Lily
Dear Lily,
I am writing to let you know that I have agreed to marry the most wonderfully normal man. He is an Account Manager at a drill company and is currently looking to attain a promotion to Account Director. I am very much in love, and we are getting married in the December, later this year.
I am also happy to announce that Annabelle has agreed to be my maid of honour, as she is after all, my closest friend.
Dad is very happy, and is looking forward to the wedding. I'm sure mum would have also felt the same.
Your invitation will be waiting at home, because I am not corresponding with you via owl, and would like this wedding and everything regarding it to be as normal as possible.
From,
Petunia
Lily Evans sat downcast at the Hogwarts breakfast table. She thanked the owl that had delivered the letter (she assumed that her dad would have sent the letter via one of the school owls, following the last letter she sent him), and stuffed the letter into her school bag.
Petunia was getting married to someone. Someone 'normal', and even worse, told her only sister about the wedding in a formal, brief and impersonal letter. Had their relationship gotten that bad? Lily's mind was clouded with unhelpful thoughts about a relationship that was outside of her control to fix, and was therefore in a negative mindset to start her Tuesday, which consisted of Herbology, double Transfiguration, Charms and Potions. At least she had Potions last lesson to keep her mind from her sister.
"Another attack on Muggleborns" stated Hayden, one of Lily's friends. 'Oh, great' thought Lily, 'Some good news to brighten my day'. Susana, one of Lily's more sympathetic friends, gave Lily a reassuring smile.
Kira, the fourth girl in Gryffindor, and the girl Lily was closest to, grabbed the paper from Hayden. "This is getting ridiculous; they're not even pretending to hide their tracks anymore. They are successfully pushing muggles and muggleborns out of our society, and people seem to think it's normal".
Lily stayed silent. The worrying news of muggleborn captures, exiles and murders were concerning her. There were many that were choosing to return to muggle life, getting muggle jobs and using their magic rarely. Lily did not want nor plan to be one of these muggleborns after Hogwarts, even if it would at least repair her relationship with Petunia.
Kira shoved some toast in her mouth, whilst rising from the table. "I'm heading to Herbology – you coming Lily?"
Lily nodded, locking her thoughts away for the time being, and followed Kira out of the Great Hall to the Greenhouses.
….
Sirius
Further along the table, Sirius Black was fuming. He had received yet another letter from his mother in which she had stated that she was highly disappointed to have a son and heir which contradicted their family values, and was 'not worthy' of having the Black name. He had unofficially moved out of the family home during the Christmas holidays, and three months later, he was still receiving mail which highlighted the same topic about 'how he brought shame onto the family' and that his mother 'should have known that she had a troublesome son when he was sorted into Gryffindor and not Slytherin'.
It wasn't as though he even mixed with muggles and muggleborns, he only agreed that the muggle demographic were not below the pureblood wizarding community. That and his love for motorbikes (insane how fast they go), and muggle ladies (more fun, and game than witches). He was a simple man with simple pleasures.
Sirius placed the letter on the table whilst he ate breakfast. He suddenly felt like he wanted to punch someone and may even follow through if a Slytherin he particularly disliked passed the Gryffindor table.
"Your mum?" asked James, who sat opposite him, chewing a fatty piece of bacon.
"Was it that obvious?"
"You look like you did before you punched Nott in the face after he said that your shirt looked like a pillowcase that a house-elf would wear.
"Not that he could pull it off" mumbled Sirius. "Only a man of style could pull off such a thing".
"Why were you wearing it then?" asked James grinning.
Sirius threw a bread roll at his best friend. "Mum's ranting again. Usual stuff, about how I couldn't fit into my dad's shoes, and how Reg is a better son than me. I think she doesn't like me."
Whilst finishing his sentence, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew joined the two boys at the breakfast table.
"You alright, mate?" James asked Remus. "How was your lie-in?"
"Lie-in? It was only 10 extra minutes! Still, makes a small difference as the 'you know what' is tomorrow night.
"Excellent." Said Sirius, finally smiling. "I feel like we've not had a full moon in ages! Usual time tomorrow lads?"
