Chapter 5
A/N: Finally. Ok, there's a connection between something that's said in the first part, and something that happens later. See if you can find it…
Disclaimer: See chapters 1-4. I'm sick of writing it already.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Since Lily seemed to be in a complete state of shocked silence, James asked the question for both of them. "She's a *what*???"
"A Calaelen," Professor Kena replied calmly.
"Ok, let me rephrase that question," James said, a little irritated. "What the hell is a Calaelen?" He was tired, grumpy, and worried about Lily. The rudeness of cursing at a Professor was the last thing on his mind.
Lily had started to regain some of her senses. Softly, she said, "A Calaelen is a Seer of the Past, the rare kindred Professor Kena spoke of." James stared at her. "I do read, James. A lot," she said. James let out a frustrated groan, and then looked skyward. "Somebody help me. I feel ignorant," he pleaded to the ceiling.
Professor Dumbledore had been silent for a long while. Now he spoke. "I remember reading about this race. There have only been five in recorded history, the most prominent being Vivian of Avalon. I didn't know that they were of a kyn to Melwasul, though." James managed to, barely, suppress another groan. ~Well, don't I feel stupid.~ he thought.
Lily was still comfortably leaning against James. ~This is too much, at least for right now.~ she thought. "Now that we've established the 'what' of my abnormality, can I go to bed? Maybe we could talk about this in the morning?" Lily suggested. "I second that," James spoke up quickly. The two Professors smiled at them. "Yes, I think that is enough for one night, don't you agree, Evelien?" Dumbledore said, looking at the woman. "Yes, but for one thing. I am sure Lily would love to remain in school-," Lily nodded. "-And to do so, she will need sleep. I have a book, written by Vivian, that I hope will help Miss Evans with her gift. I cannot open it, for it is charmed so that only a Calaelen may read it." A flicker of hope sparked in Lily's eyes. "I can help her sleep peacefully for a few nights, but I don't think Lily should stay in the Gryffindor Tower. Her emotions may get the better of her, and she could wake up screaming or crying, and others would ask questions." Professor Kena finished.
"I agree, Evelien," Professor Dumbledore said. "And, I think that Lily's gift should be kept a secret between us four. If the school knew, it would undoubtedly reach other ears- ears that could do significant harm." Only Professor Kena knew that Dumbledore meant the steadily rising threat of a new Dark Wizard who called himself Voldemort. "That means you can't tell the rest of the Marauders, James."
James looked up at his Headmaster, clearly startled. "I hadn't planned on telling them, Professor. This is Lily's life, her gift. It will stay between me and her, if that's what she wants." He was looking at Lily now. She smiled up at him, and said, "Thank you, James."
"Now, about staying somewhere besides Gryffindor Tower-," Dumbledore was cut off because James had interrupted him. "Professor, is Lily going to stay by herself, wherever you're placing her? I really don't think she should be by herself when she has these dreams-visions," he corrected, concerned. "Mr. Potter has a point, Albus," Professor Kena spoke up, encouraging the idea. "It would be. . . upsetting to wake up alone," Lily said quietly. ~Again,~ she thought. James gripped her tight for a moment; silently reminding her that she wasn't alone anymore.
"Well, since it seems to be unanimous that Lily will have someone stay with her, and we've also agreed not to tell anyone else, I think James would be our best bet. James?" he asked the sleepy teen. Of course, James had no objections. ~*I* want to be the one who helps her go back to sleep at night,~ he realized. "I wouldn't say no for anything. But, Professor, what will I tell the guys?" he questioned.
Dumbledore smiled. "I think, since you will be staying with Lily, you can say that I'm putting the two of you in a different dormitory, as a Head student honorary thing." James smiled. Dumbledore was smart. "Sounds good to me," he said. "Where will we be staying?"
"There is a place hidden behind the portrait of a meadow at the full moon. It has a lake in the middle, with an undine hovering above it, watching the moon and stars." Dumbledore turned to Kena, and asked, "You know the painting, am I correct?" She nodded. "Yes. I pass it everyday going from my room to my class." Dumbledore smiled. "Wonderful!" he beamed. "Would you be so be so kind as to show our exhausted students to their new quarters?"
James and Lily *were* exhausted. Their eyes were closed, and they were only half listening to their professors. "Gladly, Albus," Evelien said. "I don't think they'd get there otherwise. Come, we will talk about the details later." Standing, the elf-woman strode to the door. Lily and James struggled to pull themselves to their feet.
The gargoyle closed up behind them. The corridor was cold, and it woke James up a little. Lily shivered beside him. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he whispered, "Come on. You'll be in bed in no time." She merely laid her head on his shoulder and let him lead her. Evelien noticed. They trusted each other completely.
