Lily and her friends sat with the Marauders at breakfast that day. Lily sat comfortably next to James and ate pancakes. She, as well as everyone on the Gryffindor table, listened intently to Sirius, who was inaccurately rambling on about the event that occurred the night before and that morning.
"Oh, it was truly brilliant! With Lily's wit, Remus' smarts, James'… whatever and my deviously good looks and charm, we were able to escape the magical creatures in the Forbidden Forrest, whilst making a fool out of the Slytherin gang, and make it back safely!" Sirius cheered. The sixth year girls sighed and looked at him with bemused eyes.
"Wow, Sirius, that's amazing," one girl whispered. Sirius smiled cheekily.
"Well, I am amazing, aren't I?" he said. Lily watched as Sirius sent a quick glance to Dorcas. Lily saw the look in his eyes. He was in love, whether he knew it or not. Lily giggled. James nudged her, causing Lily to stumble a bit.
She turned to face James, but couldn't help laughing as a bit of his porridge was stuck on the side of his lip. James gave her a questioning look. The look only made Lily's smile grow wider. Her face inched closer to James'.
"You have porridge on your mouth," she said. James' cheeks went red as he tried to wipe it off, but he did not know where it was. Lily laughed. She closed the gap between them and kissed James. When she parted, James, as well as the rest of the Great Hall, were looking at her. Lily shrugged off the glances and continued to eat the pancakes. She glanced up at James.
"There, all gone," she smiled. James smiled at her before kissing her on the lips. Lily did not protest. She liked James a lot. She didn't want to run away from him. All Lily wanted to do was stop and let James into her love life. The two just stared at each other after the kiss.
"Oi! Potter, Evans, get a room!" a Scottish lady called. Lily smiled and turned to one of her favourite teachers, Professor Pond. Lily smiled at the fiery red-headed Scottish teacher, who many had compared Lily to.
Professor Pond smiled at Lily, then looked to her husband and fellow teacher, Professor Williams. The two were both young, only in their thirties, and along with Professor Pond's childhood friend, Professor Song, the three were referred to as the Ponds. No one really knew why. It all started with a strange man that was known as The Doctor. Between the three teachers, the supposed 'Doctor', and Dumbledore, something was up with them. But no one cared. The three teachers were brilliant, some of the best they ever had.
With Professor Rory Williams as their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, many students had improved so much, learning more in a month than they used to in a year. Professor River Song was their Ancient Runes teacher. With her curly hair, red lipstick and cleavage that could pack an ox, many of the older boys had taken up Ancient Runes, and many had been disposed of quite quickly. In Professor Song's books, if you can't keep up, you can't stay. Lily and Remus appreciated that rule, unlike many of the disheartened boys.
And Professor Pond? Well, she was something of a substitute teacher. Usually taking over classes for some teachers who were sick, or on leave. But when there were no teachers in need of filling, she usually dropped by either Professor Song's or her husband's classes.
The three mysterious Professors had arrived out of the blue. They came from America, New York City, in fact. Dumbledore and 'The Doctor' had a meeting about the two. Dumbledore hired them both and soon after, Professor Song had arrived. Lily remembered the reunion of Song and the Ponds. It was emotional and heart-warming. When the three hugged, they looked like a family. Williams was quite protective of Song, acting like a father. Pond had also acted like a parental figure; like Song's mother. And Song was no better. Though she was wise and looked the same age, she acted as if she were the daughter of the Ponds. But all the students had grown accustomed to the wacky behavior.
James was bright red, and never before in the history of his life, was he utterly speechless and completely unguarded. Sirius laughed and Remus' eyes fell to the ground.
"Mate, you owe me 3 galleons!" Sirius exclaimed with great pride. Lily shook her head and laughed, while James still sat in his seat with a bemused twinkle in his eyes.
He was snapped out of his daze in a matter of seconds.
"Lily, do you want to go out with me?" he asked. Lily looked towards him and gave him a sly smile.
"Next week sound good?"
The whole school was buzzing with excitement. All of them either happy for James, envious of James or jealous of Lily.
"That damn Potter! What the hell was Lily thinking when she said yes to his proposal!" Severus Snape growled. He felt angry, no, furious. Mulciber rolled his eyes.
"Honestly, Sev, you've been in Evan's good books for more than 6 years until you stuffed it up last year! But before that, you didn't even think of asking her out!" Mulciber drawled. Snape scowled. It was true. Snape loved Lily from the moment she said 'Hello', and not once did he have enough courage to ask her out. But not everyone could be James Frickin' Potter with his suaveness, arrogance and persistence.
Snape ran his long fingers through his greasy hair. His damn greasy hair. Snape let out another growl of frustration and punched the dungeon wall. Mulciber let out a groan.
"Honstly, Sev, if you continue to punch the walls, you're hands are going to bleed. And you and I both know I suck at Healing Spells." Snape bit his lip to the point where he could taste blood. He would get Lily Evans back. He had to be the one Lily was with. He didn't care how many people he had to step on to get the girl, but he sure as hell would get her.
"Alright class, find a partner and sit with them." Professor Williams said as he walked into the classroom. Sirius snickered as Williams walked past. His hair was disheveled and he had lipstick on the corner of his mouth and on his neck.
"Oh, Pond, why were you late, may I ask?" Sirius asked with fake innocence. Williams shot him a dangerous glare.
"And why would you want to know?" Sirius looked up and placed his hand on his heart and masked his face with mock surprise.
