A/N #1: Here's the next chapter folks. Before you read the chapter, I would like to express my thanks to those who have taken the time to read and review the last chapter. I apologize that this took so long to get out, but I have been really busy for the past couple of months, and I will most likely will be kept real busy in the months to come. I'll try to update this as much as I can, but I can't make any promises. Now that I have finished babbling, here's the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer Let it be known that I do NOT posses any of the known characters or anything of the Hogwarts series. They are not mine; they never were, and they never will be. Oh yeah, and do not get upset if I mischaracterize one of the original characters. I go with what I know. I'm not expert of the series and I don't claim to be. So if there is anything wrong with the descriptions I use, then just make do with them. Plus, I am admitting now that grammar is not my best subject. For those who think authors are real good at grammar, I'm the exception. So, if you find any mistakes, it will mostly likely because of that.
SUMMARY: Lord Voldemort is growing stronger, but he knows that he isn't immortal and he will eventually leave this world. He had concluded that he needs an heir in order to maintain his legacy, but he wants to be sure that his heir equals, if not surpasses his magical strength. He has sent his followers to search for the strongest of witches to bear his child, but none have been found, until he discovered the perfect candidate, Lily Evans.
The Only One I Love
CHAPTER 2
~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~
Hogwarts Express . . .
Lily couldn't believe her luck, though she was still trying to figure out if bumping into James while everyone else was outside in the carriages was considered good or bad luck. She tried to apologize, but she couldn't find the words. Lily was just so awestruck about seeing James.
Lily noticed a couple of changes in James that must have occurred over the summer. His body seemed a lot leaner, but she knew that there were some hard muscles in that body from all of his quidditch games. His skin was evenly tanned, a sign that he was outdoors most of the time. His eyes were still that fathomless shade of blue, and Lily could feel herself lost in them.
"Hey, you okay?" James asked, drawing Lily back into reality and immediately breaking eye contact. She lowered her gaze and while doing so, Lily caught a very familiar item pinned to his robe, and for the second time, she was speechless.
Pinned on James' chest was the familiar gold badge and it had Head Boy engraved under the Hogwarts coat of arms.
Lily remained silent at this new revelation. James Potter was Head Boy, and since she was Head Girl, that meant that she and James would be working together in managing and putting together all of the school activities. But she still didn't know if this news was good or not.
"Are you alright?" James asked again, when he didn't get a response.
"Oh, yes, I'm fine." Lily said, mentally kicking herself for acting like a fool in front of James. "I was just looking for something I forgot in my compartment, but I found it."
"Well, you better get going. The carriages are almost about to depart. I'll see ya around." As quick as James was there, he was gone.
As she watched James' figure walk away, Lily let out the breath she had been holding.
Don't start kicking yourself, Lily thought, because you wouldn't expect him to recognize you. He probably has so many girls vying for his attention, that he can't possible remember all of their names. Plus, he probably just thinks of you as a fellow Gryffindor who he might have had in a couple of classes, so you should not expect him to remember you when there are others like you.
But the problem was that Lily WANTED James to remember her. Knowing that he didn't acknowledge her brought a tear to her eye.
Realizing what she was doing, Lily wiped the tear from her cheek and put on a face that didn't hint anything was bothering her and walked out of the train.
~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~
James was just joining his friends at the carriage when Lily stepped off the train. He watched her walk towards the front line of carriages and climbed into a carriage, which was already occupied by two other girls.
"See something you like, Prongs?" Sirius asked teasingly.
"What?" James stammered, realizing that he was caught staring. "Oh, I was just . . . umm . . ."
"Hey Moony. I think Prongsie here has a crush on someone." Sirius announced to his fellow Marauder.
"Sod off." James cursed, still upset that his friend caught him.
"Have to admit, Prongs, you did have that look on your face."
"What look?"
"That look that says 'That's my future wife.'" Sirius said.
"I did not have that look on my face!" James said indignantly.
"Man, for a Head Boy, you sure are pretty pig-headed. That and you're also in denial."