Walking quickly, up stairs to the 7th floor, they reached the portrait in minutes. The undine was looking up at the stars, lost in thought. "Excuse me," Professor Kena said politely. "We need to get inside. Dumbledore said there are rooms hidden behind your portrait, and these two need to stay here," she said. The undine turned to her, focusing on the three. "I see. I'd love to ask how Albus is doing, but it seems the young ones are asleep on their feet." Evelien smiled, taking an immediate liking to the lady. "Yes. We do not know the password though."
"Oh, don't trouble yourself. No one has been in these rooms in ages. The password is likely forgotten. I remember it, though. I have to, for though I do not guard the entrance, if I forgot it, no one would be able to get in. It's 'Nienna'."
Evelien turned to James and Lily. "Did you two get that?" They nodded. "Good. Lily, come here. I'm going to, in simple terms, put your gift on hold." Lily lifted her head from James' shoulder, and stepped toward her teacher. "James, be prepared to catch her. She will probably fall straight to sleep. Don't worry, it's completely natural. She will be up tomorrow for classes." Kena lifted her hands to Lily's temples, and closed her eyes. She started chanting in an old language, and a silver light grew around her hands, and moved to encompass Lily's head.
Lily sagged, and James deftly caught her. ~That's the second time I've caught her because she fell asleep while she was standing. And I still think she needs to eat more,~ he thought. Professor Kena nodded to him. "She will not have a vision for at least three nights. She will dream, but they shouldn't keep her awake. We will talk more later, when you both are awake, and Dumbledore will arrange your transfer from Gryffindor Tower to here. Don't forget the password," she said, and then walked off.
~God, I need sleep.~ James thought. "Nienna," he told the undine. She smiled at him, and bowed her head. A blue light grew from the lake, and spread until the whole painting was glowing. A beautiful lady, clothed in a white dress, with skin that seemed to be made of scales, had risen from the lake's depths. "I guard the entrance to these rooms," she said in a soft voice. "Do not worry about being found, for only those pure of heart may enter. Take care of the flower, young lion." The painting faded away, leaving a gaping hole in the wall. Full of awe, James stepped through.
Looking around, he gasped. It was a beautiful room. All white, with blue curtains on the windows, it was spacious, and a fire crackled in the hearth. A comfortable looking couch was in front of it. There were two staircases, one spiraling up to the left, another too the right. Picking the right one, James carried Lily up. At the top, there was a door on each side of the landing. Opening one, he saw it was a bathroom. Lily couldn't sleep there.
When he opened the last door, he sincerely hoped the other room was as good as this. It had it's own fireplace, and a deep chair beside it. Across the room was a large bed, with a window above it. The moonlight streamed through, illuminating the bed, and throwing the bedside table with a clock and lamp on it into shadow. Walking to it, he pulled the covers down, and placed Lily on it. Pulling the blankets up to her chin, he kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Lils," he murmured. Closing the door softly behind him, he went to examine his own room.
It was just as grand as Lily's. The layout was much the same. There was a fireplace, a chair, and the bed. It was large, with a window on the opposite wall. Not having anything to change into, he crawled into bed. His last thought was, ~Lily will get through this. And I will help her every step of the way.~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sunlight streaming through the window above her head woke Lily up the next morning. "Where am I?" she muttered groggily. Looking around, seeing that it was twenty times better than her dormitory, she decided, "Wherever it is, I'm staying." Catching sight of the clock beside her head, she found she had plenty of time to get ready. If she had her things. ~Well, I won't find out much here,~ she thought, and went to explore.
Stepping outside the bedroom, she saw the other door. The bathroom was a pale green, with a white marble tub, which looked more like a pool. ~Better than the prefects bathroom,~ she thought. Heading downstairs, she started to remember the night before. With a sinking feeling, she remembered that she wasn't a normal witch. ~At least I don't have to get through this alone,~ she thought, her spirits lifting a bit.
The living area (A/N: That's what I'll be calling it, for lack of a better word, ok?) was beautiful. The pastel blues and soft whites gave off a peaceful atmosphere. The couch looked amazingly comfortable, and currently, it was occupied.
"James?" she said, looking down at him. He had his arm over his eyes, and was stretched out across the couch. He was asleep, it seemed. "Hey, Lils," he said, not moving. "Did you sleep alright?" he asked her. "Yeah, I slept great," she replied. "What are you doing?" He grinned.
"I'm laying down, waiting for you, what does it look like?" he said, laughing. She smiled at him. "Well, I'm here, so what now?" she asked him. "Well, first, you do a Neatening Charm on yourself, so that you at least look like you've changed into clean clothes, even if you haven't." She laughed, once again reminding James of silver bells. "Yes, sir," she mock saluted him, and pulled out her wand. The wrinkles smoothed out of her clothes, and her hair smoothed into their usual curls. "Now?" she asked, since James seemed to know more than she did about what was going on.
