Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine!
Hey guys! I just started writing this on Wednesday! Well, I had the Sirius part (that I promise you guys) done like, a month ago… but that's about it! But this is a fun chapter. You may recognize some… ok, lots from TGTYEL – but that was just for… oh I don't know "writing stylization" or something, but it's similar for a few parts. Go read over some parts in the first chapter. You'll see which if you don't' remember.
Alright – the 'Stag' thing from last chapter. If you read my bio, you'll know where I stand. *evil glare with a smile* So, pretty much everyone thinks he's brown. *applauds you* Good. I have him as brown in mine (as you should know from a few parts), but I was just really curious as to who thought he was silver. Cause I, like many of you I'm sure, have read some MWPP (mstt) stories where he's silver and gone: "Silver? But… deer are brown… they – uh, did JK write/say he was silver?" No my friends, no she didn't. And before anyone thinks I'm making fun of anyone who thinks he's silver (which doesn't really matter what you think, whatever. How should this one thing affect anyone's life, eh?), I'm not. I'm just in a bitter and cynical mood. (I wrote this part, just remembering it now, before I write your thanks – so I warn you now, they'll probably be sarcastic… Sorry.)
Anywho – thanks for all the reviews guys! I love that you're all loving this! Now – onto Chapter 3!!
PS. My italics aren't showing up again… but my bold is back!! So expect it to look like I went bold happy or something…
* * *
A mess, black-haired, blue-eyed teenage boy awoke one Sunday morning to the feel of a Ministry Auror shaking him slightly. James, the boy, listened intently to the voice, hoping to catch what he might be saying. He always found Aurors interesting, and wanted to be one after his final year at Hogwarts, his school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His father was an Auror, and it was only the two of them, excluding his owl, that lived in the Potter House – er, Manor.
James, being half-asleep, grumbled into his pillow, opening one eye slightly; allowing the bright morning light to seep it's way past the previous shield of his eyelids and into his pupil. The first thing James saw was his Wimbourne Wasps poster on his wall. All the players were stretching and getting ready for the day.
Next James saw his father, not paying any attention to the slowly awakening boy, talking to Cupid, James' barn owl. James sat up, rested against his headboard and leant his bed-head back, mindlessly grabbing for his glasses.
"Ah, so sleeping beauty awakens at last." Mr. Potter, James' father, said amusedly when he spotted him. "I owe you an owl treat, Cupid, he's up way before I thought he'd be."
James groaned and rubbed his tired eyes. "Whatime izzit?" He asked groggily.
"Nine o'clock in the morning. You've got an hour to get ready before we head to King's Cross." Mr. Potter answered, pulling James' covers off and ruffling his hair.
James tiredly (ergo, weakly) batted his father's hand away. "Too early…" James is a 17-year-old boy – it's his business to be lazy.
Mr. Potter levitated his son's trunk ahead of him. "Well, I could just contact Dumbledore and tell him you'll be late. Miss all the Head duties preceding the feast, your last Welcoming feast. And the usual meeting afterwards." He walked to the door. "I'm sure Lily will find other company to sit with her in the Heads compartment. Alone."
James glared at his father and threw his legs over the side of the bed. "You didn't have to stoop so low." He stretched, taking his time.
Mr. Potter glanced at his watch. "You know, I hear that other boy there… Patrick was his name?" James jerked his head to look at his father. "Yes, I'm sure he'll fill the spot-" But James had already run into his bathroom. Mr. Potter smiled, pleased with his strategy of waking his song, and headed downstairs.
James frantically turned on the shower, tore off his nightclothes and jumped in. Screaming in pain as the burning water scalded his skin, he fixed the temperature and continued angrily. First the water had been too hot, creating a lovely red patch stretching from his shoulders to lower back. Second, he had squeezed too much shampoo into his palm. Cursing his father, Patrick, heat, 'Madam Scrubbles Never-over-sudsing-Dandruff control-Hair shining-Oil reducing-Volumising-Detangling Shampoo' and the kink in his neck, James showered, slowly getting testier and testier… His limits were tested when his soap bar ('Madam Scrubbles Never slip-Body shining-Skin softening-Pore cleansing-Pimple reducing-Lilac and lavender scented Soap') slipped from his grasp, and he tried frantically to grab it. The bar evaded his hold time after time, shooting higher and farther, when it finally escaped his reach. It hit the wall opposite him and slid into the tub. Cursing it, James bent to pick it up as it slid to his feet and slipped backwards on the little bugger.
Thud.
Mr. Potter looked up at the ceiling from his seat at the breakfast table, the Daily Prophet he was reading slowly lowering and his grin slowly growing.
"God dammit! "Never Slip", my ass!" Mr. Potter head James yell. THUD. Judging from that, and the cursing that followed, James had fallen again in his plight to execute the poor, innocent bar of soap.
Mr. Potter's grin widened and he continued to read over the recent news.
"Take that you bloody soap!" Crash.
Mr. Potter shot out of his chair and watched as the chandelier jingled and shook from the aftermath of the floor trembling above him. He gently sat back down and shook his head slowly, sipping his tea (2 sugars, one cream).
James stood in the bathtub, wrapping a towel around his waist. His hair was dripping, sticking to his head and going in his eyes. Water trickled down his back and chest as he muttered curses at himself.
"Oh shit… oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" He said quickly, cursing his shaking hands as he fiddled with securing the towel about him.
After winning that battle, he observed the war scene before him.
"Oh shit me."
Where he had oh-so-strategically thrown the bar of soap, in a fit of blind fury, was the worst spot to possibly aim. Not to say he did aim, though.
His little vanity in the corner of his bathroom that held his colognes, hair gels (that have gone unused), brushes (missing a few teeth on each) and deodorant sat before a mirror were scattered before him, across the floor.
His mirror, coincidentally, received the initial blow and had cracked, splintered and shot out a few of the smaller shards. With the smaller shards being from the bottom of the mirror – soon the rest had followed. No more pieces had shot out, but fallen straight down onto all his essentials and spread to the floor, reaching the tub.
