AN: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling
Dear Lily,
You are as stubborn as they come aren't you? Before I say anything else, let me tell you this. I love the fact that you can reply to my letters now. That we can talk, that I can say what I want and that you tell me about your problems. Yes, I wanted to end all communication between us because it would have been the right thing to do, but you kept writing to me and I really am not that noble. I can't stay away any longer, so later on please don't hate me for writing to you. I just can't stay away from you, especially when you are so keen on letting me in.
Anyway, I am sorry about your sister. I can't really comprehend how that feels. I don't even want to imagine what I would do if one of my brothers starts treating me like that. I would probably be heartbroken and it would show. You are a remarkable girl Lily. You never show how much it hurts and I know it must have hurt you pretty bad, being the caring person that you are. I honestly, do not have an escape plan for you. I don't know how will manage to fulfil your sister's wishes and placate your mother in the process but all the best with that. Here is a suggestion though, just write home and tell your parents that we have some preparatory exams during the Easter holidays. Those are optional, but you signed up for them before their letter and the news of the wedding arrived and since it's a magically binding contract, you will have to appear for the paper.
Look, I don't know if parents of Muggleborns could contact Dumbledore or not. So, think it through before penning the lie. You could also tell them that your friend is down with dragon pox which needs constant supervision and that her parents are away and can't come back in time. No. Wait, don't say that, it sounds lame even as I write it down. You will figure something out Lily, I know.
And don't worry about your sister. Maybe it's for the benefit of all. I mean imagine you being nice to her children and she being horrible to yours. Wouldn't that be a little disconcerting for the little ones? I don't know what to say Lily, forgive me for not being much of a help, I am just prattling on. I wish I could give you a hug and tell you that everything will be fine. I can't really give you hug but I can sure tell you that things will work out. You just have to wait and hope (in case you are wondering, yes, I have read count of Monte Cristo. I noticed you carried that book around a lot and so I ordered it. It is an amazing book. Muggles write such fascinating stories. Please do suggest some more books.)
Since I am useless in helping you, let me tell you about this funny little incident. So once upon a time four innocent marauders (as innocent as we could be), ventured out at night to set up for a prank; remember our first prank. Well, we were in the great hall charming plates and other dishes, when the doors opened and Professor Dumbledore walked in wearing a horribly bright yellow (Padfoot calls it sunshine yellow and absolutely loves the colour, he painted his room in that yellow. Ugh!) nightgown, sipping hot chocolate and singing to himself (on that note, he might be the greatest wizard of our age, but the man is tone deaf. Moony almost groaned out in disgust, giving away our hiding place under the Hufflepuff table but Wormtail clamped a hand on his mouth to shut him up. Phew!). Dumbledore proceeded to do a little jig, on the high table! Chuckled to himself and walked away, but before he got out, he turned and said something. We couldn't catch it but Moony swears that he heard Dumbledore say "Hope you liked the performance boys. I am hoping for a better one tomorrow morning."
I am not really sure if he really knows who we are. But that almost scared us enough to back off had it not been for Padfoot. He argued that Dumbledore really can't prove anything, till he actually catches us in the act and so pranked the whole school. I hope I was able to put a smile on your face.
Yours Forever
Prongs
P.S.- Maybe you should try talking to this mysterious person. Maybe he/she isn't mad at you at all. You won't know till you ask.
Lily sat grinning in front of the fire in the common room. The letter made her feel better, true Prongs was useless as far as advices on avoiding family members came but at least he was honest about it. There was something infectiously cheerful about this letter; Lily hoped Prongs hadn't put a cheering charm on the letter. She would have to ask him about it in the next letter.
"Hey, Lils. What are you smiling at?" Marlene asked plopping herself on the armchair across from Lily's as Alice settled herself on the floor, leaning on Marlene's chair.
"Nothing." Lily said hastily. Trying to hide the letter from her best friends. "How was practice? Is Wood driving you crazy?"
Alice and Marlene exchanged a look. "Ugh! Well, Gale and James both. Even Sirius admitted that if James doesn't stop, he would be hexed soon." Marlene answered.
"Hey! I thought that would be a secret. James would murder me in my sleep if he hears that." Sirius said, whacking Marlene lightly on the back of her head. Marlene swatted away his hand, giving a slight signal to Alice. Alice lunged towards an unsuspecting Lily and snatched the letter from her surprised hands.
"Hey!" Lily shouted. "Give it back." She cried chasing Alice all over the common room. Alice tossed the letter to Marlene who knocked Sirius out of the way to catch the letter; Sirius in turn lost balance and fell on top of Remus. James who had just got up lost his balance as Remus and Sirius knocked on his legs and fell down. More chaos would have ensued had Peter not taken out his wand and sent a full body bind towards Lily and Alice who would have probably stepped on the boys otherwise. Peter then calmly walked over to James and helped him up, as Sirius rolled off Remus and jumped up. Remus stood up slowly and stared at Peter incredulously. He took a quick glance at a livid Lily and blanched. Meanwhile, Peter climbed up the stairs to the boys' dormitories before turning and freeing Lily and Alice.
