Lavender always cleaned the house on a Friday. She went about hoovering the living room and then dusting it. Then cleaning the kitchen and mopping the floor, then cleaning the rooms.
She aired her room, changed the sheets and cleaning the en-suite. She then moved to Petunia's room and repeated the process, cleaning up all the clutter as well surrounding her room. She then walked down the corridor. She opened the last door on the right and peered inside.
Even in the two months that Lily had been away. She still changed the sheets. Purple, her favourite colour. She aired the room and sat down on Lily's bed. She sighed and looked round. She then ran her hand over the bed and thought of Lily. John always asked why she still cleaned this room.
"It's still routine for me!" Said Lavender as she fought back tears one time she was changing Lily's bed. "I've spent every Friday for the last twelve years cleaning this house!" She sniffed.
"I won't change it now Lily's gone away!"
"But Lavender, it's clearly upsetting you." Said John, He walked in and wrapped his arms round her waist and stroked her stomach.
"And you know I hate it when you cry." Lavender threw the bed sheet down.
"I miss her and I want her home." She said.
"Doing this though will only make you miss her more."
"Just let me have this!" she said turning in his arms. "She might not be here, but at the end of the day I'm still her Mother! If don't have that, then I might as well not get up in the morning!" she broke down into his arms. John stroked her hair soothingly.
"It's ok." He said, he kissed her hair and inhaled the strawberry scent deeply. "It'll all be ok."
Lavender plumped up Lily's pillows and arranged her side table. She went to remove some books, only to then realise that there weren't any. She quickly exited the room with burning tears and flew downstairs. She went into the kitchen and pulled out the folder with all the letters and pictures Lily had sent home over last two months. She flicked through them idly as she wiped away the tears from her face.
"Oh I just can't wait to have you home." She said.
The Marauders Proudly Present James Potter and Lily Evans In: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Fifteen
The Mudblood Murmur
Written By Chambers10
"Lily, you'll be fine." Said Dorcas, "Snape won't see you, and besides, you can say we twisted your arm."
"Ok, sounds plausible." Said Lily, suddenly she panicked. "What if he sees me with Potter?"
"What, you planning on holding his hand or something?" asked Dorcas.
"No." said Lily, "It's just that Sev doesn't like him."
"Let him deal with that." Said Dorcas, "Potter can look after himself." Lily nodded and looked down over to her right Where Potter was sitting with Black. They were in animated discussion about the match, making plays with their fingers and nodding at regular intervals. Lily looked round the stadium which was covered in gold and maroon banners, along with the white and silver of Slytherin.
"But what if."
"Lily, shut up, and enjoy the game." Said Dorcas. As she finished there was a deafening roar as the teams zoomed out onto the field. Lily looked down the lens of her camera and took some photos of the teams flying round the pitch. They took their formations round the pitch, eager with anticipation as he the balls were released.
Madam hooch walked into the middle of the pitch and threw the quaffle up in the air. Both chasers darted in.
The Gryffindor chaser was quickest to react and raced down and caught it. He had to twirl and dive upwards to avoid two Slytherin chasers, he raced off and laid the quaffle off to another chaser who sped towards the goal. He zigzagged his way past another Slytherin and passed the ball onto the other chaser who then laid it off for the other chaser.
The way they moved was mesmerising, the intricate plays, and the movement, so fluid and precise. Lily tried to keep an eye on the ball as it was passed between the chasers. They were being hit at with bludgers and other chasers.
The chaser caught it and took the shot. The quaffle soared into the hoop. The crowd erupted. Lily didn't know what happened but she stood up and cheered, she hugged Dorcas and clapped.
"Get in there." James roared. He and Sirius cheered.
"That had traits of you in that move." Said Sirius.
"Me and Wood have been going over those in practise." Said James, "I feel like a manager."
The chasers reformed quickly and chased after the Slytherin ones. One chaser punched the quaffle from the other chasers grasp and caught it with ease and raced off.
James scanned the pitch, the chaser within him looking at the possible options. Go wide to where his other chaser was situated. Play it to him then hang back for a shot and the bottom hoop.
