GNA: No! Not the final chapter to year six! Anything but that! No! Year six
was my baby, my-
GNL: Oh, shut up, for the last time. You have all of year seven to get over it. Speaking of which, there will be a break between year six and seven, while the final chapters are sorted out for the final year...
GNA: You mean the whole story and plot.
GNL: ...Well...that's beside the point. *whacks GNA* And now, for the glorious chapter twelve, the last part to year six!
CHAPTER TWELVE: FINAL FAREWELLS
The year, undoubtedly, was over. Every morning upon waking up, the sun would shine bright and hot on Hogwarts, making students shed their cloaks and flock to the cool lake. Everything had settled into a green, summery newness. That year had been a life-changing one, with Voldemort bursting onto the scene, the massacre, and Lott's arrival and exit. Even Lily Evans and James Potter, two of the most unalterable people in Hogwarts, had changed.
Lily had grown out of her last lingering feelings of bitterness, and enjoyed the days she spent at Hogwarts; laughing with Alice, studying in the quiet library, or relaxing in a chair by the common room fire. Nowadays, though, she did not wander to the North Tower, or let her thoughts dwell on the latest fight with Potter, even thought the two rarely saw each other or spoke. Lily felt happy, wiser, and content. It was a bittersweet victory, though, getting over the grief of the months and years. Her world was irreversibly changed, SHE was irreversibly changed, and she couldn't tell whether it was for better or worse.
Lily, leaning against a gnarled old tree by the lake, smiled to herself. She loved the challenge, though, in all this change, and the hope in the challenge.
James Potter too felt like a whole new person. A bit of grief seemed to suit him, counteracting the still-dwelling remains of his arrogant self. When he'd hang out with the marauders, he goofed off with relish, knowing his next day could be his last. He wanted to live every day his father had lost, and live it fully and respectably for him. The suffocating pain and grief of the murder in him had turned into something else: a burning desire to get rid of that foul creature that took Will Potter from his life. James, lounging by a tree with Sirius, smiled grimly; it was going to be a long, hard, full, wonderful life.
Sirius suddenly flew through James field of vision, tackling a pretty Ravenclaw to the ground. James rolled his eyes, letting them wander slowly over to Lily. She was staring out at the lake and castle, a small smile playing from all her features. He smiled a bit more broadly, and pulled a worn-down snitch from his pocket.
"Lily! I just realized something!" said Alice Deere, who was looking at her friend sadly.
"One year from now we will be doing this same thing . . .but . . .for the last time. It will be the end of Hogwarts for us! I don't know what I want to do with myself, I don't want to leave yet!"
"I know Alice, I feel the same way." Lily spoke quietly, closing her eyes and listening to everyone and everything around her.
Sirius was yelling rather obscene things to a girl, who retorted back laughing, and a chorus of hoots followed. The water lapped very gently at the edge of the lake, a cool breeze moving the water in little waves. Thick foliage from the forbidden Forest rustled and creaked, the occasional animal howling or chittering into the air. As she listened, she caught the sound of James laughing, and a fluttering of tiny feathery wings. Lily snapped her eyes open. James was chasing after a runaway snitch that hovered close to the ground, obviously damaged by use. It came closer and closer, until James ran up to Lily. His hair was its usual messy black self, and his eyes held a sparkle similar to Dumbledore's.
He stopped and looked down at her, while he neatly caught the snitch and held it out to her.
"Potter, you are absolutely daft," she said austerely, "If you think I will ever touch that."
"I wouldn't be so sure!" he replied mischievously, and he sat right in front of her. He started letting the snitch go, getting closer and closer to her face each time he let it loose. Quickly, it was only inches from smacking Lily in the face, and she was getting rather annoyed.
"Potter, I'm warning you!"
Lily didn't sound like she was warning him at all. James winked when he saw Lily start to break out into a hesitant, but real, smile. He said "here," and nodded meaningfully at her, and let the snitch go. She tried to grab it, but only succeeded in brushing its hummingbird fast wings. James grabbed it without moving his eyes from Lily.
"Show off." She muttered, and sat up straight. James nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Show under!"
"Obnoxious prat!" James opened his mouth, paused, and then opened it again.
"Enjoyable flower!"
"That was absolutely pitiful, you know."
"I do know."
"So was that."
"No it wasn't!"
"Yes it was!"
"No!
"Yes!" cried Lily, laughing outright. James let the snitch go again, and she caught it. Suddenly she jumped up and ran off a distance, holding the snitch out in her hand.
"Don't you dare, Evans!" he yelled, "If you let that snitch go I will-"
"Snog her senseless!" yelled Sirius mockingly. James rolled his eyes.
"No, I was thinking throw her in the lake!" Even Sirius had to agree to this, and they advanced on Evans. Her fingers slowly, slowly went slack. At the last moment, James lunged, and Lily let go. He caught it. He realized he had thrown himself awkwardly close to her, and he blushed and put the snitch in his pocket. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Uh, well Evans, I guess I can't throw you in the lake!" he smiled.
"Yeah . . .I guess so."
Sirius, sensing the situation, suddenly picked Lily up by the waist, threw her over his shoulder, and ran towards the lake. She hit and kicked furiously, but he didn't slow. James groaned and charged after him.
"Sirius, let her go!"
"Oh, come off it James, let me throw her in!"
"Sirius!"
"Oh, all right." He put her down at the edge of the lake. Lily glanced back at James with a smirk, and shoved Sirius in.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Dumbledore watched the students at the lake from his office, the sounds of a splash and laughter reaching him. He watched as everyone engaged in a water fight, even the giant squid sending a wave over Sirius as it swam for deeper, calmer waters.
"The joys of youth." He said quietly, and turned around. The minister of magic was sitting at his desk, looking disgruntled.
"What do you mean she simply ran off?" he said.
"She simply ran off, after attacking the student." The minister groaned.
