Author's Note: Wow! This is the most reviews I've ever, ever gotten on one chapter! You guys are so nice, I was practically smiling my socks off when I read all of your little messages to me!!! And, yes, I know, it's taken me an age-and-a-half to update. But I've been busy--really. I was all in a writing mood and then my birthday came last Saturday and then the next day we went to Disneyland and then the day after that we went to California Adventure. And when I finally got back, all my creativity was gone, plus I didn't like the way the chapter was going, so I erased quite a bit of it. And then, right as I was getting back into it, my friend invited me to Knott's Berry Farm, and so I got back from there, then I went back to school and had a ton of geometry & geography to catch up on Ugh. So, after a long time, endless tweaking, and at least two re-writings, here is (the short) chapter five.
mione-xavier: Here's more! Thanks!
stargazer: I'm glad you like it. Thanks a lot for the comment on the whole dialogue thingie--you're not the only who said it, so I know what I need to work on! Thanks!
Sugar Thief: I think that James is having a bit of both of those things affect him…plus…well…there are other situations in the story…coming up eventually…can't tell you now…things that don't have to do with Lily…but they're not good things…Thanks!
Susan D: Are you here? Back for the next chapter like you said? LoL, thank you for reading & reviewing!
Daintress: Wow! Long review! I understand what you mean, and I'm going to try and fix it---I didn't even realize I was doing that! In fact, sometimes I feel like I'm being boring if I put too much description in there! Now I can breathe easy…and write better! Thanks, and I will go check out your fics!
vietgurl10607: I'm glad it sounds Lily and James-ish! If it didn't I think I'd be in trouble, wouldn't I? Glad you like the plot, and here's more! Thanks!
Lexy: You love it? Wow! Thank you! Hmmm…well, I know that James is going to start dating Lily sometime in their seventh year…but otherwise I can't say! You'll just have to keep reading! Thanks! (Just kidding, I've decided it'll be around Chapter Ten--but I'm not promising anything.)
Punktroll502: Thank you so much!
shadowICED: Well, I'm actually overjoyed at the amount of reviews I've generated on this story--waaaay more than my other fic. But, also, when I read other fics, they have like 200-something reviews, and it upsets me sometimes. Oh well. And…gee…what else can I say? You're the nicest EVER, and I'm glad you like the story so much!! (And if you still feel compelled to recommend me to your friends, then go RIGHT AHEAD…) Thanks tons and hope you like this chapter!
WalkingCensure: Well, I'm so glad you came across it too, or else I wouldn't have gotten such gushing compliments! And you like the dialogues! Yaay! Thank you so much!
Lady of Masbolle: Oh yes, it seems to me that Dumbledore knows practically everything. Thanks!
Windowseat Wonderer: I suppose she is being rather silly and mean. Maybe I should put my explanation for that in this chapter…hmm….anyways, I'm going to try not to do that so much anymore.
-Chapter Five-
James and Lily walked behind Professor Dumbledore through the halls and up to his office. On the way, Lily shot at least a dozen looks at James, looks that very clearly said, "Look at what you've done now."
Lily didn't understand what was going on--they couldn't be in trouble, they hadn't done anything wrong. He could have heard them fighting…or whatever it was they'd been doing, but it seemed like a bit of an overreaction to bring them up to his office just to scold them for that.
After shooting an accusing glare at James for the umpteenth time, they stopped short in front of the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office. Vaguely, Lily wondered what it looked like inside. She'd never been in there before, which was surprising, and was very nervous to see what it held.
As they walked up the spiral staircase, Lily really started to worry. What if they were in trouble? She racked her brains, wondering if there was anything in the past while she'd done.
They entered his office, and every bit of fear and anxiety inside of her disappeared. This room was…well, beautiful, there was no other word for it. A fire burned in the fireplace, casting an orange glow on everything--and there was a whole lot of everything. From every shelf, table, and bookcase, tiny instruments glittered. Some were gold, some were silver, some different colors, and some were constantly changing their hue. A large bird, that Lily thought looked like a pheonix sat on a perch by Dumbledore's desk, and around the walls hung countless portraits of old men and women, most of whom were sleeping. Lily guessed these people must be previous Headmasters.
"Please, sit down," Professor Dumbledore said, gesturing to two chairs that were placed in front of his desk. Quite apprehensively, Lily sat down, still looking all around her. James was quite the opposite; he slumped down in the chair as if he owned the office.
It took Dumbledore a good minute or so before he finished straightening the papers on his desk and looked up.
"Well, Mr. Potter, it's nice to see you here again, and Ms. Evans, welcome," He began. Lily didn't feel all that welcome, and with a sideways glance at James, saw that he probably didn't think it was so nice to be here again either. "I assure the both of you, I have no intention of punishing you or anything of that sort," He said, seeing their looks of discomfort.
