A/N: I know, I know! I'm a hopeless
author who can't even keep updating a story regularly. Don't hurt me! I just
got a bit preoccupied with my other story and neglected this one. But I'm back,
armed with heaps of plot ideas. If you've read the book So Much to Tell You,
the book that this is based on, you'll know that this doesn't really stick to
it, and will break away at the end. I won't give up! (That's a promise – hold
me to that if I get carried away again…) I'm sorry again for being a
hopeless author. Thanks to all the people who didn't give up on me.
I know that this story is riddled with mistakes, but I'm really concentrating
on the plot here. If you want a story with good grammar, read Best Enemies.
Anyway, I'm sure you'd much rather read the chapter than listen to my excuses …
so enjoy!
A lot of you were wondering exactly what
"Operation Lily" is. In short, it's a recipe for disaster. All will be revealed
in this chapter!
Disclaimer: You name it; I don't own it. Us lesser mortals can only dream.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Chapter 8
James suddenly looked up; classes had obviously just ended, as he could hear
the noises of people coming up to the dorms to dump their books and go to
morning tea. He got up, and, taking nothing but his invisibility cloak with
him, went to a place where he could read quietly, without disturbance. For once
in his life, he wasn't hungry anyway. Just remembering the morning's events was
more than enough to make him feel sick. Babbling his life story to his entire potions
class … all to save Lily from speaking before she was ready … he didn't even know the girl, for God's sake, and he
was destroying his life for her. But then, he felt so sorry for her … all she
had been through …
James H. Potter sighed as he swept down the deserted hall of Hogwarts, all the
students being either outside enjoying their morning tea or in the hall.
He tried to imagine what Lily would have been like if she had come to
Hogwarts in first year, face fully intact. He pictured a bright, confident
little redhead that would have been his friend. Pulling out the muggle
newspaper article with the picture of her on it … she was barely recognizable
anymore.
He had been so caught up in reading that he forgot to find the very girl that
was always on his mind … the girl that was supposed to be within his sight at
all times …
~*~
The remaining members of the Marauder gang were trying to find the same girl
James had forgotten about, without much success. Lily Evans was nowhere to be
found. The boys were both comically and unsuccessfully trying to work out where
she would be.
"Hurry up and think of something guys. Otherwise Operation Lily will be a flop.
And besides, I want to eat," whined Peter.
"Why don't you try and contribute a little, Wormtail? It's not like you're
helping us," Sirius pointed out.
Peter scowled. Sirius scowled back. Remus, noticing the tension rising
between the two, decided to intervene.
"Now, guys, try and play nice,"
The other to snorted and went back to scowling at each other.
"We still have to find Lily, you know,"
"Oh yeah …" And with that, they snapped out of it.
"Now," continued Remus, taking the role of leader. "Where would you be if you
were Lily?"
"As far away from Hardcastle as I could get," sniggered Sirius.
"Eating, like every other normal person in the school," moaned Peter, rubbing
his stomach and consequently looking like a pregnant mother feeling her baby.
"Yeah, Petey, but she's not normal," retorted Remus. Turning to Sirius, he
asked "And just how far is far away from Hardcastle?"
"Uh … Australia?"
"Think, Sirius. For once, just think. Hardcastle likes dungeons.
Where's the furthest place IN THE SCHOOL from the dungeons?" replied the
ever-sensible Remus, rolling his eyes.
"Uh … the Forest?" Sirius screwed his face up, trying to think. Peter,
as usual, had no idea.
"The Astronomy Tower, you retard. C'mon, thanks to your genius we only
have ten minutes of recess left,"
And with that, they went to go and find Lily.
~*~
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
~*~
James eventually found a deserted room with nothing but a large mirror in the
middle. This place is as good as any
he shrugged mentally, and sat down. He took the little green notebook out of his
pocket and began to read once more.
There was a big time gap in there, from her being in hospital again after she
was attacked, he supposed. He continued on reading.
Dear Diary,
I don't know what the date is anymore, because I'm so confused and am desperately trying not to remember. I thought it would be different, but I was wrong. I had hoped just to be treated like everyone else, but I wasn't. Nobody except Dumbledore has come to visit me so far. But then, why would they? It's not like I deserve it. I've spent all of my life, bar a few days, since I was eleven just sitting in hospital, trying to heal I -
A boy just came and went, and I think I remember him from my first night at Hogwarts. Messy black hair, glasses … he seemed decent. Just looked at me and smiled. I think he feels pity for me. He and the doctor were talking about me, I'm sure; I just wasn't close enough to hear. He's just left, without saying anything. But then, why would he? It's not like after all these years of silence that I'd say anything back. I can't even do the spells that I learnt by my textbooks in hospital because you need to speak. Professor Dumbledore mentioned that some people can do it without saying anything, but the chances of that being me are about one in a billion.
But when I saw that boy, I realized that I can start from almost scratch. I do have something to hang on to. A tiny little ray of hope. Otherwise I would have given up by now.
Lily.
