Lustless Lawns
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Hair of fire, and softened eyes was all he saw at first. Black frump and a dazed look was all she saw. Walking the damp corridors of Hogwarts; School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Lily Evans was one who never really understood the reality of society, the importance of friendship or the sentiment of memories held between two people, but that was all about to change as she first stepped through the large oak double doors into a world that, until that summer, was left unknown to her. She gazed about the lofty and comfortable place with eyes of interest and curiosity. She had been so meek and innocent at that one moment that she hardly recognized herself. As she was swept down a hall jumbled by a mass amount of people her dreamy stare was not broken until one boy came flying at her from out of the blue. He made a loud shrieking noise as they both tumbled to the floor. She huffed as her face came to meet the cold stone just a couple inches from her noise. She let the scent of the mildew encrusted marble linger between her senses until she turned to discover the culprit of her downfall.
"Sorry," the boy only muttered. He stood and looked down at her with a strange look before carrying on. Her mouth fell open aghast as she heaved herself up off the floor and glared at the boy just as he turned to look over his shoulder one last time before being shoved through another group of doors. She wiped off her black robes that were now damp and gritty from the floor and sighed. 'Wonderful,' she thought to herself, 'Not even two seconds and I'm already being trampled on,' she sighed and wiped her face with a gritty sleeve and carried on through the second pair of doors, jogging to keep up with the rest of the group. Many people in dark robes and pointed hats stared back at her and laughed and joked with each other. She was always one for paying attention to her surroundings, noticing the small things; a boys stomach grumbled from the long train ride and lack of food, a girl whispered to another laughing and pointing with purple painted fingernails. Lily decided to just look straight ahead as she carried on down the rest of the way to immerse herself in the cloud of black robes and pointed hats that were to be her fellow classmates. Soon students were being called to attention by a strange hat that seemed to be conversing with the rest of the hall. She was hardly paying attention looking at the lit torches that were embellished with gargoyles and roses when she first heard the name.
"James Potter!" an old woman with several wrinkles circling her eyes and cheeks letting down to droop around her chin called. Her eyes were sharp her tone increasingly shrill, as a boy with messy black hair approached the chair with long strides; well as long a stride as any boy of eleven years could take. She recognized him as the boy who had ran into her and then left her to introduce her face to the floor. A grimace crossed her lips as the hat was placed on his head covering his eyes then shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" the boy then proceeded to jump down and join a table with shouts and cheers waving their hats. He took his seat as Lily let her gaze wander back to the workmanship of the age old castle. Names passed and she was nudged when she heard her name for the second time, "Lillian Evans!" the old woman was looking irritated as Lily hurried up the steps and sat on the stool. The old woman pursed her lips and set the hat over her head. She was immediately dropped into darkness as a faint smell of old leather came to her nose. The hat took its time deliberating until he finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" and from the moment on, when that hat came off her head, her life was far from normal.
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Summer before 6th Year
"Lily!" a shout came from downstairs from her suburban home in Bristol, England, where the grass was fake and people within were probably just as fake. Lily never put much interest into meeting her neighbors, unlike her nosy sister Petunia Evans. She was mousy and walked with jerky movements. Lily rolled off her bed and crawled over to her door opening it a crack and yelling.
"Yes mum!" she waited patiently for her mother to respond, she was never one for details or paying attention unlike Lily. She looked down at her finger nails that were painted a red color with yellow dots to show her school spirit. 'Pft, school spirit,' she thought to herself. She decided to call again for her mother,
"Mum! What is it!" she yelled a little louder this time. She saw her mother faintly at the foot of the stairs through the stair railing.
"Phone!" her mother returned to her kitchen, Lily never liked the idea of the whole 'soccer mom' field. She always needed to be somewhere, except in the summer, when she rarely ever did anything. Lily hauled herself up off the floor and bounded down the steps her red hair bouncing from shoulder to shoulder. She had grown a lot since her first year at school. Puberty sure did take a toll on her. She had grown much taller standing at five feet and six inches, her body easily proportioned from her generously sized chest to her flat stomach to her thin thighs. She had the appeal of a girl of 16, but the personality of a firecracker. Her green eyes pierced whatever they came across and she thanked Merlin for gaining her mothers proportions but her father's features, unlike her younger sister. Petunia always seemed to loath Lily for anything and everything. Lily recalled when she first got her letter from Hogwarts revealing that she was a witch; she also remembered that that was the day that she and Petunia stopped playing tag, dolls, board games, and tea parties. That was the day they stopped carrying a simple conversation at all.
