Chapter 3 Hogsmead

Author: Laurahonest

Post Date: 7-14-06

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything relating to the Series. J.K. Rowling is just nice enough to let me play with her masterpiece.

Authors notes: Thank Bluejello for editing this with out her it would be full of errors.

The day of the Hogsmead trip dawned cold and crisp. It was supposed to snow that afternoon and Lily hoped that it would. She loved snow. When she was little Petunia used to come into her room and get her up to go play in the fresh snow. She always felt close to Petunia when she played in the snow. Lily woke up early and got ready quickly, then she ran outside and waited for the snow to fall. When it hadn't started to fall by the time breakfast was served in the Great Hall she gave up and went inside to eat. After breakfast she and the other seventh year Gryffindors met up in the entryway, ready to go to the village.

When they finally arrived they went straight to The Three Broomsticks for a butter beer to warm up with. As they sat there sipping their drinks they discussed their plans for the day. Lily and Alice still had to get their costumes for the New Year's Eve Masquerade ball. The Marauders wanted to go to Zonko's and Marlene and Lily wanted to go to the new bookshop.

When they were done with their drinks the girls and Frank left and went to Gladrags Wizardwear to see what they could find. Lily and Alice tried on various costumes and showed them to their audience. Lily made her decision first, then picked out costumes for her parents while Alice continued to try on costumes. When Alice finally chose they went to Honeydukes for candy for themselves and they got some as gifts as well. Lily got a bag of Pepper Imps for James, Acid Pops for Sirius, and some of the new Ice Mice for Remus. She had a harder time finding something silly for Peter and ended up getting him some Chocolate Frogs. After about a half an hour Lily dragged the others out of the store. Frank ran back in for a box of fudge for his parents and some Cockroach Clusters for his brother.

Next they went to Zonko's for a few practical joke gifts. Lily thought that a few dungbombs would be perfect for Sirius. Peter was going to get a Nose-biting Teacup. A quill charmed to write only insults about the writer would make Remus laugh. She decided not to get James anything from there. She had bigger plans for him. If only she knew what.

Marlene was ready to go to the bookshop, so that was their next destination. When they got there Lily saw a cage in the window, curious she paused to look closer. Inside the large cage were books. They were walking around and biting each other. The books were titled The Monster Book of Monsters. Lily walked over to the cage and realized that this would be perfect for James. Lily got a tranquilized copy of the new book for James. While wandering around the shop, Lily found a copy of the book that had saved her letter to the Potters, Proper Letters: a Guide to Formal Letter Writing and a book titled The Encyclopedia of Famous Witches and Wizards of the Last 20 Centuries. That would help Mum and Dad learn about the witch and wizard they were going to the ball dressed as.

After all of this they were cold and hungry, so they went back to The Three Broomsticks for lunch and another butter beer. When they walked in the others were still there so they went and joined them. "Still here?" questioned Lily sweetly. "I am surprised that Madam Rosemerta could put up with you for so long."

"We just got back," defended James.

"Then why are you still in the same seat we left you in?" Marlene challenged the four boys.

"The table was open and it has a good view," Sirius replied hotly.

"Would Madam Rosemerta back you your story if we asked her?" Lily asked impishly.

"Of course she would Lily, we are men of our word," said Remus.

"Or they have bought her silence," put in Alice.

"As Remus said, we are men of honor," offered Peter. "We wouldn't dream of bribing Madam Rosemerta."

"Not to mention that it would never work," laughed Madam Rosemerta as she came to take their orders. "What would you like to eat today, girls?"

All three girls ordered fish and chips. The boys all said that sounded great and ordered the same thing. James treated to a round of butter beers and they all sat there and chatted while they sipped their butter beers and waited for their food. When Madam Rosemerta brought their food the boys ate like they hadn't eaten in a week. The girls just laughed and ate their food at a much slower pace. When everyone was done and had paid for their food they all got up and left together. For the next hour or so they wandered aimlessly around the village. Alice suggested that they head back to the castle before it started snowing.

They had only made it about halfway back the snow started falling rapidly. Lily squealed when James dropped a handful of snow down her collar. She did a quick shrinking charm on her bags and zipped them into her pocket to keep them safe. Then she pulled on her mittens and grabbed some snow. James wasn't paying attention and her first snowball hit him right in the face. James grabbed another handful of snow and threw it at Lily. He missed spectacularly and hit Alice square in the chest. That was all it took for everyone to shrink their bags and grab handfuls of snow. They automatically broke off into teams of Marauders vs. the girls and Frank, because how could he throw snowballs at his fiancée, Alice? The snow flew fast and furious for about an hour. Then it started to get dark. Everyone decided to call it quits and head in for dinner.

They tromped in rosy-cheeked and snow-covered on their way to the dorms. Up in the dorms everyone undid the charms on their bags and changed into dry clothes. They all met in the commonroom on their way down to dinner and went together. After dinner Frank and Alice sat on a couch in the commonroom and made plans for their wedding. James challenged Lily to a game of Wizard's chess, while Remus and Marlene played chess on another set. Sirius and Peter tried out a new game they had gotten in the village that day called Exploding Snap. After their evening of games and more idle chatter they finally called it a night and went to bed. Tomorrow was Sunday and they had all put off their homework for the next week until then.

Authors Notes: This is mostly filler but I promise Christmas is coming soon. Review pleaseI can't tell if you like it if your don't review it.