DollFace080: Thanks for a fantabulous review ;) Sirius ain't all bad, right? You liked the proverb, yay! It's been in my head for ages, I think ever since I read the line 'no use crying over spilt potion'. I think Molly says that. I was so glad I could finally use it LOL. Anyways, I hope you like the next chapter.
darklady5289: Marriage on its way. Won't say whose marriage, though ;). Thanks a lot and here's the next chapter!
pannychan22: A new reviewer! Thanks for letting me know what you think. It really helps me to keep writing :) I hope you like the next chapter!
SexeiAlexeiGurl: Aww, thank you! That's what keeps me going :) And here's another chapter.
hpandfriendsruletheworld: Thank you :) I'll do my best! Hope you like the next chapter.
MsPadfootVerona: Hey! Great to hear from you again. My God, no homework? Are you sure your teachers haven't been taken over by aliens?
I think the journal is a great idea. I never seem to write in mine when I'm doing great, but when I'm not feeling so fuzzy and happy...pages and pages get covered in ink ;) It really helps to write all thebad stuff down. For me, at least. And then I can just close my journal and put it away. I hope you'll feel better soon and that a journal works for you too. ( If not, take boxing lessons like a friend of mine did when she was going through a rough time. She swears it cures everything.)
About Snape (hmm how did I get from boxing to Snape...) I'm a fan of Alan Rickman myself. How am I supposed to hate Snape when they let Rickman play him! So I just keep film-Snape and book-Snape far away from each other in my head.
Ilike the idea that Snape is on Snape's side. He walks a very thin line. He's a great character, because six whole books long you don't know whose side he is on. Is he evil? Who exactly does he spy for? Both sides perhaps? And even now when he's killed A., you're not completely sure, because you just know there's more to the story. So frustrating!
If he has told Dumbledore about the Vow, then Dumbledore surely would have realised that it could come down to that which has indeed happened in the book. So, in that way, he did plan his death, I agree. Teaching Harry everything he knows about Voldemort's past is a clear sign... but, again, I agree: where was the duelling part? Harry is very good at DADA compared to his classmates, but he's a Squib compared to Voldemort.
So, scenario nr 2: Snape hasn't told Dumbledore about the Vow, a.k.a. he is completely on Voldy's side. Then what would've been Dumbledore's motive? Would he perhaps have begun transferring his knowledge to Harry because he knew it would come down to a confrontation between Harry and Voldemort (prophecy), wanting to continue with duelling later, not knowing he didn't have all that much time? Argh, I don't know, I suck at predicting story lines. About the thing I saw coming was Ron and Hermione...
What do you think about Snape loving Lily? I think it could be true, but I'm not a fan of Lily loving Snape back.
Anyway, about my story, it's neev /n i: v / rhymes with believe. They're back together, yay do the happy dance LOL. I didn't want Rowan to be an all-evil character. I also deliberately left out any motivations of him becoming a Death Eater, so I could keep a bit of doubt around him. I mainly wanted him to be Niamh's brother. That's what he'll always be to her, no matter what his choices were.
You say you ramble endlessly, but I'm getting the hang of it too :D I'll just shut up now..
p.s. The editorial was indeed on mugglenet, but I can't remember where, sorry :s
Katy: Yeah, but is Snape "I-love-Voldemort"-evil, or "I do what benefits me most"-evil? Wonder which is worse, by the way...
Just let me get everything straight. Trelawney makes the prophecy, Snape listens in on the conversation, but gets caught. He goes to Voldemort with what he knows (not everything). When Harry and Neville are born, there are two boys that the prophecy could be about. Voldemort thinks it's Harry. Snape realises that he has signed Lily's death warrant. He wouldn't bother to save James, Harry had to be killed, so what happened? Do you think he's the one who persuaded Voldemort to give Lily a chance to step aside? I don't think it was a courtesy of Voldemort...
I agree! And when she's finished writing the final book we keep her there and make her write additional books about the Marauders!
I love anything withFred and/or George! They're my favourite characters after Sirius and Remus. I'm definitely going to check out those stories.
Here's the update, hope you like it.
Messrs-Paddifoots-love: Sorry, but no ;) If I was J.K. I'd be on a tropical island drinking cocktails, instead of shivering in cold, cloudy, rainy Holland... Thanks, though :D I hope you like the next chapter.
Gossip and Green Faces
The next two months some things changed, while others stayed the same. Lucius had recovered from the effects of the Cruciatus Curse, but we had not regained the Dark Lord's favour. We were sent on Muggle raids to emphasize our failure.
