Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling is the creator of the Harry Potter characters and Realm. I'm just having some fun with them for a bit. There will be a few mentioned names and such that I made up, it shouldn't be too hard to tell what. Consider this a STORY wide Disclaimer as well.
Dedication: This story is completely dedicated to Matelia Legwll, my dear friend and harry potter fanatic, because this whole thing got started because I wanted to write a short oneshot about Lily and James for her. She loves this pairing, and it seemed a fun prospect. I should have known my plot bunnies would take it from a quick oneshot to one huge and long story. I invite anyone who likes Lily and the marauders, and a lot of humor to check out her own fic Cat, Rat, and Dog.
This story began as just a Lily POV but has progressed and grown into several other perspectives: namely Severus, Remus and quite recently James and Sirius. You'll be flipping between different people depending on the chapter. I don't usually write in first person so any feedback I get would be much appreciated.
Lily's Morning
I could not sleep, so I get dressed in a plain golden yellow turtleneck and a brown plaid skirt of tan, gold, and red stitching. I picked the outfit out in the department store because it reminded me of the Gryffindor common room wall tapestry. I'm not sure why I bothered with it really, I haven't been the biggest one for school or house pride while attending school at this place. I try to smile. This place, Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Witchcraft. Witch. That is what got me started with all of this five years ago. I found out I was a witch and it changed my life forever. The first four and a half years were extraordinarily fun, but towards the end of last school year, everything changed. I changed.
I head down the dormitory stairs into the common room, which is completely empty, not surprising given the early hour and the fact that today is Saturday. Still, I cannot help but get this uneasy feeling as I head out of the portrait hole.
Why is it the stairs and hallways seem harder to navigate when you are by yourself? I noticed that when I became a prefect, but the question still pops into my head as I have yet to discover an appeasing answer.
It doesn't take me long to reach the bottom of the grand staircase. I suppose it is too early for breakfast, maybe I'll go outside and read a bit, clear my head. Distract myself from my overwhelming feelings and thoughts that I shouldn't have bothered coming back. One week, that is how long it has been since my return here and somehow it just doesn't feel the same. It just isn't as fun or exciting as it was before. I turn around and climb back up to the fourth floor and then walk down the hallway till I reach the clock tower. I take the stairs down that lead out of the tower and into the court yard.
I reach forward and grab the large circular pull handle of one of the entrance doors and I let out a soft sigh of relief because it isn't locked. The crisp morning air rushes in and tickles my face. Closing my eyes, I step out into the morning light.
It is going to be a gorgeous day. I can tell. The leaves are just beginning their fading into their ambers and browns, it is truly one of the more beautiful things about nature.
I am about to walk out into the inviting air when a thought suddenly occurs to me. I look down at my hands in dismay.
Just brilliant Lily, I mentally scold myself, Exactly how did you plan to read without a book? This is all I can take, I hate to admit it, but my eyes are watering and tears are falling down the sides of my face.
Footsteps from behind me jerk me out of my current thoughts, I reach up and quickly wipe my hands over my eyes to try to hide the fact that I was crying.
"Evans?"
I turned to face the owner of the questioning voice and find myself staring at James Potter, of course he would be the one I run into when I feel like being alone.
"Potter? What are you doing up this early?" I ask trying to get an early start on the conversation and perhaps keep it clear from me altogether, but then I know whom I am talking to and the chances of this actually working are slim. Still, I can try.
"I could ask you the same thing Evans." James retorted tilting his head to one side with that half smirk of his. I have to admit, it has been strange hearing James Potter call me Evans instead of Lily, but for some reason this school year he has actually begun to acknowledge my past five years worth of requests for him to do so.
"I couldn't sleep and I just wanted some fresh air." It isn't a lie, not exactly, but I can't help feeling as if I am lying. Why is that?
"Lily, is something wrong?"
"No." I immediately shoot back at James's inquiry. I know he asked because he is trying to be considerate, but that does not mean I want to talk to him about my problems. It is not as if we are best friends or anything. Not that I have any here at school, not anymore anyways.
