Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine!
Hey everyone! I spent my morning typing this… and it's already way past my posting time – and I still haven't done my thanks!! AHH!! So yea… for everyone who asked (*lol*) my hair looks great. Thanks for caring *wipes a tear away* makes me feel good.
But yes… I think you will all be rather shocked with what happens in this chapter, and I pride myself on no one really thinking of this character (except three individuals) cause I wanted it to be a surprise! *excited little squeal* Ok then… here's Chapter 4!!
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After the first podgy little boy was sorted into Ravenclaw, Sirius, the ever-sneaky fellow, stood in the score of first years in the front of the hall, crouching to their height. A few rolled their eyes, a few others giggled (girls Sirius winked at) and most others inched away.
"Merlin, Candace." The girl Sirius was hiding behind stepped forward nervously, and Sirius dashed behind a Chinese boy who casually stepped on Sirius' foot. Candace became a Gryffindor.
Sirius growled at the kid in front of him. 'Damn children are getting spunkier…' He thought about putting a leg-locker curse on the kid and pulled out his wand when his name was called.
"Yes Albus?" Sirius called back, straightening himself out and pocketing his wand.
"Kindly seat yourself back at Gryffindor table." The Headmaster said, gesturing to the aforementioned table, eyes a-glow.
"I made it to the N's this year, Albus, further than any other year!" Sirius called, walking back to his seat.
"And I congratulate you, Mr. Black." He sat back down, and McGonagall continued with the sorting (after rolling her eyes, of course).
"Protus, Benjamin."
Sirius sat back down beside James happily. "I made it to N!" He whispered excitedly, big grin and sparkling eyes.
"For 'nitwit'." Arabella interjected across from him.
"Or 'no'." Remus threw in, earning a scowl from both of them.
"Or 'naïve'." Lily put in.
"Or 'nancy'." James laughed.
"I'm not gay!" He yelled, but not overly loud. Still, that didn't mean people didn't hear. "I'm not." He whispered, crossing his arms.
"Or 'narcissistic'." Peter added.
"Oh, big word Pete." Sirius glared. "How about 'neurotic' next?"
"Nah, négligé." Gus put in with a dismissal wave of his hand.
Sirius brightened. "I like how you think, Gus."
"Stop being 'ninnies'." Mel scolded. "I want to watch this, it's our last sorting." Everyone complied and sat back quietly as McGonagall entered the T's.
"Tierney, Amanda." A scowling girl marched up to the stool and shoved the hat on her head.
"Nipple." Jen said. Everyone looked at her, amusement on their faces. She blushed a bit. "I needed to throw one in." She said quietly. ("SLYTHERIN.") Remus patted her back consolingly.
Finally 'Weatherby, Priscilla' became a Hufflepuff and Dumbledore stood up to give his 'Welcome back' speech before the feast appeared, something that always bothered the boys. Why not talk after the feast? Actually… he usually does that anyways.
"Welcome back students of Hogwarts, welcome back. And welcome to our first years, I hope your first year here is a marvellous one. I have nothing much to say other than the same old, same old. No going into the Forbidden Forest, I do not accept reasons such as: "My pet turkey is lost in there," or "My mother is a tree," or "But James did it."" He looked at the Marauders, more so Sirius.
"You forgot one Albus." Sirius yelled over the laughter, ignoring Ara and Jen's attempts to silence him. ""My gingerbread man ran into there screaming 'Run, run as fast as you can – you can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man.'" So you see, I had to catch the little bugger. Just a matter of pride." He finished, Jen and Ara shaking their heads slowly.
Dumbledore chuckled and nodded. "Ah, how could I forget? That is not acceptable either. For a list of Zonkos or Bangles and Japes products that are not allowed, see Mr. Filch." Dumbledore paused as the students shuddered. "Enjoy the feast."
People cheered and dug into the limitless amount of food that appeared before them. The first years stared in wonder, but soon got into the swing of things.
"You know, I'm surprised they give you so much leeway, Sirius." Mel commented, cutting her baked potato in half.
"You know that was a true story? Damn gingerbread man ran outside one Christmas." Sirius reminisced.
"Yea well, I wouldn't have charmed it if you had stopped barging into our dorm in fourth year." Lily said to him. "You couldn't have needed to see Jen eight times in one hour."
"Too right you are," Sirius admitted, "I was checking out you cute little fourth year bodies in your cute little pyjamas." He smirked, making himself a sandwich on a roll with miscellaneous things off his plate.
The girls' mouths dropped, (not Jen's, she had guessed back when he was doing it… they were stupid excuses anyways. Not too unlike his Forbidden Forest ones) James and Gus chucked a few chicken legs at him.
"If Carl were here, he'd kick your ass." Ara glared, kicking his leg under the table.
"Yes well, he's not so you really can't threaten me with that." Sirius replied with a mouthful of his chicken leg-tomato-mashed potato-gravy-bean sandwich, throwing a baby carrot at her. She grabbed a roll and was about to lob it at his head when Lily told her to stop.
"As Head Girl, I must put a stop to this." She said seriously. Everyone gaped at her, even James. Lily's face broke into a grin. "Oh you should see your faces!" She laughed, pointing at them with her fork.
The feast continued much the same way, with everyone throwing in some stories of summer. Sirius and Jen eagerly threw in stories. Remus had a couple himself.
"So Romulus and I are walking in downtown London, right? And this muggle in a trench coat stops us," Remus said, eyes alight with the untold humour, "and he's all "How do I get to the London Bridge?" So when Romulus and I look at each other wondering the same thing as the muggle, he whips open his trench coat and flashes us!" Everybody burst out laughing, Gus choking on his pie and Peter spitting his pumpkin juice back in his goblet. "So this guy ran away-" but everyone was still laughing "-no, no wait – this is the best part!! So the muggle turns and runs. When the muggle was only a few strides ahead, Romulus kept his wand up his sleeve and Accioed the cloak."