During these raids I managed to save some lives by putting Muggles under the Disillusionment Charm or telling them to hide when we searched their homes. I threatened them not to tell a word about me. If they told the wrong person from the Ministry a Death Eater had saved them, I would be finished. To avoid suspicion, I could not save many. The choices I made haunted my dreams and not even Sirius's arms around me could help me sleep well.
Benjy's suspicion had not gone unnoticed in the Order. Some bluntly took my side, but I noticed others hesitated.
The family name had been tarnished as well, despite my father's 'donations' to the Ministry. People talked and Rita Skeeter had published a series of articles about my family's past. I ran into her in Diagon Alley once.
"Niamh, you know you've never denied being a Death Eater," she said cunningly and drew a quill from her purse.
I raised a haughty eyebrow. "Firstly, I would prefer you to call me Miss Carden. I don't think I've ever given you permission to use my first name. Secondly, I don't associate with the likes of you, so if you could please refrain from speaking to me, that would be wonderful. Goodbye, Miss Skeeter," I finished coldly and turned around.
"Miss Carden!" Rita called after me. "You still haven't denied it."
Slowly I turned back. "Have I now?" I drawled and smiled maliciously. Rita's eyes widened. "You should be more careful with what you write, Miss Skeeter. You wouldn't want to upset anyone. Have a nice day."
This, of course, had consequences. My mother nearly went insane when she found out what I had done. She screamed at me for destroying our social status with my carelessness.
"I was not being careless, Mother," I sighed impatiently. "I merely gave her a warning."
My mother gave an exasperated cry and left the room, no doubt locking herself in her rooms. I turned to my father. "Just honouring the family name, Father."
"I've never cared about what others think of me. Cardens are above that," my father answered. "But your mother is not a Carden, so perhaps you could be a little more considerate next time."
"Yes, Father," I said docilely.
My mother refused to talk to me for days, unknowingly doing me a great favour. Evan was incredibly busy with the family business, so I saw little of him as well.
James celebrated his birthday in March. He had invited me as well. I knew I couldn't go. Niamh Carden at James Potter's birthday party? I could just as well write traitor on my forehead and create the same effect.
Sirius spent five days moping around because I couldn't come, until Gideon and Fabian had had enough. They both had rather high marks in Concealment and Disguise – part of their Auror training – and they had decided to 'adjust' me.
The night of the party I was in Headquarters, fidgeting nervously under the scrutinizing gazes of the Prewett twins. Sirius, Peter, and Remus stood to the side, arms folded and an uncertain look on their faces.
"First," Fabian said, "we need to get rid of the hair. People will recognize you a mile away. What colour do you want it?"
"Not black," Gideon said. "That'll make her too pale. How about brown?"
"Are you sure about this?" I asked anxiously.
"Of course. I got an O in Disguise. Will you just trust me?" Gideon said confidently. "Brown it is."
He pointed his wand at me. Nothing happened.
"Wow, look at that," Peter said.
Or so I thought. I grabbed a lock of hair. A lock of shiny, chocolate brown hair. "Oh my god," I breathed.
"Gideon will do," Gideon grinned. I rolled my eyes.
"Let's straighten her hair," Fabian suggested, getting really enthusiastic. "And don't forget her eyebrows."
Gideon pointed his wand at me again and performed the charm. "So, what do you think, Sirius?" he asked after he had finished.
"I don't know," Sirius said slowly. "Guess I'll have to get used to it."
I huffed. So much for compliments.
"Change the eye colour," Remus suggested. A second later my eyes had turned hazel.
"Could you get me a mirror?" I asked. I did not want to look like a troll on James's party. Fabian summoned a mirror. "Oh, this is bizarre," I said, scrunching my nose to check if it was really me. "It's still my face."
"Well, I suppose we could lengthen your nose a little, and make your lips less full," Gideon pondered, examining my face. I nodded. I felt a slight tingle in my nose and lips.
Fabian tapped his wand against his lips. "If only we could make you taller."
"I'll wear heels," I snapped.
"No offence," he grinned at me.
"You look pretty," Sirius said. "Weird, but pretty."
"You know you can't wear any of those expensive designer, pureblood dresses," Gideon warned me.
"I know," I answered. "Got it all taken care of. I borrowed a dress from Lily."
"Lily?" Peter frowned. "But she is inches taller than you and you have larger…" His voice faltered at the sight of Sirius's raised eyebrow. He cleared his throat. "You're a bit more filled out."
"We could take care of that," Gideon said, his eyes no longer on my face. "Pity."
"Pig!" I glowered at him. "My face is up here. And in case you've forgotten, Lily and I are both witches. The dress has been adjusted to my size."
Sirius let out a loud sigh of relief.
"Sirius!" I snapped.
"What?" he protested, his eyes widening. "Can't help that I like them."
Remus was trying so hard not to laugh that his face turned bright red.
