SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1~*~ Another Year Behind Us ~*~

~When the last silver moon rises

~And the final suns sets into the skies...

~When the last child stops playing

~And forever rests its tired eyes...

~When the last bird takes to the wing

~And doesn't whistle as it flies...

~When it sings its final melodic note

~And its dampened spirit never dries...

~When the last colours start to falter

~And the world begins to grey...

~When the last deer closes its eyes

~And farewells its final day...

~When the last friend gives up its hope

~And its heart begins to fray...

~When the last mule doesn't dig in its feet

~And bluntly demand to stay...

~When the last wolf abandons its hunt

~And gives up howling in the night...

~When the last star refuses to glisten

~And cast its golden light...

~When the last heroic soldier falls

~And gives in without a fight...

~When the last idol is no longer admired

~And the last divinity isn't dight...

~That's when.

Another year had passed and I was facing the end of my second year at Hogwarts. In a sense it had felt like a long time, but it also seemed that had been only yesterday that I was hopping onto the Hogwarts Express for the first time, feeling scared and alone.

I looked at my life now and everything was so different to back then. I had made a lot of new friends, and lost one along the way.

Although Joey and I had vowed that we would be friends forever, I knew that things would never be the same.

I now knew that my father was not only a wizard, but one of the worst ones alive. I knew I was a Fury, and part of a prophecy that no one fully understood.

And then there was Firregaze.

I often sat alone, just wondering where he was. The dreams were recurring; it had been a long time since I had received a good night's sleep as a result of them. For the short time I had spent with him I had felt like he was my other half, and without him a piece of me was missing.

As a little girl I had always wanted a twin. Someone I could share my every thought with. A best friend that was always there, even at night time, when the imagination can get carried away. I'd fall asleep imagining what she'd look like. Her name would be Amber, and she'd have blue-green eyes. Strawberry blonde hair that wasn't quite like mine but not mum's, either. It was the fantasy that someone so perfectly right for me was out there that helped me sleep at night.

Sure, I wasn't an only child like Joey. I had Petunia and Dale. But as great as Dale was, he didn't always have time for a kid eight years younger than him. Once upon a time Petunia had been a good sister to me, but I think that all dissolved when she went to school. Leaving me feeling as completely and utterly alone as Joey.

It was one of the main reasons we were so close, I think. We needed each other. Joey was a lone, troubled child that had grown up with her parents constantly fighting. I pretty much grew up without a father, and from my seventh birthday onwards, without a brother. That left me with a sister who hated my guts and a mother that had to work day in day out to support us. Joey and I became each other's twin. Without each other, I don't know how we would have pulled through.

Sometimes I forgot she was gone. I'd pull out some parchment to write her a letter and be half way through when I realised that she was in New York. Everything had to wait until I was home and could use the post.

But with Firregaze it was different. He wasn't human and I had loved it. Animals don't argue. They don't dump you for someone cooler. They don't lie, or call you names behind your back. They don't hurt you emotionally, and they don't just pack up and leave for New York without notice. Or so I had thought. Firregaze had left, and I wanted him back.

It was like he was punishing me, but I had no idea what I had done. During the day it was fine; life was full enough of distractions. It was the night that haunted me. So silent, so empty. So much time to think.

And think was something I did not want to do.

I love my friends so much. The way they supported me through that year was amazing. As frustrated as they became, not once did their loyalty towards me falter.

So why was it so hard for me to tell them the other thing that kept me awake at night?

I don't think I'll ever really know why. But I was scared. I was so goddamn scared that if I told them, I wouldn't have them anymore. And I didn't want to be alone. Ever. Because that was what I feared the most. Being alone, without a friend in the world.

I found myself constantly comparing myself to him. As the severity of his acts began to increase I slowly became convinced that I wasn't like him. But I was still full of doubts. What if I was like him? What if I grew up to be like him? What if?

I had always hated that question. What if. Stupid, pointless questions that are usually without answer or irrelevant but always seem to form in the back of your mind. And they drive you mad.

The fear he provoked in me was incredible. But it wasn't the same as everyone else, who were afraid of what he did. Of being killed. Of having their lives ripped apart. No. I was afraid of something entirely different. I was afraid of being him.

