A Case of Mistaken Identity [Lily]

[potter]

The day went by extremely slow. By the end Harry felt like he was an old man and the years went by within that day. Harry trudged up the steps to get to the common room. With each step he felt a little better, knowing that in a few hours he would be warm and snuggled up in his warm soft bed. But first, it was homework time. While he hated work for his classes, he knew he had to do it. Hermione would be proud.

Harry carried his bag full of text books for his classes up the steps and into the Gryffindor Common Room. It was a lot like it was in his time, though slightly different, with some of the portraits probably not created yet missing from the walls. Harry walked over to a table, usually used for chess, and took out his Potions books first. Might as well get the worst defeated first.

Soon Harry found himself distracted from his Potions work and looking around at the common room. There weren't very many people here, which seemed odd to Harry since it was crowded most of the time in his time. He looked over to a nearby mirror, which wasn't there in his time, but was here now. Harry figured it must have been broken or something in the future. His appearance looked so much like his father, who he had thought he had seen in passing a little while ago.

Harry twirled his quill around in his hand and smiled. This wouldn't too bad, considering Sirius, James, Lily, and even though Remus hadn't died yet, Remus, were still around for him to get along with and actually get to know. They already changed the future by somehow coming here, so what would be the harm in changing a few minor things? That was Harry's logic. Just the fact that Remus hadn't mentioned to Harry in the future that they knew a boy named Harry Potter who was supposed to be James' second cousin, made it more clear to Harry they already changed their timeline.

Keeping his hopes high that they would get back to their own time, Harry turned back to his Potions essay and began writing, slowly making sure each word was carefully laid out, and nothing sounded too stupid. Harry was determined to make a great enough essay to at least get a passing grade, and not having it sound like Hermione did it for him.

[lily]

There were days when Lily wished there had been a way to just skip her final year all together. She certainly had the intellectual caliber for it; but, as it were, life just wasn’t that fair, and it was evident by the fact that she still remained at Hogwarts in her seventh year, with a plate of drama and too much stress for her to handle. Lily didn’t know why she hadn’t even exploded from the pressure yet. She could suppose it was a testament to her stubbornness, and her unwillingness to let the things that were going on in her life to break her. There were redeeming factors, like the new friends she was making, and how well the term was going (even with the new hellish Potion’s professor that seemed to hate her for no discernable reason. Even he couldn’t break her spirit). Being Head Girl and studying were times of relaxation for her, and she awaited eagerly for her first private lesson with Professor Abaris the coming Saturday. That couldn’t arrive soon enough.

As she entered the common room, she reveled in the apparent emptiness, exhaling a loud sigh. Her messenger bag slunk slowly down to her side, and she gave a good few stretches. Peace and quiet for once was a great thing. She began to wonder on the things she could possibly do, like finish a few essays that were due the next week, or perhaps taking a long, leisurely nap that was long overdue. Whatever the case, she gravitated toward the couch and plopped herself onto it with another sigh. However, her happiness was dashed rather quickly when she finally caught glance of a familiar patch of messy, brown hair and glasses, hunched over a potion’s essay. James Potter. That toerag. It would be like him to mess up her only moment of peace like this, wouldn’t it? Merlin, she swore that boy only existed to make her life harder.

It had been quite a while since she had seen James Potter last. He had probably been gallivanting about the castle, as of late, and causing all sorts of trouble that she hadn’t caught him in yet. Him and his group of Marauders, really, they were all immature. James was the worst of all, since he had the gall to think that Lily would even be remotely interested in him. As if! She was better than that, really… And yet, as Lily looked over the boy in front of her more, something seemed a bit off. Though he looked like James, there was something different about his posture, and how he was seemingly devoid of noticing her. James seemed to have a knack for noticing when Lily was in the room with a honed in sense that scared her sometimes. This boy didn’t even notice her, he didn’t even harp at her or try to sit next to her and cop a feel. It was so unlike James that Lily wasn’t sure if she were hallucinating, or if she were mistaken. Well, there was always the chance that the boy had changed…

Pfff. As if that were even a remote possibility.

