Standing There By You
Ch. 41- Stinging Solutions
Disclaimer: If I was making any money off this, it'd all go to you, JKR. Down to the last knut, because alas... She is mighty and owns all.
A/N: Hmm.. first off, to answer the question that many reviewers asked, if the books or Rowling ever said anything about Lily's parents dying. I've yet to hear or read anything like that, but Rowling insinuated it when she said that Harry had to live with someone that had his mother's blood running through them, and since he ended up cooped with Petunia, my guess is that they had no other options. So sadly, but truly, I'm pretty sure the Evans had to be gone before or right after Harry was born.
Also, the next chapters will begin to cover the summer (it should be pretty long- or at least, longer than usual) And... dum dum dum... I'm sort of going to try something different. I hope you don't mind the style change, but I'm going to have the two or three chapters covering their holiday be from first POV. I'll make it clear who's POV it is and where they're at, so it won't be confusing at all. It's only for a little while, and I'll switch back as soon as fifth year starts up again. So... be prepared!
I had a particular review this chapter that really ticked me off. It wasn't so much his (or her) flame, it was moreover the fact that they judged my entire forty chapter story on the first chapter (which admittedly, is totally and completely sucky) and it wasn't exactly kind, either. I was going to rant and rant to that person (I still have it saved in microsoft) but then I got three incredible reviews right in a row that I probably didn't deserve in the first place, but nevertheless made me feel absolutely awesome. Then I looked at the other reviews before that, and I really don't know why that one kept my attention, when I should've been appreciating all of the other kind words you so graciously gave me. So... thanks.
Also note- Ball change, and shuffle-hop-step are tap dance steps.
Lily gazed up above at the uneven wood of the ceiling. It was a marvelous thing sometimes, to just be able to stare at a wall and mull over your private thoughts. The past several months though, it had been different; acting as a blockade to one's self is an exhausting thing, and the momentous night last week was not only unearthing, but somehow relieving as well. The pressure that was immediately burdened upon her, was also immediately taken away- her friends didn't hesitate to secure her in the newly weakened state, talking when she needed to be talked to, and keeping silent when the only thing necessary was their assuring presence.
That was the thing she loved most about their friendship; the simple lack of hesitation. Instead of the awkward inquiry that could've taken place, they had replied naturally and assured her, with tones not to be argued with, that she'd stay with one of them for the summer, or however long necessary. It was true Petunia was just old enough to live on her own, but neither of them would ever allow her to stay with that miserable excuse of a sister.
"Up already?" a sleepy voice questioned from behind her, interrupting her thoughts. Lily looked up to see a drowsily smiling Julie.
"It's still early yet," Lily told her. "You can probably sleep for another couple of hours or so."
Julie shrugged. "That's all right." She curled her feet beneath her and reached for a shabby pair of slippers. Stifling a yawn, she continued, "I need to finish Arithmancy, anyway."
Lily nodded, watching as her friend found only one slipper, and bent over further to retrieve the other. "There's a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow," she reminded Julie distractedly.
"Mmm-hmm. Reckon we should go?" Julie asked, as she blindly felt along the floor, inching now to a dangerous teeter as her fingertips scraped beneath her bed.
"Sure," Lily shrugged. "I need to-" But what Lily needed, Julie never found out, as she lost her balance and attempted a rash grasp for something to cling on to. With a yelp, she grabbed helplessly onto her blanket, which of course only resulted in her and several sheets tumbling to the floor.
"Are you all right?" Lily asked hurriedly, climbing off of her own bed and joining her friend on the ground.
"Yeah," Julie mumbled pitifully, her voice muffled due to the numerous blankets draped across her head.
Lily quickly made to tug off the sheets, but even after several minutes of yanking and pulling it only resulted in a small gap in the blankets near Julie's face. The two girls stared at one another, Lily's concerned gaze against Julie's half concealed one. Suddenly, for the first time in days the two girls burst into uncontrollable giggles, Lily clutching her side and Julie's eyes tearing up with laughter. She tried to reach up a hand to cover her mouth, which only raised the hilarity of the situation as she found it to be trapped between a sheet and coverlet.
