Lily
"Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life." Douglas Pagels
Date: January 1976
Year 5, second term
Lily Evans
Tap. Tap. TapTap. TapTapTap. Tap.
The inconsistent but relentless noise was coming from somewhere nearby. I groaned and rolled over, pulling the comforter firmly over my head.
"For God's sake, make it STOP," Petunia's voice snapped from the hallway.
I sighed and opened my eyes. Blinding whiteness greeted me.
Taptap taptap.
My eyes scanned the room and stopped at the window. A tawny barn owl sat there, repeatedly putting his beak against the glass, a letter tied to his leg. I sighed again and resolved to get out of the comfort of my deliciously warm bed.
As soon as my feet hit the cold wood of the floor I realized what an idiot I had been to abandon my slippers by the door. I huffed and wrapped the comforter more tightly around me before tottering over to let the owl in. A cold blast of air gusted past when I pushed the thick pane open, and he hopped gratefully in to sit on the inner ledge. Huge golden eyes stared at me indignantly as I clumsily tried to untie the letter from his leg with stiff fingers.
Once the letter was off he puffed his feathers and settled down on my ledge, resolved to stay. I opened a tin of owl treats and left it on the sill. Leaving the window cracked, I wandered over to sit cross legged on my bed, sliding a finger under the seal on the parchment.
Dear Ms. Evans,
I hope you've had a delightful holiday at home. This December was considerably chillier than previous.
This is just a friendly reminder that we'll be expecting you at the Prefects meeting on the train to get you and all of your fellow prefects reacquainted with what's expected. See you at 1:30 sharp!
Best,
Alice Purdue
Head Girl
My lips tugged up into a smile. Today was the day Hogwarts term resumed. I glanced at my bedside clock excitedly and frowned when I saw the time. It was only seven in the morning. I curled up and closed my eyes, willing the time to pass quickly.
After I don't know how long, the door creaked open behind me. The tawny owl on the sill ruffled its feathers and shrieked in protest before butting open the window to fly away. I stiffened and sniffed, wrinkling my nose. The sickeningly sweet perfume my sister was fond of wearing pervaded the room before I could actually see her.
"What do you want," I demanded.
"Mum wants me to say goodbye. So, goodbye. I hope you have fun with all your freak friends." The venom in her voice was unmistakable.
Her dull little blue eyes glared at me, daring me to rise to her taunt. I rolled my eyes.
"You have fun with your dull muggle friends too, Tune."
She huffed and slammed the door. Her feet pounded down the stairs as she ran to meet her friends, who were honking the horn rather obnoxiously. I couldn't be bothered with another eye roll and instead chose to wriggle back comfortably on my pillow to take a quick nap.
A soft knock woke me again.
"Lily?" My mother's voice called through the door.
Blinking, I brushed my hair out of my face and sat up.
"I'm awake!" I croaked.
She pushed the door open and smiled when she saw me.
"There's our Samantha!" She said delightedly.
"Who, mom?"
"You know…that girl from Bewitched!"
I shook my head. "American pop culture, Mother, really?"
She giggled and popped a hand onto her hip. "It's a good program, hush. All ready for the new term?"
"Nearly." My trunk was propped open by the door for last minute items.
"Well hurry on down, dear. Father's making waffles." She closed the door behind her.
After a quick shower and teeth brushing, I pulled on my Hogwarts sweater set and yanked a brush through my thick hair as I descended the stairs to the kitchen.
"In record time, Lily Evans makes her way across the finish line..." Dad's voice boomed out.
The huge silver waffle iron steamed as he flipped it.
I took a bow and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Smells delicious."
We settled around the table. For a while only the clinking of silverware filled the room.
"Taking your presents, Lily?" Mum asked after a few minutes.
I looked over into the living room, where the wilting tree sat next to the window. Muggle and magical presents sat in an absurd pile under its branches. I had gotten a set of Exploding Snap from Dorcas, a new book from Remus, a vial of French perfume from Imogen, Liar's Glass from Marlene, socks from Tune, new robes from my parents, and various other gifts from distant family members…and a set of glass potions vials from Severus.
