Chapter 2
A few months later Lily Evans was running throughout the train station trying to get to Platform 9 and ¾ on time. She saw the barrier and sped up, bursting threw just in time. Loading her luggage, and walking down the corridor, she moaned silently to herself as the train lurched forward. She needed to find a compartment quick and she didn't know where her friends were.
"OY, LILY!"
She looked into the nearest compartment in time to see at the sound of these words James Potter, the famous Quidditch player, spill a bottle of ink all over himself. The face of Sirius Black was staring back up at her. She smiled. I guess this will do.
Gingerly walking into the compartment she sat away from the ink, James was cleaning, embarrassed.
"So, I see you're a prefect, again, Remus," she said.
"Yeah," he replied grinning. "I can't wait to get Snape and Bellatrix for something!"
"REMUS!!! You know your not supposed to abuse your position."
"Yeah, right, because you know Malfoy won't abuse it at all," said Sirius sarcastically.
"So Remus is going to descend to Malfoy's level?"
"No. He's just going to make sure he gets Malfoy's mates, before Malfoy gets his."
Lily sighed. This day just wasn't going her way. "Look you guys." James was pointedly avoiding her eyes, while the rest of them looked at her. "I really am happy I'm prefect." Everyone except Remus rolled his or her eyes. "It's something to be proud of," she added.
BANG!
Everyone looked up. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had just entered the compartment.
"Well, well, well," a voice drawled. "If it isn't the Mud-blood and her Muggle loving friends." Malfoy then spotted the Marauders. "Ahhh, and their handsome heros."
James shot up. "DON'T YOU DARE CALL LIL- OUCH! Lily, what was that for?" She had kicked him.
"For not letting me stand up for myself!"
"I know you can, that's not the thing!"
"THEN WHAT IS IT?"
"I JUST LIKE PROTECTING YOU OKAY?"
"OKAY?!?! OKAY?!?! I DON'T NEED PROTECTION!!!"
"YOU WILL SOMEDAY!!"
"I can deal with my problems, myself thanks." And she left the compartment.
"Ouch, did the lover-boy get told?" asked Malfoy.
"Sod off," said James, as he too, went into the corridor.
"Well," said Malfoy turning back to the corridor. "I gue-"He gulped. He had turned around to faced the end of Sirius, Remus, and Jen's wands. "I...er...We'll be leaving now." And he swept out of the compartment.
Sirius sighed. "Whose going after Lily and James?"
"I did it last time," said Remus.
"No, pal, I did. It's your turn," countered Sirius.
"Um, I guess you have forgotten...I DID!"
"NO, I DID!"
Suddenly a small voice piped up. "I'll go." Lauren got up and left.
"SEE," yelled Remus. "NOW YOU MADE HER LEAVE!!!"
"DIDN'T"
"DID"
"DIDN'T"
"DID"
"WHY DO YOU CARE?"
"BECAUSE SHE'S. She's...never mind," Remus broke off, blushing and sat back down.
"Ahhhh," said Jen. "Does Remus have a wittle cruchy-wushy?"
"I fink he does," added Sirius. "Little tyke's growing up," he added, wiping away a fake tear. Smiling at Jen, he winked. She felt her stomach do a weird flop. Wondering why it did that, she smiled back, nervously.
A few hours later, after everyone had come back into the room, played a few games of truth or dare, promised to finish it later, and cleaned up their mess, they arrived at Hogsmeade station. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter left first, closely followed by the girls.
Lily walked out onto the platform waiting for her friends. She glanced quickly at the hundred or so horseless stagecoaches that always took the students above first year up to the castle. Then she did a double take.
The coaches were no longer horseless. There were creatures standing between the carriage shafts; if he had had to give them a name, he supposed he would call them horses, though there was something reptilian about them, too. They were completely fleshless, black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads was dragonish and their pupil-less eyes white and staring. Wings sprouted from each wither- vast leathery wings that looked as though they ought to have belonged to giant bats. Standing still and quiet in the gathering gloom, the creatures looked eerie and sinister. Lily could not understand why these horrible horses were pulling the coaches when they were quiet capable of moving along by themselves.
