Chapter IX + Mistletoes and Owls
"Let's play outside in the snow!" Sirius suggested. The others looked at him excitedly.
"And… Magic 8-ball says…" Maria squinted as she shook the black ball she just received from Remus. "Yes, you should." Maria smiled and said, "Let's go!"
The 5 of them went out onto the Hogwarts grounds, in an area near Hagrid's hut. First they teamed up Remus with the girls, and James with Sirius. But in the end it looked like a 1 to 1 war, Lily vs. James.
"Take that, Potter!" Lily yelled, throwing a large sized snowball at him.
"EVANS! You'll pay!" James yelled back, shaping a snowball and hitting her with it.
"POTTTEEEERRRRR!" Lily screamed. James laughed and began chasing her around the yard.
"Popcorn?" Sirius asked as he conjured a bowl of butter popcorn. Maria and Remus both took a handful and began to eat while watching James and Lily chase each other.
"So, this is how they flirt." Remus amused. "A bit odd, but knowing its James and Lily…"
"I think they're really cute together." Maria gushed. "Isn't there someway we could get them together?"
"I don't know. We tried everything." Sirius said. "From locking them in a closet for hours, shooting cupid arrows at them on Valentines day… But none of them works. Remus and I wanted to give up. Allie just said it takes time."
"I would have to agree with Alison." Maria smiled.
A few hours after, James and Lily eventually gave up. They trooped back into the castle, changed, and went to the Christmas feast.
As they walked into the great hall, a spring of mistletoe stopped them.
"Oh no, Mistletoe." James muttered. Fortunately for James the Mistletoe stopped on top of Sirius and Maria's heads.
"Uh…" Maria blushed. Now she had to kiss Sirius! Oh, she was so embarrassed.
"Go on," Remus encouraged them. Even Lily and James were grinning widely at them.
"You don't mind, do you? Cause, the mistletoe will be on our cases if we don't." Sirius said, smiling.
"No, of course not." Maria answered. Sirius grinned, and leaned over. Maria was a bit nervous, and was about to lean forward when-
"Guys, stop staring." Sirius ordered at Remus, Lily and James.
"Sorry mate." James grinned. "Let's go to sit." James said, dragging Remus and Lily out of sight.
"Now, where was I…?" Sirius said. Maria smiled and pointed at the mistletoe.
Sirius leaned over and kissed her on the lips. It was soft, at first, and grew more passionate after a while.
Maria felt as if she was flying. She NEVER felt this way before. 'Oh my god..' She thought. 'I better stop…' She quickly pulled away.
"Sorry." Sirius said apologetically. "I tend to get a bit carried away when I kiss such a great girl."
Maria blushed again, and looked down at her shoes before answering, "It's okay. Let's eat…"
They approached the table, and sat down with their friends. Dumbledore, sitting from the High table gave them both a wink, and said, "Now that Mr. Black and Ms. White is here, let us start the feast!"
The feast started out very good. The food was so good that even Lily, who has a small stomach, had 3rd helpings! Lily was happily eating her turkey, when an owl flew into the Great Hall.
Owls didn't usually come at the evening, so everybody looked as the owl approached Lily. Lily looked around, confused, and noticed that the sparkle in Dumbledore's eyes were gone. The owl dropped a letter onto Lily's lap and flew away.
Dazed, Lily dropped her knife and fork onto the ground. She picked it up again, placed it onto the table, and opened her letter to read.
Almost all eyes were on her. Seems as everyone was dreading the same thing. Lily read her letter silently, pushed her meal away and got up, running out of the great hall, leaving her letter on the table.
All eyes watched her go. James watched her intensely, not knowing what to do or say. He knew what was going on. What else could be going on? He reached for the letter and read it carefully.
Dear Miss Evans,
I am sorry to inform you that your parents, named by Denver Evans and Rose McTyre Evans, have been killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Seeing that you have not reached the age of 18 years, you and your sister Petunia Evans are now in custody of Mrs. Daisy McTyre.
Sincerely yours,
Harold Kent
Ministry of Magic.
James immediately stood up and ran out the Great Hall, clutching Lily's letter.
"JAMES!" Sirius, Remus and Maria called out. They went after him, but as they reached the doors of the great hall, Dumbledore stopped him.
"Better to leave them alone." Dumbledore said quietly. "Miss Evans needs her time, and space."
"Yes, but… what happened Professor?" Sirius asked. "And I'm afraid of James being there will make it worse!"
