Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters you recognise in this fictional story belonging to Joanne Kathleen Rowling, Warner Bros., and whoever else…Bloomsbury and Scholastic. Some characters are based on childhood friends, I made them into this fiction therefore I own them. I also own the plot. And the dates… coz they're terribly wrong. I also don't own the pretty song… *looks down* ('Symphony of Life' – Tina Arena)
Chapter IX- [48]
It was three in the morning and Severus Snape was stressed. He hadn't slept a wink and he had a good reason behind his sudden dose of insomnia: Lucius Malfoy. The dirty bastard.
"Lucius?!"
"Hello to you too, Severus" Lucius smirked, "Aren't you going to let me into your humble abode?"
In return Lucius received a look clearly saying 'no', making his smirk turn into grin, "Fine then, I tried to be nice! 48 hours Snape… Join us or die: a slow and painful death. Have a nice night."
Severus shook his head, he had no choice…he knew what he had to do. But something else was in his mind, when Lucius had spoken with him, true their conversation was brief but he could tell there was a hidden strain of some sort in his voice… What the hell had happen? Something must of happened among You-Know-who and his growing death eaters. Why the urgency of recruiting him? A C-grade student at Hogwarts with the exception of his increasing favourite pursuit: potions, there he excelled above all others. Perhaps that was the reas-
KNOCK!! KNOCK!!
Severus made his way slowly towards his door-
"Severus! Open the bloody effing door, will you?!" a male voice shouted from outside his door.
He fastened his pace and swung the door open, "Rosier? What the hell happened to your brother?"
Evan Rosier rushed past the door, "Lachlan can't stop bleeding once he starts, there was an accident at the Death Eater meeting, and can you make a potion to help?"
"Yes, but I need to know what happened" Severus said feeling sick at the sight of the growing pool of blood flowing from Lachlan.
Evan bit his lip, "I don't think I'm allowed to say"
His eyes widened, "You blundering fool! Do you want to save your brother or not!? I need to know the situation! Tell me while I get the ingredients! And for Merlin's sake hurry up!"
~*~*~
"ARGH!" she raged in frustration as she threw her wooden chair across her office. She winced as the chair collided into the wall while splintering into pieces.
How dare they kick her off the investigation! How dare they do that!? She was the best in the whole effing force!
"Argh!!!" she yelled while throwing her books one by one from her shelf toward her cream coloured walls. Soon she had no more books on her shelf: she advanced the wall and pounded it with all her might!
Damn that son-of-a-bitch who killed Ernie! She grabbed the silver mirror that hung from her wall and raised her arms behind her head reading to throw it…stealing a second glance at the mirror her eyes of rage and hurt some how come back to reality and softened. Her shaky arms held the mirror out for her to see.
Lily looked at her reflection, her eyes her puffy, red and tired. Severus wasn't the only one that hadn't slept a wink. And until half an hour ago Lily had been training like a lunatic. She laughed at what happened.
"Miss Evans, I do not exceed the time limit of my training, it is highly unprofessional" Her trainer said to her.
Lily's eyes flashed dangerously, "Highly unprofessional or after the hours you don't get paid?"
"I'll tell you the truth Miss Evans, the answer is none of them. You need your sleep and you need to sort things out for yourself- MISS EVANS! Where do you think you are going?!"
Lily stormed out of the gym with a red face. She ran to the lift and pressed the down button, she looked up at where the lift was: level 345 underground. Great. She ran to the stairs and ran out of the cottage not bothering to say sorry to say anything to the guards out the front. And then she looked up at the sky, it a dark and no stars were visible.
She walked along the pathways through the tall buildings surrounding her. She shivered in her thin coat she had yanked off the rack moments ago.
Ernie was gone…it didn't sound right. He was her father when she needed one, he was her mother when she needed one but most importantly he was her only friend who understood her when she didn't want to talk to anyone. No one could replace her parents and no one could replace Ernie… they all were gone.
She numbly walked across the traffic as the rain started. How suitable for her mood. She blank expression didn't change when the rain poured on her. She was soaked: but it was if she hadn't noticed, she stood still on the flooding path that were constantly being drained by the gutter drains. She reached up to rub her eyes: she hadn't noticed before but she was crying…sobbing. Her heart heaved. Why was all this happening to her?
She continued to walk, she heard giggling near her she fastened her pace and turned the corner sharply.
"hoi!" the man of the couple yelled, the girl giggled again.
