Author's Note: All rights go to JK Rowling. Reviews and constructive critisism are appreciated. This is a repost of a very old story. Please let me know if you'd like for me to continue this. Thanks so much
The evening was calm, serene even. Stars twinkled overhead, illuminating small patches of the otherwise blackened night. The house on Ivydale Drive stood proudly against the darkened sky, its warm glow a comforting sight. The dwelling was large by normal means, some may have even perhaps called it a mansion. With its large columns and blood red brick, it seemed as if it belonged on a southern plantation in America, instead of nestled securely in the lush green of the outskirts of London. The house was two stories, with large bay windows complete with freshly painted white wooden shudders. Adorned with a matching picket fence, the grassy yard swelled, ensconcing the house in it's mossy grip.
Obviously the owners had quite a bit of money behind them to live in such a grand place and one might think staunch conservatives, wearing designer clothing with impeccable wardrobes and children. This illusion was soon shattered by the plethora of children's toys that lay strewn across the lawn. Messy by no means, the front of the house seemed lived in, like a place where one could truly call home. Large trees were scattered randomly and the smells of many night blooming flowers filled the air as their silky scent teased and seduced all that succumbed to its will.
More talked about than the house, were the inhabitants themselves. 326 Ivydale Drive was home to seven rather peculiar people. Townspeople often wondered of their origin and if they truly were like the rest of them. Men debated the husband's desire (or lack thereof) to participate in the weekly poker meetings and women gossiped in salons, judging everything from the wife's looks to the way she brought up her six children. The young ones, ranging from age fifteen to age seven, were teased and bullied by the children of Hamilton's School District, seeing as though they went to a rather expensive and mysterious boarding school and were only around in the summer. Not to mention the types of people that were seen coming and going from the grand house.
All in all, there was more to 326 Ivydale Drive than met the eye.
Light pink walls surrounded the pair of brightly, flame haired females. Both were similar in build and features, not to mention personality. One was a middle-aged woman, still high cheek bones, heart shaped face, large, round hazel eyes, gave way to beauty that time still hadn't touched. The other was a mere girl, same wavy, shoulder length fire colored hair as her mother but with sparkling green eyes that appeared catlike. The young girl squealed in delight as she gathered up an odd assortment of stuffed animals, among such were a hippogriff from her infancy. She lifted her hands above her head, pink polka-dotted sleeves covered her porcelain ivory skin.
"Mummy! It's story time!" she giggled, childlike voice easily distinctive in her tone.
Her mother gave an exasperated sigh, but flashed a genuine, warm smile.
"Okay, okay. What story shall we hear tonight, Lily-flower?" Her mother said brightly, rummaging through a white bookshelf stocked to the brim of princess novels and picture books, while using her daughter's favorite nickname that both she and her deceased grandmother shared.
"The Princess and the Professor." Lily said decisively, stubborn as her mother and grandmothers before her.
Ginny plucked the desired book off of its place and opened the worn pages. "Once upon a time, in a beautiful snow white castle…"
It was at this precise moment, four unruly boys with unkept, raven black hair stormed into the dimly lit room. All four were seemingly out of breath and dressed in long black cloaks. Two identical ones, each with hazel eyes and around the age of fifteen, were at the head of the trio. The younger one, his emerald eyes hidden by silver rimmed spectacles was closer to the door.
"Mum! You've read that book a million times! Let's hear something with adventure, wizard duels and all that jazz." He stated, before his twin added.
"And quidditch matches! Maybe some scary, bloodthirsty beasts too!"
The two boys nodded enthusiastically, before turning to give each other heart high fives.
Albus, the young, shy one, piped up, "Perhaps some challenges of the mind? Enchantments and unseen magic?"
Lily's face turned defiant, "Mummy, we need love! A prince, a princess, and a castle!" She whined, turning to give James, Sirius, and Albus a sour look.
Ginny gave a quick moment for thought, before the light of an idea popped into her mind.
"Once upon a time, in a place not far from here, in a different castle, with dark brown stone and many towers, there lived many students. It was the worst of times, a war was brewing and everything was going wrong. Inside these walls secret organizations were formed, friendships were created and destroyed, love blossomed and died, teenagers chose sides to the Great War, lessons were learned, and even a Qudditch game or two happened. This is the Adventures of the Boy Who Lived and the Girl Worth Living For."
Ginny took a deep breath and explained gently, "Some parts of this story aren't pretty, but then again, not everything in life is. Sometimes good people do bad things and sometimes bad guys and good guys switch roles. Not everyone gets their happy ending in this tale. But there's one thing I can assure you of, this story is one hundred percent the truth, and that's how I'm going to keep it."
James and Sirius, the eldest boys, slumped down on the floor, stretching their long legs out before them. James ruffled his tar colored locks and seemingly inspected a speck upon the pastel colored wall, though his ear were tuned in on the melodious words of his mother. Albus situated himself in a fluffy chair opposite the bed, plucking a buck from the nearby table and placing it in its proper spot on the hand painted bookshelf. The youngest of the boys, his thumb placed within his mouth plodded over to the mother. He climbed into her lap and rested his head against the swell of her breast. The young child seemed to be about four, he was adorning an emerald green hand knitted sweater, which sported a large 'C' in gold lettering. Cedric looked around the room, curious little bugger as he waited for his mummy to begin.
Ginny spoke. Her gentle sounding out of the letters smoothed into croons as the words gave way to ideas, which transformed into vivid pictures in the children's mind. As she narrated, her own mind began to wander. To a time not so long ago, but seemed so far gone.
AN: Please remember to review. If not, I won't continue. Once again, thanks for reading!