CHAPTER 16..:::::.. Unhinged

Disclaimer: *Yawns*. I. *Yawns*. Own. *Yawns*. Nothing. * Yawns wider *.

*A/N: Hey guys and all my fellow insane people. Aha a few comments on the massive twist; no one is even close yet . . . you shall have to hold your Hippogriffs. I have a confession; I made a mistake! Argh, I said Julius Lestrange, because I couldn't remember the name, but someone reminded me it was Rodolphus, (Julius was the closest I could get and hey, they both end in 'us' anyhow,) so now if I mention him again, (which I shall in this chappie, *Muhahaha*) just pretend I said Rodolphus all along. *Blushes and begs for forgiveness*.

Fashiondiva: *Rosie accepts ribbon wrapped credit willingly*. Aha, you have many good ideas for a stair-falling Snape. Liking them all. The invisible banana peel is most apeeeeeling. Lol. Get it? Appealing?!

Coolcatjenny: Ah, *Rosie accepts your insanity with open arms* sorry her denial wasn't mega long or anything, but you see, I'm doing it all, so if I dragged it out too long, it would be like 40 odd chapters!

Lelegurl19: Yeah, I couldn't wait to do Lily and Sirius. Glad you liked it!

Templa Otmena: Wow that was sehr beefy! And yes, I did get it. Three times. Lol. Just for some reason, none of them are showing up on the site. It says I have like nearly 300 reviews, but none of them are visible except in my inbox. Glad you like it so much. Argh! I had never thought about the whole silver arm thing! Perhaps JK will kill off Lupin! ARGH!!! That would be horrid as I have a very soft squiggly spot for old Remus. AND he's the last of the Marauders as Peter turned out to be a - *swears unprintably*. In my thinking, the prophecy has got to be known about quite a while before Lily and James get together, even if it's not made yet, in the wizarding world there's always ways of finding these things out, especially if you are Voldie … so gradually they put together pieces of what it is; that's why Voldie isn't overly worried about it at the moment; cos at the moment, (in book5) he doesn't hear all of it, does he? He just knew that a prophecy had been made about him and the baby born in July to parents who thrice defied him and that the baby would be his downfall, which is why he tried to kill them in the first place.

PennyP: Don't worry; as I'm doing the whole up until their deaths, it's pretty definite that something will happen with Lily and James!

Szhismine: Lol, *Rosie acknowledges that szhismine loves James* angst is great; I love it too. Aha, Snape does still exist doesn't he? Oh well.

George is Hot-MrsMoony: Aha, you shall have to wait and see! *Personally I call Voldie Lord Chuckles*.

meLissa: Hey don't panic! Love until death, remember? Ages yet!

LauraLou: Lol is that all you can say? Well in that case, : ) to you too.

GoddessMoonlady: Lol, I bargain better with chocolate! Lol. Ahh, if he passes out do you reckon she'll carry him up2 bed?! Lol. *Winks mischievously*.

Uh . . .: Argh! I couldn't remember his name! I knew it wasn't Julius but thought that were as close as I could get to the name! Well, it sounds sort of similar; but yeah, thanks for reminding me!

Kat: Lol, any romanticism is good, even hopeless! Perhaps you're right!

Kari: Hi, thanks for the review; this is only my opinion and hey it's not great, but I'll give it to you. I think Sirius persuaded them to choose Peter because everyone would have thought that it would have been Sirius. Voldie and everyone knew that they were best friends and I think in book 3 Sirius says, "Never thought they'd have used a weak talentless thing like you" but Lupin says "you switched without telling me" so I think Sirius was their Secret Keeper before, but then realised that it was too obvious and so switched to Peter. A decoy indeed. Anyway, that's how I see it.

Cheeky Girl: Don't worry; if I don't write, I go mad.

KaitouFoxFire: I always thought that Bella was a few years older than Sirius; don't know why, but I did. Romulus would be his twin if I were doing it exactly as the myth! But let's just say that his parents were very into the ancient Greeks. Lol.