Or to the other chaser in front of him then go out wide to the right and play it to the back hoop. Why the back hoop. Recently the Slytherin keeper had hurt his ribs trying to touch the trunk of the whomping willow. He winced every time he dives to the left.
The chaser threw it in front, then back out wide to the right. He threw it back to the back hoop where the chaser caught it and threw it at the hoop. It soared in. The chaser gave a fist pump as he went back for the restart, this time the keeper passed out wide to a chaser who flew down the wing.
The Gryffindor chaser sped after him and barged into him and took the quaffle, he passed it to the chaser who then laid it on for another chaser who then reversed passed back to another chaser. A bludger hit him in the back and he dropped the quaffle. The crowd groaned.
"Good hit." Said James looking through his binoculars. "Should have played it out wide." James scribbled down some notes. "Taking too long on the quaffle."
"It's only ten minutes in and you've written down six rolls of parchment." Said Sirius.
"You're taking this way too seriously." Added Remus.
"I'm making myself useful." Said James, "If I can't play at least I can ensure a victory." Sirius nodded and the group cheered as another goal went in.
One of the Gryffindor chasers was hit by a bludger. The crowd gave a collective ooh as he slumped, he then shook his head and sped off towards the Slytherin chaser who now had the quaffle. He weaved out the way of the bludger and went for the steal.
He missed narrowly and The Slytherin chaser took a shot at goal which was went in. It was the other half of the stadium that now roared in approval while the Gryffindor team moaned. The keeper and passed onto the chaser to start the . The Gryffindor chaser flew down the wing, he dodged a bludger and sped on, the other chasers were struggling to keep up. But he overshot the goal, he looked round and threw the quaffle to an oncoming chaser. He sped up and caught it ready for the shot. He took the shot and it soared in. He put both arms up and roared to the crowd, James high fived Sirius and Remus, they cheered and sat back down for the restart. It was all going to plan, Slytherin were already 30-10 down.
"So how are you finding it?" asked Dorcas.
"It's ok." Said Lily, "A bit one sided though."
"That's a good thing." Said Dorcas.
"Where's the excitement though." Asked Lily, "The tension, the edge of your seat action."
"You get games like that." Said Dorcas, "But I do like it when we stuff Slytherin."
The first 20 minutes of the game was all Gryffindor, they went 80-10 up and Slytherin couldn't do anything about Gryffindor's chasers. The chasers were running the show for them as Slytherin were not fast or skilful enough to cope with the movement or creativity. Lily could see the Slytherin captain was getting more and more frustrated with his chasers.
Lily saw him shouting and remonstrating at his players. Lily didn't think it was fair on them. They were all being outplayed. It reminded her of when her dad took her to see a football match. It was boring as hell. She huffed and wished she brought a book with her.
They shot off again. Doing the same thing over and over again. Getting that stupid ball and then scoring, what was the point. Who did it better. A Gryffindor chaser punched the ball from under his opposition arm. He grabbed it and zoomed of towards goal. Lily's eyes wandered over towards where Potter was sitting. His eyes were concentrating hard on the game as he took notes.
He showed them to Black who then made and amendment and explained his reasoning to him. Lily's eyes darted back to the pitch when a roar went up. She turned to see a chaser on the floor holding his elbow.
"What happened?" asked Lily.
"God Lily." Said Dorcas, "What have you been watching out for Mr Right? He got hit by a bludger, nasty little blighters." Dorcas looked over and winced. "Not the worse I've ever seen."
"What is?" asked Lily curiously. Dorcas pointed over to Potter.
"I saw him dislocate his shoulder playing Quidditch." Said Dorcas, "Nasty thing." Lily nodded and went back to the match. It was boring. Really it was. Lily spent most of her time with her head resting in her palm as she watched the game pass her by.
There was a collective gasp which woke Lily from her slumber. One of the players had descended into a barrel dive and suddenly swooped up clutching something in his hand. Everyone around her was cheering and shouting. She didn't know what had gone on.
