(A/N) 2 chapters in one day–I'm on a roll! Woohoo! That's why
this is kinda short–and the fact that this is all I wanted to put in this
chapter. Enjoy! Please Review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter...
Ch. 14 Goodbyes
Tara waited a month before she made the bad news public. Despite all of Lily's ideas and letters to the ministry, Tara was still leaving the school for good at the beginning of Christmas break. Even though she was sad, Tara was determined to make the most of her time left at Hogwarts. She studied extra hard and attempted to become friends with the whole school, except for James and Sirius who she still avoided like the plague.
Lucius responded to the news terribly at first, raving that he could get his father ot make the ministry change their minds. When a surprised Tara was able to calm him down, he began being extra nice to her and even civil to Lily while Tara was around. Severus was obviously very depressed about the news, but tried to forget about it. He seemed to be trying to enjoy the last few months with her.
After bawling her eyes out when Tara had first told her, Lily began to be upbeat with the others. She would be very lonely without her, but it wasn't as if they would never see each other again.
Lily was soon distracted by the upcoming Quidditch game. It was her first game and it happened to be against Gryffindor. She had to play against James, the best Seeker in the school. Severus and Lucius tried to calm her fears by assuring her that they could win even if James caught the snitch if she could hold him off long enough.
This didn't comfort her enough, however, and it seemed as if she were in a haze as she walked out onto the field. She was clutching her broom so tight her arm was hurting. At least I have a better broom that James does, she thought weakly.
Minutes passed as she was inside her haze and the next thing she knew, she was in the air searching for a glimpse of the golden ball. Minutes that now felt like hours passed. She needed to find it. She flew over the field, scouring every corner of the stadium for any sign of the golden snitch.
Just as she was about to panic, she saw hovering near the ground. Immediately, sh went into a power dive, but saw James diving after her. He was more experienced than she was and would most likely beat her. It didn't seem that he had seen the snitch, however, only the sight of her diving. Lily decided to take a chance.
As fast as she could, Lily pulled out of the dive and changed directions. James saw her do this and tried to follow, but in the process, threw himself off balance and ended up hanging from his broom with one hand. While he was busy righting himself again, Lily took off once more, diving after the snitch that had only moved a few feet.
Lily's hand closed around the snitch just as James managed to get back on his broom and realize what had happened. Everyone in the Slytherin side of the stands were cheering and screaming. Lily felt the rush of the applause and without realizing that she had even reached the ground, felt herself being carried off the field on the shoulders of her teammates.
I've beaten James and won the game, she thought, but she didn't know which made her happier.
***
A few weeks after the game, a dark rumor began to be circulated throughout the school. There was apparently a wizard who hated muggles and was beginning to gain power. Some rumors even said that he felt that all muggles should be killed and wanted to take matters into his own hands.
According to the rumors, this wizard Voldemort's beliefs were being published in pamphlets and were available to any pureblood who sought them out. Lily didn't really believe this rumor because she had never seen one of them, but still, the rumors were disconcerting.
When James came up to her, looking concerned, however, she was surprised.
"Lily, I know you're mad at me, but please hear me out," he begged, concern etched on his face.
Lily looked at him without saying anything, but nodded slightly in surprise.
"Thanks," he said. "I'm worried about you, Lily. I think your life is in danger. This ... Voldemort's ...followers could try to hurt you because you're...muggle born."
Lily laughed slightly. "Thank you for your concern, James Potter, but I think I'm perfectly safe at Hogwarts. Besides, there are a lot of muggle borns here; why are you so worried about me?"
"Because you're in Slytherin!" he exclaimed.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Lily asked, slightly annoyed.
"That's where the beliefs of Voldemort are taking the most hold," he explained. "Think about it. They're all pure bloods and most of them hate muggle borns. Even Snape, who claims to be your friend, called you a mudblood," he rushed on, sounding more and more worried by the minute.
