Lily and James the Prequel

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind.  Dad, did you and Mum have an arranged marriage?"

"WHAT?  HOW DID YOU KNOW?" Anthony shrieked.

"I didn't.  I was just wondering.  Do you two love each other?"

"Of course we do.  We grew up together.  We were best friends as children, but we never knew about the contract.  When we were twenty, I asked her to marry me.  On our wedding day, we were told about he contract."

"Does Mum love both me and Gina?"

"Yes.  Where did you come up with this stuff James?"

"I was at Lily's for lunch.  We came back from her softball practice, and her mum and sister weren't there.  Well Mrs. Evans has kind of been ignoring Lily.  She forgot her at the train station, and didn't take her shopping like she was supposed to.  In the middle of lunch, they came in.  Mr. Evans asked her about it, and she got mad.  We left the room, but we could still hear them arguing.  They had an arranged marriage, and Mrs. Evans raised Petunia.  Mr. Evans raised Lily.  Mrs. Evans called Lily a freak, and Mr. Evans got mad, and told her to leave Lily alone.  That she wasn't going to be Lily's mother anymore, he would raise Lily by himself."

"Oh, James.  This is serious.  We need to get Lily immediately.  She has to be monitored."

"Why Dad?"

"Sinnients have special powers.  If Lily feels threatened or cornered, her powers may spin out of control.  We don't know what her special powers are yet, so her family could be in danger. We'll have to perform the special spell to see what her powers are.  We might as well check yours while we're at it, to play it safe.  Come on, let's go get Lily." Anthony said, and grabbed his son.

They rushed over to Lily's house, and Debbie Evans opened the door, her face tearstreaked.  "This isn't a good time." she said coldly.

"Debbie, that's irrelevant at this point.  We need Lily." Anthony said in an equally cold voice.  She better not scar that girl, emotionally or physically.  They would need her.  The whole world needed her.

"Well, you'll just have to manage without her."

"James, do you know where her room is?" Anthony asked, his patience wearing thin.  James nodded, and led the way.

"ANTHONY, YOU JUST CAN'T BARGE IN HERE AND TAKE MY CHILD."

"Just watch me." Anthony replied, and continued following James.  They knocked on Lily's door, and she answered in her pajamas, even though it was only two in the afternoon.

"Would you please leave me alone?" Lily asked tearily.

"Lily, we need to check on you.  You have special powers, and we need to see what they are, so you don't hurt somebody by mistake." Anthony said gently.

"Okay." she said quietly.

"We'll be in your father's office, explaining to him." Mr. Potter told her, then led James to Logan's study.

After it was explained to her father, Lily, James, and Mr. Potter went back to the Potter mansion.

"Okay Lily, here's the deal.  All Sinnients have special powers.  Just to make sure yours aren't deadly, I'm going perform a spell on you.  There are five different abilities a Sinnient can have.  They can mind read, distinguish when a person is lying, be telepathic, can perform spells without incantations, or they can control minds.  The last is very dangerous.  Both of you sit on the couch.  Good, now I'll do the spell."

This will make your powers active from now on.  Revelatio Sensium" Mr. Potter shouted.  Red and gold light swirled around the room, and all of it seemed to absorp into Lily and James's bodies.

"James, please leave the room." Mr. Potter said.  "Now, first of all, Lily can you tell what I'm thinking?"

"You're hoping I can't control you're mind." Lily answered.

"You can mind read Lily.  Just for precautionary measures, I'm obligated to check you for the rest of these.  Try to send a message to me.  You're hungry?" he asked with disbelief.  "And strawberry cheesecake sounds good to you?"

"Yes.  Don't you just love a good cheese cake?"

"You have two powers, oh my word." Mr. Potter breathed.  "I'm going to say several things.  Tell me if you think I am lying.  My birthday is February 20.  My middle name is James.  I love chocolate ice cream."

"You're lying." Lily answered calmly.

"You're right.  I hate chocolate ice cream.  Has anybody told you that?"

"No."

"Try the levitating spell.  Don't say anything out loud, just wish to have this table levitate.  Keep your arms stationary at your sides."

The table levitated.

"Lily.  Try to tell me to do something." Mr. Potter said very carefully.  He stood up and danced a jig.  "I felt you entering my mind.  It was like I couldn't control it anymore.  You have all five abilities." Mr. Potter closed his eyes.  "Please send James in."

This will make your powers active from now on.  Revelatio Sensium" Mr. Potter shouted.  Red and gold light swirled around the room, and all of it seemed to absorp into Lily and James's bodies.

"James, please leave the room." Mr. Potter said.  "Now, first of all, Lily can you tell what I'm thinking?"

"You're hoping I can't control you're mind." Lily answered.

"You can mind read Lily.  Just for precautionary measures, I'm obligated to check you for the rest of these.  Try to send a message to me.  You're hungry?" he asked with disbelief.  "And strawberry cheesecake sounds good to you?"

"Yes.  Don't you just love a good cheese cake?"

"You have two powers, oh my word." Mr. Potter breathed.  "I'm going to say several things.  Tell me if you think I am lying.  My birthday is February 20.  My middle name is James.  I love chocolate ice cream."

"You're lying." Lily answered calmly.

"You're right.  I hate chocolate ice cream.  Has anybody told you that?"

"No."

"Try the levitating spell.  Don't say anything out loud, just wish to have this table levitate.  Keep your arms stationary at your sides."

The table levitated.

"Lily.  Try to tell me to do something." Mr. Potter said very carefully.  He stood up and danced a jig.  "I felt you entering my mind.  It was like I couldn't control it anymore.  You have all five abilities." Mr. Potter closed his eyes.  "Please send James in."

Lily sat in the hall as James was in there. She was getting a really bad headache. Phrases kept spiraling through her mind. She could see people lying, and a whistle would starte screaching. Things were flying around in her mind. She closed her eyes and tried very hard not to think.
In the office of Mr. Potter...
"James, try to get me to do something. Enter my mind." Mr. Potter started saying, "James, you're allowance is raised to 50 Galleons a week. And you may kick your sister out of her room-JAMES! That's enough!"
"Sorry Dad."
"You can control minds, how scary. Tell me if I'm lying. The Declaration of Independence of the United States was signed in 1778."
"You're lying Dad."
"I am. Try to send me a message. You want chocolate cake? Okay, perform the levitating spell, with you're arms stationary at your sides, and don't say a word." The desk rose from the floor. "Tell me what I'm thinking."
"Oh Lord. Both of them have all five abilities." James said.                                                   "I am going to go get Lily and Dumbledore.  Please stay here James." Mr. Potter said.  He brought Lily in the room, then sat in front of the fire.  Professor Dumbledore's face appeared.

"Hello Anthony, or should I say Minister?  How are you doing today?" Dumbledore's face asked.

"Mediocre.  I'm not sure whether to be happy or sad or scared.  That is why I request that you come here as soon as possible."

"Of course Anthony, but why?"

"I've discovered Lily and James's abilities.  They have all five."

POP.  Dumbledore was immediately in the office.

Dumbledore didn't look composed for once.  "Are you serious?  The have all five?  You're kidding me.  It's not possible.  No Sinnient has ever had ALL five abilities."

"Dumbledore, I'm afraid so.  Try them." Anthony said wearily.

"Both of you make something levitate."  Bookcases levitated.  "I see your point.  This is scary.  I'm not sure what to do right now.  Please give us a moment, children.  We need to confer about the best way to go about this." Dumbledore said.  Lily and James both left the room to sit in the hall.  Both had the same expressions of pain on their face.  Lily andJames had thoughts swirling through their minds that they couldn't control.  They sat down in the hall, their heads in their hands.  They heard somebody knock on the door, but they didn't move.  About five minutes later Sirius came bounding up the stairs, saying excitedly, "James,  my parents got me a ticket!  Remus has his too!  We are going to the World Cup!"                                                                                                                      "Sirus, I'm going to have to ask you to leave right now." Mr. Potter said as he came to get Lily and James.

"Okay, sure Mr. Potter." Sirius said, then whispered, "Hey, are you guys in trouble?"

