Beautiful Mistake Chapter Eight
Midnight
News of the fight between Chloe and Sirius had spread like wild fire by dinner time – apparently Allison Wood was not only loose with the boys. Chloe found that her every move was scrutinized by the female population of Hogwarts, even the male population. Though Chloe was uncomfortable underneath the constant attention, Lily seemed to not notice it at all; it was either that or she was just happy to have someone to share the 'glory' with. She had still not spoken to James unless you counted the numerous times she had said, "Not right now James," that day.
So together they sat at the Gryffindor table close to the Double doors eating their dinner, patiently listening to Kathy jabber on about how horrible Professor McGonagall was for giving them a five foot long essay due by next Thursday.
"I never understood why you continued with Transfiguration – I don't think there has ever been a day when you haven't complained about how horrible the subject was." Nadine muttered, stabbing her potatoes with her fork.
"My mother wanted me to take it, she say's it will look good on record." Kathy explained sadly.
"I doubt that an 'A' will look good on your record." Nadine grinned.
Kathy looked hurt, and she went to retort, but Lily stepped in. "Leave her alone, Nadine. Just because she is actually trying to achieve something doesn't mean you can poke fun at her."
Nadine looked annoyed, but said nothing and the two girls were silent. It seemed Lily had a strange control over the two. Chloe watched for a moment as Kathy played with her food, a sad look on her face – something that was not ordinarily there. Looking back at Lily, she noticed the look on Lily's face as well, and she looked as if she had just remembered something horrible. Bewildered, Chloe asked what was wrong.
"I just remembered I have patrolling duties with James." Lily told her grudgingly.
"Oh good, you two can talk." Kathy said, back to her bubbly self.
"Correction," Chloe looked at Lily, "This is a good time to prove to him just how angry you are with him."
Lily nodded, and gave a faint smile before pushing her plate away. "I'm not feeling too hungry." She said dimly.
"Do you think Andrew Davies has grown quite cute over the summer?" Kathy blurted out, her eyes watching a tall boy with boyish looks laughing, and taking a seat at the Ravenclaw table.
"Is that all you can ever talk about?" Nadine groaned, dropping her fork dramatically on the table.
"Of course it is, I am a girl." Kathy said a-matter-of-factly.
"Are you saying that I am not a girl because I don't talk about boy's all the time?" Nadine asked, her mouth moving quickly and sharply.
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Kathy grinned.
"You are so annoying sometimes." Nadine grumbled, picking up her fork again.
Laughing a little, Chloe turned to her own food. It was always the same with those two. Back and forth until one gave up, and leaving the other one to laugh. Even though Chloe was never close to the girls, she would often sit with them during meal times when Remus would try and 'have some time with the boys' as she would refer to it much to his displeasure, and enjoy how funny they could be.
When Chloe finished eating she stood up, leaving the girls and headed towards the double doors, glad to have a break from the constant securitization. As she reached the staircase leading up to the fourth floor, she heard the sound of running feet and looked back to see Remus running to catch up with her.
"Are you going to tell me to go talk to Sirius?" she asked, her eyebrows raised and paused to let him catch his breath.
Remus shook his head. "No, I just wanted to know if you wanted to go to the library, like old times?"
Grinning, Chloe nodded. "Yes," she said and together they started to walk up the stairs. "I'm glad you decided to go with that idea, as I really do not feel like talking about Sirius right now."
"Fine then," Remus agreed, "What would you like to talk about?"
Chloe grinned, glancing at Remus. "How about all the things I have missed? For example, how on Earth did James ever manage to get Lily to go out with him?" she asked, curious.
Sighing, Remus went on. "Now, that is a long story."
"Well you can start at the beginning." Chloe ventured as they turned down a corridor, the library doors only a few yards away.
"The beginning, huh," Remus murmured as they passed Madame Pince, making sure that they did not walk too loudly. When they had passed five rows of books, and gone a little deeper into the library, he spoke a little louder. "Since you already know why Lily wouldn't give him a chance, I should tell you why she did." Remus said, just as they turned the corner and found the usual spot they would sit. Taking a seat in the first big chair, he waited for Chloe to sit in the other.
"What an idea?" she said, facing Remus.
