A/N: For those of you who have come back to read this chapter even though I've taken way too long (again), I've tried to write a summary of the story, because I'm sure most of you have forgotten. The summary is sketchy, but I suppose it will do for now.
Recap: Lily leaves for her 7th year with the news that she is going to marry Patrick, who is a muggle from another wealthy family. Her mother, who doesn't understand her and takes her socially correct ideas a bit too far, set this up. Lily is not okay with the arranged marriage, as she considers him to be an arrogant bastard (Lol we all know one of those- hypothetically, anyway =).
Her first day back a certain guy (James) catches her eye, mostly because she knows her mother would hate him. He's the typical wayward Marauder. They get to know each other a bit as Head Boy and Girl, and more quickly than is practical 'fall in love'.
Basically throughout the story, it doesn't work out right in most cases and they have an on and off relationship; dealing with issues such as Lily never telling him about her engagement. Mary, her best friend (also disdainful of her own wealth), is always trying to cheer Lily up and such. Daniel is Mary's boyfriend. Mary has never really discussed how close she and Daniel are with Lily.
Christmas comes; Lily's mother catches the two of them kissing at the train station, and decides to sort of kidnap James, so she can deal with him later. Lily tries to avoid the party going on in her house, since Patrick is attending. She finds James hidden in her house, and they run off. They go back to the train station and meet Kelly Johnstone, who is also a witch. Kelly is a little nicer than is normal, and invites them to stay with her over Christmas. They agree, not knowing that she has ties with Voldemort. After learning this, they escape and end up back at Hogwarts before the holiday is over (and Kelly goes with them, because they don't want to let her go free). Lily's mother finally learns that Lily is back at Hogwarts and safe, and she's pissed. She threatens Lily about the marriage, etc.
All the while, Kelly is pleading innocence, saying that she was forced into doing things for Voldemort and has no way out. Through this dilemma, Lily decides that a relationship with James is just too complicated, and she doesn't want it anymore, but he disagrees. James realizes that he's changed an awful lot over the year, before Lily he'd never had a relationship like this and concludes that he's becoming a major sap.
Dumbledore, after hearing their story, decides that Kelly is telling the truth and should help them with the Order of the Phoenix (which he asked James to start earlier in the year and at this point consists of the Marauders, Daniel, Mary, and Lily. There's also Arabella Figg- not a student, but Dumbledore appointed her to help). He also tells them that Daniel is missing, and Lily worries over how Mary will react.
The rest of the students return to school, and Lily and James are not dating, although they act like it sometimes. Lily continues to receive threats from her mother. James also receives one- and he wouldn't care, except it says something about Lily realizing that he isn't good enough for her. He immediately assumes that this is the reason she's pushing him away.
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Chapter 24- Contained Provocation
Weeks had passed since the holidays, and many of the seventh year Gryffindors had absorbed themselves in the mounds of homework that surrounded them, each person for a different reason.
Lily and Mary were sitting in the common room next to the fire, each curled up in identical chairs facing one another. The firelight was spreading a soft red light across their faces, and their eyes were trained on the rolls on parchment on their laps.
"Damn it! I still need two more lines for this Potions essay." Mary grumbled, her blue eyes closing with lethargy.
"Yeah, well. I need ten." Lily replied. Her dark auburn hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, wisps of hair falling across her face.
"It's your fault for waiting so long to do it. What have you been doing lately, anyways?"
Lily shrugged, emerald eyes dropping
to her lap. "Nothing important."
"Just thinking, again?" Mary
raised an eyebrow and sighed. "Well I think that you think too much."
"You probably think right."
"Oh, wonderful. Here comes the brigade."
Lily's head snapped up at her friend's statement and she found herself staring at James; Sirius, Remus, and Peter too, of course. The four boys were descending the stairs. Sirius and Remus were grinning, Peter looked confused, and James had a grim appearance.
"We're just saying-" Sirius started, but James shushed his friend when his chocolate eyes met Lily's startlingly green ones. He quickly broke eye contact.
