DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Marauders, Lily, some Slytherins and some
staff.
A/N I know it was happy last chapter, but do I ever let it be THAT easy for them…No course not! This chapter goes pretty fast…I have a tinge of writers block…so sorry…I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to start this, LOL the next day, but who cares, I have high standards and have a firm belief about updating every two days…not truly, but I wish everyone would!! And I wish that people wouldn't forget about their stories and leave you forever hanging at the death of your favorite character!! BTW I have 80 ReVIeWs!! Yeah!!! That's great for me!!! Can't believe it…**stares at computer screen with mouth open** Wow. No scratch that Hermione037 just gave me 81!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can I change the font? Every time I upload it comes out how you guys see it! Anybody know how to change it?
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CHAPTER 22
Lily and James went to bed ignoring their friends questions, and were quite content and for a while the world continued its perfect ness; but as most everyone knows, such good things mean something terrible is about to happen.
Lily woke up and something didn't feel right, she got dressed quickly and ran down to the common room, and met four distraught boys hovering over a piece of parchment which Lily figured to be a letter.
*~*~*~*~*
James stared at the letter that had just told him his parents had been murdered by Lord Voldemort; and fought the tears and felt an extreme amount of pain. He went to see his friends in the common room, and handed Sirius the letter who read it and his face looked sad. The same looks came from Peter and Remus.
James couldn't believe they were dead. One minute everything was perfect, and then his parents are murdered. A dark emptiness filled him, and he didn't seem to hear his friends' words of comfort.
Then Lily came into the room, her face was filled with concern, James wanted her to hug him and comfort him, but he had something to do the exact opposite of what he really wanted. Lily came over to see what was gong on, and Remus handed her the letter and James stared up blankly at her.
"Oh James I'm so sorry." Lily said and went to hug him, but he pushed her away, Lily was taken-a-back.
"Lily," James' voice was strained. "I need to talk to you for a minute…alone." And he pulled her out of the room. Out side the portrait hole they stood there a moment and James was thinking about what to say when Lily spoke up.
"Um, what is it James?" Lily said nervously. "Do you need to talk?"
'Lily knows what it's like to have your parents murdered.' James thought sadly, James cleared his throat. "Lily, I-I don't think it will work out between us, and…I think we should stop right here and now."
Lily's eyes widened in shock, first it had been her; not wanting to be together, now the tables had turned and he was the one breaking them apart.
"Erm, may I ask WHY?" Lily asked hurt filling her voice.
"My parents they died Lily, it WILL happen to us, he'll kill us, I know it, you know it. It's destiny, and at this moment I don't like that fact that I can't choose it." Just the night before he'd been saying to go along with it… What was Lily going to say about that?
He expected her to yell at him, lecture him, cry, scream, hit him, or at least something drastic, he didn't expect her to say nothing and just walk away…it seemed to simple. But that's what she did, and James stood there alone for a few minutes as she went off somewhere, and James finally went back into the common room. He couldn't stand his friends for much longer so he went to bed and stayed there for the rest of they day.
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Lily retreated to the Hogwarts Grounds. She walked around the lake once, twice, three times and few more times; finally it was dark and she was starving she'd been outside all day. Being November first it was a bit chilly and so she went in the Great Hall finally and was met with the concerned faces of her best friends, Lily shrugged them off telling them that she needed more time to think, she ate a quick dinner and went up to bed.
Lily had a problem going to sleep would normally make SOME people better, but to Lily who wasn't SOME people, it only made it worse.
Lily was in another nightmare, that week all she had was nightmares, and it was making her exhausted and sick, and it was showing through. This time her nightmare was clear and had a detailed message from Voldemort himself. Lily was tied up on the ground he looked down at her and hissed something she didn't understand. Then he spoke in English. "You will die, I told you to leave Potter alone, now you will face my wrath. I don't like to kill couples separately, it's not as fun, but MAYBE this time I will make an exception." Lily wanted to tell him she and James weren't a couple but she couldn't speak.
Lily woke up drenched in sweat, she calmed her self down and hurried to take a shower. The dream, she knew some how that Voldemort had been sending her messages, but she wasn't sure how yet. She should probably ask Dumbledore, but she was afraid of what he would say. Would he yell at her for not coming sooner? No, he wasn't like that. Would she find out something she was better off not knowing? She should probably talk to James and ask him if he'd been having stranger dreams lately, but she hadn't talked to him since November first, and that was a week ago.
Lily had a feeling something terrible was going to happen, something worse then before, she knew it; and she couldn't' say anything because she didn't want anyone to worry anymore.
She was sick of being abnormal, she wanted to be like Vanessa and Catty whose worries were limited compared to hers. She hated it so much, she couldn't date the boy she liked, because the Curse, or that maybe he didn't like her at all anymore. Lily hated the feeling of knowing something awful was going to happen, and yet she was powerless to stop it, since she had no idea what it was.
James wasn't doing any better; if anything he was worse. He moped around the school like a zombie. If anyone talked to him he only snapped at them, and he became with drawn from everyone, and when Lily looked at him; she saw something she hadn't expected to see, fear. Maybe he had the same feeling she did, Lily's was worried that she might not live to see seventh year; after all when a evil murdering wizard is after you get used to the idea, but Lily was worrying about it worse then ever and was giving up her hopes on having a future farther then the end of schooling.
Lily tried to cover up the way she felt while she was with her friends, Sierra and Jimena were busy with Sirius and Remus for the most part, so it wasn't often they were together. Lily struggled with her school work, since worry filled her up, and her concentration was lousy.
Finally Lily couldn't take it anymore, she went up to see Dumbledore, and being prefect she knew the password. "Lemon Drops" Lily said and the statue jumped aside and let her enter his office which she had been to a few times to talk about the curse, and was getting quite familiar with it.
Lily planned to tell Dumbledore she'd been having nightmares for a long time about Voldemort, and ask him if it was something she should be worried about. When she got there, Dumbledore looked pleased to see her.
"Miss Evans, do sit down; tea?" Lily shook her head.
"Um, Professor I need to talk to you about something important. It's about these dreams I've been having."
"Ah, dreams such fascinating things." He said with amusement.
"Err, I was wondering if there were any way that You-Know-who is able to get into people's dreams and…speak to them?" Lily asked nervously, Dumbledore's face went solemn.
