Unforetold memoirs – Chapter one
"… Are you sure about this, Lily? Platform 9 3/4? Really?"
The red haired child nodded in response, looking earnestly up at the blonde teenage adult beside her. Aunt Felicity still looked doubtful as she glanced at her watch. There was only twenty minutes left before she was due at her facial appointment. For a moment, a look of distress passed across her beautifully youthful features. Then she came to a decision. If this all turned out to be some sort of a joke, Lily would know to call and she could pick her up after having lunch with her girlfriends.
"Well… Okay. Just give me a ring whenever you need a lift home, okay sweetie?"
Pecking her niece on the cheek, she hurried off to find her car, leaving the little girl of ten standing alone amidst a sea of people with a trolley filled with a trunk and a cat that purred gently as little fingers ran through the thick white fur.
"Hey! What does the silly twat think she's doing, sitting there? Now we won't be able to get through!" he cried in annoyance.
The voice belonged to a scrawny boy with long black hair and crossed arms as he eyed the silly girl who had parked her trunk right in front of the entrance to Platform 9 3/4 and sat on her luggage!
"Language, Sirius."
"Sorry Mrs Potter," he muttered.
"Hey, this looks like it might be fun," remarked an even scrawnier boy, looking distinctly like he had just rolled out of bed and put on last week's clothes.
Without further notice, he ran up to the girl, who watched him with big, emerald-eyed curiosity. Her feet were tired from walking up and down the platform so many times, so she'd decided to rest, having concluded that this was as close to 9 3/4 as she was ever going to get.
"Hello," he said, grinning in a way she really didn't like.
As she opened her mouth to respond, he ran at the trolley and pushed her straight towards the pillar she was sitting beside!
The last thing he heard as she emitted a scream was Sirius, gasping for breath with laughter, and his mother's scandalised cry of, "James Henry Potter!"
"Oof!"
Luggage, cat, boys and girls all crumpled to a heap of the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" snapped a furious voice.
"Are you okay?"
The little girl wearing white earmuffs blinked and turned to meet the eyes of a very tired looking boy. She nodded, then, almost as an afterthought,
"Oh right. Thank you."
Brushing herself off, she stood up and surveyed the situation. Across from her, sprawled on the floor, was a girl she assumed to be her age in a dress that perhaps wasn't as white as it had been, glowering at the fourth and final party of the crisis, a boy who had just replaced his glasses and sported a very cheeky grin that she really didn't like.
"Ow! What did you kick me for?"
"Being horrible," she replied primly.
"James Henry Potter I demand that you come here at once!"
He winced. This time, he knew he was in trouble.
"Remus, love! Are you okay? Did you get hurt? That was very brave of you," gushed a lady with a rather gaunt, but otherwise lovely face.
"Mother!" he mumble, struggling out of her grasp, "Please stop!"
A fair distance away, a man cloaked in black robes with silver lining sneered at the hysteria.
"Mind you take care to consort with the appropriate people, Marie. Do not waste your time on nameless fools and blood traitors."
The small blonde doll nodded wordlessly as she followed her father. When she was certain he was no longer watching, she turned and captured the lively image before her, with the hysterical mother, the loving caresses of another, and two girls who had helped one another up and were quietly giggling together. She stared wistfully after them.
"Marie!"
Her head snapped around immediately and she looked towards the ground,
"Yes father."
"So, what's your name?"
"Lily Evans. What's yours?"
"I'm Aiko, nice to meet you!"
She put a hand to her waist, tilted her head, stuck out her tongue, brought a peace sign to her cheek and winked. Lily blinked in surprise for a few moments as she took in the bizarre appearance of the girl posed in front of her, wearing a layered knee-length floral dress with lace, stockings, and a fluffy white jacket. She squealed when the white earmuffs moved.
"What?"
Lily pointed at the white fluffy things that were beginning to wriggle.
"Stop that," she scolded, and they paused as she turned her attention back to Lily, "They're just enchanted, I promise, I didn't stitch hamsters onto my headband or any… You're a muggleborn, aren't you?"
Lily looked at her in confusion.
"What I mean is, your parents aren't magical, are they?"
She shook her head.
"So we have a mudblood in our midst."
This immediately drew the attention of the little crowd that had yet to disperse.
"Don't call her that, Malfoy."
"And what are you going to do about it, Potter? Set your little blood-traitor on me?"
At this, both James and Sirius stepped forward, only to be pulled backwards by the collar of their shirts.
"Lucius! How lovely to see you. Please send your father my regards," cooed Sarah.
The iciness etched into her amber eyes did not go unnoticed.
"Yes, Mrs Potter," he replied stiffly, before making a hurried exit to find said parent.
"No fighting. James, apologise to the young ladies right now."
"I don't see any…" he muttered, earning him another glower from both his mother and the two girls before him.
"I'm sorry!" he exclaimed with a loud sigh, "Happy?"
"Good boy," she responded before drawing him into a tight hug and kissing both him and Sirius on the forehead.
"Mum! Get off me!"
