Sirius's Top Ten
Well, this chapter actually stays on one topic pretty much the whole time. Yay me! Please, please, please review, since it motivates me to write… PLEASE?? There's actually a lot of swearing in this one, I might up the rating from PG to PG-13 gasp Let me know what you think.
J.K. Rowling owns every character, aside Cass, Abby, Oliver, Catherine, & Charlie.
Thoughts are in italics.
Chapter 12: The Missing Link
"Have you seen Remus this morning?" Abby asked curiously as she sat down next to James at breakfast, a week after the holidays had ended.
"No." James lied. "Have you seen Lily?"
"No." Abby replied shortly, inwardly laughing at herself for thinking that James might have been any help at all. Ever since that faithful day, Christmas at Lily's, James had been on cloud nine. The only thing he really talked about passionately, aside from Lily, was quidditch, and any other topics he remained oblivious to. It was annoying to Abby that all her friends were turning into lovesick puppies.
Cass had a new boyfriend from Hufflepuff, Amos Diggory. Sirius wasn't too pleased with this situation, and thus, had found a girlfriend of his own, a pretty girl in seventh year, though Abby didn't know what house she was in because all Sirius and 'that girl' did was snog. And then there was James, who was completely off the wall in ecstasy, and Lily, although she had somewhat kept her head, walked around in a dazed state.
Of course, she was in love with Remus, but all her friends coupling up too was annoying. The only person that hadn't hooked up, as far as Abby knew, was Peter, who had become increasingly distant, and was almost always off somewhere. Even Oliver had gotten together with that Catherine girl from Hufflepuff.
"You guys seen Patricia?" Sirius asked hoarsely as he plopped down next to James.
"That's her name!" Abby said in amazement, receiving weird looks from the two boys.
"Care to explain?" Sirius asked, though it didn't sound like he really cared.
"Lily and I couldn't remember what her name was. I mean, I don't even think I've talked to her." Abby explained, before receiving a glare from Sirius.
"Why do you need to talk to her?" Sirius sneered.
"Maybe she was just being nice, and trying to get to know Patricia! You should try it, all you ever do is snog!" Remus said angrily as he sat next to Abby, who was frowning at Sirius thoughtfully.
"I agree with Remus." Cass added, sitting next to James and yawning loudly.
"Well, since the slob's opinion matters so much…" Sirius began.
"Excuse me?" James asked, standing, Sirius following suit. "What makes you think you can insult your friends like this?"
"They're insulting my girlfriend, James." Sirius replied angrily, using James's actual name for once.
"More like your bed-mate…" Remus muttered.
"Care to repeat that, Lupin?" Sirius asked harshly.
"Stating the truth, nothing more. Well, I think I'm done for breakfast. Abby, can I walk you to Charms?" Remus asked, standing and gathering his things, ignoring the fact that he had just arrived.
"Sure. Want to come, Cass?" Abby asked, taking her bag from Remus as he offered it to her.
"Sure." Cass replied solemnly, since her darling Amos was away for a 'family affair.'
"So you're leaving me with him?" James spat at Cass, who ignored him and trudged from the Hall, following Remus and Abby. "Fine."
James stood and left Sirius sitting at the table, all eyes in the hall on him. It was unusual to see the Marauders and their lady friends fighting, and the entire scene had surprised many in the hall.
Severus Snape, long standing enemy of Sirius, walked up to Sirius at his empty table with a smug grin.
"Your friends finally realized what a prat you are?"
"Couldn't think of a new insult, Snivellus?" Sirius asked coolly.
"Meaning?"
"That's an insult Evans would use with James. Too stupid to come up with a new one, eh?"
"Yeah, well now that he's with that mudblood Evans, its much more appropriate for you. Despite the fact that she's a mudblood, I must say that 'prat' is a rather good insult, and has been underused."
"Fuck off Snivellus. At least I have friends."
"Not any more." Snape replied, before turning on heel and leaving the hall.