When everyone calmed their laughter, Jen posed a question.
"So what'd you do with the cloak?" she asked, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her robes.
Remus laughed. "I don't know. I was leaning onto a street lamp to keep myself up I was laughing so hard. I think Romulus casually handed it back to the stunned muggle, saying: "I think you dropped this." Or something equally hilarious and brilliant." Everyone shook their heads.
"You know, for the more reserved older brother I remember," James said, "that doesn't sound like him at all."
"I know," Remus agreed. "But all those long vampire hunts probably got him to have fun whenever he could. He has to October off, I think." He took a sip of pumpkin juice. "Then it's back to Australia until Merlin-knows when." He looked up when Dumbledore stood.
McGonagall tapped her golden goblet with her fork and got the attention of the school.
"I am afraid I have forgotten to introduce our new staff." Some excited giggling went through the crowd (from the girls who already spotted the cute new professor) and Dumbledore smiled. "First we have a new nurse, Madam Pomfrey." The middle-aged nurse stood and gave a curt nod to all the students who clapped politely. "Yes, welcome Madam Pomfrey. Next we have our new Muggle Studies teacher, and he is," the teacher stood (all girls trying to get a good look from the rumours that were going around before summer), "Professor Adams." As the entire Hall clapped for him (a few cat calls. Thank you Keaira Blaire, Slytherin seventh year), Arabella blanched.
Professor Adams nodded his head politely, blushing and smiling, and sat back down beside Professor Flitwick.
"Well, isn't he a looker?" Jen smiled, turning back to her friends. "I think I'm rather glad I stuck with Muggle Studies, eh Ara?" She looked at her brown-haired friend. "Arabella? What's wrong?"
Arabella was sitting beside Jen, breathing irregular, and shaking slightly; slightly but noticeably. Everyone else looked at her, wondering what happened to their friend.
Arabella chanced a look at the teacher's table and quickly brought her faraway gaze back to her lap. "I – I…" she choked on a sob and stood up abruptly.
"Ara – what?" Remus began but she started speed walking to leave the Great Hall. Everyone looked at each other.
"I'll go." Sirius said, standing. "What's the password to the Common Room?" He asked James, wiping his napkin over his mouth.
"'C is for cookie.'" James said. Remus couldn't help to give a small smile while Sirius rolled his eyes and left.
At the staff table, Flitwick looked up at the students. "Seems as though something is wrong with Miss Figg." He said to Professor Gaizer who agreed with a worried nod.
Professor Adams looked up, his eyes bugging out of his head. "Figg?" He repeated.
"Yes, Arabella Figg, and there goes young Sirius Black. He's quite the troublemaker, you'll have to look out for him, Carl." The short Professor (aided, of course, by a stack of 4 voluminous books) said humourously, recounting a few of his own stories of Charms class (his favourite being the 'pus' incident).
Professor Adams nodded mutely. Oh would he ever…
"What was Carl's last name?" Lily asked as Sirius made it out of the Great Hall. "Anderson?"
Mel shook her head. "No, Ad- oh dear!" She exclaimed, putting a hand to her mouth and looking at the staff table. "Adams!" She whispered fiercely.
"Holy shit." James cursed before Lily covered his mouth with her hand, giving a deliberate look to the first years.
Dumbledore stood. "May you all have a good sleep. Prefects, please lead your Houses to your common Room. Will the Head Girl and Boy please come to the staff table for a quick meeting? Good night." The students began to get up, laughing and joking with their friends.
Throwing a weary look a their friends, Lily and James went to the front while the Prefects gathered their Houses to leave for their Common Rooms and bed.
Sirius ran down the halls to catch up Arabella. She had broke into a run once she left the Great Hall, and had a long head start on him. He darted into a small broom closet, in a secret door and began his trek through the secret passage. He coughed as he climbed for a few minutes, remembering to reinforce the anti-dust charm sometime…Soon he made it to the other broom closet near Gryffindor Tower and exited. Dusting off his robes as he ran, Sirius headed to the Portrait a few halls over. He saw Arabella ahead of him slumping beside the Fat Lady, slowly sliding down the wall, face in hands.
"Arabella?" He called softly, approaching her.
Ara brought up her knees and rested her arms and head on them. She was trying to hold back her crying.
"C is for cookie." Sirius said to the Fat Lady. She quirked an eyebrow but opened. "Come on. I don't think you'd fancy to be seen like this by anyone else." He helped her stand up and put an arm around her waist as he guided her in. "Do you want to come to my dorm?" She shook her head, sniffing. "Yours?" She nodded. So Sirius obliged, helping her up the stairs.
They made it to the seventh year girl's dorm quickly enough, and entered. Ara went straight to her bed, kicked off her shoes and crawled on top, letting herself drop. Sirius stood awkwardly beside the bed, once again not thinking this far ahead. He'd have gotten right on if it were Jen who needed him, but this was Ara…
"You can sit Sirius." Ara said flatly, but Sirius could hear the sadness in her voice. "But take off your shoes."
So he did. He sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulder. "What's wrong?" He asked, letting Ara rest her head on his shoulder.
She took in a shaky breath. "Carl."
