Chapter 2- Harriet Potters will
As soon as James told Lily, she apparated to his side.
"Come on, get your stuff, your coming to mine. Go get Claire too. Your not staying here!" James looked like a little lost puppy. He gathered his belongings and then Claire's. They then apparated to Lily's bedroom (James and Lily had both passed their apparation tests.)
"Claire me and you are in here, James you have my sisters room, she's staying at her boyfriends house this week." They deposited their stuff into their rooms. James and Lily went down stairs, Claire wanted to be left alone. Lily introduced James to her parents, then they went into her living room and Lily just conforted James letting him know she was sorry about his loss about his loss. It was about this time that 2 owls arrived for James and Claire. The first was from their father, telling them the date of the funeral. The second was a little more disturbing. It was delivered by a Pheonix and was written on undestroyable parchment. James opened it and read it aloud:
"Dearest James and Claire,
Now your reading this, it must mean that I am no longer with you. All I can Say is, I am so sorry for what I have put you through. Believe me I had no intention of letting your father do the things he did to either of you. When I was just out of school, my father choose a suitor for me and we were to be betroved. He was of course you father. Well his family and mine both had a lot of
Power and wealth and it was in both families interests that we wed. My family in fact had a long history of power and wealth; we were the heirs of Griffindor. As you know all of your family from my side, including me now, are dead. Which means that you two are the only remaining descendants of Godric Griffindor. What about Narcissa? You ask me. Well I must admit, she is not my daughter, just your fathers. A little before we were married, he had a fling, causing the woman to fall pregnant. She threatened to cause a public scandal, if she
Were not paid off. We obliged. My pregnancy was announced and faked. And when Narcissa was born, we kept her and her mother disappeared. My guess is the Potters disposed of her to save embarrassment to their precious name. You two
However are both your fathers and mine.
When I was told that Robert Potter was the man I was to marry, I rebelled against it. I did not love him, or even remotely like him. So my own family put a curse on me. If I left him, or interfered with his ways in any way
I would become very ill and eventually die. That is why I am gone now. I couldn't stand a day longer of seeing my children suffer. I realise it has taken me so long to stop it, but I was also put under the imperious curse for a long time after I was married and my mind was not the same. Now I have come to my
Senses, I love you my children. I have suffered to stop your suffering, so reward me by leaving your father, don't let him do the same to you as he did to me.
Always and forever,
Harriet. J. Potter.
P.s. I have left everything in my name to you both.
Do not let your father get his hands on it.
And look after each other" Lily had her hands over her mouth astonished, James however was the angriest he had ever been in his whole life.
"Why I ought to..." He drew his fist back and punched a cushion. "I'll show him!" He got up and started moving towards the door, letter still clenched in his hand. He was so angry he totally forgot about being able to apparate. Claire came running down the stairs.
"James whats wrong?" She had sensed something was wrong, she didn't know how.
"Read this!" He said harshly, thrusting the letter into Claire's hand. Her eyes darted quickly over it.
"I... I can't believe it! Poor mum! How... how could they do that to their own daughter?"
"He's going to pay for this! All the bruises, hex's, everything he has done to us, nothing, nothing hurts as bad as this. He'll pay! I'll make sure of it!" James was mumbling to himself, once again heading for the door.
"James don't he's killed mum, he'll get you aswell." Claire burst into tears and sat down, burying her head in her hands. James carried on. Lily ran after him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"James stop." He turned to look at her worried face. Instantly calming and wanting to comfort her, making her no longer fear. "Hunny, you can't stop him now. You said it yourself the other day, he's too powerful and of ill nature to mess with alone. You need Dumbledore or the ministry behind you." James started shaking furiously, so Lily put her arms around him.
"But he killed her... and all the time I blamed her for letting him hurt me... and she was under a curse... an Illegal curse and I never noticed. It's all my fault." He broke down into tears.
"Shh hunny." Lily soothed. "It's not your fault.. you couldn't have known. Come on she's happier now, she wanted to die so you and Claire could live freely with out him hurting you constantly. She loved you... Shh... She loved you." Claire wanted to be alone again, to collect her thoughts, she went up to Lily's room and sorted through photos. But James didn't want to be alone, he felt empty and so Lily took him up to his room and laid him on his bed, talking to him softly and stroking his head. She comforted him untill he fell asleep. Looking at him so vulnerable, she pulled his cover over him, kissed his forehead and whispered "I love you," before she left. As she turned, she saw Claire standing at the doorway watching. Lily blushed furiously as Claire followed her back to their room.
