Hard To Find
L'amoureuse
Lily Evans and her best friend Arabella Figg were often noted as brilliant and beautiful loners, girls who were mysterious in every way. Golden boy James Potter and his best friends were always in the center of attention. How can these two unlikely characters ever fall in love? Slightly AU.
Chapter 1- Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking
If ten months ago you had told James Potter that he would be standing here right now, he would have laughed in your face.
If seven years ago you had told Lily Evans she would be standing here right now, she would have laughed in your face.
How did two people that were different ever come together in a way so spectacular, so beautiful, and at times so heartbreaking as this?
Let me tell you.
X
'There she is!' A first voice, low and deep to show it was male.
'Who is that?' A second voice, slightly higher pitched; female.
'That's Lily Evans. She's head girl.' The first voice, with a tinge of awe.
'Who?' A question from the second.
'Lily Evans! Come on.' Exasperation. 'You know. The only girl who stands up to the Marauders.'
'Oh! Who's that next to her?'
'Arabella Figg. They are best friends, obviously.' Blatant respect in his tone.
'Why don't they talk to anyone?' Muted awe, again. And an edge of fear, maybe.
'They never do.'
X
'They're talking again, Lily.' The female that had just spoken was shockingly pretty, in a way that made people do double takes. She had bright blue eyes, which she rimmed in kohl to make them brighter. Long and wavy chestnut hair fell to the middle of her back, with heavy bangs covering the side of her face. Tall and skinny, with the kind of body that other girls envy and other boys covet.
'Oh, let them. Why do you even care, Ara? You know that the always do, and always will.' The second girl, all of this said with an extremely bored tone of voice. The second girl, named Lily, is less pretty and more beautiful. The first thing you notice is her physique. Small and slender, she has a body that belongs in a catalogue. Next you notice her hair, which is straight and falls past her shoulders, in a most unusual color. Dark red, almost the color of blood. However, all that fades away when you look into her eyes. The fact that they are almond shaped and heavy lidded does nothing to contain the bright green color.
'Come on Lily, you know that you hate their talking as much as I do. I mean honestly, don't they have anything better to do than sit around critiquing us?'
'No, they don't.'
'Of course we do. What, did you think that you were center of the universe? Oh wait, you do think that.' A new person had joined the duo. He was very tall, with a shock of black hair that seemed purposely mussed. He had deep chocolate brown eyes that were hidden behind a pair of thin glasses.
'Oh look, it's James Potter and he thinks we care about what he's saying. Too bad, all I'm getting is buzzing. What about you, Ara?' Lily stated all of this in a very bored voice and examined her cuticles, only looking up at the end to smirk at James.
'Yep. Definite buzzing.' A smirk at Lily, a glare at James.
'Ladies, let's just admit you can't resist me and move on, shall we?'
'I've already moved on, Potter. To the fact that you were late to the meeting this morning. If I have to present to McGonagall again without you there, you can make your own bloody excuses. I won't do it again.' Again, all of this was said in a bored, cold tone, one that simply yelled 'GET MOVING, RIGHT NOW! A BOMB IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE!'
'Come on, Lily. We all know that you have such a giant stick up your ass that you would never let McGonagall attend a meeting by herself. Of all of the horrors!' His mocking tone was the thing that seemed to finally snap Lily's bored attitude. When she turned back to him, her eyes were blazing. Rather than run for his life, James had a self-satisfied expression on his face as if he had been waiting for this to happen.
'Potter, just because you're too much of a self-centered prick to care about anything other yourself doesn't mean that people who care automatically have a stick up their ass. If you would pull your head far out of your ass enough to see, maybe you'd notice that this school isn't as in love with you as it used to be. Maybe- just maybe- you'd notice that they've realized what I've known since first year. That you're an overgrown boy who cares more about his hair than what's going on in the real world.' Lily said all of this in a mocking tone, and James's face got steadily stonier with every word.
'Evans, maybe it's time for you to realize what you actually are. You're a stuck-up snob who thinks the world should bow down to her because of a badge on her chest. That badge means nothing. Everyone knows that Dumbledore only gave it to you to show that he supports muggleborns, not because he actually likes you.' James knew he overstepped the line when the last word fell from his lips, especially when he saw the barely restrained look in Lily's eyes.
CRACK! The sound echoed through the hallway when Lily's right hand connected with James's cheek.