"I'm sorry to say there is. Have you been having visions lately?" He inquired.
"Yes, several, for a long time now." Lily described the many dreams she had had, and what had happened. "The other night he told me I was going to be killed…by him I assume."
"That is not very good news I'm afraid, but there's nothing we can do. Just keep a good look out, don't go anywhere alone, and Quidditch practice is the ONLY time I will allow you to be on the grounds. Same rule Jimena had been following all year, to protect her self. You must be careful. Lily, you have a great future ahead of you, many Divinators have predicted you have an important role in the Wizarding World's future, and you must be kept safe; as you already know many precautions were taken. Gryffindor Heirs have been known to have highly important roles."
"Um, Professor, I was wondering if, well, maybe there was some way to change who is chosen to be the next…Erm… you know the person who mothers the next heir?" Lily blushed deep crimson; she hated talking about this with her Professor.
"I will not answer that, if I was in your situation, I would like to know that I was in control of my life, and not some curse. Isn't that how you and Mister Potter are feeling?"
"Yes, well I know I am, but I haven't talked to him in a while."
"Ah, yes since his parents passed I've noticed he's taken to…Not speaking with anyone. Quite sad, people push away their friends when they need them most." Dumbledore said shaking his head. Lily didn't know what to say to that so she just kept quiet. "Now, there is something interesting I found out about the curse, that I found interesting, it has to do with dreams. Sometimes you can predict the future, and it will affect those around you, I was reading about a case of Lady Catalina she predicted her own death and her husband's Godric Gryffindor. Has anything unusual happened to you lately?" Lily shook her head, and excused her self from the office.
'I'm going to be murdered by Voldemort and so is my husband!' Lily thought worriedly, it only proved her fears true; Voldemort was going to kill her, but hopefully not in the near future. Then Lily's thoughts went to a place they went frequently 'James could be my husband, it almost seems…no, no, no I'm not marrying him and that's the end of it. Even if it all fits together I'm not marrying HIM.' Lily told herself firmly, and went back to Gryffindor tower to enjoy her weekend.
The visit with Dumbledore didn't help her any, it just kept her confined to the school and the Quidditch pitch, and when she went to Herbology she was followed closely by a pack of friends. She didn't get any alone time anymore, and she was craving the out doors, even though it was cold out.
So altogether; November was a sad, depressing month and neither James nor Lily were happy about it. Lily wasn't aloud to go to Hogsmeade either, and she was MAD about that. Her friends would bring her back things and would continuously ask her why, but Lily kept her mouth shut and didn't say a word about her situation with Voldemort.
Lily's nightmares didn't get better, she was becoming afraid of sleep, and spent her nights reading or studying instead of sleeping. She always had dark circles under her eyes, and her Quidditch skills were dropping since she had to fight herself to stay awake, and if she hadn't been so busy with her own problems, she would have noticed the similar changes in James.
Lily was for once looking forward to the holidays, Sierra and Jimena were both staying, and Mindy was going home to visit her dad. Lily also found out the Vanessa and Catty was staying. So for the first time in all her years t Hogwarts Lily was going to be in a full dorm.
Everyone was getting excited about Christmas Holidays…Except Lily who barely said a word about it. One day she found her self cornered in her dorm by Sierra and Jimena.
"Lils we're worried about you." Jimena started to say.
"You're sick and tired all the time." Sierra interrupted.
"You wake up screaming in your sleep."
"You've been acting quiet, which isn't like you."
"We know your hiding something."
"So spill the beans!" Sierra finished with a muggle expression.
"It just these night mares…They worse then normal, then ever before! Its keeping me awake, I'm so afraid to sleep. That's all it's about really; I just need more sleep is all."
"Maybe Madam Pomfrey can get you a dreamless sleep potion, I've heard of those." Jimena suggested.
"Really? Do you think she'd give it to me like a prescription?" Lily asked hopefully.
"Uh what's a prescription?" Sierra asked confused.
"What I mean is will she give me one until my dreams get better?" 'Whenever that is.' Lily thought angrily to her self.
"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will love to help, I'm just sorry you didn't tell us sooner, we could have had this problem solved ages ago!"
Lily was able to get the potion, and used it often when she needed it. Though it didn't take care of that feeling that never left her sub- conscious. Lily was even more worried as Christmas approached, and she tried to shrug the feeling away, but it stuck with her, and it was driving Lily crazy.
Lily would be walking the halls with Sierra and Jimena and if someone came up behind them she'd scream bloody murder. Lily would apologize and then mumble something under her breath like "Stupid curse, I wish I could take it off."
Christmas Eve brought back memories of the year before, and made Lily smile, even if the happy memories always led to sad ones. Then that put Lily in a bad mood and this wasn't a good thing for the Marauders…
The Marauders had a reputation for doing pranks, but were never caught, but that didn't work when they dumped itching powder in the sixth year's girls' dorm.
Lily and The Marauders had a serious hex fight and Lily ended up growing and extra ear and her arm had fingers growing out all over the place, but she didn't come out half as bad as the Marauders, who were missing pieces of their bodies, and were turned into different colors.
They ended up at the Hospital Wing for an hour being treated by Madam Pomfrey who clucked at them and didn't even ask what had happened. While they were getting ready to leave Madam Pomfrey asked an innocent question, which got Lily tons of annoying ones from the Marauders.
"So is that dreamless sleep potion still working? Need anymore?"
"Uh, no I'm fine thanks." The Marauders stared at Lily; she suspected they knew something about her nightmares, but she wasn't for sure. When they got out of there Sirius was the first one to start asking her questions.
"Lily, why are YOU taking a dreamless sleep potion?" He said sounding like a mother.
"BECAUSE I wasn't able to sleep for a month because my nightmares were terrorizing me." Lily said simply, but the boys were satisfied with that answer. They kept asking and asking and asking about what was in the dreams, even James showed an interest. AS they walked through the hallway though they ran into Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah, Mister Potter, Miss Evans, may I see you in my office a moment." The two teenagers nodded glumly and went into his office, and Lily noticed how worried his eyes looked.
"What do you need Professor?" James asked after they'd sat there for a moment in silence.
"Well, I guess there's only one way to tell you this, but…I have found out from some inside sources that your names have been moved to the top of Voldemort's hit list." Dumbledore said gravely.
"WHAT?!" Lily and James yelled at the same time.