"Mmph..." An inhuman sound grumbled from across the room.
The girls' laughter ceased abruptly, as Grace flopped over onto her stomach and squinted at them through one glaring eye. "What are you doing?" she demanded groggily.
"Shh..." Julie whispered out of the corner of her lips. "Best to remain still... there's still a chance she won't see us."
Lily barely nodded, keeping still as Julie suggested.
Grace rolled her eyes. "I can still see you."
The girls remained in their statued states.
Grace blinked several times. "I said, I can still see you."
The silence was so strong, if Sirius was here he would've cricketed.
Grace, doubting her sanity and cursing the morning, rolled over and was snoring in an instant.
"See," Julie smiled. "She's always been a bit wacky in the morning."
Lily raised a brow. "Just in the morning?"
---
"James, catch!"
James turned on the toe of his sneaker, and as a reflex upon viewing a crystal vile hurdling towards him, stuck out his hand and retrieved it expertly from the air. "Thanks," he said, after a brief moment in which he set aside to personally congratulate himself. He tipped the stopper off with ease, and turned the vial over to release a thin green liquid into his potion. Setting it aside, he grabbed a slender tube that contained a murky blue substance, and in a tricky position behind his left shoulder and beneath his right elbow, tossed it towards Sirius.
"Thank you," Sirius sang, catching the tube between his thumb and forefinger, and spinning around to dump it into his own cauldron.
Remus started slightly, becoming increasingly apprehensive as the nerve-racking lesson went on; James and Sirius, for some reason unknown to him, found it highly amusing to vault their fragile potions across the room whenever the professor wasn't looking.
"Remus!" He jumped at the call, and his worst fears confirmed, was met with a large and oddly shaped bottle sailing in his direction.
Remus emitted an audible sound of distress as he drew his hands toward him instead of appropriately outstretched, causing the bottle to hurl into his chest and him to fumble around for quite awhile, until miraculously capturing it between a knee and both wrists.
James smirked beside him, as Remus brought the bottle out of the awkward position and set it gingerly on the desk.
"What?" Remus asked defensively. "He caught me off-guard."
"That's the whole point," James informed him cheekily.
"Here's your Codifying Compound," Sirius announced loudly, carrying a tiny vial with much care, and handing it tentatively to James.
James furrowed his brows in confusion, but nodded in understanding when Sirius motioned with his eyes towards the head of the room, and he found Professor Fluent had arrived back from his office. "Thank you," he said, his words clearly audible and polite.
From his desk the teacher raised narrowed eyes towards the two boys, their brazen smiles and waves only heightening his suspicion. With a disapproving grunt he cast his eyes downward and continued marking papers. One scroll teetered on the desk's edge and fell onto the ground; it rolled several feet and stopped at Grace's toes.
"Here ya go," Grace tossed the scroll along with the others that sat on top of Fluent's desk.
The professor nodded his gratitude, not bothering to look up or pause in his writing. Grace rolled her eyes as she walked back over to her desk, pulling a face in her friends' direction.
"This is a wonderful way do relieve stress, did you know?" Lily informed them as she put all of her effort into kneading an unidentified pile of gray mush.
Grace squinted her eyes at the strange sight. Leaning over to Julie, she whispered, "She does know that's-"
"No," Julie cut her off quickly. "But she's happy, and well... what she doesn't know won't hurt her, right?"
"Right." Grace scrunched up her face, "I suppose..."
"Well, maybe she'll- ooh!"
Students around them looked up as her sudden shriek echoed across the room. Surrounding her feet was a purple potion gooping across her toes and ankles, and a vial that lay shattered a meter or so away. The parts that came in contact with the rubber sole of her clogs disintegrated the material with a soft hiss, revealing woolen sock covered toes, currently wiggling and scrunched up to avoid the creeping indistinguishable substance.
"Whoops," Sirius grimaced, glancing sideways at James. "I thought you had it."
James arched a brow. "I was behind you, Sirius. You threw it twenty feet ahead."
"...I was close."
"Pomps Tubea is not toxic, Miss Taylor, so stop that incessant shrieking." The professor strode across the room and snapped the text book and parchments she was holding out of her hands. "Twenty points from Gryffindor, and forty more if you do not get this cleaned up in the next fifteen seconds."
