Standing There By You
Ch. 36-Subconscious States
Disclaimer: Really, now. I own nothing.
A/N: Important: Don't delete the next chapter you get reading deLancret, 'cause that's what I'm changing my pen name to. Want to know why? Well go check out my bio, you gooses ; )
The date December 20th, 1974 marked about halfway through the chapter is to represent the day the train leaves for the Holidays, as to avoid any confusion. This chapter moves rather fast, e-mail me if you've got any questions.
Ah, and my sincere, sincere apologies to Curiousknowitall. I accidentally said the purple hair episode was in chapter six when it was in fact in chapter five, so I just copied the important lines for you here:
Chapter Five, Brilliance and Wit
Grace kneeled down next to him, carefully avoiding the mud. "So, you gonna change my hair back or what?"
"Oh, right." Remus took out his wand and started to say the reversal spell.
"Wait!" Grace said suddenly, blocking his wand. "Could you leave a few streaks in? I think it looks kinda cool, and besides, purple's my favorite color."
And thus, Grace's purple hair. Hope that clears it up for you!
The golden stone path felt smooth and cool beneath her feet, its radiance providing a hint of luminosity in the particularly musty evening. Over her, glorious trees stood impressively above fields of dew covered grass, their silver entwined branches suspended over beds of magnificent vines and flowers. Wandering off the terrace, she sat under the protective shade of a distinguishably larger tree, the fresh blooming orchids and lilacs blossoming at an exceptional speed around her. The sun felt warm against her skin, as it dawned gradually behind clouds of powder blue and lavender.
A semblance of an impassioned atmosphere arose, interrupting the calm solitude she had felt only seconds before. What stood before her caused her heart to beat faster; her insides to collapse underneath the newly exposed emotion.
Everything froze.
The birds stopped mid-flight. The sun halted, hanging vulnerable in the evening sky. A single dew drop that previously cascaded down a fresh blade of grass now remained suspended in the air and dangled tauntingly over the rich soil.
Perhaps the real world did not stop. Perhaps she was just too overwhelmed by the tangible sense that overcame her physical and mental being, that her common sense evaporated and her hopes and inner desires took over. Even though the tingling air surrounding the magical sight seemed most unreal, it could not be a dream; a sensation with such intensity enveloped her, that it allowed her to give up on common sense and believe the exhilarating situation that had distinguished the previous pacifying scene completely. Although not comprehendible, it was certainly believable; certainly real.
He spoke. She found herself rising to his flowing voice, a warm and beautiful sound to her ears. She soon stood naught two feet before him. She'd been waiting for so long; for something to arrive, for love-
"What a bunch of rubbish!"
James's face contorted into an expression of disgust; he threw the novel onto the floor as if it'd burned him, its worn out covers flopping haphazardly over one another and its pages strewn out to resemble an accordion.
Emerald green eyes widening with disbelief, Lily rushed immediately to the aide of her woebegone book. Mouth slack in concentration, she cradled the book entitled 'The Magic Within' in fading scrawled letters, checking each inch of the precious pages to see if they had been stripped at all of their previous pristine state. Satisfied nothing was out of order, she placed the book gently onto a side table, spun around, and lunged at the amused James Potter.
Amusement quickly vanishing and stumbling shock quickly taking its place, James darted out of the passionate girl's way, but she kept on heedlessly. "You insidious prat!" she shouted, veins he was sure she had only just acquired in her recent bout of madness popping out and nearly pulsating in anger. "You senseless-"
"I don't see what you're on about," James defended with a serious expression, only just darting out of her manic grasps. "The only thing I did wrong was not throwing it directly in the fireplace. That rubbish should be disposed of immediately."
"Ooh," Lily squealed, too angry to emit any proper sentences. She let out a growl of hostility as she charged towards him once more, trying her best to wipe the taunting grin off his haughty face.
"I mean honestly," James carried on, putting his Quidditch skills to good use and diving out of her reach. "What kind of person reads that... thing once, let alone once a year?"
