Remus sat solemnly by Chloe's bed in the hospital wing and held her hand tightly. He felt as if he had seen the walls of this room too many times this year and prayed that this was the last. He didn't think he could bear to see any more of his friends hurt and watching Chloe, who was not showing any signs of waking up, was the most painful of all. For no words could accurately describe the anguish a person feels while watching helplessly as the person you love lies unmoving in a hospital bed. Remus still had so much to tell her. He needed her to know how much he loved her. It was his fault she was lying in this bed. If he hadn't been so damn prideful Chloe would be her usual happy and loving self and Remus would take her in his arms and tell her how much she meant to him.
"Don't blame your self for this Remus," a voice said from behind him as he felt a comforting hand placed on his shoulder.
Remus turned around and saw Lily and smiled at her a disheartened smile.
"You should be in a bed resting," Remus replied tiredly. Sleep was a foreign concept to him at this point. He wondered if the fatigue would ever leave him.
Lily pulled up a chair and planted herself next to Remus as they both stared at Chloe.
"You sound just like James. Honestly you'd think I was porcelain doll the way you all treat me. I'm fine. I'm more worried about you and Chloe," Lily said with concern in her voice.
Remus didn't say anything and they sat in comfortable silence just glad to know that they had good friends who they could lean on for support. They had seen so much darkness this past year and thanked god that they had each other to get through everything that had been thrown in their paths. After a while Remus got up and put his jacket on and started to head for the door.
"She won't want to see me when she wakes up," Remus said trying to find an explanation for his sudden need to leave.
In reality he just couldn't take it any more. He needed to go do something; he couldn't just sit there and wait to see if she was alright.
"She'll want you to be here. She loves you Remus, even if it doesn't seem like it right now. It's not her fault she said the things she did," Lily replied.
Remus turned around at these words, not because they intrigued him as it looked like Lily might have a possible explanation for Chloe's behavior, but because he was angry. He was angry about the situation and Lily just happened to be in his pathway of destruction.
"Well it certainly sounded like her voice when she told me she never wanted to see me again," Remus replied heatedly.
Lily looked at Remus with alarm. For a minute she could see the werewolf in his eyes and it scared her. However, she knew that he needed her to be there for him
"Bellatrix used her legilimancy and the imperious curse on her Remus," Lily replied cryptically. "So no she really couldn't control what she was saying."
At this, Remus' anger towards Lily was redirected towards the Slytherins. Lying in a bed across the room was Theodore Nott, who was casually catching up on some reading for class. Remus took a few strides over to him and pulled out his wand and pointed it at his chest. Remus stood there with a menacing look in his eyes, and then with all of his strength, he punched Nott in the face and continued to deliver blows to his helpless body.
"You bloody bastard…..picking on people who are smaller than you…...think you are so superior…..to hell with you and your precious Voldemort……" Remus screamed as his fists connected with Nott's face.
Lily watched on in horror and didn't know how to react. Part of her was glad to see Nott get what he deserved after he had so mercilessly kicked James in the head, but she couldn't let Remus do this to himself. She got up from where she was sitting and made her way over to the display to intervene. However as she was about to throw herself between Nott and Remus' fists, someone else said something first.
"Remus Lupin stop that this instant," a voice said.
This got Remus' attention as both he and Lily spun around and what they saw surprised them. Chloe was fully conscious and sitting up in bed, but she didn't look happy. She was staring daggers at Remus and he immediately began to feel ashamed. He didn't know what to say or how to act; he was just relieved that Chloe was awake. However, his joy was cut short as Chloe continued to just stare at him with a vacant expression in her eyes. He attempted to walk up to her, but she held out a hand to stop him.
"No, Please just leave Remus. You've done enough," was all that she said.
He turned around and exited the room with nothing, but pain in his heart. He looked back and saw Chloe's beautiful face void of any joy. It was then he finally acknowledged the loss of Chloe, because he realized she would never be his again.
Lily watched as Remus dejectedly walked out of the room and then turned her eyes on Chloe. Lily walked up to her best friend and took a seat next to her bed.
"I just need to be alone right now Lily. I'm not in the mood to talk," Chloe said wearily as she played with the blankets in her lap.
Lily could tell she was holding back her tears and gently placed her hand on top of Chloe's. Chloe recoiled at first, but then gradually relaxed.
Lily just sat their in silence and knew that when Chloe was ready to talk she would. As the hours ticked by it became a battle of wills, but Lily was not about to lose this match. Finally Chloe spoke, and when she did, all of the tears she had been holding back, started to flow freely.
"Lily I'm so sorry," Chloe gasped in between sobs. "I am so weak."
Lily got up and crawled onto the bed next to her friend and placed her arms around Chloe's small frame. She let Chloe cry on her shoulder.