"Dumbledore, she was our only spy that could get in touch with-with, well, you know who, without suspicion! Who will we use now!?"
Dumbledore looked at the lake again, and saw a pale boy with limp, greasy hair lurking behind a tree.
"I have a feeling you will soon have your spy, ______. Let time take care of itself."
Dumbledore picked up a bag of candies.
"Now if you will excuse me, I have a water fight to join."
With that, he left the minister of magic in his office, unperturbed by the fact that he was purple in the face and yelling at him.
"Let time take care of itself!? Dumbledore, there is no longer any time!"
LJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ
Alice watched Lily, James, Remus, and Sirius get soaked, Alice herself hanging back. Frank had joined long ago. She was still dwelling on the fact that they would leave Hogwarts next year. She hadn't figured out what to do with her life, and soon, she was completely lost in uncomforting thoughts.
The other students, however, were watching Dumbledore make his way toward the lake, as they slowly stopped splashing each other.
"I saw you enjoying yourselves, and thought I might join!" said Dumbledore cheerfully, and he held up his bag of candies.
"Lemon drop, anyone?" The students laughed and several flocked around. By the time Dumbledore was almost lemon drop-less, everyone had decided to head up to the castle for fresh clothes or had lain out sunbathing. Albus spotted Alice and walked over.
"You seem rather dry, Miss Deere."
She jumped.
"Oh! Professor, I didn't see you!" Dumbledore nodded.
"You seemed rather busy."
"I-I was just thinking."
"It is one of my favorite past-times."
Alice paused for a moment, took a breath, and decided to confide in the headmaster.
"Well, We, my friends and I, will be leaving soon. We only have one more year."
"Yes. You are most likely unsure of what to do with your life."
"Exactly! But-how did you . . .?"
"You are not the only one concerned about leaving Hogwarts. For example, take your friends Lily and James. Never in all their years have they gotten along. Now, when their time here is drawing to an end, they have put differences behind. I'm certain you worry about the two."
Alice's eyes lit up.
"It would be wonderful if they could get along! Life, well, it would be almost perfect for me then!"
Dumbledore smiled, and nodded towards the marauders. Lily and James were separate from the others, talking while they dried off.
"I would not worry, Miss Deere, about your career choice or your friends. Now if you will excuse me, I must chat with the other students." He leaned down and put his hand to the side of his mouth conspiratorially.
"And I don't want to go back to my office; I left the minister of Magic there!"
Alice said "Professor!" before laughing and running over to Frank, her worries dispelled.
LJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ
"Lily, could I talk with you?" said James as he ran his hands through his hair, pulling out bits of lake grasses. Sirius shook himself off like a dog, soaking them again. "Somewhere a bit more dry?"
"Uhhhh . . ." said Lily, unsure of whether she really had the courage to talk to Potter like a sane human being. "I-I guess."
They walked a little distance, to where a slight incline made a good place to rest, and the sun struck down on them sharply. James had his hands stuck in his wet pockets, and Lily had hers clasped behind her back. The two sat down.
"Well Potter?" said Lily nervously.
"I-I think we should talk."
"I understood that the first time you said it!" James held up his hand to stop her.
"I think we should talk about this year. I mean, a lot has happened, a lot, and I-I need to clear some things up with you." Lily opened her mouth to speak, but James stopped her again.
"Look, first of all, I did not start that ruddy rumor! Sirius was being a git! I'm not that low, Lily. I wouldn't ever do something that stupid, that immature, that-hurtful to you."
Lily made a face at his apparent opinion of Sirius, but shut her mouth.
"And Lily, about the dueling club-"
"James, I-"
"-You know I would never, ever let Snape beat me at a stupid duel. But what you said, and the look on your face, I, It just made me realize what a 1st class Git I've been. Snape made me choose: you or my pride. I-I chose you, even though I am nothing in your eyes, NOTHING." Lily looked down.
"And then when my father died, Oh God, Lily, I wanted to die! I realized why you hated me, realized I was nothing! I realized why you were bitter, why you hated how unjust I was to everyone-"he rubbed at his eyes fiercely for a moment before continuing.
"I still miss my dad, I always will. Now, though, I feel like I've been changed, that I fight Snape because HE is cruel to others, that I should follow my father's footsteps and fight that creature that killed him. I feel like I have purpose. I hate myself for not realizing beforehand. Maybe my dad could have been proud-"Once again he paused, holding his palms over his eyes as if he were shielding them from the sun.
"I swore to myself that I would never let another person ever be disappointed by me ever again. Then, you ran off, disappeared. I panicked. I was afraid Lott, or Voldemort had gotten you. If YOU were gone too Lily, I, I, I really would have died. I would have failed."
James looked up again. Lily was staring at him with an unreadable expression. A small breeze had made her pull her knees up and wrap her arms around them, ignoring the hair in her face. James chuckled.
"You know, I have been obsessed with you ever since fourth year? I may have dated other girls now and then, but I always kept asking you. I figured you'd give in to my charms sooner or later. You didn't. Still haven't, in fact." He stared at Lily for a long moment.
"Well, just for the record, will you go out with me Evans?" she smirked a little and shook her head no.
"I'd appreciate it if you called me Lily, though."
"I'll be sure to do that Evans . . ." he paused a moment, looking at a group of gray clouds skittering quickly across the sky.
"I-I hope I didn't scare you away permanently."
"No! Potter, you have never scared me. Ever."
James nodded. He bit his lip, tempted to say something to her. He decided: Oh, what the heck. He was in for it anyway.
"Then why are you so afraid."
Lily froze, stood up, and walked away stiffly. James got up and was about to go after her when a hand resting lightly on his shoulder stopped him. Dumbledore stood there, with the usual twinkle in his eye.
"I would not follow her, James. She's already heard too much." James bowed his head.
"I-I just had to tell her, professor."
"I understand. Maybe it was best you told her now. You will be leaving tomorrow." James stuck his hands back in his pockets.
