Disclaimer:

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

I own nothing but the original characters I make.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 176: Leaving In a Rush

"I love this dress," Narcissa said while spinning around in place. She gave Sirius a playful smile. "What do you think? Should I buy it?"

"I don't care!" Sirius huffed in response. They had been here for less than thirty minutes, but it was already feeling like hours to him.

"I-I think you look very nice…" Peter managed to say despite the deep blush on his cheeks.

"Why don't I buy it for you?" Andromeda walked to the counter while carrying a large stack of clothes. "I will take these as well."

"Since when are you so generous with money?" Narcissa glanced at her with suspicion. "Did you get a rich boyfriend?"

Andromeda grinned mischievously. There was no way in hell she was going to say anything to Narcissa about the large bag of treasure she got from their little trip with James. "I'm just trying to be nice to my little sister. But if you don't want it…"

"I'll take it!" Narcissa hurried to say.

"I wish I had money to buy something from here...everything is so expensive." Maleen glanced at Sirius.

"I barely get an allowance, you know?." Sirius huffed.

Remus shook his head and turned to look at the last of the sisters. Bella had remained sitting next to the window the whole time they were here, looking toward the restaurant.

"They are going to take a bit longer," he said to her as he walked closer. "I mean, usually when eating at a restaurant, things take around an hour at least."

"Hmph…" Bella only let out a sound of annoyance.

"I know it's not really my business but… You and James seem very close. I was wondering if—"

"You are right." Bella glared at him, her eyes filled with fury. "It is none of your business."

Remus took a step back, feeling somewhat intimidated by her hostile look. "There is no need for that. I was just curious… James is one of my best friends after all."

Bella returned to her original position and glanced outside. "Then ask him."

Remus was getting annoyed. He didn't deserve that attitude for a simple question. He was about to respond when he suddenly saw the door of the restaurant open and two people walk outside.

"James is out," Remus said before looking for the rest of his friends. "Hey, James just came out with Lily, come on!."

"That was quick. Did they even eat anything at all?" Marleen said.

"What a waste… going to that restaurant and leaving in thirty minutes." Narcissa looked annoyed at not being the one in there.

"Something must have happened… look." Peter pointed. "They are leaving in a hurry."

They saw James walking at a fast pace while holding Lily by her hand.

"They do seem to be in a hurry to go somewhere," Sirius pointed out.

Peter gasped. "You think they are going to… you know…" He got nervous just implying it.

"Don't be ridiculous." Sirius hurried to shut down that avenue of conversation before his cousin Bella could rip Peter's head off. "Let's just follow them and see for ourselves instead of speculating."

"Hold on, I'm still paying for our clothes," Andromeda told them.

"I'm not leaving without my new dress," Narcissa said.

"Then stay here. I'm going after them." Bella responded before taking off.

"Wait, we are coming as well." Remus went after her and was immediately followed by Peter, Sirius, and Marleen.

"They are going back to the main road," Bella said.

The small group of four was trying to keep their distance so as to avoid being spotted, but James and Lily were walking so fast that it was making it difficult to be discreet.

"Why are they in such a hurry? Is someone in dire need of the bathroom?" Peter wondered.

"Mate, I'm sure they had bathrooms in the restaurant. There has to be a better reason," Sirius said.

"Is it just me, or are they speeding toward the exit to Hogsmeade?" Remus noticed that James was making a beeline toward the end of the village, ignoring the large multitude of people in the way.

"James, slow down." Lily was trying her best to keep up with James's pace, but he was not making it easy.

"Sorry, but we need to get away from the crowd as fast as possible. And I cannot leave you behind either. You will become a target then." James tried to sound calm, but he had not been this worried in a long time.

Whoever was chasing them was likely the same warlock he encountered after leaving the tomb. And he knew exactly what this person was after and why they were being so insistent.

"A target? From who? Who is following us? Someone from Slytherin?" Lily asked.

This would not be the first time she had a bad encounter with someone from that house. In fact, she and James had already been ambushed by Malfoy and his friends months ago.

"No… It's not like that." James went past the last group of students who were entering Hogsmeade and finally spotted the wooden arch at the entrance.

Around them were just a couple of houses, a cliff to their right, and a small patch of forest. Ahead of them was the dirt path that led back to the castle.

James kept using his wand to scan the area for the presence of the warlock, but this one was either too far away still or… they were really good at hiding their presence.

'Meaning that what I felt inside the restaurant was just because the warlock wanted me to know…' James concluded that it must have been a warning to lead him away from the most crowded area.

"James!" Lily tugged at his hand with force and pushed him back.

He was about to urge her to continue when he realized that she was pointing at the wooden arch.

A group of students was standing there, looking at them with unfriendly faces.

James recognized Malfoy, Lestrange, and Snape. He knew that this was not a coincidence and that they had been waiting for them.

A frown appeared on his face. "I don't have time for these games."

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