Chapter 2: The Meeting in the Park, Little Brothers, and A New Girl
The days go by so fast. All I can think about is her. It's odd. I've never laughed with anyone like that. I don't think I've had so much fun in a single afternoon since… ever! Mum was so mad when we got home. She could barely even talk to me, she was so full of rage. I think that she thinks that Lily will interfere with her plans for me. I hope so. I really don't want to have anything to do with Stacy Greyhouse. At least I won't have to talk to her or even acknowledge her presence until around sixth year. But even then, I will avoid her by any means possible. And, I will get out of the marriage. I don't know how, but I have at least four years of careful planning ahead of me. I hope our connection is strong enough for us to talk. I have tried countless times to get in touch with Lily. Lately, we've been able to talk, but the connections are pretty bad.
Liiiiiiiiiiiiily!!!
Yes, James.
Hey!
Yup. I guess it works.
Cool!! So, how's your dah-ling sister?
Ugh.
Georgie's being a little retardant.
James! You're so mean!
He's stealing my stuff!
Aw. He sounds cute.
Oh yeah? Well I think your sister sounds hot.
Who, Horse Face?
Does she have a boyfriend?
Ew. Who'd want her? And you're not serious, are you, James? She sounds kind of… anxious.
Nah. Maybe we can get together, you know, before school starts?
What about your mum?
Hmm… I could tell my mum that, I dunno, I'm going over to Sirius's house?
Who?
Oh. He's my best friend. You'd like him. Hey! We should all get together!
Oh, no, thanks.
Come on! He's really funny! We can meet at the state park near my house.
Fine… She sounds exasperated, but in her thoughts I can hear amusement.
Really? I'll owl him and see when we can get together.
Right. 'Bye, James.
I hope she's not too mad about this. I just think she'd like Sirius, is all. Oh, no. What have I done? Now, with Sirius as competition (Wait-competition for what?) Lily'll take one look at him, look back at me, and jump into Sirius's arms. NO!! I. AM. BEING. SILLY!!!! Okay. Breathe in… breathe out… Now. Go and write letter to Sirius. And stop ordering self around.
I run up to my room and grab a piece of parchment and a quill.
Sirius-
Let's get together in the park, okay? I want to introduce you to someone. Only Mum hates her, so we have to meet in the park. When are you available?
--James
I wait an hour before the owl comes back. I rip off Sirius's letter, so it bites me angrily. I sort of brush the bird off, before opening the letter and reading quickly:
Jamers-
A girl, eh? An unapproved girl! Can't wait to sweep her off her feet. Saturday's good. You? Her?
--Sirius
I groan. I hadn't been silly! Sirius loves women. He likes to flirt with every woman he meets. Naturally Lily too! I decide to ask Lily about Saturday.
Hello, Lily. Is Saturday okay?
Saturday's fine. She replies.
Good. I'm just going to write him back.
I hastily scrawl on a bit of parchment:
No. Don't even think about it. I know you're obsessed with women, but please, not this one. And before you even think about making fun of me, it's because she's-I try to think of what to say-different. I don't want you to lead her on, only for her to get left behind once we find all the gorgeous Hogwarts girls. She doesn't deserve that. Saturday it is, then.
-James
That should work. I mail the letter and sit down to wait for tomorrow, the day I get to see Lily again. I'm not a very good waiter. I go outside and fetch my quidditch things from the shed. We have a practice quidditch pitch outside our house, completely protected from Muggle sight, of course. I fly around a bit, throwing and catching apples for myself (a snitch would fly away, and then the Muggles might see it.) I like to think a lot when I'm playing quidditch. Lately, I've been thinking about Lily. She seems to be hiding something. But what? I keep trying to figure that out. Unfortunately for me, there are so many things she could be hiding! She could be a guy, for all I know! But I know she's not. She has that weird little step, and how she quirks her eyebrows is definitely feminine. She could be a robot. But I highly doubt that. Maybe she's really the daughter of a famous sorcerer, and has to pretend not to be so the Prophet isn't swarming all over her. But if so, she was a pretty good actor. Speaking of which, back in Diagon Alley, I kept hoping that whenever she `pretended' to blush, she wasn't really pretending. But then we kind of both made a big deal about it. Her pretending, that is. But I really can't figure her secret out. And it's annoying me, because whenever I try and figure something out, my brain clamps onto it and won't let go. Maybe she has some sort of illness. I doubt it. We ran around a lot that day. Wait. I remember her thinking something, like her… colors? Yes, that was it. But what could that mean?
I was pulled out of my deep thoughts by the house elf running over and telling me it was time to eat. I sigh. Just once, I would like for my mum to call me, and then my dad would have just gotten home, and we could eat dinner like a normal family. My parents hold parties most nights of the summer, so my brother and I usually eat early. Mum doesn't want us `embarrassing her'. Please. More like she'd embarrass us, with all her cheek-kissing (the facial ones!!) and "Dah-ling!"s. I will get sick of that woman one of these days. I follow our house elf, Hazel, up to our house to eat dinner. We eat in the smaller dining room today, and I can see my little brother sitting in there, hands folded neatly on his lap. I pull a disgusted face. I hate that my brother is so… preppy. It annoys me to no end. I think that's why he does it.
"James!" Georgie squeals, as though he's happy to see me.
"Georgie!" I squeal back sarcastically. Georgie's grin widens in admiration. He's pretty clever for a little kid. Pretending that he looks up to me when he really hates my guts and wants to irritate me till I'm just a nub, and all. I take a seat, sweeping my hair out of my eyes. Kessie, our other house elf, reaches up to spoon some soup into my bowl. I say, "No, that's okay, Kessie," and she bows before hurrying out of the room.