"We won Lily!" shouted Dorcas. "We won!"
"Did we?" asked Lily, not really knowing or caring what was going on. Dorcas shook her head and smiled.
"Clearly Quidditch isn't your thing!" said Dorcas.
Lily and Dorcas were chatting about the game as they made their way up towards the castle with the other students. Dorcas was talking about the game while Lily nodded, think about the book she couldn't wait to read.
"Lily." The voice had a constricted tone to it. She turned to see Sev with Gibbs, Mulciber and Avery. Severus's eyes had a judgmental look about it.
"I thought you weren't coming." He said.
"Ah…"
"I twisted her arm." Said Dorcas, threading an arm through Lily's. "She wasn't coming, but I convinced her since she's never seen a match before."
"I was going to take you." Said Sev.
"It was a spur of the moment thing." Said Lily weakly. "We can go to the next one."
"I wouldn't trust her Mate." Said Avery, his eyes making Lily shiver and uncomfortable. He looked over her like she was a piece of meat.
"Who knows where her lies will lead you."
"I'm not a liar!" said Lily finding her voice.
"Just go Avery." Said Dorcas, "You're just sore because you lost."
"Am not Meadows." Said Avery, "Just thought better of you, you know hanging out with filth like this."
Lily didn't know why, but Dorcas unhooked her arms and stood quite close to Avery.
"I don't like your tone." She said quietly. "Maybe I should get Potter to smack the other eye so you're symmetrical."
"He doesn't scare me." Said Avery, "So I'll say it outright." Lily could feel a crowd behind her watching them, with baited breath. She didn't know what was happening, was there something wrong with her?
"I thought you better than hanging out with…a mudblood." It all happened so fast, Lily didn't know what really happened until it was all over.
There was shouting, a lot of shouting, people couldn't believe what had been said, gasping and shouting at Avery. Then…she saw a messy crop of black hair sweep past her, with one fail movement. He then brought his fist back, and then…
KRAKK
Avery fell to the ground as Potter stood over him. Lily was stood in a daze. What just happened, was she hurt? Had she been insulted? What has going on? Potter then turned to Dorcas and said something. Dorcas then took Lily by the arm and dragged her away. Lily was still in a trance as they made their way to towards the castle.
They walked into the entrance hall and sat down. Lily still hadn't said anything.
"Lily?" said Dorcas, "Lily, speak to me."
"What just happened?" asked Lily. "I don't understand." Dorcas nodded and rubbed her shoulders soothingly.
"Was I insulted?" Dorcas went to speak and stopped herself. She tried again but was stopped by a loud bang. Lily looked up to see Professor McGonagall sweeping in, with Potter behind her.
"Ah Miss Evans, Miss Meadows, you will come with me. Now."
The trio followed her through the corridors before they got to her office. Lily looked over at Potter who cradled his hand which was bloodied and bruised.
"Did you do it?" asked Dorcas.
"Unfortunately he's still breathing." Said James. "Low lives."
"Don't worry, I Have your back." Said Dorcas. They nodded between each other.
"You ok Evans?" asked Potter, Lily nodded.
"She doesn't really know what's happened." Said Dorcas.
"She soon will." Said Potter as they approached the office. McGonagall ushered them all inside. Lily sat down in a chair with Potter and Dorcas flanking her. McGonagall, sat down and looked at all three of them.
"Miss Evans I'm must apologise for this." Said McGonagall. "Rest assured that Mister Avery will be punished severely for his outburst."
"He already has." Said Potter.
"And don't think you've got off Scott free Potter." Said McGonagall.
"Uhm, Professor," Interjected Dorcas.
"Lily doesn't know what really happened." Said Dorcas "She doesn't know what a…" Dorcas swallowed thickly, "Mudblood is." She finished with a broken voice. That word again, Mudblood. Lily looked to Potter and then Dorcas, and then back to McGonagall.
"Ok Miss Meadows." She said. She sighed and looked at Lily.
"What is that word." Asked Lily, "Mudblood?"
"It means dirty blood." Said Potter.
"Potter!" said McGonagall sternly,.
