Disclaimer: I'm too tired to think of a witty disclaimer so. **insert
witty disclaimer about Moony not owning Harry Potter here**
Authors Note: I love my reviewers!! You guys make writing this even more fun! Have some Bertie Botts Every Flavor beans. No! That's a vomit flavored one! Put it back!
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Shrieking Shack part two
After dinner was over, Lily scurried back to the common room to get ready for the date. Although she didn't wear anything nice, she did want to look nice. When she had hopped out of the shower and put on clothes, she applied some make-up. She didn't own any, but Amanda had risen to the occasion and let Lily borrow some. When Lily was done, it was almost seven o'clock. She walked down into the common room and right up to James.
James had been talking to Remus and Sirius about something with an inquiring look on his face.
"So you're sure that everything is set up? I want it to be perfect-" Lily walked up to James at that moment and he had shut up. He looked at her and smiled. "Ready to go?"
"Yes. Where are we going?"
"You'll see." James waved to Remus and Sirius, took Lily's arm in his and exited the portrait hole. They walked down the six flight of stairs to the Great Hall. They headed to the doors that lead outside to the grounds. James pushed open the doors and Lily followed. James stopped suddenly. "Ok, now I want you to trust me. Close your eyes and keep them closed. I want this to be a surprise."
Lily eyed him warily, but did as she was told. She put her hands over her eyes and stood still, waiting for James to lead her to wherever it was they might be going. James took hold of her arm and they walked across the ground pretty much in silence, except for James warning Lily when there was a rock or a branch in her way.
James stopped suddenly. "Can I open my eyes now?" Lily asked inquisitively.
"Yes, but this is just the entrance to where we're going."
Lily opened her eyes. She found herself at the foot of the mad tree that the students had donned the "Whomping Willow." She turned to look at James. She raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean the entrance?" James just grinned and grabbed a long tree branch. He poked it at the tree.
The tree came alive. It was thrashing its branches, trying to hit anything in its reach. James didn't give up and pressed the branch to a knot in the tree. It froze and stopped whipping its branches. James pointed to a hole at the base of the tree. "Would you like to go first, or shall I?"
Lily just stood there staring. When she finally came to, she stuttered, "You can go."
James nodded. "Very well. You'd better hurry though. The willow will be back to life in a few seconds." He climbed in the hole. Lily followed.
As soon as she was in, the tree came back to life. She grabbed James' arm and they walked along a worn, slightly cramped tunnel. When they reached the end, James pushed at a piece of wood above his head. The wood came loose and James climbed into the trap door. Lily climbed up after him.
"Lily Evans, welcome to the Shrieking Shack." Lily gasped. She was in what appeared to be a living room, but all of the furniture was torn up.
"Ghosts don't do that."
"I know. This place isn't inhabited by ghosts." James grabbed her arm and led her through the house. He came to a stop at a set of stairs. "After you." Lily bravely stepped ahead of him, but kept a firm grip on James' hand. When she reached the top of the stairs, James whispered, "Left."
Lily turned left and found herself facing a door. She turned and looked at James. He nodded. She opened the door and was completely taken back by what she saw.
She entered through the door. She found herself in a bedroom full of lit candles, roses and delicious looking desserts. She squealed in delight and turned to face James. She jumped into his arms and planted a huge kiss on his mouth. She jumped back and looked around the room. "How did you do this? How do you know about this place? This is so sweet! James, you're the best boyfriend ever!" She jumped into his arms again and he sat down with her.
"Now, do you want me to answer those questions, or would you prefer to eat? The house elves really knocked themselves out making these desserts. "
Lily moved to sit across from him and said, "How about you answer the questions while we eat?"
She was piling food onto her plate. Chocolate covered raspberries and strawberries. Delectable fudge, luscious chocolate cakes and scrumptious brownies. James laughed. "Slow down. I know chocolate is your favourite, but you know, people have been known to die from death of chocolate."
Lily snorted into her chocolate pudding. "Right. Now answer my questions. How did you find out about this place?"
James shifted a bit uncomfortably. "If I tell you, do you swear that you won't think any less of the person it concerns?"
Lily swallowed the rest of her strawberry. "Of course. When have I been one to judge?"
"Well, never but most people are afraid. Anyway, I guess I'll start from the beginning. You wouldn't know, but the Whomping Willow, well, that was placed on the grounds before our first year. The reason it was placed there was because a werewolf was coming to Hogwarts."
Lily's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "A werewolf? Are you sure? Are they still here?"
James held up his hand to silence her. "Let me finish. The werewolf was bit when he was a young kid. That kid was Remus Lupin." Lily let in a sharp intake of breath. "Well Remus and his family was worried that he could never come to Hogwarts because of his 'condition.' When he got his letter, he was so happy, but Dumbledore said there had to be many precautions. The Shrieking Shack had been in Hogsmeade for many years, so Dumbledore had a tunnel constructed that led from the Hogwarts grounds to here. Dumbledore had the Whomping Willow placed at the entrance of the tunnel so that no one but Remus could get in and out. Obviously, that didn't work." James looked angry and muttered something that sounded remarkably like "Snivellus." He took a deep breath and continued.
