The Immeasurable Marauder

Aftermath

I resigned myself to yet another heartbreak. My heart had broken so many times over the past few months that the ache in my chest was almost becoming something familiar. As with all of them, I refused to show it. I would never again be vulnerable. It was a mistake to show Sirius just how upset I had been about my back, even if it wasn't intentional,  but he would never see that side of me again. He taught me a very valuable lesson- be careful who you open your heart to. Besides, I obviously had to focus on staying alive. The letter was a warning and Voldemort's stupid cronies were somewhere inside Hogwarts. The next morning I had to endure Marlene which was nearly as difficult as it would have been to take on the Voldemort himself.

"Oh my god! I can't believe it happened!" she said dreamily. "I'm so sorry you had to walk in on that Vee." I could tell by the way she looked at me that she wasn't the least bit sorry. " I mean, can you believe it! Can you actually believe it!" She increased in volume.

"Yeah, no one would believe it." Said Alice softly. She smiled serenely. "I have a date too." She almost whispered.

"No! Really! Who?" demanded Mary showing Alice much more interest than she had managed for Marlene.

"Um, you know Frank?" She said uncertainly.

"Yes!" Mary Blurted, "Really! Congratulations Alice." She gave her a heartfelt hug and Alice was all red cheeks and smiles.

Emmeline and Marlene eventually disappeared leaving Lily, Mary, Alice and I sitting on the lawns for a blissful Saturday morning. We had so much work to get through but the girls had decided that I needed some down time.

Suddenly, James collapsed beside Lily and cocked his very best smile.

"Your hair is the most exquisite thing I have ever seen Lily, in this sunlight your skin is positively blazing." He said gazing at her in admiration.

"Are you insinuating that I am catching fire because I am a red head?"

She said looking at him like he was covered in Flobberworm mucus, "Or are you saying that I am blazing because I am a little bit sunburnt?" He looked horrified.

"Ah... Lily, I didn't think... I didn't mean it like that."

"Didn't think? Damn right." She said tossing her gorgeous hair aside and looking away from him. "Vee, what is the time?"

"It's ten past eleven."

"Good." She said, lifting herself from the lawn.

"Lily!" James squirmed.

"James!" she said squaring off with him looking him smack in the eyes.

"Let me explain."

"Not now. Right now I have someone I need to meet with." And at that exact moment, Severus Snape walked out of the castle and intersected with Lily. Behind her back, he shot James a sinister smile and the two went walking off into the distance.

"I can't handle that." He said collapsing back to the ground.