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The note between Lily, Alice, Mary, and Marlene is as follows: Alice, Lily, Mary, Marlene
Between James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus it's: Sirius, James, Peter, Remus
Chapter 3
James POV
On the first official morning of term, I woke up happier than I had in a long time. Lily and I were friends; Snape could kiss my face and even that wouldn't ruin my mood today. I made my way down to the Great Hall without seeing Lily; I assumed she was still asleep. After listening in on her conversations with Alice, Mary, and Marlene for years I learned that she liked to sleep in, leaving little time to get ready. I have no idea how she did that and still managed to be so beautiful, then again, this is Lily; she's gorgeous no matter what.
The Great Hall was fairly empty when I finally reached it. I walked down to the Marauders usual spot at the Gryffindor table, knowing that Remus and Sirius would be down any minute; like Lily, Peter always slept in till the last minute.
Just as I was putting porridge with treacle and cream in a bowl, two figures plopped down on either side of me.
"Morning Mate!" exclaimed Sirius.
"Padfoot, how the hell are you always so chipper in the mornings?" grunted Remus. "Morning James" he added as a side note.
"Hey guys. How was your night?" I asked, smirking to myself as the Great Hall began to fill up.
"Interesting," answered Sirius, "I convinced Wormtail to eat an entire box of Bertie Bott's. You should have seen his face when he ate vomit and boogey at the same time. What about your night? Was Flower the usual nightmare to you?"
"Oh, it was interesting…to say the least" I couldn't keep the smirk off my face when I saw Lily enter the Great Hall, looking tired and annoyed at the three girls chattering around her. They started walking past our spot at the table, Alice, Marlene, and Mary continuing to chatter when Lily decided to plop down across from me. "Morning, James."
"Good morning Lily. How did you sleep last night?"
"Ehhh, okay I guess, it's just weird not having these freaks sleeping beside me" she snorted.
"I know what you mean, last night was the first peaceful sleep I've had since I met Sirius."
"I'm sorry, have we missed something?"said Sirius, cutting in to our conversation. I looked around at all our friends and laughed at their different expressions. Padfoot had a half chewed piece of bacon hanging out of his wide open mouth, Remus looked as though someone had just told him his mum was actually a man, Mary and Marlene had stopped their incessant chatter, but their mouths were still hanging wide open. Alice, however, had a knowing smile on her face; one that made me very uncomfortable.
"I mean, you…he…..toe-rag…WHAT?" Apparently, Sirius was not going to take the news lightly.
"Sirius, could you keep it down? I don't want the entire Great Hall staring in our direction" hissed Lily. " We're Head Boy and Girl. We have to get along, for the good of the student body."
This reasoning obviously wasn't good enough for Sirius, so he turned to me, ready to make his opinions known.
"Save it, Sirius. You can yell at me all you want when we're alone" I whispered.
"Oh, don't think I won't Prongs. You haven't heard the end of this."
"Yes Mother, now can it! You're making this awkward for everyone involved."
"So James" Lily started, trying to make conversation that our friends could join in on, "when do you think you'll schedule Quidditch try outs?"
"Umm…haven't really thought about it, I kinda wanted to settle in the first week, get a handle on the Head Boy duties. So, probably sometime next week."
"Do you think our team has any chance at the cup this year?"
"Hell yes! Lily, do you even watch the Quidditch matches?"
"Of course I do! Pshh, how could I not go to the Quidditch matches?"
"Don't listen to her James" Alice piped up, she looked to be the only one ready to talk anytime soon, "She's maybe gone to a total of five matches in her life."
"Evans! And you call yourself a Gryffindor…" I muttered in fake shame.
"Oh hush up, I'll go to them this year."
"Promise?" I asked, staring straight into her emerald eyes. She stared back without answering for a few moments. Out of my peripheral vision I saw Mary choke on her Pumpkin Juice as her eyes volleyed back and forth between Lily and I.
"Yeah" Lily murmured, still not breaking eye contact, "wouldn't miss it."
"I would hope not Miss. Evans, seeing as you are Head Girl" came the voice of Professor McGonagall, floating down the table. "Here are your schedules. Class starts in 15 minutes, so I suggest you get a move on." She tried handing them out to our friends, but everyone except Alice still couldn't register anything but Lily and I.
"Umm guys? Are you ready to head to Transfiguration?" Lily asked, looking down at her schedule.
Surprisingly enough, there was no answer save a few grunts and mutters. Alice decided to speak up for the group, "You two go on ahead. We'll wait for Peter and meet up with you in class."
"Sounds good. See you all later," I said, rising to my feet, "coming Lily?"