"You sure, it looks to me like you're upset and you got tear tracks on your cheeks." I can't believe this, he actually seems genuinely concerned. No, I cannot talk about it, not with him. I turn my head away, I know it is rude, but what else am I suppose to do!?
"I'm fine really, it's nothing," and to contradict myself I wipe my face with the edges of my sleeve. Brilliant. "I just got upset with myself because I wanted to go outside and enjoy the weather but I forgot to bring a book with me."
"Oh, is that all," James replies flatly, I cannot help but turn to him wondering how he can even buy that excuse. Not that is a lie, I did intend to come out here and read, and I did forget to bring a book, it's just not the real reason why I was crying. I know it is rude to stare, but it seems to be the only thing I can do. I have no words to say to him. I cannot explain it.
"Well why don't you come out anyways," James interrupts my thoughts, "There's plenty you can do outside without a book."
"Like what?" my curiosity getting the better of me. Plus it keeps the topic away from the real reason why I was crying, I'm so clever. Well, most of the time anyways.
"How about a walk with a classmate." I'm not exactly sure whether that is supposed to be a question or a suggestion. And why does he have to look at me with that hopeful expression!?
"A walk with you? Why would you think I'd want to do that?" Spare me, I know it is rude, but as I said before I do not wish to talk with him, and he can never take a hint.
"Well you're here, I'm here, and I've got to go set up the Quidditch field for the tryouts after breakfast today and I would enjoy the company." He replies with a sheepish grin. It doesn't fool me, I have seen it before, but that doesn't make it less sincere I guess.
"Fine." I reply to him, "But just the walk and only because there is nothing else to do right now."
"Right." he replies walking out of the castle and closing the door behind us with a quick flick of his wand. How he knows how to do that is beyond my comprehension of him. And frankly, it's probably better for my sanity not to know.
We walk together around the courtyard and onto the covered bridge in silence. It's irritating.
"Thank you-" I blurt out, I really did not mean to say anything. But, since I have, I might as well finish the thought. "Thank you for not being obnoxious about this." I really should just keep quiet now that I have heard myself aloud. That really didn't sound that rude in my head. Honest. How can he not hate me when I talk to him like this?
"About what, walking with me? What did you expect me to say?" He asked with a shrug motion that ended with him placing his hands into his pockets. He really can be sweet, sure he's obnoxious at times, but nothing I say ever seems to bother him. I used to think it was because he was never actually listening to anything I said to him. It seems though, I'll have to edit my previous thoughts on him slightly. I said slightly now, don't get any funny ideas that I'm beginning to like him. Because I'm not. I don't.
"I don't know, something about how my agreeing to walk with you implies I've grown romantic feelings for you. Which I haven't." See, there, I actually said it. Ha!
"I didn't say anything."
"You may have been about to though." I can't believe he nodded to that. Does that mean I have that much of an understanding of him! Scary thought, get out of my head now please. Yes, well, anyways we arrived at the Quidditch field entrance and James pulled out a brass key from his pocket and unlocked the door. I wasn't expecting that, usually he just breaks into things, but I suppose he received the key so he could set up from McGonagall or someone else. It just seems odd that he'd use it. I wonder if it's because he is with me that he's using the conventional method of entry? No, that's a silly thought, I've seen him break countless school rules with his friends and he never seemed to mind that I did. What am I thinking?
"Ladies first," James smiles at me holding the door open with is left arm while he stands to the side to make room for me to walk past. I can't help it, my eyes just roll like this naturally, I swear. It is slightly habit when someone acts like this though, I mean why is it considered good manners to let a woman walk into a room first when there could be some unknown danger lying in wait inside. Ha, wow, I don't even want to think about who that sounded like just now. Nope.
"The equipment room is this way," James says turning to his left. He stops and looks back at me.
"I'll wait here, unless you need me to help or something?"
"No, you're fine right there. I'll just be a moment," He gives me a warm smile as he points his thumb over his shoulder, "I just need to bring out a few of the school brooms and the ball case."
