Hi everyone :)
thank you all for reading! I hope you are all enjoying it so far :)
I would like to thank Kalingabop and Violet Belikova, for letting me know about some mistakes I had in the earlier chapters. I've gone and fixed them up. Also to 'Guest' who made a review - I'm glad you are loving it so far, and here is some more for you!
Please enjoy and review! I would love to hear some opinions. Their final year at Hogwarts is about to being!
- Black-lightningrunes-13 xx
~~~/~~~
Chapter 8:
It had been a couple of weeks since the incident in Diagon Alley. In the final week of holidays, before it was time to return to Hogwarts, Lily decided she would remain at home and spend some time with her family. Plus her parents didn't want her going out much at the moment. When she had returned home after her few days with Marlene and Alice, Lily still had all the scrapes and bruised, and she still had a slight limp. Naturally, her parents had freaked out. She remembered when she sat them and told them about what had happened as well as what was happening in the wizarding world.
It was the morning after Lily had returned home. She had slept in a bit, but both her parents had the day off work. When she slowly made her way to the kitchen she found both her parents eating breakfast. Heading straight to the coffee she said, "morning" through a yawn.
"Morning sweetheart,"
"Um so I think we should talk..." Lily begun.
"Oh, thank god," David sighed, "we thought we were going to have to ask you."
"No. This is important to know," she said as she sat down with them.
"The other day, there was an attack in Diagon Alley. That's where I was. My friends and I, we had to protect those around us so no one would get hurt. Especially the kids – we were at an ice cream parlour at the time. So we fought. That's why I'm like this. You know James? The annoying one I've told you about? Well his mum healed me a bit. Don't worry I'm fine! And I was okay! Just a scrape..." Lily took a breath. Her parents were just staring at her blankly.
"But why? Why did this happen?" David broke the silence.
Taking a breath, Lily answered her father, "There's a lot of bad stuff happening in my world at the moment. There is an evil man calling himself 'Lord Voldemort' who is gaining followers and doing some had things. Killing people and what not. It was his followers the other day. Death eaters they are called. Please don't worry about me. Okay? I'll be safe especially within the walls of school. But I'm telling you this because I need you to be careful. People like me, from magical families, they are being targeted, and I need you guys to be safe. The other day I had to fight. I had to stand by my friends and protect those around me. These people, what they are doing is wrong."
Hazel and David looked at each other. Hazel stood from her chair and gave Lily a hug, "Lils I am so proud of you. For standing up for what you believe in. We'll be careful but you must promise us that you'll be careful,"
"I promise mum."
Since that day, Lily had kept her parents updated on what was being shown in the daily prophet. She didn't want to worry them, but she thought that they needed to at least know a little bit of what was happening.
She sat on her sofa with a coffee in one had and had the novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, on her lap. When she had first read it, it had taken her a bit to get into it. But now she absolutely loved it. She was close to the end, at the part where Nancy had her meeting with Mr Brownlow and Rose Maylie, when an owl arrived at her window. Hopping up she went and opened the window for the tiny brown bird. Into her hand her Hogwarts letter was dropped. "Finally!" opening up the envelope she pulled out two different pieces of parchment. The one on top was her book list. She was glad she finally had it. She had been waiting to get all her textbooks so could begin reading them. She then swapped to the other piece of parchment "OH MY GOD!" she screamed as she read the letter.
Dear Miss Evans,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been made Head Girl. You have proven yourself that you are responsible and caring as both a student and prefect in the previous years.
Both Professor Dumbledore and I think you are a very bright and capable young witch. We have watched you grow into who you are today. For you are a loyal friend and will stand for what you believe in. These are only a couple of reasons to why we chose you.
As head girl you and the chosen head boy will be required to work together to make Hogwarts a better place. Together you will organize events, take charge of the prefects and work with Professor Dumbledore and myself.
Please head to the prefect carriage at the being of the trip to Hogwarts on the 1st of September. There you will meet your fellow prefects.
