Yecheon Airfield: South Korea 02:34am Local Time
"It's too quiet." Said Alec. He zoomed in on the security guards patrolling the perimeter of the Airfield. This was where the smugglers based their operations, smuggling all sorts out of Korea to unknown locations and then smuggling the return over towards the north.
The patrol man went to his wooden hut and sat down.
"Is quiet bad?"
"This smuggling ring has been on the FBI's most wanted list, there flying to Europe, America, other ports in South East Asia. And yet I haven't seen a single flight leave here in two days. Alec lowered his binoculars. "Something isn't right."
"Potter, your tasked with watching their comings and goings not search and siege." Said Parks from the other end of the line.
"Something tells me they've already been sieged." Said Alec. "I'm going in."
"Potter!" Alec cut the line and checked his equipment. He ran further down the tree line that shielded the front of the air field till he got to the wooden hut. Alec looked around to make sure no vehicles were coming in and made his move. He ran out of the tree line and ran to the wooden hut and slammed into it. He could hear the guard getting up from his seat. Alec smashed his fist through the hut, and grabbed the guard. He pulled him back and smacked him against the wall, knocking him out.
Alec pulled his fist out and walked inside. He picked up a clipboard and looked down the list of companies that owned hangers. It was a list of deliveries that each hanger was expecting. This was mostly used for mail, one company exported to the whole country. But one company hadn't been receiving shipments for a few days.
Yun-Suk-Young Holdings Limited.
"Now why aren't you doing anything." Asked Alec. He flipped a few pages back to last week and saw that they were having ten or eleven shipments a day. Alec placed it down and walked out of the hut and looked across the airfield to the hanger that the company owned.
Alec's long black coat billowed in the wind as he walked across the airfield which the company logo sprayed across the side of the hanger. Alec got the sick feeling he was on to something bad. He pulled his wand out and walked further towards the hanger door that was firmly shut. Alec looked down the side and saw a side door. Perfect, he wouldn't arouse suspicion by opening the hanger door. He moved towards the side door which backed right onto the other side of the hanger.
A shiny glint caught his eye. Alec turned to see another patrolman flash his torch across the airfield. He squinted and saw nothing across the tarmac. Just the hanger. He frowned and carried on walking. Alec disengaged his concealing charm and walked up to the door.
With a flick of his wrist the door opened. Alec waited for a second and then opened the door into the pitch black hanger. Alec felt around the wall next to him and flicked the lights onto the hanger which made a loud clicking noise as the lights came on. They revealed around five cargo planes with crates littered around them.
That feeling became stronger within Alec he was onto something rotten. He moved forward to the first plane, he ran his finger over the wing and inspected it, it hadn't gathered dust. Alec looked over at the other planes, this operation was now defunct.
Alec walked around the plane to the back of it. He waved his wand and the cargo door fell down on the floor which echoed around the room. Alec adjusted his coat as he walked on board and hit his foot on something. He looked down and saw a foot.
"Lumos." Alec's wand lit up the dark aircraft to reveal to whole crew dead. Alec frowned and kneeled down and inspected the body.
He didn't look much older than twenty. But fit and strong for his age. Alec looked at his hands, calloused, workmen hands. No reason why he would just die...unless.
"Omega Curse." Said Alec. He sighed.
Alec stood up and walked down the plane. Maybe there was a cargo manifest. Alec searched everything on the plane, nothing.
He was about to walk out when he noticed a crate on board the plane. One that was forced open. Maybe they finished the job, but brought something unexpected back. Assassin hid in a box, then kill everyone in the air, then everyone on the ground, and then in the hanger. Someone really doesn't want loose ends.
Alec checked the rest of the planes, nothing. No cargo manifests, no flight paths, nothing. But a whole hanger of dead bodies. Same as the rest, killing curse, no trace of the killer, had the method of transportation figured out, but considering this guy had a wand he could be anywhere in the world by now.
Alec flicked the ear piece back on.
"I'm trying to get him back."
"Parks, it's me."
"He's back! Potter! Potter, where are you are you in trouble?"
"I'm not in bloody trouble." He snapped. "I stormed the hanger."
"After I told you not to."
"Everyone from the whole operation is dead." Said Alec. "Cargo manifests destroyed and everyone, even the secretary is dead."
"Damn." Said Parks. "…What now?"
"The assassin was hidden in a crate that was presumably put on there for the flight back." Said Alec. "Maybe the tower has some information. But this guy was thorough."