Remus chuckled lightly, and got more comfortable. "It was really near the end of fifth year that it started. Don't you remember how Lily actually chose to be partners with James instead of Snape? Everyone figured it was because they had had a fight – everyone knew something was going on between the two. Well, James was actually trying really hard not to be a jerk, and he managed it for most of the year right up until exams." Remus paused, and Chloe's mind raced back to her worst year and remembered what Remus was talking about.
He was talking about when James had humiliated Snape in front of the whole school, and Snape had called Lily a Mudblood. Chloe remembered that day because Lily had been crying in the privacy of her bed up in the Gryffindor girl's dormitory. Kathy and Nadine had been kind enough to give her privacy, letting only Lily's younger friend Mary-Rose inside and than Lily came out, angrily. She left the common room for fifteen minutes, returning to only look even angrier.
"That was the end of Snape, I suppose. Sixth year she ended up being paired with James, and he learned from his mistakes and stopped being a jerk all together. That's why they started dating, James finally was what Lily wanted and needed." Remus concluded.
"So why did he throw the party, if he knew Lily wouldn't like it?" Chloe asked bewildered. She knew James could be ignorant, doing what he thinks is best rather than listening and finding out, but if he already knew Lily wouldn't like having a party, than why did he go along with it anyway.
"I thought you figured that out – Sirius had started it, and convinced James that Lily would like it. Sirius has been more reckless this year than he has since-" Remus stopped mid-sentence and stared at Chloe, and look of realization washing over his face. "Why didn't I see it? Sirius was just trying to get you all riled up through Lily. He can be such a-"
"What in the bloody hell are you talking about?" Chloe interrupted, confused. "Are you honestly trying to link this to the fact that Sirius is a slag because I 'broke his heart'? I think you're just trying to make excuses for James and Sirius."
Remus sighed. "Believe what you want Chloe, that's just what I think. Sirius has been doing some strange things since James told him you were coming back. Sirius-"
"Can we not talk about Sirius?" Chloe broke in. Remus looked a little hurt, but nodded. Feeling a little bad, Chloe gave him a small smile. "So how was your first day back?"
Remus shook his head, looking down. "Between James and you-know-who, I had to listen to Peter about his inability to catch Kathy's attention."
Laughing out loud at Remus' expression, Chloe sunk even further into her seat. "Do I really want to hear about this?" Chloe cocked her brow at Remus.
"Trust me, I will not go any deeper." Remus smirked. "But I will say this, Peter has fancied Kathy since she tutored him last year in Charms, and that she was giving him 'signs' – whatever that means – that she had the same feelings. I think she was just being overly nice and he got the wrong impression, but Peter has been doing everything he can today to catch her attention."
"Which he has obviously failed at," Chloe interjected, and frowned. "Poor Peter, hasn't got a clue, does he?"
Remus shrugged. "It is probably better that way."
Chloe nodded in agreement, and glanced at Remus' watch. "What time is it?"
Remus looked at his watch and read, "Nearing nine o'clock. Why do you want to know?"
Chloe sat up. "I've got to give Lily a 'pep talk' before she spends her evening with James patrolling."
Remus nodded. "I guess I should go give James some tips," Remus stood up, and turned to lead the way, "Or should I say hints?"
Chloe grinned, following Remus. They walked in silence passing the towering books cases as they made their way to the front of the Library. Madame Pince paid them no attention except giving them a small smile as they said hello – the most anyone got for the act. Once they exited the Library, Chloe faced Remus. "Don't tell James or… you-know-who that we were talking, okay?"
Remus nodded. "I haven't forgotten your rule," Remus reminded her, emphasizing on the last part.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like I'm a little kid."
"Sometimes you act like one," Remus retorted, and leaned into hug his friend. "Until we meet again," he laughed.
"Shut up Remus, it's not like I pretend I don't know you." Chloe pushed him away, but grinning.
"Maybe you should start," A deep voice seethed from behind Chloe.
Whirling around to see who had spoken, Chloe frowned when she saw that it was Severus Snape who wore a sly smirk on his face.
"Go away Snape," Chloe said levelly. She had nothing against the boy – or man you could say – only that he did more damage than good half the time when it came to her friends.
