Forever
Year one
Part 5/5
Spring had crept upon Lily like lion pouncing its prey, leaving the young witch totally unprepared. In just two short weeks she would return home and she didn't think she could bear it. Two weeks with Petunia had been bad enough, but two months? Her sister had hated her ever since Christmas [of this past year]. Not that they had ever really gotten along, but the hatred had never been this intense before. Summer wasn't the only thing she was dreading though; exams had all the first years, with the exception of Sirius Black, who never got upset about school, in a frenzy. Lily normally got high marks in her classes, though Herbology was the exception to this rule, though. She was hopeless at Herbology to the point where she couldn't remember names of any of the plants.. Her favorite class was easily Transfiguration although she was best at Charms.
After an hour of hopelessly attempting to memorize the origins of Daryqueld, Lily came to the conclusion that if she didn't get a tutor she would fail. Lily's eyes scanned the common room. Eric was worse at Herbology than Lily, and that was saying something. She looked to her left at Roslyn, who was shouting rather loudly at her charms book. With a shake of her head, Lily decided against her. Roslyn didn't have enough patience to teach herself, let alone anyone else. Next her eyes fell on Tina and Anna, who were playing a game of wizard chess. Tina was a terrible winner; she was proclaiming her victory all over the room. Lily could just imagine what Tina would say if she asked for help. The mental picture of a laugh and shout from Tina and a cringe from Lily pretty much says it all. If Lily asked Anna, Anna would tell Tina, and then Lily would be humiliated and back at square one. She sighed and looked over to the corner where James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter where huddled together whispering. Even though the girls had become friends with the 'marauders,' as they now called themselves, Lily wasn't particularly close with any of them. She weighed each of them. James, though rather good at Herbology, happened to have a detention with Sirius every night this week. This left Remus and Peter. Peter was miserable in every class, and the idea of him tutoring anyone was laughable. It looked like she would have to ask Remus. Lily sighed. She had no immediate wish to go over and talk to him when he was with his friends, but it was the only way. With feeling Lily made her way over to the group.
"Um, Remus? Can I talk to you for a minute?" she interrupted. With a nod Remus left his friends, ignoring the catcalls and whistles that followed.
"They can be really immature," he smiled.
"Tell me about it. Anyway, I know you're a really good student and I was wondering if you would help me study for the Herbology exams. You know, kind of tutor me?" she asked, avoiding his gaze. She wasn't a shy person by nature, but it was a little embarrassing to have to ask for help. He nodded and they set about making study plans. It was finally decided that they were going to meet Monday to Friday nights from seven to eight thirty to study. It was on one of those Monday nights that Lily was staring out the window at the lake where her friends were playing tag, wishing she was out there. The summer breeze ran across her face and tickled her red hair.
Transfiguration Classroom - 7:00 P.M.
"LILY!" Remus called, extremely frustrated. He wasn't usually temperamental, but he had been calling her name for a good five minutes.
"Hmm?" Lily asked tearing her gaze away from the window to face a very peeved Remus. "Oh sorry. Right, um what was the question again?"
"What are the five uses of Auxwood?" Remus' face softened, but after three more failed attempts to both gain her full attention, and get a correct answer, Remus decided that they needed a break. Lily grinned and gathered all of her books. Twenty minutes later she met Remus in the Great Hall. They raced each other outside to catch the last minutes of twilight. When they reached the grounds both were disappointed to find that all their friends were gone. Suddenly Lily whirled around to Remus with a devilish grin.
"Follow me." She called as she ran toward a hut on the opposite end of the field. The grass smelled sweetly of spring. Lily took it all in with a sigh. She had always loved the outdoors. She waited patiently for Remus by the door as he arrived panting and clutching his stomach. Without a moments hesitation she threw open the door revealing several broomsticks of various sizes and colors. A delight-filled grin decorated her face whilst she chose her favorite: a Star's Dust 360. Remus looked on palely his eyes growing huge. When Lily finally stopped admiring her broom she noticed her withdrawn friend with growing concern.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"icantfly," he muttered staring at the ground.
"Sorry?" Remus took a deep breath preparing himself for the ridicule that would never come.
"I can't fly," he said.
"Remus, m'dear, it's my turn to be the tutor." She grinned at him.
Charms corridor - 7:45 P.M.
The gray flagstone was cold to the touch and colder to the cheek, James Potter observed. He was lying face down next to Sirius Black, his best friend and fellow marauder, scrubbing the floor. He shot a glare in Sirius' direction, which was received with the usual silly grin. It was Sirius' fault they had to be in detention every night [from 7:15 to 10:30] until school ended. Not that it really mattered, his other best friend Remus Lupin had to tutor Lily Evans in Herbology anyway, but it was the principle of it. Noticing a cramp forming in his stomach, James got up. All of the sudden a yell could be heard from outside. He rushed to the window. What he found shocked him. There were two figures on broomsticks. James laughed out loud when he recognized them. The first one, to his left, was none other than Remus, who was holding on to his broom for dear life. The second one, directly to his right, was an exuberant redhead, laughing at Remus' attempts to stay on his slim piece of wood.
