Chapter 2:
Lily was heading towards the portrait hole the next morning carry a heap of books to the library. She had a free and decided she would use her time to prepare for some upcoming exams. As she moved closer to the hole she wondered the best way to actually open up the door. That was until she heard from behind her,
"Here, let me open it for you,"
Turning her head, she saw James Potter. "Thanks Potter," she said indifferently. James opened the door and held it open for Lily to allow her through. She continued walking until she heard, "Evans, stop!"
She stopped and waited as she heard the footsteps behind her.
"Yeah?" she asked as he moved up next to her.
"Well, Uhh- I was just wondering if you were heading to the library. I am too, so I figured we could… umm, well, walk there together?" he mumbled out as a question, "I mean, if you were, we would be heading in the same direction..." he continued, trailing off.
Lily was shocked. First he was speaking to her without asking if she wanted to go out with him, and secondly, he seemed really hesitant about doing so.
"Uhh yeah, I am heading there. So if you want you can, I guess," Lily told him before continuing to walk. They walked on in silence, however it was surprisingly not that awkward. Before they reached the library James wanted to make some type of conversation though. Lily, on the other hand, was just wondering what this was all about, considering not once during their walk had he asked her out.
When they arrived at the library Lily went to move across to a table away from James when he said, "Hey Evans? Can I have your help with potions? I gotta do that potions essay for Slughorn, before the class next. I mean I've done most of it but there's some parts I'm stuck on."
Lily stood there blankly for a bit. "Uh sure. Umm… want to help me with transfiguration then?" she eventually replied.
They went and sat down and started doing work, each asking their own question when they needed it. Lily found it odd; she was actually able to concentrate really well with James next to her. Usually she would have to be away from others. Her mind wandered, from her subjects today to the 'conversation' with Sev yesterday. She got lost in her thoughts until she heard, "Evans? You okay?"
Of course! He only wants to find out about what happened yesterday, Lily thought. "Yeah all's fine Potter, none of your business anyway," she said shortly.
James was confused. Did he ask her something to offend her? He was just worried because she had started blanking out and just wanted to make sure she was okay. "Uh okay, I just saw you blanking out and wanted to make sure you were okay, or understood what you were doing in transfiguration.
"Oh Potter! I'm sorry! I thought you were bringing up yesterday. I know you saw me and asked Mar what happened."
"Whoa, did you just apologise to me?" James asked with a smile on his face, "Never thought I would see that day…"
Lily laughed, "Yeah I guess so Potter. Don't expect it again anytime soon-"
"Well well well, what have we here? Are my eyes deceiving me or are you two actually sitting there having a conversation?"
James and Lily turned to see Sirius walking towards them.
"What are you doing in the library? Didn't even realise you knew where it was." Lily commented as Sirius sat down.
"Ohhh ha ha Lily-Flower, of course I know where the library is. Have you not heard of snogging in the stacks?"
"Ahh of course I should have realised, and do you mind not calling me Lily-flower. You know I hate it."
"The point exactly Lily-flower," he said before turning to James, "So Prongs did you find out what Snivellus did to her yet?"
"What? Eurgh, of course that's the only reason you were being nice to me! And how do you know it was Sev who did anything to me? I was just under a lot of stress yesterday, that's why I was crying! But no, you two can't leave me well enough alone and just wanted to butt into other peoples' business and find any excuse to hex Sev!" and with that, Lily packed up all her books and walked away.
"Touchy, touchy," Sirius smirked.
"Really Padfoot? Did you have to mention anything?"
"What? I thought that's what was going on?"
"Uhh no! But how do you not know girls?! You don't bring up wondering why they were upset!"
"And how would you know that my dear Prongs?"
"Common sense, just ask Moony. You spend enough time with girls, I figured you would realise"
"Yeah in broom closets, not talking about feelings"
James sighed. "I'm going to fail this potions essay thanks to you. I have to fix this up within 15 minutes."
Lily couldn't believe it. As she walked towards the great hall she muttered to herself, "Stupid git. I should have known, should have realised! Of course that's all he wanted to know! If he wasn't going to ask me out it had to be - "
"Uh, Lily?"
Looking up Lily saw Mary Patterson, a fellow 6th year Gryffindor. Mary occupied one of the other beds in Lily's dorm room with Marlene and Alice. She was quite bright but very shy. The two girls were quite close, just not 'best friends'.
"Oh, hi Mary!"
