The Damsel Undistressed
James quickly recovered from his failure the previous night and reassembled his troops in the boy's dorm the next morning. "Okay, the plan is to do a whole 'damsel in distress' approach."
"Right."
"Remus, you lead Lily into the forest to do something responsible."
By that time, Remus had resigned himself to playing along. "I'll tell her that we're gathering potions ingredients on Slughorn's orders."
"Right, then you disappear somehow."
"I'll bring the cloak."
"Then a fearsome beast appears! Do we have any fearsome beasts?"
Remus shrugged. "It's the forbidden forest. We have loads."
"Do we have any that only appear fearsome?"
"Woof," answered Sirius from the corner.
"Perfect. Then I jump out, slay the beast, and win the fair lady's heart!"
"Oh yes, it's foolproof," Remus said flatly, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
James's mood could not be dampened. "I know!"
Hours later, Remus and Lily could be found trudging down a path in the forbidden forest.
"I'm certain we're lost," Lily said nervously.
"No, I know where we are. I've been here loads of times."
"You have?" She narrowed her eyes. "But it's off limits."
Remus gulped. "Potions ingredients for Slughorn."
Lily seemed to accept this answer. "I still think it's irresponsible of him to send students out here."
"Yes, well, Slughorn isn't the most prudent man."
They walked in silence for a few moments more when they heard a growl.
"Was that you?" Lily squealed.
"Was what me?" Remus asked, feigning ignorance to the sound.
Lily's eyes widened in fear. "I think I heard something."
Remus just blinked, unconcerned. "I think I dropped my wand. Can I borrow yours?"
"Why don't I just summon it for you?"
He thought fast. "Because wizards can only summon their own wands, not anyone else's."
"Oh, I've never heard that before. Then I suppose." Lily handed Remus her wand and waited. "Well?"
"I think I dropped it over here…" he wandered behind a tree.
"Well, why don't you just summon it?"
Remus didn't reply.
"Remus?" Lily walked around the tree he had gone behind, but he had already disappeared. "Remus?!" she squeaked, fear gripping at her every nerve.
She looked around in panic and began to run back up the trail towards the castle. Wandless and alone, her mind raced to all the things she had heard lurked in the forest. Centaurs, manticores, even werewolves…
At that moment she heard another growl and froze in terror. She had stopped in a small clearing and peered into the darkness that surrounded the grassy patch. "Remus?" she tried again.
At that moment, a huge black dog appeared on the edge of the clearing. It snarled, snapping its fangs at her threateningly. However, the dog did not receive the reaction it had been expecting.
Lily clapped her hand over her heart and laughed. "Gracious, I thought you were a werewolf, but you're just a lost doggie!" She walked up to the dog, who had been caught off guard and stopped snarling, and she began to scratch behind its ears.
The dog softened under her touch and began to grunt appreciatively. "You have very soft hair for a stray dog," Lily cooed. The dog flopped down beside her for easier petting.
Rather unexpectedly, James Potter leapt out from behind a tree, yelling like a maniac. "Get away from her, foul beast!" He brandished his wand at the dog, who was now drooling as Lily rubbed his stomach.
James froze in confusion as Lily looked at him in surprise.
"James Potter, what on earth are you doing in the forest?"
"I came to save you," he said, attempting to sound very noble.
"I'm not in any danger."
"Yes you are! That dog!" but his reply came out feebly because the dog was wagging its tail happily, its tongue lolling out.
"You're a sodding idiot, James Potter."
James resignedly nodded.
"Do you know how to get out of here?"
James nodded again.
"Good. Now walk me back to the castle, if you are so determined to save me from a tamed house pet."
It was perhaps fortunate that the animal-loving Lily did not see James's several attempts to kick the apologetic dog that waddled beside them on the way back.
A/N: Please review! Next chapter up soon!
