Disclaimer: See previous chapters. WARNING: Lily and James Fluff!(sorry, I had to :)
I apologize for the incredible delay, but I did have to read Order of the Phoenix, grieve hopelessly over the death (it KILLED me) and finish school and all that shit. Whatever, here it is :) by the way, Sarah Ferguson's (Franks girlfriend) name is now Alice, just remember that. And Narcissa Silverton's last name has been changed to Black. Sirius is just indifferent to the fact that they are related, which is why he never mentioned it before now.
February 1, 1974……..About a month later, more or less……..
Lily was sitting in her dormitory, reading over and over again the content of her parents' letter. It was always the same. It told her, in her mother's neat, curvy handwriting, that they would see her the next day. That was over a month ago. It spouted praises for Lily and pride for joining the team, and doing so well in school. When Lily couldn't look at it anymore, she tossed it aside, creasing it in the same way she had received it.
She was feeling depressed again, as she did once and a while. Lily was extremely resilient. Diana on the other hand, well, she seemed to be getting worse. She had, after all, received the worse news. Her entire family had been wiped out, and she lived in fear that she might be next. More horrible than that, to Lily, was that she was spending more and more time with Malfoy. Everyone barely saw her outside of classes. If they didn't have Quidditch practice, Lily didn't know when she's see her. She never slept in their dorm anymore. Diana had lost a ridiculous amount of weight since Christmas, her appetite nowhere near as enthusiastic as it used to be.
Lily's mood brightened instantly when a messy, black haired boy poked his head in, an arrogant, yet endearing smile spread across his attractive face.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Mm Hmm." Lily responded and got up. She kissed him on the mouth for a second, and he put his arm around her waist as they walked down to the common room.
"Hogmeade today." Lily said, happily.
"Yep, but not before we practice for a couple of hours."
"Ugh, fine." Lily said, reluctantly.
James and Lily, much to the relief and delight of their fellow Gryffindors, had become quite the couple. They still argued, as couples naturally do, but they always made up quickly. Their most horrible fights came on the Quidditch field because James had to constantly remind her that he was the captain and Lily couldn't change the plays in the middle of practice.
That night in her dorm brought them closer, considering they both shared the traumatic experience. When she woke up the next day she was somewhat disoriented, but relieved to see who was next to her. She had never thought that she would be this comfortable around a man like James Potter. When he woke up, he asked her, quite plainly, if she would care to be his girlfriend, this time with absolute seriousness. She answered him with a kiss, and they had been inseparable ever since.
While they walked down the stairs they noticed Sirius and Remus working on Divination.
"Hmmm, how bout we get hit by a lightening bolt?" Remus asked, jotting down anything that came to his head.
"You could." Sirius said. "I think that I'll……uh……..get choked to death by Devil's Snare."
"By the end of the week? That's depressing." Remus said, although he was laughing.
"I know, maybe I should change it to getting some sort of disease. Maybe then she'll excuse me from all this work." He said. "How about…..Malaria?"
"How about Gonorrhoea?" Remus said, not looking up. He could tell, however, that he was getting quite the glare from Sirius. "What, it makes more sense." he said, defending himself. "She'd believe that one, the way you carry on with Winters all period."
"Hey, it's not my fault the girl can't keep her hands to herself."
"Yes, it must be harder when you place then where you want them to be." Lily said, walking over to them.
"Morning, Bitch." Sirius said casually.
"Morning Slut." She said, in the same tone. "Don't you think you should be taking that a little more seriously?" she said, tapping her fingernail on his homework. Sirius and Remus snorted.
"You take school too seriously, Lily." Remus said. "It's Divination."
"Oh I remember Divination." Lily said, pretending to shudder.
"Guys, practice, now." James said, tapping his watch. It was 8:00 on a Saturday morning. They were the only ones awake.
"Alright, alright, you pain in the ass." Sirius said. "I'm coming. And I don't see the rest of the team anywhere." He said, glancing all around him.
"Oh shit I bet they slept in. hold on….." he cleared his throat. "TEAM!!!! KAT, FRANK, ANDREW, BACKSIDES DOWN HERE NOW!" he yelled. Lily covered her ears. When she was finished she slapped him hard on the shoulder.
"What the bloody hell is your problem?" she angrily whispered. "You're going to wake the whole—"
"SHUT UP POTTER!" they heard a couple of people shout. James had the tendency to do that when no one wanted him too. He had no consideration for anyone other than his team, and he even treated them like cattle from time to time.
"Potter…..have you gone mad?" Katrina yawned as she wobbled down the stairs in her robes. Frank was behind her and Andrew Spinnet was behind him.
"Oh good, you're all up." James said, perkily. Lily and Sirius glanced at each other, the same expression of mock disgust, as if neither of them could believe they were friends with someone this exasperating.
"Ok, lets go down, before Prongs gets rampaged by furious third years." Sirius said, grabbing his supplies and heading for the door. Lily followed, along with the rest of the team.
"You alright here Remus?" Lily asked. "We don't want to leave you here all by your lonesome."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure James little yell woke Nicole up. She'll keep me company." He said with a smile. "We'll just get ready for the trip later."
"You sure?" she asked, wanting to be reassured.
"Sure, have fun." He answered waving them off. "Oh, and Lily?"
She turned to face him. "Try not to throw James off his broom this time. No captain, no team, remember that." He said. She smiled and shook her head. She cleared her throat and nodded, before waving goodbye.
"Right." She said, with a smirk before she left. She did have a tendency to overreact.
"Ok, team, now gather round." James said on the pitch, and they did. "We play Ravenclaw next month, before the Spring Holiday. Now we have time to prepare, so I want to make it perfect. I mean it, I would like to whoop their asses beautifully if we can. I want to win with over 200 points—"
"Hold on Potter." Lily started. "What are you asking for, the perfect game?" she folded her arms. "Winning isn't enough, now we have to play 'perfectly'?"
"Lily, quiet, not in the mood." He said, rather quickly. "Last time we had next to nothing to prepare, because, well, you remember…" he said, trailing off, not wanting to bring up the last game, which didn't happen. It was cancelled on account of the psychological damage it could have done to Diana and Lily, and they had no backup players. McGonagal forced them to stay out of it, which resulted in the game being rescheduled to April 14, and Hufflepuff taking Gryffindor's place against Ravenclaw that day.
"Well, why don't we concentrate on what we know about their tactics, you know, how they play?" Sirius suggested. "They have an awesome keeper."
"He's right." Frank said, agreeing with him. "He rivals Renton pretty closely."