I give a nod and turn my attention to the stands. I don't usually come onto the Quidditch field like this. In fact, the last time I was down here was all the way back during first year flying lessons. I never enjoyed them. It's not exactly something I have a talent for, flying. The field seems longer than this from up in the stands, and yet from down here the whole thing seems a lot taller. Perspectives can be funny like that I guess, kind of like first impressions. This school makes me double guess everything. Why does it have to do that to me, why?
A loud thud makes me jump and jerk my head around. James was back and apparently decided to just drop the ball case without warning. Not that he really needs to give a warning, but I find myself wishing he had.
"Alright then," He looks to me as he brushes his hands of the dust. "Just need to go set up up in the stands and then I'm done. Want to come up with me?"
I just shrug and follow him after he nods and heads towards one of the wooden staircases that leads up to the viewing stands. It's a very long climb when you're going up by yourself. I mean, I know James is right in front of me, but still. Just like walking through the castle, this just feels odd. Maybe it's just me though.
We reach the top and Potter goes straight to work. I take a seat on one of the benches so I won't be in his way. He conjures four clipboards and places them on the front table where the announcer usually sits. From his pocket he pulls out what looks like a stop watch and sets it down on the table.
"Okay then, all done." he turns to me and announces. I can't believe it.
"That's it?" I ask him in disbelief. I just got comfortable on the bench here and he's already done!
"Yeah," he gives me a childish smile and gestures around him. "Doesn't take too much effort, it's why I volunteered."
Figures. I don't even know why that shocks me slightly. I roll my eyes at him again as I stand up and head down, this time I'm in front. The nerve, he's laughing to himself behind me. Does he really think I can't hear him?!
We arrive back down on the field and I head towards the entrance we came in.
"Evans, wait!" James calls from behind me.
"What now?" the thought plaques my mind as I turn around to face him.
"Sorry, I just remembered I didn't check the balance of the brooms yet. Let me do that, then we can head out."
"Sure." I nod and walk slowly following him as he races over to the ball case and brooms. Exactly how did I end up following Potter again? And why am I still here, it's not like he needs me here for this. What do I know about Quidditch or flying in general?
James mounts onto the first broom and kicks off. I envy him. I can't help it. The ability to kick off the ground and just keep soaring higher completely torn from the pull of the earth. It has to be an extraordinary feeling.
"Want to try?" James's voice reaches my ear and I turn my head quickly. Apparently he decided to soar down and sneak up on me, the jerk.
"No thanks," I reply with a mildly shaking voice. I swear it's because he caught me off guard. I do not fear flying. I don't.
"You afraid Evans?" James asks me cocking his head to the side. Why does he seem to be able to read my mind? Why!? And why won't he stop looking at me like that, it's creepy. Okay so it's not entirely creepy, but it certainly makes me uncomfortable standing here next to him while he's observing me like this.
"No." I tell him but I can tell he doesn't believe me. I'm not even sure I do anymore. Just how far can that boy raise his eyebrow anyways? He lets a short laugh escape him as he jumps down off the broom. He goes over and exchanges the broom he just flew on with the other one he had brought out earlier.
"Come on then, let's go for a ride together." He says hoping up onto the broom. Potter's feet hang over the ground by just a few inches. I can't help but stare at him like he's insane. And to say something like that just now, he has to be right? Right?
"Together?" I can't believe him sometimes. "On the same broom, are you insane?" I'm so glad no one is around. Yes, I am aware of the uselessness of asking an insane person if they are in fact insane. But still, I asked the question and now I can't take it back.
"Sure. Why not? There's plenty of room," James replies scooting forward on the broom slightly. The broom doesn't even teeter as he does. Wait! Did he just dodge my question on his sanity?! I open my mouth to speak but before words can come out of me he stretches out his left hand at me and gives me an encouraging smile.
"Come on Evans, I'll be doing all the work, all you have to do is hang on and enjoy the ride."