"Why not? Padfoot, you in?" questioned James, sitting up.
"Yea why not!" Sirius said
"I guess I"m in too." Peter said.
"Who's starting?" asked James
"You." Lily said, curling up on the seat, her sweater hanging off her shoudlers, leaving them both bare.
" Ok... Lily..." He said, grinning, "Why are you so spiteful to all of us..."
"Forgot to say truth or dare, you cheater."
"Fine, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Ok... I dare you to...." He looked at her, " Kiss me..."
"You are so full of it. How very unoriginal." She leaned in like she was going to kiss him, then kissed his cheek.
"Fine, you do better..." James challenged. He looked disappointed.
"Sirius, truth or dare?"
" Err... Truth..."
"Damn it. Erm... Does James actually like me?" She asked.
"Yea, Evans he does..." Sirius protected himself. James restrained himself quite well but a long string of cursing issued from his mouth.
She looked genuinely startled. "Uh, your turn, Black." she said uncomfortably.
" Peter, Truth or dare?"
"Uhh. Truth." Peter said, a bit stupidly.
" Erm... " He thought.
"What an eloquent bunch." Lily put in sarcastically.
Sirius looked round at Lily... " And whats that supposed to mean?.."
"So intelligent too..." she said. The girl was a female marauder at heart. "Just give the boy a truth and be quiet already Black." she chided.
"Peter, how much have you actually eaten today?" Sirius said, throwing an annoyed look at Lily.
Thinking for a minute, the dumpy boy began to count on his figners as Lily hid a laugh behind pale hands. James was used to it. Sirius was holding back a laugh. "A... A lot." He finished. Sirius was stunned.
Lily coughed to hide laughter. "Ah, your turn Pettigrew."
"Ah... Erm..." the poor boy thought, scratching his head. James had the snitch in his hand.
"I swear Potter, if you start with that damned snitch I'll make the curse I threw at Black's cousin seem like a coloring charm." she threatened. James rolled his eyes, and threw the snitch into his trunk, quickly closing it.
"And Pettigrew, all you have to do is ask someone, 'truth or dare'? The hard part is AFTER that."
"Prongs, the woman has you whipped." Sirius chortled. Lily rolled her eyes but looked rather pleased.
"Padfoot... Zip it." James snapped. He couldn't help being an ass around her.
"You don't have me whipped, Jamesy old pal." the bigger boy grinned debonairly and winked at Lily, who giggled. Even the Dragon lady wasn't immune to Sirius' charms. James gave him a sarcastic smile, and folded his arms annoyedly.
"James Truth or dare?" Peter asked suddenly.
"Eh? Oh Dare..." James sighed
"I dare you to kiss Lily." Peter said with a self satisfied grin at his genius.
"Oh Merlin's teeth..." Lily groaned.
"We going to specify this kiss or is it just a kiss?" He questioned, sitting up, glancing at Lily.
Peter looked confused. "What?"
"I believe what the King of rejection is asking, Master of the Obvious, is whether he has to kiss me a certain way, or is it just a kiss. And Peter, if you say french, I'll kill you. Slowly. With my bare hands." the witch smiled sweetly at the now shaking boy.
James waited. He knew Lily wouldn't throttle him. Would she?
"Just a kiss." Peter squeaked. He recieved a dirty look from Sirius, who rather thought Peter needed to develop a backbone.
James lean't forward, and went for her cheek - but - his chaged and the last moment, and kissed her square on the lips. Lily, who had been pleasently surprised when he started for her cheek let out a protest as he kissed her. It was something like 'Damn it potter!' but all that could really be heard was 'Mmm aaah!" He pulled away, a cheeky grin on his face. Sirius stifled a laugh, James looked so please with himself.
Lily turned her glare on Sirius, cheeks flaming. James chuckled seeing her go red.
"J..James, your turn." Peter stammered
James thought. " Lily, truth or dare?"
"Truth." She said, eyes still blazing, cheeks still red as her hair.
"Damn it, i was going to get you to find Moony and Willow. But seeing as you said truth..." he grinned. She waited, one eyebrow raised.
"Why do you hate me so much?" he asked.
"Because you think you're gods gift to witches, quidditch and the world in general." she said swiftly. "Because you're a over-bearing git, because you hex people for the fun of it..." she took a deep breath, prepared to go on. He was soaking it all up, he didnt take her that seriously. "And you seem to think I'm kidding when I say you're a big headed arse-hole." she said, taking in his smug expression.
James' face fell alittle. " Do you really mean that?"
She felt a twinge of guilt. "Well what do expect if you can't take anything seriously?!"
