No hints this time! Heehee!
Ch.10, Untitled Just to Annoy the Reader
A Quidditch game was scheduled for December 1st. It was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, but held outstanding meaning. Depending on what happened in this game, either Slytherin or Gryffindor would be out of the running. If Ravenclaw won, it was good for the Gryffindors. If Hufflepuff won, it was good for the Slytherins. That meant that the Slytherins were playing dirty. They were seen
giving the Hufflepuffs hints, and attacking the Ravenclaw players. Three were in the HW already!
But if the Slytherins could play dirty, so could the Gryffindors. Of course, they didn't go so low as to attack the Hufflepuffs, but they were giving the Ravenclaws hints and defending them.
On the last day, it was freezing out. Without telling anyone, even Lily, (ethical issues) Jane made the Hufflepuff's broom handles to be covered in a sheet of ice so that they would slip, and be cold.
The Slytherins had made up Hufflepuff support badges. They sang in loud, shrill voices things like "Throw rocks at Ravenclaws - its fun!" While the Gryffindors had badges that shouted Ravenclaws rule!
This was probably the most dirty match in Hogwarts history. Even Vera, she gave the Ravenclaws a potion that would keep them warm for up to 3 hours. Of course, no one but the players and Remus knew this.
Everyday, Slytherins could be seen stalking the halls, or on the day of the match, stalking the route from the Great Hall to the Quidditch Pitch. But they were sadly disappointed- the Ravenclaws weren't stupid enough to go around alone.
It was the day of the match, and things were getting dirtier and dirtier. Many of the Ravenclaw players had girlfriends/boyfriends in the stands. The Slytherins actually cursed them, so that the Ravenclaws were distracted. But the Hufflepuffs were decent. While all the Ravenclaws were busy shouting curses and dive-bombing the Slytherins, the Hufflepuffs didn't take advantage of the fact that the goal posts were open, or that the Snitch was fluttering near the Ravenclaw seeker.
A few hours later, people were slouched over in the stands. The match had been going on for four hours. The Hufflepuffs matched Ravenclaw goal for goal. The only chance was for one seeker to catch the Snitch, and both seemed intent on tailing each other.
It soon got very late. Vera had fallen asleep on Remus' shoulder, while he himself was resting on the top of her head. Surprisingly, Lily's head chose to fall onto James' shoulder. He was the only one awake out of the entire group, and he was smiling quite a lot.
Everyone woke up the next morning extremely surprised. They were still on the Quidditch pitch, nearly frozen, and Lily woke up. But only to find that everyone, minus James, in her little group all look away and start whistling innocently. She blushed, raised her head from James' shoulder, and found that he himself had fallen asleep. People were leaving- the players had fallen asleep on their brooms and the match was re-scheduled. Lily got up quickly, but not quick enough for Sirius Black.
While the others all got up and returned to the castle (Remus had awoken James) he caught up to her and whispered, "You liked that." and then ran off, so she couldn't hex him into the next week.
But all she did was blush.
A week later, the match commenced. It wasn't as dirty as the last one, but still underhanded. Ravenclaw won by a hair, the seeker barely caught the Snitch. So, Slytherin was out of the running for the first time in years. If you hung out by the staff room, you could hear McGonnagle dropping not-so-subtle hints to Slughorn.
Lily got more and more quiet. Even though she wouldn't admit it, she was sad that James had not sent her some flowers, or written a poem declaring his undying love for her. But nothing of the sort happened. She thought that after the Quidditch thing something would happen.
She was even more depressed that Jane and Vera would be going home for the holidays. That would mean that she would be all alone. Even though she would undoubtedly get time to check her theory about Vera.
So, Lily went off to the carriages to see her friends (still feuding) off, promising to write, and such. She was surprised to see James and Sirius there too, seeing Remus off.
So, she headed back up to her dorms, planning to get an early start on the homework that the teachers had given as a 'Christmas gift'. But halfway there, she changed her mind and went to the RoR, to find out if her theory was right.
I need to see a picture of Third. I need to see a picture of Third. Lily thought, as she paced the familiar corridor. This time, without interruption, she opened to door, to find herself back in Oakville.
It's almost as if time had frozen. She was at the small child's park near the base of the mountain, but a child had jumped off a swing, and was now floating in mid air.
One way you could be sure that this was an illusion, was that while it was the dead of winter in real life, it seemed to be the middle of the summer here.
Now, just as Lily was wondering what this had to do with a picture of Third, the scenery around her all of a sudden evaporated to Jane's house. She was standing facing the fireplace, which had pictures on the mantle. Lily stared, none of them had Vera! When she was wondering why, a piece of parchment fell on her head.
We cannot tell you directly who Third is, but everything you need to know to figure out who she is, is in this room.
The person who said the prophesy
Well, Lily thought, that explains a bit. Now lets see...
The room wasn't any different than it had been when she was there over the summer. She guessed that she would have to find something in common with everything in here. But, there was a pensive that didn't belong to the Parker family when she last checked.
Suddenly, feeling reckless, Lily looked in the pensive, and a single line from the prophesy was repeated.
The shyness of Earth
Lily had no clue why this was being repeated, but as soon as she had read the line, the pensive disappeared.
Ignoring it, she continued her search, until she realized what that had meant. Smacking herself, she returned to inspect all the pictures in the room.
There was only one of Vera. And she was hiding behind Jane, because she was so shy. Vera had probably been the one to take the pictures because she was camera shy. By the prophecy, Third was obviously very shy. Vera was very shy. Vera was Third.
Lily left the RoR very happy, as she was right. She couldn't talk to Vera now, or else the letter could be intercepted, so she made her way down to lunch.
There was only one table in the Great Hall, because the only people staying for the holidays were James, Sirius, herself, Dumbledore, Filch, McGonnagle, Flitwick, and two Ravenclaws. Everyone else was away visiting family in these hard times.
As she approached the table, Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, Miss Evans. Welcome. Since so few people are staying for the holidays, it seemed hardly worth it to eat at the house tables."
So, Lily sat down, by choice, beside James. He and Sirius stared.
"What?" she asked, when she noticed their stares. Then, she noticed everyone else (minus Dumbledore, who was currently wearing a pair of fluffy white gloves from a cracker) was staring also.
Does everyone think I hate him that much?
I'm afraid so, dear.
Why don't you go bug someone else, for a change?
Hey, I'm not here to criticize, I came to tell you congrats for finally coming to your senses.
What d'you mean?
Finally realizing that James isn't half bad. Deciding that, if he asks you out, you'll give him a chance. Now pay attention, Dumbledore's offering you a cracker!
"Hm? Oh, thank you Professor." Lily said, and pulled on the other end of the wizard cracker. After a loud POP, Lily found that Dumbledore had swapped his hat for the plastic crown that came out of it. He now looked very strange, with red robes (for Christmas), white furry gloves, a fake beard on top of his real one, a red and gold cape, and a crown, all from wizard crackers. After yet another cracker, he picked up a fake, yet jeweled, scepter.
