Chapter 2: Early Celebrations
Authors Note: I'm really, really sorry for this taking such a long time to write and post, but I've been having a really hard time lately in my private life, and it's caused a major case of writers block, which I am pleased to announce is over. Happily, new chapters will be published much more regularly from now on.
Dedication:
1: to a boy at school, who hopefully will never read this, for inspiration for a truly awful name
2: for the real Eleanor, who I love very much, and might just someday find this here
There were no lessons the next day, because it was a Saturday. The new third years decided to take this as a cause for celebration, and went into Hogsmeade for the day. "Are you sure we should be doing this?" Peter asked tremulously. "It being the first day back and all?"
"Nonsense, Pete," James said firmly.
"We're technically allowed to go to Hogsmeade this year," Sirius added.
"Yeah, but technically only on set weekends, Siri," Remus said, grinning.
"Don't hear you complaining, oh mighty Remus," Lily joked.
"I'm not," Remus replied shortly.
So with no further discussion, they made their way into Hogsmeade, and straight to Zonko's Trick Shop, which, oddly enough, they had never been in before. Their previous trips had consisted of Honeydukes and the Three Broomsticks.
Zonko's was a prankster's heaven. Their eyes lit up as they entered, and they passed the best part of two hours there, as well as most of their money. Zonko's was a huge shop, split into tiny, narrow aisles with shelves that reached up to the ceiling. For such a large shop, it was remarkably un-dusty, and they attributed this to the fact that as it was such a brilliant shop, it must be constantly busy (even though they were the only ones in it). There was a constant shimmer in the air, as customers, (usually Sirius or James), demanded to see a demonstration of a product.
They pooled their money, set aside enough for a few drinks at the Three Broomsticks, and started buying. They bought several packets of Filibuster Fireworks, which both James and Sirius had been banned from since they were small, a packet of Dungbombs, ("We don't want to use to many of them," Lily advised cautiously), and several other things, including a pellet that, when it came into contact with a hat, made it shrink, then return with a pop. As the others were piling their purchases on the counter, Sirius came running towards them.
"Oh my god! Look at this!" he yelled. He came to a sudden stop as he banged into the counter and stared up at the shop wizard. "Does it really do what it says?"
"Of course it does!" the man spluttered indignantly. He was a tall, thin wizard with bright purple eyes and hair, and a slightly mad-professorish look to him. However, his eyes twinkled with mischief, and it was not hard to imagine him as a naughty, prank playing thirteen-year old. "All my products work, it is a guarantee."
"Can we see a demo then?" Sirius demanded. "We'll pay for that as well."
"Of course," the wizard said amiably. "Who will it be?"
"Lily," Sirius said promptly.
"Err…I don't think so… is that a good idea?" the wizard stuttered.
"I'll do it," Lily said, unable to resist the challenge, as Sirius had guessed.
"Ok," the man said sceptically. He bent over the counter and poured a few drops of a clear, sparkling liquid onto Lily.
The boys watched in amazement as the drops shimmered and spread out, covering Lily's robes completely. Within seconds, the robes had disappeared, leaving Lily in only a vest and shorts, for it was a warm autumn's day.
"You bastard!" Lily swore at Sirius, whacking him around the head.
**************
"I can't believe you did that!" Lily said, still annoyed, when they had left Zonko's. "What if I hadn't been wearing anything under my robes?"
"Then it would have been even better!" Sirius grinned. James made a disgusted noise.
"Excuse me," Lily demanded rounding on him, "What are you trying to say?"
"That you're ugly," James replied promptly.
"Break it up, lads," Remus laughed, "We're at the Three Broomsticks." They pushed open the swing doors and sauntered in casually. They walked up to the bar, looking around for Rosmerta, who they had met on a previous visit. However, the first person they saw was Madam Jade, her mother.
"Well hello again," she said, smiling at them. "Only your first day back and you're here already? Five butterbeers is it?"
"Yes, please," Sirius said. "Where's Rosmerta?"
Madam Jade's smile widened, she knew her daughter genuinely liked these five children.
"I'll just fetch her. But don't you distract her from working."
"We won't," they said cheerfully. Within minutes, Rosmerta had come out to the front of the pub, and exclaimed with delight at seeing them again.
"It's been a long time!" she said. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you all again."
"Christmas, wasn't it?" Remus said.