One person that made me forget my fears was James. It was unbelievable, the way we connected. We weren't the same age, not even the same sex. And yet somehow it had just happened, he and I. I hadn't planned it that way, but I was closer to James than I was to Bella or Hilary. Maybe even Joey. I felt comfortable telling him things I didn't tell anybody else. And as close as he and Sirius were, James and I were on a completely different level. Sure, those two probably knew things about each other that I didn't. But James and I found it easy to talk in a way I know boys just don't. It's not in their nature. And the last few weeks of the year brought us closer than ever, owing to Sirius's new friends.

He never cared about what people thought. So many people gave us a hard time about being friends, and James lost more than one girlfriend over the matter. But he didn't care at all.

And I was glad he didn't, because losing one friend was enough.

* * *

It was the second last day of term, when Firregaze returned. Bella and Hilary and I were basking outside in the warm weather, celebrating the end of our final exam. The boys were still stuck in Transfiguration, James no doubt passing with flying colours. Because of their non-presence we had invaded Boganville and were lazing happily beneath the beech tree.

Hilary was leaning against the trunk and Bella and I were on our stomachs.

We'd been there for about half an hour, doing nothing in particular, when a dove fluttered down from the tree and landed in front of me.

At first I had just blinked, pleasantly surprised at seeing the beautiful bird looking back at me. But then an unexplainable excitement bubbled up inside my stomach, just as the dove morphed into a cat.

'Firregaze!' I breathed, extending a hand to touch him; hesitantly, as if he may disappear at any moment. When he mewed in response I sat up and pulled him into a tight hug.

'Where the hell have you been?' asked Bella, moving closer.

'Oh my god,' I said, barely believing it. 'Where did you go?'

When I let him go, he took a step back and shook himself indignantly. I laughed.

'Don't worry. We all just missed you a lot.'

'Well I'm sorry, but it was unavoidable.'

I blinked.

'What the…?' Bella breathed, gaping at him.

'Did he just speak?' Hilary asked in a shocked voice.

'So surprised?' replied Firregaze.

I stared at him, wide eyed.

'You've never spoken before.'

'I know,' he said. 'Because I couldn't.'

'How come you can now?' Bella asked, still bemused.

'Humans ask so many questions,' Firregaze said, arching his back before coming to rub against my side. 'That's one of the downsides of being able to talk. Everyone expects you to talk all the time.'

'I'm sorry,' I said dazedly.

'I'm sorry for disappearing,' he replied evenly, looking me in the eyes.

'And I'm sorry, but I have to ask, where exactly did you go?' Hilary asked.

Firregaze slowly sat down, his eyes not leaving mine.

'I went on a pilgrimage to a haven far away from here. To see the nymphs.'

'Nymphs?'

'Yes. Nymphs. Fairy-like creatures that love all things nature and -'

'I know what nymphs are,' I interrupted.

'Then why did you question it? Humans are extremely odd.'

'You're odd, that's what.'

'Can I tell my story now?'

'Go ahead.'

'Thanks ever so.'

I smiled. If I had ever imagined Firregaze talking, this would have been the way. He definitely was a daemon with attitude.

'I went to see the nymphs. And the nymphs… they taught me how to talk.'

'The nymphs taught you how to talk?' I asked doubtfully.

'Sort of. It is rather hard to explain. I doubt you would be able to comprehend it.'

'He can talk,' Hilary whispered disbelievingly.

'I believe we've established that fact,' Firregaze said, licking his paw.

'The nymphs are very powerful when they put their mind to it. And every ten years or so they hold a conference where everyone goes and complains and they try and fix it, yadda yadda yadda.'

'And you wanted to talk. And they just agreed to this?' I asked doubtfully, scratching him behind the ears.

He shot me a dirty look.

'Despite what you may think, it is actually a terrible curse, being able to talk. And I made a great sacrifice in doing what I did.'

'Whatever,' Bella said, rolling her eyes. 'But you haven't told us why you got a voice. Especially since you seem to not have wanted one.'

'Because you need me, that's why,' he said lazily.

'We do?' Hilary asked, eyebrows raised.

'Not you, no. But Lily and Bella do. And Potter, and Black.'