"You handled him so well. I've never seen anyone but Sirius calm him down like that! When he's angry he is so hard to talk to or to persuade to do anything. You really love him?" She asked the last question quickly and hopefully. Lily blushed again.
"Don't tell anyone, especially not him. I doubt he feels the same way. I mean we're only 17 and have only ben going out for just over a year. But he makes me so happy and content, I do, I love him." Claire smiled, she didn't know for sure but believed her brother felt the same way.
Things stayed this way for the remainder of the week, Lily making sure both Claire and James were comfortable. Her parents were very supportive of the situation and even let James sleep in with the girls after a third night of him calling out in his sleep. Finally it came to the day of the funeral. Lily had been persuaded to come, by both James and Claire. James just wanted some moral support and Claire thought she would be very helpful when James saw their father for the first time since Harriet Potter's will had come. James put on a set of formal black robes with gold fastenings. Claire and Lily wore long black dress robes. Lily's long red hair making her stand out remarkably. They apparated to Hanogan graveyard, the Potter family graveyard. Robert Potter was at the gates talking to the press.
"Ah yes, it is tragic, she passed away so suddenly." He paused trying to make his voice more croaky. "I can't believe she's gone." James lest out a low growl. Lily and Claire both grabbed one of his hands each, to hold him back.
"Remember this is the last time you ever have to see him." Claire whispered. They took James to the front row of the church pues where the ceremony would be taking place. Soon the room began to fill with people. All high up in the ministry or famous quidditch players. No one who James could honestly say knew his mother. He noticed Gillian could be seen, sporting designer black robes. His father came to the front row and sat next to Lily. He looked at her curiously, holding his sons hand, but said nothing.
The minister of magic was once again holding the ceremony for the Potters. He walked down the aisle which was decorated in black. It had a black carpet leading down to the coffin which sat at the alter. The pues along with the coffin were decorated with black roses and white lillies. He got to the coffin and looked sadly towards the front two rows of people, consisting of the Potters and the Malfoys.
"We meet again so soon, but this time not in celebration of two people coming together, but in comiseration of the demise in one who was loved as much as Harriet Potter was." The minister went on until it was time for Robert Potter to say a few words.
"Well what can I say?" He started. "I loved my wife dearly, together we had 3 children. She supported me all through my career. I'm just glad she saw Nacissa get married. I know it was one of the proudest moments of her life. I remember all the times we had together, ever since our famillies introduced us. My life would not have been complete with out her." The people in the pues all clapped, a few women were even crying. James grip in both girls hands increased. The miniter took Robert Potters place and began to talk,
"Now we shall take Mrs Harriet Pot..."
"Wait!" James stood up. "May I say a few words?"
"Certainly my dear boy." The minister replied. James turned to Claire horror etched on her face.
"Don't worry I just want to say good bye." He went up to his mothers coffin, and instead of facing the people in the pues, he face his mother. Her white and lifeless body, reminding him only of her cruel departure from the world. "Mum, I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me to be. I'm sorry for all the time we missed out on being mother and son. I love you, I always have and I always will. One day we will meet again and I will be able to thank you properly for all you have given me. You have given Claire and I a chance to live our lives. Till we meet again." Everyone aplauded once more, although this time it was a little less enthusiastic. James sat once more in between Lily and Claire, untill it was time for the males in the family to carry Harriet's coffin to be burried.
Once the ceremony was over everyone headed over to the Potter mansion for the reception. The banquet hall had been decorated in Black, a life sized portrait of Harriet Potter on the main wall. When James Lily and Claire got there, they found Sirius and his father waiting for them. They both in turn hugged Claire then James, saying they were sorry for their loss.
"What are you guys doing here?" James asked. "I thought you weren't due back till tomorrow?"
"Yeah but we decided to come home a little early, once Lily owled us telling us what happened."
Sieius wasn't the only unexpected guest. There was also Snape and half of the Slytherin house. James spent the whole night talking to his friends and avoiding everyone else.
James was dancing with Lily. He was happy, content and in a complete bliss, just staring into her beautiful emerald eyes. Then his world came crashing down. Severus Snape was talking to his father. They laughed, then their expressions grew serious. Snape pointed to James, then Lily, James' father began to look angry, his face grew red and steam began to pour from his ears.
"James Potter!" He roared, completely loosing his cool. He didn't seem to notice the music had stopped and everyone was listening.
"Yes sir?" James answered.