Fed up with his gibes and her non-existent ability to throttle him, Lily verbalized a venting exhale and stormed across the common room to retrieve her treasured book. With one last scowl in James's direction, she spun on her heel and hurried up the winding staircase.
"Grawh!!" Lily exclaimed, storming into her dormitory. Grace and Julie looked up in surprise- they didn't think humans were capable of the noise their friend had so mildly greeted them with.
Julie squinted her eyes with concern. "What's wrong?"
"What do you think?" Lily snapped, thrusting her bed-curtains aside and slamming onto her bed.
Grace rolled her eyes and went back to reading Mobeau's latest Chaser tips in 'Current Quidditch'. "Let me guess," she mumbled, flipping the page. "Does it start with a Pott and end with an er?"
Julie's concern dwindled as well. "Oh c'mon Lily. You've got to stop letting him get to you."
Lily's eyes widened defensively. "Yes but-"
"Lily," Grace shook her head.
The stubborn girl pressed on. "You don't even know-"
"It doesn't matter," Julie interjected, coaxing her with a soft smile. "You know he just does it to pluck your nerves. Next time just act like it doesn't bother you. I'm sure he'll let you be."
Lily muttered some incoherent words, but yielded to their comforting words nonetheless.
"And besides," Julie continued cheerfully. "Christmas is only a couple weeks away, you've got that to look forward to, don't you?"
Lily perked up. "You're right," she said, smiling for the first time since entering the room in an enraged huff. "I can't wait; a whole holiday away from Potter."
December 20th, 1974
"And you're sure they won't mind?"
"Positive."
"But you didn't even ask them, and-"
"It'll be fine."
"You know, I'm beginning to think this isn't such a-"
James turned to his babbling friend with a look of exasperation. "You're starting to sound like your date to Hogsmeade, you know," he informed him. Sirius immediately shut up.
"Now honestly," James said, leaning against the cool glass of the frosty train window and staring out at the blustery snow. "They won't mind. You've been over my house a million times before this, you know that."
"Well I know," Sirius responded, stretching his legs across the compartment and in front of Remus's outstretched slumbering figure. He had the whole seat to himself, as Peter had somehow managed his way onto the floor. Sirius frowned for a moment and paused, wiggling his sock-covered feet comfortably. Normally his friend would shove them off the seat in an instant, but as he sunk lower into a deep sleep, Sirius figured what he didn't know couldn't hurt him.
"But..." James prodded, knowing full well his friend wasn't finished.
"But," Sirius continued on, turning back to James, "it's Christmas. What if there isn't enough turkey? I'll probably be intruding on traditions and-"
James snorted his interruption. "Traditions? The only traditions we've got involve eating until you can't move," he looked thoughtful, "and opening gifts, of course."
Sirius still looked uneasy. "Well okay," he hesitantly agreed. "I just hope I won't be a bother."
"Oh it's no bother at all," Mrs. Potter assured him, clasping her hands in genuine delight. "You know what those muggles say, 'The more the merrier!"
Her husband beamed at the boys before them. "Of course. Well, where are your parents? Best we check with them first."
Sirius's relieved expression at the Potter's reactions swiftly changed into that of uneasiness. "Oh, that doesn't matter," he told them quickly. "I know my parents won't mind."
"Oh, heaven's no," Mrs. Potter patted his shoulder with a light bout of laughter. "We can't just take you without them knowing."
"Really mum," James spoke up, shooting Sirius a side-long glance. "I don't think his parents'll mind."
Ignoring her son, Mrs. Potter set off down the length of the train station. "Where do they usually wait, Sirius?" she asked, peering around the bustling room. Stopping her quick pace, she turned back around to face the boys with a bemused smile. "You know, I don't even know what they look like. Point them out to me, dear."
A sudden grin appeared across Sirius's face, erasing any hesitance he had previously portrayed. Squinting slightly and tilting his head, he raised his finger in the direction of the magical entryway. "Er, there they are," he responded with an odd spring of enthusiasm. The Potter family turned to see where he was pointing and was met with three figures, two large and one small, exiting the platform.
Sirius's grin remained steadfast as he readjusted his hold on his heavy trunk and stepped in front of the parents' incredulous faces. "Sure looks like they'll miss me, no?"
