The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Chapter Two: Letters

August 1, 1971

"Checkmate!" Lily cried triumphantly, grinning and sitting back in her chair. She and her sister, Petunia, sat outside at the little white table her mother always used for afternoon tea. Luscious gardens surrounded them and Lily could hear her mother faintly off in one direction, humming a song as she worked with her flowers. Her father was busy at work, for he worked for the government and that took up quite a bit of his time.

It was a rather warm August day, and Lily sat comfortably in a sleeveless shirt and skirt. Her rosy complexion was a contrast to Petunia's sallow looking face, despite the beautiful day.

"Why do you always win?" Petunia pouted.

Lily shrugged. "Dad taught me last summer, I've been playing a lot." She smiled. "You're really good, Petunia, don't worry."

Petunia sat back in her chair, her arms folded across her chest. "I don't want to play any more."

Lily sighed a little. Petunia always did that. Whenever she didn't win, she always sulked. "We can play dress up." Even if Petunia was thirteen, she still loved dressing up. Lily always tried to do what she could to get Petunia to smile.

"Really?" Petunia's eyes lit up and a small smile tugged at the corners of her usually frowning mouth.

Lily smiled. "Of course." She stood and held out a hand to Petunia, who took it. They walked towards the back door and were almost inside when Lily's mother walked up with trimming sheers, her wide-brimmed straw hat shadowing most of her face. A large basket of flowers hung at her arm.

"Lily, love, why don't you come with me over to Mrs. Mirriel's, I have this basket of flowers I'd like to drop off. She's seemed a bit down lately, dossing about her house. Her husband isn't very healthy; I'd like to cheer her up."

Lily was torn between going with her mother or taking her sister inside. "Do I have to go, Mum?"

Rosemary Evans looked at her daughter with a slight frown on her lips. "Lily, dearest, Mrs. Mirriel loves to see you; I'm sure seeing you would give her a bit of a cheer up."

"Can I go too?" Petunia asked.

Rosemary looked at Petunia as if she hadn't realized she had been standing there. "There are dishes that need doing and your room is still messy. And you'll just make Mrs. Mirriel depressed with your sour moods."

Lily felt Petunia pull her hand away from her and without a word, she slouched off into the house. Lily bit her lip, looking after her sister, feeling quite horrid at that moment.

"Now, Lily, lets go. Come, child." Lily felt her mother take her hand and lead her out of the gardens.

"Mum, why didn't you let Petunia go? You saw her room this morning, it was fine." Lily looked up at her mother as they walked.

Rosemary smiled down at her daughter. "Petunia couldn't come with us Lily for the simple matter that she has about as much cheer as a graveyard. You know that as well as I do."

"But she seemed like she really wanted to come."

Rosemary just smiled and looked up. "Well, we've arrived." And that was that, end of the matter. Lily sighed and followed her mother up the front steps and waited obediently beside her as she rang the doorbell. Mrs. Mirriel, a short woman with her white hair pulled up in a severe bun, was never a woman for coming out of her house. Lily always thought she was some sort of hermit, the way she never saw her, but Lily was smart enough never to say anything like that in front of adults.

The door creaked open and Mrs. Mirriel appeared a few moments later. "Can I help you?" she asked, eyeing her visitors.

Rosemary smiled, as did Lily, right on cue, as she held out the basket of flowers. "I brought these flowers from my garden for you. Just thought maybe they could cheer you up."

Mrs. Mirriel frowned at the flowers. "I don't need any flowers." She looked at Rosemary skeptically. "You sure you're not trying to make me buy anything?"

Rosemary chuckled politely. "I'm Rosemary Evans, from next door? Do you remember?"

"No."

"Oh, no matter, here, I'll leave them out here on the porch for you."

Mrs. Mirriel just looked at them and then shut the door. Lily vaguely wondered why her mother had insisted she come. Mrs. Mirriel had barely glanced at Lily and she didn't see why Petunia couldn't have come in her place. It didn't seem like it would have mattered.

Of course, Rosemary just held her smile. "No matter, at least we gave her the flowers. That's what counts." She looked at Lily. "She was happy to see you, of course. Now, I'm going to going to go finish my pruning, why don't you just go have fun with your friends until supper." Lily watched as her mother walked away, humming a song.

