DISCLAIMER: Since I am not, J.K. Rowling, I know its sad, but I unfortunately do not own these lovely characters that you recognize. Or any Harry Potter related items that you may recognize.I 'm just interpreting how these people may have led their lives along with some made up characters of my own.
Chapter 2: Diagon Alley and Lily's Birthday
Lily had talked to her mother about the trip to Diagon Alley with Gina and her mother said that was fine. So when the day of August 18 came, Lily was ready and excited.
"You're sure you don't care?" questioned Lily as she and her mother approached the Leaky Cauldron.
"No, honey, you can spend the evening with your father and I. Today's your birthday. Enjoy it with your friends. I'll be waiting here at six o'clock. Try not to be too late. Have fun, be careful, and I love you."
"Okay mum, I will, don't worry, I love you too!"
Lily ran out of the car and into the Leaky Cauldron searching for large curly/wavy dark blonde hair. That made Gina easy to spot in a crowd, just like Lily's red hair made her easy to spot. Lily was looking in a far corner when she felt someone pull her into a hug and whisper, "Guess who?"
"GINA PARKS! Oh my stars, you nearly scared me to death! Don't do that again!" said Lily a bit sternly, but then began to laugh, "Oh Gina, it's so good to see you. I've missed you so much."
"As I have you dear friend. Well, Happy 16th Birthday! I don't want to give you your present just yet… 'Why not?' Lily asked…err, umm, because…I'm not ready to. I, err, want to go shopping first." replied Gina mysteriously.
Lily wondered what all that was about, but before she could wonder too long Gina had pulled her into Diagon Alley and began heading for Gringotts. After each girl exchanged their money, well Lily exchanged, Gina withdrew. Gina's family was from the Wizarding world. They headed to Flourish & Blotts to get their books for the upcoming year. Lily noticed that Gina kept checking her watch, but just ignored it. Gina then proceeded to drag her to Eeylops Owl Emporium, The Apothecary, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, The Cauldron Shop, and finally to Gambol and Japes where Gina and Lily saw James and Sirius.
Lily groaned audibly when she saw who it was. She knew Gina didn't like to be rude to people, she was nice like that, so that meant they had to speak. She noticed that Gina gave James and Sirius a "look" before either of them said anything.
"Hi, Lily!" said both James and Sirius sweetly. The next thing Lily knew she was smothered in between James and Sirius while hearing both boys yell, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
When they finally released her from their massive hug, Lily muttered a quiet "Thank you." and then walked behind Gina to keep from getting sporadically attacked again. Lily wanted to tell both boys to never touch her again, but seeing as how they were telling her happy birthday, she thought better of it, just for today anyways. Gina was laughing the entire time. The upside to the commotion caused Lily to get a free item from Gambol and Japes since it was her birthday. She decided to choose a package of Sugar Quills.
James and Sirius were outraged: "You could have picked any prank item and you chose CANDY?" exclaimed James.
"It's blasphemy I say, Prongs, pure blasphemy." said Sirius jokingly.
Gina had realized she hadn't spoke to either boy and immediately said hello to each of them and asked how they were doing. Each replied that they were fine and said they each got 9 O.W.L.s. At this information, Lily's ears tuned in. She was thinking her owl was at home with results waiting for her. Gina said exactly that, "Oh, I guess I left before my owl arrived. But good job boys." Gina and Lily shared E.S.P. sometimes it seemed. Lily had tolerated James and Sirius in her presence much longer than she normally does, so she felt the need to leave the idiots behind.
"So, yea, Gina, I think it is time that we leave." prodded Lily.
"I guess you're right. Well, James, Sirius, it was nice seeing you. I guess I'll see you later." said Gina.
"Of course you will at…" but Sirius stopped when both James and Gina gave him a look.
Lily had noticed that that was the second time that Gina gave a "look" to James and Sirius. Now that she really thought about it, Gina had been acting weird today--rushing her around Diagon Alley and not talking much. Lily came back to reality when she heard Gina saying goodbye to James and Sirius. Lily walked out with Gina without as much as even acknowledging James or Sirius.
Lily decided she was going to get to the bottom of why Gina was acting so weird. "Gina, is everything okay? You seem out of it today. Your just not talking much at all. Which is not normal for you with me. Why, you haven't even told me about your trip to Scotland."
"Oh! Yeah, of course, I'm fine. I , um, just wanted to, uh, get all the boring stuff out of the way , yea, so we could, um, have the rest of the day to talk and do whatever you'd like to do. Yea that's it." replied Gina uneasily.
"And why were you giving looks to Potter and Black?" asked Lily questioningly.
