(A/N-This is my first attempt at a Lily/James fanfic. I know it's cliché, but I found it easier to just go ahead and put them in Gryffindor. It's kind of about when they first really got to know each other, and perhaps, when they first started liking each other...Please R/R! Oh! And this is just the first part-more to come...)
Collapsing into a soft scarlet colored chair in the early hours of the morning, James Potter and his three best friends were panting heavily combined with rounds of laughter all around.
"Did you see the look on that hag's face?" asked Sirius Black, eyes flashing merrily.
"You know she was wondering why some-" Remus Lupin trailed off and looked around to make sure no one was listening. The Gryffindor common room was deserted except for one person, and she was fast asleep on the table, her head resting on an open book. "Why some wolf and dog were hanging with a stag!"
"You have to admit, we do look odd together," commented James, yawning heavily.
"Good thing they could see me," Peter Pettigrew responded. "Just think-a rat, wolf, dog, and stag, all hanging out together-how odd is that?"
The four friends laughed all at once. Everyone failed to notice that the sleeping girl had woken up.
"What are you four doing down here?" sounded a voice behind them.
James jumped. Sirius wheeled around in his chair to identify the speaker.
"Oh, Lily," said Remus, looking peeved. "What are you doing down here?"
"That's what I just asked you!" she retorted, her bright green eyes flashing. "I was studying, then I fell asleep. I even never saw you guys down here." She peered into each's eyes, as if trying to extract some kind of secret information they were keeping from her. "And, you, James, you should know better. After all, you are Head Boy."
Lily Rileson was a fairly attractive seventh year girl. She also happened to be Head Girl. Her dark auburn hair hung past her shoulders, and she had brilliant green eyes that almost glowed when she was angry.
James was slightly puzzled. What did Lily care if they hung out in the common room at four o'clock in the morning? She never really talked to them anyway. She was always hanging out with her other seventh year Gryffindor girlfriends. The only girl in their year that was friends with any of the Gryffindor guys was Rida, who always hung out with Carrick, the fifth Gryffindor boy in their year. As far as James could tell, Lily always seemed most interested in her studies.
"Oh, get off it, Lily," Sirius responded. "We're going to bed." And with that, Sirius pulled James up from out of the chair and marched him over to the staircase leading up to their dormitory. Remus and Peter politely followed.
What happened next, James didn't see, for his back was turned as walked up the long, spiral staircase. Lily's eyes flashed angrily, and while muttering under her breath, gathered her books and marched up the staircase on the opposite side of the common room.
The next day, James had trouble keeping his eyes open in Transfiguration. The excitement of the previous night's events was weighing heavily on his mind, but the fatigue was far more overpowering. Sirius kept poking him in the arm to keep him awake. He was sitting up straight and listening to Professor McGonagall with false attention.
"Mr. Potter!" she scolded, bringing James back to his senses. "If you cannot stay awake in my class," she threatened as James sat up abruptly, determined not to let himself fall asleep again.
His gaze wondered and rested to the side of him, where Lily and her friend Sandy happened to be sitting. Lily was looking at him with stern disapproval, while Sandy whispered something in her ear. Lily glanced back at James again and started giggling.
James could feel his ears turn red. Determined to stop the rising color in his cheeks, he turned his attention back to Professor McGonagall, who was talking very pointedly to a rubber chicken on her desk.
Later that day at lunch, James sat with his three friends, planning that night's adventure. The four sat, huddled together at the table, talking very animatedly with each other. James was arguing with Remus about something, his arms flailing. Suddenly, he felt his arm connected with something solid behind him. Turning abruptly, he saw that he had knocked someone's goblet of pumpkin juice over, straight down the front of their robes. James's eyes traveled upward, from the spreading orange stain on the table, to the person's front, all the way up to their face...
"Lily!" James sputtered, trying to ignore the raucous laughing behind him. "I am so-so sorry," he said rapidly, while grabbing a few napkins with which to mop up the spill.
Taken aback, Lily sat looking at James cleaning up the spill, with a look of disbelief on her face.
"Um, Lily," James started, after mopping up the table. "You have-you have pumpkin juice on your front."
"Oh!" exclaimed Lily, startled out of her trance. "Oh dear! Here, I'll clean it up, you go ahead," she said, for the bell for their next class had just rang.
"No, no," James protested. "I'll help; Sirius, you guys go on ahead," he said, waving his friends aside. After all, his mother had taught him some manners.