Just curious, who exactly are you in charge of?
Well, you, Sirius, Jane, I don't have to visit Vera or Remus much anymore, and technically, James. Even though, I don't have to bug him much, its just encouragement. After all your rejections. And recently I've been encouraging him to ask you out again, but he won't listen. He's convinced that you don't like him.
What?
Lily, you're too late. He's depressed, in case you haven't noticed.
But I can't be too late!
I'll help. We can win him back for you Lily, don't you worry. Just a sec, I have to go. Jane's having some trouble with Vera, apparently they met up with Remus or something. I'll be back as soon as I can!
Oh great, leave me why don't you.
Lily glanced over at James out of the corner of her eye. Conscience was right - he was picking moodily at his food, and he looked rather pale.
"Now, seeing as there are so few of us here, I have decided that all of you, yes, even you two," Dumbledore said, referring to the two second year Ravenclaws, "May attend a formal ball in Hogsmead. It's part of Muggle Appreciation Week, so it will therefore be muggle formal style. In other words, no dress robes. It's on New Years day, and I believe that several of your friends will be there as well." Dumbledore finished, looking to Lily, James and Sirius.
"Really sir? Who?" Lily asked.
"Well surely you've all heard of Mr. Mark Parker?" Dumbledore said.
"Yes, of course. He works in the Ministry, he's the head of the Regulation for the Control of Magical creatures." Lily recited.
"Well, he is the father of your two best friends, Miss Jane Parker, and Miss Vera Parker. The three of them will be attending the ball." Dumbledore said. As they were told this, James and Sirius paled. Lily noticed, but Dumbledore was talking again, so she quickly paid attention. James and Sirius were now wolfing down their food.
"I also believe that Mr. Lupin will be there as well, escorting Miss Vera Parker. I trust you two will want to go?" Dumbledore said, directing his question to the other two Marauders. Who were just getting up to leave.
"Oh yes, definitely." James took the time to answer before walking very quickly out of the Great Hall.
When James and Sirius reached the Entrance hall, they started discussing in low voices.
"The Head of the Department! This is just great! He'll probably be able to tell a werewolf from a mile away with only a little info! Moony's doomed if he meets him!" Sirius exclaimed, but still kept his voice low.
"I know! If he meets Vera at her house, then she'll introduce him to her dad, and if she mentions anything about sick relatives, he'll figure it out, and he'll tell Vera, and she was raised by someone who hates werewolves as part of the job description, then she'll dump him, then Moony will be all depressed 'cause he really likes her" James babbled.
"Prongs quit it! You babbling, breathe! We just have to warn Moony not to meet Vera's dad! Ok?" Sirius said, being, well, serious. (pardon the pun)
Meanwhile, with Lily.
Due to the minimal number of people staying for the holidays, they were all allowed to visit Hogsmead whenever they want as long as they told their Head of House where they were going and why. Lily was just coming back from McGonnagle's office, she needed some new quills. So, with the snow billowing around her, she left Hogwarts and entered Hogsmead. First, she went into the Three Broomsticks to get a bottle of butterbeer to take on her way to the quill shop, which was conveniently on the other
side of the village. It was a blizzard out, and whenever the door to the bar opened, people yelled and complained for the door to close.
Luckily, Lily was First. And that meant that she could make fire whenever she wanted to. So, when she finished her butterbeer, she made sure no one was looking (like anyone was outside on a cold day like this) and filled the bottle with fire. Of course, it wouldn't hurt her, so she held it close on her way to the Stationary shop.
Inside, she found some invisible ink, and thought it might come in useful. After she bought her quill, she headed out to Zonkos to get Jane's present. The Marauders stared at her as she left with a bag full of different things for Jane. Next stop: Apothecary for Vera.
There, she found something that she knew Vera was both running out of and liked. Red clover heads, they were a muggle remedy, but Vera used them in her healing potions. So, Lily bought some at a very good price of 15 knuts a pound. Just as she was going up, she saw James dragging Sirius out of a jewelry shop, and into a pet shop. She shook her head, laughing. She found that her bottled fire was very good at keeping her warm. She hugged it close, as she went to a small, holiday shop to buy
some gift wrap and finish her shopping.
When she got there, she shrunk everything to fit in her pocket. She also shrunk the bottle, thinking it wouldn't look good if she walked into Hogwarts carrying a bottle of fire. When it was about the size of
Vera's emergency potion bottle, and put it on a chain around her neck. It still kept her relatively warm. As she was leaving, she saw James and Sirius coming out of the pet shop. James was blushing, and Sirius looked as if he was teasing the life out of his best friend. Suddenly, Lily felt a pang of jealousy, what if James had bought a gift for another girl?
Heehee. Lily and James, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
Not you again!
First come love, then comes marriage, then comes Lily and James with a baby carriage!
Shut it!
Ha! Admit it, your head over heals in love with him!
I may like him now, yes, but I'm not in love with him!
Like it or not, if he asks you out, you'll say yes before you know it!
Maybe, maybe not. He probably doesn't even like me anymore!
Don't you dare tell anyone I've told you this, but after three days straight of convincing, I think you have a chance. He got you a present today, so don't worry!
Really?
Yes, but your almost at the castle, you better look where you're going.
Lily stopped her discussion with her Conscience just before she hit the Entrance Hall door. The castle was eerily quiet. She tromped up to the common room, and was welcomed by the Fat Lady.
"Oh hello there. How come your not home with your family?" she asked kindly.
"It's safer here at Hogwarts. Besides, someone needs to keep everyone in check." Lily replied jokingly.
"Ah. Password?" she asked.
"Spirit!" Lily replied, and climbed through the portrait hole. She was met with a cheery blaze, but decided it needed to be bigger. Making sure no one was looking, before she remembered that she and the Marauders were the only Gryffindors left, she made the fire take up the entire fireplace. She dropped her shopping off at her dorm, which was empty, and took her potions essay down and sat on the hearth rug in front of the fire to do it. It was very warm, with her bottle fire and the Gryffindor
fire, but Lily didn't get overheated so easily. Soon, just as she was concluding her essay, the portrait burst open, and in came the other two Gryffindors, laughing at something they had done to Mrs. Norris. Lily couldn't help but smile as she heard that Mrs. Norris would match perfectly with the Slytherin's common room. (see ch 9. They still haven't got it off)
Then, James noticed she was there. And that she was smiling from over-hearing their loud conversation. "Hey Lily." he tried.
Lily decided to take a risk. "Hey James. How are you?"
James was startled. She was actually trying to start a conversation? "Pretty good. Yourself?"
"Excellent. So, uh, what did you two do to Mrs. Norris?" Lily asked, and watched his face as he looked at her astonished.
