Chapter 7- Christmas Mourning.
Lily stood for a second shocked.
"James what is that?" she blurted out, not waiting for an answer as she ran to the front door of her house. But it seemed there was no longer a front
door there, nor any windows, all seemed to have been blasted to
smithereens.
She ran frantically into her house, the one she had grown up in
"Mum?" She screamed. "Dad?" Some how she knew they would not answer. The feeling in the pit of her stomach was one of dread that she knew they were
no longer with her.
Finally she rounded into her living room, and confirming her dread, both
her mother and her father were lying there, their eyes open wide and lacking the sparkle Lily knew so well. The scared expressions their faces
held pained Lily to see.
It would be an image she would never forget and one, which would haunt her sleep for years to come. She knew with out having to enter the house, as soon as she saw the symbol floating over head, that this was how she would
find her parents.
Cold and lifeless. She sobbed uncontrollably. They were dead. How could they be dead? James came and stood next to her and just in time too as she fainted on the spot. Heartbreak seeping through her body so fast it felt unable to function. James caught her in his strong arms and settled her on the sofa. He quickly apperated to Godric's hollow and called his sister to help. She stayed with Lily and looked after her until James returned with Mr Black and some other ministry officials, Including Mr Crouch, who he saw
in court.
Whilst the ministry sorted out the Evans' house inspecting, all possible causes of death. James took Lily to his house and settled her in one of the
bedrooms, till she woke up.
Claire however had the unfortunate job of finding Lily's sister, Petunia to tell her of her parent's demise. Petunia was also distraught. So Claire thought it would be best to take her from the Dursley residence to be with her sister at this hard time.
When they had returned to Godric's Hollow (Vernon had insisted on driving them) Lily was awake and James was trying to coax her to eat something, but to no avail. Petunia was taken to Lily's room and upon seeing each other, both tear stricken girls hugged. Their first ever real, meaningful hug. With all the sorrow and despair they were feeling, their differences laid aside just this once.
James and Claire left them to comfort each other and relive old memories. It's hard to imagine, someone you have loved so dearly, someone who was always therefore you to just be gone. Lily kept on waking up that night, having nightmares and calling for her mother. But her mother didn't come.
In the end James stayed with her and every time she woke her would stroke her head and calm her back to sleep. Claire peered into Petunia's room, seeing if she was sleeping alright, but she found Petunia laying fully clothed on top of her covers, staring blankly up at the ceiling tears running down her cheek. Claire went and sat on the end of her bed.
"I'm really sorry about your parents. I know what it's like to loose a mother." Petunia sat up and stared at her.
"Will it ever stop hurting?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"In time it will. I wasn't as close to my mother as you were to your parents, but I assure you, the only thing, which can heal the pain, is time. "She went over to Petunia and hugged her, the older girl crying into her shoulder. "Shhh, try and get some sleep now."
"I... I don't think I can sleep. I don't even know how they died."
"The ministry report should come through tomorrow. I f you can't sleep then how about we just talk?" Petunia nodded. She hardly even knew this girl and yet she was being so kind and thoughtful. They spent the rest of the night talking about insignificant things, to keep Petunia's mind off her parents, allowing the fact they were gone to wait until the reason of their deaths came through.
Claire was explaining how magical things worked. Such as her wand and certain potions, she demonstrated some of her newly developed colour- changing make up, just things to keep her mind occupied.
James however was having a harder time with Lily. She was waking up and screaming, hitting him and crying hysterically. In the end he tried not to let her fall asleep again.
"They were just... they were there, but then they weren't there. They weren't my parents, the were just shells of them." James was holding her close to him.
"Shhh, it's ok. There in a better place now. Come on, they wouldn't want you to be so upset now would they. Shhh" He soothed.
"But it's all my fault, if I had just gone in with them.
Some one killed them, someone magical. If I wasn't magic, they were after me, weren't they. Oh James what have I done?" She sobbed hysterically.
"Lily, it's not your fault, you couldn't help it. Shh now, shh." And this is how they spent the rest of the evening. Lily having sudden out bursts and James soothing her.
