A/N: We're BACK!!! We both had an awesome time in Wisconsin. I won't bore
you with facts about our 'vacation' that you really don't want to hear. On
with the story
Really Big Disclaimer: We do not own any characters you recognize. We do own
the plot as well as Genny Vallier, Caleb Smith, Kary Mesner, Daniel East,
Autumn Balley, Christian Grant, Cheri Lindinstarne, Kirke Ogden, Camelle
Plimy, Selina Treneman, Ian Wendell, Wendy Wendell, Professor Crick,
Professor Faust, and Professor Alberich. –I think that's all ; )
Before the Boy Who Lived
Chapter 5
Crime and Punishment
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"Arrgghh!" came the strangled cry of a suit of armor as it walked through
the Great Hall Sunday morning.
James and Sirius exchanged evil grins while Remus sat looking worried as did
Lily-he must've told them something about it.
The two boys stood up and blocked the suit of armor's path to towards the
Slytherin table.
"So…Snivellus…what misfortune must've befallen you on this lovely Sunday
morning that you are now stuck in a suit of armor?" said Sirius
"Itwasyouandyouknowit"
"I'm sorry, we can't understand you…you're trapped in a suit of armor."
"You'regoingtobeinsomuchtroublewhentheteachersfindout"
"Excuse me good sir, but as you know you are not allowed in the Great Hall
whilst the students are dining." said Professor Crick as he came striding up
to them.
"Professorit'sme"
"MR. SNAPE?!" Professor Crick immediately recognized one of his favorite
students. "What happened to you?"
Finding it too difficult to try and talk Snape raised an arm and pointed
straight towards James and Sirius.
"POTTER, BLACK, 30 POINTS FROM GRYFINNDOR! AND DETENTION!! YOU WILL MEET
WITH PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL LATER TO DISCUSS WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING!" They left
to take Snape to get magiked out of the armor by Madam Pomfrey.
McGonagall wasn't the only the two of them would have two answer to.
Lily was now standing outside of the Great Hall with her arms crossed as
James and Sirius left breakfast.
"I can't believe you two!" said Lily in outrage
"What?" said James innocently as he approached Lily.
"You know perfectly well what!"
"What makes you think we did it?"
"Because the ear-to-ear grins on your faces makes it all too clear" said
Lily still in a huff
She didn't particularly like Severus but she absolutely loathed James and
Sirius, she couldn't see for her life why Remus liked them so much. Not only
did Lily loathe James and Sirius, she also despised mean-spirited pranks.
The two combined made a completely awful mix.
"That doesn't prove anything," said James in continuation of their argument
"I have far more important things to do than to stand here and discuss this
subject…especially with a girl." and he led Sirius off to McGonagall's
office.
"A GIRL?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH GIRLS?!"
Lily went back into the Great Hall and sat back down next to Genny so she
could fume.
"Those two make me so angry!"
"Yes I know." Genny had heard this a few times before even though it had
only been a week.
"I can't believe they think they can go and pull those mean-spirited pranks
and get the rest of us in trouble! It took me all last week to earn those 30
points and they loose them just like that…"
"Lily, you're ranting again, we'll go upstairs and play cards or chess or
something to get your mind off them."
"Alright then," sighed Lily Genny grinned and led her back to the dormitory.
James and Sirius made their way to Professor McGonagall's office. They had
been there twice…already.
"Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, please take a seat." The two boys did as they were
told. "It has come to my attention that Mr. Snape is now trapped in a suit
of armor."
They nodded their heads
"And he says that it's your fault"
They just sat there.
"Well…was it?"
"You see Professor, I understand why he thinks it's us…because…er…we were
walking down a corridor… and he was walking down a corridor…the same
corridor…and…er…there was a suit of armor…in the corridor…and we…um…started
talking…and Snape turned around to face us…while we were talking…and he was
still walking…so, he was walking backwards…in the corridor…that the suit of
armor was also in…"
"Spit it out Mr. Black"
"…and he backed into the suit of armor…er…and…fell…er…in." finished Sirius
"Mr. Black. That has to be the worst excuse I have ever heard! And believe
me when I say I've heard a lot of them." James couldn't help but silently
agree with her. "For detention, you will help me, a few of the other
teachers, and some other students serving detention as well. We will be
planting a willow on the grounds Wednesday night. You will be meeting me in
the Entrance Hall at 8 pm sharp."
"Yes Professor." They replied in unison
"And you will need to bring your dragon hide gloves as well as these," she
reached under her desk and brought out two helmets. "See you on Wednesday."
James and Sirius walked out of Professor McGonagall's office wondering what
in the world they would need helmets for when they were just planting a
stupid willow tree.
"Maybe they're having us plant it in the middle of the Forbidden Forest. And
there is currently a plague running through the forest creating sick
unicorns that will infect us then trample us leaving us to our doom. And it'
ll be a full moon and so they're also afraid about werewolves, as well as a
clan of angry centaurs with beards and hair on their backs."
