Hey guys! I'm back…this chapter didn't take as long! I'm serious! Compared to how long the others took? Man!
Reviewers:
Eleira312:
(blushes) Thanks! That's so nice!
Man eating plant:
Carly with Sirius? What about Bella? Well, she's kinda older in this story, so I'm not sure she'll end up with anyone…ahh, listen to me! I'm so mean!
StephMarie:
I don't think anyone likes Malfoy, and I think that in this chapter, you'll understand even more…well, read and you'll find out. And I know, James was really sweet, but that's just the way he is!
Emerald-eclipse:
What about Bella? Carly and Sirius is a good match though…
Forever-FallenAngel:
Finally! Someone who thinks of Bella! Yay! And your screen name reminds me of this anime pic I have on my computer…I should totally e-mail it to you. It's really pretty!
WoW-Girl:
Thanx for the encouragement!
Blink182Rox:
I know! Everyone thinks Simple Plans lyrics suck, but I'm just like "Whoa! You did not just insult a great band!" My friend, who's gonna remain unnamed, said that Welcome to My Life was a crappy song because (quote) 'They feel so sorry for themselves when they have good lives.' Btw, do you like Bowling for Soup?
Lala:
Lol, he probably would ask that question. I'm not really that fond of Malfoy either.
P.S. What a coincidence!
The Big Dance:
Thank you! And I will!
IcyCrystal:
Ewww…that's so gross. I've never met a transsexual before and no! Carly is definitely not a transsexual! (Thank God)
Flame of Desire:
OMG! I envy you so much! I've always wanted to go to France! (Paris, actually—the Eiffel Tower astounds me!) And my family originally came from China…yep!
Rays of sunlight:
I know! Lily loved her aunt! You should get closer with your parents; I mean, I'm sorta like that too, but then I think when I get all old and stuff it'll be too late to take back anything, because time never comes back. Omg, this is depressing.
SilverRaiine:
Lol! And don't worry. Lily+JamesLove
Jackster222:
Pft! Who is a Malfoy fan? He's a slimy good for nothing bastard who just happens to be a Death Eater! Bella's kinda old though, and well…well she's not old, but she's older. I dunno, I might not pair her up with anyone, but that's really mean…
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Again, I'm not summarizing, merely recapping. If you want the summary again, in every chapter, tell me, e-mail, review me…
N E Ways…Disclaimer: I don't know why we have to put this in here, but whatever 'floats their boat!'
"Um…hi," Carly said timidly. "Are you lost?"
He turned around and smiled. Lily shifted uncomfortably. "Yes," he said in a smooth voice. "I'm supposed to be at the convention, but I can't find that room. It's a really big place."
"Oh, well, we're two of the contestants. We can show you," Carly offered. The man nodded gracefully.
"Of course," he said, accepting their help. "I would be most thankful if you would."
"I'm Carly, and this is Lily," she said again.
He looked at each of them carefully. "Such lovely names for such lovely young ladies. I'm one of the judges. My name is Lucius. Lucius Malfoy…"
Chapter 8-
"No, no, it was nothing," Carly could be heard assuring Lucius Malfoy, who thanked them courteously. "I'm serious…yes, ok, until then. Bye!" She whipped over to Lily and squealed. "Oh my gosh! He's so hot!"
Lily gnawed on her lip, looking away. Lucius Malfoy…the pureblood known for hating muggleborns? He would probably do anything to keep her from winning…oh no. I've come this far just to be put down by a Malfoy, she thought scathingly, seething internally.
"Lily! Do you think I could get his phone number?" Carly grinned hugely. Lily looked at her seriously.
"Stay away from him," she said hoarsely, rubbing her sweaty hands on her jeans. "He's bad news."
Carly looked at her in a weird way. "Bad news? Like how?"
"He's bad news to all muggleborns, and I know you're not, but Malfoy's are scum. Filthy rich scum with all the right connections," Lily whispered, rubbing her temples. Her day was just getting worse, wasn't it?
"I've heard they're a very proper pureblooded family who make thousands of donations a year to many different societies," Carly argued.
Lily countered. "Only if you read newspapers. Carly, do you trust me? Good, then keep away from him. I'm not wrong. Not about this."
