Disclaimer: Anything you recognise does not belong to me it belongs to JK
Rowling. I'm not making anything from this, so please don't sue me.
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, please keep them coming in and you will get chapters quicker (over 40 would be an incentive for me to finish checking CH7). Hope you like this chapter; it's the start of a slippery slope for James once again.
BROTHERS
December saw that life had settled down, life in the Griffindor tower was peaceful due to the distinct lack of pranks. The rest of the student body also seemed to be heaving a sigh of relief, as the School's biggest pranksters were preoccupied with other matters.
As the first week in December was coming to an end the Marauders plus four sixth year girls had taken up the seats for breakfast and were enjoying a selection of pancakes and muffins. The post arrived in a flurry off activity and students grabbed at their descending letters and packages.
Picking up the letter that had fell on her breakfast Lily recognised the writing and giggled. James eyed her suspiciously. Ripping it open she quickly read the contents and glanced over at Dumbledore he smiled and waved a similar looking letter at her.
Lily let out a loud "WOOHOO" and then noticed the horrified look on her friend's faces. Blushing she said, "Rowan's coming to Hogwart's" and giggled again. Aggy who had met Rowan on number of occasions soon joined her and the girls giggled together like first years.
Annie put James out of his misery and said "Lily's brother"
Finally calming down Lily took a big gulp of pumpkin juice and smiled at the others but before she could say anything
Dumbledore stood up "May I have your attention…I am pleased to inform you that on Sunday the Quidditch house teams will be treated to a training session run by a selection of professional players…Details will be posted in your common rooms…Thank you"
Talk in the Great hall was soon filled with nothing but Quidditch and speculation about which players it would be. Lily listened as Sirius and James discussed who they would like it to be and laughed.
Eventually James remembered what Annie had said before Dumbledore had announced the training session. Turning to Lily he said, "You never said you had a brother?"
Lily shrugged and said "James we have only been friends for about four weeks…give me a chance."
"Well aren't you going to tell us about him?" asked Marie
Nodding Lily said, "Rowan is a lot older than me about 8/9 years. He is also magical and came to Hogwart's. I don't get to see very much of him as he is doing research for the ministry in America somewhere"
Remus gave Lily a confused look "But I thought your parent's were Muggle's?"
"They were but I guess they got lucky" sighing at the thought of her parent's she said "although my sister wouldn't agree…I'm sure she would have killed me by now if it hadn't been for Rowan."
"So when's he coming?" James asked a little apprehensively
"This Friday" she beamed.
Sitting at lunch on Friday Lily was as high as a kite excitedly telling everyone that Rowan would be here in four hours. Her friends were dumfounded; they had never seen her this excited. She had barely managed to concentrate in classes since she had got the letter on Wednesday.
James was a different kettle of fish all together. He had been dreading the arrival of Friday ever since Lily had got the letter. Meeting Rowan was as good as meeting her parent's. All he had thought about since Wednesday was What if he doesn't like me?…What if I make a fool of myself?…Oh god this is not good
As the afternoon progressed Lily even managed to smile at Professor Greenhaulgh the dreaded potion's mistress and lost 5 points for doing so.
Running out of the dungeons at the end of the lesson Lily dragged James with her.
"Come on James…Rowan will be here by now" and holding his hand she pulled him towards Dumbledore's office.
But before they got there Lily let go of his hand as she saw a tall red headed man emerging from behind the gargoyle outside Dumbledore's office.
Turning to see his sister running towards him Rowan laughed and got ready for the advancing teenager he thought God she is getting far to beautiful for her own good and he noticed the tall young man who was following Lily along the corridor.
"Rowan…Rowan…Hi" Lily shouted "I've missed you" she said as she flung her self into his arms.
"Hello Lily flower…I've missed you too" and he hugged her.
James held back slightly as he watched the reunion between the brother and sister. He was surprised to see how much the two looked alike and then he realised they were both coming towards him. He smiled awkwardly at them.
"Rowan I would like you to meet James my boyfriend" Lily beamed at the two men
James held out his hand and Rowan gripped it firmly and said "It's nice to meet you James" but the look in his eye did not agree with the words he had said.
James winced slightly "It's nice to meet you too"
Oblivious to the scene developing Lily said "Come on you two let's go to the great hall it's almost dinner time." And she walked between them holding both their hands.
Walking into the Great hall Lily beamed at her friends. Sitting down she introduced Rowan to all of them.
The three girls swooned slightly at Lily's brother and the boy's looked apprehensive.
As dinner progressed Aggy said "How long are you staying Rowan?"