"Mr. Potter?" Professor McGonagall asked from the front of the classroom, a slip of parchment in her hand.
James looked up from his Transfiguration work curiously. "Yes, Professor?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore would like to speak to you."
"Alright." James muttered, gathering his things, and leaving the classroom. It was probably about that prank he and Sirius had pulled on the train ride back from Christmas. Speaking of Padfoot…James wondered where his friend was, since he hadn't shown up for any of their morning classes, lunch (which was exceptionally odd), or Transfiguration. Probably off snogging Patricia. He thought bitterly. But he hadn't seen Lily all day either, and she definitely wasn't off snogging Patricia."Ah, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore greeted warmly, as he met James in the corridor, right by his office.
"Professor! I mean, Headmaster?" James greeted, not sure exactly how to address the newly appointed headmaster.
"Professor will be fine, James."
"Oh. You wanted to see me, Professor?"
"Yes. I am under the impression that you and Ms. Evans are in a relationship of some sort. Am I correct?"
"Yessir." James slurred his words to sound just like Charlie, but of course, Dumbledore didn't get the joke.
"I am also under the impression that you have been quite worried about her today."
"Well, I haven't seen her at all, sir, which is a bit worrying, yes."
James could picture Sirius's face if he had been listening to this conversation. He, himself, could not remember a time when he had been so polite, except when in the presence of Mr. Evans.
"Well, Ms. Evans informed me that she left you a note, but in any case, I will inform you of the reasoning behind her disappearance. There has been an attack by Voldemort in London. A large one, and several muggles were killed. Apparently a family member perished."
Immediately images of Mr. and Mrs. Evans filled his head, images of Charlie, even scowling Petunia, and of course, Lily. She would probably be heartbroken.
"Do you know who died, sir?"
"I'm afraid not, the owl she received last night was very non-specific. I do know she will not be returning for a couple of days."
"Well, thank you for telling me, Professor." James said with a weak smile, trying to contain the anger within him. If Voldemort had killed any of Lily's family, and caused her pain, he would curse the man into oblivion.
James returned to Gryffindor Tower, and immediately made his way up to his dormitory, and searched the area around his bed, finally discovering a small piece of parchment, crumpled up under his bed. Unfolding it gently, James was quite pleased to see Lily's neat handwriting, and no tear stains.
James –There's been an attack by Voldemort in London – apparently someone in the family was killed. Mum wasn't specific in the letter about who died, so I'm quite sure it wasn't anyone too close. At least, I hope it wasn't. I know for a fact Charlie's fine, he signed the letter beneath saying 'Say hi to James.'
Hi.
See you when I get back!
Love, Lily.
Tucking the note in his pocket, he returned to the common room, much more relieved, only to hear Abby and Cass yelling at one another, obtaining the attention of the entire room. They stood by the fire, staring defiantly at one another, and James had never seen Abby look so angry, fiery, or disgusted. He had never seen Cass so flushed in the cheeks, or so violent.
"It's none of your bloody business!" Cass screamed, looking as though she might tear Abby apart.
"It is my business, since I'm supposed to be your friend!" Abby replied, just as angrily.
James glanced about the common room for help. Remus was at a prefect meeting, Peter was off somewhere, and Sirius was sitting in the midst of it, watching with enthusiasm. He had a piece of parchment that he was waving wildly above his head as it flashed in large, bright letters, 'Take Her Down, Abby!'
"Well, you're not acting like one! You're supposed to be supportive, and NICE!"
"I'm supposed to be supportive when you need support, and I am not supposed to be supportive when I don't support what you're doing."
"Yes, you're supposed to shut your trap and be happy for me!"
"I'm afraid I can't do that!"
"Then go back to Ravenclaw, bitch."
"You don't even have to ask!"
Abby turned on heel angrily and stormed from the common room, her face flushed and contorted with anger. James could only hope she remembered the password for the Ravenclaw common room, since she often forgot.
"Cass?" he asked timidly, approaching her even though she looked like she was going to tear something, perhaps him, into pieces at any moment.