Lily sat up, raising her eyebrow as she considered her options. His lack of noticing her presence made her feel both relieved and rather disappointed. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she rather enjoyed the verbal jousting the two did together. A part of her was telling her to just leave for her room now for more peace, but there was a nagging in her stomach that told her to make the first jab at him, perhaps even slap him over the head for not even noticing her. Was he losing his touch?

“My, my, what a sight!” Lily intoned, crossing her arms. She tried to sound shocked; but, sometimes mocking wasn’t Lily’s forte. “James Potter, actually doing homework. Am I dreaming, or is the world ending?”

[potter]

Harry looked up upon hearing his father's name, hoping that perhaps he had entered, but instead it was a red head, who looked familiar but he couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe he passed her child in the hall before? No, he was sure it wasn't that, but what was it? He looked up at her and into her eyes, and the familiarity dawned on him. Could it truly be his mother? The one, who in years to come would sacrifice herself to save her little boy, Harry James Potter... him?

She had just called him James, but he was sure he wasn't James. It must have been the similarities between the appearance. After all everyone noted on how much he looked like his father, with his mother's eyes. Harry looked away for a moment before returning his look at Lily.

"I'm sorry, miss," Harry began, though he knew her name he didn't want to freak her out by knowing it, or something like that, "I'm, sorry, but I think you've mistaken me for my dear second cousin. My name is Harry, Harry Potter, one of the transfer students." That could've gone better, but Harry shrugged it off, because what was done was done. For a second there he was thinking about pretending to be his father, but that could've gotten awkward if James actually walked in, and if they were already together.

Well this was it. Ever since he had a clue what was happening, he had wanted to meet his mother, and there he was, meeting her. Her eyes told him that she was indeed Lily Evans, and hopefully Lily Potter later. A rush of happiness flushed over him; he was meeting his mother! After fifteen years of having no parents, here he was. Sure they weren't grown ups, and didn't know he was her child, but it was still a very great feeling to be meeting her, in the same room with her, looking at her.

[lily]

Embarrassment. She was an embarrassment, really. What an awful thing to do, even if it was to James Potter. What had possessed her to act the way she had, calling him out like that? Lily’s face buried themselves in her hands and she gave a loud squeak, banging her feet against the floor. The spasm, while could be considered adorable, was her expression of utter revulsion at her behavior. When her outburst was finished, she looked up at Harry, frowning. [red]“I’m so sorry,”[/red] she begged, pulling her hands into her red hair. [red]“That was absolutely awful… Please forgive me. I’m so embarrassed!”[/red] Lily got up from her seat, and sat herself across from him. Lily had always been like this, being close and personable to other people. She was rather touchy, too; but, never pushed the fact when the other party request that they not be handled.

[red]“I bet you have me pegged down to be a right biddy,”[/red] she admitted, touching one of his hands. [red]“I’m really not. I just could have sworn you were James… You look so much like him, you know? Well, that’s a given, being related and all. Second cousin, you said?”[/red] Her green eyes gave his face a good look. The resemblance was uncanny, and they were only second cousins. It was rather strange, honestly. He looked like he could have been James’ brother. [red]“Yes, you really do look like him. But… I do see the difference. Your eyes…”[/red] Lily paused then, staring into his green eyes. It was a strange feeling, almost as if she were looking directly into a mirror. Although it sounded crazy, his eyes looked like her own. That was the first time that had ever happened to her. She shivered a little at that; but, smiled to reassure him that her intentions were truly kind, and that she didn’t want to insult him any further. She supposed that she could give this boy a chance, Potter or not. Not all of his family could be damned because of one jerk, right?

Lily looked down at his essay, retracting her hand as she used it to prop her head up. [red]“Potion’s assignment, eh?”[/red] she asked, grinning widely. Lily had always been natural with conversation. There wasn’t a person in the world that she couldn’t talk for hours with. That had always been a staple of her nature, and it made it easier for her to make friends with people. [red]“Right annoyance, that is. The new Professor’s just… awful! In personality, I mean!”[/red] she rectified herself, not wanting to insult a teacher’s intelligence, even if he was an awful git. [red]“I mean, he knows his stuff; but… He hates me, and I have no idea why!”[/red] Lily shrugged then, shifting her head to her other hand. [red]“I wish Slughorn would come back. I miss him; and, now, there’s no Slugclub to be a part of. Oh well…”[/red] She gave another long sigh, staring off into the distance before she blinked a few times, looking at Harry as if it were for the first time.

