Teaching the Basics
Chapter One
Lily Evans stared in the mirror; scrutinising the reflection in front of her. Her emerald almond shaped eyes gazed back at her almost mockingly as if saying 'Are you for real?' She sighed, her appearance never pleased her, she always wished she didn't look so eccentric, so odd looking. Her fiery red hair made sure she could never blend into the crowd and her brilliant green eyes clashed unmercifully, in her opinion. She envied the girls in her year for their rich browns and honey blondes. She had pale, creamy skin that would turn red and splotchy in the sun, with a light dusting of freckles splattered across her nose spilling onto her cheeks.
She stood up, analysing her bra and underwear clad body. She pinched her sides with a frown. She wanted to be different, to be better. She wasn't fat, she was sensible enough to admit that but she thought she could still do to lose a little bit of weight. She was the average girl who was slightly flabby, short in height and lacking in leg length. She was nothing special.
"Hey, Evans," shouted James, banging lightly on the bathroom door. "I know you're a girl who's off on a date today but come on I've got to pee."
Charming, thought Lily sarcastically. "Hang on a sec, I'm just getting dressed."
"Please don't tell me you'll have to do your hair and makeup afterwards," groaned James, followed by a dull thud which she presumed was his forehead smacking dramatically against the door. She looked into the mirror, her hair fell down her bare shoulders in gentle waves and her face looked fresh. She quickly grabbed a tube of lip gloss and smeared a little across her lips. She stepped into her favourite figure hugging grey jeans and pulled them up, zipping them in speed. Grabbing her soft black sweater, and pulling it over her head, she unlocked and opened the door as she was trying to put her silver locket around her neck.
She stumbled into James as the door swung open, and with his quick reflexes he had developed over his many Quidditch playing years, he caught her swiftly. He steadied her and made sure she was n her feet and balanced. She blushed, scowling on the inside. She hated showing weakness in front of James, yet falling over and stumbling was a habit of hers.
"I'm sorry, Potter," apologised Lily, formally. "Trying to do more than one thing at the same time is a process I don't think I've quite conquered yet."
James laughed. "I've noticed." Lily scowled. "I'm sorry, don't be so defensive, Lily. Come here, I'll help you with your necklace."
He took the locket off her with one hand and using the other hand swivelled her body around. He looped the necklace over her head and spent a couple of moments tying the clasp.
"Thanks," said Lily quietly. She was always so unsure how to act around him when he was being nice. As Head Boy and Girl they shared living quarters and had to patrol together. He'd stopped asking her out half way through Sixth Year and they even spoke civilly towards one another but she wouldn't consider them friends.
"No problem," smiled James. "So are you off out to meet that smarmy Ravenclaw then?"
She glared at him, her emerald eyes glinting dangerously. "He's not 'smarmy' and he's called Scott."
"I know," smirked James. "He also thinks that his Quidditch team has a chance of beating mine."
"I'm going to go now before I break your nose with my fist," smiled Lily sweetly.
"Bye," grinned James, as she shoved on her black boots and left the common room.
Hogsmeade always fascinating her, she was used to muggle shops that were plain, boring and had nasty shop assistants that made you feel three inches tall. These shops here though were filled with wonder and excitement that never ceased to amaze her. Scott, who was a pureblood, said he found it cute. She loved the colour and the vivacious atmospheres that made her flush with exhilaration.
"Hey gorgeous," called a familiar voice from her left. She looked over to see Scott leaning against HoneyDukes so effortlessly attractively. Scott Harolds was undeniably attractive; even James wouldn't be able to deny that. He had crystal baby blue eyes, tan skin and caramel blonde hair that was perfectly groomed. He had an athletic body but he was short and stocky at only 5 foot 8. He was clever, popular, good looking and had everything every girl wanted; Lily was often left wondering what he'd been doing with her for the last two months.
"Hi," smiled Lily, walking over to him, grabbing his hand. "I was trying to figure out where you were."
"I was right here waiting for you," grinned Scott, giving her a soft kiss on the lips. "So you want to go to Madame Puddifoots then? They've got some new kind of cakes in apparently."
"That sounds lovely," said Lily, smiling, slightly forcibly. She didn't particular like Madame Puddifoots- it was far too girly for her. The lace, the pink and the cheesy-ness of the place was enough to make her pass out but she didn't have the heart to tell him this though. He always looked really proud of himself when he brought up this place, as though he was the first guy to figure out that it was the place where most girls swooned over when brought there. She just wasn't most girls. Her favourite place in Hogsmeade was The Three Broomsticks with a nice steaming mug of butterbeer, after her date she'd drop in to get a bottle if her friend Alice could be found in there.
She smiled as they were both seated inside the little cafe. It was busy and pink, very pink, but it was warm which was a lot better than being outside. She looked around the room, interested if there was anyone there she knew. A couple of girls who she was merely acquaintances were there with their dates; one of them an incredibly bored looking Sirius who she figured was hoping an hour of Puddifoots would lead to a night of sexual fun.
"How are you today then?" asked Lily, after ordering a slice of carrot cake and an iced tea.