"No Sirius." James answered, then followed Lily into the study.

"James, Lily.  You two have powers beyond imagining.  Unfortunately, I can't allow two 13 year olds control people's minds.  I'm going to place a restriction on your abilites where you can't use some of them.  I'm going to restrict the mind reading, mind controling, and the magic without a wand or incantation until you're twenty one.  And then it depends on if I think it is safe that you use them.  You will be allowed to determine if somebody is lying, and you can use your telepathic skills, if it doesn't become a problem.  At first, I want you to only use them on each other.  Then, as you become more in control of it, you may use it on certain others.  To be able to use your telepathic skills on each other, you must make a connection first." Dumbledore said.

"Both of you raise your right hands.  Now place them against each other.  Good, now repeat after me.  Telepathist Adjoin." Mr. Potter said.

"Telepathist Adjoin." James and Lily both said.  A gold glow surrounded them, then receded. 

"Now, I'm going to restrict your other powers.  Sensio Demilish." Dumbledore said, raising his wand.  "Now try to talk to each other.  We won't be able to hear you."

Hey, James, can you hear me?

Yeah, this is crazy, can you hear me?

Yes.  This could be useful in History of Magic and Divination especially.

No kidding.  Too bad Sirius and Remus can't be in on this yet.

"I take it you can understand each other?"

"Yes." Lily answered.

"If that's all, then I'll leave." Dumbledore announced and stood up. He disapparated with a POP.
"Lily, we have an extra ticket to the world cup if you would like to go with us." Mr. Potter said.
"Really? That would be great! I would love to!" Lily said.
"Good. It is on August third. We will be back from Italy on August second. I'll come by and get you, then we'll all go the the portkey where we'll be transported to the field. We will be there three days, the second, third, and fourth, for the party afterwards for Ministry officials and the team and team's family. So you will need dress robes."
"Got it. Thank you soooooo much Mr. Potter." Lily said. "Can I go home now?"
"Yes Lily. Have a good day." Mr. Potter said with a smile, and Lily left.

Lily skipped over to her house happily.  She went upstairs, and told her dad about what happened with her abilities, and getting to go to the quidditch world cup.  He also had a surprise for her.  The day after she went shopping, she would get to go to the beauty salon, and get her hair done, as well as a manicure, pedicure, and facial.  Lily was so excited about finally going shopping tomorrow, she could barely sleep that night. 

As it turned out, the Potters were leaving for America for the Minister's meeting that day too.  Lily was looking forward to surprising James with her new look when he got back.  There was something special about him being speechless, she thought with a grin.  At nine o'clock she was picked up by the fashion consultant, whose name was Tiffany.  She was in her early twenties, and wore the latest styles, and was very pretty.  She took Lily around to all the best stores, so Lily ended up with a completely new wardrobe.  At lunch, Tiffany ate some kind of salad, and stared at Lily, who was working on eating an entire medium pizza by herself.

"Lily?  Is that a good idea to eat that entire pizza?" Tiffany asked.

"Yes.  This is reasonably healthy compared to the entire birthday cake I ate one time." Lily answered.

"Are you bulimic?" Tiffany asked bluntly.

"No.  Are you?" Lily answered just as bluntly.

"No.  If I was, you can bet your buttons I wouldn't be eating this rabbit food.  Do you eat like this all the time?"

"About.  Pizza is one of my favorites, so I'm going a little crazy with it, but my friends eat ten times more than me."

"My word.  How much do they weigh?." Tiffany said.

"Probably about 170.  I never asked."

"Have they tried diet and exercise?"

"They exercise, but diet isn't in their vocabulary.  But they don't want to lose weight.  They're not overweight."

"How tall are they?" Tiffany asked in awe.

"Two are 5'11" right now.  The other is about 5'9" and the other is my height."

"Amazing.  What are these girls names?"

"Umm, they're boys.  James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter." Lily said, trying not to laugh.

Lily had a good time shopping with Tiffany, and an even better time at the salon the next day.  Lily looked like a new person after she was done.  She had got her hair cut differently, and she looked good in her new clothes.  Her only despairment was that she hadn't grown anymore.  It looked like she was stuck at 5'3 3/4".  During the last week in June, the Potters came home before they went to Italy.  Lily was down at the pond fishing.  Actually she was trying to fish, trying being the operative word.  She had only been fishing once in her life, and today she had gotten the bright idea to make it her second.  She was wearing shorts and flip-flops, so she could wade in the water.  Apparently fishing didn't take a lot of skill because she had three fish by the time James had found her at the pond.

Lily was currently sitting on a towel, her back to the road, saying, "Here fishy, fishy, fishy.  Jump on my hook fishy.  You know you want that nice tasty, squiggly worm."

"Lily, what are you doing?" James asked, looking like he was about ready to fall down laughing.

Lily whirled around and stared at James with shock, then smiled.  "I was trying to lure the fish to my hook.  I think I need some more practice.  How was your trip?"

James was staring at Lily.  She looked so different from the last time he had seen her.  She was gorgeous.  He realized she was waiting for an answer.  "Oh, it was okay.  It was really hot there.  I thought I would have a heat stroke.  And you?"

"I've been doing okay.  It's just a little boring, hence the fishing.  I go camping in three days though.  I'm looking forward to a week of roughing it."

"Is your dad taking you?"

"He was, but he has a meeting to go to.  He signed me up with this group of kids my age that are going hiking and camping.  So it ought to be fun."

"Lily, would you mind if I signed up too?"                                                                    "No, but James, are you sure you can handle it?  Muggle camping isn't anything like wizard camping."                                                                                                                   “Sure, I can handle it, just let me ask my dad if I can." James said, and ran off.  Lily could tell this would definitely be an experience she wouldn't forget.  She couldn't imagine James camping muggle style.
Three days later, James and Lily were standing with their parents in the parking lot of "Camps for Kids" carrying only a backpack with a sleeping bag.  They got the typical be good speeches, teary goodbyes, and hugs.  Shortly their parents left, leaving Lily and James to wait with the other kids for the bus that would take them to the wilderness.  This was an interesting group to say the least.  Some of the kids looked to come from regular middle-class families.  Others looked like tough inner-city kids.  Lily was told to stay away from these people.  Her mother had always had a fear of big cities, which had unconsciously rubbed off on Lily.  Lily quickly realized she was the only one there with a designer hiking backpack and sleeping bag.  She also realized her shoes matched her shorts that matched her shirt that went with her hair ribbon.  Lily knew everybody else knew this too.  Most people were sitting singly, or in pairs.  She sat down next to a lonely looking girl.  James wander over to where the boys were sitting, and sat down by himself. 

"Hi, my name is Lily Evans."

"Hello Lily.  My name is Miranda." the girl said with a smile.

"Hi Miranda.  have you ever been camping before?"

"No.  Never.  My parents made me come.  How about you?"

"I went camping once with my dad when I was five.  He was supposed to take me this time, but he had a meeting." Lily said with a smile.

"You're not going to start the poor little rich girl thing are you?" Miranda asked bitterly.

"No.  I am satisfied with my life." Lily said.

"Good.  I hope we can be friends.  Did you come with that really cute boy?"

Lily wondered why people always had to ask her about James.  "Yes."

"Oh.  Is he your boyfriend?"

"Yes."

"Why did he come with you?"

"He was trying to get out of the first part of his family vacation to Italy.  They are visiting  some aunt that James doesn't care for.  He found out I was going, so he signed up."

"Oh.  So, is he rich like you?"

"Is that really any of your business?" Lily asked sweetly, hoping this girl would remember her manners.                                                                                                                       "Well, Barbie's got an attitude." Miranda said.

Lily was shocked.  What was this girl's problem.  "Barbie has blond hair.  I haave red.  Get it straight."

Miranda walked off in a snit.  Lily saw James had made some friends, and was chatting happily.  Lily whipped out a nail file, and smoothed out her nails for lack of better entertainment.  She got tired of waiting, and couldn't stand the boredom.  She decided to try out her telepathic skills.

Hey James?

Yeah Lily?

