Oh my God James!
I had no idea you had just been kidnapped by Murdoch! I mean…Oh my god James! Are you alright? Do you need anything; do you need me to come over? I've been worried sick about you, I didn't know if I was going to be able to see you again.
This makes all my news pale in comparison to yours, I don't what the hell you went through but you are getting the biggest hug in the world imaginable when I see you next you idiot. I mean why the hell did you go running off into the woods like that anyway? Are you insane? Do you really have a nerve relay missing in that thing you call a head?
Sorry, I know I shouldn't be so angry and picky, but I was so worried about you, it's all over the news here, I would go as far as to say that you are famous. You and that Evans girl are celebs over here. I mean everyone's talking about it.
Maybe I gave too much of the game away there, but I can't wait to see you again. I hope you're feeling better, because I know you must need a good lie down after everything that happened to you over the last week.
Stay safe and don't get into too much trouble you little Marauder.
Lots of love
Leanne.
"Shouldn't you be going to the loony bin?" asked Sirius laughing. James grunted and looked down at his homework. They were in the common room by the fire, a lot of the girls where behind them listening to Evans's radio. It was playing some muggle band which was making it wale like a banshee. It was now becoming really irritating, how could she put up with that was any ones guess.
James placed the letter down from Leanne and went back to his work. He would love to go out of the castle but was under orders from his dad not to. And he knew this time that his Dad was keeping a much sterner eye on him than before.
"No." said James, that damn music ringing in his ears. "Because I'm not going, I have nothing to say to that dick."
"Well I'm sure they'll have straight jacket with your name on It." said Remus, "I'm sure the secure wing on St Mungo's has a very nice suite." The trio burst into laughter while James shook his head.
"This ain't funny." Said James. Looking over his shoulder at the radio, then back to his friends. "Besides, I'm not going." Said James, "I'm going to stay here and be a model student…just like Evans." Sirius roared with laughter.
"Yeah right." He said. "That'll be the day." The annoying music was too much. He turned round.
"Evans! Turn off that rubbish!" he yelled. He went back to his work, but Evans had turned with the sound of his voice.
"It's Fleetwood Mac!" she said appalled. "It's cultured, I might do you good to listen to it. It's Shwing!"
"It's Shwubbish." Said James, "Turn it off before I make you."
"I would love to see you try." Said Evans, "I can get very protective over it."
"Guys, simmer down." Said Dorcas pinching her nose.
"No." said James and Evans in unison.
"Can you just let me listen to this!"
"No, it's distracting." Said James writing something down.
"Just because you hate doesn't mean everyone else does."
"Do you want me to get a show of hands?"
"Stop being so arrogant and suck it up." Said Evans sitting back down. James grunted he pulled his wand and turned so quickly he didn't see McGonagall walk in.
"Wingardium Leviosa!" the radio flew up in the air.
"My Radio!"
"Mr Potter?" James's concentration broke. The radio fell into Evans's grateful grasp, she turned angrily at him. But she wasn't James's primary concern now.
"I do hope you weren't vandalising another students property, where you?" she asked. James shook his head.
"No professor." Said James through gritted teeth.
"And besides. Aren't you supposed to be going to see Professor Starlings about now?"
"No." said James sitting down.
"It wasn't so much a suggestion as it was a reminder." Said McGonagall. "And I knew you wouldn't go willingly." James slouched back into his sofa. "I take it you know what's happening now." His parents had got her to escort him.
"Is it really necessary?" asked James.
"Judging by how you haven't gone so far, I'd say so." Said McGonagall. James shook his head. "No complaints, up." James forced himself up to the sniggers of the girls, and his friends who were being supportive as always.
"Nice knowing you mate." Said Sirius, "I actually liked you when you were sane."
"Yeah, not that much fun now you're a loony." Said Remus.
"Ah and Mr Lupin, would you please go and see Madam Pomfrey later, it's with regards to your…mother."
"Yes Professor." Said Remus. James was about to check the window.
"Potter!" McGonagall called sternly and walked towards the door, James followed. Sirius threw a ball of parchment at him and hit him in the back of the head. The girls laughed causing him to turn.
"Potter!"
"Coming Professor." Said James bitterly as he gave them the finger. He walked out, with the door closing behind him. He followed her towards her office, their steps echoing around the deserted corridor.
"Did you really have to do this?" asked James.
"Yes." said McGonagall. "You should really give Professor Starlings a chance."
"Why should I give him a chance?" asked James, "There all the same."
"Not this one." said McGonagall. "He's a personal friend." They reached the office and she opened the door for him. "So try and be nice." James scowled at her before ruffling his hair and walking in.
The desk was gone and replaced with two armchairs by the open coal fire which bathed the room in a soft maroon and orange glow. Starlings was already sitting in his chair, James thought he smiled evilly as he entered.
"I'll leave you to it Potter." Said McGonagall as he walked in. She closed the door behind him and left him by the door.
"Mr Potter. Take a seat." He said showing him the seat opposite him. James walked towards it.
"I was beginning to think you weren't coming." He said as James sat down.
"I wasn't." said James. Starlings frowned.
"If it makes you feel any better, I do know Professor McGonagall quite well." Said Starlings, trying make himself more available to James.
"That gets me in the room." said James. "Doesn't keep in here though." Starlings smiled and laughed slightly.
"Ok James." He said. "You don't like me, I get that. But I hope you'll at least just give me a chance." James shook his head.
