Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, all Harry Potter related characters, situations, places etc. belong to J.K Rowling.
Lot's of Love, Lily
Chapter One
**
Harry wasn't used to receiving post. The most he received was letters from his friends and school, of which had been nonexistent this summer, much to his chagrin. Now, being at Grimmauld Place, he had no need for such letters, as he was surrounded by all of his correspondents all under the same roof.
So to awake one morning during the summer of 1995 and find a large package perched on the end of his bed surprised Harry. He was under the impression outsiders did not know his whereabouts at the moment, and that if this was a school package, surely Ron would have received the same. Having looked over at Ron's bed, his best friend snoring peacefully under the bed sheets, and no such package lying at the bottom of his bed, Harry surmised this was quite out of the ordinary.
His first thought was to call Sirius. He would know if it was suspicious, surely. He then thought that perhaps Dumbledore had sent Harry something, he had of course sent packages anonymously before, however examining the package, wrapped in crinkled brown paper, there was no note, no sign of who could have sent it, nothing. Harry examined the package carefully, deciding whether or not to open it, or wait until the residents of Grimmauld Place were awake and open it with them.
The latter seemed sensible, Harry had had enough drama for one summer following the Dementor attack, and decided against acting alone again. He patiently waited for the sun to fully rise and Ron to cease snoring, before heading down to breakfast and show his peers what he had received.
**
"I think we should send it to Dumbledore."
Hermione's voice of reason resounded around the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, the occupants all crowded around the brown package. Mrs Weasley nodded her approval, and moved to pick up the package.
"Doesn't look threatening to me," Ron piped up, "Doesn't look like much at all."
"Well it wouldn't Ron," Hermione rolled her eyes, "If Voldemort was going to send Harry a dangerous package he's not likely to write 'lots of love Voldemort' on it, is he?"
"I dunno Hermione," Fred called from across the room, "He might expect a present in return, leave his name and address so Harry can send something nice back."
"I reckon he'd leave an insult, you know him," George added, "Not one to be anonymous."
"Don't be stupid," Mrs Weasley snapped, "Perhaps Alastor will know."
Harry, who had remained quite silent during the morning, glanced at his godfather, who was studying the parcel carefully and thoughtfully, tilting his head this way and that. Beside him, Remus Lupin, looking particularly tired this morning (the full moon was three days ago) tapped the parcel with his wand, muttering under his breath.
He spent several minutes doing this, then straightened up, "I can't detect anything, though perhaps we should let Moody take a look."
Ron sighed impatiently, "If you can't find anything then why waste time," and before anyone could stop him, Ron reached out and tore at the package.
"RONALD!" Mrs Weasley flapped at her son; he jumped back as though being burned. The package fell open of its own accord, the contents arranging themselves neatly on the wooden table. The occupants of the watched on bated breath as the contents settled neatly, as thought awaiting further instruction.
Harry merely stared. Settled in the middle of the table, was a round, ornate box, it looked like a music box. Pale blue in colour, trimmed with gold and covered in small carved patterns, swirls and stars and moons. Beside it, was what looked to be a large mirror, though when Harry peered over, he saw no reflection. And finally, beside it, was a small yellowing envelope, with the words 'Open First' scribbled on the front. Harry glanced at his godfather, who was staring at the box, shooting furtive glances towards Remus, whose eyes had glazed over a little. Harry returned his gaze towards the items, ignoring the expectant looks of his friends.
"Well..." Ron motioned towards the envelope, "Open it Harry."
Harry picked up the envelope, examining it carefully. He glanced once again at his godfather, who gave him a small nod, and Harry carefully opened the letter, and unfolded the parchment within.
Harry,
This package was given to me shortly before your mother passed away. I was instructed to give it to you should anything happen to her, or her friends. I'm sorry I have not sent it sooner, there were some difficulties, however I hope it gives you the answers you seek. Open the box Harry, and all will be explained.
Harry finished reading the letter out loud, to which Remus took it from him and began examining it carefully. He waved his wand over the parchment, a small crease forming on his forehead. Beside him, Sirius peered over to the mirror like object.
"I think I recognise this," he mused, poking it gently. He looked over to the box, and gave a small nod.
"Open it then Harry," Fred urged eagerly, shoving him lightly in the shoulder. Harry gave a small smile, reaching forward to oblige. Excitement coursed through his veins, knowing this package had something to do with his mother, whoever had sent it, they knew her. They knew his mother.
Harry flicked the tiny catch on the blue box, and with a small click, the lid slowly opened. The occupants of Grimmauld Place shuffled and whispered excitedly as the box revealed what was within.
