Kings Cross
As end of term approached, the atmosphere at Hogwarts was different. Students were still eager for the end of classes but there was a looming fear as well, fear of going home, away from the safety of Hogwarts, fear of Voldemort and his followers. The fear permeated the halls and classrooms, even professors were more apprehensive. Houses felt more segregated than ever, with suspicion and mistrust breeding among students. Younger students, especially, cowered in fear of the Slytherin house, wary of saying or doing anything that might draw unwanted attention and retaliation. The mere mentions of Voldemort’s name sent shivers down their spines, and whispers of dark deeds echoed through the corridors. Though, no one wanted to acknowledge what was happening around them, the whispers seemed to be growing everyday, students pulled out of class, often losing family members.
Nevertheless, students sought solace in the fleeing moments they could find. Many were outside, soaking up the warmth of the incoming summer sun and studying in the shade of the towering trees. Others sought refuge in the nearby lakes, their laughter mingling with the gentle lapping of the water against the shore. Less and less students went to Hogsmede, there had been an attack a few weeks ago and ever since students have been more worried than ever to sit in their favorite spots in the nearby town. The specter of Voldemort’s reign of terror always in the back of their minds, a constant reminder that danger wanted for them beyond the safety of Hogwarts. The anticipation of returning home was tinged with a sense of dread, a fear of what the world looked like in this dark age.
In the library, everyone sat around a larger table strewn with textbooks and parchment, their brows furrowed in concentration as they studied for their final exams. Clem flipped through her charms textbook, her lips moving silently as she reviewed the incantations and wand movements. Remus beside her, his head resting on his palm as he poured over his care of magical creatures book, struggling to focus on his tasks. James tapped his quill impatiently against the table, his eyes scanning the pages of his transfiguration notes. The rhythmic sound grating on Lily’s nerves, with a sigh, she shot him a pointed glare, her frustration evident in the way her jaw clenched.
“I swear, if I have to memorize one more spell-” James began,
“I swear if you continue to tap your quill on the table, I will kill you Potter,” Lily seethed, her voice tinged with sarcasm and frustration. Her eyes burning as she looked up from her defense against the dark arts texts.
Sirius chuckled, his legs lounging propped on the table, eyes closed and relaxed.
“What are you chuckling about, Black,” Remus glanced from his parchment, “you haven’t studied a wink this entire week,”
Sirius shrugged, his face relaxed, “don’t have to, Moony.” He tapped his forehead as a smile creeped on his face, “got a mind of steel, I remember everything,” flashing crazy eyes, prompting a mixture of amusement and exasperation from his friends.
“Must be nice,” Clem retorted quietly, not sparing him a glance.
Sirius’s clicks his tongue, “someone’s jealous of little ol’ me,” he teased lightly.
Clem shoved Sirius’s legs off the desk, causing him to lose his balance, almost falling off the chair. As Sirius teetered on the edge of his chair, the boys couldn’t help but laugh. Remus shook his head with a smirk, while James and Lily stifled a laugh behind their hand. Clem, however, remained stoic, her lips pressed into a thin line as she continued to skim her textbook. Sirius recovered with a laugh, shooting her a playful wink.
“Careful there, Clem,” he teased, readjusting himself in his seat, placing his feet back up, “wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself trying to keep up with a brilliance.” Flipping his hair behind him flamboyantly.
Clem rolled her eyes, refusing the low hanging bait. “Please, Black. I have better things to do than waste my time on your ego.”
They all stifled a much needed laugh, the tensions from studying momentarily forgotten as they banted back and forth.
“You two act like an old married couple,” Peter chuckled,
Remus’s eyes quickly darted to Clem’s, her smile fading slightly, clearing her throat.
“As if,” she teased, trying to remain unfazed, “I’d never stoop that low,”
The tension between them dessiapted as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by their familiar banter and closeness of the group. James and Lily watched the small glance exchanged between Remus and Clem, both trying to hid the grin’s behind their propped up books.
“Sure, Clem,” Sirius chimed in, his wolfish grin widening. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Clem shot him a mock glare, but there was a playful twinkle in her eye.
“Oh, shove it, Black.”
The group erupted into a familiar and comforting laughter, for a brief moment, the library felt warmer and lighter, as if the weight of everything around them was lifted, only for a moment. Before settling back into their studies, shuffling footsteps pass by them along with mischievous chuckles. Regulus’s, chuckle. Sirius glanced up, locking eyes with his younger brother, who was surrounded by his questionable choice of friends, Barty Crouch clung to his side, Evan on the other side of him, minions of a sort. A stark contrast to the Gryffindor’s in front of them. The room grew cold as they stared at eachother, tension crackling in the air like static electricity.