Standing looking down at the worthless soul who knelt before him, the dark lord grinned evilly.
"I'm impressed. Killing the Mudbloods parents. Yes a very good move. She will be ours before we know it." Lucius looked up at his master.
"I'm glad you're pleased with my work, my liege." He replied slimily.
"Yes, you will have the honour of testing my newest revelation. Lucius, hold out you left arm." Lucius complied. The dark lord held his wand so it was millimetres from Malfoys arm. Then with a whispered spell and a malicious grin, a black ray spurted from the end of his wand and Malfoy screamed bloody murder.
The dark lord was greatly amused by his supporters pain and made the pain last a little longer than necessary. When he was finished, he requested to see the arm once more.
And there plain as daylight on Malfoys left forearm shone a black skull with a snake protruding from the mouth. "Ah magnificent." The dark lord said admiring his handy work. "This will be how I summon you when I need you from now on. As soon as this shines you must apperate to my side." Malfoy looked on the verge of passing out, but nodded reluctantly.
Meanwhile, in Godric's Hollow the house that had just gotten calm since Christmas day was about to be viscously shaken once more. Mr Black, Mr Crouch and Professor Dumbledore had all come round to talk about the Evans' deaths. This could not be good.
Dumbledore looked sadly at Lily and Petunia.
"Miss Evans, I'm afraid that your parents deaths were no accident. The symbol you saw floating over your house, it was the symbol of the new dark lord, who is rising quite rapidly. It seems he has acquired quite a few supporters." Lily had tears welling in her eyes again.
"So... so... they were... he...?"
"What I'm trying to say is that, Lord Voldemort murdered your parents."
"But... but why? Why them?" Lily sobbed. Petunia just sat there astonished. "Well he seems to be attacking Muggles and Muggle borns at the moment. We are to believe that he is trying to clean society of all those he does not deem worthy.
But we think this is not why he targeted your parents, we think that he may have been after you, Lillian. We think that maybe he wants to eliminate you early before you are too much of a threat." Dumbledore looked at James who was trying to hold Lily closer as if Voldemort was there and he was trying to protect her, then to Lily who was trying to digest this new information and still get over her parents deaths at the same time. He knew this was not going to be the most pain they would suffer, they still had so much to live through. Suddenly Petunia jumped up, suddenly aware of her surroundings.
"SO YOU MEAN THE REASON I HAVE NO PARENTS NOW, IS BECAUSE MY FREAK OF A SISTER IS SOME TARGET FOR SOME FREAKY PHSYCO MAGICIAN WHO MURDERED THEM? AND YOU FREAKS ARE JUST SITTING HERE CALMLY DISCUSSING IT AND NOT AFTER HIM TO PUT HER IN JAIL? BLOODY TYPICAL! YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING FREAKS!"
"Jail?" James asked confused.
"Like azkaban." Lily sobbed.
"WHAT ON EARTH IS AZKABAN?"
"A wizard prison. My dear." Mr Black stepped in. "Now listen, it is not Lily's fault that the dark lord killed your parents. I know you have been through a great ordeal, but lets not take it out on your sister."
"Not even the dementors could keep the dark lord at bay." Crouch added. "He needs to be destroyed."
"What is a dementor?" Petunia said in a very distressed tone.
"The dementors guard Azkaban. When one even comes near you it feels like you'll never be happy again." James explained.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENCE. WHERES YOUR PHONE I'M RINGING VERNON."
"Petunia, Wizards don't use phones." Lily whispered timidly.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE PHONES!?!" After shouting endless amounts of abuse at Lily Petunia finally was taken to the Dursleys residence by Dumbledore. But it left Lily in a state less then desirable.
Ever since Petunia left, Lily was walking around in a stupor. She wasn't herself, but that could be understood as she had just lost both parents whom she loved dearly and both her and her sister were blaming her for their deaths.
James and Claire were as accommodating as they could be for her. And the day before the 2 seventh years were due back at school James was finally able to get Lily to eat something. Which was just as well because James was about to take her to the hospital because she looked close to passing out.