I frowned at the vials. Severus Snape. Normally my best mate, but lately a bit of a pain in my side. He absolutely refused to stop hanging around the Slytherins who wanted nothing more than to antagonize the muggle-borns in the castle. He kept insisting that they were learning more powerful magic than we were taught in Hogwarts. I'm sure the exact words he used were "We're being Enlightened."
A snort escaped through my scowl.
"Red, are you alright?" Dad rumbled.
I smoothed out my frown and smiled. I didn't want them to worry.
"Just fine. Alright if I leave a few home?"
My dad nodded and reached for his front shirt pocket. I knew he was looking for his cigs. His face fell as he remembered that the doctor had made him quit. Mum rubbed his arm and he gave her a rueful smile.
"I have to to pack," I said while popping up from the table.
Butterflies filled my stomach as I raced up to my room. Just a few things to throw in my trunk so I could close it and catch the Hogwarts Express.
James
"He believed in himself, believed in his quixotic ambition, letting the failures of the previous day disappear as each new day dawned." Daniel Wallace
Date: January 1976
Year 5, second term
James Potter
"James!"
I vaguely heard the banshee-like screech that came from somewhere on the floor below me. I added another pillow on top of my head and drifted back into comforting unconsciousness.
"James Alexander Ignotus Potter! You'll be late!"
"Mother, please. I'm trying to sleep." I mumbled.
My covers were yanked unceremoniously from my pleasantly comfortable body. I groped for them, but they skittered out of reach. Cold air tickled my chest and I changed course to grab my glasses instead. The world came into focus as I jammed them onto my nose; The blankets were dancing at the foot of my bed, swirling in thin air.
"Get up, dear, or I'll open the windows," Mum's voice said, deceptively sweet.
"Alright, alright," I grumbled.
I vaulted out of bed and mussed my hair, glancing around at my room. It was a mess, as usual. My trunk stood open in the middle of it, half unpacked from last term. I hadn't touched my books over the holidays at all. My clothes were, Thank Merlin, neatly folded at least. Glancing at the clock, I realized in sleep-dulled panic that I only had half an hour to get to the train.
My brain struggled with trying to pin down a list of where things were in the house. My broom was downstairs in the front hall, a snitch somewhere in the pile of shoes, and Barmy the Owl was…
Oh bloody hell, I didn't have time to look for Barmy.
After what was sure to be a record-breaking shower, I tried simultaneously to comb my hair flat and brush my teeth. Not that I was trying too hard about the hair.
Hopping around the room, one leg in my trousers, I tried to find the last bit of odds and ends I needed for the term. At least I knew where my wand was. I turned my gaze to my bedside table and…
"Shit! Mum! Where's my wand?" I bellowed.
"No need to shout, dear."
She walked into my room, her hazel eyes narrowing at my obviously haphazard state.
"Honestly, James, if you don't keep your things in their proper places, how do you ever expect to find them?"
"Accio," I muttered, my eyes still glancing around the room to see if I could find anything else.
"And when you can't find your wand?" One of her eyebrows rose.
I shrugged. "Get my mates to find them."
She rolled her eyes and shook out her dark green robes. She flicked her wand sharply and a shirt wrapped itself around my face. I cleared my eyesight just in time to catch the wand making for my gut.
"There's the Potter athlete," Dad's voice chuckled.
"For Agrippa's sake, just get packed."
"We should get changed, Euphemia. We won't want to stick out around the muggles."
I occupied myself with packing while they went to find muggle-appropriate attire. Having stuffed everything I could find into it, I pulled it to the top of the grand staircase and sent it down with a shove. I watched as it bounced down every step, slowly at first, and then ever more chaotically, before sliding into the door.
"People will think you've been raised by wolves, Master James," a tiny voice complained.
Twisp, our Head House Elf, appeared as I reached the foyer. It was her voice that had sounded so antagonized by my antics.
"Well, sort-of," I remarked off-hand.
She shook her head and handed me a covered plate. "Breakfast."
I scooped her up despite her shrieking protests and planted a kiss on the top of her mostly-bald head. House Elves didn't have much going for gender separation.
"All ready?" Mum asked, pulling on her gloves.
Twisp fixed her dress in irritation and quickly stepped away from me once she was back on the ground, but I thought I could see a hint of a smile.
