.: Chapter Three: Family Days or Dreams :.
"I don't think there's a section for 'I'm sorry you got traumatized' cards" – Spencer Hastings, Pretty Little Liars.
It was nearing the end of August, and the weather had officially turned from summer to hell. Lily was at the point where she regretted complaining about the cold weather; and, at this point, she'd give anything for a cool fall breeze or even a single drop of rain. End all, she was tired of being at home and she was dreaming about the old walls of Hogwarts and the constant drafts of cool air that trickled through the cracks. She even found herself daydreaming about the crackling fire in the hearth of Gryffindor common room because a warm fire meant it was cool enough outside to cozy up in front of it.
Lily's summer course work was finished, and she had spent the last few weeks lounging around in her backyard and generally feeling as if she were out of place. Up until the point where she stepped off the train and actually laid eyes on Petunia, Lily had been looking forward to seeing her sister. But Lily soon found that Petunia was adamant about spending as little time together as possible, and her parents were oblivious to how bad their sibling rivalry actually was. Any attempt that Lily made to reconcile with her sister proved demanding—she had even offered to go to the Muggle shopping center or that dreadful diner that Petunia enjoyed.
Lily was a hair's breadth away from her breaking point.
For the past month, Petunia would be gone from the house every morning before Lily was able to rouse herself from her slumber. Her sister would then be gone all day—off to only God knew where—only to return late in the evening, unwilling to provide Lily with a true explanation as to where she'd been all day. Two days ago, her parents became as fed up as Lily with her daily disappearances and they instituted the new concept of 'family day'.
They were a joke, in Lily's opinion. They were complete and utter lunacy if she were completely honest. Even though Lily had wished to spend more time with her sister, that desire had withered and died like the house plant her mother kept in the front window. At this point in the summer, all Lily wished to do was nothing. It was too hot, in the first place, and it was hard to have fun in the Muggle world when all Lily could think about was the magical one.
However, despite her quiet but vocal protest, this is where Lily was now—in the uncomfortable cinema seats, seated between her father and the male part of the infatuated couple that had waited in the concessions line behind them—taking part in a 'family day'. The theatre was completely packed, and it smelled of leather, burnt popcorn, and sweat. Lily had enjoyed the first fifteen minutes of the movie—really, she had—but it had long ago became clear that she wasn't likely to enjoy the film. She had long forgotten what the movie was called, but the young woman portraying the lead was a complete basket case, and she did nothing but cry and complain about everything in her life. It wasn't a very compelling plotline, and Lily was desperate enough to admit that the only reason she hadn't left the theatre was because of the male actor playing the love interest… he was actually quite fit and Lily didn't mind looking at him.
On a good day—hell, even on a normal day—Lily loved a good romance movie. Her mother and sister both adored them, and Lily had many a memory of them all cuddled together on the couch watching a new release. Honestly, who doesn't love a good romance? She just believed that there was a very fine line when it came to a romance flick, and this is why Lily usually stuck to the action and fantasy films. There was also the matter of 'normal' romance movies being too mundane for her. It was hard to watch when her world was magical and the world of the characters was so… not. Lily was also a fan of badass female characters, and though she didn't think a woman needed to wield a sword—or a wand—to be considered badass, she felt more of a personal connection to the female characters that did. And though she loved her happy endings, she preferred movies where the woman got the man after the work was done, not just because there was work to be done.
As the girl onscreen began to cry again, Lily finally let herself groan. She turned to meet the amused stare of her father and gave him pleading eyes that always worked when she was younger. He had yet to let go of her mother's hand, but Lily could see in his eyes that he was just as finished with the movie as she was. They had wanted to see the new crime-fighting movie, but—as usual—her mother had veto power and Petunia had threatened to sit in the lobby if they saw one of those types of films.
Her mother and sister started to sob silently as the movie began to wind down, and Lily couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"It's almost over, Lily," Edward whispered.
"Good," she whispered back. "If we have to sit here much longer, I might fall asleep from boredom."
He started to laugh until the elderly group of women behind them gave him a long shush, which of course caused her to join her father in his laughter. Attempting to muffle the giggles, Lily clamped a hand over her mouth and took a deep breath through her nose, but to no avail. Her father gave her leg a comforting pat and Lily rested her chin on her fist, once again watching the female lead cry on the big screen.
.:..:.