"Don't be silly Sirius, full moon's not for two weeks, plus, that's just
plain ridiculous. It's because of all the rabid squirrels sent from the
trees by the Druid spirits whose only wish is to torment not quite so
innocent first years who in turn their only wish is to torment certain
greasy haired someones."
"Yea, sure James…that one's probable," snorted Sirius.
They stopped in front of the portrait but before they could say the password
the portrait swung violently open knocking James in the forehead as
Professor McGonagall whisked out of the common room.
"How on earth did she beat us?" questioned James
"I dunno." The two of them walked into the common room, baffled, to find a
crowd of students around the notice board a few older students walking away
disappointedly.
James and Sirius went up to find out what had been posted. The piece of
parchment now on the board read:
Flying Lessons
Gryfinndor:
First years: Tuesday, 2:00pm
Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm
Slytherin:
First years: Tuesday, 2:00pm
Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm
Ravenclaw:
First years: Thursday, 2:00pm
Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm
Huffelpuff:
First years: Thursday, 2:00pm
Older years: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2:00pm
Up in her dorm Lily was not happy about the announcement. She was born a
muggle who liked keeping her feet on the ground, and even as a witch she
would still like to keep it that way.
"…and besides, Genny, it's with the Slytherins! I hate the Slytherins!"
"Don't we all Lily, now listen, it won't be…"
"I'm so sure that I'm gonna just fall off the broom right onto my face! In
front of all the Slytherins, and…" she gasped, "James Potter as well! He'll
be there to, as well as Black! Oh they'll all just have a grand time
laughing at poor ol' Lily…"
"LILY!"
"WHAT?"
"Calm down, take a deep breath and sit down" Lily did as she was told. "I am
sure everything will be just fine, you'll do alright and you'll show all of
them what a muggle-born witch can do."
"You're right Genny. I'll show them!"
The days before Tuesday were long and drawn out. Every first year that wasn'
t James and Sirius were very nervous. The two of them were doing their
absolute best to look superior to the other first years. This wasn't helping
Lily at all.
"Pssssst, Lily," hissed James during Potions on Monday
"Shut up Potter, I'm trying to get something out of this class," Lily hissed
back
James didn't seem to hear that; "I can't wait for our flying lesson
tomorrow. Of course it's not like I really need a teacher for that."
"Be quiet Potter, I'm sure I'll walk out of that class not only the best
muggle born flyer there but the best one all together!"
"Yeah, sure, but have you had years and years of practice? I have, and I'm
sure I could best you in anything!"
Lily gave a sigh. This confirmed, for the hundredth time, that James did
indeed have an overly large head. James turned around and faced the other
direction much to Lily's relief.
"Pssssst, hey Snivellus…."
Tuesday came all too soon for Lily in a few minutes she'd be walking out
onto the grounds to learn to use a broom.
There were two rows of brooms stationed out on the grass no one but James,
Sirius and some Slytherins had dared approached them.
"Well, what are the rest of you bumpkins waiting for? Step up to a broom."
The class then did as it was told. "Now, stick your wand arm over the broom
and say 'Up'"
There were shouts of "Up!" heard from all the students a round total of only
4 of the 11 brooms rose to meet the student that had called them. Lily's
just rolled over knocking Peter in the heel. Genny's was one of the four
that had risen.
"Miss Vallier!" Genny dropped her broom in surprise.
"Yes Madam Hooch" said Genny, not sure what she wanted.
"Madam Pomfrey has informed me that, due to your back condition, you will
not be allowed to fly."
"But Madam Hooch" pleaded Genny "It's not that bad. Why would it effect me
flying?"
"These are not my orders Miss Valier, after all I'm not a nurse. I trust
Madam Pomfrey."
At first Lily was disappointed that her best friend wouldn't be there to
support her when she made a fool of herself but her disappointment quickly
turned into a strong feeling of betrayal that Genny hadn't told her about
her back condition.
Genny waved goodbye to Lily with a look of deep regret on her face but Lily
refused to wave back.
The flying lesson went seamlessly. Seamlessly that is except for Lily who
couldn't get her broom off the ground.
That wasn't the worst of it though. When Madam Hooch finally just picked up
Lily's broom for her, it took off before Lily could fully kick off the
ground, causing her to fall headfirst over the top of her broom and onto her
back.
"How did the flying lesson go?" Genny asked when Lily entered the common
room covered in dirt. Lily just growled. "Not good then?"
"Ugh."
"I see…Lily, what's the matter?"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FLY WITH ME?! YOU DIDN'
T LET ME KNOW YOU HAD A BACK CONDITION? YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME…"
Genny thrust her head into her hands, who was she to be the one to mess with
Lily's short temper today? "Look Lily, I didn't think it would be an issue
when it came to flying. How was I supposed to know I wouldn't be able to fly
with you?"
"YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST TOLD ME ABOUT YOUR BACK!"
"WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY? HEY LILY, JUST SO YOU KNOW I HAVE THIS BACK
CONDITION THAT DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO DO CERTAIN THINGS."
"Yes."