'Ohhhh, I see. More top secret prophecy stuff,' Hilary said dramatically.

'The prophecy is not to be taken lightly.'

'How do you know so much about the prophecy?' Bella asked.

'I am much more intelligent than you may think,' Firregaze said stiffly. 'Don't underestimate me.'

'Somehow I don't think anything you could do right now would surprise me. Not after all this.'

Firregaze nuzzled my hand and gave it a small lick.

'You have been sad, while I was away,' he said quietly.

'I know,' I replied. 'So have you.'

He said nothing for a moment, his green eyes boring into mine.

'And we weren't doing much for each other in being so,' he said eventually. 'I suppose you've noticed the effect our emotions have on one another.'

'How does that work?' I asked. 'I never understood it.'

'That's just the way things are,' was his reply. He stood and stretched again before morphing into a fox. 'This might seem a bit soon after my return, but I have a few things to do, if you would excuse me.'

I nodded and patted his head, and he gave me a loving lick on the back of my hand.

I watched him trotting away for a little before looking down at my watch.

'The boys should be out in around ten minutes. Do you want to go up there and meet them?' I asked dazedly.

'Do we have to?' Hilary sighed.

'Alright,' said Bella. 'Pull me up.'

I took her arm and pulled her up, then offered a hand to Hilary.

'Thanks,' she said, getting up and dusting her clothes off.

By the time we had trudged all the way up to the castle, the boys were being let out.

'Oi, James!' I called. He turned around and smiled.

'Hi.'

'Hey,' he replied.

'How did you do?' I asked him.

'How do you think?' he grinned. 'It was a cinch.'

'For you it was,' Remus grumbled, coming up beside us.

'Aw, did poor little Remmington have some trouble with the test?' I cooed sympathetically, pinching his cheek. He ducked away from my hand.

'Not as much as Peter,' he said quietly, just as the mentioned approached.

'Hi, Lily,' he said.

'Hey, Pete,' I smiled.

'Ahem,' said Bella loudly.

'Hi Belle, hi Hilary,' Peter said, rolling his eyes.

'Lily! Over here!'

I turned around to find a face to match the voice. Sirius Black was leaning against the doorframe.

'And why should I?'

'Please,' he said, giving me a pointed look.

'If you'd give me a reason, Black, maybe I'd consider it.'

Although Sirius hadn't done anything to me personally, I was annoyed at him from what I had heard.

'If you had the brain, Evans,' he drawled back, jokingly. But I could see that the boys weren't in a joking mood when it involved Sirius.

'That was a real nice one, Black. Bet it took you all day to think of it. Real smooth,' James shot at him.

For a moment, I thought I could see a look of hurt cross Sirius's face. But I blinked and it was gone.

'No need to get your knickers in a knot, Potter. I won't lay a finger on your girlfriend. I just want to talk to her, then you can have her back straight away.'

James and Sirius just stood there, glaring at each other. We were the only group left in the corridor.

Feeling things heat up, I walked over to Sirius, casting a look back at the others. When I was near enough, I grabbed his robes and pulled him into the Transfiguration classroom.

'This better be good,' I said briskly.

'What have I ever done to you, Lily?'

'Up until today, nothing. I've been trying to stay objective when it comes to you. But after that little display back there, I'm finding it hard.'

'I'm sorry, OK? You knew I was joking.'

'Yes Sirius, I did. You're always joking. But everyone else isn't. And sometimes people get hurt. You may not mean it, but they do.'

With that I turned to leave, but Sirius stopped me.

'Wait, please.'

'What?' I sighed.

'I know Bella and James are your best friends, but please, just listen to me for a moment.'

'He was your best friend, too. But I don't know what happened there.'

'I don't know why I even bothered trying to talk to you,' he groaned.

'Neither do I. Why did you?'

'Because you're smart. People-smart. I don't know. You're just good that way. And you're not like Bella, who's like a dog with a bone. Or James, who is so hard to gain respect from. You give everyone a chance. It gets you hurt sometimes, but you don't try to change.'

He took a deep breath, then continued.

'I was jealous of you, Lily. How you and James are. But I can see exactly what he sees in you. And you deserve his respect a lot more than I do.'