A short distance away Lucius Malfoy, followed by a small gang of Slytherins including Crabbe, Goyle and Severus Snape, was pushing through some timid-looking first years so they could get a carriage to themselves.
"Malfoy was being absolutely foul to a first year back there, I swear I'm going to report him, he's only had his badge three minutes and he's using it to bully people worse than ever...Where's Hermy??"
Ja-Potter's got her," said Jen.
"WHAT?" screamed Lily. "HOW DID HE GET MY OWL?!?!"
"I don't know, Lily, chill, he loves you," Lauren smirked. "He'll be fine with her."
"What are those things, d'you reckon?" Lily asked Jen and Lauren, changing the subject and nodding at the horrible horses as the other students surged past them.
"What things?" asked Jen.
"Those horse-"
James appeared, flanked by Peter, Sirius and Remus, holding Hermy's cage in his arms.
"Here you are," he said. "She's a sweet owl, Lily."
"Uh..." stammered Lily blushing. "Th-thanks Ja- Potter."
"What were you saying, Lily?" said Jen.
"I was saying, what are those horse things?" Lily said as she, Jen, and Lauren made for a carriage.
"What horse things?"
"The horse things pulling the carriages!" said Lily impatiently; they were, after all, about three feet from the nearest one; it was watching them with empty white eyes. Jen and Lauren however, gave Lily a perplexed look. So did ¾ of the Marauders.
"What are you talking about?" asked Lauren.
"I'm talking about- look!"
Lily grabbed her friends arms and wheeled them about so that they were face-to-face with the winged horse. They stared straight at it for a second, then looked back at Lily.
"What are we supposed to be looking at?"
"At the- there, between the shafts! Harnessed to the coach! It's right there in front-"
But as they continued to look bemused, a strange thought occurred to Lily.
"Can't you...can't you see them?"
"See what?" replied Jen.
"Can't you see what is pulling the carriage?"
Jen, Lauren and the Marauders looked seriously alarmed now.
"Are you feeling alright, Lily?"
"Did you hit your head?"
"Are you okay?"
"I...yeah..."
Lily felt utterly bewildered. The horse was there in front of her, gleaming solidly in the dim light issuing from the station windows behind them, vapor rising from its nostrils in the chilly night air. Yet unless everybody else was faking- and it was a very feeble joke if they were- they could not see it at all.
"Shall we get in, then?" said Jen uncertainly, looking at Lily as though worried about her.
"Yeah," said Harry. "Yeah, go on..."
"It's alright," said a deep voice from beside Lily, as Jen and Lauren vanished into the coach's dark interior. "You're not mad or anything Lily. Far from it. I can see them, too."
"Can you?" said Lily desperately, turning to James. She could see the bat-winged horses reflected in his very deep hazel eyes.
"Oh yes," said James, "I've been able to see them ever since my first day here. They've always pulled the carriages. Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am."
Smiling faintly, he left walking to the next carriage, Sirius and Peter following him. Not altogether reassured, Lily went into her carriage. She sat down and then looked at Jen who was looking out the door, waiting for one more person to enter their carriage. She stopped at the look on Lily's face.
"What are you- Oh hello Remus." Remus was climbing into the carriage. "Um, its nice having you in here and all but why aren't you sitting with your other ¾?"
"U-uh," stuttered Remus.
Lily smirked. "It couldn't be because of your 'crush' could it?"
"WH- How did you know about that?"
"Jen."
"Oh."
Lily then noticed a slightly depressed Lauren sitting next to Remus. "Um, Laury...? What's wrong?"
Remus looked at Lauren with concern etched on his face. "Are you alright??? You're not sick are you? What do you need? Are you sure your okay? Is there anything I can do?"
Lily started laughing. "Actually Remus, there probably is something..." She started giggling. Jen joined her.
"What can I do?" said a willing, concerned Remus. "I'll do it."
Jen and Lily shared a grin. "Well..." said Lily. "A nice kiss would probably help her."
Lauren blushed. "YOU GUYS!!!! Wha-? Why did y-? Wher-? Argh!!!"
Lily and Jen started laughing seeing Remus's puzzled face as Lauren turned and looked at the ceiling, trying to stay calm.
