The Marked

"You know Seamus, I think Harry is actually taller than you this year." Parvati looked up at Seamus from behind dark lashes. "Is it possible for people to shrink instead of grow?"

Seamus glared at the girl. "Ha. Ha. That was so funny I forgot to laugh."

"But, you just said, 'Ha. Ha,'" Dean pointed out.

"And you're point?"

"You laughed."

"So?"

"So you didn't forget to laugh."

"...oh shut up!" Seamus threw his hands into the air, exasperated with his fellow sixth-years.

"Finnigan, Erron!"

"Hey!" Dean lightly hit his shoulder. "There's your brother."

"Hmmm..." Seamus turned his attention once more back to the Sorting. His brother was just sitting down on the stool as McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat over his head. It took it's time, mumbling discoveries into Erron's before perking up and loudly declaring, "Gryffindor!" for the entire school to hear. Erron, obviously pleased with the news, gave the hat back to Professor McGonagall and hurried over to the Gryffindor table, where he sat at the empty seat to Seamus.

"Well, hey squirt. How was the train?" Seamus ruffled his brother's hair, surprising himself by being pleased at his brother's placement.

"It was fine. Don't call me squirt!" Erron reached up to flatten down his sandy hair on his head. "I met some other first years. Joshua Siles and Hector....I forget Hector's last name."

Seamus laughed at Erron's befuddled expression, as did Dean and Neville. "Oh, Dean, Neville, you've both met Erron before, Parvati, you met him a month ago, that leaves Lavender!" The sixteen-year-old turned to their blonde friend across the table, "This is my younger brother, Erron. Erron, this is Lavender."

"Hello Erron."

"...hi." Erron was still a bit shy when dealing with older girls.

"Are you happy to start at Hogwarts."

"Yeah." A small, brunette girl shuffled over to their table and meekly sat down beside Erron. Parvati, sitting directly next Lavender, across the table from Erron turned to her.

"Hello, what's your name?"

"Caroline Parker."

The first years continued to be sorted until four girls and four boys had been sorted into the Gryffindor House for the year. Erron's friends, Joshua Siles and Hector, whose last name turned out to be Osias, and an auburn haired boy named Jacob Pemberton. The girls, outside of Caroline Parker, included Victoria Marshall, whose father owned a successful broom shop on Diagon Alley; Chloe Swanson, a Muggleborn, and Odelia Lockhart, who had the misfortune of being the niece of Gilderoy Lockhart.

"So...he's your uncle?" Parvati and Lavender just couldn't over the fact. And even Hermione, several places down the table seemed to have her attention caught.

"Yes."

"And he has been...all your life?"

Odelia seemed a bit miffed. "No. It was a recent development. You know, they can do that, just all of a sudden declare to be your uncle and it's a done thing."

Parvati and Lavender didn't seem to notice the younger girl's shortness of temper nor the bellows of laughter coming from everyone else.

"Do you seem him a lot?" Lavender had that dreamy look back in her eyes, the one she'd had all second year and a good deal of last term with the sudden arrival of Professor 'Steve.'

"Not really. He was always really busy, and he won't be out of St. Mungo's for several more months."

"Hey Seamus," Erron turned his brother's attention away from the young girl. "Which teacher is which? I already know McGonagall now, she's Head of House, right?"

"Yeah," Seamus turned his head to the Head Table and began pointing to specific teachers. "That's Snape. Have as little contact with him as possible. That," he moved on, "is Professor Lupin. He's probably about the coolest teacher here. He can't talk anymore, you know the story, so sitting next to him his assistant, Professor Steve. He's pretty cool as well." Erron nodded. Seamus hadn't told anyone the truth about Sirius. He'd left that bit out in the final story. The brothers continued to review the staff until Dumbledore stood and dismissed them to their dorms.

***

Sirius Black was thoroughly enjoying himself as he entered his second term as a Hogwarts teacher. Professor 'Steve' was an enormous hit among the students. Particularly among the female population. He grinned at the thought. The transfiguration of his appearance hadn't been as heavy as he'd expected. For the most part, he hadn't been recognizable as even the young Sirius Black from before, let alone the crazed prisoner whose picture still hung in wizard taverns and shops.

