A/N edited and did a bit or re-writing on all the chapters. Not much, just
a little bit here and there. The most obvious thing changed is Kate's
surname becoming Starr and Jane's Byrd. (I adore the 'Emily' novels!)
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to the amazing JK, characters, parts of the plot etc. Anything that doesn't belong to her or to anybody else belongs to little ol' me.
Summery: The Marauders and the girls' sixth year is going to be a blast! Romance, Pranks, Muggle Songs, Animagi, fights a weird DADA but also Death Eaters, Voldemort and Deaths!!! L/J L/SS SB/OC RL/OC. Oh, and a mystery with a magical sword .
There Is No Such Thing As Fate
Chapter Ten: A Lazy Sunday
"I think we're far enough." James whispered and pulled off the invisibility cloak.
Sirius stretched himself. "You ought to find some spell to make this cloak bigger Prongs." He exclaimed at him while Peter nodded.
James, however, wasn't listening. He reached for the pocket of his robes and pulled out a little bottle, which contained some sort of a silvery- purple liquid. Immediately Sirius and Peter's expressions changed. "Have you got the moonstone roots, Sirius?" James addressed his friend, still surveying the bottle with a severe, determinate stare. Sirius nodded and handed it to James, who took it and stuffed it into the bottle. He stirred the mixture cautiously and looked up at his friends for the first time. "You're ready?" They both nodded sternly.
He gulped down quarter of the liquid and handed Sirius the bottle, which he took and swallowed down his share as well. Peter gave a slight whimper, when he held the rest and then sipped it. The liquid was ice cold, and seemed to freeze their insides. Peter gave a louder whimper, Sirius shut his eyes tightly and James grimaced.
Then it was gone, and James knew he had no time to spare. He shut his eyes and focused his mind's eye on the picture of the stag. And once the image was clear in his head he felt himself drop on four and his inner and outer parts transformed rapidly. And when he opened his eyes he wasn't human anymore.
The stag cast a swift glance over the surroundings. James tossed a glance at his sides, to make sure the others were ready as well, and then started galloping towards the Whomping Willow.
When he finally stood in front of it he came to a halt. They didn't have to communicate between them; they already knew what were their jobs. He watched as the little grey rat zigzagged between the Willow's mad branches and finally prodded the little knot engraved in it. The Willow froze, and they entered the large gap that was revealed between the Willow's roots.
And right then, the howling began. Full of agony and sadness the howling were fierce and one of the most frightening things he ever heard. And what made it more frightening was the fact that they came from a body that controlled one of his best friends. Remus.
James couldn't suppress himself, he gave a great leap and started running down the tunnel. He could hear Padfoot's light paces and Wormtail's tiny scatterings behind him. The tunnel sloped up and he with it, he galloped into the room at the end.
And there he stood. The werewolf. The werewolf - who was Remus's entirely opposite in too many ways. It growled at him and started circling and sniffing him. James followed him with his eyes only. Then the werewolf brushed against him in a recognizing manner. If stags could smile, James would be grinning right now.
He watched as Moony preformed the same ritual with the two others. When it was completed the four friends shared a long silence looking at each other. Then suddenly the stag stomped his hoof against the floor. With an excited bark Padfoot leaped forward and to the outside, followed by Moony and Prongs and Wormtail, who kept a close guard on him from behind.
They arrived at the outskirts of the forest and rushed right in. Once a month Wormtail, Moony, Padfoot and Prongs ruled the night...
A lazy Sunday crept over the huge castle yet again. It was one of the last days of sunshine and Lily decided to make a good use of it. She was sprawled on a neat patch of grass near the lake with a book in her lap and her discman near her. She shut her eyes feeling completely peaceful.
Sometimes she found it nicer to stay alone. Jane was tutoring Peter up in the common room, Remus had gone home to visit his sick mother on Friday, Kate was up in the dorm doing some crosswords on her bed, Sirius had gone to the Owlery to send a letter to his siblings and father and James was working it off at the Quidditch pitch.
Lily gave a little dreamy sigh. Lately she didn't really know how to feel about him, around him. It was very fine pretending they're just friends when the whole group was together but when they were alone, or when he simply gave her that look... Then it was a completely different story.
A small smile crept towards her lips. It felt so... good, to think about him. Lily rolled over on her stomach and slowly opened her eyes. She caught a glimpse of a few first years having an animated conversation near Hagrid's pumpkin patch and was very pleased to see Liarna with them.
She waved at her and she waved back. Ever since she and Liarna had that talk she kept an eye on her. But it seemed the Slytherins were calming down a bit... And speaking of Slytherins
Severus Snape was crossing the grounds looking particularly grim and in a foul mood. Lily frowned for a minute at him and then called him.
