Hello! This is my first Harry Potter fanfiction ever! Reviews, constructive criticism, flames, cookies-anything would be Lovely~
Summary: It all begins in 1975. 6th Year. Life's been getting difficult for the Hogwarts students. With Voldemort's threats becoming more of reality, friendships will be tested, relationships will grow, secrets will be revealed, people will change, and things will never ever be the same. For better or for worse, as they say.
Also: Pretty largely based on Lily/James because I adore them. And I like Canon OCs. So if you've got suggestions for canon surnames, it would be appreciated.
Enjoy :)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything. All of this is because of J.K. Rowling. Should I mention Warner Bros too? IDK.
Chapter 1: Letters
"This story is about truth, beauty, freedom; but above all things, this story is about love." ~Moulin Rouge
James Potter was lying on his bed; face down, his glasses smashed between his face and his soft pillow. He groaned, as his pounding headache rendered him incapable of all speech. Damn it all, he thought bitterly. He had known that party was not a good idea. Nobody came out of the Hotchkiss brother's End of Summer bash without being completely piss drunk. Now he was stuck with the worst hangover he had ever had. But Sirius had insisted they go.
He sighed, rolling over, and caught sight of, none other than, Sirius Black lying in a heap on the wood floor. He vaguely remembered that he had managed to floo home (with a passed out Sirius in tow) and snuck up to his room, before throwing himself on his bed.
From what he could remember, it had been a fun night. It was easy to forget a certain ginger when in the company of one very cute brunette. Though, now that he thought of it, he had completely forgotten said brunette's name.
Before James could think any further, his bedroom door swung open. Standing at the door was James's mother, Elizabeth Potter.
Elizabeth Potter was a sweet and kind woman. She used to be a beautiful woman and still was, though much older. Her bright hazel eyes, exactly like her son's, were always sparkling with love and mischief, and as youthful as ever. She had crinkles around her eyes and mouth, caused by years of laughter, stress, and worry but mostly the former. She was wearing long red robes and black heels, adding more height to her already tall stature. Her long black hair was pulled up in her usual ponytail.
However, Mrs Potter looked nothing close to sweet and kind as she stood at her son's bedroom door with her arms crossed. As a matter of fact, she looked absolutely livid.
James watched his mother warily. His mother was rarely angry but when she was, well, all hell usually broke loose. He knew he should be doing something to calm her down, but frankly he was way too tired for this right now.
Mrs Potter stalked into the room and threw open the curtains. James and Sirius both groaned turning away as bright sunshine flooded the room. "Rise and shine, you idiots," She said loudly. She sounded irritated but her tone still held an unmistakable note of affection. James groaned even louder, his head pounding, and pulled the covers over him.
"Mum, too loud," James said, his voice edging closer to a whine than he would have liked to admit. Mrs Potter's eyes flashed. She pulled the blanket off her son and dropped it to the ground.
"Too loud?" She shrieked, heatedly. Sirius and James both winced, from their headaches and their fear. "Nobody told you two to go out and do Merlin knows what into the wee hours of the night, did they?"
"But mum, it's the end of summer. You can't expect us to not have attended."
"Trust me, James. I learned to stop expecting things the minute you turned nine. But I did hope you wouldn't be a complete idiot. You knew we were heading to Aunt Jane's house. And you know how she feels about…" She waved her hands. "Such things."
"Who cares what Aunt Jane thinks? And I still don't understand how she could even know about this."
"I care what Jane thinks, James. And she is quite perceptive. Your aunt. You of all people should know that."
James glared at her, "You're just doing this because of him." A flicker of pain contorted his mother's features and James instantly regretted his words.
Staring at her son's face for a second, she sighed. Her expression softened and she exhaled.
"As punishment- yes, James, I am punishing you- for your irresponsible behavior, there will be no Hangover Potion for either of you and you're both still coming to visit Jane, whether you like it or not."
