Tale As Old As Time
CHAPTER VI
Old and new
The preparations for the wedding were driving everyone crazy except, of course, for Anabel and Remus – who swore anything would be perfect as long as they could marry during the fist days of April. Lily, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as relaxed as the lovely-dovey couple since Anabel had named her the Wedding Planer; suddenly the bigger part of her day was occupied in trying to get Anabel or Remus to focus for a few moments so they could discuss the decorations or the flowers or whatever wedding-related. But no matter what Lily did it just didn't work, either Anabel or Remus would nod at whatever Lily was saying while they continued to kiss – which, by the way, disgusted Sirius no end for he thought that they way those two stayed lip locked was unnatural.
James thought Sirius was exaggerating because, in truth, he felt lonely; and, though he was happy for his friend, Sirius couldn't help but envy Remus and Anabel and what they were trying to build together; because that was something he, Sirius, had lost forever, or s he thought. Finally, tired of seeing Remus and Anabel kissing and Lily in utter state of neurosis and Sirius moping around half of the time, James decided it was high time for a change in the routine and suggested a trip to the town.
Everyone agreed at once with the idea. Lily wasn't sure if she could go too but Nan and Remus told her that it was safe as long as she stayed with James. Happy to hear that, Lily decided the trip to the town would be the perfect opportunity for get Nan's dress made. And so, the day before the first winter snow, they all went to the town.
"That's it! I'm out of here!" Sirius said while he, Remus, James, Anabel and Lily walked through Trinity City on the direction to the dressmaker. Before they got engaged, when they only gazed lovingly upon one another, Remus and Nan used to walk together all the time and do a great variety of stuff, now that they were together all they seemed interested in doing was make out.
"Is not necessary for you to do that," James said calmly. "Do what we do and ignore them." Lily and he were walking together, seemingly obvious to the lovely-dovey couple in front of them. "I know it's awkward but…"
"But nothing," Sirius said. "That's indecent!"
"Ah, a talk about indecency from Sirius Black, that's something I would like to hear!" Remus said, he was fully paying attention, no matter that he was with Nan.
Sirius grunted something and said "I'm going for ice cream, I'll see you at the dressmaker's in a while."
"Sirius, it's almost freezing, isn't that a little bit too could for ice cream?"
"Lily, it's never too cold for ice cream."
And without saying anything else, Sirius went to the Ice-cream parlor across the street.
"Do it double! Vanilla and Chocolate! And don't go cheap with the almonds!" A young girl was saying to the attendant.
"I want the same," Sirius said, making the girl jump. Up close she was younger than what he had thought at first, also prettier.
"You seem familiar." The girl said when as the attendant gave her and Sirius their ice-creams, Sirius paid for both. "Oh, my! You're Sirius Black!"
"Does my reputation precede me?" Sirius asked. "Because I don't think I know you, I would remember a face like yours, I'm certain of that."
"What? You don't recognize me? It's me! Charlie Stone. Clarisse's annoying little sister, remember? I always burst into the two of you when you guys attempted to kiss in the sitting room. Frankly it was rather disgusting!"
"It can't be! Little Charlie looked like a boy. You don't look like a boy."
I've grown up a little bit. But it's still me."
"Evidently, you have grown." Sirius muttered as his gaze traveled from her face and went south.
"Don't do it." Charlie said with irritation. "I see you haven't changed one single bit. The old Sirius I used to know."
"That's not true, Charlie, believe me, I've changed. Your sister's marriage changed many things in me."
"You know, I never understood why you were after my sister knowing she was promised to another." Charlie said pensive while they walked down the street.
"Her engagement took us by surprise, we were very happy together."
"I don't see why Clarisse engagement took you by surprise. Clarisse pledge herself to Anthony when she was sixteen. The only condition my parents put was that they waited till she was sixteen because they thought her too young to marry."
"Clarisse told me your parents were forcing her to marry him."
"No one has ever been able to force Clarisse to do anything." Understanding crossed Charlie's mind. "I'm sorry she lied to you."
"It wasn't your fault." Sirius said confused. "Besides, you know what they say, let's live behind what has past."
Charlie laughed.
It seemed perfectly incredibly to Sirius that this was the same fourteen year old kid he had once taught to play poker while he waited for her older sister to get ready for their date.
"So, tell me, what have you been doing these past few years? Haven't heard from your family in a while."
"Well, after Clarisse married my parents decided to move us to their country cottage and they allowed me to pursue my musical education in Golden Valley. I was at a boarding school there for the last four years perfecting my piano technique. When I finished school, Clarisse offered me to spend a season with her and her husband but I adamantly refused and ran to the house here." She took a breath and then asked: "And you?"
"Well, I've been living my licentious life mostly, though lately I've spent too much time at James' castle. He's in trouble you know, and then Remus and Anabel finally decided to marry." Pleased with the change in the course of conversation Sirius proceeded to explain Charlie the whole James/Lily situation and other stuff about Nan's engagement. "Why don't you come to the dressmaker with me for a while? I'm sure Anabel would love to see you. You guys are friends, right?"
"Yes, I would love too, and I think my nana won't be missing me for a while yet."
And so, the two of them made their way to the dressmaker's.
"Look who I found!" Sirius yelled cheerfully when she entered the shop and saw Anabel there.
"Charlie!" Anabel screamed happily. "Is great to see you! When did you return?"