"Severus!" He however, was completely oblivious to her calling. She tried yet again. Although he seemed very upset and preoccupied she thought he might actually appreciate someone helping him in whatever it was.
"Oy! Severus!!!" She yelled, making a couple of birds and a pair of passing third years to jump, and finally got his attention. His head snapped towards her and he looked as if he was going to say something rude but, recognizing her, his expression immediately softened.
She waved at him and his lips curled into a small smile. She motioned him to come - he obeyed.
"Hello." She said as he finally got there. He nodded at her. She put her hand on her forehead to protect her eyes from the sun and looked up at him. He seemed oddly formal and very out of place. Unlike her, he was wearing his robes even today and their black, and him himself, seemed to somehow go against the happiness all around him.
Or maybe Lily was just weird. "Sit down." She patted the patch of grass near her.
"Thank you," He replied. "But I feel quite comfortable standing."
She knew he wasn't mad at her. Not really anyway. "The grass isn't poisonous you know."
"Are you sure?" She rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes I'm quite sure," She replied and got hand of the end of his robes. "Now sit. Down." She tugged him and he finally sighed and sat down near her.
"There you see? That wasn't so bad. Nothing happened." He didn't reply and she knew that she won in this one. He amused her very much. Not his bad mood but he himself. He was so different from others... she found him quite interesting. And she couldn't stand here and see him drown in his bad mood, not in this kind of weather. "Now, what's the matter?"
"Nothing's the matter." He replied simply, looking not at her, but at the giant squid that was bathing in the sun.
"And how's life?" She asked and he looked at her funnily.
"Life," He started and sighed, as if considering how exactly to put it. "Are simply splendid." The amount of sarcasm in his voice was astonishing.
"I'm sure it's not all bad, isn't it?" She yawned and got up into a sitting position beside him. "Besides, what can be so horrible in a day like this?"
"Too many things." He said.
She laughed and gave him a little shove. "Oh nonsense."
For a second he just looked at her, a bit surprised by her action, but then he smiled as well.
"Aha! You smiled! I knew it's not that bad!!!" She waved her fist winningly and grinned. "Knew it."
"You know quite a lot of things don't you?" He asked amused, his bad mood just seemed to disappear.
"I suppose." She held her nose up high. "More then some anyway."
"More then me?" He asked in mock-shock.
"Why not?" She started laughing and he joined her.
James hoisted his broom on his shoulder and walked out of the Quidditch pitch. Even though he was sweaty and exhausted he didn't feel tried at all and walked happily back to the castle. Or, more precisely, towards the grounds, where he noticed a certain Gryffindor reading earlier.
Lily was... oh he just couldn't describe it anymore. She was there, and it made him so happy. And sometimes, but he was probably imagining it, he thought they shared something that was a bit different then usual.
He recognized her hair from afar, but when he recognized another person next to her he came to a halt. Severus Snape. He hated the mere name. But she... She didn't seem to at all. They were sitting there and talking and enjoying themselves. James didn't seem to process this and 'how' and 'why' kept popping in his head. She wasn't supposed to sit with Snape, she was supposed to sit with him! She was supposed to talk and enjoy herself with him and not that stinking Slytherin!
He watched them for a while, hoping very much she'll notice him and call him over and send that- thing away, but she didn't even seemed to see him. *This is ridiculous!* He suddenly realize. *If I want to talk to her I should just go and do it!*
He started striding in their direction.
"Hey Lily." He said when they were a few feet apart. She turned around and grinned at him.
"Hey James! How are you?"
"I'm fine, just got back from Quidditch."
"Yeah, I can see from your robes." She remarked amused.
"Right." He replied sheepishly. "So... you've just been reading here?" He was very pleased to see Snape's irritated expression.
"I was... then me and Severus talked and all. Isn't it such a lovely day?"
"It sure is." He smiled at her and then sighed and whipped his forehead. "Can I sit down for a bit? It's really hot and exhausting."
"Sure!"
He sat down and slightly bumped into her. She blushed a little and looked down to hide it.
Clearly forgotten Severus Snape coughed. Lily turned to him. "Oh Severus-"
"I have to go, didn't finish my star chart yet." Lily looked disappointed.
"Can't you just stay for a little bit? I mean-"
"No, sadly enough, I can't. I have thing to do. Now if you'll excuse me." He got up, he's tone very cold. Lily held her arm and opened her mouth but decided against it and shut it again. She nodded at him and he strode off, his robes billowing.
James, feeling every bit satisfied with himself, leaned towards Lily. "And what book are you know wasting your time on?" He teased.