Carly looked like she was restraining herself from saying something, which she probably was, and smiled. "Alright then, Lily. I do trust your judgment. If he's like that, then he can be a scum. K?" She looked over Lily's right shoulder and waved. Lily also turned around.
"Hey Bella!" they yelled. Bella's loopy figure came striding toward them, grinning excitedly.
"Did you see them? The judges? They just keep getting cuter every year!" she said enthusiastically. "Except Malfoy. He gives me the creeps."
"Thank you!" yelled Lily. Several people turned to look at her. She blushed and whispered, "I knew it! I'm so happy I'm not the only one!"
Bella looked at her weirdly. "Of course you're not! James and Sirius do too! I mean, that sinister look on his face and everything…"
Carly smacked her head. "I must have bad eyesight if everyone noticed but me."
"Well," Lily looked around. "Not everyone."
And it was true. The judges were mingling and there was a crowd by Malfoy. His richness must've gotten out.
"Gosh! He's such a creep!" Bella shivered. She put her arms around both Carly and Lily and led them the opposite direction, away from the commotion.
"So, what was the meeting all about?" Lily asked.
Bella shrugged. "Nothing much. I don't even know why they have it. None of the trainers are new this year and it's the same thing as last year. Year after year after year…ahh…"
Carly laughed. "It's gets tiring, doesn't it?"
"You're telling me! I dunno, I think I'm gonna quit, you know, after this is all over," Bella sat down on a bench outside, the other two ladies mimicking her movements.
"What?" Lily exclaimed. "You're such a good trainer! I mean, come on! What's to happen to the girls if you're not here?"
Bella put a hand on her chest. "You flatter me! Nah," she waved it off. "I've never really liked this job—until you guys came along of course," she covered up hastily seeing Lily and Carly glare. "I've never really had girls that could really think, and that makes them really hard to talk to."
"Aww…you flatter us too," Carly cooed. Bella swiped at her, and she laughed, ducking.
Lily sighed and leaned back against the wall. "I don't know. So many things have happened here, you know? I feel like almost a whole new person. I honestly didn't think this was going to be very fun. I mean, how could it be? With really gorgeous girls and me? I'm plain. Plain and tall and fiery…I just didn't feel like a fit in."
"I remember at Hogwarts, before you came I think, I always thought I'd be something different. This wasn't really my career goal," Bella said. "I think I always wanted to be a nurse or something weird like that. I mean, I knew it was a long shot, but it's what I wanted to do. Then after Hogwarts, I don't know what happened. I was perfectly prepared to go to be a healer…but I stumbled upon this job instead…"
"Hogwarts? I went to this really small magic school, just outside of Venice. I mean, that's what I am right? Miss Venice?" Carly said. Lily interrupted.
"I thought you were Miss Italy. You always introduced yourself like that," Lily said, cocking her head.
"Well, not really. I mean, Italy's not that big, and there were supposed to be two candidates from it, but at the last second, the girl that was supposed to be another contestant just disappeared. I think her name was Bellatrix Lestrange. Sounds a lot like your name Bella," Carly remarked. "But she was never found. And we don't know what happened to her. To cover it up, the producers asked me to become Miss Italy."
"Oh, poor girl…do you think?" Lily twisted her hands. "Do you think she—Voldemort?"
"Nobody knows," Carly said. "I never thought that, but now that I think about it…what if she was killed? I heard she was really pretty, kind of evil, but was model material."
"All of you are model material," Bella pointed out. "I mean, you and Lily could make the front cover of a magazine if you really tried. Might even be able to hook yourself up with a nice agent."
"Shut up!" Lily said. "You're no worse!"
Bella snorted. "Whatever."
Lily leaned against the door of her room after another exhausting practice. It was almost time. In two days, the competition would start so everyone was going crazy.
It was almost unbelievable to her how much had happened to her. It seemed like a day ago when she first arrived here, being annoyed at Rinnie, but now…
I think it's time to write to Petunia, Lily thought. After all, it's the right thing to do after our aunt…
She got out a quill and parchment and starting jotting down:
Petunia,
I know we don't really get along and stuff, but I felt as if—
Lily read over it and groaned, crumpling the paper up and throwing it in the trashcan by her bed. Way too awkward…She started again.