After remaining behind for a few extra minutes helping Lily clean up (she had removed the stain from her robes with a simple Scouring Charm), they set off for Potions class together.
Walking silently, side by side, James pondered the penalty he would receive for being tardy. Professor Greer, the Potions master, seemed to have a personal vendetta against James, and he knew he would pay for being late, no matter the reason. James thought Professor Greer wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have Potions with those foul Slytherins, especially Severus Snape. Lily seemed oblivious to the fact that they were late.
"Lily," said James.
"Yes," prompted Lily.
"I really am sorry about the pumpkin juice," he apologized.
"I know," responded Lily coolly.
James couldn't help thinking of all the pranks he and Sirius had pulled on the Gryffindor girls. He doubted she really though it was an accident, but it seemed important that she really realize it was.
"Honestly, Lily," he began, stopping her from walking ahead. She wheeled around to face him, his hand gripping her arm. "I didn't mean to spill that goblet on you. It was-it was an accident."
"I know that, James," she responded impatiently. "You already told me that."
"I know, but-but it's important you believe me." He didn't know what he was saying. Did he really care that she didn't think it was one of their usual pranks? He didn't know.
"I do believe you," said Lily, trying to pull away from his grip.
"You do?"
"Yes! Now let go of my arm," Lily responded haughtily. James let go and she pulled away, rubbing the spot where he had gripped her.
Oddly, James felt a rush of relief when she said she believed him. He didn't know it mattered so much. He supposed he just didn't want to get blamed for something he didn't really mean to do, or was it?
Arriving at the door to the Potions dungeon, James felt the feeling of dread return to him. Professor Greer leered on the other side of the doorway, beckoning he and Lily inside.
"Hmm," Professor Greer said thoughtfully, his coal black eyes boring into James's. "Let's see, Potter and Miss Rileson arriving late together. What were you two up to?"
"Pro-Professor Greer, sir, I, er, pumpkin juice got spilled on me, sir, at lunch, and James helped me clean it up." Lily responded, her face flushing a bright pink. Her friends were giggling beside her.
"Ah, Potter helped you clean up spilled pumpkin juice, eh?" queried Professor Greer, peering down at James, who was also blushing. To any gossiping minds at Hogwarts, he knew that this looked peculiar. To say nothing of the foul minds of the Slytherins, who were chuckling out loud at James and Lily's misfortune.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Potter!" spat Greer, his coal eyes clouding angrily. "And never," he lowered his voice, "never be late to my class again. Now sit!" he barked.
Unfortunately, the only two spots left were at an empty table in the corner. James glowered at Sirius, Remus, and Peter, furious they hadn't saved him a spot. Neither, it appeared had Lily's friends. Much to the Slytherin's delight, they were forced to sit together.
Throughout the Potions lesson, James tried to avoid talking to Lily. He knew what Sirius would say if he saw James getting "chummy" with someone else, especially a girl. That was the only bad thing about having Sirius as a best friend. He knew Remus wouldn't say much, but unfortunately, he would follow Sirius's lead. Lily, it appeared, seemed to have the same frame of mind. She seemed to almost purposefully avoid James's glances, and only talked when she needed him to pass something.
Unfortunately, Snape seemed to have noticed also. He was sitting at the table directly across from then, stirring his cauldron thoughtfully.
"So, Potter," he began. "What were you and Rileson doing before class?" His eyes flashed merrily. Snape enjoyed getting James riled up.
"Nothing you would do, Snape," responded James icily, "seeing as your parents never taught you any manners."
"Potter!" snapped Greer, approaching their table. "No socializing during my class. Stay focused on your potion. We might be, let's say, testing it later."
At dinner that evening, James tried to ignore his friend's perilous teasing. After all, he hadn't even done anything. Sirius just liked getting on anyone's case he was able to.
"So, James," started Remus.
"What?" growled James, expecting some smart-aleck response.
"Are we going to go around Hogsmeade tonight? Or do you want to come back here?" questioned Remus, looking taken aback at James's rude response.
"Oh, sorry, Remus," apologized James. "I was expecting some more of Sirius's rubbish about this afternoon. I don't know. I have a Quidditch match tomorrow, so I, er, I really need some sleep." He peered around at the dark circles under his friends' eyes and Remus's pale demeanor. "As do you."
"I cannot help it, Prongs, old pal," responded Remus, looking older than his seventeen years. He smiled wearily. "Tonight is the last night I," he dropped his voice to a whisper, "transform. Trust me, if I could help it, I would."