"Hey, you okay? You seem to be mumbling a lot there. James again?"
"Yeah, I'm good," she smiled, "Of course. Who else?"
"Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of others who are on your hit list. What, he ask you out again?" Mary laughed.
"Actually, no. He was being really kind. We were in he library and he offered to help me with transfiguration if I helped with potions"
"Okay, I'm not seeing the problem here," Mary said, confused.
"Well Sirius came and joined us and-"
"Wait Sirius knows where the library is?" Mary asked jokingly.
"Ha! That's what I said! But yeah, he joined us and asked if Potter had found out why I was upset"
"Oh. Guys suck,"
"Yup," Lily said, popping the 'p'.
"Maybe that was just Black being an idiot? If Potter was being normal; maybe he wasn't going to ask you. But who knows what runs through that boy's mind. Come on, we've got potions to get to."
When James arrived to potions he found he was one of the last ones there, other than Sirius who followed close behind him. The class was small; most of the 6th year Gryffindors took potions as well as three Slytherins, three Ravenclaws and two Hufflepuffs. James sat in his usual spot next to Remus, with Sirius sitting down on his other side.
"Hey Moony"
"Hi Prongs. What's wrong with you?" Remus asked James, noticing that something was bothering his friend.
"Oh he's just disappointed because Lily-flower is annoyed at him again" Sirius answered for his friend.
James glares at Sirius before turning to explain to Remus, "I was in the library with Lily, we were studying, and Sirius comes up and asks if I found out what Snivellus did to her. She of course assumed that was the only reason I was being polite and she stormed off,"
"What was Sirius doing in the library? Does he even know where it is? And -"
"Why does everyone think I don't know where the library is?" Sirius whined, interrupting Remus.
"And seriously, how could you be so tactless Padfoot? Everyone knows you don't do that. Plus Lily is already sensitive about Prongs," Remus continued, ignoring the fact that Sirius had interrupted him.
"Hey! I'm not tactless, I was just curious. And considering they were actually being civil to one another..." Sirius trailed off.
By this time Professor Slughorn had walked into the classroom and had set up for the theory lesson.
"Okay class, with the exam coming up soon, today will be a study session to allow you to ask me any questions. I am also expecting all of you to hand in your essays," he told the class.
This was something the students were used to at the moment. With exams over the next couple of weeks that's how they were spending most of their classes.
At the end of the class, Lily slowly packed up her belongings. She had been up the front asking Professor Slughorn about the Draught of Living Death, so most of the class was either finishing up or had left. As she started packing up she heard someone say, "Lily can we talk?"
Turning she saw Sev.
"What? You can talk to me now your 'friends' are gone?" pointing around to where Severus had been sitting with his fellow Slytherins Mulcibur and Avery.
"It's not like that -"
"Save it Sev. I'm pretty sure we both made it clear yesterday, just leave me alone. You - oh never mind."
"Hey Evans, is everything okay?" turning, Lily saw James moving towards them.
"Yeah Potter, everything fine. Just keep going." she said roughly, still annoyed about earlier that day. James however did not move.
"You heard her. Go away" Snape sneered at James.
"I'm not going anywhere, clearly Evans here doesn't actually want to talk to you, so leave her be."
Lily was shocked. James was actually trying to help her without it being patronizing or turning into a fight. At least yet.
"Leave us alone Potter," Snape continue to glare at James, "this is none of your business" as he said this, his fists began to bunch up.
"Well apologise to Evans or leave her alone. You're obviously bothering her and she doesn't want to talk to you," James said matter of factly.
"I said go away Potter, let me talk to Lily ALONE!" Snape started getting really annoyed.
"I said no, I won't go anywhere."
Lily, seeing where this was heading, stepped in between them quickly. SMACK!
Tumbling backwards, Lily's face started to hurt and her eyes started to tear up. Blood began to run down her face.
"Lily, I'm so sorry! Why'd you move? I was supposed to hit him!" Snape began moving towards her.
"No! Stay away from me!" Lily screamed as she held her face.
"Lily! Please! I'm sorry!"
"Get away from her!" James yelled at Snape. He had moved closer trying to help in some way, and had surprisingly not been pushed away.
"Make me! Move away from her Potter!"
"I'm not the one who hit her!"
"WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON IN HERE?"
Turning around the three students saw Professor Slughorn.
