first, lemme start off with saying i am SOOOOOO sorry!!!!! its been like FOREVER since i've updated! ugh, i could sit here and list all my excuses, but really, i just got really lazy after my midterms and was like all blah, which sooo adds up to writer's block. BUT, this chappie, i have to say, came out really good, i think at least, but if you all REVIEW i'll know whether it is or not!!!!!!!!!!!!
ok, now that i'm done grovelling and apologizing, this chappie is the lily-gets-pissed scene and i need feedback to know what you all want to happen next (and if you think the chappie is any good, but that's a given, so.. yeah..) because i'm coming up against a major mental roadblock.
um... i think that's everything i had to say.. i dunno... i feel weird when i dont like have anything to say at the beginning of a story... i feel like im forgetting something... well...
REVIEW PEOPLE!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!! (begging shamelessly, i know... but i just love reviews so much!!!)
TO ALL MY REVIEWERS, I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!
REVIEWERS:
KBS: thanks!!!!! im glad you like it!!! here's the next update, sorry it took so long!!!! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
MissCleo: i looooove insulting people, especially evil peoples like ugly death eaters!!!!!! that's how i remember her writing them, but now that you mention it, im not sure. they do kinda seem similar to the KKK tho, dont they? well, thats how i see them, so that's how i'm gunna write them. im glad you like it. lily? sweet? well... in this story, i wouldn't call her sweet just yet- strong, independent, scary at times maybe... well.. i could see the sweetness... thanks for reviewing!!! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
Annmarie Aspasia: im glad you liked the line. that's how this chappie starts, im trying to get it to bleeeend. i LOVE gummi bears!!!!! they rock!!!!!! uh, yeah, that penguin is for yooooou. i hope you loooove it. well, i'm glad you are not trying to kill anyone (brother's dont count... if they did, there would be a whole lotta attemted murderers out there called "sisters") yeah, she bottles stuff up (and i do too, sometimes) but, she kinda... expresses herself in this chappie. ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
shawdowed.phoenix: i am evil, aren't i? hmm... maybe i should consider a name change... lolz. the chappie was evil, the cliffie, but, here's more angry lily, so enjoy! im soooo glad you liked the fight scene, you are soooo nice!!!!! i cant tell you about the eternal love of LJ, but they isnt dead... did it seem like they were dead?... i hope not... anyways... thank you for telling me what kind of pants you wanted! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, green with big gold hearts, singing Jumper by Third Eye Blind and Luckiest by Ben Folds:: ENJOY!!
hpandfriendsruletheworld: im glad you think its the coolest!!!!!! mwaz!!!!! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
daleia: i hate cliffies as a reader, but i LOVE them as an auther, they are SOOO much fun!!! she is a little sour, i guess, but she's dealing with a lot, and she lets off some steam in this chappie, but she'll be softening up soon (maybe... we'll see... depends on where the story leads) im on your alert list? WHOO!!! yay! singing pj pants are just regular pj pants (or shorts) that have like a button type of thing sewn into a like pocket of fabric that when you press it, it sings a programmed song. that's a really sucky description... sorry... anyways... ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
Anochera: i am SOOOO sorry the update took soo long. it took like FOREVER and i am sooooooooo sorry. i cant just let them snog, we gotta build up to that point, if i ever get there... hmm... we'll see. well... you'll see what happens. but, dont put too much on that bet. they are taken hostage... you'll see, just read (AND REVIEW!!) ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, blue with silver stars and moons, singing dance of the sugar plum fairy::
CaptainOatsPrincessSparkle: Im glad you like it so much!!!!!! here's the update, that took forever- sorry!!- and i hope you like it. ... i cant tell you when they'll get together (mostly cuz i dont know), but if you keep reading and reviewing, you'll find out!!!!!! :) ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
Book Lover990: thanks!!!!! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
James-RoxMySox: Im glad you likey the hippo! i like giving gifts, cuz you review all da time and i love you for it!!! i think i like antagonizing you just a bit more than feeding your lovely ego, but both are fun. i am not a patient person either, so i am soooo sorry it took sooo long!!! and i love cliffies as i writer, cuz sooo many more ppl review! I get a gift? hm... lets think... i dont want to give away any of my bribe-ideas... how about... a giant stuffed animal or something... kinda like the bribe for chappie 6... but, you dont need ot get me anything, your reviews are sooo much of a reward ::ahem bribe ahem:: ::gives you a pair of singing PJ boxes, silky and baby pink, singing Push Up by free stylers:: enjoy!!!
