A/N: So, I've got another James/Lily fight in this chapter. I know you're wondering why another fight, but if you haven't noticed yet, I want to build up on James/Lily relationship. Make them friends first and then let them fall in love, and that will take some time. It is not going to be just Jily lovey-dovey stuff. If you want lovey-dovey stuff, there are plenty other fan fictions I can recommend (just PM me).
Apart from that, I hope you enjoy this one. Cheers.
To the reviewers:
your best friend: Thanks a lot. There are twists and turns in the upcoming chapters, don't you worry.
Ownership: The only hp thing I own is a deathly hallows locket.
2. The letters from no one
"Don't ever call me mad, Mycroft. I'm not mad, I'm just…well, differently moraled, that's all."- Jasper Fforde (The Eyre Affair)
The first week back at Hogwarts was pretty much uneventful, except for a huge row between James and Lily on the first day, in professor Flitwick's class. In fact, Mary, disappointed by the lack of gossip and surprisingly uneventful recollection of summer stories was just pointing this out at breakfast when a huge owl, which looked at lot one of those school owls, dropped a note in front of her.
On the first day back, Alissa Shaw, the new girl had arrived for charms before anyone else and Lily Evans along with Saffi Lovato had arrived just in time. This was extremely amusing seeing that Lily was always on time and Alissa was hardly ever.
Funny or not, Alissa had indeed arrived in time which allowed her to occupy the last seat in classroom. The marauders, as they called themselves, were a group of four boys, each a different individual. However, when they were together, their most defining characteristic was their talent to get into trouble. While most elders would frown upon it, youngsters usually have a high amount of respect for such talents. So naturally, the last seats were reserved for the marauders. Also, a rumor supposed that James and Sirius were known to hex for good seats, but that was second year and a rumor. However they didn't get to have their regular seat for, as mentioned before, Alissa had occupied it. It was an unspoken, unwritten rule, which Alissa had unknowingly broken.
Now, the marauders were pretty easy going, which made them more likable. The rumor was a rumor. So when James and Sirius lazily strolled in the room, probably at Remus' insistence to not bunk lectures on first day, and realized that one of their seats was occupied, they decided to get themselves another seat. Who after all, gets into a fight over a seat? They were not first years anymore, were they. This was also funny, seeing that James eventually did get into a fight about his seat. The marauders also stuck with each other, no matter what. This is also ironical, because there comes a phase when the marauders broke apart, but more on that later. So since, the marauders stuck together, they had to choose four empty seats in a row and two of these seats happened to be next to Lily and Saffi's. So, if you haven't put two and two together yet, here is what happened.
As the marauders realized that their usual seats were taken, they chose other seats. Since the entire morning felt like a joke, it was only natural that James picked the seat next to Lily. But like mentioned before Lily had not arrived yet and he couldn't not possibly fathom that it was Lily's seat. Also, last he checked they were on a temporary truce.
When five minutes later, Lily and Saffi entered the class gasping for breath; it was Saffi who pointed out that James was sitting next to Lily.
"This is going to be fun." She grinned as Lily scowled.
Sirius seemed to have realized this too for he was grinning like a mad man, which he probably was.
Lily took her seat and leaned across Saffi to talk to Melina.
"Had to run all the way from the dungeons. Professor Slughorn is impossible to stop once he gets chatting."
Melina grinned and started to say something when professor Flitwick entered the class and called for silence. Lily settled down in her seat and proceeded to take out her books when James turned towards her and grinned, "Morning. "
"Morning to you too." Replied Lily civilly, not wanting to start a fight. "We're on a truce." she mentally chanted, as she opened the assigned page. "No matter how annoying his idiotic, way too fresh for the first day back grin is, we're on a truce."
Professor Flitwick moved towards the board and wrote: NON VERBAL SPELLS. At once everyone started talking in hushed tones, discussing it with their friends.
"Class, today we will be learning use of non verbal spells in charms. This year most of your subjects will require you to use non verbal spells and it is advised to master them as quickly as possible. Now, we will use them in charms too and perhaps more in this subject than others. Can anyone tell me the difference between Non verbal spells and the usual ones?" said Professor Flitwick.