Do you have a book I could read?

Of course.  Do Sirius or I ever leave home without Quidditch Through the Ages?

No, that was a dumb question.  Can I borrow it?

Yeah, come and get it.  I'll get it out.  Lily stood up, dusted herself off, and walked over to James to get the book. He handed it to her with a smile, which she returned with a 'Thank you'. She walked back over to her backpack, and opened the book. It was a rather short book, so she memorized it instead of merely reading it.
"Do you know that girl?" one guy asked.
"Yes."
"How?" another asked.
"I live next door to her, and she goes to my school." James answered.
"She's hot." yet another observed.
"She's my girlfriend." James said flatly.                                                                             "Oh, sorry man.  We didn't mean anything by it." the guy said, but his eyes strayed to Lily all the same.  Finally the camp bus pulled up, and a lady stepped out to say, "Everybody in.  Girls toward the back, boys at the front.  Put your backpacks and sleeping bags in the compartment here."  Everybody followed the instructions, and loaded on the bus.  Lily continued memorizing the book by heart.  By reading this book, you actually got to know James better.  He had made little notes all through the book.  On one page the teams along with the players were listed.  It was magical, so when the team's changed, the book recorded it.  James had written under the Britain Lions Potter, James-chaser-captain  An hour later the bus stopped at some rather rough looking woods.  Lily tossed the book in James's lap as she walked pass his seat, then got  her backpack and sleeping bag.  The camping chaperones had all the food and tents, so they wouldn't have to carry them when they went hiking. 

"Everybody, pair up with somebody to share a tent with.  I do not want boys and girls in the same tent.  After you find a tent mate, starte pitching it."                                                How do you pitch a tent Lily?  Just throw it like a baseball? James asked telepathically.                                                                                                                No, you put the tent up.  It should have instructions.  If it doesn't, hope your partner knows how.  The only tent I've ever put together is a Sesame Street play tent when I was five.                                                                                                                                     So I'm on my own huh?                                                                                               Looks like it.  After Lily got her backpack she started looking for a tent mate.  She found a tall blond girl, looking around like she was, and walked over to her.

"Can I be your partner?  I'm Lily Evans." Lily said cheerily.

"I would like that.  I'm Serenity Nightingale.  Nice to meet you." Serenity said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll get the tent, if you get the supplies." Lily said.  Everybody got their own food to cook.

"Deal.  See you in a minute."  Serenity said, and headed towards the food.  Lily walked over to the pile of tents, and tried to find the best looking one possible.  She found a nice looking blue tent, and pulled at it.  It didn't budge.  She looked up and saw James was at the other end of it, pulling at it too.  He looked up, and immediately let go of the tent, causing Lily to fall down.  James walked over and helped her up, while saying, "I'm sorry.  I didn't realize you were after that tent."                                                                           "It's okay, you can have it though." Lily said, offering him the tent.                                "No, you take it." James said.                                                                                        "No, you had it first."                                                                                                          “I think you did.”                                                                                                          "James, I insist you take the tent."

"No, Lily.  This is a nice tent.  It might rain during the night or something.  You  could get sick."

"So could you James."

"I'm tougher than you are."

"That's debatable."

"No it isn't."

"Yes it is.  Take the tent Potter."

"Evans, you take the bloody tent.  I don't want it."                                                    "Neither do I." Lily said forcefully.                                                                                     "Lily, I want the tent.  Come on." Serenity said, taking the tent away from them.           "See, you got the tent." James said smugly.  Lily decided she was on the losing end of this conversation, so she just followed Serenity to a likely looking spot for their tent.  

"Okay, let's get started, there should be some directions in there." Serenity said.  Lily smiled gratefully.  Finally someone who wasn't hounding her about James.  Lily and Serenity worked peacefully for about twenty minutes on their tent.  They thought they had it together finally.  Serenity went to toss her sleeping bag in it, but it collapsed.

"Oh no." Lily giggled.  She couldn't  help it.  They were the only ones who hadn't got their tents up yet.                                                                                                                                                "I don't think this is our profession." Serenity laughed.                                                    "No kidding.  Don't quit your day job Inferno." James said, walking up behind them.

“Oh shut up four eyes.  What did you do?  Trick your poor partner into pitching the tent by himself?” Lily asked sarcastically.

“I helped.” James said defensively, but didn't elaborate.

“Well, Daniel Boone, I'm sure you won't mind helping us then.” Lily said.

“Uh.  Sure.  Who's Daniel Boone?”

“You woldn't know him.” Lily answered, and they continued working on the tent.  After tne minutes, they really did have the tent up.  It didn't fall down on them either.

“Way to go James.” Serenity said admiringly.

“How did you know my name?' James asked.

“You and Lily were  screaming.  The whole camp heard your conversation  There was no way I could miss it.” she said dryly.  Both Lily and James had the grace to blush.

“Eveybody, you are going to catch your own supper.  We're going to go to the lake to go fishing.  We'll dig up worms at the clearing over yonder.  Grab a fishing pole, shovel, and bucket, and follow me.” The camp leader shouted, and they all followed.  Everybody dug up some worms, then caught some fish for supper.  Lily managed to get two trout and a bass, while Serenity got two bass and a croppie.  They didn't have so much fun when they had to clean the fish.  Lily and Serenity both held the fish as far away as possible from them, barely making any progress.  After an excruciating twenty minutes, they got the fish cleaned.  Lily and Serenity both cooked their fish easily, laughing at the smoke that came from James's fire.  He ended up eating burnt fish for supper. 