Dear Petunia,
You'll probably be screaming for your husband by the time you get this-
No! Lily bit the end of her quill. Maybe she shouldn't write to Petunia. They never did get along, and technically, she hated owls. She would probably throw the letter away before she read it!
Flashback-
A younger Lily was in the Great Hall, waiting anxiously for a letter from her sister. It was her first year and she was sort of nervous, so she wrote to Petunia explaining her worries, hoping that she would find comfort in her letter. How wrong she was…
Across the hall, Slytherins were yelling furiously at the infamous Marauders while the other houses were laughing delightfully.
The Marauders, Lily had thought carefully. The seemed like a rowdy bunch, and the sort to always get in trouble. She didn't want to mix with them...
Above her head, a few owls soared along with her heart. Owl post! Yes! She'd been waiting a week!
A grey and black speckled owl landed in front of her, cooing as she eagerly took the message from it. It wasn't from her sister, she realized.
Lily, honey,
Petunia gave this letter to us because she didn't want to open it. I'm really sorry about your first few weeks and I'm sure things will get better. Keep your chin up, my darling daughter,
Your loving mother, and Richie
Richie! Her mom's boss? What was he doing now? Living with them? What a sneak! Her mom was probably gonna get that promotion now Lily thought bitterly.
What a sneak…
End Flashback-
What the heck? Lily laid on her bed. I'll do it tomorrow, she thought. I'll do it tomorrow.
The next day was full of commotion. There were reporters everywhere, trying to get a glimpse at this years competitors. James, Bella, and some other people were seen trying to fend them off.
Lily and Carly found each other amidst the squabble and quickly ran to avoid being seen and attacked by them.
"What a morning!" Carly panted heavily, closing the door to the conference room. It was empty other than them.
"You're telling me! I thought we were gonna get massacred!" Lily replied, just as heavily. She pulled out her wand and conjured herself a chair.
"Um…Lily?" Carly pointed to the rows of chairs just sitting there. Lily smacked her head.
"And there goes another thing to be added to Lily's list of dumb things," she grinned sheepishly. "Anything exciting?"
Carly smiled. "You'll never guess what happened!"
"Um…a pig was seen flying overhead," Lily guessed sarcastically, flapping her arms in a sloppy manner.
Carly laughed. "No! Lucius Malfoy came to see me!"
Lily felt cold fear wash over her. "What?" she sounded distant even to herself. "What did you say?"
"Lucius Malfoy went to my condo to see me! It was so weird. One minute I was reading, and the next, I found him at my door," her eyes glazed over. "He was so polite and handsome! Swear!"
Lily found herself breathing heavily again. "Did—did you? Did he? Do you remember what we talked about?"
Carly furrowed her brow. "No, what did we talk about?"
Lily practically fell off her chair. "What? No..nonononono…you don't remember? Lemme remind you! Malfoy's a good for nothing sneak!"
Sneak…
"I mean! He—he! Omg. Someone pinch me now! How could you?" Lily screamed furiously rounding on Carly. Carly laughed.
"Chill out Lily. I didn't mean it. Of course I didn't do anything, and of course I remembered what you told me! I didn't do anything with him!" Carly grinned. "Are you proud of me or what? I mean, it's not everyday that a girl like me could resist a guy like him!"
Lily patted her chest rapidly. "Don't do that ever again. Don't scare me like that!"
Carly only rolled her eyes. "He was being awfully charming though. I mean, how could someone so polite be a monster in a blink of an eye?"
"You should ask him the next time you see him," Lily said dryly. She opened the door a little, and hurriedly closed it, seeing the reporters again.
"Maybe I will!" Carly said childishly, sticking out her tongue. Lily did the same, laughing, and then becoming serious.
"I'm worried about you Carly," she said. Carly also became serious.
"Why? I mean, he—he wouldn't do anything to me? Would he?" she asked, almost fearfully.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know," Lily answered truthfully. "He was said to be a follower with you-know-who, and I wouldn't put it past him either. If he's taking' a liking to you…"
"I don't think he has!" Carly said quickly.
Lily bit her lip. "Just watch out for yourself, okay?"
Carly grinned bravely. "Okay."
Ok! Another chapter finished! I'll start working on the next one really really soon. Promise…I might not be done with it soon, but I'll start working on it really soon. K?
Good.
What instrument, if any, do you play?