"I'm great thanks," said Scott, lacing his fingers with hers across the table. "Better now I've seen you. You?"
"Yes I'm good thank you," said Lily, briefly pausing as a waitress brought their food and drinks to their table. "A bit tired though. I was up late finishing that potions essay Slughorn gave us the other day. It was brutal, don't you think?"
"I haven't actually started it yet," said Scott honestly, with a laugh. "We've got another two weeks to complete it."
Lily blushed. "I know but it doesn't hurt to get ahead of the work. We have our NEWTs soon so I think it's best to be on top of all the work."
"The NEWTs aren't for another eight months, Lily," smiled Scott. "You have time to relax, and enjoy yourself with me."
"And I will do," said Lily, taking a bite of her cake. It was moist, sponge and so delectable. She practically moaned onto the fork, her eyes closing in pleasure as her taste buds were being treated with heaven.
"Sounds like a good cake," smirked Scott, taking a bite out of his own chocolate fudge cake. He licked his top lip after getting a dripping of fudge sauce smeared across it. Lily tinged red; she hadn't meant to be that loud.
"Oh shut up," said Lily embarrassed. "It's not my fault they make such scrumptious desserts. You'd be making indecent noises if you were eating this cake."
"There was nothing indecent about those noises," said Scott, raking his clear blue eyes across her body. She fidgeted in her seat, looking down at her meal. He was her boyfriend but she was still insecure and uncomfortable about herself. "That's something I actually wanted to talk about with you."
Lily blinked, unsure of what he meant. "About making indecent noises due to eating cake?" she asked, confused.
He laughed trailing off into a muttered chuckle. "Well about something else that causes indecent noises."
"You're going to have to be more specific," said Lily, bemused.
"Sex."
"Ohhh I see," said Lily surprised, her voice an octave higher than what was usual. "Sex. What about it?"
"You know that I've slept with a lot of girls, right?" said Scott, passively. Lily nodded her head numbly; time to feel insecure. "At the time, I thought it was great, I felt grown up but looking back it's like I've wasted a part of me- my virginity. I've only just realised how sacred that is and I don't want to waste yours."
"I still don't understand," said Lily, scrunching up her eyebrows as she tried to figure it out. "Are you saying that you want to have sex or that you don't?"
"I'm saying that we should have sex," explained Scott, with a smile. "But I want to do it properly. We love each other, and making love will be something special. I want to make you feel special; I want to make it something a girl like you will deserve. I know you've never done it before; I want this to be an occasion you'll remember for the rest of your life, for all the right reasons. I think we should do it on Valentine's Day- romantic, perfect even."
Lily's heart seemed to glow with warmth. She knew the sex talk was inevitable to happen someday soon as she knew he had had sex with other people, but she had never once imagined who would be so sweet about it. She was expecting a speech about how much he couldn't resist her anymore. She was glad she had a boyfriend who had more tact than most teenage boys. February 14th: there was time to prepare, time to mentally get herself to together and she had to admit that it was irrefutably romantic. The boy had charm.
"Lily, are you ok?" asked Scott, concerned. He squeezed her hand gently. "You've gone worryingly quiet. If you don't like that idea we can wait longer if you want. I don't want you doing anything you're not ready for."
"I'm sorry, darling," smiled Lily courteously. "I was just caught up in my thoughts. You've blown me away with your considerate proposal."
"In a good way I hope."
"Of course," said Lily. "That's four months away; I think it's the perfect amount of time to wait. I never knew you were such a romantic at heart."
"You bring out the best in me," said Scott softly, causing Lily to smile. "I have to go back to school soon; we've got a Quidditch practise. I hope you don't mind."
"No that's fine," commented Lily. "I think I'm going to go back to the castle when you go anyways. I've still got a transfiguration essay to try tackle and you know how terrible I am at it."
Scott laughed. "You're not terrible you're just not perfect at it. Which I suppose is terrible in your eyes."
"It's just frustrating not being able to do as well in one subject compared to the others," said Lily, explaining herself. "You know, I've had a good time with you today."
"Don't sound so surprised about it."
Lily threw down her piece of parchment with a sigh. She just couldn't get her head around this transfiguration homework. She didn't like not understanding things and she certainly didn't like not being able to do things. She was stubborn, though, and full of pride. If she asked someone for help, it meant she was desperate. She had a week to get it done; she would ransack the library for the appropriate books and then if needs be (at the very last resort) she would consult Potter. It would mean, admitting defeat but he was a sort of child genius at transfiguration, he just seemed to have a natural talent for it. An enviable talent.
She glanced at the clock opposite her desk. It was five to ten, her and Potter were due to start rounds at ten. He'd probably completely forgotten about them as he was currently downstairs with his fellow marauders. He was so reckless with his responsibilities, thought Lily before scoffing. He wasn't. He had only once missed Head duties and that was because Remus was in the Hospital Wing and James had wanted to visit him. She didn't have the heart to say no especially as he'd proven himself capable of being Head Boy. She heard the portrait door slam shut and figured he must have kicked his friends out.
He hadn't forgotten.