Smiling he said "I don't need to be back at the ministry until Monday morning, so I'm here for the whole weekend"
Remus noticed the anxious look on James face and felt sorry for his friend.
"Are you stopping at the Castle?" Remus asked
"Yes… Dumbledore has arranged for me to have some rooms up in the Gryffindor tower isn't that great!" and with this statement he smiled at James.
Lily said, "Cool" but James thought the world was coming to an end.
Later that evening James sat in his dorm feeling miserable. Rowan had shot him warning looks all night and he just couldn't take anymore. Remus came into the room.
"Prong's what are you doing in here?"
Sighing "Moony…I just can't take much more"
Laughing at the look of despair on his friends face "He's not that bad…Come down to the common room before Lily comes up here looking for you"
"Fine…That's all I need to get caught with Lily in here." And he followed Remus.
Joining the others around the fire James started to relax as he listen to Sirius tell the others about the last detention he'd had. As Lily and Rowan entered the common room Lily was glad to see all her friends sitting in their usual spot.
"Hi guys"
Looking up the others waved at her and Aggy moved to sit on Remus's knee so that Rowan could have the armchair. Lily moved towards James and to his relief squeezed in between him and Sirius on the sofa.
Rowan chuckled to him self at the look on the Sixth year's face.
"Glad to see the common room hasn't changed much since I was here…Does McGonagall still patrol…or has the old bat calmed down?" Rowan asked
Sirius laughed "No…she still patrols…but as long as we keep the noise down she's not to bad"
"Lily said you are working in America for the Ministry" Remus asked
"Yeah…I'm doing research into native magical creatures…It's a joint project between the two magical ministries." Noticing the interested looks on their faces "It's not that interesting, just a lot of mundane creatures to catalogue"
James relaxed slowly as the evening progressed and the teenagers told Rowan all about school and they laughed at his stories about the teachers. He couldn't believe that Greenhaulgh was still here and still dishing out punishment to Gryffindor's. The laughter was soon cut short as the portrait door opened.
A stern looking Professor McGonagall stood looking at the group "I might have known…I think it would be wise if you all went to your dormitories…Mr Evans I thought you should have more sense!"
Standing up "Yes Professor…sorry Professor and Professor" he paused as she turned back to look at him "It's nice to see you again" and he smiled at her.
"Um…Yes… now can we all go to bed please" and as she walked out she thought with a smile Something's never change – thank god.
Back in the Gryffindor common room the group looked at each other and then fell about laughing.
Rowan broke it up saying "I think we had better do as she says before she comes back and tries to gives me detention" grabbing hold of Lily's hand he said "How about I treat you and James to lunch in Hogsmeade tomorrow. Meet you at 12.30 in the Three Broomsticks."
Hugging him she said "That will be great…See you in the morning…Night Rowan…I love you"
Kissing her on the forehead "Good night little Lily flower…I love you too" and with this he went through the portrait.
Reaching the top of the stairs Lily felt a pair of arms wrap around her "Alone at last" and James kissed her.
Pulling away from him Lily ran a finger down his face and whispered "Good night Potter" and she was gone.
"Do you plan on sleeping the whole day?" Rowan sprinkled water on Lily
At the rude awakening and before she looked lily shouted "Potter…you are dead meat!" and turned over to see that it wasn't James Potter but her brother throwing water on her. Lily laughed at the expression on his face. "Thank you Rowan…I thought you loved me" she said, "What time is it any way?
"It is 8 O'clock and why did you think I might be James?" he gave her a curious look.
"Because it is the sort of prank he would pull and yes I'm getting up " waiting for him to move she said "Rowan…I don't need any help…I'll see you in the common room"
Blushing slightly he said "Urr…Ok…see you in the common room"
Lily and her friends joined Rowan 20 minutes later and they sat down but didn't have to wait long before the boys joined them. Once all together they headed down to the Great hall.
Finishing his bacon Rowan turned to Lily "Right…I'll see you at 12.30 in the Three Broomsticks…I need to discuss a few things with Dumbledore…so I'll see you guys later". Leaning over he kissed Lily on the forehead and walked over to the teacher's table.
James sighed and thought At least I get her to myself till lunchtime and he smiled.
Annie made to get up and said "I'll see you later as well…I'm going out with Danny…and here he is" getting up she liked arms with him and they wandered out of the Great hall.
Peter started to fidget in his seat and said "I'm…I'm…supposed to be meeting Morag this morning…so I had better get going as well" and he quickly scurried away.
Marie looked at the others "He doesn't mean the Slytherin does he?"
Remus nodded and Sirius and James shook their heads at the thought.
The remaining six headed back to the tower and spent the morning playing chess and chilling out in the common room.
