a/n: nazal congestion officially over. it took what... two weeks? oh well. enjoy this chapter.
disclaimer: .
So, here we are. At the wedding. Just minutes away from walking down the aisle. Is it just me, or is the atmosphere a bit stingy today? Oh well. As Constance predicted, it is a good day today. Sunny, good weather - altogether perfection. She looks drop dead gorgeous in her dress (which I helped pick), has her tiara ready, and is... twitching by the door. Oh well, she's anticipating to get this over with. After the episode two weeks ago, I think she's convinced herself that she does love Damien. That even if she doesn't know him that well, she'll get to know him by happily marrying him. By spending the rest of her life with him. As unbelievable as that sounds, she has me a bit convinced as well. I just hoped that she wouldn't go along with this stupid wedding. But here we are, seven minutes away from the vows.
My mother comes in with the camera, and to my surprise, Petunia is right behind her. As I recall, she had said that she'd rather go scoop pig poo than come to a wedding with freaks all around. She knows Constance, and she actually likes her, but she said she couldn't stand too much of our kind in one room.
"Petunia, what are you doing here?" I ask politely. She gives me her once-over look and raises an eyebrow. I wonder why, because I don't think I look horrible. In fact, I think I look pretty good. I don't mean to be all smug, but I groomed myself extra careful on this special occasion.
"I've come to congratulate your friend," she replies stiffly, and goes over to Constance and wishes her well. Constance's answer is a crinkly smile along with a weird noise. My sister once again raises a brow but says nothing. My mom is flashing her camera everywhere. Honestly, my family. They can embarass me in every way possible.
"Okay, Lily and Constance! In here together! By the flowers," my mother instructs us. I waltz to the spot beside the flowers while my bestfriend stumbles her way across. She gives a fake, all too gooey smile in the picture that doesn't even look like a smile. It's more of a... weird-crazy-guy look who wants to kill you and be your friend at the same time. It's sorta scary right now.
As soon as my mother leaves, Constance sits down on the couch. She looks uncertain and very scared. She turns around to face me. "I'm not sure."
Neither am I. "It's okay, Constance. You'll live it through. Besides, you'll get to know him, and you'll love him even more." I give her an encouraging smile. Just then, three figures in black walk through the door. James, Sirius and (gasp) Remus.
"Hello ladies," Sirius says smoothly. How many times have I heard that?
"Hello Sirius," Constance and I reply in monotone voices. We look at each other and Constance cracks a smile. Just like old times, minus Marisa and Guinevere. Marisa and Guinevere were our old dorm mates. I think I told you about Marisa and the mirror. Anyway, those two are... well, I honestly don't know. Nor do I care because they were quite the bitchy twosome. The only reason we hung out with them was because they were good at potions.
"So, Constance," James says as he sits between myself and the bride. "How're you feeling?"
I look over at Constance. I can easily answer for her. Uncertaine, confused, regretful, sad, nervous, anticipating. Not too hard, seeing as I too am feeling the exact same thing.
"I'm feeling fine," she says hurriedly, which convinces every one of us that she isn't.
"No you're not," Sirius says. "Look at you; you look horrible."
She looks like she's about to cry. And I think she is because she's got a tear rolling down her cheek. Oh great. I give a dirty look over to Sirius. He made her cry on her wedding day! Really! How thoughtless can this bloke be? Her tears can ruin her makeup too! I'm about to make cheer her up, but Remus gets there first. He crouches infront of her and clasps his hands around her cheeks.
"Don't listen to what Sirius says, he's just ignorant," Remus says, as he wipes a tear with his thumb. Constance sniffs but still locks her eyes with his. "You don't look horrible. You look beautiful. You're going to look even more beautiful when you walk down that aisle with your pretty smile. And you'll look radiant when you walk out of that room, arm in arm with the man you love." And with that he gives her a big hug which she gratefully returns. He gets up and holds out his hands. She reaches for them. They really do make a perfect couple.
James looks at his watch and suddenly gives a sharp yelp. I looked over his big head and saw the time. I took give an unvoluntary yelp. Everyone looks over at us.
"Wedding - one minute - gotta jet!" James shrieks, as he starts to run, grabbing both Remus and Sirius by the arm and running out of the room. But before he leaves, he suddenly makes a mad dash towards me and gives me a peck on the cheek. I stand there, completely awestruck. Wow. What was that all about? He's out of the room already, but I can feel everyone's eyes on me. I shake my head and hurry towards Constance.
