Disclaimer: You know, I get all excited about writing a chappie and then I remember that I have to do a disclaimer at the beginning and then I kind of stare at the screen all dizzy-like and my eyelids begin to droop and I want to scream because even though it is totally true, I'm getting a little tired of saying that I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. Merci!
::AN:: I was really pleased by the reviews for the last chapter. At first I was peeved because it seemed that the 'Alerts' thing wasn't working for the site, but then today I logged on to my handy dandy (whoa, Blue's Clues moment…) email account and I had my lovely reviews there to read. (But really, why was the site so delayed on the email thingies?! It was just weird…)
::Also! I read over my fic to get into the mood and whatnot, and I realized that when I "discreetly" mentioned Helen (I only referred to her as "the blonde girl" though) in the second chapter, I called her a sixth-year the first time (I didn't mention her year the second time), and I apologize for that, as she's not a sixth-year, but a seventh-year, along with the others.
Anyway, to my lovely reviewers, since I haven't responded "individually" in awhile…
Jen: Ah, yes, I see what you mean… I have my "Gollum" moments as well. But then again, who doesn't?! I mean come on! I'm glad you liked chappie fifteen, BTW, and I hope you'll like this chappie as well!
Jubily-Lollypops: Well, I love that you love the humor in this story! You love the humor, I love that you love it, and that's LOVELY! …So I guess that makes us lovers, non? (BTW, that was pure, innocent humor… No nastiness intended, lol.)
Moviesavvy: I tried to make up for the "unhappiness" with a bit of light (ish) humor, but yes, I know, things are clearly unhappy in the Faylinn department (the poor dear). Don't worry, though, things will get happy EVENTUALLY, lol.
Mrs. Drew Malfoy: I'm glad you think Sirius sounds "so hot!!!" (lol) Did you really read it once more? (giggles madly, lol) I'm glad you like her diary entries so much as I have a confession to make! Ahem, I love writing them, lol. And while I love the thought of your stomach hurting due to my story, I hope you haven't injured yourself or anything, as you're review made me laugh SO MUCH that this chappie is yours! Yes, all yours! (er, well, I wrote it but, erm, well, lol) Anyway, I hope you stay with the story and I'll have to remember to email you just after I post it, since you asked so kindly (lol).
Tintalu: Not a fan of Helen, you say? I've known many people like her character, and yes, I'd much love to give them a hefty kick as well, lol. But I do have to add – One of my best friends acts like that around certain people just to look "good," and that is who Helen is based on. (Hint- She wouldn't exactly be my best friend if she were really like that. I'm giggling madly right now, BTW.)
ME: Have I mentioned that every time I even LOOK at your nic, I laugh myself silly? (lol) Your review really made me laugh. First, because of your apparent frustrations (you called me an "evil child"…!?). And two, because your reviews always make me laugh, with your hyper-ish flair and whatnot. (lol) Anyway, I hope you like this chap, and about Helen… You'll see, I suppose…
sweetiepiepirate: Soon, you say? Oh but I love to torture you so! Kidding, kidding, but I guess you'll just have to stay tuned to see how it all works out, non? Anyway, I hope you like this chap and in answer to your question – I went to , which is a really good site to find names. Faylinn is actually English (according to the site), and it means "Fairy Kingdom," and that's why I picked it for her. (Makes sense, oui?) Her last name, which I haven't really mentioned too much, Tatum, is also English and means "Cheerful" but it's normally a first name, not a surname. (Ow wellids, though, lol.)
::Note:: There are a few "mysterious" people who have added me to their Email Alerts and Favorite Authors lists (thanks, BTW, that makes me feel all warm inside, lol) but they have never EVER reviewed on any of my fics. Is it just me or is that weird? Whatever, on with the chappie, if I do say so myself! And I do, since I'm the writer here and I can say whatever I want (ish). Hahah
And in case no one noticed already (since I mentioned it above) this chappie is dedicated to Mrs. Drew Malfoy! Yay!
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"Er…" She said intelligently.
