Author's note: Okay, before this chapter begins, I'd like to say that I'd
skipped a few months from where it had ended (The story ended in James's
first year, Christmas). It is going to start off with the last day of
Hogwarts.
Chapter 3
~ I'm here ~
"The end," Dumbledore had rose up "of yet another year"
"Right, and the Slytherins won the House Cup" hissed Sirius glaring at the snickering and smirking lot of Slytherins.
James stared at a tremendous banner which showed the Slytherin serpent covering the wall behind the High Table. James turned to see Severus, along with other Slytherins sneering and enjoying their time. It was a very disgusting sight.
"And they deserved it" Lily's voice came out of nowhere.
James groaned.
"What do you mean?" asked Peter before swallowing the remains of his food.
Lily sighed. "If you keep on pulling the stunts and acts you-" her eyes quickly flashed at Sirius, "do, we'll never be able to win the House cup."
Sirius shrugged. "Guess we'll never win it, eh?"
"Guess not"
***
starting:
James's Third-Year
"REMUS! SIRIUS! OVER HERE!" hollered James saving two empty seats, aboard the Hogwarts Express.
The boy named Sirius, paused and sprinted on the train, carrying his load. The other boy, Remus, after much attempts to pick his trunk up to the compartment, failed. James, after watching the tired boy with amusement, came to help.
"Wow, Remus, you've grown" commented James, pulling on the trunk.
"yea,..." the grinning boy panted, sliding his trunk to the seats.
"Well, well, another year at Hogwarts for the Marauders, eh?" Sirius declared collapsing down.
Remus nodded, Sirius continued, "Guess, this year it'll be the usual (Their third year), you know...ah, working on the er- project..(The trio glanced at each other grimly), and well, you know"
"Hi guys!" a tiny high voice squeaked. Peter slid into their compartment.
"Hullo Peter," James glumly replied.
"What's da matter?" Peter nervously looked at James.
"Nothing" James didn't understand. Usually, he would be chattering and laughing along with his friends but...there was this churning horrible feeling that he had...
"SNAP OUT OF IT JAMES!"
"Huh?" James jumped.
"You were somewhere-what were you daydreaming about eh?"
"Nothin'" said James gruffly, his glasses sliding down his nose.
James sighed. This was yet, another long ride to Hogwarts.
***
"You think we should start working on the er- project, today or tomorrow?" whispered Sirius as soon as the Sorting Ceremony had ended.
"I think we should work on it today!" Peter's high voice grew even higher.
"Nah, t'morrow" Remus looked around with worried eyes.
"T'morrow" said James firmly agreed, staring at Professor Dumbledore talking pleasantly with another professor.
"Oh..okay" Peter's face fell.
"Ahem, " Dumbledore had stood up, and many students turned to look at the old wizard, "Now that we are all fed and well, you will be sent to your dormitories,...ah and James?"
Students looked around, James and the others stared confusedly at the headmaster.
"James Potter, ah yes, in Gryffindor" Dumbledore called out scanning the Gryffindor table.
Heads turned to James, who reddened slightly. "What's going on, you don't think he found out?" hissed Sirius, his eyes bulging.
James shook his head. "I dunno"
"Yes, James," Dumbledore's bright blue eyes landed on James's dark eyes, "you will come with me...to my office...now the rest of you are dismissed."
A sudden sound of shuffling feet started.
"If that old guy thinks sumthin's gong on, you better not tell him" Sirius warned him.
"Don't worry" was all James could say.
***
"Yes professor?" James absentmindly asked, his eyes glancing around the headmasters office. Pictures of old headmasters and headmistresses waved and smiled back at him.
The headmaster's eyes brightened as he motioned James to sit down.
James sat.
"Ah, you must be very curious to why I have sent you here Mister Potter" Dumbledore sat down wearily on his own chair. Looking at James, Dumbledore smiled and asked, "Would you like some lemon drops?"
"No thanks" replied James, wondering what on earth, lemon drops were.
James shifted nervously. "Am I in trouble?" James asked bluntly.
"No, no, you have the wrong idea. Well, might as well get straight to the point...ah okay, do you know who Lord Voldemort is?" Dumbledore's smile vanished, replaced by a grim look.
"Yes, my parents have er- warned me alot about this fellow...why?" James curiously looked up at Dumbledore.
