Yellow! What up? ^glances around nervously^ I know, I know, why didn't I update? Well, it's Midterm week, and so far I've done French, English (LA), Social Studies, and Science. Bleh. I didn't do math today because it was a half day! Anyone with snow, enjoy! And enjoy the new chapter!

OH! By the way, I was excited to get up Ch. 10! I'm not very good at descriptions, so tell me how I do! By the way, the reason I'm putting poems on is that we're doing a poetry unit, and I really like a few. This one's really long, but it's really cute. And happy.

Poem that I like- Happiness by Raymond Carver

So early it's still almost dark out.
I'm near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff
that passes for thought.

When I see the boy and his friend
walking up the road
to deliver thenewspaper.

They wear caps and sweaters,
and one boy has a bag over his shoulder.
They are so happy
they aren't saying anything, these boys.

I think if they could, they would take
each other's arm.
It's early in the morning,
and they are doing this thing together.

They come on, slowly.
The sky is taking on light,
though the moon still hangs pale over the water.

Such beauty that for a minute
death and ambition, even love,
doesn't enter into this.

Happiness. It comes on
unexpectedly. And goes beyond, really,
any early morning talk about it.

^The line that won't come it is here^

"So," Rella asked carefully, "We're all dead?" They were sitting in the bright red and gold Gryffindor common room by the fire. Though it was plenty warm, all they could feel was a cold deep inside them. Everyone, at one point of their life, thinks of their death. However, none are told how.

"Yes," Harry said quietly. After a brief moment of happiness it all went quiet when Harry had asked to speak with them, answering the question of what the talk was about: their future, his past, "Except for Remus, and possibly you, Rella," he added.

"That rat," Sirius growled, "And to think we trusted him!" The Marauders had all expressed emotions of shock and betrayal when Harry had told them of Wormtail's doing. The whole group had said nothing throughout Harry's explanation, but it was all coming out now it was over.

"I can't believe your sister, Lily," James started angrily, "would treat our son like that!" he then added in a dreamy tone, "Our son."

Lily rolled her eyes, through thick and thin, danger or calm, James would never fail to be a total fool.

"I think we should think about the most important thing, and the reason why Harry told us all this in the first place, she said.

"I agree," Rella said immediately, "Anyone else, say 'I'"

"Do you always have to do everything in Parliamentary Democracy (I think that's what it's called)" Hermione asked curiously.

"Yes," Rella answered simply, "It's the only way we can get anything done."

"I," everybody said.

"See?" Rella said to Hermione lightly.

"So," Remus said, stressing the word to break in, "We have to destroy all these horcruxes?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"Well," James asked, "What are they?"

"One is a diary," Harry said, "Another is a ring that is within the Marvolo's home, then there is his snake, Nagini. I don't know the other ones, you'll have to ask Dumbledore, but there are seven."

"Lovely," Sirius said, "But as I was saying, that little rat was so stupid! He should've known that if Voldemort didn't kill him, then we would, right Moony?" he looked at Remus expectedly.

Remus did not hesitate when he answered, "Why, yes he should, Padfoot."

"For the last time," Lily said exasperatingly, "Can we get back to what's important!"

"You're right, Lily," James said soothingly, rubbing her arm. She relaxed a bit, but tensed up more when James looked at Harry and said, "So, do you play Quidditch?"

"Yeah," Harry grinned, for what he felt was the first time in ages, "I'm seeker and captain."

"Knew it!" James crowed, "There's not one Potter yet who hasn't been good at Quidditch. Takes after his father, y'know," he grinned proudly. Lily glared at him.

"Oh, right," he said sheepishly, "The Horcruxes."

"Yes, I meant the Horcruxes," she said irritably.

"Well, it's not like we need to know anymore," Sirius said, his eyebrows coming together, "Harry's told us all we know. Can we talk about something else? We can ask Dumbledore about it later."

"It is a wonder how you get good marks," Lily said, "I swear you have the attention span of a goldfish."

"Hey!" Sirius said indignantly.

"I'm just saying!" Lily held her hands up in the air defensively.

"Well if you two children are done bickering," Rella cut in, "I actually think we should stop talking about our quest-"

"Quest?" James asked, amused.

"It sounds cool," Rella explained, "Now, are we going to forget that we're going to die in a few years, so I think that this is enough talk about that for tonight."

Lily glared at her for a few seconds, and Rella glared right back, until Lily just slumped down.

"Thank you, Lilian," Rella said politely, smiling.

"Right," Hermione started, "We need to work out when you will leave."

"Are you really that anxious for us to go?" Sirius pretended to act hurt.