"Nothing that happened is your fault Chloe. Bellatrix took advantage of you at a vulnerable moment. You aren't to blame," Lily said soothingly, but it didn't console Chloe.
"She went after me because she knows I'm weak. She used me to get to you, James, Sirius, and Remus. I put you all in danger," Chloe sobbed. "You should stay away from me."
"Stop it Chloe, if she had found me after I had just broken up with James, I would have been easy to control as well. You were upset, but you are extremely powerful and James, Sirius Remus and I know that," Lily countered.
At the mention of Remus' name Chloe prickled. She looked visibly pained and it was obvious that she still loved him.
"He loves you Chloe. He just broke up with you to protect you from what he is, but he regrets that now," Lily said as if she could read Chloe's thoughts.
Chloe remained silent as she stared up at the ceiling.
"He made it perfectly clear for me to leave him alone and that is what I intend to do. He wants nothing to do with me and I want nothing to do with him," Chloe replied somewhat cryptically.
"That's rubbish and you know it. He loves you. He hasn't left your side this entire time you've been in hospital. He was the one who brought you here, of course only after he hexed Avery into the next century for using a stunner on you," Lily said trying to lighten the mood.
At the image of Remus acting even remotely violent, she smiled a bit. Despite their problems, Remus was the kindest person she had ever met.
"No matter what may have been, I'm too much of a danger to him now. If things are meant to work out they will, but only after I learn to be stronger on my own," Chloe said.
"You are strong Chloe. Don't ever doubt that," Lily said defiantly.
"I'm sorry for everything Lily, I really am. You are my best friend and I'll never forget that," Chloe said as she began to wipe her eyes on her sleeves.
"I'm just glad to have you back Chlo," Lily said as she hugged her best friend, this time tears were starting to build in her eyes. "You gave us quite a scare there."
The next day, Sirius and James were walking down the corridors on their way to the kitchens. They had both served detention for slipping Professor McGonagall a potion that made her grow a beard. While it seemed childish, they full heartedly believed that in times of darkness, sometimes laughter was the best medicine and they were determined to leave Hogwarts with a bang. They were both quite hungry, however, as they were forced to skip dinner, but luckily they knew the way to the kitchen by heart.
"McGonagall is going to be in a right strop with us after that stunt mate," Sirius guffawed.
"Awe she has a soft spot for us any how. I mean how else can you explain how we haven't been expelled yet Pad?" James replied with a grin as he slapped Sirius on the shoulder.
"I think she has a crush on Wormtail and that's why she lets us get away with murder. After all he is her favorite student," Sirius said sarcastically.
The two continued on their merry way as they told jokes and made fun of each other. However, Sirius turned around when he heard voices coming from the hallway next to them. He motioned for James to be quiet and they made their way over to where the commotion was coming from.
"I'll do what I please thank you very much and I'd appreciate it if you kept your nose out of my business," a cool female voice said. "I don't interfere in whatever it is that you do with your free time."
Sirius and James arrived just in time to see Snape grab the person who the voice belonged to and shove her into a wall.
"We don't need trouble and that is what all of this will bring. So you better stop now before it goes any further," Snape said in a dangerously low voice.
"Geroff me," the girl said.
That was enough for James and Sirius as they decided to make their presence known.
"Oye Snivellus, it's about past your bedtime. I suggest you scamper back to your common room," Sirius said as he lit his wand to see who Snape was intimidating.
To his horror, he realized that the girl was Alana. However, she didn't look scared; instead she had a rather livid expression on her face.
"This is none of your business Black, so you and Potter stay out of it," Snape replied angrily.
"Well as it so happens James and I here happen to make it our business when beautiful young women are being intimidated by greaseballs like you, so let her go or else," Sirius said warningly.
It was at this point that Alana decided to weigh in.
"Sirius, please just leave us. You will only make matters worse," Alana said pleadingly.
"Not until I know that you are okay," Sirius replied as he trained his wand on Snape.
"I'm fine, just go," Alana repeated.
"No, I'm not going to leave you here with this creep," Sirius said.
Snape just looked on in amusement.
"Is this the kind of company you keep dear sister? Someone who thinks you are too weak to defend yourself? I always thought you were stronger than that," Snape said in order to antagonize both Alana Sirius.
However, Sirius just stared at him in stunned silence. Snape knew that his words had had their intended effect.
"Sister?" Sirius said as he looked between Alana and Snape.
"Twin Sister to be exact, or did she fail to mention that during your midnight rendezvous in the Astronomy Tower," Snape cackled.
Sirius looked at Alana for an explanation. Surely the beautiful creature that stood before him couldn't be related to some one as ugly and evil as Severus Snape. Snape was up to his eyeballs in the dark arts and probably was a death eater all ready. Was it possible that Alana was one as well?
"Is that true Alana?" Sirius said hoarsely. "How could you not tell me?"
"I told you I wasn't proud of my family," Alana replied as she glared at her brother.