"As I have told both of you separately, Voldemort finds you as a threat and wants to get it over with quickly before something happens. I just wanted to tell you so you should be on extra guard, I'm sorry to tell you on Christmas Eve, but it had to be said as soon as possible."
Lily was mad, her Christmas was completely ruined. She hated this mess, she wished there was a way to take the curse off her forever, but she didn't think it was possible. Lily and James were excused from Dumbledore's office, and they exited and they both had the same mood about them.
"Can you believe it?! You-Know-Who find you and me a threat to his 'future'! What did we ever do?!" Lily spat out angrily to James.
"I know, can you believe it?" James said bitterly. The two talked with bitterness towards the Dark Lord all the way to the common room.
"Should we tell our friends?" Lily asked him before they stepped through the portrait hole.
"I think I will, they'd be pissed if I didn't tell them, are you telling yours?"
"I'm not sure, Sirius and Remus will probably ask about it anyways, so I think so." Lily said with a shrug and entered the common room.
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Lily was so angered with her situation that she forgot to take her potion, and so on Christmas Eve Lily was troubled by a nightmare of truth, and she wasn't alone.
Lily looked around, she found herself in a dimly lit room with a large round table in the middle with seven chairs around it, including the one she sat in.
Instantly James appeared at her side, then Sirius, Remus. They gave each other questioning looks and before they could ask any questions Jimena and Sierra appeared on the other side of Lily leaving one space open next to her and with Jimena on the other side.
"Do you think that's for Peter?" Lily whispered to Jimena but the words had barely come out when the most feared person in the Wizarding World appeared in front of them. They all let out shrieks of fright, except Lily and James, who seemed used to what was going on.
"Afraid I see? You recognize me?" He said giving a hideous smile. Jimena and Lily scooted their chairs away from him. Lily could only wonder what was going on. Voldemort turned towards Lily and James and looked at them with disdain. "I warned the two of you to stay away from each other." And with that he flicked his wand and James and Lily were sitting on opposite ends of the table, with Lily still next to Voldemort.
James' and Lily's friends gave them looks that said 'What-the-hell-is-he- talking-about? Why-didn't-you-say-something?'
"I have the perfect plan, to rid you two of getting in my way; by making you join my side. Your friends will join too, for they put in a bit of an obstacle themselves." The teenagers could only wonder about what he was talking about. "I shall give you an offer you cannot refuse. Crucio!" He said pointing his wand at Lily. "I always love torturing little mud bloods, you won't join my death eaters, you will only serve them for their own…pleasures." Lily writhed in pain and was screaming out in pain, her friends tried to get to her, but he cast a spell that made them freeze.
When the dream was over Lily, Jimena and Sierra were screaming, and on the other side of the Gryffindor Tower so were three of the Marauders.
"Lily! Is THAT the kinds of dreams you were having?!" Sierra demanded, Lily tried to play innocent, but failed.
"Uh yeah, but never before have you guys been in it, that was so weird!" Lily was scared, she was worried for her friends now too, and for her self.
Jimena opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by two things: 1.) James, Sirius and Remus barged in through the door. 2.) Vanessa and Catty screaming; since they were awake anyways.
"Did-Did you guys have a dream that-." Lily cut Sirius off, and she motioned for them to go into the common room.
"Happy Christmas." Sierra muttered under her breath, but Lily heard it and muffled a laugh.
The six of them talked about the dream, and couldn't come up with much, Lily didn't tell them that it was in fact THE Voldemort, she didn't want to frighten them, after all he hadn't truly hurt her in the dream, but the words were real, and that was frightening enough.
They decided to open presents together in the common room, since they were already up anyways. Vanessa and Catty joined them, they were nice enough not to ask questions about the quote "Abominable Screaming Episode." as Catty had said later on.
Vanessa and Catty knew enough that they knew to keep a look out after Lily, but that was about it.
*~*~*~*~*
The rest of Christmas day were spent playing games, the Christmas feast, Lily walking in on Sierra and Sirius snogging. Then trying to get away and walking in with Sierra and Sirius on Jimena and Remus snogging.
Lily decided she would forever call this Christmas Day 'The Snogging Christmas at Hogwarts'.
Lily was running from her snogging friends when she stumbled into an empty room, even though she was supposed to be accompanied by someone at all times, she was disregarding that rule for the moment to hide from her friends who had started to chase her for quote from Sierra "Interrupting a special, private moment!" Lily fought down the giggles and hid behind an empty desk, then for the firs time she noticed a fire burning in the room.
Then Lily heard some one walk in the room, assuming it was Sierra, Sirius, Jimena, or Remus she stayed behind the desk hiding. When she heard a much higher pitched squeaky voice, she was shocked, 'what was he doing here?' Lily thought to herself. Then she heard another voice in the room, but no one had come in.
Lily listened to their conversation.
"The Master wants them t-tomorrow?" 'THE Master?' Lily thought worriedly, what was he talking about?
"Yes, as soon as possible, and don't screw up, or you'll pay dearly." Another cruel voice hissed.
"All-All right, he hasn't c-changed anything has he?"
"No, Potter and Evans must be taken care of and quickly."
"All-all right, I assure you everything will go as planned, don't worry." The squeaky voice of Peter Pettigrew said a bit more confident. Lily chanced a peek from behind the desk and noticed Peter was about to leave.
"PETER?!' Lily asked her voice filled with hurt from betrayal. "What were you DOING?!" Lily barely got another word out before Peter did the only Charm he was able to do well.
"Obliviate!" Lily passed out cold on the floor, and Peter fled from the room in a hurry. Sierra, Sirius, Jimena and Remus entered the room laughing but stopped abruptly when they saw the red head laying on the floor; out cold.
"What happened? Oh Lily! Oh my God!" Sierra yelled and ran to her best friend praying she was alive.
"Oh God." Jimena and Remus both said following Sierra. Sirius stood there a moment, and ran to get James.
Sirius ran to the common room where James was talking to Robert about Quidditch. "JAMES!" Sirius bellowed and jumped over a couch and reached his friend. "Lily- *Gasp* passed out *gasp* empty classroom *gasp*." James took off at top speed out the door dragging the tired Sirius behind him to show him the way.
"Where Sirius WHERE?!" James cried out as they headed down the corridor.
"DOWN *gasp* third door *gasp* 4th floor!" The two boys raced down the corridor and Sirius was soon left in the dust, so to speak.
