Ch.8, Dodging
Months passed, and soon it was October. The first Quidditch game of the season was coming up, Slytherin vs Hufflepuff. The Gryffindors were cheering for the Hufflepuffs, even though it would help them if Slytherin won. Which, unfortunately, they did, by an un-fair play on the Hufflepuff seeker. Who was now in the HW.
Jane was happy, seeing that Vera spent a lot of her time outside and alone these days, doing who knows what, and the promise was still in place. She was normally taking her free time training with Lily in the RoR. They had learned that certain things affected their powers, like the obvious the-closer-to-your-element-you-are-the-more-powerful-you-are, and that Lily had amazing in Charms that have anything to do with fire.
Right now the three (Lily, Jane and Vera) were off to DADA, where they had been promised a lesson on Occlumency.
But Jane scowled when they saw that the only seats left were beside the Marauders. She scowled even more when Vera took the seat nearest Remus.
But then, their teacher, a cheery old man with a long beard, waltzed into the classroom.
"Well! Get your things away, you have to use your mind for Occlumency!" he said, clapping his hands merrily. There was a loud shuffle as people scrambled to put away their things.
"Right now. I myself am an accomplished Legillimens, and I will try it on you. But first, you have to remember to clear your mind..."
Jane tuned the rest out. She would never need to know this, so why bother?
"Now, who should we start with? Ah yes, Miss Evans, would you please?..." Professor Merryfeild said.
Lily walked up, and stood in front of him, wand raised.
"Right! On three. One...Two...Three! Legillimens!"
After a few moments, nothing had happened. Merryfeild clapped his hands again.
"Excellent! You were able to keep me at bay, though you couldn't return the attack. Only a very accomplished Occlumens would be able to do something, or someone with extreme mental prowess. Now, who next? Ah, Mr. Potter, please..."
Jane tuned the rest of the demos out. The only thing she got from them, is that nobody could repel the attack. She did sit up in concern after Vera was blown across the room on the first try, and had to go to the HW with a broken ankle. Her eyes narrowed when Merryfeild chose Remus to take her.
"We have time for one more... ah, Miss Parker, no not you Miss Parker, you get up to the Hospital Wing..."
Jane got up and boredly walked down to where Merryfeild was waiting.
"On three then. One...Two...Three! Legillimens!"
But the moment he tried to break into Jane's mind, he himself was thrown back. Jane hadn't even broke a sweat, and only she and Lily noticed that Jane's ring was glowing blue.
"uuh. V-Very good job, Miss Parker. Twenty points to Gryffindor. Class dismissed." Merryfeild wailed from his position, crashed behind the desk.
As Jane got out, she was bombarded by congratulations and questions.
"How did you do that!"
"That was great!"
"Wow!"
But Jane wanted to visit her sister before heading off to the RoR with Lily to practice. The teachers decided that the students need time to study, so they simply taught things in class, and didn't give much homework.
But when Jane got to the HW and asked about Vera, neither Nurse nor Madame knew anything about it. So Jane walked out, with Lily at her heals, and thought.
I wonder where she is? She didn't try to break the promise, I didn't feel anything.
You should let her out of it.
Oh its you again. Can't you ever leave me in peace?
Oh yes, you think you have it hard? I'm in charge of many different people, you, your sister, Lily, James Potter, Sirius Black, though I'm sure you know him, and Remus Lupin. I have to annoy all six of you on a daily basis, and your never happy to hear me! Hmph!
Can you shut up? I'm trying to think.
You really don't know her well, do you? She probably healed her ankle herself. You know she hates hospitals.
Well, at least you've said something useful. Now go away so I can concentrate when I practice with Lily.
Yeah right! I have to be annoying you at some time, so I'll go bug Lily, just to annoy you.
What would you need to bug Lily for?
That's confidential. Unless, of course, you would let Vera out of the promise.
You can't bribe me!
"Jane? Hello, earth to Jane? Anyone home?" Lily asked her friend, who had just bumped into a door/person for the fifth time.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Listen, Vera probably went and fixed her ankle herself, lets go to the RoR." Jane said, and changed direction to the RoR with a bewildered Lily at her heels.