"Yep!"
Dad waved his wand and my trunk floated out the door and down into the tiny boot of our muggle car. (It was, of course, magically enhanced with special features like enlarged space, wizard radio, and flying power.)
"James, in the car," my mother said, excited to interact with the muggles.
"Right," I said. I ambled toward the car and slid into the heated backseat.
"Do you have everything?" She asked as we circled around the front drive.
"Everything except Barmy," I replied.
The air was cold, and it was an overcast day. I hoped it would snow. My mates and I were planning on setting up snow battlements as soon as was able. We had a rematch scheduled.
"We'll send him along with anything you might have forgotten."
"Thanks."
Dad hummed along with some song on the Oldies Wizard Rock station. I didn't recognize it.
My mind drifted and I scarfed down the plate Twisp had made me. I couldn't wait to get back to Hogwarts. Life had been dull without my mates. I had already read all the books in the library anyhow, and none of the games were much fun with only one person.
It was time to get back to Marauding.
Sirius
"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life." Richard Bach
Date: January 1976
Year 5, second term
Sirius Black
I trailed behind my family as we walked through Kings Cross. My parents had no qualms about exercising their sneers at all of the muggles pushing past them. It was entirely plausible that they had been born with only that one facial expression, as I'd never seen them without a scowl plastered on their pale, grimacing faces.
Regulus walked with them, slightly behind. I rolled my eyes and stuffed my hands into my jacket pockets. This whole last week of holiday had been worthless. My family was worthless, the Manor was worthless, Kreacher was less than worthless. How had I been born into this family? Reg hadn't been my brother since the day he chose to follow our awful bloodlineage and picked Slytherin.
His decision obviously showed diminished mental ability due to inbreeding.
I had tried to talk with him when I could, but he refused to hear it. He'd sniffed and lifted his nose in the air, following our dear parents' example. The little fuck.
My parents had never really had a loving attitude. Apparently I had never "showed promise" in my entire shit life.
A pretty brunette bumped into me as I was lost in my black thoughts. I grabbed her arm to keep her from losing her balance in her heels.
"Thanks," she said, breathlessly.
"No problem. You alright?" I kept my hand on her arm.
I grinned at her and she dropped her eyes, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before glancing back up at me.
"Sirius Orion, get away from that piece of filth."
The ice in my mother's voice was unmistakable. I glared at her. The girl chuckled nervously and backed away. I watched her go, her hips swaying as she continued on.
My parents looked like they were about to murder me right there. Regulus looked like he'd swallowed a fly, which was actually immensely amusing.
"You lot are always such a pleasure," I commented sarcastically as I walked by.
My father's hand snapped out and took a vice grip around my wrist. He yanked me to a stop and I exhaled sharply.
"Be careful with whom you associate, miscreant," he said in a voice so low it was a growl.
"Well apparently I've already hit the bottom of the barrel." My tone was definitely meant to be aggravating.
He raised his hand to strike me.
"Orion! Walburga!"
My parents turned their gaze to see who hailed them. My eyes slid to the left to see the Potters striding toward us. I grinned and broke free of my father's grip.
"Euphemia, Fleamont," My mother greeted them stiffly.
My parents, quite obviously, didn't approve entirely of the Potters. But the respect for Purebloods outweighed any other instinct they had, and one never knew who they could be related to in the Wizarding World.
James grinned at me and I clapped him on the back. "You're a sight for sore eyes, mate."
"Glad we got here when we did," he muttered.
"It's been a bloody picnic." I rolled my eyes and took out a fag.
"So nice to see you, Sirius," Euphemia said, embracing me.
I hugged her back. "Nice to see you too."
When she withdrew she took my fag with her, casually throwing it elsewhere and grinning in satisfaction. She always complained about James' antics, but we all knew she could be just as devious.
"Let's go," James said, nudging my arm.
We started walking toward the barrier with our families. The closer we got, the faster we walked, until we were running full tilt at the stone barricade without any concern for who saw us. I hit the rough stone first, and felt the tingling sensation hit my entire body as the protecting enchantment let me pass. James came a step behind me and plowed into my back.
