Lily, the Vampire Slayer
Chapter Seventeen
Running a hand through her messy windblown hair, Lily Evans groaned as she glanced at the clock situated right above the ticket counter. She was too early, an hour and a half, to be exact, the station was mildly crowded, yet she could see no trace of any Wizarding family of any sort.
Certain that there would be no sign of anyone she knew for the next hour and that it would be pointless for her to just stand around looking stupid, so she quickly ran through the portal which she had passed through exactly a year ago and thankfully, she didn't trip like she did the last time.
Boarding the train, she lifted her suitcases and shoved them into the farthest compartment in the train and settled in, trying to catch up on some hard-earned shut-eye.
Dreading the prospect, no, the actuality, of seeing and all the more speaking to James Potter, she rapidly resolved that sleep would do her good, strengthen her resolve.
Not that she would be arguing or fighting with him, she'd just ignore him as much as possible, if that were even feasible. No, she'd have to speak to him sooner or later, but she's preferred the latter than the former.
She hated herself for losing her senses during that time in the Tunnel of Love. She could blame it on the ambience, what with the dark lighting and all those depictions of love, one would have to be a fool not to laugh at its absurdity or allow themselves to be drawn in its supposedly romantic lure.
She had done both. Foolishly.
Or she could blame the entire situation on James Potter, something she was more than willing to do.
Groaning, she glared at her watch then at the unoccupied seat before her which would soon enough be utilized by Potter.
Using her backpack as a makeshift pillow and depositing her booted feet on the velvet seat, she attempted to make herself as comfortable as possible, hoping no one would barge in on her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wooden planks loomed above, well-kept yet ancient, jutting into the ceiling, golden stacks of fodder stood to one corner, the stench of horses hung in the air like flies to a newly-baked blackcurrant pie. The finest horses, stallions, mares, Clydesdales and geldings, milled about in their stalls, patiently waiting for their feed.
A lithe red-haired woman hummed a soothing melody as she visited each and every one of her charges, taking her time with each equine animal, talking to them, grooming them and feeding them. She wore oddly colored brown breeches and a white long sleeved button-down shirt, both of which were far too large for her.
Her flame-like hair was pulled back by an elegant tortoise-shell clasp, curiously too exquisite for her stature from what her clothing would depict. She held two metal pails in each delicate hand, her porcelain skin tinged pink as she pushed open a stall and entered her stallion's stable.
"Hello, Gabriel," she greeted, patting his forelock.
He reciprocated the greeting by nudging her hand with unhidden fondness. She sat down on a stool situated beside the steed and set to work.
She had loved horses since birth, she was raised to be proper and presentable to society, yet her willful spirit had prevented the inevitable from happening. Instead of becoming every other society girl that she was bred to be, she had been known to be a highly esteemed swordsman and rider, despite her gender.
It was one of her numerous flaws, if her father had any say in her thoughts, which he might have, had she adhered to his teachings. She was different from other women her age, her reputation was to be one of an old maid's if she were not wed soon and she was positive that her father had an already distinct intention for her.
She had committed one mistake her entire life and that was being born a female. And for an error which was not entirely her blunder, she would have to compensate for for the rest of her existence.
No sooner had she started her task when a curt knock interrupted her serene musings and in walked an elegantly dressed man with an air of nobility about him.
She stood to greet him and stole a smile as his nut-brown locks fell into his depthless gray eyes. He towered over her by a good seven inches and she could barely reach his chin. What surprised all that glimpsed at the pair was the actuality of their relation; they were brother and sister. Yet their features and coloring highly contrasted.
They were not bound by blood but through love and spirit.
"Marie," he addressed her softly, almost with tenderness.
"Romulus," she nodded, her verdant eyes wide and inquiring.
"Mother is turning the house upside-down in search of you."
She frowned. "May I ask why?"
He sighed, taking both her hands in his. "Marie, I do not know how to make this easier for you to digest but mother and father, they-" He breathed in deeply to compose himself. "They have.given away your hand in marriage."
She abruptly pulled away from him, staring deeply into his eyes, asking for his words to be nothing more than a jest. She needed reassurance yet found none, his eyes were sorrowful, mirroring her own.
"No," she shook her head vigorously, her red-gold curls loosening from the clamp and spilling into her face. "No, they can't do this Romulus, you know they can't!"
She looked at him with utter desperation, as if hoping that he could renounce his words and declare them false, yet deep inside she knew that they were as true as the sun's existence.
She laid a hand on Starr's stall door to regain her composure. She could not believe that her parents would subject her to such a life-changing act without her knowledge or consent, expose her to such torture.
Out of anxiety and foreboding, her grip on the fine mahogany wood tightening, causing it to crumble beneath her grasp. The bay mare neighed in fright and she tried to console the frail creature as she backed away from the woman's consoling hand.
Tears formed in Marie's eyes though she blinked them away, she would not be seen as a weakling before anyone, though they be her brother or not, this would not lessen her pride, this would not bring her down.
"I can not fathom your emotions at this moment," he whispered, embracing her.
She nodded, pushing him away after a moment. "I will be alright. This is my duty, is it not? What I am born for, my curse, though I would rather carry twice the other than this burden."
"We are born into circumstances which are not of our doing or desire, yet we have to bear our burdens in a far better way than how others would deal with them. We are condemned to this fate."