"Listen Doc." He said, "I've seen physiatrists before." Starlings went to speak. "And before you cook up some crazy B.S about being different than the others. Don't, I've heard that all before to.
"You're not giving me a fighting chance James." Said Starlings.
"I don't need to give you anything." Said James. "And besides, what do you need to hear form me anyway."
"It's just to make sure that you're ok after your little incident with Robert Murdoch."
"Incident?" said James, not quite believing what he was hearing, this guy really didn't have a clue about what he had gone through.
"This was no, 'incident'." Said James, "You really don't have a clue what happened. Do you?"
"Clearly not." Said Starlings.
"He broke six of my ribs." Said James, "Not fractured, broke, snap!" said James gesturing with his hands the break.
"I had to have twenty stiches in my head after his friends punched my head. I had to use my basic level of Occlumancy against him when he tried to mentally torture me." James shook his head.
"You have no idea." Said James, "So, I you don't mind, while you play your 'my first phycology set' I'm going to go and do something a bit more productive." James went to stand up.
"Basic level Occlumancy. Impressive." Said Starlings. James looked at him weirdly. "And where did you learn that, that's far beyond the normal wizarding level?"
"My Mum and Dad and Auror's." Said James. "Children of Auror's have to be trained to withstand torture." Starlings nodded his head.
"I not going to try and understand you James." Said Starlings.
"Oh you want to." Said James sitting back down. Starlings sat back amazed. "Another thing they teach is how to read people." Said James "And I know that you already have profile on me inside that head of yours." Starlings glared at him.
"You have to be judgemental to be a psychologist." Pointed out James, "You may give advice, but you relish judging them silently." Starlings started to rise from is chair.
"Why you arrogant little-"
"And there it is." Said James pointing his fingers at him like a gun. He smirked and fired them, laughing.
"Thanks from proving me right." He said. "Now, why don't you tell me exactly what you think of me, because my guess is that file has all my info on it that you've already gone through with a fine tooth comb." Starlings sat back down slowly. He made himself more comfortable in his chair.
"Alright…" he said slowly. "Your arrogance stems from your parents inability to punish you effectively, with them going around the world on adventures all the time it didn't leave a lot of time for them to establish an effective punishing method for your little outbursts. Because that's how you get your attention, Potter. My guess is that you resented that you had to act out to get the attention you craved from them, instead of them giving you unconditional love and attention for your achievements. However though, these pranks you pulled off, these daredevil stunts you pulled." He closed the file.
"Doing these things gave you the bravery and courage to do anything you saw fit, but also the confidence to know you could do it. The ability not to second guess yourself. And when you came here, you saw Hogwarts as an opportunity to show off your abilities. You saw Hogwarts as your oyster, something unspoiled where it gave you everything you wanted, fun, adventure, but most of all attention. Something you never had at home, someone to always have eyes on you. It gives you that kick while your parent's attention, the one you want the most eludes you. At least, until you pull these pranks to get their attention." Said Starlings looking back through the file. "Getting warm?" James sat in the chair smiling at him.
"I'll take that as a yes shall I." James laughed in his chair, Starlings look went from one of pleasure to one of anger, he pursed his thin lips, and narrowed his eyes.
"Well…you're not as stupid as you look." Said James.
"Is that some sort of defensive mechanism?" asked Starlings, "Covering up insecurities with humour so that you can't face the truth?"
"…No." said James thoughtfully. "Because that does sound like me."
"Well they do say the first steps admitting." Muttered Starlings. "You must be willing to take action in order to change."
"Judging from your stare, I say it's something you have longed to do. Take action." Said James.
"Let me guess, more of a book worm than an athlete." He continued, holding his chin thoughtfully.
"Yes," he mused. "You were there favourite pass time." Starlings looked confused. James leaned forward with a thoughtful look.
"The weird kid no one liked. The one who would rather read than go outside and have fun." James nodded.
"You always believed in the minds power but only because it's the only friend you have. But that doesn't explain it all."
"I bet there was someone though who you looked up to in your family, quite close as well. I'm guessing older brother because his friends would be the person you tried to emulate. A bit of a jack the lad, got all the girls, Quidditch captain, and most probably the preferred sibling." James narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as Starlings looked away.
"You so wanted to be like him." said James, "But you just couldn't do it. Because you knew he was better than you."
"Stop it."
"Your parents loved him more because he was more pragmatic."
"Stop it!"
"More successful, and had a desirable woman."
"ENOUNGH!" shouted Starlings standing up abruptly. "Enough!" he hissed before sitting back down. His glare still trying to bore holes into James who was still looking at him curiously. Starlings breathed deeply before regaining control.
"Very good story Mr Potter." He said laughing nervously while adjusting his tie. "I… I admire your imagination." He had a stern look on his face as he rose from his chair.
"But don't think that you know me!" he hissed. He sat back down with his stern face.
"You just told me everything I said was right." James said leaning forward in his chair, "You wouldn't have flown off the handle otherwise." Starlings was breathing heavily, he had a look of pure dislike in his eyes.
James got up and grabbed his bag. "I think were done here doc. I don't think I'll need a follow up appointment, do you?"
James walked out the office and slammed the door he waited for a few seconds before he could hear Starlings shout and curse in frustration as he laughed as he walked away from the room.
The castle was beautiful in the bright full moon night with the torches out. His footsteps echoed all the way up to Gryffindor tower and along the corridor. He climbed through the portrait hole and into the fire lit common room, James sat down on one of the big armchairs. The flames warmed him up slightly as he thought about what had gone on with Starlings.