"What about him?" Sirius was puzzled, after all, he only just learned of the boy a few hours ago. She didn't get a letter during dinner… she was happily talking about him on the train and during the feast. Nothing happened –
"He's Professor Adams." Oh. Yea, that'd do it. "He told me he was a muggle… well, not really – but he did everything muggle! None of the other magicals on the street knew of him being a wizard. He said he went to some French University, he was going to teach a course in Civilization or something – oh Merlin it was so obvious!" she cried, holding onto Sirius' robes.
Sirius put his other arm around her and pulled her closer. "If it's any consolation, I wouldn't have put it together if I was going out with him." Sirius rested his cheek on her head.
Ara laughed, sniffing and resting her forehead against Sirius' neck. She put her arms around his stomach, gripping his robes at his side tightly. "I just feel so stupid…"
"You're not. Ara nobody else would have put it together, and he didn't know you were a witch, either. Since we didn't know him, he probably went to Beauxbatons – that 'French school' of his." Sirius felt Ara nod.
"I don't know what to say to him, though. We can't stay together anymore, we're as good as broken up, and that's why I'm so upset. We were actually going to try. I would send him letters through my aunt when I wrote her, and his mum would give my aunt his replies when she would write to me… they made up some excuse for each other, and his was so convincing." She had stopped crying, but held onto Sirius tighter. "I thought I might have loved him Sirius… like the other girls do. The all have someone to love them, and mines our teacher." She added ironically.
"Aw, you'll find someone to love ya, Ara. You're only 17." He nudged her. Well the best he could while they held each other side by side.
"Soon to be 18. Just over three months away." She intercepted.
"Ok, 18, don't you think you're too young to tie yourself down? Have some fun, break a few hearts," Ara laughed, "go partying after Hogwarts. Jen, Lily and Mel are crazy for all this love stuff. So are the guys."
Ara sighed and noticed her grip on Sirius had loosened. "Thank you Sirius." She said sincerely, giving him a real hug (not a grip of death).
"Anything for my friend Arabella." He hugged her back. "I'm pretty used to consoling girls, too." He added.
"Broken that many hearts, have you Black?" Ara joked, nudging him then running her hands up her face then through her hair.
"More than you know Figg." He joked. Ara silently thought, humourously, that there was probably some truth to that. "But really, with Jen in my life…" he trailed off. Ara nodded understandingly. "So you sure you don't want to sleep in my bed?"
Ara rolled her eyes. "Yea, I'm sure. Just don't talk in your sleep."
Sirius gave her one last squeeze and stood up. "I think my sister and the other two there might want to come in their room."
"Alright, thanks Sirius." She smiled at him as he picked up his shoes. "Not putting them on?"
"Nah, I'll be taking them off again anyways." With a wave at her, he left.
Ara sighed and flopped herself on the bed, her head on the pillow and hair fanned out. She stared up at the ceiling and thought about her relationship… They could stay together, but not actually date. This was her last year here… but then he'd be teaching the whole next year and she'd be by herself. No, she couldn't do that… Well, she'll have to talk to him sooner or later, right?
Sirius casually walked down the stairs to the Common Room. If he had heard the speech that was being said by the Prefects, he might have waited another couple of minutes.
"… and no going to other dorms. No girls in boys dorms, and no boys in…" Everyone turned to look as Sirius stepped into the Common Room, shoes in hand. "… the girls dorm. Hello Sirius." Ivani said. "Have a nice summer?"
Sirius smiled. "Beautiful. Yours?"
"It was good. Now, did you want to add anything Evan?" She asked her Prefect partner. Sirius went to his friends who were on a couch.
"Smooth." Jen commented as he plopped down. "How is she with Carl thing?"
Sirius rubbed his face. "Better. Much better actually. She'll have to talk to him of course, I don't thinks she wants to, but she will. I think she's sort of embarrassed about it, too."
"Would she mind if we went up?" Mel asked from her position in Gus' embrace.
"Don't think so." Sirius replied. The two girls stood up and left, saying goodnight. "So where are our Heads?" Sirius asked. (A/N: Know how funny that'd sound if you didn't know he was talking about the Head Boy and Girl?)"Meeting." Remus responded. "Who wants a game of chess?"
As Lily and James walked to the staff table, Lily took James' hand in hers.
"Now, don't be all 'ice-man' to Carl, he did nothing wrong. It's just an odd, horrible coincidence that he is a wizard and is your teacher. It all plummeted onto Ara's shoulders at once, and she just needed to run out before she made a scene of a fool of herself." Lily paused and took a breath when they reached the front. "Or both…" James was pretty sure she was telling herself more than him.
James took her hand and gave it a gentle tug. Lily faced him. "Calm down." He murmured before kissing her fingers. She smiled gratefully.
"Ah, and here are our new Heads. How were your summers?" Dumbledore asked as Lily and James followed him to a small back room James recognized from last year.
"Quite good." James replied happily after Lily rolled her eyes, muttering something about 'too much perkiness and damn smiling.'
"Yes, you worked with your father at the Ministry, didn't you James?" Dumbledore acknowledged with a nod and smile. "Greetings everyone, I do hope you enjoyed our welcome back feast. I will now introduce our two new Heads to any teacher that may have signed on this year, or after they have dropped a course or maybe one of both haven't taken your course." Dumbledore paused and smiled to the staff before him. "Any teacher that hasn't met on or the other, please step forward."
A few stepped towards them and Dumbledore introduced them.
"Ah yes, Charisma Beleoni, Arithmancy Professor, this is James Potter." James shook her hand and bowed his head slightly. The middle-aged witch smiled and gave Lily a wink before returning to the throng of Professors.
"Carl Adams, one of our two new Professors. Lily Evans," he shook her hand with a smile and look of recognition, "and James Potter." He shook James' hand (with smile)."So I have either of you this year?" He asked, stepping back a bit.
