A/N: This is the last part. I apologise for taking so long to post it. I had planned to post it last week, but then I was hospitalized for an unpleasant illness. Hospitals are the pits.
Sirius87: It's on its way. ^_^
All: Thanks so much for your interest in this story! I'm glad you enjoyed it! :-D Many hugs and kisses from moi! xoxoxoxoxoxox....
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters, places, and ideas belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, not me.
by Auror5
Early in the morning, of the sixth of July, Lily was startled awake by a sharp rapping at her window. Drowsily, she staggered from bed and opened it. James' hawk owl, Apollo, flew in with a package. She removed the parcel, and read the following note.
Happy Birthday, Lily!
I hope you like this!
Sirius and I are going to Flamel Park today. Would you like to come? Sirius is going to ask Fiona. Give your reply to Apollo. If you can come, meet me at Sirius' house.
James
p.s.
I'm sorry that Apollo awoke you.
p.p.s
It's a Dragon's Lair.
While Apollo watched, Lily opened the package and revealed a cloudy, glass globe. She attempted to stare into its depths, but only saw pink tinged clouds swirling about. So she gently shook the sphere. The clouds swirled and eddied faster, and then turned orange. Suddenly, the clouds pulled back and disappeared to reveal a blue, very realistic appearing dragon in a forest by a lake. The sun was shining down upon the scene. The dragon unfurled its wings, sent forth a jet of fire, and flew off. Immediately, the clouds reappeared and obscured the view. Then the globe cleared again, but the scene had changed. It was that of a dazzling, nighttime sky in which a spectacular meteor shower was the centrepiece. Below the heavens, there was a castle with red and gold pennants waving in the wind. A blue dragon perched upon the highest tower. It spat out brilliant, red-orange flames, and the clouds swam back into view.
"Wow," Lily exclaimed, softly.
She grabbed a piece of parchment and a quill to write a brief note to thank James for the present. Also, she informed him that she would be able to go to Flamel Park.
***
A few hours later, Lily waited patiently for Kendra and Fiona to arrive.
"Lily, are you sure you do not want to wear something warmer? The weatherman predicted thundershowers for this afternoon."
"It's okay, Mum. I'm quite warm in this shirt." Lily wore a grey and red sweatshirt with a hood, and an old pair of cut-off jeans.
Zinnia gazed at her daughter sceptically. "All right."
Petunia, age sixteen, coldly stared at Lily. "Miss Think She's So Pretty just wants the boys to gawk at her legs."
"Shut up, Petunia," Lily rounded on her.
"It's true, isn't it? That's why you've been getting those presents, because you probably have been showing a lot of skin at that dratted freak school you go to."
"That's enough, Petunia. Today is your sister's birthday! Please try to be nice."
Petunia ignored her mother. "So, what will you get for showing off your legs to the boy freaks at your school?"
Lily glared at Petunia with her hands clasped tightly into fists.
"Petunia, I said, that's enough!"
"Mother, Lily is nothing but an abnormal, little whore."
"PETUNIA!"
Lily rushed up to Petunia and slapped her hard across the face. Immediately, a fight ensued, with the girls bumping into furniture while Zinnia attempted to pull them apart.
Wondering what the commotion was about, Wesley entered the scene and roughly pulled the girls apart.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?"
Lily and Petunia's eyes remained angrily locked onto each other.
"Lily, Kendra will be here in any minute. Go up to your room and cool off until she gets here," Wesley ordered, and then turned to Petunia.
"I'm not going to even ask who started this, Petunia, because I already know the answer from the look on your mother's face. But, I am very interested in knowing how this latest little fracas between you two started. Go to my study and wait until I arrive."
Petunia stormed off while mumbling to herself.
Lily went upstairs to wait for Kendra and Fiona.
Several minutes later, Zinnia called for Lily, and she ran downstairs. Lily hastily bade farewell to her parents as she ran out the door.
***
Kendra drove to an inconspicuous location from where they travelled, via Portkey, to Perseus Vale. After they arrived in the small town, they walked up to a brick bungalow and knocked on the large door. A woman with blonde hair answered and welcomed them inside.
