Lily and James the Prequel

"It will be more convenient for Dad there and he says it will be safer."

"Safe from what?"

"He wouldn't tell me.  He said I shouldn't worry about it." Petunia came outside.

 "Lily, your lover-boy has to leave.  We're going to one of Dad's friend's house for dinner.  A formal dinner."

"Fine." Lily said, rising from the swing with James.  "Goodnight James." She said, walking indoors. 

"Well isn't that cute.  Not a goodnight hug, goodnight kiss, not 'love you James', nothing.  Zippo, zilch, nada, nothing." James muttered to himself.

She's never told you she loves you, why would she now?

I'm moving!  We won't see each other for a whole three months.  She loves me.

You get as much out of the relationship as you put into it.

What's that supposed to mean?

You'll have to figure it out for yourself.                                                                         Gee, thanks for your help.  Now I'm really confused.

An hour later, Lily was getting in the car with her parents wearing a misty green floor length dress.

"So, exactly where are we going?"  She asked.

"To the Watson's, my dear." Her father answered.

"Who all are the Watson's?"

"Well, there's Mr. and Mrs. Watson, and their granddaughter.  Minnie McGonagall."

'Minnie McGonagall?' Lily thought.  'That's what Sirius calls the professor behind her back.  I wonder if they're the same.  Lily spent the car ride in silence, noticing they were now in the Highlands, thinking things over thoroughly in her mind.  'I'm just going to get hurt.  I don't know why I'm getting so serious about James.  He'll just dump me one of these days, and I'll be left there, loving him.  I'm going to have to learn to live without him, starting in two weeks.  I might as well start severing that relationship now, so it won't hurt as bad when he leaves.  Yes, I'll just try to avoid him for the next couple of weeks.'  The Evans car pulled to a stop outside of an old fortress.

"My God.  The McGonagalls definitely have a thing for castles." Lily said sarcastically as they walked to the door.  It was opened a spooky butler.  "Oh, this is cute.  The epitome of a very scary movie."  A young lady that had the same features as the professor came bouncing out.  She definitely didn't have her personality.

"Hello!  I am Minnie!  My Aunti Minerva for whom I am named told me all about you, Sinnient.  You have no idea how happy I am to meet you!" She gushed, shaking Lily's hand madly.  Lily froze.  Nobody was supposed to know.  "I will lead you to the family."

"That won't be necessary Minnie.  You go on ahead.  I wish to speak to my friend and his daughter.  I have waited many years." An elderly man said coming up behind her. Stan, it's good to see you, but why my daughter?"
"Ahh, every wizard dreams of meeting one of The Prophets. We are incredibly lucky for them to come in our time. I have been waiting since last year when it was discovered that you two were full Sinnients. Minerva, my niece told me about it. She's not really Minnie's aunt, but she call's her that anyhow. They were led down dark corridors that made Petunia whimper with fear, but sign at the grandeur.  These people were apparently loaded.  Stan ushered them into a library that was the antonym of the rest of the fortress. (Think of Beast's library in Beauty and the Beast) It was three stories tall, like the rest of the house, with a muraled ceiling.  There were winding staircases to the rows of books and floor to ceiling windows.  It was gorgeous. Petunia was still staring at the huge chandelier when Lily was awed over the books.

"You may go look while I talk." Stan said, smiling at Lily.  She took off towards the nearest bookcase.

They continued their talk, centered mostly on Lily, making Petunia jealous.  After about twenty minutes, an elderly lady wearing a hot pink mu mu came bouncing in.

"Ahh, Corinthia, glad you could join us." Stan said.

Corinthia replied in a southern drawl, "Aaah, dahlins', I is sooo glad you couldd join us for dinnuh this evenin'."

"It is no trouble at all." Mr. Logan said, trying as Lily was to suppress a smile.

"Ahhh, Logan, I hasn't seen you in a coon's age.  And you brought your biggety wife, too bad."

"WHAT?" Debbie asked horrified.

"I just said you brought your wife, I'm so glad."

"Oh."

"And your daughters.  That one is so ugly a train would jump the tracks."

"WHAT?" Petunia yelled.

"I just said that one is so pretty a train would stop in its tracks."

"No you didn't."

"Yes I did.  And you.  This one with red hair.  She's quite fetchin'.  I hope you're not the kind that goes traipsin' around with all kinds of riff-raff."

