Standing There By You
Ch. 18- The Sunny Season
Disclaimer: Let it be known... I hereby declare that by legal binding matters, any recognizable material belongs to the infamous J.K.Rowling.
a.k.a- it's not mine.
A/N: Your wish is my demand, hprincess. This chapter has a couple different summer point of views, there's really no order (aside from chronological, of course) and it just basically skims over several character's summers. Here ya go...
Lily munched mindlessly on her Crunchy Oats, as she held the cereal box in one hand, and dangled a spoon with the other. She was currently skimming the ingredients; she had already completed the crossword puzzle and read over the 'fun facts'. It was early morning, so only she and her mother- who was currently fumbling around with the coffee pot- were awake.
"Don't hold your spoon like that dear," Mrs. Evans said, pouring a large mug of the steaming brew. "You'll get milk droplets on the tablecloth."
"Sorry," Lily mumbled absently, dropping the utensil into her bowl. Bored with the amount of carbohydrates and Vitamin C the morning meal contained, she looked up at her mother. "Any plans for today?"
Mrs. Evans shook her head. "No, well, not for you children anyway. Your father and I have a lunch date with important clients of his, so you'll be staying home with Petunia."
Lily made a slight face, causing her mother's lips to tweak a bit. "Oh it won't be bad- this will be a perfect time for you two girls to spend some quality time together."
Lily looked up at her mother. "Right. Would that quality time be before or after she slams the door in my face?"
"I'm sure she'll come around," Mrs. Evans said, taking a sip of her coffee. "In fact, I think the only reason she's acting this way is because she doesn't fully understand what's happened to you."
"I don't know..." Lily said skeptically.
"Just give it a shot, sweetie." Mrs. Evans stood up and sipped the last of the coffee. Leaning over she ruffled Lily's hair and gave her a soft peck on the head. "Tell her about everything. Then she can actually understand when you talk about Frogs Spawn and broomsticks."
Lily nodded. As appealing as the idea of threatening Petunia with charms that could turn her ears green was, she still preferred making up with her. It wasn't always this bad, she and her sister had gotten along marvelously... she really wasn't quite sure when or why Petunia had come to despise her. She had to admit the prospect of making up with her older sister excited her, as far fetched as the possibility seemed. Smiling into her now oat-less bowl of milk, she resolved to try her mother's suggested technique.
Regulus. Regulus, Regulus, Regulus.
This was all Sirius had heard his entire summer break. Of course there were the several adjectives along with it, such as: wonderful, honorable, precious, obedient, perfect... oh, Sirius was beginning to feel a bit sick.
His parents seemed to have this strange idea that being kind and catering to his younger brother would surely earn him a spot in Slytherin. As if he had a choice. If he had, Sirius surely would have chosen...
What would he have chosen? At the time Sirius only wanted to be housed with James, and the horrifying thought of dining and sleeping with the frightening looking Slytherins was enough to wish for nothing but Gryffindor.
Yes, Sirius reassured himself. Of course he would've chosen Gryffindor. He despised his parents and their malicious ways, and would never want to be involved with anything of their liking. Even if it meant his own flesh and blood shoving him aside like yesterday's rotted cabbage rolls, he would always remain defiant and go against their detestable values. He was going to go to James's in two weeks; he could definitely handle that much. He didn't need his family, anyway.
July 7, 1972
"... I found this when I went along with my mum to do the weekly shopping, and immediately thought of you. I figured it'd be perfect for... incidents, with Petunia; I find it relieving to write down things when I really need to rant, and thought you might too..."
Lily smiled as she picked up the small red book that had arrived with Julie's letter. Flipping through it, she noted the pages were completely blank; a startling white, ready and waiting for her quill. According to Julie this was to write any occasions Lily threatened Petunia with magic, as to add humor to a day she was feeling particularly gloomy. It was a very nice gesture, but the more Lily thought about it, the more positive she was that her sister would come around. She had a good feeling that after she talked with Petunia like her mother had suggested, she wouldn't need the book for those purposes.
'Oh well,' Lily thought, as she set the book upon her dresser and stood up to search for Petunia. 'Perhaps I could use it for Charms notes.'
1:22p.m., Sunday July 8
Told her I'd change her precious little tea set into rats. Should've seen her face.