Grabbing another towel from the shelf beside him, James swept a path out of the bathroom and to the safety of his room where he saw his father waiting for him.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Witches and wizards," he said dramatically ('A little too dramatically' thought James). "Our new Head Boy."
~ * ~
Dear Miss Evans,
Thank you for replying so swiftly.
Since you say you have not received anything from Voldemort this summer (which I do hope you're enjoying), then we can only assume that what was heard is the truth, or of partial truth.
I will see you in a week, Lily. Congratulations once again on making Head Girl.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
Lily sighed and folded the letter she got a week ago. She didn't want to tell and worry James with anything right now… nothing bad happened, and it was actually good news, so she kept it to herself when he came by. She placed it on her nightstand beside a picture frame of her and the girls, last Hogsmeade trip a few months ago. She smiled. Jen and Arabella were going to flash the camera (well, with their bras on) when the picture was taken, but both chickened out as the guys told them to do just that (even without hearing their plan). Needless to say, the two of them were blushing and Mel and Lily tried to lift the girl's shirts, but only got half way before Jen and Ara noticed and pulled their shirts back down with a scream.
There was another picture beside it, taken right after, of Jen chasing Lily and Ara hexing Mel - hexing, but missing. Although she did hit a tree in the process… Hogsmeade now has the only purple-apple growing tree in the world.
Lily rolled her eyes at the three pictures in a row. First of all four of them, Lily and Mel attempting to lift the other girl's shirts. Lily being chased, and Mel being cursed in the next. And lastly was the apple tree bearing purple apples. Ah, life as a witch was marvellous…
"Lillian Tamara Evans! You have an owl!"
The red-haired, green-eyed teenage girl jerked back to reality, getting excited as to what the owl had brought her and from whom. She guessed it was from one of her friends: Mel, Ara or Jen.
When her mother saw that she was taking her time to get downstairs, she tried a different approach.
"Lily dear – it's from James!"
Lily's smile grew, eyes brightened and she forgot about the letter.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, crash. Lily rebounded off the wall at the bottom of the stairs and skidded her way into the kitchen. With a towel hanging limply off her wet hair and her jeans top button unbuttoned, she looked for Cupid. She saw him perched on the table, happily eating Petunia's blueberry pancakes.
Petunia's chair was pushed far back, and tipped over. Petunia was nowhere to be found.
Lily's parents watched on humourously. Her mother was standing by the sink and open window, her father in his seat at the table, the paper forgotten in his hands.
"Well, no one's going to eat them now… he might as well finish them." Mrs. Evans commented. "Here's your letter, dear. He dropped it on the table, in the bowl of scrambled eggs."
Lily rolled her eyes at Cupid as she accepted the letter. Cupid blissfully ate. His beak and cheeks were caked in pancake.
"Why not give Psyche some pancake and bacon, Lily?" Mrs. Evans asked, setting aside some for Lily's barn owl.
"Are you feeding her extra again? Mum, she's gaining weight." Lily said exasperatedly, reading over James' letter with growing mirth. Apparently, he didn't have a good morning… although it sounded quite funny to Lily.
"But she likes my cooking." Mrs. Evans said as if that justified everything.
"Mum, remember how fat you made her in my summer before second year? I was laughed at by the kids at school! It took her a month to get back to normal size." She folded up the letter. "We're leaving for King's Cross soon anyways." She had Cupid perch on her arm. "I'll put him in with Psyche before we go." She gave her father a hug and kiss on cheek. He was leaving for work in a few minutes. "I had a… fun time working daddy." She said.
"Have fun at school, love." He said as she left the kitchen.
"Thanks daddy!" She called back. Lily went up to her room (saw Petunias door firmly shut) and put Cupid in Psyches cage. Cupid had saved his love some pancake.
Lily finished packing, knowing that nothing was left behind from the partially sleepless night of searching ("Damn before school jitters…"). She looked at the owls. Psyche was cleaning all the crumbs from Cupids cheeks and beak.
"Psyche, you're going on a diet when we get to Hogwarts." She dragged her trunk to the car and stored it in the boot. She went back inside to get the owls, came back down the stairs and put them in the backseat (buckled in the cage, of course).
Getting tired of walking up and down the stairs, she trudged up them once more to get Iphigenia's carrier. As she began to walk back down, her mother spotted her while she grabbed the car keys.
She smiled proudly. "And here's our new Head Girl."
~ * ~
Finding Sirius in the multitude of students was easy enough. Just look for the immature, tall, black-haired boy trying to stall his black and red-haired (re-highlighted) twin-sister and light brown haired friend from 'reserving' everyone a compartment. How sweet of them.
And that's just what James did. He found Sirius in one minute, a new record, he was sure.
"Just wait for everyone to come. We can all go find a compartment tog-"
"Hey guys!" James said loudly, clapping Sirius on the back.
"James!" Sirius turned with a huge smile. "Haven't seen you for a while, Prongs." He went to face Jen and Remus but they were long gone. "Blast." He glared at James. "That was all your fault."
"I gladly take the blame if it ups me on their 'kept Sirius away from us' scale." James said, walking with Sirius, looking for anyone else.
"They have a scale?" Sirius asked, standing on his toes to get a better look.
"I have two up on Lily, and four up on Mel." James answered truthfully.
"And I'm in the lead, three up on James." Ara said from behind them.
"Arabella!" Sirius said happily, giving her a huge grin. "That's cause you're out to get me." He pointed out, smiling again. "How are you?"
"Great, just great." She pushed her trolley forward to the baggage area. "How about you guys?"
James said he was fine, and Sirius put Ara's trunk away for her, adding that he was "saved from any torment now that she was here to light up his life." James had laughed, and Ara had hit him.
"Oh, looks like we're back to our old ways." Lily laughed as James called her over. "James laughing. Sirius getting hit. Ara doing the hitting…"
"Lily and James barely containing their excitement to ditch everyone and snog…" Sirius added, this time getting a punch in the arm from James and a laugh from Ara.