"You will know when Miss Evans decides to tell you." Dumbledore answered.
"But-" Sirius started to argue. Remus stopped him.
"Professor… I've seen it happen." Maria suddenly spoke. "I had a…vision… a few days ago…"
"Miss White, I believe you should come with me." Dumbledore said. Maria nodded and followed Dumbledore to his office.
"What is she talking about?" Sirius asked. Remus sighed and said, "Sirius, I think this is the time where we should mind our own business. I know you are curious and all, and you care about Lily, but…"
Sirius nodded in understanding.
***
"Lily?" James called out softly, as he entered the girl's dorm. The Marauder's Map said that she was in there, and the map never lies.
"Lily…" James called out again. He found a red-headed girl sitting on her bed, hugging her knees, crying.
"Oh my god… Lily…" James said, as he approached her. Lily buried her face in while hugging her knees, and her body was shaking.
"Lily…" James said, daintily touching her arm. "Oh Come on Lily, please don't be like this."
The only answer he got was a muffled sob.
"Lily…" James said again, trying to lift her face to meet his. She did look at him. Her face was pale, her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was a mess.
"Come on Lils, don't cry…" James said, cupping her head in his hands. A tear slide down her cheek and James wiped it away with his thumb. Lily was trying her best to avoid eye contact with him. Lily had stopped crying, but James could still her muffled sniffles.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James asked. "Sometimes after you talk about it, you'll feel better…"
"My parents just died- they were killed, murdered probably, by stupid Voldie!" Lily snapped. "And stupid Petunia, thinks its all MY stupid fault since I'm the stupid FREAK!" Lily handed James another letter.
HEY FREAK
I HATE YOU! BECAUSE OF YOUR FREAKY ABNORMALITY MUM AND DAD ARE GONE! IT'S YOUR ENTIRE FAULT! IF YOU HADN'T BECAME A FREAK, NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPEN! I HATE YOU, YOU FREAK!
PETUNIA
Everyone knew that Lily and her sister never got along, but James thought this was just way too much. James scooted closer to her and pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay Lils… I know what you're going through." James said, stroking her hair.
"No you don't! You and your perfect little life!" Lily exclaimed, pulling back. James just sighed.
"No Lily, you don't know anything about me. You don't know what happened to my parents. You don't know why that happened to them." James said in a mellow voice.
"What happened?" Lily asked, sniffing. She looked up at James with her big green eyes. Her eyes looked so life-less, so dead. Not like her usual bright, lively eyes.
"Do you know anything about Mages?" James asked.
"Um… they're supposed to be really special and rare and powerful. I think they can do wand less magic, and be smart without trying or smth… " Lily shrugged. "I heard Voldemort was one."
"Yes…" James started. But before he continued, Lily looked at him in bewilderment and shock. "Oh my god! You're one too, aren't you?"
"Yes… how could you have figured it out?" James asked.
"Well, you were asking about Mages, and the part about 'being smart without trying' gave it away." Lily said, her lips forming a small smile.
James couldn't help but grin at her. "Yes… anyway, Voldemort killed my parents. He wants me on his side, but I don't want to. Never will." James looked down at his shoes.
Lily was dumbfounded. She never thought THAT was coming. She never thought Voldemort was after him. Him, James Potter. After she thought he had the perfect life.
"Please don't tell anyone." James pleaded. "Only Dumbledore and McGonagall, Sirius, Remus, my grandmother from my mother's side, and you know."
"Well, I'm no Rita Skeeter." Lily said. 'I can't believe he just told me his deepest secret. Oh my god…' Lily thought. 'Wait, I can't believe I was just crying in front of him. And we hugged. And we're both acting really civil. And he's calling me by my first name. Oh my god…'
"Lily? Are you okay?" James asked. Lily snapped out of her trance and turned to look at James. She tilted her head and nodded. 'She looks so cute like that…' James thought, as Lily continued to look at him.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked as she noticed a tinge of red on his cheeks. James shook his head violently. "No, nothings wrong."
"Okay." Lily said. She scanned around her room and took Petunia's letter.
"What are you going to do?" James asked, watching her put on her slippers.
"You'll see." Lily answered as she opened the door and headed down to the common room. James tagged behind her curiously.
Lily stood in front of the fireplace, staring intently at the cackling flames. She looked down to her right hand, which was clutching Petunia's letter, and took a deep breath. James hurriedly walked to her side and held her left hand. Lily didn't flinch; she just kept on staring into the flames, before she threw the letter into the flames.