"That's true." Said James, thinking hard about it.
"Hold on, where is Renton?" Spinnet asked. James, and everyone else suddenly noticed she wasn't there.
"You have got to be kidding me!" James said, suddenly infuriated. "Always late! I swear to god if she doesn't show up today, she's off the team!" James said livid.
"James, don't be stupid." Lily said. "Who the hell are we going to get to replace her? She's the best we've got—"
"But she's not HERE!" He said, pointing to the ground.
"James, calm down." Lily said. "She's probably just—"
"Oh I know where she is. We ALL know where she is Lily, and she needs to be here, at practice, and she's not, and I swear to god if we lose because of her…." He said, clenching his fist, not wanting to think of the possibility. Sirius flinched at the thought.
"We won't lose." Katrina said. "Not with Chasers like you three, and the two best beaters around. And I am a fairly good seeker, if I do say so myself." She said.
"She's got a point Potter." Spinnet said. "Our team is flawless, even if Renton is a little off come game day."
"Whatever, let's just play. It would be stupid if she showed up now. I'd strangle her if she did. We end at 11. I'll keep time, let's just get in the air already." James said.
They practiced until James called time. It was particularly difficult without a keeper, but the more James thought about it, the more wound up he got. They ran to the common room, starving and tired, throwing their robes and brooms down thoughtlessly in their dorms. When Lily entered hers, flustered and sweating, an extremely irritated expression entered her weary features.
"Morning Lil." Diana said casually, smoking a cigarette and leaning against the windowsill. She was lost somewhere, but managed to croak out a seemingly cheerful response.
Lily just stared at her, gaping. "You can't be serious?" she said, thinking Diana had absolutely no right to be in that good of a mood.
"What?" Diana said, turning away from the window, obviously not knowing what she meant.
"You do remember—please tell me—you forgot we had practice today?" Lily muttered cautiously.
"Oh right, well I woke up late and I didn't really think I should show up anyway being that he would be a bit out of sorts, so I just decided to come back here and get some rest. Better not at all then late right?" she answered, unfazed at all by Lily's expression of utter shock.
"I think it's the other way around. Diana, you should have come." Lily said slowly. "If James ever finds out—"
"RENTON!" they heard and Lily groaned. Diana just looked perplexed, looking to Lily for guidance. She quickly discarded her cigarette.
James stormed into their dorm and started ranting like a madman at Diana, whose theory was despondently mistaken.
"What are you doing in here?!" James yelled rhetorically. "Please tell me—please, Renton…" he started, his voice shaking in anger. "That you don't have any use for those legs of yours. Tell me you're paralysed or dying from exhaustion, or have some deadly disease."
"Why would I say that Potter?" she asked, folding her arms in confusion.
He took a deep breath. "Because….unless you are about to DIE, there is no reason why you couldn't be on that pitch this morning!" he screamed, pointing out her window.
"Oh…..." she said, glancing at it. "Sorry." Her blasé manner only maddened him more.
James began to laugh. "Sorry? Sorry! Yeah, yeah me too, and do you know why Renton?"
"I can't comprehend—"
"Because I have had it with you!" he screeched. "That's it, you're off!"
Diana stood strait up, rivalling his height. She looked him square in the eye, as if challenging him, daring him to repeat himself. "Off?" she asked, getting angry herself.
"That's right." He said, unfazed by her sudden rage.
"You're kicking me off the team?!" she said, emphasizing every word.
"That's right." He repeated, indifferent to her.
"You can't do that!" she yelled.
"Watch me!" he roared back.
"Why?" she asked, flabbergasted. "You have absolutely no reason to do that!"
"Don't I?!"
"How could you?" She asked, flailing her arms. "I am the best goddamn keeper-"
"Well, don't you hold yourself in high regard." James said, haughtily.
"Shut up! You will never get any better and you know it!"
"Please."
"Well, let's hear it then. Give me one good reason—"
"You want to know why Renton? I'll tell you. You haven't been to one practice on time since Christmas! You're never around when we have meetings and you show up either ridiculously late or not at all! You have no respect for me or your fellow team mates—"
She grunted. "Respect? I wouldn't respect you if you were the goddamn—"
"Not the point." He said, hushing her. "All you care about is your dim-witted boyfriend as his little circle of mindless Slytherins!"
"How dare you! What the hell does my personal life have to do with anything Potter?!"
"It has everything to do with it!" he screamed. "You have been a useless excuse for a keeper ever since you started hanging around with that sleazy, no good—"
"I wouldn't finish that sentence if I were you Potter. You have no idea, no idea at all what you are talking about. Don't criticize what you don't understand!" she squealed.
" I will not tolerate being made out a fool Renton! Not in front of my own team! I don't give a shit who you're fucking!"
She gasped out of incredible degradation and offence.
"Guys! Guys!" Sirius yelled, storming in the room after James. He came between them because it looked as though James was about to slap her.
"Stay out of it Black!" Diana screamed, diverting her wrath.
"Don't scream at him because you're off the team!" James shot back.
"I am NOT off the team!" she insisted.
"It's not your decision, now is it?"
"Don't talk to me like I'm a child. What are you, my father!" she said, enraged.
"Well you don't have one now do you Renton? I'm the one with the pulse!" he yelled, totally pitiless.
"Both of you, Be quiet!" Lily yelled, intervening. She had a tone in her voice that told them she wasn't going to tolerate this. Then she stared at James as if she couldn't believe he had said something so stupid. Diana's mouth was wide open and Lily could see her reflection in her eyes.
"Fuck you Potter." She said. "At least mine knew I existed." She sneered.
They both silenced at her bizarre screech. Even Sirius turned and looked at her strangely.
Diana glanced at Lily once, then at Sirius, and stormed out of the room, slamming the door.
James looked around at all of them, refusing to admit that he was wrong.
"What?" he asked, as Lily gave him a death glare and Sirius shook his head.
"That was dumb, Prongs. Really dumb." Sirius said, crossing his arms and walking out, hoping to catch Diana before she left. James and Lily stood there in silence for a moment, both acknowledging that this was way too much drama before noon.
"You're not mad at me too, are you Lily?" he said a few minutes later, sorry, but standing firm on his belief that she should have been kicked off.
"You're just being you, James." She said, walking over to him and putting a hand on his shoulder. "No, I'm not mad, but you have to apologize to her, and you can't kick her off the team—"
"But, but—"
"No, James." She said. "She is too good. You know that. You have to get your ego out of your ass; it's creating a very large bug that I am not too fond of."
