Rising from Embers

RISING FROM EMBERS
by shiiki

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A/N: Well, this was horribly long in coming! I’m sorry for the delay, but I thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter, especially those who said they’d be waiting. This chapter’s for you!

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CHAPTER FIVE

New Dreams, Old Connections

October, 1976

Lily knocked on the staff room door and waited for Professor Flitwick to emerge. He’d asked her to look for him after lessons; Lily wondered exactly what he wanted that he couldn’t just tell her after class. She didn’t need extra coaching (she had always been top in class for Charms, in fact), and Professor Flitwick wouldn’t ask her to be a tutor this year, with all her duties as Head Girl. Even if it was so, he could have said during Charms, as he normally would.

‘Ah, Miss Evans.’ Professor Flitwick opened the door and beamed up at her. ‘We’ll be just a moment.’

We? wondered Lily.

‘Everard, she’s here,’ she heard him calling to Professor Trimble. Even more mysterious.

The two teachers appeared soon – tall solemn Professor Trimble next to tiny, cheerful Professor Flitwick. The unlikely pair they made gave Lily a brief moment of amusement.

‘We’ll use the Defence classroom, shall we? It’s nearer,’ said Professor Trimble briskly, nodding to Lily in greeting.

‘Of course,’ agreed Professor Flitwick. ‘Come along, Miss Evans.’

‘May I ask what this is about, Professor?’ asked Lily as she followed them.

‘Don’t worry, Miss Evans,’ assured Professor Trimble in a grave voice. ‘This is about – well, you could call it a test of your abilities.’ He waved his wand to illuminate the Defence classroom as they entered, and motioned for her to take a seat. Uncertainly, she did so.

Professor Trimble and Professor Flitwick shared a glance, as though unsure how to begin. Finally, Professor Trimble said, ‘You should recall the first lesson on the Patronus Charm last week, Miss Evans.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘I noticed your adeptness in performing a Revealing Charm on Expecto Patronum – it was quite remarkable indeed, and I took the liberty in discussing it with Professor Flitwick. It seems I was correct in assuming that the results you obtained with it are only producible by few wizards – and witches.’

‘To able to reveal a spell to the extent that its web is visible is an art which only those who have a natural talent can perform,’ Professor Flitwick informed her excitedly.

‘You’re saying – I can do this – Revealing Charm…that only some people can?’

‘No, no – anyone can do a Revealing Charm. But one strong enough to reduce a spell – to uncover it – to the barest elements of its magic – it’s simply impossible to most people. And few as young as you can manage even a minimal level of success.’

Lily blinked, trying to absorb what the dwarfish teacher was expounding.

‘And your Charms marks are excellent, Miss Evans,’ enthused Professor Flitwick. ‘I’d say you most definitely have an affinity for Charms.’

Lily suddenly recalled hearing the phrase before … an affinity for Charms … back when she was eleven, armed with the new knowledge that she was a witch, and buying her first wand …

‘Nice wand for Charm work. I wouldn’t wonder that you have an affinity for Charms, Miss Evans.’

‘What’s Charms?’

‘I daresay you’ll find out soon enough, young lady.’

Without thinking, she took out her wand and studied it. Ten inches, willow and dragon heartstring; One of the first things she’d learnt about wands was that ‘the wand chooses the wizard.’ Or witch, in her case. She could still remember Mr Ollivander’s solemn face as he told her that, six years ago. Did her wand know that she had within her a natural ability for Charms?

‘Do you think you could do it again, Miss Evans?’ Professor Trimble was asking her. Lily looked up from her wand and pondered this.

‘I could try.’

‘Please do.’

‘A simple spell, perhaps,’ suggested Professor Flitwick. ‘Wingardium Leviosa would do.’

Lily nodded. Taking a deep breath, she exhaled, ‘Aparecium Wingardium Leviosa!’

And as it had done two times before, pale light issued from the tip of her wand and started to twist and turn.

‘Impressive,’ breathed Professor Trimble. Professor Flitwick looked as though he might like to squeal with joy.

Pleased and feeling, strangely, slightly tired, Lily lowered her wand. The spell web disintegrated as she did so.

‘Miss Evans – it has been nearly forty years since a student at this school has been able to have any sort of success with this charm. Other wizards and witches whom I know to be able to perform it only developed the ability after further training after Hogwarts. I should like to – with the Headmaster’s permission – work further with you on this.’