Lily glared at them quickly before turning around and walking away…
"Sylvia?"
Sylvia? Who- oh shit… I really don't need this now. Lily continued to walk away until an arm grabbed hers, "hey Sylvia, you okay?"
Lily slowly turned around, "Do I look 'okay' to you Ben?"
"Have you been crying?-"
Lily looked at he girl on his arm and looked into his eyes, "You know Ben, I knew we'd never last, but we hadn't even started" she closed her eyes.
"Sylvia, you-"
"Goodbye Ben" Lily ran across another road and disappeared along another corner.
Her door opened, all the extreme Aurors offices were now all very visible. It was Vanessa, "Hey Lily I brought- oh my…" she gasped as she looked around.
Lily laughed, "Oh come on… you must've seen worse during one of your missions"
Vanessa shook her head, "I forgot to tell you, I work behind the desk, all those handy spells you use on missions are from my creation, here I got you some tea,"
"I feel like shyte"
"Here drink some"
"I hate tea, I want coffee"
"Here drink the tea"
"Shyte drinks tea…today" Lily finished lamely.
Vanessa glanced at her weirdly and took a sip of her own drink as she saw Lily finish her cup in one go, "Your three dresses came…"
"Three?! Who'd buy me three dresses; I've already got one that I ordered from Madame Malkins… someone wasted their money, I'm not wearing three dresses at once…" Lily rattled off quickly.
"Actually …you are, and so am I. My two extra dresses will come soon too"
Lily looked at her blankly, clearly someone had to do some explaining.
~*~
Atrox grinned warmly, "Lucius!"
Lucius strode in by order, "What is it master?"
"Enough with that… Lucius! Call me Atrox… for I am your brother."
"But-"
"And only you may call me that. Do you know why Lucius?"
"I'm your brother?"
"Because I am being faithful to our dead parents last words 'treat your brother well Atrox' and that is what I am doing!"
Lucius looked up, "What did you call me for Atrox?"
Atrox grinned, "A little birdie told me just moments ago that something is going on…the ministry annual ball to be precise."
Lucius' eyes widened, "Atrox, there will be Extreme Aurors swarming around."
"I know that Lucius! But I have a plan"
-- Night Time---
"Oh Merlin! Catriona Davies has out done herself! Oh my gosh! This is going to be the best night ever! EEE I'm so-o excited! We're gonna have soo much fun!" Squealed Laura Potter (James and Sarah's 16 yr-old cousin) she linked arms with Sarah and her also excited younger sister Lynnette.
Lynnette giggled, "Yes! I agree, Miss Catriona Davies may have outdone herself but she is sure as hell not a very nice person."
Lynnette and Laura fastened their pace but Sarah pulled back, "Hey you two, not too fast now."
They turned to her, "Oh sorry"
"Go on both of you, I'll be right behind you" She sighed as she saw her two excited cousins half-run up the stairs leading into the hall where the ball was going to be held. She regretted going with them. She should've stayed with James and the guys. Not that she didn't like them or anything…they were annoying at times. She cast an energizing spell on herself and slowly walked the stairs thinking No one dies a virgin, because life screws us all she laughed to herself. Good one.
~*~*~
Lily blocked out Vanessa's voice as she reminded all the Extreme Auror ladies about all the spells she had created for the night, for the third time.
The E.A. guys were in the carriage behind them. And behind the guys, were the 'cronies' a nickname for those bodies they were supposed to control. Vanessa had been working hard for the ball, she created a spell to control more than one body. The bodies they were using tonight were made from a pile of cotton, transfigured into a human dummy. This was necessary by the words of Catriona Davies, president and head of the annual ball committee. She wanted extra security. So each E.A. had two dummy bodies to control. Lily had to admit it was a pretty good idea for extra security. But did Catriona have to put this burden on her special guests? Lily laughed out loud.
Vanessa turned to her, "What are you laughing at?"
" I was remembering…Tom was telling me his nickname for that wench Catriona. He's met her once and she wasn't at all pleasant"
"Well…?"
"Catriona the crackpot with a crotch that crunches or as he had said it 'Crunchy crotch crackpot'"
Vanessa made a disgusted face, "I'm so very sure I don't want to hear this…"
"Vanessa! You have absolutely no sense of humour, even we don't know what he was going on about. I have no clue! I asked him once but he just told me 'you'll see'"
Vanessa sat back with a half disgusted face, muttering "Crunchy crotch crackpot…what?! That's so rude…"
In 5 minutes all of the ladies were giggling about it.