“Move along, brother,” Sirius warned, his voice cold.
James clears his throat in attempts to clear the tension, sinking into his seat, Lily’s eyes speaking more words than she could express.
“So! How was everyone’s day?” James pipped out, awkwardly. Lily smacked the back of James’s head with her parchment, he winced in response, “Just trying to defuse the tension…” he trailed off, rubbing he crown of his head.
Remus and Clem continued to study, silently, trying their best to ignore the exchanges that had happens moments ago. Remus nudged her softly, motioning to a small piece of parchment with small scribbles.
‘Need a smoke, wanna come?’
Clem smiled softly and nodded, closing her book and carefully marking her place with a few loose papers.
“Where are you two going?” Lily asked, a hint of sass in her tone.
Remus stretched as he stood up, his movements smooth and deliberate. “Smoke break,” he answered cooly, patting the pocket of his slacks. Lily rolled her eyes and went back to her book, her curiosity poking out before questions Clem’s decision.
“Wait, Clem, why are you going?” her eyebrows raising in suspicion.
She shrugged, her hands slipping into her pockets as she tried to maintain a straight face.
“Fresh air?” she lied, trying to hide the smirk growing on her face.
Sirius, ever observant, caught the subtle exchange between the two of them, eyes assessing their body language, he stifled a laugh before also getting up.
“Think we could all use from fresh air,” his lips pursing into a mischievous grin, his eyes burning into Remus’s who was becoming frustrated at the interrupted alone time.
“Good idea,” James groaned, rubbing the back of his neck that had become sore from slouching.
They all began to get up stiffly, making their way out of the library making sure to leave their books and papers to mark their place.
Lily sighed deeply, basking in the sinking sun as they found a place to sit in the empty courtyard. All of them immediately plopped into a comforting patch of grass, the girls laying on their backs, the golden sun sinking into their skin. Remus and the others sprawled out nearby, Peter propped on a tree as he closed his eyes. The golden light of the setting sun painting the courtyard with hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow. The gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers, adding to the peacefulness.
For a while, they simply lay there in silence, the only sound around them being the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze and distant chirping of birds.
Peace.
The flicker of a lighter broke the silence, Clem darting up watching as Sirius and Remus began to smoke, their shoulders relaxing further with their exhales. She found herself staring at Remus, the smoke swirling around him, the golden hues lighting up his features, bringing out the like freckles on his skin. Remus felt his face growing hot, holding out his cigarette for her, she looked at Lily who was still laying down eyes closed and took a long drag before quickly handed it back.
“Clem, I know you smoke, you don’t have to skip around me,” she deapanned, not moving from her spot. Sirius scoffed a laugh, exhaling a long smoke ring.
“Oh, what? How?” she asked quickly.
Lily shrugged, “I have my ways,” she teased before proping herself up with her hands.
“Are you guys staying here for the summer?” Lily asked after a while, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Nope, Mum wants me home. Worried with everything going on,” James replied his voice matching her volume, Peter nodded in agreement, Sirius following. They looked at Remus and Clem who felt as deer in the headlights.
“What?” Remus exhaled, raising his brows, passing the cigarette to her
“You’re coming with us for the summer right?” Sirius asked,
Remus shrugged, “Probably, gotta make sure Mum is good with it though,”
“Does she know about… everything?” Peter asked cautiously, He shook his head.
“Probably for the best,” Lily spoke out cautiously, “Clem, what about you?”
She blew out a long strand of smoke, “I think so, Mum keeps up with the wizarding stuff though, I’ll check in before leaving,” She sighed, her voice growing worried.
Sirius hated the growing tension surrounding them, taking a long drag before speaking out,
“There’s a huge waterfall near the forbidden forest, we should go tonight,” a familiar plotting grin painting the boys face,
“Absolutely! Not,” Lily teased, her smile fading slightly. “We are still prefects, you know,”
motioning to Remus and her.
Sirius furrowed his brows, crossing his arms in defiance. “So?” he whined, “the world could literally end before we graduate. We should just go!” his voice growing excited.
James nudged Lily softly with a famius grin. “Let’s just go, Sirius has a point.”
Lily sighed, looking at Remus and Clem who were in their own worlds, sharing one last cigarette.
Clem turned her chin to look at the ginger, “What?” she asked cluelessly, “sorry I tuned you guys out once Sirius and James started whining,” her lips curling into a mischievous smile.
