Hello you guys! How are you all doing? Fine, I hope! Thanks everybody for reading! Special thanks to Bah Malfoy Black, Rosie chers, EnchantedWords17, Olivia Wolfe, Biaa Black Potter, .Read., Me and Rob Kabus, the ones who sent me reviews. They really made my day.
Three more things I forgot to say:
1. Whenever there's a italic phrase or something, it's probably Lily's thoughts. When the phrase is a bold one, it's James's thoughts.
2. Anything you read that sounds like a Coldplay song is a Coldplay song.
3. Anything you read that sounds like AVPM or AVPS (A Very Potter Musical/Sequel) is AVPM/AVPS.
That's all. Majority characters are J.K.'s, Harry Potter is J.K.'s... there're only a few things mine. IT'S ALL J.K.'S. SHE RULES THE WORLD.
-Chapter two-
Co-workers
Dear Lily,
How are you doing? I hope you are well, because I'm not. You know, you were absolutely right when you warned us about that last prank. I'm sure you know the results, but I'm telling you anyway.
Dumbledore asked our parents to punish us, as we've told you before. My parents and Peter's grounded both of us. During the whole summer. Maybe it won't last that long, but this is only me hoping they'll feel guilty seeing their only child alone… in home…
I don't know what Mrs. Potter will do with James and Sirius, but I can assure you it'll be worse than what happened with me. She was really furious at King's Cross… They won't be grounded, but it'll be as bad as this. Worse, even. Mrs. Potter knows them really well.
In fact, I'm writing to you as an explanation to my future lack of letters. I'm not allowed to write to anybody, except to my senile grandmother, who, as you must have deduced, does not talk about normal things. Therefore, I'm sorry for my absence, hope you get the Head Girl badge and wish you good summer,
Sincerely,
Remus Lupin.
Lily sighed when she read the letter from her friend. She felt really bad for him. Grounded the whole summer, no letters allowed! She would go insane if she was in his place. Lily looked to her clock; it was seven and thirty in a nice Monday morning. Sighing again, she put her working clothes on and put the letter inside the drawer of her desk.
Her father had asked her if she minded her co-worker being a guy. Of course she didn't. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that. He'd also asked her to go first to the Dental, so he could meet the new boy and show him the way to the Dental. She would go walking, but the distance was really small; only a couple of blocks.
She went downstairs, where her mother was making the breakfast. Petunia sat on a chair in the kitchen, talking about what she would do in that day.
"Well, it's a really nice restaurant, but I'd like him to take me in a new place… You know, we've gone there a few times and all…" Elize Evans was an excellent mother and listened to every little thing her two daughters said. She paid attention to the smallest details.
"If this matters for you, I think you should let him know, dear… I'm sure Vernon will do what you want…" she said to Petunia "Oh, good morning, Lily. Come here, eat… I'm sure you will have a lot of work today" Lily smiled at her mother.
"Hopefully. Dad gets so happy in a busy day…" Elize laughed.
"Yes, he does…"
"Hello, Petunia" Lily said politely.
"Hi"
"Lily" Elize started "Will Amos lunch with us?"
"No, not today. He has a family thing to go…"
"Oh, ok. You'll warn me when he does, won't you?"
"Of course"
"Richard said he would invite the new boy to lunch here. He liked him. Said he was really funny" Lily smiled. It seemed something her father would do. She put milk on a glass and drank it while her toast wasn't ready. Then she ate the two slices of toast in less than ten minutes, and upstairs, brushed her teeth and went down again.
"Bye, mum!" She screamed as she walked out of the house on her way to the Dental. Lily went whistling all the way to the work. She greeted the receptionist of the building where the Dental was happily. She didn't really minded working for her father. He'd always done everything for her and she wanted to help him any way she could.
The door was unlocked, so she walked in easily and only closed it. Lily sat down at her desk and started to see how many patients there would be. It would take the whole morning and a part of the afternoon. One hour or so. No problem. None at all.
She organized the desk; the pencils and pens in the pencil case, the agenda exactly in the middle of the desk, the telephone on the top right and the files from each patient on the top left. Everything had its place. Even the trash bins (exactly outside the consulting and waiting rooms, so the patient could throw anything away as he left).
She then sat down and took her book. It was her copy of Romeo and Juliet. She really loved the book. She hadn't read five pages when she heard her father's voice. She smiled; Lily had been back from Hogwarts on Wednesday. Her father asked her to help him in the interview of her new co-worker on Friday, but she had a date with Amos (which went great, by the way).
Lily fixed her hair and smiled, so the new guy could she was a nice person.
"… I don't think you will have trouble to get there, son, it's really easy, no mistakes to be made…" She didn't hear the boy's answer, but she supposed it was something funny, because her father laughed "Well, yes, that motorbike of your friend could help you…" Her father came in, but the things in his hands fell and the boy kneeled to help him "Oh, thank you…" Richard Evans said smiling to his daughter.
But she didn't wear the happy smile anymore. No way. She groaned internally. In a whole wide world of young boys, he really had to choose a wizard one? And, as if it wasn't enough, she had to hate him?