Julie's mouth dropped open. "But-"
"Fourteen."
"Sir, I didn't-"
"Thir-"
Julie gave up and quickly scrambled to the ground, soaking up whatever she could of the potion and drenching the parchments she had within reach, in attempts of sopping up the mess. She stood up breathlessly, the task completed save several streaks of purple that lay across the tiles and a few scraps of gooey parchment.
The professor's eyes ran up and down the floor. "Half the points for an abysmal job," he stated, before twisting around and heading back towards his desk.
"Why didn't you tell him it was Sirius's fault?" Lily inquired quietly, staring at the professor's retreating back and then at her exhausted friend.
Julie shrugged a slender shoulder. "I tried," she said hesitantly.
"And Sirius just stood there and let you take the blame," Lily shook her head. "You've got to learn to stand up for yourself, Julie."
"It doesn't matter," Julie assured her quickly. "I don't mind... It was only a bit of a mess."
Lily frowned as she gathered up her materials. "You should mind."
That night the students occupied the crowded common room, entertaining themselves with the usual games or grudgingly finishing up bits of homework. In a cozy seat away from the bustling room, Lily and her two friends sat with books spread around them, Julie in particular staring intently at an unbearably heavy Arithmancy book, narrowing hazel eyes at the tiny blurred words to get some conception of its contents.
"Finite," Grace announced, setting down her book with triumph and flopping back onto the couch.
Julie looked over at her, frowning. "Did you get Softkey's theory?"
"Mmm-hmm," Grace squinted her eyes in thought, "page four oh' two, I think."
Julie nodded her thanks, and tucking an escaped honey lock behind her ear she determinedly returned to the advanced book.
Lily shifted in her seat to glance over at her friend. This summer was going to be different; she had never visited Julie's house before, and had only seen her father on one occasion or so that she could hardly remember anyway. It'd be strange starting the holidays in someone else's house, and she wondered what'd it be like when they arrived in an unfamiliar town that contrasted the home she was used to. How was it going to be when she couldn't snuggle in her regular bed and her mum-
No. Lily creeped lower in her chair, resolutely blinking her lashes in a determined act to shield any potential tears. Taking a small and unnoticeable breath, she leaned her head back against the chair and attempted to clear her mind.
"You all right?"
Lily started at the soft inquiry, swerving her head quickly to view the caller. "Oh," she said, relaxing. She hadn't noticed Julie kneel onto the floor beside her chair. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Julie stared at her thoughtfully for awhile, before nodded slowly. "Okay," she said, standing up and sitting on the edge of Lily's chair. She smiled slightly. "My dad wants to know if you like banana bread, we always have it my first night back."
Lily smiled back. "Sounds great."
"Oh Gracie, I would do the same for you any day. I know the number one chaser would do this for me, right?"
Lily and Julie turned at the plead, and was met with Sirius staring wide-eyed and innocent with a puppy dog pout, and inching towards Grace's paper.
Grace smacked Sirius's hand and tucked her homework safe inside a schoolbag. "Shove off, Sirius," she said simply.
Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Fine. But I'll have you know, you're not the number one chaser. Beaufort's talent makes yours look about as good as my Great Aunt Trinicia's mole."
Remus looked up, and felt the pressure of defending her weigh over him. "Yes well, she's, she's really very-"
Grace smiled pleasantly, impelling Sirius with her elbow. "If you don't shut up I'll take a beater bat and shove it right up your-"
Well, Grace obviously didn't need help defending herself.
"Yes," Remus nodded, sitting back down. "Yes, what she said."
Just as Sirius crossed his arms and made to retort, James stepped in the middle. "Here," he said, grabbing Julie's paper. "Just use this one."
Lily looked up, rage clearly and quickly evolving in her glare.
Perhaps it was the fact that Julie had been so nice and understanding this last week.
Perhaps it was the fact that just the plain sight of James Potter made her want to pull out all of her hair.
Perhaps it was the fact that an idiot was about to let another idiot use her friend's hard work so that he wouldn't look like an idiot. The idiot.
