James Potter and The Unogua Board
Chapter 11: Diary, Ana And Potion
'Hey Bec?' James said.
'Yes?'
'Can we look at Lily's diary?'
'This…'
'I asked Lily last night. She said that because she's dead, she couldn't and wouldn't want to bother anything now,' James said, grinning innocently at her.
'Are you sure about this? It's rude to know someone's personal life, even though she's, um, dead,' Bec said uneasily.
'Lily isn't Moaning Myrtle, is she?'
'No.'
'Let's see…' James said, rummaging the boxes they had piled onto the floor. He came across the one filled with books and took a black one out. The first page was written in a scrawl, like how a four-year-old usually does. The writing was big and untidy, not to mention ugly, too. Bec leaned over curiously. The first page read:
"Am writing a diary since papa tech me how to right. My name is Lily Evans, for year ole tis year. I met Rebeka Hart today. She is my causun and shes then years ole-der tan me. The kids at skool say to call a spirik. Her name is Ana. She was really shweet.
Lily."
'Um, nice spelling,' James commented.
'She's four. What do you expect: an artist impression?' Bec said. They flipped the page over.
"I vizit Rebeka again. Tis boy wif yellow hare call me a stupit mutblood. I ask mama what doez it mean. She dunno. He tie me to a trak and Rebeka safe me. Ana say zat I will dai early, about tirty sumting.
Lily."
'That boy's a wizard!!!' Bec exclaimed. 'And he called Lily names!'
'How'd he know that she's a witch?' James asked.
'Maybe someone told him,' Bec shrugged. The turned to the diary. Lily's spelling mistakes and grammar improved gradually.
"I realized that there's a lot of mistakes in my previous entries. This is Petunia's birthday (and mine) and I got her the blue bow she had wanted so long. She didn't like it, though. Petunia threw it out of the window, but what can I say? She's older than I am. Ana told me that she was twelve when she commit suicide. Is that right? I think not. I never wanna commit suicide and be a spirit! It sounds horrid.
Lily."
"Rebecca told me a story on how friendship is supposed to be and that we are friends. What is friendship? I hear the other kids talk about it. Where is my friendship, then? Rebecca said that everyone has friendship. I asked Ana if I'm her friendship and she answered yes. But I hadn't been on a ship before. What does it mean? Papa and mama aren't here, and I'm now living with Aunt Kie. She's horrid and awful. Like a wicked witch. She said four-year-olds are always a huge load of trouble. But Petunia's four, too, and Aunt Kie loves her! Why?
Lily."
'Why is Petunia the same age as Lily?' James asked quizzically.
'They're twins,' Bec replied. 'Petunia's ten minutes older than her.'
'Odd.' James flipped the pages over.
"I went to the attic again, to find my old doll's clothes. Petunia always hid my things there and Rose-Mary's clothes are missing. I found two board, like my original one, in the trunk. I wonder if they're the same. I found a new spirit today, too. Her name is Mia and she is fourteen. She told me that she was killed, but not how she was killed. Ana explained to me that my board is called the Unogua, and the other two Dosta and Tresna. Rebecca say that I'm her friend. Am I?
Lily."
"Today is rainy and papa was sent to the hospital. Petunia cried all the way there, I don't know why. When I asked her, she said that stupid people like me won't know anything. Am I stupid? Neither Ana nor Mia said anything about that, but they told me that I had a destiny to fulfill. What's a destiny? Mama said papa had a stroke but will be okay.
Lily."
"No one talked to me in school today. I tried to ask Petunia why, but she said it's all because of me. She pulled my hair as punishment. But what did I do wrong? I asked Ana if she knew why is Petunia upset. Ana said that Petunia thought I was so stupid that no one wants to friend her. I don't understand.
Lily."
'She's not only lonely. She's confused. There's no one around her to answer her or to explain things to her,' James said sadly, remembering the times when his younger sister had curiously asked a question and he had answered.
'She wouldn't ask,' Bec sighed. The two picked up another book.
"It's a new year and I went to call Petunia home from Michelle's house. When we came back, I saw dad and mum talking to a man in black. Petunia pulled us behind the hedge and asked me to shut up. I was bored, so I took out the Unogua to play while Petunia spied at them. Ana was asking me to run quick and hurriedly replaced the coin. I kept it into the box and ran off hurriedly, pulling Petunia with me. Petunia was surprised. She pulled me back, and since she was stronger, she won. We heard a loud sound and I saw blood. Mum and dad are lying on the floor. Petunia started crying when the man left. She asked me why I was as heartless as to not cry at our parents' death.
"I don't know. Why should I cry? I'm sad, but I'd never cried before. Petunia always cry. She scolded me for being cruel, and that she couldn't believe how I could have been her sister. A nice man came and took us into his care. He called for Aunt Kie to take care of us. Ana's really sweet, to ask us to run. Someone told me that a nearby neighbour and a jogger for shot, too.
Lily."
'She witnessed her parents' death??' James cried.
'Don't look at me. I don't know that,' Bec said.
"I changed school, when we moved to Aunt Kie's. Petunia was dreadfully upset and cried for a whole week. Ana and Mia told me that my parents are in the spiritual world. I tried to speak to them and mum answered. She was really upset about petunia being sad. Mum says also that there's a lake in the world. The spirits can look into the future of whomever they wish to in the physical world. What does all these mean? I asked mum what's friendship and she just say that it's friends.