"You don't know Severus!" Lily yelled at him. She was about to yell more, but when she looked at his face she saw that he was really concerned for her. Her expression and tone softened. "Look James, I know you don't believe it," she said slowly, "but I'm sure Severus would never let anyone hurt me."
This didn't seem to make James feel any better, but he nodded. "Just take care of yourself, ok?" he said softly and, after she nodded, walked off down the hallway.
***
No matter how much Lily tried to pretend the fact that Tara had to leave wasn't true, the day finally came. Tara's friends decided to throw a huge all-night goodbye party for her, and the headmaster had even agreed to let them use the Great Hall and invite many students, as long as they were chaperoned.
It was a grand party with tons of food and pumpkin juice, all of the students from Ravenclaw house, and many students from the three other houses. Tara had even allowed James and Sirius to be invited and said a friendly goodbye to them, but made it clear that the score between them still wasn't settled.
Hours later, after drinking what seemed like gallons of pumpkin juice and eating all they could and more, all but five students returned to their dormitories to get some sleep. Tara headed off to the train platform with Lily, Severus, Lucius, and Jessica. They were going there to say their final goodbyes.
On special request from Tara, Lily was allowed by the Head Master to accompany her on the train, but one friend was all they allowed.
Tara said goodbye to Jessica first, giving her a small hug.
"Thank you for being my friend," Jessica said, tears welling up in her eyes. "You've really helped me in my life...and were there for me, even though I was so rude to you years ago..."
Tara smiled at her. "Don't mention it. You're a great person and it is an honor being your friend. Promise to keep in touch?"
Jessica nodded and Tara moved on to Severus. She gave him a tight hug.
"I'll miss you so much, Sevy," she cried.
Severus sighed and whispered, "I'll miss you too, Tara. Life's not going to be the same here without you."
"Promise to write to me?" Tara asked pulling back and smiling at him.
"Of course," he said smiling back. He then did something that shocked and slightly horrified Lily. He pulled her closer to him and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips, which she returned. They pulled apart after a second and Tara smiled at him with tears in her eyes.
"Take care of Lily for me, ok?" Tara asked him quietly.
He nodded after a second and Tara walked off to Lucius. She gave him a small hug and then pulled back.
"Will you be able to behave yourself while I'm not here?" she asked him, grinning.
"Probably not, but then again, have I ever really behaved myself, Tara?" he asked with a wicked grin on his face. He then grabbed her and pulled her into a long passionate kiss. Everyone's eyes, including Tara's, widened in shock.
When she finally was able to pull herself away from him, she asked in a breathless voice, "What was that all about?"
He grinned at her again. "You're one of the prettiest girls in the school, you're from a good family, you're brilliant, funny, did I mention pretty? What more reason did I need?"
"You know, if I wasn't leaving, I would have slapped you without asking why..." she said shaking her head slightly.
He grinned his wicked grin again, "Why do you think I waited until now? Take care of yourself, beautiful."
She looked at him a minute as if thinking of a proper response. "You too, Luc," Tara finally said wryly, taking a step towards the train.
Lily shivered. That boy creeped her out.
Tara then walked over to the train with Lily and waved to her friends and the school. "Good bye everyone!" she said loudly, and then added in a whisper, "Goodbye, Hogwarts." before turning away.
***
As soon as Tara sat down on the train, she said in between laughs, "Now don't freak out, Lily, but you did say you wanted me to tell you first. Severus kissed me."
"I noticed," Lily said dryly.
"Now don't be that way, Lily," Tara sighed. "You know he's yours. Always has been and probably always will be."
Lily started in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Tara smiled ruefully. "Severus loves me as a friend, no more. That kiss was just a friendly kiss. I realized a little while ago that he is yours...he loves you...and I hope you'll be very happy together," she finished with a flourish before adding quickly, "Oh and I want to be a bridesmaid by the way!"
Lily laughed. "What? A bridesmaid? Tara, you're insane!"