"You're back." James looked over his shoulder to see Evans waiting for him.
"Still waiting up for me?" Said James.
"No." she said flatly standing from her seat and stood in front of him.
"I wanted to know how you got on with Starlings?" asked Evans folding her arms. "Or did you open your mouth?" James smirked and looked away. Lily pinched her nose.
"You opened your mouth, didn't you." said Evans.
"Maybe."
"What did you say?"
"Just read him." said James looking over at Evans. "They teach you that in the Auror's as well."
"He's a professor." Said Evans sternly.
"Humph. I didn't need a degree to figure him out." Said James dismissively. "It was easy, middle child trying to strive towards the approval of his parents because of his seemingly over achieving siblings."
She looked at James shocked. "What? You…you…were able to tell the life story of an adult by looking at them?"
"And the way he acted. Didn't you notice it?" Lily shook her head.
"No!" she almost shouted in disbelief, almost like he was crazy for even thinking of the idea.
"Really?" said James looking out to the window again. "What's it like inside your head, must be boring." Lily shook her head in disgust.
"Arrogant toerag." She muttered under her breath. "He was trying to help you."
"And I told you I didn't need help." Said James not looking at her. Lily continued to shake her head in disbelief.
"You know what, I don't need this." She said walking away towards the staircase. "There is obviously no helping you."
"…Then why do you keep trying?" James asked thoughtfully. He heard her footsteps stop. There was a pause, he could tell she was looking at him. Then, the footsteps continued up towards the dorm.
James stood up and looked outside at the full moon night. He looked down at his hand and pulled a fist. He turned and walked up to his dorm. Sirius was awake waiting for him.
"So, how did it go?" James smirked and began to close the door.
"Have I got a story for you."
"You really gave him his own psych profile?"
"You sound surprised Pete." Said James. The three where walking towards great hall. James had regaled them with how he had put Starlings in his place, though he kept out the part when he argued with Evans over it. She had glared at him when he came down in the morning but he expected that.
"Didn't you see him do it to Snape?" asked Sirius
"Well…no." said Peter. James shook his head and laughed.
"Better stick with us." Said James. "Don't want that Slytherin's getting back to you."
"POTTER!"
"Aw shit." James muttered, he looked over and saw Professor McGonagall sweeping down the marble staircase. Her lips incredibly thin as she went towards the three of them.
"What have you done?" asked Sirius.
"Probably to do with what happened yesterday." James said shrugging, "Go in, I'll catch you up." Sirius and Peter walked into the great hall. James faced McGonagall who was now a few steps in front of him.
"My office." She barked pointing up the marble staircase, she turned on her heel and James followed her up the marble staircase. She didn't say a word to him all the way up to her office, her door burst open and she pointed to him to go inside which he did. James walked in to see Dr Starlings looking very smug, James shot him a dark look as he stood by McGonagall's desk. James didn't take his eyes of him as McGonagall sat in her seat. She looked at the two of them sternly.
"I hoped the days of bringing you in here for dissent where over Potter." She said coldly.
"But Professor, I haven't shown dissent to any teacher." Said James, looking over at Starlings distastefully.
"Now that's not true, is it Mr Potter." Starlings was now looking smugly over James, "You showed dissent towards me only yesterday."
"I wasn't aware that you were a teacher." James said darkly,
"Enough of your cheek Potter." McGonagall snapped, "Dr Starlings is doing you the favour by going over what happened with you Murdoch."
"And I told you quite clearly." Said James, "I'm fine, I'm sure my mum insisted on it, but I bet my dad said he was full of-"
"No more Potter!" McGonagall said sternly. "The decision was made with your best interests at heart."
"Bout the only time." muttered James. "I told you once and I'll tell you again, I don't need help from a guy who probably as unstable as the people he treats." There was a thick silence between the three of them. James could sense both pairs of eyes on him but didn't retract the remark.
"Professor Starlings has told me about your…conversation, last night." Said McGonagall. She rested her chin on her hands.
"No more of that Potter." She said, "I know that you've been trained to read people like that. But don't do it in public, people can find it disconcerting."
"So he's allowed to do it to me but I'm allowed to do it to him." said James laughing and shaking his head. He continued to laugh and looked up. "That's…that's." he calmed down.
"That's absurd." Said James. "No, I'm not going to see you again." James said looking over at Starlings.
"Potter!"
"What." Said James dismissively. "You know it, I know it." McGonagall shook her head.
"Fine." She said, "You don't have to go again, are you happy?"
"Yes." said James nodding.
"I wouldn't recommend that Minerva." Said Starlings looking over at James. "Though Mr Potter is smart, he still shows sociopathic traits that need addressing urgently."
"Sociopath?"
"Enough." Said McGonagall. "As confident as you are that you can treat him, I don't think he wants to be. It's best not to make him." Starlings sighed.
"If you insist." Said Starlings. "Though, Miss Evans has said she would continue seeing me. Maybe that might sway you." James laughed.
"Oh yeah." He said sarcastically. "That's really swayed it." He shook his head, "Idiot." Starlings glared at him.
"Fine Mr Potter." He said. "I know a lost cause when I see one. I hope our paths cross again."
"Yeah, right." Starlings glared at him once more.
"Minerva." He then walked out of the room. Slamming the door behind him. James turned to McGonagall who shook her head.
"Are you happy now?" she asked.
"Now he's gone, yes." said James.
"I must say that not many people can get under the skin of a world renowned professor." Said McGonagall. "But maybe you should take his advice."
