(A/N: Takes place during 5th year.)
Operation: Lily Evans
Being a woman is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men.
~Joseph Conrad
Operation One: No more, James.
THE OPERATION WAS SET ON MOTION.
Isabelle danced her merry way out of the Room of Requirement. She'd given her orders, making herself very clear on what was to be done, and even going as far as threating them with something she knew would make them even more cautious.
"This is all on you," she'd said, giving them that superior look Sirius hated so much. "I've done my part, and if you fail, it does not fall on my shoulders. Your best mate's happiness in on the line, boys, so behave." And with that happy though, she skipped out.
The boys were still on the Room, silently lost on their thoughts.
"Do you think we should trust her?" Sirius asked.
"This is Isabelle we are talking about, Padfoot," James said. "She's not the type to back on her word."
"Well, she didn't exactly give you her word," he commented nastily. "She just gave orders and skipped out like she always does."
James looked at him for a long intense moment. "I thought you two solved your...issues." He knew they didn't get along, what with their different beliefs, but he thought they were over that.
Sirius scowled. "I have no issues with that witch."
Remus snorted. "Just because she's the only girl in this entire world who refuses to fall for your charm-"
There was that too, James thought.
"She did fall for it!" Sirius snap. "She and I dated!"
There was a moment of silence as the stag and the wolf stare at their friend.
"What?" James said slowly. "Isabelle would never-"
"She did," Sirius said deflating as he slump back in the comfortable couch. "We dated for almost six months."
"When?" Remus asked, eyes wide.
"Last year, towards the end of the year," he said, very pureblood sneer on his handsome face. "She said yes."
James frown. "Then what happen?"
Remus and James shared a look when Sirius gave a vicious laugh. Sirius was never one to be affected by his pasts relationships, no matter how they ended up (which was usually messy). However, there was a hard look on his eyes, and his posture was tense.
"What happen?" He repeated, this time with an edge of hysteria on his voice. "She happened."
The words were spat out with such hate and venom that James recoiled, and Remus flinch.
"Therefore, I think we shouldn't trust her," Sirius said ten seconds later, not giving them time to recover from his harsh words. He seemed completely normal now, as if he had not been on the edge. "She's too sneaky."
"Well, she likes Jamie," Remus said with caution, eyeing him warily. "I don't think she'll do that to him. They have known each other their entire lives."
"She's known Sirius, too, Remmy," James said slowly. "And if she did Merlin knows what to him, than-"
"That's relationship business," he said. "Sirius and 'relationships' never go together, and don't give me that look, you know it's true." Sirius sniffed, but said nothing.
"Mate," James said softly. "Mate, look at me."
Sirius refused to look at James, taking a leaf out of Isabelle's book, staring out the window.
"Paddy." The word came out as soft as the previous.
He gave in. "What?" He said sulkily.
"We can stop this," James said. "We can tell her to forget it all, that we were joking, and we can laugh it off after she hex us. We don't have to go through with this. Just say the words, and it'll be over."
Sirius stared at his best mate, knowing he was telling the truth. His brother, his real brother, was offering him an out of what was sure to be a misery. His brother would do that for him, just like Sirius would do it if the situation was reverse.
Which was why he couldn't do it.
He couldn't make him do that sacrifice.
"Nah," he said, shaking his head. "That witch- Isabelle will avoid me, and if she has to talk to me, she'll insult me. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise."
His brother's dark eyebrows furrow. "Are you sure?"
He smiled. "Sure. I'm have a feeling this'll be fun."
Remus snorted. "If you find blood baths amusing, then yes. This'll be so bloody fun."
"Oh, I don't," James said, grinning widely. "I have faith in her. She's a devious one, Isabelle."
Sirius snorted. "Oh, you have no idea, mate."
Isabelle was the sort of person who was neither an early bird nor a night owl. She could've easily woken up at five in the morning as she would at ten thirty at night. She would slip out of bed with that ease that annoyed Lily to no end. Lily never understood that girl completely, but she was a good friend. The glamorous girl had stood up for her against her pureblood relatives a few rare times that they've dare to say anything in her presence. Sure, they made nasty remarks about her blood all the time, mostly when she was alone, but never when Izzy was around.
She was puzzled, though, to discover that said girl was awake before she was. Not only awake, though, she was perfectly dressed, her light make up on, the girl's amazing smelling perfume penetrating the air, and her thick black hair was pulled back in an updo.