"I will be in your class, Professor." James answered. "But as Lily is muggle-born, she doesn't need to." Lily looked upset at having James talk for her, but let it slide.
"So am I, Lily." Adams turned to her with an amusing smile when he saw her face to James. Lily smiled back at him and realized why Ara was so enthralled by him. He was damn polite and cute."
The best usually are." She joked, receiving a laugh from Professor Adams, a playful shove from James, a chuckle from Dumbledore, and miscellaneous reactions from the others. "You said there were two new teachers this year, Dumbledore, but you only mentioned Car- er, Professor Adams during the feast."
Dumbledore smiled at her. "Yes, well noted. Our new Divination teacher was too busy designing the North Tower, for better clairvoyant vibes, to come down." They heard McGonagall snort, and everyone turned to look at her.
"Something in my throat." She told them. Lily and James exchanged comical looks and turned back to Dumbledore.
"She will be here for breakfast tomorrow, and will be announced then. It is more polite to do so in her presence." The Heads nodded and sat through the meeting, learning of their goals, responsibilities and objectives.
When they were available to chat freely with the Professors or leave, Lily stopped James from going and gave an obvious nod to Professor Adams.
"Lily, we shouldn't get involved in that… I don't want to embarrass either of them. James pleaded, wanting to leave the teachers and go roam with the guys as part of their first night back ritual.
"We're not prying or anything. We'll just let him know we know and hold nothing against him."
Lily led (or in James' mind, dragged) him over to Professor Adams, who was talking jovially with Phoenical.
"Professor Adams, can we speak with you for a moment?" Lily asked sweetly, tightening her grip on James' wrist, using her nails. She knew James'd give an excuse and make a break for it if he could… the git.
"Alright," Adams agreed puzzled by this, "I'll talk to you later Hailey." He nodded to Phoenical who smiled and left with a nod to the three of them. "What is it you two would like to talk to me about?"
Lily built up all the courage she had, trying push down the thought of high tailing it out of there with James. "We know." James could have slapped himself. "We know about you and er… Arabella." She whispered.
Adams swallowed and paled. "Oh?" He tried to look calm, but his fidgeting hand belied it. "Did she tell you?"
"You were all she talked about." Lily stated simply with a hint of sadness. "And we just wanted you to know that we, being all her friends who are probably with her now, don't hold anything against you. You thought she was a muggle, as she pretended to be, and vice-versa. It's all just an odd coincidence." Lily finished, pleased with herself.
Adams sighed. "Good. I was worried when I saw her storm out… well, that was the first time it all clicked about her, and I was still shocked… I mean, who has that many cats in a family?" He joked, and was glad when Lily laughed and agreed.
"Why don't we know you?" James interrupted.
"Pardon?"
"Well, if you're a couple of years older than us… did you not go to Hogwarts? Then where – Beauxbatons?" He asked. "Durmstrang?"
Adams looked appalled. "Oh of course not. Beauxbatons. My mother is French and thought it good for me to learn some." At this he made a face. "Bloody language has an exception to every rule." (A/N: it's true!!)After a bit more of conversing, Lily and James bid everyone goodnight and left for the Tower.
"He's pretty nice," Lily commented before the Fat Lady, "no wonder Ara liked him."
"Oh, are you going to have an affair with a teacher Lily?" James asked with a roll of his eyes to the Fat Lady who smiled. "C is for cookie." The Portrait opened and they entered.
"One as cute as him?" She smirked. "You know it." She squealed as James attacked her, picking her up and dropping her onto a couch. "How is she?" Lily asked, finally calm from the aftermath of James' tickling attack.
"Not horribly bad." Sirius replied, moving his knight and leaning back as Remus silently cursed, biting his nail. "Check."
"The other two up there?" Lily looked around, noting the absence of her two other friends.
"Yep." Remus answered, not looking up. His face lit up and he gave a quick laugh. "Checkmate."
Sirius swore and asked the chess pieces to instant replay the game so he could prove that Remus cheated. The chess pieces denied, proclaiming they were tired.
Lily left as Remus put the board away, Sirius muttering about chess pieces out to get him and 'seeing how Remus' king was looking at his queen.'
She made her way to the dorm and flung open the door with a huge smile on her face, her arms spread out. "You can all sleep peacefully tonight, I am her."
The three girls stared at her with open mouths.
"What?" Lily's arms fell.
"That was very… Sirius-y."
Jen answered, trying to forget about the whole thing as Lily closed the door. "Don't ever do that again."
"How was the meeting?" Mel asked, brushing her blonde hair, sitting under her blankets.
"Good. We met teachers and uh… talked to Carl. How are you, Ara?" Lily turned to the brunette who was changing into her nightclothes.
"Better… than when I first figured it all out and cried in my bed." Ara looked to Jen. "Your brother is very good at comforting, Jen." Jen smiled proudly. "What'd you talk to Carl about?"
Lily shifted uneasily, hoping Ara wasn't mad at her for doing so. "Well, I wanted to meet him, and dragged James with me. We told him that we understood he wouldn't have told you or even guessed that you were a witch. Then we learned a bit about him. Nothing much, just that he was muggle-born and his mother is French-"
"Meaning that he went to Beauxbatons, right?" Ara finished, getting a nod from Lily. "I'll have to talk him tomorrow…" She flopped onto her bed and rested her chin in her hands. "This really sucks, guys. But onto other things… Life plans change any?"
The other girls smirked, going over their beginning of the year ritual.
"Other than adding 'marrying James Potter' on my list of things to do? Not too much, no." Lily told them, picking up her Abyssinian and laying down, setting the cat beside her. "Just James, me, Psyche, Cupid and Iphigenia in a few years, that's my goal."
