Until Death Do Us Part
Harry Potter theme and related characters are property of J.K. Rowling. Plot idea is accredited to the original author, J.K.Rowling. Plot angle and revisions idea of Melissa Pomeroy. Character Verissa Station (name borrowed with permission from an aquaintence) property of Meisako Pyoko-Chan (Melissa Pomeroy), 2002. Any and all reviews appriaciated.~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
chapter THREE: Head Girl
*****
Welcome to my version of 'life before Harry'. This is the story of James, Lily, and the gang in their seventh year of Hogwarts to the begining of the Harry Potter series as we know it... Please read my rendition of Harry's fifth year, Harry Potter and the Fallen Angel at Hogwarts (complete), and his sixth year, Harry Potter and the Children's Crusades (work in progress).
****
Lily sat the remainder of the trip to Hogwarts in silence, half pondering James and the rest of life in general, half sleeping. Sometime during her half woken stage, James had put his arm around her. Lily sat, quite content, longing for the moment to never end. But all things must come to an end, yes, even the bad things stop at some point after they have begun. Thank Merlin for that.
This theory of hers and James's warm embrace were Lily's only comfort at this stage in her life, and there weren't many who could even say that. Not this period of their lives at all.
Darkness was upon them, magic and Muggle alike were in danger of going to bed one night and never waking. He was out there - out to get them. To get them all. He showed no mercy.
"All right, Lily?"
Lily looked at Peter sleepily for a moment. "How's that?"
"I asked if you were all right. You look funnyish, Lily."
"Oh, just thinking- Do you reckon You-Know-Who is as powerful as everyone seems to think?" Lily, coming from a Muggle family, hadn't known at first to not call Voldemort by his proper name, but just the utterance could frighten an entire stadium of full grown wizards senseless.
"If what my parents say is true, then I think we ought to start building fall-out shelters. Voldemort is even more powerful than the Ministry seems to want to believe." James added a gentle squeeze to Lily's shoulders. James Potter was the only person, besides Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, whom Lily had ever heard speak the proper name and he refused to be hushed about it. People soon came to realize that if they didn't want to hear the name, they best not discuss certain things with James.
He got it from his parents, being Aurors, after all. In most families where an Auror lived, it was usually the father, although the Potters were both members of that specific organization. No one seemed uncomfortable with the fact that Mrs. Potter put her life on the line daily. The Potters were special and everyone knew it, but no one seemed to understand why. They were very dedicated to defeating Voldemort, resulting in near-death experiences on many occasions. Voldemort, after all, was the most horrid and powerful wizard since Mancolem Lich Cacinn of ninety years ago.
Lily looked up at James. "Oh, I hope they're wrong."
The train began to slow to a halt, signalling the arrival at Hogsmede Station. James stood and began to take luggage off of the over head racks.
"You ready, Lil?" James asked, smiling.
"Oh, yeah-" For a fleeting moment Lily's hand reached for her pocket but decided against it. Her Head Girl badge remained safely tucked away in her robes. She had noticed James hadn't put his badge on, but Lily wasn't even sure James had been made Head Boy. He hadn't actually said anything.
Lily suddenly felt horrible. Since their third year it was their goal to become Head Boy and Girl together. Had she been made one and not James?
"Hurry up, Lily!" Sirius said impatiently from the door way. "They're all waiting for you outside the train, so quit being so spacey."
"Sirius? Has James said anything to you lately?" Lily asked, dragging her trunk out from benethe her bench.
He looked uncomfortable. "Like what?"
"Has he told you anything?" She repeated, gazing at his akward response. "Anything about becoming Head Boy?"
Sirius appeared strangely relieved. "Oh! Uh... is Jamie Head Boy, now?"
"I don't know, that's why I asked. He didn't mention it at all!" She felt guilty. "I'd hate to be Head Girl if he's not Head Boy! It'd be like breaking a promise, Sirius!"
Sirius laughed, which made Lily furious. "Do you think, I mean honestly believe that Jamie would be offended if you were selected and not him? I'd think he'd be proud of you! That's all."
Another misinterpretation Lily had made of James just that day. She felt like a fool.
"Alright... Help me with my trunk?"
Once they had joined James, Remus, Peter, and Verissa outside the Hogwarts Express, the six students trooped up a slightly sloping hill to a band of crickety, old, and weather-beaten carriages, drawn up by an invisible force. Although the force made no sound, from the distinct smell of wet straw Lily had the strong impression that the carriages were pulled by transparent horses.
They crammed themselves into the carriages, which comfortably seated four, and allowed their things to be taken up to the school, a rather large and stunning castle, seperately.
"It gets grander every year." Verissa proclaimed as they moved forward steadily. "I don't know what I'll do when I leave Hogwarts..."
