Parts of a whole
by shana
chapter 12.
POV: Andrea, Sarah, Lily, James
I didn't stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the summer. I went back to James's house. Why, you ask? Well, let me explain.
Around the end of January, Lily finally snapped. She put James in a full body bind and Silenced him—all this while he was still in bed, so he wasn't found until that evening when Sirius prodded James's bed thinking James had run away and put pillows to disguise it. Remus performed the countercurse and the teachers started to seriously consider expelling Lily. That of course, was until James got back at her. He pulled a simple yet effective trick: he placed an inkpot with its cover loosened in her backbag. Then the teachers just gave them both three detentions each and told them to stop.
Surprisingly, they did.
It was rumored that Dumbledore threatened to send Lily and James to separate schools on separate continents. It was also rumored that Snape caught them doing something unmentionable [and most likely false] out in the Forbidden Forest. Of course, all of these were started and fed in the same school that stated Dumbledore was having an affair with a sixth year.
No one knew which of the various 'proven facts' to believe, least of all me. Because Lily stopped talking to me. And James started spending a lot of time hiding somewhere.
A psychologist might have classified Lily and James as "suicidal, temperamental, or having an anger management complex" when they both became surprisingly mellow for a three-and-a-half month stretch, but I knew them both better than that shrink possibly could have. Sure, James is a self-centered egomaniac who will probably never grow out of it. And everyone knows that Lily is a competitive freak who lives for revenge. But as soon as they were the center of every conversation under the Hogwarts roofs, both of them backed down. James started listening more than he talked, and when he spoke it wasn't always about himself. Lily stopped avenging everything—probably because there was nothing to avenge seeing as both stopped pranking each other.
It seemed all was quiet and well in Hogwarts—until the last Quidditch game of the season: the battle for the Quidditch Cup.
**********
Everyone was really excited; Gryffindor was in the running for the Quidditch Cup again! It was the first time in two years.
The match was going to take place in a week and three days—on a Thursday. This Saturday was the last Hogsmeade day of the year, and everyone eligible couldn't wait five whole days. The week seemed to stretch endlessly and Monday never turned into Tuesday. Finally, after the last class of the day, everyone filtered into their separate dormitories to get a head start on homework or to get some well-deserved rest.
I sat near the fire in the Gryffindor common room and tuned out the noise. I was studying Quidditch strategies for about the millionth time. I knew from experience playing rugby that you can never be too sure of what you remember when your adrenaline is rushing. Every bit of drilling stuff into your head helps. I had just closed my eyes to recall what the Gould Weave went like when someone suddenly said: "Hey; mind if I join you?"
I looked up and saw James. I smiled at him. "Hi James. I'm just going over some plays."
"Last minute cramming, eh?" He sat next to me, reading the notes in my hand. "Well, I am the master. How do you think I pass my exams?" I laughed at that—maybe a little too loudly. Before I could say anything, he continued. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade together on Saturday. I got permission from McGonagall to buy some new Quidditch socks; lucky she doesn't know that there aren't Quidditch socks." He stared at me with those gorgeous chestnut eyes. 'Get ahold of yourself, Sarah,' I told myself. It was true; I had built up a kind of ice woman reputation in school. I was always hanging out with the guys somewhere, like a basketball court or a football game. I'd never really gone out with someone unless you counted second grade when me and my friends were convinced that you needed a boyfriend for the class St. Valentine's Day party.
After what I'm sure was four hours, I stuttered, "Okay." Then I sat up a little straighter added, "Do you want to meet here or there?"
"Here okay with you?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. See you then, I guess."
Obviously he forgot that we had four full days of classes until then. I struggled not to laugh and forced my eyes back on to the page of plays.
As soon as James disappeared up the staircase—and I mean as soon as he did—Jessica made her way across the common room literally squealing.
"Omigodomigodomigodomigod!"
"In English?" I asked.
"Oh my god! What'd he say?"
"Who?"
"James, of course! Who else? Never mind, but what did he say?"
Jeez, I never knew a girl—anyone could get so hyperactive. "He said words."
"Duh, how else would he ask you out?"
I rolled my eyes, putting my papers into a folder. "He didn't ask me out."
"Oh yeah? Then what did he do?"
"He asked if I would go to Hogsmeade with him."
"And what's that if not a date?"
"Maybe he just needs a pocket."
"A pocket? Don't you think he has pockets on his robes and jeans and—"
"Why are you overreacting? What, am I immune to James's mysterious powers or something?" How could I explain to her that it was not a date while my heart was fluttering at the fact that it very well could be?
"Obviously. He's gorgeous; how can you not see it?"
Funny, I had just described him that way. "Just chill, Jess. When I come back Saturday night I'll tell you everything."
"Wait, this Saturday night? That's when your date is? What about your party?"
Subject change. Thank you, lord almighty. "I told you, I don't want a birthday party. Just give me some presents and I'll be happy."
Jessica frowned. "But I invited the whole year!"
"Well, un-invite them."