"But we'll be here more often this year," Lily said. "We're actually allowed to come to the village this year."
"Will you even want to come if you're allowed?" Rosmerta asked. "But how long does it take you to get here? Because you do know its half five already?"
"Oh crap! We're going to miss dinner!" Peter and Sirius yelled in unison.
"Stop whining," James said shortly. "We'll only be a little late."
"But its dinner!" Sirius said, looking at them with puppy-dog eyes.
"We'll just finish this one drink, then, Siri," Lily said comfortingly.
But one drink turned to two, and tow to four, and before they knew it, and hour and a half had passed. Upon realising this, they hurriedly packed up and left. Of course, by the time they got back to Hogwarts, dinner was long over, so before going to the Gryffindor Tower, they stopped off at the kitchens. #
As they tried to walk quietly through the Common room, James bumped into Steve Black.
"Hullo," Steve said coldly. "Wherever have you been? We had to cover for you; McGonagall wanted to know where you all were."
They stared at him, aghast. "What did you say?"
"That you were practising Quidditch."
The third years heaved a sigh of relief. That was the one excuse McGonagall was likely to believe. "Thank you Steve," Sirius said sincerely.
"Just make sure you do the same for me if I'm ever in need."
"Don't be," Sirius grinned. "I don't want you turning out like me." Steve stuck his tongue out.
"Made any friends yet, Stevie?" Lily asked casually. She dropped into the nearest chair, mindless of the fact that Remus was already sat in it.
"OY, Lily, get off!" Remus yelled.
"Yeah, I have actually," Steve said, indicating three people sitting on the floor around him. A girl with dark blonde hair smiled cheerfully up at Lily, a boy with bright golden hair looked up shyly, and another girl, with soft brown hair and eyes glared sullenly at them.
"Hi," Lily said, a bit unnerved by the dislike simmering in the eyes of the brown haired girl. "I'm Lily."
"I'm Eleanor," said the first girl brightly. "But I much prefer to be called Len. How do you know Steve?"
"I'm his brother," Sirius said, stepping forward and bowing with a flourish, earning himself delighted looks from the two girls. Deciding that such an opportunity was not to be missed, James and Steve joined together to push Sirius over, and he ended up sprawled at the feet of the second girl, still smiling charmingly. "Who are you?" he asked. "I'm Rose," the girl replied, noticeably flourishing under Sirius' attention. "But people tend to call me Thorn."
"Why?"
"'Cos I'm always getting into trouble," she replied with a mischievous grin that was utterly unlike any expression that had crossed her face previously.
"I like you already," Sirius said, sharing a grin with the younger girl.
"So what's your name?" Lily asked the shy looking boy gently. From where they were ranged about, the rest of the group stared intently. To their surprise, the boy glared back at them. Steve snickered behind his hand.
When the boy didn't answer, James demanded imperiously, "Well, what is your name?" Again, Steve laughed, and this seemed to give the boy some courage.
"Murgatroyd Harrison Jones," he said defiantly. Steve burst into loud, open laughter, while the others stared in shock. "Have you got a problem with it?"
Suddenly the floodgates opened and the others were also roaring with laughter. "What were your parents thinking?" Sirius chortled.
"See! This always happens! I hate my name! I HATE it!" the unfortunate boy said fiercely, looking most upset.
Lily alone had managed, with difficulty, to keep from laughing, because she saw the boy was really upset. Now after swallowing once to choke back laughter, she asked practically, "If you hate your name, what would you like to be called?"
The boy looked up at her, confused. "Well, I've always liked the name Sammie…"
"Sammie it is then," Lily interrupted happily. "From now on we'll call you Sammie, and anyone who doesn't will have to answer to us!" she indicated the third years. "Won't they?"
"Of course," Remus answered stoutly, despite finding it very hard to breath with Lily on top of him.
"Whenever a friend is in need, we are there to defend his honour," Sirius said. Lily rolled her eyes. When she realised James was not going to add his promise, she kicked him.
"OW! Ok, Sammie it is," he answered hurriedly.
"Hello Sammie, pleased to meet you," Lily said, laughing. From his place on the floor, Murgatroyd Harrison Jones, now known as Sammie, looked up at Lily with adoring eyes. arr
**************
Well, that's the end of this chapter. Remember, reviews make me happy, and being happy makes me write more!