RAIN Chapter 20: Snow Angels and Snow Devils, a harry potter fanfic

Chapter Twenty: Snow Angels and Snow Devils

"Dead."

The Rose's had given Lily liberty to come and go from their house as she pleased, but generally wanted her home by dinner so they wouldn't worry and have to search for her and cast various tracking spells. For the most part, she arrived on time, if not earlier. While there, she was able to escape reality and be cheerful to everyone. Dour moods were most certainly unappreciated during such a festive season and therefore Lily made efforts to help everyone forget her situation, above all, by being her usual self.

In short, aside from a particularly sombre car ride from King's Cross to the Evans estate and later on to the Rose home, Lily had been nothing short of a very cheerful house guest. Mister and Misses Rose were absolutely thrilled with Lily's 'quick' recovery after the shock she had from entering her own empty house the one night. They dismissed it as normal and thought not much more of it, however, Alicia, who knew much better, always gave her friend worried glances from the corner of her eyes from time to time in between the smiling.

Such worry from her dear friend was mainly what caused Lily to venture to her house nearly every day and walk the empty halls from room to room, avoiding her dead family member's rooms. Their ghosts may still linger around and Lily was hardly ready to face them where they may be most. Even then, she could not attempt to approach those rooms, knowing that the owners of those rooms were now dead.

Regardless of that, however, her sister was still alive. That spoiled, older sister whom she had come to detest on various levels and love on certain others. Petunia most certainly lived up to the pet name that Lily had given her and was petty about various things on various levels. This would be one of them. Even so, she could not bear to see her sister and not hate her even more for surviving the wreckage while her parents lay dead in a morgue, awaiting a burial.

Currently, Lily was sitting outside in the snow on her bedroom balcony, the one that overlooked the gardens and the old apple tree whose branches were laden with snow. Looking upon that tree, she remembered accidentally firing off magic that caused snow from its branches to cascade down and engulf Petunia in a bunker of snow. The event was hilarious to both girls—mostly because they were still on good terms with each other and far too young to know much more than each other.

Once Lily became a witch, they never spoke like that again.

"Mother… dead…" she said quietly, clasping her cold hands together as she watched her frosty breath leave. Lily had dressed up in her best furs, to avoid freezing to death—as the winter here was a little fiercer than they were up at Hogwarts with fluffy white snow that was cold but not entirely chilling.

Diane Evans was a woman of great calibre and attended the highest circles in the muggle world—with even some connections to the royal family. Originally Diane Ross, she had met Lily's father under some very odd circumstances. It was during a camping trip up to the Ross lodge by some lake that had been monopolized by the richer circles and taken care of to be pristine and beautiful. Diane was out in a boat with a friend or two out on the lake and somehow fell in. The sheer weight of her dress was so much that she simply plunged downwards towards what should've been her death.

However, it seemed that the lake was not as monopolized as they thought for Tristan Evans had been swimming and saw the thrashing girl sinking rapidly. As he pulled her up to the surface and onto land, she later admitted that she couldn't swim and that she vowed to never wear such elegant dresses that would weigh heavily in water out on a lake.

Diane had been born and bred within a rich society and had many suitors lined up for her at her disposal—however she did not care for their gold-digging ideals and, as an escape from high society, she had fallen unconsciously in love with Tristan.

There was no surprise in that for Diane was the sweetest, kindest and loving person alive that Lily knew of and based many assets and values of her life on her mothers. Such a cheerful and strong-willed woman was admired by many and she had no enemies and not a single fault but being slightly naïve and utterly kind. Diane was that person who was always so perfect you hated them most because you loved them most.

"Father… dead…" as Lily said this, the tears that threatened to well up and fall now fell.

Lily had never known many other boys at her age and the many suitors that had been lining up for her every summer at her return from school merely increased in number. However, like how a son will always love his mother first before the woman he marries, Lily loved her father the most. Regardless of the extra attention she received from both the sons and their families—who had heard frequent vows that Lily would be the girl they married—Lily loved her father most and would trade all those boys for her father in less than a heartbeat.

Tristan Evans was from a high-class family, but not to the extreme that the Ross' were, floating around in the richer circles of society. As a child, he was given the better things in life but was also taught the better things in life by his parents that he cherished most. Tristan was an only child and thus spoiled rightly. However, despite all these luxuries, he never flaunted such things and was the most amiable person you could ever meet. Tristan exuded charm beyond anything you could ever imagine, but was also quite a troublesome child at heart—often pulling pranks on many of his cousins who often visited. Quite a few warnings were sent home with him from school and his parents never looked twice at them—having raised that boy and knowing what he would and would not do.

That vacation out on the lake was a camping trip, tent, fire and all with his parents, whom had spoiled him excessively after his graduation. Upon swimming in the lake and seeing a rather odd sight of a girl falling down towards the bottom of the lake where she would most definitely rest in peace, he saved her and instantly fell in love with her at that moment. After a grand feat of rescue, their parents had met and further connections had been established.

A few fairly short months later and the strong approval of both parents they had exchanged vows and married later in the spring. Coincidentally, Lily was born five years later in that spring.

