Priori Incantatem [HARRY POTTER FANFICTION]

Chapter 8: Paying the Piper

Chapter 8: Paying the Piper

Sitting in the row behind Lily and her friends, the Marauders noticed the Slytherins' odd behaviour as well. Clearly the Slytherins were expecting something to happen, but what exactly it was anyone's guess. However, the direction of their gazes made it crystal clear that it involved the Gryffindor girls who had had a run-in with Bellatrix on Halloween.

James' eyes met Sirius' in mutual understanding. They wouldn't let anything happen to the girls in their house. The Slytherins would have to go through the Marauders to touch Lily, Morwenna, Alice, Kathleen, and Dorcas.

Across the room, Seth Wilkes caught Evan Rosier's eye and nodded: the Marauders were playing and everything would proceed as planned. Rosier's hand slipped unobtrusively into the pocket of his robes as he returned Wilkes' nod.

*** 

Professor Colander began her lecture on the proper preparation of today's potion, and Bellatrix's eyes broke away from Lily's as she gave every appearance of paying close attention. But her mouth curled up at the corners as though she couldn't quite hide her glee. Shaken to the core, Lily took a deep, calming breath.

Noticing Lily's shaking, Morwenna nudged her. "Lily? Are you all right? You're white as a sheet."

"Morwenna," Lily hissed frantically under her breath, "Morwenna, I think Bellatrix Black is planning to do something to me, maybe to all of us." Alice looked around as she heard Lily's words, alarmed.

"We'll leave as soon as class is over and walk with Sirius and Remus and James and Frank," Morwenna said, obviously frightened but trying to hide it.

"She's right, Lily, that's the best thing to do. We'll just have to lie low until class is over. I'll tell Dorcas and Kathleen," Alice whispered and immediately turned to Dorcas on her right.

Professor Colander frowned slightly in their direction, but persevered with her instructions. On the last day of class before the holidays the student invariably became rather restless.

The class dispersed to collect their ingredients and began making their potions without any unusual incidents. But everyone was aware of the change in the atmosphere. Even the Marauders seemed less obnoxious than usual, Lily noticed.

About halfway through the class, a loud explosion and the telltale odour of a Dungbomb filled the room, potion splattering through the air.

"WHAT is the meaning of this?" Professor Colander demanded, hands on hips before Evan Rosier's cauldron.

"It was Sirius Black and James Potter, Professor," Rosier said indignantly. "And Lupin and Pettigrew helped them."

"Like hell it was!" Sirius burst out angrily before he had time to think. Professor Colander rounded on him angrily.

"Excuse me, Mr. Black?" she huffed angrily, her face going slightly red.

"Honestly, Professor, it's complete bollocks!" James jumped in. "We did no such thing." He looked round at Peter, Remus, and Frank, who all began speaking at once.

"Truly, Professor, they didn't do it, I was sitting right there -"

"Rosier's lying, they never -"

" He's just trying to get Sirius and James in trouble -"

"Enough!" Professor Colander exclaimed, her anger of moments ago now bordering on fury. "Rosier, is there anyone else who saw Potter and Black throw this Dungbomb?" Morgaine DuBose raised her hand.

"We all did, Professor," she said sweetly. The rest of the Slytherins present nodded their heads in silent agreement.

"They didn't see anything because we didn't do it!" Sirius said earnestly.