"Well, I would never want to be a friend with a-"
"Stop Severus," a new voice cut in, this time one much more female. Lily had appeared behind Severus, and passed him, only glancing at Chloe and Remus as she did. "Go back to the Slytherin Common Room and talk to those who actually care."
Snape's face darkened, a sneer spreading across his thin lips. But he was not looking at Lily, but at Chloe.
"Don't think you can hide him for ever." He finished sharply. He turned on his heel, and abiding by what Lily had told him, he walked quickly to the stairwell that led to the first floor.
Chloe felt her stomach churn as she processed what Snape had said. He couldn't be talking about Ryan, could he? How could he possibly know about that? Had he seen Ryan, and heard what she had said that day at the Leaky Cauldron? It couldn't be possible, she hadn't seen him any where near! Behind her, she felt Remus move closer, and put his hand on her shoulder.
Lily looked back at Chloe and Remus, frowning but did not look suspicious. "I'm sorry Remus, he's just mad because I still won't talk to him."
"It's alright Lily, you don't need to be sorry." Remus replied, and pushed Chloe forward, his hand still on her shoulder.
"Chloe, are you all right?" Lily asked meeting them half way.
Chloe shook herself out of her shocked state, and looked at Lily. "Yeah, I'm fine." She said quickly.
Lily looked unsure, and took over Remus' role as a consoler. "Don't worry, Chloe. I know about Remus' problem, there's nothing to worry about."
Chloe turned her head sharply to Lily and back at Remus. He nodded, his eyes willing her to go along with what Lily had said. He knew exactly what Chloe was thinking, and had the same worried expression in his eyes.
"Oh," Chloe forced herself to say putting a smile on her face, "Good, I was worried."
Lily smiled; glad to see that her friend was okay. "Yeah, I found out last year." Lily went on, turning to the stairwell at the other end of the corridor. "It took forever though – James had always been so protective over 'the secret'. But eventually, Remus clued me in."
Chloe nodded, still a little frozen from how close her secret had come to being revealed in the worst possible way. She doubted that Snape would spread his information because he would probably want to keep it so he could use it in his advantage later – which didn't scare Chloe too much right now.
"Well, I'm going to go find James." Remus said as the trio reached the sixth floor.
"Send him to the Common room at nine-thirty." Lily told Remus as he walked the other way, and looked at Chloe. "I'm not sure what I should tell him."
"What do you mean?" Chloe asked, cautiously.
Lily looked down as they walked. "I think that I'm going to ask him if we can take a break."
Chloe stopped walking, looking at Lily closely. "Are you sure you want that?"
Lily stopped walking a few feet ahead. She didn't look at Chloe, but out the closest window. "I've thought about it… all day." She slowly turned to face Chloe. "I love James a lot, but I think he needs to have some time and grow up." Lily's lip trembled and a tear cascaded down her cheek.
Chloe rushed to her friend, wrapping her arms around her. All thoughts of Snape's possible knowledge left behind, Chloe pulled her friend into the closest room and sat down on one of the desks with Lily that we're pushed against the wall. Before Chloe could say anything though, Lily pushed her away lightly.
"There's no use crying over it." Lily mumbled, wiping away her tears. Pushing her fringe behind her ears she slid off the desk regaining her composer as she did so and looked at Chloe. "Thanks Chloe," she smiled weakly, "I should go." She turned towards the door, and without a backwards glance she opened the door and left Chloe alone.
Unsure of what do to or of what to think, Chloe stayed still and stared at the stone wall across from the desk she sat on. What in the name of Merlin had just happened? For the first time in a long time Chloe had experienced someone else but herself having a random mood swing.
Sliding off the desk, Chloe left the classroom and made her way to the Gryffindor Common Room, Lily no where to be seen, and tried to straighten out what had just happened in the last hour. Severus Snape had possible knowledge that could destroy everything Chloe had worked so hard to over come. Lily knew about Remus' illness – not surprisingly though. And lastly, Lily was going to semi-end things with James.
Well, she thought, There had been more eventful first weeks before. She caught herself in the thought, stopping half way through the seventh floor staircase which led to the Portrait of the fat lady as she remembered why this was so. Back in her fifth year, only three days into first term Sirius had asked her out to the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. Overcome in shock and happiness the younger Chloe had agreed whole-heartedly.