She ignored the boys' protests and continued, "And if you two are not on your best behavior, I swear to Merlin, James Alfred Potter and Sirius Orion Black, I'll show you exactly what 'too loud' really is." She walked over to Sirius and nudged him with her foot, "Your lazy bums better be out this door and down the stairs in ten minutes." Mrs Potter proceeded to exit the room.
"Your Hogwarts letters and O.W.L. results are here, as well." She added, without turning to fully address them. James and Sirius grinned at each other. Hogwarts.
/~/~/~/~/~/
Somewhere across the country, in a small town of Surrey, Lily Evans sat cross-legged on her bed. She was still in her pajamas and it must have been at least noon. She sighed, tucking her deep red hair behind her ear. She felt like she was forgetting something but she couldn't quite place what it was exactly. Alice's forgetfulness must have been rubbing off on her. Pursing her lips, she sighed again. To be honest, though, Lily missed her best friends. A lot.
She leaned over, tugging open the bedside table drawer, and pulled out a turquoise, leather-bound book. It was her scrapbook, of sorts. Unfortunately, she only had four pictures in it.
It was pretty embarrassing to call it a scrapbook, really. She used to have tons of pictures in it, from when she was younger. There used to be pictures of her and Petunia, and plenty of photographs of her and Severus. Petunia had somehow found her book and took all the pictures that had Petunia in it. When Lily had asked why, Petunia had told her that she didn't want anyone finding out she was associated with a freak. A picture of her and her family from when she was ten was the only photograph she had left of Petunia and her. However, Lily chose to get rid of the photos of her and Severus. Those were still in her room, but not in the scrapbook.
Pushing her thoughts away, she flipped through her book smiling at the people waving back at her. It was a photo taken in fifth year on the quidditch pitch.
Picture Lily was laughing as she tried to hold up the girl hanging off her back. That girl was Kaya Johnson, a pretty black girl with dark brown eyes and long black hair. She was currently dressed in her quidditch gear. Standing next to Lily and Kaya, rolling her eyes, was Alice Prewett, curly light brown hair billowing in the breeze and her sweet, round face was all scrunched as she tried to look disapproving. Lastly, lying on the grass and smiling idly upwards, was Mary Macdonald. Her blonde hair was spread under her and she was waving at something.
Lily felt a pang in her chest. They were her best friends and she missed them terribly. Sure they kept up with owls but they were all on vacation or dealing with family affairs, so she couldn't actually meet anyone. They're not your only best friends. He's right there, down the block, a little voice in her head said, but she shoved that thought as far as she could.
Lily stared at the photo beside the quidditch one. It was a photograph of Lily and Remus Lupin, her fellow Gryffindor prefect and unfortunately her enemy's best friend. She always wondered how studious, kind, not-a-prat Remus Lupin could be a best friend to the biggest prat in the world. But she knew her enemy wasn't a total git to everyone. Plenty of people seemed to adore him. They practically worshiped the ground he walked on. Bugger. She really, really wasn't in the mood to think about her enemy.
Sighing Lily shoved the book back into its respective drawer and heaved herself off her bed. She had been sighing way too much lately. Frankly, she was going to have to put a stop to it. Chocolate sounded like a pretty good remedy right now. She kicked away a discarded Daily Prophet, a convicted Death Eater's sneering face tumbling across the floor, and walked downstairs to find her some chocolate. Preferably dark chocolate, thanks to Remus.
Lily reached the bottom of the stairs when she heard voices coming from the kitchen. It sounded like Petunia and her mum. And they sounded like they were arguing. She moved closer to the kitchen door and would have just walked in, had she not heard her name coming from her mother. Lily paused in surprise. They were arguing about her. Petunia's angry whisper drifted out to Lily.
"No, mum. I don't want her."
Mrs Evans sounded annoyed, "Petunia. Lily is your sister. You'll want her there as your bridesmaid. I know you will."
"No you don't know me, mum. It's my wedding and I can choose whomever I'd like as bridesmaid and I don't want that— I don't want her," Petunia answered heatedly. Anger flared through Lily's body.
