When Hope Rises Again…
Plot Summary (in case you've forgotten) In her final year at Hogwarts, the lonely Lily Evans is faced with a new challenge and a new fear. Slowly she begins to see the world through a new light, regaining her self-confidence, and finding a group of friends she could trust forever. This is told through the eyes of Lily Evans, and is not your average LJ fanfic. I try to keep to the real story as much as possible.
Chapter 10: Mostly Conversation
The morning sun rose swiftly, and it was a remarkably warm day for autumn. The sun was shining, creating beautiful swirls of red and gold through the autumn leaves. The school looked as if it was ablaze with colour, enhanced by the yellow streams of light that were emitted from the glowing sun.
I slipped out of bed, somewhat exhausted, and headed towards the bathroom to freshen up. Rushing, I managed to get ready just as my watch alarm rung for breakfast. My head was still wet from washing my hair, and feel as strands of dark red on my shoulders. I placed a Quick Dry spell on them, and then tied it back into an easy ponytail whilst heading towards the Great Hall.
I slipped into a seat at the edge of the Gryffindor table, and waited for breakfast to appear. Around me were a few empty seats, with a few random third years sitting nearby. By the sounds of it seemed they were discussing the next Hogsmeade weekend- the one that fell on Halloween. The Halloween Feast: which I had not prepared, and would have to drag James to complete- something which I was not eager to do at all.
Breakfast was served, and the dishes of bacon, toast, eggs, and a few other typical breakfast items appeared on the table. I was just placing a warm crumbly piece of toast on my plate, when I saw someone slip into the place next to mine.
"Morning Lily darling. 'Tis a wonderful morning, don't you think?" His dark hair was flowing across his face- the other of the terrible two. I groaned.
"Now that, Lily dear, is not how you should speak to someone who's really grateful to you." He shifted in his seat, and helped himself to a plateful of bacon and eggs.
"Grateful for what, Black. What have you done this time?" I asked exasperated, and starting to butter my piece of toast.
"Nothing, hun. It's what you've done." He was chewing on a rather large piece of egg. He grinned stupidly, as Remus sat down opposite him.
"Hey Lily, Sirius," he said softly. The full moon was approaching, and already he was beginning to look rather pale.
"Hey Remus." I smiled. "I don't suppose you have any clue what he's talking about do you?"
He opened his mouth, but Sirius interrupted him. "It's about Prongs, Lils. What've you done to make him so happy? Looks way too cheerful."
I groaned again, trying to forget what happened last night. Somehow it was so clear, like as if it had been important. "He's always cheerful." I tried to say in a nonchalant manner.
"Ah, but not as cheerful as he is today, rather arrogant actually." He winked at me.
"He's always arrogant." I said again in the same tone, taking the last bite of my slice of toast. I poured myself a mug of hot chocolate.
"No, Lily, James is actually in a really good mood, well the best he's been in since summer, you know?" Remus added softly.
James had sat opposite me before I had even had time to say anything. He had this big smile on his face, which seemed to light up his whole face. I quickly looked down, and drank a sip of my hot chocolate.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" he was helping himself to five slices of toast and a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"Perfect day, actually," Black added. "Are we going ahead with the plan?" he looked at Remus and James. Remus nodded.
"If it's okay with Lily, yup we're still on." James turned towards me.
I was confused. Their plan must be one of their pointless pranks, and who knows why they were trying to pull me into it. They'd never asked anyone's permission before, and the likeliness of any approval on my part was unlikely, so I could not even dream to wonder what they were thinking about.
"If it's just another one of your insensitive pranks, I'm not even going to give you an answer." I gulped down my hot chocolate quickly, coughed, and stood up.
James was grinning. "Who said anything about any pranks. In fact, Lily, I really don't approve of these assumptions on your behalf." He was amused, a light smile hit his face, whilst his tone tried to remain serious.
"Not everything is a joke, you know Potter." I stood up.
"Look, Lily, it's not got anything to do with a prank, ok? It's really something quite simple, and it's entirely up to you to whether these lot," he pointed to Remus and Sirius, "are to get involved."
"Can you just spit it out already? What are you talking about?" I hadn't moved away from the table.
His voice was hushed. "Halloween plans. Something to make the entertainment aspect a little more, lets say, flashy this year."
"Flashy?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Flashy, like spiffy, or funky or radical-"
"I know what flashy means, Potter. I was just wondering what your definition of 'flashy' was. Something safe for all students here, I hoping."
James had a serious expression on his face now. "I wouldn't get you in trouble. This is our duty, and if I did do something stupid like that you would also be punished for it. I know better than that. Plus we haven't done anything like that in the decorations, so even if we were to try and attempt to put a prank in, it just wouldn't match."
I didn't know whether that was a compliment, or whether he was truly insulted. "I'm sorry. It's just that when you think of the Marauders at work, it usually does end up with a lot of rule breaking."
Black broke in. "Thanks for the compliment Lils. But. sadly, no rule breaking this time, though there may be a few breaks in convention."
I didn't know whether I believed them or not. Truthfully I knew that I needed help with creativity. I wasn't the sort who would be able to make something really unique. I mean James and I had had that conversation last night, and we had made some advancements, but nothing special. I mean the decoration of the Hall was all planned out, as well as the 'aroma' part, though I still needed to go to the library to get out that book on magical refurbishments.
"I will accept," Black and Remus were grinning, "but on one condition, that I have to approve any plans made." They agreed. I sat down again.