"I can take things seriously! I just, most of the time, not to." He replied, folding his arms. That had hit him hard, but he tried not to show it.
"When you're own sense of humor stops being more important than everyone's feelings, get back to me." She got up and stormed out, leaving her candy. Peter fell on it, stuffing his face. James watched her leave, not moving after her. Sirius had been watching and had flinched as she had stormed out. Peter gave his friend a sympathetic look, but it was ruined by his stuffed cheeks. James sat in his seat, refusing to show any sign of emotion.
Lily raced down the train to the very end, opening the door and standing out on the outdoor platform, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her sweater. He was such an ass. She was sick of him never being serious. She liked his sense of humor, she'd admit it. But she wanted him to take some things seriously, her being one of them. Everything about her was a joke to him and she was done.
Hell, Sirius was better around her than he was, and Sirius was every bit a marauder. Not only that, but Sirius was the one who went through a girlfriend a month. Yet he knew better how to treat her. That was sad. She wiped her face off again, trying to stop crying. "He's not worth the waste of water." she muttered under her breath.
James was mentally kicking himself. He couldn't help showing off when she was around him. His gaze was steely, focusing on the exact point where Lily had been sitting.
"James, mate... Maybe you should just give up with her..." Sirius suggested. As he went through girls at the speed of light it seemed a good enough idea to him.
James turned to him. "Yea, maybe you're right." He sighed, letting his mood sweep over his face.
Just then Moony and Willow returned. Willow's lipstick was all over Remus' grinning face. "That's five galleons each from you and me to Evans, James." Sirius said, grinning at Moony. Willow grinned too. Her neat plat now not so neat.
Remus looked around. "Scare Evans off, Prongs?" he asked casually.
"Looks like it." James said, looking miserable. Willow looked worried.
"If you'd act like this about her in front of her, it might help." Peter said, in a fit of genius. Everyone looked at him, startled.
A cry of "Goddamn it Black, I am NOT in the mood!!!!!" echoed down the corridor.
"Oh God." Willow muttered, looking up at Remus
"Uh-oh. Didn't that sound like Lily?" Remus said, looking down at Willow.
She nodded, letting go of him. "I'm going to find her." Willow said.
"Not by yourself." he said firmly, taking her hand. "Let's go before she does something Bella dearest will regret." he looked at his friends. "Prongs, Padfoot, Wormtail?" he questioned, head cocked slightly to one side. "Coming BEFORE our favorite redhead makes Slytherin mincemeat?"
Willow looked at them all. James reluctantly got up, Sirius too. Remus hurried down the hall without another glance back, dragging Willow.
When they got to where the yelling had been coming from the fight was in full force. Lily, on her way to find Willow in order to have a good cry, had been intercepted by the Slytherins. The nasty ones. Her face was currently an inch from Bellatrix's as they hissed insults at each other.
Willow touched her on the shoulder, running ahead of Remus.
Lily didn't turn around. "Willow, I'm busy."
"Lily, your going to get hurt, please, don't carry this on."
"I am not going to get hurt before they do." she said. It was official. Lily was really really REALLY REALLY mad. The Slytherins had discovered how to really get to her. They'd started in on her friends. Bella was hissing things in her ear about Willow, even while Lily talked to the others.
James was standing behind Willow, his wand pointed at Bella. "Bella, we've had this discussion. Leave her be."
Malfoy was behind Bella. "Expelliarmus!" He shouted boredly at James. James' wand went flying and he went with it.
"Lucius." James snarled. Sirius was behind him, his wand, less obvious, pointed at Lucius.
Lily spun round. "James!" she started toward him, then stopped as she heard Bella and Malfoy snickering. "Are you ok?" she asked, not walkng any nearer. Of course, she was breaking a cardinal rule of fighting. She had her back to the enemy.
"Stupefy!" Bella shouted.
The curse hit Lily and she went down. James flew forward and caught her. Willow could only watch. The Head Boy, Amos Diggory, came running down the corridor, the Head Girl, Joanna Bones, with him.
"It's about damn time!" Remus muttered.
"What's the meaning of this?" Amos asked, adjusting his badge. He and Joanna looked rather rumpled.
"Talk to the Slytherins... they've been a pain in that ass on this journey." James said, holding Lily up. Willow tried to help James with Lily.
"Actually, Diggory, Evans started it." Bella said. Willow looked up at Remus, they werent going to believe James. He looked rather helpless, he hadn't actually witnessed the Slytherins starting anything, just reacting.
Amos pointed his wand at Lily. "Ennervate." he stated. Her eyes fluttered open. "Miss Evans, your side of the story, if you please?"
