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A/N:
This is my first attempt on a Harry Potter fic, so
please, if it completely sucks, don't flame me that badly.
It's a romance (duh) and it's featuring none other then Lily
and James Potter. And, they're in their sixth year.
Umm... let's see... I tried to be as accurate as I
could as in what J.K. Rowling has told us of them. However,
no one is perfect, so if there's anything that doesn't follow
the book, all I have to say is that I tried. Anyway, I hope
you enjoy and please r/r!
Usual disclaimers apply. And, if anybody knows any
good Lily and James fic, please tell me! Oh, n ne good
Harry and Ginny fics! Thanks!
~*~*~
"True love's the gift which God has given
To man alone beneath the heaven:
It is not fantasy's hot fire,
Whose wishes soon as granted fly;
It liveth not in fierce desire,
With dead desire it doth not die;
It is the secret sympathy,
The silver link, the silken tie,
Which heart to heart and mind to mind
In body and in soul can bind."
-Sir Walter Scott
~*~*~
Beyond Fate- Part 1
by Marie
James Potter stared towards Professor McGonagall with
shock in his dark eyes. How could she fail him? Him: the one
student (other then Lily) who aced all her tests, attended
all her classes, and actually *listened* to her lectures. Who
even turned himself, and his friends, into illegal Animagi!
"B-But, Prof-"
"I do not want to hear a word of it," she said sternly, her eyes
in dangerous slits. "Someone has informed me that you have copied from
his/her tests and homeworks, Mr. Potter."
"But, how are you sure it's *true*?" Sirius complained, standing
up to make a scene. He quickly sat back down as her eyes fell upon him.
"Well, he had said-"
"So it's a boy?" asked Sirius, not missing the chance of getting
as much detail of the accuser as he could. Whoever it was was going to
pay for setting James up like this.
"No, Mr. Black, but-"
"You just said 'he'!" said James, a dark mood settling in. He
looked about the room, at all the males, and swore he would find out
who it was that framed him. They all knew he needed the top scores to
get elected into the Ministry. They all knew that he still needed to
stay ahead from Lily, his sworn rival since he entered Hogwarts.
He then glanced towards her direction, expecting to see some sort
of triumph upon her face, but she was looking concerned and a bit
shocked. Wondering why she would even care, he didn't catch the next
hint that Sirius was capable of getting Professor McGonagall to say.
"He's not in Gryffindor, Mr. Black, far from that house-" she
then paused, her eyes now wide in shock.
Sirius was smiling in victory. "A Slytherin, huh? How could you
trust a Slytherin?"
"MR. BLACK!"
"Professor McGonagall," Remus began, and as he did, James saw her
anger deflate a bit. "Sirius didn't mean it like that-" ("Yes I did,"
Sirius muttered) "-But, he does have a point. I mean, to just trust
anyone..." Remus trailed off, looking towards McGonagall, hoping she
didn't give Sirius detention. Sirius gave him a grin and then James
began to speak.
"What if I prove that I have done the work, this year and the
past, all on my own, Professor?" he asked instead, trying to compromise.
"I mean, it would really be unfair if you just take the word from a
Slytherin-" he paused, seeing her eyes narrow "-from *anybody* without
allowing me to justify the situation. Right?"
If he knew any better, he would have sworn that Professor
McGonagall was about to smile, since something like respect glimmered
in her eyes. "Well.. I suppose so, Potter."
"Then, tell me what to do, and I'll do it."
McGonagall nodded, her hand stroking her chin with a thoughtful
expression. "Hmm... all right, then. Meet me during lunch in my room and
we'll see."
The class proceeded and soon, everyone began to file out of the
classroom. As they exited, Peter Pettigrew, not willing to give up the
chance of blaming someone, said, "I'm positive it's Severus. No.. wait,
I know its Severus."
Sirius was already rolling up his fists. "Oh, when we see him-"
"James!" A feminine voice called behind them and the boys turned
around. A girl with flaming red hair and large green eyes came forward.
"I... well... in the classroom..." The group exchanged looks, shocked
that Lily, of all people, could be stumbling on words. Well, Sirius,
Remus, and Peter were, but James was simply irritated. What irritated
him more was what she then said. "I was wondering if you might need some help."
"You... help me?" James snapped, the thought of failing fouling his
mood even more. And then to have Lily mock him by saying she'd want to help
him. That she *could* help him.
"Well, you don't have to say it like that!" Lily cried out, and
the passing students stopped, watching the two most prestigious students
in the school have a go in another argument.
"Well, how AM I supposed to say it?"
"Oh.. I don't know.. in a grateful way, perhaps?" she snapped,
wondering why she even suggested it. She felt sorry for him a bit.
Everyone knew what his ambitions were. And, if he failed in
Transfiguration, there would be no way for him to be elected into the
Ministry. "It's not MY fault that someone has a grudge against them.
And, certainly not a big grudge as telling McGonagall that lie."
James paused, glancing towards the girl in shock. He thought that
she would definitely believe in it, just so she would be able to hold
the title of the best student in Hogwarts. And, what shocked him even
more was that there was no mockery in her tone, but rather concern. "I
thought you'd be happy," James said, his eyes still eyeing her with
suspicion.
Lily looked shocked at the thought. "Happy? How could anyone
possibly be happy if someone like you-" she paused then, her ears
burning. "Anyway, I want to help you."