'Well that was deep and meaningful coming from a guy,' I said with amusement.

'You know why they all hate me, don't you?'

'No,' I said, sitting down on a desk. 'I can understand maybe why they're mad at you, but if you think they hate you then you're severely mistaken.'

'It's not what you think.'

'I don't know what I think.'

'I admit I am at fault here, but it's been blown out of proportion.'

'Elaborate.'

'It's a long story.'

'We have lunch and a free afternoon. I think there's time.'

Sirius nodded and took another deep breath.

'It all began with Dee. I like Bella, but she must have known from the start that the age difference was going to be a problem. And I've got nothing against her, I still think she's a great person and I'd love to be friends with her. But just nothing more. So when Dee asked me out, I said yes.'

'While you were still going out with Bella?' I asked, raising an eyebrow.

'OK, I admit that was stupid. But I had every intention of dropping her before she found out. It just didn't work that way. As it was to be expected, she got upset. James let her know for me, because... I don't know. I've never been able to do that in person,' he shrugged. 'It just makes me feel like such a bad guy. But anyway, James doesn't like Dee. And because he's friends with Bella, too, he got annoyed when he found out I had said yes to Dee while I was still going out with her. So when he went to tell Bella, they probably had a big bitch session about me. James isn't like that, but he was pretty annoyed with me. He's always being the good guy, so he hates stuff like what I'd done.'

'Do you blame him?'

'No. I should have let Bella go first. But I didn't, and I can't change that.'

I nodded.

'Where do the fourth years come into this?'

'I've always been friends with a few of them. It's like you girls and us. Except it was pretty much just me. James and that were acquainted, but I knew them a bit better. Anyway, after my argument with James, I went and hung with them. Once. I thought it would be best if I steered clear of James for a bit.'

'Somehow I don't think James would be as annoyed as he is over that.'

'There's a bit more. This is where I went wrong again. The guys that I were mucking around with like pranking people, too. So out of spite, I took James's cloak.'

'I can't really say anything about that; I've done it once or twice.'

'Yeah, but you didn't expose it to a group of other people. I didn't tell them it was James's, but they still know that I have access to a cloak from somewhere.'

'So let me guess; James found out and got even more annoyed?' I asked.

'Pretty much. So, again, to stay out of his way, I stayed with the fourth years again. Thus him thinking I've traded him and the boys in for a better deal.'

'Sirius, why did you tell me all this?'

'I'm not asking you to sort this all out, Lily. But I just wanted to tell someone the whole story, and not be judged automatically. James has a lot of power in this school. He doesn't do it deliberately, but people just follow him.'

'You're not without followers yourself, Mr Black,' I said, trying not to smile. He laughed.

'Hell yeah. An army of lovesick school girls. We're gonna kick ass.'

'Never underestimate a woman, Mr Black.'

'I'll write it down.'

'This doesn't mean you're off the hook, I hope you realise. I am still most upset with you for vexing my friends.'

'I deserve it,' he shrugged, grinning. 'And all that back there... I don't want it.'

'Nobody ever does. It's a strange thing, the human mind.'

'You got that right.'

I looked out the window.

'Do you reckon they're still out there?' Sirius asked.

'Nah. They've probably dubbed me as a traitor, too. Either that or you're a corruptive beep.'

'A beep, huh?'

'Yeah, a beep. Sirius, only you can fix this, you know.'

'I know.'

* * *

'Why hello there, traitor.'

I opened my eyes sleepily.

'I knew it!' I laughed. 'That's exactly what I told Sirius you'd call me!'

'What happened in there?'

'Wouldn't you like to know, Mr Potter?'

'Yeah,' he said, sitting down next to me.

I was back outside lounging under the beech tree. I had been reading a book, but then I'd decided to get some shut eye.

'We all reckoned you two were like making out or something,' James laughed.

'Totally.'

'What corruptive thoughts did he place in your head?'

'If I told you I'd have to kill you,' I grinned.

'I knew it, you've been a double agent all along. Where's the goods?'

I shook my head, still grinning.

'Nah-uh. I ain't telling you nothin'.'

'I'll have to tickle you,' he warned.