Mrs Evans spoke quietly "I'm not going to let you make any rash decisions now. Your wedding isn't for a few months. No, let me finish Petunia—I do know you and you'll regret this decision." Mrs Evans sighed. Lily imagined that Petunia was giving her mum a taste of her cold, stubborn look. "At least, think it over, until Christmas." There was a momentary silence and Lily couldn't take it anymore.
Lily burst into the kitchen and, barely acknowledging Petunia, stepped past her to the kitchen table. After Petunia had announced that Lily was to be one of her bridesmaids, Lily began to hope that things between her and her sister would begin get better. Wasn't there something she read about how planning weddings was a good bonding method? Personally, Lily thought the glares, name calling, and arguing between Petunia and her had actually lessened. Obviously, Lily was wrong about that. A small part of her wished she'd been right.
Petunia's voice cut through the silence. "Fine, mum. I'll think about it, but it'll just be a waste of time. My answer is never going to change. Never." Lily watched Petunia depart, her blond hair flying behind her. Petunia's last word hung in the silence, echoing in Lily's mind. She could feel the familiar stinging of tears, and blinked them away, angrily. She was not going to be sad over this. It wasn't her fault.
Mrs. Dahlia Evans, a plump, motherly woman, turned towards her youngest daughter. Mrs Evans sandy blonde hair was coming loose from its high bun and she her emerald green eyes were filled with worry. Lily smiled at her mother, a strained smile.
Lily could tell from her mother's expression that Mrs Evans was quite aware that Lily had heard the gist of the conversation. Mrs Evans could also tell that Lily did not want to talk about it and there really was no way to get the girl to talk when she didn't want to. She was too stubborn.
Wiping her hands on her apron, Mrs Evans opened the cupboard and pulled out a bar of chocolate.
"I think you were looking for this, flower," Mrs Evans said, smiling warmly at her youngest daughter.
"You know me so well, mum," Lily answered, a genuine grin beginning to form.
"That's why they call me your mother." Mrs Evans began turn away when she jumped remembering something.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Earlier today, your Hogwarts Letter arrived, along with those O.W.L. results you mentioned earlier. It's in the sitting room. Straight "O"s, perhaps?" Mrs Evans winked and Lily grinned enthusiastically.
"Don't jinx it!" Lily called after Mrs Evans.
Just hearing about Hogwarts brought her jitters. Lily realized that even after spending five years there, she still missed Hogwarts quite terribly.
/~/~/~/~/~/~/
Remus Lupin groaned. Memories flooded back to him of what happened last night. He had tried biting and scratching himself and he was pretty sure, from the foul taste in his mouth, that he had munched on some small animal. There were plenty of rats crawling around down here anyway. Still, Remus felt bad for eating those rats. He couldn't help thinking of Peter.
Remus pushed his aching naked body off the ground and blinked, trying to situate himself. For a moment, he had forgotten where he was. He was sitting in small chamber, of sorts, made of strong brick and a tiny barred window way up against the ceiling, streaming in sunlight. There was a large metal door, all scratched up and dented, but still standing strong. He glared at the scratches knowing that he was close to getting out. He thanked Merlin he hadn't.
Remus also thanked Merlin for Dumbledore. This was no Shrieking Shack but it was good enough to hold him during the summer. Though he hated waking up alone and disoriented. Remus sighed. He had gotten too used to the other Marauders and their company. He kept having to remind himself that he would have to do this alone eventually. A tiny part of Remus secretly hoped that he was wrong about ending up alone.
Dragging himself up, Remus staggered over to a loosened brick, and pulled it up. Lying in a neat bundle was a few pairs of muggle outfits and his wand. He quickly pulled on his clothes and grabbed his wand, pushing the stone back into place. Remus pushed the metal door and stepped out into the bright light, blinking from the sudden brightness. Performing a quick Reparo for the heavily bruised door and a complicated locking charm, Remus walked home utterly exhausted.