She blinked.
"Come on, Lily!" Isabelle said impatiently. "You need to get up now if you want to shower. Mary and Madealine will wake up soon too. It'll be a disaster. Wake up!"
Lily sat up. "Thanks for the wake up call."
She shrugged. "I'm leaving in a few minutes. I promise Damon I would stop by the dungeons today. He misses his little sister, if you can believe that."
That was the only thing she was willing to believe of the devil may care Damon Leonte. He was Isabelle's twin brother, a Slytherin at that, too, and he was probably one of the most gorgeous boys Lily had ever seen.
She hopped off the bed. "You look nice," she commented.
Isabelle looked down at her clothes, before shrugging. "It's something I had thrown at the back of my closet. I thought it was a good day to wear it."
Lily's eyebrows rose, but she said nothing. Okay, so maybe nice didn't really cover how Isabelle look. She look like a supermodel ready to walk down a runway. She wore an elegant updo today, with bangs- how did she did that when yesterday she had none was a mystery to Lily- pulled to the side, a medium sides braid pulled across her hair from one side to the other. The remaining hair was curly, and a suspicious look-alike diamond rose clip held it together at the back of her head. The make up light, natural. Her eyes were lightly outline with a black eyeliner, her long eyelashes were extended with mascara, and her lips were a glossy rose pink.
A white dresses completed the whole thing. Her right sleeve was loose, reaching past her elbows, but there was no left sleeve, it wrapped around her chest, covering everything modestly. In a very Isabelle style, the dress reached a few inches past mid tight. White high heels gave her more height advantage, which Isabelle didn't need, in Lily's opinion.
"Well, go on," Isabelle said, frowning at her. "I have to get those lazy bums out of bed. You go to shower."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm-" Lily stop, staring out the window. "Isabelle!"
"I do believe that is my name," said girl remarked dryly.
"It's dark outside!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Yes. After that, the sun comes out, and shines all the happy souls. I thought you knew that was how morning and night worked, Lily."
"No!" Lily was frustrated with her. "I mean, what time is it?"
"Six thirty," she replied easily. "You are wasting time, by the way-"
"Why so early?" Lily asked, ignoring the rest. "Classes don't start till eight today!"
"Yes, but it takes you so long to wake up. Plus, I feel like..." she pause to search for the right words, "you need a makeover."
Lily flinch, taking a step back. She knew what the words "makeover" meant coming from Isabelle. The girl was a master with clothes, make up, and hair, which scared the petty redhead.
"I don't know..."
A roll of eyes, and a sigh. "I am not asking you for your opinion, Evans. I am telling you what we are going to do. Go on and shower. I don't care how long you take in the shower," she added. "I will wait for you here, and we will be late to class, for all I care."
"Don't do this," she pleaded. "I don't want a makeover, Iz. I like looking the way I do."
"The clock is ticking," came the heartless reply.
Heart heavy, head down, shoulders slump, she dragged herself to the bathroom, unknowingly giving the pureblood girl an advantage.
"Wake up!"
James groan, hiding his face underneath the covers. He knew it was too early, he felt it, therefore he had no desire to listen to that voice that was telling him to wake up. He liked his sleep, thank you very much.
"James," the sly voice continued. "Lily wants to see you in the fifth floor corridor."
He shot up, "When?"
A laughed was followed. "Its not gentlemanly to take a lady to the fifth floor, Jamie. What would your mother say?"
He blinked, trying to locate his glasses. "Izzy?"
A soft hand reach out, holding his face steady, then his were slid into his face. It was Izzy, much to his relief and dismay.
"Good morning, Jamie," she said, smiling at him.
He leaned back against the headboards, taking her hand. "Good morning, Iz." He peered at her. "What are you doing in the boy's dorm?"
She rolled her eyes, such a familiar sight that made him grin. "Honestly, did you forget about our little mission?"
He blinked. "To tell you the truth, its not something a block can easily forget, specially with such a brilliant mind behind that scheme."
A grin tugged at her lips before she narrowed her eyes at him. "Then why aren't you awake?"
He groan. "Bell-"
"No," she said firmly. "I want you showered, and nicely dressed by the time breakfast is ready." A sly smile turn up her lips. "I have a surprise for you."
"Should I be afraid?"
Her laugh shook the bed. "Very." She leaned in, kissing his cheek. "I have something to do, therefore I can't stay. Here, you needed to wake those bums too." She placed something in his palm, then skipped out again.