Vanessa… what a gossip, Lily mused.
"Professor Dumbledore, the teachers carriage is ready" Severus said.
Dumbledore's eyes smiled, "Severus.. it's Albus to you now"
"Sorry Albus, well everyone is ready, we're all waiting for you now"
"Well okay, let's go then."
As the two walked down Hogwarts halls Dumbledore said, "Severus is there anything bothering you?"
"No Albus" Severus said hastily
"Alright"
Dumbledore got into the carriage after Severus.
Severus folded his arms infront of his chest and almost laughed out loud. Voldemort was weak now, how foolish of him to make a deal with the devil himself…
It was laughable.
~*~*~
James ran his fingers through his black messy hair, "Guys! Hurry up!"
Remus, Sirius and Peter stumbled out of the carriage.
As they walked up the stairs Remus asked Peter "So we've updated you with everything that's happened. Recently where the hell was you, recently? I tried calling…"
Peter avoided eye-contact, "Yeh, I was really sick, I stayed at my grandmothers. Sorry"
Sirius furrowed his brows, " I thought your grandmother was dead"
"Oh" Peters face faltered, "It was my other grandmother"
The huge doors opened as they came towards the door. A huge man approached them, "Invitations" he boomed. "Unless you are cordially invited by Miss Catriona Davies or by the invited by her as you pass through these doors you will be hurt…very badly. Most likely killed."
That stopped Peter dead in his tracks. He wasn't prepared for this! He had a problem, he wasn't really Peter, he was really Lucius Malfoy. On a mission of the first phase of his brothers plan! Disguised by a self transfiguring spell as the still recovering coward, he knew he'd be fried unless someone invited 'Lucius Malfoy' Damn… highly unlikely!
James went through with his invitation and invited Remus and Sirius, "Peter! Come on…"
"Hey guys!"
Peter (I'm not making this confusing for you and me) saw that Potter girl smiling on the other side, "Hey Peter! I didn't think you'd come, where have you been? Come on!"
Peter hesitated. He slowly took semi-step toward the door.
Sirius laughed, "Hey! Aren't you Peter, Peter?"
Sarah grabbed his arm (Peter stared in horror) and smiled, "oh come on! I invite who ever you are!" she pulled him in and gave him a hug. Inwardly Peter cringed, he wanted to take a shower.
Peter managed a weak smile and forced a laugh with the others as they entered the hall.
~*~
The hall had a lot of light in it, the moonlight shone through the ceiling high windows on the east and west sides of the hall, 5 tables were set across horizontally, the front tables were for all the important people and the special guests. But to each guest, being here was a privilege,
"And welcome: to the 548th annual Ministry Ball, Ladies and Gentlemen, please take you seats as where you have been directed as you first arrived. If not; please check your invitation. Guests, your seats will be accommodated." Said a tall lady with short dark brown hair, "I'm Penny Davies and as your host for tonight let us start with a very special appreciation to my sister and head of the ball committee: Catriona Davies!"
The people in the hall all gave a polite applause, nothing too huge. Although sniggers could be heard from the special guest table at the front. The sniggering people in question were all of the Extreme Aurors, maybe except for Vanessa, she was hissing at Tom, "I never knew you were that dirty! That was really vulgar! I mean of all words! Crunchy…"
Vanessa made all of them snigger even louder, Lily patted Vanessa on the shoulder, "You've seemed to have made it worse!"
"You don't say" She replied sarcastically. "I'm going to shut up now, I refuse to be another cronie in your little rude joke group…"
Lily grinned, why hadn't she gotten to know all these wonderful people beside her years ago?? Then she remembered how all the E.A's found Catriona true to her nick name.
"-If by chance the dark forces manage to get through our security, you may conduct any unforgivable curse at them" Catriona's nasal voice spoke out to the Extreme Aurors that lined in front of her.
She was setting the rules for them, Lily glared at her when she wasn't looking her way.
Catriona stood up and started to walk, Lily bit her lip, all the others started to giggle. True to Tom's story with each stride there was a noise. It didn't sound like a crunch though, but it was funny all the same.
"Whatever you people is laughing at stop this instant! –the laughter died down- okay, you will all be equipped with a charmed muggle er…gun-"
Lily ignored her after that, she looked to the side, all of the 'cronies' were just standing there looking like very life-like dummies. She had mastered the charms to control her two extra Lily's.
