Pretty Mouth and Green Her Eyes
By: Nicole Jeanine
Disclaimer: The original characters and storyline are mine. I do not believe I am JK Rowling, or that I own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form. I also do not believe I am JD Salinger and would like to thank him for the use of his title (I switched one word, though).
Summary: Five years after graduating, James Potter returns to Hogwarts as the defense professor. The residing Head Girl, Lily Evans, catches his attention and becomes irresistible yet seemingly unattainable.
Prologue
"So I said, 'Hey, if you want to haggle, fine. I'll give thirty for it.' I mean really, I think that was generous enough. But then the guy says, 'No. It's fifty cents per windshield cleaning.' I mean really, beggars can't be choosers, you know?"
"You held up traffic, arguing with one of those poor old men who wipe off windshields for change at intersections?"
"Hear you me, no one takes advantage of Sirius Black. And you know what else? He tried to wash the windows on my new two-seater with a dirty kitchen rag—did more harm than help. He's lucky he got a cent out of me."
Remus Lupin and James Potter sat opposite Sirius, mouths agape. Remus collected himself first and stuttered, "Are you actually saying these words?"
It was the start of term in the four boys' seventh year. Presently, they were seated in their boarding school's Great Hall awaiting the new students ritual induction which was promptly followed by a start of term feast, complete with roasted foul, lemon crusted salmon, and apple crumb cake. Their school, however, was not ordinary by any standards, as one could probably guess from the name of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy, but even by wizarding standards, Hogwarts stood apart from the others. An elitist academy, it housed Great Britain's wealthiest and most talented wizards, having had many Ministers of Magic graduate from the school's tall, ivy covered fortress walls. Although their world was in the midst of a war, the front line was far from the castle's grounds, as were it's students' minds. Except for an early morning glance at the headline of the Daily Prophet newspaper, the war was placed beyond the realm of the rich and in the hearts of the middle class, few of which were granted scholarships and few of which were not ridiculed until they transferred.
Remus Lupin was one of these rare men who had survived his entire seven years at the school by unintentionally stumbling upon the right people soon after his arrival. Together, he and three other boys formed a group deemed by the school caretaker "The Marauders". Known for their irresistible charm, sharp wit, and unruly behavior, the group was famous beyond the school's walls, as its ringleaders Sirius and James were part of two of the wizarding world's premier families: the deatheater spawning Blacks and the ministry running Potters. Although the men were born enemies, their immediate friendship captivated the press, and, together, they made themselves into the wizarding world's most eligible bachelors.
"He probably just wanted enough money to scrape out a bus fare to the soup kitchen," James sighed, only to receive an over dramatic eye roll.
"Ah, his cup was almost full with quarters; he's fine. Anyways, that's why I've completely abandoned car driving. Only my motorcycle from this point forward."
"For someone who hates their parents, you certainly do enjoy frolicking through their vault, rolling in their heaps of gold," their fourth friend, Peter Pettigrew, added wistfully. Peter came from old money, much of which had dwindled out of the family bank account over the previous century, but the Pettigrew family forged on and insisted they were quote, unquote fine.
"And I hate to ruin your plan," Remus smiled mockingly, "but motorcycles have windshields, also. Rather petite ones but present none the less."
Sirius scoffed and flung his water glass around the table in a gesture. "I'm not stupid, you know. Of course they have windshields, but they're more easily accessible. I can guard it better if one of those squeegee men approach me again, set up a tighter defensive strategy. It's all in the defense, you see."
"Yes, we are the ones being ridiculous."
"Finally you accept what I've been telling you all these years."
The headmaster entered swiftly and regained his place at the head table, signifying the ceremony's near start. The group of four customarily sat in the four back-most seats of the Gryffindor table at every meal except the year's first feast, at which they assumed the four front-most seats. These were usually reserved for the first years, forcing the new children to have the unpleasant experience of being prodded at by the much larger boys while they clustered and waited for their names to be called. Professor McGonagall, the much loved Transfiguration teacher, heaved open the large oak doors at the rear of the hall and lead the frist years in a march to the stool where they huddled as planned next to the Marauders. She gave the boys a scowl as she passed and received a collective angelic look.
As they settled in their places, a first year accidentally brushed against James' back in an attempt to stand somewhat close to the crowd's front. James turned at the contact and saw a small, redheaded girl with emerald-like eyes looking at him apologetically. He smiled warmly at her and turned back to his group with a mischievous look, mouthing the word, "Red."
Sirius, who was sitting across from him, casually glanced between James and Remus to see the girl and approvingly signaled. Biting back a smile, the other boys peered unsuspectingly at her in turn, so as not to draw attention.