He didn't know how things were going to work at Hogwarts as she didn't go to sleep until the early hours of the morning, and she couldn't do so without him by her side. Even then she would wake up in cold sweats having nightmares of how she imagined her parents murders. She couldn't face it. But then if she had lessons and routine again, the maybe, just maybe it would help her on the road to recovery. The next day, Lily and James boarded the Hogwarts express. It hadn't been much of a Christmas.
But thankfully as not many people had gone home for the occasion they were able to get a compartment all to themselves. Well Sirius found them after a few minutes of them settling down. He went straight up to Lily and gave her a hug, which was very welcome.
"I'm so sorry 'bout your parents Lil's. I know it's hard. But you'll get through it. You've got me and of course James. We'll help you." Lily managed a fait smile.
"Yeah, I know. Thanks." She whispered on the verge of tears again.
Lily laid her head on James' lap and fell asleep quite quickly for once, whilst James and Sirius were talking to each other.
"So your dad told you about Lily's parents?" James asked. "Yeah, he told me about you know who being after her too... and well, he told me not to tell you, but I have to. You're my best mate and you need to know. He's, well, he's.."
"Sirius jus' spit it out." Sirius made a noise as if he were about to spit. "Sirius!" James warned. Sirius' face cracked in to a smile, then just as quickly changed into a frown.
"James, you know who isn't just after Lily, he's after you as well. Dumbledore seems to think that you are both really powerful wizards and he will try and corrupt Lily into joining him, but he want you dead."
"Why?"
"My dad wouldn't tell me anymore- he said he told me too much all ready. That is was just need to know." James sat back looking pensive.
"Thanks for telling me mate. But do me a favour and don't tell Lily. I think she's been through enough at the moment. I may tell her when the time is right." Sirius smiled.
"Aww look at you being all protective over you little woman. How sweet!" He grinned evilly. "I hear wedding bells. Have you set a date yet or are you going to have kiddies first? I mean we aren't in the Stone Age." James laughed sarcastically at his mate's humour.
"Well actually I haven't proposed... yet." Sirius looked at him for a second trying to figure out if he was being serious or not. But he couldn't work it out.
"Prongs? Are you serious? You're not really proposing yet?... Right?"
"Well not now, I'm talking to you now. In fact I wanted to ask you to come and help me find a ring soon. You know there's that nice little place in Hogs..."
"OH MY GOD! YOU ARE SERIOUS!"
"Shh!"
"Congratulations mate! I know she'll say yes! Ow when you gonna pop the question?"
"Graduation night!" James said dreamily.
"THATS AGES AWAY!" "Shh! Yes I know but that way I have plenty of time to plan it out perfectly. Listen you can't tell anyone, well you can your dad- but no one else. Especially not Peter cause you know he is no good at secrets and I wana tell him and Remus myself, you know nearer the time." Sirius smiled at him wickedly.
"Well, I suppose I can... IF I am best man and God father to your first kid who must be named Sirius, which ever gender." James laughed.
"Excluding your last term, you have a deal." With that they shook hands. James was curious as to why people kept looking into the compartment and pointing, and when he voiced his query Sirius just looked at him nervously.
James looked at his best mate. He had a feeling Sirius was hiding something from him. And he was sure it had something to do with the people staring into his train compartment. He gave his friend a look which clearly said "Tell me!"
"Ok." Sirius started, "So have you been reading the Prophet?" He continued simply.
"No, why what's in it?"
"Well it seems the ministry thinks this dark lord, who killed Lily's parents, that he's a great danger."
Of course he is! Why I'd like to get my wand on him..." "James do you know how many he's killed? How far he's managed to come before the ministry has finally said something publicly? Believe me it's all been top secret. I know quite a bit though, cause my dad's head of all the aurours, and Crouch is head of the whole op. Dad told me a bit about it. That he kills Muggles for fun and stuff- almost like a sport. Well he's really dangerous , he's been rising to power for about 5 years maybe more from what they've found. And only now are they telling the public- I reckon it'll cause some sorta enmity and fear and stuff in the community!"
James sat back looking at his mate.
"So what did the prophet say?" Sirius looked through his robe pockets and pulled out quite a crumpled piece of newspaper. James took it. It had come from the front of the Prophet. He began to read; Rising dark lord.
