A/N chapter 9! Okay, I've got some Sirius plot thickeningness coming up in the next few chapters, so be aware! Thankyou to everyone who reviewed, favourited or followed!Enjoy!

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Chapter 9 - Questions and Answers

"Lily?"

"Yeah, Erin?"

"I think... I think I'm going to tell Isla."

"Oh! Okay, if you're sure."

"I am. Will you come with me?"

"Of course."

I took a deep breath and walked up to the dorms, Lily close behind me, and, luckily, found Isla lounging on her bed, in an empty room, reading Witch Weekly with a mildly disgusted look etched on her pretty features.

After a few seconds of us standing there, watching her with amused expressions, without her even realising she was no longer alone, she tossed the magazine across the room and muttered "what a whole load of crap." before burying her face into her duvet.

Me and Lily exchanged amused looks at the strange nature of our friend, before creeping, slowly and silently to where Isla was sprawled on the bed, before pouncing on her, which resulted in a loud scream.

Worth it.

"You guys! You scared me so much!" she yelled in mock anger, before bursting into giggles.

After she had finally calmed down, I began talking, "Isla... There's something I need to tell you" she straitened up and looked at me curiously, "but you have to promise not to tell anyone." she nodded and looked worried.

"Of course, Erin, what's wrong."

I took a deep breath, "Have you ever heard of the term Tempusvendora?" Isla thought about this.

"I have heard of it... But I don't know where from, and I don't really remember what it actually is."

I sighed, and told her about my power. She seemed shocked, to say the least, but was understanding and sympathetic like Lily was.

I thought about telling them about my mother, and the truth about, well, me, but it may still be a bit early for that. I'm not sure if I'm even ready to talk about it.

Thinking about my mother caused, me to think about whether or not to open the letter. I was dying to know what I would find out from it, but still, some part of me wanted to keep the last thing connecting me to my mum secret, I was holding onto it like a lifeline. I didn't want to let go. I wasn't ready to let go.

It was soon nearing the end of October, and the Quidditch practices where becoming harder and very time consuming. The Gryffindor v Slytherin match was coming up, and James was going crazy with preparations.

Thursday morning brought load chatter and laugher at breakfast in the great hall, preparations for Hogsmeade trips at the weekend, and Alice scurrying off to meet her little friend, Annabel, at the Ravenclaw table.

"Erin! Me and Lils came up with the best idea. We should have like a sleepover, in our dorm, with us four, Annabel and Hazel. Like a girls night." Isla grinned, obviously proud of her idea.

"Hazel?" I asked, confused.

"Shes a Ravenclaw. Good friends with Annabel and Alice, seems nice enough, so I thought we should get to know her."

"Yeah sure, when shall we do it?"

"How about... Tomorrow night? It'll be a Friday after all."

I grinned, and nodded, eagerly, I was looking forward to meeting new people.

We walked to Herbology, Lily, Isla, Alice, Annabel, Hazel and I.

They both seemed nice, Annabel was a bit loud and girly for my liking, but Hazel seemed sweet. She was quite quiet, but kind, with light brown eyes and dirty blonde, curly hair that reached her shoulders.

"Right, class. Today we will be learning about Devils Snare, and how to escape it's clutches is you ever would need to." Professor Sprout began, as I took a seat next to Isla and Sirius, with James on the end of the row, looking mildly bored as he poked the plant sitting in a pot in front of him, as the tentacle like vines half-heartedly attempted to grab his fingers before he retreated his hand, and began the routine again, each time, just narrowly missing the eager vines.

"Now, does anyone know the correct way to get out of Devils Snare?" Sprout asked, a jolly smile on her plump face. Unsurprisingly, Lily's hand flew strait into the air. "Yes, Miss Evans?"

"You have to remain calm and still to-" Lily was interrupted by a sudden scream.

"AHHH GET IT OFF ME! SOMEBODY HELP! I'M GOING TO DIIIEEEEEE!" It seemed that James had underestimated the speed of the plant he was previously tormenting.

Sure enough, I turned to see a raven haired chaser on his feet jumping madly, an expression of pure horror on his face as he tried to unclasp the deep green vines from his wrist, as they gradually made their way up his arm.

