Hello. Thank u all for you're reviews. And I'm SOOOO sorry it took me a long time to update. I'm having a hard time in school and I've been sick on and off where all I do is sleep. But I hope you all like this chapter.
Random story: I was at my friend house tonight and we were fooling around with the fire pit we were using to roast marshmallows and make smores. So, this idiot who will remain unnamed coughChadcough decided to drop a marshmallow into the fire. 5 minutes later, it explodes and sparks go everywhere including down my shirt. Looking back at it, it's kind of funny but when it happened I got up shaking my shirt to get it out screaming "Oh My GOD! I'M ON FIRE!" lol. That was random I know. Though, I know have a blister on my chest. Oww…
Thank-You's:
Saphira Arya Potter
Hotkat144- you can say that again
Sister of Death- thanx. I hope you like this one just as much
Wildfire2345- it's okay. Yeah. They went clubbing. I luv the idea of clubbing (I'm not old enough for it yet) so I have my characters go and live it for me. lol. And you're doing a wonderful job. Keep going! ;)
"Why don't you go tell her now?"
"She needs to cool down."
"How do you know?" Lily turned towards Peter who had just asked her, getting annoyed. "Because I know her unlike you. We've been friends since 1st year. When she gets upset, you don't wanna get in her way. It can get pretty ugly."
James suddenly remembered the time he had seen on the Map when the tree had gone flying with Dawn right next to it.
Not waiting for them to say anything, Lily turned around and walked up the stairs. The boys then turned to Alec. He just ignored their looks and went up.
Peter was the first to speak. "Well, that was interesting."
"
Remus looked at his friends who were now staring at him.
"Why didn't you tell us this Remus?! We tell each other EVERYTHING! Did you not trust us?"
Remus sighed. "In the dorm." Without waiting, he turned and went up the stairs knowing his friends would follow wanting answers.
As he lied down on his bed, his friends came in with expectant looks. They sat around the bed and there was silence.
Finally James couldn't take it anymore. "Well" he asked impatiently.
Remus sighed and sat up. "I found out that Dawn and Alec were siblings before Christmas break."
"You've known since before Christmas?!" This came from Sirius who was now annoyed. They were the Marauders. The MARAUDERS! The group who kept no secrets from each other. The group of boys who turned into illegal animagi just for Remus. And here was Remus, keeping secrets from them.
"I didn't think it was my job to tell their personal business. I mean, in any other cases I would've told you but the fact of the matter is it's a very sensitive subject. Dawn didn't even know she had a brother up until he told her. She never knew her real family. If you dolts ever paid attention, you would've always noticed how Dawn and Lily always talked about LILY'S parents, not her own."
The boys remembered that this was indeed true. In fact, they had heard it only a few months ago when they came back from school in September.
o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0
The Marauders were walking past compartments looking for people to prank as it was a very long, boring ride. They came up to a compartment with the door open slightly, where they could hear voices that were recognized as Lily and Dawn's.
"That was absolutely hilarious when Petunia actually thought we were going to turn her into a giraffe."
"I know. But are you sure it was okay to go to your cousin Katie's birthday? I mean, she barely knows me what with-"
Lily's kind and persistent voice cut off Dawn's cautious one. "It's fine. Besides, we couldn't leave you at home all alone. I mean…"
At that moment the Marauders were distracted by the snack lady going past them with cakes, candy, and sweets galore.
o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0
The boy's nodded slightly, them all now remembering.
"But, what was that 'other thing' they were talking about?"
Remus again shook his head. "I'm sorry, but that's personal information that you will either learn on your own or told." Remus saw the looks of doubt pass over his friend's faces. "Look. I'm sorry. I really am. But I felt I needed to respect their privacy."
"What about the book?" Again, this came from Peter.
Remus looked wary for a few seconds before he looked ready to tell them. It's a book of long lost magic that Lily found. About the Secret Arts." Remus looked to see the blank faces and rolled his eyes. "The Secret Arts. One of the most powerful and dangerous ways of powers."
