A/N: This story is a response to one of Katja134's challenges, therefore the storyline belongs to her - I only hope I can write it! Please review and tell me what you think so far. Thank you!
Chapter 1
It was a particularly warm summer at Hogwarts; the castle and its ground were bathed in a wondrous yellow light; a warm heat hung gently in the air, moved only by gentle, refreshing breezes; animals of all colours imaginable fluttered through the air and unkempt grass, the sunlight catching their wondrous colours and giving the grounds a glittered look. Lessons for the day had been cancelled, much to the student's relief, and many had chosen to abandon their black cloaks and lounge around the great lake, basking in the shade provided by immense trees with silvery leaves.
"I'm so glad the NEWTs are over – I can't stand studying!" exclaimed one girl, talking to her friend who was half listening whilst watching some younger students practise various spells.
"Yeah – but I don't know what I am going to do when school finishes…" replied this girl. Her name was Lilly Evans, and she was instantly recognisable to anyone whom met her. Her features were pale and perfect, and her face was adorned by soft, silvery hair, which fell loosely down her back. What made her most memorable, however, were her beautiful green eyes, which seemed pensive and distant at the same time to all who gazed into their depths.
"We'll travel! You know, go meet the enchanted mummies of Egypt, see the ancient duel place in Peru…" Lilly's friend was Bellatrix Lestrange, who looked mysterious and somewhat eerie. Although she wasn't nearly as memorable as her best friend, her long, straight, black hair, pale face and large dark eyes made anyone looking at her feel slightly uncomfortable: many thought she looked intimidating. However, Lilly seemed immune to this effect and was never far away from Bellatrix.
"My parents don't want me too – they want me to go to France with them," said Lilly, sighing heavily. Bellatrix laughed, and stood up.
"All muggles seem obsessed with France!" she said, to which Lilly smiled and nodded. "Anyway, let's go inside – I am burning!" Bellatrix said, even though she was the only person around to still be wearing her heavy, black robes. She and Lilly linked arms and began strolling back towards the towering Hogwarts, many other students looking at them because they both were in rival houses: Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"Take a picture – it'll last longer!" Bellatrix shouted at a group of terrified looking first years, who hastily turned away. She turned to Lilly and they both said "Kids!" in unison – their way of dismissing anyone who looked at them for any reason. "Speaking of kids, look who's coming this way!" said Bellatrix, pointing one of her black-painted fingernails at James Potter, who was striding towards Lilly.
"Leave him alone, Bella! He's not that bad anymore," said Lilly quietly, continuing to walk along the corridor.
"Oh GOD! You fancy him!" Bellatrix mocked, about to laugh.
"No I do – James! Hello!" Lilly exclaimed as James reached them and stopped in front of Lilly. Bellatrix turned away and pretended to gag, earning herself a playing slap from Lilly. "I'll meet you outside the library in a minute!" said Lilly, not taking her eyes off James. Bellatrix sighed and rambled towards the library. However, she stopped at the first flight of stairs she met, sitting on the bottom step watching Lilly and James talk awkwardly at the other end of the corridor. She grew bored quickly, however, and started using spells on a small spider on the step above her, making it dance around wildly and levitate randomly.
Soon enough, she heard Lilly's footsteps heading towards her and bolted up the staircase towards the library – she knew Lilly would hate it if she knew she had watched her and James. She dived onto a plush sofa in the middle of the hallway outside of the hallway and tried to look as if she hadn't just run up a large staircase, and by the time Lilly reached her, she thought she didn't look as red and breathless.
"You look slightly red – take off your robe!" Lilly said, tugging at one of Bellatrix's sleeves. However, she was having none of it and Lilly quickly gave up, knowing how stubborn Bellatrix could be.
"How was 'James' then?"
"He was fine, thank you!"
"You know you have his saliva on your cheek?" teased Bellatrix, stifling a giggle. Lilly went bright red and began to argue, but she knew Bellatrix would win.
She hastily changed the topic and they begun talking about where they wanted to live. Bellatrix's family owned an enormous mansion, and from what Lilly had heard, it wasn't very nice, perhaps the type of mansion that looked like it belonged to the Adams family. She had no wish to visit Bellatrix's home, however, as her whole family had been in Slytherin, and a Gryffindor would be as welcome in their house as an axe-wielding hockey mask-wearing murderer.
"We'd better get going to bed, anyway – it is already 9 o'clock and you know how strict the curfew is…" Lilly said. She had always been the type of person who hated breaking rules, and would never do something she was unsure of in case she got into any kind of trouble, much to Bellatrix's displeasure.
"Fine – I 'spose you're right. I might stay here a bit, though. I feel like setting someone on fire…"
"Bella! Good night," said Lilly, chuckling to herself as she knew Bellatrix was only joking (or at least she hoped she was). She turned around and started climbing the tiring staircases that led to the Gryffindor Common Room. She briefly looked into the Great Hall as she went passed it, and was slightly surprised to see the ceiling was full of grey, swirling clouds as opposed to the rays of sunlight it had been emitting earlier. However, she dismissed this and continued going to the Gryffindor Tower.
On the way up the final staircase, she heard voices coming from the floor above. She froze and listened very carefully, checking her watch and noticing she was out of bed half an hour after curfew.
"…can't continue like this, Albus, the students are in danger!" She recognised this voice as belonging to Professor McGonagal.
"You are right Minerva, and term will have to finish now. Times have changed, and we are no longer a harmonious magical community." This voice definitely belonged to Dumbledore, and the tone of his voice told Lilly that whatever was happening was very serious. The pair then started coming towards her, down the staircase, and she risked ducking down. They didn't see her and she ran up to her bed, ducking under the covers quickly as her other roommates were already sleeping.
No sooner was she beginning to feel sleepy than a voice echoed around the castle. "Students of Hogwarts. School has had to end now due to unforeseen circumstances. Please pack your belongings and make your way to the Great Hall where you will be escorted to the Hogwarts express. Your parents have been contacted."
Everyone in her room started gathering up their belongings in blind panic, whereas Lilly only had a few things to pack. She quickly made her way t the Great Hall and was in the first group of students to be escorted to the Hogwarts Express. To her relief, James was also in this group, but Bellatrix was absent. As she was seated in the front compartment, without choice of where to sit, she begun to worry about Bellatrix, but her thoughts quickly turned as she saw many flashes coming from the Hogwarts castle. The train started to move prematurely, with only 5 compartments filled. Lilly stood up and ran to a window, and saw Bellatrix in the middle of a group who had missed the train, banging on its sides helplessly.
"Bellatrix!" she shouted, pounding the window with her fists, but many other people in the train were doing the same, so her voice couldn't be heard above the racket. The train gained speed and the station faded into the distance, embroiled in flashes that had haunted the castle, and all Lilly could think about was if she would see Bellatrix again…
