Here we go...
Chapter 10 – The Heads' Compartment
The rest of the summer holiday went by without anything spectacular happening if you didn't count the seven dates Marlene had been on, every time more vocal about it than the one before. After their conversation in James' bedroom, Lily, Sirius, and James had reluctantly joined the party again. Their mood hadn't been the best, even with Lily's best attempts at cheering everyone up. To think that the two pure-bloods were more affected by the revelations they'd had only moments before showed Lily just how truly amazing the two boys were. She had already known that they were Muggle enthusiasts, what with James constantly bugging her about anything that got to do with the band Queen, begging her to take him to vinyl shops to get their newest album, and Sirius' dead-set goal of one day blending in with the Muggles and hooking up with one. He hadn't given up on that yet, but thankfully, James had been able to keep him from embarrassing himself any further.
"He needs more tutoring from you," he had said when Lily had asked him one day on the phone. Yes, phone. James had convinced his parents to get a Muggle landline telephone, had somehow charmed it to make it work without electricity, and had made it his mission to call her multiple times a week.
"He might otherwise get arrested. Although… Okay, never mind, that would be hilarious."
Lily gasped over the cackling laughter that came through the handset. "You're a horrible friend!" she exclaimed before laughing herself. "That's terrible!"
"Ah, he would appreciate it, I think. After all, it would just be another Muggle experience and once he sees it that way, he'd be head over heels!"
"Did you get the chance to talk to your parents about the whole He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named thing?" Lily had asked more than once and about a week before they were due to catch the Hogwarts Express, James' answer to that question changed.
"I did, actually. Dad hasn't really wanted to tell me anything, per se, but I think I've managed to finally convince him that it's better to let me know as his heir. You know, in case I ever need to officially know what's going on. I don't even want to think about the time that moment comes, to be honest, but it's still something I need to keep in mind and something that my dad also needs to keep in mind. He said there'll be another Wizengamot meeting tomorrow afternoon, followed by an Order meeting on 30th August, so I'm hoping I can tell you guys more when we meet at platform 9 ¾."
Static reached her ears after that. "James?"
"Yeah, still here. Sorry, I have to renew the electricity charm. It's slowly wearing off."
That had been their last call and now, the night before they were due on platform 9 ¾, Lily couldn't help but wonder what their last year at Hogwarts would be like. The world was changing, that much was for certain, but it wasn't changing for the better. She couldn't say that she was overly worried just yet, though. Yes, Muggle-borns were disappearing, but it seemed like those articles about these incidents kept getting fewer as time passed. She didn't know whether that was a good thing, that there were actually fewer people vanishing in thin air, or whether that was just another thing to add to the 'Another Dark Lord is on the rise'-list that everyone tried their best to forget about. Maybe the Ministry wanted to keep the population from panicking; maybe the Ministry was censoring the newspaper.
Whatever might be the case, Lily decided as she bent down to open her trunk to start packing for the start of the semester tomorrow, she would do her best to keep a level head and try to help wherever she could. It wouldn't do her any good to panic and worry over something that might never happen. She had good friends – the best, even – and she was more than sure that nothing would ever happen to them if they only stuck together and had each other's backs.
She was sure of that.
*~*Take Me Home*~*
A sharp whistle echoed through the air as last-minute stragglers hurried onto the Hogwarts Express that was slowly starting to move. Students of all ages were mingling in the corridors of the carriages, greeting their friends and chatting excitedly. Smoke darkened the platform outside shortly before clearing away, revealing waving parents as the train slowly picked up speed, and with a last, loud honk of the horn, platform 9 ¾ vanished from sight.
"This isn't the last time yet, Evans. No need to look that sad."
Lily smiled softly, eyes still trained on the window in front of her. Concealed by secrecy charms, nobody could see the train drive out of central London and through the rural countryside.
"It is. For me, at least."
James took a few more steps and leaned against the carriage wall next to the window that held her interest. "What do you mean by that?"
"I'll stay at Hogwarts for Christmas. The next time I'll be on this train is after graduation." She turned her head towards him and saw worry shine in his eyes. "It's okay, really," she said, suddenly feeling the need to explain herself. "I don't really want to go back home for Christmas. I spent Christmas at Hogwarts last year and it was really lovely. Not a lot of people stay during the holidays, which makes sense, I guess. But you should see it when they decorate the entire castle in mistletoes and garlands, fairies and baubles,... it's honestly beautiful."
"Mistletoes, you say?" James asked cheekily and upon seeing Lily's eyes widen, he winked at her. "I see."