The practice session was a big success. They learned that (the room came equipped with many books on their powers and Third's powers) while Second had abnormally good mental powers, Third's were absolutely terrible. First was in between.
But by now Lily had become slightly suspicious. Vera fit the description of Third perfectly. Of course, she didn't dare mention her suspicions to Jane, who would either worry and cause a big fuss, or laugh. Besides, Lily had other things to think about.
Day in and day out, not only her conscience was bugging her. Her own hormones had betrayed her. Conscience says that James has changed for her, but Lily knew that wasn't possible. He just wants you as his trophy. she told herself. But her conscience aka common sense was saying that he would have also have to go after Jane and Vera for every girl in the school. Now she was just confused. There were so many mysteries in her life. A) Why the heck is James acting like this? B) Who was Jane with whenever she went on one of her late night/early morning Astronomy tower visits? C) Vera had confessed that she really liked Remus, why was she letting Jane control whether or not she went out with him?
At the end of October, there was a masquerade party. The girls (Vera stayed shy) went shopping on the Hogsmead weekend before the party to get costumes. Lily and Jane were rather giggly as they walked into Madame Caltin's Costumes.
The girls walked over to the theme area. They were supposed to go as a different muggle culture. Jane immediately saw a Hawaiian dancer's costume and left to try it on. Vera shuffled through a rack labeled 'Famous French Fashion Fiascoes' and laughing every so often. But then, something on the Ancient Romans and Greeks rack seemed to catch her eye.
Lily couldn't find anything. Anything she like clashed with her hair, or didn't match her eyes. Just as she was about to leave Early England, something got her attention. Her eyes widened at it, and she hurriedly left to try it on.
October 31st
Girls were frantic. Boys were making plans to spike the punch. Teachers were taking plenty of Headache Potion.
"What are you girls going as?" Lily asked as she pulled out her costume. She was letting the girls into the Prefect's bathroom, so they wouldn't have to worry about showers.
"Look!" Vera shouted, as she and Jane came out.
There was one word for Jane's costume: skimpy. It was too skimpy. The only size they had left at the shop in the Hawaiian costume was small on Jane. There was a very short tank-top and a reed skirt. Both were blue.
Next was Vera. She had dressed as an ancient Greek maiden. Her dress was white silk, and she had a flower crown. A loose cord was tied around her waist, and there were flowers weaved into it. It reached her ankles. You could see strap-up sandals, which were white with a tinge of green.
Both girls had simple silver eye masks.
"Oh, you two look great!" Lily said, looking at Vera. She personally didn't approve of Jane's costume, but who was she to tell Jane what to dress as?
So, the group returned to the common room, where everyone was waiting for the girls to come down the stairs- the boys were hoping to get a glimpse of who was who.
"Not that it'll be hard to tell," Vera was saying, "look at them!"
It was true- the easiest person in the room to tell was their roommate, Jessica. She was a real bit- er - witch. She had dressed as a swimsuit model.
Then the Marauders came down. All the girls immediately ran over to the boys' staircase, and fixed their hair, and other ditzy things.
But, without a second glance, all three boys walked passed them. Except James. You see, he was rooted to the spot staring at who he knew was Lily. Just as Remus was staring at who he knew was Vera.
But then again, most boys were staring at Lily. Her dress was old-fashioned. It was the exact same shade as her hair, and complemented her eyes. Which were behind a matching mask. Her hair was up in a bun, with tresses of it around her face. Her dress was slightly low-cut, but not overly revealing. Her dress hung off her shoulders, by lacy red shoulder-straps. The skirt flared out after the bodice. It fit her like a charm.
James was still staring at her and he could tell it was her. She saw him staring, blushed, and looked away. James smiled.
"What's up Prongs? Any closer to Lily-Willy-Billy-Bean?" Sirius said, and the others looked at him strangely.
"I didn't think you had spiked the punch yet Padfoot." Remus said, still looking at him strangely.
"How could I? We're not even there yet!"