After the introductions, Lily surveyed the surroundings. A Great Dane bounded into the room, and, without warning, leapt onto Lily and knocked her to the floor. The large dog exuberantly began licking her face.
"No, Kane! Bad dog!" Mrs. Black admonished. "Sirius! Sirius, come and get Kane!"
Lily struggled to get up while the dog continued to lick and slobber on her face. "Yuck!"
James and Sirius ran into the room and pulled Kane off Lily. She stood, and wiped her face off with her sleeves while Kane made another attempt to lick her face. Fiona, Kendra, and Mrs. Black laughed at Kane's antics.
"Here, let me show you to the bathroom so you can wash Kane's slobbery kisses from your face."
Sirius' mother led Lily into a bathroom and gave her a face towel. "When you're done, spray this on your face, and then this." She handed Lily a large, green, spray bottle labelled, "Boyle's All Purpose Bacteria Destroyer" and a small, pink, spray bottle labelled, "Kari Mae No Fuss No Muss Instant Makeup Appliqué."
***
About fifteen minutes later, Lily, James, Fiona, and Sirius arrived in Flamel Park by Portkey.
Lily looked around in wonder. It appeared that they arrived in a miniature amusement park in which a carousel dominated the scene. The carousel consisted of life-like versions of Pegasus, unattached by a pole, neither top nor bottom. The winged horses seemed to hover in midair. Around and around, they occasionally flapped their wings while bobbing up and down on invisible waves.
James slipped his hand into Lily's. "D'you want to go on the carousel?"
In a state of semi-awe, she murmured, "Yes."
"Then what are we waiting for?" said Sirius imperiously.
Dodging little wizards and witches running about pell-mell, they made their way over to the carousel, with Lily and James holding hands. When the carousel stopped to let the passengers off, Lily, James, Sirius, and Fiona hopped onto the platform. Sirius leapt onto one winged horse, and Fiona took the one beside it. Lily selected one behind Fiona.
"Here, Lily, let me share with you."
"Erm, all right." Lily created space for James to climb up behind her.
Lily, feeling a bit awkward, searched for a set of reins but there were none. She grabbed a handful of mane just as the carousel started moving. James wrapped his arms around her waist. Heat flooded her face.
"Erm, your hair smells nice."
"Thanks," Lily murmured, with face burning.
"Can I touch it?"
"What?"
"Can I touch your hair?"
"Erm, all right."
Lily felt him gently stroking her hair.
"It's so incredibly soft, like silk," he whispered.
"Lily, can you make me a promise?"
"I don't know. What do I have to promise?"
"That you will never, ever cut your hair for as long as the earth stays round."
She giggled. "Okay, silly James, I promise I will never, ever cut my hair for as long as the earth stays round."
"Erm, I don't think that is a good enough promise. How about this? Promise me that you will never, ever cut your hair for as long as the earth stays round and for as long as that bloody chipmunk remains around Professor Chloride's neck."
Lily laughed. "I promise I will never, ever cut my hair for as long as the earth stays round and for as long as that bloody chipmunk remains around Professor Chloride's neck."
"One more. Promise me, Lily, that you will never, ever cut your hair for as long as the earth stays round, for as long as that bloody chipmunk remains around Professor Chloride's neck, and for as long as SIRIUS BREAKS WIND IN HIS SLEEP."
Sirius, without turning, yelled, "I heard that, Prongs."
Lily laughed so hard she nearly slipped off the winged horse.
Still laughing, she stammered, "I promise to never, ever, cut my hair for as long as the earth stays round, for as long as that bloody chipmunk remains around Professor Chloride's neck, and for as long as Sirius breaks wind in his sleep."
After her laughter subsided, she said, "James, you're such a silly fellow. Why are you so silly?"
"Erm, because I love to hear your laugh."
Lily blushed, and, shortly afterwards, the carousel stopped.