Remus chuckled lighty, the smoke ring reflecting his wispy laugh. “She as a point, you guys do become insufferable sometimes,” he teased, Sirius stuck out his tongue and James flipped a finger.
“I think…” Remus paused, looking at Clem who was falling asleep as she laid on the grass, “you guys should go, me and Clem however will be going to bed.” he pointed slowly to the girl drifting off beside him, her chest peacefully rising and falling. Clem, now half-asleep, hummed a tired agreeance.
Remus nudged her gently, trying to rouse her. “Let’s head back,” he murmured his voice soft and soothing.
With a contented sigh, she allowed herself to be led away by Remus, his warm hand leading her through the castle. The group watched them go, their voices fading into the distance as they disappeared into the darkened hallways.
Remus lit the fireplace in the common room, the fire flickering and adding a warm light into the once dark room. Clem plopping herself onto the larger couch, sprawled out with a content sigh. Remus settling into his familiar chair, reaching for the book that had been left on the coffee table.
Clem, half-buried in a blanket, mumbled something unintelligible as she shifted.
“What?” Remus asked quietly, turning his attention to her.
“Textbooks…” her voice was still laced with sleep, her words trailing off.
Remus groaned in annoyance, reflecting on the mounds of parchment and books they had left, swearing to retrieve them after a small break.
“I’m sure they’ve already been sent back since the library closed,” he spoke with reassurance, a smile playing on his lips. She mumbled something else that Remus barely picked up, his smile growing wider.
“You’d have to scoot over,” he replied, standing up slowly.
He watched as she curled into a small ball, leaving him enough room to on the couch. He settled in beside her, his warmth enveloping as she lazily laid her head in this lap with a small sigh. Remus gently ran his fingers through her hair, the soft strands slipping through his fingers like silk. The crackling fire providing a soothing backdrop as he opened his book, the words on the page illuminated by a small light.
They sat like that for a while, the only sounds being the turning of pages and occasional crackle of the fire. The warmth of the flames seeping into their bones, chasing away any chill. She slowly drifted off to sleep once more, Remus continuing to read, the comforting weight of her head in his lap grounding him. He couldn’t help but smile down at her peaceful face, the firelight casting a gentle shadow across her features. Lost in the pages of his book and the softness of her hair, Remus allowed himself to relax completely, content of simple tranquility amidst their anxious surroundings. His own eyes growing heavy as time passed, dozing off as his petty attempts to wait for the others to return failed. His head resting on the arm of the couch, his own chest rising and falling at a slower pace than usual, his mind at ease.
Lily, James, and Sirius quietly laughed as they made their way up the staircases to the common room, their hair damp from cliff jumping in the forest.
“I can’t believe you actually jumped,” James whispered, a reflective grin on his face as he whisepred the password to the larger portrait in front of them.
“Jumped is the wrong word, you pushed me Potter,” Lily teased, her voice growing into a comfortable volume as they walked into the common room.
The fire crackled warmly, casting shadows across the room, the group feeling the warmth filling the room, melting away the chills from the water on their clothes. Their laughters a low echo, before a sudden hush from Sirius, his finger placed on his lips as he motioned to the sleeping students. Lily nudged James, nodding towards the couch where Remus and Clem laid, both sound asleep, their chests rising and falling in unison. Sirius let out a low whistle, his eyes widening in amusement.
“Guess they wore themselves out,” he chuckled softly, his eyebrows wiggling in suggestion.
Lily lightly hit his arm, finding a nearby woven blanket and carefully draping it over the pair.
“Should we wake them?” James grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Lily shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips,
“No, let them sleep. They look peaceful,” she whispered back, her voice tender.
They stood there for a moment, watching the sleeping pair with amusement and fondness. Remus, with his book still open beside him, and Clem curled up in his lap, her face relaxed in sleep.
“Come on,” Peter said softly, “let’s go before they wake up,”
They all carefully and quietly made their way up the stairs and towards there rooms, James lightly grabbing Lily’s arm before turning into the girls dorms.
“Are you sure they aren’t a thing?” James whispered, his eyes anxious for a truthful answer.
Lily shrugged, trying to hide a knowing grin before turned away from him.
“Night,James,” she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of amusement as she slipped behind her bedroom door.
James lingered in the stairwell for a moment, watching her go with a soft smile. Sirius nudged him playful, breaking him out of his daze.
“Come on, loverboy, let’s hit the sack,” Sirius said, stretching his arms above his head.
James nodded, tearing his gaze away from her door, “Right,”
With a final glance at the sleeping pair on the couch, the two boys made their way up to their own dorm. The castle quiet in the late hour, only the sound of their careful footsteps echoing the room. Peter had already gone to bed, the boys curtains drawn around his bedframe. Sirius threw hikself on his bed, staring up at the canopy above him.