'OK, OK... they're up that tree,' I said, pointing to the tallest tree on the Hogwarts grounds.

'Damn,' he said, laying back and closing his eyes.

'Firregaze came back today.'

'He did? I'll bet that makes you a lot happier.'

'Yep. And you're never going guess what else.'

'What?'

'He can talk.'

'Talk?' James asked doubtfully. 'How…?'

'I don't completely understand it myself. I'm sure he would explain it to you if you asked him, but there's no guarantee that you'll grasp the idea.'

'Well, how's that. A talking daemon.'

'Mmm,' was all I could say.

'Where is he now?'

'I don't know. He said he had things to do.'

'People to see,' James finished, laughing.

'Mm-mm,' I said, as a not-so-bad-looking guy walked past.

James opened an eye.

'Lily's found a bit of eye candy, huh?'

'Hell yeah. Who is he?'

'A poof.'

'A poof?'

'He's fully gay,' James said, rolling over onto his stomach. 'He uses hair gel.'

I rolled my eyes.

'James, if your idea of a gay guy is someone who takes the time to make their hair neat in the morning then you'd be just about the only straight one.'

'Hey, it's not my fault that this prickly bush is unresponsive to treatment.'

'What's his name?' I pressed, watching him talk to a girl a few metres away.

'Brad,' he replied lazily. 'Hufflepuff, third year.'

Just as James said this, Brad looked over at me and smiled. I smiled back. James pulled a face.

'What?' I asked, looking at him.

'Hi Brad,' he teased in a girly voice.

'Like you've never checked someone out before,' I said.

'Yeah, but I'm a guy. And you're just... Lily. It's not like you.'

'Despite what you think, I am a girl. I have had a boyfriend before. And I do oogle.'

'Oogle,' James snorted. 'Oogle.'

He closed his eyes again.

'And the only thing you'll ever do is oogle, Miss Evans, because he is a player.'

'And you aren't?' I huffed.

'Not like him, no. Trust me on this one.'

'I never trust anyone who says trust me.'

'You trust everyone,' he said quietly.

I looked at him, and he had his eyes open again, looking back at me.

'Not everyone,' I said, looking down. 'I...'

'You give everyone a chance.'

'And look where it gets me,' I sighed.

'It's not a bad thing. It's a good way to be.'

'Not when it gets you hurt,' I murmured.

'You can't appreciate real love until you've been burned,' he replied.

I laughed.

'You're different,' I said softly.

'I know. The guys can't decide whether I'm cool or weird,' he answered, looking up at the sky.

'That's not what I meant. Most guys... I don't know. You can actually hold a deep and meaningful conversation,' I laughed, shrugging. 'But just all round... you're different.'

'You know, everybody has weaknesses.'

'Mm-hmm.'

'And have you ever noticed how someone's weaknesses are usually their strengths, too?'

'No,' I admitted.

'Think. A lot of people's weakness is their heart. The ones they love. But then it's their strength, too, because in order for that to be a weak point their love has to be so strong...'

'That,' I began, 'was a very meaningful and sappy thought.'

'You're right. Very un-boyish. I'm sorry. Let me correct myself; my strength is me. I am strong. I can knock the living daylights out of people, therefore I am strong. I have no weakness.'

'That was very macho. I congratulate you.'

'Why thank you,' I grinned.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before I spoke.

I shuffled closer and rested my head on James's chest.

'You know, it would be silly to throw a friendship away over a silly little argument,' I said quietly.

'Mm,' was all James said, and I felt the noise deep inside his chest.

'I'm not going to tell you what he said to me, but I think you should go talk to him. He's hurting as much as you are. And don't tell me you're not, because I know you, James Potter. You miss Sirius as much as he misses you and this is stupid.'

James's hand came up to play with my hair.

'I'll talk to him tonight,' he sighed.

'Promise?'

'Promise.'

And I hoped he would. Because over the next few years, we would need to stick together. More than ever.

* * *

'I guess I'll be seeing you next year, Evans?' drawled Malfoy, coming up behind me, a grey owl perched on his shoulder and a black trunk at his feet.

'I'm coming back, if that's what you mean,' I shot back, looking at him coolly.