They spent the next hour strolling about Flamel Park. They sampled a variety of foods and played games such as Sling-A-Gnome, Quill Toss, and Crazy Cauldron. Between the four of them, they won a total of six unusual prizes.
"Let's get a cone," suggested Fiona as they approached an ice cream stand.
They each purchased an ice cream. Afterwards, they found a place to sit near the edge of a small lake.
Lily watched the rowboats while licking her strawberry-chocolate-peanut butter-marshmallow ice cream.
"We should go rowing," said Sirius while gazing at the lake with a dreamy expression on his face.
"Splendid idea, Padfoot."
"Padfoot?" Fiona frowned slightly.
"Yup. That's just a name James, Peter, and Remus call me."
"Oh," said Fiona. "How come they call you 'Padfoot'?"
"Erm, because I like big dogs."
"Oh."
"So, James, why does Sirius call you Prongs?" Lily took a large bite out of her ice cream.
"I like antlers."
"What? Antlers?" Lily gazed at him suspiciously.
James grinned. "Come, let's go rowing." He grabbed Lily by the hand, and pulled her to her feet.
The four of them headed to the dock on the opposite side of the lake. Once they reached the dock, Lily and James took one boat, and Fiona and Sirius another.
"Bye! See you two in an hour!" James exclaimed.
They directed their boats, without oars or paddles, in opposite directions.
Feeling the boat gliding on the gentle waves, Lily gazed at the scenery passing serenely by and thought how peaceful everything seemed.
The miniature amusement park with its bright and gaudy colours was on the south end of the lake. In the distance, from the direction of the amusement park, Lily could hear the carousel music and joyful shouts of small children. The east and north ends of the lake were bordered by a dense canopy of deciduous trees, emerald green in the summer sun. The west end was slightly hilly with trees lightly scattered about. There was also a small meadow full of yellow and white flowers bending in the light breeze. White, billowing clouds with dark bases climbed, in the distant west, toward the heavens. Small, white clouds in the shape of popcorn dotted the rest of the azure sky.
Lily reached over the side of the boat, and put her hand in the lake. She enjoyed the pleasant sensation of the water streaming between her fingers.
"It's a lovely day to turn fifteen, eh?" said James softly, startling Lily from her reverie.
She smiled, and gazed into his dark eyes. Instinctively, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
With face flushed, she whispered, "Thank you for the lovely day."
With a tender expression on his face, he reached out to touch her hair. Then, as Lily closed her eyes, he kissed her gently on the mouth.
"Mummy! Mummy, look! They're kissing!"
"Timmy! How many times do I have to tell you that it is rude to stare at people? Now, stop it this instant!"
Startled, Lily and James glanced to their left and saw a woman and a small, redheaded boy of about five years of age gliding past them. The boy stared at them intently with his mouth agape. Lily and James looked at each other and laughed.
About a half hour later, they met Sirius and Fiona at the dock and prepared to leave the park. The sky had clouded up and threatened to rain. Occasionally, they heard a low, throaty rumble of thunder.
"We better get to the Portkey quick or we're going to end up with a soaking," Sirius exclaimed while worriedly glancing up at the turbulent sky.
"Let's make a run for it," suggested Lily.
"All right, but let's do it now," James ordered as each boy took a girl's hand.
They dashed through the park, but the clouds opened up before they reached their destination. In a matter of seconds, they were drenched. They reached the Portkey during a particularly loud clap of thunder.
***
On the fifteenth of July, an owl delivered the following letter to Lily.
Dear Miss Evans,
Congratulations!
You have been selected to represent Gryffindor as a Hogwarts Prefect. The role of a Prefect is that of leadership and responsibility. As a Prefect, you will be responsible for upholding the school code, assisting with enforcing the rules, and encouraging your fellow students to be their best by modelling the appropriate behaviour.
Each week, on Wednesdays after your last lesson of the day, you will attend a Prefect meeting in which the Head Boy and Head Girl preside. In these meetings, you will discuss various issues pertaining to the school, specifically ways to improve instruction and deportment. Also, you will offer ideas to the teaching staff. At times, you will be required to work closely with one of the professors. Also, you may be requested to assist the Headmaster with troubles that may arise. Your first meeting will be held at 4:15 P.M. on the 15th of September.