The other girls were each on/in their bed and changed into their pyjamas.
"Psyche's gotten a bit fatter, hasn't she?" Jen pointed out humourously. "Remember second year?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "I know… my mum doesn't understand that I don't want my owl to have a heart attack trying to reach them from Scotland. Honestly." She rummaged through her trunk from her spot on her bed and got changed, still laying down. "What about the rest of you? Jen? Mel?" Lily gave a smile. "Crazy Cat Lady?"
Ara stuck out her tongue. "I need time to think. I had changed it over the summer… but due to certain circumstances, I'm back at Crazy Cat Lady. And before you ask," she added as an after thought, "you don't need to put a silencing charm on me. I don't talk in my sleep."
The girls gave her a sympathetic smile mixed with mirth and Mel continued. "I think I'm sticking with St. Mungo's. Work with developing potions for diseases or simple sicknesses we don't have now." She shrugged her shoulders and piled up her pillows against her headboard, leaning back against it. "Jen?"
Jen thought for a bit. "I don't want to work at Hogwarts anymore…" All the girls rolled their eyes. She changed her mind every year. "Oh shut up, the lot of you. I hope I'm still with Remus, though. I might work with the Ministry… don't know what department… or maybe Remus and I will be entrepreneurs and make our own business in Diagon Alley." She cheered for herself, hands fisted and thrown in the air. The girls laughed.
"Glad you're excited about it, Jen." Mel said, yawning and stretching. "Lily, why is Psyche here and not in the Owlery?"
Lily shrugged and looked at her owl perched atop her canopy. This meant she had to lean over the side of the bed, half off, putting a hand on the floor to support herself. "Maybe her and Cupid got in a fight."
Jen snorted. "Oh the tangled love lives of our birds…"
Ara laughed. "You can never tell with owls."
~ * ~
Meanwhile, back at the Ranch…"What say we prank the Slytherins?" Peter suggested, getting changed.
"Nah…" James replied, nodding to Dennis as he entered the room and went to the bathroom to shower.
"Make our goal to add at least one new passage or room to the map before morning?" Remus recommended. "And by morning I mean sunlight." Remus tried, tossing his clothes on his bed, rummaging through his trunk.
Sirius made a sound of annoyance. "Are you boys not capable of folding your clothes?" He asked moodily, hands on hips. He sauntered over and began to folding Remus' shirts. "But that's a good idea, Remus." He grabbed a few of his robes that were on the ground and hung them neatly in the small closet.
"I think he just wants an excuse to touch your clothes, Moony." James stage-whispered behind his hand to Remus who found what he was looking for. Remus laughed and changed into black trousers and sweater.
"I really don't want to agree with you on that, Prongs." Remus said, tossing his uniform back into his trunk (quite messily in Sirius' opinion) and slammed it shut before Sirius could get his hands on anything.
Sirius clucked his tongue and glared at the two boys. "Well I'm sorry if I want some order in this pig sty, Moon-me and Thongs." But Sirius couldn't keep a straight face as he ended his sentence. "Everyone decked out in black?" He asked, rolling his eyes at Peter. "I said black, Sperm Whale, not black with brooms on the hems."
Peter glared at Sirius. "It's my favourite sweater, thank you very much."
Sirius rolled his eyes again. "You're welcome."
They made sure Dennis was in the bathroom and had Peter transform. With Remus holding Wormtail in his hand, James threw the cloak over them, Sirius charming the map to display Hogwarts.
After they made it out the Portrait hole and down a couple of corridors, Sirius directed them to an area before the long climb up the North Tower. There was nothing there in means of secret passages or rooms on their map, so he figured that there should be one… makes sense enough.
Remus gulped as they passed the painting of Sir Cadogan. Sirius glared at the knight through the silky material.
"Bloody mental case, he is." He muttered, ignoring the painting after that. Remus held in his sigh.
"Ok put Wormtail down, and we'll search the walls for anything." James said, taking the cloak off after seeing that no one or nothing was within five or more corridors of theirs.
They felt the walls for any loose stones or hidden buttons, looking behind tapestries, talking to paintings and knights.
"My, my, my… what have we here?"
* * *
Oh look at that! What is it? Is that a cliffhanger? I think it is! Haven't had one of those for a long time, eh? And who could the voice be? One of the boys finding a room/passage? Wormtail sensing something behind Sir Cadogan's painting and Sirius/James noticing it? Dumbledore? Peeves? Introduction of new Div. Teacher? Filch? Ara out for a midnight stroll? Estacle (potions/Slytherin head)? Carl?
And about Carl – honestly now, how many of you saw that coming? I just want to know if anyone thought he'd have a bigger part to play (or was evil as was suggested). And the possibilities are endless for the above-mentioned… possibilities. Honestly – I don't even know who it is (*lol*) but I'll try out every possibility and more! Woo! And so next week – you shall find out! Onto my thanks for Chapter 3!
Feyla: I liked the soap/shampoo names. Haven't you had one of those mornings where everything just screws up, and you don't add insult to injury, but rather injury to insult? But then you look back on them and laugh… You know, as I wrote this chapter, I kinda forgot about the whole 'no' thing (well, during the S/A part) so I had to look over the whole chapter and make sure they didn't say it. Damn annoying to change what they say… anywho – thanks for the review!
FrogOnFire: *lol* I'm warning you now, don't check everyday to see if I update, cause I'll only do it on the weekends… but I do the same thing with my favourites! (my favourites of favourites) Happy you enjoyed James' shower (hehe – that just sounds wrong), I liked writing it. Anger can be funny. Thanks for the review!
