Defiance
A Marauders' Tale
By Glorious Clio and Matriaya
Summary: This is the story of how a young couple defied their fate and changed the world they lived in. This is the story of how they fell in love, of how they fought for their beliefs, and how they sacrificed everything for the future. This is the story of James and Lily Potter.
Rating: T
Authors' Note: We do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters, plot, or anything else you recognize, we are not making any money from this story. In truth, the story owns us. Thanks to F.L. Butler for beta-ing the entire story. Any mistakes are ours and ours alone. Apologies to JK Rowling! Remember: leave a review, get a cookie.
CHAPTER ONE
Lily Evans took one look at the note that was passed her way by the incorrigible Potter, and without reading it, knowing full well what it said,Dear Evans, Go out with me? Love, James, she incinerated it with a flick of her wand. Flitwick didn't even notice.
Shaking the memory away, Lily Evans, Head Girl, and with one final wave to her parents, she strode confidently through the barrier that separated platforms Nine and Ten. Here we go,she thought with a small grin. One final year before beginning my Healer training, and I will get to live in the Head Dormitory, not with that insufferable Potter asking me out every day of the week, and twice on Sunday… her thoughts drifted along these lines, when she accidentally trod on a first year.
"Sorry," she murmured.
The first year balked, then nodded and scurried off.
Lily shrugged, then hurried to the scarlet Hogwarts Express, finding the prefects' compartment, and changing her robes before anyone else arrived. She'd be busy the rest of the trip with duties, and probably not a moment to change. For the hundredth time since receiving her letter, duties, and badge, she went over who from her year might make Head Boy. And for the hundredth time since doing so, she settled on Remus Lupin. And really, it would be a further vote of confidence in him, considering he was… Anyway, there were worse things. He was the most suffer-able, intelligent, and kind of the gang that called themselves the Marauders.Shoving things in to her trunk, she glanced at her watched and noticed she was twenty minutes early. Oh well,she thought, I can perhaps patrol until Remus gets here, then… she didn't even finish that thought when James Potter walked in to the compartment.
"Hullo Evans, looking lovely as always."
"Stuff it Potter. You know these compartments are for Prefects. Only," she responded, placing extra emphasis on the last two words.
"And Head Boys," he said with a smile. Not his usual cocky grin. Not that Lily noticed. She was above such observations. Surely.
"Yes. Are you here to tell me Remus… is…." she sputtered to a stop when she noticed a gleaming badge on Potter's chest… HB…. "Damn." She coughed, trying to cover the profanity. "If you don't mind me asking… how did you get the, er, honor?"
"My dad reckons that Dumbledore wanted people he knew would be loyal to him and to the school, in these trying times."
Lily nodded. Potter certainly liked Dumbledore, and wouldn't hear a word against him. Well, he had to have one blessing. "Well, I know you have leadership from all those… adventures with your gang. And I'm sure you read all the materials McGonagall sent?" When Potter nodded, she continued, "Well, I suggest we stick to her proposed agenda, unless you've something to add?"
"No, can't think of anything at the moment," he said, slightly muffled by the robes he was now pulling on.
Lily glanced at her watch again; only two minutes had passed. There were eighteen minutes left until the train left, and twenty-three until the Prefect Meeting started…. Small talk with Potter? Merlin save us….
"This may seem like a ridiculous question, but Moony, er, I mean, Lupin would never tell us… how do we set the passwords?"
"Oh, well, the Heads of Houses usually send an owl to the oldest prefects in their respective House… I guess there's some sort of conference with the, well, entrance guardian. Except Ravenclaw, of course. They answer a question."
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."
"Exactly." Lily resisted the urge to check her watch again. Anyway, she knew that it would only be 16 and ½ minutes until the train left. An awkward silence followed.
"So Evans, er, good summer?"
"Yeah, it was alright," she responded without going in to detail. "You?"
"Yeah, not bad. I'm happy to be back."