She managed a tiny smile as she sank to the hay covered ground. "I feel sympathy towards you. If it were not for that 'accident', you would not have to suffer as I do."
He shook his head as he joined her. "No, it was fate's doing and so I shall accept it."
"Yes, well, was it fate's doing to make me as I am? Could I have not been an obedient daughter, a proper woman? No, I think that we have a hand in the determining of our lives, it depends on the decisions we make and our way of using our power."
He laid a hand on her shoulder, recognizing her clothes as his own in the process. "Yes, what you speak is also truth. No view of life can possibly be mistaken, to each his own."
Straightening her spine, she bravely asked the question which had been on the tip of her tongue since the announcement of her betrothal. "Who is he?"
He gave her a perplexed glance.
"That fool's façade deceives no one, brother, please, enlighten me."
He breathed deeply and informed her, "He is Jameston, son of Harold, King of the House of Merlin."
She frowned. "I have not heard of him before."
He elaborated. "Seeing as to your interest lies on demons, I can understand your confusion if I had no knowledge of your first acquaintance."
She gasped, obviously astonished. "I do not recall meeting this Prince," she spat out the word as if it were a bitter taste in her mouth.
"You have, you were four, the Prince was seven, it was at a ball and, as I recall, he poured black ink down your dress," an amused smile was plastered on his countenance as she strove to recall that certain event.
She bit her lip, frowning in concentration as she attempted to seek out that particular event in her memory. She could not remember anything that far back, they were insignificant, of no importance to her, childish memories long forgotten by a mind unwilling to keep them.
"I should have known," he murmured, soft enough to truly be a musing yet loud enough for her sensitive range.
"Yes," she nodded, glaring at him. "You should have known."
"Please, Marie, don't be like that."
"How else can I be? Would you care to instruct me in the proper behaviours of a lady?" she flared, challenging him. "Do you wish me other than I already am? Do you wish for me to be what mother and father hoped I would be?"
He was shocked by her accusations. "No. No! How can you even think that?"
She rubbed at her face in frustration. "How can I not? I do not know whom to trust anymore. I can no more trust mother nor father than befriend those vestiges I hunt. I do not know whom to trust."
He was a bit offended, but he accepted the slight insult knowing that he could no more understand the workings of her thoughts than find the allegorical Atlantis. "You shall always have my support and loyalty."
She smiled, shaking her head. "No, your loyalties and concerns should lie elsewhere. They are far too important to waste on my personage, though I do not appreciate it any less. You will be king, you belong to your people even now."
He smiled sadly. "Yes, but this blessing should be rightfully yours."
"No, I thank you for relieving me of that distinct burden. I have no wish to wear that crown for mine weighs just as much."
"If not more."
"Yes, well, it is destiny, is it not?" she teased.
He let out a chuckle. "Yes, one day I shall learn to keep my thoughts to myself in your presence for you shall make me eat them."
He stood up and brushed himself off, offering her a hand.
She held up hers. "No, I shall enjoy my last days of freedom."
He smiled endearingly at her. Her spirit had always impressed and amused him to no end.
"When shall we be expecting them?"
"In a fortnight."
Her shoulders sagged a bit before she picked herself up and held her head high. "Then, I shall live like I am near my end for it shall be true."
She turned to exit the stable and he felt his heart suffer for her, yet he could not truly grasp the immeasurable ache in her soul. "You shan't be killing yourself. You shall be saving millions of our people."
She halted, turning slowly to look him in the eyes.
When she spoke, sadness was now most evident in her voice. "That's it, isn't it?" She did not wait for his answer for it was apparent in the remorse and guilt in his clear ashen orbs. "I'm part of a treaty, aren't I?"
He hung his head for he could not look her in the eyes. "Yes."
The word was simple but affected her like a slap in the face. "Treaty for what?"
"To unite mortals with magickal beings, Witches and Wizards."
She shook her head. "There can be no unity for there is no war. They do not trouble us for it is part of their culture, their belief. A treaty such as that will be as useless as a broom to a fish."
"You are mistaken, my dear sister. They are not the kind that you have dealings with in your nightly exploits. They are of my kind."
She blinked, then understood. "Then, it surely is my obligation to wed this prince. I owe it to my people, to my kind."
"Yes, you shall save millions of lives without spilling a drop of blood."
"It shall not be blood spilt but the river of tears that I am sure to shed in silence. But what must be done will be done. No matter what the cost."
His effrontery was a gloomy one. "But not at the price of one's humanity."
"As I have voiced, our lives are not our own. My life, eminently. If it shall help our people, I will do it. No price is too great for their lives. This is what I must do, what I was made to do. What we were born for."
"You should not have to carry such burdens. What the Powers had given you should be enough," he stated firmly, grasping her arm and staring her in the eyes.
She shook her head. "No, you can not say that. No man knows their capabilities until God puts them to the test. He has blessed me with these curses, then I shall accept them on my faith, for I know he would not have given these to me if he was sure that I can not manage them."
He stared at her with unadulterated admiration. "Your faith seems to be more staunch than mine. If this is your wish, I shall stand by your side in whatever you decide is best."
"Thank you."
"But if you are even the slightest bit unpleased-"
She silenced him by placing a hand on his mouth. "No, I will carry this without complaint."