Miabubble: Ginger hair eh? Hmm, not sure about blokes like that … but ginger hair on girls is fine *dares anyone to disagree*, thanks for the review. I do try. Lol.

*HITS PLAY*

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            Sirius lay on his side, eyes closed but not really asleep. He was seeing odd pictures on the back of his eyelids; the way you do when you have had too much going on in the day to be properly relaxed, but horribly tired all the same. Lupin was asleep, silent as usual as was Wormtail, occasionally sniggering shrilly for no apparent reason, indulged in a random dream. There was more breathing that came from a few others in the dormitory that the Marauders did not usually associate with, and this only made Sirius conscious of his own breathing. James was still downstairs, having lied about doing his Transfiguration essay. Hopefully, Lily would come up and tell him the truth. It'd be nice if they went out. Yes, he thought, I've done a good deed today, thinking that at last, he had made a friend with Lily Evans, which, if she was eventually honest with James, could prove useful. He heard the dormitory door band shut, knowing that it would be Lily and, at last, hopefully, his friend could be happy.

* * * * *

            James had indeed lied to the rest about doing his essay; Head Boys never got behind in homework after all, and he knew that it would only take him a few minutes. Transfiguration along with Defence Against the Dark Arts was easily his best subject. His eyes pored over the text in front of him and he translated it into his own language. Morphmagus's are a very rare breed of human beings which are easily penetrated by the stronger breed of wizard yet must also be treated cautiously as they possess powers amongst the strongest of the magical community and can become any object they wish at will . . . James sighed. So basically, they're like unicorns, he said in his head. His small handwriting was rushed and scrawled slightly as he attempted to cramp it all onto one piece of parchment. He knew that Lupin and Wormtail had probably spent hours on it, but he didn't need to.

            Just as he was about to dip his quill in the inkpot to write his final sentence, he heard the portrait door swing back. Who could that be? Sirius was the last person out and he had come back about ten minutes ago. A figure emerged through the shadows and his heart leapt in his chest as he saw it was Lily. She wore an expression that he couldn't quite fathom; she looked almost . . . nervous – as though she were steeling herself for something. What was that all about? However, these thoughts were lost on him as her eyes blazed from beneath a curtain of long dark and thick red hair, curling at the shoulders.

            "Lily," he said, greeting her as maturely as he possibly could in his most pleasant voice that he had since been practicing on Sirius.

            "Hello," she said in a small tone.

            James pushed his chair back and stood up. "So – what were you doing out now? I thought I was the only one up."

            "Yeah well, I was in the library doing . . . that." She signalled to the almost finished essay on the polished mahogany table behind him. "I had extra, you see. Sirius was there as well, but he left."

            "You saw Sirius? Did – he didn't say anything to you, did he?" he asked disconnectedly.

            "Well – actually, he did," she said evenly.

            "He . . . he did?"

            "Yes. And I'm almost – almost glad he did," she said, stepping forwards and taking a deep breath. It was now or never. There was no one else around to hear, Sirius's words still rang clear in her mind, 'he adores you. Just give him a chance to show it'. Right. Give him a chance, she kept thinking.

            "Well, what did he say?" asked James, not really sure that he wanted to know the answer.

            Lily sighed and started pacing once more. It was very reminiscent of the time when she had told him that she didn't trust herself with him. She knew what she had to say, but didn't want to be standing still when she did it. Anyone watching from outside would have thought it an amusing scene.

            "He – he made me realise some things that I didn't want to realise."

            James swallowed, mouth dry. "And – and wha . . . what were they?"

            Lily seemed to be following the same pattern; she kept taking deep breaths and swallowing. It was as though they both knew what was being said but neither wanted it to be said aloud. "Sirius seemed to think that I had feelings – for you."

            James turned away. "Oh did he now? Well I think Sirius should keep his nose out of –"

            "No, we talked for quite a long time. I just – I want to be sure, James, that . . . I . . ."

