Standing There By You
Chapter 56- The Merry Bloody Holidays, Part One
I love you all-- my review count just caught up to the millennium!
: D
A/N: Hello! I've decided to split the Holidays into two parts, so I could get everything in that I need to and still have relatively quick updates. This chapter is a sort-of introduction to get everything going, and the next one will be much more eventful. I hope you enjoy it anyway : )
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"Miss Taylor," a very gangly, proper fellow greeted with a slight inclination of his head. "And Miss Taylor's friends, I presume? Follow me."
Lily and Grace both knew they looked incredibly stupid, standing there with their jaws quite near touching the hard concrete floor of the bustling Kings' Cross Station, but neither seemed able to control themselves.
"C'mon," Julie said, gesturing to her gaping friends as she made to follow the stiff middle-aged man.
"You have a personal driver?" Grace hissed in disbelief, attempting not to trip over her own two feet as she moved to follow the quick footed man. "Why didn't you ever tell us!"
Julie shook her head. "He's not my personal driver," she told Grace, running her fingers self-consciously through her hair.
"Sure looks like it to me," Lily gushed, eyes bright with curiosity. "Is he going to drive us in a big stretch limo? Will he take us wherever we'd like?"
"Let's go bowling!" Grace suggested excitedly. "How brilliant would it be if we went to a bowling alley in a big stretch limo?"
"He doesn't drive a big stretch limo," protested Julie.
"Stop teasing us," Grace said. "Of course he's your personal driver, he's wearing white gloves isn't he? What other occupation would require one to wear white gloves?"
"Medical, dentistry, miming, performance arts-,"
"And plus," Grace continued loudly, ignoring Lily's astute reply, "he said the word 'presume'. How in the world could you get away with saying the word 'presume' if you weren't the personal driver of a big stretch limo?"
"You're still very off," Julie shrugged impassively, clipping her hair back with a fastener she had found in her pocket. "Mum just orders whatever cabana boy isn't busy at the moment to endeavor a trek across the moat and hop in the old hovercraft to come pick me or my sister up. She's a very busy woman that can't be bothered with trivial stuff like that. Plus, the hovercraft is ancient and inclined to shudder, which would mess up her nails dreadfully."
Grace's brows rose steadily. "You have a moat?"
---
Sirius wondered if it was mentally all right to despise an inanimate object as much as he presently did. He contemplated this, scowling at the stagnant door that stood before him. To be fair it wasn't an ordinary door, oh no. This door, with black paint coated gallingly across every inch of the fine wooden grain and a cool silver serpent adorning the center (which he considered to be a particularly tacky door-knocker, personally)-- yes, this door was one that was rather more problematic than most.
It wasn't exactly the furnishings, he mused, as a series of clicks and clanking sounded behind the door. A bitter lady with a face stretched unpleasantly from years of unwonted vexation poked her head out the door, nodding jerkily for him to hurry in before any prying muggles caught sight of them. No, he decided, giving the door a bit of a pat on his way in. It was rather what was waiting on the other side that maddened him so.
"Your brother arrived here an hour ago," his mother said sharply, returning to the kitchen where the clattering of many pots and pans could be heard. She placed herself on a stool and re-commenced furiously giving orders to their house elf, Kreacher. In-between directing the old elf to stir a pot of bubbling brown sauce and inspecting a dish of meat he had already prepared, she flashed her eyes imperiously upon Sirius. "I told you to come straight home."
"You also told me you'd have someone waiting to pick me up," Sirius responded dryly.
"And there was," Mrs. Black said coldly. "If you would have been prompt like your brother, perhaps they wouldn't have left without you."
Sirius gave a bark of dry laughter. "As if Regulus didn't tip him off after sprinting halfway across the station."
Mrs. Black snarled, glaring at her son for daring to talk back to her. "Bring your trunk up-stairs," she ordered brusquely. And motioning upwards, she added, "Take your brother's to his room too, he seems to have forgotten it."
