Revolution

You say you want a revolution

Well you know

We all want to change the world

You tell me that it's evolution

Well you know

We all want to change the world

But when you talk about destruction

Don't you know you can count me out

Don't you know it's gonna be alright

Alright alright

"And if anyone comes up in the fire, don't answer it."

"Remus," Vala exasperated, rolling her eyes, "I've been home alone before."

"Granted, but you've never been left alone all night. And if anything happens you won't be able to contact me, or anyone else for that matter," he reminded.

"What would happen? And besides, I've got friends. If anything happens I'll-"

"You'll what?" he broke in, which was odd as Remus rarely interrupted anyone. He was much too polite to do anything like that. And patience, Remus had an endless supply of patience.

"I'll contact them… Now leave," she assured, ushering him out the door. Really, she had no idea what she'd do if something happened. Though, she doubted anything would, so there was no reason to worry about it.

"I don't know how comfortable I am with this."

"You haven't got much choice, now go!" she stressed, shoving him out the door. When she had successfully locked Remus out, she laughed quietly to herself. He's a real character, he is.

Vala shook her head, and waltzed into the kitchen; she intended on making a delicious cup of hot chocolate in Remus' teakettle. She knew Remus wouldn't be keen on the idea as the chocolate always left a horrible taste in the kettle, and Vala never bothered to wash it. She claimed he brought it upon himself. After all, he was the fool who was always stocked to the max with chocolate, whether it was a mix or a bar.

Let him make his dreadful tea in this… she grinned maliciously, dropping the chocolate mix inside the kennel. She knew just as well as everyone else that you were only supposed to boil water in a teakettle, but she also didn't care. She could be lazy, and it was too time consuming to mix the powder separately.

"Lassie!"

Spilling a large scoop of powder onto the counter, Vala growled in irritation, "What do you want, Grant?"

"Whew, and I was afraid I'd reach the wrong fireplace!"

Vala's eyebrows drew close. "Wait… How did you get mine? I never told you how to reach me…"

"No, but don't forget too soon I have high connections."

"What kind of connections?" Vala asked curiously, stepping into the living room and wiping her hands off on her robes.

"All sorts- are you baking?" he scoffed.

She shook her head slightly and replied, "I was making hot cocoa."

"Hmm," Grant nodded knowingly, glancing around the room. "So… is this were you live?"

"Something like that." After a pause, she crossed her arms and asked skeptically, unsure if she really wanted to know, "Is there any reason you're contacting me?"

"No," Grant said lightly, glancing about the room once more. "Ah yes! There was something I wanted to ask."

"And it was…?"

"I forget, oh but I wanted to know if you were doing anything on New Years as well."

She subconsciously rose an eyebrow. "It's not customary… why?"

He shrugged and replied, "I thought you'd like to have a little fun or something."

"I think I'll pass." She wiped off her hands again, and heard the sound of crinkling paper.

"All right then, but if you change your mind I'll be at The Lucky Clover. Guess I'll just be-"

"Oh wait, Grant!" she exclaimed, falling to her knees.

"Ye-es?" he grinned, raising a brow playfully.

She fumbled for a paper in her pocket, and pulled out a short list of ingredients. "You don't suppose you could lend me a favor, do you?"

"I might consider it."

"Well," she began carefully, "I know your relatives have been involved with potions and…"

"The Dark Arts, out with it," he finished quickly.

"I was wondering if you could collect these ingredients for me." She stuck the recipe on a poker, and carefully pointed it at Grant. He bit the list, as his hands were useless, and his head disappeared from view. "They're very basic… henbane, opium, hemlock, parsley…" she called.

"Doesn't Remus own any of these?"

"Well… Remus excelled in Defense Against the Dark Arts, he wasn't much in Potions… whatever he has is very limited, and I fear he'd notice if something was missing," she explained. "Can I count on you?"

"Of course you can… however, you'll have to pay a hefty fee."

Vala sighed, and slouched against a chair. "I figured. Name your price."

"You'll have to explain to me why you're making the Loup Coeur potion."

"You, you know of it?" she sputtered, jolting forward.

His head reappeared. "Of course I've heard of it! Give me more credit than that, Vala, and don't think I don't know what it will do to you… I don't suppose you knew that when the Dark Lord was still reigning that he used this potion against his followers to make them pay for their wrong doings. The ones he didn't kill anyhow, this was reserved for the useful ones. A reminder every full moon for their deception."

She rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Does that mean you won't help me?"

Grant sighed. "Of course I'll help you… I'm reluctant to as I've seen what it does, but I assume you're doing this for Remus." He waited for her to nod before finishing, "Also, once this potion is activated there's no turning back, so make sure this is what you want to do."

"I've given it a lot of thought… This is what I want to do. He needs someone, Grant… I hate to see him so lonely."

"Vala," he addressed quietly. "I'm sure there's other ways… There must be. Do you really think he wants you to do this to yourself?"