James held Lily's hand tighter as they both watched the letter burn into ashes. James looked at Lily and noticed another single tear sliding down her cheek.
"They're g-gone…" Lily sobbed. "Both of them… M-mum and Dad…I can't ever see them again…" Lily continued. James pulled her into another hug. "A-a-I can't b-b-believe it… they're not here… a-and Petunia hates me even more…" Lily sobbed, practically soaking James's robes. "I'm all a-alone… N-no ones here to protect me anymore…"
"Sshh Lily, it's gonna be alright, I promise!" James said. "There's Sirius, Remus, Alison, they can all protect you. You're not alone Lily… and I promise I will always be there for you, I will always protect you…" James said, rocking her.
"Mummy… Daddy… I love you guys… " Lily cried. "I will miss you guys so much… Mummy… Daddy… without you guys, I'm nothing…"
"I'm sure your parents wouldn't like to hear that, Lily." James said. "I bet they want their youngest daughter to be strong. Come on Lily be strong, for them. I'm sure they're in heaven watching down on you."
"But… I'm all alone, I have no one…" Lily wept, burying her face in James's robes.
"Lily, you have me. I swear…" James said earnestly. James somehow felt as if he wanted to take care of Lily so much, as if he was destined to do so. To him, Lily was so fragile and he, James, needed to take care of her.
"James… why are you so nice to me? You're calling me by my first name, and all." Lily asked suddenly. "You shouldn't be so nice to me! I don't deserve it…"
"Lily, don't say that. Please. You are a wonderful girl and you deserve the best in life." James replied, tilting her face up to meet his. Lily sniffed, and looked up to look at James's intense brown eyes. She closed her own eyes and felt soft lips brushing against hers.
James kissed her softly, and when Lily opened her mouth slightly, James teased her tongue with his. Lily let out a small groan of pleasure, and James softly caressed Lily's back. What seemed like hours, were actually only a couple of minutes. But suddenly Lily pulled back.
"James Potter, you imbecile!" Lily screamed. "You heartless, arrogant PIG!" Lily continued, her green eyes flashing with anger. "How DARE you!" She raised her hand and slapped him hard, on the cheek. With one more look of fury, Lily stomped up to her dorm, leaving James speechless.
***
"Let's play outside in the snow!" Sirius suggested. The others looked at him excitedly.
"And… Magic 8-ball says…" Maria squinted as she shook the black ball she just received from Remus. "Yes, you should." Maria smiled and said, "Let's go!"
The 5 of them went out onto the Hogwarts grounds, in an area near Hagrid's hut. First they teamed up Remus with the girls, and James with Sirius. But in the end it looked like a 1 to 1 war, Lily vs. James.
"Take that, Potter!" Lily yelled, throwing a large sized snowball at him.
"EVANS! You'll pay!" James yelled back, shaping a snowball and hitting her with it.
"POTTTEEEERRRRR!" Lily screamed. James laughed and began chasing her around the yard.
"Popcorn?" Sirius asked as he conjured a bowl of butter popcorn. Maria and Remus both took a handful and began to eat while watching James and Lily chase each other.
"So, this is how they flirt." Remus amused. "A bit odd, but knowing its James and Lily…"
"I think they're really cute together." Maria gushed. "Isn't there someway we could get them together?"
"I don't know. We tried everything." Sirius said. "From locking them in a closet for hours, shooting cupid arrows at them on Valentines day… But none of them works. Remus and I wanted to give up. Allie just said it takes time."
"I would have to agree with Alison." Maria smiled.
A few hours after, James and Lily eventually gave up. They trooped back into the castle, changed, and went to the Christmas feast.
As they walked into the great hall, a spring of mistletoe stopped them.
"Oh no, Mistletoe." James muttered. Fortunately for James the Mistletoe stopped on top of Sirius and Maria's heads.
"Uh…" Maria blushed. Now she had to kiss Sirius! Oh, she was so embarrassed.
"Go on," Remus encouraged them. Even Lily and James were grinning widely at them.
"You don't mind, do you? Cause, the mistletoe will be on our cases if we don't." Sirius said, smiling.
"No, of course not." Maria answered. Sirius grinned, and leaned over. Maria was a bit nervous, and was about to lean forward when-
"Guys, stop staring." Sirius ordered at Remus, Lily and James.
"Sorry mate." James grinned. "Let's go to sit." James said, dragging Remus and Lily out of sight.
"Now, where was I…?" Sirius said. Maria smiled and pointed at the mistletoe.
