Seventh Year, Bait
Saturday January 21st 1978
After weeks of preparation, the day of Remus’ assignment in Hogsmeade finally arrived. Lily and the marauders had done everything they could to prepare him for whatever danger he may encounter. Still, Lily had not shut an eye the entire night and had the most difficulty concealing her anxiety from Mary and Marlene. Luckily – thanks to her prefect duties - there was no need to spin excuses for why she wasn’t joining them and Yasmin in The Three Broomsticks.
`It’s going to be alright,` James whispered in her ear as they ushered a group of third-years from the castle to the village. `Moony knows what he is doing, and Dumbledore wouldn’t have sent him on this quest if he was not absolutely certain it would be safe.`
`But how does he know it is safe?` Lily replied, double-knotting her scarf against the wind.
James shrugged his shoulders. `All we can do is trust his judgement and hope Moony doesn’t do something foolish. All he has to do has to make sure that whoever is looking for him knows he’s there. Besides, Padfoot and Wormy are with him; he isn’t alone.`
`Not sure whether that’s so reassuring… Sirius doesn’t always bring out the best in Remus.` Lily looked over her shoulder, ensuring that their group was still complete.
`Yes, true,` James replied, relenting. `But Padfoot wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Certainly not now they erm…` he gestured meaningfully with his eyebrows.
Lily let out an involuntary giggle. `Still cannot believe that.`
`No, me neither,` James shook his head in amazement. `Happy for them, though.`
`Same,` Lily nodded and smiled to herself. James was right: Remus would be in safe hands, and soon, they, too, would be there with him.
*
Walking with a big group of students always took longer than anticipated – lots of waiting, counting, and stopping. Preteens seemed to have difficulty grasping the concept of what was a pathway, what was not and whether or not it was appropriate to slap each other with sticks - the answer always being no.
After they had provided their group of impatient trustees with sufficient rules and a time they expected them back at the town square, Lily and James set out to look for Remus, Sirius, and Peter.
`Alright, let’s see where they are,` James said, looking left to right, searching the cobbled street.
They were standing in front of Honeydukes, engulfed in the penetratingly saccharine scent of the sweetshop. Lily stared at the display, wishing they could have an ordinary day out in Hogsmeade instead of being on a wild goose chase for a werewolf; she longed for the warmth of the pub and the company of her girls.
`Did you agree on a place to meet?` Lily asked after they had trotted up and down the same street three times, entering every shop and establishment.
`No,` James said, marching out in front of her at an alarming pace. `But I reckoned it wouldn’t be so hard - Hogsmeade is barely two streets big.`
`How come we’re always losing them,` Lily sighed, frustrated. `This wouldn’t have happened if we’d all stuck together.`
They were nearing the edge of town, the forbidden forest looming ahead. The wind played with the trees, swinging them back and forth, rushing as radio static. A winding pathway curled around the edge, leading to the viewpoint from where you could see the shack.
`James, please,` Lily pleaded, mounting the slope behind him, gravel crunching underneath her shoes. `Can you slow down for a second? We’re not going to find them there. `
Either James hadn’t heard her, or he had noticed something because he gestured at her to follow. Against her will, Lily caught up with him. However, she was glad she had because, in the distance, she quickly spotted two familiar figures.
`There you lot are!` James called, sounding equally as relieved as Lily felt. `Where’s Pete?`
Remus and Sirius jolted their heads in their direction. They both looked tense, and Sirius had a firm grip on Remus’ shoulder as if holding him back from walking away. Lily sensed that she and James had interrupted something. More importantly, why wasn’t Peter with them?
`What are you doing all the way out here?` James asked, pushing his glasses back up his nose. `Thought you were supposed to be trailing your scent all over town or something.`
`Yeah, we’re just coming back now,` Sirius nodded, looking sideways at Remus.
`You lot can,` Remus said firmly. `I’m not.`
`Not what?` Lily asked, looking intently at Remus. Surely, he wasn’t suggesting they should abandon him! And once again, why was no one bothered by Peter’s absence? `Where is Peter?`
`I’m not coming back with you. I have to go in there.` Remus pointed at the barren forest behind him.
`You what!?` James exclaimed.
`The wolf’s in there,` Sirius said. `And Moony’s gone completely mental and decided he has to go in and face it right now.`
`I have not gone mental, you prick!` Remus spat. `You lot go back or wait here. You won’t understand.`
`Help us understand, Remus,` Lily said calmly, trying to maintain some peace. `This isn’t like you, barrelling into a fight.`
Remus snorted and threw his head in his neck `I’m not going to fight anyone. I just want to talk to them. That’s what I am supposed to do.`
Lily worried the inside of her cheek, determining whether or not Remus was speaking out of reason. He wasn’t one to jump into something without thinking it through. However, this wasn’t without risks exactly.
