Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine! The fabulous joke comes from Ellen DeGeneres.
Oh my GOD!!!! I updated!!! *maniacal laughter* About freakin time, eh? But you have a fun chapter here. It was all pretty much written out before OotP (cry with me now…), so I got a tad emotional when proof reading a certain character…
But let it be known now that my story will not change in the least from the path it is taking. My version of the Marauders will be the same, Arabella will be the same, Mundungus will be the same (although I've been changing him a tad – doubt anyone noticed though… it's been quite subtle since… after Valentines (TGTYEL), story time – not ours.) Lily and James' friendship will be the same; friends will be the same, etc. Just making that clear.
And I'd like to thank Arabella Figg for putting me over 400 with one of her reviews :):) And thanks to everyone for patiently sticking with me, and for all that read and sent me a note in regards to my blurty :) No need to worry, I'm all good now.
And one more note: If you want to write me and talk about things, please send me an e-mail – don't use a review box to tell me about your vacations. (;) You know who you guys are) I enjoy reading them – but I'd prefer them in e-mail format. Thanks.
On with Chapter 9, hm?
(By the by – anything within the post with *.* around it means it's supposed to be in italics, but for some reason they stop between the * * * things. Bloody things…)
* * *
"So we're having a Spirit Week, are we?" Sirius asked, scanning the note on the bulletin board.
*Hey Hogwarts Students! (And staff – you can't escape it!)
We're having Hogwarts' first ever Spirit Week! For one week, Monday – Friday, we will have a different theme each day!
House points will be awarded to the best dressed or taken away from the house the least dressed! So everyone participate – come on! It'll be fun!!*
"I didn't authorize that many exclamation marks." James commented, looking over it with Sirius.
"Come on James! It's fun!!" Sirius mocked, looking back at the board.
*The themes will be posted the week before the Spirit Week! Get your charms skills ready and watch your Common Room boards for more info!
-Your Prefects and Heads*
"And I definitely didn't authorize having the Prefects listed before the Heads…" James continued with a small frown.
"I really don't think that's something you should be worrying about." Remus told him as they waited for the girls. Today was Halloween, therefore a Hogsmeade day. Dumbledore had announced a ball at breakfast. It's to be held New Years Eve, and students going home for Christmas may catch an early train the day before to attend if they so choose.
James laughed evilly. "Yea, but you don't know what the days are…" He chuckled again, got a faraway look in his eyes, and then burst out laughing.
His three friends shared wary glances. "You know James… *you're* going to have to dress up too…" Sirius said slowly. "As Head Boy, you *really* can't get out of it…"
"Oh I know." James said, sobering up. "But at least I have more time to steel myself up for it." He chuckled again and looked at Sirius. "I hope you and you're sister are the same size." Before Sirius was able to understand what James meant, the girls came down.
Each of them had a brilliant, secretive smile on their faces. Lily walked right up to James and put her arms around his neck. James stood blissfully puzzled.
"Congratulations." She said, and kissed him lightly on the lips. James had the oddest feeling of déjà vu… right before he got his Head Boy letter. Although that kiss had been a tad more… powerful. "You are now the proud step-father of five barn owl eggs."
The other guys started clapping and hooting. (A/N: No pun intended. Honestly.) James' mouth hung open. "Are you sure?"
Everyone laughed. "James, you make it seem like they're *your* babies…" Jen commented. She then raised an eyebrow. "They're not are they?"
Ignoring her, James spoke again, "Can I see them?" This time more excitedly.
"We'll go to Hogsmeade first and when we've come back-"
"Lily I want to see them now!" James whined, sending a quick look to the girl's stairs.
"They'll still be there when we come back, James." Lily smiled, linking her arm with his and starting for the Portrait Hole.
"Other than robes for the ball in a couple of months," Ara said, "is there anything else we need to pick up for the Spirit Week?"
Lily and James shared an evil look. "No," Lily said, "whatever you need is accessible in the school." Lily looked over her shoulder and grinned at her friends. "And if a younger year needs help with a spell or needs to borrow something – help and lend it to them."
With perplexed and nervous looks, the rest followed the two Heads down to the Entrance Hall. They left the school and made their way to Hogsmeade in the crisp autumn air.
~ * ~
With their hands and noses pressed up against the glass stood James and Sirius. Their mouths slowly dropped lower and lower as Remus calmly read the label to them.
"*Awe, bamboozle and scam your enemies (and your friends, too!) with this rare edition of Gobstones.
Need some extra cash or respect? Want to impress the opposite sex? Feel like showing off some psychic-vibes? This box of enchanted Gobstones was specially charmed to make you win every time – and the person you choose to lose!
Buy now and receive a two galleon mail in rebate!*" Remus looked away from the encased box to his two friends. "You're not going to honestly buy this, are you?"
The four of them stood around the encased game that stood in the middle of Zonkos. Peter was standing on the other side of the case and nodded his agreement. "You two already have respect, money… opposite sexes…" He avoided any eye contact as he spoke. Well, just Remus' eyes really… James and Sirius were still gazing at the Specially Charmed Edition of Gobstones as if it held all the answers to the world. "Well, Sirius has *had* opposite sexes... Plus, Remus and I already know about it… and I doubt you'll cover Lily in that stuff by cheating." Peter looked to Remus for any more points.