Sarah, James, Sirius, Remus and Peter had taken their seats at the very front table. They shared an amused and curious expression on their faces as they watched the group of people next to them silently shaking with mirth.
Sarah whispered to Sirius, "Who are they?"
"If I'm not wrong, they're the Extreme Aurors"
"Extreme Aurors?"
"Yeah… bigger then Aurors, they go on heaps of highly confidential missions, get paid much more."
"Right…how do you know this?" Sarah questioned. Sirius just gave a her a look, "No…way"
He smiled, "Yes way"
Sarah was about to reply but then her eye caught someone, Remus followed her gaze, "Oh look there's Snape" he said casually.
James and Sirius at the same time hissed, "What?!"
But before anyone could say anything else Penny Davies started to say more things, "Just a few more minutes of you time please fellow witches and wizards. Tonight there is a spare seat on our special guests table, a tragedy occurred very recently. Ernest Banks was murdered, for what reason we don't know. A investigation has been taken place. His funeral will be held the day after tomorrow: it will be a public funeral, as requested in his will. Ernest Banks was only 74 years old when he passed away, he was the head of the force against the dark arts and all Auror societies located in this city, gaining close relationships with our greatest weapons again You-Know-Who. Before we have a minute of silence in his respect. Here is Extreme Auror: Ana Giles to say a few words on behalf of the society.
Among the Extreme Aurors confused expressions were shared, until Lily drew her chair backwards breaking the silence. Vanessa whispered to her, "Why didn't you tell me!?"
Lily had a glazed expression over her face, "It-it slipped my mind" as she stood up she knew every persons eyes were on her. In her mind she could her herself breathing short breaths.
Her heels clicked the polished floor as she made her way to the podium, up there she gave the smallest smile her voice faltered at the beginning, "I don't mean to sound so cliché but what can I say about Ernest Banks?
"Umm… I'll start from the beginning I guess. He had no spouse and no family, when I joined to become an Extreme Auror…which was a few years ago, I was young and I was in need of a job. My parents suggested that I- okay if you aren't buying this then good, you're smart. My real name isn't Ana Giles. I didn't join the Extreme Aurors because my parents suggested it, I was not in need of a job and you will never know how old I am. Heck, the face you see now is not my own.
"As a person with so many secrets like the rest of us, I depended on Ernie. He was my father-mother like best friend. I was one of the last people to see him alive… He is dead," her voice shook slightly and she looked down at her feet.
At her seat, Sarah bit her lip…
Lily looked up at the ceiling, she knew someone was in the audience but she dared not to look, "He is dead" She looked at her fellow Extreme Aurors and took in a sharp breath.
"Not only was he always there for me, he was also there for all my fellow Extreme Aurors, who I just met. He respected other people's decision. When he looked into your eyes, he looked into you and no matter who you were he accepted that." Lily paused to take a large shaky breath.
Severus looked at the front table with hard eyes, his gaze then was fixed onto that 'Ana Giles' she had blonde hair…hmmm…
Lily finally looked around at the people below her, all those familiar faces, "He once told me that no matter what you do and no matter what happens, acceptance will be hard. And I know all that w-were close to him would have felt that way. Ernie died. Those words we dread the most about their loved-ones…their name then died, death, is dying. But death is life by definition…
"There is no way of knowing when death will come; it just does
"Those who fear death most are those who enjoy life least.
"The meaning of life is in the answer of death
"There are worse things than death for some people -- take life, for instance
"When death knocks at your door, you must answer
"If you fear death, you're already dead.
"If you treat every situation like a life or death matter, be prepared to die a lot of times.
"Death and the grave make no distinction of persons.
"Death is but death, and all in time shall die.
"Death for us all, but his own death to each.
"Death is a black camel which kneels at every man's gate.
"In a world where death is, we should have no time to hate…
"And Ernie didn't hate, he helped us fight back.
"A person can survive almost everything except death Ernie…throughout his 74 wonderful years of his life did do that.
"People who are afraid of death are usually afraid of life- Ernie wasn't afraid…that's why he loved his life.
"Death cannot kill what never dies.- Even though Ernie body is dead, his spirit lives.
"Death is deaf and will hear no denial. Because death is deaf…we must accept it. No matter how hard it can be.
"I will be there at Ernie funeral with my fellow Extreme Aurors… If you will be there you will hear me again, if not: you've heard me now.