"Why?"
"Because... I mean," Lily trailed, wondering what she was to say.
She didn't know why she felt so flustered speaking to him like a normal
human. "Look, Potter, I'm used to being challenged. And, without you
around-" She paused, feeling like smacking herself. She meant to say it
in a carefree, nonchalant manner, but as she heard the words fall from
her mouth, she knew it was far from what she wished.
Sirius was giving her a look, as if he knew what she was feeling.
Trying to ignore him as much as possible, she continued. "Anyway,
Potter, you're my only rival in the school and you're my only competition
around." James' brows furrowed in confusion, not used to not being
yelled at by the girl. "Since, you know, I would miss beating you."
James was frowning again, and she was glad he was. To think, what
if he knew. 'Knew what?' she wondered, annoyed of how she was acting. How
she was feeling! However, with Sirius giving her the Oh-I-know-that-you-
like-him look, she couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing.
"All right, Lily," said James, running a hand through his
unmanageable black hair. "I really *would* appreciate your help. But, I
don't even know what Professor McGonagall will make me do."
"Well... this is McGonagall we're talking about," she replied. "I
mean, the most she would do is ask you to do a number of spells to
either turn a rope to a snake, or make you take the final test early."
James' piercing stare stayed right on her, wondering. Then, Remus
gasped. "Guys!" They looked about and realized the halls were deserted.
"Oh, stop being so uptight, Remus," Sirius complained. "So what?
We're a few minutes late, what's the big deal?"
"Our next class is Divination," Peter complained. "With Professor
Trelawny about... and with the Slytherins."
Lily, however, was fidgeting, ready to make a running spree to
the classroom. "I've never been late before," she said looking anxiously
about. "What if Dumbledore comes and finds us? He'd just be so disappointed and-"
"Calm down," James said with a grin. "Dumbledore caught us a
number of times and he had never so much as raised a finger. He'd
just grin as he shook his head, then go on. And, personally, I don't
feel in the mood to go to Divinations right now."
"Hogsmeade?" Peter asked.
Sirius smacked him over the head, glancing towards Lily. Lily,
confused, asked, "Hogsmeade? How could you all go to Hogsmeade?"
"Well, you see, Lily," Remus was saying. Lily smiled towards him.
He was a really nice guy, however quiet, and she knew that he was close
with the group. "Peter here is confused. Aren't you, Peter?"
He nodded his head vigorously then. "Yes, very confused."
Lily rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid," she said. "And, I really
don't think you all should be sneaking towards that hump-backed statue
anytime soon." As they sent her a bewildered look, she shrugged as she
re-adjusted her book bag. "And, if you even think of going, then I'm
coming, too. I just can't bear it if I walk in late."
"So you're going to cut, Lily?" James asked, a broad smile on his
lips.
"Well, it never hurt you, before."
"That's because," he said as they began to walk towards the third
floor corridor, "-unlike you, I don't need all the studying."
"What's THAT supposed to mean, Potter?!"
"That I'm naturally smart," he replied with a smirk.
Lily, swelling like a bullfrog, was about to scream, but he leaned
forward and gently patted her back. She stuttered, looking away and wondering
when his hand would leave her. What was wrong with her?
------
It was the best day Lily had. She never knew how much fun hanging
with James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were. James was wonderful when he
wasn't being so pompous, and even Peter was all right. Sirius, however,
was getting on her nerves, despite the laughs he could get out of her.
He'd always bring her away from the group and ask if she'd want to kiss
James anytime soon. Of course she wouldn't! She had no time for boys.
Especially not James Potter.
"So, did you have fun, Lily?" Remus asked.
She nodded. She was, though, still confused as to why they kept
calling each other such weird nicknames. She couldn't see why Remus was
called Moony, nor why Sirius was Padfoot. And Peter, Wormtail? What kind
of nickname was that? And why James was called Prongs confused her even more.
"I wish I had a cloak like yours, James. Just to sneak about like
that must be great."
James smiled, his ears turning red. "They're not made anymore," he
told her, the silver cloak still wrapped in his backpack. "Dumbledore didn't
want me to bring it with me in my first year. I mean, just look what we
use it for already." The group exchanged mischievous looks and Lily couldn't
help but smile at how close they were. "But, I'm sure he can see through the
cloak. If he couldn't, then he would have taken it away by now. Especially
since we almost always bump into him."
Peter nodded. "We were walking at night once," he didn't realize
the looks Sirius was giving him to tell him to shut up, "to the Whomping
Willow to meet Remus at the house. Well, as we were walking the halls
Dumbledore appeared. When we were trying to hide in a corner, he passed
by and paused and glanced towards us. He smiled and stuff, and walked on.
He then left and we proceeded out of the castle, but then we had to take
it off to store since, really. How could a stag-" he stuttered, finally
realizing what he was saying. "A stagnant was on the cloak and stuff."
"Stagnant?"
"Yeah." He slowly walked away from Sirius, who looked ready to
pound.
"Why were you all at the Whomping Willow?"
"No reason," James replied, sending daggers towards the cowering
Peter. "Now-"
But, Lily ignored him. "And, meet Remus?" She glanced towards
Remus in confusion. But, he was looking pale and sick, looking anywhere
else but towards her. "Why, I remember recalling that there's a tunnel
behind it, right? I know I read that somewhere...