He chuckled slightly. "Sorry."
"No you're not."
"You're right, I'm not. She was being totally unreasonable Lily!"
"No need to raise your voice at me I think I am being completely understanding." She said. Then she sighed. "I'm going to go catch her."
"I think Sirius tried that."
"Yes, well, she'll talk to me." She said, turning around and exiting the room, leaving James alone, frustrated, and annoyed.
Lily walked downstairs to find that Sirius had failed, and Diana was nowhere to be seen. People were already gathering in the common room and going downstairs to breakfast with their respective cliques. Remus and Nicole stood with Sirius at the bottom of the stairs, talking of nothing remotely important, and Lily smiled weakly as she joined them.
"She's not here?" she asked, knowing the answer, and looking at Sirius particularly.
"No." he answered. "She ran out before I had time to catch her."
"Any idea where she went?" Lily asked.
Sirius shrugged and shook his head. It was always a losing battle as far as Diana was concerned. Even though he was steadily dating Rebecca Winters for the past month, and had dates with a few other hopeful girls here and there, Diana had never left his mind. They were all simply distractions, no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that it wasn't true. But he did acknowledge that Diana was different then she used to be, only a month ago. The girl he was initially attracted to had morphed into something vile, something that reminded him oddly of someone else he had known, but he couldn't put his finger on it. All he knew was that he didn't like the new Diana. She made him uneasy.
"Maybe she's at the table downstairs." Nicole said, as she ran her hand through Remus' hair. If it were possible, Nicole and Remus only got closer, and Remus was the least shy man anyone could have ever met. He got accustomed to her public displays of affection quicker than anyone would have thought.
Lily chuckled feebly. "No." she sighed. "It doesn't matter. Let's just wait for James and go down. He's not going to end it anytime soon anyways." She said.
"Ok Lily." Remus answered as he led them all to the entranceway and out the door.
"Hey guys, wait up." James called, jogging down the stairs. They stopped and James intertwined his arm with Lily's, and they made their way down to the Great Hall to eat, completely forgetting where Diana had run off.
~*~
Diana was in the library, too upset to eat anything. She was unnerved by what James had said to her, considering she had never properly grieved, only covered up the pain with degrading distractions such as sex, alcohol, and the occasional hit of unknown drugs. Lucius had connections everywhere, being who he was, and coming from such a family.
She didn't think anyone cared about her. She had ultimately forgiven Lucius for acting that way towards her the day her parents had been killed. He apologized to her the next day, repeating himself, and telling her that he loved her too much for her own good. She believed him. She felt she had no choice. She thought he was the only one who could love her, that she deserved him in some way, and it was her fault for displeasing him. She never wanted to be a burden.
She began to cry after a while. She looked around and saw no one, only a few people hidden behind shelves, researching, creating trouble for themselves, or simply bored with everyone else. She didn't know, she didn't care if anyone heard her anyway. Her woes were deeper then self-control.
Then a thought dawned on her. The lonely side of her brain began speaking to her.
Why hasn't anyone come after you, it said? Nobody cares. Your friends don't love you. Lily doesn't love you. Lily loves James. Nicole and Remus only care about each other. Their world consists of two; there is no room for outsiders.
Diana tried to block it out. She felt as if she were going mad. She didn't know what to make of anything lately, and now she had to worry about talking to herself. She prayed she wasn't speaking out loud.
'That's not true.' She thought inside her head. 'Lily loves me, they all do. They are just busy there is nothing wrong with that.'
To busy for their best friend? To busy to ask how you are? They haven't noticed at all, have they? The voice spoke. It sounded like herself, only patronizing and demeaning, like she was a child or something.
'Noticed what?' she thought. This is ridiculous. I really must be going mad, she reasoned, but continued to cry into her sleeve. Now she cried because she thought herself pathetic.
They don't understand you. They are just thinking of themselves. They are selfish. Can't you see? They've fazed you out already. You no longer exist. You aren't a part of them Bella, and you know it…….
But they've never been cruel to me, she thought. They have never abandoned me. I'm sure if I asked for help……..
They don't care…..
They do, she thought. Lily loves me. Nicole loves me. James and Remus are my friends. Sirius………
Sirius is too busy screwing every girl in sight to notice you. Besides, he doesn't see you that way, and you don't see him that way either. He'll just insult you and laugh in your face if you tried. It isn't worth it.
I know, she thought. He is really sweet though……..
"Um, are you alright?" Diana heard a feminine voice say, trying to suppress amusement. She looked up and tried desperately to wipe her eyes so as to not look too distressed.
"Uh….yea." she answered, sniffing.
"Well if this is you alright, then I would hate to see you really upset." The girl said. Diana looked up to get a better look at her, since this girl obviously thought she could be funny at a time like this.
The sight that met Diana was an unexpected one. She expected to see a little girl, a first year perhaps. Surly one of her own year wouldn't have even attempted to find out the cause of her discontent, and with such casual tones.
This girl, well, she looked more like a woman, was buxom and beautiful and Diana could tell immediately that she had an unbelievable amount of confidence. She had shiny, dark, almost curly hair. Her eyes were large and a beautifully penetrating ebony. She was taller than Diana, she could tell, but it wasn't as noticeable as her ivory skin colour, which glowed in the dim luminosity.
Diana straitened up. This girl seemed to have no intention of moving away from Diana's table.
"I don't know who you think you are, but I don't think my mood is any of your business." Diana said, a bit snippy.
"Relax, dearie, I wasn't prying. I was just wondering why someone like you would be sobbing in such a lonely, depressing place like the library." The girl said, bluntly.
"Well you're here aren't you?" Diana said, leaning back in her chair.
"Yea, but you don't see me sobbing now do you? I'm researching."
"Well good for you." Diana said, truly not caring. She tried to divert her attention to something else, anything else.
"Listen here missy, I was only trying to help. No need to get all antagonistic on me now. All I was doing was being nice. It's not my fault if all your friends abandoned you—" she said, turning to leave.
"Hang on." Diana said. "Who said that my friends abandoned me? I don't think you have any right—"
"Oh please, I can see it all over your pretty face. Alone, neglected……so you're in love with a Slytherin, big deal. Aren't we all? If they can't deal with it and they are going to be so distant well, then they're not real friends now are they?"
Diana thought about this for a moment. How did this girl know she was dating a Slytherin? Diana thought it was odd, but it oddly drew her to this person. She felt she was in the same boat with her for some reason.
"Uh, I suppose not. How did you—"
"I've seen you around." The girl sighed. "In my common room."