This time it was Lily's turn to be forceful about what they were doing; Petunia and her mother had chosen the film, so Lily and her father were able to choose the restaurant with little push back from the other two women. Lily—not so subtly wishing to punish her sister for the film—chose the greasiest most non-fancy hole-in-the-wall establishment as possible. Her father had watched on in amusement and silent camaraderie, as Lily led them through the streets of their hometown. She had passed by Louie's Pub a number of times with her Aunt Dahlia when she was around on one of her bi-annual visits. Of course, her crazy rich aunt was bringing her to the Michelin star restaurant on the next street up, but as Dahlia had grown up in this town—and wasn't always rich—she had told many a story about her childhood fun at this place.
Lily couldn't stop grinning as she pushed open the door, a small bell tinkling their arrival.
"We're going to a bar," her mother mumbled. "I am taking my sixteen-year-old daughter to a pub."
"Aw, come now, dear." Edward laughed as he took the door from Lily and held it for his wife and eldest daughter. "At least the first time she goes to a pub she's with us. Plus, it's not really a pub, it's technically just a restaurant with a bar in it."
"Edward Evans, the word pub is in the name," Rose chided.
"Not to mention," Lily piped in, her grin reaching Cheshire cat levels, "The Three Broomsticks? That's a pub. So is The Leaky Cauldron, and we had pumpkin juice there the first time we went to Diagon Alley."
"So, what you're saying, is that I'm overreacting?" Rose smiled.
Placing his arm around his wife's shoulders, Lily's father gave Lily a grin and said, "I would never say such a thing."
Lily shook her head a little too enthusiastically in denial, and she almost missed her mother mutter, "That's because you've learned the hard way," in response to her father's comment.
Taking in her surroundings, Lily realized the pub was fairly empty—which was unsurprising given it was a Thursday night. There were three old guys at a booth in the corner—all facing the telly that was perched on the bar and broadcasting a rugby match—and a couple of women in business casual, briefcases resting by their feet, twirling colorful cocktail glasses at a rickety old table. What caught her attention, however, were the two guys sitting at the bar—one had long curly hair and the other wore a pair of black glasses (that she knew rested in front of hazel eyes) and was gesturing wildly with his hand, the one that wasn't occupied with a glass. He choked on his drink and nearly fell off his chair when his gaze came to rest on her.
She had picked the wrong place.
Immediately she attempted to usher her family back through the door, but her father was like a brick wall—solid and unmovable.
"Red!" Sirius yelled in greeting. Lily squeezed her eyes shut and slowly turned to face the origin of the voice. Sirius had jumped up from his chair and bounded over to a dumbfounded Lily, engulfing her in a huge bear hug—which, really, should have been her first clue that not everything was right with him. He spun her around with ease, and Lily couldn't help but laugh as he did it. "What the hell are you doing here? Wait, don't answer that… you couldn't wait another two weeks to see me so you had to track me down and give me a nice talking to."
"Sirius–" Lily tried to interrupt.
"Damn, I'm wrong, aren't I? Of course, you're here to see Prongs. That's gotta be it. He'll be excited that you've finally given in and agreed to go out with him," Sirius said. He was nodding his head so fast that Lily couldn't help but laugh again.
"Or I'm here with my family after seeing a bloody awful romantic movie at the cinema down the block, and I was going to drink my dad's scotch when he wasn't paying attention," Lily said, leaning close enough that only he could hear her.
Sirius laughed this time, and he ruffled her red hair into an even bigger mess than the humidity had already shaped it into.
"That sounds like the Evans I know and love. Don't move… I'll go get Prongsie." Lily shook her head at Sirius's retreating back before turning to once again face her family. Her sister had a look that could only be described as disgust, and her parents just looked surprised. Lily felt slightly sheepish.
"Sorry," she grimaced. "That was… um, that was Sirius Black. I've talked about him before, but he's one of my good friends from school, and he's a little… exuberant more often than not. I swear that I didn't know he—I mean, they were going to be here. Neither one of them live around here! And I haven't spoken to either of them since term was over," she added when she heard Petunia scoff in disbelief. Lily bit her lip when none of their facial expressions changed.
"Why don't we sit?" her father suggested, and Lily gave him a grateful look.
Her father chose the most modest looking table in the place and pulled out his wife's chair before taking a seat in his own. Petunia—being Petunia—refused to touch the menus, her mother was already debating between fish and chips or a chicken sandwich, and her father had already been to the bar to order a scotch on the rocks. When the waitress dropped the drink off, he pushed it subtly in Lily's direction—making her think that he'd heard what she'd said earlier to Sirius. It was only after they had ordered, and received their food, that Lily heard the voice she thought she'd go two more weeks without hearing.