"Don't make me hex you, wolfie," I growled. "And innocence is not a look that favours you," I added, pointing my finger at the black-haired wizard. Sirius immediately changed his angelic expression for a roguish grin. "Now, get out all of you, so I can change."
When I was alone, I put on the dress Lily had given me. It was black and reached mid-thigh. Two straps were tied in my neck and the ends dangled down my quite bare back. Lily had called it a cocktail-dress, which I thought was rather a strange name, but the dress was lovely.
I applied some make-up and did my hair, almost squealing with joy when it actually did what I wanted. After I had put on my heels, I opened the door.
Sirius whistled. "I like that dress. How about we skip the party and go home now?" he suggested leeringly.
"You can't miss your best friend's birthday."
"Damn it," Sirius pouted.
"Immature twit," I laughed. "I'll still be wearing this dress at the end of the evening."
"I'll hold you to that," he grinned.
"Can we go now?" Remus asked. "Gideon and Fabian have already left. You look lovely, Niamh."
"Thank you, Remus." I turned to Sirius. "See? At least Remus knows how to compliment a girl without suggesting a tumble between the sheets."
Sirius glared darkly at his friend, who grinned cheekily.
"Wait," Peter said. "We can't call you Niamh at the party."
"Wormtail is right," Sirius said, as if that surprised him. "Pick a name, love."
"Er…best keep it close to my own name." I thought for a moment. "How about Nicole?"
"That'll do," Sirius shrugged. "Let's go, Nicky."
I snorted, but linked my arm with his.
Potter Mansion
Sirius was quite nervous about bringing Niamh to the party, but it turned out he had nothing to worry about. People paid her little attention. His reputation of carelessness with women had survived Hogwarts and people thought she was just another conquest.
He looked at his 'date'. Man, that dress was sexy. He would have to remember to thank Lily later. Lily and James waved at him from across the room and walked to them.
"Congrats, Prongs," he grinned. "Maybe now you'll finally develop some brains."
James snorted. "Like you developed brains when you turned nineteen, you mean?" he asked sarcastically.
"Of course not, Prongsie. I've always had brains. In large quantities, I might add." Sirius ignored the roll of Niamh and Lily's eyes. "This is Nicole er…Car…er…"
"Carmichael?" Lily suggested.
"Yes, Nicole Carmichael."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Nicole," James grinned.
"Happy birthday, James," she smiled.
"Come on," Lily said to her. "Let's leave them alone to do their male bonding marauding thingy." Giggling, they walked away from the Marauders, who were slapping James on the back.
"So," Sirius said and wiped some stray strands of black hair from his eyes, "when are you going to pop the question? If you wait any longer, Lily might come to her senses and dump you."
As if on cue, James turned a sickly shade of green.
"Padfoot has a point, Prongs," Remus said. "She's bound to find out sometime soon. You keep that ring in your pocket all the time."
James's faintly green face contorted.
"Prongs, if you're going to vomit, please aim the other way. I rather like this shirt." Sirius eyed his friend warily.
"What if she says no?" James whispered.
"Of course she won't say no," Sirius said. "She loves you. Granted, it took her seven years to get there, but now she loves you."
"Oh god," James groaned. "What if it's all just a plan? She hated me for six and a half years. She's just waiting for me to propose to her, so she can say no. It's the perfect revenge."
Three Marauders stared incredulously at their friend.
"Well, it's official," Sirius sighed. "Prongs has gone mental."
"She won't say no," Remus soothed. Peter nodded, patting his friend on the back.
"I could get her drunk for you," Sirius offered. "It's Lily; that shouldn't take more than ten minutes. Five, if I give her Firewhisky."
"You're not helping, Padfoot," Remus threatened.
"I'm going to be sick," James whined. "I think I'll just forget about the whole thing."
" 'Forget about the whole thing'? How much have you had to drink, mate?" Sirius asked.
"Nothing!" James answered indignantly.
"Problem identified."
"Don't you dare get him drunk, Padfoot," Remus warned him.
"Of course not. Will you just trust me?"
Remus and Peter exchanged meaningful looks.
"Here's what we're going to do," Sirius said, flinging his arm around his tense friend. "We are going to get a Firewhisky – one Firewhisky," he added, looking at Remus. "Then you are going to Lily and you take her away from all these people. When you're alone, you tell her you love her and then you propose to her. She'll say yes, because she loves you too and wants to marry you and make lots of mini-Jamesies."
"You really think so, Sirius?" James asked timidly.
"Yes, James. Not a doubt in my mind," Sirius answered.
"Right. I can do this," James said and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Now where's that Firewhisky?"
Ten minutes later Sirius found Niamh. She looked suspiciously at him. "What are you smirking about?"