"Lily! Are you okay? Go to the hospital wing immediately! As for you two," he said turning towards Severus and James, "stay here. I'm going to get Professor McGonagall"
Lily and Slughorn left the room, leaving Severus and James alone.
It was not long after that Slughorn left that he returned with Professor McGonagall. She was not happy at all,
"Both of you, my office now! Mr Potter, on your way please collect Miss Evans from the hospital wing. I would like to speak to her as well."
On the way to the hospital wing, James bumped into Sirius, Remus and Peter.
"Where have you been?" Peter asked him first.
"Long story short, Snivellus annoyed Lily, I stepped in. He hit her when he went to hit me and I have to now go get Lily from the hospital wing," he said to his friends and continued to move down the corridor.
"Whoa, did anyone get in a few swipes at Snivvy?" Sirius asked as he, Remus and Peter followed behind James who was moving very fast.
"Unfortunately no. I was about to but Slughorn walked in."
"Damn."
"Tell me about it."
They had arrived outside the hospital wing when James turned to his friends and said, "Not trying to be mean but if I walk out and you guys are here, Lily would not be happy… so can I meet up with you all later? I'll tell you everything,"
"Yeah sure Prongs," Remus replied and walked off, dragging the other two with him.
When James entered the hospital wing he found Madame Pomfrey tending to Lily who had a massive black eye. "Uh hi, um, Professor McGonagall would like Lily to come to her office so she can speak with her," James said announcing his presence.
"One moment Mr Potter and you can both leave together," Madame Pomfrey said as she stood to move to her small office on the opposite end of the hospital wing. James looked across at Lily, gasping at what he saw. She hadn't been properly cleaned up yet, meaning she was covered in blood. But what had made James gasp was the huge bruise surrounding her right eye.
"Shit Evans, I'm so sorry"
"Why are you sorry?" Lily asked him, shocked that he was apologising.
"Well, he was aiming for me."
"Yeah that's true," she said with a small smile, "well not that I blame you, but, apology accepted. Also, thank you."
"Umm, for what?" James asked.
Lily looked at him when he said this, and was surprised at the look she saw on his face. What she saw was the true shock and confusion, but also the sincere worry for her.
"Well, for coming in and interrupting us. I honestly don't think I could have stood there and spoken to him. Not after..." Lily trailed off.
James wanted to ask what she meant by 'not after' but as soon as he went to, Madame Pomfrey walked back in.
"Here, take this," she said, handing a potion to Lily, "It will help, but you're going to have that black eye for a while."
"Oh, well thanks."
James heard the disappointment in Lily's voice.
"Don't worry about it Evans, if anyone tries to give you a hard time..." he trailed off as Lily turned to him with an actual smile on her face.
"Thanks, but I can take care of myself."
"Oh I know that, but I'll be there if any 'certain' people try anything…"
Lily couldn't help but smile at James. She shook her head. What was she thinking? It should not be like this! For most of the day they had been having civil conversations. No screaming matches, no hexing and no obsessive asking out. He had actually made her smile! She had really been enjoying herself and found herself at ease when they were in the library. At least until she found out the only reason he had been so nice was so he could find out why she had been upset the previous night. Damn her always been hungry, and her inability to skip a meal! Though she did wonder what the day would have been like if he hadn't seen her. Would he still have been as kind? Would she be sitting in the hospital wing with a black eye?
"Um, we should probably head off to see McGonagall now," James said, interrupting Lily from her thoughts.
"Yeah alright.. Thanks Madame Pomfrey," she said, before turning to leave.
The walk to professor McGonagall's office was quiet. James kept looking across at Lily, which kept bothering her. For the most part of the walk she was keeping her head down, looking at the floor, not wanting to be seen by someone just yet. Not knowing what she was doing, she abruptly stopped.
"Evans?" James, who had walked a few steps ahead of Lily, stopped and looked back at her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Then why did you stop?"
"Can I ask you something?" she asked him but continued before he could answer, "Why?"
"Why what?" James asked back confused.
"Why have you been normal today? You haven't asked me out once and you've actually been genuine. But you also care about how I'm feeling right now. I can tell you do. Are you just trying to find yet another excuse to hate Sev?"
"The truth is I was worried last night when you came downstairs to dinner and because of Marlene, I figured out it was because of Sniv- uh Snape. And no, Marlene did not tell me anything, her glares and shouting did kind of give it away. But I was paying attention. As for me being polite and helping you, I would do that for anyone. I don't need another excuse to hate Snape and as for how you're feeling..." James paused.
