A Marauders Riddle

The Storm is Here

Dedicated to SophyHaes for all the support on the story so far. You're the best!

Hands rose into the air. Charlie and Remus sat nervously, awaiting their fate.
"Twenty four votes in favour of the werewolves being charged," the Minister called. "Twenty six votes against."
Charlie slumped in her seat, relief coursing through her. The Minister waved her wand and the chains around Charlie and Remus fell away.
"Court adjourned."
Poppy almost ran down from the benches and, surprisingly, hugged Charlie and burst into tears.
"I-I'm so sorry," she sobbed.
Charlie felt a lump rise in her throat. She wrapped her arms around Poppy, trying to convey with touch what she couldn't with words. She was eternally grateful to Poppy for standing with her when she needed her the most.

At Hogwarts

With Tris

Tris drummed her fingers on her plate. She was nervous for Remus and even, God forbid, Charlie. There was a patter of footsteps outside the hall and Tris craned her neck to see. Remus, Charlie and Poppy stood in the doorway to the hall. The whole hall went silent, everyone staring at the three stood in the entrance.
"So," Sirius broke the silence, "Are you staying or what?"
Every single student looked eager for their answer.
"We're staying," Charlie said.
The Gyriffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables erupted into cheers. The Slytherins booed, but no-one really paid attention to them. Remus and Charlie were welcomed back to the Gyriffindor table with hugs and smiles. Poppy was about to slip off to the Slytherin table, when Remus stopped her.
"Poppy," he said, "Thank you."
Poppy dipped her head. Remus smiled and Poppy walked off.

With Chloe

"Guess what?" Bellatrix exclaimed, dropping down on her bed in the Slytherin fifth year girls' dorm.
Chloe didn't really like Bellatrix, but Poppy was fine with her and Chloe didn't have any other friends apart from Poppy so she was forced to hang out with Bellatrix.
"What's up, Bella?" Poppy asked.
"Rodolphus asked me to the ball!" Bellatrix shrieked.
Poppy squealed excitedly and flung her arms around Bellatrix.
"Yay," Chloe said flatly.
Poppy shot her a glare, but then smiled.
"Wait," Poppy said, the smile slipping off her face. "The ball's in two weeks! We need dresses, shoes, jewellery... Oh my god," she paused again. "I need to know what Regulus is wearing."
Poppy climbed down from Bellatrix's bed and sped out of the door. Bellatrix went pale.
"Damn, I don't know what Rodolphus is wearing," Bellatrix ran across the room, but then paused at the door and looked back at Chloe. "Do you know what James is wearing, Chloe?"
Chloe spluttered, staring at Bellatrix in disbelief, incoherent from shock. James Potter? Where did Bellatrix get that from?
"I just assumed you were going together," Bellatrix shrugged, "because even someone with no eyes can see you have feelings for him."
Chloe spluttered some more, blushing a fierce, fiery red. Bellatrix smirked and walked out, leaving Chloe
red-faced and confused. Maybe she did have a crush on James Potter, but she thought she was being discreet about it.

At dinner

With Charlie

"Charlie, Tris, Lily, Remus, Sirius and Peter I need you lot now," Poppy announced.
The Gyriffindors that Poppy had called gave each other confused glances and followed Poppy out of the hall. The group of them, Peter chewing a slice of toast, followed Poppy up to the seventh floor, where Poppy stopped and started pacing in front of a wall. After about three paces, a door appeared in the wall. Poppy opened it and gestured for the others to come inside. Once inside, Charlie stopped and stared around in amazement. It looked like someone had taken the furniture from the Slytherin common room and put it in the Gyriffindor common room.
"Right," Poppy said, turning to face them, "I need information about James Potter. What he likes, what he looks for in a girl, stuff like that."
The Gyriffindors looked confused.
"Chloe wants to go to the ball with James," Poppy explained. "So I need to help her out."
Lily nodded fervently.
"I'll do anything to get James off my back." Lily said, "I'll help you."
The others nodded their agreement and Poppy sighed in relief.