Lily knew Mrs. Mirriel could have cared less that Lily had been there, but why her mother didn't seem to realize that, Lily didn't know. Of course, her mother was always chipper. As far back as Lily could remember, her mother had always complimented Lily on everything she did, as if she could do no wrong. And her father was just the same, always smiling and telling her how proud he was of his little girl. Secondary school would start in a month and Lily did look forward to it, for school was always one of her favorite things. Of course, her parents just saw it as another way to show that their Lily was the best.

Lily began walking back towards her house, thinking. Over the past year, several strange things had happened to her. Such as one night when she was working on some homework for school and her pen suddenly started to write by itself. Another time was when she was sick in her bed and wished she could get up to open the window and the window had opened. Both times she reasoned she must have been exhausted and her mind had been playing tricks on her. But the third time had been quite odd. She and Petunia had been playing around in the back yard and were climbing trees. Lily got stuck up in one of the large trees and when Petunia had gone to get her mother, Lily had lost her balance and fallen. However, she wasn't hurt, not even a scratch. She just sat there on the ground, perfectly fine and to this day she still wondered how that could have been possible, for the tree was at least two stories tall.

She was so lost in her thoughts; she didn't see the owl until it had flown right in front of her face. Startled, she let out a shriek and stumbled back. Looking around for whatever had come in front of her face, a paper on the sidewalk caught her attention. She bent down, picking up the letter. She looked at it curiously. It was addressed to her!

Miss L. Evans

The Sidewalk

24 Chestnut Ave

Bloomsbury, England.

Who would be writing to her? And such an odd way of writing too. She flipped the letter over and ran a finger over the wax seal. It seemed to be a coat of arms.

"Lily!" a voice broke her from her inspection and she looked up to see her father climbing out of his car.

"Dad!" she cried, the letter currently forgotten in her hand as she ran to embrace her father in a huge bear hug.

"How's my girl?"

"Brill, Dad." She grinned. "How was work?"

He smiled. "Wonderful. Here, I got you something."

"You didn't have to."

"Rubbish, of course I'd get my favorite daughter something." He reached into the pocket of his trousers. "Now, it's around here somewhere....ah! Here it is!" He pulled out a small black box and held it out to Lily. "When I saw this, I thought it'd be perfect for you." He opened the box to reveal a silver charm bracelet.

"Oh, Dad, it's beautiful!" She ran a few fingers over the bracelet, her eyes wide.

"Nothing less for you, Lily." He smiled and took the bracelet out, fitting it around her wrist. Then he spotted the letter clutched in her other hand. "What's that you've got? A letter?"

She was still caught up in the bracelet that she didn't hear him at first. She blinked, startled out of her reverie. "Oh, this?" She held up the letter. "It just fell in front of my feet earlier, the addressing is quite odd, but it's to me."

"Well, let's go inside, shall we, and take a look." Her father smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her inside. "Rosemary, I'm home!"

"Richard! Welcome home." Rosemary bustled out of the kitchen and down the hall to give her husband a hug and a nice kiss. She smiled down at Lily. "Supper's almost ready. Why don't you come in and have a seat."

"What about Petunia?" Lily asked.

Richard took care of that. "Petunia! Supper!" he called upstairs and within a few minutes, Petunia could be seen walking down the stairs. Richard and Rosemary headed into the kitchen while Lily waited for her sister. Petunia saw the bracelet and Lily caught the flash of disappointment on her face before she smiled a little.

"When did you get that?"

"Dad just gave it to me," Lily said, smiling, proudly showing off her bracelet. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Very."

Lily noticed her sister looked a little bitter or sad but just cheerfully took her sister's hand. "I'm sure he got you one too, Petunia, don't worry."

"Sure," Petunia muttered under her breath as her sister led her into the kitchen.

Her parents were already seated at the small table in the center of the kitchen and so Lily and Petunia took their respective places. Her mother passed out the food and once they began eating, her father brought up the subject of Lily's letter.

"So, Lily, don't keep us in suspense, who's your letter from?" her father asked, taking a bite of mashed potatoes.

Rosemary's eyebrows lifted. "Lily got a letter? Lovely. Open it, dear, let's see what it says." She took a sip of her water, and Lily nodded, taking the letter and breaking the wax seal. She pulled the letter from the envelope and unfolded it. It took her a few times to read over it before the words finally sunk in.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

,---------------------'

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss. Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1^st.

As I'm sure your parents will have many questions, have them come to the West Street Market in Bloomsbury on August 5^th. I will be there personally to answer any questions or concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Well, who's it from?" Richard asked. Lily looked up and could only hand the letter to her parents, shocked into silence. She had no clue how her parents were going to react and she was worried. Petunia was looking at her questioningly, but Lily couldn't take her eyes off her parents.