Lily immediately sprang to her feet and ran after Peter who scampered up the stairs but her path was blocked by Potter. "Potter!" Lily growled warningly, "Get out of my way."
"As much as I want to give you absolutely anything you want, I can't get out of your way."
"And I thought you had stopped being a prat." Lily seethed.
"I love you too, Evans. But this won't work. Had Peter not stopped you, the entire house would be in hospital wing tonight."
"Is it my fault that the entire house chooses to crowd the common room tonight? People should have just jumped out of the way." Lily huffed.
"And go where? Come on Lils, I thought you were smarter than that or do you just lose your marbles when you see my rugged handsome face?" James said with a charming grin.
"Keep talking Potter and I will disfigure your pretty face." Lily muttered.
"Hey! Okay, I am handsome, not pretty. And do you really think I look handsome?" Potter asked batting his eyelashes at her.
Lily smacked his arm. "Ow! Evans!"
Lily smirked. "You had it coming."
"Lily! This guy is brilliant! I like his idea." Alice said suddenly. Lily turned to see Alice, Marlene and Sirius bent over the letter, while Remus was sitting on Lily's armchair with a book open on his lap.
"Alice!" Lily said exasperatedly. "You were not supposed to read it!" She crossed the room and snatched the letter away. "Its private."
"Please, Lily. We practically share all our clothes. There is nothing private between us." Marlene said.
"Wow! Really, do you also share your thinga- majigs?" Sirius asked, his eyes gleaming. The girls made loud noises of protest. Remus smacked the book on his head and Potter smacked his own forehead with his palm, before whacking the back of Sirius' head.
"Ow! I was just curious." Sirius said innocently.
"Sirius Black!" Marlene exclaimed as she smacked his arm. "You are disgusting." She huffed.
"And yet you love me." Sirius muttered as he rubbed his arm. Alice and Lily smirked as Marlene blushed.
"Come on. James, Sirius let's leave the girls alone." Remus said suddenly.
"You go ahead. I want to talk to Eva- Lily about something." Sirius said. "In private." He added when Marlene and Alice didn't move.
Marlene and Alice looked at Lily curiously before nodding and moving away, discussing the letter and Prongs' idea. Black waited till they had settled in one corner of the common room before nervously clearing his throat.
"Look, I am not good at the whole bonding thing. I guess, we started on the wrong foot. But if you ever need to talk to anyone, you know where to find me."
Lily nodded. Black nodded and then turned to leave when Lily spoke up. "She is getting married. My sister. She is getting married and she is pregnant and she does not want me in her life. It just…"
Lily looked at him helplessly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Sirius looked into her eyes and nodded. "I know." He said softly, pulling her in a hug. "I know. It will be fine though. It will work out. Frankly it's her loss. You will be a great aunt someday. Tell you what?" Black said pulling away and looking at Lily softly. "Since my family has all but disowned me. Let's make a pact. I will be the best uncle to your children. And you could be the scary aunt Lily to any children I ever have. If I ever have one that is." Lily laughed before smacking his arm lightly.
"I will be the cool Aunt Lily." She said sticking her tongue out at him.
"Sure. And I will be a responsible adult." Sirius said rolling his eyes.
"Hey!" Lily protested, she was about to say something when her eyes met James Potter's. She frowned. Potter was watching her intently. But then he blushed and looked away.
"Ah! To be young and in love." Sirius said, imitating Dumbledore.
"I don't love him. I am not even sure if I like him. I think he has become tolerable now." Lily said defensively.
"I never said you loved him, Evans." Sirius said with a devious grin.
"You didn't? What were you saying then?" Lily asked.
"He is in love with you." Lily snorted. Sirius shook his head. "I know you don't believe me. But he is in love with you. He just can't help being a total prat in front of you." Sirius grinned. "He looks tough. But trust me he is a mother hen."
"I never thought he cares about anyone apart from himself." Lily said incredulously.
Sirius' crossed his arms across his chest. "He is not that bad you know."
"Look, Black- Sirius. I will never believe that. I know we are kind of friends now but the two of you have been torturing Severus who happens to be my best friend for years now. And I know Severus. He is a great person-" Sirius snorted, interrupting Lily. "See, that's what I am saying. I will not give Potter a chance, till one of you gives Sev a chance."
Sirius frowned. "Don't you think you are being unreasonable? Snape hates James and James hates Snape. Heck! I hate Snape too."
Lily glared at him. Sirius held up his hand as she opened her mouth to protest. "Look I don't want to fight. We don't like each other's friends. Fine. You don't insult James and I won't say a word against Snape." Lily huffed but nodded in agreement. Sirius smiled, mussed her hair affectionately before walking away to join Potter and Remus on their table. Lily watched as Sirius jumped on the couch next to Remus. Remus said something and Sirius kicked Remus as the three of them laughed. Lily smiled to herself before walking away. Looks like Black and Potter were growing up after all.
AN: I try to proof read my documents at least twice before I publish them but then since I know what I had in my mind, somethings just slip past me despite reading it so many times. Please point out the discrepancies as and when you find them. I would be glad to edit the document and make it better.
Read and review please.
Happy Reading. :)
Love,
The Fishes.