But it seemed neither God, nor any of the usual magical suspects, were on her side today.
"Hey Evans," James drawled, though this greeting seemed more forced than usual. No matter, his voice washed over her like it usually did—well like it did on a good day, full of warmth and admiration. He placed a hand on the back of her chair and seemed to absently begin to play with a lock of her hair. She contemplated for a second if she should attempt to yank it out of his grip, but she let it be.
"Potter," Lily responded, looking up at him over her shoulder and arching an eyebrow. He gave her a look that clearly said 'introduce-me-you-unmannered-twat,' and if Lily weren't feeling as uncomfortable with the situation as he looked, she might have let him stew in silence for a while longer.
"Potter, this is my family—my mother, Rose, my father, Edward, and my sister, Petunia," Lily said, gesturing to each of her family members respectively as she introduced them. "Family, this is James Potter—a friend from school and Sirius's best mate."
"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am," James said, bending down to place a chaste kiss on the back of her mother's hand. Lily—and her father—bristled slightly as her mother blushed after he complimented her pearls.
Why was he always so overbearingly charming? she wondered.
"Nice to meet you as well, sir." James stuck out his hand to be shaken. Edward stared at it for barely a second before relenting and grasping James's hand in what looked to be a very intense and painful handshake, as if each male were trying to show their dominance through the small gesture—like typical men. If it was like this, James didn't let it show, but Lily nearly choked on her water when she saw her father wringing his hand out under the table. James then turned to Petunia and he seemed to think twice before extending a hand—as was the smartest choice—and he simply gave a polite but curt nod in her direction.
"You look lovely this evening, Petunia. My mother once tried to wrestle Sirius into a pair of shoes like yours—believe me, it was much more difficult to get them off of him."
Lily managed to skillfully turn this snort into a cough, but vowed to get details later.
"So, you're in Lily's year at school?" Rose asked. Her mother seemed to be stifling a giggle or two of her own.
"Yes, ma'am, we're neck in neck for the top of the class… though she'll likely beat me out in the end despite me putting up one heck of a fight. You've got a right smart daughter, Mrs. Evans," James said.
Lily watched her mother stare fondly up at Potter before giving Lily an approving grin and a sly wink. This made Lily's face flame, but she wasn't sure—nor would she like to dig deeper and figure it out—if it was from embarrassment or pleasure at her mother's assumptions.
"What are you and, ah…"
"Sirius," Lily helped.
"Yes, right," her mother smiled. "What are you and Sirius doing at a pub all by yourself? I'm gathering you're not old enough to drink?"
"Ah, well, you'd be right on that front, but in my defense I'm only a few months off, and my mum knows where we are and what we're doing. As long as we're home by curfew and we're safe, she won't be fussy. And, as to why we're here, that's actually what I'm hoping to speak with Lily about..." James trailed off. "Would you mind if I stole your daughter for a moment, Mrs. Evans?"
"By all means." Her mother gestured. "As long as you bring her back."
James laughed. "No promises."
Lily turned to look at him again, somehow keeping her face blush free and her voice steady. "Last time you wanted to 'speak with me', my hair was green for a week, Potter," Lily accused. An amused smile flitted across James's face—Lily ignored the flip her stomach did at that moment—and his eyes glazed slightly as he recalled the memory. He laughed nervously and ran a hand through his hair.
"Yeah, about that… I'm pretty sure I never apologized for that, did I?"
"No, you didn't. All you said was 'it's a little early to be celebrating Saint Patrick's, don't you think?' But that does make up for the time I never apologized for charming all your textbooks shut for your lessons and stealing your quills. I'm pretty sure you got, what, three detentions that day?" She grinned.
"I deserved that though," James said, yet again running a hand through his hair. "Honest though, Lily. It's about Padfoot."
She raised her eyebrows, prompting him to continue and showing him that she didn't particularly want to get out of her seat—that she definitely wouldn't be getting out of her seat just because he asked, no matter how nicely he did so. Sighing, he lowered his voice, leaned closer to her and continued. "He left, at the beginning of the summer. He left his family for good, and he's still pretty messed up about it."
"What?" she asked.
"Sirius. Left. His. Family. Come on, Evans, for top of the class you sure do take a long time to catch onto things," James said, snapping his fingers.
"Sod off, Potter. You're lucky we're not in school because I'd show you exactly what it looks like to be at the top of the class." Lily scowled.