"Well, you two better got on the train, Lily and I have to clear the platform." James said, watching the last twenty or so students board the Hogwarts Express. "Hurry now." He said, shooing them away.
Sirius and Ara rolled left with a roll of their eyes.
Lily and James made sure the platform was clear of students, James briefly checking under the train. His reason to Lily involved Sirius, one Bertie-Botts Every Flavour Bean and first year. Lily had rolled her eyes and walked away.
After making sure the luggage was secured, they climbed in the final car for passengers and made their way to the Head compartment. They were told it was worth the hard work to become a Head just for the ride up (and the ride back, 2 Chocolate Frogs, 3 Bertie-Botts Every Flavour Beans, and if possible, one of Hagrids' treacle tarts).
They said a quick hello to the Prefects, introducing themselves to the six from other Houses, recognising Evan McDonald and Ivani Coppola (one of Genie's friends) from Gryffindor. The others were: Melodie Quirk, Tavon Ackerly (Ravenclaw); Alexis Desjardins, Jason Madley (Hufflepuff); and Petra Van Spyk, Greyson Pritchard (Slytherin).
They walked past them, tapped their wands on the wall three times (like the letter to them to) and entered.
Their jaws dropped.
~ * ~
Sirius and Arabella looked through compartment after compartment trying to find their friends. They had fun setting a couple of dungbombs off in a few Slytherin occupied ones… and then had fun running for their lives, but still, they kept searching for their friends. The found them soon enough and everyone was there, Gus included.
"Did they barge in on you?" Arabella asked, sitting beside Jen, who she'd posed the question to. Sirius sat on the other side by the window to watch Lily, James and his parents.
"No, we barged in on them." Jen replied, waving a hand at Mel and Gus who had appreciatively gone pink. "Then Peter barged in on us." She added with a smirk.
"I said I'd leave!" Peter said defensively, putting his hands in the air.
"Nah, you ruined the mood already." Gus said, stretching his legs out and pulling Mel closer.
"So, how was your summer, guys?" Mel asked Sirius and Jen as Peter got out a deck of Exploding Snap cards to play. "No one heard from you two near the end there, your father get the time off then?"
"And how!" Sirius answered, his eyes lighting up. "It was the best time of my life!" Jen nodded her agreement. "Even brought us to the station and waited until the train left."
"He is absolutely hilarious. Quite surprised to hear I was going out with Remus, though, among other things." Jen looked at Sirius with a small frown.
"Well, I'm off for a walk… for a bit." Sirius said casually. He got up and left.
~ * ~
"Welcome to your compartment Mister Potter and Miss Evans. Ornie is my name." Said the flat-nosed, bat-eared, indigo-eyed House-elf. "Is there anything yous be needing while we ride to Hogwarts?" The elf asked readily.
Lily and James grinned at each other. They had their own House-elf for the ride there!! The looked at their surroundings, all red and gold.
"Seems they decorate it for our house… or houses, I should say," James said, "if it's two separate ones." Lily nodded.
Ornie nodded energetically. "Yous should see decorations when Gryffindors and Slytherins are Heads. All looks like Christmas."
"Do you need anything, Lily-love?" James asked, walking over to a gold loveseat with scarlet throw pillows and plopping down on it.
"Not right now, James-love." She answered suavely, plonking down beside him.
"Ornie will be in his own little room over there-" he pointed to the back left corner "-if the mister or misses needs anything." James and Lily called their thanks.
"Nice place." Lily commented, looking around. (A/N: now we venture into the overly descriptive part of the chapter…)
On the back wall was the small kitchenette, with Ornie's quarters, and the bathroom on either side. To the left of the compartment there was a window with two golden, single plush chairs with a circular cherry wood table between them. They faced the window. To the right of the compartment was another window, and in front of it was a scarlet and gold mazed area rug. Facing the window and in the middle of the room was the loveseat that Lily and James occupied. Between it and the kitchenette sat another table. To the right of the table and before the bathroom was another chair. In the right corner by the door was a candle-lamp with a beanbag chair below it (scarlet, respectively) for reading.
Each window had thick curtains of scarlet that hung to the floor, with gold tassels to open or close them.
"I love it." Lily rested her head in James' lap. "Let's never leave."
"It's like out own little apartment or something." James smiled, brushing his fingers through Lily's red hair. "I am a bit thirsty though… Ornie!" He called, leaning his head over the back of the couch and seeing the House-elf run out.
"Yes Mister Potter, sir?" Ornie asked eagerly.
"What do we have to drink around here?" James asked, his hair on end, glasses slipping off, and blood rushing to his head.
"What does the Mister want?"
James felt Lily's head twitch in his lap towards Ornie's voice, and her hand tug at his shirt. Knowing Lily, "Champagne?" He asked the elf. He heard Lily smack her lips.
The House-elf (upside down to James, remember) looked as though he was having an internal battle. "Ornie's wishes not to displease the Heads…" he started, unsure of his wording. "But there is-"
"Never tickle a sleeping dragon." James said quickly.
Ornie's eyes widened. "Yes sir." Seconds later Lily and James had a glass of champagne in their hands. "We only have that much, sir and miss. If yous be needing anything else, Ornie will be in his quarters." The House-elf left.
Lily stared wide-eyed at the glass in her hand. "H-how did you-"
"We found out about that a while back. In order to appease their masters, House-elves can always get anything, reasonable that is. They're given a password, and it's very hard to guess. I still haven't guessed mine, nor Sirius and Jen theirs." James explained while swishing the champagne in his glass and testing it. "But we guessed the one for Hogwarts' elves a couple years ago."
Lily sipped hers and melted. "I love you, you know that? Brilliant, absolutely brilliant." She leaned over and planted a kiss on James' lips.
Soon enough, the glasses were left on the table. Lily and James lay on the couch absorbed in each other; full fledge snog session underway.
~ * ~
Sirius whistled to himself as he walked by the compartments, afternoon sun shining on him from the windows to his right, a rowdy bunch of second year Slytherins to his left. Hastily moving past them, he stopped and leaned on the window side, watching the countryside speed by. His reason to leave the compartment was simple. He wanted to see Genie.