"I do." Peter said flatly. "I'm going to join some powerful company, work my way to the top, and become head-honcho!"
"The only thing you'll ever be, Wormtail, is a gopher. You know that!" James laughed.
"Well, I can try, can't I?"
"Sure, why not? Have at it, I say! We're behind you one-hundred-tewelve-point-six-seven percent, but no more than that, mind you." Sirius said and gave Peter a hearty slap on the back.
"Ouch!"
"Alright there, Remus?" Lily asked, watching the boy grow weary and pale.
He started. "Huh? Oh, yes, yes. Quite. Just tired, I reckon." Remus did indeed look sleep-deprived, as he had dark sacks benethe his eyes. Lily watched him turn his attention back out the window and to the night sky.
The carriages halted and the students piled into the schools grand entrance way. The Great Hall was adorned with five tables and several sets of colours; Red with Gold, Blue with Bronze, Yellow with Black, and Green with Silver. Four of the tables ran vertically parallel with the walls, while the fifth, the teacher's table, stood at the far end, facing horizontially. Behind the table was a large banner with a lion, eagle, badger, and snake entwining a golden letter 'H'.
Lily and the others said their goodbyes to Verissa as she took her seat with the Ravenclaws. The gang sat at their usual seats at the Gryffindor tables benethe masses of large, floating candles, under the endhanted ceiling (bewitched to resemble the real night sky). A scattered bit of excited chatter errupted and Lily felt warm. Her Alma Mater, home away from home.
The doors to the Hall opened once more and in walked Professor McGonagall, transfigurations teacher and Head of Gryffindor House. Behind her trotted thirty or so nervous ten- and eleven-year-olds. Lily could hardly believe she had ever been quite so small as they whom stood before her. Her first year seemed so long ago.
Professor McGonagall set a tri-legged stool in the center of the Hall and upon it sat a pile of ragedy old scrap-cloth. The Sorting Hat.
In her strict and clear voice, the Professor instructed the first years to sit on the stool where their names were called and place the Hat on their heads. The Sorting Hat would decide which house (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff) they would spend the next seven years of their schooling. Lily clapped as each student was sorted, while the guys only clapped for the newest Gryffindors (and 'boo'ed the new Slytherins).
When the first years had been sorted and the stool removed, Headmaster Dumbledore stood to speak.
"I welcome you all as you return to Hogwarts for another eventful year of education!" He grinned wisely and his half moon spectacle caught the light. "And welcome, first years, to the first day of your new lives. Please take note that the Forbidden Forest is off limits, as is badgering the Whomping Willow. The tree is very sensitive." He added a meaningful look to the young Professor Sprout beside him. The witch nodded curtly in agreement. "Now, before I think of anything else to bore you with, let us eat!"
Lily liked Professor Dumbledore, he was like the commical grandfather she never had.
Sirius picked up his fork as plates of food piled high appeared. "Dig in!"
When they had indeed eaten all their stomachs would allow them to, the Headmaster stood again. "Please, I ask your attention once more. Before we head off to slumber, would the Head Boy and Head Girl be so kind as to lead the school in singing Hogwarts Forever?" The other teachers instantly plastered fake smiles to their faces.
Lily felt her ears go pink. Sing infront of the school? Not wanting to disappoint Albus, she nodded and stood, looking widly around the room for the Head Boy. There was a rustle of robes behind her.
"James!" She gasped. "Why didn't you tell me you were Head Boy?"
James shrugged. "Probably the same reason you didn't tell me you were Head Girl."
She smiled. "Fair enough."
James turned to the school and said, "Now, everyone, pick your favorite tune!" Lily raised her wand and directed it in the air, causing the words to form above the students.
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy-warty-Hogwarts...
Lily smiled to herself. It had been a good day afterall.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Thanks to my reviewers!
Gracious Presence: Thank you! Writing and drawing happen to be my best skills. I have never been told my writing 'flows' before, though! I did read a story of yours, how is it going?
Lauryn: Thanks! I will continue until I am finished, but I have a job now and they like working me long hours...
SlinkiMalinki: Thank you for thanking me for thanking you! Nothing TRUELY exciting will happen until a little later in the story, so not much happens next, but I garantee SOMETHING will happen! (Has Lily done something wrong? YOU be the judge!)
Oliverwoodschic: Like the name and thank you! PLease keep reading!
Fi: I'm glad you like it. :) Thanks for that tip. I, not having any true British heritage for thirteen generations, knew near nothing about Bonfire Night, except they mentioned it in the first book. I guess I assumed it was in the summer time. :) If you go back, I have changed 'Bonfire Night' to 'Mum's birthday'. Will that work? (Thanks for the info!)