Then it hit her. She was a Slytherin herself, but she was a year older than Diana. Diana had noticed her briefly, but never thought about it for longer than a few seconds.
"Ah." Diana said. "I'm sorry I never caught your name."
"Well you wouldn't know it unless I personally gave it to you. Black is my name." The girl said eloquently. "Bellatrix Black."
"Diana Renton." She replied, and the girls shook hands.
"Yes, our dear Lucius talks about you quite often."
"Does he?" Diana wondered.
"Oh yes. Says you have real potential." Bellatrix said relaxingly.
"Potential for what?"
"Oh, I have an idea!" Bellatrix said giddily, her mood changing so drastically it surprised Diana. "What do you say you and I get out of here, skip breakfast altogether, and sneak over to Hogsmeade early and hit all the shops before anyone else can get their puny little hands on anything?"
Right, Hogsmeade, Diana thought. Well, she couldn't see why not. Bellatrix seemed to have enough enthusiasm for the both of them. Lily would probably spend the whole day with James, and she refused to go near him at all. Sirius would be with one of his girlfriends, and she didn't want to see him anyway. Nicole and Remus would be too nauseatingly cuddly, which Diana could never stand, and she could be with Lucius and Bellatrix, without people gossiping too much. Bellatrix would be a nice addition to Snape, whom she despised.
"Sure." Diana said. 'What have I got to lose?' she thought.
"Excellent." She said, satisfied. "Oh, we are going to have so much fun, lovely!"
Diana got up and followed her out of the library and out of the Hogwarts entrance. Filch was nowhere in sight so they dashed out, unnoticed.
~*~
"Alright, you lot." James began, as he got up from the breakfast table. "What do you say we ditch this school for once and go out and have some fun?" he said, excited.
Lily laughed. "It's just Hogsmeade. We've gone a bunch of times before."
"Yes, but we need a break from this prison Lil, eh?" he said, taking her hand. Then he inched up closer to her ear. "And we could probably rent a room above the Hog's Head for the afternoon."
"Absolutely not." She said, rolling her eyes at him. Then she pinched his arm, hard. "Honestly, do you ever think with anything other than your privates?"
"Ow, it was just a thought. I was kidding." He said, as she began to walk away from him. He followed her outside. Filch checked off their names quickly as they meandered by, a miserable expression across his rigid face.
"C'mon Nic." Remus said, as he took her hand to leave. "Padfoot, what do you say we meet at the Three Broomsticks round four to get some drinks?"
"Sure. I'll be with Winters mostly. I'll need a break." He said, sighing.
"You can bring her." Nicole said, not getting the message.
"I'd rather not Portman, but thanks." He chuckled. "I'll tell Prongs."
"Great. See you then." Remus said, as he and Nicole joined the others on the walk to town.
Sirius felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He turned to see whom he had expected.
He faked a smile. "Hello Becca."
"Hello Sirius." She said, flirtingly. "You ready to go?" she said girlishly.
"Yep." he said. "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you around four to have drinks with the guys, you know." He said, pretending to be disappointed.
"ooooooohhhhhh." She whined and tapped her foot. "This ruins everything." She said, pouting.
"Why, what did you have planned?" he wondered as they began to walk. They too were crossed off the list as they passed. She bit her lip.
"I'll tell you when we get there." She said, sensually. Sirius sighed. He hated it when women were difficult. He wished she would just spit it out. Now he had to listen to her talk. In his opinion, Rebecca was only good for one thing, as shallow as that sounded. He hated all of this romantic nonsense. It was just a stall as far as he was concerned.
Everyone remained relatively close to one another on the walk to Hogsmeade, but they split up at the entry to the town, waving each other goodbye and saying they would see each other in a couple of hours.
"Where do you want to go?" Remus asked as Nicole looked around for a direction.
"I don't know." She said. "Why don't we just walk around a bit? It's a beautiful day, and it's not that cold."
"Whatever you want to do." Remus said as he kissed her on the cheek.
"So we're here now." Sirius said, letting go of Rebecca's hand, thankfully. "What is it you want to tell me?"
"Well….." she began. "I thought that maybe we could….." she motioned him closer. He leaned in towards her. "I heard they rent rooms out this time of year at the Hog's Head. Why don't we go and take a peak?"
Sirius let out a reluctant chuckle. "You really want to? Now? On a field trip?"
"Well, we're not five Sirius. We can take care of ourselves." She said, leaning against the window of Gladrags Wizardwear.
Sirius contemplated her request, very carefully. The man inside him said, go for it! It is being offered on a silver platter! But then there was that side of him that didn't really want to because it was just too easy. There was no chase with Rebecca; she gave him nothing to look forward to. It was always the same and although it was good, he had had better, but he wouldn't dare tell her that.
"Well?" she asked, growing impatient.
A wicked smile crossed his lips, and he ran his hand through his hair. He had made his decision. The animal inside him won. "Sure." He said. "Let's go."
She smiled sexily. "Well, we had better get a move on if you have to run off at four, and leave me all alone." She took his hand in hers, and led him to the pub, stopping only to kiss him, before leading him up to a room, which she had neglectfully told him she had reserved in advance.
And in the pub below them, Diana Renton and Bellatrix Black exchanged stories about men, sex, work, clothes, what to do if you are being stalked, the reasons why flirting is an art form, and useful, everyday jinxes that can get you out of the slightest mishap. Diana could relate to Bellatrix, more so than she could relate to Lily at the moment. Lily was a virgin so they really couldn't talk about sex, and Bellatrix exuded sex appeal without really trying, something Diana also did exceptionally well. They laughed and drank and smoked and Diana forgot why she had been so upset. In fact, Diana hadn't thought of Lily at all.
"So you're a seventh year Bellatrix?" Diana said, puffing on her cigarette and ashing it into the ashtray.
"Oh yes, and then I'm gone, married." She said, proudly.
Diana coughed. "Married? Good lord why the hell would you want to get married right after Hogwarts? And who are you marrying?" she asked, frantically yet interested.
"Well what else am I going to do?"
"I don't know. Get a job maybe. Do something with your life—"
"I have a job Ara." She said, somewhat secretly. "I'm not worried."
"Well, who is it? The guy? Does he go here?"
"No, he graduated last year. My family, well, it has been decided that we were to marry a while ago. You know, keep it in the blood."
"What does that mean? Are you two cousins or something?" she said, with a distorted expression of repugnance.