Later that night,
everybody was sitting around a huge fire telling ghost stories. Lily and
James weren't scared. After all, they had seen the Bloody Baron, Peeves, and
Sirius all get into a fight in second year. What could be scarier. Also, the
muggles had a very twisted idea about ghosts. Very unrealistic. "....and
then the door opened. Merita was lying in a heap on the floor. The words
'The Greenwich Ghost strikes again' were written with her entrails." The
camp advisor finished ominously, causing several girls to scream. Serenity
and Lily looked at each other and started laughing. "That was sooooooooo
scary. Even though ghosts aren't real." Miranda said snottily. James joined
in the laughter. Miranda would have a chicken if she went to Hogwarts. Lily
and Serenity now had tears down their faces.
"What is so funny if I may inquire?" Miranda asked.
"You may inquire. It doesn't mean we'll answer." Lily laughed. They managed
to calm down enough to toast their marshmallows. Just barely. Lily was still
shaking with laughter at the thought of Miranda at Hogwarts when she was
kneeling to cook her marshmallows. She looked at Serenity, who was still
shaking too, then looked back at her marshmallow. Her stick had slipped, and
her marshmallow was now flaming. Lily pulled the stick out of the fire and
started shaking it, trying to put the fire out. The marshmallow went flying
off the stick. Lily watched its flight path. It hit James square in the
face. Lily didn't know whether to help James or laugh. She chose the latter.
She nearly split a rib when the marshmallow started sliding down his face.
Serenity, bless her heart, was laughing hysterically too, gasping for air.
Half the female population was flocking to James, all offering him things
raging from used napkins to a shirt to clean his face off with. The guys
were staring at Lily with amazement and admiration. James didn't look like
somebody who was used to being crossed.
"That was great Lily! That has to be the funniest thing I've ever seen in my
life!" Serenity said.
"I know. It was great. I would help him, but it looks like he's got plenty
of that already." Lily said, trying to calm the laughing.
"You two need to get out more, if you think this is funny." James said
sourly.
Lily didn't know whether to help James or laugh. She chose the latter. She
nearly split a rib when the marshmallow started sliding down his face.
Serenity, bless her heart, was laughing hysterically too, gasping for air.
Half the female population was flocking to James, all offering him things
raging from used napkins to a shirt to clean his face off with. The guys
were staring at Lily with amazement and admiration. James didn't look like
somebody who was used to being crossed.
"You two need to get out more, if you think this is funny." James said
sourly."Awww, relax James. Loosen up. Live life to the fullest. No life is
complete without a burnt marshmallow in the face." Lily said with a charming
smile, guaranteed to get her anything from anybody.
"So, how long until you get your completely necessary marshmallow in the
face?" James asked solicitously.
Everybody except James could resist that smile. How convenient. "I don't
need a marshmallow in the face. I am completely mellow and relaxed." Lily
said sweetly.
"I am so sure." James replied sarcastically. "But," he said in the voice
that charmed girls, "I'm sure we could let it slide."
"Thanks oh Great One." Lily laughed.
"Gee whiz Lily. You hurt my feelings." James replied in a mock-hurt tone.
"Well what do you expect me to do about it?" "Kiss me and make it all
better?" James said in babyish voice. An odd expression crossed Lily's face,
and she started laughing.
"You forgot the mistletoe, hotshot."
James adopted a crestfallen look. "Awww, Lils. You just broke my poor
heart."
"I'm sorry James. You'll just have to move on. I need to get myself in my
sleeping bag. If I'm not mistaken, the hike to our next camping ground
starts at 8 o'clock."
"Morning?" James asked, appalled.
"Yes sir." Lily said smartly, and retreated to her tent. Lily went into her
tent to change. After she changed she unzipped her sleeping bag. There was a
huge, big, snake in there. Lily started screaming and couldn't get out of
the tent fast enough. For some reason she couldn't get the door unzipped,
and nearly busted out of it without the premade door. She finally got out of
the already occupied tent and started running to James, screaming, "James,
save me! There's a huge, big, ugly, nasty, mean, snake! It's just waiting to
eat me!" By now she was already sitting on James. She had knocked him off
his log when she jumped on him. Lily's eyes were as big of saucers. "James,
I am really scared of snakes. Please do something about it. Get it out of
there." Lily begged.
"Umm, Lily, I hate to bring this up, but I can't exactly do anything until
you decide to get off me." James said.
"Oh. Sorry. Okay, I'm up. The snake is still in my sleeping bag." Lily said.
James wondered where the chaperones were when he needed them. He wasn't too
crazy about this idea. He wasn't much of a snake person himself. With
everybody's eyes on him he walked over to Lily's tent, Lily on his heels. He
stepped inside of it, and saw the snake. "Lily! It's a garden snake for
crying out loud! It can't hurt you!" James said, barely restraining his
laughter.                                                                                                                                "Just a garden sanke eh pal?" The snake asked.
"I beg your pardon?" James asked the snake.
"You underestimate me just because I am green. You have no idea how hard it is to be a nice snake. I am naturally feared."
"Really? That must be bad. I wasn't so keen on snakes myself. You seem nice though." James said.
"James are you trying to talk to that snake?" Lily asked. "Because hissing doesn't mean they understand you. It's like walking up to a cow and saying moo, and expecting them to understand it." Lily said, afraid James had really went off the deep end this time.  James continued hissing and Lily decided to check it out.
"So will you leave? Lily is really scared of snakes." James hissed.
Yesssss, pal, I will. Good day. The snake slithered off, causing Lily to nearly faint. James came out after the snake. "You're a parselmouth!" Lily said.
"Why do you say that?" James asked, offended.
"You were talking to that snake in snake language." Lily said.
"Oh no. Lily, PLEASE don't tell anybody. I'll be kicked out of Gryffindor. Usually only dark wizards can speak parseltongue. But don't be scared Lily. I'm not going to be a dark wizard." James said, grabbing her upper arms, begging with her.
"It's okay James. I won't tell a soul." Lily said, and slid her arms around his waist in a hug. "Everything will be just fine, James. We're the only two who know about it, and I swear I won't tell anybody."  James knew his secret was safe with her. He returned the hug and rested his
chin in her hair. They stood like that for a minute until Lily said, "Mmmm,
this is almost as good as a goodnight kiss, James."
"Is that a hint to let you sleep?" James asked, not moving.
"No, but you have a point, now that you broght it up." Lily said with a
smile. James thought, 'well, I ruined a good thing, did I, Potter?' He
kissed her goodnight, and left her to her sleeping bag as requested.
Lily let Serenity change in the tent, then snuggled down in her sleeping
bag.
"Don't tell me you're going to sleep already, Lily?" Serenity said.
"Why's that?" Lily mumbled.
"I want to hear the scoop on you and James." Serenity said, and Lily
instantly froze. "What? Did I hit a sore spot? Do you not want to talk about
it? Forget I said anything at all. I would like for us to be friends."
"Me too," Lily said, "but most girls ask me about James, then try to steal
him away from me."
"I'm not that dumb, Lily." Serenity laughed. "He's obviously so taken with
you he probably doesn't even notice any other girls. I don't know what
you've done, but you've got him wrapped."
"Wrapped?" Lily questioned.
"Around your finger." Serenity explained.
"Oh. That wasn't my intentions. He was my neighbor, then we both went to the
same boarding school, and we became friends. Then last year on my birthday
he asked me out. We've been going out since." Lily said.
"Ohhh, how romantic." Serenity said with a smile.
"What school do you go to Serenity?" Lily asked, wishing she could have a friend like her at Hogwarts.                                                                                                                     "I, umm, went to a school somewhere in umm, Russia, but there's a lot of crime in the east nowadays.  I'm going to a school here in England now.  I don't remember the name though.  How about you?"                                                                                              "My school is very small.  In the Highlands, I believe.  I don't really pay attention during the train ride." Lily answered.                                                                                      "Cool, who knows, we may end up at the same school." Serenity said with a smile, and they both went to sleep.  The next morning came entirely too early for Lily the next morning.  Lily sat down on a log next to James while their breakfast was cooking. 

"Guess, what Lily." James said excitedly.

"Umm, you made England's National Quidditch Team?" Lily teased.

"You may laugh now Lily, but just wait and see.  Someday I'll be on that team.   Actually I found some mistletoe in the woods." James said with a smile, and started rummaging in his backpack.

"James, I don't think mistletoe grows around here." Lily said as Serenity came to sit down next to her.

"Yes it does Lily, because I found some." James answered, and pulled the green and red plant out of his backpack.    .                                                                                        “James, that is not mistletoe.  That is poison ivy!" Lily said, inching away from him.

                                                                                     

"Is poison ivy bad?" James questioned                                                                          "Yes, very bad.  It itches terribly.  Give me your arm, but don't touch me with that stuff." Lily directed.  James gave her his arm as requested, and led him to the fire.  "Drop the poison ivy.  Okay, now let's go see the chaperones, maybe they have something to make it heal." Lily then led James over towards the chaperones.  All of a sudden she tripped over a tree root, and went flying.  James instinctively caught her.  Lily looked down.  His poison ivy contaminated hand was on her bare skin.  "Oh, James.  You didn't!  It would have been better to let me fall!" Lily moaned."That wouldn't have been chivalrous." James pointed out.

"And putting gum in my hair is?" Lily asked.

"That is all in the past Lily." James told her.

"Well, I wish this poison ivy was." Lily said as they walked up to the chaperones.  They explained the story briefly, and were given some kind of sticky gel to put on the rash.  They walked back to the group, Lily with a rather put out expression, and James with his normal charismatic expression.  The rest of the camping experience passed rather uneventfully, minus the itchy poison ivy, a tent that collapsed in on James.  Apparently he wasn't Daniel Boone after all.  Lily decided to play WWF RAW with James, after he spread the poison ivy to her other arm.  The camp chaperones barely stopped her from hitting him with a skillet.  On the 1 of July, 17 days before James's birthday, they wwere once again on the camp bus.  Logan Evans would pick them up.  James would then go to his house, and by the floo network, go to Sirius's for a week, before joining his parents, who were now in Nepal.  Everybody went in separate directions after they unloaded the bus.  James went with Lily home, then went to Sirius's house.  Lily felt all alone, and she didn't like it one bit.  She got used to it a little, but still felt like something was missing, causing her to mope around the house all the time, her mother giving her knowing looks.  Lily sent James a magical wristwatch via owl for his birthday on the eighteenth.  A week before the Potters would pick her up for the world cup, Lily discovered her clothes were getting a little too snug.  She told her dad, who in turn contacted Tiffany, the personal shopper.  Tiffany had a comment, meant to be nice, but turned out rather condescending, "Oh, the Lily is blossoming."  Lily wanted to gag.  After her rather traumatizing shopping experience(staring boys), she had to go shopping in Diagon Alley for dress robes, to wear for the quidditch ball.