Tearing her eyes from the disappearing figure Lily put her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know Mr. Potter that reading books is not a waste of time..."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"Don't you 'yeah, yeah' me! If you would have taken some of the time you spend with Sirius doing god knows what nonsense and instead try to read something you would have quickly realized that-"
"Yeah, yeah..."
"See? You got it!" Jane smiled happily at Peter, who finally mastered the spell. Peter beamed at her and she smiled at him. "Is there anything else you want to learn?"
Peter shook his head. "No that's about it, but can I hire you before the exams?"
She laughed. "You don't need to hire me Peter! I don't need a return for tutoring you." He joined her laughing. "Honestly, we're friends!" She added making Peter's laugh stop abruptly. He fixed a meaningful look at her.
Jane stopped laughing as well. Something changed; she felt it in the air around them. Did she say something wrong?
Peter looked away and she felt relived, but she couldn't explain why. She rested her elbow on the table in front of them and put her chin in her palm, absent mindedly taping the table with her fingers. She looked out of the window to the grounds. Everything seemed so quiet and peaceful - just the time for surprising unexpected events to happen. It would be so great to take part in an adventure... something that will drive her out of the normalcy. Something new, different, exciting. Or better - Someone new, different and exciting.
"I, er-need to finish a letter in the dorm so I'm up okay?" Peter's voice cut her train of thoughts. She looked up at him and nodded, giving him a small smile. "Thanks for all your help." She waved her arm dismissively.
He walked up and he head was once again somewhere far away. She sighed. Nothing was going to happen here. Especially if she'll just keep on sitting there, she realized. At once she got to her feet. Pulling her hair into a ponytail and wearing a look of determination she stepped out of the portrait hole. She had no idea where her feet were leading her but she let them at it. She passed a large corridor on the fourth floor when she noticed a flicker in the corner of her eye. She turned her head around immediately, still walking, but saw nothing. The corridor was dark and she tried focusing her eyes of the dark behind her. She knew there was something there. She kept walking, her head turned around. She was just about to pull out her wand as the corridor bended but someone crashed into her making her drop to the floor.
She moaned feeling her sore forehead and finally reached for her wand. "Lumos." She whispered and a face was reviled in front of her. Dark blue eyes, dark ginger hair and many freckles were spread over a face that looked torn between a pained and a thoughtful expression.
"I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed getting up to her knees. With her wand light she noticed many books and parchments spread over the floor. She started collecting them for him.
"That's okay." He got to his knees as well and started loading his hands with the rest of the things she didn't collect.
"No, really I am! My friends always say my daydreaming causes too much problems. I was just certain something was behind me and-"
"It really is okay." He smiled at her reassuringly. "And daydreaming is wonderful."
She halted and looked up at him. "You really think so?" She never heard someone say anything like this.
He nodded fierce fully. "Of course." Excitement spread in her. "What do daydream about?"
She blushed and looked down. "It's kind of personal." She started playing with her ponytail, this guy made her twitchy.
"Ah," He said tried to catch her eyes. "I see." She blushed even redder. Finally he collected everything and they both got up. "I don't believe we actually introduced ourselves."
"But of course!" She exclaimed. "My name is Jane Smith and I'm a Gryffindor sixth year."
He nodded at her, took out his wand and magicked a single rose. "? ? and I'm a Ravenclaw seventh year."
She bowed to him. "How lovely." He handed her the flower and she smiled at him sweetly.
"I must go, but I assume I'll see you around?"
"Certainly." She nodded and with a swift he was gone. Jane leaned upon the cold stone wall, closed her eyes and exhaled the flower in her hand. There was something about him. She could feel it. He was new. Well not really, she saw him at the Ravenclaw table sometimes but she didn't really *see* him. And he was different, oh yes. You couldn't pin point it but you knew it without a doubt. And exciting? Jane hoped so very much.
She opened her eyes and started skipping back to the Gryffindor tower. She had her adventure. Or, actually, she started one.
Sirius was walking very slowly towards the general direction of the Gryffindor territory. He finished writing letters to his dad, brother and sister. He knew his father needed some kind of reassurance everything was fine with him and the twins liked feeling important by receiving his letters. He just spent about two hours in the stinking Owelry to write those letters. He couldn't care less.
His eyes on the floor he kept walking idly not really thinking about anything. Suddenly he heard a pair of feet moving towards his direction and a very familiar laugh. He looked up and saw Jane standing in front of him, her pale blue eyes sparkling. She was humming some sort of tune under her breath and looked very happy and pleased.
She went skipping around him. "Hello Sirius!"