The exchange was not lost on Mary, however, and she sighed for the second time that night. Remus, Sirius, and Peter sat down on the nearby couch, facing the girls. James seated himself in front of the fire, warming his hands.
"Fancy seeing you here." Sirius grinned. Mary smiled back weakly. "Ah, potions I see. I made up a load of crap for mine."
"Appropriate, considering the assignment was about Shite Blossoms and their uses." Remus mumbled.
Sirius and James chuckled, while Lily rolled her eyes and put her quill down. She rubbed her temples. "I think I'll write the rest in the morning."
Nobody replied. It seemed they were all a bit tired; studying for NEWTS had caught up with them. Lily had to constantly remind herself that she was only months away from graduation. It was liberating, exciting; at least, until she remembered her ordeal. She tried thinking about it from a rational point of view. There had to be a way to prevent this marriage. It wasn't set in stone, not in her book. Lily just had to come up with the most practical way of canceling it. But between homework and the extra studying, along with avoiding awkward moments with James, and Sirius's pranks, she found herself at a loss for time to think about all of the obstacles waiting for her when school was finished.
And then there was James himself. Her eyes shifted and she found herself staring at the side of his head. His black hair was even more messy than usual. She knew how soft it was, and found her hand wanting to touch it. No, you're just bored, you idiot. There will be no touching James Potter. You can't have him, remember? But that second voice in the back of her head always had something to add; it always told her that perhaps she could have James, once she figured out how to solve the arranged marriage problem. Well, maybe once, she could have. He seemed to have given up weeks ago. It was very sudden, one morning he had just stopped trying to push her. He ignored her, even.
She sighed heavily, and then realized that he was staring right back at her. A slight blush crossing her cheeks and neck, she looked at her feet. Lily could still feel his eyes on her and she shifted uncomfortably.
Although in the past their friends had always tried to get them back together, they didn't know how to react this time. The mood was a little more subdued, especially around Mary. It had been weeks and Daniel was still missing. Lily wondered why Mary was so calm about it. It didn't seem right, like she was holding it in.
Lily chanced a glance at James, and found him still staring at her. Self-consciously, wondering what she had on her face, she cleared her throat and rolled her parchment.
James frowned and looked away, his eyes landing on Sirius, who was standing behind Mary. "Why is everyone so gloomy?" Sirius boomed. "So what if we have school in the morning! I'm here to cheer you up." He plopped himself down on the armrest of Mary's chair, looking at her. "What kind of prank would you like to see? You look like you need a bit of cheer."
Mary, meanwhile, was pulling at a strand of her long black hair that Sirius had managed to sit on. "I'm really not in the mood, Sirius," she grumbled, standing up. She gathered her books and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'll see you all later." With a last glance at Lily, she ascended the stairs to the girls' dormitory.
Lily felt caught. She didn't want to stay down here alone with the Marauders, especially not James. Making up her mind, she quickly gathered up her own things. But just as she was about to leave, she felt a hand on her arm. Lily spun around to find herself staring into James' bright brown eyes. She held back a sigh and reluctantly fixed him with a pointed stare.
"Sorry…" he muttered. "Er- I was just- it's been awhile since the last Order of the Phoenix meeting. Arabella Figg told me yesterday that she found a few candidates for the Order like she promised to do." He lowered his voice and scooted closer to her, which was not helping her think at all. "I just thought we should get everyone together to meet these candidates and-"
"Sure, James. Name a day, a time. After all, this is more your organization than mine," she replied indifferently.
He looked confused. "What do you mean? It's nobody's organization."
Lily sighed, losing some of her coolness as she rubbed her right eye. It was so hard to talk to James these days; very awkward. She couldn't figure out how he could act so normal and weird around her at the same time, and in turn she always managed to say things that made no sense. She paused. "What are we going to do about Kelly?"
"Er, I dunno. I suppose she'll have to come."
Lily shifted her feet, aware of the fact that he was still standing in close proximity. "She just…makes me feel uncomfortable." Lily whispered.
James met her eyes, his expression solemn. "I know. I can't say I'm jolly and ready to dance around her either."
