A/N: No, your eyes have not deceived you, there is a new chapter of These Words out!
Sorry, sorry, sorry this took so long. I was travelling for a couple of weeks and then I was sick all last week, and things have just been generally crazy…anyway, finally got a chance to write out this next chapter!
As always, a huge thank you to everyone who reviewed: RandomFandom5, cat among the pixies, FollowTheButterflies124, FudgeFanatic, merlincrazy, 97 Diagon Alley, Jess the Enthusiast, YeahThisIsAName, pervyprincess, Fyrebolt, killerbunny117, summerful21, Light Under My Skin, SiriusBlackIsAwesome, idreaminfantasy, lovelikewoe13, Maddaz a Hatter, dizziest-daydreams, Maximilien Robespierre, DarlingILoveYou, JinxWing, MKaseyM, JessandDarcy, heartofgoldd, GinnyEvans4, twilightstargazer, dancingonstars, BalloonsInTheSky, I Hate Being A Muggle, TonksReincarnation, jamespotterthefirst, and my three anon reviewers! Really, you all make my day every time I get one of those little alerts in my email!
February 7, 1977, 12:23pm
The Three Broomsticks
JP: Lily Evans. We really must stop meeting like this.
LE: Well, go back to your corner, then. You seemed fairly content over there a moment ago.
JP: That's because I had a fine beer in my hand. Now that it's gone, however, I find myself seeking other entertainment.
JP: Where's Lover Boy? Did he take one look at your stunning beauty and scarper, lest he be blinded?
LE: That first part was nice, but suggesting that I induce blindness seems somewhat offensive.
JP: I'm just trying to say you look nice, that's all.
LE: In that case—thank you.
JP: You're welcome.
JP: So? Am I going to have to step in and save you the embarrassment of being stood up?
LE: Nathan hasn't stood me up. I'm early.
JP: He didn't even offer to walk you down here? How ungentlemanly.
LE: No, we agreed to meet here because he works weekend mornings at Honeydukes.
JP: You can do that? Merlin, don't let Moony know. He'd eat them straight out of business.
LE: Why do you call him that?
JP: Call who what?
LE: Remus. Why do you call him 'Moony'?
JP: That's not a matter you need concern yourself with, Evans.
LE: Because to me, it suggests he's either absentminded or a doddering fool, neither of which is remotely true. So perhaps the nicknames you lot have are ironic? And they call you 'Prongs' due to your dullness and general lack of wit?
JP: If you think insulting me will prompt me to reveal my secrets, Evans, you're wrong. You'll have to try a bit harder than that.
LE: Hmm, this really must be serious if you'd prefer I think less of you.
JP: Oh, I think I more than make up for it in other ways. Have a good date, Evans.
LE: I'll try.
February 8, 1977, 1:54pm
Library
SB: Ah, victory, thy taste is sweet.
RL: I still can't believe you did it.
SB: You've known me for six years, Moony.
RL: True. All right, I can believe it. I just don't want to.
PP: She even thought it was funny.
JP: Yes, if any of us showed up to a date similarly attired, we'd look the world's biggest prat.
RL: Which Padfoot certainly did. The point is that his date didn't care in the slightest. And I'm sure you could pull off a similar feat too, Prongs.
SB: Hmm, maybe you ought to try that with Evans. Perhaps she has a fetish for pink hats.
JP: If she does, I think I'd rather not know.
SB: No secrets between lovers, Prongs.
PP: I thought it was friends.
SB: That, too.
JP: And speaking of secrets….
SB: Furry little ones?
JP: The very same.
RL: I thought it was 'problem.'
SB: It's a problematic secret.
RL: Well, that I'll agree with.
JP: Anyway, did you tell her?
RL: Yes.
PP: And?
RL: It was…I mean, I think she…I don't know.
SB: Didn't run screaming from the room, though, did she?
RL: Is that supposed to be the best I can hope for?
SB: Dunno.
JP: Well, Meadowes has always seemed fairly level-headed to me. She'll come around.
SB: And if she doesn't….
RL: No.
SB: I haven't even said anything yet.
RL: Whatever it is, no.
SB: Fine. But speaking of furry little problems—
PP: I thought we already were?
RL: And on second thought, that's not exactly the most subtle way to refer to it.
SB: You worry too much, Moony. As I was saying, though—we've got a Friday one coming up.
RL: Friday the thirteenth.
SB: Don't tell me you're going to go all superstitious on us, Lupin, that would be far too ironic.
PP: So, Friday…
SB: Yes, Friday. My personal favorite timing for certain outings that we have been inclined to take under similar celestial circumstances.
RL: I'll try to schedule more of them for you.
SB: That would be kind of you, thanks, Moony.
JP: Well, we can't plan anything now—Quidditch.
SB: You're cruel to set practices for Sunday afternoons, Prongs.
JP: I know. You can complain to me on the way down there.
SB: Oh, rest assured that I will.
February 9, 1977, 9:12am
Charms
MM: I never thought I'd say this, but thank Merlin the weekend's over.
LE: I still can't believe it about your date, Marls. It really was awful of him.
MM: I can't believe I didn't know he was dating Charice.
LE: Leave it to you to be more upset about missing out on a piece of gossip than the fact that your Hogsmeade date was two-timing you.
MM: But how did they keep it a secret for so long? I mean, no one knew.
LE: Mmhm.
