𝐒𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍; 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫.

𝖝𝖑𝖛𝖎𝖎𝖎. 𝖊𝖞𝖊 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖆𝖓 𝖊𝖞𝖊.

Lily slammed a stack of books on James's desk and sighed. "Okay, we should find a lot of things to work with in here."

"These have to be older than the damn school itself," Sirius said, surveying them. He glanced at the Map, following Remus and Peter as they slowly made it through the school. "I reckon we have a good few hours until we've got to go."

Marlene reached over and immediately became immersed in reading.

Amara grabbed a book and heaved it over to Remus's bed, sitting cross-legged and opening it with a sigh. "Lily, this is four weeks overdue."

"Well, I wasn't finished reading it," Lily said defensively. "Besides, Pince doesn't care. I always help her restock when I'm in there."

"I know," James said, laughing. "It's so funny."

"I've seen you in the library twice," Lily said. She narrowed her eyes. "You did not know that."

He half-shrugged. "Still saw."

She rolled her eyes and handed him one. "Get reading."

"I'm not really a visual learner," he said, opening it anyways. "Defensive spells...page 332. How long is this thing, anyways?"

"Focus," she chided.

"C'mon, James," Marlene muttered, deep in her book.

"Yeah, James, focus," Sirius said. "Book me, Lily."

He grunted when she heaved one onto his lap. "Easy on the goods, now."

"Focus."

"Look at this," Amara said. "Calvario. A spell that causes instant hair loss."

"Sorry, Tal, I'm reserving my arsenal for spells more of the bone-breaking variety," Sirius mused, flicking a page.

"Or permanently decapitating," James agreed.

"Guys," Lily began, "we should really try to stay—"

"They want to let a werewolf loose on sleeping students and destroy the last safe place in the world," Sirius said suddenly. "What do you think will happen to Remus if they get to him? What do you think will happen to you, Lily? Amara?"

Lily looked at him for a long time. "Sirius—"

"We'll be fighting when we're of age. You think the other side uses Disarming spells and Instant-Bubble charms on us?"

"Snape tried to use the Cruciatus Curse on you, Lily," James said quietly. "And I would never let myself watch someone who matters to me be put in that situation again. We need real firepower."

She fell quiet, chewing on her lip nervously as she continued to read.

"Lily," James prodded, leaning forward. "Lily. It's okay. But we have to put our foot down here, before they realize just how much they can do; even as students at Hogwarts. Especially as students of Hogwarts."

"You're right," she said eventually. "Okay."

"Oh, Conjunctivitus is good," Sirius said. "Fucks up your eyesight."

"They can't kill us if they can't see us," Amara reasoned. She looked up. "We're assuming they're going to be throwing Unforgivables around left and right, correct?"

James frowned. "I really wish we could talk to Rosier."

"Is he alone? Send him a Patronus message," Lily suggested."

Sirius looked at the Map. "Yeah, he's alone in his room."

All eyes fell on Amara.