Lily gave him a funny look and bit her lip to keep from grinning. "Sometimes I can't decide whether you're extremely weird or just joking."
There was a pause, in which they stared at one another. Finally, he realized how close he was to her and took a step backwards, after which she let out a relieved breath. "Well," he said slowly, "I can't figure you out either."
Somewhat confused, Lily smiled weakly at him and muttered a goodnight, before turning on her heel and trying to juggle her books and parchment as she climbed the winding stairs.
She entered her dormitory and let out a breath of relief. She wasn't sure why James always managed to tangle her up so much, but he never failed to do just that. Dropping all of her things onto her dresser, she fell onto her bed face down.
Mary chose that moment to walk out of the bathroom with a toothbrush in her mouth. "What's up with you?" her voice was muffled and almost unintelligible.
Lily, her face buried in her pillow, mumbled something that Mary couldn't hear.
The black-haired girl sighed, disappeared into the bathroom, and came back out a few seconds later wiping her mouth. "Now, did something happen?"
Lily, feeling her bed sink as Mary sat at the foot of it, dragged herself into a sitting position, letting her head rest against the bed frame.
"Not really, just the usual."
"Oh."
Lily was silent, looking at her bed sheets. Mary had been so distant lately, and it was unnerving her. They didn't talk like they used to. Lily always felt that whenever she brought something up, Mary would become annoyed and the conversation ended there.
Lily sighed. "Are you okay, Mary?"
Her friend's head snapped upwards and her blue eyes had a resigned expression in them. "Of course, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
"I don't know, you seem- I was just…oh bugger it, nevermind."
Mary's eyes left Lily's face and she walked over to her own bed, burying herself under her covers. "Well goodnight then," Lily heard her mutter.
Lily frowned, and with a flick of her wand, the candles extinguished.
@~~~~~~~~~~~~@
The next morning, breakfast was a hectic ordeal for Lily. Mary was sitting across from her, silently chewing on a piece of toast. Lily wasn't eating though; she was frantically trying to finish her Potions essay.
Sirius was seated next to her, snickering at something Remus had just said. And James was sitting a few seats down from her, gazing into his pumpkin juice.
Lily grumbled a string of unpleasant words, causing Mary to raise an eyebrow at her in question. Lily shrugged her off, annoyed. "Why they decide to double our homework is beyond me."
Mary, something she hadn't been doing so much lately, smiled. "The professors love seeing us like this, that's why."
"That's right!" Sirius joined in cheerily. "I bet they all discuss what assignments they've given out and decide to give a lot of work out at the same time, and that's why we have so much."
Lily, finally finished with her essay, rolled it up and stuck her quill into her hair to hold it into a bun. "You've hit it right on the head there, Sirius." She rolled her bright green eyes.
James looked up at her and blinked. Then, he cleared his throat and moved his glance, gaining everyone's attention. Quietly, he said, "Order meeting tonight, meet at six o'clock." They all nodded.
@~~~~~~~~~~~~@
Lily was in a disgruntled mood all day. She was in most of the same classes as James, which only served to annoy her more. She couldn't figure him out, no matter how hard she tried. She wondered why he had suddenly lost all interest in her whatsoever. Could it have been just a fling to him? She had had suspicions of that, once. But as things progressed, she had believed that she meant more to him than that. After all, he was much more mature now than he had been at the beginning of the year.
Stop being selfish, she thought, angry with herself, you should be glad he doesn't seem to care about you anymore. It's better for him, and you know it.
But she couldn't help feeling a little rejected. At least he hadn't started dating other people yet, she supposed that was a good sign. A good sign for what? It doesn't matter, remember? You're finished with him, he's finished with you. Simple... She became increasingly determined as the day progressed to sort things out with James.
The meeting approached quickly, and Lily found herself not wanting to go. Not because she lacked loyalty to the Order, she was just…tired. And James would be there.
She and Mary walked into the room together. It was the same as it had been when they first started the Order (it seemed so long ago). Lumpy but comfortable chairs were scattered about. There was one sole desk in the corner, and a fireplace in the back. They took seats near the front of the room, where Sirius and Remus were already seated.
