Hey, Sweetmimi here. Just had a couple of this to say before I started the story. First of all, I wanted to recommend all of you to read 'Enemies Forever' by Vanima Failiss. It's a great story and your wont regret reading it!
Also, I need some more curses or hexes and things for the story. I
only know a couple, so if you know any please leave me a note and
review. Don't forget to review! Okay, on with the story!
Chapter 7 Merry Christmas indeed
"James!!" Sirius screamed in his ear, causing James to wake up
abruptly.
"What?!" he yelled, trying to stop his heart from pounding. He just
woke up from another nightmare. It had been a month and a half since
he had that talk with his parents on Halloween night. Time had moved
very quickly. Between his way with Lily, worrying about his parents,
homework, and Quidditch practies, life had been a bit difficult.His
friends had come to a silent agreement not to talk about that
Halloween night. James had woken up and instantly remembered that it
was the day before the term officially ended. Then it was off to a
three week break. James sighed. He'd finally be able to see his
parents again.
"Come on," Sirius said impatiently, "You know what today is. I don't
want to stay inside today. Let's go outside."
"Padfoot, it's snowing." Remus said.
"So?" Sirius asked, obviously not giving a care. Remus smiled.
"Okay, come on." James said. Together, Prongs, Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail made their way outside to the snow. When they made it out to the grounds James took a look around. It was snowing lightly. James loved this weather. It was so beautiful..Just like a certain redheaded Gryffindor-
SPLAT
James was brutally snapped out of his thoughts. He turned around to see who had smacked him. He saw Sirius standing there, smiling cheekily, with another snowball in his hand. James grinned, bent down and began to make his own snowball.
"Oh, so that's how you want it, eh, Sirius?" James said, smiling at his friend. Sirius only chuckled. James was about to throw it, when another snowball came out of nowhere and hit Sirius in the face.
"Ow! Moony!" Sirius yelped, falling back on the snow. James let out a laugh. Sirius sat up and pouted.
"Fine! We can play teams. Me and Wormtail vs Moony and Prongs!" Sirius shouted with glee. James and Remus looked at eachother and grinned. This was going to be an all out war.
And so it was. Snowball after snowball was thrown, some missing, some hitting their targets, pretty painfully also. Neither of the Marauders could remember laughing so hard in awhile. James didn't know how much time had passed, but after reaching down to refuel on snowballs, a voice behind him spoke up.
"Are you guys having fun?" a girl's voice asked. James and the other turned around to see Emma and Lily standing there.
"Yes, we are actually." Said Sirius giving that charming smile everyone loved, "and might you beautiful ladies like to join us?"
Lily and Emma giggled. "Of course." They both replied at them same time.
"We got Lily!" Sirius called out.
James quickly threw another snowball at his head. "Ow!" he yelped for probably the thousandth time that day.
Emma and Lily quickly got involved. James had gotten smacked by Lily's snowballs twice, while Remus received a mouthful of snow by her. Emma had also done the same to Sirius, and he was currently chasing Emma around, attempting to get her back. Someone had just hit James in the back of the head, and he quickly turned around to see Lily laughing openly. James quickly ran after her. He was just about to catch up to her, when she tripped. He couldn't get up in time, he tripped over her and landed right on top of her. James felt a bit dizzy for a second, and kept his eyes shut.
"Ahem, you two might want to go inside to do that." Remus's voice said behind him.
James turned around and saw his three friends including Emma standing behind them, each had extremely amused expressions on their faces. James quickly looked down at Lily and realized she was turning bright red. He could feel his face burning to, so he quickly scrambled off her. He could hear Remus and Sirius laughing openly. 'Remind me to get back at them, very badly.' James thought to himself.
"Sorry."James mumbled to Lily.
"No, it's my fault. I'm the one that tripped." Lily replied smiling at him.
"That was fun! But I'm hungry!" Emma pouted.
Remus looked at his watch. "Wow, we've missed breakfast and lunch!" Remus said. The others looked at eachother.
