Author's Note: I'm terribly sorry for the extremely long delay. I'm a horrible author for not finding some way of updating. sighs Okay, I will give you an update on my 'condition'. I've moved in with my friend to finish school. My parents separated, blah, blah, blah, and on weekends I'm with my dad so I have access to the computer. So, as long as I remember my notebook I can update on the weekends. Please, no sympathy for the whole parents thing, I'm alright, and I have tons of material to type up so you all will only have to wait till weekends. Now, on to the huge list of thank yous:
Black-cat-on-the-wall- heh, nice knife, I imagine you'll be using it now. Sorry for so long a delay.
Unperfection- I'm terribly sorry, but I shant be able to decrypt that for a while. So, just let your mind think on it and you might be able to come up with the right answer. I'm glad you still think its "fantabulous!"
Captain Oblivious- Congratulations on getting to go to school in Canada, and you're very right; Sirius is no Don Juan. cackles
Don Raphiel- Bella & Sirius having a huge argument? I don't have any idea what you're talking about. whistles
True-starlight-blue- Thank you for the boost to my ego, heh. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thought it was excellent.
She Devil- Peter is a scummer isn't he, lol. I do agree that it was pretty appropriate. I'm glad you loved it; it makes me happy and want to write more and get more updates up.
Manny2003- Thanks... and this was ASAP. Sorry that it took so long though.
Sissy-6- You'll see what Catherine's secret is eventually. cackles Good luck trying to guess though.
Luvhp224- smirks Well, I guess you will have to wait and see now won't you? Heh. I'm hoping pretty soon too, but I can't remember as it's been so long since I've been though my notebooks. Yeh might have to wait quite a while.
LadyLorien142- I'm glad you like the plot and the characters as well. Heh. I wasn't sure that this being an AU that it would go off well but it has and I'm very glad.
LJstagflower4e/JCtigerwolf4e- Thank you. Er. I cannot remember where the bit with the boggart comes in. I completely forgot but I don't think it's until the next notebook. Which is just bleh for you huh? My school is pretty good. Not so much homework and everything is much less stressful, so now that my moving insanity is completely I'll be able to update more. Especially when my roommate prods me into doing so. Johnny Depp does rock doesn't he? cackles
MegHarts- Poor Peteykins? Have you lost your mind? He needs to be kicked in the ass. Don't worry, Bella will get her just rewards soon enough.
Oorjit- I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm sorry about the delay in putting this chapter up.
Senshioftime- I'm glad you liked it and though the previous chapters were excellent. Hopefully at some point in time I'll get around to editing the errors. Oo.
Lillia Evans- I hope that Japan is satisfactory and that the trip was good. And I'm terribly sorry about the delay but at least its not 4 freaking years. coughs Um, right. I hope you like this chapter. 10 minutes for a dollar? I seriously hope you read fast as I'll feel horrible if you go broke trying to read my story.
Pingpong5- Thanks. You have a very interesting name. Oo
xxGREEN BAYxx- I'm glad. And I'm also glad you think Sirius is funny. By the way, are you from Wisconsin?
Sploogal- I'm sorry that the discovery of my fic led you astray from your essay. Oo. I hope you finished it... and in a way I'm glad my story was captivating enough to capture your attention. Whee! You used some of my favorite words: interesting, original, unique. Wahahaha!
Spunx182- I'm glad you liked it. Thank you for the review & I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Akirel35- I'm terribly sorry for so long of a wait for this chapter. I apologize profusely and hope for your forgiveness. And its okay about the yelling, I completely understand with my horribly updating skills.
Emerald- Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Lindiel Eryn- Yes, it was and I'm terribly sorry about that. Hopefully, with any luck, I'll be able to update every weekend, at least once. Thank you for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed my story.
MischievousAngel- Yes, yes, he should be shot. If I had any power over my story, I would shoot him, but alas, I cannot.
Hawaiian-sling-babe- the dark mark is on the left forearm. I checked numerous times to be sure, unless J.K. switched things around. Thank you for the great review.