Chrys-Moony-Marauder: I'm glad you like it so much, and im dreadfully sorry you had to go do homework... im the same way... procrastinating is just so much fun and sooo much easier... which is why it took me so long update, cuz i had such a crapload of work to do for midterms that i couldn't push it off any longer. here's the next chappie, enjoy!! (i dunno if thats the word, recompense, but close enough, right?) ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
dreamy-crazygirl: im glad you liked the fight seen and yeah, all those deatheaters are like wack-a-moles, they just keep coming until there were too many to take. they come from thin air, i tell you! they were just appearing and appearing. it was such an unfair fight!! im glad you liked it, i wasn't too sure about how it turned out, but so long as you all like it, it's all good. you'll see what happens!! i think i could manage talking pjs, but what would they say? (does ron ever know when he says somethign stupid? he's just so... ronnie... ::sigh::) i gotta disagree, i think radcliff had it covered in the beginning, but ronnikins grew up, and now i just love him!!!! felton looks too old to be thirteen, and he's okay, but i got a thing for redheads, what can i say? and with the accent i'm just... im melted. sorry it took me such a long time to update!!! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, with random ron sayings, including "what did i do now?" and "i hate viktor krum":: you can adjust the sayings to something more funnier :)
Dans-girl-4ever: i'm glad you loved it :) and i'm glad you likeded the monkey!!!! here's the next chappie (sorry it took so long) ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
the-power-of-love: im glad you liked it!! ::gives you a pair of singing PJ pants, red with golden lions, singing the gryffindor fight song::
THANKS EVERYONE!!!! sorry my bribes weren't as creative as usual, but if you didnt give me a specific PJ pants, you got red pants with gold lions with the fight song. sorry, but when i realized how long it wsa since i updated, i reallly didn't want to spend the time coming up with a different design. sorry. i hope y'all like the pants. :-D
Chapter 8: Sharp as Swords
Then, it all went black...
Lily's eyelids felt heavy, like she had been sleeping for quite a long time, too long. After a few seconds, she managed to open her eyes a slit. With some more effort, she managed to open her eyes completely. Blinking rapidly, Lily forced the last bit of slumber from her eyes. Alert, Lily took in her surroundings- it was dark and silent, in a small clearing free of trees. She recognized where she was within the next few moments. The Forbidden Forest.
A bit of pale moonlight filtered through the trees. There was enough for her to be able to see clearly once her eyes adjusted. Taking a deep breath, the girl tried to loosen the ropes that bound her to a tree. All she managed to do was move her right arm slightly. As she did, her hand brushed against soft skin. Turning her head quickly, Lily saw James tied next to her, knocked out but still breathing.
Thank Merlin, Lily thought to herself. Lily needed a plan. A quick scan of the nearby trees told her there wasn't a guard posted, at least not that she could see. There was always the possiblitily of an invisibility cloak or something- who knew? Now, Lily's mind was on high alert and as sharp as ever. She knew that if the Death Eaters hadn't killed them, it was for a reason. The worst reason? Because they were planning on kidnapping them or something to some foreign country where they wouldn't know how to get home. Best? Lily smiled grimly at the thought. Voldemont was in the area and was planning on paying the a little visit.
Lily was surprised when she noticed how close they were to the castle- apparently, the bumbling baffoons were just as frightened of the Forest and its creatures as most students were. HOW could she have let herself get caught by such MORONS? She was furious with herself and with the whole bloody situation. Her anger was clouding her judgement. Taking a deep breath, Lily managed to clear her head. She would need all of her skills and cleverness to figure our how to get out of here with at least James alive.
Craning her neck, Lily noticed a hill a few yards off. If she could get James and herself out of these ropes in time, and she managed somehow to carry James past the hill, they'd be home free. If James was awake, they could hold their own enough to get to the castle- hopefully at least. It depended on how many Death Eaters were hidden in the trees.
Moving her shoulders and arms, Lily managed to loosen the ropes around her upper body a bit more. Turning her head to face James, Lily nudged him with her arm.