"Keep your voice down" whispered Remus. He looked more peaky than usual this morning. He dreaded the monthly transformation into a werewolf, a contrasting thought to his three friends who treated it like a monthly birthday party. "I'm glad you lot enjoy it, but it always scares me that I might harm any of you".
"Ah, don't worry about that" said James, carelessly. "It adds an extra bit of fun to the evening. My money is on Pete hurting himself".
"That happened once" said Peter indignantly.
The boys continued to discuss the details of the evening. In the meantime, Severus Snape, who had asked Professor Slughorn a question at the teacher's table, chose to walk to the Entrance Hall via the Gryffindor Table, and happen upon the boy's conversation.
"That was insane how Prongs got his head stuck in that tree last time" Pete was saying.
"It comes with the territory of being 'Prongs', James replied.
"Catch anything of interest, Snivy?" asked Sirius suddenly.
The other three boys turned round to find Snape lurking behind them. Sirius had a suspicion that Snape heard the last part of their conversation. He was such a nosy git!
"What are you lot planning?" asked Snape suspiciously.
"Well, since you've asked so politely, we have been planning on how to shrink that big, fat nose of your face Snivillus. We wouldn't want you to offend anyone, so thought we would do you that favour." Sirius snapped.
Snape flushed, and hurried out of the Hall.
Sirius abruptly stood up.
"I'm off" he announced unceremoniously to his friends. James in particular, looked at Sirius with interest. Sirius already felt angry about his family, and Snape listening into their conversation was pushing him over the edge.
James also stood up, but more leisurely than his best friend. "Are you in a rush to Herbology, Sirius? I never had you down as green fingered."
Sirius chose not to respond as his eyes followed Snape out of the hall. Sirius knew exactly who he wanted to punch, if the opportunity arose at some point today.
….
James
James Potter flicked an Asphodel flower at Severus Snape across Greenhouse two. The flower caught in Snape's hair, without him noticing, so that it appeared that Snape adorned his hair with dainty a flower clip.
"Nice throw, Prongs", admired Sirius, who smirked at the sight of the Slytherin.
"Practicing for the next Quidditch game" said James, offhandedly. He proceeded to plant his Asphodel bulbs. He had no idea what he wanted to be when he left school, but decided that Herbology was a useful subject to take at the beginning of the year. It was now March during his sixth year, and Herbology was proving to be useless and boring to James. He was looking forward to the Quidditch match taking place against Hufflepuff next Saturday. Only ten days to go now, thought James happily.
"Did you know Asphodel is a type of Lily, Lily" said a calm voice on the next table. It belonged to Duncan Jones, a handsome muggleborn who was the Quidditch captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. James glanced up to watch the interaction about to take place.
As expected, Evans politely smiled and said that she did indeed know that Asphodel is a type of Lily. Even more interesting was that a faint blush was appearing on Lily's cheeks. She actually liked this boring chat, thought James, moodily.
James still fancied Lily Evans, not that his friends, nor that the rest of the Hogwarts cohort knew this. He disliked being rejected, and wanted to lay low for a while, until he knew that Lily would agree to go out with him. James had asked Lily out twice at the end of fifth year. Once in front of a large group of students when taking the mickey out of Snape (to which she said no), and once in a more private setting, whereby James asked her out in front of his mates in the common room. The answer was still no. Apparently, he was arrogant, a bully, and big-headed. In hindsight, the way in which he asked her out was maybe a little too showy for her liking, as she clearly preferred calm, polite, boring idiots such as Duncan.
"I think Asphodel is a pretty flower – do you?" continued Mr Boring. He's gearing up for a compliment thought James. One of James' talents was his ability to read people. It was an advantage to growing up in an aristocratic family. His mother dealt with senior people in the Ministry on a daily basis, and James watched and listened to how she read people and situations, and how she manipulated these things to her needs. James had picked up this skill along the way and, generally, got his way, manipulating many people and situations to his will. In fact, Miss Evans was one of the few people he struggled to read, and was also someone who does not fall for his charms. It was one of the reasons he fancied her.
"I have never really liked Lilies" replied Lily. That won't stop him trying here Lily, thought James. He turned to check out the other Lily in his life – the one stuck in Snape's hair. Surprisingly, Snape seemed as interested in the Lily/ Duncan exchange as James did. James always had an inkling that Snape fancied Lily, but this has never been proven. Especially as Snape hung around with wannabe death eaters, who hated Muggleborns. Maybe James was wrong.