Lydia Boyle- Heh. I love addicting people it is so very fun. And your mother is too? cackles I'm feeling very spiffeh. Thank you very much for your review. It made my day and it made me make sure I update, so be proud.
Sour-peach- My AU is fascinating. I still don't know everything about it, but I'm trying. Make Bella's attitude better? Alas, once a character is in my mind they stay how they are. It is very strange. I wish I could kill Peter in the next chapter, but you'll see what happens after this chapter. Go read already, I shouldn't write so much and keep you away. I'm glad you enjoyed it though, and I hope you keep doing so.
All right. That's done. Now, get to reading, or I shall send... someone after you. Oo. I hope you all enjoy it and don't forget to read the note at the bottom.
Chapter Forty-Nine: Dinner and Dreams
James came back to the kitchen shortly after leaving just as Lily was dishing out dinner. "I think Sirius is on his way," James said as he sat down and moments later Sirius came in the door smiling grimly.
"Will Bella be joining us?" Lily asked out of respect and the possibility of needing another place setting.
"No, she's just seeing to Peter and then going home," Sirius said as he sat down next to Remus.
Lily nodded briefly and finished giving everyone a healthy portion of spaghetti. She sighed and sat down herself. She had a tension headache and really just wanted to climb the stairs and go to bed. "How long will you be staying Catherine?" James asked conversationally.
"I'll probably head home after dinner," Catherine said as she glanced at Lily out of the corner of her eye. The redhead was eating slowly and she closed her eyes frequently as if to block out the light. "Unless Lily wishes that I stay," she said slowly.
"Hmm? Oh, its okay, you can go if you like," Lily said distractedly, she'd barely heard what Catherine was saying.
Catherine nodded and shot a look at James that said, "She's stressed. She needs rest and relaxation," and James nodded back as if acknowledging the situation and deciding to remedy it.
The rest of dinner was a subdued affair. Lily received complements on her cooking as usual and the next twenty minutes passed slowly. "Lily, would you like help with the dishes?" James asked as everyone finished.
"Hmm? Oh no, it's alright. I can manage," Lily said quietly and James was now determined to help her or send her off to bed; whichever he could manage first.
When Lily stood so did Catherine. "You get some rest okay? I'll swing by in a couple days to talk about that potion," Catherine said and gave Lily a quick hug at which Sirius raised an eyebrow and Catherine stuck out her tongue in a childish manner to reply.
"Okay, goodnight Catherine," Lily said and smiled after returning the hug.
"Goodnight Lily, guys," Catherine said and nodded her head briefly before apparating to her home in Ireland.
Lily sighed as she'd just now realized that she could use Catherine to talk to for a little bit. She sighed again and began to gather plates from the table. "Wait a second," Sirius said before she could grab his glass, he grabbed it and finished off his drink. Lily smiled obligingly and finished gathering the dishes and carrying them to the sink.
James shot a look at Remus and Sirius who said at once, "We'll be in the library," before pushing back their chairs and practically stampeding for the doorway. James chuckled lightly and Lily turned away from the sink to look at him.
"I thought you'd gone with them," Lily said as she looked over her shoulder. She didn't have the presence of mind to notice how James was looking at her and so she turned back to the dishes, but how she looked in that moment would become imprinted in James' memory and subject to later imaginings.
James couldn't help what he felt just then looking into her sleepy green eyes accented by miles of long red hair that fell into her face giving off a vibe of innocence that was positively spellbinding. James blinked several times and cleared his mind of the thoughts that had taken hold in that brief moment and said, "Why don't you let me take care of the dishes tonight?"
Lily paused and looked back at James with furrowed brows. "Why?" she asked curiously.
"You look like you could use a little break from things and my way would be much quicker," James said and smiled in a friendly manner waiting hopefully for her to say yes. When she didn't he said. "You can sit down and watch to make sure they get clean. I promise you there is nothing to worry about."
Lily was very tempted by James' words and also too tired to make a protest either. She dried her hands on a towel and walked over to the table after sighing and saying, "All right." She sat down and James and pulled his wand from his pocket muttering a few spells.