I look forward to working with you in this school year.
Yours sincerely,
Professor McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god," Lily kept repeating, "I got it! I can't believe I actually got it!
"What on earth are you going on about," Hazel asked sleepily walking down the stairs.
"MUM! I GOT HEAD GIRL!"
"Darling! That's fantastic! I knew you would!" Hazel exclaimed giving her daughter a massive hug, "I'm so proud of you! Just wait till we tell your father!"
"Tell me what?"
Lily and Hazel looked each other and smiled. Lily was bouncing up and down on the spot like an excited child.
"Dad! I got head girl!"
"Congratulations! Knew you could do it!"
"Hmm I wonder who the head boy is going to be. I hope it's Remus. He'll be the best choice," Lily pondered.
"It doesn't matter who it is, you'll work well with whoever," hazel told her.
"Thanks mum! Hey can I go to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Buy my books?"
"You can," Hazel replied hesitantly locking eyes with David.
Lily noticed this. She knew they were worried about what had happened the last time she was at Diagon Alley.
"I swear I'll be safe," she told them, "I will go straight to Flourish and Blotts and come straight home. It's all I need since I bought everything last time I was there."
They still weren't sure, but they knew that their daughter was going to need her books, but now they knew about the dangers thy were just really worried.
"Yeah, okay. But please just let me know when you are leaving," Hazel told Lily.
"Sure of course mum."
"What's going on?" Petunia asked as she came down the stairs.
"Your sister just got some great news!" David replied, "tell her Lils!"
Lily wasn't so sure she wanted to tell her. Hesitantly she said, "well... I got head girl at school..."
"Wow congratulations. You're the leader of more freaks."
"Petunia, that's not very nice.." Hazel told her softly.
"Don't worry about it mum. I expected nothing less," Lily said before turning and walking back into her room.
Her room at the moment was a mess. Clothes were all over the floor and different pieces of parchment from last years work lay around. She walked over to her desk to pin her head girl letter on her board. It was joining both still and moving photos of her and her friends and of ones when she and Petunia were little. She then placed her shopping list on top of a small piled so she wouldn't lose it before the next day.
On her desk were a few letters from her friends. They all wrote to each other constantly but there was one letter that she kept on her desk, still not sure about it.
Evans,
I know you're probably surprised to receive a letter from me, but it was at the request of my mum that I send this to you.
She would like to know how your wrist and leg are since the other day. Do they hurt at all? Are you able to walk on your leg now?
I didn't get to actually make sure you were okay. So, sorry about that. I was really worried about you. I also never got to say a proper thank you for casting that shield at one stage during the battle... So thank you.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of the break.
James.
The first part had been easy for Lily to reply to. She simply replied that she was doing much better, and although it still hurt she was able to walk around a bit more. She told James to pass on another thank you back to his mum. It was however that second part she couldn't figure out how to respond to. Where he said how worried he was. It was sweet, but she had no idea what to say! Thank you? That just sounded lame. Instead she ignored it. She did say your welcome for the shield. She remembered which moment it had been. She saw the spells heading straight for him. She was freaked out but she managed to yell for him to duck and cast protego.
He never wrote another letter after this, and Lily felt the tiniest bit of disappointment, when she didn't get a response. But she figured she shouldn't have accepted anything else.
~~~/~~~
James was running around his house. He slept in this morning and even though he had mainly packed the previous night there was still lots to do. Plus he wanted to be on the train early. He and Remus were planning on meeting in the prefects carriage before everyone else got there.
"Padfoot! Hurry up! We're going to be late!" he yelled.
"Calm down Prongs! We'll be on time!"
"But I'm meeting Moony early!"
"Boys both of you keep it down! And Sirius hurry up!" another voice yelled from the kitchen. It was Linda.
"Sorry!" they yelled back in unison.
James finished grabbing the last of his things and took the downstairs. As he walked into the kitchen Linda asked, "Are you all ready?"
"Yes mum. Just waiting on Sirius."
