Thanks for the last TWO cough reviews! I don't wanna sound greedy, BUT I want more! Please tell your friends about my story, if you really think it's any good. I know it's a little slow-going right now, but I pinky swear that it picks up. And you're not going to want to miss the epilogue, no joke. So, keep reading and reviewing just as you're doing—hey that rhymed!—and be on the lookout for new postings! Love much!

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Chapter 8

The Daily Prophet Report

Before Lily knew it, the first week of school was over, and it was Sunday. There wasn't too much homework, but teachers were slowly allowing the amounts to grow- Professor Moody was no exception; he was expecting a two page essay: "There are many ways of escaping an unwelcome situation- discuss."

Lily didn't waste anytime to start in on her homework- she never did. It was well known through out the Gryffindor common room that Lily Evans did not want to be disturbed until her homework was out of the way. Although, the Marauders seemed to think that they were the exception of this personal rule. When Lily was honest with herself, she didn't mind their disruptions too much.

But there was one other person that also seemed to think he was the exception. The funny thing was that Lily didn't even know this boy until he introduced himself in mid-September.

"Hiya!" The boy replied, one evening. Lily didn't look up from her book.

"Are you talking to me?" She asked uncertainly.

"Er- yeah, I thought so." He said cheerfully.

"Oh. Well, I'm kind of writing an essay…"

"Right." He said. "Well, I've been seein' ya around, an' I thought I'd introduce meself. I'm Joe Douglas, third year. What's chur name?"

"Lily Evans." Lily said shortly, her eyes still not straying from the page. "Nice to meet you."

"Yeah. So, what choo think about that article in the Daily Prophet, eh? Pretty nutty, eh?" Joe asked fervently.

"What article?" Lily wondered, glancing up form her book with her interest mounting.

"Well, I'm sure you've heard, ain't cha? That wacky Voldemort charact'ar?" Joe said, pleased to have Lily's attention.

"Voldemort? What about him?" Lily asked.

"Well, I gots the article in me bag…" Joe replied, reaching into his knapsack. "Yeah, it's pretty short, but here yeh go." He said, handing Lily the newspaper. "He attacked some folks up in London. Didn't say 'oo, though."

"Hm…" Lily said, scanning over the cutout.

The Rising of Lord Voldemort

A few weeks ago, the Dark Lord Voldemort's servants, the Death Eaters, took a little stop on the Hogwarts Express, frightening many students. Writes Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter. It seemed as though it was someone's idea of a sick joke, until the train conductor was murdered before many student's eyes.

"Everyone thought it was a huge deal." Says Lucius Malfoy, a seventh year student who attends Hogwarts. "Well, everyone that is, except for Headmaster Dumbledore."

Apparently, the Transfiguration teacher gone Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, seemed unconcerned with the murder and took no action to prevent further problems. Perhaps if he had, this next attack would not have been quite so devastating.

Lord Voldemort was again spotted in London, England, on his way to Diagon Alley. What for- no one can say. But, as the Daily Prophetcan exclusively reveal, Voldemort was going to Diagon Alley via Muggle underground. At the station, he and his band of Death Eaters killed 7 Muggles and 2 wizards. This massacre seemed to have no true point, but only mere sport.

We can do nothing but pray that the Mistress of Magic can stop this uprising before it gets too far. If you see this madman, please call the Daily Prophet hotline, and we can put Voldemort behind bars in Azkaban.

"Oh my God… 9 people? That's insane!" Lily gasped.

"Shur is. They say 'e's crazy, an' I believe it." Joe replied, taking the page back from Lily, and glancing over it again. "Nutter, if yeh ask me."

"Very." Lily agreed. "I don't believe it…"

"9 people. 'Mere sport' she says. Those people at the Prophet set up a 'otline for people te call. Good plan, too." Joe replied.

"I agree. He needs to be stopped." Lily said.

"Hey, Lily. What's up?" James asked, sitting on the floor by her.

"This is Joe Douglas. You should hear what's in the papers, James." Lily replied.

"Pleasure to meet choo, James." Joe said. "Here's the article… straight out of the Prophet yesterday mornin'."

James took the page, and Lily watched his face intently as his eyes scanned the paper. He started with a glazed look of disinterest, but when he reached the fourth paragraph, his face was taught with anger.

"Who does this guy think he is?!" James shouted. "9 people? Is he mad?"

"Apparently." Lily shrugged.

"Oh God…" James said, understanding quickly dawning over his face like a splash of water. "My parents… they were going to Diagon Alley a few weeks ago…"

"What?" Lily asked. Joe watched his new friends with his concern mounting. "What were they doing there?" She asked.

"They didn't say." James said. "They were getting more Floo Powder…"

"You don't think they would take the Muggle subway, do you?" Lily asked nervously.

"I- I don't think so…" James replied.

"Can't they Apperate?"

"Not my mum. She didn't pass the test when she turned 17, and she never took it again." James said, his nerves growing. "But you don't think…?"

"No!" Lily lied. "I mean, why would they take the Muggle subway?"

"I don't know." James said. "But why would Voldemort just 'kill for sport'?" James asked. "I mean, wouldn't he be after my dad since he's the-" But James cut himself off with a quick glance at Joe. But it didn't matter; Lily knew he was going to say that Mr. Potter was another heir of Gryffindor. Therefore, Voldemort would be after him as well.

"I'm sure everything's fine, James." Lily said supportively, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Wouldn't someone tell you if something was wrong?"

"Well," Joe said. "Not necess'rily. What if they couldn' trace 'is parents back to 'im? It's a possibility, tha's all I'm saying!"

"Joe!" Lily scolded angrily. "I'm sure everything's fine, James."

"Yeah. Fine." James said softly. "I'm going to talk to Sirius. Hey kid, mind if I keep this?" He asked Joe.

"Shur. I don' mind."

"See you guys later." James said, standing up. He must have noticed the nervous look on Lily's face, because he added, "Don't worry about me, Lily. I'll write to them… I'm probably just being paranoid." He glanced at Joe. "Oh- and thanks for the article, Joel."

"It's Joe! No L!" He shouted after James' retreating back. When James was out of earshot, he added, "Choo shur 'e'll be all right?"

"He'll be okay." Lily said, watching James advance up the boys' dormitory steps. "He's going through a tough time right now."

"'Ow so?"

"Long story." Lily said. "It's kind of hard to explain."

"'Kay then. I'd listen if yeh wanna tell me." Joe shrugged. "Well, it was nice to meet cha, Lily. See you around, eh?"

"Hm? Oh, yes." Lily replied, preoccupied. "Sure." Joe flashed her a toothy grin, and crossed the room to join the other third years. Lily couldn't help but think that he was a little pathetic.