He nodded, defeated, knowing his sister would not mull the situation over, her mind was made up and he could do nothing to alter her decision. She was resolved to live her life in misery. He could not save her if she was unwilling to save herself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Lil'? Lily?"
A hand, placed gently on her shoulder, continually shook her, disturbing one of the few moments of peace and rest she could steal from the time which was not her own.
Suddenly, in the back of her mind, her memory seemed to recall that she had fallen asleep alone. Her body tensed unknowingly, her once slack countenance now one of utmost animosity.
Quick as light, her hand lashed out and firmly attached itself onto the stranger's throat, nearly crushing it, she could hear him gasping for air as her grip tightened as she slammed him onto the wall. Her right hand now held the man's wand like a stake, poised right behind his heart on his back.
She was now wide-awake and she could clearly see her assailant.
Sirius.
She looked down at their peculiar position, then frowned, backing away. The reflexes and posture were not her own, she usually aimed for their arms, twisting them until she felt a few bones snap and she didn't even know where to keep her own wand, how could she have known where to look for it?
No, she just wasn't herself lately.
"Ow!" Sirius groaned, massaging the back of his neck.
"Hate to be a redundant freak but I'm sorry, again," she muttered, knowing full well that she had spent the entire summer trying to keep her over wary senses from acting out.
She had made progress, the most she would do was reach out for a limb, then stop. She wasn't feeling very good.
"I thought that you were trying to be nice?" Sirius faux-whined, plastering a pissed off expression on his countenance.
She shrugged. "I thought I got it down, seems like I didn't."
He grinned at her and she laughed.
Then she returned to her thoughts, mulling her peculiar dream over and over. The characters, setting and somehow the plot seemed familiar, like a slight touch of déjà vu. Dreams weren't like that. These were different, almost symbolic with a running narrative which she could remember well. She wondered what the characters in her dream were talking about.
What she did know, she could not understand. The chick was gonna get married to some prince, a wizard, and she didn't like it. She wondered why she didn't just run away. And her brother, what's up with him? They weren't blood relations but what were these people they were talking about?
She shook her head, she was getting a migraine. She hoped this dream was a one-shot thing because some dreams she had were constant repetitions and that would just suck because she felt as if she were actually working instead of sleeping the past hour.
"Where we at?" she asked, startling Sirius who had been treading cautiously before her, jumped into the air and landed over Remus.
"Get off, Padfoot!" he grunted, straining to push Sirius off of him. Lily could perceive fresh scars and bruises marring the near-green pallor of his skin. He seemed weary and forlorn, and dark bags circled his eyes, distinctively dulling them.
Sirius, quite cognizant of his friend's discomfort, clumsily vacated Remus' lap and pretended to cower by Peter's side, yelping, "Help! She's angry! She's going to crack my head open!!!"
James snorted. "No great loss, though, Padfoot?"
Peter snickered, to which Sirius adamantly cuffed the back of his head.
"Well, who had the best grades in Potions, then, eh?" he sneered at his bespectacled best friend who snorted.
"Snape," he uttered with disgust.
Sirius frowned. "He's just too bloody intelligent for our own good. Well, then, who's second best?"
James countered his mate's challenge. "Moony."
A forlorn look invaded his face. "Oh, well, seems I've nothing to prove, then."
"What were you trying to prove, Siri?" Lily asked, attempting yet failing to conceal an amused grin.
Sirius' face was a mask of concentration, more focus than he had ever shown in his entire life. "That um.well, that uh."
"You don't have a brain?" James supplied, acting helpful.
"Yep.wait a minute," his face was a vizard of confusion and he scratched his brow. "No!!!!!"
She smiled. "You're smart Siri," she voiced endearingly.
He looked up at her, his face bright. "I am?"
She stood and sat next to him. "Yes you are, aren't ya, boy?"
He nodded. "I guess I am. I am a good smart wizard," he seemed as if he were trying to convince himself of the level of his intelligence.
"If you keep on saying that, it might come true," Peter insulted, though its subtlety went over Sirius' head.
"So, are we there yet?" she restated, pointedly looking at Remus who had gotten up and brushed the dust off his robes.
He turned his head to regard her wearily. "An hour maybe."
"Oh, so are we there yet?"
Sirius' face lit up as he understood the hidden point to her question. "Are we there yet?" he joined.
Point is, for there was not much to do, they were playing annoy Remus, or anyone in the immediate vicinity, but still, preferably Remus. It would be hilarious to witness such a composed and patient human being lose his temper and playing annoy Remus was the funnest thing in the world.
Remus shook his head. "No."
So, he was determined to play their game. Fine.
"Are we there yet?" they chorused, playfully slapping and poking one another.
She'd never had a brother yet she had a feeling that this was as close as the real thing. As close as she could get, anyway. What she wished for were siblings but her sister apparently didn't share that opinion.
She wouldn't admit it to anyone but Ernie but sometimes she missed her sister. A lot. A day didn't go by without her thinking about the numerous possibilities that would present themselves, had she not been a witch nor a Slayer.
She rested her head on the crook of Sirius' neck, nearly laughing out loud as she smelled the distinct odor of perfume in his hair. He could just be so vain sometimes. She decided to store that information for some greater use later on, like Blackmail, pun intended, for instance. For now, there was no point in disrupting their game.
