I Solemnly Swear - a Fifth Marauder Story

Chapter 8: Monsters and Marauders

That weekend was the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, I was so excited! I was used to the big-city feel of NYC, but these quaint little villages were a new experience for me.

The Marauders had let us be since the prank-back. I hoped they weren't planning revenge on my revenge: if they did get back at me, that was throwing their offer out of the window, and as James said, it would be war.

Before breakfast we were all changed and ready, thanks to Marlene dragging me out of bed with a,

"Get up! I have to make you look beautiful!" to which I responded,

"Geez, I'm not going on a date or anything," but allowed her to pull at my hair anyway.

Lexi was wearing a pair of striped knee-high socks, with odd shoes and shorts (crazy, it was November) with a 'Star Wars' t-shirt — I assumed it was a Muggle thing? Alice looked stunning, it turned out that when Lexi and I were getting our revenge she and Frank went walking and he finally asked her on a date! She had on a yellow dress with her hair around her shoulders, and a pair of black boots and tights. Marlene fussed around my head for ages before sticking me in front of a mirror.

She had curled my platinum hair, braiding a tiny piece at the front and pinning it back. My lips were painted red and I had on a tiny amount of pale eyeshadow. Quickly I dressed in a pair of light blue jeans, a red checked shirt and my thick navy-coloured coat, because Merlin, it was cold.

When the girls were ready we all headed down to the gates of Hogwarts to hand our forms in. The walk to Hogsmeade from there was absolutely stunning, a beautiful lane surrounded by a glistening green forest probably full of wildlife. I wouldn't have minded missing out on Hogsmeade just to explore in there.

"So Lily," Lexi started, glancing at someone over her shoulder, "what's up with James?"

Before anyone else could say anything Lily outburst angrily,

"Absolutely nothing! He's been chasing me since first year, when will he get the message? I'm serious—"

"No you're not, I am!"

"Padfoot, that joke is so old!"

Guess who?

You'd be right.

"Pardon Evans? Did I hear you confessing your love for me?" James asked cockily.

"Ugh, come on," Lily said urgently, dragging us away. I heard a load of laughter behind me to see James frowning at James and Peter who teased him. I made eye contact with Remus and we shared at smile at how obviously in love James was, but I held his gaze for a second too long. Why do I always do that?

Hogsmeade took my breath away! The tiny little village was just so perfect. Lexi told me that in a few weeks in would be covered in snow as well, and I spent a moment picturing the scene.

"Isn't it amazing! We have to show you everything — we could get Butterbeer at Three Broomsticks, or go to Honeydukes!" She gasped. "Bri, you have to visit the Shrieking Shack — it's haunted! And you'll love Zonko's," Lexi chattered rather quickly getting more and more excited as she carried on.

After looking around for a while and getting some Butterbeer (delicious, by the way) we traipsed up to the Shrieking Shack. It was just an old hut, but as we walked Lexi told me it's story and I got more and more curious. As we stared at it from the surrounding fence, I wondered, what could be in there? What if it's some kind of creature?

"Hey guys? Has anyone ever been in there?"

All the girls' conversations stopped as they looked at me. Lily's jaw dropped, Marlene's eyes popped and Lexi looked at me as if I was mad, but like she was admiring me for it.

"No, nobody has. Dumbledore won't allow it. I want to, but these two won't let me," Lexi pouted at Lily and Marlene who simply shook their heads.

"No, and we won't let you either," Lily said hurriedly, dragging us both away. "And I'll know what you'll say, Bri, but even if it is a creature in there and not a crazy spirit at all, it's probably dangerous and definitely off limits. Come on, we'll go back into town."

"TA DAAA!" Lexi shrieked outside Zonko's, getting some strange looks from other students. I laughed and pulled her inside. It was amazing: there was Dungbombs; coloured goo (familiar?); farting powder; cough sweets that made you cough; butterfly cups that as soon as you filled them with liquid they flew off; a rather nice looking top that had wings attached; a snitch that only flies for five minutes at a time and finally, my favourite, a teapot that whistled continuously once filled.

"Hey, Yankee!" I heard James call as I admired the teapot.

"Hi," I grinned, turning back to see the Marauders. The girls wandered off to see the love potions and I kept an eye on them, not wanting to lose them in the bustle.

"No offence, but what do you want?" I asked as Lily's red hair began to be harder to see.

"You never replied to our offer!" Sirius announced rather loudly.

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Could I, of all people, possibly be anything else?"

"So old Sirius, seriously — no, don't say anything!"

"I think it would be cool to have another girl in the group, Padfoot gets lonely sometimes," James grinned.

"How 'bout I get back to you?" I asked, starting to walk off.

"Nuh uh," Sirius grabbed the back of my coat. "You leave now, we take it as a decline and therefore a declaration of war!"

I almost smiled at how pompous he sounded. Unsure, I looked to Remus and Peter for help but they were busy 'admiring' a toilet seat. Traitors. I sighed.

"We have an alliance," I held out my hand and James shook it.

The girls had disappeared and time was nearly up, so I followed the Marauders back to Hogwarts. We laughed loudly all the way back, recounting the story of the vanishing tree. At Sirius' Giant Squid imitation I laughed so hard I cried. Seriousness quickly fell over me, though, as we made it to the Entrance Hall. Lily was waiting for me with a look of shock on her face, and I could probably tell why.

Author: Oddeyes

Please vote if you liked, comment if you have something to say/ask/communicate in some way :)

~Featherwing