Rhia sat in her dorm practicing the songs she'd been given by the organisers of the Holyhead ball. It was a Friday, one week until Christmas holidays, one day until she could go into Hogsmeade. She was supposed to be meeting up with Catcher Stevens, who wanted to meet her before performing with her. Harry wasn't very happy about it and insisted that he go with her.
"The Rockies may Crumble, Gibraltar may tumble but they're just made of-" Rhia was interrupted as Erika and Kara came running into the room.
"Rhia, it's snowing!" Kara said happily. She went to the window and opened it as wide as she could. A sudden blast of cold air entered to room. Rhia got off her bed and went to the window. There were thick blankets of snow falling on the ground. Rhia could barely see the lake.
"It's amazing." Erika said, "It's never snowed so heavily." The three girls stared out the window for a while.
"I'm getting cold." Rhia said. Kara looked at Rhia and smirked.
"That's because you're only wearing a thin t-shirt." She said.
"I know" Rhia said. "Oh, have you seen Emma?" Kara nodded.
"She's taking her anger out on the Whomping Willow." Kara said.
"What?!" Rhia asked slightly alarmed. Erika laughed.
"She's throwing snowballs at it." Erika said.
"Oh right." Rhia said. "I'll be back in a bit." She pulled on her hiking boots, the best shoes to wear when going out in the snow. She pulled on a jacket and scarf. She was ready to go downstairs. She jogged down the stairs and was about to go out through the portrait hole when someone spun her around and pressed a kiss on her lips. Rhia laughed.
"Hello Harry." She said. Harry grinned at her.
"Where are you going?" He asked as he picked up the corner of her scarf.
"To talk you sister." Rhia said with a smile. Harry scowled.
"She hasn't been talking to anyone recently." Harry said.
"She's been talking to me. Be back later." Rhia said, giving Harry a quick kiss on the lips and heading out of the portrait hole. She made her way out of the castle and the snow storm. There wasn't any wind and the snow settled on Rhia's hair and eyelashes. She shook her head as she made her way to the whomping willow. She saw a single figure throwing snowballs at an irritated whomping willow.
"Emma?" Rhia asked. Emma turned and looked at Rhia. Her red hair hidden under her black woollen hat.
"Hey." Emma said. She sounded slightly fed up.
"You ok?" Rhia asked. Emma nodded.
"Now I am." Emma said. Rhia smiled and waited for Emma to walk her way towards her. Emma kicked up the snow as she walked. "There's so much snow." She said as she linked arms with Rhia.
"I know. It's amazing." Rhia said. Emma smiled.
"What are you doing out here?" Emma said. "You have to be inside keeping your voice roasty toasty." She said. Rhia shrugged.
"I wanted to spend time with my bestest friend, is that a crime." Rhia asked.
"No." Emma said. They made their way to a courtyard and Rhia sat on a wall under a small arch. Emma sat next to her. "Can I come with you to see Catcher Stevens?" She asked.
"Of course you can." Rhia said.
"That's not what you told Harry." Emma said.
"That's because he'll get jealous." Rhia said. Emma nodded.
"Is Bo still angry with me?" Emma asked.
"Yes." Rhia answered. "Are you still annoyed with Bo?"
"Of course I am. He made my head bleed and didn't do a damn thing about it. And he called me a user." Emma said. Rhia frowned. She was still quite upset about Emma and Bo's argument, Harry was rather distressed about it as well. No one thought Emma and Bo would argue. Neither had spoken to each other for three weeks.
"Don't talk about Bo." Rhia said, "think that it's nearly Christmas." Rhia said with a smile.
"And I'll have to go home and spend more time with my mum." Emma muttered. Rhia rolled her eyes.
"Think positive." Rhia said. "I'll try and get you an invite to the Holyhead ball. I know that my parents are going and your dad is going."
"Which means my mum is going." Emma said happily. Rhia shook her head.