            "That you what?" James suddenly realised. It had taken him long enough, as her mere presence was enough to send his brain into limbo but now he knew how difficult it must be for her to say this to him. He didn't know what to do; should he say it for her? No, that would only make her more uncomfortable. Should he act like he wasn't that bothered? No, that would be immature, and besides, he was bothered. Very bothered.

            "Lily, look. I –"

            "Don't interrupt me, please, I just want to say . . ." she talked over him, "That I . . ."

            "I know," he saved.

            Lily blinked. "You – you do?"

            James chuckled. "Of course I do. You don't have to say anything, Lily." James moved slowly towards Lily as she inhaled sharply. James wasn't really sure what exactly he was going to do when he stopped in front of her. This kind of thing was usually so easy for him. At least, it had been a year or so ago; he would walk up to girls, tell them they were beautiful regardless of the fact of whether or not they actually were, watch them go all giggly and weak at the knees, and then kiss them. Here was Lily, making all his dreams come true, about to say the very thing he had wanted her to for seven years . . . he was not going to mess this up. It was different. She was beautiful; it seemed pointless to say it aloud.

            "What are you doing?" she asked him. This had never happened to her before.

            James faltered. "I – I'm not sure." And he really wasn't sure.

            Lily began to speak very quickly. "Look, this is probably very easy for you, James Potter, I bet that this has been your master plan since the beginning, hasn't it? Become a little bit more mature, stop being so arrogant, not go out with any girls for a few months – Lily Evans, that moody one, ought to like you eventually surely? Now she does! Must be so easy now, like a cat in the bag! You've done this loads of times – too many times! But I haven't! And I don't like it!"

            James knew that he had to stop her talking, or she would surely talk herself out of this situation within seconds. Sure enough, she went on.

            "I mean, what was I thinking? I'd just tell you the truth and everything would work out perfectly? Some sort of solution would just . . . just fly through the window like a paper aeroplane?"

"What's a –"

"Because, being realistic, how could Lily Evans ever have feelings for James Potter? Just be honest, well it's easy for Sirius to say that, isn't it? But I can't just go around and say stupid things that I haven't even thought through and just think that they'll turn out all right!"

            "Shh, Lily, please, just . . . just stop talking for a second –"

            "Don't you shh me! You can't just stand there, pretending you know how I feel after I've made a complete fool of myself declaring something that I don't even know about and expect me to –"

            James then did something both brave, and rather foolish. He kissed her. James had never kissed someone like this before; like her really meant it. It only lasted a few seconds, but it had the exact effect that James had been banking on. She stopped talking as he drew back and looked at him with not angry eyes; it was surprise. Perhaps it was suppressed anger and she would explode in a few seconds. James steeled himself for a slap or something worse. A hex from Lily Evans these days could be quite damaging. None came. Instead she just looked genuinely surprised, transfixed.

            Lily was stunned. Her first kiss – from James Potter. She couldn't have moved or spoken if she'd wanted to; but she didn't really want to. She didn't know what to say.

            James broke the ice. "Sorry … Um – are you mad?"

            "Yes … "

            James looked thoughtful. "Shall … shall I do it again?"

            " … Yes."

            And he did, hoping that she might just kiss him back.

)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(

             "What are your orders, my Lord?" asked Bellatrix Lestrange a few days before, previously Bellatrix Black, but now married to Rodolphus.

            Voldemort smirked at the woman in front of him; she had a handsome face with a pale complexion, full of life with maliciously glinting black eyes. "My dearest Bella, are you up to a challenge?" he had said.

            "For you, my Lord, anything," she said bowing slightly.

            "I need to know more about Hogwarts. I have – extracted – information from dear Lucius, but I am afraid that it is not enough. I desire you and Rodolphus to enter the school and tell me all you can about the structure. My memory, although perfect as ever, is useless in this regard as I am sure that since the schoolboy that Dumbledore once knew turned into the most dangerous and most powerful sorcerer in the world, he will have made some changes."

            "Indeed, my Lord, you are most knowledgeable," she said, not a trace of fear in her voice at what Voldemort was asking her to do.