Her cheerfulness wasn't as usual... it was like... he couldn't explain. "Is something wrong?" He asked her.
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong! Everything is great!" She suddenly hugged him tightly.
"Are you drunk?"
"Of course not! Don't be silly!"
"Me silly? You-"
But Jane was yet again skipping around him and singing. "You could be so happy... On this brand new beautiful day..."
"Jane???" Something was definitely wrong with her. "Did someone do something to you?"
"If someone did something to me?" She stopped and lifted a flower she was holding in her palm. "Certainly." She smelled the flower and looked dreamily at it.
"What's the matter, have you gotten something in your eye?"
"Oh no, not at all."
"Jane..."
But she embraced him again. "Can I tell you a secret?" Sirius felt uneasy. What was going on? Is this some sort of prank? But she was looking at him so deadly serious.
"Okay."
"I," She leaned forward. "Met him!"
"Met who?" He got out of her embrace.
But she wasn't really listening. "Oh Sirius it was so wonderful! He's sweet and..."
"Who???" But Jane wasn't listening. She started skipping away. "Jane!!!" He stomped his foot like a three year old. "Tell me!" But she just sent him some air kisses and went away.
Sirius felt irritated. Who was she talking about? And what did he do to her? Does she feel something for him? And what the hell was wrong with her?
And most importantly, why does he care so much?
Remus blinked tiredly. Slowly drifting back to consciousness he looked around him. He was surrounded with white - the Hospital Wing. He sighed out of relieve. He had a whole new month before it will come again. The transformation went well... as well as something hideous like that can. And the night time adventures went good as well, Remus cringed at the thought of what happened last year. And it was entirely his fault. Remus shut his eyes again, trying to avoid the dreadful thoughts and he drowned asleep again.
When he awoke this time, he noticed the Hospital Wing was darker; it must be close to sun set. Madam Pomfrey was bustling around his bed, he smiled at her and she smiled so sadly at him he wished he wouldn't have done so. He was glad the dreamless potion kept him asleep over the day, he was better off without the pain. Both physically and emotionally.
He started getting up and ready, ignoring Madam Pomfrey's look, which quickly changed into a stern and disapproving one. Murmuring thanks to her he exited the room. Up the stairs to the tower he went and reached the Fat Lady.
She smiled pleasantly at him. "Password?"
"Mad Hippogriffs."
She nodded and swung open. He stepped in but stayed in the shadows, surveying the common room. They were sitting near the fire, looking very happy. Jane was looking rather out of it squeezed between Peter and Sirius. Sirius was eyeing her suspiciously while Peter was talking to her but looking at his shoes. Lily was stretched on the sofa, with James leaning against the front of the sofa, quietly talking to her. Kate was one the floor, idly playing with herself chess. She looked up and upon seeing him she smiled broadly. "Remus!" She exclaimed happily.
All the others' heads popped up. Then, like a mad mob, they ran at him and lunged themselves at him.
"Remmy!"
"You're back!"
"Feeling better?"
"Missed us?"
And all Remus could do was smile at them. They were here, and they weren't going anywhere.
A/N So I've finished another chapter. hurray /sarcastic Okay I'm sorry but lately I don't really feel like writing. You probably noticed (or maybe not) that it takes about a month for a new chapter or even more. And I put a lot of afford in this story, even if it seems I don't. And I love this story dearly, but it just seems like people don't appreciate it. So I ask you, review this. I don't mind criticism, but for pity's sake! REVIEW!!! Getting reviews motivates me, it really does, I need it. So if some of you are reading this and not reviewing, or if you're just being lazy please take your dear time and write me a couple of words, it's not very hard.
tta
Livejournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/tta
Thanks to the ones who reviewed last time:
Jemi Fal - here you go! *Smiles*
Lily lily - I'd rather not know what James was dreaming about. Lol ;)
Laina
Dramagal - because then this story would be quite boring wouldn't it?
Moony Lover - Not answering about Peter! *cheekily* I know it wasn't a great one *sigh* hope this one was better... I'm happy you gave me an honest opinion. =)
Fawkesfire - maybe it's a Wilkinson syndrom! Lol ;)
Jesusfreak7777777 - see above! *points upwards* lol, teased for being an old married couple... shame it didn't trun out well for you :/
IloveJamesPotter - gotta agree with your name! ;)
Liz - wow lots of questions! Lol okay here goes: 1. it's okay if you didn't get the sword thingie... will be explained later *mysterious* 2. I can't tell about Peter... but it's not going to be very nice to him in the end, trust me... 3. they're in sixth year... hope I've answered everything...
Lucky-719 - Thank you very much! *honored and flattered*
Alexs
Blue strawberry42 - magazine... *giggles*
Bubblegum*girl- you'll see...
