Be Here Now
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: I was hit by writer's block. Sorry for the late(r) update!
iluvhedwing4ever: Got to wait for two more reviews! :D And THANK YOU so much, reviews mean SO MUCH to me!
OliWest: Ha-ha I write to please. ;) I feel bad too, but my characters are real to me. Lol! Thank you! I know, I'm so glad that I got a positive response. I need one more review, actually. :D
Neogirl31: Calling me a Muggle won't help, dear. Lol!
Eclare LJ and Percabeeth: Don't feel stupid. But we'll get around to that later. Ha-ha I aim to please. ;)
Here's chapter twenty-three!
x.o.x.o.x.
Charles unrolls the scroll and scans it. He pales. "Here," he says, tossing the scroll to James.
James straightens and walks over to his friends.
Everyone gasps at the first look. The ink looks like blood, but upon a closer look, it's just red ink.
Potters-
You filthy blood traitors! You must know that you have to agree with the Dark Lord, or else we, his most faithful servants, shall go out and destroy all that connects with you. Consider yourselves lucky that we were unfortunately ignorant about the Ministry Ball; we were worried about the wellbeing of our wonderful master. Be grateful we did not come. But right now we are out hunting your precious little girl: Isabel Potter. As you can see, we have completely destroyed your home. Take that as punishment, and more shall be coming your way if you are not careful.
-Your Enemies
"Oh Merlin," sighs Dorcas.
Natalia gathers herself back together and straightens. "I want you eight to go to your rooms (Frank to Alice's, Dorcas to Remus') and pack your trunks. Gather as much of your belongings as possible, and repair as many as possible. Have your wand out at all times to make sure that you are armed against any lingering attackers. Be back down here in ten minutes. Using magic, that should be plenty of time. Charles, you stay here at the manor and supervise the packing. I'll go get Izzy and thank Greta."
The teenagers and her husband obey immediately, and Natalia turns on the spot.
x.o.x.o.x.
Lily stands in the middle of her wrecked guest room. Thankfully, she had learned, since going to live in the alley, to put a protection charm on every single one of her possessions, so none of them were destroyed. After all, Charms was her second best subject. Waving her wand, her things pack themselves neatly into her trunk.
"Wingardium Leviosa," she whispers, levitating the trunk. With one last look at the most fancy room she had ever inhabited, she walks back downstairs.
x.o.x.o.x.
Hilary and Alice had taken Lily's advice for the charm, but of course theirs weren't as strong. Some of their stuff was ruined, but with a quick Reparo, they were fixed. So the four girls (Dorcas had left Remus) waited in the destroyed foyer for the Marauders and Frank, who had gone to assist.
Hilary sighs, looking around. "My childhood home is destroyed."
Lily goes over and hugs Hilary. "I understand. But you'll get through this. We're all here to help you."
Alice gets a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Especially Sirius…"
Hilary cracks a smile and hits Alice playfully on the arm. "Alice!"
The guys return with Charles.
"I've talked to Professor Dumbledore. You are going to Hogwarts. Natalia, Isabel, and I are going to France to Potter Manor there," Charles tells them.
"How are we getting there?" James inquires.
"Portkey. Directly into Dumbledore's office."
Charles produces a broken picture frame, no doubt the work of the Death Eaters.
"Take care, all of you. It was a pleasure meeting the ones I hadn't before. Be careful this term. Enjoy it. James, Hils, we'll be here for your graduation. Try keeping the letters to a minimum. Goodbye. Three… two… one…"
x.o.x.o.x.
The eight students stumble into Hogwarts. Dumbledore is waiting.
"Mr. Potter, Miss Potter, I am terribly sorry for the destruction of Potter Manor," Dumbledore says softly.
Hilary manages a smile. "It is alright, Professor."
"Thank you for allowing us to return early, sir," adds James.
"Of course. My students' safety is first my mind," Dumbledore replies. "You will be getting off to your dormitories now?"
"Yes, of course. Thank you again, sir," Lily says.
"You are very welcome, Miss Evans."
Lily leads the way out.
x.o.x.o.x.