Either way, the frustration and emotions swirling inside her seemed to come rushing out at once, and directed straight at the raven-haired 'idiot' standing right in front of her.
"You cynical..." she growled, taking a large and frightening step towards James.
James looked to his left and right. "Huh?"
Another stride. "You bombastic..."
James's expression changed from perplexed to affronted. "Hey, I didn't even do anything-"
"You didn't do anything?" Lily shot back shrilly. Sirius, Grace, and Remus took a collective stride back. "You didn't do anything?"
James crossed his arms. "No, I didn't. You're just a hot head that doesn't-"
"Well that's exactly the point, you didn't do anything!" she exclaimed, flapping her arms wildly. "You and your little friends think you can just go around not putting forth any effort whatsoever, and use other student's hard and arduous work so that you don't have to lift a precious," she tapped his thumb mockingly, "little," she flicked hard and retreated her hand, "finger."
James didn't hesitate a second. "You prick," he returned, stepping far forward and in accordance forcing her back. "Everything's just got to be perfect, doesn't it?"
Grace tensed and started forward, still in a high defensive mode to protect her friend. "Hey-"
Lily glared back intensely at James and inched ahead, insinuating to Grace her help was not necessary. "It's hardly believable how much of a pig you are," she shoved James's chest back, a bit harder than she normally would've as her emotions unleashed through anger. "And if you consider perfect to be doing your own work and earning own grades, then fine, what a horrible person I am to have morals-"
"Hey, I've got morals!" James roared his protest indignantly.
Lily verbalized her disbelief with a loud exclamation of laughter. "Right! Morals? You?"
"Yeah!" James yelled back, his tone clear she had effectively set him off.
"Oh yeah?" Lily demanded. "Prove it!"
James narrowed his eyes. "Just because I don't walk around acting like a perfect angel, sucking up to everything that breathes and holds the ability to grade, doesn't mean I don't have morals." He stepped closer. "And for your information, always acting like the good girl and prissy know-it-all, never uttering a forbidden word out of that innocent mouth of yours and helping mummy every week with the Sunday dinner, does not mean your morals are any greater than mine."
Lily paused for a moment. Her friends started forward, worried James had hit a sore spot by mentioning her mother, but before they could even move a foot she began speaking again, her voice securely even and unusually cool.
"You like those, eh Potter?" she asked, looking up with an aloof stare.
James blinked. "Like what?"
Lily picked up a couch cushion and tossed it carelessly in her hand. "Well," she began slowly, peering lazily at the pillow. "Sundaes."
"Sundays are all right," Sirius leaned over and whispered to Remus. "But I personally prefer Saturdays, don't you?"
Remus refrained from rolling his eyes and continued to watch Lily's unusual actions. "Sure, Sirius."
"Although, Tuesdays are awfully nice too."
"What are you on about?" James asked, eyeing Lily as she inspected the cushion from several different angles.
"Sundaes," Lily repeated. "Do you like them?"
James watched her suspiciously. "I suppose..."
Lily looked up and smiled. "That's good. Here you go, then." In an instant the plush pillow was transformed into a large bowl filled with mountainous scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, accessorize to its fullest with a rainbow of sprinkles and thick flavored syrups dripping down the edges.
A moment later the delectable dessert was hovering above James's head and showering down in a storm of colorful and quite frozen dairy.
Lily leaned back thoughtfully to inspect her sputtering work, her rage decreasing with each gloppy drip. "It's a nice look for you, Potter," she decided. She pointed to his matted down and sticky hair. "And for once your hair's not all caveman."
Before James could reply, Lily grabbed Julie's paper out of his hand and marched up to the girls' dormitory, muttering a quick scourgifying spell to cleanse the edges.
"I... she's not..." James seethed, "you just wait, I'll-"
"You know, she's right," Sirius remarked, peering at James in a decisive manner. "Your hair is rather caveman-ish, isn't it?"
James scowled. "Sirius, you're supposed to be-"
"No, no," Sirius said hurriedly. "It's a good look for you, really. Caveman is totally in." James glared back, swiping at his forehead as sticky streaks poured down it. "Well go on and take a nice long shower," Sirius said quickly, turning his grumbling friend in the direction of the staircase. "Don't forget, ah," he grimaced, knowing full well what he was about to say wouldn't lighten James's mood, "... detention, tonight. But this is the last one," he clapped his friend on the back, "everything'll go great and we'll be out of there in no time."