"I don't need it." said James, "I've dealt with my demons, and I've moved on." McGonagall nodded.
"Well if that is all. Twenty points for your cheek." She said. "Not that it matters now. Now go, I'll see you in my next lesson." James got his bag and walked out. He then looked down the corridor and went of the get his breakfast.
"I want to know what he did." Said Lily.
"So do I personally." Said Dorcas over breakfast. Lily looked over at Potter, wondering what he had said to Professor Starlings. His friends came in first, followed by him a few minutes later. He said he had given Starlings a complete download on what he was like. Lily couldn't believe he would do such a thing. But Dorcas had told her that he could and he would.
"He couldn't have done that to a grown man." Said Mary. "No twelve year old could, not even James Potter."
"You didn't seem him do it to Snape." Said Isabel. Lily's head shot round like a gun going off. Her eyes narrowed.
"What?" her voice low and drawn out.
"Uhm…Yeah, James gave Snape a low down earlier in the year." Said Isabel, a little bit of fear in her voice. She then looked over at Potter and his friends. Her Jaw locked and looked like she was about to swallow something.
"Lily?"
"Wait, here!" she said getting up and making her way to the boys.
"Oh shit." Dorcas jumped off the bench and went after her. All the other girls looked up and she raced after the red head.
"Could this be a regular thing?" asked Marlene. "James and Lily shouting off at one another?"
"It would certainly make for some interesting meal times." Said Sarah going back to her breakfast.
Lily stormed over, her footsteps must of alerted them because their heads looked up at her. Potter didn't seem concerned and went back to his breakfast. She could feel her face boil red, he didn't take her seriously at all.
"Potter!"
"What is it Evans?" asked James.
"That stuff you said to Starlings, did you say it to Sev as well?" Potter looked confused at his food and then back up at her with the same look.
"Obviously not." Said Potter.
"That's not what Isabel said!" Lily now finding herself breathing heavily, and what did he mean by obviously. "And why obviously?"
"Because there two completely different people Evans." Said James.
"Lily!" Dorcas came towards them red in the face. "Lily, what are you doing?"
"Getting an answer." Said Lily, "What do you mean by not the same?"
"There two completely different people." Said Potter, "So there traits and backgrounds will be different why are you asking me about this now?" he asked.
"Lily, let's go." Said Dorcas tugging on her arm. Lily shrugged it off.
"How dare you." she said, "You had no right. You don't know what sort of life he's had."
"Difficult I can tell you." said Potter. "Still trying to gain the approval of his father who hates him because he's a wizard."
"Stop there!" she yelled, her finger pointed at him. "Don't say another word!" Potter stood up.
"You asked." Said Potter. "I know you live near him and that you know his life, but he challenged me, I put him in his place." He grabbed his bag and walked away. "Again!" Lily seethed with anger as he walked away. She then turned on her heel and walked back with Dorcas.
"Lily, what are playing at?" she asked. "You've never been this confrontational before with him, what's changed?"
"I don't know." Said Lily storming away. She walked past her dorm mates and outside. She could hear Dorcas steps behind her.
"Lily, Lily come on just stop, let's talk." Said Dorcas. She stopped and turned back to Dorcas.
"I'm sorry, it's just…" she sighed, she sat down on the floor with her back against the wall and buried her face in her knees and felt Dorcas sit beside her.
"I've just always had to deal with things on my own." Said Lily, "I've never had friends and…" she looked down the corridor.
"I've never had an enemy."
"An enemy?" said Dorcas; she racked her brains thinking who she was talking about. What sort of person has an enemy at this age? James. She figured it out, she sighed and looked at Lily.
"James?" Lily nodded.
"I have never known someone who can get under my skin so easily." Said Lily, "I mean, I've always been able to handle people like him but…him." she shook he head.
"It's like he's born to annoy me. Everything he does just puts me on edge, I don't know whether he's going to kill himself, save someone or be a total arse-hat!" Lily shook her head.
"He-he was so sweet when we were captured." Lily continued, "He made sure I was alright before he was. And he…" She looked at Dorcas who gave her a probing look. Lily stayed silent. Dorcas knew Lily had revealed a lot more than she really wanted to. She placed an arm round her.
"Lily you aren't alone here." Said Dorcas. "I know you haven't had any real friends before but you can trust us." Lily nodded and looked down at the floor. "You can trust me."
"I don't know how he can do it though?" She heard Dorcas sighed
"I've asked myself the same thing." Said Dorcas. "For a long time. But come on!" she stood up and pulled Lily up as well.
"Don't waste another second on him anyway, that's coming from one of his friends." Lily smiled. "Now, let's go out, make own fun." Lily smiled.
"Yeah." Said Lily. "Let's."
Somewhere far away from here.
"You must admit, not many kids would be able to stand up to a punishment like that."
The room was almost black, only a bright white bulb emanated any sort of light around the large circular table. But light can only reach so far in suck darkness. The light was only an acknowledgement of the figures presences around the table. The figures behind it where dressed in black with their hoods down. At one end though, one chair was bigger and grander than the rest. His bony hand rasped the table as the information was being fed to him. He looked over to the other hooded figure that had made the remark.
"I am well aware what he went through." He said rasping the table. "But I'm sure you know…" His fingers then clenched into a fist and it smacked the table. Everyone around the room winced at the contact.
"Murdoch failed." He said. "Alec Potter is the person who is still in my way, he is the person we either need to get onto our cause, or out of the way!" There were mutters and whispers from the other people around the table.