"Umm, thank you." Lily said.

"She's not like that Rinnie.  She and James Potter are seeing each other." Stan said.

"James Potter, eh?  He's a nice boy.  Just needs somebody to keep him in line.  You look like you can handle the job."  Luckily they headed towards dinner next.  Dinner was, rather, erm, interesting, considering the company.  The main event of the evening was unplanned and happened while they were eating dessert.  Stan had to leave for an emergency meating of the Unspeakables, of which he was a member.  Everybody continued with their dessert.  They all heard a door being forced open, and footsteps running down the hall.  Lily felt chills down her spine and turned towards Minnie and Corinthia.  "Are you two witches?"

"I most certainly am not a witch!" Corinthia exclaimed and Lily sighed. 

"I'm 3/4 squib.  All I can do is the simplest of charms." Minnie said.  Lily knew something was going to happen, and she was the only one there that could save them.  She raised her hands, and with a flash of gold and red, the dishes were removed from the tables into the kitchen. 

"Everybody hide.  Hurry!  Go!" Lily said urgently, pushing everybody to a hiding place.  She even managed to get her dad hid.  She heard the footsteps approaching faster, and the only place she had left was the hutch.  She shrunk the dishes that were in there, and crawled in.  She could see out through the stained glass, but she hoped they wouldn't be able to see her.  Apparently everybody was scared enough not to say anything and followed Lily unconditionally.  Lily was five men come charging in the room. 

 

"Where's the old man at?" One asked the other.

"I don't know.  If we find his family, we'll find him.  Those women are to wimpy to stand the slightest torturing."  Then they started looking around the room.  Please don't let them find any of my family or Stan's.  Let it be me they find if they have to get somebody. Lily pleaded.

"AH HA!  Here's the girl!" One of the hooded characters said trimphantly, pulling Minnie out from behind a statue.

"CRUCIO!" Another said evilly, causing Minnie to writhe in pain.

"Where is your granddad?"

"I don't know!"

"Tell us or you'll die."

"I don't know!  I swear I don't!"

"Fine.  Av-"

"STOP!" Lily said, getting out of the hutch.

"And just who are you?" One sneered.

"Lily Evans.  Who are you?"

One of them looked like he was going to faint.

"Dumb girl, trying to save her.  Just who do you think you are that you can stop five grown deatheaters?"

"She's a Sinnient.  One of The Prophets.  The Polish Minister told me."

"Look at her, though, she can't do anything."

"If we take care of her right now, Our Lord will be happy."

"Imperio!" One of them shouted.

"Bow before us."

"Why?" Lily questioned.

"Because I commanded you."

"And just who do you think you are?  Petrifuclus Totalus." Lily said, raising her right hand.  All five of the men froze on the spot.

Lily started helping everybody out of their hiding places.  She looked up just in time to see Professor McGonagall come sliding around the doorframe, wand poised.

"Where are they?" She asked.

"On the floor." Minnie answered.

"I came as quick as I could.  Dumbledore notified that there was a planned attack on my family tonight.  How did you stop them, Minnie?" She apparently hadn't seen Lily yet.

"Sinnient Lily stopped them.  They were going to kill me with THE curse, but she stopped them.  She froze them all with one curse." Minnie answered.

"Miss Evans?  You're here?" She asked, and Lily stepped out from behind the tree she was trying to coax Corinthia from.

"Yes, Professor, I'm here with my family for dinner."

"Oh, I see.  And you stopped these deatheaters?"

"Yes'm.  One of them said that the Polish Minister told him about me being a Sinnient.  Is that bad?" Lily said.

"Yes, very bad.  I will contact Minister Potter immediately.  Please carry on." Minerva said, exiting the room, leaving a stunned Lily.  Lily did as she was told, helping everybody get back to normal.  Mr. Potter was checking out the Polish Minister, so everything would be okay there.  A couple hours later the Evans family was in their car.

"Aaah, nothing like a dinner at the Watson's.  Always exciting." Mr. Evans said with a sigh.

"No kidding." Lily said dryly. 

The next day Lily did the unthinkable, and called Kathleen up.   Lily was going to do anything possible to avoid James for the next two weeks.  Of course, where Kathleen went, Jason followed.  The threesome was leaving Lily's house right as James came over.

"Hi ya Lily.  I was wondering if you wanted to play quidditch..." He said brightly, trailing off as he saw who she was with.

