The Book Of Prophecies

The Book of Prophecies

Chapter 1(1/?)

The sun slowly set bringing out the nightly noises of the city. It seemed that nothing changed. It was still semi-bright out because of all the lights, the sound of cars rushing by still hummed in the ears of those listening, and there was still that familiar cry of mothers calling their children to them. But it was all different for Lily. The night brought her to life. She didn't have to worry about being bothered by her sister or parents. She could relax and be herself. Which was something she couldn't do any other time.

Lily snuck outside with a flashlight, a book with blank pages, a pencil and sharpener, and a blanket. It was all stuffed into her backpack as she climbed on to her bike. She set off down the familiar path she had gone down every night for the past year.

The city was growing small as she pedaled further and further away from it. She finally reached her destination, an old willow tree near a small pond. It was private property so there were no campers, but the risk was that she wasn't supposed to be here either.

Lily set her bike up in the bushes and climbed into the tree. She took out the things and stayed up late into the night.

Dear Diary,

Today has seemed so strange. I thought I saw an owl sitting on our fence this afternoon. It was even stranger because there was something tied to its leg, but when I looked back at it, it was no longer there.

Petunia, unfortunately, is the same as ever. She is so caught up in everyone else's business that you wonder she has a life of her own. I think she might suspect my sneaking out, but she didn't have the chance to follow me because, apparently, she had not done her chores (I think mom was just trying to keep us from getting into another fight.)

I heard from Tom today. He seems very nice, but he is much, much older than me. I enjoy his letters. He sends me stories of a magical world where anything is possible. Wouldn't it be great to live in a world like that? And he uses such strange words too. He speaks in Old English, or at least he rights in it. I am trying to write a story like those that Tom shares with me. I shall leave off here so I will have time to gather ideas.

With Love,

Lily

As she climbed out of the tree to head home, the soft thud of footsteps could be heard heading her way. Lily quickly got back up into the tree. Voices were soon audible, and Lily could tell they were two boys, around her age.

"We aren't supposed to be here," said the first voice.

"Don't be such a worry wart," replied the second. "It's not like we're going to get caught... And besides, if some one did see us, what's the worst that could happen?" The boys were now in sight. The boy who had spoken first was of average height. He was skinny and had messed up black hair. His eyes were brown and he had glasses.

The second boy was about the same height as the first, but not as skinny. His hair was also black, but it was neat. He had gray eyes and a look of mischief was plastered over his face.

"Sirius," the first spoke again. "muggles aren't like us. Who knows what sort of punishments they give?" Muggles. Lily had heard that word before... but where? Then it hit her. Tom had used the term muggle to describe non-magic people, but where did these boys learn it from?

"Oh come on, James," Sirius whined. "It can't be too serious can it?" They were just beneath Lily now. Should she climb down? They weren't supposed to be here either, so they wouldn't tell on her... would they? Just then, her backpack slipped. She tried to grab it, but it was too late. The backpack fell and landed directly on Sirius's head.

"Ow!" he shouted. Just as Lily said "Shit!" and James looked up at her.

"Have you been up there the whole time?" he asked her. He was surprisingly calm for some one who had just caught a stranger eavesdropping on his conversation.

"Yes," she said. "I'm not supposed to be here so there was not much choice." Then she turned to Sirius. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry. It slipped."

"It's... okay," he said through clenched teeth. The pain was obvious on his face, but he waved it away. Picking up her backpack, James handed it to her and began the introductions.

"I'm James Potter," he said. "And this idiot is Sirius Black." His friend had apparently recovered enough, for he made a face at James. Then, he turned to Lily.

"And you are?"

"Lily," she replied, purposefully not saying her last name. She did not like her last name and it just made it worse that her sister shared it with her. They noticed she was not going to say anything else and were curious.

"No last name?" asked Sirius. "Or is there a reason you don't say it?"

"If I have to share it with my sister," replied Lily. "I'd rather not have a last name at all."

"That bad?" Lily nodded and Sirius continued. "We wouldn't know. We're both only childs." He had bad grammar, Lily thought, but she decided against correcting him. She looked down at her watch and saw that she needed to get going if she wanted to get any sleep at all.

"I need to get going," she said. "It takes a while to get back to the city and I'm hoping for some sleep tonight." She pulled her bike out of the bushes and started heading for the road. They followed her until she reached it. Climbing on her bike, Lily suddenly had an idea that she thought might stun them. Turning back, she called, "Don't worry. People don't come in this area. You won't be caught. And even if you did, don't get too worked up. As far as I've heard, we muggles don't have all that different punishments than you wizards. We just have to exclude magic." With that, she turned and pedaled toward the city. Her thoughts were racing and she couldn't wait to write about it in her diary.

