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((A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! They were great! I'm going to look at that story with Ginny being anorexic.
Anyway, I don't want to spend a WHOLE lot of time on the summer, because not that much is going to happen. But I think 2 or 3 long-ish chapters ought to do it.
Searching Blindly
Chapter 2
"Lily," Her mother said nervously. "Lily, I would really like to see you eat." She shoved a plate of bacon and eggs towards Lily and with an emotional gag, she accepted it. She picked through it slowly until her mother left the room and then quickly called Alfie, their golden retriever over. "Here boy." She quickly let him eat the remainder of her meal and then left the room after putting her dishes in the sink.
When she walked back upstairs, she hopped on her scale. I've lost 8 and a half pounds! She smiled victoriously. She'd been home for almost two weeks and each day she counted how much she weighed and how many calories she had consumed. One more pound and I'll be down into another decade thingy! She chuckled to herself and then tallied up the total calories of the week. ((I did this when I had cravings, I don't recommend it.)) 2,970 total, out of the 5,000 she allowed herself weekly. She shrugged. Salad for dinner ought to be only 50 calories or so, and then the week will be over.
She walked into her bedroom and flopped down. She picked up her list of pounds and crossed off 8. Then she pulled out her yearbook and flipped through. These people had fueled her want to be exquisite. Their mockery had driven her through the cravings without a second thought. The pros and cons were firmly aligned in her mind and she knew the pros outnumbered the cons. What is a little bit of hunger? She asked herself as she always did. Pain is gain. It will strengthen you.
~*~
Four weeks into the summer, she was still holding her count. Now it was steady at around 20 pounds lost so far. 10 more and she would weigh the weight doctor's recommended. Petunia walked into Lily's bedroom. "Lily," She began quietly. "Mom really wants you to come down to dinner with us. Friends of theirs will be over in a few minutes and she would like for you to meet them."
Lily smiled slightly. Petunia, even though she could be demanding and bratty sometimes, was usually a dear, as far as younger sisters go. "Tell mom I'll be there. She is making a salad, right?"
Petty nodded and turned to go. Hesitantly, she turned around. "Lily?" She asked slowly. "Do you think I'll go to Hogwarts when I'm old enough?" Lily smiled. "I don't know, sweetie. I guess we'll have to wait a few years to find out, won't we?" She leaned over and tickled her sister. "You nine year old monster!" Lily winked. "Now go tell Mom that I'll be there, okay? Don't forget about the salad either." Petty nodded seriously and smiled, a missing tooth making her look comical. "Okay."
Petunia had idolized Lily all through their childhood. She had colored her hair red with a marker once so she would look like Lily. And once she had covered her sunglasses with green construction paper so they would 'look like Lily's'. Once, Lily had hated it. But now that she rarely had to put up with it, it didn't seem so bad.
She glanced in the mirror, frowning. She really needed to get an appointment for her hair. Sighing, she pulled half of it up with a barrette and ran gel through the rest of it so it was more corkscrew curls than a giant bush. She dabbed on a bit of her new make-up and pulled out a cute skirt and shirt that she had just bought. Most of her old clothes didn't really fit anymore, they were all too big. She glanced in the mirror, feeling slightly satisfied that her stomach didn't pooch out at all and then walked downstairs, pausing to buckle her Mary-Janes ((A/N: mary sue.::cough:())
"Lily dear?" Her mother called her from the kitchen. "Would you mind answering the door? I believe our guests are here. Your father said to lead them to the study." Lily quickly responded yes, and walked into the living room.
She pulled open one of the heavy double doors, saying in a practiced voice, "Welcome! Please come in, dinner will be ready in a minute." The family entered the foray and she gasped. Remus Lupin? Why on earth.HOW on earth had his family met Henry Evans? Remus smiled at her. "Oh, hello, Lily. I didn't know it was your family." His parents shot him a look as though asking where on earth he had met this girl. He flashed his smile at them. "She's a girl from school." They raised their eyebrows but kept standing there. Lily flushed. She forgot to take their coats and lead them inside! Her father would be so ashamed!
