Thank you all who have stuck with it. Welcome to Chapter 3, or two
(whichever, if you include the prologue or not). Sorry I haven't updated
this sooner, but as soon as I started working on this I ended up going to
my grandparents' house in Ruidoso, and their computer was in the shop. That
is why this chapter took a bit longer to write that what I had originally
hoped.
By the way, just because I felt like saying this; I never originally meant to put in the Threstrals in chapter two, but I couldn't avoid it. I personally hate it when I do stupid stuff like add random crap in, but it dose play SOMEWHAT of a part later on, so I had to do it. I hated it though, and reading over I noticed that it is poorly written. Oh well.
On another completely different note, I love doing art commissions because I get $$$$$$$. I currently have forty dollars in cash which I intend to kill at Suncoast on episodes of Outlaw Star OVA. I am so happy, because I spend money as soon as I earn it and I hardly ever have over fifteen dollars at any given moment, so I am happy. And I cleaned my room, which for me is a big achievement, and all my anime posters are right in front of my computer as well as my Inu-Yasha wall scroll. It has all of the villains surrounding Inu-Yasha who is holding Tessaiga with Kagome. Around it are Naraku, Sesshomaru, Kikyou, Kouga, Kohaku, Kanna, and Kagura.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All is property of J.K Rowling, the literary genius who is responsible for my addiction to Harry Potter. And just for the record, the character Dorcas Meadows is property of Rowling as well because she mentioned her in OotP, in the chapter The Woes of Mrs. Weasley. She is in the picture that Moody shows Harry of the original Order of the Pheonix, according to Moody Voldemort murdered her personally.
As always the Great Hall was full of chattering students on the first day of the new term. Students everywhere were talking among their friends about the year ahead of them. Lily, Dorcas and Anthy were no exception to that. The three of them were conversing about what happened during each other's summer vacation. Dorcas had traveled with her family to America and spent the rest of the summer baby sitting her little sister, Jesse. Anthy didn't really have much to say on the matter; all she mentioned was that she visited Greece like she did every summer with her family. Lily didn't really feel like talking about the incident during her summer vacation with Petunia and Vernon, so she didn't indulge herself on Dorcas and Anthy's conversation.
But Lily did have an adventure, so to speak, over her summer vacation. Her family went camping in the woods as 'family bonding time' as her Lily's father put it. The trip couldn't have been worse. Petunia complained about having to sleep on the ground. The tents were all infested with mosquitoes, and she had to endure four days without taking a shower. Then the family tried to go fishing, but a park ranger had spotted them and informed them that they lake they were camping by was polluted, so for two days in a row Lily ate nothing but baked beans. Then because of the baked beans she got a bad case of an upset stomach, so during the night she would have to sneak off to 'relieve' herself without Petunia nagging at her. When she was deep enough into the woods that she was satisfied, Lily had her own dark encounter, which nearly cost her life. It was not something she wanted to repeat ever again, nor did she want to think about. But then an unfamiliar face caught Lily's eyes at the staff table.
Lily gazed up at the staff table; Professor Dumbledore was sitting in the middle as usual, and by his side was an empty seat where Professor McGonagall sat but she was giving out course schedules. Professor Flitwick was having an avid conversation with the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn. Potions teacher, Professor Flynn, was talking with the gamekeeper, Hagrid. The Defense against Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lantis, hadn't shown up yet. It seemed that the new Airthmency teacher, Professor Vector, had arrived. She was a long and lanky Asian looking witch. She wore long purple robes and a pointed purple hat with a peacock feather sticking out it. Everything looked normal at the staff table, but Lily's attention was drawn by Professor McGonagall who handed her her new schedule for the year. Lily thanked her and looked down at her schedule.
MONDAY N.E.W.T Transfiguration Double N.E.W.T Charms Lunch Double Potions Astronomy
Lily let out a groan upon looking at her schedule. Transfiguration, Potions and Astronomy all in one day would mean pure torture. Transfiguration was the one subject that she struggled with, and most of her study efforts went into Transfiguration. Potions wasn't a joy to go to because Professor Lantis loathed all of his students equally, and was the most hated teacher in Hogwarts. And Astronomy would mean that she would be up to 1:30 AM which meant she wouldn't get any sleep. The only good thing about her schedule was the fact that she had Double Charms. Charms was easily her best subject and she was the top in class. James Potter himself couldn't compare to Lily's talent in Charms, and it was one of the few things she highly prized herself on.
"What do you think Lily?"
"Who? What?" Lily said. She had been so preoccupied with her thoughts the conversation between Dorcas and Anthy was the farthest thing from her mind until Dorcas caught her attention.
"Weren't you listening at all," Dorcas said.
"To be perfectly honest, no," Lily said with a smile. The three of them laughed at that comment.
Across the table sat the Marauders. All of them seemed to be laughing at some particularly clever joke made by James. Lily glanced over at them, and was greeted by James' goofy grin. James got up from his seat and walked over to where Lily was sitting.