"Fuck," he barked as he stumbled. He caught his glasses as they tumbled toward the floor after being dislodged from his face.
I laughed, and then sobered as my parents followed us through the barrier.
"No regard for our privacy or well-being," my mother snapped before leading her other son to the opposite end of the platform.
My father sent a warning glare my way before following. He did managed to dump my trunk on the cobblestones before he left, bless his heart. James helped me heave it upright.
"Alright, Padfoot?" He asked.
I nodded. "Alright, Prongs."
"Hogwarts better watch out for you boys," Fleamont chuckled.
"I shudder for Ms. Evans," Euphemia said slyly.
James turned beet red.
"Oh, yes, the ever purest maiden who hath won Sir James' heart," I supplied, sweeping off an imaginary hat and bowing toward him.
"Shove off, Padfoot."
"Ah," I said, catching a glimpse of red through the crowds, "Here comes the object of his affection now."
James couldn't quite hide the gleam in his eye. I pushed him forward and he reeled back. We watched as Lily boarded the train, laughing with her group of friends.
The train blew its warning whistle and we said our goodbyes. We hopped up into the nearest car and started the hunt for an empty compartment.
"How'll they know where we are?" James asked as we settled in.
"Oh, how indeed," I exaggerated, tapping my wand against my chin.
Just then I spotted Wormtail craning his head around on the platform. I grinned at James, and within seconds of me flicking my wand, a banner had spread across the outside of our compartment window. At the same time pennants began waving, and poppers went off, getting the attention of almost everyone on the platform.
Wormtail swiveled his head and, looking obviously relieved, pushed his way toward us.
"Marauders," James read off, "Cute."
I fell backwards onto the cushioned train bench.
"I'm sure your parents appreciated that one," he added, sitting opposite.
I shrugged and twirled my wand between my fingers. "I don't give two pulls of Merlin's beard, do I? Not even one pull."
Peter had finally arrived and all but fell into the room when he pulled the door open with a huff.
"Hey guys. Nice banner," he said, gesturing toward the window and trying to catch his breath.
I grinned. Things were finally getting back to normal.
Lily
"Plans are nothing; planning is everything." Dwight D. Eisenhower
Date: January 1976
Year 5, second term
Lily Evans
A loud bang reverberated from the stones on the platform and through the cars. My eyes narrowed in irritation at the disruption.
"What was that?"
Marlene, Dorcas, and Imogen looked amongst themselves.
"A loud bang, Lily," Gen answered.
"Well, thank you, Imogen. That certainly need some decoding," I snapped back.
"You're absolutely surely welcome, Lily." Her blue eyes sparkled.
The girls dissolved into giggles while I squared my shoulders and resolved to investigate. As much as I wanted to stick around and gossip, Alice would want me to act as a Prefect.
"I'll go and find a non-sarcastic answer, then, shall I?"
Gen rolled her eyes and stood with me, following my steps down the hall. I stopped a few compartments down to listen for sounds of ruckus making, and frowned when I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Students were poking their heads out to find the source of the noise as well.
We continued until I caught sight of someone who could help.
"Remus!" I called.
The tall, thin boy in front of us turned his head and fixed me with his deep brown eyes.
"Hi Lily, Hi Gen."
Gen waved her fingers and smirked at him. "Know why the students are already up in a tizzy, Remus dear?" she asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I can take a guess."
"Where are they?" I asked. I could feel my brow furrowing.
"She's…a bit upset," Gen added, putting her arm in the crook of mine.
My eyes stayed focused on my fellow Prefect.
"I know where they are. They only draped a bloody flag outside the window," he muttered, leading the way down the hall.
When he paused outside of a door I didn't hesitate to yank it open with all of my strength. The three boys inside stopped whatever they were doing and stared.
"What do you think you're doing?" I snapped.
My eyes caught a flutter of motion at the window. I lifted my furious gaze and gasped in astonishment when I saw what was there. Twenty multi-colored pennants, at least, were dancing back and forth around an enormous sheet that covered the entire window. The red lettering showed through where the sun hit it.
My mouth fell open, and I couldn't find the sense to put together a sentence to express the fury of emotions swirling in the pit of my stomach.