"Ready?" I ask her, smoothing out her dress and rearranging her tiara.
Her face looks ready and set. Infact, very different from before the guys came in. "Yes, I am."
Okay, don't panic. This is it; the one wedding that will not only change my bestfriend's life, but mine as well. The moment where she makes the decision of a lifetime, to share her life with someone else. Someone else who is the wrong someone else.
Constance's father comes towards us. The music is starting. Mr Kruberra holds out his arm for his daughter, and she takes it, holding herself poise and plastering a pretty smile. I quickly take my spot in the front, as a maid of honor does, with the other bridesmaids behind me. Serene is there as well, just right behind me. The third person is a girl named Augusta. I don't know her, but she's from some arithmancy meeting where Constance had met her. She's quite nice really.
Okay, it's my cue. I'm nervous myself. What if I trip on my pretty green dress? What if I fall and land smack on my face, and then cause everyone to trip? What if my makeup gets ruined? What if Constance suddenly gets all mad at me because I ruined her important day? Oh my god! What if!!!!!
I make my way slowly down the aisle, keeping my nervous smile glued to my face. I look around the room and spot my family up infront with Constance's family. My mother is still snapping pictures. I keep up my smile for the camera. I look around again and see the marauders in the second row on the bride's side of guests. My eyes flicker to James, and I'm quite surprised. He's looking intently at me and I feel my face burning. He on the otherhand, is smiling brilliantly at me. I glance again and see Jeremy, also smiling at me. I smile weakly back at him. Finally, I'm actually down that aisle. I walk up to the step behind where Constance is to stand, and hold my posture straight. Oh my god, she's about to walk down the isle. She's about to get married. Breathe Lily. Breathe.
Now the music gets to the bridal march, and in comes Constance, as beautiful as Remus said she'd be. All smiles and genuinely happy. Her own stride to the front of the room seems to take no time at all, as I see her father giving his only daughter away to Damien Vector. She gives me a smile and her bouquet of flowers before turning to her very-soon-to-be husband. And now for the vows.
Okay, so weddings to me are quite boring. I don't listen to anything until the 'I do' parts. I mean, what's so interesting? All people ever do is get all gushy with their exchange of vows or whatever. So here I am, standing with perfect posture, my mind away from everywhere. But it's soon going back to the room just a few mintues ago. Where James Potter gave me a kiss on the cheek. For no reason at all. He just suddenly gave me one, as if he forgot, as if it were something he did all the time. Stupid James Potter. Always making me think. I don't like thinking! It's not fair! I don't even like him! I have a boyfriend, and we're going steady. We're going to get married someday. And then we'll have the most dull life ever on the planet. Why is Jeremy such a dull person? Why can't he be exciting? Why can't he be mroe carefree? Why can't he be more funny? Why can't he be James? ... Why am I asking for someone like James? I hate his kind! Okay, I don't hate his kind. I don't even hate him anymore. Stupid little bugger is starting to grow on me. It's like... well, I guess it's like shoes. You see a pair of shoes, and you don't like them at first. But then you keep seeing that same pair in every store, and you start to like it. So you purchase a pair and slap them on. They're uncomfortable and you start hating them again until you start wearing them and you grow fond of them. Stupid James and his stupid resemblance to shoes! I love shoes! It's so not fair!
"Do you, Constance Winnifred Kruberra, take thee, Damien Toby Vector, to be your husband, in sickness and in health, through rich or poor, as long as you both shall live?" the priest says. This catches my attention. Constance seems frozen on the spot. Gee, I wonder how it feels to be her. Must be bad. Nevermind, I don't want to know how it'd feel. I don't ever want to. I look over to the marauders. Sirius is making eye contact with Serene, who I see is flirting back. James is actually looking at me when I catch his eye again. I feel myself give a faint smile, but I look over to Remus. He looks outwardly calm. But his eyes are locked on Constance as is he wills her to say no. I see Damien give her a squeeze on the hands as he smiles down upon her. She looks up and as about to answer when...
Shrieks erupt from the stands. My head whips around and I too let out a scream. Surrounding the entire room are about thirty Death Eaters. This is totally scary. I can't even move. Everyone is scurrying; some manage to get away while others are captured. I look over to where my family is, and I see them rushed away by the Kruberras. Serene is running away, wand out, and she and Sirius jet off somewhere.