He only had time to look down at the thing she'd put in his hand, before it started screaming like a banshee. He jerked back, dropping it among the covers as it continued its horrible shirking.
The effect was instantaneous, Peter fell off his bed, while Remus shouted in suprise, and Sirius shot up, wand at the ready.
"What is that?" Remus shouted.
"I don't know!" James shouted back, looking frantically for the little black object. "Isabelle gave it to me!"
"Why in Merlin's stinky grave would you take what that witch would give you?" Sirius yelled.
"I didn't! She just handed it to me, then took her leave."
Remus, bless him, raised his wand, murmuring words they could not hear. A second later, it was blissful silence. James stared at him, raised eyebrows.
"What was that, Moony?" He meant to asked.
His eyes widen, though, because he felt the words leave his lips, but they made no sound. He clutch at his throat, "What is wrong with me?"
Again, nothing. Sirius move towards him, eyes wide, Remus, on the other hand, rolled his eyes, and tap his ears, shaking his head.
The two stared at each other, then at Remus, who sighed silently, taking a piece of parchment, scribbling something down.
James took it. Its a deafening charm, genius, it read in Remus's neat writing.
He nodded, then plug the quill out of Remus's hands, writing help me find that thing. It fell somewhere in my covers.
They both nodded, and began searching James's bed, shaking pillows, moving quills, even going as far as looking underneath the bed. Finally, Sirius found it, stuck on Remus's bedside table.
"That girl," Remus said after he took the deafening charm off. "That girl is absolutely..."
"Now you understand why we love her so," James said. "She's absolutely unstoppable."
"Yeah, yeah," Sirius said. "How do we shut it off?"
James took it, exanimating it. "Mmmm," he murmured. "How about...We're all up, darling," he murmured to the animated object.
Sirius rolled his eyes, making James stared. That eye roll was so familiar, it was Isabelle's eye roll. How had he never noticed Sirius had picked up her habits?
"Give me that," he said. "You damn demonic witch."
The black button was silent to the amazement of his friends.
"What?" He said. "She would take pleasure at being called demonic."
"How did you..." Remus trailed off.
Sirius closed off, his face blank off emotion. "I know her well." Was all he said.
"What did she want anyway?" Remus asked, changing the subject.
"She just woke me up, saying something about a surprise," James answered, moving to a lighter - ish- subject. "She wants us, and I quote 'showered, and nicely dress by the time breakfast is ready.'"
There was a silence that was broken by Peter - Merlin, had they really forgotten about his presence in the room?- who squeaked, "Isabelle was here? While we were sleeping?"
The three friends gave a exasperated sigh.
"Ooww!" Lily yelled. "Isabelle Leonte-"
"I don't know, Lily," Mary interrupted conversantly. "I think it's looking good."
"Well I wouldn't know, now, would I?" Lily said with a hint of disgust. "You won't let me see anything."
"You don't need to," Isabelle remarked calmly.
Lily scowl. She wasn't too fond of that girl at the moment. All she wanted to do was stupefy her...for the next few years.
Mary grimaced. "Maybe-"
"Mary," Isabelle Leonte, the vain of Lily's existence, said calmly. "It's seven. You should go shower. "
Mary frown before she sympathetically patted Lily on the arm, vanishing to the bathroom.
"I'm never going to forgive you," Lily murmured darkly. "I can't believe you're doing this to me."
There was no answer to her words, which only infuriated her more. Why couldn't she see Isabelle's 'master' work? What was the big deal? Sure, she could feel the tugging, and she could see the different make up tools being used on her, but still.
"If I don't look better than you on your best day, then I'm not going to be very please," she warned.
"Is that what you aim for?" Isabelle said, finally breaking the silent treatment. "To look better than me on my best day? Oh how low you aim, Lily."
"Low? Ha," she scoffed.
There was a pause. "You have lighter skin, which isn't always going to work in your favor. You can't use the color black too often because it might make you look washout, but pastel colors are going to look wonderful with your skin tone. I know you believe your hair color is your doom, but its not. It sets off nicely with the right colors."
She was quite, letting Isabelle do her job. She knew she wasn't ugly, but she wasn't glamorous like Isabelle either. She was somewhere in between cute and normal, that she was sure. However, she never really thought about it, but Isabelle's words set off a nice picture...
"Are you torturing Lily again?"
She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she had not notice the door opening.