"Maybe, Lily, but I hope I'm right about this," she grinned. "I was right about Remus, after all. Besides, I can't think of anything better than me being right this time."
"What about you?" Lily asked, incredulously. "I thought you liked Severus?"
"I'll get over it," Tara said sighing slightly. "Besides you two are much better for each other. I'm moving to France anyways; I'm sure I can pick up a French hottie. Even if that doesn't work out, I guess Lucius is interested..." she broke off in a fit of laughter.
"I swear, I've never been so shocked in my whole life," Lily said giggling back.
"You've never been so shocked? How do you think I felt?" she asked.
She sat there thinking for a moment as their laughter subsided. "He's a strange boy," Tara said softly. "He has good in him, but I worry for him. I hope Severus will be able to keep him out of trouble."
"Or Lucius will drag Sev into trouble with him," Lily said slowly.
Tara looked at Lily for a moment. "Now that's what I'm counting on you for," she pleaded, sounding serious. "Make sure those boys don't kill themselves, won't you?"
"I'll do my best, but I make no guarantees," Lily said giggling.
Eventually, the train arrived at the station, and Lily helped Tara get her trunk.
"You're the best friend ever, Lily!" Tara said giving Lily a hug.
"No, you are!" Lily said, trying to keep herself rom crying.
Tara laughed. "Now we can't start fighting at a time like this!"
"Ok," Lily said, laughing back, "We'll just agree that we're both great friends..."
Tara grinned, but then sighed. "Lily, you better write me every day and tell me all the news because I'm sure the boys will forget!"
"I will!" Lily promised.
"Everything!" she continued. "Even if it seems unimportant to you...I want to know!"
Lily giggled. "I'll even tell you what I had for breakfast."
"Especially that," Tara said laughing back.
Just then, a porter came and picked up her trunk.
"Better hurry, Miss, you have to catch the next train."
"Ok, thanks," Tara said quietly, taking a step towards him.
"Bye, Lily," Tara said, one last time.
"Bye, Tara," Lily said, trying to smile.
Tara looked back one last time before she disappeared into the crowd.
(A/N) Exit Tara, my only character...lol
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter...
Ch. 14 Goodbyes
Tara waited a month before she made the bad news public. Despite all of Lily's ideas and letters to the ministry, Tara was still leaving the school for good at the beginning of Christmas break. Even though she was sad, Tara was determined to make the most of her time left at Hogwarts. She studied extra hard and attempted to become friends with the whole school, except for James and Sirius who she still avoided like the plague.
Lucius responded to the news terribly at first, raving that he could get his father ot make the ministry change their minds. When a surprised Tara was able to calm him down, he began being extra nice to her and even civil to Lily while Tara was around. Severus was obviously very depressed about the news, but tried to forget about it. He seemed to be trying to enjoy the last few months with her.
After bawling her eyes out when Tara had first told her, Lily began to be upbeat with the others. She would be very lonely without her, but it wasn't as if they would never see each other again.
Lily was soon distracted by the upcoming Quidditch game. It was her first game and it happened to be against Gryffindor. She had to play against James, the best Seeker in the school. Severus and Lucius tried to calm her fears by assuring her that they could win even if James caught the snitch if she could hold him off long enough.
This didn't comfort her enough, however, and it seemed as if she were in a haze as she walked out onto the field. She was clutching her broom so tight her arm was hurting. At least I have a better broom that James does, she thought weakly.
Minutes passed as she was inside her haze and the next thing she knew, she was in the air searching for a glimpse of the golden ball. Minutes that now felt like hours passed. She needed to find it. She flew over the field, scouring every corner of the stadium for any sign of the golden snitch.
Just as she was about to panic, she saw hovering near the ground. Immediately, sh went into a power dive, but saw James diving after her. He was more experienced than she was and would most likely beat her. It didn't seem that he had seen the snitch, however, only the sight of her diving. Lily decided to take a chance.