As a several hands shot in the air, along with Lily and Saffi's, James whispered loudly to Sirius, "The fact that we can't speak them." who sniggered loudly. Lily shot an annoyed glance in their direction before concentrating on Professor Flitwick. As he called upon Paul, Lily could feel Sirius passing a note to James who was biting his lip to stop himself from laughing. Lily frowned but concentrated on what Paul was saying,
"Non verbal spells are, obviously not meant to be spoken. Though, the same incantation is used, their effects also vary. Mostly, non verbal spells are not quite as powerful and the effects are less dangerous. Despite being less efficient, they are extremely useful, especially in a duel, because they provide an element of surprise."
"Correct Mr. Dwindt, five points to Gryffindor. Now, apart from the element of surprise, in charms there are several spells whose effects are nearly negligible when spoken out loud and hence, they can only be used as non verbal spells. Can anyone give me any such spell? ", asked Professor Flitwick.
Once again Lily raised her hand and so did Paul and to Lily's surprise, so did James. Apparently, Lily was not the only one who was surprised as Professor Flitwick and Sirius stared him. Naturally professor Flitwick pleased said, "Yes, Mr. Potter."
"Well, Professor Flitwick, Levicorpus is a spell that is easier to perform when not spoken aloud." He drawled lazily. He felt Lily stiffen next to him and sat up straighter.
What had he been thinking about, to mention Levicorpus in front of her. The incident, as it was dubbed, had barely taken place during the end of their previous term. It had been a lazy day and James wasn't a fan of Snape. And he was also a git, no matter how popular. He saw an opportunity to torment Snape, publicly and took it. The spell had been Levicorpus. This incident had been different from his other hexes. This incident led to the fall out of Lily and Snape's friendship. For those who are unaware of such, Lily and Snape had been friends for practically forever, even before Hogwarts. They knew each other as children, for having resided close to each other. This was the main reason for their friendship to make it till fifth year, despite their houses; him a slytherin and she a gryffindor. Another reason as to why Lily and James never got along was his blatant disregard for others, a trait that never ceased to annoy her. And when she saw him tormenting her best friend, she lost it. Determined to put an end to it, she arrived at the scene, furious and disgusted. And as she stood up against James and the crowd that had gathered, fighting for her best friend, she felt the worst betrayal ever. Snape called her mudblood.
Lily Evans is a muggleborn but some people see her as a mudblood. A mudblood is the worst form of insult for those of her likes and to be called one by your best friend hurt ten times more. The scene replayed in her mind, crystal clear at the mere mention of the spell 'Levicorpus' that had simply been there that evening.
James mentally kicked himself and once Professor Flitwick continued, he leaned towards her whispered," Hey Evans, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, potter." She said, faking concentration while her mind was on the summer when Severus had tried to contact her, more than once.
"Hey, Evans, I really am sorry."
"Bloody hell, Potter, Let me concentrate."
At this James turned to Sirius and whispered something, probably about how Evans was angry with him. Sirius shook his head and whispered something back, which was extremely distracting to Lily's as it is wandering attention.
"Merlin's beard, can't you shut up." She said loudly, causing the class to stare at her.
"Well, Evans I see no way in which I am disturbing you." retorted James, by no means trying to be rude.
"But you can't see anything that doesn't involve you, can you now?"
"Why do you have to make a big deal out of everything?"
"Now Now, Miss Evans, Mr. Potter, I suggest we all calm down. Why don't one of you change your seat?" squeaked Professor Flitwick.
"I am not moving." said both of them together.
"You move potter, this is not even your seat."
"But I am not the one who has any problems, am I?" he replied. In fact, he had no problems sitting next to her. He was actually pretty pleased when she had chosen the seat next to him.
"Ugh, potter, why don't you move already and we can continue with the class."
"You could do the same." He shrugged.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Evans, five points from Gryffindor each. And a detention for both of you. Now I suggest you remain quiet for the rest of the class."
Naturally once they were out of the class, they both had a screaming match in the corridor. James felt that this was the only way he would be able to talk to her while she was frustrated that she had lost points on the very first day of school. As the class hurried outside to watch the fight, Alissa packed her things and turned to the girl sitting next to her. She had chestnut brown hair and Alissa vaguely remembered Mary pointing her out the previous night but she had done that for so many and Alissa didn't remember her name.
"Hey, err... I'm Alissa. I'm new here."