"Lily!" I hear my name. I turn around to see Constance, trying to grab a hold of me, but Damien whisks her away in his arms and carries her away from danger. "LILY!" she shrieks, but Damien seems to not notice. I'm frozen on the spot, not knowing what to do. My bestfriend is going to be safe. My parents are going to be safe. My family left me. As did my bestfriend. Even my own boyfriend saved himself before me. Unlike Damien who carried Constance off to safety.
"LILY!" Constance screams again, wrenching herself out of Damien's grasp. He yells at her but she doesn't seem to care. A Death Eater approached her and said a spell. Damien's long gone by now, but I see Remus sprinting half way across the room and scooping her up. And now he too runs away, but looks at someone and nods. I can't see who he looked at, but they're more important than me obviously.
I don't know what to do. I'm scared. In the background, people are screaming and yelling, trying to find lost children and family, while others are screaming and yelling out of pure terror. I see a Death Eater approach me. He's less than a meter away from me.
"Such a pretty little thing. Too bad you must be sacrificed," he said, as he started to reach an arm out towards me. I flinch away. "Don't worry little wench. I'll put you to good use before I put you to sleep." He's about to grab me when I feel a strange familiar hand yank me away first.
"Oh no you don't!" says a voice behind me as I feel my body slam against theirs. It's James. Wow, perfect timing. "Stupefy!"
The Death Eater falls down and all I can do is stand. "Come on, Lily!" James says urgently. "We don't have enough time! We need to get out of here!"
I can't move. I can't breathe. I'm about to faint, but James catches me before I do. I feel his arms suddenly whack my legs and soon he's carrying me away from the mayhem. I can hardly see where he's taking me, but I know I'm safe. I can trust James... most of the time. Okay, sometimes. Okay fine! I can trust James in serious situations like these. I think. I can't think right now!
Before I know what's happening, I'm being dropped onto a hard couch and having my head bump onto the hard armrest. I hear a click of a lock and a mutter of spells, but I'm too fazed to understand anything.
"Lily!" says a voice in my ear. Boy, does that sting. I probably flinched. "Lily! Come on! Don't die out on me!"
I forcefully open my eyes and a sudden headache flows through me. I don't even know why. I wasn't touched or anything. James' face is inches away from my own with a look of deep concern. Shouts and booms can be heard from outside of the doors. I think James knew what I was thinking because he said something about putting a strong shield and non-apparating spells on it. I guess I'm quite relieved...
"Where are my parents?" I suddenly say, catching him offguard as I quickly sit up. "Where are my parents? What about my sister? Is Constance okay?! I hope they're okay! If they're not -"
"It's okay Lily," he says in a soothing tone. "The Kruberras took your family; don't worry because they're pretty good aurors. Damien tried to take Constance but she escaped to rescue you. Sadly, she was hit by some spell but luckily, Remus took her to safety. He motioned for me to come get you. I would've gotten you much quicker but this guy started to whimper and whine and worry a lot."
Worry? Whine? Sounds familiar. "How tall was this guy?"
"Around my height."
"With brown hair?"
"And specs."
"That would be Jeremy."
"Your boyfriend?"
"Of course."
"He worries a lot."
"Did he mention me?"
"If he did, I wasn't listening."
"Obviously not."
Boy do I feel deflated. My own boyfriend cares about himself than me. That's a bit selfish isn't it? I wonder where he is. Wait, no, I don't. I don't care where the fuck he's at.
"Don't worry Lily. I put a silencing charm on him and sent him off with Sirius."
Is that suppossed to be comforting? I don't think so. Is it that comforting to have your boyfriend alone with Sirius Balck? What if he spills out all my embarassing things to him? A sudden big boom comes from outside, making the room shake. And suddenly it hits me. We're going to die. Right here, right now. In this very room. James Potter is the last person I might ever see. It doesn't matter if my embarassing moments come out.
I grab James' shoulders with my arm and stare at him intently. "My name is Lily Annalise Evans and I am nineteen years old."
"Okay... what the fu - " James says but I cut him off.
"I have never once in my life accomplished something to be proud of."
"Uh, Lily - "
"I hate my life. I don't want to lose my bestfriend. I'm jealous of Serene and her nice features. I hate my red hair. I hate being five foot eight! I wish I were shorter. I don't like having a stomache. I want to be able to run longer distances. I'm an auror, and I hate it! I wanted to be a healer, but my potions marks weren't high enough!!"