Peter and James walked in, Peter glancing out of the corner of his eye at James, and James glancing up at Lily. Their eyes locked in what seemed like the hundredth time that day. Again, James' gaze dropped.
Lily had no time to dwell on the matter, for Arabella Figg entered the room at that precise moment. Following her were four students, two girls and two boys. The first girl, standing to the right of Arabella, had a round, solid face. Her hair was dark blonde, and she scanned the room with sparkling sapphire eyes.
The second girl, standing behind Arabella with a slight blush enveloping the tips of her ears, had light brown hair which was pulled back into a ponytail. Lily recognized her; she was a sixth year Gryffindor and a prefect. Quiet, if she remembered correctly. Marlene, was that her name?
The two boys were physically similar. The first, standing a few yards away from the rest, had a frown on his face. He, like the other boy, had dark brown hair and light brown eyes, although his face was slightly slimmer. The second boy was looking a little smug, his hands stuffed into his pockets while he peered around the room.
James opened his mouth to greet them when Kelly Johnstone, in a fury of limbs, burst into the room and shut the door behind her. "Er- sorry I'm late," she said, offering a smile to James and Lily. Neither of them smiled back; Lily glanced at the floor and swallowed.
"Right." James cleared his throat. "Nice to meet you all. I'm James Potter."
Arabella Figg smiled at him and ushered the four students into the room. They took seats facing the rest of the group (the Marauders, Lily, Mary, and Ms. Johnstone).
James surveyed the four new people carefully. He intended to make no mistakes with this, even if it meant sacrificing amiability.
The girl with the round face and blonde hair smiled and said in a clear voice, "I'm Dorcas Meadowes, a seventh year in Hufflepuff. Glad to meet you all, really. Things are getting so terrible, I just…I want to help," she finished, nodding her head slightly.
Sirius shifted in his seat to lean closer to Remus and whispered, so that nobody else could hear, "Dorcas…" he chuckled to himself. "Poor girl." Mary, however, heard Sirius since she was seated right behind him. She smacked him in the head, and that effectively shut him up.
The second girl, looking like she thought this was her cue, spoke up quietly, "I'm Marlene McKinnon. I recognize, at least, most of you. I'm a Gryffindor, sixth year. My parents have already been taken from me by Voldemort, and I intend to fight against it happening to anyone else."
Lily blinked when she heard Marlene use Voldemort's real name, but she tried to smile reassuringly at the girl.
Edgar Bones was next, the skinny boy. He ended up being a seventh year Ravenclaw, and acted quite disgruntled with everything, though he assured them that Voldemort had already taken much from him and he was determined to 'give that ruddy bastard what he deserved'. And Gideon Prewett, the similar looking boy, was also a Gryffindor. He seemed intelligent, and very self-assured. Lily supposed the reason he wanted to join the Order was to prove himself to everyone.
"Very well." Lily said when the introductions were finished. She leaned closer to the present members of the Order, pulling James, who had been standing behind her, closer. "What do you think?"
"Well," Sirius interjected, "they already know about the Order. So what good would it be to send them on their ways?"
"I agree with Padfoot." Remus told them.
Lily frowned. "I don't know if we can trust them yet…"
"If we can trust Johnstone," Mary mumbled, "we can give them a try."
James was just about to say that he didn't trust Kelly when Lily straightened and turned to the four students, and Arabella, who was smiling serenely.
"We've all agreed that you're welcome in the Order." Lily smiled in a way that she hoped was encouraging. "Of course, you will need to sign this statement here, assuring us of your loyalty. There are no exceptions. You will fight against Voldemort and anyone associated with him, no questions."
James whispered into her ear, making her shiver, "But if they need to sign that, shouldn't we have the rest of us do it too?"
"No," Lily replied as she regained her senses, "I think we can trust the rest of us. Unless you insist?"
James frowned and shook his head. "Well, maybe Kelly."
"Good idea." Lily silently handed an extra slip of the agreement to Kelly, who frowned but produced a quill from the front of her robes and carefully pressed it to the parchment.