Putting their winter cloaks on Lily and James headed for the statue of the one-eyed witch and followed the passage way to Hogsmeades. It was only 11.30 so they had plenty of time. Emerging in the basement of Honeydukes they stopped to buy some candies before they walked in the direction of the Three Broomsticks.
James held the door open for Lily and they walked over to the bar.
"Would you like a butterbeer…were a bit early?" James asked
Slipping her arm around him she said "Yes please and James relax…its only Rowan"
Raising his eyebrows as she patted his bottom "That's easy for you to say…He loves you and looks at me like he might kill me at any moment"
Lily laughed at him "James don't be ridiculous" and she left her hand resting on his bottom as she sipped her Butterbeer.
What the two teenagers didn't know was that they were been watched from a table at the back of the pub.
Rowan couldn't cope any more and stood up "Lily over here" he shouted and smiled as he watched her move her hand and blush. James thought That's it I am dead for sure.
Walking over to her brother he motioned to a table and smiled at the expression on Lily's face. Sat at the table were three of his old school friends.
Forgetting all about James Lily dashed over to the group of men who had stood up to greet her.
"Ditchard…I can't believe it," she said as she hugged the first of them a tall blonde.
Laughing at her old nickname for him "Hello little Lily flower…How are you doing?"
"Better for seeing you" and she let go and hugged the next one
A tanned muscular man hugged her back and kissed her hair "Hi…Lily flower"
"Bobby…why didn't you tell me you were coming…you only sent me a letter last week."
"And spoil the surprise…never!" but she was already being pulled into the arms of the last of them.
"Come here…little Lily flower"
"Lillip" was all she said but it caused a roar of laughter from all of them.
Looking down into her face he said "I'll get you for that later" and slapped her bottom.
She just laughed at him and then remembered James and she thought Please let them be nice to him. Turning she smiled at him and took hold of his hand and pulled him closer to the group of men who were all looking at him intently.
"This is James…so be nice" she warned them James blushed but she continued "James these are Rowan's friends and my surrogate big brothers" and pointing at them one at a time she told James their names (Richard, Bob and Philip) and he shook hands with them.
James decided it would be easier if he just died now and saved them the trouble of killing him later.
A/N: next chapter learn more about Lily as a little girl and a few more things as well, James is in for a surprise?
Thanks for reading*********Now please review!!!
A/N: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, please keep them coming in and you will get chapters quicker (over 40 would be an incentive for me to finish checking CH7). Hope you like this chapter; it's the start of a slippery slope for James once again.
BROTHERS
December saw that life had settled down, life in the Griffindor tower was peaceful due to the distinct lack of pranks. The rest of the student body also seemed to be heaving a sigh of relief, as the School's biggest pranksters were preoccupied with other matters.
As the first week in December was coming to an end the Marauders plus four sixth year girls had taken up the seats for breakfast and were enjoying a selection of pancakes and muffins. The post arrived in a flurry off activity and students grabbed at their descending letters and packages.
Picking up the letter that had fell on her breakfast Lily recognised the writing and giggled. James eyed her suspiciously. Ripping it open she quickly read the contents and glanced over at Dumbledore he smiled and waved a similar looking letter at her.
Lily let out a loud "WOOHOO" and then noticed the horrified look on her friend's faces. Blushing she said, "Rowan's coming to Hogwart's" and giggled again. Aggy who had met Rowan on number of occasions soon joined her and the girls giggled together like first years.
Annie put James out of his misery and said "Lily's brother"
Finally calming down Lily took a big gulp of pumpkin juice and smiled at the others but before she could say anything
Dumbledore stood up "May I have your attention…I am pleased to inform you that on Sunday the Quidditch house teams will be treated to a training session run by a selection of professional players…Details will be posted in your common rooms…Thank you"
Talk in the Great hall was soon filled with nothing but Quidditch and speculation about which players it would be. Lily listened as Sirius and James discussed who they would like it to be and laughed.
Eventually James remembered what Annie had said before Dumbledore had announced the training session. Turning to Lily he said, "You never said you had a brother?"
Lily shrugged and said "James we have only been friends for about four weeks…give me a chance."
"Well aren't you going to tell us about him?" asked Marie
Nodding Lily said, "Rowan is a lot older than me about 8/9 years. He is also magical and came to Hogwart's. I don't get to see very much of him as he is doing research for the ministry in America somewhere"
Remus gave Lily a confused look "But I thought your parent's were Muggle's?"
"They were but I guess they got lucky" sighing at the thought of her parent's she said "although my sister wouldn't agree…I'm sure she would have killed me by now if it hadn't been for Rowan."