"So how was my flower's summer," he said.
Lily could feel her temper rising. She had to keep it under control, if it was the last thing she ever did. Her position was Head Girl was dependent on it, the previous year her Head Girl badge had been revoked because she had completely lost her temper and jinxed James' broom to shoot off fireworks, and spin uncontrollably.
"Potter, go screw off. I am not in the mood to deal with you this early in the morning," Lily said.
"This early in the morning? It is already past eight, it isn't early," James teased.
"Potter just go away,"
"No,"
"Do you have to be a pain in the ass?"
"Yes I do"
At that, Lily rose from her seat and was at eye level to James. She just glared at him with her green eyes which were reflecting every emotion that coursed through her veins. In a flash she pulled her wand from the inside of her robes and was aiming it at James. Silence surrounded the area where Lily was threatening James. Under normal circumstances she didn't pull her wand on him unless he had done something to piss her off beyond all control. There were only two other times when Lily had pulled her wand on anyone; the first was during their fifth year and James was bullying Snape, and the other time was the previous year when James had cursed her cat to be Slytherin green and refused to do the counter curse until Lily said she would go out with him. At that point Lily cursed James so that his nose sang "I Love Severus Snape" in a shrill opera like voice. Needless to say, both of them had gotten detention and fifteen points from Gryffindor.
"Potter. Evans. What is going on here?" came the voice of Professor McGonagall.
Lily immediately lowered he wand. She didn't want to get on the bad side of McGonagall, especially when she had Transfiguration first thing in the morning. James grinned, a soft sort of grin and went back to his seat between Sirius and Remus. Lily also reluctantly sat back down between Dorcas and Anthy. Satisfied, Professor McGonagall went back to handing out course schedules.
Once the bell had rung, the students dispersed to their classes. James made his way up to the Transfiguration corridor. He walked in silence, wondering why Lily had been so cold. She normally was quite friendly until he pulled the first prank, and then it was pure hell between them. But at breakfast all he had to do was look at her the wrong way and her wand was at his throat. She seemed far more tense than usual as if something terrible had happened, and her eyes reflected nothing but coldness. They normally were dazzling and sparkling as much as Dumbledore's eyes. It was enough for anyone to be concerned, well anyone other than the Slytherins.
Just before reaching the Transfiguration room the Marauders were stopped by a group of scared looking first years. They were apparently lost and wanted directions. James' mood was immediately lifted. Some first year mayhem was just what he needed to get his mind off of Evans. He asked them, "Hey, where are you going?"
"The Charms corridor," said a nervous looking girl wearing blonde pig tails.
"The Charms corridor, that is easy. All you have to do is..." Remus began but was cut off by James
"Go down the stairs, turn left at the picture of the witch wearing a stuffed fox on her hat. Go down another flight of stairs and you will find it behind a tapestry of two giants beating each other to a pulp," James said with a smile. The first years thanked him and took off.
"Prongs old man, you are a genius," Sirius said.
"But didn't he just send them to..." Peter began. At that he turned the next corner and went to his class, Defense against Dark Arts. He was not talented enough to make it into McGonagall's N.E.W.T level Transfiguration.
"To the vanishing cabinet on the third floor, yeah," James said.
The four of them laughed. Even Remus got a good chuckle out of it. He knew that passage well, and it did indeed come out into Flitwick's class but when a student went through it they would become somewhat confused and think they are a teapot. The care taker had devised it that way so that any prowling night time students would be strongly persuaded not to use it. The Marauders tricked many first years into going into it, and anyone who had been at Hogwarts for a even a week knew better than to listen to anyone from the Marauders for advice.
Once inside the Transfiguration room James and Sirius took their usual seats at the back of the class, and Remus sat up front. Peter, who was not especially talented in terms of magic, was still in basic Transfiguration. They still had several minutes before class started, so James took out a piece of fresh parchment and a new Eagle feather quill and began doodling. James had to give himself credit on being able to draw Quidditch balls; a big red circle for the Quaffle, a larger circle for the Bludgers, and one tiny circle with wing for the Snitch. He had doodled them so many times he prided himself on being able to draw a perfect circle. Students from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw began pouring inside the room, but no Lily. Dorcas and Anthy were already inside, but Lily wasn't with them, which was an unusual thing. She normally went everywhere with her two friends, even to the bathroom.
Just before Professor McGonagall shut the door to signal the start of class, Lily burst in and hurriedly found a seat. McGonagall gave her a harsh look but kept silent as she took the only remaining seat, right smack dab in front of James. It was the seat she wanted to sit in least, but the only one available, and McGonagall would no sooner let her exchange seats than let her hair down from her tight bun.