James burst into the room where his four friends were hovering over Lily trying to wake her.
"Is she okay?! What the Hell happened!?" James demanded kneeling next to the still out cold Lily.
"We don't know she was just like this when we found her…She went off alone." Remus said shakily.
"Ennervate!" James shouted, and Lily's eyes fluttered open.
"What happened?" She croaked.
"That's what we wanted to ask you!" Jimena said drying her tears.
"I-I don't remember! Err why does this always happen to ME?" Lily said exasperated and a bit over whelmed by the situation.
"Oh Lils thank God your okay!" James whispered looking at her; his eyes filled with worry.
"The last thing I remember is walking in on Sirius and Sierra snogging…Not a pleasant memory." Lily said huffily.
"Yeah, that wasn't too long ago, then you, Sirius and me ran into Remus and Jimena snogging, and then you ran off and you disappeared we went looking for you and found you fifteen minutes later like this!" Sierra said.
Sirius barged in with Peter behind him, both looking pleased (sort of from peter) to see Lily awake.
"Ouch my head hurts…" Lily moaned and passed out again, James, Sierra, Sirius, Remus, Jimena and Peter, gave up on keeping her conscious and decided to take her to the hospital wing. James demanded that he carry her there, and got weird looks from the rest of his friends, but he didn't care, he wanted to take care of Lily.
James picked up Lily carefully, and carried her to the hospital wing with his friends behind him; he found out quickly that he LIKED carrying Lily, it felt right except for the part that she was out cold.
They got to the hospital wing, and were surprised to see Madam Pomfrey there; on Christmas Day doing work at her desk.
"Oh dear! What happened now?" Pomfrey demanded with concern, as James reluctantly set Lily down on an empty bed. Jimena and Remus did most of the explaining, saying they found Lily this way, and didn't know what happened.
"So we decided to bring her here." Jimena finished.
"Well, I guess she needs rest and I want YOU," She said pointed at James "To get Professor Dumbledore, the rest of you leave." Madam Pomfrey directed, and James went to get Professor Dumbledore.
James ran as fast as he could to Dumbledore's office, when he got to the statue he was pleased to see Dumbledore already coming out. James was out of breath and panting as he talked.
"Professor! *Gasp* Thank God I found you *Gasp*. Lily's in the *gasp* hospital wing *gasp*.
Dumbledore didn't wait any longer, and the two of them headed down to the hospital wing, with James explaining what had happened. They both suspected similar things; someone was trying to get to Lily or she'd seen something she shouldn't have.
When they entered the Hospital Wing, James and Dumbledore were surprised to see Lily fidgeting violently in her bed with Madam Pomfrey looking shocked at her actions. James knew immediately what had happened.
"Sleeping Draught; right now! Please?!" James shouted at Madam Pomfrey who with a look from Dumbledore gave it to him.
James drank it down quickly and fell asleep as soon as he laid his head on the bed next to Lily's.
James found himself in a dark place, and he could hear Lily's distance screams. I faint sound of water dripping could be heard, and it strongly reminded him of the dungeons. James' dream self ran after Lily's screams with urgency.
He found Lily running from a pack of snakes 'Ugh creepy' James thought and ran towards Lily not sure what he was going to do. He had a feeling that all he had to do was get to Lily and everything would be okay. He ran quickly and caught Lily by the arm, her eyes were wide with fright, and then the dream ended.
James and Lily both sat bolt upright in their beds, and looked at each other, then at Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey who were standing around them.
"Well done Mister Potter." Dumbledore congratulated.
Madam Pomfrey didn't look at all pleased, she made BOTH of them rest for the rest of the night even to their protests ("Please let us go; It's CHRISTMAS!") But Madam Pomfrey was unrelenting.
Nothing else could be done, they could only speculate, and keep an even closer watch on Lily. James and Lily tried to keep a strained conversation going for a while, and then went to sleep; when they got up the next morning, Madam Pomfrey let them leave and told them she didn't want to see them back there for the rest of the year.
The two were happy to obey.
Lily raced up to her dorm, and was met by four very worried girls.
"Lils you okay?" Jimena asked worriedly.
"Yup, fine there wasn't anything wrong with me except that I was knocked out for a while." Lily said, leaving out the part about the dream; they were used to stuff like that anyways; why worry them more?
"Lily, you have to stop getting yourself in trouble…you know like losing your memory every year-." Sierra started to say, but Lily interrupted.
"It has only happened…three times altogether, so keep quiet!" Lily spat out, ignoring her friends muffled giggles.
"Lily, just promise us you'll be more careful from now on, okay?" Jimena said in all seriousness.
"I promise I'll try, but I can't say nothing won't happen." Lily said bitterly.
"Well, at least you'll be trying; it will lower your chances…of anything happening if you aren't looking for trouble." Sierra said. Vanessa and Catty looked confused, but said nothing.
"Well, it seems you guys had a lousy Christmas." Vanessa said finally.
"Hell yeah, I never thought it could get THAT bad." Lily muttered.
"Hey Lily, I was wondering about something…do you STILL like James Potter?" Jimena said with an evil grin.
"Do I have to answer that?"
"Yes." Four voices answered at the same time.
"I don't like him, plus I doubt he even likes me after…" Lily still hadn't told them they'd gotten together on Halloween and then broken up right after; she didn't want them feeling sorry for her, and her pathetic love life; if you could call it that.
"Lily are you serious?" Jimena asked with suspicion.
"NO, Sirius is Sirius!" Lily said hoping to change the subject.
"Lily!" Sierra said warningly.
"Well, I'm pretty sure I don't like him, when I have no feelings for him!" Lily yelled.
"Okay, okay, okay we believe you!" Catty said shutting Lily up. Lily, was officially irritated, so she stomped off to her bed and covered her head with a pillow.
*~*~*~*~*
A/N GRRR I want to put in this new scene I've been thinking of for a long time; but I can't yet because I want to wait a bit and put in some new scenes, but…can't think of them!! (Did that make sense?) Now this chapter is really short…well it's longer then some but still short to me. So I hope you are happy, I've spent to days and this is where it gets me, staring at a blank screen, then running off to fan fiction and running away from this problem, but don't worry I'll have something up soon…I hope!! I will not let writer's block get in my way!!
