The Prince and the Pauper
(A Marauder Story)
Chapter Three: The Mysterious Mr. Potter
Lily couldn't have agreed more with what Donna had said. The two animated boys could keep anyone interested for hours on end. She could've sworn James Potter had reminded her of someone…. and did Madame Doufahn know that Mr. Potter had a son? She certainly hadn't known, and by the looks on the other girls' faces they hadn't known either.
"Well, they were a bit…strange," Sari said quietly, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, well what can you expect from someone who was raised in a house like this? Did you see those paintings in the hallway? And all the doors creak too," Anastasia replied.
"Oh! You don't think the house is haunted, do you?" Megan asked. Her shoulders were trembling.
"Well, I heard from Lindsay-you know, the girl in room 3? Well she heard from Margaret who heard from Dana who heard from Octavia who overheard Sandy talking to Jane who heard from…"
"Now, now Donna. You know what I always say about rumors!" Traci began.
"Rumors, rumors are no fun. Rumors always hurt someone!" all of the girls sang in a sing-song voice. They burst into giggles.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" A tall, mysterious man with dark untidy hair was in the hallway.
"Hello, sir. Am I correct in assuming that you are Mr. Edward Potter?" Lily spoke up in an oddly formal voice. The rest of the girls looked too scared to speak.
"Yes, young lady, you'd be correct, though I advise you not to assume. It can go terribly wrong at times. Now who might you be, and pray tell what your business is here at The Garden?"
Seeing their confused faces, he explained, "My late wife used to say this house was too big not to have a name. She loved flowers, said they had hidden meanings. But the point is that she named the house The Garden."
"Sir, my name is Lily Evans, and I'm from St. Bernadette's. These are my friends and roommates, Sair Lettman Donna Bosley, Traci Kryben, Megan Tonner, and Anastasia Ronsably. Madame Doufahn sent us here to give you thank you cards and a letter," Lily told Mr. Potter. At Lily's words, Sari handed the man the letter and cards.
"Thank yous? For the curtain I donated? Well, that's rich," he murmured under his breath, "Madame Doufahn is too much. Sometimes I wonder why I don't give her a chance, she certainly would cease to amuse me."
At the orphans' horrified expressions he laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm not that desperate," he chuckled.
"Well, sir, we should be going," Anastasia started to say.
"Already? Nonsense, we haven't had tea. I'll ring for it now." Mr. Potter said in a manner-of-fact tone.
And ring he did, quite literally. Scarcely a moment later a man dressed in a suit and (for some strange reason) a flowered apron was at the door.
"Charles, just the man I was looking for. I'm going into the lounge with these ladies. Bring us some tea," Mr. Potter commanded.
"Of course, Mr. P! Shall I call for Master James and Master Sirius, or is this a private affair?" Charles asked, a twinkle in his eye.
He had a thick American accent, and a big smile. Lily liked him immediately. He wasn't rude, nor was he intimidated by Mister Potter at all (which was more than she could say for some people, she noted with disgust).
"No need to do that, but please feed the cat, and see to the tea," Mr. Potter responded.
At that Lily giggled. Quietly at first, but then she couldn't contain it any longer and burst out laughing.
"Madam Evans, whatever is so funny?" Mr. Potter asked her, clearly amused.
"It rhymes! 'Just see to the tea' and 'No need to do that, but please feed the cat' Hey Mr. Potter, you're a poet and you didn't even know it!" By now Lily was choked up with laughter. (A/N: Sorry, but I had to include the whole poet and you didn't know it rhyme, it's pathetic, I know. Bare with me peoples).
"That is quite funny, Ms. Evans, though I didn't catch your name. Mr. P, how did you manage to keep you wonderful talent from me all these years?" Charles asked cheerfully.
"Her name is Lily, Charles, and could you just bring the tea?" Mr. Potter responded sharply, but his eyes betrayed his rough manner. He led the girls into a fancy room, which smelt like roses. Everything was a soft pink color, except for the white furniture.
After they were all seated, Mr. Potter began to speak again.
"So, have you met my son?" he asked.
"Yes, he was quite polite. He answered the door for us," Sari replied.
"Did he now? So then I'm guessing you had what might've been an unfortunate encounter with James's best friend, the delightful Mr. Black?" he asked, looking at the girls keenly.
"Yes we did. Sorry to say that I can't describe him and our conversation at polite. Though he's really just a big talker. No, make that a talker, as I managed to quiet him with a single comment," Lily laughed.
"Really? That's a record. Nobody can manage to get our Sirius to close his mouth normally, not even James though they spend enough time together. What on earth did you say? No, wait I don't want to know. Ahh, Charles, the tea," he indicated a spot on the round coffee table.
"Put it right there, Charles, thank you so much," Mr. Potter said, taking a sip of tea.
"No problem, Mr. P. Master Sirius has just left, his port-I mean car departed a moment ago. Master James is moping already," Charles reported.
"Already? Surely his life isn't that dull? Well, either he can walk these ladies home or he can finish up that book I'm having him read. Oh, and please alert Margo of the changes we discussed in tonight's menu. That will be all."