[red]“Oh!”[/red] she exclaimed, blushing. [red]“I totally forgot… You must think I’m insane, talking to you like this and you don’t even know who I am!”[/red] That wasn’t necessarily true. Lily Evans was known amongst everyone, even some of the transfers. But, she didn’t want to assume. She had done too much of that for one day. [red]“My name’s Lily, Lily Evans. It’s nice to meet you, Harry.”[/red]

[potter]

Awful to call him James? At least that's how he interpreted it. Was he just as bad as Professor Snape had said last year? No, it couldn't be, since this was James's last year, when they were supposed to start dating, so he couldn't be that bad of a toerag at least. It was pretty interesting how Lily reacted when she found out he wasn't James Potter, almost laughable that some day she would marry James... hopefully.

"Don't worry about it, it's ok," Harry replied with a reassuring smile. My oh my he didn't expect her to come over here, but she did and Harry didn't mind. He seemed to like the feel of her nearby, like she was keeping him safe, like she did when Voldemort attacked, which Harry had to remind himself hadn't happened yet, just like his birth had yet to happen.

"No, it doesn't really matter to me, but most of us Potters look like this, I guess. But my eyes come from somewhere along my mother's side," Harry replied trying to word it carefully to where no suspicions came along with it. He didn't want her to think something was up, and somehow figure out that Harry and the others were from the future, which wouldn't end well, he suspected. It would make things a bit strained between and Lily, and he didn't like a strained relationship with his own mother. Plus then he could be subjected to many of questions he didn't want them to know, like 'how well did I age?' or 'Did James ever hurt me or you?'

"Oh I hate him dearly, too. I've had to deal with him since my first year, and I barely passed Potions each year," Harry sighed, though he liked how he and his mother had something in common, "He hates us because of the house in your case at least, and in my case blood. My mother was a muggleborn, you see. One of the Pureblood supremacists he is. I wish he didn't have to transfer over here too." As she mentioned the Slug Club, Harry nearly groaned, but forced himself not to, because where he was from there wasn't supposed to be a Slug Club. Harry didn't see how she could like those parties, but of course she most likely was worshiped by him like Slughorn worshipped Harry, though Harry didn't know too much, since he hadn't known Slughorn for a long time.


"Not as insane as I believe I am," Harry chuckled, "It's nice to meet you too," Harry stopped himself before he made the M sound of Mom and reprimanded himself for nearly letting it slip, so he quickly continued, "Lily." Harry kept thinking that he had just broken and was in a white room in St. Mungo's talking to hallucinations of all these people here, and maybe when they all went back, it would be the Healers finally found a way to cure him. Then again he didn't want that to happen, and was sure he wasn't insane.

[lily]

Lily had to admit, he was much more pleasant than his cousin - much better company, too. That was a blessing in and of itself, now a days. It was harder for her to find good company with people, since her friends seemed to be dwindling as of late. She supposed that new hope could be found in these transfer students, since they were fresh and new. It was easier to make good impressions on people who hadn’t been to school with you the past seven years.

As he spoke of Professor Cadmus and the information that only you could gather with seven years of being with him (that sounded like hell, she couldn’t even bear thinking about dealing with a professor that hated you with the duration of your education), she couldn’t help but feel her heart sink in sympathy with him. Normally, Lily avoided the topic of politics with gusto. You could lose friends so easily when you found out what they really thought about how the world works, and Lily had firsthand experience with that. It was easier to speak to someone who shared your ideas, though, and that was evident by the fact Lily felt willing to open up to him somewhat. [red]“Halfblood?”[/red] she asked, tilting her head. [red]“It’s not a bad thing, I don’t mean that. I’m a Muggleborn too, you know…”[/red] Lily didn’t mean to sound so sullen when she told that to him; but, how could she not? There were moments she wondered if being a Pureblooded witch would have solved all of her problems. [red]“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You just have to be careful of who you give that information to… especially here, Harry.”[/red] Lily leaned forward then, glancing to her left as if to make sure that no one was listening. [red]“Times are changing… Be careful who you talk to about that stuff, you know? There are some really evil hearted people here… I don’t want you to get hurt.”[/red] Lily didn’t want to see anyone hurt. She hated how the world was changing, and how death and chaos seemed to be looming on the horizon.