"I can't do that! That'll be rude."
"Okay. I'll stay away from the tower all night."
"Where are you going to sleep?"
"I don't know; I have some friends in Ravenclaw."
"Fine. Be that way." She stomped off in a huff. I watched her retreating figure for a few moments, then got up and ran to catch up with her at the top of the stairs. I caught her just before she went into our room.
"I'm sorry, Jess. I'll make sure we get back early so I can come to the party."
"Thanks, Sarah. I'll make sure it's a night you never forget." She hugged me.
I grinned when we separated and pushed the door open. "Okay, then; who exactly did you invite?"
**********
It was Thursday by the time I was finished with all the homework the teachers had piled on us (at the end of the year, of all times to pile it on!). I was sitting as far away from the fire as I could; it's not like I was hot, it's that all the people I don't like happen to sit by the fire. And there are only a few people who I don't like.
Besides being Thursday, it was also pretty late. Andi was already sleeping, of course; her and her ideas of getting a good night's rest before school. Whatever. Not many other people were in the common room, except for the Quidditch team and some sixth years applying for early graduation next December. I was still reading The Last of the Really Great Whangadoodles. I haven't had time to finish it, but now I have nothing else to do.
After I had read about one and a half chapters, the team left—rather loudly, I must say. I mean, I felt like shouting, "There are people trying to read in here!" Of course, had I done that, half the house would have been upon me and we wouldn't want that happening now, would we?
Three chapters later, I started becoming tired. There was no one left in the room; everyone had quietly gone about to do their own little thing. Remembering I had classes the next morning (in a few hours, actually), I headed up to bed. Instead, I stopped, finding a folded piece of parchment on the floor. It was folded in half, but creases told me it had once been folded twice more. Having the inquisitive mind I had, I opened the paper. All I saw were a bunch of Quidditch terms and drawings, probably indicating plays or something. They were written in pretty, distinctly feminine handwriting. But on the other side were some notes, not on Quidditch though. I could make out something to the likes of 'See you Sat. at Hog.' and then an even messier 'Jerms.' Either it was cryptic, I was losing my sight, or this person could not spell. And I couldn't fathom what the writer was trying to say.
Sighing, I put the paper on the nearest table, guessing the owner would realize it was missing the next morning. Then, I finally went back to bed, just then remembering that I had a Potions exam the next morning.
**********
a/n hee hee, a beautifully ended fake cliffie! Wait for the next chapter, coming soon to ffn. sorry this chap is like half fluff and half crap, lol. -shana
by shana
chapter 12.
POV: Andrea, Sarah, Lily, James
I didn't stay at the Leaky Cauldron for the summer. I went back to James's house. Why, you ask? Well, let me explain.
Around the end of January, Lily finally snapped. She put James in a full body bind and Silenced him—all this while he was still in bed, so he wasn't found until that evening when Sirius prodded James's bed thinking James had run away and put pillows to disguise it. Remus performed the countercurse and the teachers started to seriously consider expelling Lily. That of course, was until James got back at her. He pulled a simple yet effective trick: he placed an inkpot with its cover loosened in her backbag. Then the teachers just gave them both three detentions each and told them to stop.
Surprisingly, they did.
It was rumored that Dumbledore threatened to send Lily and James to separate schools on separate continents. It was also rumored that Snape caught them doing something unmentionable [and most likely false] out in the Forbidden Forest. Of course, all of these were started and fed in the same school that stated Dumbledore was having an affair with a sixth year.
No one knew which of the various 'proven facts' to believe, least of all me. Because Lily stopped talking to me. And James started spending a lot of time hiding somewhere.
A psychologist might have classified Lily and James as "suicidal, temperamental, or having an anger management complex" when they both became surprisingly mellow for a three-and-a-half month stretch, but I knew them both better than that shrink possibly could have. Sure, James is a self-centered egomaniac who will probably never grow out of it. And everyone knows that Lily is a competitive freak who lives for revenge. But as soon as they were the center of every conversation under the Hogwarts roofs, both of them backed down. James started listening more than he talked, and when he spoke it wasn't always about himself. Lily stopped avenging everything—probably because there was nothing to avenge seeing as both stopped pranking each other.
It seemed all was quiet and well in Hogwarts—until the last Quidditch game of the season: the battle for the Quidditch Cup.
**********
Everyone was really excited; Gryffindor was in the running for the Quidditch Cup again! It was the first time in two years.
The match was going to take place in a week and three days—on a Thursday. This Saturday was the last Hogsmeade day of the year, and everyone eligible couldn't wait five whole days. The week seemed to stretch endlessly and Monday never turned into Tuesday. Finally, after the last class of the day, everyone filtered into their separate dormitories to get a head start on homework or to get some well-deserved rest.
I sat near the fire in the Gryffindor common room and tuned out the noise. I was studying Quidditch strategies for about the millionth time. I knew from experience playing rugby that you can never be too sure of what you remember when your adrenaline is rushing. Every bit of drilling stuff into your head helps. I had just closed my eyes to recall what the Gould Weave went like when someone suddenly said: "Hey; mind if I join you?"