"Come on, Emma, relax. You've been so stressed recently." Rhia said giving her a hug. Emma sighed and scooped up a handful of snow. Rhia watched Emma as she compacted it into a ball. Emma looked around the grounds for a victim. She turned to look at Rhia.
"What?" Rhia asked. Emma smiled and threw the snowball at Rhia. "Emma!" Rhia screamed. Emma laughed and jumped off the ledge. Rhia glared at Emma and picked up a handful of snow. She made it into a snowball and threw it at Emma. Emma nearly dodged out of the way if it hadn't been for Rhia's brilliant aim.
"Oh, that's it." Emma said. She made a few more snowballs and threw them quickly at Rhia. Rhia whipped out her wand and threw jets of hot water at each one. "Hey you're cheating!" Emma said. Rhia laughed and stuck her tongue out at Emma.
"Yeah, and you weren't when you got-" Emma used her wand to dislodge a huge pile of snow that was settling on a tree. It fell on Rhia and covered her in snow. Emma laughed for a few minutes before she realised that Rhia wasn't emerging from the pile of snow.
"Rhia?" Emma asked taking a step forwards. She went to the pile and poked it with a gloved hand. Rhia's hand suddenly popped out of the snow and grabbed her wrist. Rhia pulled Emma down and she threw some snow down Emma's back while laughing.
"AH!" Emma screamed in shock as the cold travelled down her back. Rhia burst out laughing and collapsed to the floor in laughter.
"You're so easy!" She said. Emma narrowed her eyes as she thought for a while. She picked up a mound of snow and was about to throw it at Rhia when Rhia held up her hands. "STOP!" Rhia shouted. Emma froze.
"Why?" Emma asked. Rhia pointed to her throat.
"Can't damage my voice!" Rhia said. Emma made to surrender and as Rhia smiled and relaxed she threw the rest of the snow over Rhia. Rhia screamed and then started laughing as Emma started laughing as well. They had a snow fight for a bit longer then head back into the castle shivering and wet.
"Pepperup potion?" Emma asked. Rhia nodded as she shivered. They made their way up to the Hospital wing. There were a few students there with a few colds.
"Lily." Rhia called Lily came out of her office and looked at the two girls.
"What have you two been up to?" She asked with a frown. She conjured to blankets and gave them to Emma and Rhia.
"Snowball fight." Emma said. "Can we have some Pepperup potion?"
"Yes I do but I'm running out. You two should know better then to go having snowball fights with nearly no clothes on." Lily said as she returned to her office with the two girls trailing after her.
"We do have clothes on!" Emma said. "See, coat, jumper, gloves, scarf!" She said showing Lily each article of clothing. Lily turned to Emma.
"Have you done your homework?" She asked.
"N-Yes." Emma said. Lily looked at her sceptically. "Just give us the potion!"
"Please" Rhia said for Emma. Lily turned to Rhia.
"And you're supposed to be looking after yourself, you have a six hour ball to sing at in just over two weeks." Lily said as she went to a cupboard. Rhia shrugged.
"So?" She said with a smile. Lily rolled her eyes and poured out the rest of the pepperup potion. Those two were sometimes just like James and Sirius. Lily turned and gave Emma and Rhia the potion. They both drank it quickly. Lily felt like laughing at Rhia's expression.
"Bye mum" Emma said with a fleeting smile.
"Emma." Rhia said. Emma turned to Rhia. "Say thank you." Emma sighed and turned to a rather perturbed looking Lily.
"Thanks mum." Emma said.
"Could you drop by Snape's office for me quickly you two. I need him to get me a few more ingredients to make more of the potions" Lily asked as she returned the cups to the cupboard.
"Do it yourself" Emma said. Lily looked at Emma slightly amazed.
"Emma, it's just going to find a teacher quickly." Lily said.
"We'll go and find him, don't worry." Rhia said.
"No we won't. I've got some stuff to do." Emma said. She pulled Rhia out of the room. Lily shook her head and tried to contain her patience. Lily took a deep breath and started out of her office. She glanced at the students in the hospital wing.
