SPECIAL CHAPTER
CHAPTER 13: CARNIVAL
Note: This is my first attempt at making light short stories. All of these, of course, are part of the main storyline. Chapter 13 is divided into four segments, each a story on its own.
These occurred prior to the last scene shown in CHAPTER 12. Hope you enjoy… ^_^
For Lily Evans haters, i would recommend that you read Story 4: Dress first. ^_^
Now, on with the show. ^_^
STORY 1: MAGUS TRAINING
Spinner's End August 4, 1976
(Severus POV)
"198…199…200" Severus gasped as he fell down the ground, lying with his face facing the sky.
"Good, you can take a break for now," said the white haired-girl, as she folded her copy of the Daily Prophet. They were currently outside on the yard, under the sun, as Ilya made the boy perform some body-building exercises.
Severus and Ilya had been keeping themselves up to date with the times by subscribing to the Daily Prophet (The white-hair applied for subscription without first consulting Severus. Problem was, there was no arguing against the girl's logic, and the raven-hair was afraid that she might start a tantrum again if he wasn't careful.). From the news posted on the paper, it appears the Scrimgeour has kept his promise.
They never actually made the man swear an Unbreakable Vow, as Ilya decided not to, to show that they trusted the Auror. Ilya and Severus told Rufus about the events in Diagon Alley and the Evans residence, how Ilya held off the Death Eaters long enough for Severus to launch an ambush strike, but managed to evade an explanation of Ilya's magic or where she was from (Even Severus did not yet know all the details, as he did not want to be the one to end up making the girl recall painful memories by inconsiderately asking.), by saying it was complicated and would take too long. Still, the Auror seemed satisfied with the information they shared.
The report stated that seven Death Eaters were caught during two skirmishes of the Ministry and the Dark Lord's supporters, two of whom are still in critical condition and confined at St. Mungus Hospital for medical treatment (Severus felt a chill at this, as he realized that his Bombarda Maxima spell must have caused it, though remembering the circumstances, it can't be helped.).
That was all that was in the news, however, and the raven-haired boy was thankful that Rufus kept his word and prevented any information about them to leak out, specially to the press. And seeing as the Ministry was now on high alert and more active in their campaign against Voldemort, he and his followers would probably be too busy on other things aside from eliminating a couple of underage wizards, a bit talented though they might appear to be.
These things, however, were all but trivial to Severus at the moment, given his current predicament.
True to her word on the deal they made, Ilya has begun teaching Severus about magecraft and the way of the magi. Unfortunately for the raven-haired boy…
"Do…I…really…have…to…do this?" he asked the white-haired girl, panting. "It...it...really...necessary?"
"Oh, yes. Keeping the body fit is a basic requirement for any magus," replied Ilya conversationally. "You need to have a well-thought-of schedule which allows you to have sufficient amount of exercise. You also need to have a healthy diet, well-balanced meal which consists of members of the different food groups. As for you Sev, it appears that you have not yet fulfilled that requirement, which is why I'm taking charge of your daily schedule and routine."
"Well, I don't see you doing any exercise," shot the raven-haired boy to the white-haired girl, who was just standing and observing him.
"For you're information, Sev, the physical exercise I'm doing is actually much more difficult than just a bit jogging and a few stretches," replied the girl.
"Oh, and are you doing it right now, Ilya?"
"Yes I am, Sev."
"You mean standing?" asked Severus sarcastically, slight irritation noticeable in his tone.
A moment of silence passed.
"Sev, stand up," said Ilya, her voice commanding but calm, without even the hint of anger.
Severus got up, thinking that he got his point out.
"Now, take four steps forward, until you are standing right in front of me."
"What?" asked Severus incredulously. Is Ilya teasing me? Is she making fun of me, asking silly requests? thought the raven-haired boy to himself.
"Why should I..?" began the raven-haired boy.
"Just do it," Ilya cut him off, her voice remaining devoid of emotion.
Reluctantly Severus agreed. What? Now that's strange... She should have been shouting at me by now.
"Alright, alright," said Severus, "but I don't really see the point of do…waaaht…?"
As he was about to take another step forward, Severus suddenly fell to his knees, as he felt as if something like a boulder was placed on his back.
"What is this?" he panted, trying to get up, but found that he could not, something invisible was pressing down on him.
"Do you understand now?" asked Ilya. The white-haired girl was now standing immediately in front of him.