Class proceeded without much incident. James and Sirius took notes, and exchanged notes and didn't bother Lily one little bit. Professor McGonagall began the lesson by giving the entire class a lecture on their N.E.W.T exams at the end of the year. She informed them that those students who were still in her N.E.W.T level were the best students Hogwarts had to offer. At that she gave everyone an ordinary teapot and she instructed them to transfigure it to any animal of their choice, but it had to be a mammal or reptile.
By the end of class, only three people were given extra homework. Sirius had a raccoon sitting on his desk busily chewing on his parchment. James chose a Gecko (not Geico, people) which he was absent mindedly bouncing in the air. Lily had a honey colored ferret.
"Potter that is enough. I do remind you that your status as Head Boy is dependant on your ability to act your age," McGonagall snapped. "Homework, an essay explaining in detail the Cross Species Switching Spell, due Tuesday. That is all, you may go. Potter, Evans I need you to stay after class," With that the students nosily packed up their belongings and exited her class room. Lily signaled at Dorcas and Anthy to go ahead without her.
When the class had exited Lily and James went up to McGonagall's desk. She gave them both a hard look and spoke, "Your demonstration this morning shows that you two will have to put in a good deal of work to keep your differences apart and work together. I have high expectations from the both of you so no excuses. I must also say that tonight there is to be a meeting with the Prefects in the library at eight-o-clock. You two are to explain their duties. You two also have the power to take away and add house points; don't abuse this for I will know if you do, "she added menacingly, "I must also say that because you two are in your final year you will be required to plan the graduation ball for seventh year students. You two will be responsible for everything, so I expect great things. I must say that with the talent of the infamous Potter and with the knowledge of Evans you two will make quite a stand. That is all. Go on, get to your next class, your teachers, Flitwick I believe, knows that you are to be late and you are excused," she said simply and shooed them off.
Both Lily and James took off in the direction to Double Charms. James seemed to be walking unnaturally slow.
"Potter could you move a little faster," Lily said in a tone that was, for once, not insulting.
"Sure thing," James said quietly. After what happened at breakfast he didn't want to upset her again and draw out her wrath.
"James, listen I am sorry about this morning," Lily said quietly. She felt terrible afterwards and she did at least owe him an apology, after pulling her wand on him.
"No problem. It is not like it's the first time you have done that," James said while grinning. He was somewhat taken aback, because that was the first time she had ever heard her say his first name without a note of disgust in her voice.
"Listen since we are going to be working together I suggest that we put aside our differences like McGonagall," Lily said.
"Well it is not as if I don't like you. I have been trying to 'put aside our differences' since third year," James said with a laugh. His third year was the year when he had first asked her out. He remembered how red her face had shown, and steam seemed to be pouring out of her ears. Her face seemed to blend in perfectly with her dark red hair.
Lily laughed at the comment. It was the first true laugh she had in a while. He may be a pompous ass, but at least he is a funny one an attractive one Lily thought to herself. The two made their way into charms and Flitwick welcomed them. James took his usual seat between Sirius and Remus and Lily sat between Dorcas and Anthy.
Like McGonagall, Flitwick began with lecturing them about their N.E.W.T exams at the end of the year, but Lily was not listening. She was wondering why she had not insulted and/or slapped James when they had walked to Charms together. Why would he suddenly be somewhat hospitable to her? In the past he always tended to act like a complete ass when she was around. What was worse, she actually thought of him in good respect for a moment. The million burning suns of hatred she had for him were beginning to burn out. While Flitwick continued to ramble on about N.E.W.T exams, Dorcas had passed her a note.
Hey Lils, what has been going on? You were in a shitty mood during breakfast and then you nearly slaughter Potter. Not to mention why did McGonagall keep you back?
Lily took out a quill and wrote
Nothing is wrong. Just the usual stress from life, that's all. And McGonagall told me of my Head Girl duties, that is why she held me back. -Lily
On and on the two went throughout the entire class session.
Bullshit nothing is wrong. You have been acting funnier than usual. -Dorcas
I take personal offence to that, for thinking that I would lie to my two best friends in the world -Lily
Eventually Anthy got involved in the conversation.
Then you would tell your best friends what the problem is -Anthy
Hell, even before summer vacation you have been acting more moody that usual -Dorcas
Damn it, will you two leave me the hell alone. I am FINE! -Lily
On and on the three girls exchanged notes. By the end of the first half of Charms the three girls had to stop because Flitwick began giving out assignments. Like McGonagall he chose to review the material they learned the previous year as well. Naturally, Lily was the best in class and she was the only one not given extra homework. Even the three (remember, no Peter) Marauders got extra work, in which Lily's stomach gave a pleasurable squirm. She loved it when James was doing homework when she wasn't. It was truly a great feeling.
SEVERAL hours later as the sun was setting, Lily was dreading her meeting with the Prefects and with James. Sure he had been nice to her, but who knew how long that act would last? It was only a matter of time before he started being his usual ass of a self. But Lily had other matters to worry about; she didn't know if she could confide to anyone about them. It was not only for the sake of her friends but also for her family, and all of Hogwarts. Lily sighed deeply and leaned farther back into her favorite chair in the Common Room.