"U-Uh, we just changed her so that she was florescent orange and neon green." James said 'modestly'. He was actually thrilled that she was talking to him willingly. Could Conscience be right in saying that her feelings for him have changed? (Sirius slipped out, being smart for once)
Lily was laughing when McGonnagle came into the common room, looking for her heads.
"Ah, there you two are. I need you to inform the other 7th years that you are all to help the house-elves with dinner tonight, as part of a trial Real-World program set up by the ministry. Be at the kitchens, I trust Mr. Potter knows where they are, by 7:30 sharp." and with that she swept from the room, not even asking if there were questions.
"Well, that was fast." James commented. He really had no clue what to say.
"Yeah." Lily agreed. She was in the same predicament that James was.
"So, er, what are you working on?" James asked, taking a big step and coming over to sit beside her.
"Oh, um, Transfig." Lily answered, looking at her un-started essay.
"Need any help?" James asked bravely, realizing that she didn't have anything written down. Lily glared at him for a moment, and for a second James thought he had just ruined all chances.
But it seemed that Lily's common sense had over come her pride. James, after all, was the best in the class at Transfig, so why shouldn't she get help from him when it's offered?
"Y-yeah. I just don't get the concepts of human transfiguration. Do you focus on your subject or your goal?" Lily asked, giving in.
"Well, it depends on the complexity of the animal. If you want to turn your subject into something like a mouse, then you focus on the subject because its more complex than a mouse. But it's the opposite if you want to turn your subject into a more complex creature like a deer or something." James explained.
"But what if you wanted to transfigure a human into an inanimate object?" Lily asked.
"You always focus on both your subject and your goal for inanimate objects." James explained. He smiled when he saw gratitude in Lily's eyes.
"I'm curious though, how on earth did the fire get so big?" James asked.
He was surprised to see a little of something he never expected to see in her eyes. Mischief. "That's for me to know and for you to probably never find out." she said, turning away from the fire to face him.
He suddenly found himself lost in her eyes. He didn't want to say anything, for two reasons. A) he didn't want to screw his chances B) why ruin a perfect moment? From his guess, they were two or three inches away from each other.
Whether it was subconscious or not, he scooted closer to her and his heart soared when she didn't move away. His hand reached up and cupped her face, and just as he was about to kiss her when -
BAM! Sirius tumbled down the boys staircase, covered in ash and soot. This startled Lily, so she jumped up with her books and went up her own staircase.
James leaned back, moaning in despair, and let his head rest against the table.
"Prongs? Want to play Exploding Snap?" Sirius asked, still upside down.
"Not now Padfoot! Why'd you have to come at that exact moment, I was this far away from kissing her!" James shouted, though not loudly, and put his two fingers and inch apart.
"You mean you almost kissed Lily?" Sirius said, sober at once.
"Yes! And if you had waited just two minutes to blow yourself up, I might have done it!" James said, putting his face in his hands.
"I'm sorry mate," Sirius said, looking out the window. "But here's something that'll cheer you up. We can go to see Hagrid. We haven't been in a long time, and he looks like he could use some help." he said, pointing out the window to where Hagrid could be seen trying to get a hyperactive Fang into a bath.
So, they grabbed their cloaks and headed out onto the frozen, ankle-deep in snow grounds to help Hagrid.
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I just realized, after re-reading this part, how familiar it is. I'd like to dedicate this part of the chapter to my late beagle dog, Suzie. She hated baths, and it took three people to give her one. We usually had to trick her into the tub. I once, put a trail of small cheese bits that led up to the tub to get her in.
Eventually, Suzie got a back problem. We cured her once, twice. But by the third time she had to be healed, the only medication that worked, she had become accustomed to, and therefore didn't work. She was completely miserable.
We adopted Suzie, so we aren't sure of her birthday, but I estimated around February 5th, 2000.
" 'Bout time ya got 'ere! He keeps runnin away, I jus' can't see why he don' want a bath! The wa'ers warm, an' sure its a lil chilly out?" He said, while trying to hold an immensely grown and squirming Fang.
But when Fang saw Sirius, he stopped squirming. Just when Hagrid released his hold a bit, he bolted and pounced on top of Sirius. Sirius was now getting a face-wash of dog slobber.
"Why didn't you call us?" James asked as he and Hagrid struggled to remove Fang from on top of his friend.
"I jus' sent up an owl to Lily, askin' her to bring her friend Vera down. She has a way with animals." Hagrid said, grabbing Fang and tossing him in the tub of water, only to have him jump out covered in suds.
"Vera and Jane are away for the holidays. Its just Sirius, Lily, and I left in Gryffindor tower." James explained, then started running after Fang, who was running in circles.
Hagrid chuckled. "Well I guess your no' complainin."
Taking a break from running in circles, he answered, "That dunce is the only problem. I was this close, and he just has to go and blow himself up!" James complained.
"Well, now I guess ya get another chance." Hagrid said, pointing to the castle entrance, where Lily could be seen coming down. James however, wasn't paying attention. So when Lily came down, it was quite a hysterical sight.
"Hagrid, what are they doing?"Lily asked over the wind. Fang was running in a large circle. James was running after Fang, in the same circle. And Sirius was following both of them, still in the same circle. But the thing is, it wasn't a big circle, so Fang was actually right behind Sirius.
But when James heard Lily's voice, he stopped running abruptly, to make himself look as presentable as possible. But this caused Sirius to barrel into him, and when Fang joined the mess, it was the most literal dog pile you've ever seen. Seeing as Fang was sitting directly on top of Sirius and James.
Lily and Hagrid were both laughing their socks off now. While Hagrid was bending down, and both Sirius and James were buried in the snow, Lily took the time and chance to melt all the snow surrounding the tub of water Hagrid had set up.
"Now, you said that Fang needs a bath?" Lily asked as she walked calmly over to the dog pile, where the boys were still struggling. But when she caught a whiff of the dog, she stumbled back, and Hagrid chuckled.
Lily took off her jacket and flexed her fingers. Then, she took out her wand. Yawning, just to spite the boys, she levitated the poor dog into the tub and put an imperturbable charm on the tub!
Sirius got off of James, who then got up and spat out snow. Lily was having trouble not laughing.
So, being the great friends they are, they helped Hagrid wash Fang. But he was thrashing wildly, and they were all soon wet and covered in suds.
Both Lily and James were red by the end of it, because their hands had brushed several times during the washing. Not to mention a Lily wet and covered in suds couldn't possibly avoid James' eye.
Then came the drying. The moment Lily lifted the charm, Fang bounded out, and just happened to knock Lily down. But, James was right behind her to catch her.
To: Suzie, February 5th, 2000 - July 17th, 2006. May she rest in peace.
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As he caught her, and put her back on her feet, she shot him a smile. He smiled back.
Hagrid, noticing this, said, "I think I can 'andle 'im now. Why don' you lot go ice skatin' or a snowball figh'?" he said.