"I'm sure he doesn't, but it feels right… I don't know how to explain it, it just does."

"Okay," Grant responded hesitantly, "If this is what you want…" He glanced at the clock set against the wall and added, "I've got to be on my way, lassie, but take care."

"Don't call me lassie," she replied, smiling softly.

~+~+~+~

rat-a tat-tat… rat-a-rat-a tat-tat… rat-a…Vala's tapping, an obnoxious habit of Grant's that had apparently rubbed off unto her, came to an abrupt stop. It was only ten, and she had run out of things to do. She'd never been home alone for an extended period of time, and she couldn't sleep. She tapped the coffee table to release some pent up energy, while her eyes wandered the room, searching for something to play with. Then she saw it- the box containing Lily's bridal gown and veil. Unsure what to do with it, she had placed it in the corner and hadn't touched it since Christmas. She couldn't stop thinking about it, subconsciously she had thought that maybe if she kept it out of sight that maybe it would disappear. The guilt was too much. She wanted to marry her ridiculous fiancé in a ridiculous wedding gown at a ridiculous wedding with a ridiculous reception. It was supposed to be ridiculous, some sad joke she could look back on and say she never took seriously. But with this… With Lily's dress she had to take it seriously; it was no longer a joke.

Vala stood up and slowly made her way towards the dress, the problem. Problems were supposed to be swept under the rug, never to be dealt with, or to the more sophisticated, placed in a Pensieve, where you swear you'll late get back to it later. Nobody ever did. You pushed your problems away, hoping somebody else will deal with them, or they'll vanish completely. This wasn't the case. This was her problem. This problem could never be forgotten, or in some circumstances, forgiven.

She removed the lid and took a good look inside. Vala sighed. A sigh that exhibited several emotions, but far too complex to pinpoint. After much hesitation she picked up the crown and set it atop her head. The veil itself wasn't much to comment on. It touched a bit lower than her shoulders and was made from a light, soft material. The crown attached was thin and dainty. Everything about it was dainty.

Something about wearing a wedding veil struck Vala and she giggled. I… she struck a pose, am a queen! And with that she dropped her stiffness and gracefully lifted the dress from the box.

"Merlin's beard," she mumbled, on the verge of speechlessness. It was a simplistic dress, something she could imagine Lily in, but still beautiful. No words could describe it, it was absolutely gorgeous. Depending on your taste, of course, because with a more advanced, greedy taste, and the dress would be ruined. Without a moments hesitation, and confident that no one would interrupt, she slipped the dress on.

The dress was made from silk. A break from the stiff school robes and itchy cottons was a change. The sensation was sweet, and when she moved she felt a thousand silken lips kissing her. The skin and sleeves were made of organza, a breezy, transparent fabric that hung unto her. The sleeves and front hung loosely, gapping her shoulders and upper torso, only pulled together by the thin strips of silk used as straps. She was relieved to find the train was nonexistent, she didn't think she could handle that.

"Now this is what I call poetic justice…"

The dress was made to flatter a slim figure, and it fit Vala perfectly. It seemed to pulsate, giving it it's own personality. Vala pushed the coffee table back and spun. Maybe marriage isn't so serious, she thought, spinning again. All I have to do is play dress up and smile pretty… say I'm the wife of Saxon Malfoy. Marriage had turned into a type of game for her.

~+~+~+~

The sun's rays shot across the landscape, sending shadows long. Magnificent violets and rubies streaked the sky, coated by oranges and yellows. A lone, silent figure grayed the scene with his tattered robes and empty steps.

Remus felt light-headed and tired, all he could think about was collapsing on his bed and sleeping the day away. His feet, resounding a dull thud, made their way up his sidewalk and to the front door. He twisted the doorknob, noticed it was unlocked, and yawned. At least he wouldn't have to wake Vala up. He entered his home, walked quietly down the hall, but just as he was turning for his room he paused. And he smiled weakly.

Vala lay on the couch in a deep slumber, wearing Lily's wedding gown and veil. Remus had been afraid she didn't like it, but the current situation seemed to turn all his assumptions around. He moved towards her, his silence and grace taking part. In only an hour the sun would be shining directly on her face, so he quietly closed the curtains, careful not to disturb her.

Remus left the room for a moment, but soon returned with two warm blankets. He tossed one on the sofa in the corner, and covered Vala with the other. He watched her sleep for only a moment, then gently pushed the veil away from her face, lest she be awakened. They always looked so innocent sleeping. He smiled to himself. She would make a beautiful bride, even if he thought she was too young.

Unable to stifle another yawn, he staggered to his sofa, covered up, and fell asleep.

~+~+~+~

(A/N: Sorry updates have been so far and in between… I lost my story! It was on a floppy disk with my name and everything and it up and walked away! I was a little upset, but worry not! I am frantically rewriting everything I've lost. Though, I must admit, I can't wait until I finish writing Vala's 7th year, so I can move onto more interesting subjects… hehe. -Vouivre)