"Yeah, just give me a minute." She gathered her friends in a huddle and began to whisper intensly. Whatever she said seemed to wake them from their stupor, Mary and Marlene both gaped up at her before giggling while Alice had that knowing smile back on her face. As Lily rose from the table and began to walk away her friends called to us.
"We expect a full report about all this later Lils!"
"Yeah we want all the juicy details!" yelled Mary and Marlene in turn.
Lily POV
James and I were leaving an unusually silent Great Hall.
"James?" I whispered, "do things seem….a little quieter to you this morning?"
"You know, now that you mention it, there aren't the usual groans I associate with the first day back in class…"
It was true. Every section we passed stared at us in rapt silence, then, the second we passed, they began to whisper and point.
"You'd think people have something better to do with their time then stare at the Head students…" I said to him in the loudest voice I could manage.
"Apparently everyone in Hogwarts has rather BORING lives!" He replied.
I giggled in response when I heard indignant sounds from fifth through seventh years in their seats. James began to chuckle as well, and before either of us knew why, we were laughing obnoxiously. People looked downright alarmed at this point, so I grabbed James' hand and together we ran all the way to Transfiguration, still laughing.
"Oh Merlin, did you see their faces? I thought Miranda Blake was going to start crying!" I laughed.
"Blake? How about all the guy's who have been waiting to ask you out? I think at least Diggory shit his pants!" James snorted.
"Oh I would pay money to see that! If I knew being friends with you would add this much hilarity to my life, I would have done it years ago." I admitted as we took our usual seats in the Transfiguration room; James and the Marauders in the front row solely to annoy McGonagall and Mary, Marlene, Alice, and myself in the second row. Slowly the rest of the class began to shuffle in, all looking at James and I with varying degrees of disbelief, which just caused us to resume our semi-maniacal laughter. Our friends entered the room only moments before McGonagall herself entered and began class.
"You," Sirius hissed at me, "I'd like a word with you later."
"Mr. Black. If you would kindly shut up so I could begin class, I would be very much obliged."
"Course Minnie, sorry to interrupt." She looked as though she wanted to give him detention, but seemed to think better of it and instead, shook her head at his antics.
"Now class, I'm sure you all know this is the year of your N.E.W.T's. As such it is imperative you pay the utmost attention and take time to review everything you have learned since beginning Hogwarts. I'm sure I don't need to reiterate how important these exams will be for your future success…"
I was half listening to McGonagall give the speech that I'm sure every other professor will deliver today and tomorrow and half watching James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus scribble furiously on parchment, even though we weren't taking notes.
In the midst of my contemplation of what they could possibly be doing, my friends decided to start their questioning.
What bloody hell was up with you and James this morning?
What ever do you mean my dear Marlene?
Oh don't play dumb with us Evans, since when are you and Potter friends?
Last night, he apologized for being an ass all of my life, and I apologized for insulting him on the train. We're friends. So what?
So what? You do realize how big of a deal this is, right? The two who were always sworn to be enemies are now bosom buddies? Miranda Blake won't be too happy…
Fuck Miranda Blake! That girl gets everything she wants, besides, it's not like I claimed James, we're JUST FRIENDS!
Sure, for now. First friends, then boyfriend and girlfriend, next thing you know you're married with 15 kids and a terrible smoking habit that is impossible to quit!
Honestly Mary, I will never understand the thoughts that go through that dark expanse you call a mind…
Can it! I want to hear more about Lily and James
There's not much more to say, we're friends. It'll be easier on everyone this way.
Not Amos, the kid has fancied you for at least a year. Rumor is Potter scared him off asking you.
Well James promised not to do that anymore without good reason. Besides, if a guy could be that scared by Potter, then that's not the kind of guy I want to be spending time with. Anyways, James knows I don't share his feelings…
Yeah, how long do you wanna bet that's going to last?
Speaking of bets, what's this I hear of a bet about when Potter and I are getting together?
Oh look! McGonagall is teaching something importantish! We'll finish this conversation later!
"Wusses…" I muttered darkly before giving McGonagall my full attention.
James POV
Being friends with Lily was turning out better than I could have hoped. She even held my hand! My freaking hand! Granted, it meant nothing to her and I'm sure if I mentioned it I would receive a swift kick to my sack of jewels, but still, it was progress.
The second after Minnie admonished Sirius for disrupting, I saw a note starting to form.
What the fuck is up between you and Flower?
What ever could you mean my dear, dear Padfoot?
He's talking about the fact that Lily Evans SPOKE TO YOU WITHOUT YELLING!
Yes, thank you Wormtail. I was trying to play dumb you twat!
I thought we had decided you weren't going to forgive Lils till she was begging on her knees! What the Hell happened!
Have you tried being mad at her when she's all nice and laughing? I swear, it's like she has some super power…
Yeah, it's called control of your dick..