Bellatrix laughed. "Well, very, very distantly. What I meant was, keep the blood pure." She said, taking a sip of her alcoholic butterbeer. She wasn't carded, she could easily pass for twenty-one.
"Oh." Diana said, still confused. "You only marry pure bloods?"
"That's right." She said, casually. "All Blacks marry pure bloods."
"Blacks? Oh that's right. Um, are you related to Sirius?" Diana asked, fascinated.
Bellatrix snorted. "Yes, he is my cousin." She said, bitterly. "Useless." She muttered under her breath.
"He is not useless." Diana said.
"Well, you don't know him like I know him dearie. The way he treats his poor mother and brother—"
"Brother?" Diana said, a look of utter shock across her face.
"Oh, yes. He's young though. Goes to Durmstrang. Sweet little thing if you ask me. Sirius is just a jealous little ungrateful maggot." She said, delightfully. Diana had never heard of Sirius spoken of in this manner. She didn't like it at all, and wondered if he indeed had another side to him, one he kept hidden.
Diana shook this feeling off. "So, the man you're marrying, he is older?"
"Mm hmm."
"What's his name?"
"Rodolphus Lestrange." She said with a smile.
"Well, are you in love with him?"
"He is handsome and he pleases me. That is all I need. Love doesn't exist, not real love anyway. It's for pansies and cowards who want an excuse to be happy. It gives them hope, I suppose. But, who am I kidding, Lucius loves you, so he says, I suppose that must count for something." She said, shrugging. "Maybe you're the exception."
"Um, does he feel, well, the same you do about things like, marrying pure bloods?"
"Oh yes, most definitely. What are you worried about; you're fine with us."
"But…..I'm a half blood."
Bellatrix's expression soured a bit, but she saved it in the end. "Really?" she gulped. Then she paused to think for a moment. "Well, that's alright. It's not your fault your mother made a bad decision. And I think you're lovely." Diana didn't know whether that was a compliment or an insult.
Lucius joined them soon after, with his band of Slytherins. He brought Crabbe, Goyle, Snape, Avery, Macnair, Nott, Wilkes, and someone Diana didn't recognize, a handsome man. Bellatrix seemed to know him quite well, and her face lit up at the sight of him. He introduced himself as Rodolphus Lestrange, a very handsome, dark man in Diana's opinion.
Diana stood up too, to greet Lucius. He kissed her and sat down next to her. They got a bigger table in the very back of the pub. No one seemed to care.
"Well, don't you look happy to see me?" Lucius said, placing a kiss on her neck. "I was delighted to hear that our lovely Bella had found you and cheered you up." Diana just smiled and took her seat. "Have you had a good day so far Darling?" Diana just nodded, not speaking at the moment. Lucius didn't notice, but Severus Snape did. He found her behaviour rather alarming. Something, to him, just didn't seem right.
"How long have we been walking?" Nicole asked, squeezing Remus' hand.
"I don't know, love, why?" he asked.
"Just curious." She said, shrugging.
"What are you thinking about Nicole? You seem a little quiet." Remus inquired.
"Oh nothing. I was just thinking of, well, life after Hogwarts." She said, honestly.
Remus looked at her oddly. "After? Why?"
"Well we're not going to be in school forever you know. It's time we figure out what we want to do. Remember those career meetings we had with McGonagal last year before the O.W.L.s? Our futures are so close it's scary."
"Yea." He said, unnerved by the conversation.
"Do you know what you want to do yet?" Nicole asked.
"Uh…..well….." Remus had never really given this any thought. He chose to ignore it until the last moment possible. "I haven't really decided yet."
"Well do you know what area of study you want to pursue?"
"I don't know Nicole………Research probably, I am really not sure."
"Well that's good, honey. What would you want to research?" she was getting excited.
"Um…." Remus was getting increasingly uncomfortable. "I guess….diseases."
"What kinds?"
"Incurable ones." He said, seriously.
"Wow, baby, that is so noble." She said, stroking his cheek. He blushed, but shrugged.
"Yeah." He said. "So, sweetheart what would you want to do?"
"Write." She said, flatly.
"Write?" he questioned. "Don't you think that's a little bland? Write what?"
"Everything, well, the news and such. I want to be a journalist. I want to write about things that matter and change the world. I want to bring people what they need to know, and tell the truth and—" she was getting riled up by the subject.
"Whoa, dear, calm down." He said, chuckling. "And how do you plan on making a living at this? What about marriage and children someday? Don't you want that?"
"Of course I do." She said. "And besides." She said, putting her arms around his neck. "You'll still be around, won't you?"
Remus tensed up. "What—what do you mean, well, yea I'll be but—"
"Remus I want to tell you something, but I don't want you to freak out, like some people alright?"
"Depends on what it is." He said, cautiously.
"Well, and I don't want to sound clingy or anything, but, I plan on spending my future……well…….with you. I'm in love with you Remus."
Remus didn't think he could have been happier if his life depended on it. He grinned from ear to ear and scooped Nicole up in the air and kissed her, much to her relief.
"So I guess this means you're happy about it?" she joked, ecstatic.
"Happy? Nicole happy doesn't even describe it. I have been in love with you since the second I saw you on the train that day. You are my fantasy, you're perfect I—"
"Alright my love, no need to get all cheesy on me now."
They laughed and walked some more, until a disturbing thought hit Remus' head, and his smile faded. This meant that he would have to tell her somehow. She would find out, if they ever got married, that he was a werewolf. It would be the hardest thing he ever had to do, and he became nervous, and panicky.
"Oh my god, James, come here!" Lily screeched as they roamed around Honeydukes eagerly.
They bought a huge load of candy and sweets, and the majority of it had been eaten before they even left the store. Lily's favourite had been and always would be Chocolate Frogs, while James stuck to the ever-popular Bernie Botts Every Flavour Beans. They had to be physically walked out of the shop, because they had nearly cleaned them out of merchandise.
"Well, so much for that." James said, teasingly, as he kissed her on the lips sweetly and wetly. If she hadn't pulled away after a few minutes they would have blocked traffic all afternoon. She cleared her throat, winked at him and walked down the street towards the other shops. "Come here, you vixen." He called, slightly embarrassing her.
"James!" she said, looking to see if anyone heard. She shushed him as he came up behind her. "Don't do that."
"Sorry." He said, not meaning it and kissing her again. She tugged at his hair, playfully, messing it up worse than it already was. The trouble was, he liked it like that, and caught his reflection in a window, making sure it looked like he wanted it to look.