"Forgotten it my arse," Sirius scoffed, giving the shiny black trunk a kick as he stepped past and bent down to only grab his own. His irate mother's shrieks that followed promised both a headache and no more than 'half your broiled ham!', if he was lucky.
"Welcome home," said Regulus, sneering coolly from the stair-well.
Sirius remained undeterred, dragging his trunk with more effort. "And a Happy Bloody Christmas to you, too."
---
"Welcome, darlings!"
Julie's companions stared upon their greeter with an immediate sense of respect and awe. Never before had they viewed someone so flawless, so impeccably presented- even the seam that graced the very bottom of her fashionable robes glistened with an effect to match her brilliantly lined and shining eyes.
"Lily, Grace," Julie motioned to them respectively. "This is my mother."
Lily smiled cordially. "Lovely to meet you, Miss Aub--,"
"Oh dear," her mum interrupted fluidly, shaking her head with a titter and directing her gaze at the girls. "Call me Marietta, please. Miss Aubine makes me sounds so old."
Grace and Lily smiled at the comment, the former stepping forward to introduce herself with a brisk shake of the hand. "Hello," she said excitedly, taking in her stunning surroundings. "Beautiful house, thanks so much for letting us stay."
"My pleasure," Marietta smiled amiably. "It's simply wonderful to finally meet you both; I can't believe how gorgeous you are."
Lily allowed her lips to rise into a grin at the compliment-- Marietta Aubine had an air about her that made her appear both gentle and genuine. "Thanks Miss- Marietta," she corrected herself at the lady's playfully warning look.
"I only speak the truth," she said with a wink.
"Mum," Julie said, motioning to their luggage. "Where should we put this?"
"Several guest rooms are prepared for you upstairs," Marietta said, gesturing across the hall to the lavish stair-well. Looking back at her daughter she flicked her eyes upwards, clicking her tongue in disapproval. "Your hair is a mess, Julie," she readjusted the clip fastened in her locks with swift fingers. Sighing because it didn't seem to have the effect she was hoping for, she tapped her twice on the shoulder and motioned toward the stairs. "Better hurry along then, dinner will be ready soon."
The girls were grateful for this statement, having had nothing for lunch except sweets from the train. "All right," Julie said, fiddling with her clip as she moved forward to lead the way.
While Lily took her time to wander and observe the attractive entrance hall, Grace did not hesitate to scramble quickly behind Julie. "Will your personal chef be making the meal, then?" She smiled as Julie groaned, and hurried up the winding stair-case.
A little while later the girls followed Julie back downstairs to a room with charming furnishings and a lovely place setting for each of them. They found a spot quickly, eager to be served whatever smelled so delicious in the center of the large table. Seated across the room was a bouncy young girl searching her surroundings with eager green eyes that precisely matched Marietta Aubine's.
Lily smiled and waved, recognizing her as Julie's little sister. "Hey 'Bec," she greeted.
Rebecca smiled back toothily, giggling a bit. "Grace, this is my sister Rebecca," Julie introduced, stepping towards the little girl and giving her a fond pat on the head.
"Wow," Grace's eyes widened with interest, "she looks just like your mum."
"Lucky one, no?" Marietta joked lightly, stepping into the room. Upon her entrance the resemblance between her and her youngest child was uncanny: From her golden hair of soft spiral curls to her tiny feministic features, it was as if the child had no other parental influence beside her. Turning back to her eldest daughter and her friends, she waved her hand across the table. "I hope you're all hungry, Bancroft has cooked up so much food…"
Grace raised her eyebrows at Julie, ducking before she sniggered aloud; the latter girl merely shook her head, despite the trace of a slowly forming smirk. Hungry as an ox, Lily did not hesitate to scoop loads of the delicious soups and cuisine on her plate; between doing so however, she took a moment to judge the similarities between Julie and her mother, and found immediately that they weren't nearly as significant as the ones of Rebecca. The only resembling trait that really stood out was the hair color; her mother seemed to have put a good amount of effort into making her own have a glossy and elegant flair. The delicate facial features of the middle-aged woman were able to be traced in Julie's countenance after a bit of searching, but they didn't seem to hold as well as for her mother. Instead of producing a tantalizing, soft expression, the younger girl's features made her appear subdued and easily unnoticed. A genuine smile would brighten her expression, but as of recently, Lily noticed, there had been very few.