"My dear Lily, will it be any bother if we hold this meeting inside your Common Room." Black asked. I was about to ask 'why', when he continued. "I mean, it has to be secret, right, so your Common Room is ideal." He had turned on his puppy act, as if he were innocently asking for a favour. I sighed, and nodded. It was a nice Common Room, and it would be private. The three of them couldn't do any harm, really.
That's when I noticed the odd nature of the group. "Where's Pettigrew?"
"He's gone to ask some girl from Hufflepuff a question about Muggle Studies, tabbery chargers or something like that." Sirius added, still eating.
"Battery chargers," Remus muttered under his breath, trying to cut a tough piece of bacon.
"Yup, something like that. Anyway, he'll be joining us later." He lifted his head to face Remus. "Oi, just scoff it down, Moony."
Remus smiled, and gracefully pushed the entire piece in his mouth, creating a greasy mark around his lips. He pulled out a piece of cloth and wiped his chin. He smiled.
Sooner or later, we were all in the warmth of the Heads' Common Room, looking upon a book which contained the last 162 Halloween entertainment schedules. After reading the list of the last 25 years, Black began to look a little edgy and bored.
"They're all the same thing: skeletons dancing, wizard bands, and pumpkin carving. Does anyone actually change anything? What happened to imagination? Or innovation? Do people just no longer have those skills?"
"Padfoot, relax. It's not important." Remus was laughing, whilst patting Black on the shoulder.
"How can I be calm at such- such blasphemy? It's an insult to Hogwarts!" He was pacing around the room.
"It's very simple. Deep breaths. In-" Remus took a deep breath in, "and Out." He released his breath.
Sirius moved forward and whacked him on the shoulder. We were all laughing; even I was, strange as it was. I had never seen anyone so stressed about organising entertainment as Black was.
"Look, Padfoot, that's why we're here. We're going to make it better." James was speaking, whilst continuing to shuffle through the pages. "I think I've got something!"
We decided to go with a mix of tradition and innovation. The details were minimal, and still needed work. James was going to book a popular Magical Band named Blast-Ended Arachnids (personally, I hadn't heard of them, but Black was so happy when the suggestion was made that he was jumping up and down). I needed to get in contact with the school ghosts and some of the house elves. Along with the school choir, the entertainment was going to be amazing! But a lot of work was going to be put in, and there wasn't much time.
By 4 pm, after stopping an hour for lunch, it was all done. With the exception of having the Blast-Ended Arachnids confirming, and my talk with the ghosts and house elves, all the plans had been laid out.
The irony was, strangely, that I had had an amazing time with the four of them. Even Pettigrew could crack a few jokes here and there! It was like as if their lives didn't mean anything without each other. They were in their own world, the Marauder world, where they thrived. Yes, they loved the attention they got from the rest of the school, especially the girls, but they were nothing without each other, except lost souls, trying to figure out who they were.
Remus stayed behind after the other three had headed towards the Quidditch pitch for some practice (with Pettigrew to support). I smiled.
"You enjoyed it? Think it's going to go well?" I asked him, as he had not said much during the planning.
"Yeah," he nodded, "It's going to be brilliant, I think. Mind if I sit down?" I shook my head, and pointed to the sofa.
"You were very quiet during the plans." I pointed out, calling a chair from the other side, and sitting down.
"Planning's never been the greatest of my skills. I carry the plan through better." He smiled. "You've changed this year, you know?"
I was confused. Although the year so far felt easier, I hadn't noticed any difference. "Really, how so?"
He was quiet for a few moments. "It's like as if you've opened up a bit, you're not to locked in. Like as if you're not letting life treat you so badly anymore. Plus," he grinned, "you're actually talking to us."
I laughed. It was strange. If someone had told me last year that I would be sharing Quarters with my sworn enemy, and working on a Halloween feast plan with the Marauders, I would have gone into such hysterics, that they would have had to send me to St Mungo's.
"I don't think it's only I who has changed. All of you four have grown up slightly, even Black, and that's saying something." I smiled, but strangely, Remus didn't return it.
He got up quite quickly, looking at the time. "Growing up isn't always a good thing. Who knows what will have happened to you in a few years time? Either you, James or Sirius could be dead because of what career you want to persue."
I sighed, and walked out with him. I needed to catch up with Sir Nicholas so some plans could be made.
"By the way, Remus," he turned toward me whilst continuing to walk in the other direction, "Thanks."
He smiled, and waved goodbye, whilst I went on the search for Nearly Headless Nick.
Author's Note: Way too much conversation, I agree. Needs more content, but this chapter was required to keep the story going and head it in the direction I want it to go towards. Hope it isn't too bad :(
Thanks to:
Valhalla96- Thanks for your reviews. Characterisation is something I really do try and focus on, because a lot of other fanfics of the same type tend to create a lot of shallow, and rather silly, paper thin characters. Otherwise, I'm working on improving my chapters (re-reading). Thanks for the comments :)
Allacaya- Thanks for the mistakes, I do it all the time. I am working on fixing them, but it might take a while. Thanks for the review, though!
Whimsical Firefly- You're back! Thanks, glad you enjoyed it- that chapter did take ages to write. Anyone, no avoiding, at least not yet, not until she realises what exactly is happening to her. Oh and, even though I'm in Aus, I'm actually moving to the UK in Sept (for uni), so I'm just doing nothing here, that's why I went to New Zealand in May. Otherwise I hope you're exams went well!
Thepheonixknight and firehottie
Thanks for reading. Please Review and tell me if you like it or not, and where I can improve. Thanks!