"Lily, what are you getting at?"
"I lost my virginity to some guy I don't even know, and it was bad. I had a crush on Remus, but that's been long over. I want Remus to end up with Constance. I always thought that Marisa was a superficial bitch. Peter Pettigrew scares the shit out of me but I still try to be his friend."
"You liked Remus?! When wa this - "
"I didn't want to be a Prefect, but I wanted to be Head Girl. I hated that ravenclaw girl for making Head Girl instead of me. I was never good at potions. I failed a charms test once."
"You failed charms- "
"There was this one time where Jeremy and I had our first kiss and I accidentally bit his lip. I don't have anything against Jeremy at all. He's a decent person and a nice friend, but I honestly can't see myself going anywhere with him. I want to be in love. I want to have what Constance has. Sometimes, I'm jealous of Constance too."
"Errr..."
"Even if I put up a strong front when people call me a Mudblood, it really does hurt. Sometimes I even feel like crying. That's why I work extra hard in every way possible. My parents still treat me like a little kid. They'll always put me second. My cousins are all scared of me. I sometimes hate being the only witch in my family. I can't stand Petunia and her stupid fiancee."
"Oh, Lily..."
"Although Constance and I have maintained a nice and strong friendship, there are times where I feel that everything's on her side. She's pretty, she has a good job, she's getting married, she's pureblood. She has everything handed to her on a plate while I work to get my fair share."
"I appreciate your hardwork."
"Sometimes, when Jeremy takes me out on dates, he never lets me pick my order. He assumes we both like the same thing."
"Maybe he just wants to spare you the effort to read menus?"
"We're completely opposite. He likes blue; I like green. He likes classical music, and I like pop and rock. Whoever said opposites attract are so wrong."
"Well, it works for others - "
"I don't know what I'm doing with myself most of the time."
I take a deep breath and put my head in my hands. I wasn't exactly aware of what I've just spilled out to James, but whatever it was that I said, I'm sure relieved to have it off my chest. He looks at me with pity and I immediately scowl. I don't appreciate pity. I do NOT need to be pitied on!
"Wow, do you hear that?" he suddenly says, turning away from me, his ear in the direction of the door. I cock my ears too, but I don't hear anything. My hearing must've been infected by the booms. Oh geez! I hope I'm not deaf! Please don't let me be deaf! I don't want to be deaf! What if I lose my job?! Don't panic, Lily...
"Do you hear that?" James repeats. No, I don't hear anything! Okay, NOW panic.
"I can't hear anything! I've gone deaf!" I yell in woe. This is not good. Not good at all. My self esteem is so going to drop like a brick.
"Exactly!" he exclaims with a smile on his face. Exactly?! What the hell is that suppossed to mean?
"Bloody hell, James! I've gone deaf! I can't hear anything!" I says, shaking him by the shoulder, but he seems to be laughing.
"You're not deaf silly," he explains, prying himself away form me. "You can hear me perfectly now can't you? What I mean is, you can't hear anything outside! Which means that we've got help and we're not in danger anymore!"
"You mean... you mean we're not going to die?" I ask in a frenzy.
"We're not going to die."
The words ring in my head. We're not going to die. I am so relieved right now. I can practically collapse in the chair, but James pulls me up.
"Come on Lily," he says as he finally has me on my feet. "Let's not be lazy. We're going to be aurors. Even if there is still a bit of trouble outside, it wouldn't hurt to help."
He's right. I'm going to become an auror, whether I like it or not. And that's my future. To help others. To defend the Order. To defend innocent. To be a hero!... I seriously need to stop that. I'm a coward, I'm scared. My fear of dying comes back again, but I have no time to dwell on it; James has already taken me by the hands and is running towards the wedding scene. And let me tell you, it might be easy for him to run, but he's not the one in a silk green dress that's a bit tight around the legs. I can hardly move them. And these damn heels are killer. I pull him back suddenly, and take off my stupid shoes. If I step on anything, at least I'll be able to run.
Okay, so we've arrived right to the middle of the room, where I can see that around thirty Death Eaters trapped in the centre with Moody and many aurors I don't recognize.
"You'll never catch us Moody," one Death Eater spat. It's kind of scary. I hold on tightly to James' arms. He seems scared himself as he pulls me closer.
