I'll Take it Shaken, Not Stirred

Chapter 17: Future Tense

NFtC: You may be annoyed with this chapter because it isn't absolutely action packed, and while, I sympathize, I also have an excuse. There are lots of plotlines running right now, the main ones being the Death Eater/Spy one and the L/J relationship, but remember that there is also the unfolding of the group's 7th year, which is a primary focus of this chap. Also this is a very important chapter for Lily's character, and for those who are worried about me writing a St. James: don't worry. I'm attacking him soon enough :-P. Love to reviewers!

History: JKR owns concepts, characters, and a billion dollar franchise. I own the computer, some OCs, and very little else. God owns us all. Bwahahaha!

Recap: Lily wounds James's pride or whatever and he pretty much burns her at a New Years party. Also during the party, Eddie Bones tells the Head Girl that the Minister of Magic will be visiting the school in February. Lily breaks up with Elijah. Secondary OCs to keep track of: Rachel (Sirius's girlfriend); Rian (Eden's boyfriend); Paul Montreal (Gryffindor Keeper); Leander (Alice's on-and-off boyfriend). –for those who forget OCs as easily as I do :-P

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"I never think of the future—it comes soon enough." –Albert Einstein

"Do you like February, E?" Lily asked of her friend on the first day of that month, as they sat in the library, supposedly doing homework. Eden set down her quill and looked thoughtful for a moment.

"No," she answered finally. "I don't really. It's a very... droll month."

"That's what I think," Lily agreed with equal thoughtfulness. "I can't think of a single day in February that I like consistently every year."

Eden nodded. "That's positively tragic, that is. We should make up a holiday to lighten it up a bit."

"February's already got a holiday," Lily reminded her. "Valentine's Day is the fourteenth."

"Oh that's right; I though it was in March for a second. But I think Valentine's Day is a weak holiday, don't you?"

"Mmmm, yes."

"There ought to be something flashier- or at least more interesting. Something like..."

"Career Advice Day?" suggested Lily, holding up a flier for her friend's observance.

"Career Advice Day?" Eden repeated. "Heaven help us. And are those meetings coming up already?"

Lily handed the green-tinted parchment to Eden, who read the words on it at a hum. "Oh good," she said, once she'd finished. "They don't start till the twentieth—but aren't the meetings usually in May or something?"

"Seventh years have three Career Advice Meetings," Lily said. "Once in February, April, and May. Fifth years only have one in May."

"Ah to be young," sighed Eden reminiscently, then she added more seriously: "Do you have a schedule?" Lily handed her the requested parchment. "Why do you all have this and I don't?"

"Because you were 'sick' for the first two periods and McGonagall passed them out in Transfiguration."

"I was sick," Eden defended. "It was a pure coincidence that I hadn't finished my Transfiguration homework... yet."