He hadn't heard from her for a while. The beginning of August actually. Their relationship was an odd one. He wasn't too sure why he was in it if he were to be completely honest with himself. Sure she was nice, funny, pretty… although she was a tad odd.
The more he thought about it, their differences outweighing their similarities and such, the more he wanted out. Genie was great, but they didn't always seek each other's company. He never surprised her with little gifts. She never told him to shut up when he was being stupid or play fight. He liked play fights.
After all the shit that went down last year with Sirius and his friends after they began dating, it's any wonder they didn't break up.
Sirius sighed and continued his walk, casually glancing in compartments for Genie. She was his safe-hold. Something's wrong – there's Genie for him, unaffected by his troubles. She can take him away from what's bothering him. She embodies no perils of his friends; no memorable fights or slight tenses hung between them.
She was untouched.
"Sirius."
Sirius turned around and saw Lisa Perks, now a fourth year, looking at him, waiting for a response. Well, she'll get one. "Yes?" He was becoming less hesitant to be near her now. After last Valentines Day with Arabella and the revenge Lisa swore she'd get… Arabella. Now that was a fun time. Genie would never go on a prank fest like him and Arabella did. Genie was fond (a little overly fond, true) of Divination. Arabella scoffed it off. Genie had dyed part of her hair black – Arabella's was still its soft, wavy brown-
"Sirius did you hear anything I just said?" Lisa asked impatiently, tapping her foot.
Sirius shook his head. "I'm sorry, what?" What was he thinking about?
"I said I wanted to talk to you and Arabella. Apologize for how I acted. Call it third year stupidity…" She smiled and this time Sirius wasn't frightened by any underlying malice and mystery.
"Sure, she's with the others." He started to walk back the way he came. Lisa followed closely behind. "So how was your summer?"
Lisa was surprised by the question. "Uh, it was fine. Nothing overly exciting, I couldn't practice Quidditch or anything."
Sirius nodded his head. "That's right, you're muggle-born, aren't you?" He asked with a genuine smile.
Lisa smiled proudly. "Yes I am. Any chance you or Melissa will drop out of Quidditch this year to work on your NEWTS so I can take your place?" She asked with a smirk.
Sirius offered his best smile. "Not a chance." He stopped in front of the compartment that had a bit of smoke escaping the bottom of the door. "This is the one. Looks like the Exploding Snape game is finished." He said humourously. He opened the door. Mel was trying to get the smoke away from her face and singed eyebrows. "I see who lost." Mel glared at him, which didn't look fearsome when done nearly eyebrowless. "Ara, Lisa wants to apologize to us for how she was acting last year." Sirius said, moving out of the way so they could all see the dark blonde haired fourth year.
"Sirius, could you sit beside her? It'd just make it easier for me if you were seated together." Sirius obliged and sat beside his friend.
Friend. And she was a good friend. Sure they fought, but it was always in good fun. It was the play fighting he enjoys… Sirius took in a deep breath. He could smell her lilac shampoo now-
"Sirius? You're not listening again, are you?" Lisa cut through his thoughts, tapping her foot impatiently again.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Mind wandered again…" What was he thinking about?
"It does that often, doesn't it, Black?" Ara teased with a playful shove, keeping her eyes on Lisa.
"More than you know, Figg." He said, nudging her back.
"Right, if you two are done flirting, I'd like to continue." Sirius and Arabella's mouths dropped, their friends laughed with Remus adding a "Perceptive", but Lisa just continued. "So, as I was saying. I'm sorry for how I acted, and I know it was just a little prank, but one nice conversation between us Sirius won't solve everything." While Sirius and Arabella pondered over her last statement, Lisa pointed her wand at them. With a smile: "Sorry. Nonatête" Lisa laughed as Ara and Sirius jumped from the light that issued from her wand, but couldn't dodge it. "I apologize now for any trouble this may cause you during your first week of school. I hope you have many a class together or it could get tricky." She turned, grey eyes sparkling with mischief and closed the door behind her with a wink.
"What did she do to us?" Sirius asked, checking his robes, and feeling his face. No really, he had no clue. Mr. Look-at-me-I'm-the-prank master had no clue what was just done to him. Sirius felt a little nervous about this.
"I don't know." Mel answered, furrowing her brow (slightly singed). "Not any spell I know of."
They all looked at Remus. He put his hands up. "Never heard of it either."
"Well, I don't feel any different. You Arabella?" Nope, he really couldn't say he felt any different…
"No." It happened quickly, but lacked no humour. Sirius and Ara's heads banged together.
"Dammit!" Sirius and Ara yelled at the same time, rubbing their heads.
Everyone looked at each other, laughing, giving the 'Oh this is going to be fun' look. There was no jolt of the train or bump.
"What's that look for?" Ara asked, still holding her head. "Oh I think that's going to bruise."
Sirius was confused. What made them bump heads… oh shit. "Ara?"
"What?" She asked angrily.
"I'm thinking of something… do you agree or not?"
"What?" She closed her eyes and her forehead creased in confusion.
"Agree or not?" Sirius asked again.
"Yes, I agree." She said quickly. Nothing happened. Sirius sighed. "Wait – with you it's a no." Bang. "Son of a bitch!" Ara yelled. "The same damn spot!"
Jen, holding in her laughter, patted Ara's knee. "I don't think Carl would like to hear that sort of language from you, dear."
"Ara, I think our heads will collide whenever you, or either of us say n- I mean n – o." Sirius said, spelling out the word. Wait a minute… what did Jen say?
"Shit…" Ara muttered. "This is not what I want."
"Who's Carl?" Sirius asked abruptly. God he was confused. Was that her cats name or something? What would a cat care if she swore?
"My boyfriend." Ara stated simply, moving away from him. "Can we switch seats Peter? I don't feel like getting a migraine from Sirius."
Peter, being the farthest possible from Sirius in their small compartment agreed.