"Now, where did it lead? Oh, yes, Hogsmeade... the Shrieking
Shack, I do believe. Why would Remus be there? Or, do you mean
Hogsmeade? No wait, you said house..."
"We don't mean anything," Sirius replied, cutting her off and
beckoning for them to head for lunch. "Now, if we don't get to lunch-"
"And Stagnant? Gat? Stag? Do you mean a 'Stag', Peter? Now, why
would you be speaking about that?" And then, something clicked in her
head. The boys were looking at her in tense silence, wanting her to
think of something else.
Sure, something clicked in her mind, but it wasn't like she
actually understood what clicked. Was a stag James' favorite animal
since they called him Prongs? Getting a headache, she motioned them
towards the lunchroom doors.
But then she remembered. "James!" she cried out as she spun
around to face him and the rest of the boys. They all gave a jump, and
then they began to sulk. They looked away from her shocked eyes, their
faces looking scared and a bit shocked. Remus' face was just downright
pale and sickly. "I'll understand if you don't ever want to speak to
me again, Lily," he said, his face staring hard towards his feet. "But,
please, just don't tell anyone. Especially not about them. It was all
my fault that they made themselves into-"
"What are you talking about, Remus?" Lily asked, confused even
further.
"Huh? So you don't know?" Peter asked hopefully.
"Know? Know WHAT!?"
"Umm.. nothing," said Sirius, giving a fake laugh.
Lily, not wanting to get a migraine, said, "James, you have go to
McGonagall. Lunch time, remember?"
James, slapping his head, nodded. "All right. Thanks for reminding
me, Lil." And with that, he ran off down the hall. "Now," Lily began as
they opened the lunch room doors, "-what am I supposed to know?"
----
It was late in the afternoon as Lily, Sirius, Remus, and Peter sat
in the common room, awaiting James to return. He didn't show up for Potions,
nor did he come for Arithmancy. He didn't even go to the Quidditch practice!
"Do you think McGonagall is making him do it now?" Peter asked,
flipping through his Astronomy homework.
"I doubt it," Remus replied, looking at what Peter was holding. Lily
noted that he seemed very interested in the Moon chart. 'Moony,' she thought,
glancing at how Remus was intently looking at a day with a full moon. 'Oh,
forget it.'
She continued to do her History report, and halfway through, the
portrait door opened. They turned around, and sure enough, James stood in
the doorway, his arms filled with books. "Come and help me already!" he
cried out as he already began to stumble.
Sirius caught some of the books that had begun to fall and Remus
and Peter took half. Lily, however, was reading through one. It was titled,
"Animagi- The Way of Life" When Sirius was standing up from picking one
of the fallen books, he glanced at the title and fell back on the floor
with a thump.
"Sirius!"
He turned red, staring even harder at the book Lily was holding. "I'm
all right," he mumbled, his eyes not straying from the book. He nudged James,
whispered something frantically in his ear, and then continued to eye the
book with dread.
"Well, what should I work on first?" he asked them, staring
at the twenty five, thick, volume books that McGonagall had given
him. She told him to read and write essays that were at least 15 scrolls
long... for each book. And, as for what Sirius said about grabbing the
book away from Lily, he ignored it. Lily was a reasonable girl who
needed proof and evidence. And he was sure that unless he appeared
to her in his stag form, she would never believe in such a ludicrous
idea of them being Animagi. No one knew that the four were that smart.
Lily, staring at a picture of a stag, shook her head as she
felt another click that told her that she just found something out.
Prongs.. a stag... James. Moony... a... a... she threw the book down
upon the table, not wanting to think of it anymore. It was nonsense.
There was no possible way for James to turn himself to a stag. The
spells were too complex and she was positive that McGonagall would
have difficulty in transforming herself into an illegal Animagi.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts, I suppose," Lily volunteered,
picking up the book and flipping it open. On the page she opened to,
it said in big letters, 'Chapter 12- The Werewolf.' Once more that
click formed. Moony... werewolf... Remus. She then recalled in their
3rd year when they were being tested with a boggart- how Remus' turned
into a white ball. Before, she didn't understand what it was, but now,
as she stared at the page, she knew it was a full moon. A full moon
just like the one he was staring at in Peter's astronomy calendar.
She growled in aggravation, going back to the couch in front
of the hearth and laying down upon it. James is not a stag. Remus is
not a werewolf. And, what about Peter and Sirius? Wormtail... what
has a Wormtail. 'Stop being such a rat,' she recalled Sirius complain
when Peter was trying to get one of his Filibuster's. 'A rat has a
tail like a worm.' Wormtail... rat... Peter. Sirius? Padfoot? A dog!?
"Lily, what's wrong?" she heard a voice above her. She opened
her eyes and stared into the dark ones of James.
"Me? Oh, nothing at all..."
"Are you sure?"
She wanted to ask him, to confirm that all the nonsense in
her head was fake. That she, for once, was just being stupid and
wrong. But, she didn't ask him. She had a reputation to keep up,
and thinking such ludicrous thoughts would certainly dash her chances
as Head Girl. "Yes, James, I'm perfectly fine. I just feel slightly
tired from all the work."
"Then go to bed," James said softly, taking her hand to help
her up.
She nodded, grateful. "I'm sorry I can't help you tonight. I'll
make up for it tomorrow, all right?"
James nodded as she began to climb the stairs.