Because when the boy kneeled, she had the chance to see his hair. And she would recognize the black messy hair anywhere. It was the sight to her personal hell.
"Lily?" Her father asked worried when to the look of her face "Is everything ok?"
James Potter looked up then, to see what was wrong with her. When he saw who his co-worker was (when he saw his suspects from that morning were right), he grinned widely.
"Lily! I mean, Evans!" He said happily "What a surprise, huh?" He asked teasingly. He watched amused as she clenched her fists.
"Dad, can we talk in the consulting room?" She asked. James bit his lips and she closed her eyes, going to the room she'd asked her father to go.
"Um, sure… Wait here, ok, James?"
"Yes, sir"
When James and Sirius arrived home, they faced Margareth and Anthony Potter before even showering. They had just travelled all day, but the parents didn't seem to care.
"Well, we thought really hard on what we would do with the both of you" Margareth said. James was still in a bad humor because of Lily's new boyfriend news.
"And?" He asked impolitely. His mother narrowed her eyes.
"I don't care if you had a hell of a day, if you had a fight or if that girl is with someone else, you cannot talk like that. I'm announcing your punishment, you must fear me now"
"There's no girl…" He mumbled.
"Silence!" Margareth hissed "We know it wouldn't work to ground you like Remus or Peter. So we thought about a few things. Your favorite things, in fact. Sirius, you first"
"Just say it"
"This summer, you can't drink any kind of alcohol or kiss any girls"
"WHAT?" He screamed.
"If you don't obey, your lips will turn obnoxious pink" she continued as though Sirius hadn't screamed. His mouth was widely opened "And the color won't come back to normal unless I unmake the spell. Any doubts?"
"Um, you sure you want to this to me? I mean, I wasn't drunk when we thought about the prank, and there was no girl on my lips either, I'm sure of it!" He said. Anthony was fighting a smile when he finished.
"Yes, I'm sure of it, Sirius. Now be quite so I can cast the spell on your mouth" He pouted, but she didn't lower her wand. He sighed and allowed her to cast the spell "There we go. It wasn't that hard, was it?"
"It wasn't now… Let's see when the girls try to get me drunk and cry because I refused them…" Anthony laughed and Margareth smiled a little.
"James, your turn" She said.
"Just say it; I'm not in the mood"
"No Quidditch and you have to get a summer job. Your interview is Friday"
"Whatever. Can I take a shower now? Thanks"
His parents looked him go puzzled. Sirius sighed.
"Lily's got a new boyfriend"
"Oh…" They said.
"Yeah. He found out about it today. Not taking it ok"
"Why he didn't hex the boy?" Anthony asked.
"Because we didn't tell him who the boy is. I'm supposed to do so today or tomorrow… or next week…"
"Next week. He'll cool down, but… wait a little" Margareth said "He really likes the girl, doesn't he?"
"I suppose so. But he's a git to her, so she hates him"
"That's bad"
"He made it that way"
James took a really long shower, trying to forget about the bastard. The bastard was, of course, Lily's boyfriend. He was really mad about it; he hadn't even cared about his punishment. Two months without Quidditch. A job. Lily's boyfriend.
No Quidditch. A job. Lily's boyfriend.
Those were the three things he wanted to forget, therefore were the things he remembered the most. When he left the bathroom already dressed, Sirius was waiting for him.
"You better?" His best friend asked.
"Should I?"
"I don't know, mate. I've never been in love."
"I've been better"
"Well, at least you can kiss a girl"
"No Quidditch. A job."
"Fine, you win. How you gonna survive?"
"Plotting about how to kill the bastard" Sirius was quite for a second.
"What you gonna do now?" James shrugged.
"What do you suggest?"
"Pull her to a broom closet and snog her 'till kingdom come" James snorted.
"You know she will only hate me more"
"But you would enjoy it, right?"
"Yes, but I want more than a single snog"
"Well, yeah… Then what?"
"I think…" He hesitated "I think I'll try to get over… Try to be friends with her… Better than nothing"
"So you're giving up?"
"Yeah, I guess I am…" Sirius was stunned.
"Like… after… six years? You're just getting over her… That simple?"
"Of course it won't be that simple, Padfoot, but I'll try. From now on, no more hints or flirting with Lily Evans. I'll try to be friends with. Besides, I've got the whole summer"
"You'll snog another girls in front of her"
"Yeah, so she can be jealous- wait, no!" Sirius was smirking "No, I'll snog another girls because I want to."
"You'll get a girlfriend"
"Maybe, if the girl's nice. And if she's funny, of course. And if she isn't afraid to tell me my flaws…"
"Or she could scream your flaws in the Great Hall and then say 'I hate you and your big ego, Potter!'…" James smiled weakly.
"That's what Lily shouted at me a few days ago after I flirted with her, remember?" Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Of course I remember, or I wouldn't say it, you moron"
"Oh, sure"
"And you'll be friends with her?"
"Exactly"
"And maybe have double dates with her and D- the bastard…" James clenched his fists.
"That would be a little too much, don't you think?"
