Memory Lane
Chapter Nine of 'The Ladies' Man'
by Marie McKinnon
A/N: Haha! Cliffie! And I ended the chapter with an ellipse! Sorry, I'm still gloating
over that plot twist. And a very twisted twist it was. Sorry it took so long, our computer's been
acting up lately and I haven't been able to get onto the net. Well, this note is getting to be
pointless, so I'll just get on with it, shall I?
*
"YYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" James screamed. It was
like Floo Powder but a million times worse--he didn't know if it would ever end, and he most
certainly didn't know where he was going. Whirling like a dervish and about to be sick to his
stomach, his relief when the spinning stopped was almost instantaneously replaced by confusion.
"Excuse me for asking, but who're you?" Lily asked politely. 'What're you' would've
been a more accurate question. The creature standing before them was completely unruffled at
the sudden appearance of two elegantly dressed teenagers. Then again, it didn't look like much
would ruffle it anyway. Of a smooth, hard silver color, almost metallic, it stood about seven feet
tall. Its slender figure and large, almond-shaped eyes seemed almost human. A pronged tail
swished back and forth expectantly, like a cat before it pounces. Long, slim fingers twiddled a
piece of metal absently. There was a tangible air of nonchalance surrounding the creature as it
gazed at the newcomers.
"I am the Eremisk," it responded in a low voice. "A guardian of the future, if it so pleases
you."
"Pardon my saying so, but I've never heard of Eremisks. Where did your people
originate?"
A laugh, almost like a purr, resonated through the room. "I am the Eremisk. There is
only one. There will always only be one."
"Ah," James said delicately, having found his breath again. "Have you any idea how we
could get back to Hogwarts? Our school, that is. Could you direct us?"
"I know Hogwarts, young man. I could direct you if I so chose."
"Would you be kind enough to do so, please?" Lily asked, nudging James and wordlessly
ordering him to remain silent.
"Later." The Eremisk held up her metal rod, now identified as a flute, to the light for
inspection. "You have a choice."
"We have many choices," James cut in. "What's so special about this one?"
"I could send you directly back to your school. Or," and here the Eremisk looked at them
pointedly, "I could show you what will happen to you if you continue the way you are going. If
you choose to listen to the future, you are allowed to make changes to it. Or to leave it as it is.
Which do you prefer?"
"You offer us that which is difficult to turn down. The chance to see our future is
enticing. I believe I speak for both of us when I say that I accept your offer," James blurted. She
glared venomously, obviously content to let what would come come, but made no effort to
change his statement.
"As you wish." The flute levitated, suspended in midair. It seemed to be waiting for
some signal to start playing. The Eremisk pointed one of her long, slim fingers and a joyous
melody began. Images began flashing through their heads, as though the music inspired their
life's story.
Music sang stories of days before, when they'd fought constantly, then the revelation. An
upbeat, cheerful tune carried ideas of gorgeous, sunlit days in a simple cottage and a summer
marriage among white lilies, pink carnations, and bluebells. Then the darkness came.
Suspense built as battles were fought. Clashes between Aurors and Death Eaters piled on,
always broken by intervals of sweetness. While this played out before them, James and Lily felt
themselves get closer. A mutual understanding washed over them, as soft and delicate as the
rhythm. He slung his arm over her shoulder and let her lean on him, smiling as he did so. The
birth of their son, Harry, was punctuated by horn calls and blaring trumpets.
Those were the golden days, filled to the brim with flickering fires, happily gurgling baby
noises, and laughter. Suspense still built, and a haunting quality crept into the music. Finally, the
climax was reached, and they could almost hear their voices shout out in horror.
"Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off--" A scream silenced
James's voice forever. Lily trembled.
"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please--I'll do anything--"
High pitched and cold, the answering words could only be Voldemort's. "Stand aside,
you silly girl... stand aside, now..."
"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead-- Not Harry! Please... have mercy...have
mercy..." Lily's voice, too, was silenced. The music continued. The cold voice turned to a
defenseless baby, no more than one year old, and attempted to continue its dirty work. Triumph
flashed white as the voice screamed pitifully and was washed away. Sounds of a baby crying filled
the room, and the tune halted.
Throughout the climax of the melody James and Lily had been backing away. Now, as
they stepped against the wall they had come through in the first place, a suction pulled them back
in without telling how they wanted to change their lives. Once again, their eyes shut tight, a
whirling mass dizzied them as they returned to Hogwarts. They were fated to live their lives as
they had seen them. And to die at Voldemort's hand.
Disclaimer: Short and sweet, hunh? Hi to Aliness. Yeah, I do have an alter ego, but you
don't want to meet her. *I* haven't even met her, but I most certainly don't want to! Oh, this
was supposed to be a disclaimer, wasn't it? If you care, I don't own any of the characters in this
chapter. Except the Eremisk. You can have her if you want, she's too catty for me. And too
superior for her own good. Everything belongs to Miss JK Rowling (doink), she can have 'em.