"But alas." All eyes moved onto him again. "I have devised a solution to this problem. And I thank you Malfoy for bringing him to my attention." He cleared his throat.
"James Potter." He said, again, whispers.
"The one who stood up to Murdoch torturing." Even in the dim light, the turn of his head to one person at the table. All the others head did to.
"He's a very accomplished dueller." He continued, "Wizarding and muggle. I think we need to press on his love of danger. I trust your club will be able to help fulfil his potential?" The figure he was looking at shuffled nervously.
"My Lord, though I told you it was going well…I don't think we are ready to do such a thing yet." He said. "But it also might have a very little degree of success." He continued. "What if he where to turn to Dumbledore before he turns to us."
"Those are valid arguments." He said, "But maybe…he is too young." His fist unclenched, and the other hand emerged from the darkness. His elbows rested on the table and his fingers intertwined.
"You have one year to secure him." he said, "In that time though I would like him monitored, see what his strengths are…and what we can exploit." There was a nervous silence in the room. He looked both ways. "Well?"
"Of course my lord, by your command."
"Excellent."
"But what of the other Potter?" another asked. "Rumour is that the minister wants to make him captain of the Auror's. That could be very problematic."
"I have that already in hand." He said, "A…dear friend in Romania has been causing me a little problem lately."
"Vlad?"
"Exactly." He said, his hands rummaging back into the darkness. "Alec Potter must stop him, I know that the Romanians will ask for help in dealing with him."
"Why my Lord?" He sighed gravely.
"He is getting beyond even my control. And I want the vampires on my side. And the only person I know who will be able to do this task, is…Alec Potter." There was hushing whispers again.
"Our spy in the ministry." He showed his hand to a figure sitting opposite him. "Will see that Potter senior is doing that mission."
"Yes My Lord."
"And our spy at Hogwarts." He showed his hand to another. "Who has fitted in so perfectly, will keep a steady flow of youngsters, flowing to our cause." The figure he was pointing at coughed a little.
"Is there a problem?"
"No my Lord." He said, "I only have concern over your pursuit of James Potter." There was another nervous silence.
"Meaning?"
"My Lord, though he is smart, he's arrogant, self-righteous and a whole other box load of adjectives. I don't think however that he is right for this group."
"You will do what is told of you. This training base will turn him into the ultimate warrior. And Black."
"Yes my Lord."
"Make sure that your boy can subtly influence him. They are best friends are they not?"
"Yes My Lord, of course my Lord." He said confidently.
"Then it is settled." He said raising his arms up, as though he was being accepted from the rapture. "This plan must not fail. Unlike Murdoch who was caught…you will all suffer fates a my hand, and I will warn you. I am much less forgiving than a Dementor." He stood up, the rest of the table did to.
"We will reveal ourselves to them." he said, "They must know what the new order." There was another silence as they took in the vision.
"We can save this world." He said.
"We are The Sons of Salazar!"
"WE ARE THE SONS OF SALAZAR!" they chorused back.
"No way!"
"You didn't!" Lily swigged on her butterbeer and giggled. "No, I don't believe you." said Dorcas laughing.
"I honestly did." Said Lily, "Bright red." She said remembering fondly about how she turned Wendy's hair red.
"Then what happened?" asked Dorcas. Lily's face then went sombre and looked down at the Dorm floor. "Lily?"
"She attacked me." Said Lily quietly.
"Oh."
"Then I broke her jaw." Said Lily untroubled taking a another swig. She looked at Dorcas who had her mouth aghast.
"What?"
"I always had you down as a pacifist." Said Dorcas.
"I'll have you know I'm quite deft at the left hook." Said Lily punching the air. The two girls giggled and broke off some more chocolate. Lily took a bite and looked over at Dorcas.
"So tell me about you?" asked Lily. "It must have been cool growing up in a house where magic was all around you."
"It doesn't have that much of an appeal." Said Dorcas. "It was annoying at first, seeing everyone else do it but not you. I wondered if I was going to end up a squib." Lily nodded.
"So did you develop late then?" Dorcas chuckled.
"James was teasing me about not being able to do magic when I was ten." She said smiling fondly. "I got really pissed at him and before I knew it, I'd apparated him to the top of his house."
"Now that's funny." Said Lily. There was suddenly a commotion from downstairs which made both Lily and Dorcas turn round. Both looked at each other, sharing mutual looks of this can't be good. They both got up and went downstairs. There was a party in full swing, everyone in maroon and gold dancing around the common room.
"Dorcas!" Lily turned to see Potter running towards them. "Dorcas, where have you been, we won!" Dorcas's face went bright red in excitement.
"No way!" Potter nodded enthusiastically.
"Three hundred and ninety to two hundred and seventy." He said wiping his forehead. "How could you miss it? Where have you been."
"We've been here." Said Lily.
"Yeah, bit of girl time." said Dorcas. "So parties in order then."
"Just getting set up now." said Potter as banners from the match where being pinned up around the common room by other people.
"Where going to make a run to the kitchens now." said Potter, "Be ready for when we get back."
"Meaning?"
"Best get your radio out Evans." Said Potter and walking away. "It's going to be a long night." She groaned, she was hoping he wouldn't say that.
Like being at Wendy's all those years ago, Lily thought she would be able to get better at parties as time went on. Sadly though, she was just as awkward as back then. Everyone was celebrating, and yet she had no idea why. It was a game, they won, so what, just move on.