"Yes, but if you want to be friends with her, you'd have to face D-the bastard and her… holding hands… smiling at each other… hugging… kissing…"
"Yes, I would. But the bastard isn't going to be with her all the time, right? I mean… he's not prefect or anything, is he?" He asked, panicking a little.
"Sorry, Prongs, can't say… Next week, if you still want to know."
"Ok, I can handle one week. She's only the girl I'm in love with since I was eleven. I've waited for six years, so one week is ok for me…" He sighed "Damn, I mean… I was in love since I was eleven. That's right."
Sirius rolled his eyes and called him to dinner. They went downstairs and Margareth said that Sirius would be allowed to use the motorbike. James was silent. He ate and didn't talk a single time. His parents noticed but said nothing.
On Friday, Sirius took him to a snack bar, where he met Richard Evans. The surname had startled him, but he knew Evans was a common surname in the muggle world. Richard didn't really look like Lily. Maybe the mouth seemed the same, but that's all. Richard's hair was blonde. His eyes were blue. Nothing with Lily.
Richard seemed to like him and taught everything he needed to know right there on the snack bar. Richard was impressed; James had learnt everything in an hour. By then, James was being funny again, because in the night before he and Sirius had pulled a prank. Richard really liked him.
The doctor told James to meet him in a house really near his on Monday. Richard's house. When James arrived there, he saw Elize Evans and, as he looked in her extremely green eyes, he thought that maybe, maybe that couple could be Lily's parents. And if they were Lily's parents… Well, Richard had invited him to have lunch with him, his wife and his two daughters (Lily and Petunia, of course!).
So James was smiling widely as he went to the Dental with Dr. Evans. Of course he was: Mrs. Evans said her youngest daughter worked with Richard! That would mean, of course, Lily. Mrs. Evans was busy with the garden, so she didn't really pay attention to them.
I have to stop thinking about it. I'm getting over her. I have to get over her.
But he couldn't help. He was happy with the possibility of working with Lily. It was a good thing to think. Well, even if he was getting over her, it was great to see a known face. He knew for sure she was really nice. If he had to work with an unknown muggle it would be hard. Really hard.
He was walking with Dr. Evans on their way to the Dental. When they arrived on the building, the receptionist smiled and told them "Miss Evans is already in the office, sir" Richard smiled and thanked, introducing James. They went upstairs talking about a lot of things.
"… I don't think you will have trouble to get there, son, it's really easy, no mistakes to be made…" Richard told him.
"Well, maybe Sirius can give me a ride in that giant, loud bike of his…" Dr. Evans laughed.
"Well, yes, that motorbike of your friend could help you…" Richard went in the room, but the things in his hands fell on the floor "Oh, thank you…" Dr. Evans looked into the room, where Lily (hopefully) was "Lily?" He said "Is everything ok?"
James looked up then and to his great pleasure, Lily Evans was looking at him. Well, yes, she was shocked. And maybe a little furious. But just a little. I've seen her in worse moods…
"Lily! I mean, Evans!" He said happily "What a surprise, huh?" He asked teasingly. He watched amused as she clenched her fists. Lily was really interesting to watch. Really funny the way she looked about to murder someone with her bare hands.
"Dad, can we talk in the consulting room?" She asked. James bit his lips, trying hard not to burst out laughing and she closed her eyes, going to the room she'd asked her father to go.
"Um, sure… Wait here, ok, James?" Richard asked, seeming a little confused.
"Yes, sir" He sat down on the chair and chuckled a little. If someone ever told him he would work with Lily for her father, he wouldn't believe.
"Dad, can you please explain me something?" He heard Lily's voice. He could hear everything from the other room.
"Yes, of course darling…"
"Why, in Merlin's- I mean, in the hell did you hire that boy?"
"Is there some trouble?" James knew Lily had rolled her eyes.
"Just tell me why."
"Well… I thought… You said there was no problem if I hired a boy…"
"And there isn't! The thing is, why JAMES FREAKING POTTER?" James smiled at the way she screamed his name. He could say for sure her face was red.
"Oh, you know James? He's a nice boy, isn't he?"
James bit his finger so Richard and Lily wouldn't hear his laughs.
"Of bloody course I know him!"
"Lily Evans, language!"
"Sorry, but Dad! James Freaking Potter?"
"Where did you get to know him?"
"He studies in Hogwarts. With me."
"That's good, then, isn't it?" James wasn't watching the scene but he knew for sure Lily had closed her eyes and taken a deep breath.
"Dad. James Potter and I together isn't a good thing."
"Why not?"
"God, don't you read any of my letters?"
"Yes, I do…"
"He's the boy who pursues me, Dad! He's the great troublemaker, the reason of all my detentions!"
"Oh, he's the one who plans those pranks?"
"Exactly!"
"The conceited one?"
"Yes!"
"The chaser?"
"Yes, Dad, it's him!" There was a minute or two of silence.
"Then I think the both of you should start to get along. I can't fire any of you. Now go and call James in."
"But, Dad…!"
"Lils, I… I liked James. He learnt everything. He has good hands. If he does anything, you just let me know and I'll talk to him. But please, try to not kill him, ok?"
