To Have And To Hold.
Summary: Lily Evans and James Potter must go back in time to save a small boy from Death Eaters. He conceals a secret that could change the lives of everyone in the wizarding world. As expected there will be a lot of L/J love/hate (Which may get annoying). It's not a great plot, I know, but I'm thinking of one-two more and I need to practice somewhere. Bear with me and R/R!
A/N: I'm seriously touched. I never expected the reviews, you people are too kind. I was sorry to see some of my old reviewers missing, but beggars can't be choosers, eh? So, thank you to:
AnTiAnGeL: I have a feeling I know you… I wish I did, so I could thank you for being so regular an up-to-date on my story.
Aoms: Thank you very much. No, not much free time, actually, but I'll try and update whenever possible.
Cylobaby: A new reviewer! Thanks so much. Like I said, I'll try and update whenever I can.
payalG: Thanks for being so honest. Yeah, I don't like the story much… Just writing because I got reviews .:Tries not to let that distract her:.
Shraddha: Thanks, Clone. Arre, review from your id, ne. Makes it more… real. :P
Freja: Another new reviewer! Hehe, thank you so much.
I've tried to make this chapter longer. Read on! (And sorry if my grammar's shot. My Beta reader's offline.)
DISCLAIMER: I own the plot. Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling so leave me alone.
That's Evans, to you!
"Lollipops."
The door to Dumbledore's office swung open. As James and Lily entered, the seemingly noisy inhabitance of Dumbledore, fell silent.
"He's not here," James said glancing around the room.
"Yes, Potter, my powers of observation are not lacking to that extent."
"Oh, come on, Evans. We are going to be spending more than a month together, you have to learn to co-operate with me."
"One, don't you dare remind me of that. Two, are you insane? Co-operate? With you? Frankly, Potter, even Black has a better chance."
James was almost hurt.
"Fine, I give up. This little prejudice that you have against me, isn't going to go away in a hurry, is it?"
Lily sounded half amused as she said, "Not in a hurry, no."
James threw up his hands and proceeded to examine the room, like Lily was doing.
"Check it out, it's the Sorting hat!" James exclaimed pointing to a ratty, old worn out hat sitting on a stool.
"Potter-"
It was too late. James was sitting on the stool with the hat on his head.
"Is Evans completely in love with me and does her body burn with passion every time I pass by?"
Lily turned red. "POTTER!"
What seemed to be a giant rip appeared on the sorting hat. "I read people's minds, not hearts, Mr. Potter."
Lily turned even more red. "You take that off right this second, James Potter."
James stuck out his tongue like an obnoxious child and said,
"Will Evans ever go out with me?"
The hat sounded mildly irritated. "I read minds, I can't tell the future."
"Does Evans think I'm better looking than any boy in this school?"
If possible, Lily turned even redder. "POTTER, I WILL KILL YOU!"
The ring of irritation in the Sorting hat's voice was unmistakable.
"I don't know. I can't read her mind from yours. All I can see here are images about a red head with green eyes. What are you doing with her on that couch? All you children have overactive imaginations. In Dumbledore's day, there would not be a single thought of getting so familiar with a girl, much lesstouching-"
Pat.
The Sorting hat fell on the floor as Lily whacked it off James' head.
"YOU STUPID, YOU SICK, YOU MORONIC-"
"Evans-"
"YOU SCUMBAG, HOW DARE YOU!"
"Evans-"
"YOU VILE LOUSE, YOU PATHETIC-"
"Evans-"
"DON'T EVANS ME! HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK SOMETHING LIKE THAT-"
"Lily."
"LILY? LILY! DON'T CALL ME LILY! IT'S EVANS TO YOU, IT IS- Oh. Oh, dear."
The reason for her distress was all too apparent.
Dumbledoresurveyed Lily and James with twinkling eyes. James was dumbfounded whereas Lily was attempting to say something.
"S-s-sir, I'm sorry, I didn't m-m-mean to yell."
"That's quite alright, Ms. Evans."
"Yes, sir," James said. "She really didn't mean to yell."
"Honestly, sir. I- what?" Lily turned to James.
Dumbledore swallowed a titter.
"Mr. Potter, Ms. Evans. It's alright. The two of you have been in this school for six years now. Heaven knows, we're all used to this by now."
This time James turned red as well.
"Well, sit down, sit down. May I offer you anything? Sherbet lemon? Pumpkin juice? Beetle juice, Mr. Potter? Mr. Malfoy had some choice words to say about it."
Lily let out something resembling a snort.
James froze. "S-s-sir, that is, I- well, erm-"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Don't, James. I remember what it was to be young."
Lily muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "… not irresponsible and undignified."
James glared silently.
Lily sat smugly.
Dumbledore seemed oblivious.
"Now, the two of you will be leaving tomorrow at 5.15 am."
"Five fifteen? What's the rush, Sir?"
Lily breathed some more. "… disrespectful jerk…"
"Because, James, you have to co-ordinate your time with theirs. The 15-years ago me will await your arrival in my office."
"… alright, Sir."
