Author's note: Greetings from the North! It appears as though I've been neglecting this. Drat! I promise to try to keep up. The prompt I used for this chapter is from my own challenge, it was "We can't keep doing this." Also includes the "Waiting" prompt from xXKissingSinXx's challenge.
CHAPTER ONE: Of Late Owls and Hypothetical Horrors
August 28th, 1976
Four days stand between me and the start of my seventh and final year at Hogwarts. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited, but I have some mixed feelings in regards to this matter. I'm afraid that this year is going to whoosh by too quickly and that the NEWT level examinations at the end of the year might be the death of me. Not to mention the fact that I have yet to choose what sort of career I plan on having after I graduate. Blehck. I have mixed feelings about graduation as well.
"Lily, you're pacing again." I would know that voice anywhere and I can almost feel the eye roll that took place at the latter end of that sentence. Marlene McKinnon is one of my closest friends and probably the most annoying. Only joking! "Have a seat before you wear a trench into the floorboards." Her blue eyes plead with me silently; I think she is a tad on edge as well. It's late.
"What's late?"
"I don't know how your mother ever finished reading stories to you. I was about to elaborate before you interrupted." I swat him playfully,
James dodges me, "She was a very patient woman."
I laugh pretty hard, "Clearly."
I flopped onto the bed beside Marlene; she chewed on her fingernails nervously, her medium length, blonde hair falling into her face. I fixed the wrinkles in my bedspread, smoothing it for what is probably the seventh time, "Why do you think it's late? It's usually here by now."
Dorie thought for a moment and then shrugged, "Dunno, you don't reckon think something's happened and they've had to change it? The evening edition is usually here by now…" She was sitting on the floor, apprehensively braiding the fringes of the rug beneath her. A long silence fell over us, no one wanted to think about what could be happening, yet the thoughts that often turned into the makings of many nightmares was never far from thought. Lord Voldemort was becoming powerful, very powerful… The beginning of our summer vacation was peppered with unusual accidents and the casualties of war. He is torturing innocent people and treating Muggles like rubbish, it makes me nauseous. We are living in the middle of a war; and with high incidences of owl interception we haven't been in much contact with anyone from school. So naturally, we've all become obsessed with the Daily Prophet. It's nearly midnight and the evening edition has yet to be delivered, this war is really taking a toll on my nerves. I kept glancing toward my open bedroom window, hoping to catch a glance of a fluttering owl.
"Who knows? What I really want to know is who is going to win the Quidditch Cup this year… I think Gryffindor might have what it takes this year." Mary said, shifting the subject to something much lighter. "That would really wipe the smirks off of the Slytherin's faces."
I scoffed, "It would, but could you imagine the way Potter and Black would carry on? It would be dreadful!" I let the hair I had twisted into a knot on top of my head loose, sending long, auburn waves cascading over my shoulders. "It's been nice not having to deal with any of their antics!"
Marley chuckled, "But you have to admit, it would keep our minds off of certain other events. And they know how to pull a prank."
"I always liked Marlene," James said looking at me and smiling broadly. "She had a sense of humour."
I roll my eyes, "Yes dear, you were the definition of side-splitting."
"I'm glad you think so."
"They are hilarious! And Sirius Black is so good looking… And Potter isn't bad either," Dorie gushed, smoothing out the rug and undoing all of the braids.
Marley plucked a pillow off of my now wrinkle-free bed and hit Dorie square in the head, "Pull yourself together, mate! He might be the only guy in our year that is more egotistical than Potter. Two peas in a pod, the two of them are beyond annoying."
Just hearing his name makes my blood boil, it's been a long six years. I can't wait to be rid of him after this year is through. Although this summer has been stressful due to the lack of proper communication, it has been peaceful. Not having the Marauders popping up all the time has been quite lovely. "I don't know when he will ever learn… He is absolutely unbearable." Marley nodded in agreement, Dorie was busy rebraiding and Mary was watching Dorie.
We fell into another period of silence, it happens a lot lately. Although I do enjoy it, it makes me think things that I'd rather not think about. Worst-case scenarios, each more unlikely and terrifying than the last. I was imagining the front of the Evening Prophet emblazoned with, "Mass Killing: Not Enough Students Living, Hogwarts forced to Close." That would be terrible, what would we do? Surely nothing would ever happen to Hogwarts. It is the safest place in the whole world. I think that is a huge reason we are all so anxious to return. Marley sighed, "We can't keep doing this. I'll go mental!"
It happened in an instant. The sound of flapping wings and the soft thud of an owl landing perched on the footboard of my bed. It dropped the Evening Prophet on my bed and we all rushed to read the front page, ignoring the owl who was prodding my elbow with its beak for payment. We let out of a sigh of relief, the front page did not say anything about any new murders. Thank Merlin. I could feel the blood returning to my extremities, grateful that nothing terrible had happened today. I paid him, he ruffled his tawny feathers and he took off into the night. We were still bent over the Prophet, dividing it into four so we could thoroughly comb through it. And that is when I noticed a second owl waiting patiently on top of my wardrobe, a thick envelope clamped tightly in his beak. Even from a distance I could see the emerald green ink that made my heart sing. The others noticed shortly after me.
Marley furrowed her brow, "Strange. We've already gotten our seventh year letters and book lists."
But there it was, it was heavy in my slightly trembling hand plain as day.
Miss L. Evans
The middle bedroom
13 Highridge Crescent
Cokeworth
"What are you waiting for mate, a gold plated invitation? Open it!"
I slit the top of it open and unfolded the thick, creamy parchment. I ignored the heavy bulge remaining in the envelope and read out loud.
"Lily,
I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations; you have been named Head Girl. As such I have enclosed your badge and trust that you will review your duties and obligations. You will meet your partner, the Head Boy, on the Hogwarts Express at half past eleven in the first compartment. This year will have many surprises, you will do a wonderful job. Further instructions will be given at a later time.
Enjoy the remainder of your holiday,
Albus Dumbledore
"Good on you, mate!"
"Congratulations!"
"Where's the badge? Go on, let's have a look!"
I took it out of the envelope, it was gold Gryffindor Crest. It had the Gryffindor lion on the front with a big H to the left and a G to the right, at the bottom it said Lily Evans. I smiled to myself in disbelief, "Brilliant."
"What do you think the surprises will be?"
"Who knows with that man! Maybe it'll involve a certain goblet and fire." Marley was rubbing her hands together, "Marley needs a new broom!"
"Could you imagine?"
We spent the remainder of the night giggling about various scenarios, attempting to guess what surprises were in store and wondering who the Head Boy would be.
"I know who it is! I know! I know! Pick me!" James was sitting on the floor in front of me, legs crossed and waving his hand frantically in the air.
"You should know who it is."
"Do I win a prize?"
"Maybe."
"Is it a puppy?"
"Better."
"Two puppies?!"
"No."
James didn't like that answer, "Rats!" He looked at me with a devlish grin, one that I know all too well. "Remember the look on your face when you finally met the incredibly handsome, rock star Quidditch Captain, genius Head Boy?"
"I can only imagine."
"I won't ever forget!" He exclaimed, chuckling.
"We're getting there, dear. They will find out soon enough."
"Right, suspense… Hullo readers!" James was waving as though he was on television.
Chuckling, I tapped him on the shoulder. "They can't see us."
"That's what you think!"
A/N: Please R&R! I'm a little rusty.