After Alec had left the library, Remus had done some general research and had come up with some basic information on the subject.
"Oh."
The boys looked at each other and still had no clue what Remus was talking about and all was silent before James spoke up. "Remus. From now on, don't keep everything hidden from us. Okay? We're you're friends. We know right from wrong despite what many think."
Remus just nodded, crossing his fingers behind his back. He was sorry he couldn't tell his friends the whole truth, but he had sworn to tell no one. And he was awfully scared of what Lily might do to him…
Sirius clapped his hands. "Well on that happy note let's go to the kitchens. I'm hungry."
James rolled his eyes at his pig-like friend. "When are you never hungry?"
"When I'm snogging a hot girl my dear man." Sirius said quite proudly.
o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0
Lily walked into her dorm and silently closed the door. She turned to see her sleeping roommates and rolled her eyes at their green face masks and hair curlers. Yes. Hair curlers. She was very tempted to take her camera and take pictures for blackmail but she wasn't up to finding the stupid thing right now.
She grabbed a pair of black sweatpants and tank top and changed into it and got into bed. Pulling up the covers, she fell into sleep.
She was running fast through the dark forest. She turned her head to look back and saw big, glistening red eyes watching her. Pure evil filled them. She turned back forward and was suddenly at a dead end of sharp thorns.
Turning, she saw a cloaked figure coming towards her, only his red eyes visible with the rest of his face in the shadows.
"Well, well, well," he said, his voice pure venom. "We finally meet Miss Evans. I've heard all about you. Quite powerful you are."
Lily's eye narrowed and she glared at the dark figure that was slowly approaching her taking his grand old time.
"What do you want with me?" Lily's voice was cold and harsh, though indside, she couldnt help but feel terrified.
The man cackled evilly. "What do I want?" He said mockingly. "I expected a smart girl like you to be able to figure that out. You're a vampire and a powerful witch. I can only imagine how powerful you are now. I'm anxious for you to join me and I can see how much you really are capable."
Lily suddenly gasped, realization creeping in. "You're…"
The man laughed finally reaching her and stopping before her. "Lord Voldemort. The Dark Lord. Yes, yes. I know all the names. But you may call me Tom."
Suddenly, a green light engulfed her and she found herself suddenly alone in nothing but black. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her shoulder and she screamed as she turned to look into a pair of hazel eyes. She backed away slightly to see the persons face and saw-
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Lily's eyes snapped open and she sat up quickly. Too quickly in fact. She was now dizzy, the room swaying lightly as she held her head.
"OH MY GOD! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" She turned to see all her roommates around the mirror with one girl in the center.
Sherry Thompson. She was a total slut with short brown hair and blue eyes. She was pretty but got around with the boys just a bit too much. She usually wore her uniform a size or two too tight which was pretty disgusting but somehow attracted the guys. She was very popular due to her looks and family who were pureblood. Her father was an ex-player for the Chudley Cannons and was currently in charge of the Magical Games section of the Ministry and her mother was an ex-model for Witch Weekly. Her parents were very well-mannered but they went wrong somewhere with Sherry. Her parents thought she was a perfect little girl. Psh. They didn't how wrong they were.
Sherry was also obsessed with the Marauders. Especially James. She knew all their birthdays (except Peter's), what their favorite colors and foods were (except Peter's) and pretty much everything else (except about Peter).
Her friends included the blondes Bridget Robinson and Summer Gates and the black-haired Heidi Ridges, all of whom had the thinking capability the size of kindergarteners. Lily wasn't really sure to call them friends or followers. The three girls did everything Sherry told them to and always was with her.
"I'm ALLERGIC TO THIS STUFF! HOW WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO FACE THE SCHOOL?!"
Lily looked to see her roommate through the reflection of the mirror and barely kept herself from laughing.
Sherry's face was completely red with yellowy orange dots and was all swollen.