"We do, don't we?" The sky grew dark, and thunder boomed in the distance. A drop of water landed on James' nose. He flicked it off and looked up at the professor.
"You know, I will hate to leave."
"Many students do not want to go home. They do not know what they will find."
"Professor, I know you've been around a while," Albus chuckled, "but you never grow older for us students. Right about now I feel ancient."
"These times are trying. I am starting to feel old myself." Dumbledore looked up at the sky.
"It would be best to get inside now, when you are not completely soaking wet."
"Yeah . . . But, one more thing professor."
"Yes?"
"Have you figured out women yet?" Once again, Dumbledore laughed.
"No, James, and I never will. Women are the most infinitely complex creatures on earth, and the more you worry about them, the more complex they become."
"Oh. I was hoping you could give me some advice on Lily."
"That is one subject I will never be able to give advice on. Though, for Lily, I think it would be best to let her chew on what you have told her for a while. Do not push her. She has lost a man in her life already."
With that, Dumbledore walked up to the castle, James following.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Alice and Frank, much dryer and warmer, sat eating lunch with Lily. She looked rather distracted. She kept missing her food, stabbing the table with her fork.
"Lily, you know you're eating the table?" said Frank.
"What? Oh, sorry. I just . . ."
Alice sighed.
"It's Potter, isn't it?"
"Yes . . .I mean, no!" Alice suddenly looked very sad.
"I'm going to miss the two of you fighting."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, every day I'm here I wake up to 'That Potter,' or 'I could just strangle him!' or 'Will you go out with me Evans.'" Lily rolled her eyes, and examined the marks in the table while Alice continued to reminisce. She traced them with her pointer finger, and for a moment, it looked like a skull with a snake for a tongue. She blinked, and the marks looked normal.
". . .And the cart of treats, and the Quidditch game, and-and-"
"It's ok Alice, we still have next year."
"But that's it!! We're leaving Hogwarts after that!" she finally broke down, sobbing on Frank's shoulder. He pat her hair gently, looking up at the ceiling .It was raining hard now, and occasionally silent heat lightning lit the sky. He sighed. He didn't want to leave either: he had no father to go home to.
LJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ
"Dumbledore, who is the student!?" yelled Minister Wimple.
"For the protection of my students, I cannot tell you." He said calmly, taking out his pensieve. He gently placed the tip of his wand to his forehead, and put a silver wisp in the bowl. For a moment James' and Lily's faces were there clearly, and then Lott appeared, then Snape, then the Minister himself. When Dumbledore looked back up, the bodily Minister was still talking.
"-If you want to keep your position, Dumbledore, I would suggest telling me who this mystery student is immediately!" Dumbledore polished his half-moon glasses. Wimple let out a shaky breath of frustration.
"Very well then. I will expect a response this time tomorrow, or I WILL fire you."
He left Dumbledore to his thoughts.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Deep in a forest, an emaciated and bedraggled Laura Lott stood surrounded by masked witches and wizards . . .
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
The next day, the students were gone. Dumbledore smiled at the Minister, who was ranting at him. He ate another Lemon Drop.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Alice hugged Lily tightly as they got off the Hogwarts Express, still sniffling and tearing up. Even Lily was starting to get emotional.
"Alice, stop! You're making me cry!"
Alice sniffled louder.
"Lily, promise you'll write!"
"I will, I will! Now, get a move on! Your parents are interrogating Frank!" Alice turned around and saw her mother looking at her boyfriend aloofly. She rolled her eyes, said goodbye one last time to Lily, and joined Frank. Lily smiled as the two quickly took each other's hands. Lily looked down at her own: they were holding her luggage and muggle jacket.
Sighing, Lily made her way towards the barrier. Before she reached it a hand grabbed her shoulder.
"Wait, Lily! Mum, this is Lily Evans."
Lily gulped. What was James Potter doing introducing her to his mother!?
She turned around slowly. Her first impression of Mrs. Potter was that she looked tired. Her brown eyes, exactly like James', had bags under them, and her skin was rather sallow. Besides that, she was quite pretty; she had wavy brown hair, was quite tall, and she had laugh lines around her eyes and mouth. Lily realized her hand was extended. She put down her luggage and shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Potter."
"The pleasure's all mine. And call me Elizabeth." She smiled kindly at Lily. "Really, I do hate formalities, yet my son seems to think they are necessary, no matter how much I have heard about you!" Lily laughed.
"Do I want to know what he's said?"
"Mum!" said James quickly. She gave him a challenging look.
"Oh, only that you are the kindest, smartest, prettiest girl in all of Hogwarts, and that no matter how many times he asks you to go out with him you still refuse." Lily and James blushed. Elizabeth laughed, and patted James on the arm.
"I'll leave you two to your goodbyes now. Don't do anything stupid, James." He rolled his eyes and chuckled embarrassedly. His mother's face fell a bit, and she turned away quickly. Lily realized she was wearing all black.
"Sorry about that." Said James, shoving his hands in his pockets. "She says I sound exactly like my dad when I laugh." He paused, looking for a distraction. Finding none, he turned back to Lily and stuck his hand out. Hesitantly, she held her own out. His grip was strong, while Lily's barely held on.
"Well, see you next year then."
"Yeah . . .next year."
"I-I'll write you!" Lily laughed at James nervousness.
"Once again, Potter, you succeed in making yourself look completely foolish."
"Well, you're not helping matters!"
"Why not?"
He smirked at her. Lily looked down, and realized they were still shaking hands. She instantly pulled back, but Potter held on.
"Let go of my hand Potter!"
"No."
"Why not!?!?"
"You have to promise me something." Lily tried pulling her hand away again. James held on.
"Potter! What does my hand have to do with promises!" she said, and kept pulling, practically popping her fingers out of their sockets. He finally grabbed her other hand.
"Lily, listen to me!" she kept pulling for a moment, then stopped.
"Fine, Potter. Make it fast."
"Promise me that you'll write."