She gasped in mock shock and lightly hit him in the shoulder. "Get your mind out of the gutter, Potter. You're supposed to be a role model this year!"
"Ah, I don't think that comment can turn anyone onto the path of sins." James shrugged. "The mistletoe is doing that well on its own."
She shook her head, silently laughing at the smirking boy in front of her. "I can't believe you."
"What? It's true!" he exclaimed and started to follow her down the corridor and into the next carriage. "It has quite the reputation."
"That it does, I can't say anything against that. Speaking of mistletoes and their naughty function" – James snickered – "how did you and Sirius' latest Muggle pub crawl go?"
A rapidly exhaled puff of air told Lily all she needed to know. "That bad, huh?"
"Don't even get me started. He tried another four times to blend in before finally giving up for the summer. We got kicked out of two pubs, yelled at more times than I could count, and Sirius actually got punched in the face by an angry man, who thought he'd insulted a girl he was talking to. Or tried to talk to. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he accidentally insulted her."
"He's very dedicated, I have to give that to him."
James barked out a laugh. "That's one way to put it."
"Marlene is very similar to Sirius," Lily mused as she squeezed her way around a group of very excited first years. "She went on seven more dates during the last two months."
"Bloody hell, seven?" Lily turned around to see James gaping at her. "That's a lot. I'm assuming it wasn't just one lucky fellow?"
Now, it was Lily's turn to laugh as she shook her head. "Oh, no. I honestly can't remember all of their names, but she enjoyed every date except for one; at least that's what she told me. Apparently, one of them wanted a second date and told her right before their first drink, which weirded her out enough to literally down her cocktail and leg it out of there."
James sighed. "I wonder when she and Sirius will see that they're a match made in heaven."
"Yeah, who knows? I'm hoping for soon because it will otherwise be very exhausting, spending time with those two in one castle."
"One common room, you mean."
Lily groaned. "Don't remind me."
After crossing another carriage, they finally arrived at the very front of the Hogwarts Express. This carriage held the compartments for the Trolley Witch and the train conductor, as well as the Head students' compartment.
Which, after rattling at the door with increasing aggressiveness, turned out to be locked.
A deep frown crept onto James' face as he puffed out a lungful of air and frowned at the door. "Why does it not want to open? Did your letter tell you anything about a password or something that'll help us actually get inside?"
Lily shook her head, feeling just as confused as James looked. "Maybe we have to prove that we're allowed to enter?" she suggested, eyeing the door with mild suspicion. "This might be some kind of security measure to make sure no unauthorised students can enter. Who knows what's being kept in there."
"You think they might have put some dangerous stuff in there?" James perked up immediately at the prospect of the promise of an adventure, but Lily only shook her head.
"Maybe lists of students that might require tutoring this year because of declining marks?"
He deflated instantly. "Oh." Lily caught herself almost wishing that they would find something more delicate that just a stack of parchment rolls. Almost.
"Well," James said and reached up to righten his badge that he had pinned to the front of his Hogwarts robes, "here goes nothing. My name is James Fleamont Potter, Gryffindor House, Quidditch Captain, and Head Boy of Hogwarts."
As soon as he had finished speaking, a soft click reached Lily's ears and the door slid open on its own.
James cheered, triumphant, and sauntered into the compartment, Lily hot on his heels, only to walk straight into an invisible force, keeping her from entering.
"What's wrong?" James asked from inside the small cabin as he saw Lily still standing in the corridor.
"I think I have to identify myself as well. It won't let me pass." She checked – for probably the tenth time – whether she had her badge pinned to her robes, took a deep breath, and said in a loud voice, "My name is Lily Katherine Evans, Gryffindor House, Prefect, and Head Girl of Hogwarts."
A warm wave of pure magic washed over her, enveloping her body in its calming glow and sending tingles through every nerve end. "Wow," she whispered as she slowly walked towards James, who was still standing in the middle of the compartment, watching her closely.
"Yeah, Dumbledore knows what he's doing."
The compartment looked like any other compartment on the train, just that it was slightly bigger. Seats lined the walls, covered in a deep red velvet-y fabric, and the table between both rows was slightly larger than usual. Right above it, Lily could see the British landscape shoot past them as the train reached its maximum travel speed.
"Well…" James raised both arms to the sides and let them flop back down, smacking them against the sides of his thighs. "Here we are. I've expected something more spectacular, not gonna lie. This looks all pretty normal. Except for that." He pointed towards the opposite side of the window, where an empty portrait frame covered the majority of the narrow space.