"I'll thank my happy hippogriffs then, Evans," he said, rolling his eyes. He glanced up and reddened when he noticed her parents watching them. His eyes turned imploringly back at her, so she set down her napkin—with a huff just for show—and shot her family yet another apologetic look before tugging Potter by his wrist to the front corner of the pub a few paces away.
"Okay, I'm listening for real now," Lily said. "What happened?"
"Alright, well, Sirius's mother killed that house-elf that he's always going on about—you know the one?" He paused for her nod of confirmation before continuing. "They tried to arrange his marriage to that fit bird from Slytherin that finished last year, Rosaline Avery–"
"She's a horrible human being, Potter, fit or not," Lily admonished. "And the only things she cares about are herself, her looks, and if she's capable of charming some unsuspecting rich bloke into marriage so she can take all his money."
"I know, Evans, believe me," James muttered.
Lily just stared at him.
"What? Just because you'd rather date the giant squid doesn't mean that other charming young women don't find me attractive." James smirked. "And, Evans, I happen to be an unsuspecting rich bloke that's ready to have his money charmed out of him—you might try it someday, because I'd likely have you a house bought on every island in Greece before I realized what you were doing."
"James Charlus Potter, please tell me you didn't date her," Lily accused, shooting a look back to her seated family and berating herself for raising her voice. (Of course, the look over her shoulder had nothing to do with her blushing face—of course it wasn't a calculated move to hide said blush from Potter at the insinuation that they could be married. Never.)
"Of course I didn't, Lily Marie Evans. She's a horrible human being," James said as he followed her line of sight and ran a hand through his hair—again. "Merlin, I do have some standards, you know—and, obviously, you'd be the only woman that could actually get away with pilfering my money—but that's beside the point. We're talking about Sirius, not my non-existent exploits–"
Lily snorted.
"–with Rosaline Avery. You're bloody awful at staying on topic. Long story short, Padfoot is likely going to be disowned—we're actually a little surprised that it hasn't already happened. What I wasn't surprised about was the confirmation that his mother is one fucked-up bitch. Her parting gift to him was an ugly-arse scar on his chest to add to his collection. And you know how he feels about scars, but he told me the other day that he's looking to get this one covered with a tattoo because he doesn't like looking at it."
Lily's mind was back on track, yet she couldn't seem to form a coherent sentence.
"His mother didn't try and kill him, did she?" she finally hissed, her raised voice causing her mother and father to look over at them in surprise. Damn.
"Keep your voice down, Evans. Do you want him to hear you? He'll skin me alive for telling you this shit." James looked over his shoulder to ensure that Sirius was still deep in conversation with the barman. "I don't think that that was her intention, but she probably would've succeeded if he'd gotten to my house later than he did. My mum told me that he wouldn't have lasted another five minutes at the rate of which he was losing blood—that he would've passed out before he made it to our front door."
"Good Lord," Lily sighed, rubbing her forehead and closing her eyes.
"But Mum fixed him up on our sofa—and you could tell he was in a lot of pain—and he's been staying with me ever since. I just wanted to let you know because I know that Sirius would want you to, even if he can't bring himself to actually tell you."
"Okay, yeah, I can talk to him about–"
"No," James interrupted. "Don't bring it up unless he does. I don't want to drag his mood back down."
"But James I–"
She cut herself off this time. His eyes seemed to soften a little in the dim glow of the pub before he tugged gently on a strand of her hair and said, "See you around, Evans."
And with that, he walked away without so much as a parting glance—nowhere near the playful and endearingly annoying way she was accustomed to when it came to him. It took her a minute to realize that she was standing there like a fool and her family was staring at her. Her parents looked a little concerned as she retook her seat at the table, and her sister didn't even look up from her food. She felt a little disconnected from her body as she processed the information that had just been dumped on her—all she could think about was Sirius and his situation.
"What?" she whispered, asking herself more than anyone else.
"What's wrong, honey?" her dad asked.
"Um… nothing, I'm fine," Lily lied, her voice not even convincing to her own ears.
As Lily finished her food, she couldn't help but sneak glances at the two boys perched at the bar as her father attempted to draw her into the conversation. It was another five minutes—her food finished—before she realized that she really couldn't focus on what her mother was saying, so she finally wiped her mouth and apologized to her parents—again—before marching purposefully over to her mates at the counter. James was shaking his head at her, none too subtly either, but she ignored him. She knew where he was coming from—she understood his wish not to drag Sirius back into the memories, but Lily had a bone to pick with him.