"WHAT!" She tugged at her hands with all her might. Apparently, her might was not match for James'.
"I said promise me you'll write! Look, Lily, all I want you to do is write me one ruddy letter. Just do that for me, all right? Please, just one nice, decent letter! I only want one! Please, Lily!" Lily looked at James. He was practically begging her, for goodness knows what reason. She looked at Elizabeth Potter; she was holding a kerchief and smiling at the two. She bowed her head.
"Fine. ONE letter." James reluctantly let his grip loosen. She yanked her hands away, and picked her luggage up. James watched her for a moment, and slowly turned away. He started walking off, and an ashamed Lily yelled "James!"
"Yeah?"
"Could you promise me something?"
"What? Never tell anyone about this?"
"No . . . don't call me dear again."
James laughed. "Are you sure? That seems like a pretty bad exchange-"
"NO, it is a perfectly fair exchange. And, well, could you not do anything stupid?"
"What? But wh-"
"Just . . .try to be more careful, Ok?"
He nodded, and stuck his hands back in his pockets. Lily picked up her things and walked towards the barrier again, but before she stepped through, she looked back at the station. Sirius was being slapped by a 5th year Hufflepuff, Alice was chatting with Frank, and James still stood watching her. She smiled, and stepped through the barrier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FIN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GNA: Ok...so it isn't really finished...that would just be sad...*cries* But dang, do I hate letting year six go. . . how long did we work on it, GNL?
GNL: From September on.
GNA: Yeah...*sniffle* I almost can't remember that far back...*shakes head forcefully* Alright, important stuff: it would be nice if those of you who are kind enough to review give us some input; should we put year seven in a different segment or keep it with this one? It would be easier when it comes to chapters, but it might mess up the continuity. Well...this would be a good time to FINALLY give out reviewer thank yous!
THANKS TO:
OTHER PEOPLE WHO DESERVE SOME THANKS FOR THEIR HELP THROUGH YEAR SIX:
Readers J
J.K. Rowling, the mastermind behind the mastermind.
The Dave Matthews Band for writing "The Space Between." Talk about inspiration...here, I'll stick the lyrics in just to be explanatory.
You cannot quit me so quickly
There's no hope in you for me
No corner you could squeeze me
But I got all the time for you, love
The Space Between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
But will I hold you again?
These fickle, fuddled words confuse me
Like 'Will it rain today?'
Waste the hours with talking, talking
These twisted games we're playing
We're strange allies
With warring hearts
What wild-eyed beast you be
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
Will I hold you again?
Will I hold...
Look at us spinning out in
The madness of a roller coaster
You know you went off like a devil
In a church in the middle of a crowded room
All we can do, my love
Is hope we don't take this ship down
The Space Between
Where you're smiling high
Is where you'll find me if I get to go
The Space Between
The bullets in our firefight
Is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you
The rain that falls
Splash in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into...
The Space Between
Our wicked lies
Is where we hope to keep safe from pain
Take my hand
'Cause we're walking out of here
Oh, right out of here
Love is all we need here
The Space Between
What's wrong and right
Is where you'll find me hiding, waiting for you
The Space Between
Your heart and mine
Is the space we'll fill with time
The Space Between...
The one downfall to simply reading lyrics; they are sappy and corny- sounding without their tune. *sighs* Ah well, you get the idea....
Also, thanks to GNA sis for her...well...sisness. And the pointing-out of many things the authors wouldn't have caught were it not for her. She should also be thanked for her job as the first-person-to-see-the-chapters-besides- GNL-and-GNA. Your second opinion was actually appreciated. J
Also, thanks to krw313 for her moral support and readiness to guinea-pig the chapters for us...we give you the "Biggest Fan Award." Officially.
Finally, thanks to the other Guava Nancers who mocked, jeered, and otherwise heckled GNA and GNL through this whole process.
Oh, and lets just thank Orlando Bloom for existing.
GNL: And now it is time to thank you! Our lovely reviewers! Don't forget...we are taking a short break to get Year Seven in order...trust me...it needs help at the moment...But until then here is a heartfelt thank you from GNA and GNL.
Thankyous:
J.E.A.R.K. (Erin) Potter- To our loyal reviewer many thanks. We would like to present you with some Guava Passion Juice. Mmmmmmm Guava Passion Juice.....
Jenae- Yay! A new reviewer! Glad you enjoy....our author's notes *crickets: chirp, chirp* Hehe! We offer you some complimentary Guava Passion Juice.
LlamaJ2911- Um well...we updated right now! * Angelic choir sings: They finally updated!* hehehe *sends LlamaJ2911 some Guava Juice by overnight delivery to help her get through homework....bah! homework*
Shocking Sour- *GNA/GNL blown off their feet by your compliments* Wow, thank you. Alas, we are only humble J.K. Rowlings wanna be's.
GNAsis- Than-
lateBloomer04- *GNL mocks GNA* Yeah, GNA is just a great fluff writer uh huh yup.... (we arugh about fluff...literally all the time)
morph- Yeah! Morph! Woo hoo! *I'm kinda hyper* *hums congo line song* We offer thee a bottle of Guava Passion Juice. It's good stuff.
The Lost Guava- Hey! ....yeah...see ya in History class....woo three day weekend! ....we get such long spring breaks don't we?
drunken- *sees new reviewer* Yes! Wooo! New reviewer! hehe...*cough* yeah....um...have some complimentary Guava Passion Juice.
spreadthespit56- Merci beaucoup ma amie! Nous adorons les personnes qui lire notre histories. Nous voudirons offrir toi le juice de goyave!
krw313- Thanks! We really X 41 liked your review! Have 41 guavas!
Cookiegirl90- Hey! Thanks for the reviews! Please accept some Guava Passion Juice courtesy of GNA./GNL ....and...Walmart.....*cough cough*
Ms.Mrpk- :)))))))))))))))))
GNL: Oh, shut up, for the last time. You have all of year seven to get over it. Speaking of which, there will be a break between year six and seven, while the final chapters are sorted out for the final year...