She quickly went through the rest of the formalities with an expertise that came from practice. She quickly showed them to her father's study, a cozy room with a fireplace. He usually only took his most prominent clients there and she wasn't quite sure why the Lupin's were so important. But with an inward shrug, she turned them over to her father.
"Lily?" Her father addressed her in his company voice. It was friendly, caring, and affectionate. Very practiced. "Yes, Papa?" She replied in the same tone of voice. This had always been like a game to her. "Would you mind showing Remus around? I'm sure he'd love to see the horses." Lily nodded and smiled at Remus. "This way." She quickly left the room. An expression of confusion flitted over her face, and for once she was to surprised to suppress it. Why on earth had her father done that? Usually, she turned his guests' children over to her mother or to Petunia. Her job had always been to show them the way.
"Lily?" Remus was looking at her in amusement. "Do you always have battles with yourself?" Lily glanced at him with surprise. Oh lord. You always should mask your emotions, silly! She flushed. "No, I'm just a little confused. This isn't the erm, way we usually do this."
Remus shrugged. "Your father knows I attend Hogwarts and that is the same school as you, so it does kind of make sense in a way." Lily nodded, surprised that that conclusion hadn't occurred to her earlier. "Yes, I suppose."
"So didn't your father say something about horses?" Remus questioned. Lily flushed once again. She had forgotten herself three times! That was horrible! Tomorrow, you aren't eating a thing! She quickly planned her punishment. Not eating was punishment and made her stronger, and it was good for her diet! It was a win-win situation.
Lily led him outside of the Evans manor and showed him the stables. As always, they were perfectly presentable and she winked at her friend, the stable boy, Aaron. She led him to Fully Montague's stall. "This is my horse, Monty." He nodded and Monty came over. "So, Lily. How's the summer been treating you? You look great by the way."
She smiled at him. "Thank you. My summer has been wonderful. I finally feel in control of my life again." That much was safe, she supposed. "How was yours?"
He grinned wolfishly and she was surprised at how.well, wolf-like he looked. She thought back to the school year and all of his absences. What was wrong with him? Her mind shrugged. "It's been great. Prongs, Padfoot, Wormtail, and I have been doing the usual. You know, hexing innocent people, terrorizing the country." He shrugged, still smiling.
Lily stiffened. "I see." He looked at her in surprise, then realization hit him. "Lily, I-I know I shouldn't presume to know everything about you feel, but I do understand more than you know. And that day, on the train, when I said that you had the wrong impression about the others, I wasn't just saying that. They pull a mean front, and I don't really know why they do what they do, but-they have befriended those you wouldn't expect." He had chosen his words carefully there, Lily observed. Too carefully. It has to do with him, I believe. Perhaps it's his sickness.
She shrugged. "I see. Is that who Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail are? James, Peter, and Sirius?"
He nodded, relieved to be off the former subject. "Yes. Well, in order, it would be James, Sirius, and then Peter." She raised an eyebrow and giggled. "Peter does look like a Wormtail. I assume you have a nickname also?"
"Yeah." He leaned against the wall. "I'm Moony. Pleased to meet you."
Moony? That's very odd. As is Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail. Wormtail.Wasn't that a nickname for a rat? Prongs.Padfoot. She absent- mindedly patted her horse's neck. She debated giving him a guilt-trip. Finally, she smiled innocently. "I'm Chubby. The pleasure is all mine." His smile fell. "Lily, I really am sorry-"
She interrupted him. "Don't be. I don't want nor need sympathy. Trust me. I find it." She paused. "Amusing."
Remus gave her an odd look and began to say something, but a call from the house interrupted her. "Dinner will be served in a few minutes!" Spacey, their server, stood outside. "Thank you, Spacey!" Lily called back. She brushed off her hands. "Are you ready?"
Remus nodded. "Yes, I am." Both had unconsciously picked up their formal speech, knowing that at dinner, nothing else would be acceptable.