‘Professor Flitwick is exceedingly accomplished when it comes to Charms,’ noted Professor Trimble. Lily didn’t doubt it; she was sure that Professor Flitwick possessed her ability to reveal spell webs as well.

‘I know that Career Guidance Consultations are done in fifth-year; I’m not sure if you’ve considered this, however, but I think if you haven’t, perhaps you should – you would fare well in Experimental Charms, Miss Evans,’ suggested Professor Trimble.

‘I – I’ll think about it,’ said Lily, overwhelmed by what they were proposing to her – honing her skills now, a possible career in Experimental Charms when she left Hogwarts …

‘It needn’t all be settled now,’ said Professor Trimble gently. ‘Anyhow, I had better leave the rest to Professor Flitwick. I’ll take my leave now; Miss Evans, Filius.’ He nodded to them both.

‘Thank you, Everard,’ said Professor Flitwick. ‘Well, Miss Evans? If you’re willing, I could arrange a date.’

‘I think I’d like to try,’ said Lily.

‘Excellent!’ Professor Flitwick clapped his hands together. ‘Shall we start next month, perhaps? The first – ah – would Thursday evening be fine? First Thursday of November?’

‘I’m sorry, Professor – I have meetings on Thursday.’

‘Oh, I forgot – Head Girl business? And Monday is Prefect Meeting day, isn’t it? How about Tuesday evenings then?’

‘Tuesday evenings are fine.’

‘Excellent,’ repeated Professor Flitwick. ‘I had better let you run on to dinner now. We’ll discuss this again then!’

‘All right – thank you, Professor.’

Professor Flitwick flashed her a wide smile as he left the classroom. Lily stared at the blackboard for a few seconds, then got up.

‘Nox,’ she said, and the lights went out.

Working with charms, she thought as she walked down to the Great Hall.

The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea.

~ * ~

Hallowe’en was met with much jubilation by the students of Hogwarts, especially those in third year and beyond. They flocked out the oaken front doors, pass the caretaker Argus Filch who was sourly inspecting his list of students permitted to visit Hogsmeade and regarding each student with beady eyes.

James mock-saluted Filch, who scowled back. Lily wondered where his ever-present cat was.

‘Where d’you think Mrs Norris is?’

‘Hiding, most likely,’ smirked James. ‘She’s in a – ah – delicate condition now.’

‘All right, what did you do, Potter?’ Lily put her hands on her hips, pretending to look at him sternly.

‘Nothing!’ James smiled innocently at her. Lily snorted.

‘I know better than to believe that look.’

‘Well, it’s true, this time,’ said James, laughing. ‘I didn’t do anything. But I heard from a reliable source that a certain troublemaker dropped her in a bucket of Zonko’s Everlasting Blue Dye.’ He winked at her and Lily couldn’t help but laugh too.

‘If you’re talking about Sirius Black, I think you’ll find that Filch will have a detention waiting for him if he finds out.’

‘Ah, but you’re forgetting one thing. Marauders don’t get found out.’

Lily raised an eyebrow.

‘Well, almost never. You know, there was once … back in fourth year or so, we wanted to steal food from the kitchens for a midnight feast, so we snuck down there. Then when we took off the Cloak–’

‘What cloak?’

‘Oh … I’ve – well – I’ve kind of got an Invisibility Cloak …’

‘An Invisibility Cloak? Aren’t those like really rare? They’re made from Diricawl hide, aren’t they?’

‘Yes to all of those. It’s a family heirloom. Anyway … did you know house-elves are scared of ghosts? Or spirits. And Peter somehow got stuck in the Cloak and started flailing about trying to get it off and howling because he stubbed his toe. Well, the house-elves were terrified! They were squealing and hiding under the tables … and then Peter managed to shake the Cloak off. Then they were really mad.’

‘I should think so,’ chuckled Lily, picturing Peter playing the role of a tortured spirit.

‘Well, the kitchen entrance opened then, and Dumbledore came in. Luckily for us he found the whole situation really amusing. And he had us join him for a midnight snack. But the house-elves never did quite forgive Peter. We couldn’t ever send him down there to get food again – had to do all the work ourselves.’

Lily shook her head in amusement. ‘The four of you really had a knack for getting into scrapes. Seriously, you must’ve had more detentions than the entire school put together!’

‘You know … I think you’re right.’