"Evening, Solace," Isabelle drawl.
Lily winced. She hated it when Izzy did that. It made her sound like the purebloods...like the normal stuck up purebloods. She knew Sadrela wasn't fond of Isabelle, what with the whole Fourth Year Fiasco, yet she was still hoping Sadrela would let it go.
"Clearly you've had too much of that pureblood wine that makes you loony," Sadrela said viciously. "Its not evening yet."
"You wouldn't know, now, would you, Solace," Isabelle said with no interest. "What with what I've heard of your...extra curricular activities you must be so very busy to even notice the time."
A flush creped up the girl's neck. "Madealine!" She said, moving to poke bundle of blankets. "I'll see you downstairs!" She turn to give Isabelle a dirty look. "This isn't over, you pureblood trash."
"Oh, I think it is for now, you street commoner."
Apparently that was a worse insult then an insult to a pureblood's blood because the girl look near tears as she left.
"What did you say to her?" Lily wondered.
"Isabelle called her a prostitute, basically," Madealine answered as she sat up, pushing her hair back. "It's more complicated than that, though."
"No, you got it about right, Maddy," Isabelle said lightly.
"What does it mean than? And why did she called you a...a you know," Lily said.
Isabelle's nose wrinkled. "She called me trash." The disgust was there, plain and clear. "Ha!"
"Pureblood trash is another way of saying blood traitor," Madealine explained when she saw Lily's puzzle look. "Its a great insult to a pureblood. It is worse though, to call someone a commoner."
"I said plainly that all she was good for was opening her legs for common street boys," Isabelle said with a hint of malicious glee. "You will find, Lily, that it is the worst insult you can ever give anyone."
"Yeah," Lily said quietly. "I can see why."
Isabelle pause, looking at Madealine over Lily's head. Madealine nodded, slipping her legs off the bed.
"Lily," Isabelle said, looking at her straight in the eyes. "It is harsh, and cruel, but purebloods have learn to defend themselves against that type of insults. We only fight back when provoke, and when we do, we fight with everything we've got."
Lily nodded, but said nothing. She had been taught differently, to just ignore the bullies and the insults, to be the better person, but than again, it appeared that no everyone was like that.
"Oh, dear Merlin," Madealine breath, staring at her with wide eyes. "Lily..."
"What?" She said, alarmed.
"I take it you like?" Isabelle said quiet smugly.
"I think you've made her prettier than you, Iz," Madealine said teasingly.
"What did you expect? Light make up and her uniform? I have more imagination than that." She sounded almost insulted.
"Can I see now?" Lily asked irritably.
Madealine's eyes twinkled as she handed her pair of pearl heels. "I think you'll like it."
Lily stared. "You actually expect me to be able to walk on those?"
"They're not that high."
Warily, she did as she was told. She was a little worried about the whole thing. Isabelle had forbid her to see her clothes till everything was ready, so the stubborn girl had cast a very powerful glamour charm.
Lily stood unsteadily before walking to Madealine's pink mirror. Once she did, she stop, starring.
"Is that..."
She didn't look like Lily Evans. She looked like a classy, beautiful version of the Lily Evans. This Lily Evans wore a white button down shirt that had ruffles at the collar. A white blazer that reached her elbows on top of the shirt, and a light pink skirt. With the white heels set off the whole thing nicely. The clothes didn't even clash with her red hair.
Was that really her...?
Mary choose that moment to walk out, but she halter her steps when she saw Lily.
"Well," Madealine said. "I think we all agree. No one will be looking at us after today. I hope you're ready to give up you're tittle, princess," she added to Isabelle.
The girl didn't raise the bait. "Today's her day, Maddy. Don't ruin it. Oh, I'll be taking my leave now, girls. My brother awaits for me." She picked up a pearly white clutch, and danced her way out of the room.
"How typical," Marry said with amusement.
Everyone was staring.
It had been a couple of students at first that had looked when she walked in. Those couple of students nudge their friends, their friends nudging their neighbors, and so on in till everyone was staring. She could her cheeks starting to burn with a combination of awe and embarrassment. Awe because she'd never been the center of attention, that had been Isabelle or Mary, and embarrassment because she felt awkward.
Mary smiled besides her. "Keep your head up, Lily."
"Shh," she hissed. "Don't call attention."
Madealine snorted. "I think its too late for that, darling."
"I can't believe I let you all talked me into doing this," she moan miserably as she sat down.
