A/N – Here you are, another chapter! I just wanted to throw out there that, yes, I will be putting lyrics on here, yes, I do believe they are going to be useful to read, so please read them! Most of them, anyway, and no, they will not be from the correct era, sorry.
Well, this one's for you!
-HTPWILY-
"It's time now, for the best night of the year to begin!"
And thus they began the short walk towards the Great Hall.
Right before the group could open the doors Remus decided to stop them and call, "Pictures!" He grinned and pressed a button on his magical camera to set it off so it could follow them all through the night, taking picture so this night would be one they'd remember for a long time coming.
And a night to remember it would be.
The music was just about to begin, so the couples – including, as shocking as it was, Remus' Ravenclaw date – set off their separate ways.
"May I have this dance, milady?" Sirius bowed to Hermione, his left hand bent behind his back, and his right extended to take Hermione's.
"Of course," Hermione placed her hand in Sirius', and he brought it to his lips for a gentlemanly kiss before leading his fair maiden out to dance.
As the couple began to dance, Sirius made a face. "Muggle music?" Sirius sniffed. "Not even British Muggle music, at that. What is this, America?"
Hermione resisted the urge to playfully slap him, and instead rested her head against Sirius' chest. "Well, I like it. It has sentiment; a little something we could use sometimes." Sirius chuckled, and was about to say something, but Hermione cut in. "Let's just listen, and stay like this for a while?" Sirius nodded his assent. Their current position was quite nice; he had a nice witch cosied up in his arms, and he definitely could see how this particular song meant something to Hermione.
Look around, it's dead at night
You've been losing every fight,
Your hope is feeling broken
Your feet are rough; they're scraped and bruised
But you still have strength to take you through
Into…
The dawn
Just close your eyes,
And push right through
I know it's tough right now,
This was meant for you
When the clouds are gone,
Not a shadow in sight,
You'll be drenched in the sun
With open eyes
Sirius looked down at Hermione. She looked so happy, so at peace with herself, even if for just a moment. For Sirius, that happy contented smile on her face was all the encouragement he needed for his next move.
"Hermione?" He said, calling for her attention tentatively.
"Hmm?" She turned her head up a bit to look at him.
"So, I was thinking now that we've gotten to know each other better, and we've been spending so much time together, that maybe you'd consider… Possibly settling for little old me as your boyfriend?"
Hermione tensed in Sirius' arms. This she was not expecting. Several thoughts flew through her head at once; What would Ron think? At that thought, she could almost see him nodding his assent, giving his permission. Well, what about the whole messing up time business? She almost had to laugh at that one; Remus had told her that this was written in time. But so much could go wrong… What if I don't want this?
Hermione was just about to reply when the night took a turn for the worse.
-HTPWILY- Just before…
"You like the music?" James asked, honestly curious.
"Yes, I do. In fact, I think it's perfect." Lily eyed the mischievous smile on her date's face.
"Is that so?" James couldn't help himself; he had too much fun arranging this. "Because, I heard that a certain Gryffindor magicked the music so that it plays what ever fits anyone's particular mood, or what ever fits the moment for that person, and everyone hears something different!"
"Did he really? I should go thank him! Where is Remus, anyway?" Lily grinned, and laughed at the surprised look on James' face. "I think it's wonderful, James, I really do love it."
"Looks like we're not the only one's enjoying it," James pointed to a very content-looking Sirius and Hermione.
"They look so happy together," Lily smiled slightly at the couple. "You know, I think we should start appreciating the music and dance," Lily looked up to James, who laughed heartily and led Lily out to dance with him.
"You know," he whispered, as they got out to the center. "I picked all Muggle music," He paused for just a moment. "And, err… It's all American, too. Never should have let that American into the school," He shook his head, and flashed a grin. "Oh, but I did slow down and cut all of the music!" That got a giggle out of Lily.