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to the amazing JK, characters, parts of the plot etc. Anything that doesn't belong to her or to anybody else belongs to little ol' me.
Summery: The Marauders and the girls' sixth year is going to be a blast! Romance, Pranks, Muggle Songs, Animagi, fights a weird DADA but also Death Eaters, Voldemort and Deaths!!! L/J L/SS SB/OC RL/OC. Oh, and a mystery with a magical sword .
There Is No Such Thing As Fate
Chapter Ten: A Lazy Sunday
"I think we're far enough." James whispered and pulled off the invisibility cloak.
Sirius stretched himself. "You ought to find some spell to make this cloak bigger Prongs." He exclaimed at him while Peter nodded.
James, however, wasn't listening. He reached for the pocket of his robes and pulled out a little bottle, which contained some sort of a silvery- purple liquid. Immediately Sirius and Peter's expressions changed. "Have you got the moonstone roots, Sirius?" James addressed his friend, still surveying the bottle with a severe, determinate stare. Sirius nodded and handed it to James, who took it and stuffed it into the bottle. He stirred the mixture cautiously and looked up at his friends for the first time. "You're ready?" They both nodded sternly.
He gulped down quarter of the liquid and handed Sirius the bottle, which he took and swallowed down his share as well. Peter gave a slight whimper, when he held the rest and then sipped it. The liquid was ice cold, and seemed to freeze their insides. Peter gave a louder whimper, Sirius shut his eyes tightly and James grimaced.
Then it was gone, and James knew he had no time to spare. He shut his eyes and focused his mind's eye on the picture of the stag. And once the image was clear in his head he felt himself drop on four and his inner and outer parts transformed rapidly. And when he opened his eyes he wasn't human anymore.
The stag cast a swift glance over the surroundings. James tossed a glance at his sides, to make sure the others were ready as well, and then started galloping towards the Whomping Willow.
When he finally stood in front of it he came to a halt. They didn't have to communicate between them; they already knew what were their jobs. He watched as the little grey rat zigzagged between the Willow's mad branches and finally prodded the little knot engraved in it. The Willow froze, and they entered the large gap that was revealed between the Willow's roots.
And right then, the howling began. Full of agony and sadness the howling were fierce and one of the most frightening things he ever heard. And what made it more frightening was the fact that they came from a body that controlled one of his best friends. Remus.
James couldn't suppress himself, he gave a great leap and started running down the tunnel. He could hear Padfoot's light paces and Wormtail's tiny scatterings behind him. The tunnel sloped up and he with it, he galloped into the room at the end.
And there he stood. The werewolf. The werewolf - who was Remus's entirely opposite in too many ways. It growled at him and started circling and sniffing him. James followed him with his eyes only. Then the werewolf brushed against him in a recognizing manner. If stags could smile, James would be grinning right now.
He watched as Moony preformed the same ritual with the two others. When it was completed the four friends shared a long silence looking at each other. Then suddenly the stag stomped his hoof against the floor. With an excited bark Padfoot leaped forward and to the outside, followed by Moony and Prongs and Wormtail, who kept a close guard on him from behind.
They arrived at the outskirts of the forest and rushed right in. Once a month Wormtail, Moony, Padfoot and Prongs ruled the night...
A lazy Sunday crept over the huge castle yet again. It was one of the last days of sunshine and Lily decided to make a good use of it. She was sprawled on a neat patch of grass near the lake with a book in her lap and her discman near her. She shut her eyes feeling completely peaceful.
Sometimes she found it nicer to stay alone. Jane was tutoring Peter up in the common room, Remus had gone home to visit his sick mother on Friday, Kate was up in the dorm doing some crosswords on her bed, Sirius had gone to the Owlery to send a letter to his siblings and father and James was working it off at the Quidditch pitch.
Lily gave a little dreamy sigh. Lately she didn't really know how to feel about him, around him. It was very fine pretending they're just friends when the whole group was together but when they were alone, or when he simply gave her that look... Then it was a completely different story.
A small smile crept towards her lips. It felt so... good, to think about him. Lily rolled over on her stomach and slowly opened her eyes. She caught a glimpse of a few first years having an animated conversation near Hagrid's pumpkin patch and was very pleased to see Liarna with them.
She waved at her and she waved back. Ever since she and Liarna had that talk she kept an eye on her. But it seemed the Slytherins were calming down a bit... And speaking of Slytherins
Severus Snape was crossing the grounds looking particularly grim and in a foul mood. Lily frowned for a minute at him and then called him.