"I'll be back in a moment." She said. They nodded and Lily made her way to Snape's office in the dungeons. She knocked on the door.
"Come in." He grumbled from inside. Lily pushed the door open and went in. Snape was sitting at his office marking some papers.
"Don't you ever socialise?" Lily asked him as she closed the door.
"What do you want?" He mumbled.
"I need ingredients for a few potions" Lily said.
"And I expect you want me to just give them to you." Snape sneered at her. Lily gave him a smile.
"Exactly." She said.
"Get lost Potter." He muttered as he got back to his marking.
"I believe Dumbledore told you to cooperate with me in any way possible" Lily said coldly. "Now I need those ingredients Snape, I will pay you back for them like I've done all term." Lily said. Snape rose from his desk and looked at Lily.
"I only have to cooperate with you because you're Dumbledore's little pet. You, your family and all your friends." Snape said walking closer to Lily. Lily took a step back into the door.
"Oh and what are you Snape?" Lily asked, "You don't exactly rebel against him either. What are you doing?" Lily asked as Snape pinned her against the door.
"I'm fed up." He said. Lily looked at him slightly alarmed and reached for her wand but Snape grabbed her wrist and forced her to point her wand at the floor.
"What are you doing Snape?" Lily snapped at him. She tried to pull her hand free but he didn't let go. She was about to use her other hand to slap him but Snape caught her hand. She never thought Snape was so strong. "I have a husband Snape." She said struggling against his grip.
"I know but do you know how hard it is having you there as a temptation?" He hissed to her. Lily looked at him slightly alarm.
"What are you going to do?" She asked him dangerously.
"Just one kiss, that's all." He said. Lily looked at Snape disgusted.
"I'd never kiss you. You disgust me." Lily spat at Snape.
"You didn't have any problems about it when you were seventeen" Snape said.
"I was young then." Lily hissed at him. "And I have children now." Snape sneered at her.
"And you control them so well." Snape said. "Harry is Schizophrenic attention seeker and Emma is a common whore" Lily clenched her fists and brought her knee up as hard as she could. Snape howled in pain. He weakened his grip on Lily. She managed to get her hands free. Snape grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall. He pressed his lips against Lily's. Lily screamed as he did. Her screams seemed to attract the attention of a few students passing by. The door opened and two Ravenclaw boys ran in.
"Holy shit!" One of them said in bewilderment. The other called to some friends outside and then pulled Snape off Lily. Lily breathed heavily and glared at Snape. She rubbed her arm. Snape was crouched over slightly in pain.
"Stay away from me Snivellus." Lily said. The Ravenclaw boy looked at Lily.
"Are you ok Mrs. Potter?" He asked anxiously.
"I'm fine thank you." Lily said. She winced slightly as she moved her arm. The boys were looking at Snape strangely. The boy who'd pulled Snape off helped Lily out of the room. Lily stopped at the doorway. "I'll send you the list of ingredients that I need. I'll be talking to Dumbledore and my husband about this." Snape looked at her with a look that said she didn't have the courage.
"You wouldn't-" he hissed as Lily left the room. The boys left the office as well. The last one slammed the door.
"Are you sure you're ok Mrs. Potter?" One asked. Lily looked at them. She recognised one of them as Terry Boot, Michael Corner and their friends.
"I'm fine." Lily said. She took a deep breath and leant against the wall. The boys looked at each other uncertainly.
"Was he…was he trying to you know, r-rape you?" Michael Corner asked uncertainly. Lily shook her head. She found herself shaking slightly.
"Um, could one of you get the headmaster, take him to the Hospital wing." Lily muttered. Terry Boot ran off out of the dungeons and towards the headmaster's office.
"Here, we'll help you back." One of Michael's friends said.
"Thanks." Lily said though she really didn't need the help.