Flashback
It was midnight in the woods that were rather close to Hogwarts. It was during her family camping trip, and of course she didn't tell her parents that Hogwarts was on the other side of the woods. Lily guessed that they were on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, but because many of the beasts in the forest refused to step onto non-magical soil her family was conciderably safe, besides she had her wand if anything did happen.
It was the last night at the camp site, and the family was forced to have baked beans again for dinner. The event was a silent affair, except for Petunia who was complaining that her beans had a bug in it, and Vernon greedily slurping down his beans. Lily was too disgusted to watch. Dinner took twenty minutes of silent torture before her parents announced that everyone should be getting to bed, because they would be up early the next morning. As Vernon and Petunia disappeared into their tent, Lily put out the fire and glanced nervously around her shoulder. If her sister saw what she was about to do, Lily would never live it down. After making sure her sister was too busy snogging Vernon to notice what was happening outside, Lily quietly slipped off into the woods. The baked beans didn't exactly agree with her stomach, so she needed to go relieve herself.
She wandered deep enough into the woods so as she could not be seen nor heard. After she had finished with her business, Lily had began wandering back to her camp site but soon found that she had no idea where she was. After half an hour of wandering around aimlessly, Lily was just about to panic, but to relief she heard voices. It was a male voice, and a female voice. At first she thought it was the moans of Petunia and Vernon, but she soon found that the male voice was too high to be Vernon's.
At that point, Lily was so lost she didn't care who it was so she went forward to approach the two dark figures. The voices soon became clearer and clearer, and then she found out that one of them she knew. It was the cool, cat-like voice of Bellatrix Black. Lily's mind began to wonder, she knew that the Blacks didn't live this far out because she heard Sirius telling James that he lived in London. So what was the prestigious Bellatrix Black doing in the middle of the woods, near Hogwarts?
Lily dared herself to move two or three steps further, but then stopped dead at the sight she saw. Fierce, shining red eyes with black cat-like slits for pupils was starring Bellatrix in the face. She knew exactly who it had to be, even though she had never seen him in her life. Lord Voldemort was standing just a few inches away from her. Lily knew that she should run for her life, for if she were discovered her life would without- a-doubt be taken from her, no question about it. But as it stood, Lily couldn't move because there was brush and shrubbery all around her and if she moved, undoubtedly a twig would crack and there-for give away her position. It was the worst situation that anyone could be in; a Muggle-born witch, who went to Hogwarts, that was allied with Albus Dumbledore, and was dead set against the Dark Arts was standing just a few feet away form the most powerful and evil dark wizard of ages eavesdropping on him and a member of the infamous Black family. Lily would have given anything in the world to never have moved that far into the woods.
Lily stood there for what seemed like ages. For many hours the Dark Lord and the cat-like girl of the Black clan talked for many hours. Lily heard all sorts of things that she would have given all the gold in the world to never have heard. It was taking all of Lily's will not to pull out her wand and curse the two into oblivion, but even though Bellatrix would be easy enough, because she was four years younger than herself, the Dark Lord would crush her like a toothpick, and most likely take her whole family with her. Lily heard the name of Albus Dumbledore many times, and she knew that they were planning something hideous in hopes of killing Dumbledore. Lily had to ball up her fist to keep her from lashing out. Eventually her nails dug so deep into her hands that she drew blood.
At last, Bellatrix had taken her leave of her master, and Lily had a slight glimmer of hope that she could make out of the situation alive. As Bellatrix made her sleek exit, with her black hair blowing in the wind as she took off to the East, Lily let herself make a small sigh of relief. But the instant she did it, Voldemort turned around and looked right in her direction. Lily's heart was in her throat, if she was caught it would be worse than death. His piercing eyes seemed to go through her soul. "Who is there," Voldemort murmured in his cold high voice.
As Voldemort took several steps forward, he was barley five feet from Lily, and she wanted more than anything just to disappear back to her camp site. Her breathing became heavy and labored because the adrenaline was pumping through her veins like wildfire. Slowly and without making a sound she reached into her robes and drew her wand. The Dark Lord took two more small steps toward Lily and...
Flashback end(A/N: I LOVE cliffies. Don't worry, you find out soon what happens. At least it is obvious that Lily lives, isn't it)
Lily was brought back into reality at the chiming of the large grandfather clock. It was eight-o-clock. Grudgingly she got up from her favorite chair, and left the warmth of the Gryffindor Common Room behind to go meet with James Potter and the other fifth-year Prefects.
V
END CHAPTER. Gawd, this took forever to write. Long story why, but you know what people I have been getting didly shit for reviews and so that delayed. Review if you want more chapters faster. HA! By the way, I told you who overheard Voldemort, and in the next chapter or two you do find out what happened to our favorite lily. But if there are no reviews I will leave that out, or not write. Review if you want more chapters.
