Lily Evans was sitting in her living room. "Now, repeat after me," her cousin Teresa was saying. "Soy bruja. Estoy en mi segundo año en escuela."
"Prima Teresita, what does that mean?" Lily asked.
"It means 'I am a witch. I am in my second year in the school.' Now are you going to repeat it or should I just leave?"
"Oh, right! Soy bruja. Estoy en mi segundo año en escuela. Did I say it right?"
Teresa beamed with joy. "Perfect every time, Prima Lirio. Every time we have a lesson like when you were eight you say things in perfect Spanish!" Teresa was very happy to be able to teach her cousin Spanish since she didn't have a little girl of her own and thought of Lily as such.
"I'll be leaving next week for school. I just need to get my school equipment," Lily said to her cousin. Lily had just spent the summer in America visiting Teresa and had told her about being a witch. Teresa found it quite amazing and supported Lily in it.
Teresa looked at Lily with a grin. "So who's taking you to get your school things? Are you meeting someone there as well?"
"Well," Lily said with a sly sound in her voice, "I was hoping that you might take me Prima Teresita. As for my meeting anyone, I owled my friends and told them I was coming back this week. I also said that tomorrow I'd be going and to meet me in the Leaky Cauldron if they wanted to."
"So I take it we're going out tomorrow then," Teresa said, still grinning. "Tell me your amigos again."
"Well, there's mi amiga Rini and then mi amigos James, Remus, and Sirius. Remus is actually mi novio."
"Oh," Teresa pretended to wipe away a tear, "my precious angel's growing up. She's already got herself a boyfriend." Lily and Teresa burst out laughing.
"Yeah. He's real sweet too. Though, last year I did have a bit of a problem." Lily then told Teresa about what had happened with James, Remus, and her.
"I can't believe you are having so much trouble in the relationship department at only age twelve. Plus, now you're thirteen and it can only get more complicated."
"Yeah, I know. Luckily, this year we're eligible for the trips to Hogsmeade so Remus and I will be able to have little dates. Without someone always watching us," Lily added.
The next day, Teresa drove Lily to the Leaky Cauldron. They entered and Tom greeted Lily warmly. Lily quickly said hello and introduced Teresa to him and then entered Diagon Alley.
Teresa gasped when she saw it. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Lily asked. Teresa merely nodded and then followed Lily to the wizard's bank, Gringotts.
Lily had once again received one hundred pounds from her parents for school supplies. She went up to the front desk, had it exchanged, and then she and Teresa went on the trolley ride to her vault to get it.
After Gringotts, the first place Lily went to was the second-hand shop to drop off her school robes from the past two years. They were still in great condition and were accepted gladly.
Then Lily dragged Teresa to Madam Malkin's for her new school robes. She bought three school robes, one set of casual robes and emerald green dress robes for that year's Halloween dance. She decided to wear the casual robes for the rest of the day.
As they left the shop, Lily heard an all too familiar voice saying, "Sirius, I think you just joined Remus in the 'Head-Over-Heels-For-Their-Girlfriend' club!" It was James Potter: chaser on his house Quidditch team, best friend to Sirius Black, and ringleader of the Marauders, as Lily decided to call them. Lily looked around and spotted them. James, Sirius, Remus Lupin, Rini Avalon, and someone Lily didn't remember were sitting at a table eating ice cream.
Lily shoved her wrapped robes at Teresa, excitedly saying, "Hold these. I see Remus!" Then Lily started running towards the table shouting, "Remus! Remus!"
Remus heard his name being called and his smile widened as he recognized the owner. "Excuse me," he said quickly to his friends as he got up and ran to meet Lily. He gathered he into a hug and swung her around. When he set her down he said, "Two months is really too long. I've missed you!"
Lily laughed. "I've missed you too! Just never swing me around like that again." Then Remus kissed her.
The sounds of someone clearing their throat behind Lily and someone coughing behind Remus made them break apart. Lily saw James, Rini, Sirius, and the unknown person and then turned around to see Teresa. "Hells bells!" Lily pouted. "You all have the worst damned timing!"