Tristan wasn't interested in floating around from circle to circle as much as Diane; however suffered for her because of love. When Lily was old enough to enter the branches of high society, she shared many pranks with her father as well as glares from her mother—disapproving of their behaviour at such social functions. Lily always genuinely thought it was scandalous that her father would do such things—like secretly place a frog on the dessert table—however was often found willing to be pulled in as an accomplice to care. Despite the nature of the prank and the outcome, Lily would always get off Scott-free because her father would take the blame if they were ever caught.

Getting up from her seat, Lily went back into her bedroom and closed the door behind her, shutting the curtains and taking her white fur coat off and draping it over the fine redwood chair that sat at her fine redwood desk. Both Lily and Petunia were spoiled silly, but also brought up with much the same upbringings her parents had. It was Petunia who had turned awry when Lily was found to be, by some crazy instance, a full-blooded witch.

Despite how much she didn't want to see Petunia, she decided that she should at least go to visit her only sister. After all, her grandparents probably wouldn't be seen until the funeral—whenever that would take place. Christmas was not long to come and the event would have to take place before then, to act as a cheerful event after a sorrowful one.

Taking a quick glance through her closet, she took out a more modest coat that would weather the cold and yet give her a commoner's look rather than the finer upper-crust of society before taking steps down the grand staircase and heading out before locking the doors behind her. The Evans had little need or desire for personal servants and thus those that were employed in the Evans household merely came twice a month to keep everything generally in check when necessary—however they stayed on the estate during holidays.

Calling for a taxi, she made swift tracks towards the hospital she had been informed her sister was currently under intensive care in. Stepping back outside into the brisk air, she looked up at the large white building and sighed. Lily knew that her guess at Petunia's reaction to her would be as good as anyone's, however; Lily knew her sister fairly well in that very little would change between them, despite their parents deaths.

Walking up to the receptionist, she kindly asked for her sister and was sent up to the thirteenth floor and the fifth room on the left from the elevators after five minutes of pointless questioning and searching through databases. Lily quickly arrived at the aforementioned room and held her hand up hesitantly to knock on the door.

What would Petunia say? Would she be angry? Spiteful? More than usual? Or would they suddenly become sisters who had lost their parents together?

No. They had not been together since Lily received her letter and they never would be.

Knocking on the door, she heard a monotone voice telling her to come in. As she stepped in, she saw the shocked expression on her sister's face and she suddenly received her answer. It seemed that Petunia had been quite close to a full recovery and was reading a book with no discernable title to be found. The front was taken off and the hard-bound cover was all that remained—as Petunia liked to read her books.

"I didn't know this was where they sent trash. I shall have to switch rooms. Get out."

Sticking her nose up at her sister, she frowned. "Oh? Dropping the sisterly act so soon are you? Because your dear boyfriend is related to magic doesn't interest you anymore? Don't think you should butter me up anymore? No one to impress about it anymore? They thought it was wonderful how you and I were getting along didn't they? And suddenly I'm trash."

Petunia's green eyes flared and she glared viciously at her sister. "You filthy thing! How on earth could I be related to you? How dare you speak to me like that? Just who do you think you are?"

Fixing her with cold green eyes, Lily kept her head held high. "I am Lily Evans, social queen of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A dubious title that you could never hope to achieve in any school, muggle or witch alike. For poor individuals such as yourself it is, in fact, a true wonder that you are able to even attain a boyfriend."

Petunia's eyes darkened as Lily knew the dark and severely shallow waters she had so willingly tread. "True wonder is it?" she said, her voice reaching unbelievably shrilly heights. "Well, you freak, have you gotten a boyfriend at all? Is he here to back up your claim? Heaven knows you've already spawned more little demons like yourself already, you tramp!"

Taking a quick step up to her sister she slapped her with all the expertise of a professional from years of practice upon one Sirius Black. Petunia's head fell to the side as she sat there, stunned for a moment before nursing her wounded cheek—which was now turning an impressive shade of red much to Lily's pride. Sirius' skin was so much darker it was hard to tell whether she actually damaged anything or not.

"I come back from school to find out my parents are dead and that my sister is in the hospital—potentially dead—and this is how she treats me!?" Lily shrieked at her, the tears spilling forth without consent. "I come back and… and cry my eyes out for what seems like forever… and… and you…" Now, despite anything else, knowing that there was no longer anyone she had to make smiles for, no one she had to act for, no one she had to be happy for, Lily broke down and bawled, falling to her knees, crying into her sister's lap.

Lily could feel a hesitant hand stroke her hair gently, eventually turning into a rhythm. As children, Lily would always run to Petunia for her nightmares and Petunia had so gallantly chased them away like a prince. In moments like those, when Lily was crying and most vulnerable to anything, Petunia stroked her hair comfortingly like this—in this same manner. It was almost like they were kids again.