Lily slowly walked towards the portrait to inspect it. The canvas showed the exact image of the compartment they were standing in right now – door on the long side of the compartment, the window on the short, most distant side, and seats flanking it. But it was empty.
"How odd," she said softly, finger slowly, just barely tracing the wooden frame around it. "Who does this portrait belong to, you think?"
"No clue, but I'm sure we'll find out eventually."
Lily turned around to see James plop down on one of the seats next to the window and almost immediately jump right off it again because just as his legs met the cushions, a small stack of parchment appeared on the table right in front of him and a stern-sounding and very familiar voice echoed through the compartment.
"Potter, Evans, congratulations on becoming this year's Head students."
Lily whirled around to see a younger version of Professor McGonagall peer out at them from the previously empty portrait.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Miss Evans. Don't be alarmed, every Deputy Headmaster or Headmistress has their portrait situated in the Heads' compartment on the Hogwarts Express to ensure they know what they're supposed to do. The Prefects can't see my portrait. Now, no mooching about, Mr Potter, we have business to attend to." Their Head of House glared at James, who awkwardly cleared his throat somewhere behind Lily.
"Very well. This will be quick as you two will need time to get comfortable and get everything sorted before the Prefects arrive in one hour for their meeting. You will find the list of this year's Prefects, and which Houses they belong to, as well as their year and average mark, on the parchment bound together with a red ribbon."
Lily turned around to look at the table and saw the mentioned roll right at the top of the small stack.
"I don't have to remind you, Miss Evans, that it is crucial for you to mix Houses when you assign Prefects for their rounds. It has never been more important than to build friendships outside of your own bubble. Times will change, so we need to make sure that the student body of Hogwarts stands united, undivided by House values and family feuds.
"The roll with the blue ribbon has a list of all students that will need tutoring in the upcoming trimester. Tutoring, as you know, Miss Evans, is entirely voluntary but appreciated. Students with stellar marks can sign up for the tutoring programme, however, the majority of the tutoring will be covered by the Prefects and the Head students. The list of which subjects each Prefect and both of you will be able to cover can be found on the parchment with the green ribbon.
"Last but not least, we have the list of students who have decided to withdraw from the school, marked with the yellow ribbon. Sadly, Professor Dumbledore and I have noticed that the number has increased significantly compared to last years, and we do not wish to keep you out of the loop as to why."
Lily quickly turned to look at James, whose eyes were focussed on the portrait. A deep frown darkened his face and worry lines had appeared on his forehead.
"Most of the students that have been withdrawn from the school are of Muggle or half-blood descent. As of this moment, we do not agree with the parents' worry that removing the children from Hogwarts is the safest option, but we understand and accept their reasoning behind it. We cannot disclose every detail as we, ourselves, do not know enough to do so, but I am sure that you two have noticed the change in the Daily Prophet's reports. The disappearances over the summer might just be that – disappearances. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to these incidents. Therefore, we want to ask you to focus on communication this year. It's very important that whenever the Prefects see something peculiar or out of order to report it to you two. Please make sure they understand the importance of that and make sure to hold them to it. By systematically keeping an eye on everything, we should be able to react on time should the need to it ever arise. Which we are hoping won't happen, of course."
Lily bit her lip as she was listening to their professor talk about what she had tried to dispel from her thoughts for the last two months. The Prophet had reduced their reports on disappearances, but it wasn't clear whether that was something orchestrated to keep the community from panicking or whether it was something worse because no matter how much Lily wanted to believe it, a very prominent voice inside her head knew that the actual number of these disappearances did not decrease. Probably quite the opposite if history had taught them anything at all.
"Feel free to have a look at the rolls of parchment on the table. You have about three-quarters of an hour until the Prefects are due to arrive for their very first meeting of the year. The female Gryffindor Prefect has, of course, been replaced, as well as those who graduated last year. You will have access to a separate office, which will allow you to work on Head duties outside of Gryffindor common room. I am quite sure that you will find the premises quite enjoyable. The Heads' Quarters are located on the fifth floor near the Prefects' bathroom. The password is 'Lux in tenebris.' Enjoy your ride to Hogwarts."
Portrait-McGonagall nodded at Lily, then at James, before turning on the spot and walking straight out of frame.
Silence filled the air after her departure. Lily could feel her heartbeat increasing and she started to focus on her breathing. In and out. In. And out.