Lily ran her fingers across the creases that ran throughout her patterned comforter, wondering thoughtfully the memories it beheld. The worn out designs that ornamented the fading cream comforter were that of willow trees and wildflowers, a popular embedded feature in the time of her mother's childhood. Lily had fallen in love with the blanket the moment she had discovered it in the attic among ornate pillowcases and draperies, and hasn't let go of it since- she contemplated bringing it to Hogwarts with her, but decided the recollection of it would do better to stay at home.
She heaved a sigh as she turned over on her comfortable bed, so that her feet now kicked out behind her and she had a clear view of the icy window. She scolded herself for allowing boredom to seep into this uniquely beautiful day, but resigned to it as her head became suddenly heavier, and her eyelids began to droop. Gradually, she drifted her way into the world of the subconscious.
"And you should've seen her face!" James proclaimed, waving his fork in a dangerous vivid gesture around the dinner table.
Sirius made an exaggerated ducking motion. "Hey, watch those tangs, would you?"
"It was just," James continued on, ignoring his dramatic friend, "it was priceless. Simply priceless."
Mrs. Potter, however, did not share his amusement. "You don't tease this poor girl, do you?"
James shrugged, putting his utensil to proper use and picking up a bit of meat. "She's a real prick, mum. A hothead, too." When his mother's expression only grew more reprimanding with this response, he spoke up once more. "Well she starts all the squabbles- doesn't she, Sirius?"
Sirius looked up from the spoon he had been observing his reflection in. "Hmm? Oh, no, not really," he replied, before going back to the shiny utensil.
James groaned as his mother launched into another of her infamous rambling speeches. "Thanks for the support, mate," he mumbled somberly.
"No problem."
"We're going out for awhile, sweetie," the gentle, older form of Lily caressed the young girl's cheek and kissed the top of her forehead. "We should be back a little after midnight, but there's no need to wait up."
The fourteen year old smiled dutifully, but her mother knew better. Even when she was just a little girl she would wait up endless hours until her parents arrived back home.
Lily watched as the snowy flakes performed a vivid dance around the pair, her father's heavily layered arm wrapped around her mother's waist for a rare sense of security and warmness in the dreary winter weather.
Thump.
Thump.
Thum- James turned over on his side, his brain not able to comprehend so early why an object was thumping against his back.
Mr. Potter looked down at the two groggy and stubborn boys with a half entertained, half exasperated expression. James's rolled up socks had taken no effect when trying to wake them, and therefore lay scattered around his room from Mr. Potter's continuous repeated tossing.
Sirius muttered slightly from his sprawled out position at the end of James's bed, knocking a haphazardly tossed book off in the process. The boys were surrounded by books, and by the looks of it seemed as if they had fallen asleep studying. Mr. Potter shook his head, deciding this could definitely not be right, and decided he'd rather not know what they were up to this time. Finally running out of ways to wake the two slumbering boys, Mr. Potter leaned over them and did the one thing he knew would get them straight out of bed.
"Presents!"
Within twenty minutes the gifts were all unwrapped and the boys were shoveling in the remnants of their Christmas brunch.
"This is great," Sirius said ecstatically, adjusting his Wombats pin and digging into his pudding. "Thanks again."
"Anytime, Sirius," James's mother replied, peering at him from above her own dessert. "But, well you've had good holidays at home too, right?"
James groaned inwardly. His mother didn't seem able to grasp the idea how different and horrible Sirius's family was.
Sirius just shrugged, a thoughtful frown upon his face. "No, we don't celebrate the holidays, really."
Mrs. Potter looked aghast. "What? Not celebrate the holidays? But-"
As much as her intents proved kind, Mrs. Potter's persistence and repeated shocked responses began to make him feel uncomfortable. Sirius scratched his brow distractedly. "Well you know-"
"What do you say to a round of Quidditch?"
Three heads whirled around to face Mr. Potter and his unorthodox suggestion, at first only staring at him in response. Then they all seemed to answer at the same time; his wife belted out a huge 'No!', just as James and Sirius jumped up with a resounding 'Yes!'