"Hey James!" my brother says excitedly. "Wanna play quidditch tomorrow?"
"No," I say shortly. "I have plans."
"What're you gonna do?" Stupid little sugar-ball.
"I'm meeting friends in the park," I say, growing more and more irritated by the second.
"Who?" Peppy little Corn Puff.
"Sirius and another friend." I say, glaring a whole through his brain. Oh, wait… What brain?
"Sirius? Really? Can I go? And who else is going?"
"No, I'm joking, Georgie," I roll my eyes. "Relax! Sirius is coming, you're not, and Lily is!" It fell out of my mouth. Oops…
"Oooh… Who's Li-ly?" I hate the way he says it. It's so annoying!!
I feel my ears heat up "She's no one." I mutter.
"She's not no one, James! Otherwise, why would she make you blush? Can I meet her, then?"
"No" I say quickly.
"B- but I w-want to!" He screws up his face. I know he's going to cry, and blame it all on me. It's happened before.
"Fine!!" I hiss before leaving my soup uneaten and stomping upstairs. I flop onto my bed, bury my head in the pillows, and remain there for a few minutes. Finally, I raise my head up slightly, enough to see my headboard. I roll over onto my back, and stare at all my quidditch posters. Suddenly, I feel this weird urge for a little feng shui. I pull my bed to the opposite wall-it's bewitched to be light enough to move, but heavy enough to stay in place-and move my puff chair to where the bed used to be. My desk will go under the widow, and-whoa. Martha Stewart moment there… I sit back on my bed, heaving a sigh. I need a life…
It is almost nine (could I really have spent that much time in my feng shui moment?) and I need to get up early so I can talk to Lily about the time. And then I need to get ready… look nice… be smart… Lily likes smart… God, she's pretty… I like flowers… they smell good… need to smell good tomorrow… I fall into a deep sleep, interrupted by calla lilies covered by old smelly socks, and the tune of The Carol of The Bells.
.:*:.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! Wake- augh!!!!!!"
"Ngh!"
"Oh Jaaaaaaaaaaaames! Your girlfriend Li-ly is here!"
"GO AWAY, GEORGIE!"
"Fine. But it's nine fifteen, just so you know,"
"OUT!" It takes me a few minutes to figure out what he'd said. Nine… fifteen… CRAP. I jump out of bed, do a sort of somersault into the hall, and race into the bathroom. I take a very fast shower.
.:*:.
I get dressed, dry my hair, and race downstairs for breakfast. The kitchen is empty. This is odd, since the house-elves are usually in here, preparing breakfast. Unless…
"GEORGE BERNARD POTTER!" I bawl. "GET IN HERE NOW!"
Georgie bounds in. "James! Watcha doin'?"
"I am wondering," I say, gritting my teeth, "why you decided to wake me up at," I check the time, "Four in the morning?!"
"Oooooooohh!! I thought the clock said nine fifteen! I guess the little hand was actually on the three, huh? James?" he calls after me. I am going into my room to have a nice little breakdown. I kick the wall. I throw my puff chair. I mess up my bed covers. I am not happy. Oh, no. I want to strangle something. I want to strangle my brother. I want sleep… I slump onto my lumpy bed, and fall asleep.
I wake up at about seven, completely refreshed. I have nearly forgotten Georgie and his `innocence'. Nearly.
"You," I growl, seeing him skipping down to breakfast.
"James!"
"Don't `James!' me, midget."
"What?"
"YOU FREAKING WOKE ME UP AT FREAKING THREE IN THE MORNING-"
"Actually, it was three forty-five, James." I glare at him.
"TO TELL ME THAT YOU CAN'T READ TIME!"
"But I'm only six!"
"I DON'T FREAKING CARE HOW FREAKING OLD YOU FREAKING ARE, GEORGIE! DON'T LOOK AT THE CLOCK IF YOU CAN'T READ IT!"
"I'm sorry!" he cowers.
"Whatever," I push roughly past him and go into the kitchen. From there I moodily open the fridge and pull out some jam. I violently tear open the bread bag and stab a knife into the jam. I spread it hastily over the bread and relish the drop that falls onto the ground. I mash it in further with my foot, knowing full well that everywhere I walked, a bit of jam would stick to the floor. I stuff half of the toast into my mouth and munch on it as I go to sit at the kitchen table. I eat the rest, give a tremendous swallow, stomp back to the fridge, forcefully pull it open, and grab the jug of orange juice. I drink straight from the gallon, ignoring my conscience. To hell with it all, I think irritably.
Well, good morning to you, too.
Lily! Sorry. Bad morning…
That's alright.
Sorry.
What time are we meeting?
Um… ten?
Where?
The park.
And where is the park again?
By my house.
Well, duh, it's by your house, but seeing as how I don't know where that is…
…Right… It's in the outskirts of London. The only park there.
Got it. I'll tell my mum.
See ya.
Stupid James. Had to go and yell at Lily, didn't I?
I didn't mean to! And now I'm talking to myself again. Oh, joy…
DING DONG DONG DONG, DONG DING DING DONG… I hate our doorbell. It's so annoying. Wait, That must mean Sirius is here!
"SIRIUS!"
"OH MY GOD! THE GREMLINS HAVE FINALLY TAKEN OVER! Oh, it's just you, Georgie!"
I make my way into the front hall, where Sirius, his mother, and Georgie are all gathered. Sirius's mother sniffs disapprovingly at Georgie. He bows like a perfect little gentleman, and straightens, grinning obnoxiously. I have taught him well.
"Goodbye, dah-ling," she says kissing Sirius on both cheeks. It's not just my mom who does that. I think all the pureblood snots do. She steps outside after Kessie opens the door for her. We wait until she's gone, then peek outside. She is nowhere in sight.