"Time goes by fast when your having fun." Lily said wisely.
"Yeah, well, let's head to the kitches, the house elves would be glad to give us a bit of a snack." James suggested.
"The kitchens?" Emma asked a bit confused.
Sirius just took her arm and said, "Just follow us and be sure not to repeat this to anybody."
Lily and Emma nodded. The six of them quickly made their way in the castle and down the kitchens corridor. They made to the the picture with a fruit bowl, by which at this point the two girls looked very confused.
"What're we doing?" Lily asked curiously.
James looked at her any grinned. "Just watch." He said quietly. He ticked the pear, it giggled, and the portrait opened up, He heard Lily and Emma both gasp.
"Wow." Lily muttered under her breath. They walked in and immediately a house elf named Bobby came up and them and bowed.
"And what would Mr. Potter and his friends like?" the house elf asked, bowing so his nose almost touched the floor.
"Bobby, you know you don't have to bow to us." James said kindly. The elf looked up at him and smiled.
"Do you think you could give us six cups of hot chocolate?" Sirius asked.
Bobby nodded very enthusiastically and ran off. About five house elves came with a plate full of hot chocolate and muffins.
"Thanks. Do you mind if we hang out here and eat?" Remus asked.
"Not at all, sirs and misses!" Bobby replied, beaming up at them all.
The group off six made their way over to a corner so they wouldn't interrupt the elves, and quickly took the cups of chocolate.
"So," Lily said conversationally, "what are you all doing for the holidays?"
"My family and I are going over to the states and spending it there." Peter piped up.
"I'm just staying home. I'm probably going to visit Sirius and James a lot over the holidays though." Remus replied.
"Yup! Prongs here and I are spending the holidays together!" Sirius stated proudly, putting an arm around his friend. James couldn't help but smile.
"And how about you ladies? What are you doing?" James asked.
"I'm just spending Christmas with my parents and unfortunately, my sister Petunia. But Emma's also going to be visiting a lot. My house is connected to the Floo Powder so she'll just be popping in and out." Lily explained.
"You have a sister?" Remus asked.
"Yeah. She's horrible." Lily stated with a sad smile, "she doesn't like me too much."
James stared in astonishment. How could anyone not like Lily? She was the sweetest person he'd ever met. And anyways, what was she doing here anyways? Didn't she despise him and his friends? 'Not your friends. You.' Said a voice in his head.
'If she hates me then why is she here?' he argued with himself.
James snapped out of his thoughts and began talking merrily with everyone else about holidays, Quidditch, and anything else they could think of.
About an hour later, the group made their way out of the kitches, and began heading up toward the corridor, still talking happily. James felt so content right now. Having Lily and her friends with his friends just felt so right..
"Potter!" a voice rang out behind him. He turned around to see McGonagall walking briskly toward him. His heart sank. Last time he talked to her, it wasn't good news. Remus and Sirius seemed to know this as well. They were quickly at his side. Lily and Emma looked confused, while Peter looked a bit awkward.
McGonagall walked up and looked at the group. James knew what she was thinking. It wasn't everyday you saw the Marauders with their somewhat rivals, Lily and Emma.
However, she excused this and said, "I would like to see you in my office, Potter. Alone." She added when Sirius opened his mouth.
James looked back at his friends. He felt so helpless. He gave his friends one last reassuring smile and walked with McGonagall toward her office. As he went, he could've sworn he heard Remus mutter, "Sirius, there's no use going after them. We'll talk to James when he gets back."
James quickly got lost in his own thoughts. 'Okay,' he thought to himself, 'Calm down, James. This can't mean anything bad. It can't be. Not before Christmas. Oh, please, let my parents be okay.'
McGonagall opened the door for him. "I'll be waiting outside. Some people would like to speak to you." She said, looking very sad. James nodded and walked in. He heard the door shut behind him. He looked up and was once again shocked, though not as much.
"M-mom? Dad?" James stuttered. He quickly ran toward his parents and hugged them both tightly out of relief. They were okay!