Thinking quickly and looking around (James and Sirius had their money bags out), Remus saw some Slytherins walk by the store. "Right, and how are you going to get Snape, Malfoy or Rockshoot to play with you? If anything, they'll hex your before the game starts." James and Sirius looked at Peter and Remus, then sullenly put their moneybags away.
"They're right you know." James said sadly. Remus realised he was talking to the Gobstones. "You wouldn't be put to your full potential…"
"Go to a good home." Sirius said quietly. "This doesn't mean we don't love you-" James shook his head "- we just… it's better this way." He ran a hand over his face.
"It's ok." James said softly to Sirius. "I'm sure he'll go somewhere beautiful."
Sirius kissed the tip of his fingers and gently placed them on top of the display case, eyes closed. "Goodbye little buddy." He turned around and left without looking back. James put an arm around his shoulders and steered him towards the "Flagellate Your Friends!" aisle.
Remus and Peter slowly turned their heads to face each other. With a sigh they continued to look around the shop.
The lady gasped. "Those dress robes look *fabulous* on you!"
Lily, Jen and Mel all stifled their laughs. Ara spun around in front of the mirror. "Really?" She asked, tilting her head and looking at her reflection, dressed in maroon robes. "I don't think the bodice fits too well-"
"Oh we can fix that!" The sales lady (whose nametag read "Clarice") interrupted. "Those dress robes make your ass look *fabulous*."
Jen lost it and had to be ushered by Lily to a different section of Gladrags to calm down. A few other students were looking through the robes and questioned her. They all nodded understandingly when Lily pointed to Clarice.
Ara ignored her and raised her eyebrows. "*Really?*" She put her back to the mirror and checked herself out in different angles and lights. "Mel? Does this make my ass look good?"
Mel calmly walked to her friend, looked into the mirror then to Ara. "Well truthfully, I've never checked you out before… but your ass looks pretty good."
Lily and Jen came back (Jen's eyes were watering), both calm. Lily raised a quizzical eyebrow. "What are we doing now?"
"Checking out my ass." Ara replied simply. The sales lady looked on, keeping her smile in place. "Does it look good?" She wiggled her butt and watched as Jen laughed again, leaning on a rack of discount dress robes.
"Fabulous." Lily smirked. "Just get the bodice fixed up… and the sleeves'll need to be shortened to three quarter length."
The sales lady, obviously, agreed and set to work on Ara's robes, with Ara standing on a stool. "The rest of you find ones you like."
Lily, Mel and Jen went back to wander through the racks of robes. Jen insisted on making her ass look fabulous.
"Orange and chocolate? Who puts orange and chocolate together?"
"Oh it's amazing Padfoot!"
"Is it Peter? I wouldn't have thought-"
"I wouldn't, Padfoot."
"Why not, Moony?"
"Because when they mix together… they make you, uh… poop… more."
This is when James stopped stuffing his face a few feet away from his friends. He glared at the innocent pieces of chocolate and orange… innocent, sweet… delectable, mouth-watering… James reached a hand for one last piece-
"I wouldn't have one of those, Prongs." Sirius said, coming up to his best friend. "Didn't you hear what Remus said?"
"Yea, but just one-"
Sirius smiled. "You've already had one." When James' face turned a bit pink, Sirius explained. "I can smell it on your breath."
James sent him a quick glare. "I only had one." He said stubbornly before walking off.
Sirius' eyes quickly glanced the half eaten batch of orange chocolates. Stifling a few snorts threatening to escape, Sirius walked away from the free samples tray of Honeydukes. He spotted Janna in the 'low fat' section and let out a sigh.
Every time he had tried to talk with her and apologize, she'd avoid him, never saying a word. The only time she'd talk to him was during Muggle Studies while they worked on their project with Tegan.
Needless to say, the conversations were a little strained…
With a quick look to his friends ("I swear I only had one!") who were in the 'unusual tastes' area picking up some blood lollipops (for the Slytherin's Halloween feast), Sirius walked over to Janna. He heard her muttering to herself.
"Now, if I do my normal workouts and Quidditch training, I can have three fat free, sugar free, 15 calorie orange candies a day…"
"Or half of one bar of Honeydukes chocolate every couple of days." Sirius threw in from behind her.
Without turning around, Janna scooped a bagful of orange candies and spoke back. "What do you want Sirius?"
"To talk to you… apologize." When Janna still didn't face him, Sirius stepped in front of the candy bin. "Look – can we go somewh-"
"Never step in front of an impatient girl and her sugar free candies, Sirius." Janna said, ready to shove him if necessary. She looked up to his eyes and raised an eyebrow.
Sirius promptly took a step to the side. "But if I could have just one moment of your time…"
Janna took a quick look at his pleading grey eyes. With a roll of her own and sigh, she folded. "Fine." She took her bag of candies to the cash. "Out of the shop though." She paid the man and made a quick stop to Piotrek and Hunter. Janna told them she was heading and to meet her at "the bloody dress robe place". Sirius gave a nod to his friends, then at Janna, and they understood.
"You can talk as I make my way to Gladrags." Janna said, walking past Sirius and to the exit of the sweet shop.
'So that gives me… five minutes,' Sirius thought with a sigh. "Alright," he left Honeydukes behind Janna, "I'm going to start off by saying that I really am sorry. I stepped out of line and shouldn't have kept pushing you when you had so adamantly told me to stop. I didn't listen and my mind was only on the project and not your… feelings." He thought it very odd that he was talking to a girl about her feelings. "I know I could go on about being stupid, cruel and selfish… but I won't. Saying that doesn't help the situation any." Sirius gave a nod to a couple of Gryffindor second years – one being Taylor, their new Keeper. Her friend giggled and blushed when Sirius smiled.