Flames will be laughed at and deleted.
By the way, just because I felt like saying this; I never originally meant to put in the Threstrals in chapter two, but I couldn't avoid it. I personally hate it when I do stupid stuff like add random crap in, but it dose play SOMEWHAT of a part later on, so I had to do it. I hated it though, and reading over I noticed that it is poorly written. Oh well.
On another completely different note, I love doing art commissions because I get $$$$$$$. I currently have forty dollars in cash which I intend to kill at Suncoast on episodes of Outlaw Star OVA. I am so happy, because I spend money as soon as I earn it and I hardly ever have over fifteen dollars at any given moment, so I am happy. And I cleaned my room, which for me is a big achievement, and all my anime posters are right in front of my computer as well as my Inu-Yasha wall scroll. It has all of the villains surrounding Inu-Yasha who is holding Tessaiga with Kagome. Around it are Naraku, Sesshomaru, Kikyou, Kouga, Kohaku, Kanna, and Kagura.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All is property of J.K Rowling, the literary genius who is responsible for my addiction to Harry Potter. And just for the record, the character Dorcas Meadows is property of Rowling as well because she mentioned her in OotP, in the chapter The Woes of Mrs. Weasley. She is in the picture that Moody shows Harry of the original Order of the Pheonix, according to Moody Voldemort murdered her personally.
As always the Great Hall was full of chattering students on the first day of the new term. Students everywhere were talking among their friends about the year ahead of them. Lily, Dorcas and Anthy were no exception to that. The three of them were conversing about what happened during each other's summer vacation. Dorcas had traveled with her family to America and spent the rest of the summer baby sitting her little sister, Jesse. Anthy didn't really have much to say on the matter; all she mentioned was that she visited Greece like she did every summer with her family. Lily didn't really feel like talking about the incident during her summer vacation with Petunia and Vernon, so she didn't indulge herself on Dorcas and Anthy's conversation.
But Lily did have an adventure, so to speak, over her summer vacation. Her family went camping in the woods as 'family bonding time' as her Lily's father put it. The trip couldn't have been worse. Petunia complained about having to sleep on the ground. The tents were all infested with mosquitoes, and she had to endure four days without taking a shower. Then the family tried to go fishing, but a park ranger had spotted them and informed them that they lake they were camping by was polluted, so for two days in a row Lily ate nothing but baked beans. Then because of the baked beans she got a bad case of an upset stomach, so during the night she would have to sneak off to 'relieve' herself without Petunia nagging at her. When she was deep enough into the woods that she was satisfied, Lily had her own dark encounter, which nearly cost her life. It was not something she wanted to repeat ever again, nor did she want to think about. But then an unfamiliar face caught Lily's eyes at the staff table.
Lily gazed up at the staff table; Professor Dumbledore was sitting in the middle as usual, and by his side was an empty seat where Professor McGonagall sat but she was giving out course schedules. Professor Flitwick was having an avid conversation with the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Professor Kettleburn. Potions teacher, Professor Flynn, was talking with the gamekeeper, Hagrid. The Defense against Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lantis, hadn't shown up yet. It seemed that the new Airthmency teacher, Professor Vector, had arrived. She was a long and lanky Asian looking witch. She wore long purple robes and a pointed purple hat with a peacock feather sticking out it. Everything looked normal at the staff table, but Lily's attention was drawn by Professor McGonagall who handed her her new schedule for the year. Lily thanked her and looked down at her schedule.
MONDAY N.E.W.T Transfiguration Double N.E.W.T Charms Lunch Double Potions Astronomy
Lily let out a groan upon looking at her schedule. Transfiguration, Potions and Astronomy all in one day would mean pure torture. Transfiguration was the one subject that she struggled with, and most of her study efforts went into Transfiguration. Potions wasn't a joy to go to because Professor Lantis loathed all of his students equally, and was the most hated teacher in Hogwarts. And Astronomy would mean that she would be up to 1:30 AM which meant she wouldn't get any sleep. The only good thing about her schedule was the fact that she had Double Charms. Charms was easily her best subject and she was the top in class. James Potter himself couldn't compare to Lily's talent in Charms, and it was one of the few things she highly prized herself on.
"What do you think Lily?"
"Who? What?" Lily said. She had been so preoccupied with her thoughts the conversation between Dorcas and Anthy was the farthest thing from her mind until Dorcas caught her attention.
"Weren't you listening at all," Dorcas said.
"To be perfectly honest, no," Lily said with a smile. The three of them laughed at that comment.
Across the table sat the Marauders. All of them seemed to be laughing at some particularly clever joke made by James. Lily glanced over at them, and was greeted by James' goofy grin. James got up from his seat and walked over to where Lily was sitting.
"So how was my flower's summer," he said.
