Be Here Now

Disclaimer: You should know this by now.

A/N: I honestly cannot believe that this is chapter twenty-two. It seems surreal. Like I just started this story yesterday. But I didn't. Ha-ha! Anyway, my replies:

DeLiLoMaNe: What can I say, I like drama. Lol but yeah, I think I did layer it on too thickly. Thanks for reviewing!

Eclare LJ and Percabeeth: That was Sirius and Hilary! I'm so sorry if that caused any confusion, but we'll get to L/J soon…

thepottersheir: Thank you so much!

And now, chapter twenty-two!

x.o.x.o.x.

"Okay, that's great. We're done," announces Lily, setting down her quill. As usual, she had been the recorder while the Marauders and the girls planned their revenge prank on Maya.

"Too bad Pete can't join us," Sirius muses.

Hilary bites her lip. "Maybe we can get some of his advice when we go back to Hogwarts."

"When is this taking place, anyway?" Alice asks.

"A week after our return. We should let the professors think that this is going to be a stress-free, prank-free term, and then we attack," James replies.

"If we get caught, you better not own up," Sirius says warningly to Lily, Hilary, James, and Remus. "You could lose your badges. Well, not Lily-petal or Hils, but we need you four on authority."

Remus waves off his worries. "Quit worrying, Sirius."

Lily leans forward, her eyes glittering. "So what's going on with you and Sirius, Hilary?"

Hilary blinks and flushes, while Sirius pointedly looks away.

"What?" Alice and Remus exclaim.

"During our little snowball fight, James and I caught these two kissing," Lily giggles.

"LILY!" yells Hilary.

Lily laughs. "Love you too, Hilary."

"So what is going on?" Alice persists slyly.

"Nothing," Sirius answers quickly.

Watching their best friend's face, though, Lily and Alice sees Hilary's face fall for just a split second.

"Yeah, nothing," Hilary echoes. Now James can hear the disappointment in her voice, as much as she tried to hide it.

"Okay, let's go get ready," Lily declares, rising. She may have started the conversation, but Hilary looked really awkward now and disappointed. She wanted to delve into this more, in private.

The guys look at them in awe. "It's only two! The ball starts at seven! You need five hours to get ready?" cries Sirius.

"You're not girls. So just sit back," Hilary responds, and drags her best friends from the room.

x.o.x.o.x.

"Who's the best at makeup?" Hilary asks once they arrive in her large room.

Lily walks over to the middle of the room and sits on the ground. "I don't know."

Alice shrugs, perching in a moon chair. "I'm okay at applying makeup."

"I love makeup, but not too much and I'm not too good at the amounts," Hilary says. "Lily?"

Lily shrugs. "I could do perfectly fine."

"Okay, so Alice can get dressed and ready first, and then I can, and finally Lily," Hilary finishes.

"Good plan," Alice agrees.

"Okay, showers. Go, Alice," orders Hilary.

Alice obliges.

x.o.x.o.x.

Alice had opted for white instead of blue. It is a slinky dress that clings to her figure and stops above her knee. On her feet are silver chunky heels. Her brown hair is twisted into an elegant bun at the top of her head. Her eyes are enhanced by mascara and eye shadow. Lipstick had been slapped across her pale lips. She looked beautiful.

Hilary had chosen to go with blue. It was a deep midnight blue and was the same length of Alice's, with a white curlicue decorating the hem. On her feet are blue flats. Her jet-black curls are left free- falling down her back. Her amazing hazel eyes sparkle under gold lids and light mascara. As her lips were already quite red, she left those alone. She too looked stunning.

Lily had chosen to wear a baby blue dress. Its top clung to her figure like Alice's, showing off every curve she had, but as it went lower, it fanned out if she twirled. On her feet are sky blue strappy heels. Her deep red waves are pulled back with a silver hair clip that had been a Christmas present. Her glittering green eyes stand out under flared eyelashes. Her lips are dusted with a pearly pink gloss. It was hard to imagine her living in that alley.

"Jewelry!" declares Hilary.

Lily waves her wand, Summoning her jewelry box that was bursting with her presents. She flips it open. "Take whatever you want."

Alice goes first, selecting carefully. She chooses diamond studs, a matching necklace, and a matching bracelet.

Hilary goes next, selecting just as carefully. She chooses sapphire studs, a matching necklace, and a matching ring.

Lily goes last. She selects pale sapphire studs, a matching necklace, a matching ring, and a matching bracelet.

"Let's hit the road, ladies," Alice says in a posh manner.

And with laughter, the three girls head downstairs, where the Marauders and Potter adults were probably waiting.

x.o.x.o.x.

"Damn," Sirius hisses.

James nods in vigorous agreement.

Remus just shakes his head at them, while Dorcas grins. Her Gryffindor friends look brilliant.