"James. James- c'mon, wake up." She whispered. Without opening his eyes, James just mumbled and tried to turn over. She moved her hand and managed to grab onto his arm, a little above the elbow. Pinching hard, Lily managed to wake up James. His immediate reaction was to panic. Her voice soothed him enough that he stopped struggling.
"Look. We have to find a way out of here. Think, James. Any way we can get out of these ropes?" Lily whispered urgently. James blinked the sleep out of his eyes rapidly. He shook his head silently and began to search the woods around them and she could tell by his expression that he was calculating their odds. She noticed that his first reaction wasn't anger, as hers was, but survival. She respected him for that, it may end up saving their lives.
"James. If we get out of these ropes... Look at me! Listen! This is important!" Lily whispered harshly. James turned his head to face her. "If we get out of these ropes, then run towards that hill. See it?" James nodded, his eyes following hers to the hilltop. "Run over it, and we're home free. It'll protect our backs and we can reach the castle. But first, we have to get out of these damn ropes." James' eyes began to wander the forest again.
"Lily. Look over there." James motioned with his head to another part of the forest. "Try to stare at it without blinking. See that flicker?" Lily nodded, her eyes losing focus, but the flicker growing clearer.
"It's an invisibility spell. Someone's over there." Lily whispered, realizing what he had seen. "That means there are probably more of them, hidden." James nodded, his eyes still scanning the surrounding forest, looking for any suspicious thing.
"We have to wait until one of the reveals themself." James said, his voice determined and strong.
"Well, you won't have to wait long..." A cold voice drawled from the shadows. Right before their eyes, Voldemont himself appeared.
It was like all the wind was knocked out of him. That voice chilled him to the very bone. Chancing a quick glance towards Lily, he saw that she was trying her best to look unimpressed and remain strong. She refused to show fear- and so would he. Straughtening himself the best he could, James looked straight at Voldemont, his gaze icy cold. His fear was still there, but it was slowly being buried underneath a very large amount of anger.
Lily had a smirk on her face, the kind of smirk that made you want to grab her shoulders and shake her, you knew she was going to say something that would piss someone off.... Which is exactly what she did. James winced inwardly when he heard her tone.
"Oh, lookie here. Big, bad Voldemont has come to town." Lily taunted, her voice dripping in sarcasm and mocking. James' eyes went wide- why did she feel a need to provoke Voldemont? Because, a little voice in the back of his head sighed, She has a death wish, remember? Mocking Voldemont is like a dream come true for her!
"Mudblood, I'd advise you to keep quiet. One flick of the wrist, and you're no one's burden any longer." Voldemont said calmly and coldly, an edgy smile curling his thin lips. Lily snickered, her voice full of disbelief and ridicule.
"That's all I get? An insult even the first-years can top and a insy-winsy death threat?" Lily scoffed. "I thought you were more creative than that, Voldemont. Tut tut tut. I'm disappointed..." Lily laughed slightly, shaking her head in an "I expected more of you" kind of way. Voldemont's eyes lit up, a flicker of anger passing through them. The next moment, it was gone, his icy calm demeanor back in place.
"Ah ah ah, I wouldn't say such things to me if I was you- remember, it is I who is in control. My decision to whether or not I make your death quick or very, very slow." Voldemont's demented-looking face looked even more grotesque with the forced smile he was wearing. James knew he was angry.
A few more insults and they'd be dead, but James knew to shut her up would show fear and weakness. They had to seem strong and unafraid. He had to trust that Lily had a plan. Besides, anger made him bold and unwilling to back down. He tried to keep his cool, to think clearly. Where were their wands? He heard Lily scoff once again, her voice angry as it taunted the man standing before them.
"Wait a second, are you telling me this is the Voldemont everyone is so frightened of? I just can't believe it- Bring out the REAL Voldemont. You know, the scary, powerful one everyone is always talking about, the one who is supposedly supposed to scare me witless before he kills me coldblooded. Puh-lease. Like you'd even have the guts to take me on. Before you even come to visit you have to have us attacked, what was it, 15 to 2? Got to make sure they tie us up tight and take our wands before you can come out of your hiding spot? ..What, you scared of little ol' MUGGLEBORN me?" Lily asked, feigned confusion spreading through her face. Voldemont's face remained calm, but she knew by his eyes she had struck a nerve.
"Bite your tongue- You are no threat to me, no use either. Just empty space, without a purpose or a soul." Voldemont whispered darkly, trying his best to strike fear in her heart. It was no use, she just giggled.