"Severus!" He however, was completely oblivious to her calling. She tried yet again. Although he seemed very upset and preoccupied she thought he might actually appreciate someone helping him in whatever it was.
"Oy! Severus!!!" She yelled, making a couple of birds and a pair of passing third years to jump, and finally got his attention. His head snapped towards her and he looked as if he was going to say something rude but, recognizing her, his expression immediately softened.
She waved at him and his lips curled into a small smile. She motioned him to come - he obeyed.
"Hello." She said as he finally got there. He nodded at her. She put her hand on her forehead to protect her eyes from the sun and looked up at him. He seemed oddly formal and very out of place. Unlike her, he was wearing his robes even today and their black, and him himself, seemed to somehow go against the happiness all around him.
Or maybe Lily was just weird. "Sit down." She patted the patch of grass near her.
"Thank you," He replied. "But I feel quite comfortable standing."
She knew he wasn't mad at her. Not really anyway. "The grass isn't poisonous you know."
"Are you sure?" She rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes I'm quite sure," She replied and got hand of the end of his robes. "Now sit. Down." She tugged him and he finally sighed and sat down near her.
"There you see? That wasn't so bad. Nothing happened." He didn't reply and she knew that she won in this one. He amused her very much. Not his bad mood but he himself. He was so different from others... she found him quite interesting. And she couldn't stand here and see him drown in his bad mood, not in this kind of weather. "Now, what's the matter?"
"Nothing's the matter." He replied simply, looking not at her, but at the giant squid that was bathing in the sun.
"And how's life?" She asked and he looked at her funnily.
"Life," He started and sighed, as if considering how exactly to put it. "Are simply splendid." The amount of sarcasm in his voice was astonishing.
"I'm sure it's not all bad, isn't it?" She yawned and got up into a sitting position beside him. "Besides, what can be so horrible in a day like this?"
"Too many things." He said.
She laughed and gave him a little shove. "Oh nonsense."
For a second he just looked at her, a bit surprised by her action, but then he smiled as well.
"Aha! You smiled! I knew it's not that bad!!!" She waved her fist winningly and grinned. "Knew it."
"You know quite a lot of things don't you?" He asked amused, his bad mood just seemed to disappear.
"I suppose." She held her nose up high. "More then some anyway."
"More then me?" He asked in mock-shock.
"Why not?" She started laughing and he joined her.
James hoisted his broom on his shoulder and walked out of the Quidditch pitch. Even though he was sweaty and exhausted he didn't feel tried at all and walked happily back to the castle. Or, more precisely, towards the grounds, where he noticed a certain Gryffindor reading earlier.
Lily was... oh he just couldn't describe it anymore. She was there, and it made him so happy. And sometimes, but he was probably imagining it, he thought they shared something that was a bit different then usual.
He recognized her hair from afar, but when he recognized another person next to her he came to a halt. Severus Snape. He hated the mere name. But she... She didn't seem to at all. They were sitting there and talking and enjoying themselves. James didn't seem to process this and 'how' and 'why' kept popping in his head. She wasn't supposed to sit with Snape, she was supposed to sit with him! She was supposed to talk and enjoy herself with him and not that stinking Slytherin!
He watched them for a while, hoping very much she'll notice him and call him over and send that- thing away, but she didn't even seemed to see him. *This is ridiculous!* He suddenly realize. *If I want to talk to her I should just go and do it!*
He started striding in their direction.
"Hey Lily." He said when they were a few feet apart. She turned around and grinned at him.
"Hey James! How are you?"
"I'm fine, just got back from Quidditch."
"Yeah, I can see from your robes." She remarked amused.
"Right." He replied sheepishly. "So... you've just been reading here?" He was very pleased to see Snape's irritated expression.
"I was... then me and Severus talked and all. Isn't it such a lovely day?"
"It sure is." He smiled at her and then sighed and whipped his forehead. "Can I sit down for a bit? It's really hot and exhausting."
"Sure!"
He sat down and slightly bumped into her. She blushed a little and looked down to hide it.
Clearly forgotten Severus Snape coughed. Lily turned to him. "Oh Severus-"
"I have to go, didn't finish my star chart yet." Lily looked disappointed.
"Can't you just stay for a little bit? I mean-"
"No, sadly enough, I can't. I have thing to do. Now if you'll excuse me." He got up, he's tone very cold. Lily held her arm and opened her mouth but decided against it and shut it again. She nodded at him and he strode off, his robes billowing.
James, feeling every bit satisfied with himself, leaned towards Lily. "And what book are you know wasting your time on?" He teased.
Tearing her eyes from the disappearing figure Lily put her hands on her hips. "I'll have you know Mr. Potter that reading books is not a waste of time..."
