-THE SCENE-
A girl's childhood bedroom. Its walls are square and green, and the decorations were bright and shining. There were two occupants in her room, a girl and her fiancé. One is in the adjacent bath, readying herself for a dinner out. The remaining is bored. So very, very bored.
…
-James-
'Not yet, I'm- I'm almost done.'
I sighed, bringing out my mirror.
Of course, being enchanted, it wasn't a normal mirror. Sirius and I bewitched them in fourth year to show the others face while in different detentions. Or right now, waiting on Lily to get ready.
'Wotcher, Prongs. Still at Lily's?'
I rolled my eyes, which made him laugh.
'Betcha a sickle that Petunia will hate me.'
My best mate all but slapped me over the head with words. Instead, he rummaged through his pockets, showing me the goods in store.
'I would, but I'll go dry with all those lost bets.'
The bathroom door opened.
'James, does this look okay?'
My jaw dropped.
Lily was standing there, pretty as nothing, wearing the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. Her dress was pretty too, as was her hair (curled into a tight plait) but she was gorgeous enough as it is. The mirror dropped to the ground along with my dignity, and I threw my arms around her; kissing her softly.
'Oi! Keep the snogging to a minimum! I'm still here you prats!'
I walked over, kicking the mirror to its backside, in which the person there howled in protest.
I stepped back to admire her.
'Lils, you're bloody beautiful, you know that?'
She blushed, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She took the Muggle tie in her hand, winding it skillfully around my neck. She knotted it at the top, letting it fall down my shirt.
'Thanks. These Muggle things get me every time…'
She smirked 'Don't worry about it. At least it's just dinner, or you might have had to dress fancier.'
'Good thing I'll have you to tie my ties forever.'
Lily got up hastily, pasting a kiss to my cheek, and grabbing her purse from the bedpost. I stood were I was, trying to ignore Sirius's annoying protests.
She turned at the door, facing me with renewed interest.
'And shut him up, will you? My dad won't take kindly to seeing him again.
I smiled, remembering our first meet-and-greet. As great as Sirius may be, he was obnoxious, and in my opinion, far less attractive than myself.
'Get a move on, you two!' Mr. Evans voice sounded from downstairs 'We should be there already!'
'Coming!'
I rushed down the stairs, taking two or three at a time, landing gracefully at Mr. Evans and Lily's feet. Both were waiting by the door, a pleasant conversation on their lips. All stopped once I reached the floor. Lily turned to her father.
'Where're we going dad?'
Mr. Evans shrugged, holding open the door for his daughter 'Petunia picked it.'
He sounded bitter, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
'Come along now, they won't take nicely to being late.'
I nodded, following them down the drive to their car, (black and swift, not unlike my broom) which drove to the restaurant in a minute. Mr. Evans helped his daughter out of the car, and I followed, slipping my hand in to hers. If I wasn't mistaken, a turn of sadness past over his worn face, but it turned stoic once more, carrying the weight a step more.
Lily walked to a little podium at the door, smiling at the man there. He smiled back as she gave the name, and leading us through the room to a small table flat smack in the middle of the restaurant. A proud, blond woman and a squat man sat there.
'Wotcher, Mr. Evans.'
He nodded curtly, sitting as far away from Vernon Dursley as possible, which happened to be next to Lily and me.
'Nice choice, Tuney.' Lily said in a conversational tone 'I love pasta.'
'I know.'
Petunia didn't speak another word until the soup came.
I picked up my spoon, slipping it into the thick liquid, (if you could call it that) and bringing it carefully to my lips. Lily smiled through her spoonful, then wrinkled her nose in disgust. I shuddered, tasting something very similar to bogie flavoured beans. Petunia, on the other hand, had almost finished hers, moving to dipping her bread into the remnants. She lied through her teeth at any question asked of her, especially any sent by her sister. Lily's pride slipping like the soup off her spoon; falling to the plate.
'This restaurant was a wonderful choice, Petunia.'
She smiled, but I could sense a sneer beneath that façade. Her father, didn't let it pass, sending a firm message her way. Steadily, she ignored it. Still, it was a small table, and elbows must touch in order to eat soup.
'What is it that you do, Potter?'
I picked up my head, folding my napkin on my lap, (just as mum instructed) and raised my eyes to his squinty grey eyes.
'Well, Lils and I are in our seventh year at Hog-'
Petunia coughed purposefully, glaring at her sister. I cringed, and then continued.
'Hogwarts, but after that I want to be an Auror.'
