A/N: And so. We reach the end of what turned into quite an epic! I would
never have guessed that it would end up 41chapters long! This seems quite
fitting really, as yesterday was the end of term (and I got asked out by a
22 year old!!!!) and this is the end of a 6 month era. ok. thanx to
Invisible Voice, bloomz-baby, no-comment-carissa (no, soz!), Yellow Crayon
(no worries), mintandsage, EmeraldEyedCutie, CanadianBlueberries (yep,
that'll do!), hideyoo, PriBAngel (oh dear. I hope it was not confirmed,
whatever it was), Red-Emerald (yeh, tho they'll hav to fall out some time
cos obviously, in the real books, there is animosity!), slytherinphoenix7
(lol), Oliverwoodschic, Laura Johnson (yikes!), James&Lily Lover (ur so
sweet, thanx!), itsRAEninmem, HedwigSasso (yeh we r good friends. most of
the time! we are fifteen.), dont-give-me-a-pen (GOD some ppl are so
thick!!! havnt they READ the actual BOOK?!), angel-dolphin1, Fantasy of
Wonder (yes i knew, how exciting?! crap title tho.), CaronaCALIgurl (yeh it
is just a sorta metaphor. ie the balloon is james' head and lily has the
'drawing pin' with which to burst his over-inflated ego), Tinkerbellhp07
and kat. Oh, and EgyptsStar by email. :D
And thank you to anyone who has ever reviewed, or even just read, this story! u all rock.
B/N: subliminal message: Sev is a gorgeous god. WORSHIP HIM!!! Eeeeek!!! Lourdaise is scary when she roars! hides behind chair Anyways, this is the last chapter... sniffs Wow! I didn't realise so many people like this story! Hopefully Lourdaise can do more over the summer – today was our last day at school before the holidays!!! Joy! Now all I need to do is explain the 'D' in the middle of my report to my parents... winces Thanks to: Emerald Eyed Cutie (being mad is FUN); Invisible Voice (shut up? Moi? Would I ever? ...you cannot do anything. I am the bearer of cookie dough...); Fantasy of Wonders; Hedwig Sasso (how old are we? Read our bio! We've been making coffins for 53 years. Oh yes); Laura Johnson (Me? Get along with an 'inner nutcase'? ...of course I would!!! As long as Bob likes Sev, that is...) and everyone else who's reviewed without dissing Sev along the way. Love you! (and Sev) Did you know, Lourdaise actually said she was going to show her mother this!?! Including the Mills-and-Boon chapter 32!!! (All I can say is: if her mother reads it, a fellow author of mine will find her entrails are no longer her intrails but her outtrails...) ...now, watch Lourdaise roar! (ducking for cover is recommended)...
A/N: actually I am not roaring. bcos i just had to paste it in. but if a roar is wanted then... RRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR there. :D
Chapter 41
"And that is why that dog was stalking me," James said, as Sirius concluded his explanation. "He, er, wanted to see the wedding."
"You're an Animagus," I said weakly.
"Yes," Sirius agreed. "So is he, though!"
James coughed. "And Peter."
I stifled a laugh. Surprised as I was, things began to fall into place. "So that's where the nicknames come from. What are you, Prongs?"
"Me? A stag."
"And Peter?"
They both grinned identical, wicked grins. "A rat."
I snorted with laughter. "A rat? Oh dear. And Rem?"
They exchanged glances. "He's not an Animagus," James said.
"He did say you could tell Lily," Sirius said.
James nodded. "He's a - werewolf."
But of course he was. Why hadn't I worked it out myself? I let out a shaky breath. "Poor thing..."
This was clearly not the reaction they had expected. "What?"
"Well, it must be awful. I guess that's why he always looks so miserable when we talk about careers, and why he doesn't think he can have a girlfriend. And why he's ill so often."
James stared. "What about careers?"
"It's almost impossible for werewolves to get good jobs," I said. "Surely you know that?"
They shook their heads. "But Remus is amazing," Sirius protested.
"No matter. There are certain laws."