"Is school going well girls?" Marietta was asking, looking between them with interest.
"Very," Grace nodded, patting her mouth with a cloth, mauve colored napkin. "Quidditch is off to an excellent start."
"Oh good, good," the lady said pleasantly, nodding. "How about you, sweetheart?"
"Good," Lily said, tapping her fingers together in thought. "Keeping very busy, really, with homework and such; O.W.L. year is quite hectic."
"Ah yes, I remember those days," Marietta said reminiscently. She gave an impish wink. "Still making time for the boys, I trust."
Grace grinned and launched into an immediate recollection of her one-year anniversary, receiving in exchange many 'ahs' and nostalgic sighs from the elder lady. "Oh they can be wonderful at times, can't they?"
"Not always," Lily grumbled, though with a smirk. She began to share the predicament of finding herself to be a 'Scarlet Librarian' and the other awful events that had occurred that night (namely involving James Potter). When she was finished Marietta gave a knowing smile.
"My, Lily, two boys after you at once! Though it's hardly a surprise, I expect you'll be batting off dozens of boys soon with those luring green eyes of yours and that stunning head of hair."
"Two boys?" Lily questioned. "I only mentioned one."
"And I thought you received top marks," Marietta teased. "Honestly dear, you can't tell me you haven't noticed that 'Potter' boy holds a bit of a fancy for you."
Lily nearly choked on her French Onion soup. "No," she said hastily. "Oh please- no. Not while I'm eating. Sure he's asked me out a couple… dozen times, but--,"
"Has he?" Marietta said with an exuberant smile. Grace and Julie snickered softly as Lily turned a peculiar shade of green.
"No, you see," said Lily, eager to clear things up, "there was this instance with him asking and then me biting him… And then there was this whole situation with me dumping ice cream over his head; well to sum it up his persistence is merely a result of attempting vengeance for me not going with him the first time his arrogant self asked. We've always sort of competed, you know, top of the class ranking and all, and this is just another one of those bothersome things."
Grace and Julie glanced at one another quickly with a bit of a smile, and Marietta herself looked highly amused. "All right, Lily," she said placidly. "If you say so."
"I do," Lily said strongly, and promptly returned to her soup.
"Well," Marietta peered across the table as she began to butter a slice of bread. "I haven't heard a peep out of my daughter."
"Oh," Julie said sofly, busying herself with her cutlery. "Not much going on with me, no…"
A few chairs down Rebecca squealed and pointed to a tiny bug crawling on the outside of the window. Grace and Lily laughed at how amused she was, as the little girl began chatting incoherently with the creature. While the two girls were preoccupied with her antics, Julie's mum directed her attention to her eldest daughter.
"No boyfriend then," Marietta sighed, staring at her disapprovingly. "Not even a hint of one?" As Julie shook her head jerkily it was clear her mother had to refrain from rolling her eyes. "Just as I thought. Well I've set up a bit of something for you at the ball tomorrow--,"
"Mum," Julie whispered, horrified.
"Well I'd say it was about time, wouldn't you? Clearly you're in a need of assistance on the matter."
Julie bit her lip and pulled her glance away, glad when her sister distracted them all by tumbling out of her seat gracefully and attempting to climb the window. "I'll get her," Julie said quickly, and by the time she returned to the table they were all chatting amiably once more.