"Ernie loved quotes and proverbs, and he loved life. But it was taken away from him and all of us. So trust me... I- we against the dark forces in our magical community will get that dirty bastard, no matter how many of us we might lose along the way. Like a snake, we will crush their head and watch their death with much satisfaction. We will certainly make them pay."
The Extreme Aurors went wild: clapping, whistling and shouting to agree.
Remus smiled at their antics and looked at the speaker, she had the liveliness of Lily. To suppose, would be correct. So Lily was an Extreme Auror and that was her. He had to talk to her. He noticed the glass of champers in front of him he drunk it like a shot, ignoring the look Peter gave him.
He looked at Sarah, she was sitting next to Sirius who was sitting opposite to himself. And he was in the middle of Peter and James. James and Sarah were applauding with the Extreme Aurors. He grinned when he saw that Katriona Davies lady fuming at her table with the Minister Of Magic. He has to conclude that that speaker was her: assuming that Extreme Auror didn't change their sex for disguise…now that would be twisted.
"Hello? Moony? We've started the feast already! I thought you were hungry… eh?" James waved his wand in front of Remus' face.
"Oh…yum food!"
A few seats away from them sat Lily, moving her food with her fork around her plate, every couple seconds she'd glance at James and co.
Next to her were, Vanessa and Melissa, another fellow Extreme Auror. Melissa followed her gaze, "You know 'em?"
Lily snapped out of her train of, "Oh- Sorry what?"
Melissa grinned and repeated her question, before she could answer Vanessa poked her head around, "Know who?" she looked at where Melissa was gesturing at, Vanessa face changed, "Oh Lily… you can't do this to yourself. I order you to eat."
Melissa sighed, "Don't think about it, I think we all know how it feels to meet our left-behind past. Those who are fielders that is."
Lily just stabbed her steak with her fork and put it in her mouth, Fielders were the extreme Aurors who actually went on missions unlike Vanessa. "Who else aren't fielders here?"
Vanessa replied, "Well, there's…"
~*~*~
When everyone had finished their meal the table disappeared and appeared at the side of the hall and then the music started…
Stars are shinning in your eyes
And I begin to realise
That our path through times unbroken
Couples glided the dance floor and Sarah disappeared looking for someone. She walked to the other side of the hall and grabbed some punch and looked around, she couldn't find him…where the hell was he?
"Sarah! Hey…"
Sarah turned around, "Arabella? Hey!" The old friend embraced and caught up with each other. Sarah forgot who she was looking for afterwards.
Do you know what it's like
When a mirror never lies
And the truth remands unspoken
And we dance into the fire
'Cause our spirits take us higher
"Go on Prongs, I dare you to get a girl to dance…"
"Sirius… I though you stopped daring me to dance with people in Hogwarts."
"Well, you thought wrong!"
Remus looked on amused, "Go on Prongs."
James made a face, but then Remus' amused expression turned into a smile, a perfect chance to talk to Lily "Go on…I'll pick for you… that blonde over there…with her back to us, go on."
Floating through your eyes
How do we resist
The gravity of love
In the symphony of life
"Yeah, just watch." Remus walked over with James to where Lily and her friends were.
Her back was facing him, James tapped her on the shoulder, " Excuse me?"
Watching him Sirius cracked a grin, "Always picks the hot ones… woo!"
Lily turned around her face smiling but that soon fell, "Yes?"
James smiled, "Care to dance?"
Lily looked back at her Auror friends, Lauren gave her a wink and pushed her, "Go on…"
Damn… that was not what I meant! Lily thought as James took her to the where everyone was dancing.
Remus smiled and asked Lauren to dance.
Lily was really nervous, she didn't make eye contact with him. James noticed this, "So… I'm really sorry about Mr. Banks"
She turned to face him sharply, "Yeah…"
"I know sorry's won't bring him back. But my cousin was really moved by your speech… so was I and probably most of the rest of the hall"
"You knew him?"
(^)
Remus looked on the couple as he sway with Lauren, she was yapping on about something rather, he saw the way she looked into his eyes, Lily still cared for him.
(^)
James looked down into her hazel eyes, "Well, he was always the distant uncle sort of thing- oh how rude of me… I'm James Potter and your Ana Giles…except that isn't your real name."
I know who you are Lily thought but then she laughed, "Yes well, it's orders that I can't tell you my real name, nice to meet you James Potter,"
James smiled, "You too but what do I call you?"
