Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, they are the property of the wonderful JKR.
Lily stared out of the window anxiously, unable to even think of breakfast. So much depended on these OWL results - not least if she'd be able to go to Dorcas' for the last week of the summer. Her mum walked in and gave her a quick squeeze on the shoulder, "Did they not give you a date to expect the results dear? It seems odd not to." For the past two weeks, Evie had walked into the kitchen at 8:30 to find her youngest daughter perched on the kitchen top, wringing her hands.
"No, but Alice's cousins said it's about the second week. Apparently it was really early one year though."
Evie sighed, and began her oft repeated speech of how she was sure Lily had done her best and this was really just going to be a formality when Lily gave a small scream.
"It's an owl! An owl is coming!" She threw the window wide open to let the bird in with its letter. As it flew through the window, Lily only just stopped herself swearing. It was Mary's owl. She tore the letter off quite fiercely, causing the barn owl to squawk indignantly.
Dear Lily,
Sorry for sending this now, I know we all promised to send letters in the evening until results come. Dorcas asked me to write because she's had to come to mine. There was an attack on her parents. They are okay but feel Dorcas would be safer here for the rest of summer and she's not allowed to send her owl out. Do you think you can come to mine for the last two weeks of summer instead? Good luck and sorry if I made you panic,
Mary & Dorcas xxx
Lily felt slightly sick. An attack on Dorcas' parents. It was so hard to remember how bad things were in the wizarding world sometimes and now one of her best friends had been attacked. She folded the letter up and put it in her pocket. There was no way she was showing her mum or dad that. They didn't need to know any more than there was a bit of political trouble.
"Are you all right? It isn't your results is it?" Evie looked over to where her daughter stood shaking slightly – that was not the response she was hoping for.
"Erm, no mum, it's from Mary. Bit of a change of plan, Dorcas is at Mary's for the rest of the summer and I've been asked to stay there instead for the last week. Is that okay?" Lily looked at her mum appealingly.
"Same conditions as before - if you've done well in your exams then yes. Oh my, Lily, there's another owl!"
Lily jumped. This owl didn't look so familiar. She found herself running through exams in her head for the hundredth time and coming to the conclusion she had failed everything but charms and potions, and she had only scrapped passes in those. It was the right owl. There was the official Hogwarts crest. Reaching out trembling hands, she untied the letter. It folded out. She could barely bring herself to look.
ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVEL RESULTS
Pass grades: Outstanding (O) Fail grades: Poor (P)
Exceeds Expectations (E) Dreadful (D)
Acceptable (A) Troll (T)
Miss Lily Hannah Evans has received the following Ordinary Wizarding Level (OWL) results:
Arithmancy: E
Astronomy: E
Care of Magical Creatures: E
Charms: O
Defence Against the Dark Arts: O
Divination: A
Herbology: E
History of Magic: E
Potions: O
Lily let out a huge sigh of relief. Three Os and five Es and she'd even managed to pass Divination.
She ran at her mother and gave her a huge hug around the waist.
"I did it! They're really good."
"Oh fantastic! Wonderful darling! I knew you'ddo well. I'll get the phone and you can ring your father. I'm so pleased for you." Kissing her daughter fondly on the forehead, she left the kitchen and called up the stairs to Petunia. "Sweetie, make sure you're in this evening! We're having champagne to celebrate Lily's results!"
Lily pulled a bowl towards her and filled it with cereal. It was good to be hungry again.
"Did you ever doubt for a second that we would pass everything?" James was lying happily in the garden, Sirius next to him, enjoying the evening sunshine.
"Well Prongs, when you kept looking over at Evans in Transfiguration I had my doubts." Sirius gave his bark like laugh at the look of exaggerated horror on James' face who could only hold the expression for so long before joining in. Sirius had arrived at the Potter's house only a week after the summer holiday's had started. That was all about he could stand with his family.
"Boys, dinner's ready." Mrs. Potter called from the kitchen door, "Samson will be upset if you let it go cold again."
"Better get going, we don't want to upset Samson." James jumped up, while Sirius groaned at the effort of having to move, "Race you" he said and started sprinting.
"Oi! Cheat!" yelled Sirius, scrambling to his feet and chasing after him.
Snape was given small acknowledgement of his academic achievements at home. His mother had given a curt well done and his father had opened a bottle of beer. Not in celebration, it was just what he did. He'd spent the weeks since the owl had come wandering around the town, looking for any sign of Lily and trailing at a slight distance. She'd caught him once but hadn't said anything - just stared with such hardness in her beautiful green eyes that he'd staggered before turning and running away. A week later he'd seen Mrs. Evans shopping and had asked how Lily had done. The brief answer was quite well, thank you. They'd parted and that was the last he spoke to any of the Evanses.