"He, has gained a lot of power...he has also gained a lot of supporters.." said Dumbledore carefully.
"So...!?" asked James, a bit irritated.
"Many have fallen under his power,...many. I'm afraid," Dumbledore's eyes moved up to James's "that Voldemort has also taken your family also."
James blinked.
"What-What are you trying to say, headmaster?" James felt his face go pale.
"Today, it was reported that, your whole family died, with the dark mark floating over their bodies."
James felt his vision blur. Never before had he felt so light-headed and-
"I am truly sorry" James couldn't hear the rest of Dumbledore's small words of comfort. James was shaking, his whole body frigid and cold. His feelings? James didn't know what he felt. Was he suppose to feel grief or anger or perphaps loneliness?
"E-Everyone?" James croaked.
The headmaster nodded slowly his blue eyes never leaving James.
"Mum? Dad? Even E-Erica?" James hoarsely asked, doing all he could do to control his emotions.
"Yes."
SLAM
Dumbledore looked up not very startled by James's reaction. James had punched Dumbledore's table, papers and parchments flying everywhere, his dark eyes flashing with rage.
"WHY THE HELL DID HE-HE DO THAT?" James screamed to no one in particular.
Dumbledore sat quietly, his face showed much concern and understanding.
"I-I MEAN, ERICA!? WHAT COULD SHE DO TO HIM? I MEAN, SHE'S ONLY NINE YEARS OLD! SHE'S NO HARM TO THAT-" James stood, muttering swears, he nor Dumbledore never thought James knew.
James stopped abruptedly, his face very pale and white.
A very uneasy silence followed.
"T-Thank you professor" whispered James, with a curt nod, James headed for the door.
"I am sorry, James, please understand...Lord Voldemort is not a very merciful wizard...innocent blood is always shed." Dumbledore called out, "you may be excused from tomorrow's classes, if you wish"
James nodded, his face not facing the professor.
James reached for the door knob until he stopped.
He turned.
"Professor Dumbledore" his voice turned very strange, "why did Voldemort kill my parents?"
"That," Dumbledore sighed, " I do not know...but what I do know, is that the Dark Lord has his purposes, meaning," Dumbledore stood up, "if you were with your family, this afternoon- he might as well murdered you too. I think-Mister Potter, he is somewhat afraid of your family...you do know that your family are one of the most powerful wizarding families, do you not? I would be careful if I were you, it seems that Lord Voldemort may have- some very unpleasant plans for you."
James, not getting any of this, nodded and stumbled out of the office.
***
'Erica, Mum, Dad' memories flashed as James tried to shrug it away. James stumbled towards the Gryffindor tower, his foot often tripping up on a staircase.
"What are you doing here?" a very loud voice startled James, who tripped again.
Wearily getting up, James squinted, as he put on his fallen glasses, to see the last person he wanted to meet.
Lily Evans.
James was quite surprised by how much taller she grew, her hair were bright and breath-taking, her eyes...well her eyes could compare to emeralds. She would've been gorgeous, if she had not been the Lily Evans, whom James found annoying. 'What a geek' thought James, his eyes drifting at the numerous amount of textbooks she was carrying.
"What are you doing here?" repeated Lily, her eyes staring up suspiciously at James.
"I-" James croaked strangely, "I'm sorry"
"What?" Lily's face soften, as she found James's usual light, mishievious, brown eyes, were dull and filled with-with-with, sadness...Lily found that very disturbing...and yet very....
James stared at Lily. He then found himself brave enough to force out a lopsided grin.
"Nothin'" James hoarsely whispered, his grin vanishing.
James, should've known that Lily Evans was not the type of person to let things go so easily, because-
"Potter, something's wrong" Lily touched his shoulder, "I-I-I can't believe I'm saying this but, are you...are you okay?"
James, very much startled, jumped and stared at Lily's huge eyes.
"I said, nothing's wrong"
"but you-"
"who cares what I said?"
"You said that you were sorry!"
"SO?"
"So, I want to know why you're sorry!"
"I'M SORRY THAT I WASN'T THERE WHEN THEY NEEDED ME THE MOST!" exploded James.
Realizing what he had done, he quickly looked away.
"Evans, go away" he said softly.
"No" hissed Lily stubbornly.
"I mean it"
"What you mean, doesn't mean anything to me- what-"
"MY GOD YOU'RE ANNOYING!"