"Let's go," I say, and Sirius nods.
"Me too! Me too!" Georgie cries.
"Oh, joy…" I mumble. "Fine, you can come…" I say exasperatedly.
"Hooray!" Georgie is too hyper for his own good.
Sirius smiles kindly at him, and I yell to anyone listening, "We're going to the park!" so that no one can say that we left without telling anyone. We step out of the house and walk toward the normal entrance-our house has another separate entrance, but Lily would becoming in the public way-and wait at the gate. In a matter of minutes, a car pulls up. I can see Lily's vibrant red hair in the front seat. I wave at her and she bids her mother goodbye.
"Hi," she says, upon reaching us. "I'm Lily," she sticks her hand out to Sirius, and then to Georgie.
"Sirius Black," Sirius introduces himself, taking her hand.
"George Potter," Georgie says in a deep voice, taking her hand (she had to bend down a bit to reach him) and kissing it. "Ah, what a pleasure it is to finally meet you," I roll my eyes disgustedly, but Lily giggles.
"Why, thank you, sir!" she says, playing along. "It is so lovely to see Your Grace's land."
"Yes," Georgie says, puffing out his chest. I have no idea where he got to be such a lady-killer. "Well, m'dear, don't be too frightened of the wild beasts. We'll save you. You've met my honorable knights?"
"Er, right…" Lily is beginning to get creeped out. "So, why the forest?" she asks, waving a hand at the trees ahead of us.
"I have a cool place I want to show you," I say. "Well, Sirius and Georgie have already seen it, but I think you'll like it."
"She has to close her eyes!" Sirius says, pouting. "Otherwise it's no fun!"
"He's right, you know," I tell Lily, who does not look all that thrilled about our idea. "Don't worry; we won't let you trip," I assure her.
"Fine," Lily says exasperatedly.
"We'll use this!" Georgie says brightly, conveniently pulling out a red handkerchief.
"Um, Georgie? Why do you randomly have a handkerchief in your pocket?" Sirius asks, eyeing the handkerchief suspiciously.
"You never know when it might come in handy. Get it? Handy?"
"Ha ha," I say sarcastically, taking the handkerchief from him and tying it around Lily's eyes.
"I'll tell you whether there's a root or something she could trip over," Sirius offers.
"Right. Georgie, take her other hand," I command my little brother. I take Lily's right hand and give it a comforting squeeze. She squeezes it back, and we begin walking towards the center of the forest.
"ROOT!" Sirius yells. Lily nimbly steps over it. "TREE!" We lead Lily around it. "BIRD!" We all duck. We walk on in silence, admiring the sounds of the forest. Suddenly Lily stumbles and nearly falls, but I catch her.
"Sirius!"
"Wha-" he asks dazedly, turning to look at me. "Oh. Sorry. Just looking at the clouds," he shrugs. I roll my eyes at him. We carry on, being a bit more careful. "ROCK!" Lily tries to step around an imaginary rock, but Sirius trips her.
"Ow…" Lily moans piteously. I help her up, glaring at Sirius. He whistles innocently.
"We're almost there," I tell no one in particular. Once more we walk through the woods, me watching for anything that Sirius missed. "Here!" I say excitedly. I untie Lily's mask, and she takes in the beauty of our place.
"Wow," she says softly, gazing around. Georgie and I found this place last year. It's in a clearing, and there's a very small lake, with lots of flowers and trees and cattails. There are tons of places to hide there, too. It has ducks and geese and sometimes rabbits, and in the pond are fish. Gracefully overhanging the water is a weeping willow.
"Tag!" Georgie says, tagging Lily. "You're it!" We all run around the clearing, hiding in the rushes, scattering ducklings, laughing and having a good time.
Lily chases after Georgie, then Sirius, and finally me. We run around and around the willow until Lily trips. I rush over to her. "Are you okay?" I ask, helping her up.
She winces. "Tag!" she says, tagging me and smiling satisfactorily. She runs off, weaving in and out of trees.
I chase her, but I soon lose sight of her. "Ugh!" I exclaim, annoyed. I hear giggling above me. I glance up, and there is Lily, sitting in a tree. I begin to climb up after her, but she nimbly jumps to another close by tree. I try to follow, but she keeps jumping ahead of me. Finally, I corner her. I grin evilly, and she mirrors my look. Wait. That's not supposed to happen! She's supposed to be scared out of her wits! She's supposed to-be jumping out of the tree. Stupid, stupid, stupid…
She snickers. I realize that I was banging my head on a branch, and jump down, trying to look somewhat dignified. I am dimly aware of Georgie and Sirius laughing, but I ignore them. Instead, I narrow my eyes at Lily, who maintains eye contact coolly. I take a step forward, she takes a step back. This continues until I have her cornered against a tree. But this time, I am watching for sign of escape. Then, suddenly, I lunge forward, and begin tickling her. She gasps, surprised at my sudden move, and tries to writhe away. She is laughing so hard, she is nearly crying. But she gets her revenge. In the second I stop, she begins tickling me. I can hear Sirius and Georgie laughing and whooping. We both tickle each other, but we are dimly aware of something wrong. Sirius and Georgie stop laughing. Lily and I cease tickling one another, and look up. It grows very cold, and I can see dark clouds boiling overhead.
"Run!" I yell. Lily and I scramble up and run over to Georgie and Sirius. I scoop Georgie up because I know he can't run very fast on his short midgety legs. We run away from our clearing, away from the unknown force that was causing this. All of a sudden, Lily trips for real. Sirius drags her up, and we all run to a small hollowed out tree. I can hear my heart thudding against my ribcage, and though I was just running, I'm shivering with cold and fright. Georgie looks petrified, as does Lily. Sirius looks as though he is doing some deep thinking. I peer out through a hole in the trunk, and I can see a shadow. I don't know of what, but it's very ominous, and it's heading our way. "Keep quiet," I whisper to the others, and they nod. I continue looking through the peephole, and the shadow grows stronger. It's now taking on a shape, like an extremely tall person. I hear a rattling breath, and I feel my heart sink. Dementors. In the park!