Frank nods as well.

Lily laughs. "I heard that, Sirius."

Sirius pouts. "It's true!"

Hilary grins. "What can I say? We have talent."

Alice simply giggles and strides to Frank's side.

Natalia bustles into the foyer, looking very pretty as well in a white evening gown. "Wonderful! Girls, you all look fantastic! Are you ready?"

"Thank you, Mrs. Potter," Dorcas replies.

"Yeah, Mum, we're ready," Hilary says.

Natalia nods. "CHARLES!"

Charles appears right away. "Let's get going. Floo, Portkey, or Apparate?"

"Apparation, I think," Lily says.

"Floo," argues James.

"Apparation is quicker and it won't mess up our dresses," Hilary says, siding with Lily.

"Soot is bad," agrees Dorcas.

"I think Portkey," Frank suggests.

"But Portkeys have to be Ministry-approved," Remus points out.

"One simple question and everyone blows up," mutters Charles.

Natalia rolls her eyes. "Portkey it is. And we do have it approved, Remus. Here."

She produces a bright blue tennis ball.

"Three… two… one…"

x.o.x.o.x.

They land at the same time in the Ministry, where the ballroom is already bustling. The teenagers scan the crowd eagerly to try to find some people they know.

"Minnie!" Sirius squeals in a very girly manner.

Natalia laughs as Minerva McGonagall strides over to them. "I suppose I can let it slip for today, Black, as we aren't at school," McGonagall says, eyes smiling.

"How have you been, Minerva?" Natalia questions.

"Very well, thank you, Natalia. And you?"

"Great. Having all the kids around for Christmas makes it more joyous," Natalia confesses.

"Yes, and these children do need joy," McGonagall says, surveying them sternly.

Natalia's back straightens. "Yes, I was wondering, Minerva. What happened earlier this year with my son?"

James pales alarmingly.

McGonagall looks incredulous. "He didn't tell you?"

"No, nobody says a word to me anymore."

"Potter, I think you should tell your mum."

James sighs overdramatically. "Mum, earlier this year, Maya Santiago drugged me with a potion that works sort of like the Imperius Curse. I was under her bidding and was a completely jerk to my mates and the girls. But being the clever witch she is, Lily figured it out and gave me the antidote."

Natalia looks stricken.

"It was perfectly harmless," Lily is quick to assure her.

"Except for our egos," mutters Sirius.

Hilary glares at him. "Your ego needs no more inflating," she hisses.

Charles and Natalia scold James soundly until he slinks away, ashamed.

Alice laughs. "Amazing how a seventeen-year-old could get so embarrassed by his parents."

x.o.x.o.x.

Everyone had a great night, but there were no romantic acts except for from Frank and Alice, of course. Dorcas and Remus were quite shy, but they obviously were taken with each other. Sirius and Hilary maintained their usual relationship: banter, laughter, and light insults. James and Lily acted the same way.

"You know, the Aurors were fully expecting an attack," Natalia says as the happy group gathers around the Portkey.

Little Isabel had been left with a friend of Natalia's.

"It would make sense. After all, it would be a gathering of exceptionally talented wizards and witches," Lily points out.

"You think like an Auror," compliments Charles.

"Lily's the brightest witch in our year," boasts Hilary.

Lily just snorts.

"Three… two… one…"

x.o.x.o.x.

"Oh my Merlin."

"Bloody hell!"

"Damn!"

"Oh gosh."

"Dear Merlin help us."

"That's just… just vile!"

Potter Manor was good as destroyed. Half the ceiling had caved in. Rubble was scattered in every room. Furniture was demolished. It looked a right wreck.

"Oh Merlin," gasps Natalia.

"Mum, it'll be okay," James says, walking over to console his mother.

"ISABEL! Where is my baby girl?" Natalia shrieks hysterically.

"Mum, it's okay. We left Izzy with your friend Greta, remember?" Hilary says gently, also treading the debris to get to her mother.

"But the manor," she gasps.

"Dear, have you forgotten? We're Potters. We have many properties scattered across the globe," comforts Charles.

The others turn awkwardly from the family scene. Lily feels a tug at her heart, but she lets it go. She would never be part of that type of scene again.

"Um, Mr. Potter…"

Charles turns from his wife. "Yes, Frank?"

Frank points to a scroll of parchment not far away. It was nestled deep inside the rubble, but still visible.

Curiously, Charles walks over.

x.o.x.o.x.

A/N: Well, what is it? I'm afraid you'll have to leave three reviews (at least a total of 65) before you can find out! I am also thinking of starting a Reading Harry Potter fic, but I'm not sure. I love writing, and it would keep me busy if I had more than one story going at once. But we'll see. So leave reviews, and maybe you can find out! Until chapter twenty-three…

~TrueLoveIs4ever