"The girl your with,"
"Lily."
"Yes, Severus informs me she's a mudblood."
"Not a Mudblood!" James could feel his temper rising. "But yes she is of muggle heritage."
"How dare you lower your self and the family name to that level, how dare you embarrass us like this!" He moved ever so close to James. "Well boy what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Nothing, I am not ashamed, embarrassed or anything of the sort!" To the crowd's amazement, Robert Potter, thumped James hard on the cheek. Lily rushed over to him and helped him up. "No father, that will not work now, not ever! You can hit me, curse me, hex me as much as you want! It will never make me leave Lily! I love her!" Lily gasped and looked at him, tears in her eyes. How could his father be so cruel?
"Really?" She asked.
"Really!" He replied.
"Enough with this nonsense! You are 17 years old boy. You do not know what love is!"
"Ow I know what love is. Love is when your heart stops every time you see that person, Love is when you would do anything for that smile, that touch or that kiss. Love is wanting to spend eternity with that person. Love is doing something you don't want to, just to see that person smile. Love is standing up to your father, who you know will hurt you, who you know will kill you, who you know is wrong! You are the one who doesn't know what love is! You married my mother because you were forced to, for her money and her status. You had a fling with someone who got pregnant. You stole that child from her and she was never heard of again. You then had two more children along with a wife, whom you hit and cursed. You only love one thing, and that is your self!"
"Why you little..." he pulled out his wand.
"Expellerus!" Lily shouted. Robert Potter was flung across the room, then tackled by several ministry officials, including Jonathan Black. Everyone else stared at Lily she had said a simple spell, strong enough to throw a grown man across the room and disarm him. But most of all, she did it with out the use of a wand.
But Lily didn't notice the attention she had been receiving. She had turned to James. And held him. He was shaking.
"I did it, I did it! I actually stood up to him! Merlin knows what he would have done if you hadn't stopped him."
"James calm down. It's ok." Lily soothed. "Your mother would have been proud." She reassured him. He was grateful, for that. It was all he needed.
"I love you so much, Lil's." He said.
"I love you too." She replied, a grin locked across her face. He looked up at her, his eyes wide, shinning full of happiness. James embraced Lily in a tight hug, kissing her all the while.
"At least now we can safely say our relationship is out in the open."
As soon as James told Lily, she apparated to his side.
"Come on, get your stuff, your coming to mine. Go get Claire too. Your not staying here!" James looked like a little lost puppy. He gathered his belongings and then Claire's. They then apparated to Lily's bedroom (James and Lily had both passed their apparation tests.)
"Claire me and you are in here, James you have my sisters room, she's staying at her boyfriends house this week." They deposited their stuff into their rooms. James and Lily went down stairs, Claire wanted to be left alone. Lily introduced James to her parents, then they went into her living room and Lily just conforted James letting him know she was sorry about his loss about his loss. It was about this time that 2 owls arrived for James and Claire. The first was from their father, telling them the date of the funeral. The second was a little more disturbing. It was delivered by a Pheonix and was written on undestroyable parchment. James opened it and read it aloud:
"Dearest James and Claire,
Now your reading this, it must mean that I am no longer with you. All I can Say is, I am so sorry for what I have put you through. Believe me I had no intention of letting your father do the things he did to either of you. When I was just out of school, my father choose a suitor for me and we were to be betroved. He was of course you father. Well his family and mine both had a lot of
Power and wealth and it was in both families interests that we wed. My family in fact had a long history of power and wealth; we were the heirs of Griffindor. As you know all of your family from my side, including me now, are dead. Which means that you two are the only remaining descendants of Godric Griffindor. What about Narcissa? You ask me. Well I must admit, she is not my daughter, just your fathers. A little before we were married, he had a fling, causing the woman to fall pregnant. She threatened to cause a public scandal, if she
Were not paid off. We obliged. My pregnancy was announced and faked. And when Narcissa was born, we kept her and her mother disappeared. My guess is the Potters disposed of her to save embarrassment to their precious name. You two
However are both your fathers and mine.
When I was told that Robert Potter was the man I was to marry, I rebelled against it. I did not love him, or even remotely like him. So my own family put a curse on me. If I left him, or interfered with his ways in any way
I would become very ill and eventually die. That is why I am gone now. I couldn't stand a day longer of seeing my children suffer. I realise it has taken me so long to stop it, but I was also put under the imperious curse for a long time after I was married and my mind was not the same. Now I have come to my
Senses, I love you my children. I have suffered to stop your suffering, so reward me by leaving your father, don't let him do the same to you as he did to me.