"A couple of days ago. I just found out about the news, Congratulations, Nan."
"Thank you! I'm so happy I could burst! Oh, Charlie you have to stay for the wedding! Aside of Lily and you I got no friends here, it would really mean a lot to me if you stayed."
"Sure! I'll stay."
The door to the dressmaker's shop opened and in came Lily. "Sirius, shouldn't you be already in there getting your measurements taken?"
"I'm going, I'm going." Sirius grunted.
"Lily, this is my friend Charlie, remember that I've spoken of her?" Nan said, making the introductions.
"Yes, I remember, I'm Lily Evans."
Charlie was about to say that it was nice to meet Lily when suddenly James' voice cut through the air.
"Lily is finally back?" James half asked half yelled. A second later James was right in front of her. "Lily,"
"You need something, James?" Lily asked softly.
"That if I need something? That if I need something! You said you were only going to the mail, it took you forever to come back." James went on yelling but Lily didn't flinch. "And all the while I'm here waiting like and Idiot."
"Now, James, everyone waits as it sees fit." Lily said sweetly. "And it took me a little while because I had to buy a stamp."
"You don't have to use a stamp if you use the royal seal."
"I know, but I forgot to seal the letter before I left the castle." Now Lily was gently pushing James back into the tailor's section of the shop, so the tailor could finish taking measurements for him. "Now, be a good boy and go back in there."
"Lily always knows how to handle James." Nan explained to Charlie as both Lily and James disappeared to the tailor's side and the girls went to the seamstress's side.
Then another one of James's screams was heard:
"Be careful with those needles!" James yelled loud as he could. "The future of this kingdom depends of the part where you're pining those needles."
"James, you value your crotch too much." Lily said laughing.
"That's not funny, Lily."
"But it is, you should see it from where I'm watching."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
It was late when the six of them made it back to the castle; most of them were straight to bed. Sirius in particular since he was planning on going back to the villa the next day. He didn't know why but he was quite taken with little Charlie. Part of him was comparing her to her sister: Clarisse had red-blond hair and icy blue eyes, but Charlie had soft brown-gold hair and eyes the color of fresh honey with hints of gray… and personality wise the differences just grew.
Sirius didn't know what was about Charlie that made him so confused but he was willing to find out.
.-.-.-.
That night the fist winter snow fell over the castle.
Lily always loved snow, it mesmerized her so, when she first noted the snow falling outside, decided to take a stroll down the garden. James had very different feelings about snow: he didn't' like it.
He was happy to be in the warmth secured space of the library as the snow pilled out when he happened to hear someone laughing outside in the gardens. James threw open the window and looked out just to find Lily there.
"What are you doing outside? You're going to get sick."
"I won't get sick. And it's the first snow of the winter! Someone has to enjoy it." Lily said like a little girl as began to play in the snow. "Why don't you join me?"
"I don't want to risk pneumonia, thanks." James said and for all answer Lily threw him a snowball straight in the head. "You have earned this!" James yelled, jumping out the window and into the garden to chase Lily and throw her snow balls.
Finally, James hug/tackled Lily into the snow covered ground. "Now, Lily, you'll do as I say and get back inside."
"Spoilsport." Lily grunted but allowed James to take her back inside
.-.-.-.-.
Next day, James was sitting in the dinning hall, having breakfast and sneezing the life out of himself. Sirius sat there too with his breakfast but he wasn't paying much attention to it. Remus looked fist to one and then to the other… when Anabel wasn't in the near vicinity, Remus recovered his observation power.
"James, do you know what happened yesterday in the gardens? I heard noise outside."
"Oh, nothing, Lily and I had a little snow fight. I guess that explains my sudden cold."
"You hate snow." Remus pointed out trying not to laugh as James sneezed again.
"I don't. Besides it was fun being with Lily, she made it fun. It almost makes me want to give something back… it had been a long time since I had such a nice, worry free time."
"You could give her something." Remus commented.
"Like what? She isn't like most girls; I wouldn't have a clue on what to give her."
Remus seemed thoughtful for a second. "The library."
"The… The library! Of course! You're a genius, Remus."
"Well, I have to go, I'll see you two later." Sirius said suddenly getting to his feet.
"Where are you going, Sirius?" James asked.
"Town."
"Why?" asked Remus.
"Going to see Charlie."
"Ah." Was all Remus and James said and let Sirius be on his way.
"He got it bad." James pointed out after a few minutes.
"Yep, he does."
.-.-.-.-.-.
"Don't open your eyes until I tell you." James said.
"Alright, I understood the first ten times you said it" Lily answered. And the answer she got from James was a sneeze. "Bless you."
"Thanks," James grunted as he moved about the large room where he and Lily were standing. "Okay, open your eyes now!"
Lily opened her eyes at once, squirming in the brightly illuminated room. Then she gasped. "Oh my word."
"Do you like it?" James asked with a boyish grin as Lily took on the thousands and thousands of books that dueled on the Castle's library.
"It's… spectacular" Lily answered totally surprised.
"It's all yours." James said coming to stand next to her. "Every single one of them is yours."
Lily jumped to hug James. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She said into his hear.
James returned the hug very enthusiastically, feeling happy to have her in his arms.
I guess you could say that's when things started to change.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.
END OF CHAPTER SIX
.--.-.-.-.-.
Notes:
Sorry for the delay!
Next Chapter: Wedding bells.