The Marauders

"Erm, Evans? What's with you? You remember him, we live across the street from eachother! You were even there!" He protested.

"Nothing's wrong with me. I'm tired and cranky!" muttered Evans. Cassie shook her head.

"Yeah, right..." he muttered. He yawned. "When are you not?"

A knock came at the entrance to the common room.
"It is I, Albus Dumbledore. Please pull back the picture."

James' head snapped to the portrait. Something sounded strange about him...his voice seemed different.

"Sorry, no can do,"

"Fine."

"SSsssssss.sssssssss...sssssssss" came the hissing again.
The sun was just starting to creep above the clouds, and the clawing grew more loudly.

James raised an eyebrow. "You're starting to get annoying."

James noted that the clawing grew quiet as the sun was now fully visible. "Vampire," He muttered. Sirius blinked, also remembering their one friend who had been bitten.

Seven things happened at once:
The Vampire broke the sealing spell on the portrait of the fat lady, and entered the common room.
The Fat Lady started screaming her head off.
Several students fled into the dormitories.
Felix Ohfman appeared behind the Vampire, and started using spells.
Dumbledore came out of the fire, and strode to help Ohfman.

James pushes Lily, Cindy, and Lydia back as the vampire flashed his eyes towards them. It broke through the spells and went straight for the group, but James wouldn't let this happen.

He pulled his wand right between it's eyes, then shouted a spell. The vampire flew back a bit, stunned. Them the older professors handles the vampire. James let out a sigh of releif.

"Cassus, bele!" said Ohfman as the Vampire was subdued, and knocked unconscious.

James let out a sigh. That was close. Too close for comfort.

Two Ministry representatives arrived.
"Take it away." said Ohfman.
"Children, gather round. I have some terrible news." said Dumbledore.

"What it is?" asked Evans irritably.

"Well, Professor Atticus McLaren ~??~ was attacked by a Vampire, and he has escaped our custody.
The other is...Headmaster Dippet.....is dead...." said Dumbledore sadly, looking at the floor, and clutching himself as if he'd been stabed.
"You are all to stay here tonight, until we have a hand over the situation.
Good night! Board the windows, put out the fire, and we will close the portrait again.
Miss Lydia, please come with me."

Lydia looked at Dumbledore. She sighed and nodded. She knew she could not refuse him. Although he was only a professor he possesed an ability that made everyone like him and comply to his suggestion.

Lydia glanced at James then to the boys dormitory wishing Lupin was there. She silently followed Dumbledore out.

James blinked, then stepped forward. "Why must Lydia go?" He asked protectivly.

Sirius ran to put the blazing fire out quickly, then turned to face the group again.

Lydia looked at James. "Because I was attacked y the vampire, but I don't think I was bitten." she told him.

James stared at her, but didn't move. "I want to come with," He said firmly.

Lydia shook her head. "You have to stay. I need you to tell Remus what happened. Besides the other students need you here." she told him before whispering so only he could hear. 'Lily needs you here.'

James grumbled. "Right..." He muttered.

He smirked at her whisper.

"Fine. But be careful." He said, looking hard at her. He didn't realize it at the moment, but as of now he had come to feel as if Lydia was a sister to him.