"Ok…"
James opened a magazine and pretended he was reading it, and not listening to the conversation. Lily came through the door and stood in front of him.
"Um, hello?" He said uncertain.
"Rule: you don't flirt with me and I don't kill you" She said. She was only doing this because of her father. Then the first patient arrived and Lily had to confirm his data. James followed the patient; a young girl, blond with blue eyes.
I have to hide the girl's telephone or Potter will steal it…
Lily couldn't believe what was happening. It had to be a nightmare. The summer was a good thing and part of this was because she hadn't to deal with Potter. It was something not to worry. Potter seemed like a nightmare and only.
And now her own father was forcing her to deal with the prat! In her vacations! That's absurd!
She heard laughing noises and supposed Potter had just told a joke. Pathetic. Twenty minutes later, Potter came out of the consulting room.
"Hello, Lily, how are you doing?" He asked cheekily. She glared at him.
"One more rule, shall we? It's Evan, remember?"
"Ok, I'm sorry. But how are you doing?"
"I was fine" A minute of silence as she opened her book again.
"Won't you ask how I am?"
"I would, if I cared"
"Ouch, Evans!" She didn't even look up "Ok, let's make a deal, shall we?"
"A deal? What deal?" He sighed.
"No attempts of murder me and I won't flirt with you anymore"
"No more flirting?"
"Nope"
"You won't ask me out anymore?"
"No"
"Ok, then…" That she didn't expect. She could try.
"Besides…" He said slowly, a hurt smile in his face "You have a boyfriend. I wouldn't ask you out" She blushed.
"Well, yes, I have"
"Who's the lucky man?" He asked quietly. He was looking to his hands. Lily didn't know if she should tell.
"You're not going to hex him 'till kingdom come, right?" She said. He smiled.
"Will not"
"Really?"
"Yes, I… I'm getting over you, L-Evans"
"Really?" Now she was even more confused. He'd given up? Just like this?
"Yep"
"So you don't fancy me anymore" James hesitated.
"No, no I don't" He lied. He was still in love with her, but he couldn't say it, could he?
"It's… Amos. Amos Diggory"
Ok, ok, ok. James was astonished. He knew her boyfriend was a jerk, an idiot (just by the fact he was Lily's boyfriend) but he expected Lily to be a little more selective. Then he snorted.
"Diggory? Really?" She crossed her arms.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"It's just… he's stupid. And he's a Hufflepuff." She rolled her eyes when James' words looked like being a Hufflepuff was the worst thing in the world.
"Yes, he's! So what? Hufflepuffs are great!"
"Evans, what the hell is a Hufflepuff?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, everybody knows Gryffindors are brave, Ravenclaws are smart and Slytherins are evil. And the Hufflepuffs? What the hell are them?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Hufflepuffs are particularly good finders" James snorted.
"Right, if I lose something then I know who I should ask!" He said sarcastically. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Why does this bother you so much, anyway? Aren't you over me?"
"I am, but I still think you deserve someone better than Diggory" He said nonchalantly. Lily opened her mouth to answer but couldn't say anything because another patient arrived.
They didn't have time to talk before the lunch time. The three of them left, but Dr. Evans had to go back because he'd forgotten his suitcase. Lily and James continued to the Evans' house.
"I'm sorry for the outburst earlier, Evans, it's none of my business" James said after a few moments of awkward silence "And it was rude"
"It was rude and it's none of your business"
Lily was a little mad. Who he thought he was to tell those things about her boyfriend? He was James Bloody Potter, the reason of her nightmares. They continued walking to her house in silence.
James wanted to talk to her. Well, she had to see his point! He only thought she deserved better (a lot better) than Diggory. Diggory was a stupid boy with that blonde always perfectly combed hair. Ridiculous. He was prefect and played Quidditch (chaser). Of course he always lost (he was a Hufflepuff, hello?). And his grades were terrible, even though he studied. A jackass.
And the worst: Lily chose Diggory over him. He couldn't understand. Ok, maybe he was a pain in her ass (maybe), but just because I'm in l- I was in love with her.
They got to the house to see Elize Evans in the garden, irrigating the flowers. She smiled sweetly when she saw the two of them coming.
"Hello how was work today?" She asked hugging Lily.
"It was ok, but we have to go back after lunch" Elize smiled.
"Well, I'll make a cake for you, then" She promised. Lily grinned.
"Chocolate?"
"For sure" Lily kissed her mother's cheek and Elize looked to James, smiling "Oh, hello dear! What's your name again?"
"I'm James Potter, ma'am" Mrs. Evans stopped for a second, looking from James to Lily and back to James.
"You're… I mean, the James Potter?" She asked to Lily.
"Finally someone who reads my letters!" Lily said happily "But yes, the James Potter"
"So… you're the one who pursues my daughter?" Mrs. Evans asked.
"Oh not anymore, ma'am, I'm in rehab…" Lily rolled her eyes and Mrs. Evans laughed.
"Do I have to worry, Lils?"
"No, I'm seventeen; I can hex him myself…"
Elize smiled and came in the house.