*~Sierra~*
A/N I know it was happy last chapter, but do I ever let it be THAT easy for them…No course not! This chapter goes pretty fast…I have a tinge of writers block…so sorry…I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to start this, LOL the next day, but who cares, I have high standards and have a firm belief about updating every two days…not truly, but I wish everyone would!! And I wish that people wouldn't forget about their stories and leave you forever hanging at the death of your favorite character!! BTW I have 80 ReVIeWs!! Yeah!!! That's great for me!!! Can't believe it…**stares at computer screen with mouth open** Wow. No scratch that Hermione037 just gave me 81!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How can I change the font? Every time I upload it comes out how you guys see it! Anybody know how to change it?
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CHAPTER 22
Lily and James went to bed ignoring their friends questions, and were quite content and for a while the world continued its perfect ness; but as most everyone knows, such good things mean something terrible is about to happen.
Lily woke up and something didn't feel right, she got dressed quickly and ran down to the common room, and met four distraught boys hovering over a piece of parchment which Lily figured to be a letter.
*~*~*~*~*
James stared at the letter that had just told him his parents had been murdered by Lord Voldemort; and fought the tears and felt an extreme amount of pain. He went to see his friends in the common room, and handed Sirius the letter who read it and his face looked sad. The same looks came from Peter and Remus.
James couldn't believe they were dead. One minute everything was perfect, and then his parents are murdered. A dark emptiness filled him, and he didn't seem to hear his friends' words of comfort.
Then Lily came into the room, her face was filled with concern, James wanted her to hug him and comfort him, but he had something to do the exact opposite of what he really wanted. Lily came over to see what was gong on, and Remus handed her the letter and James stared up blankly at her.
"Oh James I'm so sorry." Lily said and went to hug him, but he pushed her away, Lily was taken-a-back.
"Lily," James' voice was strained. "I need to talk to you for a minute…alone." And he pulled her out of the room. Out side the portrait hole they stood there a moment and James was thinking about what to say when Lily spoke up.
"Um, what is it James?" Lily said nervously. "Do you need to talk?"
'Lily knows what it's like to have your parents murdered.' James thought sadly, James cleared his throat. "Lily, I-I don't think it will work out between us, and…I think we should stop right here and now."
Lily's eyes widened in shock, first it had been her; not wanting to be together, now the tables had turned and he was the one breaking them apart.
"Erm, may I ask WHY?" Lily asked hurt filling her voice.
"My parents they died Lily, it WILL happen to us, he'll kill us, I know it, you know it. It's destiny, and at this moment I don't like that fact that I can't choose it." Just the night before he'd been saying to go along with it… What was Lily going to say about that?
He expected her to yell at him, lecture him, cry, scream, hit him, or at least something drastic, he didn't expect her to say nothing and just walk away…it seemed to simple. But that's what she did, and James stood there alone for a few minutes as she went off somewhere, and James finally went back into the common room. He couldn't stand his friends for much longer so he went to bed and stayed there for the rest of they day.
*~*~*~*~*
Lily retreated to the Hogwarts Grounds. She walked around the lake once, twice, three times and few more times; finally it was dark and she was starving she'd been outside all day. Being November first it was a bit chilly and so she went in the Great Hall finally and was met with the concerned faces of her best friends, Lily shrugged them off telling them that she needed more time to think, she ate a quick dinner and went up to bed.
Lily had a problem going to sleep would normally make SOME people better, but to Lily who wasn't SOME people, it only made it worse.
Lily was in another nightmare, that week all she had was nightmares, and it was making her exhausted and sick, and it was showing through. This time her nightmare was clear and had a detailed message from Voldemort himself. Lily was tied up on the ground he looked down at her and hissed something she didn't understand. Then he spoke in English. "You will die, I told you to leave Potter alone, now you will face my wrath. I don't like to kill couples separately, it's not as fun, but MAYBE this time I will make an exception." Lily wanted to tell him she and James weren't a couple but she couldn't speak.
Lily woke up drenched in sweat, she calmed her self down and hurried to take a shower. The dream, she knew some how that Voldemort had been sending her messages, but she wasn't sure how yet. She should probably ask Dumbledore, but she was afraid of what he would say. Would he yell at her for not coming sooner? No, he wasn't like that. Would she find out something she was better off not knowing? She should probably talk to James and ask him if he'd been having stranger dreams lately, but she hadn't talked to him since November first, and that was a week ago.
Lily had a feeling something terrible was going to happen, something worse then before, she knew it; and she couldn't' say anything because she didn't want anyone to worry anymore.
She was sick of being abnormal, she wanted to be like Vanessa and Catty whose worries were limited compared to hers. She hated it so much, she couldn't date the boy she liked, because the Curse, or that maybe he didn't like her at all anymore. Lily hated the feeling of knowing something awful was going to happen, and yet she was powerless to stop it, since she had no idea what it was.
James wasn't doing any better; if anything he was worse. He moped around the school like a zombie. If anyone talked to him he only snapped at them, and he became with drawn from everyone, and when Lily looked at him; she saw something she hadn't expected to see, fear. Maybe he had the same feeling she did, Lily's was worried that she might not live to see seventh year; after all when a evil murdering wizard is after you get used to the idea, but Lily was worrying about it worse then ever and was giving up her hopes on having a future farther then the end of schooling.
Lily tried to cover up the way she felt while she was with her friends, Sierra and Jimena were busy with Sirius and Remus for the most part, so it wasn't often they were together. Lily struggled with her school work, since worry filled her up, and her concentration was lousy.
Finally Lily couldn't take it anymore, she went up to see Dumbledore, and being prefect she knew the password. "Lemon Drops" Lily said and the statue jumped aside and let her enter his office which she had been to a few times to talk about the curse, and was getting quite familiar with it.
Lily planned to tell Dumbledore she'd been having nightmares for a long time about Voldemort, and ask him if it was something she should be worried about. When she got there, Dumbledore looked pleased to see her.
"Miss Evans, do sit down; tea?" Lily shook her head.
"Um, Professor I need to talk to you about something important. It's about these dreams I've been having."
"Ah, dreams such fascinating things." He said with amusement.
"Err, I was wondering if there were any way that You-Know-who is able to get into people's dreams and…speak to them?" Lily asked nervously, Dumbledore's face went solemn.
"I'm sorry to say there is. Have you been having visions lately?" He inquired.
