'Lily?' James asked.
'What?' Lily said, looking up from her Charms essay.
'How about we have an agreement?' Lily raised her brows, as if having an agreement with James was, well, the end of the world. James continued, 'You hate boys, yes, I know that, but you could at least try to speak more than three sentences to me at one go.'
'Oh.'
'And say something more meaningful and understandable,' James added, 'I am suppose to look after you this year, and I can't do so if you won't co-operate with me. I value my teenage life and liked my head intact for the rest of my years in Hogwarts.'
'So?'
'We could try from the start again. Whomever the boy whom you were once mad with, forget him, kay? He's a jerk – not that I mean all boys are a jerk but Sirius can count in that – so let us start from the scratch. I'm James Potter,' James said, holding his hand out.
Lily looked at him cautiously and, to James's relief, she took it in her hands.
'I'm Lily Evans. From Epetons,' Lily said, 'Nice to meet you … not.'
'That's a good start,' James said, thankfully, 'What about yourself?'
'Twelve.'
'And…? Your schoolmates? Why aren't they here?'
'They all died when Epetons blew up. Not that I care anyway,' Lily said airily.
James looked at her, studying her face carefully. Lily doesn't seem like those type of people who abandon her friends at their worst moment. Or would she look like one who could but wouldn't.
'Uh, why not?' he asked.
'Because they are not my friends,' Lily answered.
'What about your friends, then?'
'I… don't have any friends.'
'Why not?'
Lily gave that question a short thought and shrugged. She then turn back to her Charms essay and referred the textbook to fill her essay's contents, so that it would be please-able to Professor Flitwick.
'Are you from a wizarding family?' James asked.
'No. My family is muggles. Only Bec's family is a wizarding one.'
'Speaking of Professor Hart, why're you talking to your bear last night?' James asked, feeling that he wanted to know everything about this young girl. Lily hesitated for a moment and turned away. But remembering her promise to him, she turned back to him.
'I can't tell,' she said at last.
'Who were the people you thought I was, before you actually found me? Who were you communicating with, as Professor Hart said?'
'No one. And as for the bear, I'm a ventriloquist, that's why you heard Bec's voice from my bear. Happy now?' Lily said heavily.
This, James finds it all hard to believe.
'You are a what?'
'I can imitate voices,' Lily said dismissively.
'Oh. And who's dying sooner than they were supposed to?' James asked.
'No one is. Not just yet. How much of my conversation with my bear had you heard last night?' Lily asked, narrowing her eyes.
'Just … until there.'
'Only there?'
'Only there.'
Either James was imagining it or it really happened because Lily had a look of relief on her face for a quick moment. It was so short you could even think it's an illusion.
'James! Hey James! Up early today?' Sirius yawned from the stairs. Lily reverted her attention automatically to her work, deeply absorbed in it.
'Yep. Just talking to Lily here,' James said.
'She actually got into a conversation? That's first. I mean, she barely even speaks more than two sentences at a go!' Sirius commented.
'Well, not exactly. It's a sort of I-question-you-answer talk which is rather one-sided,' James said.
'So do you wanna talk with me now?' Sirius asked Lily.
'…'
'You talked to James!' Sirius protested.
'…'
'Look girl, talk or I'll bomb you,' he threatened, pulling out a bomb.
'…'
'Sirius,' James said.
Too late. The bomb was set and it landed beautifully on Lily's Charms essay. It bombed (that's what a bomb actually do, isn't it? They don't throw streamers for you) and covered the common room with the smell of what seems like rotten corpse.
'Just what do you think you're doing?' Lily snapped at once.
'Talk at last! I thought you have a Silencing Charm on you!' Sirius said with satisfaction.
Lily pulled out a new parchment from her bag and copied her previous work on it. There was no way how she could hand in a dead corpse smelling parchment for a homework without earning herself an award to join James and Sirius in their next expedition on cleaning bedpans.
'Gee Sirius, you could be a little more considerate. We have to hand that in today. It's our Charms essay,' James said.
'Really considerate since I never tear it into tiny pieces which will fit for bird nests,' Sirius yawned. 'Don't you ever talk? Or will you ever?'
'… No. And I'll remember you,' Lily said bitterly.
'I'm honoured beyond words of grace! You'll remember me!' Sirius said. James snorted.
'For revenge,' Lily said quietly.
'Yeah right. Like you could ever. Madam, you have to remember that I am the genius here,' Sirius huffed.
'I don't have to.'
Lily packed her things and walked out of the common room.
'Hey! Where're you going?' James called.
'… To see Bec.'
'Who's Bec?' Sirius asked.
'I'm coming! I need to ask about those counter spells!' James said, running after her.
'What counter spells?' Lily asked.
'You actually asked me a decent question! Well, I need to find one to stop myself from being body-binded. It's really useful,' James grinned. Lily promptly said nothing but marched on her way.
~**~
'Bec? Can I come in?' Lily said, knocking the door. Professor Hart opened the door and grinned broadly when she saw Lily.
'Hi Lily! And James, too,' she greeted, noticing James.
'Bec, I need some help,' Lily said.