GNA: You mean the whole story and plot.
GNL: ...Well...that's beside the point. *whacks GNA* And now, for the glorious chapter twelve, the last part to year six!
CHAPTER TWELVE: FINAL FAREWELLS
The year, undoubtedly, was over. Every morning upon waking up, the sun would shine bright and hot on Hogwarts, making students shed their cloaks and flock to the cool lake. Everything had settled into a green, summery newness. That year had been a life-changing one, with Voldemort bursting onto the scene, the massacre, and Lott's arrival and exit. Even Lily Evans and James Potter, two of the most unalterable people in Hogwarts, had changed.
Lily had grown out of her last lingering feelings of bitterness, and enjoyed the days she spent at Hogwarts; laughing with Alice, studying in the quiet library, or relaxing in a chair by the common room fire. Nowadays, though, she did not wander to the North Tower, or let her thoughts dwell on the latest fight with Potter, even thought the two rarely saw each other or spoke. Lily felt happy, wiser, and content. It was a bittersweet victory, though, getting over the grief of the months and years. Her world was irreversibly changed, SHE was irreversibly changed, and she couldn't tell whether it was for better or worse.
Lily, leaning against a gnarled old tree by the lake, smiled to herself. She loved the challenge, though, in all this change, and the hope in the challenge.
James Potter too felt like a whole new person. A bit of grief seemed to suit him, counteracting the still-dwelling remains of his arrogant self. When he'd hang out with the marauders, he goofed off with relish, knowing his next day could be his last. He wanted to live every day his father had lost, and live it fully and respectably for him. The suffocating pain and grief of the murder in him had turned into something else: a burning desire to get rid of that foul creature that took Will Potter from his life. James, lounging by a tree with Sirius, smiled grimly; it was going to be a long, hard, full, wonderful life.
Sirius suddenly flew through James field of vision, tackling a pretty Ravenclaw to the ground. James rolled his eyes, letting them wander slowly over to Lily. She was staring out at the lake and castle, a small smile playing from all her features. He smiled a bit more broadly, and pulled a worn-down snitch from his pocket.
"Lily! I just realized something!" said Alice Deere, who was looking at her friend sadly.
"One year from now we will be doing this same thing . . .but . . .for the last time. It will be the end of Hogwarts for us! I don't know what I want to do with myself, I don't want to leave yet!"
"I know Alice, I feel the same way." Lily spoke quietly, closing her eyes and listening to everyone and everything around her.
Sirius was yelling rather obscene things to a girl, who retorted back laughing, and a chorus of hoots followed. The water lapped very gently at the edge of the lake, a cool breeze moving the water in little waves. Thick foliage from the forbidden Forest rustled and creaked, the occasional animal howling or chittering into the air. As she listened, she caught the sound of James laughing, and a fluttering of tiny feathery wings. Lily snapped her eyes open. James was chasing after a runaway snitch that hovered close to the ground, obviously damaged by use. It came closer and closer, until James ran up to Lily. His hair was its usual messy black self, and his eyes held a sparkle similar to Dumbledore's.
He stopped and looked down at her, while he neatly caught the snitch and held it out to her.
"Potter, you are absolutely daft," she said austerely, "If you think I will ever touch that."
"I wouldn't be so sure!" he replied mischievously, and he sat right in front of her. He started letting the snitch go, getting closer and closer to her face each time he let it loose. Quickly, it was only inches from smacking Lily in the face, and she was getting rather annoyed.
"Potter, I'm warning you!"
Lily didn't sound like she was warning him at all. James winked when he saw Lily start to break out into a hesitant, but real, smile. He said "here," and nodded meaningfully at her, and let the snitch go. She tried to grab it, but only succeeded in brushing its hummingbird fast wings. James grabbed it without moving his eyes from Lily.
"Show off." She muttered, and sat up straight. James nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Show under!"
"Obnoxious prat!" James opened his mouth, paused, and then opened it again.
"Enjoyable flower!"
"That was absolutely pitiful, you know."
"I do know."
"So was that."
"No it wasn't!"
"Yes it was!"
"No!
"Yes!" cried Lily, laughing outright. James let the snitch go again, and she caught it. Suddenly she jumped up and ran off a distance, holding the snitch out in her hand.
"Don't you dare, Evans!" he yelled, "If you let that snitch go I will-"
"Snog her senseless!" yelled Sirius mockingly. James rolled his eyes.
"No, I was thinking throw her in the lake!" Even Sirius had to agree to this, and they advanced on Evans. Her fingers slowly, slowly went slack. At the last moment, James lunged, and Lily let go. He caught it. He realized he had thrown himself awkwardly close to her, and he blushed and put the snitch in his pocket. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Uh, well Evans, I guess I can't throw you in the lake!" he smiled.
"Yeah . . .I guess so."
Sirius, sensing the situation, suddenly picked Lily up by the waist, threw her over his shoulder, and ran towards the lake. She hit and kicked furiously, but he didn't slow. James groaned and charged after him.
"Sirius, let her go!"
"Oh, come off it James, let me throw her in!"
"Sirius!"
"Oh, all right." He put her down at the edge of the lake. Lily glanced back at James with a smirk, and shoved Sirius in.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Dumbledore watched the students at the lake from his office, the sounds of a splash and laughter reaching him. He watched as everyone engaged in a water fight, even the giant squid sending a wave over Sirius as it swam for deeper, calmer waters.
"The joys of youth." He said quietly, and turned around. The minister of magic was sitting at his desk, looking disgruntled.
"What do you mean she simply ran off?" he said.
"She simply ran off, after attacking the student." The minister groaned.
"Dumbledore, she was our only spy that could get in touch with-with, well, you know who, without suspicion! Who will we use now!?"
Dumbledore looked at the lake again, and saw a pale boy with limp, greasy hair lurking behind a tree.
