Disclaimer: Why do I keep adding these every chapter? Just check out any chapter from 1-6 from now on if it means something to you.
AN: I have a list of things I need to do:
1: Express my utter astonishment at all the new reviewers who've picked up this story from the beginning and read all the way through. I was pleased before, but the sudden success of this has completely taken me aback. I can't tell you how many times I've just sat staring at my Stats page, thinking, "I have five new reviews? In just 2 days?!" in a daze, before even going to read the reviews themselves. So thank you to all the new reviewers since I posted Chapter 7: Vying Quill, nikki, the-fairies-midwife, oceansun, Torrential Zephyr, T.H, and googleduckie. And of course, thanks to all my dear old faithful reviewers ^_^
2: Thank everyone who commented that Dumbledore was out of character last chapter! I would have been concerned if no one had picked that up! There's a reason he's acting that way, and I get into it somewhat in this chapter. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm trying to show that even Dumbledore can't be perfectly complacent all the time. There must be things that hurt him, too! I'm going to need reader support & suggestions on this, or at least patience.
3: Thanks to the-fairies-midwife, I will no longer be apologizing for the length of my chapters. Whether they're long or short shouldn't matter, as long as they reach the point. On that note, I'm also not going to tell you whether I think the chapter is well or poorly written anymore. Why would you want my opinion – you should decide!
From this point on, my beginning Author's Notes will not be so long. All I'm doing is detaining you from reading (which you're finally allowed to commence doing now . . .)
~ Thank you! WhetherRose.
Chapter Nine: Puzzled Glances, Desperate Stares
After Lavender ran from the Charms classroom in search of Madame Pomfrey, the remaining Gryffindor students rested standing motionless, unsure of what to do, and unsure of what had really happened. Dean had thrown Neville's Remembrall, Elizabeth had stopped it without a wand, and Professor Flitwick lay sprawled on the cold classroom floor. Beyond these simple facts, none of the students, aside from the four standing off to one side, could make any further guesses or connections.
Hermione's hands were frozen over her mouth, her eyes wide, and her face white. Harry and Ron glanced nervously at Elizabeth. They had listened faithfully to her narrative of discovering Intoned Charms, but this concrete proof of what they had taken as something of an embellished fairy-tale was a little unnerving. Elizabeth stood firmly rooted in place, but the fluttering of the hands at her sides was increasing steadily in magnitude. After a few seconds she was shaking so violently that Hermione's eyes were drawn away from the prostrate Flitwick. Elizabeth met her gaze; both girls nodded and left the room without a word.
They entered the hall and walked quickly away. As soon as they had rounded the corner, Elizabeth sagged against the wall, every bit of energy drained from her. "From performing the Charm?" Hermione asked, her voice just above a whisper.
"From everything," Elizabeth replied softly, clasping her hands together and widening her eyes to keep the tears from spilling out. "The lack of sleep, this obsession with Intoning Charms, falling behind in all my work, Harry asking me to stop coming to Quidditch practice, finding . . . finding out about . . . about Saman . . . about my mother. And that my life has been a lie. And now Professor Flitwick, and Dumbledore is bound to hear about it and, and . . ." It was no use. Despite her brave attempts to keep them at bay, the tears trickled out. Elizabeth sank to the ground, her head in her knees in a sign of defeat. "I wish I'd never become a witch in the first place. I wish I were back in Connecticut living a normal life never questioning the people claiming to be my parents."
Hermione bit her lip, unsure of what to say. She had never been happier since the arrival of Elizabeth, and a friend of her own gender to communicate with, but this relationship was beginning to be more exhausting than her friendship with Ron, bickering and all. "You would rather be living a lie to avoid all this?"
"Ignorance is bliss," the girl muttered from between her arms. Somehow Hermione couldn't quite believe Elizabeth meant it. "Shall we head back to the Tower?" she asked.
"What good would that do? Dumbledore will be able to find and expel me no matter where we hide. Why expend the effort to move?"
Hermione gave an exasperated sigh. Now what? She was startled to see Harry and Ron silently appear at Elizabeth's sides. Gently, they each hoisted one of the girl's arms around their shoulders and began their progress down the hall, nodding to Hermione to follow.
The silent procession up to Gryffindor Tower took nearly fifteen minutes, but each of the four students were so absorbed in their own thoughts that they barely registered the time. When they had finally lain Elizabeth, by now deep in troubled sleep, on the couch in the common room, the remaining three stood around her, staring in solemn silence.