James observed Kelly, and then turned back to the others. "This meeting was not just for inducting new members. We also have a few things to discuss."
Edgar Bones shifted in his seat. "Yes. Like how almost every other day Voldemort is appearing in the papers now. Families are being slaughtered by his Death Eaters. And it's not only magical; some of these murders are bloody…"
Dorcas Meadowes glanced sideways at him. "You sound like an optimistic person, all right." She rolled her eyes and then frowned. "But you're right. It's getting horrible."
"Voldemort is recruiting new Death Eaters among Hogwarts students." Gideon Prewett said in his deep, carrying voice. "Shouldn't we be trying to prevent this? Or, at least, learning the names of these people?"
"That's what we've been trying to do." Sirius explained flatly.
Marlene chose that moment to speak up. "Um…I may be able to help there. See, my er- well, my brother is a seventh year. He's…in Slytherin. He uh, he's in association with Voldemort."
"He's a Death Eater?" Remus inquired
quietly.
Marlene winced slightly, but nodded. "That's how my parents, well…you know."
She sighed heavily, but continued. "If I maybe convinced him that I could be interested
in joining him, I could figure out a few things…"
"Marlene," Lily started, her voice a little unsteady, "we would never ask you to do something like that. It's too dangerous."
Marlene smiled at her with sad, light green eyes. "But I would do it. I need to do something."
Sirius nodded, as if he understood perfectly.
James watched her carefully. "You would have to be very cautious," he told her, "If you went too far, you might be pushed into doing things you would never even consider doing otherwise."
Lily gave James a hard look. "I really don't think she's going to turn on us, James, stop acting like a prat."
"I was just-"
"-acting like a prat." Lily finished for him, looking away pointedly. "I'm sorry Marlene. I believe we can trust you with this, if it is indeed something you want to try."
Marlene gave her another small smile and nodded, although her face was a little flushed at the disagreement she had started between the Head Boy and Girl.
"It's late." Mary said loudly, glancing at her watch. "We should probably meet another time."
"You're right." James climbed out of his seat and turned to the four new members of the Order. "We'll contact you about the next meeting, somehow. But don't forget, this is not something you are allowed to tell any other soul about. It was on that parchment you signed, and I doubt you want to know the consequences of breaking that agreement."
@~~~~~~~~~~~~@
A few more days passed by, quickly as usual. If possible, the seventh years' homework load became even heavier. So Lily and Mary found themselves doing the Transfiguration assignment in the Great Hall during dinner one evening, even as the Marauders, just a few seats down from them, played with their food.
"Look, I made a mashed potato castle!" Sirius announced, pleased with himself.
"I made one of those last year." James dismissed, concentrating on his green bean stack.
Lily rolled her emerald eyes at them and turned back to her parchment. She bit her lip and nibbled on the end of her quill. This is so frustrating, I don't even know what I'm trying to say! Just as she was about to insist that the Marauders be quieter, Dumbledore rose from his seat and silence fell upon the Hall. His very grim and tired expression promised no good news.
"I am sure that most of you are aware," he started, his light blue eyes flashing across the room, "of the disappearance of Daniel Hopkins." He took a breath, his face sad. "We have had no news of him for nearly a month now, and it's beginning to look hopeless."
Lily gripped Mary's hand tightly; her friend had gone awfully white and her blue eyes were threatening to spill with tears.
"His parents, using good judgment, have decided to hold a memorial service. While no body has been discovered, they feel that a service at Hogwarts will be appropriate. It will commence two weeks from today, on February 17th." He paused, his eyes watching the Gryffindor table in specific now. "Thank you and I hope all of you have a good evening." Dumbledore sat back down, looking as solemn as ever.
Lily glanced over at Mary, squeezing her hand tighter. "Are you okay?" she whispered.
After a moment, Mary closed her eyes and tried to nod, but a tear escaped her eye first. Lily frowned, gathered up both hers and Mary's things, and grabbed Mary's arm to pull her out of the Great Hall.