-
James had grumbled incoherently for awhile longer, before Sirius finally guided him in the opposite direction and sent him up the staircase, where he would grumble further as he changed and cleaned up for detention. Sure, the skipping spells hadn't turned out so bad in the long run, but they still made sure to arrive to the rest of their detentions on time; after all, one can only go so long with stares and fingers pointing in their direction every place they went.
Not that they minded, of course. They just preferred the gawks to be over their dashing good looks, rather than actions in which people could easily confuse their gender.
A grueling couple hours later, they sat on the edge of Fluent's desk and read the remainder of their duties. "What's next on the list?" James muttered his question, still sour about that night's events.
"Well we've dusted," Sirius read from a tattered parchment, "we've watered his plants, cleaned the windows, made him a fresh pitcher of lemonade, polished his shoes... So I guess the only thing left to do would be..." he squinted at the parchment, before verbalizing out loud, "cleaning out Twinkle's cage?"
James made a face. "Twinkle?"
"Yeah," Sirius looked back down at the list. "It says it's stored in the left cabinet and the shavings are on the top shelf."
He looked up and the boys gave a collective half shrug. "Well let's get this over with," James said, turning towards the specified cabinet.
Sirius followed and slowly opened the door. It was dark, but sure enough, inside was a rather large cage with a big furry lump plopped in the middle. "Is that a..."
"Guinea pig," James finished for him, staring at the mammal curiously. "I saw one in the Magical Menagerie. But that one had blue spots and a goatee."
Sirius raised his brows slightly and nodded. "All right, you get the shavings and I'll try to get this bugger outta here."
James nodded, and set off in search of the wood chips. Sirius turned back towards the seemingly normal creature, rolled up his robe sleeves, and opened the cage door. Carefully, he reached toward it and scooped it out, hurriedly plopping it on a nearby desk. A light tink sounded, like two metals clinking together, so he curiously turned around to inspect it.
Sirius watched, mesmerized as the chubby animal stood on its hind legs and performed a complicated tap dance. He had never before seen a guinea pig, but he was quite sure it wasn't normal to do that.
"Man, this thing's huge," James groaned, as he heaved a jumbo sized bag of wood shavings onto the floor. He looked up. "Not that I can't handle it. Cause I can, you know. Handle it-"
Sirius turned to him with a grin. "Isn't this thing wicked? I swear I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled out a cane and top hat!"
James discreetly rubbed his sore back. "What are you talking about?"
"That pig thing," Sirius said, "Didn't you see, it just popped up and did a brilliant tap routine!"
"Huh?" James scrunched up his face, glancing at the guinea pig. "Sirius, I think you've gone mad."
"What?" Sirius spun around to view the incredibly talented creature.
The plump brute lay big-belly down on the desk, staring back at Sirius stupidly and chomping on a disregarded quill feather.
"But, but... He was just... the shiny shoes," Sirius muttered, scratching his head at the mystifying transition.
"Sure he did, Sirius," James replied, his tone tired and still laced with irritation. "C'mon, let's get to work."
Glancing once more at the strange creature, he turned back around and followed James to help carry over the wood chips.
Tap Tap
Sirius swerved around and pointed to the presently performing pig. "See, look!"
James rolled his eyes and turned around, only to witness a nearly snoozing, lazy creature. "Sirius, you're nutters."
"What, no!" Sirius exclaimed madly, rushing over to the guinea pig and prodding it with his finger. "Dance, you stupid pig, dance-"
"Sirius," James yanked his friend's arm away from the animal. "C'mon, mate, you're getting delusional."
"But no, I swear-"
"Come on," James said, tugging his friend harder. "I'd like to get out of here before dawn, if you don't mind."
Sirius frowned, shooting looks at the strange animal over his shoulder. With a sigh he gave up, and returned to help James dump out the cage's shavings.
Tap Tap
Sirius gritted his teeth. Couldn't James hear that? He looked over to his left to view his friend. No, he was still too busy grumbling.