Janna rolled her eyes. They kept walking in silence as Sirius tried to think of something else to say. He said he was sorry – check. Indirectly insulted himself - check. He was drawing a blank.
They neared the robe store and Sirius decided to throw in a few more words. "Well, if ever you need to talk at all about your Jim-nastic experience… I'm here, ok?"
Janna rested her hand on the door handle. "Talk to you about it? You'd want to hear about a girls problems?"
Sirius smiled. "*Want* might be a strong word." Janna let a small smile creep on her face. "Able to put up with it – yes." He reached forward and opened the door for her. "I see that my sister and her comrades are here." As they walked in they were greeted with laughter coming from the one of the changing rooms stationed around the shop. "Excuse me Miss Rosado, but I have to check this out."
"Apology accepted." She said before he left. "I can get a little testy when I talk about that part of my life… I'm sorry that I blew up in your face."
Sirius smiled at her before making his way to the girls. Janna went to look at her own possible dress robes.
"No, no, no, no, no!!!" Jen laughed, handing Lily a magenta frilled dress robe. "That one next!"
Sirius caught a glimpse of Lily backing up into a stall with a putrid green dress robe on that must have been designed over 50 years ago. "What are you ladies up to?" He asked, coming up behind them.
Jen was standing beside a pile of tried on dress robes – each colour more vibrant than the last. Mel was seated with a shopping bag, showing she'd already purchased her dress robe. Ara stood beside Lily's change room with her shopping bag in hand, ready to help if Lily got stuck in the robes – which had already happened twice.
"Having fun." Mel answered. Clarice, the sales lady, had left the girls when she noticed that they were really just mocking her antique robes. Janna was now in her clutches. ("I know just the robes to make your ass look fabulous!")
"Hey Sirius!" Lily called from where she was getting changed. The previous putrid green dress robe was flipped over the door. Ara grabbed it, tossed it to Mel who was closest. Mel passed it to Jen who added it to the pile.
"You're all insane." Sirius stated, seeing the green somehow clash with every other colour in the pile. "Is that fishnet?" He asked, seeing said material (in peacock blue) poking out.
Ara smirked. "What would it take to get you in one of those?" She asked, nodding to the pile.
"Who's getting in one of what?" Lily asked, sounding as if she was struggling.
Sirius ignored her question. "A lot more than you'd be willing to offer…"
"What if we all get you a butterbeer?" Mel asked.
"Why are we getting Sirius butterbeer?"
Lily was once again ignored. "You'll need more than butterbeer."
"You get one dance with each of us at the ball?" Jen tried.
Sirius looked at her like she was crazy. "You all would have danced with me anyway."
All the girl's (save Lily's) mouths dropped. "Why are we dancing?" Lily was apparently only hearing snippets of the conversation going on outside her change room.
"You pompous bastard!" Ara laughed. "What makes you so sure of *that*?"
Sirius gave her his knee-buckling smile – one he had practiced in front of the mirror all third year. It was a self-assured you-know-you-want-me-and-I-know-it-too, mischievous smirk. "Because *I*, my dear Arabella Figg, am an irresistible hunk of man-flesh." All the girls stared at him. Lily had stopped changing to try and process that newsflash. "In fact, it's amazing that Mel, Lily and yourself have all restrained yourselves so well." Their reaction wasn't what he expected. They burst out laughing.
"Right then Romeo," Jen laughed, grabbing a mocha-orange robe, "put this one on for four butterbeers and a dance with each of us."
Sirius, on reflex, caught the should-be-outlawed robe. "You're my sister… why is dancing with you part of the deal?" He asked as Jen and Mel shoved him into the change room beside Lily's. Ara sent him a small wave.
"Because we danced together as children and you want to relive your childhood." Jen answered, smiling at him before she slammed the door shut.
"Ok, I'm coming out…" Lily opened the door and stepped out. She looked around. "Where's Sirius?"
"I can't believe I'm doing this…" She heard him say slowly from behind a change room door.
"You look great Lily." Ara commented, fisting her hand and covering her mouth. "*Fabulous*."
"Oh yes – the magenta completely matches the red hair and green eyes." Mel agreed.
"I like the lace and frills, personally." Jen added. "Really brings out your femininity."
"Jen, we really have to find you a robe…" Lily said. "I've tried on that pile, and you've not found one you like in the whole store…"
"I'm picky-"
"Mel, you go with her and find some for her to try on." Lily interrupted, pointing to the rest of the store where some other Hogwarts students were.
"Aye, aye Head Girl. Come along Corporal," Mel said, taking Jen by the elbow, "we've got to find you something to make your ass look *fabulous*."
"And what about me, oh fearless leader?" Ara asked, leaning between the two change room doors, hearing Sirius muttering curses and clothes being rustled. ("How the bloody hell does this work… where does *that* go?")
"Make sure Romeo doesn't make a run for it and that I can get out of this atrocious robe…" Lily stepped back into the change room and began the task of undressing.
Ten minutes later, Lily was changed and Jen was changing. Sirius had yet to come out; claiming ignorance and Jen asking for him to wait for her.