"Are you alright?" He repeated.
Faylinn blinked at him and just stared blankly for a few moments before she mumbled a "y-y-yes" so low that the only reason Sirius heard it was because he was only about five inches away from her mouth.
There was along pause. Faylinn finally broke the silence. "You don't have to hold me upright anymore, I can sit up fine on my own." She said calmly. How she managed to remain clam, she didn't know, as she was grinding her teeth together in such a manner that she began to fear the thought of dentures at a young age.
Sirius flushed and removed his arm from the middle of her back, where he had grabbed her to help her sit up after she had fallen backwards onto the floor. "I'm sorry." He said again as they both stood up slowly, avoiding touching each other.
"Fine, it's fine." She said quickly, brushing dust off of her robes, refusing to look up at him.
Sirius shifted uncomfortably. "Well, Faylinn, where are you headed? I'll escort you to you destination, or, er, where ever you're going."
She glared up at him and said curtly, "I don't need a escort, Black, and if I did, I'd much prefer slitting my wrists as to having the displeasure of walking with you."
Much to Faylinn's surprise, though, her comment only seemed to amuse Sirius. "Come on," he pressed, "where could you be going right now?" He rubbed his chin and tapped his foot on the ground. "It's after dinner… Are you hungry, then?" He paused and shook his head. "Nah, you wouldn't know where the kitchens where… Ah, you're headed to the library!" He shook his head again. "Nah, you wouldn't go to the library without Lily, and she's still in the common room, I suppose."
Faylinn's eyes squinted as she thought to herself while he spoke. How would he know where Lily was? The Marauders' Map? She wrinkled her eyebrows. No…? If he had seen Lily's whereabouts on the Marauders' Map, then he would have seen hers as well, and he would have avoided bumping into her. Right?
"Faylinn?" Sirius was repeating her name and staring at her intently.
Faylinn shook her head suddenly and blushed when she realized that she had blanked out and stopped paying attention to what he was saying. She shrugged, trying to retain the cool composure she had had moments before. "I'm going to the Astronomy Tower." She said without really thinking of what she was saying. "I don't need you to come along."
He raised an eyebrow. "The Astronomy Tower, Fay? What business do you have at the Astronomy Tower at this time of night?"
"It's seven o'clock!" She exclaimed, rolling her eyes. She let out a frustrated sigh and walked around him and down the hall before he could get another word in.
She clenched her fists to stop herself from screaming at the top of her lungs when she heard his footsteps following her. She would just ignore him.
Twenty minutes later, his footsteps gained an annoying rhythm. She furrowed her brow and shook her head, continuing through the halls. Was he skipping?!
Just before she reached the entrance to the Astronomy Tower, she felt her cool, indifferent image fall to pieces as she whirled around to face him angrily, thoroughly annoyed.
His eyes widened as he ceased walking so suddenly that he was caught off balance for a short moment before standing steady and eyeing her warily, an amused expression on his face. Faylinn felt the familiar anger boil inside her. She tried desperately to contain it, but it quickly got the better of her. "What part of GO AWAY do you not understand?!" She practically shouted.
He raised and eyebrow at her. "I'm sorry, Fay." He said energetically. "What was that you just said? I didn't quite understand."
She flicked a strand of pink fringe out of her eyes. "Just sod off." She said coldly before turning around and walking into the Astronomy Tower.
Moments later, when she assumed that Sirius had finally left her alone, leaned against the wall, placing her arms on the windowsill and looked out at the stars sadly. "I'm such a piss." She mumbled under her breath.
"I wouldn't disagree right now." A voice behind her sounded.
"Argh!" She growled and turned around to face Sirius. "I thought I told you to –"
"Sod off?" He finished for her with a grin. "Sorry, Fay, but it'll take a lot more than that to get me miffed and offended."
She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to make another sly remark to him, but found herself not able to. She just didn't have the energy anymore. She turned on her heel and leaned against the windowsill once more, attempting to ignore him once more by studying the numbers on her watch intently, refusing to look up.
