What a year - Chapter 11 -
It was the last days of school that had the 5th and 7th years just floating around now that their tests were done and classes were over. They all seem to still hold some tension with the anticipation behind waiting for their results. But lots of them took this as time to finally relax, and that's where you can find the majority of them spread out across the lawn taking in the early signs of a hot summer.
Jimmy leaned on a tree as Olivia lay across his lap. Lily was next to them caged in Hank's arms and legs as they read together. Victorie was smiling from across them laying there with Remus as the other two marauders were throwing a ball back and forth.
"Hey Olive, we should go to the beach this summer with Anna," James called over.
"You're going to have to take her without me Jamie, remember I'm going to my aunts for the summer, she's actually picking me up from the train. So I had to have mom pack my summer things." Olivia turned to him.
"Right, I keep forgetting you're leaving me for the summer." James sighed.
"Oh don't be so dramatic." Olivia laughed.
Sirius frowned as he caught the ball. "Wait so you're not going to be around? Like at all?"
"Yes Sirius. That's what I just said." Olivia rolled her eyes.
"You never said anything to me, is it my fault you're staying away?"
"No Sirius, why the hell, would it be your fault? Not everything revolves around you." Olivia snapped lightly
"I'm sorry I was just- never mind, just go back to pretending I'm not here." Sirius sighed and looked over to see Snape and smirks. "Hey Prongs." He called James over and nodded at Snape. "I think I found some entertainment for us."
James smirked and headed in Snape's direction. "All right Snivellus?' said James loudly.
It wasn't until there was more commotion that the other's attention was caught. "Oh no," Olivia sighed seeing Snape now upside down.
"How dare he-" Lily jumped up but Hank grabbed her arm.
"Just let it go, it's only Snape, he gives it back as much he gets." Hank snorts, "I think he deserves worse."
"How dare you! You don't even know him!" Lily ripped her hand away from him and rushed to stop James and Sirius.
"Leave him alone!" Lily jumped into the middle of everything.
"Aw come on love we're just having some fun." James smirked.
"I said leave him alone, Potter."
"How about you go on a date with me and I'll think about it."
"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid,' said Lily.
"Bad luck, Prongs," said Sirius briskly, and turned back to Snape. "OI!"
Lily jumped as the spell passed over her shoulder and sliced open James's cheek. Lily watched as James's eyes changed a little as he threw a spell at Snape and laughed with the crowd that was now surrounding them.
Lily turned and saw what he did "Let him down, please James." Lily sighed.
"Fine." Was James's curt reply and he dropped his with a quick flick of his wand. Sirius sent him back into the air and crashing back down as he tried to grab his wand and defend himself.
"Stop it the both of you!" Lily pulled out her wand this time.
James eyed it warily as did Sirius.
"There you go," he said, as Snape struggled to his feet. "You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus –"
"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"
Lily blinked.
"You apologize!" James held out his wand. But Lily shook her head and turned to Snape.
"Fine, if that's what you think of me Snivellus. I won't bother again." She turned back to James and shook her head at him. "After all that, you think, you making him apologize would really mean anything. You're just as bad as him." She sniffled and walked away.
James looked down at the wand in his hand everyone was quiet.
"James?" Sirius spoke softly.
James sent a silent spell sending Snape back up in the air. "Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?"
"Lily!" Olivia and Victorie raced after her but Lily didn't stop until she got to the third floor knowing the others were right behind her. "Unquatra" she muttered to a portrait of nymphs in the forest. The portrait opened and creaked as Lily pulled it open and slipped inside. This was their little secret. Rooms that were just for them that were used before by the last 4 people with the elemental powers. The room had 3 doors. One door lead to a bathroom, another lead to a Study and the last to a common room, Lily walked through the one to the common room to find Olivia and Victorie waiting for her. Lily sniffled and hugged them.
"Shh, it's ok love" they comfort her and they all sat on the couch. Olivia got up and started a fire after Lily calmed her crying and was now just sitting there hugging a pillow.
"That's not the James that I like." Lily finally muttered "That guy is cruel and sadistic just for the attention."
"Yeah, I don't know what comes over him at those times. It kind of scares me" Olivia nodded and flopped back down beside her.