Mr. Potter shrugged at his astonished wife, turning to hurry after the two that had bounded quickly out the door.
"Oh," Mrs. Potter uttered, watching as her seemingly three sons raced out into the snow, tossing the fluffy precipitation at one another as they made their way to the Quidditch shed. Shaking her head, she grabbed her own cloak and darted out after them. She wasn't going to be the only one not having fun, after all.
They weren't coming, but she wouldn't believe it.
Her footsteps seemed detached, they were not hers, they couldn't be hers,
Still not coming, never coming,
Strips of black traced the path. She hated black. They hated black.
"...There's a lunatic in every society, right Lily?" Julie reasoned. Lily nodded so she continued on. "And none of those societies have the powers that we do of stopping them. The Ministry's always been able to catch them before, and don't forget, we'll always have Dumbledore..."
In the distance a groan of distress echoed, everyone wailing, everyone weeping,
...Although these words contained caution and trepidation, once the respects were paid, the children went back to their everyday routines...
The disturbing disorientation she felt frightened her to tears as she kept on running, unable to escape the pain, to escape all the-
"Noo!" Lily screamed, her head rushing from the force of sitting up so abruptly. Her darkened room came into a blurry view, her eyes still hazy from sleep and subconscious tears. She gasped for air and placed a hand across her chest to still her heavily pounding heart, clutching her mother's old comforter tight against her. Taking a quivering breath, she lowered herself back onto her mattress and reassured herself, "It was just a dream." Her eyes still wide and wondering the room, she repeated hoarsely, "Just a dream."
A/N: Thanks so much for all of your suggestions, I'm very much into fantasy so I'll try to check 'em all out when I'm done with my current summer reading.
MidnightPrincess- I like that song, lol. I'm glad you like the chapter, thanks as always for the wonderful review!
Dreamlessnights- Hehe, glad you thought that was sweet.Ooh, I want a flag! Can you make me one too? Thanks for the awesome review!
ImperishableStars- Aw, your review really boosted my inspiration level, thanks loads. Hehe, I'm fond of the purple streaks, too. I tried to put some in my hair, but alas, my locks are too dark. Pity..
Romulan Empress- Lol, I like your reaction to the kiss. But with her character (or the one I'm desperately trying to portray) she wouldn't have done those things, you know? Thanks bunches for the review, and what sorts of books do you read? I'm intrigued.
Padfootz- Ah, sometimes the shortest reviews can mean the most. Thanks ever so much, very much appreciated : )
SiriusJamesRemus'sgirl- Hello! Thanks for the fabulous review, I'm really happy you enjoyed it. No, Peter's not a death eater at this point.. that's what you meant, right? Well if it is, then don't worry about it, cause that's not for a looong while.
Zayne- I'm glad you liked it, and even gladder (is that a word?) that you hate hairspray. Yech. What's your penname mean, if you don't mind me asking. It intrigues me...
FairyPrincess13- Er.. the simple term for wanker is 'a bit of a jerk'. You don't want to know the extended one... I didn't even know what it meant before I posted that chapter... whoops... Thanks for the review and book suggestions : )
Whitepaw- Yay! Your review made me feel awesome, thanks so much! I would've slapped him too... maybe... or perhaps I would've just clung on and er okay, thanks again!
Oliverwoodschic- If you're still confused about the purple hair, it's all up there in the top A/N. Oh.. I hope you're not mad about the non-reaction from Julie, but that's explained more at the very bottom of these A/N's. Thanks as always for the wonderful review!
Dulcis- Oh geez, what do I even say to this. Fried wallabe? Interesting. I hope you're having fun in Delaware... I miss you! Hm.. okay, so you still have a computer, but... it's just not the same, you see, just not the same. PANDAS. Good luck with you and Jacob.. you know, we really have to continue that fic. Infinite possibilities, I tell you, infinite possibilities.
MissBlueAngel- Hope you didn't hurt yourself when you fell out of your chair : p Thanks so much for your review, you know I just love 'em!
