Four To The End (prev Shifting Lines) Book Three (Marauders Era)

Chapter Seven - Fawley's Plan

CW for the chapter: knives/dagger being mentioned, reference to a near drowning, and hinted child abuse.

Okay so I said I had an important thing to say here. This summer has really torn me apart. I'm not in a great state of mind. But I do love writing SL, and I am ready to post again. Just... slowly, at first. Which is why I am going to be updating only on Tuesdays for a while. On to the important thing...

Cw human death and pet death:

In July my mother passed away. My mother was one of the most incredible, wonderful women I've ever met in my life. She was brilliant and supportive and kind and loving. For those that don't know, a lot of Miss Fawley is based on my mother. She was more than a mother to me, she was also a best friend. We were very close and I loved her very, very much.

My mother loved Shifting Lines. She was constantly asking questions about it, she'd shout out comments as she'd read the newest chapter, or often asked me if I could release an extra bonus chapter. She even gave me a stuffed black dog named Gwyllgi. Less than 48 hours before she passed I told her I was going to continue SL and she was so proud of me for continuing. I'm glad I told her when I did because I considered waiting a little while. I am VERY happy I was able to talk to her about this. I am very happy that I had the chance to hear her tell me how proud she was for my decision. The day she passed we talked about SL, too. She was looking forward to continuing reading, looking forward to me posting again. She truly did love this story, and I am dedicating this entire series to her.

Mom, I know you're reading this where you are, and thank you for being so supportive of my passion for writing my entire life... and for being supportive of me writing fanfiction. I love you, and miss you. I really hope this story will do you proud.

And an additional announcement is one of my dogs, Glaceon, passed away yesterday (just after midnight on the second). She was one of my baby girls, I met her when she was just four days old. She was only five years old and this has been another huge blow to me. This summer has really been hell for me. But I am hoping Shifting Lines will help me through this.

Thank you everyone for the patience and I hope that y'all continue to enjoy the story!

-x-

"That is absolutely bloody weird! Do it again!"

Remus tried not to laugh as he pushed the hoover over some dirt then pulled it back to reveal the dirt was gone. Sirius stared down at the carpet in shock.

"Muggles did this?"

"They certainly did." Remus turned the hoover off and unplugged it.

"You know, sometimes I think they're more clever than some purebloods think."

Remus carefully wrapped the cord around the handle. "Muggles are a lot more clever than a lot of purebloods think. I wish we still had our telly. Our television set. You'd go mental over that."

Sirius followed Remus closely as he took the vacuum cleaner back to the closet. "Television. What was that again?"

"Moving pictures with sound. Sometimes fiction—made-up stories. Sometimes... real life. You know you're not attached to me with a six inch cord."

Sirius took a step back. "S'brilliant. They can't use magic to zap away the dirt so they come up with something to suck it up and... throw it away?"

"Usually yes, but as I told you before my father simply makes the stuff disappear so we don't have to—to, er, waste bags," Remus mumbled, avoiding saying 'buying more'.