'Get lost, Malfoy,' Bella said boldly. 'We don't need to hear it.'

'Shut up, wog. I don't need to answer to you.'

'Do you feel special, Malfoy? Having such a foul vocabulary? I'll bet it makes you feel real important, calling people names like that.'

Malfoy grabbed my wrists and twisted them downwards, his cold eyes locking mine. I was in pain, but refused to cry out.

'Let her go,' Bella growled.

But he only yanked me closer.

'Let me tell you something, Evans,' he whispered. 'I'm a lot more important than you'll ever be. Your kind have no place in this world. So just leave. Leave, and never come back.

I tried to pull free, but his hold was too strong.

'You don't scare me,' I hissed.

'Oh, I think otherwise. You're scared, but you're playing the hero. Well believe me, Evans. In this story, the hero will fail.'

'Let her GO!' growled a masculine voice, and all of a sudden James had lunged at Malfoy, and the grip on my arms loosened. I pulled free, rubbing my bruised wrists.

'You don't learn, do you?' James snarled, shoving Malfoy, hard. The owl on his shoulder took to the air with a loud squawk.

'And I'm not the only one,' Malfoy shot back icily, shoving James in return.

'James, don't,' I pleaded, trying to push them apart.

Malfoy pushed me aside easily and I was thrown to the ground.

'You leave her out of this! What has she ever done to you?'

'Existed,' Malfoy spat, wiping blood from the side of his mouth.

'Wha's goin' on 'ere?' boomed Hagrid, coming over. He offered me one of his giant sized hands and pulled me to my feet.

'Nothing, Hagrid,' I said quietly.

His warm, beatle black eyes moved between James and Malfoy, who were still both looking at each other with animosity.

'You two better be stayin' out of trouble, now,' he said. 'See yeh next term, Lily.'

'Goodbye, Hagrid,' I replied.

There was silence as Hagrid left.

When he was gone, Malfoy picked up his trunk.

'One day you'll learn your lesson, Evans. And I will be the one to teach it to you. The only question is when,' he said maliciously, backing away.

'Never,' I said softly. I moved to stand next to Bella, meeting Malfoy's glare before he turned and jumped on the train.

'That's when.'

Phew! That's all for second year! *wipes sweat of brow* The next chapter will be in a new story again. (The World Through The Eyes Of A Muggle Born partIII)

Anyway, sorry for the delay with this chapter! I've been really flat chat lately.

1. It's end of term. I've been studying for exams and such.

2. I had a dance recital today. (Last period! It was so hot!)

3. I had a drama performance.

4. I've been trying really really hard to complete my website make over so I can get it up again.

5. Yesterday I had to cook tea and do homework and stuff.

So yeah, they're all my excuses.

Since nobody else was very helpful on the matter, can somebody tell me how the hell I got 100% on a science exam for which I did not study? I am honestly confused. I mean, I'm good, but not that good. :D (acing an exam had its down sides, though. It meant I had to spend a free period taking the second level test, which was extremely rude. And I don't get my results for that back until next term!!)

I'm very worried, now. Next term I have Home Economics, and I am like the worst cook in the world. It's a bit of a joke at school. If we're doing something involving food, everyone's like "Make sure Sarah isn't anywhere near it," or if something's burnt or something everyone's like "Sarah wasn't involved, was she?" This one time I was making a cake and the recipe said 100 grams of butter and I read the scales wrong and ended up with 100 ounces. (That's like ten times as much) Yikes! I have a horrible feeling I am going to fail.

OK all you French people reading, I've got a favour to ask. Since I have been told numerous times that my French makes no sense whatsoever, I need translations of the following two, if you please, so I can correct them:

* When you realise someone never cared about you, you begin to wonder if you really matter to anyone at all.

* Give me a stick so I can go beat the crap out of Filch.

It would be appreciated. And now Ariel is gone so that'll be all the French for now. I think I'll go back to my Italian, which actually makes sense. But it's just my luck that I have French and not Italians reading my story. =)

Thanks bunches!

Cheers n Beers,

                          SezZie

PS: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

I know I'm really slack and don't thank everyone anymore, but there's so many of you! So I'll say it again as a whole group: THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!