"I'd much prefer the latter." Lily said quickly referring to her fear of water.
"Snowball fight it is then!" Sirius announced, and grabbed a snowball. He threw it wildly, aiming, Lily thought, for herself, but he missed by a mile and broke one of Hagrid's windows. Which Lily mended with her wand.
"Men vs Girls!" James announced, and started making a snowball.
"You wouldn't dare! There is only one of me!"
"Then you better start running Lily!" Sirius shouted from behind James, throwing a snowball that just missed her. Lily turned tail and ran, to the forest, lucky that Hagrid was occupied by Fang.
She was laughing, and hid behind a tree when she heard James and Sirius discussing something.
"You go make a prison or something. I'll look for her and bring her in!"
"'Kay. Be careful Prongs!"
"Aren't I always?"
But that's when Lily had to run for it, but she forgot that her boots left footprints. She may not look it, but Lily was a fantastic gymnast. She grabbed onto a low branch and swung onto it. Then, she started
climbing. But she wasn't Vera, she slipped a fair few times. But just as she left one particularity high branch, a snowball hit it. Lily shrieked in surprise.
"I've got you now Lily!" James said as he climbed up the tree after her. He threw more snowballs, but Lily just ended up soaked in water because they melted just before they reached her. But this sudden cold caused her to fall, off a very high branch.
"Lily!" James shouted after her. But her screams stopped abruptly as his outstretched hand caught her falling one. His other hand slipped dangerously on the other branch. He was at about half the height Lily had been at when she fell.
Just as James' hand slipped, he shouted, "Brace yourself!"
They both landed with a thud. Conveniently, James was on top of Lily. She now had the wind knocked out of her, but that wasn't only because of the very close proximity, but because of the fact that he landed on her.
"Hi." she said breathlessly.
"Hi. Are you okay?" he asked.
"I can't move my ankle." she responded.
James got off of her, and helped her sit up. Gingerly, he inspected her ankle, and found it was broken. She winced when he touched it.
"Does it hurt?" he asked.
"No." she lied. He pointed his wand (amazingly unbroken) and healed her ankle.
"That was a pretty bad break, it might be a little tender." he said, and helped her up. She had to lean heavily on him as they made their way back to the castle. Not that he was complaining. Completely forgetting about poor Sirius, they made their way back up to the HW, hobbling with difficulty on the stairs. When they found Madam Pomfrey, she asked what happened. They explained about the snowball fight, and how Lily climbed a tree to avoid James, but she slipped. James caught her halfway down, but then he fell too. She mended Lily's ankle in a flash, but then informed them that they both have a mild case of the flu, from being outside for so long. It would only last a few days, but she almost insisted to having them stay the night.
"Sorry, but we're helping the house-elves in... half an hour. See ya!" James shouted, and, dragging Lily (who was laughing) by the hand, raced out of the hospital wing.
"James! We have half an hour to find the kitchens, find Sirius, and get cooking!" she complained when they had stopped running.
"No problem. The kitchens are behind the portrait of fruit, you tickle the pair until it forms a doorknob. Come on, I'll show you."
And so, he took her to the kitchens, where the house-elves welcomed them. Then, James left to find Sirius, who probably had hypothermia by now.
So, asking where things were occasionally, Lily started cooking. She was a marvelous cook, if she did say so herself. So, by the time James and Sirius (who looking freezing) returned to the kitchens, she had several stoves loaded up with food. And Lily was sitting on a counter, beating away at what looked like pie batter.
James let his jaw drop. She looked very attractive to him, sitting on the counter with an apron on. As it happened, she now perfectly fit the description of girls that Potter men tend to fall in love with and marry. Feisty red heads that can cook well, since they all have the appetites of elephants. She also had a smear of flour across her forehead, and her face was set and determined as she beat the batter. As a part of Muggle Appreciation time, they were allowed to wear muggle clothes, so she was in a pink t-shirt, with LEVI bellbottoms. It looked like a smear of cocoa powder had ruined most of her apron.
She looked up when she heard Sirius slam the door loudly. She smiled when she saw who it was.
"Good. You're just in time to help me. Sirius, you can watch those stoves, tell me if anything strange happens. James, you can mix this cake batter, okay? Beat it hard, then tell me when there's no lump in it. I'm going to finish this pie filling, and yes Sirius, you can lick the bowl. After that, we move onto stew." Lily ordered, taking command. The boys shrugged, they didn't know a thing about cooking, so it was well that Lily was telling them what to do.
James was barely paying attention to the batter, he was staring not-so-discreetly at Lily, who could feel his eyes and was blushing, not that he could see that, since her back was turned to him. Lily was currently adding chopped rhubarb to her pie filling, in a sort of daze. A loud scream got them both out of their revere.
It would appear that Sirius had tried to taste the treacle tart filling she had on the stove, and burned himself. Lily and James laughed themselves silly as he jumped around the kitchen, holding his tongue, with the house-elves running after him, shouting strange and dangerous remedies to help him. Such as cutting his tongue off so it wouldn't hurt anymore. In the end, James lazily held out a pitcher of water in the pathway of the circle that had become Sirius' running route, and he grabbed it and gulped it down. Lily and James both had to desperately try and stifle their laughter as Sirius came at them with another large pitcher of water (don't ask me where they came from) and threw it on them!
James wasn't particularity angry, as Lily's apron was now see-through and her pink shirt was pale. But she was fuming.
"Sirius. Black. It. Is. On." she said through gritted teeth. She grabbed a bag of flour next to her, and threw it at him! Soon it was a mess of flying flour, because once Lily had missed and hit James instead. Who was now (playfully, of course) trying to get revenge. The house-elves took care of the food, but don't get them wrong. They were happy for the entertainment.
"You're in for it Lily!" James shouted as he chased after her with a large bottle of chocolate syrup. It had turned into an all-out food fight. He shot it at her, but she dodged and it hit the counter. She countered by sending some pumpkin juice back at him. Sirius, meanwhile, was watching his best friend and his best friend's crush since time imemorable, at a food fight. He was eating popcorn the house-elves had brought him.
Then, all of a sudden, James stopped to grab some ice cream out of a nearby freezer. He took it in a scoop, and flung it at her! She shrieked as the cold ice cream hit her apron, and slid down. Normally, it would be very cold, but she was first. So, unfazed, she took the nearest bowl of chocolate icing and started flinging it at him with a spoon, very much like the way he had the ice cream. By the time McGonnagle walked in, one hour later to tell them to get upstairs for dinner, she was angry. The kitchens were a mess! Flour and chocolate were everywhere. Her two Head students had flour and chocolate all over them, and they were soaked with either pumpkin juice or water. If only she could give them detention... but it was the Christmas holidays, and teachers could only give detentions if it were something dangerous. But, she could make them clean up the kitchens without magic. Which is what they were doing now.