"James," Mr. Potter said, pulling away from the hug, James looked up in confusion, "there's something we need to tell you. It's very important."
James nodded. His mother had tears in her eyes.
"Son," Mr. Potter continued, "were sorry to say. But you can't come home for the holidays-James- please, before you say anything let me explain. We were threatened and were not sure it's safe for you to come home. We've put the Fidelus Charm on the house, but your mother and I will be running in and out. There have been so many attacks lately-"
"James, please understand. We don't want to put you in danger." Mrs. Potter finished.
James looked at them both.
"But it's okay for you guys to put yourself in danger?! I don't care what the cost! I'm coming home! I won't stay here at Hogwarts while you two are out risking your necks! What makes you think I'll be any safer at Hogwarts than my own home?" James asked heatedly. He felt foolish. He already knew the answer.
"Albus Dumbledore is here. You know the safest place is where he is." Mrs. Potter replied shortly.
"James, please, this is hard on all of us. But we can't put you or Sirius in danger. Do you understand?" his father asked gently, looking at his son in the eye.
'No, Dad. I don't.' James thought quietly to himself. He looked up at both his parents and gave them a sad smile.
"I understand. Well then..Merry Christmas." James said, while giving his parents the biggest hug he ever gave. He tried to control the tears that threatened to fall.
Half an hour later, James had returned to the Common room, but walked straight up to his bedroom, where his friends were waiting for him. With a heavy heart, James told them everything that happened, and how he was staying at Hogwarts. He sat on his bed, hearing his voice shake, suddenly the room became blurry as he tried to hold back his tears.
His three friends looked over at him in sympathy. They got off their beds and joined James on his, putting a hand on each shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Prongs." Peter said quietly.
"Don't worry, Prongs. Everything will work out for the best. You know that. You'll always have us by your side." Remus replied, looking at his friend.
"James," Sirius started, stating he was serious because he had actually used his real name, "I know this is hard. Really hard. But you need to know that were here for you-"
"I can't just stay here at Hogwarts while my parents are out there risking their lives!" James shouted, standing up suddenly. The three others boys looked at their friend sadly.
"James, you have two choices. Decide what to do." Remus said, looking directly in James eyes. James just nodded.
After that, they got on a happier topic, talking about how they were happy about having no homework for three weeks. When finally it came time for bed, the four boys crawled into their beds, and one by one feel asleep. One person, however, didn't go to sleep. He stayed up, staring at the ceiling, thinking.
'I can't do it.' James thought. 'I won't just sit here while my parents are in danger. If their going to be risking their lives, I want to be there, right there with them. Fighting. I won't let my parents do it alone. That's why I only have one choice.'
James slowly got up and made his way over to Sirius's bed. He roughly shook him awake.
"W-what?" Sirius mumbled. Then, when he realized who it was, he sat straight up.
"What is it Prongs?" Sirius asked.
James smiled. "Pack your bags. Were going to the Potter house tomorrow morning."
Sirius thumped his friend on the back. "I was wondering when you were going to say that. And by the way, house is an understatement. You live in a mansion!" Sirius said jokingly.
James smiled. This was going to need planning. He couldn't let Remus and Peter see him leave, he had to sneak on the train and surprise them. He also had to stay clear of teachers.
"Bye Remus! Bye Peter!" James waved to his friends good-bye the next morning as they got into their carriages. They grinned at James and shut the door. James hadn't told Remus or Peter he was going home, incase any teachers overheard. He thought his plan was pretty full proof. Get on the train without getting noticed, surprise Moony and Wormtail, go home with Moony so he and Sirius could Floo over to his house.
James and Sirius and already bewitched their trunks so they were small. It wouldn't be as hard. When they were sure Peter and Remus were out of sight, James and Sirius dashed out of the castle. Hopefully they wouldn't get caught by any teachers.
'I'm coming Mom, Dad.' James thought to himself.