----
"Do you think she suspects?" Peter whispered, making sure
she didn't come back down the steps. "The way her face drained when
she went to the couch..."
James shook his head. "This is Lily. Lily, the reasonable girl
who wouldn't think of such nonsense as us Animagi. Lily is-"
"A girl who is falling for the dashing James Potter," Sirius
interrupted, wanting to tease his friend. "Lily who is so beautiful
and smart to the Quidditch Seeker and the brains of Gryffindor."
Remus and Peter were trying hard to keep their laughter in
check as James' anger swelled. "Sirius," he said, a dangerous undertone
in his voice.
"Oy, no need to be getting mad, James," he replied, elbowing
his friend slightly. "All I want to know if you return the feelings?
Hmm.. you bad boy you."
This time, Remus and Peter began to turn red, their hands
over their mouths, attempting to stop the laughter that was already
spilling. James' ears turned red, trying to ignore the words as
best he could. "Don't be rid-"
"I think I'm far from ridiculous, my dear James," Sirius once
more interrupted. His voice, surprisingly, then became serious. "I like
Lily -as a friend, unlike you- and she's really nice and friendly, James.
If you two do hook up, you treat her nice."
"We're not going to hook up! This is Lily we're talking about!"
However, the picture of her concerned face; the remembrance of how nice
it felt to actually *speak* to her and not yell; made a smile go on
his lips despite the situation he was in.
Sirius dropped the subject, his thoughts on more serious matters.
"If she figures out, James, you do know what will happen to us if
Dumbledore... *anybody* finds out."
Remus was pale again, his eyes directly into the flames. He
didn't speak, but the thought of people figuring out he was a werewolf,
and shunning him again, sent shivers up and down his spine. They
remained quiet, standing before the books and trying to decide what
they should do.
----
"-And then I was being so stupid and everything!" she complained
to James as they sat in the breakfast table. No one seemed to have
awakened since only the two sat in the empty room. "I mean, the
thought it so absurd and yet, it was still nagging in my mind last
night."
James stiffened a bit, his spoon in mid-air. He was about
to eat some of his cereal but that she said caused him to freeze.
"What's so absurd, Lily?"
"It's just so stupid, you know," she said quickly, wiping
a loose strand of her red hair out of her face.
"I'd love to know."
Lily sighed, losing her appetite and now just fiddling with
her fingers. "It's just with those nicknames you have with your friends."
"What about them?" James choked out the words, forcing the
spoon to go into his mouth.
"Are you a stag, James? Like an Animagi? And is Remus...
well.. is Remus a werewolf? And Peter and Sirius. Are they a
rat and a dog?" Seeing the color that drained from his face, she
forcibly shoved the loose strand behind her ear, leaning towards
him, waiting for him to confirm that she was being stupid. Unfortunately,
he seemed in the lost for words, so she continued to ramble on.
"We've studied Animagi, and there are so few in the records...
and none of you are on it, I'm sure of that. I mean, there IS
such a thing as becoming illegal Animagi, but that skill to do
that spell is so high-" Panic became to overcome her and she
forced James to look at her directly.
"So, James, aren't I just being stupid? Right?"
But, he didn't reply again, and she knew her answer. She
sunk in her chair, feeling horrible. The penalty for turning
yourself into illegal Animagi was high, and certainly if it got
out, they would not only be expelled, but be fined dearly.
"Please don't tell anyone, Lily," James voice came to
her. "You know what might happen if it got around. Please."
She looked at him, his urgent and pleading face, and
nodded, unable to refuse. "So Remus is... is a.."
He nodded, still confused in why he didn't just say
no. Why he didn't just deny and say she was stupid. But,
he couldn't. He couldn't lie to her and that confused him
even more. "Yeah, but just because he is one, doesn't
necessarily make him bad. You should know that."
Lily once more nodded her head, the facts coming
together. They turned themselves to be illegal Animagi because
their best friend was a werewolf. And, werewolves can't hurt
other animals... only humans. "I understand. I promise to stay
quiet."
James grinned, an overwhelming sense of gratitude and
relief flooding him to the point that he flung his arms around
her in a tight hug. "Thank you, Lily," he said, hugging her
tighter. When he realized what he was doing, he still held onto
her, not wanting to let her go.
He did, however, let go when his friends came running
into the room a few seconds later, his face as red and hot as
hers. 'Did they see?' he thought, just imagining how Sirius
would never let him live this down.
Thankfully, it seemed as if they didn't for they didn't
even ask him any questions. Rather, they grabbed food from the
table and began to swallow it down. James, thinking of the
appropriate time of telling them that Lily found out, finally
told them when they had finished eating and the other Gryffindors
left for their next class.
When he told them, the table fell silent, Remus' face
especially pale and sickly. He wouldn't look at her, feeling
ashamed, but then her hand fell on his. "It's all right, Remus,"
she said gently, and he returned it with a warm smile.
It was still awkward, the fact that now someone else
knew, but they got up and began to walk towards Potions. "So,
Lily," Sirius said as they walked a little behind the others.
"Are you and James going to go out soon?"
She turned scarlet, but laughed a bit. "Only if he
asks me." And with that, they entered their classroom.
TO BE CONTINUED...
How was it? R/R please! I have *absolutely* no clue when
the next part will come out. It all comes to how inspired I am.
::hint, hint:: Newayz, I hope you enjoyed!
