"Sometimes we love with
nothing more than
hope. Sometimes we cry
with everything except
tears."

The sun glared down upon the students of Hogwarts that afternoon. It was a Sunday, a day most often enjoyed lounging in the sun. Though, now, students tried to find some shade as they combatted the Spring's attempt at a Summer's day.

Callista sat under a tree, her back against it, claiming the small shady spot it offered. It had not yet fully bloomed and had many patches in its branches. Upset with the unfairness of the situation, Fallon chose to sit on her lap. She had tried to shove her off but gave up when she realised the effort would only heat her up more. To make it worse, Rabastan had squeezed in next to her, trying to take some shade for himself.

The others all chose to stay inside, hoping the Slytherin common room would offer something cooler as it was underground.

Footsteps crunched against the grass towards them. Callista looked towards the sound and, to her surprise, saw Lily and Marlene walking towards them. She whispered to Fallon, "Incoming."

She looked up and grumbled, "Not McKinnon." They had never gotten along.

Callista shoved Fallon off her lap and smiled at the two who had reached them. "Hi, Lily, McKinnon." She had no idea where she stood with her after the animosity at James' birthday party.

Lily grinned, but she sensed the hesitation in it. "Hey Callista. Do you guys want to come down to the Black Lake? Some of us are swimming down there."

She nodded, looking at her friends. Rabastan shrugged. "Sure," She said, looking back at them.

Rabastan got up and held out his hand. She grabbed it and let him pull her up, dusting off stray pieces of grass that had come up with her.

Fallon sighed, getting up. "I guess I'll just help myself up then."

"It's not like you had anyone crushing your legs," Callista argued, her tone light. "You coming?"

"Yeah," she said.

They started walking, Marlene and Fallon ahead. Callista overhead the conversation between them.

"I suppose I'm sorry for being so hostile towards you. It's in my nature, I guess," Marlene said.

Fallon shrugged. "Don't worry about it. It's in my nature too." She smirked.

She turned her focus back to Lily, who said, "I really wish we could have been friends earlier."

"Me too. But I guess we're friends now, so we still have plenty of time." She hoped the war would not cause a rift between her and her new friends. And old. She did not know if she handle James hating her. Or Remus. Or Sirius. They all held so much hate for the Black family. Would they hate her for not getting out? For choosing to stay even if they did not understand why?

"James wasn't sure if he should invite you. After the whole thing with Marls on his birthday. He said he didn't want to you to be upset. He loves you so much." She looked at her as she walked. "But I spoke to Marls, and she agreed to come with to invite you. And apologise, but I think she wants to do that with just the two of you. She means well, but she can be harsh sometimes."

"I understand. My friends aren't exactly the friendliest bunch at Hogwarts."

They reached the shore of the Black Lake and saw the Marauders with a few other Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. She noticed Kai was also there, alone with Amelia, Reece, Anya, and Sidney.

Lily looked at them, smiling. "I also invited some of our mutual friends, so you'd be more comfortable."

Callista smiled. "Thank you, Lily." It faltered as she saw some of the Quidditch team there, though some relief flooded her when she saw that the girl from Hogsmeade was not with them.

Lily noticed her sudden change. "Don't worry about them. I'll hex anyone who dares to say anything." She hooked her arm with hers and led her to the group.

"Cal!" Reece Bloomfield shouted once she noticed the girl approaching. She smiled and waved at the group, ignoring the stares from half the Quidditch team.

James turned and saw them, grinning like he had just won the Quidditch Cup, but that match was not for another five days. Him, and most of the other boys, had their shirts off, dripping wet as they waded in the lake. Some, likely led by Sirius, had gone as far as stripping to just their underwear. He ran up to them, putting his arm around her, nodding to Rabastan behind them.

"Nice of you to show up."

She shoved him off of her. "You're sopping wet, you twat."

"Come on, Cally, get in!" Sirius called, trying to splash water at her. It fell short of them.

"You sure you want to get caught by McGonagall in your undies?" She laughed.

"Only if we get caught together." He winked.

James pointed his finger at him. "Piss off, Black," he warned but he was grinning. When Sirius returned it with a rude gesture, he sped off into the water, tackling him under the surface. Sirius made a gurgling sound as he spat out water before diving back into James.

Rabastan moved to her side. "Are they always like this?"

She snorted. "As if Magorian, Aidan, and you, aren't just as bad." She turned to Lily. "We don't have anything to swim in." She gestured to herself and Fallon.

"Oh, we brought extras. I think I have one that will fit you." She went to their bags to search for it.

Marlene nodded. "I should have one for you." She looked at Fallon. "And we have a secluded tree we're getting changed at. Don't worry. Bloomfield has set up spells to keep the boys away." She laughed.

The two of them went off to grab the things they needed. Rabatsan looked at her. "I'm not swimming."

She sighed. His Dark Mark. He could not let anyone see it. "I know."