"Yeah, yeah..."
"Don't you 'yeah, yeah' me! If you would have taken some of the time you spend with Sirius doing god knows what nonsense and instead try to read something you would have quickly realized that-"
"Yeah, yeah..."
"See? You got it!" Jane smiled happily at Peter, who finally mastered the spell. Peter beamed at her and she smiled at him. "Is there anything else you want to learn?"
Peter shook his head. "No that's about it, but can I hire you before the exams?"
She laughed. "You don't need to hire me Peter! I don't need a return for tutoring you." He joined her laughing. "Honestly, we're friends!" She added making Peter's laugh stop abruptly. He fixed a meaningful look at her.
Jane stopped laughing as well. Something changed; she felt it in the air around them. Did she say something wrong?
Peter looked away and she felt relived, but she couldn't explain why. She rested her elbow on the table in front of them and put her chin in her palm, absent mindedly taping the table with her fingers. She looked out of the window to the grounds. Everything seemed so quiet and peaceful - just the time for surprising unexpected events to happen. It would be so great to take part in an adventure... something that will drive her out of the normalcy. Something new, different, exciting. Or better - Someone new, different and exciting.
"I, er-need to finish a letter in the dorm so I'm up okay?" Peter's voice cut her train of thoughts. She looked up at him and nodded, giving him a small smile. "Thanks for all your help." She waved her arm dismissively.
He walked up and he head was once again somewhere far away. She sighed. Nothing was going to happen here. Especially if she'll just keep on sitting there, she realized. At once she got to her feet. Pulling her hair into a ponytail and wearing a look of determination she stepped out of the portrait hole. She had no idea where her feet were leading her but she let them at it. She passed a large corridor on the fourth floor when she noticed a flicker in the corner of her eye. She turned her head around immediately, still walking, but saw nothing. The corridor was dark and she tried focusing her eyes of the dark behind her. She knew there was something there. She kept walking, her head turned around. She was just about to pull out her wand as the corridor bended but someone crashed into her making her drop to the floor.
She moaned feeling her sore forehead and finally reached for her wand. "Lumos." She whispered and a face was reviled in front of her. Dark blue eyes, dark ginger hair and many freckles were spread over a face that looked torn between a pained and a thoughtful expression.
"I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed getting up to her knees. With her wand light she noticed many books and parchments spread over the floor. She started collecting them for him.
"That's okay." He got to his knees as well and started loading his hands with the rest of the things she didn't collect.
"No, really I am! My friends always say my daydreaming causes too much problems. I was just certain something was behind me and-"
"It really is okay." He smiled at her reassuringly. "And daydreaming is wonderful."
She halted and looked up at him. "You really think so?" She never heard someone say anything like this.
He nodded fierce fully. "Of course." Excitement spread in her. "What do daydream about?"
She blushed and looked down. "It's kind of personal." She started playing with her ponytail, this guy made her twitchy.
"Ah," He said tried to catch her eyes. "I see." She blushed even redder. Finally he collected everything and they both got up. "I don't believe we actually introduced ourselves."
"But of course!" She exclaimed. "My name is Jane Smith and I'm a Gryffindor sixth year."
He nodded at her, took out his wand and magicked a single rose. "? ? and I'm a Ravenclaw seventh year."
She bowed to him. "How lovely." He handed her the flower and she smiled at him sweetly.
"I must go, but I assume I'll see you around?"
"Certainly." She nodded and with a swift he was gone. Jane leaned upon the cold stone wall, closed her eyes and exhaled the flower in her hand. There was something about him. She could feel it. He was new. Well not really, she saw him at the Ravenclaw table sometimes but she didn't really *see* him. And he was different, oh yes. You couldn't pin point it but you knew it without a doubt. And exciting? Jane hoped so very much.
She opened her eyes and started skipping back to the Gryffindor tower. She had her adventure. Or, actually, she started one.
Sirius was walking very slowly towards the general direction of the Gryffindor territory. He finished writing letters to his dad, brother and sister. He knew his father needed some kind of reassurance everything was fine with him and the twins liked feeling important by receiving his letters. He just spent about two hours in the stinking Owelry to write those letters. He couldn't care less.
His eyes on the floor he kept walking idly not really thinking about anything. Suddenly he heard a pair of feet moving towards his direction and a very familiar laugh. He looked up and saw Jane standing in front of him, her pale blue eyes sparkling. She was humming some sort of tune under her breath and looked very happy and pleased.
She went skipping around him. "Hello Sirius!"
Her cheerfulness wasn't as usual... it was like... he couldn't explain. "Is something wrong?" He asked her.