Today the Ministry of Magic's Mr Crouch, informed us of A dark lord who is rising to power quite rapidly. The wizard who goes by the name Lord Voldemort, and his followers, who have been named death eaters, are the cause of quite a few mysterious disappearances and deaths. This band of people is said to be using the 3 unforgivable curses to get to their means. The Ministry is not releasing this wizards overall aim as of yet but has said to be wary of anyone who seems to be acting suspiciously. Also be wary of the symbol in the upper right hand corner (a snake protruding out of a skulls mouth.) It is the same symbol, which has been cast above the scenes of murders, and mayhem they have caused to show their presence. It is also the symbol, which convicted Robert Potter (Former quidditch player), to Azkaban. This dark lord has committed quite a few murders. His most recent being of Mr Martin Evans and his wife, Mrs Caroline Evans, parents of Muggle born witch Lily Evans, who is co-incidentally in her seventh year at Hogwarts head girl and dating James Potter- son of convicted Robert Potter. She was also the one who displayed a great power at the funeral of Harriet Potter, by protecting her boyfriend with a wandless spell flinging Robert Potter across the room. The ministry claimed they are not looking into any of these connections, but we are not sure as whether or not to believe this.
James looked up from the paper.
"Oh no, so not only does Lily have to put up with her parents deaths but the whole school now knows what happened. No wonder everyone keeps looking in on us." James sighed looking sadly at his sleeping girlfriend, stroking her head at the same time. "Poor dear, it's not as if she's been through enough as it is."
"You can't blame them though. Now every one knows maybe something will happen and it will help?" Sirius said. James looked at him neither believing what Sirius said.
"Why can't we just be left alone though? Its been one thing after another."
"Just morbid curiosity. can't really be helped" Sirius went and sat next to James on the side which Lily wasn't and attempted a brotherly hug. It was a little awkward as James couldn't move with lily on his lap. But it helped. James had been through allot recently, and was busy comforting Lily. It was good to know he could still talk to his best mate and have someone there who he could still rely on.
Lily stood for a second shocked.
"James what is that?" she blurted out, not waiting for an answer as she ran to the front door of her house. But it seemed there was no longer a front
door there, nor any windows, all seemed to have been blasted to
smithereens.
She ran frantically into her house, the one she had grown up in
"Mum?" She screamed. "Dad?" Some how she knew they would not answer. The feeling in the pit of her stomach was one of dread that she knew they were
no longer with her.
Finally she rounded into her living room, and confirming her dread, both
her mother and her father were lying there, their eyes open wide and lacking the sparkle Lily knew so well. The scared expressions their faces
held pained Lily to see.
It would be an image she would never forget and one, which would haunt her sleep for years to come. She knew with out having to enter the house, as soon as she saw the symbol floating over head, that this was how she would
find her parents.
Cold and lifeless. She sobbed uncontrollably. They were dead. How could they be dead? James came and stood next to her and just in time too as she fainted on the spot. Heartbreak seeping through her body so fast it felt unable to function. James caught her in his strong arms and settled her on the sofa. He quickly apperated to Godric's hollow and called his sister to help. She stayed with Lily and looked after her until James returned with Mr Black and some other ministry officials, Including Mr Crouch, who he saw
in court.
Whilst the ministry sorted out the Evans' house inspecting, all possible causes of death. James took Lily to his house and settled her in one of the
bedrooms, till she woke up.
Claire however had the unfortunate job of finding Lily's sister, Petunia to tell her of her parent's demise. Petunia was also distraught. So Claire thought it would be best to take her from the Dursley residence to be with her sister at this hard time.
When they had returned to Godric's Hollow (Vernon had insisted on driving them) Lily was awake and James was trying to coax her to eat something, but to no avail. Petunia was taken to Lily's room and upon seeing each other, both tear stricken girls hugged. Their first ever real, meaningful hug. With all the sorrow and despair they were feeling, their differences laid aside just this once.
James and Claire left them to comfort each other and relive old memories. It's hard to imagine, someone you have loved so dearly, someone who was always therefore you to just be gone. Lily kept on waking up that night, having nightmares and calling for her mother. But her mother didn't come.