"It scares me too" Lily leaned against her. "Least we can hide away here."
"Our own bat cave," Olivia smiled and Victorie lay in Lily's lap.
"When does Elise get out of class?"
"Still another hour,"
"It's too bad we can't get a TV in here." Olivia sighed, "I wonder why we can get one in the come and go room and not anywhere else."
Lily shook her head "I actually don't know, Magic fries most electronics doesn't it?"
"Maybe the room figures out a way to fix that. If it is smart enough to do everything else it does, it must be at least that smart."
Victorie laughed, "I love you guys." The other two laughed with her.
…
Remus walked down to find James in the common room with two parchments in front of him.
"What are those?"
"Pros and cons," James sighed.
"Of?"
"Being the boy I was earlier." He handed them over.
"There's nothing written on the Pro's"
"Nope" He shook his head. "I need to change don't I Remus."
"You're already starting if you can realize it." Remus sat down with him.
"I was cruel today, for the first time in a while. And afterwards, I didn't like myself Remus I didn't like what I feel like I lost because of it." James stared at his hands.
"My little Jamie is growing up" Remus teased lightly and patted his shoulder. "I think you should write to Lily, apologizing and tell her about how you're going to try to be a better man. You don't have to give it to her but I know if you're making it to Lily you'll set your goals high. Then you have to set yourself to those goals."
"Do I have to write it down?" James made a face.
"Yes James, you must." Remus chuckled and pulled him up. "But right now let's get some sleep."
"Thanks Remus." James gave him a hug before heading upstairs.
…
"Giovanni asked me to come down," Elise stood there in front of Nott.
"Pay the toll" he leered leaning toward her.
She shoved him out of her way and walked into the Slytherin common room. She turned the corner to where she knows Giovanni sits.
"You wanted to see me?" She stood next to his couch.
"Yeah, let me finish this conversation and I'll get to you"
Can you just tell me now? I need to get back to packing." She sighed.
Giovanni turned to her, "You will sit down Elise and wait." He half growled at her, which caused her to gulp seeing the old Giovanni and walked to the other side of the couch to sit down.
"You need to keep a better handle on your woman." Lucius looked Elise over, "I could help you out with that if you need?"
"Don't you have your own woman to handle?" he snapped back.
"She doesn't need as much training as yours does." Lucius chuckled. "Now he wants to meet us with Snape next week. Think you can grab the git to take him?"
"You're going to have to do that I have Regulus and you know how the Blacks are."
Lucius laughed "yeah, Bella should be there so we shall have some entertainment for the gathering."
"I can't wait." Giovanni laughed with him. "Now how is your … mission going?"
"Well, I've found a few ways to execute it if you want to help me pick, it is after all your expertise." Giovanni nods. "We'll look it over in the morning."
Lucius nodded back and got up.
"So what did you want Giovanni?" Elise sighed.
"Out in the hall." He growled into her ear. Elise got up when he grabbed her arm tight. She looked at Regulus with a worried expression but shook her head when he attempted to stand up and follow them.
Giovanni threw her into the stone wall. "Next time I summon you, you better come faster. And if you interrupt my conversation again I won't wait to do this." He slapped her hard.
"I'm sorry; I didn't get it till now." Elise spoke quietly.
"I'm sure. You're coming to Italy with me for the summer. We have some things to do." He held her chin tightly.
"What? I can't do that what about…" She got another smack.
"I don't want to hear it, you want your little brother then get him I don't fucking care but you will be there. You understand?"
"Yes Giovanni, I'll be there I promise."
"Good, glad you understand." He kissed her. Elise kissed him back and held him close.
"I'm sorry I wasn't respecting you, it's just been a long day. I'm sorry"
"Well now you won't forget next time." He pressed his hand against a slight bruise that was forming.
Elise hissed "No I won't."
"Good." He let her go. "I'll see you on the train tomorrow."
"Of course," she kissed his cheek "Bright and early, a Zabini is never late."
"We are exactly on time." He nodded and let her walk away.
Once she was out of the dungeons Elise leaned on a wall and slid down it slowly trying her hardest to keep it together. That's how Regulus found her when he could finally get out of the dungeons.
