Chapter 5- The News
Lily had seemed distant the next few weeks before school started. She didn't even seem so obstinate toward James in that time. No smart remarks to Sirius, no intellectual discussions with Remus, no night time girl talks with Samantha, and even when Lily had a book in her hand, she didn't seem to interested. When asked, she just would say that she wanted to play a game, or take a walk on the beach.
On August 31st, they had all gotten their trunks packed and the animals could tell there was chaos about to happen and took that day to sleep. They had all decided to stay and Samantha's parents had written to Remus and James's parents to let them know that a ride to the train station would be provided. Lily had sent her owl to her parent's home if they needed to send her any information. The results of her tests should have come back by now, but they had already sent one owl telling her that Petunia's test had come up negative for signs of cancer. This, at least, was a relief.
It was getting on in the evening and Lily just wanted to be alone for a bit. "I'm going out for an hour or so," Lily said to Sam.
Samantha had been talking to Sirius about what N.E.W.T. classes they were enrolled in when Lily had decided this. "Alright, you sure it'll just be an hour?" Samantha confirmed, just so that she knew when to start worrying.
Lily nodded and left the house. She was wearing her denim shorts and a green t-shirt on, but it had been very warm outside lately and that's all she thought she would need. Lily found a good place that was just close enough to see the house, but far enough to be away from it all. She sat down on the sand and watched as the sun set.
About twenty minutes after Lily had left the house James decided that this would be the best time to do what he was planning. He had seen that she liked art, and she had small miniatures of her favorite pieces of art. The one Samantha said that Lily liked the best was a portrait entitled Woman at her Toilette by a French impressionist named Berthe Morisot. James had found a large poster size of this picture and had waited for a time like this when he could give it to Lily alone.
As he approached the red head on the beach James heard crying from the distance. The closer James came, the more sure he was about what he heard. "Lily?" he asked, poster rolled up in his right hand.
Lily stopped and picked up her head to look at James. "Hey," Lily forced a smile, "what are you doing here?"
"Just trying to find you," James answered. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing, everything's fine," Lily wiped away her tears quickly. "What's that you have?" She wanted to change the subject.
"Oh, this?" James smiled. "This is for you," he handed Lily the rolled up poster.
"What is it?" Lily took it.
"Open it." James sat down next to Lily and leaned on his elbow.
Lily gave him a searching look and opened the poster to see what he had gotten for her. She gasped when she realized what it was. "Oh my!" Lily exclaimed. "Where did you get this?"
"My mum knows a good muggle art store. I know it isn't as good as having a real oil painting, but from what I understand they can be pretty pricey for that artist."
Lily was still examining the print that she had been given. "I don't know what to say, thank you, James."
"It was nothing. I just noticed you've been a little down lately and I wanted to cheer you up." This was a true statement. He might have done some of this to get Lily to open her mind to the idea of going out with him, but he really did feel bad that she seemed so sad. "Why have you been like this anyways?"
"Like what?" Lily hoped that if she played clueless the subject might be dropped.
"You just seem upset about something. Do you miss your family?"
"In a way," Lily admitted.
"You know you can talk to me. I promise I won't tell anyone if you don't want."
"I know." Lily took a breath. "I just don't feel like talking about it right now."
"Okay," James said. "Do you mind if I stay out here with you, though?"
Lily thought about it for a moment. "No," she said. James and Lily just sat out there for the next half an hour, not saying anything, and Lily felt appreciation for that. There was something even calming in having a friend here. When did I become friends with James Potter, Lily thought to herself and smiled at the situation.
The next day they were running a bit late. "The train is going to leave in exactly one hour! You three need to get up!" Samantha shouted at the boys for the fourth time. This was a usual problem for both Sirius and James, but Remus simply wasn't feeling well. Full moon was in less than a week, and he felt like sleeping right now. Not having Remus on your side when dealing with the Rogue ones, though, was a definite loss. "I swear I'll jinx them if they make us late!"
"You can't," Lily reminded her angry friend. "You don't turn seventeen until October." Lily put another large bite of cereal into her mouth, trying to hurry to ease Sam's mind. "Don't worry, I'll get them if they aren't up in fifteen minutes."
Fifteen minutes later, three very disgruntled and wet boys exited the downstairs guest bedroom. "Thanks a lot, Lily," Sirius said before shaking in a dog-like manner and sending water all around the living room.
"No problem, Sirius. Now get ready to go!" Lily said so Samantha wouldn't have to do the lecturing right now. Remus and James didn't bother arguing, either from fatigue or to try impressing the girl, each to their own. Twenty minutes before the train was leaving, all of them were piled in an old VW van that Bob Scott, Sam's dad, had been enthralled with. Even the muggle-born (Lily of course) was holding her breath hoping that they would get there in one piece.
Once at King's Cross, they all hurried to get their things out of the back area (Lily wouldn't exactly call it a trunk), and were making their way to the platform when an owl with black and white feathers. It landed on Lily's trunk. "Hey Darcy," Lily pet the owl and James saw her slip a piece of parchment into her pocket. She quickly put the owl into its cage and they continued their way to the platform. They each took turns entering platform 9 ¾. "We have to go to the Prefect compartment, James," Lily told James.
"I'll be there with you in a minute," Remus told them as they separated from the group and made their way to where they needed to go.
"Do we have to stay there the entire time?" James asked hopefully.
"Yes, I know you'd rather go around playing pranks, but we have to stay there in case any of the prefects need our help." She led the way to the compartment. They both set down their things, and got ready for the prefects to come in. James noticed when he sat down that Lily had taken out the paper an was reading.
Lily looked on the paper in unbelief.
Dear Lily,
I wish we could tell you this in person, but seeing as you are leaving, we realize that this isn't possible. The test results came in that you too have cancer. They say yours is treatable, and we know you will pull through this.
Don't be too concerned, we have already written to Professor Dumbledore about making arrangements to come home on the weekends. You can spend time with the family, and once a month we will schedule you to get treatments.
I know this is a bad time for this to come, but please try and have a good first day, and we will see you next Saturday.
Love,
Mum and Dad
"Are you okay?" James noticed Lily's face become somewhat pale.
Lily crumpled the paper, "fine, I'm fine." She looked around and saw the compartment was nearly full. Remus was looking at her sympathetically and she shook herself out of thinking about the news she just read. "Alright, are we all here?"
A/N: Sorry I had to end it that way, but next chapter will hopefully be happier. Thank you EVERYONE who has reviewed!!! I'm overwhelmed really! If you like this, try reading my other stuff and review that too. I've said it a million times before, and I'll say it a million more. I'm doing this to improve, and I can only do that if ya'll respond to me! So thanks!
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Sorry I'm not writing any personal remarks, I usually do, but as I said...I'm really overwhelmed at the response! Love you all!