Lily missed James so much she was almost making herself sick.  She kept telling herself she's stupid, but that annoying little voice in her head kept talking back to her.  (italics are that little voice)

I don't know what my problem is.  I just need to snap out of it.                                       You know what's really wrong.                                                                                             I do not.  I just miss my best friend, who happens to be my  boyfriend.                                  We both know there's more to it than that.  Really?  Well, seeings how you know it all, why don't you enlighten meYou love him.                                                                                                                     I do not.  I'm going to be fourteen in a month.  I am not in love.  I'm too young to love.    Apparently not.  You love him more than anything.                                                            I DO NOT!  You don't know me.  You don't know how I think.                                      You dumb little girl!  I am your thoughts                                                                           No you're not!                                                                                                                   Yes I am.  I'm not going to get into a screaming match, like you do with your true love, Lily.                                                                                                                               He's not my true love!  He's like my third ever boyfriend.                                                     You found him early.  You don't have to go through all the heartbreak and disparagement of others.                                                                                                                          Oh no.  I do love him don't I?                                                                                       More than you can imagine.  Lily flopped down on her bed and covered her face with a pillow.  "This cannot be happening to me!" Lily said.

"What can't be happening to you sweetheart?" Lily's mom asked.

"Nothing." Lily said shortly.

"Oh, baby, please don't be mad at me.  I love you too.  Please.  I'm your mother, talk to me.  Let me help  you with your problems." Her mother begged, and Lily got an evil idea.

"Well Mum, I'm not sure even you can help me.  I became an alocholic while at Hogwarts last year, James got me pregnant, and I think I'm suicidal." Lily said sadly, trying her darnedest not to laugh.                                                                                                      "Oh Lord, Lily, tell me this is a joke!  If you're alcoholic we can dry you out.  AA will take care of it.  If you're suicidal, we'll get you the best physciatrist money can buy.  But please tell me you are not pregnant.  You know our family doesn't believe in abortions.  If you're pregnant I'LL GO AFTER JAMES POTTER AND WRING HIS SCRAWNY LITTLE NECK!" Lily's mother said, getting rather riled.                                                               "Uh, Mum, relax.  I'm not pregnant, or alcoholic.  Or suicidal for that matter.  I was joking.  Actually, my problem is that I love James."                                                         "Oh, sweetheart, don't tell me you just now realized that. It's been obvious you love him since Christmas. You two are so besotted with each other."
"Mum, there's one little problem. He doesn't love me."
"How do you know that?"
"He hasn't ever told me he loves me. I don't expect him to either. Think about this."
"He probably won't admit his feelings for a few years, Lily. You'll just have to be patient. He will realize his feelings for you soon, then he will just have to work up the nerve to tell you about them. You will just have to love him enough for the both of you until then."
"But I can't do that Mum! I want the kind of love where you love somebody with all your heart, and you never quit thinking about them. The over the fence, shoot for the stars, bigger than life kind of love."
"Well, then Lily, you have goals. You know what you want. James may be the boy to fulfill those dreams."
"You don't think it will happen."                                                                                     "You know about my marriage. I have a deep affection for your father, but it's not what you're describing it. I hope you find it Lily, I truly do."
"Thanks Mum." Lily said gratefully, and closed her eyes, hoping to nap. Her mother let herself out of the room. "I've really fallen. Head over heels. And I don't know what to do." Lily muttered to herself.
On the edge looking over, all I see is a four-leaf clover. May be a sign of things to come. Should I jump or should I run?
After I fall where do I stand, after my heart is in your hands. And you've got it all, after I fall where do I stand, after I've loved you all I can. Will I still stand talll, after I fall?
It's as clear as a blue sky. I don't fear you telling me a lie. So I'll become your only dancer, and let the sunrise bring the anser. Leanne Womack After I Fall                     Lily's bags were packed three days before she was leaving.  She was so excited about the World Cup, she couldn't imagine how excited James the quidditch buff would be.

On August second, she was promptly picked up by Mr. Potter and James at nine o'clock.  They walked to a secluded wood, where a portkey would take them to the quidditch grounds in Scotland.

"So, Lily, how has your summer been so far?" Mr. Potter inquired.

"Just peachy." Lily said perkily, barely refraining herself from skipping.  She couldn't wait for the World Cup.                                                                                                              "I can see you're excited.  I thought we would have to put a collar and leash on James this past week.  He's been driving us batty about the Cup."                                                         "I can't wait.  I've never seen a professional quidditch game before."                             "You'll love it.  Quidditch is great at Hogwarts, but this is the ultimate greatest thing in the world." James said excitedly.  Lily could see why his family considered restraining him.  There were several other witches and wizards, including Mrs. Potter and Gina, waiting at the portkey.
"Is that everybody on the list?" Mr. Potter asked.
"Yes, Mr. Minister." One witch said.
"Good, the portkey will leave in exactly one minute. Everybody grab that tree over there." Mr. Potter announced, and everybody followed his instructions. At the end of the minute, Lily felt a jerk at her abdomen, and was whirled around, and fell on something which groaned at her weight. She noticed they were at a rather rugged, deserted moor, and the thing that groaned was James.
"Thanks for padding my fall James." Lily said brightly and got up.                                "Sure, anytime you want to cause internal injuries, feel free to call." James muttered.

"Okay, I'll remember that." Lily said perkily.  She was seriously hyper from all this excitement.  Then again maybe it was all the candy she had eaten this morning.  James wasn't in any better of a condition, and he didn't have sugar as an excuse.  Once they entered the quidditch grounds he never blinked.  James was all eyes, taking in everything.  He was slightly scary, being so fanatical.  Lily had a feeling if he ever got on a national quidditch team that made it to the world cup, it would be worth coming to see his reaction at being there.  After about fifteen minutes they found the Potter tent, already assembled. 

"How are we all going to fit in that?  It's a pup tent." Lily said.

"It's magical Lily.  Duh." James answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.  Everybody crawled through the tent entrance and stepped into a grand country estate.

"Amazing." Lily breathed.

"I take it you like the wizard version of campin?" Mr. Potter asked with amusement.

"Oh yes.  Muggles have no idea what they're missing." Lily replied.                                 “As soon as you unpack, you kids can go explore the grounds." Mr. Potter said, and the three of them ran upstairs.  Gina and Lily would be sharing a room.  Gina tossed her clothes into draweres, while Lily refolded them precisely with her obsessive orderliness.  She was orderly very quickly though, so she was unpacked in fifteen minutes.

Gina, James, and Lily strolled around the quidditch grounds for several hours, until James's watch read 'time for dinner, get yourself home this instant!'.    They had a decently normal dinner, considering it was at a country house in a pup tent, visited by the officials of several countries.  The dinner was rather eventful.  Everybody sat down at the table, Lily between Gina and James.                                                                                         "And who is this charming young lady?" The Minister of Norway, a middle aged woman, asked.                                                                                                                            "This is my son's friend, Lily Evans."                                                                                  "Is she related to Sinnient Evans?" The lady questioned.                                                  "Lily can speak for herself." Mr. Potter answered.                                                           "He is my uncle.  My dad's brother." Lily replied politely.                                              "Lily parents are muggles, but she herself is a Sinnient." Mr. Potter said rather proudly. "Isn't your son a Sinnient as well?" Another minister asked.                                               "Yes, James is." Mr. Potter said in a proud voice once again.                                          "They look so good together." The American Minister observed, causing the mentioned to blush.                                                                                                                                  "I believe we can expect great things from them." The Chinese Minister said with an aura of mystery.  Lily slept like the dead, but she woke up early, refreshed from her deep sleep.  She was the first one in the kitchen for breakfast, and Minky already had breakfast made for her.

"Here's you go Miss Lily.  Minky made special toast with honey and sausage for Miss Lily."