"Don't worry," I tell the others. "Try to think of the happiest thing you can! And stay quiet." I grip Georgie tighter, and I can see Lily's eyes closed in concentration.
Memory… When my dad and I went to France together…
Lily?
What? Oh, I'm sorry, James! I forgot…
It's okay.
Maybe our connection will help?
Maybe…
What is it, James?
A dementor.
A… what?
A dementor. They suck all the happiness out of you.
They suck the happiness out of you?
It's horrible. Dad was talking about them the other day. He had to go to the prison for the minister.
Georgie's crying!
Probably because of the dementor.
Here. Let me hold him.
Okay. I hand Georgie to her, and she hugs him. He begins to calm down. Lily shivers.
My heart feels heavy. I remember the day Uncle Harry died. I was seven. All I remember was Mum waking me up and telling me to get ready.
"Ready for what?" I ask.
"Oh, that silly old man passed away yesterday. Didn't anyone tell you?" She says, pulling a black coat and some black trousers out of my drawer.
"No," I say, slightly annoyed. "Who?"
"Mad Old Harry. Your great-uncle, remember?"
"He-died?" I choke out. "Uncle Harry DIED??"
"What did you think, he was immortal? Come on, out of bed. Comb your hair and brush your teeth, and hurry, darling! Your father is making us go, and Merlin knows how we'll look if we don't go to the old man's funeral." I shiver. "Are you ill? Please say yes; it'll give me an excuse to stay home."
"No, mum. I'm perfectly fine." I lie. My favorite uncle died, idiot! Of course I'm not fine! I want to scream in her face.
"Alright. Well, put on your coat, dear, it's raining outside," She's in a bossy mood. That usually happens just before a party. I'm glad it's raining. It means the sky is crying. At the funeral I can cry. Not now, though. Even with my seven-year-old mind I can tell that's not an option.
CRACK!
We all jump, and I hope the apparator is on our side.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" A voice cries, strong and steady, through the forest. I feel something warm brush past. Through my peephole, I can see what looks like a giant silver bird, with piercing grey eyes, and a magnificent plume on its tail. It soars past and flies at the dementor, clawing and screeching at it until it glides upward and out of sight. The bird dissolves into nothingness, and I can hear a twig crack as our unseen ally (or enemy) approaches.
"Hello?" the voice says cautiously. I gasp. I recognize that voice! I scramble out of the hollow, and help the others up.
"Professor Dumbledore!" I say, breathless with relief.
"James. Are you all alright? Sirius? George? And Lily Evans. We haven't met. I am Professor Dumbledore. I'm Headmaster at Hogwarts." He extends his hand to Lily.
She takes it, saying politely, but with a slight tremor in her voice, "Nice to meet you,"
How can he be so calm about this!!?? Her incredulous voice explodes in my head, causing me to wince slightly.
He's mad. I assure her.
You're so mean! How can you say that? He seems… sweet. Lily's voice trails off as we both notice the others staring at us. We grin innocently and both say at the same time, "What?" Making the others raise their eyebrows. I swear Dumbledore's beginning to smile. "Professor," I say quickly, "Professor, why was there a dementor here?"
His features go from mildly amused to dark and secretive. "I cannot tell you that, James," he says gravely. "Only caution you: Dark times are heading our way. Stick together; make many friends; be united, else these times will overcome us. Do not forget that; whatever happens." He begins walking out of the forest, and we have to jog to keep up with his long strides.
What does he mean by that?
He's ma-ad… I think in a sing-song way.
No, he's NOT. He's just… old.
Sure… Whatever you say, Lily. She steps on my foot. Ouch! What was that for?? Honestly… women… I receive another stamp. Sirius is making kissy faces at me. I glare at him. He puts a hand to his forehead in a very feminine fashion, and looks upwards. I look up there, too, but all I see is trees. I shake my head to clear it of the annoying little bugs flying around, and then I remember that there aren't any. Sirius smirks. I glare at him. He puts a hand to his forehead in a very feminine fashion, and looks upwards. I look up there, too, but all I see is trees. I shake my head to clear it of the annoying little bugs flying around, and then I remember that there aren't any. Sirius smirks. I glare. We seem to be having a roundabout of swooning, upward glances, fly swatting, and glares. This continues until we both grow bored. We are now nearly out of the forest. Suddenly Lily stops.
"What?" Sirius asks curiously. She waves a hand at him, indicating for everyone to be quiet, and closes her eyes, listening hard. Dumbledore looks on, mildly interested. Sirius doesn't get the message. "Hi!" He says, waving back. When Lily ignores him, he turns to me. "What? What did I do?? Hey! Look at that cloud, James! If you stand on your head," he tries and fails miserably to do so, "maybe it'll look like a dog!" Lily's eyes snap open. At first I think she's going to cause Sirius severe bodily harm, but then she gets this really weird look in her eye. She's deathly pale, and I can see individual freckles standing out against her normally rosy cheeks.
"Lily?" I ask worriedly, but Dumbledore stops me. He is gazing intently at Lily, and at first I think, you know, ew, because it's a little wrong for a five-hundred-something old man to be looking at an eleven-year old girl like that, but then I wonder why on earth a psycho pervert would be the head of a school. I shake myself out of my little reverie in time to see Lily looking pleadingly at me. Then her eyes turn blank, and I feel awful, like it's entirely my fault. I instantly reach into her mind.
