She Said What?

Chapter 64: I Find the Source of the Stink

A/N: Some of you are slightly concerned with the little secret kept at the end of the last chapter – which was the goal all along, making me a very happy little writer. Don't worry – I fully intend to tell you about it, because it's an important development that deserves some prominence. It's obvious, but I don't think you wouldn't have thought of it until I forced it in your faces.

Oh, and one other thing – are you lot crazy? I am not putting Livvy and Sirius together! Some of you voiced this concern and I'm like, why would I do that? They're a terrible match – Livvy is sentimental to the millionth degree, which Sirius wouldn't be able to stand. Besides, it's far too soon after Russell for Livvy to even consider a committed relationship.

Just FYI – it's totally possible for boys and girls to be good friends without getting tangled in romance. So, I mean, a Livvy/Sirius relationship is completely out of the question. Completely. I wouldn't ruin my story like that. I have better ways to ruin it.

But otherwise, here you go, the next chapter, and we're going to spend a little time on this development. Hope you like it.

This chapter you should listen to: What If, Safety Suit.

Cheers.

May 20

7:55 PM
Status: Breathless

Merlin's beard...looking at this empty page now, after the evening I've had, the adrenaline flowing through my veins, I can honestly say that I'm not entirely sure where to begin this mad tale.

So, instead of staring stupidly at this journal, my quill hovering instead of writing, I suppose I'll just start where it really started for me – tonight, during dinner, at the Gryffindor table.

I was sitting with James, the Marauders, Alice, Frank, and Livvy, as usual – James on my one side, Alice on my other – and Sirius was telling us a funny story, making Livvy laugh and Peter snort pumpkin juice out of his nose. It was a very normal dinner scene – me and my friends, being idiots together – and I was enjoying myself thoroughly.

That is, I was enjoying myself thoroughly – until James cleared his throat, got up, and said, "Hey, I've got to go. Just remembered I have to do something tonight."

"Aww, damn you, Prongs," Sirius complained. "This is, like, the third night you're vanishing off like this. Very mysterious shit here."

James merely shrugged. "Not really. But hey, I'll see you lot later."

"Are you going to be back in time for patrol?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

James considered, his cheeks going pink. "I...hope so," he said lamely. "See you later."

Despite the looks we were all giving him, he kissed my cheek briefly and left the Great Hall without a glance back, his walk brisk and slightly rushed. I watched him go with a flat, bitter, empty feeling in my stomach. Alice noticed my less-than-buoyant mood when I turned around to face the rest of them, unsure of what to say.

"Hey, don't worry about him," she said soothingly, giving my shoulder a little squeeze. "I'm sure it's not a big deal."

"Actually, I think it's a very big deal," Sirius said, frowning, his funny story already forgotten. "I wasn't kidding – this is pretty mysterious shit."

"Lily, he must've told you something," Peter reasoned. "You're his girlfriend. He tells you everything."

"That's what I thought too," I said glumly. "But I don't know anything – except that I'll probably have to patrol without him. Again."