"Well you did just get hit in the face by someone who is you friend."
"Was," Lily automatically said.
"I'm sorry?"
"Sev was my friend. He stopped being my friend a long time ago, as you know well enough."
"That doesn't stop it from hurting though. You still have all the memories of when you were friends and when someone you shared those memories with does something, it still hurts you. When someone you care about or even once cared about does something, it always hurts. Not all friendships last, but the memories do."
Lily finally looked up, shock obviously written across her face. When did James Potter ever sound so wise?
"If that answers your question, should we continue moving?" James asked Lily, hoping his answer had been okay.
"Yeah let's go," Lily said slowly beginning to move.
When they arrived at Professor McGonagall's, Snape was leaving her office. As soon as he saw Lily he spoke, "Lily please, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."
"Keep walking Snivellus, she doesn't want to talk with you," James said moving in front of Lily.
"Shove off Potter," Snape snarled at James.
"That is enough!"
Looking at the office door, the three found themselves facing Professor McGonagall.
"Mr Potter and Miss Evans, inside now. As for you Mr Snape, please head to class please."
Inside the office, James and Lily felt small. They knew they technically had done nothing wrong and that McGonagall would treat them fairly, especially as she was the head of their house. But sitting in her office after an incident was never fun.
"Now, would someone care to explain to me what exactly happened," Professor McGonagall said as she sat in her chair opposite James and Lily.
"Well..." Lily began trailing off. "It kind of is my fault this happened -"
"No it isn't! If I hadn't interrupted, Lily wouldn't have a black eye right now!" James stopped Lily from continuing.
"Potter!" Lily protested.
"Stop you two!" McGonagall said, "I will listen to both of you, Mr Potter, you first."
"Well, at the end of potions I saw Snape talking to Lily, but overheard that she didn't want to talk. So I intervened, he got mad and went to hit me but Lily, who was trying to stop a fight from happening, moved in the way and got hit. I was just telling him to leave her alone as it was clear that she didn't want to talk to him. But I think there's more to the story," he finished telling Professor McGonagall but looked across at Lily as he finished.
"Miss Evans?"
Lily who had been looking at her hands looked up and gave a small nod.
"Mr Potter," McGonagall said, "You may leave now."
James stood and walked towards the door before he left he gave Lily one last look. He found that Lily was actually looking at him an their eyes locked, however he tuned and left. Instead of walking away he decided to wait outside for Lily.
From the corner of her eyes, Lily watched as James left the room. When their eyes had met, Lily had to quickly look away. In his eyes she saw concern for herself especially since she admitted, in front of him, that there was more to the story which was the complete opposite to what she had claimed earlier in the library.
Professor McGonagall watched James as he left, and she saw the way they had looked at each other. Smiling to herself, Minerva McGonagall was glad that she was finally seeing an exchange between those two that didn't end in a screaming match. She knew they would be perfect for one another and although James clearly liked Lily, she was too stubborn to realise this.
"Now Miss Evans, would you care to explain?" Professor McGonagall asked, making sure Lily was paying attention again.
"Um, sure. Well everyone knows about the fall out Sev and I had last year, and since that day we hadn't really spoken. At least until yesterday..."
Lily went on telling the story of what had happened over the last couple of days. She had begun crying, though she didn't really know why.
Professor McGonagall stopped Lily when she said how Severus had hit her. She had gotten the information she needed which was slightly different to the story she had previously received from Snape, which had been more about putting the blame on James Potter. She could see however this was not the case for even Lily, who had over the years shown to everyone her dislike for James was there standing up for him.
"Miss Evans, its okay. You do not need to continue. I have received enough information. You nor Mr Potter did nothing wrong. When you are ready you may leave."
Lily stayed for a couple of minutes. She waited until her crying had stopped and she could easily walk past people without looking like she was crying. When she stood up to leave, she said thank you before rushing out of the office.
When James heard the door, he quickly moved away from the wall so that Lily would know that he was there.
"Hey Evans you okay?" he asked when he saw her. Except Lily didn't even look up, instead she kept walking with her head down.
"Evans! ... Evans! ... Lily?" he called out after her but she turned around. He went to follow but heard from behind him, "Just leave her. She just needs some time."
Turning, James saw Professor McGonagall standing in her office's doorway. Giving her a small nod, he walked away to look for his friends.