But it was something in their blood that made them like this. Was this what Gryffindor's where? Relishing the challenge and rewarding themselves. She just looked around dumbly and sat down on a sofa looking at what people where doing. Somewhere drink out of the cup(Which didn't smell of butterbeer.) and others where talking about the match. Potter was one of those, he was deep in conversation with Michael Wood, the captain, no doubt going over how he was going to easily beat everyone next year.
Lily looked into the cup and sighed. Was she always going to have to compete with sport for the rest of her life?
"What are you doing?" Potter sat next to her. She shook her head and looked away from him. "Ah come on Evans. If it's any consolation I didn't mean to do it to Snape, ok."
"Then why did you do it?" He shrugged.
"He pushes my wrong buttons to." He said. "Where just like that with one another." Lily smiled despite herself and shook her head.
"But not to Starlings."
"Oh I meant to do it to him." said Potter having a drink.
"Why?" asked Lily looking back at him. He paused for a second as he thought.
"Because I didn't like the look of him." he said.
"That's why. Because you don't like him." said Lily.
"Same reason I did it to Snape." Said Potter taking another drink. Lily huffed and looked over at Potter.
"Please don't do that to him again." Asked Lily. Potter turned his head. "You're right, he has had it hard. Just don't…please stay away from him."
"Whatever." Said Potter. "If he tries anything funny I'll make him a blubbering wreck even you couldn't fix." Lily huffed. He could be so frustrating sometimes, why couldn't he just say he was going to leave him alone and be his arrogant-self elsewhere. In the end she resigned that it was the best she could take that at least.
"Fine." She said stiffly.
"Did they try and get you to return to see him again?" asked Potter.
"Yes." said Lily, again stiffly. "I take it they asked you to."
"Yeah." Said Potter. "I said no."
"Where asked or told not to go back?"
"Told." Said Potter. "What about you?"
"I was asked." Said Lily. "And I Accepted."
"Humph. I never had you down as a loon." Said Potter standing up and moving away from her. Lily looked on appalled at him.
"Oh for god's sake Potter!" shouted Lily springing from the sofa. She was aware that everyone was now looking at them. But she just didn't care. If he wanted to fight, then she was going to give him one. "Why can't you see that this is going to be helping me!"
"What, being groomed by an old man, yeah, one can only wonder what you need help with." Said Potter. Lily seethed. Not aware that everyone in the common room was now listening to them.
"He's not like that!" shouted Lily.
"Do you think they'll kiss?" asked someone
"Wouldn't discount it." muttered someone else.
"Then what is he like?" asked James.
"He's a better person than you!" shouted Lily. "At least he cares about other people's feelings. Not like you."
"Oh, so I'm cold hearted am I?" said James with a laugh.
"Yes, you are!" said Lily. "I doubt you could have one nice thought in that over inflated head of yours!"
"Well here's one Evans. You're the best drama queen I've ever seen."
"Well at least I never-"
SKREEEEEE
There was suddenly a screeching sound from the radio. Everyone put their hands against their ears the noise was so unpleasant. Lily looked around to see pained expressions on everyone's faces. The fire in the common room dimmed down till it was only a flicker, the radio stopped, and there was only static playing over it. Lily found herself moving over towards Potter, mainly for the security.
Although the fear was evident, no one made a sound as they looked at the radio. The static then faded away into words.
"You, are not alone, Ksssk." It said. Lily looked at Potter who was looking at the radio wearily. Lily then looked back at the radio.
"You, are not alone." It said again.
"You, Ksssk yooooooouuu, Ksssk , uuuuuuuuuu, Ksssk are not, alone."
"You, are not alone, Ksssk." The radio went static again before settling. The room was still silent.
"Our name is The Sons of Salazar." There was a sharp intake of breath around the room. The voice was low, raspy, and intellectual. It was very chilling, like every syllable was meant to shiver down the spine of everyone who heard it. It certainly sent one down Lily's.
"It has taken a lot for us to reach this moment, but we feel the time is now right to reveal ourselves." Lily backed into Potter who placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
"Us purebloods are, Ksssk, being persecuted." He said, "Being downgraded to being equal with the mud, Ksssk, blood scum." Lily could now feel a million eyes on her and backed more into Potter.
"For those of you who don't know them, Ksssk, they will look like you, Ksssk, act like you, they can be your neighbour, you friends. But know, they are not, Ksssk one of us."
"It has been this way for years. Thanks to the Muggleborn rights act. Ksssk, Because of them, they have influxed our once great culture and, Ksssk, civilisation with greed and corruption. An illness that must Ksssk, be eradicated."
"Now, I speak to the Minister for Magic himself." There was a slight pause.
"Minister, this favourable, Ksssk, treatment of Mudbloods and half-breeds has to stop, they should know there, Ksssk, place in our society."
"And don't bother trying to contact us."
"We'll contact you."
"And remember, brothers and sisters."
"Diversity, is a sin."
The radio went static before going back to normal, music starting to play and the fire lighting up on its own accord. There was a moment of silence as everyone have looked round at each other. Trying to comprehend what they had just listened to. Lily felt sick, she was muggleborn, and this, Leviathan was blaming her for corruption and greed within the ministry.
"What the hell was that?"
"I don't know." Said Michael Wood. He stood up on a table and addressed them. "But he's talking shit, no one in this house will persecute muggles. Not in front of me anyway." Lily felt Potter's hand get of her shoulder.
"It'll be ok." Said Potter, "This I'll blow over." Lily felt a shudder go down her spine.
