Chapter Three: Apologies, Research and Palmistry
A/N: I know absolutely nothing about Palmistry, so whatever it's "seen" in the characters' future in this chapter is only serving the story (not this story, but JK's story). So if there are any palm readers reading this, my apologies.
The next morning Lily noticed that Remus was not in the Great Hall during breakfast. She saw James, Sirius and Peter seating with their heads together talking softly. She was about to ask where Remus was but Alice beat her to it.
"Good morning Marauders! Where's Remus?" she asked taking a seat in front of them. Lily sat next to her.
Either they were not expecting to be talked to or they were not expecting to be asked about Remus, because the three boys jumped on their seats startled.
"Oh! Hi Alice, Lily!" James said. "Remus said he was not hungry."
"He's been acting weird since yesterday. Do you know what's wrong with him?" Alice insisted.
"I don't know what you mean," said Sirius quickly. "Same old Remus as always. Just not hungry."
Lily looked at James who was gazing intently at his half eaten breakfast.
No one talked again and after a while they all left the Great Hall to go to their classes. Lily went up the stairs to go to the Arithmancy classroom while James, Sirius, Peter and Alice walked outside the castle to their Care of Magical Creatures class.
Lily used to enjoy that class very much. Professor Kettleburn was very knowledgeable in the subject and his classes were very interesting. However, this year she had to make a choice between Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy and she had chosen the later. Remus did the same.
When she arrived at the classroom, there was only one student present. The lanky boy was seating next to the only window. He didn't seem to notice Lily's arrival because he was immersed in the book he was reading.
Lily walked over to him and put a napkin with some toasts on top of the book. Remus looked up.
"James and Sirius said you were not hungry, but I brought you some toasts in case you changed your mind."
Remus gave her a weak smile and the dark circles under his eyes almost disappeared.
"Thanks," he said starting to nibble on a toast. "I'm really sorry about yesterday, Lily. You were genuinely concerned about me and I was very rude. Sorry I was so short with you."
"It's really no big deal Remus. I only wish you could trust me enough to tell me when something is bothering you." Lily saw sadness in Remus' brown eyes and his face was again tired and pale.
"Nothing is bothering me. I guess I was tired," he said looking down at his Arithmancy book again.
Lily was going to respond but students were starting to arrive. She noticed that this was a small class, even though there were six-year students from all houses. The biggest group was from Ravenclaw, four girls and two boys. There were also three Hufflepufs. Lily and Remus were the only two Gryffindors taking the class and right at the last minute the only Slytherin student walked in. It was Severus Snape.
He looked at Lily and Remus with an obvious annoyed attitude. In years before Gryffindors took this class with Hufflepuffs and Slytherins with Ravenclaws. Snape didn't appear to be pleased with the new arrangement.
At the end of the class Remus and Lily walked out of the classroom chatting animatedly. Even though their friends thought they were crazy, they both enjoyed Arithmancy classes very much. Snape caught up with them and said with a sneer.
"All by yourselves? Where's the rest of your clique?"
Lily turned to Remus but he didn't seem to be bothered by Snape's comment.
"Severus, are you looking for confrontation already? I'm sorry to say that you came to the wrong people."
"Don't think I can't see right through you, Lupin," Snape said in a low, dangerous voice. "You're always pretending to be so civil and so self-restrained, but it's just because you believe you are better than everybody else. Out of the four of you, you are by far the worst."
"That was uncalled for, Severus." Lily was appalled. She had never had anything against Snape, but he was the one who came looking for trouble.
"Never mind, Lily," Remus said conciliatory. "I'm very sorry you have never trusted me Severus. You may have your reasons, but I know I've never done anything to you."
"You're right, Lupin," Snape said. "You have never done anything at all." And with that he left.
"What's his problem?" Lily asked.
"I'm not sure, but I think Severus believes I should intervene when Sirius and James misbehave with him." He shrugged. "I guess he's right. After all I'm a Prefect and I should be able to control them." Remus sighted.
"Don't be so hard on yourself Remus." Lily patted him gently on the arm. "I used to think you should be more forceful with that pair of pranksters, but now that I've been closer to you guys, I know that you are the only thing standing between Sirius and James and total mayhem. They listen to you."
"You're probably right. Besides when it's Snape doing the hexing I don't flash my Prefect badge on his nose either." Remus frowned. "The way he talks you would think I abuse my position to benefit my friends."
"Don't even think about that. The people who are close to you know you are not like that at all."
They had arrived to the Potions classroom to find that Alice, James, Sirius and Peter were already there. Since their first year at Hogwarts, the Gryffindors had shared the Potions classes with the Slytherins, and none of them enjoyed that. Lily could see the murderous glares that Snape and James were giving each other.