Lily could feel her temper rising. She had to keep it under control, if it was the last thing she ever did. Her position was Head Girl was dependent on it, the previous year her Head Girl badge had been revoked because she had completely lost her temper and jinxed James' broom to shoot off fireworks, and spin uncontrollably.
"Potter, go screw off. I am not in the mood to deal with you this early in the morning," Lily said.
"This early in the morning? It is already past eight, it isn't early," James teased.
"Potter just go away,"
"No,"
"Do you have to be a pain in the ass?"
"Yes I do"
At that, Lily rose from her seat and was at eye level to James. She just glared at him with her green eyes which were reflecting every emotion that coursed through her veins. In a flash she pulled her wand from the inside of her robes and was aiming it at James. Silence surrounded the area where Lily was threatening James. Under normal circumstances she didn't pull her wand on him unless he had done something to piss her off beyond all control. There were only two other times when Lily had pulled her wand on anyone; the first was during their fifth year and James was bullying Snape, and the other time was the previous year when James had cursed her cat to be Slytherin green and refused to do the counter curse until Lily said she would go out with him. At that point Lily cursed James so that his nose sang "I Love Severus Snape" in a shrill opera like voice. Needless to say, both of them had gotten detention and fifteen points from Gryffindor.
"Potter. Evans. What is going on here?" came the voice of Professor McGonagall.
Lily immediately lowered he wand. She didn't want to get on the bad side of McGonagall, especially when she had Transfiguration first thing in the morning. James grinned, a soft sort of grin and went back to his seat between Sirius and Remus. Lily also reluctantly sat back down between Dorcas and Anthy. Satisfied, Professor McGonagall went back to handing out course schedules.
Once the bell had rung, the students dispersed to their classes. James made his way up to the Transfiguration corridor. He walked in silence, wondering why Lily had been so cold. She normally was quite friendly until he pulled the first prank, and then it was pure hell between them. But at breakfast all he had to do was look at her the wrong way and her wand was at his throat. She seemed far more tense than usual as if something terrible had happened, and her eyes reflected nothing but coldness. They normally were dazzling and sparkling as much as Dumbledore's eyes. It was enough for anyone to be concerned, well anyone other than the Slytherins.
Just before reaching the Transfiguration room the Marauders were stopped by a group of scared looking first years. They were apparently lost and wanted directions. James' mood was immediately lifted. Some first year mayhem was just what he needed to get his mind off of Evans. He asked them, "Hey, where are you going?"
"The Charms corridor," said a nervous looking girl wearing blonde pig tails.
"The Charms corridor, that is easy. All you have to do is..." Remus began but was cut off by James
"Go down the stairs, turn left at the picture of the witch wearing a stuffed fox on her hat. Go down another flight of stairs and you will find it behind a tapestry of two giants beating each other to a pulp," James said with a smile. The first years thanked him and took off.
"Prongs old man, you are a genius," Sirius said.
"But didn't he just send them to..." Peter began. At that he turned the next corner and went to his class, Defense against Dark Arts. He was not talented enough to make it into McGonagall's N.E.W.T level Transfiguration.
"To the vanishing cabinet on the third floor, yeah," James said.
The four of them laughed. Even Remus got a good chuckle out of it. He knew that passage well, and it did indeed come out into Flitwick's class but when a student went through it they would become somewhat confused and think they are a teapot. The care taker had devised it that way so that any prowling night time students would be strongly persuaded not to use it. The Marauders tricked many first years into going into it, and anyone who had been at Hogwarts for a even a week knew better than to listen to anyone from the Marauders for advice.
Once inside the Transfiguration room James and Sirius took their usual seats at the back of the class, and Remus sat up front. Peter, who was not especially talented in terms of magic, was still in basic Transfiguration. They still had several minutes before class started, so James took out a piece of fresh parchment and a new Eagle feather quill and began doodling. James had to give himself credit on being able to draw Quidditch balls; a big red circle for the Quaffle, a larger circle for the Bludgers, and one tiny circle with wing for the Snitch. He had doodled them so many times he prided himself on being able to draw a perfect circle. Students from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw began pouring inside the room, but no Lily. Dorcas and Anthy were already inside, but Lily wasn't with them, which was an unusual thing. She normally went everywhere with her two friends, even to the bathroom.
Just before Professor McGonagall shut the door to signal the start of class, Lily burst in and hurriedly found a seat. McGonagall gave her a harsh look but kept silent as she took the only remaining seat, right smack dab in front of James. It was the seat she wanted to sit in least, but the only one available, and McGonagall would no sooner let her exchange seats than let her hair down from her tight bun.
Class proceeded without much incident. James and Sirius took notes, and exchanged notes and didn't bother Lily one little bit. Professor McGonagall began the lesson by giving the entire class a lecture on their N.E.W.T exams at the end of the year. She informed them that those students who were still in her N.E.W.T level were the best students Hogwarts had to offer. At that she gave everyone an ordinary teapot and she instructed them to transfigure it to any animal of their choice, but it had to be a mammal or reptile.