They took a break to eat quickly, then it was back to work. They got back to the dormitory at eleven pm, with the boys complaining about Muggle work.
"Oh please! You two make it sound as if you've never cleaned without magic in you're life!" Lily said.
"Only in detention." James replied. Sirius was already upstairs, asleep.
The next day, it was officially three days left until Christmas. Lily had already sent her presents for Vera and Jane and they should arrive on the day. So, now Lily was at breakfast with James and Sirius (who, at James' insistence even though she doesn't know that waited for her to go to breakfast) and listening to Dumbledore. He was talking about the New Years Ball in Hogsmead. Everything was to be muggle style, no dress robes. Wands, were, of course allowed in these hard times as always. There was an official Hogsmead day planned so that the...five remaining students could buy their clothes. Dumbledore said that Mr. Parker had contacted him, and that Vera and Jane were both going to be going to Hogsmead on the same day. Lily was overjoyed.
Later on that day, Lily remembered she had some papers to finish. She was again in front of the Gryffindor fireplace, which had a bonfire in it. So, she headed down to the library, only to get the shock of her life.
(Hmmm... should I make you wait to find out what's so shocking? I think I should make you wait until tomorrow, just to be evil. I might just fill the remaining space on the page with a bunch of gibberish, to fool you into thinking there's more if you've looked at the slide bar. Should I be merciful? Well, I guess that by now you've guessed that this blurb is a complete waste of time, which really had one meaning to remind you to REVIEW when you're done. Back to the story.)
"Boring. Bored. Bore. Bored out of my wits. Nothing to do but be bored..."
"Padfoot, seeing how many different ways you can imply that you're bored will not help you be any less bored."
"Have it you're way, Prongs. I guess we'll just stay here all day, with nothing to do, being bored, doing everything boring, being bored is such a bore, being b-"
"Padfoot, if I hear that word one more time, I will strangle you."
"What word Prongs?"
"You're pushing it Padfoot..."
"Well, how am I supposed to know what you're talking about, unless you're referring to me being bored-"
Sirius now had a silencing charm on himself.
"I'm going to go to the library." James announced.
Sirius got his wand and thought the counter-charm, and then, in a teasing voice said, "To do homework, or because that's the most likely place you'll see Lily?"
But James was already gone, with an essay tucked under his arm to make him look good on Lily for being a good boy and finishing his homework.
So, that's what Lily was so shocked about. James had seen her on the Marauders Map, heading down to the library, and quickened his pace. While he had only got here 5 minutes ahead of her, he had made it look like he had been here forever. Papers were scattered all over his table, and several empty ink bottles were tipped over. They were actually Zonkos products, purposely made empty to look as if you've been studying for hours if you're teachers saw you.
"James? You're studying?" she asked. 1 point, she added mentally.
James smiled to himself. "Yep. In fact, I was wondering if you could help me on this Charms theory paper?"
Asking for help, showing lowered ego? 2 points.
"Well, what are you having trouble with?" Lily asked, coming over to him.
"It's just theory in making an object dance. I've never been able to master it, and I have no clue why. I thought if I went over the theory, I'll get it." James said.
Admitting a problem? 1 point.
"Well, it depends on how specific the dance is. A tango would be different than a Conga line." Lily said with a laugh.
"What's a Conga line?" James asked.
Not paying attention in Muggle Studies? Minus 1.
After Lily explained what a conga line was, she decided to make his charms book go into a conga line with his quill, ink bottle, and a roll of parchment, making them both laugh their head off, and get shushed by the librarian.
After a little bit of practice, during which James paid attention to her every word, (plus one!) he was finally able to make his quill tap dance.
"Thanks a lot Lily, I couldn't have done it without you." James complemented.
Lily couldn't help but feel flattered. Plus one. As she left the library, with James taking a different route, she realized how much she enjoyed talking to him. She walked back to Gryffindor tower in a daze, going only by the habit that seven years of library to Gryffindor tower can build. She was met with the welcoming heat of the bonfire, and a letter waiting for her. Well, actually she was wrong. There were two letters.
Dear Lily,
How are you? How's you're holidays so far? And why haven't you written yet? Potter giving you any trouble? Black must be going crazy with the fact that there's no other girls (except you, but he wouldn't go after you) for him to spend time with.
Well, guess what? It would seem that Lupin's in Oakville for some reason, and Vera brought him home. Dad hates him, and Mum's not far behind. It seems that he's a werewolf, can you believe that? There was a huge row over it, and Dad demanded that Vera break it off. I really hope she
does, then everything can go back to normally. But I don't think she's even considering that. But then, I haven't seen her since, and that was what... a day ago? I think she's on the mountain somewhere, but I'm not looking.
Anyway, I'm going to the New Year's ball in Hogsmead, can you make it? Vera wanted to go with Lupin, but I don't think Dad'll let her. So I'll see you then, okay? And I want answers to the above questions!
Jane.
P.S. I really mean it about those questions!
The next one was from Vera.
Dear Lilsy,
And before you complain, I am going to keep calling you that! Guess what? Remus turned up over the holidays! Said his father's here for work. Oh, and please don't tell Jane that I'm writing to you, I'll explain.
(insert long explanation of why I'm not doing this because it will ruin the next chapter)
And so if you tell her it would ruin everything. By the way, I'm going to the New Year's ball with Remus,can you make it? Maybe James will ask you...
Look at me! How rude I've been! How are you Lilsy? Everything okay? Write me back, just tell Lightning to take it directly to me. And Jane and I will be going to Hogsmead tomorrow, to buy our dresses. Can you make it? Jane might have forgotten to mention it.
Vera
Lily stared at both letters, speechless. Remus was a werewolf? She had always suspected, but didn't dare ask. No one should have to go through that, how could he be cursed like that? It didn't seem like Vera planned on dumping him, and that was good. But how could Vera have --------? Doesn't she realize how --------- that is in these times? (I'm not telling you why some words are ------- because it would ruin the next chapie!)
Lily desperately wanted to know what made Vera break her promise, because if it made her see light, then it might do the same for Jane. But, respecting Vera's privacy as she wrote her reply, she couldn't ask. She would save that for the little heart to heart they had when Lily sees her again at Hogsmead.
After Lightning (now fully grown) had flown off, Lily returned to her thoughts about James. She needed a walk, so she decided to go and see Hagrid. He had helped her out of these situations before, he could help again.
So, she trekked down and knocked on his door, making Fang go wild. Only then did she remember that it was long after curfew, but at the moment she didn't care. She needed someone to talk to.
So, Lily went in and noticed with a raised eyebrow the two mugs on the table. When she asked Hagrid about this, he said it very strangely.
"Oh, well J-" he was cut off with an expression as if someone had just stomped on his foot "I jus' forgot to put tha' away from when James was 'ere earlier on today. 'ere." and with that he tossed the other mug into the sink.