James leaned back a little more to resume their contact, causing the girl to edge slightly more into the assemblage while shooting a puzzled look at the back of James' head. He twisted around to face her once again and whispered, "Oh, sorry," while he handsomely grinned and ran a hand through his already messed hair.
She looked on wide eyed and in time smiled back shyly.
Turning back toward the table, Sirius and Peter stifled an excited giggle as James ripped off the corner of a paper doily underneath the centerpiece. Remus rolled his eyes and redirected his attention to the Sorting Hat, which had finished its song and proceeded to deliberate about the first student's sorting. The boys joined in on the applause after a boy was sent to the Ravenclaw table, and then began a game of 'Flick the Wadded Up Paper Between the Other Person's Fingers/Goal'. The game became more rowdy with every flick in an attempt to make their plan seem accidental, and after three turns, Sirius flicked the paper over James' head, where it hit the redhead's cheek. James turned back around as applause broke out at the Slytherin table, to apologize once again when McGonagall noticed their game.
"Mr. Potter, stop taunting the first years," she snapped sharply from the podium and proceeded to read the next name. He feigned mock surprise at her insinuation and moved back to face his friends when Remus turned to the girl.
"Forgive him, but it seems as though he's a two-year-old and teases you to express his feelings," he said briefly before James elbowed him.
"Oy!" he quietly shouted as the others chortled. "What is this? Pick-on-James-day?"
"When did we pick on you before?"
"Okay, so what is this? Pick-on-James-moment?"
Remus shrugged. "Quite frankly, yes."
"Shut up," James gruffed.
By the time the girl had been sorted, she was left with the choice of sitting next to James, Sirius, or a boy with rather unfortunate early onset acne. She tentatively sat next to James, gaining a glance and familiar smile from him. The headmaster delivered his beginning of term speech which introduced new rules and new instructors, during which the boys whispered amongst themselves while absentmindedly clapping for Professor Kettleburn, the new arithmancy professor. After the lecture, the food appeared as if by magic on the tabletops, and the school broke into a chatter.
"Finally," Sirius groaned as he dove for the serving spoon and piled mashed potatoes on his plate. He took his fork and held the potatoes to his mouth. "Oh, I've missed you. So buttery, so creamy, yet seasoned to perfection."
The others laughed heartily as Sirius shoveled the potatoes into his mouth with unprecedented speed. With a side glance, James noticed the girl hesitantly placing garden salad on her plate while not attempting conversation with the surrounding first years. "Hello."
She stared up at him.
He was visibly leaning toward her, his blue eyes sparkling, waiting for a response. When none came, he continued, "I'm James. What's your name again?"
She opened her mouth and stuttered for a second. "I-I'm Lily," she meekly replied, still staring at him.
Their struggling conversation caught Sirius's attention. He dramatically shook his hair from his eyes and exclaimed, "Like the flower? I love lilies." He gestured to James, "His mum has a whole garden full. Sometimes, I like to just go out and lay in them, but his mum gets mad because I smush them."
"What a lovely story," Remus said sarcastically.
"Why thank you," Sirius quipped.
"You're very welcome."
"I detect a note of insincerity."
"Oh, do you?"
"Oh, I think I do."
"Well then,--"
"Okay, okay," Peter cut in. He eyed the girl curiously. "What's your surname?"
Lily blinked in confusion. "Sorry?"
"Your SURname," Sirius repeated obnoxiously louder. "Your last name, your second name. Apellido in español."
"Evans," she replied, nervously writhing in her seat.
"Um-hum," Peter nodded. "I couldn't place the eyes. You're parents are muggles, non-magical?"
"Yes," she responded still not understanding.
James studied her face. "Don't let anyone tell you you don't deserve to be here," he said dropping his gaze to the water glass he was swirling in his hand, clearly feeling sorry for her. "And they're going to tell you that."
"Yeah, and when they do, you come let us know," Sirius interrupted again, smiling at her mischievously this time. "We'll take care of it."
Lily gradually became more talkative throughout the dinner's five courses, ending with her walking to the dorm with a young blond haired girl in her own year.
Sirius exhaled and flopped with ease onto the red couch in the center of the common room after the meal. "Good to be back."
"Yeah," Remus agreed while sitting down in an armchair next to the fire. "Not for long though, right?"
"What?" Peter asked confused.
"He means it's our last year. You know... this is it," James explained as his eyes strayed to an attractive sixth year, who was making eyes at him from the staircase. "Well, while you all finish sulking about having to grow up, I'm going to make the best of it." And with that, he started toward the girl, who waved girlishly at him as he approached.