immzies-adventures-through-books:

Lily Evans was 11, and she had her whole future ahead of her. She was standing at the top of the Great Hall, grinning at the sea of faces around her, the loud cheering and clapping from the house covered in red. She knew it in her heart and her soul that she was going to be happy here, that her life would start in this school and disappear of into the distance, unmapped, but magical. It would be an adventure, and she was looking forward to every minute.

James Potter was 21, and his whole life was behind him. They said it flashed before your eyes in the seconds before death, and he saw it all. Every laugh and tear, every heart beat. But he didn’t want to see all that- all he wanted was to see his wife and son again, see them safely away from the house. But he knew it wouldn’t happen, and in his last moments, all he knew was fear.

Lily Evans was 13, and Hogwarts had become her home. She had a group of friend in her own house, and though there was distance between them, she still had her childhood friend by her side- though the green in his uniform was strangely more obvious. There were whispers of war around corners, but it did not worry Lily, not when she had more pressing issues- like the gang of four that constantly annoyed her each evening.

James Potter was 19, and war had become his life. People disappearing was no longer a shock- each day another body was found, more with a dark mark above them. Life and death was a game they all navigated with wands protecting their backs and luck protecting their fronts. But he- he and his wife had been secreted away, where only the most trusted could find them. Some said they were lucky, to be safe. But most knew what it meant. They were hunted, with a price on their head. But it was life.

Lily Evans was 15, and being trained to be in an army. Two years left of school and war was right above their heads, they learnt to defend and attack- with the enemy sometimes in the very same classroom. Her childhood friend had chosen his side, one of death and darkness, and she had chosen the other. Life was turning out to be the wrong kind of adventure- but Lily dreamed, and she knew one day the war would be over and she would still have everything to look forward too afterwards. Though now…now, she wasn’t alone, but in her dreams there was often a boy by her sides, one with a smirk who constantly annoyed her. But also made her laugh like no one else.

James Potter was 17, and school was no longer his home. They had learnt all they needed to learn and were thrust out into the darkness that was uncertainty. He and his friends no longer felt like teenagers, but like they had lived half their lives and were already going grey. Each day was long and covered in worry, but they found their happiness where they could. And he hoped the ring in his pocket would one day add to that happiness- but maybe not for another year.

Lily Evans was 17, and she was already tired. Tired of sleepless nights and hushed whispers, tired of dreaming of a future without hope, a future without her friends. She had already lost one, and she knew she was losing her family, and she wanted it all to end. Wanted the sun to shine again. Thankfully, she had a small sun by her side and stars at her back that would catch her when she fell. The boy she had once hated was now the one she adored, and his friends had become hers. She knew they would all be friends for a long long time. Maybe, forever.

James Potter was 15, and he was trying to relearn himself. He was almost ashamed of the person he was- and it took a girl shouting at him to make him realise he was an idiot. Cursing, hexing people was no way to grow up- it would turn him into the same type of bully as the one that had used to word mudblood like it was a sword that could leave scars.

Lily Evans was 19, and she was no longer an Evans. She was a Potter, and she was going to have a son. It scared her more than anything, the thought of this child and his future, but she knew he would have a future no matter what, because she would fight for it. War was hanging over their head with a ticking clock, and she had barely left the house for months- ever since the night Dumbledore had told them what he knew. She sometimes felt lost. Sometimes wondered if war would ever end.

James Potter was 13, and didn’t care about anything. Other than the next quidditch match, the next prank- and most of the time, when he was next due at a detention. He didn’t care for lessons- he was from an old wizarding family and could do most of these spells before he could walk. Magic was just a way to impress his friends- and to show off to the Slytherin that thought they were better.

Lily Potter was 21, and there was no more future. All there was had been her husband shouting at her to run, then the silence that meant he had left her. All there was had been her sons eyes on her, not crying, just watching, as if he understood and was trying to remember what she looked like already. All there was had been a dream of an adventure that would never happen, a life so short and empty. All there was had been a green light, and a life flashing before her eyes, one filled with love and joy, despite the shadows above.

James Potter was 11, and he was excited. He watched as a girl with red hair bounced away from the sorting hat and sat at the table he already knew he would be in. He watched as his friends were all put in that same house, and he waited for the name to be called in his own ears. He had been told so many stories of this school and its wonders, and he couldn’t wait to start. Life was an adventure, and he had a whole future ahead of himself to wait for.