Chapter Forty One: Tears and Sorrow
I dragged my scarlet drapes open the next morning and yawned. Wincing as my feet touched the cold stone floor; I grabbed my white towel and entered the bathroom.
I turned on the water and sighed as I pulled off my pyjamas. Stepping under the hot water, I hissed softly as it hit my bare back. After spending about seven minutes in there, I turned off the water flow and stepped out. Wrapping my body in the towel, I headed back to the main bedroom. Anne-Marie, a girl from my dorm, threw herself past me and slammed the bathroom door, locking it behind her.
"What's with her?" I asked the whole room in general.
Belle shrugged and carried on plaiting her ebony hair. Cassie didn't even look up from her book. I took this all in my stride and wandered over to my bed. Odd. I thought to myself. I'm sure I opened these curtains. Shrugging, I swept them back and began to tie them. Then I noticed my bed had been made and a single white lily lay on my pillow.
"Uh, guys?" I said, not turning round.
Belle peered over my shoulder and gasped. Cass appeared at my side and grinned inanely. I turned to look at them and smile, but Bella's shaking hand stopped me. The lily was multiplying. Soon, a dozen lilies lay on my bed. A note appeared in a puff of white smoke. I picked it up and fingered its edges tenderly.
I flipped it open and gaped.
I was going to make them multiply to the number of times you're on my mind in one minute, but I realised that you mightn't have enough vases for a million lilies.
With all my heart and soul,
James.
X
Cass began giggle, till I pushed her away and sat on my bed, pulling the drapes closed and picking up the nearest lily. I held it to my nose and smiled. I jumped up and began to pull on my uniform and robes. Breakfast started in 2 minutes and I wanted to be there to see him.
"I'm going to breakfast." I called as I shut the dormitory door behind me. I had tucked the note in my pocket.
Then I realised I still had the lily in my hand. Shrugging, I carried on down to the Great Hall.
I was the first Gryffindor. Ignoring the strange looks I was receiving, I sat in my usual place and began to butter a piece of toast.
Soon after, the Marauders arrived. They stood for a moment, posing in the doorway, and then they made a beeline for me. Not that I was looking or anything.
"Alright Lils?" Sirius asked, clapping me on the back.
I mock-glared and growled; "Don't call me Lils."
Just then, Cass and Bella arrived and slid into the seats on my right.
"Why'd you bring the lily?" Cassie asked, chewing on a piece of bacon.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." I scorned.
"Yes Mother." She quipped sarcastically.
"Don't back-chat me young lady!" I grinned suddenly. I couldn't help it.
"So you got them?" A voice asked from behind me. I turned slowly in my chair and smiled slightly up at the boy infront of me.
"Yes. They're beautiful, thanks." I replied softly.
"Nothing's as beautiful as you, Lily." He said, just as softly. He took me hand and kissed it lightly. Then he turned and sat back down with his friends.
I sat, bemused.
"Are you going after him?" Bella asked, nudging me slightly.
"Yeah, I think I will." I rose and meandered over. Tapping James on the shoulder, my stomach began to tie itself in knots.
He turned to face me and looked up questioningly.
"I… I just wanted to give you this." I bent down and kissed his lips softly.
As I walked away, I heard Sirius give a trademark bark-like laugh and Remus congratulated James.
"Did she just kiss me?" He asked.
"Yep." Sirius replied, punching the air with his fist.
"YES!!!!" James cried. He ran over to me and lifted me out of my seat. He swung me around and laughed happily at my out-raged expression.
"JAMES HAROLD POTTER! PUT ME DOWN!" I yelped helplessly.
Suddenly, the post arrived. I stared in wonder at the beautiful hues of colours. The most unusual was the smoky grey Ministry owl. It was headed my way. I smiled at it and removed the roll of parchment.
Dear Miss Lily Marie Evans,
I am very sorry to be the one to bear this terrible news, but your mother, Rosalyn Helena Evans was subject to a vicious attack on Muggles. She died yesterday evening, at 10:47pm.
Again, I offer my condolences.
Yours sincerely,
Artemis Perk,
Department of Muggle Deaths and Attacks,
Ministry of Magic.
"No." I whispered. James' grip on my waist tightened as he read over my shoulder.
"Lily…" He began.
I wrenched my body from his arms and ran. Ran as fast as I physically could. Ran away from all the pain and the fear and the hurt. I ended up down by the Lake. I sat on the edge, hugging my knees to my chest. Only then did I cry. And cry I did. The tears ran down my cheeks in rivers, causing my light coat of mascara to run and leave dirty grey marks on my face. The wind whipped my wet skin and it stung. The salt of my tears was driven into my pores by the breeze and my eyes watered again. Why? Why did they take my perfect, wonderful, loving mother? Why her? What had she ever done wrong? What had she ever done that credited Voldemort with the right to wipe her life away? To take her away from me? To take her away from all those people who hadn't even seen her yet? And all those people who hadn't been lucky enough to have her shed her glowing sense of life over them?
I heard footsteps behind me. I spun around and there stood James. I glared at him suddenly.
"You! You said she would be fine!" I cried. Collapsing again into unbidden sobs, I covered my heads with my arms and pressed my nose into my knees.
James sat down beside me and wrapped his arms around me. I desperately clung to him, trying to make sure he wasn't taken from me too. My mind whirled with memories, of Mum tying my hair into pigtails on my first day of Primary school, to the day of Dad's funeral when I finally realised Mum wasn't as strong as she liked to think, to the day on the platform as we left for sixth year. The last time I ever saw her. I wasn't going to go home for Christmas because Mum was going on a Caribbean cruise and I didn't feel like staying with Petunia for two weeks.
I was suddenly very conscious of the closeness of our bodies. I buried my head further into his chest and my body heaved with the last of my tears.
Again, sorry for the wait.
Will two chapters in the same day make it up to you all?
Poor Lily, she's only been back for two days!
I'm a nasty writer!
LOL
M
xxx