An hour had passed and her throat was dry, she was parched and hoped that they would get there soon. Remus seemed unfazed, conscientiously answering their questions with a curt no.
It wasn't Remus who would bite the bait though.
James had wandered out onto the hallway, searching the train for some Katherine or the other and Peter, now a bit cranky sat stuffily on his leather seat, glaring at them to be silent.
They wouldn't meet his infuriated gaze and now more than irked, he screamed, "Shut the bloody hell up!!! Stupid prats!"
She smiled sweetly at him as Sirius pointed at him and laughed.
He cursed beneath his breath and curled up in his seat. "Both of you won, alright? Annoying gits."
"Sleep tight, Peter Pan," Sirius patted him on the head.
"Sod off."
Lily stared at Sirius, face frowning, "How'dja know 'bout Peter Pan?"
"I'm half-Muggle."
"Don't act like it, though."
"Sirius thinks his inanity is impressive and amusing. His favourite targets are Muggles," Remus hook his head, tsking at his friend.
"I'll never do it again, mummy," Sirius widened his eyes innocently, imitating a child. "I promise."
"You better not, or there'll be more peas at dinner and no cake," Remus smiled.
"Mummy, no!"
"So, Remy, did Siri tell ya 'bout his and James' exploits in New York?"
Remus could barely suppress his laughter. "About those cross- dressers they met on the street?"
Lily's mouth fell open. "No way! They so didn't tell me about that!"
"For good reason too!" Sirius defended himself. "You would've used that against me! And no," he regarded Remus indignantly. "I will not use that word and have Petey over there crack some inane joke about my common family name. Not common in the sense of heritage and blood but in word. Everyone always makes fun of me! It's as if everyday were make fun of Sirius' name day! It's unfair! When I'm old enough I'm going to have to change my name!"
Lily was unfazed. "So, a cross-dresser, huh? What you do? Pick them up?"
Remus smiled and shook his head.
Then it dawned on her, causing her face to light up with uncontainable amusement as she stifled her laughter long enough to yelp, "No way! No frickin' way! They picked you guys up!?"
She fell onto the floor in a convulsing fit of laughter covering her eyes, fearing the moment in which she would chance a glimpse of Sirius' frustrated and fuming face.
He crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. "Not my fault me and Jamesie are so attractive that everyone is compelled to be enamoured by our charms and angelic countenances."
"That's the biggest crock of shit I've ever heard!" she tried to compose herself by taking in deep breaths. "And I've heard my fair share of 'em. Like that vampire who kept on insisting that he wasn't about to eat that girl he dragged out in an alley but that he was trying to relieve the cramps on her neck."
"Well, what I said was the truth!" he huffed, then his face brightened up once more, signaling that the beginnings of an idea was forming in his mind. "And I know that Lily's a witness to such feats of charm."
Lily froze, mid-giggle, drawing back to the memory of her and James on top of that swan. "Siri, you know I love you and all, but not that much."
Hidden threat or alibi, she could not decide. If Sirius were smart enough, he might take her words as a combination of both, but being Sirius, she knew he would press her further.
"Oh, I think you've got more than an inkling as to what I'm talking about," he grinned mischievously as Remus looked on with an expression of utmost interest etched onto his face.
Her eyes narrowed. "Nothing about that night should come outta your lips or you'll spend the rest of your life wonderin' 'bout how your babies might have looked like."
"Aw, you wouldn't do that to me, Lil. I know you love me."
She grinned menacingly. "Oh, so you'd care to test the limitations of that emotion, then?"
Remus let out an ear-piercing whistle.
They turned to face him. "What?"
"Someone please tell me what is going on so I'll have a better excuse other than friendship when I referee your fight."
Sirius opened his mouth to relate the events weeks ago when Lily roughly clasped a hand over his mouth and growled. "You still remember what I was saying?"
He nodded.
"Well, I'm plannin' on acting on it if you don't hold up your part of the bargain."
He pulled her hand down and was about to speak when the door opened and James stepped in, nonchalantly regarding the scene.
When he spoke he addressed Lily, not even sparing a glance towards his friends. "We need to talk."
She rolled her eyes.
He didn't reply and she was a bit surprised, that is until she saw that he hadn't seen her for he had already stepped out onto the hallway.
She shrugged and stood. "Whatever," she mumbled exiting the compartment and closing the door behind her, leaving a startled Sirius and still out-of-the-loop Remus behind.
When he was positively sure that Lily and James could not hear him, he regarded Sirius with a commanding glance. "Now, if you would be so kind as to inform me of the cause of that?"
Sirius shrugged and eagerly shared his opinions with Remus and what he had seen during Lily's birthday.
"So, you do know that James and I went to that place in America, You Shark or something or the other, right? Well, then, it seems that we chanced upon darling Lillian's birthday and."
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A/N: Thanks for the reviews!!!! Next chapter, Lily and James' confrontation in the hallway.
Oh, BTW, please read my other fic, Deadly Pursuits-Potter and Evans please!!!!! (Goes down on knees and begs pathetically) Summary: She was an assassin, a cold, heartless, menacing killer. He was an Auror, enlisted to subdue her before she executes her mission; destroy the most influential and important man in the Wizarding World. (l/j, AU-ish) http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1055071 Please review afterward!!! REVIEW this one too!