Laughing, she waved and bid them all a lovely school term before vanishing through the assumedly solid brick wall.
"I… umm… Is… Is it okay if I… umm… could… everywhere else… umm…"
Lily and Aiko turned to each other as the door to their compartment opened and a girl wearing sky blue robes trimmed with white stood in the doorway. Suddenly, Aiko launched herself onto the startled child with bright blonde ringlets.
"You're so cute!" she squealed, hugging the newcomer in delight.
"Aiko, get off her, she's petrified of you. Let her go."
Pouting, she let go.
"I… I… I'm sorry!" she cried and turned to run, when Aiko grabbed her and dragged her inside.
Sighing, Lily put down the book she was reading and held out her hand with a smile.
"Hello. I'm Lily Evans. This is Aiko. What's your name?"
"Cherie," she replied quietly.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"Cherie Maryanne Deverux," she replied louder, knowing now that she was going to be hated turned away for certain.
"Cherie! That's a beautiful name," Lily replied truthfully with a smile.
Aiko nodded fervently in agreement, grinning.
She was stunned. They didn't… despise her? Her family name? They weren't from pureblood families. At least, not the ones on his side…
"So, Aiko, explain this whole pureblood, muggle-born thing to me again?"
Cherie, or Marie, as her father called her, gasped in despair.
"You're a muggle-born?"
"Is that a problem?" asked Aiko, shifting her glance and directing a piercing gaze towards Cherie.
Father would not be happy. But they seemed so… nice. Maybe… just maybe… father wouldn't mind? Or, at least, maybe he didn't have to know. Struggling to smile, she shook her head, and her curls bounced freely about her shoulders. Aiko gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Now, purebloods, like Cherie here, are those whose entire family lineage…"
The three boys stood staring at each other, all burning with embarrassment from the displays of affection that their parents still didn't seem to understand that they were too old for.
"… So. Who're you?" asked Sirius.
"Remus Lupin."
"I'm James Potter, this is Sirius Black," replied James, indicating to his friend, who responded with a mock salute.
Remus raised an eyebrow and James rolled his eyes.
"Right. Let's go get a carriage!" announced James, spinning around and marching forth, to promptly find himself back on the floor.
"I'm so sorry!" squeaked a brown-haired boy with a slightly chubby frame as he returned James' glasses to him.
"No problem," he responded, getting up, only to see the leering expressions of Malfoy, backed with Rodolphus Lestrange and Evan Rosier.
"Get lost, Malfoy," spat Sirius, glowering.
"Ooh, we're scared, Black," responded Lestrange with a dark grin.
Malfoy eyed the Gryffindor prefects that were walking towards them. Throwing his head back in laughter, confusing his lackeys in turn, he turned around and sauntered off.
"Enjoy your day, blood traitor."
Sighing, the newest addition to their group slumped back onto the floor in relief.
"What's your name?"
"Peter."
"Are you coming? We're off to find a train compartment."
Smiling gratefully at the offer, he allowed Remus to pull him back into a standing position and they set off, with James and Sirius at a running pace, pushing each other out of the way in an attempt to find an empty carriage first.
"This'll be interesting," remarked Remus absently, exchanging an amused grin with Peter.
"… Is it true? Is it possible?"
"I do not know, Minerva, only time will tell."
"But surely he must realise that it would be almost impossible to find someone to fit the criteria, even if he were able to summon such ability. Why, it is absurd! Someone who possesses a killing intent, and innocence? Hemust see this!"
"I believe there is nothing anyone may consider impossible anymore."
Sighing, he paused in front of the entrance to the great hall, clasped hands untwining themselves to push his glasses into place.
"Albus really, this poses no threat to anyone, does it? He has his Death eaters, his… unspeakable curses. He would not think to use an innocent, would he? He has no need! Already his power is growing – He attacked the eastern continents, knowing they would not be prepared, but we… We have the Ministry, the Aurors. Albus, we have you! Surely there is no cause for alarm yet."
Removing his spectacles, he cleaned them tiredly on his sleeve.
"I quite simply do not know."
Replacing his glasses, they turned to greet the other members of their staff. There was no cause to alarm them yet. Perhaps there never will. Once they were assembled, he pushed forth the doors and entered with a twinkle in his eye as he watched the first years pushing each other, all eager to catch a glimpse of their new home for the next seven years of their lives.
"Black, Sirius."
A hiss came from the Slytherin table. He ignored it and instead exchanged glances with James, who nodded with certainty. They grinned at each other.
Hmm… From one of the greatest pureblood families in existence, are we?
Don't say that, he hissed, I'm not one of them.
Touchy, aren't we? You have the cunning of a Slytherin, Black…
I am not like them! You know it, I know it. Now put me in the damn house that I know I deserve to be in!
Sirius tried to shoot it a withering look as it heard a rumble of laughter echo through his head.
"Gryffindor!"
"Deverux, Cherie Maryanne."
Breathe. Just breathe. It wasn't until Lily patted her shoulder and pried her hands off her arm that she realised she hadn't responded yet. Aiko gave her a push and she stumbled towards the stairs.