The others go back to Gryffindor Tower while Lily and James head for the Head Common Room. The night slips by uneventfully, but none of them can sleep. Morning creeps up on them, and all eight of the people from the night before are wide awake.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Lily glances up. An owl, carrying the Daily Prophet, is at the window. Her gaze slides to James, who shrugs and stands, walking over. He pets and pays the owl after grabbing the newspaper. His eyes glide over the paper and he pales. Walking over, he silently tosses the paper to Lily.
DEATH EATER ATTACKS ON MINISTRY OFFICIALS' HOMES
Last night was the seventy-second annual Ministry Christmas Ball, attended by a wide range of talented and high-ranking Ministry officials. Many of the best Aurors were expecting a large attack, but they were wrong. However, when they returned home, they found their homes completely destroyed. One of the greatest losses was for Mr. and Mrs. Charles Potter, who have three children. Half the roof caved in and they have evacuated to a secret place. Many others were at loss for words and a home. The Ministry has put up several shelters for such people until they can find a new home. Several lives were also lost, and notes were left at each location. They looked to be written in blood, but it was truly red ink. Our thoughts go with you, and the best of luck.
Lily, outraged, throws the paper onto the ground. "People are rendered homeless, and all they say is our thoughts go with you?"
"The Ministry is full of nutters," mutters James.
"That's for sure," Lily says darkly. "Wanting to make people believe that they are always right. Do they want a revolution or something?"
James shakes his head. "They know that it won't happen. We're already fighting one war; we don't need another to worry about."
Lily nods slowly. "Good point." She gets up. "Breakfast in the Great Hall or just here?"
James shrugs. "I think here would be good. I don't feel like facing anyone just yet."
Lily smiles softly. "I know exactly how you feel. I'll take the passageway to the kitchens and get breakfast. Be glad your parents are alive and well."
She disappears down the passage, leaving James, who stares after her.
x.o.x.o.x.
"Couldn't we just skip breakfast?" whines Hilary, her eyes heavy.
"Good plan, actually. I just couldn't face the school. Maybe one of us could go to the kitchens," suggests Remus, staring out the window.
Alice stands. "I'll go. Be right back."
x.o.x.o.x.
The portrait from the Head Common Room swings open at the same time the one from the public corridors does. Lily glances over curiously, and then cries, "Allie!"
She rushes over and embraces her best friend.
Alice hugs her back. "How was your night?"
Lily pulls back and bites her lip. "Terrible. James and I just sat there in awkward silence for the whole time."
Alice nods. "Yeah, we were like that too. The Gryffindor common room wasn't empty at any time last night."
Lily smiles sadly and calls, "Alda?"
One of the house-elves scurries over. In her time at Hogwarts, Lily had especially warmed to this elf.
"What can Alda do for Miss Lily and Miss Alice, Miss?" Alda squeaks eagerly.
"Could we have a spot of breakfast, please, Alda? I'd like two servings and Alice would like… five servings."
"Of course, Miss Lily, Alda will be pleased to get breakfast for Misses! Do Miss Lily have any specific orders?" Alda asks.
Lily glances at Alice. "For my five servings, I just want scrambled eggs and sausage, please, Alda."
"Right away, Miss Alice! And what can Alda do for you, Miss Lily?"
Lily pauses. "For one of my servings, I would like two sunny-side up eggs, three slices of toast, a jar of strawberry jam, and four sausages please, Alda. For my second serving, please put three scrambled eggs, two sausages, a slice of toast, marmalade, and two slices of garlic bread. Thank you!"
Alda makes mental note of the seven servings. "Drinks, Miss Lily and Miss Alice?"
"Five orange juices, please, Alda," Alice says, smiling.
"One tall glass of pumpkin juice and one tall glass of apple juice please, Alda."
"Alda will be right back, Misses!" squeaks Alda, scurrying away.
x.o.x.o.x.
Lily carries the plates perfectly down the passageway after bidding Alice goodbye. She kicks the door open with her foot.
"Breakfast," she sings.
James looks up. His head had been in his hands. "Thanks, Evans."
Lily raises an eyebrow while setting his plate in front of him. "Back to the good old surnames, are we?"
James shrugs. "Sorry, Lily."
Lily smiles softly. "It's okay. I was just teasing."
James stares at his plate. "How in Merlin did you know my favorite breakfast foods?"
Lily laughs. "I observe, James."
