The Queen, The Knight and The Marauders

1. The Queen

Chapter 1

When Lily returned from her patrol to the common room she shared with the Head Boy and her best friend, Frank Longbottom, she immediately threw herself on the couch and sighed deeply.

"Kreacher!"

A loud pop echoed instantly in the common room decorated with silver and gold (because red and green were just too Christmassy, Lily had said, and Frank hadn't had the guts to remind her that she was a redhead in Slytherin).

"Kreacher's Missus called for him, what can Kreacher do for his young miss?" The elf was almost as old as Hogwarts but still he served the Potters with pride and joy. He wore a white, stainless apron and grey hair burst from his large ears, his big eyes looking at Lily expectingly.

"Could you bring me a pot of green tea, please? And maybe a slice of that treacle tart of yours, if you have some?"

The elf smiled widely at her, his wrinkled face glowing.

"Gladly, miss. And a bar of chocolate? For young miss' friend?" Lily nodded with a smile on her face.

"Yes please, spearmint flavoured if you will, it's his favourite." The elf bowed and was about to leave when Lily added:

"Oh, and Kreacher, how many times have I told you to call me Lily? And you shouldn't bow, it's not good on your back." The elf's smile widened even more.

"This was the 356th time, young miss. Kreacher will soon be back with miss' tea, tart and chocolate." Kreacher bowed with a smirk on his face and popped away. Lily sighed once more. Oh Agrippa how she loved that elf.

When Frank finally arrived to the common room, with Hugo right behind him of course, Lily tossed the chocolate bar to her best friend. Frank was picky when it came to sweets, and to Lily's mind, he had the most peculiar taste. Lily watched amused as Frank munched the chocolate away.

"How was patrol?" She asked.

Frank swallowed before answering, thank Salazar. Lily had enough experience of Frank speaking with his mouth full. Two of her favourite shirts had been ruined because of tomato sauce and blueberry pie flying out of his mouth, straight at her. Morgana knew not even Gran Molly could get those stains out.

"All is well in the kingdom, my Queen."
Lily threw a pillow at him, and Hugo laughed as it hit the boy straight in the face.

"So," said Frank, his tone playful,"any interesting pick-up lines today?" Hugo snorted rather unpleasantly. Lily scowled at him.

"Just one, I'm afraid," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Really? What are they all doing today, then? I mean, if they're not pestering you?" Hugo asked, digging out his Arithmancy book, a parchment and his quill and ink. Spending some quality time in the Hospital Wing with some nasty boils. I doubt they'll be sitting for a while, she thought.
"I haven't a clue." Frank gave her a look that told her that he didn't believe a word she said, but was going to let it go this time.

"Wasn't that due last week?" She asked, trying desperately to change the subject, waving her hand to New Theory of Numerology that lay on the coffee table before the couch.
"Yep," her cousin said,"but as I am Hermione Granger's son and Rose Weasley's brother, Professor Vector believed me when I told her that a Blast-Ended Skrewt ate it. Seriously, I wasn't even trying with that one! It's an insult to my skills to believe a lie that obvious, I almost told her the truth when she bought it. For an Arithmancer, she's quite dim. So, she gave me more time to finish it, as 'it will surely be as fantastic as always, Mr. Weasley'." He imitated the professor's high voice and shook his head disapprovingly.