Mad World

Chapter Nine

Subtitled: Sit and Listen

Quotation: "I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all. And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Taylor Caldwell

Lily, December 21st

Well as you pretty much flew out the door to get home this morning, and Maggie and Jenna don't know the meaning of the word privacy (by the way I'm not at all bitter), this will have to do for now. Okay, so last night, it was actually brilliant. I know, who'd have known right? Well, except for that part when we ran into you and James, which was bloody awkward.

Sirius was…dare I even say it?...sweet. He picked me up at about nine and, after his cute little run in with his boyfriend in the hall, we finally made it to the party. I don't know how long you guys stayed but there were a lot of people there and what's her name…Aria Melodan, you know, the singer, well she sang that song that I love so much "Bewitch the witch right out of me" which was simply smashing. Alright I'm rambling, I'll just start from the beginning.

We walked in and Hagrid had that god awful banner up (honestly, you'd think we all of his connections Slug would have gotten a proper artist or at least someone who can spell. Hapy Chrismas indeed!) Sirius, who was still sulking, turned to me.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked, which I know, is not the most charming of opening lines.

"I don't like holly punch." I told him, which I don't. I mean who does? With all those little green leaves sticking out and it makes you all sleepy and…well eww.

So he pulls out a flask and hands it to me. I really couldn't believe it. I mean, obviously he drinks, everyone knows that. But what kind of prat brings alcohol to a TEACHER'S party? I guess I must have looked pretty skeptical cause he laughed and pushed it towards my nose.

"Don't worry," he said. "It's charmed to smell and taste like pumpkin juice." Which come on, that's pretty brilliant. So naturally, being the freewheeling young witch that I am, I downed the whole thing. Black, being Black, had several more tucked into his robes so about twenty minutes later the party became a lot more fun. We had a wicked time talking with all the adults, who, after enough firewhiskey 'pumpkin juice' are VERY entertaining. Especially that witch who remembers Harry Houdini as a 'sweet young thing'.

We left at about eleven and some how ended up outside. I think we took a couple of lefts when we meant to turn right, or something. Plus this staircase moved, which, when the world's already spinning is pretty intense! I had left my cloak in the dorm. Silly me, I should have known that on my first date with Black I'd end up outside. In the cold. Freezing my ass off. You'd think he'd know the castle better after all those stupid pranks. How on earth did they do it all? Peter, or Remus must have an actual sense of direction.

So there we are, standing in the snow and, well I don't really know how to put this. It was so…romantic. We're standing there in the swirling snow and I'm shivering so he pulls me close and wraps me in his cloak with him. I forgot all about our bet for a moment, and when he kissed me, I shivered again. Although, the weird thing is, I wasn't even cold anymore. What do you suppose that's about? So he kisses me and he tasted like pumpkin juice and biscuits. Which is such a odd thing to remember. I don't even know why I put that in. Forget about it. In fact, I'm going to cross it out.

Anyway, as soon as he kisses me, I remembered what I was doing there and it was like someone had hit me with a sobering spell. I pulled away and told him we had to go in. He looked pretty shocked. I don't think anyone, once they've started kissing him, has ever just left it there. Not since third year anyway, when he tried to kiss bellatrix as a lark as she slapped him upside the head! I mean no one thought he would actually kiss his own cousin. Besides you'd think if he was going to he would have at least kissed the pretty one, Narcissa! Well now that your best friends with potter you can find out the reasoning…

We found our way back to the tower and just as he leaned in to kiss me, I got back on track, turned me head and let him kiss me on the cheek. I winked and ran up the stairs. You should have seen the look on his face, Lily! I thought he was going to have a heart attack, it was bloody fantastic!

So yeah, he left this morning with you, though I don't know whether you saw him or not on the train. I'm so jealous that you're going home. I'm pretty much the only one in our year left, though I'm going to my brother's for Christmas, so it's not that bad. Write me soon, I'm wasting away without out you. I better go, Hannah Prewett's leaning over my shoulder. Nosy bitch. Yeah, that's right, you Hannah! Read your own goddamn letters!

Love you to Jupiter and back again (the planet not that rocking quidditch player, although you can think of him if you'd rather – I know I would!!),

Anwen

Lily patted Medea who bowed regally in return and hooted genially to Charis. Lily sighed, her head in her hands, Jupiter Talon, the chaser for the Applby Arrows winking roguishly at her from above her desk.