"I was trying to get to the other wide of the train. Malfoy, Snape and Black, the female one, wouldn't let me pass. They were insulting my friends, Black and I got into a bit of an arguement... By the time my friends got here it'd come to blows. Malfoy threw Expelliarmus at Ja.. Potter and you saw Black throw her curse at me." she said, still a bit breathless and glaring at Bella the entire time.
"Were any curses thrown by the Gryffindors?" Amos asked Remus.
"No." he replied truthfully. Willow watched. Sirius had his eyes fixed on Bella.
"Alright. Five points from Gryffindor for fighting, especially you as a prefect Evans. Detention for Black and Malfoy and ten points from Slytherin." Diggory swept off, followed by Joanna and the Slytherins soon followed. Lily leaned back against the wall and buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders started shaking.
She lifted her face and was laughing her head off, but not in an amused way. "It's so typical. My first bleeding day as a prefect and I lose five points."
"Oh, Lily..." Willow said, gently. James didn't say a word. Sirius went back to their compartment, feeling angry.
Lily looked up at James. "Thanks... for catching me." she said. She got up, pulling out of Willow's grip and running to her compartment, upset.
Willow sighed, and hugged Remus, " See you later." She then followed Lily back. Remus nodded and followed Sirius. James sighed, alone in the hallway. That hadn't gone well. He picked up his wand.
When Willow got back to her compartment she found Lily kicking her things, which had popped out of her trunk when it flew open as she had entered. " Please, Lily, Stop..."
"Stop bloody being reasonable." raged the other girl. Willow sat, watching her. Lily collapsed next to her friend. "I'm sorry." she whispered.
Willow put a hand on her shoulder. "It's ok." She smiled alittle.
"So, you and Lupin." Lily said, smiling half-heartedly, keeping the subject off of herself.
" Oh yea..." Willow grinned.
A first year knocked on the window in the compartments door. "Robes on, almost to Hogwarts." he squeaked before heading on down the hall. Lily pulled the shade on the door down, then the shades on the windows, and proceeded to change. Willow followed suit. The train finally pulled to a stop. They all left their things, as per usual and headed out of the train.
Lily found a carriage. They happened to be the last ones off the train and ended up stuck in one with the marauders. James' face was an image of annoyance, sadness, and anger. Willow got in, and sat next to Remus, Lily Next to her. James and Lily avoided looking at eachother. Sirius was sat right next to Peter, who was sucking on sweets.
For Lily the mostly silent ride was torture. She was the first out of the carriage, leaving Willow with Remus. Peter, James and Sirius piled out next, and it seemed a while before Willow and Remus emerged.
By the time the others were all out of the carriage Lily was already climbing the steps up to the castle door. Willow ran after her. Remus sighed. "I hope she doesn't do that too often."
"You know those two are attached at the hip, Moony." Sirius said.
Willow looked back at the werewolf, when she had caught up with Lily. He smiled and waved. She grinned and waved back.
Lily noticed. "Willow, it's ok. I'm fine, go hang out with lover boy. I want to find Josie and Ash anyway." Josie was Josie Greengrass, a Slytherin and Ash was Ashley Prescott, a Ravenclaw.
" Are you sure?.."
"Yeah." she waited for Willow to run back to Remus. Willow didnt run. She waited where she was. Lily went inside. The Marauders caught up to Willow. "Where'd Evans go to?" Sirius asked.
"Wanted to go see Josie and Ash..." She said, feeling really bad about leaving her to go inside by herself.
"The Slytherin and the Ravenclaw?" Sirius obviously didn't think much of the fast that Lily was friends with a Slytherin.
"Yea." She said, taking hold of Remus' hand. James was following behind them, he had watched Lily go in... He wasnt in a good mood. "She's probably going to talk to Romano Zabini too." Willow added. Romano was Lily's male Slytherin friend. Handsome male Slytherin friend.James didn't like him. He'd rather Lily crawled up a drain than talk to him.
Sirius glanced at his best friend as they came into the hall. Lily was speaking with Romano, laughing and touching his shoulder affectionately. James saw, it just made his blood boil. Lily leaned in and kissed Romano's cheek before heading back over to her friend. "Willow, guess what?!" she said, grinning. She didn't spare James a second glance. She didn't wait for Willow to asnwer. "Rommie just asked me to go with him first Hogsmeade weekend! Maybe we can double date?"
"Er yea, I'll ask." She smiled, knowing Remus would say no. James felt like he had been stabbed hard in the stomach
But he overrid that. "Well done Evans... Started the year well..."