Beaver Buddy: *lol* Oh yea! I have to go sign in everyday, don't I, to win that! I didn't go yesterday or the day before… dammit. I do hope I win though… I know I won't (the chances are what? One in 2 million?!) But it'd be cool! I love it when people say their family thinks their weird for laughing at the computer… it's just so funny. Thanks for the review!
Star: You're welcome… *unsure look* why are you thanking me? For writing more? Than you're welcome!!! Oh good – my story has life and cheeriness! Woo! Thanks for the review:)
Amethyst: *LOL* You have to realise how funny it is just to refer to Head Boy/Girl as Head/s. Cause 'I wish I was a head' sounds absolutely hilarious… You know, I've wondered what I'd be if I could be an animagus… I still haven't decided. Something that flies for sure. But I'd also like to swim… damn penguins for not doing both!! Imagine being one of the guys and having turned into a penguin!?!? Waddling around the Forbidden Forest… *lol* Oh, what would their nickname be (other than Waddles?) and which do you think would be the penguin? I'm thinking Sirius. Or maybe Remus if he wasn't a werewolf… Ok – I'm looking too far into this. Thanks for the review!
Kool-Aid: I always make you late to dance, don't I? Sorry bout that, but seeing as you don't mind… happy you liked so many parts of it!! Thanks for the fun review!
Male Volent: Oh – you came back! I didn't think you would! And the story idea sounds good with the song. *gapes* You haven't seen Moulin Rouge! yet? You have to!! It is really good, but there's not much prostitution. You don't see anything bad at all. Just a mention, and it's… yea. Not much. Although I've cried every time… and have fallen in love with Ewen McGregor's character (Oh Christian, will you ever love again?) for life. But onto other things. For music… as of right now it's Evanescence (sooo good) 24/7, with some Linking Park. But seeing as those are the first CD's I've bought for… 3 years? I'm not letting either out of my sight. I'm pretty much an Alternative girl (although I remember from your bio that you don't like that) throughout. Yea, La Coucaracha's about a cockroach and vodka or something, right? I can't remember… but I love it anyways! I enjoyed your rant it was quite amusing. Loved the whole annoying people with loud annoying music. The only way to love your family. ;) Thanks for the review!
Karrottop: Yea, yea Sirius and Arabella. I originally was going to have them together than thought "Screw that", so I scrapped it… then I thought, "Hey, good plot twist if it can't be original…" and so I threw Carl in. Makes it fun, eh? But will he want to end the relationship? (dun dun duunnnn) I still haven't figured that out. *lol* Just look through all my authors notes and you'll see how many times I've said that I don't know what's going to happen. I wing this story like that… but I do know if and when Sirius and Arabella may get together. That's still not a definite. See? I don't know what I'm doing!!! I pity you all for joining the ride. Yea… I did have Sirius' perspectives in the last chapter though… and there was the Sirius/Ara part here… and a small one with the teachers *clears throat* But I'll remember that. ;) Thanks for the review!
Madam Scrubbles: I ain't typing the whole thing out. Although I should… Ok – what song was that that you put in your review!? Sounds oddly familiar… And their scorchingly good summer sex? No, that's next chapter. ;);) So you want me to right an affiliated chapter under a different posted story just for some good ol' porn scenes? Now, seeing as Lily and James haven't got that far… and I wouldn't have Mel do it… Jen and Remus? Would that suffice? Cause you know, we never know if she went back when Romulus wasn't there. ;) j/k – thanks for the review!
TheSilverLady: I'm really sorry if I offended you with the whole 'silver' thing… I really didn't mean to! We all have our ideas about Harry Potter (the seeker/chaser thing with James gets on my nerves) but all in all… it really doesn't matter! Thanks for your input! I'm actually quite glad that someone disagreed with me so thoroughly!! Thanks!
penpunk: Nah, I think you're the 11th reviewer or something… well, of this chapter. Some people may have reviewed other ones before you did this one. Get my meaning? Yay!! 'Lamina Court has updated' is a great routine to get used to! Hell, I do it when I type up all these chapters/thanks/A/N's and post it every Saturday! You get 2 points for effort. Thanks for the hex compliment. I thought the whole 'can leave their side by more than 5 feet' thing was way overdone, but wanted something that bothered them both, and only affected them. Worked out nicely (except for the fact that I have to consciously remember the whole damn thing). *sniffs* You're leaving me!? Well, I hope you had fun in Scotland!! Thanks for the review!
Liv: I think it'd be cool to have a twin… but then again anything that comes with it might get annoying. You know, all the pictures of you bathing together, the questions and constant "Oh my God!! Are you twins!?" said in the biggest cheerleader voice you've ever heard. So, I was wondering… what was on this love note that Price wrote? I think it's absolutely hilarious. Well, I only post on Saturdays (and possibly Sundays like this nearly was…) so none during the week :( I know, I know, we're all sad… but thanks for the review!! I always love hearing from you (and your amusing stories.)
blueskywillow55: Yea, Sirius is daft… but then again, lots of guys are. Yea, I love how you use '!' all the time. Makes me smile. Then laugh when you notice it too ;) *lol* I think people are getting impatient with the whole 'Sirius and Arabella not together' thing. I'm starting to get threats… *gulps* Thanks for the review! Oh yea, and props to you for being the first to mention Carl and think something was up with him. *thumbs up*
song*breeze: thanks for the review! I don't think there was any fluff in this chapter, eh? Meh, oh well – as I've said before (although I don't know who…) I can't put out too much at a time… well, it comes in globs, and then not for another while later. Call me a fool, but it's fun that way.