'Auror? Sounds like a load of rubbish to me'
I stopped, really wishing that I could give it to him. Lily, who had noticed my action, put her hand on mine- instantly calming me down.
'Aurors are like Muggle policemen, Verm-Vernon.'
I smirked. Even perfect Lily Evans had a nickname for him.
'What did you say your job was, Mr. Evans?'
'I'm a Professor, at the University? Surely, Petunia's told you that!'
Vernon looked mortified, turning to his fiancé, who was equally flustered. I was suffocating to hide a smirk. But he noticed, and his purplish face flicked towards me once more.
'Have you seen my car, Potter? Latest model, I assure you. Not that you would know of course.'
Mr. Evans cast a burning glare at the back of Vernon's head, but just then, a prestigious woman walked past, asking for orders. She vastly resembled Madame Pompfrey, and so, I almost addressed her as such.
But Lily jumped in just in time.
'He'll have the same as me, thanks.' She said sweetly, passing the nur-waitress her… her menu? I think that's what Lily said it was called.
'I don't drive a car.' I said in a happy voice 'Wouldn't know how if I tried.'
He scoffed, muttering something about freaks.
'Don't…' she whispered behind her curls 'James, he isn't worth it.'
I nodded, facing him with interest.
'But I do have a broom.' I brought up 'Best one they have, brand new Silver Arrow.'
Petunia let out an unnaturally high laugh, facing me with renewed loathing.
'A broom? You dare talk about that here? None of that abnormality exists in this world!'
'A broom isn't abnormal.' I said 'everyone I know has one. I'm captain of the Quidditch team!'
'And making up words. How mature, James Potter.' Petunia smirked
'I bet you wizards live off of benefits, taking all of our good tax money. No job…'
Vernon said this as though it was the worst a person could succumb to.
'I don't need a job. Wizards have a bank, Gringotts. (Run by goblins, by the way) It's in Diagon Alley, straightaway from the Leaky Cauldron. Potter has a vault there, with a fortune of solid gold.'
'Gold? Don't you patronize me!'
'Patronize you? I'm telling the truth!'
'Don't you listen to him, love.' Petunia soothed him 'He's gone barmy.'
'Petunia, you apologize right now!'
'Let's leave, Petunia.' Vernon sniffed 'Perhaps have dinner where we're not mocked by his kind.'
Vernon got up, nearly knocking a woman behind him to the ground, taking Petunia's hand in his sausage fingers. He took her coat, seeing her to the door.
'Tuney! Oh, Petunia, don't go!'
Lily's sister took no heed, walking haughtily beside her fiancé. Lily stared down at her lap, fixing her hands to her face, and sobbed.
…
'Lils, I promise! I'll make up with him! Oh, darling, don't cry!'
But Lily ignored me, not moving herself from the fetal position atop her sheets. She hadn't moved since the dinner.
'Lily, please talk to me!' I begged, slipping my hand to join hers. But she shook me off.
'You made… oh, James-'
I forced my hug on her, holding her until her sobs faded to whispers. I wiped away her tears until the loss was all but a memory.
'Love, I'll apologize, I'll do anything. Just give me a chance!'
She nodded into my chest, her curls bobbing in unison.
'I'm sorry, James. Truly, I am. Petunia- I've never seen her like that. That isn't like her.'
'I don't like her… much.'
Lily let out a strangled laugh 'Yes, I could see that. Just, don't do it again, okay?'
I nodded.
'Don't cry again. It kills me to see you like this.'
'That, I can't promise. I can't wait until tomorrow, I miss Hogwarts.'
I laughed 'Lils, we've been away for a day!'
'Yes, but next year we won't be there at all. I'd prefer to be there than here, to be honest.'
'Me too.' I walked to her bedside, tucking her beneath the sheets 'go to sleep, Petunia won't follow you there.'
She murmured something, and I left the room. Bearing nothing but a tear, and a smile that faded to black.
…
I got into Pottermore!
It's so much fun, my brother and I we're on it like all yesterday afternoon (which is why I haven't updated :() And I'm in Ravenclaw! Would've preferred Gryffindor, but Ravenclaw was a close second.
I've been getting my facts from there, and the Harry Potter wiki, so yes. My facts are correct. All that happened in this chapter is factual.
Thanks for reading! Did you have a favourite quote? Something you liked? Someone you want to see more of? You guys are the reason I update!
Tears to Roses is nearing 16'000 hits! I couldn't be more thankful!
-Silence NEVERMORE