"I have a feeling you will soon have your spy, ______. Let time take care of itself."
Dumbledore picked up a bag of candies.
"Now if you will excuse me, I have a water fight to join."
With that, he left the minister of magic in his office, unperturbed by the fact that he was purple in the face and yelling at him.
"Let time take care of itself!? Dumbledore, there is no longer any time!"
LJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ
Alice watched Lily, James, Remus, and Sirius get soaked, Alice herself hanging back. Frank had joined long ago. She was still dwelling on the fact that they would leave Hogwarts next year. She hadn't figured out what to do with her life, and soon, she was completely lost in uncomforting thoughts.
The other students, however, were watching Dumbledore make his way toward the lake, as they slowly stopped splashing each other.
"I saw you enjoying yourselves, and thought I might join!" said Dumbledore cheerfully, and he held up his bag of candies.
"Lemon drop, anyone?" The students laughed and several flocked around. By the time Dumbledore was almost lemon drop-less, everyone had decided to head up to the castle for fresh clothes or had lain out sunbathing. Albus spotted Alice and walked over.
"You seem rather dry, Miss Deere."
She jumped.
"Oh! Professor, I didn't see you!" Dumbledore nodded.
"You seemed rather busy."
"I-I was just thinking."
"It is one of my favorite past-times."
Alice paused for a moment, took a breath, and decided to confide in the headmaster.
"Well, We, my friends and I, will be leaving soon. We only have one more year."
"Yes. You are most likely unsure of what to do with your life."
"Exactly! But-how did you . . .?"
"You are not the only one concerned about leaving Hogwarts. For example, take your friends Lily and James. Never in all their years have they gotten along. Now, when their time here is drawing to an end, they have put differences behind. I'm certain you worry about the two."
Alice's eyes lit up.
"It would be wonderful if they could get along! Life, well, it would be almost perfect for me then!"
Dumbledore smiled, and nodded towards the marauders. Lily and James were separate from the others, talking while they dried off.
"I would not worry, Miss Deere, about your career choice or your friends. Now if you will excuse me, I must chat with the other students." He leaned down and put his hand to the side of his mouth conspiratorially.
"And I don't want to go back to my office; I left the minister of Magic there!"
Alice said "Professor!" before laughing and running over to Frank, her worries dispelled.
LJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ
"Lily, could I talk with you?" said James as he ran his hands through his hair, pulling out bits of lake grasses. Sirius shook himself off like a dog, soaking them again. "Somewhere a bit more dry?"
"Uhhhh . . ." said Lily, unsure of whether she really had the courage to talk to Potter like a sane human being. "I-I guess."
They walked a little distance, to where a slight incline made a good place to rest, and the sun struck down on them sharply. James had his hands stuck in his wet pockets, and Lily had hers clasped behind her back. The two sat down.
"Well Potter?" said Lily nervously.
"I-I think we should talk."
"I understood that the first time you said it!" James held up his hand to stop her.
"I think we should talk about this year. I mean, a lot has happened, a lot, and I-I need to clear some things up with you." Lily opened her mouth to speak, but James stopped her again.
"Look, first of all, I did not start that ruddy rumor! Sirius was being a git! I'm not that low, Lily. I wouldn't ever do something that stupid, that immature, that-hurtful to you."
Lily made a face at his apparent opinion of Sirius, but shut her mouth.
"And Lily, about the dueling club-"
"James, I-"
"-You know I would never, ever let Snape beat me at a stupid duel. But what you said, and the look on your face, I, It just made me realize what a 1st class Git I've been. Snape made me choose: you or my pride. I-I chose you, even though I am nothing in your eyes, NOTHING." Lily looked down.
"And then when my father died, Oh God, Lily, I wanted to die! I realized why you hated me, realized I was nothing! I realized why you were bitter, why you hated how unjust I was to everyone-"he rubbed at his eyes fiercely for a moment before continuing.
"I still miss my dad, I always will. Now, though, I feel like I've been changed, that I fight Snape because HE is cruel to others, that I should follow my father's footsteps and fight that creature that killed him. I feel like I have purpose. I hate myself for not realizing beforehand. Maybe my dad could have been proud-"Once again he paused, holding his palms over his eyes as if he were shielding them from the sun.
"I swore to myself that I would never let another person ever be disappointed by me ever again. Then, you ran off, disappeared. I panicked. I was afraid Lott, or Voldemort had gotten you. If YOU were gone too Lily, I, I, I really would have died. I would have failed."
James looked up again. Lily was staring at him with an unreadable expression. A small breeze had made her pull her knees up and wrap her arms around them, ignoring the hair in her face. James chuckled.
"You know, I have been obsessed with you ever since fourth year? I may have dated other girls now and then, but I always kept asking you. I figured you'd give in to my charms sooner or later. You didn't. Still haven't, in fact." He stared at Lily for a long moment.
"Well, just for the record, will you go out with me Evans?" she smirked a little and shook her head no.
"I'd appreciate it if you called me Lily, though."
"I'll be sure to do that Evans . . ." he paused a moment, looking at a group of gray clouds skittering quickly across the sky.
"I-I hope I didn't scare you away permanently."
"No! Potter, you have never scared me. Ever."
James nodded. He bit his lip, tempted to say something to her. He decided: Oh, what the heck. He was in for it anyway.
"Then why are you so afraid."
Lily froze, stood up, and walked away stiffly. James got up and was about to go after her when a hand resting lightly on his shoulder stopped him. Dumbledore stood there, with the usual twinkle in his eye.
"I would not follow her, James. She's already heard too much." James bowed his head.
"I-I just had to tell her, professor."
"I understand. Maybe it was best you told her now. You will be leaving tomorrow." James stuck his hands back in his pockets.
"We do, don't we?" The sky grew dark, and thunder boomed in the distance. A drop of water landed on James' nose. He flicked it off and looked up at the professor.
"You know, I will hate to leave."