"Murdoch said this would happen." Said Lily so quietly that only Potter could hear. "He said that…that they would persecute us."
"Don't listen." Said Potter. "He didn't know what he was talking about." Lily sighed. More than a couple of pairs of eyes on her and other muggle born witches and wizards around the room.
"I hope your right." She said looking around the common room.
"I so hope you're right."
Lily could feel eyes on her everywhere she went from now on. There were a few pureblood propaganda chants going around mainly from the Slytherin's, but Lily didn't let it affect her. The last two weeks seemed to fly by really fast, after completing end of year examinations (Which she was sure she had passed) she was thinking about going home, seeing her family again and spending time with them.
The last day of term, people where busy packing while Lily had packed the day before. She instead went for a walk, the sun was high in the sky as she walked towards the lake and the big birch tree. She smiled, the last time she was in this neck of the castle she thought that she was going to be leaving here forever. It was nicer knowing that it was only going to be a couple of months before she was here again. She smiled at the thought. She sat down against the trunk and let the sun rays kiss her face through the canopy of leaves. Like back in Cokeworth forest. She sighed and watched the water sparkle on the surface.
The next day seemed manic, James and Sirius had just been able to finish the last prank of the year before everyone had filed into the great hall. James stowed the cloak under his robes and filed in with the rest of the year.
The hall was coated in the green and silver of Slytherin which meant they had won the house cup. According to McGonagall, if James and Sirius hadn't of lost as many points as they had gained they would have won it this year.
It didn't bother James too much, but what they had planned was going to have the castle in stiches. Everyone took their seat with the foursome smirking at each other to sceptical looks from the girls.
The noise around the hall was broken by the sound of metal on glass which made James look up. Dumbledore rose up from his seat.
"Another year…gone." He said. "Another year to saver, but also…one that has been clouded by this new threat." The hall went into hushed whispers.
"As many of you will know…" he continued. "A group, calling themselves the sons of Salazar have said that they will attack and harm, Muggle and half-blood wizards." The room went silent again.
"This is a reassurance to all of those who have been threatened in our care, that Hogwarts will not abandon you. This group will be stopped, but in mean time, I must advice caution to all, that people like this are not to be goaded or provoked." James could swear he was looking at him.
"Which means that I must say to leave this to the proper authorities." There was almost and accepting silence around the room.
"Now, on a more cheery note, I can announce the results of the house cup." James turned to Sirius.
"Are you sure this will work?" James asked as Dumbledore went through the points tally.
"Relax." Said Sirius, as Dumbledore said Hufflepuff came third. "I used to do this to Reglus loads when we were younger."
"How comes I never knew about this until now?"
"It only accurd to me yesterday when we were talking about a prank we could to finish the year." Said Sirius, "We knew that Slytherin had won, so it got the old creative juices flowing within me."
"Well let's find out."
"And so, that leaves, in first place, with five hundred and seventy two points, Slytherin house." One side of the hall erupted into loud cheers as they celebrated. Lucius Malfoy and a girl prefect James didn't know went up to the front to collect the trophy. Lucius cleared his throat and looked over at the crowd like he was there ruler, if he could tell them to bow he probably would thought James.
"On behalf of Slytherin house." James turned to Sirius angrily.
"What the hell!" he hissed. "I thought that it worked straight away!"
"It's time release." Said Sirius. "Just keep watching, he'll waffle long enough for it to take effect."
"That this is such a pres-!" Malfoy closed his mouth, he looked around nervously at everyone.
"Such a-!" His voice was going higher and higher, like he was constantly inhaling helium. The room was in a state of low laughing.
"To get such A-!" the third time did it, and the hall burst into laughter, Malfoy was now red in the face as the whole school laughed at him. James high fived Sirius and went back to laughing.
"It's not-!" A seventh year Slytherin who had stood went to shout but her voice was high as well. Sending the room into more laughing. The teachers then went down to see what was going on while Dumbledore chuckled to himself.
"Yeah, this year was a good year." Said James clapping his hands.
John woke up, his eyes looking at a welcoming shade of blonde hair in front of him. He smiled to himself, he reached over and pulled himself closer to Lavender. She reacted at his touch and brought herself closer to him. After a while she turned over to face him, she buried her face in his chest and mumbled something.
"Morning." Said John stroking her back. Lavender let out a pleasurable sound.
"I'm trying to sleep." She mumbled. "I'm tired."
"Why is that?" he asked with a sleepy grin. Lavender opened one of her eyes.
"You kept me up all night." She said crossly.
"Like you didn't enjoy it." said John moving his hand further down her body.
"No, I didn't." said Lavender squirming away from him while giggling.
"Get back here." Said John lazily,
"No." Lavender pulled the covers off, her bare form sitting on the side of the bed while John admired her from his perch. "We have to pick up Lily today." She said standing up. Her long blonde hair falling down her back. She scrunched it up before letting it fall again, she turned round to face John.
"So why don't you get breakfast ready while I get a shower in."
"I think I'd rather join you." said John springing from bed. "You know, we talked about saving money and what not."
Lavender grinned as John followed her into the hallway. She turned round and his eyes instantly travelled the expanse of her body. "You would turn my words against me." She said. "But I really want some toast and tea for when I get out." She walked into the bathroom and went to close the door. John thought he'd been defeated when the door was left open by a millimetre.
"Though since the girls are going to be home for a while…"
That was all the excuse he needed as he opened the door after her.
After breakfast they were in the car heading down to London for the day. They were going shopping with Petunia and then heading to the station to pick Lily up and then go home. John thought that Petunia liked having to one on one time with himself and Lavender, but deep down she must have known that Lily was coming back as well.