"How long have you been going out with this 'Carl'?" Sirius asked, still puzzled by this new bout of information.
"July. You seriously never heard me talking about him?" Ara asked, tenderly touching her head as she made herself comfortable.
"He blocks out most things, and just hears what he wants to hear, Ara." Jen said humourously from Remus' arms.
"And what exactly are you getting at, Jen?" Sirius asked. What was she getting at? Was she hinting at something? She didn't call him tone-deaf… she didn't say that he was stupid… No – she said he was slow… no wait – that he didn't listen! He listened! "Pardon?" He asked again, missing what she had said. Damn.
"Nothing at all, right Mel?" Jen said slower. Damn her.
"Right." Mel agreed with a smile to Arabella. "Ara, can I borrow your brush for a minute?" Sirius noted the mischievous smile and quirked an eyebrow at Peter, who shrugged his shoulders. Who understood girls anyway?
"After the secret meaning between yours and Jens conversation? Hell no." She stood up quickly, as did Sirius. Whack.
"Oh bloody hell!" They both yelled.
"Are we going to seek each other out every time we say it?" Ara whined, slumping back in her seat.
Sirius grumbled and glared at his 'friends' whom were all laughing at them. Remus transfigured some Bertie-Botts Every Flavour Beans into ice. Jen charmed them not to melt. Still grumbling, Sirius took a couple, as did Arabella.
This was not a good beginning to his year. "How long will this last?" Sirius asked, pondering whether he should hex the little vixen again…
"Oh honestly – did you not listen to anything she said?" Ara snapped. Oh good. She's mad at him now, just wait till he gives her that migraine…
"It'll wear off in about a week." Gus said, joining the main conversation. "That's what she said."
"Do you think I'll run to him while we're in class?" Ara asked. "I mean, what if he has Divination and I have Medical Care of Magical Creatures? I'm not running from the grounds up to that tower…"
Oh, but of course they all laughed at their expenses. No sympathy for the two cursed individuals… but what if this draws him and Arabella closer? That could be nice. Sirius didn't know why he thought that, but it's true. He doesn't know her horribly well. And why didn't he hear of this supposed boyfriend? Was he really that dense that she'd been dating him for two months, most likely mentioned it in his presence, and he didn't even cotton on? Why was he still thinking about this?
"You really are thick sometimes, aren't you Sirius?" Came Ara's sarcastic voice. "I said that we should just avoid the word all together, even at far distances. I don't fancy testing the range of this curse." Sirius nodded, and went back to thinking about… well, whatever he was thinking about. What was it, again? "Sirius?" Ah, there she goes again. He looks at her. "Do you talk in your sleep?"
Sirius' eyes sparkled in amusement and his mouth formed a suggestive grin. "Why? Do you want to find out?"
He could see Ara blush and hear everyone laugh, but he blocked them out. He tried to keep his mind focused. On what? To see whether she would want to sleep in his bed with him? Ha.
"Nnnnot really. Arg – I nearly said it again." She closed her eyes and took a breath to calm herself. "I just don't want you saying it at night and make me wake up, find you, bash my head into yours, then curse myself back to bed." Ara said flatly.
"You know, you guys could solve that…" Remus said with a wink.
"I'm not sleeping with him!" Ara yelled.
"Well, if you're so adamant about it…" Sirius said in a huff.
"I was going to sat that we could put a silencing charm on you two before you guys go to bed."
Ara and Sirius' eyes lit up. "You could!" They both exclaimed.
"And never take it off." Jen mumbled to Remus who kept his face impassive.
~ * ~
'Heads, please make sure you have your uniforms and badges on. Be ready to leave the compartment in only a few minutes to open the trains car doors.' The same bodiless voice they heard every year echoed into the Head compartment. 'Five minutes left until Hogsmeade Station,' it said to the entire train. 'Will all Prefects ensure that no student is left aboard, and all the luggage is off?' It finished in the Prefect compartment as Lily and James stepped through the sliding door.
"All of you try for the Head position – well worth it for that luxury-" James pointed to the wall behind him "-and the great service."
"Absolutely gorgeous." Lily added. "But we have to go now." They headed out, seeing (in the corner of their eyes) a couple of Prefects trying to get in the more spacious compartment.
They walked to the front of the train, which took the rest of the train ride, and hopped out. One by one they opened the car doors and guided the students to the horseless carriages. Lily and James got in the first one, which was more comfortable than the ones they were used to, and that started the slow trek up to Hogwarts.
While in it, Lily and James guessed what their friends had done without them, and who lost any games they played. When it came to a stop, Lily and James guided everyone to the front steps of Hogwarts and opened the huge wooden doors. Still leading, the two went to the Great Hall and sat at Gryffindor table, greeting Nearly Headless Nick (once again denied his quest to join the Headless-Hunt).
Soon the Hall was filled, and their friends found their way to the two seated in the middle of the long table.
"So who lost Exploding Snap?" James asked.
"Mel." Jen answered with a grin. Mel glared, and James and Lily saw how her eyebrows had grown back just a bit. (The game obviously wouldn't really burn them off for good, or for real)
James and Lily looked surprised. "Well, I bet on Peter," Lily said, "and James on Remus."
"No love for us, eh Peter?" Remus said with a fake hurt face. Jen gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek, which was, of course, Remus' goal.
"Anything else fun happen?" Lily asked eagerly, wanting to know any juicy details of any Slytherin encounters and what curses were used on them. But as Head Girl, Lily would reprimand them for it, of course. Psht – yea right. The train ride up doesn't count.
Everyone laughed except Ara and Sirius. Lily and James noticed this, and prodded them on.
"Well," Remus began enthusiastically, leaning forward as he told them, "remember Lisa – reserve beater, out to get revenge? Yea, well, she convinced them that she was sorry-"
"And hexed their asses when they weren't expecting it!!" Jen added just as enthusiastically. Lily and James laughed, and questioned what she did. They didn't see any difference…
"No no – that's the best part – you can't tell! Neither can say 'no'-"
"Or they'll bonk heads!" Gus interrupted his girlfriend happily, gesturing two people hitting their heads. Lily and James laughed harder.