"Isabelle would have killed us if we hadn't," Madealine answered as she took fruits, following her ridiculous diet. "I rather like breathing, thanks."
"It was you or us, Lils," Mary agreed.
"You sound so Slytherin," Lily accused.
Madealine grinned. "Don't let them hear you say that. It'll give them a fit. A muggleborn sounding Slytherin, ha!"
Lily frown at her friend, but before she could say anything, Edmun Dowler lean across the table, and said, "You look amazing, Lily."
She blinked. "Uh..."
Madealine kicked her underneath the table.
She jumped. "Oh, thanks. It's just something I found."
He smiled at her. "Well, it suits you. So, I was wondering if you're going to Hogsmage this weekend?"
"I need a new quill, so yeah," she answer, blinking at him. Was he...?
"Would you mind if I went with you?" He asked, giving her another heart stopping smile.
"No of course not," she blurred out before she could think twice about it.
His pretty face glowed. "Great, I'll see you in the common room at two?"
She nodded numbly.
Madealine and Mary were staring at her with identical grins. Edmun was one of the most coveted boys in the Gryffindor, in fourth place, underneath Remus Lupin. He certainly owned that tittle, what with his perfect brown hair, binding smile, and blue eyes.
"Ick!" Mary squealed quietly. "Lily-"
"Shhh!" She hissed, hiding under her red hair. "He might hear you."
Madealine was over it. "Don't think he will," she said picking at her food. "He's talking to his mates."
"Oh my Merlin, Lily," Mary continued, ignoring Madealine. "What are you going to wear? Do you have perfume? If not, Isabelle can work her magic. That girl's fabulous with hair and make up. Where are you going to go, though? Madam -"
"Mary!" Madealine snap. "Stop your squealing. You sound like Pettigrew trying to answer a Potions question, and you are giving me a headache!"
Mary frown at her.
"We'll figure it out," she continued. "For now, eat your food, and leave Lily alone. I have to go talked to Sadrela. She can't just popped up in our dormitory whenever she wants." With that said, she stood, walking down the table to the blonde.
Mary sighed dreamily. "He's so gorgeous."
Lily peeked at her. "Mary!"
"I know, I know," she said. "You should be more excited, though." She frown at the embarrassed redhead.
"I am," she assured hastily. "It's just...I never thought he would ask me!"
"Why ever not?" Mary asked, puzzled. "You're a very pretty girl, Lily. I thought you knew that. You've had your fair share of boyfriends, and Potter never fails to tell you he wants to date you."
She waved a hand, dismissing her friend's words. "Yes, but its Potter, so I don't take him seriously. And my other boyfriends, well, they don't count."
It was true. She'd date a couple of Ravenclaws, but they did not take kindly of her intelligence over theirs, so her relationship did not last over a few weeks. She had once dated another Gryffindor, but Zack broke up with her after three days.
Mary shook her head with a sigh. "It'll work out with Edmun," she said, her pretty face brightening. "I heard he's an excellent kisser. The things that boy can do with his tongue-"
Lily could feel her face burning. She ducked her head even more. "Mary!"
"Oh, pish posh," she said, waving a hand. "It's not like you've never- hey, Izzy!"
Lily looked up to see the girl looming over them. Isabelle's familiar smirk took place as she took a seat. "Hello, Mary." She scowled at Lily. "What are you doing? Why are you slouching? Sit up!"
She eyed the girl incredulously. "You can't be serious, Isabelle."
"I assure you I'm perfectly serious," Isabelle said, looking at her down her nose. "You'll never call attention in such manly and unattractive posture."
"Yeah, well, apparently, Edmun Dowler seems to think I'm appealing," Lily mumbled.
"Dowler?" Isabelle said, looking down the table, not impressed. "I find him unhinged, and there's no manners to him."
"A lot of girls would kill to have him for an hour," Mary informed her, frowning.
Isabelle wrinkled her nose. "That just shows how many girls this century use their brain," she said with disdain. "I wouldn't get near him without a two hundred mile radius if it was up to me."
"Not all of us can date the male models of the Wizaring World," Lily informed her.
"You don't have to," Isabelle retorted. "You only have to have decent common sense. Be careful with that one," she warned, her face clouding. "He may be 'pretty' from the outside, so am I, and yet, I'm rotten. Appearances mean nothing. Don't say no one forewarn you."
"He's a perfectly nice, decent, person," Lily defended. "I would take your judgment more seriously if you weren't so fond of Potter and his pathetic crew."