~*~
Dinner was interesting. For Lily anyway. For anyone else, it might have been dull, but Lily closely picked up each and every current of emotion she felt. Her father was dancing on eggshells. She had never seen him this careful with a client before. The intricate dance of formalities was amusing. Remus seemed uncomfortable, but he was hiding it very well. She was quite impressed actually. She hadn't seen someone that good since.well, herself. She was eating her meal politely. Taking just the right amount and leaving the correct amount on the plate. You wanted to complement the cook, but not seem like a glutton. She took a small sip of her sparkling grape juice.
"Lily," Remus's mother began, "Remus tells us that you attend Hogwarts as well." Lily smiled and inclined her head at Remus as an acknowledgement. "Yes, we are both in the same house as well as year." "I trust you find the school very interesting." His father said, with an unusual twinkle in his eye. Most guests never made an attempt at humor. But that was a definite jest. Interesting. That meant they were very prominent people. "Yes, I do." She smiled in a way that could be interpreted as conspiratorial or friendly.
The conversation drifted back to her father and business. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Desert was served a bit later, along with coffee. She politely ate her minuscule piece of German Chocolate pie. OH MY GOD, This is so many calories! Why can't it be fat-free? Or at least low-fat! Two days of nothing, she finally decided. This is too much!
~*~
After that, the night closed quickly and Remus and his parents set out. "Henry, so we will see you next week?" Informal language..the plot thickens, Lily thought, finally pulled out of her dazed, thoughtful state. "Of course, Michael." Henry said. "Suzanne, I will find the information you requested immediately." She nodded and shared a look with Michael. "Our secretary will send the directions to your office in a few days." Michael continued. Remus smiled at Lily, and she waved covertly. He waved back in the same fashion. They left and the family scattered.
Lily sat down in the living room, after grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen. "Lily?" Her father's voice sounded from his office. She immediately caught his annoyed tone and quickly went into his office. He was pacing the room.
"Lily, you know I have never involved anyone in this family with my practice." She nodded and he continued. "However, the reason the Lupin's are sueing is well, related to the magical world. I should not tell you any of this of course, but I must have the information. They fired their last lawyer for not being able to be adequately informed. I must have this lawsuit! It would set us for life if I win." He was almost blabbering. She looked with amazement at her father's loss of control.
"Lily," He turned and faced her. "I need information on lycanthropy. I don't care how you get it, or what excuses you give, just get it." She nodded, as clockwork fell into place in her mind. Lycanthropy, Moony, the absences that appeared to be on a regular basis. As it clicked, she nodded at her father. "Yes, of course. Any specific information?" Her father shook his head, looking releived. "No, just in general. Anything you find that is even remotely related. Also, since it will be dealt with in the normal court system, see if it is anything like rabies."
She nodded again. "You may leave." Her father intoned, with a wave of his hand. "Oh, and Lily?" He said as she neared the door. "You may be a clerk for the firm this summer, if you wish." She smiled brightly at him. "I'd like to." She quickly left his office and shut the door. Then she jumped up and down and twirled around as soundlessly as possible. This is great!
Lily quickly sobered. Remus was a victim of lycanthropy? Did that mean.She shook her head. Silly girl, he's still Remus. It doesn't change a thing. Besides, she thought as she trudged up the stairs. That was probably why he said she had judged his friends incorrectly. Lily sighed. Yes, he was lucky to have them accept him. But that didn't make what they had done to her ok.
But when school starts, it won't even matter! Because I'll be perfect by then. She smiled and got ready for bed. Once she lay down, the day dreams of how life would be filled her mind as they always did.
~*~
((Hello! Well, I'm getting this story out quickly! Lol I just want her summer to be over. Anyway, for those of you who read my other story, Innocent Deceptions, sorry for the wait! I'm working on it..
Welp! Have fun! I'll update soon! And I won't say I won't update unless I have a certain amount of reviews, but I do enjoy my reviews! *Hint, hint*
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((A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! They were great! I'm going to look at that story with Ginny being anorexic.