However, their reactions were not quite what she was expecting.

"A witch? Really? How wonderful," Rosemary exclaimed. "My Lily, a witch! She's so talented; no wonder they'd want her. How could they not?"

Richard was nodding in agreement. "Yes, Lily, you've sure surprised us with this, but it's brilliant news."

Lily just stared at her parents, wondering what had happened to them. Had some aliens come in and switched with them? They were acting completely ....odd.

"Mum? Dad? Aren't you, scared or stunned or... anything?" she managed.

"Of course not, dearest. We always knew you were special." Her mother smiled.

"A representative from that school arrived a few days ago and had spoken with your mother and I that you may possibly be receiving this letter. Of course we were skeptical, but once he had explained it all, it made perfect sense." Her father was beaming with pride. "A witch, it's bloody amazing."

And for the rest of dinner, her parents talked nonstop about getting her supplies and getting her ready for Hogwarts. Petunia, meanwhile, sat sullenly in her chair, watching as her sister was fawned over, yet again.

~***~

"Watch out for that -" Sirius winced as James crashed into the hedge at the side of their make-shift Quidditch pitch behind James' house. Tall hedges lined the outside so that no one else could see in. Sirius had passed the Quaffle a little too far and James had caught it, but had also ended up stuck in the bush. Sirius flew over to James and pulled him out, along with his broom. He brought them to the ground. "You alright, mate?"

James nodded, a little shaken but still grinning. "I planned it all along."

Sirius just laughed. "Sure you did." He clapped him on the shoulder, making the wiry boy stumble a little. "Want to go another round?"

"Of course. You think one minor incident with an evil bush is going to stop me from playing Quidditch? I think not."

Sirius just arched an eyebrow. "Evil bush?"

James shrugged. "It attacked me."

Sirius nodded and patted him on the head. "Your dad always did say you were a little touched in the head. It'll be alright. St. Mungo's has a place for you waiting."

James ducked out from under Sirius' hand, laughing. "I don't think so."

"Just admit it."

"Admit what?"

"That you're stubborn."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

Sirius shrugged.

James just shook his head and handed Sirius his broom. "Come on, let's play."

Sirius and James practiced Quidditch for another few hours until Bryon came out with a handful of mail. "Looks like you boys got some mail," he said, grinning. He held up two Hogwarts letters.

Mr. J. Potter

Backyard

33 Mayburry Lane.

Godric's Hollow, England.

Mr. S. Black

Backyard

33 Mayburry Lane.

Godric's Hollow, England.

Both of them were immediately down off their brooms and grabbing for the letters, ripping them open. "Yeah!" Sirius cried, grinning. "Hogwarts, here we come!"

"The question is, is Hogwarts ready for you?" Bryon asked, laughing.

They just grinned.

"Just like it was for you, Dad?" James asked and they all laughed.

"We're going to find every single secret passageway," Sirius said, his eyes lighting up excitedly.

James looked at him, matching the excitement. "Smashing. I bet there's a way into Hogsmeade and then we can go to Zonko's and Honeydukes all the time."

"Of course, what would be the point of the secret passageways if one didn't lead there?" Sirius asked, grinning.

Bryon watched them amusedly and clapped them both on the shoulders. "As much as I love hearing you two plot, we'd better get inside for supper before Samantha throws a fit. Besides, tomorrow we'll be going to Diagon Alley to get you stocked up for your pranks," he added in a whisper.

Sirius and James grinned at each other, slapping a high-five. They followed Bryon inside the back door, entering the large kitchen. White counters adorned the walls, cupboards lined the area just under the ceiling and the window above the sink was open, letting in the cool evening air.

Samantha Potter, tall, red-headed and never without a smile, was setting the table as pots were being stirred magically by spoons on the stove. The delicious smells swept over them as they entered and Sirius could practically feel his mouth watering.

She looked up when they entered and smiled. "Supper's on the hob, help yourself."

"Thanks, Mum," James said and walked towards the stove, but Sirius was already there, heaping his plate with pork, potatoes and corn.

"I left a little for you," Sirius said, grinning as he passed James.

"Thanks, mate," James replied sarcastically, a smirk on his face. After filling up his plate, he took a seat next to Sirius. Bryon and Samantha joined them moments later.

"I saw your Hogwarts letters in the mail," Samantha said, taking a bite.