"Yes, several, for a long time now." Lily described the many dreams she had had, and what had happened. "The other night he told me I was going to be killed…by him I assume."
"That is not very good news I'm afraid, but there's nothing we can do. Just keep a good look out, don't go anywhere alone, and Quidditch practice is the ONLY time I will allow you to be on the grounds. Same rule Jimena had been following all year, to protect her self. You must be careful. Lily, you have a great future ahead of you, many Divinators have predicted you have an important role in the Wizarding World's future, and you must be kept safe; as you already know many precautions were taken. Gryffindor Heirs have been known to have highly important roles."
"Um, Professor, I was wondering if, well, maybe there was some way to change who is chosen to be the next…Erm… you know the person who mothers the next heir?" Lily blushed deep crimson; she hated talking about this with her Professor.
"I will not answer that, if I was in your situation, I would like to know that I was in control of my life, and not some curse. Isn't that how you and Mister Potter are feeling?"
"Yes, well I know I am, but I haven't talked to him in a while."
"Ah, yes since his parents passed I've noticed he's taken to…Not speaking with anyone. Quite sad, people push away their friends when they need them most." Dumbledore said shaking his head. Lily didn't know what to say to that so she just kept quiet. "Now, there is something interesting I found out about the curse, that I found interesting, it has to do with dreams. Sometimes you can predict the future, and it will affect those around you, I was reading about a case of Lady Catalina she predicted her own death and her husband's Godric Gryffindor. Has anything unusual happened to you lately?" Lily shook her head, and excused her self from the office.
'I'm going to be murdered by Voldemort and so is my husband!' Lily thought worriedly, it only proved her fears true; Voldemort was going to kill her, but hopefully not in the near future. Then Lily's thoughts went to a place they went frequently 'James could be my husband, it almost seems…no, no, no I'm not marrying him and that's the end of it. Even if it all fits together I'm not marrying HIM.' Lily told herself firmly, and went back to Gryffindor tower to enjoy her weekend.
The visit with Dumbledore didn't help her any, it just kept her confined to the school and the Quidditch pitch, and when she went to Herbology she was followed closely by a pack of friends. She didn't get any alone time anymore, and she was craving the out doors, even though it was cold out.
So altogether; November was a sad, depressing month and neither James nor Lily were happy about it. Lily wasn't aloud to go to Hogsmeade either, and she was MAD about that. Her friends would bring her back things and would continuously ask her why, but Lily kept her mouth shut and didn't say a word about her situation with Voldemort.
Lily's nightmares didn't get better, she was becoming afraid of sleep, and spent her nights reading or studying instead of sleeping. She always had dark circles under her eyes, and her Quidditch skills were dropping since she had to fight herself to stay awake, and if she hadn't been so busy with her own problems, she would have noticed the similar changes in James.
Lily was for once looking forward to the holidays, Sierra and Jimena were both staying, and Mindy was going home to visit her dad. Lily also found out the Vanessa and Catty was staying. So for the first time in all her years t Hogwarts Lily was going to be in a full dorm.
Everyone was getting excited about Christmas Holidays…Except Lily who barely said a word about it. One day she found her self cornered in her dorm by Sierra and Jimena.
"Lils we're worried about you." Jimena started to say.
"You're sick and tired all the time." Sierra interrupted.
"You wake up screaming in your sleep."
"You've been acting quiet, which isn't like you."
"We know your hiding something."
"So spill the beans!" Sierra finished with a muggle expression.
"It just these night mares…They worse then normal, then ever before! Its keeping me awake, I'm so afraid to sleep. That's all it's about really; I just need more sleep is all."
"Maybe Madam Pomfrey can get you a dreamless sleep potion, I've heard of those." Jimena suggested.
"Really? Do you think she'd give it to me like a prescription?" Lily asked hopefully.
"Uh what's a prescription?" Sierra asked confused.
"What I mean is will she give me one until my dreams get better?" 'Whenever that is.' Lily thought angrily to her self.
"I'm sure Madam Pomfrey will love to help, I'm just sorry you didn't tell us sooner, we could have had this problem solved ages ago!"
Lily was able to get the potion, and used it often when she needed it. Though it didn't take care of that feeling that never left her sub- conscious. Lily was even more worried as Christmas approached, and she tried to shrug the feeling away, but it stuck with her, and it was driving Lily crazy.
Lily would be walking the halls with Sierra and Jimena and if someone came up behind them she'd scream bloody murder. Lily would apologize and then mumble something under her breath like "Stupid curse, I wish I could take it off."
Christmas Eve brought back memories of the year before, and made Lily smile, even if the happy memories always led to sad ones. Then that put Lily in a bad mood and this wasn't a good thing for the Marauders…
The Marauders had a reputation for doing pranks, but were never caught, but that didn't work when they dumped itching powder in the sixth year's girls' dorm.
Lily and The Marauders had a serious hex fight and Lily ended up growing and extra ear and her arm had fingers growing out all over the place, but she didn't come out half as bad as the Marauders, who were missing pieces of their bodies, and were turned into different colors.
They ended up at the Hospital Wing for an hour being treated by Madam Pomfrey who clucked at them and didn't even ask what had happened. While they were getting ready to leave Madam Pomfrey asked an innocent question, which got Lily tons of annoying ones from the Marauders.
"So is that dreamless sleep potion still working? Need anymore?"
"Uh, no I'm fine thanks." The Marauders stared at Lily; she suspected they knew something about her nightmares, but she wasn't for sure. When they got out of there Sirius was the first one to start asking her questions.
"Lily, why are YOU taking a dreamless sleep potion?" He said sounding like a mother.
"BECAUSE I wasn't able to sleep for a month because my nightmares were terrorizing me." Lily said simply, but the boys were satisfied with that answer. They kept asking and asking and asking about what was in the dreams, even James showed an interest. AS they walked through the hallway though they ran into Professor Dumbledore.
"Ah, Mister Potter, Miss Evans, may I see you in my office a moment." The two teenagers nodded glumly and went into his office, and Lily noticed how worried his eyes looked.
"What do you need Professor?" James asked after they'd sat there for a moment in silence.
"Well, I guess there's only one way to tell you this, but…I have found out from some inside sources that your names have been moved to the top of Voldemort's hit list." Dumbledore said gravely.
"WHAT?!" Lily and James yelled at the same time.