Severus merely nodded, too tired and surprised to speak, as he felt the pressure on him lessen.
"This is one reason why you should keep yourself fit," the girl began in her monotone. "Your body should be in good physical condition, so you can react accordingly to unexpected problems you might have to end up facing, like the air suddenly becoming dense and heavy. If those three Death Eater who entered the house two nights ago were in tip-top-shape physically, they might have been able to evade the defenses I made on short notice and flee."
Severus gasped.
So this is one of the spells included in the…what is it again? Boundary Field she created? thought the raven-haired boy.
"Anyway," said Ilya, her voice still surprisingly blank, "It's already eight in the morning. It is time to eat breakfast. I should remind you, though, that this afternoon you will have to jog three times around the areas I've indicated."
Severus was lost for words. He had no objection. Every point Ilya made was solid, everything she asked him to do was undoubtedly with good reason. The white-haired girl did not tell him directly, but she must have been standing in the heavy air all this time, not to mention walking to and fro as she read the newspaper, when Severus could not even stand up.
When they started eating breakfast, though, Ilya was back to her cheerful self.
I guess that must have been Ilya's 'Professor Emiya Persona ' thought Severus. Just like martial law, military training…still that side to her is also kind of cute…
An unbidden image suddenly appeared in Severus mind, in which Ilya was wearing a revealing black gown (Tobias had a stash of not-so-decent Muggle magazines after all, and Severus had read them before), wand in one hand and a black whip in the other, wearing fitting eyeglasses to boot…
"Sev, are you alright?" inquired the white-haired girl, concern obvious in her voice. "Your nose is bleeding…"
"Um, yes I'll be alright," replied Severus quickly. "I'll just go and get a towel to wipe it off."
As Severus left the dining table, he heard Ilya talking.
"Maybe I shouldn't have pushed him so hard at the beginning," the girl was talking to herself, guilt in her voice. "I guess I'll tone down his exercises for now. I'll just gradually increase it as he improves…"
What in Merlin's name is wrong with me? thought Severus to himself, as he wiped the blood from his nose.
The white-haired girl had no idea that the raven-haired boy's bleeding had nothing to do with her training regime.
STORY TWO: REPAIRWOMAN
August 5, 1976
(Ilya POV)
It was four o'clock in the afternoon. While Severus doing running exercises, following the training menu Ilya instructed him to do, the white-haired girl was taking a walk around the neighborhood.
He's been acting weird though, the white-haired girl was musing to herself. Yesterday he was complaining about a lot about the training regime I placed on him, but this morning, he was already panting and his face was red before we could even begin…Sev's breathing started getting heavy the moment he looked me straight in the face…could it be because of the magazine I found under the sofa this morning? That was about a female teacher whip…oh…thought Ilya, blushing as she pondered on her newly-found theory.
Well, Sev's a guy after all, although he's not the type to do anything indecent to a girl. Still, I hope it does not hinder his progress, thought Ilya seriously.
As far as Ilya can tell, they were bound to end up facing against this Voldemort and his minions again in the future. After all the problems they've cause the so-called Dark Lord, it was unlikely that he would let them go. The only reason Ilya could see why they were not yet attacked was because the Death Eaters were too busy dealing with other matters. Having seven of their ranks captured, there was no doubt that Rufus and his Auror pals were taking as much information as they can from the Dark Lord's servants, so Voldemort is forced to keep a low profile for the time being…
"HEY, WATCH OUT!"
Having been deep in thought, Ilya's conscious mind did not notice that she was about to get runover by a car. However, due to all her training, her reflexes reacted and was able to dodge the vehicle just in time, out of harm's way.
The car stopped. Then, it's two passengers (a balding man with a moustache, and a blonde-haired woman, apparently husband and wife, around their thirties, by the look of it (Poor guy, growing bald at such a young age, thought Ilya.) quickly got out to check on their almost-victim.
"You all right there, Lily?" inquired the man.
"Yes, I'm fine, thanks for worrying" replied Ilya sweetly. "My name isn't Lily though."
"What?" asked the man, surprised. "But aren't you Lily Evans?"
"But you look exactly like her," added the kind-faced woman. "What is your name, dear?"
"My name is Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya, but you can call me Ilya for short," said the white-haired girl. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Ilya," said the man. "My name is John Brown, just call me John, and this is my wife Mary. Anyway, I'm really sorry I almost ran you over."