So the Gryffindors headed down to the Great Hall together. It was un-official, but decided that they would go down so they know who is in their house. The party was for 5 years and up. Dumbledore, McGonnagle, Filch, and Merryfield were watching the 1st to 4th years 'party'. They seemed to think that the older students wouldn't need more supervision. McGonnagle had put up a fight at this. But Dumbledore would still be making a speech. During which, the Marauders planned to 'improve' his costume.
It seemed that the other houses had the same idea as the Gryffindors. Who, allowed themselves so socialize with the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, but nobody went to the Slytherins. Tables for about twenty were set up in the Hall, with a small dance floor, right in front of the Head's Table. Everyone seemed only to sit with their house, or maybe with friends from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. But, no one sat at the last Hufflepuff-claimed table, because the people there were shivering and quaking in fear as the Slytherins' first table was right behind them.
The teachers to be watching them were: Slughorn, Flitwick, Pince, and Green, the Herbology teacher. Unfortunately, once too many students were drunk, they would all be easy to overtake.
Dumbledore stood. Silence fell, save the few whispers from the Slytherin tables.
"Welcome all! Tonight, there is one rule: enjoy yourselves! Plus the normal rules, of course." he added quickly as the Marauders all looked like Christmas had come early. They were dressed as the Three Musketeers.
"Now the teachers and I have a request of you: do try to inter-house mingle, will you? Now, have fun! Remember, party ends at 1!"
He left for the Entrance Hall, where the younger students were. But it was to laughter, as the Marauders had transfigured Dumbledore's head to a jack-o-lantern, at the beginning of his speech. He didn't seem to notice, but he did have more of a twinkle in his eye.
A buffet table appeared on one side of the hall, while the tables remained on the other. The dance floor was in between.
Students got up in a line for the buffet table, and thankfully the girls got in line first. That way, they could they could get some punch before Sirius got there with his hidden Firewhiskey.
They made their way back to their table and ate. Soon, music started up. Remus looked around. Vera had disappeared. It had become normal for her to suddenly vanish whenever an awkward situation might arise. He really wanted to find her, so he could ask her to dance. James was off trailing Lily, and Sirius was with some Hawaiian girl. So much for three musketeers.
Meanwhile, with James, he was trying to catch up with Lily. It was obvious she was trying to ignore him, and he really hoped it was coincidence. But soon it became apparent that she didn't want to be seen. Then, Dumbledore popped back in, his head still a jack-o-lantern.
"I do believe I forgot to mention that the teachers will be placing a spell over this room so that nobody will recognize one-another. You will be able to see family, of course, but we thought that this is a perfect way to mingle. Have a good time." Dumbledore said, and before anyone could argue, everyone seemed the same.
Uh oh, Lily thought, now, I might not be able to avoid James. Maybe I could just not dance with anyone?
Psshh. Yeah right.
Oh no.
Oh yes. It's pestering time. Now you know where James was before the charm was performed, go back there!
But I don't want to dance with him!
That dear, is your pride speaking. Forget your pride, just for one night, and follow your heart! Give James a chance! You know he's changed!
But he's a player...
Lily, if you can name one girlfriend he's had since the beginning of this year, and I'll let you off the hook for tonight.
...But...
No buts! Start naming!
...None.
See? That strikes out your last proud defense. He won't recognize you, so he can't possibly like you because of your looks! If he still likes you after tonight, and you be yourself, it is because he likes your personality.
But I won't recognize him either!
Does that mean you'll dance with him?
Erugh! Fine, I'll dance with him ONCE!
Then leave finding him to me. I'll be right back. Go to the south corner of the dance floor, closest to the fireplace.
(With James)
Now, wheres Lily?
Hello again.
Oh, it's you.
Meh. Better than some responses I've gotten.
So what have I done wrong now? I've changed, and Lily still won't give me the time of day!
Now That's where your wrong.
Huh?
I'm not only your conscience, or else I'd be here 24-7. I also belong to Lily, Remus, Sirius, Vera, and Jane. I split up my pestering time between you six.
What does Lily think of me?
Sorry, can't tell you that. I shouldn't even be telling you this. You see, I was just pestering Lily a few moments ago, and convinced her to give you a chance. You have ONE dance with her lover-boy, don't screw it up!