"Cover all tracks, who does that sound like." Alec didn't want to think about it. He walked to the door of the hanger and shut the lights off. He couldn't learn anymore from here. He looked back, what a ridiculous waste of life. He walked out into the airfield and looked at the tower. It was a long shot but it could work. Alec looked around and saw the guard coming back from his patrol. Alec pulled up the hood on his coat and walked across the airfield. He could see the lights of a plane in the distance, he ran the rest of the way and climbed up the tower.
He could hear the air traffic controller talking to the plane. He looked at the door, simple two brackets. Alec Stood with his back against the door. He landed a big kick on the door and turned into the room. The air traffic controller shot out of his chair and pulled a gun.
BANG
Alec crouched to avoid the bullet.
BANG
Alec jumped up and smacked the gun from his hand and pinned him onto the control counsel.
(Translated from Korean)
"Alright, I have some questions for you." said Alec.
"You speak Korean?" The air traffic controller.
"I fought in the war." Said Alec, "You're going to tell me, where the last flight for Yun-Suk-Young came in from."
"You aren't going to get anything from me." He knew something. Maybe a more pragmatic approach was required. Alec pulled his gun from its holster and fired a bullet into the counsel next to his head.
"I was asking, the flights."
"I don't know, I don't know." He wept. Alec pulled a face and shot the counsel on the other side. "You're not playing the odds friend." Said Alec. "The last flight, were did it come from?"
"I said I don't know." Alec frowned and looked at the counsel.
"Ah." He said picking up a packet of crisps from the side. "Don't get these in Korea do we." He said.
"Well…"
"I know Young's is going all over the world, tell me where they last went, and I leave you alone. Because I sure as hell know the postal service doesn't get you these." he said throwing the packet in his face. The man looked over to the side and back to Alec.
"Dallas, Texas. That's where they were last heading."
"Thank you." said Alec. He dropped him onto the floor.
"Parks I have a link, coming in in the morning."
"No. Don't worry, I'm gonna sort that out." Alec pulled his wand out pointed it at the air traffic controller.
"Obliviate!"
Lily looked around the common room. Everyone was saying goodbye to everyone else. She looked over at Potter who was saying goodbye to Black and Lupin. Lily had said goodbye to the girls bar one.
Dorcas sat down next to her. She could see her eyeing Potter again.
"You're doing so well." She said hugging Lily. "Look, maybe Christmas is just what you need to get over him. You won't see him." Lily nodded.
"What are you going to be doing?" she asked.
"Same old Christmas stuff." Said Dorcas, "Plus I have some stupid ball I have to go to." She said begrudgingly. "What about you?"
"Same." Said Lily, "Sev's home as well so we'll probably spend some time together."
"Hey, Dorcas." Potter jumped over the back of the sofa. "Evans."
"I was just telling Lily that I had to go to the Bones Christmas party." Said Dorcas, "Bet you're glad you're missing out on it."
"Can't you see, I'm ecstatic." Said Potter sarcastically. "From what I can gather, I'm going to be the only one in Gryffindor staying."
"Oh there's a rosy thought for us all." Said Dorcas. Potter smirked and spread himself on the sofa.
"Guess you guys better be off." He said. "Have a nice holiday."
"Cheers." Said Dorcas getting up and taking Lily with her, "Have nice one to." She lead Lily out of the room and out along with the other Gryffindor's
"I feel bad leaving him on his own." Said Lily as they made their way to the entrance hall.
"He'll be fine." Said Black. "He'll find a way to keep himself amused. He always does."
"That's what I'm afraid off." Said Dorcas, "Leaving James alone in our dorms for three weeks."
"Guess it's a good thing you get on with him." said Lily. They made their way outside to the front of the school and down towards the gates. Waiting for them where carriages.
"Where are the horses?" asked Lily.
"Horses?" asked Dorcas.
"To pull the carriages." Said Lily.
"Oh Lily." Said Dorcas, "They aren't pulled along by horses." She climbed into a carriage with Black and Lupin. Lily climbed into to. The carriages groaned into life and set off.
"Guess you don't need horses after all." Muttered Lily as they pulled away. Lily smiled sadly as they pulled away. It was a conflict of emotions, happy to go home, sorry to see Hogwarts go.
The train home was uneventful. Just talking about the upcoming holidays and what they might bring. Lily just wanted to vegetate round her house and spend time with her family. But she would miss her friends. She was sorry to say goodbye to them at the station. She hugged them and promised to write before walking into the real world.
She saw them. Her family before her, she could never imagine the pain of being here and not seeing them. Abandoning her trolley she raced towards them.