Harry finally spoke. "What was that she was saying about Dumbledore?"
"I don't know," Hermione replied. "She was delirious."
"Just look at her," Ron observed, amazed. "She was so full of life when we first met her and now she's wasted away to practically nothing."
"She's suffered a great blow."
The drawn look on Elizabeth's face stirred a stark recollection of someone else in Harry's mind. "Maybe she'll cheer up tomorrow when we take her to Hogsmeade to meet Sirius. You know, make her forget all this for awhile."
Hermione nodded thoughtfully, but Ron just looked at Harry with concern. "I don't think that's such a good idea," he murmured.
"Why not?" Hermione asked quickly.
Ron shook his head. "Later," he said, and retreated to his dormitory without another word.
Hermione's eyebrows shot up and she exchanged a questioning glance with Harry. Neither knowing what else could be done, they carefully lifted Elizabeth, carrying her gently to her four-poster and placing her under the covers. Then they returned to see if anything could be down to smooth over the inevitable mayhem in the Charms corridor.
*~*~*
Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. The sixth year Gryffindor students had relatively little homework assigned for the weekend, and the bright sun filtered in through the windows of Gryffindor Tower on a small group of them chatting merrily about the day's Hogsmeade trip. For one morning at least, Samantha was able to push the memory of her dreadful confrontation with Sarah a few nights ago far from her mind, and settle back into her comfort zone, passionately extolling Sirius' every virtue to Lily, who listened with amusement and envy at her friend's merry enthusiasm.
That afternoon found Samantha, Lily, and Sirius seated at a table in the Three Broomsticks sipping lightly at their mugs of butterbeer. James, Peter, and Remus were scheduled to meet up with them any minute. Although it was supposed to be Sirius and Samantha's first date, the two had long forgotten this and were just as happy to have their friends there for lunch with them. If anyone were to inform Samantha that she and Sirius had only been a couple for one week, she would have laughed in disbelief. The two fit so naturally together, that when asked how long Samantha and Sirius had been dating, their friends would automatically answer, "Oh, it's always been this way."
To say this was their first date (as was originally planned), would be laughable. They had hardly parted company since Sirius' confession a week earlier. Yet their instant relationship was still a common topic of conversation among the six, especially with Lily, who struggled to hide the jealousy she felt towards her best friend who had managed to find a boyfriend when Lily herself had not.
Lily was once again pointing out how lucky her friend was when Sirius commented, "You know, it amazes me that I got up the courage to ask out a girl when James hasn't even asked out . . ." He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes fixed on Lily, and suddenly decided it best to say no more.
"When James hasn't asked out who, Sirius?" Samantha asked curiously.
Sirius quickly tore his gaze from Lily and muttered, "No one. No one at all. Just forget I mentioned it." He began fiddling nervously with his mug of butterbeer.
Lily's face broke into a broad smile. Samantha started giggling. "It's not Lily, is it?" she asked.
"No!" Sirius was quick to respond. But his eyes widened.
"I knew it!" Lily cried ecstatically. "James Potter has a crush on me!"
"I never said that!" Sirius protested. But it was of little use.
Both girls were laughing like mad now, and Samantha was gasping between giggles, "High and mighty . . . James . . . Potter . . . head over heels . . . for . . . for . . ." She desperately tried to gain control of her laughter. Lily finished for her, "For ME!" And the two girls collapsed back in their chairs, rocking with mirth. Sirius muttered something under his breath, and his head sank into his arms on the table.
After a minute, the giggles subsided, and Lily, taking a deep breath, said, "You know, I never thought of James as the type to fall for someone. He always seems so independent. I feel so . . ." she paused, searching for the right word, "so powerful. Me, Lily Evans, holding sway over Potter's heart. Ah, think of all the doors that opens . . . Why, I could have James begging for me on his knees . . . " her voice sounded wistful. "This could be fun!" She caught Samantha's eyes, and it took all her will power to keep from bursting into laughter again.
Sirius sighed. "All it takes is one pretty girl and suddenly I'm betraying my friend's most guarded secrets . . ."
Samantha looked at the boy with raised eyebrows. "One pretty girl?" Sirius, realizing his mistake, began to protest, but Lily cut him off.
