I Solemnly Swear - a Fifth Marauder Story

Chapter 7: Revenge and... Reginald?

"Revenge," announced Lexi as we sat together on the grass by the lake. "How are we going to go about this?"

Because of course she'd taken it upon herself to get back at the Marauders for the incident with the paint the week before.

"I don't know," I said thoughtfully. Lexi's blue eyes looked almost black, reflecting the dark water of the lake as she gazed into it, brow furrowed. A reflection in the water caught her gaze and she spun around, pointing.

The Marauders were all gathered a short way away from us, laughing about something. They too sat on the grass but in the shade of a tall oak tree, where they sat every day. It was accepted by everyone without anyone having to speak about it: that tree was the Marauders' tree.

"We could hide in the tree," babbled Lexi excitedly. "We could climb right up into the branches, see how leafy it is at the top? They'd never see us there! And then we could wait for them to come and sit down, and throw, like, Dungbombs at them or something... Or I'm sure I could find an interesting spell in the library somewhere! Is that too amateur? We should find Alice — I'm sure she'd be able to come up with something creative..."

It was nice to see Lexi her old self again, but with her, if you wanted to talk at all the only way to get a word in was to interrupt.

"Or," I cut in loudly, then waited for her to look up. "I have a better idea. Come on."

We ran across the grass towards the tree, ducking behind the thick trunk. I peered round carefully — all four Marauders were talking amongst themselves.

"What's the plan?" Lexi whispered.

"Cover for me," I whispered back, and began to climb. Pulling myself up into the first set of branches, I inched forwards until I was right over the Marauders' heads. Lexi gave me the subtlest of winks then marched up to the boys.

"Seen Brianna anywhere?" she asked, keeping her tone icy. Sirius wasn't looking at her.

"Maybe," said James. "Seen Lily anywhere?"

Lexi rolled her eyes. "Duh, but you're the last person I'd tell. Have you seen Brianna or not? I really need to find her."

"No. What d'you want her for, anyway?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," said Lexi. I began to pull out my wand. It was all going perfectly — until Lexi looked up at me. Remus, shrewd as always, followed her gaze, and hurriedly I pulled myself back into the leaves.

"What about you Remus?" asked Lexi, making a quick save. Remus looked back at her.

"Huh?"

"Seen Brianna?"

"Um — no," I heard him reply as I climbed higher as fast as I could. When I was in the very top of the tree I stuck my head out of the top and swung my wand around. The spell spread out across the canopy, travelling down from the tops of the branches into the trunk. As it touched each part of the tree, it shimmered slightly and went invisible.

I slid down as fast as I could. I'd almost reached the bottom when my skirt caught on a branch and there was the rip of tearing fabric.

"Shoot," I muttered, twisting the torn edges together in my fist. My feet touched the ground just as the spell reached the roots of the tree, and with another shimmer it disappeared entirely. The Marauders still had their backs to me, but without the protection of the tree they could turn and see me at any second. I shook leaves out of my hair and put on a smile.

"Hey Lexi," I called brightly.

"Oh hey, Bri!" Lexi called. I winced at her mangled version of my name — she'd hacked off the 'Anna' at the end and was left with something which made me sound like cheese. "There you are!"