"Lily… I'm sorry. Mom and Dad… they wanted to see you graduate so much. I was sitting in the back at the time and all I remember was that something hit us and destroyed our car. When I came to there were flashing lights and everyone around me. The first thing I realized, maybe subconsciously, was that mother and father were dead. I am sad to say that my instinct was correct because I saw their dead, lifeless bodies on stretchers on the ground while everyone around me tried to hush me and calm me down."

Lily stood up and hugged Petunia—for she was all the family she had left now—despite how much she hated her sister, she was still her sister. "I was so worried that you had died too… I was so worried that you all had just… left me behind!"

Petunia smiled—a genuine smile. "Don't worry about that, Lily. Never worry about that. Their funeral has of yet to be announced and their will discussed later. We were all waiting for you to return and for me to get out of that wretched coma I was in. Who are you staying with for holidays? Not a boyfriend, I hope, I shall have to kill him."

Lily smiled. "No, I'm staying with Alicia. I couldn't bear to stay in that empty house. Are you doing okay? Will you be fine? Shall I get you anything?"

Petunia looked away. Despite that they were sisters, it seemed that 'sisterly time' was over and cold hard formalities should intervene as Lily dried her tears. "I will be fine. Don't concern yourself with me. The doctors say I will be leaving this place within next week. I will leave a message and details with the Roses."

Shoulders stiffening, Lily frowned slightly at the abrupt attitude change. It seemed that, despite all that happened, the fact that they were sisters would never overcome the fact that she was a witch. "I'll be waiting for it. Get well soon, then, Petunia, I will see you later."

Taking her leave, Lily felt the tears come back to her face as she felt like she could close her eyes and the accident would play out in her mind over and over again, as if she were really there.

Times like these, she was grateful that Petunia still knew how to be a sister sometimes.

Returning to her house, she stood in the doorway, like she had once done as a child coming back from the rain. Closing the door, she took her boots off and made way to the kitchen, sitting down where she usually sat. "Mom… I'm sorry… I'm… so sorry…"

The phone suddenly rang and Lily felt almost inclined to answer it. After it had rung seven times, she got up and started for the phone when the answering machine picked up. "Hello, this is the home of the Evans family, we're away from the phone right now, if you could leave a message with us we'll be sure to return your call. Thank you."

It was the voice of her mother, Diane, in her cordial, yet very warm tone of voice. Lily touched the phone briefly before the person on the other end started to record their message for them.

"Lily? Are you there…? Well, I suppose not. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to spend some time with Sirius and I—as we realize we live in the general area near you. Rose actually tipped me on that before you think I am a stalker. Aside from that—"

"Hello?" Lily answered quickly.

"—ah, Lily. You're home, splendid. I had phoned Rose to the point of death for your whereabouts before she conceded defeat."

"How do you know Alicia?"

James coughed slightly. "Well, we might have been childhood friends, maybe. Girl hasn't changed her phone number in all her life—or moved for that matter. My parents are deathly fond of her parents and vice-versa. They even made wedding arrangements that shall never be discussed by either end—I hope you understand. I've broken many hearts with this piece of information alone," he said, and Lily could tell that he was smiling. Smiling herself, she realized that she wanted to see that smile, to see him laugh, to see him happy so that she, in turn, could be happy.

"It will never come to pass. Alicia Rose has undeniably assured me in that nonchalant way of hers when concerning Sean Patil, that she is with the man she will marry. Broken many hearts herself, you understand."

"Completely. So, are you up for tomorrow? We shall pick you up at quarter to ten at Roses house—as you are staying with her I am to understand."

"I haven't even given an answer to you yet, James Potter. You silly boy, I could be doing more important things than wasting my time with you," she said with a smile—knowing that full well it was a bold-faced lie.

"Ah, but you see, I can tell your future, and in your future you have already said 'Yes, James, I'll spend the whole day with you and Sirius Black—of all people.' So, we shall come by at quarter to ten. I'll see you tomorrow, Lils, alright?"

Lily smiled. "Alright, James. I'll see you soon."

Hanging up the phone, she pressed the delete button on her flashing answering machine. It wouldn't help to have such a long conversation on her answering machine.

Altogether, he was right, she would've said yes regardless of anything else on her mind. James had a nasty habit of chasing her storm clouds away and she liked him all the more for it. The fact that Sirius Black would accompany them all tomorrow was, indeed, depressing, but such a thing could not be helped in any way. Before she spent time here and there with James, she often saw the two of them together and he was always present for Sirius' poor attempts at capturing her affection.

Decidedly, at this point, Lily decided that she would enjoy her holiday break, whether that was with Rose, Sirius, Petunia or James. Nothing would get in her way, she would put the matter of her parents' death behind her and she would walk away from it stronger—rather than in more shards of glass. In the haze of it all, she could almost see her shattered image as James sat there, painstakingly piecing it back together, bit by bit, until it formed a complete and whole and beautiful image of Lily Evans—as she was always meant to be.

To My Reviewers:

Much love to you all. I truly appreciate all of the, maybe, three minutes you take into reviewing my story. Makes me happy to know that people enjoy reading it. Well, I enjoy writing it for you all! I hope to still see you at the very end of this as well!