"No, it's okay, Mr. John, it's my fault for not looking where I was going," replied Ilya sweetly.
"You look exactly like. Except for your hair… oh my you even have the same eyes, even your voice sound just like Lily's dear," said the blonde-haired woman. "Are you perhaps her relative?"
"Ummm… who is Lily?" replied Ilya, trying to sound confused. "I'm kind of new in the neighborhood you see, and I've noticed some people staring at me, it was kind of scary…"
"Well, I'm sorry if they frightened you, child," said the balding man. "The people here are mostly nice and friendly. But you bear such an uncanny resemblance to Lily Evans…that's probably why they were staring at you…when you meet her, you'll know what I mean."
"I see," replied the girl. "Anyway, Mr. John what is that?" Ilya pointed at the television set that was strapped on top of the car.
"Oh," said John. "It's our old television set. The repairman said it was beyond repair so we're throwing it out…it's a pity though…"
"You seem rather attached to it, sir?" said Ilya.
"Yes, dear, well, it was our first TV set after all." Mary was the one who replied. We've had it for six years, ever since we were married, and we feel sad to have to throw it away…it brings back…a lot of happy memories."
Ilya felt sorry for the married couple. Fortunately, she knew just what to do.
"Ummm..Mr. John, Mrs. Mary, would you mind if I take a quick look at it?"
"Sure, kid, though I doubt there is anything we can do, if even the TV man can't fix it…
Thirty minutes later…
"And that goat wanted us to sell it to a junk shop," John was saying, sounding half-irritated and half-pleased.
They were currently inside a restaurant, as the television was working well, as if it were new. (They needed a place where they can connect to electricity, after all.)
"It should be fine for at least two or three more years," said Ilya. "If ever it stops working again, you can always come to me. I'm just around the neighborhood."
"Thank you so much, dear," said Mary.
"For someone your age you're pretty handed with electronics, and a girl at that," praised John. "I thought the boys were the ones into hard gear…How did you do it?"
"Oh, it was nothing really," replied Ilya. "It was just a slightly loose wire, so all I had to do was put in back in place." In truth, the wires were already burnt and the tube was in bad shape. Ilya used magecraft, but she wasn't about to tell them that.
"I knew that crafty bastard was trying to trick us," snarled John. "And we even paid him for all his troubles…tch!"
"Now, now, dear," said Mary, addressing her husband. "Please don't say such rude things in front of a young lady. It all worked out fine after all."
"Oh, right, sorry about that," replied John to his wife sheepishly. "Anyway, Ilya, what other things are you able to fix?" the balding man continued.
"Well, as long as it's still possible," said the girl. "Radios, refrigerators…two days ago I repaired the engine of a truck that a kind old couple were driving…"
"You can also fix truck engines?" said the balding man, apparently amazed. "You know, you could actually start a business doing repairs, perhaps as a sideline…"
Silence passed for bit, as Mary and John sipped on their coffee (Ilya ordered a chocolate sundae.).
"Well, I'll be going now," said Ilya to the couple, as she finished her ice cream. "It's been a pleasure meeting you…"
Ilya bowed, and was about to turn and leave, when the blonde lady gently caught hold of her hand.
Then the bald man took out his wallet, and handed Ilya two one hundred pounds bill.
"Here, for your trouble."
"But this is too much…No, it's alright sir, I couldn't possibly take that," replied Ilya, blushing slightly at the kindness of the couple.
"I'm sorry, Ilya dear, but we will not take no for an answer," smiled Mary.
Sighing inwardly, half-embarassment, half-joy, Ilya did the only right thing that was possible, accepting what was given and saying…
"Thank you..."
It was almost five-thirty in the afternoon. Ilya returned to the park where she found the raven-haired boy waiting for her.
"Where were you?" Sev asked her, looking worried. "You said we'd meet back at here at five."
"Oh, sorry about that…I did not notice the time…"
A sideline fixing things, huh? thought Ilya. Well, considering mine and Sev's financial situation…it might not be such a bad idea…
Ilya hummed to herself, recalling that her brother did the same thing for people at his school and at his neighborhood, although he did not ask for anything in return. Still, he did accept what he was given. And besides…
The technology of the time and world I'm in may be a bit outdated, but the circuitry and the mechanics they follow are essentially the same, and with a little analysis… thought Ilya to herself. Fixing things was easy for her. If I do it right, desperate times may not need desperate measures after all.