Chapter Seventeen
Running a hand through her messy windblown hair, Lily Evans groaned as she glanced at the clock situated right above the ticket counter. She was too early, an hour and a half, to be exact, the station was mildly crowded, yet she could see no trace of any Wizarding family of any sort.
Certain that there would be no sign of anyone she knew for the next hour and that it would be pointless for her to just stand around looking stupid, so she quickly ran through the portal which she had passed through exactly a year ago and thankfully, she didn't trip like she did the last time.
Boarding the train, she lifted her suitcases and shoved them into the farthest compartment in the train and settled in, trying to catch up on some hard-earned shut-eye.
Dreading the prospect, no, the actuality, of seeing and all the more speaking to James Potter, she rapidly resolved that sleep would do her good, strengthen her resolve.
Not that she would be arguing or fighting with him, she'd just ignore him as much as possible, if that were even feasible. No, she'd have to speak to him sooner or later, but she's preferred the latter than the former.
She hated herself for losing her senses during that time in the Tunnel of Love. She could blame it on the ambience, what with the dark lighting and all those depictions of love, one would have to be a fool not to laugh at its absurdity or allow themselves to be drawn in its supposedly romantic lure.
She had done both. Foolishly.
Or she could blame the entire situation on James Potter, something she was more than willing to do.
Groaning, she glared at her watch then at the unoccupied seat before her which would soon enough be utilized by Potter.
Using her backpack as a makeshift pillow and depositing her booted feet on the velvet seat, she attempted to make herself as comfortable as possible, hoping no one would barge in on her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wooden planks loomed above, well-kept yet ancient, jutting into the ceiling, golden stacks of fodder stood to one corner, the stench of horses hung in the air like flies to a newly-baked blackcurrant pie. The finest horses, stallions, mares, Clydesdales and geldings, milled about in their stalls, patiently waiting for their feed.
A lithe red-haired woman hummed a soothing melody as she visited each and every one of her charges, taking her time with each equine animal, talking to them, grooming them and feeding them. She wore oddly colored brown breeches and a white long sleeved button-down shirt, both of which were far too large for her.
Her flame-like hair was pulled back by an elegant tortoise-shell clasp, curiously too exquisite for her stature from what her clothing would depict. She held two metal pails in each delicate hand, her porcelain skin tinged pink as she pushed open a stall and entered her stallion's stable.
"Hello, Gabriel," she greeted, patting his forelock.
He reciprocated the greeting by nudging her hand with unhidden fondness. She sat down on a stool situated beside the steed and set to work.
She had loved horses since birth, she was raised to be proper and presentable to society, yet her willful spirit had prevented the inevitable from happening. Instead of becoming every other society girl that she was bred to be, she had been known to be a highly esteemed swordsman and rider, despite her gender.
It was one of her numerous flaws, if her father had any say in her thoughts, which he might have, had she adhered to his teachings. She was different from other women her age, her reputation was to be one of an old maid's if she were not wed soon and she was positive that her father had an already distinct intention for her.
She had committed one mistake her entire life and that was being born a female. And for an error which was not entirely her blunder, she would have to compensate for for the rest of her existence.
No sooner had she started her task when a curt knock interrupted her serene musings and in walked an elegantly dressed man with an air of nobility about him.
She stood to greet him and stole a smile as his nut-brown locks fell into his depthless gray eyes. He towered over her by a good seven inches and she could barely reach his chin. What surprised all that glimpsed at the pair was the actuality of their relation; they were brother and sister. Yet their features and coloring highly contrasted.
They were not bound by blood but through love and spirit.
"Marie," he addressed her softly, almost with tenderness.
"Romulus," she nodded, her verdant eyes wide and inquiring.
"Mother is turning the house upside-down in search of you."
She frowned. "May I ask why?"
He sighed, taking both her hands in his. "Marie, I do not know how to make this easier for you to digest but mother and father, they-" He breathed in deeply to compose himself. "They have.given away your hand in marriage."
She abruptly pulled away from him, staring deeply into his eyes, asking for his words to be nothing more than a jest. She needed reassurance yet found none, his eyes were sorrowful, mirroring her own.
"No," she shook her head vigorously, her red-gold curls loosening from the clamp and spilling into her face. "No, they can't do this Romulus, you know they can't!"
She looked at him with utter desperation, as if hoping that he could renounce his words and declare them false, yet deep inside she knew that they were as true as the sun's existence.
She laid a hand on Starr's stall door to regain her composure. She could not believe that her parents would subject her to such a life-changing act without her knowledge or consent, expose her to such torture.
Out of anxiety and foreboding, her grip on the fine mahogany wood tightening, causing it to crumble beneath her grasp. The bay mare neighed in fright and she tried to console the frail creature as she backed away from the woman's consoling hand.
Tears formed in Marie's eyes though she blinked them away, she would not be seen as a weakling before anyone, though they be her brother or not, this would not lessen her pride, this would not bring her down.
"I can not fathom your emotions at this moment," he whispered, embracing her.
She nodded, pushing him away after a moment. "I will be alright. This is my duty, is it not? What I am born for, my curse, though I would rather carry twice the other than this burden."
"We are born into circumstances which are not of our doing or desire, yet we have to bear our burdens in a far better way than how others would deal with them. We are condemned to this fate."