"MUM!" she shouted, Lavender looked round instantly, her eyes beginning to well up as Lily hugged her, tears flowing down her own eyes. Lily buried her face into her mother's shoulder. Lily didn't know how long she's been there, frankly, she didn't care.
"I've missed you." Said Lily tearfully.
"So have I Lily." Said Lavender. She stood up and wiped her eyes. "Oh my god you look so grown up."
"Mum." Said Lily.
"Lily Evans you are not above a hug you know."
The drive back was filled with what Lily had done over the year, the things that just couldn't be explained into letters. Mainly the things Potter had done that Lily considered, extraordinary. She regaled them all the way to Cokeworth, Petunia on the other hand looked like she wanted to be somewhere a million miles away than in the car.
Their house came slowly into view in the darkness. Lily might of cried again as she got out of the car and walked towards the house. She held herself together as she walked in the house. Everything was just how she remembered it. She beamed as she saw the old things that she remembered.
"Is it good to be home?" asked Lavender. Lily turned round and beamed.
"Yes." she said, "It's great to be home." She walked into the living room and up to her room. She pushed the door back. The full moon was shining into her room, it looked eerily beautiful in this light. But it was nice to have some privacy, a place to herself. A place to call her own. She laid her bag down and turned on the light.
It was just like how she remembered it. But it looked oddly bigger than she remembered; maybe because she was sharing a dorm with six other girls it was nice to have her own space.
The Marauders Proudly Present Lily Evans and James Potter In: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Eighteen
The M Map
Written By Chambers10
After dinner Lily and her mother were sitting on the sofa in the living room going over some of the photos that Lily had taken while she was there. The lights were off, the only light coming from the fire. They both laughed over a random photo before placing them back. Lavender picked up another one.
"Are these your classmates?" asked Lavender showing Lily the photo.
"Yeah," said Lily taking the photo and looking over it. "I miss them."
"Even the boys?" asked Lavender, Lily smiled and looked over the section of the photos which had the boys on it.
"Yeah, them to." Said Lily. "The house seems quiet without them around."
"After some of the pranks you've told me they've done I can imagine." Said Lavender, "Who's that one. The one with the messy hair?"
"Potter." Said Lily.
"Has he ever seen a comb?" asked Lavender.
"I think it suits him." said Lily, "It suits his personality."
"He's messy."
"Eccentric." Said Lily, "I've never met someone who doesn't care about the consequences so much." Lavender picked her head up. This was the boy Lily had been talking about over the phone. This was the person she was staying for.
"He's a trouble maker then?"
"And then some." Said Lily, "But…" she huffed and looked at the photo quizzically.
"Something tells me that there more to him than meets the eye." said Lily. Lavender looked at her daughter, her face was looking at the photo, she had that little frown on her she got when was concentrating. Along with that, her mouth was slightly parted, with a little bit of longing in her eyes. Very subtle, but it was defiantly there.
"Should I leave you and the photo alone for a moment?" Teased Lavender. Lily went crimson.
"MUM!" she said mortified, "No, no I don't like him."
"I didn't say you did." Said Lavender laughing. Lily grabbed a cushion and buried her face into it. "Lily, what's wrong?" Lily muttered something incoherent into the cushion.
"Lily." Lily lifted her face up and placed it on the cushion she was holding.
"Don't look at me like that." Said Lily grumpily at her smiling mother.
"So you get on with him?" asked Lavender.
"He gets on with everyone." Said Lily quickly.
"He gets on with you."
"Me includes everyone." Said Lily, "Apart from the Slytherin's. But there's bad blood between them."
"So is he—"
"Can we not talk about him." said Lily waving her hand dismissively, "I'm going to bed."
"Ok Sweetpea." Said Lavender as Lily made her way up to her room.
"Mum."
"Yeah?"
"It is nice to be home." Said Lily.
"It's nice to have you home." Said Lavender.
"She likes him." said Lavender as she brushed her long blonde hair.
"A boy." Said John sitting in bed.
"It was bound to happen eventually." Said Lavender.
"I was hoping it wouldn't happen for a few more years." Said John. Lavender turned round from her dressing table.
"Me and you met when we were Lily's age." Said Lavender.
"But did you fancy me then?" Lavender looked back round and brushed her hair more slowly. John smirked.
"Don't go all third degree on any boy she brings back." Said Lavender finally taking the subject, "She's finding it hard to come with as it is."
"Good."
"No, not good." Said Lavender. "We don't want her to be shy." She stopped brushing her hair and got into the bed as well.