"As I have told both of you separately, Voldemort finds you as a threat and wants to get it over with quickly before something happens. I just wanted to tell you so you should be on extra guard, I'm sorry to tell you on Christmas Eve, but it had to be said as soon as possible."
Lily was mad, her Christmas was completely ruined. She hated this mess, she wished there was a way to take the curse off her forever, but she didn't think it was possible. Lily and James were excused from Dumbledore's office, and they exited and they both had the same mood about them.
"Can you believe it?! You-Know-Who find you and me a threat to his 'future'! What did we ever do?!" Lily spat out angrily to James.
"I know, can you believe it?" James said bitterly. The two talked with bitterness towards the Dark Lord all the way to the common room.
"Should we tell our friends?" Lily asked him before they stepped through the portrait hole.
"I think I will, they'd be pissed if I didn't tell them, are you telling yours?"
"I'm not sure, Sirius and Remus will probably ask about it anyways, so I think so." Lily said with a shrug and entered the common room.
*~*~*~*~*
Lily was so angered with her situation that she forgot to take her potion, and so on Christmas Eve Lily was troubled by a nightmare of truth, and she wasn't alone.
Lily looked around, she found herself in a dimly lit room with a large round table in the middle with seven chairs around it, including the one she sat in.
Instantly James appeared at her side, then Sirius, Remus. They gave each other questioning looks and before they could ask any questions Jimena and Sierra appeared on the other side of Lily leaving one space open next to her and with Jimena on the other side.
"Do you think that's for Peter?" Lily whispered to Jimena but the words had barely come out when the most feared person in the Wizarding World appeared in front of them. They all let out shrieks of fright, except Lily and James, who seemed used to what was going on.
"Afraid I see? You recognize me?" He said giving a hideous smile. Jimena and Lily scooted their chairs away from him. Lily could only wonder what was going on. Voldemort turned towards Lily and James and looked at them with disdain. "I warned the two of you to stay away from each other." And with that he flicked his wand and James and Lily were sitting on opposite ends of the table, with Lily still next to Voldemort.
James' and Lily's friends gave them looks that said 'What-the-hell-is-he- talking-about? Why-didn't-you-say-something?'
"I have the perfect plan, to rid you two of getting in my way; by making you join my side. Your friends will join too, for they put in a bit of an obstacle themselves." The teenagers could only wonder about what he was talking about. "I shall give you an offer you cannot refuse. Crucio!" He said pointing his wand at Lily. "I always love torturing little mud bloods, you won't join my death eaters, you will only serve them for their own…pleasures." Lily writhed in pain and was screaming out in pain, her friends tried to get to her, but he cast a spell that made them freeze.
When the dream was over Lily, Jimena and Sierra were screaming, and on the other side of the Gryffindor Tower so were three of the Marauders.
"Lily! Is THAT the kinds of dreams you were having?!" Sierra demanded, Lily tried to play innocent, but failed.
"Uh yeah, but never before have you guys been in it, that was so weird!" Lily was scared, she was worried for her friends now too, and for her self.
Jimena opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by two things: 1.) James, Sirius and Remus barged in through the door. 2.) Vanessa and Catty screaming; since they were awake anyways.
"Did-Did you guys have a dream that-." Lily cut Sirius off, and she motioned for them to go into the common room.
"Happy Christmas." Sierra muttered under her breath, but Lily heard it and muffled a laugh.
The six of them talked about the dream, and couldn't come up with much, Lily didn't tell them that it was in fact THE Voldemort, she didn't want to frighten them, after all he hadn't truly hurt her in the dream, but the words were real, and that was frightening enough.
They decided to open presents together in the common room, since they were already up anyways. Vanessa and Catty joined them, they were nice enough not to ask questions about the quote "Abominable Screaming Episode." as Catty had said later on.
Vanessa and Catty knew enough that they knew to keep a look out after Lily, but that was about it.
*~*~*~*~*
The rest of Christmas day were spent playing games, the Christmas feast, Lily walking in on Sierra and Sirius snogging. Then trying to get away and walking in with Sierra and Sirius on Jimena and Remus snogging.
Lily decided she would forever call this Christmas Day 'The Snogging Christmas at Hogwarts'.
Lily was running from her snogging friends when she stumbled into an empty room, even though she was supposed to be accompanied by someone at all times, she was disregarding that rule for the moment to hide from her friends who had started to chase her for quote from Sierra "Interrupting a special, private moment!" Lily fought down the giggles and hid behind an empty desk, then for the firs time she noticed a fire burning in the room.
Then Lily heard some one walk in the room, assuming it was Sierra, Sirius, Jimena, or Remus she stayed behind the desk hiding. When she heard a much higher pitched squeaky voice, she was shocked, 'what was he doing here?' Lily thought to herself. Then she heard another voice in the room, but no one had come in.
Lily listened to their conversation.
"The Master wants them t-tomorrow?" 'THE Master?' Lily thought worriedly, what was he talking about?
"Yes, as soon as possible, and don't screw up, or you'll pay dearly." Another cruel voice hissed.
"All-All right, he hasn't c-changed anything has he?"
"No, Potter and Evans must be taken care of and quickly."
"All-all right, I assure you everything will go as planned, don't worry." The squeaky voice of Peter Pettigrew said a bit more confident. Lily chanced a peek from behind the desk and noticed Peter was about to leave.
"PETER?!' Lily asked her voice filled with hurt from betrayal. "What were you DOING?!" Lily barely got another word out before Peter did the only Charm he was able to do well.
"Obliviate!" Lily passed out cold on the floor, and Peter fled from the room in a hurry. Sierra, Sirius, Jimena and Remus entered the room laughing but stopped abruptly when they saw the red head laying on the floor; out cold.
"What happened? Oh Lily! Oh my God!" Sierra yelled and ran to her best friend praying she was alive.
"Oh God." Jimena and Remus both said following Sierra. Sirius stood there a moment, and ran to get James.
Sirius ran to the common room where James was talking to Robert about Quidditch. "JAMES!" Sirius bellowed and jumped over a couch and reached his friend. "Lily- *Gasp* passed out *gasp* empty classroom *gasp*." James took off at top speed out the door dragging the tired Sirius behind him to show him the way.
"Where Sirius WHERE?!" James cried out as they headed down the corridor.