"Wrong? Nothing's wrong! Everything is great!" She suddenly hugged him tightly.
"Are you drunk?"
"Of course not! Don't be silly!"
"Me silly? You-"
But Jane was yet again skipping around him and singing. "You could be so happy... On this brand new beautiful day..."
"Jane???" Something was definitely wrong with her. "Did someone do something to you?"
"If someone did something to me?" She stopped and lifted a flower she was holding in her palm. "Certainly." She smelled the flower and looked dreamily at it.
"What's the matter, have you gotten something in your eye?"
"Oh no, not at all."
"Jane..."
But she embraced him again. "Can I tell you a secret?" Sirius felt uneasy. What was going on? Is this some sort of prank? But she was looking at him so deadly serious.
"Okay."
"I," She leaned forward. "Met him!"
"Met who?" He got out of her embrace.
But she wasn't really listening. "Oh Sirius it was so wonderful! He's sweet and..."
"Who???" But Jane wasn't listening. She started skipping away. "Jane!!!" He stomped his foot like a three year old. "Tell me!" But she just sent him some air kisses and went away.
Sirius felt irritated. Who was she talking about? And what did he do to her? Does she feel something for him? And what the hell was wrong with her?
And most importantly, why does he care so much?
Remus blinked tiredly. Slowly drifting back to consciousness he looked around him. He was surrounded with white - the Hospital Wing. He sighed out of relieve. He had a whole new month before it will come again. The transformation went well... as well as something hideous like that can. And the night time adventures went good as well, Remus cringed at the thought of what happened last year. And it was entirely his fault. Remus shut his eyes again, trying to avoid the dreadful thoughts and he drowned asleep again.
When he awoke this time, he noticed the Hospital Wing was darker; it must be close to sun set. Madam Pomfrey was bustling around his bed, he smiled at her and she smiled so sadly at him he wished he wouldn't have done so. He was glad the dreamless potion kept him asleep over the day, he was better off without the pain. Both physically and emotionally.
He started getting up and ready, ignoring Madam Pomfrey's look, which quickly changed into a stern and disapproving one. Murmuring thanks to her he exited the room. Up the stairs to the tower he went and reached the Fat Lady.
She smiled pleasantly at him. "Password?"
"Mad Hippogriffs."
She nodded and swung open. He stepped in but stayed in the shadows, surveying the common room. They were sitting near the fire, looking very happy. Jane was looking rather out of it squeezed between Peter and Sirius. Sirius was eyeing her suspiciously while Peter was talking to her but looking at his shoes. Lily was stretched on the sofa, with James leaning against the front of the sofa, quietly talking to her. Kate was one the floor, idly playing with herself chess. She looked up and upon seeing him she smiled broadly. "Remus!" She exclaimed happily.
All the others' heads popped up. Then, like a mad mob, they ran at him and lunged themselves at him.
"Remmy!"
"You're back!"
"Feeling better?"
"Missed us?"
And all Remus could do was smile at them. They were here, and they weren't going anywhere.
A/N So I've finished another chapter. hurray /sarcastic Okay I'm sorry but lately I don't really feel like writing. You probably noticed (or maybe not) that it takes about a month for a new chapter or even more. And I put a lot of afford in this story, even if it seems I don't. And I love this story dearly, but it just seems like people don't appreciate it. So I ask you, review this. I don't mind criticism, but for pity's sake! REVIEW!!! Getting reviews motivates me, it really does, I need it. So if some of you are reading this and not reviewing, or if you're just being lazy please take your dear time and write me a couple of words, it's not very hard.
tta
Livejournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/tta
Thanks to the ones who reviewed last time:
Jemi Fal - here you go! *Smiles*
Lily lily - I'd rather not know what James was dreaming about. Lol ;)
Laina
Dramagal - because then this story would be quite boring wouldn't it?
Moony Lover - Not answering about Peter! *cheekily* I know it wasn't a great one *sigh* hope this one was better... I'm happy you gave me an honest opinion. =)
Fawkesfire - maybe it's a Wilkinson syndrom! Lol ;)
Jesusfreak7777777 - see above! *points upwards* lol, teased for being an old married couple... shame it didn't trun out well for you :/
IloveJamesPotter - gotta agree with your name! ;)
Liz - wow lots of questions! Lol okay here goes: 1. it's okay if you didn't get the sword thingie... will be explained later *mysterious* 2. I can't tell about Peter... but it's not going to be very nice to him in the end, trust me... 3. they're in sixth year... hope I've answered everything...
Lucky-719 - Thank you very much! *honored and flattered*
Alexs
Blue strawberry42 - magazine... *giggles*
Bubblegum*girl- you'll see...