"Really?" asked Duncan with surprise. "What type of flowers do you like to receive on dates, then?"
James was starting to cringe. Duncan was being very unsubtle. There were rumours flying around that him and Lily were an item, presumably because they had amicable conversations, were both prefects and both good-looking. It didn't take much for the Hogwarts rumour mill to churn out some gossip out of nothing.
"Who knows, I never go on dates" laughed Lily. Very true thought James, Lily was notoriously hard to get, as many of the lads in Hogwarts know. There have been many attempts (himself included) into asking her out but as far as he was aware, she had not had a boyfriend, nor been one hardly any dates. He remembered there being a date with a seventh year Hufflepuff last year, but that was it.
"Probably Mimbulus mimbletonia, so the plant can shoot stinksap onto any poor bugger trying to come onto her" interjected James, who was struggling not to interject in this riveting exchange. Duncan laughed, taking James' comment in his stride. Lily however looked embarrassed.
"Nah, Evans prefers Venemous Tentacula – much more deadly, and used in extreme cases" Sirius chipped in.
A few people grinned at this small distraction, however Lily returned to her work, trying to ignore the comments.
"Talking from experience, Potter?", Duncan winked.
"An experience which I can share with my fellow men of Hogwarts".
"Men?" aksed Kira, who say next to Lily, and could see Lily blushing. "More like boys". She grinned in the direction of James, Sirius and Duncan to let them know she was jesting, whilst trying to remove the attention from her friend. She knew Lily did not like attention, however attention unfortunately liked Lily.
"You mean that I have a certain boyish charm? Thanks Kira" grinned James.
"Not everything is about you, Potter" chimed in Lily at last. James knew that she would not resist in challenging James.
"That's right, I was talking about how you seem to reject every young man's attempt to go out with you. Shall we revert to that?"
Lily opened her mouth to respond, however she was saved by Professor Sprout asking students to pack away.
Lily glared at James before hurrying out of the Greenhouse with Kira.
Ah well, thought James, at least I got her attention.
….
Lily
"You were quiet today, Lily" said Kira whilst the Gryffindor girls were waiting to enter the Potions classroom. "Even Potter chipping into your conversation with Duncan didn't wind you up".
"Ooooo, what's going on with you and Duncan?" asked Susana optimistically. "You two are always talking…"
"We are both prefects, and sometimes we need to discuss that" Lily cut across Susana curtly. Petunia's letter was still in Lily's bag, and in Lily's head, but she was not one for opening up to people. She opened up to her sister when she was younger and look how that turned out. She also had deep conversations with Severus when they were still friends, but that was another relationship lost.
"I'm just interested because maybe a snogging sesh with a handsome boy will cheer you up" said Susanna giggling.
Lily attempted a smile, but her preoccupied mind was disabling her from thinking straight today. She needed a proper distraction from the situation, not a normal working day, with the same classes, nor a flirt with a handsome boy would do the trick.
As though knowing that Lily needed a distraction, Sirius Black, who was also queueing for Potions with his mates, punched Snape squarely in the face.
Lily stood bewildered for a moment, then snapped into action and started to step forward to intervene, but took a step back, when Sev picked himself off the floor and swung for Black.
"Is that the best you can do?" sneered Black, who proceeded to put Snape in a headlock.
"What on earth are you two doing?" shouted Professor Slughorn, who exited his classroom at the sound of the commotion.
Black let Sev go, turning to face the teacher. Sev regained his balance, and flushed at the sight of his favourite teacher and head of house.
"I have no choice but to give you both detention and deduct 20 points from both Gryffindor and Slytherin – I will see you in my office at 6pm tonight".
Snape hastily picked up his things and quickly entered the classroom. Black was massaging his knuckles, not looking ashamed that the altercation took place. He slowly picked up his items whilst Potter rushed over to him.
"You alright mate?" asked Potter.
"It's not him you should be asking that to, Potter" said Lily matter of fact.
Potter rounded on her. "Why is this conversation anything to do with you?" he asked.