"I'm here," Sirius announced coming into the kitchen.
"Finally," James said exasperated.
"Oi, you just got down here yourself!"
"Boys stop it," Linda cut in before James could retaliate.
James just laughed, "Sorry mum. We're all good now," he said giving her a hug.
"Be good James, set a good example. I know you'll do well."
"Thanks mum, I'll miss you," James said moving aside to let Sirius say goodbye. Nathan had already left for work, saying good bye to the boys earlier.
"Sirius, you better behave. No breaking girls hearts or leading James astray. And write to me! Both of you! Did you send Max ahead?"
"Yup I did."
"Okay good, be good now boys."
"Bye mum."
The two disapparated as Linda said her goodbye.
~~~/~~~
Lily was excited. It was a new year - her last year, she was head girl and she would be seeing her friends again soon. She was early on the platform, but there were already plenty of others there. She moved through the building crowds.
"LLLIIIIILLLLYYY!"
The moment Lily turned at the sound of her voice, she was tackled to the ground by someone giving her a hug.
"Marlene! Hi! Was that really necessary?" Lily asked as she realised who it was lying on top of her.
"Yup!"
"But it hurt!"
Marlene just laughed, "You'll get over it. But anyway, CONGRATULATIONS! We all totally knew you would get head girl,"
"Thanks Mar. Do you know who head boy is?"
"Nah, I haven't heard. It would have to be Remus though,"
"I hope so! He's the only one I could stand. I have to live with whoever it is!
"Well its not me," a voice said from above them.
Looking up, Marlene and Lily saw Remus standing above them smiling down at them.
"Do I even want to know what the two of you are doing on the floor?" he asked.
"She tackled me!" lily exclaimed, "it really hurt.
Laughing, Remus put his hand out to offer them both a hand to get up. As he pulled Marlene up she asked, "so if you aren't head boy, who is?"
Flashing his eyes across to lily, with a straight face he said, I've got no idea,"
"hmm okay," Lily frowned.
"Don't worry about it Lily, I'm sure whoever it is you'll be fine working with them."
"Thanks Remus. Well do you want to go head to the carriage?"
"Yeah sure."
Lily gave Marlene a hug, "After the meeting I'll come find you guys later," she said before walking off.
Before following Lily, Remus smiled and said to Marlene, "head boy is James."
Walking away he could Marlene laughing behind him.
Remus ran a bit to catch up with Lily, "So how was your holidays?"
"Yeah alright, I'm guessing you heard about what happened?"
"Yeah I did. You okay now?" he ask her earnestly putting his arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah, I was off my leg for a few days. Plus it was pretty scary. I'm just glad everyone was okay on the end."
"Yeah, me too. It was weird just hearing about it all. I'm glad I wasn't there, but I wish I was. You know? Just to help you guys."
"Don't worry Remus. We were all fine in the end - Potter what are you doing here?"
Lily and Remus had just arrived at the prefect compartment and found that there was one other person already there. Sitting on one of the seats was James Potter. He was reading a piece of parchment. When they had walked in, James looked up and smiled, "Evans, Moony."
"Potter this is the prefects carriage. I repeat, what. Are. You. Doing. Here?"
"I'm head boy," James told her grinning.
"Ha yeah and I'm the Easter bunny."
"No seriously. I'm head boy. See look," putting his hand into his pocket he pulled out a small red and gold badge. Lily just stared at it shocked. Her mouth literally opened making a small 'o' shape.
"No way, is Dumbledore crazy?"
"I believe he is," Remus said from behind her.
She spun quickly, "you knew!" she accused him.
"Of course I knew. But it was so much more fun this way."
"And I thought you were my friend!"
"I am," he said smiling, "that is why I wanted it to be more fun!"
Lily sighed, "Whatever, just you wait. I'll get you back one day."
James coughed, "Uh Evans, hate to interrupt, but this is a letter for us from Dumbledore just to mention a few things at this meeting."