What? Where is she?
She's waiting at the south corner of the dance floor, closest to the fireplace. Don't you dare screw this up, or else 3 months of pestering will be down the drain for me!
Back to the normal world
Lily was waiting, very nervous, by the south corner. Just like she had promised. She was a girl of her word, and would give James ONE dance.
She felt a tap on her shoulder. She spun around, and looked at someone with messy black hair in a three musketeers costume. Her conscience was telling her that this was James, so she paid attention to him.
"Um, I was wondering, would you like to dance?" he asked. His hand was extended to her, and she put her hand in his and said what her conscience was telling her.
"Okay."
But suddenly, the moment they stepped onto the dance floor, the charm was enhanced. Lily didn't know who this person was anymore, and her conscience was telling her what to do. It was the same with James.
They started dancing. As they danced, they talked. Lily learned that this boy loved Quidditch, pranks, and despised the Slytherins. He was also in Gryffindor. A spark of remembrance appeared in Lily's mind, but the memory charm put it away.
James learned a lot about this girl. She was studious, but loved a good party just as much as the next person. She was mis-understood everywhere she went, but he could tell that she was being herself now. And in his opinion, she was gorgeous.
"What's your name?" he asked, contrary to his conscience.
"Sorry, but my conscience is telling me not to tell you 'till we're done dancing. I don't want to stop anytime soon, do you?" Lily said, letting her conscience breath a huge sigh of relief.
"We can dance 'till we drop." James replied, as he spun her around.
Then, a faster song was struck up. People started dancing more wildly, but no one was having as much fun as Lily and James. He spun her around and lifted her up, and they hardly noticed the small crowd around them.
As the final beat struck, James spun Lily back into his arms and dipped her.
(AN: has anyone heard the song "Now That I Know" by Mariah Carey? If you do, imagine that song as the one Lily and James dance to. If you haven't, just imagine another fast song with a good beat.)(PS: its a really good song and those of you who haven't should)
James, with the warnings of his conscience, reached up to take off Lily's mask.
"Lily?"
Meanwhile, with Remus
Wandering around was getting him nowhere with that charm in place. He would have to remember her costume. Just then, a young woman was about to take a drink from the punch bowl.
"Just so you know, that is spiked." he said, out of common curtesy. The girl, plainly shy, jumped.
"Really? I had no idea. Thanks." She said as she put her cup down. She looked up at him, and he found himself staring into familiar blue eyes.
"May I ask your name?" his conscience told him to ask. You see, he normally would have asked if she was Vera, but her eyes always stunned him. So, he let his conscience, who was feeling strangely satisfied, take over.
"What's the point of a masked party if you know who I am?" the girl asked quietly.
"Nickname then." he replied.
"...Call me Third." she said very, very quietly, as if someone would over-hear. He had to use his werewolf hearing to hear her.
"Why Third?" Remus found himself asking.
"Because I end up third in a lot of things." Vera aka Third replied.
"Well Third, would you like to dance?" he asked. She laughed as the feather on his hat had fallen over his face and made him sneeze.
"Sure."
Vera didn't know who this person was, but she knew she was having a wonderful time. He was much taller than her, and her head only reached his chest. But as a slow song started up, she leaned into him. He held her, and they sort of swayed to the song. Over his shoulder, Vera could recognize Jane dancing with someone, and not exactly 'cleanly'. But Jane was old enough to make her own choices, and Vera might question them, but she wouldn't stop her sister. Not like Jane was stopping Vera.
All to soon the song stopped. A faster one started, and soon a commotion was around the middle of the dance floor. Vera and Remus weren't paying any attention to them though. Once again, Remus had asked for Vera's real name.
"Only if you tell me first." she said.
"Fair enough." he said, as he took off his mask.
A wave of guilt washed over Vera. It was evident on her face. Just as she was about to run, since she could see that Jane was on her way, Remus caught her arm.
"Vera, you don't have to listen to Jane!" he told her.
"You don't understand! I promised!" she hissed back, not wanting to cause a seen. Jane was making her way across the dance floor, delayed by waiting for couples to pass.