"I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP!"
"SOME HELP YOU ARE!"
"WHO CARES ABOUT YOU ANYWAY?!!" screamed Lily, her eyes glittering dangerously
James fell silent. "My mum, my dad, Erica, cared about me,"
Lily, hearing this also fell silent.
James continued bitterly, "but it looks like I don't have anyone anymore" James whirled violently to face Lily. "Was that what you wanted to hear?"
Lily paled, her lips were quivering, "James..-"
James barked a harsh laugh, "My whole family died- that's why I'm so sorry, my dad, my mum and my most annoying nine-year old sister...dead! And it looks like a Dark wizard wants me dead also...-" James paled. And shook his head. "Just leave me alone, I don't know why I'm even telling you this."
"James"
"What?"
"I'm sorry too-"
"Well, this ain't your fault-" vehemently replied James.
"I was so stupid, I didn't know that Voldemort killed your-"
"You know what? That's enough"
"I-My parents died too"
James halted.
Her eyes were wet, and yet, Lily had a pained small smile. "My parents were also killed too...last year."
Lily almost gasped when she found James's eyes were wet too. James, who noticed this, turned away quickly.
"I'm sorry" choked James.
Tears came from nowhere, Lily's face were bright with tears. "I know....me too"
"I don't know why you're telling me this- it's none of my business" James croaked, his back towards Lily.
Lily sniffed. James turned surprised.
"I-I'm sorry I brought all this" not knowing what to do James took a hesitant step towards her.
"Oh don't be" Lily sarcastically muttered. "I guess I'll stick with my business rather than yours, let's not talk about this"
"Okay" James smiled weakly.
"You're an idiot James" sniffed Lily.
"Oh?" James weakly grinned.
"You're supposed to be comforting me"
"Oh" James uneasily fidgeted.
"Please don't make fun of me after this"
"Make fun of you?"
"For crying"
"Oh"
"James?"
"Yea?"
"Can I.." Lily's face grew pink, "can I hug you?"
James, not prepared for this at all, stuttered, "O-Okay"
"Thanks"
Lily threw her arms around James, her face still teary and wet. Her bright green eyes poured silent tears.
Hesitantly, James embraced her, gently rocking her, whispering, "Don't cry, I'm here, Lily, I'm here"
Chapter 3
~ I'm here ~
"The end," Dumbledore had rose up "of yet another year"
"Right, and the Slytherins won the House Cup" hissed Sirius glaring at the snickering and smirking lot of Slytherins.
James stared at a tremendous banner which showed the Slytherin serpent covering the wall behind the High Table. James turned to see Severus, along with other Slytherins sneering and enjoying their time. It was a very disgusting sight.
"And they deserved it" Lily's voice came out of nowhere.
James groaned.
"What do you mean?" asked Peter before swallowing the remains of his food.
Lily sighed. "If you keep on pulling the stunts and acts you-" her eyes quickly flashed at Sirius, "do, we'll never be able to win the House cup."
Sirius shrugged. "Guess we'll never win it, eh?"
"Guess not"
***
starting:
James's Third-Year
"REMUS! SIRIUS! OVER HERE!" hollered James saving two empty seats, aboard the Hogwarts Express.
The boy named Sirius, paused and sprinted on the train, carrying his load. The other boy, Remus, after much attempts to pick his trunk up to the compartment, failed. James, after watching the tired boy with amusement, came to help.
"Wow, Remus, you've grown" commented James, pulling on the trunk.
"yea,..." the grinning boy panted, sliding his trunk to the seats.
"Well, well, another year at Hogwarts for the Marauders, eh?" Sirius declared collapsing down.
Remus nodded, Sirius continued, "Guess, this year it'll be the usual (Their third year), you know...ah, working on the er- project..(The trio glanced at each other grimly), and well, you know"
"Hi guys!" a tiny high voice squeaked. Peter slid into their compartment.
"Hullo Peter," James glumly replied.
"What's da matter?" Peter nervously looked at James.
"Nothing" James didn't understand. Usually, he would be chattering and laughing along with his friends but...there was this churning horrible feeling that he had...
"SNAP OUT OF IT JAMES!"
"Huh?" James jumped.
"You were somewhere-what were you daydreaming about eh?"
"Nothin'" said James gruffly, his glasses sliding down his nose.
James sighed. This was yet, another long ride to Hogwarts.