By the end of class, only three people were given extra homework. Sirius had a raccoon sitting on his desk busily chewing on his parchment. James chose a Gecko (not Geico, people) which he was absent mindedly bouncing in the air. Lily had a honey colored ferret.
"Potter that is enough. I do remind you that your status as Head Boy is dependant on your ability to act your age," McGonagall snapped. "Homework, an essay explaining in detail the Cross Species Switching Spell, due Tuesday. That is all, you may go. Potter, Evans I need you to stay after class," With that the students nosily packed up their belongings and exited her class room. Lily signaled at Dorcas and Anthy to go ahead without her.
When the class had exited Lily and James went up to McGonagall's desk. She gave them both a hard look and spoke, "Your demonstration this morning shows that you two will have to put in a good deal of work to keep your differences apart and work together. I have high expectations from the both of you so no excuses. I must also say that tonight there is to be a meeting with the Prefects in the library at eight-o-clock. You two are to explain their duties. You two also have the power to take away and add house points; don't abuse this for I will know if you do, "she added menacingly, "I must also say that because you two are in your final year you will be required to plan the graduation ball for seventh year students. You two will be responsible for everything, so I expect great things. I must say that with the talent of the infamous Potter and with the knowledge of Evans you two will make quite a stand. That is all. Go on, get to your next class, your teachers, Flitwick I believe, knows that you are to be late and you are excused," she said simply and shooed them off.
Both Lily and James took off in the direction to Double Charms. James seemed to be walking unnaturally slow.
"Potter could you move a little faster," Lily said in a tone that was, for once, not insulting.
"Sure thing," James said quietly. After what happened at breakfast he didn't want to upset her again and draw out her wrath.
"James, listen I am sorry about this morning," Lily said quietly. She felt terrible afterwards and she did at least owe him an apology, after pulling her wand on him.
"No problem. It is not like it's the first time you have done that," James said while grinning. He was somewhat taken aback, because that was the first time she had ever heard her say his first name without a note of disgust in her voice.
"Listen since we are going to be working together I suggest that we put aside our differences like McGonagall," Lily said.
"Well it is not as if I don't like you. I have been trying to 'put aside our differences' since third year," James said with a laugh. His third year was the year when he had first asked her out. He remembered how red her face had shown, and steam seemed to be pouring out of her ears. Her face seemed to blend in perfectly with her dark red hair.
Lily laughed at the comment. It was the first true laugh she had in a while. He may be a pompous ass, but at least he is a funny one an attractive one Lily thought to herself. The two made their way into charms and Flitwick welcomed them. James took his usual seat between Sirius and Remus and Lily sat between Dorcas and Anthy.
Like McGonagall, Flitwick began with lecturing them about their N.E.W.T exams at the end of the year, but Lily was not listening. She was wondering why she had not insulted and/or slapped James when they had walked to Charms together. Why would he suddenly be somewhat hospitable to her? In the past he always tended to act like a complete ass when she was around. What was worse, she actually thought of him in good respect for a moment. The million burning suns of hatred she had for him were beginning to burn out. While Flitwick continued to ramble on about N.E.W.T exams, Dorcas had passed her a note.
Hey Lils, what has been going on? You were in a shitty mood during breakfast and then you nearly slaughter Potter. Not to mention why did McGonagall keep you back?
Lily took out a quill and wrote
Nothing is wrong. Just the usual stress from life, that's all. And McGonagall told me of my Head Girl duties, that is why she held me back. -Lily
On and on the two went throughout the entire class session.
Bullshit nothing is wrong. You have been acting funnier than usual. -Dorcas
I take personal offence to that, for thinking that I would lie to my two best friends in the world -Lily
Eventually Anthy got involved in the conversation.
Then you would tell your best friends what the problem is -Anthy
Hell, even before summer vacation you have been acting more moody that usual -Dorcas
Damn it, will you two leave me the hell alone. I am FINE! -Lily
On and on the three girls exchanged notes. By the end of the first half of Charms the three girls had to stop because Flitwick began giving out assignments. Like McGonagall he chose to review the material they learned the previous year as well. Naturally, Lily was the best in class and she was the only one not given extra homework. Even the three (remember, no Peter) Marauders got extra work, in which Lily's stomach gave a pleasurable squirm. She loved it when James was doing homework when she wasn't. It was truly a great feeling.
SEVERAL hours later as the sun was setting, Lily was dreading her meeting with the Prefects and with James. Sure he had been nice to her, but who knew how long that act would last? It was only a matter of time before he started being his usual ass of a self. But Lily had other matters to worry about; she didn't know if she could confide to anyone about them. It was not only for the sake of her friends but also for her family, and all of Hogwarts. Lily sighed deeply and leaned farther back into her favorite chair in the Common Room.
