Hi and I am very sorry for this immensely long delay. I was very busy after I initially wrote the last chapter and then my computer broke down so I needed a new one. Well I have a new computer now and I hope to update ASAP on a regular basis.
To ElizabethMM: I don't have the energy to correct you but I recommend you restudy. And if you do not like it you do not have to read it. Thanks a bunch.
PLEASE REVIEW!!
DISCLAIMER: you know the plot! I don't have 30 million quid, just the two g's in the banks, so that must mean I am not JKR!
Chapter Six:
James pelted towards the fallen Sanders in great speed. Five feet above the ground he leapt of his Comet Two-Sixty and ran towards his seeker. As he got nearer to his Seeker a tremendous force knocked James of his feet and sent him flying backwards many paces. James landed face first into the hard pitch, breaking his glasses. Above him James heard people cackling madly, looking up he saw about eight or nine people, clad in dark robes, on broomsticks laughing their heads off.
A hot surge of anger shot through James sending him into a towering rage, he got up, drawing his wand he made ready to hurl the first curse that came to his mind at the Death Eaters.
"STUPEFY!" shouted a much voice from behind James. One of the Death Eaters gave a loud cry before falling off his broomstick. The remaining Death Eaters stopped laughing and drew their wands. James turned around to see Dumbledore standing behind him, his wand raised and his eyes radiating a cold fury that James had never seen before. One Death Eater pelted at Dumbledore with blinding speed. Dumbledore, however, merely flicked his wand and the Death Eater stopped dead in mid-air as if he had hit a brick wall.
The remainder of the Death Eaters aimed spells at the old Headmaster but Dumbledore simply deflected them. Flicking his wand again, Dumbledore knocked of a further two Death Eaters off their brooms. Realising that they were no match for him, the Death Eaters fled Dumbledore. They flew wildly away from Hogwarts but Dumbledore managed to catch all but one of them.
"James do not move!" said Dumbledore and James noticed the fear in and urgency in his voice. Dumbledore marched over to Sanders and observed him for a moment. Relief swept through James and calmed him down again. James figured Dumbledore was thinking of the best spell to revive Sanders. After all he was just knocked out, nothing else. The Headmaster sighed deeply and looking up at James he said:
"I am afraid Mr. Sanders is no longer amongst us," said Dumbledore sadly.
"W-What do you mean?" Stuttered James knowing very well what Dumbledore meant.
"He is dead James, do not blame yourself, there was nothing you could have done," said Dumbledore in a comforting voice that failed to disguise his sorrow.
At hearing those words James felt a lead weight fall into his stomach and squash his insides. No Sanders couldn't be dead, he was just playing quidditch ten minutes ago.
"D-dead?" stuttered James incapable of moving. Dumbledore looked at James through his half moon spectacles and nodded grimly. Then, picking up James' glasses Dumbledore tapped them with his wand and fixed them, as good as new.
"I would advise that you go up to the hospital wing and spend the night there. If you feel better you can return to your dormitory tomorrow."
"What about those people on the broomsticks?" asked James once again knowing the answer.
"They are Death Eaters, the servants of a new Dark Wizard; Lord Voldemort. Those we have caught will be handed over to the Ministry of Magic, the one that escaped will have returned to Voldemort by now."
"But-," began James but he was interrupted by the voice of Professor McGonagoll.
"Albus! What happened, Are Sanders and Potter OK?" she said, her usually harsh voice sounded very worried.
"Minerva, calm yourself. Mr. Potter is fine, as for Mr. Sanders, he has been killed by the explosion. We will have to call his parents. But first will you please take Mr. Potter to the Hospital Wing." Professor McGonagoll looked at a loss for things to say, she merely helped James to his feet and began a slow funeral march to the hospital wing. After what seemed like ages James was told to stay inside the hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagoll hurried down to the quidditch pitch. James sat there on his bed allowing the guilt and sorrow to overwhelm him as he sat trying to shut out the memory of the attack. After many hours James grew tired and fell asleep, not waking until noon on the next day.