At around five they head off to kings cross. Petunia's jaw was physically locked the entire way there. But as they arrived John knew it was busier than normal. They grabbed a trolley and made their way to platform nine and ten and went through the nine and three quarters. The scarlet engine hadn't got in yet as they arrived.
"This still seems surreal." Said Lavender as she looked round. "Maybe Petunia was right about her out growing us."
"She won't." John said reassuringly. "I'm sure she will still love us no matter what this place throws at her, maybe coming home might be a good tonic for her." Lavender nodded.
"Glad to see a familiar face." Lavender turned to see Alec Potter next to him.
"Nice to see you again Auror Potter." She said.
"Please, I'm off the clock, it's Alec." He said ruffling his hair. John had already struck up a conversation with Katherine Potter leaving the two to amuse themselves.
"Excited to have Lily home?" he asked
"I can't wait." Said Lavender. "It seems only yesterday that I was waving her away all wide eyed and eager."
"So I take it that the experience with Murdoch hasn't put her off." Said Alec.
"If anything, it's made her more determine to succeed in this world." Said Lavender looking round. "Maybe coming back, she might get bored."
"I know that you can't replace family." Said Alec. "She'll be fine, just keep her occupied and she'll be fine."
"Is that what you do with your son?" Alec nodded.
"Though the things he does won't be the same things as your daughter I think." He said. Lavender smiled.
"He seems like a handful from what you say." Said Lavender.
"Yeah, he is." Said Alec. "…But I wouldn't have him any other way."
"I just want to thank you again for what you did." Said Lavender. "You know, rescuing my daughter like that."
"It's fine." Said Alec. "I'm just happy their both safe or this day would have been a hell of a lot harder."
"Me and John where thinking, maybe, if you want, you and your wife, and James would come to us over the summer, for, I don't know, dinner or something?"
"No one's ever offered me that after rescuing their child." Said Alec. Lavender looked surprised at him. "But…maybe, yeah." His head then shot to the side like a cannon. Lavender then looked over at where he was staring and saw what looked like a reporter.
She then looked at Alec's face that was almost calculating. He then turned back to Lavender.
"Sorry." He said. "But they've been following me for the last couple of weeks." He pointed to the reporter.
"Are they a nuisance then?" asked Lavender.
"At the moment they are. Capturing Murdoch was a big deal." Said Alec. "But mainly their scrambling to find out what I'm doing next."
"Relaxing and then having dinner with us in Cokeworth." Said Lavender.
"We'll see." Said Alec, "Well where going to get James and Sirius, we'll see you soon." Said Alec, he waved and then walked away. John placed his arm around her.
"Looks like we have our own contact in the wizarding world now." she said.
"Clever you." He said. The scarlet engine then came in the station and the stream of kids came off. Lavender couldn't help but feel that Alec Potter was right that today could have been a lot harder.
"You ok?" asked John.
"Yeah." Said Lavender. "Just…trying to find Lily that's all."
John then saw a glimpse of dark red hair, it was way too dark to belong to anyone else but an Evans.
They looked at Lily saying goodbye to all her friends coming off the train. She looked so happy, though sad saying goodbye, she was promising to see them over the long summer that now loomed over them. He looked down at Lavender, and could tell she was thinking the same thing.
"She belongs here." She said looking up. John nodded and they both looked back at her. Smiling, laughing. Things they hadn't seen her do with people her own age.
"We made the right choice John, she's happy here." John pulled her in closer and kissed the top of her head.
"I think we always knew she was meant for this." Said John. Lavender looked up questioningly at him.
"We always knew what she was going to be." Lily turned and saw them, her face lit up and she ran towards them.
1964
John was sitting in the garden, he had a cold beer in his hand watching Lavender cleaning one of the windows while Lily and Petunia were playing in the garden in the late summer sun. Lily was running round with a black witch hat over her head, one Petunia had used for trick or treat the previous year. While Petunia was playing the role of princess. Though Lily probably wanted to be the princess, but she was just happy to be playing with her.
Lily was running round the garden with a stick in her hand and waving it about while shouting nonsense. Petunia was running around with her, as well, turning with her turns. There was a commotion and a shout, and then Lavender screamed in surprise as she almost fell through the window. John got up and looked at the now empty pane of glass. Both he and Lavender looked at one another and then back to the girls. Petunia was in front of them but John's eyes were trained on Lily who was pointing her stick at the window.
Lily looked at her parents wide eyed as they looked at the window that had disappeared from the house.
A cool breeze swept the garden. Lily then dropped the stick at the ground and looked nervously at her parents. As the stick hit the floor a small gust made her hair and the hem of her dress flutter in the wind.
John looked at her. Lavender had always told him there was something different about Lily, something mysterious. And as he looked on dumbfounded at the missing window of his house, he had to agree.
As Lavender said it was her mothering instinct, she just knew Lily was going to be somebody. And as John watched Lily shuffle nervously he too thought, maybe she is the one to look out for.
"She was always going to be Extraordinary."
Chambers10 Proudly Presents:
The Marauders: Year One
Written By Chambers10
And there we are, the end of Year One. Thank you to everyone who has viewed, reviewed, followed or favorited this story. Please leave a reveiw about how you found it as a whole and if you would like to see a year two.
Thank you for reading this even if it was just today or way back in October when the first chapter was put up and followed it to the end.
remember to review and happy reading.
Chambers