Lily quickly got her uniform and changed leaving a hysteric Sherry with her other roommates.
As soon as she got down the stairs, she began laughing and looked up to see Alec standing in front of her, a curious look on his face.
"Do I even want to know?" He asked rolling his eyes.
Lily just laughed and shook her head.
"C'mon Lily. Let's get down to breakfast." Lily just nodded and still laughing moved her back onto her shoulder and followed Alec out and into the hallway.
By the time they reached the Great Hall, she was done laughing and was looking around to find Dawn. Alec saw this.
"She's at the Great Lake right now. I saw through the Common Room window. You go talk to her and I'll see you in History."
Lily just nodded and left the Great Hall and out the school towards the Great Lake. She walked to a large willow tree and leaving her book bag at the bottom, climbed to the very top to find Dawn there.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Listen Dawn. Remus didn't tell anyone."
Dawn looked up, confusion written on her face. "W-what? Then how-"
Lily cut in. "James heard us talking yesterday during dinner. He saw on us on that damn map of his and was being a curious git. I just don't know why I couldn't sense him…"
"So… they don't know?" Lily nodded. "And Remus didn't tell anyone?" Lily nodded again and Dawn smiled sheepishly. "Well, I feel like an idiot now."
"It's okay Dawn. I was about ready to kill Remus before Potter said anything."
Dawn looked down. "Guess I owe another Marauder an apology."
Lily nodded. "Yeah. Might be a good idea. Now c'mon. Let's go get your bag and go to History."
o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0
"In the Goblin Rebellion, Rufus the Hostile was killed in one of his many attempts to take the Northlands. After his death, his followers continued to fight on in his name and honor. His son, Norbid the Relentless tried in vain to carry on his honor, but in turn failed, leading to his own demise when he accidentally set his own robes on fire."
Throughout the room, the students were either taking notes, looking out the window, passing notes, whispering to each other, or sleeping and yet the boring old ghost Professor Binns continued to drone on, not even acknowledging or maybe even realizing, that almost no one was paying attention.
Lily and Remus were the only two taking notes while Peter was asleep and Sirius and James quietly setting up a new prank and Dawn just doodling on some parchment. Alec was just sitting in his daydreaming.
While other students were bored by History of Magic, Lily was quite fascinated by it. She just loved the history and how things led to how they were today. Like the fact that the Minister of Magic was once actually like a monarchy, being passed down throughout one family. That ended however after a rebellion in the 12th century and changed to the Minister being elected.
As soon as the bells rang, all the students quickly packed up their things or woke up and hurried out of the room anxious to get out of that horribly boring room. Dawn hurried out ignoring Lily.
'Dawn. What about the apology?'
'Later. There are too many people around"
Lily rolled her eyes. Honestly, her friend was more of a redhead then her. Stubborn, easily angered, etc.
She continued out the door with Alec who waited for her and they went to their next class. Ancient Runes. Dawn wasn't in this class. She had Advanced Care of Magical Creatures.
Lily sat down next to Alec just as the bell rang and the professor stood from his desk. Professor Lawrence was tall and probably in his late twenties, early thirties. He was also quite handsome. Surprisingly, he was overall friendly and got along quite well with the students and other faculty. He had dark brown hair that was close cut and sea green eyes.
"Alright class. I hope you had a nice break?" There was a response of yeses from the class. "Good. Now as you just got back from vacation, lets just do some review."
And the entire class period that day was all review and laughing. Lily didn't get why Dawn didn't want to be in this class. Professor Lawrence was the best teacher a person could ask for. But Dawn simply prefferede being outside than in a classroom.
Lily and Alec separated after class going to their next classes. Alec had Muggle Studies (he was interested as he had been raised in Lord Voldemort's care all his life. Shudder… Imagine being raised by the Dark Lord?) and Lily to Advanced Transfiguration.