Lily rounded the corner and came to the hallway phone where it was laying off the hook awaiting her. She picked it up and spoke as if her whole summer was full of adventure and exasperated tales of love and wonder. As if that would ever be her life.
"Mmm, Hullo?" she said calmly as she heard a girl rustling around on the phone before an answer.
"Lily?" the girl said. Lily knew who it was just from the tone of the voice. She smiled slightly and picked up a pencil tapping it against a note pad distractedly.
"Hey Meddie," Lily said cheerily fiddling with the phone cord, "How's your summer going so far?" She could hear Meddie squeal with excitement as she said back.
"Awesome! You won't believe the time I had in London this weekend! It was so fantastic!" she said, Lily could hear her bound around on her bed as if she could hardly wait to share the wonderful time she had and the beautiful people she encountered. Lily looked at the ceiling solemnly and said,
"I can only imagine. Who was all there? What ever did you do?" she seemed to say in false interest but hoped Meddie wouldn't catch on too soon. Lily had known her since she was a first year, they had made friends immediately and she was the closest thing to a best friend that Lily had ever known.
"The Marauders, of course!" Lily rolled her eyes and let her continue, "We had such a great time, and we cruised the streets and went shopping. Rosaleen was there and Kate, and Lucy. Oh Lily it was such a wonderful time! Sirius said he adored my outfit! And James! Oh Gosh! James could not stop asking about you, about your summer, of course I couldn't say much because I've been so busy, our phone calls have been sparse and far between, but gosh-," Lily stopped listening at that moment. Of course James had asked about her. The boy hadn't left her alone since his third year when he realized that being a teenager came with responsibilities, such as acknowledging girls and running a hand through ones hair whenever possible. Lily rolled her eyes and sighed, he had gotten on her nerves since that first day when he knocked her down in the hall their first year. As if that wasn't enough to hold a grudge he had proceeded in knocking the wrong chemicals in her cauldron, throwing an enchanted frog in her hair to latch on and make sure all the slime it possibly held was left on her head. He persisted in embarrassing her and trying to catch her attention. Around his fifth year he started to persistently ask her out and cut her off at every corner he could. Although he defended her every time someone provoked her or decided to label her a Mudblood, she hardly needed his help. She usually just skived him off leaving him with nothing more than an insult or a disgruntled gesture. She was snapped back to reality when she heard Meddie ask,
"So, how has your summer gone?" Lily dreaded this question but proceeded in telling her of the books she read, how far she had gotten on using charms and, of course, the lovely visit to the zoo with her family and two of Petunias closest friends. All she got out of that trip was a bad sunburn and whispers of being called a freak and outcast. Meddie didn't really respond to any of that, her concentration was mostly on what outfit to impress Sirius in the most and how her hair should look the next day. When Lily abruptly stopped her from saying she had to go to hang out with them the next day, Meddie made no complaint. Lily hung up the phone exaughsted from the social output she seemed obligated to give to her 'best friend'.
As she trudged back upstairs to her books and delightful enchantments she knocked into her sister who threw her a look of utter disgust, one that was hardly noticeable through the cake of make-up she had plastered over her face. Lily ignored it and pushed through her door, falling headfirst into her bed. Once her face was buried in the pillow she let out a scream that echoed only around her ears. Her owl, Blarney, turned his head over to her and gave a short hoot. Lily only hoped for this summer to be over with soon, so she could drag herself back to a normal life, one that was viewed as far from normal as possible in her family. As she lay there in the white depths of the pillow she only saw black tousled hair and hazel eyes. Her eyes widened and she mentally slapped herself; wow this summer really was getting to her.