“Did you see the way Remus was looking at her?” Sirius asked, his voice tinged with slight pain and heartache, but James was too oblivious to notice.
James nodded, sitting on the edge of his bed. “Yeah, he’s got it bad.”
Sirius forced a chuckle, propping himself up on his elbows, “you think they’ll get together?” he asked, his gaze fixed on James who grinned and nodded.
“I hope so, hurts to watch them dancing around each other.” he yawned, James rolling onto his side and facing the window, the moonlight streaming in, casting a silvery glow across the room. The sound of lamps being switched off echoed for a moment before the two drifted off to sleep.
The last few days of term went by quickly. Students barely making it through the last of their exams, the tension finally giving way to relief as they handed in their final papers. Bedrooms were now packed away, with luggage neatly arranged on students’ beds. The bright summer sun beaming through the sheer curtains, casting a warm grow across the dormitorites. Beds neatly made, under beds clean with any missing items now found and packed away.
Younger students frantically searching for last minute items that had been lost over the school year. The underneathes of couches were being thoroughly investigated, and there was a chorus of excited chatter and farewells as students wished friends goodbye who were staying over the holiday.
In a shocking turn of events, more than 20% of the student body were staying at Hogwarts over the summer. Parents expressing concerns about rising tensions in the wizarding world, many feeling their children would be safer behind the school’s protective walls than the walls of their own homes. The decision had been met with mixed emotions, with some students excited about the extended stay while others were disappointed feeling they were missing out on other activities and sights.
The castle buzzed with activity as preparations were made for extended stays. House-elves bustling about, ensuring that the kitchens were well stocked and ready for the extra mouths. Notices posted around the common rooms about summer activities and outings, promising a fulfilling summer, but also a list of rules and stricter curfews insuring their safety. As the final day of term arrived, students gather in the great hall for the end-of-term feast. The usual decorations were replaced with Ravenclaw bannesters as they had won the house cup this year. The tables laden with delicious food, laughter and chatter filling the hall as students enjoyed the company of one another. Soon after they were all dismissed to begin heading to the traincars, an urgent bustle of students running to the carriages. Remus and Clem found themselves among their group or friends, walking together back to the common room to gather their things. Trunks pilled by the door, filled with most belongings, some over stuffed. Remus and Clem added their own trunks to the evergrowing pile. James, Sirius, Lily, and Peter already there, their excitement bubbling as they sat around the fireplace. James, with his characteristic enthusiasm, had already started making a mental list of all their plans.
“We should make some lunch and go to lake once we get home,” James beamed, his face glowing in excitement.
Sirius laughed, clapping James on the back. “Mate, it’ll be dark when we get there,”
Lily rolled her eyes, smiling at Clem as they joined the conversation.
“Us girls, will be having a girls night when we get there. Please don’t blow anything up while we are hidden away.” she said, her tone teasing.
After the common room cleared out, Remus and Lily did their final checks of the common room to make sure no one or nothing was being left behind before all making their way through the castle grounds. A familiar golden glow over the grounds as they crossed one last time for the season. The air filled with a mix of excitement and nostalgia as they walked, all chatting and giggling as they conducted a list of plans for the next few months. They all squished into one of the last carriages, the wheels creaking as it began to move, the castle fading into the distance behind them.
Once onboard the train, they picked one of the larger compartments in hopes of all fitting in one. Unfortunately they couldn’t all fit, so Peter went to the one next door where Marlene and Mary were, along with another few of their friends. As Peter excused himself, Remus, Clem, Sirius, James and Lily settled snuggly into their compartment, the familiar sound and jolt of the trains’ wheels against the tracks providing a soothing backdrop. Clem leaning her head against the window, watching the scenery rush by as they left Scotland.
The compartment was filled with a mix of excitement and exhaustion from end-of-term activities. James and Sirius already deep in discussion about when they’d play quidditch, their voices animated and enthusiastic. Lily, was half listening to the pair of them while also reading the book she had neglected for more than half of term. Remus sat across from Clem, his gaze drifting between the landscapes and his own book, an occasional smile at the light banter between James and Sirius.
James stretched out, his legs draped on the chair in front of him.
“I cannot wait for you guys to see this lake,” James reveled, his voice growing in excitement looking at Clem and Lily.
“More like you can’t wait to see Lily in a swimsuit,” Sirius mumbled, a mischievous smirk on his face as he hid himself behind a newspaper.
“Oi!” Lily and James yelped, their faces growing hot.