She had flooed home very early that morning and was feeling a little sleep deprived. There was so much she didn't understand, so many things she longed to understand. She felt torn. Reading Ann's letter, she wanted desperately to be back at Hogwarts, away from all this. She smiled to herself as she pictured Hannah's face. But then when she was at Hogwarts, she always longed to be at home. She felt guilty about being away when her sister and father had to handle all of this and she felt guilty about not feeling guilty enough.

"Lily!" her father called from downstairs.

Lily grabbed her coat. "Go on back Medea. I'll send Charis later."

Medea stared at her shrewdly for a moment before hooting and flying out the open window. Lily waved her wand and the window flew shut.

"Coming dad!" She cried, taking the stairs two at a time. She'd have to write when they got back from the hospital.

Lily, December 22nd

Where were you yesterday? I thought you were going home but I didn't see you on the train…I must have just missed you or something. Anyway, here is the owl, as promised! Look, I just wanted to say that I had a lot of fun the other night. I hope, well, I'd like it if we could do it again. You know sometime. Maybe. If you're up for it that is.

Things are okay here. Not great, but good. Sirius and I didn't speak two words the whole ride home and we sulked for about an hour before my mum decided enough was enough. Being my mum, who is wicked by the way – I can't remember if you've met her or not – anyway, she locked us in the dining room, where we could smell the food from the kitchen (bloody mean, that woman is) and told us we could eat when we worked things out.

So we're standing there, Sirius had his arms folded over his chest, and the stupid git just stared at me. Finally I decided that someone had to say something. You should have smelled that Treacle tart. I mean anyone in my position would have done the same thing, really. So I told him was a stupid ass he was. He told me he knew it. And then we just kind of stood there, feeling awkward. I've never heard him apologize before. Actually it was a little uncomfortable.

Finally he hugged me. Weird.

Other than that everything's been a little uneventful, although Sirius was talking in his sleep about Alford last night. Don't know what you know about it but it was quite funny. Owl me soon, I'm dead bored.

James

Lily fingered the parchment fondly. The sun was setting, though it was only five, and her room felt so much chillier than it should have. She had been at the hospital all day both days since she'd been home. It's one of the great mysteries in life that sitting around can make you far more tired than going about your routine. She stifled a yawn and took out a fresh piece of parchment. She needed to write both Ann and James but she couldn't tell them what was going on. She debated it for a moment before deciding to write Ann. Fortunately, Ann's self absorbtion was finally going to come in handy. She'd written so much about herself that there really wasn't any need for Lily to even mention her own holiday.

Ann, December 23

I wish I had something really amusing to tell you, but since your letter was so lengthy it's probably best that I don't. It'll take me forever just to get down to business. I can't believe I missed that song at Slughorn's party! You know how much I love it! It's one of the things I miss most in the muggle world. I mean, it's not like they sell their records at the shops around here! I would just kill to go to a WiAnd I like Hagrid's banner. I found it kind of charming.

Sirius. Hmm. Okay. I'm going to say something and you're not going to like it. I'm afraid you may have a very serious case of attraction. It might be terminal. You should have it checked. God, I would love to be kissed in the snow like that, you lucky girl. Even if it was Sirius… And of course you ended up outside. What'd you think he'd do? Take you to a nice restaurant and order you Champagne? Honestly, the man is clueless. Still that last bit about turning your cheek was very funny. We have to buy a pensieve because I would love to see it. Poor, poor Sirius…he never knew what hit him. I have to hand it to you. The way you're headed you may just have him proposing by start of winter term.

Potter and I are not best friends. What on earth are you on about? I mean sure, we're friendly, and he did just owl me, and we talk and everything but come on, best friends? Who are you kidding? As for that business with Bellatrix, I think he was just trying to piss off his parents. They disowned him last year so who knows maybe he did a bit more that kiss her (still want to kiss him now???)

Everything's fairly hectic around here. Relatives, you know. Have you started on that assignment for Herbology? That woman ought to try growing daffodils in December, it's bloody hard.

Give Gwen, Bronwyn and Sayer a big kiss and a happy Christmas from me. I'll send your gift on the big day!

A bigger kiss than the one passed to the nieces,

Lily

P.S. Tell Hannah Prewett that we all know her hair isn't naturally that colour. That ought to shut her up!