Grace walked into Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor beside her aunt, the chilled air contrasting greatly with the warm August breeze outside. It had become a yearly tradition to come to Diagon Alley with her aunt; considering the rest of her adoptive family were muggles, it seemed most appropriate. She didn't mind, the fantastic stories her aunt told of when she attended Hogwarts could keep her entertained for hours.
"Hmm.." Grace muttered, glancing at the glass covered freezer. The variety of ice creams was much greater than any muggle store.
"You should try the green one," a voice suggested from behind her. Grace whirled around and was met with Sirius Black. Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew followed closely behind; they seemed to be involved in a discussion of some sort.
Grace squinted at Sirius and scanned him over, before smiling. "Yes, I was debating over that one or the blue swirly," she said, turning back to face the counter.
"Ah yes, green's definitely the best," Sirius said, stepping up beside her.
"Alright," Grace nodded. Glancing around the restaurant she saw it was packed; Florean Fortescue wouldn't get to her for a while. "So where's James?" She asked, curious as to where he'd lost his other half.
"Quality Quidditch Supplies," he answered. "We were browsing with him for awhile, but after several hours or so we got hungry." Sirius looked meaningfully down at the ice creams. "Besides, there's only so many times that I can hear the shop owner describe the latest edition broomstick, before I go completely berserk." Rolling his eyes, he recited, "Top of the notch, supreme cond-"
"-ition, smooth flying, superb breakage, and a 100% guarantee," Grace continued along with him. When Sirius looked at her surprised, she added, "I've already been there. Had to purchase a broom, actually."
"Really?" he asked. "Did you get-"
"No," she cut him off, "that broomstick's highly over-rated. I've got a Shooting Star."
"Oh," Sirius responded, nodding. Suddenly he grinned. "I like a girl who knows her broomsticks."
Grace raised a brow, but decided not to dignify that with a response.
It didn't matter anyhow, because just then Fortescue came up to them and asked for their orders. Grace replied without hesitating. "The blue swirly kind, please."
5:29 p.m., Saturday August 12
Oh bugger. Petunia brought annoying friends over today. The way she talked I knew she was making snide remarks about me. So I casually mentioned (whispered, of course. I'm not daft) how lovely she'd look as a toad. That shut her up.
Grace and the whole gang of Marauders- they had managed to drag James out of Quality Quidditch Supplies- strolled along the alley, not too far, of course, in accordance to Grace's aunt and the Potter's strict orders.
James and Sirius were lost in a rapid discussion of Quidditch, each defending their favorite teams, and each insulting the other.
Bored with the endless debate, Grace attempted conversation with Remus, but he didn't respond much before turning back to his discussion with Peter. She gave a small huff. It was rather boring and the lack of someone to talk to was beginning to grate on her nerves.
Staring straight ahead, she asked casually, "So have you been to Knockturn Alley recently?"
That got their attention.
"What?" Sirius asked, "Knockturn Alley? We're not allowed there."
Grace rolled her eyes. "And since when have you even thought twice about breaking the rules?"
"Never!" James shouted indignantly.
"Right," Sirius agreed, nodding rapidly. "And besides," he said quickly, (and to Grace, rather unconvincingly) "I never said we didn't go there, I just remarked we weren't allowed."
Grace took a large bite of her ice cream and then gulped before responding. "Oh, so you've seen the huge pit of lava by Hurshei's Hut?"
"Wh- oh, yeah," Sirius grinned. "Quite a site, that one."
"Mmm-hmm. Oh, and what about the collection of troll heads by Barney's?"
"Oh yes. Yes, that's intriguing. Grotesque but, really very intriguing."
Drats, Lily was going to need a new quill. The extensive amount of entries she had written in the past several months was beginning to wear it down. The countless moments Petunia had acted snippy with her were all recorded; over the past several months she had filled dozens of pages. Julie was right; it did quite lighten her mood whenever she flipped through the pages and skimmed over the various false claims- and as humorous or meaningless the scribbled notes may seem, the little red book had become rather comforting to her.
Lately, though, she had stopped just writing down the threats, and had now begun to write any confrontations whatsoever. Even those seemed hilarious. She honestly wondered if Petunia could hear herself hissing freak about ten thousand times a day, would she realize how ridiculous she was being? Yes, it was actually quite funny.
