TBAY: Prank and the (Second) Pensieve Four

[jwcpgh]

No: HPFGUIDX 77900

But before Marina could make her way down the beach with the 
attention-demanding Prank, Laura tentatively poked her head around a 
tall sand dune.  "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation,"  
she said in an uncertain voice.  "I don't usually get involved in 
this sort of thing, but...I had a thought."  

Marina, Kirstini and Derrainmer looked up and squinted at the 
intrusive stranger digging her toe into the sand (not an endearing 
thing for a woman in her late 40's to do).  "Okay,", Marina responded 
encouragingly, "what is it?"

"Well...much as I'd love for Sirius to get off the hook here, I 
couldn't help recalling DD's words about Neville at the end of 
PS/SS.  " 'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our 
enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends'. (p 306 US)  I 
just can't see Wormtail standing up to Sirius, even if it meant going 
behind his back."  Laura contemplated the physical dexterity this 
might require for a moment.  "Wormtail had to know that he was in the 
Marauders only because the others enjoyed his hero-worship of them.  
Would he really do anything do endanger his status as a member of the 
coolest group in the school?  Not to mention risking Sirius's wrath." 

The others stared at Laura for a moment.  Then Kirstini looked at 
Marina and said, "Well?"  Marina threw a disgruntled look at 
Laura.  "Oh great-another Sirius-basher.  Just what we need aroud 
here." 

"No, no", cried Laura earnestly.  "I love Sirius! And I truly don't 
believe he was spiteful or stupid enough to plan the...well, you 
know", she continued, letting the puppy sniff her hand.  "Surely, 
Marina, you can come up with another theory?  Please?"  Tears filled 
her eyes as she turned and disappeared as suddenly as she had come.

Laura (hoping she hasn't made an utter fool of herself)