Upon arriving home, Remus found his mother lying on the couch. Mrs Lupin was a petite, frail-looking woman. She was also a muggle and Remus knew she had to make up just as many lies about him as he did.
Remus's mother had graying brown hair and she always looked worried. Remus knew his mum worried because of him and he hated it. She even looked worried in her sleep. As if Mrs Lupin could feel her son's presence, she woke with a start.
"Oh, hullo, Remus! You're home," she hurried off the couch and engulfed her son in a hug.
"Hi, mum. You know you didn't have to wait up for me," Remus mumbled against his mother's tight grip. She let go of him and scanning his body to make sure he wasn't hurt.
"Oh, nonsense, dear. Of course I do. Anyway what would you like for breakfast? Porridge? Waffles? Or since it's pretty late I could make some lunch food?" Mrs Lupin spoke as she rushed off to the kitchen. Remus followed her through the swinging kitchen door, trying to get a word in. When Mrs Lupin paused to turn on the stove, Remus found an opportunity to speak.
"Mum. It's okay. I'm not that hungry anyway. You should go get some rest." Mrs Lupin shook her head and continued to take out a few pots. "Mum, are you even listening to me?"
"Of course, I'm listening to you. Why wouldn't I? I just —You look quite peaky, dear." Remus very nearly rolled his eyes. Obviously he was going to look peaky. That's what a few days as a werewolf did to a person.
"Mum, I'm serious. You do this every day. You need to rest mum," His tone came out sharper then he meant it to be. Remus didn't miss the guilt and sadness that crossed Mrs Lupin's face. Of course his mother was feeling guilty. She'd said something about this a while back, about how she felt guilty for not being there for him during the worst part of his life.
Remus sighed, tiredly, "Mum, there is no reason for you to feel like you have to prove something to me."
Mrs Lupin blinked, her eyes shining, "But I do. I just…Your sickness…I just— You know I love you, right?" Remus couldn't really handle girls and their tears, especially his mum. He watched his mum sadly.
"Yes, mum. I know you love me."
Mrs Lupin watched her son for a second, tears threatening to overflow and a torrent of emotions seemed to flash through her eyes. "Your Hogwarts letter is on the table. Get yourself some rest, alright dear?"
"I will, mum. And I love you, too, mum." As Mrs Lupin departed up the stairs, Remus slumped down at the kitchen table. Sitting on top of his Hogwarts letter was a bar of dark chocolate. He grinned, feeling weary. He was beyond ready to get back to Hogwarts.
/~/~/~/~/~/~/
"Alice Prewett! We are all waiting for you," Mrs Prewett's voice called crossly.
"Coming, Mum!" Alice checked her reflection one last time. She was rather on the tall side and her curly, brown hair was put in an elaborate updo. She adjusted her dark pink dress and smiled as she caught the reflection of her cousin, Molly, standing at the door.
Molly's brownish red hair was swept up in a simple braided bun and a goblin-made tiara sat delicately upon her head. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant white dress. Alice still couldn't believe that her older cousin was getting married. Alice thought nineteen was too young, but she knew Molly was older than her years. She could take care of children easily. She would make a lovely wife and mother.
Alice turned to Molly, "Hey Mols. Getting cold feet?" Molly had been going back and forth between crying and beaming for the last week.
Molly smiled warmly, "No, of course not. I came up to check if you were getting cold feet." Alice laughed.
"I'm not the one getting married. I think I can handle this bridesmaid business, thank you very much." Molly rolled her eyes. Alice could tell that something was bothering the bride.
"Are you nervous, then?" Alice asked. After a second, Molly dropped her eyes and when she looked up, Alice's stomach flipped from the anxiety emanating from them.
"Yes. Yes, yes, yes.I am so terribly, absolutely, bloody nervous. I don't even have butterflies anymore. They've turned into really hyper Hippogriffs," Molly said, with a huff, as she plopped down on the bed.