Wondering where Sirius was, James had asked Hunter where Janna was headed earlier. Assuming Sirius was at Gladrags still or beaten to a pulp in a ditch (an excellent point brought up by Remus… quite a possibility) – the three boys made their way to the robe store.
They expected to find Sirius and most likely Lily, Mel, Jen and Ara… they didn't expect to see what they saw.
Walking between the racks of cloth, discount robes and eveningwear, the three guys found Mel, Lily and Ara. James wrapped his arms around Lily's waist, startling her, and kissed her neck lightly. Lily put a finger to her lips for the guys to keep quiet.
"Have you been in here all this time?" James asked quietly. The other girls heard him too and waved.
Lily nodded. "You missed my fashion show…" She gestured the rancid robes piled on a chair. James couldn't resist a snort.
"Jen in there?" Remus asked softly, nodding to the change rooms.
Ara, still between the doors, leaning against the middle area, tapped the one to her right with her elbow. Remus nodded and stood on the other side of the door.
"I think I'm coming out now…" Jen said uncertainly. "I don't know about this one – it's a pretty colour… but I think it shows too much cleavage…" That got Remus' attention. He stopped leaning and waited.
"Who cares? You're 17 Jen – and I'm sure Remus won't care…" Ara smirked, sending him a wink.
The latch unlocked and Jen stepped out. Her head was down and she was adjusting the bodice of the scarlet robe. "I don't know if I'll be comfortable wearing…" She spotted someone's shoes with her downward gaze. She recognised those shoes… Slowly lifting her eyes, she felt her face go warm when she reached Remus' face. "Oh hello." She opened her mouth to say more but Ara covered it with her hand. Remus couldn't take her eyes off her.
Ara used her other hand and smacked Sirius' door with the palm. "Come on Sirius. She's out and you know what that means… And you must stand out here for at least one minute." Peter, James and Remus looked confused. They shared identical looks of 'doesn't he already have his robes?'
"I hate you all." Sirius said stiffly before unlocking his door and stepping out. He, like his twin, was looking down – except he was staring at the floor.
The girls burst out laughing. Sirius quickly lifted up his head to glare at them when he saw his friends standing there in shock.
"If I had known that without us, Padfoot, you'd become a Drag Queen," James began slowly and unsurely, "I wouldn't have let Janna drag you off…"
Sirius' face was getting redder and redder. He lost all composure when Peter burst out laughing. His at first calm face finally scrunched up into humiliated anger.
Controlling their laughter to mere chortling, Remus and James discussed Sirius' robes of choice.
"I see the low neckline," James observed, "but its shape doesn't compliment his broad shoulders."
Remus nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The colour… what would you call it?"
"Mustard."
"Right. Mustard isn't his colour. Offsets the tone of his skin-"
"I'm not standing for this mockery." Sirius said snootily, turning.
Ara was blocking his way. "Nuh uh."
"Oh come on, it's been a minute! Please let me leave-"
"He'll have to shave his legs too…" Peter added from the floor where he had collapsed in laughter and now sat cross-legged.
Having enough of the embarrassment, Sirius looked Ara directly in the eye before barrelling into the change room with her.
"No!" Ara laughed. "I don't want to see this!" She tried to escape, but Sirius closed and locked the door
The others were laughing at the pounding and tackling coming from the stall.
"Well," Remus said with a mischievous smile, "we'll see you in a bit." Before anyone could question, Remus wrapped an arm around Jen's waist and pulled her backwards, closing the change room door as they entered.
"He took my wand!" Ara yelled. "I can't get out! Unseal this door Sirius! AH! I'm not looking!"
With a bang on the joining wall, Remus yelled, "Will you two keep it down in there?"
"And here are your four butterbeer, Sirius hun." Rosmerta said with a wink, placing the foaming drinks before him.
"Thank you Rosmerta m'dear." Sirius responded with a half-grin and returned wink.
"Drink up Sirius. We have to be back at the school in just under an hour." Lily warned, seeing him slowly sip the foam.
"He's drinking like a lady, Lily." James joked. "Let her – I mean *him* – enjoy it…"
Sirius was glaring at James over the rim of his mug. "I hate you, you know that? This pure, boiling hatred…"
"No that's just humiliation." Remus told him, looking too smug for Sirius' liking.
"You know what *Moon-me*-"
"Lupin?"
Everyone at their table looked up to see Keaira Blair standing across from Remus.
"Yes?" Remus asked, unable to keep a confused look from his face.
"Some hot guy wants to talk to you." Keaira said casually, ice-blue eyes impassive. "Second booth from the back over there." She pointed to a corner of the pub not too far from the table.
Remus slowly stood. "Um, thanks…" He picked up his near full butterbeer.
Keaira nodded. "He said he'd get you a drink." She turned and weaved back to her own friends.
"Take it with you…" Jen said, nodding towards his mug. "I wouldn't trust this guy…"
"Do you want one of us to come with you?" James asked at the same time as Mel's, "Maybe its Troy? Romulus?"
Remus shook his head. "No to both of them. I'll be fine, and Troy wouldn't visit, or send someone to collect me… He's needed with the rest of the Aurors right now anyway; Voldemort's getting brutal." Peter flinched and Mel let a twitch escape her. "And he's definitely not hot… Romulus should be back in Australia."
"Troy's not that bad…" Ara said with a shrug, "But no, I wouldn't say 'hot'."
