Alright, so I decided to post a Marauder fanfic. It's mainly about Lily Evans' seventh year in which she learns to believe in love, to decide between good and bad and to deal with some dangerous and exciting adventures. Disclaimer: I DO NOT own "Harry Potter".
The Other Way Around
Holidays had finally begun. Children ran out of school, smiling and looking happy, and went home. So did eighteen year old Petunia.
Her mother stood in the kitchen and was cooking. When Petunia entered she looked up and beamed at her. "There you are. I was wondering where you are."
Petunia shrugged. "Talking to some friends", she said. Her mother nodded. "To this… Vernon?" She looked worried.
Petunia played with her bracelet. "I like him. He's very… determined." "But don't you think he… he's very strong, take care of yourself."
Petunia rolled her eyes. Then she asked hesitantly: "Isn't Lily here yet?" "Your father is fetching her", her mother said and took out some plates. "Petunia, darling, would you take the cutlery?" "Sure", Petunia said.
Together they prepared lunch. Petunia sat down and took the newspaper. Her mother leaned against the bar, waiting for the rest of the family to arrive.
When the bell rang her face lighted up and she hurried to the front door.
"Lily! I missed you so badly, honey."
Petunia put away the newspaper and crossed her arms. When her father entered the kitchen and saw her sitting at the table he said amused: "Petunia, good to see you. Don't you want to welcome your sister back?"
Petunia said nothing. She threw the hair out of her face and remained silent.
Her mother came in and shouted: "Come on in, darling, lunch is ready."
At last Lily entered and Petunia lifted her head to look at her.
She was carrying a bag and her red hair fell down her back. She had a healthy brown skin tone and freckles all over her face. Her green eyes eyed the kitchen and finally fell on her sister.
"Tuney", she said smiling, "I missed you."
Liar, Petunia thought.
Lily hesitated. Then she put down her bag and approached Petunia to embrace her.
Petunia didn't move and looked down with a grim expression.
Lily stopped next to her, unsure what do to, and shrugged, sighing quietly. Their parents were in a fierce conversation about petrol consumption. They hadn't noticed Petunia refusing to greet Lily properly.
"Jane, why don't you want to serve lunch?", Mr. Evans ended the conversation. Jane nodded quickly and scurried over to the range.
Mr Evans sat down opposite to his daughters and beamed at them. Jane prepared the salad. "Lily, you've got to tell us everything. How was your school year? Tell us everything."
Lily nodded, smiling. "I will, if you want to listen, Mom." "Of course. Do you know now how to wash clothes without washing machine?"
Lily laughed. "I do." Jane seemed to glow, her cheeks were red and her eyes were sparkling.
When she saw Petunia's annoyed face she snapped: "Petunia, what's wrong? Ask your sister something already."
Petunia opened her mouth to give an angry response but her father glanced at her warningly and she said nothing.
Jane served and they ate in silence. Lily asked how Dumbo, her dog, was and her mother assured her everything was OK.
After the last bite was bitten Jane stood up and started to clean up.
"Petunia, c'mon, help me with this. I can't do this all alone."
Petunia stood up abruptly and her chair fell down, rattling. Her hands were clenched to fists and her face was red.
"Why?", she yelled. "Why can't Lily do that?"
"Honey, Lily's just arrived. She surely has to unpack her bags." "But she only has to swing her wand and everything just happens", Petunia cried. "She doesn't even have to do something." Her voice became desperate. "How can you not understand this?"
With that she left the room and a moment later the door of her room was closed loudly.
For a moment they said nothing. Jane had tears in her eyes and stared out of the window. Mr Evans looked down, embarrassed.
Lily bit her lips and said quietly: "It's alright, I… I can do this." She reached for her plate, but Jane stopped her. "No, it's alright. Go unpack your stuff", she said, quietly but determinately.
"But Mom…" Go", Jane cried, "I have to be for myself right now."
Lily nodded quickly and left the room. Her father followed.
After closing the kitchen door softly he turned towards his youngest daughter and put his hands on her shoulders. "I think it would be good if you… talk to you sister. Carefully, just… you know." He looked at her pleadingly.
Lily nodded. "Yes, I'll… go and talk to her." Her father smiled at her. Lily took her trunk and lifted it up the stairs into her room.
She pushed the door open and sighed deeply. Dumbo jumped up and down in front of her and Lily hugged him.
"Dumbo, I've missed you", she whispered. Dumbo licked her cheeks and wagged his tail.
Lily slumped to her bed and buried her face in her hands.
She hadn't been prepared for Petunia's attack. It had upset her, how much Petunia had to hate her to yell at her like that.
She sighed quietly. Then she opened her trunk hesitantly and pulled out a white envelope. It was James'. Once again. But this time Lily knew it had to be important, because James had been very serious when he had given it to her.
Carefully she opened it and took the letter. It was the typical Hogwarts parchment. She unfolded it. No hearts, no flowers or other things had been drawn onto it. Only some lines in James' typical handwriting had been written.
She took a deep breath and started reading.
Lily,
I know that you don't want to hear how much I like you. And I don't want to annoy you anymore, I acted like I've always done, not knowing that I could hurt someone with my behavior. Whether you believe me or not, I want to change. I won't fool around or tell silly jokes if you don't want me to. I just want you to tell me what I'm supposed to do. Because I would do everything for you. Everything. And I'm sorry if I did something that made you sad. I hope you accept my apologize I'm really serious about. You don't have to reply. We'll see us.
In love and honesty, without jokes and other intentions than to apologize,
James P.
Lily sat on her bad, speechless, and stared at the letters. A tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the letter.
Lily knew that James was serious this time. She felt it. Nobody could come up with something like this and not be serious about it.
When someone knocked at the door Lily hastily wiped away the tears and pushed the letter under her bed. "Yeah?", she then said loudly.
Her mother came in. Her eyes were reddened and she quickly stuffed her handkerchief into her pocket.
"I brought you your bag", she said and tried to smile.
Lily stood up and took it from her. "Thanks." She hesitated. "Did you speak to Petunia?" "No", Jane said and chewed on her lips. "I… I wouldn't know what to say. She doesn't have to be so mean to you."
Lily shook her head. "I don't care if Petunia yells at me. Though I think it's sad that she doesn't… accept me like I am she's my sister and…" She shrugged.
Jane's eyes filled with tears. "Oh honey, you're so brave", she sniffed and hugged Lily. "Will you talk to her?"
Lily nodded.
"Alright, good luck." Jane smiled and left the room.
Lily took a deep breath and knocked at Petunia's door.
"What?", Petunia's voice snapped.
"I want to talk to you", Lily said and opened the door.
"Get out", Petunia growled.
She sat in her chair and hugged her knees. The radio was on and boomed through the room, which looked even untidier than usually. Clothes, tins and papers lay on the floor.
Lily stepped in. Petunia looked up and snapped: "Didn't you hear me? Get out!"
"I just want to talk to you, Tuney", Lily said but Petunia interrupted. "Don't call me that."
Lily burst. "Petunia, I don't know what your problem is. I didn't do anything to you. For seven years now you've treated me incredibly. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I will apologize now; I don't know for what, though, but I'll do it because I… I love you and I miss you. Just understand."
Tears ran down Lily's cheek when she turned around and left the room. The door fell shut loudly.
I hope you liked it so far. Please read & review.