(c) Iris Marie Copyright 2000
A/N:
This is my first attempt on a Harry Potter fic, so
please, if it completely sucks, don't flame me that badly.
It's a romance (duh) and it's featuring none other then Lily
and James Potter. And, they're in their sixth year.
Umm... let's see... I tried to be as accurate as I
could as in what J.K. Rowling has told us of them. However,
no one is perfect, so if there's anything that doesn't follow
the book, all I have to say is that I tried. Anyway, I hope
you enjoy and please r/r!
Usual disclaimers apply. And, if anybody knows any
good Lily and James fic, please tell me! Oh, n ne good
Harry and Ginny fics! Thanks!
~*~*~
"True love's the gift which God has given
To man alone beneath the heaven:
It is not fantasy's hot fire,
Whose wishes soon as granted fly;
It liveth not in fierce desire,
With dead desire it doth not die;
It is the secret sympathy,
The silver link, the silken tie,
Which heart to heart and mind to mind
In body and in soul can bind."
-Sir Walter Scott
~*~*~
Beyond Fate- Part 1
by Marie
James Potter stared towards Professor McGonagall with
shock in his dark eyes. How could she fail him? Him: the one
student (other then Lily) who aced all her tests, attended
all her classes, and actually *listened* to her lectures. Who
even turned himself, and his friends, into illegal Animagi!
"B-But, Prof-"
"I do not want to hear a word of it," she said sternly, her eyes
in dangerous slits. "Someone has informed me that you have copied from
his/her tests and homeworks, Mr. Potter."
"But, how are you sure it's *true*?" Sirius complained, standing
up to make a scene. He quickly sat back down as her eyes fell upon him.
"Well, he had said-"
"So it's a boy?" asked Sirius, not missing the chance of getting
as much detail of the accuser as he could. Whoever it was was going to
pay for setting James up like this.
"No, Mr. Black, but-"
"You just said 'he'!" said James, a dark mood settling in. He
looked about the room, at all the males, and swore he would find out
who it was that framed him. They all knew he needed the top scores to
get elected into the Ministry. They all knew that he still needed to
stay ahead from Lily, his sworn rival since he entered Hogwarts.
He then glanced towards her direction, expecting to see some sort
of triumph upon her face, but she was looking concerned and a bit
shocked. Wondering why she would even care, he didn't catch the next
hint that Sirius was capable of getting Professor McGonagall to say.
"He's not in Gryffindor, Mr. Black, far from that house-" she
then paused, her eyes now wide in shock.
Sirius was smiling in victory. "A Slytherin, huh? How could you
trust a Slytherin?"
"MR. BLACK!"
"Professor McGonagall," Remus began, and as he did, James saw her
anger deflate a bit. "Sirius didn't mean it like that-" ("Yes I did,"
Sirius muttered) "-But, he does have a point. I mean, to just trust
anyone..." Remus trailed off, looking towards McGonagall, hoping she
didn't give Sirius detention. Sirius gave him a grin and then James
began to speak.
"What if I prove that I have done the work, this year and the
past, all on my own, Professor?" he asked instead, trying to compromise.
"I mean, it would really be unfair if you just take the word from a
Slytherin-" he paused, seeing her eyes narrow "-from *anybody* without
allowing me to justify the situation. Right?"
If he knew any better, he would have sworn that Professor
McGonagall was about to smile, since something like respect glimmered
in her eyes. "Well.. I suppose so, Potter."
"Then, tell me what to do, and I'll do it."
McGonagall nodded, her hand stroking her chin with a thoughtful
expression. "Hmm... all right, then. Meet me during lunch in my room and
we'll see."
The class proceeded and soon, everyone began to file out of the
classroom. As they exited, Peter Pettigrew, not willing to give up the
chance of blaming someone, said, "I'm positive it's Severus. No.. wait,
I know its Severus."
Sirius was already rolling up his fists. "Oh, when we see him-"
"James!" A feminine voice called behind them and the boys turned
around. A girl with flaming red hair and large green eyes came forward.
"I... well... in the classroom..." The group exchanged looks, shocked
that Lily, of all people, could be stumbling on words. Well, Sirius,
Remus, and Peter were, but James was simply irritated. What irritated
him more was what she then said. "I was wondering if you might need some help."
"You... help me?" James snapped, the thought of failing fouling his
mood even more. And then to have Lily mock him by saying she'd want to help
him. That she *could* help him.
"Well, you don't have to say it like that!" Lily cried out, and
the passing students stopped, watching the two most prestigious students
in the school have a go in another argument.
"Well, how AM I supposed to say it?"
"Oh.. I don't know.. in a grateful way, perhaps?" she snapped,
wondering why she even suggested it. She felt sorry for him a bit.
Everyone knew what his ambitions were. And, if he failed in
Transfiguration, there would be no way for him to be elected into the
Ministry. "It's not MY fault that someone has a grudge against them.
And, certainly not a big grudge as telling McGonagall that lie."
James paused, glancing towards the girl in shock. He thought that
she would definitely believe in it, just so she would be able to hold
the title of the best student in Hogwarts. And, what shocked him even
more was that there was no mockery in her tone, but rather concern. "I
thought you'd be happy," James said, his eyes still eyeing her with
suspicion.
Lily looked shocked at the thought. "Happy? How could anyone
possibly be happy if someone like you-" she paused then, her ears
burning. "Anyway, I want to help you."
"Why?"