The following is a list of your fellow fifth year Prefects.
Sirius Black, Gryffindor
Toby Brentwood, Hufflepuff
Catherine Indigo, Ravenclaw
James Potter, Gryffindor
Severus Snape, Slytherin
Tara Yolke, Slytherin
Anthony Zephyr, Ravenclaw
This year's Head Boy and Head Girl are Frank Longbottom (Gryffindor) and Margaret Barber (Hufflepuff).
Again, congratulations on your selection!
Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Note: Enclosed is your Prefect badge. It must be worn at school at all times.
Lily ran downstairs shouting, "Mum, Dad, I've been made a Prefect."
***
In mid-August, Lily and Fiona met James, Sirius, and Peter in Diagon Alley. Lily felt apprehensive while shopping for her school things, with last year's dementor visit still fresh in her mind. Before they left Diagon Alley, Lily purchased a snowy owl from Eeylops Owl Emporium.
***
Zinnia entered Lily's room. Lily was in the process of packing her belongings; in three days, she would return to Hogwarts.
"Here, honey, don't forget your dress."
"Oh dear! Thanks, Mum. I almost did forget it." She took the frilly black dress robe with white lace trim from her mother and draped it across the top of her trunk.
Snowball meowed while staring intently at Heidi, Lily's snowy owl. Heidi hooted in reply, and then owl and cat hooted and meowed, respectively, back and forth at each other. Lily shook her head and wondered what was up with those two.
Zinnia softly closed the door to the room, and then sat on her daughter's bed. Lily glanced up at her with a questioning expression on her face.
"Come, let's you and I have a talk."
She patted the space on the bed next to her.
"Erm, all right."
Lily, puzzled, rose from the floor and joined her mother on the bed.
"Honey, you're growing up. In a few short years, you will come of age. Since you have been at Hogwarts, you have spent most of your time in the magical world, even when you are here. All of your friends now are the ones you met at Hogwarts. Sweetheart, you should try to make some friends outside Hogwarts."
Feeling defensive, Lily frowned. "Mum, Muggles don't like people like me. They think we're evil."
"Lily, that simply isn't true. All of us aren't like that. Your Dad and I don't feel that way, and I am sure that there are many others like us. Don't judge us all by Petunia and her friends' attitude. I really want you to try to make some friends outside of Hogwarts, Muggle friends like your Dad and me. Since you have been at Hogwarts, I noticed that you seem to have no interest in Muggles."
"Mum, it's hard. I don't go to school with them. Remember? How am I supposed to make friends? Petunia isn't going to share her friends with me, or even introduce me to their friends. What am I supposed to do?"
Zinnia sighed. "I know it's hard, but do try to get out more. When you are home for the holidays, you only spend your time here, at home, or with Fiona. There are many clubs you could join, that may be of some interest to you. You can meet some nonmagical girls and boys of your age, and have something to look forward to during the holidays."
"But, Mum, I like spending time with my Hogwarts friends. Fiona is my best friend! If I join some club and make new friends, then what about Fiona? She knows hardly anything about Muggles! They would tease her dreadfully!"
"Honey, Fiona doesn't have to join with you. I'm only asking that you consider making friends apart, separate from your magical friends."
"Mum, I like my magical friends! I want to spend time with them! My Muggle friends abandoned me when they found out that I was a witch! Remember, Mum? My former best friend dropped me like hot potato when she found out that I was a witch! I don't want to try again!"
"Lily, special daughter of mine, please listen to me! I worry about you! I'm afraid that I am going to lose you forever to that magical world."
Lily was stunned. "Why, Mum? Why do you worry about losing me?"
"Sweetheart, you spend almost all of your time in that magical world. When you are there, I don't really know what is going on in your life. You're my daughter, and I love you! I am afraid that you will marry some wizard and leave our lives forever. I just don't want to lose you, honey!"