LILY!!
Help… Her thoughts drift weakly across mine, and I know that she's gone. Even so,
NO!! Fight it, Lily! Come back!! Hold on!! Don't let it-whatever it is-take over you!! I think frantically.
James, Her thoughts are completely different now, like someone sucked all the life and happiness out and instead filled it with mud and mold and maggots, and all the other foul things you can think of. James, come. Touch my hand, James. I shrink back from her eyes, normally happy, but now overcome by shadow and darkness. James! Touch my hand!
She begins reaching toward me, and I scramble back. "Don't touch her!" I yell. Her eyes flash with burning, fiery anger. The others, including Dumbledore, back away from her. But she's only focused on me.
You and I… she begins, We can be great together. Take my hand, and we can rule-
"NO!" I yell. She looks taken aback, and then glances over at Georgie. "No," I whisper. I know what's going to happen, and there's nothing I can do about it. Before anyone can stop her, she runs full speed at Georgie, tackling him to the ground. He gives a small shriek of surprise and hurt, and is gone. Instead is the fake-Georgie, eyes vacant and expressionless, so unlike the eyes I knew.
"STUPEFY!" Dumbledore cries in his deep voice. Well, it's about time he did something! The two simultaneously fall to the ground.
"Don't touch them!" I warn, and Dumbledore smiles at me. He conjures up two comfortable-looking stretchers, and levitates Lily and Georgie onto the stretchers. They hover and follow us as we walk out of the woods.
"James," Dumbledore orders me. "Tell your mother what has happened. Give her-" he swishes his wand once, producing a sealed piece of parchment. "this. Tell her Georgie's at St. Mungo's. Sirius, I want you to owl Mrs. Evans. Tell her to wait in her home. Georgie, Lily, and I are apparating to St. Mungo's. I will send a ministry official to take you boys first to the Evans's residence, and then to the hospital. Understood?" We nod, and with a CRACK! he disappears. Sirius and I run inside, Sirius running up to my room to write the letter, and me going to my mum's room. "Mum!" I call, pounding on her door. "Mum! Come out! Something dreadful's happened!!" She appears at the door, quite miffed.
"Really, dah-ling, what is it? You look ill, dear! Are you quite alright?"
"I'm fine," I hasten. "It's Georgie who's not!"
Her face pales. "Georgie? What's happened, James? Where is my pookie-wookie-kins?"
"At Mungo's," I explain. She puts a hand to her mouth in horror. "Something funny happened in the park. Dumbledore showed up, and somehow Georgie and Lily got cursed-"
"Oh, Lily was there, was she?" She sweeps past me and disapparates with a soft pop. I suppose different people have different sounds when they apparate. But never mind that.
"Sirius?" I yell, thundering up the stairs.
"I just sent it," Sirius says, oddly calm. "I wrote that Lily had gotten hurt, we were taking care of it, and to wait at her house until we come to fetch her."
"Good," I say wearily. "Come on, let's go wait. It shouldn't be long, now…" We walk down to the sitting room in our house, and wait. We've been waiting for about five minutes when the crackling fire suddenly turns green and out pops Mr. Lupin, a well-respected Ministry official. He and his son Remus sometimes some to our parties, so I know him a little.
"Ready?" he asks, not waiting for an answer as he scoops out a bit of Floo Powder from our stock and says, "The Evans's residence!" He disappears in a swirl of emerald flame, and I am suddenly reminded of Lily's eyes. I gulp back a wave of fear for her and Georgie. The situation seems all the more dire. It's my turn to floo; Sirius and Mr. Lupin have already gone to Lily's house.
I toss in the powder, step into the fire, and say, "Lily's house!" I am transported (not very comfortably, mind you) past several other fireplaces and into a white-marble grate. I look around and see a deep red couch, a few lounge chairs the same color, and a light green carpet. I am once again reminded of Lily and my heart gives a little twinge of sadness. A woman with Lily's red hair and green eyes rushes over to help me up.
"Hello," the woman says warmly. "I'm Marie, Lily's mum? Mr. Lupin was just telling me how to Floo…" She turns her attention back to Mr. Lupin. "So you just throw a bit in and say the name of where you're going? That's all? And then step in and you just… whoosh?" She swishes her hand from side to side to illustrate her point.
"And keep your elbows tucked in," I add. She looks at me and smiles in gratitude.
"Alright," she says nervously, and I know she is very upset about Lily, although she hides it well. "I've told me daughter, Petunia," I discreetly make a face, "That I'll be gone for a while, and where to reach me. Er, they do take owls there, don't they?" Mr. Lupin nods reassuringly. "Well, I hope you don't mind, James, but may I borrow your owl? Just until I get back? In case Petunia needs me." She asks. I nod, and she smiles graciously.
Mr. Lupin clears his throat and scoops out a pinch of Floo powder from his pocket jar. "St. Mungo's," he says, and he's gone in a swish of emerald. Mrs. Evans looks surprised, but nonetheless takes a pinch from the jar (he left it so we can take some) and tosses it in the fire. "St. Mungo's," she says clearly, and steps into the fire. She is gone in a flash, and now it's Sirius's turn.
I wait until he's gone, then I run into the room downstairs which I know must be Lily's. I only mean to look around a bit. I see paintings that, upon closer inspection, all have the initials L.E. I take that to mean Lily did them all. They're really good. I see a bed with a white bedspread, and I know it sounds kind of corny and maybe a little disturbing, but the room smells like her. I suddenly remember what I am supposed to be doing, so I take one look around the room, memorizing it forever, and dash out of the room at full speed. I run up to the fireplace and take a pinch of the lime powder. I chuck it into the flames and step in after saying, "St. Mungo's!" I am instantly transported into a small room filled with other fireplaces. A door stands to one side, reading WAITING ROOM THIS WAY. I follow it out into a semi-crowded waiting room. I spot my group and hurry over to them.