"Because... I mean," Lily trailed, wondering what she was to say.
She didn't know why she felt so flustered speaking to him like a normal
human. "Look, Potter, I'm used to being challenged. And, without you
around-" She paused, feeling like smacking herself. She meant to say it
in a carefree, nonchalant manner, but as she heard the words fall from
her mouth, she knew it was far from what she wished.
Sirius was giving her a look, as if he knew what she was feeling.
Trying to ignore him as much as possible, she continued. "Anyway,
Potter, you're my only rival in the school and you're my only competition
around." James' brows furrowed in confusion, not used to not being
yelled at by the girl. "Since, you know, I would miss beating you."
James was frowning again, and she was glad he was. To think, what
if he knew. 'Knew what?' she wondered, annoyed of how she was acting. How
she was feeling! However, with Sirius giving her the Oh-I-know-that-you-
like-him look, she couldn't stop her cheeks from flushing.
"All right, Lily," said James, running a hand through his
unmanageable black hair. "I really *would* appreciate your help. But, I
don't even know what Professor McGonagall will make me do."
"Well... this is McGonagall we're talking about," she replied. "I
mean, the most she would do is ask you to do a number of spells to
either turn a rope to a snake, or make you take the final test early."
James' piercing stare stayed right on her, wondering. Then, Remus
gasped. "Guys!" They looked about and realized the halls were deserted.
"Oh, stop being so uptight, Remus," Sirius complained. "So what?
We're a few minutes late, what's the big deal?"
"Our next class is Divination," Peter complained. "With Professor
Trelawny about... and with the Slytherins."
Lily, however, was fidgeting, ready to make a running spree to
the classroom. "I've never been late before," she said looking anxiously
about. "What if Dumbledore comes and finds us? He'd just be so disappointed and-"
"Calm down," James said with a grin. "Dumbledore caught us a
number of times and he had never so much as raised a finger. He'd
just grin as he shook his head, then go on. And, personally, I don't
feel in the mood to go to Divinations right now."
"Hogsmeade?" Peter asked.
Sirius smacked him over the head, glancing towards Lily. Lily,
confused, asked, "Hogsmeade? How could you all go to Hogsmeade?"
"Well, you see, Lily," Remus was saying. Lily smiled towards him.
He was a really nice guy, however quiet, and she knew that he was close
with the group. "Peter here is confused. Aren't you, Peter?"
He nodded his head vigorously then. "Yes, very confused."
Lily rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid," she said. "And, I really
don't think you all should be sneaking towards that hump-backed statue
anytime soon." As they sent her a bewildered look, she shrugged as she
re-adjusted her book bag. "And, if you even think of going, then I'm
coming, too. I just can't bear it if I walk in late."
"So you're going to cut, Lily?" James asked, a broad smile on his
lips.
"Well, it never hurt you, before."
"That's because," he said as they began to walk towards the third
floor corridor, "-unlike you, I don't need all the studying."
"What's THAT supposed to mean, Potter?!"
"That I'm naturally smart," he replied with a smirk.
Lily, swelling like a bullfrog, was about to scream, but he leaned
forward and gently patted her back. She stuttered, looking away and wondering
when his hand would leave her. What was wrong with her?
------
It was the best day Lily had. She never knew how much fun hanging
with James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were. James was wonderful when he
wasn't being so pompous, and even Peter was all right. Sirius, however,
was getting on her nerves, despite the laughs he could get out of her.
He'd always bring her away from the group and ask if she'd want to kiss
James anytime soon. Of course she wouldn't! She had no time for boys.
Especially not James Potter.
"So, did you have fun, Lily?" Remus asked.
She nodded. She was, though, still confused as to why they kept
calling each other such weird nicknames. She couldn't see why Remus was
called Moony, nor why Sirius was Padfoot. And Peter, Wormtail? What kind
of nickname was that? And why James was called Prongs confused her even more.
"I wish I had a cloak like yours, James. Just to sneak about like
that must be great."
James smiled, his ears turning red. "They're not made anymore," he
told her, the silver cloak still wrapped in his backpack. "Dumbledore didn't
want me to bring it with me in my first year. I mean, just look what we
use it for already." The group exchanged mischievous looks and Lily couldn't
help but smile at how close they were. "But, I'm sure he can see through the
cloak. If he couldn't, then he would have taken it away by now. Especially
since we almost always bump into him."
Peter nodded. "We were walking at night once," he didn't realize
the looks Sirius was giving him to tell him to shut up, "to the Whomping
Willow to meet Remus at the house. Well, as we were walking the halls
Dumbledore appeared. When we were trying to hide in a corner, he passed
by and paused and glanced towards us. He smiled and stuff, and walked on.
He then left and we proceeded out of the castle, but then we had to take
it off to store since, really. How could a stag-" he stuttered, finally
realizing what he was saying. "A stagnant was on the cloak and stuff."
"Stagnant?"
"Yeah." He slowly walked away from Sirius, who looked ready to
pound.
"Why were you all at the Whomping Willow?"
"No reason," James replied, sending daggers towards the cowering
Peter. "Now-"
But, Lily ignored him. "And, meet Remus?" She glanced towards
Remus in confusion. But, he was looking pale and sick, looking anywhere
else but towards her. "Why, I remember recalling that there's a tunnel
behind it, right? I know I read that somewhere...