"Many students do not want to go home. They do not know what they will find."
"Professor, I know you've been around a while," Albus chuckled, "but you never grow older for us students. Right about now I feel ancient."
"These times are trying. I am starting to feel old myself." Dumbledore looked up at the sky.
"It would be best to get inside now, when you are not completely soaking wet."
"Yeah . . . But, one more thing professor."
"Yes?"
"Have you figured out women yet?" Once again, Dumbledore laughed.
"No, James, and I never will. Women are the most infinitely complex creatures on earth, and the more you worry about them, the more complex they become."
"Oh. I was hoping you could give me some advice on Lily."
"That is one subject I will never be able to give advice on. Though, for Lily, I think it would be best to let her chew on what you have told her for a while. Do not push her. She has lost a man in her life already."
With that, Dumbledore walked up to the castle, James following.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Alice and Frank, much dryer and warmer, sat eating lunch with Lily. She looked rather distracted. She kept missing her food, stabbing the table with her fork.
"Lily, you know you're eating the table?" said Frank.
"What? Oh, sorry. I just . . ."
Alice sighed.
"It's Potter, isn't it?"
"Yes . . .I mean, no!" Alice suddenly looked very sad.
"I'm going to miss the two of you fighting."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, every day I'm here I wake up to 'That Potter,' or 'I could just strangle him!' or 'Will you go out with me Evans.'" Lily rolled her eyes, and examined the marks in the table while Alice continued to reminisce. She traced them with her pointer finger, and for a moment, it looked like a skull with a snake for a tongue. She blinked, and the marks looked normal.
". . .And the cart of treats, and the Quidditch game, and-and-"
"It's ok Alice, we still have next year."
"But that's it!! We're leaving Hogwarts after that!" she finally broke down, sobbing on Frank's shoulder. He pat her hair gently, looking up at the ceiling .It was raining hard now, and occasionally silent heat lightning lit the sky. He sighed. He didn't want to leave either: he had no father to go home to.
LJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ
"Dumbledore, who is the student!?" yelled Minister Wimple.
"For the protection of my students, I cannot tell you." He said calmly, taking out his pensieve. He gently placed the tip of his wand to his forehead, and put a silver wisp in the bowl. For a moment James' and Lily's faces were there clearly, and then Lott appeared, then Snape, then the Minister himself. When Dumbledore looked back up, the bodily Minister was still talking.
"-If you want to keep your position, Dumbledore, I would suggest telling me who this mystery student is immediately!" Dumbledore polished his half-moon glasses. Wimple let out a shaky breath of frustration.
"Very well then. I will expect a response this time tomorrow, or I WILL fire you."
He left Dumbledore to his thoughts.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Deep in a forest, an emaciated and bedraggled Laura Lott stood surrounded by masked witches and wizards . . .
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
The next day, the students were gone. Dumbledore smiled at the Minister, who was ranting at him. He ate another Lemon Drop.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Alice hugged Lily tightly as they got off the Hogwarts Express, still sniffling and tearing up. Even Lily was starting to get emotional.
"Alice, stop! You're making me cry!"
Alice sniffled louder.
"Lily, promise you'll write!"
"I will, I will! Now, get a move on! Your parents are interrogating Frank!" Alice turned around and saw her mother looking at her boyfriend aloofly. She rolled her eyes, said goodbye one last time to Lily, and joined Frank. Lily smiled as the two quickly took each other's hands. Lily looked down at her own: they were holding her luggage and muggle jacket.
Sighing, Lily made her way towards the barrier. Before she reached it a hand grabbed her shoulder.
"Wait, Lily! Mum, this is Lily Evans."
Lily gulped. What was James Potter doing introducing her to his mother!?
She turned around slowly. Her first impression of Mrs. Potter was that she looked tired. Her brown eyes, exactly like James', had bags under them, and her skin was rather sallow. Besides that, she was quite pretty; she had wavy brown hair, was quite tall, and she had laugh lines around her eyes and mouth. Lily realized her hand was extended. She put down her luggage and shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Potter."
"The pleasure's all mine. And call me Elizabeth." She smiled kindly at Lily. "Really, I do hate formalities, yet my son seems to think they are necessary, no matter how much I have heard about you!" Lily laughed.
"Do I want to know what he's said?"
"Mum!" said James quickly. She gave him a challenging look.
"Oh, only that you are the kindest, smartest, prettiest girl in all of Hogwarts, and that no matter how many times he asks you to go out with him you still refuse." Lily and James blushed. Elizabeth laughed, and patted James on the arm.
"I'll leave you two to your goodbyes now. Don't do anything stupid, James." He rolled his eyes and chuckled embarrassedly. His mother's face fell a bit, and she turned away quickly. Lily realized she was wearing all black.
"Sorry about that." Said James, shoving his hands in his pockets. "She says I sound exactly like my dad when I laugh." He paused, looking for a distraction. Finding none, he turned back to Lily and stuck his hand out. Hesitantly, she held her own out. His grip was strong, while Lily's barely held on.
"Well, see you next year then."
"Yeah . . .next year."
"I-I'll write you!" Lily laughed at James nervousness.
"Once again, Potter, you succeed in making yourself look completely foolish."
"Well, you're not helping matters!"
"Why not?"
He smirked at her. Lily looked down, and realized they were still shaking hands. She instantly pulled back, but Potter held on.
"Let go of my hand Potter!"
"No."
"Why not!?!?"
"You have to promise me something." Lily tried pulling her hand away again. James held on.
"Potter! What does my hand have to do with promises!" she said, and kept pulling, practically popping her fingers out of their sockets. He finally grabbed her other hand.
"Lily, listen to me!" she kept pulling for a moment, then stopped.
"Fine, Potter. Make it fast."
"Promise me that you'll write."
"WHAT!" She tugged at her hands with all her might. Apparently, her might was not match for James'.