There's a place I've never been
Where there's angels gathering
and they talk about the future
"Since you're a great dancer you can call me whatever you want" said Lily trying to adopt a lighter tone of voice to make it seem like she was relaxed, but it felt good to be in his arms.
You can have all that you desire
But it may not take you higher
James seemed to be thinking and Lily laughed again, "Come on then…"
He knew it was wrong, but dancing with this woman reminded him of her, "Okay… Lily."
Do you feel me now
Burning like a flame
If you touch me
I may disappear
Floating through your eyes
How do we resist
The gravity of love
In the symphony of life
She stopped dead and he looked at her with curiosity. She felt like she'd collapse in his arms any second.
James expression turned into a worried one, "Are you okay, I won't call you Lily if you don't want…" he added hurriedly.
Symphony of life
Do you feel me now
Burning like a flame
If you touch me
I may disappear
Floating though your eyes
How do we resist
The gravity of love
In my symphony of life
I won't call you Lily…She couldn't take it anymore; she pulled away, "I have to go…"
As she walked away the song ended and James was slightly confused.
Remus watched this and followed her discreetly, as he watched her by herself in the shivering cold on the east balcony. And as he saw her looking at them from the corner of her eye during the feast and as he saw her looking into James' eyes. He knew something happened, she didn't leave her friends because she wanted to. He felt he had to be direct, "Why are you doing this Lily?"
She didn't turn around so Remus leaned against the balcony edge "What happened Lily?"
Lily froze, she turned to him and threw on a questioning look, "Excuse me?"
Remus rolled his eyes, "Feel good to be in James' arms again?"
"What are you talking about? I believe I don't know you"
Remus half glared at her, "One half of me wants to hug you and the other wants to strangle you. Like in the hospital you're acting dumb again. I'm getting sick of it, you've been found out Lily Evans…and I want answers. You put us through hell…"
Lily felt weak and frozen inside, "I don't need this" She ran back inside.
Remus watched her run inside, perhaps he had taken it the wrong way…he couldn't ask her questions straight out, he had to do a little research.
~@#$%~
Sarah was getting angry, Severus knew something about Lily, but he kept on lying to her.
"Severus… I've known you for how many years?"
"Sarah-"
"Since Hogwarts, correct?"
Severus gave her a weird look, "Yeh"
"Okay I'm going to try this again, what connection do you have with Lily Evans, Severus? I don't think people just mutter to themselves 'So Lily Evans is here tonight eh?' ABOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN MISSING FOR YEARS!" Sarah screamed.
Severus couldn't let her know, "I told you I don't know anything… it was nothing."
Sarah slapped him across the face with all her might. "You bastard! How dare you lie to me… What are you hiding?? After all these years you have the nerve!"
"No…Sarah you don't understand…"
"Yeah…that's right! I don't understand! I don't understand why you are hiding something from me! About Lily! My best friend! Why can't you tell me damnnit! Make me understand, Severus!"
"If I did, you'd be in danger. I can't put you in danger… I won't!"
"Danger? See? That's exactly wh-what Lily said….what danger?"
"What did Lily say to you?"
"No, my question first…what danger? What… who is she hiding from? What's happening to her? I know you know so don't give me shit! tell me!"
"I am already in danger Sarah…I will not let anything happen to you, you don't what to know. If you knew just a little bit you're in danger…"
"I know things… I know where she works-"
"What? How?"
"I can't tell you… you'll be in even more danger Severus.i.don't.want.that.to.happen."
"Sarah I-I can't… please, stop asking me."
"Yes you can! You just don't want to, Severus…. I'm not afraid of danger, I don't care of what telling me will put me it in…. I am not afraid!"
"I won't! I am afraid for you Sarah…please understand!" he pleaded with a tone of desperateness while tenderly touched where she had slapped him.
"But I do… I understand…" Sarah walked off.
"Sarah pleas-" Snape pleaded.
"No!" She yelled as she ran out to the carriages.
Severus ran up to her and grabbed her arm, "Please listen"
Sarah glared at him, "Is this what you make from our friendship for so many years? You know something! Severus Snape! You know something about my best friend and y-you…had the nerve to lie to me about that and confirm it! You know how much I value truth a-and trust! No… Severus… never again…" She yanked her arm away.
"Sarah!" a voice cried out from the entrance; it was James.
Sarah wiped her tears and straightened up, she looked into Severus' pleading eyes and said in a cold voice, "Good night and goodbye…I will find out what you know Severus… you know I will" and with that; she ran to her carriage.