After a double Potions class, the Gryffindors had lunch and then went to the Transfiguration classroom where their Head of House, Professor McGonagall, was waiting for them. This class was also double, but they didn't have to share it with students from other houses. Transfiguration was a very difficult subject and the NEWT level lessons were particularly hard. Professor McGonagall was very strict and demanding when it came to her class and she expected the best effort from every one of her students.
Sirius and James were the best students in the class. Ever since their first year they were in a far more advanced level than everybody else. Back then Lily used to struggle with this subject, but she soon decided that she wouldn't give "that Potter guy" the satisfaction of teasing her, so she had always worked harder and she had managed to be in the top of the class. Even so, she knew she was not as talented and skilled as James or Sirius. But now she didn't resent them for that.
After Transfiguration Alice went to her Divination class. Lily thought it was such a waste of time but she had never been able to talk Alice out of taking that class. For some strange reason she found it fascinating.
Lily said goodbye to the Marauders too. She had to go to her Ancient Runes class (Alice had tried to talk Lily out of taking that class, but she wouldn't hear about it.) and they were free. James said they were going to the common room to study, but Lily knew better. In all the years she had known them, she had never seen Sirius or James studying. Remus did it all the time, but he actually enjoyed it. And Peter… Well, Peter had no other choice but to study as hard as he could and still, his grades were always very low. Sirius and James, on the other hand were always within the top ten students in their year (and that's counting the Ravenclaws.)
Lily had always amazed about it. She was also in the top of their class, but she did study. Like Remus, she also did it because she enjoyed it, but she was certain that she could not keep her high grades if she spent most of her time planning pranks.
Once her class was over and since she was alone and didn't have to make up excuses, Lily went straight to the library. She walked through the shelves looking for books on werewolves.
She was anxious and jumpy, glancing often to the entrance because she didn't want to get caught by her friends or anyone that could find her sudden interest strange.
She grabbed a couple of books, sat on the farthest table and started reading. After a couple of minutes she was so immersed in her reading that she forgot about everything that surrounded her (something that happened every time she was reading.)
The books she chose were very helpful. Less than an hour later Lily knew all there was to know about werewolves. She had read about how to tell apart a werewolf from a regular wolf. She had also found a book that listed the signs to recognize when a person was a werewolf. Lily learned that the Ministry of Magic had a set of protocols to deal with werewolves and that there was a Registry that contained the names of every person bitten by a werewolf. Of course, unlike the Animagi Registry, that was not the sort of information that was available for everybody.
While she was reading, Lily realized that many of the writers of the books didn't appear to think that werewolves were in fact human beings afflicted with a terrible condition. Most of the books were too scientific and cold. It was like reading about Acromantulas or Basilisks. Nothing more than dangerous beasts. Lily had the impression that this was the general opinion on the subject. She could still remember Alice's reaction.
Lily had never before wanted to be wrong as much as she did now.
"Here you are! Aren't you going to have dinner?" Lily looked up to find Alice walking toward her. She tried unsuccessfully to hide the books, but Alice was already next to her.
"Werewolves? That's not for a class, is it?"
"Well, no." Lily gathered the books and went to put them back in their place. "I was just curious." She was hoping that Alice would just drop the subject, but she was truly intrigued. She followed Lily through the shelves.
"What can be so interesting about werewolves anyway?" Alice asked with a frown.
"Nothing. It's just that you mentioned them last night and I realized I don't know that much about them. That's all." The two girls were now walking out of the library in the direction of the Great Hall.
"Forget about the books. I'll tell you what you need to know about werewolves: stay away from them."
Lily was sure that Alice was overreacting, but she thought it was best to change the subject. She didn't want to risk being heard talking about werewolves by James, Sirius, Remus or Peter.
"How about Divination?" Lily knew she would regret it later, but she needed to get Alice talking about something else.
"Fascinating!" she said, forgetting about the werewolves in an instant. "Would you let me read your hand?"
"Alice, you know I don't believe in fortune telling."
"Divination is not fortune telling!" Alice exclaimed offended. "It's one of the most ancient disciplines of magic."
"It may be, but the future is so unpredictable that it can not be foretold. I hate the idea of having no choice but to follow a pre-established destiny."
"Lily, dear, just because some things can't be learned out of books, doesn't mean they are not important."
"Then tell me, how many of your predictions have come true?"
Alice was taken aback by this question. She opened her mouth and closed it again several times without saying a world. Lily knew her punch was a little below the belt, but she was having too much fun at Alice's expense to really care.