"Lily, it's not that simple I've had this for a few years now every once in
awhile I'll just collapse onto the floor unable to do a thing for at least
24 hours, that has frightened a few people away, they don't want to spend
time with someone whose going to possibly collapse on them, they just don't
want to be with someone that fragile.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"That's fine…so how did flying lessons REALLY go?" laughed Genny.
Lily giggled then gestured to herself, "I'm covered in dirt Genny how do you
THINK it went?" Genny started laughing again and the two of them slumped
into a chair by the fireplace immobilized with laughter.
"Hey Evans, nice job in flying class." Said a sarcastic voice that belonged
to James. Lily
just shrugged it off, she was having a good time with her friend and nobody
was going to ruin it.
James didn't want to be brushed aside that easily, but Sirius pulled him
away.
"What do you want Sirius! I was about to insult Evans!"
"Who?"
"Lily. Her last name is Evans."
"Oh. Anyway I figured out why we're going to need helmets to plant that
willow tree."
"Why?"
"It's no ordinary willow, it's a Whomping Willow."
"A 'whomping willow'?"
"Yes as in it 'whomps' anything that gets within ten feet of it."
James' face fell, "Oh man."
"Oh man is right. I guess next time we prank someone we should have a better
excuse lined up." James gave him a dirty look. "What? It's not like it was
my fault that we got put in detention." Another dirty look from James,
"Whatever, fine, I had a bad excuse, kill me."
"We now have to face that 'whomping willow' maybe it'll do that for me."
Sirius shuddered.
The next thing James knew was that it was Wednesday night and he was
carrying a helmet, wearing dragon hide gloves, and walking down to the
Entrance Hall so he could meet Professor McGonagall for his detention.
"Good evening Mr. Black, good evening Mr. Potter. I'm glad to see you
brought the helmets. I'm sure you're curious as to why you will be needing
them." Both of them just grumbled in reply. "You see it is no ordinary
willow but a whomping willow…"
Sirius had heard this before, he had overheard Professor Dumbledore talking
with the Herbology teacher, Professor Faust, about the kind of tree he
wanted to be planted.
"…this tree will injure almost anyone within a few feet of it. The
Headmaster sees it fit to provide Hogwarts with an extraordinary plant such
as this. You will be helping Professor Faust, Professor Crick, and myself,
as well as a few other student serving their detentions, to plant this
'whomping willow'."
With that said they trooped out onto the grounds over on the far side of the
lake, they were obviously the last to arrive. Except for their Herbology
professor. There were 3 other students who were in detention as well; they
introduced themselves as Caleb Smith, Kary Mesner, and Daniel East. They
hardly learned more because Professor Crick would not hear of anymore
socializing.
Then Professor Faust made his appearance, he was carrying a small metal
bucket that was shaking violently, he set it on the ground and stared
blankly at the 5 students.
"Well," he said gesturing to the 5 shovels on the ground. "Start digging."
James, Sirius, Caleb, Kary, and Daniel started to dig, and dig, and dig some
more, in that amount of time they learned the 3 of them were 4th year
Ravenclaws who were caught throwing some of the younger kids into the lake.
According to Kary "It was all in fun! They were enjoying it!" The 5 of them
were out there for 4 1/2 hours until the three professors ordered them to
stop.
Professor McGonagall helped them out of their hole as Professors Crick and
Faust moved the bucket over by the hole.
"Helmets on!" Everyone there dawned helmets. Professor Crick Climbed into
the whole and Professor Faust handed him the bucket. He then emptied its
contents and set it properly and climbed out of the hole.
"Alright Minerva, she's all yours."
Professor McGonagall brandished her wand and pointed it at the hole.
"Engorgio!"
All of the sudden the ground shook as a massive tree began to take it's
original size in the hole. While it was growing its branches were flailing
wildly about. James and Sirius clutched their helmets tight to their heads
and saw the others were doing the same.
As soon as it was full sized the dangerous whirling around of the 'whomping
willow's' limbs did not cease. But Professor Crick who was shortest of the
three crawled wildly through the swinging branches and pressed a knot on the
tree. It immediately froze up and he walked back out from under the tree.
"You are free to go. We are no longer in need of your help."
Everyone with the exception of the teachers trudged back into the castle
covered in dirt and sweat. James and Sirius finally made it up to the 7th
floor and into the common room to find only Remus and Peter still awake.
James wanted nothing more than to roll into bed and not move until Easter.
Peter would have none of it.
"So, was it exciting? Who was there? Did it hurt you? What did…"
"Shut up Peter," grunted James as he pushed passed him on his way up the
stairs, with Sirius close behind.
James weakly pulled on his pajama's and before he could roll into bed he
spotted the teachers still working on the willow out on the grounds.
"I wonder why they are still working on that tree. We planted the stupid
thing right?"
Remus who was slowly getting ready for bed seemed to speed up at that
comment before James could ask him about it Remus had pulled the curtains on
his four-poster bed closed. James shrugged it off and drifted off into sleep
trying to wish away the classes, which he had tomorrow morning.
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