Immediately, she perked up, flashing a reassuring smile to him as she gave his hand a gentle touch. [red]“But, don’t worry about all that!”[/red] she told him. It was best to not talk about those types of things, since it was so depressing. Lily wanted to be as far away from sadness as possible. Dwelling on grief was more trouble than it was worth.

[red]“So, Harry,”[/red] she began, leaning from her seat to grab her abandoned book bag. She figured that she would get some homework done while she was having a pleasant chat with her new acquaintance. As she thought about it more, he could easily become a good study buddy. She loved having those. Lily reached into her bag, pulling out her N.E.W.T. Ancient Runes assignment and book along with it. She opened it to the proper page, looking up at him again when she was settled in her proper place. [red]“Tell me about yourself! How are you liking Hogwarts so far? Is it better than your old school?”[/red] She gave a cheeky grin at that. She had always felt as if Hogwarts was better than most of the schools out there. Then again, she probably would have felt the same if she had been going to any other boarding school.

To her, Hogwarts had been just as much of a home as her real home had been.

[potter]

Whatever Harry pictured Lily as before acting however he thought she did, all doubts were gone. Lily seemed extremely nice, and caring, perfect to be a motven her. Harry was just happy he was meeting her, even if she was mean and rude to him, which she wasn't, he would be happy to see her again. Just the fact that she was nice and accepted him as Harry, even if she didn't accept him as her son, and probably never will, made him elated to see her, to look into her green eyes again, such a great feeling. Now the questioned remained. Would Harry just sit around and let her die for him, or would he do something to stop it? He had years to think, if they were truly stuck here.

Well she thought he had to deal with Professor Cadmus as a professor for all his years, when he really didn't, but she needn't know that. He had to deal with his son, and Cadmus through his years, and had grown to hate them, maybe even more than he hated Snape, which would be really hard. There was truth, he hated his Potions professor, and barely passed each year, and this year would be even harder. Why did he have to take Potions to be an Auror?

"Oh it's not a bad thing at all, and I wouldn't care too much if I was a pureblood, halfblood, or muggleborn. One of my best friends is a muggleborn too," Harry replied smiling. He knew it would get worse to choose sides until Voldemort was 'vanquished' by Harry due to Lily's sacrifice. Then when Voldemort was finally revealed as back, only a few months ago on the day Sirius died, everyone was scared, and didn't know what to do. Harry had a feeling that it would get even worse than it already was in his time, especially if Harry couldn't stop all these people from going back in time having no way to return. Of course they would still have him, who would then be a fully trained chosen one. "It will get worse and then better, it always does. But I am careful who I speak to, especially since the times are as they are." One person he didn't want to ever see again was Bellatrix. While Harry wasn't sure he would step in for Lily and James, since it was such a huge thing, he was certain he would find a way to save Sirius in the future. Somehow, someplace, somewhere, he would do all he could to save his family.

"Hogwarts is already like another home for me," Harry said nearly laughing, "I liked my old school, but there I always had to be serious and attentive, or something might happen and someone that I love would get hurt." He missed his Hogwarts, even if he was happy being here and meeting his parents. Harry didn't want to accept defeat and just give up on getting back to his time. Eventually they would go back, even if it took years, or most of them would go back. Harry wondered that since he met his mother, would his name be different in the future? Would the famous one be Harold Potter or something? It didn't really matter, though he liked his name.