She looked at James. "What's the matter, Potter? Jealous?" without giving him a chance to reply she turned and left, having borrowed James' smug smile. Willow looked round at him. James watched her, a Smirk on his face.
"James, she just told you off... Might I inquire as to the reason for your smirk?" asked Remus.
"She's going to Hogsmeade with a Slytherin." He said.
"Yeah, when she wouldn't go with you." Peter added tactlessly. James sharply hit him round the back of the head, not hard enough to hurt. Sirius knew what was going through James' head.
"Heeeeeyyyy!" Peter whined as they entered the great hall. Lily was talking excitedly to two rather pretty girls with green crests on their chests, over in a corner.
James was feeling great injustice. 'Rommie', as he was affectionately know was being mentally slaughtered by him, and Prongs was working out every single way in which he could make now, until the Hogsmeade weekend hell for them.
Willow went to sit with Lily, after kissing Remus bye. Sirius raised a brow. "Alright Prongs, what's the plan?"
"I, unless you lot want in, going to make 'Rommie's' life hell until that Hogsmeade weekend."
Sirius grinned. "I'm in."
Remus made a face. "This is my girlfriend's best friend's date we're talking about." then he realized what he'd jsut said. "Right, I'm in."
"M-me too!" Peter stuttered.
Lily could still be seen talking animatedly, only now with Willow instead of with Josie and Ash. Just then the sorting began. They'd all been so busy talking they'd missed the sorting hat's song. Willow watched, Lily too. "Bones, Lillianna!" shouted Professor McGonagall. "Gryffindor!" shouted the hat. After quite awhile heads had started to droop when finally "Black, Narcissa" became a Ravenclaw. Bellatrix Balck's jaw dropped in astonishment.
Siruis silently punched the air. " Thank god..." He muttered.
"God, Sirius, are you sure your cousin's only eleven?" murmured Jacob Lowe, a Gryffindor sixth year. Narcissa certainly didn't look eleven. The younger boy nodded.
Lucius Malfoy appeared to have noticed Narcissa just as had most of the male population. "Don't look now, Sirius, but Malfoy seems to be checking your youngest cousin out." Remus murmured.
"But he's in sixth year!" spluttered Peter.
"And he's going to have a black eye later." Sirius growled.
"Hey, watch what you say, I'm supposed to be a prefect." Remus reminded him.
"Supposed to be?" Sirius grinned.
"Besides, I thought Andromeda was the only cousin you liked?"
"She is, I am just so glad that she didnt get sorted into Slytherin."
"Neither did Narcissa." Peter said.
Sirius looked down at Peter, "I know."
"Oh whatever." Peter muttered as the food appeared. Willow and Lily were still in deep conversation.
Once dinner was done everyone streamed out of the Great Hall. James headed back along to the Common Room, Sirius and Peter tagging along behind. James headed back along to the Common Room, Sirius and Peter tagging along behind. Remus was with them.
Willow and Lily were behind them. Romano came up behind Lily. "Lils, Surprise!" He said into her ear. She giggled and turned around.
"Git." She said fondly. James looked round, his face face becoming slightly red. Willow watched. Lily knew without looking that James was watching. "See you tomorrow Rommie." she murmured, kissing him soundly. He grinned and wandered off, clearly seeing stars. Remus' eyebrows went up into his hairline. James turned back round one of his fists clenched.
Lily looked smug as she continued walking.Willow followed, worried. She looked up at Remus.
Sirius put a hand on James' shoulder. "Calm...we'll get him good."
"Seems more like we need to get Evans." Peter said, as Lily was out of hearing. Willow and Remus didn't hear either.
"Yea, we do." James said through gritted teeth.
"Yeah you do what?" Remus asked, having kissed Willow night and left her to go after her friend.
"Get Evans..." Sirus muttered.
"Right, because that's the perfect way to get her to go out with Prongs." Remus said wryly. "Prank her."
James looked round at him. "You werent there, when she decided to start mouthing off at me."
"About what?"
"About why she was so out towards me!" James had stopped and turned round.
"Well, Prongs, mate, you are rather obnoxious to her." Remus was the one who'd be honest, even if it hurt.
" I need sleep..." He said, walking away from them all, he wouldn't let his pride fall now.
Remus sighed. "Well, fat lot of good that did."
"She really hurt him Moony..." Sirius said, sighing.
"Well, you have to admit, he doesn't exactly handle her with velvet gloves!"
"We know... but when has James ever not been an idiot around her?"
"Never. Let's just go to bed."
"Good Idea." Peter grumbled, his stomach hurt.
They all went to sleep. Maybe things would look better in the morning.