"Eli! Are you ok? Did he hurt you?" He kneeled next to her.
"I think I'm ok, he just slapped me a few times." She sniffled still fighting the urge to cry.
Regulus helped her back up and hugged her tight. She held onto him tight and buried her face in his sweater.
He rubbed her back gently. "I'll walk you to the common room"
She nodded and turned so she was against his side and they could walk easier up the stairs.
He kissed her head when they got to the fat lady and Elise sighed. "I'm going to Italy with him this summer. I'm not sure we will see much of each other."
Regulus sighed and held her close. "I think they're going to start initiating me into the death eaters this summer. Giovanni was just talking to me earlier about meeting his Lord."
"You can't!" She held onto him tight.
"I can't put it off longer then graduation." Regulus sighed.
"Then we'll run away, I'll pick up Andrew tomorrow and we can go live like muggles!" Elise cried.
"Eli we're only 15, and we don't know much about living a life as a muggle, I highly doubt muggle studies prepared us for what's really needed. I'm sorry but I can't do that with you if you're being serious." He nuzzled her head.
"Just stop being logical, cause I can't battle against it." She pressed her face into his chest.
"I'll try to figure it out, and Sirius said he'd help me. Don't worry my love."
Elise sighed and nodded. "They're waiting for me." She wiped her face and stepped away. Regulus looked around before pulling her into a deep kiss. Her hands dug into his hair as she kissed him back. They pulled away with a whispered I love you and Elise made her way back into the Common room.
…
"Remy you should come visit me this summer." Vi played with his fingers.
"I can try." he put his face in her shoulder.
"Try? What do you have to try?" Vi frowned.
"Victorie, I don't want to talk about it. I'll try to visit, that's all I can promise." Remus sighed.
"Remus, what's wrong?" She pulled away and looked at him.
"Nothing, it's just difficult for me to get away from my parents." He didn't look at her.
"Remus, look at me and tell me what's wrong." Victorie tried to catch his eyes.
"It's just hard for me to get away Victorie, just let it go." Remus looked at her.
"Then I'll come visit you." She shrugged.
"No!" Remus winced at how panicked he sounded.
"No? I thought you wanted me to meet your mom, I don't understand what's going on Remus."
"You wouldn't, even if I explained it to you." Remus moved away from her.
"Really Remus, whatever, I'll see you tomorrow." Victorie grabbed her backpack and left. Remus sighed and let her go and sunk more into his bed.
"Where did Victorie go?" Sirius asked as he walked into the dorm.
"She left." Remus shrugged and curled more into himself.
"I thought you were going to bed…" Sirius frowned.
"I don't think she's staying here tonight. Just let it go Sirius, please." Remus sighed.
"Are you packed up to leave tomorrow?" Sirius changed the subject.
"Yeah, the full moon is next weekend,"
"Do you want us to-" Sirius stopped when Remus shook his head.
"Mom said not this year in her last letter."
"Why's that?" Sirius frowned.
"I don't know, just no visitors, not even in the cabin." Remus sighed.
"I'm sorry, I hope she has a plan and that's why she's saying that." Sirius grabbed his things and went to shower.
…
"Vi? What's wrong?" Olivia bumped into her on the stairs.
"Nothing, Remus is keeping something from me and since he can't seem to trust me to tell me I'm sleeping in my own bed tonight." she wiped a tear that fell.
"Oh sweetie, I'll come with you." Olivia hugged her.
Victorie held her tight. "Thanks Olivia, but its ok. Plus don't you still have to break up with Jimmy?"
"It's only Jimmy, he'll understand." Olivia shook her head.
"No you go do that and I'm just gonna go to bed any way." she squeezed her and let her go.
"Are you sure?" Olivia asked as Victorie started back up the stairs.
"Positive. Have fun, and don't worry about me."
"Sleep tight." Olivia waved and headed into the common room. Jimmy was sitting in the corner with the fireplace and Olivia walked over behind him. "Waiting up for little ol' me?"
"Yes I am." he smiled tilting his head back for a kiss. Olivia smiled and kissed him lightly.
"You leave tomorrow." He sighed as he pulled her into his lap.
"You graduate tomorrow." She played with his hair. "This is it."
