Disclaimer - Nope, it sure as hell isn't me who wrote Harry Potter!
A/N - Hey sorry it's taken me awhile to update. College has been crazy! Thanks to every one who reviewed :D Made me smile.
Hope you enjoy …
Chapter Three - Reunited
Sirius pulled a tall dark messy haired man into a hug,
"Easy on mate. You're going to kill me" he laughed, gasping for air as Sirius pulled back from the hug.
"What the hell are you doing here? Why aren't you in France? Why didn't you tell me you were coming? Aw come here" Sirius laughed and pulled him into another hug.
James laughed and hugged Sirius back "Just get me a drink and a seat and I'll explain the whole thing."
Sirius threw his head back and laughed "certainly my good man, See who's back Rosie? Prongsie himself back from France"
Rosmerta who had watched the whole reunion was laughing and shaking her head, "Well that just means double the trouble in here on a Saturday night".
"We have never been trouble Rosie! You love us really, don't you try and deny it. We give you the banter, always have and always will" James said to the barmaid.
"Keep telling yourself that James" Rosmerta called over to him as she got their drinks.
"You've gotten taller!" Sirius stated.
James looked down at himself "no I haven't"
Sirius stood up straight and smiled,
"Yup, you definitely have. I was always the tall good looking one. I suppose we are both tall and good looking now."
"Is there something you want to tell me Sirius? I mean, I know it's been two years but I never thought you would end up gay - maybe Pete but -"
"There you go boys, on the house. Good to have you back James and fine match from what I've heard."
Before James could thank Rosmerta Sirius had jumped onto his back,
"What are you doing Padfoot?"
"You're gonna take me to my table, now hand me up three of those and you take the rest." Sirius indicated to the six fire whiskeys.
"Get bloody off you arse" James shouted up, laughing.
"No! You called me gay and didn't tell me you were coming, now move!" He shouted down.
James handed up three of the fire whiskeys and picked up three himself.
"Where we headed?" James was scanning the room with his dark hazel brown eyes.
He knew who Sirius had been with before the match but wondered if she had stayed. He doubted it, she had never really been the partying type, then again, he told himself, I haven't seen her since just after school.
"Over there" Sirius pointed to the corner, spilling some fire whiskey on James in the process.
"Your wish is my command Pad" and he set off through the crowd.
At the table Lily had begun a conversation about the wizard rock sensation - "The Howling Wolves". Lily was a big fan of them where as Amelie wasn't.
"No way. How can you not like that song?" Lily shook her head looking confused.
"I just don't, all there songs sound the same and supposedly the lead singer is a REAL werewolf, so I don't think I could go to any of there gigs." Amelie stated.
Remus shifted slightly. He looked really uncomfortable.
Lily knew that Remus was a werewolf and had done since her fifth year at Hogwarts when they had prefect rounds together. It hadn't bothered her than and it didn't bother her now.
"A real werewolf? No he isn't, I saw them live last year and it was a full moon then so he can't be and the songs don't sound the same. Your thinking of The Hairy Hippogriffs. All THEIR songs sound the same because they are shit!." Lily stated.
"Then why are they called "The Howling wolves?"
Lily laughed and was about to answer when Remus butted in "I wonder where Sirius is with the drinks?"
He had sensed an argument coming on and knew that Lily wouldn't rest until everyone agreed and had the feeling that Amelie may be the same.
"I don't know but he had better hurry up because I want more drink!" Amelie said and banged down her fist on the table, then laughed.
"Oh there's Jess - OI JESS, OI JESS, JESSICA CONNOLLY" Amelie was now standing, holding onto the table for some support.
A woman with shoulder length curly hair spun around to see who was calling on her. Amelie began to wave her hand over her head. Jess smiled,
"AMELIE GOLDSTEIN" she shouted in a fake posh English accent and began making her way to their table.
"Spiffing to see you" Jess said to Amelie with an outstretched arm for a hand shake. Amelie grabbed her hand and began to shake it vigorously.
"Jolly good you could make it, take a seat" Amelie gestured to a seat.
Jess smiled at her and fell into her seat. Jess was evidently already drunk.
"By god, is that Lily Evans and Remus Lupin?" Jess said in her fake accent and didn't wait for them to answer,
"I believe it is! Smashing to see you." Lily and Remus both shook her hand.