"Don't stress, we'll be with you soon!" she exclaimed cheerfully, giving her friend a thumbs up.
And what is it that you want?
I… I don't know…
To please your father, perhaps? Or do you want to break free and make your own decisions? About your life, about your future, about your friends?
I… I would never… Couldn't… He's… I can't…
There is no such thing as 'can't'. You have the strength to do anything. But that is for you to discover.
"Gryffindor!"
"Evans, Lily Elizabeth."
"Good luck!"
Lily choked.
"Aiko… You're… suffocating me!"
"Sorry," her friend replied sheepishly, as Lily shot her a look of mock disapproval.
Who are you?
What do you mean?
You have a clouded memory… Something you have hidden in your unconscious, perhaps?
What do you mean?
Something you were too young to understand… too young to face… Will you have the bravery to overcome your memories, do you think?
I don't…
Your intelligence and your heart will guide you when the time comes and all is revealed to you once again.
But…
"Gryffindor!"
"Jiang…"
"Um, excuse me, if you don't mind, the name is Aiko," she intercepted quickly
"Oh?"
Professor McGonagall stared intensely at the girl who had interrupted her, then glanced at Professor Dumbledore, who nodded his consent, bemused. Her lips curled in displeasure, but did not question him.
"Jiang, Aiko."
She sat and waited patiently for the hat to be placed on her head, swinging her legs and humming to herself seemingly without a care in the world.
"Earmuffs, Miss Jiang."
"Oh right, sorry. Off you go then."
The two balls of fluff squirmed a little then jumped obediently into her lap, causing squeals of, "Oh my gosh, how cute!" to erupt from the older girls. She grinned and sent a wink at Lily and Cherie, who rolled her eyes and gasped at her courage respectively.
Hmm… You have a secret. A very dark secret.
If I do, clearly I don't need you to tell me, she retorted defensively.
What will you do about it if it were ever to become known?
That doesn't concern you. It doesn't change who I am!
The hat chuckled at her audacity.
You are courageous and loyal. You want people to believe you to be clueless, but you are much more than what you seem. Very well then…
"Gryffindor!"
An eruption of cheers came from the table that she skipped towards cheerfully, joining her friends.
"Lupin, Remus."
Oh my, you are a dark character, now, aren't you?
That's not funny.
Really now? Insecure, are you? What will happen if everyone finds out who you are, what you are? What will become of you, do you think?
That's none of your concern and beyond me to change, he snapped in response.
Oh, sensitive I see. But also very determined, very brave, very rational. How ironic, when compared to your other…
Are you going to do your job or not?
He heard the hat laugh softly in his mind.
Very well.
"Gryffindor!"
"Pettigrew, Peter."
James pounded him on the back enthusiastically, bidding him good luck and grinning as his friend spluttered at the excessive force.
Ahh… You are an interesting one.
I am?
Yes… You have a great sense of loyalty, and the courage to carry out whatever you deem necessary for the person you care about most.
… I do?
But this also means you will do anything that you think is right, anything that you think will help the person you think cares for you the most… Be careful who you trust. Sometimes the one you love is not always the one who loves you back.
What's that supposed to mean?
"Gryffindor!"
"Potter, James."
Running up the stairs two at a time, he sat, grinning eagerly, without any fear or uncertainty, grinning with a fastidious sense of self that Lily couldn't help but snort at.
"Arrogant prick," she muttered to herself, causing Cherie beside her to giggle quietly.
"Gryffindor!"
"That was awesome! It didn't even reach your head!"
James shrugged and high fived his best friend. Catching Lily staring at him, he winked cheekily, causing her face to grow red as she turned away.
"Hmm…"
"What are you thinking, Albus? I don't like the look of that sparkle in your eye."
He chuckled, watching Gryffindor's latest recruits in amusement.
"Oh, sorry! That was an accident, I promise!" insisted James half heartedly with a grin.
Lily slammed her hand against the tabletop and stood up as Cherie vainly attempted to clean the blue powder that had magically appeared and covered Lily from head to toe. Aiko stood as well, glowering. Sirius and Peter were delirious with laughter and even Remus struggled to resist. Until, of course, he noticed the look that Lily sent his way.
"Potter, this means war!"
Minerva watched this with alarm and stood, but Albus motioned for her to sit down.
"Come, Minerva, we have seen much worse than this. Children will be children. They haven't disturbed anyone yet."
Rolling her eyes at his logic, she sat down, discontent, but couldn't suppress a smile as she watched Lily Evans "accidentally" spill orange juice over James' head without successfully taming it in any way, shape or form. Well, it was also a prefect duty to uphold peace amongst the student body. The professors could hardly be expected to observe every little misdemeanour.
Oh look! I started writing Fanfiction again. My friends shall have my head for this, I'm afraid. Oh dear! I rather liked having it where it was. Well, nevermind. Please feel free to criticise as much as you like, though I do hope you enjoyed it! It is rather tedious and long, I know, but please try to bear with it. I'll get the plot moving along soon enough…
Winteresque.