Sirius leaned over and kissed her on the lips. It was soft, at first, and grew more passionate after a while.
Maria felt as if she was flying. She NEVER felt this way before. 'Oh my god..' She thought. 'I better stop…' She quickly pulled away.
"Sorry." Sirius said apologetically. "I tend to get a bit carried away when I kiss such a great girl."
Maria blushed again, and looked down at her shoes before answering, "It's okay. Let's eat…"
They approached the table, and sat down with their friends. Dumbledore, sitting from the High table gave them both a wink, and said, "Now that Mr. Black and Ms. White is here, let us start the feast!"
The feast started out very good. The food was so good that even Lily, who has a small stomach, had 3rd helpings! Lily was happily eating her turkey, when an owl flew into the Great Hall.
Owls didn't usually come at the evening, so everybody looked as the owl approached Lily. Lily looked around, confused, and noticed that the sparkle in Dumbledore's eyes were gone. The owl dropped a letter onto Lily's lap and flew away.
Dazed, Lily dropped her knife and fork onto the ground. She picked it up again, placed it onto the table, and opened her letter to read.
Almost all eyes were on her. Seems as everyone was dreading the same thing. Lily read her letter silently, pushed her meal away and got up, running out of the great hall, leaving her letter on the table.
All eyes watched her go. James watched her intensely, not knowing what to do or say. He knew what was going on. What else could be going on? He reached for the letter and read it carefully.
Dear Miss Evans,
I am sorry to inform you that your parents, named by Denver Evans and Rose McTyre Evans, have been killed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Seeing that you have not reached the age of 18 years, you and your sister Petunia Evans are now in custody of Mrs. Daisy McTyre.
Sincerely yours,
Harold Kent
Ministry of Magic.
James immediately stood up and ran out the Great Hall, clutching Lily's letter.
"JAMES!" Sirius, Remus and Maria called out. They went after him, but as they reached the doors of the great hall, Dumbledore stopped him.
"Better to leave them alone." Dumbledore said quietly. "Miss Evans needs her time, and space."
"Yes, but… what happened Professor?" Sirius asked. "And I'm afraid of James being there will make it worse!"
"You will know when Miss Evans decides to tell you." Dumbledore answered.
"But-" Sirius started to argue. Remus stopped him.
"Professor… I've seen it happen." Maria suddenly spoke. "I had a…vision… a few days ago…"
"Miss White, I believe you should come with me." Dumbledore said. Maria nodded and followed Dumbledore to his office.
"What is she talking about?" Sirius asked. Remus sighed and said, "Sirius, I think this is the time where we should mind our own business. I know you are curious and all, and you care about Lily, but…"
Sirius nodded in understanding.
***
"Lily?" James called out softly, as he entered the girl's dorm. The Marauder's Map said that she was in there, and the map never lies.
"Lily…" James called out again. He found a red-headed girl sitting on her bed, hugging her knees, crying.
"Oh my god… Lily…" James said, as he approached her. Lily buried her face in while hugging her knees, and her body was shaking.
"Lily…" James said, daintily touching her arm. "Oh Come on Lily, please don't be like this."
The only answer he got was a muffled sob.
"Lily…" James said again, trying to lift her face to meet his. She did look at him. Her face was pale, her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was a mess.
"Come on Lils, don't cry…" James said, cupping her head in his hands. A tear slide down her cheek and James wiped it away with his thumb. Lily was trying her best to avoid eye contact with him. Lily had stopped crying, but James could still her muffled sniffles.
"Do you want to talk about it?" James asked. "Sometimes after you talk about it, you'll feel better…"
"My parents just died- they were killed, murdered probably, by stupid Voldie!" Lily snapped. "And stupid Petunia, thinks its all MY stupid fault since I'm the stupid FREAK!" Lily handed James another letter.
HEY FREAK
I HATE YOU! BECAUSE OF YOUR FREAKY ABNORMALITY MUM AND DAD ARE GONE! IT'S YOUR ENTIRE FAULT! IF YOU HADN'T BECAME A FREAK, NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPEN! I HATE YOU, YOU FREAK!
PETUNIA
Everyone knew that Lily and her sister never got along, but James thought this was just way too much. James scooted closer to her and pulled her into a hug.
"It's okay Lils… I know what you're going through." James said, stroking her hair.
"No you don't! You and your perfect little life!" Lily exclaimed, pulling back. James just sighed.