Please email me! Slytherin_Angel@MostlySunny.com
Harry Potter theme and related characters are property of J.K. Rowling. Plot idea is accredited to the original author, J.K.Rowling. Plot angle and revisions idea of Melissa Pomeroy. Character Verissa Station (name borrowed with permission from an aquaintence) property of Meisako Pyoko-Chan (Melissa Pomeroy), 2002. Any and all reviews appriaciated.
chapter THREE: Head Girl
Welcome to my version of 'life before Harry'. This is the story of James, Lily, and the gang in their seventh year of Hogwarts to the begining of the Harry Potter series as we know it... Please read my rendition of Harry's fifth year, Harry Potter and the Fallen Angel at Hogwarts (complete), and his sixth year, Harry Potter and the Children's Crusades (work in progress).
****
Lily sat the remainder of the trip to Hogwarts in silence, half pondering James and the rest of life in general, half sleeping. Sometime during her half woken stage, James had put his arm around her. Lily sat, quite content, longing for the moment to never end. But all things must come to an end, yes, even the bad things stop at some point after they have begun. Thank Merlin for that.
This theory of hers and James's warm embrace were Lily's only comfort at this stage in her life, and there weren't many who could even say that. Not this period of their lives at all.
Darkness was upon them, magic and Muggle alike were in danger of going to bed one night and never waking. He was out there - out to get them. To get them all. He showed no mercy.
"All right, Lily?"
Lily looked at Peter sleepily for a moment. "How's that?"
"I asked if you were all right. You look funnyish, Lily."
"Oh, just thinking- Do you reckon You-Know-Who is as powerful as everyone seems to think?" Lily, coming from a Muggle family, hadn't known at first to not call Voldemort by his proper name, but just the utterance could frighten an entire stadium of full grown wizards senseless.
"If what my parents say is true, then I think we ought to start building fall-out shelters. Voldemort is even more powerful than the Ministry seems to want to believe." James added a gentle squeeze to Lily's shoulders. James Potter was the only person, besides Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, whom Lily had ever heard speak the proper name and he refused to be hushed about it. People soon came to realize that if they didn't want to hear the name, they best not discuss certain things with James.
He got it from his parents, being Aurors, after all. In most families where an Auror lived, it was usually the father, although the Potters were both members of that specific organization. No one seemed uncomfortable with the fact that Mrs. Potter put her life on the line daily. The Potters were special and everyone knew it, but no one seemed to understand why. They were very dedicated to defeating Voldemort, resulting in near-death experiences on many occasions. Voldemort, after all, was the most horrid and powerful wizard since Mancolem Lich Cacinn of ninety years ago.
Lily looked up at James. "Oh, I hope they're wrong."
The train began to slow to a halt, signalling the arrival at Hogsmede Station. James stood and began to take luggage off of the over head racks.
"You ready, Lil?" James asked, smiling.
"Oh, yeah-" For a fleeting moment Lily's hand reached for her pocket but decided against it. Her Head Girl badge remained safely tucked away in her robes. She had noticed James hadn't put his badge on, but Lily wasn't even sure James had been made Head Boy. He hadn't actually said anything.
Lily suddenly felt horrible. Since their third year it was their goal to become Head Boy and Girl together. Had she been made one and not James?
"Hurry up, Lily!" Sirius said impatiently from the door way. "They're all waiting for you outside the train, so quit being so spacey."
"Sirius? Has James said anything to you lately?" Lily asked, dragging her trunk out from benethe her bench.
He looked uncomfortable. "Like what?"
"Has he told you anything?" She repeated, gazing at his akward response. "Anything about becoming Head Boy?"
Sirius appeared strangely relieved. "Oh! Uh... is Jamie Head Boy, now?"
"I don't know, that's why I asked. He didn't mention it at all!" She felt guilty. "I'd hate to be Head Girl if he's not Head Boy! It'd be like breaking a promise, Sirius!"
Sirius laughed, which made Lily furious. "Do you think, I mean honestly believe that Jamie would be offended if you were selected and not him? I'd think he'd be proud of you! That's all."
Another misinterpretation Lily had made of James just that day. She felt like a fool.
"Alright... Help me with my trunk?"
Once they had joined James, Remus, Peter, and Verissa outside the Hogwarts Express, the six students trooped up a slightly sloping hill to a band of crickety, old, and weather-beaten carriages, drawn up by an invisible force. Although the force made no sound, from the distinct smell of wet straw Lily had the strong impression that the carriages were pulled by transparent horses.
They crammed themselves into the carriages, which comfortably seated four, and allowed their things to be taken up to the school, a rather large and stunning castle, seperately.
"It gets grander every year." Verissa proclaimed as they moved forward steadily. "I don't know what I'll do when I leave Hogwarts..."