"My, my, Lil, we are inquisitive today, are we not?" answered Gina kidding around, "I'm not trying to steal James from you." Gina loved saying things like that to Lily just to aggravate her.
The effect was just what Gina thought it would be. "Steal Potter? Steal Potter from me? You can steal him and take him back to Scotland and feed him to the Loch Ness monster for all I care. I hate him, Gina. He is the most immature irresponsible person I know. And he won't leave me alone, or quit asking me out..it's really annoying..furthermore he's a toerag." said Lily angrily.
"I know, Lily, I'm just kidding. I'm sorry, I didn't meant to make you mad. Look over there, it's Jenny and Taylor! Jenny! Taylor! Over here!" exclaimed Gina.
The girls said their hello's and how are you's and then Jenny and Gina finally told Lily about their trip to Scotland.
Jenny said, "It was too a leprechaun! I know what I saw."
Gina argued, "Jenny, I highly doubt it my friend. Definitely a goblin. They did migrate there you know, after some rebellion or other in like the seventeenth century."
Taylor jumped in, "Maybe you're both right, maybe it was a leprechaun and a goblin!"
Jenny, Gina, and Lily laughed and agreed that that would work. Jenny and Taylor left saying they had a few errands to run, but agreed to meet up with them later for dinner at the Leaky Cauldron around four o'clock.
Gina and Lily decided to wander around Diagon Alley until four o'clock running into Remus and Peter, and later on Brooke. Again, the usual greeting words were exchanged and said they'd see each other on the Hogwarts Express on the first of September.
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James and Sirius decided to go ahead and pick out their item for doing well on their O.W.L.s before letting Mrs. Potter go off on her own. They had a hard time deciding between Quality Quidditch Supplies and Gambol and Japes. James already had the newest broom available, the Nimbus 1500. His parents bought it for his birthday last year. James and Sirius decided to get 2 different deluxe prank kits from Gambol and Japes.
With that taken care of, both black haired boys promised to meet Melanie Potter at the Leaky Cauldron around six o'clock. They decided to go and get their supplies for the upcoming year. With that accomplished, the boys decided to wander around. James and Sirius remembered that they needed to buy Lily something for her birthday. They weren't walking around for long when they saw Remus and Peter. They had come to Diagon Alley for the same reason-school supplies and to get Lily a birthday present. With the four Marauders back together, they continued their trek through Diagon Alley.
"Moony, Wormtail, what's been going on?" questioned Sirius.
"Eh, not much, I've been resting this week. The full moon really took it out of me last time. But I feel much better today." replied Remus sadfully.
"Don't worry, Moony, we'll be able to help you soon, mate. We all know what animal we're going to be, we, er, just need to work on changing to and from." replied James.
Sirius chimed in, "You know, I have grown dead fond of our nicknames, Padfoot for me since I am a dog, Wormtail for Peter since he's a rat and HAHAHAHA, sorry, his tail looks like a worm, and since James is a stag, Prongs because he has antlers. And all together, we make up THE MARAUDERS!"
Peter added, "Calm down Sirius, we don't want anyone to hear! We'll help you out Remus, don't worry. Oh, but anyways, my mum's been mental here lately with all this talk of the rise of Voldemort. She nearly didn't let me come today with Remus."
"Speaking of the dark lord, look over there." said James with a look of hatred on his face. "It's that git from Slytherin, well one of the many gits, what's his name? He's seeker on the quidditch team and look who he's with. Your dear cousin, Padfoot, Bellatrix Black."
"Oh, that's Mark Nelson. Definitely, he's a jerk. Full of himself and loves the dark arts. But he's awesome as a seeker, I hear. We may have to look out for the Slytherin quidditch team this year, Prongs." said Sirius as though it pained him.
Mark looked over in their direction and noticed the Marauders glaring at him. He approached them and he asked, "Is there a problem, gentlemen?" sarcasm dripping from his every word.
"There is now, Nelson." replied Sirius staring daggers at him. Sirius never had never spoke to him before now, well, it couldn't be helped.
James picked up where Sirius left off, "Oh no, sir, we were just admiring your long blonde hair. Are you by any chance related to the Malfoys? You have the same slimy look about you that they have. I really don't see what all the girls see in you. Oh wait, that's right, that's just the Slytherin girls…"
Mark pulled his wand out so fast that none of the Marauders were ready for it, but luckily, they were in front of Flourish and Blotts and people were constantly coming in and out. The Marauders had drawn their wands but put them away when Mark lowered his. "You be lucky that we're in a crowded street. This isn't over, gentlemen." and with those parting words, Mark walked off into the crowd, presumably into Knockturn Alley.
"James, Sirius, you two really need to control yourselves better." said Remus reproachfully.