"What, she has to learn sometime," said Potter, "You see it's a, derogative term for a witch or wizard who's muggle born." He sighed, "Someone with non-magic parents." He bowed his head.
"Someone like you." Lily froze.
"Some wizards don't like muggle wizards." Said Dorcas, "And that term is there way of saying there better than you because there what's called purebloods."
"That's horrible." Said Lily quietly.
"It's disgusting." Said Potter angrily. "I should have hit him harder."
"You shouldn't have hit him at all Potter." Said McGonagall. She sighed again.
"Miss Evans I can only apologise for what has happened; this must come as a bit of a shock." Lily just sat there in stunned silence.
"Sev said it wouldn't matter that is was muggle born." Said Lily, her voice teetering on the verge of tears. "He said it would be alright, he said it would be different." The tears then streamed down her face. She buried her face into her hands. She felt Dorcas hug her, it was slightly comforting.
"Then he wasn't completely honest with you then." Said Potter. "Not that he would be." Dorcas shot a warning look at him.
"But he said." Potter kneeled down next her.
"Listen, not every pureblood is like that." He said gently, "Me and Dorcas are purebloods. And were your friends Evans." Lily looked over at Dorcas who nodded encouragement.
"And besides, you're the best witch in our year." Said Potter with a grin. Lily smiled tearfully. "Obviously not as good as me, that's why I said witch."
"Ok, let's deflate your head a bit." Joked Dorcas, "But seriously, James is right Lily. Not everyone is like that, the majority of people like muggle-borns. It would take something drastic for that perception to change."
"You have good friends there." Said Professor McGonagall. "Now, Potter, there is the small matter of your punishment." He groaned. "Less of that, now firstly I want you to apologise."
"I am not apologising to Avery." Said Potter flatly. "HE can choke on the teeth I knocked out."
"No, Potter, not to him, not yet anyway." He went to protest but was silenced by McGonagall placing her hand up.
"You will apologise to Miss Evans for making a spectacle of her and embarrassing her in public like that. Taking the situation into your own hands like that. Leaping without looking like that, there was no need for you to get involved like that."
Potter swallowed and looked over at Lily. "I'm sorry for embarrassing you Evans. It'll never happen again." Lily nodded.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Now, your other punishment, you will clean the trophy cabinet by hand." He groaned again, "Without, Magic." Said McGonagall, talking over his moaning like it wasn't there. "You can owl your father for advice, I believe it was one he got assigned a lot if memory serves me correct." She rose up from the chair.
"I will take Potter to the hospital wing were he can get his hand fixed and apologise to Avery." Potter pulled a face which made Lily smile.
"Miss Meadows, you will escort Miss Evans to the common room." Dorcas nodded. Lily watched as Potter and McGonagall walked out, well, Potter stalked out. It was only Lily and Dorcas left in the room now.
"You feeling ok?" asked Dorcas. Lily didn't say anything, her eyes focusing into space and unresponsive.
"Lily."
"Sev said everything was going to be alright." She said.
"I hate to say this Lily, but why would Snape lie to you if he likes you so much? Asked Dorcas.
"That's what I want to find out." Said Lily. She looked over at Dorcas.
"OW! Not good." Said James, as his hand snapped into place.
"It was a bad break, it was always going to hurt." Said Madam Pomfrey. "But nothing compared to what you place Avery through."
"Hope you didn't give him any pain killers OW!"
"Less of your cheek." She said bandaging his hand up, "You've done the hard part and apologised to him."
"He didn't deserve it." said James.
"You can't play judge and Jury."
"I prefer to be executioner." Said James. He clenched his hand and winced.
"It should be better in a couple of days." She said placing her things away. "You may go."
"Pleasure." Said James, as he walked out. Sirius and Remus where waiting for him.
"You ok?" asked Sirius.
"Fine." Said James clenching his fist.
"You need to keep a low profile." Said Remus.
"Why, what's wrong?" asked James. They walked away from the hospital wing, down the corridor.
"Words spread about you hitting Avery." Said Remus.