"I don't think chasing boys is prudent at her age." Said John.
"Tell the boys that." Said Lavender.
James woke up and relished the grey light of the room from the low overcast cloud. Or more to the point, he could do anything he wanted. He got up and showered. He got changed into his boots, combat trousers, warm coat with fingerless gloves. He then made his way down to outside.
The snow half way up his shins but he didn't mind. He made his way down the steps and towards the whomping willow. It was motionless with a build-up of snow on its branches. James walked past only for the tree to shake. It threw snow everywhere. Mostly all over James.
"Ahhhhhh!" James brushed himself down. He ruffled his hair and watched as it conjured up its own personal snow storm.
"I guess I deserved that." He said looking at the tree. It shivered before remaining still. James shook his head and made his way toward the woods edge. Although covered in white snow the whole mood of the forest was dark, with no end in sight because of the thick trees. To anyone else it would be a stark warning to stay away. To James, it spelt adventure.
He checked to contents of his bag and went to walk in.
"OI!"
"For fucks sake." He muttered under his breath and turned round. Standing there was Hagrid. James hadn't seen him since the first night he got here. He looked on sternly at James who remained at innocent as possible. Well he hadn't done anything wrong.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked. James looked at him weirdly and then into the forest and then back to Hagrid.
"Going into the forest." He said, as though it was an everyday occurrence. They were caught in a mini stare off, Hagrid not really knowing what to say. James made his way to go in again.
"You can't go in there." Said Hagrid moving forward as James did. James looked around and back to Hagrid, giving him a questioning gaze.
"Are you going to stop me?" Hagrid started babbling like a fish. James laughed.
"Thought not." He said.
"I'll get professor McGonagall." He said. James laughed again lightly.
"You go do that." He said slinging his bag over his shoulders.
"But in the meantime. I'm going to do a bit of exploring." He gave Hagrid a small salute before running off into the forest.
The first part of the woods was filled with thick trees with more room to manoeuvre between. He, Sirius and Remus had already explored these parts. He trenched on further till he came the smaller trees which were small together. This was where he and Evans had come to out-flank the Slytherin's. He saw the drop. He made his way down small cliff. This was far as he had come. He turned round and made his way forward through the trees.
His feet crunched underneath the white snow till he came to a river. It must have led into the black lake. Down to the river must have been at least twenty feet with it then raising the other side. James looked round and spotted the trees. Trying to find one that would take his weight. After finding one he climbed it. This tree was good because it had a high branch which came out over the small canyon where the river flowed.
James hoisted himself into the branch that faced outwards. He pulled himself up and rested on his haunches. James opened his back and pulled out some rope and then his wand. He rummaged into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He grinned and then picked up his wand.
The box transformed into his Saracen bow. James plucked an arrow that was attached and wrapped the rope round the edge. James tested the knot before standing up and walking over towards the edge. He pulled back the bow and looked down at the trees opposite the canyon. James took a deep breath before firing.
The arrow, with rope flew forward before smacking into the tree opposite with a satisfying thunk. James picked up the remaining rope and tied a branch higher up. He tested the strength of his make shift zip-wire.
Confident it would hold he removed the string from his bow and got his rucksack. James prepared himself. After bobbing on the branch he sprang forward and jumped. He skilfully wrapped the bow over the rope and caught it in his other hand before shooting down the zip-wire. James shouted in delight as he raced down the wire. The breezy wind blowing into him as he went forward. He was coming to the end. James looked up and let go of the bow.
He fell down and hit the snow. He landed on his feet, but rolled and skidded along the snow. He got up slowly and brushed himself down before looking back at the rope tied opposite. James pulled out his wand.
"Sempra." the white light shot out and severed the rope. It fell down and James gathered it in and placed it back in his rucksack. He turned round and looked down the forest again. With a grin he went in deeper.
James was running care free. The trees above him where so thick that the snow hadn't fallen here. He carried until he fell to the floor with a crack. He fell to the earthy floor and rolled along the floor. He swore and looked back to see what had caused it. When he looked back, he was surprised he hadn't fallen over sooner.
The whole floor was littered with little craters.
James kneeled down and looked at the tracks. He frowned and ran a finger over the indent. It left no paw prints. Or hoofs, it wasn't like anything he'd encountered before, nothing his dad had ever taught him.
James looked around the mark. There were several around him. Each hand the same indent. It was circular, and freshly made in the dirt. Then something caught James's eye. He leaned down and ran his fingers slowly across the mark.