"Gee, thanks for the show guys." Sirius sulked. "Glad to know our suffering has made you happy."
"You're welcome." James said, patting him on the back with one hand, and wiping his eyes with the other. Oh that was too great. "I've never even heard of that curse…" He trailed off as McGonagall led the first years in for the Sorting. "Oh this is going to be a fun year."
The first years nervously walked to the front, 'oooing' and 'awwwing' at the students and ceiling that was charmed to resemble the sky. Right now it was a cloudless night, with millions of little stars shining above the multitude of candles that floated above the tables. The Hat sang it's welcoming song, scaring the first years, and ended with a loud applause from everyone in the hall.
"Now, when I call your name, you will come up to the front, I'll place the Sorting Hat on your head and you'll be sorted into your houses." McGonagall began. "Anderson, Ronald."
* * *
Yay! And we end at the Sorting, to be continued in the next chapter! So… some 'welcome back to Hogwarts' stuff to look forward to… (I say it like I've written it. Laugh with me now.) Right – some S/A for all you obsessed people out there. And you're all going 'Who me?' YES YOU. I think nearly all of you have mentioned it… if not last time, than at some point in TGTYEL. Well, let's make an exception for… 5 reviewers who may not have said anything. But I don't really care – it just means you're into this, right? Oh yes… the plan is coming along nicely. What plan you ask? Well, when I come up with one, I'll let you know.
Now that I'm done with my pointless ramblings… here's my thanks!!
penpunk: Wow!! First reviewer again!! I totally give you 15 points for that (the average I give is 5). And the prize for getting the most in the end? Oh – wouldn't you like to know. Happy your sister enjoys my humour. Tell her I say hi. ::waves::. And remember, I actually do wave, so I expect one back. So about the twist-tie part, it makes sense cause Mr. Potter is a wizard, and doesn't have to know about that stuff, right? *laughs* Explain that to my friend who had that happen to her. She got a stereo for her birthday (from her boyfriend!!! Holy Bejeezus!) and she was asking all those questions. Answers being: "Hooks up the sub-woofer", "That's the AM antennae", "Hooks up the right speaker", "… That's a twist tie." Oh, and sooo many of us were there for her party, and we laughed so hard. Poor girl. Thanks for the review!!
Feyla: Yay! You think he's brown. :) Happy you liked my fluff. And I think the title of it really fit, eh? So yes, thanks for the review, and I hope you liked this chapter! Complete with Sirius time… oh how daft can one man get…
Vega Black: Lol – first year and you have their wedding song planned? Actually, I have some of Sirius' best man speech for the reception done. Call it bout of inspiration at 3am, right along with MSTT (muahahaha). Sorry for not posting during the week, but as I mention in the beginning, that week is used up by me writing. :) But you can wait until study hall to read this. That could work, eh? Thanks for the review!
Lily Smith: So I checked yours out. :) Happy to have my little disclaimer (and dedication!) Ah… musical practice. I understand now… It's all slowly connecting in my brain, pushing out something important I have to remember. Oh see – that was the sarcasm I was talking about! Sorry… thanks for the review.
LizMarauder4eva: Ok, I know off the bat you're not her. Liz doesn't watch sports. Baseball least of them. She might watch hockey… but that's just a Canadian thing. ;) And I'm 18, just to answer your question. Thanks for the review though! I'll see you in the next review!
everblue3: Ah – long ass review. 5K in my e-mail. Can you beat that? (she asks with a mischievous grin that dares you to try) I liked the "Lo and behold, here you are. Therefore, here I am." Line. Made me laugh. Thanks for that – I'm in a shitty mood for some reason. And I really can't explain why. I just feel… while writing these thanks, like – what's the point, you know? Why am I writing this… what will I get from it? I should be looking more for a job, but here I am, writing this. I should be out with my friends downtown on this Friday night… but here I am, thanking people for reading this. But then I realise I wouldn't want to do anything else right now… I guess. It's fun, dammit. There was tea in Chapter 2, too. Sneaky, eh? Yes I am jealous! *Screaming words that words that would constitute this for a R rating or higher* And no, dude in London wasn't funny – he was a prick. Pricks aren't being funny, he's just humourous cause he's stupid. Anyways – I do agree with you on the dating thing. You know it's not going to last, and you're going to be hurt, possibly more than you gained, why do it? I know I have friends who'd argue, but I don't care. I'm very picky, too. My life is exciting? *laughing herself to sleep* Guess what I've done the past 2 months? Dick all. *laughing* Sorry, I don't want to push my anger-related energies on you, or any other poor individual I have yet to review… but I guess we all have our exciting moments, though. Good luck with buddy there, Greg. Hope it's fun. ;) And thanks for the review (alas – the most commonly written part of my entire chapters…)!!
Clearbrook: Yea, I did make him a brown stag, I was just wondering who thought he was white/silver. And it's very cute how you called him 'J'. Awww… isn't odd how we have attachments to these characters? Someone puts James as a Seeker (like me, for the hell of it.) and some people shit bricks cause of it – "he's supposed to be a Chaser! JK said so!!" Yea well… bugger off. (She says while laughing sooo hard. A cynical laugh, maybe, but at least she's laughing!) Oh dear… remember? I said I'd be sarcastic. Yes, I totally agree with your review. Kudos for you on that. Thanks!!
Liv: Oh hello! You reviewed twice, didn't you? Oh yes – Price!! Detention, eh? He sounds like a fun guy. Must say I laughed my ass off with his letter thing on the Dean's desk. And yes – expect my asking you for prank ideas if ever the need arises!!! Ok, MWPP is basically Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. So if it's the 'MWPP' era – it's Lily and James' time. :) So that's why it have 'MSTT' for Moon-me, Sperm Whale, Tampon and Thongs. Works out nicely, eh? Well, thanks for reviewing again!! Sorry the chapter wasn't longer though… I find it quite the hilarity that I'm driving you insane.