"I don't think you can hex me, Evans…" James said, a smile playing in his face.
"Of course I can, do I have to demonstrate? I'd really like to…"
"Er, no, I thank the opportunity, but I'm fine here…"
"Let me know if you changed your mind…" They arrived in the kitchen, where Petunia sat, reading a magazine. She looked up when she heard the noise of people talking.
"So you're Lily's boyfriend?" Lily gasped and winced; James paled. He wanted really badly to say yes, but he couldn't. Instead, he smiled politely.
"No, I work for your father, I'm James Potter, pleasure" Petunia raised an eyebrow.
"I've heard that name somewhere before…" She said.
"I'm sure you have; I attend at Hogwarts too"
"Oh so you're a freak too…" Elize smacked Petunia's arm lightly "I'm sorry… so you're the one who drives my sister mad every day?"
"Yes I am"
"The sport star? The troublemaker?"
"Well, yeah"
"And you're not dating? I thought…" Petunia started, but Lily cut in.
"I'm dating Amos Diggory, Petunia, not Potter. If you paid any attention to what is said in this house besides what you say, you'd know that…" Petunia snorted.
"Yeah, life would be so much better…" She said sarcastically. Lily grinded her teeth together.
"Okay, let's not fight, shall we? James, dear, sit down…" Elize said, offering James a chair on the table "Where's Richard?"
"He forgot his suitcase, but I think he will go to the bakery to buy Coke…" Lily answered. James looked at her confused and raised an eyebrow.
"Er, forgive me, but what in Merlin's name is a Coke?" Lily blinked and laughed. Petunia snorted and Mrs. Evans smiled.
"You don't know what Coke is?" Petunia asked.
"No, we don't have Coke in Hogwarts" Lily said, then turned to James "Coke is a drink."
"A drink?"
"Yes, like Butterbeer"
"Like Butterbeer?"
"Exactly, Potter"
"Tastes good?"
"I prefer Butterbeer, but maybe because I drank Coke all my childhood…" Lily said.
James nodded and sat down, putting his hands together and looking to his lap. A few moments later, Richard arrived and proved Lily right: he had two bottles of Coke.
"It's black!" James said in amazement. The others (except Petunia) laughed and he blushed slightly "I'm sorry; I didn't expect it to be black! None wizard drink is black!" Lily rolled her eyes.
"Yes it's black…"
"I have to show this do Padfoot…" He whispered to himself. Lily heard.
"Are you serious?" James smirked.
"No, that would be Padfoot…" He said. Lily rolled her eyes again. They started to eat and Dr. Evans looked to James.
"So, James, now we all know you're a wizard, tell us about you…"
"Well, sir, I don't really like to talk about myself…" The corners of his mouth twitched upwards and Lily snorted.
"It's more like a passion, isn't it?" She asked. He laughed.
"I'm in the same year L-Evans is; I'm the troublemaker of the school; I drive all the teachers mad; I play Quidditch… I think that's all"
"So you're seventh years now?" Richard continued.
"Yes, sir"
"What's your house?"
"I'm a Gryffindor too, thanks Merlin… I can't imagine myself in Slytherin or" He faked a shiver "Hufflepuff… I don't know what I would do if I were a Hufflepuff…"
"Well, I can't imagine you in Ravenclaw" Lily said. James laughed.
"Neither can I; I heard people actually study in there!" James said and Lily rolled her eyes again.
"People study in Gryffindor, too" She replied.
"Well, you and Moony study, the others… read before exams…"
"Your homework is always done" She pointed out "McGonagall told me"
"Ok, maybe I make a few homeworks… maybe I copy others…"
"Ok, wait a minute, we're lost here" Said Mrs. Evans "What's with the houses?"
"Each house has its traits for the students" James explained "Gryffindors are brave, Slytherins are evil, Ravenclaw are smarts and Hufflepuffs are, apparently, good finders" Lily glared at him.
"Shut up, Potter, Hufflepuffs are loyal and good friends"
"I'm loyal and I have excellent friends. Pads, Moony and Wormy are excellent friends, loyal and Gryffindors. Your turn. Defend the losers" Lily sighed.
"They're not losers! And maybe not having a special trait is a trait" James snorted.
"Bullsh- I mean, it makes no sense."
"I won't discuss this with you here, Potter" Lily said, glaring at him.
"Ok, let's change the subject…" Elize said, a smile on her face "You said you're in the Quidditch team… how long have you been in the team?"
"As first years cannot get in the team, I got in the second year and I'm the captain since fifth year"
"So you're a good player?" Richard asked.
"I have to say yes, sir"
"What about your grades?"
"They're good… Not the best grades, those are L- Evans', but I'm not really too far-" Lily snorted.
"Won't you show-off now?"
"Nah, it's funnier when you don't expect it…" James said. Dr. and Mrs. Evans laughed.
"Any others abilities?" Elize asked.
"Do I have?" He asked to Lily.
"Well, if being an infuriating, conceited bully is ability, then yes" She answered smiling. James chuckled and drank his first gulp of Coke.