"Thank you Minky, I'm sure it will be delicious." Lily said with a smile.  She started eating, and Minky stayed by her, no matter how many compliments she gave.

"Minky, why don't you leave Lily alone right now.  I want to talk to her for a bit." Mr. Potter said, coming downstairs.

"Good morning Mr. Potter." Lily said brightly.

"Good morning Lily.  I see Minky has really taking a fancy to you."

"I noticed myself." Lily said ruefully.                                                                                "Lily, are you adapting to the magical world alright?"                                        "Yyyyeeessss, I supposed." Lily said slowly.                                                                          "So you would have no qualms about living here permanently, if you were given the chance."                                                                                                                              "I think so.  There's still some things that I need to adapt to obviously, but it seems better than the muggle world." Lily said.                                                                               "That's all I was wondering.  Minky, I will take my breakfast upstairs if you would just give me my plate.  We'll leave for our box at nine sharp."                                                  As soon as Mr. Potter got out of the kitchen he ran upstairs to he bedchamber with his plate.  He busted in and said merrily, "Meredith, I have great news!  Lily is even willing to live in the magical world!"

"That's wonderful Anthony, but why do I care." Meredith answered, still half asleep.

"You care because she is your future daughter-in-law according to The Prophecy.  One day James will marry her, and naturally they would live in the magical world.  I had to make sure she would be okay with that."

"ANTHONY!  They are fourteen.  Aren't they a little young." Meredith said, not asked.

"They are young, but it doesn't matter.  Their futures are predestined.  They go together like spaghetti and garlic bread.  Hamburgers and frenchfries.  Bacon and eggs!"             "Eat your breakfast sweetheart, you're obviously very hungry if you can't come up with a better analogy than that." Meredith said drowsily, and tried to go back to sleep.At nine o'clock, James was dragging everybody physically out the tent.  He pulled his sister and mother along first, then his dad.  He hunted Lily down, then dragged her out.               "Hurry Mum, Dad.  We have to get to our box.  We can't be late."                                       "Uh, James, it doesn't start until 9:30.  Calm down, breathe a little, we have plenty of time.  And quit dragging Lily like a puppy.  She is looking rather riled and put out right now." Mr. Potter said.  James dropped Lily's arm, and said, "Sorry Lily.  I was trying to get you to  hurry."                                                                                                                                    "No kidding.  I thought you were under the impression I needed to be led around.  How about you get one of thos little kiddy leashes. You know the kind muggles put on their kids so they get away from them." Lily said sarcastically.                                              "You mean muggles have those?  That is amazing. I put a charm on James when he was little so he wouldn't wander away.  Muggles are truly handy, considering they don't have magic.  If muggle children were as rambunctious as James, they would definitely need some of those leashes." Meredith said.

"Awwww, James, were you a bit hyperactive?" Lily laughed.

"No." James denied.                                                                                                        "Yes." Meredith answered.                                                                                       Meredith was thinking to herself, 'I pity Lily if she is truly destined to marry James like Anthony says.  I can only imagine James's child.  Two or more James's running around.  Unfathomable.'

"Would you people hurry up?" James asked irritably.

"Would you calm down like a normal person.  We have plenty of time." Lily snapped back.                                                                                                                             "You never know, somebody could trip and fall.  Injure themselves.  We need to have the biggest time cushion available." James said.  Lily gave him a look that clearly said, 'you are getting crazier by the day.'                                                                                                Much to James's relief, they made it to the top box at 9:15.

"Well, would you look at that.  We have fifteen minutes to spare." Mr. Potter said with amusement to James, who was sitting on the edge of his seat.

"No thanks to the doomsday prophet over here." Lily muttered, but in a brighter voice said, "Who exactly is playing?"

"Bulgaria and Portugal.  This is the first year they've been allowed to bring their mascots too.  Portugal has pirates, rather startling characters.  Bulgaria of course, has veela."  Mrs. Potter told her.                                                                                                              "What are veela?" Lily questioned.                                                                               "They are women that are very pretty.  They play a sort of music too, but when they are angry, they are ugly creatures." Mr. Potter answered, wondering what exactly his son would do, but decided to let him learn his lesson first.                                                   After fifteen minutes, the announcer's voice came over the crowds.                               "And here is the mascots.  The Portugal Pirates..."  Some rather burly looking men came out onto the field, and tossed hats into the stands.  "And now, the Bulgarian VEELA'S!" Fifteen silver haired beauties strutted onto the field, with a whisky music playing. Women were covering their young son's ears. Men around the stadium were covering their ears and shutting their eyes.  The ones who didn't were getting out of their chairs, some were dancing.  Lily nearly fell out of her chair when she saw the Chinese Minister trying to climb out of his box.  She looked at James, half afraid at his reaction, but he was sitting there watching normally.  Mr. Potter saw this too, and dropped his hands in shock.  Mrs. Potter put her own over his ears at this, and stared at her son.  When the veela finally got off the field, Mr. Potter exclaimed, "My God, he can resist  veela."

The announcer's voice sounded again.  "And here are the teams.  Bulgaria:  Grenny Thompson, chaser, Luckton Micth, chaser, Ebony Wood, chaser, captain, Rick Belknap, keeper, Abby Jones, beater, Rock Hale, beater, Cassie Sharp, seeker.  And now for Portugal.  Hana Marchton(i made up a last name, hope you like it), chaser, Jesse Riggs, chaser, Alex Buckley, chaser, Daniella Marx, beater, Ryan Thermador, beater, Jonathon Smith, keeper, Tommy West, seeker.  Captains are shaking hands.  3...2...1, they're off!" The game started.  Lily was more fascinated watching James than the game.  He was scanning the field, without moving his head at all, but his eyes never stayed on the same spot for long.  He was watching the game like a true quidditch player would.  About halfway through the game, it looked like he was going to start drooling. 

"AND THAT'S THE GAME LADIES AND GENTS, BULGARIA WINS BY TEN POINTS WHEN THEY CAUGHT THE SNITCH.  NO WAIT!  THERE'S A WHISTLE.  PORTUGAL CHASER, HANA MARCHTON HAS A FOUL SHOT.  IF SHE MAKES IT, IT'S A TIE GAME, AND WE GO INTO SUDDEN DEATH.  WHOEVER SCORES FIRST, WINS.  ALL POSITIONS WILL BECOME CHASERS.  AND MARCHTON GOES UP FOR THE SHOT.  SHE MAKES IT!  SUDDEN DEATH!  MARCHTON'S GOT THE QUAFFLE, PASSES TO RIGGS, PASSES TO BUCKLEY, WHO PASSES IT BACK TO MARCHTON.  SHE SCORES!  PORTUGAL WINS!  560-550!"            All the quidditch players trooped up to the top box to receive their cup, and Lily though James was going to faint as they walked by.

"That's not very attractive Potter.  Do you feel like picking your jaw up off the ground anytime soon?" Lily asked.

"Go ahead and laugh Lily.  Just you wait and see, one of these days that'll be me." James said confidently and with longing.

"I believe you James." Lily said, just to make him shut up, but it only got him started once again.

"I know you don't believe me.  But when I lead England to the World Cup, I'm going to drag you up here to the top box, and make you watch.  Then when we win, I'll get to say I told you so."

"Okay.  If you lead your team to the World Cup, I promise I'll come.  You won't even have to drag me." Lily said.

It was pretty late when they got back to the Potter tent.  Lily was looking forward to the ball the next evening.  She came downstairs the next morning to find the Potters waiting sadly at the kitchen table.

"What's the long faces about?" Lily asked.

"Yesterday your family had it's annual reunion Lily." Mr. Potter said.

"Yeah, we always have it the first week of August." Lily said.

"It was attacked by some of Voldemort's supporters.  They are now called Death Eaters.  We believe they were after your uncle.  Your entire family except for your mother, father, and sister was killed." Mrs. Potter said.                                                                        Meredith expected her to cry.  Anthony expected her to faint.  James expected her to get mad.  She didn't live up to anybody's expectations.

"Why weren't my parents killed?"

"The were late.  Petunia couldn't find her other shoe."