            "So it shall be, Bella, that you enter Hogwarts, whilst all are sleeping mind, as soon as possible so I can better prepare my plan. You are to be very careful, for if you are detected by Albus Dumbledore … Well. I do not need to say. Many other Death Eaters would beg me for this job you realise . . . "

            "Yes, yes my Lord, you are most gracious …" Bellatrix shifted uncomfortably, as though she desperately wanted to ask a question.

            "Yes?" asked Voldemort, almost lazily.

            "My Lord, as I am sure you have reasons, may … may I ask … why you do not wish to see for yourself the layout of Hogwarts? It may prove … easier for the attack if you were to see it with your own eyes …"

            "My dear Bella, undoubtedly beautiful you are, you are not as intelligent as immediately perceived."

Bellatrix narrowed her eyes in irritation as Voldemort turned away momentarily. Although she had great respect and a wary fear for the Dark Lord, she did not like being insulted.

"It would be extremely foolish for me to wander into Hogwarts openly under the nose of the Muggle loving fool, Albus Dumbledore who has hundreds of Aurors at only a second's notice away. It is true I have powers of great stealth, but an invasion such as this needs careful planning. I wish to know more before an all-out-attack. Is that so irrational?"

            "Oh, no my Lord, forgive me … I only wish the best for your plans …"

            "I am aware of that, Bella. Alert Rodolphus to the plan. You are aware of the plan?"

She nodded, eager to go and do it.

"You may go."

            Bellatrix bowed her way out, shutting the door behind her with a bump.

)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(

            Thud . . . thud . . . thud . . . Lily and James broke apart simultaneously. They had both heard it and one glance at each other told them that neither of them was hearing things – the noise was real. Thud . . . thud . . . thud . . .there it was again – like a dull, irregular tapping somewhere close – like footsteps trying to be as quite as possible.

            "What is that?" said Lily, nearly fearful.

            James held up his hand to silence her. "Shhh," . . . thud . . . thud . . . "It sounds like footsteps."

            Lily looked around, as though the source of the sound was in the room. "Do you think it might be – someone late up to bed?"

            James shook his head. "On your way up here … did you see anyone? Anyone at all?"

            Lily thought for a second. "N … no, I don't think so. Madame Pince shut up the library at midnight, and there was no one else anywhere."

            "Be sure, Lily," he said, panic rising. Thud … thud … thud … it was almost as though they were drawing nearer.

"Well, yes. I'm sure."

James moved slowly to the portrait door, knowing that in order to find the source of noise, he would have to go through it.

Lily suddenly clutched his arm. "James … you don't think it's … it's not him, is it?"

"I don't know, but we're Heads at least. If someone's sneaking around, we should know about it, don't you agree?"

Lily knew that he was just saying that to use it so that she would come with him, but he had a point. "Yes, OK then. But … shouldn't we get someone?"

"Lily, this is what Head Girls do!" he said, almost amused at her change of heart.

She looked at him, and nodded. As they moved to the portrait door, there was a tinge of embarrassment in the air from what had occurred only moments before, but it was lost as they pushed open the door and stepped outside. The Fat Lady who guarded Gryffindor Tower was not there – perhaps off on some night time wandering, but Lily knew that it would have made her feel better if she could have asked her if she'd seen anybody. The same thought seemed to occur to James.

"Wonder where Fatty's gone," he said.

They moved slowly down the corridor that lead to the entrance to the Common Room, trading carefully, wands at the ready. James was in the lead, behaving slightly braver than he was feeling. There had been some more news about Voldemort's attacks; only last week he had murdered a band of Goblins who refused to join his side along with a few others of their creed. The day later, another family had come home to find the Dark Mark lingering over their rooftops … Maybe it was him … maybe he had ultimately taken the final step, in taking over Hogwarts. But it'd be silly for him to come here himself, thought James, even with a few Death Eaters. Maybe it's something else. No sooner had he thought this, another noise made him jump. Creak … a door was opening. James grabbed Lily's arm and pushed her against the wall. Again, there was a close proximity between them, but it was lost with the potential seriousness of the situation.