They wandered into Quality Quidditch Supplies, (an: I know it says its only located in Diagon Alley, but let's just pretend for now, shall we.) and enthusiastically wandered through it, pointing out new performance enhancing equipment.
"Look, we could buy, this……and this…..and this….."James ranted, pointing out anything he fathomed would make them win even more perfectly then they were already winning.
"James, don't be silly." Lily said, pulling items out of his hand and putting them back in their proper places. "We don't need any of this and we can't afford it—"
"Wait a sec……I can afford it."
"You know what I meant." She said, slapping him lightly. "The team doesn't need it and you shouldn't spend your parents money on such things, that's all."
"Oh I see." He said, wrapping her into another hug. "You like giving me orders, don't you Evans? You love telling me what to do." He said, kissing her neck.
"Always." She whispered, turning and kissing him again.
"Dominant little thing."
"We'll see." She said, pulling away. "Now stop stalling………." Lily gasped and ran to the other side of the store.
"What?" James asked, running after her. When he saw what she was referring to he gasped right along with her.
"Look at it." she said, in awe. "It's beautiful."
"The Nimbus 500." James mumbled. "Duel action automatic steering control, power speeds, oak wood finish, feather light…….." he muttered.
"It's gorgeous." Lily said, admiringly. James looked at her adoringly.
"You're gorgeous, Lily." He said, and he meant it. She would have blushed only she'd been hearing it every day for the past month. It sort of lost its finesse after a while.
As they left the shop they sat on a nearby bench to rest. After a minute of not so awkward silence, James turned to his girlfriend purposefully.
"Lil?" he asked.
"Yep." She answered, crossing her legs.
"I was wondering……Spring break, I know my father must have mentioned something to you about it."
"Not really." She sighed. "I don't know where we're going to go."
"We?" oh right, Diana." He said. "Well, listen, um, if you want to….." he started nervously, and out of character. "You could, stay with me, at my place, well, my parents' place." He clarified. "Sirius is already staying with us anyway, and we have more than enough room, for you and Diana, if you wanted to."
She thought about it, and she couldn't see why not. She really like James and was even growing to love him, beyond her control. What would it mean if they were to spend the entire Spring Vacation under the same roof? Would James be able to control himself? Would she feel obligated? They hadn't slept together yet. Lily wasn't ready.
"Uh, Diana too?" Lily asked, to buy more time.
James smiled knowing what she was doing. "Diana too, if she can suppress her attitude long enough." He said. "And Sirius."
"Ok, I got it." she said. "Uh……yea." She said, getting excited now. "Yes James, that'd be great." She smiled and pecked him quickly on the lips before checking her watch. "It's almost four." She said. "We should probably—"
"Yea." He said, elated that she was going to spend the vacation with him. He didn't know what his expectations would be for the trip. He didn't want to pressure her, but he was getting restless. Despite how much he ultimately cared for her, he needed some kind of release, and soon.
Hey made there way a few blocks over to the Three Broomsticks. As soon as they got there they noticed an alarming amount of people crowded by the doorway, and Nicole and Remus planted out front.
"What's going on?" Lily asked as they were acknowledged.
"Packed." Remus said, simply. "No tables, no room, no nothing."
"Ugh, this sucks." James said. "I really, really, wanted a Butterbeer. I craved it, you don't even know."
"Yea me too." Lily said, rubbing her stomach.
"Well, we could go somewhere else." Nicole suggested.
"Oh yea? Where?" James asked.
"Well the Hog's Head is open isn't it?" she said.
"Nic, we can't go in there." Lily said. "It's dodgy." She whispered, as if avoiding being overheard.
"So, it's the middle of the day, and they know it's a Hogsmeade weekend for the students. I am sure they will be more than happy—"
Nicole was interrupted by the sound of heavy breathing coming from behind her and a plump boy running smack into Remus.
"Peter!" Remus yelled, annoyed. "What the hell are you doing mate?"
"Hold on." James said. "What are you doing here?"
"I….." Peter paused to breathe. "Overslept." He chocked out.
"Oh, well, nice to see you Peter." Lily said, amused by his sudden entry into the conversation. "We were just deciding what to do for the remainder of the afternoon."
"No, we've decided." Nicole said. "Let's just go to the Hog's Head, Lily. It's no big deal."
"Well, what do you think James?" she asked, folding her arms.
"I don't care, I just want a damn butterbeer." He whined.
"Oh fine, you big baby." Lily said. "Let's go."
"What about Padfoot?" James asked, as they all began to walk toward the pub.
"Still with Winters I expect. He'll find us." Remus said.
"Oh right. Well, there are only so many places we could be, let's go." James said.
They approached the entrance to the Hog's Head and reluctantly peered through the window.
"Is that? Is that Diana?" Remus asked, as he squinted his eyes to see inside. Lily quickly pushed him out of the way and gazed in herself.
"Holy shit." Lily said.
"What happened?" she heard a voice behind her say. It was Sirius.
"What the fuck is she doing in there, with them?" she hissed. "This is ridiculous."
"What's going on?" Sirius yawned, incredibly confused. "What are we looking at? Why aren't you at the Three Broomsticks?"
"Diana, in there, packed, couldn't get a seat." James said, quickly.
"Diana's packed? What?" Sirius said, not really paying attention.
"What did you take a nap?" James asked. "Pay attention. Oh, you were with Winters." He said, mindlessly. "What did you guys do, huh?"
Sirius glared at him. "Stuff." He said, cockily. "So what are we going to do, just stand here? I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry." Remus said.
"Which is why we should be inside, eating." Sirius said, pointing at the door.
"Can we just go in already?" James said, whining.
"Go ahead." Lily said. "No one is stopping you."
James huffed, opened the door and went inside. Lily followed, along with everyone else. And there, to their astonishment, they saw Diana, apparently enjoying herself with the people they detested. When Diana saw them, her smile lessened and she sneered at all of them, still angry.
Lily's mouth gaped open. "I don't know what the bloody hell her problem is." She said harshly and plopped down on a chair, emphasizing her anger.
"Does she see us?" Nicole asked, thinking that must be the reason.
"She sees us." James said. "Bitch, betraying us like that."
"Don't talk about her like that." Sirius said, picking up what seemed to be fragments of an ancient menu.
"I don't give a shit, and neither does she, apparently." James answered.
"Lily then glared at James. "This is all your fault." She whispered angrily.
"What?!"
"If you hadn't been such an ass this morning she wouldn't—"
"Please Lily that has nothing to do with it. She chose them over us long before I snapped at her. And if she thinks I'm apologizing now—"
"Just forget it." Remus intervened. "Let's just order."