"I'm sorry James, but I'm going to the movies with Jason and Kathleen, maybe later." Lily said, not meeting his eyes.

"Oh, okay." James said, walking away.  Lily almost started crying right there on her front porch.  The rest of the week Lily did a good job of avoiding James and making herself thoroughly miserable.  Finally on Friday evening she was sitting alone in her room when her mom came upstairs.

"Lily honey, James is here to see you."

"Tell him I'm not home." Lily said.

"And why would you want me to think that?" James asked.  Lily gasped, he had followed her mother up to her room.  Debbie quietly slipped out of the room, leaving them alone.  "I don't want to talk about it." Lily said stubbornly. 

"Well I do."

"Then you can have a one way conversation with yourself."

"But you're the only one who can answer my questions."

"I'm sure you can make up some pretty creative answers on your own."

"Fine, I'll ask and if you don't answer I'll make up one."

"Fine." Lily said sullenly. 

"Do you still want to go out with me?"

There was silence.

"I'll take that as a no and I'll owl Cho Xing."

"No." Lily said suddenly.

"No as in you don't want to go out with me or no as in you don't want me to owl Cho?"

"The latter."

"Then how about you tell me why you're avoiding me."

"Because I don't want to get hurt."

"Why would I hurt you?"

"I don't want to feel so miserable and lonely when you move." Lily said.

"THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT?  You think it won't matter as much when I move if you ignore me now?"

"You don't have to be so condescending."

"I'm not.  I am just surprised for such a smart girl you can be so stupid."

"Gee thanks."

"Will you quit avoiding me now?" James asked.

"I suppose." Lily answered reluctantly.  For the next week Lily and James were inseparable. A set of parents had to practically push one or the other out the door at night, and open the door at five a.m. when they were ready to see each other again. Both sets of parents were relieved when they were ready to move, it was putting a cramp in their sleeping. On the Friday morning when James would be leaving Lily was in tears. James was reluctant to get out of bed because he knew he would have to load the rest of his clothes in the moving van and say goodbye to Lily for three whole months.
Come out moon
come out wishing star
come out, come out
wherever you are
i'm out here in the dark
all alone and wide awake
come and find me
i'm empty and i'm cold
and my hearts about to break
come here and find me
i need you to come here
and find me
cause without you i'm totally lost
i've hung a wish on every star
it hasn't done much good so far
i can only dream of you
wherever you are
i'll hear you laugh
i'll see you smile
i'll be with you
just for a while
but when the morning comes
and the sun begins to rise
i will lose you
beacause it's just a dream
when i open up my eyes
i will lose you
i used to believe in forever
but forever's to good to be true
i've hung a wish on every star
it hasn't done much good so far
i don't know what
else to do
except to try to dream
of you
"i wonder if you are dreaming too. wherever you are."  At ten o'clock Lily had her tears dried for the moment, and James came over to tell her goodbye. 

"JAMES!  HURRY UP OR WE'RE LEAVING YOU!  YOU WON'T LIKE LIVING BY YOURSELF!" Mr. Potter said, but clearly knew it was the wrong thing to say.

"I'll see you at Kings Cross." James said, kissing Lily for the last time for a whole three months. 

"Yeah, bye James." She said hugging him, then whispered in his ear, "I love you."

"JAMES, GET OVER HERE NOW!" Gina yelled, and James left reluctantly. The day Lily sent James his birthday present she also got her bulky Hogwarts letter. When she opened it, a shiny badge that said 'Prefect' on it fell out. Lily could be seen for the next twenty minutes jumping around happily. A week later James was at Sirius's house for his three week long visit.
"Man, what's wrong with you? You're no fun anymore."
"I'm just preoccupied."
"I'm guessing it's about a certain fifth year with red hair and green eyes."
"And you would be guessing correctly."
"You're obsessed."
"I'm in love." James sighed dreamily.
"You're kidding."
"I'm serious."
"No I am."
"I meant I'm not joking."
"Oh, well, goodluck." Sirius said.
"With Lily, I'll need it." James said.
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 answer.
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. You're a move I want to make, you're a chance I'm gonna take, you're every dream rolled up in one. After I fall where do I stand, after I've loved you al i can, will I still stand tall?
after I fall, Lee Ann Wommack

On September first, Lily and Serenity went to Kings Cross together. Lily and Serenity were both wearing muggle clothes, but most people were in wizard's and Hogwarts robes.  Serenity watched Lily carefully, and she saw her whole body start glowing with happiness, and a smile spread across her face.  Serenity tracked Lily's line of vision and saw her looking right at James, only he wasn't facing her.