"Now, we go back to Gryffindor Tower, to shower and get ready for school." Lily grinned out right, and told him, "Yes, you definitely need to shower, James. You're ripe." He laughed, happy that she was smiling and joking on her own. "Thank you, Lily. And may I say, you smell like flowers yourself this morning." Laughing, they exited the room.
"You two look much better today," the undine said, smiling. "Sleep well, did you?" They smiled and nodded to her politely. "Good. And by the way, my name is Earane." Once more they smiled and nodded. Walking away towards the Gryffindor Tower, James asked, "Lily, do you remember the password?" She shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I wasn't awake enough. What is it, and was there anything I should know about that happened last night after we left Dumbledore's office?"
"It's 'nienna', and no. Kena will probably talk to you after class today. Dumbledore will arrange our 'moving'. I guess he'll contact when he's ready." They had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, and as they climbed through, Lily realized that she would have to face all the other girls, since they were surely awake by now. She groaned. "Lily?" James asked. "Are you ok?"
"No. If I don't come back down, you'll know that I've either died of humiliation, or suffocated from all the perfume those girls spray." James looked at her. "Humiliation?" he asked. "Some of the snobbier girls enjoy teasing me," she explained. "My hair, my eyes, my grades, my lack of any type of romantic relationship whatsoever, that kind of thing." James looked stunned. ~Her hair and her eyes are beautiful, her grades are awesome, making her better than any of them, and just because she's never went out with anyone doesn't mean they should *tease* her.~ James may play horrible pranks on the Slytherins, but come on, they *are* Slytherins. He has a heart.
"Usually I'm out of the dorm before they get up." She finished. He slung an arm around her shoulders, and told her, "Well, you have my never-ending support. My advice to you is, get in, get out, and stay here until I get back down, kay?" She laughed, and nodded. They separated at the staircases, going up to their respective dorms.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James' dorm
When he opened the door, he was blinded for a minute because three pillows were thrown at his head. "Ouch!" he yelped, because Sirius' pillow hit him squarely in the nose, making his glasses cut into the skin. "What was that for?" he protested. "For worrying us, you dolt! You ran off with *Lily*, and didn't some back! We know you didn't do anything. . .ah. . . nasty, because that's not you," "Nor is it Lily," Remus put in. "You weren't on the map!!" Sirius finished. Peter nodded, still glaring at James.
"Well, I'm here now, and I'm sorry for worrying you guys. Can I take a shower first, though? According to Lily, I stink." James grinned at their bewildered faces. "Get your heads out of the gutter, boys. It all has an explanation." Grabbing some clothes, he escaped into the bathroom, and hoped Lily was having as much luck as he was with explanations.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lily's dorm
She wasn't.
Trying to open the door quietly, and slip in unnoticed didn't work. The door creaked loudly in protest. She winced as all the girls in the room, who were scurrying around putting on make-up, looked toward her. Silence fell.
"Isn't that the girl who always gets top marks?" Another girl, Marcy Danahope, called out, "Hey, fire-head, did you fall asleep in the library again?" Temper spiked in Lily's gut. "No," she spat out. "As a matter of fact, I've never fallen asleep in the library." Walking to her trunk and pulling out her toiletries, she turned her back on them as they snickered. She was blushing to the roots of her hair, and the temper had ebbed. Tears prickled behind her eyes as another one said-she didn't know who-, "Well, she certainly wasn't with a *guy*, I mean, just *look* at her." All the other girls' murmured an affirmative as Lily silently closed the door to the bathroom door behind her. ~Why can't they ever look beyond my face?~ she thought, as she let the tears fall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James was already down when she finished. Actually, she had waited until all the girls had gone down to breakfast. She couldn't bear the taunts.
"Hey," James jumped up when she walked downstairs. "How'd it go?" he asked. "Not so good," she replied, forcing a laugh. "The usual. Reminds me of *why* I avoid them." Leading her over to where the guys were waiting for them, he said, "Don't worry. They don't matter, and they must be jealous." Lily snorted. "Jealous of what? I'm abnormal, even for a witch. Petunia won't ever let me forget it. And now this. . ."
"Explain," Sirius interrupted. "Man, Sirius! What's the big deal? I was only gone for a night, and nothing happened. Why are you so uptight?" Sirius threw up his hands in frustration. "You could have been in the Hospital Wing, you could have been a victim of something Peeves did, you could have been caught by Filch, *and*, you didn't tell us you'd be out all night!!! You just ran off with Lily here, and don't tell us anything! That in itself is abnormal!"
"You finished?" James asked. "Yes," Sirius replied. "In that case, lets talk and walk to breakfast at the same time, okay?" Lily suggested. "Wonderful idea, Lily!" Sirius exclaimed, and started towards the portrait hole. The rest of them just rolled their eyes.
By the time they had reached the Great Hall, Lily and James had told all they were going to tell at the moment. Lily and James were staying in the 'Head Tower' as a reward for making Head students. Sirius and Peter bought it. Remus, of course, being the perceptive person he was, didn't.