When he saw Lily get into the car with her mum and dad, Hogwarts trunk packed and various other bits filling the car, his heart sank. Any hope of talking to her this summer had passed. Snape went back to his house, thinking to work on some more experiments. And there was more news about the Dark Lord. Avery, Mulciber and Regulus Black had been keeping him well informed, which helped him piece a full picture together from what the Prophet reported. The younger Black brother was gaining popularity among the Slytherin higher ups, particularly now his cousin Bellatrix had, according to rumour, joined the ranks. Not one to rely on rumour, Snape had asked for details. A seventh year Death Eater was an impressive precedent but one that he couldn't quite believe.
The girls had a fantastic week at Mary's house, considering the circumstances. The McDonald's were extremely friendly and had a house and gardens large enough for four girls to stay thoroughly entertained (Alice had joined once news had reached her of the gathering). They were currently teasing Alice for the amount of owls that came from Frank in a week and the speed with which Alice would reply.
"Seriously Alice, 'we're just really good friends' doesn't cut it anymore. I'm taking the next owl for you to see what's so enthralling." Lily announced, causing Mary and Dorcas to erupt with laughter.
"You can't! No, it's unfair." Alice spluttered, while trying not to grin with pleasure and turning a delicate shade of pink.
Dorcas stopped laughing long enough to say something in defence, "At least you're getting letters. Remus has sent two notes all summer and I really thought we were getting somewhere. And dear James hasn't sent anything to Lily." Dorcas had to dodge out of the way of a pillow that had been flung with surprising force and accuracy.
There were only two days left before the return to Hogwarts and having stayed in and around Mary's village for the duration of their visit, they decided to venture out and wander around the neighbouring village. It was a beautiful late summer day and Mary and Dorcas were sat on a village green, shaded by an ancient oak tree, while Lily and Alice bought ice creams, when someone yelled a greeting,
"Hey, Mary! Dorcas!"
The girls turned to see Peter Pettigrew approaching, closely followed by a shy looking Remus Lupin. Smiling happily, Mary waved them over and stood up to greet them.
"Hi, how are you? Good summer?"
"It was great thanks, my mum actually let me out every now and again. We're staying at Prongs... ah I mean James'" Peter answered, flustered by his use of their nicknames and gesturing towards Remus who gave a small smile and went slightly red as Dorcas looked at him.
"We know about you nicknames Peter, it's alright!" laughed Mary.
"How was your summer?" Remus couldn't look directly at Dorcas.
"Okay," she replied, "Apart from when my parents were attacked for having muggle sympathies and I had to be rushed out of my house. But the last two weeks have been good."
The boys' mouths dropped open and then they jumped (Peter giving a small squeal) as someone landed on each of their backs. Sirius proceeded to wrestle Peter to the ground and sit on top of him, refusing to move until Peter admitted Sirius to be his superior in every way possible while James, not having committed to his attack in quite the same way, caught up with the news that had just been revealed.
"Dorcas, that's terrible. Any idea who it was? Have the ministry caught any one?"
"No, but my mum says she recognised Nott." Dorcas looked slightly surprised by the look of anger on James' face and the hardness in Remus'.
"My parents know them. I know where they live, we could do something." James actually moved, his hand going to his pocket.
Dorcas laughed at his eagerness and shook her head, "Not a chance Potter, I'm not having you and Black mess up any legal chance we have of getting them."
"What am I messing up?" Sirius looked up from wrestling Peter. But he was ignored because Lily appeared at that moment.
"What's Potter been messing up? Apart from his hair of course." Lily walked over, holding two ice creams. She handed one over to Dorcas, who was laughing at James. James, who had automatically put his hand in his hair at the sight of Lily, froze in an uncomfortable pose. There was visible concentration on his face as he tried to work out how best to remove his hand without drawing attention to it. Sirius, now sat on Peter as a sign of victory, saw an opportunity and rugby tackled James to the floor. A scrap started between the two as the others laughed. Lily smirked, raised an eyebrow and turned to Remus.
"Good summer? How were your results?"
"Pretty good thanks. An O in DADA, E in Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures and Charms and A in everything else. You?"
"Yeah, three Os and five Es and A in Divination. You won't be in potions next year then?"
"No. I don't think Slughorn will notice though, he only has eyes for a certain few."
"He can certainly pick them," Alice chipped in wryly, glancing at the continuing scrap on the floor, between two of the favourites. The six spectators laughed. Struck with sudden inspiration, Mary tapped Lily on the shoulder, and nodded towards the hosepipe coiled up outside the village shop. Grinning mischievously, the pair stood up, directed it at the brave fighters and turned the tap.
A/N: Thanks to IloveJames3456 and Freakiees, big boost for me this being my first story. I'm just trying to develop and establish the characters at the moment, let me know what you think. Sorry for the months in between updates but I've had exams.
I've left the original note as a thank you – hopefully this is an improvement to what was there before!