She managed a tiny smile as she sank to the hay covered ground. "I feel sympathy towards you. If it were not for that 'accident', you would not have to suffer as I do."
He shook his head as he joined her. "No, it was fate's doing and so I shall accept it."
"Yes, well, was it fate's doing to make me as I am? Could I have not been an obedient daughter, a proper woman? No, I think that we have a hand in the determining of our lives, it depends on the decisions we make and our way of using our power."
He laid a hand on her shoulder, recognizing her clothes as his own in the process. "Yes, what you speak is also truth. No view of life can possibly be mistaken, to each his own."
Straightening her spine, she bravely asked the question which had been on the tip of her tongue since the announcement of her betrothal. "Who is he?"
He gave her a perplexed glance.
"That fool's façade deceives no one, brother, please, enlighten me."
He breathed deeply and informed her, "He is Jameston, son of Harold, King of the House of Merlin."
She frowned. "I have not heard of him before."
He elaborated. "Seeing as to your interest lies on demons, I can understand your confusion if I had no knowledge of your first acquaintance."
She gasped, obviously astonished. "I do not recall meeting this Prince," she spat out the word as if it were a bitter taste in her mouth.
"You have, you were four, the Prince was seven, it was at a ball and, as I recall, he poured black ink down your dress," an amused smile was plastered on his countenance as she strove to recall that certain event.
She bit her lip, frowning in concentration as she attempted to seek out that particular event in her memory. She could not remember anything that far back, they were insignificant, of no importance to her, childish memories long forgotten by a mind unwilling to keep them.
"I should have known," he murmured, soft enough to truly be a musing yet loud enough for her sensitive range.
"Yes," she nodded, glaring at him. "You should have known."
"Please, Marie, don't be like that."
"How else can I be? Would you care to instruct me in the proper behaviours of a lady?" she flared, challenging him. "Do you wish me other than I already am? Do you wish for me to be what mother and father hoped I would be?"
He was shocked by her accusations. "No. No! How can you even think that?"
She rubbed at her face in frustration. "How can I not? I do not know whom to trust anymore. I can no more trust mother nor father than befriend those vestiges I hunt. I do not know whom to trust."
He was a bit offended, but he accepted the slight insult knowing that he could no more understand the workings of her thoughts than find the allegorical Atlantis. "You shall always have my support and loyalty."
She smiled, shaking her head. "No, your loyalties and concerns should lie elsewhere. They are far too important to waste on my personage, though I do not appreciate it any less. You will be king, you belong to your people even now."
He smiled sadly. "Yes, but this blessing should be rightfully yours."
"No, I thank you for relieving me of that distinct burden. I have no wish to wear that crown for mine weighs just as much."
"If not more."
"Yes, well, it is destiny, is it not?" she teased.
He let out a chuckle. "Yes, one day I shall learn to keep my thoughts to myself in your presence for you shall make me eat them."
He stood up and brushed himself off, offering her a hand.
She held up hers. "No, I shall enjoy my last days of freedom."
He smiled endearingly at her. Her spirit had always impressed and amused him to no end.
"When shall we be expecting them?"
"In a fortnight."
Her shoulders sagged a bit before she picked herself up and held her head high. "Then, I shall live like I am near my end for it shall be true."
She turned to exit the stable and he felt his heart suffer for her, yet he could not truly grasp the immeasurable ache in her soul. "You shan't be killing yourself. You shall be saving millions of our people."
She halted, turning slowly to look him in the eyes.
When she spoke, sadness was now most evident in her voice. "That's it, isn't it?" She did not wait for his answer for it was apparent in the remorse and guilt in his clear ashen orbs. "I'm part of a treaty, aren't I?"
He hung his head for he could not look her in the eyes. "Yes."
The word was simple but affected her like a slap in the face. "Treaty for what?"
"To unite mortals with magickal beings, Witches and Wizards."
She shook her head. "There can be no unity for there is no war. They do not trouble us for it is part of their culture, their belief. A treaty such as that will be as useless as a broom to a fish."
"You are mistaken, my dear sister. They are not the kind that you have dealings with in your nightly exploits. They are of my kind."
She blinked, then understood. "Then, it surely is my obligation to wed this prince. I owe it to my people, to my kind."
"Yes, you shall save millions of lives without spilling a drop of blood."
"It shall not be blood spilt but the river of tears that I am sure to shed in silence. But what must be done will be done. No matter what the cost."
His effrontery was a gloomy one. "But not at the price of one's humanity."
"As I have voiced, our lives are not our own. My life, eminently. If it shall help our people, I will do it. No price is too great for their lives. This is what I must do, what I was made to do. What we were born for."
"You should not have to carry such burdens. What the Powers had given you should be enough," he stated firmly, grasping her arm and staring her in the eyes.
She shook her head. "No, you can not say that. No man knows their capabilities until God puts them to the test. He has blessed me with these curses, then I shall accept them on my faith, for I know he would not have given these to me if he was sure that I can not manage them."
He stared at her with unadulterated admiration. "Your faith seems to be more staunch than mine. If this is your wish, I shall stand by your side in whatever you decide is best."
"Thank you."
"But if you are even the slightest bit unpleased-"
She silenced him by placing a hand on his mouth. "No, I will carry this without complaint."