After breakfast, on the way to Herbology, he pulled James away from their group. "You know, Prongs, that still doesn't explain why you *ran* out of the *boys* dormitories yesterday, *together*. Care to elaborate?" Remus asked.
James was quiet for a moment, thinking. "Remus," he started. "I need you to understand that Lily is my friend, and that I wouldn't betray her trust, or her secrets. Just like I wouldn't spill yours." Remus nodded, understanding. "So, Lily isn't a normal witch." he concluded. James nodded, knowing Remus would understand, with his lycanthropy. "Nothing of this to Sirius or Peter, right? This is Lily's secret, not ours." Remus nodded, remembering how hard it had been to make friends when he first came, how hard it was to trust. "Absolutely," he promised.
They caught up with the other three. Lily was laughing and smiling at something Sirius had said. To James it seemed that everything was fine, for right now, at this moment, she was happy.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "Remus knows you have a secret, but no details. Don't worry," he said as she glanced worriedly at Remus. "I trust him, and you should too. We all have our secrets, Lils." She smiled again and relaxed.
Classes went by as usual, and after Ancient Runes, Lily talked to Professor Kena. She motioned for Lily to follow her through a door at the back of the classroom. It looked like a miniature library, except for the books were old and worn. "Here," Professor Kena said, handing her a large book, leather bound, with a belted clasp. "It should help you." Lily smiled at the elf gratefully. "Thank you," she said, and Evelien smiled. Reaching out to touch the redhead's cheek, she said, "I know how it feels. If ever you need to talk to someone, come to me. About anything." She had made a new friend.
At lunch, Lily was sitting with the Marauders, and they were all laughing. She couldn't have been happier. She may have found out that she had a strange gift she knew nothing about, but she had made four new friends, all at once. ~Or, almost all at once,~ Lily thought, remembering that night in the Astronomy Tower. She smiled.
"Lily, James, may I speak to you a moment?" a voice said from behind them. It was Professor Dumbledore. The two Head students stood up, and followed him out of earshot of the other students. "I have spoken with the guardian of your rooms. She has granted me permission to open up a temporary passage way between Gryffindor Tower and your living area. You can move your things that way, without staircases, and students gawking at you." They smiled. "Thank you, Professor," Lily said.
"Professor Dumbledore?" James asked. "Lily and I wanted to hold a prefect meeting, and we need a place to do it in." Dumbledore nodded, and told them, "Professor McGonagall has kindly agreed to lend you her classroom. Try eight o'clock. There is a staff meeting then." They nodded, said 'thank you', and went to round up prefects.
So, the rest of the day went by. The prefect meeting was held, and they decided to have just the Halloween Feast, and a Christmas Ball. They left anything after Christmas holidays for after Christmas holidays. Lily and James would patrol the halls, and the prefects could help if they wanted to.
The moving took no time at all. Sirius, Remus, and Peter helped James to pack his things, and Lily didn't really need to pack. She was a very clean, organized person. Besides, she didn't really have much stuff. Her parents didn't take her shopping, and she didn't have money for Hogsmeade.
The entrance to the living area was in the boys' dormitories. When Lily levitated her stuff so it could be moved, the other girls sneered, and said, "Are you moving to the Library?" Lily grinned maliciously. "No," she said. "James and I are moving to the Head Tower. Haven't you heard?" The look on their faces was priceless. They stood their gaping at her, like fish. She, Lily Evans, was going to be living with *the* James Potter. How could this happen?
When her all her things had been placed in her room, she told the guys. They all laughed, long and hard. "I have to admit, though," Lily said. "I never would have seen this coming. I've never had a friend in my life, and now I've got four. Amazing." Sirius grinned. "Cheer up Lils," he said. "You've got us now. How we missed out on you for six years is a mystery, but, hey, that's life. You are officially *in*."
Remus smiled at her. "Yep. Sirius is, for once, right. We are your friends, and we'll stick by you. I know from personal experience that these guys don't make judgments. Trust me." Lily laughed and said, "This is great."
All the while, James watched, and wondered what made Lily Evans so different from any other girl he'd known. He wondered, too, at why he was changing. Because the James Potter of before-Lily would never found himself helping a girl so quickly, and so easily. Not a girl like this.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Gosh, that took FOREVER!!!! I'm so glad it's done. It's definitely not the best chapter. I believe it's one of the worst. But, I kinda want to move ahead a little. Get on with the show. I think the next chapter will be at Halloween. With a confused James. How's that sound?
By the way. If you don't mind too terribly, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and write me a long review. I love praise, and *constructive* criticism would not go amiss.
I'm starting school Tuesday, so I actually might get more done, because I won't be so lazy. I don't know, but we'll see.
Thanks to all my reviewers!! You're awesome!!!