"Drunk already Jess?" Remus enquired, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
"as a skunk Remus. how are you?" there was no hint of her English accent but had been replaced with a soft Scottish one.
"Grand, although I don't think Lils is."
Remus, Amelie and Jess looked over to Lily who now had her head in her arms on the table and began to laugh.
"Should we leave her?" Remus asked but was too late. Jess had moved along next to Lily, took out her wand and WHOOSH!
A blast of air had erupted from the end, Lily screamed and sat up right.
"Whatsgoingon?"
Everyone collapsed laughing.
"That wasn't funny I was just resting my eyes, I wasn't sleeping or anything"
"That's what you said to me in our seventh year, the night you, Alice and I had a girly night in. We managed to carry her down to the lake and were about to chuck you in when you decided to open your eyes from "resting" them." Jess told Remus and Amelie.
Lily folded her arms over her chest and frowned, all of them were laughing at her again and she didn't like it. She took her wand from her pocket promptly turned Jess' hair neon Green.
Lily laughed "Serves you right!" and she stuck out her tongue.
"Why you little -" Jess had her wand out and was about to hex Lily when a loud shouting caught the groups attention.
"Yeehaw Prongs is back,
Prongs is back, woooooohooo,
Lets have a party"
Lily felt her stomach drop. She searched the crowd looking for the source of the commotion, it wasn't hard as Sirius was bobbing about a foot above the crowd. He had a look of a child that had just been told that Christmas was coming early.
oh no it can't be him, She thought to herself, I am far too drunk for him to be here!
The edge of the crowd parted and there stood James Potter, a mischievous grin on his handsome face, Three tankard's in his hands and Sirius Black Mounted on his back.
"PRONGS!" Remus called. He clambered over Amelie and dived to hug his old friend.
"Not so fast Moony. Mind the drink!" James Shouted.
Remus stopped in his tracks but the smile didn't leave his face.
"Get off his back Padfoot, I need to give this bastard a hug!" he shouted up to Sirius.
Sirius clambered off and took a seat beside Amelie.
Remus embraced James, patting him on the back in a manly way.
"When did you get back? How come you didn't tell us you were coming back?" Remus attacked him with questions.
James gave a hearty laugh, "Jeez give a bloke some space, I just got back practically"
"Space!" Sirius said looking shocked, "We're sorry you've only had two years of space mate, we really are" He laughed.
James took a seat beside Jess, Remus beside him.
"Very funny Padfoot. You know what I mean" he picked up his tankard and took a long drink from it.
Lily didn't know how to react. She sat still and watched as Remus and James were reunited.
He was still as good looking as he was in school, she observed. In fact she would probably have to say that now that he older he looked even better. He had a light stubble across his jaw line and his hair was just as messy. Lily remembered how he used to ruffle his hair whenever she was around - he always done it when he was nervous.
Everyone at the table was paying attention to James. So, she casually let her eyes flicker towards his body. He was wearing a plain black t-shirt which showed his strong arms. A small smile appeared on Lily's face,
"He looks even more built now" Lily thought as she openly checked him out.
"Which means he will look even better with his top off than before" - She giggled at her thoughts.
Everyone had turned to face her, an amusing look in all pairs of eyes.
She quickly smiled, "Oh don't mind me I was off in my own little world."
James smiled at her, "Oh Yeah Evans, what was happening in your own little world?"
Lily was half way through taking a drink from her tankard, she ignored him, not trusting herself to talk to him. He may still look good but he still broke her heart.
Flashback -
It was three weeks after graduation. Lily was sitting at a rickety table in a small cafe on Diagon Alley. She kept on stealing glances at the clock whilst fidgeting with the glass in front of her.
James was fifteen minutes late. It wasn't like him to be late especially when it came to her.
The bell above the door jingled, Lily turned to face the door. The look of hope on her face slid off and was replaced with a smile as soon as she saw his trademark messy black hair. James looked around the cafe, once his eyes sought out Lily he gave a small smile.
He slid into the seat in front of her and gave her a sad smile. She frowned at him, he had been fine this morning when she last saw him. Panic overtook her,
"What's wrong James? has there been another attack?" she reached across the table and took his hand.
He slowly shook his head, the sad expression still etched to his face.
"Well what's wrong? If we didn't get that flat, don't worry." She laughed. This made him wince, she took that wince as a sign that they had not gotten the flat.