What the hell was happening? Students were being taken out of Hogwarts because of the disappearances. And not just any students but Muggle-born and half-blood students. Yes, Muggle-borns and Muggles were vanishing into thin air, but that was it. Wasn't it? Oh Lord, that thought alone made her feel horrible. It wasn't that the disappearances weren't horrible enough, but did they really warrant parents taking their children out of the school that was supposed to be the safest place in all of Wizarding Britain? Wasn't Hogwarts supposed to be a fortress of protection, with Albus Dumbledore at the centre of it? If Hogwarts wasn't safe enough, then what was?
She turned around slowly as if in a trance, to see James look at her with a look she had never before seen on his face. Not when she had witnessed him with Sirius back in his bedroom, not when they had overheard his father talk to Mr Greengrass.
"It's getting worse, and the Prophet is covering it up, isn't it?" Her voice sounded off, even to her own ears. A tremor that she had never heard before laced through it and made her seem more vulnerable than ever. "Isn't it?"
A few seconds passed before James took a deep breath. "It is."
Lily stared at him, not daring to move.
"I told you that Dad wanted to get me in the loop about the Wizengamot and Order meeting last week. And he did. He took what Sirius had told us very seriously. He didn't say anything about what it meant then and there, but he said he'd make sure the Order would know about it because it did sound like a very worrying development. The morning of the Wizengamot meeting, he left rather early and only came back late in the evening, which was weird because those meetings usually only lasted for like two or three hours. He only waved me off when I asked him about what had happened and went to bed. But he… he seemed off. I can't really say why that is and what was different about him, but I've never seen him like that before. It was almost as if he was scared.
"Later that week, he and Mum sent me and Sirius to our rooms, ordering the elves to make sure we'd stay there. They've never done that before and no matter what we'd do, Tooky would threaten us to bolt the doors with elf magic that we wouldn't be able to spell away. So, I stayed put and waited for five hours before Dad opened the door to my room and sat down on my bed.
"He started by telling me what had happened during the Wizengamot meeting. Apparently, Mr Greengrass wasn't the only one who had been contacted by Lord Voldemort. All of the Dark Families have been in touch with him, and they'd made it their mission to convince the Light Families to follow as well. In short, the agenda that they are now following mirrors that of this Lord Voldemort guy: Protect the Wizarding world at all costs. Mr Greengrass has presented it in a way that even made sense; Muggle technology is fast improving, yet the Wizarding world has not changed in centuries. The threat that our world would eventually be uncovered is real. He asked the Heads of House what they would do if they were confronted with something potentially threatening their families. Would they decide to just let it be and hope for the best or would they try to get rid of it and work against it?
"He was talking in extremes, which plays with the mind. If you were to just allow a potential threat to fester, it might get stronger and, in the end, turn into something you cannot defeat anymore, so why wait to do what is inevitable? Why would you not take action and do what you can to keep your family and your community safe?
"It made sense in a twisted way, and that's why they chose Mr Greengrass to present it. The Greengrass Family might be leaning towards the Dark side but are also known to support Light laws and decisions in the past. By having this neutral Family openly side with the Dark ones… It was telling.
"He told them that You-Know-Who was willing to protect them, that he was willing and capable of leading them down the right path. He would protect them from any threats coming from the Muggle world and he would make sure that those who followed him would be rewarded. Eventually, Dumbledore – as Chief Warlock – had to call everyone to order. The Dark Families were stoic to convince everyone to join their new Lord and the Light Families were showing their disdain openly.
"Dumbledore was at the Wizengamot meeting, obviously, but Dad still opened the next Order meeting with what I had told him, followed by what had happened during the gamot meeting. Telling them that there was someone openly trying to go against everything Muggle and branding those like-minded. According to a member, who works at the Prophet, the editor has decided to publish fewer articles concerning any disappearances or anything in general that might be connected to the last war. Apparently, that is due to an order from Minister Minchum. They didn't know whether that was the truth, but if it is, this Lord Voldemort business is already bigger than we thought. If he already has the Ministry on his side, I don't think that the Auror department will be much help should things escalate.
"The Order has concluded that every member should stay on high alert and report everything that sounded off and alarming. Like seeing someone sporting a brand-new tattoo. And they are starting to recruit, Lily. Just like they had last done when Grindelwald was in power. Dad didn't want to tell me anything more apart from the plea to be cautious and not to throw myself head-first into anything that seems just the slightest bit sketchy."
He looked at her, fear in his eyes. "It's started again, just like back then, and nobody's seen it coming."
sighs It's not easy to choose sides if you look at the raw facts and strip everything from emotions and focus on pure logic. But emotions are what makes us human, so why would you decide to ignore them?
Note: 'Lux in tenebris' is Latin for 'Light over Dark.'
Until next time - see ya! :D