***
The cool November nights gave way to the chilli December days, allowing the grounds to be covered in snow and sleet. James went to all his lessons and spent his time with his friends but that night he lost some of that 'Marauder Spirit' as Sirius called it. The Marauders were sitting in their usual spots in transfiguration, not remotely listen to McGonagoll; who was talking about Animagi. The bell rang to signal the end of the day's lessons and the seventh years made to leave.
"If I might have your attention please," began Professor McGonagoll. The Seventh years looked at her. "As some of you may know that this years Seventh year dance has been open to any student in fourth year or above, I am expecting nothing but exemplary behaviour from you. If anyone misbehaves I would be most terribly disappointed to find out they are in Gryffindor. This is a fun occasion, but I still expect the best behaviour from all of you." She emphasized the last three words, glaring at the Marauders.
"Everyone but Potter and Miss Evans may leave.
"Good luck, mate," said Sirius thumping James on the shoulder and grinning slyly. James made his way over to McGonagoll after the whole class had left.
"Now Potter and Evans, both of you will need partners for this dance because the Head Boy and Girl must open the dance with their partners. But this year I would like you to inform all the seventh year prefects to also find partners because they will be opening with you. Understood?" James and Lily both nodded and left the transfiguration classroom.
"So, who are you gonna go with, Evans?" asked James in his most mature and matter-of-factly voice.
"Dunno," said Lily truthfully.
"Well, I'll see you later Lily," said James winking at her before going down to the dinner hall.
Lily, who wasn't in the mood for any food decided to go up to the common room. As soon as she entered the common room, Lily was greeted by Em and Helen.
"So Lily, how many times did Potter ask you out?" asked Em with a sly grin.
"None actually," said Lily acidly. "Now if you will excuse me I want to do my charms homework."
After an hour or so the Marauders came marching into the common room and sat down in their usual spots. Lily noticed that Black and Pettigrew were making a great deal of noise. After half an hour of the racket Lily saw Potter stand up. He was grinning and said something to Black. Black lost his smile but soon drew him self up and marched away from the Marauders. Lily saw him walk up, casually, to Helen and then he spoke.
"Alright there Marchbank, or do you prefer Helen," Began Sirius confidently. "How would you like to go to the fourth year and above ball with me on Christmas?" Lily looked up quickly and saw Sirius smiling that irresistible smile of his, then he saw Helen's face and already knew her best friends answer.
"Er-um- yea sure," Helen squeaked. Sirius grinned broader than ever and elegantly sweeping his dark hair out of his eyebrows he almost swaggered over the rest of the Marauders and began to laugh his head off.
"Men…" said Lily quietly to herself before continuing her homework.
***
The next two weeks passed rather quickly and James was finding any excuse to avoid being with Sirius. He had promised Sirius that if he went to the ball with Helen Marchbank that he James would ask Lily out. Each time in that fortnight James met his best friend, Sirius would ask James about the dance.
It was full moon and Sirius had finally found James.
"Aren't you coming out tonight, c'mon, we could steal stuff from Hogsmeade for Christmas presents. Go on!" said Sirius about six o clock on the last full moon before Christmas.
"You and Wormtail go on ahead but I have a lot of work to do," said James composing on the spot.
"Well suit yourself, Prongs my boy," said Sirius grinning. "But we still haven't forgotten about you and that Lily flower of yours" With that he turned and rushed down the stairs into the entrance hall."
James thought his time would be best serves if he looked up some charms for his preliminary NEWT exams after Christmas. He went into the library and saw it was deserted apart from one table. Lily Evans was sitting there looking very grieved. James put the 'mission' Sirius had set him out of his mind and went to check whether Lily was OK or not.
"Erm Lily, you OK?" He asked nervously. Lily looked up and shot James a death glare before returning to her misery.
James just sat beside her and stayed silent for over a half hour before noticing a piece of paper on the table.