"You're really bitter towards me." Sirius said, walking up beside her. Faylinn just snorted and he sighed. "I don't blame you." He whispered.
Faylinn shivered and jumped suddenly when she felt his breath on her neck. "Sirius…" She muttered as his fingers grazed her arm and his lips met with the collarbone on her shoulder. "What are you…" She trailed off as he turned her to face him and continued kissing her neck gently.
She closed her eyes and sighed as his lips slowly made their way up her neck to her jaw line and cheeks. "Sirius…" She murmured just before their lips met.
Faylinn clutched at him tightly, holding onto his arms as he held her close. She could feel her heart beating rapidly and the sound echoed in her ears. She was sure he could hear it, too, it was so loud. She wanted to stand there kissing him passionately for hours, and after awhile she realized that she was. Time seemed to pass around them without her even realizing it and although she remembered reading in one of Lily's magazines that it was rude to open your eyes while kissing, she opened her left eye and squinted to see the time teller on the wall behind Sirius. 8:00 p.m. Already? It had only been about 7:45 when she had glanced at her watch awhile ago! She quickly closed her eyes when the blurry vision of seeing Sirius's eyelashes so close got the better of her and she focused on the kiss at hand.
"Faylinn, I…" Sirius whispered as he pulled away from her slightly, a good while later. He rested his forehead against hers and sighed, holding onto each side of her neck and closing his eyes again.
Faylinn opened her eyes slowly and tried to study his expression, but he was still too close up to be seen properly, so she just waited as he sighed again. She stopped to congratulate herself on being so calm at the moment, when she would have thought she'd be freaking out.
Sirius cleared his throat before speaking in a gentle yet shaking tone. "I… We… We can't do this, Faylinn." He whispered. "I'm sorry. I followed you, I wanted to talk to you." He chuckled, but Faylinn noted that it sounded kind of bitter. "I can't stand not being around you anymore. I just had to be close to you, speak with you, hear your voice…" He stopped and pulled away from her, resting his hands on her shoulders as he studied her intently.
Faylinn looked up at him, unsure of what to say. He blinked hard and cleared his throat again. "What do you want?" He asked her gently. "Just say you want us to be together and we can, Faylinn. I don't care about anything else. Just say you need me and we can be together." He licked his lips. "Just tell me you want me and I won't be in so much pain anymore."
Faylinn blinked at him, feeling an uncontrollable anger burning inside her again. "Oh?!" She exclaimed, shrugging his arms off of her and taking a step back. "You think that now that you go on and – and – and do what you did, it's all okay?!" She silently berated herself for stumbling over her words, but managed to continue anyway. "Really, Sirius, I'm glad you're in pain, as you so call it." She said taking a step towards him and pressing her face close to his.
"Do you want to know why?" She went on, before he had a chance to speak. "Because you're a jerk. A big, BIG jerk!" She let out a breath of frustrated air. "You can't just… cast me aside like you did and then expect everything to be okay once you feel like being around me again or whatever!" She stopped when she realized she was shaking with anger. She looked down at the floor, blinking hard to fight back the sudden moisture in her eyes.
Sirius sighed and grabbed onto her shoulders. He shook her gently. "Look at me." He said calmly. Faylinn looked up at him and felt a small tear slide down her cheek, clearly losing her mini-battle to keep it from escaping. "I didn't mean to hurt you." He whispered as he raised one hand to wipe her cheek. "In fact, I did what I did so that I wouldn't hurt you. I don't want to hurt you, Faylinn. I couldn't live with myself if I did."
Faylinn's desperate struggle to gain control of her tears completely fell apart then. "Well, you did anyway." She mumbled into his thumb as he traced it across her lips.
"Faylinn, I'm sorry." He muttered lowly.
Faylinn shook her head slightly. "That doesn't change it." She said.
"Well, what do you want me to do?!" He exclaimed. "I'll do anything, Faylinn." He said, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I can't handle seeing you like this. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm a million times sorry. I'll apologize every second of every day if I have to, just say you'll be mine."