"Is that the best you got?" She asked incredulously. "I mean, I know you're the newer villian on the block, but come on. You gotta have something better than that... Oh no, wait, is that it? All you have to throw at me is a few minions and some weak words. And here I was expected a challenge, a thrill in my last moments." Here is when her voice turned cold as the arctic, losing any pretend playfullness she might have shown.
"Oh, I have a purpose in my life- a reason to live. You wanna know what it is? TO SEE YOU DEAD! You bloody arrogant creature, you are my purpose, your downfall is my fondest dream. You can kill me if you want, but it won't matter. I was here and I refuse to fear you. You hear me? You took EVERYTHING from me, EVERYTHING!! Who gave you the right to change my life like that- to take what I lived for? But, now I see it was all for nothing. There's no point- killing you wouldn't do anything. There would be no revenge in it, it wouldn't make it better. Wouldn't even be very hard." Lily's voice regained her mocking attitude.
"I don't know what I've been fearing all these years, but it most certainly wasn't you. Not a tremble, not even a whimper. Why should I be scared? You took the coward's way- couldn't even bring yourself to fight me like a MAN. Oh, I'm so scared, Voldie is gunna take the cheap shot and make an easy kill. It's a shame I wasted all that time, toughing up to face you. You're Death Eaters are probably even more powerful then you. Or at least braver, they actually fought against us." James heard Lily speak, her voice light and taunting, but he felt her shake with supressed rage, fighting against the ropes that bound her. There was almost like an aura surrounding her, like power was radiating out from her. James found he was able to move a bit more, the ropes had loosened yet again.
Voldemont's voice was sharp, his face barely masking his outrage. This.. this Mudblood was insulting HIM? No, she was the one who should be put in her place, that should be knocked off her high horse. As she took a breath to continue to berate him, Voldemont interrupted.
"You insolent little fool. How dare you speak to me in such ways? You should have shut your mouth when you had the chance- now, I must say goodbye." Lily rolled her eyes and he rose his wand.
"Of course, you going to kill me now, while I'm unable to defend myself or even bloody move. The easy shot, right to the heart. I thought I was going to face the greatest evil wizard of our time, but instead they send this...this... this wanna-be to sort out this mess. A little boy who wants to prove he's the biggest, baddest toddler on the playground. Oh, look, I'm shaking in my bloody boots. Newsflash, Voldemont, you just ain't going to cut it, you're just the kid who got pushed in the damn sandbox one too many times, aren't you?" Lily laughed, her laugh cold and mocking, taunting him without words.
It was so surreal, this whole experience, as if she was dreaming it or reading about it or something. Any fear she might of felt was still inside her, squashed down with everything else. What did she care? As long as James got to safety, it didn't matter. And, the only way to keep him safe is to keep Voldemont talking. Voldemont took the brief silence as an oppurtunity to turn the tables.
"You nasty little Mudblood. How sorry I feel for you- to have lost everyone in such a short period of time. The grief you must have felt for their meaningless deaths, all because of you." Voldemont's eyes flashed. Never had anyone put up such a fight before, he was actually almost starting to enjoy the banter.
"SHUT UP ABOUT MY FAMILY, YOU STUPID, BLOODY MURDERING BASTARD! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO EVEN THINK ABOUT THEM!" Lily's calm was gone, her desire to taunt and ridicule Voldemont replaced with an overbearing, overpowering surge of anger and loathing. Now it was Voldemont's turn to act disappointed.
"Is that the best you have?" His eyes glinted in the moonlight. Lily managed to calm her voice down, but her anger was just below the surface. James felt it and tried, as subtly as possible, to move about enough to loosen the rope. They had to get it off, and while he was distracted was the best time. James' eye was caught by two wooden sticks by their feet- their wands. Man, are those Death Eaters stupid, James though to himself.
"Why'd you do it. Why couldn't you have just let them be?" Lily asked, her voice tight and uneven, emotions bleeding through.
"You. Because of you." Voldemont smiled, pointed teeth reflecting in the moonlight.
"Bullshit. I want to know. Why did you have to kill them all?" Lily demanded. If she wasn't going to get her fight, she sure as hell would get an explanation.