She laughed again. If anyone had told her a year ago that she’d be walking to Hogsmeade with James Potter and laughing at his little anecdotes of Marauder life … she’d have thought them mad. And now … she found that she was rather enjoying herself. James grinned at her, a pleased expression in his hazel eyes.

‘I suppose you’re thirsty?’ he asked as they strolled down the snowy pavement. ‘I wouldn’t say no to a drink myself.’

‘Sure,’ shrugged Lily. ‘Lead on.’

James took a side turning that Lily only vaguely knew; she’d explored Hogsmeade thoroughly with the other girls their first trip, but she’d never been back down this alley since. She tried to remember where it led.

They arrived at a small teashop decorated with frilly pink lace and heart patterns. As she followed James in, she wondered why he’d come here, of all places. And how he even knew a place like this existed.

‘May I help you?’ They were greeted by a plump young witch with short black hair.

‘Er – hot chocolate please,’ said James, with a sidewise glance at Lily. She nodded in affirmation. ‘Make that two hot chocolates.’

They took a seat by a steamy window. Lily looked around, feeling most awkward. They were surrounded by couples, some of whom were kissing, or holding hands, or looking at each other sentimentally. A glance at James revealed that he looked just as uncomfortable as she felt.

A few moments passed in silence. Their hot chocolate arrived, and Lily sipped it slowly, wondering if James had intended for them to just sit in silence. Probably not.

‘You – you don’t seem to have been here before,’ noted James, after a long pause. He sounded puzzled.

‘I haven’t. It’s – a new experience.’

‘Oh. I – er – you don’t seem to like it.’ Was it just her eyes, or were his cheeks going pink? ‘I thought all girls liked this sort of thing.’ The words came out in a rush.

‘I suppose some do,’ said Lily diplomatically, trying not to laugh at his flustered expression.

‘I reckon I was wrong,’ mumbled James into his hot chocolate. ‘But I really wanted things to be – nice – you know?’

‘It was a nice thought, James. But this place isn’t for us at all. I mean – look at them.’ Lily waved her hands at the kissing couples scattered around. ‘We aren’t – well – we – I don’t know about us, James.’ She bit her lip, not sure how to continue. ‘We were close friends once, James. I think – I think we need to start learning how to be better friends again. I – I’d like to try that, you know. Not – not anything else.’ For some reason, she was blushing as the thought of possibly being more than friends crossed her mind.

James blinked.

‘We were friends – I messed that up, didn’t I? But you’re giving me a second chance. You’re wonderful, Lily, did you know that? And you’re … different.’ He drained his mug. ‘I shouldn’t have brought you here.’

‘Why don’t we leave? I gather you don’t like it here any more than I do?’

James grinned wryly. ‘How d’you guess? Come on – I’ll pay for the hot chocolate.’

‘Oh no … that’s not necessary, really. No, James, I can afford my own drinks.’ Although five sickles for a cup was awfully expensive. And Lily wasn’t exactly very well-off. But she firmly pressed the money into James’s palm.

‘Thank you and Madam Puddifoot hopes to see you again,’ chirped the plump witch as they left.

‘Black – Sirius - doesn’t have a crush on her, does he?’ said Lily suspiciously. James stared at her incredulously.

‘Sirius? Where did you get that idea?’

‘You boys always call him Padfoot … and she’s Madam Puddifoot … what, isn’t there a connection?’

James burst out laughing. ‘We never thought of that! Lily, you’re amazing! That’s new material to tease him with … it’s brilliant!’

It was more amazing, thought Lily, how their tongues seemed untied the moment they stepped out of the stifling teashop.

‘So, Lily,’ said James, when he’d caught his breath. ‘Would the Three Broomsticks be more to your liking? You wouldn’t mind if I bought you a Butterbeer, would you?’

‘I think that would be fine,’ said Lily. ‘But you don’t have to get me anything –’

‘I insist. To drink to the renewal of our friendship?’

Her lips quirked upwards. He really was very funny. And like she’d said, they would have to learn to be friends again.

‘All right, James.’

A Butterbeer and countless exchanges of tales later, Lily found she was enjoying herself more than she’d imagined she would. James had been nothing but the perfect companion; she’d laughed herself silly as he related his escapades with the Marauders; he’d listened patiently as she told him more about herself; they’d had a good laugh over their mutual experiences during the school term.

Learning to be James’s friend again might not be such a hard lesson after all.