Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine!
Change anything? Hm… nope, nope, and… nope. Just minor things…* * *
At this point both Lily and James had seemed to forget about each other's letter. Seemed being the operative word. In truth, both had them in the back of their minds, playing with their sub-conscious. And believe you me, if it's back their with your sub-conscious, it's never going to leave until you figure it out, and it goes your way. It was more on James' mind than Lily's though. Liking a girl for a year and a half has that kind of has that affect on you. Lily, being more intuitive than James, decided to send him another letter; maybe just to get his off her mind. She'd rather like to see the look on his face this time when he got her letter. Especially since she could just talk to him, and him to her. But getting letters during breakfast in the Great Hall was always fun – and besides, this whole ordeal was beginning to make Lily anticipate seeing James.
Before she did that though, she was in major need for some girl talk. Not normal girl talk about boys, fashion and make up. These are different girls remember? (A/N: Being a girl of 18, I talk about way more things than boys! Sometimes they're even void from my talks!) Not all of life's greatest things engross either or all of those things. Lily needed to talk about Life.
"So guys, life plans change any over the summer?" Ara asked, seeming to read Lily's mind, while tucking herself into bed. "I'll tell you one thing, mine have."
"Really?" Mel asked. "No longer want to report and write for the Daily Prophet? You're so good, though." She seemed puzzled by this new bit of information. All Ara did on her off time was write.
"Yea Ara. What's up with that?" probed Lily, equally confused, picking up Iphigenia from the top of her trunk, and bringing her into bed.
"I still want to write, but I don't want to report. I want to write novels. Work on my own time – be my own boss." She said that with a 'tough girl' voice. "I'll do it from my home until become an old lady. And old cat lady on some poor muggles' street. Show the children pictures of my cat's birthday parties, and throw my cats at them, screaming obscenities…" All the girls laughed. Just the thought of it was funny, let alone the images that surfaced in their minds.
"Arabella Figg – crazy cat lady." Jen added, making a big dramatic scene in the middle of the room, where she was rummaging through her trunk, waving about. She really was like Sirius, only toned down some. "Muggle children doing dares: Touching her door without being hit by a Siamese cat – 10 points!" Jen said, mimicking American Football players who just got a touch down by doing a little dance. By now, Mel had fallen out of her bed laughing; Ara was hitting her bed with her clenched fists as she laughed; Lily was out of breath; and Jen had fallen to the floor amongst the unopened luggage, leaning against hers. Everyone else in the tower was beginning to wonder what was going on, and what the Marauders had slipped in their drinks.
"What about the rest of you?" Ara asked, wiping her eyes, 7 minutes later. Everyone had semi-collected themselves, and were all back on their four-poster beds, tangled every which way in their blankets.
"Well, I don't know now, Ara!" Jen exclaimed loudly, "What you've got planned sounds pretty good!" They all laughed some more, picturing Jen living next door to Ara – having competitions. Crazy Cat Lady Competitions.
"Anywho, I'm still with my Magical Creatures," Lily said, stroking Iphigenia, "Isn't that right Iphi?"
"Iphi? Right… Me," Mel started, pointing to herself, "I want to work at St. Mungo's."
"What?" All the other three girls chorused.
"Yea, I'm good at Potions, and I like helping people – so it sounds good to me. Jen, you're last!"
"I'd thought you'd stay with Gringotts or something, but hey, work with your talent. Hmmm, I'm good at Transfiguration, so maybe I could teach it here at the school."
Lily burst out laughing, "Jen – hun, I'm telling you this as your best friend," she sighed, "You wanted to join in with the boys today in scaring the first years."
"Yea, but I helped you set them straight! Well, I stopped Sirius. I knew what he was gonna say. I would have punched him right then and there. Bloody git."
"Ok then." Lily gave in – with a smirk. "You'll be the next McGonagall. With little teacher money, and Mel, all old, working in the Hospital Wing after retirement from St. Mungo's." They laughed at this, too. All their futures seemed bright.
They only had Lily's 'old lady self' to pin point. Mel noticed this, "So what will Lily look like as an old lady?" Before their brains could get thinking of it, Donna walked in.
"Don't stop cause of me." She said, barely above a whisper.
"Oh Donna, I'm so glad you're here! You worried me, not showing up to the Feast." Lily stood to give her friend a hug. Donna backed up, mumbling that she was tired or something along those lines, and heading for her bed.
"Where were you?" Mel piped up. She was interested; her voice said it all.
But her voice was what got to Donna – she was still too happy from the previous conversations for her liking. "Hospital Wing."
Nothing more was said after that. They all knew why she would be there. She looked like she was in pain – but then again… when doesn't she?
