Many apologies! I haven't updated due to the fact that my computer, with all of my FanFic files, somehow died, taking the files into its dark abyss. Thankfully, there are those geniuses who know how to fix these problems, so I am happily sitting here on my computer, typing away furiously to present the next chapter to the public.
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"Rebecca..."
No response.
"Rebecca..."
After a couple moments had passed, her head finally snapped up, the light brown ringlets of hair bouncing.
"You're drooling, love," Penny said with a straight face.
Everyone laughed when she wiped absently at her face for the nonexistent saliva. We all knew what she was looking at.
After a hefty meal, the boys went out to toss about a Quaffle. To Rebecca's immense pleasure, Sirius had chosen to discard his shirt after the first half-hour.
Across the yard, I saw Dorea eyeing us strangely, as if she were evaluating the scene. Or, more specifically, me.
A shiver climbed up my back, spreading to my fingers. I averted my eyes to the playful milieu before me. Rebecca had commenced with her Sirius-surveying, a hazy, dreamy look about her. Peter was fidgeting, every time that James and Sirius made an especially difficult catch, he would erupt into a round of applause. Aha! So that was how James's ego had become so colossal. With a smile on my face, I turned to peek at my friends. Alice was watching me.
"Lily," she had a calm look on her face. I knew something was brewing inside that she was resisting to say. "May I speak to you inside? Please?"
Nodding, I consented, standing up from my comfortable perch on the lawn. Alice steered me into the home, leading me to one of the Potter's sitting rooms.
"What's bothering you, Alice?" An innocent smile played at my lips.
Her eyes bored into mine. "I saw you shiver back there. You're frightened, I can tell."
"What're you talking about, Alice? That's rubbish! Nothing's wrong." I hoped my smile wasn't too strained.
"Lily," she sighed heavily. "I know you well enough to see that something is wrong. If you ever feel like telling me, like good mates do, you know where to find me."
Alice crossed her arms and began walking toward the open door. Oh, Merlin. Now I had upset her. Another thing I hated was to disappoint my friends. They always help me through so much, and then I go off and upset them.
The red chair squeaked as I sat in it.
"Alice?" My hands, over my eyes, created windows to peek at her.
She turned.
"I... I don't think I'm ready to tell you quite yet. I promise I'll tell you eventually. Just... hang on for me?"
Her soft smile allowed my tense shoulders to relax. The soft clicks of her shoes resonated in the vast room. Several moments after resting my head on the armchair, boisterous laughter erupted just outside the doorway. When I turned my head, I was greeted with a jovial view. Sirius was talking animatedly to James, who was laughing heartily. Peter was scuttling around them, trying to take glimpses and pieces of their conversation, commenting on whatever he could get a grasp on. My friends trailed behind them, separated in their own little worlds. Alice was still worried and looking at me.
"Ewww! Get away from me!" Rebecca squealed, removing me from my reverie. Sirius had his arms outstretched, reaching toward Rebecca. Small blotches of dirt were apparent on his chest and arms.
James must have seen the small smile growing on my face. He came to sit down on the chair's arm, staring at me lovingly.
"Hello, love," he said. Picking up my hand.
"Mmm..." I said, simply smiling.
"What would you like to do today?" He started stroking my hand with the pad of his thumb.
My train of thought dissipated into the calm atmosphere of the room. "Uhm..."
"Exactly my thoughts, love. Let's just stay home and relax." He slid down so he was positioned on my lap. My mouth turned down into a pout, showing my discomfort of this stance. I maneuvered my body so I was the one sitting atop his lap. Satisfied, I gave him a peck on the lips.
A chorus of "aww"s broke my eye contact with him. We turned to see Alice, Mary, and Penny standing in a small circle, dimpling at the sight. Sirius and Rebecca were wrapped up in their own little... conversation in the corner. Peter was sitting alone on a couch, looking quite bored.
"Well," Sirius said, tearing himself apart from Rebecca. "I'd better go now. Face the beast." He made a face then turned to Rebecca. "'Night, love."
He planted another tender kiss on her cheek then he left the room. Everyone else went their separate ways from there. Peter scurried after him, bidding him goodbye. The girls left the room, talking about dying Mary's hair.
James and I were alone. His messy black hair tickled my face when I leaned against his head.
"What does he mean," I began, "when he says, 'face the beast'?" I turned to face James.
