Snakes

This story was written under the influence of both Dido and Matchbox 20. So if there are a few very strange mood swings, blame them. Thanks. J

Oh, and another thing: Thanks to Allie, as always, for taking the time to edit this - and suggesting the song. If only our mails didn't get lost all the time...

As We Go On...

Part 6

Snakes. Snakes belong to the very few animals that can stand for positive characteristics as well as for negative ones. Of course, there is no point in denying that, all in all, a snake more than anything is a symbol for hypocrisy and malice. Maybe this bad reputation originates in the Bible where the snake was the one to corrupt Eve and therefore Adam. (And no, I don't think we should go more into detail about this particular snake... J) We tend to forget that there are also other characteristics a snake is said to posses. Why is it that, when asked for the animal that represents wisdom, most people would name the owl, while the snake is the synonym for hypocrisy such as the peacock is said to be conceited? Doesn't it seem like some sort of discrimination to you? What's the difference between judging an animal race and a human race as a whole, not seeing that there are individuals, that some might be unpleasant figures while others are the most kind beings one could wish for? One Saddam Hussein doesn't make every Iraqi a bad person and one snake supporting Voldemort shouldn't make every snake evil.

And yet Lily couldn't suppress a shudder when she stared down at the dark green reptile that lay motionless between Nero's paws. It was a constant rumor in the wizard world that Voldemort used snakes as his spies, that there was a certain bond between him and this kind of animal. And now Nero had found one in their cave.

Was it safe to stay here any longer? Lily didn't know. What if this snake had really been looking for her? If it didn't return, would that arouse anyone's suspicion?

She didn't want to leave. But would staying mean risking her life? Running into Voldemort was certainly the last thing she was looking for. She hadn't left Hogwarts in order to be killed, all she had wanted to do was to make sure that her friends were safe, but that did not mean that she didn't value her own life. So what was there to do?

Lost in thoughts, Lily climbed out of the entrance to her cave and went down to the water to clean herself up and maybe get rid of the foreboding that something bad was going to happen. When she looked up from where she was standing, the place didn't seem so peaceful and quiet anymore. As hard as she tried, Lily couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.

If you're afraid, then a few seconds is all it takes for a wonderful place to change, for the quiet rustling of leaves, caused by a warm breeze, to turn into the careful approach of a frightening creature, human or not. Paralyzed, staring up at the bushes that peeked over the edge of the rock face, Lily remained motionless for a short amount of time, then, as if hit by a bolt of electricity, she jumped up from her kneeling position by the water and climbed over the rocks to the entrance of the cave. While she hurriedly threw everything she wanted to take with her in her bag, she only prayed that Nero would be back from his hunt soon.

Nothing could have prepared her for the large shadow that fell on the wall in front of her when she looked up.

***

If you're gone - maybe it's time to go home
There's an awful lot of breathing room
But I can hardly move
If you're gone - baby you need to come home
'Cause there's a little bit of something me
In everything in you

Matchbox 20 - If You're Gone

"Sirius?"

"Hmm?"

"Will you tell the others about your parents?"

"I..."

Seeing his friend's discomfort, James quickly rushed to reassure him. "I'm not pressuring you, Padfoot. I just think they should know. Besides, you would feel better. And none of them will hold it against you; you know that, don't you? They won't hate you for something you couldn't change."

"Not more than they already do, at least." Sirius muttered.

James shook his head sympathetically. "Sarah will come around. Just give her some time."

"I don't think she will, James, I hurt her too much. But thanks for trying anyway."

Both boys walked in silence for a while, occasionally stopping to glance through the windows of some shop. The five friends had split up about ten minutes ago, right after arriving in Diagon Alley and eating an early breakfast, deciding that it would take less time if they went in groups of two to get what they needed. So Remus and Jessie had left in direction of the bookshop to get a copy of a book James requested for his plan he hadn't explained yet. In addition, the two would look for a map to help them along the way. Sarah had gone alone to visit her aunt who lived near Flourish's, not only for a little family reunion, but also to talk her into a) lending them her owl, b) discussing the best ways to get to wherever they needed to go and c) to make the woman inform her parents about their daughter's whereabouts as carefully as possible.

So that had left Sirius and James to go and get the most common and important ingredients for various potions and an inflatable cauldron after making a stop at Gringots.