"What took you so long?" Sirius hisses.
I am saved from answering as Mr. Lupin asks the witch behind the desk, "Lily Evans and George Potter, please,"
The witch looks bored and flicks an eye over a long list. "Fourth floor, room ten," the witch says in a monotone. I can tell she's been doing this a looooong time.
"Thank you…" I say, squinting at the badge on her chest, "Romilda. Thank you very much, Romilda. God bless your soul." Romilda looks affronted as Sirius snickers. We sweep past her and head into a stairwell. After climbing three sets of stairs (which is no small task, let me tell you) we open the double doors that lead us into the corridor of the fourth floor.
"Seven… eight… nine… ten!" Mrs. Evans counts the doors leading up to Lily's. And Georgie's. At the door I hesitate. It's Mrs. Evans's time with her daughter. But it's my time with Georgie, too! I step in, followed by Sirius. Apparently he has no worries about my time with Georgie. But then I realize that Georgie is more of a brother to Sirius than Regulus, who is his real brother. Once inside, I see two occupied bed: Georgie's and Lily's. I rush over to Georgie's and, seeing him breathing and not dead, I head over to Lily's. Her red hair is fanned across her pillow, and her mouth is barely curved into a slight smile. I look over at her mother, and for the first time I see lines of worry and sadness crease her forehead. I also notice their resemblance to each other. I slump into a chair by Lily's bed and rest my head on my palms, thinking. Perhaps… But no. I sincerely doubted it work when one person was unconscious. But maybe… My mind refused to let go. Sighing inwardly, I decide to try. It can't hurt, can it?
Lily?
Ngh…
Um, Lily?
Daddy?
No, it's James, Lily.
Ngh…
Can you wake up?
I'm not sleepy! But your colors are so pretty, I will…
Colors?
Of your voice, silly…
Er, right…
S'matter?
Lily. Come ON.
Where're we goin'?
They'll keep you here forever if you're mad!
I'm NOT mad!!!
And you can't stay here forever, Lily!
I won't! I'll come back home soon, Daddy…
What about Hogwarts?
Ew, Daddy! Pigs have warts? I thought that was froggies…
Your mum looks really sad right now.
Why, Daddy? Is it because she can't see you? I can see you, even though you're gone… Everyone says you're gone, Daddy, but I know you're still here.
Where?
In my heart.
Sighing, I break our connection. She thinks she's talking to her father. I think she's dreaming. I must have been mad to think that would work.
Daddy!
Huh?
Don't leave, Daddy, please don't leave!
I won't go. Well, I have to go in a bit, but not right now.
Okay. Let's just talk.
What do you want to talk about?
I met a nice boy.
Really? What's his name?
James
James? How, um, nice.
He's very nice.
Is he?
Don't you believe me?
No, I believe you. I just didn't know what to say right then. So, why are you in this bed?
What do you mean?
Well, can you tell me what you and James did today?
We went to the woods by his house.
Did you have fun?
Yes.
What happened after you played tag?
All I remember is a nice old man with a longish beard coming and saving us from the darkness. James said that the darkness was Demendies, or something like that.
What happened with the Dementors?
I remember the day you left, Daddy. It was awful. I felt like I'd never ever be happy again. And then I remembered about Grandma, and how we used to dance to the colors.
The colors?
Of her music.
Right…
But after the old guy came, I forget what happened. But…
What?
Well, I felt… funny, for a second. I had a tingly feeling in my ears, and my fingers were vibrating. I felt them. And then I felt like my head got dunked in a big icy pool, and like I hated everything. But only for a second, Daddy. It went away soon.
I'm sorry that happened to you, Lily. Are you feeling okay now?
Well, I feel a little sick…
Like how?
My stomach is kind of growly, only in a bad way, and my head feels really hot, but my body is freezing. Sure enough, she's shivering. Mrs. Evans rearranges the covers on the bed.
Hmm… I look at the others and they are all clambering around to get some food. I have to go now. While I'm gone, get some rest, okay?
Okay, Daddy…
I can't believe it's nearly four. It seems like much earlier than that. I follow the others up to the tearoom. I just get a crumpet, and sit, nibbling it nervously, at one of the small tables on spindly silver legs.
"What?" Sirius asks, and I realize that I've been subconsciously staring at the same spot on his forehead for the past five minutes.
"Oh," I say, shaking out of my space-out session, "Nothing. I hope they're okay, don't you?"
"You only want Li-ly to be okay," Sirius teases. He says it just like Georgie.
"Shut up," I mutter, glancing over at Mrs. Evans and Mr. Lupin, who are both laughing happily. I raise an eyebrow at the tow.
"Can you feel, the loooooove toniiiiiiihgt…?" Sirius sings, completely off-key. I stifle a laugh.
"The peace the eeeeeeeveniiiiiiiiing briiiiiiiiiiings…" I sing, equally off-key.
"The world for once, in peeeeeerfeeeeeeect harmony, with aaaaall its liiiiiiiiving thiiiiiiings…" We sing together, earning disturbed looks from other customers. And it's even okay, because Mr. Lupin's wife died a long time ago. This is perfect. Sirius and I look evilly at each other. We both have identical mischievous grins spread across our faces.
"Let's be weird!" Sirius says excitedly. I nod my head vigorously.
"So he says," I gasp, pretending to shake with laughter, "If you'll believe it, he says, `An' what're you doing wit all dem toadstools, Jamie?' and then, haha, I says, `Who? Me? Why, I's is jus' puttin' 'em down, cuz some nasty bugger's went an' tried to steal 'em,' and he says, `Really? 'O was it, then?'" I am cracking up like a drunken bum.