I looked up and saw James. I smiled at him. "Hi James. I'm just going over some plays."
"Last minute cramming, eh?" He sat next to me, reading the notes in my hand. "Well, I am the master. How do you think I pass my exams?" I laughed at that—maybe a little too loudly. Before I could say anything, he continued. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade together on Saturday. I got permission from McGonagall to buy some new Quidditch socks; lucky she doesn't know that there aren't Quidditch socks." He stared at me with those gorgeous chestnut eyes. 'Get ahold of yourself, Sarah,' I told myself. It was true; I had built up a kind of ice woman reputation in school. I was always hanging out with the guys somewhere, like a basketball court or a football game. I'd never really gone out with someone unless you counted second grade when me and my friends were convinced that you needed a boyfriend for the class St. Valentine's Day party.
After what I'm sure was four hours, I stuttered, "Okay." Then I sat up a little straighter added, "Do you want to meet here or there?"
"Here okay with you?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. See you then, I guess."
Obviously he forgot that we had four full days of classes until then. I struggled not to laugh and forced my eyes back on to the page of plays.
As soon as James disappeared up the staircase—and I mean as soon as he did—Jessica made her way across the common room literally squealing.
"Omigodomigodomigodomigod!"
"In English?" I asked.
"Oh my god! What'd he say?"
"Who?"
"James, of course! Who else? Never mind, but what did he say?"
Jeez, I never knew a girl—anyone could get so hyperactive. "He said words."
"Duh, how else would he ask you out?"
I rolled my eyes, putting my papers into a folder. "He didn't ask me out."
"Oh yeah? Then what did he do?"
"He asked if I would go to Hogsmeade with him."
"And what's that if not a date?"
"Maybe he just needs a pocket."
"A pocket? Don't you think he has pockets on his robes and jeans and—"
"Why are you overreacting? What, am I immune to James's mysterious powers or something?" How could I explain to her that it was not a date while my heart was fluttering at the fact that it very well could be?
"Obviously. He's gorgeous; how can you not see it?"
Funny, I had just described him that way. "Just chill, Jess. When I come back Saturday night I'll tell you everything."
"Wait, this Saturday night? That's when your date is? What about your party?"
Subject change. Thank you, lord almighty. "I told you, I don't want a birthday party. Just give me some presents and I'll be happy."
Jessica frowned. "But I invited the whole year!"
"Well, un-invite them."
"I can't do that! That'll be rude."
"Okay. I'll stay away from the tower all night."
"Where are you going to sleep?"
"I don't know; I have some friends in Ravenclaw."
"Fine. Be that way." She stomped off in a huff. I watched her retreating figure for a few moments, then got up and ran to catch up with her at the top of the stairs. I caught her just before she went into our room.
"I'm sorry, Jess. I'll make sure we get back early so I can come to the party."
"Thanks, Sarah. I'll make sure it's a night you never forget." She hugged me.
I grinned when we separated and pushed the door open. "Okay, then; who exactly did you invite?"
**********
It was Thursday by the time I was finished with all the homework the teachers had piled on us (at the end of the year, of all times to pile it on!). I was sitting as far away from the fire as I could; it's not like I was hot, it's that all the people I don't like happen to sit by the fire. And there are only a few people who I don't like.
Besides being Thursday, it was also pretty late. Andi was already sleeping, of course; her and her ideas of getting a good night's rest before school. Whatever. Not many other people were in the common room, except for the Quidditch team and some sixth years applying for early graduation next December. I was still reading The Last of the Really Great Whangadoodles. I haven't had time to finish it, but now I have nothing else to do.
After I had read about one and a half chapters, the team left—rather loudly, I must say. I mean, I felt like shouting, "There are people trying to read in here!" Of course, had I done that, half the house would have been upon me and we wouldn't want that happening now, would we?
Three chapters later, I started becoming tired. There was no one left in the room; everyone had quietly gone about to do their own little thing. Remembering I had classes the next morning (in a few hours, actually), I headed up to bed. Instead, I stopped, finding a folded piece of parchment on the floor. It was folded in half, but creases told me it had once been folded twice more. Having the inquisitive mind I had, I opened the paper. All I saw were a bunch of Quidditch terms and drawings, probably indicating plays or something. They were written in pretty, distinctly feminine handwriting. But on the other side were some notes, not on Quidditch though. I could make out something to the likes of 'See you Sat. at Hog.' and then an even messier 'Jerms.' Either it was cryptic, I was losing my sight, or this person could not spell. And I couldn't fathom what the writer was trying to say.
Sighing, I put the paper on the nearest table, guessing the owner would realize it was missing the next morning. Then, I finally went back to bed, just then remembering that I had a Potions exam the next morning.
**********
a/n hee hee, a beautifully ended fake cliffie! Wait for the next chapter, coming soon to ffn. sorry this chap is like half fluff and half crap, lol. -shana