"What are you nervous about? You're Molly Prewett, the most calm, level-headed person I've ever met," Alice told her. Molly giggled breathlessly.
"You've obviously never met me then. I am far from level-headed and calm."
"I know that. I was just trying to give you a pep talk. I don't think calling you an emotional wreck would have helped." Molly and Alice giggled, until Molly pursed her lips, seriously.
"Shit, Al. I don't think I can do this. You were right; it's too early for this. I— I can't do this. I can't be a wife. I can't be a potential mother. Arthur is too…I just…Oh Merlin, what was I thinking? I'm an idiot. There's a possibility of a war and only a bloody idiot would think marriage…I can't—" Alice interrupted her cousin's hysterical ranting with a hard slap to the face. Alice didn't know who was more surprised, Molly or she. Before Molly could get another word out, Alice took a deep breath and spoke forcefully.
"Shut up, Molly. Just shut up this instant. What kind of Gryffindor are you, if you're not even brave enough to go and walk down that aisle? This…this kind of thing should be difficult to do, shouldn't it? You should be feeling nervous. You're giving your heart, life, and soul to another person. I'm pretty sure nervousness is completely normal right about now. You may be an idiot and a total emotional wreck but I know you, Molly. I've grown up with you for Merlin's sake. I know that you are going to be the best mother a child could ever ask for. You're mental, overprotective, shrieky, loving, caring, and purely wonderful. You're perfect. Anyway, you decided you were going to do this, you can do this, and I will not let you back out now. You hear me, Molly Prewett. I did not put in all this time and effort for your wedding only to have you back out at the last minute. So pull yourself together right now." Alice took a deep breathe, surprised didn't even cover how she felt with herself and her little tirade.
There was a brief silence as Molly gawked at Alice. Alice was usually a sweet girl who would rarely get forceful or angry. "Alice…"
Alice sighed and took her cousin's hands. "I may not agree with early marriage and whatnot but that's because I wouldn't be ready for such a thing. I know you're ready, Molly. And we can't stop everything because of some idiot and his prejudiced thoughts, can we?"
Molly exhaled slowly. "You're right. I'm being a sensitive idiot. Th—Thanks, Alice, I really needed that." She murmured rubbing her cheek and standing up slowly.
Alice followed her cousin out into the hall, watching her worriedly. Molly suddenly stopped at the top of the stairs and turned to face Alice. Alice shook her head as menacingly as she could and pointed down the stairs. Alice made a hand gesture as if to say "Go or else." She was pretty sure she looked more ridiculous than intimidating.
Molly snorted and burst into a fit of laughter. Alice rolled her eyes and pulled her cousin down the stairs. Waiting in the sitting room was Alice's mum and Molly's mum, looking rather irritated, Molly dad, who looked awed as if he couldn't believe he was marrying off his only daughter and youngest child, and Molly's elder brothers and twins, Gideon and Fabian.
"Took you two long enough," Molly's mum scoffed affectionately, taking in the sight of the two girls and then she gasped, "Were you two fighting?" Alice glanced up at Molly confused and then noticed the pink, hand-shaped mark on her cousin's left cheek. Oh.
"No. It was nothing like that, Aunt Sarah. I was just giving Molly some…some moral support, that's all," Alice replied quickly while Molly started snickering. Mrs Prewett looked at her daughter questioningly,
"Moral support in the form of violence. Sounds reasonable," she said.
Alice shook her head, smiling. "Our lovely bride here was about to ditch the wedding. I had to stop her." Everyone stared at Molly, who suddenly seemed very interested on the carpet patterns.
Gideon smiled and walked over to Molly, giving her a one-armed hug, "I, for one, was beginning to wonder when you'd try to back out. I wasn't going to tell you this but Weasley's already tried plenty of times." Molly raised her eyebrows at him questionably.
"Don't worry, Mols. We threatened to hex him every time," Fabian continued, winking, "You don't have to thank us." Molly rolled her eyes.
"We really must get going." Molly's dad added.