Flashback
It was midnight in the woods that were rather close to Hogwarts. It was during her family camping trip, and of course she didn't tell her parents that Hogwarts was on the other side of the woods. Lily guessed that they were on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest, but because many of the beasts in the forest refused to step onto non-magical soil her family was conciderably safe, besides she had her wand if anything did happen.
It was the last night at the camp site, and the family was forced to have baked beans again for dinner. The event was a silent affair, except for Petunia who was complaining that her beans had a bug in it, and Vernon greedily slurping down his beans. Lily was too disgusted to watch. Dinner took twenty minutes of silent torture before her parents announced that everyone should be getting to bed, because they would be up early the next morning. As Vernon and Petunia disappeared into their tent, Lily put out the fire and glanced nervously around her shoulder. If her sister saw what she was about to do, Lily would never live it down. After making sure her sister was too busy snogging Vernon to notice what was happening outside, Lily quietly slipped off into the woods. The baked beans didn't exactly agree with her stomach, so she needed to go relieve herself.
She wandered deep enough into the woods so as she could not be seen nor heard. After she had finished with her business, Lily had began wandering back to her camp site but soon found that she had no idea where she was. After half an hour of wandering around aimlessly, Lily was just about to panic, but to relief she heard voices. It was a male voice, and a female voice. At first she thought it was the moans of Petunia and Vernon, but she soon found that the male voice was too high to be Vernon's.
At that point, Lily was so lost she didn't care who it was so she went forward to approach the two dark figures. The voices soon became clearer and clearer, and then she found out that one of them she knew. It was the cool, cat-like voice of Bellatrix Black. Lily's mind began to wonder, she knew that the Blacks didn't live this far out because she heard Sirius telling James that he lived in London. So what was the prestigious Bellatrix Black doing in the middle of the woods, near Hogwarts?
Lily dared herself to move two or three steps further, but then stopped dead at the sight she saw. Fierce, shining red eyes with black cat-like slits for pupils was starring Bellatrix in the face. She knew exactly who it had to be, even though she had never seen him in her life. Lord Voldemort was standing just a few inches away from her. Lily knew that she should run for her life, for if she were discovered her life would without- a-doubt be taken from her, no question about it. But as it stood, Lily couldn't move because there was brush and shrubbery all around her and if she moved, undoubtedly a twig would crack and there-for give away her position. It was the worst situation that anyone could be in; a Muggle-born witch, who went to Hogwarts, that was allied with Albus Dumbledore, and was dead set against the Dark Arts was standing just a few feet away form the most powerful and evil dark wizard of ages eavesdropping on him and a member of the infamous Black family. Lily would have given anything in the world to never have moved that far into the woods.
Lily stood there for what seemed like ages. For many hours the Dark Lord and the cat-like girl of the Black clan talked for many hours. Lily heard all sorts of things that she would have given all the gold in the world to never have heard. It was taking all of Lily's will not to pull out her wand and curse the two into oblivion, but even though Bellatrix would be easy enough, because she was four years younger than herself, the Dark Lord would crush her like a toothpick, and most likely take her whole family with her. Lily heard the name of Albus Dumbledore many times, and she knew that they were planning something hideous in hopes of killing Dumbledore. Lily had to ball up her fist to keep her from lashing out. Eventually her nails dug so deep into her hands that she drew blood.
At last, Bellatrix had taken her leave of her master, and Lily had a slight glimmer of hope that she could make out of the situation alive. As Bellatrix made her sleek exit, with her black hair blowing in the wind as she took off to the East, Lily let herself make a small sigh of relief. But the instant she did it, Voldemort turned around and looked right in her direction. Lily's heart was in her throat, if she was caught it would be worse than death. His piercing eyes seemed to go through her soul. "Who is there," Voldemort murmured in his cold high voice.
As Voldemort took several steps forward, he was barley five feet from Lily, and she wanted more than anything just to disappear back to her camp site. Her breathing became heavy and labored because the adrenaline was pumping through her veins like wildfire. Slowly and without making a sound she reached into her robes and drew her wand. The Dark Lord took two more small steps toward Lily and...
Flashback end(A/N: I LOVE cliffies. Don't worry, you find out soon what happens. At least it is obvious that Lily lives, isn't it)
Lily was brought back into reality at the chiming of the large grandfather clock. It was eight-o-clock. Grudgingly she got up from her favorite chair, and left the warmth of the Gryffindor Common Room behind to go meet with James Potter and the other fifth-year Prefects.
V
END CHAPTER. Gawd, this took forever to write. Long story why, but you know what people I have been getting didly shit for reviews and so that delayed. Review if you want more chapters faster. HA! By the way, I told you who overheard Voldemort, and in the next chapter or two you do find out what happened to our favorite lily. But if there are no reviews I will leave that out, or not write. Review if you want more chapters.
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