"Well," Alice finally managed to say coldly, "Divination is not an exact science. Predictions can't be leveled and measured like potion ingredients. And as much as I hate to admit it, I know I'm not a true seer. I only enjoy the class."
They were already taking seats at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.
"I'm sorry I was mean," Lily said.
"You were mean, Evans?" Lily heard Sirius' mocking voice behind her. She turned around and saw him with James, Remus and Peter. "Do you want me to hex her for you, Alice?"
Sirius and Remus sat in front of the girls; James sat next to Lily and Peter next to James.
"Sirius," Alice said once they were all seating. "First of all, you shouldn't intrude in conversations that don't concern you, and second, I can do my own hexing, thank you very much."
Sirius pursed his lips and glared at Alice while all the others burst out laughing. James leaned in close to Lily and said so only she could hear.
"Besides, you couldn't have really been mean to her."
Lily gazed at him. "You don't even know what I told her," she said.
"I know you don't know how to be mean." For a moment Lily though he was pulling her strings, but there was sincerity in his eyes. And his smile… It was one of those smiles that took her breath away.
"Lily!" Alice's voice brought Lily back to reality.
"What!" She turned to her friend.
"Are you going to let me read your hand?" Alice asked impatiently.
"I'd rather clean all the caldrons after a particularly messy Potions class. Without magic." Lily said with a sweet smile.
"But you have to do this for me," Alice pleaded. "That's my homework. You wouldn't let me get a low grade, would you?"
"Why don't you read Sirius'?" Lily said in a whiny voice.
"Why me?" he protested.
"I will read Sirius', and James', and Remus', and Peter's. But I also need to read yours."
"Okay," Lily said grudgingly.
"Aren't you going to read mine?" asked Frank who had just arrived and was taking a seat next to Alice.
She smiled, gave him a soft kiss on the cheek and said. "One is not supposed to try to read the palm of a love interest."
"And why is that?" James asked raising an eyebrow.
"Because one's feelings would cloud the inner eye and instead of seeing that person's future one will only see what one wants to see," she said in a dramatic voice.
Lily, James, Sirius, Peter, Remus and even Frank started laughing hysterically. Alice gave them an offended look, but after a couple of seconds she realized the absurdity of her statement and joined the laughter.
Later that evening they all sat in the common room. Alice had brought her Divination textbook to help her interpret the signs she would find in their palms.
"Lily, can you take notes for me?" she asked giving her a roll of parchment and a quill.
"I have a better idea," Lily said pulling out her wand. She placed the quill and the parchment on top of a nearby table and tapped it with her wand. The quill promptly levitated on top of the parchment. Lily said, "Divination Homework: Palmistry. Number one: James Potter."
To everyone's amazement the quill was writing everything that Lily was saying.
"How did you do that?" Peter asked in awe.
"Just a little charm I learned the other day," she said, trying unsuccessfully not to look very pleased with herself.
"I bet that's pretty useful," said Sirius.
"It is," Lily responded.
"I only have one question," James said.
"Yes?" Lily asked.
"Why do I have to go first?"
"Well, someone had to be first. Why not you?"
"That's enough you two," Alice intervened. "Let's get started. Give me your hand James."
He held out his hand and Alice took it. She looked at it for a while consulting her textbook.
"Oh my!" she said suddenly.
"What!" exclaimed James.
"You have the shortest lifeline I've ever seen," she said gazing at James' hand.
"Aren't you supposed to save all the bad news till the end?" James asked with a frown.
"Hush!" Alice said without looking up. "The end of your life line is not very clear…" She consulted her textbook and then said, excited, "I think you are going to die as a result of a terrible plot against you. Probably someone will betray you."
"Can you please not be so happy about my untimely death?" James was definitely not enjoying this.
"Sorry. This is the first time I do this. I'm just excited. Let's continue. I can see that you won't have any money problems…"
"But everybody knows that," Peter interrupted her. "His parents have a lot of gold and he's an only child. Of course he's going to get everything."
"I really need to concentrate to do this. So stop interrupting me." Alice glared at Peter. "Ah! Here's something you'll probably like. You'll have a son."
"A son? Me?" James' face illuminated as if this was more than just a dumb game. "I'll teach him to fly as soon as he can walk. He will be the best Gryffindor chaser ever. Even better than me. A new generation of Potters at Hogwarts."
"Sorry to burst your bubble, mate," Sirius said with a malicious grin. "But you'll probably be dead way before the kid can walk."
James didn't seem the least bit bothered by being reminded of Alice's first prediction. If anything he seemed even more amused.
"Then you have to promise you'll turn my son into a Quidditch player I can be proud of. I know! You'll be his Godfather."
