A/N: Thank you guys for your support. It means a lot to me. =) Since the chapters at the beginning of this story were short, I'm going to combine some of them. This was actually 2 and 3 originally. ;) Enjoy!
"Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end." - Henry David Thoreau
Chapter 2 - The Joke Shop
Over the next few days, Hermione debated not only if she should bring up Sirius to Harry, but if she did, how she would do it. She knew he would feel better if he could talk about it, but knowing Harry, that was the last thing he would want to do. Yet if he didn't talk about it, it would only eat him inside until he exploded. Sirius nagged at the back of her mind but she tried to enjoy her stay at the Weasley's without letting the past bring her under.
She had spent her days at the Burrow laughing with Ginny and Ron, watching them practice Quidditch in the orchard, feeding the chickens, and helping Mrs. Weasley around the house. The Weasley's didn't have a lot of money, but their hospitality was worth more than money could buy in Hermione's opinion. They were like her second family and their kindness spoke volume.
Fred and George Weasley, Ron's older twin brothers, were currently running their newly owned joke shop in Diagon Alley. Hermione loved Fred and George, but to her the idea of making a living off of a joke shop was, well, a joke. None the less, she agreed to visit the shop with the rest of the Weasley's since she needed to go to Diagon Alley anyway. Booklists would be arriving soon from Hogwarts, and Diagon Alley was the only place for school shopping.
On Hermione's fourth day she found herself wandering outside the Burrow, feeling no need or inclination to go inside. The warm summer breeze was refreshing, seeming to blow away all her frustrations and worries. She could smell a sweet mixture of roses and apples, probably wafting from the nearby orchard. Essentially she found it much more pleasant to be outside with the warm air and sweet aroma than inside the Burrow. Bill, the oldest Weasley son, had brought his new fiancé home to meet the family and let's just say it reminded Hermione of her fourth year when she had to care for Hagrid's blast-ended skrewts. No, Bill's fiancé wasn't a blast-ended skrewt by any means, but just about as pleasant.
Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang! She froze mid step and looked back quickly at the crooked house, grabbing her wand from her pocket out of instinct. A flash of red—Ginny was storming out the front door, looking furious as ever.
"HERMIONE!" the redhead shouted loudly, scanning the yard. "Where are you?"
Hermione wasn't sure if she really wanted to know what Ginny wanted. Quite frankly, the Weasley's only daughter could be very frightening. Still, she was one of Hermione's best friends. Tentatively, Hermione approached from the chicken coup.
"Ginny? Is everything okay?"
"I REFUSE to be left in that house with HER for another minute!" Ginny was shaking. Literally shaking in rage.
"Oh no," Hermione sighed, "what happened now?"
"Bill got mad because I accidently dropped a Nosebleed Nougat on his royal highness! It's not like anything happened; a bit of puss squirted out, but that's it! I dropped it from the upstairs landing. How would I know she was standing directly below on the bottom floor?" Ginny's words came out in a rush, and she took a deep breath before continuing. "If I wanted to do something vile I would definitely be more creative than that! I mean Merlin, he could give me a little credit."
Despite Ginny's apparent frustration and anger, Hermione laughed harder than she had since the time she arrived, imagining the moment being similar to seeing Professor Umbridge bombarded with fireworks in their previous year.
Ginny stopped glaring and cracked a smile. "You should have seen her face," she said sadistically.
"I'm sure it was rather priceless." Hermione had to wipe under her eyes. "I'm sorry for leaving you in there with her. I just needed some fresh air. She drives me mad as well. I don't know what Bill sees in her. Well…one thing I guess."
Both girls made a disgusting face.
Hermione continued, "I've just been thinking a lot about Harry lately. He's just been through so much, you know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean." Ginny frowned. "I can't get him off my mind either—" She cut herself off abruptly and tensed. She cast Hermione a nervous look, seeming a little embarrassed.
Hermione smiled reproachfully. "Ginny, you really need to talk to Harry. Honestly the boy is completely clueless. If he knew you how you felt…if he knew you li—"
"Well, I should get back inside," Ginny interrupted. "I need to write Dean."
"Dean?" Hermione blinked. "Oh Ginny honestly, I'm starting to think I'm going to have to intervene between you and Harry. This is just getting ridiculous."
"Harry dated Cho," Ginny replied a bit dryly. "No reason I can't date Dean."