"Hey, I'm Emmeline Vance, but most people call me Emily." The girl said. she had the sweetest voice you could imagine.
"Right, the thing is, Hogwarts is huge and I don't know the way to Ancient Runes. Could you-"
"Of course, I have the same class. We could walk together." She said as she watched Sirius walking out of the class.
"So, Emily, What the hell just happened in Charms?" Asked Alissa, not used to James and Lily's fights.
"Oh, about that, well you took the marauder's seat and so James and Lily had to seat next to each other."
"What is a marauder?" ask Alissa confused.
Emily gave a beautiful tinkling laugh before, "I keep on forgetting how much you don't know. The marauders are James, Sirius, Remus and Peter."
"Oh, that fight was my fault."
"Don't worry about it; Lily and James fight all the time. They'll probably fight during the detention and get some more."
"Oh okay." said Alissa uncertainly. And that was the start of a new friendship.
The first week back at Hogwarts was pretty much uneventful, except for a huge row between James and Lily on the first day, in professor Flitwick's class. That was exactly what Mary was saying on Friday morning during breakfast, when a huge owl dropped a letter on her bacon. Mary frowned at the envelope. She had received a letter from her mom the previous day and was not expecting any mail.
"Who could be writing to me?" she wondered aloud as she picked it up.
"Only one way to find out dear." said Melina, buttering her toast
Mary nodded and opened the letter and glanced quickly through it. Her eyes widened and her hand started trembling as she let the letter fall the table. Saffi and Melina looked at her in surprise as she choked out, "Read it"
Saffi picked up the letter and read-
Mudblood,
Your dirty blood ridicules the great ancestry, that is, the wizarding community. You have stolen Magic from a pureblood, deserving, magic worthy witch or a wizard and theft is never taken well. Mudbloods always have to pay for their sins.
"Five mudbloods in Kentucky were cruciated and cursed. Three of them died their foul blood unable to bear the pain. Two females left were used and once they were unable to serve their filthy purposes, they were disposed off."
Several Mudbloods have faced the same inevitable end that their flawed character deserves.
ARE YOU NEXT, MUDBLOOD?
Melina choked over her toast and looked at Mary who had paled to the colour of forty day old porridge.
"What am I going to do?" she whispered silently, worry etched across her face. Melina reached over patting her back, looking equally worried. Just then Lily entered the room and sat down besides them, though no one noticed her.
"What happened to Mary?" She asked her own voice very weak.
As Saffi passed her the letter Lily's eyes widened. "I've got a letter too." She said.
By that evening every single muggleborn had received a letter. Some had found it in their bags; some on their desks while some via owls. Each letter accused the receiver of being a mudblood and told gruesome incidents that may have happened to muggleborns. And each of the letters ended on the same note- ARE YOU NEXT, MUDBLOOD?
Inevitably, the castle was in chaos. Students were worried and walked in groups. A hush fell over the castle. The letters were all that they could talk about. Teachers were naturally informed and several gave in their letters to their respective heads in hopes for an answers. Madam Pomfrey took in as much help as she could from the higher grade potions students for her calming drought was almost out of stocks. Prefects could be seen comforting first years. No one knew how but in an instant the entire school suddenly knew what was happening.
Professor Dumbledore stayed up in his office, poring over the notes for a clue as to its writer. The amount of parchment required must have been abundant but he couldn't very well accuse students for merely buying their parchment in bulk. The handwriting on each note was different but there were several spells for that and as he found out, they had taken very well care of using those spells which couldn't be undone. Professor Dumbledore sighed as his mind wandered to his initial years as a teacher, his most vividly horrifying year in his entire career. It wasn't as dangerous as the monster of slytherin but the person behind wasn't any more of a human. Next morning he addressed the students seriously.
"Students, this is an extremely serious matter and I hope that anyone with any information will come up, either to me or any of the staff. And to the muggleborns I would like to add, do not fear. Be cautious and keeps wands at ready. Dark forces are invading our world and I can only ask you to trust each other and remain strong in such times. I assure you all that your safety is our priority. Do not hesitate to seek help from your teachers."
This speech left most students more worried than before. Dumbledore had certainly calmed them but, as Lily pointed out, he didn't ensure their safety.