Behind her, the two boys stood with jaws hanging. She had been an ordinary muggle... hadn't she? How did she know about the wizarding world? How many other people knew? They looked at each other, then turned and began running back to James's house.

***

James and Sirius were near collapse when they reached Godric's Hollow. They made it into the living room of the Potter's house as silently as they could, and rested. They were relieved that none of James's family had woken up, but it didn't last long.

"And where have you two been?" said a voice from the other side of the room. The lights flickered on and James's mother could be seen there, arms crossed and a stern expression on her face. "Well?"

"Walking?" James offered, but his mother seemed to want more detail.

"Walking where?" Sirius looked at James questioningly.

"Should we tell about Lily?" he asked in something that was hardly a whisper. James thought a moment, then mouthed 'Later'.

"Muggle land?" It was Sirius's turn to offer info. Evelyn Potter shook her head. Why did these two insist on getting into trouble? Weren't things complicated enough? Oh well, she thought, at least they have some fun.

"Well, I hope you enjoyed yourselves," she told them. "Because you won't be sneaking out at night again for quite a while." The boys groaned. They had completely forgotten Sarah, James's cousin, was coming to stay the rest of the summer. Sarah was into tattletale-ing and revenge.

The last time she was there, she had "accidentally" turned Sirius's hair pink with Evelyn's wand. That was, of course, after he had yelled at her to "keep her pointy nose out of other peoples' business." She had also managed to turn James's new glasses into a pile of flowers, of which she promptly picked the petals off of. Everything they did, she knew about, and she never got in trouble.

"Does she really have to come?" James whined. "We'll have to put up with her enough at Hogwarts, but here too?"

"Yes here too," snapped his mother. "She's going through a rough time at home, and she could use some time away." Evelyn softened as she recalled why, exactly, the boys so wished Sarah would not come. "Maybe she's changed. Just... be careful what you do around her. I don't want to have to by another pair of glasses, and I'm sure you would rather not have pink hair." She smiled. "I won't tell your father of this, James, but I might change my mind if you two don't go to bed right now." The boys quickly went of to James's bedroom. They lay awake, talking, most of the night. After Sirius had fallen asleep, James's mind was racing. It finally settled on one thought. Lily. There was just something about her. He fell asleep with her on his mind.

***

"Lily!" shouted Petunia. Their parents were not home, and she had been trying to wake Lily up for the last ten minutes, but the door was locked and she simply would not wake up. After two more minutes of the banging, Lily pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and went to see what Petunia was shrieking about.

The sight that met her eyes when she opened the door was one that would live with her for the rest of her life. There was Petunia, in the hallway, screaming her head off as an owl attempted to land on her shoulder. Petunia's hair was a mess and she was still in her robe. She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the floor with her arms over her face.

Lily broke down into a fit of laughter and it caught the owl's attention. It gave up on Petunia and landed on Lily's shoulder. Petunia stood up and rearranged herself.

"I don't see what's so funny," she snapped. "That... that, thing was attacking me."

"It's an owl," said Lily, recovering from her fits. "Not a thing, and it was not attacking you. It was trying to give you something." She untied the letter from the owl's leg and it flew off. The writing on the envelope was sloppy, but readable.

Ms. L. Evans

It was for her. She turned her back to her sister and headed back to her room. The envelope was a heavy yellow parchment and the writing was in emerald ink.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked Petunia from behind her. Lily could tell she was angry.

"To my room," Lily answered. "I want to read my letter in peace." She turned and shut the door in her sister's face. Sitting down on the bed, she took out a letter, written on the same heavy parchment. She opened it and glanced over the first line. It was all she needed.

Dear Ms. Evans,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hogwarts! Lily had heard about the wondrous place from Tom. It was one of the best wizarding schools in Europe, but... this couldn't be right. She couldn't be a witch. Her parents were muggles. This couldn't be true... could it?

Yes, she thought, it could be true, and it was. Then it really struck her. I'm a witch! All those letters Tom had sent her, they had been true and now she was a part of them. She would live all the things she had earlier believed to be false. She smiled and her thoughts went over all the things she would need to know, or learn.

A second sheet of paper slipped from her hand. She bent down and picked it up. It was her supply list. How was she supposed to get these things? Was there anyone who could help her? Tom, but no. He wouldn't be able to come here just because she needed help, but who?

Lily thought for quite a while before the events from the previous night resurfaced in her memory. She would ask James! But where would she find him? Would he be there tonight?

Petunia had peeked in on her sister and could not understand why she was pacing. It was annoying her because she always knew everyone's business, and now she didn't.

"Problem?" she asked her Lily hopefully. But Lily shook her head.

"No. Not a problem. A solution, but..." Lily's voice trailed off. She began voicing her thoughts, hardly noticing Petunia was present. "They should be there. Shouldn't they? Oh, if only the owl had stayed. Write him? I don't know his address. Hmmmm.... What do I do? What do I do?" By now, Petunia was very curious.