"I know that. But what are we going to do about Molly's cheek? You can't have one cheek pinker than the other!" Aunt Sarah cried as if this was complete blasphemy.
"I could slap her again," Alice offered and Molly glared at her. Fabian and Gideon snickered and nodded in agreement.
"I'd rather not. You know, Alice, I like you better when you're sweet and not beating people." Molly said.
Alice's mum suggested that it'd go away by the time they got to the wedding, which seemed to satisfy Molly's mother. After telling the kids the importance of arriving at the wedding in five minutes (namely so they could prove to Muriel that Molly wasn't going to steal the tiara), the adults left the room, leaving Alice, Molly, Fabian, and Gideon alone.
Molly pulled Alice into her arms, "I love you. A lot." After a moment, she looked up at her brothers and pretended to groan, "Unfortunately, I love you idiots, too."
Fabian grimaced, dramatically, "Ah, your words!"
"They hurt us so, dear sister." Gideon finished, pretending to be hurt. Molly rolled her eyes, and beckoned them closer.
Fabian and Gideon joined Alice and Molly in a huge group hug. Molly looked like she was trying not to cry and Alice couldn't help but feel like she wouldn't see her cousin for a while.
Suddenly, a hoot of an owl and loud scratching at the window made Alice jump. Gideon smirked at Alice's reaction and Alice stuck her tongue out at him. Fabian and Gideon rolled their eyes simultaneously, making Alice giggle.
Molly ducked out of Fabian's arm and opened the window, taking the letter. With an indignant hoot, the tawny brown owl flew away.
Nostalgia filled Molly's eyes as she stared at the letter and then handed it to Alice. It was Alice's Hogwarts letter. Alice looked at it for a second and then put it down on the coffee table. She grabbed Molly's arm.
"It's been way past five minutes."
"Really?" Fabian glanced at his watch, "Bloody hell. Mum's going to have a fit. See you lot later, then," He turned in his spot and disappeared.
Gideon winked, "See you in a few, loves." And he was gone.
Since Alice was still fifteen, she couldn't apparate. She stared at the spot Fabian and Gideon previously occupied enviously. She hated side-along apparation. Molly's grip tightened and Alice braced herself for the queasiness, and the feeling that something was tugging at her stomach.
That last thoughts that occupied Alice was apparating, not tripping at the wedding, and, most important to her, Hogwarts.
/~/~/~/~/~/~/
"Peter, love, would you like some more?" Mrs Pettigrew asked her son, holding out a plate of pancakes. Peter shook his head. He wasn't very hungry. He was rather preoccupied with how Remus was holding out. Last night was the end of the full moon and he was worried about his best mate. Though he'd never actually say those words out loud. Talking about feelings violated Marauder man code, according to Sirius.
Peter missed doing pranks and hanging out with his best mates. He loved his parents, as much as he could, but he was annoyed at how…normal and boring they were. His parents were completely normal people. They weren't famous and cool aurors, interesting muggles with a weird job, or even unhinged Pureblood fanatics. His dad worked a normal nine to five Ministry desk job, where he filed papers, and his mum was a housewife.
Boring and normal.
Hanging with the Marauders for the last five years showed him just how uneventful his home life really was. He knew he should be grateful and whatnot but he couldn't help feeling a little jealous of his friends.
Peter sighed, inaudibly. See? Now he wasn't being confident in himself. Remus had told him that he needed to start believing in himself and what he had a little more. Peter was a Gryffindor and Marauder for Merlin's sake. He wasn't allowed to be boring and unconfident.
"C'mon, boy. Eat up. You look as thin as parchment," Mr Pettigrew's voice boomed, taking Peter out of his thoughts. Peter put another pancake on his plate obligingly, not in the mood to hear his father go off about young boys being sturdy and strong.
"Peter, dear, I was wondering why your little friends haven't been around yet," Mrs Pettigrew asked, casually.
"Mum, they're not little. They're fifteen, almost sixteen. That's like calling me little. Anyway, they came around two weeks ago," Peter answered a little annoyed.