"DOWN *gasp* third door *gasp* 4th floor!" The two boys raced down the corridor and Sirius was soon left in the dust, so to speak.
James burst into the room where his four friends were hovering over Lily trying to wake her.
"Is she okay?! What the Hell happened!?" James demanded kneeling next to the still out cold Lily.
"We don't know she was just like this when we found her…She went off alone." Remus said shakily.
"Ennervate!" James shouted, and Lily's eyes fluttered open.
"What happened?" She croaked.
"That's what we wanted to ask you!" Jimena said drying her tears.
"I-I don't remember! Err why does this always happen to ME?" Lily said exasperated and a bit over whelmed by the situation.
"Oh Lils thank God your okay!" James whispered looking at her; his eyes filled with worry.
"The last thing I remember is walking in on Sirius and Sierra snogging…Not a pleasant memory." Lily said huffily.
"Yeah, that wasn't too long ago, then you, Sirius and me ran into Remus and Jimena snogging, and then you ran off and you disappeared we went looking for you and found you fifteen minutes later like this!" Sierra said.
Sirius barged in with Peter behind him, both looking pleased (sort of from peter) to see Lily awake.
"Ouch my head hurts…" Lily moaned and passed out again, James, Sierra, Sirius, Remus, Jimena and Peter, gave up on keeping her conscious and decided to take her to the hospital wing. James demanded that he carry her there, and got weird looks from the rest of his friends, but he didn't care, he wanted to take care of Lily.
James picked up Lily carefully, and carried her to the hospital wing with his friends behind him; he found out quickly that he LIKED carrying Lily, it felt right except for the part that she was out cold.
They got to the hospital wing, and were surprised to see Madam Pomfrey there; on Christmas Day doing work at her desk.
"Oh dear! What happened now?" Pomfrey demanded with concern, as James reluctantly set Lily down on an empty bed. Jimena and Remus did most of the explaining, saying they found Lily this way, and didn't know what happened.
"So we decided to bring her here." Jimena finished.
"Well, I guess she needs rest and I want YOU," She said pointed at James "To get Professor Dumbledore, the rest of you leave." Madam Pomfrey directed, and James went to get Professor Dumbledore.
James ran as fast as he could to Dumbledore's office, when he got to the statue he was pleased to see Dumbledore already coming out. James was out of breath and panting as he talked.
"Professor! *Gasp* Thank God I found you *Gasp*. Lily's in the *gasp* hospital wing *gasp*.
Dumbledore didn't wait any longer, and the two of them headed down to the hospital wing, with James explaining what had happened. They both suspected similar things; someone was trying to get to Lily or she'd seen something she shouldn't have.
When they entered the Hospital Wing, James and Dumbledore were surprised to see Lily fidgeting violently in her bed with Madam Pomfrey looking shocked at her actions. James knew immediately what had happened.
"Sleeping Draught; right now! Please?!" James shouted at Madam Pomfrey who with a look from Dumbledore gave it to him.
James drank it down quickly and fell asleep as soon as he laid his head on the bed next to Lily's.
James found himself in a dark place, and he could hear Lily's distance screams. I faint sound of water dripping could be heard, and it strongly reminded him of the dungeons. James' dream self ran after Lily's screams with urgency.
He found Lily running from a pack of snakes 'Ugh creepy' James thought and ran towards Lily not sure what he was going to do. He had a feeling that all he had to do was get to Lily and everything would be okay. He ran quickly and caught Lily by the arm, her eyes were wide with fright, and then the dream ended.
James and Lily both sat bolt upright in their beds, and looked at each other, then at Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey who were standing around them.
"Well done Mister Potter." Dumbledore congratulated.
Madam Pomfrey didn't look at all pleased, she made BOTH of them rest for the rest of the night even to their protests ("Please let us go; It's CHRISTMAS!") But Madam Pomfrey was unrelenting.
Nothing else could be done, they could only speculate, and keep an even closer watch on Lily. James and Lily tried to keep a strained conversation going for a while, and then went to sleep; when they got up the next morning, Madam Pomfrey let them leave and told them she didn't want to see them back there for the rest of the year.
The two were happy to obey.
Lily raced up to her dorm, and was met by four very worried girls.
"Lils you okay?" Jimena asked worriedly.
"Yup, fine there wasn't anything wrong with me except that I was knocked out for a while." Lily said, leaving out the part about the dream; they were used to stuff like that anyways; why worry them more?
"Lily, you have to stop getting yourself in trouble…you know like losing your memory every year-." Sierra started to say, but Lily interrupted.
"It has only happened…three times altogether, so keep quiet!" Lily spat out, ignoring her friends muffled giggles.
"Lily, just promise us you'll be more careful from now on, okay?" Jimena said in all seriousness.
"I promise I'll try, but I can't say nothing won't happen." Lily said bitterly.
"Well, at least you'll be trying; it will lower your chances…of anything happening if you aren't looking for trouble." Sierra said. Vanessa and Catty looked confused, but said nothing.
"Well, it seems you guys had a lousy Christmas." Vanessa said finally.
"Hell yeah, I never thought it could get THAT bad." Lily muttered.
"Hey Lily, I was wondering about something…do you STILL like James Potter?" Jimena said with an evil grin.
"Do I have to answer that?"
"Yes." Four voices answered at the same time.
"I don't like him, plus I doubt he even likes me after…" Lily still hadn't told them they'd gotten together on Halloween and then broken up right after; she didn't want them feeling sorry for her, and her pathetic love life; if you could call it that.
"Lily are you serious?" Jimena asked with suspicion.
"NO, Sirius is Sirius!" Lily said hoping to change the subject.
"Lily!" Sierra said warningly.
"Well, I'm pretty sure I don't like him, when I have no feelings for him!" Lily yelled.
"Okay, okay, okay we believe you!" Catty said shutting Lily up. Lily, was officially irritated, so she stomped off to her bed and covered her head with a pillow.
*~*~*~*~*
A/N GRRR I want to put in this new scene I've been thinking of for a long time; but I can't yet because I want to wait a bit and put in some new scenes, but…can't think of them!! (Did that make sense?) Now this chapter is really short…well it's longer then some but still short to me. So I hope you are happy, I've spent to days and this is where it gets me, staring at a blank screen, then running off to fan fiction and running away from this problem, but don't worry I'll have something up soon…I hope!! I will not let writer's block get in my way!!
*~Sierra~*