Lily nodded. Fifteen minutes….
O0OoO
Severus Snape sat by himself in a compartment, even though the train itself was brimming with students and extra space was hardly in abundance. It was a simple matter of glaring daggers at the awkward first years and fellow Slytherins who approached his compartment for a seat. It didn't hurt that he had potions books strewn across every available surface. He'd be mixing ingredients too if he wasn't so worried about the jostling of the train mixing hazardous chemicals together.
Perhaps he should wreak some havoc. He certainly wouldn't mind eliminating a few obnoxious Gryffindors. Or rather one Gryffindor in particular. It was hard not to notice when James Potter had swished his way down the narrow corridor of the train, flashing his "Head Boy" badge for all to see. He knew this meant he was making his way toward the compartment Lily Evans was in. They would be together. In the same compartment. Probably laughing at his expense, no doubt.
Poor Snivelous, Potter would say. Never made head boy. Too busy playing with his potions.
The poor, battered quill that had diligently scribbled across countless pieces of parchment suddenly snapped beneath the pressure Severus was exerting on its less-than-malleable frame. It should be him in there, laughing with her. No matter how much he wanted to hate her for abandoning him, for refusing to speak to him even after he'd apologized a million times for calling her a mudblood, he just couldn't. It was something about the way her green eyes flashed when she laughed, and the familiarity of her smile that had become a second sun for him, in the darkness that swallowed his life.
So instead, he doubled his hatred of James Potter. Lily claimed to hate the man, but Severus saw the way her mannerisms shifted whenever Potter was around. She became more... flirtatious. More aware of herself as a woman. Basically, everything she wished he would do for him.
But she was no longer speaking to him. It had been one year, three months and seventeen days since he uttered the word that left him utterly shattered. One year, three months and seventeen days since his reason for living cut him from her life. He was now forced to gather her warmth from the sidelines; admire only the smiles she gave to others.
And it was all Potter's fault. Sure, he wasn't the one who had called her a mudblood, but if it weren't for him, Severus never would have gotten as angry as he did, and never would have let the word slip out. Now they were together, secreted away in their private compartment while he was left alone with his books.
He would show them. Someday. (Correction: he would show James Potter. As much as he would like to hate Lily for hurting him, show her what it was like to have her heart break into a thousand pieces and then turn to sand, he couldn't.)
He had friends in high places now. The Dark Lord promised big changes, and if he rose high enough in the ranks, one of those changes might just be life story of James Potter.
O0O0O
"Firs' years over here!" Hagrid called over the veritable sea of students that were streaming from the Hogwarts Express onto the platform. Lily called out a merry greeting to the Keeper of the Keys, which he returned, and then began directing students to their destinations. She'd been doing this since her fifth year, directing the students, that is, but it hit her with the realization that this would be the last time. A buzz of excitement and fear filled her. On the one hand, she would be pleased to have finally graduated, but the world was such an uncertain place. Especially these days. She shivered. The twilight was cool, but not unpleasantly so. There were a few clouds drifting overhead, catching the dying colors of the setting sun. After everyone had loaded onto their transportation to the castle, Lily rushed in to the last horseless carriage. Potter followed her. Drat.
"That went well, I think."
"Yes. But I confess, I'm looking forward to the feast," Lily responded.
"Oh, yes. Everyone loves a good feast."
Not knowing how to respond to that, Lily just let an awkward silence fall. Awkward silences were typically better than awkward conversations; there was a decreased chance of saying something completely stupid. Instead, she gazed out the window at the castle... the light was fading quickly and the tall spires and towers were lit up from base to tip... It looked so welcoming.
"I'm going to miss it too," Potter said, surprisingly astute to what she was thinking.
As they pulled up to the entrance, Professor McGonagall swept over to their carriage and opened the door. She smiled at her Head students as they stepped out.
"Welcome Ms. Evans, Mr. Potter. I'm so pleased to see you both again. How was the journey?"