Karrottop: *sighs* Yea, not too eventful… but all the parental introductions are done, and the dinner scene – done, done!! Thank you for answering my 'poll question'! And I'm happy you agree with me (for all my ranting, check out my bio;)) on the brown stag thing. Hope this chapter was more eventful! Thanks for the review!
Princess pixie ice: *lol* The godly reference… yes, I know she meant 'good' but it came out 'god' – I can still wish, eh? Oh I can imagine the feeling of jealousy you have for Lily – I'm in love with Remus ;) I know how you feel. But that's why Jen and him got together – so writing 'Jen and Remus snogged' felt so right with my name in there! *LOL* There you go. Thanks for the review!
LadyArwen: Happy you like my fluff. :) Sounds fun, being on painkillers, I mean. I had a friend who was in the hospital for a while, and had tons or morphine… oh wow – she was a blast. And absolute blast. Yea, I've made him a brown stag (that was back in TGTYEL) but people keep seeming to think that I haven't made him one or the other yet. :( Do you not remember? *tear* Oh well, not like I expect you all too, when I can't remember half the details of the 50+ ones I read! Thanks for the review!! Hope the surgery stuff is all fixed and whatever you say to comfort anyone who's had surgery! Hope they didn't do further damage! (as I said to my best friend…)
Kool-Aid: Aw, wasn't the fluff fun? Like when I write sad things I can't write too much of it without hurting myself. I haven't really met any parents who are mean to their daughter's boyfriends… so that's why the parents and 'adult' figures are sorta cool. I think I need to 'parentify' them a bit more, eh? Happy you think he's brown, too. :) Thanks for the review!
sayuri-chan: Cheese and fluff do go well together, don't they? Unless the fluff signifies mouldy cheese… that's just not cool. Can't say I've heard of that cat song though… but I do the songs from Cats! Good musical. Oooh!! It been classified as groovy! Sweet! Hope you liked this one too, and thanks for the review!
GreenEyedPickle: Oh I laughed hard at your 'death by fluff' there… I know, the review counter on the pages site is always a bit off when reviews are just coming in. :) And writing your 'Alex and Remus' stories? You'll become more infatuated with the make believe boy the more you make him to be the perfect man (aka – the man you want in your life, giving him everything you like, and having him hate things you do… *sigh* what have I gotten myself into?) that everyone makes him to be. I think that's why I love him. And you don't need plotlines, just an R rating and lotsa porn. THAT, my friend, is a Remus/OC story worth reading. (*LOLOLOL* Ok – I could't stop laughing as I wrote that…) Anywho - *wiping tears of mirth* I loved your rant on the brown/silver stag. Go read my bio!! I did one in there last week, and I really toned it down. Notice the lack of many swear words. Anywho – thanks for the review, and don't worry about length! I love them long!!
Beaver Buddy: Ok, literally, I burst out laughing at the first few words of your review!! Like, I was sitting at my desk all impassive and shit, and then this bark/sputter of a laugh pops out of me, right when my brother opens my door. Yea, they are getting more sensual, aren't they? I love using 'sensual' instead of 'sexual' when talking to people – and with the slight pause – oh it's absolutely hilarious! Ah… so many things to comment on in your review. It was absolutely great. I really think you had too much sugar, but I really enjoyed it. Let's just say that they aren't 'more active' with their love lives… but I'm just more, oh I don't know, comfortable writing them I guess. And hey – they're teenagers, no parents, sleeping near each other, no supervision, the 70's, invisibility cloak handy – you better be happy it's still a PG-13 rating!! Anywho – thanks for the fun review! Keep them coming!
Nicole: *lol* So it wasn't too in-depth into Sirius' head, but it was far enough. God knows what really lurking there, eh? Aw, thanks for the compliment. I know, with the Donna thing, I was really shocked that lots of people cried. Although a ton of reviewers wanted her and Remus to hook up and I was like: "Uh… never really crossed my mind… she's gonna die – that was known before I started…" But I did prolong it for a few chapters. *sigh* I am just a slave to you guys. Anywho – thanks for the review!
FrogOnFire: Awww… thanks! And you called it my 'work' that is so cool… my 'work', I like the sound of that. Oooo – hyperness! Isn't that just so much fun sometimes? I think it is. Anywho – thanks for the review.
SJangel: New, and you already have the 'too lazy to sign in' thing down pat. I'm proud. But I remember when I was new… everything was so cool, and it took me a while to know what was going on… *sigh* Nostalgia. Well, not really… Writing (not sounding cocky, really – I'm not.) is just a talent, I guess. Like singing. I can't sing too well (well, in my head I can, but we all hear our voices differently than other people do. So I think my actual voice isn't too much to brag about) but even with practice, I can't sing as well as someone with the talent, right? It can still be good, sure, but some people just can. You know? And you hate those people… Ok, lots of fluff. I can't write too much fluff at once… so that took a lot out of me. Don't expect too much of that for a chapter or two. Ah hell, I don't know – watch there be some in the next one! *lol* Well, thanks for reading and reviewing!
Star: (for the writing well thing, see above review *lol*) And yea… thanks for the review, seeing as the brackets pretty makes up for all that I can comment on! Thanks for it! ;)
Snuffles 55: Glad I made you laugh!! That's my ultimate goal in this… I think. Actually, finishing it would be my ultimate goal. I enjoyed your review greatly. Really, thanks for it! :):):)
annette: *lol* You found the idea of a 'deep Sirius' funny, too? Good. No, you haven't reviewed before, but that's ok! You have now. :) Thanks for the review!