The topic of Letters continued for a week and it certainly became the most discussed topic at Hogwarts, but it the months to come, sadly, other topics were discussed for a longer amount of time.
On Saturday night, the day after the letters were received, at 7:30, Lily dutifully arrived at Professor Flitwick's Office. She had not talked to James (Potter as she called him) for the entire week and was rather miffed at the thought of having to talk to him. She just was not in the mood, not with everything that she had been going through. At that very instant, specifically speaking five minutes to 7:30 James was with his friends talking about the letters.
"I feel like we should be doing something about this whole matter." He said.
"I know but what can we do?" said Remus frowning.
"Agh! I feel like I am missing something." complained Sirius loudly, from where he was stretched out on the couch.
"I agree with you. I am feeling the same thing." muttered James.
"I feel like you too are overreacting." Remus muttered. How were they supposed to be able to do what Dumbledore couldn't.
James was about to reply when Melina, along with Paul came over. She looked exhausted and felt it too.
"James, don't you have detention today. Lily has gone for hers." She said approaching him.
"Shit!" James exclaimed, weaving his way out of the packed common room. Once free he broke into a sprint, racing down three floors when he bumped into Severus Snape.
"Watch where you're going, Potter." He snarled.
"Whatever, Snivellus." said James not bothering to wait around. Glancing at this watch, he buried the urge to hex him because he was as it is late. Gasping he arrived minutes minutes late for his first detention of the year.
" Mr. Potter, you are late."
"Sorry Professor Flitwick" He said casting his mind for some excuse when professor Flitwick interrupted, "You both will write this message and send it to all the parents who have written for their children's safety. Quills and parchment and ink are on the desk." said Professor Flitwick before dictating a rather diplomatic message.
"So professor Flitwick, this person is not yet caught?" asked James curiously.
"No potter" he said getting up and reaching towards the door indicating the conversation was over.
"But professor Flitwick, you must surely know something." interrupted Lily using her best good-student voice.
"Even if I did Miss Evans, you must understand that I can't disclose it to you."
"But professor I'm scared and if I knew something, anything, it might help me relax. -A moment's silence- Please."
"Now Miss Evans, I suppose I can say this, Professor Dumbledore's worried that it might be a student, but not word to anyone." He said sternly.
"Of course not professor, you have my vow of discretion." She smiled sweetly before turning to the letters.
As professor Flitwick left, James turned to Lily and said, "Merlin Evans, you know it would have taken me and Sirius weeks of snooping around and still we would not have found that out and here you are, asking professor not even bothering to be tactful."
Lily lips twitched as she tried to hide a pleased smile. "Come on potter, I am not going to do all this work alone."
For the next ten minutes they worked in silence before James threw his quill down and stretched his legs.
"I'm bored Evans", he declared.
"Potter!"
"Come one, you can't tell me you are interested in this. And the parents are dumb you know. We are doing the best we can" he mimicked." They know it is a diplomatic way of saying we have no shitting idea about what is going to happened to your child."
Lily sighed and put down her quill as well.
"Potter, " she started to argue when she stopped. " Yeah, my parents will probably throw it in the dustbin." She said.
" Eva-, Lil-, Are you alright?" James asked concerned.
"I'm fine." She said. James looked at her in disbelief.
"Alright I'm scared but nothing's really happened yet you know, I mean we'll all forget it in a few days. "
James looked at her in a confused manner.
"I mean that if it is a student, it must be a slytherin and I don't think they really have the guts to carry out their threats."
At this James mind started ticking. "Slytherins but which one? " It was then that he remembered bumping into Snape. It must be Snape. Who else could it be? He didn't know why, but James had a feeling that it was Snape. He debated voicing his thoughts but knew better not to.
"But they might be forced too. You know there are death eaters around and rumors are that they are recruiting." He said at length
Lily pondered upon it for a minute before finally saying, "Great, that makes me feel so much better."
James chuckled before saying, "Didn't mean to scare you Evans. Anyways, new topic."
"I think we should get back to work."
"Right, Err…. Evans, I really am sorry."
"I know potter, its okay."
"And by the way, you broke the truce."
"Damn you potter, you always provoke me."