Faylinn didn't look up at him. She just wriggled out of his grasp and ran suddenly to the door. She turned around briefly and said, "Don't come near me again, Sirius" before exiting the room abruptly.
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Faylinn threw herself on her bed before rolling over roughly and reaching out onto the end table for her journal.
Dear little idiot,
You are a despicable diary. How dare you not feel any emotion?! Do you realize how unfair that is?! No, of course you don't, because you're just a silly book! A stupid silly little book!
I'm really pathetic, taking out my anger on a diary for Merlin's sake…
Where's Lily? I need to speak with her.
Or where's Helen for that matter?! Now that's a witch I wouldn't mind telling off just to soothe my rotten mood!
Where's Remus?! Why is he never around when I need him most, the horrid prat?!
I can't believe any of it, diary! It's totally unfair and it doesn't even make sense!
There I was, with Sirius.
And there he was, saying all those nice things that made me turn all gooey on the inside and I just couldn't let the little things GO!
Granted, his behavior towards me wasn't exactly a "little thing" but I mean… You weren't there, diary! He was all "I don't want to hurt you, Faylinn. I couldn't live with myself if I did" and "Just say you'll be mine."
And what did I do?
I just stood there like an idiot! Yeah, like you, diary, you little freaking idiot.
And what did I say?
"Don't come near me again, Sirius."
GAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Kill me now, kill me now, kill me now!!!!
WHERE THE HELL IS LILY?!
I didn't want to do that! I was just so ANGRY that he had broken up with me or whatever he did, since we weren't really boyfriend-and-girlfriend or anything and
I AM SO STUPID!
I should have just said, "Yeah, I want to be with you, too!"
Or maybe even tried to lighten the situation by maybe saying, "Fancy a shag?" or something.
Of course, I only think of these things a million bazillion kachillion years later! GAH!
He was quite rude to me, though!
These past few weeks, I mean. He hasn't spoken to me at all, except for this past Potions class and then he was all rudeness and stuff!
And what about GABRIELLE, huh?!
Sure, I'd probably love to see her rot in the hell that she deserves for being such a large-chested flirt and all that, but WHAT THE HECK?!
She's still a freaking person! What has he being doing with her all this time?!
Ugh, I'm going to slap myself for causing such vile thoughts.
I do NOT want to think about what Sirius has been doing to her.
I can't handle this. I'm twitching. I'm actually starting to TWITCH!
I need to find SOMEONE to talk to! I don't care if I have to confide in that slimy Slytherin Several Snake or whatever the heck his name is, but I need to talk to someone, get my head straight.
Do some good yelling.
And screaming.
Definitely screaming.
And maybe a bit of vandalism as well? There's nothing like a slashed painting to calm my nerves.
On with the twitching. I can't believe I'm twitching.
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Sirius stomped into the boys' dormitory, tossing his robe on the floor hastily, burying his face in his pillow and groaning loudly.
His roommates each exchanged a look. "Something wrong, mate?" James asked.
Sirius mumbled something into his pillow, which was too muffled to be overheard by the others. "Come again?" Remus asked, leaning forward slightly.
Sirius sat up and scowled at his friends. "I'm in love with Faylinn and she turned me down." He said flatly before throwing his face back into his pillow.
There was a long pause. Peter looked frantically between his three best friends. He didn't want to be the first to speak, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Padfoot," he whispered loudly, "what happened?"
Sirius sat up a little more. "I…" He started but his throat clogged and he groaned again, burying his face in his pillows for the third time.
James patted Sirius on his back. "It might help if you talked about it, mate." He said reassuringly.
Sirius sat up and glared at his friends. "You wouldn't understand."
"Maybe not." Remus spoke up. "But James has been turned down by Lily enough to have a bit of an idea." He shrugged. "And I know Faylinn pretty well, so I might be able to help."
Peter nodded. "Let us help you, Padfoot."
Sirius shrugged and looked down at his hands. "So I went to talk to her, right?" He said slowly and proceeded to relay the events of what happened at Remus's and James's house to them. Then he went on to tell them what had happened just a few hours before then.