"Do they know why?"
"Of course they do." Said Sirius. "Avery didn't exactly keep his insult quiet did he."
"Yeah, all they think you acted nobly." Said Remus as they walked up towards the common room. "Evans's knight in shining armour."
"Have you seen her at all?" James nodded.
"In McGonagall's Office." He said, "Straight afterwards, she was shaken but alright, why? Have you seen here about?"
"Apparently she's going to ask you out." Said Sirius.
"What? As if I'd say yes." said James, "She's nice but…no." he finished shaking his head. The common room came into sight. The fat lady greeted them, her gaze turned to James.
"I heard what happened Potter." She said sternly. "I thought you just this arrogant toerag with an ego problem."
"You're not the first to say that." Said Sirius.
"But…in light of recent events, I have misjudged you. Well done." She opened the door and they walked in. He was greeted by a large cheer, the entire house had been waiting for him. He was grabbed and had various people he knew and didn't know shaking his hand and patting him on the shoulder.
"Well done Potter."
"Showed that arsehole whose boss." Said another.
"Heard he's got no front teeth now."
"That dick had it coming to him."
"Wish I could have done it."
"What did it feel like to hit him?"
James found himself ushered with the Quidditch team who were patting him on the back and ruffling his hair.
"You couldn't bear not to have the spotlight on you." Shouted Wood over the noise. James laughed and was instantly thrust a butterbeer that he gratefully drank.
"Where's Evans?"
"Yeah, she should thank him."
"No, she doesn't." said James, "
"Oh come on Potter." Said Wood. "You never know, my might get a 'reward' if you catch my meaning."
"I don't think she's like that." Said James.
"And you would know? Come on! What about that Leanne Fredricks? She was nice mate, you scored well there." He said gulping down a drink that was suspiciously like fire whiskey.
"She doesn't need to reward me." Said James, "I can't stay long, I need to go clean the trophy room." Wood nodded.
"With Flitch, without Magic."
"Tough break mate, Hey you got those notes I asked you to make." James pulled the game notes from his bag and handed them over to Wood. He glanced over the pages and nodded.
"The one thing I love about you Potter, bar the fact you a good flyer, is your love of Quidditch."
"Thanks." Said James.
"Uhm, go, go, I'm sure they'll be plenty more people to congratulate you." James went of the find Sirius and Remus who were sitting on the sofa. James flopped down next to them, but was instantly being mobbed by people asking him what had happened.
"Is it true he said it."
"Did you really hit him till he was black and blue?"
"No it didn't happen like that. He kicked him first and then punched him." James sighed. He wondered if Evans had to put up with this.
"Dorcas!" Dorcas turned her head.
"Where's Evans?" asked James.
"In her room. Trying to avoid all the attention." Said Dorcas. She then walked up the stairs. Presumably to talk to her. James looked at the clock. Time for his detention.
"See you guys later." Sirius nodded and Remus waved him goodbye as he strode out. He winced as he clenched his fist.
"Leanne's going to love this."
Lily was curled up on her bed in the foetal position. The tears had stopped now, really they had a long time ago. But what had happened today had really stung her. Was she an outcast here as well? What if they taunted her for the rest of her life with that world. She only heard of it today, and it was as if it was burned now into her consciousness.
Mudblood.
Mud-blood.
Muddy blood.
Dirty blood.
Dirty.
Unclean.
Unsavoury.
Undesirable.
Petunia was right, of course she was right. Of course they wouldn't take kindly to muggles encroaching on their territory. She had no right to be here. She was lucky, that was all, just…plain dumb luck. It could have been Petunia coming, or the neither. She would have gone to Cokeworth High with all the other girls.
With Wendy, she would be bullied for being different. Then again, if she hadn't shown traces of magic, would she of made friends with people. Probably not. The boys were scared of her because she was smart, no boy likes a girl who's smarter than they are. And the girl, Well Wendy had always said they were jealous of her looks. That it was her fault Kobe never really talked to her. Lily didn't think she was good looking, she never wore make up, dressed modestly, and was kind to everyone.