"As far as packing is concerned, there is to be a dance in mid-October. That means you both will have to carry dress robes."
The contrast in the reactions was almost comical.
"DANCE? I don't dance! Sir, please. Can't we avoid that?"
"Dance? Wow, that's cool! Will we need dates? Evans won't know anyone she can come with-"
"SIR, PLEASE!"
"-me. Hey, this is great!"
"Children! Please! Ms. Evans, you don't have to take part in the dance, but I would advise you to. And James, try to restrain your happiness and keep the mission in focus."
Both students nodded. Lily looked dejected, James distinctly elated.
"Besides these, the uniforms are the same as Hogwarts. Plain black robes."
Dumbledore finished detailing them on what they would have to carry.
"… Well, that is all, I think. Any queries?"
"No, Sir."
"Nah."
"Good, you both may go. I will see you'll tomorrow morning. Get a good night's sleep."
"Right, Sir."
"Good night, Sir."
With that the two students left the office.
Dumbledore let out a laugh. "Children."
...----...
"Evans-"
"Get lost, Potter."
"Evans, I'm sorr-"
"I said get lost."
"Come on, Evans, I'm really sorry…"
"GET LOST, Potter."
"This young man troubling you, Lily? I'll take care of it."
Lily and James turned to look at a young boy with blonde hair coming towards Lily. His big blue eyes were surveying Lily with unbridled adoration and James with equal hatred.
"Hello, Lily."
"Gilderoy."
"Crap, it's Lockhart."
Gilderoy Lockhart had always been a bit of a class joke. He dressed up in flowered robes, applied perfume and passed with grace marks in all his classes. Strangely enough, he had mastered the memory charm with ease. Even before Lily. It was one of the reasons Lily along with the rest of the student population despised him so much. Besides the others such as him being obnoxious, pompous, annoying, irritating, pesky…
"I'll take care of this unkempt boy for you, Lillers. Grooming is so important."
"No thank you, Gilderoy," Lily said as James clutched a banister doubled over with laughter.
"No, really, it won't be any problem."
"I said no thank you."
"But I-"
"See, here Gilderoy, I'm very tired. I'm going to bed. Good night. Are you coming, Potter? There's some homework I want to discuss with you."
It was hard to say who looked more surprised, Lockhart, James or Lily.
"Ye…ah. I'm coming. See you, Lockfart."
"It's LockHART!"
But James and Lily were long gone.
"Woah, Evans. Does this mean you forgave me?"
"Get away from me. I only said that because I wouldn't wish Gilderoy's company on anyone. Not even you."
"Not 'even me'. Hm. I'll ignore that. What about Snape? Would you wish it on Snape?"
"Do not attempt to engage me in conversation, Potter. Goodbye."
And with that, Lily swept off to the girl's dormitory.
"You just can't win with that girl, damn it," James muttered.
"Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity, Prongsie boy," Sirius said from the rug.
"Half a minute with that girl is enough to make anyone insane!" James rushed off to the boy's dormitory.
"Ah, love. Something to think about, eh, Remus?"
...------...
16th September, Dormitory.
The next few weeks are going to be hell. That Potter. Ooh, I'll get him someday, I will. He's obnoxious and annoying. He's almost as bad as Gilderoy Lockhart. Just because he has a few snot faced female fans, he thinks he can win me over. A foolish misconception. He thinks he's the King of Hogwarts. More like the Jester. I hate him. I have no inkling as to how I am going to survive the next few weeks.
On the other hand, I'm very glad that Dumbledore thinks me responsible enough to handle something so big. All my life I craved for adventure and now it's here. I wish I could tell Mum, but we promisednot to tell anyone anything. I know Mum would be proud, though. I also wish I could tell Petunia so that she could pray in advance for my untimely death.
That poor boy, Justin. What a shame, having to grow up without a father. And then realising he was the most awful man in the world.
That boy's life depends on this. I hope I can carry it off. Even with an idiot like Potter poking his nose in everything.
God, give me the strength to survive.
...----...
16th September, Chair.
Lily Evans is a mad woman. She's so insane that she gives insanity a complex. She nearly blew my head off just because the damn Sorting Hat gave away some of my fantasies about her. What was she getting so mad about? She's never been in the Slytherin's dormitory. I bet she'd like to note the kind of dreams Snape and Zabini have about her. Mine don't even begin to compare. I thought this whole trip was going to be fun, but Evans' recent animosity has given me grave doubts.
But, I'm happy that Dumbledore thought that I could pull this off. I wish we could bunk a few days of school, but considering that we will be going in the past, we'll be going nowhere. This is huge. I still don't get why we can't bunk school. Stupid Justin Jones. Why couldn't he just not have been born? That way I would not have to attend a whole month more of school, for nothing. Fool. Sissy.
But what's got to be done has got to be done, I suppose. I hope I can carry it off. Even with a pig head like Evans for company.
God, give me the strength to survive.
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A/N: So how ba- Oh, forget it. Better not to have no A/N than a bad one, eh?
Coming up: America and… more L/J stuff.