"Sirius Black, you should have written me!" Lily hissed. "I thought that we were better friends than this, and that you would have told me when you finally left. The beginning of summer, Sirius! You've had two whole months to tell me—two whole months to write a simple letter saying 'hey, I ran away from home and I'm still alive'! I've been worried, Sirius—you told me you'd check in and you never did!"
"You told her? James, I told you to keep this to yourself! You think I want everyone to know my family's kicked me out? That they almost killed me in the process? No, I don't, so fuck you, James," Sirius said, taking a long drink. The slight slur of his words was taking some of the heat out of his anger.
"Oi, don't get mad at me, mate. I thought she knew–"
"Bullshit, James. You knew I didn't tell anybody, and you had no right to do it for me," Sirius countered.
"Sirius, may I see the scar?" Lily requested, interrupting their fight before Sirius said something that he'd regret in the morning.
Sirius froze and uncharacteristically shrunk in on himself. It unnerved Lily to see him this way. To see him not being like his usual carefree self. Wordlessly, he lifted up his t-shirt and held it above his chest, revealing a long and thin dark scar. She tentatively reached out and, after getting his nod of consent, ran her fingers along it.
"I'll kill her," Lily vowed.
"Get in line," James mumbled, sipping his drink.
"You could have died from this!" Lily retorted, choosing to ignore James completely. "If her curse had hit you two inches higher you would've bled out in seconds! There's an artery there, you know!"
"She knows what she's doing when it comes to curses, Red," Sirius said. "If she wanted me dead, believe me, I would be."
"Don't defend her, Sirius!" Lily scolded. "You didn't deserve this."
"Well…" Sirius shrugged.
Lily's heart ached for her friend. "You have to go to the Ministry with this and get her arrested. She has to pay for this, Sirius."
"There's no way she can get in trouble, Evans," Sirius said, finishing off his drink. "My family has plenty of blackmail to keep others quiet and they have more money than they know what to do with. Even if I did survive long enough to go to trial and face the Wizengamot, my mother's slagged her way through half the council members and they're under her control if they don't want their wives to find out about it."
"There has to be a way," Lily said, taking the empty stool next to Sirius. "What about your family, James? Your mother has collaborated with the Auror office for at least thirty years, so she's gotta have some pull when it comes to the Ministry."
"The Auror department is run separately from the Ministry, so they can't specifically tell them what to do, so in return the Aurors can only send them suggestions as well. It's a checks and balances type of situation so the Minister can't have too much power under his belt. And besides, I already asked my mum and she looked into it. Sirius is right, his family is too wealthy to do any damage to." James sighed.
"You looked into it already?" Sirius asked, sounding surprised.
"Of course I did. You're my best mate and your family hurt you. I want them to pay just as much—if not more—than Evans does," James said.
Sirius was silent for a while and Lily wondered what was going through his head. Putting herself in his shoes was impossible. The only scars she had were from minor things, like falling off a bike or being her usual clumsy self and ramming into the corners of things with her hips and shins; it was all just normal everyday things that she received from simply growing up. She can't even imagine her mother hitting her, and she was sure her father would sooner chop his hand off than lay it on her.
"My family's probably peeved with me for sitting over here with you two and not them, I should head back over there," Lily said, standing up and flattening down her t-shirt.
"Lily," Sirius said. "You can't tell anybody about this. Absolutely no one Evans, not even–"
"Sirius, stop," Lily said. "No one will hear a word from me about this, I promise. And I know you would've told me in your own time, so don't be too mad at Potter. Just—just get up and give me a proper bloody hug."
When he didn't move from his stool, Lily stuck out her arms and waved them in an impatient manner—clicking her tongue as she did so. With a sigh, he stood up and allowed Lily to embrace him tightly. After a moment, he succumbed to the reassuring pressure of her hug and he rested his head in the crook of her neck.
"I'm glad you're okay, Sirius Black," Lily whispered.
.:..:.
Later that evening, after Lily and her family had shared a brownie sundae, they made to leave. James and Sirius seemed to have the same idea, and a very drunk Sirius stumbled over to embrace her in yet another hug and place sloppy, wet kisses on her cheeks. She was laughing, and halfheartedly fending him off until James was able to come and pry him off of her.
"Sorry," James apologized, looking from Lily to her parents. "He's had a bit too much, and I probably should've cut him off a couple drinks ago."