Agent AAA: You're the second person to mention Carl!! WOO!! And you have a different opinion. Kudos. Oh God – my best friends' mum is a light sleeper, and it pissed me off as a child. I've known her since I was 3, and basically, when I'm 10 and have my first crush and want to tell my best friend, all we'd hear from her mum's room (when we whispered) was: "No secrets girls." WTF IS THAT?! I have to tell secrets! I was a 10 year-old girl – secrets were my life. So she usually slept over at my place. Anywho – thanks for the review!
everblue3: Oh Jesus… I couldn't get over how long that was. Did mine beat yours? *she asks, steel glint in eyes and lips curved into a competitive smirk* I damn well hope so. I hope there weren't many mistakes in this one… I kind of slacked off during the week and had to rush to finish writing it, and I only just made my minimum (by like, 144 words) and have to quickly read over it after I'm done these. It's taken me a good 4-5 hours already to get this far in typing this morning… and I still have lots to go! Yea, my reviews for Oy! Angelina can get quite long… especially when it's a topic I like, and she asks millions of questions I have to try to respond to and explain myself well. *lol* You sound like this guy I know (or knew – pessimist he was) with the 'greatest thing since sliced bread' comment. And although I was laughing at your squealing (for getting 7 reviews in a few hours), don't worry – I do too. Especially if it's from you (awww) or someone else I love hearing from with amusing/embarrassing stories! And damn you with your constant mentions of tea! When I got my hair cut on April Fools (sounds like a bad idea, eh?), they have a cappuccino bar, and offered me all these coffee related things, so I denied. Then they offered me tea. You should have seen my face. It was a 'are you out to get me?' kind of thing. Tea withdrawal is a definite. I smell it everywhere I go… dreaming of it… it won't leave!!! No I'm joking, but wouldn't it be messed up if I wasn't? S'ok if you didn't remember Lisa (I forgot about her for a few chapters back in TGTYEL so therefore, the spell she used was too 'advanced' and she needed to polish it so it wouldn't go wrong. I'm good a covering my ass, aren't I?) at first. I got 'nonatête' I got from French. I don't care if most spells are Latin or something. 'Non' – 'no'; 'a' – 'at, in, to, with, from, of, etc'; 'tête' – 'head'. I think it works well, don't you? Go me on that! Woo! *lol* Loved the insert of Trelawny voice. I can just imagine one of those yoga things… and what's with Josh and his 'no frisbee' thing? Ultimate Frisbee rules!! Actually, Tackle Ultimate Frisbee kicks even more ass. Wow… long enough reply, eh? I think I'm done. (Now I'll be shocked if this is posted on Saturday!) Thanks!
SiriDragon: *phew* My hand's tired from typing the above thank you! *lol* I don't remember why I laughed at your expense… oh yes! The destroying of your house, right? That's too fun. And yes, more laughing at the guys gawking and hitting on you. Lucky ass. Some of us don't get all that kind of attention – although I do now with my new hair! I love it! Cause it just stands out (like a red wine/cranberry juice colour) and with my baggy pants, I look kinda skater-ish. Meh – not what I'm going for, but it's fun. And the duck 'mooned' you? How the hell does a duck 'moon' you!? Anywho – hope you enjoyed the flashing dude in here, seeing as that kind of stuff just happens to you. (lol)
SJangel: Know what the 'purple apple tree' reminded me of? The 'Giant Purple People Eater' song. That is such a fun song! Aw – no complaints! *blushes* Cute – thanks for the review!
kerry: Heyhey! You are loved. Yes, you were procrastinating on not reading that chapter. A whole DAY – what is wrong with you? Thanks for the review!! :):) So fun.
Gryfyndor Girl: Yes! I love it when you guys use 'groovy'! I think all soap is out to get everyone. Evil. Pure cleansing evil. Thanks for the review!
mystikalolo: With Sirius/Ara hitting heads, I first thought of how everyone does the 'not able to move more than 5 feet from each other' curse and made a note to steer clear from that. So I decided a little bit of pain evokes humour… then it just worked from there. And the 'Never tickle a sleeping dragon' is actually Hogwarts' motto! The Latin thing that's under the Hogwarts' crest? Yea, that's what it says! And yea – nothing exciting at the sorting, but afterwards it got interesting. I just desperately wanted to end the chapter and needed a good line. Anywho – thanks for the review!
IamVulcanLady: I had no idea that was from star trek… but my friend assured me it was! (how she knows, I have no idea… I think her uncle used to watch it or something…) Anywho – thanks for reviewing!
sayuri: I did have a happy haircut! I hope I (or someone good) wins the 'have a part in PoA' thing. I do hope it's not a young child, cause I… oh I don't know. I just want either a hot guy or me to win. Selfish much? Thanks for the review!
Jess: Sorry I haven't checked out your stories! Happy James' soap incident was so widely enjoyed. And you're the only one who recognized the Hogwarts motto. 5 points for that. :) Yea, I have an account on fictionpress.net, but don't have any stories up… I'm just working this. I'll probably post some things when this is completely done with! Woo – go me! But yea- thanks for the long review!!
MandaB: Yea, this chapter was even shorter!! *look of pain* Sorry – I thought it was longer when I wrote it out (I write then type) and I guess it wasn't. Damn. Oh well, it's over my minimum (by 144 words… *ahem*), and that's all that matters right now! And you're the oldest? *cringes* Yea, I'm the youngest. Good position to be in. ;) Thanks for the review!
starborn: *lol* You count down in reviews, too? Yea, I started doing that since… January! So people expect it of me. I think we're at 77… or 76. Not too sure – haven't reviewed for a couple of days, or checked the website I get it from! Thanks for the review!
puddy103: Oh good – a new nickname! Ok, no, in TGTYEL – Genie was a year below them. So she was a fifth year, and is now sixth. Thanks for the review!