"As I said before," James said, "sod off."
"C'mon Padfoot. We can pick on Prongs later." Remus intervened. "We still need to figure out how we are going to welcome this year's students."
"Oh yeah. It's our last year, so we gotta start this year with a bang." Sirius replied. "Any ideas?"
"I think I may have an idea." James thought out loud.
"Well, lets hear it Head Boy." Sirius demanded anxiously. James then went through his idea with Remus and Sirius.
"That's bloody brilliant." Remus commented. "It's a shame Wormtail isn't here with us. I'm sure he would have thoroughly enjoyed that prank."
"Yeah. He owled me saying that he won't be able to make it for the Sorting ceremony and he will be at Hogwarts the following morning." Sirius added on. "Hope his mum is doing well."
"I'm sure she is, Padfoot." James said. "So, let's get the show on the road."
The carriages finally began to move and the three present Marauders plotted and strategized a prank that will have Hogwarts students talking till the end of time.
~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~
"So what kept you?" Audrey asked as the horseless carriages took them towards the castle. She knew she saw James Potter exit the train before Lily, and she also knew of Lily's crush on the infamous Marauder.
"I don't know what you are implying." Lily replied, even the faint blush in her cheeks contradicted what she just said.
"Well, Audrey and I did happen to see a certain-someone walking out of the same train car you went into." Claire said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Just so you don't get any sordid ideas in your head, James was just offering to look for my Head Girl badge." Lily said. Then she saw the looks of amazement in her friends' eyes.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Audrey and Claire squealed, causing a people within hearing distance to turn their heads to see what all the commotion was about. They then gave Lily a gigantic bear hug.
"Umm, I hate to break this moment, but I would like to breathe sometime soon. If you don't mind." Lily choked out, causing excited friends to let go and give sheepish looks.
"Sorry, guess we were just so happy for you." Claire said. "But why didn't you say something about this earlier?"
"I guess it slipped my mind." Lily answered, then turned her head to the scenery.
Just then, they noticed that they were at the gate to the Hogwarts castle. As they entered the gate, she still couldn't get her mind off the incident back in the train, and she probably never would.
~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~
The Great Hall . . .
The present Marauders were waiting for their cue to express their greeting to their fellow classmates, Marauder-style. Professor McGonagall had already started calling out all the names alphabetically from the large roll of parchment.
Even though James was seated in the middle of the Gryffindor table, he could still feel the nerves from the set of First years. After all, he was a bit nervous himself when McGonagall called his name.
"Hope the hat don't make stupid judgements and put a lot of them First years in Slytherin. They look too good to be placed in that hellhole. Plus, I'd almost feel sorry for them if they turn out to become lackeys of Malfoy." Sirius said. As fate would have it, the Sorting Hat announced a young 11-year-old as the newest member of the Slytherin house.
"Almost, being the key word." Remus replied. Then out of nowhere, a roll of ripped parchment was thrown in his direction, which he dodged easily.
Ignoring Sirius and Remus' little war, James continued to watch the Sorting Ceremony. As he watched another 11-year-old boy be sorted into Gryffindor, Sirius took a break for his and Remus's battle and spoke up.
"Hey Jamesie, you who's the Head Girl?"
"Actually, I have no idea." James answered. "I just hope it ain't some vengeful Slytherin or a lovestruck Hufflepuff. I actually would like to do some work."
Unnoticed by James and Sirius, Remus was smiling behind his goblet of pumpkin juice, having a very vivid picture of the Head Girl's identity.
James and Sirius were discussing possible candidates for the Head Girl position when the Sorting Hat sorted the last person on McGonagall's list. Immediately after the ceremony, Professor Dumbledore rose and cleared his throat so he could make his usual announcements.