In the end James stayed with her and every time she woke her would stroke her head and calm her back to sleep. Claire peered into Petunia's room, seeing if she was sleeping alright, but she found Petunia laying fully clothed on top of her covers, staring blankly up at the ceiling tears running down her cheek. Claire went and sat on the end of her bed.
"I'm really sorry about your parents. I know what it's like to loose a mother." Petunia sat up and stared at her.
"Will it ever stop hurting?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"In time it will. I wasn't as close to my mother as you were to your parents, but I assure you, the only thing, which can heal the pain, is time. "She went over to Petunia and hugged her, the older girl crying into her shoulder. "Shhh, try and get some sleep now."
"I... I don't think I can sleep. I don't even know how they died."
"The ministry report should come through tomorrow. I f you can't sleep then how about we just talk?" Petunia nodded. She hardly even knew this girl and yet she was being so kind and thoughtful. They spent the rest of the night talking about insignificant things, to keep Petunia's mind off her parents, allowing the fact they were gone to wait until the reason of their deaths came through.
Claire was explaining how magical things worked. Such as her wand and certain potions, she demonstrated some of her newly developed colour- changing make up, just things to keep her mind occupied.
James however was having a harder time with Lily. She was waking up and screaming, hitting him and crying hysterically. In the end he tried not to let her fall asleep again.
"They were just... they were there, but then they weren't there. They weren't my parents, the were just shells of them." James was holding her close to him.
"Shhh, it's ok. There in a better place now. Come on, they wouldn't want you to be so upset now would they. Shhh" He soothed.
"But it's all my fault, if I had just gone in with them.
Some one killed them, someone magical. If I wasn't magic, they were after me, weren't they. Oh James what have I done?" She sobbed hysterically.
"Lily, it's not your fault, you couldn't help it. Shh now, shh." And this is how they spent the rest of the evening. Lily having sudden out bursts and James soothing her.
Standing looking down at the worthless soul who knelt before him, the dark lord grinned evilly.
"I'm impressed. Killing the Mudbloods parents. Yes a very good move. She will be ours before we know it." Lucius looked up at his master.
"I'm glad you're pleased with my work, my liege." He replied slimily.
"Yes, you will have the honour of testing my newest revelation. Lucius, hold out you left arm." Lucius complied. The dark lord held his wand so it was millimetres from Malfoys arm. Then with a whispered spell and a malicious grin, a black ray spurted from the end of his wand and Malfoy screamed bloody murder.
The dark lord was greatly amused by his supporters pain and made the pain last a little longer than necessary. When he was finished, he requested to see the arm once more.
And there plain as daylight on Malfoys left forearm shone a black skull with a snake protruding from the mouth. "Ah magnificent." The dark lord said admiring his handy work. "This will be how I summon you when I need you from now on. As soon as this shines you must apperate to my side." Malfoy looked on the verge of passing out, but nodded reluctantly.
Meanwhile, in Godric's Hollow the house that had just gotten calm since Christmas day was about to be viscously shaken once more. Mr Black, Mr Crouch and Professor Dumbledore had all come round to talk about the Evans' deaths. This could not be good.
Dumbledore looked sadly at Lily and Petunia.
"Miss Evans, I'm afraid that your parents deaths were no accident. The symbol you saw floating over your house, it was the symbol of the new dark lord, who is rising quite rapidly. It seems he has acquired quite a few supporters." Lily had tears welling in her eyes again.
"So... so... they were... he...?"
"What I'm trying to say is that, Lord Voldemort murdered your parents."
"But... but why? Why them?" Lily sobbed. Petunia just sat there astonished. "Well he seems to be attacking Muggles and Muggle borns at the moment. We are to believe that he is trying to clean society of all those he does not deem worthy.
But we think this is not why he targeted your parents, we think that he may have been after you, Lillian. We think that maybe he wants to eliminate you early before you are too much of a threat." Dumbledore looked at James who was trying to hold Lily closer as if Voldemort was there and he was trying to protect her, then to Lily who was trying to digest this new information and still get over her parents deaths at the same time. He knew this was not going to be the most pain they would suffer, they still had so much to live through. Suddenly Petunia jumped up, suddenly aware of her surroundings.