"Yea why not!" Sirius said
"I guess I"m in too." Peter said.
"Who's starting?" asked James
"You." Lily said, curling up on the seat, her sweater hanging off her shoudlers, leaving them both bare.
" Ok... Lily..." He said, grinning, "Why are you so spiteful to all of us..."
"Forgot to say truth or dare, you cheater."
"Fine, truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"Ok... I dare you to...." He looked at her, " Kiss me..."
"You are so full of it. How very unoriginal." She leaned in like she was going to kiss him, then kissed his cheek.
"Fine, you do better..." James challenged. He looked disappointed.
"Sirius, truth or dare?"
" Err... Truth..."
"Damn it. Erm... Does James actually like me?" She asked.
"Yea, Evans he does..." Sirius protected himself. James restrained himself quite well but a long string of cursing issued from his mouth.
She looked genuinely startled. "Uh, your turn, Black." she said uncomfortably.
" Peter, Truth or dare?"
"Uhh. Truth." Peter said, a bit stupidly.
" Erm... " He thought.
"What an eloquent bunch." Lily put in sarcastically.
Sirius looked round at Lily... " And whats that supposed to mean?.."
"So intelligent too..." she said. The girl was a female marauder at heart. "Just give the boy a truth and be quiet already Black." she chided.
"Peter, how much have you actually eaten today?" Sirius said, throwing an annoyed look at Lily.
Thinking for a minute, the dumpy boy began to count on his figners as Lily hid a laugh behind pale hands. James was used to it. Sirius was holding back a laugh. "A... A lot." He finished. Sirius was stunned.
Lily coughed to hide laughter. "Ah, your turn Pettigrew."
"Ah... Erm..." the poor boy thought, scratching his head. James had the snitch in his hand.
"I swear Potter, if you start with that damned snitch I'll make the curse I threw at Black's cousin seem like a coloring charm." she threatened. James rolled his eyes, and threw the snitch into his trunk, quickly closing it.
"And Pettigrew, all you have to do is ask someone, 'truth or dare'? The hard part is AFTER that."
"Prongs, the woman has you whipped." Sirius chortled. Lily rolled her eyes but looked rather pleased.
"Padfoot... Zip it." James snapped. He couldn't help being an ass around her.
"You don't have me whipped, Jamesy old pal." the bigger boy grinned debonairly and winked at Lily, who giggled. Even the Dragon lady wasn't immune to Sirius' charms. James gave him a sarcastic smile, and folded his arms annoyedly.
"James Truth or dare?" Peter asked suddenly.
"Eh? Oh Dare..." James sighed
"I dare you to kiss Lily." Peter said with a self satisfied grin at his genius.
"Oh Merlin's teeth..." Lily groaned.
"We going to specify this kiss or is it just a kiss?" He questioned, sitting up, glancing at Lily.
Peter looked confused. "What?"
"I believe what the King of rejection is asking, Master of the Obvious, is whether he has to kiss me a certain way, or is it just a kiss. And Peter, if you say french, I'll kill you. Slowly. With my bare hands." the witch smiled sweetly at the now shaking boy.
James waited. He knew Lily wouldn't throttle him. Would she?
"Just a kiss." Peter squeaked. He recieved a dirty look from Sirius, who rather thought Peter needed to develop a backbone.
James lean't forward, and went for her cheek - but - his chaged and the last moment, and kissed her square on the lips. Lily, who had been pleasently surprised when he started for her cheek let out a protest as he kissed her. It was something like 'Damn it potter!' but all that could really be heard was 'Mmm aaah!" He pulled away, a cheeky grin on his face. Sirius stifled a laugh, James looked so please with himself.
Lily turned her glare on Sirius, cheeks flaming. James chuckled seeing her go red.
"J..James, your turn." Peter stammered
James thought. " Lily, truth or dare?"
"Truth." She said, eyes still blazing, cheeks still red as her hair.
"Damn it, i was going to get you to find Moony and Willow. But seeing as you said truth..." he grinned. She waited, one eyebrow raised.
"Why do you hate me so much?" he asked.
"Because you think you're gods gift to witches, quidditch and the world in general." she said swiftly. "Because you're a over-bearing git, because you hex people for the fun of it..." she took a deep breath, prepared to go on. He was soaking it all up, he didnt take her that seriously. "And you seem to think I'm kidding when I say you're a big headed arse-hole." she said, taking in his smug expression.
James' face fell alittle. " Do you really mean that?"
She felt a twinge of guilt. "Well what do expect if you can't take anything seriously?!"