"Well, Mr. Black," she enunciated, her eyes glittering playfully, "If I were you, I would prepare to defend yourself. Because apparently you think either Miss Satine or myself isn't good-looking, and in either case, whether you're insulting me, or whether you're insulting my friend, you're going to have an angry Lily Evans to deal with." Lily stood up and pulled out her wand. Samantha joined her, highly amused by the look of terror in Sirius' eyes.
At that moment, Remus and Peter entered the pub. "Uh oh, what'd you do now, Sirius?" Remus asked upon seeing his fellow Marauder held at wand-point.
"Why, he only insulted Lily and me," Samantha said, giving Sirius a berating look.
Remus stifled a laugh. "Well, then, allow me to help you punish him."
"Me, too," joined in an amused Peter. The two boys took up a position next to the girls, and pulled out their wands. Sirius was motionless, frozen in terror.
Lily looked to her best friend, "So, Sam, what curse shall we try this time?"
But Samantha's eyes had wandered to the image of Peter, standing with his wand pointed straight at Sirius. She felt a sudden wave of sickness wash over her, and she dropped her wand weakly on the table. Lily put her wand away quickly, and stepped over to her friend. "Samantha?" She whispered so no one else could hear, "Another one of those feelings?"
Samantha took a deep breath to get rid of her unanticipated nausea. "I'm not sure," she sighed, "But I'm okay."
Peter and Remus, sensing the time for joking around had died, made their way to the bar to order some butterbeer. Lily, after another concerned glance at her friend, joined them.
Letting out a long sigh of relief, Sirius got up and made his way over to Samantha. Putting his arms around her shoulders he said, "Thanks for saving me there. I know how much you adore cursing the infamous Marauders, so you must really love me to have stopped that." He gave her his characteristic charming smile, but it faded when he saw the look in her eyes. "You alright?"
Samantha was quiet for a minute before hugging him closer to herself. "Just don't ever leave me, okay?"
Although slightly confused, Sirius murmured, "I promise."
*~*~*
"But you promised!"
"I know I did! But I honestly thought I'd be feeling well enough to go when I agreed to join you. And I'm just . . . not. Please don't force me."
Hermione's look was determined and unwavering.
"Oh, all right!" Elizabeth conceded.
She grabbed her coat and stormed out the door, Hermione watching with her arms folded obstinately across her chest. "It should not be this difficult to convince someone to come to Hogsmeade," Hermione muttered, picking up her own jacket and following Elizabeth.
The rest of Friday (day of "the Charms incident," as several students had already labeled it) had passed relatively smoothly, excepting the numerous whispers that had followed Elizabeth in the Great Hall during the evening's meal. After her afternoon nap, she had appeared to be recovering, and Hermione, Harry, and Ron had been able to convince her to join them in Hogsmeade the next day for a little "chat" at the Three Broomsticks, which Ron seemed especially serious about. But when Hermione crept up to their dorm to awake Elizabeth Saturday morning, she'd been greeted with a tragic moan, "But, Hermione! I don't feel well enough to go!" although Hermione suspected this wasn't Elizabeth's true reason for wanting a day alone in Gryffindor Tower. She hadn't missed the roll of parchment and quill Elizabeth had hastily shoved under her pillow upon Hermione's entrance.
Nevertheless, an hour later, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Elizabeth were seated comfortably around a table in the Three Broomsticks, looking up eagerly as Madam Rosmerta brought over four overflowing mugs of Butterbeer.
"So, Ron," Hermione started, wrapping her hands around her beverage and savoring its warmth. "What was it you wanted to say?"
Ron hesitated, his eyes bouncing back and forth between Harry and Elizabeth. "I . . . well, I wouldn't be mentioning this right now, I mean, I'd wait until the first shock wore off some, but considering who Harry wants to meet and all, I figure I ought to tell you . . ."
"Yes?" Hermione's eyes sparkled with impatience, but Ron just gulped.
"It's okay, Ron," Elizabeth soothed. "It'll be a long time before the shock wears down at all, so you might as well tell me. The longer you keep it a secret, the more it'll hurt when I finally find out. After all, if I'd been told earlier who my real mother was, it wouldn't have been so painful." Ron bit his lip. "It's about my family, right? What you were talking about the day you made me catch the Snitch?" The mention of this eased a smile onto Elizabeth's face. Ron just nodded. "Well, then," she said, "I have a right to know."