FreckledIrishMaiden- Wow, glad you liked the E's so much, hehe. Val and Angie, and lolio! I applaud you, and thanks for the review!
Ninde Annare- Hehe yes, like can be quite the bother. Thanks for the review and suggestion, I appreciate them both very much ; )
Windowseat Wonderer- I'm glad you understood it after a quick read through, sorry, my befuddlement skills are recently exceeding, and that results in a lot of confusion. YES, I hate summer reading.. ugh. Thanks for the review!
Ieyre- My sentiments exactly. Poor vain Sirius, but yes, we do love him so all is not lost. Thanks for the review!
Dance-flirt- Know how much you like long responses so this length is what's deserved for that great review.
Sunset- Oh, you're name's Grace? That's awesome! I hope you like Remus, hehe. Thanks for the WOW, I'm going to take that as a good thing ; )
Blood Emerald- I'm glad you like it, and yes, I too am waiting anxiously for some L/J ; ) Soon, midear, soon. Thanks for the review!
SeCrEt LiLy- Whoot! I'm so glad I got you off Sirius/Grace, that is an awesomely good thing. (awesomely?) I'm happy you find myself and beta humorous, and yes, Abbi would be unlivable, lol. Thanks for the review!
Lanette- Thanks for the boost of confidence, I really enjoyed your review ; ) Yeah, it didn't cover up a lot of time, but hopefully this chapter makes up for that. Oh, and yes, Sirius is a very good kisser.
curiousknowitall- I'm so sorry about that, I wrote a big response to you up at top, if you haven't already seen it. Thanks for taking the time to check it out, anyway ; )
Jess- Hehe, I'm glad I could make you smile. Thanks a billion for your review, each and every one makes me feel verrry special!
misakich1- Oh, you're one of the ones that made me feel really good about the last update... thanks sooo much. I don't know what I didn't like about the chapter, it just wasn't flowing with me, you know? Well thanks again for reassuring me, much appreciated!
Pline- Yay, more people venturing onto the Remus and Graceness of it all. I'm really glad you liked the chapter, and ecstatic that you're all for the aforementioned couple, thanks so very much!
Charmed4ever- Aw, lol. Yup, giddy is a very good thing, and I'm glad you feel it because of my fic! Thanks so much for the awesome review, I appreciate it much!
MelissaMoony- Yes, I would much rather write for my fanfiction too, blasted teachers. I've read one book though, so at least that's something ; ) Today's the official two-week mark... ugh. Thanks bunches for the review!
Sun Kissed Rose- Ah, you're too right about finding a book that's not already a Major Motion Picture, what is society doing to us? Hm... tennis. Oh yes, I play bunches, but I can't remember anything about a shoulder. Let's see, I do know that after about ten minutes of lunges your bum kills... ::sigh:: this is what I get for sitting in a computer chair all summer... Good luck with tennis!
Sapphire039- Hmm... Elastic. Well you can talk about the waist-bands, um... er... okay, so I couldn't think of another E. Sorry, but it would've taken me another two days to update just to think of a substantial word that began with that incessant vowel. Hehe, thanks for the review!
Espergirl04- Very interesting, about the frosted flakes that is. I'm glad you liked the chapter, and I thank you so very much for all of your wonderful book suggestions. I love fantasy books so I'll be sure to check a bunch of 'em out. Thanks again!
Molly- Oh good, I missed Molly. Sarah Warder's a little creepy, I must tell you. Ay, and there's nothing like a safe spleen. Hehe, of course it's true! (about the purple highlights) I don't know how I came up with the three E's... I scare myself sometimes. Tang is a cool word, I used it again in this chapter, hehe. I hope you're having fun on your trip, oh, and do you know where I can get a 50 pence piece.. er, or whatever it's called...
A/N: Okay, I hope you're not angry I didn't put anything else about the kiss in Hogsmeade, but really, there wasn't much else to write. It's over and done with; Julie's too shy to ever even think of bringing it up again and Sirius probably forgot it within a week's time anyway. The only reason for having it in was to initiate Sirius's ah... success with the ladies, lol you know what I mean. Tootles!
Don't forget, look for deLancret!