"Wow, that's great!" They smiled "I mean… That's as good as Butterbeer! Or Firewhisky!" He exclaimed animatedly.
"Firewhisky?" Dr. Evans asked "Are you old enough for this?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I'm seventeen" James answered with a smile in his face.
"Do you drink a lot?"
"No, sir, only in parties"
"Parties? There're parties in Hogwarts?" Richard asked. Lily glared at James. Why in the hell he had to talk about alcohol?
"Sometimes, sir. I make them myself"
"And how do you buy Firewhisky?"
"Er, there's a bar in Hogsmead… I buy it from there… By… mail." He lied.
"Really?"
"No" Lily said.
"Well, no…" James completed "It's just… a Marauder thing" He said, as if this explained something. Dr. and Mrs. Evans shot him confused glances "I have three best mates, and we make a group called 'The Marauders'. Anything we do and can't tell is a Marauder thing. And how we get the supplies for the parties is a Marauder thing. One of our best secrets." Lily rolled her eyes.
"I bet you just go to Hogsmead…" James smiled.
"The secret isn't that, the secret is how we get there…" He said with a wink at her direction. Dr. Evans laughed and stood up.
"We should go back… Tuney, get the car keys, will you?" James raised an eyebrow to Lily.
"Evans…" He whispered.
"What?" She whispered back.
"What in Merlin's name is a car?" She blinked once. Twice.
"You… you don't know what's a car?"
"No, is something to eat?" Lily looked at him then started to laugh.
"Are you serious?"
"No, he's in my house…" He said, smirking. Lily rolled her eyes "But really, what's a car?"
"You'll see."
"But I don't like surprises!" James whined. Lily chuckled.
"Oh, c'mon, don't let it break your heart!" He rolled his eyes. It should be forbidden Lily being so perfect for him. Petunia then threw the keys to Lily.
"Dad's waiting in the door. He said you'll drive. Bye freaks."
"Bye, Tuney!" Lily said happily.
"So you drive a car?" James asked. Lily kept silent.
"That's a car" She said when they got to the Evans' car. James approached the vehicle and examined it.
"And what's that for?" He asked. Richard looked puzzled at him.
"There aren't cars in wizard world, Dad. Potter's never seen one before"
"But he does know what a motorbike is"
"Do you?" Lily asked surprised.
"Sure, Sirius bought one a few months ago. It flies."
"Sirius' got a motorbike."
"Yeah"
"And it flies."
"Awesome, right? He'll pick me up at the Dental today, if you wanna a ride…"
"Does he have a license?"
"I guess so. Mum must have interfered in that boring and legal stuff" Lily rolled her eyes as they got in the car.
"Boring and legal stuff… You know, I'll only believe Sirius' got a motorbike when I see him driving"
"Will do. Today. Wait and see. So this is like a motorbike?"
"Yes, but it's safer and easier"
"And there's none adventure involved, right?" He asked. Richard chuckled as Lily started the engine and James, in the back seat, jumped a little.
"Depends on who is driving" Richard commented "There's always death risk when it's Lily…" He teased.
"Dad!" She shrieked. The other two laughed.
"Just joking, Lils" Dr. Evans said "You drive pretty well for a young lady"
James was amazed. He had no idea Lily could drive. And her father wasn't lying; she drove really well. Maybe he let the amazement clear on his face, because when they got out of the car, Lily looked at him and asked, "What?"
"I just… I didn't know you could do this… thing… with that… thing…" He said "You drive really well" He said. Lily blushed slightly.
"Um, thank you, I guess…" She answered awkwardly. James smiled.
The three of them went up to the Dental together. James was still thinking on how amazing a car was.
"How does it work?" He asked suddenly. Lily and Dr. Evans looked at him confused.
"What works?" Lily questioned.
"Sorry- how does the car works? I mean, brooms have a spell… but how does the car work? What's the energy source?" Lily blinked once.
"Uh, do you seriously want to know that? Doesn't Sirius own a motorbike?"
"He cast a spell on it. It flies, remember? So the energy source is a spell. But what about this car?"
"Gasoline" She answered. Dr. Evans was trying hard not to laugh, but James looked excited.
"And what's that?" He continued.
"Gasoline is an energy source taken from oil…"
"Taken how?"
"Uh, well, there's a chemical process and… Dad, you're the man, explain this, will you?" Dr. Evans laughed.
"I promise I'll give you a written explanation, James" He said "But you have to give me a few days to find it, ok?" James grinned widely.
"Yes, thank you sir."
"Not a problem, son"
James and Dr. Evans went to the consulting room and Lily stayed on the waiting room. One patient arrived and she sent him in.
Lily was a little confused. Potter wasn't the git he used to be at Hogwarts. True to be told, she'd had fun. A little. She laughed a lot. Now she was thinking, Potter acted like Sirius. Well, except for the asking her out thing. Sirius didn't. But now, according to Potter himself, he'd moved on.
Should she become friends with him? Well, for her father, yes. The question was: would this be so hard? She didn't think so… As long he kept acting like Sirius. Besides, he said he was over her. That meant he wouldn't ask her out anymore, making a friendship bearable. Right? She hoped so.