"Who are you talking about?" This seemed to bring Lily around.

"Does it matter? You shouldn't be in here anyway. I'd like to keep my private wonderings to myself, thank you very much. Now I would appreciate it if you left my room." Petunia left and Lily went back to muttering.

***

"Hello Sarah," Evelyn greeted her warmly. She had been right. Sarah had changed. They still had to wait to see if her attitude had, but her appearance was definitely different. Her nose was no longer pointy, but normal. Her hair was a little past her shoulders and she had died her bangs a lighter color than the rest of her hair. She was very pretty, and altogether innocent looking enough, but James and Sirius had put up their guard.

"Hello Aunt Evelyn," Sarah replied. She looked over at the boys and faint snort of disbelief. "Been into trouble lately?" she asked. "Hope your not grounded. I was hoping to have some fun." She smiled mischievously.

"And we were hoping one of your spells had backfired and put you into comatose, but we can't always get what we want can we?" muttered Sirius under his breath. James smiled. He hadn't said anything yet, and he seemed to be elsewhere. "Earth to James," Sirius said. "Are you in this universe?" James shook his head to clear it, then nodded.

"Yeah," he said. "But are you?" Sirius smiled, then shrugged.

"Sometimes." Evelyn had taken Sarah to the guest room. James's father was a work. The boys returned to their room and played a game of gobstones. Sirius became interested in something in one of James's books, and James decided he wanted to write something... or someone. He got out some parchment, ink, and a quill. He had just met her. He didn't know the slightest thing about her, but the words seemed to just flow out of him.

Dear Lily,

I feel there is some reason I need to keep in contact with you. I know you're probably not used to owl post, but if you can know all those other things, then I'm guessing you won't mind. I don't think I will be able to come back to the pond for a while. My cousin Sarah arrived today and it would seem her main goal in life is getting me in trouble. As I said, I would like to keep in touch. I'll see you when I can.

Sincerely,

James

He folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. After writing her name on it, he attached it to his owl's leg and sent it out. He turned around to see Sirius staring at him.

"What?" he asked. Sirius's look was mocking.

"And who was that to?"

"No one."

"Right," Sirius said sarcastically. "Would this 'no one' be named Lily?"

"Possibly." James was blushing. Sirius had always enjoyed embarrassing him.

"And who is Lily?" asked a voice from the doorway. They turned to see Sarah standing there. She still had that innocent look on her face.

"Hmmmm..." said James, a thoughtful expression passed over him. "Well. If you promise not to tattle, we can take you to meet her." Over the last year, Sarah had acquired a need to know everyone. She would not pass up an offer like this. Especially since it gave her something to fall back upon if they started being mean to her.

"Okay," she said. "I promise." She thought for a minute. "This isn't one of your tricks is it? 'Cuz if it is, you're in big trouble."

"No," said James, sounding annoyed. Why did he even offer? Sarah was sure to tell, but it had just come out. He hadn't even realized he was saying anything until after it was said. Oh well, it might keep her quiet for a while. "It is not a trick." This brightened Sarah up considerably.

"All right," she cheered. "When do we meet her?" Sirius and James looked at each other then back at Sarah.

"Tonight," the answered in unison.

***

All the while, Lily had been reading the letter from James. She was so glad he had sent the owl, but she did not want to tell him the news on a letter. She would rather tell it to him to his face. She turned his letter over and scribbled on the back.

Okay. I go to the pond every night. I will be waiting for you. I have just received exciting news and I wish to tell it to you, for I may need your help. See You,

Lily

She sent off the owl then sat back on her bed. Everything was so quiet. She could hear the dripping of water in the pipes. Music was playing somewhere in the distance.

She looked around her room. The walls were baby blue and the carpet was a little darker. In one corner was her collection of books. There were so many of them, and they had all been read at least twice. In the opposite corner was her desk. Upon the flat, wood surface was a desk lamp, the book she was reading at the moment, her diary, a cup of pencils, and a stack of papers. In the center, up against the wall, was her bed, with its light blue comforter and white sheets. It would be hard to go without this place for a whole year, but she was sure she'd make it.

In the background she heard the sounds she had been waiting most of the day for. The sound of the front door opening and closing as her parents entered the house. She quickly grabbed the letter and ran out to meet her parents.

"She's been in her room all day," Petunia was saying. "Ever since she got that letter."

"What do you suppose is wrong with her, Rose?" her father asked her mother.

"I doubt there's anything wrong with her," was the reply.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because she's standing right there with the letter in her hand." They all turned to see Lily. She held the letter out to her mother, who took it and began reading.

"It's one of the finest in Europe," Lily explained. "I... I'm a witch."