Isabelle laughed, throwing her head back with mirth. "I'll let Remus know how highly you contemplate him."
Lily flushed. "I didn't mean-"
"You meant exactly what you said, Lily," Isabelle said airily. "I hate it when people try to backtrack."
"Isabelle," Mary reprimand. "Not all of us have perfect ways with our words. Leave her alone."
Isabelle slowly turn her glaze towards Mary with such arrogance as it was possible, saying calmly. "You two are going to be late for class."
Lily's head shot up, glancing around. It was true. Most students were leaving, and the professors well all gone. Only a few students remain sitting, all Slytherin.
She stumbled, getting out of her seat, reaching for her bag, Mary mimicking her movements. She turn to look at Isabelle, who was sipping her tea. "You're not coming?"
"No. I think I'll stay here. I might be so lucky as to find something better to do," she said.
"More important than learning?" Lily couldn't help to ask.
"There's nothing they can teach me that I don't already know."
Mary and Lily looked at each other before shrugging. It was not unusually of her to skip lessons, and the professors had stop inquiring her presence mid second year. They always made her demonstrate whatever she had missed, to see if they could beat her at her own game, but the girl was always a step ahead.
With that, the two friends caught up with Madealine, who was talking with Sadrela outside the Great Hall.
"Ready?" Maddy asked, looking up at them.
Lily nodded, slightly out of breath. They had been elbowed, pushed, and hassled on their way out of the Hall.
"Well, don't you look nice," Sadrela said, giving her a small smile.
"Oh," Lily said. "Thanks."
"Let's go," Mary said, taking Sadrela's arm. "I have got to tell you who asked Lily to Hogsmage this weekend..."
Madealine and Lily share a look before following them to Charms.
"Edmund?" Sadrela squealed. "I would give that boy anything he asked if he turn those pretty blues on me! What did you say? You said yes, of course?"
Lily nodded, suddenly wishing she could go back to sit with Isabelle on the lonely Hall. Isabelle wouldn't have made such a big deal of it. She would only have her say, then leave the matter alone, which is why Lily loved that girl.
"Yes," she found herself answering. "I said yes."
That was all Sadrela and Mary needed to set off in a long discussion about Edmund Dowler.
James sat down on bench next to her. "You evil witch."
Remus snorted, sitting on the other side of the table. "I would call it cunning, very cunning, indeed."
Sirius sat next to Remus, but didn't acknowledge her. She tried her best to ignore him, yet every time he was near her, she couldn't help but remember last year, a pang of longing tickling at her intestines.
Smirking at James, she did what she was best at. "I thought you would appreciate it. I was going to dress her in green, but none of my clothes would fit her. You'll be paying for her new wardrobe, Jamie."
He smiled, not looking worried with what she could do with his money. "She looked beautiful."
"I thought she was beautiful to you every day," Sirius said.
James ignored him, staring at the table with a small smile.
"You are not the only one to notice how pretty she looked," Isabelle commented, holding a cup of tea to Remus, then serving Sirius one. "Dowler admired her quite as much as yourself, only he has no restrains whatsoever, and he has invited her to go to Hogsmage."
That brought James back from his little Lilyland. His head snapped up, while his friends froze.
"She said no of course," he guessed.
"I don't see why she should," she answered, dabbing delicately at the corner of her lips. "Of course, he's vile, and rude, but there is a pretty face to cover that. Most females are, I am ashamed to say, unable to look past."
"She said yes?"
Sirius was staring at her accusingly, with a hint of betrayal. "You said-"
"I said nothing about my scheme," she said, interrupting him before he could accuse her of something she never said. "I have everything worked out. It is all according to plan, Black."
"I don't see how it is," he spat back.
"Of course you wouldn't. You don't know the first thing about women."
Remus intervene. "How is her dating Edmun going to help, Isabelle?"
"Remus," she said, that condescending tone lessening. "Jamie, with the help of the two of you, have not let her have a decent boyfriend in all of her years at Hogwarts. She is not ready to be in a serious relationship because she hasn't expanded her knowledge of what a gentleman should be." She frown at James. "And you have not behave like one either, which is why you are going to start as in this moment, to act like one. You have been taught manners, and how to treat a lady, I sincerely advice you to practice them if you've forgotten them. Edmund Dowler is a pig with no class whatsoever, and she will soon see that."