'Oh? About what?' Hart said, sitting on the couch.
'Well…' Lily said, eyeing James, 'Mom said to tell you "Draco no-"'
'Oh, that. You told me that last night, didn't you?' Hart said.
'Well, she added another thing,' Lily said.
'What?'
'Your mom misses you. As did your dad,' Lily said.
'Oh.'
'I spoke to them yesterday, or at least, Aunt Mie. She wished that you were like me so she could speak to you and I don't have to be the "messenger,"' Lily said quietly. Hart laughed lightly.
'She knows I hadn't the time, nor the courage to do so. Send my regards to her and my dad, will you? And how's darling Petunia?' Hart said.
'Oh, still the same. She's still living with Aunt Kie and still insulting me in my back. I've been sneezing a lot most of the times,' Lily laughed.
'Those two go fine,' Hart winced. 'Lucky you're allowed to live with me or you'll be out in the streets by now.'
'Glad I am living with you,' Lily nodded.
'So, what do you want, James? I don't think Lily's that annoying and your work looks pretty fine to me,' Hart said, turning to James.
'I wanna ask you about counter spells,' James said.
'Which?'
'Body bind, for instance.' Hart let out a hearty laugh.
'There's no counter spell for that! Or not at the moment. I take it Lily's been using it on you, is she not?'
'No, not really. Snape seemed to have taken liking to that one this year,' James winced.
'You're in luck. Nope, no spells I know,' Hart said, leaning in her chair, 'but you can just use finite incantatem to end all spells.'
'How can I speak then? I'll be binded!' James retorted.
'Lily'll be with you for the whole year. If she gets to learn it, I think she might be able to save you a couple of times then,' Hart said. Lily had a look of anger on her face as she muttered under her breath.
'Oh. Thanks anyway,' James said.
'No problem. You can come to me if you need any help,' Hart said cheerfully.
'Bye, Bec,' Lily said, as if not wanting to leave but was forced to.
'Ciao Professor!' James called.
'You can call me Bec. I hate that stupid professor title, even after teaching for two years,' Hart said, closing the door. James looked at Lily for a moment.
'You know, you and your cousin are almost like sisters,' James said.
'So?'
'I was wondering, why couldn't Bes just owl her parents?'
'…'
'Not telling? And what has that got to do with time? Why are you her messenger?' James asked.
'You ask too much,' Lily said quietly.
'I'm building knowledge here!'
'I wish I hadn't bothered to build up my knowledge. I wouldn't be what I am now, if I weren't once that eager to know everything,' Lily said.
'What?' James said blankly.
'I regret my steps. If I could turn back time, I most definitely would,' Lily said, face straight. That didn't look sorry, in James's opinion.
'Why? What happened?'
'Let's just say I was once a nosy kid,' Lily said, 'A really nosy one.'
~**~
It was a full moon night and the Gryffindors were curling in the common room near the huge blazing fire, warming their toes up. Most of them were reading or doing their homework when a loud howl was heard. James sat up.
'Poor werewolf,' James said sympathetically. 'Say, where's Remus?'
'His mother's sick. Again,' Sirius said, 'Must be pretty unhealthy, huh?'
'Probably. Hey, Lily! Want to play exploding snap?' James called.
Lily didn't answer. James went up to her to see what the quiet girl was doing. He peeped over her shoulder. In front of her was a board, decorated beautifully in dull shading colours. Alphabets from A to Z were written inside its flowery border. In the middle, a "Yes", a "No", a "Maybe", a "Don't Know" and "Home" was written in a beautiful ancient font. A five-star circle was drawn in the middle, hosting the middle words. Two candles stood at the corners, its bright yellow cap dancing joyfully.
Lily's index finger was on an old coin and it moved swiftly around the board. James sat down next to her to see what was going on. Lily's face looked blank.
'Lily?' James started.
'Wait,' Lily said. The coin made its way to the letters forming the word "HOME" and stopped dead right there. Lily calmly pulled her finger away.
'What's that?' Sirius asked, coming over.
'That's mine,' Lily said. 'It's a board and an old coin.'
'Yes, but you seemed absorbed in it. What game is it?' James inquired curiously.
'It's… not a game.'
'What is it them?' James asked, reaching to pick up the board.
'Don't touch it!' Lily snapped.
'Why not?'
'…'
'No reason? Then I will.'
'Don't. Even B-Bec wouldn't,' Lily said quietly.
'Who's Bec?' Sirius asked.
'Her cousin. Professor Hart,' James said. Turning back to Lily, he asked, 'Why wouldn't she?'
'You can ask her. She'll just say the same thing,' Lily said.
'Wanna play exploding snap?' Sirius asked, holding out a pack of cards.
'No.'
'We'll play this then,' Sirius said, pointing at the board and coin.
'Don't,' Lily said.
'Why not? We'll be cursed for life? Hah!' Sirius taunted.
'… Yes.'
'What?'
'You'll be cursed for life. The price of this,' Lily said.
'Liar. You played and you're still breathing,' Sirius said.
'I am cursed,' Lily insisted. Sirius left, muttering about "nuts" and "bonkers" and "wackos."