TheSilverLady: Silver/white, eh? Hm… Thanks for the review!
blueskywillow55: *LOL* Oh, beautiful! Know what I noticed as I re-read your review? Every sentence was punctuated by one exclamation mark. ! It was fun. And you haven't done your Religion work yet, *shakes head* procrastinator (says the one who just made a hair appointment today (Friday) for Tuesday that she's been meaning to do since November… ok, so I am a hypocrite), but you better have it done by now! And yes… thanks for the review!
song*breeze: Scrumdiddlyumptious, eh? You know that's not even a really word? And here I am using it like it was… *sigh* I'll just never learn. Happy you liked my fluff. :)
running-out-of-ink: Hi Kelsey. Aww, no jumping this time? :( I hope you did this time. *puppy dog eyes* Well, I didn't want to make you feel bad or anything (if you did) by winning $3 more than you… unless you live in the US or England – then we're almost even. ;) And thanks for calling my story cute! Aww! That's so sweet! Thanks for the review altogether!
SiriDragon: Yep, plenty long, and beautiful at that! *LOL* Way to go with breaking shit, eh? Nice job on that. And oh my God – with the cute guy thing!! That's absolutely hilarious! I don't know if I'd be able to keep a straight face if they looked at me… I probably would, but I'd be blushing like a damn beet. A beet I say! *lol* I hope you have more fun stories like everblue3 and I share over each other's reviews!! Oh – totally more fun stories, I love them! Thanks for the hilarious review!
Moe23: Hey! Haven't seen you for a while. ;) *cringes* I hated 'Not Another Teen Movie'. Thanks for the reviews!!
MandaB: *lol* Lotsa decision making with the colour of James, eh? Yea… I think (well, I'd like to say I know) he's brown. Just makes sense, eh? Thanks for the review!
Sita: Uh… thanks!
Agent AAA: *lol* Know what you should do? Only read ff at night, like, late at night, and if your mum asks, make up some story about 'with the kind of stories I'm reading mum, there is no other time to read them…' and just scare her. Oh sure – you might never be allowed on the computer again, but your parents work or go out at sometime, right? Tell me how that goes. :):) Happy someone commented on Cupids hooting at the boys. ;) Thanks!!
mystikalolo: Happy I'm here to help you forget about school. I believe my work here is done. *dusts hands together* Nah, I don't think James is silver/white, though. I mean, if he was an albino himself (like Pasty for instance) sure, white stag would make sense – but c'mon! He has black hair for chrissakes! Anyhwo – thanks for the review!
puddy103: Whattaya mean I didn't need to mock ya? Of course I did!! That's my job. Mocker-Lady – yep, that's me. :) Thanks for the review!
Jess: Heylo once again. :D Awh… outdone myself? I'm blushing… Oh yes! I forgot to check out your stuff – I will! Trust me, I will! Happy you liked the stereo part. ;) Funny thing is that's one of my true stories that I threw in this – my friend was asking about every wire to her stereo her boyfriend was setting up. All 15 or so of us burst out laughing at his "…That's a twist tie." part. Anywho – thanks for the review!
IamVulcanLady: Cute name. Ohh! Finally reviewing! :) I love it when people say they've been reading for a while… makes me think I have more people reading than I get reviews for! Which I know is true, cause not everyone reviews… but still – it's nice! Thanks for the review, and I hope to see you again!
~sundust~: *drools* Oh yes, I would SO use it to check out hot guys! Nice, pretty, perfect, lovely mirror… Aw, thanks for the fun review, I love them so much – they make me laugh. :D I hope I keep my title with this chapter. :D:D Thanks!
Amethyst: Black markings around the eyes? For his glasses? That'd make sense… I mean, what's her face? Skeeter girl there had funky designs on her beetle form (eww, I'd hate it if I was a beetle!!) from her jewellery and shit, eh? Happy you're with me on the brown stag thing. :)
starborn: Good on you for choosing brown! Even if you didn't think of the patronus thing. Shh… I won't tell. Thanks for the review!
VoldemortsIllegitimateChild: I always have trouble spelling 'Illegitimate'… I always mess up the first 'e', and the second 'i'! Happy you liked the chapters! *lol* Loved the stutter comment…
Braney: Ah yes! You logged in!!! :D:D:D Good for you! Thanks for the review! (and a signed in one at that!)
Fluffy The Teddy Bear Slayer: Ok, love the names to bits! Love it! Aw… you're all sniffing… happy it made you emotional… I think I'm gonna cry, then you're gonna cry… Then we're all gonna cry! (lol – quote from 'The Craft'. Good movie.) Thanks for the review!
kerry: Hey! It's been a while! *sighs* I missed the 'go you's and 'rock on's… Happy they're back! Thanks for the review, and look for your name in the 'other chapters' part!
Wow! And thanks to everyone who reviewed Chapter 1, and TGTYEL!!: Male Volent (I know you won't get this… but you got an e-mail anyways!), Moe23 ( :) Thanks!!), Braney (aw, thanks. Happy you liked the Black's part!), kerry (oh – and you're here too! Don't worry – with your profile thing I have typed up, "Not Death Eater" is in capitols, I think.), hotsummerAK47 (thanks for all the reviews! I mean, all of them!), GreenEyedPickle (why were you reading TGTYEL again?? And no, no Willard advertisements for me…), Frankie (did I do the Shakespeare thing wrong? Well, I copied from a 'quotes from 'Macbeth' site… I'll go check that out. Happy you liked my willow scene!).
Alright! There's been a great turnover for IJTL so far, and I must say I'm thrilled by it! I'm happy you guys are enjoying this so much! And have any of you signed up to win a walk-on part in PoA? I HAVE!!! Go to the official HP website (www.harrypotter.com ßobvious enough?) and sign up. And if you win, thank me on some interview thing. "And I thank Lamina Court for her never-ending support of coolness ways, and for letting me in on this marvellous contest. Thanks Lamina!" Something to that extent would be sufficient. And it's pronounced "Lah-Mee-Nah"; not "Lah-Min-Ah". *shakes head* Some people's children… (mainly a friend or two who said it like that…) Any interesting topics of my life to tell you guys? Always. I get my hair cut Tuesday. I've wanted it done since November… so seeing as I'm the worlds largest procrastinator, think of it as a bloody miracle that I get a chapter up every weekend!!
But other than that – have a great week, and I hope to see (or read from) you guys next week!! BYE!!!