After Charles left, Edward Potter turned to his guests.
"I'm afraid, mademoiselles, that it is time for you to leave. If Andrea asks why you were gone for more than an hour, tell her I wished for it to be so. Thank all the girls at St. Bernadette's for the thank you cards; the curtain was my pleasure. I will notify Ms. Doufahn on the letter later this week. If you ever get the time, do stop by again. You're always welcome. I've had a good time, I must say," Mr. Potter said, in an almost regretful manner.
"Wonderful to meet you, Mr. Potter. I had a great time…maybe we should get in trouble more often if this comes out of it," Lily answered enthusiastically.
Mr. Potter laughed, "My dear Lily, you never fail to amaze me. This was supposed to be your punishment, huh? Don't know what you could've done. It was very nice to meet you Ms. Evans. Now go, and visit me soon!" he gently patted her head and showed her out of the door.
James came around the back of the house just as they were leaving.
"Just wanted to say goodbye. I have to work to finish so I can't accompany you home."
"Maybe next time. Goodbye James. Nice to meet you, and do say "hi" to Sirius when you see him," Lily smiled.
The girls walked away slowly.
"Ooh, that was such fun!" Donna exclaimed.
"It wasn't that scary," Megan admitted.
"At first it turned out bad, but then it was great. You know what I always say…" Traci began.
"Give everything a chance or two," the girls chorused.
"Well, I was thinking of 'Don't judge a book by its cover' but that expression will suffice," Traci said.
Sari took Lily by the hand as they crossed the street. She (Sari) had a troubled expression on her face.
"What is it, Sari?" Lily asked curiously.
"What? Oh, it's nothing, Flower, nothing," Sari said quietly, still looking troubled.
The other girls chatted on the way to St. Bernadette's but Lily and Sari remained quiet.
"Did any of you know Mr. Potter had a son?" Sari asked all of a sudden, making them all jump.
"No, I don't think any of us did," Anastasia shrugged.
"Doesn't anyone else find that odd?" Sari asked, looking very frustrated.
"Sure, Sa, but maybe he just never had the need to mention James. We've never seen him around, so maybe he goes to a boarding school," Lily answered quietly.
"But he's so young. And that, along with the pictures, the rumors…" Sari's voice trailed off.
"Calm down, Sari, with a rich father like Mr. Potter he probably went to boarding school his whole life. Now as I was saying…" Donna continued chatting with Anastasia.
"Come on, Sa, let's just get back to St. Bernadette's," Lily replied gently, and Sari agreed. They walked the rest of the way home in silence.
Author's Note: So, here's the third chapter! You think Sari's beginning to suspect something? And was Charles about to say 'portkey'? And why on earth do the pics move? Find out next chapter! Oh, and Lily will probably-no make that WILL find out she's a witch. I hope everyone is clear about the title thing, if not see Chapter 2 (An…. Interesting Experience).
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN LUVLY ENOUGH TO REVIEW!*!*! That people like this story! I'm amazed. I'll try to get the next chapter out either later today or tomorrow, I'm not sure if I'll have the time though. L But, back to my long-lost point. I LUV ALL YOU REVIEWERS, I'LL REVIEW YOUR FICS TOO, JUST PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING!
Thank you to:
Aurora *^* Brilliant? Really? Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it!
Fizzy *^* Thanks for reviewing once again. So you stuck with it, huh? Hope you
enjoy this chapter too.
Onecoolann *^* Glad you loved the story. I just wish this chapter is good too ::looks
hopeful:: yes, no???
Xaviera Xylira *^* Yes I did write more! Please don't start hysterically cryin! Wow, I
luv you so much right now, you're enthusiastic review meant sooo
much to me! Thanks!
Myrddin Emrys *^* Glad you like this! Hope you read (and like) this chapter too!
Black Sparkles *^* Thanks for reviewing, I'm glad you were happy w/ my fic.
Potters chik *^* HiLaRiOuS? (sorry, just felt like typing like that) That was odd…I
Never knew I was funny…if you review again, (and I hope you do) can you tell me what part was funny? I'm so thrilled you thought that…wow…
Naavi *^* I saved you for last cuz I have a bit to say. Sorry you're review got cut off…I
Think it got cut off again, actually. L Sorry! You were really excited I wrote
something? So you really did appreciate my reviews? Oh! Thanks sooo much!
I luv your stories too! You really have to get chapter 14 of Lily's Problems up
Soon! You rock girl! Oh, and I put you on my fav. author list, just to let you
know. I agree with you about the "tomorrow" song…Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer: Sari Lettman, Anastasia Ronsably, Megan Tonner, Traci Kryben, Donna Bosly, Ms. Doufahn, Charles (I LuV that guy!), Mr. Potter's character, and some other misc. stuff belongs to me, the rest goes to the brilliant goddess, queen of the reading world J.K. Rowling, so please don't sue me! I have nothing!
Thanks 4 Reading!!!
*Britz*