Tap ta-tap rap-a-rap tap
Sirius tensed his shoulders, forcing himself not to turn around and give the deceiving creature the cynical satisfaction.
Tap ta-tap rap-a-rap tap tap ta-tap rap-a-rap tap rap rap ra-ta tap ra-
"Argh!" he relented, whirling around and bulldozing towards the guinea pig. "I'll get you, you stupid-"
"It's too late for you to be doing this," James grumbled, not bothering to turn to his friend as he sprinkled new shavings into the metal cage.
Sirius stood several inches away from the pig, glaring at it and reaching dangerously flexed fingers near its neck. "It's playing with my mind," Sirius whispered madly, his fingers inching closer.
The guinea pig performed a shuffle-hop-step in reply.
"You're doing this on purpose," Sirius seethed.
Ball change ball change, leap, ball change ball change.
"I'm warning you..."
Shuffle shuffle shuffle shuffle-
"Gah!" Sirius lunged towards the gifted guinea, hands stretched wide as he rashly reached to throttle it mid-mocking pirouette.
It took him by surprise, needless to say,when he discovered tap-dancing wasn't the guinea's only forte.
James brushed loose flakes of wood roughly into the palm of his hand. "Stupid Evans," he muttered. "Stupid ice cream. Stupid couch cushion."
"Ahhh!"
He rolled his eyes as he folded closed the large plastic bag. Was the screaming really necessary? Sirius was his best mate and all, but he sure could be quite the character.
"Ay, ay, ay, ay," several loud thumps sounded behind him.
James smoothed the wood chips to layer the bottom of the cage evenly, refusing to inconvenience himself as he stayed adamantly facing the other direction. "Caveman hair?" he griped. "Psht."
A rushing sound, and "Whooooahhhhhh!"
"You're really aggravating tonight, you know that?" James declared, hoisting up the large bag of shavings and staggering towards the storage closet.
"Potter!" Sirius bellowed in a desperate voice, his echo shooting 'otter, otter, otter,' throughout the dungeon.
With an exasperated sigh, James made a big motion of turning around to face his friend.
Sirius sat crumpled on a desk, his head wobbling unsteadily and eyes out of focus. To his left the guinea pig sat lazily, appearing as if he had no intentions of ever moving his round rear end, and once more chewing upon the quill feather.
"Kung fu," Sirius babbled. "Tapping... black belt... terrifying hiya..."
James cringed at the unsightly vision of his friend. "Er... we better get going," he said slowly, reaching out to pick up the guinea pig.
"Careful," Sirius panted his warning, "side-kick and tap shoes, not- not a good mix."
"Uh-huh..." James glanced over his friend with concern for his mental well-being as he lifted the fluffy creature and set it inside the cage, clasping the metal door closed and sliding it back onto the shelf. Fastening a hand under Sirius's elbow, James cautiously led his disoriented friend out of the Potion Quarters.
Just before they turned the corner, Sirius snuck one more glance at the creature.
It winked and ball changed its goodbye.
---
"A karate-chopping-tap-dancing guinea pig named Twinkle?" Remus chuckled, from where he stood hunched over a pile of neatly folded undershirts and school socks.
James made a slashing motion with his hand, signaling for Remus to drop it. It had taken him nearly a week to stop Sirius from babbling hysterical nonsense, and he still refused to go anywhere near that left cabinet.
"Uh-huh," Sirius replied gravely, rolling up a robe and pitching it into his open trunk. He pointed to his forehead where hardly visible, tiny blue dots were sprinkled. "Kung fued me, right here."
Peter nodded. "Yes, I can relate, that's just like my snake."
"Really?" Sirius dropped a scrunched up sock and looked up at Peter. "Does it tap dance, too?"
"Nope," Peter shook his head.
"Oh." Sirius's eyes widened. "Does he karate chop?"
"Uh," Peter frowned. "No."
Sirius furrowed his brows. "So what's the similarity, Pete?"
"Er..." Peter's eyes flicked around the room in thought. "Oh!" He smiled triumphantly. "They're both mammals."
Sirius sighed. He didn't have the heart to tell him that snakes were not mammals. "Ah, yes. Almost identical situations."