They both looked shocked. "Why didn't we know this?" James said weakly.
"Because you were too busy looking after him now," I said. "I would never have dreamt you two had it in you."
They laughed slowly. Suddenly the door swung open and Remus appeared. "Hi guys. Lily, what are you doing in here?"
"We had to tell her about the Animagi thing. And, er, you," Sirius explained.
His eyes moved swiftly to me, but there was no need for him to try and gauge my feeling. I ran at him and threw my arms round him. "Oh, Remus..."
I heard a yelp from James, and turned. "For God's sake, James! I'm not - not snogging him!"
Remus began to shake with laughter. "Never would I have thought I'd see James so possessive of a girl." He hugged me back briefly, then let me go. "So you don't mind," he said in tones of relief.
"Of course not!"
He shrugged. "It's impossible to guess who will and who won't. Particularly now, when everyone associates dark creatures with Voldemort. And I am, essentially, a dark creature..."
I shook my head. "It's your personality that makes you what you are."
He smiled. "And that's exactly what the Sorting Hat told me when I said it had better put me in Slytherin."
"You asked to be put with Snape?" Sirius said incredulously, and we all laughed.
At last the end of term arrived. On our last evening, I went down to the Leaving Feast with streaming eyes. Nearly Headless Nick, our house ghost, patted me on the head, which was extremely uncomfortable. James and I had to make a speech, and I couldn't help but be suspicious as I saw he and Sirius exchange mischievous glances.
"And to conclude my speech," James finished, "I would just like to remind all the Professors why they were concerned when I was made Head Boy, and why, in fact, everybody was so amazed. I'm afraid there is no counter to this spell, but it will wear off by next term!" He waved his wand, there was a loud bang, and practically all he and Sirius' pranks from the last seven years seemed to roll into one around us. The house tapestries turned to cartoons and began strolling round the hall; weather effects were playing across the ceiling; the walls and tables were flashing multi- coloured; Professor Dumbledore's hat began to sing and in the middle of it all, the Slytherin table began to dance and Snape's hair began to grow upwards into a greasy pom-pom.
"Have a great summer!" James yelled over the uproar as he sat down again. I buried my head in my hands in despair, and then I felt myself levitated in the air.
"And three cheers for the best Heads Hogwarts has ever had!" Sirius shouted, his voice magically magnified.
"We didn't plan this!" James protested, but the whole school, laughing, cheered along with Sirius. Even Professor McGonagall was in high spirits, chuckling at Dumbledore's hat. Only Snape, who was the focus of many jeers, was not cheering. And then Sirius flicked his wand, and James and I slammed into one another. "Sirius!" James roared, but I had a feeling I knew what he wanted before he would let us down.
"Just kiss me," I muttered, blushing already.
James looked surprised. "Gladly."
The catcalling and whooping rung in my ears for the rest of the day.
As we left the Gryffindor tower for the last time the next morning, I was hit by inspiration. "Hang on." I took out my wand. "Um, Fat Lady?"
She smiled. "Yes?"
"If you were to have a present, what would you like?"
She considered. "Anything. I don't get many."
"OK..." I waved my wand, and a box of chocolates appeared beside her. "To remember me," I said as she gasped, and then I dragged my trunk out after me, smiled at her, and hurried after James.
Professor Dumbledore was seeing off the seventh years in the Entrance Hall. He grinned when he saw James, and indicated his hat which was no longer singing.
"I have two hats," he explained as James' jaw dropped.
"Oh, now that's cheating, Professor," I said unexpectedly. "Cantato!"
"Lily!" James gasped as the hat began to whistle. "I didn't know you had it in you."
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Oh, I did," he said resignedly. "Never mind. I am quite sure we'll be seeing each other quite soon - and James, you'll be at the World Cup next summer, I'm guessing?"
James flushed crimson. "How did you know that? I haven't told anyone!"
"I have ways. Chaser for England... not bad, not bad at all..."
I gaped. "James! That's amazing!"
He shrugged. "Well... I don't know if I'll accept... it doesn't seem very worthy, now."