"Black attacked Snape – he knew exactly what he was doing".
"Snape is a git, and provoked Sirius. Why do you get involved in things that have nothing to do with you?"
Lily but her lip. "You're right, it has nothing to do with me".
Potter looked at her oddly, then turned back to his friend.
Lily spun on her heel and entered the potions class.
….
Sirius
Sirius picked at his fingernails whilst lounging in his chair during detention. He was bored, but used to being isolated from his fellow friends as punishment for long periods of time. He surveyed Flitwick's classroom for anything of interest, but only found Snape, huddled over his potions essay, on the next table. Sirius screwed up a piece of parchment and threw it at Snape's head.
Sirius got the reaction he was hoping for, Snape turned to Sirius, snarling under his breath.
"Unlike you, Black, I would like to be free of this detention within the next hour" Snape said sourly. "Therefore, leave me alone, and get back to your mindless posing".
Sirius scowled. "It is your own fault for being a nosy git. I don't know if I have never made this fact clear enough before, but you are unwelcome in the Marauders".
Snape snorted, at which Slughorn looked up at the two boys. Both boys returned to their respective activities; Snape on his homework, Sirius picking at his nails.
"It's just curious as to why you are so obsessed with us. Me being so devastatingly handsome, James being so talented in Quidditch – need I go on?" taunted Sirius. He was bored and purposefully trying to get Snape riled up. It was working he was pleased to note.
"My only concern is for others to find out what horrible, rule-breaking, arrogant bullies you are" spat Snape under his breath.
"Awww Sniv, you flatter us" teased Sirius. "At least we are not horrible, pro-Dark Lord, anti-muggle idiots, which you are so desperately trying to become. Didn't you used to have Evans for friendly company? Was she not pureblooded enough for you?"
Sirius barely noticed that he hit a nerve, as he was overcome with sadness and disappointment at his own family following his remark. Sirius was a frustrated at his family, at how his family would rather ostracize their own flesh and blood than change their traditional ideals. He barely noticed that Snape was retorting to his previous remark.
"… whatever you lot get up to. You and Potter are vile, and deserve the detentions you get, you even deserve expulsion. Especially Potter! I have tried multiple times to prove to everyone how rules are beneath you lot, yet you somehow slip through the net."
"I don't think you've tried hard enough Snivvy" Said Sirius sarcastically.
"Don't even get me started on what you lot get up to every month"
"I haven't got you started on anything. You have achieved that all by yourself. What do you mean 'every month' anyway"? We don't have a timetable, we like to pick on you as and when we please".
Snape seemed itching to divulge some information. "Don't think I haven't noticed. The lot of you plan and discuss going out every month on the full moon"
The conversation had taken an unexpected turn for Sirius. He knew Snape was a worm who tried to get them into trouble at every opportunity, but had no idea that Snape had noticed that they went out every month during the full moon. It was the comment about the full moon which made Sirius hesitate in his response. Did Snape know about Remus?
"I guess we should be flattered to have a stalker", said Sirius, trying to keep the conversation light, and redirect the conversation into more comfortable territory.
"I am convinced you are all breaking a million rules." continued Snape. "I am also convinced that not every single one of you deserves to be here" Snape sneered.
What did he know? Snape was pissing Sirius off. How dare he insinuate that any student not deserve to be in school, but most of all Remus who, when not transformed into a werewolf, was the most mild-mannered, contentious student in the school.
"What we get up to in our free time is our business. If we want to meet up outside the Whomping Willow, where you twist the knot on the right to stop it from flailing, we will".
Sirius had purposefully slipped in how to calm the Willow. He was annoyed that Snape was suggesting that he knew Remus was a werewolf, and frankly, Sirius knew Snape was going to be curious enough to check out whether he was correct, all in the name of catching the other Marauders at breaking the school rules. Fine, thought Sirius savagely. If Snape wanted to be stupid enough to find out what Remus was then he could deal with the consequences if he found the werewolf. Perhaps it would finish the annoying git off.
Snape was silent, and chose to turn back to his work. Sirius could practically see the cogs turning in Snape's brain, yet, at the same time, Sirius could not care less what Snape does and went back to picking his nails.