After a few seconds, they looked at each other and nodded, peering around the corner. What they saw was a frightening sight. Two brooms were rolling, quite of their own accord, through the open door at the end of the corridor. It was as though they were attached by invisible strings, like Muggle puppets did on shows. Lily had seen a few of these in her childhood, but even then they had frightened her. The brooms stopped rolling, Lily and James unable to look away, and stood up on their ends, simultaneously. Then, before their very eyes, the brooms disappeared in a flash of silent light, and in their place were left two shimmering yellow clouds of dust. Just as soon as they had gathered, two shapes began to take form from the dust and disperse. The shapes turned into figures of a man and a woman. James's heart contracted with fear as he saw whom it was.

A woman with long black hair and a pale, almost electric face was straightening up; James had seen Bellatrix Black only once before, but once was enough. He could never forget her face, or her manner or the way she saw things; if you weren't pureblood then you didn't deserve life. Sirius had described her as quite mad. The man next to her had a gaunt looking face, with shortly cropped ginger hair; it had none of the radiance of Lily's but looked rather washed out and faded. It had to be her husband that Sirius had told him of. As of a year or two ago, James had been warned that they were two of Voldemort's most faithful and dangerous Death Eaters.

James whipped his head back as fast as possible, leaning against the wall, breathing hard.

"What is it?" Lily mouthed very quietly.

James blinked and looked at her. "It's – it's Sirius's cousin … Bellatrix Lestrange with her husband."

Lily opened her mouth in horror. "How do you know?" she asked fearfully.

"I've seen her before," said James. "We have to get out of here – we have to tell someone … Dumbledore … he's got to Apparate here as soon as possible."

Lily shook her head. "You cannot Apparate or Dissaperate inside Hogwarts; it's in Hogwarts: a History … but then how did they get in?"

James chanced another look; they were only forty feet away. "They're Morphmagus's. They have to be."

Lily wore an expression of final understanding. "Both of them?"

James nodded. It seemed so unlikely, yet it was the only solution. Suddenly, they heard hushed voices. James held a finger to his lips and listened as the voice of Bellatrix Lestrange came in a hushed tone.

"Is it safe like this?"

"Of course, my dear, the entire castle is asleep. We saw no one."

"Rodolphus, if Dumbledore catches us …"

"Hush, Bella, how exactly do you expect us to function correctly as a couple of store cupboard brooms?"

James was horrified as he thought he heard the trace of a snigger from Bellatrix; how could this be a funny situation, for either party? They were walking closer, now only twenty feet away. They had to move … now.

He beckoned to Lily to follow as he moved around the bookcase as quietly as possible. A horrid realisation struck him as they drew to the portrait door, intending to use the fire in the Common Room to get to Dumbledore's office … the Fat Lady was not there. How on earth were they supposed to get in? How were they supposed to get away? The footsteps were drawing nearer … thud … thud … thud.

"James!" Lily hissed, terrified.

James grabbed her hand and dragged her to the other side of the bookcase, hoping Bellatrix and Rodolphus would go straight past them, unnoticed. Then he and Lily could double back to the door at the end of the corridor. His heart almost stopped beating in his chest as he heard Rodolphus's voice almost right next to him as they stood, flat backed against the bookcase.

"Did you hear something, Bella?"

Bellatrix was silent and inclined her head to the left slightly. "Yes, my love," came the reply. "Perhaps not all the little children are asleepy–weepy …"

The footsteps stopped; Lily and James held their breath.

Soon, there came a singsong voice. "Are there some little children a-creeping about unnoticed?" she sang. "Come out, come out, where ever you are!"

Rodolphus's voice came harsh and impatient. "Bella, we have no time for games!" he hissed. "If someone is alerted to our presence now, it could be the end …"

            "Don't be silly, my love, it's only some kiddie-winks. Bella likes her kiddie-winks, she does …"

            Lily's almond eyes were wide with fright. "She's insane!" she moaned quietly.