Tears fell from her eyes as she watched from afar…Lily turned her back away from them, she couldn't handle watching what was going on.
Sarah closed the door and sobbed into her hands, her mind racing…
How could he? I'll find out what he knows about Lily… even if I die trying
As the carriage moved away Sarah left a completely devastated Severus with the shouts of James in the background.
James ran up to Severus and screamed out to the carriage, "Sarah!" then he turned to to his enemy and shoved him, "What the hell did you do to her?! Huh?"
"Nothing Potter…"
"What the hell did you say?"
James' voice caught Catriona's attention as she passed by, she felt danger coming along so she straightened herself and walked hastily towards them. As she walked towards them her clicking heels made Severus and James notice her, "Gentlemen, is there any reason you both look like you're going to start a fight?"
They replied with silence.
"Tonight is a night for celebration. And unless you would like to take you business elsewhere and miss out on the Minister's final speech than I suggest you go back inside with civil manners" Catriona stated with authority.
Lily walked back inside after Catriona finished her speech, surprised Catriona had some use.
~*~
"Stop! Stop!" Sarah shouted to the carriage driver. Why had she left the ball? She hadn't even got the information she needed. She couldn't let herself be so weak.
~*~
The driver turned around but before Laura or Lynnette could scream. He shouted, " Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus!"
~!!!~
"I invite you Atrox Malfoy… my dear brother."
~!!!~
She wanted to turn around but the Death Eater held her hand tightly, He dragged her and her sister to one of the tables and told them to sit down. He smiled charmingly to the people ho walked past and turned to her, "Gather up your family, tell them to meet you- no wait" He pushed them into the crowd of dancing people and threw her into a side room, gagged their tied their hands and feet together.
He found James Potter and threw him a piece of parchment, [North Wing. Come alone or the little Miss Potter's get it]
James stared wide eyed at Lynnette and Laura and said to the Death Eater, "What do you want?"
The death eater smirked, "Good. You were smart enough to know to come alone. I will tell you this. Bring all the Potters here. I'm on a suicide mission, I'm just letting you know that. My life doesn't matter to me so don't you try anything. I won't hesistate to hurt you or your ruddy family… You bring those Extreme Aurors here and I will kill them and myself just the moment I see anyone other than a Potter."
James nodded and rushed away. This was so stupid.
Soon, all the Potters were there, Lynnete and Lauras parents were comforting them. The Death Eater laughed. "Don't try anything, or they will die. Try to Avada me…and your precious little miss' die going kaboom! Savvy?"
James sat there nervously, perhaps he should've got someone. He hoped Sarah would notice something by now; he couldn't risk getting her in here anyway.
~*~*~
Sarah looked around from her seat at the round table, where was her family…it seemed like all the Potters had disappeared. She turned to her right where Remus and Sirius sat, "Where's James?"
They looked around the hall, "I have no clue, why don't you go try a member of your family?" Sirius replied.
"And where the hell are they? Remus have you seen James?"
Remus looked at her strangely, "Uh…no why? Sorry, I was thinking…"
"Actually, I think I saw James go towards the toilets… maybe he's constipated." Sirius grinned
She sighed, "Maybe" She stood up and decided to look for any of the Potters.
~*~*~
"Now listen! All of you…tonight I will be greatly rewarded for this…tonight is not only the Ministry Annual Ball. It is also the night of a massacre. Since you dorks are muggle lovers, I'm going to kill you all with a muggle gun. One by one…slowly… not only to get rid of a family who aren't welcome but to show that the Extreme Aurors behind this security are nothing but stupid fools! You, the Potter family have put away too many dark forces, tonight you will pay. I will firstly shoot your arms, then legs…you will cry out in pain and I will laugh!" Atrox cried out. "It's been a dream of mine…"
This man is crazy, James thought.
~*~*~
Sarah walked toward the group of the Extreme Aurors and Ana, "Hey… umm, I don't mean to barge but all my family have seemed to disappeared."
Lily looked at her best friend alarmed then she scanned the hall, she panicked and turned to Melissa and Tom, "She's right."
Tom turned to Sarah, "How long have you noticed this?"
"Half an hour or so, I've just come to you guys now… They aren't even outside…"
Vanessa scanned the room hastily, "The Wings, perhaps?"
Tom shook his head, "Damn…" He took out his wand and whipped it around, "Alert everyone. Go, go go…"
-FIN-
A/N- Bit of a worry…