She tore her arm from his grasp and ran. There was one thought in her mind: outside. She had to get outside. When she was outside, she could become practically invisible at will. This was one advantage of being Third.
She could tell that Remus was following her, the small animals told her so. So before she could become invisible, she had to do it the old fashioned way.
She began climbing a nearby tree, but it was hard in her sandals. She then scoffed at her own stupidity, and placed a silencing charm on herself. Then, she transfigured her clothes so that she could climb easier. But she was terrible at Transfig, and ended up with a knee-length skirt and a top. She had intended for jeans and a t-shirt.
Just as she reached the top branch, Remus came out, calling her and looking. Her heart went out to him, but she wouldn't break her promise.
Who cares? Jane will surely understand in the end!
Oh no, I don't need you right now!
Oh yes you do! Get down from the tree, and talk to him!
No! I'll go to the forest, he won't follow me there, and neither will Jane. End of story!
And with that she tuned out her conscience, turned invisible, and jumped down from the tree. Even though it was October, it was still relatively warm. (Global Warming people!) The silencing charm made her soundless. But she simply had to stay and watch, as Remus was confronted by Jane.
"All right Lupin, spill! What did you do to her?" Jane asked, her face was thunderous.
"I didn't do anything! She just ran when she found out who she was dancing with!" he replied, still looking along the tree tops for any sign of Vera.
Not that anyone could see, but Vera had paled. If Jane pressed for details, and Remus told her about the nickname she had chosen for herself, her cover was gone. She had to think fast.
Oh conscience!
Now your asking for ME! What has this world come to?
No time for jokes. Just tell Remus to close his eyes.
(with Remus)
"Details Lupin, details!" Jane shouted.
"She didn't even know it was me!" he argued. But then, at the worst possible time, his conscience popped into his head.
Close your eyes.
What?
"Lupin, I'll give you 'till the count of three, then we go to wands."
Vera told me to tell you! Just do it!
Remus snapped his eyes shut, just as Jane said three. But it was also as a small ball was thrown on the ground, hard. Remus could tell it had been one of Vera's flash bombs- but was she trying to rescue him from her sister?
He heard Jane scream. He felt someone grab his elbow, and yank him out of the patio. He stumbled, and felt bushes around him. He opened his eyes and saw Vera.
"What was that about?" he said before he could stop himself. She just put a finger to her lips.
They watched from their position behind some bushes, as Jane swore, and stomped back inside, thinking that Remus might have gone there.
Remus looked beside him, to where Vera had been, but she was gone!
"Vera? Vera, are you here?" he called out softly. If she was there, she was ignoring him. He decided to take a risk, and open the Marauder's Map. He saw, with a jolt of surprise, that she was just about to disappear off the Map into the Forbidden Forest.
What the heck are you waiting for? Follow her!
First I want some explanations. Number one: why did Vera help me?
Several reasons. I can tell you two: she likes you, and didn't want Jane knowing her nickname. And before you ask, I can't tell you why Jane can't know Vera's nickname.
Why did Vera agree to that stupid promise in the first place?
You know very well why! You read the passage! I quote 'this can only be achieved when the set of twins has suffered such hardships' what do you think! At that point in time, Vera was probably thinking that Jane knew what was right for her, as the older twin! But Jane's getting slightly obsessive, don't you think? You have to get Vera to break her promise tonight, or else!
No pressure, of course.
Go! I'll help you when you get into the forest! Unless she has anticipated this, and makes it impossible for you to pass!
How could she do that?
She'll have to explain that to you personally. GO!
So, Remus folded up the map, and ran towards the forest. He sneaked past Hagrid, and to the forest's edge. He entered, and cast Lumos once he couldn't see. The trees became thick quicker than usual, and he noticed that something was watching him. He turned around quickly and saw a flurry of small animals come out at him, and block his path. Vines started making a wall with the animals, blocking the way he was sure Vera was.
He might not be able to pass once the vines were finished. He jumped through one of the remaining holes in the vines, and plodded on.
He soon came to footprints. Vera would think her little trap would put off any pursuers, and therefore, become careless. He followed her footprints, and nearly jumped when a rabbit raced past him, scattering dust on the footprints. Remus swore softly.