As fast as she could, Lily pulled out of the dive and changed directions. James saw her do this and tried to follow, but in the process, threw himself off balance and ended up hanging from his broom with one hand. While he was busy righting himself again, Lily took off once more, diving after the snitch that had only moved a few feet.
Lily's hand closed around the snitch just as James managed to get back on his broom and realize what had happened. Everyone in the Slytherin side of the stands were cheering and screaming. Lily felt the rush of the applause and without realizing that she had even reached the ground, felt herself being carried off the field on the shoulders of her teammates.
I've beaten James and won the game, she thought, but she didn't know which made her happier.
***
A few weeks after the game, a dark rumor began to be circulated throughout the school. There was apparently a wizard who hated muggles and was beginning to gain power. Some rumors even said that he felt that all muggles should be killed and wanted to take matters into his own hands.
According to the rumors, this wizard Voldemort's beliefs were being published in pamphlets and were available to any pureblood who sought them out. Lily didn't really believe this rumor because she had never seen one of them, but still, the rumors were disconcerting.
When James came up to her, looking concerned, however, she was surprised.
"Lily, I know you're mad at me, but please hear me out," he begged, concern etched on his face.
Lily looked at him without saying anything, but nodded slightly in surprise.
"Thanks," he said. "I'm worried about you, Lily. I think your life is in danger. This ... Voldemort's ...followers could try to hurt you because you're...muggle born."
Lily laughed slightly. "Thank you for your concern, James Potter, but I think I'm perfectly safe at Hogwarts. Besides, there are a lot of muggle borns here; why are you so worried about me?"
"Because you're in Slytherin!" he exclaimed.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Lily asked, slightly annoyed.
"That's where the beliefs of Voldemort are taking the most hold," he explained. "Think about it. They're all pure bloods and most of them hate muggle borns. Even Snape, who claims to be your friend, called you a mudblood," he rushed on, sounding more and more worried by the minute.
"You don't know Severus!" Lily yelled at him. She was about to yell more, but when she looked at his face she saw that he was really concerned for her. Her expression and tone softened. "Look James, I know you don't believe it," she said slowly, "but I'm sure Severus would never let anyone hurt me."
This didn't seem to make James feel any better, but he nodded. "Just take care of yourself, ok?" he said softly and, after she nodded, walked off down the hallway.
***
No matter how much Lily tried to pretend the fact that Tara had to leave wasn't true, the day finally came. Tara's friends decided to throw a huge all-night goodbye party for her, and the headmaster had even agreed to let them use the Great Hall and invite many students, as long as they were chaperoned.
It was a grand party with tons of food and pumpkin juice, all of the students from Ravenclaw house, and many students from the three other houses. Tara had even allowed James and Sirius to be invited and said a friendly goodbye to them, but made it clear that the score between them still wasn't settled.
Hours later, after drinking what seemed like gallons of pumpkin juice and eating all they could and more, all but five students returned to their dormitories to get some sleep. Tara headed off to the train platform with Lily, Severus, Lucius, and Jessica. They were going there to say their final goodbyes.
On special request from Tara, Lily was allowed by the Head Master to accompany her on the train, but one friend was all they allowed.
Tara said goodbye to Jessica first, giving her a small hug.
"Thank you for being my friend," Jessica said, tears welling up in her eyes. "You've really helped me in my life...and were there for me, even though I was so rude to you years ago..."
Tara smiled at her. "Don't mention it. You're a great person and it is an honor being your friend. Promise to keep in touch?"
Jessica nodded and Tara moved on to Severus. She gave him a tight hug.
"I'll miss you so much, Sevy," she cried.
Severus sighed and whispered, "I'll miss you too, Tara. Life's not going to be the same here without you."
"Promise to write to me?" Tara asked pulling back and smiling at him.
"Of course," he said smiling back. He then did something that shocked and slightly horrified Lily. He pulled her closer to him and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips, which she returned. They pulled apart after a second and Tara smiled at him with tears in her eyes.
"Take care of Lily for me, ok?" Tara asked him quietly.