When he brought his fingers back he noticed a hair. It wasn't thick like a mammal, but it was still sizable. James looked at the surrounding marks and thought about that could have made these tracks. If he had to hazard a guess…he'd say an arachnoid would have had to make these tracks. The pattern of the tracks would follow it.
James scratched his head. There wasn't any trace of oversized spiders in Hogwarts. None documented anyway. He'd seen some in the wizarding zoo in America, some had developed to grotesque proportions. Some had even developed speech. James looked round. He hadn't since he'd fallen into the footprint. His blood ran cold. There was a web.
James moved forward to inspect it. It was very thick, almost so thick you couldn't see through it. It wasn't wavy and light, but thick and strong. It was covering what looked like an abandoned tree, James moved closer again touched it. It almost felt like touching piano strings. As soon as he touched it sent a ripple through it. James smiled and did it again, and again, web reacted.
James did so again, he followed the waves along the web until it went off over the log…then on the ground…then…
"Shit." James looked over the branches to see an entire network of webbing as far as the eye could see along the forest floor between the trees. He watched as the little wave of sound made its way to parts unknown to James.
If this was a movie James thought this is where the ominous music played after the hero had made a cock up similar to the one he'd just done. He moved back as silently as possible before his foot snapped a twig. He turned round wand raised. Thinking something was behind him. After what he'd just done, why wouldn't he think that.
He sighed in relief when he realised it was his own fault and went to holster his wand.
SKREEE
As James turned he was pinned down. He looked to see a spider almost the size of him on top of him. It was black and hairy with pincers that where about the strike. James grunted and kneed it in between the abdomen and thorax. It squealed in pain and loosened its vice like grip. James brought his legs up. With one burst of strength he threw it off him over his head and onto the floor. James scrambled to his feet and grabbed his wand and pointed it at the spider.
He breathed deeply as he gauged the beast in front of him. It snapped its pincers, making a sicking crunching sound. James walked around slowly, the spider did the same. James gripped his wand's handle and waited. The spider let out a battle cry and sprang towards James.
"Bombarda!" the white sonic boom emitted from his wand and hit the spider. It flew back and smacked against the fallen branch with the webbing on.
"Oh crap!" muttered James. The spider fell on its back before springing back to all eight legs and glaring at James with its many eyes. The spider attacked again.
James shot another charm but missed. The spider landed a couple of inches away from James before spreading itself and pinning James back to the floor. Its pinchers darted out, James got out of the way and it swallowed the dirt. It went again but James held up his forearm to stop it. The spider struggled, letting spit run down on James, he knew his arm wouldn't hold out much longer. He looked over and saw a fallen stick. James looked up at the spider and back to the stick. He didn't have much of a choice.
With one more burst of strength he lifted the spider up and grabbed the stick and smacked it across its head. It shrieked and scuttled back and shrieked again.
"Curious?" James felt his entire body run cold. He looked up. His body went to ice. Above him were hundreds of spiders. They all varied in sizes and were hanging from there webs. James gulped. What could he do in that situation.
"You are very talented for one so…young." The spiders pulled back like a curtain and coming down was the biggest spider James had ever seen. It was at least ten times the size of him. It had big black eyes, it lowered itself down and landed on the forest floor with a thump. James gulped again. Out of the fire and into something a whole lot hotter.
"Uhm…thanks?" said James hoarsely.
"You…remind me of someone." The spider swooped in closer and inspected James. He could see his reflection in the many eyes of the beast.
"That's nice." Said James, "Did you…uh, let him go?" he asked hopefully. The spider chuckled.
"Go?" he said amused.
"No, don't you realise what other species are in this forest."
"No idea." Said James.
"I'll give you a hint." Said the spider. "Human is the rarest form of meat we find in here." He took a step forward.
"I think." Said James taking a couple of steps back. "That this is all a big…" he stepped on a twig and noticed the other spiders advancing on him. "Misunderstanding."
"I think not." Said the Spider, "You have ventured into our grounds wizard. Which means that we can do what we please with you." James backed into a tree with the Spiders closing in more.
"You could have gone on to achieve great things, if you hadn't died so young." It was the giant spider talking. James took a deep breath to calm his already surging nerves.
"You know something I don't?" asked James, trying to sound brave.
"Look around you?" said the spider, "My sons and daughters are all vying for my attention." The spider moved forward.
"But unfortunately for them." one spider went towards the giant one, he looked down at the smaller one and kicked it away. It whimpered before scuttling back to its siblings.
"I only accept the best." It looked up a James, "And today. Best means, whoever, can kill, you!" James gulped again.