"You will always be my little baby, Peter. And anyone your age will be little to me as well," Mrs Pettigrew answered, leaning over to pinch Peter's cheeks. Peter blushed. His mum was so embarrassing. "Anyway, those friends of yours were right gentlemen." Peter rolled his eyes. It was funny how his parents couldn't see right through his friend's charming attitudes. They wouldn't be too pleased if they knew what they got up to at school. However, he was just glad his mum didn't end up being too embarrassing, though she did almost bring out the baby pictures, to Peter's horror.
"Oh, yes. That Potter boy comes from a very good family, he does," His father said, looking at Peter over his Daily Prophet. "That Black boy and Lupin are very good boys, as well. Maybe you can get that Potter boy to teach you some quidditch? When I was your age I was the best quidditch player Hufflepuff has ever encountered, mind you." Peter ignored his father's reminiscences.
For as long as Peter could remember, every conversation Peter had with his father would go from a certain topic, to something his father did 'when he was Peter's age', to how Peter should be more like his father. More recently, Mr Pettigrew seemed to like comparing Peter to his best mates, especially Prongs. Peter didn't want to resent any of this. James Potter was good at everything. But he did.
His father's last sentence resounded through Peter's head and even though he tried not to take it to heart, Peter did. That last sentence in his father's comparison always found itself into Peter's heart and brain, and somehow manifested itself into the deepest recesses. He couldn't get rid of the phrase, no matter how much he wanted to.
"You should be more like them, Peter."
A peculiar, amber owl flew through the window and landed on Mr Pettigrew's pancakes, causing the man to squirt the bottle of maple syrup into his lap. Peter snorted, as the owl hopped around the table excitably, while Mr Pettigrew cursed in a different language. Peter reached out and untied the letter from the amber bird. As soon as the weight of the letter left it's leg the bird swooped out of the window with a hoot.
"Bloody bird." Mr Pettigrew grumbled as Mrs Pettigrew waved her wand to clean up the mess the bird had left in its wake.
Peter had recognized the letter. It was his Hogwarts letter.
"Finally," he muttered.
/~/~/~/~/~/~/
Kaya Johnson was laying on her back on a bed laid with sea-green sheets and in a place that was most definitely not her bedroom. She knew Mary Macdonald had unusual tastes but she never really thought it was that bad. Oh, how wrong she was. Strangely, Kaya liked it. Why else would Mary be one of her best mates?
After spending some time in Mary's house, Kaya had learned that Mary's mother was really into collecting weird, seemingly pointless objects and Mary's father liked to travel with his wife. Kaya hadn't met Mary's parents yet since they were on a trip to India. Kaya guessed that Mary's bizarre ways were genetic.
Mary Macdonald was sitting on the shaggy rug and knitting, of all things. Kaya thought she was making a rather lumpy looking scarf but Mary had said it was supposed to be a sweater. Kaya watched Mary knit. She looked very intent on what she was doing and Kaya didn't want to interrupt.
Mary was a very pretty girl. Her blonde hair was up in a high ponytail and her bright, blue eyes sparkled with interest. Mary always looked like she was interested and whenever she looked at people; she made them feel like they were the only person in the world. Of course, Mary didn't know she made people feel that way, but she did. However, this made Kaya feel quite uncomfortable. She felt like Mary could see into her soul sometimes and it irritated her. She always tried her hardest to guard her soul.
As if right on cue, Mary looked up at Kaya, and Kaya looked away, quickly. "You're worried," Mary said, more of a statement than a question.
"No. I'm not worried. Why would I be worried, Mary?" Kaya asked.
Mary laughed a tinkling laugh. "You're so easy to read sometimes. Like an open book."
Kaya glared at her, "I am not an open book."
"No, no, you're right. More like an open book you can only read with your back turned," Mary sighed and turned her attention to a magazine lying on the floor. Kaya really didn't get Mary.