By the time the dishes had all been washed, dried and put away, Lily was half asleep in her seat. James smiled and picked her up in his arms delicately. "James, what are you doing?" Lily questioned with her eyes barely opened.
"Carrying you upstairs as you're about to pass out completely," James said as he maneuvered up the stairs carefully so he wouldn't bang her head on the wall.
"I can walk James," Lily said and yawned as her arm looped around his shoulders brushing past the short hairs on his neck causing him to shiver.
"I know you can Lily, but it's much easier this way," James said quietly as he opened the door at the top of the stairs and entered the dark room. He flicked on the switch by the door and Lily hid her face from the light by nuzzling against his neck. James was beginning to think carrying Lily up the stairs was a mistake; one he would dearly pay for when he went to sleep.
James gently lowered Lily onto the bed and asked, "Where are your..." he trailed off. She was already asleep; her eyes closed, black lashes resting peacefully on pale skin lit by a dim light near the door. Her red hair was falling in unorganized grace around her shoulders and face, a few strands falling across her cheek that James couldn't help but brush away before rearranging her gently to pull back the sheets before removing her shoes and placing her gently back on the bed and smoothing the covers over her. He watched as a serene smile played on her lips; lips that James hadn't really noticed to look kissable and soft until just that moment. Realizing his precarious situation, James ever so gently brushed a kiss on her forehead and whispered, "Goodnight Lily," before he turned away from her walking towards the door back to the kitchen and flicking of the light making the room shrouded in darkness.
James looked back over his shoulder and saw Lily bathed in moonlight making her look even more innocent then before. He sighed aloud and turned to go just as Lily whispered, "Goodnight James." He smiled and walked silently down the stairs wishing he didn't have to leave her before he walked back into the kitchen and headed to the library.
James found Remus alone reading in his usual chair, curled up in his usual way. "Where's Sirius?" James asked quietly upon his entrance.
"He went to sleep," Remus replied before looking up from his book. "Where's Lily?" he asked.
"Out like a light. She passed out on a chair in the kitchen while I did the dishes," James said quietly as he sat down in a chair across from Remus.
"Really," Remus said with an amused smile on his face.
"Yes really," James said and rolled his eyes at Remus.
"Did you tuck her into bed?" Remus asked with a wink.
"Did you and Sirius switch bodies?" James asked sarcastically.
"Never answer a question with a question, it signifies that you've got something to hide," Remus said blandly.
"Pretty much everything signifies that you've got something to hide, especially in this group, but I think I'll remember that," James responded as he leaned back in his chair slightly to relax a bit. "What about you?" James asked as if his question were as clear as day.
"Did I tuck Lily into bed? I think not dear Prongs, that isn't my job," Remus said smartly as he closed his book.
James rolled his eyes. "Funny. No, I'm talking about Catherine," he said and watched Remus raise an eyebrow.
"What about her?" Remus asked and looked speculatively at James.
"In the parlor before dinner I could have sworn I saw something between you two," James said and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees.
"I honestly do not know what you're talking about James," Remus said as his cheeks colored slightly.
"So you do like her. What are you going to do about it?" James asked with a smile.
"There's nothing to do James," Remus said and sighed.
"What do you mean nothing to do? Of course there is!" James protested.
"No there isn't. I can't date her because if she found out I'm a werewolf it would be like all the other times when they knew I was hiding something and I wouldn't tell them. She'd run," Remus said sadly looking at James. "I've given up on finding any one who could deal with that James, and its not fair to ask anyone to deal with it," he said as the conversation dredged up memories of girls blowing him off because he tired telling them and they thought that he was a liar.
"Maybe Catherine's different Moony, maybe she deserves a chance before you write her off," James said as politely as possible but Remus just shook his head.
"Not happening Prongs, I'm not putting myself out on that kind of limb, I don't need anymore pain at this point," Remus said and sighed wistfully.
"All right Remus," James said resigning himself to the fact that Remus was so bull-headed about being a werewolf that any chance of him daring to tell Catherine was about as good as Albus Dumbledore inviting Voldemort out for tea.