"Uncle Pan?  He wasn't saved was he?  Couldn't he disapparate or something?"

"No, he couldn't he didn't realize they were there until the curses were flung." Mr. Potter answered.

"Do I need to go home now?"

"No.  Your parents want you to stay here, the joint funeral will be tomorrow.  They sent you black dress robes.  I understand your family goes into formal morning?" Mrs. Potter said.

"Yes.  Full black when possible for a week, then one article of black for the next month.  Black bows are on our doors." Lily answered.  She couldn't believe it.  Her family was gone.

Lily stayed silently in the room she shared with Gina the rest of the day.  She didn't cry though.  She read some books.  She found one tracing the Potters back centuries, to Godric Gryffindor.  James's grandmother with 37 greats was Godric Gryffindor's daughter, and only child to survive to have her own children.  Lily was fascinated with that.  At five o'clock she got ready for the ball, wearing the classy robes her mom had bought.  Lily wasn't sure how she had managed it, but she did.  Lily wore her black onyx necklace on a silver chain with matching necklace and earrings.  She wound black satin ribbons through her hair, and was ready to go. She actually look pretty with her morning garb.  Mr. Potter explained briefly he would have to explain the topic of the reunion to others tonight, and that their being Sinnients would probably be brought up.  As the Potters plus Lily entered the open field where the ball was being held, a hush greeted the crowd. 

“Everybody, I will address the topic of the muggle massacre now.  Today, 47 muggles, and one wizard were killed.  They were all a family, attending their annual reunion.  The wizard who perished was Sinnient Evans.”  Gasps were heard around the room.

“Yes, our only matured Sinnient was killed by Death Eaters.  We still  have two Sinnients.  My son James, and Lily Evans.”  there were more gasps.  Lily is the niece of Marzipan Evans, and she was here with us, or she would've also perished.”Mr. Potter prayed he had made the right choice.  The magical community needed reassurance, and that was all he could give them.  He hoped he wasn't jeopardizing the safety of Lily and James.  "That is all I have to say at the moment concerning the massacre.  Please enjoy yourselves at the ball." Mr. Potter concluded.  He had already sent special notes to all the foreign Ministers.  There would be a special meeting about Lily and James tonight.  A waltz started and James muttered, "Do ya wanna dance?"

"Sure." Lily muttered back.  She wished people would quit staring at them.  "That was so not cool."

"No kidding.  Talk about putting us in the limelight." James returned.  They waltzed easily, then walked over to Gina.  People's gazes still following them.

"Wow, you guys really got it." Gina said, glad she wasn't either of them.

"Trust me, it was worse than it seemed." Lily told her, wishing she could forget the stares of half the entire  Ministry, and every Minister of Magic on her.  The dance passed rather slowly, but things got better as it wore on.  All the Potters and Lily, except for Anthony, went back via portkey to their neighborhood.  Mr. Potter stayed for the meeting.

"Okay everybody, here's the deal.  James and Lily are The Prophets." Mr. Potter said bluntly.

"As in The Prophecy Prophets?" The Chinese Minister asked.

"The very same.  And I've got some more news.  They have all five Sinnient abilities."

"You're kidding us Anthony!" The American Minster said.

"No, I'm not, no matter how I wish I was.  They're restricted though, they only power they can use is the one about lying, and they can talk to each other telepathically."

"Anthony, you've got to be mistaken.  If that's true, these children are already more powerful than any of us!" The German Minister said.

"It's true.  They are the ones sent to save us.  Dumbledore himself said that they are more powerful at him at this point already."

"The girl.  There's something about her."  The Swedish Minister said.

"She has an aura of peacefulness about her." The Norwegian one supplied.

"It is believed she has the power to heal.  That may be it.  There is no telling what you see."

"She loves the boy." The Chinese Minister said.

"I beg your pardon?" Mr. Potter said.

"She loves him.  I know these things."

"That will make the two of them unstoppable." The Portuguese Minister said.

"I think we should all attend the funeral of Marzipan Evans tomorrow.  You may apparate to my house, and I will show you to the family cemetary." Mr. Potter said, thoughts racing through his mind.                                                                                                                                    "I will come."                                                                                                                  "So will I."                                                                                                                     "Me too."                                                                                                                        "I'll be there." Several people chorused.                                                                            The next day, the remaining Evans family was shocked to see the Potters come, entirely dressed in black, along with 172 men and women.  Lily recognized them as the Ministers of Magic.

They were early.  The funeral didn't start for thirty minutes.  Lily soon realized what took so long.  The Ministers formed a line, the Potters bringing up the rear.  Every minister kissed her either on cheek or the forehead, bowed to her, and murmured condolences or encouragement to her.  They didn't utter a word to the rest of her family, but comforted her.  Her parents were openly staring at this, while Petunia was trying to hide behind a headstone.  Finally the Potters came, and James was the only one to break the mold.  He enfolded her in a warm hug which she returned gratefully.  Then all of the witches and wizards went over to Marzipan's fresh grave, seeminly waiting for the service to start.

Everybody stared curiously at the rows of fifteen abreast, dressed in solid black.  Strangely enough, the men all were black suits with black shirts and ties, while the women all wore black knee-length dresses with their hair in buns.  They didn't move for the entire service of the rest of the Evans's.  Not even the two children.  They stood motionless.  When the preacher started the eulogy for Marzipan Evans, in one mechanical motion the 176 heads bowed in reverence.  They stayed standing in their rows even after everybody but the Evans's left.  Little did they know this was standard funeral services for a Sinnient.  Once only Marzipan's family was left they chanted as one.

The world has turned several times over.

The world nearly never stops turning.

Our world stopped turning once. 

It stopped turning when you were born.

Our great Sinnient.

A Sinnient stills the world's turning.

The world stopped turning once again.

This time on your death.

Our graet Sinnient.

Your death stilled the turning. 

Our world is turning once again.

This time without you.

Every Minister took out their wands and raised them.  They all brought them down in one swift motion.  A glittery substance rose from Marzipan's grave and dispersed through the air.

Your spirit gives us our magic.                                                                                       You give the magic to another generation.                                                                 Another generation to fight the dark as you have.  Lily was astounded. Petunia had already fainted, Logan looked amused, while Debbie looked nauseaus. Then, most of the people disapparated. The Potters walked over to Lily.
"W-w-what was that?" Lily asked.
"That was the funeral services of a Sinnient." Mr. Potter supplied.
"That was neat. What was the deal with all the sparkley stuff?"
"That is what gives muggle-born children their magic."

"What?" Lily asked.

"Every hundred years or so there is a Sinnient.  Upon their death their magic is released.  It is extremely concentrated, so it only takes a small amount to make a witch or wizard out of a muggle born.  If that person isn't meant to be a witch or wizard, they will store it and pass it down to their children."

"So what would happen if there weren't any Sinnients for a long time?" Lily asked.

"Then there wouldn't be any muggle borns.  Only witches and wizards of magical descent.  A witch or wizard usually passes the magic on to their children.  If they don't, the child is called a squib." Mrs. Potter answered. 

"That is amazing." Lily said with wonder.  

"Yes, magic is so complex, it is impossible to understand it."

The Potter and Evans families walked back to their houses together.

"Would all of you like to come over for lunch?  Every friend of our relatives have brought us a covered dish.  We will never eat all of it, and we would love for you to join us." Debbie Evans said with a smile.

"Sure, why not?" Mr. Potter said.  They all went in the house, and Lily got the dishes out.  Everybody went along the cabinents like a buffet line.  James loved it.  Unlimited food.  Petunia stared resentfully at the Potters.  She finally whispered loudly to her mother, "Mum, why did you have to invite these freaks over here?  I don't care if Lily likes them or not!  She is one!  Look at the spectacle they made at the funeral!"

"PETUNIA!" Lily and Logan both said.

"Shut up freak!" Petunia said, completely losing her manners.  Lily lost hers too, and threw some pea salad at her.  Petunia stared at her a moment before saying, "Freak, do you want to take this outside?"

"Sure, but I'm not sure why you want to.  You'll be on the losing end." Lily said, tossing her napkin on the table.