***
"You think we should start working on the er- project, today or tomorrow?" whispered Sirius as soon as the Sorting Ceremony had ended.
"I think we should work on it today!" Peter's high voice grew even higher.
"Nah, t'morrow" Remus looked around with worried eyes.
"T'morrow" said James firmly agreed, staring at Professor Dumbledore talking pleasantly with another professor.
"Oh..okay" Peter's face fell.
"Ahem, " Dumbledore had stood up, and many students turned to look at the old wizard, "Now that we are all fed and well, you will be sent to your dormitories,...ah and James?"
Students looked around, James and the others stared confusedly at the headmaster.
"James Potter, ah yes, in Gryffindor" Dumbledore called out scanning the Gryffindor table.
Heads turned to James, who reddened slightly. "What's going on, you don't think he found out?" hissed Sirius, his eyes bulging.
James shook his head. "I dunno"
"Yes, James," Dumbledore's bright blue eyes landed on James's dark eyes, "you will come with me...to my office...now the rest of you are dismissed."
A sudden sound of shuffling feet started.
"If that old guy thinks sumthin's gong on, you better not tell him" Sirius warned him.
"Don't worry" was all James could say.
***
"Yes professor?" James absentmindly asked, his eyes glancing around the headmasters office. Pictures of old headmasters and headmistresses waved and smiled back at him.
The headmaster's eyes brightened as he motioned James to sit down.
James sat.
"Ah, you must be very curious to why I have sent you here Mister Potter" Dumbledore sat down wearily on his own chair. Looking at James, Dumbledore smiled and asked, "Would you like some lemon drops?"
"No thanks" replied James, wondering what on earth, lemon drops were.
James shifted nervously. "Am I in trouble?" James asked bluntly.
"No, no, you have the wrong idea. Well, might as well get straight to the point...ah okay, do you know who Lord Voldemort is?" Dumbledore's smile vanished, replaced by a grim look.
"Yes, my parents have er- warned me alot about this fellow...why?" James curiously looked up at Dumbledore.
"He, has gained a lot of power...he has also gained a lot of supporters.." said Dumbledore carefully.
"So...!?" asked James, a bit irritated.
"Many have fallen under his power,...many. I'm afraid," Dumbledore's eyes moved up to James's "that Voldemort has also taken your family also."
James blinked.
"What-What are you trying to say, headmaster?" James felt his face go pale.
"Today, it was reported that, your whole family died, with the dark mark floating over their bodies."
James felt his vision blur. Never before had he felt so light-headed and-
"I am truly sorry" James couldn't hear the rest of Dumbledore's small words of comfort. James was shaking, his whole body frigid and cold. His feelings? James didn't know what he felt. Was he suppose to feel grief or anger or perphaps loneliness?
"E-Everyone?" James croaked.
The headmaster nodded slowly his blue eyes never leaving James.
"Mum? Dad? Even E-Erica?" James hoarsely asked, doing all he could do to control his emotions.
"Yes."
SLAM
Dumbledore looked up not very startled by James's reaction. James had punched Dumbledore's table, papers and parchments flying everywhere, his dark eyes flashing with rage.
"WHY THE HELL DID HE-HE DO THAT?" James screamed to no one in particular.
Dumbledore sat quietly, his face showed much concern and understanding.
"I-I MEAN, ERICA!? WHAT COULD SHE DO TO HIM? I MEAN, SHE'S ONLY NINE YEARS OLD! SHE'S NO HARM TO THAT-" James stood, muttering swears, he nor Dumbledore never thought James knew.
James stopped abruptedly, his face very pale and white.
A very uneasy silence followed.
"T-Thank you professor" whispered James, with a curt nod, James headed for the door.
"I am sorry, James, please understand...Lord Voldemort is not a very merciful wizard...innocent blood is always shed." Dumbledore called out, "you may be excused from tomorrow's classes, if you wish"
James nodded, his face not facing the professor.
James reached for the door knob until he stopped.
He turned.
"Professor Dumbledore" his voice turned very strange, "why did Voldemort kill my parents?"
"That," Dumbledore sighed, " I do not know...but what I do know, is that the Dark Lord has his purposes, meaning," Dumbledore stood up, "if you were with your family, this afternoon- he might as well murdered you too. I think-Mister Potter, he is somewhat afraid of your family...you do know that your family are one of the most powerful wizarding families, do you not? I would be careful if I were you, it seems that Lord Voldemort may have- some very unpleasant plans for you."