"Harry dating Cho was a joke and you know it," Hermione pointed out. "He thought she was pretty, but they had nothing in common."
"Look, it doesn't even matter, alright? If Harry cared for me he would have showed it by now. End of story."
"Of course he cares for you! He fought a Basilisk to save your life!" said Hermione breathlessly.
Ginny's face fell and Hermione instantly regretted bringing up the Chamber of Secrets. It was a rough subject for the Weasley's.
"I shouldn't have said, Ginny. I'm sorry." Hermione stared at the ground, feeling terrible.
"No, it's okay." Ginny gave a weak smile. "It's just not something I like to remember, even though it's nearly impossible to forget. But you're right: I know he obviously cared and I owe him my life for what he did. I just meant he doesn't care, you know, the other way."
"That's only because he hasn't thought about it." Hermione laughed softly. "Harry doesn't exactly put a lot of emphasis on girls. He can't, really. Not with saving the world."
"That's true." Ginny twisted her long hair into a pony tail. "I've always had trouble seeing him as the Boy-Who-Lived after meeting him, ironically."
Ginny turned to go back into the house, deciding she couldn't very well avoid Bill forever. She sighed before opening the front door, but held her shoulders back in that strong way of hers.
Hermione always an expert on love by any means, but deep down she truly wanted Harry to realize how amazing Ginny was for him. She had been a very shy little girl growing up, but through the years gained more confident. That confidence brought out her appealing traits. She wasn't just another pretty face. She was fierce and loyal. She had a strong sense of humor, and was very laid back. Hermione was jealous of Ginny sometimes, wishing she could relax a bit more and not worry so much. Ginny was stable, comforting, and familiar to Harry.
Hermione knew one day he would realize this and come around. Maybe he already had, but didn't want to pursue her yet. Till then, he was stuck being the chosen one and saving the world.
After a few minutes of exploring unchartered waters of her best friends and their romantic potential, Hermione decided not to leave Ginny alone with the future Mrs. Weasley. She went inside with a little reassurance, knowing Harry would arrive the following afternoon.
Hermione awoke early the next morning to a flash of red and Ginny poking her in the side.
"Hermione, get up! Harry's here."
Hermione blinked several times to focus. Ginny's red hair seemed to magnify when the light hit it, making it look more like the typical Weasley color. It also happened to blind Hermione temporarily. Crookshanks hissed ever so slightly and curled up on her pillow.
"Okay, I'm getting up." She yawned and gave Crookshanks a loving pat. "Did you tell Ron?"
"Yeah, he's waiting outside the door so we can surprise Harry. Apparently he arrived late last night or…well… early this morning. Either way."
Hermione got dressed quickly and met Ron with Ginny outside Fred and George's room. At that moment, they heard Mrs. Weasley's voice.
"Ginny! Come down and help with breakfast."
There was silence. Ginny looked at Hermione reproachfully and pointedly pretended not to hear. Maybe if they didn't make any noise, Mrs. Weasley would think they were outside—
"NOW!"
Ginny sighed. "She just doesn't want to be alone with phlegm." Glaring the entire way, she made sure to stomp loudly down the stairs.
Hermione felt bad and wanted to help her friend but the desire to see Harry was too overwhelming. She made to open the door softly, when Ron practically took it off its hinges as he burst through.
Harry jumped from under the covers. "Heywuzzgoinon?" he blurted out sleepily.
"Mum just told us you're here!" exclaimed Ron. "We didn't expect you till midday."
"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "You knew he was sleeping!"
Harry slid on his glasses and his eyes focused on the two standing before him. He cracked a grin in obvious recognition.
"Yeah, well, here I am."
Hermione tried to return his smile but couldn't help but stare at him as though he was on his deathbed. He was still cheerful after everything that happened in the previous year. He looked the same as the year before, with messy jet black hair and brilliant green eyes. A bit skinny perhaps, but Mrs. Weasley would fix that.
Catching the expression on her face, Harry regarded her warily. "How are you…Hermione?"
"Oh, I'm fine. And you?" She took a seat on the edge of his bed, still staring at him more intently than necessary. He seemed to notice and replied coolly,
"Great—a bit hungry, though. Have you two eaten already? What time is it?"
Ron laughed. "Don't worry. Mum will bring you a tray. She didn't want us to wake you but we wanted to know what you were up to with Dumbledore." His tone implied that he had been dying to ask from the moment he entered the room.