He nodded. "This is all a great show to make her see what she's missing?"
She sigh, rolling her eyes. "You are missing what I am telling you. This is to see if she likes the complete version of James. You are not only a prankster, and a spoiled brat, Jamie. You're compassionate, headstrong, understanding, and caring. We just need to show her that."
He smiled softly at her, lazing his fingers through hers. "You honestly believe so?"
She looked at him from underneath her eyelashes. "Only someone so headstrong, and with a wide capability of patience can deal with me."
He chuckled. "I find your personality quite charming, to be honest."
"Someone had to. Anyways, do you remember the plan?"
Remus smiled. "If he doesn't, I do. No more, James Potter." He wiggled is fingers at his friend.
She nodded. "Sir-Black, stay behind for a moment. I have something of great importance that requires your immediate attention."
The three friends looked at each other, before James and Remus rose to their feet. James, brushing his lips softly against her cheek, murmured a goodbye, bowing like a good gentleman, and Remus bowed his head in her direction.
Then it was just Sirius Black and her.
He looked at her, his eyes dark with...hatred? She resisted the urged to bow her head, and run from the Hall.
"We need to...pause...our hatred towards each other," she began, meeting those eyes squarely. "James needs us right now, the both of us. He can't be bother to wonder if one of us is going to explode, and bring down the whole thing. I am asking this for him, because I own him."
He stared at her, those grey eyes thoughtful. "You would do this for him," he said quietly, "yet you wouldn't stop your real brother from ruining things between us."
She couldn't help it. She flinched back as if he slapped her. She lowered her eyes, biting her lip. "I couldn't. I did what I had to do."
"You did what was best for you."
She took a deep breath, rising to her feet. "I'll take this as your agreement. I give you my word that we won't have to talk about anything that does not involved James and Lily-"
"I wonder why I keep trying with you when it's so ridiculously obvious you don't care for me."
She faltered, staring at him. "I care for you," she assured him, meeting his eyes. "I care for you so much that I had to leave you, Sirius." She hadn't meant to say it. Slip of the tongue to the person she was suppose to hate. Way to go, Bell, she thought.
He was suddenly in front of her, her face cupped in his hands, looking down at her. "Then why, Bell? Why did you cut me off?"
She sighed, placing her hands over his. "My brother threaten to tell my mother," she said quietly, the words stumbling over each other in the haste to get out. "They would have ruin your life. Damon went as far as to say they would frame you, send you to Azkaban, Sirius. I couldn't let them do that to you."
He frown. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have done anything for you, to not loose you-"
"I thought maybe you would brush it off as nothing, and I would become like the other nothings in your life. A conquest, a memory. It would have been the best, Sirius."
He press his lips to her forehead. "We can work it out. Just...give it a try, Bell."
She had to say no. Pain, tears and possibly Azkaban would follow if she didn't say no, but Merlin forgive her, she wanted it. She was so tired of going along with what her family had to say. She wanted him in that moment more than she would want anything else in her life.
"We have to keep this quiet while I battle my eyelashes at my brother," she told him. "He just needs a little persuasion, and he'll come around. Can you handle that?"
He smirked at her, his hands slipping down her neck, past her shoulders, settling around her waist. "Maybe."
Raising an eyebrow at him, she tilted her head to the side, giving him that look he could not resist. "Maybe?"
His eyes flashed, and she couldn't help but smirk back at him. "Maybe, if you promised to make it up to me."
She laughed, thought it didn't last long, his lips silencing hers. She let herself be lost in the sweet promises of Sirius's unspoken words.
"I won't leave again," she whispered, holding his face to hers. "I won't do it again unless you ask me."
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? That might be a long time."
She hid her face in his neck, kissing that spot underneath his jaw that unhinged him. Sure enough, he shudder in her arms. She couldn't help but smirk, letting her breath blow on his skin as she spoke. "Oh, I sure hope so."
"I knew there was a reason why I like you so much, witch," he murmured before he kissed her again.
"Come," Sirius said after a few minutes. "Let's go before they start believing you hexed me to obiliation."
She laughed. "Jamie would never forgive me."
"Of course he wouldn't," he boast, taking her bag. "I'm his favorite."
Deviously, she said, "Oh, you are his favorite lover, are you?"
He stopped, pulling her to him, trapping her in his arms. "Do you want proof of how much of a man I am?"
She pulled away, dancing out of his reach. "How can you prove me something that does not exist?"