"Now, where did it lead? Oh, yes, Hogsmeade... the Shrieking
Shack, I do believe. Why would Remus be there? Or, do you mean
Hogsmeade? No wait, you said house..."
"We don't mean anything," Sirius replied, cutting her off and
beckoning for them to head for lunch. "Now, if we don't get to lunch-"
"And Stagnant? Gat? Stag? Do you mean a 'Stag', Peter? Now, why
would you be speaking about that?" And then, something clicked in her
head. The boys were looking at her in tense silence, wanting her to
think of something else.
Sure, something clicked in her mind, but it wasn't like she
actually understood what clicked. Was a stag James' favorite animal
since they called him Prongs? Getting a headache, she motioned them
towards the lunchroom doors.
But then she remembered. "James!" she cried out as she spun
around to face him and the rest of the boys. They all gave a jump, and
then they began to sulk. They looked away from her shocked eyes, their
faces looking scared and a bit shocked. Remus' face was just downright
pale and sickly. "I'll understand if you don't ever want to speak to
me again, Lily," he said, his face staring hard towards his feet. "But,
please, just don't tell anyone. Especially not about them. It was all
my fault that they made themselves into-"
"What are you talking about, Remus?" Lily asked, confused even
further.
"Huh? So you don't know?" Peter asked hopefully.
"Know? Know WHAT!?"
"Umm.. nothing," said Sirius, giving a fake laugh.
Lily, not wanting to get a migraine, said, "James, you have go to
McGonagall. Lunch time, remember?"
James, slapping his head, nodded. "All right. Thanks for reminding
me, Lil." And with that, he ran off down the hall. "Now," Lily began as
they opened the lunch room doors, "-what am I supposed to know?"
----
It was late in the afternoon as Lily, Sirius, Remus, and Peter sat
in the common room, awaiting James to return. He didn't show up for Potions,
nor did he come for Arithmancy. He didn't even go to the Quidditch practice!
"Do you think McGonagall is making him do it now?" Peter asked,
flipping through his Astronomy homework.
"I doubt it," Remus replied, looking at what Peter was holding. Lily
noted that he seemed very interested in the Moon chart. 'Moony,' she thought,
glancing at how Remus was intently looking at a day with a full moon. 'Oh,
forget it.'
She continued to do her History report, and halfway through, the
portrait door opened. They turned around, and sure enough, James stood in
the doorway, his arms filled with books. "Come and help me already!" he
cried out as he already began to stumble.
Sirius caught some of the books that had begun to fall and Remus
and Peter took half. Lily, however, was reading through one. It was titled,
"Animagi- The Way of Life" When Sirius was standing up from picking one
of the fallen books, he glanced at the title and fell back on the floor
with a thump.
"Sirius!"
He turned red, staring even harder at the book Lily was holding. "I'm
all right," he mumbled, his eyes not straying from the book. He nudged James,
whispered something frantically in his ear, and then continued to eye the
book with dread.
"Well, what should I work on first?" he asked them, staring
at the twenty five, thick, volume books that McGonagall had given
him. She told him to read and write essays that were at least 15 scrolls
long... for each book. And, as for what Sirius said about grabbing the
book away from Lily, he ignored it. Lily was a reasonable girl who
needed proof and evidence. And he was sure that unless he appeared
to her in his stag form, she would never believe in such a ludicrous
idea of them being Animagi. No one knew that the four were that smart.
Lily, staring at a picture of a stag, shook her head as she
felt another click that told her that she just found something out.
Prongs.. a stag... James. Moony... a... a... she threw the book down
upon the table, not wanting to think of it anymore. It was nonsense.
There was no possible way for James to turn himself to a stag. The
spells were too complex and she was positive that McGonagall would
have difficulty in transforming herself into an illegal Animagi.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts, I suppose," Lily volunteered,
picking up the book and flipping it open. On the page she opened to,
it said in big letters, 'Chapter 12- The Werewolf.' Once more that
click formed. Moony... werewolf... Remus. She then recalled in their
3rd year when they were being tested with a boggart- how Remus' turned
into a white ball. Before, she didn't understand what it was, but now,
as she stared at the page, she knew it was a full moon. A full moon
just like the one he was staring at in Peter's astronomy calendar.
She growled in aggravation, going back to the couch in front
of the hearth and laying down upon it. James is not a stag. Remus is
not a werewolf. And, what about Peter and Sirius? Wormtail... what
has a Wormtail. 'Stop being such a rat,' she recalled Sirius complain
when Peter was trying to get one of his Filibuster's. 'A rat has a
tail like a worm.' Wormtail... rat... Peter. Sirius? Padfoot? A dog!?
"Lily, what's wrong?" she heard a voice above her. She opened
her eyes and stared into the dark ones of James.
"Me? Oh, nothing at all..."
"Are you sure?"
She wanted to ask him, to confirm that all the nonsense in
her head was fake. That she, for once, was just being stupid and
wrong. But, she didn't ask him. She had a reputation to keep up,
and thinking such ludicrous thoughts would certainly dash her chances
as Head Girl. "Yes, James, I'm perfectly fine. I just feel slightly
tired from all the work."
"Then go to bed," James said softly, taking her hand to help
her up.
She nodded, grateful. "I'm sorry I can't help you tonight. I'll
make up for it tomorrow, all right?"
James nodded as she began to climb the stairs.