@~~~~~~~~~~~~@
Days later, Lily found herself alone in the common room, staring into the fire. She should be doing her Charms homework, she knew that. But her brain felt as if it had been fried. It bloody well should be, by now. Sighing, she thought about returning to her dorm and getting to bed, since it was late, but then she felt a body drop into the space beside her on the couch. She looked up.
"James-"
"Yes, Lily?" He looked down at her questioningly, as if she had given him something to question.
"Nothing. Just wondering what brings you down here."
"Sirius was being stupid again and I was just getting away."
Lily snorted. "Just Sirius being stupid? Not you too?"
His eyebrows drew together, and not knowing just how to answer, shrugged.
Silence enveloped them until Lily blurted out something that had been bothering her lately, against her will. "Why have you been ignoring me?" She turned towards him, her jade eyes searching.
James looked startled. He ran a hand through his black hair, making it stand up even more. "I- I haven't been-"
"Yes, you have."
Frustrated, he gave her a hard look. "Isn't that what you wanted, anyway?"
She shook her head, looking away from him. "I don't understand how you came to that conclusion." His dark eyes seemed to glow, but maybe it was the fire. She was becoming uncomfortable, with him staring at her like that. "Stop it," she whispered.
"Stop what?"
Lily closed her eyes and sighed. "I know I said it was better that we-"
"What do we have here?" Sirius said in his booming voice, practically skipping across the room. Lily and James jumped away from each other, startled. They had moved quite close together while they were talking. Lily seemed to shake herself, and then she stood up.
"Nothing, Sirius. Just talking. I think I'll go to bed, actually," she looked carefully at James as she whispered, "Goodnight."
She hurried up the stairs, not looking back. What had she been thinking? The point had not been to ask James why he was distancing himself; it was to let him do it.
Thoroughly irritated, and mostly with herself, she threw open the door to her dormitory. Mary, who had been standing by her bed, looked startled. "Oh," she said quickly, "it's just you."
Lily was in such a hurry that she didn't notice the shiny look in Mary's blue eyes. "Yeah. And guess who I just finished talking with?" Mary opened her mouth to reply, but Lily gave her no chance. "James. I don't know what's wrong with me, Mary. Or with him. It's like he doesn't like me anymore. Not even as a friend…I don't know anymore." Mary opened her mouth again, but was cut off. "I just- I wish it will all end. Everything. All of my problems solved, just like that."
Mary's eyes flashed. "Wouldn't that be convenient," she snapped. "It seems everything else is, for you."
Lily was bewildered, her mouth dropped open and she stared at her black-haired friend.
"What? You don't have anything else to say about James? I'm surprised; usually you can't shut up about him. It's just so horrible, isn't it? Having someone to love?"
Lily's temper was beginning to flare. All of this was not her fault, certainly not. "James and I-"
"Are not together," Mary finished mockingly. "Yes, I know."
"What's your problem?" Lily demanded.
"Who said I had a problem? Whoever said that I might indeed have issues of my own to worry about?"
"What are you-"
"Oh Lily, don't worry about it. You have way too much to deal with yourself, what with your could be boyfriend who is just waiting for you to come to him." Mary's mouth twisted with annoyance.
"This is about Daniel, isn't it?" Lily snapped. "Well you don't have to take it out on me, you know! I had nothing to do with his death!"
Mary inhaled sharply. It was the first time anyone had dared to say it so bluntly. "I am not going to sit here and discuss this with you!" She turned away from Lily, struggling to shut the curtains of her bed. "You're obviously too selfish to understand anything!"
Lily's forehead drew together as Mary disappeared behind her curtains. She suddenly felt awful. "Mary, I'm- I'm sorry." She tried. There was no response, even when she tried again. Feeling slightly annoyed at being ignored, she climbed into her own bed. "Fine," she mumbled, "if that's the way she wants it, let her have it. I'm not about to go crawling after her." She drew her own curtains and fell back against her pillow, long auburn hair scattering everywhere. She pushed all guilty thoughts away and muttered angrily to herself for a few moments before drifting off to sleep.