"And so I'm all like, `No way!' and she's all `Way!' and so then I go, `Like, squee!' and she's like, `I know, right?' and then we were like in the mall except this like old guy totally came up to us, and then he was all flirting with us, like `You pretty little ladies sure are pretty,' and so we're all like, `Ew, dude, like, totally perving on us!'" Sirius is talking animatedly, waving his hands around and nearly hitting the other people in the café. "And then this one time, we were, like, um, somewhere? And like, this hot guy, he's all like, `You girls need to come with me,' and we're all like, `Squee! Hot guy alert! Hot guy alert!' and then, he's like, `I need to do some tests,' and we're like, `That's totally like secret guy language for I love you let's go and make out,' and so then, he took us to this huge building, and we're like, `Ooh, I bet he has, like, parties in here,' and so he's like, `Follow me,' and then he took us up this huge flight of stairs, and then there was, like, this huge room with all these guys? And so he totally took us in there, and then we realized they were all wearing matching outfits, so we're all like, `Um, okay…' and then he told us he was a pleezman, like those Muggle dudes, so then we're like, `Ooh, that's even hotter… He's an authority figure! Squee! That is, like, so totally in right now!' and then he's all like, `Right…' and then another guy, who was even HOTTER, was like, `You girls just broke a law,' and so we're like, `Huh?' and then they totally called our parents and we got into, like, mondo trouble. It sucked." He says girlishly. I am staring at him in awe. He nudges me to start talking, but I notice a girl looking at us strangely. She is very pretty, with sleek blonde hair and hazel eyes. Even so, I feel an involuntary chill… But it's soon gone, and I can't stop looking at her. She takes this as cue to walk over to our table, her long hair swung over her shoulder.
"Hello," she says angelically. "I'm Danielle Hurston. Are you going to Hogwarts this year?"
"Erm," I say nervously. "Yes. I'm James Potter, and this is Sirius Black."
She smiles charmingly.
"So, what are you doing here?" Sirius asks, obviously wanting to talk to her, too.
She looks him up and down. Clearly she hasn't forgotten his like's and squee's. "I'm visiting my sick uncle," she says, rolling her eyes distastefully. "He's gross. What're you doing here?"
"Oh," I say quickly. "We're just visiting a family friend. So boring." I yawn. Sirius looks at me strangely, and opens his mouth to speak, but Mrs. Evans walks over to us, accompanied by Mr. Lupin.
"You children ready to go?" she asks. "Who's this?"
"I'm Danielle Thurston," Danielle says. "My father's the Minister's Personal Assistant."
"You have a Minister?" Mrs. Evans asks Mr. Lupin incredulously. He nods.
"Are you a Muggle?" Danielle asks.
Mrs. Evans looks confused. "A what?"
"Obviously…" Danielle says, and I can see a glint in her eye, one that doesn't seem at all good.
Fortunately, Mr. Lupin sees this, and says quickly, "Well, it's lovely to chat, but really, we must be going."
"Oh, I'll come with you," Danielle says sweetly, and I can definitely see an evil glint in her eye now.
"Really, that won't be neces-" Mr. Lupin begins, but Mrs. Evans waves a hand at him, stopping him from speaking.
"Of course you may, dear," she says kindly. Danielle looks affronted and disgusted at being called `dear' by Mrs. Evans, but she soon wipes the look off her face and smiles angelically.
"Oh, thank you, Mrs. … What did you say your name was again?"
"Marie Evans, dear." She replies.
"…Right…" Danielle says disdainfully. "Well, let's go…" and we set off. I can feel my heart beating loudly in my throat, but I try to ignore it and to not focus on what Danielle would say, or think, or do, once she saw Lily. I doubted Danielle would do anything, really. She was so pretty, with her blonde hair, her blue eyes that seemed to go on forever, and she seemed really nice, except for maybe towards Lily's mum, but that probably wasn't even her fault; she had prejudiced parents, and overall I didn't think she'd do much when she saw Lily. Lily, with her beautiful red hair, her emerald eyes that sparkled and danced when she laughed, Lily with her funny and quirky nature, Lily the girl I had met earlier this summer, who was so new to this world, Lily who had made my life so much happier, made me want to get up in the morning… And then I realized that while Danielle was pretty in the clichéd way (blonde hair, blue eyes), Lily was beautiful in her own unique way, and though Danielle was nice, Lily was sweet, and smart, and she made me laugh. I'd known Danielle from the many parties my parents threw, but I'd never known her very well. I knew Lily better from two days than I knew Danielle from countless hours of being shoved together as the grown-ups had their sophisticated discussions about Muggle-hunting. By now, we had reached Lily and Georgie's door, and I watch in revulsion as Sirius opens the door gentlemanly for Danielle, and then cringe internally as he gazes longingly at her long after she's passed through the doorway.
"Oh, Sirius," I say girlishly, fluttering my eyelashes and clasping my hands to my heart. "Thank you ever so much!"
He doesn't even notice me. I snicker before going over to Georgie's bed. His face, which was extremely pale and sickly when we had first arrived, was now gaining some of its original color. I silently pray for him to get better. I can't imagine a life without my annoying little brother. I guess I just took him for granted before, with his sweet and clumsy nature, always trying to make me proud. I feel so guilty, always making him go farther and farther to fit in with me, then raising my expectations so he wouldn't fit in, and how, well, I guess I kind of made him feel like he has to earn my love, which he doesn't. And I am so sorry if I ever did that. While I am thinking these unusually deep things, Danielle comes up to me.
"Whoa! His ears are, like, really big!" she says. "Who is he, anyway?"
"He's my little brother," I say shortly, turning to glare at her.