"Nothing." He kissed her temple. " Come on, I want you to meet James's parents."
They walked to an elderly couple. It was easy to see where James got his genes from. Sirius introduced Niamh to Roger Potter, an elder version of James, glasses and messy hair included.
"Sirius, dear, are you coming over for lunch this Sunday?" Abigail Potter asked.
"Of course, Abby. You know I can't go long without your cooking skills," Sirius smiled.
"Would that have something to do with your own cooking skills, or rather your lack of them?" Abby retorted with twinkling eyes. "I'm so flattered."
"It's your company I don't want to miss," he said, flashing a charming smile at his best friend's mother.
"Still the charmer, I see," Roger grinned.
"Nobody can resist me," Sirius replied cockily.
"Wanna bet?" Niamh challenged him.
"You're on."
"Oh, you have no idea what you've just gotten yourself into," Abby said, patting Niamh's hand.
"Abby Potter, you'd think you don't like me, the way you talk about me," Sirius said indignantly.
"Of course I like you," Abby soothed. "It's just that sometimes you need to be…"
"…restrained and hospitalized?" Niamh finished.
"Thank you, Nicky," Sirius growled.
"You're most welcome," Niamh grinned back, batting her eyelashes at him.
"On second thought, maybe I should warn you about her, Sirius. She looks well capable of handling you," Abby commented.
"That she does," Sirius admitted. "If you'll excuse us, it's about time I asked her to dance with me."
Sirius led Niamh to the small dance floor and twirled her around. He told her the names of the Muggle bands, whose music was playing. Rolling Stones, Meat Loaf, Bee Gees, ABBA. Sirius laughed at her expression when he told her the strange names.
They were dancing to a particularly slow song of the Commodores, when the music suddenly stopped. James and Lily were holding hands, beaming almost impossibly wide.
"He did it!" Sirius whispered.
"Did what?" Niamh whispered back.
"Shh."
James cleared his throat. "Tonight I've finally found the courage to do something I should've done a long time ago."
Sirius noticed Abby clasping her hands in front of her mouth. Her eyes began to glisten.
"I've asked Lily to marry me." James ruffled his hair with a shy grin. "I don't know what happened, but she said yes."
"James Potter, shy," Sirius said, shaking his head. "I thought I'd never live to see the day."
"We're getting married!" James finished. Lily kissed him. Sirius whistled loudly in approval.
People began moving towards the happy couple to congratulate them. When Niamh and Sirius reached them, James pulled his friend in a tight hug. "Thanks, Padfoot."
"Any time, mate. Any time."
They looked at Niamh and Lily, who were making excited squeaks while looking at the ring. "Women," they said simultaneously.
The rest of the evening was spent in an elated atmosphere. After the last guests had left, the Marauders, Niamh, and Lily dropped exhausted into chairs.
Gideon had turned Niamh back to her normal self. He had waited until all the guests had left and pointed his wand at Niamh. "The one who has done the transfiguring has to turn it back. Silence, please. I have to perform the incredibly complicated spell called…"
Niamh shut her eyes tightly.
"…finite incantatem!"
Niamh opened her eyes. "Are you kidding me?"
"Nope," Gideon grinned. "Goodnight, love."
"Night," Niamh replied. "Oh, and Gideon? Thanks. It meant a lot to me."
"You're welcome," Gideon smiled. "Bye."
Niamh walked to the sofa where Sirius was sitting, ruffling her hair that had turned red and wild again, and sat next to him.
Remus smiled when he saw them cuddle up to each other, Sirius draping an arm around her shoulders.
"I'm so bloody tired," Peter yawned.
"Me too," James agreed.
"Here's to James and Lily," Sirius toasted. "It may not have been love at first sight – for Lily, at least – but it's definitely going to last. And to the Marauders, who have endured Prongs's whining for many years and are very happy to see his life's wish fulfilled."
Everybody drank to that.
"You know, it wasn't love at first sight with us either," Niamh said sleepily.
"No, it was lust at first sight," Sirius answered.
"Was not," Niamh frowned.
"It was for me."
"That's sick, Sirius. We've known each other since we were toddlers."
"Yeah, but you were a very hot toddler. Freckles, nose high in the air, that red hair flying all over the place. It has calmed down since then… Well, slightly."
"Excuse me, but we can't all have perfect hair like you," Niamh huffed.
"So you think I have perfect hair."
"You're an insufferable git, that's what I think."
"You love me," Sirius stated contently.
Remus smiled when he saw his friend drop a kiss in Niamh's hair. It surprised him how gentle Sirius could be at times. He probably wasn't even aware of it himself.
Remus caught James's look. They grinned at each other. Life was good tonight.