Swirling silvery liquid hung lazily inside the box, tiny waves rippling through the contents. Harry recognised it immediately – a pensieve. He watched as a small amount of the silver liquid floated gently out of the box, and wound its way through the air until it suddenly dropped down onto the mirror. The mirror seemed to jump to attention, rising up to stand vertically and face the Harry and his peers.
"Oi! Shove over Meadowes!"
"Bugger off Taylor this was my idea."
"Oh and just because it's your idea you get to hog all the room?"
"Precisely."
"Will you both shut up; I need to sort the picture."
Harry and the rest of his peers watched in avid fascination as a hazy picture swam into view within the mirror. The voices now had faces, and Harry immediately recognised one of them. With a sharp intake of breath, Harry gazed upon the image of what appeared to be his sixteen, perhaps seventeen, year old mother, who seemed to be fiddling around with something out of view.
"Is that it? Is it working?" the red head turned to her friends, peering towards the people in the kitchen.
"I can see them!" called a small girl excitedly. She had a pleasant, round face, and bright blue eyes that sparkled with eagerness. Her thick black hair bounced about just around her shoulders, her cheeks rosy and her smile wide. She surveyed the occupants of the kitchen, continuing to smile.
"Lily! Lily look!" she dragged Lily back into full view and pointed towards Harry and the others.
"Blimey! Nice one Evans, it actually worked," a tall girl with icy blonde hair styled in a short spiky bob nudged Lily with her elbow. Her eyes were dark as they drifted from person to person before her, her features pointed and elegant. She quirked a light eyebrow, "What's Potter doing there? Blimey is that Remus! Babes you've aged!" she flapped her arms wildly towards Harry and Remus, the latter of whom was smirking.
"Nice to see you too, Dorcas."
Dorcas flipped her hair, continuing to scrutinize Remus' appearance, "You're looking shabby, what did you do with those robes I bought you!? They cost good money!"
Remus chuckled, and leant forward to whisper in Harry's ear.
"These are the robes."
"What did you say!?" Dorcas screeched, Harry had a feeling she was a loud one, and wondered why she had addressed Remus as 'babes'.
"Nothing love, nothing," he smiled. Dorcas snorted.
"Pfft, you're always whispering with Potter, what're you planning? Where's Black and Pettigrew?"
Sirius chuckled, and stepped into view. There was a shriek of laughter, and a petite girl with long, chocolate coloured hair stepped forward.
"Sirius is that a moustache!?"
Sirius' hand flew to his nose, and he glared at the young girl, her hazel eyes dancing with mirth. She was small, like Harry's mother, though more tanned in complexion. She eyed Sirius carefully, her smile growing wider. Sirius glanced towards Remus, who was smiling softly.
"Hello girls, nice to see you."
"How did they get in?" the dark haired girl demanded, turning to Lily, "I thought you said you were charming it so they couldn't get in?"
Lily shrugged, turning to fiddle with whatever was out of view, "I have no idea, Potter shouldn't be able to get in," she glanced towards Harry with a slight frown, "What've you done?"
Harry stared wordlessly at the mirror. What was this? How was he able to converse with his mother, with his friends? How was this possible?
"He looks a bit clueless Lils, I don't think he knows what's going on," the round faced girl said, peering closer to Harry, "He looks different, something about him looks different."
Lily joined her friend, studying Harry closely, "Potter doesn't have green eyes, and look his nose is a little longer."
"You know Potter's features quite well," Dorcas smirked, wrapping an arm around Lily's shoulder, "Something you wanna share?"
Lily's cheeks turned pink, and she glared at Dorcas, "Well so would you if you had the insufferable little berk sniffing around you for six years," she turned and stalked out of view, Dorcas and the other two girls chuckling.
"I think you've huffed her," the dark haired girl laughed, she turned to face Harry and his friends, "How are you seeing this?"
Remus straightened up a little, "I remember this old thing, overheard the girls blabbing on about it one night in the common room," he smiled at the girls, "It's their memories."
Dorcas flipped her hair again, "You knew? You never told me you knew, how do you know what this is?"
Remus merely smiled slyly, his eyes darting to a smirking Sirius.
"No doubt we'll see. Now, we'd like to know why we're sitting watching this, I think our young friends here would like to know."
The dark haired girl raised an eyebrow, "As if we'd tell a Marauder, this was supposed to be for our kids!"
"Shut up Taylor, divulge nothing to the enemy!" Dorcas cried dramatically, her eyes dancing, "They kept plenty from us!"
The round faced girl snorted, "One of our kids must be there," she surmised, "How else would it open? We spent ages on that charm, there's loads of red heads, maybe they're Lily's?"
"I heard that!" called a voice from out of sight, the girls giggling once more.