[lily]

Lily nodded to assessments, because, beyond that, what could she really do? She didn’t believe him, exactly, even though she wanted to. Even if things did get better eventually, who said she would be alive to experience it? They were wading at the edge of a storm, and she was scared she would be swept up in the winds. To be honest, she didn’t want to speak of the issue any further. She dropped it when he had finished speaking, and listened as attentive as she could as she began scribbling on her assignment. Ancient Runes had always been such a difficult class for her, she had no idea why she took the N.E.W.T. version of it. She managed to skirt on the edge between an O and an A; but, she could say for certain that the class kept her up late at night the most.

She glanced up from her work to look at Harry again, rolling her head sideways. Her gaze was intense, almost as if she were trying to sum him up. [red]“You must have been an important person, where you were from,”[/red] she said delicately as she could, rubbing the feather of her quill against her nose. It was a strange habit she developed, and found that she could quite think properly without it. [red]“Must have been a lot of pressure, I know I couldn’t handle it…”[/red] Which was a lie, since she was dealing with enough pressure of her own. She wished that she could have been handling it better; but, really, what could she do? She had a horrible habit of taking on too many responsibilities at once and suffering the long, arduous stress that came with it. It almost made her wonder if she was masochistic at heart, and she could only function if she was under constant stress and hardship.

She hoped that wasn’t the case. It made her sound like an exact copy of Severus, and Merlin knew she didn’t want that to happen.

Idly, she turned a page in her book, although she hadn’t read any of the contents. She gnawed at her bottom lip, giving a gentle sigh. She had such a hard time gathering the enthusiasm to study such a boring subject, really. It was even more difficult to focus when she had someone rather nice to talk to. [red]“What classes are you taking this term?”[/red] she asked nonchalantly, feeling that the question made her look like a boring workaholic. [red]“I’ve taken on way too many hard classes, I think… Even though Potions isn’t that bad. Ancient Runes is the worst, though. Arithmacy, too. I absolutely loathe it…”[/red]

[potter]

If what was coming was a storm, then there was a 13 year eye at least, and from what Harry gathered, what it is like now, is how it was from where he was from. He could tell she wanted to drop it, so he did as well, especially when he thought about it, since Lily would sacrifice herself seconds before the eye came, at least from Harry's history it was, and Harry, though he wanted his parents to live, wished for it, he knew they would need to, or they, meaning the Order would most likely lose.

"You could say that, though the pressure is really actually a bit missed, almost," Harry replied. She had no idea, but of course how would she? Harry James Potter was the most known, hated and loved by the school at Hogwarts. There weren't very many people who didn't like nor dislike Harry at school. It just depended on their side of the war.

Wow. Lily reminded him of Hermione, a lot. It seemed that him and his father had a lot more in common than just their looks, but also the girls they befreind, or in James' case, try to befriend. Not that Harry thought of Hermione romantically, but almost like a sister she was, unlike Lily and James. Still, Lily was a lot like his really great sisterly like friend, and both were muggle borns. While they looked differently they acted almost like sisters would.

"Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology, all those to be an Auror," Harry replied smiling, and chuckling slightly. , "You're just like my friend, Hermione, who I think is running around here somewhere. One time she took on so many subjects she had to use a Time Turner." He really, really hoped they had time turner back in this time, which he thought was right since it was supposed to be around for awhile.

[lily]

Lily couldn’t help but laugh out loud when he told her that he missed the pressure. She knew it was rude, and felt sorry immediately after; but, really? Lily had her own reasons to keep herself busy, and to keep the pressure on; but, she never liked it, and she wouldn’t certainly miss it if she ever made it go away. The idea of relaxing for a while was alluring, though she knew she wouldn’t have the time for it. Now that she had private defense lessons, whatever time she spent to do leisurely reading would be spent practicing. She still needed to find a good place for that, though. The Room of Requirement seemed like a good idea. She would probably scope that out later when she and Harry had parted ways.

