The hall immediately stilled as eyes flew towards me. I fought a grimace before marching my way to the Gryffindor table and sitting next to Lily Evans and James Potter.
"What's happened to Vela. We heard she was taken."
"She was, she managed to free herself but in doing so she's… jumped to another world."
"What! Is that even possible?"
"Listen, nows not the time. Meet me in the seventh floor next to the portrait of the wizard and the trolls. You're invited too Lily, I think this will involve you as well."
They nodded and I stood from the table before hurrying away. Dumbledore had not yet returned, McGonagall was acting Headmistress and her eyes followed me all the way out of the great hall.
Flashing to the seventh floor I opened the room of requirements and shifted the room to a lounging area with a table in the center. Chairs materialized as the room read my intentions.
'This would be convenient, I wouldn't have to use my powers. Gotta find a way to replicate it magically.'
An hour later the Marauders plus Lily walked inside and looked around.
"What is this place, I don't remember there being a room here."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present the Room of Requirements. Allegedly enchanted by Rowena Ravenclaw herself, this room changes to suit whatever you need. But that's not why we're here. Take a seat and I'll get right to it."
They all took their seats, I took mine and looked at them before going off on the explanation to end all explanations. Starting from who I really was, my relationship to the Black family, and finally to the situation with Vela.
"So, that brings me to my problem."
"You don't know where she went."
"Ding ding ding, ten points to Gryffindor. Yes mister Potter, you as her friends know more about Vela than I do. So while I do not know where she may go, you three just might have a clue to where she would run off to if she got in trouble."
"She could always go back to Potter manor James. She's always seen that place as home ."
"Moony if she was there my parents would have contacted me already."
"She could be at the spot."
They turned to Peter who gulped at the attention.
"What? It's not like it's very hidden."
"What spot?"
"There's a spot in the forbidden forest. A clearing we turned into a hangout of sorts in our fourth year."
"Oh?"
This was news to me, I had not known they had done so. It was never mentioned in the books, much less the movies. Then again, this is exactly why I had asked them directly instead of relying on my knowledge of the lore.
"While that is a likely place, like James said, she would have found a way to contact us by now."
"This is what I was afraid of, she's in another world entirely."
"So what does this mean?"
"This means, mister Lupin, that your jobs are done and. I will have to put my education on hold while I look for her."
"What? No! We're coming with you !"
"Absolutely not. It's-"
"She's our friend, our sister. Don't you start on 'it's dangerous' we can handle ourselves. Besides, it's our sixth year. We won't be missing much."
"Except maybe our NEWTs."
Everyone looked at Lily who until that point had just been looking at the back and forths in the conversation.
"Also, what am I doing here."
"Yeah what's she doing here? No offense Evans."
Lily looked at James in shock and I sighed.
"I'll get back to you guys wanting to tag along later. Lily here is involved in another case entirely James. As you have noticed your infatuation with her has mysteriously disappeared."
James' eyes widened, "I see you're slowly figuring it out?"
He nodded.
"What are you talking about?"
"Lily, it's safe to say that old Dumbledore has been manipulating James over here with subtle charms or maybe a potion to be attracted to you."
"WHAT!?"
"The old man is very manipulative, I take it you're realizing something James?"
"Yeah, I'm a bloody idiot!"
"I could have told you that!" Lily grumbled while crossing her arms. She made a move to stand and leave.
"Stay seated Lily, there's more to it." She sighed before reluctantly returning to her seat.
She sat back down and I retold the events of my trial. How Dumbledore had been surprised at my replaying of the movies and how he had reacted to Lily and James having been murdered.
"So the old coot has been dosing me?" Lily said through gritted teeth.
"No not you, he's dosed James though."
"Why?" James said barely above a whisper.
"I'm not sure of his motives, though it's probably something to do with blood lines and some convoluted plot to gain some sort of elevated reputation."
"That's sick." Lily looked a bit green.
"I have to go with you." James' voice was steady and determined.
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"I have to go with you. To find Vela. She's lost out there."
"Yeah, but I'm missing the part where I have to take you with me?"
"I- I fancy her."
"What?" Remus and Peter said at the same time.
"Good for you, I missed the part where I HAVE to-"
"Theseus shut up, I don't care if you're bloody Merlin in disguise. I'm coming with you and that's the end of it."
I sighed, "Fine. But onl-"
"We're going too!"
"Really!?" This was getting out of hand. I hadn't expected the Marauders to want to come with me. Though inviting them along to explain may have played a part in their decision.
"I'm going too." Everyone turned to Lily.
"Oh for fucks sake."