He shook his head, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Not today," he murmured, a smirk slipping onto his face. He pressed a slow kiss to her lips and she leaned into it, wanting more. He pulled away.

She pouted. He laughed and nodded his head in the direction of the other girls. She made her way to them. Looking back, she watched him go sit near Kai, nodding at the Hufflepuff boy, who had also chosen to remain dry in the shade of a large tree.

Lily handed her a towel, with a swimsuit wrapped inside and led her to the far off tree. Marlene and Fallon were already there. Marlene had a slight red tint to her cheeks and Callista wondered if that was Fallon's doing or the Sun's.

She got changed, the bikini given to her, clearly muggle-made. She did not mind. It was a simple maroon-coloured swimsuit with a dip in the middle of the top. She almost laughed when she saw it. Fallon did. Lily really was trying to turn her to the Gryffindor side.

"Oh merlin, you look like one of them." Fallon gasped, laughter falling from her lips.

She sported a dark green one, matching her house. Fallon left with the other girls and it was just her and Marlene left.

"Hey," Marlene began, twisting her hands in front of her. She decided against it and moved them behind her back. "I wanted to say sorry for treating you like shit." She laughed, though it was half-hearted. An attempt to lighten the mood. "I've heard you're not so bad."

She smiled, looking at the ground and back at her. "Not so bad? I'll have you know, I'm incredible," she joked.

Marlene chuckled, the tension easing. She gestured towards the direction of the lake and they walked together.

Fallon was already wading in the water with Reece and Amelia. Sidney and Anya were splashing each other with water, laughter surrounding them. Remus had left the water to join Rabastan and Kai on the grass and Peter had followed. Alice and Frank Longbottom threw a ball across the water to Emmeline Vance and Dorcas Meadowes, two Ravenclaws who were friends with Lily.

James lifted Lily in the air, throwing her back into the water, giggles from the latter faded by the water. Sirius tried to call Remus back to the water but his conquest was stopped as soon as he saw a new target.

"Cal!" He shouted, a newfound enthusiasm filling his voice. He was going to throw her in. She knew he was going to throw her in. She could see it in his face, the way his eyes glowed with mischief.

She held out her hands as he approached, trying to corner her like a small animal. "No," she warned. "Don't you dare--." Her reponse was cut short as he bounded forward, causing her to sprint in the opposite direction.

She ran past Rabastan, shouting for him to help her but he only laughed, watching on in amusement as his eyes followed her around the clearing. She attempted to give him a rude gesture but it was her downfall. She was never as fast as them and even a short slow in her sprint was detrimental.

"Got you!" Sirius shouted as he grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her up.

"No! No!" She shouted but her protests were drowned out by her own laughter. She wriggled around, trying to get him to drop her but he never loosened his grip. "I swear to Merlin, Black! I will get you for this!"

"Yeah, yeah. Be quiet now," he said, wading knee deep into the water. Her toes touched the surface as she struggled. It was freezing. He twisted and fell backwards into the water, making sure to drag her under with him.

The icy water hit her skin with a shock. She kicked herself away from him and pushed her way to the surface. She gasped. "It's freezing! You're all mad!" She laughed, trying to wipe her hair out of her face.

"You're just boring," Sirius said, his own hair sticking to his face. She hit the water, sending a splash of water into his face.

Laughter still filling the air, she swam towards the shore and sat down in the water. She looked over at Rabastan who was still sitting with Remus, Peter, and Kai. She waved him over. He shook his head.

Grinning, she stood up and made her way towards him. She sat down, leaning against him. He pretended to try shove her away. "You're soaked," he laughed.

She leaned her head back, trying to wipe her wet hair against him in retaliation. He moved his head away and grabbed her jaw, turning her head towards his. He smirked when she stopped and brought his lips to her own. She savoured the kiss, wishing it could always be like this. Swimming and laughing with her friends, with Rabastan. Only ever worrying about how hot it is or whose turn it is to get refreshments. Not the war. Not the rising death toll. Not the life of a married woman in the middle of it.

He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers for a brief moment. He leaned back, removing his hand from her jaw. She adjusted her position and leaned against him, resting her head against his shoulder. He kissed her head before moving to watch the others mess around in the water.

If being with him could always be so peaceful, then maybe after school would not be so bad. If she could always have this refuge, this peace, then maybe they could make it. Together. The strings of hope pulled at her heart, readily waiting for the outcome.

________________________________________

Almost 2000 words, damn. Let me know if you like these longer chapters or prefer shorter ones.

Next update will be Sunday. Will be attempting to upload every Wed and Sun so that I can finish this book by 25 Jan

nah i swear this said 2002 words last time i opened this. did like 100 words disappear or something???
Okay so I wrote that top bit on my laptop. I'm on my phone now and it says 2050 words. Like why is there over a 100 word difference?? What??

- walkingmasterpiece xx