"Would you just get your butt over there?" Mel asked, humoured by the fact he'd been standing for a couple minutes, butterbeer in hand. "I'm sure it's nothing…"
Remus uncertainly walked towards the back of the pub, second booth from the back wall. His eyes widened. "Romulus?"
"Hey littlest brother." Said a madly grinning Romulus. "I see my messenger finally got you. Have a seat."
Remus gave thumbs up to his table (all were watching) and sat down. Romulus leaned across the bench seat and waved to them. They all waved back and Sirius began a new topic: Peter's Herbology partner. ("So Sperm Whale – you kiss her yet?")
"What are you doing here?"
Romulus sipped his redcurrant rum. "Did you not get my letter? I know it was storming and everything-"
Remus' eyes darkened. "Yes." He said simply, with the hint of a growl.
Romulus had the decency to feel sheepish. "I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"
"Let's just say that that first time caused a domino affect. That is what, the fourth time?" Remus punctuated the sentence purposely with a soft, audible growl.
"Well if you two weren't going at it all the time-"
"If you'd knock!" Remus said loudly – loud enough for his friends to hear and for Jen's cheeks to tint pink.
"Anyways," Romulus continued quickly, "to answer your first question – yes it's me. The second, I believe, was *'What are you doing here?'* I am here to teach."
Remus stared blankly. "What? Drinking and hitting on women 101?"
Romulus laughed. "No," he waved his hand, obviously in some meaningful direction, "at Hogwarts."
'Well', Remus thought, 'Hogwarts is the other way…' He glanced at Romulus' near empty drink and wondered how long he waited for Remus to get there… "But the staff is full." He decided on saying.
"Not after tonight." Romulus replied with a now-you-applaud-me voice.
Remus, again, stared blankly at his eldest brother. "What?" He asked, eyes narrowing. "What do you plan on doing?"
"It seems the Ministry needs more Aurors." Romulus' face and tone became serious. He sat up and leaned in. "So Professor Aubury is going back into her original line of work. Dumbledore wrote to me and it's taken me till now to get the official consent from my work in Australia; papers signed, etc." Romulus smiled and Remus knew that the seriousness was over. "So for the rest of the year, you'll have to start calling me Professor Lupin."
"Right…"
Romulus threw a couple galleons on the table and took the last bit of his drink as a shot. "And now when I catch you and Jen snogging – I can take points away!" He stood from the table, as did Remus, and grabbed his cloak. "Or give points… depending on how you look at it…"
~ * ~
"Now stay calm."
"Right."
"No sudden movements."
"Gotcha."
"Keep your voice down.
"Always."
Lily rolled her eyes and opened her dorm door, nearly toppling as James charged in, his eyes wide in excitement. "James." She hissed.
"Where are they?" He asked giddily. Lily raised an eyebrow and made a mental note to question Mr. Potter how well James could hold alcohol – even a couple of butterbeer. Lily thought for a moment, 'He was in Honeydukes earlier…' James looked over to Lily's bed, than pointed.
Lily sighed. "Yes, they're up there." She walked to him, said she'd go first and did just that. "Hey Psyche." Lily said softly.
Psyche turned her large green eyes to Lily's and let out a short rasping screech. There was no nest, but a towel the girls had shred that morning and gave to Cupid to put around his love while she roosted atop the eggs. Even if barn owls never made nests, they didn't want anything to knock an egg off the bed so the towel shreds helped that. Psyche's feathers were fluffed up as she sat contentedly upon the eggs, watching Lily and James' faces and hands that held them while they stood on the edge of Lily's mattress.
With a swoop and croak-like call, Cupid soared in and perched beside Psyche. He dropped a shrew beside her, and then gave James a few gentle nips on the fingers.
"Thanks Cupid." James said, trying not to show how disgusted he was for having Cupids beak (previously holding a dead and slightly bloodied shrew) touch him. He wiped it on his robes. "Congratulations you two." He looked at Lily. "Can we see them?"
Lily spoke soothingly to Psyche. "Can we see the eggs, hun?"
With a couple clicks of her beak, Psyche stood and stepped back, taking this time to stretch her wings and legs. Before her lay five white, spotless eggs, slightly smaller than a chicken's egg.
"Wow," James breathed, "you two'll have your beaks full with this bunch." He said, reaching a hand forward.
Before Lily could react, Cupid hissed threateningly and Psyche lunged forward, beak snapping, making low rasping screeches.
James hastily pulled his hand back. "I'm sorry." He apologized quickly. "Sorry…"
Lily took him by the elbow (Psyche was back upon her eggs protectively) and pulled him from the owls. "Why would you do that?" She scolded.
"I-I don't know!" He stuttered, being pulled from the girl's dormitory. "I see something cool and I want to touch it…"
Lily still held onto his arm but couldn't help smiling. "You're so childish sometimes."
"And you're actually ok with my lack of maturity?" James asked in mock disbelief. "No more lectures about being a prat or sharing a bed?"
Lily stopped walking and tried not to look at James as she felt his eyes on her. "You know," she began, "I believe I said we'd never mention that again…"
"And I said I'd *try* to remember that…" James put in cheekily. "And right now I'm drawing a blank with forgetting it – so how about it?"
"We should head down to the feast." Lily kept walking. "And tell Phoenical about the owl babies. I've never raised any, myself. And maybe contact Mrs. Black."
"Ah, a change of subject." James said quietly, catching up with his girlfriend. He took her hand in his and continued silently out of Gryffindor Tower to the awaiting feast.