Gen chuckled nervously behind me. "Lily? Don't have a heart attack. Use your words. You've turned an awfully peaky shade."
"How…wand…no…" I spluttered.
"Err.." The boys trailed off and looked at each other.
"Guys," Remus sighed. He gestured to the window.
James went to move for his wand and I suddenly regained some sense.
"You're not supposed to use magic before term!" I burst out.
James froze.
"It is technically punishable by law," Imogen added.
Sirius rolled his eyes and sat up from his relaxed slouch. Looking between me and the window, he finally flicked his wand. The banners disappeared into a white puff of smoke, leaving an unobstructed view of the station behind.
"You know, Evans, sometimes rules are more like guidelines. They're meant to be flexible," Sirius said lazily, his almost-black eyes staring into mine.
I shifted uncomfortably, almost losing my balance as the train lurched out of the station. Everyone was looking at me.
"All I wanted to do was see my friends," I said stubbornly, "Not deal with your…marauding as soon as my foot passed through the barrier."
My tone was definitely sullen; I felt my cheeks flush as I turned and fled down the hallway. The outburst had certainly been a bit more dramatic than I had intended, but dealing with Prefect duties not ten minutes on the train had left a sour taste in my mouth.
"Lily!" Imogen called from behind me.
I ignored her and made my way back quickly to the other end of the train. So far, my plans were not going at all to plan.
Imogen
"Details create the big picture." Sanford I. Weill
Date: January 1976
Year 5, second term
Imogen Blackwell
Turning back to the compartment of Marauders, my eyes were most definitely accusatory. Lily had fled down that corridor, red-faced. I knew she liked to be in control of her own destiny, and these four boys (well, three really) pushed her buttons to no end.
"Much obliged." My voice dripped sarcasm.
Sirius shrugged and resumed his slouching. Peter giggled nervously, his double chin jiggling. Remus shouldered past me with another tremendous sigh. James looked slightly troubled, but only because he'd had a crush on Lily since the first time he'd laid eyes on her.
"She's still uptight, eh?" Pete finally said, to break the silence (I assumed).
"She's Lily, of course she's still got that stick up her..."
"HEY," I interjected, "she's my best mate, so you better roll back what you're saying, Black."
"Don't be rude." Remus elbowed his friend.
Sirius rolled his eyes and leaned his head back, looking at the ceiling.
There really was no point in arguing with these boys. Everyone learned that the hard way at one point or another throughout the years at Hogwarts.
"How was your holiday, James?" I sat next to him and crossed my legs.
"Hmm? Oh, fine." His hand stopped mussing his hair for a moment. "Yours?"
"Splendid. I did a little digging and you and I could be distantly related."
"What? Really?" He turned to look at me.
"Now, that's interesting," Remus added.
I nodded, bouncing in the seat a little in my excitement. "Yes! Turns out there was a Blackwell who married into the Potter family centuries ago, and both of our lines are descended from that marriage. Mine eventually folded back in with Blackwell cousins, blah-blah, very Pureblood traditionalist of them."
"Well, here's to your sordid inbred families, then." Black raised a glass.
"Where'd you get that?" Peter asked, eyes round in awe. "You didn't have anythin' in your hand a second ago!"
"Magic, Wormy, Magic."
"Someday you're going to be arrested, Black," I told him, but accepted a glass anyway.
We toasted and took sips of what turned out to be butterbeer.
"And you, Remus?" I turned my attention to the usually-quiet member of the rambunctious group.
He raised his glass and took another sip before answering. "Productive, I read all of the series of 'Fantastic Beasts'"
All three boys snorted.
"What's so funny? I found those writings to be excellent."
Remus rolled his eyes. "Don't bother. I found them excellent as well."
It was when he took another swig of his butterbeer that I finally noticed the deep red of scar tissue along his forearm.
"You got those from reading? Merlin, what happened?" My hand had a mind of its own as it moved forward to touch his skin.
He yanked his arm back and grimaced.
"Rough game of Quidditch," James supplied, shaking his head. His hand started pulling through his hair again.
"Some hell of a match," Sirius added.
"James' have a right great pitch by the woods," Pete chimed in.
My eyes narrowed at the healing as Remus tried to roll the sleeves down on his jumper. The scars were deeper toward his elbow, almost as if something had scraped his skin toward his body.