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Lily stood at the wall before her which was named 'Platform nine and three quarters' in front of a dull looking mother, sulking sister, and an ecstatic father. He was the only one who seemed to appreciate his daughter's uniqueness. He drew her into a tight hug then handed her to her mother who gave her a polite and meek kiss. She just looked at Petunia, lifted slender fingers and waved. A grimace was compensation. She sighed and smiled to her family before she gave a short 'goodbye' and 'I love you's' walking through the platform rolling her cart with trunk, owl and tote bag. She looked around and found the conductor who gladly had someone take her bags and load them into a compartment, she made sure to remove her tote bag though saying she'd carry it with her. As she looked around on the platform she heard a loud shout and wave at the end of the platform, it was Meddie waving ecstacticly towards her as if her arm might fall off. 'How does this girl have this much energy?' she sighed softly to herself. She smiled and waved back before jogging over to her and embracing her in a hug. Meddie might have gone a little heavy on the perfume; Sirius must be around somewhere if Meddie was this dolled up. Meddie was going on about something or other before she heard the conductors whistle blow. A soft chill ran through her as she took her friends hand and boarded the train. They settled in a compartment, Meddie still going on, as Lily looked out the window of the train onto the almost empty platform. Just then she saw the Marauders dashing through the wall rushing down the platform, each looking disheveled and confused and she swore that James might still be in his pajama pants. She laughed and pointed out the window when Meddie inquired what was so funny. She then proceeded to join her giggles and watched as they practically through their stuff to the loaders. They then hopped on the train as it began to move and saw them dash down the hall by them. James held up when he noticed red hair and pulled open the door to their compartment.
"Say ladies, is this compartment full?" he flashed his mega watt smile and walked in as Meddie motioned for him to come in, Lily's cheeks were rosy with laughter but the smile was gone. The rest of the Marauders filed in. James graciously bowed and said to Lily
"Is this seat taken?" he motioned to the empty space beside her. Lily pulled her tote bag up and set it in the empty spot,
"As a matter of fact it is," she smirked and glared. James just smiled and said,
"Oh let me help you with that," he picked up her bag and stored it into an overhead compartment taking the seat next to her draping an arm around the back of the seat an inch or two above her shoulders. Her hostility kicked in full frontal. She looked over and glared at him, but his attention was no longer on her, but in the direction of his friends, joking and laughing as if what he just did was innocent as eating blueberry pie. The train was full speed now and students were starting to wander the halls of the train. Lily stood and said,
"Excuse me, I'm feeling sick," she made her way to the door as she could feel James' eyes on her back. He immediately got up and followed her. She rolled her eyes, how many hints did she have to give him honestly! As soon as she was out and down the hall he gently grabbed her arm. She spun around and jerked her arm free.
"Woah Evans, not even a 'hello' or an 'I sure did miss you Potter?' Where are your manners?" he smiled, the hint of teasing playing at his lips. Suddenly Lily's eyes were drawn to his lips, but her eyes jerked back up to his face, her once softened features hard as stone leaving only one emotion.
"I might have to ask the same about your manners Potter, touching me is something you should never do, now if you'll excuse me," she tried to turn and walk away but he slipped past her in front of her. A death glare came to her face as she said, "Move it Potter or you'll end up with eggs and toast all over your shirt," she seemed deadly serious but she wasn't sick, she just wanted to get away from this tempting individual before her conscious told her to do something that she would soon regret.
"As long as it belongs to you I'm fine, do you promise to faint in my arms afterwards?" he smiled again and she smirked pushing past him, she was at a loss for words, she had been lately. He persisted in jumping every way in which she tried to push through blocking her entry. When she stomped her foot much like a child, James getting the response he wanted out of her he graciously let her through. She hauled past him but he was close on her heels leaning to whisper in her ear.