Upon arrival, Lily and James first noticed the decorations they had become accustomed to for a Halloween feast. Giant pumpkins made into Jack-o-lanterns, grown by Hagrid floated above the Hall; a few rats scurried across the floor; live bats flew about the ceiling.
As Lily and James took their seats, Dumbledore stood.
"Some of you may have noticed an extra guest at our table tonight." The Headmaster began. Some girls cheered, a couple catcalled (Keaira and Jen. Remus shoved Jen playfully). "His name is Romulus Lupin," many heads went from the Lupin at the staff table to the Lupin at the Gryffindor table, "and he will be replacing one of our teachers." Excited whispering coursed through the students. "With the dark times we are in and are no doubt entering, the Ministry is in dire need of help controlling and putting a stop to it.
"Professor Glacia Aubury will be leaving our staff after tonight." He turned to her. "We wish you all the best of luck, Glacia, and we truly were privileged to have you aboard." Dumbledore began clapping and the staff and students joined in immediately.
Aubury stood, waved to the school and gave a teary smile. "Thank you Albus, fellow staff and my students. It's been a lot of fun and I'll not forget any of you-"
"Kick some ass Aubury!" A Gryffindor yelled.
Everyone laughed and Aubury continued. "I am sure Professor Lupin will continue my lessons marvellously and you'll all soon forget why, and if, you enjoyed mine in the first place." Staff smiled, some students chuckled, and a few cried. "Thank you." She sat back down and Rah-Sün handed her a tissue.
Throughout dinner, Remus was continually questioned about his brother. "Are you two related?" "How old is he?" "Does he have a girlfriend/fiancée/wife?" "What did he do before teaching?" "Why are you ignoring my question? I asked if he was partial to brunettes or blondes!"
And so Remus soon attained a dull ache throughout his head.
Near the end of the feast, McGonagall marched down Gryffindor table.
Sirius' eyes bugged. "Remember – Peeves put the blood-pops on the Slytherin table." He said swiftly, barely moving his lips.
"Potter." McGonagall called one she reached them. "You're wanted-"
"It was Peeves, Professor!" Peter cut in quickly and nervously.
Sirius kicked him under the table and glared; Remus put a hand to his harder throbbing head, shaking it slowly and James just about banged his head on the table. He settled with sending Peter a look.
"I'm sure it was." McGonagall said with narrowed eyes and a raised eyebrow. "Potter, as I was saying," here she sent a quick look to Peter, "you're needed for a moment."
James wiped his hands on a napkin (he and Sirius had been melting candies and creating their own concoctions) and stood up, making to follow his Head of Gryffindor.
"Do you need me at all, Professor?" Lily asked, ready to leave if she was required.
"No thank you, Evans." McGonagall began walking towards the large doors and James followed.
"What is this about, Professor?" James asked once they left the Hall, walking one step behind McGonagall.
"It will be explained, Potter." Was all she would say to any questions. James was quiet after a minute of walking. "You'll be using my office." McGonagall told him once they reached it. She opened the door and stepped in before him, not wholly entering it. "Take as much time as you need David," James' eyes widened at the name. "James is not needed for anything this evening and I'm sure Miss Evans will be able to handle it if anything comes up." She left and James was left standing in McGonagall's office with someone he hadn't expected to see for a couple of months.
"Hello James." The man said; black messy hair flecked with grey and very little sparkle in his eyes.
"Hullo dad…"
* * *
And we're done!!! So, I finally got a few things out in the story that I've been planning for a while… and yea – gimme a review and tell me what you think. Any guessings, ideas, and things you generally hate – and if you're going to mention OotP – just write a small: "Spoiler for OotP" cause I know some people haven't read (or finished reading) it yet. That's just for the people who like to read reviews. And one more thing (is it me, or am I super picky today?) – I can't remember. Right. How about some review thank you's? Alright then! (I wonder how many of you will have no idea what I'm commenting on here…)
She shoots, she scores: Wow Janna, you rock. You rock my socks. ;) Men eh? I guess I can get some men…
kerry: Woo! Go me:) (I actually wrote God me first… *snorts* Not narcissistic at all, eh?) *sighs* I love those key points – keep 'em comin!
nerdypurdy: You're welcome for adding you to my list thingie… Yea… about the 'Update soon!' thing… didn't work out too well, eh? ;) Thanks for the review!
oobergoober: Alright, first off – did you fail history? Cause I've had people threaten me before with them having possible bad marks… so I hope you didn't. I've not seen Matrix 2, but from the commercials, the albino twin dudes (who are quite the lookers outside the movie;)) look the coolest. Thanks for the review!
Star: Thank you very much for the compliments. *blushes* Even though people say my OC's are well developed, I still wonder from time to time… Thank you for saying you'll wait for chapters, nice and patiently, hell – thanks for the whole review!
Amanda: LMAO – you're not dirty cause you read fanfics. I think only my mum knows… no, my brother too… and a couple friends. They [friends] think I'm weird for reading HP, so the fanfic thing is pretty self-explanatory for them. Thanks for the review!
Nessie: Well, you had mentioned not knowing anything about Ginny – now we do! Ha! And yes – Janna is the 'Quidditch chick' – Ravenclaw Captain. Thanks for the review!
aiko: Did you finish the story I recommended? She's completely finished the After Hogwarts bit – I cried. *sniffs* But not as bad as OotP – God – I cried for about 2 hours… Right. Thanks for the review!
