sink or swim - r.a.b

[019]

 𐙚 chap. 19

      It had finally come time for the summer holidays and you were just relieved that you had been freed of the burden of the endless expanse of the castle walls. Other than an incident with Severus during the boys' testing, you had gotten out of the year mainly unscathed. The only big difference that stuck out this summer was the new presence of Sirius in your home. Well, that and the darkness that seemed to settle over the wizarding world this year.

      Emi had very rarely written to you, and the letters from the rest of the group were of even more scarcity. The only connection that you had to the outside world was the news that your father brought home from the ministry after every shift. Other than that, you were denied the pleasures of going into any part of the world that had connections the the magical community.

      You were not completely shut out, though. There was a muggle town only a short walk from the manor, and you spent many of your days window shopping in the little boutiques and park benches. It was quite peaceful other than the hounding from your brother and his accomplice that you take them with you because your mother did not trust the two to be out and about alone.

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      One day, you had finally caved and brought the two with you into town, which they found terrible dull other than every other person that crossed your path. Without the usual ties to the magical world, the boys were quite upset that Peter was unable to join in with them this year, but Remus had posted you a letter informing you that he should be joining the three of you in a few day's time.

      You didn't really understand where Remus stood with his living situation in the muggle world. All you knew was that he'd grown up with them, and could behave himself in the outside world much better than your current companions.

      The sun was shifting in between clouds all day before the coverage had completely engulfed the sky. The downpour had started shortly after, but it didn't seem completely natural, and the weatherman that you had seen on the television that sat perched in a shop's window said that it was to be sunny all week. Never the less, the three of you were sent running back home to escape getting drenched.

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      Remus arrived shortly after, and his up-tight demeanor had seemed to hit the nail in the coffin. You were under lock down, and there was no escaping it any longer.

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      The night before you were to return to Hogwarts had come quicker than you had thought it would in the solitude, but it seemed the boys that you had followed around castle walls for the last five years seemed to make it go by faster. You were still very nervous about what was to come of the future, but you were sure that you would have these three to accompany you wherever it lead you.

      Once the sun had set, the four of you sat in a circle on the floor in the sitting room, comparing piles of postage that you'd received over the summer, and surprisingly, your measly pile had been the biggest. Remus had several letters from both Sirius and James, and a couple from yourself. James had letters from Remus, and one from Lily that she sent him last week. Sirius had quite a few from Remus, but that was it. You letters contained twelve from Emi, seven from Pandora, signed by Evan as well and, one from Barty.

      No letters from Peter to any of you, and no letters from Regulus to you or Sirius. You supposed that he would most likely be denied from contacting Sirius via owl after his stunt over Christmas, but you had assumed that he would at least write to you once or twice. "Quite the haul this summer, eh?" You jested. James shrugged, and Sirius sighed.
      "Nothing from Peter to any of us," Remus chimed in. "strange, isn't it? He always writes us when he can't make it over here, and he only lives over the hill."
      "Well, he said that he was going to be very busy this summer when we departed at the train station." James added.
      "Still, don't you think it' kind of strange that he just.. didn't write?" Sirius asked. The group fell into silence once again. and slowly Remus and Sirius drifted off to bed.

      "James," You spoke up when the two had retreated up the stairs.
      "Hm?" He inquired.
      "What do you think is to come this year? I'm sure that I'm not the only one that has noticed the fall in spirits, and the dread that has settled over everyone. Even in the tone that my letters were sent in." You paused, lifting the letters from Emi that you had received. You pulled a piece of parchment out of the envelope. "She always signs them off with something clever instead of a traditional tagline, but she's been very formal this summer."

      He sighed. "Well, you know how her family is with the appearance things. She's also very connected to Sirius' family, which you know has its ties with the 'sacred 28' as they like to call themselves." You looked at the parchment, tossing it onto the floor in front of you.
      "It worries me, you know." You looked back to him.
      "Well, whatever happens, I'll always be here." He ruffled your hair and stood. "I am tired, though. So I'm going to bed. You should, too." And with that, he was off.

     You sat alone for another moment, gathering your letters and cleaning up after the four of you. The actions had a sense of finality about them, like nothing would be the same after tonight.