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A/N: Finally, I had a lot of writer's block with this chapter. I actually finished writing this chapter last night, but it was already 3 AM and even I don't like to stay up much later than that. So here I am, back to write the review replies =)
For chapters 22 and 23 (since I didn't reply last chapter):
MonkinO- Yes, I am really sorry about the slow updates (okay, so maybe they're slower than slow). I have trouble finding the time, and then when I get the time, I have trouble finding the motivation. I do hope that you haven't given up on me entirely though! And I hope that summary at the beginning helped at least a little.
RES Cheerleader- Lol, yep, you guessed right (Their friends did walk in on them sleeping in the same bed). Thanks for reviewing, I appreciate it =)
Killer Angel- Well I wonder if you imagined those reactions right, and thanks for another review!
Clearbrook- And as always, thank you. You are one of the few people who have not given up on me since I've been updating so infrequently, at least not yet you haven't ;)
Rockergirl- Glad that it's long? Well thank you, I like the long stories best too!
Calicat- You're absolutely right, I suppose I didn't lie about that. I should just say coming up every time, in that case. Of course, if you're reading this, I'm sure you have absolutely no idea what the hell I'm talking about lol.
Lamina Court- As always, thanks for your review. And I never mind when you go completely off-topic, it's rather entertaining, actually. I agree with you on OotP. I liked it, but I'm just not sure about it at the same time. I don't know whether it was the gap in time between the books, or that it really was that different from the others. Ah, well. And Sirius's death was…terrible. At least nobody walked into my room while I was crying, then I would have to explain the whole thing, and that never seems to go over well.
Oasis Dreamer- Lol, I guess James does have a bag of tricks of some sort. But he can only use it when he's not confused, and that's so seldom anyway…=) thanks!
Boltinpadfoot- I'm glad you want to keep reading. And I'll have to read your story sometime. I'll warn you though- I'm horrible at remembering these things so I hope you're patient lol.
Black-cat-on-the-wall- Lol, thanks. It was so long ago that I wrote chapter 22, that it's really weird reading these comments about it.
Vamperfly- Thanks! Mary and Sirius? I dunno about that one lol, but it would seem that way, wouldn't it? I considered it actually, but well, you'll just have to see. ;)
KrystinePotterLover- You're right, her mum is a bitch. It's sort of fun writing about her, even if she is psychotic. And I know you're getting impatient with Lily and James, I promise, something is coming up soon ;)
Loraliant Angelisa Snape- Hehe, thanks once again. I'll try for the next update to be within a month for once, it's been awhile since I've managed that. I hope to talk to you soon!
Piggylette- Thanks so much! And you hit it right on the nail there, at least in the first part. The second hasn't happened yet, so I'm not about to say anything =)
Candyliquor- I'm glad you like it so far! Hope you keep reading.
Oneiros Lykos- Finally is a good way to describe my updates, I agree. Lol, and yes it's a good thing that James didn't take advantage of Lily, because we all know how mad she would be then. Thanks for reviewing chapter 23 too! I love Lifehouse and the Calling. You're right, their voices are different, very distinct. There's just something I find similar between them, but maybe it's just that I like them both lol.
I o u a name- Aw, thanks. I appreciate it.
Jessica Halliwell Potter- Nope, I have no intentions of giving up this story, although I have been having trouble with the updates (obviously). As for Lily finding her own way in the wizarding world, we shall see.
Destiny's Phoenix- I always enjoy reading your comments. It's not that I dislike just getting a good job or something like that, but it's refreshing to read a little more than that, so thanks for that=)
Lexie13- Aw, thanks for keeping up with my stories even though I'm a horrible updater!
Bajan Girl- I'm with you, I only review fanfics I really like. I am honored that you reviewed mine ;) Lol, no, I wanted to make it obvious who had ratted the Order out. Besides, we all knew he was a rat anyway!
LJstagflower4e/JCtigerwolf4e- Thanks for reviewing both chapters! And I'll try to put out a quicker update this time.
KoolKitty/Aria- Of course I remember you, I would never forget! I wish we could talk more often J Thanks for leaving me a note, I appreciate it. And as for keeping up my stories, well, I hardly do. It takes me so long to update, and to think the first story I was writing I used to update just about everyday. Oh well. Hope I get to talk to you soon!