"That probably would've been the logical idea," Lily laughed.
"He's not usually like this, he's just had a rough go of it these last few months," James grimaced.
"Don't apologize, son," her mother assured. "How are you boys getting home?"
James's face twisted a little bit more and Lily chuckled.
"Haven't thought of that, have you?" Lily asked. "How did you get here?"
"My mum's friend lives about twenty minutes away," James informed. "She let us come through her Floo."
"You going back through that way?" Lily asked.
"Either that or we're stuck here over night. Hanna's a nice lady—a bit dotty—but she said she'd leave the back gate unlocked for us. All should be well."
"If you're sure?" Lily asked, glancing at Sirius who was busy trying to zip up his Muggle motorcycle jacket despite it still being hot out.
"Oh, yeah," James assured. "And the walk will do him some good—sober him up before he's got to face my mother."
"Well don't let him drink like this again," Lily said sternly. "Help him cope in other ways.
"Yes ma'am." James smirked. The characteristic sparkle in his hazel eyes was present again and it weakened her resolve almost to the point of literally swooning. Lily kicked herself but couldn't help the smile that graced her face, and even though it was there for only a fleeting of a second, she knew James noticed it.
"Come Padfoot, say bye-bye to the pretty girl," James snickered.
"Prongs… You can't just say 'come' and expect me to-to heel. I am not a fucking dog, James…" Sirius snorted and James struggled to hold him up. "I'm just messin,' just messin.' I'm literally a fucking dog, Red. Did you know that? But shhh you can't tell anyone be-be-because we-we're illegal." He laughed again. "Can you believe that, Evans? Evans… Evans, Evans, Evans…"
Lily was biting her lip and giving her companions both appraising looks, and, even while supporting most of Sirius's weight, James managed to run a calloused hand through his hair.
"Yeah, just ignore him. He is highly intoxicated so don't take anything he says seriously–"
"Sirius?" Sirius asked hopefully. "What? I'm Sirius."
"Just get him home." Lily laughed. "I'll see you blokes on the train."
.:..:.
She was standing in a field full of brightly colored wildflowers and buzzing little bumblebees. The overwhelmingly bright sunlight was forcing her to squint as she tried to take in the rest of her surroundings. That's when she noticed him. He was tall, but not too tall, and he was skinny, but not too skinny. He adorned Muggle jeans and a black t-shirt that, even from this far of a distance, showed off how toned his body was. The sunlight was reflecting off his dark skin, and silhouetting him against the horizon. There was no mistaking him; he had a messy mop of black hair that stuck up in every direction and twinkling hazel eyes that rested behind a pair of square glasses. It was James Potter.
She yelled out his name and his stupidly charming smile made its way across his face. She heard him call back to her, but the voice seemed distant. It wasn't too distant though, as it still seemed to penetrate her subconscious mind, but it wasn't quite enough to fully pull her out of her slumber.
"Lily… Lily, dear, you have to wake up." She realized then that it wasn't James who was calling out to her, but her mother, and she blearily opened her eyes to stare groggily up at her. "You've got some post here; it came a few minutes ago while I was washing up. It says 'open immediately' on the front, but I don't know who it's from. I don't recognize the penmanship." Lily groaned and mumbled out a somewhat coherent reply.
"Probably just… A-Alice… or something, she doesn't write much," Lily said. She sat up slowly and took the letter from her mother, muttering something about lack of sleep and coffee under her breath. She covered a yawn with her hand and didn't realize her mum was still standing in front of her until her way to cheery voice punctured the air again.
"Maybe it's from James?" she chirped. Looking up at her mother, she noticed Rose had this sly grin on her face, and it gave off the impression that she knew something her daughter didn't.
"W-What?"
"Wasn't that the name of the nice young man at the restaurant last night… and you called his name in your sleep, dear." Lily's eyes narrowed slightly and she froze as the dream came flooding back into her mind. "Is he your boyfriend at school that I didn't know about?" There was an accusatory tone to her mother's voice that would usually make Lily shrink back into the nearest wall, but the twinkle of amusement in her eyes gave her ulterior motives away almost immediately.
"Who, Potter? No way Mum, there's nothing to worry about there. Do you read any of the letters that I send home to you? Or do you just disregard all of them?" Lily watched her mum as she walked toward the door, all the while shaking her head, but not realizing that there was a small smile still plastered across her face.
