The Devil's Gift

Two: The Welcome Feast

Chapter 2, sorry for the long wait, lots of college work to do unfortunately. But I am hoping to start updating more regularly! I hope you enjoy.

Hit the star & give any feedback you'd like, all is much appreciated.

Mariela Pangbourne

We travel up the gravel paths towards the castle surrounded by a blanket of blackness created by the night. I look around at my boys, they keep me safe, they make things easier, they help everything. I would like to think that I can help them too. After all they've done for me, it's only fair. Yet they don't know the half of what they have done and how they help. Sirius has an idea, he can pick up on it, coming from a tough family of his own, it saddens me to see how they treat him, as though he isn't even there, as though he is a dirty thing you find on your shoe, its not fair.

I look over to Moony nervously, he looks worried, I place a hand on his thigh, and he winces. Not again please I say with sadness in my voice, he looks down. He cant help it, its what happens when he is in his werewolf form, he cant control himself, filled with fear of hurting those that he loves.  Fear fills his eyes now, he hates the night, even when its not a full moon, my heart aches to see him like this.

"How long until the next one?" I ask tentatively, not wanting to pry or make things worse, but we need to be prepared.

"2 weeks" he replies, "I will be okay Map, the last one was tough, so this one will be easier" he smiles, sensing my worry.

"You're too good Moony, always worrying about us more than yourself" I squeeze his hand slightly. He nods his response; he doesnt like compliments.

"I think we need to figure it out this year" Sirius says from his quiet corner.

We all knew what he meant, we had been trying to become animagi since we found out about Moonys condition, he shouldn't have to face anymore full moons alone. I had tried to read up more on it over the summer, but none of my books explain it much, I was waiting to get into the library.

"We have no lessons for tomorrow so lets use that time to look through the –" I began but James cut me off.

"No absolutely not, we have combed through the library for 3 years now, not again Map" James sounded like a broken soul, it was understandable, we were very lost with it all.

"Yes. But not in the restricted section" Sirius winks up at me, "isn't that right Mappy?" Sirius smirked; I am convinced he can read my mind.

"If you can read my mind stop it!!" I joke, smirking at Sirius "but yes, the restricted section, we can fake a letter from McGonagall or use your cloak James" I look over at James with a small smile, seeing the spark of adventure light up his eyes. James has an invisibility cloak, given to him by his father, we have used it many times to sneak around.

"Oh Map, I'm so glad we're friends" James grins "So, tomorrow night, restricted section?" he asks us all as we nod our heads.

The carriage comes to a stop and we all get up. "I wonder whos signing us all in today?" Peter asks as we all climb out of the carriage. "I hope its not –" 

"Hello you four!" Beams Slughorn and Peter groans, he hates Professor Slughorn, the potions teacher and the head of Slytherin. You see, poor Peter isnt the most talented wizard, James, Sirius and I are at the top of the class, with Lupin close behind us but Peter is not up there with us.

"Hi Professor." The four of us say as Peter stays silent with a sour look plastered across his face.

"Come over, come over" he beckons us over and crosses our names off the list, then pauses to look at our group, "Pettigrew with you?" he asks as Peter pokes his head out from behind James, "Ah yes, hello lad" Slughorn says to Peter with the fakest smile ever.