She met Dawn in the Entrance Hall where Dawn came in from Care of Magical Creatures and the two continued on to their next class. When they got there, the walked in and sat.
Transfiguration was a… interesting class. Lily didn't like it very much as a subject but when you have the Marauders, some Slytherins, and an arrogant 7th year ladies man named Amos Diggory who had been held back this year, it was a rather amusing class.
The lesson for the day was to turn a bird into a non-moving statue of a person.
Oh, this was going to be interesting.
After handing out the birds, Professor McGonagall told the class to begin and she walked around observing.
Lily and Dawn quickly got it and turned their birds into statues of themselves.
"Perfect work girls."
Lily and Dawn smiled and turned to watch the rest of the class.
Cedric Diggory had just turned the bird into a door, a few of the stupider Slytherins (aka Crabbe and Goyle) had turned it into a stone throwing bird that was currently throwing them at the two boys, and Peter had turned his bird into a flamingo. Lily saw that Remus, James, and Sirius were done and just playing around.
By the end of class, there were only 10 perfect statues. A few of them were still moving, and one or two of them even attempted to jump off the tables in futile attempts to fly. Needless to say, it didn't turn out too well.
After the class, the two girls followed the swarm of people into the Great Hall for lunch. They sat at the end of the table saving a seat for Alec. The lunch period went along and the group went off to Advanced Potions next.
The teacher Professor Slughorn was an aging man and was a very… enthusiastic man. Especially over his Slug Club, a group of people invited to his Slug parties that were exceedingly well at Potions.
"Welcome students! Come and get the ingredients on the board when you come in and get seated."
The students followed his instructions and once everyone was seated, he began the lesson.
"Now then! Today, we'll be making a drought to make a person unconscious."
'Oh boy,' Lily thought. 'Can't wait to see how this turns out.'
'I know. I wonder if another cauldron will explode.'
When told, the two began working on their potion always sure to watch out for any signs of exploding cauldrons.
While working, the two overheard a pair of Slytherins in front of them. Lucius and Snape. The two of them were talking ever so lightly that no one but the girls with their excellent hearing could hear.
"So, when is it?"
"Tomorrow at midnight. We're all going at ten for preparations."
"Right."
Lily tried to read their thoughts when she remembered. She couldn't read either of their thoughts. They were both skilled at occumulacy. Part of being in the "inner circle" of Voldemort's group. Only very skilled vampires could read their mind.
'You think it's an attack?'
'Of course. What else would it be? And we can't even tell Dumbledore. He'll say there's not enough proof.'
'Yeah. Dumbledore's too trusting.'
'Trusting of you, Remus, and me also.'
'True… And we can't even follow them too. The place will probably be filled with Death Eaters and we'd be outnumbered.'
"So all we can do is wait see."
By the end of the class no cauldrons had exploded but someone's cloak did set on fire and 5 potions ended up putting the people into sleep walking stages.
The rest of the day went like that. A few regular accidents here and there. Nothing exciting.
o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0
"So, then he decided to go all up in my face and act all whack yo. That homey doesn't know what his problem is, you catchin what I'm sayin dawg?"
"Oh god."
"Remus. Make him stop! He's scaring me!"
Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius. It was currently dinner and he had just explained to Sirius what "ghetto" meant after he had asked where the word "yo" came from and suddenly, he had decided to act all weird. He had done it before and he was horrible at it.
"I'm not actin weird foo. I'm just chilling with my homies-" Sirius was suddenly quiet shocking his friends.
Remus looked up from his book to see what had made Sirius go quiet so suddenly and saw Lily with Dawn off to the side, refusing to look at anyone but him.
Lily raised an eyebrow at Sirius' behavior. "You know Black. You're horrible at that." She turned to Remus with a small smile. "Remus. Dawn has something she'd like to say."
Dawn looked up. "But Lily-"
Lily pushed her ahead and Dawn looked at her. Damn. She didn't want to do this in the Great Hall. There were too many freaking people!