"Sorry, Moony," smiled James, using his friend's old nickname. "I didn't mean to be harsh. You saw how I almost fell asleep in Transfiguration this morning. I think over a year's worth of these monthly, er, prowlings has finally gotten the best of me."
He looked up to make sure no one was listening. Much to his surprise and disgust, Lily Rileson was sitting right across from Remus, peering quizzically at him.
How much had she heard? They certainly didn't want anyone to know about their accompanying Remus during his monthly transformations. Not even Dumbledore knew about their ability to change into Animagi, nor did he know about the Marauder's Map, a recent creation of the four friends'. He certainly hoped Lily hadn't heard enough to find out anything. Why was she being so nosy?
She saw him looking at her and turned shyly away. She didn't want him to know she had been watching James. By the look of disgust on his face, though, it appeared he had seen her staring. She didn't even know why she cared. She had barely even spoken three sentences to the four in all her seven years at Hogwarts, despite the fact they had all their classes together. That group was a bit rowdy for her, so she stuck with her other friends from Gryffindor. Now, only by odd fate, she had been stuck with James twice in the past day. At least, she thought to herself, he appeared to be the nicest and best of the four. And, she giggled silently, the nicest looking. Color rising in her face, Lily put her head down. Now, why would she think that? She certainly didn't care what James or the rest of his friends looked like, nor what they thought of her. Sighing heavily, she pushed her plate away from her and rose from the table, casting one last glance in James's direction before she could stop herself.
James saw Lily get up from the table and cast an angry glance in his direction. Oddly, he felt his face burn as the color rose in his cheeks. Thankfully, Remus didn't notice. James didn't know what had gotten into himself lately. In seemed, every time Lily even looked at him, he blushed. He couldn't figure out why.
(A/N-Okay, I know this is a bit long for an actual chapter, but tough :). I'm having fun with writing this. I'll hopefully get the next part posted sometime soon (maybe today even?), though I cannot figure out exactly where this is going. If you're an angel, you'll R/R. Suggestions and constructive criticism are always appreciated.)
Disclaimer-Unfortunately, God was not willing to bless me with the creative mind to invent these characters, so, sadly, they belong to the wonderful mind of J.K. Rowling, who apparently, is blessed with a much bigger brain than mine!
Collapsing into a soft scarlet colored chair in the early hours of the morning, James Potter and his three best friends were panting heavily combined with rounds of laughter all around.
"Did you see the look on that hag's face?" asked Sirius Black, eyes flashing merrily.
"You know she was wondering why some-" Remus Lupin trailed off and looked around to make sure no one was listening. The Gryffindor common room was deserted except for one person, and she was fast asleep on the table, her head resting on an open book. "Why some wolf and dog were hanging with a stag!"
"You have to admit, we do look odd together," commented James, yawning heavily.
"Good thing they could see me," Peter Pettigrew responded. "Just think-a rat, wolf, dog, and stag, all hanging out together-how odd is that?"
The four friends laughed all at once. Everyone failed to notice that the sleeping girl had woken up.
"What are you four doing down here?" sounded a voice behind them.
James jumped. Sirius wheeled around in his chair to identify the speaker.
"Oh, Lily," said Remus, looking peeved. "What are you doing down here?"
"That's what I just asked you!" she retorted, her bright green eyes flashing. "I was studying, then I fell asleep. I even never saw you guys down here." She peered into each's eyes, as if trying to extract some kind of secret information they were keeping from her. "And, you, James, you should know better. After all, you are Head Boy."
Lily Rileson was a fairly attractive seventh year girl. She also happened to be Head Girl. Her dark auburn hair hung past her shoulders, and she had brilliant green eyes that almost glowed when she was angry.
James was slightly puzzled. What did Lily care if they hung out in the common room at four o'clock in the morning? She never really talked to them anyway. She was always hanging out with her other seventh year Gryffindor girlfriends. The only girl in their year that was friends with any of the Gryffindor guys was Rida, who always hung out with Carrick, the fifth Gryffindor boy in their year. As far as James could tell, Lily always seemed most interested in her studies.
"Oh, get off it, Lily," Sirius responded. "We're going to bed." And with that, Sirius pulled James up from out of the chair and marched him over to the staircase leading up to their dormitory. Remus and Peter politely followed.
