Summary: It all started with a simple love letter, for James Potter, from a lovely admirer. Love letters led to friendships; friendships led to confusion; and finally confusion, slowly led to love. With just three meaningful words, it brought joy to young Potter's heart: Love, An Admirer.
Disclaimer: Anything familiar isn't mine, and unfortunately belongs to the oh-so-brilliant JK Rowling, whom I salute to. Creations of mine are : Piper Valentine, Fiona, Jemima, Emily Hart, Dennis Front, Walter Reese, Winston Reese, Marie Lodge, Yvonne West, Gerald Wills, Kurt Randall, Isabelle Frall, and the Fairy and the portrait societies thingy.
Author's Note (VERYVERYIMPORTANT I've been dead.. Dead for so long.. Dead for almost a year.
I'd like to APOLOGISE PROFUSELY to all my readers for not updating for such a long time.. I was going to make this a Christmas present but then I decided to not let any of you wait any longer as I've delayed it too long.. I'm also afraid that many of you may have forgotten this story. Oh dear. Oo
I've decided to change my mind about the cliffhanger. I'm really sorry, I really am.. I won't be surprised if anyone starts hurling hate mail at me right now. I really think I should end a story – and which one better to end then this? The one that started it all. This story is really close to my heart, and I don't want to see it abandoned. I am going to take the trouble to re-read each chapter and edit it here and there before making a chapter 15. My finals are over so I've decided to update. I feel sososo bad for abandoning – I've lost track with so many of my favourite stories. I just hope that all of you would forgive me, and read a re-written version of Chapter 14.
Please leave reviews and tell me what you think – I'll deeply appreciate it. And Chapter 15 will be on the way in two weeks, tops. I PROMISE. You have no idea on how horrible I feel right now making this decision. I just have this strange eerie feeling that if I continue LAA I'll just be dragging it to no where. I'm really sorry for bursting your bubbles and making you anticipate some cliffhanger. Please, bear with me. And while you're at it, do drop by my blog. :) Then you might actually know what's going in my life that wrecked my writing schedule. :S
Here - www(dot)xanga(dot)com(slash)misz(underscore)licorice
Enjoy!
Love, An Admirer
Chapter 14: Friends Forever (Edited)
Lily roamed the streets of London, her heart aflutter. She finally stopped outside a shop, which hung a faded sign outside. The sign could be barely be made out, but Lily knew exactly what it read - Leaky Cauldron.
Although Lily worked as a reporter for the Daily Prophet she thought living in a Muggle environment would be more convenient. (ie: electrical appliances)
'Hullo, Tom!' she greeted cheerfully, as she sat on the high stools by the bar.
The man whom she addressed as Tom, wore a worn apron and began wiping the table top with an old rag. 'Fancy seeing you here, Lily! First time you greeted me in days! You would usually whisk off with that big suit case of yours, just muttering a brisk 'Hi'. What's the occasion?'
'Nothing.' She rested her chin in her hands, and her eyes began roaming all over the bar. 'Can I have a glass of water, Tom? Not really in the mood for drinks. I've gotta watch my weight, or I'll never fit into that dress!'
'What dress?'
Lily squealed. 'Oh, haven't I told you?' She was suddenly in a very hyper mood, which was one not to be missed. 'Hogwarts is holding a reunion ball in a fortnight! I'm planning on wearing the dress I wore seven years ago; the one James bought for me.'
Tom chuckled. 'Seven years ago? That's quite far back! I'm sure you'll do fine Lily. If it fitted you seven years ago, it'll fit you now. Anything else you want, Lily? It's on the house! Your smile just brightens my day! You were such a pleasant girl ever since you were a little doll.'
Lily looked down, realizing her cheeks were burning. 'Thanks, Tom. That's really nice of you.'
'I even wanted my son to marry you!' He chuckled whole-heartedly. 'Oh well, James Potter is better any day!'
Lily let out a laugh. She suddenly stopped. 'What makes you think I'm marrying James?' She said, eyeing the old man.
Again, he chuckled. 'It's just something people know, fair Lily. You best not be late! You came here to see, er,' Tom paused, and scratched his head. 'What on earth is that girl's name? You know the one who kept hitting Black?' Lily smiled. 'I saw her coming in few minutes ago.'
'Alright then,' Lily said. She got up, and sipped her glass of water. 'Thanks a lot for making my day, Tom.' She kissed Tom on the cheek.
Lily grabbed her purse and left for the alley, where the bricks awaited her wand tap. Doing it as if she was tying her own shoelaces, it opened in a queer way that always marveled Lily, not caring how many times she had done it.
As soon as she stepped foot into Diagon Alley, she breathed in the fresh scent of the Wizarding World which she loved. She rushed to Flourish & Blotts and met Jemima.
'JemimaaaaaaaaaaLily squealed. She ran towards a girl who looked just as happy, and hugged her tightly.
'Lilkins!' Jemima practically screamed. They both engulfed in a hug, and sat down. They caught up with life, as Jemima had been away for 3 years, as she was accepted into a prestigious university which trained witch doctors. They worked with modern medicine, and not traditional medicine with rituals that involved chants, dancing around a bonfire. (This disappointed Jemima, though.)
