Downhill Lullaby (Marauders Era) {WIP}

Chapter One: That Fateful Tuesday

It felt like I had been sitting in charms for what felt like an eternity, my train of thought slipping out of my brain, freeing up space for me to think about the gruelling schedule for O.W.L exam week. 6th year had been really tough - far tougher than last year for sure. I am really regretting taking charms at this point. Don't get me wrong - Professor Flitwick is great but his class is tedious. Sirius nudges my shoulder, drawing me back into the classroom and out of my haze. 

"It happened again, didn't it?" I whisper, a little annoyed.

"Third time and counting. Why don't you just go to sleep instead of studying?" He replies, confused. 

"Because I have to be the best this year." I yawn back half-asleep. 

As I begin to slip away again, the deep boom of the Hogwarts bell jolts me awake. I gather my charms book and parchment before walking out the door and up towards the Gryffindor common room. The hallways were relatively empty which was unusual at this time of day but I thought nothing of it, in-fact it meant I could have a little peace and quiet before returning to the common room which will be packed during study period. I'd walked up these stairs so many times during my 6 years at Hogwarts that I'd pretty much learned the pattern of the stairs' movement, making for a quick path up to the top. 

I greet the Fat Lady with a quick smile, usher the common room password and walk into an empty room, the sound of the wind gently rattling the iron-cast window filling the silence. The common room was adorned with the usual gold and red banners hanging from the ceilings, but I noticed someone had moved a couch by the window, perfectly illuminated by the hot sun. I let myself sink into the pillows and close my eyes for a second before pulling my parchment, quill and ink into my lap ready to finish my notes for todays' charms lesson. 

I quickly filled an entire two pages within what felt like moments. I feel my eyes squinting, I can't fight going to sleep for much longer. I gather my stuff and force my notes back alongside the pages of notes in my already crowded bag. I walk up the tower steps towards the Girls' dormitory and slip off my shoes and almost face-plant into my bed. I crawl underneath the covers and feel the bed beneath me vanish as I fall asleep.

I wake up to someone shaking me gently, and I feel my eyelids drawing open. My blurred vision comes into focus as I notice Professor McGonagall standing beside my bed, Lily standing slightly behind her worry painted clearly in her expression.

"Opal, Dumbledore needs to speak with you urgently. I'm afraid it isn't good news by the sound of it." 

Even in my half-asleep daze I feel panic set in. I notice everyone is asleep in their beds apart from one, with its' bedcovers half strewn off which I already knew was Lily. I feel fear growing deep inside my head, weaving its way to my chest. As McGonagall walks me into Dumbledore's office, my mind is swirling. There is so many different possibilites of what this news could be, every conclusion I jump too worse than the last one. McGonagall puts her hand on my shoulder as I reach the door and smiles at me gently, murmurs an encouraging statement then slowly walks away fading into the darkness. I say the password that McGonagall told me as we were walking, and alas the stone wall recedes. I walk up the dimly light circle stairs, and walk into Dumbledore's office. 

"Ah, Miss Withering. I do apologise for waking you at these hours, considering how hard you have been studying lately but it is urgent news I have to tell you. Please, take a seat." Dumbledore gestures to the worn leather seat in front of his desk. I was a little perplexed by how Dumbledore had known I'd been on a study bender, but the anxiety surrounding the news I was about to receive quickly pushed that thought out of my mind.  

"The Ministry of Magic called to inform me of your Mother and Father passing away in an accident which they are investigating as we speak." I hear Dumbledore sigh, sadness visible in his eyes.