He took off after her. In a way he could not fathom, she was capable of running in heels. He reached her as she stepped out of the Hall.
"That was very mean," he accused, not allowing her to kiss him. He knew what she was planning. She would distract him, then run.
"It's what I do best," she gloated.
"Sirius, mate, you're-"
James came to a halt, staring wide eye, Remus blinking in great confusion behind him.
"Did we, umm...did we miss something?" Remus asked.
Sirius allowed the proper space between them. He knew how she was about 'gentlemanly' and 'proper' behavior. He kept a hold of her hand, though.
"Nothing much," she said, hiding a smile. "We manage not to kill each other."
"Or eat each other," mumbled James.
She raised an eyebrow, reaching for her wand. "What did you say, James?"
He took a step back subconsciously. "Nothing, Iz."
She let go of her wand. "Good. Now, here's what we are going to do. All of you are going to get your skinny buts to Charms-"
"You're not coming?" Sirius wondered.
"Skinny?" James asked at the same time.
She shook her head, looking up at him. "I need to talk to my darling brother." She frown. "That's one pleasant conversation I am not looking forward to."
"If he gets in that snooty way of his, Bell, I want you to leave him, and come find me."
"He won't hurt me. He may hex anyone in his way, but he has been taught not to raise a hand against a woman."
He couldn't fight her on that one. "Just...find me when everything's settled."
"Of course." She turned back to his friends. "Don't talk to her, Jamie. If he ever so much as looks her way, Sirius, Remus, hex him, and drag him out of class."
"What?" Alarmed, James took a step back.
"Oh, don't be a wimp," she said before pressing her lips to Sirius's. "I'll see you all later in the Room as soon as Herbology is over." She turn on her merry way.
James turn his curious glace on him. "So what happened?
Remus leaned forward, his mischievous side shinny through.
"Nothing, you nosy prats," Sirius said, walking the opposite way Isabelle had gone. "We just...made a truce."
"I didn't know truces needed to shove one's tongue down the other's throat," Remus said slyly.
"You wouldn't know," he responded. "You've never made a truce in your life."
James threw his head back, roaring laugh that echoed down the halls, as Remus pulled his wand, aiming it at Sirius, who smartly took off like a bullet, making Remus run after him. James, still chortling, followed them.
"Something is going on," Mary predicted.
Lily stopped looking around, focusing in her friend. "What makes you think so?"
Madealine, who had ditched her step sister, Sadrela, looked up from her food. "Is this about what Aquernate said in Divination?"
Mary hushed her. "No, I mean...don't you feel it? like there's something missing, or...gone?"
"Isabelle has yet to return, if that's what you are referring to," Lily said.
Mary shook her head. "She's always somewhere. It's not her, though. I feel like there's something that has meant to happen, but it has not...am I explaining myself?"
"Remus hasn't gotten the guts to ask you out, yet, if that's what you mean," Madealine said drily.
"No," Marry said. "It's not that either." She quieted, looking up and down, as if that would give her the answer.
Madealine rolled her eyes at Lily.
Not even ten minutes later had passed when Mary jumped, her silverware clicking as it fall to her plate. Madealine raised her eyebrows, snorting. "What?"
"I know what's wrong," Mary gloated. "It's Lily."
Lily placed her pumpkin juice in the table. "Me?"
"Yes, you." A nod follow to arfirmitate. "You haven't yelled at Potter yet."
Madealine blinked. "That's actually true."
Mary was right. Potter had not directed a word to her at all today. He had show up late to Charms, like always, then he had vanished after Herbology, missing History of Magic. She had been tense for those two periods, preparing the words she would spat at him, hoping to get it through that thick head. It had been a waste of energy, worrying so much. Potter hadn't even glanced her way, keeping his head low, murmuring to his mates.
"He hasn't bother me today," she murmured distractedly, running through her day in her mind's eye. "I think he hasn't even so much as look at me..."
"No wonder the day's been quiet," Madealine said brightly. "No annoying James, no enraged Lily."
"Enjoy it, Lils," Mary said. "He's here, eating with his friends, so it is only a matter of time before he comes over here."
Lily shook her head tiredly. "I wished he would just understand I will never date him, not for all the galleons in the world, or even if my life depended on it."
However, dinner passed without incident. Potter and his friends left ten minutes before the food was taken away, and Lily smiled. She had not had to deal with him for an entire day.
And just like that, Wednesday, January 8th, was over.