Lily looked at Jen. "This is going to be a long year."
While Lily and Jen were teasing Lauren, James was trying to calm down. James had just taken Lily's owl for her to score some brownie points. He was trying to stop Sirius and Peter from laughing at him for this obvious sign of affection, when Adam Sutherland climbed into the carriage with them.
"Hey," said Adam. "You don't mind if I sit here do you?"
"Go ahead," James had responded, trying to get the attention off of him. "In fact, please do."
"Was that Lily's owl?" Adam asked.
"Yeah," James replied cautiously. "Why?"
"Oh, I just thought I recognized Lily carrying her. She is beautiful, who couldn't?"
Do you mean Lily or Hermy?" James asked protectively.
Adam laughed. "Lily, of course."
Peter and Sirius stopped laughing and stared at James, who was gulping.
"Of, co-course."
"That luscious red hair that you could just run your fingers through. Those, oh so deep, emerald green eyes." He sighed. "And that body!!! I mean, damn, who wouldn't be head over heels for her?"
"Y-yeah," James croaked out. He was starting to look sick. How DARE Adam like Lily, too. James knew that there was no chance he would get Lily now. What could he offer that was more than what Adam, captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and prefect, could offer. James tuned back into the conversation in time to hear "ask her" come out of Adam's mouth, and Sirius and Peter turn and stare at James.
"Er, what did you say? Sorry, didn't catch that."
"Oh, I just was wondering when I'm going to ask her."
"Ask her what?" questioned James, though he thought he didn't want to know.
Adam stared at him. "To be my girlfriend."
James controlled his anger and slowly turned to look out the window. This was going to be a long year.
For those of you who need this, here is the one and ONLY disclaimer I am going to write. I am not the brilliant, inspiring Joanne Kathleen Rowling. I know, it disappoints me, too. I am just borrowing her lovely characters and weaving them into a storyline of my own. Thank you for your cooperation, because I know how horrid these Authors Comments are. I will try to write as few as possible. Because I know all you really care about is the story.
A few months later Lily Evans was running throughout the train station trying to get to Platform 9 and ¾ on time. She saw the barrier and sped up, bursting threw just in time. Loading her luggage, and walking down the corridor, she moaned silently to herself as the train lurched forward. She needed to find a compartment quick and she didn't know where her friends were.
"OY, LILY!"
She looked into the nearest compartment in time to see at the sound of these words James Potter, the famous Quidditch player, spill a bottle of ink all over himself. The face of Sirius Black was staring back up at her. She smiled. I guess this will do.
Gingerly walking into the compartment she sat away from the ink, James was cleaning, embarrassed.
"So, I see you're a prefect, again, Remus," she said.
"Yeah," he replied grinning. "I can't wait to get Snape and Bellatrix for something!"
"REMUS!!! You know your not supposed to abuse your position."
"Yeah, right, because you know Malfoy won't abuse it at all," said Sirius sarcastically.
"So Remus is going to descend to Malfoy's level?"
"No. He's just going to make sure he gets Malfoy's mates, before Malfoy gets his."
Lily sighed. This day just wasn't going her way. "Look you guys." James was pointedly avoiding her eyes, while the rest of them looked at her. "I really am happy I'm prefect." Everyone except Remus rolled his or her eyes. "It's something to be proud of," she added.
BANG!
Everyone looked up. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had just entered the compartment.
"Well, well, well," a voice drawled. "If it isn't the Mud-blood and her Muggle loving friends." Malfoy then spotted the Marauders. "Ahhh, and their handsome heros."
James shot up. "DON'T YOU DARE CALL LIL- OUCH! Lily, what was that for?" She had kicked him.
"For not letting me stand up for myself!"
"I know you can, that's not the thing!"
"THEN WHAT IS IT?"
"I JUST LIKE PROTECTING YOU OKAY?"
"OKAY?!?! OKAY?!?! I DON'T NEED PROTECTION!!!"
"YOU WILL SOMEDAY!!"
"I can deal with my problems, myself thanks." And she left the compartment.
"Ouch, did the lover-boy get told?" asked Malfoy.