"Fine, Professor. There were no incidents," Lily responded eagerly.
"Excellent. Well, I'm off to meet the first years. I must tell you that the Headmaster wishes to see you after the feast; please wait in the Great Hall, and he will escort you to his office."
"Professor, we haven't had time to get into trouble!" Potter exclaimed jovially.
Shockingly, McGonagall allowed herself a chuckle. "I am aware of that, Mister Potter. He has something to discuss with you that he has been discussing with all of the Head students during these... dark... times."
"Thank you, Professor," said Lily.
"You're most welcome. Now if you'll excuse me..."
The two parted and allowed her to pass. She marched into the castle, but Lily and Potter took a more leisurely approach. "What do you think Dumbledore needs to see us about?"
Lily shrugged. "Probably how best to protect ourselves while we're patrolling the corridors. There have been a few... incidents in the past."
"I never knew being a prefect could be so exciting!"
Lily sighed. "Being in a position of power often attracts unwanted attention."
The feast went faster than she would have liked. Mary had saved her a spot next to her, and the two pretended to be interested in the sorting. Lily couldn't have cared less, but she could hear Potter and Black murmuring about who might make the grade for the Gryffindor Quidditch team from three seats away. Black was the keeper and the captain of the Quidditch team, and Potter was a brilliant chaser, as many of his adoring fans assured her. Well, they'd won the Quidditch cup the last five years out of six. Lily turned her attention back to Mary, who was gossiping about fellow Gryffindor Alice, who was (apparently) dating Frank Longbottom. He graduated last year, Mary reminded Lily now, and was beginning his Auror training. Alice was a powerful witch, and couldn't wait to join the training herself. Lily wasn't that interested. She liked Alice well enough. They'd shared a dormitory for the last six years, after all. But gossiping about people's love lives was a hobby she didn't share with her best friend... Soon they were eating; Hogwarts always offered the most delicious creations. Lily was quite full by the time the plates were cleared. She looked over to watch Dumbledore stand and ready for his speech.
"Hello and welcome to yet another year of attaining knowledge. I am happy to introduce Professor Diane Panoply, who will be instructing you in Defence Against the Dark Arts. I hope that you will follow all the school rules this year," he said, pointedly looking away from the four Marauders, "and that in these dark times you will look to the leadership of your professors, your prefects, and your new Head Boy and Girl." Lily blushed as everyone who wasn't looking at James looked at her. "But I shall not keep you from your beds any longer; go and rest, and have an excellent term."
Almost as one, the entire student body got to their feet, pushing out chairs and dropping silverware that they had been fiddling with. Slowly, they trickled out of the Great Hall and off to their House Dormitories. Lily wished she were among them, going back to her old bed in Gryffindor House. But not only did she have to meet with Professor Dumbledore, but then she would be expected to patrol the corridors with Potter and make sure everyone had toddled off to bed.
Dumbledore strode over to them as the last few students skirted out the doors. "Ah, Ms. Evans, Mr. Potter. Thank you for waiting for me. I will not keep you long this evening. If you'll follow me..."
He led them out the doors and up the staircase. Lily knew where his office was, having once seen Dumbledore enter past the gargoyle, but had never been inside. "Did you, er, have a good summer, sir?" she asked, a little in awe of the man.
"No, not very, but thank you for asking. How was your summer, Ms. Evans?"
"Just fine, sir."
"Excellent. And you, Mr. Potter? Did you have a good summer? How is your mother?"
"Much the same, Professor. But my summer was fine," he paused, wondering if he should continue, then did so anyway, "Sirius bought a motorbike!"
"I am sure that you two will get into plenty of mischief on that, terrorizing traffic all around."
Potter laughed. Lily almost envied his easy manner with the Headmaster. But then again, Dumbledore obviously knew Potter's family; why else would he have asked after his mother? Lily assumed she was ill, and hoped it was nothing serious.