"Ouch!" I hiss at James. When he pulled me closer, our heads bumped. He doesn't seem to notice. Well, that's no biggie; his head needs deflating.
A Death Eater must have heard me because one turns towards me. As I looked carefully at him, I recognize him. He's the one that threatened me. I immediately shiver with fear, and he sees it.
"No worries my pet," the Death Eater says to me. I take a step backwards. "Next time, I'll have you. All of you."
He's going to have all of me?! Okay, now I'm scared! I think I'm crying because I feel something rolling down my cheeks. I hide behind James, as he is the closest thing to me right now. He turns around to me and wraps me in a big hug. Well, at least he's not completely thick.
James turns back to the Death Eater after he releases me. "Over my dead body you will."
The Death Eater grins evilly at him. "That will be quite soon. I promise you." And with that, every single Death Eater vanished. The whole room is hushed.
'This is an OUTRAGE!" yells Moody into the sacred silence. "They can't apparate outta here! I placed an anti-apparation jinx!"
"Calm down, sir," says one of the women aurors that I don't know. "They're Death Eaters. They have their ways."
Moody seems to be grumbling, and he motions the aurors towards him. They seem to be huddled together and suddenly, they too vanish. I'm still breathing hard from shock. I can't help it.
"Lily, are you okay?" James asks gently as he just turned back to me. I nod silently. I'm crying again, but this time, I've finally let the flow come out.
"We didn't die Jmaes," I say. "We didn't die today, but we will."
"But Lily, everyone dies eventually."
"I know that! But, with all this shit going on, what if we don't live to see our grandchildren?"
James is suddenlt smirking. I can't believe that ass. He's smirking at this time of crisis?!
"Our grandchildren? Did you just say our grandchildren? As in they belong to the both of us?" he suddenly asks, his smile increasing.
"No you git!" I say, scowling at him. "What I mean is, will we live long enough to see the next generation, and the generation after that?"
"When you say the next generation, you mean the child that we'll have?"
I'm about to explode, but am saved to answer as I see Constance and Serene running towards me.
"Lily!" they both shriek at me. I get up and the three of us envolope each other in a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're not hurt!"
"Where were you?!"
"I was so scared that we wouldn't make it!"
The three of us kept muttering nonsense at each other, hugging and crying at the same time, until we hear a clucking sound. We all turn around to see James, Sirius and Remus looking at us confused and disgusted.
"Women! Honestly!" Sirius exclaims, though he's smiling.
"You don't have to like us," Serene suddenly says to him. I gog at her. Since when does she speak willingly to Sirius? Uh - never!
"I can't help liking you, Serene," he replies smoothly. Serene seems to blush. Constance, James, Remus and I roll our eyes. Really, how long are we suppossed to hear this shit for?
Every wedding guest seems to be emerging from wherever they were hiding. Luckily, no one's been hurt. I look frantically around in search for my parents, when I spot them with the Kruberras.
"Mom! Dad!" Constance and I yell together as we run towards our families. I hug both my parents while Petunia stays close by, with a strained look on her face.
"Lily, what were those things?" my mother says, looking at me with great concerns.
"They're nothing, mom. We're all here, we're not hurt. And that's all that matters," I reply, glad and relieved that they weren't hurt one bit.
I look around the room once more, seeing friends and families hugging each other in relief and love. I see Damien sprinting across the room to give Constance a hug, while lifting and spinning her around. A pang hits me as I remember that Damien didn't even let Constance come and rescue her best friend. I think Constance feels it too as she pushes herself off from him. If he's taken aback, he doesn't show it. I see all my friends standing with Constance, giving her continuous hugs. I think I'll go back to them too.
"If you don't mind," Damien suddenly shouts, cupping his hands around his mouth to project his voice, while I'm halfway across the room to my friends. "We'd like to continue the ceremony please. So if everyone could get back into their positions."
A mad scramble comes to the room as everyone rushes back to their seats and places at the altar. My family, James Sirius and Remus hurry back to their seats, while Serene and Augusta take their seats in the front pew. I place myself neatly behind Constance.
"Anyways," says the priest. "On with the ceremony. Do you, Constance Winnifred Kruberra, take thee, Damien Toby Vector, to be your husband, in sickness and in health, through rich or poor, as long as you both shall live?"