"I have to go to the ladies room." Diana said, incredibly unnerved by the fact that they refused to acknowledge her presence. She threw down her napkin and pushed her chair out.
"What me to come with you honey?" Bellatrix asked.
"Do you want me to?" Lucius asked.
"No, I'm fine thanks." Diana replied, walking over in a huff. Before she could open the door she heard a noise that made her stop.
"ppst." Diana turned around to see Snape standing there.
"What?" she said, crossing her arms.
"We have to talk." He said, whispering so the others didn't hear.
"What? About Lily? Get over it I am so not in the mood—" she said, pushing the door. He blocked it shut.
"No." he said.
"What then because I would like to pee some time this century."
"Why are you here?" he asked abruptly.
"What? What is that supposed to mean?" she asked, offended.
"You don't need this." He said. "You're not like that Renton." He said, pointing to the table.
"What are you talking about? Leave me alone." She snapped. "And how the hell do you know what I'm like. You don't know me." She loudly whispered.
"I've seen you, with her, err, them. You don't need this." He repeated, more forcefully then before. "You're better than this."
Diana was in a little bit of a shock. Was Severus Snape telling her that she was too good to hang out with him? This was an odd side to Severus she hadn't seen before. She wasn't sure if she was comfortable with it. It could have been a trap for all she knew.
"Listen Snape." She said, finally. "I don't think it is any of your goddamn business what I do or who I see. Maybe when your friends abandon you, you'll understand. But right now, you are the last person I am going to take advice from. Got it?"
"You're making a mistake Renton." He said harshly. "It's too late for me but—"
"I'm making a mistake? I'm sorry if you don't want me stealing your friends away Snape, but this is a weird way to go about getting rid of me. And I have shit on you and you know it. Things Lily doesn't know, but I will be only too happy to—"
"Fine." he spat, noticing his failure. She smirked as he walked away, but all the while questioning his intentions.
Lily wondered form the front of the pub why Diana seemed so changed, so distant. Lily hated it and she felt it strain her as she sat there, pretending to read the very limited menu. She saw Snape return to the table, a disappointed expression on his face, but he glanced at her once, and tried to smile. She half-heartedly returned it, without much thought.
As Diana returned from the bathroom Sirius had the expression of absolute hatred as he looked at her table once more.
"What is with you?" Peter asked, noticing his facial expressions.
"Nothing." He muttered unconvincingly. He stared at Diana, her sweet faced spoiled by her vicious attitude. He cursed under his breath. Diana caught his eye for a moment, and Sirius thought he saw guilt through her eyes, but it only flickered for a second. Unlucky for him, Bellatix noticed this also. She looked back and forth between Diana and Sirius, reading Sirius like a book and staring at Diana interestingly. She winked at Sirius playfully and he sneered back at her. As he looked at Diana again, beyond his control Bellatrix understood, and made sure he knew it.
She began to laugh, unsubtly and threw her head back, mocking him from afar. Diana had no idea what she was doing so she simply raised an eyebrow at her. When Bellatrix came to her senses she leaned in closer to Diana's ear.
"Yes, potential you do have." She laughed.
"I don't understand." Diana said, quizzically. She pointed as Sirius and Diana still didn't understand.
"Do you see my cousin over there?"
"Yes."
"Look at him. He is so jealous of you he can't even stand it." Bellatrix said, smiling.
"Jealous? Of me? No, you're wrong." Diana said, flatly.
"Well why not? Here you are, being embraced by the very people who want nothing to do with him. It's sad, really."
"I don't think so Bellatrix. Sirius could care less—"
"Well then maybe it's something else, hmm?"
"Like what?"
"Like you. Maybe, well, I don't want to say. I don't want to ruin your cute little friendship."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say that, the way he looks at you, I mean, it's so obvious."
"What's obvious?" Diana asked, with irritation.
"Are we ready to go?" Lucius asked, cheerfully as he threw his napkin down on the table. Diana's attention was immediately diverted. "Ara?"
"Um, sure." She said, as he helped her out of her chair. She was almost at the door when she heard Lily call her name. "Yes?" she asked, hotly, crossing her arms, indicating she might be in a hurry.
"No need to snap at me." Lily said, crossly. "But, you know, you could spend some time with us, you know, your friends." Lily said, motioning her hand around the table. Diana didn't even glance at them.
"No thanks, although I appreciate the offer." She said, airily.
"So you're telling me that you'd rather—" Nicole said, getting angry for the first time in a while.
"Nicole please." Diana said, silencing her with her hand. "Don't start."
"Darling are you coming?" Lucius called edgily, one hand in his pocket and the other holding the door as people walked out. Bellatrix was next to him, looking very pleased. Diana nodded at Lily's table and glanced back once more to look at Sirius with consideration, before walking out of the pub herself, Lucius behind her. Bellatrix stood there for a minute, looking at all their perplexed faces, with a look of absolutely triumph in her eyes, as she nodded and left.
"When we get back to the common room tonight, I am going to slap her." Nicole said.
"I'll hold her down." James said.
"Not before I remove the stick out of her bum." Lily said hotly.
"Or whatever substance she's been brainwashed with." Remus added.
James sighed. "It is my fault, isn't it?" he said.
"No." Sirius spoke up. "It's my fault." They all looked at him with odd looks on their faces. He decided to explain. "Bellatrix got to her before I did, and now it's too late."
"Too late?" Lily asked, worriedly.
"I should have seen it before. Why else—" he trailed off. "Never mind." Sirius said. "She's uh, she's gone now." He said, pessimistically.
"Sirius if you don't tell me what the hell you are talking about—" Lily said, frantically.
"Lily, forget it! We don't matter to her anymore, you understand?"
"I understand." Remus said. James nodded. "Let's just get out of here, alright?" he said, paying the bill.
"Well I don't." Nicole said, refusing to get up.
"Let's just say." James started. "That Diana Renton, as we know her……we just might not see here around for a while, that's all."
That's right." Remus seconded. "She's Arabella now."
(I'm going to leave you there, sorry, but it was a nice long one to make up for that horrible wait I put you all through. I am sorry, but Order of the Phoenix had to be read and overanalysed, and worked into the story, you get it. Not a happy ending to this chapter I am sorry to say, and not as funny, but it's my mood that determines these things, and this time it said, "be evil." So that's what I did. Last chapter was "be depressing." You get it. it will only get worse before it lightens up again. Be patient, and I love all of my lovely reviewers!)