"Well, I think Sirius' eventual plan is to make it fly."
Dumbledore's mustache twitched, as if he was checking a smile. "Well, that would all but eliminate the traffic." The trio stopped at the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to his office. "Jelly babies," he said, unabashed.
The gargoyle leapt to the side and allowed them to pass. Lily watched as Potter and Dumbledore stepped onto a moving staircase; Lily did the same. Potter had obviously been here before.
When they reached the top, Dumbledore swept over to his desk. "Please help yourself," he indicated with a flourish. Waiting for them were three steaming goblets of hot chocolate. Lily sat with a goblet, and looked around with great interest. All around her were shelves of old, mysterious books, silver instruments that looked so delicate that they could break with a single touch, and over there...
"Hello, Fawkes," James greeted a beautiful phoenix.
Lily had never seen one before, and set her goblet down without tasting the chocolate. She stood next to Potter and gazed at the stunning bird. At her arrival, he sang a few notes with the most beautiful, terrible voice. Lily shivered, and hoped he would sing again. When Dumbledore cleared his throat, Lily turned and asked, "Is he named for Guy Fawkes?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "Very astute, Ms. Evans. He is."
Lily grinned and sat back down. This time she took a sip of the hot chocolate. It flooded her taste buds and slid down her throat. The chocolate relaxed her more than the feast had.Dumbledore's office is brilliant, she decided. Potter sat too, and Dumbledore began.
"Ms. Evans, I am sure you are aware how much attention, both positive and negative you two will receive from admirers and those who wish you harm. I am sad to say that both exist here, and you must be on your guard. During patrols, I must advice you to be cautious. I also want you to both be able to preform a Patronus charm by Christmas."
Lily nodded. A Patronus charm?She took another sip from her goblet. Dumbledore stood.
"I am sure you're aware from your Defence classes that a Patronus is conjured with a single incantation, expecto patronum." At his incantation, a large silvery phoenix flew from the end of his wand. It circled the room twice, before settling on the stand next to Fawkes. Golden Fawkes gave a cry of welcome to the silver impostor.
"It also requires mastery of thought, as you need to concentrate very hard on a single, happy memory. I want you to practice every single time you patrol the corridors, soon your Patronuses will be powerful enough to accompany you on these patrols. And if there is an incident of some sort, the Patronus can also relay messages to me or to another member of staff, should you require help. This is very advanced magic. Professor Panoply may be teaching it to you anyway. I just want to be sure."
Lily set down her goblet of chocolate, now growing cool, took out her wand and chanted "expecto patronum." Nothing happened.
"As I said, it is very advanced magic. Please practice it. It's a very good sort of magic to know. Useful."
Potter spoke up, "Are the Patronuses unique to the conjurer?"
"An intelligent question. Yes. It is always an animal of some sort, and one that has a deep connection to the conjurer. You cannot truly choose what animal it becomes. I knew a witch who was afraid of heights, but her Patronus was an eagle."
"Ooh, irony," said Lily, who wasn't overfond of heights herself. "Can they change over time?"
"Only under unique circumstances, and usually ones concerning love, or love lost."
The pair blushed. Dumbledore was so old, surely he didn't think about things like that. It simply wasn't allowed.
Dumbledore smiled at the reaction. "Well, unless you have any more questions, I suggest you leave now, if you hope to be in your beds by midnight."
"I can't think of one. Thank you professor," said Lily.
"Yes, thank you sir," James caroled.
"You are most welcome. Now off you go; do your duty and then get some rest."
O0O0O
Traditionally, the Head students patrolled the corridors on the first night of the term. Whether it was because they were setting an example for the prefects, or because they hadn't made the patrol schedule, Lily was sure she didn't know. Sighing, she looked to Potter.
"Where do you want to patrol?"
"Does it matter?"
"Not really," she snapped, tired and annoyed at spending so much time with him, annoyed at spending still more time with him, at sharing a dormitory with him. He was probably lovingthis. "We'll only have to patrol for an hour or so. People will probably be tired."