"Fuck off, Potter."
"Do you know about Lily?"
"'Course I do."
"Have you written her?"
"Been kinda busy, Potter."
"Are you going to?"
"Fuck. Off. Potter." Cass said slowly, as if she were trying to get James to comprehend what she was saying. Then, with a lethal glare at Sirius, who quickly disposed of his sign, she trudged up the stairs and into her dormitory, shutting the door loudly behind her.
"Thanks for the help, Sirius." James muttered, looking at his friend with disapproval.
"Oh, don't give me the 'Evans look'. Just because you're dating her doesn't mean you have to be her."
"What's that supposed to mean? If you didn't realize, our friends were fighting and you did nothing to break it up."
"You didn't do squat either."
"I was sort of looking for back-up from a certain someone!"
"Oops. Well, I'll be off, Evans."
"Sod off, Sirius."
"Gladly."
Dear Lils,
Life here without you has gone out the window. Just after two days without your peaceful character, everyone is at each other's throats. Cass and Abby had a huge row in the common room, Remus and Sirius aren't speaking… Even I'm not speaking with Sirius, and of course, the girls won't either. Something about you holds the rest of us together, Lils, you're what links us together, and we need you back. I need you back.
I hope you're all right about the loss of whomever. I know it's probably tough, and I wish I could be there to help you out. I haven't heard from you, so I'm assuming you're busy with preparations for things…
Write me if you have the time, perhaps I'll come see how you're doing?
Love,
James.
P.S. – I say 'hi' back to Charlie, as well as: 'Have you gotten your Hogwarts letter yet?'
Lily was quite startled to see Brash, James's owl pecking importantly on her window early the next morning, and dragged herself out of bed to open the window. Brash soared about the room for a moment, perhaps trying to build up the suspense surrounding what he was carrying or just to show off for Lily's owl.
"That's nice Brash, please come down now." Lily muttered, inwardly laughing at how Brash reminded her of how James used to be, or rather, still was. The owl took its time, before landing gracefully on Lily's bed, and sticking out its leg regally as she untied the letter and unfolded the creased parchment.
As her soft green eyes scanned over the page, they widened in surprise, and she immediately grabbed a quill and some ink to reply.
Dear James,
I'm very sorry to hear things have gone awry at Hogwarts, but I've attached some instructions to get things back to normal while I'm gone. You have no idea how terrified I was when Dumbledore told me about the attack, I was almost certain that my family was dead. But, it turns out that it was some cousin of Vernon's who actually died, so Charlie, Mum, Dad, and even Petty are fine.
Oddly enough, Petty still had Mum write me to come home, since she wanted to show Mrs. Dursley (Vernon's mum) how the entire Evans family feels for her loss. Charlie and I were rather disappointed that it wasn't Vernon's sister, Marge, who perished. I know it sounds mean, but she really is horrible. Charlie says that the name 'Barge' would be much more appropriate.
I'm trying to be cheery, but I really feel awful. It's estimated that over 100 people died, James! The muggles are saying it was an explosion started by a gas leak, but to know the truth, that really, it's some man who wants to kill people like me, it's terrifying. I wish you were here. Perhaps you could come to comfort me at Laurel's funeral? I'll see if I can get my mum to owl Dumbledore.
Charlie hasn't gotten his letter yet; his birthday is in two weeks. He's very excited for you to teach him how to play Quidditch.
Attached are my instructions on getting everyone happy again --- Don't question, just do.
Love, Lily.
In a hurry, Lily finished her rather long 'note', rolled it, and tied it to Brash's leg, before the great owl swooped out of her room. She watched the creature's figure grow smaller and smaller, disappearing into the bright blue sky.
"Lily, come down, Vernon's coming soon."
"Yes, mum." she called, before moaning to herself. "A beautiful day wasted."
Coming up:
- What are Lily's instructions, and will James be able to pull the group back together?
- Will James get to go to Laurel Dursley's funeral?