Lily felt relieved immediately to hear this, and could tell that James had sat up a little straighter in his chair.
"There are two things I have brought you here to talk about tonight," He said, looking at them gravely, pausing for a moment. "I gather that you both heard mine and Professor McGonagall's conversation outside of Gryffindor Tower. And so, I only need to explain a few things to you about this Lord Voldemort."
He paused again, surveying them both over his glasses.
"He was the one who caused the disappearances in the last while. I'm sorry to report that he also killed those that he kidnapped, which everyone has assumed already. And I feel the need to impress upon you that those will not be his last victims either. From what I heard, you both realized that those he took were Muggles or Muggle-born, with the one exception of Jack Longbottom. I would like to commend you on observing this, because even most Ministry officials paid it no attention. I would just simply like to warn you that dark times are ahead--and you may be called on to help more than normal. As Head Boy and Girl, you are role models for the rest of the school."
He stopped, looking at James with a twinkle in his eye.
"And, if I do say so myself, you're doing an excellent job at it. I only ask you now to be optimistic, strong, and considerate--something I know you both can do."
Dumbledore smiled at them for a moment, and then clapped his hands together.
"On a less depressing note, I was pleased to see you two speaking civilly to each other for once. Most of the Professors thought I was going senile for placing you two together like this, and for a while I believed them, but I must say you've changed my mind."
Lily frowned. She didn't understand--he thought they'd been having a nice, friendly conversation, when in fact they were having something of an argument. How could he have misunderstood that?
"Professor, I don't understand…we were arguing when you came to get us. I didn't think that counted as 'speaking civilly' to each other," She said, and, even more surprisingly, Dumbledore nodded.
"Ah, yes, but don't you see--arguments, disagreements, fights--they are in the end what brings people together. After all, this war we're about to wage against Lord Voldemort will be horrendous and tragic, no doubt, but it will only make those who fight against him stronger in the end."
Lily was even more confused than before. Not only that, but the thought of her and James being…brought together was disturbing. Dumbledore must have noticed her confusion (and embarrassment), because he shrugged and spoke again.
"Well, I suppose you'll see what I mean soon enough. Now, I think that's all, so you're welcome to go about your business now," He said, standing up. Lily stood as well, as did James, and they both began to leave.
"Professor Dumbledore?" James said as he had almost reached the door, "D'you know…I mean, why did…how come Frank's dad got taken and he was the only one who wasn't Muggle-born?"
Once again, Dumbledore looked at James for a long time before speaking. When he finally did, his tone was much different than it had been before.
"There are only so many theories, James--no one knows exactly why, but the most likely is that Lord Voldemort wished to scare us, wished to make us realize that he could take powerful, important people away from us at any moment," He said, looking very grave indeed.
Lily felt a twinge of fear realizing that Dumbledore himself was one of those powerful, important people--and he too could be taken away.
On the way back to Gryffindor tower, neither James nor Lily spoke to each other. Lily was too busy trying to figure something out in her head, because she felt guilty--and, surprisingly, James was the one who had inspired that guilt.
Being this stand-offish towards him had never been a problem before, when he was doing the same thing to her. When he'd been acting like a prat, he'd deserved every word of it. Now…as much as she tried to deny it, he hadn't done anything so far for her to act like this. However, she couldn't bring herself to stop being like that. Six years of being annoyed to death couldn't just disappear for her, couldn't just leave her memory.
But it seemed like six years could disappear for some people.
Somewhere deep down inside of her, where thoughts she never voiced and feelings she never acted upon formulated, a part of her was missing the way he used to regard her. Before, he'd taken every opportunity to make his feelings public and known to all. Now, though she could every once in a while that he was still in awe of her, things seemed to have ebbed away.
Was he even in awe of her? Maybe he'd just grown shy over the summer.
Right. He'd no sooner do that than stop hexing Snape.
Oh yeah, and what was with that too? Not once in the whole first week had he even stopped to throw a well-aimed insult at Snape; or at least not once that Lily had seen.
She also hadn't seen him do that stupid hair messing up thing. And he always used to do that, especially when she was around him.
What was wrong with him, and why was she so bloody concerned about him?
Lily sat there, still lost in her thoughts and confusion. How had he mellowed out so much in two months? Where had the old James gone? All these questions swam around in her mind. The thing that was sticking out in her head like a big, flashing, neon sign was the question she thought she'd never find herself fretting over: Didn't he like her anymore?
Author's Note: Yaaagh! I know it was short, and a bit pointless, but I couldn't think of anything else to put in here that wasn't completely stupid & filler. I'm having horrible writer's block, and it would be MUCH APPRECIATED if you'd review in with some ideas. I need all the help I can get. I hope you all weren't disappointed, but I honestly didn't know what to do--and I disappointed myself.