He sighed. "Sirius... Sirius has had a difficult life. He lives in a household of purebloods. They look to him expectantly to comply to their wishes. They look toward him to be violent and cruel with those who are different, who have dissimilar bloodlines.
"But imagine their surprise when they find out that their eldest son has landed himself in Gryffindor, of all places! Thereafter, Sirius has been defiant of his family. He isn't bad. The only impure thoughts of his are pointed to those of female persuasion. Excluding women over thirty and younger than thirteen.
"Of all people, Walburga Black—his mother—was the one who was against him the most. He's been struggling all year to ignore the vile things that she has said."
I was at a loss of what to say. Poor Sirius. The hard time I gave him probably didn't help at all.
James was looking at me carefully, as if I would implode from the given information.
"That's... horrid..." I managed to say after I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I don't know where I'd be if it weren't for my parents' support. Of course, I'll always have my mates." Through the doorway, the cluster of my friends was centered around a table, likely betting on a game of wizard's chess.
Later that evening, after a generous meal, everyone separated into their individual rooms. James and I walked hand-in-hand down a brightly lit corridor, heading off towards our quarters.
"We really ought to get you out of those pajamas, Lily. You've been wearing them since you arrived!"
"You'd just rather have me without a stitch, wouldn't you?" I smiled wryly.
He sighed. "Whatever makes you comfortable, love."
My eyes widened, surprised at the cooperative answer. Normally, before his sudden change in personality, he would have jumped at the chance to make a perverse remark. At times like these I felt like slamming him against the wall and demanding what he had done with the old James Potter. The problem was, I knew what he was doing. I knew why he changed for me. He loved me. My heart fluttered at the word. At this moment, I was willing to do anything for him. Anything that would make him want me or that would make him happy. My heart swelled at the sudden realization.
I loved him back. Sure, I had known that deep down, but I never had really said it to myself before.
Jubilant, I turned to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Pulling his head down near mine, I whispered, "I love you, James."
He straightened up, his eyes unsure of what he had heard. What he saw in mine must have been promising, for he brought his lips upon my nose, kissing it repeatedly.
"You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say that," His rough voice sent shivers down my spine. Finally, his lips descended upon mine, curling up into a smile.
"Ahem." A cough sent James and I three feet apart, hands behind our backs.
Alice was smiling wickedly. "I thought I'd say goodnight, but your evening looks more... eventful than I thought. Pardon me for interrupting." Much to my embarrassment, she continued, winking at me. "Lily, I'll find out if you slip into James's room late at night."
James's chest was pleasantly warm as I leaned my head against it. We watched with smiles on our faces as Alice hopped down the passage.
Unhappily, I disentangled myself from his arms. "I should be heading off to bed."
"Have a good one, love." He gave me a quick kiss on the lips and led me to a high doorway. "Welcome to your room. Mine's right there," he pointed to the room next mine, "so if you need me, you'll know my whereabouts."
His lovely lips were turned down, unhappy to leave me. I gave a small smile, barely touching his lips with mine. "'Night, love."
"Sweet dreams, Lily."
The vast room was a welcoming sight; a fireplace warmed even the smallest niche and a great daybed pushed against a golden wall. The flames cast large shadows atop the shining wall, giving the room an atmosphere of company, companionship.
Creamy sheets enveloped me as I lay in the guest room. I smelled the pillows. A warm, snug smell filled my nostrils. Just a hint of...honey? At some point, sleep overcame me. A deep, dreamless sleep, brought on after a relaxed, but exhausting, day.
Around midnight—periodic chiming of the aged grandfather clock warned of the time—I heard something. A movement. There was also the steady sound of James's breathing. What could it be?
I jolted up in surprise when, from the next room over, came a startled exclamation.
"Guaarghhh!"
"Easy, there, mate. I doubt you'd like to wake up your lady friend."
Sirius.
"What're you doing here, Pads?" James spluttered.
"Ah. Just thought I'd drop by. Maybe grab a biscuit or two."
"Sirius, I know you better than that. Besides, sweets at this time of night aren't good for you. What's the matter?"
I involuntarily smiled. Their conversation had turned to one like Alice's and mine.
"...It's my mum." I could hear the hesitation in his voice as I heard the scooting of a chair.
An understanding silence passed between them.
"D'you think she meant it this time?"
"I reckon so. So furious, she blasted my name off the family tree."