Sirius smiled widely and said, "I'll teach him that and a lot of other stuff. You just worry about picking the mother."
"It's you Lily," James said in a very serious voice.
"It's me what?" she asked cautiously.
"It's your turn to get your palm read. You chose me to be first and I choose you to be second."
"Whatever James," she said holding her hand out in front of Alice. "I'm not afraid of what she can tell me."
"Wow!" exclaimed Alice looking at Lily's hand.
"What!" Lily jumped on her seat startled.
"Your palm is so similar to James' that it's like reading his all over again."
"Can that be because you don't really know what you are doing?" asked Lily acidly.
"No." Alice glared at her friend. "Your lifeline is as short as his. You won't have to worry about money either. And you too will have a son."
"That's rubbish," Lily said pulling her hand. "James and I can't have the same future."
"Unless you two are going to have a future together." Remus' tone was completely serious, but there was laughter in the depth of his eyes.
Lily didn't dare to turn to look at James. She knew his gaze was fixed on her and she could already feel her cheeks getting hot.
"This is getting very interesting," said Sirius. "Do mine now."
Alice took Sirius' hand and looked silently at it for a while.
"So?" Sirius urged her. "Am I going to die too?"
Alice rolled her eyes and said, "well, of course you are going to die too, Sirius. But your lifeline is longer than James and Lily's. Though the last part of it looks different. Let me see what that means." She consulted the book and said, "this is weird. It says that your last years you'll be living a half-life. Whatever that means."
"Aren't you supposed to tell me exactly what it means?"
"You know? This is the first time I do this and Divination is not an exact science. I can only tell you what I see."
"Okay. But do I get a kid?"
"No. Now shut up." Alice gazed at Sirius' palm again and said, "It looks like you're going to die at the hands of a kin. That can't be."
"Oh yes! It can," Sirius said bitterly. "And to be honest, it doesn't even surprise me."
"Well, here's some good news: you won't have to worry about money either."
"But I doubt it will be my family's gold. My mother decided I'm not worthy to belong to the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. I've been officially erased from the family tree."
They all looked at Sirius gravely, but he waved at them dismissively. "Oh! Don't worry about it. If you know any other Blacks, you know I got the best end of the bargain." He turned to Alice." Why don't you read Wormtail's now?"
Peter held out his small, chubby hand reluctantly and Alice took it.
"Well, you have the longest lifeline yet. But like Sirius, it looks like you're going to live a half-life."
"He will probably spend most of his life hiding," said James laughing. "Our little Peter is not exactly the bravest Gryffindor around."
"But you should know James," Alice interrupted him. "That it looks like Peter will do something that will change many people's lives. Probably yours too."
"Me?" Peter asked shyly.
"Yes." Alice browsed through her book and said. "I don't like this."
"What?" Peter shifted uncomfortably on his seat.
"This line here. It says that you are not trustworthy."
"Of all the predictions you have made tonight, Alice, that's the most improbable," said Sirius. "Peter untrustworthy? That's laughable, really."
"Say what you want. I'm just reading what I see." Alice then turned to Remus, who had stayed out of the conversation as if he was hoping that everyone would forget about him. "Your turn Remus."
"Haven't you had enough already. I've read that seers need to rest after a couple of readings."
"Don't be silly, Remus. Give me your hand."
"Do it Moony," Sirius said. "It's not like she has got anything right."
Alice glared at Sirius, but when it looked like she was ready to respond Remus gave her his hand.
"You can relax now," Alice told Remus. "You'll be happy to know that you'll outlive every one of them." She motioned with her head to Lily, James, Sirius and Peter.
"Oh! I'll be old and friendless. Explain to me how that makes me happy." There was definitely sarcasm in Remus' voice.
"This is interesting…" Alice grabbed her book again. After browsing through a couple of pages she looked up still holding Remus' hand and declared, "Remus has a secret."
Remus yanked his hand and stood up. "This is dumb. And I believe you already have enough for your homework." He turned on his heel and left.
"What's wrong with him?" Alice asked confused.
"It's nothing," said James standing up. "He's just tired. We all are. It's late. We should probably go too."
Sirius and Peter stood up as fast as he said that and the three boys left. Just before going up the stairs, Sirius turned around and said with a charming smile.
"Goodnight ladies."
Lily lifted the charm from the quill and then gathered her own books. Alice was reading the parchment of the palmistry session. After a while Alice said.
"You're right Lily. Remus is acting very odd."
"Well, Alice, you have to understand that not everybody likes to know about their future. You know that for me Divination is quite disturbing. Maybe Remus thinks like me."
"Maybe."
"It's late. Let's go to bed."