Fluffy The Teddy Bear Slayer: Yes – I loved The Craft. Everything was just so cool. I haven't seen it for a while though… I must rent it. (After Jackass – hilarious movie, albeit stupid and sometimes gross… but hilarious!) Yea, I thought about the 'you can't go further than 4 feet from each other' curse, but it's been way overdone – even if it is fun. So I thought something painful was in order. Call me a sadist, but other people liked it too. ;) Thanks for the review!
LadyArwen: Happy you're doing better. :) Yes, déja vu was my goal. Happy you liked Sirius and understood why he can't ever remember thinking of Ara… call him slow, call him thick, call him an A.D.D. child, hell – call him muffin if it floats your boat! (Definitely floats mine ;)) Happy you're getting into the story ;) Thanks for the review!!!
~sundust~: Now, you're sure it won't slip, right? I don't want any James mornings… *lol* Imagine going to school cause of "Lamina Court hasn't updated… IJTL withdrawal…" That'd be too fun! Thanks for the review (and soap!) :)
Nicole: Predict, eh? Sounds like a Trelawny follower to me. (j/k) Anywho – yes, lots of people thought I'd hook up Remus and Donna. Just imagine where we'd be if I did! She'd probably be alive, Jen with some other person… maybe Remus and Arabella! You never know… anywho. Thanks for the review!
Frankie: I always mention those who review ;) And you're the third one who mentioned Carl! I'm happy some people noticed him! And I answered your Carl question in the story. Thanks for bringing that up – I made a mental note to remember it when I started making his character… but it got lost with all the other crap in my head. And don't go all philosophical with me on the double no things! It won't happen cause I don't want to think about it. *rubs head from hurting* Thanks for the review!
Clearbrook: Thanks for the review! Yea, I find the readers of Harry Potter tend to get a bit too attached to the characters… like when they yell at you for changing one thing (or the seeker/chaser thing with James) or not having them be the way you want. *shudders* It can get ugly. Anywho – thanks for the review (again)!
GreenEyedPickle: Ok – first off – LOVED your review. Absolutely loved it. Laughed the whole time. Do it again. ;) *LOL* Oh yea! My Remus/porn comment. I loved it so much… but it is true – don't you disagree! *lol* And yea… the 'I love them long' quote… yes. Yes I see where that can go wrong. Happy you liked my rant! Did you read the one in my bio? Honestly – sure there are albino deer sometimes (hell, there's albino dogs, cats, rats, bears, rabbits, whales, penguins, PEOPLE) and only fish at the bottom of the sea are bioluminescent! And as my friend told me to write with your 'being dragged out of your house thing' – here we go: (::Friends grab Jen around the arms:: What are you doing you bastards?! I'm getting reviews!!! ::dragging her down the stairs:: Reviews you fools!! Noooo!!!! ::MSN sound of 'just received an e-mail from…' sounds:: That's a review! Let me go you *beeeeeeeeep* AHHH!!!) I am done. Thanks for the review!
running-out-of-ink: YES! I am finally at the last review! NO!! I still have to do the ones for other chapters and TGTYEL!! *sobs into hands* Well… I think I'll live. Oh you jumped this time!! :):) Well… not this time, but last time. What about this time? Oh yes – my hair. No I don't just go in for a trim. My hair was near my lower back… horribly wrong and split ends-y. So I got it cut to my shoulder (I think I lost 5 pounds doing that…) and got it dyed red wine/cranberry juice red! I didn't want the colours they had (fire engine red or dark red/brown) so we mixed the two! Uh… style? Layered. Well, what I get done is weird. I have the longest part and shortest – then the layers are a mix of every length in between! Looks good. And I go tmy bangs cut again (the ones that part in the middle) they were past my chin *yech*. But it looks good! And I curled it a couple of days ago (ok, so the straightening didn't work and went frizzy, so I grabbed the curling iron) and it's so cute!! Anywho – enough about my hair… (Pensieve is absolutely great, isn't it?) I do like Shakespeare, Hamlet being my favourite. I love the 'To be or not to be' speech. I nearly have it memorized. And yes – thanks for the review!!
Oh God – that took two hours. Now onto the lovely reviewers who reviewed other chapters!! Beaver Buddy (lol – thanks!), Madam Scrubbles (word for the curse, it's a mix of French: 'Non' – no; 'a' – at, in, to, with, from, of, etc; 'tête' – head. Nice little mix, eh?), Psyche (laughed my ass off at the e-mail. So yes, your reviews do show up. On the website, it takes a while.), Frankie (lol – imagine Lily and her owl being pregnant at the same time while she's pg with Harry? I'd feel bad for James and Cupid!), The Cavity (Laughed my ass off! That was too funny! Thanks :)).
Ok – thank God I'm done that now! But let that not sway you from reviewing – I secretly love it! Just not when I'm late, and rushing, and ff.net is messing up, and OH MY GOD there it goes again… Anywho – and it's snowing outside… it was up to 14C a couple weeks ago – completely got rid of the 3-4 feet of snow we had, letting my plum tree bud… but now we're gonna have a foot of the white shit by Monday! What the hell is that?! And it's sleet! Sleet! Go check your weather channels and see – look for Ottawa – that's where I am! See that person shaking their fist at the sky, screaming obscenities at Mother Nature and her PMS? That's me.
Well, review and… yea. I'm spent. Just *sighs* please review or something.