Sighing, Lily looked down at the letter and gingerly turned it over in her hands, reading her name that was scribbled across the front. It looked as though it was written in a rush; the letters were slanted, smudged and unevenly spaced apart. Under her name was written 'open immediately,' just as her mother had said, in the same messy scrawl. Lily immediately knew who the letter was from, and she hated that her mum was right, yet again.
My Dearest Lily,
I know you told me years ago that I was never to write to you, under any circumstances, but given the state of Sirius when we left the pub, I felt that I owed you the courtesy of letting you know we aren't dead. Although we did almost get run over by one of those TERRIFYING Muggle contraptions. How do Muggles ride in those every day? It's like a metal coffin, Evans!
Anyway, Sirius is horribly hungover, and he's cursing at me something awful while I'm writing this—and, even though he's likely lying, he says he's never gonna drink again so I'm well on my way to doing what you said. This isn't the only reason I'm writing you, however. There WAS an attack last night. It was all the way in London, but given the nature of the attack, I felt it was my gentlemanly duty to make sure you and your family made it home safely as well. Make sure you get a look at the Prophet this morning; my mum says that it's surprisingly accurate for once.
Please don't hex me when you see me on the train, I promise I have no hidden agenda in sending this.
James x
P.S. If I don't get a return owl within the next couple hours, you'll receive an 'unexpected' visit from yours truly.
Her scowl had deepened the longer she read, but her insides were doing small and mostly insignificant flips as she threw the covers off her and got up from her bed. She stumbled to her desk in her still sleeping body and rummaged through her drawers to find some spare parchment and then snatched the pen lying on her desk.
Dear Potter,
I am fine, thank you for your concern… except for the fact that my mother woke me up at an ungodly hour for me to open your 'extremely important letter,' and I'm stuck here with my hateful sister and obsessive parents who are oblivious to everything going on in my life away from them. Anyhow, my mother had a right fit when she thought it was you who wrote this letter. She screamed at me way too bloody early in the morning and really, it is entirely your fault. She called me a few choice words about, and I quote, 'conversing with an arrogant toe-rag'. I don't think she likes you very much, mate. Sorry…
I will spare you the inconvenience of having to go to the hospital wing on the first day back if you swear on your life to never write at this ghastly hour of the morning ever again.
Lily
After snorting at how much she over-exaggerated her mother's actions, Lily made her way down the stairs to send the letter off. She successfully tied her letter to her owl's leg and watched as she slowly disappeared on the horizon. She picked up the discarded Daily Prophet and scanned it for the attack that James had mentioned. It didn't take long to find and she was appalled by the severity of it. The headline read:
Attack on Teens: The Work of a Dark Lord?
She began to read.
Last night on the outskirts of London, a Muggle shop owner by the name of Christopher Hardy, found four badly injured teenage wizards in the alleyway behind his establishment. According to Ministry sources, Hardy called the Muggle authorities ('police-men') immediately and a wizard working inside the Muggle police force contacted the Auror office. The top Auror task force, headed by Alastor Moody, was deployed, and within the hour, all Muggles at the scene were presented with a magic free story and the correct memories were modified.
Among those attacked are Holly Monroe, aged fourteen; Kiera Donaldson, aged thirteen; David Strouser, aged fourteen; and Anthony Hopkins, aged fourteen. All are soon to be fourth year students at the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and are in the top of their class. Two of the students, Monroe and Hopkins, play for their Ravenclaw house Quidditch team. Strouser is a member of The Hogwarts Gobstones Club and traveled to The United States of America for a tournament last summer. Donaldson is a part of the Photography Club and Charms Club. They are well liked among their peers, but it is not a hidden fact that all four come from non-wizarding families (Muggleborns). All four of the victims' parents had reported their children missing to the Muggle police force six hours before they were found.
The teenagers were taken directly to St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries after being examined by the on-sight Mediwitch. After speaking with the head of hospital, Healer Abigail Knightly, it is confirmed that all those involved are to make a full recovery. "We here at St. Mungos are thankful to the man who found them. It would have been catastrophic if they were not found and treated when they were." Although it is rumored throughout the hospital that said patients were treated for neuropraxia, internal bleeding, seizures and organ damage—all which are the remnants of the Cruciatus Curse—Healer Knightly refused to comment, quoting: "I have a duty to my patients and my hospital, and I cannot reveal such information at this time. It is up to the patients and their guardians to speak if they so wish."