"Look it's fine, we can keep looking. It is London after all, we are bound to find one soon enough. Plus, look on the bright side, not all witches and wizards get admitted into the auror training. I can't believe we start in two days, I'm so excited." She flashed him a smile.
"I'm not going" he said simply, sadness present in his tone.
Lily's smile fell from her face and the spark in her emerald green eyes had gone.
James let out a sigh and took her hands in his, "I'm not going to train to be an auror, Lily."
He couldn't bring himself to look at her when he told her the next part, he knew it would hurt her so much.
"I had a meeting with the head of the magical sports and gaming department this morning. The French team have made me an offer that I can't refuse. I'm moving to France in three days Lily. I'm Sorry."
Lily pulled her hands away from him, "What do you mean you move to France in Three days? I thought you turned them down James?"
"I did turn them down. But the offer they made today was just too good Lils. I took the place, I'm the new seeker."
Her eyes were filled with tears though she had shed none, yet.
"What about the auror training? What about your friends? What about us James?" she raised her voice at the end.
He let out another sigh "I talked to Moody this morning and he understands. He made sure I know that the place will always be open for me. I haven't told the guy's yet but I'm sure they will understand." he couldn't answer the next question.
"You forgot the last part James. What about us?"
He couldn't look at Lily. He could feel her starting at him but he still didn't turn his head, instead he concentrated on an old man sitting in the corner who was reading that days addition of the prophet. He took a deep breath,
"There can't be an us anymore Lily. We have to split up." he knew that she was crying now.
"But James we love each other, we can keep a long distance relationship." she let out a soft sob.
"No Lily we can't. You and I both know it won't work."
She was now in floods of tears. "Then I will come with you. I'm sure I could find a job within the French ministry ..."
"No Lily you can't come with me. We can't have this relationship, I'm so sorry but we can't."
Lily let out another more heart breaking sob "But I love you James"
A single tear rolled down his cheek, "I'm sorry Lily, I really am. But I don't love you anymore. You will always be in my heart but I have to go to France."
They sat in silence for a good five minutes before Lily spoke,
"Look at me and say that!" she told him. All sadness had left her voice and was replaced with anger.
James squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them. He looked straight into Lily's emerald green eyes.
"I don't love you Lily."
Lily let out a sob but anger could still be heard in her voice, "You're a liar James Potter! I know you do!"
she reached across and grabbed his hand, "I know you love me James. Please don't do this to me"
He withdrew his hand "I am sorry Lily but I don't and I hate doing this to you but I can't pretend anymore."
She let out a few sobs and looked at him with hatred burning in her eyes,
"WELL YOU GO TO FRANCE POTTER! BUT KNOW NOW THAT I WILL NEVER LET YOU BACK INTO MY LIFE EVER! YOU WALK AWAY NOW AND THAT IS IT!"
James looked at her "I'm sorry" he got up and quickly exited from the cafe. Leaving Lily crying to herself.
- End of Flashback
That had been almost two years ago now. It had taken her a good part of those years to get over him. But she couldn't help herself hating him.
Sirius knew that Lily would not be happy about James' return so quickly distracted him,
"So you ready to answer our questions Prongsie?"
James dragged his eyes away from Lily and smiled at everyone.
"I bloody suppose so" he laughed.
"Well I got back two days ago but I had to keep a low profile due to the whole secret thing with the seeker, so that is one of the reasons I didn't tell you all that I was coming back. I have been wanting to come back to England for a while now and when I got news that Webber had retired I contacted Puddlemere immediately and expressed my interest in transferring. They were over the moon when I told them that I wanted to play for them and return to an English team. I mean so many have wanted me in the last two years. So that's what I'm doing back here, to play the fine sports of Quidditch and drag the British outta' the gutter." he laughed,
"Oh and I missed you Paddy, Moony and Wormy - speaking of which, where is the little git?"
Amelie let out a giggle "Well your good friend Mr. Black "Accidentally" made his trousers rip whilst he was chatting up a woman before the game only to find that Peter doesn't wear boxers. So he left before us in a mood with Sirius."
Everyone laughed
"That is most defiantly a sight I am glad I missed! I remember in fifth year when Sirius levitated him down the stairs into the common room before the DADA exam in his boxers with little gnomes on them ..Santa gnomes not the little bastards you find in the garden" Jess said in between laughs.