A couple of hours and four patients later, James came in the waiting room.
"That's the last one?" He asked. Lily blinked.
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked. James smirked.
"That's the last patient today?"
"Oh, yeah."
"Great" Then he dragged a mirror from his pocket "Sirius Black!"
"Have you gone ins-" But she didn't finish, because the mirror answered.
"Hey, wasup, Prongs?" That was the voice of Sirius Black. Lily was agape and James still wore the smirk.
"Can you come over here to pick me up?"
"Really now? Can't you just apparate? I'm a little busy here…" James snorted.
"Sirius, I can see your face and it's full of chocolate"
"Well, I'm busy with chocolate!"
"Come here, someone wants to see your new motorbike"
"Someone who?"
"Come over and you'll see. It's a surprise" Sirius pouted.
"But Prongsie! I hate surprises!" James laughed.
"C'mon, baby, don't let it break your heart! Bye" He said.
"You- you have a two-way mirror?" Lily blurted as soon as James put the mirror away.
"Oh, yeah"
"How? Why? When?" James chuckled.
"My father gave me only one in my first year, so I could speak with him. But in second year, I, um, borrowed the other mirror" Lily raised an eyebrow.
"Borrowed?"
"Maybe yes… Maybe not… Who knows?" He said teasingly. Lily rolled her eyes.
"So you stole the mirror…"
"That's such a strong word… 'Stole'. I didn't steal, it's my father"
"You and Sirius study in the same school and he spends his vacations in your house. Why do you need those?"
"Those help us in our pranks and when we have to be in separated detentions, of course."
"Of course…" She repeated rolling her eyes. James grinned.
"Sirius' coming, he'll take about twenty five minutes to arrive. I think you'll be able to see his motorbike" He said.
"That's something I'd like to see…" She agreed smiling.
"If you want, he can take you home… I don't mind apparating…" James offered "I mean, if your father doesn't want to wait…" He completed quickly.
"Um, no, thank you. I don't think he'd appreciate if I went in a bike with a crazy wizard. Besides, I'm sure you don't even use helmets…" James rolled his eyes.
"Evans, we have wands. We wouldn't die if we crashed. And we won't- trust me. Dad cast all kinds of spells on the motorbike" She shrugged.
"If you say so… As long as you don't die on my door…"
"Ow, that's cute, Evans! Are you beginning to worry about us?" Lily smirked.
"No, I'm worried if my door will get blood stains. And I always worried about Sirius…" She teased him.
"Now, that hurt me immensely!" He complained.
"Don't let it break your heart, Potter…" Lily said in a mock tone. James couldn't stop the smile. Then Dr. Evans and the patient came out of the consulting room smiling.
"Thank you, doctor!" The patient said.
"No problem! Oh, Lily, James, let's go? How you going home, James? Wanna a ride?"
"No, sir thanks. My friend's coming to get me… He wants to show Lily the motorbike… Only show, no ride" He said.
"I don't have problems with motorbikes, as long as the driver can drive and both are using helmets" Dr. Evans told them "Do you use helmet, James?"
"No, sir, I'm gonna buy mine today"
"You don't have one?"
"I did, but I lost it this weekend" James lied quickly.
"How?"
"I lent it to a friend"
"Oh, I see… What about the owner of the motorbike?"
"Same thing"
"Then I'll go home… You won't mind, right, Lily?"
"Um, no Dad, go ahead"
"No ride on the bike unless there are helmets involved, ok?"
"Ok, Dad, I'll walk home…"
"Ok, then… Bye"
When James and Lily got to the front of the building, Sirius was waiting in the motorbike. He wore black clothes, a black leather jacket and dark sunglasses. When he saw Lily, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Lily flower!" He said, hugging her "You're working with Prongsie?" She smiled then sighed.
"Yes, yes I am"
"I'm truly sorry for you"
"Thank you Sirius" She said smirking.
"Yeah, thanks, Pads" James added sarcastically, looking at Sirius' hand in Lily's waist. Sirius smirked and broke the hug.
"How's Remus?" Lily asked.
"Oh, I dunno. He's grounded, no letters allowed, you know…" Sirius answered. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Am I supposed to believe you didn't apparate in his house?" Both boys smirked.
"He's fine, besides not being able to get off the house. And" James added "I quote him, 'I miss writing to Lily, she's the only one of my friends who understands my worries about school and stuff'" He said, rolling his eyes "I mean there're only three essays! We have almost three months to finish them!"
"I've done mine" Lily said, smiling "So I don't have to worry about anything from school"
"Yeah, right" Sirius said rolling his eyes "Hey, wanna go out tomorrow night the three of us?" James glared at him.
"Oh, um, thank you very much, but I have a, er, a date, so…" She answered, blushing slightly.
"Oh, ok then…" There was an awkward silence broken by Lily.
"I should go now… Dad's waiting for me…"
"And don't forget the chocolate cake" James said. Lily smiled.