"Aww, Moony, it was just harmless fun!" barked Sirius. James seconded the motion. Remus said that he and Peter still needed to go and get their school supplies, but promised to meet them at the Leaky Cauldron later. Remus left and told James and Sirius to behave.
"So, James, now that we've had our dose of fun, let's say we go get Lily a birthday present?" asked Sirius.
"Yeah! Definitely.." replied James brightening upon hearing Lily's name.
Both boys decided to head into Flourish and Blotts since they were standing just outside of it. They both knew that Lily liked to read. So they headed inside and started browsing the shelves. James and Sirius both spotted an extra book they wanted "Curses and Counter-Curses (Bewitch your Friends and Befuddle your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying and much, much more)" by Professor Vindictus Viridian. James grabbed it and held onto it. Sirius saw, "An Anthology of Eighteenth-Century Charms" by Marianne Bennet, and decided that would be his gift to Lily. James eventually found, "Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charms" by Sir William Henry. Each boy knew that Lily was very talented in Charms and thought she might find the books interesting. It was very thoughtful of Sirius to buy a considerate gift like that, but considering he considered Lily a friend, even though she didn't consider him a friend, he thought it was a nice gesture, something she may appreciate. And well, James was in love with her, so he definitely would get her something thoughtful.
With Lily's present out of the way the boys decided to head to the best shop in Diagon Alley, Gambol and Japes, well go there again without James's mother.
Of course, they bought tons of candy, and a few prank items. They had been in the shop for a while when the heard the bell ring signaling people had came in. Sirius and James looked up and to James's delight, he saw his favorite red head with her best friend.
James looked over in their direction and saw Gina give them a "look." James wanted to laugh, he wasn't going to say anything, but I guess Gina just wanted to make sure of it. They told Lily "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" James noticed that Lily didn't yell at him and Sirius for hugging her. He figured it had to do with the fact that it was her birthday. All she could mutter was a quiet "thank you." Both boys watched as Lily picked out Sugar Quills as her free birthday present. Gina talked to them for a bit before saying good bye and saying she'd see them later. Sirius nearly let it slip that they'd be at the Leaky Cauldron around four o'clock.
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It was about fifteen minutes past four when Gina and Lily decided to head to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Now you can give me my birthday present, Gina!" exclaimed Lily excitedly.
"You have no idea…"mumbled Gina.
"What was that?" asked Lily.
"Oh, nothing, yea, you'll get it as soon as we get through eating." replied Gina going back to her mysterious voice again.
Lily and Gina walked into the Leaky Cauldron and asked for a table in the back. They walked towards the back room and opened the door. It was dark inside the room so Lily turned on a light. But when she did, she heard a loud roar of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILY!"
Lily jumped up and down screaming, "Oh my stars! How thoughtful! Gina Parks, this was your idea wasn't it? This is why you've been acting so strangely today. And that would make sense why all of our friends just happened to be in Diagon Alley today. Oh…and that would explain those odd looks you kept giving James and Sirius."
Gina just laughed, "You've got it all figured out, Lily. Come on, everyone is waiting!"
Lily was told to sit at the head of the table with Gina and Jenny on either side of her. And James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Shawn, Brooke, and Taylor scattered about the table. Since everyone was hungry they decided to eat first before Lily opened her presents. Lily was so happy that she didn't even mind that James, Sirius, and Peter were there. Gina actually thought of that and whispered to Lily while everyone else was deep in conversation, "Lil, I'm really sorry, but I think the Marauders would have had their feelings hurt if I didn't invite them, and I mean, hey, it's more presents for you!"
Lily laughed at Gina, she was always so considerate. "It's fine, Gina. I don't even think James or Sirius could put me in a bad mood today."
James stood up and shouted, "PRESENT TIME!" He proceeded to give his present to Lily so that she could open it first.
Lily opened it, looked shocked, and then said, "Why, thank you, Potter, this book looks really interesting." She couldn't believe he picked such a good present out.
Sirius thrust his present at her next. "If you liked James's present, then I know you'll like mine too!"
Lily had the same shocked look on her face. "You're right, Black. I like this, as well. You realize right, that I may learn a few, uh, tricks in here if you and Potter mess with me this year?" replied Lily jokingly.
Taylor bought Lily a cute bracelet that changed color depending on what you were wearing that day, Shawn bought her a diary that would write back to her when she wrote in it, but the neat thing was, she could pick whoever she wanted to write back to her as long as they weren't alive. "Thank you, Shawn, that is such an awesome present!" Lily said. Remus and Peter gave her a camera that took moving pictures. Brooke found out what Remus and Peter got her and went and bought the kit that you used to develop the moving pictures. Lily was excited about that gift also. Jenny and Gina combined their money while in Scotland and bought Lily a pretty green dress robe that would match her eyes. But Gina also bought her something extra.