"So when's he coming?" James asked a little apprehensively
"This Friday" she beamed.
Sitting at lunch on Friday Lily was as high as a kite excitedly telling everyone that Rowan would be here in four hours. Her friends were dumfounded; they had never seen her this excited. She had barely managed to concentrate in classes since she had got the letter on Wednesday.
James was a different kettle of fish all together. He had been dreading the arrival of Friday ever since Lily had got the letter. Meeting Rowan was as good as meeting her parent's. All he had thought about since Wednesday was What if he doesn't like me?…What if I make a fool of myself?…Oh god this is not good
As the afternoon progressed Lily even managed to smile at Professor Greenhaulgh the dreaded potion's mistress and lost 5 points for doing so.
Running out of the dungeons at the end of the lesson Lily dragged James with her.
"Come on James…Rowan will be here by now" and holding his hand she pulled him towards Dumbledore's office.
But before they got there Lily let go of his hand as she saw a tall red headed man emerging from behind the gargoyle outside Dumbledore's office.
Turning to see his sister running towards him Rowan laughed and got ready for the advancing teenager he thought God she is getting far to beautiful for her own good and he noticed the tall young man who was following Lily along the corridor.
"Rowan…Rowan…Hi" Lily shouted "I've missed you" she said as she flung her self into his arms.
"Hello Lily flower…I've missed you too" and he hugged her.
James held back slightly as he watched the reunion between the brother and sister. He was surprised to see how much the two looked alike and then he realised they were both coming towards him. He smiled awkwardly at them.
"Rowan I would like you to meet James my boyfriend" Lily beamed at the two men
James held out his hand and Rowan gripped it firmly and said "It's nice to meet you James" but the look in his eye did not agree with the words he had said.
James winced slightly "It's nice to meet you too"
Oblivious to the scene developing Lily said "Come on you two let's go to the great hall it's almost dinner time." And she walked between them holding both their hands.
Walking into the Great hall Lily beamed at her friends. Sitting down she introduced Rowan to all of them.
The three girls swooned slightly at Lily's brother and the boy's looked apprehensive.
As dinner progressed Aggy said "How long are you staying Rowan?"
Smiling he said "I don't need to be back at the ministry until Monday morning, so I'm here for the whole weekend"
Remus noticed the anxious look on James face and felt sorry for his friend.
"Are you stopping at the Castle?" Remus asked
"Yes… Dumbledore has arranged for me to have some rooms up in the Gryffindor tower isn't that great!" and with this statement he smiled at James.
Lily said, "Cool" but James thought the world was coming to an end.
Later that evening James sat in his dorm feeling miserable. Rowan had shot him warning looks all night and he just couldn't take anymore. Remus came into the room.
"Prong's what are you doing in here?"
Sighing "Moony…I just can't take much more"
Laughing at the look of despair on his friends face "He's not that bad…Come down to the common room before Lily comes up here looking for you"
"Fine…That's all I need to get caught with Lily in here." And he followed Remus.
Joining the others around the fire James started to relax as he listen to Sirius tell the others about the last detention he'd had. As Lily and Rowan entered the common room Lily was glad to see all her friends sitting in their usual spot.
"Hi guys"
Looking up the others waved at her and Aggy moved to sit on Remus's knee so that Rowan could have the armchair. Lily moved towards James and to his relief squeezed in between him and Sirius on the sofa.
Rowan chuckled to him self at the look on the Sixth year's face.
"Glad to see the common room hasn't changed much since I was here…Does McGonagall still patrol…or has the old bat calmed down?" Rowan asked
Sirius laughed "No…she still patrols…but as long as we keep the noise down she's not to bad"
"Lily said you are working in America for the Ministry" Remus asked
"Yeah…I'm doing research into native magical creatures…It's a joint project between the two magical ministries." Noticing the interested looks on their faces "It's not that interesting, just a lot of mundane creatures to catalogue"
James relaxed slowly as the evening progressed and the teenagers told Rowan all about school and they laughed at his stories about the teachers. He couldn't believe that Greenhaulgh was still here and still dishing out punishment to Gryffindor's. The laughter was soon cut short as the portrait door opened.
A stern looking Professor McGonagall stood looking at the group "I might have known…I think it would be wise if you all went to your dormitories…Mr Evans I thought you should have more sense!"
Standing up "Yes Professor…sorry Professor and Professor" he paused as she turned back to look at him "It's nice to see you again" and he smiled at her.
"Um…Yes… now can we all go to bed please" and as she walked out she thought with a smile Something's never change – thank god.