Always and forever,
Harriet. J. Potter.
P.s. I have left everything in my name to you both.
Do not let your father get his hands on it.
And look after each other" Lily had her hands over her mouth astonished, James however was the angriest he had ever been in his whole life.
"Why I ought to..." He drew his fist back and punched a cushion. "I'll show him!" He got up and started moving towards the door, letter still clenched in his hand. He was so angry he totally forgot about being able to apparate. Claire came running down the stairs.
"James whats wrong?" She had sensed something was wrong, she didn't know how.
"Read this!" He said harshly, thrusting the letter into Claire's hand. Her eyes darted quickly over it.
"I... I can't believe it! Poor mum! How... how could they do that to their own daughter?"
"He's going to pay for this! All the bruises, hex's, everything he has done to us, nothing, nothing hurts as bad as this. He'll pay! I'll make sure of it!" James was mumbling to himself, once again heading for the door.
"James don't he's killed mum, he'll get you aswell." Claire burst into tears and sat down, burying her head in her hands. James carried on. Lily ran after him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"James stop." He turned to look at her worried face. Instantly calming and wanting to comfort her, making her no longer fear. "Hunny, you can't stop him now. You said it yourself the other day, he's too powerful and of ill nature to mess with alone. You need Dumbledore or the ministry behind you." James started shaking furiously, so Lily put her arms around him.
"But he killed her... and all the time I blamed her for letting him hurt me... and she was under a curse... an Illegal curse and I never noticed. It's all my fault." He broke down into tears.
"Shh hunny." Lily soothed. "It's not your fault.. you couldn't have known. Come on she's happier now, she wanted to die so you and Claire could live freely with out him hurting you constantly. She loved you... Shh... She loved you." Claire wanted to be alone again, to collect her thoughts, she went up to Lily's room and sorted through photos. But James didn't want to be alone, he felt empty and so Lily took him up to his room and laid him on his bed, talking to him softly and stroking his head. She comforted him untill he fell asleep. Looking at him so vulnerable, she pulled his cover over him, kissed his forehead and whispered "I love you," before she left. As she turned, she saw Claire standing at the doorway watching. Lily blushed furiously as Claire followed her back to their room.
"You handled him so well. I've never seen anyone but Sirius calm him down like that! When he's angry he is so hard to talk to or to persuade to do anything. You really love him?" She asked the last question quickly and hopefully. Lily blushed again.
"Don't tell anyone, especially not him. I doubt he feels the same way. I mean we're only 17 and have only ben going out for just over a year. But he makes me so happy and content, I do, I love him." Claire smiled, she didn't know for sure but believed her brother felt the same way.
Things stayed this way for the remainder of the week, Lily making sure both Claire and James were comfortable. Her parents were very supportive of the situation and even let James sleep in with the girls after a third night of him calling out in his sleep. Finally it came to the day of the funeral. Lily had been persuaded to come, by both James and Claire. James just wanted some moral support and Claire thought she would be very helpful when James saw their father for the first time since Harriet Potter's will had come. James put on a set of formal black robes with gold fastenings. Claire and Lily wore long black dress robes. Lily's long red hair making her stand out remarkably. They apparated to Hanogan graveyard, the Potter family graveyard. Robert Potter was at the gates talking to the press.
"Ah yes, it is tragic, she passed away so suddenly." He paused trying to make his voice more croaky. "I can't believe she's gone." James lest out a low growl. Lily and Claire both grabbed one of his hands each, to hold him back.
"Remember this is the last time you ever have to see him." Claire whispered. They took James to the front row of the church pues where the ceremony would be taking place. Soon the room began to fill with people. All high up in the ministry or famous quidditch players. No one who James could honestly say knew his mother. He noticed Gillian could be seen, sporting designer black robes. His father came to the front row and sat next to Lily. He looked at her curiously, holding his sons hand, but said nothing.
The minister of magic was once again holding the ceremony for the Potters. He walked down the aisle which was decorated in black. It had a black carpet leading down to the coffin which sat at the alter. The pues along with the coffin were decorated with black roses and white lillies. He got to the coffin and looked sadly towards the front two rows of people, consisting of the Potters and the Malfoys.
"We meet again so soon, but this time not in celebration of two people coming together, but in comiseration of the demise in one who was loved as much as Harriet Potter was." The minister went on until it was time for Robert Potter to say a few words.