"Mum, you're not going to lose me! I promise!" Lily, with tears spilling down her cheeks, embraced her mother. "If I marry a wizard, I will never forget you, even if I am living in a magical town like Hogsmeade. I will visit you and Dad often. You'll both tire of me!"
Zinnia hesitatingly smiled, and then softly said, "I'll never tire of you, dear heart."
***
"BONES, SYDNEY."
A slight, brown-haired boy took the sorting hat and placed it on his head.
"RAVENCLAW."
"Urgh! What's his problem?"
"Hmmmm?" Lily half-listened to Fiona while attempting to memorize as many first year names and faces as possible.
"Lily, will you please pay attention?" Fiona snapped. "Look at Snape."
She glanced over at the Slytherin table and spotted Snape gazing in her direction.
"Just ignore him, Fi."
"But doesn't it bother you the way he's always watching you?"
"Yes, but I try to ignore him. Oh, look, James and Sirius are waving at us."
Lily and Fiona waved enthusiastically at James and Sirius sitting at the far end of the table on the opposite side from where they were seated. James glanced around, and then blew a kiss at Lily. She pretended to catch it.
"Ohhh, how sweet, but I reckon big-nosed Snape didn't like that," remarked Fiona.
Lily looked over at Snape and observed him glaring in James' direction.
"Does Snape know you like James?"
"Erm, I would think so," she answered, slowly. "If he didn't know before, he should know now."
During the next twenty minutes, they concentrated their attention on the Sorting Ceremony.
"RIDGECREST, HORATIO JUNIOR."
"It's Raina's brother," said Fiona in a hushed voice.
"HUFFLEPUFF."
The Hufflepuffs broke into a thunderous applause and stood as Raina's brother trotted to the table.
"That was nice of the Hufflepuffs," Lily commented once the applause wound down.
***
"Welcome to the first Prefect meeting of the year," Professor McGonagall announced in a business-like fashion.
"I normally do not attend these meetings as they are presided by the Head Boy and Girl. As you know, from the letter you received, Frank Longbottom and Margaret Barber are this year's Head Boy and Head Girl."
"Hooray, Frank!" Sirius banged his fists on the table three times.
"Mr. Black, please do try to control your enthusiasm."
A few Prefects chuckled at Sirius' mock contrite expression.
"Placed before you is an amended list of Hogwarts' rules."
A rustling of parchment was heard throughout the room as the students picked up the list and began to scan it.
"For the new Prefects, the number beside each rule reflects the maximum amount of points that can be removed from a house. You aren't allowed to subtract more points than indicated."
James leaned toward Lily, sitting beside him, and whispered, "Have you noticed that McGonagall's bum projects farther out than normal?"
Lily did not reply for she was attempting not to laugh.
"What was that?" whispered Sirius.
"Don't you think McGonagall's bum sticks out a bit more than normal?"
"Come to think of it, it does. Never noticed that before. It could almost be used as a tray or table, don't you think? Place a chessboard on it, eh?"
Shaking with mirth, Lily clapped her hand over her mouth.
"Oy, I have an advert." Switching to an announcer's voice, James continued, "Tired of having to look for a tray when you are out and about? Presenting: The McGonagall On-The-Go Bum Tray. Simply snap your fingers and the McGonagall On-The-Go Bum Tray will instantly appear for you to place your things. Only ten Sickles! Buy now, and we'll throw in a McGonagall Sucking-On-A-Sour-Lemon Doll."
Unable to contain herself, Lily burst into gales of laughter.
Professor McGonagall glared at Lily with pursed lips. "Miss Evans, may I ask what you find so amusing?"
Lily struggled to compose herself. James and Sirius arranged their faces into innocent expressions.
"Erm, nothing, Professor."
"Mr. Potter and Mr. Black, I imagine that one or both of you instigated Miss Evans' disruptive outburst, as normally she behaves quite sensibly. Now, I would appreciate it if you three would pay attention, and, please, no more disruptions.