"Well, no but-" Hermione stuttered, going red.

"I was joking," Sirius grinned at her, and Rella felt a surge of jealously run through her. She mentally compared herself to Hermione. Hermione seemed smart, but a little too much of a know-it-all. She was pretty, but seemed anxious to please. Rella then thought of herself. She was of okay looks, she thought, she got good grades, like her brother. But as Rella thought of her brother, she felt her heart sink. James. He would never stand for this. But, she thought desperately, I let him date Lily, and she's my best mate. He should do the same for me? Right?

"Right," Hermione blushed, but continued, "Well, I think you should all stay the night here. It is getting late, and you'll need to speak to Dumbledore in the morning."

They all mumbled sounds of agreement.

"Where will we sleep?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, I need my beauty sleep," Sirius joked.

Rella couldn't help it. They hadn't talked to each other directly since the incident, but she felt that Sirius had deserved this one. He had left himself wide open for this one, she decided, he would see it coming.

"Yes, Sirius," she said, "you really do need your beauty sleep."

He looked surprised by this, but answered quickly, "Gee thanks, but I think your need may be greater than mine. I shall graciously give up my bed for you."

"What bed?" Rella raised her eyebrows.

"That's what we were discussing," James cut in, smirking. It had been a while since he had heard that type of friendly bicker from his sister and friend.

"Well," Ron cut in, "We do have extra beds in each of our dormitories." He found it amusing that nobody had come up with this yet. He was never one for coming up with solutions, and he found it extremely satisfying.

"Oh, well, that will do," Lily said. Everyone had expressions of 'Oh' on their faces.

"Well, uh, night," Hermione rushed up to her own bed.

"I better go up," Ron also made his way up.

"Me too," Remus said. He followed Ron.

That left Rella, James, Lily, Sirius, and Harry.

"'Night," Harry couldn't help wondering what it was like to hug a parent before you went to bed. He was desperate to find out, so he hugged, in turn, James and Lily, and they awkwardly patted him on the head and bid him goodnight.

"Well, G'night Auntie Rella," Harry grinned at the look of distaste on her face.

"Oh, please don't call me that," she pleaded, "It makes me sound so old."

"Right," he grinned again, waved to Sirius, and went up after Ron and Remus.

"See you," James went up without any nice-ities (A/N -that's what I call them, I know there is a proper word for it but, alas, my personal head dictionary is not being very cooperative. And yes, I know that the part where Harry hugs his parents was very cliché, but I couldn't think of another way to put it. And, (This is getting long) just to warn you guys, there is going to be another poem at the end. I'm done now.) Lily left after him with a nod towards Rella and Sirius.

"Well," Rella felt nervous now that she was alone. It meant she had to face the music, "James and Lily finally got together," she finished lamely. She made for the stairs but Sirius blocked her way.

"We need to talk," Sirius said.

Rella took a deep breath, "Yes."

Sirius hesitated, then said, "Did you enjoy it?"

"Did you?" Rella asked tentatively.

"Yes." Sirius was so resolute, so firm, that Rella was left with no doubt that he meant it.

"I did too."

"That's good," Sirius sighed in relief. He thought of something, "James and Lily are finally together."

"I know," Rella wondered if he had forgotten she had said the same thing just thirty seconds ago.

"Do you know what that means?" Sirius seemed very excited, and he was very pleased with what he had come up with.

"No," Rella said slowly.

He looked disappointed, but continued nevertheless, "It means we can get together!"

"W-what?" Rella was confused. And, somewhat scared. She had never had a real relationship before. A few boys had timidly asked her out before, but as soon as they found out, James and his little group fell upon the poor boys with brute force. Boys had gotten the message that Rella was out of bounds, and it had stopped during her fifth year.

"Well," he said excitedly, "James can't stop us without being called a dirty hypocrite by yours truly."

"I guess," Rella said shyly.

It sudden came to Sirius that Rella might not want to go into a relationship straight away, and he backtracked quickly, "That is if you want to."

"I want to," Rella said quickly.

"Well, good," Sirius rubbed his neck.

"I better not be just another fling of yours, Sirius Black," she warned.

"No," Sirius said hurriedly, feeling like a first year, "Are you kidding? James would kill me!"

Rella snorted, "Of course. Suicide is not your repertoire, dear," she said mockingly, "You are far too fond of yourself for that."

"Oh, shut up."

"Goodnight, Sirius," Rella smiled at him.

"Bye."

The line is supposed to be here

Hey! Done! So here's the poem, it's a long one again, but I hope you like:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the win
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hillfor the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighingtrees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-brightlawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

Please review, and enjoy the snow!