"Senorita Lirio Evans!" Teresa exclaimed. "Do you kiss your madre's cheek with that mouth 'cause it's obvious that you kiss your novio with it!"
"Me disculpo, Prima Teresita," Lily apologized, blushing.
"You're Lily's cousin Teresa from America, right?" Rini asked.
Teresa looked slightly off-guard that it was known who she was. "Si. I'm guessing you would be Rini, as you are the only other girl in this group of Marauders, as Lily called you."
"That's right," Lily said with a smile.
"You know, Lily wrote and said you looked similar, but you almost look like twins!" said Rini with amazement.
Teresa laughed. "Yes, except for height and eyes, we pretty much are. She has green eyes while I have gray." Teresa looked at the four boys. "Now, you four stand in a line," she commanded. They looked at each other confused and then did as they were told. "I guarantee that I can tell each of you apart just by your hair."
The four boys looked like they were about to laugh, but thought better of it. "Now," Teresa said standing in front of the first boy, "as you were the one kissing my cousin and you have blonde hair, I presume that you are Remus Lupin." Remus shook her hand and nodded. She moved to the next boy. "And you, I presume, would be James Potter with that mop of black hair. Haven't you ever used a comb?" James grinned sheepishly as he shook her hand. She went to the next boy. "Ah, Mister Black. It is a pleasure to meet you. I understand that you are quite a troublemaker, Sirius. Just as long as you don't get my cousin in trouble." Sirius gave a bit of an 'evil' grin as he shook her hand. Finally, she came in front of the last boy. Teresa looked at him and was puzzled. "Strange," she said, "Lily never mentioned someone like you."
James stepped forward. "That's Peter Pettigrew. I wouldn't be surprised if Lily hasn't mentioned him. He isn't in our house at school and we rarely see him except in the summer."
"I see," Teresa said.
"Have you guys and girl got your books yet?" Lily asked them, changing the subject.
"Yeah," Remus said. "I also saved you the trouble of buying you your basic subject books. Now you just have to pay me back."
"Ah, Remus you didn't have to!"
"I know. I did, though." Lily reached into her money satchel and paid Remus back for buying the books.
"Now I just need to buy my Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures books. What subjects are you all taking?"
"Magical Creatures, Divination, and Arithmancy," said Rini.
"Magical Creatures and Divination," Remus said.
"Ditto," James and Sirius said.
"Really?" Lily said. "I kind of think that the Divinations professor is a bit of a loony. Luke told me that she's always picking someone who's going to die every year. Quite frankly, I don't think she really knows what she's doing!"
"Lirio!" Teresa exclaimed. "It's not polite to make fun of your teachers!"
"She's not my teacher, Teresita, so no worries." Teresa just shook her head.
They went to Flourish and Blotts for Lily to buy her last three books and then they went and got other necessary school supplies. Then they sat and talked over ice cream.
Lily brought up the subject of the dance. "I'm thinking of asking Dumbledore if I can sing this year at the Halloween dance." Everyone stared at her. "What?"
"Well," Sirius said slowly, "I for one know the greatness of your voice, but no one has ever asked that before. I don't think it will be allowed."
"Well, there has never been a harm in asking, has there!" Lily said indignantly.
Remus pulled Lily into his lap. "I, for one, think the school would be honored to hear my flower's voice."
"I knew you'd agree with me, Remus."
"I don't think I've really ever heard you sing, Lily," Rini said.
There was a reply from James, Remus, and Sirius all at once. "Sounds like an angel..." "The most beautiful thing you've ever heard..." "Heavenly..."
"I get the picture!" Rini said, a bit harder than she meant to.
They talked for a while more before Lily looked at her watch. "Oh my goodness! It's already four! Prima Teresita, we really have to get going! Madre will be furious if we're late."
"I agree. I wouldn't wish to face my prima's wrath any day. It was nice to meet you all. Adios!"