"Nothing too exciting. Just helped him persuade an old teacher to come out of retirement," said Harry.
"Oh yes, we will need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, now that Umbridge is gone," said Hermione, brightening up a bit. "Who is he and what's he like?"
"His name's Horace Slughorn," said Harry. "He's alright I s'pose. Looks a bit like a walrus. He never stops talking about his past students that grew up to be famous. He seems to like the ambitious type. I'm sure he'll love you, Hermione."
Hermione blushed and smacked Harry lightly on the arm, "Oh stop it," she mused.
Ron was about to comment when suddenly Ginny walked through the door, looking rather sulky. Her expression changed when she noticed Harry.
"Hi, Harry." She smiled and sat on the end the bed next to Hermione.
"What's wrong with you, Ginny?" Ron asked. "You look like hell."
"Thanks Ron," Ginny replied tartly. "And as if you couldn't guess, it's her."
By the way she emphasized the word "her," Hermione knew exactly who she was talking about. It seemed her was Bill's fiancé's new name these days.
"I know." Hermione sighed. "She thinks if you're not looking at her, you're looking in the wrong direction."
"Hey now, she's not so bad around the house," piped up Ron. He looked mildly insulted. "She pulls her share."
"Oh okay, sure. Don't say anything bad about her because you sure can't get enough." said Ginny angrily.
Hermione nodded in agreement as Harry began to ask "Who are you talking about" but the question was answered when the princess herself came willowing through the door. And yes, willowing was probably the best way to describe it.
Hermione was too busy glaring at Fleur Delacour to notice Harry yank the sheets up, causing her and Ginny to fall to the floor. She scrambled up, cursing under her breath to see Fleur smiling broadly around the room, as if she was just announced in a beauty contest.
It couldn't be denied that Fleur was beautiful. She had long, straight, white blonde hair and a slim pale figure. She was wearing a willowy plum gown that tied around her neck. Her teeth were perfectly white and straight when she smiled, and she had sparkling blue eyes that glittered like ice. Beautiful she might be, but humble and pleasant she was not.
She spoke in her well attuned French accent.
"Arry, eet eez so good to see you again. I ave been waiting to see you for some time. Here, I ave brought you some eggz, bacon, an toast. I did not know your favorite and 'ad to guess."
Fleur smiled so radiantly, so clearly proud of herself, that Hermione and Ginny were both glaring at her. And who were now both, for the record, standing with their arms crossed by the door, clearly indicating that it would be fine for Fleur to now leave since her job was done.
"I eard you ave not been n'formed, but I wanted to be the first to tell you the news." Her smile, if possible, grew wider. "Bill and I arr to be married!"
Shock flashed across Harry's face, though he tried quickly to change it.
"That's…great Fleur. Er…congratulations."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the look on Ron's face as he stared at Fleur. He seemed to be two years old, opening presents on Christmas day. Ever since fourth year, he had had an unrealistic crush on Fleur Delacour, the champion from Beauxbatons.
"Yes, eet eez wonderful. Of courz you will be zair." Fleur kept her eyes trained on Harry.
"Yeah, of course. Wouldn't miss it for anything."
Hermione decided this was enough, and coughed rather pointedly. "Harry, you need to get ready. We have a lot we need to do."
"Yes, Hermione is right," Ginny added.
Ron snapped out of his fantasy. "Like what? What stuff?"
"Like wiping your mouth, you disgusting git," replied Ginny scornfully.
Ron's face was a deep shade of red when the two girls left the bedroom. They walked upstairs, still muttering to themselves. Once Hermione got in Ginny's room, she decided it was a good time to start unpacking her trunk. She started pulling out pieces of clothing, as Ginny had made a little room in her closet. Hermione's fingers slipped on a soft camisole and it fell to the ground. She bent down to pick it up—and saw a small canister under the bed. Silver and shiny, like a miniature telescope. Curiously, she lifted it to her face and took a peek—
It punched her square in the eye.
"Argh!" Hermione screamed out in pain, dropping the canister to the ground.
Ginny whirled around. "What is it?"
"This...this thing…it just punched me!" Hermione faced the mirror and let out another shriek "Ginny, my eye! Look at my eye!"