"Aw that was a classic day, Pete's boxers weren't the only one's on show that day. I believe Snivellus showed his off that day as well." Sirius said and drained his glass.
"You were all mean bastards to him!" Lily said, killing the mood slightly. But she didn't care she was too drunk to care. That last fire whisky had tipped her over the edge.
She didn't care what she said about Snape or about James Potter or anyone or anything for that matter.
"He was a slimy git though, he was mean to you and he wasn't very nice to us either" Sirius said to Lily.
"He was only mean to me after that day. He was mean to you lot because you four were always mean to him." she slurred out.
"Not we weren't! He was a git to us because I fancied you and so did he!" James said to Lily.
James could now feel the alcohol kick in. He hoped to hell that he didn't let anything too important slip tonight. Wouldn't be too good on his first night back.
"HA, He did not! We were just friends and you were a git to him because you fancied me and I actually talked to him and hated you!"
" Yeah well... Look where hating me got you." he said to her with a smirk upon his face.
"Yeah, in the top five all the way through auror training." she said dryly.
They had been too busy arguing that they hadn't noticed that Sirius had left and returned to the table with a new round.
"Drinks" Amelie shouted.
Lily grabbed her glass and downed it. She sat back in her seat and scowled at James. The rest of them started up a conversation which Lily had no desire to join. She just wanted to be the hell away from Potter.
"S'cuse me Jess" Lily said abruptly
"where you going?" Amelie enquired.
"Toilet or something" she said smiling.
"Got to keep myself looking gorgeous" she winked at the guy who just walked by. He flashed her a smile and continued through the crowd.
Lily looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair and make up was surprisingly still perfect. She couldn't believe him. After what he had done to her, he had just tried to tease her about it... GIT!
It was hot in the pub and crowded. She went into the only cubical that wasn't horrid and put the lid of the seat down. She locked the door and took a seat, It felt so strange seeing him again. It had took her awhile to get over him but it was true what she had said. She was top for most of her auror training classes due to her pure determination. Every death eater she was supposed to be taking out she had pretended his face instead of the white mask they wear. It proved to be quite a good method and it pulled her through all of her exams.
She sat for five minutes just trying to get used to the idea that he was back. She knew that if she wanted to maintain her friendship with Sirius then she was going to have to learn how to put up with him. She wasn't going to let him wind her up or let herself think about what they used to have.
There was someone banging at her door. They had been for the last few minutes. Lily had been so zoned out that she hadn't realised.
"Excuse me but would you like to hurry up?" a woman's voice shouted through the cubical door.
Lily stood up and opened it, smiling,
"I'm so sorry -oh it's you. In that case piss off!" Lily made to turn around.
"Oh no you don't you little cow. I have been banging on that door for the last five minutes and I need." the woman grabbed the Lily's shoulder and hauled her out of the cubical.
She pushed past Lily but didn't make it in the cubical.
"Don't call me a cow you fucking bitch." She made the woman halt.
"look I had enough of you and your horrid friends at the Quidditch game so run along and stop bothering me!" as she whipped around her blonde hair brushed across Lily's face.
"Don't call my mates horrid you stuck up witch!" Lily said harshly.
"I'll call you're mates whatever I like you cow. Does the barmaid always let underage witches into her pub or do you pay her commission off what you make in the toilets you little whore"
SMACK!
Letting go of all her emotions that had awoken since discovering the return of James. Lily's fist made contact with the woman's face. She heard her nose crunch and blood splattered her knuckles.
"No, I get a drink every time I escort a whore from the pub. So, let's go Blondie."
Lily grabbed her hair and dragged her from the toilets into the pub.
A few people look appalled at Lily who still had her by the hair. But Lily didn't care.
As she neared her table, which was by the door, Amelie caught sight of her and laughed. She nudged Sirius who caught sigh of Lily and joined in laughing.
"Lils I hope you weren't jumping about like a baboon and talking filthy in the toilets, you know how we feel about that!" Sirius called to her.
Lily just flashed him a smile, "No, No that's what this fool was doing. Be back in a sec, got to deal with this hoodlum."
James, whose back had been facing Lily turned around, his mouth fell in shock.
He jumped to his feet. "Lily! what the fuck do you think you're doing? Let Claudia Go!"
A/N - Hehe left it on a cliffy … hope you enjoyed it. Please Review :D
Also I know James was a chaser but for the sake of this story he was a seeker.
Now go click review :D