…
And so Ilya started her little business. And in a span of a few days, she managed to earn, not only money, but the trust and respect, and admiration of her neighbors. (Although it annoyed her that they kept mistaking her for Lily Evans the first time.). The best part was that Ilya never asked anything in return. She did everything for free, and simply waited for whatever they would give her.
As far as Ilya was concerned, what she received was far more than what she would have gotten if she set a price (Ilya was pretty good with calculating, and she adopted pretty quickly to the currency and prices of items.). She helped people without asking for anything in return, and whatever people gave her was voluntary, in other forms aside from money, although most of them gave her money (Normally almost twice the value the service was supposed to be at, according to Ilya's calculations.).
Ilya was kind, friendly, and helpful, just as her brother was, and they loved her for it.
It really is so much fun, helping people that is.
STORY 3: WAND
August 8, 1976
(Severus POV)
Severus had started teaching Ilya the basics of magic as he knows it. The white-haired girl listened to him intently, and he made sure he kept his instructions as detailed as possible. He also let her borrow his old school books from first year to fifth year, and the girl read them intently.
Still, Severus thought that there was something missing, and that thing was…
"A wand? But I don't need one," ilya told him.
At first Ilya was against the idea, saying that it was too expensive. The white-haired girl even cast wingardium leviosa on a chair with nothing but her hands to prove her point.
"How did you do that?" asked Severus, who was both impressed and shaken.
"I told I don't need one," replied the white-haired girl, smiling gently."You don't have to buy me one."
I had only been instructing the girl on the ways of our magic for barely three days, and she can already perform basic spells, thought Severus, shuddering slightly. Still, after all she's done for me, there's no way I won't buy her on…wait… if I use this kind of logic on her, she'll definitely refuse… and besides, the wand chooses the wizard so she has to be the one to pick it up herself, I can't just buy any random wand…think, Severus, think…
"No, I still think you need one Ilya," said Severus seriously. "And not because you need it to use magic?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if you use magic wandless, you would stand out," Severus began. "While it is true that the Ministry cannot detect your wandless magic (Severus noticed his own tone was slightly bitter, as he was unable to use magic because of the Trace), it is better if it at least appeared that you were using a wand, so you could blend in."
"That is a good point," the white-haired girl agreed.
Twenty minutes later, Severus and Ilya were inside Ollivander's shop (Because they travelled via floo network this time).
The shop seemed empty, the same as the first time Severus entered it.
"You know," Severus heard Ilya say suddenly, causing him to jump. "It's bad manners to sneak up on people from behind, especially on potential customers."
"Quite the perceptive one, aren't you child?" The short old man now appeared behind them. Apparently he had been using a type of Invisibility Spell, as he appeared suddenly. (It's not Disillusionment though, he was completely Invisible, how did Ilya know he was there? thought Severus to himself.)
"Mr. Ollivander, I presume?" Ilya inquired.
"I am," said the old man. "And you are?"
"Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya."
The old man paused for a bit, as he did when Severus first came to his shop as well.
"And you are Severus Snape," said the old man suddenly. "I already know who you are, so no more need for further introductions."
The raven-haired boy merely nodded.
"Yes, now I would assume that you are here to buy a new wand," said Mr. Ollivander. "I've always said that other wand makers do produce them in quantity rather than quality… though of course who am I to judge."
Severus guessed that Mr. Ollivander thought that Ilya had either broken her old wand or wasn't satisfied with it (She never had one, but Ollivander wasn't to know that.)
"So where is your old wand?" Mr. Ollivander inquired of Ilya. "Did the maker tell you what type of core it possessed?"
Severus was nervous. He was about to talk and send things in the right direction when…
"My old wand was destroyed when I tried to use a complicated Charms spell," the white-haired girl began. "And no, I did not know what its core was made from."
Severus sighed with relief. She really is amazing…
Then, Mr. Ollivander began with his usual rants about the wand choosing the wizard, and the story of some of the wands he sold, including Severus' own. The raven-haired man could tell that Ilya was getting irritated, but she did her best to hide it, behind her smiling face. All they could do was wait for the old man to finish talking.
"So now, I suppose I should take your measurements. Please hold out your wand arm."
Measuring tapes appeared out of thin air, and Mr. Ollivander was just about to measure Ilya's arm when…
"I feel someone calling me," said the white-haired girl.
"What?" said Severus and Mr. Ollivander together.
They watched together as Ilya began to approach the pile of boxes which Severus knew contained wands.