"Since we're all in Gryffindor, we became friends fast, but we couldn't help but notice that Remus disappeared once every month. He made up lame excuses. He said his family was sick, death in the family, anything he could think of really. Well, Sirius and I aren't that stupid, so eventually in our third year we figured it out. We confronted Remus about it and he said that we were right. Well he was ready to go pack his bags and leave Hogwarts, but we wouldn't hear of it. He thought we would abandon him and tell everyone his secret, but we did just the opposite. We didn't tell anyone and we turned into animagi. It took the better part of two years mind you, but we did it nonetheless. Now, every month, at the full moon, we all come out here with Remus. He transforms and so do we. Sirius is a big dog, and I'm a stag. We're big enough to keep a werewolf in check, and Peter is small enough to stop the Whomping Willow. We sneak onto the Hogwarts grounds and we probably know more about the school grounds than even Dumbledore."
Lily had been sitting silently, trying to absorb this new information. Suddenly, she burst into tears. "I'm such a horrible friend!" She wailed. "I've known him for seven years and I didn't even know! I'm so horrible. I need to apologize."
James went over to her and put his arms around her. "Remus didn't want anyone to know. You are not a horrible friend."
"Okay." Lily sniffled. "I need chocolate." James laughed. Nothing like a girls craving for chocolate to break the tension.
"When we get back to the castle, make sure to thank Remus and Sirius for this. They set this up, although it was my idea."
Lily laughed this time. She tried to say something, but her mouth was full of chocolate cake. She took a moment to swallow it. When she did, she said "All your idea huh? Well you are very smart. Can we explore the rest of the house?" With that Lily jumped up and ran down the hall, clearly ready to play cat and mouse with James.
He got to his feet. He headed down the hall, looking in rooms as he went. He finally entered the other bedroom. He looked down to the ground and saw footsteps in the dust. They led to the closet. "Hmm. Where could Lily Evans be? Certainly not the closet!" He threw open the closet doors and she was standing up. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer to her. She kissed him and he responded. Eventually they broke apart and walked back to the room where all of the food was.
Lily grabbed a handful of chocolate covered strawberries and hopped on the bed. She looked at James, pointedly inviting him to join her. He obliged, bringing more chocolate with him. They just sat in silence, intertwined in each others arms. They ate the chocolate and eventually fell into the sweet land of slumber.
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Authors Note: Ick. more romance. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Unless I get 81 reviews, I'm not updating for at least two weeks!! (Such empty threats.) Anyway, please review. I'm excluding Peter as much as possible. can you tell? I really don't like him. Anyway. there was something that I wanted to say, but I forget. Oh well, please review!
Moony2187
Authors Note: I love my reviewers!! You guys make writing this even more fun! Have some Bertie Botts Every Flavor beans. No! That's a vomit flavored one! Put it back!
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Shrieking Shack part two
After dinner was over, Lily scurried back to the common room to get ready for the date. Although she didn't wear anything nice, she did want to look nice. When she had hopped out of the shower and put on clothes, she applied some make-up. She didn't own any, but Amanda had risen to the occasion and let Lily borrow some. When Lily was done, it was almost seven o'clock. She walked down into the common room and right up to James.
James had been talking to Remus and Sirius about something with an inquiring look on his face.
"So you're sure that everything is set up? I want it to be perfect-" Lily walked up to James at that moment and he had shut up. He looked at her and smiled. "Ready to go?"
"Yes. Where are we going?"
"You'll see." James waved to Remus and Sirius, took Lily's arm in his and exited the portrait hole. They walked down the six flight of stairs to the Great Hall. They headed to the doors that lead outside to the grounds. James pushed open the doors and Lily followed. James stopped suddenly. "Ok, now I want you to trust me. Close your eyes and keep them closed. I want this to be a surprise."
Lily eyed him warily, but did as she was told. She put her hands over her eyes and stood still, waiting for James to lead her to wherever it was they might be going. James took hold of her arm and they walked across the ground pretty much in silence, except for James warning Lily when there was a rock or a branch in her way.
James stopped suddenly. "Can I open my eyes now?" Lily asked inquisitively.
"Yes, but this is just the entrance to where we're going."
Lily opened her eyes. She found herself at the foot of the mad tree that the students had donned the "Whomping Willow." She turned to look at James. She raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean the entrance?" James just grinned and grabbed a long tree branch. He poked it at the tree.
The tree came alive. It was thrashing its branches, trying to hit anything in its reach. James didn't give up and pressed the branch to a knot in the tree. It froze and stopped whipping its branches. James pointed to a hole at the base of the tree. "Would you like to go first, or shall I?"
Lily just stood there staring. When she finally came to, she stuttered, "You can go."
James nodded. "Very well. You'd better hurry though. The willow will be back to life in a few seconds." He climbed in the hole. Lily followed.
As soon as she was in, the tree came back to life. She grabbed James' arm and they walked along a worn, slightly cramped tunnel. When they reached the end, James pushed at a piece of wood above his head. The wood came loose and James climbed into the trap door. Lily climbed up after him.
"Lily Evans, welcome to the Shrieking Shack." Lily gasped. She was in what appeared to be a living room, but all of the furniture was torn up.