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The Cheerless Chronicles of a Chap's Cursed Christmas
Day 3- Aunt Elladora stopped by today. As lovely as always, though was forced to fend off with experienced kung-fu skills when said lovely lady mistook me for a house-elf and came barreling forward with a not-so-lovely machete. All into elf-decapitating rights, that old hippy.
Day 562 (Or So It Seems) - Typhoid Mary came over for bit of tea and crumpets this afternoon. It was a nice break from all of our usual visitors…
"Do you know where the Fizzing Whizbees are stashed, James?"
James looked up from Sirius's letter. "Wha- oh," he thought for a moment and then shrugged. "I'm not sure, exactly…"
"Hmm…" Peter tapped his chin in deep deliberation.
"Well," James said, setting Sirius's letter aside reluctantly and dragging his trunk forward; ducking down to search through it, he reappeared a few moments later with a bit of a crumbled cracker. He frowned and nibbled on the end of it, before proceeding to toss it forlornly onto the ground. "Well, looks like we're not going to fulfill the food portion of this celebration… sorry mate," he frowned at Remus apologetically, who was still looking appalled by James's act of consuming an unidentified cracker. "Sirius had that part all covered, you know."
Remus shook his head. "It's all right," he said quickly, hoping James would not attempt to discover any other random bits of food stashed around the dormitory. "Really," he continued, "I'm not very hungry anyway."
"I've got a few games stored over here!" Peter announced heroically, diving for a pile of boxes beneath his bed. He retuned with an eager smile and an arm-load of supplies. "Here," he set aside a small box for Remus, James and himself. "On the count of three we'll open them. One…"
Remus sighed inwardly, hoping it wasn't anything venomous or gooey.
"Two…"
He glanced at James to observe his expression to see if he was too getting ready to brace himself, but his friend wasn't even concentrating on the parcel before him.
"Three!"
"Are you all right?" Remus asked, as Peter opened his box exuberantly and James looked up, distracted.
"Phft," Peter said, blinking fast to try and see through the purple, sparkling web that had sprang out of the box resting upon his knees. "Did it work for you guys?" he asked excitedly.
"What?" James looked across the bed at the comical sight before him. "Oh," he looked apologetic. "Sorry, Pete, I didn't realize you were counting."
Peter peered at his friends between violently indigo colored strings, looking desolate as he realized neither Remus nor James had participated. "Oh, that's all right…"
James shook his head. "Here," he began with forced enthusiasm. "I'll go scramble up a few of the presents." Sliding off the mattress, he stood on Sirius's bed and jumped as high as his height would allow him to, finally retrieving a small bundle secured to the top of the bed post. "There you are, but--," he tossed the package from one hand to the other as he stood bouncing slightly before Peter and Remus. "You've got to find another part of it first. We'll give you hints."
Remus raised an interested brow. "Hmm," he said, and waited for him to continue speaking. After thirty seconds went by and James still hadn't said anything, he cleared his throat as a subtle reminder.
"Oh," James said suddenly. He chuckled weakly. "I'm supposed to give you them then, aren't I?"
Remus nodded slowly. "You are."
James's eyes searched the room for awhile, until finally landing back on Remus guiltily. "Er…" he said, scratching his head.
"One had to do with doorknobs," said Peter helpfully. "And I'm fairly certain there was a lagoon involved."
James frowned. "Well maybe we should just skip to the next part…"
"It's all right," began Remus.
"No!" James hurried to respond. "It's your birthday Remus; we're going to do this right--,"
"I'm not saying we shouldn't do it," Remus explained. "Just that… Maybe we should wait for everyone to be here."
James made to protest that it was Remus's birthday, and it should be celebrated properly, but the relief on his face was apparent.
"Really, I don't mind," Remus assured him. "I'm sure Sirius would appreciate it very much if we waited anyway."
Peter looked thoughtful. "He had to go because of that party thing, right? Maybe he could just come back after that's over."