But, with his increased senses, he could barely hear a light murmuring, as though someone was talking to the rabbit. His conscience told him, with a pang of wonder, that it was Vera.
She wasn't as far ahead as he had thought. It had probably taken her a precious few minutes to set the trap. He raced forwards, just as he saw her form on the horizon leap onto a nearby low-hanging tree branch. She then, expertly, ran off, jumping like a squirrel onto a new branch when one ended.
He did his best to keep up, but tree roots he hadn't noticed before tripped him and rocks made him stub his toe and stumble. But he didn't give up. With a sigh of slight relief, he heard that his conscience was currently bugging Vera, to stop and hear him out. But then, a scream echoed through the trees.
I've given you an advantage. I distracted her so that she fell out of the tree she was in, but she'll be back on her feet any second. GO!
Remus ran through the trees as fast as he could. Soon, the silhouetted form of Vera appeared threw the trees, quickly brushing dust off her clothes, and heading off again. But she had hurt her ankle- she was slower, and soon, as they came to a clearing, Remus caught up with her.
"Vera, you have to listen to me! Please, stop running!" he had grabbed her elbow, but she was still struggling.
"No! I can't go back on my word!" she said, still struggling.
"Vera, just hear me out! That's all I ask!" he argued, raising his voice. She stopped. He saw with a pang, that her face was slightly red and blotchy, as though she had been crying. Tears glistened on her face.
"You don't have to listen to Jane! Do what you want to do! Break your promise!"
"You don't understand, if I do, no matter how much I want to, Jane won't be able to trust me! I won't let that happen!" she shouted back, her voice rising even more.
"Vera, listen. Jane can't get you here, and for some unknown reason you can stop anyone from seeing you that you don't want to see! If That's true, then why am I here? Why didn't you stop me at the beginning if you didn't truly want to see me?" Remus shouted back, and let go of her elbow. Something (not his conscience) told him that she wouldn't run.
"How do you know this?" she asked quietly. Her back was still turned on him, as though she couldn't look at him.
"Believe it or not, I have no clue. All I know is that I'm right. In your heart, you wanted to see me Vera. Whatever magic it was that put up that vine wall wasn't perfect. There was a hole in it." Remus said, actually knowing what he said was right.
"I can't go back on my promise. It's already too late." she said softly.
"No it's not," Remus said, with a small ray of hope, "what happened Vera? What happened that could warrant a Twin's Promise?" He felt as if he had asked the wrong question. She stiffened, and for a moment Remus thought she would run. But she stayed.
Seconds passed. Minutes, maybe hours, Remus didn't know. What he did know was that Vera and Conscience were having a furious mental battle.
After what seemed forever, Vera said, very, very quietly, "Anna."
"What? Who?" Remus found himself asking.
"Jane and I were never twins. We had a sister, Anna. We were triplets. Jane was second oldest, and I the youngest, but Anna was oldest, by 5 seconds," she started. Her eyes were spilling fresh tears now, "One day we were out playing, and something happened. We were all only 5, Jane didn't even know Lily yet. Suddenly, a bunch of what we soon learned to be Death Eaters came up to us. Anna was really powerful, she had made things levitate at that age. As the Death Eaters came a-at us, sh-she tried to stop them," Vera was full-out crying now, "A-And they k-k- they killed her!"
Remus didn't know what to do. He assumed that if they were triplets to start, the Promise would be more powerful. So, he did what his conscience told him to do, and pulled her into his arms. She started crying on his shoulder.
"A-After that, I became shy and Jane, well, over-protective. I started spending time alone on the mountain, and she met Lily. I don't even think Lily knows. We've never told anyone, other than us, only our family knows. Because we were triplets, the Twin's Promise is stronger. If I break it now, Jane might never talk to me again." she said very softly. Her hot breath tingled Remus' neck.
"Vera, think for a moment. I won't pretend to have known Anna, but if she was anything like you, do you think she would want you to let Jane control you?" Remus asked. Vera took a small intake of breath, as though just realizing something.
After another long pause, she spoke. "She would have said that I'm old enough to make my own decisions." she said, barely a whisper.