"I would like to welcome the incoming and returning students to Hogwarts. Before we dine, I would like to make a few starting-term notices. First off, all students are to know that no one is permitted in the Dark Forest. Secondly, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, asked me to inform you to not approach the Whomping Willow. It has grown to be very sensitive and a bit temperamental. Lastly, I would like to introduce this year's Head Boy and Head Girl, which I am pleased to note that they are both of the Gryffindor House. Please stand so you can receive a deserving round of applause. They are James Potter and Lily Evans."
A loud round of clapping and cheers resonated through the Great Hall as James stood. When Dumbledore said that the Head Girl was from Gryffindor, it made James even more anxious to find out who Lily Evans was.
He searched up and down the Gryffindor tale for Lily Evans, but couldn't find her. He was almost inclined to think that she was present for the ceremony, until a figure reluctantly rising from her seat. And when James put a face to that name, he couldn't believe it.
Standing only a feet away from him was the same girl that bumped into him in the Hogwarts Express, and from his standpoint, she looked just as nervous as the First years. She definitely didn't look very comfortable being the center of attention.
And he couldn't have been any closer to the truth.
Lily was a bundle of nerves standing in front of the entire school. To those around her, she gave them a shy smile, but nothing more.
It was flattering for her to hear her fellow classmates applaud her achievements, with the exception to most of the Slytherins who were glaring daggers at her and everyone at the Gryffindor table. And Lily could definitely feel Lucius Malfoy and his posse's hateful looks directed at her. As much as Lily didn't want any confrontation with Malfoy and his group, she was expecting to them at some point during the year.
Once the applause died down, Lily and James sat back down and Dumbledore continued.
"With that being said, let the feast begin." As soon as those words were said, mountains of various items of food filled the plates of all the students. The aroma of roasted chicken, fresh rolls of bread, buttered corn, and a variety of sweets permeated throughout the room.
"I can't believe the Most Infamous Marauder was chosen as Head Boy, and you get to work with him." Claire squealed. At that statement, Lily felt as if time had stopped around her.
Lily just realized all of the times that she and James will have spend together. And that thought left an unsettling feeling in her stomach.
Without warning, a flash of light and smoke bursts from the Slytherin table. The first-year Slytherins were disoriented and confused about what had just occurred.
When the smoke lifted, all of the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs were laughing hysterically.
A number of the upper-class, male Slytherins were transformed into pink, one-eyed toads with little green and silver bows tied on to them. When they got a good look at what had just happened, they screamed in horror, which made the other students laugh even harder.
Seconds after they saw their faces, brightly colored letters formed in the air.
We personally would like to greet all Hogwarts students. We hope that you enjoy the year. Cuz we know that we will.
-The Marauders
The students who knew what just happened started to applaud the Marauders' latest antic, but stopped immediately when they say another message form.
P.S. Have you ever seen these Slytherins look any better than they do now?
Students continued their applause and some were explaining to the puzzled First years what just happened and tried to give the most appropriate descriptions of the band of pranksters.
McGonagall, being the disciplinarian she was rose from her seat and walked towards the three culprits.
"You three. Follow me." McGonagall commanded in her authoritative voice.
With smiles on their faces, the Marauders rose from their seats and followed Professor McGonagall out of the Great Hall for their customary starting-term lecture. Before they exited the Great Hall, they turned to their classmates and gave a little bow for their latest performance then turned around. Remus and Sirius were the first to leave and James turned on his heel and snapped his fingers loudly. In that instant, all the Slytherins that involuntarily participated in the prank were transformed back to their human forms and James exited.
"Well, I think it is safe to say that this will be the most interesting year Hogwarts will have." Audrey commented, turning back to her friends.
All Lily could think was that her friend couldn't have been any more right that.
~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~^*^~
Some remote place . . .
Darkness circulated through the air. Sitting on his throne, surrounded by his followers, the Death Eaters, was the Lord of Darkness, Voldemort.
With his elbow planted on the armrest, Voldemort placed his chin on the palm and his hand, prepared to listen to the latest reports from his minions. One approached his throne, bowed before him.
"Have you found a possible candidate, Stetson?" Voldemort questioned.
"Well, you see milord . . ." Stetson stuttered, but was cut short.