Everybody's waiting
Everybody's watching
Even when your sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eyes open
The tricky thing is
Yesterday we were just
Children
Playing soldiers
Just pretending
Dreaming dreams with happy endings
In backyards,
Winning battles with our wooden swords
But now we've stepped into a cruel world
Where everybody stands and keeps score
Keep your eyes open
Everybody's waiting for you to break down
Everybody's watching to see the fall out
Even when your sleeping, sleeping
Keep your eyes open
Keep your feet ready
Heartbeat steady
Keep your eyes open
Keep your aim locked
The night goes dark
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
Keep your eyes open
"That was an interesting song," Lily commented, thoughtfully. "Did you really pick out all of the songs?"
"Ahh… No. It's all done by magic," James gave Lily a little wink before twirling her one last time, and walking them over to a table to sit.
"You know, I really am sorry I rejected you so many times… I just thought that it was only you being an arrogant pig and trying to get me to notice you like everyone else…"
"Well, that no longer matters, because you are here now, and I wouldn't ask for anything else," James sat closer to Lily and draped his arm around her protectively. "Except, of course, that you allow me the pleasure of – "
"Oh, how sweet. The Mudblood's finally agreed to go out with the blood traitor."
"What do you want, Malfoy?" James spit the last word out, fury filling his eyes. This rekindled hatred only came from the knowledge of all he'd do to Hermione in the future.
"Oh, it's really quite simple," Lucius let out a bark of laughter and he sat down in a chair next to Lily. Entirely too close to her, in James' opinion – of course, the same room was too close – but this was too far. "I want the Mudblood." Lucius opened his palm, revealing the Portkey, and pressed it to Lily's arm. With the touch, the Portkey activated, and Lucius and Lily were gone.
"LILY? LILY!"
-HTPWILY-
"My Lord! My Lord, I've brought you the girl!" Lucius called. Lily looked around frantically. No! She thought, her heart racing. She understood the song only too well now. The song was setting the mood, giving her a warning that she should be on her toes. Dear Merlin, this isn't happening… No… it can't be! Malfoy captured me… Lily's eyes widened almost comically as she realised who Malfoy was referring to as 'My Lord'. Oh my god, no. No! Not him…
"Bring her in." Lily heard the deep, almost snake-like voice. "Very good, Lucius. I see you have the Mudblood. Lumos." The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed as he saw the girl Lucius held captive. "You've brought the wrong one!" The Dark Lord bellowed. "Crucio!" He pointed his wand at Lucius, who, the moment the spell hit, writhed in pain, curled on the floor, screaming. "You have misunderstood my orders! You were supposed to bring the other!" The Dark Lord screamed, still holding the curse. Lily made a vain attempt at muffling a whimper.
The curse was held for many minutes before the Dark Lord released it. "BELLATRIX!"
"Yes, my Lord?" Bellatrix Black bowed low, her face nearly touching the ground.
"I want you to bring this Mudblood down to the dungeons. You may begin the information extraction when you arrive."
Bellatrix grinned a sadistic smile. "It would be an immense pleasure, my Lord. Thank you," Bellatrix wandered over to where Lily now cowered. "I am going to have fun with you." She bent over and roughly jerked Lily up just enough that she could carry the prisoner down to the dungeons.
They walked for several minutes, the only sound accompanying them included Lily's limbs roughly banging against the floor, and Bellatrix taunting Lily.
Finally, they arrived in the dungeons, where Bellatrix quickly shackled Lily's wrists high above her head. "Now," she cackled madly. "I will ask you a question, and you will answer it. If you do not answer, or your answer does not satisfy me… Well, there will be dire consequences." Lily nodded her head. "First, where is your friend, ah, Miss Granger, from?"
Lily stuck her nose up defiantly and didn't answer; she would never betray any of Hermione's secrets, especially not to such scum. She knew what to expect, but she never expected it to hurt so much.
"If that's the way it's going to be. Crucio."
-HTPWILY-
Sirius sensed it before he heard anything. He knew something was up, he knew something had happened. "LILY? LILY!" He heard James yell frantically.
Hermione was scared. Did something happen to Lily? Where was she and why was James screaming?
Remus heard the familiar sound of a Portkey, and he knew something bad happened.
All three ran to James simultaneously. "James? What happened?" Sirius managed to ask through his frantic worry.
"Malfoy… He took her! He took Lily!" James practically yelled. The music had stopped, and all attention was on James.