Her eyes lowered themselves to her Ancient Runes textbook again. She had to translate a bit of dialogue, which wasn’t all that difficult really, more than it was just boring. Her quill scratched her paper as she began the translation into English, and she could only make it to the third sentence before looking up at Harry again. He was speaking of a friend of his and Time Turners, which was a strange thing. Usually those were banned, since tampering with time was considered an illegal activity. Would they let a student use it so freely, especially for something as trivial as classes? Even to Lily, who was a class A geek, that seemed a little bit out there. However, she wouldn’t push the issue. It wasn’t her place to, and, honestly, talking of the legalities of time travel was rather an odd thing to do.

Pick your battles, Evans.

[red]“An Auror, eh?”[/red] she remarked, grappling onto what he had mentioned before. She grinned a little, her red hair falling over her right shoulder as she tilted her head again. [red]“Well, Mister Potter, you are one step ahead of me.”[/red] Lily had always been somewhat ashamed of the fact she had no idea where her life was going. To everyone else, she seemed so gathered that would it would be impossible to think that her life hadn’t been planned out from day one. She knew she had to come to a decision soon; but, as the days passed and she came closer and closer to graduation, she realized that the decision was becoming more difficult to make. [red]“I don’t even know what I want to do with my life, after Hogwarts…”[/red]

There were always two subjects that appealed to her: Medicine and Justice. Much like Harry probably felt, Lily’s need to protect and serve the betterment of humanity was overwhelming. It was in her nature to do the right thing, to protect the weak, and to destroy the oppressive. As dramatic as that sounded, being an Auror felt like somewhat of a calling, like she was destined to do it. However, on the same token, being a Mediwitch was something that rang to her fancy also. She would have to dabble in potions for the rest of her life, a subject that she so thoroughly enjoyed, and she could care and nurture for the sick. Going into medicine had also become appealing in her mind… although, with a foreboding future, she didn’t know if she could handle the type of patients that would start rolling in. She had the grades and aptitude for both careers; but, something in her heart told her that she wasn’t meant to be in those places. That wasn’t where she belonged. She was supposed to be elsewhere.

At the same time, her heart was telling her that she was also living on borrowed time. So, it most likely wasn’t the best thing to listen to.

[red]“Why do you want to be an Auror?”[/red] she asked, her eyes softening, as her countenance took upon a rather sullen expression.

[potter]

The pressure was missed for a couple of reasons. He had a reason to keep going and fight, and he wanted the pressure back so he was back in his own time. While he thought this often, he missed his friends and 'family' from his own time. He loved meeting those who were gone in his time, but people like Bellatrix he never wanted to see ever again. It would be hard not trying to curse several Slytherins, which could warrant a death wish on his part. He didn't want to end up like Neville's parents. He needed to make sure that... that Neville's parents don't end up that way because of the the evil witch. It was one of the many things he wanted to change, though he doubted he would be able to. Plus the consequences could be dire. For all he knew Alice and Frank could turn evil and kill Harry as a child. That was all in his imagination though.

"You'll know. I know that when the time comes you will know what you want to do for the rest of your life," Harry answered, a bit down, though keeping the feelings inside. Later he would release his frustration and sorrow that for the good of everything Lily would have to die. He didn't want it to be so. Right now it seemed he was being tortured for his deepest desire in his heart. He knew he had to be careful what he wished for, which was to meet his parents and get to know them, and now it came true, and it was like torture. He didn't want Lily to die, and would rather he die instead, but he knew that it had to be so. In a few years, the woman before him would be dead, and there was nothing he could do about it. He got what he wished for, and now he was regretting it slightly.

With Sirius and Remus, at least Harry knew them in his time, and hopefully could save Sirius, because his death wasn't instrumental in the vanquishing of Lord Voldemort, and if he lived then it might help out really. It was all like a dream. He should be happy to meet his parents, and he was, but something inside of him was growing wanting him to just break and give up. "Why do I want to be an Auror?" Harry repeated and thought about it for a second before he answered, "Do you know anything about the wizard calling himself... the Dark Lord?" Harry decided to start from the beginning. He didn't feel that it would be too hard to explain the truth with a hint of deception. People already knew he was an orphan and he would stick to that. If the whole world found out about his true identity as Lily and James' son, then he would just say he lied, or something to divert attention away from the fact they were indeed going to die.