"And if you did make your own decision right now, what would that be?"
Vera didn't answer.
"Vera," Remus started, "this is going to sound repetitive and insensitive, but will you go to Hogsmead with me?"
"Only if you forgive me for letting Jane control me all this time." she responded, but there was a shred of happiness in her voice.
"Vera?"
"Yes Remus?"
"I'm going to kiss you now, okay?"
"Okay." Vera responded, somehow keeping the wave of guilt out of her voice. She had just broken her promise.
But she couldn't have asked for a better first kiss.
meanwhile, with Jane,
Jane had headed back inside, thinking that Remus had somehow thrown the Flash Ball, and had ran back in here. She glanced around, and started walking to where Lily was. But Lily found Jane.
"Jane," she panted, as if she had just ran from somewhere, "Jane, I have to get out of here."
"Lily, do you know where Lupin is?" she asked quickly, hardly noticing the scowl on her best friend's face at being ignored.
"I haven't seen him," she started with an edge in her voice, "but why would you want to know?"
"Because Vera might get in trouble." she responded shortly. She seemed in a very bad mood.
"But if Remus is with her then she'll be fine." Lily argued, forgetting her dilemma..
"That's what I'm worried about." she said, even more testily. She had just felt Vera think about breaking her promise. But she hadn't yet.
"Well if those two finally get together, it'll do us a lot of good." Lily replied, an obvious edge in her voice.
Jane looked at her like she had gone crazy. "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"
"That Vera has been increasingly sulky lately, and she has been complaining to yours truly about her crush on Remus." Lily said, crossing her arms.
"Whatever. I have to find her, d'you know where she is?" Jane asked again, ignoring her best friend.
"Jane tell me, if she's not here, then where is the most likely place for her to go?" Lily asked, surprised at how cold Jane was being.
Jane snapped her fingers. "Of course, outside! Why didn't I think of that?" then ran back outside, leaving her friend standing there, while trying to avoid a certain James Potter.
When Jane got outside, she didn't waste any time. She felt her sister's resolve weakening by the second, (by now Remus had caught up with her) and felt that she was in the forest.
But when she got there, she got a surprise. In the direction of the footprints that fit Remus', there was a large, hard, vine wall. Several small animals were around it, like rabbits and birds.
First tapping it with her wand, then her fists, nothing would break it. If only Lily was here. (Conscience isn't here to bug her, because she is currently pestering Vera to tell about Anna) So Jane tried her own powers. As balls and streams of water hit the wall, it only seemed to grow bigger. As though the water was feeding it.
Jane thought of climbing it. But seeing as it ran up as high as she could see, and she was a terrible climber, she decided against that idea. Vera's resolve was almost gone.
So Jane thought about seeing if there was a way around the wall, but something inside her snapped. Suddenly, Vera didn't matter anymore. Who cares what she does. In fact, Jane thought, who cares about Vera? I'm going back.
And this was about when Vera's resolve broke, and in the back of her mind, the part that still cared about her sister, knew this.
Sheesh, that was long. It took me three days to write it, what with school work, karate, piled-on-unfairly-math, but you don't care because by the time I post this story, it will be done. It says 18 pages for crying out loud!
hope u enjoyed it! from now on, the blurbs in bold at the bottom are added when i posted the chapie. i also think that this chapter answers maraudersGIRL92's question.
plz keep reviewing! i only got three reviews last chapter and i thought it was a good one! i almost got Poster's Block, the reason i posted so late in the day! HOW COULD U DO THAT TO ME!!!!!
-wipes tear-
now i'm hoping -sniff -that i'll get a lot of -sniff- nice reviews -blows nose loudly with a handkerchief that appears out of no where- because i don't like having Poster's Block! -stars bawling uncontrolably-
On a brighter note, the wonderful people who DID review my last chapter, all get a virtual cookie! Thx BrazilianPrincess, maraudersGIRL92 and belme! u all get virtual cookies! -hands out virtual triple chocolate cookies, with chocolate dough, chocolate chunk chips, and chocolate icing...- for anyone alergic to chocolate, they get the type of cookie of their choice! just REVIEW!