"So Evans, where should our new make out spot be?" she felt his breath on her ear and raised her hand to hit him in the face, he faltered for a moment but kept after her until she bolted into the trains bathroom and shut the door quickly behind her and bolting the door shut. She breathed a sigh of relief in this cramped bathroom. She leaned against the wall and looked at her reflection in the mirror, she was definitely flushed from playing her little games with Potter but she ran her hands over her cheeks anyways. When she turned to open the door as best she could she saw Potter striking an unlikely pose against the doorframe; elbow leaning on the doorframe, his whole body at a slanted position, one heel crossed across the other, his hand on the back of his neck and his other hand resting on his waist. She caught her breath as his eyes glided up her meeting her face. He smiled softly this time, Lily thinking she saw a glimmer of tenderness in his eyes. She realized her face must be a bit astonished so she turned it back to a glare. As she tried to push past him he stopped her standing straight holding her waist to stop her. She looked at him aghast and said a bit exasperated,
"What is it Potter?' a bit of desperate need coated her tone. James was surprised by this strange sound and watched her vulnerability quickly thicken. He smiled and said letting his hand rest on her hip. Her eyes slowly looked down to his hand then back to his face a little lost for words, once again.
"I missed you Evans," the sincerity in his voice was enough to drive a steak through her heart. She was not to be swept away by such false charm, but before she knew it his arms were wrapped around her his body pressed against her, every muscle he possessed pressed against her and she looked up at him, she felt like she was in a dream, and she suddenly felt numb, warm, comfortable, and wanted. She couldn't shake this particular feeling. Wait, wasn't she just in a heated round of insults with him just a few moments ago? All logical thoughts seemed to filter out of her brain though. She only saw tousled black hair, and hazel eyes, before soft lips met hers. She felt her arms rise up his chest and move around his neck, her body pressing harder to his, her breath heated against his lips as soft kisses moved around her lips.
Softly, slowly, he caressed her with his lips. But suddenly she heard a soft urgent voice in her head. She tried to ignore it, but the voice was growing louder. Pounding against the inner walls of her skull, the voice was at a scream now over and over it yelled, 'Lily! Wake up!' her eyes shot open and she found herself in the same compartment. Meddie was talking with Lucy and Rosaleen. Kate, like her was sleeping as soft rain pattered the windows. She looked around indifferently not sure when it was she fell asleep. She was disappointed. 'Wait! Disappointed in what! That it was just a dream? Or that you didn't know when you fell asleep?' her conscious asked. Lily shook her head and smiled at Meddie who continued on with Sirius Black. 'Could this girl not shut up about him already?' she sighed and rolled her head over to lay her forehead on the cool glass.
"A dream," she muttered.
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In a couple compartments over James shot up from his soft slumber. His best friends were trying to catch Bertie Botts every flavor beans in their mouth. He rubbed his forehead and sighed. Had he just been dreaming about her again? All summer she had plagued his dreams. He then looked to his hand that had black smudges all over it. His friends around him began to laugh as Sirius pointed to his face. Remus was chuckling in amusement as Peter tried to imitate the same hearty laugh as Sirius. James checked his reflection in the window of the train and let out a bark of laughter. All over his forehead and face were profanities and obscene words describing James and what he liked to do. He immediately turned around to tackle Sirius and proceed to punch him in his sides playfully. All the other boys joined in resulting in a dog pile on top of each other. James had found the marker that was used to deface his own face and began to mark on every bit of flesh he could see; coloring one whole side of Sirius' face a dark purple. They ended in laughter on their seats and finished off their masterpieces to each other by adding more obscene words.
Deciding to show off their new looks they walked out of the compartment and down the hall of the train stopping when girls turned their heads to wave. Sirius stopped at one girl when she asked what was on his face; he then inquired her of what she was talking about and scratched the tip of the penis that lay drawn on his face. He shrugged and carried on, the boys walking with a smirk on their lips. For once the prank was played on them, only to be played by themselves. Soon an immense laughter filled the train as they showed off their faces, people peaking out of their compartments to joke and laugh. Lily poked her head out of the compartment and upon seeing James, she blushed. He caught her eye and winked. For a moment, Lily actually thought he knew what she had been thinking, and dreaming. But she shook that thought shortly after realizing the silliness that she was conveying upon her own thoughts.
She rested back in the compartment and shook her head. Somehow she knew this was going to be a different kind of year. Good? Sure why not? Bad? Define bad if you will. Whatever it was, it was different, and change was all Lily wanted.
"Different," she whispered as the rain splattered against the cold window.