"I… Well, you see, I'm sorry about last night. I jumped to conclusions and I just got upset."
Sirius and Peter looked at her wide eyed, James curiously, and Remus with a smile. "It's okay Dawn. You were right to jump to conclusions. It's not you're fault."
There was silence between the two groups for a few seconds before Alec came running in, not noticing the Marauders. "Lily, Dawn. Are we doing it tonight?"
"It" was the Secret Arts.
Lily nodded. "Yeah Alec. We'll meet you there in 5 minutes. We just need to get the book. You get everything set up."
Alec looked between the two groups, not moving. The Marauders were confused now.
"What are you guys doing?"
Lily shrugged at Peter's stupid question. Did he honestly expect her to answer? "Just this thing. You wouldn't be interested."
She was expecting Remus to say something and was surprised to see James talking. "It's the Secret Arts isn't it?"
Lily looked wide-eyed for a second before gaining back her cool-looking appearance and nodded softly and Remus spoke. "Do you guys realize how dangerous that is? Not only can something bad happen to you, but if anyone finds out, you're dead."
"Yes, we know." Lily thought for a few seconds before continuing. "I know it's a big favor but could you try to prevent anyone from coming to the Room of Requirement while we're in there? The last thing we need is someone coming in to find us doing what we're going to."
Before anyone of the Marauders cold answer, they were interrupted by a squeal and a sudden blur of brown.
It was Sherry.
"Hey guys. What's up?" she asked in a sugar coated and cheery voice that made Lily cringe. She saw her face was back to normal though was still ever so slightly red. She had to choke back a laugh at remembering what Sherry's face had looked like only hours before.
"Oh, hey Sherry." Sirius' voice sounded strained almost as if… he didn't want her there. OH MY GOD! Sirius Black didn't want an attractive girl near him? It was a sure sign of the apocalypse.
Sherry then noticed Lily and smiled a forced smile. "Hello, Lily,"
Lily did nothing but nod to her in acknowledgement and quickly sent side glances to Dan and Alec on either side of her.
Sherry coming was obviously their cue to leave. The three turned and were heading out the door before Lily stopped and looked back.
'Can I count on your help Remus?'
Remus glanced over at her and nodded ever so slightly so only she could see. She smiled gratefully and went on her way, leaving a group of Marauders all alone with Sherry. For once, Lily felt slightly bad for them.
o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0 o.0
"No Alec. Not like that. Like this." Dawn corrected her brother in his hand movements.
Lily sighed. They had been at this for at least an hour and half, and still nothing. No signs of the Secret Arts at all.
Alec tried again but still nothing. He had an exasperated look on his face and fell to the ground onto a soft chair. "Guys. Maybe we should stop for tonight. Nothing's happening and we've been at it for an hour and a half."
Dawn nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm with Alec. Maybe we should take a break or try again tomorrow."
Lily shook her head. "No. Let's try a little longer." This made Dawn and Alec sigh tiredly.
"C'mon guys. Just another twenty minutes at most. I think we're really close."
Alec got up from the chair and began doing the movements again, along with Lily and Dawn.
'I can feel something inside of me. A power. It wants to come out.' Lily thought as she did the movements, feeling a faint energy in her chest lightly pounding, as if trying to break free.
15 minutes later, they were getting tired and were about to stop. But then, it happened. Lily could do nothing as she suddenly felt the power have one final pounding before it suddenly rose up her chest and through her arms.
There was a small bursting sound and Dawn and Alec turned to see Lily holding a small fire in her hand, her eyes wide in amazement. She looked up at them with a smile.
"It worked."
DONE! Yay! Lily achieved some of the Secret Arts! I know it's a bit weird Lily is asking the Marauders for help, but she's starting to believe maybe they're not all that bad. And besides, they already know about the Secret Arts. I'll try to update soon. And I'm sorry it's a not a very good chapter. I'll try to have some LxJ stuff soon.