Chapter 3: Arrangement
The Hogwarts express pulled in to Hogsmead station with a nice glide and sudden stop. All of the students grabbed their belongings and headed for the carriages to take them to the grounds. James and Lily stayed behind a bit to make sure the first years got safely in to the boats.
"So was France nice, I imagine it must have been quite hot during the summer." James was trying his best to act mature in hopes that Lily would see he had changed over the summer. James had fancied Lily since fourth year and had asked her out so many times he couldn't count, yet lily thought James was an arrogant fool and never liked his antics and jokes he would play on his class mates. Truthfully Lily did like James but would never let him see for She new he was too smart not to see a visible trace from her job at MI-5. Lily only said no because she didn't want risk them finding out, if anyone found out she would be destroyed with guilt.
"It was nice; true it was hot but nice."
"How was your summer?" Lily now looking at James's brown eyes asked. James noticed her staring and his cheeks filled with a light rose color before answering.
"It was alright, Sirius spent the summer at my flat (Mansion), and Remus came later and Peter was in Italy for the good part of the summer."
"That's nice." Just then lily rolled up her sleeves for they were a bit big for her petite size, not realizing that her fore arms were shown.
"Lily your arms I thought it was just on the right wrist but it's . . ."
"Oh gosh yeah I need to get to Madam Pomfrey, after the feast I'll go." James gave her a questioning look. Lily unraveled her sleeves and covered her bruises.
"After, you should go now for god's sake!" James thought to himself.
James and Lily entered the Great Hall and found seats next to the rest of the "Gryffindor Gang".
"God evening and welcome to another year at Hogwarts, I would like to welcome our First year and wish them a successful year. As most of you know the forest is forbidden to all students, a barrier has been put up at certain parts of the forest with tracking locaters, I strongly recommend that you do not cross these barriers for you will pay severe consequences. If you do happen to pass through these barriers a "bug" as muggles would say will be place on your robe and track every thing that you will do, I know this may sound a bit informal but due the troubling times the wizarding world is facing it is indefinite that we the staff and I know that our students are safe.." Professor Dumbledore announced in a serious tone, it was the first time Lily had ever seen Dumbledore with such seriousness in his tone before.
"Now to further news this year we will be having a talent showcase where students my show off any talent they would like, that is appropriate also. Those of you who would like to participate are to visit with their heads of Houses. And one last thing after the feast I would like to see the Head boy and girl in my office" and with that Dumbledore raised his hands and food magically appeared in front of everyone. After everyone gulped down their dinners James and Lily headed to the headmasters office with Professor McGonagald.
" Vilealorax" Professor McGonagald said and gestured them to enter the spiraling staircase. Professor McGonagald opened the door and led them in.
"Thank you Minerva" Lily entered and saw a tired looking man with half moon spectacles.
"Take a seat." Dumbledore now gesturing them to take a seat said.
"How are you both?"
"Fine sir" both replied.
"Good, Congratulations on your positions I knew Professor McGonagald made a right choice at choosing you two."
"Getting to why I called you here, you both are well aware of the events that have happened in the past few months and I'm afraid I'm not sure they will cease." James looked at Lily in concern. There had been numerous attacks in the past few months involving the dark lord's followers many had already been killed.
"I want both of you to help the students who may receive black letters from the ministry. Try to comfort them if they want comfort and so forth, do you understand."
"Yes sir" James replied he turned to lily.
"Yes . . . do you think there will be more sir?"
"There is no doubt in my mind."
"Why haven't they caught Voldemort yet sir?" James asked now a bit frustrated from remembering the articles in the prophet and wondering why they hadn't caught Voldemort yet.
"He is in hiding Mr. Potter and the ministry is not sure where he is." Dumbledore said n a calm tone
"Cant you capture one of the death eaters and ask them where he is?" James exclaimed not getting annoyed with Dumbledore's calmness.
"Mr. Potter we are doing everything we can at the moment that is possible I assure you."
"Huh . . ."
"Now Mr. Potter if you would please leave I need to speak with Ms. Evans privately." Lily away from James and to Professor Dumbledore with a worried feeling, she had never spoke with the headmaster privately before and wasn't sure if she was in trouble.
James looked at Lily then got up from his seat and left.
"Do not worry Ms. Evans you are not in trouble." Dumbledore said as the door closed. Lily sighed with relief.
"I imagine you heard my speech concerning with the forest barriers this evening."
"Yes I did sir."
"Yes . . . "Dumbledore paused and studied her with is grey piercing eyes.
"Miss Evans I presume you will need the forest for certain outings this year."
"I'm willing to make an arrangement for you to have a portal that leads from you heads common room to the muggle world."
"I'm sorry sir I don't understand?" lily now confused of what he was saying said.
"You will be able to do your business with out interruptions, but you I need you to swear to me that you will not tell anyone of this portal."
"Sir I . . ." suddenly Dumbledore pulled his wand out and flicked it the windows, paintings, and doors were shut immediately.
"Silencious" a listening block was put on the room so no one could hear them.
"Ms. Evans I believe you know a good friend of mine a Mister Alexander Langston." Lily's head turned to him in pure surprise.
"Uh . . . no sir I don't."
"Really? I believe he said good things of you."
"He did?" lily muttered hoping he wouldn't hear was a bit embarrassed; she had never heard anyone compliment her in that way before.
"Yes he did" Lily looked up.
"Wait Sir I don't . . ."
"Miss Evans I know you work for the "Bank"
"Mr. Langston is a squib; I have done some work with him in the past involving MI-5."
"But sir . . ." Lily was shocked, she couldn't believe he was saying this, her secret was out, but then it occurred to her that she could trust Dumbledore with her secret.
"Miss Evans do you agree to the arrangement?"
"Yes sir, thank you"
"Very well, the portal is located next to the bookcase and chair in the far corner, when you leave make sure the portal is closed behind you and the one that you enter the muggle world from. To open the portal point you wand at it and say "muggle password"
Then point again and make a password for yourself. The door will register the name and become permanent. From the muggle world when you close the door do the same and make a password. Do you have any questions?"
"yes, one sir, does the portal close on its own at any time, meaning if I'm not back before the next day or morning will the portal completely close so I wouldn't be able to return?"
"It will only close on command from you or me."
"You Professor?"
"Yes I still do business with him on occasion." Lily then started to leave.
"Miss Evans" Lily turned around sharply.
"Yes Professor?"
"This conversation never took place" Dumbledore now appearing with a slight grimace on his face. Lily nodded in response and walked out." Lily made her way to her heads common room and found James sitting outside with Sirius and Remus (Peter went to bed)
"Hey lily I thought I'd wait for you so we could make the password for the dorm together." James said with a smile.
"We think it should be Jalily don't we moony?" Sirius said nudging his mate.
"Uh yeah Sirius, sure." Lily laughed.
"Um how about Quidditch, it will be easy to remember?" Lily suggested.
"Sure" replied James and pulled out his wand and said
"Cassio password"
"Quidditch, there it's set. They all entered.
"Um I'm tired I think I will go to bed. Good night." Lily walked up the stairs and entered her room and found it covered in gold and crimson colors. She finally had her own room which she was thankful for.