But Lily really wished she would stop.
"And, let's see..." Grace's eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh! The Wizard Quartet is rather amusing, isn't it?"
"Sure," Sirius nodded, as the five of them turned the corner.
"Oh, and the strange twinkling lights that stretch across the entire length of the alley is incredible, nothing quite like it, eh?"
"No," Sirius responded. "You haven't lived if you haven't seen the lights."
"Yeah," Grace nodded. "The caged Tigmonkeys, you know, the ones that can reach to about 70 meters? They're quite creepy."
"Yeah," Sirius agreed, giving a shudder to further emphasize his response. "So, when did you last visit Knockturn Alley?"
Grace looked thoughtful for a moment, before turning to Sirius and smiling. "Never have."
A/N: Hello! So, I'm dying to rant about the HP movie, but as I don't want to take up too much space, I'll do in my bio. E-mail or IM me if you want to talk about it. Ok, please don't hate me, but I have exams mon-wed, and I haven't even cracked open a book. (lol, mostly cause I've been working on this monster) As a result, I simply will not be able to update right away, as I will probably be in a psychotic state. Darn, I could really use Lily's techniques right about now : p
Manny2003- : ) I'm really glad you like it, and you're reviews give me much inspiration to hurry up and update. Thanks!
hprincess- Do you feel special? You should, cause I wrote a whole chapter for you! Kind of.. well you know what I mean : ) Glad I took your advice, it was fun to write. I hope you liked it.
Kill Lily Get James- Nice name!! Hehe, thanks for the review, I have come to terms that Petersgurl16 is insane, actually : ) Thanks, though, it made me feel really good... hey, you distinguished my flame!
kj-11913- Thanks a lot for the review, I love getting new reviewers! Hope you stay with me ; )
Suji- Yeah, I agree, I didn't much like last chapter either. Ah well, I needed to end second year somehow. Oh, about the HP candy, I'm not sure where it's from, cause my friend got it for me for my b-day : ) Thanks for the fantabulous review!
Mahora-san- Thanks, you're review was totally awesome too ; )
MidnightPrincess- Yup, they were mean to ol' Snapey, but you're right, not our problem ; ) Yeah, I think I'm only a little insane.. I think. I updated soon to make you happy, so review soon and make me happy!
dreamlessnights- Yes, I think I would cry if the story was over too, cause I'd miss such wonderful reviewers such as thee! Wow, if my oh so faithful reviewers stick by me throughout this whole thing, I'll be sooo incredibly happy. You're doing great so far! lol, thanks for the review : )
Imperishable Stars- What? What!? WHAT!? Who what when where why... Sirius Black look-alike? Awesome! Send him my way : p Oh, you made me feel soo good (and relieved) when you mentioned my no magic over the holidays A/N, I'm really glad you liked/understood that. Thanks for the review!
Dulcis Caelum- Yeah, for some reason my POV thingies screwed up. Stupid computer.
Lanette- Oh good, I'm glad you might write a fic. Let's see.. what genre do you most enjoy? For me (this may seem odd, but hey) I often found myself daydreaming (in algebra, whoops) about what Lily and James may have lived like, and I think it's really intriguing. You should pick whatever interests you most because you are after all, writing an entire story behind it. Just make sure if you write a story that you have a beta, because even if you have a wonderful story line, if you miss simple things such as grammar and spelling, it could kill the fic. I'm always here if you need me!
IrishMaiden- Lol, thanks for the very enthusiastic reviews : D Love ya forever and ever
Nymphadora003- Oh thank goodness! I was worried people wouldn't get the whole intertwining part, I'm really glad you did : ) Humph. Four finals? I have six. Argh.
Aerandir- Yes!! I'm terribly happy you beat the system, congrats on that. Yes third year is here : ) Thanks for the review
Marauder Marion- Really? Thanks : ) I like your penname by the way.
FairyPrincess13- Hey, I checked out your story! Pretty awesome, James is an (you know what) but, it's good for the story. : ) Thanks for the review!
Izumi Princess of Darkness- hehe, yayness! Thanks bundles for the review : ) Oh, you just reviewed me again! goodie (I'm so glad you just reviewed 17, cause sometimes I'm not sure if people just stop after chapter 1)