What happened next, James didn't see, for his back was turned as walked up the long, spiral staircase. Lily's eyes flashed angrily, and while muttering under her breath, gathered her books and marched up the staircase on the opposite side of the common room.
The next day, James had trouble keeping his eyes open in Transfiguration. The excitement of the previous night's events was weighing heavily on his mind, but the fatigue was far more overpowering. Sirius kept poking him in the arm to keep him awake. He was sitting up straight and listening to Professor McGonagall with false attention.
"Mr. Potter!" she scolded, bringing James back to his senses. "If you cannot stay awake in my class," she threatened as James sat up abruptly, determined not to let himself fall asleep again.
His gaze wondered and rested to the side of him, where Lily and her friend Sandy happened to be sitting. Lily was looking at him with stern disapproval, while Sandy whispered something in her ear. Lily glanced back at James again and started giggling.
James could feel his ears turn red. Determined to stop the rising color in his cheeks, he turned his attention back to Professor McGonagall, who was talking very pointedly to a rubber chicken on her desk.
Later that day at lunch, James sat with his three friends, planning that night's adventure. The four sat, huddled together at the table, talking very animatedly with each other. James was arguing with Remus about something, his arms flailing. Suddenly, he felt his arm connected with something solid behind him. Turning abruptly, he saw that he had knocked someone's goblet of pumpkin juice over, straight down the front of their robes. James's eyes traveled upward, from the spreading orange stain on the table, to the person's front, all the way up to their face...
"Lily!" James sputtered, trying to ignore the raucous laughing behind him. "I am so-so sorry," he said rapidly, while grabbing a few napkins with which to mop up the spill.
Taken aback, Lily sat looking at James cleaning up the spill, with a look of disbelief on her face.
"Um, Lily," James started, after mopping up the table. "You have-you have pumpkin juice on your front."
"Oh!" exclaimed Lily, startled out of her trance. "Oh dear! Here, I'll clean it up, you go ahead," she said, for the bell for their next class had just rang.
"No, no," James protested. "I'll help; Sirius, you guys go on ahead," he said, waving his friends aside. After all, his mother had taught him some manners.
After remaining behind for a few extra minutes helping Lily clean up (she had removed the stain from her robes with a simple Scouring Charm), they set off for Potions class together.
Walking silently, side by side, James pondered the penalty he would receive for being tardy. Professor Greer, the Potions master, seemed to have a personal vendetta against James, and he knew he would pay for being late, no matter the reason. James thought Professor Greer wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have Potions with those foul Slytherins, especially Severus Snape. Lily seemed oblivious to the fact that they were late.
"Lily," said James.
"Yes," prompted Lily.
"I really am sorry about the pumpkin juice," he apologized.
"I know," responded Lily coolly.
James couldn't help thinking of all the pranks he and Sirius had pulled on the Gryffindor girls. He doubted she really though it was an accident, but it seemed important that she really realize it was.
"Honestly, Lily," he began, stopping her from walking ahead. She wheeled around to face him, his hand gripping her arm. "I didn't mean to spill that goblet on you. It was-it was an accident."
"I know that, James," she responded impatiently. "You already told me that."
"I know, but-but it's important you believe me." He didn't know what he was saying. Did he really care that she didn't think it was one of their usual pranks? He didn't know.
"I do believe you," said Lily, trying to pull away from his grip.
"You do?"
"Yes! Now let go of my arm," Lily responded haughtily. James let go and she pulled away, rubbing the spot where he had gripped her.
Oddly, James felt a rush of relief when she said she believed him. He didn't know it mattered so much. He supposed he just didn't want to get blamed for something he didn't really mean to do, or was it?
Arriving at the door to the Potions dungeon, James felt the feeling of dread return to him. Professor Greer leered on the other side of the doorway, beckoning he and Lily inside.
"Hmm," Professor Greer said thoughtfully, his coal black eyes boring into James's. "Let's see, Potter and Miss Rileson arriving late together. What were you two up to?"
"Pro-Professor Greer, sir, I, er, pumpkin juice got spilled on me, sir, at lunch, and James helped me clean it up." Lily responded, her face flushing a bright pink. Her friends were giggling beside her.
"Ah, Potter helped you clean up spilled pumpkin juice, eh?" queried Professor Greer, peering down at James, who was also blushing. To any gossiping minds at Hogwarts, he knew that this looked peculiar. To say nothing of the foul minds of the Slytherins, who were chuckling out loud at James and Lily's misfortune.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Potter!" spat Greer, his coal eyes clouding angrily. "And never," he lowered his voice, "never be late to my class again. Now sit!" he barked.