MM: No one, Lily.
LE: Yes. So you keep saying. Dorcas, care to weigh in?
LE: Dor? You all right?
DM: Hmm? Yes, I'm fine.
MM: You look a bit peaky. I told you not to eat those eggs.
DM: It wasn't the eggs, Marlene.
MM: Are you sure? They were bright yellow.
DM: Which is the color of all scrambled eggs, I think you'll find.
MM: But these were unnaturally vibrant.
DM: And they tasted unnaturally wonderful, which is why I had two helpings. Look, can we drop the eggs?
LE: That would leave a great mess all over the floor.
LE: Sorry. I think I have been around Potter too much this week. If we're naming things that are bad for the health…
MM: On the contrary, I'm sure his lips could cure whatever ails you, Lil.
LE: Marlene! Remember that he's found these notes we pass before—can you try not to divulge anything important?
MM: You shouldn't be so careless with them, then. And anyway, this is the method you used when you told me you fancied him in the first place.
LE: Yes, but Potter's not in Runes with us.
MM: Which probably makes it difficult for him to stare at you like he's doing right now.
LE: He is not st—
LE: Oh. He is. Or was.
MM: And now he's blushing. Cute. See, how can you ignore that, Lil? The boy is clearly still mad for you.
LE: What have I said about rushing me on this, Marls?
MM: All right.
MM: Still sure you're not regretting those eggs, Dorky?
DM: Have you ever had something you wanted to talk about but knew you couldn't?
MM: Merlin, please tell me this means you've noticed Slughorn trying to get a look up the girls' skirts, too.
DM: What?
LE: Disgusting, Marlene! Why would you even suggest such a thing?
MM: Because it's true!
LE: No, I can't believe that. Professor Slughorn may be a bit odd, but he's not a creep.
MM: Just watch the next time we're in Potions. You'll see.
DM: Now that I've filed that little fact under 'Things I Would Prefer Not to Have Known'…
MM: Right, well, what were you going to say, then?
DM: I…I really can't talk about it.
MM: O...kay?
LE: Are you all right, Dor? Do you need help? You can tell us as much as you can, and we'll figure something out.
DM: No, I'm fine—everything's…fine. Just…forget I said anything.
MM: Now you've made me curious. Is it something with Remus?
MM: Aha! You blushed! It is about Remus! Do you finally have the answer to my question?
DM: No, Merlin.
LE: Is Remus the one in trouble?
DM: No, no one's in trouble. Please, let's not talk about it anymore, all right?
MM: You brought it up.
LE: Marlene.
MM: I'm sure whatever it is, it will work out, Dorcas.
MM: Do my words pass your inspection now, Lily?
LE: Yes. And—questionable sincerity aside—she's right, Dor.
DM: I hope so.
February 11, 1977, 8:32pm
Detention
LE: We really need to stop meeting like this, James.
JP: Drop the ruse, Evans—I know you wait around to hear when I have detention so you can ask to oversee it.
LE: Yes, I just can't stay away from you.
JP: I've noticed.
LE: It really is horrible, actually—I've begun to take on your sense of humor.
JP: Well, it's hard not to imitate perfection, Evans. Human nature, I think.
LE: More working, less talking, Potter.
JP: That's just your excuse because you know I'm right, only you don't want to admit it.
LE: Right about you being perfect? Maybe you are.
JP: This…feels like a trick.
LE: Those books aren't going to restore themselves.
JP: Evasive as always.
(9:02pm)
LE: James?
JP: I'm working, Evans, please don't interrupt me.
LE: Cheeky git.
JP: You wouldn't have me any other way, and you know it.
LE: I suppose not. But listen, I was wondering—I know it's not officially Hogsmeade or anything, but since you know how to get into the village, it doesn't really matter.
JP: Okay.
JP: Sorry, but what are you wondering?
LE: Well, you owe me, you know.
JP: Do I?
LE: Mmhm. For my birthday.
JP: I thought that present was more than sufficient—d'you know how long those directions took to write out?
LE: Yes, but it was lacking one important thing, you see.
JP: And what was that?
LE: You.
JP: Er…yeah? Well, you know, I wasn't going to—to upset your tradition, just wanted to give it a slightly more exciting touch. Not that tea can't be exciting. Actually, no, can't think of a scenario in which it is, but you get the point.
LE: Not really, no, but I'll leave that for the moment. What I meant was you can make it up to me Friday.
JP: Friday?
LE: Yes.
JP: This Friday?
LE: Yes, Potter, this Friday.
JP: I…I can't.
LE: Oh.
LE: Sorry, I didn't—I just thought that—but obviously if you don't want to—
JP: No, it's not that I don't want to, I just…can't.
LE: All right.
LE: Look, you don't have to pretend for my sake or anything.
JP: I would like to, honest, Evans, but—
LE: You can't. Yes, you've said.
LE: I should probably get McGonagall; your hour's almost up.
JP: But—
(9:13pm, Detention/Gryffindor Common Room)
JP: Bloody hell.
SB: I thought you didn't need to be sprung out of this detention, Prongs, because Evans was going to be there.
JP: No, it's not detention. Just…bloody hell.
A/N: I don't know how I feel about that as an ending, but…well, I really wanted to get this chapter out for you all, so I'll just have to leave it as is.
Life's still crazy for me, so I'm not sure when the next update will be. Much love to everyone who is still reading, though!