"Oh my gosh, James! That totally sucks! I didn't mean his ears were big in a bad way, James. I think his ears are cute!"
"Yeah," I say grudgingly. "Whatever." I try and walk away from her, over to Lily's bed, but she just follows me.
She giggles. "Her hair! It looks like it caught fire, or something!"
"I think it's pretty." I say angrily.
She decides to ignore this last statement of mine. "And her freckles! Oh, god, if I were her, I'd die if I had that many freckles."
"I think they're cute."
"And she's so pale! Her complexion looks like she just came out of a coffin!"
"It's called peaches-and-cream complexion," I say through gritted teeth, remembering something from a make-up section of one of my mother's magazines. "And it's perfect."
"But seriously," she says, waving a hand at my reply. "What is with her ears? They're not even pierced! And her eyelashes are all pale! Plus, her eyelids are the same color as the rest of her face! Her lips don't shine, her eyebrows have hairs, her face doesn't look the same all over, what on earth is with her??"
"That's because, Danielle," I say, and I can feel my anger at Lily for not waking up, my anger at myself for putting her and Georgie in danger, my frustration at Danielle for being so dumb and annoying, and every other emotion boiling up inside off me. "It's because she doesn't wear tons of makeup! Her ears aren't pierced because she doesn't like them like that, her eyelids aren't smothered in eye shadow, she doesn't like lip gloss, she has real eyebrows, and her face isn't hidden by seven layers of foundation. Know why it's not hidden? Because she doesn't need to hide anything! She doesn't need makeup to make her beautiful, Danielle. She's not ugly underneath." I turn away from Danielle and burst into Lily's thoughts.
GRRR!!!
Hello to you, too!
Are you…
Talking? Obviously.
But you're not awake.
Astute observation. Bravo.
Okay, Lily. True or False: This is James, not your father.
Hmm… This is ever so hard, JAMES. Why on earth would you be my father?
Well, um, never mind…
What?
Nothing!
Okay. What was the grr-ing for?
What grr-ing?
The way you greeted me. Honestly, attention span of a fly…
Oh. I have made a new… friend? No that's not what I'd call her…
Her?
Yes, her. No need to get jealous, Lily Darling, she annoys the hell out of me.
Good.
Why is it good?
No reason.
Right…
Why isn't she a friend?
Because, first of all, she insulted Georgie…
I thought you didn't like your brother.
I did a little deep thinking…
Bravo. You should get a medal. Did you follow the doctor's orders, and massage your head?
Shut up.
What was the other reason?
Other reason?
`Because, first of all, she insulted Georgie…'
Oh. Um, she wasn't being very… nice to you.
Oh?
It was actually pretty funny.
How so?
She was going on and on about how strange and unattractive your freckles, unpierced ears, un-foundationed face, real eyebrows, your red hair, everything natural about you! Which was everything. Unless, of course, there was a nose job I don't know about…
I DON'T LIKE BEING GIRLY AND COVERING MY FACE IN MAKEUP!!! Is that unnaturally freakish? Do you think I should?
No. She was wrong, Lily. You can't enhance what's already perfect.
Aww. I feel so loved. Who is she?
I doubt you know her. She's a pureblood. Her name's Danielle Thurston.
DANIELLE??
You know her??
Yeah. Summer Camp.
Whoa… she went to a Muggle summer camp?
No, James. I'm making it all up.
Hmm…
What? I was KIDDING. I do know her. Stupid…
What exactly did you guys argue about?
Oh. Well, she kept bragging about how her father bought her a chimpanzee to keep in a large birdcage, and I told her it needed a bigger living space, otherwise it would die.
Seriously? When was that?
Early this summer, actually.
Oh. That's okay, then. I thought it would be a little weird for seven-year-old girls to be arguing the rights of chimpanzees.
Don't you believe me?
No! I believe you! I think it's completely and totally cruel to keep chimpanzees in such close quarters.
Good.
You should change your name.
To what?
Jane Goodall.
"James! Dah-ling! There you are!! I've been looking everywhere!! Oh! Who's this?"
I hafta go. Mum's having a cow. Again.
'Bye.
"I'm Danielle Thurston, Mrs. Potter. We've met at parties." Danielle says, smiling prissily.
"Of course." Mum knows the Thurstons are completely Pureblood, and they're one of the best wizarding families, but still, Danielle is a girl. A girl who might get in the way of my happily-ever-after. This was perfect. I would never have to acknowledge Danielle's presence, and I kept myself away from my mum's wrath! Except for with Lily. But at least with Danielle, I never had to worry about being forced into marriage.
"Well, James," My mum says. "We really ought to be getting home."
I nod. "Come on, Sirius. We should go. 'Bye, Mrs. Potter, 'bye Mr. Lupin."
"Goodbye, James," Danielle says. "I'll see you in school!!" I grunt in reply, and wave to Mrs. Evans and Mr. Lupin before following my mother and Sirius out of the door and down a few floors. We go back to the Floo Room and Floo back to our house. There Sirius gets picked up by his evil mum, and I pace the afternoon away, hatching a plan.
.:*:.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Midnight.
And time to go. I hastily scrawl a quick note in case I'm not back before Mum wakes up, and run into the living room, carrying a bag full of supplies. I take a pinch of Floo powder and toss it in the fire, whispering the location I need to go to. I step in, and I'm gone.
I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SORRY!!! I tried to update; I really did. Only my parents decided to keep me away from the computer because I was bad. Honestly, it's not like I really cared. My whole social life doesn't depend on that yellow phone cord, or anything! *shifty eyes*
My beta refused to give me any constructive criticism, proclaiming it absolutely perfect, but if you see ANYTHING wrong at all, PLEASE tell me.
Mischief Managed
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