Back in the Gryffindor common room the group looked at each other and then fell about laughing.
Rowan broke it up saying "I think we had better do as she says before she comes back and tries to gives me detention" grabbing hold of Lily's hand he said "How about I treat you and James to lunch in Hogsmeade tomorrow. Meet you at 12.30 in the Three Broomsticks."
Hugging him she said "That will be great…See you in the morning…Night Rowan…I love you"
Kissing her on the forehead "Good night little Lily flower…I love you too" and with this he went through the portrait.
Reaching the top of the stairs Lily felt a pair of arms wrap around her "Alone at last" and James kissed her.
Pulling away from him Lily ran a finger down his face and whispered "Good night Potter" and she was gone.
"Do you plan on sleeping the whole day?" Rowan sprinkled water on Lily
At the rude awakening and before she looked lily shouted "Potter…you are dead meat!" and turned over to see that it wasn't James Potter but her brother throwing water on her. Lily laughed at the expression on his face. "Thank you Rowan…I thought you loved me" she said, "What time is it any way?
"It is 8 O'clock and why did you think I might be James?" he gave her a curious look.
"Because it is the sort of prank he would pull and yes I'm getting up " waiting for him to move she said "Rowan…I don't need any help…I'll see you in the common room"
Blushing slightly he said "Urr…Ok…see you in the common room"
Lily and her friends joined Rowan 20 minutes later and they sat down but didn't have to wait long before the boys joined them. Once all together they headed down to the Great hall.
Finishing his bacon Rowan turned to Lily "Right…I'll see you at 12.30 in the Three Broomsticks…I need to discuss a few things with Dumbledore…so I'll see you guys later". Leaning over he kissed Lily on the forehead and walked over to the teacher's table.
James sighed and thought At least I get her to myself till lunchtime and he smiled.
Annie made to get up and said "I'll see you later as well…I'm going out with Danny…and here he is" getting up she liked arms with him and they wandered out of the Great hall.
Peter started to fidget in his seat and said "I'm…I'm…supposed to be meeting Morag this morning…so I had better get going as well" and he quickly scurried away.
Marie looked at the others "He doesn't mean the Slytherin does he?"
Remus nodded and Sirius and James shook their heads at the thought.
The remaining six headed back to the tower and spent the morning playing chess and chilling out in the common room.
Putting their winter cloaks on Lily and James headed for the statue of the one-eyed witch and followed the passage way to Hogsmeades. It was only 11.30 so they had plenty of time. Emerging in the basement of Honeydukes they stopped to buy some candies before they walked in the direction of the Three Broomsticks.
James held the door open for Lily and they walked over to the bar.
"Would you like a butterbeer…were a bit early?" James asked
Slipping her arm around him she said "Yes please and James relax…its only Rowan"
Raising his eyebrows as she patted his bottom "That's easy for you to say…He loves you and looks at me like he might kill me at any moment"
Lily laughed at him "James don't be ridiculous" and she left her hand resting on his bottom as she sipped her Butterbeer.
What the two teenagers didn't know was that they were been watched from a table at the back of the pub.
Rowan couldn't cope any more and stood up "Lily over here" he shouted and smiled as he watched her move her hand and blush. James thought That's it I am dead for sure.
Walking over to her brother he motioned to a table and smiled at the expression on Lily's face. Sat at the table were three of his old school friends.
Forgetting all about James Lily dashed over to the group of men who had stood up to greet her.
"Ditchard…I can't believe it," she said as she hugged the first of them a tall blonde.
Laughing at her old nickname for him "Hello little Lily flower…How are you doing?"
"Better for seeing you" and she let go and hugged the next one
A tanned muscular man hugged her back and kissed her hair "Hi…Lily flower"
"Bobby…why didn't you tell me you were coming…you only sent me a letter last week."
"And spoil the surprise…never!" but she was already being pulled into the arms of the last of them.
"Come here…little Lily flower"
"Lillip" was all she said but it caused a roar of laughter from all of them.
Looking down into her face he said "I'll get you for that later" and slapped her bottom.
She just laughed at him and then remembered James and she thought Please let them be nice to him. Turning she smiled at him and took hold of his hand and pulled him closer to the group of men who were all looking at him intently.
"This is James…so be nice" she warned them James blushed but she continued "James these are Rowan's friends and my surrogate big brothers" and pointing at them one at a time she told James their names (Richard, Bob and Philip) and he shook hands with them.
James decided it would be easier if he just died now and saved them the trouble of killing him later.
A/N: next chapter learn more about Lily as a little girl and a few more things as well, James is in for a surprise?
Thanks for reading*********Now please review!!!