I hold my breath, waiting for Constance to answer, but she once again takes her time. Why is she deciding nust now? She had well over three months to decide! But now?!
Constance looks up at Damien and breathes deeply. "I have been with you, Damien Toby Vector, for the past four years in a relationship. Throughout these years, I've learned as much about you as I possibly can. I've learnt that you prefer dress shoes to sneakers. That your favourite vegetables are carrots and peas. That you prefer non-fiction to fiction."
Everyone in the room is looking intently at Constance. What is she getting at?
"Fiction and non-fiction are quite different," she continues. Damien's smile seems to falter a bit. "And I seem to be living in the fiction world. For the past four years, I saw only what I wanted to. I heard only what I wanted to. I believed that my life would become a fairytale. But right now, non-fiction has hit me."
Everyone seems to be muttering to each other. I look over to Serene and Augusta who seem to be discussing quietly about what Constance had just said. James and Sirius see me and give me a shrug. Remus on the otherhand, seems glued to the scene, with the tiniest of smiles playing around his lips.
"I do love you Damien," Constance states. "But the thing is, I don't know you well enough to love you fully. Sure, I know that you have a mole on your right arm, that you're five foot ten. I know that you hate dirty dishes. I know little scraps of you. But I don't know the details."
Damien's smile seems to be gone right now. I can see his hands trembling as he holds on to Constance, gripping her.
She looks up sadly at him. "I'm sorry Damien, but I can't marry you."
Silenece. Yet another awkward silenece. But this time, everyone's surprised. I'm pretty surprised myself. She seemed to be so excited about getting married. She turns to the priest ad whispers something to him. Then she turns towards the crowd.
"I'm sorry to place you in the great danger that happened today, for no reason at all."
Now she turns to Damien. "And of course, to you Damien. I'm sorry I said no. But if I said yes, I know that I wouldn't be living happily with myself. And you don't deserve a wife who only halfheartedly lives with you." She gives him a hug which he stiffly returns. "Well, I guess everything's over. No reception; sorry everybody."
The crowd seems to finally grasp her point as everyone starts emerging from their seats and out the door. Damien seems completely crushed as he goes towards his family. Constance's parents as well as mine seem equally shocked. I don't blame them. I'm pretty stunned myself. James, Sirius, Remus and Serene rush towards us. But once they reach us, they're silent, looking expectedly at Constance.
"What?" she asks. We're all still staring at her. "So what? I didn't get married. No biggie. I just don't want to be trapped in a mistake."
The only reply she received from that was a low whistle made by Sirius. Serene hit him on the arm. Constance looks up to see Damien and runs to him. We all watch silently as she's saying something to him. I feel sorry for Damien. I mean, he really loved Constance, but I guess she didn't love him back. It needs to work both ways. Still, it's so sad. But then, we see him hug Constance willingly and then they both smile. He goes off with his family as Constance come towards us.
"It's a good thing you didn't marry him, Constance," Serene says, giving Constance a look.
'Yeah... Constance Vector doesn't sound that great does it?" Sirius jokes around, but I tottally agree. "Oh yeah. That guy that you left me with, James; he apparated out before we could put anti-apparation jinxes. So I have no idea to where he is."
Jeremy apparated out of here? Without consulting me? But hey - I don't exactly feel that concerned. James looks at me and gives me a small smile which I return.
"So," Constance says lightly, looking up at all of us. "How about we go for a drink? I'm completely vamished!"
We once again stare at her, but snap out of it soon.
"I agree!" James says, leading us towards the door, and grabbing me with him. I heave a sigh and let him hold onto me as we head outside, with the sun shining down on our faces. Serene and Sirius emerge after us, and we stand waiting for the other two.
"I thought you loved him," Remus says, as he and Constance are walking towards the door.
"I did," she replies simply, and links her arm with his.
"So, why didn't you marry him?" he asks, puzzled.
Constance looks up at him and smiles, just a step behind the door. "Remember that speech you gave me, Remus? The one right before I was gonna walk down the aisle? You said that I'd be walking out the door, arm in arm, with the man that I love."
"Okay...?" he says still puzzled. I gasp and put my hands to my lips. James gives me a small shove, while Sirius and Serene seem to be giggling silently.
"Well Remus," Constance says, taking a step towards the door. "I'm walking out that door."
"Uh huh...?"
"And who am I walking out with?"