"Sod off," said James, as he too, went into the corridor.
"Well," said Malfoy turning back to the corridor. "I gue-"He gulped. He had turned around to faced the end of Sirius, Remus, and Jen's wands. "I...er...We'll be leaving now." And he swept out of the compartment.
Sirius sighed. "Whose going after Lily and James?"
"I did it last time," said Remus.
"No, pal, I did. It's your turn," countered Sirius.
"Um, I guess you have forgotten...I DID!"
"NO, I DID!"
Suddenly a small voice piped up. "I'll go." Lauren got up and left.
"SEE," yelled Remus. "NOW YOU MADE HER LEAVE!!!"
"DIDN'T"
"DID"
"DIDN'T"
"DID"
"WHY DO YOU CARE?"
"BECAUSE SHE'S. She's...never mind," Remus broke off, blushing and sat back down.
"Ahhhh," said Jen. "Does Remus have a wittle cruchy-wushy?"
"I fink he does," added Sirius. "Little tyke's growing up," he added, wiping away a fake tear. Smiling at Jen, he winked. She felt her stomach do a weird flop. Wondering why it did that, she smiled back, nervously.
A few hours later, after everyone had come back into the room, played a few games of truth or dare, promised to finish it later, and cleaned up their mess, they arrived at Hogsmeade station. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter left first, closely followed by the girls.
Lily walked out onto the platform waiting for her friends. She glanced quickly at the hundred or so horseless stagecoaches that always took the students above first year up to the castle. Then she did a double take.
The coaches were no longer horseless. There were creatures standing between the carriage shafts; if he had had to give them a name, he supposed he would call them horses, though there was something reptilian about them, too. They were completely fleshless, black coats clinging to their skeletons, of which every bone was visible. Their heads was dragonish and their pupil-less eyes white and staring. Wings sprouted from each wither- vast leathery wings that looked as though they ought to have belonged to giant bats. Standing still and quiet in the gathering gloom, the creatures looked eerie and sinister. Lily could not understand why these horrible horses were pulling the coaches when they were quiet capable of moving along by themselves.
A short distance away Lucius Malfoy, followed by a small gang of Slytherins including Crabbe, Goyle and Severus Snape, was pushing through some timid-looking first years so they could get a carriage to themselves.
"Malfoy was being absolutely foul to a first year back there, I swear I'm going to report him, he's only had his badge three minutes and he's using it to bully people worse than ever...Where's Hermy??"
Ja-Potter's got her," said Jen.
"WHAT?" screamed Lily. "HOW DID HE GET MY OWL?!?!"
"I don't know, Lily, chill, he loves you," Lauren smirked. "He'll be fine with her."
"What are those things, d'you reckon?" Lily asked Jen and Lauren, changing the subject and nodding at the horrible horses as the other students surged past them.
"What things?" asked Jen.
"Those horse-"
James appeared, flanked by Peter, Sirius and Remus, holding Hermy's cage in his arms.
"Here you are," he said. "She's a sweet owl, Lily."
"Uh..." stammered Lily blushing. "Th-thanks Ja- Potter."
"What were you saying, Lily?" said Jen.
"I was saying, what are those horse things?" Lily said as she, Jen, and Lauren made for a carriage.
"What horse things?"
"The horse things pulling the carriages!" said Lily impatiently; they were, after all, about three feet from the nearest one; it was watching them with empty white eyes. Jen and Lauren however, gave Lily a perplexed look. So did ¾ of the Marauders.
"What are you talking about?" asked Lauren.
"I'm talking about- look!"
Lily grabbed her friends arms and wheeled them about so that they were face-to-face with the winged horse. They stared straight at it for a second, then looked back at Lily.
"What are we supposed to be looking at?"
"At the- there, between the shafts! Harnessed to the coach! It's right there in front-"
But as they continued to look bemused, a strange thought occurred to Lily.
"Can't you...can't you see them?"
"See what?" replied Jen.
"Can't you see what is pulling the carriage?"
Jen, Lauren and the Marauders looked seriously alarmed now.
"Are you feeling alright, Lily?"
"Did you hit your head?"
"Are you okay?"
"I...yeah..."