He'd been greatly thrilled at the prospect of seeing Harry on an everyday basis. It had been hard to let him go for the summer break. He'd gotten by though, even if his summer had been full of research and dead ends. They'd tried everything, but nothing seemed to work. Remus's voice seemed gone forever. Even Dumbledore had begun to lose hope. Remus seemed not to mind, however, so Sirius tried not to feel to sorry for him.

As he thought of his old friend, his eyes wandered to the seat beside him. Moony was watching the Sorting with interest. As the werewolf noticed his friend watching him, he turned and gave a small smile and wave.

"Finnigan, Erron!"

Both men turned their heads back toward the Sorting. McGonagall stood holding the ancient hat as a small, sandy-haired boy made his way through the crowd. Sirius saw Moony's eyes flicker over to the Gryffindor table, where the elder Finnigan was plainly visible, sitting at the end of the occupied chairs next to his best friend Dean Thomas, and across from Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil.

Sirius had never gotten to the bottom of Remus's sad expression when it came to dealing with the Marked boy. Their conversations had been somewhat limited, as it was a pain for Remus to have to write everything out, and he was quite closed on the subject of Seamus.

The Sorting Hat announced that Erron would be placed with his brother in the Gryffindor House. It didn't surprise Sirius much, the boy looked identical, if a good deal younger, to Seamus. His eyes followed the younger Finnigan as he rushed to take a seat by his brother, who looked pleased at his brother's placement. The two began chatting lively as Erron sat down, Seamus seemed to introducing him. Sirius's eyes trailed down the table to where Harry was seated beside Ron and Hermione. They were, as usual, talking only amongst themselves. Ron's little sister, Ginny, sat beside Hermione, looking as though she felt thoroughly out of place. Suddenly, Harry's head turned to face the Head Table and he caught his godfather's eye. With a happy smile, he waved to the disguised Sirius, who nodded and smiled back at him. His godson made a goofy face at him, to which he responded by sticking out his tongue. Harry then followed by pretending he was choking on something he ate, silently as to not draw attention, and Sirius crossed his eyes and puffed out his cheeks. A sharp poke in his side drew his attention away and he turned to look Remus, who was giving him an odd look.

"What?" Sirius asked him. "Just having some fun!"

Remus raised his eyebrows, as though saying, "Riiiiiight."

"Bah, you're no fun anymore, Moony!" The real professor jutted out his bottom lip in his best pouting expression. "Oh don't look at me like that!"

The two went on "arguing" for sometime until Dumbledore interrupted with his closing words for the evening and everyone began to make their way to their respected quarters. Sirius's were a hallway from the Defense Against the Dark Arts corridor. The only thing he didn't enjoy about the room was that the area it was in was completely empty. The entire corridor was full of empty classrooms and for the most part, only ghosts passed by. Moony was the closest to him and even that was a good deal away, one hallway though it may be. He knew he was being paranoid, but for some reason, sleeping so far from people was now disconcerting. Even in Azkaban he could...

He stopped himself as thoughts of his old torment arose once more. He tried never to think of Azkaban. He shook his head clear of the thoughts as he entered his chambers, tossing his over-robes, a deep midnight blue that went well with his dark brown hair and faux gray eyes (his natural blue had been transfigured), on to a chair; then sat down on the couch to wait. Harry would be visiting soon, and he couldn't wait to catch up with him.

***

The sixth-year Gryffindor boys all awoke at roughly the same time, emerging from the curtains of their beds red-eyed and tousled-hair sticking every which direction. They'd been up late into the night talking and catching up. Neville had dropped off first, and then Dean, followed quickly by Seamus. Ron and Harry both looked as though they hadn't actually slept at all, and Seamus wondered if they had not gone and visited Sirius. He'd have to ask later.

Yawning the entire way down to the common room, Seamus nearly collided with someone as his eyes began to close again. Dean had to reach out and steady his friend to keep from falling over. "Whoa, Seamus, maybe you could start walking with your eyes open."