"SO YOU MEAN THE REASON I HAVE NO PARENTS NOW, IS BECAUSE MY FREAK OF A SISTER IS SOME TARGET FOR SOME FREAKY PHSYCO MAGICIAN WHO MURDERED THEM? AND YOU FREAKS ARE JUST SITTING HERE CALMLY DISCUSSING IT AND NOT AFTER HIM TO PUT HER IN JAIL? BLOODY TYPICAL! YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING FREAKS!"
"Jail?" James asked confused.
"Like azkaban." Lily sobbed.
"WHAT ON EARTH IS AZKABAN?"
"A wizard prison. My dear." Mr Black stepped in. "Now listen, it is not Lily's fault that the dark lord killed your parents. I know you have been through a great ordeal, but lets not take it out on your sister."
"Not even the dementors could keep the dark lord at bay." Crouch added. "He needs to be destroyed."
"What is a dementor?" Petunia said in a very distressed tone.
"The dementors guard Azkaban. When one even comes near you it feels like you'll never be happy again." James explained.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENCE. WHERES YOUR PHONE I'M RINGING VERNON."
"Petunia, Wizards don't use phones." Lily whispered timidly.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY DON'T HAVE PHONES!?!" After shouting endless amounts of abuse at Lily Petunia finally was taken to the Dursleys residence by Dumbledore. But it left Lily in a state less then desirable.
Ever since Petunia left, Lily was walking around in a stupor. She wasn't herself, but that could be understood as she had just lost both parents whom she loved dearly and both her and her sister were blaming her for their deaths.
James and Claire were as accommodating as they could be for her. And the day before the 2 seventh years were due back at school James was finally able to get Lily to eat something. Which was just as well because James was about to take her to the hospital because she looked close to passing out.
He didn't know how things were going to work at Hogwarts as she didn't go to sleep until the early hours of the morning, and she couldn't do so without him by her side. Even then she would wake up in cold sweats having nightmares of how she imagined her parents murders. She couldn't face it. But then if she had lessons and routine again, the maybe, just maybe it would help her on the road to recovery. The next day, Lily and James boarded the Hogwarts express. It hadn't been much of a Christmas.
But thankfully as not many people had gone home for the occasion they were able to get a compartment all to themselves. Well Sirius found them after a few minutes of them settling down. He went straight up to Lily and gave her a hug, which was very welcome.
"I'm so sorry 'bout your parents Lil's. I know it's hard. But you'll get through it. You've got me and of course James. We'll help you." Lily managed a fait smile.
"Yeah, I know. Thanks." She whispered on the verge of tears again.
Lily laid her head on James' lap and fell asleep quite quickly for once, whilst James and Sirius were talking to each other.
"So your dad told you about Lily's parents?" James asked. "Yeah, he told me about you know who being after her too... and well, he told me not to tell you, but I have to. You're my best mate and you need to know. He's, well, he's.."
"Sirius jus' spit it out." Sirius made a noise as if he were about to spit. "Sirius!" James warned. Sirius' face cracked in to a smile, then just as quickly changed into a frown.
"James, you know who isn't just after Lily, he's after you as well. Dumbledore seems to think that you are both really powerful wizards and he will try and corrupt Lily into joining him, but he want you dead."
"Why?"
"My dad wouldn't tell me anymore- he said he told me too much all ready. That is was just need to know." James sat back looking pensive.
"Thanks for telling me mate. But do me a favour and don't tell Lily. I think she's been through enough at the moment. I may tell her when the time is right." Sirius smiled.
"Aww look at you being all protective over you little woman. How sweet!" He grinned evilly. "I hear wedding bells. Have you set a date yet or are you going to have kiddies first? I mean we aren't in the Stone Age." James laughed sarcastically at his mate's humour.
"Well actually I haven't proposed... yet." Sirius looked at him for a second trying to figure out if he was being serious or not. But he couldn't work it out.