"I'll see you all at the platform." Lily kissed Remus once more. "See you later!" Then she and Teresa headed back to the Leaky Cauldron and out to Teresa's car.
"Well, what a lively group of amigos you have. Especially that Sirius! He is one to be careful of. I also think that he and Rini are a couple, like you and Remus. You two make a lovely couple, by the way."
"I highly doubt that they are together and thank you. Tell me, though. Who do you think is cuter or has the better personality: Remus or James?"
"I'm not getting into that, Prima. You have to decide for yourself who is the better novio."
"I know," Lily sighed.
Lily was sitting in the very last compartment on the Hogwarts Express waiting for her friends to arrive. The train left from Platform 9 ¾ every September first at eleven AM to take Hogwarts students to school. As she waited for the others, she thought about how fun her summer had been. Teresa's sons were six and four and absolutely adored Lily. Lily had spent everyday of her summer in a pair of shorts, which her mother wasn't too happy about. Petunia had changed, too. The only things she was interested in now was the 'girly' stuff she use to hate. Lily laughed at the thought of her sister being girly.
Lily was still thinking of the summer's events when Rini and Sirius came laughing into the compartment, holding hands. "I should have known by the letters you two were sending me," Lily said.
Rini and Sirius looked at Lily as innocently as possible. "I haven't an inkling of a clue as to what you're talking about," Rini said.
"Well," Lily started, "first Sirius owls me saying that he made sure Jordyn Gem didn't think that they were going out. James also owled me with the same information about her twin sister, Sara. Then you and Sirius both owl me with the same information about dating someone I know. Why I didn't figure it out sooner, I don't know. At least I figured it out, though."
"Well, now the only one of us without someone is James," Sirius said off-hand as he and Rini sat across from Lily. Lily's smile faded at his words as she remembered how she had made James forget their love. Sirius saw her face fall and instantly knew why. "Oops," he said. "I'm sorry, Lily! You know I didn't mean—"
"I know," Lily interrupted. "I did what I had to do. It doesn't mean I don't kick myself or hate myself for it. I just can't believe how possessive his love got!"
"Whose love?" Remus asked as he came into the compartment and gave Lily a quick kiss.
"Mi Primo Louis," Lily lied. "Prima Teresita's son. He has the biggest crush on me you ever saw! Followed me around everywhere, he did."
"And just how old is this cousin?" Remus asked with a smile.
Lily barely restrained herself from laughing as she said, "Six years old!" Rini burst out laughing, which made Lily start giggling.
"Well, make sure to tell the lad you're already spoken for," Remus said with mock seriousness.
"I'm going to find our dear James. Just to make sure he didn't get lost on the way here, or worse, meet up with Snape and Malfoy," Lily said and left the compartment. Making sure she was out of sight from the compartment door window, Lily leaned back against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief thinking, 'That was a close one!'
Lily stood there for a few minutes. Finally, she decided to look for James like she had said she would. Lily turned to start looking when someone ran into her. She and the person fell to the ground. She got back up with the other person's help. Lily was just about to berate the person when she realized that the person was indeed James. "I was just going to look for you, James."
"Well, you found me!" James said cheerfully. He had the feeling that Lily wouldn't look him in the eyes. "Shall we go in?"
Lily nodded. 'Get a grip!' she thought. 'Teresita helped to prove that James isn't the only one that can read your thoughts. She also helped you learn to block people! Get it together, girl!'
They sat down in the compartment and soon the train took off. They were a good half hour into the ride when Sirius asked, "So, do you think Snape and them will cause us trouble this train ride?" Everyone looked at Lily.
"Personally," Lily said as she held up her one hand, "if they do they're in for a world of pain." As Lily said this, a small glowing orb formed in Lily's hand. You could see electricity in the orb.
"How'd you do that?" Rini asked in awe.
"Well, I was given special permission to practice my abilities over the summer holiday. It's really helped."