Lily looked at Gina like she shouldn't have got her something extra but was curious about what it was. Lily opened the package and saw another book. Lily looked at it and said, "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. Lily didn't know what it was about, but by the looks of it, it was a muggle book.
"Lily, before you say anything, I saw it in Scotland in a bookstore and it looked really good! It reminded me of something familiar. I even bought a copy of it for myself." said Gina.
"Thank you, Gina. I'm sure I'll like it. Now, I want everyone to line up so I can take a picture with my camera." Lily yelled for someone to come and take their picture. Lily made sure to stay by Gina and Jenny so Potter couldn't get near her. Lily and Gina took a picture together, and then the girls of the sixth year dormitory took a picture together too. And Lily even made the sixth year boys take a picture.
Lily hated to see the party end, but naturally it was around six o'clock and everyone was coming to pick up their children. Mrs. Potter came up to Lily and hugged her and said Happy Birthday and said she was welcome to come to Potter Manor anytime she wanted to. Lily really liked Mrs. Potter. "It's a shame that Potter can't be more like his mother," thought Lily. When Lily's mother arrived, Gina and Jenny were the only two left, so Lily and her mother waited until their parents arrived which wasn't much longer.
After Lily and her mother returned home, Crystal had a birthday cake prepared for her daughter. John and Crystal Evans sang their daughter "Happy Birthday" and cut into the cake, which had a lovely picture of a yellow lily on it. While eating cake, Lily told her parents about the surprise birthday party that Gina had planned for her in Diagon Alley today. They thought that was really nice and asked her what presents Lily had gotten. She told them and they really like the camera and diary, but when Lily told her that Gina had bought her a copy of "Pride and Prejudice" Lily's mother got really excited.
"I love that book! It's probably my favorite book ever!" exclaimed Crystal Evans.
Lily giggled, "Gina told me it sounded like a good book. She even bought it for herself too."
John said, "Lily, now you get to open your present from your mum and I."
It was a huge box, with a bright green bow on top. Lily ripped off the paper to reveal a large trunk.
"Thank you mum, dad! I love it! I desperately needed a new trunk. My other one wouldn't hold everything without my shrinking things.
"It is supposed to have magical abilities," said Crystal, "I had Melanie Potter find it for you and I paid her back. She said you create your own password, say it to the trunk out loud, and tap your wand to it the first time, but after that you only have to think the word and tap your wand." Lily decided to open the trunk to look at the inside. There was a small package in there. It was from Mrs. Potter! Lily opened the package and found a necklace with a star in it. A note was attached:
Lily, I found this and I thought you might like it. I got James one a while back ago, he won't wear it though. I hope you like it.
Melanie Potter
Lily picked up the necklace, it was very pretty. There was a small orb with a little star in the middle. Another piece of paper lay under the necklace:
You are the proud owner of a Star necklace. Your necklace is connected to a star in the sky. Whenever your star is above you, you're necklace will glow green, and your star will glow brighter in the sky. But your Star necklace also has another power. If you and your true love both have a necklace the orb will glow a bright blue. The orb will only glow if it is a deep strong love on both sides, but the catch is, you and your true love must be outside, under the stars with both necklaces on your self.
Lily loved it! She really didn't believe in that sort of thing, but it was still thoughtful of Mrs. Potter. She decided to put it around her neck and go outside to test it out. Just as she thought, the necklace didn't do anything, at all.
Her mother reminded her that she needed to thank Mrs. Potter. Lily thanked them for such a great present and went to bed. She wrote Mrs. Potter a thank you note first.
Mrs. Potter,
Thank you for the beautiful star necklace. I love it! I guess I haven't found my star yet. Maybe I'll find it at Hogwarts, or I hope I do! I hope you have a good rest of the summer!
Thanks again,
Lily
Lily went to bed thinking about what a wonderful day she had and how this was her best birthday ever. While she was laying in bed, she noticed another owl beside Lizzy. It looked pretty ticked off. Lily saw the Hogwarts crest and immediately realized that the poor owl had been there all day. She gave it some owl treats and fresh water and cautiously took the letter without getting bit. The owl seemed to lighten up since she fed it, when it finished eating it flew away. She tore open the letter and found out she had 10 O.W.L.s. She was so excited, but tired too. She would tell her parents tomorrow.
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That's the end of Chapter 2! I hope everyone likes it. Oh, and the characters that you don't recognize are friends of mine, most of them are true to character. I have their permission to be in the story, or they wanted to be in it. And I love Pride & Prejudice! It will be used in the story line somehow. Please review!