"LILY.  PETUNIA.  SIT DOWN." Logan said forcefully.  Both girls sat down, staring daggers at each other.  If looks could kill, they would both be dead five times before they hit the ground.  Petunia kept making rather snotty comments, and finally Lily stood up.  "Dad, I'm leaving.  I can't listen to one minute more without completely losing it."  She said through gritted teeth.

"Okay sweety.  Be careful though.  Carry pepper spray!" He called, but she was already out the door.  The Potters looked at each other, the door, each other, Petunia, each other, and Lily's parents.  Talk about a twisted family. Mr. Potter muttered to James.  "We need to find her.  She's dangerous when she's mad."  James nodded, and passed the message to his sister.  If their hosts noticed their sudden swift eating, they didn't say anything.  Withing five minutes their plates were cleaned and they were out the door.  They all split up, and they would meet back at their house at the end of two hours. James tried the spots where he knew she went often.  None of these places were occupied by a certain red haired girl.  After two hours they still hadn't found her.  They met back up at the Potter house and talked about where they had went and places she could be.

"You morons!  Where do you think a typical teenage girl would go?  THE MALL!" Gina said.

"Oh.  Right." James said.  "But what mall?"

"The biggest and most expensive." Gina said confidently.  They all piled in the Potter's muggle car.  They then went into the town's shopping mall.

"Okay, Gina and I will take the second level, you and James take the first." Mrs. Potter said to her husband.  James and Anthony looked in all the stores that seemed 'Lilyish'.  They didn't find her, but they found the food court.  They started walking around it, looking for a red haired girl dressed in black.  They found one, surrounded by people her own age. 

"Dad, there she is!" James exclaimed.

"Oh, good, and she looks fine." Anthony sighed with relief.  They walked over to the table she was sitting at.  Lily didn't look like her usually happy self, but she didn't look incredible depressed either.  James recognized one of the boys she was sitting with as Jason from the movie theaters and crawdad field.                                                           "So, Lily, are you going for the goth look?" Kathleen asked.

"No." Lily answered coldly.  Mr. Potter and James were quickly approaching without her noticing.

"So what's with your new color then?" Kathleen pressed.

Mr. Potter spoke up.  "Lily is showing her respect for her dead family.  Very few people have the class to actually go into formal mourning now a days."  Lily smiled brightly at him.

"Hello Mr. Potter.  James.  What are you doing here?"

"We were looking for you!" James said with exasperation. 

"Oh, I'm sorry if I worried you when I walked out like that.  I was just so mad at Petunia I couldn't stand it anymore." Lily said apologetically.

"You were right to leave Lily, but you should've let somebody know where you were going.  Would you like to stay here for awhile longer or go home with us.  We'll be leaving as soon as we find Meredith and Gina.  If you wish to stay, James can stay with you to keep you out of trouble." Mr. Potter said.  Lily choked on her milkshake.

"James keep me out of trouble?  He's the one who I would have to watch out for!" LIly said.

"That's completel unfair Lily!  I don't always get into trouble!" James defended himself.

"Just most of the time." Lily answered smugly.  "But I would like to go home.  Mr. Potter, can you tell me more about Uncle Marzipan?"

"Of course I will Lily." Mr. Potter said.  Lily stood up to leave, and started picking up her many shopping bags.  She was a fast shopper.  James resignedly held out his hands.  He knew what his dad would say next.  'James, carry Lily's packages for her.  Be a gentleman for once.'  Lily started loading the packages on his arms.  "Why thank you James!" She said with a bright smile with made the task very rewarding.

"Awww, preppy boy has manners." Jason sneered.

"Finally, I finally see proof of what your father and I have tried to teach you!" Meredith exclaimed with happiness as she walked up.  Gina was openly laughing.

"Gina, can it." James said irritably.  Jason joined in her laughter.

"Thank you James, I think you are incredibly sweet for carrying my packages." Lily said, kissing him for effect.  It worked.  Jason shut up.They all left a speechless Jason behind them.  He was such a dummy.  Lily was please to see that James didn't blow up for once when she was around another guy.  He must be ill.    A week later James found Lily sitting on the edge of her pool, apparently deep in thought.

"You better be careful, Lily, you'll kill brain cells thinking that hard." He joked, and she jumped.  She had been thinking about how she felt about him.  And her family.

"A few of us have intelligent brain signals as a regular occurrence.

"Not all of us can be as blessed as me." James joked back, then sobered up, "But what's seriously wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." She lied.

"You're lying too.  I can tell, remember?"

"I'm thinking about my family, James.  It's not fair you've got the perfect family.  Both of your parents love you and Gina equally.  You have a normal magical family.  Mine are muggles.  That  wouldn't be so bad, except two of the three are wizard haters."

James wasn't quite sure what to say for a minute, then said, "You're family makes you what you are.  They make you strong or weak, smart or dumb, honest or dishonest.  You're family has done a good job raising you making you into a strong person, Lily.  If they were any different, you would be too.  So, it's for the best.  Things always get better."

"Wow, you really put some thought into that one, or you read a pyschological article." Lily said.

On September first, Lily met James and the rest of the marauders as they had dubbed themselves, in the last compartment of the Hogwarts Express.

"We thought you weren't going to make the train." Sirius said.

"Me too.  My mum insisted on a last minute excursion to Herrod's while we were in London.  I barely got my new stuff in my trunk before I got here.  I swear, she comes up with the dumbest ideas.

"That's parents for you Lily.  But yours seem farther out there than most." Sirius said, and he was immediately hit by James and Remus.

"Hey!  That was uncalled for!" Sirius whined.

"James told us not to talk about Lily's family." Remus hissed, "Or did you forget?"

"I forgot.  Short term memory loss."

"Don't forget again." James said.

"So." Lily said, trying to break the ice that never settled over the maruaders.  "Are we ready to work on the animagus potion when we get back?"

"Yeah, I've got all the stuff we need except a whale pancreas.  Madame Morano ought to have one though.  The potions shop didn't." James answered.

"So, she's just going to hand over some whale pancreas to some fourth years?" Lily asked sarcastically.

"No.  We're going to sneak in there and 'borrow' it."

"And how are we going to do that without being caught?"

"Duh Lily.  My invisiblity cloak." James said.

"You have an invisibility cloak?" She asked, astounded.

"Yeah, I got it my first year Christmas.  You mean you didn't know?" James asked.

"No, I didn't realize you guys were so good at keeping secrets." Lily said with a smile.  "But aren't they really rare?"

"Yeah, it's a family heirloom.  Passed from father to oldest son on their first Christmas at Hogwarts."

"Ol' Jamesers son will get it when he goes to Hogwarts.  If Lily the overprotective mum doesn't take it away from him to keep him out of trouble." Sirius laughed.  He was once again hit, this time by Lily and James.  Sirius jumped out of his chair and went to the other side of the compartment.
"When you two get married, I definitely want to be best man. I might even be so caught up in the romance not to pull a prank. Then again, it could be funny to glue you together."
"SIRIUS!" James and Lily shouted, and went after him again.
"Yessirree. Then Remus and I can pull some really funny prank on your honeymoon. Hide under the bed or something. Then again, that wouldn't be to pleasant, except to see the look on your faces." Sirius continued, trying not to laugh.
"Sirius, I'm going to kill you if you don't shut up." James threatened. Lily and James were still chasing him around. Sirius jumped out of his chair and went to the other side of the compartment.   Finally, it looked like they couldn't miss. Sirius was in the middle, and James and Lily were on either side. They went running at him, which was a rather bad move. Sirius cleanly stepped out of the line of fire. So, instead of James and Lily tackling Sirius, they ran right into each other.
"Ouch." Lily moaned.
"I think she broke my face." James whined. They were both lying on the ground, about ready to die.  Lily was close to tears.  "Sirius, this is all your fault."

"Jimmy-boy was the one who ran into you." Sirius pointed out.

"But we were trying to make you shut up, so it's your fault."  Lily told him.

"Don't call me Jimmy-boy.  James is my name." James said.

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