"Hmph, well you boys should try not to get grievously injured. Lily would have an absolute fit. Speaking of Lily, I should see where she is." I stood to leave. "See you at supper."
"Goodbye, Goldilocks."
"See you, Gen."
"G'bye!"
"Later, cousin." James grinned and shut the door behind me.
Curious, very curious.
Remus
"The more you leave out, the more you highlight what you leave in." Henry Green
Date: January 1976
Year 5, second term
Remus Lupin
It was hours later and I was still upset that Imogen had noticed the scarring. Carelessness was not in my habit, and it irked me to no end that I had forgotten to do such a simple thing as to roll down my sleeves.
I knocked on the compartment door and looked down at my scuffed brown shoes. It would be time to save up for a new pair, soon.
"Hello, Remus," Lily's soft voice greeted me.
"'Lo Remus!"
"Hello!"
"Hi again."
Marlene McKinnon and Dorcas Meadows were seated across the bench from Imogen. I nodded and waved my hand.
"You almost have all the Houses," I teased.
"Only the three best," Marlene commented.
"Well, subjectively," Dorcas qualified.
Imogen shook her head.
"Ready to go? We've got the meeting with the Heads." Lily glanced down at her wristwatch.
"Yea, let's go."
She waved to her friends and led the way to the front of the train, where the Prefect compartment was. No doubt some Prefects preferred spending their train ride there, especially with the private washroom; so it was no surprise that it was half-full already when we arrived early to the meeting.
"Let's get seated," Lily said quickly, already scouting for two empty spaces.
I didn't complain and slid into the seat beside hers. She handed me a packet I hadn't even noticed and started reviewing the spindly letters straight off. After a quick glance I realized the rounds only included the first month, and I was relieved to find we didn't have the full-moon shift.
"You already know the drill, Lily, relax."
"What if they've changed something? Alice is very by-the-book on these things." Her eyes stayed focused on the packet.
I shrugged and leaned back in the seat. "Since last term? I'm sure they haven't changed a thing."
She sighed and closed the packet. "Well, it looks like you're right."
"I usually am."
She swatted me with her packet and smiled. "Bully for you."
The door slid open again and she turned in her seat toward the sound. The sharp inhale she made alerted me to a potential problem. And problem it was, as Snivellus Snape had just entered the room.
"I didn't know he made Prefect this year." Her tone was oddly devoid of emotion.
Snape's dull eyes scanned the room and settled on Lily. He raised his hand in greeting and made his way over. Lily's posture stiffened, something I hadn't seen from her before when it came to her irritating friendship with Snape.
"Lily," he said when he arrived in front of her.
"Sev," she replied.
The tosser didn't even bother to look in my direction.
"Did you like the vials I sent you? The glass is thrice tempered to provide the best…"
"They're nice, Sev, thank you."
"…Well, I'm glad you like them…"
A shadow appeared at his elbow.
"Everything alright, Severus? These muggle-scum aren't causing you trouble, are they?" The overly insulting questions came from none other than seventh year Slytherin Prefect, Evan Rosier.
Rumor had it that Rosier learned the Dark Arts in secret, and I didn't doubt it for even a half-second.
"Actually, Greasy Hair here was just getting on our nerves, so we were about to request that he shove off." My gaze was cool as I turned it on the Slytherins.
"You watch your mouth, scum." Rosier cracked his knuckles.
"Ooh, arthritis. You should definitely get that looked at before you break a finger." I felt for the wand in my pocket.
Snape looked incredibly uncomfortable as he pulled his friend away. He sent Lily a pained expression over his shoulder before sitting on the other side of the room in a knot of people I would rather not have in the room, or on the train altogether.
"You alright?"
Lily's green eyes were filling up with tears, I noticed in surprise. Her skin was taut and white on her knuckles as she quickly swiped at her eyes.
"Yea, fine. I just…he's always around them."
I put my arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Well, I'm here for you. And I'm sure James would have fun giving them bloody noses."
A shaky laugh escaped her. "Thanks, Remus."
"Anytime, Lily. You know who your friends are."
It looked like everyone had things they were working out.