"Sorry to come so late Hagrid, but I need someone to talk to" Lily asked, sitting down at the table.
"Rubbish Lily. You know yer always welcome here. Now what's on yer mind? Maybe a certain Potter?" Hagrid asked with a knowing smile.
Lily blushed. "How'd you know? It only happened a few hours ago."
Hagrid laughed. "Magic." he said with a laugh.
"Oh ha ha. I've said that joke to many times for it to be funny. Anyway, here I am, going down to the library, and low and behold, he's already there!" Lily exclaimed.
"An' is tha' a bad thing?"
"No, of course not. And here's the clincher- I'm starting to like him." Lily admitted, turning red. But her face whipped over to a corner by the fireplace as she heard something. It sounded like a muffled cheer, but she decided she was just hearing things.
"An' is tha' a bad thing?" Hagrid repeated.
"But that's the thing! I'm confused. I've never had a crush on someone before, and I don't know how to deal with it." Lily moaned, with her face buried in her hands to hide her blush. Hagrid chuckled.
"Well, think abou' it. You've never given him a shot, have ya? He could be a really nice guy. Now I haven' a clue why ye don' go on dates at all, an' I don' want ter know. This is somethin' you need to sort out with yerself. I'll help as much as I can, but not now. If yer this confused, then ye need som sleep. How 'bout tomorrow?" Hagrid said.
"I can't tomorrow. I'm meeting Jane and Vera to go dress shopping in Hogsmead, and knowing Jane's pickyness, we'll be there all day. The day after?" Lily said.
"All righ'. I'll see ye on Christmas Eve." Hagrid agreed. She left, and with a whirl of silver, James appeared near the fireplace.
"I don't think I've ever been so happy for quite a few years." James said, retrieving his cup from the sink.
--------------
Lily met up with the girls in Hogsmead, and noticed the fact that they were ignoring each other completely. This would be a long day.
They met up in the Three Broomsticks, and Jane left to get drinks. Lily confronted Vera.
"Listen V, I was doing a bit of research during the holidays so far, and I've found something of interest." Lily said, taking on of the books out of her bag. This was how she planned on seeing if Vera was Third,
without revealing her own identity. She had charmed a book that was from the RoR, about First, Second, and Third. But now, if it was read by anyone but First, Second and Third, it would read a different title. She handed the book to Vera. She watched as the spark appeared in her friend's eyes, and Vera looked up to meet Lily's.
Vera laughed. "Took you long enough!"
Lily smiled too. But they couldn't discuss any more, because Jane had come back with their drinks. Vera quickly stuffed the book away. Jane either didn't notice her sudden movement, or didn't care.
Probably the latter.
Now don't you start! I'm exhausted you know- I'm dealing with all of you! Lily's finally coming to her senses, James needs encouragement, you need to stop being so depressed, Remus needs to stop being depressed over you're family's disapproval of him, Sirius needs to convince Jane,
Jane needs to-
What was that?
Oh, nothing, nothing.
It was not! What were you about to say?
Sorry, got to go, James needs help. Bye!
grrrr...
Vera was driven back into the conscious world by the other girls getting up, ready to go shopping. Lily gave Vera the sort of look that said, 'we need to talk' and she agreed.
As they entered the dress store, Jane went off right away to a dress rack with several blue dresses on it. The other two girls giggled as they realized how much she liked the colour blue due to her powers as Second.
Vera stopped wandering at a rack with several gold dresses on it. This was convenient for Lily, as the green dresses were just across from the gold ones.
"So, V, how long have you known?" Lily asked. Vera instantly knew what she was referring to.
"Well, you know what the proph said," Vera responded. If anyone overheard them, they would think that they were talking about school. "I've known ever since I knew about myself. Dumbledore told me, I was allowed to know. Plus, I saw you're rings, or have you forgotten about them?" Vera said, holding up her hand. The leaf on her ring flashed in the light as Lily held up her ring to go with it.
"Oh my gosh Lily! Look at this!" Jane said, interrupting their conversation. The girls quickly whisked their rings out of the way. Luckily, Jane was focusing more on the dress in her hands.
"I'm no judge. Go try it on." Lily said, gesturing to the change rooms. Jane left in a hurry.
"Also, V, I've noticed you haven't been nearly as shy as you were before you started going out with Remus." Lily teased. Vera went red.
"Well, Remus showed me that I can't be shy if I want to get the things that matter in life," she said, and finally picked a dress out of the bunch, "oh I love this one! I'm going to go try it on!" and she left for
the change rooms.
Now, with no one to talk to, Lily was free to concentrate on how she was going to look. She ran over each dress's main fault in her mind as she flicked past it.
To small...to big... to prudish... not the right shade... to skimpy...
I don't think James will mind that one.
Oh ha ha! Forget it, I'm not wearing that one. To dark...to bulky...
You'll never find something that matches you're hair, eyes, the shoes you bought, and your style.
You may be all knowing in the way of feelings and stuff, but not clothes! I just found the perfect one!
grrr...
So, what have I done wrong this time? I've already made my decision, if James asks me to the dance, I'll go with him. What do you need to bug me about?
This has absolutely nothing to do with James. My only criticism for him is that you're not flirting enough, but that's beside the point. Jane needs help.
What do you mean?
She's having a tough time. Vera's not talking to her because of the incident, and you're her only understanding friend left. She's making the wrong decisions Lily, she needs help.
Who am I to tell her what to do?
Don't tell her, advise her. You know what she's doing, it was in Vera's letter. Sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better.
Fine. I'll try. But not 'till after the dance, I have too much to worry about.
Thank you.
But Lily broke off her conversation when she saw James and Sirius meet up with Remus, who had done the same as Jane and Vera, and met up with his friends. Those two had to know that Remus was a werewolf, they've lived with him for seven years, and they're not dumb.
Lily smiled, and checked off 'understanding' and 'a good friend' on her perfect boy list.
--------------
It was Christmas Eve! Lily called off her visit to Hagrid- she had sorted out her feelings. Besides, the Gryffindors were challenged with decorating their common room, which had not been done due to the dismal amount of children staying. There was a tree there, but it wasn't decorated. Lily noticed this, and decided to decorate it herself.
She had also decided to take Conscience up on it's idea to flirt more. She had a box of decorations at her feet, and was just stringing tinsel over the lower branches of the tree. (she couldn't reach the upper ones)
Then, James came in. He saw her try to put a bunch of tinsel on a higher branch, and trip on her own to feet in the process. Falling into even more tinsel.
Laughing, James helped her up. Lily was beat red, which made James' heart soar.
"You have tinsel in you're hair." James said, pulling a strand of said object from her head.
"I know! That's because I just fell into a pile of it!" Lily complained mockingly.
"Here." James said, and put a few strands of tinsel up on the higher branches, because he was much taller than her.