'James Potter. Thinks he's so high and mighty because of the size of his bank account and the blood running through his veins. You disgust me. You're just as bad as the Slytherins.' With that final insult, she turned on her heel and stalked off, Ara following her after throwing one last dirty look at James.
XXX
'God, he's so frustrating! Argh!' Lily was all but running down the corridor, with Ara next to her.
'What happened to not caring what people said about you?' Ara was the only person who would ever get away with teasing Lily when she was in this mood.
'I don't care what other people say. James Potter- god, it's like he's specially made to drive me crazy.'
The two girls were busy walking up to the Head's dorm, which Lily shared with James. When inside, they shed their jackets, which the brisk winds of October had forced them to don. As Lily unwound her scarf, she continued complaining to Arabella.
'I knew from the moment I met him that we wouldn't get along. What kind of person does what he did in first year? Still, I have no idea why Dumbledore made him Head Boy. That's a crime that hopefully will never be repeated. He doesn't do any of his work, and then he acts like I should kiss his ass for doing it for him.' As Lily said all of this, Ara mouthed it along.
'Lily, I've heard this so often I could recite it. So why not tell it to him instead of to me?'
But both she and Lily knew that Lily wouldn't, so Ara simply made herself comfortable and listened to her friend complain.
XXX
Over in the boy's dorm of Gryffindor tower, a similar situation was occurring.
'Bloody Lily Evans thinks she's so high and mighty. One of these days, I might just hit her.'
James's best friends snickered at his aggravation.
'What'd she do this time?' the first boy that spoke was named Peter Pettigrew. He was small and had quick eyes that shifted nervously. But he was nice enough and despite his faults, he was fiercely loyal to the boys that had saved him from a lifetime of loneliness.
'I can guess.' The second boy was smirking, an expression that would have caused most females to swoon. Sirius Black was tall, gorgeous, and dangerous. Sirius took fierce advantage of that fact, which the female population both acknowledged and ignored.
'What's her problem, anyway?' James tried to sound nonchalant, but his tone showed that he was desperately curious.
'James, Lily Evans is a girl that no bloke will ever understand. I mean yeah, she's gorgeous, but she's also so quiet. And except when she argues with you, she never draws attention to herself. Her and that Arabella girl just go around the school like they own it.'
James shook his head at Sirius's words.
'She's so bloody mysterious. I mean, who the hell is she, really? I know absolutely nothing about her, and I know every Hogwarts student. I know all about Arabella- her dad works with mine- but Evans? Nothing.'
'I'm pretty sure only Arabella knows anything about her. Other than that, she keeps mostly everyone out. They're both brilliant though. Top ten of the year, easily.' The fourth voice belonged to a boy that was lounging on a bed, apart from the heated conversation. Remus Lupin had a peaky air to him, as if he was recovering from a nasty bout of the flu. Despite that, his eyes were kind, and he spoke with a neutral tone.
'That explains why she got Head Girl- Peter, what are you doing? Anyway, like I was saying. Explains why she got Head Girl. She needs to stop yelling at me though. I missed the meeting this morning because I overslept; you were rough last night, Moony.' James smiled at Remus, who flinched slightly.
'No, don't apologize. I was just saying.'
'Well it's not like you can tell her that's why you missed it.' Sirius smiled at James from the bed, a teasing expression on his face. Remus was the one to answer, however.
'Actually, I'm pretty sure she knows.'
Three jaws audibly snapped open.
'What'd you mean, she knows?'
'She's made vague insinuations. Last year, when we patrolled together. And on the night of the full moon, she told me to enjoy the Shrieking Shack when I went to tell her I couldn't patrol because I was sick. I told you she was smart.'
Remus slowly got up and left the room, as the three other boys continued to think fiercely about Lily Evans, the mysterious Head Girl.
X
Lily enjoyed patrol nights, because she enjoyed being alone. She had been alone most of her life, so being alone wasn't a problem. She was a girl who went by herself to restaurants and even to movies. And yes, she loved Arabella, but sometimes she needed to be by herself to think.
That's exactly what she was doing this evening. She didn't know what to make of two things. James Potter, and also the situation outside of the school.
The same morning, after the Head's meeting which Potter hadn't attended because of his late night with Remus- here Lily paused in her musings to wonder, yet again, what the shape of his animagus could be- she had opened her Daily Prophet to a horrifying article.