The Auror office has refused to release any comments on who they believe are behind this brutal attack, but according to a source within the Magical Law Enforcement Squad, it is linked to other recent attacks in the London area. It is speculated that it is the work of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his loyal band of followers, whose manifesto is to eradicate those who are not of high wizarding standing and bring our community back to its 'golden age.' All those that are being targeted are those of Muggle Heritage and we here at The Prophet advise everyone, not just those of said Muggle descendants, to stay on alert and stay safe.
Lily's mind was reeling as she moved to stare out the window. She knew Kiera Donaldson; she had tutored her in Charms just last year when she was having trouble understanding the new concepts. She was a very laid back type of girl, stuck loyally to her small group of friends, and completed her work on time. Lily thought she had adjusted especially well for a Muggleborn at Hogwarts. Lily, being one herself, knew the struggles firsthand. To think that Kiera was lying in an alleyway, just last night, in pain and being tortured for Merlin knows how long, brought tears to her eyes.
Still staring mindlessly out the window, she noticed a black dot slowly swooping towards her. Lily hastily wiped away her tears and stepped back to allow the brown Hogwarts barn owl to land gracefully on her kitchen table. The letter consisted of the usual list of supplies, the information on the date and time that the train leaves and, thankfully, nothing out of the ordinary. Lily was renewed her prefect duties, although that wasn't really a surprise, and a new badge was enclosed.
Lily decided to go to Diagon Alley this upcoming weekend before term and gather her supplies, and also decided that she would send a letter to the girls to meet her there… if only she hadn't sent her owl away to Potter. It was worth avoiding a visit with him though because she knew, without a doubt, that he would have showed up on her doorstep despite the fact that she never shared any such information about her address with him. He would have come in, guns blazing, and most likely not even knocked.
James Potter was not an uncaring individual. In fact, Lily was sure, that that was his great hamartia… James Potter cared too much. His intentions would have been nothing but pure if it had actually come to him busting down her door and wielding his wand. Lily could imagine the looks of shock on her parents' faces and the sheepish 'okay-I-overreacted' look marring James's features. Lily would laugh initially, but then go on to feel absolutely horrible for making him come all this way and worrying him way too much. He would pelt her with a heartbreaking stare, run a hand through his hair, and mumble incoherent words of apology under his breath.
Then he would switch to a completely different version of himself and chastise her thoroughly and admonish her that it was wise to send a return owl when in such a dire situation.
Despite popular belief, Lily and James had been somewhat friends for a little over a year. It wasn't an open friendship and they were fighting more often than not; therefore, no one would believe them if they contradicted their strongly held beliefs. Up until last year, Lily had been a best mate to Severus Snape and he, in no way, shape, or form, approved of anything that James Potter or his mates did. That was one reason she kept her friendship with Potter hidden, but the other reason was because she didn't want to admit to herself that he was actually a decent fucking person. Then Potter had to go and make things different and weird when he asked her out at the end of fifth year, in a completely and utterly unconventional way, might she add.
Lily Evans hated that she wanted, if only slightly, to say yes to him, but she had literally just lost her best friend since childhood, the person that told her she was a witch, and she wasn't open to any more rejection or heartache.
What Lily Evans hated most, however, was the dejected look in his eyes when she had said no… or more accurately: "I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid."
That was definitely not Lily Evans' shining moment.
.:..:..:..:..:..:..:.
[Bonus: James's return letter to Lily]
Lily,
What I'm gathering from this letter is that I can write to you in the future as long as it's after eleven… interesting development, if I do say so myself. And I can guarantee that your lovely mother said nothing of the sort. I had practically charmed the boots right off her last night. To me, that sounds more like something you'd say. (Don't worry, Evans, it doesn't hurt my feelings anymore. Surprisingly it's long lost its sting and I like to think of it, now, as a way of you expressing your endearment towards me.)
I'm sorry about your sister, though. It sounds rather miserable to be you right now.
{Here, Potter had drawn a little frown-y face with hair sticking up in all directions. It made Lily smile.}
Hope your summer wasn't all bad. I'll look for you on the train.
James x
First, James's middle name is still Charlus because that's been my headcanon for as long as I can remember. And despite the fact that we now know his parents real names, we still don't know his middle name for sure. I like to imagine he's named after a distant great-uncle lol.
Thanks so much for reading! And after three rewrites, I hope y'all like the final product as much as I do.
[Also, unrelated to this Jily fic, but I have a new story posted on ao3, where my username is the same! it's for krista & becca ritchie's like us series, so check it out if you're interested.]
Reviews make happy brain chemicals :)))