"Sirius, come over here for a sec," James called, laughter entering his voice.
"Gladly," Sirius said, heaving himself off the floor. "What?…. NO WAY!" he yelled as he spotted the two on their brooms. ''What happened to their study session?"
"You got me. I never thought Lily the type to sneak out and use school brooms after hours though. Especially instead of doing anything that included a book," James shrugged.
"It would seem we've underestimated the two shyest members of our crew. James, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sirius grinned, scarily resembling the Cheshire Cat. James nodded, a grin now firmly in place on his lips too.
"Yeah, we got to teach Remus to fly." Both boys laughed and they watched for a few more minutes before returning to their work.
Hogwarts Express; two weeks later - 8:00 A.M.
"I call the window seat!" Roslyn screamed.
"I got dibs on the other one," James countered. Six of the eight Gryffindor first years raced each other to the nearest car. Remus and Lily walked behind, neither really caring if they got the window seat or not. In the last two weeks they had become really close, and being the 'quiet' ones they often stayed behind together. No teased them about their new friendship, in fact it had become somewhat sacred among the 'crew'. They just didn't like being in the spotlight as much as the others did, and strangely enough everyone respected that.
New para. [In this particular case] Lily and Remus arrived last on the train, and were forced to sit near the door. Lily situated herself near Anna, and contented herself with listening to the chatter. She even occasionally contributed to the conversation. All too soon the old train slowed to a deliberate stop. Tears, hugs, promises, and, among the older students kisses, were exchanged. Good-byes were said, and smiles given. After a series of twenty-minute farewells, Lily set out to find her parents.
July 20 - 3:00 P.M.
Lily's house
It was the kind of day that made Lily wish they had a swimming pool. She fanned herself in a vain attempt to cool herself down before returning to her Potions essay. Frankly, she didn't really care why a shrinking solution was necessary to modern potionry, but she was determined to finish it anyway. She heard the TV in the other room; her twin sister, Petunia, was watching it as usual. Her twin had become a TV addict in the weeks that followed school. Even though Petunia and Lily were twins, they were nothing alike. Lily was 4' 11 with red-gold hair and green eyes. Although she was shy, she had friends. Petunia was 5'3 with blond hair and blue eyes. She had buck teeth and was outgoing. She was extremely nosy, and tormented Lily [whenever she got the chance]. Finally, after a few more attempts to finish her essay, Lily went in the other room. She couldn't concentrate with the TV so loud.
"Petunia, could you please adjust the volume?" Her words were polite but her voice reeked with frustration. Her sister turned around and smiled sweetly. She nodded, before turning back to the miniature people on the screen. Lily turned back to the kitchen and sat down pleased. Suddenly an ear splitting noise filled the room.
"Petunia! I meant turn it down!" Lily yelled. When the noise didn't fade, she buried her head in her hands. It was going to be a long summer.
July 20 - 7:00 P.M.
James house
James Harold Potter fell dramatically onto his bed with a thump. He was exhausted. His family, and his next-door neighbors, the Blacks, had just gotten back from the Quidditch World Cup in Brazil. The match had been Brazil against Japan and Japan won by a hair, literally. The Brazilian seeker had his hair caught in a passing Bludger so he hadn't seen the snitch. The game had been exciting to say the least. Abruptly James' bay windows flew open, revealing two owls. James didn't recognize either, but the first one, a black female, carried an envelope bearing the Hogwarts Crest. The second he later found out was from Anna, and Roslyn, who was staying at Anna's house.
James,
How's your summer so far? Have you seen Lily, Remus, or Tina? I heard you went to the Word Cup, how was it? Have you heard about that Lord Voldemort guy over in Austria? Pretty creepy huh? When are you going to Diagon Alley? Maybe we could all meet. Anyway, my brother Tommy's driving us crazy!!!
Roslyn
James,
Have you heard from Remus, I think his mom is sick again! Have you been to D.A.. yet? Oh by the way, I heard that t we are getting a new Herbology Professor! Wait until Lily hears this. She'll be really happy. Write to tell us how you and Sirius are.
Anna
James got out his parchment to reply.
July 21 - 10:00 P.M.
The forest beyond Remus' house
Meat, Meat, where can I find meat. Remus thought frantically. Suddenly he growled in pain, a glance to his hair covered paw told him he was cut. His instincts
dictated that he keep going though. He looked upward; the moon was quite beautiful. Remus howled with all his strength.
A/N- OK end year one. Year two part 1 should be up soon along with the year one song fic. Please review. Thanks again to my beta-reader Trinity Day! J
Disclaimer - I own Roslyn, Anna, Tina, Eric, and a couple of the teachers; nothing else.