'You mean the Epetons episode?' James said gently, though it sounded more like a statement.
'Yes. I was the only one the survived, since I was out picnicking,' Lily said.
'You said you don't have friends, right?' James said.
'…'
'I'll be yours, then.'
'You don't want to.'
'The matter of friendship isn't if you want or not. It's the matter of fact. If one are fated to be friends, you will be friends,' James said.
'… I don't understand,' Lily said blankly.
'You will, someday. Besides, my superiority of language is probably better than your low ones,' James said jokingly. 'Now, why will this thing cost us our life?' James asked.
'Here's a story for you,' Lily said, blowing off the flames from the candles.
'Story?'
'There was once a little girl, age four. She found a board and a coin in her attic. She didn't know what to do with it, or what it is used for. It looked interesting, and being an inquisitive four-year-old, she kept it. The next day, she went to school and saw her friends drawing something on a piece of paper, exactly the way the board's printings were, except only without candles and the five-star circle. They placed a bright new shilling on "Home."
'She, being the curious one she is, asked around. The kids referred this as "Spirit of the Coin." The kids tried summoning for the so-called spirit, but each of them failed. The girl's twin sister asked the girl to summon, in hopes of humiliating her. She did. And to her surprise, her twin's horror, and her friend's delight, the spirit replied.
'As the girl aged, she became more in contact with her spirit friends. When she turned eleven, she was accepted into a magical school, owing the fact that she was a witch. Her schoolmates found out about her contacting with the spirits. The girl didn't know that this practice was recognized as a Black Magic, since no one she knew who was a witch or wizard said anything about it. Her parents didn't know about this, or they would have forbidden her. Shortly saying, the girl was shunned away from what were her friends in school, who regard this is Black Magic.
'She was told, once, by a spirit, that her life is at stake. She didn't take the spirit seriously. No, she kept on playing. One day, her school blew up. She manage to escape that, unscathed. She went on playing the board, however, although was discouraged. That was the only way she could contact her parents and her dear relatives,' Lily said. She set her calm green eyes on James. 'Do you know who the girl was?'
'She's you?' James said, snapping out of his deep imaginations.
'Yes. She was me. I was too foolish to consider the words of those who love me,' Lily said quietly, staring blankly at the board.
'Then- Then you weren't joking, when you said you're cursed?' James gulped.
'No. But you can choose to believe me or to leave me,' Lily said.
'So… what did the spirits usually say to you?' James asked.
'Loads. They know almost everything I want to know. They have answers to my burning questions. And- and they can tell me people's future,' Lily said quietly. 'Sometimes they can communicate with me without the board. At first, it had me freaked out, but I'm quite used to it now.'
'You thought I was one of them yesterday!' James chuckled. Lily smiled.
'Yes, I did thought so,' Lily agreed.
'Why is Bec glad that you can talk to the spirits and yet she wouldn't touch this?' James asked, indicating the board.
'Because… Because our parents are dead,' Lily said in a barely audible whisper.
'Oh. I'm sorry.'
'It's nothing. I talk to them these days,' Lily said.
'So what about your sister? Petunia, is it?'
'Yes. Petunia is a muggle, just like my parents. She's really horrid,' Lily said as she rambled on like she never had about her sister.
'Now I think you talk as much as the others,' James said, satisfied at himself for finally making acquaintance with Lily.
'You wouldn't think so. I talk little to peple who aren'ts my friends.'
'Friends are easy,' James said.
'No. They're hard. To search for one, you have to not only look, but research. We can't just sit and wait for them,' Lily said. 'You hadn't known me yet, as I'd seen.'
James, who thought he already knew everythign about this girl, sat up. So, she hadn't considered him as a real friend yet. Not to be trusted yet. Quite true to her words, maybe he should consider making a short research on her.
'It's okay, Lily. If I'm not your friend, you're mine all the same. When the time comes, as time flies by, we'll be real friends before you'll even know it,' James said patiently. Lily said nothing but lighted the candles and began her "talk" with the coin and board.
~**~
AN: ta-da!!!! I'm back!!! And no, I hadn't any writer's block for anything just yet. Nope, not even for The Marauding Five. I am typing the story still, but thanks to dad, teachers, the ignorance of the computer and my modem, you'll probably have to wait a whole century more to that. And that is also the main reason why this was out late. I decided to type this up first cause it's way shorter from the chapter I'm typing in TMF. Until the school homework's finished, you probably wouldn't get another chapter from me… waaah!!! Why must it – schools and all – be so cruel???
And yes, I'll promise that there'll be no more talking bears in future chapters to this J a friend of mine freaked out, too, and begged me to not have any animal even speak in English any longer. So we can all now say bye-bye to the bear J
What exactly –is- an Unogua board? Well, Azara asked me that question before, and I thought I'd just share the answer to some curious ones. It's basically… dun dun DUNN!!!!! Well, fiction! It's not real, so don't worry about those sorta things. Besides, if you'd read the inscription above carefully [in the story, mind!] you'll realize that I do and use loads of things people don't. Ciao!!!! My time's out!!!!!!!!!!!! The alarm rang!