Sirius and I looked at each other, and burst into laughter at the strange dance that James seemed to be doing in an attempt to get free, while James glared at us, still screaming for help.

Professor Sprout had a disapproving look on her face, although trying to hide a smile, sighed, "Mr Potter please remain calm, now if you had listened to what Miss Evans had been saying, you would not be in this mess."

James looked at her as if she was crazy, "I am getting attacked by a plant, a freaking plant, and you are telling me to remain calm?" me and Sirius where practically on the floor, laughing at his expression. "I might die! At least help me! Lily flower! If I die, I just want you to know that I love you!" James called out dramatically, before falling to his knees, pretending to die.

Lily looked absolutely appalled, but, beside the fact she wanted to rip James' head off, stood up, and cast a lumos charm towards the plant which was now reaching James' shoulder.

The Devils Snare quickly retreated, and James was left, crumpled on the floor, red marks swirled up his arm, looking mildly embarrassed.

Sirius and I where still in hysterics, as he jumped up, and hugged Lily, who looked repulsed, as he said, slightly put of breath, "Lily! You saved my life! How could I ever repay you?"

Lily pushed he fiercely off her, and scowled, "Maybe stop being an idiot, and stay away from me?" she suggested, off handedly, and James retreated to his seat, as if he suddenly found his shoe laces extremely interesting.

Professor Sprout looked flustered as she tried to continue her lesson, with me, Sirius and Isla breaking into laughter now and then, and James yelling "STAY BACK!" every time the long tentacle vines of the Devils Snare came within about a meter of him.

We came out of Herbology, still laughing, and replaying the funniest moments of the lesson before bursting into fits of giggles once again, James joining in, despite his confusion and embarrassment.

In the midst of laughing, I accidentally bumped into a tall figure. Muttering an apology, looked up, to see Jasper, smiling down at me.

"Oh hi Jasper!" I beamed at him, and he smiled back.

"Hi Erin, I was wondering if I could talk to you real quick."

I looked back at Sirius, -who looked angry- and James,- who was looking longingly in Lily's direction- and nodded, "sure." I waved the others off, and when we where alone, Jasper started to speak.

"So, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend." he asked, scratching the back of his head.

I smiled, nervously, "Sure, Jasper, I'd love to." he beamed.

"Great, I'll meet you down in the entrance hall at 10 on Saturday." he grinned, and I nodded, in agreement.

"Sure, see you then."

"See you." he waved, and I walked up to Gryffindor tower, smiling.

"What are you smiling about?" Isla asked, suspiciously as I entered the common room for our free period before lunch.

"Oh nothing, it's just that Jasper asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him." I smiled and her eyes widened.

"No. Way. Oh my gosh Erin congrats! That is so cool." she started, girlishly, before being interrupted by a familiar voice from across the room.

"Smith asked you out? You said no, right?" Sirius, for some reason, looked slightly appalled.

I frowned, "No, I said yes, what does it have to do with you anyway."

He scowled, "He's bad news. I did warn you Erin. You don't want to go anywhere with... Him." he declared in a disgusted voice.

"It has nothing to do with you, Sirius. Its my choice." I glared at him.

"Yeah we'll I care about my best friend, and I don't want him to hurt you." he stated, clearly wanting to add something, but, deciding against it, he turned on his heel and stalked away.

What the hell?

Well that kinda ruined my mood.

I turned to Isla, desperately, but she just looked amused.

"What just happened?" I mused, but she just smirked at me.

"Come on, let's go get lunch."

Sirius seemed completely determined to ignore me, sometimes even turning my way to say something, before glaring, and looking off into the distance.

Even in potions, when I sat next to him, he turned his back on me and pretended I wasn't even there.

I sighed with relief when I heard Slughorn start talking.

"Today I will be pairing you up randomly. You must sit with your partner each lesson, and work together, so please do try to interact with them even if you don't want to." he muttered cheerfully. "Snape and Jones, Chance and Lupin, Pettigrew and Black - Bellatrix, that is. Longbottom and Prewitt, Evans and Black- Sirius," Lily looked murderous, "Clara and Malfoy, Potter and Crimson."

