Storm Child
Author: Hex
Rating: PG-13 for innuendo
Disclaimer: As Standard
Note: I told you I wouldn't make you wait ^.^; It's not my fault though, crappy FF.Net banned me from posting because they couldn't be arsed to delete stories THEY decided to ban. **Fumes**
Note: I went sappy!
Note: Snape makes his appearance finally and we get some happy joy rivalry. He might dislike Sirius to the point of wanting him dead but that is NOTHING compared to his loathing for James. Here you found out why.
(1) Lilly is a Kleptomaniac!
(2) Lilies = Flower of death = death of marriage / couple. See, I can do foreshadowing too! Not well, but I can do it!
(3) Look! Lilly has parents and everything! Wow.
WARNING: Mention of past SS/LP. Squicky ne?
********
"ABDUCTED!? How could he have been abducted?! How could you let this happen?!"
Lilly Potter stood in the middle of Professor Dumbledore's office with her hands on her hips becoming steadily redder in the face as she continued her tirade. The Headmaster himself was sat in his chair, almost as though he was hiding behind his desk.
Behind her James and Sirius were pacing back and forth in front of the door, wringing their hands and casting worried looks at the large ornate fireplace. Remus was sitting in a large armchair in the corner, sipping at a glass of wine Sirius had not noticed he had.
"Please," Dumbledore began. "Calm down..."
"I will not calm down! Where is this spy of yours anyway? I want my son back!"
"What I want to know is why he didn't tell us Harry had been captured before now. It's been over a month." Sirius said, casting the Headmaster a dark look.
"It is difficult to send information at the best of times, Sirius." Dumbledore explained patiently. "Messages concerning Harry will probably have proved next to impossible."
"Or maybe your spy wasn't all that interested in saving Harry." Sirius snapped.
"Sirius. Calm down."
"I will calm down, Remus, when I know Harry is safe! And where did you get that?"
Remus looked guiltily down at his half empty wine glass. "It was just laying around." He lied.
"Give that to me." Sirius snatched the glass and threw it with all the force he could muster at the fireplace.
Unfortunately it hit the person appearing from the green flames square between the eyes.
"Damn it!"
Lilly and James quickly pulled their hoods up to cover their faces and turned their attention to the lithe figure clad all in black now standing on the hearth rug. He was rubbing his forehead and glowering.
"Serverus." Professor Dumbledore greeted solemnly, standing. "How are you?"
"Fine." Snape snapped, pushing his own hood down.
Lilly, ever vigilant, noticed instantly that his hand was heavily and clumsily bandaged. Silently she took his hand and vanished the cloth with a wave of Remus' wand (which he had pinched from his pocket earlier) (1). Turning his hand palm up she peered closely at the first degree burns which marred his skin.
Snape, momentarily surprised, snatched his hand back. "Who are you?" He spat.
Lilly glowered back despite the fact Snape could not see her and grabbed his hand again. Snape turned his furious gaze on the Professor who simply raised his hand and smiled. Grudgingly, he let her examine his wound.
"I take it you finally got my message, Professor." Snape said, his eyes never leaving Lilly as she poked and prodded at his burns with Remus' wand.
"What message would that be, Serverus?"
"About Potter of course." Snape spat. "The damn boy got himself abducted three weeks ago."
"It would appear that there has been a distinct breakdown of communication, we have just now discovered Harry's abduction and where hoping you could tell us where he is."
"I can tell you," Snape said, jerking his hand when Lilly sent a spray of yellow sparks at it. "But I doubt it will do you any good. He's in the Riddle House."
Lilly's head snapped up, her eyes wide. "Voldemort's stronghold?"
"Yes."
"How are we supposed to get him out of there? Even Mr. Moody could never find a way in."
"But," Sirius said, suddenly becoming the focus of Snape's vindictive attentions. "We have the element of surprise on our side!"
"Believe it or not I think he might be expecting a rescue party." James said, pacing again.
"Yes but they also think two of said rescue party are dead."
"Oh I give up! I need a new wand, Professor!" Lilly tossed Remus his wand in frustration. "I should have known you lot couldn't settle your differences!"
"Is there a problem?" Dumbledore asked pleasantly, although his voice held a hint of frustration.
"Remus' wand won't heal Serverus, the owners animosity is too strong, it's contaminated the wand."
"That might have something to do with Serverus," James spat the name as though it tasted bad in his mouth. "Trying to kill Remus not twenty four hours ago."
"No, this is age old hatred, it's too ingrained to be that recent. Has the term 'bury the Hatchet' never permeated the Wizarding world?"
"I'll bury it." Sirius muttered. "In his back."
"Who are you?" Snape asked again.
"Oh. Here." Lilly pushed her hood back and grinned so widely her eyes were forced shut. "Surprise!"
