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Chapter Nine
The Evans and The Potters

Before long, it was already the start of the Christmas holidays, and most of the first-years were looking forward to seeing their families again.

Lily and Rachel walked along the corridor of the Hogwarts Express, looking for a compartment.

"Don't you think we should look for Severus?" Lily asked guiltily.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "We did! And we obviously didn't see him!" she was slightly cranky, being up so early. "Anyway, if we walk past his compartment, we can sit with him."

"Alright then," Lily agreed, peering into every compartment they passed.

Suddenly, a male figure appeared in front of her, blocking her way.

"Excuse me," she cleared her throat loudly. He turned around – it was Remus Lupin.

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh sorry Lily," he smiled kindly, as he moved out of her way. She looked at him suspiciously.

"Um... that's okay," she said slowly.

"Have a good Christmas," he said to them both, as they passed.

"Why you talking to the girlies, Remus?" they heard Sirius call from behind them.

"He's not as bad as those other two, you know," Rachel voiced what Lily was thinking as they walked into an empty compartment.

*

"Lily!" Flora Evans screamed, as her daughter stepped off the train. She threw her arms around Lily, crushing her.

"Hey mum," she grinned, "Hi dad,"

Paul Evans was standing behind his wife, an amused smile on his face. He too hugged Lily, once she broke free of her mother's embrace.

"Where's Tuney?" she asked, looking around for her sister.

"She stayed at home, sweetheart," Paul said, "She's looking forward to seeing you though,"

"Oh, I can't believe you're only home for two weeks, Lily! It's not long enough!"

"How's Hogwarts?"

"Have you made any new friends?"

"How's that boy, the one from Spinner's End – Severus, was it?"

"Sev's okay," she said, trying to get a word in, "He's not in my house, though. I'm in Gryffindor, and he's in Slytherin,"

"Oh, that's nice. You're making other friends then?" Flora smiled, as they got into the family car, and began the journey to the Evans' home.

"Yeah, the girls in my dormitory. One girl, I suppose she's my best girl friend, she invited us to her family's New Year's party. Can we go?" she asked hopefully.

"That's very kind of her! I'm sure we can find a way of going. Do you know where it is?"

Lily frowned. She realised she had forgotten to ask. "I'll write to her," she assured them.

*

James had only just stepped off the train when his mother rushed towards him, picked him up and spun his around in the air. Several girls looked over in his direction and tittered.

"Mum!" he moaned, running a hand through his hair.

"Jamesie, I've missed you so much!" she squealed, oblivious to the people staring.

"Vic, lay off him," chuckled Robert Potter, before throwing his arm around James' shoulder. "Nice to see you, son,"

"Back atcha, Dad," James grinned.

"Honestly, you boys," Victoria rolled her eyes fondly, ruffling James' hair, "Who were those other children you were with on the train?"

"Oh just Remus, Sirius and Peter. My new friends!"

"Do we know their families, do you think?" asked Robert.

"Erm, Peter's a muggle-born, and err, do you know the Lupins?" he said, trying to avoid the subject of Sirius.

"Lupins?" Robert frowned. "Nope, don't think so. Can we talk to his parents when we drop you back here after the holidays?"

"I don't think so. He said he's going to be late back to school, 'cause his mother's ill or something,"

"Oh, that poor boy,"

"James, you mentioned three names," Victoria reminded him.

"Oh yeah. Err, Sirius Black?" he said nervously.

"The Blacks?"

"Oh dear,"

"Is he in Slytherin?" asked Robert.

"No!" James said hurriedly, "He's in my house. He's not like that, you know,"

"Ok, ok darling," Victoria said quickly.

"You don't want to mess with the Blacks, James," Robert warned, but then he too dropped it.

"So, what are we going to do for New Years?" James asked hurriedly.

"We told you, the Ashfords have invited us to their party, dear,"

"Sorry son, you'll be quite bored, but it'll be rude to turn them down,"

"Oh that's alright," he said happily, "Can I bring a friend?"


Ahaa, lmao at the random Remus bit. Everyone loves Remus.
And lol, that was pretty short, so i'll put another one up in just a moment.
Lots of love,
Ash x