Hi guys,
i came online to post the next chapter. hv to go now... hope u like it...
btw, i hve tried increasing the font size... if it is still too small try holding the ctrl key and scrol down, this will make the font of the entire page bigger, it works for me...
this is a comparatively a smaller chapter as i wrote this at 2 in the night... hope it is gud... i didnt hv it looked over by niyu[coolniyu - my editor/best friend] as i normally do... so any mistakes pls bring it to my notice...
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CHAPTER 7 – AFTER THE WORLD CUP
"That was a brilliant game."
"You bet it was."
"And England won!"
"It was no surprise… with Hailey in their team, their victory was certain."
"Did you see the way he scored their 15th goal? It was brilliant."
"I know… it was the same tactic I used in our last years match against Rawenclaw…"
"Shut it Potter." said Lily punching him friendlily on the arm. He grinned down at her at her and continued.
"Did you see the way Cliff swerved the keeper and scored that goal…? I am pretty sure I could do that if I tried…and that diversion tactics were exactly the ones I use against Slytherin and it always works…" Lily frowned at his self centeredness and rolled her eyes. He did not notice it. They could hear the sounds of celebrations as they neared their campsite. Sirius turned to the other three looking nervous.
"How about if we four go elsewhere to celebrate? My family will be there." He had run into his mother at the stadium and the experience had been nasty. If it were not for Mr. Potter, no one knew what would have happened. But what happened was a war of words between Mr. Potter and Mrs. Black and Mr. Potter came out the better person in it. He knew all about Sirius' situation and had agreed whole heartedly to take him in.
"Oh… ok!" said James understanding. They all left for the secluded corner using the map.
Monica sat on Sirius' lap and he put his arms around her. He looked troubled and worried. She kissed him.
"Does that make you feel better?"
"It sure does Mon." he said smiling at her.
"That is somewhat like the Sirius I know."
"I wish we could all join the celebs and I am sorry it is because of me that you all couldn't go too… I will make it up to you in some way or the other."
"How?"
"Dunno…"
"You know how to make it up to me though!" suggested Monica wiggling her eyebrows. Sirius took the hint and kissed her fervently. James looked at them wistfully and then at Lily. The map lay at Lily's feet and she picked it up.
"The Slytherins are coming our way."
"What?" asked Sirius surfacing. Before Lily could repeat her sentence, Narcissa pulled aside a few bushes and stepped in followed by Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix and Snape.
"What do we have here?" said Malfoy in his smooth voice looking nastily at Sirius and Monica.
James leapt to his feet and Lily got up next to him. Monica got up too, embarrassed and Sirius followed her defiantly.
"Tsk Tsk… it does not do good to mingle with even friends of mudbloods Sirius…" he said looking at Monica with distaste. Monica glared at him and Sirius put an arm around her protectively.
"You can protect her all you want now Sirius… but you cannot protect her from the Dark Lord." said Snape sniggering. Lily stiffened at the mention of Voldemort. James instinctively put his hand on her shoulder.
"What do you mean snivellus?"
"Well… Lucius and Narcissa are leaving school after their NEWTs this year and they will be joining forces with the Dark Lord to eliminate all the mudbloods and muggle-lovers. I will follow them once I am of age too."
"We are not going to be taking his attacks laid down Severus. We will fight. And there will be a time when we will win."
"I didn't see you winning when you lost your parents in his attack on the muggles." Lucius had touched a nerve there. Lily whipped out her wand and pointed it to his heart. There was so much anger in her eyes which startled Bellatrix and Snape. Narcissa laid an arm on Lucius' shoulder and glared at Lily. Lucius however looked unruffled.
"Evans… you may be clever but you sure are ignorant. I am of age and more experienced than you. You can't hex me and get away with it."
"Get the hell out of here Narcissa."
"Sirius… you are a Black and you should be on our side." Spat Bellatrix.
"I am ashamed of being a Black." He spat back.
"I would worry more about your little girlfriend if I were you." Said Lucius, looking at him maliciously. Sirius tightened his grip on Monica. Lucius smiled evilly.
"The dark lord will strike. And with him he will take away all the mudbloods and traitors. Because the world belongs only to the purebloods. And everything, including the muggles, is for the purebloods." Saying this Slytherins left. Monica placed her head on Sirius' chest and burst into tears. She was not used to such threats put across at her. She was having a hard time accepting the growing terror and danger of You-Know-Who and this threat really jilted her. Sirius comforted her by stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head.
James looked at Lily who was staring after Lucius. He saw that there were tears in her eyes.
"Evans? Are you okay?" she looked at him and nodded resolutely. But James saw the subtle uncertainty in her nod. He kept on looking at her with concern. Her resolve broke and she sank down on the ground weeping into her hands. James did not know what to do. He kneeled down in front of her and looked up confused at Sirius. Sirius motioned to him to console her. He lifted a hand nervously and patted her head.
"Evans… what is the matter?"
"He killed my parents!" wailed Lily through her fingers. She had closed her face with her hands and her hair was swinging from both sides of her face. The moonlight threw a bluish tinge against her. To top it all, her blue dress was flared up all around her making her look beautiful against the green background. James' breath caught in his throat as he took her in with his eyes. All he wanted to do then was put his arms around her. He did just that. She threw her arms around his neck and sobbed against his chest.
"I want to see mommy!" she sniffed. He was unsure of what to say and just stroked her hair nervously. He took in the smell of her shampoo and the feel of her hands around his neck. He wished things would stay that way forever. He stayed enjoying her for a few minutes stroking her head. Lily's sobs subdued, but he did not want to let her go. She waited for him to take the first move but when he didn't -
"Uh James…" she said quietly.
"What?"
"You can let go of me now."
"Oh!" He reluctantly pulled away and they both stood up. There was an awkward silence between them. They refused to meet each others eyes. Lily hugged herself with her hands as she was feeling suddenly cold. James looked at his feet. Monica was still in Sirius' arms and he was whispering something to her. Sirius caught James' eyes and winked at him. James looked away. Lily walked up to Monica and hugged her. James went around and put a hand on Sirius' shoulder.
"It will be ok Monica. Things are changing in this world and you will have to accept it."
"I am not used to it. I don't want it to happen."
"You cannot help these things Monica. Remember you are a Gryffindor. And Gryffindors are brave and will fight till the end." said Sirius. Monica pulled back with a determined look on her face.
"Sure we will." said James proudly. Monica gave a watery smile. Sirius kissed her forehead and pushed her hair away from her face.
"Feeling better?"
"I think…"
The four of them sat down and resumed their conversation. They talked late into night, till the sounds of the celebrations died down. They talked about so many things - Quidditch, school, friends, professors and even romance. Lily did not participate all that much in the conversation as she was doing a lot of thinking – about James and the way he had held her…
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