"Yup," Peter replied, returning to the his annual ritual of cramming all his possessions at the bottom of his trunk, only to pile as many cakes and goodies he could across the top.
"Come on, let's get outta here," James said, lifting his trunk and dragging it towards the door. "The sooner holiday starts, the better."
Remus didn't look so confident. "I'm not so sure about that, actually."
"Eh, no worries mate," Sirius clapped Remus on the back. "Her family can't be that bad."
Remus simply stared back, causing Sirius's certain smile to slowly slip into a frown. It was true, any humans that owned such pets as chinchillas must be teetering on barbaric. Peter had told them of the horrors- big teeth, monstrous claws, and venomous spit, to name a few.
Sirius sighed. "Just don't forget your helmet."
A/N: I know this chapter was kind of.. not necessary (especially Twinkle.. sorry, Dulcis has been begging for her cameo : p and besides, it lightened the mood a tad) but not to worry, summer will (hopefully) make up for it. : ) Muhahaha... I'm excited. Well anyway, thanks for reading!
Lil Lillian 14- Eh, no offence taken. They are quite arrogant, aren't they? Crazy boys. Thanks for the review!
Delphineum- Ah, glad I could amuse you. Thanks for the review : )
IrishMaiden- Hi! So sad, so sad : ( Just around the river bend... I miss you!! Thanks bunches for the review, you know I luv 'em!
Purplereader- That's okay, you had the right to be bummed. Uh-oh... you seem very happy that I'm your friend... hehe. CONGRATS ON MAKING THE PLAY! Woot! Great job, and don't worry about messing up the first time, I've done that loads before. Oooh, the Who's are awesome! Hope you have fun with that, thanks for the review(s)!
Carlee- Muy awesome review, m'dear : ) Good idea with the whole 'possessed Lily' thing, who knows, in HP anything could happen. Thanks for taking time to read and review!
Mistyrious- I made you cry?! Sorry dear, I hope you had a box of tissues at hand : ) Ack, no, never stop writing your own! It's soo awesome.. by the way, when are you updating? Thanks for the really great review!
Purplecarrots121- Aw, you're much too kind! I'm really glad you enjoy it so much, and thanks for taking so much time to read my rather lengthy story. Thanks again!
Pixie-Poison- Thanks for that really great review, it really boosted my motivation level loads : )
Windowseat Wonderer- Wow, never thought I could make anyone get anywhere near tears, that's an odd thought. I tried not to make everything all fine and dandy this chapter, tell me if you think how I did with that. It was kinda tough cause I didn't want to make everything so sad, following that chapter, but I know I still had to include some follow up. Thanks for the incredible review : )
Dracapotter12- Hanging onto my every word? Oh, how you flatter me so : ) Thanks for the wonderful review, and good luck with your own story!
iLikeSpaghetti- Hm.. interesting name, hehe. Glad you like it so much, thanks for the wonderful words, I very much appreciate them!
Siriusismine- Well, we're working women now. Wow, those first four words created an alliteration. Thanks for the review(s)!
Remmy14- Yup, sure is time for him to ask her out. Dum dum dum....
Cynthia- Glad you liked the beginning and summary, let me know how you like the rest : )
Lanette- Oh, tons of fun. : ( But thanks for the review, glad I could keep you laughing!
Melissa- Lol, I don't much care for Peter either. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep it in mind, and thanks for the awesome review!
Espergirl04- Ooh.. so you guessed it? Good job! Glad you liked the skipping and all, thanks for the fantastic review!
Clair Fire- Hola! Hm.. I usually range anywhere between 9 and 13 pages in works. I think I answered the part about if JKR said Lily's parents died in the top AN of this chapter... oh, and I keep checking for your story, but it's not up yet : / Maybe if you have a chance you could e-mail me when you update (elenya2 at ) Ah, and the lines are there cause if I didn't have them it'd be terribly confusing, trust me. Thanks for the review!
BlueSeal- Hehe, it was quite the contrast with the skipping and then the end, wasn't it? Well thanks for the review, and see you at tennis! Remember, love means nothing to a tennis player.