"I can take things seriously! I just, most of the time, not to." He replied, folding his arms. That had hit him hard, but he tried not to show it.
"When you're own sense of humor stops being more important than everyone's feelings, get back to me." She got up and stormed out, leaving her candy. Peter fell on it, stuffing his face. James watched her leave, not moving after her. Sirius had been watching and had flinched as she had stormed out. Peter gave his friend a sympathetic look, but it was ruined by his stuffed cheeks. James sat in his seat, refusing to show any sign of emotion.
Lily raced down the train to the very end, opening the door and standing out on the outdoor platform, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her sweater. He was such an ass. She was sick of him never being serious. She liked his sense of humor, she'd admit it. But she wanted him to take some things seriously, her being one of them. Everything about her was a joke to him and she was done.
Hell, Sirius was better around her than he was, and Sirius was every bit a marauder. Not only that, but Sirius was the one who went through a girlfriend a month. Yet he knew better how to treat her. That was sad. She wiped her face off again, trying to stop crying. "He's not worth the waste of water." she muttered under her breath.
James was mentally kicking himself. He couldn't help showing off when she was around him. His gaze was steely, focusing on the exact point where Lily had been sitting.
"James, mate... Maybe you should just give up with her..." Sirius suggested. As he went through girls at the speed of light it seemed a good enough idea to him.
James turned to him. "Yea, maybe you're right." He sighed, letting his mood sweep over his face.
Just then Moony and Willow returned. Willow's lipstick was all over Remus' grinning face. "That's five galleons each from you and me to Evans, James." Sirius said, grinning at Moony. Willow grinned too. Her neat plat now not so neat.
Remus looked around. "Scare Evans off, Prongs?" he asked casually.
"Looks like it." James said, looking miserable. Willow looked worried.
"If you'd act like this about her in front of her, it might help." Peter said, in a fit of genius. Everyone looked at him, startled.
A cry of "Goddamn it Black, I am NOT in the mood!!!!!" echoed down the corridor.
"Oh God." Willow muttered, looking up at Remus
"Uh-oh. Didn't that sound like Lily?" Remus said, looking down at Willow.
She nodded, letting go of him. "I'm going to find her." Willow said.
"Not by yourself." he said firmly, taking her hand. "Let's go before she does something Bella dearest will regret." he looked at his friends. "Prongs, Padfoot, Wormtail?" he questioned, head cocked slightly to one side. "Coming BEFORE our favorite redhead makes Slytherin mincemeat?"
Willow looked at them all. James reluctantly got up, Sirius too. Remus hurried down the hall without another glance back, dragging Willow.
When they got to where the yelling had been coming from the fight was in full force. Lily, on her way to find Willow in order to have a good cry, had been intercepted by the Slytherins. The nasty ones. Her face was currently an inch from Bellatrix's as they hissed insults at each other.
Willow touched her on the shoulder, running ahead of Remus.
Lily didn't turn around. "Willow, I'm busy."
"Lily, your going to get hurt, please, don't carry this on."
"I am not going to get hurt before they do." she said. It was official. Lily was really really REALLY REALLY mad. The Slytherins had discovered how to really get to her. They'd started in on her friends. Bella was hissing things in her ear about Willow, even while Lily talked to the others.
James was standing behind Willow, his wand pointed at Bella. "Bella, we've had this discussion. Leave her be."
Malfoy was behind Bella. "Expelliarmus!" He shouted boredly at James. James' wand went flying and he went with it.
"Lucius." James snarled. Sirius was behind him, his wand, less obvious, pointed at Lucius.
Lily spun round. "James!" she started toward him, then stopped as she heard Bella and Malfoy snickering. "Are you ok?" she asked, not walkng any nearer. Of course, she was breaking a cardinal rule of fighting. She had her back to the enemy.
"Stupefy!" Bella shouted.
The curse hit Lily and she went down. James flew forward and caught her. Willow could only watch. The Head Boy, Amos Diggory, came running down the corridor, the Head Girl, Joanna Bones, with him.
"It's about damn time!" Remus muttered.
"What's the meaning of this?" Amos asked, adjusting his badge. He and Joanna looked rather rumpled.
"Talk to the Slytherins... they've been a pain in that ass on this journey." James said, holding Lily up. Willow tried to help James with Lily.
"Actually, Diggory, Evans started it." Bella said. Willow looked up at Remus, they werent going to believe James. He looked rather helpless, he hadn't actually witnessed the Slytherins starting anything, just reacting.
Amos pointed his wand at Lily. "Ennervate." he stated. Her eyes fluttered open. "Miss Evans, your side of the story, if you please?"