*****Flashback*****
The church looked absolutely beautiful. The outside had been covered in crawling vines which sprouted large white flowers all around the doorway. The path from the road was lined with fluttering fairies, all holding confetti and tiny coloured lamps bobbing around the trees and shrubs, chattering.
Inside the pews had been draped with white silk and lilies (2) and the isle lined with five archways leading to the alter, all wrapped with climbing red roses and even more white silk.
In the back room of the church, Lillian Evans was getting ready to become Mrs. Lillian Potter.
At least she should have been. Instead, she was standing in front of the mirror staring at her dress. The dress had been the one compromise James had asked for. The rest of the wedding was to be a traditional Muggle ceremony except for the clothes, which would be traditional Wizard dress. A fine mixture of the two cultures.
The dress itself looked like something out of Shakespeare. It was made of two layers, the top of which was white silk reaching down to her ankles and split up the middle to her breast. The second layer was again white silk pattered with silver Celtic embroidery. Silver slippers adorned her feet and long white gloves reached up to her mid forearm, not quite to the puffy shoulder length sleeves. In her hair was a long white veil of lace, attached to a crown of wild flowers finished the outfit.
Lilly sighed and fingered a curl of red hair absently. Today was her wedding day and she knew she should be happy. And she was, really, she was marrying James after all. James was a wonderful man and she loved him dearly, even in spite of his friends. But something was nagging at the back of her mind and she knew exactly what it was.
The door behind her opened and someone stuck their head in. "It's almost time Lilly dear."
"I'm nearly done mum." (3)
The door closed again and a moment later Lilly felt a hand fall on her shoulder. "Cold feet?"
Lilly sighed and hung her head. "I can't stop thinking about him."
"You cared a great deal about him dear, it's only natural you would be thinking of him now. But he made his choice, you can't change that."
"That's not what I am worried about. Mum how can I marry James when I can't get Serverus off my mind?"
Her mother carefully adjusted the veil and turned her youngest daughter to face her. "Do you love James?"
"Of course!" She replied without hesitation. "With all my heart."
"Then that is all you need to know." She cupped Lilly's cheek very gently, being careful not to smudge her makeup. "Serverus turned you down, it was not meant to be. If you ask me, James is a much better choice for you. Now get your bouquet and lets go get you married."
*****
At last the day was over. The photo's had been taken, the reception had played itself out and Remus and Peter had carted a drunk Sirius off home. Now Lilly and James Potter stood alone on the balcony of their hotel room, watching the sky in companionable silence.
"Are you nervous?" James asked, fidgeting with the collar of his dress robe.
"About what?"
"Well...tonight. Our first night as man and wife."
"If you mean the sex part then no."
"No. Me either."
Lilly turned her head slightly to eye the man next to her. His head was tilted back, making his scruffy black hair slip from his face and blow in the gentle night time breeze. Moonlight bathed his face and Lilly found herself falling in love with him all over again. She knew she had made the right decision in accepting James, even if she did feel guilty over Serverus.
"Liar." She whispered making him turn to face her.
"What?"
"I said you were a liar." She repeated, turning her back on the view and leaning against the balcony railing.
"I'm not lying, I'm not nervous. Really."
"Being nervous doesn't make you any less of a man, James. Don't worry, I won't tell Sirius."
There was silence for a moment before: "Alright, maybe I am just a bit nervous. But only a bit. It is our first time."
"It's your first time, not mine."
"I meant our first time with each other. Do you have to rub it in that he got their first?"
"Oh don't be so petty. Serverus isn't such a bad guy, if you take the time to get to know him."
"I don't want to take the time. The guy is a slimy, malicious Deatheater."
Lilly said nothing, just straightened up and went back inside.
James sighed. "Nice move mate, great way to start married life." He muttered to himself before following her inside.
He found her standing like a statue just staring unblinkingly at the bed.
"I've been thinking about him. I was thinking about him all day. I can't help but think it was my fault, that I should have been more understanding."
"It wasn't your fault, it was his Lill. You asked him to choose between you and You Know Who and he chose."
"Just thinking about him scares me. He said he wouldn't let me go and if he has You Know Who's power behind him then-"
"It's our wedding night Lill, lets not think about it. Lets not let Him ruin it. Let's go to bed."
*****End Flashback*****
~~~Author Hijack~~~
I'm one of those odd Authors who likes to explain things to her audience and I just wanted to explain this flashback. It is, quite obviously, of the Potters wedding day. The reason for it is to illustrate a few points. 1) SS/LP in the past. 2) They did call him You Know Who back then 3) They did not know Snape was a spy.
Just to clear up any confusion that may arise bare all of that in mind.
Enjoy!
~~~End Author Hijack~~~
*****
I quite liked this part I must admit. I am rather proud of my characterisation of Lilly =^.^=. n the next part you will have loads of JP/SS rivalry and even find out the Potters jobs. Oh, and they might just go rescue Harry .
R&R Please!
Laters
Hex