Seamus, after having opened his eyes, punched his best friend lightly in the shoulder, then turned to apologize to his victim. "Terribly sorry about that...Ginny! Hello!"

"Good morning!" Ginny was nursing her head, but grinning all the same. "Didn't sleep much I take it? Ron and Harry just passed by, they looked dead on their feet."

"Yeah, we spent a lot of time catching up," Seamus shrugged, then reached up to scratch his head. "How come you didn't go down with your brother to breakfast? Don't you normally eat with them?"

"Yes but..." she shrugged, running a hand through her hair. "I always feel left out. I usually sat between Fred and George and the Trio, but now the twins are gone so I figured I'd just eat with my year-mates. " She didn't seem to happy about the fact, and Seamus really didn't blame her. The fifth-year boys were quite dull and the girls all much too obsessed with their hair. Rather like Parvati and Lavender on the day of a dance.

"You can eat with us," Dean offered. "I'm sure Parvati and Lavender would love another girl to talk to."

"Well...alright! If you really don't mind."

"Not at all!" The three started for the Great Hall. They made small talk about classes and the teachers and other students, and were in the process of discussing Lupin's situation when a familiar voice called out in the open hall.

"Seamus! Hey! Wait up!" Seamus froze up, a look of horror crossing his face.

I can't deal with Mandy this early!

"Er...hey Mandy."

"Hello!" He turned to face the blonde Ravenclaw. She had obviously jogged to catch up with him, her hair askew and panting lightly. "Going to breakfast?"

"Yeah, with Dean and Ginny. You know them?" He nodded over to his two friends. Mandy's eyes narrowed as they landed on the younger girl.

"Oh yes, of course I know Dean. And, Jeanie was it?"

"Er, Ginny-"

"Yes, I saw you at Harry Potter's birthday party, Jeanie. You're Ron Weasley's little sister, aren't you?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Seamus, I was wondering if maybe you would meet me at lunch at the lake?"

"Um...you know I'd love to but-"

"-but he's meeting me at the lake for lunch." With a superior smirk, Ginny looped her arm through Seamus's, ignoring Dean's muffled snort and Seamus's shocked look. "Sorry, Mallory, but I'm afraid I don't like other girl's trying to drag my boyfriend off on dates. Ta-ta." Taking Seamus's hand she began trudging down the hall, Dean following the two in hysterics.

"What was that?" Seamus finally managed to ask her, letting go of her hand as they rounded a corner.

"What? She was annoying you and making me mad. Killed two birds with one stone, she won't bother either of us for sometime now."

Dean caught up with two. "I don't know, Ginny. You girl's are weird about these kind of things, I'll bet Mandy already has the entirety of the Ravenclaw girls hating you."

Ginny gave an over-dramatic sigh and grinned. "What a terrible loss." The two boys laughed as they finally entered the Great Hall. Parvati and Lavender were already sitting in their usual seats when the three joined them, Ginny taking a seat across from Parvati, beside Seamus.

"Hello Ginny! Eating with us today?" Lavender greeted her in her usual friendly manner while Parvati gave her a wide smile. Ginny got along with the sixth-year girls much better than her own year-mates.

"Yes, if you don't mind."

"Not at all!"

Neville soon joined them, glad that he could spend more time with his friend than normal, and the six began to talk about being back at Hogwarts. Soon, McGonagall came by with their new schedules.

"Who would have thought? We still have Double Potions with the Slytherins!" Dean glared in the direction of the Slytherin House table. "Another whole year of putting up with Malfoy. What joy."

"It was bound to happen," Parvati replied, scanning her own schedule. "Oh good! Divination first thing today!" Dean and Seamus both groaned.

"Life isn't smiling on us at the moment, my friend," Dean said to Seamus, sinking low in his seat and covering his face with his hands.

"I got out of Divination after two weeks of it," Ginny told them. "Took Ancient Runes instead. Much more sensible." Lavender looked scandalized at the lack of respect Ginny held for her favorite class, but Parvati's mind was elsewhere.

"Do the Ravenclaw girls seem as though they're glaring at us to you?" Seamus, Ginny, and Dean all burst out laughing, ignoring the curious glances the got from the others at the table.