~*~
Lily Evans sighed as she sat on the small cavity in the windowsill at the very top of the Astronomy Tower, not in the least scared. Heights had never terrified her; she as a child had often gone tree climbing and had fallen out of tall oaks from a very young age. I was a pity her childhood had disappeared so quickly, evaporating into adulthood, something she wasn't prepared for.
Should she jump? It would be so easy, just to lean over and fall …
Looking down, she thought of what she would be leaving behind if she died. Nothing really, except for a sad, failed James Potter. But she was a burden to him. She had made him give up things he loved for her. Because there was no way in hell she was going to play Quidditch on a broomstick tomorrow. Peering down, she made the decision to jump. To end it all simply. Just as she began to lean over, towards the trees and sunshine … the door burst open, and the Marauders burst in.
She really did fall then from the shock, toppling over but at the last minute she grabbed onto the ledge, taking she skin off her fingers as she did so. Her breath caught in her throat, and she realized then that she didn't want to die.
The Marauders apparently hadn't seen her, as they walked in and one of them said
"I don't think she's here, Moony,"
"Well, where would she be?"
"I dunno, let's try the kitchens…"
The boys made scuffling sounds, as if they were leaving, and Lily knew she couldn't hold on for much longer. This was her last chance to save herself, but the only way she could do it was to …
… talk.
A/N: CLIFFY!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't resist! But, don't despair, the next chapter will be out soon!
Big thankyous to
Amanda – As you can see, I've finally updated! Yay for me! I'm really glad you're enjoying my story.
mmn673 – ME? Use SPELL CHECK!?! Never! j/k … sometimes I just can't be bothered … but I did this chapter. Thankyou for reviewing!
Fezria – Thanks! I'm glad I have the kind of story that makes people remember … I really wanted this one to be different. Yeah. Sirius was my favourite character too … but his death WILL BE AVENGED! Lol.
Musicstarlover – Yeah, Lily opens up a lot more in this chapter as well … perhaps there may be a little … dare I say … romance brewing among our favourite characters? Thanks for helping me with the italics thing, though! :P
Meadow A – That's a good idea, actually. I did work out how to get them in the end, but thanks for trying to help! I hope you enjoy this chappie!
Gwenyvere – Yes, it did help very much! I feel so stupid now … thanks for reviewing!
MonkeyGurl1 – Glad you enjoyed it!
Starborn – I know! I've had unbelievable success with this! (not that I'm complaining or anything!)
Rosie – Thanks for telling me!
CuriosityNeverKilledHumans – Yeah, I said that at the beginning in my author's note. It is based on the book, but will break away at the end. Thanks for reviewing!
vamperfly – Thanks so much for telling me! Yes, Lily will speak, and with each chapter we get closer … I don't plan to keep you in limbo for too much longer, though.
illusions5 – Yay! Green is my favourite color too! The color of those aliens that take me away in my dreams … lolz. Thank you for reviewing!
Sunkisses643 – My story rocks you socks? COOL! Thanks for reviewing it! If you want to read a really good story try Lily and James: The Prequel By kirbeedesirae. It's very long, and she says the beginning was bad but I loved it all the way through. Go to www.expage.com/ihepsm to read it. Once again, thankyou for reviewing!
Erriy – Thanks! I know I haven't been updating but … yeah … sorry about that. I'll try and update about once a week. Yeah, the title is really stupid, but I couldn't think of anything better and I don't want to change it now or readers may not recognise it!
Larka - ME? Read the INSTRUCTIONS!?! NEVER! j/k – thanks for the tip and I hope you're enjoying this chapter!
Stella – *Hands candy bar to stella* Thanks for reviewing! (I really should stop bribing people!) Yeah … more Sirius here …
Me – Thanks for the tip – and for reviewing! Like the email address, by the way!
Grim Wolf – Thanks for the really clear instructions! I'll be sure to check out your stories once I get my updates out of the way!
Lil K – Thanks! Okay, so I haven''t updated in like … a month … my stupid computer got a virus, we got it fixed and then it goes and gets another virus! How stupid can a computer be !?!?
gum-addict – One nice long chappie for you! I'm glad you love it!
oldestof3 – I'm usually not very good at writing sad stories … I'm quite proud of myself! I'm glad you're enjoying it.
ChildofMidnight – Koolers … what a kool word! Thankyou for reviewing! Maybe they will, maybe they won't.
Embyr - Dragon – Thank you for putting me on your favourite stories list! The thing is, I have no way of knowing anything except who had put me on their favourite author's list, so thanks for telling me! Let's hope that this story isn't so morbid in the future … but it had to get worse before it can get better!
Cynthia90 – Thanks for reviewing and telling me you like it!
Katie – Longer chapters, huh? Hope this one pleased you! Thankyou for reviewing!
Skywalker26 – Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it!
Hyper Fairy Queen - *Hugs back* Thanks for reviewing! The guys are quite mean, aren't they? There's a long road to self- discovery up ahead for them …
Moon*wolf2 – Well, here's my very belated update! I hope you enjoy it! Thankyou for reviewing.
If you would like me to e-mail you when I update (which will be a lot sooner than last time!), either review with your email address or email me at snowflakelatte@hotmail.com and I will tell you when I update. Thank you!
Yours in fanfiction,
snowflakey