"James, you're needed at Hogwarts immediately!" Jenny said running into the kitchen at Godric's Hollow. They'd just been going over a few Death Eater reports. James had somehow roped Jenny in helping him out as minister. She didn't mind at all, it gave her something to do. James looked at Jenny.
"What? Why?" James asked
"It's about Lily. The letter didn't say anything more." Jenny said. James got up immediately and apparated out of the house without getting his cloak. He appeared outside the Hogwarts gates and ran through the thigh high snow to the castle. He wanted to get to Lily as soon as he could. He arrived at the castle wet and cold, though he didn't feel it. He ran straight to Lily's rooms in the castle.
"Password." Said the coat of armour that was guarding the entrance to the rooms.
"Godric's Hollw" James said. The coat of armour seemed to be pushed to the side by some unseen force. The wall melted away and James ran straight into Lily's room.
"Lily?" James called.
"In here James" Dumbledore called from the main living area of her room. He sounded deadly serious. James ran into the room and stopped when he saw Lily. She was sitting on the sofa looking rather shaken.
"James." Lily said obviously relieved to see him. She ran to James and held him tightly. James held her and looked at Dumbledore.
"What's wrong?" James asked.
"I have decided to give Lily the rest of the time off until term starts again in January. Some Ravenclaw boys in Harry's year caught Severus Snape harassing her." Dumbledore said. "Who knows what would have happened if they hadn't stopped Severus in time." James' arms around Lily tightened as he held her protectively. He felt anger bubbling up inside of him.
"What was he doing?" James growled.
"I will leave that for your wife to tell you-"
"What are you going to do about it?" James asked. Lily looked at Dumbledore as well.
"He shall be suspended from teaching until this matter can be cleared up. It may come to the point where I may have to dismiss Severus." Dumbledore said. "Though he will remain a member of the order."
"What!" Lily asked. "After he molested me?" Dumbledore held up a hand.
"He is as invaluable to the order as you and James. He may be dismissed from the Hogwarts teaching staff and that will be enough. Lily, I suggest that you begin to pack to return home for four weeks. I'm terribly sorry about what happened. I never even conceived that Severus would allow his passion for you to be let out in a violent way like that." Dumbledore said gravely. "I'm terribly sorry Lily." Lily leant against James. He held Lily thinking for a while. Soon he let go of her and held her at arm's distance.
"Wait here, I'll be back in a minute." James whispered before kissing Lily softly.
"James if you intend on hurting Severus I must ask you to leave the school grounds." Dumbledore said seriously.
"I have every right to hurt him!" James said. "He molests Lily, he nearly broke down Harry so much that Voldemort was able to manipulate Harry. It's only a matter of time before he does something to Emma as well." Dumbledore nodded.
"I understand your anger but as Minister you must set an example. Violence is never the way forwards and you should know that James." Dumbledore said.
"It is this time." James said pushing past Dumbledore and going down to the dungeons. A few students watched curiously. Including Emma, who was passing with Rhia and Kara. They looked at each other before following James.
"Dad! What are you doing here?" Emma asked.
"Getting revenge." He growled. Getting a curious look from Emma as a response. He went to Snape's office and blasted down the door. Snape looked up from his desk. His face went paler then it already was.
"Potter." He said. He sounded as though he was trying to control his anger. James marched in and grabbed Snape by the neck.
"What on earth made you think you could do that to my wife and get away with it?" James demanded. He pressed his wand against Snape's chest so hard he winced.
"I-I-"
"Answer me Snivellus!" James demanded. His voice filled with every bit of hate and loathing towards Snape that he possessed. Emma, Rhia and Kara stood in the office. Students were crowded outside trying to get a glimpse at the minister ready to curse their potion master.
"She came down here!" Snape said, "What was I supposed to do?"
"You didn't have to do what you did to her. She hates you Snape." James said. "Scourgify!" He said. Snape's mouth filled with pink soap suds.
"Dad!" Emma said slightly alarmed. James let go of Snape and brought his wand down like a whip. A large gash appeared across Snape's face.