Her left eye was blackened. Not even like a black eye after a fight—no. This looked like someone had painted a perfectly black circle around her eye. She stared at Ginny in horror.
"Here, let me see that, Hermione." Ginny looked like she was holding back a laugh. She walked over to scrutinize the fallen canister. "Yep, just what I expected. It's one of Fred and George's. Here, let's go downstairs and Mum will put it right in no time."
"Ginny, I can't go anywhere like this." Hermione's voice had taken on an edge of hysteria. "Look at me! Look at my eye!"
By the time Harry and Ron came into the room—they had heard Hermione's frantic shouting, apparently—she was verging on choking and screaming. Before they could properly spot her eye, she threw herself onto the bed and buried her face under the covers with a shout, "Go away!"
"What happened?" Ron asked, aghast.
Hermione heard Ginny whispering what happened to both Harry and Ron. She wasn't shocked to hear Ron laughing hysterically. Before he could personally harass her, she wrenched herself from the sheets and took off down the stairs, praying to meet no one else on her way to Mrs. Weasley—her only hope.
To her luck, Mrs. Weasley was alone in the kitchen, cleaning up the mess from breakfast with her wand.
"Mrs. Weasley, I was punched in the eye by one of Fred and George's wonderful inventions. Could you please try to get the blackness to go away?" Hermione asked anxiously.
Mrs. Weasley swelled with momentary anger.
"Those rotten boys—leaving inventions lying around the house! Surely they would expect someone to pick it up?" She shook her head and stared at Hermione, deflating in anger. "Ah well…Yes, of course dear. Let me find my healing book."
Hermione sighed. What she would give to duel Fred and George right about now. If these were the kind of things they were inventing at the joke shop, she wanted no part of it.
Mrs. Weasley returned with her wand and an old and battered copy of The Basic Healing Guide for Household Injuries. Hermione stood very still, eyes closed tightly, while she muttered incantations with her wand. To Hermione's annoyance, she heard approaching footsteps. The loud and clumsy steps could only belong to Ron.
"How's it going?" he asked, clearly fighting back a laugh. Harry looked less amused.
"Hmm," Mrs. Weasley began, "I can't figure it out. I can't vanish it, transfigure it, or even change its color. I'm sure Fred and George will have a solution once we visit them today after we receive your letters and O.W.L. results."
Hermione jumped out of her chair with a look of panic and anxiety on her face. "WHAT? Our results are coming today? Today? Why hasn't anyone told me? Did you
know?" she demanded. "Did you know, Ron?"
He looked around skeptically. "Umm…no. Of course not."
Hermione began pacing the kitchen with her right hand on her temple. She pushed the black eye to the back of her mind. Who cared about a black eye when O.W.L. results were coming…today! She barely registered Harry's look of worry for her sanity.
"I'm worried about Ancient Runes and Transfiguration…" Hermione said breathlessly. "Oh no. Oh nooo. I know I've done dreadful. They're going to chuck me out because my scores will be too low to continue!" she bellowed out dramatically, throwing herself into a chair and burying her face in her hands.
"Oh shut up, Hermione," said Ron, looking annoyed. "Act like you won't have every single O.W.L. be an Outstanding."
Before she could retaliate, three owls swooped through the kitchen window, silencing any retort she might have. She gasped, and watched them land at their destination: one for her, one for Ron, and one for Harry.
Hermione's owl was a large barn owl with beady black eyes. It held out its leg and she retrieved two pieces of rolled up parchment. After tucking her Hogwarts supply list away, she took the second letter and began to read her results off in a corner away from everybody else.
Ordinary Wizarding Level Results
Pass Grades Fail Grades
Outstanding – O Poor – P
Exceeds Expectations – E Dreadful – D
Acceptable – A Troll – T
Hermione Jean Granger has received:
Ancient Runes O
Arithmancy O
Astronomy O
Care for Magical Creatures O
Charms O
Defense Against the Dark Arts E
Herbology O
History of Magic O
Muggle Studies O
Potions O
Transfiguration O
She read her results four times, quite pleased. She had a feeling she might get an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Ancient Runes and was overjoyed to find an 'Outstanding.' She knew both Harry and Ron would be lucky to scrape more than one 'Outstanding' so she began to fold her report when Ron suddenly grabbed it from her hand.
"RON!"