What if people thought the same now? What if Dorcas, Isabel, Mary and Marlene were all jealous of her? What if they all fell out? Having to see the same person everyday while being angry with them, or having the boys finds out that you're too smart for them and they give you a wide berth.
Lily's head hurt now with this negative train of thought. She sat up and looked out across her room. Everyone was downstairs enjoying the party, there was a particular loud cheer and animated chanting and discussion. Maybe Potter was back from the hospital wing, and they were now basking in his glory. Should she show?
There was a rumour saying that she was going to ask him out. She wasn't, she never asked Potter to get involved, he didn't deserve any acclaim for his actions. Maybe he did it because it was deep down the right thing to do. Lily brought her knees to her chest and waited for a while. The door creaked open and Dorcas peered round.
"Hey Lily, do you want to come downstairs, they have cake?"
"I do like cake." Said Lily, she sighed, the more she thought about it, the more she should really say thank you to Potter for protecting her. But not in public, it was something she wanted to do it in private, just the two of them.
"No thanks. Listen…do you know where Potter is, I need to talk to him."
"He's doing his detention in the trophy room." said Dorcas, "He'll be back in a few hours." Could she wait? Not really, it was that or dwell of home in her bed. Maybe Potter might cheer her up so that was always something.
She got up and made for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"To talk to Potter." She said,
"Let me come with you."
"No, it's fine." Said Lily, "It's only Potter." She walked out the door and made her way downstairs.
"He can't be that much of a pain surely."
After fighting her way through the common and out to the hallway where she bumped into a few couples kissing. She finally found the trophy room. She pushed the door open and saw Potter polishing a big silver cup.
"Jesus you just checked on me." He looked up and saw her. His face changed to a questioning gaze.
"Now I didn't expect you." He said going back.
"Who's been coming?" asked Lily.
"Slytherin's mostly, trying to knock my block off." Lily looked appalled.
"They would do that?"
"There Slytherin's Evans." He said grinning, "There's no depth they'll sink to. So, what brings you here." He continued to polish the cup. He placed it down and picked up another one and began to polish it to.
"Oh right, Uhm." I came here to say thank you." Potter looked back at her.
"You very welcome Evans." He said going back to the trophy.
"I mean…I've never had a man fight for my honour before." James placed the cup down.
"Never?" asked Potter.
"No." said Lily fighting back a smile. "No one's really stood up for me before."
"That is hard to believe." Said Potter.
"Why?"
"I thought a pretty girl like you would have all the guys lining up to be a guardian to you." Said Potter. Lily laughed.
"No, no. Boys never paid me much attention." Said Lily. "All the boys in my class where afraid of me."
"Afraid?" said Potter surprised, "What about? Did you use magic on them?"
"No, not like that." Said Lily with a soft smile prying on her lips. "They were scared of me because I was smarter than most of them." James laughed.
"Most?"
"Well…all of them." said Lily. She started to laugh and was pleased to hear Potter joining in with her. He sighed heavily and went back to the trophy.
"And now you have me to contend with." Said Potter.
"I'm not worried, I'll win."
"Confident much." Said James. Lily looked down to hide her smile. She then looked up seriously at him.
"Why did you do it?" asked Lily.
"Punch him?" Lily nodded.
"Look Evans, I don't need you to billiterate me about this, ok. I have plenty of other people who know me better to do that." It had come out a little more judgemental than she liked. Maybe she was looking to expose Potter for something. Maybe make him see that Sev wasn't that bad.
"I did what I did because I thought it was right." Said Potter, "No one deserves to be called that. You have as much right to be here as anyone else."
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Said Potter, as though it was obvious.
"Who knows what people might achieve if they stopping looking at what's different, and concentrate on what's the same."
He placed the cup down and picked up a new one. He looked up at Lily who was just staring at him. Potter went back to polishing.
"So, you looking forward to Christmas?" he asked. The question snapped Lily back to reality. She went to speak but then closed her mouth again, looking like a fish.
"Why do you ask?" she said defensively.