"Before I was rudely interrupted, I was stating that for those of you who have never noticed, the Prefects have their own table in the Great Hall, and it is located just below the High Table. You are required to sit at it on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The reason being is so that the rest of the students can learn to recognise the Prefects, Head Boy, and Head Girl by face alone. The rest of the days, you may sit at your house table, if you wish.
"In addition to the Prefects having their own table, they also have their own bathrooms. Longbottom and Barber will show you their location after supper."
The meeting continued for another ten minutes before adjourning.
"Let's go visit Hagrid. We have time before supper," James suggested in a corridor.
"Splendid idea, Prongs."
"Erm, he wouldn't mind?" Lily ventured.
"Hagrid? No, not at all," replied James.
They eventually reached Hagrid's wooden house, and knocked on the door. The door swung open, presenting Hagrid's massive frame.
"James! Sirius! About time yeh came fer a visit! Thought yeh two had fergotten about me. C'min! C'min!"
Lily followed the boys inside.
"Well, isn't one of yeh goin' ter introduce me?"
"Oh. Yeah. Hagrid, this is Lily," said James.
"Hullo." Lily extended her right hand to Hagrid.
Hagrid gently shook her whole arm. "Pleased to meet yeh."
With eyes twinkling and great beard twitching, he glanced back and forth between James and Lily. Then he winked at James. "All right, James?"
Red spots appeared on James' cheeks, and Lily blushed.
"Hagrid, old chum, what have you been up to lately?"
"Just planted some cucumbers in the garden a few days ago, Sirius. Did yeh notice them? They're gettin' alon' fine. Would yeh three like a cup of tea? I also made some ginger biscuits."
"Erm..." Lily began.
"No. No. Bad idea," James frantically whispered in her ear.
"Erm, no thanks, we're fine. Thanks for offering, sir."
"Are yeh sure yeh don't want any tea? It's Earl Grey. Nice flavour. Got it from a Muggle. Oh, by the way, Lily, yeh don't have to call me 'sir.'"
Lily observed that Hagrid kept furtively glancing toward a particular corner of the room. She looked in the direction in which his eyes kept darting and spotted a snake staring at them from above the rim of a woven basket.
"Hagrid! You have a snake in your house!" exclaimed Lily.
"Oh, yeah, well, it's harmless. It's jus' a baby."
"What kind of snake is it? Could we take a closer look?" said James.
"Er, well, that's not necessary. It's jus' an ordinary snake."
Ignoring him, James walked over to the basket with Lily and Sirius in tow. All three gasped in surprise when they peered into it. It was a chimera! The head of the creature was that of a lion cub. A goat's head protruded from the middle of its back, and instead of a tail, it had a snake. The lion and goat heads were asleep.
"Hagrid, where did you get this?" said Sirius in a tone full of admiration.
"Won her. Isn't she sweet?"
Lily doubted it. The lion head had awakened, and was glaring at them as though they had greatly disturbed it. Low, menacing growls emanated from its throat.
"Er, Hagrid, it will not attack any of us, will it?" Sirius backed slightly away from the basket.
"No! Of course not! Bunny is just a harmless baby," said Hagrid with misty eyes.
"Bunny is growling at us," remarked Lily sceptically.
"It's all right. She's just teethin'."
James reached in to touch Bunny, the chimera. The lion head snapped at his fingers, missing them by a few millimetres, while the snake attempted to coil around his forearm. The goat head remained asleep.
"Now, James, don't yeh tease her!"
"I wasn't! I just wanted to touch it."
"Well, Bunny's in a moody stage right now, so it would be best if yeh wouldn't try ter touch her."
"Erm, we better go now. Supper will be served in about seven minutes. We're supposed to be at the Prefect table," said Sirius as the goat head slowly opened its eyes.
On the way out the door, Hagrid stopped them. In a low voice, he said, "Why don't yeh three do me a favour, eh?"
"Sure. What is it?" replied James.
"Er, don't tell anyone about Bunny, all right?"
---------
Note: As you have probably noticed, my description of a chimera differs slightly from J.K. Rowling's (Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them). I based my description on what I learned from legend in Greek Mythology lessons.