"Thanks. You want to finish it with me? I can't reach most of the higher places anyway." Lily asked, still red. James nodded, thrilled that she was asking to spend time with him. Maybe not as a date, but he was still alone with her.
So, when Sirius barged in an hour later, he heard laughter, and the chink of glass ornaments. He looked over with wide eyes to see James and Lily just unwrapping the large glass star from it's box. Lily tried to reach, but couldn't. Even James couldn't reach the top! So, being smart for once, Sirius decided to stand back and watch, while summoning his camera silently.
"Neither of us can reach it!" Lily complained, as she tried and failed for the third time to place the star on top. It didn't occur to either of the two that they could just use magic, they were having too much fun.
Blushing furiously, James said, "Well, if I picked you up, I'd bet you could reach it." he offered.
Lily blushed as well, but agreed. So, picking her up, she was just able to place the gold star on top. James let her down, but they were in a position that she was still in his arms afterwards.
Staring into her eyes, he bent his head forwards when -
FLASH! Sirius, laughing maniacally, had taken a picture of the almost couple. And BAM! Lily jumped away from James and fell into a large (and luckily empty) box. And BOOM! James was now hexing his friend, who had hidden the camera. That was the second time he ruined a perfect moment! Sirius would have trouble walking properly (jelly-legs) for a while.
James turned away from hexing Sirius, to the immense impressing of Lily, turned to make sure she was all right.
"You okay Lils?" he asked, not sure if he should help her up. She might think something like he doesn't think that she can look after himself, and be insulted. He was right.
"Fine. You did hex him, right?"
Laughing James pointed a wobbly Sirius, who was just about to dive for his camera again. To James' immense surprise, she laughed to.
--------------
Later on, James was ranting to Sirius in their dorm. He had lifted the hex before Sirius tried to use stairs, not wanting (much) to seriously hurt his friend.
"Argh! For once Padfoot, the next time you see Lily and I alone together, do me a favour and LEAVE!
"All right, all right, sheesh. Now come on Prongs, are you going to read Moony's letter?" Sirius said, indicating the letter they had received from the third member of their group the day before yesterday, but not bothered opening. They both leaned over it.
Dear Padfoot and Prongs,
Well, just as I had hoped, Vera was home. In fact, I met her parents today. (James and Sirius pale at this) They figured it out guys. I just got back home, I left as soon as they started criticizing me. I don't
know Vera's response, I haven't seen her since. Listen, when I get back to Hogsmead, I don't want to talk about it, okay?
See you soon,
Moony.
"Wow." Sirius said
"Poor Moony." James said.
"But then, why was he so cheerful at Hogsmead?" Sirius asked.
"Well, probably because... Vera didn't dump him!" James said, finally piecing it together.
Sirius just looked blank.
"He wrote this letter before he went to Hogsmead," James explained, "Vera must have told him later on that she doesn't care or something. Just like us."
--------------
Lily was wrapping the present she had got for James. It was a sort of miniature Quidditch stadium, and if you put a charm on an actual Quidditch pitch, it will show whatever is going on there, in case you can't go to a game.
She had sorted out her feelings, and decided that it was much easier if she had a diary. If her feelings were on paper, they were easier to 'translate'.
--------------
The next day was Christmas day. As part of decorating their tree, they had put all of their presents at the bottom of it. They had agreed to open them together.
"LILYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY" James called.
"LILYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY" Sirius called.
They continued to do this, until two silencing charms sped from Lily's room, and homed in on the boys. (remember, she's good at charms because of the First thing)
But James, anticipating this, blocked them, and then a bedraggled Lily appeared at the top of the stairs. Wrapping a robe around herself (she was only in a nightgown and she didn't like the way that James' eyes were practically attached to her body)
"It's too early." she complained. She looked half asleep. She had started down the stairs.
"This'll wake you up." Sirius said cheerfully, and stepped on the first stair.
Screaming, Lily fell down. James, who was at the base of the stairs, caught her. But Lily had no time for sentimentalities, she had a boy to kill.
"I'm going to kill you Black!" Lily shouted as she sped around the room, chasing you-know-who, with her wand raised threateningly.
So, after Lily had a few calming droughts, she was no longer trying to kill Sirius. So, the group opened their presents.
"Oh oh oh me first! Me first!" Sirius chanted until the other two gave in and let him go first. From Remus he got a book on hexes, curses, that sort of thing. From James he got a book which he wouldn't let Lily see the title of, and from Lily herself he got a pranking kit.
"Thanks Lily!" He said as he started leafing through '10 steps to the perfect prank'.
Next James opened his presents. He and Sirius goggled at the miniature stadium for some ten minutes, until James opened a book from Sirius and Remus. Both Lily and James blushed as Lily saw the title before he could get it away. "When to know the love of you're life doesn't hate you."
Then Lily opened her presents. From Sirius, she got a never-ending bag of sherbert balls. From Vera, she got something Vera made called 'fire powder' and from Jane she got a book called 'The Perfect Flirt" but the boys didn't get to see that one.
She recoiled slightly when the present from James moved. Sirius started snickering, and James blushed furiously. Deciding to give James the benefit of the doubt, she opened the lid.
And out came the cutest little kitten you've ever laid eyes on! It was mainly grey, but had a soft white belly. His paws were white as well, but other than that he was grey. The kitten jumped into her arms, and started licking her face furiously. Lily held him at arms' length, and patted his head. But that's when she found that something had been wrapped around the cat's neck, in the place of a collar.
She was just about to see what it was, when a loud 'OW!' brought her to her senses. Sirius was hopping up and down on one foot, while glaring at James, who was blushing faintly, but smiling innocently at Sirius, who hopped out of the room, with the obviously-quickly-made-up excuse of getting some ice.
She turned back to the kitten, who was pawing at her arm and meowing. For the moment, Lily got caught up in the cutie, that she forgot about the strange thing around it's neck. James was still glaring at where Sirius was taking extra long to get up to the dorm.
"I need to pick a name for you, don't I?" Lily cooed, and this seemed to bring James back to his senses.
James watched with a growing smile as she patted the kitten and tried to decide on a name. He had bought him for her at Hogsmead, and asked the pet store to have him delivered to Hogwarts on Christmas.
"How about...Amour?" Lily said. Little did James know, (magic born kids don't learn French.) that Amour means love.
But then, Lily remembered who gave her the kitten. She turned to James, with Amour clutched to her chest.
"Thank you, James." she said, sincerely.
"That's not all. Look around his collar." James said, blushing.
Lily complied, and when she looked at Amour's collar, her heart gave a great jolt. There was a gorgeous necklace there, with an oval emerald the size of her thumb nail, and had several small rubies circling it. There was a fine gold chain that looked to small for it.
Lily was speechless. "Wow, James, I... wow." she admired the gorgeous necklace.
"I just saw that in a store in Hogsmead, and I thought you'd like it." James said, smiling sheepishly.