I thought you were the studious one Remus! What are you doing talking to us poor sinners?
We'll be hearing this speech at least six more times this week, I want to hear about you and Lily.
There's not a whole lot to say. She forgave me for being a prick to her for five years, and I forgave her for what she said on the train. We're friends, that's it.
Yes, but you want to be more than that! How is this going to work? Do you not like her anymore?
Of course I like her! I'm bloody in love with the girl, but I can't expect her to return my feelings if we never talk and she never gets the chance to know me.
Not to offend you mate, Lily's always been fit, but over the summer, she got even more so…if that's possible.
Yeah, and we're putting it nicely because we know you would kill us for looking at her, but we aren't the only ones who have noticed… What are you going to do about Amos or any other guy for that matter?
Nothing. I told her I wouldn't, and I won't. This is going to work out guys, I know it.
Leave the poor lad alone! For once, Prongs, you're doing the logical thing. Once Lils gets to know you, then you can try to woo her again, for now, just be her friend.
Thank you Remus, it's good to know that someone understands!
Whatever, I'm still having a talk with Evans…
Don't you dare Padfoot! I'm fine, you don't need to baby me.
James, trust me. When have I ever lead you astray? On second thought, don't answer that…
Lily POV
"Lily m'dear, how are you this fine evening?"
"Exceedingly well for the first day back, and yourself?" Looking back on it, I don't really know why I hated Sirius Black. Sure, he could be a prick, but he would do anything for his friends. Which is why the next words out of his mouth are ones that I had been waiting for all day.
"Okay Lils, let's cut the crap. What are your intentions with Jamesy?"
"Excuse me?"
"What are your intentions? Because he may act like being friends with you is no big deal, but this is the biggest thing to happen to him since he made the Quidditch team in second year."
"I don't have any intentions with James, we're friends."
"Are you sure?"
"What are you trying to say Sirius?"
"Don't lead him on, if all you want is friendship, then don't flirt with him a ton or touch him a lot. And don't you dare get jealous!"
"Sirius, I haven't done any of that, for Christ's sake, we haven't even been friends for a day!"
"I know Flower. I'm just warning you. Don't act like you fancy James unless you're sure you do. I love you like a sister, but James has been my brother for six years, and I hate having to pick up the pieces every time you break his heart."
Guilt the weight of a mound of bricks seemed to settle in my stomach.
"Wow…I never knew he took what I said so seriously…"
"Yeah, well, he does. So as long as you promise not to fuck with him, well, you guys can fu-"
"Okay I get your point! Please stop talking before I have to scourgify my brain!"
"Well, as long as you promise…"
"I promise."
"Good, well, I'm done now, so how was the first day for you?"
"Infuriating! I'm sick of teachers constantly talking about N.E.W.T's! After today, I'm absolutely positive I'm going to fail them all!"
From the stairs, I heard a new voice enter the conversation, "Lils, come on now. You couldn't fail a N.E.W.T even if I tied your hands to a chair and blindfolded you." Said James.
"Well I'm glad you seem so confident in my abilities. I think it would be rather difficult to write my papers without hands though James…"
"Obviously I would take the exam for you in that scenario, and since I'm such a natural genius, you would be guaranteed an O!"
"And what about your exam, oh arrogant one?"
"Since I'm so generous, I would gladly fail if it meant you would pass."
"Yeah yeah yeah…we can discuss your nonexistent generosity at a later date. Right now, I think we might be late for a prefects' meeting." I said, rising from the couch.
"Oh damn, you're right! We have to be some of the worst Heads Hogwarts has ever seen…"
"I blame you and your corruptive personality for that," I said to James, "See you later Sirius."
"Bye you kids! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"Padfoot, I would never do half the shit you do!" James chuckled as we walked out of the Gryffindor common room and made our way to the Great Hall for the meeting.
James POV
"Are there any questions?" Lily asked the prefects after finishing her spiel about the bathrooms and patrols.
"Yeah," said Amos Diggory. That guy was the bane of my existence. That Hufflepuff thought he was God's gift to mankind, or at least to Lily…
"What the Hell is going on between you and Potter?" There were rumbles and grunts among all the male prefects at this question. The females seemed to look pretty miffed and intrigued as well.
"Lily and I are friends." I said with a slight edge in my voice. I had been trying to win this girl over for six years, I wasn't about to let their gossip and opinions change our current status.
"Why?" Miranda Blake asked with disgust, "Evans doesn't even like you James, why are you wasting your time?" The other girls seemed to agree with this statement. I looked at Lily who was slowly but surely gaining color in her cheeks, although I couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or anger. Merlin, she was beautiful when she was passionate. I mean, she's always been fit, but when fire lights up her eyes and her cheeks turn a rosy pink, she sends me over the moon.