Chloe quickly wiped away the unwanted tears from her eyes. She had done enough crying, there was no point in it any more. It changed nothing, things were the way they were and she just had to make it through this one year and she would be okay. She and Ryan would be able to live on their own, and live the life Chloe had always imagined herself doing.
"Chloe!" Danielle had turned the corner, and ran towards her sister with a smile on her face.
"What?" Chloe tried to mask her earlier sadness, and smiled as sister hopped to stop in front of her.
"Where have you been all day? I didn't see you at dinner – I was going to ask you what happened with Sirius? Did you really punch him in the face? Not that I'm mad about it, he deserves it really. But did you? – because that would be brilliant!" She stopped for a breath.
Laughing a little, Chloe shook her head no. "I didn't punch him, just gave him a good yell." Chloe stopped herself frowning. "I can't believe it has gotten that distorted."
"Oh pish posh, does it really matter? Though Allison has been spreading half the rumors as she is 'an eye witness of course.'" Danielle laughed, and linked arms with her sister. "So I saw you got a letter this morning, how's Ryan?"
"Good," Chloe said looking around her for anyone nearby. "So what have you done to Allison?" Chloe said looking at her sister sternly. If she knew her sister, it was that she would not let Allison Wood – her least favourite house-mate – get away with what she had done.
Danielle only grinned. "You'll see in the morning."
Chloe dropped the matter arriving at the Portrait of the Fat Lady. "Go to your common room. Lily will be out any minute, and it's nearly after hours." Chloe told her sister, pushing her along.
"Oh yeah, because I really care," Danielle rolled her eyes dramatically, and grinned.
"How on Earth did you get into Hufflepuff?" Chloe mumbled as she said the password to the Fat Lady, and the door swung open. Entering the Common Room Chloe went unnoticed, and saw that Remus, Peter, and Sirius were all sitting on the couch and chairs around the fire in silence as Sirius through what looked to be his shoe up in the air and catching it again.
She looked at them for a moment deciding whether she wanted to stop and talk to Remus, than thought against it and went straight to the girl dormitory's where she figured Kathy and Nadine would be arguing over something. It was nearly nine thirty so Lily and James were already gone, and possibly breaking up.
Sure enough, when Chloe entered the Seventh year dorm Nadine and Kathy were arguing loudly about whether Peter Pettigrew fancied Kathy or not. Staying out of it, Chloe changed into her night gown and got comfortable under her heavy cotton duvet. She drew the hangings around half her bed, blocking out the shadow's of Kathy and Nadine, and took out her Charms homework.
Ten minutes in, Chloe felt her eyelids droop, and decided to go to bed. Putting her homework under her bed, she closed the hangings and thought, Nox, and her wand went out. She curled into a ball and fell asleep, her last thought on her baby boy Ryan back home asleep in his bed, his little thumb in his mouth.
"Chloe," the urgent voice ruffled through Chloe's thoughts, and she opened her eyes feeling as if she had just fallen asleep.
In front of her stood Lily, her eyes red and her skin blotchy from the few tears that ran down her face. Taking a minute to take in her surrounding's, Chloe realized it was midnight and that Lily had just come back from rounds.
"It's over," Lily said in a hoarse whisper.
"I'm sorry Lily," Chloe whispered, and pushed her covers back so her friend could slip under. Lying on their sides Chloe wrapped her arms around Lily and held her as she cried. Lily wasn't holding back this time, and Chloe was alright to be there. She was Lily's friend, it was what girl friend's did.
"The worst thing," Lily breathed, "Is he agreed. He was grown up about and said that it was probably for the best." She cried lightly.
"I'm sorry Lily, I really am. I wish this could be easier for you." Chloe soothed.
Finally Lily calmed down enough, and pulled away from Chloe. Not leaving the bed, Lily fell asleep next to Chloe, and soon after Chloe did too.
A/N: First of all, I owe you all a HUGE apology. This chapter was long over due, and should have been out a long time ago. I am so, so so, sorry for taking so long. I do hope you like the chapter, and please keep reading and reviewing. You guys are great!