"Well let's make it easy and go right to the source of the troublemaking."
"Potter, you're right here. And you're not causing any."
"Ha ha. No need to be rude, Lily. Believe it or not, oh, forget it. Here," he pulled out an old bit of parchment.
"Believe it or not, what? Are you going to tell me that you've matured?"
"You're making me sound like cheese now. Let's just say there was a 'prank' last spring and things went wrong. After a conference with Dumbledore, I've decided to use my powers for good, and not mischief."
"What happened?"
"I can't tell you. I solemnly swear I am up to no good!" he tapped the parchment with a flourish.
"Using your powers for good?"
"Wait 'til you hear what wipes the map clean" he commented, complete with a roguish wink.
"What map?" she asked, curious despite her irritation.
Wordlessly, he passed the old bit of parchment to her. Amazement flooded her- here before her was what looked like to be a complete and flawless map of Hogwarts, courtesy of Messieurs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs... and what's more, there were tiny labeled dots, mostly clustered in what she recognized to be the common rooms, and, sure enough, L. Evans was standing next to J. Potter in the corridor outside of Dumbledore's office.
"So, where do we patrol?" he asked again.
"Well... it looks like we should start near the Transfiguration rooms, I doubt those students want to admire Professor McGonagall."
It was strange patrolling the corridors with Potter. He kept cracking jokes, and Lily did not laugh at them. He tried to keep conversation light, ignoring their history, such that it was, and instead discussing things that would hopefully keep things neutral. There wasn't a single mention of Quidditch, or even Hogsmeade. Odd. Oh well...
When they returned to their mutual dormitory, quite near Dumbledore's office, behind a tapestry of Archimedes in the bath (thank Merlin for bubbles), Lily offered Potter a good night before marching to the room designated as hers by a golden plaque, bearing her name. She didn't even look around at the decor before closing the door.
Lily decided, after locking Potter out, to take a shower and try and work through some of her thoughts before bed. She hadn't been back a day, yet her head was already full of Patronus charms and mischief managed, of black haired, be-speckled Quidditch players who had been unjustly been made Head Boy. She wondered what the prank was that had gone wrong, and if this wasn't part of the punishment? Being separated from the rest of his mates? The real question was, how was she going to survive a year with having to cooperate with him? Sure, his little map had been useful, and it had shown all the secret passages and potential troublemakers. He was surprisingly quiet about it; Lily was certain he would have bragged that map up. It was obvious that he and his gang had made it. Sighing, for what seemed like the millionth time that night, she shut off the water, and reached for a towel. After completing her nightly routine of teeth brushing and a hundred strokes to her hair, she crawled into bed and shut off the light. Tomorrow would be a long day.
O0O0O
The first week of classes whizzed by so quickly that Lily could hardly keep track... but it was clear to her that Potter had taken the same classes as she had just to annoy her.
"I mean really, did he have to take all the same classes as me?" Lily complained to Mary during study sessions.
"Shut up whingingabout James for three seconds so I can finish the arithmancy essay."
Lily sighed. She liked all her classes. The new Defence professor, Panoply, was really good. She was a medium build, blues eyes, wavy brown hair... and approachable. She was just cool. All of Lily's classes were N.E.W.T. level, so she was working hard every single evening, she couldn't fathom why she had complained about her workload previous to this year. Clearly this year would kill her. Plus Head Girl duties... she didn't even know how Potter got on, what with Quidditch practice and all.
"He couldn't have taken something different?" Lily exclaimed.
Mary, tired of hearing all about James "The Prat" Potter, slammed her quill down, causing it to molt a bit. "Here's how it works. For whatever reason, people pursuing careers as Healers and as Aurors take the same N.E.W.T. classes. Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology and Defence Against the Dark Arts. You've had every class together before this point, you've lived in the same Dorm the past six years. He's followed you in the corridors, so it's not as if you're spending more time with him than usual when you're patrolling. I'm tired of hearing it, and if I don't finish this essay, I am going to die!" she finished dramatically.