~ * ~
Meanwhile, back at The Ranch…
"Sirius, dude, why'd you name our dorm 'The Ranch'? It's stupid. Stupid and confusing. Confusingly stupid is what it is." Peter exclaimed, pointing at Sirius. Having Sirius tell them to 'meet me at The Ranch at such and such a time' became disturbing after while. "People are beginning to wonder…" he continued.
"So? I say let them wonder. Jealous, sick children. Let's name everyone else's dorms!" he was obviously perturbed that they didn't like the name.
"Whatever, have fun Padfoot. But you still didn't answer Wormtail's question. Why 'The Ranch'? I'm sure James wants to know, too. Dennis is probably denying all rumors about it…" Remus asked/stated. Dennis Loquart was the other student (A/N: poor soul) that had to share a dorm with the Marauders.
"Poor guy." Was all James said, looking for something in his trunk, splaying things everywhere.
"Because of how you pigs live." Sirius said, picking James' clothes off his bed and folding them. "Messy, messy, messy."
"You know," Remus reflected, just shoving James' clothes off his bed and onto the floor, "it's kind of ironic that the one with the most messed up mind, is the cleanest one out of all of us. I have an excuse. Animal instincts." Remus added the last part smugly. If there was any good reason to be a Werewolf, that was it. Well, maybe the better hearing and vision as well. More strength wasn't so bad either.
"Animal instincts my ass. Animals at least wash themselves before they eat. I think. Raccoons wash their food. I know that." Sirius, whilst dodging pillows and clothes, continued to badger (A/N: get it? badger? talking about animals? eh? sorry…) them about 'uncleanliness' of sorts. "James," He started, while shaking his head slowly, "James, James, James, James, James. No wonder you're a mess. Can't even brush your bloody hair." Bad move. Everyone knew the Potter men were touchy about their hair. It was downright stupid to mess with it. (A/N: get it? pun! mess with it – it's uncontrollably messy? eh, eh? sorry…)
"Shut it Sirius! We don't care about your pet peeves!" James shouted, aneurysm forming above his left eyebrow.
"And Peter! Pick up your forsaken towels! And make your beds once in a whi – " Sirius was now shushed oh-so nicely by James lunging at him. James, getting the better of Sirius, and was on top of him, holding a pillow to his face, laughing maniacally. With James' laughter, Sirius' muffled screams, and his legs kicking frantically; it was quite a frightening sight to say the least.
Out of nowhere, howls of laughter could be heard from the girls' dormitories, along with mentions of cats and old ladies. Hearing Lily's laughs distracted James for just a few seconds. This was all Sirius needed to push him off, panting heavily, eyes wide in shock. 'So that's why you don't mess with the hair…' he thought.
"Dear – Merlin – boy." Sirius gasped, "What's going on - over there?"
Dennis entered the room. He had black hair, dark brown eyes, and dark, chocolaty skin. "What did you guys put in their drinks? Everyone wants to know…" He stopped, and looked around his dorm. It's a surprise he didn't faint. Living with the Marauders for the past 5 years kind of gives you a good backbone.
James' clothes were scattered around the dorm, even on Dennis' bed, with some of it neatly folded on James' bed. Remus was getting over fits of hysterical laughter, and was starting to look worn out because of the near full moon. Peter on the other hand was covered head to toe in syrup, rubbing the back of his sticky neck in pain. Apparently, while being smothered, Sirius was shooting out curses, and they all made their way to Peter (A/N: damn straight) who tried to dodge them. His muffled yells only made two of them work though. (A/N: pity…) Some syrup one no one had ever heard of before, probably concocted when his words were slurred together, and Wingardium Leviosa. Peter had fallen back down already, and was looking quite annoyed that all Remus did was laugh. Sirius and James were both lying on the floor, faces flushed, breathing heavily.
"Right." Dennis then made his way over to their bathroom to get ready for bed. 'And that my friends, is the difference in the maturity of males and females.' Dennis thought, head popping out the bathroom door to ask the dreaded question: "By the way Sirius, why 'The Ranch'?"
"NO!"
* * *
OK! Chapter 7 done! And I'd also like to know why I only got one review? ONE? Hmph. I posted last night. Now it's the next night. Ok, maybe someone's review is waiting to be posted… but honestly… one?? I think I'm gonna cry.
ANYWHO! On another off topic! I've got exciting news!! My mom and I got tickets to go see Les Misérables! I'm so happy! It's in a month!! *jumps around all giddy-like* I'm just so proud of that.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and now for the reason for the Crazy Cat Lady thing… That's actually my mock dream. I've stated to my friends numerous times that I want to be a Crazy Cat Lady. With many cats, and throwing them at innocent people walking by – screaming obscenities. What Arabella and Jen said is almost a quote from my conversations… pretty sad, eh? Please review, and good-bye!