Fiona soon joined, and the threesome began giggling with insanity, just like they did six years ago.
Fiona too, had attended a university, but instead of medicine, she had ventured into another career, one Lily was quite familiar with. Marine Life, if she wasn't mistaken. Fiona was one who was fascinated by the Mer-people. Well, Mermen to be exact. She was immediately attracted to a handsome-looking one in fifth year, when they had a picnic by the lake. He had come up to shore as he was fascinated by the witches. There was immediate flirting going on between the two, and Lily laughed, reminiscing the past.
A smile etched onto Lily's face, and she thought it was best to bring it up. 'Fi, remember fifth year?'
Fiona put her cup down. 'Ah, the fond memories. What about it?' Fiona raised an eyebrow.
Lily tried to stifle a giggle. 'Remember Jae?'
Jemima burst into a fit of giggles although Fiona seemed to have forgotten the cheeky handsome merman. She looked lost – and didn't like the feeling of it. 'Jae who?'
'Oh come on, Fi! Jae? Jaedifinn? Hot merman? Fifth year?' (a/n: in case you're wonderin, I made the name up. XP it's pronounced –Jay Di Fin)
Fiona's face turned red and she started squealing, 'JAEDIFINN-Y!' Jemima and Lily stared at her, not knowing the merman had such impact on her. Fiona lowered her voice, and began to blush, suddenly remembering who Jaedfinny was. 'I was fifteen, Lily. Fifteen. People do stupid things at that age. I never really saw him after that, though.' Fiona sighed, and suddenly she brightened. 'But you have got to admit – that boy was just EYE CANDY!' Fiona squealed in delight.
At that very moment, Jemima kicked Lily in her shins under the table, knowing that Fiona was going to ramble on about Jaedifinn, and never stop till kingdom come. Lily groaned and thought, Why did I even bother?
'So, why did you call us to meet you here that was so urgent?' Jemima asked, sipping a cup of coffee. It had been an hour since Fiona stopped hyperventilating, and everyone settled down.
Lily's eyes widened. 'OH! I didn't tell you?'
Squeal.
'James-'
Squeal – Cringe.
'Proposed-'
Squeal – Cringe.
'To-'
Squeal – Cringe
'ME!'
Squeal. Squeal. Squeal.
The whole crowd turned to look at them, and with one deathly glare (courtesy of Jemima), they resumed doing whatever they did before they were so rudely interrupted.
Jemima, Lily and Fiona hugged each other and Fiona began gushing on what the Maids of Honor should wear.
'I seriously think white is better than green.'
Jemima slammed her cup down. 'Oh come on, Fi. Just because Mandy Foreman had the same green robe you wore during the 4th Year Annual Ball ( - and more people commented on hers – ) doesn't mean you have to shun all green gowns.'
Fiona opened and closed her mouth like a fish out of water, not being able to say anything.
Lily sighed. 'It's just a wedding, guys. I don't care about the colour of my gown; just as long as it's comfortable I'm happy with it.'
'But think of it this way, Lils. Sure green brings out your eyes, but white is the symbol of purity. Wouldn't you want James to think that of you?'
Jemima rolled her eyes, sipping her cup of coffee. 'So what are you guys planning to wear for the Reunion Ball?'
'I'm going to wear the same gown James bought for me seven years ago! Remember? The beautiful green robes we saw at Madam Malkins? Well, to re-live the past, I thought it'd be best if –' But Lily was cut off before she could even finish the sentence.
'AHAH! There you go, Fiona! James bought for her the green robes; not white! I told you it'd be best for her wedding!' Jemima stood up and began taunting Fiona.
'For the last time, Jemima, this has nothing to do with what Foreman wore! This is about –'
And so the quarrel began. Jemima and Fiona began bickering at one another about Lily's wedding gown yet again. Lily took the time to observe the situation. A smile crept on her face as she realised how much she missed being in Hogwarts, knowing it was safe behind those cold, grey stone walls. She realised how much she missed laughing at the expression on Professor McGonagall's face whenever the Marauders upset her. She realised how much she missed cheering James on during his Quidditch matches. She missed having snow fights with Sirius during her Christmas break. She missed having hot chocolate and study sessions with Remus. She missed playing chess with Peter, and having to lose to him on purpose all the time because he was (unfortunately) a horrible chess player. She missed sneaking off to the Astronomy Tower with James in the middle of the night, and just cuddling under the stars with his invisibility cloak. She missed it. She missed it all. But most of all, she missed Hogwarts - and couldn't wait to return behind the grey stone walls.
Author's Note: Chapter 15 will be up in two weeks – tops. You have my word. You can come flame me in my blog all you wish if I don't. I'd like to apologize once more for the sucky ending. And since I've been such a horrible person, double scoops of Ben & Jerry's to all of these wonderful people.
Clearbrook, Reader4Life, lil h91, Anarane Anwamane, skyleia, Riana-Rin, singer, Clepsydra, Maigon Jesolite, yoriko, skysong4, mystikalolo, CrystalBallerina, chicanoche401, Lucky-719, Aarien Star, dReaMy B :), kelliethehottie, juliestarr and Taika.
peace?
myrah