Lily."
'Let's skip,' Bec suggested, shuddering.
'Fine with me. To which?'
'When she's in Epetons.'
James opened a red book. The handwriting was neat and tidy, just like Lily's current handwriting. James turned to an entry dated in August.
"Ana told me something today. It's about my future. Ana said that someday, a boy would get me. I don't get what she mean, but it may be a bad omen. After that blonde boy tied me to the railway track, I'd hated boys for all my life (at least, as far as now, but I vow to hate them forever). They're (the boys) cruel. One of them just broke poor Petunia's heart, the cheek! However much I hate her now, I still have to love her. I told Bec about me using the Unogua. She had to know because her parents, Aunt Mie and Uncle Joe, was killed by a madman. Aunt Mie had begged me to tell her. She said Bec's a witch, just like me. What does that mean?
Lily."
'She hate boys because of her… future? This is so absurd!' James cried.
"I got a letter from an owl. It said that I was to attend Epetons, a magical school for witches. Now I know what Aunt Mie meant, when she told me I was one of them. Ana knew that too, but said it wasn't the destiny I was suppose to expect. Mia asked me to not bring the Unogua along, but I want to! The spirits are what you could call friends! Bec said spirits couldn't be friends, but they live in me. I guess I could call Bec a friend, too. Aunt Kie turned me out when she found that I was a witch. I'm writing this by the alleyway.
Lily."
'What exactly is her destiny??' James demanded.
'I'm as clueless as you are, Potter.'
"Bec found me. I don't know how, but she found me under the signboard. I didn't know there was even a signboard out there, but Bec said that it was only seen by a wizard/witch. Muggles can't see them. I found a small parcel sent to me from Ana. I asked her what did it contain and she said that it's to help me go on. When I opened it, it was a beautiful signing shell. Ana told me that it was once hers and Mia hid something in it. Mia said that it'll be given to a body whose spirit is still there. Mia was once a witch, too.
Lily."
'Maybe we should stop for now. It's late,' Bec said. 'Don't you want to go home?'
'Home? And let Shirley turn me into her doll? No way!!! You've got to be kidding! Please, let me stay here a little longer!!!' James begged.
'Homework?'
'All finished. I'm a perfectionist. So please?'
'You're welcomed,' she sighed, going to bed. James went back to his room and took the Unogua out. It's time for him to summon for Lily.
'Lily Evans, I summon you,' James said solemnly. The coin moved almost instantly to "yes".
'Lily, I just read your diary entries,' he said. The coin never moved. 'Um, I don't know about this, but can you do me a favour?'
"Yes."
'Don't go away. Don't stray away. Promise me that.'
I won't, don't worry. I am everywhere.
'Huh? You're still as confusing as ever. Anyway, g'night,' James said. The coin turned back to its usual place in the center. James frowned. There was something in that last entry he read that triggered something in his mind.
Maybe he should get the answer.
'Ana, I summon you,' James called. He waited patiently. The coin then slid across the board.
Hello, James Potter.
'How'd you know my name?' James asked, jumping in surprise.
Lily.
'Oh. Um. Look, I have a question here. What's in that singing shell you gave to Lily a year or so ago?' James asked politely.
Mia's potion. Mia and I are both friends. A wizard called Grindelweld killed her.
'Ah. What are the potion's uses?' James asked.
Mia said that is it to revive someone. One who had died for at least two days.
'Lily's in your world now,' James said excitedly. 'Can I use it on her? Hurry!'
Calm down, Potter. You can, but where are you going to find it? Lily hid it away and I do not know where she had placed it.
'I think I know. Thanks for your help, Ana. Bye bye,' James said gratefully.
Nice speaking to you. Listen, send an owl addressed to Ana and Mia with an empty box, will you?
James frowned in confusement. 'Okay, I will. Why?'
You will see. Good luck with Lily's shell.
With that, the coin turned to the "home" circle. James grinned to himself triumphantly. He had a slight idea on where the shell is now. And Bec hadn't moved Lily's lifeless body yet. Things really are taking a turn and the turn looked to be a pretty good one now, with the Bethlehem star shinning brightly to lead its way. And this is only the second day Lily died. All are accordingly done.
Without wasting another second, James rushed straight up to Lily's room and looked around for the boxes. He found them opposite the mirror. He looked into the mirror and gasped.
For inside the mirror was an ugly looking creature with yellow teeth, bloodied horns and fiery red eyes that stared fiercely at James. James let out a piercing yell into the still night air.
~**~
AN: Okay, let's just say that I'd decided to get creative and ignore the Greek legend's description of looks. I rather this one, anyway. That's all I'll say for the "creature" in the mirror, there! We can start counting the days until I'll post the next chapter [mwahahaha *cough*]. Ahem. Erm, that is all, I believe.
I got a comment from a friend who'd read this story [before everyone else does] and she was cursing me under her breath, yelling "WHY??? WHY DIDN'T THEY OPEN THAT FREAKING DIARY EARLIER??? THE IDIOTS JAMES AND REBECCA ARE!!!!" I don't think you will say that to me too, er, right?
Please review for me :)