"Patience, Mudblood, patience. I am in no mood to share my sercrets just yet... I think we have a few more things to discuss first... Maybe, for instance, like your soon-to-be-dead boyfriend over here? Hm.. maybe I should kill him first, then you." Voldemont said, in mock thoughtfulness. James was still squirming, with his feet on their wands. Lily felt her anger boiling to the surface once again.
"Leave James out of this! Leave him the bloody hell alone!" Lily's voice was defensive and strong, nothing was going to happen to James if she could help it. James wasn't paying attention to the conversation. His focus was on squirming his way out of the rope and getting the wands. He felt Lily's anger radiate from her, and he wasn't sure he wanted to think about what might happen if Lily lost it...
"Why do you care so much about him. You know he doesn't care about you. All he wanted you for was a good f-" Voldemont's chilling voice was suddenly cut off by a rope around his throat. Lily lost all contol. A strong wing blowing her hair and clothes back, Lily stepped away from the tree they had been bound to. Taking a few steps closer to Voldemont, she walked around him slowly as he fell to his knees, suffocating.
"C'mon, darling, keep talking. The more you say, the tighter that noose is gunna get. You can say whatever the hell you want about me, but insult my family and you won't last much longer..." Lily whispered, her voice rasping and low, threatening and dangerous. James, also free from the bindings, picked up his and Lily's wand. Instantaneously, he heard a rustle in the undergrowth coming from at least four directions. They must have seen Voldemont fall to the floor.
"Well, I never knew Potter was family. Proves he's a bloodtraitor." Voldemont managed to gasp out. The rope around his neck tightened even more. It seemed Lily had very little control over the wild magic flowing through her. It was just happening, the wind and her power growing as her anger grew. Voldemont began to search wildly, suddenly remembering his wand. Lily laughs at the sight.
"See that, Voldemont, I didn't need a wand to bring you to your knees. I didn't need to send 15 people after you, and I didn't demolish all of your defences. Some evil genius you are, can't even take on little me without your little cult members. Well, today, I get the upperhand. You're going to pay for what you did to my family and I'll be damned if-" Lily was suddenly knocked off her feet. Two men held her arms, holding her back from charging at Voldemont, who was back on his feet, the rope in his hands.
"RUN, JAMES!" Lily yelled, realizing this was the end for her. No way Voldemont would give her that kind of opening again. He tried to run towards Lily, but he didn't move fast enough. Another Death Eater held onto James, leaving no way to escape. Voldemont leaned down, his face close to Lily's.
"You little wench. How dare you? I think, instead of killing you first, we'll start with the boy. Ample punishment for attempted murder, don't you agree?" Voldemont chuckled slightly, his face leering closely towards hers before turning towards James. A protectiveness rose up in Lily, giving her a second wind. Taking a quick step backwards, Lily managed to use her weight and swing the minion on her left into the one on her right. Yanking her arms free of both of them, Lily used their bulk to push off of and gain momentum. Within moments, Lily had rammed into the Death Eater holding James, sending both herself and James sprawling down the hillside.
When they had reached the bottom, Lily chanced a quick glance upwards. Voldemont was standing at the top of the hill, half hidden in shawdow, staring out ahead. Marching towards them was all the Hogwarts teachers, lead by Professor Dumbledore himself. Lily felt relief flood through her. Forcing her bruised body to stand, Lily pulled James up with her. They had to get closer to Dumbledore, or else Volemont still had a chance at getting them. As fast as they could, Lily and James began to run across the field.
By the time they were halfway there, Lily chanced another glance up at Voldemont, only to see the hilltop deserted. They must have escaped. Lily swore to herself and turned to look for Dumbledore. He had stopped only a few yards away. No longer needed, Lily's strength left her body in a second. Her legs collapsed underneath her and she landed with a great big thump on the soft grass. She felt James fall next to her and the last thing she saw before falling asleep was a pair of blue, worried eyes that no longer held that twinkle Lily loved so much.
if i missed anyone in my thank-yous, i am soooo sorry. feel free you review and yell at me for missing you. my computer is so stupid, so blame it on the computer!!!! (the computer is also to blame for any bad grammer/spelling stuff)
and i really really really really really really hope that i didnt lose any reviewers because it took so long to update. please, everyone, update!!!!!!
i love all of you!!! please review!!! reviewers get... hm... sundaes? giant sundaes with your choice of ice cream and toppings!!!!!! review!!!!