Lily felt utterly bewildered. The horse was there in front of her, gleaming solidly in the dim light issuing from the station windows behind them, vapor rising from its nostrils in the chilly night air. Yet unless everybody else was faking- and it was a very feeble joke if they were- they could not see it at all.
"Shall we get in, then?" said Jen uncertainly, looking at Lily as though worried about her.
"Yeah," said Harry. "Yeah, go on..."
"It's alright," said a deep voice from beside Lily, as Jen and Lauren vanished into the coach's dark interior. "You're not mad or anything Lily. Far from it. I can see them, too."
"Can you?" said Lily desperately, turning to James. She could see the bat-winged horses reflected in his very deep hazel eyes.
"Oh yes," said James, "I've been able to see them ever since my first day here. They've always pulled the carriages. Don't worry. You're just as sane as I am."
Smiling faintly, he left walking to the next carriage, Sirius and Peter following him. Not altogether reassured, Lily went into her carriage. She sat down and then looked at Jen who was looking out the door, waiting for one more person to enter their carriage. She stopped at the look on Lily's face.
"What are you- Oh hello Remus." Remus was climbing into the carriage. "Um, its nice having you in here and all but why aren't you sitting with your other ¾?"
"U-uh," stuttered Remus.
Lily smirked. "It couldn't be because of your 'crush' could it?"
"WH- How did you know about that?"
"Jen."
"Oh."
Lily then noticed a slightly depressed Lauren sitting next to Remus. "Um, Laury...? What's wrong?"
Remus looked at Lauren with concern etched on his face. "Are you alright??? You're not sick are you? What do you need? Are you sure your okay? Is there anything I can do?"
Lily started laughing. "Actually Remus, there probably is something..." She started giggling. Jen joined her.
"What can I do?" said a willing, concerned Remus. "I'll do it."
Jen and Lily shared a grin. "Well..." said Lily. "A nice kiss would probably help her."
Lauren blushed. "YOU GUYS!!!! Wha-? Why did y-? Wher-? Argh!!!"
Lily and Jen started laughing seeing Remus's puzzled face as Lauren turned and looked at the ceiling, trying to stay calm.
Lily looked at Jen. "This is going to be a long year."
While Lily and Jen were teasing Lauren, James was trying to calm down. James had just taken Lily's owl for her to score some brownie points. He was trying to stop Sirius and Peter from laughing at him for this obvious sign of affection, when Adam Sutherland climbed into the carriage with them.
"Hey," said Adam. "You don't mind if I sit here do you?"
"Go ahead," James had responded, trying to get the attention off of him. "In fact, please do."
"Was that Lily's owl?" Adam asked.
"Yeah," James replied cautiously. "Why?"
"Oh, I just thought I recognized Lily carrying her. She is beautiful, who couldn't?"
Do you mean Lily or Hermy?" James asked protectively.
Adam laughed. "Lily, of course."
Peter and Sirius stopped laughing and stared at James, who was gulping.
"Of, co-course."
"That luscious red hair that you could just run your fingers through. Those, oh so deep, emerald green eyes." He sighed. "And that body!!! I mean, damn, who wouldn't be head over heels for her?"
"Y-yeah," James croaked out. He was starting to look sick. How DARE Adam like Lily, too. James knew that there was no chance he would get Lily now. What could he offer that was more than what Adam, captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, and prefect, could offer. James tuned back into the conversation in time to hear "ask her" come out of Adam's mouth, and Sirius and Peter turn and stare at James.
"Er, what did you say? Sorry, didn't catch that."
"Oh, I just was wondering when I'm going to ask her."
"Ask her what?" questioned James, though he thought he didn't want to know.
Adam stared at him. "To be my girlfriend."
James controlled his anger and slowly turned to look out the window. This was going to be a long year.
For those of you who need this, here is the one and ONLY disclaimer I am going to write. I am not the brilliant, inspiring Joanne Kathleen Rowling. I know, it disappoints me, too. I am just borrowing her lovely characters and weaving them into a storyline of my own. Thank you for your cooperation, because I know how horrid these Authors Comments are. I will try to write as few as possible. Because I know all you really care about is the story.