Remus looked a bit uncomfortable seeing Lily display her powers. Lily noticed and said, "Don't worry, Remus. With the practice I did everyday, no one should be unintentionally hurt this year. I promise you that."
"I know," Remus said. "I just still don't feel exactly the best knowing my girlfriend could knock me unconscious because I accidentally made her mad or upset is all."
Lily's eyes went wide with the meaning of his statement. He thought he had made Lily so emotionally upset that she hadn't been able to control her powers. Lily looked at the others and said, "Could you guys excuse us for a bit?" They nodded and left the compartment, leaving Lily and Remus alone.
"Remus, look at me." He didn't look up. "Damn it, I said look at me!" Remus immediately looked up. He had rarely ever heard Lily swear. He knew she only did it when she was aggravated or annoyed. "Thank you," she said, calm once more.
"I know that I scared you last year. Try actually having these powers and not being able to control them. I am trying to control them. I really am! I'm afraid I'll hurt you and Rini and James and, and Sirius." Lily paused long enough to wipe away her tears. "I can't stand to see any of you hurting. Luckily, I can make you forget your pain, at least for a little while. I really don't want to scare or hurt any of you. When I was at America I was so afraid that my emotions would go out of control again that I would lock myself in the basement. Teresita was so worried for me because I would shut everyone out for hours everyday of the vacation. An American Ministry witch actually can to investigate my using my powers. I'm scared of these powers more than I let on. I'm just so afraid I'll lose control like last year and attack you, James, Rini, or Sirius. I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if I hurt another of you again!"
Remus gathered Lily into a reassuring hug as she broke down into tears. "I'm sorry, Love. I...I never thought about what you were going through. You just really frightened me last year. Please forgive me, Lily. Please forgive me, my Little Flower."
Lily nodded into his shoulder. Remus placed his hand under her chin and raised her tearstained face. He gently kissed the tears away and then kissed her. "I love you, Lily. I hope you never forget that."
"I would never forget that, Remus," Lily said in a quite voice. "I love you, too, Moony. I love you, too."
Lily was still in Remus's lap with her head on his shoulder when James, Rini, and Sirius came in a few minutes later.
"She okay?" Rini asked with concern. Remus nodded.
Lily stayed in Remus's lap like that for most of the trip. She must have fallen asleep once again for she was suddenly awakened by the game of Exploding Snap that Rini, James, and Sirius were playing. Lily got back into her original seat and the five friends played Exploding Snap together.
They were halfway through their third game when the compartment door opened. None other than Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Gregorus Goyle, and Cory Crabbe were in the doorway. Lily looked up, smiled pleasantly and said; "I was wondering when you four were going to show up here." She stood up and put her palms together. Slowly pulling her hands apart, another orb appeared between her palms. Lily made this one twice as large as the first one. "So who wants to be severely injured first? Severus, how about you?" Lily asked with a smile as the four Slytherins stared at the energy ball in Lily's hands.
The electricity flowing through the electric blue orb told all four of the boys just how much it would hurt. They looked at each other and then back at the grinning Lily. "It's not worth it," Lucius said and made the other three moved back down the corridor.
As soon as the door closed Lily slowly put her palms back together. To the others it seemed as if Lily was crushing the energy ball. In honesty, Lily was allowing the energy to go back into her. Lily looked at the fresh squared-off spirals on her palms.
Lily fell into her chair and Remus reached to grasp her hands. "No!" Lily said sharply and then more softly, "No. Taking my hands right now would mean you getting burnt. Didn't you learn that from the first time I used my powers last year? My hands might as well be red hot coals right now!"
"Oh, right," said Remus, obviously remembering.
"Just keep playing the game. Though, when the food cart comes one of you will half to feed me."
"No problem!" James said with a smile. Lily shielded her mind before looking directly at James. His smile grew when she looked directly and gave him a thank you.
Suddenly, James's face became one of confusion. "Do you guys hear a staticky noise?" he asked.