James, not getting any of this, nodded and stumbled out of the office.
***
'Erica, Mum, Dad' memories flashed as James tried to shrug it away. James stumbled towards the Gryffindor tower, his foot often tripping up on a staircase.
"What are you doing here?" a very loud voice startled James, who tripped again.
Wearily getting up, James squinted, as he put on his fallen glasses, to see the last person he wanted to meet.
Lily Evans.
James was quite surprised by how much taller she grew, her hair were bright and breath-taking, her eyes...well her eyes could compare to emeralds. She would've been gorgeous, if she had not been the Lily Evans, whom James found annoying. 'What a geek' thought James, his eyes drifting at the numerous amount of textbooks she was carrying.
"What are you doing here?" repeated Lily, her eyes staring up suspiciously at James.
"I-" James croaked strangely, "I'm sorry"
"What?" Lily's face soften, as she found James's usual light, mishievious, brown eyes, were dull and filled with-with-with, sadness...Lily found that very disturbing...and yet very....
James stared at Lily. He then found himself brave enough to force out a lopsided grin.
"Nothin'" James hoarsely whispered, his grin vanishing.
James, should've known that Lily Evans was not the type of person to let things go so easily, because-
"Potter, something's wrong" Lily touched his shoulder, "I-I-I can't believe I'm saying this but, are you...are you okay?"
James, very much startled, jumped and stared at Lily's huge eyes.
"I said, nothing's wrong"
"but you-"
"who cares what I said?"
"You said that you were sorry!"
"SO?"
"So, I want to know why you're sorry!"
"I'M SORRY THAT I WASN'T THERE WHEN THEY NEEDED ME THE MOST!" exploded James.
Realizing what he had done, he quickly looked away.
"Evans, go away" he said softly.
"No" hissed Lily stubbornly.
"I mean it"
"What you mean, doesn't mean anything to me- what-"
"MY GOD YOU'RE ANNOYING!"
"I'M JUST TRYING TO HELP!"
"SOME HELP YOU ARE!"
"WHO CARES ABOUT YOU ANYWAY?!!" screamed Lily, her eyes glittering dangerously
James fell silent. "My mum, my dad, Erica, cared about me,"
Lily, hearing this also fell silent.
James continued bitterly, "but it looks like I don't have anyone anymore" James whirled violently to face Lily. "Was that what you wanted to hear?"
Lily paled, her lips were quivering, "James..-"
James barked a harsh laugh, "My whole family died- that's why I'm so sorry, my dad, my mum and my most annoying nine-year old sister...dead! And it looks like a Dark wizard wants me dead also...-" James paled. And shook his head. "Just leave me alone, I don't know why I'm even telling you this."
"James"
"What?"
"I'm sorry too-"
"Well, this ain't your fault-" vehemently replied James.
"I was so stupid, I didn't know that Voldemort killed your-"
"You know what? That's enough"
"I-My parents died too"
James halted.
Her eyes were wet, and yet, Lily had a pained small smile. "My parents were also killed too...last year."
Lily almost gasped when she found James's eyes were wet too. James, who noticed this, turned away quickly.
"I'm sorry" choked James.
Tears came from nowhere, Lily's face were bright with tears. "I know....me too"
"I don't know why you're telling me this- it's none of my business" James croaked, his back towards Lily.
Lily sniffed. James turned surprised.
"I-I'm sorry I brought all this" not knowing what to do James took a hesitant step towards her.
"Oh don't be" Lily sarcastically muttered. "I guess I'll stick with my business rather than yours, let's not talk about this"
"Okay" James smiled weakly.
"You're an idiot James" sniffed Lily.
"Oh?" James weakly grinned.
"You're supposed to be comforting me"
"Oh" James uneasily fidgeted.
"Please don't make fun of me after this"
"Make fun of you?"
"For crying"
"Oh"
"James?"
"Yea?"
"Can I.." Lily's face grew pink, "can I hug you?"
James, not prepared for this at all, stuttered, "O-Okay"
"Thanks"
Lily threw her arms around James, her face still teary and wet. Her bright green eyes poured silent tears.
Hesitantly, James embraced her, gently rocking her, whispering, "Don't cry, I'm here, Lily, I'm here"