DEATH EATER ATTACK ON SMALL SURREY VILLAGE
Yesterday evening in a quiet wizarding village in Surrey, a Death Eater Attack took place. Not much is currently known in the way of details, but so far there have been 9 deaths and 13 injured. We send our regards to the family of the deceased.
That was it. A small blurb, not more than fifty words, to try and describe the horror of a death eater attack. Lily had seen an attack first-hand, and had read the article about it several days after to find much the same thing. It sickened her to think that people weren't paying more attention. Yes, they lived in the 'Hogwarts Bubble'- as she and Ara called it- but they also had to know what was happening.
And then James Potter's barb this afternoon had brought it all crashing down again.
Lily thought without paying attention to where she was going, and when she looked up, she was standing in front of a gargoyle. Namely, Dumbledore's office. She smiled and leaned in to the gargoyle.
'Would you let me in, please?' The gargoyle winked and allowed her passage into the staircase above.
X
'Ah, Ms. Evans. I thought I might see you today.'
'Yes, Professor… I actually didn't mean to come here.' Lily admitted this without the slightest bit of shame or embarrassment. Dumbledore mused silently to himself that lily was not a girl who was easily embarrassed or easily ashamed. She took responsibility for her actions, and she stood by them. She was strong in a way that others were weak, and he respected that.
'Sometimes, Ms. Evans, our feet lead us to the very place we need to go, without us ever realizing it. Saltwater taffy?'
'Oh, thank you. I used to eat these all the time as a child.'
'Ah, the joys of childhood. I miss them often.' There was an infinite sadness in his eyes that Lily did not comment upon. 'Now, Ms. Evans, I'm sure there is another reason for your being here than taffy and childhood.'
'Well, yes. I wanted to talk to you about what happened to me, so long ago, and why no one is acting on it. And also, I wanted to know- why did you pick me for Head Girl?' At this question, which seemed slightly desperate, Dumbledore steepled his hands as is his habit and smiled at Lily.
'Lily, I did not choose you for Head Girl because of who you were. I chose you for Head Girl because of who you are, and what you have done for this school. And before you ask- no, I did not choose you to promote muggleborns in this school.'
'How- how- how did you know?'
'How I know is not what matters, what I know matters. I know that you are a brilliant witch, Lily, one with a future that even I cannot guess at. I also know that you will overcome most and many obstacles thrown in front of you, and that is why I instated you as Head Girl.'
Lily simply gazed at Dumbledore in wonder.
'I wanted to thank you, Professor. For not telling anyone what has happened to me. As I'm sure you know, I've told Ara. But thank you for letting me make that my decision.'
'Lily, it was not my place to tell those things. But I'd like to point out that secrets lead to bigger problems than simply deciding whom to tell. That, alas, is a conversation for another day. I'm actually rather thrilled that you entered my office, as I was about to summon you. I surmise you read the paper this morning? It seems to be your daily habit.'
'Yes, professor, I did. Are you referring to the Surrey attack?' Lily didn't comment on the fact that her Headmaster knew that she read the paper every morning without fail.
'Yes. In light of this most recent attack, I have decided to create a new class. It will be carried on out of the regular school hour, and it will be by invitation only. Tell me, Ms. Evans, what do you dream to do when you leave school?'
'Well, Professor, I was hoping to become an auror.'
Dumbledore beamed at her. 'As I thought you would. I would like to ask you to attend the first meeting of this class. It will be held Tuesday night in the classroom across from the Kitchens. I'm sure you know where that is?'
Lily squirmed- she had made the trip to the Kitchens very often- and very often after curfew. On the outside, however, she remained calm and collected.
'I do, Professor.'
'Excellent. If you will meet me there Tuesday night, you and a group of students will learn more about what it is.' Recognizing this as her cue to leave, Lily stood and turned.
'Thank you, Professor. For making me Head Girl.'
Another beam, and Lily left.
XXX
So here it is, chapter 1. I hope you enjoy the less clichéd characters of Lily and James. I got really fed up with the loud, popular lily and I wanted a more mysterious character. Next chapter:
'Welcome to what I hope will be your most challenging class this year.'
X
'You have got to be kidding me!'
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There was a flash of light and a bang, and then all James saw was darkness.
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I will try and release a new chapter each week.
Please read, and review!