"Could I read this please?" James asked apprehensively. Lily said nothing but pushed the paper in James' direction. Slowly James opened the paper and noticed the official stamp at the bottom. It was from the Ministry, it read:
Dear Lily Evans
We are sorry to inform you that the new Dark Wizard, Voldemort, Blown up a few muggle buildings in London. We understand that your Mother and Father were attending a reception at one of these buildings. The muggles have blamed the attacks on a group called the IRA. We also regretfully inform you that your mother and father have both been mortally wounded in these attacks. We are working hard to bring those responsible for this deed to justice.
Yours in sorrow
Madam Samantha Jones
The Department of Magical law enforcement
Ministry of Magic.
James read the letter several times before he understood what had happened. He sat down beside Lily and put him arm around her shoulder. Then he felt Lily's head resting on his shoulder and her tears trickling down his robes. How badly James had always wanted this moment, but now James would rather that Lily's parents were alive and she hated him than this. For what seemed an eternity Lily cried on James' shoulder. James gently wiped away the tears from her eyes and kissed her forehead. Lily smiled a watery smile and James noticed how pretty she looked even when grieved. About ten o clock the librarian heard the two heads talking quietly in the library and chased them out.
James and Lily walked up to Gryffindor tower in silence. Just as James had said goodnight to Lily she smiled.
"Listen James, you're really nice when you try to be," said Lily quietly.
"Cheers," said James turning toward the boys dormitory.
"Wait!" Said Lily. "Do you want to go to the ball with me?" James stood there at a loss for anything to say. His mouth went dry and fearful he might lose the chance James frantically nodded. Lily smiled and walked away to her dormitory.
"So did the little Prongsy get his Lily Flower?" said a humoured voice as James walked into the Gryffindor common room to see Sirius, Remus and Peter all grinning widely.
***
The end! Did you like it? Did you hate it? Please do tell me, please do REVIEW! I am most sorry for the huge delay but my computer broke down and I couldn't update. Well if I get enough reviews I'll begin to review normally. Well awaiting your reviews. The more you give the quicker I shall update
Chou!
To ElizabethMM: I don't have the energy to correct you but I recommend you restudy. And if you do not like it you do not have to read it. Thanks a bunch.
PLEASE REVIEW!!
DISCLAIMER: you know the plot! I don't have 30 million quid, just the two g's in the banks, so that must mean I am not JKR!
Chapter Six:
James pelted towards the fallen Sanders in great speed. Five feet above the ground he leapt of his Comet Two-Sixty and ran towards his seeker. As he got nearer to his Seeker a tremendous force knocked James of his feet and sent him flying backwards many paces. James landed face first into the hard pitch, breaking his glasses. Above him James heard people cackling madly, looking up he saw about eight or nine people, clad in dark robes, on broomsticks laughing their heads off.
A hot surge of anger shot through James sending him into a towering rage, he got up, drawing his wand he made ready to hurl the first curse that came to his mind at the Death Eaters.
"STUPEFY!" shouted a much voice from behind James. One of the Death Eaters gave a loud cry before falling off his broomstick. The remaining Death Eaters stopped laughing and drew their wands. James turned around to see Dumbledore standing behind him, his wand raised and his eyes radiating a cold fury that James had never seen before. One Death Eater pelted at Dumbledore with blinding speed. Dumbledore, however, merely flicked his wand and the Death Eater stopped dead in mid-air as if he had hit a brick wall.
The remainder of the Death Eaters aimed spells at the old Headmaster but Dumbledore simply deflected them. Flicking his wand again, Dumbledore knocked of a further two Death Eaters off their brooms. Realising that they were no match for him, the Death Eaters fled Dumbledore. They flew wildly away from Hogwarts but Dumbledore managed to catch all but one of them.