"Wow." James said under his breath once Sirius had finished.
"Yeah, wow." Peter nodded, his eyes wide, trying to take it all in.
Remus frowned and shook his head. "Are you sure that's what happened, Sirius? I mean, because –"
"What do you mean, am I sure that's what happened?!" Sirius shouted. "Of course I'm sure that's what happened you idiot!"
"Whoa, just calm down Padfoot." James said slowly.
Remus nodded at James, then turned back to Sirius. "I meant, because that sounds so… so…"
"Bizarre?" James suggested and Remus nodded.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He mumbled. "Does anyone have any rope? I'm going to hang myself."
Peter gasped but James and Remus exchanged a look before James chuckled. "Sirius," he began, "I'm sure that Faylinn is off talking to Lily right now. She's probably just as messed up as you are."
"I doubt that…" Peter mumbled as he watched Sirius glare at his hazel-eyed friend.
Sirius shrugged. "Where's the map?" He said suddenly. "Give me the map, where's the map? Can someone get me that damned map?!"
Remus pulled the map out of James's trunk before scooting closer towards the others and opening the parchment carefully. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He whispered, pointing his wand to the parchment.
"Where's Lily?" James asked quickly, ignoring Sirius's loud growl of protest.
"She's outside." Remus said, raising his eyebrows. "By the lake. She's alone, actually."
"Faylinn?" James said, glaring back at Sirius as the gray-eyed boy snarled at him.
Remus's brow furrowed. "She's outside, too. But nowhere near Lily…" He shrugged. "Maybe she's looking for her? Wait a minute…"
The other three boys sat impatiently, staring at Remus. "WHAT?!" They shouted together after a few moments of silence.
"She's headed to the forest." Remus said with a frown.
"Why would she go to the forest?" James scowled. "It's dangerous in there."
"She was born there." Remus and Sirius said at the same time.
Peter shrugged. "So maybe she's just stopping by for a visit?"
James shook his head and opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a loud gasp from Remus.
"What now?!" Sirius exclaimed.
"She's being followed!" Remus practically shouted.
"BY WHO?!" The other three boys screamed, struggling to see the map properly.
"Helen Edison, it seems." Remus said, rubbing his chin, his frown deepening.
Sirius let out a low sigh. "Oh, her? No big deal, Moony. She's Lily's friend, right?" He managed a small smirk. "You had me thinking the Dark Lord was after her for a moment or something."
"Or worse!" Peter piped up, giggling. "Snivellus!" And he and Sirius clutched at their stomachs, snickering madly.
"YOU GUYS!" James yelled to shut them up.
"What?" They said in unison.
"Helen is Lily's friend." James whispered. "Not Faylinn's."
Remus nodded. "She doesn't know what Faylinn is."
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"Bugger!" Faylinn hissed, stubbing her toe on a tree root. "Damn tree!" She shouted at the large oak next to her. "How long have you been there, huh? I don't remember seeing you before, you big oaf!"
She shook her head then. "Talking to a tree…" She mumbled, then shrugged. "Talking to myself, for that matter…"
"Pssst!" She heard coming from her left.
Faylinn whirled around and squinted in the darkness. "Who's there?" She called out.
"Pretty day, pretty Fay." She heard a giggling, and felt something tug at a strand of her hair.
"Ow!" She screeched, rubbing the back of her head and looking around. "Edith?" She whispered into the night air. "Is that you?"
She heard giggling coming from all around her now. "Pretty Fay too big to play?" She heard the tiny, squeak of a voice from above her.
"Fay's too big to play, yes." Faylinn said clearly. "I came to speak to Edith, do you know where she is?"
"Edith's stay is far away, come and play my pretty Fay." She heard as she saw something flicker a few inches from her face.
"I don't have time to play!" Faylinn shouted. "Is that you Camden?! Stop playing with my hair! I'll let you braid it later if you just go get Edith for me, please!"