"Best mates aren't supposed to be so confusing to understand," Kaya told her slipping off the bed and sitting across from Mary.
"Best mates aren't supposed to be so understanding to the confused," Mary replied flipping through Witch Weekly.
Kaya rolled her eyes, "Very funny, Macdonald."
Mary stared at Kaya blankly, "Oh, you thought I was joking." Kaya pursed her lips as Mary went back to her magazine, examining a particularly ugly set of yellow dress robes.
Mary was right though. Kaya was as confused as ever. Mary didn't even question Kaya when she had showed up at Mary's doorstep two days ago. Mary had just looked at her with her signature soul-gazing Mary stare and told Kaya that her parents were away for the next five days. Kaya still didn't know whether she could handle going back home; it was hard to act like you didn't care.
"You're going to have to go home eventually, Kaya."
"I know, Mary." Kaya hadn't told her mum where she had gone though her mum probably knew she was at Mary's. Mary jumped up and smiled.
"Let's go to the zoo."
"What's a 'zoo'?" Kaya stared at Mary, confused. Mary was already pulling on her black combat boots and sticking her wand down her boots. She grabbed Kaya's arm in a hurry, giggling.
"Oh, you don't know," she asked a little dreamily, "Oh, yes. I forget that you're not accustomed to muggle things. It's a really pretty place full of some magnificent animals but they're not like magical creatures or anything. Just normal creatures, but magical in their own way. Unlike normal zoos these creatures aren't all caged up, which I love. I've shown you Lion King, right? It's like that but smaller…" Mary kept up a stream of excited chatter as she pulled Kaya down the stairs.
Hooting and scratching at the window distracted Mary from her babbling. Sitting at the window, seemingly rolling it large eyes, was an unfamiliar gray owl. Mary skipped over to the window and pulled it open. It hooted at her impatiently and Mary grinned.
"Why, hullo there. Let me get that for you," Mary pulled the letter off the owl and looked at it happily. The owl hooted again, and flew out the window, leaving a few gray feathers behind. "Oh, look Kaya! Hogwarts letter! Can't wait to get back." Mary turned to Kaya and gave her a look.
Kaya sighed, "Mine's not there, is it?" Usually the letters always showed up wherever she was staying, so she was hoping it would show up at Mary's house.
Mary shook her head, "You know…this could be a sign from Dumbledore."
Kaya smiled ruefully. Mary continued speaking, placing the letter in a kitchen drawer, "First, we're going to the zoo. Then, you're going home. Then, when the First arrives, we can both go home."
Kaya nodded as Mary walked over to the door. She was right. Hogwarts was our home. It was literally our second home.
"Where is this zoo you're talking about, Mary?" Kaya asked.
Mary shrugged, "Somewhere in London. I don't remember the details. Last time I went, I was nine. It shouldn't be too hard to find. London's not that big." Kaya watched Mary, walk out of the house, and couldn't help but grin.
/~/~/~/~/~/~/
As the Hogwarts students, new and old, received their letters, a meeting was being held in a murky, damp room somewhere in England. Cloaked figures were seated around a large square table, anonymity and dimness flooding the atmosphere with a dark sort of excitement and edginess. One could practically taste the tension in the air. The figure seated at the head of the table seemed to hold every bit of attention in the room, his pale face etched with ominous glee.
One could say that matters of great importance were discussed at this meeting. However, if they spoke of what exactly was being conversed, all that would be left of him or her would be a tiny section in the obituary of the Daily Prophet. Perhaps even an article or two, but nothing much.
Certain words echoed in the basement room, in a cold high-pitched voice.
Greater Good.
Mudbloods.
Recruits.
Hogwarts.
A/N: Woah. Done. This chapter was 14 pages but it looks so much shorter when I actually post it. This was the longest chapter I've ever written. I'm so proud.
Reviews would be awesome! I'll give all you lovely reviewers, constructive criticizers, and flamers a plethora of virtual hugs and virtual fudge.
Siriusly. :)