"Sir, you being late has disrupted my learning!"
The whole class laughed. No one believed that Sirius cared about learning, and half of them doubted whether Sirius did learn.
"I hardly think you learn, Black." Williams sighed. James patted Sirius on the back.
"Pond's got you there, mate." James said as he patted Sirius on the back.
"Why does everyone call me Pond? Amy and I are married, so we should be the Williams!" Williams asked. Lily laughed.
"Professor, you are one of our favourite teachers, so please don't take this to heart, but Professor Pond wears the pants in the family," Lily said. The class laughed and Williams waved it off.
"Fine, fine, fine. Anyway, let's get back on track! Find a partner!" Williams called. The Gryffindors and Slytherins mingled around to form one group. Many pairs were formed. Sirius sauntered over to his usual partner, James, but was quite shocked to find James with a partner already next to him.
Lily was laughing with James as Sirius approached. A tiny bit jealousy flickered in him, but it was over ruled by hurt and abandonment. His best friend had chosen the love of his life over his own brother. Sure, Sirius knew how much being Lily's partner meant to James, but it still hurt.
"Jamesy boy?" Sirius whimpered. He felt his eyes grow wide and watery, his lips forming into a pout and a small puppy whimper leak out of him. James gave Sirius a half-hearted grin.
"Mate, I'm sorry, it's just-" Sirius held up his hand to stop James from talking. Sirius shook his head, his black curly hair flicking across his face.
"Save it, Prongs. I know when I'm not wanted," Sirius backed up slowly, his eyes still focused on James. James had the same expression as Sirius; sad, lonely, as if his other half was gone. Lily stared at the scene with confusion. She had no idea what was going on. She glanced to Remus who was next to her. Remus shook his head, his eyes on the floor.
"All the bloody time," she heard Remus mutter. Remus popped his head up. And walked to Sirius' still retreating form. Remus grabbed his forearm.
"Come on, Padfoot. You're with me," he said dully. Sirius scrunched his face, his free arm reaching out to James.
"I miss you!" Sirius cried. James sunk to the floor. He pounded on his heart. His eyes scrunched and he held out a hand longingly in Sirius and Remus' direction.
"I miss you too! I'll find you! I promise!" James cried back.
"Oh, stop being so dramatic!" Williams said as he flipped through a book.
The class sat in their pairs, spread across the class. Sirius was on the opposite side of the class as James. The two making eye contact and refusing to look away. The two seemed to be having their own conversation. Remus and Lily locked eyes. Lily sent him a question glance, to which he replied with a shrug along with rolling eyes. Remus' eyes scanned the room.
Dorcas was with Marlene; Mary was with Claire Brown; Peter was with Sarah and Snape was with Mulciber. Remus saw Snape starring daggers into James' head. Remus looked once again at Lily, who was trying to get James' attention.
"Okay class, today we will be revisiting the magic and frightening creatures that is, the Boggart!" The class groaned.
Williams looked pleased, and despite the protests, continued. "Today, in your pairs, you will face a Boggart that will combine your two fears together. You and your partner will have to help each other overcome this fear! Remember, Riddikulus!" Williams turned to his draws and opened it.
"Oh, and watch your back, it could be anywhere." An evil smirk played on his lips. Williams opened the draw. Wind gushed out of it, and then there was silence. Students were looking around, trying to see if there fear was anywhere.
Remus felt his palms begin to sweat. He knew what he would see; a full moon. He knew all too well of the hatred and fear that came with the symbol. Remus felt a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm here for you, mate. Promise," Sirius said with true sincerity. Remus nodded at the taller boy. A scream broke out. Everyone turned and found a Slytherin girl backing up against a wall, many little rats chasing after her. Another scream broke out, this time a male.
Clark McLaggen was holding a Slytherin girl on front of him as a large porcelain doll with button eyes slowly made its way to him. More screams broke out across the room. Snakes, spiders, clowns, even butterflies were everywhere. Remus looked at Sirius. Neither of the two had seen their worst fear yet.
"LILY!" James screamed. Sirius and Remus turned to see James. Lily was in his arms. James was hysterical. He was rocking a pale and lifeless Lily in his arms. Tears were escaping from his eyes.
"SIRIUS! REMUS!" James' pained cries filled the room. At that moment, everyone's fear had disappeared, and the Boggart had taken focus on James. Remus looked around the room. Where was Lily? She could help him. Remus turned to Sirius. The look on his face was worse than James'. Sirius looked like he was in his own world. Tears slid down Sirius' face. He slumped to the ground.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He whimpered. Remus looked around. Nothing was there, and then Remus released. This was both Sirius' and James' worse fear. Sirius, not being their to help James, being completely helpless. And for James, a dead Lily.
"Potter! You idiot! I'm alive!" Lily cried. James turned to the crowd. Lily was bright red and teary eyed. Her own fear was there. Lying on the ground was James, Marlene, Dorcas, Mary and a child, a baby boy.
James' expression softened. "Lily," he whispered. Lily stormed closer to James and fake Lily. She pulled out her wand.
"Ridikulus!" she screamed. The dead Lily turned into a balloon and floated to the ceiling. As the balloon floated to the ceiling, Williams stepped into view.
"Accio Boggart." He said clearly. The Boggart zoomed into a bag. Williams looked to the class.
"Well, that was quite depressing! Everyone, back to your seat with your partners then turn to page 394. Read the passage on werewolves. I expect silence, while I figure out some paper work."