A/N Sweetmimi here! like it? hate it? know any curses or hexes I can use for furhter chapters? Oh, don't forget to read 'Enemies forever.' And please review!
Also, I need some more curses or hexes and things for the story. I
only know a couple, so if you know any please leave me a note and
review. Don't forget to review! Okay, on with the story!
Chapter 7 Merry Christmas indeed
"James!!" Sirius screamed in his ear, causing James to wake up
abruptly.
"What?!" he yelled, trying to stop his heart from pounding. He just
woke up from another nightmare. It had been a month and a half since
he had that talk with his parents on Halloween night. Time had moved
very quickly. Between his way with Lily, worrying about his parents,
homework, and Quidditch practies, life had been a bit difficult.His
friends had come to a silent agreement not to talk about that
Halloween night. James had woken up and instantly remembered that it
was the day before the term officially ended. Then it was off to a
three week break. James sighed. He'd finally be able to see his
parents again.
"Come on," Sirius said impatiently, "You know what today is. I don't
want to stay inside today. Let's go outside."
"Padfoot, it's snowing." Remus said.
"So?" Sirius asked, obviously not giving a care. Remus smiled.
"Okay, come on." James said. Together, Prongs, Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail made their way outside to the snow. When they made it out to the grounds James took a look around. It was snowing lightly. James loved this weather. It was so beautiful..Just like a certain redheaded Gryffindor-
SPLAT
James was brutally snapped out of his thoughts. He turned around to see who had smacked him. He saw Sirius standing there, smiling cheekily, with another snowball in his hand. James grinned, bent down and began to make his own snowball.
"Oh, so that's how you want it, eh, Sirius?" James said, smiling at his friend. Sirius only chuckled. James was about to throw it, when another snowball came out of nowhere and hit Sirius in the face.
"Ow! Moony!" Sirius yelped, falling back on the snow. James let out a laugh. Sirius sat up and pouted.
"Fine! We can play teams. Me and Wormtail vs Moony and Prongs!" Sirius shouted with glee. James and Remus looked at eachother and grinned. This was going to be an all out war.
And so it was. Snowball after snowball was thrown, some missing, some hitting their targets, pretty painfully also. Neither of the Marauders could remember laughing so hard in awhile. James didn't know how much time had passed, but after reaching down to refuel on snowballs, a voice behind him spoke up.
"Are you guys having fun?" a girl's voice asked. James and the other turned around to see Emma and Lily standing there.
"Yes, we are actually." Said Sirius giving that charming smile everyone loved, "and might you beautiful ladies like to join us?"
Lily and Emma giggled. "Of course." They both replied at them same time.
"We got Lily!" Sirius called out.
James quickly threw another snowball at his head. "Ow!" he yelped for probably the thousandth time that day.
Emma and Lily quickly got involved. James had gotten smacked by Lily's snowballs twice, while Remus received a mouthful of snow by her. Emma had also done the same to Sirius, and he was currently chasing Emma around, attempting to get her back. Someone had just hit James in the back of the head, and he quickly turned around to see Lily laughing openly. James quickly ran after her. He was just about to catch up to her, when she tripped. He couldn't get up in time, he tripped over her and landed right on top of her. James felt a bit dizzy for a second, and kept his eyes shut.
"Ahem, you two might want to go inside to do that." Remus's voice said behind him.
James turned around and saw his three friends including Emma standing behind them, each had extremely amused expressions on their faces. James quickly looked down at Lily and realized she was turning bright red. He could feel his face burning to, so he quickly scrambled off her. He could hear Remus and Sirius laughing openly. 'Remind me to get back at them, very badly.' James thought to himself.
"Sorry."James mumbled to Lily.
"No, it's my fault. I'm the one that tripped." Lily replied smiling at him.
"That was fun! But I'm hungry!" Emma pouted.
Remus looked at his watch. "Wow, we've missed breakfast and lunch!" Remus said. The others looked at eachother.
"Time goes by fast when your having fun." Lily said wisely.