`We were wrong – this isn’t a battle. And I’m not a weapon against the werewolves,` Remus said, more collected, meeting her eye. `I’m a…I dunno, a way in. They need to know I don’t mean any harm.`
`But Remus,` Lily tried, hoping she could break through to him. `If they’re on you-know-who’s side…`
`They’re not!` Remus snapped defensively. `Not all of them.`
Lily flinched but did not back down; Remus could scream at her all he wanted, but she would not leave his side.
`Look,` Remus said, sighing. `This is important, and I need you all to trust me.`
They all looked at each other, doubt muddling their faces. Eventually, it was James who spoke. `Ok, Moony.`
Sirius spluttered in protest and looked like he was about to lunge at Remus, pin him to the ground so he could not run.
`Ok,` Remus said, ignoring Sirius. `Stay here.` He turned around and pelted at the dark line of trees, quickly disappearing out of view.
*
Not even two minutes later, Sirius jumped up. `I’m going after him.`
`Padfoot, you heard-`
But before James could finish his sentence, Sirius was knocked back by an invisible force field and landed flat on his back. Huffing, he dusted his trousers and scrambled to his feet.
`Bastard put up a wall or something.`
`What?` Lily rose from the log where she had been sitting. `How is that even possible?` She took a couple of steps towards the forest, hand held in front of her, and, sure enough, an iron resistance held her back in the spot where Sirius had been unable to pass.
Sirius tried trice more to break through the barrier, firing explosive charms at it – alas, in vain. Eventually, he took place on the mossy floor and angrily started throwing rocks against the force field.
`Mate, can you please stop that!` James said, dodging a pebble. `You`re going to take someone’s eye out.`
Sirius scowled but put down the rock he had been about to throw.
Lily pulled her legs up to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. She checked her watch; not too long, and they would need to accompany the younger students back to the castle in time for curfew.
`Aren’t you two worried about Peter?` Lily broke the silence.
`Oh yes, Evans, let’s worry about Wormtail while Moony might as well be dead by now!` Sirius bit at her.
`Oi!` James snapped. `Don’t take your worries out on her.`
`It’s fine,` Lily mumbled, staring at her shoes. `We’re all worried.` Even though it greatly concerned her, she didn’t dare ask about Peter again.
*
Dusk started to fall without any sign of Remus; Lily and James reluctantly left Sirius on his own and went back to the castle.
`How could we have been so reckless to let him go into that forest?` Lily sniffed, wiping a tear from her cheek.
`It’s not our fault,` James rubbed her back, sitting on his bed in the boy’s dorm. `Moony would have done it whether we allowed him to or not.`
`Dumbledore should have never asked this of him.`
James kept quiet at that, but in the silence, it was evident that he agreed with her.
Just when Lily had decided to go to Dumbledore’s office to give him a piece of her mind, the door flew open, and Sirius and Peter entered.
`He’s alright,` Sirius blurted before they could ask him. `Moony’s alright. He’s just gone to Dumbledore, but he’ll be back soon.`
Lily sighed in relief and sunk back down on James’ bed. Then, she jumped up again. `Peter! Where on earth did you go!?` she cried.
Peter blushed violently and rubbed his hands together, avoiding looking at her.
`Erm…Lily,` James said. `I think you better sit down for this one…`
*
`You’re animagi?!` Lily cried in disbelief. `But isn’t that…erm…I don’t know, illegal!? And incredibly advanced magic?!`
`Has that ever stopped us, Evans?` Sirius asked, quirking an eyebrow.
`So…you’re telling me that you can transform into animals?` Lily said sceptically. If this was a joke, it was not a funny one.
`Wanna see?` James offered.
`I’m not so sure if I do…` Lily hesitated.
`Sure you do!` Sirius replied and, before Lily could protest, promptly turned into a large black dog. Then, one at a time, Peter shrivelled into a rat, and James grew to the size of a gigantic stag, his prongs almost tickling the roof of their dorm. Padfoot, Wormtail, and Prongs.
Lily screamed and clasped a hand in front of her mouth. Luckily, they changed back as quickly as they had transformed. Merlin, that was a vision that would not soon leave her retina.
`But why?` she breathed. `Why would you do that?`
`So Moony doesn’t have to be alone on full moons,` Sirius replied, as if it was a given.
`The wolf doesn’t see animals as a threat,` James explained, sensing her confusion. `This way, we can be with him when he transforms.`
`You’re all mental,` Lily shook her head, grinning. This revelation was the cherry on top of an already absurd cake.
*
Lily was still recovering from the shock when Remus finally entered the dorm. Though he looked tired, he was seemingly still in one piece. Thank goodness for that! Silently, he squeezed himself between her and Sirius and, at their insistence, began explaining what had happened.
As soon he had entered the forest, the scent of the werewolf had drawn Remus, leading him deep into the woods, far away from the village. However, unexpectedly, a dryad had appeared on their pathway.
`That’s when Wormy reappeared,` Remus said, tongue in cheek, glaring accusingly at Peter.