"I just wanted to see how you did. Calm down Hermione," said Ron, scanning the report. "Yep, look at this Harry." He held out the results for Harry to see. "Ten 'Outstandings' and one 'Exceeds Expectations.' What a surprise."
Hermione hastily snatched back her results and tucked it into her pocket. She made a mental note to write to mom and dad later—they would be proud.
"Well, now that your booklist is here, I suppose we better take a trip to Diagon Alley," said Mrs. Weasley. "Harry, your birthday's tomorrow. Let's celebrate in the Leaky Cauldron tonight, shall we?"
"It's okay, Mrs. Weasley, you don't have to do anything," said Harry, looking a little embarrassed.
"Perfect. Tom will take care of all the cooking so I won't be doing a thing," said Mrs. Weasley with a smile. Her eyes wandered the kitchen, and the smile vanished. Hermione followed her gaze.
She was staring at the Weasley family clock.
The clock had nine different hands, each engraved with a different member of the Weasley family. Instead of numbers around the face, possible places the Weasley's might be were shown, such as home or work. Mr. Weasley's hand was pointed at "work," while everyone else's pointed to mortal peril.
It really was dark times, wasn't it?
"Will Mr. Weasley be coming with us?" Hermione asked Mrs. Weasley, hoping to distract her.
"Yes, I think it is quite necessary we take precautions." She glanced at Harry from the corner of her eye, who in return, stared at his feet. Hermione knew it bothered Harry how much people had to risk in order to keep him safe. He wasn't used to people caring for him; something he missed out on while growing up at the Dursley's.
Later that evening, Mr. Weasley returned from the Ministry and everyone was bustling around the house before departing to Fred and George's shop. Hermione nearly forgot about her eye, and decided she'd try to cover it up with make-up the best she could. She gave up on that prospect after about ten minutes, since the make-up dissolved and faded away every time. Of course part of Fred and George's joke would be to have no way of concealing it. She sighed in defeat and walked downstairs. Bill had already left for work but Fleur was waiting by the front door with a smile on her face.
"Arry, we will see you for your birthday dinner," she said, while giving Harry a hug. Mr. Weasley cleared his throat.
"Alright, we were going to have the Ministry cars but…I decided we would apparate to save time." It was obvious by Mrs. Weasley's expression she wanted the cars. "I have taken off the enchantments that allow us to apparate temporarily. Molly and I will take you each one at a time to the Leakey Cauldron, where Hagrid will be waiting and we will meet in Flourish and Blotts."
Hermione smiled. She had missed Hagrid.
The first to go were Mr. Weasley and Ginny, along with Mrs. Weasley and Ron. When they popped back into the living room several minutes later, Mrs. Weasley escorted Hermione and Mr. Weasley took Harry. Hermione had never been taken on side-along-apparition before. Once Mrs. Weasley turned, it felt like she was being squeezed threw a tiny bottle. Her ears pounded, breathing was difficult, and it was rather uncomfortable. She was relieved it didn't last long. She opened her eyes to see the large and bearded Rubeus Hagrid. Twice the size of a normal man, he looked quite large in the ordinary hotel room.
"Hi Hagrid, how are you?" Hermione asked happily.
"Not so bad. Been keepin' busy 'round the school. I s'pect yer glad to be back, eh?"
"Oh yes," Hermione began, "I love my family but not being able to do magic is pure torture."
Hagrid chuckled and gestured that they move on. They had apparated to a room in the Leaky Cauldron. Hermione did not see anyone else in their group, so she assumed they had already gone through the barrier to Diagon Alley. She, Mrs. Weasley, and Hagrid left the room and traveled down the stairs, heading towards the back of the bar, which contained the secret entrance to Diagon Alley.
Hagrid tapped the bricks on the wall with his pink umbrella, and an entrance appeared in the bricks. Once they stepped through to Diagon Alley, the sight was shocking. The streets were deserted and what customers were left rushed quickly from shop to shop, as if they were expecting a bomb to be dropped out of the sky at any moment. Hermione had never seen Diagon Alley look so…dead. Several shops were boarded up and posters were attached to the windows, each showing a different Death Eater. Hermione glanced up at Hagrid uneasily, whom looked rather solemn.
"Oh dear," sighed Mrs. Weasley, glancing around the cobbled streets.
"Well, s'pose we should get a move on," said Hagrid, gloomily.
Hermione was relieved the rest of their group made it all in tact at Flourish and Blotts and they didn't linger too long before walking towards Fred and George's shop.