"Yeah, well, let's head to the kitches, the house elves would be glad to give us a bit of a snack." James suggested.
"The kitchens?" Emma asked a bit confused.
Sirius just took her arm and said, "Just follow us and be sure not to repeat this to anybody."
Lily and Emma nodded. The six of them quickly made their way in the castle and down the kitchens corridor. They made to the the picture with a fruit bowl, by which at this point the two girls looked very confused.
"What're we doing?" Lily asked curiously.
James looked at her any grinned. "Just watch." He said quietly. He ticked the pear, it giggled, and the portrait opened up, He heard Lily and Emma both gasp.
"Wow." Lily muttered under her breath. They walked in and immediately a house elf named Bobby came up and them and bowed.
"And what would Mr. Potter and his friends like?" the house elf asked, bowing so his nose almost touched the floor.
"Bobby, you know you don't have to bow to us." James said kindly. The elf looked up at him and smiled.
"Do you think you could give us six cups of hot chocolate?" Sirius asked.
Bobby nodded very enthusiastically and ran off. About five house elves came with a plate full of hot chocolate and muffins.
"Thanks. Do you mind if we hang out here and eat?" Remus asked.
"Not at all, sirs and misses!" Bobby replied, beaming up at them all.
The group off six made their way over to a corner so they wouldn't interrupt the elves, and quickly took the cups of chocolate.
"So," Lily said conversationally, "what are you all doing for the holidays?"
"My family and I are going over to the states and spending it there." Peter piped up.
"I'm just staying home. I'm probably going to visit Sirius and James a lot over the holidays though." Remus replied.
"Yup! Prongs here and I are spending the holidays together!" Sirius stated proudly, putting an arm around his friend. James couldn't help but smile.
"And how about you ladies? What are you doing?" James asked.
"I'm just spending Christmas with my parents and unfortunately, my sister Petunia. But Emma's also going to be visiting a lot. My house is connected to the Floo Powder so she'll just be popping in and out." Lily explained.
"You have a sister?" Remus asked.
"Yeah. She's horrible." Lily stated with a sad smile, "she doesn't like me too much."
James stared in astonishment. How could anyone not like Lily? She was the sweetest person he'd ever met. And anyways, what was she doing here anyways? Didn't she despise him and his friends? 'Not your friends. You.' Said a voice in his head.
'If she hates me then why is she here?' he argued with himself.
James snapped out of his thoughts and began talking merrily with everyone else about holidays, Quidditch, and anything else they could think of.
About an hour later, the group made their way out of the kitches, and began heading up toward the corridor, still talking happily. James felt so content right now. Having Lily and her friends with his friends just felt so right..
"Potter!" a voice rang out behind him. He turned around to see McGonagall walking briskly toward him. His heart sank. Last time he talked to her, it wasn't good news. Remus and Sirius seemed to know this as well. They were quickly at his side. Lily and Emma looked confused, while Peter looked a bit awkward.
McGonagall walked up and looked at the group. James knew what she was thinking. It wasn't everyday you saw the Marauders with their somewhat rivals, Lily and Emma.
However, she excused this and said, "I would like to see you in my office, Potter. Alone." She added when Sirius opened his mouth.
James looked back at his friends. He felt so helpless. He gave his friends one last reassuring smile and walked with McGonagall toward her office. As he went, he could've sworn he heard Remus mutter, "Sirius, there's no use going after them. We'll talk to James when he gets back."
James quickly got lost in his own thoughts. 'Okay,' he thought to himself, 'Calm down, James. This can't mean anything bad. It can't be. Not before Christmas. Oh, please, let my parents be okay.'
McGonagall opened the door for him. "I'll be waiting outside. Some people would like to speak to you." She said, looking very sad. James nodded and walked in. He heard the door shut behind him. He looked up and was once again shocked, though not as much.
"M-mom? Dad?" James stuttered. He quickly ran toward his parents and hugged them both tightly out of relief. They were okay!
"James," Mr. Potter said, pulling away from the hug, James looked up in confusion, "there's something we need to tell you. It's very important."