`Sorry,` Peter squeaked. `I just didn’t know how to get out of your pocket without showing myself to Evans. It all went so fast.`
`You were in his pocket that whole time!?` Lily gawked at Peter.
The dryad had been seething at their appearance in her forest and had rounded on them in blind fury. In a foolish attempt to defend them, Peter had accidentally set a couple of trees on fire, enraging the dryad even more.
While they were running away, Remus had once again caught the scent of the werewolf and followed it, towing Peter behind him. Finally, at a clearing in the woods, they found the werewolf. The dryad had gotten to him before they could have; he had been tied up to a tree trunk, unable to move. Frightened by the werewolf, Peter had transformed into rat form and had left Remus to fend for himself.
`He told me his name was Castor and that he’d been sent by Greyback – just to talk to me…` Remus said. `First, he started accusing me of being Dumbledore’s lapdog. But the erm…, he said something about a big hunt. Something…,` he frowned and rubbed the back of his neck.
`What?` Sirius urged him to continue.
`I don’t know,` Remus shook his head. `I didn’t get the chance to ask because Livia appeared at that moment.`
`The werewolf you met before?` Lily asked for clarification.
Remus nodded. `Yeah - she was quite disappointed with Castor for letting himself get caught by that dryad, and she took it out on him - making him shut his mouth with some sort of wordless magic, I s'pose. And then erm…, she tried to take my wand in an attempt to force me to come with them – to join Greyback.`
Livia had been strong, but somehow Remus had managed to keep a hold of his wand. Riled up, Livia had freed Castor from his constraints, and the pair of them had rounded on Remus.
`Mind you, the woods were still burning at this point,` Remus remarked.
Peter looked ashamed, staring at his writhing hands. `I’m so sorry, Moony.`
Lily had a hand clasped to her throat, her heartbeat drumming against her fingertips. Sirius seemingly desperately wanted to say something, but he kept surprisingly quiet.
`I honestly didn’t think I would make it out of there,` Remus said. `But then – by a stroke of luck, I s’pose – I was able to conjure up a Patronus and make an escape.`
Lily sat quietly, letting the story sink in. It was a miracle that they had made it off as well as they had. Moreover, conjuring a Patronus for the first time in such a dire situation took a lot of determination and strength!
`Bloody hell,` James let out. `Well done on the Patronus, though, mate.`
`Thanks,` Remus mumbled, picking at his sleeve.
`Did you see what it was?`
`No,` Remus shook his head. `It happened too fast.`
*
Lily hung around the dorm for a while, questioning the marauders on what it took to become an animagus. Apparently, no one else but she knew about it - which was both an honour and quite concerning. If one of the professors caught them, they could face severe consequences with the Ministry of Magic. However, Lily was starting to doubt a lot of the rules the Ministry imposed.
Just before twelve, Lily reluctantly returned to her own room. She had thought Marlene and Mary would already be asleep, but when she exited the bathroom after brushing her teeth, Mary stuck her head out of her curtains.
`Where were you?` she asked. `We didn’t see you at the pub.`
`I had prefect things to do.`
`But you also didn’t show up for dinner,` Marlene joined the conversation, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.
`I was with James,` Lily replied and took off her socks.
`Alright…` Mary squinted her eyes.
`Look, I’m tired,` Lily whispered. `I'll talk to you in the morning.`
She clambered into bed and closed the curtains, shutting herself off from the rest of the room. Only then, in the dark, the tears started coming, the fear rushing out of her as a never-ending river. She hugged her arms around her pillow, pressing her face into it to stifle the sound. So this was how it was going to be from now on? This horrible uncertainty of whether or not one of her loved ones would make it to the end of the day. Intending to fight a war was one thing; actually doing it was something else.
`Lily?` It was Mary again. She slid the curtain aside, revealing both herself and Marlene.
`Go away,` Lily mumbled, swallowing her tears. `I’m fine – leave me alone.`
`No,` Marlene said stubbornly. `You don’t have to tell us what happened – that's up to you – but we’re not going to leave you.`
`Budge aside,` Mary nudged Lily and slid underneath the duvet. `Come on.`
Marlene crawled in from the other side, sandwiching Lily between them. `Oof, this is a lot tighter than it used to be.`
Lily laughed in spite of herself; it was quite a tight squeeze.
`What’s the matter then, love, eh?` Mary said, stroking her hair. `Potter being a wanker?`
`No, no,` Lily sniffed. `Nothing of the sort. It’s… I can’t really say anything about it – it’s not up to me. I just- I always knew that I wanted to make a difference in this war,` she closed her eyes. `I always knew that I didn’t want to just…erm…I don’t know, sit there and watch it happen. I just…` she burst into tears again.
`It’s alright, love,` Mary pulled her closer.
`I just didn’t think it would happen so fast. I thought we had more time.`
`I think all of us did.`
Marlene curled herself around her back, nestling her face in her hair; Mary kept holding onto her, rhythmically stroking her arm. They lay like that until their breathing synced, and eventually, they drifted off into sleep.
///