She took the letter from him, "Uh thanks."
She took a seat and began to read the letter. Near her Remus and James were catching up with each other. At this time others had begun walking in.
The few fifth years who had arrived were looking nervous and mainly stuck with their friends. James recognised the new 5th year Gryffindor prefects, Ian Bell and Christine Webb. Christine was a fellow member of the Gryffindor quidditch team, filling a chaser position. She smiled as she walked in, "Hey James! Did you get team captain? Are you head boy?"
"Hey Christine," he said smiling at the younger girl, "that would be a yes for both of those questions. You better be playing chaser again this year."
"Of course! With you as captain we've got this year in the bag."
It was 11 o'clock and the train had just left the station. Not all the students had arrived yet so those there were catching up with their friends.
James stood watching the prefects around him he still found it weird that he was made head boy. He was so shocked when he got his letter. It was usually a prefect who got the position. He remembered telling Sirius, who cracked up laughing.
Looking around the carriage he saw that Alice had arrived and was talking to Miranda Kent, the 6th year Gryffindor. The Slytherins stood in the corner, whispering and glaring at James but he didn't care. He was used to ignoring them and didn't care about their opinions. He then saw Remus and Lily who were in conversation with the 7th year Ravenclaw prefect Perrie Lynch.
Perrie was both small and quiet. Yet she was one of the kindest people in Hogwarts and loyal to her close friends. Her and Lily were good friends. They were very similar as took many of the same classes. Outside Alice and Marlene, Perrie was one of Lily's closest friends.
Just then, Snape walked into the carriage. Seeing James he hissed, "What is he doing here?"
"I'm head boy, Snivellus,"
Snape wasn't too pleased when he heard this, but before he could retort Lily cut in, "looks like everyone is here. Let's begin so we can all get back to our friends."
~~~/~~~
Other than the Slytherins making sly comments and being complete tools towards both James and Lily, the meeting with the prefects had gone relatively well.
Alice, James, Lily and Remus had gone and joined the others in a compartment. When Marlene and Sirius saw them, they both cracked up laughing. Lily's eyes narrowed, "What?"
Sirius and Marlene couldn't respond to her. As soon as she had spoken, their laughter increased. Peter answered for them, "They find it hilarious that you two have to work together all yeah, plus have to live together."
Lily's face blanked. It then dawned on her. She would be sharing a living space with only James. Shaking her head she smiled, not wanting to let the others know that it freaked her out a bit.
"I'm sure it won't be that bad," she told them, "as long as you, Sirius, don't do anything."
They all just stared at her. Did Lily Evans just say it wouldn't be too bad to live in close proximity to James Potter? It was Sirius who broke the silence, "What does that mean Lily-flower? Would I ever do anything to you?"
"Hmm I don't know Sirius, want me to start listing off things? Let's see, there was the exploding pumpkins, stealing my school books, dying my hair bla-"
"Okay, okay we get it," Sirius interrupted while the others laughed, "but that was Prongs as well!"
"Hey! Don't bring me into this!"
The corners of Lily's mouth lifted, "Oh I know it was. But I'm blaming you right now, since I do believe you said that you wouldn't do anything to me."
"Don't bother Sirius," Alice told him, "you're never going to win."
Sirius sat back in his seat. He gave Lily the evil eye, who laughed at him, and then turned out the window.
~~~/~~~
The rest of the trip went by fast. The eight of them squashed in the tiny compartment kept talking most of the trip.
James went quiet for a bit looking out the window. He however turned back when he felt movement against his legs. Lily who had been sitting on the floor near him, as there was barely any room on the seats, had moved closer to him and started using him as a pillow.
"You're really comfortable Potter," he heard her mumbling from below him. He smiled down at her, even though he knew she couldn't see him.
"Why thank you."
She shook her head at him and he knew she was rolling her eyes.
The others watched on this exchange in silence, smiling knowing that someday soon, Lily will finally give in to her feelings for James that she keeps denying.