FunkyWitchOnFire- Lol, nice penname. Thanks for reviewing!
Anonymous- thank you, I'll try.
Livewithit- I agree that Lily and James are infuriating, but I suppose that's partly my fault (or entirely my fault) You read all 22 chapters at once? Thanks for taking the time to do that!
Lor48- Thank you J
Y. Kuang- I thank you for another review. I have to agree with what you said about the fanfiction world, in specific this website. I've started going elsewhere to read, because it just takes forever to find a really good fic anymore. I have to go through pages now just to find one good story. And you're right; a lot of the authors I really respect have stopped updating much if at all. (Btw, I'm glad you've finally updated Predictability =) I suppose I can understand why, I did the same thing after reading OotP. It was like…I suddenly lost my motivation. I couldn't tell you why, but I just didn't feel like continuing. I've been having a lot of trouble finding the time and motivation at the same time to write. I just hope all of these authors haven't completely given up on fanfiction and plan on coming back to the site, before what you said actually comes true lol. Oh- what did I think about OotP? Well, to be truthful I had a lot of mixed feelings with it. It had been so long since the other books and I was so excited about it- but at the same time, it disappointed me. Maybe I expected too much, I'm not sure. I read it through so fast, and I still haven't found time to read it again. So I guess I can't really judge it before I read through again, slowly. There were parts of it I really enjoyed though; I didn't think the entire book wasn't good. JKR did an excellent job getting us to hate Umbridge, that's for sure. Harry just pissed me off, though. I was angry at him almost all the time. I loved the twins of course, and Ginny's character; I always hoped for more of her in the books. Anyway, I could go on forever about this if you let me lol. So thanks again, you know that I appreciate it and are probably sick of me saying it.
Elvencherry07- Thank you for reviewing!
Midnightcrookshanks- Wow, I'm honored. I hope you thought this chapter was satisfactory as well.
KristiexxNguyen- Thanks, as usual ;)
MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus- Sirius is a hard one to compete with, that's for sure. Thanks for reviewing!
A.M.bookworm247- Yes, I have read stories that are so boring I don't know what to do, and I'm honored that you would consider my story better than that =) Nah, you don't sound like a teacher. Your review made me smile (I probably looked like an ass lol), and I thank you for that.
Jessie xxx- Yes, I know that most of you are getting impatient for me to put Lily and James back together, so I'll try to do something about that soon ;) Thanks for your review!
Jessisayzz- Yay, I'm glad to hear it.
Cries of a fallen angel- Lol, well that's what I mean by Mary and Lily not always being nice to each other, and thanks for reading!
Patricia123- Thanks so much! I will try to write more asap! (I never did like that abbreviation hehe)
PeRkieGuRL- Aw, thanks ;) Yeah, the Calling is awesome. You know they're planning a new cd? I hope it comes out soon!
James' Girl Lily- Thanks, and I'll try!
SCUBAchk- Thanks for continuing to read! I'm glad you like it.
Carolinus Took- Hehe, I'm beginning to like seeing your usual review! Thanks, as usual.
Szelij- Yes, I agree that I've stretched it too far, you're right. I'm trying to fix that and I appreciate your comments.
Delinquent Fish- Lol, I like your penname. Thanks, I'll try not to take too long updating next time!
Callista MacLeod- Aw, thanks for reviewing. I think I was in a bad mood when I found your review, it cheered me up a bit =) Lol, you're absolutely right, now if only Lily saw it as being that easy. But then, I suppose I'd have no story…
Dangerously In Love- Actually, I suppose I have updated soon in your case ;) And the Calling has a new cd coming out in 2004, I think. Thanks for your reviews on this and some of my other stories, I'm always surprised to find new reviews so long after I've updated!
A/N: Well, I'm incredibly relieved to have finally finished this. Oh, and I know many of you are getting impatient with Lily and James and just want them to get back together. Well, I won't drag it on too much longer, don't worry. I wanted to thank you all one final time and now I have to get going! Happy New Year!
~Emily~