He nodded, defeated, knowing his sister would not mull the situation over, her mind was made up and he could do nothing to alter her decision. She was resolved to live her life in misery. He could not save her if she was unwilling to save herself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Lil'? Lily?"
A hand, placed gently on her shoulder, continually shook her, disturbing one of the few moments of peace and rest she could steal from the time which was not her own.
Suddenly, in the back of her mind, her memory seemed to recall that she had fallen asleep alone. Her body tensed unknowingly, her once slack countenance now one of utmost animosity.
Quick as light, her hand lashed out and firmly attached itself onto the stranger's throat, nearly crushing it, she could hear him gasping for air as her grip tightened as she slammed him onto the wall. Her right hand now held the man's wand like a stake, poised right behind his heart on his back.
She was now wide-awake and she could clearly see her assailant.
Sirius.
She looked down at their peculiar position, then frowned, backing away. The reflexes and posture were not her own, she usually aimed for their arms, twisting them until she felt a few bones snap and she didn't even know where to keep her own wand, how could she have known where to look for it?
No, she just wasn't herself lately.
"Ow!" Sirius groaned, massaging the back of his neck.
"Hate to be a redundant freak but I'm sorry, again," she muttered, knowing full well that she had spent the entire summer trying to keep her over wary senses from acting out.
She had made progress, the most she would do was reach out for a limb, then stop. She wasn't feeling very good.
"I thought that you were trying to be nice?" Sirius faux-whined, plastering a pissed off expression on his countenance.
She shrugged. "I thought I got it down, seems like I didn't."
He grinned at her and she laughed.
Then she returned to her thoughts, mulling her peculiar dream over and over. The characters, setting and somehow the plot seemed familiar, like a slight touch of déjà vu. Dreams weren't like that. These were different, almost symbolic with a running narrative which she could remember well. She wondered what the characters in her dream were talking about.
What she did know, she could not understand. The chick was gonna get married to some prince, a wizard, and she didn't like it. She wondered why she didn't just run away. And her brother, what's up with him? They weren't blood relations but what were these people they were talking about?
She shook her head, she was getting a migraine. She hoped this dream was a one-shot thing because some dreams she had were constant repetitions and that would just suck because she felt as if she were actually working instead of sleeping the past hour.
"Where we at?" she asked, startling Sirius who had been treading cautiously before her, jumped into the air and landed over Remus.
"Get off, Padfoot!" he grunted, straining to push Sirius off of him. Lily could perceive fresh scars and bruises marring the near-green pallor of his skin. He seemed weary and forlorn, and dark bags circled his eyes, distinctively dulling them.
Sirius, quite cognizant of his friend's discomfort, clumsily vacated Remus' lap and pretended to cower by Peter's side, yelping, "Help! She's angry! She's going to crack my head open!!!"
James snorted. "No great loss, though, Padfoot?"
Peter snickered, to which Sirius adamantly cuffed the back of his head.
"Well, who had the best grades in Potions, then, eh?" he sneered at his bespectacled best friend who snorted.
"Snape," he uttered with disgust.
Sirius frowned. "He's just too bloody intelligent for our own good. Well, then, who's second best?"
James countered his mate's challenge. "Moony."
A forlorn look invaded his face. "Oh, well, seems I've nothing to prove, then."
"What were you trying to prove, Siri?" Lily asked, attempting yet failing to conceal an amused grin.
Sirius' face was a mask of concentration, more focus than he had ever shown in his entire life. "That um.well, that uh."
"You don't have a brain?" James supplied, acting helpful.
"Yep.wait a minute," his face was a vizard of confusion and he scratched his brow. "No!!!!!"
She smiled. "You're smart Siri," she voiced endearingly.
He looked up at her, his face bright. "I am?"
She stood and sat next to him. "Yes you are, aren't ya, boy?"
He nodded. "I guess I am. I am a good smart wizard," he seemed as if he were trying to convince himself of the level of his intelligence.
"If you keep on saying that, it might come true," Peter insulted, though its subtlety went over Sirius' head.
"So, are we there yet?" she restated, pointedly looking at Remus who had gotten up and brushed the dust off his robes.
He turned his head to regard her wearily. "An hour maybe."
"Oh, so are we there yet?"
Sirius' face lit up as he understood the hidden point to her question. "Are we there yet?" he joined.
Point is, for there was not much to do, they were playing annoy Remus, or anyone in the immediate vicinity, but still, preferably Remus. It would be hilarious to witness such a composed and patient human being lose his temper and playing annoy Remus was the funnest thing in the world.
Remus shook his head. "No."
So, he was determined to play their game. Fine.
"Are we there yet?" they chorused, playfully slapping and poking one another.
She'd never had a brother yet she had a feeling that this was as close as the real thing. As close as she could get, anyway. What she wished for were siblings but her sister apparently didn't share that opinion.
She wouldn't admit it to anyone but Ernie but sometimes she missed her sister. A lot. A day didn't go by without her thinking about the numerous possibilities that would present themselves, had she not been a witch nor a Slayer.
She rested her head on the crook of Sirius' neck, nearly laughing out loud as she smelled the distinct odor of perfume in his hair. He could just be so vain sometimes. She decided to store that information for some greater use later on, like Blackmail, pun intended, for instance. For now, there was no point in disrupting their game.