"James!" screamed McGonagall as she pushed her way through the students behind Dumbledore. James sent another curse at Snape causing him to be thrown across the room into a shelf filled with jars of unnamed substances.
"Expelliarmus!" Dumbledore started to say when Snape got out his own wand.
"Expelliarmus!" McGonagall said towards Snape while Dumbledore summoned both the men's wands. James started to go and beat Snape with his fists when he was held back by Dumbledore.
"James this has gone far enough. Get off the school grounds immediately." Dumbledore said fiercely. James glared at Dumbledore. His light blue eyes blazing with anger.
"Fine but I never want to see him again." James said nodding to Snape, who was touching his bleeding nose
"James!" Dumbledore said. James huffed and snatched his wand back. He looked at Emma and turned to Snape.
"I'd watch yourself if I were you." James said. Snape didn't say anything but spat a mouthful of blood at the door. As James passed he pulled Emma and Rhia towards him and held Emma's shoulder and let Rhia follow as he left the office. The students parted, suddenly terrified of the Minister of Magic. Dumbledore watched him go before proceeding to attend to Snape.
"I'm sorry you girls had to see that." He said putting his wand away. Emma shrugged.
"It's ok but what happened?" Emma asked. Rhia and Emma both looked at James curiously.
"Snape assaulted your mother." James said to Emma. He stopped and looked at Rhia and Emma. "If he's ever done anything to you two tell me now." He said. Both girls shook their heads.
"Nothing bad." Rhia said.
"Are you sure?" James asked. Emma nodded. "If he ever so much as lays a finger on either of you tell me." They nodded.
"Is mum ok?" Emma asked, suddenly worried for Lily, despite her anger towards her.
"Lily is fine. She's just a bit shaken up." James said turning to head back up to Lily's room. Emma and Rhia followed at a jog at the speed James was going. They went to Lily's rooms. Lily was still sitting on the chair that James had left her on.
"Lily." James said. Lily ran to James and kissed him. James held her tightly.
"Mum, are you ok?" Emma asked. Lily nodded.
"I'm fine." She said as Emma hugged her. Rhia bit her lip anxiously. Lily looked at Rhia and gave her a smile. Rhia hugged her as well.
"He didn't hurt you did he?" Rhia asked.
"No." Lily said. She turned to James. "What did you do?" she asked.
"Oh you should have seen it!" Emma said. "First he pinned Snape up against eth wall and tried to strangle him-" James clamped a hand over his daughter's mouth at Lily's look.
"I'll tell you at home. Lets get home quickly. I don't want you here any longer." James said. Lily nodded.
"I don't want to stay here any longer." Lily said. James nodded and got out his wand and began packing. Emma frowned slightly.
"It's my fault isn't it?" Emma asked. Lily looked at Emma curiously.
"No, it isn't." Lily said, brushing some of Emma's hair back.
"If I hadn't shouted at you to tell you to go yourself you wouldn't have gone and gotten hurt." Emma said. Lily pulled Emma into a hug. "I keep messing everything up." Emma rested her head on Lily's shoulder. Rhia went to help James pack for Lily.
"No, it's fine Emma. Don't be harsh on yourself." Lily said, "It's not your fault. Snivellus is a prat anyway." Emma chuckled.
"Snivellus, that's funny " she said. Lily smiled.
"It was your dad's nickname for him" Lily said. Emma smiled.
"Ready to go." James stated as he brought a trunk. "See you Emma." James said giving Emma a kiss on the cheek.
"You're going?" Emma asked.
"You heard Dumbledore." James said. He made a portkey out of a quill and handed it to Lily to hold.
"Don't worry, we'll see you in a week." Lily said affectionately. Emma looked ready to protest when they disappeared.
"Damn them!" Emma shouted.
"Come on" Rhia said, "We don't want to get into any trouble." Emma nodded and left the rooms with Rhia.
At Godric's Hollow Lily and James arrived in the living room. Jenny ran in.