Lily looked sheepish, and not just because everyone in the Gryffindor common room (except the Marauders, thank Merlin, who were off who knows where). "I'm sorry, Mary."
Mary sighed. "It's fine. We're all just stressed. I don't think I can take this kind of pressure this early..."
"We can do this. I wish I could help you, but you've dropped potions."
"You can edit my charms essay?" Mary suggested.
Lily smiled, "Pass it over."
O0O0O
It was finally Saturday. James Potter rolled out of his bed and pulled on his Quidditch robes. The September sun shone weakly into the room as he brushed his teeth in the en suite. It was worth it being Head Boy just so he could have his own bathroom. Grabbing his Cleansweep 3 broomstick, he ran out of the dorm and down to the Quidditch pitch.
"Morning Prongs!" his best mate, and Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team called.
"Morning!" James leapt on to his broom, desperate for the morning air to revive him back to the land of the living. He didn't think he could spend more time mooning over one Lily Evans, but he did. He desperately wanted to ask her out again, but he didn't dare, thinking it would upset their delicate accord, which including her not killing him. And they talked. Not about anything too important, but they could get through patrols just fine, and she did seem impressed by the Marauders' Map... James did a few laps around the pitch, and then landed lightly next to Sirius; the rest of the team began to assemble. Practice went smoothly. The team was the same as last year, and as they had won the cup last year, all had very high hopes of repeating the success. Sirius ran them through their paces, warming them up to a season that was just beginning. But as usual, it went too quickly. Soon, Sirius was calling them off and the rest off the team ambled back into the castle. Sirius lagged behind, putting the practice equipment back in the trunk. James stayed with him.
"So Prongs, have you and Lily been enjoying all that time together, cozied up in your very own dorm?" his eyebrows were wiggling wildly at the innuendo.
"Not exactly, Padfoot."
"What? You've had all that alone time and you haven't taken advantage?"
"It's not about taking advantage. It's about... me wanting her to like me before I ask her out again. She still thinks I'm arrogant and immature."
"Well, after last spring, I think we've all grown up." Memories of The-Prank-That-Wasn't-But-Went-To-Hell-In-A-Pink-Handbasket-Anyway fell between them. "I am sorry, you know."
"I know you are, Paddy,"
"Don't call me 'Paddy,'" Sirius said, exasperated.
"I only do it because I know it bugs you," James laughed, "You shouldn't let it get to you, then, and only then, will I stop." The two began walking up the sloping green lawns up to the castle. Practice always made a player hungry, and not just for victory in the upcoming matches.
"Is that theory working on Lily then?"
"Well, the general plan is not to annoy her," he ruffled his hair nervously.
"And is that working?"
"I think so... we're having conversations that don't result in screaming matches."
"And what great things are you discussing?"
"Err... the weather, mostly. Patrol schedules. We had a particular fascinating volley over some homework that Slughorn assigned," James said, thinking of their formal, almost stiff conversations.
"Fascinating? Really?"
"Well, fascinating because she offered to help me with it."
"RESULT!" crowed Sirius as they entered the Great Hall for breakfast.
O0O0O
Lily collapsed on her bed, finally finished with her homework for the evening, willing sleep to come. The past fortnight had utterly flown by. Seventh year course work, especially with all the classes she was taking as a prerequisite for Healer training, would probably kill her. She'd worked well into the night, every night, even nights when she and James had to patrol. She was getting good at conjuring Patronuses. James' still looked like an indistinct cloud. Lily could at least tell hers had four legs. She was utterly exhausted and looking forward to counting sheep... and instead, an uninvited image of James Potter popped into her head. Rats. What was Dumbledore playing at, making him Head Boy? True, he hadn't really misbehaved since starting the post. Well, apart from cat calling Slytherin Quidditch team members. And, strangely enough, he hadn't asked her out once in the last two weeks. Well that's odd. I wonder if he's feeling well? Shaking the thought away, she tried to cast her mind on something else... soft and white and fluffy clouds... floating gently in the sky... and then James came sliding down the banister. "Hey Evans, wanna go to the Three Broomsticks with me?" "No, thanks, Mary Poppins." James didn't understand the reference, but continued wheedling, "C'mon, Lily..."