Ron wasn't looking at Elizabeth, though; his gaze was riveted on Harry. "I don't think we should see Snuffles," he said finally. Elizabeth snorted into her butterbeer; Harry looked up in surprise.
"Why not?" Harry demanded. He had been anticipating the meeting to calm his nerves, and he'd hoped Sirius would have the same effect on Elizabeth. He figured that while she didn't know him, he may have known Samantha (through research they'd discovered that Sirius and Samantha had been in the same year and same house together), and would perhaps be able to tell Elizabeth something about the mother she'd never known.
"I don't think he'll take well to Elizabeth, that's all," Ron muttered.
A confused expression crossed Elizabeth's face, and Hermione leaned in to whisper, "Snuffles is our code name for Sirius."
Comprehension dawned on Elizabeth's face; she had heard the entire account of Sirius Black the night before. "Why wouldn't he like me? He doesn't even know me. He probably hardly knew my mother either," she commented.
"Oh, I'm pretty sure he knew her." The way Ron said it made all three heads snap up and gaze at him intently. He continued quietly. "I don't know the details; I never really paid much attention to it at the time, but I remember it because the name 'Satine' used to be really famous in the wizarding world."
This was news to the other three, none of whom had had the wizarding upbringing Ron did. "They were a very powerful family; it was said they were descended of the great Queen Ellianne, Sorceress of the Ancient Magic. They fought tirelessly on the side of the good during the Dark Lord's reign, and it was said that a Satine could never do evil, for the very blood of the old magic ran throw her veins.
"When Samantha Satine disappeared (the eyes of the other three widened) a few years before the fall of You-Know-Who, it was feared that the Dark Lord was finally going to attempt to wipe out the Satine family. The rest of them continued fighting while in hiding. It was the biggest mystery, though: You-Know-Who never made a second attempt at harming the family, and Samantha was found murdered two years later with no clue as to who did it or why. They investigated it for years; Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, and the sister, Sarah Satine, were especially desperate to find out what had happened, but after awhile it just disappeared from the news."
Elizabeth sat for a moment, trying to absorb what she'd heard, wondering why Ron had been so hesitant to divulge the information.
Hermione looked confused. "So?"
"So," Ron emphasized, "people dismissed the case as the mysterious tragedy of a young woman's disappearance. I wasn't alive then; I didn't hear about it until years later when I was visiting the Ministry with my dad. It was around the time that rumors began to surface that Samantha Satine hadn't been kidnapped by the dark side during her disappearance, as was suggested, after all, but that . . . that she had willingly turned traitor and joined them."
"What?!" Hermione cried emphatically. "Do they have proof?"
"I think so, but I'm not exactly sure what. All I know are the rumors," Ron finished weakly.
"So why can't Elizabeth see Sirius?"
"The thing is," Ron looked carefully at Harry once again. "Samantha was linked to the deaths of the Potters through some connection with Sirius Black."
"But Sirius is innocent."
"Which makes it worse for her, doesn't it? Because then she wouldn't have been working with him, but working to help destroy him. And she certainly accomplished that."
"You – you can't seriously believe that?" Hermione gawked at Ron's solemn face.
"I thought you said my family couldn't do evil, because of the connection with the Ancient Magic," Elizabeth reminded him.
"That's what was believed. Until Samantha. That's why the discovery was such a big one."
"And that's why Dumbledore seemed so reluctant to talk about her," Elizabeth murmured.
"What?" The other three asked.
"Nothing, I just sort of overhead Dumbledore and McGonagall talking. McGonagall seemed to want to tell me about Samantha, but Dumbledore refused to talk about her."
"That doesn't sound like Dumbledore at all," Harry said, gazing at Elizabeth thoughtfully.
"I was surprised," Elizabeth admitted. "But if he truly thinks she tried to corrupt Sirius Black and played a hand in murdering . . ." she trailed off, unable to say 'your parents' to Harry, finishing, "then no wonder he was upset."
"You'd think he'd tell you the truth, though."