"No Lily, you don't know anything about me. You don't know what happened to my parents. You don't know why that happened to them." James said in a mellow voice.
"What happened?" Lily asked, sniffing. She looked up at James with her big green eyes. Her eyes looked so life-less, so dead. Not like her usual bright, lively eyes.
"Do you know anything about Mages?" James asked.
"Um… they're supposed to be really special and rare and powerful. I think they can do wand less magic, and be smart without trying or smth… " Lily shrugged. "I heard Voldemort was one."
"Yes…" James started. But before he continued, Lily looked at him in bewilderment and shock. "Oh my god! You're one too, aren't you?"
"Yes… how could you have figured it out?" James asked.
"Well, you were asking about Mages, and the part about 'being smart without trying' gave it away." Lily said, her lips forming a small smile.
James couldn't help but grin at her. "Yes… anyway, Voldemort killed my parents. He wants me on his side, but I don't want to. Never will." James looked down at his shoes.
Lily was dumbfounded. She never thought THAT was coming. She never thought Voldemort was after him. Him, James Potter. After she thought he had the perfect life.
"Please don't tell anyone." James pleaded. "Only Dumbledore and McGonagall, Sirius, Remus, my grandmother from my mother's side, and you know."
"Well, I'm no Rita Skeeter." Lily said. 'I can't believe he just told me his deepest secret. Oh my god…' Lily thought. 'Wait, I can't believe I was just crying in front of him. And we hugged. And we're both acting really civil. And he's calling me by my first name. Oh my god…'
"Lily? Are you okay?" James asked. Lily snapped out of her trance and turned to look at James. She tilted her head and nodded. 'She looks so cute like that…' James thought, as Lily continued to look at him.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked as she noticed a tinge of red on his cheeks. James shook his head violently. "No, nothings wrong."
"Okay." Lily said. She scanned around her room and took Petunia's letter.
"What are you going to do?" James asked, watching her put on her slippers.
"You'll see." Lily answered as she opened the door and headed down to the common room. James tagged behind her curiously.
Lily stood in front of the fireplace, staring intently at the cackling flames. She looked down to her right hand, which was clutching Petunia's letter, and took a deep breath. James hurriedly walked to her side and held her left hand. Lily didn't flinch; she just kept on staring into the flames, before she threw the letter into the flames.
James held Lily's hand tighter as they both watched the letter burn into ashes. James looked at Lily and noticed another single tear sliding down her cheek.
"They're g-gone…" Lily sobbed. "Both of them… M-mum and Dad…I can't ever see them again…" Lily continued. James pulled her into another hug. "A-a-I can't b-b-believe it… they're not here… a-and Petunia hates me even more…" Lily sobbed, practically soaking James's robes. "I'm all a-alone… N-no ones here to protect me anymore…"
"Sshh Lily, it's gonna be alright, I promise!" James said. "There's Sirius, Remus, Alison, they can all protect you. You're not alone Lily… and I promise I will always be there for you, I will always protect you…" James said, rocking her.
"Mummy… Daddy… I love you guys… " Lily cried. "I will miss you guys so much… Mummy… Daddy… without you guys, I'm nothing…"
"I'm sure your parents wouldn't like to hear that, Lily." James said. "I bet they want their youngest daughter to be strong. Come on Lily be strong, for them. I'm sure they're in heaven watching down on you."
"But… I'm all alone, I have no one…" Lily wept, burying her face in James's robes.
"Lily, you have me. I swear…" James said earnestly. James somehow felt as if he wanted to take care of Lily so much, as if he was destined to do so. To him, Lily was so fragile and he, James, needed to take care of her.
"James… why are you so nice to me? You're calling me by my first name, and all." Lily asked suddenly. "You shouldn't be so nice to me! I don't deserve it…"
"Lily, don't say that. Please. You are a wonderful girl and you deserve the best in life." James replied, tilting her face up to meet his. Lily sniffed, and looked up to look at James's intense brown eyes. She closed her own eyes and felt soft lips brushing against hers.
James kissed her softly, and when Lily opened her mouth slightly, James teased her tongue with his. Lily let out a small groan of pleasure, and James softly caressed Lily's back. What seemed like hours, were actually only a couple of minutes. But suddenly Lily pulled back.
"James Potter, you imbecile!" Lily screamed. "You heartless, arrogant PIG!" Lily continued, her green eyes flashing with anger. "How DARE you!" She raised her hand and slapped him hard, on the cheek. With one more look of fury, Lily stomped up to her dorm, leaving James speechless.
***