Andufeniel
A/N: Finally. Ok, there's a connection between something that's said in the first part, and something that happens later. See if you can find it…
Disclaimer: See chapters 1-4. I'm sick of writing it already.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Since Lily seemed to be in a complete state of shocked silence, James asked the question for both of them. "She's a *what*???"
"A Calaelen," Professor Kena replied calmly.
"Ok, let me rephrase that question," James said, a little irritated. "What the hell is a Calaelen?" He was tired, grumpy, and worried about Lily. The rudeness of cursing at a Professor was the last thing on his mind.
Lily had started to regain some of her senses. Softly, she said, "A Calaelen is a Seer of the Past, the rare kindred Professor Kena spoke of." James stared at her. "I do read, James. A lot," she said. James let out a frustrated groan, and then looked skyward. "Somebody help me. I feel ignorant," he pleaded to the ceiling.
Professor Dumbledore had been silent for a long while. Now he spoke. "I remember reading about this race. There have only been five in recorded history, the most prominent being Vivian of Avalon. I didn't know that they were of a kyn to Melwasul, though." James managed to, barely, suppress another groan. ~Well, don't I feel stupid.~ he thought.
Lily was still comfortably leaning against James. ~This is too much, at least for right now.~ she thought. "Now that we've established the 'what' of my abnormality, can I go to bed? Maybe we could talk about this in the morning?" Lily suggested. "I second that," James spoke up quickly. The two Professors smiled at them. "Yes, I think that is enough for one night, don't you agree, Evelien?" Dumbledore said, looking at the woman. "Yes, but for one thing. I am sure Lily would love to remain in school-," Lily nodded. "-And to do so, she will need sleep. I have a book, written by Vivian, that I hope will help Miss Evans with her gift. I cannot open it, for it is charmed so that only a Calaelen may read it." A flicker of hope sparked in Lily's eyes. "I can help her sleep peacefully for a few nights, but I don't think Lily should stay in the Gryffindor Tower. Her emotions may get the better of her, and she could wake up screaming or crying, and others would ask questions." Professor Kena finished.
"I agree, Evelien," Professor Dumbledore said. "And, I think that Lily's gift should be kept a secret between us four. If the school knew, it would undoubtedly reach other ears- ears that could do significant harm." Only Professor Kena knew that Dumbledore meant the steadily rising threat of a new Dark Wizard who called himself Voldemort. "That means you can't tell the rest of the Marauders, James."
James looked up at his Headmaster, clearly startled. "I hadn't planned on telling them, Professor. This is Lily's life, her gift. It will stay between me and her, if that's what she wants." He was looking at Lily now. She smiled up at him, and said, "Thank you, James."
"Now, about staying somewhere besides Gryffindor Tower-," Dumbledore was cut off because James had interrupted him. "Professor, is Lily going to stay by herself, wherever you're placing her? I really don't think she should be by herself when she has these dreams-visions," he corrected, concerned. "Mr. Potter has a point, Albus," Professor Kena spoke up, encouraging the idea. "It would be. . . upsetting to wake up alone," Lily said quietly. ~Again,~ she thought. James gripped her tight for a moment; silently reminding her that she wasn't alone anymore.
"Well, since it seems to be unanimous that Lily will have someone stay with her, and we've also agreed not to tell anyone else, I think James would be our best bet. James?" he asked the sleepy teen. Of course, James had no objections. ~*I* want to be the one who helps her go back to sleep at night,~ he realized. "I wouldn't say no for anything. But, Professor, what will I tell the guys?" he questioned.
Dumbledore smiled. "I think, since you will be staying with Lily, you can say that I'm putting the two of you in a different dormitory, as a Head student honorary thing." James smiled. Dumbledore was smart. "Sounds good to me," he said. "Where will we be staying?"
"There is a place hidden behind the portrait of a meadow at the full moon. It has a lake in the middle, with an undine hovering above it, watching the moon and stars." Dumbledore turned to Kena, and asked, "You know the painting, am I correct?" She nodded. "Yes. I pass it everyday going from my room to my class." Dumbledore smiled. "Wonderful!" he beamed. "Would you be so be so kind as to show our exhausted students to their new quarters?"
James and Lily *were* exhausted. Their eyes were closed, and they were only half listening to their professors. "Gladly, Albus," Evelien said. "I don't think they'd get there otherwise. Come, we will talk about the details later." Standing, the elf-woman strode to the door. Lily and James struggled to pull themselves to their feet.
The gargoyle closed up behind them. The corridor was cold, and it woke James up a little. Lily shivered beside him. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he whispered, "Come on. You'll be in bed in no time." She merely laid her head on his shoulder and let him lead her. Evelien noticed. They trusted each other completely.