"Ghosts don't do that."
"I know. This place isn't inhabited by ghosts." James grabbed her arm and led her through the house. He came to a stop at a set of stairs. "After you." Lily bravely stepped ahead of him, but kept a firm grip on James' hand. When she reached the top of the stairs, James whispered, "Left."
Lily turned left and found herself facing a door. She turned and looked at James. He nodded. She opened the door and was completely taken back by what she saw.
She entered through the door. She found herself in a bedroom full of lit candles, roses and delicious looking desserts. She squealed in delight and turned to face James. She jumped into his arms and planted a huge kiss on his mouth. She jumped back and looked around the room. "How did you do this? How do you know about this place? This is so sweet! James, you're the best boyfriend ever!" She jumped into his arms again and he sat down with her.
"Now, do you want me to answer those questions, or would you prefer to eat? The house elves really knocked themselves out making these desserts. "
Lily moved to sit across from him and said, "How about you answer the questions while we eat?"
She was piling food onto her plate. Chocolate covered raspberries and strawberries. Delectable fudge, luscious chocolate cakes and scrumptious brownies. James laughed. "Slow down. I know chocolate is your favourite, but you know, people have been known to die from death of chocolate."
Lily snorted into her chocolate pudding. "Right. Now answer my questions. How did you find out about this place?"
James shifted a bit uncomfortably. "If I tell you, do you swear that you won't think any less of the person it concerns?"
Lily swallowed the rest of her strawberry. "Of course. When have I been one to judge?"
"Well, never but most people are afraid. Anyway, I guess I'll start from the beginning. You wouldn't know, but the Whomping Willow, well, that was placed on the grounds before our first year. The reason it was placed there was because a werewolf was coming to Hogwarts."
Lily's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "A werewolf? Are you sure? Are they still here?"
James held up his hand to silence her. "Let me finish. The werewolf was bit when he was a young kid. That kid was Remus Lupin." Lily let in a sharp intake of breath. "Well Remus and his family was worried that he could never come to Hogwarts because of his 'condition.' When he got his letter, he was so happy, but Dumbledore said there had to be many precautions. The Shrieking Shack had been in Hogsmeade for many years, so Dumbledore had a tunnel constructed that led from the Hogwarts grounds to here. Dumbledore had the Whomping Willow placed at the entrance of the tunnel so that no one but Remus could get in and out. Obviously, that didn't work." James looked angry and muttered something that sounded remarkably like "Snivellus." He took a deep breath and continued.
"Since we're all in Gryffindor, we became friends fast, but we couldn't help but notice that Remus disappeared once every month. He made up lame excuses. He said his family was sick, death in the family, anything he could think of really. Well, Sirius and I aren't that stupid, so eventually in our third year we figured it out. We confronted Remus about it and he said that we were right. Well he was ready to go pack his bags and leave Hogwarts, but we wouldn't hear of it. He thought we would abandon him and tell everyone his secret, but we did just the opposite. We didn't tell anyone and we turned into animagi. It took the better part of two years mind you, but we did it nonetheless. Now, every month, at the full moon, we all come out here with Remus. He transforms and so do we. Sirius is a big dog, and I'm a stag. We're big enough to keep a werewolf in check, and Peter is small enough to stop the Whomping Willow. We sneak onto the Hogwarts grounds and we probably know more about the school grounds than even Dumbledore."
Lily had been sitting silently, trying to absorb this new information. Suddenly, she burst into tears. "I'm such a horrible friend!" She wailed. "I've known him for seven years and I didn't even know! I'm so horrible. I need to apologize."
James went over to her and put his arms around her. "Remus didn't want anyone to know. You are not a horrible friend."
"Okay." Lily sniffled. "I need chocolate." James laughed. Nothing like a girls craving for chocolate to break the tension.
"When we get back to the castle, make sure to thank Remus and Sirius for this. They set this up, although it was my idea."
Lily laughed this time. She tried to say something, but her mouth was full of chocolate cake. She took a moment to swallow it. When she did, she said "All your idea huh? Well you are very smart. Can we explore the rest of the house?" With that Lily jumped up and ran down the hall, clearly ready to play cat and mouse with James.
He got to his feet. He headed down the hall, looking in rooms as he went. He finally entered the other bedroom. He looked down to the ground and saw footsteps in the dust. They led to the closet. "Hmm. Where could Lily Evans be? Certainly not the closet!" He threw open the closet doors and she was standing up. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him closer to her. She kissed him and he responded. Eventually they broke apart and walked back to the room where all of the food was.
Lily grabbed a handful of chocolate covered strawberries and hopped on the bed. She looked at James, pointedly inviting him to join her. He obliged, bringing more chocolate with him. They just sat in silence, intertwined in each others arms. They ate the chocolate and eventually fell into the sweet land of slumber.
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Authors Note: Ick. more romance. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Unless I get 81 reviews, I'm not updating for at least two weeks!! (Such empty threats.) Anyway, please review. I'm excluding Peter as much as possible. can you tell? I really don't like him. Anyway. there was something that I wanted to say, but I forget. Oh well, please review!
Moony2187