"Nah," James shook his head, eyes darkening. "His parents are peeved about him giving them a hard time about the whole thing-- I doubt he'll be back before the last hour of the Holidays. They surely wouldn't make any extra effort to bring him back early."
"Hmm…" Remus mused, clicking his tongue in contemplation. "What if we made the extra effort?"
James's eyes crinkled with confusion for a few moments, but immediately brightened. "I like the way you think, my friend." He smiled, the start of a scheme already brewing in his head. "One taste of danger and you're already living on the edge."
"No," Remus said hastily, "this isn't against any rules. The Black's rules maybe, but those never really mattered."
"Aye," James agreed. "They are a touchy lot, aren't they? We'll have to be particularly careful they don't catch us… I daresay his nutters mum has a wrath greater than even McGonagall's." He looked up. "By the way, Dumbledore ever confront you about leaving the grounds?"
"After the last prefect meeting," Remus told him with a frown. "He never mentioned me leaving, but was hinting at it strongly enough," with a shake of his head, he finished, "I'm immensely fortunate he favors second chances."
"That you are," James nodded. "Unfortunately, I'm already on my 31st. Never mind that, though… we have a lot of planning to do."
---
Sirius shuffled into the kitchen, his surroundings dark and chilly with the sort of air that only comes on the mornings of gloomy Mondays, and, occasionally, gloomy social gatherings as well. No matter how early it was, however, his dutiful brother was already half-way through his breakfast and seated in the usual silence between his parents.
At the far end of the table sat his mother, who was chomping hastily through her porridge so she could get back to ordering Kreacher around- even though guests were not due to arrive for another eight hours or so. On the opposite end of the large table was his father, who was searching the newspaper with a cool and almost peculiar expression. Sitting as far away from all three of them as possible, Sirius grabbed a piece of toast and concentrated on the parchment he had already written a half-letter to James upon. Just as he was about to update the Cheerless Chronicles of a Chap's Cursed Christmas, Continued, his father gave a grunt of interest and held the paper up for them all to see.
"At least you'll have an interesting topic of conversation for tonight's gathering, Agatha." He set the newspaper down. "Voldemort is starting to show himself again; from the looks of it he appears to be acting in the same fashion he did last December."
Mrs. Black looked pleased as she returned to her breakfast, and suddenly Sirius had no desire to finish his own meal. "Last December… But isn't that when he killed an old couple of muggle-borns in Wales? And that family, in Longhorn…" he asked, dreading the response.
"Among other things," she said flippantly. At Sirius's look of disgust, she continued, "His actions may be eccentric, but he should be commended by all with proper values for finally doing something about the filth that has leaked its way into the system."
Mr. Black frowned. "Dietrich said they've just hired three new Mudbloods at the Ministry."
His wife nearly choked on her porridge. Regretfully, she regained a gasp of breadth. "The day they think about making one of them Minister," she said hoarsely, "is the day I exile myself from the Magical Community entirely!"
"And you'd be so terribly missed," Sirius grumbled in a voice only audible to himself. Too ill by his family's morning drawl to continue eating anything at all, he dropped his plate in the sink and departed up the staircase to finish his letter to James in peace. His heart plunged as he thought of how much he'd rather be with his friends and celebrating Remus's birthday than with these hideous creatures called kin. If anything, however, this was merely a minute helping of the nightmare of a party that was to take place that very evening.
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A/N: I know, I know, it's short... more soon though, I promise! Thanks so much for reading and as always for your wildly wonderful support!
Kat44- Ah yes, we always knew Remus had a romantic side so I thought it was time to show it ; ) James, egotistical… yes, yes… but it is inevitable, eh? Thanks for the review!
James' Girl Lily- I'm glad I could keep your interest and curiosity peaked, thanks so much for the input!
Jounin-Elite- Hey! I'm happy you're enjoying it, thanks for taking the time to catch up : ) (btw, what's your penname mean? I might've asked you once but I don't remember.)