"Well," James said uneasily, "as I've always said, you're welcome to stay here. I've just got to speak to my parents to see if it's okay with them."
"Thanks, mate. I really need someplace to stay. Promise I'll be out of your hair once I can afford a flat or something."
"No problem, really. Stay as long as you want. Though we only have a couple weeks left of summer."
A grunt sounded, followed by immediate snoring. James must still be awake. Somehow, I was naturally attuned to the sound of his breathing, after hearing it for just one night. Walking on my toes, I swiftly made my way across the room and into the other. James was sitting on the edge of his bed, head held up by his hands. Sirius was sprawled out over a wooden chair, barely keeping himself on, snoring away. When I cleared my throat, James looked up.
"Hullo, Lily. Sorry if we woke you." His sullen face gave me a hint at how bad Sirius's situation really was.
Sitting next to him, I took his hand and leaned against his tall frame. "I take it Sirius's mum kicked him out?"
"Yeah... She's been threatening, but she's never really done it till now."
"That's horrible. Is there anything I can do to help him?"
"Naw. Soon as school starts, he'll be chasing all the girls and happy as ever."
For the rest of the night, we simply talked. Comments arrived arbitrarily, none too personal. His room had the same dim glow of a fireplace, as mine had, but it was more lived-in. Robes were haphazardly strewn across the room and many books were stacked up on a sturdy desk. Portraits adorned the walls, either sleeping or eyeing James and I curiously. Eventually James fell asleep, legs off of the bed, so I laid my head on his shoulder and fell asleep.
When I woke, it took me several moments to realize where I was. Dark blue sheets were curled around me. My head was graciously laid on a pillow, soft and warm. Whoever had placed me had repositioned my body so I was properly placed on the bed and draped the blankets over me. Sirius and James had left, probably talking to James's parents about Sirius's predicament.
I reached for my wand, about to summon one of the many books on James's table, but I grudgingly remembered that magic was not allowed outside of school grounds. I stood from the bed. Once standing, my body didn't want to sit back down. I decided to go wandering around the Potter household.
High columns lined the passageways, creating a regal sort of air about the house. All of the room entrances were tall, a good meter above my head.
Once room stood out, however. A wooden door with intricate carvings was closed. Most of the mansion's rooms were open, doors wide. This door was closed and had a huge keyhole just above the handle. I knew without trying that it would be locked. I sighed and continued on, my mind piqued with intrigue from that room.
"Lily!" Mary's voice came from behind me. "Everyone's coming to the kitchen for breakfast. They sent me out to find you. C'mon, they're making a feast! Without magic. It's a hoot!"
She ran off, giggling. I followed her as quickly as I could, chuckling all the way.
When we arrived at the kitchen, the room was a mess. Remus was there, sitting on a stool, observing the scene with an amused smile on his face. "Hey, Lily. Glad to see you awake."
"Thanks, Remus. What do you suppose they're making?"
"They said something among the lines of ham and eggs, I think."
I looked over James's shoulder to see a big brown, yellow, white, and pink pile of ingredients. The shells of the eggs were visible inside the congealed mass of...food. "Ah, I can... tell."
James turned around to see me, broadly grinning. "Look, Lily. Doesn't it look delicious?" He wrapped his arms around my middle and held me close, his head atop mine.
"It looks... beyond description."
"Apparently I missed something," a cough came from behind us.
We turned to see Remus, a surprised and happy expression on his face. Mary snickered and grabbed his wrist.
"Let's give them some alone time." She pranced out of the room, dragging Remus with her.
Sirius walked out of the room with them, gesturing wildly with his hands as he talked about his afternoon playing Quidditch with James.
"Did you talk to your parents about Sirius yet?" I looked up curiously.
He grinned. "Yeah, he's here to stay."
"That's wonderful, James!" I smiled then glanced down at my feet, unsure if I should bring up the subject of my leaving. "I dunno when I should go. I'm sorry if I'm overstaying my welcome."
"Love, you're welcome here anytime." He tipped up my chin and kissed me lightly. "Even if you aren't, you could always sneak in my room."
He winked at me impishly, causing me to erupt in giggles. We stood in a comfortable silence until we were interrupted.
"What is that ghastly smell?" Penny and Rebecca were standing in the doorway.
"Blast! I forgot about breakfast!"
James scrambled around the kitchen trying to rid the room of smoke while my friends and I watched on in amusement.