Melina was having a very bad day, mostly because her friends were having a very bad day and she could do nothing about it. She ate her dinner alone because Saffi was in the library doing something, Lily had rushed off to her detentions minutes ago and Mary was up in the dormitory to avoid random boys from comforting her. Muggleborns were receiving hate mails and some boys still manage to think about sleeping around. Melina sighed, poked at her dinner with her fork and frowned some more.
"Why the expression of beauty, Braithwhite?" a voice asked her.
She looked up to find Sirius Black in front of her.
"Bad day."
"You need some snogging to cheer you up."
As she stared at him with an expression of disgust and disbelief, he winked and said," I'll be in the common room, in case you need to find me."
"God, you're disgusting. And you have a girlfriend."
Sirius winked at her and got up and strolled away whistling to himself. All alone she once again frowned at her food like it had sent bad letters to her friends. Finally she got up and started back towards the common room. It was on the fourth floor staircase that she found Paul Dwindt, sitting on the floor all by himself. In fact she nearly passed him and walked ahead when she double took.
Paul was by every definition of the word, average. He looked good but was no match for Sirius. He was kind but nothing notably exceptional. He was shy but lacked the mysterious persona that Remus Lupin did. He was athletic when needed but it was always James who shone at quidditch, the only sports Wizards considered worthy of playing outdoors. And the worst rub in the face was that he was sorted into gryffindor and spent five years sharing a dorm with these very people whose mere existences meant throwing him in the shadows. In fact the only area he really shined in was academics. And not making friends for he was sitting alone with no one bothered enough to help him out, except perhaps Melina.
"Paul, what are you doing here all alone?" she asked concerned.
"No- nothing." He said getting up, his voice choking. He had been crying. Melina sat down on the floor and pulled him down.
"Sit" she ordered.
"You were crying. What's wrong?" she asked once he had sat down.
"Merlin women, can't you let a guy cry in peace."
"Are you sure you want that?" asked Melina, not wanting to pry. She knew enough men from hanging around with Mary and her own male friends to know that while girls liked to cry in groups, guys preferred to uphold their so called masculine identity.
"No, not really. I am just used to it. I have no friends." replied Paul after a moment.
"That's not true."
"It is. Name a few friends of mine."
At this Melina stayed quiet and Paul said, "Yeah, figured."
"Well, I'm your friend."
"We have hardly talked before. I bet you can even say my last name."
"Its Dwindt and we may not have been really chummy up till now, but you need a friend and so now we are friends."
Paul looked long and hard at her before saying,"Thanks."
"My pleasure. So, what's wrong?"
"I'm a muggleborn."
"Oh"
"Yeah."
"Don't worry Paul; this is just the work of some twelve year old who likes attention."
"Yeah, but I am scared. And it hurts worse that I can't tell anyone about it. My father left my mom and I am all she has and if she were to find out about all this bu- business, she will want me to drop out. And I- I'm scared Melina." He could go ahead but then his voice broke and he started crying. Melina patted his shoulder and at length said, "Paul, we're friends and my friends can confide their troubles in me. Now, it is time to get up and stop crying. Crying is not going to solve anything. Come on, up now."
And they both climbed up in silence with Melina occasionally squeezing Paul's hand and speaking words of comfort. Once they entered the common room, Paul departed for his dormitory and Melina toyed with the same thought when she noticed James hanging around with his friends.
"James, don't you have detention today. Lily has gone for hers." She said approaching him.
"Shit!" he cried out loud before dashing away.
"So you came." grinned Sirius at her in a wicked manner.
"Whatever for." a voice came from behind him, the voice of his girlfriend, Emily.
"Your boyfriend was suggesting a snog session with me." Melina told Emily wearily before turning and going to her dormitory. As he heard Emily's yelling and Sirius' protests from the common room, she sighed and pressed her pillow over her head. Today had been a bad day.
Author's Note: So, enough twists and turns for you all? Many things are happening and I feel like things have finally set into motion. Apart from that, sometimes I wonder if you lot are on the same page as I am. In any case, feel free to ask questions. And I would really love to get more reviews, you don't need to say good or bad things, in fact good song lyrics are also fine (thought genuine feedback is always appreciated.) I just need to know that someone reads this stuff.
p.s. in case you all didn't notice (thought Jily shippers always notice) James and lily had 2 decent conversations and I promise they are going to fight a lot less.
Now, enough of me.
Cookies and warm milk for you all.
Reviews are my salvation
Writer.