"I do." Peter said flatly. "I'm going to join some powerful company, work my way to the top, and become head-honcho!"
"The only thing you'll ever be, Wormtail, is a gopher. You know that!" James laughed.
"Well, I can try, can't I?"
"Sure, why not? Have at it, I say! We're behind you one-hundred-tewelve-point-six-seven percent, but no more than that, mind you." Sirius said and gave Peter a hearty slap on the back.
"Ouch!"
"Alright there, Remus?" Lily asked, watching the boy grow weary and pale.
He started. "Huh? Oh, yes, yes. Quite. Just tired, I reckon." Remus did indeed look sleep-deprived, as he had dark sacks benethe his eyes. Lily watched him turn his attention back out the window and to the night sky.
The carriages halted and the students piled into the schools grand entrance way. The Great Hall was adorned with five tables and several sets of colours; Red with Gold, Blue with Bronze, Yellow with Black, and Green with Silver. Four of the tables ran vertically parallel with the walls, while the fifth, the teacher's table, stood at the far end, facing horizontially. Behind the table was a large banner with a lion, eagle, badger, and snake entwining a golden letter 'H'.
Lily and the others said their goodbyes to Verissa as she took her seat with the Ravenclaws. The gang sat at their usual seats at the Gryffindor tables benethe masses of large, floating candles, under the endhanted ceiling (bewitched to resemble the real night sky). A scattered bit of excited chatter errupted and Lily felt warm. Her Alma Mater, home away from home.
The doors to the Hall opened once more and in walked Professor McGonagall, transfigurations teacher and Head of Gryffindor House. Behind her trotted thirty or so nervous ten- and eleven-year-olds. Lily could hardly believe she had ever been quite so small as they whom stood before her. Her first year seemed so long ago.
Professor McGonagall set a tri-legged stool in the center of the Hall and upon it sat a pile of ragedy old scrap-cloth. The Sorting Hat.
In her strict and clear voice, the Professor instructed the first years to sit on the stool where their names were called and place the Hat on their heads. The Sorting Hat would decide which house (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff) they would spend the next seven years of their schooling. Lily clapped as each student was sorted, while the guys only clapped for the newest Gryffindors (and 'boo'ed the new Slytherins).
When the first years had been sorted and the stool removed, Headmaster Dumbledore stood to speak.
"I welcome you all as you return to Hogwarts for another eventful year of education!" He grinned wisely and his half moon spectacle caught the light. "And welcome, first years, to the first day of your new lives. Please take note that the Forbidden Forest is off limits, as is badgering the Whomping Willow. The tree is very sensitive." He added a meaningful look to the young Professor Sprout beside him. The witch nodded curtly in agreement. "Now, before I think of anything else to bore you with, let us eat!"
Lily liked Professor Dumbledore, he was like the commical grandfather she never had.
Sirius picked up his fork as plates of food piled high appeared. "Dig in!"
When they had indeed eaten all their stomachs would allow them to, the Headmaster stood again. "Please, I ask your attention once more. Before we head off to slumber, would the Head Boy and Head Girl be so kind as to lead the school in singing Hogwarts Forever?" The other teachers instantly plastered fake smiles to their faces.
Lily felt her ears go pink. Sing infront of the school? Not wanting to disappoint Albus, she nodded and stood, looking widly around the room for the Head Boy. There was a rustle of robes behind her.
"James!" She gasped. "Why didn't you tell me you were Head Boy?"
James shrugged. "Probably the same reason you didn't tell me you were Head Girl."
She smiled. "Fair enough."
James turned to the school and said, "Now, everyone, pick your favorite tune!" Lily raised her wand and directed it in the air, causing the words to form above the students.
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy-warty-Hogwarts...
Lily smiled to herself. It had been a good day afterall.
Thanks to my reviewers!
Gracious Presence: Thank you! Writing and drawing happen to be my best skills. I have never been told my writing 'flows' before, though! I did read a story of yours, how is it going?
Lauryn: Thanks! I will continue until I am finished, but I have a job now and they like working me long hours...
SlinkiMalinki: Thank you for thanking me for thanking you! Nothing TRUELY exciting will happen until a little later in the story, so not much happens next, but I garantee SOMETHING will happen! (Has Lily done something wrong? YOU be the judge!)
Oliverwoodschic: Like the name and thank you! PLease keep reading!
Fi: I'm glad you like it. :) Thanks for that tip. I, not having any true British heritage for thirteen generations, knew near nothing about Bonfire Night, except they mentioned it in the first book. I guess I assumed it was in the summer time. :) If you go back, I have changed 'Bonfire Night' to 'Mum's birthday'. Will that work? (Thanks for the info!)
Please email me! Slytherin_Angel@MostlySunny.com