Conversations continued through them, filled with plans of summer and friendly banter. As the train sped on towards the station, hours passed, the sun beginning to dip lower in the sky.
Eventually, the train slowed to a stop, signaling their arrival as a large jolt sent them forward. They quickly grabbed their things, the platform bustling with activity as they stepped off the train steps. Parents greeting their children, luggage was gathered, and hugs being exchanged. Remus and Clem standing by a pillar waiting for the others to grab the remaining things under the train. James’ eyes scanning the packed station, searching for his parents who were tucked away, hidden.
“Let’s go,” James whispered, slipping between the students, “Hi Mum,” she gave him a small, tired smile before making her headcount.
“Right, well, if we are all here, best we get a move on,” her demeanor anxious as she looked around as if she was being followed, her face more hollow than the last holiday.
She began leading them through the station, James and his friends close behind. The warm summer air greeting them, Remus and Clem staying close to James and Lily who were holding hands as they headed towards the exit.
“Where’s the carriage, Mum?” James asked, scanning the area for their transport.
Euphemia glances around nervously, her eyes flicking from side to side.
“Should be here soon,” she replied, her voice tight with worry.
As they waited, Sirius leaned close to James, his voice low.
“Something doesn’t feel right mate,” he murmured, his eyes darting around while his hand tightened around the wand behind his back.
James and the others nodded, “I know what you mean,” he whispered back, his hand instinctively reaching for his wand, the others following suit. Lily squeezed his available hand, glancing around the bustling platform,
“What’s going on?” she asked quietly, the station growing cold.
Before anyone could respond, a loud commotion erupted from the other side of the platform. A large group of hooded figures appearing with a large cloud of smoke, their voices raising in anger as they began charging at students. Panic spread throughout the crowd as people scrambled to get away, the sounds of cracking apparitions mixing in with the echoes of screams.
“Death Eaters!” someone shouted, the words echoing through the air like death.
Remus felt his heart lurch in his chest as he pulled Clem closer to him, his grip tight on her hand. James doing the same with Lily, the two girls exchanging worried glances. Sirius jumping into action, flinging spells at the cloaked figures. The attack growing closer, the black robes swarming the station.
“We need to get out of here,” Sirius said urgently, his eyes intense as he grabbed Peter.
James nodded, his mind racing as he looked around for an escape route, his mother running around to help others.
“Follow me,” he said quickly,
The familiar crackling returned, swarms of Aurors now appearing, spells rushing and darting around. The group hurried through the crowded platform, ducking under rogue spells and hexes, pushing past panicked students and families.
Remus’s hand resting on Clem’s back to make sure she didn’t pop up at the wrong time. Sirius threw a couple of spells at death eaters who were attacking other families or children.
“Mary! Marlene!” Lily cried, waving them to follow as they ran frantically.
The cracks growing worse and more frequent, the shouting booming through their ears. The chaos was overwhelming, the sounds of spells clashing and screaming increasing as they ran. James led them towards a side exit, his wand ready as they dodged Death Eaters and Aurors. Remus and Sirius close behind, mirroring James’s stance. Clem clung tightly to Remus’s hand, her heart pounding in her chest as they ran. The fear was palpable, the sense of danger pressing in on them from all sides. They reached the side exit after what felt like hours, the door swinging open as they burst out into the warm summer evening. The street was empty and calm, the sounds of the station fading out behind them as they all ran hand in hand.
“Where to?” Sirius shouted, his voice barely over the chaos behind them.
James stopped, hiding them in a corner, his eyes scanning the deserted street for any sign of safety.
“My parents’ place, it’s not far,” he said, his voice urgent as he made a headcount.
“Where is Lily,” his voice anxious,
“What!?” Clem shouted, her eyes welling up at she noticed Lily wasn’t next to them.
“Oh my god,” Remus sighed, watching as Clem anxiously looked around.
She began to run back towards the station, Remus wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her back. “Let me go! I need to ger her!” she cried,
“Mum will get her, I saw her in there!” James cried, trying to talk over Clem’s cries.
Remus set her down slowly, as she forced a complying nod.
“I promise, she will be back, we just have to go.” James continued, his own voice breaking.
Slowly they began to make their way out of the alleyway, James explaining where they have to go.
“Sirius knows the way, I’ll see you guys soon,” James said quickly, before the snap of his apparition sent him back into the train station.
Clem covered her face, her voice muffled,
“Oh my god,” Remus pulled her away as Sirius began to run through the winding streets,
“We have to go,” he winced at his own words, the thought of leaving his friends behind making him sick.