"Prongs? Are you serious? You're not really proposing yet?... Right?"
"Well not now, I'm talking to you now. In fact I wanted to ask you to come and help me find a ring soon. You know there's that nice little place in Hogs..."
"OH MY GOD! YOU ARE SERIOUS!"
"Shh!"
"Congratulations mate! I know she'll say yes! Ow when you gonna pop the question?"
"Graduation night!" James said dreamily.
"THATS AGES AWAY!" "Shh! Yes I know but that way I have plenty of time to plan it out perfectly. Listen you can't tell anyone, well you can your dad- but no one else. Especially not Peter cause you know he is no good at secrets and I wana tell him and Remus myself, you know nearer the time." Sirius smiled at him wickedly.
"Well, I suppose I can... IF I am best man and God father to your first kid who must be named Sirius, which ever gender." James laughed.
"Excluding your last term, you have a deal." With that they shook hands. James was curious as to why people kept looking into the compartment and pointing, and when he voiced his query Sirius just looked at him nervously.
James looked at his best mate. He had a feeling Sirius was hiding something from him. And he was sure it had something to do with the people staring into his train compartment. He gave his friend a look which clearly said "Tell me!"
"Ok." Sirius started, "So have you been reading the Prophet?" He continued simply.
"No, why what's in it?"
"Well it seems the ministry thinks this dark lord, who killed Lily's parents, that he's a great danger."
Of course he is! Why I'd like to get my wand on him..." "James do you know how many he's killed? How far he's managed to come before the ministry has finally said something publicly? Believe me it's all been top secret. I know quite a bit though, cause my dad's head of all the aurours, and Crouch is head of the whole op. Dad told me a bit about it. That he kills Muggles for fun and stuff- almost like a sport. Well he's really dangerous , he's been rising to power for about 5 years maybe more from what they've found. And only now are they telling the public- I reckon it'll cause some sorta enmity and fear and stuff in the community!"
James sat back looking at his mate.
"So what did the prophet say?" Sirius looked through his robe pockets and pulled out quite a crumpled piece of newspaper. James took it. It had come from the front of the Prophet. He began to read; Rising dark lord.
Today the Ministry of Magic's Mr Crouch, informed us of A dark lord who is rising to power quite rapidly. The wizard who goes by the name Lord Voldemort, and his followers, who have been named death eaters, are the cause of quite a few mysterious disappearances and deaths. This band of people is said to be using the 3 unforgivable curses to get to their means. The Ministry is not releasing this wizards overall aim as of yet but has said to be wary of anyone who seems to be acting suspiciously. Also be wary of the symbol in the upper right hand corner (a snake protruding out of a skulls mouth.) It is the same symbol, which has been cast above the scenes of murders, and mayhem they have caused to show their presence. It is also the symbol, which convicted Robert Potter (Former quidditch player), to Azkaban. This dark lord has committed quite a few murders. His most recent being of Mr Martin Evans and his wife, Mrs Caroline Evans, parents of Muggle born witch Lily Evans, who is co-incidentally in her seventh year at Hogwarts head girl and dating James Potter- son of convicted Robert Potter. She was also the one who displayed a great power at the funeral of Harriet Potter, by protecting her boyfriend with a wandless spell flinging Robert Potter across the room. The ministry claimed they are not looking into any of these connections, but we are not sure as whether or not to believe this.
James looked up from the paper.
"Oh no, so not only does Lily have to put up with her parents deaths but the whole school now knows what happened. No wonder everyone keeps looking in on us." James sighed looking sadly at his sleeping girlfriend, stroking her head at the same time. "Poor dear, it's not as if she's been through enough as it is."
"You can't blame them though. Now every one knows maybe something will happen and it will help?" Sirius said. James looked at him neither believing what Sirius said.
"Why can't we just be left alone though? Its been one thing after another."
"Just morbid curiosity. can't really be helped" Sirius went and sat next to James on the side which Lily wasn't and attempted a brotherly hug. It was a little awkward as James couldn't move with lily on his lap. But it helped. James had been through allot recently, and was busy comforting Lily. It was good to know he could still talk to his best mate and have someone there who he could still rely on.