Sirius turned to Remus. "Quick, go find Dumbledore!" Remus didn't waste a moment, and he ran straight from the Great Hall.
Hermione, on the other hand, felt dizzy and light headed. She collapsed onto the nearest chair and buried her head in her hands, tears spilling out of her eyes.
Sirius immediately went to her side to attempt to soothe her. "She'll be fine… It's okay."
"No, she won't. This is my fault! I bet it was me they were after, but they decided to use her as bait! They want me!" Hermione cried and didn't stop crying until Dumbledore made his presence known.
"Silence!" He called, hushing the entire room. "Now, as you may have noticed, one of our students, Lily Evans, has disappeared. Some of you may have also heard Mr. Potter exclaiming that Mr. Malfoy kidnapped her," He waited for the enraged chatter to die before continuing. "Both accounts are true. But none of you are to worry; we have a team of Aurors out searching for Miss Evans. However, I must ask that you all retire to your commons rooms for the evening." Dumbledore made his way from the front towards the table that James, Remus, Hermione, and Sirius had taken residence of.
"Professor," They nodded to him.
"Mr. Potter, I am aware that you witnessed this kidnapping occur. How exactly did it happen?"
James slowly explained how quickly everything happened, and how his guard was down so completely.
"Professor," Everyone looked towards Hermione, who spoke quietly and timidly. "Is there a way to track where a Portkey goes and when?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "If it was an illegal Portkey, which I suspect it is, there is no way to tell." Hermione hung her head solemnly. "Miss Granger, do you believe you may know where their Headquarters is, based on, ah, past knowledge?"
Hermione winced. "It may be Malfoy Manor, that's where it was in my time."
Dumbledore nodded. "We shall begin our search there. Thank you, Miss Granger. Mr. Potter." The two nodded back to him numbly.
The group sat in silence for several minutes following the Headmaster's departure. Remus was the first to speak. "It's getting late, guys. We should head back."
And so the group walked back to Gryffindor Tower, each of them in a different state of shock.
When they arrived, Hermione drug herself to the sofa in the center of the room.
Sirius desperately wanted to stay, to lay with her and protect her, to keep her safe, but he knew better than to push himself onto her, so instead he just told her, "Good night, Hermione."
Truth be told, however, he was slightly taken back when she shook her head and said quietly, pleadingly, "No, stay. Please." Hermione looked up at Sirius with fear and guilt etched deep into her eyes, and to her eyes, Sirius could not say no.
So Sirius sat next to Hermione and held her. Held her for an hour before he grew tired and gently laid the two of them down onto the sofa to lay together.
It took a long while, but wrapped in the warm, protective arms of Sirius, Hermione began to fall into a slumber. Just before she felt herself slip away into the land of Nod, she found herself saying one word. She said it quietly, so if it weren't for Sirius' dog senses, he wouldn't have caught it. "Yes."
It took him a moment to process it, but when Sirius realised what she meant, he smiled slightly to himself, and let himself fall asleep whilst gently holding his girlfriend.
-HTPWILY-
"Ottery St. Catchpole, is that right?" Bellatrix was amused by the lies thought up by this girl; she couldn't wait to do some real damage. "Not the right answers!" Bellatrix skipped up to press her face up against Lily's. "No need to worry about curses right now! I've got this pretty little knife that will cut your arm quite nicely!" Bellatrix cackled maniacally and brought the knife up to Lily's right arm. She sliced an 'M' quickly through her arm, stopping only to tighten the chains so she would stop moving. Lily screamed a blood-curdling scream. "Here's a little gift so the world will know what you are forever!" Bellatrix hastily carved the rest of the word onto Lily's arm. "You're nothing but a filthy little Mudblood!"
-HTPWILY-
A/N – I do hope you liked the chapter! How many of you saw this coming? If you really did, PM me so I can have a good laugh! I personally didn't think it was too obvious, but clearly, there are some people who are more observant than I…
Anyway, incase you wanted to know, the songs I featured for the dance are entitled Open Eyes by Debby Ryan, and Eyes Open by Taylor Swift. Kind of ironic how that worked out, isn't it?
Well, don't forget to review! Tune in again!