Suddenly, one of the boxes burst into flames as Mr. Ollivander quickly put the others away to avoid them catching fire.
But Severus was looking at something else.
Floating in right in front of Ilya, glowing, pulsating, was undoubtedly a wand, the wand which burned its magically protected and sealed container.
The white-haired girl then stretched out her arm, and the glowing stick shot towards her hand. There, it stayed floating by her palm, as if waiting to be held.
When Ilya close her palm around it, the wand stopped pulsating, as if finally comfortable of where it was.
Mr. Ollivander, while his face almost appeared blank, was undoubtedly surprised: His eyebrows were slightly raised, and his eyes were slightly glowing.
"Ah, now, in all my long life, this is the first time I've witnessed something like this." the wandmaker's voice was monotonous, but it was noticeable that it was slightly off from his normal tone.
"It was calling me," said the white-haired girl, as she twirled the wand in her fingers. Then, she brought it down, and a jet of white and orange sparks flew from it.
"That particular wand," began Mr. Ollivander. "Holly, eleven inches, its core is a phoenix feather, and you said it was calling you, child?"
Severus stared at the white haired girl.
"Yes, it was," said the white haired girl, and she was looking at the wand in her hand intently, as if there was something so familiar about it.
"Holly…life…phoenix…reincarnation…the Third of the Five True Sorceries…Heaven's Feel…how strange…" Ilya was muttering to herself.
Severus was confused. He could not understand what the girl was saying, as she back and forth absentmindedly, twirling the wand between her fingers. Then, Severus heard the wandmaker was also muttering to himself.
"Curious…curious…very curious…" Mr. Ollivander was saying to himself.
"I'm sorry, but what's so curious?" Severus asked the old wandmaker.
"I remember every wand I ever sold, Mr. Snape," said Mr. Ollivander. "Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix, whose tail feather is in that girl's wand, gave another feather—just one other. That child's destiny is a curious one indeed, when her wand's brother, is the very wand that is the one in the hands of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"What?" Severus swallowed. The raven-haired boy was so shocked that he wasn't even able to shout aloud.
"A wand made of yew. Thirteen and a half inches. Powerful wand, very powerful indeed, and it is wielded by none other than the Dark Lord…"
Ten minutes later, Severus and Ilya were standing outside of Mr. Ollivander's shop, formally saying their goodbyes to the old man.
"I guess we should be expecting great things from you then, Ms. Emiya," said Mr. Ollivander, as the raven-haired boy and the white-haired girl bid him goodbye. (Severus had already paid him Seven Galleons)
"You know, Ilya, I think we should get you another wand," said Severus, in a fake joking voice.
"No, I think I'll be fine with this one," replied the girl cheerfully. "The wand chooses the wizard after all, and I think I now know what that means."
"What does it mean then?" inquired Severus.
"You see, Sev," the girl began, and Severus noticed that her tone stated that Ilya was in 'Professor Emiya' mode. "These wands are very similar to magic circuits. For some reason which I still could not comprehend, a wand seems to act like a magic circuit which allows magic to be used by a wizard without putting any strain on the spell caster. When I use the spells I've learned from you, like the levitation spell wingardium leviosa, I had to activate one of the magic circuits in my body to channel prana. The wand, however, allows a wielder to channel prana from the surroundings directly to the core of the wand, thereby ensuring that the user is not in danger. Of course, if you overload the wand's core, it could still break, but at least it's not a part of your body."
"I see," replied Severus, who was only half-listening.
"Anyway, what were you talking about with that old man, Sev?" the girl inquired.
"Oh, nothing…"replied Severus. "Anyway, do you want to get some ice cream at Florean Fortescue's"
"You just spent Seven Galleons," said the girl. "Are you sure you can aff..."
"Sure I can," the raven-haired man retorted. "Anyway, do you want to or not? If not then…"
"Of course I want to, I'd love to," replied Ilya, looking cheerful as ever, at the thought of the cold delight she was about to devour.
Severus, however, was uneasy, as he retreated to his thoughts, pondering on the things he learned about.
Things just keep getting more and more complicated, sighed the raven-haired young man inwardly, as he thought about what Ilya was saying absentmindedly, but it was what the old wandmaker said that was worrying him the most.
If the Dark Lord discovers something like this…no… I have to get stronger, and fast…so that I don't have to worry all the time…so that I can fight by her side…so that I can help and protect her…
STORY 4: DRESS
August 12, 1976
(Ilya POV)
Ilya was currently inside a clothes shop. She has been looking for something suitable to wear.