            "Well, the kiddie's as you say, could very easily be our down-fall," said Rodolphus disdainfully.

            "Oh, my love, have some faith in your dear wife," Bellatrix muttered.

            Thud … thud … thud … James knew that there was nothing for it. They would have to run and try and get through the door. They were only a few feet away from it after all …

            He grabbed Lily's arm. "Run as fast as you can. Don't stop until I do …"

            And they hurled themselves out from behind the bookcase, running blindly. A shout was heard from behind them, from Rodolphus, but they didn't care. The door was feet away … James reached out his hand, but as he did so, a paper aeroplane soared in front of him. Within seconds, it had turned into Bellatrix Lestrange. Lily gasped and clutched James's arm.

            "Ah, not so little kiddies … big kiddies … what are you doing up this late? Naughty naughty, you'll get caughty …"

            "Bellatrix!" hissed Rodolphus. "We must go! Dumbledore could be here in any second now!"

            "Relax, Roddy, everything shall be fine …" but Bellatrix was eying James with a great interest. "Wait a second … I know you …" she said, looking avidly at James. "You're … you're a Potter, aren't you?"

            James swallowed. He could feel Lily trembling beside him.

            "Aha!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands with excitement. "My dearest cousin's favourite family! Do tell me, how is he these days? Still wallowing in self-pity at being rejected by the most ancient and noble house of Black?"

            James tried not to blanch; he was not going to be intimidated by this woman. "Settling in quite nicely, thanks," he said, attempting to keep his voice level.

            Bellatrix looked delighted. "Oohoo! Did you hear that, Roddy? He's got spunk! I like a little fight in my boys, you see … but then who is this charming young lady?"

            Lily glared defiantly back; the shaking had stopped.

            Bellatrix's smile faltered. "But I … I sense something … you're … Merlin's Beard … you're a Muggle born!"

            Lily began to breath faster, but did not break her gaze.

            "But, Potter? What are you doing with …  this? This Mudblood?"

James clenched his fists. "Shut up," he said through gritted teeth. Bellatrix began to laugh hysterically. Great plan, Prongs, he said to himself. Manage to piss off the unhinged mass murderer and you'll be well on your way.

"Hush!" muttered Rodolphus."

"Little baby Potter standing up for the scum, is he? Surely you'd be better off getting with someone of your own creed? Pureblooded as you are? But then again, I suppose that it must run in your family. The Dark Lord tells me of your grandparents, boy, powerful yes, but foolish."

            James narrowed his eyes. His heart was pounding with rage. Voldemort had murdered his grandparents.

            "And if you're not careful, I'm sure history has a way of repeating itself … unless you were to change your ways … it's not too late, you know … you could be great you know, so powerful … I can sense you … you were only a little pathetic boy years ago, but now …"

            "Bella!" hissed Rodolphus. "We must go, someone will hear!"

            Bellatrix turned lazily to her husband, as though thoroughly annoyed she could not continue what, in her mind, was a civilised conversation. "All right, my dear. I'll be seeing you, kiddie wink," she said with a swift wink at James. Before their very eyes, the pair turned into bludgers and zoomed like shooting arrows out of the window.

            Lily exhaled slowly and turned towards James. "What now?" she asked quietly, as though they were still there.

            James went to the window. They were nowhere in sight. "We have to go and tell Dumbledore."

            Lily nodded and the pair walked stiffly out of the door at the end of the corridor, walking much closer together than they had ever done.

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*A/N: Haha! DRAMA! ACTION! Love it. Anyway, I'm running out of beefy reviews to keep me amused … must … have … more … soon! But I'm going on holiday to Cyprus. For a whole week! I know! Fan fiction withdrawal symptoms! How ever shall I cope? Anyhow, I'm going on Wednesday, so hopefully I'll be able to update as soon as I get back. Please don't be angry; I need a holiday because my GCSE results are out soon … Argh. I'm waffling. REVIEW!