Lily's eyes snapped open, and then she groaned. "Go away James..."
Why couldn't she get him off her mind? Well, actually, it was best not to pursue that line of thinking... Why couldn't the Sorting Hat have put her in Ravenclaw? She was glad now that she wasn't in Slytherin, a hot bed for pure-blood maniacs if she ever saw one. But nice, sensible Ravenclaw, where she would have a better chance of meeting a nice, sensible Ravenclaw boy... unlike Gryffindor boys with their eyes sparking with mischief and their own brand of chivalry... Stop right there! No fair thinking about James when you're trying to not think about James. I mean Potter.
It's not that she minded a bit of whimsy... compared to Petunia, well, anyone was whimsical compared to her dear sister. But Lily could handle a bit of ridiculousness in her life. After all, she spent a good part of her holidays with her dad, watching Doctor Who... only recently had she stopped hiding behind the sofa... Petunia had always sniffed, whereas Lily loved watching the Doctor travel through time and space, get into trouble and talk himself out of it again. And it wasn't as if James, I meanPotter, wasn't interesting to observe. His jokes were occasionally funny, and sometimes the Slytherins did hex him first. Of course, it might just be because she was now forced to spend so much time with him...
Lily sighed, rolled over, and clamped her eyes closed. Sleep came slowly that night.
O0O0O
At her first opportunity, Lily tracked down Mary who was studying in the library. Lily rushed up and hugged her best friend.
"I am so happy to see you!"
"I know, it's been since, yesterday," Mary replied dryly. "Sit down, and tell me what's wrong."
Lily plopped down on a chair, dropping her bag on her foot. "Ow! What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Because you generally only hug me at the beginning of the term, or when something's wrong and you need comfort and advice," Mary commented, rolling up her charms essay that she was working on.
"Oh wise and trusted friend, you know me so well."
"Ha ha. Cut it with the jokes, Lily, what's wrong?"
Lily glanced around her, looking for eavesdroppers. When certain that no one was listening, she started, "Er... I think I might have a tiny itsy bitsy, nothing to worry about, Stockholm Syndrome induced... crushonJamesPotter."
"Well that much was obvious."
Lily sputtered, "What do you mean obvious? I only just discovered this!"
This outburst earned her a reproving "Shh!" from resident librarian Madame Pince.
Mary sighed, "Did you forget our talk last week? You clearly were covering up some new scary emotions. Since then, you've stopped covering them. And I quote, 'Oh James, I never realized how funny you are!'" Mary added a hair flip, "'Sure, I can help you with your Potions essay. I hope Quidditch practice goes well!"
"That's... that's... subjective evidence!"
"Shall I go on? 'Oh, goodness, I dropped my quill!-'"
"Stop! Halt! Cease and desist!" Lily buried her head in her arms. "Merlin's pants, I thought I played it cooler than that."
"You did." Lily looked up, hopefully. Mary continued, "But not by much. So what's so terrible about liking James Potter?"
"Nothing, only I swore to loath him until the end of time," she mumbled into her arms.
"So what? He's grown up. So have you. And besides, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind."
"So what do I do? Wait for him to ask me out? He hasn't these past two weeks, what if he's gotten over me?"
"You've been counting? You idiot. He hasn't gotten over you, he still moons over you night and day. He's just been trying to play it a bit cooler. Obviously. You should ask him out."
Lily paled at the very idea.
Mary sighed and unrolled her charms essay again.
O0O0O
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