"Go ahead, Lils, I can see you're dying to talk to him again." Serenity said, taking Lily's cart. Lily sneaked up behind James and covered his eyes with both of her hands.  "Guess who?" She asked.

"Umm, let's see...is it by chance my long lost girlfriend Lily Evans?" James inquired.

"You were supposed to say who?" Lily said, not removing her hands yet.

"Who?" James asked with resignation.

"Your long lost girlfriend, Lily Evans." She said, laughing.  James smiled, and turned around to embrace her.

"Okay, you two, break it up." Remus laughed.  Peter and Sirius looked at each other and burst into song.

"James and Lily sitting in a treee.  K-I-S-S-I-N-G.  First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes little Jameses in a baby carriage!"

James shook his head and said, "That was real mature."

"You've really topped yourselves this time.  I've never met anybody that really does act their IQ before." Lily said.

"Hey, I don't want to act like an old fogey!" Sirius wailed.

"Just shut up.  You're too dense to figure out an insult." Remus said.

"Can we all just get on the train, without singing and only minimal insults?" Serenity asked, stepping in.  Lily didn't want to go to the Prefect's compartment, so she stayed with her friends as they loaded onto the train. 

"So, is the potion ready?" Lily asked James quietly, because Serenity didn't know.

"Yeah, we just have to take it, while chanting a spell." James whispered back, and plans were made for all the Marauders and Lily to meet in Moaning Myrtle's one sharp, the next night.  They were all glad to get back to their home-away-from-home, Hogwarts.  Lily was separated from James once they were changed, so she didn't get to surprise him about being a prefect yet.  As usual, they were bored to death during the sorting, then Dumbledore stood up.

"First of all, quidditch try outs will be September  fifteenth.  Secondly, I will introdue the Head students and prefects, please rise as your name is called.  James Potter and Lily Evans from Gryffindor..."  The applause was deafening, so the other names were barely heard.  "And finally, this year we will be having an exchange program for fifth years.  The top five fifth years, if they so choose, can spend the second half of term at one of the North American magical academies.  We will also be receiving five students.  That's it, eat."

"That would be so cool to go to America!" Lily whispered.

"I know, but what if it's Canada, not America?" Serenity said.

"Who cares?  It's not England anymore!  I don't care if it's a cow pasture in Kansas!" Lily said.

"I know, if it's in Kansas, maybe we could see my cousin.  She just had a baby, you know." Serenity said.

"Wow!  Do you have pictures?  I want to see!" Lily said excitedly.

"Yeah, here, just a sec." Serenity said, rummaging around in her purse.

"I LOVE babies." Lily said happily, waiting on the pictures.

Serenity and Lily were laughing and admiring the photos, drawing the attention of half the Gryffindor table.

"Baby pictures." Peter explained, and the guys nodded and continued eating.  Most of the girls on the other hand, rushed over to where they were sitting, trying to see the pictures.  When everybody finally got back to their meal, Serenity said, "Do you guys want to see the pictures?"

"Uh, no." Sirius said flatly.

"Oh, come on, why not?  They're so cute!" Lily gushed.

"What's cute about babies?"  James asked, "I mean, all they do is cry, eat, and sleep.  After you have a baby, your life is over."

"James, you moron, you would think that." Lily said.

"I'm not a moron, I'm just looking at things realistically." James said, ignoring his friends who were laughing hysterically.

"If you were being realistic, you would realize a baby isn't the end of your life!  Some people like babies, they think they're cute!"

"You didn't see James as a baby." Gina said dryly, causing Lily to join in the laughter.

"We were twins, I can't imagine you looked too good yourself.  You probably looked just like me!" James said.

"I wouldn't be bragging that I looked like a girl if I were you." Gina said.

"Shut up!"

"You're the moron who is arguing with your own girlfriend about babies, you don't have any room to talk." Gina said, effectively silencing James, for the moment anyhow.

"You still haven't let her know who's boss yet?" Sirius laughed.

"I'm not that dumb, I wouldn't live through it." James said.