Now here are my thank you's that are seriously overdue:
Nata~ well I'm putting up my chapter now :) I have no idea when updates will be, because my schedule is all over the place, and figuring out what to write has been difficult lately. But I am not a genius; Jo Rowling is, but thank you so much for the compliments.
Dncr119~you have reviewed this so many times which I found so cool. My favourite was when you said it was Shakespeare only funnier. That one made my day, being compared to him :) and you are not a moron, you're adorable and I'm so glad you like it!
Dragon-gurl~ yes I know, he's awful, I'm sorry. But I'm happy you're enjoying it and thanks for adding me to your favs. Love ya!
JessBlack***quake~ thanks! You're sweet and there will be more D/L because it is a crucial plot point, and it's only going to get worse, much worse I am sorry to say. But you're great! Keep reading!
Dazzle~ well I do apologize for the fact that you wasted 5 hours reading this, and so early at that! Thank you so much for adding me to your favs, and don't worry, Sirius will be in the picture in the end. She just doesn't know yet ho much she loves him :) Love ya!
Caroline! Thanks so much, and I'm sorry for the smoking, but I wanted it in there anyway *shrugs*
Allie~ Thanks~ you rock!
Gravity Drops~ Thanks! And teeny, what a cute name! I'm glad you like it!
Fairy Fire Eyes~ yes she does deserve Sirius, and she'll get him too, sit tight! I love that you like it!
Shayomac~ thank you for the wonderful compliment! And I was so excited on the 21st. I read it of course, and loved it! your eagerness puts me in a good mood :)
High?D~ thanks for adding me to your favs. Love ya! Glad you like it!
Angelisa Snape~ she isn't breakin up with Malfoy, as you gathered, oh well. Snape is coming back, don't worry I haven't forgotten about our dear Severus.
Neo-Queen Serenity~ yes sad, sorry, but thrilled you like it, keep reading!
Jen~ well I certainly don't want to die, then you would have nothing else to read, and then where would we be? But here it is and I'm glad you enjoy it so far! The death threats keep me motivated…..uh, well, sort of :)
WildChild~ I hate him too, believe me. I know he's an asshole, and I do feel bad for the way he treats her. But it adds drama, you know? Oh, and about what Renton told Black…..since it's PG-13 I can't really go into detail. Let's just say he happens to be very talented with that tongue of his. That's all I'm going to say :)
SilverRose~ Thank you so much. I love my characters too, and I'm glad you do too :)
Elegystar~ I know it was sad, but I warned you :) you are one of my constant reviewers and I always enjoy your compliments. And thank you for reviewing the other too, you are wonderful :)
Wizardduel2~ I know, lots of death, I'm sorry. The Diana/Malfoy thing is going to play out for a while I'm afraid. It isn't that easy, breaking up with a Malfoy, but I will tell you right now that she and Sirius WILL get together in the end, I promise, but only after, well, I can't tell you :) but keep reading and you'll see.
Lelegurl9~ I'm sorry it was so sad, and she'll end up in Sirius' arms eventually, just sit tight :) oh, and let me thank you also for reviewing Forgotten Dreams too. I never said I wasn't going to continue it; I rather like it, but that chapter I didn't feel like writing any more, that's all. And thank you for putting me on your favourites. It was a pleasant surprise :)
Melissa~ yes, L/J fluff will be soon :) glad you enjoy it!
Moon Princess~ love your reviews as always, and thank you for saying happy birthday to me like 100 times. I always love your comments, and our endless theory discussions. I love you! Muah!
Freakyfroggurl22~ you are always the first one to review my new chapters and you are so cool! Keep reading! Love ya!
Guard Girl~ I was ashamed of her too, and I was thinking for a while whether or not I should make her do it. I know it is disgusting and I wish she had better morals, but she just doesn't want to be alone. I would have chosen the bathroom too. And falling asleep in the arms of the man I love? Oh yea, if only…….oh well, we can dream about it, and I will lighten up this chapter. Depressing ones will be few and far between :)
Bic Papermate~ thank you, I will keep updating :) just so you are clear about Malfoy, well, he doesn't love her, not like Sirius does, she's just blind and confused. I'm glad you like it though :)
Khel shaye~ thank you for adding me to your favourites! I was very happy to see it there. And see, I put Lily and James in a room, although nothing happened. Not yet anyway :) you're lovely! And I love the tears, nice touch :)
ginnyNharrysecretlove~ thank you for my birthday wish! It was very sweet. Not quite a birthday cake, but I got the idea :)
fiery red-haired girl~ thanks, I liked writing the kiss, even though I'll never get a chance to actually do it and thank you for my birthday wish, and for putting me on your favorites.
Alexa Donaghy~ I know, I know, I really wasn't thinking, but when you have a few beers, then people start doing shots. I was like sure! And I was throwing up in the bathroom the rest of the night. *Sighs* it happens to all of us :(
Xnedra~ I find it funny that you compare my work to chocolate cake, or mud cake as you so described this. I don't mind that you like this better, it's my work just the same. I like this one because I have fun writing it. The other one is purely literary work. I concentrate on the writing more in the other one, although without it, this one wouldn't exist :) and to hell with your asshole teachers who make you take a test on a Saturday, I hope all went well :)
MARY Y OKIDOKI~ Gracias! yo me siento feliz que usted aprecie mi cuento. odio también Malfoy y Renton, pero es necesario ahora. verá pronto. Ok enough Spanish, I am just not in the mood…….and what does Lucius do, huh? You're 13 sweety, are you sure you want to know? Well, he knows what he's doing, with his mouth, let's say. I'm glad you like it, and thank you for putting me on your favorites :)
Lily's Star~ well I'm glad you like both my stories, you are very sweet :) I know you're not up to here yet, but whatever. Thanks so much :)
Feather~ your review got lost with the pack, but you know I always look forward to them. You have the most interesting things to say, and you always get every single hint, which makes me enjoy this even more. And I'm glad you love my Sirius, so do I. He is so adorable :) love ya, talk to you soon!
~To everyone else, whoever you are, I am forever grateful for all of them, even though like, 10 of you got lost. I did not forget about you. Love you all, and I can't believe all of you like it so much, despite how all over the place I am, and how weird or sad things might get. It all depends on my mood, you know. I have to decide what's going to happen because I am certain there will be a lot of plot twists we don't know about as of right now. I want the story to be accurate to at least correspond somewhat to the Order of the Phoenix. That said, I hope you all enjoyed it, may all of you be right in your predictions, and we can all obsess about it later on :) Have a lovely day!