Walking quickly, up stairs to the 7th floor, they reached the portrait in minutes. The undine was looking up at the stars, lost in thought. "Excuse me," Professor Kena said politely. "We need to get inside. Dumbledore said there are rooms hidden behind your portrait, and these two need to stay here," she said. The undine turned to her, focusing on the three. "I see. I'd love to ask how Albus is doing, but it seems the young ones are asleep on their feet." Evelien smiled, taking an immediate liking to the lady. "Yes. We do not know the password though."
"Oh, don't trouble yourself. No one has been in these rooms in ages. The password is likely forgotten. I remember it, though. I have to, for though I do not guard the entrance, if I forgot it, no one would be able to get in. It's 'Nienna'."
Evelien turned to James and Lily. "Did you two get that?" They nodded. "Good. Lily, come here. I'm going to, in simple terms, put your gift on hold." Lily lifted her head from James' shoulder, and stepped toward her teacher. "James, be prepared to catch her. She will probably fall straight to sleep. Don't worry, it's completely natural. She will be up tomorrow for classes." Kena lifted her hands to Lily's temples, and closed her eyes. She started chanting in an old language, and a silver light grew around her hands, and moved to encompass Lily's head.
Lily sagged, and James deftly caught her. ~That's the second time I've caught her because she fell asleep while she was standing. And I still think she needs to eat more,~ he thought. Professor Kena nodded to him. "She will not have a vision for at least three nights. She will dream, but they shouldn't keep her awake. We will talk more later, when you both are awake, and Dumbledore will arrange your transfer from Gryffindor Tower to here. Don't forget the password," she said, and then walked off.
~God, I need sleep.~ James thought. "Nienna," he told the undine. She smiled at him, and bowed her head. A blue light grew from the lake, and spread until the whole painting was glowing. A beautiful lady, clothed in a white dress, with skin that seemed to be made of scales, had risen from the lake's depths. "I guard the entrance to these rooms," she said in a soft voice. "Do not worry about being found, for only those pure of heart may enter. Take care of the flower, young lion." The painting faded away, leaving a gaping hole in the wall. Full of awe, James stepped through.
Looking around, he gasped. It was a beautiful room. All white, with blue curtains on the windows, it was spacious, and a fire crackled in the hearth. A comfortable looking couch was in front of it. There were two staircases, one spiraling up to the left, another too the right. Picking the right one, James carried Lily up. At the top, there was a door on each side of the landing. Opening one, he saw it was a bathroom. Lily couldn't sleep there.
When he opened the last door, he sincerely hoped the other room was as good as this. It had it's own fireplace, and a deep chair beside it. Across the room was a large bed, with a window above it. The moonlight streamed through, illuminating the bed, and throwing the bedside table with a clock and lamp on it into shadow. Walking to it, he pulled the covers down, and placed Lily on it. Pulling the blankets up to her chin, he kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams, Lils," he murmured. Closing the door softly behind him, he went to examine his own room.
It was just as grand as Lily's. The layout was much the same. There was a fireplace, a chair, and the bed. It was large, with a window on the opposite wall. Not having anything to change into, he crawled into bed. His last thought was, ~Lily will get through this. And I will help her every step of the way.~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sunlight streaming through the window above her head woke Lily up the next morning. "Where am I?" she muttered groggily. Looking around, seeing that it was twenty times better than her dormitory, she decided, "Wherever it is, I'm staying." Catching sight of the clock beside her head, she found she had plenty of time to get ready. If she had her things. ~Well, I won't find out much here,~ she thought, and went to explore.
Stepping outside the bedroom, she saw the other door. The bathroom was a pale green, with a white marble tub, which looked more like a pool. ~Better than the prefects bathroom,~ she thought. Heading downstairs, she started to remember the night before. With a sinking feeling, she remembered that she wasn't a normal witch. ~At least I don't have to get through this alone,~ she thought, her spirits lifting a bit.
The living area (A/N: That's what I'll be calling it, for lack of a better word, ok?) was beautiful. The pastel blues and soft whites gave off a peaceful atmosphere. The couch looked amazingly comfortable, and currently, it was occupied.
"James?" she said, looking down at him. He had his arm over his eyes, and was stretched out across the couch. He was asleep, it seemed. "Hey, Lils," he said, not moving. "Did you sleep alright?" he asked her. "Yeah, I slept great," she replied. "What are you doing?" He grinned.
"I'm laying down, waiting for you, what does it look like?" he said, laughing. She smiled at him. "Well, I'm here, so what now?" she asked him. "Well, first, you do a Neatening Charm on yourself, so that you at least look like you've changed into clean clothes, even if you haven't." She laughed, once again reminding James of silver bells. "Yes, sir," she mock saluted him, and pulled out her wand. The wrinkles smoothed out of her clothes, and her hair smoothed into their usual curls. "Now?" she asked, since James seemed to know more than she did about what was going on.
