got up and followed me. "Okay, James, you take first floor. Lily will look on the second floor. Bella, you take third floor. Noelle, you have the fourth floor. Kiana you have fifth. Victoria, you look on the sixth floor. I'll take the seventh." Everyone nodded, and we ran off to our assigned floors. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Noelle Charrier's POV I was searching the fourth floor. I heard someone crying, so I turned a corner. Michael was leaning against a suit of armor, tears running down his cheeks. I ran over and put my arms around him. "Shh. It's okay." "No, it's not okay. My parents are dead," he sobbed. "So are mine." He continued crying. "How did you ever get through this Noelle?" "I didn't have to. My parents died when I was young. They were murdered by Voldemort. Voldie wanted them to join him. They refused, so he killed them. So, I was brought up by the Malfoys. I don't really remember my parents. I do have dreams about them. They were great people, I think. I guess they had to be, if Voldemort murdered them." Michael buried his head in my shoulder. We were by the suit of armor for hours. He stopped crying and stood up. "Let's go," he said. "Everyone is probably worrying about us." I put my arm around his shoulders, and we walked towards the Great Hall. Everyone was waiting. "You found him?" said Sirius. James got up and handed Michael a package. Michael thanked him. "I'm going to head up to bed now," he told us. "But you're going to miss the Halloween feast," Thomas protested. "I'll walk you there," I volunteered. Michael nodded, and we walked to the Gryffindor Common Room. When we got to the portrait hole, Michael turned to me. "Noelle, thanks for everything. I'm sorry I was so mean to you," he said, looking at the ground. "It's okay. Anytime you need to talk to somebody, you know where to find me." "Yeah. Thanks again." He gave me a hug before giving the fat lady the password and going through the portrait hole. I walked to the Great Hall, for the Halloween feast. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Michael Barnette's POV I sat on my bed, holding the package in my hand. I had been examining every inch of it. I slowly opened it, and a letter fell out. To our son, Michael If you are reading this, we are dead. There are some things you need to know. Michael, your birth father is alive. His name is Edward Potter. He remarried, like I did. His wife's name is Elisabeth. You also have a brother and a half sister. Your brother's name is James. Your sister's name is Julie. Since we have passed on, you are to live there. Another thing you must know is of your ancestry. Michael, you are the heir of Gryffindor, on your father's side. I don't believe Voldemort knows of this, but if he finds out, he will want to kill you. But he probably wants to kill you anyway. He has always hated the Barnettes. Enclosed in the package is the infamous Book of Gryffindor. It is one of Godric's two heirlooms. There is also a sword, but that will belong to James. To read the book, you must put your hand on the cover and say 'Gryffindor Blood'. Michael, Nathan and I love you, and we always want you to remember that. No matter what Voldemort tells you in the future, it is not your fault that we are dead. We wish you the best, and we shall always watch over you. We are so proud of you, and proud that you are our son. Love Always, Mum and Dad I carefully closed the letter and put it in an oak chest. In the package were my parents' wands and their wedding rings. Also in it was the family photo album. I put these items in the chest, and then held Gryffindor's Book in my hands. I put my right hand on top of the cover and whispered 'Gryffindor Blood'. The book fell on the bed and emitted dazzling light as it opened. I quickly closed the book and held it to my chest. I would read it later. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~