Anyway, I don't want to spend a WHOLE lot of time on the summer, because not that much is going to happen. But I think 2 or 3 long-ish chapters ought to do it.
Searching Blindly
Chapter 2
"Lily," Her mother said nervously. "Lily, I would really like to see you eat." She shoved a plate of bacon and eggs towards Lily and with an emotional gag, she accepted it. She picked through it slowly until her mother left the room and then quickly called Alfie, their golden retriever over. "Here boy." She quickly let him eat the remainder of her meal and then left the room after putting her dishes in the sink.
When she walked back upstairs, she hopped on her scale. I've lost 8 and a half pounds! She smiled victoriously. She'd been home for almost two weeks and each day she counted how much she weighed and how many calories she had consumed. One more pound and I'll be down into another decade thingy! She chuckled to herself and then tallied up the total calories of the week. ((I did this when I had cravings, I don't recommend it.)) 2,970 total, out of the 5,000 she allowed herself weekly. She shrugged. Salad for dinner ought to be only 50 calories or so, and then the week will be over.
She walked into her bedroom and flopped down. She picked up her list of pounds and crossed off 8. Then she pulled out her yearbook and flipped through. These people had fueled her want to be exquisite. Their mockery had driven her through the cravings without a second thought. The pros and cons were firmly aligned in her mind and she knew the pros outnumbered the cons. What is a little bit of hunger? She asked herself as she always did. Pain is gain. It will strengthen you.
~*~
Four weeks into the summer, she was still holding her count. Now it was steady at around 20 pounds lost so far. 10 more and she would weigh the weight doctor's recommended. Petunia walked into Lily's bedroom. "Lily," She began quietly. "Mom really wants you to come down to dinner with us. Friends of theirs will be over in a few minutes and she would like for you to meet them."
Lily smiled slightly. Petunia, even though she could be demanding and bratty sometimes, was usually a dear, as far as younger sisters go. "Tell mom I'll be there. She is making a salad, right?"
Petty nodded and turned to go. Hesitantly, she turned around. "Lily?" She asked slowly. "Do you think I'll go to Hogwarts when I'm old enough?" Lily smiled. "I don't know, sweetie. I guess we'll have to wait a few years to find out, won't we?" She leaned over and tickled her sister. "You nine year old monster!" Lily winked. "Now go tell Mom that I'll be there, okay? Don't forget about the salad either." Petty nodded seriously and smiled, a missing tooth making her look comical. "Okay."
Petunia had idolized Lily all through their childhood. She had colored her hair red with a marker once so she would look like Lily. And once she had covered her sunglasses with green construction paper so they would 'look like Lily's'. Once, Lily had hated it. But now that she rarely had to put up with it, it didn't seem so bad.
She glanced in the mirror, frowning. She really needed to get an appointment for her hair. Sighing, she pulled half of it up with a barrette and ran gel through the rest of it so it was more corkscrew curls than a giant bush. She dabbed on a bit of her new make-up and pulled out a cute skirt and shirt that she had just bought. Most of her old clothes didn't really fit anymore, they were all too big. She glanced in the mirror, feeling slightly satisfied that her stomach didn't pooch out at all and then walked downstairs, pausing to buckle her Mary-Janes ((A/N: mary sue.::cough:())
"Lily dear?" Her mother called her from the kitchen. "Would you mind answering the door? I believe our guests are here. Your father said to lead them to the study." Lily quickly responded yes, and walked into the living room.
She pulled open one of the heavy double doors, saying in a practiced voice, "Welcome! Please come in, dinner will be ready in a minute." The family entered the foray and she gasped. Remus Lupin? Why on earth.HOW on earth had his family met Henry Evans? Remus smiled at her. "Oh, hello, Lily. I didn't know it was your family." His parents shot him a look as though asking where on earth he had met this girl. He flashed his smile at them. "She's a girl from school." They raised their eyebrows but kept standing there. Lily flushed. She forgot to take their coats and lead them inside! Her father would be so ashamed!