Chapter Nine of 'The Ladies' Man'
by Marie McKinnon
A/N: Haha! Cliffie! And I ended the chapter with an ellipse! Sorry, I'm still gloating
over that plot twist. And a very twisted twist it was. Sorry it took so long, our computer's been
acting up lately and I haven't been able to get onto the net. Well, this note is getting to be
pointless, so I'll just get on with it, shall I?
*
"YYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" James screamed. It was
like Floo Powder but a million times worse--he didn't know if it would ever end, and he most
certainly didn't know where he was going. Whirling like a dervish and about to be sick to his
stomach, his relief when the spinning stopped was almost instantaneously replaced by confusion.
"Excuse me for asking, but who're you?" Lily asked politely. 'What're you' would've
been a more accurate question. The creature standing before them was completely unruffled at
the sudden appearance of two elegantly dressed teenagers. Then again, it didn't look like much
would ruffle it anyway. Of a smooth, hard silver color, almost metallic, it stood about seven feet
tall. Its slender figure and large, almond-shaped eyes seemed almost human. A pronged tail
swished back and forth expectantly, like a cat before it pounces. Long, slim fingers twiddled a
piece of metal absently. There was a tangible air of nonchalance surrounding the creature as it
gazed at the newcomers.
"I am the Eremisk," it responded in a low voice. "A guardian of the future, if it so pleases
you."
"Pardon my saying so, but I've never heard of Eremisks. Where did your people
originate?"
A laugh, almost like a purr, resonated through the room. "I am the Eremisk. There is
only one. There will always only be one."
"Ah," James said delicately, having found his breath again. "Have you any idea how we
could get back to Hogwarts? Our school, that is. Could you direct us?"
"I know Hogwarts, young man. I could direct you if I so chose."
"Would you be kind enough to do so, please?" Lily asked, nudging James and wordlessly
ordering him to remain silent.
"Later." The Eremisk held up her metal rod, now identified as a flute, to the light for
inspection. "You have a choice."
"We have many choices," James cut in. "What's so special about this one?"
"I could send you directly back to your school. Or," and here the Eremisk looked at them
pointedly, "I could show you what will happen to you if you continue the way you are going. If
you choose to listen to the future, you are allowed to make changes to it. Or to leave it as it is.
Which do you prefer?"
"You offer us that which is difficult to turn down. The chance to see our future is
enticing. I believe I speak for both of us when I say that I accept your offer," James blurted. She
glared venomously, obviously content to let what would come come, but made no effort to
change his statement.
"As you wish." The flute levitated, suspended in midair. It seemed to be waiting for
some signal to start playing. The Eremisk pointed one of her long, slim fingers and a joyous
melody began. Images began flashing through their heads, as though the music inspired their
life's story.
Music sang stories of days before, when they'd fought constantly, then the revelation. An
upbeat, cheerful tune carried ideas of gorgeous, sunlit days in a simple cottage and a summer
marriage among white lilies, pink carnations, and bluebells. Then the darkness came.
Suspense built as battles were fought. Clashes between Aurors and Death Eaters piled on,
always broken by intervals of sweetness. While this played out before them, James and Lily felt
themselves get closer. A mutual understanding washed over them, as soft and delicate as the
rhythm. He slung his arm over her shoulder and let her lean on him, smiling as he did so. The
birth of their son, Harry, was punctuated by horn calls and blaring trumpets.
Those were the golden days, filled to the brim with flickering fires, happily gurgling baby
noises, and laughter. Suspense still built, and a haunting quality crept into the music. Finally, the
climax was reached, and they could almost hear their voices shout out in horror.
"Lily, take Harry and go! It's Him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off--" A scream silenced
James's voice forever. Lily trembled.
"Not Harry! Not Harry! Please--I'll do anything--"
High pitched and cold, the answering words could only be Voldemort's. "Stand aside,
you silly girl... stand aside, now..."
"Not Harry, please no, take me, kill me instead-- Not Harry! Please... have mercy...have
mercy..." Lily's voice, too, was silenced. The music continued. The cold voice turned to a
defenseless baby, no more than one year old, and attempted to continue its dirty work. Triumph
flashed white as the voice screamed pitifully and was washed away. Sounds of a baby crying filled
the room, and the tune halted.
Throughout the climax of the melody James and Lily had been backing away. Now, as
they stepped against the wall they had come through in the first place, a suction pulled them back
in without telling how they wanted to change their lives. Once again, their eyes shut tight, a
whirling mass dizzied them as they returned to Hogwarts. They were fated to live their lives as
they had seen them. And to die at Voldemort's hand.
Disclaimer: Short and sweet, hunh? Hi to Aliness. Yeah, I do have an alter ego, but you
don't want to meet her. *I* haven't even met her, but I most certainly don't want to! Oh, this
was supposed to be a disclaimer, wasn't it? If you care, I don't own any of the characters in this
chapter. Except the Eremisk. You can have her if you want, she's too catty for me. And too
superior for her own good. Everything belongs to Miss JK Rowling (doink), she can have 'em.
