A Push in the Right Direction

I press the cool ceramic bowl against my forehead and breath in. "Oh god." I feel another wave of nausea and lift my head to puke into the toilet. As I sit on the grimy bathroom floor all I can think is that there is that there is no way I still have the flu. After several minutes, I get up, flush the toilet and straighten out my skirt. My mouth tastes like bile. I slowly open the door and walk over to the sink. I turn the nob and feel the icy cold water on my already numb hands. I splash my face with the chilling water then attempt to rinse out my mouth.

This was the fourth day in a row I had been in this bathroom. I had always avoided this bathroom, the one with the leaky sink that only released freezing murky water, that had floors that looked like a house elf had never laid eyes on them and don't even get me started on the toilet. I had succeeded in staying clear of this bathroom since first year when Alice had first told me it was haunted. That was until this Monday, when overwhelming nausea had urged a detour from my usual path to double potions and I found myself cradling the grimy toilet and puking out bacon and eggs.

I had told myself that I must have caught the flue that all the first years seemed to have, and proceed to potions apologizing to Slughorn for my tardiness. Not that he minded. Today would be my fourth day late to potions and I had a feeling if I kept this up he would not be too happy.

I pull my long curly red hair into a ponytail and take a deep breath. "Just breath" I tell myself and leave the room that had become my personal puke bucket. I wrinkle my nose and know there will be a distinct vomit smell on me if I don't clean up. I take out my wand, point it at the room, and mutter, "scourgify". I turn on my heel and head toward the dungeons, quickening my pace when I realize how late it is.

I reach the door and turn the nob, trying to open it as quietly as I can, of course, it makes a loud creak and everyone looks at me. Well not everyone but Mr. Slughorn sure does. His smile is not as bright as usual, as he says "Lily how nice of you to join us", that earns a few snickers from the Slitherins. I mutter my apology and slide into my seat in the front row next to Alice. As soon as Slughorn goes back to telling us what we would be doing today, she slips me a note. I try to ignore the paper but Alice starts kicking me under the table.

With a sigh I pick up the note and read.

Where were you? This is the third day you've been late. If you keep this up old sluggy is gonna have to find a new crush.

I shoot Alice my evilest glare but all she does is slip me another note.

Seriously though, are you okay? This isn't like you?

When I look at her again I noticed the concern in her eyes.

I sigh and realize I should probably tell her what's been going on. That is not going to be a fun conversation.

I rip part of my parchment off and quickly write her my response.

I'm fine. But I need to talk to you. Tonight.

I give it to her and watch as her face scrunches up. I can tell she is trying to figure out what is going on. There is no way she will figure it out thought, after all she doesn't even know what started all this. But tonight, tonight I will tell her everything and we will figure it out together. I can't help my eyes from wandering to the back of the room. It's like I am drawn to his unruly hair and crooked smile. I will never get away from that night. He's laughing at something Sirius said and clearly not paying attention to Slughorn. Speaking of which, "Lily?" oh shit, he asked me a question. "Sorry professor could you repeat that?" he frowns at me. Slughord actually frowned at me. I really need to start paying attention. "I said what is the first sign if you make the potion incorrectly? " Oh shit. I don't even know what potion he's talking about. "Well, the first sign would be its texture, that always gives it away if the potion is off." Satisfied with my answer he turns away from me and continues talking. I finally begin paying attention and writing notes.

The class passes quickly and my potion is satisfactory although I still need to make up my lateness somehow. After class I walk part of the way to defense against the dark arts with Alice, thinking about how to get back on Slughorn's good side before realizing I left my books in potions. With an exasperated sigh I tell Alice I will meet her at defense and run back to the classroom to get my books. I grab the books up and just as I am leaving I run right into someone. With a thud, I drop my books and quickly scramble to grab them "Shit, I'm late" I grumble and finally look at the person I ran into.

"Sorry, I didn't see you coming" he said while I stared at him. "Right, yeah, sorry, I'm late, I mean I just, yeah, thanks" I heard the words coming out of my mouth without really processing them. "I need to go." I literally ran away from him. That seems to be a pattern with me. I always run away from James Potter. Well, almost always.