"Okay listen up you pigs as I'm only going to say this once. James Potter and I are FRIENDS. As Heads, it's our responsibility to maintain unity amongst the students, and that's a whole lot easier to do if we aren't at each others throats every minute of every day. It is none, I repeat, NONE of your business what the status of our relationship is, so back off, NOW."
I gathered that the rosy pinks in her cheeks was from anger; excellent. It's amazing that three months ago, she would have vehemently denied a friendship, and now, she was defending its existence. There was something very special about Lily Evans, something that I couldn't wait to fully explore…
Lily POV
"Honestly, I don't understand why they all care so much if we're friends or not. It's not like it directly effects them." James said to me as we walked back to our dorm after the prefect meeting.
"They have no lives James. Apparently, you and I are front page news…"
"But why? We are the least interesting people I have ever met! With all the shit that's going on in the world, everyone in here can only focus on the status of our relationship. And it's not even a relationship! We're just friends!"
"Speak for yourself! I am very interesting."
"Heh, well, maybe to Amos Diggory.." he muttered darkly. I could tell James was jealous, even though he was trying to keep it out of his voice. Somehow the idea of him being jealous of a wuss like Amos was comical; I couldn't help but giggle.
"What's so funny?" He huffed indignantly.
"I'm sorry, but Diggory? Really? The guy can't stand a challenge to save his life. I would destroy him in a second."
"Well I'm glad you can see that, he seems to think he would complete you." We were silent for a few moments, but it wasn't uncomfortable; it was silence amongst friends. Then, James decided he had something else to ask. "If he's not the kind of guy you want, then who is?"
"I don't know, I've never really thought about it. Someone strong and brave, who has a good sense of humor and can challenge me. But he has to be smart, I want someone who can I discuss the events of our time with."
"Hmmm, he sounds familiar…" murmured James.
"Well, can you tell him to please introduce himself to me? I'm getting rather sick of waiting for him." He just looked at me like I was missing something important. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason, none at all. Speaking of current events, what do you think about all that's going on in the wizarding world?" He asked.
"It's ridiculous! I know you're a pureblood and all, but they're prejudice is entirely unfounded, they aren't even giving people like me a chance!"
"Lily, let me be very clear about this: neither my family or myself think like the radical purebloods. In all honesty, that's just a small sect of wizards, problem is, they have a lot of money and a lot of power."
"Oh James I wasn't insinuating that you did feel like that! I've seen you torment enough future Death Eaters to know you don't agree with them."
"So, can I still hex them? You said innocent people, and they are far from innocent…"
I had to chuckle at his proposition; Potter would always find a way around the rules.
"I guess if you see them doing something disturbing, then you can ahhh…punish them as you see fit."
"I think you were right about what you said earlier Evans, I am a bad influence on you…"
"In your dreams! I was always like this, this is just the first time you've seen this side of me."
"Well, I like it" he said as we approached Reggie and Clarissa.
"Prick" I said to the portrait.
"Excuse me?" Exclaimed James. I broke out laughing at the indignant look on his face: eyebrows reaching his messy hair, mouth in a twisted line; I hadn't seen him look like this since one of our knock down drag out fights last year.
"I was saying the password you twit!"
"Oh right…kinda forgot about that. I'm just so used to you insulting me, it's going to take some time to adjust I guess" he muttered, embarrassed.
"Don't expect the insults to stop now that we're friends, now they'll just have a different tone behind them" I said.
"I guess I can handle that, I think our friends will appreciate that we aren't pulling a full 180 too."
"Ha you're probably right. They were mentally disturbed this morning. Oh my Merlin, did you see Remus' face? He looked like you had announced you wanted to become a girl! It was priceless!"
"That's almost exactly what I thought! Great minds, Evans, great minds…"
"I think it's safe to say we are the smartest out of all of our friends, but let's just keep that between you and me" I said before heading up my staircase.
"It'll be our little secret" James murmured huskily. The sudden change in his voice made my cheeks turn pink and my stomach flutter in an odd way. I was happy he couldn't see my face. I quickly ran up the stairs and to my door.
"Night James" I said quickly before closing the door. I don't know what it was about James Potter, but whenever he was around, things just felt different. I felt more alive and carefree. He made me feel better about myself, even though I was the same old Lily Evans, with him, everything felt new, but old at the same time. I felt like we had been friends for years, not a day. To quote a favorite muggle movie of mine: this was the start of a beautiful friendship.
Sorry if that ending was awkard! I plan on posting the next chapter by Sunday, I just wanted to get this one posted.
Review please(: Lemme know what you think!
