Beat the devil's tattoo

Chapter XXI. "Here comes the sun."

Here comes the sun

May 2nd, 1998

Damn, that hurt was all Marla was thinking as she felt the life leave her body. Not like she knew what to expect, after all nobody was ever here to describe what it felt like to die.

Finally, the pain started to subside and she was able to fill her lungs with air again, she took a big breath panting and realised she was still on her knees. What a dramatic position to die in, she thought.

She looked around her, there was not much. All was very white, almost to the point it hurt her eyes. She could discern walls and furnitures, it looked like the Griffindor common room. It was far different from the battle she had just left that was raging through Hogwarts walls.

"You really had to die so dramatically ?"

She turned so quickly, she was surprised her head was still on her shoulders at the sound of the voice she had missed so much. Here he was, standing in all his glory, not a day older, Thomas Blackbird. She couldn't help the sob that escaped her throat at the sight. Her brother was here, his bright smile and sparkling green eyes, his messy hair and his lanky demeanour. She ran to him, jumping in his arms while sobbing loudly. She had forgot how peaceful he could make her feel as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm so sorry Tom, I'm so sorry."

"Hey now, don't apologise. I'm fine, I'm here. We're both here."

Suddenly she pushed away from him, dread filling her.

"Is he...is he here too?"

"No, or at least I haven't seen him."

She let out a sigh of relief, she wouldn't have to see her father. The man had finally died but she would have gladly killed him again a few time for good measure.

"I can't believe you're here, that I'm here, that I'm touching you. This is all so unreal. What is this place?"

"Well, I don't know really. I've been here since I died, met some other people. All wizards so I guess that's the place where some of us go."

"There's other people?"

Her brother rolled his eyes.

"Yes, of course. They're actually pretty cool."

"So, this is some kind of Heaven? What do you guys do?"

"I'm not sure about the Heaven but it's quite peaceful and well, I guess not everyone is here so maybe there is another place less pleasant. We don't do much, well I don't do much appart from watching you."

"You watched me?"

"Merlin, you make me sound like a creep. I keep an eye on you yes, on everyone really."

"Well, I do have an interesting life." Marla said cockily only for her brother to shove her playfully.

"Keep talking and I'm leaving you here."

"Where are we?"

"I don't know, where do you think we are?"

"It looks like the Griffindor common room."

Her bother scoffed.

"Of course, bloody lions. So boring."

"Where are the other places?"

"You will see." He said while offering her his arm. She linked her arm with his and he led her further into the white light.

"Is it always so bright?"

"Merlin, still always complaining. Would you rather it was dark and creepy?"

"Well, I was actually excited to go to Hell. Grindelwald seemed like he would be great to play chess with."

They arrived in a new room, less bright than the previous one and she noticed the other people here. First was a man, he didn't look like he was much more than twenty, his dark messy hair and round glasses were a dead giveaway as was the redhead women beside him whose eyes, Marla already knew.

"Oh Merlin." She breathed as she realised that James and Lily Potter were standing in front of her.

"Hello Marla, I would say nice to meet you but I feel like I already know you, y'know with the keeping an eye thing." Said James with a lopsided smile.

She redhead next to him rolled her eyes before smiling at Marla.

"Don't listen to him, it's nice to meet you Marla. I'm Lily."

"I know, I- nice to meet you too." She said spluttering. "Oh my god. This is absolutely crazy. I don't understand a thing that's going on. What the hell."

They all chuckled around her and James draped an arm around her shoulder.

"You will be fine, Mrs Black. You will make sense of it all quickly."

"Mrs Black?!" She shrieked and James let out a whole hearted laugh.

"What?" He said, "I thought it was pretty official. Though you're early, I thought he would be here before you."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Sirius."

"What? He-he's dead too?"

"I'm afraid so, both of you so dramatic, dying together saving my son. I-" he cut himself, letting a heavy chuckle before wiping a tear. "Thank you Marla."

"You could have waited for me before crying, Prongs." Everyone turned at the new voice and there he was, Sirius Black. Looking as if the twelve years in Azkaban had not happened, beautiful and young, followed by his younger brother Regulus Black. James Potter let out a disbelieving chuckle, now crying heavily before engulfing Sirius in a long embrace.

Marla met Regulus' eyes, he too was crying and she ran to him as she had done to her brother, hugging him tightly.

"S'good to see you Birdie." He said softly.

"It's good to see you too Reggie." She laughed. She watched as Sirius gave Lily another hug before clapping Thomas on the back, then their eyes locked and the next second, Sirius had scooped her in his arms, spinning her around.

"Hi." She said when he let her down.

"Hi," he said breathless. "I thought you would be in Hell."

They both let out a loud laugh before he cradled her face in his hand, kissing her hard.

"Alright Black! Stop snogging my sister!" Came the voice of an annoyed Thomas who was making a point of looking everywhere but them.

Everyone laughed once more at the disgruntled face of the older Blackbird.

"So, I don't get it. We just stay here now? What are we supposed to do?" Asked Sirius.

"No, we only come here to welcome people, you know when they die." Answered James. Lily rolled her eyes before continuing.

"We have another place, where we live I mean. It's kind of a small city. James and I have a house, Regulus and Thomas too. We're neighbours."

"Oh great! Can we see it?" Exclaimed Sirius. Lily exchanged a look with James before Regulus spoke.

"Not yet. We're waiting for someone else."

"What? You mean someone else who's going to die?" Asked Marla, alarmed at the prospect. They all nodded gravely before James suddenly raised his head.

"Actually he's here. Come on Padfoot." He nudged Sirius and the two made their way into the white light. Marla waited confused for a few minutes before they reappeared, a young looking Remus Lupin by their side.

The three men seemed overjoyed to see each other again. Lily, who was next to Marla watched them with a small smile.

"Oh Merlin, the Marauders are back."

"Alright come on everybody!" Exclaimed James. "I want to see my son extinguish fucking Voldemort."