Dumbledore shook his head. "There'll be plenty of opportunity for you to do worthy things, James. You and all your friends. There has to be some light relief for the wizarding world, and Quidditch seems as good a relief as any. And I hope to see entertainment by Sirius..."
I laughed, and James grinned wickedly. "Nice one, Professor... I'll remember."
"Good. And equally, I hope for an invitation to any... forthcoming ceremonies! Kindly make them wizard style." He winked and moved away, chuckling.
James and I stood frozen, staring after him.
"I guess we'd better go," I said at last. "Don't want to miss the train."
He nodded. "Yes."
I cast one last look round the hall as a student, brushed away a final tear, and headed out of the door after him.
FIN
And thank you to anyone who has ever reviewed, or even just read, this story! u all rock.
B/N: subliminal message: Sev is a gorgeous god. WORSHIP HIM!!! Eeeeek!!! Lourdaise is scary when she roars! hides behind chair Anyways, this is the last chapter... sniffs Wow! I didn't realise so many people like this story! Hopefully Lourdaise can do more over the summer – today was our last day at school before the holidays!!! Joy! Now all I need to do is explain the 'D' in the middle of my report to my parents... winces Thanks to: Emerald Eyed Cutie (being mad is FUN); Invisible Voice (shut up? Moi? Would I ever? ...you cannot do anything. I am the bearer of cookie dough...); Fantasy of Wonders; Hedwig Sasso (how old are we? Read our bio! We've been making coffins for 53 years. Oh yes); Laura Johnson (Me? Get along with an 'inner nutcase'? ...of course I would!!! As long as Bob likes Sev, that is...) and everyone else who's reviewed without dissing Sev along the way. Love you! (and Sev) Did you know, Lourdaise actually said she was going to show her mother this!?! Including the Mills-and-Boon chapter 32!!! (All I can say is: if her mother reads it, a fellow author of mine will find her entrails are no longer her intrails but her outtrails...) ...now, watch Lourdaise roar! (ducking for cover is recommended)...
A/N: actually I am not roaring. bcos i just had to paste it in. but if a roar is wanted then... RRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR there. :D
Chapter 41
"And that is why that dog was stalking me," James said, as Sirius concluded his explanation. "He, er, wanted to see the wedding."
"You're an Animagus," I said weakly.
"Yes," Sirius agreed. "So is he, though!"
James coughed. "And Peter."
I stifled a laugh. Surprised as I was, things began to fall into place. "So that's where the nicknames come from. What are you, Prongs?"
"Me? A stag."
"And Peter?"
They both grinned identical, wicked grins. "A rat."
I snorted with laughter. "A rat? Oh dear. And Rem?"
They exchanged glances. "He's not an Animagus," James said.
"He did say you could tell Lily," Sirius said.
James nodded. "He's a - werewolf."
But of course he was. Why hadn't I worked it out myself? I let out a shaky breath. "Poor thing..."
This was clearly not the reaction they had expected. "What?"
"Well, it must be awful. I guess that's why he always looks so miserable when we talk about careers, and why he doesn't think he can have a girlfriend. And why he's ill so often."
James stared. "What about careers?"
"It's almost impossible for werewolves to get good jobs," I said. "Surely you know that?"
They shook their heads. "But Remus is amazing," Sirius protested.
"No matter. There are certain laws."
They both looked shocked. "Why didn't we know this?" James said weakly.
"Because you were too busy looking after him now," I said. "I would never have dreamt you two had it in you."
They laughed slowly. Suddenly the door swung open and Remus appeared. "Hi guys. Lily, what are you doing in here?"
"We had to tell her about the Animagi thing. And, er, you," Sirius explained.
His eyes moved swiftly to me, but there was no need for him to try and gauge my feeling. I ran at him and threw my arms round him. "Oh, Remus..."
I heard a yelp from James, and turned. "For God's sake, James! I'm not - not snogging him!"
Remus began to shake with laughter. "Never would I have thought I'd see James so possessive of a girl." He hugged me back briefly, then let me go. "So you don't mind," he said in tones of relief.
