Claws || A Marauders Fanfiction

*~ Pumpkin Juice IV ~*

⭑ ~🟎☾⭑I solemnly swear I am up to no good ⭑☽🟎~ ⭑

Sam slowly inches down the dark and twisted hallway, quickly regretting her decision to forego her wand. Sam gets excited at the sight of light in the distance every so often, quickly disappointed that it's merely a stained window and not a way out.

Curiosity once again gets the better of her as she keeps walking, not even thinking for a moment to return to the sterile hospital wing she was in minutes ago. With nothing but the occasional spider scurrying around, Sam could hear nothing but the pitter-pattering of her own feet hitting the ground.

Suddenly Sam hears distant laughter coming from what must be the end of the corridor, picking up speed. As the chattering gets even louder the closer she gets, Sam's heart beats with anticipation; she has as much of a clue on her location as a novice playing against a grandmaster at gobstones. For all she knows, she could be under Hogsmeade of all places!

Ramming into the end of the hall, Sam gingerly touches her forehead before feeling around for any sign of an indent or handle. To her dismay, she felt nothing; no openings, not even a small crevice of the stone.

Merlin, Sam thought she must look so stupid, running her hands along the walls, exploring corridors without her wand like a muggle; it almost made her laugh. To think that this was all because of some stupid prank, some stupid pumpkin juice. Sam grows so frustrated she kicks the wall, yelping in pain. Suddenly, the wall slowly creaks open, and Sam couldn't believe her eyes.

"Godric," Sam breathed. "I'm... here?"

Across from the entrance to the Gryffindor common room lays a portrait dangling off the wall; a small redheaded Ravenclaw peeking out from behind. Sam quickly ducked every time a Gryffindor slipped out behind their painting, some adorned with fake cat ears or dresses adorned with crystals and sparkles alike.

Ah yes, Sam tutted, Halloween. The celebrating mood left Sam very long ago, as for the most part, she wished this day never happened. Closing the portrait, she sat down with her back against the passage wall, letting the dark light consume her once more.

Fabian and Gideon would know what to do, or even Molly, but they're not here. For the first time since she's been at Hogwarts, Sam felt homesick. She missed the times Molly would braid her hair, or when she helped Molly make pie while it rained. She missed her own room, with her little dolls and broomstick, and her own books. She even missed when her parents homeschooled her, when they were home.

Suddenly, Sam left a teardrop from her eye falling down her face and onto her sweater. It was like a chain reaction; before she knew it, Sam Prewett was crying, and for no reason at all. She found it quite embarrassing but couldn't quite explain why; she just couldn't stop. Startled by the creaking of the painting, Sam didn't even have time to move, trying to wipe away her tears as quickly as possible.

"...Sam?" Lily peeked her head through, and Sam felt a small wave of relief. Lily's brows furrowed together in concern at the sight of her friend all teary and red. "Are you alright?"

Unable to face Lily, Sam merely nodded, trying to hide and shrink herself further. She could Feel Lily kneel down beside her, shutting the portrait from the excited chatter outside.

"Lumos." Lily swirled her wand, illuminating the small passageway.

"H-how did you find me?" Sam stuttered through her words, her breath shallow.

"Er- I heard you outside the wall; just wanted to check who it was." Maybe it was the way she stated it as if it was a fact, or the way Lily smiled at Sam with her green eyes, but for some reason, Sam couldn't help but laugh.

"Godric," Sam emphasized. "That's so pathetic!"

"No no, Sam, you're not pathetic." Lily reassured worriedly.

"Lily, it's ok, I am," Sam said through her small chuckles. "I'm sitting by myself behind a stupid portrait crying over my birthday. Merlin, and you could even hear me through the wall!"

"Well, when you put it like that..." Lily joked before breaking into a fit of laughter. Sam cracked a smile; she couldn't stop herself from laughing, it was infectious. As the laughing died down, Lily and Sam sat in awkward silence, not quite sure where to go from here.

"You know, my eleventh birthday was pretty terrible." Lily stated, straightening up from against the wall.

"Really? In what way?"

"Well, my own sister called me a freak and threw all of my stuff out of our room."

"But why? I thought you said you guys were close." Sam recounted how positively Lily talked about her sister, Petunia. It was quite hard to imagine Petunia treating her this way.

"Well, I suppose she was upset that she didn't get a letter to Hogwarts. She threw out all our friendship necklaces and matching bracelets, everything," Lily said somberly. "I ran away to a local park and cried for a long time."

"Did your parents do anything?" Sam asked tentatively.

"No, not really. But it's okay, Severus came and found me."

"Severus?"

"Yep. He helped me cheer me up, so the day didn't end too terribly."

"Oh." Was all Sam could get out. That boy was a walking raincloud, so it was quite hard to imagine Snape cheering anybody up.

"What I'm really trying to say is that there's still time Sam. It is 'the best day of the year' as you put it."

"Time for what?"

"For celebrating!" Lily chuckled. "We could get dressed up together; I should have some cat headbands somewhere..."

"You'd be willing to do that for me?" Sam asked, a little confused. She always got the impression that they were only friends because of Marlene and Alice.

"Of course, Sam. That's what friends are for." Lily smiled lightly before grabbing her hand, pulling her off the floor.

Together, they left the passageway, as a smile crept onto Sam's face. Maybe this would be a day worth celebrating after all.

⭑ ~🟎☾⭑Mischief Managed ⭑☽🟎~ ⭑