"I hadn't! See you tomorrow…"
"Do you wanna one of us to walk you home?" James asked hesitantly "I mean, so you wouldn't go all by yourself…" He trailed off, the back of his head going red. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Um, sure!" Lily answered a little confuse.
"I'll follow you guys with the motorbike…" Sirius said, smirking at James.
James and Lily started to walk back to the Evans'. He wanted to break the silence, though it wasn't uncomfortable.
"So…" He said "I have a proposal for you"
"A proposal?"
"Yep"
"Ok, I'm curious, spill it" James smirked.
"You hate me, and that's a fact"
"Yeah"
"But we're co-workers now, right?"
"Right…"
"Therefore, I assumed it would be better for both of us if we tried to be friends" They walked in silence after the proposal was made, looking forwards.
"No more asking me out?" James smiled.
"That's part of the deal, remember?" Lily chuckled.
"And all I've got to do is not murder you, right?" James nodded.
"Exactly. That would be great for both of us. I'd be alive and you wouldn't go to jail…" She laughed.
"Ok, I'll accept your proposal. Do I have to sign somewhere?" Lily joked.
"Of course not, I recorded it all" The both of them laughed and just then they arrived at the Evans' "One more thing"
"Yeah?"
"I'm James now, ok?"
"And I'm Lily, nice to meet you" She answered, looking into his eyes and smiling. He stared back.
"My pleasure…" He whispered, still looking at her. Then Sirius honked and they jumped a little. James ran a hand through his hair "Well, bye, Lily!"
"Bye, Po-" He glared at her playfully and she smiled "I mean, James."
Lily watched her – weird thing to say – friends go in the motorbike and she saw Po- James was right: Sirius could drive.
"Lil, is that you?" Her father called.
"Yeah, it's me!" She yelled back, going in the house. Her parents were in the living room.
"You came back by yourself?" Elize asked.
"Oh, no, James and Sirius walked me here…" Dr. and Mrs. Evans raised an eyebrow.
"So he's James now?" Elize questioned.
"Well, he made an interesting proposal. I won't murder me if he doesn't… well, if he behaves…" She said "And there's something that implies this as a friendship…" Richard smiled.
"Thank you, dear" He said. Lily shrugged.
"Not a problem, Dad…"
And, she thought hours and hours later as she was almost falling asleep, it really isn't a problem…
"Okay, now you're telling me how you tricked your mother into this" Sirius said as soon as they left the Evans'. James laughed.
"I didn't. I was lucky"
"Damn pretty lucky, I might add. I mean, there're tons of dentists over London and you work for Lily's father? With Lily!" Sirius said.
"Yeah, I know! When I met Dr. Evans on Friday, I didn't think they were related because Evans is a common surname, y'know? So I didn't say anything for you. But when I saw Lily's mother… hell, they have the same eyes! And you know how mad I am- I mean, I was for those green eyes! Then we made a deal- she wouldn't murder me if I didn't ask her out. I had an outburst, though- do you know she's dating Diggory?"
"Yeah, I know that…"
"I noticed how really losers Hufflepuffs are- even Lily couldn't defend them properly! She said something about 'good finders'. Yeah, I know. Then I went to lunch at their house and I tasted this wonderful drink-"
"Is it alcoholic?"
"No"
"Wonderful"
"And Lily can drive a car! Then we came back and… well, we talked. When I walked her home, I proposed to be friends with her, and she said yes!, and now we are calling ourselves by our first names! And-"
"Ok, ok, Prongs! Calm down, mate!" Sirius said, laughing "You're gonna pee yourself. Breathe."
"I'm breathing, Pads, or I would be dead" Sirius rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean!"
"I do, I just really like to piss you off"
"Git"
"Cheers" They laughed as they went in the Potter's house. Margareth and Anthony were sitting in the giant living room.
"How was work?" Mrs. Potter asked smiling devilishly. James grinned even more than her.
"It was absolutely fantastic. I love my job!"
"Wait, WHAT?" She yelled. James laughed "This was supposed to be awful! Terrible! The worst thing in your life!"
"Nothing will be worst than Slytherins, Mum. Next time you want to punish me, search better. My boss is Lily Evans' father. And, guess what, I have to work with her…" he sighed "That's so bad…"
"And I can't get you out of the job because it would be irresponsibility, right?" She asked. James grinned.
"You're growing up, Mummy!" He cheered. His father and Sirius laughed.
"Still no Quidditch"
"Now, Mum, revenge is a really bad thing…" She snorted.
"You should tell yourself this when you find out who's Lily boyfriend"
"I already know that it's ID, ok?"
"ID?" Sirius asked smirking.
"Icky Diggory" Both boys laughed hard.
"Anyway, I have to thank you, Mum. I loved my punishment. And I'm totally over Lily, ok? We're just friends… I'm not going to hex ID because he's Lily's boyfriend…" He said then went to his bedroom to take a shower.
"Totally over my ass" Sirius said "He almost peed himself when he told me about their friendship"
So, did you like it? Hated it? Pleeeease, review me! Reviews are like unicorns. They're specially magical and make me really happy.
Sorry again if there's anything grammatically incorrect and thanks for reading!