"Now, we go back to Gryffindor Tower, to shower and get ready for school." Lily grinned out right, and told him, "Yes, you definitely need to shower, James. You're ripe." He laughed, happy that she was smiling and joking on her own. "Thank you, Lily. And may I say, you smell like flowers yourself this morning." Laughing, they exited the room.
"You two look much better today," the undine said, smiling. "Sleep well, did you?" They smiled and nodded to her politely. "Good. And by the way, my name is Earane." Once more they smiled and nodded. Walking away towards the Gryffindor Tower, James asked, "Lily, do you remember the password?" She shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I wasn't awake enough. What is it, and was there anything I should know about that happened last night after we left Dumbledore's office?"
"It's 'nienna', and no. Kena will probably talk to you after class today. Dumbledore will arrange our 'moving'. I guess he'll contact when he's ready." They had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, and as they climbed through, Lily realized that she would have to face all the other girls, since they were surely awake by now. She groaned. "Lily?" James asked. "Are you ok?"
"No. If I don't come back down, you'll know that I've either died of humiliation, or suffocated from all the perfume those girls spray." James looked at her. "Humiliation?" he asked. "Some of the snobbier girls enjoy teasing me," she explained. "My hair, my eyes, my grades, my lack of any type of romantic relationship whatsoever, that kind of thing." James looked stunned. ~Her hair and her eyes are beautiful, her grades are awesome, making her better than any of them, and just because she's never went out with anyone doesn't mean they should *tease* her.~ James may play horrible pranks on the Slytherins, but come on, they *are* Slytherins. He has a heart.
"Usually I'm out of the dorm before they get up." She finished. He slung an arm around her shoulders, and told her, "Well, you have my never-ending support. My advice to you is, get in, get out, and stay here until I get back down, kay?" She laughed, and nodded. They separated at the staircases, going up to their respective dorms.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James' dorm
When he opened the door, he was blinded for a minute because three pillows were thrown at his head. "Ouch!" he yelped, because Sirius' pillow hit him squarely in the nose, making his glasses cut into the skin. "What was that for?" he protested. "For worrying us, you dolt! You ran off with *Lily*, and didn't some back! We know you didn't do anything. . .ah. . . nasty, because that's not you," "Nor is it Lily," Remus put in. "You weren't on the map!!" Sirius finished. Peter nodded, still glaring at James.
"Well, I'm here now, and I'm sorry for worrying you guys. Can I take a shower first, though? According to Lily, I stink." James grinned at their bewildered faces. "Get your heads out of the gutter, boys. It all has an explanation." Grabbing some clothes, he escaped into the bathroom, and hoped Lily was having as much luck as he was with explanations.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lily's dorm
She wasn't.
Trying to open the door quietly, and slip in unnoticed didn't work. The door creaked loudly in protest. She winced as all the girls in the room, who were scurrying around putting on make-up, looked toward her. Silence fell.
"Isn't that the girl who always gets top marks?" Another girl, Marcy Danahope, called out, "Hey, fire-head, did you fall asleep in the library again?" Temper spiked in Lily's gut. "No," she spat out. "As a matter of fact, I've never fallen asleep in the library." Walking to her trunk and pulling out her toiletries, she turned her back on them as they snickered. She was blushing to the roots of her hair, and the temper had ebbed. Tears prickled behind her eyes as another one said-she didn't know who-, "Well, she certainly wasn't with a *guy*, I mean, just *look* at her." All the other girls' murmured an affirmative as Lily silently closed the door to the bathroom door behind her. ~Why can't they ever look beyond my face?~ she thought, as she let the tears fall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
James was already down when she finished. Actually, she had waited until all the girls had gone down to breakfast. She couldn't bear the taunts.
"Hey," James jumped up when she walked downstairs. "How'd it go?" he asked. "Not so good," she replied, forcing a laugh. "The usual. Reminds me of *why* I avoid them." Leading her over to where the guys were waiting for them, he said, "Don't worry. They don't matter, and they must be jealous." Lily snorted. "Jealous of what? I'm abnormal, even for a witch. Petunia won't ever let me forget it. And now this. . ."
"Explain," Sirius interrupted. "Man, Sirius! What's the big deal? I was only gone for a night, and nothing happened. Why are you so uptight?" Sirius threw up his hands in frustration. "You could have been in the Hospital Wing, you could have been a victim of something Peeves did, you could have been caught by Filch, *and*, you didn't tell us you'd be out all night!!! You just ran off with Lily here, and don't tell us anything! That in itself is abnormal!"
"You finished?" James asked. "Yes," Sirius replied. "In that case, lets talk and walk to breakfast at the same time, okay?" Lily suggested. "Wonderful idea, Lily!" Sirius exclaimed, and started towards the portrait hole. The rest of them just rolled their eyes.
By the time they had reached the Great Hall, Lily and James had told all they were going to tell at the moment. Lily and James were staying in the 'Head Tower' as a reward for making Head students. Sirius and Peter bought it. Remus, of course, being the perceptive person he was, didn't.