"WELLCOME TO HELL!"
James didn't know why he didn't do this sooner. He turned and ran.
"GET HIM!" James didn't looked back, but he could feel the ground shaking and trembling beneath him as the stampede of spiders chased after him. He hurdled a log, feeling the tremors coming closer to him. James turned around and skidded on the muddy floor. Two of the spiders came towards him.
"BUTIO!" a sharp crack of his wand and the two spiders shot back into the crowd causing them to fall into one another. James turned round to see another one jump towards him.
"Protego!" the circular shield erupted from his wand. The spider hit the shield and fell onto its back. James scrambled to his feet and ran off.
James darted to the left towards some trees that were closer together and would be harder for them to navigate between. He was right as he could feel the sound of spider hitting wood. James felt his foot be taken from underneath him. A Spider was bearing down on him.
"PROTEGO!" The spider shot up into the air and smacked into some low lying branches.
"SKREEE." James turned round and kicked another spider in its eyes. James looked round frantically.
"LUMOS MAXIMA!" he shouted. The bright light shone, causing the spiders to scuttle back. James darted off, trying to put some ground between him and this horde.
There was a fallen tree that made a ramp, without thinking James ran up it and jumped onto a low lying branch in front.
Lucky he thought to himself as he hoisted himself up.
"Get him! Get him!" shouted the spider.
James started jumping between the branches at a very quick rate. He saw below him the spiders and he now dared to look back to see the spiders walking along the branches.
James looked back in front, the spiders where now crawling up the trees ahead. James jumped down onto the earthy floor. He tried to continue his run but fell over with the momentum. After a couple of rolls he got to his feet and ran again as the thunderous stampeding of the spiders came close
He took a left as the other spiders tried to get back onto the floor. He looked in front of him and saw a cliff.
James weighed up the situation in his head. But before anything was decided he felt his leg being taken from behind again. He fell to the floor with a crunch, and then was hoisted up into the air so he was upside down. The giant spider had caught him.
Great.
"You are a persistent one." said the spider.
"I think your flesh will be nice and meaty." It said swaying James around. "I think…I'll take you back to the nest for my love to devour."
"As appealing as it sounds." Said James, he wiped out his wand.
"I think I'll pass. Reducto!" The bright orange light hit the spider in the face. It howled and dropped James onto the earthy floor. James scrambled to his feet.
"GET HIM!" shouted the spider. It wasn't a debate now. James made for the cliff. Hoping, praying that it wasn't that deep. He could hear the sound of scuttling limbs. James picked up his speed and threw himself over the cliff. He turned mid-air and pointed his wand squarely back at the cliff. The giant spider was at the cliff face trying to reach out for him
"SOLARIS MAXIMA!" A burst of yellow light erupted from the wand, a solar beam.
"AHHHH!" he could hear the spider howl in pain as James turned back forward. Thankfully the cliff wasn't that deep. James landed on the cliff face and skidded onto the snow covered ground below.
"MY EYES!" James looked up to the cliff from where he'd jumped. The spider was wailing round manically along the cliff edge.
"MY EYES! DON'T JUST STAND THERE, GET HIM! HET HIM!" James couldn't help but smirk and ran off into the woods.
When he was sure he'd put enough space between himself and the spiders he leaned against a tree. He laughed softly and holstered his wand. Now he had a different problem. He had no idea where he was. He'd been tracking his movements beforehand so he had a rough Idea of how to get back. Now he had pissed of an entire family of giant man eating spiders so the way he came was no longer an option.
James stood up straight and looked around. Maybe they were out looking for him. Maybe he could try and find something, a land mark, or another river to make his way back to Hogwarts. The floor started to rumble. James didn't bother looking where it was coming from. All he needed to do was move, he ran through the trees, weaving in and out until a clearing came into sight. James ran over to the clearing.
The bright sunlight hit James as he kept running. The clearing was vast and snow covered. His footsteps causing gentle patters on the floor. He unshielded his eyes found himself about half way across the vast clearing. James started to slow down still he came to a stop. The clearing was in a weird pattern and it had a slight mound in the middle to James's left. James scrunched his face up in thought.
KRAKK
James froze again. Now he knew what the clearing was.
KRAKK snow gave way and James fell into icy cold water. His body screamed out in protest as the water surrounded him. James tried to fight himself free from its clutches. But he was being forced down. Quite roughly. He then felt something on the back of his jacket and yank him up.