James, December 23,

Awww, you and Sirius hugged! So sweet. Come on, admit it, you blokes hug all the time. I bet he's the best shag you've ever had. No need to lie to me James. I'm an expert Legilimens. Course it doesn't take an expert to see the way you two look at each other. Are you sure when he muttering Ann in his sleep you didn't mishear? Perhaps it was really James…just a thought.

As for my dearest Annie and good old Sirius, I'll take my information to the grave. Who knows maybe he was dreaming about a hippogriff named Ann. Maybe you dreamed it. Who knows? I still stick by him calling your name though.

What's Christmas like at a magical house? It must be brilliant. I'm afraid muggles, as lovely as they are, are rather mundane when it comes to Christmas. I'm dead tired. Sorry that was a bit random. But have you ever…I dunno…felt so tired even your bones hurt? I feel that way sometimes. I know Rip Van Winkle is an uncle of yours. Next time you see him, can you ask him if sleeping for a hundred years helped? I'd love to have a go. Well you're at it…I'd really like that spell…

It's snowing outside and I can hear my neighbors having a snow ball fight. Two little kids named Joey and Josh. I guess they're not so little anymore. But I used to babysit them. In fact, I used to babysit all the time. Did I ever tell you that? I'm actually quite good with children, though after that day in Hogsmeade you'd probably never guess.

Well it's nearly dinner time so I have to go. I know you said you were bored and this probably doesn't provide that much entertainment, but here it is nonetheless. And before i forget. It was fun. We should do it again. Any ideas??

Affectionately yours,

Lily

On Christmas day Lily woke to find two packages at her feet. In a moment she'd go downstairs to have Christmas with her family but she wanted to open her friends' gifts first. She had a feeling they'd give her some strength. She'd only been expecting a gift from Ann. The other gift was unmarked. She opened Ann's first.

Inside were two tickets to the Wacky Warlocks concert in February and the note accompanying it read:

Lily! December 24th

Happy Christmas!!! or by the time you get this it will be anyway. God, it's going to be awfully lonely waking up without you tomorrow but…I think I'll manage. Plus, I got my present from Aberthol a day early because he didn't want to give it to me in front of the girls – wait for it…a whole CASE of firewhiskey and vodka. Ho Ho Ho…am I right? So about your gift, I'm assuming you've already opened it, my grandmum knows their manager so I got us four prime tickets. You said you wanted to go to a concert right? You've got two and I've got two so I figure we can ask people. All I beg is that those people not include Maggie or Jenna. Maybe I'll ask Peter…

Can't wait to get our rockin' on,

Anwen

Lily set the letter aside and grabbed the second gift. She unwrapped the simple brown paper and held in her hands a bottle of thick purple liquid with a cork top marked Merlin's Dreamless Sleep Potion. Puzzled she opened up the note that hung from the cork.

Had a feeling this might come in handy,

Happy Christmas

There was no signature. None at all.

A/N well here's part one of this two part chapter. I thought you might like to have this half quicker than wait for all of it. I was going to post this much sooner but I've been spending every day in the hospital with my own mother. This chapter was planned ahead of time so unfortunately this is a case of life imitating art. Thanks so much for the lovely reviews and expect the next chapter Sunday night or Monday.

Next time – James tells about his Christmas, Sirius writes lupin and a new years celebration is in order, for all. Plus, who sent lily that gift and what on earth has Sirius been dreaming about?

Thanks to: Lemonwedges4, Halfbloodhannah, stinkabhel, Abarraine

Dancingcavalier – wow well done. You got it exactly right! I very much intend to keep updating thanks for reading!

messyblackhair66 – ten points to Gryffindor it is. Your first guess was right but well done on the minotaur reference! I'm glad you decided to stick with the story. It does get a little dramatic in the beginning, but I think it strikes a better balance further on.

Shadowrayne & AlaiLuver – Yes that's exactly right! I love it. Thanks for the review!

Miss SJB – I look forward to your reviews. You've been with this story from the beginning, so I'm always eager to hear what you think of any given chapter. I like all reviews, obviously, but reviewers who have been reviewing since the first chapter get a special place in my heart. ;)

Izthedoodler – I feel sorry for Sirius too. He doesn't always have it easy, whatever James might think. And I think James is being very sweet when he lets Lily have her time alone.