Unfortunately, the only two spots left were at an empty table in the corner. James glowered at Sirius, Remus, and Peter, furious they hadn't saved him a spot. Neither, it appeared had Lily's friends. Much to the Slytherin's delight, they were forced to sit together.
Throughout the Potions lesson, James tried to avoid talking to Lily. He knew what Sirius would say if he saw James getting "chummy" with someone else, especially a girl. That was the only bad thing about having Sirius as a best friend. He knew Remus wouldn't say much, but unfortunately, he would follow Sirius's lead. Lily, it appeared, seemed to have the same frame of mind. She seemed to almost purposefully avoid James's glances, and only talked when she needed him to pass something.
Unfortunately, Snape seemed to have noticed also. He was sitting at the table directly across from then, stirring his cauldron thoughtfully.
"So, Potter," he began. "What were you and Rileson doing before class?" His eyes flashed merrily. Snape enjoyed getting James riled up.
"Nothing you would do, Snape," responded James icily, "seeing as your parents never taught you any manners."
"Potter!" snapped Greer, approaching their table. "No socializing during my class. Stay focused on your potion. We might be, let's say, testing it later."
At dinner that evening, James tried to ignore his friend's perilous teasing. After all, he hadn't even done anything. Sirius just liked getting on anyone's case he was able to.
"So, James," started Remus.
"What?" growled James, expecting some smart-aleck response.
"Are we going to go around Hogsmeade tonight? Or do you want to come back here?" questioned Remus, looking taken aback at James's rude response.
"Oh, sorry, Remus," apologized James. "I was expecting some more of Sirius's rubbish about this afternoon. I don't know. I have a Quidditch match tomorrow, so I, er, I really need some sleep." He peered around at the dark circles under his friends' eyes and Remus's pale demeanor. "As do you."
"I cannot help it, Prongs, old pal," responded Remus, looking older than his seventeen years. He smiled wearily. "Tonight is the last night I," he dropped his voice to a whisper, "transform. Trust me, if I could help it, I would."
"Sorry, Moony," smiled James, using his friend's old nickname. "I didn't mean to be harsh. You saw how I almost fell asleep in Transfiguration this morning. I think over a year's worth of these monthly, er, prowlings has finally gotten the best of me."
He looked up to make sure no one was listening. Much to his surprise and disgust, Lily Rileson was sitting right across from Remus, peering quizzically at him.
How much had she heard? They certainly didn't want anyone to know about their accompanying Remus during his monthly transformations. Not even Dumbledore knew about their ability to change into Animagi, nor did he know about the Marauder's Map, a recent creation of the four friends'. He certainly hoped Lily hadn't heard enough to find out anything. Why was she being so nosy?
She saw him looking at her and turned shyly away. She didn't want him to know she had been watching James. By the look of disgust on his face, though, it appeared he had seen her staring. She didn't even know why she cared. She had barely even spoken three sentences to the four in all her seven years at Hogwarts, despite the fact they had all their classes together. That group was a bit rowdy for her, so she stuck with her other friends from Gryffindor. Now, only by odd fate, she had been stuck with James twice in the past day. At least, she thought to herself, he appeared to be the nicest and best of the four. And, she giggled silently, the nicest looking. Color rising in her face, Lily put her head down. Now, why would she think that? She certainly didn't care what James or the rest of his friends looked like, nor what they thought of her. Sighing heavily, she pushed her plate away from her and rose from the table, casting one last glance in James's direction before she could stop herself.
James saw Lily get up from the table and cast an angry glance in his direction. Oddly, he felt his face burn as the color rose in his cheeks. Thankfully, Remus didn't notice. James didn't know what had gotten into himself lately. In seemed, every time Lily even looked at him, he blushed. He couldn't figure out why.
(A/N-Okay, I know this is a bit long for an actual chapter, but tough :). I'm having fun with writing this. I'll hopefully get the next part posted sometime soon (maybe today even?), though I cannot figure out exactly where this is going. If you're an angel, you'll R/R. Suggestions and constructive criticism are always appreciated.)
Disclaimer-Unfortunately, God was not willing to bless me with the creative mind to invent these characters, so, sadly, they belong to the wonderful mind of J.K. Rowling, who apparently, is blessed with a much bigger brain than mine!