James gulped in the air as the now cold air gathered around him, replaced the icy water. He coughed and looked up, expecting to see a spider. Instead, he saw a thick bushy black beard and kind beetle black eyes.
"You did well there." He said hoisting James up more and plonking him down on the ice. "But not well enough." James spluttered and gazed at the grey sky above him.
It was night fall at the cabin. James was sitting by the fire with a towel round him and rubbing his arms furiously to regain some circulation. He looked up to see Hagrid pouring some tea. He looked over at James and smiled that kind smile.
"Rub your chest." He said. "Your arms can take care of themselves." James winced and did as he was instructed. Hagrid sat in the chair opposite him and placed James's tea by the fire place.
"Thanks…again." said James gulping some tea. He winced as the hot liquid went down his throat but placed it back all the same.
"It quite alright Potter." Said Hagrid. "You've got further in there than anyone I know." James looked up from the fire.
"You were following me?" he asked.
"Naturally." Said Hagrid. "I had to see what the son of Alec Potter could do."
"You know my father?" asked James.
"Oh yeah." Said Hagrid, he got up and went to a chest of draws and opened a draw. "He used to go exploring in there all the time."
"Did you?"
"Oh yeah. In fact." Hagrid pulled out a piece of parchment and unfolded it. He sat back down and showed it to James. It was a map. A map of the forest.
"You drew this?" asked James.
"Your dad did." said Hagrid fondly. "Just like you yeh know. Leap without looking attitude." James nodded.
"So how far did I go?" asked James. Hagrid leaned over and pointed to a small lake a fare way out.
"You got further than I expected." Said Hagrid.
"How did you know my Dad?" asked James.
"He had to do a mission here a few years back." Said Hagrid, "He was the first person to befriend me while I was here." James raised his eyebrows.
"I'm half giant you see." Said Hagrid.
"Would never of guessed." Shivered James. Hagrid let out a booming chuckle.
"That's what he said." Said Hagrid, "Everyone else was afraid me, but not him. He treated me as if I was like anyone else." James nodded. It sounded like his dad.
"How did he come to making this map?" asked James.
"Same as you, curiosity." Said Hagrid, "Your Dad used to go wondering off and over time we decided to map out the forest."
"Did he ever map all of it?" asked James.
"Most." Said Hagrid, "He were making progress before he had to go. He said I should finish it. I couldn't on the count of me getting expelled." James choked on his tea.
"You got expelled." He said hoarsely. "What did you do?"
"I'm not giving you any ideas." Said Hagrid.
"How comes I've never heard of you till now?" asked James.
"Your dad and I lost touch after he left." Said Hagrid sadly.
"And you lost touch." Said James.
"I heard about the birth of you and your sister." Said Hagrid. James pulled the blanket round him a little tighter.
"And what happened to her. I did send my condolences." Said Hagrid.
"Thanks." Said James, he sipped his tea more and placed it on the side.
"Did you know there were giant spiders in there?" said James. Hagrid nodded.
"Aragog's his name." said Hagrid. "Had him since he was a wee nipper."
"Was he ever a nipper?" asked James . Hagrid laughed.
"Believe it or not, I could fit him in the palm of my hand." Said Hagrid pulling out his large dustbin lid sized hand. When Hagrid looked up he could see James exploring the map with keen interest.
"You can keep that." Said Hagrid. James looked up.
"Can I?"
"It is part yours now I suppose." Said Hagrid. "Maybe you could finish mapping the forest." James ran his finger over the map. He unfolded it.
"You started doing the castle." Said James, he noticed he outside of the castle had been drawn on.
"Yeah, your dad had this grand idea about how he was going to map the whole area." Said Hagrid.
"So he could always keep an eye on it without being there." James unfolded part of the map. He smiled.
Lily watched the large snowflakes from her window. She was on her front watching a particular flake fall gracefully onto the window. Her eyes then flickered down towards her defence against the dark arts homework. She looked out at the snow outside her house and kids she used to go to school with having a snow ball fight.
Her mind briefly wondered back to the black forest with the rest of the first years having a snow ball fight. And then Potter…Lily rolled onto her back and could imagine his face so close to hers. The way his breath felt on her skin…
Lily snapped out of it and then looked at her ceiling. She looked out at the snow outside her house and kids she used to go to school with having a snow ball fight.
She heard someone sniff. She looked over at her door and saw her mother there. She was crying. Lily looked round to see what was wrong.
"Mum?" she asked. "Mum, what's wrong?" Lavender rubbed her eyes.
"Nothing." She said lightly, "Nothing at all."