----
"Do you think she suspects?" Peter whispered, making sure
she didn't come back down the steps. "The way her face drained when
she went to the couch..."
James shook his head. "This is Lily. Lily, the reasonable girl
who wouldn't think of such nonsense as us Animagi. Lily is-"
"A girl who is falling for the dashing James Potter," Sirius
interrupted, wanting to tease his friend. "Lily who is so beautiful
and smart to the Quidditch Seeker and the brains of Gryffindor."
Remus and Peter were trying hard to keep their laughter in
check as James' anger swelled. "Sirius," he said, a dangerous undertone
in his voice.
"Oy, no need to be getting mad, James," he replied, elbowing
his friend slightly. "All I want to know if you return the feelings?
Hmm.. you bad boy you."
This time, Remus and Peter began to turn red, their hands
over their mouths, attempting to stop the laughter that was already
spilling. James' ears turned red, trying to ignore the words as
best he could. "Don't be rid-"
"I think I'm far from ridiculous, my dear James," Sirius once
more interrupted. His voice, surprisingly, then became serious. "I like
Lily -as a friend, unlike you- and she's really nice and friendly, James.
If you two do hook up, you treat her nice."
"We're not going to hook up! This is Lily we're talking about!"
However, the picture of her concerned face; the remembrance of how nice
it felt to actually *speak* to her and not yell; made a smile go on
his lips despite the situation he was in.
Sirius dropped the subject, his thoughts on more serious matters.
"If she figures out, James, you do know what will happen to us if
Dumbledore... *anybody* finds out."
Remus was pale again, his eyes directly into the flames. He
didn't speak, but the thought of people figuring out he was a werewolf,
and shunning him again, sent shivers up and down his spine. They
remained quiet, standing before the books and trying to decide what
they should do.
----
"-And then I was being so stupid and everything!" she complained
to James as they sat in the breakfast table. No one seemed to have
awakened since only the two sat in the empty room. "I mean, the
thought it so absurd and yet, it was still nagging in my mind last
night."
James stiffened a bit, his spoon in mid-air. He was about
to eat some of his cereal but that she said caused him to freeze.
"What's so absurd, Lily?"
"It's just so stupid, you know," she said quickly, wiping
a loose strand of her red hair out of her face.
"I'd love to know."
Lily sighed, losing her appetite and now just fiddling with
her fingers. "It's just with those nicknames you have with your friends."
"What about them?" James choked out the words, forcing the
spoon to go into his mouth.
"Are you a stag, James? Like an Animagi? And is Remus...
well.. is Remus a werewolf? And Peter and Sirius. Are they a
rat and a dog?" Seeing the color that drained from his face, she
forcibly shoved the loose strand behind her ear, leaning towards
him, waiting for him to confirm that she was being stupid. Unfortunately,
he seemed in the lost for words, so she continued to ramble on.
"We've studied Animagi, and there are so few in the records...
and none of you are on it, I'm sure of that. I mean, there IS
such a thing as becoming illegal Animagi, but that skill to do
that spell is so high-" Panic became to overcome her and she
forced James to look at her directly.
"So, James, aren't I just being stupid? Right?"
But, he didn't reply again, and she knew her answer. She
sunk in her chair, feeling horrible. The penalty for turning
yourself into illegal Animagi was high, and certainly if it got
out, they would not only be expelled, but be fined dearly.
"Please don't tell anyone, Lily," James voice came to
her. "You know what might happen if it got around. Please."
She looked at him, his urgent and pleading face, and
nodded, unable to refuse. "So Remus is... is a.."
He nodded, still confused in why he didn't just say
no. Why he didn't just deny and say she was stupid. But,
he couldn't. He couldn't lie to her and that confused him
even more. "Yeah, but just because he is one, doesn't
necessarily make him bad. You should know that."
Lily once more nodded her head, the facts coming
together. They turned themselves to be illegal Animagi because
their best friend was a werewolf. And, werewolves can't hurt
other animals... only humans. "I understand. I promise to stay
quiet."
James grinned, an overwhelming sense of gratitude and
relief flooding him to the point that he flung his arms around
her in a tight hug. "Thank you, Lily," he said, hugging her
tighter. When he realized what he was doing, he still held onto
her, not wanting to let her go.
He did, however, let go when his friends came running
into the room a few seconds later, his face as red and hot as
hers. 'Did they see?' he thought, just imagining how Sirius
would never let him live this down.
Thankfully, it seemed as if they didn't for they didn't
even ask him any questions. Rather, they grabbed food from the
table and began to swallow it down. James, thinking of the
appropriate time of telling them that Lily found out, finally
told them when they had finished eating and the other Gryffindors
left for their next class.
When he told them, the table fell silent, Remus' face
especially pale and sickly. He wouldn't look at her, feeling
ashamed, but then her hand fell on his. "It's all right, Remus,"
she said gently, and he returned it with a warm smile.
It was still awkward, the fact that now someone else
knew, but they got up and began to walk towards Potions. "So,
Lily," Sirius said as they walked a little behind the others.
"Are you and James going to go out soon?"
She turned scarlet, but laughed a bit. "Only if he
asks me." And with that, they entered their classroom.
TO BE CONTINUED...
How was it? R/R please! I have *absolutely* no clue when
the next part will come out. It all comes to how inspired I am.
::hint, hint:: Newayz, I hope you enjoyed!
(c) Iris Marie Copyright 2000