"Edith lay still in the sand. Edith, dearest, touched by death's hand." The little fairy whispered in her ear before flickering away quickly.
Faylinn tensed. "What?"
"Edith bled, Edith's dead. Edith fled, now she has no head!" There was another chorus of giggles all around her.
Faylinn let out a breath and rolled her eyes. "Okay, now I know you're kidding. Where's Edith?"
"Three guess where. Two is too little, four isn't fair. Play our game and you will see, Edith shall return to thee."
Faylinn rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in exasperation. "I don't want to play your stupid game, Camden! Edith could be anywhere!" She stomped her foot in the dirt. "Come on, I haven't been home for months!"
"Welcoming present, isn't it pleasant."
"Uh… NO!" Faylinn yelled. She tensed suddenly when she heard a small rustling noise behind her. She shrugged it off and turned back to where Camden's voice had come from. "Let's make a deal, Cammie, ol' pal." She said suddenly.
"Play your tricks and the thorns will prick." Camden giggled.
"What in Merlin's name is that supposed to mean?" She hissed.
"Betray, and you shall pay."
Faylinn scowled. "Oh yeah, I'm like the biggest traitor ever, right Camden!" She exclaimed. "What is your problem?!"
"We've seen them in the forest, prancing like they own it. Human tricksters, those four are. Seen you with them, so traitor you are."
Faylinn's brow wrinkled. "You mean the four boys that turn into animals?" She asked, scratching her head. "They're not tricksters, and they obviously don't own the forest. Neither do you, you know!"
"Pretty Fay, no time to play. You leave today, just go away."
"You're just mad that I've made new friends without you!" She realized suddenly, taking a few steps forward, looking around to catch a glimpse of her small friend.
"Fay leave behind all she had. Fay leave and Camden sad."
"I'm sorry." Faylinn muttered. "I've just been busy, you know. I promised I'd come back in the summer, didn't I? I'm here now and it's only February! You think you'd be happy!"
"Fay get kisses from the pretty boy. Fay forget old friends once she finds new toy."
"Toy?!" Faylinn snorted, then paused. "Have you been watching me you disgusting perv?! Oh, Camden, you wait until I tell Edith about this, she'll give you what's coming to you, you little twerp!"
"Edith agree, she can see. See what's happening to Fay, see that Fay has gone away."
"You don't know anything about Edith except that she hates you. You're too prejudiced against humans, Camden." Faylinn said coldly. "Edith took me in after Keelty died, you know."
"Camden knows, he is not stupid."
Faylinn smirked. "Had enough of rhyming, huh?"
"Silly little half-breed. Edith took you in to feed."
"Shut up, Camden, I'm getting really annoyed with you." Faylinn shot back.
"Fay forgets her promise. That makes Fay dishonest."
Faylinn frowned. "What promise, you halfwit?"
"Marriage and a carriage. Now you've given your heart to a fart."
Faylinn let out a low growl of frustration and rolled her eyes. "When we were SIX YEARS OLD you IDIOT!" She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. "And I didn't give my heart to anyone, you 'tard!"
"Not what Camden sees. He sees the way you be."
"Then Camden needs GLASSES!" She yelled. "Merlin knows you're blind enough, you can't even fly properly, you stupid git."
"Camden sees fine. In fact, he sees five."
Faylinn frowned. "Does that even rhyme? And, er, what? Five what? What are you talking about? Have you been drinking too much butterbeer? You know what that does to your system, Camden, what have I told you –"
"Behind you Fay. It seems your humans have come to play."
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::AN:: Ah, cliffies! (screams and runs away)
(comes back for a mo) Please review and the next chapter will come sooner!
Also, I've noticed that, like, only a few peeps have checked out my "Well, What Do You Know?" fic… It doesn't have anything to do with my whole little IADOHYFB universe, though (Which, in my mind, is a refreshing change). I'm not going to abandon any of my other fics or anything, I just had a sudden "idea" for a new fic… Anyways, whatever… (lol) I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter of this fic, and I hope you liked this one too! Toodles for now!