"Of course not!"
He shrugged. "It's impossible to guess who will and who won't. Particularly now, when everyone associates dark creatures with Voldemort. And I am, essentially, a dark creature..."
I shook my head. "It's your personality that makes you what you are."
He smiled. "And that's exactly what the Sorting Hat told me when I said it had better put me in Slytherin."
"You asked to be put with Snape?" Sirius said incredulously, and we all laughed.
At last the end of term arrived. On our last evening, I went down to the Leaving Feast with streaming eyes. Nearly Headless Nick, our house ghost, patted me on the head, which was extremely uncomfortable. James and I had to make a speech, and I couldn't help but be suspicious as I saw he and Sirius exchange mischievous glances.
"And to conclude my speech," James finished, "I would just like to remind all the Professors why they were concerned when I was made Head Boy, and why, in fact, everybody was so amazed. I'm afraid there is no counter to this spell, but it will wear off by next term!" He waved his wand, there was a loud bang, and practically all he and Sirius' pranks from the last seven years seemed to roll into one around us. The house tapestries turned to cartoons and began strolling round the hall; weather effects were playing across the ceiling; the walls and tables were flashing multi- coloured; Professor Dumbledore's hat began to sing and in the middle of it all, the Slytherin table began to dance and Snape's hair began to grow upwards into a greasy pom-pom.
"Have a great summer!" James yelled over the uproar as he sat down again. I buried my head in my hands in despair, and then I felt myself levitated in the air.
"And three cheers for the best Heads Hogwarts has ever had!" Sirius shouted, his voice magically magnified.
"We didn't plan this!" James protested, but the whole school, laughing, cheered along with Sirius. Even Professor McGonagall was in high spirits, chuckling at Dumbledore's hat. Only Snape, who was the focus of many jeers, was not cheering. And then Sirius flicked his wand, and James and I slammed into one another. "Sirius!" James roared, but I had a feeling I knew what he wanted before he would let us down.
"Just kiss me," I muttered, blushing already.
James looked surprised. "Gladly."
The catcalling and whooping rung in my ears for the rest of the day.
As we left the Gryffindor tower for the last time the next morning, I was hit by inspiration. "Hang on." I took out my wand. "Um, Fat Lady?"
She smiled. "Yes?"
"If you were to have a present, what would you like?"
She considered. "Anything. I don't get many."
"OK..." I waved my wand, and a box of chocolates appeared beside her. "To remember me," I said as she gasped, and then I dragged my trunk out after me, smiled at her, and hurried after James.
Professor Dumbledore was seeing off the seventh years in the Entrance Hall. He grinned when he saw James, and indicated his hat which was no longer singing.
"I have two hats," he explained as James' jaw dropped.
"Oh, now that's cheating, Professor," I said unexpectedly. "Cantato!"
"Lily!" James gasped as the hat began to whistle. "I didn't know you had it in you."
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Oh, I did," he said resignedly. "Never mind. I am quite sure we'll be seeing each other quite soon - and James, you'll be at the World Cup next summer, I'm guessing?"
James flushed crimson. "How did you know that? I haven't told anyone!"
"I have ways. Chaser for England... not bad, not bad at all..."
I gaped. "James! That's amazing!"
He shrugged. "Well... I don't know if I'll accept... it doesn't seem very worthy, now."
Dumbledore shook his head. "There'll be plenty of opportunity for you to do worthy things, James. You and all your friends. There has to be some light relief for the wizarding world, and Quidditch seems as good a relief as any. And I hope to see entertainment by Sirius..."
I laughed, and James grinned wickedly. "Nice one, Professor... I'll remember."
"Good. And equally, I hope for an invitation to any... forthcoming ceremonies! Kindly make them wizard style." He winked and moved away, chuckling.
James and I stood frozen, staring after him.
"I guess we'd better go," I said at last. "Don't want to miss the train."
He nodded. "Yes."
I cast one last look round the hall as a student, brushed away a final tear, and headed out of the door after him.
FIN