"Well what can I say?" He started. "I loved my wife dearly, together we had 3 children. She supported me all through my career. I'm just glad she saw Nacissa get married. I know it was one of the proudest moments of her life. I remember all the times we had together, ever since our famillies introduced us. My life would not have been complete with out her." The people in the pues all clapped, a few women were even crying. James grip in both girls hands increased. The miniter took Robert Potters place and began to talk,
"Now we shall take Mrs Harriet Pot..."
"Wait!" James stood up. "May I say a few words?"
"Certainly my dear boy." The minister replied. James turned to Claire horror etched on her face.
"Don't worry I just want to say good bye." He went up to his mothers coffin, and instead of facing the people in the pues, he face his mother. Her white and lifeless body, reminding him only of her cruel departure from the world. "Mum, I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me to be. I'm sorry for all the time we missed out on being mother and son. I love you, I always have and I always will. One day we will meet again and I will be able to thank you properly for all you have given me. You have given Claire and I a chance to live our lives. Till we meet again." Everyone aplauded once more, although this time it was a little less enthusiastic. James sat once more in between Lily and Claire, untill it was time for the males in the family to carry Harriet's coffin to be burried.
Once the ceremony was over everyone headed over to the Potter mansion for the reception. The banquet hall had been decorated in Black, a life sized portrait of Harriet Potter on the main wall. When James Lily and Claire got there, they found Sirius and his father waiting for them. They both in turn hugged Claire then James, saying they were sorry for their loss.
"What are you guys doing here?" James asked. "I thought you weren't due back till tomorrow?"
"Yeah but we decided to come home a little early, once Lily owled us telling us what happened."
Sieius wasn't the only unexpected guest. There was also Snape and half of the Slytherin house. James spent the whole night talking to his friends and avoiding everyone else.
James was dancing with Lily. He was happy, content and in a complete bliss, just staring into her beautiful emerald eyes. Then his world came crashing down. Severus Snape was talking to his father. They laughed, then their expressions grew serious. Snape pointed to James, then Lily, James' father began to look angry, his face grew red and steam began to pour from his ears.
"James Potter!" He roared, completely loosing his cool. He didn't seem to notice the music had stopped and everyone was listening.
"Yes sir?" James answered.
"The girl your with,"
"Lily."
"Yes, Severus informs me she's a mudblood."
"Not a Mudblood!" James could feel his temper rising. "But yes she is of muggle heritage."
"How dare you lower your self and the family name to that level, how dare you embarrass us like this!" He moved ever so close to James. "Well boy what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Nothing, I am not ashamed, embarrassed or anything of the sort!" To the crowd's amazement, Robert Potter, thumped James hard on the cheek. Lily rushed over to him and helped him up. "No father, that will not work now, not ever! You can hit me, curse me, hex me as much as you want! It will never make me leave Lily! I love her!" Lily gasped and looked at him, tears in her eyes. How could his father be so cruel?
"Really?" She asked.
"Really!" He replied.
"Enough with this nonsense! You are 17 years old boy. You do not know what love is!"
"Ow I know what love is. Love is when your heart stops every time you see that person, Love is when you would do anything for that smile, that touch or that kiss. Love is wanting to spend eternity with that person. Love is doing something you don't want to, just to see that person smile. Love is standing up to your father, who you know will hurt you, who you know will kill you, who you know is wrong! You are the one who doesn't know what love is! You married my mother because you were forced to, for her money and her status. You had a fling with someone who got pregnant. You stole that child from her and she was never heard of again. You then had two more children along with a wife, whom you hit and cursed. You only love one thing, and that is your self!"
"Why you little..." he pulled out his wand.
"Expellerus!" Lily shouted. Robert Potter was flung across the room, then tackled by several ministry officials, including Jonathan Black. Everyone else stared at Lily she had said a simple spell, strong enough to throw a grown man across the room and disarm him. But most of all, she did it with out the use of a wand.
But Lily didn't notice the attention she had been receiving. She had turned to James. And held him. He was shaking.
"I did it, I did it! I actually stood up to him! Merlin knows what he would have done if you hadn't stopped him."
"James calm down. It's ok." Lily soothed. "Your mother would have been proud." She reassured him. He was grateful, for that. It was all he needed.
"I love you so much, Lil's." He said.
"I love you too." She replied, a grin locked across her face. He looked up at her, his eyes wide, shinning full of happiness. James embraced Lily in a tight hug, kissing her all the while.
"At least now we can safely say our relationship is out in the open."