When she first arrived from her world, Ilya was wearing wearing the standard school uniform at her school, minus the tie and the vest (Meaning she was wearing a white blouse and a moderate length dark gray skirt). While the clothes Severus' mother used to wear looked good, the skirt was too long, and thus hinders her mobility. So today, she was looking for clothes that would both look good and allow movement more freely at the same time (Besides, it's hot, it's best to wear something a bit loose, thought Ilya.).
Luckily for her, the shop had exactly what she was looking for. There were plenty of skirts that were not too long but not revealing, modest but flexible. There were also blouse that fit her perfectly. Having made some money from her little repair business, Ilya bought eight sets in all (In other words, everything in the shop that fit her size and taste, including undergarments, one for each day, one spare.), and hummed happily as Janet, female shop manager (who was also the owner), who Ilya was on first name terms with, gave her a 50% discount on all items, and even gave her one set for free. She also bought two pairs of sneakers, ideal for running and jumping, and two pairs of sandals.
After all, Ilya was the one who fixed the shop's air conditioning system for free, for which the shop owner and the three female staff(who Ilya was also on first name terms with) were grateful (It was really hot since it was summer, and poor cooling would not only possibly drive off customers, but it was a great incovenience to the three shop employees and the owner as well, making them uncomfortable).
As Ilya was about to turn and leave the shop, she heard a girl with a familiar voice talking to the shop manager. The girl, who Ilya now noticed had dark red hair was complaining.
"I'm really sorry Ms. Evans," said the shop manager gently. "But someone already bought them."
"But how can that be?" the girl, whose voice was identical to Ilya's, was saying in disbelief. "They were still there just two days ago. Besides, there isn't anyone in the neighborhood who is the same size as I am. "
"Perhaps you should have bought them earlier, after all they've been in display for a month," Janet replied to the girl, her voice ever kind and accommodating. "I will be sure to inform you when new clothes suited for you arrive."
Ilya couldn't help but smirk. She managed to buy the clothes just in time.
Well, I suppose I can just leave now, mused the girl to herself. But…I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have some fun first…
"Um…excuse me, Madam Janet?" said a white-haired girl to the shop manager innocently. Ilya, by a random swing in mood, was already wearing one of the set of clothes she bought.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they will available in… oh, yes, Ilya, dear?"
The shop suddenly grew quiet. At the time, there were eight people in the shop. The shop manager, the three sales ladies, a mother and her child, probably around eight years old, and…
The red-haired girl and the white-haired, who looked exactly like each other, except the hair color and skin complexion, even the eyes were identical.
Emerald eyes stared into a pair of emerald eyes, each a mirror image of the other, for a moment that felt like hours. The pair that the red haired girl wore widened.
"Um…about the blouse you were talking about," said Ilya, as she turned to face Janet, completely disregarding the stares they were receiving. "The red one with the black cross embroidery design, when will it be arriving?"
"Oh, it is already on a shipping vessel," replied Janet. "It will arrive in one week, along with our other dress and clothing-related products."
"I see…" said Ilya, and then paused for a moment, pretending to think for a bit. "Then…um…can I have those clothes which are my size be put in reserve?"
"Sure thing, Ilya dear," replied Janet.
"Just to be sure though, I promise to come back in a week then," said Ilya sweetly, smiling widely.
"Oh, there's no need for you to rush," said the female shop owner. "You can come back anytime you want. I won't be putting them on display so there's no need for you to hurry."
"Thank you very much," replied Ilya sweetly, her smile wider than ever. "I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Ilya," replied the shop owner.
"I'll be taking my leave, then," said Ilya, as she bowed to Madam Janet, turned around and headed for the shop's glass door…
But not without taking one long glance at the red-haired girl with emerald eyes [who stood almost frozen, with only her eyes moving (as Ilya noticed), following the white-haired girl until she went out of the shop,], in satisfaction.
I think I got a bit too carried away, thought Ilya to herself, but she couldn't suppress the grin that was playing on her lips…
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Hello there, people. This one I guess is a story divided into four stories. It depicts some key points and events (as well some tense, and hopefully, comic enough moments) in the time-skipped zone before the cliffhanger.
Hope you enjoy. For Lily Evans haters, though, I would recommend reading Story 4: Dress first.