"I was trying to get to the other wide of the train. Malfoy, Snape and Black, the female one, wouldn't let me pass. They were insulting my friends, Black and I got into a bit of an arguement... By the time my friends got here it'd come to blows. Malfoy threw Expelliarmus at Ja.. Potter and you saw Black throw her curse at me." she said, still a bit breathless and glaring at Bella the entire time.
"Were any curses thrown by the Gryffindors?" Amos asked Remus.
"No." he replied truthfully. Willow watched. Sirius had his eyes fixed on Bella.
"Alright. Five points from Gryffindor for fighting, especially you as a prefect Evans. Detention for Black and Malfoy and ten points from Slytherin." Diggory swept off, followed by Joanna and the Slytherins soon followed. Lily leaned back against the wall and buried her face in her hands. Her shoulders started shaking.
She lifted her face and was laughing her head off, but not in an amused way. "It's so typical. My first bleeding day as a prefect and I lose five points."
"Oh, Lily..." Willow said, gently. James didn't say a word. Sirius went back to their compartment, feeling angry.
Lily looked up at James. "Thanks... for catching me." she said. She got up, pulling out of Willow's grip and running to her compartment, upset.
Willow sighed, and hugged Remus, " See you later." She then followed Lily back. Remus nodded and followed Sirius. James sighed, alone in the hallway. That hadn't gone well. He picked up his wand.
When Willow got back to her compartment she found Lily kicking her things, which had popped out of her trunk when it flew open as she had entered. " Please, Lily, Stop..."
"Stop bloody being reasonable." raged the other girl. Willow sat, watching her. Lily collapsed next to her friend. "I'm sorry." she whispered.
Willow put a hand on her shoulder. "It's ok." She smiled alittle.
"So, you and Lupin." Lily said, smiling half-heartedly, keeping the subject off of herself.
" Oh yea..." Willow grinned.
A first year knocked on the window in the compartments door. "Robes on, almost to Hogwarts." he squeaked before heading on down the hall. Lily pulled the shade on the door down, then the shades on the windows, and proceeded to change. Willow followed suit. The train finally pulled to a stop. They all left their things, as per usual and headed out of the train.
Lily found a carriage. They happened to be the last ones off the train and ended up stuck in one with the marauders. James' face was an image of annoyance, sadness, and anger. Willow got in, and sat next to Remus, Lily Next to her. James and Lily avoided looking at eachother. Sirius was sat right next to Peter, who was sucking on sweets.
For Lily the mostly silent ride was torture. She was the first out of the carriage, leaving Willow with Remus. Peter, James and Sirius piled out next, and it seemed a while before Willow and Remus emerged.
By the time the others were all out of the carriage Lily was already climbing the steps up to the castle door. Willow ran after her. Remus sighed. "I hope she doesn't do that too often."
"You know those two are attached at the hip, Moony." Sirius said.
Willow looked back at the werewolf, when she had caught up with Lily. He smiled and waved. She grinned and waved back.
Lily noticed. "Willow, it's ok. I'm fine, go hang out with lover boy. I want to find Josie and Ash anyway." Josie was Josie Greengrass, a Slytherin and Ash was Ashley Prescott, a Ravenclaw.
" Are you sure?.."
"Yeah." she waited for Willow to run back to Remus. Willow didnt run. She waited where she was. Lily went inside. The Marauders caught up to Willow. "Where'd Evans go to?" Sirius asked.
"Wanted to go see Josie and Ash..." She said, feeling really bad about leaving her to go inside by herself.
"The Slytherin and the Ravenclaw?" Sirius obviously didn't think much of the fast that Lily was friends with a Slytherin.
"Yea." She said, taking hold of Remus' hand. James was following behind them, he had watched Lily go in... He wasnt in a good mood. "She's probably going to talk to Romano Zabini too." Willow added. Romano was Lily's male Slytherin friend. Handsome male Slytherin friend.James didn't like him. He'd rather Lily crawled up a drain than talk to him.
Sirius glanced at his best friend as they came into the hall. Lily was speaking with Romano, laughing and touching his shoulder affectionately. James saw, it just made his blood boil. Lily leaned in and kissed Romano's cheek before heading back over to her friend. "Willow, guess what?!" she said, grinning. She didn't spare James a second glance. She didn't wait for Willow to asnwer. "Rommie just asked me to go with him first Hogsmeade weekend! Maybe we can double date?"
"Er yea, I'll ask." She smiled, knowing Remus would say no. James felt like he had been stabbed hard in the stomach
But he overrid that. "Well done Evans... Started the year well..."