Gryfyndor Girl: lol – at first when I read that you were 'crying at the end of tryouts' – I had to remember if I had written something sad or what… but it was funny, eh? Thanks for the review!
Agent AAA: Hope this chapter was worth the wait too :) and I'm happy you liked Cecil Puofleur. Thanks for the review!
FrogOnFire: Do you still talk about Nightcrawler constantly? Well lookit that… I didn't hurry or hurt myself… Aren't I special? Thanks for the review!
Beaver Buddy: Yea, I was going for Colin Creevey-esque with Cecil. I didn't want hero-worshiping, but you know, the crazy I-talk-so-fast-I'm-out-of-breath kind of kid… Man they bother me… lol – your review was quite humorous. Ideas bouncing around… so fun. Thanks for the review!
Princess Pixie ice: Aw… gushing about my story there:) How sweet! Lol – Grammar wasn't your favourite subject? It's quite simple really when typing. You just have to get used to using it. Anywho, enough about that – thanks for the long review :)
Snuffles 55: You liked being partnered with James? ;) Everyone loves the John-Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt song. It rocks. You're welcome for adding you to my story:)
TheSilverLady: I'm not making fun of people with ADD :P – I know many. A few ADHD actually… Thanks for the review!
Liv: I still wish I had a male twin. I really do. He'd be so cool… like me! Lol – Ok I'm done… but it'd be weird if my friends liked him… ew… that'd be wrong. He bought you a puppy? I honestly don't think someone can top that… unless he gets you another one or something… anywho. Thanks for the review!
Alej: A lot more people than I thought did gymnastics… Happy you liked Puofleur:) He's such a weenie! Thanks for the review!
Vega Black: Whom am I hooking up? *confused look* I really can't remember… Thanks for the review.
LadySiri: Thanks for the review! My mind's drawing a blank… but yea… Everyone loves Remus and Jen, I think. Remus deserves some good luvin… even if I do tend to end snog sessions prematurely, eh? I hope you're enjoying your summer.
chanzo654: *grins evilly* If I hadn't ruined the 'cozy scene with the owl' – then my story would no longer be rated PG-13. We don't want that now, do we? Yea… I've been playing with the idea of having the guys find Remus and Jen's room for a while now… but that'd be too cruel to my Remus. I mean… I already have his snog sessions cut early… and the fact that he's a werewolf – and the inevitable 12 years he'll spend alone… Hockey? Nah, if Hogwarts was in Canada, then I'd do Hockey – but there's nothing weight related anyways, with Hockey. Plus, Janna's taken from someone I chat to on MSN and those are her memories. Anywho - thanks for the review!
The Cavity: Dude, thanks for that :) Two inches, eh? That's freakin insane… did you copy and paste it with just the story, or are the thank you's in there too? Thanks for the review!
MandaB: Thanks for the little rant at the beginning! Power to us, eh? Thanks for the review, and sorry I couldn't be here for your past few Saturdays.
Frankie: lol – thanks for the review!
starborn: What's this about your friend being snowflaky? Thanks for the review!
Lily Smith: *raises eyebrow* Show Choir… right. Well, you got your answer to your Romulus questions right here! Thanks for the review!
kitty228806: lol – I'm pretty sure oudsnhso;eiht is most like a hand running along the keyboard or just typing anything quickly. Thanks for the review!
song*breeze: lol – happy you liked the fluff. Thanks for the review!
everblue3: Oy… long review, ok – let's get started. *hides face from Holly* Yes yes… I'm finally here! Woo! Crazy stuff, man. Crazy. Although I know that that problem's fixed now – it's been what? Five weeks? Shit… You know I used to work at Denny's? Hostess for nearly 5 months, soon to be training to be a server… then it went out of business. Really – I left work that afternoon saying "Bye Richard (boss), Riley, I'll see you tomorrow!" Waved and left. That night – I get a message on my answering machine. "Hello Jen, Richard here – don't come in tomorrow. As of tonight, Denny's is officially closed." I burst out laughing. Not that we didn't see it coming. We [servers and I] joked about it constantly, saying we weren't going to last another week. Hell, we didn't last another day! Anywho. I really should make that "I [heart] Moony" shirt… although now I'd like, in brackets below it, "and Padfoot." *sniffs* Ok… ok – I'll not cry. I didn't see the lunar eclipse, no. Not for a lack of trying – it was too cloudy here. Aw…. *blushes* You read mine first? That makes me all warm and fuzzy inside… *sighs* Her name is Lisa. The nonatête curse girl? Honestly… Review was good length (and don't give me that "knowing" look when it comes to Jen and Remus time. :P:P) Thanks for it, like always :)
mystikalolo: You're not the only one who's vouching for Sirius and Ara hooking up. Methinks I'll be hunted soon if I don't put 'em together – but I have a plan. In other words – you'll know when I want you to. Ha! Thanks for the review!
hotsummerAK47: No I don't think I'll use the idea of the potions (where did Draco come from??) project. But if you want to write a ff about it, knock yourself out. Thanks though.
running out of ink: lol – thanks for the review. Cecil was a fun spur of the moment kind of character.
penpunk: Oooo! Parade! I've never seen a parade live, eh? Only the Christmas one on TV. Hehehe… I am lazy – but not when it comes to writing, cause that doesn't take much moving. If I had to run a kilometre and write? No thank you ma'am. I'm really happy you liked my 'moving the story along' thing, and how I pretty much focussed on the weather and stuff. Finally got some key plot points in here… about time, eh? Right – thank for the review:) Right – and for the second one! I know we need some Sirius… I love the mutt. Thanks for the little motivator!