Dance-flirt- Hi! Good to hear from you again : ) Thanks for the review and encouragement, I really appreciate it!
Gaby-Black- Nice to hear from you : ) Ah, sorry about depriving you of your sleeping time though! Thanks so much for the consistent enthusiasm and support, I really appreciate it! (also, I promise as soon as I update this thing I'll check out your story!)
GoKissBacon- Ah, don't die! Here's a quick update, just for your mortal well being. But seriously I really treasured your review, it was very awesome to hear such great things. Thanks so much, and awesome penname!
Mad about Sirius!- Wow thanks so much, I really loved your review even though I'm sure I don't deserve to hear half those things you said. Thanks so much for making me feel great!
Panting Slightly- Hehe, it always brings a smile to my face when I find out I cheered up a reader, thanks for sharing your chuckles and 'snorts' ; ) And you actually got the 'Ooh Ooh' thing… yay! Thanks a million for the incredibly awesome review!
Waterfalls mist- I'm glad you think so : ) Thanks for the review!
Sowy (2 lazy 2 log in) - Hello! It's okay you haven't reviewed in awhile… who is this? Good luck on your own story, thanks bunches for the review!
SeverineFlower- Yay, I'm glad you like it! Thanks billions for the review : )
Sarah Warder- Woo, glad I made you smile : ) Ooh… that's a great state. Never been there, but it sounds lovely. I'll wave to you from Ohio!
Mrs. Bloom- Yuck, I hate when authors just stop writing after a cliff-hanger. Alright I can't answer all of your questions but here goes: 1) yes, 2) she was worried waiting by the hosp. wing and her revenge on the boys sufficed, 5) yes, 6) next chapter, 7) no, 8) lol no hooking up here, 9) no. Thanks so much for the long review, I appreciate it!
Juicilyn- Aw, I'm really glad you liked the Remus part so much. Thanks so much for the great review and enthusiasm! Oh, and yes I'm taking it to 7th year… actually I plan to do it until death do they part. Thanks again : )
Anusha- I know! I hope she doesn't have rabies!
xoGossipGirlox- I'm glad you tried out Lily and James fanfics, they're pretty fun. Hmm well we'll just have to wait and see about that whole romance talk, thanks so much for taking the time to read and review!
Rhiawoods- Wow, long review! Ah, about that whole Matsu thing- that was another team member, maybe you just confused the two. But anyway thanks so much for that wonderful input… ahh I know I can't believe it's so long either! Good luck on your story, I hope it goes well : )
Flametongue- Ah yes, it is very long isn't it? Sorry to deprive you of sleep ; ) Thanks for taking the time to read/review it though, I really appreciate it. Hope this update was quick enough!
Pialicious- Hehe I'm glad you're entertained by James making Lily uncomfortable ; ) Thanks so much for the review, it's much appreciated!
Highlandhottie- Aw I hate when people just discontinue their stories. Sometimes it's unavoidable though / But no worries! I have no intentions of doing that whatsoever. Thanks very much for the review!
Drlover- My oh my… you weren't too off in your guesses for the 6th book, were you? Good job at that! I'm really glad you liked my fic, I hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Deathgirl997- I'm really glad you're enjoying the story, thanks for your input and the wonderful review : )
ZebraStripedFlamingo- Aw, thanks so much! Your review definitely made me smile. Ooh you like Val and Angie eh? Sure I'll try and put in more of them : ) Thanks for the fantastic input, it's very appreciated!
I-Lurve-Harry- Updated as quickly as I could, hope you enjoyed it!
Emerald flamee- Thanks! I'm glad you liked it, thanks for taking the time to review!
Mystikalolo- Hehe I'm glad James has the perfect amount of 'Jamesness' ; ) Thanks so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate it!
The Big Dance- Yes, Remus is ultimately sweet ; ) Well from the start beta and I have planned to do it in one big story, up until their deaths (sad I know) even if it will be beyond gigantic. Anyway, thanks very much for the review!