"I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Sirius's apologetic voice had jerked James out of his thoughts, and now he was gazing at his friend with a look of confusion. He really seemed to wear that look a lot this day, at least whenever Sirius was around.

"Here we are talking about my love life, or lack of thereof, while your girlfriend is not only missing but also, quite possibly, in some serious danger."

"Oh." James nodded, finally catching on. "That's okay, Padfoot. There's no doubt that all of us want to have Lily back and safe as soon as possible. Maybe I do even a little more than the rest of you, but seeing as I'm her boyfriend, that's only normal. So of course we're all worried, but that doesn't mean that we can't talk about anything else."

"Sure, but it's just that my problems seem to be so unimportant when I think of Lily and what she's probably going through at the moment."

James sighed. "Padfoot, believe me, I'm glad for every second I can occupy my thoughts with other things. I need to push this whole thing to the back of my mind, even if it's only for two seconds, otherwise I would have gone insane by now."

He didn't have any time to react before he felt himself engrossed in a tight hug, and after a few seconds of struggling not to cry, he couldn't hold back his tears any longer. Sirius, who had never before seen James cry, had to use all his strength to hold his quietly sobbing friend without staggering. James wasn't any help, it seemed as if, all of a sudden, every little bit of will had left his body and if Sirius hadn't been holding onto him, he would have collapsed on the floor in the middle of the crowded street. Sirius felt tears pricking at his own eyes, but he wiped them away with the back of his hand, forcing himself to be the strong one this time. James had held out as long and as good as he could, now that he had reached his breaking point, it was Sirius's turn to offer him comfort and strength.

Not caring about the partly sympathetic, partly blank looks they received, he just continued to hug his friend and stroke his back while fighting back his own tears.

*****

Don't you all just hate cliffhangers? Well, so do I. But I just couldn't help myself; the opportunity was so absolutely great. Sorry. I'll try to make it up to you in getting the next part out a lot quicker. I promise. And as I tend to need the pressure to do something: If I don't have it written till Sunday in a week (as in next week!), go ahead and flame me: Zarah5@t-online.de Oh, and I also apologize for the length - or lack thereof - of this part, but I felt as if this was a very good place to end it.

So some of you are wondering about Nero, if he's really helping Lily or if she should run and hide? Well, I'm not telling you. Why? 'Cause I'm e-vil! I'm really looking forward to your guesses... J

Kate: I do care about my readers! I really really really do. But I have to be in the right mood to write something decent, or do you want to read crap? No? Well, thought so...

Broken Starlight: Aren't there a lot of good MWPP/L stories out? I didn't have the time to read any fics in quite some time, but what about Tropical Fishy, Someone The First and some others I forgot the name of?

Jackie: You're right: More Remus wouldn't hurt, and I should work on Jessie and Sarah. It just didn't fit this time, but I promise that I'll get it in sometime soon.

Little Witch: No, they won't make a Marauder's Map. James already has some plans...

Ronnie: I can totally understand that Sirius is one of your favorite people in the books, because I love him to. Now, concerning that snake: I'm not sure about it myself. Maybe it was a spy, or maye it wasn't. Don't know. It will show in the next parts, I guess.

Eugenia: I tried to write you, but I got the mail send back. Are you sure that the adress you gave me was correct?

Okay, I hope I didn't forget anyone. It's just that it's late, I'm tired and I have an exam tomorrow. So if I did forget you, you can just write me and I'll answer it. Promise.

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All mine. At the moment, Lily is in the kitchen, searching some ingredients for don't-ask-me-what potion she intends to make, Sirius and Remus are playing chess - it sounds as if their kings are about to strangle each other -, Ron is trying to catch Pigwideon, Hermione is working hard to get the hang of a spell they are supposed to learn in their seventh year, and James and Harry are practicing their Quidditch skills (Surprise, surprise!). I really wish they'd go outside to play, though: I'm a little afraid that they will destroy all the expensive vases and paintings from Monet that I bought with the money I get for writing this story. Which reminds me that, before the banks will close, I should go and cash my newest check that Joan (for all of you who don't know her as well as I do: Mrs. Rowling) gave to me for finally finishing this part, so I'm outta here!

Bunny chan: Hey, that's one good idea! How about we start the "Writer's Block To Hell Club"? We could even make it a yahoo club or something like that... J