As they passed shops and boutiques—some open for business, some closed—something sparkly caught Hermione's eye. She paused. In the window display of Madam Lottie's, there sat a half moon silver mask, sparkling with tiny diamonds. It was covered with silver lace and Hermione thought it looked like something a queen would wear during a dinner party. Harry saw her hesitation, but when he asked what was wrong, she simply shook her head and said they ought to catch up to the group.
He frowned, glanced back at the shop, and ran after them, just as Mrs. Weasley chastened him for falling behind.
An hour later, Hermione was sure Mr. Weasley had copied down the wrong address because they still hadn't found the joke shop. Ron's tenth complain was finally answered though, when they found a shop lit up in colors. It wasn't dead looking like most of the other shops, but alive and vibrant. The sign that hung read: Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Hermione followed behind Harry and gasped when she stepped over the threshold.
There were three floors full of merchandize. Airplanes were flying themselves threw the store. Tiny, colorful puff balls danced in the window. The store was crowded with customers wall to wall and the sound of tinkling and clinking of objects with an occasional burst of smoke filled the room.
Hermione weaved through the crowd toward the front desk and was met with a familiar face: Lee Jordan.
"Hi Lee, I was wondering where Fred and George are?" Hermione asked. "I have a bone to pick with them."
Lee laughed. "Nice eye, Hermione! Self Punching Telescopes—big seller on level two. Anyway, George is right over here. Let me get him."
Hermione greeted George with a scowl when he appeared a minute later.
"Sorry Hermione, we sometimes leave our experiments lying around," said George apologetically, fighting a laugh.
Hermione sighed. "It's fine. My curiosity got the better of me. Do you have something to clear it up?"
"Hold on," said George. "Let me grab the right bottle."
He appeared a moment later, handing over a small, clear bottle. "Use this. It's a special cream that will take it straight away. I'll even let you pick something out from the store for being a test subject, free of charge." George smiled and patted Hermione on the back before disappearing back into the crowd.
She was relieved to find the ointment worked perfectly. The bruise faded immediately, leaving no trace of the punching telescope. Hermione left the lavatory with a bit of pep in her step, the day brightening tremendously.
She spotted a brightly lit section on the first floor that caught her eye. Propped on a large, pink shelf was an arrangement of hair and makeup supplies. They had potions to make your hair grow as long as you want and lip plumper that literally made your lips more luscious. Hermione found a box containing an anti-frizz potion. She bit her lip and began reading the ingredients and instructions. She turned the box over to read the price: two galleons.
Hmm, she thought to herself, this would be worth the black eye. She put the box down and glanced out the window absentmindedly—
She jumped, surprised to see a pair of liquid silver eyes staring right back at her.
A/N: Thank you for reading! Just want to respond to a few questions/comments:
Alenerien: "The only thing I'm sad about is that I was looking for your next chapter of the sequel to this story." - I KNOW! It kills me too. It's just that the sequel makes no sense if people haven't read CF first. Which is why I'm going to try to post it quickly. Thank you so much for following me! It really is the reason I'm still writing..for you guys.
Gin-gin06: "And what do you man aout chaning it?" "And if you need begging for Wanted heres some major knee groveling." - I meant if people give away spoilers, I might change something to be evil, haha. And I will post Wanted..it's just going to be a few weeks I'm afraid. I need to get this going first-39 chapters to make up! Blah. lol Sorry for scaring you..it scared me too when I found out. lol Thanks for sticking with me!
jazzy4ever: "Can't wait for these 'changes'." - I should say I'm not sure if these changes will be HUGE. Minor adjustments in the dialogue most likely. And cleaning up the writing. But if an idea hits, I might go with it. :P Ending will be the same though..rest assured. Just don't tell it! haha Thanks for the support jazzy!
xXxtellmewhyxXx: "Well, I love your writing so I'm excited to see what this story's all about." - Thank you! Yes! I haven't had a newbie to this story in awhile, haha. I hope you enjoy it!
madluv: "I'm so happy you're posting this again!" - Me too. At first I was like 'ughh' since it was complete, but this gives me a chance to make it better. More improved, if you will. Thanks for sticking with me and reading it..again! lol
For those who HAVE read this story..if you ever have a question that's a spoiler, please message me rather than asking in a review. ;) Thanks!