"Well since you haven't left I thought you wanted to chat." Said Potter. "Am I wrong?"
"Well…no." she said more timidly.
"So I ask again. Are you looking forward to Christmas?"
"Well, yeah." She said, "I'm going to see my family, what about you?"
"Same." Said Potter.
"What. See your family?" asked Lily.
"Yeah, not unless they're sent on a mission." said Potter.
"A mission?" Said Lily confused. "What do they do?"
"There Auror's." said James, "So they can go away for months at a time."
"Must be hard." Said Lily sitting on the floor. "Not seeing them that often."
"I've gotten used to it." said Potter, "Some things you just can't change."
"I couldn't imagine not seeing my parents." Said Lily. "Here's been a real wake up call." Potter placed the cup down.
"Have you written to them at all?" asked Potter. "If you miss them so much."
"I didn't say I miss them." said Lily.
"You didn't need to." Said Potter. "It's written all over your face." Lily tried to hide her face. He couldn't tell just by looking, it was impossible, he…must of found out from someone. But she hadn't told anyone.
"Insomnia while staring in front of pieces of parchment. Not opening letters in public, negative body language and remaining distant from everyone."
Lily looked up and scowled.
"I talk to Dorcas as well." Said Potter. Lily glared.
"She's you're friend." Said Potter, "You should really open up to her."
"I never really had a girl friend." Said Lily. "The girls in my class never got along with me."
"So you were friends with boys then." Said Potter.
"Well…not exactly." He finally looked up and smiled kindly at her. He placed the cup and polish down and walked over to Lily. He sat down opposite her and rested his elbows on his knees. She looked up, Potter was smiling, but had a probing look on his face.
"So…what does that make Snape?" asked Potter.
"He didn't go to my school." Said Lily, "I meant no school friends." Potter nodded.
"You seem to know Black and Dorcas quite well." Said Lily.
"Known them since I was small." Said Potter, "Dorcas since birth, and Sirius for as long as I can remember."
"Since birth?"
"Her birthday is the day after mine." Said Potter, "Mums where in the same ward at St Mungo's." Lily laughed, Potter looked on with a confused look.
"Mungo's." said Lily, "You must be joking." She laughed again.
"No, it's true." Said Potter.
"I don't doubt it." said Lily calming down. "There are some weird names here."
"Weird to you." Corrected James.
"Yeah…" said Lily, there was a noticeable difference in her disposition. Her playful demeanour was now cold and reclusive. "Weird to me."
"I didn't mean like-"
"No, no you didn't." said Lily. She looked over at the trophies.
"I need to speak to them." said Lily, what was the point of lying. Seemed like Potter could read her expressions like a book. "I really miss home."
"So do I." said Potter, Lily raised an eyebrow. "Hey, I might not see my parents but I do miss home."
"I miss home to." Said Lily. "I miss cooking with my mum, I miss, god I can't believe I'm going to saying this, I miss arguing with my sister, I miss trying to play football with my dad." Lily paused again.
"I miss my mum kissing me goodnight…knowing she's going to be there in the morning." Potter almost looked as though he was living the dream. He shook his head and seemed to get his head back in the game.
"I'd go see someone about It." said Potter.
"Like who." Said Lily with a breathless laugh. "No one will care, they'll say, man up and you're going home soon."
"People will give you help if you ask for It." said Potter, "Go to McGonagall and tell her."
"What can she do?" said Lily dismissively.
"If don't ask you'll never know." Said Potter.
"Potter!" he turned to see Filtch standing in the door way for the room.
"Get back to work." He said throwing more polish at him. "And you," he said pointing at Lily. "I don't who you are, but leave the degenerate to it." Potter grinned at her, she smiled to and they both got to their feet.
"See you back at the common room later." Said Potter. Lily smiled politely and waved at him. "And go see McGonagall." Said Potter, "You know where her office is."
"Back to work Potter, you can speak to your girlfriend later." Said Filtch.
"I'm not-"
"She's not my girlfriend." Said James. He grinned as Lily made her way out of the room. She closed the door behind her and got her bearings. Potter was right, what could hurt by asking.