I zoned out for the rest of the names, after hearing my own, and grinning madly at James from across the room as I made my way over to him, sitting behind Sirius and Lily as they glared at each other. Neither Annabel nor Hazel looked particularly happy about being paired with Snape and Malfoy, but Alice could not have been happier about being partnered with Frank, she'd likes him for ages.

"Howdy partner." I declared in a south American accent as I sat next to James. "What's on the agenda today?"

He just shrugged, clearly thinking about something.

I lowered my voice, "Do you know why Sirius isn't talking to me Jamsie-poo?"

James snorted at the nickname, drawing some unwanted attention towards him, including Lily's disapproving stares. "Jamsie-poo? Okay you are never allowed to call me that again." he glared at me in mock anger. "As for Sirius, well, ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." he grinned mischievously.

I sent a cold look towards him, "Have I ever mentioned that I hate you?" I asked, smirking.

He held a hand against his heart, touched "Oh, I love you too, Erin! It was meant to be!" he announced, trying to hug me.

"Gerroff mre you idut" I tried to say, my voice muffled by his robes as he clutched onto me.

He let me go, indignantly and looked me in the eyes, mock sadness laced on his face, "Are you... Are you breaking up with me?" he asked in fake disbelief.

I sniffed, dramatically, and wiped a nonexistent tear from me eye, "I'm sorry, James. It's me, not you. I hope we can still be friends."

He sobbed, over dramatically, "I can't believe you would do this to me! We where perfect together!" he cried, bursting into mock sobs.

Finally, deciding it was just too much, we both burst into laughter, earning some weird looks from the rest of the class.

"Potter and Crimson, if you could please restrain from your emotional conversations until after the class, and start making the potion?" Slughorn bellowed.

James raised his hand in salutation, "Indeed, Sluggy." Slughorn did not look impressed, but walked away all the same, while James and I sat there laughing.

From improvisation potions making - which I tell you, is not a good idea- Mine and James' potion ended up a deep sludge colour. I looked around to see everyone else's reflect lilac coloured potions and sighed deeply. I don't know how Sirius and Lily had managed to make such a perfect potion when they just pretended the other did not even exist for the entirety of the lesson.

"We probably should have followed the instructions instead of just making it up as we went along." James nodded in agreement, but grinned in amusement all the same.

"Well that was probably the best potions lesson even." he laughed.

I chucked in agreement, and we walked out of the classroom and towards Gryffindor tower.

Lessons on Friday passed quickly, probably because Sirius was still ignoring me, and I just happened to sit next to him in a lot of lessons.

I didn't understand what had made him so mad.

Isla, Lily, Alice and I where preparing the dorm for our sleepover tonight, sweeping the beds to one side so we could lay down the mattresses and duvets on the floor in the middle of the room.

When everything was ready, we still had half an hour before Annabel and Hazel came, so Isla and I ran down to the kitchens to get some sweets and snacks.

As we entered the common room again, our hands full of food, it seemed Hazel and Annabel had already arrived. Well. Annabel had anyway.

She was standing uncomfortably close to Sirius, batting her eyelids, and twirling her chocolate brown hair around her fingers, giggling loudly at everything Sirius said.

I don't know why, but it made me kind of angry.

Isla, seeing my facial expression, grabbed my arm and tugged me up to the dorm, where I quickly shook myself out of... Whatever that was... And threw the food and sweets into a heap on the floor.

Lily, Alice and Hazel where all sprawled on the floor, chatting and reading magazines, so me and Isla grabbed a magazine from a small pile in the middle and joined them.

Suddenly, Annabel came waltzing through the door, curly hair flowing neatly around her, and gave a loud squeal.

Isla and I exchanged unimpressed looks, while the other girls looked up to hear the gossip.

"Sirius asked me to Hogsmeade!" she quite literally squeaked.

I did like Annabel and everything, but a sudden surge of an unknown, and negative emotions creeped through my body and I had a strange urge to hit her.

What was wrong with me?

While Alice and Hazel squealed I'm excitement along with Annabel, Lily, Isla and I all looked exasperated.

"Black? You're going to Hogsmeade with Black?" Lily asked incredulously.

"I know!" Annabel sighed happily, clearly taking this comment the wrong way. "I always knew he liked me, I mean, how could he resist? I knew it was going to happen at some point." she nattered on, selfishly.