"Yes, you would, wouldn't you?" Elizabeth closed her eyes in thought, and immediately could see the image of the long-haired, blue-eyed woman in her mind's eye, cold and shivering, her hair wild and disheveled in the wind, standing on a doorstep. The door opened and a beautiful woman, with flowing red hair and sparkling green eyes, appeared, the warm color in her cheeks a stark contrast to the white face of the person huddled on her porch. The red-haired woman gasped. A smile lit her face, and tears appeared in her eyes, as she embraced her visitor tightly. "I thought I'd never see you again," she whispered, and both women laughed joyously as they clung to eachother, the wind whipping their hair in a frenzied dance. The red-haired woman turned to go in, pulling her guest in behind her, and as she stepped inside, a man was visible hovering in the room, rooted to the spot at the sight of the newcomer's face, and choking out a whispered, "Samantha?"
Elizabeth shook her head to free it of the thought. "Let's go see Sirius," she said decidedly. "I don't care whether what he has to say is good or bad; I just want to find out what he knows." She rose and the others followed, Harry and Hermione with a similar air of determination, Ron with a worried reluctance.
***
Dumbledore paced his office, lines of worry etched across his wise, old face as his mind pondered the information he'd received yesterday afternoon. Professor Flitwick adamantly claimed to have seen Elizabeth Satine perform an Intoned Charm. But that was impossible, wasn't it? He himself had proclaimed it so to Professor McGonagall the other day. Of course he knew the power of the Ancient Magic ran through the veins of all Satines – it was a part of their history, their heritage – but the power was diminishing. Certainly no one could harness it these days.
He sat down heavily, and a memory hit him with such force that for a moment he was overwhelmed. The words of that day so long ago still rang in his ears with fresh pain. "But, Albus! We have proof! You can't declare her innocence any longer! She willingly joined him, and went against her old friends. There's no more denying it!" He shook his head, furious with himself for having pushed that thought to the back of his brain and having forgotten to empty it into his Penseive.
He did so now, and sat back, rubbing his temples. How long he had fought to prove her innocence! It had taken him years to submit to the obvious. Why did Minerva have to bring this up again? Didn't she know the pain it inspired? Didn't she realize how the faith of anyone, even that of kind, wise, patient Dumbledore, could be shattered by such a complete and shocking break of trust? "We believe she played a part in the plotting of the Potters' murders." To hear such words, let alone being forced to give in to them as truth, caused such anguish and distress in the old wizard's heart that he had repressed the memory, fearing that lingering on it might cause him to lose faith in the other young witches and wizards he had such high hopes for.
But Elizabeth . . . did she really deserve to know? "Of course she does!" he chastised himself aloud. "Every child had the right to know its parents!" But that was out of his hands. It had taken such an effort to track down Sarah Satine once she had disappeared with Elizabeth after Samantha's murder that he was not going to risk losing Elizabeth now. Sarah had kept her niece away from the wizarding world to protect the girl from certain facts. If she heard that Dumbledore was divulging all those secrets, she would certainly snatch the child away from Hogwarts. And that would not be a good thing, especially if what Flitwick claimed was true . . .
Looking up from his desk, Dumbledore caught sight of Fawkes, staring at him with a quizzical expression, head cocked to the side, feathers ruffled. The bird trebled softly, one high, clear note, and the great wizard's mind lapsed suddenly from his distressing line of thinking to the memory of a little girl . . .
"Oh, Professor! He's gorgeous! What's his name?"
Dumbledore smiled. "His name is Fawkes, and he looks mighty pleased with that roll you're feeding him, but I'm sure he won't mind if you come sit down and talk to me for awhile. That is why you're here, isn't it?"
The girl blushed, and made her way over to a big, cushiony chair, sinking down into it.
"Now how may I help you, Miss Satine?" Dumbledore asked kindly. He looked over the girl with an amused grin – Minerva had told him the child had specifically requested a meeting with the Headmaster. How extraordinarily bold of a first year!
"You see," she said, twisting a curl of light brown hair around her finger, "I need my sister Sarah to be moved from Ravenclaw to Gryffindor."
"Ah, I see."
"Yes! At first I wanted to got to Ravenclaw with her, but I figure that then I'd have to leave Lily, and we all know I could never do that!"
"And why is that?"
"She's Muggle-born, Professor, Sir! She needs help in the wizarding world! But I need the help of my sister! We've always been together – you can't separate us now!"
Dumbledore tried to keep his face serious, but it was difficult under the gaze of such a bubbly eleven-year-old. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Miss Satine. Your sister's house has been chosen for her, as has yours, and you must both remain where you have been placed."