"James do not move!" said Dumbledore and James noticed the fear in and urgency in his voice. Dumbledore marched over to Sanders and observed him for a moment. Relief swept through James and calmed him down again. James figured Dumbledore was thinking of the best spell to revive Sanders. After all he was just knocked out, nothing else. The Headmaster sighed deeply and looking up at James he said:
"I am afraid Mr. Sanders is no longer amongst us," said Dumbledore sadly.
"W-What do you mean?" Stuttered James knowing very well what Dumbledore meant.
"He is dead James, do not blame yourself, there was nothing you could have done," said Dumbledore in a comforting voice that failed to disguise his sorrow.
At hearing those words James felt a lead weight fall into his stomach and squash his insides. No Sanders couldn't be dead, he was just playing quidditch ten minutes ago.
"D-dead?" stuttered James incapable of moving. Dumbledore looked at James through his half moon spectacles and nodded grimly. Then, picking up James' glasses Dumbledore tapped them with his wand and fixed them, as good as new.
"I would advise that you go up to the hospital wing and spend the night there. If you feel better you can return to your dormitory tomorrow."
"What about those people on the broomsticks?" asked James once again knowing the answer.
"They are Death Eaters, the servants of a new Dark Wizard; Lord Voldemort. Those we have caught will be handed over to the Ministry of Magic, the one that escaped will have returned to Voldemort by now."
"But-," began James but he was interrupted by the voice of Professor McGonagoll.
"Albus! What happened, Are Sanders and Potter OK?" she said, her usually harsh voice sounded very worried.
"Minerva, calm yourself. Mr. Potter is fine, as for Mr. Sanders, he has been killed by the explosion. We will have to call his parents. But first will you please take Mr. Potter to the Hospital Wing." Professor McGonagoll looked at a loss for things to say, she merely helped James to his feet and began a slow funeral march to the hospital wing. After what seemed like ages James was told to stay inside the hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey and Professor McGonagoll hurried down to the quidditch pitch. James sat there on his bed allowing the guilt and sorrow to overwhelm him as he sat trying to shut out the memory of the attack. After many hours James grew tired and fell asleep, not waking until noon on the next day.
***
The cool November nights gave way to the chilli December days, allowing the grounds to be covered in snow and sleet. James went to all his lessons and spent his time with his friends but that night he lost some of that 'Marauder Spirit' as Sirius called it. The Marauders were sitting in their usual spots in transfiguration, not remotely listen to McGonagoll; who was talking about Animagi. The bell rang to signal the end of the day's lessons and the seventh years made to leave.
"If I might have your attention please," began Professor McGonagoll. The Seventh years looked at her. "As some of you may know that this years Seventh year dance has been open to any student in fourth year or above, I am expecting nothing but exemplary behaviour from you. If anyone misbehaves I would be most terribly disappointed to find out they are in Gryffindor. This is a fun occasion, but I still expect the best behaviour from all of you." She emphasized the last three words, glaring at the Marauders.
"Everyone but Potter and Miss Evans may leave.
"Good luck, mate," said Sirius thumping James on the shoulder and grinning slyly. James made his way over to McGonagoll after the whole class had left.
"Now Potter and Evans, both of you will need partners for this dance because the Head Boy and Girl must open the dance with their partners. But this year I would like you to inform all the seventh year prefects to also find partners because they will be opening with you. Understood?" James and Lily both nodded and left the transfiguration classroom.
"So, who are you gonna go with, Evans?" asked James in his most mature and matter-of-factly voice.
"Dunno," said Lily truthfully.
"Well, I'll see you later Lily," said James winking at her before going down to the dinner hall.
Lily, who wasn't in the mood for any food decided to go up to the common room. As soon as she entered the common room, Lily was greeted by Em and Helen.
"So Lily, how many times did Potter ask you out?" asked Em with a sly grin.
"None actually," said Lily acidly. "Now if you will excuse me I want to do my charms homework."
After an hour or so the Marauders came marching into the common room and sat down in their usual spots. Lily noticed that Black and Pettigrew were making a great deal of noise. After half an hour of the racket Lily saw Potter stand up. He was grinning and said something to Black. Black lost his smile but soon drew him self up and marched away from the Marauders. Lily saw him walk up, casually, to Helen and then he spoke.
