Before it Began

By. SkyQuill

Summary

James knew he was in love at first sight, but what would it take for Lily to love him back? Read their story leading up to their deaths and discover the dangers they faced and the loves and friendships they shared.

Disclaimer

I do not own most of the characters and places or anything else that may seem familiar. J.K. Rowling has the exclusive claim to this as well as the general plot that formed this fanfic.

Chapter 2: Premonition

"Finally," Serena groaned as the train pulled to a stop, "I'm starving."

"You're always starving Serena!" Cadence replied in mock exasperation, "Honestly, I just don't see how you can eat so much and remain as skinny as a wand!" Serena grinned.

"Come on you three, we'd better fetch our luggage." Callidora cut in, then added as Lily got to her feet, "Lily, are you coming?"

"You girls go get a carriage, I have to go and make sure the prefects are doing their jobs. I have my doubts that Potter gave them the proper instructions." Callidora gave her an encouraging smile,

"If he didn't, don't be too hard on him, he really likes you." Lily rolled her eyes,

"Define harsh becasue i've been looking up a few new hexes this summer." she replied lightly as she left the compartment.

Expecting the worst, she trudged past the students who were scrambling to get their possesions in order, and made her way towards one of the many doors.. Poking her head out, she glanced towards the other outside along the train in order to check that the prefects were supervising the un-boarding.

"JAMES POTTER!" she yelled upon spotting the prefects who were refusing to let people out, "WHAT IN THE WORLD DID YOU TELL THE PREFECTS?"

"Evans dear, do I hear you calling?" asked James as he practically flounced towards her. She gave him a death glare,

"What did you tell the prefects?" she asked dangerously. James looked puzzled for a moment then slapped his head. Right, he thought to himself as he remembered what he had said, great start for the deflating process.

"Well, I said they shouldn't let people off, in case, er, in case..."

"In case what?" Lily snapped angrily.

"In case Voldemort is around." James came up with. Lily glared at him in surprise,

"Voldemort, that nutter that's been doing all the killings? I heard about him in the daily prophet this summer but..." James nodded eagerly, please buy it, he thought anxiously, please!

"Oh, well, good thinking then I suppose." she replied feeling stunned. James smiled,

"Right then. I suppose I had better tell them that if they think it's safe, they can start letting people off." Lily nodded suspiciously as he walked off. She hardly believed he would be so thoughtful, but then again, she musn't get her hopes up. It was likely to be another stupid trick.

000

"So Prongs?" Remus asked seriously once they were all in a carriage leading to the castle, "Did Evans bite your head off about the prefect thing?" Grinning, James replied,

"I told her I wanted to be sure Voldemort (The other marauders jumped at his name and Peter yelped.) wasn't around. I told her that I had warned the prefect's to check for him first."

"And did she buy it?" Sirius asked with an amused grin, ignoring Remus' frown. James nodded and exchanged a high five with Sirius.

"James, you want to tread carefully around her with what you say about well...Voldemort. She's not likely to know much about him is she? He's only started to get really powerful this summer." Remus warned his friend. James gave him a skeptical look,

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"I'm just saying, this is no light issue. You shouldn't use it as an excuse for your mischief." Remus explained with exasperated patience.

"You worry too much Moony." Sirius scoffed, but James frowned thoughtfully.

"I suppose you might have a point." he admitted, thinking of all the murders that had taken place in years previous and most prominently, that summer. Sirius gaped at him while Peter remained impassive. Remus however, nodded seriously.

"Just watch what you say James." he said solemnly. James nodded as a slight sense of forbidding engulfed the previously cheery atmosphere. Bigger things were happening outside the walls of Hogwarts.

000

"So...this Voldemort's getting more powerful is he?" Lily asked out of the blue as she sat amongst her friend in one of the school carriages. Callidora uttered a small scream and Candence gave a violent shudder. Serena winced at the use of his name, baffling Lily.

"What'd I say?" Lily asked confused. Callidora, recovering herself whispered,

"Don't say his name!"

"Why not?" Lily asked in bewilderment. "You didn't have a problem with it for the last few years."

"That's because he's gaining power Lily! He's not just some rogue maniac anymore, he's become ruthless. The ministry can't catch him! They say he's got to be the darkest wizard we've seen in a century." Cadence explained, grimacing as she spoke. "It's not just some minor issue anymore."

"He seems awful from what i've read in the prophet." Lily admitted sadly. "All those murders..."

"He is. Callidora agreed quietly.

"But why haven't the ministry been able to catch him yet? They have loads of aurors on their side, and Vold, you-know-who is only one wizard." Lily said, as if trying to rationalize the situation.

"He's not just one wizard." Serena explained. "He's got tons of followers, the death eaters we've heard of so often, not to mention the armies of giants and dementors he's employed. Word is he's even enchanted corpses to build a mass of inferius."

Lily's eyes widened with horror at the disturbing thought of dead people doing evil bidding. She shuddered as she attempted to shake this thought from her mind.

"So he's after anyone who's not pure blood?" Lily inquired in a hushed voice as she recalled the prophet going on about all the pure blood obsession.

"Yes, he seems to think that the only people worth living are pure bloods. He is killing muggle borns and half-bloods, not to mention any aurors, pure blood or not, who decide to stand up to him. It's just terrible." Callidora murmured.

"Is he really that big of a threat?" Lily asked, feeling a tingle of fear run up her spine as she reflected nervously on her own blood heritage. Cadence nodded,

"He's just too powerful. They say Dumbledore is probably his only worthy opponent, and we all know that Dumbledore is an extremely powerful wizard." she explained gravely.

"Everyone is at risk. It's war." Callidora added darkly.

"Oh," Lily said softly, "I see."

"Come on you guys, forget about this, i'm sure the ministry will catch him sooner or later. Besides, what is the chances that he'll ever get one of us?" Serena said, forcing an optimistic note into her still hushed voice as the carriages pulled to a stop in front of the castle doors.

It was a feeble attempt to stay positive, and though the others agreed, simply to pacify their minds, a dark chill had settled upon their group. Lily had a feeling that this Voldemort's reign hadn't even really begun yet.

A/N: So, this should set the mood of the story a bit better. I wanted to get in a bit about Voldemort and all, just as a reminder that he is gaining power. Anyways, this chapter was pathetically short I know, but the other chapters i hpe will be better. Comments, critism and what not are all welcome in reviews.