She gave an over-dramatized sigh. "Very well. I thought you'd say that. I have to go to class now, but I'll be back tomorrow to discuss this again! We'll get there eventually!" And before the Headmaster could say a word, she skipped out of the room with a smile and a wave.
It had taken five such meetings before Samantha Satine had finally decided she was happy with things as they were, but ever since that day, Dumbledore held a special place in his heart for the endearing little girl. If only that was the way he could remember Samantha now, without the stain of future deeds . . . What was that McGonagall had said about Elizabeth? "She's like her mother. Not weak – obstinate!" Well, that much was certainly true. But although everything he'd heard about her had recommended Elizabeth Satine to him, he was afraid. Afraid of once again watching a beloved student betray, shame, murder . . .
"Samantha," he whispered, "how could you do this to us?"
***
Sirius, alone in his cave on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, was thinking about the same girl, visions of her flitting through his mind too quickly to catch. Samantha, smirking as he got in trouble; Samantha, eyes sparkling as she laughed with Lily; Samantha, racing through the corridors, hair flying, trying to get to class on time; Samantha, patiently teaching Remus how to do Charms that most students could never manage. Samantha, catching his eye in the middle of a lesson; blowing him a kiss from her seat in the stands as he soared high above the Quidditch pitch; catching up to him on the grounds on a winter day, cheeks flushed and out of breath, just to say hi. Samantha, glowing with the excitement of graduation; kissing him in front of the whole school; dancing with her head on his shoulder under the stars.
Samantha, leaning over a baby's crib, her long, silky hair glistening in the candlelight as she lowered herself down to peck the baby girl on her soft forehead. Hovering there, right above the child, returning the baby's wondering glance, and smiling with a joy long absent from her face.
She looked up to find Sirius' eyes fixed as wonderingly on her as her own were fixed on the baby. For a minute, they held the gaze, and about three thousand different things burst from their hearts, longing to be said aloud. But Samantha turned away. She walked to the window and let the curtains fall gently closed. When she turned around again, the sparkle in her eyes had dimmed, died away.
"She'll never have the life she deserves," she whispered.
Sirius took a step forward. "We can give her one just as good." He took another step, intending to embrace her, to hold her, after all this long time . . .
But her eyes were so filled with pain that he stopped. "No, Siri," she whispered. "No. You don't understand . . ."
"No," Sirius repeated, staring blankly at the rock wall before him. "I don't understand. I'll never understand . . ."
"Sirius?" A hesitant voice called into the cave. The vision of the beautiful young woman, soft curls framing a face smiling down at a precious baby, vanished from his mind's eye as he turned to face the present.
Sirius looked up to see his godson in the entrance, and with him, Ron, Hermione, and – his heart stopped mid-beat – the baby girl, all grown up.
AN: This chapter was actually completed Monday, only four days after I posted the previous chapter. I wasn't able to post it til now cuz it was yet un-edited and I had an awful week of exams, homework, ect, but my point is that all your wonderful reviews of the last chapter not only inspired me (they always do), but made such an impact on me that I finished the next chapter in about a quarter of the time it usually takes me! So here you go, it's time consuming, but you all deserve individual thanks: (and if you hate cliffhangers, read the message to Bessyboo)
Tsukii-chan: Too tired to capitalize? Been there . . . nearly there at the moment, actually. Why do I always insist on posting these after midnight. Ah, well, c'est vendredi, I'm okay. Besides, I figure it's way earlier in California, so even if I collapse immediately after posting this, you'll still be up for awhile & might read it. Did you see the reviews I left? Those will have to count as my e-mail for today. A demain!
Torrential Zephyr: You have made me SO happy. Seriously. Ten reviews for eight chapters . . . *laughs* you've definitely out-reviewed everyone else! I love your comments – they're helpful, cheering, specific – everything I could ask for! We must think alike – it seems like the things you like most are the things I most enjoyed writing. Chapter four especially. Yeah, it would've been fun to make this Ron/Elizabeth. I actually played with the idea for awhile, but finally decided against it. I think I've done enough by inserting my own characters. Toying with the canon character's emotions with OCs seems a little cruel. Except for Hermione – I think she really needed some female companionship. I love all your predictions and reactions. Seeing people that into this fic makes me almost giddy ^_^ You will e-mail me when you update yours, right? Here's the chapter I promised you, now I'm waiting for yours . . . Just kidding – no pressure! But I'm eager all the same :) Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Snowwolf: *Pats snowwolf on head* It only took one day over a week to update this time – hopefully that will spare you from having to re-read the previous chapters this time? Just trying to spare your history grade ^_^ Ah, you realized that part of Sarah's bizarre behavior is due to peer pressure! Yeah, Lizzy's getting sick too often. She's beginning to bother me – being so weak. This is the last chapter she's like that. Next chapter she regains strength, simply because I can't stand her being whiny anymore (although she does have fair reason . . .) But of course! Cuddle her all you want! She could definitely use it! And from such a sweet wolf, too ^_^ And don't worry, Albus & Minerva will both be restored to greater kindness in later chapters. Things are just . . . complicated . . . at present.