FreckledIrishMaiden- Yes, yes, is very sad indeed. Lol, I know, guys so skip. Thanks for the wonderful review!
Emps- Yup, they're in fourth year. Thanks for the review : )
ImperishableStars- Sorry I made you feel sad, but I'm glad you liked the way I did it... if that makes sense. Thanks for saying it was believable and all, that really makes me feel good : ) Thanks for the review!
SuperHiperChit- Wow, thanks for such an awesome review! Glad I could keep up the suspense and throw something at you without you guessing what it was first ; ) Thanks bunches!
Sapphire039- Hm.. Well it's not necessarily her fault, but when a loved one dies suddenly a bunch of things just immediately flash through your mind. Let's see.. yes, they're still in fourth year (this is the last chapter of fourth, then the next is summer) and, thanks for liking Taylor, hehe.
Oliverwoodschic- Well you'll find out eventually how they died, just not right away. It's not really a necessity, and it fits better with a situation that'll come up (much : p) later. Glad you found the skipping hilarious, hehe, and thanks for the review!
Luna- Me no know why you're talking like that either : p Thanks for the review, glad you like it!
Molly- Lol, your review made me laugh (once again) even though it was about sad stuff. Sorry for putting you through such emotional turmoil, sounds like you can really do with some chocolate. Or tea. You like that, don't you?
Witch Silestial- Ooh, what's this, a new reviewer? Or have you been reading update-by-update? Hmm... such things to contemplate. Well thanks either way for the fantastic review, much appreciated!
kawaii-cherryblossom-saku- I'm really sorry for the loss of your brother, that must've been really tough. Thanks for the great review, I really appreciate hearing that the emotions I write in my stories are true to what would really happen.
MissBlueAngel- You'll find out how they died eventually, but just not right away. It's not really a necessity to know, but you'll still find out sometime. Thanks for the review!
Celebrean- Ah, very sorry I couldn't get you out of your depressed mood. Yes, Remus is evil. The spawn of Satan, he is.
Californiagurl- Yeah, pretty sad, wasn't it? Poor Lily... They're in fourth year, but this is the last chapter for fourth so next one will be summer (or two) and then.. fifth. Finally! Hehe, you're not the only one that can't wait for Lily and James to get together ; )
Sallymander- Poor Lily indeed : ( I feel sorry for her too, actually. What an evil author I am, making bad stuff happen to my characters. Poor characters...
SeCrEt LiLy- Yep, denial. Also yes, she has accepted the passing of her parents, and yes you will find out more details, just not right now. Glad you liked it, thanks!
Dulcis- Hey, I so disclaimed you. And we thought of that together, okay? Jeesh. Testy shrimp poppers... TWINKLE!
Ninde Annare- Among all the sadness, glad I could still make you laugh : ) Thanks for the inspirational review!
Sherlock- Hmm... I'm not sure if you're going to notice this is your response or not.. hmm.. well anyway, glad you liked it so much! That was an excellent review, it make me feel really awesome : )
Sblome- Look up. (Yes, up. One response. See it? There ya go ; p)
RavenSiriusBlack- Woo, you hit my theory right on the nail. (I think that's how the saying goes...) Anyway, thanks for the review!
Lachwen- Thanks! Friendly words are always appreciated : )
Gaby-Black- Glad you thought so : ) Ah, school. Always getting in the way, isn't it? Hope you hurry with your story, too!
Blood Emerald- Oh, that's all right, I completely understand about crappy computers (every time I go on I have to restart it at least three times). Thanks for the review!
Padfootz- Lol, Professor Fluent is very unpredictable, don't worry. Thanks mucho for the excellent review!
Misakichi1- Yes, I know, she didn't deserve it. Tis sad, tis sad. But what are ya gonna do? Blame JKR, not me. ; )
DobbyGrl- Wow, glad you liked it so much! The motivating words always help to get my rate of typing way up ; ) (Even if you couldn't tell this last update...)
Romulan Empress- Ah, yes. Content, rather than contempt, was definitely what I was going for. ::sheepish smile:: Thanks for letting me know, I plan to change that as soon as I get a chance. As always, advice and opinions very much appreciated!
Tootles