An hour had passed and her throat was dry, she was parched and hoped that they would get there soon. Remus seemed unfazed, conscientiously answering their questions with a curt no.
It wasn't Remus who would bite the bait though.
James had wandered out onto the hallway, searching the train for some Katherine or the other and Peter, now a bit cranky sat stuffily on his leather seat, glaring at them to be silent.
They wouldn't meet his infuriated gaze and now more than irked, he screamed, "Shut the bloody hell up!!! Stupid prats!"
She smiled sweetly at him as Sirius pointed at him and laughed.
He cursed beneath his breath and curled up in his seat. "Both of you won, alright? Annoying gits."
"Sleep tight, Peter Pan," Sirius patted him on the head.
"Sod off."
Lily stared at Sirius, face frowning, "How'dja know 'bout Peter Pan?"
"I'm half-Muggle."
"Don't act like it, though."
"Sirius thinks his inanity is impressive and amusing. His favourite targets are Muggles," Remus hook his head, tsking at his friend.
"I'll never do it again, mummy," Sirius widened his eyes innocently, imitating a child. "I promise."
"You better not, or there'll be more peas at dinner and no cake," Remus smiled.
"Mummy, no!"
"So, Remy, did Siri tell ya 'bout his and James' exploits in New York?"
Remus could barely suppress his laughter. "About those cross- dressers they met on the street?"
Lily's mouth fell open. "No way! They so didn't tell me about that!"
"For good reason too!" Sirius defended himself. "You would've used that against me! And no," he regarded Remus indignantly. "I will not use that word and have Petey over there crack some inane joke about my common family name. Not common in the sense of heritage and blood but in word. Everyone always makes fun of me! It's as if everyday were make fun of Sirius' name day! It's unfair! When I'm old enough I'm going to have to change my name!"
Lily was unfazed. "So, a cross-dresser, huh? What you do? Pick them up?"
Remus smiled and shook his head.
Then it dawned on her, causing her face to light up with uncontainable amusement as she stifled her laughter long enough to yelp, "No way! No frickin' way! They picked you guys up!?"
She fell onto the floor in a convulsing fit of laughter covering her eyes, fearing the moment in which she would chance a glimpse of Sirius' frustrated and fuming face.
He crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. "Not my fault me and Jamesie are so attractive that everyone is compelled to be enamoured by our charms and angelic countenances."
"That's the biggest crock of shit I've ever heard!" she tried to compose herself by taking in deep breaths. "And I've heard my fair share of 'em. Like that vampire who kept on insisting that he wasn't about to eat that girl he dragged out in an alley but that he was trying to relieve the cramps on her neck."
"Well, what I said was the truth!" he huffed, then his face brightened up once more, signaling that the beginnings of an idea was forming in his mind. "And I know that Lily's a witness to such feats of charm."
Lily froze, mid-giggle, drawing back to the memory of her and James on top of that swan. "Siri, you know I love you and all, but not that much."
Hidden threat or alibi, she could not decide. If Sirius were smart enough, he might take her words as a combination of both, but being Sirius, she knew he would press her further.
"Oh, I think you've got more than an inkling as to what I'm talking about," he grinned mischievously as Remus looked on with an expression of utmost interest etched onto his face.
Her eyes narrowed. "Nothing about that night should come outta your lips or you'll spend the rest of your life wonderin' 'bout how your babies might have looked like."
"Aw, you wouldn't do that to me, Lil. I know you love me."
She grinned menacingly. "Oh, so you'd care to test the limitations of that emotion, then?"
Remus let out an ear-piercing whistle.
They turned to face him. "What?"
"Someone please tell me what is going on so I'll have a better excuse other than friendship when I referee your fight."
Sirius opened his mouth to relate the events weeks ago when Lily roughly clasped a hand over his mouth and growled. "You still remember what I was saying?"
He nodded.
"Well, I'm plannin' on acting on it if you don't hold up your part of the bargain."
He pulled her hand down and was about to speak when the door opened and James stepped in, nonchalantly regarding the scene.
When he spoke he addressed Lily, not even sparing a glance towards his friends. "We need to talk."
She rolled her eyes.
He didn't reply and she was a bit surprised, that is until she saw that he hadn't seen her for he had already stepped out onto the hallway.
She shrugged and stood. "Whatever," she mumbled exiting the compartment and closing the door behind her, leaving a startled Sirius and still out-of-the-loop Remus behind.
When he was positively sure that Lily and James could not hear him, he regarded Sirius with a commanding glance. "Now, if you would be so kind as to inform me of the cause of that?"
Sirius shrugged and eagerly shared his opinions with Remus and what he had seen during Lily's birthday.
"So, you do know that James and I went to that place in America, You Shark or something or the other, right? Well, then, it seems that we chanced upon darling Lillian's birthday and."
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A/N: Thanks for the reviews!!!! Next chapter, Lily and James' confrontation in the hallway.
Oh, BTW, please read my other fic, Deadly Pursuits-Potter and Evans please!!!!! (Goes down on knees and begs pathetically) Summary: She was an assassin, a cold, heartless, menacing killer. He was an Auror, enlisted to subdue her before she executes her mission; destroy the most influential and important man in the Wizarding World. (l/j, AU-ish) http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1055071 Please review afterward!!! REVIEW this one too!