"I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning for the funeral," Remus said quietly as he stood up and made his way out of the library.
"Goodnight Moony," James called out.
"Goodnight Prongs," Remus said and then disappeared from sight.
James soon made his way up to bed after switching off lights and locking the front door as he went. As he passed Sirius' door he heard his friend snoring and sighed quietly as he opened the door to his room. It was dark and James was tired but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep; visions of Lily would be dancing inside his head while Moody's words were to accompany the visions. But to James' utter surprise he fell asleep quickly but thoughts of Lily followed him there...
James was sitting on a beach and it was slightly chilly with the wind blowing in off the ocean and the fact that he wasn't wearing a coat. With the crashing of the water against the sand James didn't hear footsteps until a shadow fell across him and he looked up. Lily was standing there looking out at the waves her hair flowing backwards in the strong wind, a smile on her face. "It's beautiful isn't it?" her voice called out to him and he reached up and placed a hand in hers.
"Sit with me," James said and she looked down at him, a look coming across her face that made James' heart beat rapidly in his chest.
Lily sat next to him and he wrapped an arm around her and drew her close. "You didn't answer my question," Lily said with a smile playing on her lips.
"It is quite beautiful but it doesn't compete with you darling," James said and made to kiss her but she pulled away and stood up walking away from him without a word. "Lily!?" James cried out and got to his feet, quickly following her. She started running, faster and faster as if the sand didn't matter beneath her feet while James tripped and stumbled trying to catch up to her. Soon she was in a grassy meadow near the cliffs still running from James as he struggled to catch up. When he got to the grass his pace picked up and he caught up to her just as she reached the edge of the cliff and stopped turning to face him.
James, breathing heavy, barely managed to ask, "Why are you running from me Lily?" She didn't respond audibly, she just looked at him with her serene smile and stepped backward off the edge as James dove to stop her and landed where she'd been standing. He looked down as she fell further and further away from him until she hit the ocean surface and was swallowed up by its crashing waves and the whole time James was screaming, "NO!!" -------
"James wake up," Lily's voice drew him out of his nightmare and his eyes popped open looking at her. It was daylight and Lily was showered and dressed in black slacks with a black sleeveless shirt, her hair pulled back into a tight pony tail as if to keep it from drawing too much attention to her. Lily's expression changed when James' eyes popped wide open. "What's wrong James?" she asked and sat on the edge of the bed feeling his forehead, which was covered in sweat, in a motherly manner. "Are you feeling all right?" she asked in a concerned voice.
"I'm fine, just a dream," James said as he propped himself up so he was sitting upright.
"You're sure?" Lily asked as she reached up to feel his forehead again and James took her hand in his.
"Yes, I'm fine Lily. You don't have to worry," James aid smiled despite the memory of his dream and fighting the urge to envelope Lily in the fiercest hug imaginable.
Lily looked skeptical but she sighed and said, "Okay. Breakfast is waiting downstairs. Everyone else is up and Bella's here. You shower and get dressed, eat and you'll feel much better," she smiled at him warmly and stood up walking toward the door.
"What time is it?" James asked before she could leave.
"Just after eight; the funeral isn't until ten," Lily said before opening the door and walking out closing it behind her and heading down to the kitchen.
James climbed out of bed and found that his knees were weak and could barely support him. "Get a grip! It was just a bloody dream!" James said aloud but found that the image of Lily falling to her death from that cliff wouldn't get out of his head and was there whenever he closed his eyes. James got up and walked to the shower carefully and cleaned himself up before dressing and heading downstairs.
A/N: Okay, I know this was a short chapter, but it couldn't be helped as I couldn't really start the next bit without making this two chapters long... which I know you all would have loved. But you'll have to deal. I'll try to type stuff during the week and then come here and update but I cannot guarantee the likelihood of that... so I hope this tides you over until next weekend as I'm sure the chapter will be longer.
Next time: Peter's Gran's Funeral and other insanity that you will just have to wait and see.
PLEASE REVIEW and give comments or flames or what not, suggestions if you have any and I'll get back to you in the next chapter.
Frankie