She quickly went through the rest of the formalities with an expertise that came from practice. She quickly showed them to her father's study, a cozy room with a fireplace. He usually only took his most prominent clients there and she wasn't quite sure why the Lupin's were so important. But with an inward shrug, she turned them over to her father.
"Lily?" Her father addressed her in his company voice. It was friendly, caring, and affectionate. Very practiced. "Yes, Papa?" She replied in the same tone of voice. This had always been like a game to her. "Would you mind showing Remus around? I'm sure he'd love to see the horses." Lily nodded and smiled at Remus. "This way." She quickly left the room. An expression of confusion flitted over her face, and for once she was to surprised to suppress it. Why on earth had her father done that? Usually, she turned his guests' children over to her mother or to Petunia. Her job had always been to show them the way.
"Lily?" Remus was looking at her in amusement. "Do you always have battles with yourself?" Lily glanced at him with surprise. Oh lord. You always should mask your emotions, silly! She flushed. "No, I'm just a little confused. This isn't the erm, way we usually do this."
Remus shrugged. "Your father knows I attend Hogwarts and that is the same school as you, so it does kind of make sense in a way." Lily nodded, surprised that that conclusion hadn't occurred to her earlier. "Yes, I suppose."
"So didn't your father say something about horses?" Remus questioned. Lily flushed once again. She had forgotten herself three times! That was horrible! Tomorrow, you aren't eating a thing! She quickly planned her punishment. Not eating was punishment and made her stronger, and it was good for her diet! It was a win-win situation.
Lily led him outside of the Evans manor and showed him the stables. As always, they were perfectly presentable and she winked at her friend, the stable boy, Aaron. She led him to Fully Montague's stall. "This is my horse, Monty." He nodded and Monty came over. "So, Lily. How's the summer been treating you? You look great by the way."
She smiled at him. "Thank you. My summer has been wonderful. I finally feel in control of my life again." That much was safe, she supposed. "How was yours?"
He grinned wolfishly and she was surprised at how.well, wolf-like he looked. She thought back to the school year and all of his absences. What was wrong with him? Her mind shrugged. "It's been great. Prongs, Padfoot, Wormtail, and I have been doing the usual. You know, hexing innocent people, terrorizing the country." He shrugged, still smiling.
Lily stiffened. "I see." He looked at her in surprise, then realization hit him. "Lily, I-I know I shouldn't presume to know everything about you feel, but I do understand more than you know. And that day, on the train, when I said that you had the wrong impression about the others, I wasn't just saying that. They pull a mean front, and I don't really know why they do what they do, but-they have befriended those you wouldn't expect." He had chosen his words carefully there, Lily observed. Too carefully. It has to do with him, I believe. Perhaps it's his sickness.
She shrugged. "I see. Is that who Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail are? James, Peter, and Sirius?"
He nodded, relieved to be off the former subject. "Yes. Well, in order, it would be James, Sirius, and then Peter." She raised an eyebrow and giggled. "Peter does look like a Wormtail. I assume you have a nickname also?"
"Yeah." He leaned against the wall. "I'm Moony. Pleased to meet you."
Moony? That's very odd. As is Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail. Wormtail.Wasn't that a nickname for a rat? Prongs.Padfoot. She absent- mindedly patted her horse's neck. She debated giving him a guilt-trip. Finally, she smiled innocently. "I'm Chubby. The pleasure is all mine." His smile fell. "Lily, I really am sorry-"
She interrupted him. "Don't be. I don't want nor need sympathy. Trust me. I find it." She paused. "Amusing."
Remus gave her an odd look and began to say something, but a call from the house interrupted her. "Dinner will be served in a few minutes!" Spacey, their server, stood outside. "Thank you, Spacey!" Lily called back. She brushed off her hands. "Are you ready?"
Remus nodded. "Yes, I am." Both had unconsciously picked up their formal speech, knowing that at dinner, nothing else would be acceptable.