He nodded after a second and Tara walked off to Lucius. She gave him a small hug and then pulled back.
"Will you be able to behave yourself while I'm not here?" she asked him, grinning.
"Probably not, but then again, have I ever really behaved myself, Tara?" he asked with a wicked grin on his face. He then grabbed her and pulled her into a long passionate kiss. Everyone's eyes, including Tara's, widened in shock.
When she finally was able to pull herself away from him, she asked in a breathless voice, "What was that all about?"
He grinned at her again. "You're one of the prettiest girls in the school, you're from a good family, you're brilliant, funny, did I mention pretty? What more reason did I need?"
"You know, if I wasn't leaving, I would have slapped you without asking why..." she said shaking her head slightly.
He grinned his wicked grin again, "Why do you think I waited until now? Take care of yourself, beautiful."
She looked at him a minute as if thinking of a proper response. "You too, Luc," Tara finally said wryly, taking a step towards the train.
Lily shivered. That boy creeped her out.
Tara then walked over to the train with Lily and waved to her friends and the school. "Good bye everyone!" she said loudly, and then added in a whisper, "Goodbye, Hogwarts." before turning away.
***
As soon as Tara sat down on the train, she said in between laughs, "Now don't freak out, Lily, but you did say you wanted me to tell you first. Severus kissed me."
"I noticed," Lily said dryly.
"Now don't be that way, Lily," Tara sighed. "You know he's yours. Always has been and probably always will be."
Lily started in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Tara smiled ruefully. "Severus loves me as a friend, no more. That kiss was just a friendly kiss. I realized a little while ago that he is yours...he loves you...and I hope you'll be very happy together," she finished with a flourish before adding quickly, "Oh and I want to be a bridesmaid by the way!"
Lily laughed. "What? A bridesmaid? Tara, you're insane!"
"Maybe, Lily, but I hope I'm right about this," she grinned. "I was right about Remus, after all. Besides, I can't think of anything better than me being right this time."
"What about you?" Lily asked, incredulously. "I thought you liked Severus?"
"I'll get over it," Tara said sighing slightly. "Besides you two are much better for each other. I'm moving to France anyways; I'm sure I can pick up a French hottie. Even if that doesn't work out, I guess Lucius is interested..." she broke off in a fit of laughter.
"I swear, I've never been so shocked in my whole life," Lily said giggling back.
"You've never been so shocked? How do you think I felt?" she asked.
She sat there thinking for a moment as their laughter subsided. "He's a strange boy," Tara said softly. "He has good in him, but I worry for him. I hope Severus will be able to keep him out of trouble."
"Or Lucius will drag Sev into trouble with him," Lily said slowly.
Tara looked at Lily for a moment. "Now that's what I'm counting on you for," she pleaded, sounding serious. "Make sure those boys don't kill themselves, won't you?"
"I'll do my best, but I make no guarantees," Lily said giggling.
Eventually, the train arrived at the station, and Lily helped Tara get her trunk.
"You're the best friend ever, Lily!" Tara said giving Lily a hug.
"No, you are!" Lily said, trying to keep herself rom crying.
Tara laughed. "Now we can't start fighting at a time like this!"
"Ok," Lily said, laughing back, "We'll just agree that we're both great friends..."
Tara grinned, but then sighed. "Lily, you better write me every day and tell me all the news because I'm sure the boys will forget!"
"I will!" Lily promised.
"Everything!" she continued. "Even if it seems unimportant to you...I want to know!"
Lily giggled. "I'll even tell you what I had for breakfast."
"Especially that," Tara said laughing back.
Just then, a porter came and picked up her trunk.
"Better hurry, Miss, you have to catch the next train."
"Ok, thanks," Tara said quietly, taking a step towards him.
"Bye, Lily," Tara said, one last time.
"Bye, Tara," Lily said, trying to smile.
Tara looked back one last time before she disappeared into the crowd.
(A/N) Exit Tara, my only character...lol