James nodded. His mother had tears in her eyes.
"Son," Mr. Potter continued, "were sorry to say. But you can't come home for the holidays-James- please, before you say anything let me explain. We were threatened and were not sure it's safe for you to come home. We've put the Fidelus Charm on the house, but your mother and I will be running in and out. There have been so many attacks lately-"
"James, please understand. We don't want to put you in danger." Mrs. Potter finished.
James looked at them both.
"But it's okay for you guys to put yourself in danger?! I don't care what the cost! I'm coming home! I won't stay here at Hogwarts while you two are out risking your necks! What makes you think I'll be any safer at Hogwarts than my own home?" James asked heatedly. He felt foolish. He already knew the answer.
"Albus Dumbledore is here. You know the safest place is where he is." Mrs. Potter replied shortly.
"James, please, this is hard on all of us. But we can't put you or Sirius in danger. Do you understand?" his father asked gently, looking at his son in the eye.
'No, Dad. I don't.' James thought quietly to himself. He looked up at both his parents and gave them a sad smile.
"I understand. Well then..Merry Christmas." James said, while giving his parents the biggest hug he ever gave. He tried to control the tears that threatened to fall.
Half an hour later, James had returned to the Common room, but walked straight up to his bedroom, where his friends were waiting for him. With a heavy heart, James told them everything that happened, and how he was staying at Hogwarts. He sat on his bed, hearing his voice shake, suddenly the room became blurry as he tried to hold back his tears.
His three friends looked over at him in sympathy. They got off their beds and joined James on his, putting a hand on each shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Prongs." Peter said quietly.
"Don't worry, Prongs. Everything will work out for the best. You know that. You'll always have us by your side." Remus replied, looking at his friend.
"James," Sirius started, stating he was serious because he had actually used his real name, "I know this is hard. Really hard. But you need to know that were here for you-"
"I can't just stay here at Hogwarts while my parents are out there risking their lives!" James shouted, standing up suddenly. The three others boys looked at their friend sadly.
"James, you have two choices. Decide what to do." Remus said, looking directly in James eyes. James just nodded.
After that, they got on a happier topic, talking about how they were happy about having no homework for three weeks. When finally it came time for bed, the four boys crawled into their beds, and one by one feel asleep. One person, however, didn't go to sleep. He stayed up, staring at the ceiling, thinking.
'I can't do it.' James thought. 'I won't just sit here while my parents are in danger. If their going to be risking their lives, I want to be there, right there with them. Fighting. I won't let my parents do it alone. That's why I only have one choice.'
James slowly got up and made his way over to Sirius's bed. He roughly shook him awake.
"W-what?" Sirius mumbled. Then, when he realized who it was, he sat straight up.
"What is it Prongs?" Sirius asked.
James smiled. "Pack your bags. Were going to the Potter house tomorrow morning."
Sirius thumped his friend on the back. "I was wondering when you were going to say that. And by the way, house is an understatement. You live in a mansion!" Sirius said jokingly.
James smiled. This was going to need planning. He couldn't let Remus and Peter see him leave, he had to sneak on the train and surprise them. He also had to stay clear of teachers.
"Bye Remus! Bye Peter!" James waved to his friends good-bye the next morning as they got into their carriages. They grinned at James and shut the door. James hadn't told Remus or Peter he was going home, incase any teachers overheard. He thought his plan was pretty full proof. Get on the train without getting noticed, surprise Moony and Wormtail, go home with Moony so he and Sirius could Floo over to his house.
James and Sirius and already bewitched their trunks so they were small. It wouldn't be as hard. When they were sure Peter and Remus were out of sight, James and Sirius dashed out of the castle. Hopefully they wouldn't get caught by any teachers.
'I'm coming Mom, Dad.' James thought to himself.
A/N Sweetmimi here! like it? hate it? know any curses or hexes I can use for furhter chapters? Oh, don't forget to read 'Enemies forever.' And please review!