"I don't want or have any use for excuses, Stetson." Voldemort replied, "Now I'll ask again. Did you or did you not find any possible candidates?"
"No, milord." Stetson answered, not making any eye contact with his lord.
"Pity." Voldemort commented. "It seems that you have just outlived your usefulness for me." Voldemort unsheathed his wand.
Stetson froze in fear once those words came out of his mouth. He knew what was about to happen now.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!" Voldemort called forth.
A stream of bright green light illuminated out of Voldemort's wand and headed straight towards Stetson. Once the light faded, it was apparent that Stetson died instantly. Of course, that was the whole purpose of the killing curse.
"Now that we have ridden ourselves of that good-for-nothing nitwit, is there anyone who is willing to enlighten me with their discovery?"
At first none of his followers stood up, afraid that their finding would displease their lord. Silence filled room for a few minutes before someone decided to present their discovery.
"Milord. I may have found a worthy candidate, but I fear it may not be to your liking."
"I will decided for myself whether this candidate is worthy or not. What reason do you believe would force me to reject your so-called worthy candidate?" Voldemort asked.
"She is a muggle-born student at Hogwarts." The follower answered.
That brought an immediate outburst of murmurs from his fellow Death Eaters. Some even spoke out their opinions.
"How dare you even suggest a mudblood to our master?"
"Why did you even bother looking into a mudblood?"
"Did you ever realize the futility of your research?"
"Lord Voldemort would never waste his time with the likes of them."
"SILENCE!" Voldemort commanded, which his followers complied. "Though against our traditional beliefs, what does your candidate posses that is so compelling over others?"
"I have observed her for the past two years and her power has grown stronger since, and is still growing. It has not even come close to its full potential."
"So what? It is natural for one's power to grow over the course of their life." Voldemort replied.
"But milord, this power does not grow because of her lessons. This is a dormant power that has yet to be known by her. Her powers may be beyond count once they awaken. Even without her dormant powers, she has already an equal amount of skill as a few of the teachers
Now that really piqued Voldemort's interest. A student to equal the skills of a teacher at such a young age is quite an accomplishment.
"What school did you say she attends?"
"She is in her last year at Hogwarts."
"What teachers is equal to?"
"It is clear that her skills equal to the teachers of Herbology, Divination, and Arithmancy. I know that bit of information may seem a bit insignificant, but she is becoming fairly close to mastering Charms."
"Hogwarts you say. Is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher still there?"
"Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes, that old bat."
"I'm afraid he is still there, but is not teaching any longer. The Ministry of Magic has made him the Hogwarts Headmaster a few years ago."
"Really? How fascinating." Deep inside, Voldemort was seething. "What is your candidate's status compared to Dumbledore?"
"Honestly, milord, her skills are well below Dumbledore's, but if her power continues to grow at the rate it is, she may equal his skill."
Voldemort took this into deep consideration. The thought of a witch being as strong as Dumbledore was enticing. But the thought of combining his powers with this candidate and creating a child was just too good to resist. Though this seemed too good to be true.
"Your candidate does sound promising, but I do believe that we should observe your candidate to confirm what you say to be true. If she is what you claim to be, then you will be awarded for your discovery." Voldemort said. "Tell me, what is this candidate's name?"
"Her name is Lily. Lily Evans"
END OF CHAPTER 2
A/N #2: That's all folks. I might as well tell you now that you won't be seeing anything from Voldemort in the upcoming chapters. His appearance won't be until much later. I'm planning to divide this into two parts. The first part will deal with the Marauders and Lily's 7th year and then we'll be coming to the real heart of the story. I really do hope you liked this chapter. Now it is time for you to review. I accept all reviews: the good, the bad, and the ugly (though would like to see more goods rather than the others). If you have any questions, comments, or just feel like talking, you can contact me via e-mail or MSN Messenger (I do have AIM, but I haven't been using that one lately). My e-mail address and SNs can be found in my Author Profile. That's all I have to say. Hope to hear from ya.