"No," the others replied. Lily kept silent as she looked at the game and away from James. He dropped it since the sound had gone.
When the woman with the food cart came, James, Sirius, Remus, and Rini cleared off what was left. Sirius and James bought the most. James told Remus to keep playing the wizard's chess game he and Sirius had started.
Rini didn't know which was more fun: watching Sirius kick Remus's butt in chess or James trying to toss the decent flavored Bertie Bott's Beans in Lily's mouth.
James finally gave up on the beans and decided to give Lily the bigger snacks, like the pumpkin pasties, cauldron cakes, and chocolate frogs.
Remus wasn't happy with the way James was feeding Lily. James would un-wrap the snack and then hold it out for Lily to take a bite of. Sometimes one of them would miss and some of the snack would wind up on Lily's face. James would wipe it off with one of his fingers and then let Lily lick it off. Lily thought it was funny and didn't notice the uneasy look in Remus's eyes.
Remus couldn't have been happier to get to Hogsmeade Station. Lily's fingers had cooled off by this time but her palms were still a bit too hot to touch. The five friends got into a horseless carriage as close to the front as possible.
When they finally got to the castle, Lily took a deep breath and let it out in a happy sigh. "Home at last!" she said and took Remus's hand who, luckily, didn't get burnt again.
They went to their seats in the Great Hall. They waited for patiently as the other students filed into the Hall. The first years entered and the sorting began.
Lily wasn't paying attention to the sorting. Instead, she was watching Remus, who appeared to be disgruntled. He also hadn't let go of her hand and had a fairly tight grip on it. "Remus?" she asked quietly. "Are you okay?"
Remus looked into her eyes and he heard her voice in his head. Please tell me what's wrong. I can't stand to see you like this. Please, Remus, tell me! He looked away from her eyes and blinked.
"You heard my thoughts, didn't you?" Lily asked. Remus looked back at Lily with disbelief in his eyes as he nodded. "Then, please! Tell me what's wrong!"
"How do you feel about James?" Remus asked quietly.
"James?" Lily asked with a quiet giggle. Seeing the look on Remus's face, she became serious again. "He's just a friend," Lily said softly.
"Is this about the way he was giving me the snacks on the train?" Remus nodded. "Remus, Sweetheart, I love you. If I loved James more than a friend and more than you I would be going out with him, not you." Lily said this, hoping not to have a repeat of last year, but knowing her words were the same.
"You're right," Remus said with a sigh. Looking at her he said, "I guess I'm just still uneasy about it all. I'm afraid that you'll leave me or something, I guess."
"I'm surprised you would think that of me. You're almost making it seem as if my love was for the highest bidder! Everyone knows that when you play that game, there isn't any trust, and without trust, there's no love. My love isn't for the highest bidder; it's for you. With that love is trust. If you can't trust me, how can you love me?"
Remus sighed once more. "Once again, you are right. I do trust you, just not other guys is all."
Lily laughed quietly at this statement and then kept her attention fully on the sorting. She heard Sara, Jordyn, and Damien Gem's little sister, Lana Gem, got sorted into Gryffindor. She was just as pretty as her older sisters were, if not more so. Sara, Jordyn, and Damien were triplets in Lily's year. Thinking of Damien she grimaced, remembering how he had dumped Rini for a Ravenclaw floozy by the name of Rachel Rone. Taking the thought from her head she watched as everyone else was sorted. They clapped politely as students were sorted into their house. Finally, the sorting was over and they ate their fill.
Sleepy and with full stomachs, they made their way to the Gryffindor Common Room. They sat and talked for a bit. Lily wound up falling asleep on Remus's shoulder. A while later, Remus woke her up and she sleepily went up to her dorm with Rini after giving Remus a quick kiss.
"Think this year will be peaceful?" Lily asked.
Rini pretended to think about it. "Nah. Possibly calmer than last year, but not completely peaceful."
Lily laughed. "With my luck it'll be worse!" Rini joined her laughing and then they both went to sleep.