"What happened? Lily, you're home!" Jenny said. Lily smiled tiredly.
"Yeah, I'm home." She said.
"But what about the school, they need a healer."
"Lily's been given about a month off" James explained.
"What happened?" Jenny asked.
"I'll tell you while James gets me a mug of coffee." Lily said looking at James.
"Alright." He kissed Lily again. "I love you." He said.
"I love you as well." Lily muttered with a weak smile. James touched her face before going to make coffee. Jenny looked at Lily curiously.
Harry, Ron and Hermione walked out of the Great hall after dinner. Ron and Hermione had gotten as far as holding hands now. There was a crowd of students walking up from the dungeons chatting quickly and excitedly.
"What on earth is going on?" Harry asked as they walked out of the hall.
"Lets ask." Ron said. Hermione nodded. Harry and Hermione were about to take another step when they felt shocks running through their body
"OW!" They both said at the same time.
"What?" Ron asked worriedly.
"I just got a shock!" Hermione said rubbing her arm.
"Same." Harry said. He glanced up and saw some Weasley's Meddlesome Mistletoe. "Oh no." He muttered. Hermione looked up as well.
"Honestly, don't those two learn!" Hermione muttered.
"I guess you're going to have to kiss." Ron muttered. "They owled me about that. Ginny bought about two dozen of them." Ron let go of Hermione's hand and leant against the wall.
"Well, I guess we better get this over and done with." Harry said.
"Yeah, I suppose." Hermione said. Harry bent down and kissed Hermione quickly on the lips. He tried to get out but he was shocked again.
"Ah! Bloody hell!" He swore.
"You have to properly kiss, according to Fred and George" Ron muttered angrily.
"Oh right." Harry said.
"How did they test this anyway?" Hermione muttered.
"Angelina and Fred decided to have some fun one night." Ginny answered, appearing from nowhere with her friends. "So, you two are the unlucky two?" She grinned. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Come on then, the sooner you kiss the sooner you're free" Harry shook his head and turned to Hermione. She leant up and kissed him on the mouth. Harry returned the kiss for about ten seconds before they pulled away. Hermione stepped away first and didn't get shocked.
"Yes!" They both said at the same time. Ron grumbled and took Hermione's hand.
"Don't worry, I don't feel anything for Harry." Hermione said to Ron. Ron mumbled angrily. Hermione rolled her eyes and kissed his cheek which shut him up.
"Don't tell Rhia." Harry said to Ginny.
"Don't worry." Ginny laughed. Harry and his friends continued to the crowd of people to ask what had been happening.
"Perfect!" Draco Malfoy grinned as he put down the camera. Crabbe and Goyle snickered. "Rhia Black is in for one hell of a Christmas surprise."
"You going to send it to her then?" Crabbe asked.
"Of course I am you idiot." Draco said. "You think I'll let Harry off that easily for putting Father in prison?"
"But he's out now." Goyle said before Draco hit him.
"Shut up will you." Draco hissed. "No one is supposed to know."
"Oh right, yeah, sorry." Goyle said. Draco shook his head as he watched Harry and his friends talking.
"He'll pay. For everything. I just have to think of something to really hurt him." Draco muttered.
A/N:-HAPPY THANKSGIVING for my american readers. Ok, i have a few apologies. I REALLY want to apologise for my last A/N, i know i was totally out of order with it and I shouldn't have posted it. I feel I may have offended a few people. Also, I didn't update in time, you see, it's 3am friday morning. I should be asleep but i'm really ill and i was in too much pain to actually sleep for very long. I'm REALLY hoping i get the day off school, or at least go in for half of it. I have a stupid fever and an ear ache, which is bad cause when i have an ear ache i can't eat, drink, do anything without being in severe pain. I have some problems with my ears....no wonder i'm so deaf.
Rinny, send me an email and I'll give ya my problems on Harry/Ginny, hehe. And as for Catcher and Rhia and Harry....well, as you see, it's beginning, mwahahahaaaaa