Karma50: Sarah & Sam . . . yep, some definite problems there. That's going to be challenging to write. Glad you like the Intoned Charms. I'm really hoping that this method of wandless magic has more substance to it than some of the ways I've seen. I love writing it, I just hope readers don't think it's too unrealistic. You know—you and tsukii-chan are the only reviewers who have been with me since I posted chapter 1, and have faithfully & immediately reviewed each new chapter. Thanks for sticking with me! It means so much to me!
The-fairies-midwife: I hope people don't brand Elizabeth as evil, either! She doesn't deserve it, after all she's been through! (What am I talking about – I'm the author! I can do whatever I want!) Thanks for being constructive as well as sweet. It means a lot to me. I'll try to do the same for you ^_^ And I loved your last comment . . . how do I get so lucky to find such kind reviewers?
Bessyboo: This is not technically a cliff-hanger! I swear! *dodges Bessyboo's rants* Basically, you know what will happen next chapter – Elizabeth, Harry, Ron & Hermione will meet & talk with Sirius. Simple enough, right? I apologize for rubbing your prediction in your face. I honestly would have told you if it was right, but the fact is, Sirius is not Elizabeth's father, however much I'd like that to be. Wait, I should restate that: Sirius is not technically Elizabeth's father. Now you're curious . . . (Anyone who's reading this & is suddenly furious that I spoiled it for you, you would've found this out the first paragraph of the next chapter anyway.) You have to remember – something happened to Samantha that is still unknown. She was gone 2 years, and a lot can happen in that time. Being Sirius' girlfriend while in school doesn't guarantee anything. (Actually, your prediction is extremely close, and would've been right on if I hadn't changed the plot last second). But that doesn't mean Sam/Sirius fluff will disappear! Plenty more on the way! Lastly, thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt regarding the flaws in my portrayal of Dumbledore last chapter. You're right: I have a reason for it, it's proving that reason that'll be the real challenge . . . ;)
Nikki: I seriously considered trying out for the school musical today while I was helping my friend practice her audition lines, but then I remembered: I can't sing! So I came home and decided to finally post this chapter. If I can't be on-stage, I might as well stick to writing . . . Elizabeth isn't in trouble, don't worry. Despite Dumbledore's uncharacteristic harshness last chapter, he won't react that way towards Elizabeth. She didn't hurt him; Samantha did. And Sarah . . . well, more of her soon. She'll sort some things out eventually. You hate suspense? But oh, I LOVE keeping you in suspense . . . *dons infamous Princess Evil grin that hasn't been worn since 8th grade*
T.H: I never realized that – I guess I am balancing three storylines at once! I never really considered Sarah as a separate story, but you're right, she certainly is ^_^ I get all teary-eyed whenever you say you're interested in finding out what happened/ will happen to my characters, and think, "Really?" You've made my day. Between you & googleduckie I received 9 reviews in one day. I'm still in disbelief over that. I pity the poor person whose fanfic I read just after reading those reviews – I think I gushed about my shock for at least half of the review I left!
Googleduckie: When/if you update your fanfic (or start a new one), let me know, ok? I honestly loved it (as if you can't guess from my reviews), and I'm ecstatic that you like this! Especially since I value your opinion so highly after reading your work. *grins* You use fanfiction to procrastinate English homework, too? I think it's great for that purpose – in a way you're doing even more productive English work by reading & reviewing stories. Wish my teacher would realize that . . . Yay! Someone finally commented on the truth or dare scene! I loved writing that, but no one ever really mentioned it in a review before! And you've realized part of the reason why Sarah left the wizarding world . . . I'm impressed :) Thanks again – I'm still amazed you read the whole thing in one night!