"Could you put it on me?" Lily asked, holding the necklace out.
"Sure." James lifted her hair to place the chain around her neck. He noticed, as his fingers brushed her skin, that she shivered a little at his touch. The necklace clasped together, and James dropped his hands. But then, she turned around.
Again, James found himself lost in her green eyes. Instead of going back to his side, his left arm wrapped around her waist. His right hand tipped her chin up, and his left tightened around her waist, making no gap between them. He lowered his head, and Lily tilted her's up. And, finally, they kissed.
Lily's knees felt weak beneath her, so she felt lucky that James' arm was tight around her. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and James' hand moved to the back of her head, and he deepened the kiss.
Finally, they broke away for air purposes only.
"Lily?" James asked, slightly out of breath.
Lily answered in the same tone. "Yeah?"
"Will you go to the New Year's dance in Hogsmead with me?"
Lily smiled. "Yes, I will, James."
"FINALLY!"
Both Lily and James jumped apart at the very unwelcome voice. Sirius pranced down the stairs, he had obviously been listening in on their few sentences of actual conversation.
"I'm going to kill you Padfoot!"
"You're dead Sirius Black!"
Amour found this very amusing to watch his new mistress and the man who bought him for her, chase around someone else, who was screaming shrilly. He was just sitting there, wagging his little tail (awww! so cute)(I know I'm a sap and I'm proud of it) But then, he decided to join in on the chase, and hissed when the one called 'Sirius Black' came running his way.
Then, the portrait hole opened, and in stepped McGonnagle, to see the weirdest chase yet. And she had taught the Marauders. Lily and James, Head Boy and Head Girl, were chasing Sirius Black, (screaming shrilly like a girl) around the common room. Accompanied by a kitten, who was obviously having a grand time. When James and Lily took turns shouting threats of death to Mr. Black, she realized that all was well.
"Enough!" she called.
Everything stopped as if in mid air. But then, the kitten came over to her and sat down in front of her. She bent down, and gave the small kitten a few pats, much to the surprise of the Marauders.
"It may surprise you all to know that I have a special affinity with cats. Now, I have merely come to congratulate you on such a job well done on Gryffindor tower. I suggest that you head down to the Great Hall for breakfast, there are some owls waiting." and, once again, she left them all shell-shocked.
"Thanks, I guess." Lily said to the portrait door.
"Now, what were we doing just now?" James asked stupidly.
"Oh, uh, you two were just thanking me for you're presents!" Sirius said in a voice that would remind one of helium.
"Oh yeah, I remember." James said, turning to his best friend with an evil grin.
"Amour, sick 'em!"
Sirius would be going down to breakfast with several scratches.
--------------
The three headed down to the Great hall. James and Lily weren't holding hands, but they were standing close together. They also sat beside each other at the table, and Lily opened a parcel from her owl Aria. Amour had taken up residence on Lily's shoulder.
Lily opened the letter, and got the surprise of her life. It would seem that Aria had flown 'home' to make sure that Lily got a Christmas present.
Dear Lillia Lily,
I am truly sorry for the way you're father and I have treated you these past few years. I had no idea that we were neglecting you so, and I would truly wish that you would give us another chance. I'm also sorry about the fight at home, and you're father and I miss you. Please, we'll try to be more like we were before we got that promotion. Have a happy Christmas, Lily.
Mom
Lily felt tears gather in her eyes at her mother's letter. But they weren't sad teats, she was just so happy that her parents wanted to reconcile with her. And the language used by her mom in the letter showed that she really was trying to have things go back to the way that they were.
"What's wrong Lily?" James asked, seeing her tears.
"My parents are finally returning to the way they were." Lily said in a low voice, not wanting the curious looking Ravenclaws to ask.
"That's good." James said comfortingly.
"I'm going to go and write them back. I'll see you later." Lily said, as she returned to Gryffindor tower.
--------------
Rose Evans was at home. Yes, she, Rose Matilda Evans was at home, waiting anxiously for a reply from her daughter. She really did want to have her daughter back, both she and her husband didn't share the same views though. David Evans thought that it was best for her to be gone, after he got a face-full of 'dungbombs'.
But she would never get used to the way wizards send their mail. She nearly had a heart attack when her daughter's owl, Aria, pecked on her spotless window.
Getting out of her seat, she opened the window and the bird fluttered in. Aria dropped her letter and a package of something on the coffee table, and returned to her perch on the arm of the big armchair.
Rose felt hot tears in her eyes as she read her daughter's letter.
Dear Mom and Dad,
I'm glad you want to go back to the way things were. I really do. The package is you're Christmas present, but trust me, none of it is remotely dangerous. The candies have charms on them, like the 'chocolate frogs'. They are a favourite at school. Don't worry- they are not real frogs. They just have a charm so they act like them. There's another paper in the box, explaining each sweet's charm.
And I think I also owe you and Dad a bit of an apology. I shouldn't have been as wild as I was, but I just wanted you to see how little you knew you're own daughter. I thought, that maybe if you figured it out, things would go back to normally. How about I come home for the Easter Holidays? I normally don't get time off then, but I'm Head Girl this year, I think I could manage it. Happy Christmas!
Love, Lily.
(P.S. thanks for using my actual name!)
The letter was now tear-stained. Rose hugged it to her chest, so happy. David knew that she had sent Lily a letter, and knew what it was about. But David wasn't as keen as Rose was on going back to the way things were. When David got back from work, she showed him the letter. He grumbled something inaudible, and left the room. Of course, he was happy that she was Head Girl, that was something he could tell his coworkers.
Rose opened the box of candies, and shrieked in surprise. (Lily had gone off to Hogsmead quick after she had gotten her mom's letter) There were mice in it, sure they were in an extra box, so Rose quickly took off the extra piece of parchment on top.
Don't panic! These are peppermint mice, like moving breath mints. They act like mice, but they aren't. Try one, they're good!
So, trusting her daughter's opinion, she saved them for later. Then, she opened a package of these 'chocolate frogs' and screamed.
This sent David racing down the stairs. "What is the matter dear?"
Rose tried to calm down. "I-It's nothing. Just a kind of enchanted sweet Lily sent me was a little startling."
David left, and Rose started searching for the escaped chocolate frog.
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AHHHHH! that was looong! I lost count of how many days it took me to write! I better get a ton of good reviews! And I mean it, this chapter was looooooooooonng! it's something like 31 pages! Plus, I have to battle my brother over the computer. He now has a new one, but doesn't have a keyboard yet, so we fight over the one on my computer! REVIEW or else I will hunt you down! Muahahahaha! (sorry. hyper moment)
That was really long. i hope u all like this, i worked really hard on it. plz review and tell me how u like it! Cookies for everyone! I would have liked to have posted this chapter on Christmas, but it didn't go along with my schedule. So Merry Belated Christmas everyone!
Review! (now it says 32 pages, and 1230 lines)