"It's just…it's just nice to see you home." Said Lavender. She walked into the room and sat down next to her.
"While you were away, I used to look in here every day." Said Lavender, "Hoping that you were here."
"Why didn't you let me come home?" asked Lily, "You said there wasn't anything left for me here." She looked up. "Is that true?" Lavender nodded.
"Some of us are meant to fly Sweetpea." Said Lavender. "And being here, you weren't going anywhere. Going to Hogwarts has changed you already."
"It has not." Said Lily.
"It has Lily." said Lavender, "You're more confident round people than you used to be. That is a big difference." She rubbed her Lily's shoulder, then stood up and walked out of the room. Lily was left thinking about what her mother said.
Lily snapped out of it and then looked at her ceiling. She then stood up and got changed into some warm clothes and went downstairs.
Lavender was in the kitchen with some tea when Lily came skidding in. "Going somewhere?" Lily looked round while she pulled on her trainers.
"I'm going to see Sev." Said Lily. "I'll be back for dinner." With that Lily exited the door. The cold air brushed her face as she wrapped she scarf tighter round her face. She set off towards spinners end, she found the road and got outside his house.
Lily made a snow ball and threw it at the window she knew was his. About a second later his face appeared in the window.
Lily waved and motioned him to come outside. Sev held one finger up and then disappeared. Lily waited patiently until she could hear voices.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOUR GOING!" Lily winced at the venom in the voice.
"OUT!" Sev shouted. "WITH FRIENDS!"
"OUT!" there was a laugh like cold water. "WITH FRIENDS, DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH! YOU DON'T HAVE ANY FRIENDS!"
"I DO SO!" the door opened and Sev banged it shut. Though Lily felt scared she still smiled as he approached.
"Hey Sev, how's your holiday going?"
"…it's fine." Said Sev stiffly. Lily couldn't blame him for answering like that. "And yours?"
"It was nice to see my family again." said Lily. "But I do miss Hogwarts."
"I said you would." Said Sev. "Better than here."
"Nothing beats home though." Said Lily. "I do feel bad for those who are still there though."
"Why?" Lily turned to him.
"Because Christmas is about family Sev." Said Lily. "I feel bad for people like…" she was about to say Potter. But she knew the mere mention of the word would send him on edge.
"For people like who?" asked Sev again.
"Like…the…head boy and girl." Said Lily, "They have to stay over the holiday's, that's not fair."
"Yeah." Said Sev. They made their way to the thicket and brushed the snow away from the logs and sat down.
"So what else have you got planned?" Asked Lily.
"Not a lot." Said Sev. Lily tapped her hands on her knees.
"Are you visiting any if your friends over the holidays?" Asked Lily, trying to make conversation.
"No." said Sev, and then went back to doing nothing. Lily want to scream in frustration, why was it so easy to speak to other people. Lily then pulled her wand from out of her pocket.
"Hey Sev, look what I can do!" Sev looked round and saw Lily with her wand.
"Lily No!"
"Protego!" the white pulse erupted from her wand. The snow that was on the ground flew out of the way creating a clear path of snow. Lily twirled her wand in her fingers and slipped it onto her jeans pocket like holstering a gun.
"Impressive, no?" she said with a mischievous grin.
"I wouldn't of done that of I was you." Warned Sev.
"Why?" asked Lily. She then heard a screech, Lily looked up at the sky. A huge snowy owl swooped down and dropped something in front of Lily. It then swooped to a nearby tree and hooted.
"What the?" Lily picked up the letter and opened it.
Dear Miss Evans
We have received intelligence that a Shield Charm was used in Cokeworth Forest in at exactly five minutes past eleven.
As you know, underage witches are not permitted to perform spells outside of school, and further spell work on your part may lead to expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Decree for reasonable restriction of underage sorcery, 1875, Paragraph C).
We would also ask you to remember that any magical activities which risk notice by members of the non-magical community I.E: Muggles is a serious offence, under section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy.
Merry Christmas,
Yours Sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
Ministry of Magic
Lily gulped as she read the letter. She re-read it again and looked at Sev.
"I told you shouldn't have done that." Said Sev. Lily glared at him.
"You said they wouldn't—"
"I said they would after you got your wand." Said Sev. "And I did warn you." Lily went to argue but didn't. She stuffed the letter in her pocket and folded her arms.
"Not being able to do magic sucks." Said Lily, "I almost envy Potter for getting to do some."
She could see Sev's jaw lock. She rolled her eyes and sat back down on a log. She looked over at Sev, she got an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. Where they already drifting apart?