Lily knocked on the door. After what seemed like an eternity the door opened. Professor McGonagall stood in front of Lily. She looked down with a questioning gaze.
"Miss Evans." She said looking round, making sure she was alone. She then looked back at Lily.
"What can I do for you?" she asked. Lily swallowed thickly, she was supposed to be a Gryffindor, brave, courageous, fearless.
"I want to go home." Whispered Lily. McGonagall's features softened, she nodded and stood aside and welcomed her inside. Lily walked in and was hit by the warmth of the fire. She was led to the chair she was on only hours earlier, she sat down and McGonagall pulled a chair closer to her.
"How long have you felt this way?" asked McGonagall.
"Since I got here really." Said Lily, her hands were in-between her knees and squeezed them tightly. "I just miss home."
"Have you written to them?"
"Yes." said Lily. "But it's just not enough." McGonagall nodded.
"Well, you're not the first, and you will not be the last to feel homesick here." She said with a kindness Lily never thought she had. "This is why we keep this here for such an occasion." She got up and walked to her desk. She opened the draw and pulled out a telephone. Lily's breath hitched.
"I know it's not the same as seeing them." she said placing it on the desk. "But it's the next best thing. I trust you know your number."
Lily walked over slowly. She picked up the receiver and put her number in. She held the receiver to her ear and listened as the phone dialled out. Then ringing. And again. And again. Where they ever going to pick up?
"Hello?" After wandering about this moment, Lily didn't know what to say. What could she say? All the things she thought of where now gone.
"Hello?" Her mother's voice was so soothing and comforting. Like home, so much like home. Tears started to fall down her face, she still couldn't speak, she just wanted to listen to her voice.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" McGonagall, who had remained quiet until this point gently took the receiver out of her hand.
"Hello Mrs Evans, this is Professor McGonagall." She said.
"Is everything ok?" asked Lavender from the other end of the phone, "Is Lily alright?"
"She's fine, she's just fine." Said McGonagall. "But she's feeling a little homesick."
"Oh no."
"In fact, it was her on the phone just a few minutes ago. She was too happy to hear you to speak." There was a pause from the other end.
"Please put her on." McGonagall handed Lily the phone. Lily gingerly took the phone.
"Lily, Lily sweetheart. Lily its ok, mama's here." Lily breathed deeply, tears still stinging her face.
"Lily, please speak to me." Said Lavender.
"I want to come home mum." Said Lily. There was another pause.
"…no, Lily." Said Lavender. "No, you don't."
"Mum, I miss you so much." Said Lily, "You, dad, Tuney, I need to see you. I want you to hug me."
"Lily…you are just starting out, you need to give it time. So you can adjust."
"Don't you want me home?" asked Lily.
"Of course I want you home." Said Lavender. "More than anything. But if you let this opportunity slip, you will regret it for the rest of your life. And that is worth more to me than anything Lily."
"But mum—"
"Lily. Listen to me." Said Lavender, "I was glad you went to Hogwarts…simply because there was nothing left for you here. You were always meant to fly away."
"Mum."
"Please Lily." Lavender sniffed over the phone, "It's taking me everything I have not to cave in and bring you home. But this is good for you."
"I can't do it." said Lily shaking her head.
"Yes Lily. Yes you can. Surely there must be something or someone worth staying for?" Lily thought for a moment, of all the things she'd experienced since she'd been here, there was one thing that stood out above all others.
"Well…there is this boy." Lily looked up to see she was alone in the room, she swallowed thickly.
"A boy?" said Lavender. "Well come on young lady, don't keep the details to yourself." Lily curled up in the chair she was sitting in. "What's he like?"
"Like no one I've ever met." Said Lily watching the flames. "He's smart, adventurous and…" Lily could feel the blush creep into her cheeks.
"Good looking?" finished Lavender.
"Yeah." She whispered. "I like being round him."
"Have you told him?"
"What? No mum, no." said Lily, "I don't think he really notices me anyway."
"Is he worth staying for?" asked Lavender.
"Maybe…"