"I said promise me you'll write! Look, Lily, all I want you to do is write me one ruddy letter. Just do that for me, all right? Please, just one nice, decent letter! I only want one! Please, Lily!" Lily looked at James. He was practically begging her, for goodness knows what reason. She looked at Elizabeth Potter; she was holding a kerchief and smiling at the two. She bowed her head.
"Fine. ONE letter." James reluctantly let his grip loosen. She yanked her hands away, and picked her luggage up. James watched her for a moment, and slowly turned away. He started walking off, and an ashamed Lily yelled "James!"
"Yeah?"
"Could you promise me something?"
"What? Never tell anyone about this?"
"No . . . don't call me dear again."
James laughed. "Are you sure? That seems like a pretty bad exchange-"
"NO, it is a perfectly fair exchange. And, well, could you not do anything stupid?"
"What? But wh-"
"Just . . .try to be more careful, Ok?"
He nodded, and stuck his hands back in his pockets. Lily picked up her things and walked towards the barrier again, but before she stepped through, she looked back at the station. Sirius was being slapped by a 5th year Hufflepuff, Alice was chatting with Frank, and James still stood watching her. She smiled, and stepped through the barrier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FIN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GNA: Ok...so it isn't really finished...that would just be sad...*cries* But dang, do I hate letting year six go. . . how long did we work on it, GNL?
GNL: From September on.
GNA: Yeah...*sniffle* I almost can't remember that far back...*shakes head forcefully* Alright, important stuff: it would be nice if those of you who are kind enough to review give us some input; should we put year seven in a different segment or keep it with this one? It would be easier when it comes to chapters, but it might mess up the continuity. Well...this would be a good time to FINALLY give out reviewer thank yous!
THANKS TO:
OTHER PEOPLE WHO DESERVE SOME THANKS FOR THEIR HELP THROUGH YEAR SIX:
Readers J
J.K. Rowling, the mastermind behind the mastermind.
The Dave Matthews Band for writing "The Space Between." Talk about inspiration...here, I'll stick the lyrics in just to be explanatory.
You cannot quit me so quickly
There's no hope in you for me
No corner you could squeeze me
But I got all the time for you, love
The Space Between
The tears we cry
Is the laughter keeps us coming back for more
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
But will I hold you again?
These fickle, fuddled words confuse me
Like 'Will it rain today?'
Waste the hours with talking, talking
These twisted games we're playing
We're strange allies
With warring hearts
What wild-eyed beast you be
The Space Between
The wicked lies we tell
And hope to keep safe from the pain
Will I hold you again?
Will I hold...
Look at us spinning out in
The madness of a roller coaster
You know you went off like a devil
In a church in the middle of a crowded room
All we can do, my love
Is hope we don't take this ship down
The Space Between
Where you're smiling high
Is where you'll find me if I get to go
The Space Between
The bullets in our firefight
Is where I'll be hiding, waiting for you
The rain that falls
Splash in your heart
Ran like sadness down the window into...
The Space Between
Our wicked lies
Is where we hope to keep safe from pain
Take my hand
'Cause we're walking out of here
Oh, right out of here
Love is all we need here
The Space Between
What's wrong and right
Is where you'll find me hiding, waiting for you
The Space Between
Your heart and mine
Is the space we'll fill with time
The Space Between...
The one downfall to simply reading lyrics; they are sappy and corny- sounding without their tune. *sighs* Ah well, you get the idea....
Also, thanks to GNA sis for her...well...sisness. And the pointing-out of many things the authors wouldn't have caught were it not for her. She should also be thanked for her job as the first-person-to-see-the-chapters-besides- GNL-and-GNA. Your second opinion was actually appreciated. J
Also, thanks to krw313 for her moral support and readiness to guinea-pig the chapters for us...we give you the "Biggest Fan Award." Officially.
Finally, thanks to the other Guava Nancers who mocked, jeered, and otherwise heckled GNA and GNL through this whole process.
Oh, and lets just thank Orlando Bloom for existing.
GNL: And now it is time to thank you! Our lovely reviewers! Don't forget...we are taking a short break to get Year Seven in order...trust me...it needs help at the moment...But until then here is a heartfelt thank you from GNA and GNL.
Thankyous:
J.E.A.R.K. (Erin) Potter- To our loyal reviewer many thanks. We would like to present you with some Guava Passion Juice. Mmmmmmm Guava Passion Juice.....
Jenae- Yay! A new reviewer! Glad you enjoy....our author's notes *crickets: chirp, chirp* Hehe! We offer you some complimentary Guava Passion Juice.
LlamaJ2911- Um well...we updated right now! * Angelic choir sings: They finally updated!* hehehe *sends LlamaJ2911 some Guava Juice by overnight delivery to help her get through homework....bah! homework*
Shocking Sour- *GNA/GNL blown off their feet by your compliments* Wow, thank you. Alas, we are only humble J.K. Rowlings wanna be's.
GNAsis- Than-
lateBloomer04- *GNL mocks GNA* Yeah, GNA is just a great fluff writer uh huh yup.... (we arugh about fluff...literally all the time)
morph- Yeah! Morph! Woo hoo! *I'm kinda hyper* *hums congo line song* We offer thee a bottle of Guava Passion Juice. It's good stuff.
The Lost Guava- Hey! ....yeah...see ya in History class....woo three day weekend! ....we get such long spring breaks don't we?
drunken- *sees new reviewer* Yes! Wooo! New reviewer! hehe...*cough* yeah....um...have some complimentary Guava Passion Juice.
spreadthespit56- Merci beaucoup ma amie! Nous adorons les personnes qui lire notre histories. Nous voudirons offrir toi le juice de goyave!
krw313- Thanks! We really X 41 liked your review! Have 41 guavas!
Cookiegirl90- Hey! Thanks for the reviews! Please accept some Guava Passion Juice courtesy of GNA./GNL ....and...Walmart.....*cough cough*
Ms.Mrpk- :)))))))))))))))))