She looked at James. "What's the matter, Potter? Jealous?" without giving him a chance to reply she turned and left, having borrowed James' smug smile. Willow looked round at him. James watched her, a Smirk on his face.
"James, she just told you off... Might I inquire as to the reason for your smirk?" asked Remus.
"She's going to Hogsmeade with a Slytherin." He said.
"Yeah, when she wouldn't go with you." Peter added tactlessly. James sharply hit him round the back of the head, not hard enough to hurt. Sirius knew what was going through James' head.
"Heeeeeyyyy!" Peter whined as they entered the great hall. Lily was talking excitedly to two rather pretty girls with green crests on their chests, over in a corner.
James was feeling great injustice. 'Rommie', as he was affectionately know was being mentally slaughtered by him, and Prongs was working out every single way in which he could make now, until the Hogsmeade weekend hell for them.
Willow went to sit with Lily, after kissing Remus bye. Sirius raised a brow. "Alright Prongs, what's the plan?"
"I, unless you lot want in, going to make 'Rommie's' life hell until that Hogsmeade weekend."
Sirius grinned. "I'm in."
Remus made a face. "This is my girlfriend's best friend's date we're talking about." then he realized what he'd jsut said. "Right, I'm in."
"M-me too!" Peter stuttered.
Lily could still be seen talking animatedly, only now with Willow instead of with Josie and Ash. Just then the sorting began. They'd all been so busy talking they'd missed the sorting hat's song. Willow watched, Lily too. "Bones, Lillianna!" shouted Professor McGonagall. "Gryffindor!" shouted the hat. After quite awhile heads had started to droop when finally "Black, Narcissa" became a Ravenclaw. Bellatrix Balck's jaw dropped in astonishment.
Siruis silently punched the air. " Thank god..." He muttered.
"God, Sirius, are you sure your cousin's only eleven?" murmured Jacob Lowe, a Gryffindor sixth year. Narcissa certainly didn't look eleven. The younger boy nodded.
Lucius Malfoy appeared to have noticed Narcissa just as had most of the male population. "Don't look now, Sirius, but Malfoy seems to be checking your youngest cousin out." Remus murmured.
"But he's in sixth year!" spluttered Peter.
"And he's going to have a black eye later." Sirius growled.
"Hey, watch what you say, I'm supposed to be a prefect." Remus reminded him.
"Supposed to be?" Sirius grinned.
"Besides, I thought Andromeda was the only cousin you liked?"
"She is, I am just so glad that she didnt get sorted into Slytherin."
"Neither did Narcissa." Peter said.
Sirius looked down at Peter, "I know."
"Oh whatever." Peter muttered as the food appeared. Willow and Lily were still in deep conversation.
Once dinner was done everyone streamed out of the Great Hall. James headed back along to the Common Room, Sirius and Peter tagging along behind. James headed back along to the Common Room, Sirius and Peter tagging along behind. Remus was with them.
Willow and Lily were behind them. Romano came up behind Lily. "Lils, Surprise!" He said into her ear. She giggled and turned around.
"Git." She said fondly. James looked round, his face face becoming slightly red. Willow watched. Lily knew without looking that James was watching. "See you tomorrow Rommie." she murmured, kissing him soundly. He grinned and wandered off, clearly seeing stars. Remus' eyebrows went up into his hairline. James turned back round one of his fists clenched.
Lily looked smug as she continued walking.Willow followed, worried. She looked up at Remus.
Sirius put a hand on James' shoulder. "Calm...we'll get him good."
"Seems more like we need to get Evans." Peter said, as Lily was out of hearing. Willow and Remus didn't hear either.
"Yea, we do." James said through gritted teeth.
"Yeah you do what?" Remus asked, having kissed Willow night and left her to go after her friend.
"Get Evans..." Sirus muttered.
"Right, because that's the perfect way to get her to go out with Prongs." Remus said wryly. "Prank her."
James looked round at him. "You werent there, when she decided to start mouthing off at me."
"About what?"
"About why she was so out towards me!" James had stopped and turned round.
"Well, Prongs, mate, you are rather obnoxious to her." Remus was the one who'd be honest, even if it hurt.
" I need sleep..." He said, walking away from them all, he wouldn't let his pride fall now.
Remus sighed. "Well, fat lot of good that did."
"She really hurt him Moony..." Sirius said, sighing.
"Well, you have to admit, he doesn't exactly handle her with velvet gloves!"
"We know... but when has James ever not been an idiot around her?"
"Never. Let's just go to bed."
"Good Idea." Peter grumbled, his stomach hurt.
They all went to sleep. Maybe things would look better in the morning.