"You said he isn't Potter," the dark haired girl mused, "Potter must've reproduced with one of us."
Each of the girls pulled a face, the occupants of the kitchen chuckling. Harry continued to stare in awe. A million questions racing through his mind.
"He's too quiet to be Potter," Dorcas continued, "Hasn't even asked Evans out yet."
"Hmmhmm," the round faced girl moved back slightly, and appeared to be sitting on a bed.
"Well, either they've got past the charms, or one of our kids is out there. Any of you lot got a mum called Alice?"
No one answered, and Harry felt a strange lurch in his stomach. Alice. That name.
"Guess not," the dark haired girl shrugged, "I still say Potter's spawned, oi Lily! We think that Potter lookalike is Potter's offspring."
They heard a snort, and the kitchen chuckled again.
"Perhaps," Sirius offered, "You should give us some insight Gabby love."
The girl named Gabby rolled her eyes, "You're not gonna leave us alone, are you? Ever!? Honestly Sirius you're like a lost puppy, always sniffing around."
Sirius grinned, though Harry noticed a flash of something cross his grey eyes. He looked over to Remus, who was continuing to stare with a small smile.
"Might as well," mused the girl named Alice, "Look at then, all eager eyed, it'd seem a shame."
"You're too trusting," snorted Dorcas, "Even if he isn't Potter he could relay the info to his dad."
Harry smiled for the first time. His dad. They knew his dad.
"Well I'm against it! Not after that stunt Sirius pulled this morning," Gabby huffed. She shot a glare at Sirius, and presumably left to find Lily.
"I still can't believe he set her skirt on fire, she was only talking to Philips," Dorcas snorted.
"Touch of the green eyed monster I think," Alice giggled, pointing at Sirius, "Just ask her out you idiot."
Sirius rolled his eyes and turned to Harry, "Nosy parkers, the lot of them. I simply felt it was a rather ugly skirt."
"I heard that too!" the voice of Gabby echoed through the room.
"Ten minutes and they've both huffed," Dorcas sniggered, "Right well I supposewe can let then in on it. Those red heads are definitely Lily's clan."
"They're not," Remus laughed, "But go ahead."
Dorcas seemed to ignore this, and settled herself beside Alice.
"Right well, we decided in fifth year to make this little memory to show our darling children once they hit fifteen. It was Evans' idea, reckoned it'd be nice to leave a little piece of our teenage selves behind," she studied her nails for a moment, frowning at a small chip in the polish, "Naturally, we made it Marauder proof, clearly that failed," she shot a look at Sirius, who held his hands up innocently.
"Anyways," Alice continued with a look, "We imprinted ourselves in this, and started adding memories. By sixth year we figured out how to communicate through it, and decided to keep ourselves at sixteen, last year of childhood and all. Sort of a narration, once we left Hogwarts we were able to have the memories automatically imprint themselves without us physically adding them, so I have no idea whether the narration will continue till then, but for now we can add our input," she looked over her shoulder, "Be nice and those two will come back. There were a few times we added memories separately, so we'll probably come and go."
"So this is your memories," Hermione asked politely, looking severely impressed by the girl's magical talent.
Dorcas nodded, "We added a few from when we first started, but most are fifth year onwards, they got more frequent as we figured out more what to do."
"What's in there?" Fred asked eagerly, shuffling forward to get a better look at the mirror.
"Important moments in our lives," Alice shrugged, "Specific memories we wanted our kids to see, stuff we wanted to remember and watch ourselves," she glanced over her shoulder again, "I think they're trying to work on the picture, it's a little fuzzy over on this end."
"Dorcas ask them what year it is!" Lily's voice called.
"What year is it?" Dorcas mimicked.
"1995," Remus responded with a small smile, "Quite a long time as passed."
"You're telling me!" Dorcas laughed at him once more, "Greying quite a bit there."
Remus chuckled and glanced at those surrounding him, "Lack of tact, always her problem."
"Psshtt! I'm full of it, there's nothing wrong with speaking your mind," she crossed her arms and pouted slightly, "You're too sensitive Lupin, really."
"So what can you show us?" Ron piped up, "Everything? Can we see these two when they're younger?" Ron gestured towards Sirius and Remus.
Alice nodded, "They'll be in there no doubt, terrorised us for years."
Lily appeared once again in the frame, smiling at Harry as she sat next to Alice, "I take it we're showing them?"
Dorcas nodded, "Why not, someone has to watch it, and one of our kids has to be there."
"Whose is it," Gabby stalked into the picture, looking out into the kitchen, "I'm not continuing till we know."
Sirius patted Harry on the shoulder, and grinned, "Ladies, meet Harry Potter, son of Lily Evans and dear old Prongsie."