Snape circled around them as he laughed, but James quickly checked him against a wall.
"Tell your brute friend to get off of me Black or I will tell my dear sister here what a real menace you are," Snape said warningly. "By the time I'm through she'll want nothing to do with you ever again."
"Get over your school boy grudge Severus," Alana replied as she decided to leave the scene.
"Wait, Alana you owe me an explanation," Sirius said as he grabbed her hand.
She pulled away and mildly smiled at him.
"I don't owe you anything Sirius. I am what I am," Alana said and with that she disappeared down the dark hall.
James reluctantly let go of Snape and as he did, Snape brushed his robes off as if he had been touched by dirt.
"If you are fond of my sister, you will leave her alone. No good can come for her if she continues to consort with the likes of you," Snape spat as he stared at Sirius.
"Alana is a big girl and can see whoever she wants Snivellus, now run along before we decide to hang you upside down by your underwear again," Sirius replied with an equal amount of venom.
Snape clenched his fists as he grudgingly recalled the terrible events of fifth year where his underwear had been exposed to the entire school. He glared at Sirius and James, but realized he was outnumbered.
"Just stay away from her Black," Snape said as he retreated into the darkness just as his sister had done.
When they were alone, Sirius turned to James and smiled sadly.
"Well that's that then I guess," Sirius said rather dejectedly.
"Sorry mate, rough break. Who would have known a good looking girl like that is related to a git like Snivellus," James said sympathetically as he put his arm around his friend.
Sirius looked at his shoes and couldn't help, but feel disappointed. Alana was the first girl he had ever felt any sort of connection with. Life just wasn't fair, he thought to himself. She just had to be the sister of his sworn enemy didn't she.
"I really fancied her you know. She was the only girl who could properly kick my arse, well besides Lily and she's hopelessly head over heals for you," Sirius said as he tried to manage a grin.
James realized this was the first time he had ever heard Sirius actually talk seriously about a girl. They came and went, and Sirius never looked back, but he seemed genuinely upset about this one. As much as it pained him to see his best mate get mixed up with someone from the same gene pool as a slime ball like Snape, he realized what he had to do.
"If you like the girl, then why let someone like Snape get in your way. You like a challenge, why let this one obstacle stop you now," James reasoned, however the words were like acid coming out of his mouth.
He just groaned at the remote possibility that Sirius and Alana could one day get married, and then he would actually have to be civil to Snape. He tried not to think about it because it gave him the shivers. However, his words did have an effect on Sirius as he turned and looked at James with an expression of excitement on his face.
"Yeah and what better way to piss Snape off then to snog his sister," Sirius said gleeful as if a giant light bulb had just gone off in his head.
"Same old Padfoot, always out for a shag. I think you might want more from this one mate," James replied with a laugh.
"Now don't go saying that too loud, or word might get out and my reputation could be tarnished forever," Sirius said as they reached the statue that they needed to press to get into the Kitchen.
Lily woke up early the next morning. She had tried to fall back asleep, but she had too much weighing on her mind. Thoughts raced around in her head and made it impossible to relax. So she got up out of her bed and pulled on a sweater as she planted her feet on the cold ground. She looked across the room to see Chloe sleeping soundly. Lily desperately wanted to talk to her, but decided that she probably needed her rest. So she silently crept out of the room and headed downstairs to catch up on some studying. She found a seat by the window and stared out of it as the sun started to rise.
"Hey," a voice said and Lily turned around to see James.
She smiled and made room for him to sit down next to her. He put his arms around her and they sat there comfortably in the early morning silence.
"What are you doing up so early Mr. Potter?" Lily asked as she kissed him lightly on the lips.
James kissed her back and held her closer to him. She could feel his muscular chest through his thin t-shirt.
"I'm holding quidditch practice this morning and Sirius snores like a bear and it makes it impossible to stay asleep," James said as he ran his hand through his messy hair.
Lily laughed a little as she rested her head on James' chest and closed her eyes.
"Why are you up?" James asked sleepily as he let out a yawn.
"Just thinking about stuff," Lily said nonchalantly.
James' ears perked up as he knew this was the perfect time to score some boyfriend points. He might even get a nice snogging session afterwards if he listened to Lily now, he thought to himself.
"What are you thinking about Lilikins?" James asked as he kissed Lily's neck.
Lily looked at him and he immediately realized that whatever was on her mind must be serious. Her sparkling green eyes were filled with worry.
"Dumbledore asked me to join the Order," Lily said honestly as she looked at James' hazel eyes.
James' expression turned into a pained one. His parents had been members of the Order of the Phoenix and a lot of good that did them. It was dangerous business fighting against Voldemort and his followers. He, Sirius, and Remus had already decided to join, but he didn't want Lily to be put at such a great risk. The thought of her in any danger terrified him. And if the worst should happen and he lost her, he didn't think he could recover. However, this was a delicate situation. If he put his foot down and said no, she would join just to spite him. He had to be tactful.