James nodded, watching out of the corner of his eye as Sirius gobbled down his dinner, going up for seconds. He chuckled silently and took a forkful of mashed potatoes. "Have you heard anything on the new Headmaster, Dad?"

Bryon finished buttering his bread and took a bite, swallowing. "He's the best there is, James. He was Assistant Headmaster while I attended Hogwarts. He's very fair, especially when it comes to matters with Muggle-borns."

"But he's strict," Samantha added. "So no pranking. Or at least, tone it down." She smiled.

James and Sirius, who had just finished his third helping, laughed. "I don't think that's possible, Mrs. Potter," Sirius gasped, having nearly choked on a piece of bread from laughing. James hit him soundly on the back and Sirius took a large gulp of water.

"I don't know about you, Samantha, but the Dumbledore I remember had quite the sweet tooth and was ever so kind when I got into my little foul ups," Bryon said, chuckling.

"And you had plenty of those," Samantha said with a smile.

"You just be quiet," Bryon said, laughing and threw his piece of roll at her.

She caught it and looked at Bryon disapprovingly. "What did I tell you about throwing food?"

Bryon just grinned, looking innocent. "Accident?"

Samantha just smiled, shaking her head slightly. "I swear, you'll never grow up, Bryon."

James and Sirius glanced at each other, grins on their faces as they watched Bryon and Samantha.

Bryon laughed. "Never."

The only time Bryon was ever serious was if it deal with Voldemort, his work, or matters of life and death, which more often than not coincided. Bryon was an Auror and a very good one at that. Samantha stayed around the house for the most part, but it wouldn't be surprising if she knew a lot more than she ever let on. It was all top secret with what was happening, but James saw the Daily Prophet just as much as the rest of them and knew that it was getting bad, especially when his dad came home from work not in his usual happy mood.

Supper having finished, Samantha stood and with a wave of her wand, all the dishes moved to the sink and began washing themselves.

"When are you taking them to Diagon Alley?" Samantha asked, looking at Bryon.

"Tomorrow afternoon. There's quite a list and they've got to get pets as well, so I figured morning."

"You don't have to work?"

He shook his head. "I've earned the day off, but I doubt there'll be many of those after this." His voice lowered. "It's not looking good."

James and Sirius took that as the cue to leave and slipped quietly out. James glanced back at his parents who were taking in hushed tones and then followed Sirius away.

~***~

Remus sat outside on the small porch, reading Frankenstein. The book was intriguing and he saw a lot of similarities between himself and the monster. Both were outcasts, both were shunned because they were different. He tried to keep a little optimism, but it was hard when everyone despised and feared werewolves. He was cursed and there wasn't much he could do about it.

He was about half way when a mocking voice broke through the world that he had immersed himself in. "Reading again? Don't you get tired of that?"

Remus looked up to see his twin brother, Romulus, standing at the base of the three stairs that led up to the porch. Behind him, Remus could see the trees of the forest swaying in the light breeze and the sunlight that streamed down around them. Focusing on those good things, he could almost ignore the small pang in his chest that he always got when he spoke to his brother. More often than not, Romulus always had some chiding or degrading remark to make and he always had to add the fact that at least he was normal in there.

"No, I don't," he said shortly, looking back down at his book. A hand reached down and snatched his book away. "Give it back, Romulus."

Romulus ignored him, holding the book up out of his reach. Even if they were twins, Romulus was a few inches taller and a little more muscular compared to his wiry brother. Though they shared the same light brown hair and eyes, their personalities couldn't have been more different. "How can you find this interesting?" He made a face at the book. "Frankenstein? Why am I not surprised." He looked at Remus, who was now standing, glaring at his brother. "This is a book for freaks just like yourself."

"You take that back!"

Romulus smirked. "What are you going to do if I don't? Bite me? Mum wouldn't be too happy."

"Sod off, Romulus." He reached for his book but Romulus just held it higher.

"Romulus! Remus! Stop this, right now." They both froze and spun to see their mother storming across the grass and up onto the porch. She took the book from Romulus, looking at him disapprovingly. "You should know better. Have I not raised you well enough? Stop picking on your brother." She turned to Remus, handing him back his book. She smiled softly. "Why don't you go inside, dear and have a spot of tea. Settle down the nerves."

Remus nodded and quietly slipped inside. Using the hot water on the stove, he made himself a cup of tea and sat down, taking sips of it. He could hear his mother reprimanding Romulus.