James shrugs, smiling, and digs in.
Lily doesn't touch her food. "You know, James, whenever you need someone to talk to, you can always come to me."
A miracle happened. James Potter stopped eating. Lily gapes.
"What?" James asks.
"You just stopped eating!" Lily gasps.
James shrugs. "About your offer…" He stops.
"Yes…?" Lily prompts.
"Thank you. I truly appreciate it. Especially coming from you…"
Lily shifts uncomfortably. "That's what friends are for," she answers quietly.
"Then I am glad that I am able to call you a friend."
At this, Lily smiles widely and begins eating.
x.o.x.o.x.
James, wearing his Quidditch robes, rounds the corner.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Potter," sneers an oily voice.
James doesn't turn. He continues walking.
"Too afraid to fight alone, Potter?" Severus Snape smirks.
James ignores him and continues walking.
"So… so cowardly of you," Snape sneers.
James halts, but doesn't make a move to retrieve his wand or turn around. "We Gryffindors are known for our bravery, courage, and nerve. You Slytherins, however, would do anything to get your way." He pauses. "As Lord Voldemort has shown countless times."
Severus raises his wand. "How cowardly of you to mention that, Potter. Just stalling for time, aren't you? Well, your mates aren't going to come save you. After all, they don't care about you. Just your money."
James whips around angrily, but Snape is too fast.
"Sectumsempra!" he yells, and traces his wand in wild paths, reaching for any place he could reach.
James's hand slackens on the broom, and it falls with a thud as its owner collapses on the ground, blood seeping from his wounds and staining his uniform.
Severus Snape looks coldly down at him, and makes to walk away.
"Stop."
Only that voice would ever make his stop in his tracks. Lily Evans had arrived at the scene.
"I was waiting behind that pillar the whole time, Snape, and I saw that James made no move to hex, curse, or jinx you." Then she bursts into tears, the tears streaming from her beautiful green eyes and she falls. She falls to her knees next to James and whips out her wand. She sobs uncontrollably as she tries to heal his wounds, but she stops. She is too scared that she would fatally wound him.
"You're falling for him, Lily! You swore up and down that you would never go out with Potter! And here you are, crying over his dying body! Come join the Dark Lord with me, Lily, and we can both be safe from the evil approaching. Come join so that we can live a united, happy life together. Please, Lily," begs Snape.
Lily ignores him, using her wand to write a message in thin air. Then it whooshes away. Seconds later, Sirius arrives on the scene with Remus. They growl at the sight of Snape, and then gasp as they rush to their best mate's body. Lily moves aside and rises unsteadily.
"I swore that when he was an arrogant, immature, spoiled prat, Snape. Why in the name of Merlin's left sock would I join Voldemort? He and his Death Eaters" – she spits the name with contempt – "are responsible for hundreds, if not thousands of innocent deaths each and every week! I would rather die than leave the side that is fighting for what is right. I don't love you, Severus. I never did. I never did in a way more than friendship, but you ruined that, didn't you?" Lily glares at him straight in the eye. Black to green. And then she breaks the contact, turning back to the Marauders. "Is he okay?"
Both Sirius and Remus are pale. "We need to get him to Madam Pomfrey now, but we're too afraid to move him," Remus explains weakly.
Lily writes again in thin air with her wand, and Professor McGonagall comes quickly. Snape had disappeared, but no one paid it mind.
"Oh Merlin. What happened to Mr. Potter?" gasps McGonagall.
"I think explanations for later, Professor, and the hospital wing now," Lily says frantically.
McGonagall nods feverishly and conjures a stretcher. She levitates the Head Boy and Quidditch Captain onto it gently and carefully.
x.o.x.o.x.
Lily bites her nails, a habit she had never had before. Sirius paces back and forth, gazing at the ceiling. Remus sits stone still on the ground, head in between his knees.
Madam Pomfrey enters the corridor. Lily pulls her nails out. Sirius freezes. Remus jumps up.
"Mr. Potter is in grave condition."
x.o.x.o.x.
A/N: Oh my Merlin! Snape! 3 reviews as usual (total of 70)! Thanks, and I hope you enjoyed that! Too much drama? Until chapter twenty-four…
~TrueLoveIs4ever