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: Interesting name… Good guess with the title of the next instalment (if I don't get lazy and end it after 7th year…) – Moulin Rouge! was a great movie. Thanks for the review!
Evil Goldfish: *rolls eyes* When will you people remember that Football in the UK is like Soccer in NA?? I've also had people say that they should have done Hockey instead of Gymnastics… but no. Hockey's not that big in England! But I disagree – Hockey's the best sport!! (Go Canadian spirit! Woo!) Thanks for the review! ;)
LovinLupin: Hey JT:) lol – I think we should end every chapter with Remus – what do you say? ;) I'm happy I make you laugh – on Emily's thread (*sniffs* It's all done…) and on my story. Hope you liked this chapter too! More Remus :):)
GreenEyedPickle: I really do love you. You're so freakin hilarious… lol – Sweet. Now I'm the almighty. I'll wear that title proud. Albus Dumbledore's Inbox was good, wasn't it? I, obviously, love all the Lupin ones, but even just their e-mail names are hilarious. I.am.a.boy@Hog…, etc for Blaise. Everyone made him a girl – but I looked up Blaise – and it's a guys name! Honestly. Just a little bit of research – that's all it takes. Thank you for my S.P.E.W.I.N.G. S.P.E.R.M. badges. *hands 2 galleons* I'll wear these even more proudly. I forget who gave me the last name Puofleur… a friend, I believe. I think I asked for a corny, stupid, wussy sounding last name that went well with Cecil. Anywho – can't wait for your review:)
~sundust~: Ooo – thanks for the gifts :) Yes, I hope that dude there who was being as ass doesn't come back. So you live in Canada, too? I never knew that! Rock on. Thanks for the review!
Dahlia Flower: I'm really happy that you liked my stories so far:) But really – thanks. Thanks for the correct grammar, spelling, etc. Some people'll leave long reviews with no punctuation, capitols or paragraphs… it's a jumble of words to me… your review was nice (and fun) to read. Lol – I hope you leave a nice review every time for my story. I like reading what people think, what made them laugh, what caught their attention, what bothered them, what made them say "awww…", etc. Now I feel bad for taking like… 5 weeks to update. I'll try not to take so long ever again – how does that sound? Thanks for the lovely review – I really did enjoy reading it.
LadyArwen: There you go! Remember I said you made me think of how to put Romulus in more? Thank you!! I enjoy him. Thanks for the review!
Luna Athena Moon: :)Happy you liked the chapter. Thanks for the review!
Braney: :) You really did like the 'no' curse, didn't you? Sorry, but I did have Lisa mention in the beginning that it lasted a week. I never expected people to like it so much… Thanks for the review!
Lady Ruth: Thanks for the review!
KumQuat: lol – 'famous over these realms', eh? I don't know about that – but I think I have a good following of readers. Thanks for the review!
sayuri-chan: lol - Thanks for the review!
gryffindork: You'll have to be patient for any S/A – don't hold your breath though. Thanks for the review!
Summersun: lol – I'd never be able to be a comedian. Thanks for the review and compliment!
WindAndFireQueen: lol – I wonder how many people will be A/S shippers after what we know from OotP? Lol – not too many, I'd assume! If I was Ara… I might have dropped the Muggle Studies class… well, maybe not – you never know. Thank you so much for your compliments – they made me happy and think. :) Thanks for the review!
Moe23: Oh my God… I haven't seen you for a few months! How are you? Good to see you back :)
Ms Bubbles: lmao – I loved the Paintit Black!! That was the greatest ever! Thanks for the review! (You'd have to beat me off for that Mrs Lupin title ;))
Arabella Figg: Look at you getting a little mention up there ;) So special. *snorts* 'Kills off Janna', eh? I'm sure Janna appreciated that. ;) If I had AIM, I'd love to chat… but I have MSN only – so if you have/get that – add me! Hm… I guess you can call yourself Ara ;) What will your name be? Arabella 'Ara' Figg? Thanks for all the review!
Sakura: Thanks for the reviews. I really can't think of anything to say for those reviews… oy. All jumping! You must have a very fast working mind girl… lol. (If I could nitpick a tad – could you press 'enter' every now and again? It just hurts my eyes to read a huge paragraph like that.)
FireLadyDrakayna: lol – thanks for the review! Here's your update!!
And for other chapters and TGTYEL? Here we go… song*breeze, Lady Arwen, Arabella Figg, Sakura, luza, hotsummerAK47, CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur, Lady Ruth, She shoots, She scores, Lady Alice, SimpleLovableGurl, gely-bean, Sea Dragon. Thanks to all of you for reviewing other chapters!
Alright! I'm finally done with all those - *winks* So I'll say one more thing: Never look up the gestation period of Barn Owls on the internet. Not only will you find many a page about owls that say they have the gestation period, and never have it – but it'll cause you a migraine. Never, ever, ever do it. Never.
Alright. Now that I have finally posted… I think I can get some sleep ;) Actually, I'll work on starting the next chapter (whatever will I have happen??) and Happy pre-Canada Day to everyone out there!! Wooo!!!!