"You know better than to tease him about his condition. You of all people should be taking care of him, not making him feel worse! It's hard enough to convince him to go outside, much less attend Hogwarts and with the way you're acting and always treating him, it's no wonder he doesn't want to go."

"Mum, he's a freak. He's not normal, he never will be. Why give him false security?"

Their mother would never think of landing a hand on them, but by the tone of her voice when she spoke next, Remus knew she was holding a slap back. "Go to your room, now," she said through gritted teeth.

Moments later, Remus watched as Romulus stormed by, scowling and disappeared out the kitchen. His mother came in soon after. She took a cup of tea for herself, taking a seat across from Remus.

"Don't apologize, Mum, Romulus is right, I don't belong with anyone," he said before she could speak.

"Remus," she sighed, setting down her cup. "Please, don't degrade yourself like this. Once you get to Hogwarts -"

"Assuming they'd even think of sending a letter to a werewolf," he interrupted, bitterly.

"When you get your letter," she continued, ignoring his statement, "you'll see it's not that bad. You've got a wonderful Headmaster, very fair -"

"Has he ever dealt with a werewolf?"

"I'm sure he has."

"Doubt it," he muttered.

"Remus," she said sharply and he shut up. When she used that tone, he always bit back his tongue. "Just give it a chance, that's all I ask."

He looked at her a few moments before sighing. "Fine." He sat back in his chair, folding his arms in front of his chest, none too happy. He didn't look forward to a place that once they found out what he was would shun him and he'd be the outcast yet again.

At that moment, an owl swooped in through the open door, landing on the back of the chair between Remus and his mother. The tawny owl looked regal enough as it stuck its foot out towards Remus expectantly, a bundle of letters attached. Surprised to say the least, he gently untied the letters. One with his name caught his eye and he set down the rest of the letters, taking his in his hands. Who would be writing to him? His mother fed the owl a treat and it hooted, soaring up and out.

It was dead silence in the kitchen as Remus looked at the letter, his heart stopping, his breath catching in his throat.

Mr. R. Lupin

The Kitchen

Cottage in the woods.

Salazar's Cove, England.

His hand shook slightly as he turned the letter over, looking at the Hogwarts seal. Breaking it, he pulled the letter out, his eyes reading but not really seeing the words. I got into Hogwarts was the only thought that was running through his mind, over and over.

He didn't even realize his mother had taken the letter from his hand until she spoke. "Just give it a chance, Remus, that can't hurt."

He blinked out of his stupor and looked at her numbly. Then he nodded slightly. "Alright." He swallowed, wetting his dry throat. He looked at the letter and then back at her. "What will I do about ... the full moon?"

"I've spoken with the Headmaster and he has taken measures to make sure you are perfectly safe. A Whomping Willow has been planted over an underground passageway that leads to the old shack in Hogsmeade. When it's time for you to go underground, Madame Pomfrey, the med-witch at Hogwarts, will take you to the tree and get you inside so you can go to the shack, where you can spend the night. I know it's not the best thing, but I think it's a good plan. Use any excuse you want to explain your disappearances and just try to enjoy your time at Hogwarts." She smiled. "It'll be alright."

"I hope," he whispered, looking out the window at the woods.

~***~

"Peter! Post's here!"

Peter ran from his room, nearly tripping over his untied shoelaces as he stumbled into the living room. His parents stood in the center of the room, both beaming. "Look what you got!" his father said, waving around a letter.

Peter's eyes went wide. "My Hogwarts letter!"

"That's right, son." He handed Peter the letter, who held it in his hands as if it were made of gold.

Mr. P. Pettigrew

Living Room

10 Willow St.

Birmingham, England.

"Well, go ahead, open it," his mother prodded and Peter excitedly opened his letter, unfolding it and looking at it, bursting with happiness.

He read it aloud:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

,---------------------'

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Pettigrew,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1^st. We expect your owl no later than August 5^th.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Peter looked up at his parents. "I really did it!"

"Yes you did and we're very proud of you," his father said, wrapping an arm around Peter's shoulders. His mother walked up, kissing him on the cheeks and then pulling him into a hug.

"My little boy, off to school!"

Peter blushed a little. "Mum, Dad, please."

They pulled back, smiling at him. "Tomorrow we'll go get your supplies," his father said.

The grin was immediately back on Peter's face. "Okay!"

"Now it's time to celebrate. Charlene, did you have that pudding made?"

Peter's mother nodded. "I'll warm it up." She bustled into the kitchen and Peter and his father followed soon after.