"I'm gonna miss you, even though we started this planning that it wasn't gonna last."
"We still have tonight." She leaned over and kissed him. "And I'm gonna miss you too."
"Are you going to give Sirius a chance next year?" He kissed her chin and over her jaw.
"Can we not talk about him while you're doing that?" Olivia sighed.
"Not imagining I'm him now are you?" Jimmy tease and nuzzled her neck.
"Are you thinking I'm Victorie?" She cupped his face looking him in the eye.
"I've gotten over it; you've actually helped me get past it. At least enough to not pine after her still," He smiled and kissed her lightly. Olivia looked down when he pulled away. "I'm guessing it didn't do the same for you?" Olivia gave him a small smile and shook her head. "Maybe you should at least forgive Sirius and work your way toward something more."
"Do I have to?" She pouted.
"Of course not, but you love him." Jimmy rubbed her back.
Olivia leaned into him "Fine but tonight I'm still yours, so kiss me some more. Or I can just go to bed." she started to sit up just to feel Jimmy's arms tighten around her. He held her and kissed her. Olivia happily opened her mouth when she felt his tongue against her lips. She soon moved to straddle his lap to kiss him better and it wasn't until he whispered in her ear that she remembered that they were still in the common room.
"Maybe we should take this upstairs?" He panted slightly hands rubbing her thighs.
Olivia gulped softly but nodded "Ok" she got up and let him lead her up the stairs and into the room he shared with one other person. "Where's Oscar?"
"He uh went to his girlfriend's dorm." he wrapped his arms around her.
"So we're alone?" Olivia leaned back as he kissed her neck.
"Mmhm," he bit down lightly and Olivia sighed tangling her hand into his hair. Jimmy turned her and kissed her hard. Olivia gripped his shoulders letting him take the lead as he walked her backwards to his bed. She fell back into the mattress and looked up at him as he started unbuttoning his shirt and her mind trailed to Sirius.
"Jimmy wait," She put his hand on his and stood back up. Jimmy frowned and watched her feel his chest and shake her head. "I want to but I keep thinking about Sirius and you don't deserve that."
"I don't deserve blue balls either." He groaned wrapping his arms around her.
"You have a perfectly fine hand love, I'm sorry." She leaned up and kissed him lightly, "Have a great graduation tomorrow, and don't forget to write me this summer." she touched his cheek with a smile.
"such a tease." he put his head to hers.
"So you've told me." She giggled softly.
"So not funny." he tickled her laughing himself.
"Ah!" she squeaked and tried to move away. He let her go and sighed leaning on his bedpost. "Stop looking so good so I can leave,"
"Impossible." he smiled and lead her to the door, "One last kiss?"
"I guess I can do that," She smiled and kissed him. "Goodnight Jimmy Wood."
"Goodnight Olivia Hunter." He smiled and watched her leave down the stairs.
…
There was a buzz of rushing through out the castle as people hurried to finish packing and head down for breakfast. James was sitting at the table bright and early writing on a piece of parchment. A deep look of concentration on his face spoke volumes as he slowly wrote each word. He put the quill down for the hundredth time and looked at his writing.
Lily,
There are so many things I wish I could say to you to show you I'm not the boy you think I am. But the incident by the lake made me see the guy you see and I don't like that guy either. I don't have any words to justify what I did and I don't want to it was dumb and childish what I did and I'm sorry I put you in that position. I'm sorry for all the things I've done to you and everyone else, I was a dick and I deserve every single one of the hexes you've thrown at me. I want to be better, I want to be the guy you deserve everyday and not just Valentines Day and your birthday. I want you to see that I can care about things and help people, and be a better person, not only for you but for myself, and for my family. God we just took our OWLS and we graduate in two years there's no time to waste, so I pledge right now that the next time I ask you out, like really ask you out on a grand date, I will be a different person than the one you hate.
I promise you from the bottom of my heart that I will change. I want to tell you about when I realized I was in love with you.
That was where the letter stopped and before James could keep going the food popped up onto the table and more people started filling in Remus and Sirius flopped on each side of him. The girls came in not to much later and sat a bit further down. James noticed that Remus kept looking at Victorie and sighed "Go talk to her mate."