Isla didn't say anything, she was watching me, with a slight look of concern on her pretty features.

"You okay?" she whispered to me, making sure the others did not hear.

I nodded my head, pushing whatever emotions I had towards the situation out of my head, and began reading Which Broomstick.

After a while, everybody became bored of Annabel going on and on and on about Sirius, and how much he 'loved her'.

That girl is obsessed.

"So Alice, hows it going with Frank?" Isla said loudly, cutting across Annabel in an attempt to shut her up.

Alice turned crimson, "I-I don't know what you're t-talking about." she stuttered, turning, if possible, even redder.

"Oh come off it Al, it's so obvious that you like him." Lily giggled.

"Fine, maybe I do, but he doesn't like me like that." Alice muttered, looking down at her hands.

"How can anyone not like you Al? You're putting yourself down too much! Just try talking to him."

Alice smiled at Lily, but didn't say anything, clearly not wanting this conversation to go on any further.

"What about you Lils? Do you love James yet?" Hazel laughed.

"Yet? What do you mean yet? I'll never like that, let alone love it." she snarled.

I sighed, "Hopefully we can change that." I muttered under my breath, so only Isla heard, at which she nodded enthusiastically. The I raised my voice so everyone could hear. "Isla? Has anyone caught your eye?" I winked at her, and she scowled.

"No." she muttered, stubbornly.

"Oh come on, as is we are going to believe that!"

Isla looked like a lost puppy, glancing around at each individual as if they may somehow let her disappear and never answer the question.

I gasped, "You do! Who who who who who!" I asked, excitedly, jumping in my seat each time I said who.

She looked mischievous, "Why don't you tell everyone who you like."

"Well I like Jasper of course!" there was something about saying that, that just felt wrong.

Isla looked annoyed, "Damn..." she muttered. "Well I'm not telling you, because I'm not sure if I like him yet." she blushed, and suddenly took an intense interest in the carpet.

A silence washed over us for a few seconds, before Lily gasped.

"Why don't we play truth or dare!" she grinned.

We all nodded and sat in a circle, looking around for the first person to start.

"I'll start, because it was my idea... Alice! Truth or dare?" Lily looked upon the slightly terrified Alice.

"Umm... Dare?" she said, almost as a question.

Lily grinned, a mischievous glint in her emerald green eyes. Alice, clearly understanding exactly what Lily was going to say, began shaking her head furiously, eyes wide. "I dare you to kiss Frank... Now."

"Do I have to?!"

"Yep, those are the rules, unless you want something worse..?"

Alice sighed, "Now..?" we all nodded, grabbed her arms and practically flung her down the stairs and into the common room, where she looked around, desperately, for an escape.

Lily and Isla grabbed her arms, "Sorry, hun, no escaping this one. Look he's over there, you might as well get it over and done with." Lily kindly stated, giving her a light shove in the direction where Frank was sitting, in an arm chair by the fire, talking to the Marauders.

"Infront of them?" she wined, pointing at the Marauders.

Hazel nodded, grimly shoving Alice further forwards.

Alice took a deep breath, then strode confidently towards the messy brown haired boy sitting by the fire.

Frank looked up when he saw Alice coming towards him, and grinned, about to greet her, but didn't have a chance.

Alice put her arms around Franks neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Frank looked shocked, to say the least, but quickly kissed her back, with equal passion.

All of the girls aww'd while the Marauders catcalled obnoxiously, until they broke apart, looking flustered, and embarrassed.

Alice stood a little awkwardly for a second, before muttering something that sounded like "Okay... sorry... bye." and running off, before Frank caught her wrist, and stopped her.

"Don't be sorry Alice. Would.. Er, would you like to be my girlfriend?" he asked, nervously, avoiding her eyes.

Alice smiled the widest smile I had ever seen. "I'd love to!" she grinned, pecked a stunned looking Frank on the cheek, and skipping towards us.

I was so happy for Alice, but I couldn't help the jealousy stir inside me.

I wasn't jealous of Alice, but of her happiness.

A/N okay that truth and dare kinda just died... Haha oh well, it deffo happen again later on;D fyeeewf, 10 pages on word! ('; hope you all enjoyed! Please review! I will update very soon

- Esme

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