MysticMadness- Aw, I'm glad it's one of your favorites! Thanks so much for the review, it's much appreciated!
Hazel Maraa- Hope you had fun running, glad you liked my story : )
Abby- Lol yes, go Remus : D Thanks a lot for the review, I'm glad you liked it!
Sallymander- I'm glad it didn't seem so long when you were reading it… I really just wanted to get to the holidays. Thanks so much for the review, I'm really glad you liked the whole thing with Remus and Grace : )
Rebel Rose- Hehe I was definitely excited about the 6th book too. How'd you like it? Well anyway, thanks for the awesome review!
DisastaMasta/Forget-Me-Not- Ahh what'd you think of the book! I can't wait to explode with how I felt about it; I'm guessing if you thought the fifth book was a disappointment you aren't going to think so highly of this one. Ooh that's awesome about your school jersey saying your name, my tennis sweatshirt says 'S. Black' on the back of it! Hehe I know I'm a dork… but my best friends' say 'R. Lupin' and 'J. Potter' on them, so I just couldn't leave out the best part of the infinite trio ; )
Tennislvr1904- Hmm well I enjoy watching tennis on TV sometimes, but I mostly like to play. How about you?
Avovisto- Ahh yes, I remember the days of copying chapters into word documents… I know my beta has hundreds of pages saved on hers ; ) Ooh go ahead and IM me, I'm always willing to chat! And of course I don't mind reviews, silly! Also, congrats on being the big two thousand!
Lilypad7879- Wow, I'm really glad I could make your day! You made mine by telling me that : ) Thanks so much for the enthusiastic review, I'm pleased you're enjoying it!
Sweet Sarcasm- Lol I really have no clue about werewolves and silver… I read on a website about its effects but I'm sure there are different stories everywhere. Thanks a lot for the info on the Great Break, I may just check it out : )
Courtney83- Oh man I know watcha mean… The world definitely needs more Remuses. I'm really glad you enjoyed the chapter, thanks so much for the review!
Secret Lily- Ah yes, it goes to seventh year and beyond. I'm glad you like it and that you think Kirk is a jerk—I completely just realized those two words rhymed. Coincidence? I think not… Thanks much for the review!
IamSiriusgrl- Aw… I'm really sorry sweetie. My good friend moved last year and it was really sad, but we still manage to keep in touch. I'm sure you'll make tons of new pals that love Harry Potter too : ) Thanks bunches for the review!
DeppGirl14- Mmm Heath Ledger… can't beat that! Ooh I figured out Harry's age too! Hehe. Aw that sucks that you can't get the book until it comes in at the library, I was going to say something about it but I don't want to ruin anything! Thanks for the lengthy review, always appreciated!
Dragon Rider 22- I'm happy you enjoyed it, thanks very much for the review!
M-girls- Yeah I understand what you mean… sometimes I can't remember what I'm reading either ; )
Ieyre- Hehe… Don't worry, Kirk's a goner. I'm glad you liked my 'sweet git', James, thanks soo much for the review!
May Olivia- Ooh speechless… Hmm I hope that's a good thing! Thanks so much for the review, yours are always so fantastic : )
Windowseat Wonderer- Hehe I'm glad you understood the countdown and that you think Lily's in character, those are both glorious things : ) Thanks soo much for the review, it was really awesome!
Zippyfox- Yay, I'm glad you enjoyed the Remus/Grace bit! Hehe it's okay, I've overdosed on coffee once or twice too ; ) Thanks very much for the review, always appreciated!
Well the sixth book is out and already read by millions… don't worry, I'm not going to spoil anything if you haven't had a chance to read it yet. Never hesitate to IM or e-mail me if you'd like to discuss it- who knows, if we get enough people maybe beta and I could host a chat! Either way, let me know what you think in your reviews, I can't wait to see your reactions ; )