"You aren't joining Lily it's too dangerous," James said. Too hell with tact he thought.
Lily's expression turned from love to incredulity. She couldn't believe James could be such a cave man. She was just as powerful as he was. She had fought beside him all year long. How dare he tell her what to do?
"Are you forbidding me James?" Lily asked as her temper began to flare.
James stood up and towered over her. Lily jumped up, but realized that she didn't have much of advantage as she only came up to his chest. She put her hands on her hips and her eyes sizzled with anger.
"That's right I am. You don't know what you are getting yourself into," James said dismissively.
Lily was even more angered that he wasn't taking her seriously.
"Well last time I checked, you aren't the boss of me, so I will be damned if you think you can tell me what to do," Lily spat.
"You can't join, I'll tell Dumbledore not to let you," James countered. It was a childish response, but it was the best thing he could think of.
"Your debating skills have really gone down hill Potter. Honestly, Dumbledore was the one who asked me to join you arrogant prat. He won't listen to you," Lily replied.
"This isn't up for discussion Lils," James said as he started to walk away.
Lily ran and jumped on him. Although she was small, she was strong and she soon tackled him to the ground.
"Don't walk away from me when we are fighting and don't call me Lils," Lily said as she sat on top of James and attempted to pin his wrists to the ground.
"Normally I would like the idea of you being on top of me," James said with a laugh.
Lily became infuriated as James laughed at her. She whacked him in the chest and then stood up. This was the most important decision of her life and he wasn't listening to her. Instead he was stomping around like an alpha male thumping his chest in an attempt to exert his dominance.
"You, James Harold Potter, are a complete toerag and if you understood me at all you would realize how important this is to me," Lily said as tears began to flow down her cheeks.
She turned on her heal and fled the common room and ran as fast as she could to get away from James.
James just stood their completely dumbstruck and couldn't figure out where he had gone wrong. He put his head in his hands and groaned as he realized that he had made an utter mess out of things. It was going to take some doing to make this up to Lily. They had never had such a row since they had started dating. He forgot how stubborn she could be. Then again he was pretty stuck in his ways as well.
"I think you lost her when you said and I quote 'you aren't joining.' Lily isn't too keen on having people tell her what to do," Remus said as he came down the stairs.
James turned around and gave his friend a half hearted smile.
"You heard all of that huh?" James said limply.
"The whole tower heard you two screaming at each other like an old married couple," Sirius said as he followed Remus down the spiral staircase. "I especially liked the part where she jumped on top of you; that was pretty hot. She's fiery."
James just groaned again and looked at the portrait hole praying that Lily would walk back through it. However, she didn't and he was left alone to wallow in his own self pity.
"I've made a royal mess of things haven't I?" James to Sirius and Remus.
Remus, who was the more eloquent of the two, spoke first as he took a seat on the windowsill that James was sitting on.
"You could have been a bit more careful in your choice of words," Remus replied, trying to sound supportive.
However, Sirius was never one to beat around the bush.
"You were a real horse's arse. You had a hot girl straddling you and yet you managed to chase her off in tears. That is a new low for you Prongise," Sirius said as he rummaged through his pockets for something to eat.
James threw a pillow at his friend, which forced Sirius to drop the chocolate bar he was currently enjoying.
"Hey that was my last chocolate frog," Sirius cried indignantly.
"Piss off," was all James could say.
"Don't be in a strop with me because you can't keep your woman in line," Sirius said as he dusted his frog off and continued to eat it.
James and Remus looked on in disgust.
"Well at least I'm not in love with a girl version of Snivellus," James said.
However, he had taken it too far, as Sirius lunged for him and chaos ensued. The three seventeen year old boys, who were each over six feet tall, were wrestling on the ground fighting like cats and dogs. Remus was trying desperately to separate James and Sirius, but ended up receiving most of the blows. James and Sirius attempted to kick and punch each other, but when they were all out of breath and lying on the floor panting for air, they started to laugh.
"I guess I should figure out how to get myself out of this mess," James said finally as he managed to catch his breath.
"I'd suggest diamonds, and large ones," Sirius said, and James punched him in the shoulder for his impertinence. "You are definitely in the dog house this time."
Author's Note: I know it has been awhile, but honestly I have really busy. First there was Spain, then my parents came to visit. I hope everyone likes this chapter. I will try and update again soon, but I have finals coming up and then its time to return to the good ol' US of A. Some freaking sunshine for a change...not that I don't love London, but I could kill for my California sun and some good mexican food. Well now you can start to see where I am taking this thing with Alana. And You'll just have to wait and see what happens to L/J and R/C. Anyways enjoy and post some reviews because they do make me happy when the rain keeps pouring down. Love you all...