"What if she asks about visiting again?" Remus sighed.
"Tell her you'll make plans with her to meet up and spend days together over the summer, and you're just not ready to meet families as a couple just yet." Sirius offered.
"How am I supposed to do that when I'm stuck in a cabin?" Remus half snapped.
"We'll get you a portkey or something." Sirius shrugged at him simply.
"You guys don't have to do that for me."
"Go talk to her and keep it in mind," James patted his shoulder.
"Thanks guys." Remus nodded and got up going down to talk to Victorie. "Love, can we go for a walk and talk?" He stood behind her.
"Are you going to apologize?" She sighed and started grabbing things to put in her bag.
"I'm sorry for how I acted last night but I'm not the only one who needs to apologize here." Remus sighed.
Victorie nodded and stood up "I'm sorry too for pushing the subject." She leaned up to kiss him lightly. "Let's go to the lake." she took his hand and they walked out the great hall.
"So how did things go last night with Jimmy?" Lily asked Olivia when she saw Jimmy walk in as Remus and Victorie left.
"Not bad, it wasn't like we were in love." Olivia answered quickly.
"After all that you have no feelings for him?" Lily raised her eyebrow.
"No we definitely got closer," Olivia smiled as he waved and waved back. "But I don't love him, not the way-" Olivia trailed off and her eyes fell to Sirius who was eating half asleep. She smiled when he missed his mouth and pouted.
"Not the way you love Sirius." Lily smiled at her.
Olivia blushed and looked at Lily, "Yeah, I'll admit it; I love that immature ass of a boy."
"It's ok, I think I understand." Lily sighed with a small smile of her own.
"Are you admitting feelings for a certain someone?" Olivia teased.
"Of course not. I would never." Lily smirked softly.
"Oh you." Olivia laughed and turned to Elise as she flopped down "Elise, are you ok?"
"No," she poured herself some tea and leaned on Olivia.
Olivia wrapped her arm around her. "What's wrong?"
"Giovanni is making me go to Italy with him all summer, and my parents haven't answered to Andrew coming with me." She yawned, "couldn't sleep at all waiting for that answer."
"Isn't that your parent's owl?" Lily points out as the Owls flood the room with one last mail delivery for the year.
"Yeah. Oh god you read it," She pushed it into Olivia's hands, who opened up the letter and read the short note.
"It says Giovanni has already sent a House elf to pick up Andrew and his things." Olivia raised her eyebrows and passed the paper over.
"What!?" Elise read the letter quickly than looked up at Giovanni. "I'll be right back." She got up and walked across the hall to the Slytherin table. "Thank you Giovanni." she said after waiting for him to acknowledge her.
"I know you love your brother, and you've learned fast. Don't make me regret this." He nodded to her lightly.
"Of course not love." she leaned over and kissed him lightly, "and I'll make it all up to you." she whispered into his ear.
He smirked, "I'll see you on the train."
"I'll see you then." she nodded and moved back to her spot next to Olivia.
"It looks like that went well." Olivia smiled softly.
"Well if I didn't thank him it would have been another disaster." Elise shrugged.
Lily shook her head "Lets go we said we'd walk to the train this year."
…
Sirius watched the scenery go by as they rode on in the train. James was sitting across from him in his own world scribbling down on a piece of parchment. He couldn't stop thinking about Olivia. He wished she wasn't leaving for the summer and that she wasn't with Jimmy Wood of all people. I should go talk to her. He frowned to himself and got up.
"Where are you going?" James asked as Sirius headed for the Door.
"To talk to someone," Sirius looked at him, but James was still writing.
"If you're going to talk to Olivia Tell her she better come say bye before she runs off the train."
"Alright," Sirius nodded and walked out. He walked down the hall trying to find the girls compartment and knocked gently when he got there. "Can we talk Olivia? Please."
"Sure." she nodded and got up. Lily flashed her thumbs up when she looked at her while they walked out the compartment. Olivia rolled her eyes and followed Sirius crossing her arms and walking into the empty compartment he easily found.
"Kick some first years out to get this one?" she asked as she leaned against the window."