"Alright there Marchbank, or do you prefer Helen," Began Sirius confidently. "How would you like to go to the fourth year and above ball with me on Christmas?" Lily looked up quickly and saw Sirius smiling that irresistible smile of his, then he saw Helen's face and already knew her best friends answer.
"Er-um- yea sure," Helen squeaked. Sirius grinned broader than ever and elegantly sweeping his dark hair out of his eyebrows he almost swaggered over the rest of the Marauders and began to laugh his head off.
"Men…" said Lily quietly to herself before continuing her homework.
***
The next two weeks passed rather quickly and James was finding any excuse to avoid being with Sirius. He had promised Sirius that if he went to the ball with Helen Marchbank that he James would ask Lily out. Each time in that fortnight James met his best friend, Sirius would ask James about the dance.
It was full moon and Sirius had finally found James.
"Aren't you coming out tonight, c'mon, we could steal stuff from Hogsmeade for Christmas presents. Go on!" said Sirius about six o clock on the last full moon before Christmas.
"You and Wormtail go on ahead but I have a lot of work to do," said James composing on the spot.
"Well suit yourself, Prongs my boy," said Sirius grinning. "But we still haven't forgotten about you and that Lily flower of yours" With that he turned and rushed down the stairs into the entrance hall."
James thought his time would be best serves if he looked up some charms for his preliminary NEWT exams after Christmas. He went into the library and saw it was deserted apart from one table. Lily Evans was sitting there looking very grieved. James put the 'mission' Sirius had set him out of his mind and went to check whether Lily was OK or not.
"Erm Lily, you OK?" He asked nervously. Lily looked up and shot James a death glare before returning to her misery.
James just sat beside her and stayed silent for over a half hour before noticing a piece of paper on the table.
"Could I read this please?" James asked apprehensively. Lily said nothing but pushed the paper in James' direction. Slowly James opened the paper and noticed the official stamp at the bottom. It was from the Ministry, it read:
Dear Lily Evans
We are sorry to inform you that the new Dark Wizard, Voldemort, Blown up a few muggle buildings in London. We understand that your Mother and Father were attending a reception at one of these buildings. The muggles have blamed the attacks on a group called the IRA. We also regretfully inform you that your mother and father have both been mortally wounded in these attacks. We are working hard to bring those responsible for this deed to justice.
Yours in sorrow
Madam Samantha Jones
The Department of Magical law enforcement
Ministry of Magic.
James read the letter several times before he understood what had happened. He sat down beside Lily and put him arm around her shoulder. Then he felt Lily's head resting on his shoulder and her tears trickling down his robes. How badly James had always wanted this moment, but now James would rather that Lily's parents were alive and she hated him than this. For what seemed an eternity Lily cried on James' shoulder. James gently wiped away the tears from her eyes and kissed her forehead. Lily smiled a watery smile and James noticed how pretty she looked even when grieved. About ten o clock the librarian heard the two heads talking quietly in the library and chased them out.
James and Lily walked up to Gryffindor tower in silence. Just as James had said goodnight to Lily she smiled.
"Listen James, you're really nice when you try to be," said Lily quietly.
"Cheers," said James turning toward the boys dormitory.
"Wait!" Said Lily. "Do you want to go to the ball with me?" James stood there at a loss for anything to say. His mouth went dry and fearful he might lose the chance James frantically nodded. Lily smiled and walked away to her dormitory.
"So did the little Prongsy get his Lily Flower?" said a humoured voice as James walked into the Gryffindor common room to see Sirius, Remus and Peter all grinning widely.
***
The end! Did you like it? Did you hate it? Please do tell me, please do REVIEW! I am most sorry for the huge delay but my computer broke down and I couldn't update. Well if I get enough reviews I'll begin to review normally. Well awaiting your reviews. The more you give the quicker I shall update
Chou!