This is my first fic. So please, constructive criticism only.
By the way, Hero is a girl.
-Mab
Disclaimer: none of the lines from any of Shakespeare's plays belongs to me. They belong to Shakespeare, as does the character Hero. Most other stuff belongs to dear J.K Rowling. Who I (unfortunately) am not.
Chapter 1
Lily sat with her best friend, Hero Capulet, as they ate lunch in the Great Hall. They sat watching James Potter and his friends, the marauders, eat, talk, and laugh loudly amongst themselves.
"How irritating." Lily scoffed, glaring at them.
"I don't know," Hero offered, "It's comforting, I think, that even in these times of terror, there are still those who find a spot of happiness."
"Cute. Where'd you read that?"
"Witch Weekly. Isn't it great? Full of total tripe. Makes me laugh."
"None of your lines are your own, are they today? Ugh, look at what they're doing now. Disgusting."
James was currently chewing dramatically and grotesquely with his mouth open, while Sirius and Peter laughed hysterically. Remus had been ill for the past week and was still in the Hospital Wing.
"How immature can you get? I mean, really, we're in seventh year now, we're technically adults, and that, that, imbecile continues to act like a three year old seeking attention."
Hero looked sideways at her friend.
"Maybe he's at the end of his rope. He has been trying to get you to go out with him for seven years now. Really, give the poor guy a chance."
Lily stared at her friend open-mouthed.
"What are you saying? Are you actually suggesting that I go out with James bloody Potter? The prat of all prats? The boy who has made my life hell for nigh nearly over seven sodding years? Are you out of your bleeding senses?"
"Look, Lily, all I'm saying is that you should just give him a chance. I mean, really, what other boy would remain faithful to a girl the way he's remained faithful to you, especially facing the constant daily rejection that you've given him for our entire Hogwarts careers? And furthermore, if he were really just after you so that he could get a quick snog in a broom closet, and then dump you, as you claim he intends, he would have given up years ago. Lily, s like that won't take constant rejection. They'll find someone who doesn't care about emotional attachment and hook up with them."
Lily was staring at Hero, completely shocked.
"I can't even believe I'm hearing this. You're only defending him because you're stuck on Remus."
Hero looked shocked, then livid.
"My feelings for Remus are nothing more than platonic," she said furiously as she got up from the Gryffindor table. Softening, she said; "Please, Lily, just think about it."
Lily looked over to where the Marauders were sitting. James was staring at her. Quickly she looked away, and followed Hero, to where she was waiting by the doors to the Great Hall.
"What class do you have next?" Hero asked Lily.
"Um, Muggle Studies." Lily answered, consulting her schedule.
"Why are you even taking that class, anyway? You're muggleborn. You ought to know everything there is to know about muggles."
"Well, yes, but it's so much more interesting learning about it from a wizards perspective. They have to learn about every little thing that we take for granted."
Hero got a sly grin on her face.
"Isn't Potter in that class?"
Lily frowned.
"Well, yes, but we sit separately and never talk."
Hero's eyebrows rose.
"All right, he talks, I ignore pointedly."
"That's what I thought."
Later that night…
Hero sat in the Gryffindor common room, staring into the flames. Soon Remus came down the stairs from the boys dormitory, and joined her on the couch. She looked up, surprised.
"Feeling better, already?"
"Yeah, Madame Pomfrey let me leave early."
"How's James doing?"
Earlier that day, James had asked Lily out in a rather licentious manner. Lily, needless to say, had (unsuccessfully) attempted to hex him into oblivion. James, while unhurt, had gone up to his room in the heads dormitory to sulk.
"Same. Lily?"
"Obstinate as ever. I think she's coming around, though. I've been talking to her. Try to convince him to ease off a bit, act a bit more mature, instead of showcasing his ability to wreak havoc."
"I'll try. It'll be difficult. He's convinced himself that she'll never notice him if he's not showing off in some way. But I'll try."
"Thanks, Remus, G'night."
"Night."
So, I know you hear this all the time, but please review. You've no idea what a help it is.
Thanks,
Mab