"No it was empty when I passed." Sirius sighed and took a seat. "Look Olivia, I'm sorry. I'll admit I'm jealous of Jimmy."
"Really?" she looked at him.
"Yeah, you're my best friend just like Remus and James, I know you better than most and we were close since first year. I always thought I wanted to protect you and keep you safe because you were part of my family. But no, I don't think it really has been that for the past year or two at least. Cause I've just wanted to get closer to you and when you dated the douche bag I frenzied myself with dating too, and now you're with Wood, does he make you happy?" He looked at her for a second before shaking his head. "Actually I don't want to know. If he is, just know I want you to be happy and to be treated like a goddess and if he is doing that I'll be happy, though still jealous." He laughed slightly.
"You know if you hadn't ruined the beginning of our date we wouldn't have ended up curled together snogging, which lead to a 'we should be a couple' talk." Olivia tells him moving to sit next to him.
"So it's all my fault."
"Naturally," She smiled softly. "Jimmy said I should talk to you about feeling things and that I should forgive you for how you acted. But do you even get why I was so angry?" she sighed.
"Well we weren't on perfect terms and I guess I was a bit immature and possibly possessive when all this went down."
"A bit? Possibly? Really Sirius?" She laughed softly. "And no we weren't on perfect terms and that might be a little my fault."
"You're keeping secrets, and I thought we were closer than that." Sirius sighed.
"Ok remember when you said to me you can't tell me about Remus without asking him?" Olivia leaned forward and took his hand in hers.
"Yeah," he nodded and held her hand.
"It's like that; it's not just my secret and it dangerous. Can you understand that?"
Sirius stopped and looked her in the eyes and his brain went to the group he was forming with Jimmy and James. "Yeah, I can understand." he squeezed her hand.
"If I can ever tell you I would in a second. Even if I could tell only one person in the world I would tell you."
Sirius smiled softly "does this mean we can be friends again."
"We were closer than friends." Olivia leaned over and hugged him tight. Sirius closed his eyes and hugged her back tight. Olivia sighed, holding on to him.
"Olive?" Sirius whispered after a few minutes.
"Yeah, Siri?"
Sirius took a deep breath and pulled away to look at her but he saw the train station coming into view and let the breath out with a bit of defeat. "You should go say bye to James."
"We're here!" Olivia jumped up "I'll see you in august Siri, write me all the time!" she kissed his cheek and ran out to say her byes to James.
"Well fuck." Sirius sighed and flopped back on the bench. "I should have just said it."
…
"Jamie? whatcha got there?" Olivia took the letter from him. "A letter to Lily? Are you gonna send it?"
"No I'm going to burn it when I get home; she doesn't need to read that." James laughed.
"I'm going to make a copy." Olivia grinned and ran out.
"What! no!" James jumped up and rushed after her. He didn't catch up to her till he saw her standing with her trunk waving the paper. He snatched it out of her hands. "Where's the copy?"
"No idea what you're talking about," Olivia grinned and launched herself into James and hugged him tight. "Have a good summer Jamie, and Give Anna all of the hugs and kisses from me." James sighed and hugged her back.
"Have fun Olive, I'll stop by and check on your dad for you too." he kissed her head.
"Thank you," she sighed "I'm gonna miss you, first time we won't be spending all summer swimming and camping out together, it's going to be different."
"But a good different," James smiled at her. "I'll see you in august."
"Bye." She smiled back and ran off to find her Aunt.
"I almost told her that I love her." Sirius sighed coming to stand next to James.
"You still have two more years of school to find the right time to lie that on her." James shrugged. "Just be happy she's not leaving still mad at you."
"Thank Merlin. Ready to head home?"
"Yeah, let's take the bus this time." James and Sirius pulled their trunks out the station.
"Auntie I have one thing to do really quickly and then we can go." Olivia smiled as she saw Lily come through the brick wall on to the platform with her parents. She ran over and handed her the letter. "James doesn't know I'm giving this to you, but I think you should read it when you think you're ready to hear what he really thinks of you and things." Olivia hugged her tight once more and was off on her way with her aunt.
Lily looked at the pages of parchment and tucked it away into her back pack. Now wasn't the time for that.
And here's a new chapter months later once more, but I hope you're still enjoying it.