~*~
Dinner was interesting. For Lily anyway. For anyone else, it might have been dull, but Lily closely picked up each and every current of emotion she felt. Her father was dancing on eggshells. She had never seen him this careful with a client before. The intricate dance of formalities was amusing. Remus seemed uncomfortable, but he was hiding it very well. She was quite impressed actually. She hadn't seen someone that good since.well, herself. She was eating her meal politely. Taking just the right amount and leaving the correct amount on the plate. You wanted to complement the cook, but not seem like a glutton. She took a small sip of her sparkling grape juice.
"Lily," Remus's mother began, "Remus tells us that you attend Hogwarts as well." Lily smiled and inclined her head at Remus as an acknowledgement. "Yes, we are both in the same house as well as year." "I trust you find the school very interesting." His father said, with an unusual twinkle in his eye. Most guests never made an attempt at humor. But that was a definite jest. Interesting. That meant they were very prominent people. "Yes, I do." She smiled in a way that could be interpreted as conspiratorial or friendly.
The conversation drifted back to her father and business. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Desert was served a bit later, along with coffee. She politely ate her minuscule piece of German Chocolate pie. OH MY GOD, This is so many calories! Why can't it be fat-free? Or at least low-fat! Two days of nothing, she finally decided. This is too much!
~*~
After that, the night closed quickly and Remus and his parents set out. "Henry, so we will see you next week?" Informal language..the plot thickens, Lily thought, finally pulled out of her dazed, thoughtful state. "Of course, Michael." Henry said. "Suzanne, I will find the information you requested immediately." She nodded and shared a look with Michael. "Our secretary will send the directions to your office in a few days." Michael continued. Remus smiled at Lily, and she waved covertly. He waved back in the same fashion. They left and the family scattered.
Lily sat down in the living room, after grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen. "Lily?" Her father's voice sounded from his office. She immediately caught his annoyed tone and quickly went into his office. He was pacing the room.
"Lily, you know I have never involved anyone in this family with my practice." She nodded and he continued. "However, the reason the Lupin's are sueing is well, related to the magical world. I should not tell you any of this of course, but I must have the information. They fired their last lawyer for not being able to be adequately informed. I must have this lawsuit! It would set us for life if I win." He was almost blabbering. She looked with amazement at her father's loss of control.
"Lily," He turned and faced her. "I need information on lycanthropy. I don't care how you get it, or what excuses you give, just get it." She nodded, as clockwork fell into place in her mind. Lycanthropy, Moony, the absences that appeared to be on a regular basis. As it clicked, she nodded at her father. "Yes, of course. Any specific information?" Her father shook his head, looking releived. "No, just in general. Anything you find that is even remotely related. Also, since it will be dealt with in the normal court system, see if it is anything like rabies."
She nodded again. "You may leave." Her father intoned, with a wave of his hand. "Oh, and Lily?" He said as she neared the door. "You may be a clerk for the firm this summer, if you wish." She smiled brightly at him. "I'd like to." She quickly left his office and shut the door. Then she jumped up and down and twirled around as soundlessly as possible. This is great!
Lily quickly sobered. Remus was a victim of lycanthropy? Did that mean.She shook her head. Silly girl, he's still Remus. It doesn't change a thing. Besides, she thought as she trudged up the stairs. That was probably why he said she had judged his friends incorrectly. Lily sighed. Yes, he was lucky to have them accept him. But that didn't make what they had done to her ok.
But when school starts, it won't even matter! Because I'll be perfect by then. She smiled and got ready for bed. Once she lay down, the day dreams of how life would be filled her mind as they always did.
~*~
((Hello! Well, I'm getting this story out quickly! Lol I just want her summer to be over. Anyway, for those of you who read my other story, Innocent Deceptions, sorry for the wait! I'm working on it..
Welp! Have fun! I'll update soon! And I won't say I won't update unless I have a certain amount of reviews, but I do enjoy my reviews! *Hint, hint*