After breakfast, on the way to Herbology, he pulled James away from their group. "You know, Prongs, that still doesn't explain why you *ran* out of the *boys* dormitories yesterday, *together*. Care to elaborate?" Remus asked.
James was quiet for a moment, thinking. "Remus," he started. "I need you to understand that Lily is my friend, and that I wouldn't betray her trust, or her secrets. Just like I wouldn't spill yours." Remus nodded, understanding. "So, Lily isn't a normal witch." he concluded. James nodded, knowing Remus would understand, with his lycanthropy. "Nothing of this to Sirius or Peter, right? This is Lily's secret, not ours." Remus nodded, remembering how hard it had been to make friends when he first came, how hard it was to trust. "Absolutely," he promised.
They caught up with the other three. Lily was laughing and smiling at something Sirius had said. To James it seemed that everything was fine, for right now, at this moment, she was happy.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "Remus knows you have a secret, but no details. Don't worry," he said as she glanced worriedly at Remus. "I trust him, and you should too. We all have our secrets, Lils." She smiled again and relaxed.
Classes went by as usual, and after Ancient Runes, Lily talked to Professor Kena. She motioned for Lily to follow her through a door at the back of the classroom. It looked like a miniature library, except for the books were old and worn. "Here," Professor Kena said, handing her a large book, leather bound, with a belted clasp. "It should help you." Lily smiled at the elf gratefully. "Thank you," she said, and Evelien smiled. Reaching out to touch the redhead's cheek, she said, "I know how it feels. If ever you need to talk to someone, come to me. About anything." She had made a new friend.
At lunch, Lily was sitting with the Marauders, and they were all laughing. She couldn't have been happier. She may have found out that she had a strange gift she knew nothing about, but she had made four new friends, all at once. ~Or, almost all at once,~ Lily thought, remembering that night in the Astronomy Tower. She smiled.
"Lily, James, may I speak to you a moment?" a voice said from behind them. It was Professor Dumbledore. The two Head students stood up, and followed him out of earshot of the other students. "I have spoken with the guardian of your rooms. She has granted me permission to open up a temporary passage way between Gryffindor Tower and your living area. You can move your things that way, without staircases, and students gawking at you." They smiled. "Thank you, Professor," Lily said.
"Professor Dumbledore?" James asked. "Lily and I wanted to hold a prefect meeting, and we need a place to do it in." Dumbledore nodded, and told them, "Professor McGonagall has kindly agreed to lend you her classroom. Try eight o'clock. There is a staff meeting then." They nodded, said 'thank you', and went to round up prefects.
So, the rest of the day went by. The prefect meeting was held, and they decided to have just the Halloween Feast, and a Christmas Ball. They left anything after Christmas holidays for after Christmas holidays. Lily and James would patrol the halls, and the prefects could help if they wanted to.
The moving took no time at all. Sirius, Remus, and Peter helped James to pack his things, and Lily didn't really need to pack. She was a very clean, organized person. Besides, she didn't really have much stuff. Her parents didn't take her shopping, and she didn't have money for Hogsmeade.
The entrance to the living area was in the boys' dormitories. When Lily levitated her stuff so it could be moved, the other girls sneered, and said, "Are you moving to the Library?" Lily grinned maliciously. "No," she said. "James and I are moving to the Head Tower. Haven't you heard?" The look on their faces was priceless. They stood their gaping at her, like fish. She, Lily Evans, was going to be living with *the* James Potter. How could this happen?
When her all her things had been placed in her room, she told the guys. They all laughed, long and hard. "I have to admit, though," Lily said. "I never would have seen this coming. I've never had a friend in my life, and now I've got four. Amazing." Sirius grinned. "Cheer up Lils," he said. "You've got us now. How we missed out on you for six years is a mystery, but, hey, that's life. You are officially *in*."
Remus smiled at her. "Yep. Sirius is, for once, right. We are your friends, and we'll stick by you. I know from personal experience that these guys don't make judgments. Trust me." Lily laughed and said, "This is great."
All the while, James watched, and wondered what made Lily Evans so different from any other girl he'd known. He wondered, too, at why he was changing. Because the James Potter of before-Lily would never found himself helping a girl so quickly, and so easily. Not a girl like this.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Gosh, that took FOREVER!!!! I'm so glad it's done. It's definitely not the best chapter. I believe it's one of the worst. But, I kinda want to move ahead a little. Get on with the show. I think the next chapter will be at Halloween. With a confused James. How's that sound?
By the way. If you don't mind too terribly, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and write me a long review. I love praise, and *constructive* criticism would not go amiss.
I'm starting school Tuesday, so I actually might get more done, because I won't be so lazy. I don't know, but we'll see.
Thanks to all my reviewers!! You're awesome!!!
Andufeniel