"Oh! Mail's here!" Before the three could explain to Parvati and Lavender, hundred of owls swooped into the room, most carrying packages of forgotten items and parcels of snacks. A large, beautiful eagle dove down to the Gryffindor table and, surprisingly, dropped a small, unmarked letter in Seamus's lap.

"Did your family get a new owl, Seamus?" Dean asked him as the eagle owl flew back out of the Hall.

"No," Seamus stared at the letter strangely. "I've never seen it before in my life."

"Well, wonder about it later, we've got Divination in ten minutes. We better go now if we want to get there in time." Lavender stood up, knocking the wrinkles from robes. "See you at lunch, Ginny!"

"Bye! Have fun with Trelawney!"

***

Divination was much the same as always. Professor Trelawney went on and on about how Harry should be wary of "an average height, average built man with hair of some color."

"Well, that at least leaves Seamus out of the running," Ron grinned over at Seamus's table. "No one can say you're average height."

"Ha ha. Funny."

Following Divination they had Potions which was surprisingly uneventful. Malfoy had no nasty comments for them and Snape only took away thirty points from Gryffindor, an all time low for one class period.

"He's not looking well, Snape," Parvati mentioned as they left lunch and headed for Defense Against the Dark Arts. "Much paler than normal, and jittery if you ask me."

"Snape?" Neville wrinkled his nose. "Jittery? Maybe when Malfoy and Harry go skipping down the hall hand in hand I'll believe that."

"Ewww," Harry's disgusted voice came from behind them. "Thank you for the foul mental image." Ron was doubled over in hysterics, being held up by a rather amused Hermione.

"That was hilarious, Neville! Funniest thing I've heard all school year!"

"Ron," Hermione pointed out, "the school years has only be going since last night."

Ron straightened into a standing position. "Point." By this time, they'd reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. The professors were both there, Lupin seated behind the desk and 'Steve' standing in front of it.

"Good afternoon, you lot! I was beginning to wonder if you' made it through Potion's or not. Well have a seat and welcome back!"

Harry and Seamus simultaneously grinned at Sirius's manner. He almost always seemed to be in a humorous mood. As they took their normal seats, Lupin stood up and waved at them. He turned to Professor 'Steve' and mouthed something to him, which Sirius took his time deciphering. Seamus was suddenly reminded of one of the more amusing class periods last year.

They had been in much the same position, Sirius translating one of Lupin's voiceless instructions when Sirius had suddenly looked outraged.

"Professor Lupin! I hardly think such a comment appropriate in front of the students! Besides, Dumbledore doesn't allow the staff to date other-" Before he could finish his sentence, Lupin had tackled 'Steve' to the ground, trying prevent him from talking. Sirius, the bigger of the two, wrestled his way back to standing and casually said, "I never you knew card liked that, Remus," before continuing with the lecture, leaving the class in silent (and not so silent) laughter.

Now they all watched with smiles on their faces as the two teachers launched into their lesson. As Seamus was digging around his bag for a quill, and wondering how a bag could become so cluttered so soon in the year, when he came across the still unopened letter from that morning. He'd forgotten all about it after shoving it in his bag. Quill forgotten, he tore into the envelope. The letter itself, written in very primitive print was done in very expensive looking emerald ink.

Little Gryffindor boy, did you think I'd forgotten about you? I wouldn't be so hopeful yet. You still have something I want. I'll give you three days to think it over. My owl will be waiting for on top of the North Tower on the third night. If I don't get what I want, I'll start taking action. And if you think about telling a teacher, I'll forgo the three days and take action immediately. See you soon.

There was no name. Only the message. Seamus looked up from the letter, and glanced out the window he sat by. The North Tower was clearly visible from his place. No one ever went on top of it anymore, in fact Seamus thought student were forbidden from doing so. But that wasn't the worse thing going through his mind.

Who had sent him the letter?

"Seamus? You alright?" Lavender had turned to face him from her seat next to him. "You've gone pale. You aren't getting sick are you?"

"No...no I'm fine."

He suddenly found he couldn't pay any attention to the lecture that day.